To Live is Christ - Volume 1: To Live is Christ, #1

By Dr. Danny Frazee

Everyone enjoys a good story. Stories inspire, encourage, and entertain. Stories, like a good country song, are about love, life, and loss.

 

What you will discover in this book is what each and every one of you experiences day in and day out. There are days filled with gladness, and there are days filled with sadness. There are days that you are more than a conqueror, and there are days that you have been conquered. There are days that you experience the presence of God, and there are days that you are asking, "God, where are you?"

 

These stories will remind you that God is near. He is with you in every moment, every movement, and every minute of your life. He is never farther than a prayer away. He is like the good shepherd that takes care of his sheep. He not only knows where you are, but also knows what you need.

 

Enjoy the journey. Live with no regrets. Experience the presence of God. Stand on God's promises. Heaven is real. Jesus saves.

 

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."  (Philippians 1:20-22, NIV)

 

In Volume 1, discover Pastor Frazee's humor, heart, and ministry with titles such as "The Bent Nail", "Unfinished Products", "The Church Dog, Two Geese, and Easter Sunday", and "Call Me a Pansy".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danny Frazee
• Release date: Sep 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393602521

Dr. Danny Frazee

Danny Frazee began his ministry at Southmoore Baptist Church in May of 2017. Before coming to Southmoore Baptist Church he pastored at Wilmont Place Baptist Church from 1992 to 2016. In total, Danny has over 40 years of pastoral experience and has also worked as a teacher and coach for the Oklahoma public school system. Danny has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Master of Religious Education, and Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary. Danny and his wife Judy were married in August of 1971.

Book preview

Dedication

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This book is affectionately dedicated to

Judy Kay Frazee,

my best friend, my loving wife,

and special gift from God.

Acknowledgements

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I WANT TO BEGIN WITH a confession. Writing a book was never on my bucket list. Neither was jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. But now I find myself facing an almost impossible task – recognizing so many amazing people who have encouraged, helped, and supported me along this journey.

The book itself is a collection of articles that I had written over the past twenty-plus years. You will find my family in many of these articles. I do agree with my family who has told me that if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have anything to write about.

What you will find on the pages of this book are stories of everyday life. My prayer is that they will put a smile on your face and hope in your heart.

I want to thank Sherry Louthan, the publication secretary at Wilmont Place Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK, for not only typing my weekly articles, but also preserving them and presenting them to me upon my retirement.

I am also grateful for my secretary, Michelle Brown, for not only encouraging me to make this book become a reality, but also her part in making it happen. She has spent countless hours on this project. I am forever indebted to her. Michelle, you are a treasure!

I want to thank my wife, Judy, who, more than anyone in my life, has been my biggest cheerleader. She is the one who tells me that I can when I’m saying, I can’t. I am grateful also for my two children, Woody (who is in heaven) and my daughter, Rachel, Eric, my son-in-law, Lori, my daughter-in-law, and my four grandchildren, Deacon, Delaynie, Hagen, and Hudson. My life would be incomplete without them.

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Thank the Lord for The Bubbas in The World

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I WAS A MILLION MILES from home. I was desperate and afraid. I did not know what to do. I began to ask myself, Why me?

Let me start over. I was only 175 miles from home, not a million. I was not desperate, only needy. I was a little frustrated, but not afraid. And I did not ask, why me, only, I need help!

Judy and I were in Springdale, Arkansas last Saturday. We had made our annual trip to the mecca of craft shows – War Eagle Mill. Not only did we go to the War Eagle, but also had to go to at least a gazillion other craft fairs. That is another story for another time.

As we were driving through Springdale heading home, we heard a very loud screeching noise coming from the motor. I pulled over to make an investigation. I discovered the bearings on a pulley had worn out. The only solution was to buy another one and replace it because the fan belt depended on this pulley.

I pulled into a parts store. They did not have one. The salesman called around town and no one else carried one either; only the Jeep dealership had one. And guess what? The parts and service department at the Jeep dealership was closed.

I decided to drive to the dealership. I knew I would draw a lot of attention. With that pulley sounding like a screaming eagle, people were sure to notice. By this time, Judy had ducked down in the floorboard (not really).

A nice-looking young salesman met me at the door offering his assistance. I told him my dilemma and he said the parts department was closed. He said since the parts department had gone to a new computer system, there was no one there who could operate the computer. The part was in the store, but no one could find it because the computer operators were not there.

Finally, the salesman called for Bubba. He was cleaning the service department. He assured us he knew nothing about computers. After explaining my situation, he said, Wait a minute. He walked over to a workbench and said, Here, I took this off a Jeep last week. You can have it.

I found myself saying, Thank the Lord for the Bubbas in this world. I also was reminded that even though our world is controlled by machines, computers, and electronics, the world will always need men and women. I also was reminded that the Lord needs men and women to take his message of the good news gospel to a needy world. A computer cannot take the place of God’s bubbas (witnesses)!

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Originally published October 26, 1995

Lucky or Unlucky

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I WAS STRANDED. I HAD to leave my car in the shop. I was waiting for a ride. As I was waiting, I entertained myself by looking at new cars which I could not afford. I only dreamed about sitting behind an automobile that cost a kazillion dollars. Besides, if I bought a new car right now, I would have to make a few major adjustments. My kids would have to drop out of school. No more Walmart money for Kissy-Face (Judy). No more Friday night dates with Judy (Kissy-Face). I would have to reduce my tithe because I had to buy a new car. Do you think He would understand?

After I had dismissed the idea of buying a car, I noticed a restaurant not too far away from the car lot. The name of the restaurant was Lucky’s. All sorts of thoughts were running through my mind as I thought about a restaurant named Lucky! Why would anyone name a restaurant Lucky, I asked myself?

Then I answered myself.

One: That may be the owner’s name?

Two: The owner may have felt lucky by being in business?

Three: Anyone who eats there should consider themselves lucky to have eaten such fine food?

I had some other thoughts that I can’t write about.

Please allow me to conclude this article by asking you a serious question. Where are you going to spend eternity? If you would answer, If I’m lucky, I will be in heaven. Being lucky or unlucky has nothing to do with where a person will spend eternity. Lucky people don’t go to heaven, per se. Unlucky people don’t go to hell, per se. Only those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will go to heaven!

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Originally published October 10, 1996

I Love My Fireplace

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I SAT IN FRONT OF MY fireplace. The warmth from the burning logs felt good. Judy, my wife, was sitting on the couch, busy with a sewing project. Rachel, my daughter, was wrapped up in a blanket on the loveseat. PeeWee, our dog, was happy to be inside. After jumping around and begging for a snack, he finally settled down. (Some might be asking, Where is Woody, my son, in this story? Where do you think? At Whitney’s, his fiancé’s house.)

As I sat in front of the fireplace for several minutes, I said, I love my fireplace. That statement just came out of nowhere. I was not carrying on a conversation with Judy or Rachel. I just said it. I don’t think Rachel even heard me. Judy responded by saying, I’m glad you love your fireplace. Nothing else was said.

Yes, I really, really love my fireplace. But there is more. As I am getting older, I am discovering many things about myself. My priorities are changing. The simple things in life mean so much more to me. Things like a fireplace, a family that loves me, a home where I can be myself, my health, a cup of hot chocolate. You know what I mean, don’t you?

The last few days have been bitterly cold. It has been during these cold, wintry days that I have experienced the joy and satisfaction of knowing Christ. I have experienced the faithfulness of my God. I have expressed my love to a faithful Father who loves me unconditionally.

I wish that everybody had a fireplace, a home, a family. A place where there is peace and harmony. You may not have a fireplace, but you can have a relationship with the Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. You may not have a home, but you can have hope in Christ Jesus.

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Originally published January 16, 1997

Yep, I’m A Christian

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ELLEN DEGENERES CAME out of her closet last year. She appeared on the cover of Time magazine, was on talk shows, and was the topic of many conversations. Her confession, Yep, I’m homosexual.

The reaction to her confession has been varied. Some applauded her, while others condemned her. Honesty does have its price. Who is right – who is wrong? How should the Christian community respond to the homosexual agenda? Name-calling has become common between the homosexual community and the Christian community. Many homosexuals call Christians hate-mongers for holding true to deeply held biblical convictions. Some Christians have called homosexuals freaks. The verbal barrage continues.

How should the Christian community respond? How should the local church respond to a homosexual who attends services? Is the homosexual person a greater sinner than the man in the pulpit who does not practice what he preaches, or the usher who takes up the offering when he does not tithe, or the teacher who does not apply biblical teachings to his/her life? Would your response to homosexuals be different if you discovered that your son, daughter, or relative was homosexual? So many questions. And do we have answers?

The Bible says, God so loved the world. The world includes homosexuals.

The Bible says, Jesus came to save that which is lost.  The lost includes everybody.

The Bible says, The Lord is not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. The any and all represent sinners.

Let me set the record straight. I am a Christian who opposes the homosexual agenda, but I do not hate homosexual people. I do believe that the homosexual agenda is wrong. The Bible teaches that it is wrong.

Yes, homosexuals are coming out of their closets. Things that were once hidden from society are now parading down our streets. I believe it is past time for Christians to raise the banner of Christ and proclaim to the world Yep, I’m a Christian!

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Read Carefully – Read Prayerfully

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I WAS THE SECOND CAR from the traffic light. As I came to a stop, I noticed that the car in front of me had a bumper sticker on the back bumper.

As you know, some of the things you read on a bumper sticker make you wish there was a law of censorship for bumper stickers, but this bumper sticker said much in just a few words.

The bumper sticker read, Sooner or later, you have to talk to God.

You may want to read that again – this time a little slower.

Sooner or later you have to talk to God.

That sentence sermon, without question, gets your attention. And you can interpret it as being a positive statement or a negative one.

In a positive way, it means that it is a privilege to talk to God. God provides access to each and every one of us and invites us to bring our every care and concern to Him. He longs to hear from us.

On the other hand, that statement could be negative. There are times that I don’t want to talk to God. The reason being is that I have been disobedient, and I am ashamed. I don’t want to talk to God any more than a car thief wants to talk to a police officer.

Maybe the prodigal son felt that way. He wanted to talk to his father but didn’t want to see the disappointment in his father’s eyes. As you know, his father wasn’t disappointed at all; he was thrilled that his son came home.

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P.S. What are you waiting for?

Originally published January 15, 2003

Difficult Days,  Tough Questions,  And You...

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IT WAS A LONG DAY. I had spent most of the evening with a family at a local hospital. The hours seemed like days. I was exhausted. I led the family in prayer before I left. As I said my goodbyes, a woman asked me if I was a minister and if she could speak with me. I said yes, and we stepped out into the hallway.

Her name was Pat. Her son was dying. He was only in his 20’s. Pat was devastated. She had far more questions than I had answers.

Pat told me she lived about 60 miles from Oklahoma City. And she also shared with me that her son had lived a rebellious life. She was not only heartbroken, but also, she wasn’t sure if her son was a Christian. She asked me if I would pray for her son and pray for her.

I did pray for her and her son and continue to do so. I’m not sure what happened. I had only one opportunity to pray with her and minister to her. Her name is still in my prayer journal. For some reason, I can’t bring myself to mark through her name. I’m not sure why she is still there in my journal. It is as if God won’t let me forget her.

Perhaps the Lord wanted me to leave her name in my prayer journal to write to you about her situation. Maybe you can relate to Pat. Maybe you have a son, daughter, family member, or friend whose Christianity you are unsure of... Ask God to help you ask them now if they know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

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Originally published January 22, 2003

Missing The Curve

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IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT someone had missed the curve. I could see almost 100 feet of skid marks and see where a vehicle had run off the road Small trees were broken in half, and a fence was taken out.

What happened?

I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine...

Maybe it was foggy, and the driver missed the curve...

Maybe someone had been drinking, and wasn’t alert enough to be behind the wheel...

Maybe someone was upset and was driving too fast and couldn’t negotiate the 90-degree curve...

All I do know is this: Someone missed the curve...

I can relate to this incident. I’m not talking about missing a curve in my car, but sometimes I’m guilty of missing other things ...

Sometimes I don’t read the signs and signals my wife, Judy, gives me when she needs a little extra attention ...

Sometimes I don’t pay attention to my body when it begins to rebel against the abuse I put it through – too many long days and short nights – too many chocolate candy bars and diet cokes.

Sometimes I don’t hear God’s voice when He has something really important He wants to tell me ...

Maybe you can relate to this ...

What happens when we ignore our partner’s needs, when we abuse our bodies, when we don’t listen to God?

You’re right – we miss the curve. And now we are left to pay the price...

Is God trying to warn you about something?

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Originally published January 29, 2003

Just Because It’s Legal, Does Not Mean It’s Right

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AS I WRITE THIS ARTICLE, our newly elected governor, Brad Henry, is only a couple of hours away from delivering his first State of the State Address. Our governor has inherited some mountain-size challenges, and the bottom line to meeting these challenges is money. Some say, No mon’ – no fun. I say, No mon’ – no fund.

One of the solutions to the state’s revenue shortfall is the lottery. During his campaign Governor Henry said he believed the lottery would help fund education.

The Oklahoman ran an article on the lottery in its January 18, 2003, newspaper. A number of pastors were asked if they would accept money given to the church if they knew the money was from the lottery.

One pastor said, I would not accept the money because I believe that gambling is wrong.

Another pastor responded by saying, I say, yes, the church should definitely accept the money. This money is legal money.

We might as well get ready for it. Oklahomans will be going to the polls to vote for or against the lottery. As a Christian, you must vote your convictions. It does not a matter what the governor says, or even what a pastor might say, but we must ask what does God say about the lottery (gambling)?

A woman can legally get an abortion, but just because it’s legal, does not mean it’s right.

I want to encourage you to begin praying for the defeat of the lottery bill. I want to encourage you to vote when the time comes to go to the polls. I want to encourage you to register, if you have not done so already. I want to encourage you to not be passive, but active in helping to defeat the lottery.

Do what is right, not what is legal.

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Originally published February 5, 2003

Notes About Nicaragua Mission Trip

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LAST WEEK WAS ONE OF the best weeks of my life. It was difficult and demanding, yet it was a week I would not trade for anything ...

I now have a renewed appreciation for all that I have. I now have a new definition of the phrase, There is no place like home. I now have a revived compassion for people. Not only for the people in Nicaragua but people everywhere ... I now see the pink carpet in the sanctuary through different eyes. I now have a deeper love for my family...

I know I am speaking for all the others who went on the Nicaragua Mission Trip. All of us have a burning desire to share with everyone what we saw, what we heard, what we smelled, what we ate, where we slept, what we touched. But most importantly what God did in our hearts and lives ...

Thank you, church, for allowing us to go to Nicaragua. We could not have gone without your encouragement, financial support, but most of all, your prayers. You were there with us. I am more convinced now than ever that prayer has power. We knew you were praying for us. Your spirit energized us when we were dog-tired ...