Clampetts or Cleavers?

When people visit the church, which family do they find? I’ve come to the conclusion that there are basically only two types of families the world sees – the Clampetts or the Cleavers.

You know the story of the Clampetts, don't you? A poor man named Jed, barely kept his family fed. One day he was shooting at some food and up through the ground come some bubblin’ crude. Oil it was, black gold, Texas tea! The first thing you know old Jed’s a millionaire and all of his kin folk said he ort to move away from there. They advised him that California was the place he ought to be, so they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly. Ring a bell? I think there was a documentary on TV.

Every episode featured someone else checking out the Clampetts because of what they had to offer -- money and lots of it. The show always featured someone trying to get close to them. But the closer they got the further they ran. At the end it was the same cast of characters: Jed, Granny, Jethro, Ellie Mae, their gold digging banker Mr. Drysdale and his trusty assistant Miss Hathaway. Everyone else fled back to normalcy having found that the money wasn't worth the dysfunction they would have to endure to get it. Until the advent of reality television, the Clampetts were without a doubt the most dysfunctional family television ever produced.

Then on the other end of the spectrum, there are the Cleavers; you know Ward, June, Wally, and the Beav. They're not the perfect family in the sense that nothing bad ever happens to them. But by the end of every episode what you find is a family that has worked through a perceived crisis and grown closer as a result. Whether it was a C grade on a math test or a birthday party that the Beav forgot to attend, whatever the calamity the Cleavers have grown through the process.

Here's the question: when you are looking for answers, would you rather be a Cleaver or a Clampett? With the exception of the dress code, it would have to be the Cleavers, right? They may not be the most edgy or compelling group in cinematic history from an entertainment perspective, but they really loved each other. They worked through their problems and ultimately avoided the dysfunction and chaos that epitomized the Clampetts.

The scripture teaches us that the church is a family that people watch to determine if they want to be a part. One of the criterion they evaluate is the way we interact with each other. Two questions to consider:

1. Is your church a Cleaver Church or a Clampett Church?


2. In your church, do you behave more like a Cleaver or a Clampett?

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." Philippians 2:1-4 NLT

Prayer for State and Local Government

I had the privilege of leading in prayer for State and Local Government at the National Day of prayer at Bright House Field this past Thursday night. God instructs believers to pray for "kings and all who are in authority..." In obedience to God's call today, take some time to pray for our leaders. Perhaps this prayer can serve as a guide.

Gracious God in heaven, we give you praise tonight because you have seen fit to grace us with independence. Our prayer Father is for those at the state and local level who have been entrusted with the administration of the freedoms we enjoy. May they understand that their office is not merely a public trust, but a sacred trust that demands the humility of Moses, the stewardship of Joseph, and the servanthood of Jesus.

We ask that you give our leaders…

• Direction to navigate the turbulent waters of our times

• Fortitude to resist the urge to expedience

• Discernment to withstand the deceptive voice of our enemy

• Wisdom to identify the greater good

• Strength to resist the pull of public opinion

• Resolve to stand on the life giving principles of justice

We pray that they be men and women who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers. But Lord, we ask that they would delight in your truth that preserves justice for the oppressed, dignity for the shamed, and hope for the hurting.

For our leaders we ask that…

· Righteousness would be their path

· Justice their pursuit

· And liberty would be their pleasure

In the end Lord help us to remember that a house, community, a state or nation divided against itself will not stand. So we ask that by your Spirit our state and local leaders would make every effort toward unity and peace. May their labor produce the unified fruit of one county, one state, one nation, under God, exercising liberty and justice for all!

In unifying name of our Lord Jesus Christ that we pray, Amen.

May God add his blessings to the prayers of His people!