One of the great things about deputation is getting to meet people from sister churches that you probably wouldn't have met otherwise. Yesterday was such a blessing.
Jessica, Josh, Rachel and I visited Landmark Baptist Church of Floresville, Texas, pastored by Roddy Rodgers. Landmark was just amazing to us. They are a dynamic small group of believers, ranging from senior citizens to young parents. The church was nice enough to put us in a motel room Saturday night, where the Rodgers family took us to eat at the Maverick Grill. There, Bro. Rodgers and I strategically sat ourselves where we could watch the Aggies lose to the Nittany Lions on TV (A moment of silence, please).
The following morning, I was blessed with the fellowship of the church, a love offering, and the opportunity to share the work of Mission: Brownwood. I am impressed with what a strong church family they have, in spite of their small numbers. Please be in prayer for them. Their prayer needs are as dynamic as their congregation.
After morning services, I took the family into San Antonio for the pilgrimmage all Texans should make. We visited the Alamo, the birthplace of Texas Liberty. While we did not go into the shrine (too long of a line. The disenfranchised Aggie fans were there touring the grounds), we did see the rest of the Alamo site, plus enjoyed a stroll along the River Walk. San Antonio is a great place, and I look forward to future family retreats there. The kids said they really enjoyed it.
I'll post my December report and mail it out later this week.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christian vs. Christ Follower
I like how the church who produced this video challenges people to move beyond the label of Christian to live the life of a disciple of Christ. The video was produced by the Community Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org) and is available for view at www.godtube.com.
(video url: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=240ad5b9b413aa7346a1&page=1&viewtype=&category=mv )
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Why were Herod and all of Jerusalem troubled?
When the wise men arrived in Jerusalem shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ (which, I believe happened while Jesus, Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem), they began asking, "Where is He that is born the King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2)
Matthew 2:3 says "When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why Herod the king was troubled. Herod was a vicious king who was paranoid. He suspected almost everyone around him of trying to take his throne. He was even known to kill his own children if he suspected they intended on usurping his authority. Herod was troubled because he saw that his position as king was in jeopardy.
Many times in our lives, we fail to recognize Jesus as Lord because it means that we are not in control of our lives, neither are we supposed to live to make ourselves happy. I could have a great career at print journalism... several in the industry have told me so. I probably would never get on staff at the Dallas Morning News, or even the Austin American-Stateman, but I could probably have a successful career at a mid-market paper. However, my life is not about advancing my career and satisfying my ego. It is about exalting Christ and following His plan for my life. God has given me the ability to work in newspapers so that I can use that to get into areas where He leads me to minister (much like Paul and tentmaking).
Why do you do what you do? Is it to realize your own goals and dreams, or is it to exalt Christ and follow His will for your life? Often, people are comfortable in expending small amounts of energy in church activities... but few actually dive into the Christian life with both feet.
Then, the Bible says all Jerusalem was troubled with Herod. Why? Why would the people of Jerusalem be troubled at the idea of the birth of Christ? Could it be the Old Testament prophecies about His executing judgment upon the earth? Or would it be because they knew Herod would not take too kindly to the idea of yielding his throne to the Messiah? (Perhaps they knew trouble was afoot.)
We know that before Jesus returns, perilous times will prevail. Those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture (or those who don't believe in a rapture at all) believe that Christians will have to endure the perils of Daniel's 70th week and the great tribulation. Those who believe in a mid or pre-tribulation rapture believe that Christians will not have to endure the great tribulation, but will still face tough, perilous times and persecution leading up to the rapture.
These facts should not stop us from praising and glorifying God, but rather should prompt us to "look to the sky, for our redemption draweth nigh." In discussing end times events in Matthew 24:6, Jesus said, "See that you are not troubled, for all these must come to pass, but the end is not yet." While He was referring to the wars and rumors of wars leading up to the end, Jesus did not want His disciples to live in fear of the end times. He wants us to face uncertain times with our heads up, depending on Him for strength, guidence and deliverance, and praising Him.
Of course, another reason Jerusalem was troubled could have been that the arrival of Messiah would have interrupted, if not halted, business as usual. What a shame it is when our personal day-to-day business drowns out the greater vision God has for our lives. Don't be so entangled in the affairs of this world that you tune out God's kingdom.
I have not been as good of a disciple of Christ as I could have been in 2007. My only New Year's resolution is to be a better disciple and impact as many people's lives as possible. It's time to get real!
Matthew 2:3 says "When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why Herod the king was troubled. Herod was a vicious king who was paranoid. He suspected almost everyone around him of trying to take his throne. He was even known to kill his own children if he suspected they intended on usurping his authority. Herod was troubled because he saw that his position as king was in jeopardy.
Many times in our lives, we fail to recognize Jesus as Lord because it means that we are not in control of our lives, neither are we supposed to live to make ourselves happy. I could have a great career at print journalism... several in the industry have told me so. I probably would never get on staff at the Dallas Morning News, or even the Austin American-Stateman, but I could probably have a successful career at a mid-market paper. However, my life is not about advancing my career and satisfying my ego. It is about exalting Christ and following His plan for my life. God has given me the ability to work in newspapers so that I can use that to get into areas where He leads me to minister (much like Paul and tentmaking).
Why do you do what you do? Is it to realize your own goals and dreams, or is it to exalt Christ and follow His will for your life? Often, people are comfortable in expending small amounts of energy in church activities... but few actually dive into the Christian life with both feet.
Then, the Bible says all Jerusalem was troubled with Herod. Why? Why would the people of Jerusalem be troubled at the idea of the birth of Christ? Could it be the Old Testament prophecies about His executing judgment upon the earth? Or would it be because they knew Herod would not take too kindly to the idea of yielding his throne to the Messiah? (Perhaps they knew trouble was afoot.)
We know that before Jesus returns, perilous times will prevail. Those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture (or those who don't believe in a rapture at all) believe that Christians will have to endure the perils of Daniel's 70th week and the great tribulation. Those who believe in a mid or pre-tribulation rapture believe that Christians will not have to endure the great tribulation, but will still face tough, perilous times and persecution leading up to the rapture.
These facts should not stop us from praising and glorifying God, but rather should prompt us to "look to the sky, for our redemption draweth nigh." In discussing end times events in Matthew 24:6, Jesus said, "See that you are not troubled, for all these must come to pass, but the end is not yet." While He was referring to the wars and rumors of wars leading up to the end, Jesus did not want His disciples to live in fear of the end times. He wants us to face uncertain times with our heads up, depending on Him for strength, guidence and deliverance, and praising Him.
Of course, another reason Jerusalem was troubled could have been that the arrival of Messiah would have interrupted, if not halted, business as usual. What a shame it is when our personal day-to-day business drowns out the greater vision God has for our lives. Don't be so entangled in the affairs of this world that you tune out God's kingdom.
I have not been as good of a disciple of Christ as I could have been in 2007. My only New Year's resolution is to be a better disciple and impact as many people's lives as possible. It's time to get real!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Merry Christmas
The phone cable from my computer to the phone jack at home are broken... so I can't access the internet from home. This is a good thing, because as I go home from work this afternoon, I will not be tempted to log on, check blogs and neglect my precious family time.
So, with that in mind, I will blog no more until Dec. 26.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. May your family get togethers feature great fellowship and your choir cantatas come out right.
Merry Christmas!
So, with that in mind, I will blog no more until Dec. 26.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. May your family get togethers feature great fellowship and your choir cantatas come out right.
Merry Christmas!
Pondering
Luke 2:19 says "Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
What things did Mary ponder in her heart?
The things which were told of them by the shepherds (Luke 2:18).
What things did the shepherds say? The saying which was told them concerning this Child (Jesus). (Luke 2:17).
What things were told them concerning the Child? The Child is the Savior, born in Bethlehem, Which is Christ the Lord. He could be found lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. (Luke 2:11-12).
So, Mary pondered the fact that her baby was Christ, the Lord, the Savior for all mankind (Shall be a blessing to ALL people, remember?) She PONDERED these things in her heart.
To ponder means to think about something carefully. Now, the fact that she gave birth to Messiah was not news to Mary. She was told this from the very outset. Now, she is carefully thinking about what was announced to the shepherds and the implications of this. To put it another way, it had now hit her. (This is Ackerian theology, but bear with me).
In Luke 2:19, we find Mary embracing Christ like never before. She had already embraced Christ and the idea of being His mother. But now she is making Him center of her life. The rest of her life would be dedicated to Christ.
How often do we ponder Christ? Do we center our lives around Him? Or would we do a better job if He got out of the way?
I have to confess that my frustration at the slowdown of Mission:Brownwood progress reveals a lack of faith on my part (that God will bring it all together in His time) and reveals the fact that I am still putting my agenda before His. I have failed to properly ponder Christ, and the mission that He has given me. Now, thankfully, I have a little bit of time to correct my wrong.
I want to embrace Christ. I want to make Him the center of my life to where He is involved in everything I do. I have a ways to go and grow.
Thank you for your prayers.
What things did Mary ponder in her heart?
The things which were told of them by the shepherds (Luke 2:18).
What things did the shepherds say? The saying which was told them concerning this Child (Jesus). (Luke 2:17).
What things were told them concerning the Child? The Child is the Savior, born in Bethlehem, Which is Christ the Lord. He could be found lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. (Luke 2:11-12).
So, Mary pondered the fact that her baby was Christ, the Lord, the Savior for all mankind (Shall be a blessing to ALL people, remember?) She PONDERED these things in her heart.
To ponder means to think about something carefully. Now, the fact that she gave birth to Messiah was not news to Mary. She was told this from the very outset. Now, she is carefully thinking about what was announced to the shepherds and the implications of this. To put it another way, it had now hit her. (This is Ackerian theology, but bear with me).
In Luke 2:19, we find Mary embracing Christ like never before. She had already embraced Christ and the idea of being His mother. But now she is making Him center of her life. The rest of her life would be dedicated to Christ.
How often do we ponder Christ? Do we center our lives around Him? Or would we do a better job if He got out of the way?
I have to confess that my frustration at the slowdown of Mission:Brownwood progress reveals a lack of faith on my part (that God will bring it all together in His time) and reveals the fact that I am still putting my agenda before His. I have failed to properly ponder Christ, and the mission that He has given me. Now, thankfully, I have a little bit of time to correct my wrong.
I want to embrace Christ. I want to make Him the center of my life to where He is involved in everything I do. I have a ways to go and grow.
Thank you for your prayers.
Generation: Lost
The thing that strikes me the most about the Jamie Spears pregnancy (at the age of 16), or the continued decadence on the part of her sister (Brittney) or the Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richey scandals is not so much the fact that these girls and women are influencing our younger generation, but that they are reflective of the culture of our younger generation.
Kids in our neighborhoods, cities, towns, and even in the shadows of the steeples of our ABA churches are actively engaged in the behavior that the afore mentioned divas are involved in. I know... I saw it in high school and college, heard the talk around the establishment I worked in during seminary, and have seen kids I tried to minister too fall by the wayside. This stuff has been going on, rampantly, since I was in school.
My question is, what can we do to curb the current trends? I know that parents should step up and be parents, but in many situations, this just is not going to happen. We need to step in and minister to the youth. This can be done by...
- going bivocational and becoming school teachers.
- Becoming substitute teachers/teachers' aides.
- coaching youth sports.
- ehhhh I'm out of ideas. Please help.
The main thing is that we need to quit relying on Wed. Night pizza to get the job done. It's more than "evangelical opportunities." This is a dire situation in our own front yards that needs to be attended to.
Please pray for the youth of our nation.
Kids in our neighborhoods, cities, towns, and even in the shadows of the steeples of our ABA churches are actively engaged in the behavior that the afore mentioned divas are involved in. I know... I saw it in high school and college, heard the talk around the establishment I worked in during seminary, and have seen kids I tried to minister too fall by the wayside. This stuff has been going on, rampantly, since I was in school.
My question is, what can we do to curb the current trends? I know that parents should step up and be parents, but in many situations, this just is not going to happen. We need to step in and minister to the youth. This can be done by...
- going bivocational and becoming school teachers.
- Becoming substitute teachers/teachers' aides.
- coaching youth sports.
- ehhhh I'm out of ideas. Please help.
The main thing is that we need to quit relying on Wed. Night pizza to get the job done. It's more than "evangelical opportunities." This is a dire situation in our own front yards that needs to be attended to.
Please pray for the youth of our nation.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Ministry to parents
One of the ideas My wife and I are developing for Mission: Brownwood is building a support group for parents of young children. There is a program out there called MOPS, for Mothers Of PreSchoolers. However, it is limited to mothers, especially those who are stay-at-home mothers. Our idea is to offer a support group that would meet at night, include both mothers and fathers (single or married), feed them dinner and put together an entertaining yet encouraging program. Babysitting would be offered.
I throw this out there as an idea, should any who read this be brainstorming ways to reach young families. Young families will be a special target for Mission: Brownwood, as 31% of Brownwood households have children under 1 year of age.
If you have any thoughts on the logistics of a program like this, let me know. My wife and I want the idea to be very refined and perfected by the time we launch.
I throw this out there as an idea, should any who read this be brainstorming ways to reach young families. Young families will be a special target for Mission: Brownwood, as 31% of Brownwood households have children under 1 year of age.
If you have any thoughts on the logistics of a program like this, let me know. My wife and I want the idea to be very refined and perfected by the time we launch.
Strange evening
I got home last night at about 6:05 to find a strange noise filling the air. Yep. It was as bad as I thought. My wife, in her efforts to clean out our closets, found some audio cassette tapes I thought I had destroyed. The tape in the radio was from my days at KJ 103 in Nacogdoches. She said she also found some of my college radio tapes. I ordered her to destroy the tapes, an order she refused.
"Something might happen to you and I will want these tapes to remind me of how much God has changed you," she said. I, for one, am glad that I barely remember those days. I was just plain stupid in college. My KJ 103 days were marked by portraying quirky characters on the morning show, bad publicity stunts, and my personal life was marred by bad decisions. However, my on-air work was pretty decent. I must confess listening to that old tape brought out some good memories as well, such as when Jessica and I met, when we had our first dates, how she tuned every radio in the house to KJ 103 and blared them loudly because I was on the air, etc. My bad choices led me to resign the station at the end of July 1999. I went to work for a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Jacksonville before re-entering radio at KCKL in Malakoff, then on to KWRD-AM in Henderson, KYYK in Palestine and now KWRW-FM in Rusk, where I crossed over and went into print journalism at our sister newspaper, the Cherokeean Herald. I was saved while working at KYYK, and surrendered to the ministry while at KWRW-FM. Anyway... back to my evening.
The boys went to bed early, so Jessica stayed home and I took Rachel to church. Rachel got sick at church (probably from eating too many of Jessica's homemade french fries) and threw up all over the table in her classroom. That was fun to clean up.
I took Rachel home, she got cleaned up and we watched "Happy Feet." Jessica then chastised me for drinking all the milk (oops!) and sent me to town for some more plus a coke. She was working on her present for her granparents and mother.
I love my family... now, if only I could destroy those radio tapes.
"Something might happen to you and I will want these tapes to remind me of how much God has changed you," she said. I, for one, am glad that I barely remember those days. I was just plain stupid in college. My KJ 103 days were marked by portraying quirky characters on the morning show, bad publicity stunts, and my personal life was marred by bad decisions. However, my on-air work was pretty decent. I must confess listening to that old tape brought out some good memories as well, such as when Jessica and I met, when we had our first dates, how she tuned every radio in the house to KJ 103 and blared them loudly because I was on the air, etc. My bad choices led me to resign the station at the end of July 1999. I went to work for a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Jacksonville before re-entering radio at KCKL in Malakoff, then on to KWRD-AM in Henderson, KYYK in Palestine and now KWRW-FM in Rusk, where I crossed over and went into print journalism at our sister newspaper, the Cherokeean Herald. I was saved while working at KYYK, and surrendered to the ministry while at KWRW-FM. Anyway... back to my evening.
The boys went to bed early, so Jessica stayed home and I took Rachel to church. Rachel got sick at church (probably from eating too many of Jessica's homemade french fries) and threw up all over the table in her classroom. That was fun to clean up.
I took Rachel home, she got cleaned up and we watched "Happy Feet." Jessica then chastised me for drinking all the milk (oops!) and sent me to town for some more plus a coke. She was working on her present for her granparents and mother.
I love my family... now, if only I could destroy those radio tapes.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Mission: Brownwood update
When I was 17, I drove my truck down a red muddy road one night on my way to a friend's house. While I didn't get stuck, and my 1983 F150 continued forward, we did get bogged down a little bit.
That's how I feel the progress toward getting on the field in Brownwood, TX, is going.
Bro. Swilling and I are continuing to develop a working agreement between me and Rocky Springs MBC. There is one sticking point. Bro. Swilling wants the mission to be developed in a traditional way. The people are evangelized, baptized, and become members of Rocky Springs until organization. My objection is that it is difficult (for me, at least) to teach landmarkism under this organizational structure. Furthermore, I want to teach the new church how to be a church and not let them have an opportunity to become dependent on the sponsoring church or any supporting churches. My plan would be to take the recently baptized believers and form them into their own church. I would still be accountable to Rocky Springs because I would still be their missionary. Of course, this situation has not been helped by the rash speech on church planting that has taken place at some of our associational meetings. While the concept may be correct, the attitude can create suspicion among our senior pastors. Bro. Swilling has the best intentions in his heart. He wants to see the work, missionary and sponsoring church protected and successful, and has seen great successes with mission work done the traditional way. I just can't do it that way.
The bad thing about this whole process is that it stresses Bro. Swilling out, and I did not want this to be a stressful time for him.
God is honoring our extended time of discussion by not allowing my prospective employer to hire me just yet. I don't know what the hold-up is, but I received an email from them apologizing for leaving me in limbo this long, and they still want to hire me. I was hoping to be able to join them at the end of football season. Then I was hoping to join them at the end of November. Now, I am hoping to be able to join them sometime in January, maybe.
Things are not totally frustrating. I was blessed with money from Heaven when a $200 love offering check appeared in the mail from Wyndrock MBC of Abilene, TX. Brethren, I greatly appreciate your support and encouragement. It is great to know that we will have a supportive (prayer and emotional if not financial) church nearby. We are also looking forward to a similar working relationship with Beacon Baptist Church of San Angelo.
The main thing is to get to Brownwood and get the work started. I will post my thoughts, plans and vision for the work at a later time. Thank you, please pray for me and Rocky Springs, and God bless you.
That's how I feel the progress toward getting on the field in Brownwood, TX, is going.
Bro. Swilling and I are continuing to develop a working agreement between me and Rocky Springs MBC. There is one sticking point. Bro. Swilling wants the mission to be developed in a traditional way. The people are evangelized, baptized, and become members of Rocky Springs until organization. My objection is that it is difficult (for me, at least) to teach landmarkism under this organizational structure. Furthermore, I want to teach the new church how to be a church and not let them have an opportunity to become dependent on the sponsoring church or any supporting churches. My plan would be to take the recently baptized believers and form them into their own church. I would still be accountable to Rocky Springs because I would still be their missionary. Of course, this situation has not been helped by the rash speech on church planting that has taken place at some of our associational meetings. While the concept may be correct, the attitude can create suspicion among our senior pastors. Bro. Swilling has the best intentions in his heart. He wants to see the work, missionary and sponsoring church protected and successful, and has seen great successes with mission work done the traditional way. I just can't do it that way.
The bad thing about this whole process is that it stresses Bro. Swilling out, and I did not want this to be a stressful time for him.
God is honoring our extended time of discussion by not allowing my prospective employer to hire me just yet. I don't know what the hold-up is, but I received an email from them apologizing for leaving me in limbo this long, and they still want to hire me. I was hoping to be able to join them at the end of football season. Then I was hoping to join them at the end of November. Now, I am hoping to be able to join them sometime in January, maybe.
Things are not totally frustrating. I was blessed with money from Heaven when a $200 love offering check appeared in the mail from Wyndrock MBC of Abilene, TX. Brethren, I greatly appreciate your support and encouragement. It is great to know that we will have a supportive (prayer and emotional if not financial) church nearby. We are also looking forward to a similar working relationship with Beacon Baptist Church of San Angelo.
The main thing is to get to Brownwood and get the work started. I will post my thoughts, plans and vision for the work at a later time. Thank you, please pray for me and Rocky Springs, and God bless you.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
A-L-L, that's ALL!
Luke 2:10-11 says, "And the angel said unto them, fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
The Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus in the books of Matthew and Luke have so much theology tied into them. We could study the birth of Christ for an entire year, possibly longer, and still not fully exegete the theology that is contained in those verses.
The phrase I would like to focus on is, "Which shall be to all people."
The good tidings of great joy were for ALL people. Those tidings were that Christ, the Savior, was born in Bethlehem (verse 11). The birth of Christ meant the forgiveness of sins, the redemption, the restoration of God's people, the keeping of God's Old Testament promises, the incarnation of God into a man who would walk with the people, and so on. These were great tidings of great joy. These tidings were for ALL people.
Isn't it amazing that the birth of Christ was announced to the shepherds before it was announced to the royalty and clergy of the day? This shows that that God includes ALL people in His plan of salvation, no matter how poor or humble. (The wise men announced His birth to the royalty and clergy, showing that God's salvation was available to ALL people, no matter how rich and pious).
But the main thing is that ALL means ALL. If there were one person in all of the world, past, present or future, that God would reject upon his repentance and faith, ALL would not mean ALL. Thus, Luke 2:10 would be illogical and thus a false verse.
No, God's salvation is available to ALL who will repent and trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. God did not pre-select those who are worthy, nor did He pre-reject those He didn't like. God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The Gospel, how Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures, is meant to be shared with ALL people.
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe whatsoever things I have commanded you."
"Nations" in verse 19 means "tribes" or "ethnicities."
Brethren, there are churches who have agreed to end services the second someone of a different race walks in the door. There are schools that teach against integrated churches. They refuse to admit students of different ethnicities. There are churches that will not baptize or disciple people of different ethnicities that come forward. I have heard of pastors going door-knocking with insurance policies in their back pocket should a person of a different ethnicity open the door. (They would pretend to be insurance salesmen). All of this is done under the guise of "Godly seperation," but is actually in violation of the "good tidings of great joy to ALL people." It constitutes failure to "teach ALL nations." It is in contradiction to Galatians 3:28, and fails to follow the example of the church at Antioch.
Those who defend this practice claim they are avoiding strife and contention that comes with the mixing of the cultures. This argument is shallow at best and holds no scriptural backing.
Churches, seminaries, pastors and laymen who subscribe to the afore-descibed theology of "Godly seperation" are in open rebellion of what God has commanded us and taught us in the scriptures.
And I don't care how much $upport this post will cost me. The scriptures teach we are to make disciples, baptize and teach people of all colors, cultures, and backgrounds. That is what I aim to do. Those who wish to oppose me have no defense in the scriptures, and will reveal to me what kind of people they really are. Repentance here is the only choice.
The Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus in the books of Matthew and Luke have so much theology tied into them. We could study the birth of Christ for an entire year, possibly longer, and still not fully exegete the theology that is contained in those verses.
The phrase I would like to focus on is, "Which shall be to all people."
The good tidings of great joy were for ALL people. Those tidings were that Christ, the Savior, was born in Bethlehem (verse 11). The birth of Christ meant the forgiveness of sins, the redemption, the restoration of God's people, the keeping of God's Old Testament promises, the incarnation of God into a man who would walk with the people, and so on. These were great tidings of great joy. These tidings were for ALL people.
Isn't it amazing that the birth of Christ was announced to the shepherds before it was announced to the royalty and clergy of the day? This shows that that God includes ALL people in His plan of salvation, no matter how poor or humble. (The wise men announced His birth to the royalty and clergy, showing that God's salvation was available to ALL people, no matter how rich and pious).
But the main thing is that ALL means ALL. If there were one person in all of the world, past, present or future, that God would reject upon his repentance and faith, ALL would not mean ALL. Thus, Luke 2:10 would be illogical and thus a false verse.
No, God's salvation is available to ALL who will repent and trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. God did not pre-select those who are worthy, nor did He pre-reject those He didn't like. God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The Gospel, how Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures, is meant to be shared with ALL people.
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe whatsoever things I have commanded you."
"Nations" in verse 19 means "tribes" or "ethnicities."
Brethren, there are churches who have agreed to end services the second someone of a different race walks in the door. There are schools that teach against integrated churches. They refuse to admit students of different ethnicities. There are churches that will not baptize or disciple people of different ethnicities that come forward. I have heard of pastors going door-knocking with insurance policies in their back pocket should a person of a different ethnicity open the door. (They would pretend to be insurance salesmen). All of this is done under the guise of "Godly seperation," but is actually in violation of the "good tidings of great joy to ALL people." It constitutes failure to "teach ALL nations." It is in contradiction to Galatians 3:28, and fails to follow the example of the church at Antioch.
Those who defend this practice claim they are avoiding strife and contention that comes with the mixing of the cultures. This argument is shallow at best and holds no scriptural backing.
Churches, seminaries, pastors and laymen who subscribe to the afore-descibed theology of "Godly seperation" are in open rebellion of what God has commanded us and taught us in the scriptures.
And I don't care how much $upport this post will cost me. The scriptures teach we are to make disciples, baptize and teach people of all colors, cultures, and backgrounds. That is what I aim to do. Those who wish to oppose me have no defense in the scriptures, and will reveal to me what kind of people they really are. Repentance here is the only choice.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Happenings
After a couple of more trips to Alto, I have found the town is not angry at me for my coverage of the city council fiasco. Then again, I have three more stories about the council coming out next Wednesday.
Things aren't totally gloomy in Alto. Their football team just won the state championship for the second year in a row. I covered the game from the sidelines with my office's handy Digital Cannon Rebel XT and a borrowed telefoto lense. I got some great action shots which will appear in the Cherokeean Herald this week. It was a blast... 8,000 screaming fans, 36 degree temperatures, 25-50 mph winds, and a victory to boot.
I cleaned our living room Saturday night and put up the Christmas tree. Jessica and the kids decorated it last night.
Bro. Marion Reed spoke to Rocky Springs concerning the responsibilities of a sponsoring church during evening services last night. He also familiarized the church with the missions policy of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. It was an informational meeting.
Bro. Swilling and I have had a meeting, and will meet again concerning sponsorship of Mission: Brownwood. We are developing a working agreement for Rocky's sponsorship. Please be in prayer about this.
I have had a busy week. Of the six front page stories for the Dec. 19 issue of the Cherokeean, I wrote five. Plus, I have a story in section B on the topsy-turvy lives of the football coaches' wives. I have a school board meeting tonight, which will make seven stories total.
Things aren't totally gloomy in Alto. Their football team just won the state championship for the second year in a row. I covered the game from the sidelines with my office's handy Digital Cannon Rebel XT and a borrowed telefoto lense. I got some great action shots which will appear in the Cherokeean Herald this week. It was a blast... 8,000 screaming fans, 36 degree temperatures, 25-50 mph winds, and a victory to boot.
I cleaned our living room Saturday night and put up the Christmas tree. Jessica and the kids decorated it last night.
Bro. Marion Reed spoke to Rocky Springs concerning the responsibilities of a sponsoring church during evening services last night. He also familiarized the church with the missions policy of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. It was an informational meeting.
Bro. Swilling and I have had a meeting, and will meet again concerning sponsorship of Mission: Brownwood. We are developing a working agreement for Rocky's sponsorship. Please be in prayer about this.
I have had a busy week. Of the six front page stories for the Dec. 19 issue of the Cherokeean, I wrote five. Plus, I have a story in section B on the topsy-turvy lives of the football coaches' wives. I have a school board meeting tonight, which will make seven stories total.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Conflicting emotions
One of my favorite things about working in newspaper journalism is the fact I get to meet many people, from all walks of life with a wide variety of backgrounds. Part of my job is to tell their stories to the readers. The other part of my job is to keep the readers informed on the day-to-day actions of their elected officials.
Covering these stories has allowed me to develop some friendships along the way. I am not a good journalist when it comes to being a fly on the wall. I usually wind up befriending those I work with and wishing them success as I report on their activities. This has caused some conflicting emotions for me in the past week.
The mayor of Alto resigned after a special meeting last Thursday, basically because the council did not back him up as he was trying to keep a city employee on task. There are a number of underlying issues which are surfacing, and I now have to interview some of these people I have befriended, asking them for information which will likely cause them stress. But, it's part of the job. The public in Alto deserves to know why they no longer have a mayor, why raw sewage was running into a local pond, if the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will levy a fine against the city, etc.
So, I am in a predicament where my concern for the parties involved must balance with my objectivity as a reporter. I just pray God gives me wisdom as I go through this.
I have seven stories to write before tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., so I should probably get back to work.
Covering these stories has allowed me to develop some friendships along the way. I am not a good journalist when it comes to being a fly on the wall. I usually wind up befriending those I work with and wishing them success as I report on their activities. This has caused some conflicting emotions for me in the past week.
The mayor of Alto resigned after a special meeting last Thursday, basically because the council did not back him up as he was trying to keep a city employee on task. There are a number of underlying issues which are surfacing, and I now have to interview some of these people I have befriended, asking them for information which will likely cause them stress. But, it's part of the job. The public in Alto deserves to know why they no longer have a mayor, why raw sewage was running into a local pond, if the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will levy a fine against the city, etc.
So, I am in a predicament where my concern for the parties involved must balance with my objectivity as a reporter. I just pray God gives me wisdom as I go through this.
I have seven stories to write before tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., so I should probably get back to work.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Humility of Christ
Last December, I wrote in my column in the Cherokeean that the birth of Christ was a monumental occasion. Think about it. The Shepherds were called in from the fields to worship Him, the wise men came from the East, and Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. (I understand some will take issue with the timing of the arrival of the wise men, I will address my beliefs on that in a later blog.) So, I wrote that the agricultural industry came to a standstill, Eastern education had been temporarily suspended (the first Christmas break!!!!) and the Jerusalem political machine had been turned on its head. (I'm embellishing and paraphrasing what I wrote. I'd link the column, but we hadn't gone online yet.)
J. Oswald Sanders disagrees with me, as he wrote on pages 13-14 in the book, The Incomparable Christ
True, the Roman Empire didn't even notice that Christ was born.
This is astounding. Even more astounding were the conditions Christ chose to be born in. Luke 2:7 says, "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
How amazing it is that the Creator of the universe chose to be born in a stable. I watched a documentary which stated that the stable Christ was born in was likely located in a cave. This could not have been a sanitary environment. When I covered the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show last March, I continually stepped in cow and horse patties despite my best efforts to watch where I stepped. The livestock show crew continually cleaned the area, but the volume of animals kept the expo center floor messy.
I have a hard time imagining the owners of the stable cleaning it out every hour on the hour. Can you imagine the smells, sounds and darkness of such an environment?
Christ, Who dwelt with the Father in Heaven, being adored by the angels and enjoying a close fellowship with God, left all of that to be born in the lowest of possible circumstances. Why? So that He could save us. If He was willing to stoop so low to reach us, is there any reason we should not humble ourselves in His service?
I Peter 2:21 says "For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."
Christ left us an example. That example was self sacrifice, love, patience and humility. How well do we follow that example? Is there anything that is beneath us?
Furthermore, do we appreciate the humble steps Christ took as He gave up all to save us? Or have we begun to take it all for granted?
J. Oswald Sanders disagrees with me, as he wrote on pages 13-14 in the book, The Incomparable Christ
When we remember that it required four millenia for God to prepare the world for the advent of His Son, the stupendous importance He attached to that event emerges. The astounding fact is that with all its magnficent system of communications, "the great Roman world remained in absolute unconsciousness of the vicinity of God." The entrance of the Creator into the world seemed a matter so insignificant as to warrant no notice being taken of it.
True, the Roman Empire didn't even notice that Christ was born.
This is astounding. Even more astounding were the conditions Christ chose to be born in. Luke 2:7 says, "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
How amazing it is that the Creator of the universe chose to be born in a stable. I watched a documentary which stated that the stable Christ was born in was likely located in a cave. This could not have been a sanitary environment. When I covered the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show last March, I continually stepped in cow and horse patties despite my best efforts to watch where I stepped. The livestock show crew continually cleaned the area, but the volume of animals kept the expo center floor messy.
I have a hard time imagining the owners of the stable cleaning it out every hour on the hour. Can you imagine the smells, sounds and darkness of such an environment?
Christ, Who dwelt with the Father in Heaven, being adored by the angels and enjoying a close fellowship with God, left all of that to be born in the lowest of possible circumstances. Why? So that He could save us. If He was willing to stoop so low to reach us, is there any reason we should not humble ourselves in His service?
I Peter 2:21 says "For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."
Christ left us an example. That example was self sacrifice, love, patience and humility. How well do we follow that example? Is there anything that is beneath us?
Furthermore, do we appreciate the humble steps Christ took as He gave up all to save us? Or have we begun to take it all for granted?
Santa-dolatry
I came home tonight after visiting with Bro. Swilling after church to have my wife inform me of the conversation that had taken place between my seven-year old daughter Rachel and my four-year old son Joshua.
It seems that Joshua told Rachel he believed in Santa Claus. Rachel, who accepted Jesus as her Savior earlier this year and was baptized in February, was deeply disturbed at Joshua's declaration. Rachel told Joshua that Santa wasn't real, that Jesus was, and Jesus was the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Her concern was that the belief in Santa and the practices associated thereof (placing cookies next to the tree, etc) hurt God. How amazing is it that a seven year old who has been saved less than a year is taking her faith so seriously. She is actually afraid of committing idolatry with Santa (She is part Jewish, you know).
My wife, Jessica, mediated the situation by explaning to Rachel that Santa is a fairy tale and it is okay to play Santa, but that Santa isn't real.
The position we have taken with Santa Claus is that we play Santa (We let them get their picture taken with Santa at the mall, etc,) but we have never presented Santa as a real being. We feel that if we teach the kids about Santa, presenting him as being real, then teach them about Jesus, Who is real, the kids will have faith issues once they find out Santa doesn't exist.
I asked Rachel tonight why she had such strong feelings about Santa. She told me on her sixth birthday, she got to thinking that Santa is just a bunch of guys in costumes, but God is really real. (Her birthday occurs during summertime, by the way).
I thank God for teaching Rachel via the Holy Spirit. I stand in amazement at how quickly she is growing.
It seems that Joshua told Rachel he believed in Santa Claus. Rachel, who accepted Jesus as her Savior earlier this year and was baptized in February, was deeply disturbed at Joshua's declaration. Rachel told Joshua that Santa wasn't real, that Jesus was, and Jesus was the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Her concern was that the belief in Santa and the practices associated thereof (placing cookies next to the tree, etc) hurt God. How amazing is it that a seven year old who has been saved less than a year is taking her faith so seriously. She is actually afraid of committing idolatry with Santa (She is part Jewish, you know).
My wife, Jessica, mediated the situation by explaning to Rachel that Santa is a fairy tale and it is okay to play Santa, but that Santa isn't real.
The position we have taken with Santa Claus is that we play Santa (We let them get their picture taken with Santa at the mall, etc,) but we have never presented Santa as a real being. We feel that if we teach the kids about Santa, presenting him as being real, then teach them about Jesus, Who is real, the kids will have faith issues once they find out Santa doesn't exist.
I asked Rachel tonight why she had such strong feelings about Santa. She told me on her sixth birthday, she got to thinking that Santa is just a bunch of guys in costumes, but God is really real. (Her birthday occurs during summertime, by the way).
I thank God for teaching Rachel via the Holy Spirit. I stand in amazement at how quickly she is growing.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
A just man, not just a man
Matthew 1:18-25 - Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." 22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 "Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is God with us. 24 Then Joseph, being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife. 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her first born Son: and he called His name JESUS.
The first thing the Bible tells us about Joseph, after listing his geneology and introducing him as being engaged to Mary, is that Joseph was a just man. That word just is the same word used in Romans 1:17, where the Bible says, "The just shall live by faith." The Biblical definition of the just are people who are morally upright, who have been declared "not guilty" by God. The just become just because of their faith. (Romans 1:16-17, Hebrews 11:1-6, and more).
Joseph, being a just man, exhibited the qualities of a just man when he found out that Mary was expecting in Matthew 1. Three behaviors found in Joseph in Matthew 1 are, a concern for others, moderation and obedience.
Mary was found to be with child before she and Joseph came together. This means that there was no possible way the Child could have been Joseph's. Joseph, then, came to the most likely conclusion... Mary's been unfaithful. (I infer this because Joseph was minded to put her away, that decision was reversed when he found out Who the Child was).
Now, Joseph's reaction could have been to call Mary out publicly, call her bad names, and have her stoned. His reaction, though, was one that showed love and concern for Mary. He didn't want her killed or her reputation totally destroyed. So, he was minded to put her away privily. Joseph showed concern for Mary's well-being over the emotions he was probably feeling.
How often do we put our feelings aside in order to give priority to the well-being of those around us? How often do we respond with what's in the best interest of others over ourselves?
Leviticus 19:18 says "Thou shalt not avenge, or bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
Which brings me to my next point. Joseph showed moderation. Upon learning that Mary was expecting, he was minded to put her away privily, but, "while he thought on these things (verse 20)..." He put some time and thought into the matter. Most men probably would have kicked their fiancees/wives to the curb the second infidelity was suspected. Not Joseph. He "thought on these things." He wanted to think things through and make a good decision. His deliberation process allowed him the opportunity to seek God's will in the matter. And if he wasn't seeking God's will, his thinking allowed God's will to find him.
Joseph didn't react rashly. He was determined to make a good decision that would please God. He showed moderation. Oh, how there would be more harmony in the Lord's churches if the "just" would just exhibit more moderation. All too often, we stand poised and ready to attack. I can personally testify that such actions have taken place against me. There have been those who sought to discredit my ministry based on an emotional whim. To some, I reacted in the same manner.
We see the effects of rash behavior in our association meetings. This is a shame. But the need for moderation extends beyond the church buildings and association meetings. The Bible teaches that the "just," the "saved" are ambassadors for Christ on earth. So, when McDonald's gets your order wrong, you can (a) eat it anyway, (b) politely tell them of the error and ask (nicely) to have it corrected (I even apologize for complaining, it helps smooth an uncomfortable situation), or (c) yell at them for their incompetence. I could care less whether you choose (a) or (b), but (c) will do great damage to your testimony and the testimony of all saved people, especially if you have that tirade during Sunday lunch hour.
Finally, Joseph showed obedience. When the angel of the Lord advised Joseph that the Child in Mary's womb was of the Holy Ghost, and she would give birth to Christ, the angel told Joseph not to be afraid to take her as his wife. So, Joseph complied. He married Mary, and "knew her not" until after Christ was born. He obeyed what God told him through the angel of the Lord.
To exhibit the qualities of a "just" person, we must obey what is taught in the Bible. We must obey God's word. We dont get special passes for special circumstances. It is disobedience to stir strife and contention among the brethren. It is disobedience to divorce your spouse because they no longer please you. It is disobedience to not spread the Gospel. It is disobedience to fail to hold fast the profession of our faith. It is disobedience to not love one another.
Joseph was called to marry a woman whose first Child would not be his. He was called to overcome the emotional turmoil this would bring. He was called to take on the responsibility of raising a Son, Who not only wasn't his biological Son, but also the Son of God. Joseph was a man, but his being "just" called him to be more than a man. If we are to exhibit the same qualities of Joseph, we must be more than mere men to. We can't just be comfortable having the normal reactions. We have to go above and beyond.... because a just man, is not just a man.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Magnify the Lord
There was a song we used to sing in our youth group when I was 12. It's lyrics were:
Mary didn't know this song, but if she did, she probably would have sung it in Luke 1. However, she did praise God in a big way, when she said in Luke 1:46-47 "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
It is interesting that when Mary praised God in front of her cousin, Elisabeth, she used the same words Hanna did in I Samuel 2. Hanna praised God after she (a) prayed for a son that she would give to the Lord, (b) received the son she prayed for and (c) followed through on her promise to dedicate the son to the Lord's service. As a result, Samuel was not only born, but had his entire life committed to serving the Lord. Samuel would go on to be a key figure in the history of Israel.
Hanna's affliction was that she could not have a child, but her husband's other wife could. This had a devastating effect on Hanna. Hanna wanted a son more than anything. But it was not until her focus shifted from what a child could do for her to what a child could do for God that her prayers for a child were answered. It wasn't until after God fulfilled His promise and Hannah fulfilled hers that she praised God. She magnified the Lord, because she made the sacrifice needed to advance the Kingdom of God.
In Mary's situation, Mary had not prayed (at least, not in scripture) to be the mother of Christ, but God chose her. When she went to visit Elisabeth, Elisabeth greeted her with "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb." Notice that Elisabeth praised Mary first, then the Fruit of the womb. Mary replied by saying that her soul magnified the Lord.
Basically, Mary was saying, "It's not about me, it's about God." Her life was going to be used to bring up the one who would "save His people from their sins." She was glad to make that sacrifice, and did so humbly.
That brings us to what we learn from these verses:
1. It's not about us. It's about God. The Bible was not written to teach us how to "Be the Best You," or how to have "the Best Life Now." The scriptures do not teach you how to manipulate God to get what you want. The Bible was written so that we could get to know God.
2. When we realize our place, our standing with God (that it is about Him and not us), then God can use us in big ways.
3. What we do needs to be for the honor and glory of God, not ourselves, our organizations or our businesses.
4. If we don't first trust the Lord, #1-3 will not happen anyway. Luke 1:45 says "And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." Mary had to first trust God before He could use her as the mother of His Son. We have to trust God (a) for salvation, and (b) enough to follow Him beyond salvation to experience the blessings of being used in His Kingdom work on earth.
So, trust the Lord, and make Him the center of your life.
I will magnify the Lord
For He is worthy to be praised.
I will magnify the Lord
For He is worthy to be praised.
Hosanna,
Blessed be the Rock
and may the God of my salvation be exalted
Hosanna,
Blessed be the Rock
and may the God of my salvation be exalted.
Mary didn't know this song, but if she did, she probably would have sung it in Luke 1. However, she did praise God in a big way, when she said in Luke 1:46-47 "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
It is interesting that when Mary praised God in front of her cousin, Elisabeth, she used the same words Hanna did in I Samuel 2. Hanna praised God after she (a) prayed for a son that she would give to the Lord, (b) received the son she prayed for and (c) followed through on her promise to dedicate the son to the Lord's service. As a result, Samuel was not only born, but had his entire life committed to serving the Lord. Samuel would go on to be a key figure in the history of Israel.
Hanna's affliction was that she could not have a child, but her husband's other wife could. This had a devastating effect on Hanna. Hanna wanted a son more than anything. But it was not until her focus shifted from what a child could do for her to what a child could do for God that her prayers for a child were answered. It wasn't until after God fulfilled His promise and Hannah fulfilled hers that she praised God. She magnified the Lord, because she made the sacrifice needed to advance the Kingdom of God.
In Mary's situation, Mary had not prayed (at least, not in scripture) to be the mother of Christ, but God chose her. When she went to visit Elisabeth, Elisabeth greeted her with "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb." Notice that Elisabeth praised Mary first, then the Fruit of the womb. Mary replied by saying that her soul magnified the Lord.
Basically, Mary was saying, "It's not about me, it's about God." Her life was going to be used to bring up the one who would "save His people from their sins." She was glad to make that sacrifice, and did so humbly.
That brings us to what we learn from these verses:
1. It's not about us. It's about God. The Bible was not written to teach us how to "Be the Best You," or how to have "the Best Life Now." The scriptures do not teach you how to manipulate God to get what you want. The Bible was written so that we could get to know God.
2. When we realize our place, our standing with God (that it is about Him and not us), then God can use us in big ways.
3. What we do needs to be for the honor and glory of God, not ourselves, our organizations or our businesses.
4. If we don't first trust the Lord, #1-3 will not happen anyway. Luke 1:45 says "And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." Mary had to first trust God before He could use her as the mother of His Son. We have to trust God (a) for salvation, and (b) enough to follow Him beyond salvation to experience the blessings of being used in His Kingdom work on earth.
So, trust the Lord, and make Him the center of your life.
Weekend activities
Saturday, Jessica and I helped the Phi Theta Kappa (an honorary organization for honor students, of which she is vice president) at Jacksonville College decorate their Christmas float before heading out to Brownwood for the evening. It was a good time of fellowship.
We then went to Brownwood where we checked into a motel, before eating at the Prima Pasta Italian restaurant. The food was great! We enjoyed an evening of watching TV, and just catching up on what is happening in each other's lives.
Sunday, we toured Brownwood again before heading to Abilene to visit with Wyndrock MBC (Bro. Ernie Kight, Pastor). Bro. Kight is a first class man, who treated us to dinner after the services. He has a great family who was with him Sunday evening.
Wyndrock is church that is ALIVE. The worship was great. You could really feel the presence of the Lord. We heard a testimony from a soldier (Bro. Kight's grandson) heading to Iraq who had led his "battle buddy" to the Lord just two hours before he was killed accidentally during live fire exercises at basic training. I presented the work in Brownwood and Wyndrock came through with a generous love offering. We even received offers from some of the members and attendees there to help us get established in Brownwood.
It was truly an awesome day of fellowship, worship, and getting re-acquainted with my wife.
We then went to Brownwood where we checked into a motel, before eating at the Prima Pasta Italian restaurant. The food was great! We enjoyed an evening of watching TV, and just catching up on what is happening in each other's lives.
Sunday, we toured Brownwood again before heading to Abilene to visit with Wyndrock MBC (Bro. Ernie Kight, Pastor). Bro. Kight is a first class man, who treated us to dinner after the services. He has a great family who was with him Sunday evening.
Wyndrock is church that is ALIVE. The worship was great. You could really feel the presence of the Lord. We heard a testimony from a soldier (Bro. Kight's grandson) heading to Iraq who had led his "battle buddy" to the Lord just two hours before he was killed accidentally during live fire exercises at basic training. I presented the work in Brownwood and Wyndrock came through with a generous love offering. We even received offers from some of the members and attendees there to help us get established in Brownwood.
It was truly an awesome day of fellowship, worship, and getting re-acquainted with my wife.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Great night
Jessica and I will be traveling toward Abilene tomorrow. We plan to stop through Brownwood tomorrow and possibly stay at Lake Brownwood for the evening. Tonight, we enjoyed some time with the kids before we send them to their grandparents.
My daughter Rachel and I went to Chili's, while Jessica and the boys went to DQ (It was her idea.) Rachel and I talked like we have not talked for a long time. She's really growing up fast (and she's only 7). Later, Jessica and I switched, and I took the boys home while the women shopped at Wal Mart. I'm really blessed to have her in my life and be a part of her life.
It was awesome to get to spend time with my kids... and it will be awesome to spend time with my wife tomorrow. One of the hardest things about ministry is balancing the Lord's work with your family. It is easy to get so distracted with ministry, sermon preparation, deputation travel, blogs, etc that we neglect our families. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and I hope to take good care of them.
Have a great night. God bless you all.
My daughter Rachel and I went to Chili's, while Jessica and the boys went to DQ (It was her idea.) Rachel and I talked like we have not talked for a long time. She's really growing up fast (and she's only 7). Later, Jessica and I switched, and I took the boys home while the women shopped at Wal Mart. I'm really blessed to have her in my life and be a part of her life.
It was awesome to get to spend time with my kids... and it will be awesome to spend time with my wife tomorrow. One of the hardest things about ministry is balancing the Lord's work with your family. It is easy to get so distracted with ministry, sermon preparation, deputation travel, blogs, etc that we neglect our families. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and I hope to take good care of them.
Have a great night. God bless you all.
A month for worship
I have been getting good responses from my latest column in the Cherokeean Herald, so I thought I'd share it with you.
FROM THE TOP
By LELAND ACKER
Well, the turkey is in the fridge, other turkeys remain on Capitol hill and the football games have been played. Thanksgiving was well celebrated in my household and I pray the same was true for you.
The passing of Thanksgiving used to mark the beginning of the Christmas season. Radio stations dropped their regular playlists to include Christmas music. Lighting ceremonies were prominent in local cities and communities. Christmas parades filled our main streets and people got into the spirit of the season.
The day after Thanksgiving goes mostly unnoticed these days due to the fact that Christmas decor and merchandise finds the store shelf before Halloween. The only indication of a Christmas season kickoff the day after Thanksgiving now is the mad rush at the malls at 6 a.m.
Such a shift in our culture does not bother me so much, as long as the reason for the season continues to be observed. If retailers and commercial entities want to extend the Christmas season to three months (October, November and December), I have no objection. My only concern is that we remember why we celebrate Christmas.
Therefore, by the power that has not really been vested in me, I declare Nov. 23-Dec. 31 a national month of worship. We should worship God for the great things He has done. He founded this nation. Think about it. The pilgrims on the Mayflower should not have survived that voyage (statistically speaking). The Continental Army should not have been able to defeat the all-powerful British army to win America's independence, then do it again in the War of 1812.
The odds of these events taking place are very remote, yet our forefathers emerged victorious, and knew they had divine intervention to make it possible. (If you disagree, read President George Washington's Proclamation of Thanksgiving.) God raises up nations to accomplish His will and He puts nations down. We have been blessed to be a nation that He raised up... and it wasn't because we were so worthy either. It was by His grace and for His purpose.
In addition to prospering our nation, He kept His promises of salvation by sending His only begotten Son into the world so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
The theme of this column for the coming weeks will center around why we should designate this month for worship.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Mary and Joseph
Have you ever stopped and thought about the amount of faith Mary and Joseph had?
Matthew 1:19 says, "Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily."
Joseph was a just man. Romans 1:17 says the just shall live by faith.
Luke 1:30 "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God."
In order to find favor with God, in order to please Him, you must have faith. Faith is a pre-requisie for pleasing God. (Hebrews 11:6)
So, the Bible alludes to the fact that Mary and Joseph were people of faith... not just religious people, but people whose faith was strong and deeply rooted in the Lord. (Faith, remember, is a deep-rooted trust and conviction of the truth of anything. Faith toward God means knowing that He is, that He is Who He says He is, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)).
Mary and Joseph's faith would be put to the test during the nine months of pregnancy and birth of Jesus Christ. (In all honesty, it would be tested throughout His childhood too - not that Jesus was a hard Child to rear, but can you imagine the responsibility of rearing the only begotten Son of God?)
For Mary, her faith meant making a trip to see Elisabeth after God told her through the angel that she was expecting. (It's hard traveling with an expectant mother in today's world, can you imagine how it was back then?) Her faith meant being an expecting mother before marriage. (What will the others think?) Her faith meant traveling to Bethlehem and giving birth in a stable. (Is this sanitary?) It meant getting up and moving to Egypt on a moment's notice. (I need more time to pack.) Her faith meant freaking out when she lost track of Him in Jerusalem when He was 12. It meant following His ministry, and watching Him be crucified on the Cross. It meant trusting God through all of that!
For Joseph, His faith meant marrying a woman who was already having a Baby. It meant not divorcing her or stoning her. It meant being responsible for providing for the mother of Christ and the Son of God. It meant having to take special steps to protect them. It meant teaching that Son how to be a carpenter.
Notice, both Mary and Joseph had faith before God called them to rear His Son. Now, I've heard it said when someone is going through a tough time... "God is building my faith." Nope. He's building your patience and hope (Romans 5). No, faith building is your job.
Do you want to be part of something special in God's kingdom? You have to have faith. How do you get faith? Through reading and studying the Word of God. (Romans 10:17- faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.)
Get in the Word, as much as possible. In doing so, your faith will be increased and God will use you for something awesome.
Matthew 1:19 says, "Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily."
Joseph was a just man. Romans 1:17 says the just shall live by faith.
Luke 1:30 "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God."
In order to find favor with God, in order to please Him, you must have faith. Faith is a pre-requisie for pleasing God. (Hebrews 11:6)
So, the Bible alludes to the fact that Mary and Joseph were people of faith... not just religious people, but people whose faith was strong and deeply rooted in the Lord. (Faith, remember, is a deep-rooted trust and conviction of the truth of anything. Faith toward God means knowing that He is, that He is Who He says He is, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)).
Mary and Joseph's faith would be put to the test during the nine months of pregnancy and birth of Jesus Christ. (In all honesty, it would be tested throughout His childhood too - not that Jesus was a hard Child to rear, but can you imagine the responsibility of rearing the only begotten Son of God?)
For Mary, her faith meant making a trip to see Elisabeth after God told her through the angel that she was expecting. (It's hard traveling with an expectant mother in today's world, can you imagine how it was back then?) Her faith meant being an expecting mother before marriage. (What will the others think?) Her faith meant traveling to Bethlehem and giving birth in a stable. (Is this sanitary?) It meant getting up and moving to Egypt on a moment's notice. (I need more time to pack.) Her faith meant freaking out when she lost track of Him in Jerusalem when He was 12. It meant following His ministry, and watching Him be crucified on the Cross. It meant trusting God through all of that!
For Joseph, His faith meant marrying a woman who was already having a Baby. It meant not divorcing her or stoning her. It meant being responsible for providing for the mother of Christ and the Son of God. It meant having to take special steps to protect them. It meant teaching that Son how to be a carpenter.
Notice, both Mary and Joseph had faith before God called them to rear His Son. Now, I've heard it said when someone is going through a tough time... "God is building my faith." Nope. He's building your patience and hope (Romans 5). No, faith building is your job.
Do you want to be part of something special in God's kingdom? You have to have faith. How do you get faith? Through reading and studying the Word of God. (Romans 10:17- faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.)
Get in the Word, as much as possible. In doing so, your faith will be increased and God will use you for something awesome.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
In defense of the virgin birth of Christ
With Christmas fast approaching, I fully expect the Discovery, Learning and History channels to be littered with special presentations on Jesus of Nazareth. From my experience in watching said programs, most will analyze archaelogical evidence seeking to disprove what the Bible teaches and we believe about the birth of Christ.
One belief that is sure to come under fire is the fact that Jesus Christ was born to Mary, who was a virgin... meaning she had not had relations with any man.
I, for one, still believe in the virgin birth. Here's why.
As mentioned earlier in my blog, Isaiah 7:14 says the LORD Himself shall give us a sign, that a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and call His name Immanuel (Which is interpreted as God with us.) In addition to being explicitly described as a virgin giving birth, this verse also teaches that the birth of Christ would be a one-of-a-kind event.
Now, the scientific mind will have trouble comprehending the conception of a child without the "knowing of a man" on Mary's part. Mary, in Luke 1, had the same objection. Here's how the angel responded:
Luke 1:35-37 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
The angel first explained to Mary how she would conceive. The Holy Ghost would form the child in her womb. Then, in verse 36, I think the angel was basically saying, "And if you can't believe that, check this out! You barren cousin Elisabeth is also having a baby."
The most profound statement then comes in verse 37, "For with God, nothing is impossible."
I wrote a series of columns in The Cherokeean Herald newspaper of Rusk, TX (of which I am a full time writer and columnist) which defended creationism... you know, God created the earth in six literal days and rested on the seventh. The million year old ice age fossils are really from a world wide flood 4,400 years ago... you get the idea.
A man then sent a letter to the editor saying such a position was one of a thick-headed person. He contended that it was easy to just have faith and say "God did it." It took science and reason to figure out how. But that's the point... we can't figure out how God does things. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than ours. All we need to know is that with God, nothing is impossible. This great big world was created in six days, because God spoke it into existence... it is not impossible. A virgin gave birth to Christ... it is not impossible. With God, nothing is impossible.
Now, having made a feeble attempt to defend the virgin birth of Christ, let's look at its importance. First of all, if Christ was conceived the way we were, by a man and a woman, then Luke 1 is inaccurate and can no longer be viewed as scripture, which makes the entire book of Luke suspect, as well as the book of Acts.
If the book of Luke is inaccurate in that Christ was born of a virgin, then we must also discard John 3:16, which says God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son.... A begotten son is one that is a blood relative. Joshua and J.J. are my begotten sons. If I adopt, that adopted child is not begotten. So, if Christ were the son of a man, then He is not begotten by God, which means that God did not give His only begotten Son, which would make John 3:16 false. Thus, the entire book of John would then have to be rejected as scripture. Eventually through this process, the entire Bible would be rejected as scripture. Therefore, if we accept the Bible as scripture, the inspired Word of God, then we have to accept the virgin birth of Christ. Otherwise, we deny His very nature and existence.
What about scientific evidence? What did Jesus say to Thomas? Blessed are those who believe without seeing. Sometimes, you just have to have faith and believe God.
Luke 1 is a fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, and that is the beauty of studying both the Old and New Testaments. You can see the promise, then see the promise fulfilled.
God bless you. Have a merry CHRISTmas.
One belief that is sure to come under fire is the fact that Jesus Christ was born to Mary, who was a virgin... meaning she had not had relations with any man.
I, for one, still believe in the virgin birth. Here's why.
As mentioned earlier in my blog, Isaiah 7:14 says the LORD Himself shall give us a sign, that a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and call His name Immanuel (Which is interpreted as God with us.) In addition to being explicitly described as a virgin giving birth, this verse also teaches that the birth of Christ would be a one-of-a-kind event.
Now, the scientific mind will have trouble comprehending the conception of a child without the "knowing of a man" on Mary's part. Mary, in Luke 1, had the same objection. Here's how the angel responded:
Luke 1:35-37 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
The angel first explained to Mary how she would conceive. The Holy Ghost would form the child in her womb. Then, in verse 36, I think the angel was basically saying, "And if you can't believe that, check this out! You barren cousin Elisabeth is also having a baby."
The most profound statement then comes in verse 37, "For with God, nothing is impossible."
I wrote a series of columns in The Cherokeean Herald newspaper of Rusk, TX (of which I am a full time writer and columnist) which defended creationism... you know, God created the earth in six literal days and rested on the seventh. The million year old ice age fossils are really from a world wide flood 4,400 years ago... you get the idea.
A man then sent a letter to the editor saying such a position was one of a thick-headed person. He contended that it was easy to just have faith and say "God did it." It took science and reason to figure out how. But that's the point... we can't figure out how God does things. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than ours. All we need to know is that with God, nothing is impossible. This great big world was created in six days, because God spoke it into existence... it is not impossible. A virgin gave birth to Christ... it is not impossible. With God, nothing is impossible.
Now, having made a feeble attempt to defend the virgin birth of Christ, let's look at its importance. First of all, if Christ was conceived the way we were, by a man and a woman, then Luke 1 is inaccurate and can no longer be viewed as scripture, which makes the entire book of Luke suspect, as well as the book of Acts.
If the book of Luke is inaccurate in that Christ was born of a virgin, then we must also discard John 3:16, which says God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son.... A begotten son is one that is a blood relative. Joshua and J.J. are my begotten sons. If I adopt, that adopted child is not begotten. So, if Christ were the son of a man, then He is not begotten by God, which means that God did not give His only begotten Son, which would make John 3:16 false. Thus, the entire book of John would then have to be rejected as scripture. Eventually through this process, the entire Bible would be rejected as scripture. Therefore, if we accept the Bible as scripture, the inspired Word of God, then we have to accept the virgin birth of Christ. Otherwise, we deny His very nature and existence.
What about scientific evidence? What did Jesus say to Thomas? Blessed are those who believe without seeing. Sometimes, you just have to have faith and believe God.
Luke 1 is a fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, and that is the beauty of studying both the Old and New Testaments. You can see the promise, then see the promise fulfilled.
God bless you. Have a merry CHRISTmas.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
God's zeal for us
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
There is a lot in this passage... but what I want to focus in is the last sentence in verse 7.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The word zeal, when compared back to the Hebrew word it was translated from, means "jealous, jealousy." What was God jealous for, and who was He jealous of? The Bible teaches that God is jealous for His people (Deuteronomy 6:15). He wants us... He wants to be the "center of our universe." He wants us to adore Him, think about Him, love Him, get to know Him, learn of Him and do things according to His will.
What is God jealous of? All those things that prevent us from placing Him first and foremost in our lives. There are the usual suspects, television, the pursuit of wealth and self-actualization, etc. For me, it is the career ambitions (newspaper & radio), recreation time, sports and TV. All are fine and good, until they come between me and my devotion time with God.
How jealous is God? Enough to give His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). How jealous was Christ? Enough to submit Himself to being born in a stable to an impoverished couple, living as a homeless man while teaching the people, then dying one of the most horrible deaths for our sins (Romans 5:8).
God is jealous for us. The question then becomes, how jealous are we for God. I fear that God is so faithful, many times we take Him for granted. To do so is a sin, and we must repent of that sin and get back to centering our lives around God. That is what He wants, and that is what He has wanted from the beginning.
The Christmas story only exists because God wanted us so much, that He came to earth in the form of a man so that He could lead the perfect example and die for our sins. God wants us... what are we willing to do to live for Him?
There is a lot in this passage... but what I want to focus in is the last sentence in verse 7.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The word zeal, when compared back to the Hebrew word it was translated from, means "jealous, jealousy." What was God jealous for, and who was He jealous of? The Bible teaches that God is jealous for His people (Deuteronomy 6:15). He wants us... He wants to be the "center of our universe." He wants us to adore Him, think about Him, love Him, get to know Him, learn of Him and do things according to His will.
What is God jealous of? All those things that prevent us from placing Him first and foremost in our lives. There are the usual suspects, television, the pursuit of wealth and self-actualization, etc. For me, it is the career ambitions (newspaper & radio), recreation time, sports and TV. All are fine and good, until they come between me and my devotion time with God.
How jealous is God? Enough to give His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). How jealous was Christ? Enough to submit Himself to being born in a stable to an impoverished couple, living as a homeless man while teaching the people, then dying one of the most horrible deaths for our sins (Romans 5:8).
God is jealous for us. The question then becomes, how jealous are we for God. I fear that God is so faithful, many times we take Him for granted. To do so is a sin, and we must repent of that sin and get back to centering our lives around God. That is what He wants, and that is what He has wanted from the beginning.
The Christmas story only exists because God wanted us so much, that He came to earth in the form of a man so that He could lead the perfect example and die for our sins. God wants us... what are we willing to do to live for Him?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Mission Brownwood Nov. 2007 report
Since I don't anticipate having a deputation appointment Wednesday, I fugured I'd go ahead and file this report early. November has been a month of blessings and anxieties for Jessica and me. We are really eager to get to Brownwood and begin the work there.
Rocky Springs Sponsorship update
The Sunday evening prior to the state meeting, Bro. Charles Swilling, pastor of Rocky Springs MBC, my home church, announced to the church that he would like to have Bro. Marion Reed come to Rocky and explain the responsibilities of being a sponsoring church. He expressed that he would like to see Rocky be my sponsoring church, but he wanted to proceed slowly and know what was expected going into the mission project. This will be Bro. Swilling's first time pastoring a sponsoring church and my first time being a missionary. So, we'll have two "rookies" at mission work working together (Actually, I'll need to find a better way to say that. Bro. Swilling is not a rookie at anything).
Bro. Reed agreed to come to Rocky on Dec. 16. The church will then vote on the issue of sponsorship after the first of the year.
Bro. Swilling also asked me to think about what I'd expect from a sponsoring church. This has bothered me because I have not really thought about what to ask for other than their endorsement, prayer, some financial help and encouragement. I'm really praying about this. I welcome any advice or suggestions on this issue.
Bro. Swilling also said he would also like to see me well supported, and that he would welcome any church with "more reserves" to consider sponsoring me. So, therefore, I am still including a sponsoring church on my list of needs.
Brownwood Employment
I corresponded with my potential employers today to learn that my application is still being funnelled through the proper channels. They are still interested, I am still interested. Please pray for this. Full time employment gets me to the field faster, while being completely supported by my sister churches gives me more ministry time. As Paul would say, "I am in a strait betwixt the two." At the present time, though, I think employment is the better option. More people to meet, more financial stability, quicker arrival time on the field.
On the Road
Jessica and I have been blessed to visit with the 58th Ave. MBC of Amarillo, Walnut St. Baptist Church of Hillsboro and the North Loop MBC of Crockett.
58th Ave. went above and beyond in providing for our travel needs, blessed us with a fine meal, and just blessed us in ways I can not even describe to you. They also gave us a generous offering. 58th Ave. has a dedicated pastor in Bro. Nathan Simmons. They have embarked on a mission project of their own, sponsoring Bro. Daniel Davis as the MBSF director at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX. The WTAMU MBSF is an upstart fellowship, and Bro. Davis really needs your prayers and support. He will do a good job ministering to those students. I strongly recommend supporting his ministry.
I was honored to be invited to share the work in Brownwood with Walnut St. Baptist Church. Bro. Clark invited me during the state meeting and I got to visit with them the Sunday Evening following the state meeting. It was my first experience with powerpoint, and they were very patient with me.
North Loop MBC is a church that has a special place in my heart. My visit to North Loop this past week was the third visit in two years, and it is almost like I am family there. They gave my wife and I a generous love offering and Bro. Dennis Lowery (pastor) invited us to his house for some homemade chili.
Upcoming Deputation Appointments
Dec. 2 - A.M. Service (open)
P.M. Service - Wyndrock MBC, Abilene, TX
Dec. 9 - open
Dec. 16 - open
Dec. 23 - unavailable
Dec. 30 - A.M. Service - Landmark MBC, Floresville, TX
Jan. 6 - A.M. Service - open
P.M. Service - Ebenezer MBC, Henderson, TX
Jan. 13 - A.M. Service - Texas Ave. MBC, Abilene, TX
P.M. Service - open
Jan. 20 - A.M. Service - Memorial MBC, Elkhart, TX
P.M. Service - open
Special Request
Jessica and I have located a home on the edge of Coggin Park in Brownwood, TX. Coggin Park is one of the busiest parks in Brownwood, with families and small children playing and the park also hosts youth soccer practices and possibly games.
The home is almost 2,000 square feet, three bedroom, two bath. The living room looks like it was designed to be a sanctuary. I could see us having worship services there. I will include pictures on the ABANews/snail mail version of this report (I haven't learned to blog pictures yet).
The catch? The asking price is $90,000. I don't have $90,000, so if God wants me to use this home to begin the Brownwood work, He'll have to raise up some supporters to help us purchase this home. The home will be in the church's name, not ours. It will eventually become the parsonage, should the Lord bless us with it. If not, we'll live and work out of an apartment or rent house. Please be in prayer about this.
I know property and building requests are common, I just want to emphasize that our work in Brownwood is not contingent on whether or not we get this house. We just really believe the house would be a great tool. Basically, we'll need an $8,000 down payment and $800/month to finance, if we can't get enough money to pay for it up front.
Needs
#1. Continued prayer.
#2. Financial support to supplement my salary as I try to support a family of five.
#3. Supporting churches. I understand that I don't have a sponsoring church, but I am confident that the Lord will provide one after the first of the year. I will not ask anyone to send one penny to this work until I have a sponsoring church. I am looking for churches to commit to be regular supporters.
#4. Sponsoring church. Rocky Springs is considering sponsorship, but I am interested in talking with any church with a burden for the hill country or West Texas.
Financial report
All in all, $519 was given to us this month from the churches we visited to assist with travel expenses and related cost. Most of which went into our gas tank, or went toward feeding the kids. We thank all the churches for all they have done for us. They are most generous.
Rocky Springs Sponsorship update
The Sunday evening prior to the state meeting, Bro. Charles Swilling, pastor of Rocky Springs MBC, my home church, announced to the church that he would like to have Bro. Marion Reed come to Rocky and explain the responsibilities of being a sponsoring church. He expressed that he would like to see Rocky be my sponsoring church, but he wanted to proceed slowly and know what was expected going into the mission project. This will be Bro. Swilling's first time pastoring a sponsoring church and my first time being a missionary. So, we'll have two "rookies" at mission work working together (Actually, I'll need to find a better way to say that. Bro. Swilling is not a rookie at anything).
Bro. Reed agreed to come to Rocky on Dec. 16. The church will then vote on the issue of sponsorship after the first of the year.
Bro. Swilling also asked me to think about what I'd expect from a sponsoring church. This has bothered me because I have not really thought about what to ask for other than their endorsement, prayer, some financial help and encouragement. I'm really praying about this. I welcome any advice or suggestions on this issue.
Bro. Swilling also said he would also like to see me well supported, and that he would welcome any church with "more reserves" to consider sponsoring me. So, therefore, I am still including a sponsoring church on my list of needs.
Brownwood Employment
I corresponded with my potential employers today to learn that my application is still being funnelled through the proper channels. They are still interested, I am still interested. Please pray for this. Full time employment gets me to the field faster, while being completely supported by my sister churches gives me more ministry time. As Paul would say, "I am in a strait betwixt the two." At the present time, though, I think employment is the better option. More people to meet, more financial stability, quicker arrival time on the field.
On the Road
Jessica and I have been blessed to visit with the 58th Ave. MBC of Amarillo, Walnut St. Baptist Church of Hillsboro and the North Loop MBC of Crockett.
58th Ave. went above and beyond in providing for our travel needs, blessed us with a fine meal, and just blessed us in ways I can not even describe to you. They also gave us a generous offering. 58th Ave. has a dedicated pastor in Bro. Nathan Simmons. They have embarked on a mission project of their own, sponsoring Bro. Daniel Davis as the MBSF director at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX. The WTAMU MBSF is an upstart fellowship, and Bro. Davis really needs your prayers and support. He will do a good job ministering to those students. I strongly recommend supporting his ministry.
I was honored to be invited to share the work in Brownwood with Walnut St. Baptist Church. Bro. Clark invited me during the state meeting and I got to visit with them the Sunday Evening following the state meeting. It was my first experience with powerpoint, and they were very patient with me.
North Loop MBC is a church that has a special place in my heart. My visit to North Loop this past week was the third visit in two years, and it is almost like I am family there. They gave my wife and I a generous love offering and Bro. Dennis Lowery (pastor) invited us to his house for some homemade chili.
Upcoming Deputation Appointments
Dec. 2 - A.M. Service (open)
P.M. Service - Wyndrock MBC, Abilene, TX
Dec. 9 - open
Dec. 16 - open
Dec. 23 - unavailable
Dec. 30 - A.M. Service - Landmark MBC, Floresville, TX
Jan. 6 - A.M. Service - open
P.M. Service - Ebenezer MBC, Henderson, TX
Jan. 13 - A.M. Service - Texas Ave. MBC, Abilene, TX
P.M. Service - open
Jan. 20 - A.M. Service - Memorial MBC, Elkhart, TX
P.M. Service - open
Special Request
Jessica and I have located a home on the edge of Coggin Park in Brownwood, TX. Coggin Park is one of the busiest parks in Brownwood, with families and small children playing and the park also hosts youth soccer practices and possibly games.
The home is almost 2,000 square feet, three bedroom, two bath. The living room looks like it was designed to be a sanctuary. I could see us having worship services there. I will include pictures on the ABANews/snail mail version of this report (I haven't learned to blog pictures yet).
The catch? The asking price is $90,000. I don't have $90,000, so if God wants me to use this home to begin the Brownwood work, He'll have to raise up some supporters to help us purchase this home. The home will be in the church's name, not ours. It will eventually become the parsonage, should the Lord bless us with it. If not, we'll live and work out of an apartment or rent house. Please be in prayer about this.
I know property and building requests are common, I just want to emphasize that our work in Brownwood is not contingent on whether or not we get this house. We just really believe the house would be a great tool. Basically, we'll need an $8,000 down payment and $800/month to finance, if we can't get enough money to pay for it up front.
Needs
#1. Continued prayer.
#2. Financial support to supplement my salary as I try to support a family of five.
#3. Supporting churches. I understand that I don't have a sponsoring church, but I am confident that the Lord will provide one after the first of the year. I will not ask anyone to send one penny to this work until I have a sponsoring church. I am looking for churches to commit to be regular supporters.
#4. Sponsoring church. Rocky Springs is considering sponsorship, but I am interested in talking with any church with a burden for the hill country or West Texas.
Financial report
All in all, $519 was given to us this month from the churches we visited to assist with travel expenses and related cost. Most of which went into our gas tank, or went toward feeding the kids. We thank all the churches for all they have done for us. They are most generous.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Marshall
I took Jessica and the kids to Marshall to look at the Wonderland of Lights last night. We had a great time.
The lights don't seem to shine as bright as they did when Jessica and I had our first date there in 1998, but then again, maybe everything shone brighter that night. Never a year goes by that we don't return to Marshall and relive that night. The walks through downtown, the carriage ride and the tour of the neighborhoods. The only thing we can't recreate is the way the youth group we were with basically set us up.
Hopefully, we can make another trip to Marshall, after they get more lights up and open the visitor center.
The lights don't seem to shine as bright as they did when Jessica and I had our first date there in 1998, but then again, maybe everything shone brighter that night. Never a year goes by that we don't return to Marshall and relive that night. The walks through downtown, the carriage ride and the tour of the neighborhoods. The only thing we can't recreate is the way the youth group we were with basically set us up.
Hopefully, we can make another trip to Marshall, after they get more lights up and open the visitor center.
Guide us to Thy perfect Light
Isaiah 9:2 - The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:4-5 - In Him was life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:9 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:12 - As many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.
John 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Matthew 6:22-23 - The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darknes, how great is that darkness.
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.
Jesus Christ is the Light that shineth in darkness. He is the light that shined on those walking in darkness who dwell in the land of the shadow of death. If we accept Him, he gives us the power to become the sons of God. If we reject Him, we are condemned. Our attitude toward Christ will guide our entire life. Therefore, let's accept Christ, let our light shine, and glorify our Father in Heaven.
To God be the Glory. Amen.
John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:4-5 - In Him was life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:9 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:12 - As many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.
John 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Matthew 6:22-23 - The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darknes, how great is that darkness.
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.
Jesus Christ is the Light that shineth in darkness. He is the light that shined on those walking in darkness who dwell in the land of the shadow of death. If we accept Him, he gives us the power to become the sons of God. If we reject Him, we are condemned. Our attitude toward Christ will guide our entire life. Therefore, let's accept Christ, let our light shine, and glorify our Father in Heaven.
To God be the Glory. Amen.
Johnny Horton, Dub Murray and Memories
During my radio show this morning, a caller reminded me of when I used to broadcast alongside East Texas Radio Legend Dub Murray. Dub had been in East Texas radio since the 1950s. He got his start in radio under Tom Perryman, who had gotten his start from Jim Reeves at KGRI in Henderson, TX. Dub went on to do radio in Little Rock, Washington D.C. and Nashville, Tennessee. While in Nashville, Dub became a songwriter for Acuff-Rose music and hung out with several country stars (He even dated a few).
For whatever reason, Dub returned to East Texas, working for KEES radio, then owning KLUE before working for KBNB (CNN 1060) and then KWRD-AM 1470 in Henderson, TX. It was at KWRD where I worked with Dub, who hosted the "Supertradio" program, which not only welcomed callers to sell their surplus items, but also featured a classic country artist every day.
One artist we featured included Johnny Horton, who, through some of my callers today, I was informed is from Rusk, TX, where my radio station is located. The day became a day of callers telling their stories of going to school with Johnny Horton at Gallatin High School, living next to his parents on Henderson Street, and how much they enjoyed his songs.
Horton is best known for his song "The Battle of New Orleans." Other hits include "Sink the Bismarc" and "North to Alaska."
All were fixtures in my playlist when I worked at KWRD.
Horton died in a car accident in Milano, Texas in 1960. Dub Murray died of natural causes in late 2002. Todays show kind of made me miss those days at KWRD, the old style hometown radio format, and the people I was blessed to work with.
For whatever reason, Dub returned to East Texas, working for KEES radio, then owning KLUE before working for KBNB (CNN 1060) and then KWRD-AM 1470 in Henderson, TX. It was at KWRD where I worked with Dub, who hosted the "Supertradio" program, which not only welcomed callers to sell their surplus items, but also featured a classic country artist every day.
One artist we featured included Johnny Horton, who, through some of my callers today, I was informed is from Rusk, TX, where my radio station is located. The day became a day of callers telling their stories of going to school with Johnny Horton at Gallatin High School, living next to his parents on Henderson Street, and how much they enjoyed his songs.
Horton is best known for his song "The Battle of New Orleans." Other hits include "Sink the Bismarc" and "North to Alaska."
All were fixtures in my playlist when I worked at KWRD.
Horton died in a car accident in Milano, Texas in 1960. Dub Murray died of natural causes in late 2002. Todays show kind of made me miss those days at KWRD, the old style hometown radio format, and the people I was blessed to work with.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Quick Mission Brownwood update
Bro. Marion Reed will be visiting Rocky Springs MBC in Jacksonville on Dec. 16 to discuss the responsibilities of sponsoring a missionary. The church will then decide on whether or not to sponsor me on Jan. 6, after all the holiday festivities have subsided and people return to the normal routine.
God is blessing the deputation efforts. I know my December calendar looks empty, but deputation has gone well considering that the appointments I have had been made on the fly. I had a full October, only one Sunday off in November, and am confident the Lord will send me to some more churches in December.
The Brownwood Bulletin still has not called. God will open the doors in His time, so I am not worried.
Thanks for your interest.
God is blessing the deputation efforts. I know my December calendar looks empty, but deputation has gone well considering that the appointments I have had been made on the fly. I had a full October, only one Sunday off in November, and am confident the Lord will send me to some more churches in December.
The Brownwood Bulletin still has not called. God will open the doors in His time, so I am not worried.
Thanks for your interest.
Upcoming appointments.
Upcoming preaching appointments where I will share the Mission: Brownwood vision.
Sunday (Nov 25) - A.M. Service: North Loop MBC, Crockett, TX
(P.M. Service is still available.)
Sunday (Dec. 2) - A.M. Service: Texas Ave. MBC, Abilene, TX.
P.M. Service: Wyndrock MBC, Abilene, TX
Sunday (Jan. 6) - A.M. Service: open
P.M. Service: Ebenezer MBC, Henderson, TX.
I need appointments. Please contact me! I'd love to visit with your church.
Leland Acker
(903) 625-1005
Sunday (Nov 25) - A.M. Service: North Loop MBC, Crockett, TX
(P.M. Service is still available.)
Sunday (Dec. 2) - A.M. Service: Texas Ave. MBC, Abilene, TX.
P.M. Service: Wyndrock MBC, Abilene, TX
Sunday (Jan. 6) - A.M. Service: open
P.M. Service: Ebenezer MBC, Henderson, TX.
I need appointments. Please contact me! I'd love to visit with your church.
Leland Acker
(903) 625-1005
Great Thanksgiving
Yesterday, my family celebrated Thanksgiving with Meat Loaf, Fried Chicken, Ham, Fried Turkey, Macaroni and Cheese, Mashed potatoes, green beans, buttered rolls and banana pudding. (And that's just the food I could find... there was more.) We fellowshipped better than we have in as long as I can remember. We even got to see the Cowboys whip the Jets 34-3.
Rachel stayed with her "Maw-Maw", so Josh, J.J., Jessica and I returned home, played "kick-dodge ball" with a beach ball in the living room, watched Ratatouille, and drank coffee, hot cocoa and ate chicken soup.
What's "kick-dodge ball"? This is a game invented by J.J. You basically kick the ball toward the other players (usually your siblings) hoping to hit them off guard. They, in turn, try to do the same thing to you. Catching the ball is allowed, but you must kick it to hit someone else. (Hey, when the kids are 2 and 4, it makes sense.) The nature of the game demands that a beach ball be used. We managed to play for an hour without damaging any major electronic appliances, or spilling hot cocoa. Wow!
Rachel stayed with her "Maw-Maw", so Josh, J.J., Jessica and I returned home, played "kick-dodge ball" with a beach ball in the living room, watched Ratatouille, and drank coffee, hot cocoa and ate chicken soup.
What's "kick-dodge ball"? This is a game invented by J.J. You basically kick the ball toward the other players (usually your siblings) hoping to hit them off guard. They, in turn, try to do the same thing to you. Catching the ball is allowed, but you must kick it to hit someone else. (Hey, when the kids are 2 and 4, it makes sense.) The nature of the game demands that a beach ball be used. We managed to play for an hour without damaging any major electronic appliances, or spilling hot cocoa. Wow!
The Christmas Miracle
Isaiah 7:14- Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall calll His name Immanuel.
The conception and birth of Christ was a sign from God, according to this verse. "Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign." Many have tried to re-interpret the word "virgin" to mean a young maiden, not necessarily one who had never known a man. The problem with this thought process is that while it may have been rare, it was not unheard of to have maidens be found "with child." The Bible here, calling it a sign from God, teaches that the conception and birth of Christ would be a unique event.
There is no birth more unique than the birth of Christ. No other man was born to a virgin, a woman who had not known a man. This is truly a miracle.
Furthermore, the birth of Christ caused quite a stir. The shepherds were called in from the fields to worship Him. Wise men came from the East to worship Him. The Bible says when King Herod heard of the birth of Christ, he was greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him. So basically, when Christ was born, the agricultural industry came to a stand-still, classes were dismissed at major Eastern universities, the Jerusalem political machine was turned on its head and Wall Street trading became irregular. That was a sign... marking the coming of Christ, the BRANCH, the Righteous Servant that would justify many, Jesus.
Christmas is about God delivering on His promises. It is about His bringing of salvation. That brings good tidings of great joy.
Merry Christmas!
The conception and birth of Christ was a sign from God, according to this verse. "Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign." Many have tried to re-interpret the word "virgin" to mean a young maiden, not necessarily one who had never known a man. The problem with this thought process is that while it may have been rare, it was not unheard of to have maidens be found "with child." The Bible here, calling it a sign from God, teaches that the conception and birth of Christ would be a unique event.
There is no birth more unique than the birth of Christ. No other man was born to a virgin, a woman who had not known a man. This is truly a miracle.
Furthermore, the birth of Christ caused quite a stir. The shepherds were called in from the fields to worship Him. Wise men came from the East to worship Him. The Bible says when King Herod heard of the birth of Christ, he was greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him. So basically, when Christ was born, the agricultural industry came to a stand-still, classes were dismissed at major Eastern universities, the Jerusalem political machine was turned on its head and Wall Street trading became irregular. That was a sign... marking the coming of Christ, the BRANCH, the Righteous Servant that would justify many, Jesus.
Christmas is about God delivering on His promises. It is about His bringing of salvation. That brings good tidings of great joy.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving
Psalm 136:1 - O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: For His mercy endureth forever.
I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
#1. I live in the USA, where I am free from persecution and my kids can grow up in an environment where they can learn, grow, play and enjoy life.
#2. My family and I can openly worship God.
#3. This blog has given me the opportunity to share the Word of God and express my views. This has been very therapeutic since I have not been pastoring.
#4. God has given me an awesome call... to take the Gospel to Brownwood, Texas and start a church there.
#5. My wife is behind me 100%.
#6. My kids keep growing, learning and developing. Rachel has been saved and Baptized... Joshua is getting closer. J.J. Is learning to talk, communicate and even pray.
#7. The most tramadic even of my children's upbringing so far has been the simple fracture on Rachel's arm... which will heal perfectly.
#8. God has blessed my ministry. Denson Springs MBC is stronger now than when I arrived there, they are getting stronger in my absence and souls were saved during my ministry there. (My daughter, two Navajo boys, one Navajo woman, one man made a profession as a result of the ministering of a church member and there have been baptisms.)
#9. Denson Springs doesn't hate me for resigning to go to Brownwood.
#10. My good car may have a dead battery, but my clunker runs like a top.
#11. I get to sit under the ministry of Bro. Charles Swilling and get to minister along side Jim Slocumb.
#12. I got to go to TBI for my seminary education.
#13. The Dallas Cowboys are winning.
#14. I get paid to watch high school football.
#15. I get to share God's Word in my weekly newspaper column.
#16. Fried Chicken.
#17. Youth Soccer.
#18. Marvin Gardner.
#19. David Robertson.
#20. My grandparents who raised me when my parents could not.
#21. Deputation appointments.
I could go on... but I won't.
I am also thankful for those of you who read this blog.
I thank God for all the blessings in my life.
I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
#1. I live in the USA, where I am free from persecution and my kids can grow up in an environment where they can learn, grow, play and enjoy life.
#2. My family and I can openly worship God.
#3. This blog has given me the opportunity to share the Word of God and express my views. This has been very therapeutic since I have not been pastoring.
#4. God has given me an awesome call... to take the Gospel to Brownwood, Texas and start a church there.
#5. My wife is behind me 100%.
#6. My kids keep growing, learning and developing. Rachel has been saved and Baptized... Joshua is getting closer. J.J. Is learning to talk, communicate and even pray.
#7. The most tramadic even of my children's upbringing so far has been the simple fracture on Rachel's arm... which will heal perfectly.
#8. God has blessed my ministry. Denson Springs MBC is stronger now than when I arrived there, they are getting stronger in my absence and souls were saved during my ministry there. (My daughter, two Navajo boys, one Navajo woman, one man made a profession as a result of the ministering of a church member and there have been baptisms.)
#9. Denson Springs doesn't hate me for resigning to go to Brownwood.
#10. My good car may have a dead battery, but my clunker runs like a top.
#11. I get to sit under the ministry of Bro. Charles Swilling and get to minister along side Jim Slocumb.
#12. I got to go to TBI for my seminary education.
#13. The Dallas Cowboys are winning.
#14. I get paid to watch high school football.
#15. I get to share God's Word in my weekly newspaper column.
#16. Fried Chicken.
#17. Youth Soccer.
#18. Marvin Gardner.
#19. David Robertson.
#20. My grandparents who raised me when my parents could not.
#21. Deputation appointments.
I could go on... but I won't.
I am also thankful for those of you who read this blog.
I thank God for all the blessings in my life.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
My latest newspaper column
I thought I'd share my latest newspaper column with you. Let me know what you think.
http://www.thecherokeean.com/news/2007/1121/columns/017.html
http://www.thecherokeean.com/news/2007/1121/columns/017.html
Blessings from Denson Springs
As I have reported, I resigned Denson Springs MBC in Grapeland at the end of September to pursue the mission work in Brownwood. Since I have left, they have had four additions by letter and two by baptism.
Last Sunday, they had 35 people in morning worship, up from the average of 13 when I was pastor there.
I praise God for continuing to work with Denson Springs, strengthening them and encouraging them, and for adding to their congregation. I love them all and hope for God's best toward them.
Last Sunday, they had 35 people in morning worship, up from the average of 13 when I was pastor there.
I praise God for continuing to work with Denson Springs, strengthening them and encouraging them, and for adding to their congregation. I love them all and hope for God's best toward them.
Jesus, our High Priest
Zechariah 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone [shall be] seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
In this passage, Joshua, the high priest, was standing before God in filthy clothes. Now this filth was not incidental dirt that gets on you as the day goes by. This filth came from rolling around in filth.
When I was a child, I would visit my mother, stepbrother and stepfather in Greenville, Texas. Greenville has some of the blackest soil you have ever seen. One day, my stepbrother and I decided to soak the back yard with a waterhose and play football in the mud (just like we had just seen the Dallas Cowboys do on TV). By the time we had finished, we were so covered in mud, we were unrecognizeable.
This was the case with Joshua, the high priest. He stood there, as filthy as a man could be, representing the people before God. The filth on his clothing came from the sins of his people.
Like my stepbrother and I willfully decided to play in the mud, the people had willfully rolled around in the filth of sin. Now, here stood Joshua, filthy from the people's sins (and his too), standing before God with Satan accusing him.
God's response? To cleanse Joshua and the people from their sins (verse 3:4) and restore them to their place in God's Kindgom (verse 3:5, setting the fair mitre on his head).
God then made a promise. He would send forth his servant, the BRANCH, and in that day, he would remove the iniquity from the land. (verses 3:8-9). This is a promise that God would send Christ who would take away the sins of the world. He would first pay for them on the cross, then return again to rule His Kingdom on earth. The first part of that last statement has been fulfilled. The second half is coming shortly. Just wait.
I also think it is interesting that the high priest in this passage was named Joshua, which is the Hebrew form of the Greek name "Jesus." Both names mean "The Lord is Salvation," or "YAHWEH saves." The angel told Joseph in Matthrew 1:21 that "thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
We have a High Priest, Jesus Christ. He represents us before God, in spite of the filth of our lifestyles. Despite our sin. Despite our rotten attitudes and tendencies to indulge. He loves us and the Bible says He lives to make intercession for us.
Let's trust Him. Let's worship Him. Let's praise Him, and let's make the decisions that will glorify Him. Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
In this passage, Joshua, the high priest, was standing before God in filthy clothes. Now this filth was not incidental dirt that gets on you as the day goes by. This filth came from rolling around in filth.
When I was a child, I would visit my mother, stepbrother and stepfather in Greenville, Texas. Greenville has some of the blackest soil you have ever seen. One day, my stepbrother and I decided to soak the back yard with a waterhose and play football in the mud (just like we had just seen the Dallas Cowboys do on TV). By the time we had finished, we were so covered in mud, we were unrecognizeable.
This was the case with Joshua, the high priest. He stood there, as filthy as a man could be, representing the people before God. The filth on his clothing came from the sins of his people.
Like my stepbrother and I willfully decided to play in the mud, the people had willfully rolled around in the filth of sin. Now, here stood Joshua, filthy from the people's sins (and his too), standing before God with Satan accusing him.
God's response? To cleanse Joshua and the people from their sins (verse 3:4) and restore them to their place in God's Kindgom (verse 3:5, setting the fair mitre on his head).
God then made a promise. He would send forth his servant, the BRANCH, and in that day, he would remove the iniquity from the land. (verses 3:8-9). This is a promise that God would send Christ who would take away the sins of the world. He would first pay for them on the cross, then return again to rule His Kingdom on earth. The first part of that last statement has been fulfilled. The second half is coming shortly. Just wait.
I also think it is interesting that the high priest in this passage was named Joshua, which is the Hebrew form of the Greek name "Jesus." Both names mean "The Lord is Salvation," or "YAHWEH saves." The angel told Joseph in Matthrew 1:21 that "thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
We have a High Priest, Jesus Christ. He represents us before God, in spite of the filth of our lifestyles. Despite our sin. Despite our rotten attitudes and tendencies to indulge. He loves us and the Bible says He lives to make intercession for us.
Let's trust Him. Let's worship Him. Let's praise Him, and let's make the decisions that will glorify Him. Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Rachel's Arm
A number of people read about Rachel's broken arm on this blog and asked about her at the state meeting. You'll be glad to know that Rachel's arm has been placed in a hard cast and she is doing very well. The swelling is down, greatly reducing the possibility of infection or gang green.
I greatly appreciate your prayers and concern.
I greatly appreciate your prayers and concern.
This wretched disease
Romans 3:9-12: What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
In my last devotional, I discussed how God's Word has been committed to the churches. This, however, does not make us immune to the same types of behaviors, attitudes and mistakes that are made by those who have yet to accept Jesus as Savior.
This was displayed very prominently during the 2007 Missionary Baptist Association of Texas messenger meeting. There, you had 150 voting messengers. All in all, there were probably close to 350 people. Most of these people probably have prayer lives and many probably study their Bibles. Most, if not all, want to see God's will done. Furthermore, many are probably ministering well in their respective communities. All pastors have at least one person who has been blessed by their ministry. So, why, when all these God fearing people get together, is there strife and contention? Why were the missionaries drawn and quartered on the meeting floor?
Why do loving, harmonious churches blow up during business meetings? What is the deal?
The problem is that we are all under sin. We still have the flesh nature dwelling within us. That's why we never quite seem to live like we know we should (Romans 7, we'll get there eventually).
So, what to do about what to do?
Rom 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
We have all sinned. We all have the sin nature... but we are forgiven of that sin (being justified) FREELY by God's grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus. Let's remember that it is sin that seperates us from God, and repent. Let's remember that it was God's idea to save us, and that we did not deserve it (grace). Let's praise Him for that and be thankful for Christ, who paid the penalty for our sin on the cross.
Application:
If you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, do so today. You will find that having Christ in your life will give you strength and comfort to face your challenges. Not only that, but you will also find others just like you who will come along side you and help you face whatever it is that troubles you in life.
If you are Christian and you find yourself struggling with sin, repent of that sin today and turn back to the Lord. I have found that spending time in God's Word is an excellent way to turn to the Lord. Also, find some of your Christian brothers and sisters to fellowship with. If you can find a group to share your struggles with, you will be stronger for it. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
If you attended the MBA meeting and find yourself dissappointed, disenchanted and discouraged, let's pray together that the Lord will forgive us for our sins and restore the fellowship of the association. We can get through this by cleaving to the Lord.
In my last devotional, I discussed how God's Word has been committed to the churches. This, however, does not make us immune to the same types of behaviors, attitudes and mistakes that are made by those who have yet to accept Jesus as Savior.
This was displayed very prominently during the 2007 Missionary Baptist Association of Texas messenger meeting. There, you had 150 voting messengers. All in all, there were probably close to 350 people. Most of these people probably have prayer lives and many probably study their Bibles. Most, if not all, want to see God's will done. Furthermore, many are probably ministering well in their respective communities. All pastors have at least one person who has been blessed by their ministry. So, why, when all these God fearing people get together, is there strife and contention? Why were the missionaries drawn and quartered on the meeting floor?
Why do loving, harmonious churches blow up during business meetings? What is the deal?
The problem is that we are all under sin. We still have the flesh nature dwelling within us. That's why we never quite seem to live like we know we should (Romans 7, we'll get there eventually).
So, what to do about what to do?
Rom 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
We have all sinned. We all have the sin nature... but we are forgiven of that sin (being justified) FREELY by God's grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus. Let's remember that it is sin that seperates us from God, and repent. Let's remember that it was God's idea to save us, and that we did not deserve it (grace). Let's praise Him for that and be thankful for Christ, who paid the penalty for our sin on the cross.
Application:
If you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, do so today. You will find that having Christ in your life will give you strength and comfort to face your challenges. Not only that, but you will also find others just like you who will come along side you and help you face whatever it is that troubles you in life.
If you are Christian and you find yourself struggling with sin, repent of that sin today and turn back to the Lord. I have found that spending time in God's Word is an excellent way to turn to the Lord. Also, find some of your Christian brothers and sisters to fellowship with. If you can find a group to share your struggles with, you will be stronger for it. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
If you attended the MBA meeting and find yourself dissappointed, disenchanted and discouraged, let's pray together that the Lord will forgive us for our sins and restore the fellowship of the association. We can get through this by cleaving to the Lord.
Pray for Bro. Nathan
Please add Bro. Nathan Keel to you prayer list. Bro. Keel suffered a fractured hip when he fell at a local convenience store Saturday. Bro. Keel was my right hand man at Denson Springs MBC. He encouraged me, uplifted me and even challenged me. I really hate to see him go through this tough situation.
The last time he was hospitalized, I found that the Lord will deliver on the promises of James 5:14-15. Join with me in prayer so that He will deliver Bro. Nathan again.
The last time he was hospitalized, I found that the Lord will deliver on the promises of James 5:14-15. Join with me in prayer so that He will deliver Bro. Nathan again.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Vanderbilt Baptist Church
Since a number of brethren have chosen to complain about the ministry of Marvin Gardner, and one brother railed against him on the floor of the MBA of Texas meeting about something that had nothing to do with him, I thought I'd share my story to clear things up about his ministry.
In January 2005, I was the youth director at Rocky Springs MBC of Jacksonville. The pastor at that time (Bo Norris) basically suspended me without notice, basically accusing me of trying to steal the church from him. To avoid causing an uproar in the church, I quietly left.
I visited Vanderbilt in Tyler, where Bro. Harold Davis was filling in for Bro. Gardner, who had just had another stint put into his heart (He has had several). My wife and I enjoyed the preaching, so we returned the following Wednesday evening. I walked in wearing a red checkerboard shirt with no sermon outlines because I was not expecting to preach. Bro. Gardner met me at the door and asked me to preach (checkerboard shirt and all!). I quickly built an outline on John 5:24 because we had built a sermon on that verse during Bro. Darrell Owens' homiletics class that day. I preached and it turned out great. Bro. Gardner told the congregation, "That's good preaching!"
Bro. Gardner, prior to my having shown up on Wed. Evening, called Bro. Jim Slocumb, who gave me a good recomendation. So Bro. Gardner involved me at Vanderbilt, allowing me to preach when his health prevented him. He also allowed me to work with the youth group, starting the Discovery Club on Wednesday evenings. He both encouraged me in these efforts and publicly praised me for my work, both in the sanctuary and in the state missions reports.
He also encouraged me to follow my call to the pastoral ministry (something my former pastor had discouraged). He celebrated with me when I accepted the call to Denson Springs and preached my ordination message.
God did (and is still doing) marvelous things at Vanderbilt. In that one summer I was there, 20 were added to Vanderbilt, most of whom were by baptism.
He works as a barber and a missionary, despite his recurring heart problems. He follows up with his visitors. He knows how to evangelize and he does. The members at Vanderbilt actively participate in the ministry and are very welcoming of newcomers.
When I arrived at Vanderbilt, I had been kicked in the teeth, metaphorically speaking. Bro. Gardner picked me up out of the dirt, dusted me off, and got me back into the ministry. When he gets promoted, the Kingdom work on earth will suffer a set back.
And for me to hear people rail against this man really bothers me.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
In January 2005, I was the youth director at Rocky Springs MBC of Jacksonville. The pastor at that time (Bo Norris) basically suspended me without notice, basically accusing me of trying to steal the church from him. To avoid causing an uproar in the church, I quietly left.
I visited Vanderbilt in Tyler, where Bro. Harold Davis was filling in for Bro. Gardner, who had just had another stint put into his heart (He has had several). My wife and I enjoyed the preaching, so we returned the following Wednesday evening. I walked in wearing a red checkerboard shirt with no sermon outlines because I was not expecting to preach. Bro. Gardner met me at the door and asked me to preach (checkerboard shirt and all!). I quickly built an outline on John 5:24 because we had built a sermon on that verse during Bro. Darrell Owens' homiletics class that day. I preached and it turned out great. Bro. Gardner told the congregation, "That's good preaching!"
Bro. Gardner, prior to my having shown up on Wed. Evening, called Bro. Jim Slocumb, who gave me a good recomendation. So Bro. Gardner involved me at Vanderbilt, allowing me to preach when his health prevented him. He also allowed me to work with the youth group, starting the Discovery Club on Wednesday evenings. He both encouraged me in these efforts and publicly praised me for my work, both in the sanctuary and in the state missions reports.
He also encouraged me to follow my call to the pastoral ministry (something my former pastor had discouraged). He celebrated with me when I accepted the call to Denson Springs and preached my ordination message.
God did (and is still doing) marvelous things at Vanderbilt. In that one summer I was there, 20 were added to Vanderbilt, most of whom were by baptism.
He works as a barber and a missionary, despite his recurring heart problems. He follows up with his visitors. He knows how to evangelize and he does. The members at Vanderbilt actively participate in the ministry and are very welcoming of newcomers.
When I arrived at Vanderbilt, I had been kicked in the teeth, metaphorically speaking. Bro. Gardner picked me up out of the dirt, dusted me off, and got me back into the ministry. When he gets promoted, the Kingdom work on earth will suffer a set back.
And for me to hear people rail against this man really bothers me.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Ways I was blessed by the state MBA meeting
#1. I got to hear good preaching.
#2. I got to enjoy good fellowship with some of my brethren in the ministry.
#3. I was invited to share my vision for Brownwood with three churches.
#4. I received good encouragement from Bro. Marion Reed, Bro. Vernon McNully, Bro. Matt Gholson and Bro. Billy Daniels.
#5. I got to see my former pastor and current friend in the ministry, Bro. Marvin Gardner. It was also good to hear how attendance at Vanderbilt reached 80 people last Sunday.
#2. I got to enjoy good fellowship with some of my brethren in the ministry.
#3. I was invited to share my vision for Brownwood with three churches.
#4. I received good encouragement from Bro. Marion Reed, Bro. Vernon McNully, Bro. Matt Gholson and Bro. Billy Daniels.
#5. I got to see my former pastor and current friend in the ministry, Bro. Marvin Gardner. It was also good to hear how attendance at Vanderbilt reached 80 people last Sunday.
The Advantage we have
Romans 3:1-2: What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
An oracle is defined in my dictionary as a person or thing regarded as an infallible authority or guide on something.
The Jewish believers addressed in Romans 2 were still trying to earn God's favor through works. They also felt that they had a special place with God because of they were Jews. Paul debunked that thought in Romans 2:11 "For there is no respect of persons with God."
So the Jews had a question... "Well, what was the point, then? What was the advantage of being God's chosen people?" To which Paul replied, "Unto you were committed the oracles of God." The Jews were the only nation to enjoy hearing prophecies from God. They were the only ones unto whom His word was given, at that time.
Brothers and sisters, we have that same advantage. Unto us (God's churches) have been committed the oracles of God... His Word. We have the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible. God has entrusted us with this treasure and commissioned us to share this treasure with others (II Corinthians 4:7).
We have His Word. His Word builds our faith (if we read it, Romans 10:17). That faith helps us to know Christ (Philippians 3:8-10). Having that ongoing personal relationship with God gives us the ability to trust God through great troubles and distresses.
I know people who fear the next terrorist attack. I know those who are struggling to save their businesses, marriages, to get their kids to behave well, to better themselves. For some of these people, they have no hope beyond what they have on this earth.
For us, we know that whatever terrorist attack happens, whatever event befalls us in our lives, we can trust the Lord to either pull us through it, or carry us home. That is the advantage we have. Let's share it with others.
An oracle is defined in my dictionary as a person or thing regarded as an infallible authority or guide on something.
The Jewish believers addressed in Romans 2 were still trying to earn God's favor through works. They also felt that they had a special place with God because of they were Jews. Paul debunked that thought in Romans 2:11 "For there is no respect of persons with God."
So the Jews had a question... "Well, what was the point, then? What was the advantage of being God's chosen people?" To which Paul replied, "Unto you were committed the oracles of God." The Jews were the only nation to enjoy hearing prophecies from God. They were the only ones unto whom His word was given, at that time.
Brothers and sisters, we have that same advantage. Unto us (God's churches) have been committed the oracles of God... His Word. We have the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible. God has entrusted us with this treasure and commissioned us to share this treasure with others (II Corinthians 4:7).
We have His Word. His Word builds our faith (if we read it, Romans 10:17). That faith helps us to know Christ (Philippians 3:8-10). Having that ongoing personal relationship with God gives us the ability to trust God through great troubles and distresses.
I know people who fear the next terrorist attack. I know those who are struggling to save their businesses, marriages, to get their kids to behave well, to better themselves. For some of these people, they have no hope beyond what they have on this earth.
For us, we know that whatever terrorist attack happens, whatever event befalls us in our lives, we can trust the Lord to either pull us through it, or carry us home. That is the advantage we have. Let's share it with others.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The MBA of Texas Meeting
Here we are at the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas messenger meeting. Hopefully, I'll be able to visit with everyone and enjoy some good fellowship. I'm planning on spending the bulk of the day today at my booth, located on the south wall of the gymnasium. If you wanna visit, or know more about Mission Brownwood, let me know.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sinning by proxy
Romans 1:32-2:1 "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (2:1)Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
Remember the people I mentioned in my last devotional post who were confronted with the reality of God, but chose to reject Him? Well, as a result of their rejection of God, they became involved in extremely immoral sin. (Read Romans 1:21-31 to get an idea). Verse 32 said that these people, "knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death."
Paul didn't seem to have a lot of sympathy for them, either. He said in Romans 1:20 that they are without excuse. He said in this verse they are worthy of death. Now we know from studying Paul's epistles that he ministered out of love. However, he was not one of these guys who would stick his finger in your face and say, "People are going to Hell, and it's all you're fault." We are responsible for sharing our faith with people, but if they reject God and go to Hell, they go on their own accord, not because we picked the wrong worship music, or that our pastor was too old, or that our church too traditional, or because we presented the Gospel in a less-than-entertaining way.
Let's look at these verses a little closer. Verse 32 says "not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." So, in order to deserve God's judgment or chastisement for the sins listed in Romans 1, we not only have to do them, but we can merely have pleasure in them that do them. In other words, I don't have to find a girlfriend to committ adultery. All I have to do is watch Jerry Springer and get into it. To take pleasure in it. Verse 32 says as a result of that activity, those who take pleasure in those who do the sins are also worthy of death.
So, Paul is addressing Christians who might not be actively engaging in sin, but they are having a good time watching. They might even be encouraging it.
Parents, don't encourage your teenagers' sin by giving them a safe haven to do it. (i.e. don't be one of those who lets your children drink alcohol at home, or let your son's girlfriend spend the night. You are not giving them a safe alternative, you are fueling a bad situation that will make their lives worse. You will be held accountable.)
To everyone else, If you have lost friends, when they get to talking about how wild the weekend was, don't join the conversation recalling the good ole days before your salvation when you used to do the same. What you are doing is taking pleasure in them that do it and are setting yourself up for God's chastisement. (Plus, you're not representing the kingdom well).
As Christians, we tend to frown upon those who live more sinfully than we do. That's where Romans 2:1 picks up (it is a continuation of this thought).
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
The more you take pleasure in the sins of others (either by watching it on television, encouraging it through your conversations with lost people, or enabling it by contributing to it) the more you become guilty of the same things. And, when you speak against them, you will basically condemn yourself, because God will remind you of what you said, then show you how your actions violated your own words.
An example of this type of behavior would be me talking trash about a man I know because of his sexual immorality, then going home and enjoying a good dose of soap operas or internet viewing.
Don't engage in sin. Don't take pleasure in sin. To do so for the saved person will cost him fellowship with God. To do so for the lost person will only add to their coming judgment.
If you have gotten involved in sin, either by proxy, or by actually committing it, you can obtain forgiveness from God by repentance (being sorry for it and purposing never to do it again). James 5:15 says "if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." I John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
God bless you.
Remember the people I mentioned in my last devotional post who were confronted with the reality of God, but chose to reject Him? Well, as a result of their rejection of God, they became involved in extremely immoral sin. (Read Romans 1:21-31 to get an idea). Verse 32 said that these people, "knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death."
Paul didn't seem to have a lot of sympathy for them, either. He said in Romans 1:20 that they are without excuse. He said in this verse they are worthy of death. Now we know from studying Paul's epistles that he ministered out of love. However, he was not one of these guys who would stick his finger in your face and say, "People are going to Hell, and it's all you're fault." We are responsible for sharing our faith with people, but if they reject God and go to Hell, they go on their own accord, not because we picked the wrong worship music, or that our pastor was too old, or that our church too traditional, or because we presented the Gospel in a less-than-entertaining way.
Let's look at these verses a little closer. Verse 32 says "not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." So, in order to deserve God's judgment or chastisement for the sins listed in Romans 1, we not only have to do them, but we can merely have pleasure in them that do them. In other words, I don't have to find a girlfriend to committ adultery. All I have to do is watch Jerry Springer and get into it. To take pleasure in it. Verse 32 says as a result of that activity, those who take pleasure in those who do the sins are also worthy of death.
So, Paul is addressing Christians who might not be actively engaging in sin, but they are having a good time watching. They might even be encouraging it.
Parents, don't encourage your teenagers' sin by giving them a safe haven to do it. (i.e. don't be one of those who lets your children drink alcohol at home, or let your son's girlfriend spend the night. You are not giving them a safe alternative, you are fueling a bad situation that will make their lives worse. You will be held accountable.)
To everyone else, If you have lost friends, when they get to talking about how wild the weekend was, don't join the conversation recalling the good ole days before your salvation when you used to do the same. What you are doing is taking pleasure in them that do it and are setting yourself up for God's chastisement. (Plus, you're not representing the kingdom well).
As Christians, we tend to frown upon those who live more sinfully than we do. That's where Romans 2:1 picks up (it is a continuation of this thought).
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
The more you take pleasure in the sins of others (either by watching it on television, encouraging it through your conversations with lost people, or enabling it by contributing to it) the more you become guilty of the same things. And, when you speak against them, you will basically condemn yourself, because God will remind you of what you said, then show you how your actions violated your own words.
An example of this type of behavior would be me talking trash about a man I know because of his sexual immorality, then going home and enjoying a good dose of soap operas or internet viewing.
Don't engage in sin. Don't take pleasure in sin. To do so for the saved person will cost him fellowship with God. To do so for the lost person will only add to their coming judgment.
If you have gotten involved in sin, either by proxy, or by actually committing it, you can obtain forgiveness from God by repentance (being sorry for it and purposing never to do it again). James 5:15 says "if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." I John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
God bless you.
A sponsoring church?
At last night's business meeting, Rocky Springs MBC of Jacksonville, TX decided to consider being my sponsoring church. Pastor Charles Swilling suggested the church invite Bro. Marion Reed to speak to them concerning the responsibilities of a sponsoring church before making a final decision. Bro. Swilling said he wanted Rocky Springs to really get behind me, as opposed to being one of these churches that votes to send a missionary out and then doesn't do anything to support him.
Please be in prayer about this.
Please be in prayer about this.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Fall Soccer season wraps up
Well, today was the final day of soccer in our local soccer association. As you know, I coach my son's U6 team, and my wife coaches my daughter's U8 team.
My son's team, "The Bumblebees" lost their game today (as if we kept score). They finish with a 5-4 record. I am most proud of one little girl on the team who had been timid and frightened of playing in the games all season. She really gave it her best today. Joshua scored 3 goals this season.
My daughter's team won their season finale handily, though Rachel was unable to play. The other team's coach had to work, so I coached the other team. You know, whenever I have had to coach against my wife, I have never led a team to victory in a live game... and only once during pre-season scrimmages. I just can't understand it.
The emotions at the end of both games are mixed, as the parents of our team members know mine and Jessica's plans for Brownwood. If things go as I expect, I will not be back to coach the Bumblebees next year.
My son's team, "The Bumblebees" lost their game today (as if we kept score). They finish with a 5-4 record. I am most proud of one little girl on the team who had been timid and frightened of playing in the games all season. She really gave it her best today. Joshua scored 3 goals this season.
My daughter's team won their season finale handily, though Rachel was unable to play. The other team's coach had to work, so I coached the other team. You know, whenever I have had to coach against my wife, I have never led a team to victory in a live game... and only once during pre-season scrimmages. I just can't understand it.
The emotions at the end of both games are mixed, as the parents of our team members know mine and Jessica's plans for Brownwood. If things go as I expect, I will not be back to coach the Bumblebees next year.
Glorifying God
Romans 1:21- "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
This verse deals with a situation where people became face to face with the reality of God. Being faced with that truth, they chose not to glorify Him as God. They rejected His message. They rejected His salvation. They did not glorify Him.
How many stories have you heard of near-misses? Where someone's life flashed before their eyes. They might have even prayed, and gone to a couple of church services. A man once told me that he was out in the fishing boat with his family one night when Sputnik reentered the atmosphere. He thought it was Christ returning, so he made his family kneel down and pray. Sadly, that man is not serving God, and his family has fallen apart. He knew God, but didn't glorify Him as God.
Too often, once we realize the danger is gone, we are content to go back to business as usual and forget all about God. This all but seals your fate... as Romans 1:20 says..."they are without excuse."
When God confronts you, repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior right then. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, never miss an opportunity to glorify God. Remember Who He is! Keep that front and center in your heart! And be thankful to Him for your salvation and what He is going to do in your life.
Too many of us are unthankful. I grow tired of hearing complaints from preachers whose churches only pay them $2,500 per month plus housing (parsonage), utilities and vehicle allowances. Try finding that type of compensation in your local community. You might find that the people you are trying to minister too are having to do more with less.
I pastored Denson Springs for $200/week. I work for a newspaper for $17,000/year. I have to provide my housing, utilities, food, tuition for my kids' school, etc. The church did all they could for me, and I am thankful for that. And, if I have to get a job when I go to Brownwood, I will praise God for it, knowing that He will use that situation for His honor and glory.
Brethren, Trust God! Praise God! And thank Him for where He has placed you. I need to remember to do this as well.
This verse deals with a situation where people became face to face with the reality of God. Being faced with that truth, they chose not to glorify Him as God. They rejected His message. They rejected His salvation. They did not glorify Him.
How many stories have you heard of near-misses? Where someone's life flashed before their eyes. They might have even prayed, and gone to a couple of church services. A man once told me that he was out in the fishing boat with his family one night when Sputnik reentered the atmosphere. He thought it was Christ returning, so he made his family kneel down and pray. Sadly, that man is not serving God, and his family has fallen apart. He knew God, but didn't glorify Him as God.
Too often, once we realize the danger is gone, we are content to go back to business as usual and forget all about God. This all but seals your fate... as Romans 1:20 says..."they are without excuse."
When God confronts you, repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior right then. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, never miss an opportunity to glorify God. Remember Who He is! Keep that front and center in your heart! And be thankful to Him for your salvation and what He is going to do in your life.
Too many of us are unthankful. I grow tired of hearing complaints from preachers whose churches only pay them $2,500 per month plus housing (parsonage), utilities and vehicle allowances. Try finding that type of compensation in your local community. You might find that the people you are trying to minister too are having to do more with less.
I pastored Denson Springs for $200/week. I work for a newspaper for $17,000/year. I have to provide my housing, utilities, food, tuition for my kids' school, etc. The church did all they could for me, and I am thankful for that. And, if I have to get a job when I go to Brownwood, I will praise God for it, knowing that He will use that situation for His honor and glory.
Brethren, Trust God! Praise God! And thank Him for where He has placed you. I need to remember to do this as well.
The Leland Update
Right now I am worried about my daughter. She suffered a "buckle fracture" to her arm last saturday during her soccer game when her feet tangled with another player and she fell on it wrong. The emergency room doctor put it in a splint ant told us to see a specialist. Everything was fine, but her specialist will not be able to see her until Thursday.
Then, she further aggravated the injury by falling on it during P.E. at school, which is interesting because her school was specifically instructed that she was not to participate in P.E. until the arm healed. Now, the arm is swelling, and Jessica is calling the ER to see what needs to be done.
Joshua's final soccer game is today. He has been playing really well for the past two weeks and I am really proud of him.
I am really looking forward to the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas meeting. I love the fellowship and hope to be able to secure a few preaching appointments while there. I am nervous, though, because of the increase in debate on some of the blogs and the prospect of controversy surrounding Texas Mission Development and the missionaries who will ask that the mission policy be set aside. I hope we can get through this meeting without having hurt feelings, vicious rhetoric and hopefully without a split. Some of the brethren I look up to are really nervous, and that concerns me.
On the other hand, if you go to the meeting... look me up... we'll do lunch... or dinner.
Then, she further aggravated the injury by falling on it during P.E. at school, which is interesting because her school was specifically instructed that she was not to participate in P.E. until the arm healed. Now, the arm is swelling, and Jessica is calling the ER to see what needs to be done.
Joshua's final soccer game is today. He has been playing really well for the past two weeks and I am really proud of him.
I am really looking forward to the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas meeting. I love the fellowship and hope to be able to secure a few preaching appointments while there. I am nervous, though, because of the increase in debate on some of the blogs and the prospect of controversy surrounding Texas Mission Development and the missionaries who will ask that the mission policy be set aside. I hope we can get through this meeting without having hurt feelings, vicious rhetoric and hopefully without a split. Some of the brethren I look up to are really nervous, and that concerns me.
On the other hand, if you go to the meeting... look me up... we'll do lunch... or dinner.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Going deeper into debt
Paul wrote in Romans 1:14-15 that "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are in Rome also."
This word "debtor" means one who is delinquent in the repayment of a debt. So you have a 60 month payment plan on your car? You are not a debtor to GMAC unless you fall behind. At that point, you get the phone calls and letters.
Paul was using the word "debtor" to explain how he viewed himself in relation to the spreading of the Gospel (verse 15). Now, if the great Apostle Paul were a debtor in his efforts to spread the Gospel, where does that leave me?
I've shared the Gospel from time to time in my newspaper column (which you can read at www.thecherokeean.com), I have preached it from the pulpits of the churches that I have preached at. I preached it at Denson Springs MBC when I pastored there. But, have I been effective at sharing the Gospel with my co-workers? What about my friends? What about the families I try to minister to through coaching U6 soccer, or those whom I write newspaper stories about? Did I put my best efforts forward to spread the Gospel to the Slocum/Grapeland/Elkhart communities when I was at Denson Springs?
I fear that I have to give myself a failing grade on the above questions. It is my prayer that God light a fire under me to motivate me to do everything I can to spread the Gospel as much as possible. I am capable of accomplishing a lot. If there is anything I learned from Denson Springs, it is that I can achieve goals. I can work. I can crank out a lot of output, both at my secular job and at my church. What I need is to have that effort more focused, toward doing what God called me to do, and toward what would be best for His Kingdom.
My wife bought a poster that said, "One voice can make a song, one life can change the world." While we know where the world is headed, if we follow God and put our best efforts forward, we can impact some lives.
This word "debtor" means one who is delinquent in the repayment of a debt. So you have a 60 month payment plan on your car? You are not a debtor to GMAC unless you fall behind. At that point, you get the phone calls and letters.
Paul was using the word "debtor" to explain how he viewed himself in relation to the spreading of the Gospel (verse 15). Now, if the great Apostle Paul were a debtor in his efforts to spread the Gospel, where does that leave me?
I've shared the Gospel from time to time in my newspaper column (which you can read at www.thecherokeean.com), I have preached it from the pulpits of the churches that I have preached at. I preached it at Denson Springs MBC when I pastored there. But, have I been effective at sharing the Gospel with my co-workers? What about my friends? What about the families I try to minister to through coaching U6 soccer, or those whom I write newspaper stories about? Did I put my best efforts forward to spread the Gospel to the Slocum/Grapeland/Elkhart communities when I was at Denson Springs?
I fear that I have to give myself a failing grade on the above questions. It is my prayer that God light a fire under me to motivate me to do everything I can to spread the Gospel as much as possible. I am capable of accomplishing a lot. If there is anything I learned from Denson Springs, it is that I can achieve goals. I can work. I can crank out a lot of output, both at my secular job and at my church. What I need is to have that effort more focused, toward doing what God called me to do, and toward what would be best for His Kingdom.
My wife bought a poster that said, "One voice can make a song, one life can change the world." While we know where the world is headed, if we follow God and put our best efforts forward, we can impact some lives.
Hello, Blog world
Well, after lurking around your blog sites for all these months, I decided to start one of my own. I've just been handed an assignment, so back to work for now.
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