Faith, it's what God wants

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Faith is a deep-rooted trust or conviction about the truth of anything. In regards to God, it is the deep-rooted trust and conviction that He exists. In relation to Jesus Christ, it is the trust and conviction that He paid the debt for our sins on the cross, died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day so that whosoever believes in Him (has faith... trust in Him) shall not perish but have everlasting life.

I keep going back to these definitions because faith is the prerequisite to any positive interaction with God. It is by grace through faith that we are saved. It is by faith that we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God. It is by faith the elders (i.e. the Bible heroes) obtained a good report. Faith is needed for salvation and spiritual growth. Since faith is so important, we must remember what it is. Faith is not a series of practices and beliefs... that is religion. Faith is not our 21-points of doctrine. Our 21-points of doctrine are basic Biblical truths that are fundamental to Christianity, but they are not faith. No, faith, simply defined, is trust in God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

This faith is once delivered to the saints, as you can only be saved through faith once (and you can not lose it). We are to defend our faith (by being ready to give a reason to those who question the hope that is within us.)

This faith should affect the way we live (the just shall live by faith.) It should be the reason we live morally and study God's Word. It should be the reason we live the way we live.

Faith should be the reason we abstain from alcohol. True, there is no verse that says "Thou shalt not drink Budweiser," but the truth is that drinking alcohol affects our ability to "be sober and vigilant." One beer may not make you drunk, but has it benefitted your soberness and vigilance? Has it helped you grow closer to God? Has it increased your faith? Or is it a small step in the wrong direction?

Faith should be the reason we abstain from sexual immorality. Sexual immorality flies in the face of God's plan for one man and one woman to be married. Sexual immorality means more than two people have cleaved together. What God has joined, man is putting asunder daily. If we trust God and His plan, we should be willing to approach love, marriage and romance from a Biblical point of view.

The reason we should study our Bibles is to get to know God better and thus grow our faith. Furthermore, our faith should move us to action.

However, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Without the deep-rooted trust and conviction about God's existence, none of our morality will please God. Our abstinence from alcohol will mean nothing. Our sexual purity will have accomplished little more than helping us avoid a litany of diseases. Bible study, without faith, is boring and pointless, because it doesn't please God.

The reason actions without faith does not please God is that our existence is not about us. It is about God. That's the way He wants it. Without faith, we make it about ourselves, and that is pride, and the LORD resists the proud, but gives grace to the meek.

So, let's spend time praying to God, that we may grow to know and trust Him more, and that our faith will grow through our study of His Word. Make it all about Him, and not our "works of righteousness." Trust God. Trust Christ. It's what He wants.

What, I have some down time?!!!! Something must be wrong!

Wow! We have finished out 32-page tabloid magazine on the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show for the Cherokeean Herald. I'm amazed we turned this entire project over in a day. I went to the show and took pictures, while writing one article. My managing editor did most of the pagination.

I still have a school board meeting to cover tonight, and a softball game (#2 Rusk vs. #3 Hudson) to broadcast tomorrow night, but I might get out of the Wednesday night game between Alto and Chireno. If that happens, I'll skip town for the day and head to Brownwood to continue my job hunt. My next target is the local Christian station. Maybe they'd be interested in a man who is passionate for God with the capabilities of working on-air, doing production and selling ads. (I can do promotions too! I don't do windows.)

Saturday was an interesting day. Jessica and I arrived at the soccer fields at 11 a.m. None of our parents were there, so Jessica teamed up with Rachel and I teamed up with Josh and we played 2-on-2 soccer. Josh and I were winning until I slipped on the wet ground and severely sprained my wrist. It's healing up nicely.

Our soccer day had more mixed results. My team (the Bumblebees) won 8-5 over the Jaguars. My wife didn't know her team's score (I had to work during that game), but she said, "I think we lost."

So, the Bumblebees are now 4-0 while the Purple Sky are 2-2 on the season.

The housing process is still going slowly. We've put down earnest money, but the mortgage companies are not responding with solid financial offers. I hope the deal goes through, but fear that it might fall through.

Comings and goings

I probably won't get to do much blogging until the end of next week. I have to spend this weekend covering the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show. Today, I will spend much of the day at the show, then coach my soccer team's practice tonight. Tomorrow, I'll be at the show all day before broadcasting a baseball game tomorrow night. Saturday, I'll be at the show, coach a soccer game at 11:30, then go to the office to place all of my pictures and information on the pages in the newspaper. Monday, I'll have work and school board. Tuesday it's work and softball. Thursday it will be work and soccer practice. Friday, it's work and baseball. So, for the next week, it will be 12-18 hour days. Yes, I will be taking some time off after it is done.

See you in Brownwood.

Oh, by the way, we placed our earnest money down on the house in Brownwood, and we've submitted our financial documents to get final approval on the mortgage. It looks like this deal is going to happen!

Brownwood to double in size!

According to the lady who is selling us our house, Camp Bowie is set to reopen as a full-time base for the U.S. Army in the next couple of years. What does that mean? 20,000 soldiers will be stationed less than five miles from our new home. Brownwood's population will surge from 24,000 to 44,000 seemingly overnight.

As such, the community is preparing by adding on to local school campuses, bringing in Walgreens, CVS, Chilis, and one new Missionary Baptist Church.

I hope this plays out like everyone thinks it will.

What a weekend!

Friday, Jessica and I purchased the Home & Student version of MS Office 2007. I still can't get it to work, so I'm going to find someone with a CD so I can install it that way and use my product key.

Saturday, I worked the morning show at KWRW 97.7 FM, then headed to the soccer field. It was a topsy-turvy day in the soccer world. After soccer, we all went to Elkhart to the Memorial MBC barbecue, where Jessica got her first taste of wild hog. That was one of the best days of fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ in a while.

Then, it was off to Brownwood to plunk down earnest money on the house we are going to purchase. I also got the exciting news about Camp Bowie reopening.

Then, we came home and crashed.

Faith is important

So, Jessica, Rachel and I were staying at the Whitten Inn in Abilene watching a History Channel program about ancient man's first trip to America. The show dated man's arrival at 10,000 BC. Jessica and I explained to Rachel that the authors of the program didn't really know when man first came to America, but it could have been no earlier than 6,000 years ago. Any that came over then were wiped out by the flood. All others arrived between now and 4,400 years ago.

"Why don't they know when people came over?" she asked.

"Because they find their bones in the ground and try to guess," Jessica and I replied. "But the Bible teaches that God created the world about 6,000 years ago."

We explained that when her dinosaur books said "millions of years ago," what they really meant was "Long long ago."

Let's face it, sifting through archaeological and geological data can be confusing. I mean, have you ever taken geology? I gave up after two weeks and rode my roommate's coat tails.

If you do not have the proper background in interpreting the artifacts uncovered, you can get lost in a sea of stone fragments. However, through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made by the things which do appear (Hebrews 11:3).

Take the Grand Canyon, for instance. Looking at the river flowing at the bottom of it, a logical person would assume it took that river millions of years to carve that canyon. However, an informed person would know that the Grand Canyon was not formed by that river, it was formed by a flood. The river is a byproduct of that flood. So, the things which are seen were not made by the things which do appear. Can a canyon the size of the Grand Canyon be carved out in a 150-day flood (Genesis 7:24)? Sure. An 80-foot canyon near Canyon Lake, TX was carved out in a three-day flood.

And these are things we never miss an opportunity to discuss with our children, so that they will have the faith to understand that God created the world.

Discipleship is a long-range process, especially with one's children. To be successful, one must have the faith in order to pass it on.

We did it!!!

I paid the down payment on the 4 bedroom house close to Brownwood High School today. Please pray that we are able to successfully close the deal and that God will provide a job for me soon!

Housing update

Jessica and I meet with the property firm this weekend. We're trying to get the terms of this contract settled before I plunk down my down payment.

Split tilts in Soccer

My team, the Bumblebees handily beat their opponents 15-2 today in U6 soccer. Their opponents were a team made up mostly of 4-year olds (The Bumblebees have three 4-year olds, three 5-year olds and two 6-year olds. In U6 soccer, which plays 4-on-4, the two six year olds can make a big difference). That being said, the other team played really well.

Jessica's team, the Purple Sky (U8 girls) lost to the Nitro, an all boys team which is very talented. The final score was 20-1. I knew we were in trouble when our high-flying kickoff was headed by one of the boys, who quickly took control of the ball. Those boys, at the ages of 6 and 7, already know how to successfully corner kick (you kick the ball high in the air in front of the goal and one of your teammates "heads" it in). For those unfamiliar with soccer, heading is the practice of hitting the ball with your head to redirect a high-flying ball.

Sports picks, the Acker way

The way I predict NCAA brackets, college and high school football results is by writing what I think would be a good headline.

For example.

UNC vs. Notre Dame,

UNC continues to roll in NCAA tourney,

or

Fightin Irish upset North Carolina in Sweet-16 action

(I went with Notre Dame.)

NCAA March Madness

Call me an idiot, but here are my final four picks:

Louisville
UNLV
Memphis
UCLA

Louisville beats UNLV
UCLA beats Memphis

UCLA wins it all!


(Don't put too much stock in this, I picked Kentucky to upset Marquette and Baylor to upset Purdue... so I obviously have no clue.)

Housing

Jessica and I found a four bedroom, two bath house one block away from Brownwood High school at a price of $79,900. The property firm agreed to 30-year terms, with a 7% fixed APR, with a $5,000 down payment. A blessing and another opened door? Maybe, maybe not. After agreeing to terms and signing the initial paperwork, the property firm is now saying they will have difficulty getting us approved.

So please pray that this deal will come together without Jessica and I falling into a real estate pitfall.

Faith gives us testimony

Hebrews 11:2 - For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.

What made the Old Testament heroes so pleasing to God? Was it their awesome deeds? Their ability to gain wealth (Abraham), their ability to climb the corporate ladder and find success for themselves and their countries (Joseph)? Perhaps it was their leadership abilities (Moses), or their piety (Enoch)?

No. What made the Old Testament heroes (and the New Testament heroes for that matter) pleasing to God was their faith. It was by faith they obtained a good report.

Now faith, remember, is a deep-rooted trust or conviction of the truth of anything. In regard to God, it is a deep-rooted trust or conviction that God exists, that He saves and condemns. In regard to Christ, which is necessary to having a proper faith in God, it is the deep-rooted trust or conviction that He lived a sinless life, is God in the flesh, and that He paid the penalty for the sin of the world when He died on the cross. A proper faith in God involves also having a deep-rooted trust or conviction that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-13).

Of 'course, we could sum all of this up by quoting Hebrews 11:6, "but without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him."

It is interesting that the first two individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 are Abel and Enoch. The scriptures record that it was Abel's faith, his deep-rooted trust in God that led him to offer a more proper sacrifice. It was Enoch's trust in God that led him to walk with God 300 years before being raptured (i.e. translated). Very little is written about either one in Genesis, but they are the first pointed out in the hall of faith. (Of course, they are also some of the first people living).

The rest of the men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 are honored for their faith, not their deeds. It was their faith that led them to perform their deeds. Each one had something that happened in their life that gave them the testimony that God was pleased with them.

If we are to have a testimony that will help us to reach the lost world, we have to please God. In order to please God, we have to have faith. The absence of faith leads to the absence of a testimony, which renders our evangelical work fruitless.

So trust God. If you do, you will have no trouble answering God when He calls you to do something extra-ordinary. Who knows, maybe you'll even get inducted into a future hall of faith by hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Online evangelism, discipleship and missions news

This blog, the Mind of Acker, serves to keep you up-to-date with the mission, vision and progess of Mission: Brownwood, periodic Bible devotions, my thoughts on life, and personal news.

My other blog,Grace Pointe MBC, will be a tool to enhance the ministries we have in Brownwood. We might post daily devotionals, and information related to upcoming Sunday School lessons, sermons, Bible studies and Parents of Purpose events. (Parents of Purpose may get its own blog before it's all over).

I've launched another blog, utilizing the blessing of Blogger to spread the Gospel to those who might not hear it from a church pew. The blog is called MyFaith.com. The goal is to lower the barriers that lost people have toward Christianity by avoiding politics and focusing on the central message of Christianity (which I fear, has been lost in many churches.) So anyway, check it out and let me know what you think.

Memorial MBC - Elkhart

Please be in prayer for Memorial MBC of Elkhart as they continue to search for a pastor. They are located in a residential area of Elkhart, TX, and strive to reach out to people in southern Anderson County, a place that has been overrun by false Christianity, wolves in sheeps-clothes preachers and self-serving con-artists.

Southern Anderson County is a difficult mission field which can be discouraging to even the most robust Christian, so please pray for Memorial MBC.

Welcome Beacon Baptist Church

Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas, voted to send Mission:Brownwood some support that should be arriving in May. The church has also been collecting love offerings along the way.

Beacon is pastored by Bro. Roy Ramon, who was saved and surrendered to preach under the ministry of Jim Slocumb, director of TMD, who I have had the pleasure of working with at Rocky Springs MBC.

Bro. Ramon and Beacon were some of the first responders to my initial requests for assistance when I surrendered to go to Brownwood.

Bumblebees sting big, Purple Sky doesn't fall

My U6 soccer team, the Bumblebees, handily won their game Saturday 27-3. I was really surprised the way the team took off.

Jessica's U8 team, the Purple Sky, won their game 7-5. The Sky faced a much improved team and I feel a friendly rivalry has just been sparked. The Sky usually doesn't have close games with other girls teams (they usually blow them out), but Saturday was a struggle, and an exciting one to boot.

The Sky has two more meetings with this particular team, so this could get interesting. They also face a boys team next Saturday, so they've got a tough road ahead.

Records:
Bumblebees 2-0
Purple Sky 2-0

Mission: Brownwood, more than Underwood's BBQ

If you mention Brownwood to anyone west of I-35 (which is not the holy highway, regardless of what certain charismatics are saying), they will ask you about Underwood's Barbecue, which is actually a Luby's style cafeteria establishment. So, in order to be able to intelligently discuss Underwood's, I bit the bullet and ate there one day... I recommend the fried chicken, BBQ beefsteak, and the chicken fried steak. Load up on the sides, too. They don't charge extra.

Here's where we stand with Mission: Brownwood. Jessica is mailing off an application for a house today. We have located a suitable home close to Brownwood High School. Hopefully, the credit report will come through okay and we'll be able to purchase the house on terms that we can afford.

The job situation is still up in the air, but Jessica and I are planning our finances in a way that we can live on a part time job until we can request state support in November.

More and more, it looks like we'll begin working out of our home until we get a congregation together that can finance their own meeting location.

More and more, God is bringing Jessica and me together to the same page as far as the Mission: Brownwood vision goes. It's exciting to see His hand working in this.

And yes, when we get to Brownwood, we'd be glad for you to visit... and yes, we can even go to Underwood's.

With God, nothing is impossible

Have you ever plotted out the locations of the ABA churches on a map? Did you see Bro. Vernon McNully's display at the MBA of Texas meeting at Longview MBC in 2006? The vast majority of America is not served by an ABA church. Moreover, 87 percent of Americans are unchurched. On top of that, more people move to America and our population is steadily increasing.

We have lots of mission work to do, in America and worldwide. However, when you put the calculator to the task, it fails every time. Mission work is expensive and the task of reaching the cities and towns of this country seems insurmountable.

Just financing the Mission: Brownwood work is difficult. I have to keep my mind off of finances to keep from being discouraged. Fortunately, I only have to look long enough to draw a plan, and Jessica is willing to help me track finances. I am also blessed with a 1st-class missions treasurer. Can you imagine financing several mission works simultaneously? It's daunting.

Here's what I think. I think we are placing too much faith on the supposed "almighty dollar." The reason I say "supposed" is because the dollar's value has steadily been falling for as long as I can remember. Inflation is one thing, but people are more reluctant to save. People spend money as quickly as they get it. Want proof? In the fiscal year, the two biggest seasons are winter (Christmas season) and spring (Tax refund money). I actually have advertisers who spend their entire ad budgets during these two times. Anyway, I digress.

We should quit putting the calculator to the task and start trusting Christ more. Our faith in getting the world evangelized should be placed in God. In John 6, Philip told Jesus that they didn't have enough money to feed everyone, but Jesus still fed the multitudes. We should trust God as we move forward in mission work, but the key is to move forward.

My burden is for the American Southwest (West Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah.) My work begins in Brownwood, TX. What is your burden for? Where does your work begin?

Welcome White Rock MBC!

Bro. Jason Hebert, pastor of White Rock MBC in Center, just emailed me saying White Rock has voted to support me monthly at $100 per month. I am truly grateful for this church's love, support, financial support and encouragement.

White Rock is another church that I am proud to have on the Mission: Brownwood team. They are a mission-minded church with a passion for the Lord and for Truth. Bro. Hebert is a pastor that I have respected since I met him (the day he preached at Texas Baptist Institute), whose passion for God makes his preaching as great as it is. He has also been an encouragement to me as long as I have known him. He doesn't know it, but he was also an encouragement to some of my church members when I pastored at Denson Springs MBC in Grapeland (they met him at a function at Louisiana Baptist Institute-Seminary).

White Rock is also the sponsor of Phillipine Mission Development. I encourage you to contact Bro. Hebert to see how you can be a blessing to that ministry, which is reaching the Phillipines with the Gospel through the building of churches and church buildings.

What faith does...

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Many people try to make this verse a definition of faith. However, this verse does more to teach us what faith does than what it is. Faith, remember, is a deep rooted trust and conviction that God is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

The word substance here means essence. The word evidence means proof. Faith is the essence of what we hope for and the proof of what we can not see. What does faith do? It makes things real. Faith makes God real. It makes God's promises real. It allows us to place our lives in God's hands and let Him handle the outcome.

I did some reading last night on Cassie Bernall. Cassie was one of the victims of the Columbine school shooting. A witness told investigators that one of the killers asked her if she believed in God, to which she replied, "Yes." She was then shot.

Michael W. Smith wrote of Cassie:

This was her time
This was her dance
She lived every moment,
left nothing to chance.

She swam in the sea,
drank of the deed,
and embraced the mystery of all she could be.

(There has been a lot of investigation and effort expended to disprove her martyrdom... I'll post thoughts on that at another time). However, whether or not Cassie did indeed die for her faith, we know that throughout history people have died for theirs. We also know that Christians outside of the United States are dying for their faith as well. Why?

Because faith has made God real to them. They trust God enough to know that He will either deliver them, or call them home. There is no doubt.

When you have faith, the promises of God are not just things you hope might happen, they are things you know will happen. Your faith then becomes evidence of the existence of God.

Look at Stephen in Acts 7. What did he say as he was being stoned to death? "Behold I see the Son of Man... standing at the right hand of God." Do you think this convicted his persecutors? Did it offer proof of God? Would he have continued to proclaim God as he was dying if he did not really believe?

Faith makes the things of God real to us, proves God's existence and gives us a testimony... testimony... We'll discuss that next time.

Welcome Quaker Ave. BC!

Quaker Ave. Baptist Church (QABC) of Lubbock, TX, voted to support me monthly with $50 designated for salary.

You might know QABC as being the sending church for Bro. B.R. Singh, missionary to India. We visited with QABC in January and were blessed by the experience. QABC also sponsors the MBSF of Texas Tech University, a work greatly deserving of financial support.

QABC is pastored by Bro. Monty Hilliard.

I have been there

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Faith

Faith is defined as a deep-rooted trust or conviction of the truth of anything. In relation to God, it is the deep-rooted trust that He exists, thus meaning that we are separated from Him by our sin, but reconciliation to God comes through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ.

Or, as Hebrews 11:6 puts it, "But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Why have a study on faith? Because I have heard sermons on Hebrews 11:1-3, 6 preached several times. Many of these sermons butchered the topic of faith. I have even preached some of those point-missing sermons. Some have tried to define faith in Hebrews 11 as our 21 doctrinal statements. Some have tried to define it as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (And what does that mean, really?)

However, upon delving into word studies on faith, I found what faith really is... a trust in God. I spent the next year trying to instill that in my congregation at Denson Springs. Why? Because faith is the bedrock of the Christian life. If you don't have faith, or even understand it, there will be no Christian growth, maturity, or understanding of the scriptures (2 Peter 1:5-8). Without faith, all morality is in vain. All good deeds become hypocritical acts. Without faith, brotherly and agape love are impossible (in the Biblical sense).

So we really need to understand faith so we can better understand how to let our faith grow. Once we get to that point, we'll be poised for serious Spiritual growth and empowerment.

Over the next few days, I'll continue to share my thoughts on faith on this blog.

Man, I feel like a woman

Jessica was tired after church today, so I decided to let her take a nap while Rachel and I teamed up on laundry duty and Joshua washed dishes.

Three hours and a flooded kitchen later, we found there was still a lot of work to do. I don't know how Jessica keeps up with all four of us without losing her mind! Maybe those Sunday naps help?

Anyway, Rachel and I have devised a system to help keep the laundry in check. As for Joshua and the dishes, that's a whole other matter altogether. Does anyone know how to dam up a kitchen?

Open season

Soccer season opened Saturday.

My U6 Bumblebees won their game 6-4. They were ahead 5-1, but then began goofing off. It was rather hilarious.

As I might have told you, my wife's star player was recruited to a U10 team (my wife coaches U8 girls). The team still had an amazing day, defeating their opponents 19-3. Somehow, my wife always seems to have good teams. Must be the drafting.:)

Blog improvements

The above image is a view of U.S. Hwy. 84 in Brownwood, right in front of Underwoods BBQ, one of the top-10 restaurants in Texas.

I've added a few features to my blog. In addition to putting my picture in my profile, I have labeled all of my posts from March. I plan on labeling all posts from here on out.

As such, I have added a label list at the bottom right-hand corner. So, to see what I have to say about a particular topic, you can click on the label and it will show all of the posts with that particular label. Sorry for not having done this sooner, but hey, I'm new to online networking sites.

My other blog,
Grace Pointe MBC, has been rennovated with a whole new look (that is, if you have never seen Matt's Blog.) Sorry Matt. I couldn't find another template I liked. I have added the Grace Pointe link to the list of links to the right.

The Grace Pointe blog is mostly idle right now. When we get started, I plan to use it to supplement our teaching, preaching and Bible study ministries, as well as announcements, and to advertise service times/locations.

God has provided us with wonderful tools to expand and enhance our ministries, and I believe we should use them to the best of our ability... especially to reach the younger generations.

Guess who came a-knockin'?

Old Man Winter visited Rusk and Jacksonville today. Look's like he might even make the front page of the Cherokeean Herald.

My Deliverer is coming!

I was lost in 2000, but my wife listened to Christian radio (back then, it was 102.3 KLJT in Jacksonville) a lot. This song was played on that station frequently, along with various "Reasons to Believe" features. It, along with some other things going on in my life, slowly turned my attention toward my spiritual condition.

The video is a nice touch.

The necessity of Christian growth

II Peter 1:5-8

Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, Godliness; and to Godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and shall abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember those old commercials that said, "No one ever says, 'I want to be a junkie when I grow up.'" When people repent of their sins and trust Christ as their Savior, they never say, "From here on out, I plan to be a lukewarm Christian." Yet, so many do because they have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their sins (II Peter 5:9).

This passage teaches us how we can avoid the doldrums of lukewarm Christianity. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have faith. We should add to that faith, virtue (moral uprightness, high morals). This means don't celebrate your baptism at a local bar. Moreover, you should be taking steps to clean up your life.

To that virtue, add knowledge. Knowledge comes by a careful study of the scriptures. Add to that knowledge, temperance (abstinence from alcohol, moderation in food and drink). There are a few who do not believe the Bible teaches abstinence from alcohol. I believe it does. The Bible also teaches against being owned by our desire for food and drink. Being unable to control your eating habits is a sin. I fall short here, as do a lot of people I know. But we must learn temperance, because we have to add patience to our temperance.

Patience is the mark of a mature Christian. Those who are prone to fit-throwing, get their feelings hurt easily, are easily offended and give up quickly mark themselves as immature Christians. This is why I can't jump on board with the whole "I'd rather offend a church member than a lost person" mentality. If that church member is easily offended, there is still basic discipleship work to be done there.

Patience is the foundation for Godliness. (Think about it, can you be Godly while screaming at a server at Sunday lunch because your rib-eye wasn't cooked just right?).

Godliness lends itself to brotherly kindness, which builds up to charity. If we grow in these things, we will be fruitful in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, which means that we will be fruitful in the Lord's work. If we stop at any of those steps, we'll dry up. Let any of these slip, and the rest of the stack will fall also.

Twists and turns along the mission trail

After placing calls and talking with those in charge of facilities, renting a civic center may not be as viable of an option as I once thought. It seems that annual events would force us to yield the facilities at least once or twice per year, meaning that worship services would have to me moved or cancelled. In the early days of an upstart church, consistency is important, right behind the Spirit's empowerment.

So, Jessica and I are working another angle. We have applied for an apartment at a local apartment complex. As residents of this complex, the facilities there would be available to us... and we could more effectively minister to our neighbors. We're sending off the paperwork today.

This approach will save us thousands of dollars, allows us to launch sooner, and gives the new church a better opportunity to be self-supporting as it will not have as large of a financial burden.

Of 'course, nothing is certain until we are allowed to sign a lease-agreement, so please be in prayer about this.

Election night (Leland stays undefeated, for now)

We're done by 10:20???? WOW!!!!

I handled the newspaper advertising for two candidates.

My Commissioners Court candidate won his primary race with 55% of the vote. He defeated both of his opponents and avoided the run-off. He does not have an opponent in the general election, so the job is his.

My Constable candidate "won" his election by four votes, but the military ballots have not been counted, yet. However, if his victory stands, he will have an opponent in the general election. Furthermore, if his victory stands, I remain undefeated in the political campaigns for which I take a part in. The campaigns for which I designed the ads and ad schedules have never lost, ever! I began doing this in 2002.

Maybe one day I'll run my own campaign.

Entertaining Angels

Hebrews 13:2 Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.



... now, if only I could figure the video out.

Slow day

Things are moving slowly at The Cherokeean Herald today. We all came in at lunch, and are passing the time waiting on tonight's election coverage. (Think of it as extended pregame ceremonies).

That being the case, I have lots of time to think about Mission: Brownwood, and the fact that, while I can see where things are going, I am having difficulty in nailing down secure plans.

I have an actively interested employer, but they have not committed to me yet.

I have two or three possible meeting venues, but we have not been able to secure reservations yet.

The housing question is still up in the air.

It would be nice if the way before me was as simple as following the yellow brick road. But I'm not out to meet a wizard, neither am I planning on hanging around with any scarecrows. God is using this time to teach me patience, experience and hope... and I hope to get this work started soon.

Even in the absence of a yellow brick road, I know that God is going before me, preparing the way for His work.

Welcome East Side Baptist Church!

East Side Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Texas, (who sponsors several missionaries and missionary helpers), voted to support Mission: Brownwood at a rate of $100/month, plus they voted to help with moving expenses. East Side is pastored by Calvin Gould.

East Side's members stay busy, being involved in Texas Mission Builders, along with offering support to missions all over the world. It is an honor to be supported by such a church as this.

Mission: Brownwood Feb. 08 Report

February 2008 Report

Facility Update

We have located a facility suitable for holding Sunday School and Morning Worship services. The facility includes an auditorium that will seat 350, plus three classrooms that will seat up to 75 each. The cost for renting this facility for Sunday mornings will be close to $1,000/month. We are planning to rent this facility for Vacation Bible School in August, with our launch service to take place the following Sunday. This is a great facility with a good location in the heart of Brownwood.

Relocation Update

Jessica and I took a trip to Brownwood last Friday (Feb. 29). We both found strong employment prospects. We still have not found affordable housing, but God will provide in His time. (We also plan to keep looking.)

Deputation Update

We were blessed to be a part of the Faith-Promise Missions Conference at Nevill's Chapel MBC of Mt. Pleasant, TX. We also presented the work at the Old Cherokee Mission Rally at East Side MBC of Jacksonville, TX, and the Tri-County Mission Rally at Vanderbilt Baptist Church of Tyler, TX. We were also blessed by being able to share the work with Mt. Herman MBC and Whiterock MBC of Center, TX, and Bassett Road Baptist Church of Palestine, TX.

Upcoming Plans

Deputation will continue through the end of May. Jessica and I plan to relocate to Brownwood in June to begin the work. We will begin with home Bible studies in June, with launch services planned for August.

We will hold a VBS in August to help introduce ourselves to Brownwood and to launch the new work. This VBS will require volunteers and one-time love offerings. As soon as we have finalized the dates with the owners of the meeting facility, we will begin asking for your support for our VBS.

Mission: Brownwood Needs

Regular Monthly Support.
Facility Rental- $1,000/month.
Promotion and Outreach- $500/month
Literature- $100/month
Salary help

Relocation help.
UHAUL- $1,000
Deposits (utility)- $500
Housing deposit or down payment.

VBS Support
Volunteers to help with VBS (teachers, canvassing neighborhoods, etc).
VBS love offerings.
Facility rental- $1,250
Literature- $400
Promotion- $850
Total- $2,500.

Mission: Brownwood Vision

Our vision is to start a community-minded, people-focused church with emphasis on evangelism and discipleship.

Mission: Brownwood Goals

Core group established in 1 year.
Self-supporting in 3 years.
Sending out missionaries in 6 years.

Financial Report

Monthly Supporters-
Rocky Springs MBC, Jacksonville, TX - $300
Muse MBC, Grapeland, TX - $200
58th Ave. MBC, Amarillo, TX - $85
Denson Springs MBC, Grapeland, TX - $50

Special Offerings-
Nancy Rossi, member of Vanderbilt BC, Tyler, TX - $50
Anonymous - $100

Deputation-
Nevill's Chapel MBC, Mt. Pleasant, TX - $100
Whiterock MBC, Center, TX - $100
Mt. Herman MBC, Center, TX - $193
Bassett Road BC, Palestine, TX - $50

Expenses
Gasoline - $206
Food/Lodging - $91.19
Deposited into Missions account - $985

Missionary:
Leland Acker
8015 FM 347 N
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(903) 625-1005

Sending church:
Rocky Springs MBC
PO Box 1840
Jacksonville, TX 75766
Pastor: Charles Swilling

Stay tuned

Sorry for the week-long hiatus from blogging. I took a trip to Brownwood this weekend, which means that I had to double-up on the work-load this past week.

Coming up this week:

-The monthly Mission: Brownwood report.

-NEWS: A meeting location has been found. I'll brief you as soon as the final arrangements have been made.

-More info on the VBS/Launch project.

-More Mission: Brownwood planning.

-Devotional thoughts from God's Word.

Texas

In celebration of Texas Independence Day (which was yesterday. I celebrated Christ yesterday and will celebrate Texas today), I thought we'd look at our great state with a missions point of view.

Texas spans 268,820 square miles, with a population of 23.5 million people. The Texas population grows at a rate of 1,000 people per day.

To reach these masses, we have 318 ABA churches. That's 73,899 people per ABA church.

Texas is a wonderful state, with a culture, background and people like no other. Want to partner with me to reach them? Email me at gracepointembc@aol.com.