The Fall of a Convention?

For those who are not familiar with the process, yearly every church in the Southern Baptist Convention will complete the Annual Church Profile. This ACP tracks for the convention the health of Baptist churches around the country.

The ACP report for 2008 was recently released. The report shows a decline in the number of baptisms and in total church membership. This is the second year the convention has declined in both of these categories.

There are two men who are sounding the trumpet for change in the convention. One is Ed Stetzer, who works for Lifeway Research. Ed has an interesting blog about this continuing decline.

The other is by my friend Dr. Chuck Kelley, President of New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Chuck recently preached in chapel about how the SBC has become the "new Methodists." The article about his message is very interesting. He explains that the decline of the Methodist convention occurred when they failed to continue to evangelize and disciple people. Chuck says the "SBC are the new Methodists" because we are in danger of following the decline of the Methodist denomination.

I will close by quoting Ed Stetzer again: "Are we hurting enough to make the changes we need?"

A Tribute

Today I joined several of our church members in a work day at the church. It was an opportunity to paint the trim on the new building the church recently purchased and perform some landscaping.

While several of our youth, parents and workers were painting, several others were busy doing some landscaping in front of the church. Having some flower beds to add some beauty to the front of the church has been a dream of many for several years.

One of those who had dreamed of some landscaping was my friend, Roger Taylor. Roger, I'm sure is looking down from heaven seeing his dream. Roger and I had joked several times about him coming in the middle of the night and pulling up the old shrubs that were in front of the church. One of Roger's dreams was to see some beautiful plants and flowers decorating the landscape of the church.

I couldn't help but think about Roger. He would have been working as hard or harder than anyone today. It is tribute to my friend to see the plants and flowers providing some beauty to the church.

Always

I know I have shared the lyrics of several songs lately, but this one ministered to me today. I had heard the song before today and liked it, but today I heard more of the words. The song, "Always," is by Building 429. May it minister to you as it did me.

Always

I was standing in the pouring rain one dark November night
Fighting off the bitter cold when she caught my eye
Her face was taught and her eyes were filled, and to my surprise
She pulled out a photograph and my heart just stopped inside
She said, "He would've been three today
I miss his smile, I miss his face"
What was I supposed to say, but

CHORUS
I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always

He was living in a broken world, dreaming of a home
His heart was barely keeping pace when I found him all alone
Remembering the way he felt when his daddy said goodbye
Fighting just to keep the tears and the anger locked inside
He's barely holding onto faith
But deliverance is on its way, cause

CHORUS
I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always

Friend, I don't know where you are and I don't know where you've been
Maybe you're fighting for your life or just about to throw the towel in
But if you're crying out for mercy, if there's no hope left at all
If you've given everything you've got and you're still about to fall
Well hold on, hold on, hold on, cause

I believe always, always
Our savior never fails
Even when all faith is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
Always, always, He will be with you always

Homesick

These thoughts are not meant to be morbid. The older I get the more I realize that I have almost as many loved ones who have "gone home" as those who remain. I received the news today that my aunt passed away today. She is the latest of several in the past several months who have preceded her.

The group MercyMe have written several songs that deal with those who have died. I was reminded of several of their songs tonight.
I have included the words to one of them for you.

homesick
You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I‘ve never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord because I don’t understand Your ways
The reason why I wonder if I’ll ever know
But even if You showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I’m still here so far away from home

In Christ there are no goodbyes
In Christ there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again

Written by MercyMe and Peter Kipley

God Is Able

Some thoughts from my devotional yesterday. Maybe you need to be reminded that God is able.

Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (2 Timothy 1:12).
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Therefore he is able to save completely[a] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them (Hebrews 7:25).
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- (Jude 1:24).

He Is Able
Lyrics by Rory Noland and Greg Ferguson

He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be

© 1989 Maranatha Praise Inc

Birthday Cards

This past week I celebrated another birthday. It was regular day of work and then a quiet evening with my wife. We enjoyed a good meal together and spent a few minutes shopping before heading home.

This weekend we were able to see our children. It had been a month since we have seen them. They have been very busy this spring. Anyway, as part of our weekend, we enjoyed a baseball game, a basketball game, and some cake and strawberries.

My children also gave me some birthday cards and a present. The present was very nice, and unexpected, but they cards are worth mentioning. I opened a card from my daughter and her husband, and then my son handed me another card. What made it so special is the cards were identical. Obviously, who would know better that "I'm disturbed" than the ones who made me that way - my children.

The card(s) read: "Dad, on your birthday you deserve at least 24 hours of uninterrupted rest." Then I read the inside of the card:
"So use this!" Inside of the opposite page is a door hanger that reads: "Do not disturb! I'm a Father! (I'm already disturbed.)"

The card(s) were special and the sentiment was exactly correct.
"I am a father" and "I am already disturbed." We enjoyed the laughter of the moment. I'm not sure what was funnier that my children got me the same card or that I am disturbed. But who would know better that "I'm disturbed" than the ones who made me that way - my children.

Reflections - Good News

Yesterday was a good day of worship. The congregation sang "Everlasting God." It is always good when we can be reminded of the Isaiah 40 passage. "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." "The Lord is the everlasting God."

We also sang the song "In the Presence of Jehovah." There is a phrase in this Geron Davis song that is always uplifting: "Troubles vanish, hearts are mended, in the presence of the King."

Our congregation loves the Tommy Walker song "He Knows My Name." Two scripture passages come to mind when singing this song. The first one is Isaiah 43:1, where God says: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." The other is John 10:14: "I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."

The pastor preached from Philippians 4:10-13 where he reminded us that "God is BIG Enough to Meet My Needs." In this day of recession, depression - both economically and for some personally - it is good to be reminded that our God is BIG enough to meet our needs. In verse 19 of that same passage the apostle Paul writes: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

I was reminded today about some more Good News. In fact, God knows what I will write before I do: "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord" (Psalm 139:4). I stare at the night sky in awe, but He looks at the stars "and calls them each by name" (Isaiah 40:26).

I don't understand the technology which makes this blog possible, but "his understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147:5). I cannot see anything beyond my computer and the desk on which it sits this morning, but "nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13). In short, "he knows everything" (1 John 3:20).

Maybe you needed some Good News today. I am glad that our Sovereign God is big enough to meet my needs. "His understanding has no limit" and yet He loves us.

Cruise Highlights

My wife and I have just returned from a five day cruise. The cruise was a gift from the church in honor of our tenth anniversary at the church. It was a very relaxing time for the two of us.

We left Galveston on Saturday headed to Cozumel and Progresso. We slept until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Needless to say we were exhausted. Of course it helped to have an interior room where we didn't know when the sun was up and when it wasn't.

We only had two sleepless nights - one on Sunday and one on Wednesday. The sleepless night on Sunday was because of the rocking of the ship due to high wind and waves. The sleepless night on Wednesday was a different story. With it being the last night of the cruise some decided to stay out later and were noisy in the hallway. Then around 2:00 a.m. I heard an announcement, but could not understand all of it. There continued to be noise coming from the hall. Finally, around 2:30 a.m. I put my clothes on the see what was causing the commotion. The lady next to our stateroom told me there was a fire in one of the staterooms on the level above us. I woke my wife and we proceeded to the muster station with our life jackets as we were instructed. After a few minutes one of the members of the crew said it was safe to go back to our room. Needless to say, there wasn't much sleep after that.

The highlight of the trip for us had to be the food. We were treated like royalty in the dining room each night, with some very good food.

We are grateful for our church's generosity in allowing us the cruise and the time to be away.

Random Quotes

I am officially coming out of the closet - I am addicted to books. If you ask my wife she would certainly agree. If we ever build a house, it will be built around bookcases for my books. Yes, I know I have a serious problem. But what can I do?

With that said, let me give you some random quotes.

"Two doctors standing together makes a paradox." (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

"Sacred cows make the best hamburger, but the meat can be hard to swallow."
"The Bible does not provide a map for life, only a compass. But through this book you will discover how the compass can guide you over the bewildering terrain."
(Dr. Haddon Robinson)

"May I suggest that what the 21st-century church needs are daring people with daring plans - people who are more afraid of missing opportunities than making mistakes, more afraid of lifelong regrets than temporary failure."
(Mark Batterson)

"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
(former missionary C.T. Studd)

"So ... when there are no answers to your questions ...
Trust Him when you don't understand
Trust Him when your heart is broken.
Trust His purpose. Trust His heart. Trust His goodness.
Trust Him beyond the grave. Trust Him to know best.
Trust His plan to be bigger than yours.
Trust Him to keep His word. Trust Him to be on time.
Trust Him to be compassionate. Trust Him to set you free.
Trust Him - and Him alone!
(Anne Graham Lotz)

A Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Rick Warren's Prayer

Today was a historical day in the United States of America. No matter your political leanings, it is still a momentous occasion. Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA, prayed in the Inauguration. I'm including a portion of his prayer from today.

"Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity."

"Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ."

"I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:" (he then prayed what is called The Lord's Prayer, better known as The Model Prayer).

The Beliefs of Americans

The Barna Group has completed some research that will may blow your mind, but it doesn't come as a complete surprise either. While some will debate that America was once a "Christian nation," it is becoming increasingly clear; most Americans today see the Christian faith as one of many spiritual options.

The Barna Group research says: "The study discovered that half of all adults now contend that Christianity is just one of many options that Americans choose from and that a huge majority of adults pick and choose what they believe rather than adopt a church or denomination's slate of beliefs. Still, most people say their faith is becoming increasingly important as a source of personal moral guidance."

"Overall, 50% of the adults interviewed agreed that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith, while just 44% disagreed and 6% were not sure."

"By a three to one margin (71% to 26%) adults noted that they are personally more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a comprehensive set of beliefs taught by a particular church."

The article concludes with some insights from Barna's founder, George Barna. He says: "Faith, of whatever variety, is increasingly viral rather than pedagogical. With people spending less time reading the Bible, and becoming less engaged in activities that deepen their biblical literacy, faith views are more often adopted on the basis of dialogue, self-reflection, and observation than teaching. Feelings and emotions now play a significant role in the development of people's faith views - in many cases, much more significant than information - based exercises such as listening to preaching and participating in Bible study."

What does this mean for the church today? How should the church respond?
Do you agree with the findings? What are your thoughts?

2 Degree Difference

Dr. John Trent has written a fascinating book "The 2 Degree Difference." He is primarily known for his books on marriage (along with Gary Smalley) and his book "The Blessing." I had the opportunity to hear Trent speak this past year at a marriage conference in Austin.
The premise of the book is "how small things can change everything." The 2 degree idea comes about from driving a car. A driver makes 2 degree changes with the steering wheel. It is the 2 degree changes that keep your car between the white lines.
He relates a story about Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City. He served as mayor from 1994-2001. One of the things that faced Giuliani before he became mayor was the murder rate in the city. In 1990 the homicide rate was 2,245. In 1993, the year before Guiliani started as mayor, the murder rate was 1,946. His first year as mayor it went down to 1,561. During his last year as mayor the murder rate was 642. What brought about this change in the murder rate? Repairing broken windows.
Giuliani started making the minor changes of repairing broken windows around the city. He determined that "someone who wouldn't normally throw a rock at an intact building is less reluctant to break a second window in a building that already has one broken."
Trent's idea is we can begin to make positive changes in our lives and in our relationships by 2 degrees - in small changes. What would happen in 2009 if we made these small changes?