Randman's Rants

The Fall of a Convention?

2009-04-23T15:43:00.002-05:00

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

2009-04-04T20:22:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-26T18:11:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-22T21:41:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-09T20:33:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-02T16:00:00.002-06:00

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

2009-02-14T17:22:00.002-06:00

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

2009-02-03T15:25:00.003-06:00

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

2009-01-31T15:00:00.001-06:00

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

2009-01-20T16:04:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-13T11:06:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-04T16:59:00.002-06:00

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?

Reflections

2008-12-30T17:25:00.002-06:00

This Christmas I was overwhelmed by how important family is to me. A couple of days before Christmas day, my immediate family exchanged our gifts. I have said it before, but let me say it again: I am a blessed man.
God has given me much more than I deserve. He has blessed me with a extraordinary life-partner and three great children (a daughter and son-in-law, and a son).

I am grateful for the gifts that I received, but I was overwhelmed with how God has blessed me with my family. Maybe it is a sign of old age or maybe it is the first Christmas without our parents. But family is important.

At creation God established the home and the church. God knew that we needed to be surrounded by family. On the sixth day of Creation God created male and female. Then in Genesis 2, God says: "It is not good for man to be alone." God knew our need for family.

On Christmas Eve, our immediate family traveled to the Metroplex where we were able to spend time with my brother and his immediate family and my wife's sister. I am grateful that God provided me with family. We (and I include myself) take family for granted. Thank God for your family and enjoy spending quality time with them.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-21T21:40:00.002-06:00

Christmas is a special time of year. I love Christmas music. I have several Christmas CD's, though I haven't had much time to listen to them this year. It is exciting to listen to new arrangements of familiar carols.

Even though Christmas is a special time of year, we get too involved in the hustle and busyness of the season. We rush from store to store trying to find the perfect gift. Added to the shopping we are busy with parties, musicals, church, work, etc. We get so busy with these good things that we often overlook the best thing.

We must not allow these things to keep us from worshiping THE GIFT. There is a lesson we came learn from the shepherds who can to the manger. In Luke 2:16-20 the Word of God says: So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Shepherds "spread the word" about what they had seen and experienced. Have we become so calloused that we forget what it was like to have experienced the Savior? Return to the Manger and worship the Savior.

Congratulations

2008-12-11T10:28:00.002-06:00

This weekend my son-in-law will be graduating from Texas A&M University. It has been four 1/2 long years for him. In those years he has had challenges, adversity, and hard times. In those years he has worked several hours a week, taken classes, studied, and married my daughter (you will have to ask Clay if his marriage is a challenge, adversity or a hard time).

Seriously, it has been a hard road for him, but he has persevered. It makes me proud to see how he has overcome all that he has faced. If you look in the dictionary for perseverance you should see Clay's picture.

Even though I am a Baylor Bear, I must say that I am proud to have two graduates who are Aggies. That leaves just one more (hint, hint) to graduate. Hopefully, we will be in this position in two more years.

Clay, congratulations for your accomplishments. I am proud of you.

Sights of New England

2008-11-27T15:57:00.001-06:00

Sights of New England

Reflections on New England

2008-11-19T14:10:00.003-06:00

I have just returned from a Mission Project with the Singing Men of South Texas. You may want to peruse the "photo gallery" on the SMOST website for pictures of the trip.

One of the things that God impressed on me last week was the "lostness" of New England. Only about 2 - 3% of New Englanders attend an Evangelical church. As I was trying to process that information I was reminded of the influence the area has had on Baptists and missions. Two New Englanders, Luther Rice and Adonirum Judson were early pioneer missionaries. Their influence on missions and the future of the Cooperative Program were critical for Southern Baptists. How far has New England moved away from their mission-minded past.

In the Boston area, there are some 80 universities they comprise over 300,000 college students. There are some of our nation's top universities included in that number (Boston University, Tufts, MIT, Harvard). Yet, with all of those students and universities, Baptists are struggling to make an impact. The colleges will not allow Baptists to be on campus, so one of our missionaries, is working to reach college students through house churches. She has been able to start 10 house churches in the area.

It was also in New England in the early 1700's that the First Great Awakening began. That awakening began primarily with college students. Could God be using the churches, pastors, and missionaries to bring another Great Awakening to New England?

Beantown

2008-11-11T14:00:00.002-06:00

I will be leaving Wednesday morning with twenty or so people representing the Singing Men of South Texas. We will be singing for the New England Baptist Convention in Marlborough, MA. It is outside of Boston (Beantown, The Walking City).

The New England Baptist Convention is celebrating their 25th anniversary as a convention and the 50th anniversary of Southern Baptist work in that area. We will be providing the music for all the sessions of the convention, singing in churches on Sunday morning, and leading in a Thanksgiving Praise Sing on Sunday afternoon.

Your prayers for our safety and for the Lord to use us while in Boston will be appreciated.

24 Years Ago

2008-10-30T18:58:00.002-05:00

It was an early, and I mean early, Thursday morning twenty-four years ago this Saturday. My wife was scheduled to have a C-section to give birth to our first child at 9:30 a.m. on that Thursday morning. My mother-in-law and I took her to the hospital on Wednesday so she would be ready to go on Thursday morning. At 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, my wife called to inform us (her mother and I) that her water had broken. We quickly, and I mean quickly, showered, dressed, and drove the 30 minutes to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital where we were told that my wife's Dr. was on his way. He was not on call that night since he had been out of town. Anyway, about 4:15 a.m. our first child, Megan was born.

We had been concerned about her because she was breach. The Dr. had tried to turn her, but each time he would lose the baby's heart rate. That forced us to have to have C-section. When Megan was born we found out why the Dr. was unable to turn her - the umbilical cord was wrapped around her shoulder.

It has been twenty-four years since that early morning. I could not be more proud of my first born. Megan, for the most part, has been a wonderful daughter. I say for the most part, because there were those few teenage years. Seriously, God has blessed us with a beautiful daughter and a her wonderful husband.

I can honestly say that I am a blessed man because God has blessed me with a wonderful family. I don't deserve the wife, daughter, son, and son-in-law that God has given me.

What can I say about my daughter? I guess I could say she married way over her head, but that would get me in trouble. (Right Meg?)
Honestly, I can say she is beautiful, talented, and I'm sure a great teacher. I have never seen her in the classroom setting, but I have seen her interact with children. Megan, thank you for blessing my life for these twenty-four years. I love you.

Twenty-one Years Ago

2008-10-25T10:27:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow will be twenty-one years since my son was born. It was an early Monday morning, the first Monday after time change. I remember that because the clocks at the hospital were off an hour. We arrived at the hospital early as my wife waited for our second child to be born.
Before I was escorted into the delivery room, I was told that my wife was alright even though her blood pressure had dropped. The Dr. had obviously given her too much medicine that caused the blood pressure drop. She was anxious and slightly irritated, as we waited for the birth. (That is the only time in 21 years since here blood pressure has been low. I'm sure my son has caused her blood pressure to rise a few times.)
The moment of the birth came and our son was born. I was quickly ushered out of the delivery room to waiting family and friends. I announced to the group that we had a boy. They asked about the health of the baby and his mom.

In a sense these twenty-one years have flown. I could not be more proud of my children. God has richly blessed me with a wonderful wife and two marvelous children, by birth, and a marvelous son-in-law. But on this day I want to recognize a son who makes his dad proud.

What can I say about my son? I could speak of his humor, his abilities, or his willingness to express his love for his family. But I will just say: Happy Birthday, Jonathan. I love you.

Character

2008-10-15T11:30:00.002-05:00

In reading some other blogs, I was reminded about a quote from Gene Wilkes. Gene is the author of "Jesus on Leadership." Several weeks ago I shared some thoughts from Gene's newest book, "An Angel in the Flame - a tale of two saviors."

One statement that Gene makes in his book literally jumped off the page for me. I re-read it several times because of the impact it had on me.

Gene writes: "You can tell a man's character by two things: how he prays and how he manges his sex drive. How a man prays exposes his heart and to whom he bends his knee. How he manages his sexual urges exposes the depth of discipline in his life."

I would challenge the men who read this blog (all one of you, maybe) to re-read that statement. I believe that Gene has issued us a challenge. We must challenge ourselves every day to pray and discipline our natural desires in order to focus on the mission of God.

Would you join me in seeking to be men of God, used by God? To do so we must live lives that are pure.

Empty Me

2008-09-29T11:07:00.003-05:00

Many of you American Idol fans will remember Chris Sligh from a few years ago. A great voice with a head full of hair. Chris has released a new CD. One of the songs, "Empty Me," has been played on Christian radio. This song speaks to me, challenges me, and causes me to examine my own life. Read these words:

I’ve had just enough
Of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
I’ve tasted my share
Of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Chorus:
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds onto
Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You

I’ve seen just enough
Of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

‘Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to You, compared to You
‘Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to You, so I surrender all

Several lines of the song challenge me - the chorus especially.
There have been several mornings in the past few weeks that these words come to my mind when I wake in the morning. Is God trying to tell me something? Is this something which you need to be reminded? Because "everything is a lesser thing, compared to" God.

Join me in praying "Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You."

The Cage of Failure

2008-09-23T21:14:00.002-05:00

I read this blog by Mark Batterson, Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Check it out.

Ike

2008-09-17T15:51:00.002-05:00

I would ask your prayers for southeast Texas. The area has been ravaged by Hurricane Ike which has left many, many people either without a home or with severe damage.
There are others several hundred miles from the coast that are still without electricity after five days. I have family members and friends, some of which I haven't had a chance to speak with, that endured the storm. The ones I have talked with only had minor damage and loss of electricity as a result of the storm. They have been blessed by escaping the worst of the storm.
Here is a link to some pictures showing the devastation from the storm.

Hymns and the Next Generation

2008-09-09T10:49:00.004-05:00

I was raised on hymns. I must confess I love hymns. They have been for generations the life-blood of the church. They teach theology. Many people know more about the Bible because of hymns they have sung.

I also love contemporary Christian music. I love to sing new songs that express the deep thoughts of individuals. It is refreshing to sing a simple tune to simple words like "I love you, Lord," in a moment of worship.

I also love contemporary hymns. Writers like Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend who have written some powerful songs like "In Christ Alone," and "The Power of the Cross."

I also love it when writers take an old, sometimes unfamiliar hymn, and write a new tune or chorus. People like David Crowder and Chris Tomlin are just two examples of contemporary Christian artists who have written some powerful songs that would fit into this category.

I also love it when a Christian contemporary musician releases a new album of hymns. Here is an article about MercyMe's lead singer Bart Millard, who has released a second hymns album.

A Sense of Destiny

2008-09-08T18:04:00.002-05:00

When I was a seminary student I attended a church in Hurst. One of the members gave me a placard which said: "God is the blessed Controller of all things." I thought it was a good saying then, but the longer I live the more I believe it.

I was reminded of that statement the other day. I was reading Mark Batterson's new book "Wild Goose Chase." Batterson is the pastor of National Community Church in D.C. Batterson writes about a conversation that he was having with a family member who was dealing with some issues. Mark finished their conversation by praying an unscripted prayers. He prayed, "Lord, thank You that You want us to get where You want us to go more than we want to get where You want us to go."

They stopped praying and started laughing because they weren't sure what Mark had just prayed. Later, as they began to decipher the riddle, Mark was reminded about this truth: "God is far more concerned about your future than you are."

Proverbs 16:9 says: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." I am reminded of another passage, one that has been a favorite for years, Proverbs 3:5-6. Solomon says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

An Angel in the Flame

2008-08-27T17:06:00.003-05:00

The newest book that I am reading is by my friend, Gene Wilkes, Pastor of Legacy Drive Baptist in Plano. Gene and I grew up together in Beaumont and were apart of the same youth group at First Baptist, Beaumont. Gene is also one of my sister-in-laws brother

You can read more about the book and about Gene at this link.

Uncertainty

2008-08-20T21:57:00.002-05:00

Isn't it interesting when God provides a word just when you need it? That just happened to me. The uncertainty of life has been on my mind lately and God spoke. He didn't speak audibly but he spoke through a book I'm reading.

I have been reading Mark Batterson's book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." Mark is the pastor of National Community Church in the nation's capitol. Mark's words spoke to me about uncertainty. He said: "I used to hate uncertainty, but I'm learning to love it. It is an acquired taste. I am discovering that the greatest moments in life are unscripted. They are unrehearsed and unplanned and unpredictable and that is precisely what makes them unforgettable."

He goes on to say: "We naturally want everything to go according to plan, but the element of surprise infuses life with so much joy. Thank God for uncertainty and unpredictability. The alternative is monotony."

God has called us to live by faith. But faith involves a loss of control. That is especially difficult for someone like me who is a control freak. I like things to go like I want. "With the loss of control comes the loss of certainty. Faith is the willingness and readiness to embrace those uncertainties."

God is trying to teach us that the life of a Christian is about faith - trusting Him as the blessed controller of all things. He is sovereign and is capable of handling the affairs of our life.

Privileged

2008-08-16T18:34:00.002-05:00

Let me say at the outset how privileged I am to have an outstanding family. That has been evident this summer. This summer I have been privileged to have been able to work on the same staff as my son. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that we would be able to serve on the same staff.

This summer, Jonathan has served as one our youth interns. Besides being a sponsor on all the youth trips, operating sound for camps, and leading some small group sessions, he has been able to video all of the youth events. In fact, a compilation video of all the youth events is going to be available for purchase.

I am amazed all the time by how talented our children are. That has become evident this summer with Jonathan's videos. I have seen him take some rough video and make a masterpiece. His video work is in addition to his work with the audio at the church.

I realize that pride is a sin, but I'm sure our heavenly Father will forgive me. I am grateful to God for blessing me with a wonderful wife, and talented children (including my son-in-law).

Hallelujah

2008-08-07T16:30:00.002-05:00

It is an exciting day, and "Halleljuah" expresses my thoughts well.
My daughter has a job. You can read her blog telling about the job here.

Christians at the Top of the Class

2008-08-05T13:39:00.002-05:00

Some of the criticism that we as believers face, is that we are unintelligent. Dr. D. Michael Lindsay, professor of sociology at Rice University, has some interesting comments in this regard.

"Student enrollment at Christian colleges and universities has grown 60 percent since 1990, while the general college student population has barely changed. The percentage of evangelicals earning at least a college degree has increased by 133 percent, which is much more than any other religious tradition. As highly selective universities have sought to diversify their student bodies by race, gender, and ethnicity, they have also unintentionally diversified their campuses' religious makeup."

Rev. Peter Gomes, who has taught at Harvard for the last forty years, says, "There are probably more evangelicals (on Harvard's campus today) than at any time since the seventeenth century." A growing number of graduate students are also engaging their faith in various ways. One such program is The Harvey Fellows Program, sponsored by Dennis and Eileen Bakke, that have students enrolled in top academic programs like Yale Law School, Harvard Business School, and PhD programs around the country. These programs feature some of the the brightest individuals in the arts, humanities, law, medicine, business, and engineering.

Lindsay says, "Developments in recent years have enabled a growing number of faithful Christ followers to shed the cultural insularity of Christianity's recent past. If events of the last few years continue, outspoken Christians will come to occupy even more important roles within the intellectual mainstream."

Mark Batterson

2008-08-05T13:24:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in my last blog, I have been reading "UnChristian." One of the chapters, entitled "Sheltered," speaks of how Christians are viewed by the younger generation as being boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality. Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C., comments about how his church is changing the perception of Christians being sheltered.

Batterson's church meets in movie theaters at Union Station. Approximately twenty-five million people pass through the Station every year. The station features 125 retail shops, a food court, a train station, a metro stop, and a movie theater. Batterson realized that they could not buy or build a church building, where their church would have more visibility than the Station.

As a part of their ministry, the church now owns and operates the largest coffeehouse in the nation's capital. Ebenezer's opened for business in March of 2006 and is rated as one of the best coffeehouses in the city. The business also doubles as a sanctuary for two Saturday night services.

Mark Batterson compares a coffeehouse as a ancient water well. Wells were natural gathering places in ancient culture. "Coffeehouses are postmodern wells," Batterson says. The coffeehouse also serves as place "where the church and community can cross paths."

UnChristian

2008-08-01T14:40:00.002-05:00

I am reading a new book by David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group and Gabe Lyons, founder of the Fermi Project. The book is: "unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity... and Why it Matters." The book resulted when Kinnaman received a call from his friend, Gabe Lyons, that he was resigning his church to work with young adults, ages 16-29.

Gabe commissioned the Barna group to do extensive research on what young Americans think about Christianity. Lyons had a gut-level sense that something was desperately wrong, and three years of research paints exactly that picture. Mosaics and Busters (the generations that include late teens to early 30-somethings) believe Christians are judgmental, antihomosexual, hypocritical, too political and sheltered.

There are comments included by some Christian leaders who add their assessment of the problems and how the Christian community should respond.

Many of the comments by the young adults are accurate. The church has been judgmental, hypocritical, etc. I have been challenged by the book. The church wonders why she is unable to make a significant difference in the lives of young adults. Some of the reasons are included in the book. The church has been guilty of some these charges.

The church needs to learn how to be true to Biblical teaching and yet not be hateful and judgmental. The church has responded in a hateful, unchristian manner in her dealings with these young adults and others.

It is an interesting read. One that should be read by many Christians, especially church leaders.

Josh Hamilton

2008-07-15T21:22:00.003-05:00

It has been a while since I last blogged. I have been warned by my son that I didn't blog he would remove me from his blogroll.

This is an inspirational story about Josh Hamilton. Josh just this week almost won baseball's Home Run Derby prior to the All Star Game. Josh is a player for the Texas Rangers, but more than that he is fellow Christian brother with a marvelous testimony. You need to read his story.

An Act of Love

2008-06-03T17:42:00.002-05:00

This article is a wonderful story about Kyle Woods. Woods was a Baylor football player who was injured during football practice in 1979. He suffered a fractured back spinal cord injury which has left him in a wheelchair for all these years.

There is also a great video that was done by George Riba of WFAA TV in Dallas. It is how coaches and teammates have combined their efforts to build Kyle a house.

The story and video are worth your time. I have been a fan of former Baylor Coach Grant Teaff for years. The video shows his character and integrity.

Church Decline

2008-05-23T21:10:00.002-05:00

In a recent interview Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, indicated that the convention is rapidly declining. He said that the resistance to change could cause more than half of the 44,000 churches to die by 2030. In a matter of 22 years, more than 20,000 churches could close their doors.

I have spent almost 28 years as a local church minister. I have given all of my adult life to the church, either in training or serving local churches as a minister. Having given my life to the local church that statistic scares me. It scares me, not because I may not have a job, but because I'm concerned about the church we are leaving my children.

It is time for the church to do whatever it can to reach this younger generation. These 20 somethings consist of one of the most spiritual generations in history. The problem is, to quote a book title: "I like your Jesus, but I can't stand your church."

What are the changes that need to be made to reach this generation? I honestly don't know, but I know that our time, our resources, our scheduling, our politics, our music styles have to change to reach this generation.

Dove Awards

2008-04-24T14:36:00.002-05:00

Today I have been watching the 2008 Dove Awards. I recorded it last night when it aired live. The show not only has the winners in different categories (such as Group of the Year, etc.) but it also have some performances by some outstanding Christian artists.

The show featured Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band, and a special presentation by a the combined artists of Michael W. Smith, Paul Baloche, Christy Nockels, Israel Houghton, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman.

Some of the winners for 2008 are:
Chris Tomlin - Male Vocalist
Natalie Grant - Female Vocalist
Casting Crowns - Group of the Year
"East to West"- Song of the Year
Brandon Heath - New Artist of the Year
"Everything Glorious" - Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year
"How Great Is Our God" - Worship Song of the Year

They also inducted Larnell Harris and others into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as honoring the contribution of Michael W. Smith for 25 years in gospel music.

But more than the winners, performances and special recognitions it was a joy to hear the hearts of some of the winners. Some of those moments came when Mark Hall, the writer of "East to West," received the award for Song of the Year. Mark shared how grateful he was to know the grace and mercy of a God who forgives us of our sins and removes those sins as far as the east is from the west.

Wish You Were Here

2008-04-01T20:52:00.002-05:00

This may be the most difficult post I have written. It has been four weeks since my Mom went to be with the Lord. It has been a difficult time. My Dad went to be with the Lord almost 27 years ago. My children didn't have the opportunity to know him, since they were born after his death.

I was reminded of an experience that I had four weeks ago. My wife and I had left Beaumont, leaving my Mom's hospital bed, not knowing how much longer she would be with us. I was listening to Mark Harris' newest CD. One of the songs, "Wish You Were Here," was the next song on my ipod. I had to skip the song, because the lyrics were much to fresh. (You will understand that better in a moment - when you read the lyrics.) Moments later my older brother called to tell me that my Mom had passed from this life.

Here are the lyrics to that song.

WISH YOU WERE HERE
1 Cor. 2:9
Pete Kipley and Dan Muckala

I wanted to tell you how closely I’ve kept
The memories of you in my heart
And all of the lifetimes that we had to share
Live even though we’re apart
But don’t cry for me
‘Cause I’m finally free

To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our Maker
That’s where I’ll be
When you finally find me
No don’t you be weary cause waiting for you
Are wonders that you’ve never known
Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for his hands
And one day They’ll welcome you home
And that’s when you’ll be
Finally free
Finally free
To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our maker
That’s where I’ll be
When you finally find me
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
And all of the dreams that you treasure
Will soon come together
And that’s when your sorrow will find tomorrow
And you will rise again
To run with the angels on streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our maker that’s where you’ll be
When you finally find me

We’ll run with the angels on streets made of gold
We’ll listen to stories of saints new and old
We’ll worship our maker that’s where we’ll be
When you finally find me

I wish you were here

© 2005 Songs From The Indigo Room (adm by Wordspring Music, Inc.)/SESAC, Wordspring Music, LLC/SESAC, Word Music, LLC/ASCAP and Glomo Music (adm by Word Music, LLC)/ASCAP

I think my Mom was trying to tell me something four weeks ago, but I couldn't bear to hear it at the time. She was saying that she was "finally free - to run with the Angels on streets made of gold."

One day I will be "finally free" to join my Mom, my Dad, Roger, and the many others who have gone on before. Until that day I want to be faithful worshiping our Maker here on earth.

The Day That True Love Died

2008-03-24T15:38:00.002-05:00

Enjoy this video. It is a video of the song "The Day that True Love Died." It is written by, Phil Wickham, a worship leader from California. It is very appropriate for the Easter season.

You Never Let Go

2008-03-18T21:26:00.002-05:00

This has been a difficult few weeks. For those who don't know, my Mom went to be with the Lord a couple of weeks ago. I heard a Pentecotal preacher say: "you never get over losing your Mom." That comment has been with me for over ten years.

Even with all that I have experienced I was reminded and encouraged by a Matt Redman's song entitled "You Never Let Go." The song was released last year, but I want to remind you of these words.

You Never Let Go

Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I´m caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life,
I won´t turn back; I know You are near.

And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear?

O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go, Lord You never let go of me.

And I can see a light that is coming
for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes,
We´ll live to know You here on the earth.

Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on,
And there will be an end
To these troubles,
But until that day comes,
Still I will praise You,
Still I will praise You.

Baylor Bears

2008-03-18T10:14:00.002-05:00

The Baylor men's basketball team will be in the NCAA tournament for the first time in twenty years. Though I was dissappointed in their play last week in the Big 12 tournament, I will be cheering for the Bears this week.

The Baylor women's basketball team will also be participating in the NCAA Women's tournament. This is the fifth straight year that the women's team has made this tourament. They have been to the tourament seven times under Coach Kim Mulkey.

To my knowledge, which is limited, I believe that this will be the only time in the school's history that the men's and women's basketball teams will be playing in their respective tournaments. Finally, Baylor fans are having something to cheer about. Now if only the teams will make a good showing in the tournament, and end the losing streak for both teams.

Guard Yourselves and God's People

2008-02-28T15:04:00.002-06:00

I have started reading another book. My wife will probably say I read too many books, or at least she will say I buy too many books. But I love to read. Anyway, the present book I am reading is "Who Stole My Church" by Gordon McDonald. McDonald is one of my favorite authors. He is a pastor and author, serving churches in the northeast part of the country.

This book is fiction, but McDonald is writing from the first person as if he is involved in a meeting of some church members. Though the book is fiction, it contains a great deal of truth.

McDonald quotes Acts 20:28.
After reading the verse I was once again reminded of how we tend to be critical of the church. Leaders sometimes complain members' lack of commitment. Members tend to complain about leaders and the decisions they make. But we forget what God's Word tells us about the church.

We often speak of "my church." We complain that a leader or member does something to "my church" to which I disagree. The problem is the Apostle Paul doesn't say the church belongs to me. He also doesn't say the church belongs to you. Paul says, that it is God's church, "which He bought with His own blood."

I may not like drums in worship, or I may think that the organ is outdated, but the problem isn't what I like because it is God's church. The church doesn't belong to me or you - it belongs to God. He bought it with His own blood and He has given us the responsibility as leaders to "watch" over ourselves and the flock of God.

The next time we complain about the church or talk about "my church" we must remember that it is God's church. He bought it with His own blood. He paid the ultimate price for the church.

The Super Bowl Spotlight Shines on a Changed Man

2008-02-11T16:20:00.000-06:00

This is a story about how Christ has changed David Tyree's life. For those who don't know Tyree made one touchdown catch and a remarkable 4th quarter catch against his helmet. You need to read this article.

Baylor Proud

2008-01-24T14:24:00.000-06:00

As a graduate of Baylor, I have not had much to brag about with our sports teams. Yes, the Baylor Women's basketball team has been successful - in fact they won the national championship a few years ago. Yes, the tennis team has been successful. But the men's basketball and football teams have not seen successful in years.

Now for the first time in the history of Baylor, both the men's and women's basketball teams are in the top 25 teams in the nation. The men's team, under the leadership of Coach Scott Drew, is in the the top 25 for the first time since 1969 - some 18 months before Coach Drew was born.

Last night the Bears played the nationally ranked Aggies. Thanks to my son I was able to watch the game on the Internet as the game went into overtime. Let me say that the game, which went into five overtimes, was one of the best basketball games I have seen. The longest game in history went into seven overtimes. The Aggies and the Bears played their hearts out. The Aggies lost at least one player to fouls in the overtime period. The Bears lost five players to fouls in the five overtimes.

Without trying to offend my Aggie family members, let me say how proud I am of the Baylor Basketball team. In 2003, Scott Drew inherited a basketball program that was, to say the least, wounded.
With the loss of players, either by transfer, death, or prison and with the NCAA penalties - the basketball program was almost near death. Coach Drew, in less than five years, has brought some pride back to Baylor basketball.

I realize a few games doesn't mean that the program is a success, but it is a step in the right direction. With the hiring of Coach Art Briles, the football team, I believe will also begin to make a comeback.

It has been a long time since Baylor fans have had much to be excited about. You Aggies and Longhorns don't know how it is when you can't get excited about your school's sports teams. But let me say - the coaches of the Baylor sports teams, along with the players - are bringing back some pride.

Sic 'em Bears.

Top Ten Predictions for 2008

2008-01-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

Some have listed posts based on the top ten events of 2007. Others have made predictions about what will happen in 2008. Some of those predictions come true and some don't. Those predictions are based on one person's opinions. Those predictions are futile - barely worth the paper they are written on.

I have the "Top Ten Predictions for 2008" which are a sure-fire bet. I can guarantee these predictions. So here are they are:

1) The Bible will still have all the answers.
2) Prayer will still work.
3) The Holy Spirit will still move.
4) God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5) There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6) There will still be singing of praise to God.
7) God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8) There will still be room at the Cross.
9) Jesus will still love you.
10) Jesus will still save the lost.

(source unknown)

These predictions are based on fact - and aren't you glad?

Aging

2008-01-06T15:56:00.000-06:00

I have been thinking about aging more lately. It is not because I'm having a birthday anytime soon, but is centered around my aching back. I spent the final days of last year dealing with an aching back. I strained my back and spent several days moving from the bed to a straight-back chair. That tends to make you think about aging - which we all do. Someone has been so bold to suggest that I move to the nursing home. It's nice to have friends like that.

I was reading about one of my favorite Bible scholars. He is an former pastor, author and Bible teacher. I had the privilege of hearing him a few years ago. Warren Wiersbe is Bible scholar who has written the "Be" series - commentaries of many of the books of the Bible.

Anyway, in Wiersbe's autobiography, he writes about one particular day. It was a drizzly day and he was suffering from the pangs of arthritis. It reminded him of the consequences of getting old. In his devotions on that day, God led him to Isaiah 58:11, which says:

"The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Then Wiersbe wrote this:

"After I've attended my last meeting and preached my last sermon, written my last book and answered my last letter, told my last joke and said my last good-bye, and I wake up in the presence of my Lord, I want to be able to say to Him what Jesus said when He came to the end of His earthly ministry: 'I have glorified You on the earth, I have finished the work You have given me to do' (John 17:4)."

That's a good word for all of us. Oh, that we might be able to live our lives to the fullest and be able to say to our Lord "I have glorified You on the earth."

John Wesley, one of the so-called founders of the Methodist church, said on his seventy-first birthday: "How is this, that I find just the same strength as I did thirty years ago? That my sight is considerably better now, and my nerves firmer, than they were then?" Nine years later, on reaching the age of eighty, he said, "Lord, let me not live to be useless."

I can't say that my strength is the same today as it was thirty years ago. Nor can I say that my sight and nerves are better than they were. But I want to be able to say, no matter my age, "Lord, let me not live to be useless."

We need to ask God use us no matter our age. May we be able to say that we lived each day being useful for God's Kingdom.

Sights and Sounds of Christmas

2007-11-29T13:52:00.000-06:00

This time of year conjures images of Currier and Ives and Norman Rockwell - a time that was more peaceful. But those images are opposite of what we know today. Some have never known those peaceful times; they have only known the hustle and bustle of the season. Somehow the "peaceful, relaxed and unhurried" doesn't really fit our culture today.

Today we have merchandisers who will not celebrate Christmas, but will celebrate the holidays. We have stores who sell "Holiday Trees," who forbid one organization to 'ring their bells' in front of their stores, who sell "Holiday decorations." All of this in order not to offend anyone. I'm offended!!

Today we have shoppers rushing from store to store to find that perfect gift for their loved ones. We hustle to party after party not wanting to miss an opportunity to visit with co-workers and friends. There isn't anything wrong with parties or finding that perfect gift, but where are the simpler times?

On the other hand we have musicians who are busy making preparations for Christmas performances. For over 25 years I have been among those preparing Christmas musicals for the church. It is often because of those musical performances that I have failed to know the "peaceful, relaxed and unhurried" times.

Isaiah 9:6-7 reads like this in "The Message."

"For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings."

In spite of the hustle and bustle, in spite of those who are removing "Christ" from "Christmas," in spite of those who are busy preparing and performing musicals, we desperately need to find the "Prince of Wholeness" and the "wholeness He brings."

We need to rediscover that "Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness." This year may you find that peace that comes only through the Prince of Peace; may you find that "wholeness."

Will the Church Ever Learn

2007-11-20T16:08:00.000-06:00

I came across this article written by Michael Catt. He is the Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. You may recognize the church name; it is the same church that brought us the movies "Facing the Giants" and "Flywheel." Pastor Catt speaks honestly and forthrightly about the church in the 21st century.

Will the Church Ever Learn? :: Michael Catt

Okay, you should be able to tell where this is going by the title. There are “churches” today that have little to do with what the New Testament or Christian history calls the church. Only in America could we have made something so sacred so trivial and irrelevant. If we were in a third world country or living at the time of the Apostle Paul, most of what we call “the church” wouldn’t exist. It would have never been started and it certainly couldn’t have succeeded.

The “Joy Boys” have turned the church into Santa's workshop. Gifts on demand. Money on demand. Cars on demand. Healing on demand. We’ve been good, so God better pay up. We’ve thrown out a few obscure promises we found in the Scriptures (pertaining to Israel and the Old Covenant) and demand God to make them work for us in 2007.

We’ve got more options for churches than any other culture in the world. Find a church that fits YOU. Find a preacher YOU like. Find a church with programs for YOU. Serve as long as it is convenient for YOU. Attend when YOU feel like it. Give YOUR money. After all, ME-church is all about what I like, want, need and feel. It’s God on demand.

Styles have superseded substance. Trivial pursuits have prevailed over Truth. Playing has taken the place of prayer. Happiness is more important than holiness. Self-centeredness is crushing the servant spirit. Christ is Mr. Potato Head—we can make Him look like anything we want. If we don't like the way He looks, we can pull Him apart piece by piece.

Only in this silly, self-centered culture would we be having some of the debates we are having. Worship styles. Translation arguments. Which systematic theology is right? Instead of fighting the devil and storming the gates of hell, we’re fighting among ourselves.

God forbid that someone, some preacher or prophet, should call us back to the basics. The basics aren’t cool. Who wants regular coffee when you can go to Starbucks and get a hundred different flavors all to your liking? Who wants plain vanilla ice cream when you can go to Marble Slab or similar places and mix it up to fit your taste?

Recently a prominent preacher in the Atlanta area said, in effect, if he could rewrite Christian history he would emphasize building relationships more and the gospel less. This is the same arrogance that led him to proclaim in a major Christian magazine that Jesus wouldn’t call Himself a shepherd if He were alive today. I guess the next announcement will be this young buck is looking for a vacancy in the Trinity. How arrogant. How blasphemous. How unbiblical can a guy get before someone calls him on it?

In mid-October, Christianity Today released an article regarding Willow Creek Community Church. While thousands of churches have followed the Willow Creek model, the church is now saying they made a mistake.

Quoting from the article, “Not long ago Willow released its findings from a multiple year qualitative study of its ministry. Basically, they wanted to know what programs and activities of the church were actually helping people mature spiritually and which were not. . . . Bill Hybels, the founding pastor of Willow called the findings ‘earth shaking,’ ‘ground breaking’ and ‘mind blowing.’”

Willow churns out programs like Proctor and Gamble churns out diapers. They measure levels of participation like a business measures the products coming off an assembly line. It’s about nickels, noses and numbers. The more nickels, noses and numbers, obviously the more blessed you are by God. Right? Wrong.

Read carefully what the article says, “Having put all of their eggs into the program-driven church basket you can understand their shock when the research revealed that ‘increasing levels of participation in these sets of activities does NOT predict whether someone’s becoming more of a disciple of Christ. It does NOT predict whether they love God more or they love people more.’” Well, duh!

Hybels calls the study “the wake up call” of his adult life. He admits, “We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and became Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become self feeders. We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their Bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.” Oh, you mean like lifestyle Christianity, something like the New Testament?

Wow, now there’s a novel thought. We need to get people to pray, seek the Lord, study their Bibles and other basic stuff that is too hip to do in American Christianity. In American Christianity we “seek” God and self satisfaction. While millions long for copies of Scripture around the world, there are churches so hip you don’t have to take your Bible to church. You don’t have to worry about them wanting you to be an intercessor.

The folks at Willow say they want to change the way they do church. Really? Are they going to be able to get all the churches they’ve influenced to change the way they are doing church? Or what they call church? They say they are going to rethink all their old assumptions. Didn’t they learn in school that you never assume anything?

Maybe, just maybe, if they and others were more concerned with teaching the Word without apology, they’d build a stronger church. Not necessarily bigger, but certainly stronger. Their admission can be summed up as a confession to being a “wood, hay and stubble” church. They’ve led tens of thousands to build bigger barns, but they have nothing in the loft but hay. Hay is for horses.

I’d like to suggest they get back to the meat of the Word, the milk of the Word, the Living Water and the Bread of Life. That would be a healthy start for an emaciated church.

The Word

2007-11-16T14:22:00.000-06:00

Instead of offering some trivial words that are empty, I thought I would share The Word. I want to share some of my favorite scripture verses with you. Maybe they will offer some comfort to you. Maybe you will want to offer a word of praise for the Father has made available to us as His children. So as we approach the Thanksgiving holidays may our thoughts focus on God's Word.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

Some selected passages from Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 139:1-6 (NASB)

LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Psalm 100

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Strange Phenomenon/Frightening Phenomenon

2007-11-02T10:03:00.000-05:00

A very strange phenomenon has occurred. It is the strangest thing. In the past week my children have turned 20 and 23. I know that is not a strange phenomenon - although there have been times I have wondered about both of them - Ha! (Just kidding, guys)

What is strange is that my children are getting older, and yet their parents haven't. That is a strange phenomenon - don't you agree? How can my children be in their twenties and yet I am still the same robust young man that I have always been? Ha!

Seriously, in the past week my son turned twenty, and my daughter and her husband both had birthdays. It is amazing to me to see how they (son, daughter, and son-in-law) have matured into incredible young adults.

That was brought back to me this week as I read about a recent study about young adults. According to the study, 70 percent of young adults ages 23-30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18-22. "As young people transition from high school into the workforce or college, they are faced with many choices - including whether to continue attending church."

That concerns me on two levels - as a parent and as a leader in a church. First, let me address my concerns as a parent. You spend 18 years training a child, doing everything you can to teach me. You teach them how important the church is - in spite of her many flaws. Yet when they reach the age where they make the choice about church attendance, 70 percent have chosen to not attend.

Being in a position of leadership in a church - that statistic frightens me. It frightens me for several reasons, but let me only talk about two. First, the church has failed to teach these young adults the importance of not only a relationship with God the Father, but also the relationships with other people. Second, the church is in trouble today unless some drastic changes are not made. We are not reaching these young adults. Unless the church recognizes the serious consequences of losing an entire generation, the church will cease to exist. By that, I'm not suggesting that all churches will die, but I do believe that churches that don't make the necessary changes to reach these young adults will die. That is harsh language, but I believe that it is accurate. We must begin the drastic changes to reach these young adults.

On a personal note, let me say how proud I am of the three young adults who have celebrated birthdays this week. They have remained connected to the church, for that I am eternally grateful. I'm grateful that God has blessed me with these three young adults. I am a blessed man. I also eagerly anticipate what impact these three young adults will make in the church of tomorrow.

Trinity

2007-10-29T19:16:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen this - it is one of the most amazing finishes to a football game.

Rockies

2007-10-23T14:36:00.000-05:00

This is a very interesting article about the Colorado Rockies who are playing in the World Series. This article "Rockies Place Their Faith in God, and One Another," is in the New York Times. Whether you are a baseball fan or not, the article emphasizes that some professional players and teams are more interested in character than in talent. The following statement, by reliever Jeremy Affeldt, summarizes well the attitude of the team. “When you have as many people who believe in God as we do, it creates a humbleness about what we do,” Affeldt said. “I don’t see arrogance here, I see confidence. We’re all very humbled about where this franchise has been and where it is now, and we know that what’s happening now is a very special thing.” I'm going to be watching and pulling for the Rockies when they play the Red Sox this World Series.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/sports/baseball/23rockies.html

Ray of Hope

2007-10-19T22:55:00.000-05:00

My son shared this with me. This is a powerful video.
I hope you enjoy. Have plenty of tissues ready.

Remedy

2007-09-25T18:19:00.000-05:00

Here are the lyrics from David Crowder's title song from his new CD.

Here we are
Here we are
The broken and used
Mistreated, abused
Here we are

Here You are
Here You are
The beautiful one
Who came like a Son
Here You are

So we lift up our voices
We open our hands
To cling to the love
That we can’t comprehend

Oh, lift up your voices
And lift up your heads
To sing of the love
That has freed us from sin

He is the one
Who has saved us
He is the one
Who embraced us
He is the one who has come
And is coming again
He’s the remedy

Here we are
Here we are
Bandaged and bruised
Awaiting a cure
Here we are

Here You are
Here You are
Our beautiful King
Bringing relief
Here You are with us

So we lift up our voices
And open our hands
Let go of the things
That have kept us from Him

He is the one
Who has saved us
He is the one
Who forgave us
He is the one who has come
And is coming again
He’s the remedy

Oh, I can’t comprehend
I can’t take it all in
Never understand
Such perfect love come
For the broken and beat
For the wounded and weak
Oh, come fall at His feet
He’s the remedy
He’s the remedy

So sing, sing

You are the one
Who has saved us
You are the one
Who forgave us
You are the one who has come
And is coming again
To make it alright
Oh, to make it alright
You’re the remedy
Oh, in us
You’re the remedy

Let us be the remedy
Let us bring the remedy

Jena

2007-09-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

I feel I must express some thoughts concerning Jena, LA. I lived in Jena for 12 years. Although it has been over nine years since I lived there, I recall my time in Jena.

First of all, the events that have occurred in Jena in the last several months have been blown out of proportion. What happened was a school-yard fight - but someone needs to be held accountable for their actions.

Second, Jena is not a racist town. Yes, the town is segregated with whites primarily living in one section of town and African Americans living in another section of town. But show me a town, especially in the south, that isn't just like that. That doesn't make the people of Jena or any other town racist.

Third, I am not condoning the actions of the D.A. Do I feel like the charges were severe? Yes, but the U.S. Attorney for Louisiana explained that the LaSalle Parish D.A. was within his rights to charge the young men like he did. I know the D.A. to be a good man so I don't feel that his actions were racist.

Fourth, the events that have occurred in Jena could have occurred in any town in the south. That doesn't make the events right, but we should be careful to examine our own towns.

Fifth, I believe that the fights that had taken place between the whites and the African Americans were not necessarily racially motivated. They were fights among students. Don't place blame on anyone else, except the young men who were involved in the fights - no matter the color of their skin.

Sixth, I believe that we in the United States should be more open to all people, no matter the color of their skin. God created each of us in His image. God doesn't see what color your skin is, so I shouldn't either. We should strive to be more inclusive in our churches of other races. We should also be more inclusive of other races in our personal lives. How can our churches be accepting of other races when we, the people, don't understand or appreciate the cultures of others?

Worship Evangelism

2007-09-05T15:18:00.000-05:00

Sally Morgenthaler several years ago wrote a book entitled "Worship Evangelism." She in recent years has begun to rethink that concept of worship evangelism.

A prevalent attitude began to permeate the church that screamed, "It's all about us." Were these worship-driven churches really attracting the unchurched? That question caused one church to conduct a survey of those who they were really reaching. The church was shocked. They thought their congregation was at least 50 percent unchurched. The real number was 3 percent.

Sally writes: "The contemporary church - including the praise-and-worship church, the worship evangelism church - was in a holy huddle, and I began to talk about it." She continues: "The 100-year-old congregation that's down to 43 members and having a hard time paying the light bill doesn't want to be told that the "answer" is living life with the people in their neighborhoods. Relationships take time, and they need an attendance infusion now."

Sally has now become "convinced that the primary meeting place with our unchurched friends is now outside the church building. Worship must finally become, as Paul reminds us, more life than event (Romans 12:1-2). To this end, we will be focusing on the radically different kind of leadership practices necessary to transform our congregations from destinations to conversations, from services to service, and from organizations to organisms."

If you are interested in reading the full article, it can be found at: www.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=402. She has some interesting observations concerning the church and worship.

11 Innovations in the Local Church

2007-09-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post. I try to write when I have something to say - that isn't very often. I'm in the process of reading a new book: "Eleven Innovations in the Local Church." The book is a written by three men who have been involved in church growth - Elmer Towns, Ed Stetzer, and Warren Bird.

I have only been reading the book a few days, but it appears to be an interesting read. In the first of the 11 innovations, the authors talk about "the organic church." They quote Neil Cole, the author of "The Organic Church." Neil says: "the world is in interested in Jesus; it is His wife (the church) that they do not want to spend time with." Another great quote from Neil is: "Attendance on Sundays does not transform lives; Jesus within their hearts is what changes people."

Neil Cole makes some excellent points. For too long the church has emphasized attendance and not Jesus. Attendance is a measurement for the church, because those in attendance are people. People are important, but not more important than Jesus.

I still believe in the local church. Christ loves His bride. The problem is that "the bride" hasn't been faithful in it's "marriage" to the Savior.

I will try to share additional thoughts from the book in the next week or so. Thanks for reading these thoughts - the couple of you who do.

Pastors & Wives

2007-08-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

I came across some interesting statistics that our youth guy shared with me. My understanding is these come from Barna Research group and was sponsored by Focus on the Family.

PASTORS
- Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
- Fifty percent of pastor's marriages will end in divorce.
- Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
- Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
- Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
- Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
- Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
- Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

PASTORS' WIVES
- Eighty percent of pastor's spouses feel their spouse is overworked.
- Eighty percent of pastor's spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
- The majority of pastor's spouses surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.

If they 'stats' are adequate then no wonder our churches are in conflict and/or struggling. What does this say about the state of our minister's and their families?

Churches in Conflict

2007-08-15T15:13:00.000-05:00

Churches are in the news, but not with good news. I read yesterday about a Tennessee pastor who is being accused of the church paying for his daughter's wedding reception. There are some other accusations that have come to the surface, but that were proven false. Then last night on our local news station there was a story of a pastor who had resigned his church because money mismanagement.

I am not accusing either one of these ministers of anything. I think it is sad when churches are the news, instead of sharing the news - the Good News. What concerns me is churches are in conflict around the country. It is not just these two ministers, or these two churches, churches as a whole are experiencing conflict.

This week in our Bible Study we are studying Acts 20. In this passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking with a group of leaders from the church in Ephesus. Paul says to these leaders: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." The apostle literally says: "Pay attention to what is happening in your lives."

As leaders we must guard our hearts and lives, because Satan is a devouring lion who is seeking someone to destroy. If he can destroy the witness of one Christian then he is successful. If he can destroy a pastor or church leader then he has caused serious damage to a local church, a ministry, and to the Kingdom of God.

Later in that same passage Paul says: "So be on your guard!" As leaders we must not just "keep watch over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers;" we must first "keep watch over yourselves." The writer of Proverbs 4:23 puts it like this: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." In The New Living Translation that verse reads like this: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

We must be men and women of integrity or we will never be able to reach the world for Christ. We must guard our hearts.

Keith Green

2007-08-01T22:16:00.000-05:00

July 28, 2007 marked the 25th anniversary of the untimely death of Keith Green. Keith was a Christian musician and songwriter who died in a plane crash, which also took the lives of his two oldest children and nine others.

There are two reasons for writing about Keith twenty-five years after his death. One, I read recently about his wife, Melody, who is releasing some of Keith's songs. Because of new technologies, she is releasing some of Keith's songs that have never been made public. She will be releasing the music on itunes.

The second, and the most important of the two, is a quote from Keith. It is worth pondering. Keith said: "I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!"

Those are words worth reading and re-reading. But more importantly, we should, like Keith, be able to say that our lives provoked others to sell out more completely to Jesus."

Worship Leaders Conference

2007-07-26T18:58:00.000-05:00

This week I volunteered at the National Worship Leader's Conference that was held in Austin. The conference, which featured several top worship leaders and speakers, had an attendance of over 1500 people from all over the U.S.
Some of the musicians for the week were Jeremy Riddle, Mac Powell, Fernando Ortega, Philips, Craig and Dean, GB5, Jeff Deyo, and Ana Laura to name a few. Some of the speakers who spoke this week were Scotty Smith, Marcus Witt, Steve Berger and Francis Chan.

As a volunteer, my "job" was to pick up some of the "artists" at the airport and take them to the hotel and to transport one back to the airport. Monday night I picked up Marcus Witt at the airport and then took him back Tuesday (after he spoke). Marcus is the pastor of the Spanish congregation at Lakewood church in Houston, the largest Spanish congregation in the world. He is also a musician traveling around the world singing and ministering to thousands of people. He recently sang for 15,000 at the Staple Center in L.A. He also has sung in Mexico and Latin America. Marcus, besides being a gifted speaker and musician, owns the largest Spanish record company in the world.

Marcus spoke from Revelation 4 about and to worship leaders. He had good insight into the scripture. Steve Berger brought a message about character and how we are to fear God. Then today, Francis Chan brought a stirring message from Revelation 3 (primarily). He challenged the church to live what the Word of God teaches. The church, for too long, has been "hearers of the Word" and not "doers of the Word."

It was a very good week, even though I didn't get to attend all the sessions. I was able to make much of the week. I was challenged by the speakers I heard. I was also blessed by some of the finest Christian musicians. It's always good to hear and worship with Philips, Craig and Dean.

Psalm 17

2007-07-20T13:32:00.000-05:00

Today I was reading a short commentary on Psalm 17. It is written by one of my favorite authors, Warren Wiersbe. Dr. Wiersbe is the author of the "Be" series; commentaries on several books of the Bible. He presently lives in Lincoln, Nebraska where he is still writing.

Psalm 17 is one of the many psalms written by King David. Dr. Wiersbe says the psalm can be summarized in three words: "hear me, hold me, and hide me." It is the last of those that I want to center my thoughts. David writes in Psalm 17:8: "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."

A shadow is not very good protection. It does provide some shade on a hot summer's day, but it doesn't provide protection. But notice that David doesn't ask for any shadow, for he says: "hide me in the shadow of your wings." These are not just any wings, it is the shadow of God's wings; on that you can depend.

Dr. Wiersbe says that these wings were the wings of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies. David was saying, "I'm coming into the Holy of Holies. I'm coming to the very throne of God. Please hide me and hold me and hear me."

The image that David is using is the image of a bird, who provides shelter and protection under it's wing for it's young. Wiersbe says: "God's protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for Him. God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them."

Deuteronomy 32:27 says: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasing arms."

David concludes the psalm in verse 15 by saying: "And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." David found protection and provision for his every need in the "shadow" of God's "wings." That protection and provision came in the presence of the "eternal God," in the Holy of Holies.

Of the World

2007-07-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

I have begun reading a new book. I try to always find something to blog about when I'm reading. The new book is: "Comeback Churches -How 300 churches turned around and yours can too."

In the first chapter of the book, while the authors are trying to lay the foundation, I read this sentence. "It's ironic that most evangelical churches are filled with people who live very much like the world but look different from it. It should be exactly the opposite. We should look similar to those in our community but act differently."

Those lines immediately struck a chord with me. I stopped reading further and reread those lines. The authors go on to comment that our church members "engage in the same lifestyles and sins as the unchurched." The church today has ceased to follow biblical commands.

We can't tell the difference between the churched and the unchurched, so how are we as the church supposed to be able to reach the unchurched? The Bible says that we are to be "peculiar" people. We are to live differently so the unchurched can see the difference Christ has made in our lives. When our lifestyles are the same as the unchurched then Christ can't be seen.

Is it any wonder why our churches are not growing? How can the church reach the unchurched when the church acts like the unchurched? She can't!

Evangelical churches need to become just that - 'evangelical.' The world needs to see that we live and act differently; then and only then will they be able to see Jesus and the change that He can make in their lives.

Wedding

2007-06-19T21:25:00.000-05:00

I survived! That is my response to the weekend. For those who don't know, Megan and Clay tied the knot this past weekend. What a interesting and stressful time it has been in the past several months. I have tried to keep my mouth shut, which has been a very difficult thing to do. Needless to say, it has been stressful around the house.

The wedding and the reception were beautiful, if I must say so myself. I can say that because I had so little to do with it. The only thing I had to do was show up at the wedding and keep my mouth shut. Everthing went off without a hitch.

One of the good things about the wedding was being able to visit with family and friends that we don't get to see often. I was able to visit with some friends that we haven't seen in several years. One of those was my old roommate from college days. I was able to visit with him, his wife, one of his daughters and his niece. Even though it was a short visit, we enjoyed the time.

It was also good to visit with some former church members who have moved to other places. It was good to see some of these former members. We have lost touch with some of them, so the short visit was good. All of these former members are educators who have moved on to bigger and better things.

On a personal note, I must confess that my daughter was a beautiful bride. I already knew what a pretty girl, now young lady, she is, but to be able to walk such a beautiful bride down the aisle was an honor. I also made it though most of the weekend without too many tears.

I also must confess that when I received a text message from her on Father's Day, it brought tears to my eyes. Just knowing that she took time between flights to send me a text, made Father's Day very special. I also got to spend some time with my son Sunday afternoon. Just driving to and from Austin was a special couple of hours with my son.

I am a fortunate man to be able to have two such great children. My wife and I are trully blessed by God.

Friend of God

2007-06-01T14:51:00.000-05:00

Jesus, a day before He was to be crucified, met with His disciples. The Gospel of John records those moments in John 14 - 17. It is in that context, following Jesus' teaching about the vine and the branches, where Jesus says: "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Those are amazing words from our Savior. He changed the relationship with the disciples in that special moment.

Henry Blackaby says: "You did not choose to be a friend of God. This is by invitation only. Only two people in the Old Testament are referred to as being a "friend of God." Abraham walked with God to the extent that God referred to him as His friend (Isaiah 41:8). Moses spoke to God face to face as a man speaks with a friend (Exodus 33:11)."

Phillips, Craig and Dean have recorded a song, "Friend of God," written by Israel Houghton.
The song says:

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me
It’s amazing

Chorus:
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

What we need is to have such a special friendship with God - one that is totally devoted to Him - and that we have such an intimate relationship with the Almighty, that God would call us His friend. If you cannot describe yourself as a friend of God, commit yourself to seek after God with all your heart.

Mabel

2007-05-22T09:49:00.000-05:00

I have just started reading a new book titled, "The Life You've Always Wanted," by John Ortberg. Ortberg is the Senior Pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, CA. The subtitle of the book is: "Spiritual Growth for Ordinary People."
In the book Ortberg relates a story from a friend of his. This friend was visiting a nursing home speaking to some of the residents. While moving from wheelchair to wheelchair he met Mabel. He spoke to her and offered her a flower and said: "Happy Mother's Day!" Mabel's response surprised him. She said, "May I give it away?" The man rolled Mabel over to another group of wheelchairs where she proceeded to give the flower to a lady and said, "This is from Jesus."
The man, moved by Mabel's response, began to visit with her two or three times a week. He learned that Mabel was blind, nearly deaf, had cancer that had caused her mouth to droop due to what the cancer had done to her face. He learned that she had been in the nursing home for 25 years, shortly after she had become blind.
Mabel lived on a farm with her Mom. After her Mother passed away, Mabel continued to take care of the farm. But when she became blind she, and unable to care for the farm any longer, she moved into the nursing home. He also learned that she had few visitors, lived in a room with other ladies that were in worst shape than she. The other ladies in Mabel's room, moaned and groaned most the day, every day. But Mabel never complained.
While reading the Bible to her, he would pause while reading, but she would continue to speak the passage by memory. He asked her one day about her life and her response was: "Jesus is all the world to me." Mabel began to sing:

"Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all;

He is my strength from day to day,

Without Him I would fall;

When I am sad, to Him I go; No other one can cheer me so;

When I am sad, He makes me glad; He's my friend."

I began to think: here is a lady, obviously afflicted with pain and physical problems who had found her contentment in Christ. Mabel had discovered what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." She was content because she had been transformed by her Savior. Nothing in life mattered to her but Jesus.

That reminded me of a man in Jena, LA where I served for 12 years. He lived alone when he suffered a stroke. He laid in his house for a day or two unable to reach anyone, or they reach him. He stayed in the hospital for weeks until they moved him to the nursing home. Every time I visited with him - he couldn't communicate with you - he would just babble. But I noticed something. When we would sing an old hymn he would sing along with us. He knew every word. He couldn't communicate with anyone - but he could still sing about his faith in God.

We might not have understood him, but in his head he do what he was saying and singing.
We need to be like Mabel and others like her who can sing:

"Jesus is all the world to me,

My life, my joy, my all."

C.S. Lewis

2007-05-15T10:21:00.000-05:00

I came across an interesting quote from C.S. Lewis. This quote comes from his last sermon, titled "A Slip of the Tongue." Lewis says: "Our temptation is to look eagerly for the minimum that will be accepted. We are in fact very like honest but reluctant taxpayers. We approve of an income tax in principle. We make our returns truthfully. But we dread a rise in the tax. We are very careful to pay no more than is necessary. And we hope - we very ardently hope - that after we have paid it there will still be enough left to live on."
Later Lewis adds these words: "It is not so much of our time and so much of our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is ourselves. For each of us the Baptist's (John the Baptist) words are true: 'He must increase and I must decrease.' He will be infinitely merciful to our repeated failure; I know of no promise that He will accept a deliberate compromise. For He has, in the last resort, nothing to give us but Himself; and He can give that only insofar as our self-affirming will retires and makes room for Him in our souls. Let us make up our minds to it; there will be nothing "of our own" left over to live on, no "ordinary life."... He claims all, because He is love and must bless. He cannot bless us unless He has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There's no bargaining with Him."

Future Generations

2007-05-08T21:43:00.000-05:00

The Southern Baptist Church Music Conference is meeting this summer in Orlando, Florida. This years conference theme is based on Psalm 102:18, which reads: "Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord." I was immediately struck by the verse. The thought hit me - "what am I doing 'so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord?'"
As a minister am I doing anything that will make an impact on future generations? Not that I am significant, by any means, but am I making an impact on either the church I serve or on an individual that will cause someone not yet born to praise the Lord?
We need to be people who live in two worlds - the present and the future. Obviously we must live in the present, but we also should be seeking to make a difference in and to future generations.
I was reminded of a song by 4Him, entitled "For Future Generations." The lyrics of the chorus are significant for us to consider. "I won’t bend and I won’t break, I won’t water down my faith; I won’t compromise in a world of desperation. What has been I cannot change, But for tomorrow and today, I must be a light for future generations."
That song says it so well. We must be a generation that "won't bend," "break" or "compromise." We must be a "light for future generations."
Are we saying, singing, or writing something that will be recorded "for future generations, that a people not yet born will praise the Lord?"

GROW

2007-04-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

Tonight we had GROW, which is a weekly visitation program for our church. Roger and I had made an appointment with a couple that have been visiting our church. The couple have lived in the area about a year. The man has been a pastor of a church in a neighboring state. He resigned that church and the Lord didn't open another pastorate for him.
They have moved to the area to open a ministry to children who are suffering from cancer or have other illnesses. Their ministry is to minister to children through animals.
This couple have four horses, 2 donkeys, 4 dogs, a couple of cats, several goats, and numerous chickens. They plan to have children come to the farm and help feed the animals. The animals are then used as therapy for the children.
It is exciting to visit with a couple who love the Lord and have a plan to minister to children in this way. Everyone is gifted by God in different ways. Our purpose is to allow the gifts that God has given us to minister to others. For this couple it is ministering to children through animals. For others it may not involve children or animals.
This couple has responded to God's call for their lives by being available to what He has for them. We need to be available whenever we sense the call of God on our lives.

Mercy

2007-04-21T16:09:00.000-05:00

I have just started reading another book. The book is Max Lucado's newest book entitled, "Every Day Deserves a Chance." This morning I was reading the chapter "Mercy for Shame-Filled Days." Max is writing about the thief on the cross who asked Jesus, "remember me when you enter your kingdom."
Max writes: "What does the thief see now? He sees a son entrust his mother to a friend and honor a friend with his mother. He sees the God who wrote the book on grace. The God who coaxed Adam and Eve out of the bushes, murderous Moses out of the desert. The God who made a place for David, though David made a move on Bathsheba. The God who didn't give up on Elijah, though Elijah gave up on God. This is what the thief sees."
A thought hit me when I read this paragraph - "What a merciful and grace-full God." Yes, He did "write the book on grace." God can use a man who committed murder. He can use a man who commits adultery. Not only is it amazing that God could use Moses and David, but that He has "chosen" to use me.
Why would such a grace-full God choose to use me? What do I have to offer Him? He could have chosen to use anyone, but He chose to use me. I don't have anything to offer Him - but He chooses to use me. God, in His grace, has chosen to work through people that are inadequate, weak, and sinful. But God takes that inadequacy, adds His power, and can use someone like me. That is grace. That is mercy. That is God.
Jesus says in John 15:16: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." He has chosen to use us to "bear fruit" that will bring Him honor and glory.
Max continues in that same chapter by saying: the thief "hears the official language of Christ: grace. Undeserved. Unexpected. Grace. "Today you will join me in paradise." God offers us grace, simply because He has chosen to. It's His language - the language of grace.
Not only do we need to hear that language of grace, but we also need to learn to speak the language of grace. What would happen to those around us if we learned to speak the language of grace?

Intimacy

2007-04-14T20:55:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it takes me a while to get the picture. I'm not naive, but a little slow or thick headed. I think God is trying to tell me something, but I'm a little slow understanding or maybe just stubborn. (Maybe both)
That is what I have been feeling in past couple of days. I have been reading Dr. Stowell's book "Radical Reliance." The author is trying to help the reader grasp the length that God goes to have an intimate relationship with his children. He uses Revelation 3 and other passages to drive home his point.
With that as a background you will understand what I mean when I tell you what I have been studying this past couple of days. It started this week as I prepared for the Adult Sunday School lesson. The lesson for this Sunday was from John 14. What a great chapter! Jesus tells His disciples (and us) theses words: "where I am there you may be." God wants intimacy with us even beyond our time on this earth as we will spend eternity with Him.
The Adult Sunday School lesson for next Sunday is a lesson from John 15. Another great chapter. I spent a few hours studying the lesson yesterday.
Jesus says, "If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing."
It became obvious to me that God wanted me to learn this lesson of intimacy with the King. He wants me to "remain in Him." When will we learn that "apart from Me (God) you can do nothing?" God wants me (and all of us) to realize how much He loves us and wants to have an intimate relationship with Him.

Indescribable

2007-04-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

While listening to Chris Tomlin's song "Indescribable" today I was once again struck by a phrase. On the Passion CD Chris sings the song live and he repeats a phrase over and over again. The phrase says, "You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same. You are an amazing God." I was immediately struck by the awesome, unchanging, unconditional, 'indescribable' love of God.
Being a parent I know something about unconditional love. My (I should say "our") children could do almost (notice that I said "almost") anything and I would still love them. That is different from the way that God loves me - His love is unconditional. Also, I would give my children almost anything they need - if I could afford it. That is different from the way God loves me - His resources are limitless.
That reminds me of another Tomlin song. "How can I keep from singing Your praise. How could I ever say enough, how amazing is Your love. How can I keep from shouting Your name. I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing." Tomlin (and Redman) say what I want to say, but in a much better way. When you realize that you are "loved by the King" that truly makes your "heart want to sing."
To what extent would you go to show your love to someone? God went to the extreme - "God demonstrates His love to us in this. While we were still sinners (enemies) Christ died for us." That is some kind of love. It is in Tomlin's words "indescribable," "amazing," "unchanging," and "unconditional." This week as we celebrate Easter - contemplate how much you are loved.

Revolution

2007-03-30T23:41:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of reading "Revolution" by George Barna. Barna is examining the state of the church today. He states that millions of believers have moved beyond the established church and chosen to be the Church instead. I believe Barna is correct that believers are leaving the church. I have seen believers locally leaving the church for many of the same reasons that Barna discusses.
Though I believe that Barna is correct, I struggle with some of his conclusions. I have given my life to the local church - 27 years of full time service. For that reason and many others, I struggle with the book. Throughout my years of serving the local church I have seen many leave the church. Barna believes that these "revolutionaries" are strong believers even though they may not attend church. It is my experience that most people, when not associated with the local church, will cease growing spiritually and will eventually "backslide." It is my belief that a believer needs the local church as much as the church needs these "revolutionaries."
I believe that these "revolutionaries" are vital for the church to be the church. The church needs their spirit, their vibrancy. For the church to be everything that God desires, these "revolutionaries" are needed in the church and the church needs them.
I believe their is hope for future of the church or I would not be able to continue to serve the church. We really do need each other - the revolutionaries and the church. We seriously need to co-exist so that God can be glorified. I don't believe that God is honored by division of any kind. The church and the "revolutionaries" need to make the changes necessary for the two to co-exist and thus bring God glory.

Muldova

2007-03-25T16:50:00.000-05:00

The Singing Men of South Texas (SMOST) are planning a trip this fall to Muldova. Muldova is a country that was a part of the former Soviet Union. It is located near Romania.
In preparation for that trip, our director of SMOST, invited a man who teaches at Wayland Baptist Univ. in San Antonio, to speak to us. This man, Bob, has a ministry in Muldova that teaches the Bible in the schools. Even though it is against the law to teach the Bible, his ministry has the permission of the Minister of Education of Muldova, to teach in the schools.
One of the interesting things that I learned about Muldova is that it is a country that is without morality. They do not have any semblance of right and wrong, because of the influence of Communism. As a result, business don't pay the taxes they owe (the country doesn't expect them to), which is 120 %. Obviously, a Christian has a difficult time being a believer and a business owner.
One story that I thought was especially good dealt with one of the Bible classes. Some boys were gambling with their cards and a teacher invited them to watch a video in the Bible class. They attended the class, and afterwards the teacher was looking for them, but they had already left the classroom. The boys, before leaving the room, had left the teacher their playing cards. They had been convicted by the Word of God through the video. Upon hearing about Jesus they had a sense of morality.
In a conversation with my Mom, I wondered how much is the United States like the country of Muldova? We hear in the news, almost daily, about events taking place that make it difficult to believe that someone could have a sense of morality. We hear of a young man who murders and dismembers his girlfriend because she was talking with other men. Have we lost a sense of right and wrong?

Blogging

2007-03-24T15:05:00.000-05:00

Can you believe my son hooked me up with a blog? Now I will have to think of something to write.