You Never Let Go

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.