Anticipation

Anticipation…

I have been thinking about vision! I am looking forward to what God is going to do in our ministry over the next year! I have been planning; I cannot wait for you to see what God has in store for us in 2009. We are going to do some things we have never done before! I am going to ask you to plug in! I am asking you to be found faithful in ’09. Invite friends, take a chance and share the gospel! We are going to do some witness training in January. Get involved! I love you all <><

Sno Cone anyone...

Sno cone anyone…

I love the New Year and I love Sno Cones so in honor of the New Year on Wednesday night January 7, we are going to enjoy some Sno Cones! Bring your friends and enjoy the multi flavored goodness of a Sno Cone! What a way to start the New Year!! See you on the 7th! <><

its a matter of perspective

It is matter of perspective

Tonight I watched my 4 year old nephew open a toy shaving kit and go bananas! He was so excited and as far as he was concerned Christmas was over. He loved his gift! He was ready to head for the shower to try out his new toy! Apparently Andrew had wanted to shave for some time, or at least the last couple of months. Me on the other hand, I hate shaving. I have always hated shaving. If my wife would kiss me, I would probably go for the Grizzly Adams look. I thought back to when I actually started shaving and never can remember liking it. Andrew is looking forward to taking a toy razor and shaving his baby face. It is a matter of perspective. One mans joy is another mans burden! Andrew, enjoy your shave and for me, I think I can slide at least one more day before I have to be presentable! I love you all! <><

wii fitness

Sitting here in Panama City, watching my family work out on the wii fitness and not believing the work out they are getting! It works off your ability to balance and after completing certain exercises it gives you a wii age. My younger than me sister in law's first wii age came to the age of 60 so I could not help believe that mine would probably be that of Methuselah. So, after careful consideration I have decided that I am going to go home, join a gym, hire a personal trainer and really start working out! After doing this for a couple of years, I will come back and try the wii! Not only does it take your bmi into consideration, it charts your progress and sarcastically lets you know that you are obese! Another possibility that I thought of is to rent a wii machine and get a hotel room in a non disclosed area to see if I can actually do it with no one watching! 2009 is probably going to be the year where suburbanites begin to develop sports injuries from using a wii video system! It looks like fun, but I think I am going to have another piece of peanut butter fudge and drink some sweet tea. Happy fitness, I love you all! <><

opportunities abound

I am sitting here in my easy chair wishing that I had not eaten so much at Christmas dinner. I love fellowshipping around the table, this year we were again privileged to have our good friends Carl and Debbie Woodall join us. What we have in common are the most wonderful grand babies on the planet! Our meal was superb, Sheila is such a wonderful cook and watching the kids was the high light of the night! Sitting here now, wishing that I had not eaten so much, and looking forward to a new year. I wonder what God has planned for my family in 2009. I am excited at the possibilities! I am ready to “chase some lions”. My desire is to tell more people about Jesus. I want to build some new relationships in my community and I want mend some old ones and restore fellowship. I want to better equip those that I minister to, to do real ministry! I believe that the 21st century church is way under challenged. I am looking forward to my mission trip to Haiti. I am looking forward to my mission trip this summer to the Raleigh area. I am going to take every opportunity to minister in 2009 like never before! I am counting on God to use me to challenge and encourage the church. I am looking forward to being a willing vessel used by God in a phenomenal way! I am looking forward to all that God has for me! My goal for 09 is to do everything with excellence! I want to do everything as unto the Lord! Let God use you this upcoming year, make some plans, set some goals, make a difference for the Kingdom! I love you all. <><

Pater Familias...a new position

A new tradition

I am sitting in a position that I have never sat before. The year 2008 brought the passing of my father in law, so for the first time in my life I will be the oldest male at the family Christmas celebration. I cannot help but wonder how I will do. I think about the responsibility, I think about the pressure that such an important position can be. I must hammer out an agenda, I have to know what and how I am going to accomplish the important task of being the Pater familias. I want to chart a new course. I want to sit back and listen; I want to enjoy the sites and sounds. I want to celebrate another Christmas season and love all who are in the family and those that I come into contact with. I really want to enjoy the children…I want to celebrate the gifts that I am giving and not what I am going to get. I want to enjoy all that goes along with being a part of a family because I truly believe this is what true peace on earth is. Christmas is about Jesus. The ultimate Pater Familias sent His one and only son to a world that so desperately needed Him. Christmas truly is about the greatest gift that has ever been given…and it is about family. My prayer for you is that if you are the Pater Familias, that you lead your family with love. Follow our Lords example. If you are a part of the family feel blessed. You should love those around you because time is something you can never get back and the clock is always ticking! Enjoy Peace, enjoy your family! I love you all <><

does it really matter

He is truly above all…

During this time of year many Christ followers reflect on the birth of our Savior. I recently read an article in a blog that talked about an Australian stargazer developed a computer program that figured there was a star on June 17, 2AD. Should this matter to us? Have we lost the true meaning of the Christmas season? I would be very interested in hearing your opinion. Please leave a comment and let me know how you feel.

Simple Life

Simple life…

Disappointment is something that I have decide is a hard thing to live with. Have you ever wanted something so badly in your life that it totally consumed you? I have, and can I tell you it hurts when things don’t quite work out the way you thought they would. Disappointment is a way of life. But it is also something that you have to deal with or it can overwhelm you and render you ineffective for the work that God has for you. Disappointment disconnects you from life, you get so caught up in the way you thought would develop you cannot see how an awesome God can use the disappointments to ensure His Holy and perfect will is carried out. Every moment of everyday each believer should have a desire to be connected with life! The scriptures teach us “Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men”. (John 1:4) We know the Life that scripture is talking about is none other than Jesus. He truly is the light of the world! We need to seek life. As we receive life from Him our emptiness will be replaced with all that He has promised. He will never leave you or forsake you! He has our best interest at heart and in hand! I want to challenge you today to empty yourself of self, and fill up with the Light of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. I love you all <><

go tell it on the mountain

Go tell it on the mountain…

I love to proclaim Jesus. It is my favorite thing to do! Proclaiming Jesus is something that any Christ Follower should want to do! We get to proclaim Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He changed my life…I cannot help but talk about Him. We need to shout it from the mountain tops; we need to proclaim Him from the valley. Our God is truly an awesome God and the world needs to hear about Him. I believe that God uses believers to take the good news of the gospel to the world! How will they hear if we don’t tell them! I am looking forward to going to Haiti this spring, because I am going to be able to tell people about Jesus. How can we proclaim Him? There are many ways. One way would be to approach people with the love of Jesus. People today need someone who will care for them. As believers, we can hate the sin, but love the sinner. Scripture teaches us that we all have sinned and that we all fall way short of the glory of God. People who are in sin may not be able to feel or experience the love of Christ. I have met so many people across the years that are so bound by the sin that entangles them that they cannot see any way clear or clearly understand the gospel! We have to let them see how much we love them. The love of Christ will over power them. We are here to love! In this season of hope, let us go and tell! Let us shout it from the mountain tops! Tell someone about our Savior today! I love you all <><

There is a quiet place

“He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2b

I love the quietness of the morning. In my line of work there is not much quiet time! I look forward to mornings whether it is at my office at home or at the church, I love the quietness. In the times that we are living there is so much going on. I am convinced that we Americans have way too much on our plate and we are not able to enjoy the simple things in life…like quietness. Can I encourage you during this holiday season to carve out some time from your busy schedule just to listen! When I listen, I gain a new perspective. Quietness brings new perspective. Thoughts and ideas are born in the quiet times! My prayer for you today is that you are able to just sit in a comfortable place and listen to the strong voice of God! I love you all <><

SMLT Christmas

Good times and great friends…

Wow, what a wonderful time I had last night spending time with the greatest student ministry team in the universe. We enjoyed great food, awesome fellowship and fun. I love to play games with people who really get into the game. Last night, many middle agers played a game called psychiatrist (Lori Davis is a great sport) which requires you to take on the role of someone else in the room. What a blast…the highlight for me was when Perry Nicula playing the part of Joann Demark told the group “I love to shop”. The room exploded in laughter. What a great night! I love my friends! My prayer for each of them during this Christmas season is that each of their families be totally blessed beyond any thing they could possibly comprehend! I look forward to Christmastime, one of the reasons is for the party with my ministry team.

On leadership...

On leadership…

Honor, Courage, Commitment

People often ask my views on leadership. I have thought long and hard across the years and I have realized several things about leadership. My friend Alvin Reid made one of the coolest statements that I have heard in a long time. He said, “I want to sit under a tree that I have planted”. I remember thinking wow that is exactly what I want. I want to sit under the teaching of someone that I have taught. I want to receive a return on the investment that I have made in young people. Over the years I have had a great opportunity to mentor and teach many young people who feel God’s call. I have also had the opportunity to teach hundreds of students that have chosen other vocations. I love to pastor emerging leaders! I love the fire and the passion (often untested) I see in each of these young men and women. I try to teach the core values that I learned in while serving in the United States Navy. Honor, Courage and Commitment, these values are more lived than learned. I believe that future church leaders must posses these qualities.

1. Honor-Our lives must honor God. To many leaders today are leading without honor. 1St Timothy 3 outlines the qualifications of a Church leader. We can see that it is a noble work. The life of an overseer must be one of Honor. This is true for leadership in general; a great characteristic is one of honor. We must be people of integrity who deal with an element of grace. Our love needs to be at full strength. Every problem that a believer deals with has to be filtered out by grace.
2. Courage-A leader cannot be afraid to take a stand. We have to champion the value of people but we have to stand! It takes courage to be a leader! It takes courage to exercise your faith! Do not compromise what you know to be right. Be strong and Courageous, the Lord is with you!
3. Commitment-You must stand for something or you will fall for everything! God wants your commitment. Leaders are committed for the long haul. Leaders possess vision; they can see the end result, the big picture. Leaders can lose skirmishes but still win the battle! As a leader, you have to be committed, even when things are not going the way you think they should. A leader commits to the cause not the task at hand. A leader is always looking for better ways to lead. A real leader will make an impact on generations that they may never see.

Last, a good leader is also a great follower and listener. Leadership requires wisdom and thought. Emerging leaders must empower those around them to lead. A Captain of one of the ships that I served on told me “I don’t have to be the smartest person on board, I just have to surround my self with smart people.” Surround your self with people who have the same core values that you have! And don’t be afraid to lead! I love you all <><

on blogging...

On blogging…

I really like writing on my blog! I enjoy taking the time and thinking about my life and sharing with those who mean so much to me. I believe my life experiences may help someone or maybe even provoke a thought. Hopefully, my blog brings you joy or pleasure or a chuckle! Many people are reading my blog but instead of responding on the blog site you are sending me email! I want everyone to know that I love getting email but if you are responding to the blog, please respond on the comment hyperlink at the end of each blog. The purpose of the blog is to create discussion. You may not agree with what I write, you may even hate what I write. I want to encourage you to respond to the blog. Others will be able to see your input and it might even cause them to respond to you! I will admit, I blog out of selfishness. I have a need to write these things down. When I sent these thought out in an email forum it was simply between the responder and me. Blogging opens dialogue and encourages discourse! My prayer is that many people will read my blog and respond! I love you all! <><

Happy Campers

Family time…

In ministry it sometimes is extremely difficult to find time where everyone is at home. My family is getting smaller, as I only have one child left at home but finding time to sit down, as a family is a hard thing to do! One of the greatest things that I have ever purchased is a 1996 Coachman 20’ travel trailer. The real neat thing about this camper is that I bought it on my wife’s birthday! We love to camp. What a great way to spend vacation. If your budget is strapped like most people, you can cook at the campsite, and stay near great vacation spots at a fraction of the cost of hotels/condo. In the sunshine state, we have a great State Park System http://www.floridastateparks.org/ that offers any number of things to do for the family. We are happy campers. My favorite state park is Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area, near Flagler Beach.



We love being right on the water and we are very close to Daytona. One of my favorite places to eat is in Flagler called Mannys. They have the best Greek Spaghetti on the planet! Camping takes you out of your normal routine and settles you in to great family fun. We play old-fashioned games; we eat together and spend lots of time around the campfire together. We travel to attractions by day, and enjoy being together every night. Camping has given us an opportunity to be together as a family. I love it! I am looking forward to Little Talbot Island in the spring! <><

The name Jesus

The name Jesus…

Last night was an incredible night as our Celebration Choir led us in wonderful worship through the Christmas Musical “The Name Jesus”. What a blessing to be a part of a church where so many people are involved in music ministry and sing as unto the Lord. I love to hear the Celebration Choir sing. Under the leadership of Charles Warren (the greatest Minister of Music on the planet) God uses these wonderful people every week to prepare a congregation to hear the word of God. They have a desire and great ability to lead people to the throne of grace. I worshiped last night because I could see 100+ people with the Love of Christ in their hearts coming out through their voices. As they were singing, I started thinking about the name Jesus. There is no other name like this one! There never will be a name like this one! Jesus was sent to the world and exactly the right time! He came…to save! The gospel message started centuries before His miraculous birth by the foretelling of the prophets. There is no other name…scripture teaches, “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord…will be saved”. To save, that is what Jesus came to do! Scripture teaches us in Philippians two that we are to be like Christ.

“Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even to death on a cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name Jesus every knee should bow-of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth-and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 HCSB

As you read this, my prayer is that you consider the name Jesus! There never has been anyone like Him and there never will be! He is Jesus…and that is exactly enough. King’s and Kingdoms, will all pass away, but there still is something about that name

Christmas Memories

Christmas memories…

I am having a difficult day today! I really am! I am thinking about Christmas when I really should be thinking about sermons that I need to study, and trips that I need to plan, but Christmas is in the air! The Radio stations are playing Christmas music; all of the main streets in our little town are decked out in full Christmas regalia. Today after our rain there was even a slight chill in the air. Christmas is more than a day, it is a season, a life style, Christmastime has a way of consuming your thoughts, building your hopes and allowing you to dream! Even living and Florida, I can dream of a white Christmas! Christmas for me is memories and family. I love to think back about our Christmas in Carolina and our first Christmas’ in Orange Park. Our girls were little and so wonderful. I have decided that I love experiencing Christmas through the life of a child! I will never forget my daughter Ashley when she would sing the Alabama Christmas song “Christmas Memories” she would always say “now it don’t take a lot of money, to know what britches are” and we would roll! Christmas memories, we all have them, feelings of good friends, and family; a season of hope…

When reading the Christmas story I cannot help but wonder about the Shepherds. Here they are keeping watch over their flocks by night. On guard looking for something out of the ordinary, a blade of grass moving or activity on the road. These trained men knew the importance of keeping a vigilant watch over their flocks. Some scholars might have you to think that they did not have anything important to do, except sit and watch. Dangers were around every rock so constant attention to detail was needed to insure the safety of the flock. These men had spent hundreds of nights just like this one. I can imagine them looking into the heavens when what appears before them but an angel of the Lord. These sheep farmers had most likely never seen a Heavenly Host, so they did exactly what you or I would do in a similar situation; they fell to the face, scared to death.

And the Angel speaks, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the City of David…” I’ll bet the Shepherds needed some good news. “Don’t be afraid, listen we are here to tell you the best news that you have ever heard. This news is not only for Kings and Royalty, this news is not only for the middle class and blue collar workers, this news is not only for black people, white people, Jews or Greeks, it is for everyone! Even you Shepherds. Even you who think no body even knows of my existence.” I know that on that first Christmas night, a memory was made. I’ll bet those Shepherds never got over the Angel, the Heavenly Choir or the Star. I’ll bet those tough Shepherds never got over the Baby they found wrapped snugly in cloth and placed in a feeding trough. Christmas memories, the promise of Peace and Hope! I want to encourage you during this Christmas season to make some memories…I love you all <><

Red sky at night, sailors delight...

Red sky at night, sailors delight…

Recently on a camping trip I had an opportunity to share a saying that I had been taught as a little guy with my grand daughter Hadley. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning…red sky at night, sailors delight. This biblical truth that our Lord taught us still gives us an opportunity to teach future generations. Hadley now looks to the evening sky, hoping that she will see tints of red, wishing for sailors delight! Unfortunately, we all have to face storms in life. We are all going to face challenges. Being prepared for the challenges will determine how you come out of the storm. As a leader, I have many times faced challenges. Part of being prepared for challenges requires a real relationship with Jesus. A long time ago, I decided to trust Jesus. I know, no matter the outcome, that God has my best interest at heart. In life I prepared by giving control of my life to Christ. I wanted to please my Savior more than the people I come into contact with. God has been so good to me! Through storms and sunshine I have truly experienced delight. I try (daily) to delight my self in the Lord. By doing this, I get to experience delight in my relationship with Hadley, Avery and Ben. My prayer for my grand children and anyone reading this blog…is that you experience the love of our Savior! I love you all! <><

two gourgeous girls

Now that's what I am talking about...

Give me wings...

Give me wings…

I am a man who loves freedom! I love getting away and camping by the beach. I am convinced very much that less is definitely more. This past summer we spent 10 days in the Florida Keys with a 20’ travel trailer and a back pack full of books. Leaving behind a three thousand square foot house full of every convenience known to man, we sat out on an adventure that I had wanted to take since being a child! I always wanted to drive down A1A and US 1, traveling down the old Dixie highway. Sitting on long key, looking south I quickly realized that I had become a slave to stuff! All of the things I counted on to make me happy kept me locked in a geographic location and kept me from experiencing life and beauty. Looking out over the beauty that God created, I knew how blessed I really was and that I have way to much stuff. I also realized that I don’t need most of the things that I have. Don’t get me wrong, I like my things, but I now know that my relationship with God is the most important. My relationship with Christ is freeing. He has freed me from sin, from self. He has given me wings to fly beyond limitations and failed expectations I had placed on my self. I have learned how to be happy. I have learned that I can buy books at Goodwill or on ebay. I am extremely happy with my 10 year old car that has 208,000 miles on it, at almost fifty I have began freeing my self from things that enslaved me before. I don’t need much and I now look for opportunities to get by without things the world puts such a emphasis on. Don’t be afraid to fly beyond the boundaries the world places on you, and do not be afraid to dream…<><

Mind Pictures

Though it all looks the same, so much has changed

Have you ever thought about mind pictures? Before you click off this blog take a second to consider what I am talking about. I love the Christmas season. Christmastime has a way of conjuring up mind pictures for me. I can sit on my couch or in my office and I can close my eyes and see pictures from my past. These pictures don’t really exist for anyone else, but for me they are very real very vivid. These mind pictures bring up feelings, sights and smells from times past. Our minds do such a great job at storing these beautiful memories. One of my favorite lines in a Christmas song is “though it all looks the same, so much has changed”. This is such a true statement. I have learned in life that you really can never go back. Every time I go to my childhood home I like to think about how much things are the same. In reality, nothing is the same. I have changed so much from the person I used to be. Mind pictures allow us to hold on to a past, because in our minds everything still looks the same and nothing has changed. My prayer today, is that you exercise your mind, and take sometime to go back, and remember. But let me caution you, don’t get stuck in the past. I love to think about the past but I so love being in the present! In the past there are many things that are missing from my life. In the past I would be missing a wonderful wife, beautiful daughters and the joys of my life…my grand babies. My prayer on this dismal north central Florida day, is that those I love are busy creating mind pictures, and that I am on their canvas! I love you all! <><

Steadfast Student Ministry

Student Ministry…

I wanted to take up some server space to just talk about the Steadfast Student Ministry Leadership Team. They are truly the greatest on the planet. Not only do they have a love for students, they are dedicated and love their church and Savior. I have been doing student ministry for many years and never before have I had such a great group of friends who love the Word of God and have a love for the students we are teaching. This side of heaven we will never know the impact that you all are having on the students at Madison Street. I love you all and appreciate you all so much! I wanted you to know that I am especially praying for you and your families during this Christmas season!

Soli Deo Gloria

The Spirit of Christmas…

I love this time of year; I love the decorations, the presents, and the excitement! All of these things flood my memories of Christmas’ past. I remember a certain Christmas in the early 70’s. My dad was not one to really go out for all the Christmas hype but for some reason this certain year he went all out! He purchased a solid white Christmas tree. He decorated the tree with little partridges and pears, and blue Christmas balls. There was not a light on the tree, but on the floor in front of the tree there was a rotating color wheel that cast different colors as they passed by the light! That had to have been weirdest tree I think I have ever experienced. You might be thinking that I could have chosen a better way to frame the sentence before this one but I cant. You did not see this tree you experienced it! It was kind of frightening, little birds and miniature pears hung in intervals. It made me want to get out a shotgun and go hunting. The color wheel just spinning and as each color passed the light the tree would take on a new look. When the blue light would illuminate, I remember getting the feeling of cold, even though the living room would be warm and temperate the casting of blue sent shivers down my spine. When the red light shown, I would get the feelings that I was in a furnace room, or hell a cold sweat would develop and I would squint my eyes! The red cast was very frightening, and gave me no warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings. The green light would bring feelings of loneliness. I would feel alone and kind of blue even though the light was green. A finally there was the orange light, when it would shine, it turned my mothers living room into a construction zone, kind of like driving in a construction zone at night and seeing the orange hue illuminating the room. I was so confused, one moment I would feel cold, the next hot, the next lonely and then on guard. I think my dad’s tree caused me to have issues! The tree must have bothered my mom also because as far as I can remember we only used that tree for a couple of years. I love Christmas memories; these memories are part of who I am! Our God did a great work before the foundations of the world was laid. He thought about me and He thought about you! He had a plan. Part of that plan was a baby born of a virgin and placed in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. I love to celebrate the birth of our savior. His birth brought the promise of life. Without our Lord’s birth, there would have been no ministry or Calvary. Because He lives and was born, we truly can face tomorrow. Soli Deo Gloria! I love you all <><

Blessed are the...

Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth…
Matthew 5:5 (HCSB)

Continuing our study on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, verse 5 brings us to a Christian Characteristic that many need to work on! Gentleness or meekness is a value that is possessed by people who have lots of self-control! People who posses this characteristic have no anger or a vengeful spirit. In the Beatitudes we see that they all start the term “Blessed”. This literally means “congratulations to” so verse 5a is really saying “Congratulations to the gentle”. The word inherit often relates to entrance into the promise land. So Jesus is telling us in verse 5 this: “Congratulations to the gentle, for you will enter the promise land”. Jesus is helping us to see that the gentle, not the strong, aggressive or harsh will enter heaven! Are you gentle? How do you deal with those that you come into contact with? My prayer today is that God helps all Christians to understand the virtue of gentleness! I love you all! <><

What are you going to do...

What are you going to do?

It is the time of year where people begin to think about what they want to accomplish in the year to come. Many begin to take inventory of their lives and try and figure out how to make things better! I love to look a head, I am a planner by nature and love to dream and think about possibilities that God routinely lays in front of me. One of my friends once gave me a bumper sticker that said “Obstacles become opportunities with God”. There may be things you are facing in the New Year that may be overwhelming you! Can I tell you that our God is still an awesome God! His word promises us that He is never going to leave us or forsake us. Have you considered what you are going to do in the New Year? Can I make some suggestions?

§ Pray! Ask God what He wants to accomplish through you in the New Year. Let Him know of your availability. Someone wrote, “God does not care about your ability as much as He cares about your availability”. Be a willing vessel for God to use.
§ Plan! Make a plan, and stick with it. If you are planning on starting a diet or exercise program make sure that you think through all of the possibilities. So many times we think about something and set out to do it putting little thought into how we want to accomplish this task. We need to plan, research, set goals and time lines. Don’t get discouraged.
§ Prepare! The best-laid plans are dismal if you are not prepared for the outcome. If you are going to start an exercise program, consider your current health and abilities. Maybe you should get a physical before undertaking such a challenge.

What are you going to do in the New Year? I love you all <><

The Christmas Sweater

Wow, I have just completed Glenn Beck's book "The Christmas Sweater" and want to encourage all of you to read it! It is one of the best books on forgiveness and making our way through the storms of life that I have ever read. I have literally not been able to put the book down today. Glenn has a deep understanding of storms and I love what he says in the very last chapter. He says "At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, but in doing so, sometimes we miss the real meaning of the season. It is what the infant, boy and then the perfect man did at the end of His ministry that makes the birth so special. Without His death, the birth is meaningless." What a wonderful book with many twist and turns that I never anticipated or expected. It is a wonderful novel and I would encourage and highly recommend you read! I love you all! Jesus is the reason...<><

A profound statement

The other day while I was camping with my 4 1/2 year old grand daughter, we were talking about knowledge. In a profound statement, that could only come from the brilliant mind of a little one she said this, "Grand daddy, all I know is what I know!" She has figured it out! She knows that she does not have to baffle people with her brilliance! She realizes that what she needs to know, she knows! Her mind is always working! She never forgets anything. I have read that a person will learn 90% percent of the things they will learn in life in the first five years! Can I tell you that as I write this blog, I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in the life of a brilliant 4 year old! <><

College Students and MSBC

I love the College Students at Madison Street Baptist Church! They are truly an exceptional group of young men and women whom I believe truly want to serve Jesus! The Connection on Wednesday nights is truly becoming one of my favorite worship times during the week! I want to encourage you guys! The sky is the limit! God has a plan and you a very much a part of His plan! Let Him use you...on campus...at work! I love you guys very much! See you Sunday!

The Shack

I am currently reading Wm. Paul Young’s book “The Shack”. I must tell you readers that there are many parts of the book that do not represent true biblical theology. The book is beautifully written and very easy to read however the way the trinity is handled is somewhat disturbing and un-true. Since the book is an enjoyable read, my fear is that people reading it might believe the theology and start believing the Bible to be something other than the inspired word of God. The God that I serve deserves all of my glory! I do believe that God wants me to ask Him the hard questions, but I do not believe that I can ask him in a flippant disrespectful way no matter how bad I am hurting. If you read this book, I want to caution you to read it understanding that it is a work of fiction. You must use discernment and know that the Trinity of the Bible is not portrayed the way that Young describes them. I will admit that there were some intriguing and enjoyable paragraphs in the book, but overall it does not hold true to what scripture teaches. Readers beware!

Blessed are...

Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Jesus in continuing His Sermon on the Mount and now shifts and talks about those who mourn! Many who read this passage may miss His real meaning. Those who mourn is referring to those who are repentant! He is talking about people who grieve over their lost friends! He is talking about people who are broken and have responded humbly to His grace. God is near those who are broken hearted! It is when we humble ourselves that we are closest to God. The people of God’s Kingdom are humble, not arrogant! So He is telling us in this verse “Blessed are those who are humble, those who desire for their friends to know Me and those who are broken, because you are going to be comforted.” I love the song that says, “I stand in awe of you, Jesus”. I know that is how it is going to be! When I see Him, I am going to stand or fall in awe of Him! What can I learn from this verse? I can learn that if I am humble I will be comforted. When I am humble, my life will be different! When I am humble, God is going to be near…I love you all!

Blessed are the...

Blessed are the poor in spirit…Matthew 5:3

Not long ago I did my daily devotionals on the Beatitudes from Matthews Gospel. The poor and spirit was the first one that I wrote about. I reread this passage again today and realize that there is so much more that can be said on the subject. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? I want you to know that compared to Jesus, we are all poor in spirit. Sometimes when we approach the Creator of the Universe with a haughty and arrogant attitude. God is telling us that we need to humble our hearts before we approach Him. He wants us to realize that without Him we are in poverty. As I read this I could not help but wonder do lost people with a lot of material things realize that they are really in poverty? Of course the answer to the question is no, they are lost and do not realize this. Have you ever considered the cost of following Jesus? It will cost you everything! A totally surrendered follower of Christ can be blessed because they are poor in spirit. By giving it all, you gain eternity and the Kingdom of heaven. Have you given it all up for Him today? I love you all!

Happy Birthday

I would like to take one moment of time on this busy Monday and be very thankful for the wonderful wife that God has given to me! As we are 28 and 1/2 years into a wonderful marriage, I could not think of anyone that I would have wanted to spend that much time with! I love you, you are wonderful and I could not do the things that I do without you! Thanks for being my cheerleader, friend and partner! I love you so much! My prayer for you today is that you experience the love of our Savior and that you have a wonderful birthday! Outback tonight!!!! I love you!

A Christmas Rant...my first of many I am sure

A Christmas rant…

I love this time of year! Christmas always has and will be the most important holiday for me! I like to think back on them and reflect at how good God has been to me. God never changes! He is as good to me now as He was to me when I was a little boy living in Fort Stewart Georgia. I will never forget the Christmas that I got a Big Bruiser wrecker truck! I remember thinking that it just can’t get any better than this! But it did! God blesses me more and more each year! I have learned that I have to choose to be blessed! It all comes down to my attitude. So many people get caught up in all the business of Christmas and truly miss out on the blessings that God willingly pours out on us! Think about what Christmas represents! Jesus! He is the one and only reason for this season! Some can create different events and call them what ever they want. Others can debate over the fact that December 25 really isn’t Jesus’ birthday! I am choosing to celebrate Christmas! I am choosing to proclaim Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am choosing to celebrate His saving grace! I am choosing to greet the people that I meet with a hardy Merry Christmas! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! I love you all! MERRY CHRISTMAS!