RISE UP!

Bye Bye To Riseup

2010-06-02T12:23:00.003-04:00

Well for the few of you that are still reading this I am saying so long to this blog. My blogs will now be posted at andybship.tumblr.com

This site will let me post audio on my blog. So after a few weeks I will be closing this account.

Glory To God

2010-04-28T13:23:00.002-04:00

This past weekend I went to Knoxville TN to preach at a D-Now weekend for the folks at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The theme was the Atonement. Session one was about the bad news...the total depravity of man...the sin nature that we were born with that Ephesians 2 tells us makes us children of wrath. To bring this message to a close I spent some time teaching the students what a crucifixion was like. Just preaching that overwhelmed me and many in the audience. Then we sang a song called Glory to God Forever. It was some of the best worship.

This got me thinking about worship. Why do we sing and pray first then preach on sundays? Shouldn't worship be our response to God; His nature and will revealed to us by the Word?

Just a thought if anyone is still reading this thing.

Eating Bread Like Cooper

2010-03-25T09:41:00.002-04:00

I have got bread on the brain because of the passage I am getting ready to exposit on Sunday. As I have been digging into the text I came to the realization that I want to dive into scripture like my daughter eats bread at a restaurant. Cooper will get me to butter up her bread then she will put the whole piece up to her face and literally gnaw away at the inner portion of the bread because that is the best part.

I am currently preaching through the miracles of Jesus from John's gospel account. This Sunday I am preaching from John 6:1-15...the feeding of the 5000. Something that God has shown me, through guys like Tim Keller, is that all of scripture is ultimately about Christ. Well my text this week couldn't be more true.

At face value the text we like to make this text more about Jesus doing a lot with a little or about the Short-sighted Disciples; like Philip and Andrew. However, a deeper look into the text shows us this is about Jesus; its about the Gospel. The bread of lowly beginnings is blessed by God, broken, then passed out to the masses for their filling, then there is enough left over to pick up 12 baskets (represents sustenance). This whole passage screams of what Jesus did. He came from lowly or humble beginnings; was broken then distributed to the masses; and there is enough of Him to sustain.

Tired of Religion

2010-01-20T10:29:00.002-05:00

This if for the pastor that got in my face about not preaching from the King James and for the guy that told me Voddie Bauchaum is a heretic because his church doesn't do Sunday School and because he is a calvinist. I will let Mark Driscoll speak for me. Hope you enjoy.

I love Jesus!!

2009-12-26T09:49:00.003-05:00

Jesus is amazing!! A Savior who didn't simply take our sin but became our sin; who suffered a vile and horrific death, the death of a criminal; A Jesus whose precious blood washes away sin; who suffered the wrath of God and provided atonement for sin. A Christ that gave me His righteousness and took my shame; and a Messiah that causes men to become a new creation.

Who cares that its not Christmas anymore. Everyday is a day to praise God and magnify the name of Jesus Christ!!!!!!!

Doxology IS Theology

2009-11-24T13:17:00.002-05:00

As I have been preparing to preach my Christmas sermon series God has been revealing some truth to me that I feel compelled to share with the two of you that read this blog. My sermon series will come from the various songs that people sang in and around the time of Christ's birth; the song of Mary, Simeon, Angels, etc.

The conviction I have come to is this.....worship today is much too man centered! In our culture we like to start at the bottom and work upward. We start with self; our wants, our feelings, our emotions, our agendas, our opinions. Once that box has been constructed we then try to put God in it. The result of this doxology or worship is theology that is as far away from biblical precepts that its pathetic. Worship today teaches that man is the apex and that he is worthy of God's time and attention. This theology produces selfishness, greed and pride.

In scripture we see worship begins with God and everything else stems from Him. His holiness, goodness, judgement, omniscience, etc are the things that fuel the wonderful worship of scripture. This biblical method of worship produces sound theology where God is the top of the food chain. It is a theology where man is so unlike God, sinful, poor, blind and naked that the reality that God would even look upon us is overwhelming.

My challenge for you in this is simple. Worship out of the overflow of who God is and what God has done; not out of how you feel and what you think. Worship in a way that produces and teaches sound theology and not this modern-day garbage that is being produced!!

Our Joy

2009-11-04T12:05:00.002-05:00

No poem today like yesterday. But I do have some thoughts. As it turns out I am not a popular guy in my community. Apparently I am a male chauvinist and archaic in my views. I must admit that my flesh is infuriated and vengeful by the rumor-mill that is circulating about me; a small town Baptist Preacher that is trying really hard to preach sound doctrine and win souls to Christ. But in my heart and the deepest crevasses of my being I am hurt no I am crushed. I am grieved that tempers are flaring and pride is springing up in some who think they are doing good but in reality they are hurting the body of Christ. It is nothing more than gossip and slander.

What does this have to do with joy? The truth of scripture is clear that we are blessed when we face trial and tribulation of many kinds. Weeks like the ones I've had are working out God's will for my life. These weeks are trying to teach me submission to God and they are developing character. So as weird as this sounds I find myself filled with joy in Christ in the middle of my circumstances. I am joyful in Christ and the Bible teaches that the joy of the Lord is my strength.

So today I make this declaration for Satan and his demons and for any who read this blog. My joy is Jesus Christ!!!! Not this world...not popularity....nor your opinion of me. My joy comes from the inescapable beauty and grace of God Almighty. My obsession will from this day forth be with what God thinks and what His opinion is of me. I wish to live this way in order to please God and make the world look the way it really is to the Christian; like a fleeting, trivial, worthless thing that has no power and produce zero joy.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!!

The Nature of Beauty

2009-11-03T13:16:00.002-05:00

Sunrise, sunset, symphonies and sonnets are pale by comparison.
To compare Thee to these is worthless and weak expressions.
How could we seek to compare Your awesomeness to ashes?
We attribute beauty to things that will be trampled where You’ve trod
This makes us guilty of sin; we belittle a gigantic God.

Our God is the superlative of every good thing we choose to call Him by.
You are far more lovely than earth or moon or sky.
The amazing beauty of God is prototypical, inherent and intrinsic.
All other beauty is derived, contingent and dependent.
They are but streams flowing from your radiance.

The hope of the believer is to forever gaze upon this beauty. (Psalm 27:4)
A gaze that should be our tremendous joy not just duty.
Astounding is the reality that You are the God we cannot see.
Invisible yet more beautiful than any word our mind could birth.
You are the nature of beauty!!

Mind Dump

2009-11-02T19:14:00.003-05:00

I can remember when I figured out that Santa Clause was not real. I believe I was about 8 years old. Christmas had come and gone and my brother and I had really racked up!! One day we were playing in the house and we found our way into my mom's closet; a place that we were never to go. Now I know why. This was the place our toys were kept. It was also the place that my mom kept a few of the boxes of the toys that "Santa" had just left a few nights before. I have never been a smart guy but I could always put two and two together.

I remember feeling horrible. The reason I didn't get certain toys wasn't because Santa was watching but it was due the fact that my mom and dad didn't get them for me!!!

After being in ministry for a number of years I am starting relive some of those same emotions. You see I have always thought of myself and a good judge of character. I spend time with people and listen to them and watch them; sometimes without their knowledge and I can just figure them out. But what I am finding is just how wrong I can be. People who I thought had discernment faithfully watch TV preachers that teach false doctrine. I have people in my area that love a man who doesn't believe in The Trinity!!!! There are people who will nod and smile to your face and vote in ways that support your agenda...then on Monday they will spread gossip and miss-information throughout the community.

The past 10 days have been humbling to say the very least. I have been reminded of just how flawed and imperfect I am. It has also been a week of mind battles and spiritual warfare.

It is weeks like this one that make the return of Christ all the more sweet. Hurry Lord Jesus!!!!!

Wow...

2009-10-19T09:30:00.001-04:00

Check out this video that someone sent to me this morning. Take 12 minutes and watch this.

It Never Fails!!!

2009-10-08T09:24:00.002-04:00

Sometimes when we sit down as a family to eat the phone will ring and my wife will say, "It never fails!" This is a quote from her grandmother. It seems like the telemarketers just know when your about to eat and they show up right on time.

I am convinced that Satan is the same way. For the better part of three months every sermon I have preached as been about Jesus Christ; His Divinity, His humanity, His Substitutionary Atonement, His Imputed Righteousness, and the Justification issued by God. With God's blessing people have been moved. Conviction has been brought on. People are asking the tough and real questions about their salvation. And I know the Devil just hates it!!!

There has been opportunity to exercise true Church Discipline. God is giving me opportunity to confront heretical theology in some of my members.

God is moving and working and bringing glory to His name and Satan can't stand it! That is why he has shown up and is doing some things of his own. I have members fighting mind battles of fear and doubt. I have others struggling with emotional issues like depression. Some are even fighting the battle with their flesh trying to not to get angry and take things personally.

I have never been more mentally and spiritually fatigued. But I am also excited that for reasons I can't explain we have become worthy of such satanic opposition.

Please pray for my church and for me and above all else pray that God would be mighty and that He would be glorified!!!

The Marvelous Magnet

2009-09-17T12:06:00.002-04:00

My personal Bible study and sermon time has solely revolved around the person and work of Jesus Christ. Not fluffy...make you feel good junk but doctrinal study. But I must admit that all of the wonderful doctrines surrounding Christ invoke within me more worship and awe than any pragmatic sermon or book.

Let me give you an example. The Crucifixion of Christ is so wonderful that if we only had the scriptures that deal with the death of Christ that would be enough to warrant our fear and worship of God forever.

Spurgeon called His crucifixion the "Marvelous Magnet." He said, "Preach Jesus Christ. That is the recipe for catching men's ears and laying hold upon men's hearts."

What a wonderful truth...The Son of Man lays His life done willing; to be crushed; to be cursed; to be cussed; so that sinful men might be saved!!! Who needs these modern day "ear tickling" messages and books? What could possible be better than the thing that Luther referred to as "The Great Exchange?" Christ was crushed for our sin and we received His righteousness? The imagination of man could never cook up something better than that.

Eggs, Toast, and Revelation

2009-09-09T09:30:00.002-04:00

Monday morning I had breakfast with a good friend of mine at The Huddle House....man I love the Huddle House. We talked about many things; mostly college football. However in the middle of bashing Georgia's offensive play calling, my friend began sharing something that is still blowing me away on Wednesday.

The Church is trying to be more than it was intended to be. You see the most important thing in my life is my personal relationship with Christ; being right with the Thrice Holy God of creation. With this primary relationship comes responsibilities. For example its my job, given unto me by Christ, to evangelize and then make disciples. This according to the Great Commission, which is a call for every individual disciple. The next relationship in the created order of things is my marriage. I am called to be a husband. This marital relationship led to children which is third in the order of things. I am a father!!

What has happened throughout the ages is the church which comes after personal relationship with Christ and family has taken it upon herself to try to relieve me of my duties in the other relationships. As a result people are forsaking their God-given responsibilities because we have this idea that when the collective is doing okay we are all okay.

For example; I wonder how many people never share their faith because their church has a visitation team or FAITH team or something similar? How many people never serve in missions because they sprinkled their conscience clean by giving money to Lottie Moon? How many parents never open the Bible at home and disciple their children because they think the Youth Worker or Children's leader is teaching them all they need to know?

Are the previously mentioned programs bad things? I don't think so but they don't take the place of what I am called to do and be personally. The church exists to be a support for a person's individual faith and for the family. She doesn't exist to take the place of those things. As a pastor my conviction is to be a leader that places responsibility where it belongs and to preach and teach and pray in a way that would empower people to be what God created them to be; not to take away from those things.

Man...its amazing where God will show up and reveal things!!!

Best Baptism Service

2009-08-31T12:53:00.002-04:00

Last night I got the chance to see the best baptism service of my life. Thad a man from my church got to baptize his oldest son, Nate. It was so intimate and sweet. Words can't really do the whole thing justice. After the service I told Thad that his pastor was jealous. I can't wait to lead my children to Christ and Baptize them.

And We Wonder Why People Don't Know Christ

2009-08-21T14:44:00.002-04:00

After my son's pediatricians appointment I went by Lifeway to look for some material for men's bible study at my church. Man I hit the jack pot too....I found some Charles Spurgeon sermons on men in the Bible. But just a few shelves over was some of the most horrible garbage I have ever seen being passed off as a bible study. Yes that's right you can learn how to be a follower of Christ with the Beverly Hillbillies bible study. There was also one for I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, Gilligan's Island and Bonanza.

I didn't know if I should laugh or set the store on fire. I thought is was a joke at first but it wasn't. Is this what the church has come to? To be honest I don't even know what to say except heaven help us!

Sovereign in Stupidity

2009-07-30T09:17:00.002-04:00

In our world of pragmatism and humanism many people are under the delusion that God can only do great and amazing things if and when we do enough to "help Him out." In our culture we have elevated man to place of superiority and importance that he doesn't belong. We assume that we have a pretty good grip on things when in reality we are not even hanging by a thread.

God has been constantly showing me two things; His sovereignty and my complete lack of control. Just yesterday our Lord revealed to me through Scripture that even in stupidity; those moments where we act in compulsion or haste; He is in complete control and is working His will out for His glory.

Let me explain. Judges 11:29-40 is a passage that shows Jephthah making a ridiculous vow to sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house if God would grant unto him victory. At the end of this story, after God gives the victory, it is Jephthah's one and only child that comes from his house. Every sermon I viewed and commentary I read said this guys was an idiot for not only making this vow but also for carrying it out. While this is certainly the case in the flesh in the spiritual realm this was the only way that the nation could be forgiven once again by God.

You see in Chapter 10:13 God made a vow; a promise. He told the nation that we was done delivering or saving them. God was tired of their idolatry and playing the harlot with other gods. The only way a vow could be broken was for one of the parties to die. God being God isn't going to die so that only leaves the nation. So in the act of, what appeared to be a random act of stupidity on the part of Jephthah God was working out a way that His grace and mercy could be shown once again to the nation.

What a beautiful image of Jesus Christ. It seems ridiculous that the only begotten Son of God would die. The Apostle Peter understood this which is why he tried to talk Jesus out of it until Christ rebuked him. Jesus died so that God could forgive my sin. Without that death, something that in the flesh seemed crazy, I would be lost and helpless.

Praise God for His Sovereign grace and mercy!!!

The De-Churched

2009-07-10T15:53:00.002-04:00

If you are a pastor or you heavily associate with pastors you will find our very quickly that inactive membership is a point of interest. Why do people just stop going to church? Specifically we are seeing writers, teachers and preachers speak in volume about the epidimic that is the almost total absence of people in their 20's in our churches.

I just started pod-casting a guy at the request of several friends of mine. He is a young guy (35 years old) but he is so insightful. Take a listen to Matt Chandler and some of his thoughts about the "de-churched." This is good stuff!!!!

Willing Willful To Be Willed

2009-07-07T10:49:00.002-04:00

A month ago I was in our Association office and I listened to three older pastors argue and debate on the issue of free-will. At this year's Southern Baptist Convention one of the opening addresses dealt with the divide over the issue of the Sovereignty of God and the free-will of man. The plea was for Southern Baptist to lay down their arguments and preach the Gospel.

A brief time spent in reading and research would reveal that this debate has been a long one to say the least. And it has been a heated debate also. I saw a little heat from those 3 older pastors as they debated the topic. I heard some grumbling and saw a few heads shake at the convention when that guy mentioned the "doctrines of grace".

While this topic has been one of great interest to me over the years I just can't make myself get all up in arms. Do I disagree with people? Most certainly! But I don't get fighting mad.

At the end of day I accept the Bible as authoritative and I do by best to let it be my guide as I seek to please Christ.

In my sermon prep this month I have been in Exodus and recently I came across a gem. Exodus 6:1, which says, "Then the LORD said to Moses, Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he shall let them go and under compulsion he shall drive them out of his land." What a great verse for in it the Sovereignty of God and the will of man are clearly seen and they fit together perfectly. God tells Moses that He is going to actively do something in and with Pharaoh yet Pharaoh will be acting under compulsion. Did he know it was God? I don't think he did. He thought it was his idea and based on his authority.

Do I have a free-will? Yes I do. But could it be that my choosing Christ was guided by an Omnipotent God whose will is stronger than mine? I must admit that from my reading of the Bible I believe the answer to this question is yes. Might I be wrong? Certainly but at this point in my life I am okay with being being willing willful to be willed by God.

Whats In a Name?

2009-06-26T09:43:00.002-04:00

Ive been preparing for a new sermon series...a series that will deal with the Gospel. My desire in this is to see lost people saved and saved people set a fire.

I thought that a good place to start is with our understanding of God...and the best place to start is with God's name. My studies led me to a passage in Psalm 9:10 which says, "And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee..."

Do we lack trust and understanding because we don't know God's name? This knowing means that we understand God's character and nature. I can't wait to see where this sermon series will go and what will happen. Pray for me and my church. There is much underneath the surface. We just need revival and awakening.

The importance of obedient kids

2009-06-16T10:01:00.002-04:00

A wonderful revelation has come to me in recent weeks about children. Ask yourself...why is important for children to be obedient? Some would say obedient kids are not an embarrassment to their parents. Otherwise might say they they want their kids to be obedient for their safety. While these are valid these answers to the question are no different that the answers that pagan parents would give.

It is in Ephesians 6:1-3 that much is revealed about the spiritual implications of obedience. In order to understand the context of this passage the reader would have to back up to chapter 5:15 and then read. Paul teaches us that God wants us to be wise, understanding, spirit-filled people. Those who fit this description will follow proper authority in their life. For children this is their parents. Therefore the reason I want to raise my children to be obedient is much more important that their safety and my embarrassment. I want to teach them how to live a spirit-filled, wise life by submitting to authority.

If only we could get our churches to embrace this truth. Maybe just maybe there would be more who were obedient to Christ!!!!

Ministry of The Wife

2009-05-12T10:16:00.004-04:00

The bible is clear that there is nothing new under the sun. However, I firmly believe that we need to be reminded of some things from time-to-time. Now if I would have published this blog in the days of Spurgeon, Luther, or Whitfield they would have said, "well duh." But in today's culture the things I am about to write seem foolish.

I believe the bulk of the problems and sin in the modern-day church are the result of people being unbiblical in their homes. You see I am preaching through Ephesians 5:22- 6:4 and some things have occurred to me.

I just finished preaching on submission of wives to their husbands. You could see the lack of comfort on the faces of many of my people but I preached anyway. Most of us are blinded by feminism and we lack a proper understanding of this role and ministry of the wife. The thought that a woman should be subject to her husband is repulsive in our culture; a culture that is making men and women equal in all things. But we can't get away from the scripture! As I began to sink my teeth into the truth of God's Word something hit me......the lack of submission to God by the church is the result of the lack of submission in the homes. No wonder we have generations of people who think they can ride co-pilot with Christ; its because of a generation of men and woman who are trying to wear the paints together in their marriages. No wonder our children don't listen to and respect authority; they don't see their parents practicing biblical headship and submission at home.

I know this seems like mindless ranting but think about it! Pastor's and teachers can't undue what is being done at home. One or two sermons a week isn't a drop in the bucket compared to all the unbiblical actions or in actions taking place in the home. So I beg you wives out there to be biblical in your role and submit to a husband who shows biblical headship. It effects much more than your marriage...it effects the church.

Amazing....The Power of the Gospel!!!

2009-05-01T09:54:00.004-04:00

This week I began some pre-marital counseling with a couple that has asked me to perform their wedding service. In session one I simple gave them some books to read (of course Family Driven Faith was one of them) and I hit the highlights of what we would be discussing. However, in session one I revealed to them that not one thing we would discuss in future meetings would matter at all unless they were both "born again."

I told them that I was not a "marring Sam"; just looking to marry anyone who asked me to perform a service. You could tell the brutal honesty was a little uncomfortable for them but they listened. I then proceeded to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I was covering the part where Christ was crushed for our sins the young man of this engaged couple became almost pail and quiet. He was no longer nodding his head and saying "yes sir" but he was listening to every word coming out of my mouth...not missing a single point.

Before I could call for repentance he stopped me and simply said, "To be honest I don't believe I am saved." This was huge because he knew that I would not do their service if they were "unevenly yoked". But he wasn't thinking about marriage to his fiancey but marriage to the Bride Groom, Jesus Christ.

If you are reading this please pray. I left this guy with the Gospel and his conscience that night. We will meet again in a few weeks and I pray he will have gottened saved.

Spurgeon's The Man!!

2009-04-23T10:30:00.003-04:00

I want to be more like Spurgeon. If only the church would have listened to this. Things would be much different today. Take 6 minutes and let this hit you where you are.

All About Jesus

2009-04-23T10:01:00.003-04:00

In recent weeks a revelation has hit me. All of Scripture is about Christ. Now before you say "amen" take a moment and think. What is the first thing you look for or ask when reading scripture? For most the answer is self. We look for the application or the meaning for us. What it teaches about God is usually a distant 2nd. Not only do we look for how the scripture is for us but we look specifically for the positive application not he negative.

As a minister I can definitely say much repenting has been taking place in my life. For years the first thing I looked for in sermon prep was the application for me and my audience; always looking to make me and the congregation "feel" better about our plight. What a load of garbage!!!

Scripture...from Genesis to Revelation...is all about Jesus Christ! It is all about His glory, nature and character. It is not about me and my preaching, praying and teaching should reflect that.

Now don't misunderstand me. I believe there is much to be applied from scripture but I thinkt he application will change when we start looking at it from the standpoint that its all about Jesus.

Just a thought for today.

The Bible and Parenting

2009-04-14T11:40:00.002-04:00

I am preparing to speak at a church this Friday night to the men's ministry group and their wives. I wasn't given a topic so that means I am going to hit them with the truth that men and women in our churches are not living up to the expectations that the Bible places upon them. I will discuss multi-generational faithfulness. I will hit them with the idea that it is the parents job; not the youth pastors or Sunday school teachers; to disciple their children.

Basically I will speak about all the stuff that has caused some people and pastors to look at me funny or even label me as a man "on the other side of the spectrum."

But today I was looking at the most recent copy of the Christian Index. On page 18 there is an interesting article about the role of faith in parenting. What gets revealed is that men and women who claim to be Christian have no idea what the bible says about the role of the parent. When the 1200 people where asked what mattered most; being godly or having faith was only mentioned by 9% of the people. However, 77% of those interviewed identify themselves as Christians.

Why oh why are we so focused on the world? Revival and awakening will never happen in our churches until it first happens in our homes!!! Until we understand that the fall-away rate of our youth and the abscense of the 20-somethings is directly related to the lack of good biblical parenting things will never change.

Coffee House or Church

2009-04-09T11:31:00.003-04:00

I am amazed by the ironic sometimes. Some might find it to be a surprise but I have some friends in ministry that I completely disagree with on certain things. One of the major differences is the methodology of church. Now don't get me wrong I don't care what building a church meets in because its just a building. I don't care what type of music is used during worship. I don't care how long we sing or pray or preach because the Spirit will lead in different ways. I don't care if you have "Baptist" in the church name or if you want to be non-denominational.

But here is some irony I have come across in recent months that just blows my mind. In this new church movement statements like "authentic", "genuine", and "real" keep getting thrown around in mission, vision, and value statements. The leadership in these churches (many lead by friends of mine)are directly or at least indirectly saying that their church is different and like no other. As a matter of fact some friends of mine are assuming that within their methods they are capturing the bare essentials of the true church found in Acts. But again we must notice the ironic.

Isn't if funny that these "new" churches are all using the same catch phrases (real, authentic, genuine)? How come everyone of them has to incorporate coffee in their plans? One friend of mine in Tennessee has a church that bought a building (an old Movie Gallery) that is right next to their church and they are putting in a coffee house. How come true or real worship in these "new" churches has to be played with a guitar? Let me point this out just in case you missed it. All these churches that claim to be different from all the rest are just like each other. Irony at its finest.

Just a thought I had today.

What The Peace of God Looks Like

2009-03-18T10:52:00.002-04:00

Today, a few hours actually, there will be a funeral at my church for a member that passed away on Sunday. His name is Bobby and he died at age 55. He had a long fight with cancer. This week my "job" as pastor has to been to minister to and comfort his family, specifically his wife. However, this has been a hard task for his wife has been like a rock. Now I don't mean that she is cold and emotionally detached, that is certainly not the case. But she has been strong!! She has been at peace, with a calmness that can only be explained by the power and grace of an all-sufficient God that gives us what we need when we need it.

Her attitude and conduct has ministered to me more over these past few days than mine has to her. She is truly a woman of God and I am better for even knowing her much less being here pastor. She is truly a picture of the peace of God.

"Its My Church"

2009-03-04T11:26:00.003-05:00

I have a gripe today. Imagine that Andy is upset about something and needs to get it off his chest. Seriously, I am a pretty laid-back guy that has a lot of fun living this life that God has given me and if I blogged everyday you would see that. However, there are some things that just get on my nerves and I post them here for my benefit but if it can challenge you then great.

I was sitting in my office this morning reading the February Christian Index and there was a little article that caught my eye. In short the Executive Committee of the SBC is looking to terminate the membership of a church in Texas for the stance they have taken on homosexuality. Article 3 of our SBC constitution give them the right to do this. As controversial and heated as this matter is the one thing that caught my eye in the whole article was the brief section on the pastor who left shortly after the church called for a vote to kick him out. The vote failed but he left anyway (can't say I blame him). The interesting thing and reason for this blog was that some church members said that the reason the pastor was asked to leave was over use of the church facilities. Apparently the pastor supported a project that would allow homeless people to stay at the church at night.

This led me into my memories of countless people in churches that I have served at who have this attitude of ownership when it comes to the church. These people are usually easy to spot at business meetings. Heaven forbid we use our buildings to help out homeless people!! I just wonder where this attitude comes from, certainly not the Bible for the scripture teaches us that it is Christ's church, the people and the building. But lets me honest; this "my church" mentality doesn't just stop with "outsiders." Some members think they have more of a say-so or a right to the building that other member; because of money given or time spent in membership.

I wonder what a church would look like that used its facilities for the glory of God. I have seen a glimpse. There have been multiple blood drives at our church. There have been senior events for the community in our building. I wonder what else we could do? Kind of makes you think.

Invitation or Warning

2009-02-18T12:04:00.002-05:00

After a few meetings/encounters this week my mind is weighted down with thought. It is nothing ground breaking but something I would consider to be obvious if people would only read the Bible. I had a meeting this week concerning the low number of baptisms in our area churches. I have spoken with fellow pastors about evangelism methods and one thing keeps coming out....people think that following after Christ is easy!!! Our invitations are simply that; inviting; warm and fluffy. But isn't this call to follow Christ really a warning more than an invitation?

In Luke 9-23-26 we learn that "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

The call to follow Christ is a warning. John MacArthur puts it this way. "If you come to Christ, it may make your family worse, not better. It may send a shift into your family, the likes of which you have never experienced before. IF you give your life to Christ, there will be an impassable gulf between you and people who don't give their lives to Him."

This is much different than the typical evangelism going on in our churches. But I would be willing to bet that our "numbers" would have much more integrity if we honestly warned people about the truth of discipleship rather than embelishing the words of Jesus.

Love The Shack?

2009-02-11T14:43:00.002-05:00

Go to Amazon.com or into any Christian bookstore and you will a book called The Shack on the best sellers list. I have had friends and relatives sing the praises of this book to me.

Therefore, due to its popularity I wish to take this opportunity to warn anyone who may read this blog about the dangers of books like this one. Although it claims to fiction the book offers teaching on the Trinity; incorrect and dangerous teaching on the Trinity to be exact.

Listen to Mark Discroll and tell me what you think.

Any Men Out There?

2009-02-11T14:31:00.003-05:00

I just got off the phone with a minister friend of mine who just wanted to play catch up. As we were conversing the topic of church and ministry eventually came up and my friend spent some time complaining about the lack of participation of men in his church. "If we could get half the men to work like the women we would be better off", he said.

My friend is not alone. I have often wondered why men are less likely to participate in church than women. I have heard other pastors complain about the very same thing, often using the very same phrase as my friend.

So in honor of that I want to post a John Piper video for you guys. He says it better than I do anyway. Enjoy!!

Only God Will Judge Me

2009-02-06T13:52:00.005-05:00

Can I just do a brain dump real quick?

When I was driving home from a hospital visit yesterday I got behind a truck that had a very interesting message on the back window. It said, "Only God will Judge Me" it big white letters. I remember seeing this on a bumper sticker as well and also on a T-shirt.

I guess people think that this little statement frees them from the opinions or rules of others. I guess in our society where no one wants to be confronted and told they are wrong this statement brings some level of comfort. But what if people really took the time to think about the theology behind this statement? Yes God will judge you. What if that sank into their heads? I bet they would live differently.

Every idle word,every sinful thought as well as action; the guy in that truck is going to stand before Christ and give an account. I wish people would live like this. I wish "Christians" would live like this!!! Heaven help those who get what they deserve in judment!!

Perfect Little Family

2009-01-21T09:30:00.002-05:00

If you keep up with this blog then you know God used a book entitled Family Driven Faith to impact my life. It really challenged me as a husband and as a father. One of the things the author addresses is general attitude of the culture towards children. According to the author of this book our society thinks the perfect family is one that has two children; a boy and a girl. You get a free pass to have a 3rd child if your first two are the same sex. I must admit that I really didn't buy in to this idea. Surely most people don't feel this way.

I think I might have been wrong. My wife is 3 months along now in this pregnancy and people are starting to ask questions. "Do you hope its a boy?" "What are you going to do if it's a girl?" "If it is a boy are you guys done?" When me or my wife respond and say no we are not done...we would like at least 4....people look horrified.

Are you kidding me? That is what I want to ask in reply. Who cares if its a boy or girl? Why is it a big deal to have more than 2? Im just not sure when the unwritten rule of one boy and one girl came into effect.

I love being a father. My little girl brings me such joy...joy that I can't even express with words. I am so proud of her and she hasn't really done anything. I think the "perfect family" is the one that God provides. So I day "bring them on Lord." We will take more than two if You will let us!!!

They are watching

2009-01-16T11:29:00.003-05:00

If you know me very closely you know that I am an avid player of video games. I can't get enough of them really. Many times, later at night, I go to the end of the house where my TV and xbox are and I lay on my little couch and I play for hours. Sometimes I stay up later than I should. However, the confessions of my video game addiction is not why I am writing this blog.

I have a 20 month old daughter and she loves her daddy. When I am home with her she follows me around sometimes grabbing at my legs to prevent me from going into other rooms of the house. She watches me and listens to me. At times I will be in the kitchen speaking with my wife and little Cooper is standing just below me looking at me while I speak; taking it all in.

Well today I came in the house and guess what I saw? My little girl was sitting on my couch with my xbox controller in her hand, leaning back on my pillows, looking just like her daddy, saying, "oh no" at the TV. It was so funny yet so revealing of truth. Our children watch us. In my spirit I just thanked God for my daughter and I prayed that I would always be reminded that she is watching.

"Lord may I teach Cooper to follow me as I follow Christ. Amen!!!"

Gets me every time

2009-01-05T15:30:00.003-05:00

So the new years has brought some exciting opportunity for me. MY wife is offering a Christian Ethics class as an elective at the private school where she teaches. This gives me the chance to go in about 2 to 3 times a week and lecture and discuss things with 14 high school seniors.

Today's class was simply an overview of what it means to be a Christian. After-all it is hard to understand a Christian ethic until you first understand what makes one a Christian. So the first question I asked this group of students is..."What makes a person a Christian?" The answers I got still make my head hurt.

"Asking Jesus into your heart." "Believing in Jesus." "Trying to live a good life." "Talking about God and doing what He says." These were the answers to my question. Many of these kids attend churches in the area. These responses are typical and part of the stats that we read about but man it just gets to me every time I hear them. How can these young people think this stuff?

If believing made anything true then the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause would exist. The Devil believes in Jesus. There is not one verse that says, "ask Jesus into your heart." No one can live a good enough life for God because the Bible says "our best deeds are as filthy wrags before God."

I am greatful for this door that God has oppened for me. I pray that many of these students would find salvation by repenting of their sins and trusting Christ!!! Pray for me.

Go Tell It On The Mountian!

2008-12-23T11:59:00.002-05:00

As I have been working on sermons and reading scripture this month in preparation for Christmas one theme keeps jumping out at me....we need to be sharing Christ. We are commanded to do it. We are privileged to do it. Yet like a bunch of Scrooges we refuse to do it. Often times I wonder what lost people think about a Christian...who believes in heaven and hell...that doesn't share their faith.

I found a video on the blog page of my good friend Matt Johnson that might help shed some light on that question. This is a video of a an atheist. Listen carefully!!

The Big Day

2008-12-23T11:33:00.002-05:00

Parties, gifts, shopping, cooking...there is a lot that goes into celebrating Christmas with friends and family. We work and work and go and do... yet I find myself wondering if it is all worth it. Really Christmas day is quite anti-climatic to say the least. Everyone gathers around after a huge meal and we begin to pass out gifts and one by one the tree starts to look lonely. After all the smoke clears what are you left with? You are left with empty boxes and paper all over the floor. Even the wonderful food you just ate has become leftovers. Its like coming down off the high you get from a drug....that's really what the commercial Christmas spirit is anyway a drug!

Then December 26th arrives and everyone is so tired and worn out and all the excitement is dead. I wonder what the Shepherds or the Magi would say is they could see what our Christmas celebrations have become? Would they see a lot of hurried people frantically working for a day that quickly passes or would they see people who truly understand and appreciate the Christ of Christmas? I pray it would be the later and not the former. I am seeking to truly worship this year. I hope you will do the same.

The Little Things

2008-11-24T12:39:00.002-05:00

Tonight is dance night for Cooper. For the past month we have been taking our daughter to Perry for an introductory dance/gymnastic class. Cooper loves it!! She runs and laughs and plays her little heart out.

Recently I have had to blow a few people and meetings off because of dance and I have caught some flack from some people for doing so. "Its just dance" some say while others say, "you can see her when you get home." But these people don't get it. I love to watch Cooper dance and play. It is the sweetest thing in the world.

I write this to say: Don't get so busy that you miss the little things in life that make life so wonderful. God gave us one life on this earth and most of us waste it with meetings and other activities that in reality just are not that important.

I can't wait for dance tonight!!!!

Thankful

2008-11-24T12:32:00.003-05:00

I hope you guys are still reading this blog. Its been too long since I last typed out my thoughts. I have just been so busy with church and family so the blog had to be put on the back-burner for a while. However, in my time away from blogging God has been showing me some amazing things that have left this pastor thankful.

I have had opportunity to preach and teach in several churches, other than man own, and I find myself thanking God for Byromville Baptist. We are small but we are not dying. Ive been in some churches that smell like nursing homes and hospitals...the smell of death. I pass no judgement on these churches...I'm not blaming the leadership or the preaching...they are just dying. Being around death makes you grateful for life that's for sure.

I have also found myself being challenged greatly by God in are of thankfulness. God has revealed to me that being thanful is much more than saying the words "thank you". Being truely thankful is an attitude...it is a lifestyle. I am trying to live a life of thanfulness to God who has done so much for me though I deserve nothing at all.

Just Another Gripe

2008-09-19T09:39:00.003-04:00

My heart has just been so heavy for the past month. I am so burdened for the body of Christ and now find myself even challenging the views, blogs, and conversations of some of my closest friends. Being at odds with people I don't know that well is one thing but to have some issue with a friend is another.

There is this movement out there for a "pure" church; filled with "authentic" worship and "passionate" preaching. Everywhere I turn, with people I know personally, in blogs, you name it; people are wanting church to be completely different. My issue is with the wording and the attitude. For example: Why does "authentic" worship always mean or at least is attached with contemporary music? What does passionate preaching mean? I know plenty of guys in old-fashioned churches that are passionate. How is non-denominational pure when Methodist or Baptist isn't? These are just a few questions that come to mind.

I also can't get away from this mentality that a pure church is one that breaks all ties with doctrine and the focus in only the Gospel. This attitude is what is keeping people trapped in spiritual immaturity. If all I do is preach the Gospel then where would that leave the people of my flock? The answer is hungry, void and immature. What some people in this new movement don't realize is that in context and all practicality the Gospel is for lost people outside the walls of the church. The Great Commission was not intended to be carried out in a worship service. Church is for saved people not lost people!!! My fear is that some are more "seeker sensitive" and even emergent than they realize.

I'm praying for revival of the Body. A revival in the love of theology and doctrine that pushes us to the end of ourselves and closer to Christ.

Grow Up

2008-09-15T09:36:00.002-04:00

In the past few weeks I have become very overwhelmed about the lack of maturity in believers. I have talked with pastor after pastor that has expressed how difficult it is to get the young men in their churches to do anything. After preaching at a BCM service at Georgia Southwestern State University I see why. We have a maturity problem; men that refuse to grow up.

I was horrified last Wednesday at what I saw. It was like a watch an overglorified youth group. The leader got up and did announcements for trips and fun activities. They watched a funny video then they had almost 40 minutes of worship, which left only 20 minutes for preaching the word. (I preached 40 minutes and could tell some didn't like it). There were people there almost my age and one guys and gal that were actually older (age 30). Some of these kids are in their 20's and are still living at home, eating Captain Crunch and playing video games. The whole thing just makes me sick.

No wonder there are so many maturity problems in our churches. We dumb down the youth minitry send them to college where they still attend youth services at a BCM then they graduate and expect church to be the same way. Maybe thats why my generation is missing.

I could write for days and never say all I wish I could. I just wish people would grow up!!!

Church Plants

2008-09-08T10:31:00.002-04:00

For the third time this year a good friend of mine has asked me to pray for him as he looks to start a new church. Is this becoming an epidemic or is God truly up to something great? More and more pastors are becoming great discouraged with the existing church. There is too much tradition, legalism, unbiblical leadership and power. The list could go on and on. A huge part of me understands where the church planting phenomenon is coming from. How wonderful it would be to start from scratch and begin to do church like they did in Acts.

Then I have this other side that is madly in love with the Bride of Christ; with all her problems and issues. There is a part of me that is still very hopeful that God can do great things int he existing church because there are still people in them that want to grow and see God glorified.

I honestly find myself at a crossroad on this issue.

Revival

2008-08-19T10:16:00.002-04:00

We had a mini-revival last week with three of Byromville's former pastors. First let me say that its great for the current pastor to see that former pastors can come back and are welcomed with open arms. That says a lot for a Southern Baptist church. The preaching was great and the food and fellowship was amazing. People were laughing and talking and embracing each other.

However, I found myself wondering if people were really being moved by God. On the last night I got my answer. God used an 85 year old lady in my church to bring out revival in me. She came to the front and took me by the hand and in her own words told me that she wanted to do better. I was floored. This woman is 85 years old and holy! But she wanted more. God used her to speak in volume to me. The longings of the Apostle Paul to press on to know Christ more began to flood my mind. I was overwhelmed by the weight of God's presence at the front of our little church.

I certainly hope that if I make it to 85 I have the zeal of this lady!!

Baptist Preachers

2008-08-11T20:55:00.003-04:00

I don't want to be a Baptist Preacher!!!! That sounds crazy at face value because I pastor a Baptist Church but let me explain something to you. When you hear the term Baptist Preacher what comes to your mind? I see a loud, red in the face, pulpit slapping, friend chicken eating, Sweat-Tea drinking, coat and tie wearing, 3 point sermon having, 30 minute preaching, seminary loving man. That's what I think about when I think about a Baptist Preacher and I don't want to be one!!!

I'm serious I have a big soap box to get on and I just can't help it. I met a fellow pastor today at a pastor's meeting. He was a young guy; more than likely 35 or 36 just by looking at him. He introduced himself to me and exclaimed that he thought he was a young pastor until he met me. Then he asked me something that to be honest I am tired of hearing. He said, "You go to seminary" with what appeared to be a very judgmental look as he gazed at me from head to toe. I simply said, "nope" and went on about my business. This attitude just erks me!! Did Peter go to seminary? How about John? Last time I read Acts the Bible said they were "untrained" men. They walked with Christ and did what he said. I have experienced, personally some stupid comments from Baptist leaders. While I was working on my 4-year I took some preaching classes. My professor marked off on my sermons because he said I was too comfortable up there. I put my hands in my pockets and walked around too much. I just took the deduction. A friend of mine who is in youth ministry preached at his church one Sunday. His pastor told him after the service that a baptist preacher didn't preach from a big hard-cover bible but a smaller bible that he could carry around. I know guys that spend more time talking about their seminary than they do their churches. Baptist are supposed to raise their hands in worship I heard.
Thats for the charismatics. The list could go on and on.

Now why am I ranting and raving? I love being a Baptist I really do. I love the doctrines and the structure of the church. But I don't like the program-driven mentality. I don't like the idea that we are to "do" church instead of "being" the church. I don't like how complicated and professional we have made the pastorate. If that's what it means to be a Baptist Preacher then I want a different title. I want to be a pastor of a Baptist church; not a professional but a wild-eyed crazy man that loves Jesus and His bride. I want to read my bible and do what it says instead of sitting around trying to make sure it lines up with the Baptist church. When I do get a masters I want to forget all about school and focus on the bride of Christ instead of bragging on my education and degrees. I don't want to feel like I have to only preach 30 mins and not a minute longer. I just long and thirst for the simple church of the Bible and not this monster that seminary and the convention have produced.

I guess it could be worse though. I could be a Methodist...just kidding.

Cant Sleep

2008-08-07T22:50:00.003-04:00

You would think I would be in the bed. I only got about 2 hours of good sleep last night and I am dog tired. I just can't stop my thoughts from running off. There are a million things going through my mind; I'm trying to reconcile another miscarriage (2 in almost 4 years) and I can't. Is it part of some plane? Maybe it is divine judgement? The supper religious statement is that I am building character. But none of this makes it any easier. None of it helps bring meaning. The only time I can remember feeling this frail and human was the last time this happened to us; the last time we lost a child. Am I that selfish? Is this more about the absence of control or about a child. I really disgust myself...maybe it is judgement.

Why does the feeling of frailty cause us such grief? When it's financial or even medical we still have a since of control; like there is something more we can do. There is still a feeling of hope. For a cancer victim there is the hope of chemo or radiation. For the financial struggle there is the hope of assistance from a friend or relative; the hope that pinching pennies will help. But something like this is completely out of my hands; there is nothing I can possible do. I pray God will help me come to some clairity on hope because one of the points in my sermon this Sunday is about that very subject; HOPE. How will I ever be able to preach that message in the shape Im in?

I don't even know if this blog makes sense. If it doesn't just chalk it up to no sleep. All I know is the journey I am on is not a fun one. It is like being strapped into the passenger seat of a car you don't want to be as you watch a maniac take you for a drive. I'll let you know how the trip goes. Good night guys!!!

My Only Instrument

2008-08-06T20:58:00.004-04:00

Today was a tough day for my family. We had our first baby doctor appointment and things did not go well. Mary Kathryn looks like she is 8 to 9 weeks pregnant but the baby only made it to about week 5. We will go for some test and things next week to confirm unless MK's body finally figures out something is wrong and she has a miscarriage before then. We are very heavy hearted and crushed and we are struggling to practice what we preach.

Everything within me keeps saying "just worship." The struggle is knowing how. Its easy to do it with instruments of happiness and security but how do you worship with pain and suffering? How do I allow God to be glorified in me through my satisfaction in this? My mind is tormented by anger but I must worship. I've got to find a way to play these instruments. Pray for me!!!

Top 5

2008-08-05T11:02:00.003-04:00

My good friend Ricky Sowell has a blog that I read from time to time. On his blog he does something very cool; he gives his readers a top 5 list of random things. I find them enjoyable so I have decided to do the same. Today I have been thinking about the influences in my life as I now seek to be an influence to others. So in no particular order here are the top 5 influences on my life.

#1. My mom. She will admit she is not a perfect lady but man does she have passion. When she sets her mind to do something she does it and does it well. She taught me the value of speaking up for what I believe in. When I was a lost sinner she was the one praying in my room and pleading the blood of Jesus over me. Thanks mom!!!

#2 Chase Ostrander. Chase is a friend of mine that I have known for almost 5 years. He is my opposite in most ways; a Yankee and soft-spoken. What I love the most about Chase is that he takes everything to God in prayer. When I need prayer he is the first person on my list to call. He has challenged me on many things and as a result I have had to do a lot of repenting. My views of evanglism and family come from the fact that Chase loved me enough to give me some books and pray for me daily. There is no better friend than this guy!!!

#3 T.J. Mauldin. Ive never told TJ how much he has taught me. This guys is in his early 20's and has a better handle on scripture that most guys twice his age. TJ has taught me the value of digging deeper in the Word of God and seeing the things that are underneath the surface. He has an amazing heart for people and seeing lost people come to know Christ. This is the guy that will break out in worship and bible study at the Waffle House at 2 in the morning. I would know; I've seen it. And people just respond to him like they have known him for years even though they just met.

#4. Tim Rigeway. Tim was my first Pastor. He took me under his wing and taught me the value of wearing your emotions on your sleeve. I often wonder where I would be if God had not brought this man and his family into my life. Tim is like a father to me. We have shared each other's good times and bad. I hardly ever get to see him but when I do it just fits like an old pair of shoes.

#5. Charles Spurgeon. People at my church will laugh when they read this because I quote him every other Sunday. But it is amazing to me how a man that has been dead for so long has had such a rich impact on my life and ministry. I want to preach like Spurgeon; with bold, simple language that is surprisingly profound. I want of have half this man's zeal for the lost and for spurring on other preachers. If God give us a son and my wife would let me I would name his Spurgeon, I promise I would. My wife is praying for all girls now.

Here Is A Good One

2008-07-28T15:46:00.002-04:00

In Sunday School Mr. Jimmy Lockerman, my teacher, mentioned some quotes I used in a sermon that he heard me preach when he was on the pastor search committee for Byromville Baptist. The quotes came from S.M. Lockridge in a sermon entitled "My King". This stuff is so good that if it doesn't bless your socks off you may not be saved. So give this video time to load and for the next 5 minutes enjoy!!!

Church People

2008-07-28T15:18:00.004-04:00

Church people amaze me at times; amaze in that they act like pagans at times and try to hide it with spiritual statements. Today I managed to speak with a few guys in ministry that I know. The hot topic of conversation is the new church that my former pastor and another good friend of mine are starting in the Americus area. This church is going to be a "Family Integrated Church". Now let me honest for just a moment. If this was going to be the typical church plant pastors and leaders would be excited and behind it all the way. But this church model is not only different but it is the furthest thing from Baptist. This obviously causes some people pain I guess because there are pastors and leaders that are talking about this thing behind my friends backs; making statements of their disapproval and apparent disdain for what is being done. Just because it is different people feel threatened. The whole thing just amazes me!

Why are people so afraid of being challenged on the way we do things in church? These guys are not hurting anybody. They are not saying they are the best church or the only church in the area. They are simply offering something different. Do they personally think its the best? Of course! Why else would they be doing it? But don't most people attend a local church that lines up with what they believe? Again all these attitudes and statements coming from pastors just amazes me. Now before I get all self-righteous I will admit that I don't like to be challenged but at this point in my life I am open to it. I think that is the point here. You and I must be open to being challenged and we shouldn't be angry or threatened by those who think we are wrong or we think they are wrong.

Rhyme and Reason

2008-07-21T10:21:00.002-04:00

If you get to know me you will find out that I am a talker. I can't keep my mouth shut for I have an opinion about everything; just ask me. In order to get things out I blog (obviously), email, and I am a member of several Internet debate forums. Through these outlets I hear the opinions and thoughts of many people and I am frustrated at the current approach that many "Christians" take in debate.

I want to know when feeling and experience and personal reflection took the place of the Bible!!! Seriously if one more person tells me they are correct because they "feel" I'm going to scream! If feeling or simple belief made anything true then everything would be true. Now I don't want to sound all self-righteous and pretend that I don't struggle with trying to justify my beliefs based on my emotions because sometimes I do. But I tell you the truth...I want to be biblical. I want to read the bible, take it at face value, and do what the bible says. No more emotions and feelings. No singing and dancing like a little worldly puppet. I want to be man of God and if I want to be a man of God then I better hid his word in my heart and speak it and preach whenever I get the chance.

My Mentor

2008-07-18T16:33:00.003-04:00

I called my mentor in ministry today to see how things were going. He was the pastor of my home church when I first received a call to ministry. He was the one that pushed to church to licenced me into the gospel ministry because he saw a calling of God in my life. He encouraged me and counseled me through some difficult times in my life and I will always be grateful. I have always viewed him as my Apostle Paul and me as his Timothy.

After spending some time on the phone he confessed to what I already knew. He was depressed; down and out about the difficulty he has been going through over the past few years. I understand that sometimes Christian people struggle but its hard to see your mentor that way. I guess I always thought of this guy as superman. I'm just praying for his strength today.It's hard to see the people you love when they are down.

American Idol

2008-07-15T09:19:00.004-04:00

There is a gigantic idol in America today. It's not a statue or image. A.W. Tozer said, "Let us beware lest we in our pride accept the erroneous notion that idolatry consists only in kneeling before visible objects of adoration, and that civilized peoples are therefore free from it." Some of the most civilized and "christian" people you know are flaming idolaters and they may not even realize it.

If America could change its national anthem I believe it should be the tag line to a song that you have heard in several movies and television shows. The lyrics simply read, "money, money, money, money.....money". If you know the tune then you obviously now the 80s. We are so stinkin greedy and money driven in our culture. We value possessions and investments over the two most important institutions God ever created; marriage and family.

Although I was on vacation last week and not in study and sermon prep God still showed me quite a few things. First He showed me the sad state of our nation in the area of marriage. Now we all know the statistics that a little over half of the marriages in this country end in divorce. The Southern Baptist Convention is not immune to that statement. However, as I was watching a local news channel in Florida I heard some shocking news. It seems that the divorce rate in the southern part of Florida is on the decline. Before you shout amen listen to the reason given for the decline. Apparently, due to the economic hardship that many people would face on their own they are deciding to stay together. Basically their financial situation is the driving force for their marriages. Secondly God revealed to me a truth I have been reading about and meditating on for a few weeks now. People love prosperity more than children. As Mary Kathryn and I were sharing the wonderful news that baby #2 was on the way I had 3 people make statements or ask questions that showed that money was a higher priority to them than kids. The whole thing just makes me sick to be honest. Money over marriage. Cars and houses over children....what have we been reduced to in this world. I'll tell you; a bunch of moeny hungry, selfish, maniacs that are missing the blessings of God in our spouces and children.

Great News!!!

2008-07-13T17:02:00.003-04:00

God continues to be so good to me and my family. On July 8th, while we were on family vacation, Mary Kathryn and I found out that baby #2 is on the way. We are so incredibly happy and excited! I don't think it will really start to settle in until Mary Kathryn starts to get big. We are enjoying the process of coming up with names (we have plenty of girl names but no boy names at this point).

All I know Is that I can't wait to to meet my son or daughter. Cooper is so amazing I can't imagine all the joy that two children will bring. God is just so good!

As You Are Going

2008-07-02T11:51:00.002-04:00

As I talk with many pastors I have noticed that one of their struggles is discipleship. They struggle with effective ways and or methods of growing people into mature believers. We will try all the latest or fanciest programs and bible studies to try to draw better discipleship training numbers on Sunday nights yet it just seems like nothing changes.

Over the past few weeks as I have been meditating of the scriptures, praying and talking with some friends of mine I have come to a conclusion. We are not effective in discipleship because we have place too many time restraints on it. You can't adequately disciple a person in a one hour class on a Sunday evening. In the Great Commission Jesus tells us to "Go" and this word in its original language means "as you are going." Discipleship happens as we are going. I have found some of the best and most spiritually beneficial encounters have happened when I wasn't even looking for them; when I met a guy from my church at the gas station and we talked about the things of God.

I must admitt that this has taken much pressure of me and my ministry. Now I just look forward to the opportunities to disciple outside of the four walls of my church because those moments are the ones that really matter.

Real Men

2008-06-12T11:32:00.003-04:00

Look around your church and I bet you will see with your own eyes what groups like The Barna Group and the Nehemiah Institute are say is true; we are loosing 75 to 88% of our young people after their freshman year of college. Those ages 19 to 25 are absent from our churches. But I find myself asking a serious question. Where do our young people learn it from? The reality is that a parent has 100 times more influence than a Pastor, Youth Pastor or Sunday School teacher. At best a church leader will spend a few hours a week with a teen but a parent has much more time than that.

In addition to absent teens we have absent men in our churches. According to Barna, "Without women, Christianity would have nearly 60% fewer adherents." His research shows that women are 100% more likely than men to be involved i discipleship. They are 57% more likely to participate in Sunday School. Women are 56% more likely to hold a leadership position in a church (don't' believe that one just go and look at who is serving on the committees in your church). There is an absence of real, spiritual men in our churches. No wonder churches are so weak!

Some have offered help in this area. Various books and studies have been written to try to engage men and get them back in church. But to be honest these studies are trying to put band aids over a gaping wound. Most of these books and teachings focus more on being macho and hard core than they do on being biblical. A real man doesn't have to kill things with his bare hands and then eat it. A real man loves his wife and disciples his children.

I could go on and on for days on this issue but I wont. I simply want to ask a question. Where are the real man; the saved men; the biblical men? Where are the guys that are willing to step up and be spiritual leaders? Until these men show up our churches will be doing a doggy paddle in the middle of a vast ocean, dodging as many waves as they can.

A Jesus Box

2008-06-10T10:49:00.002-04:00

I just couldn't help myself I had to share this with you guys. This past Sunday night my church observed the Lord's Supper. I wanted to change things up a little and try to make it special for my people so I took a look at The Broadman Minister's Manual that someone got for me when I was ordained. I must admit this is the first time Ive even looked at the thing and to be honest it will probably be the last. I read something that made me sick to my stomach. On page 17 it says this, "The Supper should be a central part of the of the service and the entire service kept within the usual length of an hour." Did you catch that junk? One hour!! So I guess The Spirit quits working and punches out after that time period. And Baptist wonder why our churches are crippled and dieing. We wonder why we loose most of our kids after their freshman year of college.

Most Baptist have a little Jesus box. We pull Him out pray for a moment, sing, listen to a sermon and go home. Then we put Him back in the box. The Bible teaches us that God is a 24/7 God that doesn't sleep yet we only give Him an hour. The whole thing makes me so angry.

What Is Biblical Truth

2008-05-29T10:34:00.004-04:00

Women shouldn't be pastors; Parents should be the primary source of their children's discipleship not youth pastors and Sunday School teachers; Homosexuality is wrong. These are a few statements, based upon scripture. How do they make you feel when you read them because your response reveals much about who you are and what you stand for? Many people hear things like this and they cringe because these statements are very much anti-cultural and most Christians are very in to the culture and they do not even realize it.

Why is this such a big deal? Many believers are operating in a worldview that is not biblical. As a result our churches and ministries are not biblical. Let me paint a picture for you that I believe captures the heart of modern-day Christianity. One day a woman came into her pastor's office to speak with him about the message he preached on Sunday. This woman was upset because the pastor said from the pulpit that homosexuality was a sin and that a person living within that lifestyle is not bearing the fruit of true repentance and without repentance we can not be saved. She proceeds to tell the pastor that she disagrees; that a practicing homosexual is loved by God and He would never send them to hell. The pastor asked the woman to back up her claims with scripture. Very heatedly she tells the pastor that her son is a homosexual and she refused the believe that God would send her son to hell. The pastor very patiently encouraged the woman to site a passage of Scripture that validated her belief but she didn't have one. She simply said, "I don't feel in my heart that God would do that."

This little story, that came off the top of my head, is similar to conversations that take place every day. Many Christians are so worldly that they will side with their personal feelings or beliefs over the Word of God. Then, trying to justify their feelings, they twist other verses and create doctrines and theologies that belittle the God that gave them life.

So I ask...What is biblical truth? Is it what the Bible says or is it what the Bible says, as we interpret it? My friends I want to tell you that it is what the Bible says and that's it! Truth is not our feelings or emotions but what the Scripture clearly teaches. And we should be okay with that for if we are not then I would assert we are in trouble at the core of our relationship with Christ. For if we can't take God at His Word what else do we have? The answer is chaos and unfortunately that is what many of our churches are today.

Family Revival

2008-05-24T07:52:00.002-04:00

I got home last night around 10:45 after I had been in Valdosta preaching to a group of students at a youth event. I was greeted by Mary Kathryn with a big hug. I could tell she had be crying. She had picked up Family Driven Faith, the book Ive been reading lately. God had used it to break her heart. We sat down for the next few hours and spoke of the rebukes we had both recieved and we spent some time repenting before God. The good news is that repentance leads to revival. God did a glorious work in our family last night and I can't wait to see the fruit it will produce.

And boy did it come at a good time. Today is our 5-year anniversary!

Season of Repentance

2008-05-19T17:55:00.002-04:00

Sometimes we look at repentance as the one time thing that happens in the blink of an eye; a time when a person does a complete 180. However I have learned something new about repentance in my own life. For the past few weeks I have found myself in a season of repentance; not just a one day type of thing but daily hitting my face and telling God how sorry I am for being wrong. I have realized that my views on family, church and evangelism have been severely misguided and even unbiblical.

My journey began a little over a year ago when my good friend Chase put a book my hands entitle Way of The Master by Ray Comfort. God used that book and the prayers of my friend to bring some serious conviction in my life about evangelism. The Gospel I preached was watered-down, weak and even worldly. I didn't help a person confront the reality that they were a sinner that had offended God.

During some recent bible study and sermon preparation God again brought me to my knees with conviction. As a believer in Christ I have always believed and taught that we should be most concerned about the things that God is most concerned about. However, my actions have not been lining up with my preaching. God is most concerned about His glory. Even in salvation the God is most concerned with His glory than He is our fire insurance. So I've been repenting for making evangelism more about an eternity free from hell than the glory of an awesome God who loved us enough to save us.

But wait there is more, much more. It has come to my attention that I've been a lousy husband and father. Before God ordained the church He ordained marriage and family. Mary Kathryn and Cooper should be coming before my church but that has not been the case. Once again my good friend Chase gave me a book and to him I say "keep them coming buddy". This book is entitled Family Driven Faith. God has used this book, that I am not even finished with, to rock my world. I have to repent and change everything I have ever thought about discipleship; to get it from the church and back into the home where it belongs.

Now you would think the past few weeks would have been horrible with all this conviction and repenting but nothing could be further from the truth. I feel great; like a 100 pound weight has been removed from my chest. I look at my wife and daughter in a new and wonderful light and our family time has reached a new and much deeper place than ever before. And as a result I actually feel like a more effective pastor. I know that sounds weird but it's true. I pray that my church and my friends and complete strangers would get a hold of the truth I have found and find themselves in a season of repentance.

Like a Pro

2008-05-14T10:18:00.002-04:00

I am concerned about the professionalization of discipleship and Christian growth in our churches today. Many are under the assumption that seminary and other courses are required before one is "qualified" to preach, teach and disciple. This is why many parents are not taking responsibility for teaching their children; they let the Sunday school teacher or youth pastor take care of that. (See the blog below this one for more). Many wrongly assume that higher education is required in order to have a deeper understanding of God; His ways and His will. Let me give you an example.

Yesterday I spoke with a young man that couldn't have been much older than 21. As we spoke he revealed to me his future plans which involved some education. Then he asked me a question. "How much education do you have to have to be a preacher?" When I told him none the look on his face was priceless. Then I gave him a John Piper quote. "We are fools for Christ's sake. But professionals are wise. We are weak. But professionals are strong. Professionals are held in honor. We are in disrepute. We do not try to secure a professional lifestyle, but we are ready to hunger and thirst and be ill-clad and homeless."

What a message for the church today that seeks education for status or for possessions. Believers are called and equipped by God not by education and based upon that divine calling and equipping we are capable of teaching our children and discipling new believers. The key and unfortunately the missing ingredient for most believers in the 66 books that God has given us; The Bible. The reason many are not prepared and empowered is because they are not in The Word of God.

If there is one thing this pastor wants his people to know it is that we have all we need in our Savior. He can give us what we need to be a God-honoring, biblical church.

Family Focus

2008-05-09T20:59:00.004-04:00

Over the past few weeks God has been speaking to me, in volume, about family; specifically the importance of being the spiritual leader to my wife and daughter. After studying the scripture, in preparation for my Mother's-Day sermon, It has become so clear to me that family is much more important than church;something I think the Southern Baptist Convention and the Church at large has lost sight of. The reason for this is due to the fact that when families are strong the church is strong and when families are weak the church is weak. The single greatest contribution that anyone could ever make to their local church and community, for the glory of God, is not to serve on every committee or teach a class but to be godly at home and raise children that are passionate about Christ. Yet in most churches the responsibility of discipleship has been placed on the ministers, the professionals, the leaders. We bring our families to church and we attend different classes and sometimes different worship services then we meet back up and go home. The average parent spends more time taking their kids to baseball games than they do studying the Word of God. My heart is just so heavy for this problem in our churches. I want to empower parents to lead their children.

To validate the things Ive been learning in scripture God provided a new book for me today and I'm already a few chapter into it. I had to tear myself away to come and write this blog. Its entitled Family Driven Faith by Dr. Voddie Baucham. Why is family so important? According to Baucham "my family is the primary place where my walk with Christ takes on flesh. It is my relationship with my wife and children that gives my walk with Christ legitimacy." I love this guy!! His mission is life is to give the privilege and duty of discipling children back into the hands of moms and dads. Ive added a short video of Dr. Baucham. He says it much better then I ever could.

My Sharpest Arrow

2008-05-06T13:27:00.003-04:00

As a minister your goal is to make committed disciples of Christ; to motivate people, from the preaching and teaching of scripture, to be passionate about their Savior. You want your people to sharp and powerful arrows that have a deep impact on the world for Christ. I've been thinking a lot about arrows lately; mostly because of the conversations I have been having with a friend of mine about Psalm 127:3-5 and I have come to some conclusions.

Arrows must be crafted and this process can take quite some time but the end result is well worth it. Sometimes arrows hit or miss therefore it can take a few shots before a desired end is reached. Some people within my ministry are easier arrows to work with than others; some will just be sharper than others and some will have a deeper impact. All this sounds good. It might even make for a good book or chapter in a book but the one thing I keep asking myself is our of all the arrows God allows me to work with which one should be my number one? The answer is found in Psalm 127:3-5. My children should be the sharpest and most powerful arrows that my ministry produces. Up top is a picture of my daughter, Cooper. She will be one year old on Thursday. She is so full of personality and life and energy. Which will grow into gifts and talents that I'm sure her mother and I have never even thought about. But as I look at her all I can think about is her college education, the people she will become friends with, her husband even her children. The reality is that Cooper will have an impact on people; what type of impact will be determined by me.

I do not have all the answers but one thing I do know and I pray this will spur on any parent that may be reading this....I want my daughter to be in love with Christ and passionate about His mission in this world. I want her to be a soul winner comparable to any theologian and preacher I admire. I want little Cooper to grow up and refuse to marry a man who is less committed to Christ than she is. I want my baby girl to grow up to be one sharp arrow that leaves an impact for the Kingdom.

After Taste of Revival

2008-04-23T12:43:00.003-04:00

Well our 3 day mini revival was concluded last night at Bryromville Baptist Church and all I can say is wow. This was brother Myke Harbuck's first revival meeting and you never would have known it. He did a great job! His messages were straight to the point and they hit you right in the face. I would say they were short but brother Myke wasn't telling a lie when he said he was good for at least an hour of preaching. But now that the meetings are over I can't help but wonder how my people are feeling. What taste was left in their mouth after the faithful preaching of God's Word?

I'm praying that what usually happens after a revival meeting will not happen in Byromville. Most of the time we do anything we can to get the taste of revival out of our mouths so we can get back to life as usual. I keep using the word taste because the type of preaching we just heard is bitter-sweet. It's difficult to take and hear at first but it produces good things like repentance and change. True revival is the recognition of God's people that they are far from Him and that they need to return; this means giving up some things and making some changes in life. Most Baptist I know don't like to do those things. But we must change, we must press on towards maturity and excellence otherwise our churches will die.

I think A.W. Tozer said it best. He said that a church is in one of only three places. "They are in rut, rot or revival." I'm tired of the rut religious activity and playing church. I'm certainly sick of the people of God rotting away because they never use any of their spiritual muscles. I'm praying for a God-sent revival in my life and my church. You know not one person made a profession of faith at our meeting. There where not very many who made their way to the altar. But I don't consider what happened to be a failure. Revival happens on God's time; not ours. He will do something in Byromville when the people respond to Him in the proper manner. As long as we are seeking revival we won't find ourselves in on of the other two places; rut or rot.

Robo-Church

2008-04-16T10:39:00.004-04:00

You know we didn't need Tom Rainer to write Simple Church in order to reveal to us that the way we do church is too complicated. All we need to do is read the book of Acts and make a comparison. The church in Acts was simple in its approach. It was birthed and then it began to grow. The early Church was concerned about discipleship and evangelism. They came together to worship, pray and read the word then they went out and shared the Gospel and God added to their number. By every numerical and logistical standard the church in Acts was successful. What went wrong? This is the million dollar question that we find ourselves asking.

I have a theory. I think we have lost sight of the reality that the church is a living breathing organism. It is not something that can be manufactured then reproduced but something that is born from the life change that Jesus Christ brings to a lost world. Today people seem to be building their church; putting it together with programs, doctrines of men, money and the political and personal propaganda of various members. Like the Bionic man or Frankenstein we are trying to force our churches to look the way be want them instead of being obedient and letting them grow naturally into what God wants them to be. We are trying to build a Robo-Church; a super elite creation of man built in his image. No wonder whole communities are lost and headed for hell! No wonder we never experience true revival!

I have personally felt the conviction that I need to boil my life and my ministry down to the essentials; growing closer to Christ (Discipleship) and sharing the Gospel (evangelsim). The more I read, study and preach through the book of Acts the more and more I have a desire to be like the early New Testament church. Im tired of Robo-Church I want a living growing church.

What really matters

2008-04-13T21:04:00.003-04:00

Tonight's service was an interesting one. I finished up a sermon series from Isaiah 6:1-10 tonight on the "Three Realities of Revival". I desperately want to see true biblical revival in my church; not just a pep-rally for Jesus. The theme of tonight's message was evangelism. Isaiah saw the need to go and speak the truth of God. He realized he came from a generation of "unclean lips". I simply shared with my church that if we can not be serious about evangelism then how could we say we are serious about Christ. Then as I was preaching a thought occurred to me.

What's the one thing we won't do at all in Heaven? Some think it's cry but the Bible speaks of God wipping our tears away so there will some crying. The answer is evangelism. If this is the one thing we will not be doing in Heaven then shouldn't it be the one thing that consumes us now. I used the quote from Wesely that is located at the top of this page. I think it says it all. Why are we not sharing our faith all the time?

What are they looking for?

2008-04-09T12:36:00.005-04:00

I heard something very interesting on the radio yesterday. According to some recent research from Lifeway when looking for a church to attend the unchurched gravitate more towards churches with a traditional look. The guy on the radio said the same thing I was thinking; "that seems odd." All of the gurus out there paint a picture of the unchurched as being people seeking after the new or the modern. As a result more and more churches are meeting in places that don't look like churches. More and more gimmicks and or methods are being used to "draw" in the unchurched. Yet Lifeway's research shows they are attracted to the older buildings. The reason given my the radio personality was a connection to the past. Unchurched people like the older, gothic style churches because those buildings make them feel a connection to the past.

This totally reinforced my vision as a pastor. We don't need to reinvent the wheel. We simply need to do the old things with more passion and zeal. We don't need to build the "me church" where everything is about pleasing self and gratifying self. We can build upon the foundation of the past and use that to reach people for Christ.

Through Cooper's Eyes

2008-04-09T11:05:00.002-04:00

My daughter constantly amazes me! She is so full of personality and joy. Even when I have a bad or a long day Cooper just makes me smile. We just put a swing up in our back yard for her. She absolutely loved it. At first she didn't know what to think about it but the more I pushed the more fun she had. The great thing about watching her is that the whole world is new to her. Some of the most average and typical things are new and exiting for Cooper. She just loves life to say the least. Everything is an adventure to her. I wish I was more like her. There are things I dread and don't look forward to. But what is everything was an adventure? What if I viewed life the way Cooper does; as something exciting and new?

I just thank God for my baby girl. Its hard to remember what life was like before she came along.

Church Makeover

2008-04-04T17:07:00.001-04:00

The more I read and preach through the book of Acts the more I am convinced that the church of today needs a face lift. We are so far from the Church we read about in Acts. The average Sunday morning "worship service" is a religious service at best. We sit, we stand, we sit, we pray, we give, we listen, then we leave. Everything has become so ridged and stiff. Its a one hour pep rally at best. I am ready for revival! I'm ready to see the power of God rain down upon His people as opposed to the trickle of spirituality that we get on the average Sunday.

I know there are people out there that feel the same way. As a matter of fact a friend of mine who is also a young pastor feel the same way I do. We don't necessarily want whats new; we want what is biblical. My friend lives in Tampa Florida and he sent me a wonderful video, filmed in Tampa with real people who are in their 20's. I've put a link to this video at the end of this blog. I hope you will watch it and be encouraged. Maybe this is the beginning of a revolution!

#links

Baptist Are Fat

2008-04-03T10:23:00.002-04:00

"Baptist are fat." That was a statement that a minister friend of mine made over a year ago. I wan't quite sure what he meant by that back then but I think Im starting to understand it now. You see today's church is filled with a generation of consumers. They consume most of the time, energy and resources of the church leaving very little for the weaker brethren or the outside world. Basically we take and take and take but we give little. No wonder the average church feels so dried up and empty!

Ive been preaching verse by verse through the book of Acts and the more I read and preach the more I am convinced that today's church is far from the church in Acts. The early church was a generation of givers. They shared everything and held nothing back.

Im tired of being fat. I want to give instead of take. I want to be like the church in Acts.

Atheist Day

2008-04-01T10:44:00.002-04:00

Today is April Fools Day if you are in to that kind of thing. I personally like a bumper sticker I saw one time that said, "April 1st...National Atheist Day." The phrase was followed by Psalm 14:1 which says, "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." I happen to agree with that bumper sticker; only a fool would say there is no God.

You see I know that God exists; I saw proof of that Sunday afternoon. Mary Kathryn and I had finished lunch, put on our comfortable clothes, and had planted ourselves in the living room to watch TV. However, my plans were brought to a halt by a phone call. One of my church members had just died of a sudden heart attack in the middle of his living room with his wife and several daughters present. When I got to the house his body was still lying on the floor. This was only the second time in my life I had been near a body before it was taken to the funeral home.

You would expect mas hysteria, crying and even some shouting but the room had a peace about it. There were a few tears but not as many as you might assume. His wife was calm and very collected and his girls had a peace about them that is hard to put into words. Then the wife spoke to me and said, "That's not him...he is in a much better place." Now many times when you hear that phrase it is a cliche but you could tell this woman meant every word of it. Her husband of many years was gone from this world and was in the presence of God.

My faith was greatly encouraged that day. The power of God had gone before me and made my job much easier. Our Lord had provided that peace which surpasses all understanding. I wish every Atheist I know could have been there with me that day. I think they would have been hard pressed to say there is no God.

God IsFaithful

2008-03-19T15:21:00.003-04:00

My God is so faithful, even when I am not. If you read my blog you read about some of the spiritual warfare in my life; specifically an older congregant that I had managed to offend. Well today Jesus answered the many prayers that have been lifted up this person's behalf.

At 1:00 this afternoon I received a call from this person. They apologized and asked for my forgiveness. I was so shocked. I don't know why I was amazed; after all I preach and teach that God answers prayer. But when they asked for forgiveness my mouth dropped and I couldn't speak for a few seconds. God had gone to battle on my behalf.

I just wanted to share this experience today. I am so blessed and so amazed by my Savior. I can't wait to see what He will continue to do in Byromville.

Cancer and Ribs

2008-03-11T10:03:00.002-04:00

I got an email yesterday form a person that just found out they have cancer. The doctors found something the size of a golf-ball and they discovered that the cancer has spread to the lymph nods. Needless to say this does not sound good. Now you would imagine that this person would be down-and-out or upset. But this was not the case. They found time in their email to tell me about the amazing ribs they ate for lunch in between all their tests.

They were not upset or mad. As a matter of fact their attitude was better than mine yesterday and they just got diagnosed with cancer. This individual is truly trusting God for healing on this side of heaven or the other. They know that worrying will not add one day to their life. I am amazed by their faith and I look forward to what God is going to do through this.

As you read this please pray. This person has a long road ahead of them.

A Great Funeral

2008-03-10T15:49:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I went a funeral. Two of my church members lost a sister this past Thursday night. She was sick with cancer and this death was expected. When I walked in the church, about 20 minutes before the service was to start, there was standing room only. The place was absolutely packed! I couldn't help but marvel at the amazing testimony of this woman and her family has people where packing into a sanctuary that probably sat 300 people comfortably. As amazing as this was the thing that really blessed me was the service. The hymns being played on the piano where great; I found myself humming along and an older gentlemen standing next to me asked me if I sang in the choir. Two younger pastors lead the service; they read scripture, prayed and shared poems and stories on behalf of the family. The uplifting part about the whole thing was that this service felt more like a worship service than it did a funeral. I've never experienced anything like it.

But shouldn't a funeral for a believer be that way? It should be a time of rejoicing and worship of God because a believer has gone home. I praise God for allowing me the opportunity to be at that funeral service. It has been an encouragement to me ever since I left. I pray my funeral can be something like that to people.

More From The Battle Front

2008-03-06T14:47:00.003-05:00

I didn't sleep much last night. I kept thinking about this person that I have offended. I have decided to visit Thursday mornings and Friday afternoon. I went got started this morning and made a few visits before lunch. It was encouraging! I praise God because He used the people Ivisited to be more of an encouragment to this pastor that I was to the people.

Spiritual warfare is difficult to say the least. But as I worked on my message for Sunday a thought accured to me. Jesus never taught us it would be easy only worth it. Running from the battle and refusing to fight would not grow my faith. I must face this thing and let Christ have His perfect work in me.

A Heavy Heart

2008-03-05T22:03:00.004-05:00

I have had the worst night! Tonight at church I was informed that a particular congregant was a little upset that I have not been out to see them this week. When I got home I called that person as quick as I could to see how they were. It turns out they were more than a little upset they were mad. They had a good reason to be upset. I told them last week that I would come by on Monday but I never showed up. The reason for this is my horrible memory. I simply forgot; I didn't write it down on my calendar. I apologized and informed the individual that I had made a huge mistake. All I could do was ask for their forgiveness. They couldn't give it and my heart was crushed.

It's funny how the devil kicks you when your down. I was accused of "being a preacher but not a pastor." I was accused of "catering to the younger crowd but not the older." There where a few other comments then a "click" as the phone hung up. Only three months in and this is what I get.

Now for clarity I am not upset with this person at all. I feel horrible; like I have failed them as a pastor. I could blame it on inexperience or the flaw of forgetfulness or on the reality that many people need my attention. But none of those things make me feel any better about the whole thing. I just feel like a failure and if you know me at all you know that I have the tendency to blow things out of proportion and make things worse than they are. To be honest I probably wont sleep much tonight.

In the middle of this whole ordeal I find myself asking one question. What are the things that really matter? How am I; a pastor; supposed to break up my time to do the best I can for this church? If all I do is visit then the sermons are going to be lacking. But if I never visit or forget to visit then I become an offense to those I'm here to serve. Oh God where is the balance? I struggle to know what to do. Pray for me. My heart is heavy. The spiritual battle isn't going well today!

Spiritual Warfare

2008-03-05T14:08:00.003-05:00

Since last Friday the reality of spiritual warfare has become more and more obvious to me. When I walked into the Rylander Theater there was no doubt that Satan was there. When I saw a good friend, who was heading up the rally, I knew war was being waged. After I spent some time with the band I realized they had a completely different views than those of the evangelist who would be speaking. It was a most difficult day to say the least. After our evangelist was done there was silence. People where in shock and awe...they had never heard preaching like that before.

After the bombs were dropped and the smoke cleared my friend realized this was only the beginning. As the leader of the event he has gotten calls, and emails and face-to-face encounters where people took the opportunity to bash the event, especially the preacher.

Without going into every detail I only wish to make a proclamation: We are in the last days. People want to have their ears tickled by sermons instead of being brought to conviction. People don't want the worldliness of their life and their church to be exposed publicly. It can be very discouraging. My friend is feeling the weight of it all at this very moment.

My prayer is that I would be counted as a worthy soldier for the Cross. I want to be a soldier who participates in warfare as opposed to the typical Southern Baptist who refuses to acknowledge that it even exist.

Absence of Fear

2008-03-02T22:40:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I think we are a little too bold. Let me explain. One of the many flaws within the body of Christ is the overemphasis of the things about God we like; the things we can deal with. We love to give all of our attention to the reality that "God is love" but we never seem to focus on the truth that He hates sin and that His wrath will be poured out on those who die apart from Christ. Preachers love to say things like, "God is passionate about you" or "God is madly in love with you and He deeply cares about your happiness". Its like John Piper says, "we are fine with being God-centered as long and God is man-centered."

However, when I read scripture I don't see a God that is ultimately obsessed with man but a God that is passionate about himself...and He should be. There is no greater thing or being than God. No way higher than His way or power than matches His own. He is Holy and absolutely perfect. These are truths that should drive us to our knees as opposed to coming to God with pride and arrogance; like He owes us something. We need to be a people of fear (reverence, wonder and awe) for the God we claim to know.

The Church seems to have an absence of fear and this is the cause of much of the turmoil and strife with in the body today. We are stirred up by vanity and we try to sustain our spiritual growth and life with worldliness. This was not the case for the church of Acts. In chapter 2 verse 43 we see a people of Godly fear. Throughout the entire book we see a people who where motivated and sustained by their fear of God; not worldly methods and vain things.

I'm not sure exactly what I'm trying to get across here. I am just so heavy-hearted for the Church. Many try to run away and start new churches to escape the baggage of one that has been around for a while. I don't want to be that guy. I think the modern-day, local churches just need to be awakened from their deep sleep. They need to compare themselves to church history, especially the book of Acts and realize how desperate we are to get back to our roots. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom is what we learn in Proverbs 1:7 but all I see are a bunch of dumb churches. We have a fear problem!!!!!

Burning the Chaff

2008-02-29T23:28:00.003-05:00

I just got home from the Oasis youth rally in Americus. This was my last fling with my good friends in the Friendship Association. Although I knew the guy that was coming to preach was honest and straight to the point, I did not assume that there would be so much conviction in my own life. After all; this was for the youth.

Ive come to realization that I'm more worldly and water-downed than I give myself credit for. That's a hard thing to say about myself. It's an easy statement to make about others from a pulpit but to make that accusation against my own person stings a little. My heart is just so heavy, to say the least. I find it most difficult to lay down and sleep although my body demands it my soul compells me to think and reflect. Why is the modern church so worthless? Why are we so afraid? There are people who die for their faith but we can't freely give of our time. There where preachers who preached for hours in extreame conditions until blood came from their mouths, but we preach for 25 or 30 minutes and speak softly for fear we will offend.

Where are the Spurgeons, Weselys and Whitfields? Where is the Church of Jesus Christ? Its kind of hard to see because of the circus that many of our churches have become.

Refreshing

2008-02-28T11:26:00.002-05:00

I got a text message this past Sunday night from a church member. This text was an apology on behalf of a spouse who fell asleep during the service. In this person's defense they work odd hours and they had gotten a few hours of sleep but they came to church anyway. I was not offended, as a matter of fact I got a little board that night (my sermon was putting me to sleep). Text back and said that I didn't even notice.

Well the next night at church both people in the couple came and apologized to me again. It was just refreshing to see people who were serious about things. You know I never apologized once for falling asleep during a message. Maybe I need to make a few calls today.

Time

2008-02-28T09:58:00.002-05:00

The longer I am the pastor the more and more I realize how precious my time is. Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to some important things. Sometimes certain things just have to be put to the side....like this blog...I have not written any thoughts since the 14th.

As I have been contemplating this issue of time management I have had to come to one conclusion. In short I waste a lot of time. The challenge for myself is to only do those things which really matter; spend time with my amazing daughter and wife, study and preach the Word, minister to the flock God has given me, and sleep. Because the reality is that how I use my time is a reflection of my worship.

God At Work

2008-02-14T10:40:00.002-05:00

One of the greatest and most encouraging things a pastor can hear is that God is bringing conviction and challenge in the life of his people. I have been blessed this week to hear that He is doing exactly that in several people at my church. For the average person in church the word "conviction" is a dirty word that you are not supposed to speak of but nothing could be further from the truth. Conviction is a good thing in the life of a believer. It means that God is at work in their life; stripping away the old and replacing with the new. I praise God for the conversations I have had this week and I pray that I hear more of them in the future.

Why Do I Love Christ?

2008-02-13T11:32:00.002-05:00

I had a great breakfast meeting yesterday with a good friend of mine who is in ministry. We talked about many things but only one thing really stands out to me. We began to discuss the average Christian, as we see in our churches and my friend made a profound statement. He said, "Many people love Christ for the wrong reason. As a matter of fact we the church often teaches the people to love Jesus for the wrong reason." He went on to explain by asking me a question. "What if Christ neve would have endured the Cross and died for our sins, would that change the nature of who He is?" The answer to my friends question was no it would not change.

The point here is that we should not love Christ simply for the things He has done for us but we should love Him because of who He is. This was something I had never contemplated before but it makes sense. If I only loved Mary Kathryn for the things she did for me then my love for her would change on the days she doesn't really do anything. A sad truth, I believe, is that many Christians treat Christ the same way. Our love is contingent on what He does in our lives when it should be based on who Christ is.

Feeling The Love

2008-02-13T10:52:00.002-05:00

Yesterday a nice lady from my church said that she need to see me so right after I picked Cooper up from daycare I swung by her house for a quick visit. When I set foot in her house she handed me a big white bag and inside was a blanket that she had made herself. It was even UGA color; red and black. It really brightened up my day. I am truely feeling the love here in Byromville. The cards, calls and comments that my famlily and I hear keep us encouraged and motivated. I just cant say enough how excited we are to be in Byromville.

Eating Scraps

2008-02-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

One highway 90, just before you get into Byromville, there is a little black and white dog that is always out near the road. He doesn't appear to have a home, yet he never wonders away from this particualr 5 mile stretch of road. Ive noticed him many times and have not really thought about him until today as a question occurs to me. How is this little dog surviving out here in the middle of nowhere? The answer came to me as I continued to ride down 90 on my way back into Byromville. You see this dog is living off the trash that people are throwing out the window. I know this is true because most of the time when I see this little dog he has his nose in something right next to the road. His survival is based on the scraps of this world. I imagine this little guys would be much better off at a home where people love him and feed him on a regular basis as opposed to a few McDonalds french fries.

You know a lot of Christians are like this little dog; there are barely getting by. They are just eating the scraps of this world when God is inviting them to come and eat as His table. Im tired of scraps; I am ready to feast. How about you?

Exciting Times

2008-02-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

You can tell when there is true excitment in your church. The atmosphere is just different. The expressions on the faces are different. When excitment is in the air, for lack of a better term, church is just better.

This is certainly the case for yesterday's services. The Spirit was thick and the attitude of the whole church was wonderful. I felt a freedom in the pulpit that I had not experienced before. People lingered and talked to each other after both services as opposed to the usual Sunday in a Baptist church when everyone runs to their car as fast as their legs will carry them. The whole day brought much joy to my heart.

Maybe God is begining to answer the prayers of His people for unity. Maybe we are experiencing the beginning stages of a wonderful work of God in our church. Whatever is going on I certainly pray and hope that it continues.

Joy of Children

2008-02-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

The more I get to know my daughter the more I realize what a blessing she is. This week has been a little stressful and somewhat disheartening. However, when I got home yesterday Cooper had these bunny ears on and I just couldn't help but laugh. She is so funny. I hope I never take her forgranted but I hope that I always remember that she is a gift from God that I get to take care of. I hope this picture will brighten your day as you look at it.

Labels

2008-02-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

Its amazing to me to see how postmodern people are and they don't even now it. Someone emailed me a journal entry or blog of a college student who says he "believes in Christ but he doesn't label himself as a Christian." His reason for this, according to the blog, is that "there is so much negativity around the word Chrisitan or Baptist or Methodist. I am simply a follower of Christ."

Let me just take this moment and tye out what I would say to this young man or anyone else who holds this type of view.

You better be concerned about labels because Christ is. He is concernced with whether or not you are a "sheep" or a "goat", "sinner" or "saint", "holy" or "unholy". Now I understand that Chrisitans and those of various denominations have a certain stigma attached to them but to reject labels is impossible for certain labels are a matter of life or death. This attempt to escape from labels is nothing more than postmodern thinking and an attempt to make his faith sound and appear more culturally relavant. The whole thing just makes my head hurt. Does anyone have any tylenol?

At War or Warrior

2008-02-07T13:15:00.000-05:00

In the few months I have been pastor at Byromville I have taken the opportunity to do a little teaching on prayer during prayer meeting. It is nothing facy; just the reading of a few verses on the topic of prayer and a short dicussion. However, these few passages of scripture have brought much conviction in my life. I have realized....Im not a prayer warrior!

Most ministers I know have a handful of guys they can call for prayer; I know I certainly do. There are 2 or 3 men that I call for advice and prayer about everything. But as I began to examine my life I realized that no one really calls me for prayer. This leaves me to ask myself the difficult and probing questions. Am I not a prayer warrior? If I had shown myself to be one then wouldn't these same guys I call, call me as well?

Needless to say I feel horrible. How can the pastor not be a prayer warrior? The difficult thing about conviction is the bad taste it can leave in your mouth. But Im not going to wallow in self pity, on the contrary I am declaring war on this enemy and my God will give me the victory. Pray for me as I learn to pray.

Planks and Specks

2008-02-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

Its weird how a certain day or week can have a theme to it. For example a few weeks ago I was bombarded by people going through difficult times. People where coming to me with the difficulty they were facing for prayer and encouragement. It just seemed like everyone was anxious about things and lacked contentment. For the past few days the theme has been complaining about others or pointing out fault in others. It appears that some Christians have a hard time dealing with each other, go figure.

As I replayed, in my mind (that's what pastors do; we replay over and over the difficult things we face in ministry) the conversations I had in people's homes and over the phone I realized something. Most of us are flamming hypocrites! Many of the people I talked to were mad or upset because others where judging them and treating them unfairly. They had no trouble pointing out the flaws in other; seeing the speck in their eyes, thats how Jesus put it. Yet none of the people I spoke with could see the plank in their own eye. Most of these kind people were doing the same thing to others that they where accussing others of doing to them; they where passing judgement and as a result they where harboring agression and bitterness.

I wonder why it is that we can see the wrong of others but we can't see the wrong in ourselves. Why can't we see the forest for the trees? As much as I dislike visits and talks filled wiht negativity, I did learn something valuable. If I spent half as much time looking at and examining myself as I do examining others, I would be a much better man of God.

Hypocritical Intolerance

2008-02-04T13:41:00.000-05:00

I had a conversation with a lady who claims to be agnostic (she believes in a higher power but not a God that you can know). As begain to share the Gospel she stopped me in my tracks and said, "you are so intolerant sir" and she stormed off. Now I must admitt that I got a little upset and fleshly at this point. I hate when people hide behind tolerance and they refuse to discuss the issues. So I chased the lady down and asked her if I could ask her one question. She reluctantly stopped. The conversation when as follows.

"What makes me intolerant?"
"You Chrisitans are always condeming other view points"
"Why does that bother you?"
"We can all be right without having to say the other side is wrong."
"Do you know how ludicrous that sounds?"
"Can my shoe laces be banna peels at the same time?"
"Thats different."
"Do you think I am wrong?"
"Of course I do!"
"You are being very intolerant of me aren't you?"

The conversation went on for a little while longer and the lady refused to give in to reality. There was no reasoning with her. She is a flamming hypocrite and doesn't even realize it. She labels me intolerant because I think Christianity is correct and all other religions are false. Yet she tells me I am wrong. What is so funny about the postermodern thinker is that they are very intolerant of the people they label intolerant. I hope that as you may be reading this you find that fact helpful. It will help to level the playing field as you encounter these people and attempt to share Christ.

No Wonder Jesus Prayed

2008-02-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

I recently spent some with a group of guys that, for lack of a better term, are not very holy. They claim to be Christians, and they attend church a few times a year, but man are they lost or at least very backslidden. Some of the language and jokes made this preacher very uncomfortable at times, even a little red in the face. But Jesus spent time with lost people on a regular basis. Often in Scripture He would rub elbows with the lowest people in society; loving them unconditonally and teaching them about the Kingdom which is what I wish to do as well. But I can't help but wonder...How did He handle the blasphemy and corse joking?

The longer I am a pastor the more and more I realize the deep need in my life for prayer. No wonder Jesus prayed all the time; He had so much to deal with during His ministry here on earth. Prayer and intimacy with the Father is the only thing that got Him through. Charles Spurgeon said, "I think we should make it a rule, whenever we hear a foul or blasphemous word in the street, always pray for the person who utters it. Perhaps the devil might find it expedient not to stir up people to swear, if he knew that it excited Christians to pray." What a great statement! I will be praying more for the lost people I spend time with as I am with them and I look forward to seeing what will happen.

Missing Persons

2008-01-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

Do you ever stop and think about what would happen if people didn't step up and fill positions and ministries in our churches? There are missing people in the church today and those people are leaders. I can't help but wonder where are the people who are serious about Christ; serious enough to step up and teach, pray, and evangelize.

I believe leadership was very important to the apostles and the early church. I base this statement what I find in Acts 1:21-26. They wasted no time in finding a replacement for the fallen Judas. The truly convicting part of this passage is that Peter and the other Apostles didn't have to look high and low like pastors do today. They found two men very quickly who were qualified and willing. Just typing that statement leads me to another thought. Maybe the reason it is getting harder to find leaders is due to the reality that those who are qualified and willing are few and far in between.

I pray God will raise up leaders. We desperately need men and women who can lead, otherwise the church as we know it will die.

The Missing Ingredient

2008-01-09T10:18:00.000-05:00

"Christians" continually amaze me. I had a conversation with a person not too many days ago about a holiness issue. This person claims to be a new convert. The issue being discussed was a matter of clothing; their clothing was inappropriate not only for church but for everyday Christian life. After confronting this individual they made it known to me that they would continue to dress this way.

You see most of us treat the Christian life like some sort of recipe; a pinch of morning devotions, a dash of prayer meeting and a tablespoon of Sunday School and we think every thing is covered. But oh how we overlook what is in the scriptures. In 1 Peter 1:16 the Word of God makes is abundantly clear that we are to be holy; "be ye holy for I am holy". This means separate or set apart. Yet many believers look and act just like the world. We pick and choose what we shall be devoted to in our walk with Christ; choosing those things which are easy or cost us very little and holding on to the desires of our flesh. I am in no position to get on my "high horse" on the issue for there are areas of my life that need improvement. However, I am purposing in my heart to be holy. I want to look like Jesus, not like the world.

Jumping High

2008-01-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell speaks on something he calls "the law of the lid". In the simplest of terms Maxwell compares a person's leadership ability to a flea that has been put in to a jar. Before you give up on reading this blog let me explain. When you put a flea in a jar and put the lid on it that flea will jump and jump; continuously hitting the lid above it. However, after a period of time you can take the lid of the jar and the flea will only jump as high as the place where the lid once was. You see there was limit placed on the flea that did not allow it to get any higher.

The application of this chapter, for the leader, is to set the bar or the lid very high so that those under his leadership can go higher. As a new pastor, filled with excitement, joy and uncertainty I want to set the set the lid high for those in my flock. I want my congregation to know and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes when we reach places that are higher than we ever imagined.

Old Like New

2008-01-02T12:57:00.000-05:00

It is a new year and people all over the place are making resolutions that they probably will not keep. God has recently challenged me as a pastor to not look for something brand new to do or accomplish this year. The challenge from my Heavenly Father is to do the old like new.

You see many churches are looking for the new and exciting this year. However, what we fail to see sometimes is the lack of excitement and life in our churches and ministries is due the fact that we fail to accomplish God's calling on our lives with excellence. We don't do evangelism, missions, fellowship, worship and prayer like we are overly concerned on the contrary we do most of those things in a half-hearted manner.

Therefore, the burden of my heart for my personal life and my ministry is to do things with excellence. A popular proverb says, "there is no need to reinvent the wheel" and I agree. I just think if the church did the old things like new we would be much better off.

Not My Baby

2007-12-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

Cooper is about to be 8 months old and she has never been sick until today. Mary Kathryn is taking her to the doctor as I write this blog. I don't believe that you can really know a greater love than the love you have for your own child. The love I have for Cooper is deeper than anything I have ever felt. Just looking at her moves me at my core and it breaks my heart to see my baby girl this way; unable to breath and coughing. If I could take it away I would because I want her to be happy and healthy.

I share this because I am coming off a sermon series called "The Christmas Gift" and I have been engulfed in study and meditation of God's only Son; The Lord Jesus. Naturally I preached from Isaiah 53 one Sunday night for in this passage is a wonderful picture of what Christ went through on our behalf. However, in the middle of this passage is a verse that goes far beyond my comprehension. In verse 10 the Bible tells us that it pleased God to crush Jesus. Pastor or not this verse vexes me. How could it please a father to crush his child? It hurts me to see my little girl get shots, which are for her own good. If I, being her father, hate to see her get hurt for her own good then how much more would it hurt me to see her get hurt for the good of others? Yet that is exactly what God did. He crushed His Son for the good of a lost world.

Therefore, I can't help but praise the name of an Almighty God who loved me that much. For if anyone's well-being depended on me harming my baby girl then

Christmas Leftovers

2007-12-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

Like most people at this time of year I have enough food leftover from Christmas to feed an army. We have turkey, ham, dressing, peas, pies, cakes, casseroles, and just in case you want fries with that I have a bag in the freezer. We will all be eating leftovers for a while.

But these are not the Christmas leftovers that I am thinking about today. In addition to all the food that comes along with the Christmas season there also seems to be an attitude that just comes out of us all. We are more generous, kind, giving and gracious. We still have road rage though; lets face it if you can go to Wal-Mart during the Christmas rush and not get upset then you are more than human. But for the most part we are in the "Christmas spirit". My question is why does this attitude only seem to come once a year? Should the Christian not always be generous and giving; year round not simply at Christmas? If Christ is Christmas and He lives within you then the answer to the question is yes. We should be generous, kind, giving, and gracious year round not simply during a particular time of year.

Therefore, my friends I think we should have enough of the Christmas attitude leftover to carry us on in to the New Year. Can you imagine what our communities would be like if Christians treated every day like it was Christmas?

R.I.P. Revisited

2007-12-19T13:26:00.000-05:00

Someone left me a comment on the Too Little Too Late post from a few days ago. They said it is not wrong to want someone to rest in peace. I would agree with that statement; it is not wrong to want peace for anyone. However, my question is what good are our wants when a person is gone? Again I am not trying to sound mean or unsympathetic to any family that lost a loved one but if you really wanted a person to rest is peace then you should have talked with them about Jesus before they died. Furthermore, if the person knew Christ then we shouldn't say "rest is peace" for the person in Christ is in peace; absolute peace that we can't even comprehend on this side of heaven.

Too Little, Too Late

2007-12-13T17:13:00.000-05:00

Recently a young man from my home town passed away. Needless to say the passing of a 19 year old rocked the small community at its core. However, in the middle of all of this one thing sticks out in my mind and I just can't let it go. On people's e-mails, myspace pages and even window decals people have things like "Rest in Peace". I am not trying to sound insensitive but saying rest in peace now is a little too late if you ask me.

This leads me to a deeper thought. If we really cared if people rested in peace when they die then shouldn't we talk to them about it while they are still alive? I think the answer to that question is yes.

Grace, Grace, God's Grace

2007-12-11T09:23:00.000-05:00

I had a professor tell me one time that if you build your ministry on food and fun you will loose it to food and fun. As a new youth pastor I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, but I certainly do now. The kids that came to my bible studies for the pizza and games left about as quickly as they came. Why you ask. The answer is because they could find more pizza and games out in the world than I could ever offer them at church. I believe this same principle applies to adults as well. There are some who come to church as long as the church has something tangible to offer them but as soon as they can get that same need met out in the world they are gone.

The million dollar question becomes; what can the church offer a person that they can not get in the world? The answer to that question is grace. Jesus Christ died for the ungodly, vile and wretched people of this world so that they could be saved from their sins. Jesus is truely the embodiment of grace for He shows unmerrited favor to people who truely don't deserve it. The Church is the only place to find that. There is no grace in politics or education. There is no grace in the other religions for those systems are based on works and legalism. This explains why many of the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses are so unhappy. They are trying to earn their way into heaven.

I pray that I always preach grace, not as license for immoral behavior, but as the only hope a person has for forgiveness and eternal life. I also want to show grace, the same grace that God showed to this poor sinner. Only then will my ministry and my church be blessed for we will be offering the only thing that people can't get out in the world.