Winning Truth w/Tim Guthrie

I'm Back!

2011-12-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

I realized today that it has been way too long since I last posted. The year 2011 got really busy and hectic with church, ministry, and family. My mother passed away early December 4TH and then came Christmas. The year flew and I think I even lost a few days in there somewhere!

So what's next now that I am back?

2012 will begin with a series of posts relating to churches and the greatest need of our day. I have spent some time this year researching and observing how we do what we do and whether or not it is effective in accomplishing the ministry. My posts will touch on some things Baptist and some things generic.

Following that series, I plan to directly tie my future posts with what I will be preaching weekly. The plan is to resume pod-casting sermons in 2012 and I feel impressed with the need to develop a more thorough application of the material delivered on Sundays. There is a reason for this and the first post will explain in more detail the journey I am on.

I have realized more than ever that our greatest need is to impact lives on a daily basis. Much of American Christianity is tied to the "show" on Sunday. Here in Knoxville we are making it a point to drive the emphasis from Sunday into our homes and lives daily. No "show" here - just good ol' fashioned ministry and people building.

I had a first hand encounter with someone recently that nailed all of this down for me. The life that I had known years back had traveled a different road that me. Yet ironically the two journeys began in the same church with the same dreams and goals. The different paths of two lives has revealed to me much. The glorious work of God in both is even more amazing! This encounter taught me much! It still is!

I hope you will stick around for 2012. It is going to be an awesome year!

Until then - Happy New Year 2012!

How times have changed Part 2

2011-11-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Just in case you think that things in America are not as bad as some are saying, the following article sheds a little more light on the subject. It is ironic today that everything Christians stand for and everything patriotic Americans stand far, when deemed in conflict with a foreign group, is allowed to be disallowed!

An article you can read hear spotlights this incredible movement in America. At first glance many could reason with premise that if wearing a flag causes disruptive behavior then...! However, think about it for just a moment. If being an American and celebrating being an American is disruptive, one might ask to whom? The answer - those not Americans.

The irony of using the freedom in America that was paid for by thousands of American men and women losing their lives, to prevent the celebration of America over another country and way of life is to much to pass on. Granted the Judge in this case is clearly NOT America oriented in his thinking. But more scary is the fact that this judge is NOT alone.

Here is a thought - try going to Mexico and celebrating the 4TH of July openly. Try going to Cuba and doing the same. No way! This would not be allowed.

But here in America, fear is now the tool being used to trample our freedoms and transform this country into something it has not been.

Do we really realize how much times have changed? What if my preaching on Sundays offends. Will they come after us next? Mark my words, those days are here.

How indeed have times changed!

How times have changed

2011-11-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article this evening about a Florida Pastor who has been praying at school flag poles for some time. Now he is being told that it is illegal to do so. He has committed to continue his prayer time, normally surrounded by parents and grandparents, this coming Monday as normal. It all got me thinking.

In 1991, See You at The Pole was just getting off the ground as a student prayer meeting. The movement was student led and grew quickly. I was serving as a Youth Pastor in Louisiana and facilitated our students with accomplishing the Flag Pole prayer meeting. It was huge. And it continued to grow. After the first year of seeing what God was doing I realized that more could be done. I got with a fellow Youth Pastor from a neighboring town that was as crazy as I was and we started praying. We asked God specifically to give us a plan for what we felt was swelling up inside of us. Did we ever get an answer.

The next year we launched a See You at The Pole Rally. Remember, we were crazy! We sought to fill up an entire Worship Center with teenagers and share the Gospel with them. We encouraged students to get anyone they could to attend that night. It was gonna be wild. More crazy was the fact that neither of us budgeted the event (God placed it on our hearts after budget time) and out of the box thinking was going to be needed.

The plan formalized and with both us of us using our churches equipment and people the first rally day arrived. The morning Flag Pole was huge. But would they come that night? Our church was hosting it. Our adults had to move out of the Worship Center for their Wednesday night time. Talk about raised eyebrows. But they did. Many of our adults agreed to work security and do other things. They were still questioning just how many we would have and what in the world this event would be like. I was doing the same thing!

Thirty minutes until start time and only 25 teenagers were on our property. I was one nervous dude. Fifteen minutes before start time and still only 25. Then with five minutes to go - the swell hit. That night over 450 teenagers filled our Worship Center. It was beyond belief. Over 20 teenagers accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. 5 others surrendered to ministry. God had done a work beyond what we imagined. Our youth group took off and from that point on we never baptized less than 30 teenagers a year.

We continued the event and each year God worked in incredible ways. And yet today I realized just how much times have changed. Yes their were challenges back then. Legally I had an attorney and other people making sure we did not cross any lines. The schools themselves were supportive and many teachers joined in praying outside of the circle that the students would make. Parents and grandparents joined. No one from the school board nor the schools legal office tried to intervene.

Not today! Funny how people demand their freedom while limiting others. Funny how other religious groups resist legal pressure while enforcing the same on Christians. Ironic that the Occupy movement can violate laws and actually get public funds applied to clean up their mess and more. And yet today, a Pastor is told is it illegal to pray at a Flag Pole?

I'm still thinking...!

Remember Nehemiah?

2011-10-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Living in these prophetic times we often fail the remember the vast truth found in Gods Word. Truth given specifically to encourage and focus us as we seek to live in obedience to God as individuals and His church. In our failing to remember we fall subject to the traps of Satan. Ironically, Satan continues to do the same old things even today.

With the wall near completion and God clearly working a miracle, a few decided to see if they could distract the workers and stop the project. Fear, lies, and threats were used. Nehemiah had warned the people of such and yet when the attacks came some of the people still listened. The warning was heard but soon forgotten just as we find occurring today in so many places of worship.

Why?

Satan loves to play with our emotions. The simple deception of Satan is powerful in the moment. It shakes us. Fear and despair set in quickly. We should remember but often don't. We should know but usually we forget.

A lady shared with me a story this past week that spoke so clearly to this truth. As banks were beginning to roll out their new fees she and her husband were beginning to panic about money. There accounts would be hit with monthly fees and of course the debit card fee. It was not major but the news triggered emotions from out of the nowhere. They had just made a decision to support their church in a huge endeavor and then WHAM - Satan went to work. Doubts began to build and fear was running wild. Negativity set in along with doom and gloom. A simple bank action had sparked forgetting God and losing sight of His vision.

But her story reminds me of Nehemiah. Her husband, of a different faith practice even, held firm and trusted. In the process of re-arranging their bank accounts to avoid the fees they discovered a refinance was available to them. One that they had not even desired nor thought they could get. Suddenly their fear was gone! Out of nowhere God had used the banks to not only get their attention but also to furnish more than required for them to meet their commitment to what God was doing. Tears filled the eyes of this lady as she recalled what God had done with her doubt and fears.

Nehemiah reminded His people when Satan attacked to hold firm. He reiterated to them that God would provide just as He had already done. The people had gotten to the point of even saying they were willing to go back to Egypt and leave the will of God. Nehemiah said NO and God sparked the people to finish the wall in an even more remarkable and smart fashion.

Nehemiah was just a cup bearer. He remembered. The ladies husband remembered. God full-filled His plan in both situations just as He will do for you!

We would do well to remember Nehemiah and not get distracted from the plans that God has for us!

Until next time...Don't Get Distracted!

Above all else...

2011-09-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

A series of events, meetings, phone calls, and other communications have got me to thinking about our positioning of Christ in our lives. For those who claim to know Him personally we immediately declare that He is #1! We shout it, like it on Facebook, and do all types of simple things to reiterate that point. Is it really that easy? To actually live with Christ in the position of Lord over all our lives is a deeper understanding and activity. And thus this post!

The phrase "Above all..." has really jumped out at me as I have preached through the book of Ephesians. In fact it is mentioned five times in this one book. Five times in six chapters. That means something! When we say Jesus is above all, a little inspection is then expected to see if our words are backed by our actions. This reality should humble us. What would our lives be like if Jesus was above all else?

From money to things we search for a source of peace, joy and purpose. Lives are in turmoil in this pursuit while the obvious goes ignored. Our mouths know the language but the implementation of our words highlight the void of our actions. Placing Jesus as number #1 is so much more than words we say and songs we sing. So much more that the Apostle Paul told the Romans that our reasonable service to the one who died for us was to daily present ourselves as living sacrifices - holy and acceptable to God. Notice he did NOT say acceptable to men.

Our church is going to focus on this great need during the month of October. But why wait? Why not today do that which we say daily - live surrendered and sacrificed to the one who died for us. Place Jesus above all else in our lives.

Where do we begin?

Start with these five areas. Daily living in the reality of Jesus being above all else:
1. In Stewardship - tithing and sacrificial giving like Jesus lived
2. In Spiritual Growth - knowing we have never grown enough
3. In Service to others - looking to serve not waiting to be served
4. In Love for One Another - knowing God is love
5. In Sharing Jesus - the only reason we are here on this earth

Let's put Jesus far Above All Else!

America, Religion, and Christianity

2011-09-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

In every corner and facet of American life the battle is being waged for the freedom of Christians to live in, teach, celebrate, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The following article should not be a surprise to us. That people would want to keep the Word of God out of the schools, even as a historical piece of literature, highlights the animosity found in the American culture of today.

With the power and might our nation once possessed the thought of it's erosion was not even on the radar of many alive today. Christian influence was a given for many. We were free and we attended church etc., we prayed in public, and we even were not afraid to speak publicly about our faith. We missed something so clear and so huge that today it seems almost like the days of just 20 or so years back were hundreds of years ago.

American Christianity bought into the influence of Government and Politics more so than we did the living out of our faith in Christ and His transformation of our lives. Our energies were focused on things other than real discipleship and true one on one evangelism. We found comfort in arguing why our enlightened minds were accurate in our interpretation of Gods Word and our styles and forms of worship were more Biblical. In fact, we built clubs more so than we built churches.

Articles like the one that follows magnify this reality. We can no longer argue over statistics. The facts are screaming at us. And yet I am not sure that many of us are listening. It is still easier for us to argue our preferred points than it is to live out the Gospel and join God is His transforming plan. Weekly we live without even grasping that the majority of those alive in America have never seen a MIGHTY MOVE of GOD. We haven't even cried out for it.

I encourage you to read the article. This story is just one of many being lived out by Americans today. As you read ask yourself as I asked myself: "When will we realize that America has changed and it is we Christians who failed. Our enemy is NOT all powerful. We simply forgot the power of living a transformed life sold out to Jesus! We lost sight of the mission - reaching people!

It is NOT too late! Jesus is still on His throne and He is still changing lives!

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/15/taking-liberties-bible-school-or-history-class/

Love sweet love...

2011-09-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

Very soon I will be preaching through a series that will deal with how we as Christians act in our daily lives and how the world sees our actions. We will look at things that we do daily that are not very Christian at all. We look honestly at our lives compared to how we should be living. It could be a long series.

In preparation for this series one thought has been nagging me more and more. It is a thought that forces reflection on a key component in our understanding of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Do we love people enough to share Jesus?

We love much. We love our thoughts. We love our hobbies. We know we love football and our favorite team. We love our ideas and we love our perspectives. But do we love people enough to share Jesus in the manner that Jesus loves us and died for us?

The answer is easy - NO.

Reversing the behavior is more complicated.

What will it take for us to truly love people enough to share Jesus? What will have to happen in our lives that will propel us to reverse a growing 20 year trend among Christians? Are we even willing to ask God about it and then listen to what He says?

Isn't there a song that says something like..."what the world neeeds now is love sweet love!"

And doesn't the Bible say "...love one another...".

Just thinking about our mission today!

Hearing Issues?

2011-09-08T06:46:00.000-07:00

The following is taken from a post by Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. The original post was written to Pastors helping in their understanding how people respond to our preaching based on their perception of us. I have expanded this great principle to include Bible Study/Small group leaders and their attendees. It is a great read into one of the largest roadblocks preventing us hearing from God.

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There’s a secret to listening to sermons/lessons that dramatically affects what you and I will get from them. I call it the perception principle. I’ve preached about this before and share it with our staff regularly, but I’ve never blogged about it. I want to give it to you because I believe it will revolutionize the way you listen to sermons and exponentially increase their impact on you.

The perception principle goes like this:

I can only receive someone on the level that I perceive them.

This is true for God, and for every human relationship you have. The way you choose to see someone determines how you will treat them and how you will receive whatever they have to give you.
Negatively, this means that if you perceive your wife to be a nag, that’s the way she’s always going to sound to you. Even when she really isn’t being one. If you perceive your husband to be a loser, that’s how you’re going to receive him. No matter what he does.

Positively, it means that if you perceive someone to be wise, what they say will sound wise. And you’ll give it more weight. If you perceive someone to be ‘cool,’ everything they do will look cool. Here’s how this matters when you’re listening to a sermon/lesson. How you perceive the person preaching/teaching will determine what you’re able to receive from them. And ultimately from God.

If all you see is a person with good ideas and not a person with a message from God, that’s all you’ll ever get. If you go into a sermon/lesson with an attitude of bless me if you can, you’re probably not going to be blessed. If you go in skeptical of every word, you’re probably going to find fault. And only find fault.

On the other hand, if you perceive your pastor/teacher to have a message for you from God, you’re probably going to be a lot more attentive and engaged. If you go into a sermon/lesson expecting to hear a word from God, you’re probably going to get one.

I’m convinced that what someone ‘gets’ from a sermon/lesson has nothing to do with the skill level of the person preaching/teaching. It’s how they perceive the person delivering the message. It’s how they decide to engage. When people tell me, ‘that’s the best I’ve ever heard you preach,’ I always want to respond: No, it’s the best you’ve ever listened.

It doesn't matter who your pastor/teacher is or who is preaching/teaching to you. Whether their podcast is downloaded by millions or their messages are heard by five people, the principle is the same. Perceive them to have a message from God for you, and that’s what you’ll get. Show up ready to hear from God, and don’t be surprised when you do."

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We live in a personality driven society. This approach to spiritual things just may be one of our greatest roadblocks in hearing from God daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. I wonder how much we have missed because of this ignored sinful behavior?

If only we would show up hungry to hear from God regardless of all else!

The traps of Perspectives

2011-08-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Perspectives are everywhere. We all have our own and we even catch a few from others as we go through life. We tend to give the whole perspective thing more credibility than the truth more often than not. I wonder why this is? Do we do this in our study of God's Word? What about in our application of the Word of God?

At the heart of this issue is the little "what we know" compared to the BIG "what we think we know but actually don't"! I am always amazed at what I learn from studying God's Word daily. Teaching or preaching through a book for the second or third time always bring new found truth that was not gleaned before. How little is our understanding and great is what we need to grasp. The same is true in all of life. Our perspectives can give us insight while also rob us of much that we end up missing because of them.

Here is a quote that I think really highlights this thought: "Perceptions can be fickle, because they are formed many times by what you think you know and brings what looks like deception because of what you may not know."

When we apply this to our daily lives it should cause us to ask a strange question. How much of what we do is done based upon what we perceive instead of what we know? When we think of relationships. When we look at our decisions. As we review the cause and effect of actions taken or not taken. Is it our perspective directing us or is it truth? Do we know if our perspective is right?

And then add this thought to our spiritual lives. If we function spiritually off of our perception we may indeed miss God's perspective and thus miss His Will. Could it be that this principle explains the journey of American Christianity and the downfall of such? We perceived we were doing fine by our perspectives but...! And does not the Bible remind us that Gods ways are not ours?

How incredible would it be if today we could simply seek Gods perspective without our own interfering. It might be surprising to see how the traps of perspectives have been robbing us in many areas of our lives.

Encouragers needed and commanded!

2011-08-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

I am posting a link to a post written by Perry Noble that highlights a few things each one of us really need to think about concerning our role in the lives of others. Critics are everywhere. Not much of life is free from those who love to "put down" or share their perceived insight in yours or my life. How do we handle these situations and what are we to do when they occur?

Our Sunday night Table Talk sessions have been focusing on this. This past Sunday, my wife Heidi also led in a great discussion concerning encouragement and our command to do so. She had no idea that I had been covering that topic and hit a home run in wrapping it up so well.

This article here is another added extra in the much needed understanding of our command to encourage one another and not tear down.

You can read it here!

And for those wondering - I do not agree with all that Perry Noble does or thinks. He just got this one right!

A post that needs to be shared

2011-08-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

John MacArthur has written a excellent post for all of today. Though the goal of his post will be clear when you see the title, the content within actually applies deep and wide into many issues facing churches today. I encourage all to read it here.

Merritt Evangelicals and Perkins Evangelicals

2011-08-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

As we approach what promises to be a very heated (no pun intended for the weather we are having) political season a highlight that may go unnoticed by the Republican party in efforts to get out the Evangelical vote, will be the effects of the non committing, run from politics, slam the religious Right young evangelicals. No doubt a blending of the Tea Party and Religious Right is being sought to turn the tide in the Senate and White House. CNN American Morning gave America a glimpse of this struggle today by hosting an interview debate with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council and young evangelical Jonathan Merritt, son of Cross Pointe Church Pastor Dr. James Merritt, former SBC President. Young Merritt was promoted during the interview as a Teacher at Cross Pointe Church during the interview.

The discussion was very pleasant while the contrasts incredibly obvious. To the surprise of some, I actually disagreed with both more than I agreed with either one; of which specifics will be mentioned later. Heralded from the discussion was a clear fact that neither Perkins nor Merritt understands the great divide and why this divide is more damaging than we might think. Were we ever to think that Perkins and the son of Conservative Dr. Merritt would end up disagreeing on national television concerning the role of religion in politics? Welcome to the Young Evangelicals and the Blind Older Conservatives of today.

I do not make the above statement to be condescending in any way. The descriptions given are fact. Young Evangelicals think that the Christian Right has failed and pushed people away from our churches. Merritt went as far to say that the failure goes back three generations. Perkins, who has a stellar career of standing strong for family values and conservative ideology, would not concede this failure nor should he. Yet Perkins did not address the weaknesses nor lack of connection from evangelicals. In my perspective, missing from Perkins is the realization that few evangelicals are being versed in the Biblical Worldview thus they are disengaged from the Religious Right approach to politics. Add to this the growing stream of Young Evangelicals like Merritt, who run from politics while blaming the Religious Right for the loss of Christian influence and it does not take one long to discover the divide.

It is GREAT!

Evangelicals are immersed in a major battle that has three fronts. First, a radical form of Calvinism is wreaking havoc on the teaching and reinforcing of a Biblical Worldview that promotes Biblical solutions for social collapse/dilemmas (note: I did not say all Calvinists). The Southern Baptist Convention is beginning to see the effects of this radical movement in a big way. Where is their scripture backing for NOT being involved? I can find several places where we are admonished to actually be or receive the consequences. Do you know where they are located?

Second, evangelicals have literally tossed aside our greatest command next to loving Jesus with all our heart, soul, and mind - evangelism - the going into all the world and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, compelling people to turn to Jesus. Very few Christians today ever share the Gospel with people outside of family if they do with family. And interestingly, the Gospel was not even mentioned by either Perkins or Merritt (oh how we miss Dr. Falwell and Billy Graham!).

Third, many evangelicals are too busy trying to convince people to accept their Doctrine of Election or approach to music and dress, or... to see that the majority of people in America are lost without Jesus and dysfunctional in the basic understanding of the Gospel, much less, Christian World view. Starting churches will not change this. Only powerful conviction from the powerful preaching and teaching of God's Word can do that. Rather than argue about our perspectives on what God meant in His Word, why not just accept His Word as Truth and live it!

To my surprise, Merritt never gave a plan nor mentioned a passion about the needs above. It seemed he had a simple task - blame the Religious Right for loss of evangelical influence. It was as if a plea was being made with the bedrock being laid that Christian involvement in the political process is not good because it has not been good. Perkins did not accomplish any more on his perspective.

Highlighted even more is the simple fact that neither of these men shared the Gospel nor even attempted to share it while on the air. This is the real problem in America with Evangelicals. We spend all of our time either promoting a candidate or view. We emphasis vote Republican or don't get involved. We are political for Christian involvement in politics and we are political against Christian involvement in politics. But few are making use of the time given to share Jesus when given a national venue. What ever happened to "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever will believe in Him will NOT perish (in a real and literal Hell) but shall have everlasting life."?

Sad isn't it?

I pray that sooner than later we evangelicals wake up and realize that we need both of these perspectives minus the weaknesses from both sides. Take out Merritt's "do not be involved" and take out Perkins "we are blindly making headway". Put in place, a proper understanding of Christian responsibility to participate. Insert in our churches and ministries strong evangelism (the only thing that can change a life and make a difference) and a strong teaching of the Biblical World View and allow it to direct our voting and participation. Churches better focus on souls instead of trends, personal preferences, and such. We should be exerting more passion in efforts of evangelism than anything else we do.

That is God's plan and it comes with a promise - He will make it powerful and He will make it bear fruit.

Politics and Life

2011-07-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

The current debate in our nation highlights the growth and near total monopoly that politics plays in our lives. From our health care to our churches, very little escapes the grip of politics and political manuvering. Could it be that the American development of this strange behavior leads to the ushering in of events of biblical porportiona?

Absent today in almost every area of life is true leadership. Substituted instead is "consenses". Classes are taught everywhere on how to develop consenses in order to acheive change. Compromise is the main tool of consenses. Ask anyone today and these two words will be used as vital in every aspect of our life. But what do they cost? What is lost when leadership is exchanged for popular opinion. Do we remember another word - conviction? In the spiritual sense what happened to thus saith the Lord?

Throughout the Bible examples can be found that highlight the challange of this post. None better fits than the life of Nehemiah and the children of Isreal. The children called for compromise while God's servant Nehemiah held fast to caling and conviction. The result was real leadership and Gods will being accomplished. Lost was consenses and personal agenda. The emotions that led to a desire to return to Egypt and thus forfeture if God's blessings were curtailed by convictional leadership.

Nehemiah knew the heart of God and was determined to see God's will accomplished. He led in the face of conjecture and criticsism. He forged the path while others abandoned in the grasp of fear and discord. Maybe it helped that Nehemiah had been a lowly cupbearer. It is possible that Nehemiah was a little stubborn. Obvious was the simple fact that he cared more about God than the ideas and praise of people.

God blessed!

Today we need more Nehemiahs and less children. We need conviction and less politics. Our nation, families, churches, and communities are reaping the poor results of politics. Our children and teenagers will have little left in America if we do not see the diminishing of politics quickly.

The Apostle Paul actually challenged the church at Ephesis to remember that the ingredients of politics was activity of the old life - life without Jesus. The new life was and is to be monopolized by the virtues of Christ- His love for all people and His desire to see poeple accept Him as Lord of their life. Agendas lost and evil works put away. In their place would be substituted the nature and character of Christ which would be as a sweet smelling aroma to God.

No matter matter where you see it played out, politics stinks. Maybe our lives would smell a little better if we practiced convictional leadership.

At the least, God would be glorified. And that beats politics any day!

Speechless - just speechless!

2011-07-24T12:46:00.001-07:00

If only it could happen!

2011-07-21T22:26:00.001-07:00

The followng was posted in a Waco, Tx paper in 2010. There was once a time in America when people understood the Biblical principle of no work-no eat. Yes there are those who need help and cannot change their circumstance. But we all know that millions simply want something for nothing. If we implemented the following, there would be plenty funds etc. To help those who really need help! We need to help both groups! This is for those who are too lazy to work and want everything simply because they are "entitled"!

Put me in charge . . .

Put me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no cash for
Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans,
blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want
steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women
Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test
recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and
piercings. If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get
tats and piercings, then get a job.

Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military barracks?
You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair. Your
"home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be
inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your
own place.

In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or
you will report to a "government" job. It may be cleaning the roadways of
trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We
will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo
and speakers and put that money toward the “common good..”

Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of
the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules.. Before
you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their "self esteem,"
consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for
doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.

If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at least
attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system
rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

AND While you are on Gov’t subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes that is
correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will
voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Gov’t
welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.

Which Bible Part 2

2011-01-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

On this Sunday of Worship I thought I would share as promised my thoughts and more relating to the increased use of electronic Bibles in Bible Study groups and Worship Services. As the growth of this occurs I think there are some questions that we need to ask and some serious thoughts that we to discuss.

The Questions
We begin with an understanding that yes, using the Bible electronically is still using the Bible. I do not think that the use of projection equipment etc. take away from but rather add to the total focus on the Word when used correctly. Often I hear people promoting an idea that when used in Worship, people are tempted to leave their Bibles at home. This has more truth to it than we imagine yet I think we need all of the above. After this question is really the key question: Can I interact effectively with my electronic Bible as I do with a paper one? I say NO! Granted some like my wife can really keep great notes, most do not and would not. There is a difference when using a paper Bible in Bible Study and Worship. How much? Great question. I am not sure I have that one nailed down.

But there is another point that I think needs to be made. A point that is more important than any ideas or arguments. It is the point of Legacy. When we interact with God's Word, we need to literally interact with it! We need to write in our Bibles. We need to highlight. We need to jot down notes. We need to be in it. One cannot do this with an electronic Bible. And more, when the gadget dies, the interaction if any is lost for eternity. Not so with a paper Bible.

The Word Legacy reminds us that we are to write down and thus pass down our spiritual journey. I have benefited from receiving Bibles of Pastors who have passed. I have read Bibles from Grandparents and cherished the notes they made and the special things they underlined. I love being able to see first hand someone's spiritual journey. How much more do we today in a society where the Bible is being removed right before our eye's need to leave a living testimony and obvious interaction with Gods Word for those who come behind us!

I use electronic daily. I love my Logos software and have it synced to my phone and iPad. I love being able to pick up where I left off studying no matter where I am. But I love opening the leather cover and turning the pages of my paper Bibles even more.

I say use all but in Worship and Bible Study groups use the paper Bible! Interact with it and leave a legacy of your spiritual journey with God and His Word!

May this be our prayer...

2011-01-20T07:52:00.001-08:00

The following is copied from Perry Nobles blog. It is so spot on that I had to post it here for those who do not check his posts out. As you read the following prayer, I pray it will become a prayer in your heart and life.

Dear Lord, please forgive us, YOUR church…

#1 – For praying small prayers. We read in the Scriptures where YOU sent FIRE from heaven, you healed sick people, you brought the dead back to life, you put interstate highways through the Red Sea, you slayed giants, you enabled people to walk through fire, you spoke and the world EXPLODED in creation and you said we would do greater things in John 14:12…yet we refuse to pray and ask for BIG things because we believe that somehow Your reputation is on the line. May we pray BIG PRAYERS!

#2 – For allowing Disney to out dream us! They have a mouse, we have Your Holy Spirit and yet we have seemed to drift towards the normal, boring and predictable. You said in Ephesians 3:20 that you are able to do WAY more than we could ask or imagine…and maybe you are, maybe the best we can imagine is a few people in a room talking about things that the rest of the world does not care about. However, I refuse to believe that a company without YOUR Spirit should be able to trump YOUR church who does have YOUR Spirit when it comes to big dreams. We should have THE BEST artists in the world…may we recapture that!

#3 – For allowing Apple to out innovate us! You are the Author of creation…YOU! And since Your Word is clear that we are created in YOUR image then it is so clear that YOUR church should be leading the way when it comes to innovation and creativity. You are FAR from dull and boring…your church should be as well! May we STOP doing poor work and then blaming it on Your Holy Spirit.

#4 – For allowing a rising stock market to celebrate more than we do. For some reason in church world it is ok to celebrate when our 401k’s increase in value, but it is NOT ok to talk about/celebrate when people repent of their sins and trust Christ as their Savior, despite what YOU said about the angels celebrating in Luke 15. For some reason we don’t like to celebrate when a church sees people turn their lives over to you. We don’t like to celebrate it when another church grows. The truth is we want great things to happen in OUR church…but not in someone else’s.

#5 – For allowing credit card companies to out market us! We all know the phrase “what’s in your wallet” because they market their product so darn well; however, all too often we seem to be content sitting back and “trusting You” when in actuality You have entrusted and empowered us to go and reach the world with the Gospel…that takes “marketing!” We have the greatest message on the planet…may You continue to reveal the best methods in regards to how to get it out there more and more.

#6 – For allowing MTV to reach a generation that we’ve seemed to forget! Forgive us for the fact that in many of our churches there is more money in the cemetery fund than there is the youth and children’s budget. Forgive us when we neglect to see that the age group that is under 18 is the ripest mission field in America…and so instead of investing heavily in them we force them to sale doughnuts, have car washes and make hot dogs to do the things the church should be making a priority in the first place.

#7 – For allowing missionaries to use culture on foreign fields to reach the community in which they are in…but when that same approach is done in America we call it compromise! We tell missionaries to not criticize the culture in which they live but rather to learn it, understand it, and then leverage it to introduce the Gospel. We think that is the best way to do it “over there,” yet when that approach is used here we become angry and accuse churches of “watering things down” (AS IF YOUR Gospel could EVER be watered down) and/or compromise. May we not stick our heads in the sand but rather admit where we are and use the world that people live in as a tool and resource to introduce them to Jesus.

Forgive us Lord…may we RISE UP and be YOUR Church, the ONE YOU have called, equipped and enabled us to become! When we are focused on You, talking about You, pointing others to You and doing exactly what You say to do…then…

Your power is undeniable!
Your people are unstoppable!
Your presence is unexplainable! And…
Our potential is unimaginable!

May we be YOUR Church!

Which Bible - Paper or Electronic?

2011-01-15T18:05:00.000-08:00

I have noticed in traveling and in my local church more use of electronic Bibles during small groups and corporate times. From phones to iPads I am seeing more people reaching for their chosen gadget during preaching and teaching times. It has got me to thinking. As we move forward in the arena of electronics and we grow in using them, how will this play out in the church?

First, is the increase of electronic Bibles seen by you in your church? Do you use technology in your teaching and preaching? Is there a limit? Why?

Second, is something lost when students in a small group make use of their electronic gizmos instead of a paper Bible? Why?

Now before we jump to answers I think it is important for those answering to also share their own use of electronic Bibles in their personal and study life. I for one use both electronic and paper. I have noticed that with the iPhone and iPad, I am using more electronic than I ever dreamed or thought I would. I love it in studying and being able to keep my place with all open sources. I use Logos. I use power points etc. in services.

But the whole scenario has got me to thinking.

I preach and teach out of a paper Bible. This is my preferred form. I have used my iPhone on occasion for chapel type services. I used a Palm several years ago - it was NOT as easy as my iPhone. I plan on doing some teaching from my iPad in the near future and actually will use it when conducting a "stump the preacher" time of questions - it will help me!

Lately though I have been pondering the positives and the negatives to the increased use of electronic Bibles as the norm in church. In my small group of couples under the age of 40 (for the most part) I have noticed this increase lately. Nothing occurred that highlighted it. It is just the way my mind works and has really got me to thinking.

So, I thought I would ask here and see what others are thinking or if they even have thought about this use of the Bible. Are you seeing the same thing? What are your thoughts?

Fire away! I will share my own conclusions later in the week.

It takes the right vision - Church and Big Decisions

2010-11-23T14:59:00.001-08:00

In what today seems like years ago I learned a lesson that I have never forgotten. Vision is easy. But the right vision is never easy! In leading a church this may be the most difficult lesson of all to apply. And I am still learning this lesson with every day that passes. Vision in itself is exciting and prioritizing. But Vision can also be the downfall of one's ministry; personally and corporately.

Getting the right vision and seeing the vision realized requires many smaller visions to complete. Beginning with implementation one's vision can can either shine or go bust. This has become one the BIG stumbling blocks in our day. When a leader and team begin to understand the vision that God gives, excitement often leads to a premature roll out and careless neglect of time for growth among the people. We force when we ought to grow. We forget that it took time for God to get His vision in our hearts and thus time for others to grasp from the Lord is equally required.

Odd to me is the growing and promoted idea that I often hear from Pastors that church members need to follow the vision of the leadership. Little emphasis is given to the sharing of the vision and the depth needed in the sharing process. A leader must lead. Forcing and pushing is NOT leadership. In our recent events, we actually were forced to go slow due to negotiations and availability of land. Yet when the time came, much effort was placed and time was further extended to allow for the sharing and grasping of the vision by the people. No one on our staff but me had ever been involved in this type of presentation and I will be the first to admit that I humanly struggled with the idea of taking more time. I was eager. My staff was eager. Three years of hunting and working had passed. The lay leaders where chomping at the bit. Two votes by the church had already occurred to allow the search and to spend the funds for due diligence. It was easy to jump to the conclusion that there had been enough time and enough talk. Just get it done was often the thought running through my head! But that approach could have (would have) killed what God desired.

I listened a few weeks ago to Dr. Ronnie Floyd share the story of how the name change occurred in Springdale to Cross Church. In his presentation to the church he stated the fact that he himself was the one to slow the change down. That was refreshing. Timing and roll out must never be over looked. Lay leaders may be on board (as ours were - all 54) but still the whole of the congregation needs time. The vision must be refined and often the laity are Gods tool for refinement.

Transparency and understanding require work and patience. I wonder why we in leadership so easily skip over the multiple verses in the Bible that explain these traits. Even Galatians makes it clear that long suffering is one quadrant of the Fruit of the Spirit. I learned during this latest process that patience just might be one of the biggest issues we Pastors face. The battle within me waged daily over moving quickly. Discussions with leaders and all laity were almost redundant to me. The pull of Satan to trip me up at this point was for me a major struggle. It helped to refresh my spirit in the area of spiritual warfare and it reminded me that as a leader, it really does rise and fall at the top.

We took the time to make sure all were included and had ample opportunity to hear, experience, pray and seek the Will of God. We knew we could accomplish what was needed. But more important to us as a staff and key lay leaders was the understanding that a church is all about God and His work in the lives of people. We had no choice but to give Him time to work. The result was an incredible move of God that no man could produce. Is that not what it is suppose to be like?

Our smaller visions in presentations, time to absorb, question and answer sessions, and most of all prayer times bore a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere that resulted in the big vision being overwhelming approved with little negative. No one has left the church mad. No one has been cut out. No one has been told to "trust us". God is working and as a result we are seeing people saved and joining His church during a time that many hide out in fear waiting for the implosion.

Remember, this church had built nothing, done upkeep on little, and had little hope of survival for over 57 years. There was history of "bad" meetings over smaller things. This church is what many young Pastors speak of in ultra negative tones and descriptions. I was even told NOT to take the position. Yet in the last 4 years it has now begun a new contemporary service, leased and shared the old facilities with another church of another denomination, over hauled the Children's Ministry and now voted to relocate - none of which were on the radar at all 4 1/2 years ago. Only God could do what has occurred here. And for that I more than thankful!

Next post: God's Vision is People!

Transparency, Church, and Big Decisions

2010-11-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

For over 20 years I have ministered in great churches with great people. From being a Pastor to serving as an adviser, I have witnessed many situations and many challenges in churches attempting to do major things in the kingdom. I have watched as some of these situations have been peaceful and some have been NOT so peaceful. I have read all I could find on "how to" and what to do". Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that what I am about to share would occur.

Recently, our church finished a 6 year journey (that began before my arrival) dealing with a building issue. The church has not done anything building wise etc. for more than 57 years. Very few of the church family have ever been through a building program - much less a Capital Campaign. The whole idea was scary for most if not all. The possibilities of Satan creating a huge mess were very real and easy to see. At risk was the very fact that though buildings etc. had not occurred (nor much upkeep due to expense), missions and ministry had flowed freely and generously for years. Multiple nations have been touched by the church family with money and actual people on the ground. Nine have surrendered to ministry within the past 15 months. Indeed much was at stake with this journey. The reality that time was running out and no examples of similar situations succeeding made this journey an adventure.

The study and conclusions that were reached over the 6 years called for the purchase of property and relocation of the ministry. The task was not easy and the project is long from completion. But the first few steps have been one to write about. Over the course of the next few posts I plan to share some insight into common thought applied to this particular situation. Remember, for over 57 years this church has not built anything in regard to buildings. Important to note is that this church is currently in the inner city. Also revealing is that less than 10 couples can be found in the age bracket range of 40 to 60. This church should not be doing what it is indeed doing. This church should be closing down shop. It is not a church that many young Pastors would consider worthy of their interest. But what this church has accomplished to date and how it accomplished it speaks loud and clear in a day of perception oriented reality that is often very off base.

While many are writing these churches off, I believe this church is actually a pace setter for what can and should be occurring all over America with the right spirit, approach and patience. Maybe the greatest reality of this situation is that others will be inspired by it. Many of our churches today are identical to this one. Many of our churches today lack encouragement to do what this church found the courage to do even while others said "NO WAY!"

I pray this story will be an encouragement!

Next Post: It takes the right vision!

How far can we run away or ...

2010-11-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

The more I read and the more I listen to some of today's top promoted speakers and preachers the more I hear the issues being promoted or addressed from a very strange position. It appears that people are desiring to see just how far they can go and still be "holy". This is a strange thing to me. Are we not taught that each of us is to pursue maturity in our spiritual life?

In fact the words of Romans 12: 1 keep coming back to me;

"present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God..."

Why are we leaving this command out of our teaching and pursuits spiritually? Is it an accident or is it more? From discussions of alcohol to anything else people love to claim their freedoms. There is no doubt that we are free in Christ. We must not forget the following words of our Lord;

John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed .

The problem is that this freedom does not grant nor allow for sinful practices. I think Paul made it clear when he wrote to the Romans;

Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"

In my last post I mentioned some questions that we should ask each day relating to our decisions and choices. I post them again:

1. What would Jesus do?
2. Is my life clean before the Lord?
3. Do I base right and wrong on my opinions and preferences or ...?
4. Do I base right and wrong solely on the Word of God?
5. Do my actions cause people to stumble?
6. Is Christ being lived out in all I think, say and do?
7. Am I being honest with God?

If only more of today's promoted speakers and preachers would remember these when writing and teaching. If only our Seminary Professors would teach from this foundation instead of the thought of seeing how far I can go and not get into trouble. Maybe I am not in touch with modern thought. Come to think of it, I would pray that I care more about being in tune with the Holy God above all else including modern thought. I pray a couple of our seminaries and their personnel will find this same heart in their writings and topics used in their speaking.

How far will run before someone says "let's get back to the Word of God and living it?

The Danger of Organized Religion

2010-10-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of weeks I have heard the phrase "organized religion" used in a derogatory way more than 20 times at the least. The use of the term is always in a negative sense. The more I have thought about this phrase and the negative use of it, the more I have come to realize just how misleading and misunderstanding the use is.

Misleading:

There is no such thing as organized religion. The Biblical definition of religion is found in the simple phrase "visit the widows and orphans in their time of need..."- James 1: 27 Why this phrase ignores this may explain much about the person using it and the intent to discredit the authority of Churches in their lives than it serves as an indictment of churches. The use also implies that some organization has done something to the person or at a minimum left a bad taste in their mouth.

Misunderstanding:

Since we know that the phrase is NOT an accurate description of biblical churches, we must look at the lack of understanding that many have concerning the role of churches and the people that are actually a church.

Clarification:

People make up the church. It is people who either do the will of God or go against the will of God. Sometimes those people do go against the Word of God and the Will of God as an organized body. But it still comes down to people.

Need:

What is needed now more than ever is for people who claim Jesus as Lord of their life to actually lived surrendered to His Will. The following questions may assist us in living out the greatest need of our day:

1. What would Jesus do?
2. Is my life clean before the Lord?
3. Do I base right and wrong on my opinions and preferences or ...?
4. Do I base right and wrong solely on the Word of God?
5. Do my actions cause people to stumble?
6. Is Christ being lived out in all I think, say and do?
7. Am I being honest with God?

The above will help all of us to put an end to the confusion of those who do not understand and lead us to reach the lost in our world! Can we try it together?

More thoughts later!

Dr. Akin on Alcohol

2010-10-14T09:00:00.001-07:00

The following was written by Dr. Akin of SEBTS. It is a wonderful read on the subject of Christians and alcohol use. I encourage it's reading and sharing. The growing number of Christians being trapped with the use of alcohol is costing much more than the freedom to partake is worth. Wisdom is applied here with sound Biblical support. The heart of one who loves people is felt in the words of this post.

Enjoy!

Written by Dr. Akin

I readily confess to a personal bias when it comes to the issue of alcohol. My wife Charlotte grew up in the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home because her parents were alcoholics. Her father died a lost alcoholic. Her mother, by God’s grace, was saved on her death bed. Her body had been ravaged by the twin killers of alcohol and tobacco. Today her sister and brother are lost alcoholics as is most of the rest of her family. My sister Joy and her husband Kevin King adopted a daughter born with fetal alcohol syndrome. She began life with two strikes against her through no fault of her own.

Today there are more than 40 million problem drinkers in America. Alcohol is the number one drug problem among teenagers. One in three American families suspects that one or more family members have a drinking problem. Misuse of alcohol costs our nation $100 billion a year in quantifiable cost. Because of these experiences and many more, I have often said that even if I were not a Christian I would have nothing to do with alcohol. There is simply too much sorrow and heartache connected to it. Avoiding this devastating drug is simply the wise thing to do.

This year at our Convention we again passed a resolution calling for abstinence from alcohol. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, but it did generate significant debate both during and after the Convention. Some have accused those supporting the resolution of being pharisaical and legalistic, traditionalist and anti-biblical. It is said that we fail to understand Christian liberty and freedom, and that we even stand against Jesus. These are strong accusations from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. However, are they correct? Are those like myself who believe abstinence to be the best lifestyle choice really guilty of these charges? Let me respond as graciously and kindly as I possibly can, explaining why I hold the position I do. I share my heart with no malice or ill will toward anyone, but from a desire to honor the Lord Jesus, and to protect others from the evils alcohol has visited on so many.

We should remember from a Baptist perspective that there are historical precedents for affirming abstinence. In 1886 Southern Baptists issued their first resolution on alcohol. Since then there have been almost 60 resolutions that in a united voice have addressed the risk of alcohol and the wisdom of abstinence. For 120 years Southern Baptists have made clear their stand on this issue. Individual Baptists no doubt continue to take a drink as they had before 1886, but the Southern Baptist Convention as a whole has been crystal clear on where it stands for a long time. I am confident that our forefathers understood the issue of Christian liberty as they passed these resolutions. I am grateful for this tradition. I believe we should continue it.

There are moral reasons for affirming abstinence. John Piper teaches the wisdom of abstinence because alcohol can be a mind-altering drug, and it can be addictive. It does not help one in doing the will of God and can genuinely be a hindrance. Further, he notes “the carnage of alcohol abuse” and therefore chooses to boycott such a product. He then adds, “is it really so prudish, or narrow to renounce a highway killer, a home destroyer, and a business wrecker.” Some questions are in order and deserve an answer. Does alcohol make me a better person? Does alcohol draw me closer to God? Does alcohol help me run the race faithfully to the end (Heb. 12:1-2)?

Some respond by saying the issue is not abstinence but moderation. They draw an analogy to both eating and sex. There is however a significant difference. We must eat to live. We must engage in sex to procreate. Alcohol is not a necessity for life or good living.

I am in total agreement with my spiritual hero Adrian Rogers who said, “Moderation is not the cure for the liquor problem. Moderation is the cause of the liquor problem. Becoming an alcoholic does not begin with the last drink, it always begins with the first. Just leave it alone.” My friend James Merritt wisely says, “It is impossible to be bitten by a snake that you never play with.” Alcoholism cannot strike unless it is given the opportunity. That potential becomes real with the first drink that one takes.

There are biblical reasons for practicing abstinence. Let me quickly note several. 1) It is consistent with the principle of edification (1 Cor. 6:12). Alcohol does not build you up or make you better for Jesus. Avoiding it ensures you will not harm yourself with it. 2) It is consistent with the principle of refusing that which enslaves (1 Cor. 6:12). Alcohol is a drug that can impair the senses and has a potential addictive element. Like addictive pornography, it should be avoided at all cost. 3) It is consistent with the ethic of love for believers and unbelievers alike (1 Cor. 8:13; 9:19-22; 10:32-33).

Because I am an example to others, I will make certain no one ever walks the road of sorrow called alcoholism because they saw me take a drink and assumed, “if it is alright for Danny Akin, it is alright for me.” No, I will choose to set an uncompromising example of abstinence because I love them. 4) I will seek my joy and filling in the Spirit not in alcohol. I love the Phillips translation of Ephesians 5:18 which reads, “Don’t get your stimulus from wine (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls.” Psalm 4:7-8 adds, “You [O Lord] have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” 5) It is true Jesus drank wine, and I am sure I would have had I lived in the first century. However, there is no evidence that he ever partook of “strong drink.”

As Bob Stein has carefully documented, “The term “wine” or oinos in the ancient world, then, did not mean wine as we understand it today but wine mixed with water… To consume the amount of alcohol that is in two martinis by drinking wine containing three parts water to one part wine [a fairly common ancient ratio], one would have to drink over twenty-two glasses. In other words, it is possible to become intoxicated from wine mixed with three parts water, but one’s drinking would probably affect the bladder long before it affected the mind.” It should also be noted that children would have drank this diluted mixture of water and wine. It seems clear that there is no one-to-one correspondence with first century wine and twenty first century distilled liquor. Concerning the latter I believe the Lord Jesus would have no part.

Let me conclude with some practical considerations. Should those who practice abstinence look down on those who do not? The answer is an unqualified no. That is pride and therefore is sin. It is true that alcohol has contributed to many going to hell, but pride, no doubt, has done so in even greater numbers. A smug, prideful abstainer without Jesus is just as lost as the poor drunkard who is always in search of another drink. Those who believe in abstinence should be gracious and humble, kind and caring, loving and patient.

As a pastor or church leader, would I demand abstinence for church membership? No, I would not. Would I demand it for leadership? Absolutely! The principle of Proverbs 31:4-5 is appropriately applied here, “It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.”

I agree with John MacArthur. Can I say it is always a sin to take a drink? No. Can I say it is almost always unwise? Yes, because it violates the biblical principles of wisdom and witness. One of America’s leading pastors is Andy Stanley. He wrote a book entitled The Best Question Ever. That question is this, “What is the wise thing for me to do?” I challenge anyone to show me the superior wisdom of drinking “in moderation,” as opposed to not drinking at all. This is not legalism but love. This is not being anti-biblical but pro-brother and sister. This is not working for evil but for good. Given the world in which we live I believe such a lifestyle honors the Lord Jesus. I believe it pleases Him. Without question it is the wise thing to do.

Calling Out the Discord Sowers

2010-10-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

I have been preaching through the book of Nehemiah. This is my fourth time in 22 years. I never grow tired of the lessons contained in this great book. In fact, I am learning more this time than ever before as we walk through each verse and each chapter.

The story of Nehemiah is awesome. How God used this little man to do God size things is so encouraging. This current series has brought home how easy it is for God to work and how purely apathetic we American Christians have become. When I think of the task Nehemiah accomplished and then look at what little we do today - it is pathetic for us. And yet Nehemiah had challenges.

The past two weeks we have been hanging out in chapter 4. What a chapter it is. It dawned on me tonight as I prepare to close out chapter 4 and move in to chapter 5 next weekend that Nehemiah faced discourage rs like so many of us do every day. It also hit me that the leaders of the discourage rs were the "religious" leaders. How ironic.

I think it is time for us today to call out the people of our day who discourage and wreak havoc on the work of God. I understand that things in life and ministry need the critique of others - it can be helpful if done correctly. But what is NEVER helpful is when people attack and attack some more just to take cheap shots at some person or group. And there is much of this taking place today.

Our families are plagued with the sin of discord. Our churches are becoming crippled by discord. Conventions and Denominations have more than their fare share. Discord is growing without an end in sight. Just read the blogs! I wonder when if ever on earth, we will finally realize that this type of petty human focused griping NEVER accomplishes anything spiritual at all. It spreads the sin of discord more rapid than a forest fire and it exalts self more than it exalts the one true God.

So here is my challenge: Call out the sowers of discord in your life. Label them and stay away from them. Spend your time encouraging and exhorting those who God places in your life's path. Build up the people you encounter each day in person and electronically.

Proverbs 6 reminds us that God hates the sowers of discord among the brethren. In fact, he calls those people an ABOMINATION! I do not want to end up in that group!

Do you?

Health Care Reality and Sticker Shock!

2010-10-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

If you Pastor an SBC church and use Guidestone for your Health Insurance you are probably in need of medical attention by now. This weekend packets announcing the 2011 prices hit the mail box with a bang. The new health care law reality is higher monthly premiums and I do mean higher.

According to emails and phone calls just this weekend and today, the average increase in medical premiums is between 31 to 40% per month. Yes you read that correctly. Mine was over 35% and no options appear as of yet to assist this increase. Either way I go, I will be taking a major pay cut this year.

In a conversation with one insurance man today, it was clear that what was sold to America was totally wrong. Premiums are up to stay and then taxes will be up after that. The options for my family are few and far between.

In the coming days I will be exploring alternatives and sharing some of the information if I can find any worth sharing. The real question is simple - what will churches do when they see the increase that hits January 1 for their staff?

This ain't gonna be pretty!

Lessons for Leaders

2010-09-29T09:56:00.001-07:00

The news on Monday carried the story of the head of the Segway Corporation who drove his Segway and off a cliff and died. How in the world could this occur? The owner of ..., drove the Segway off... surely not. But it is true. hen it dawned on me - what a tragic picture of a great lesson for those in leadership.

The man had the title. He was the boss. The man had authority and influence. He was the boss. But the man was not the developer of the machine he was driving and his experience with the machine was from a limited perspective.

Serving in leadership is not easy. Those who have never done so do not understand the complexities of such a role and calling. Decisions are made moment by moment. Once in the position you are expected to make the right decisions for the team, corporation, ministry etc. You are pulled by differing ideologies and rare are the days when you can find a few if any who agree with you. But this is the role. This is the duty of the position.

Problems will always be in front of you. But not all problems have to be deadly. The key in being an effective leader is to learn. Leaders must learn their product and get to know it better than anyone else. Leaders must know where they are going and how to steer the whole of the organization in that direction. When one fails at any or even just a few of the above, the leader drives off the cliff. Ideas and dreams are great. But it is in the fundamentals of life that those things are brought to fruition and survive.

Our world sees the lack of these fundamentals in every facet of our lives. Churches, Denominations, Conventions, Organizations, and world leadership as a whole suffer from the same issues today that the owner of the Segway Corporation obviously held. Tragic yes. But it does not have to be so!

If you are leader ask the following questions:
1. Do I know what I am leading?
2. Do I know the inside out of what I am leading?
3. Am I compromising basics to reach consensus?
4. Am I using "pressure tactics" instead of vision to lead?
5. Do I really know where I am going?
6. Is where I am going the place I really know I need to be?
7. Am I listening to sound wisdom from those who may know more than I?

There are so many more questions that could be asked. But I can assure you that the answers to the above will give you a more broad perspective in your mission. There are many cliffs. You do not have to drive off any of them. The choice is up to you.

Lost People Matter - Don't Miss This!

2010-09-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

I encourage you to read this article. It is indeed a great picture on the heart of God relating to people who are lost without Jesus!

God is in control...!

2010-09-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Even when it seems that situations are out of control, we must remember that God is never out of the picture nor is He ever out of control. God knows all. This knowledge is unique to our human perspective. We see only a few aspects of life. We can logically put things our there beyond our ability to see but in this we are merely speculating. God sees and know is all - all the time.

As you walk through your week with Him - seek to grow in faith knowing that God has it all worked out. He allows somethings to occur (His permissive Will) to grow us. He directly brings things into our lives to teach is. He knows the choices we will make and He knows the consequences of those choices. Faith is the key to living not in a state of worry nor fear but in peace with God sitting in the drivers seat of our life and our hands off the steering wheel.

Is God in control of our life? Now that is the question that we all need to focus on.

James 4:7-17
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";
14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
(NKJ)

May We Never Forget!

2010-09-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

Take time today to remember and to honor those who lost their lives!

9/11 and Christians Nine Years Later

2010-09-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

My thoughts have been replaying the horrible day nine years ago. America was attacked like never before. It was a different type of attack than we were familiar with. In wars past, political ideology was the leading motivator played out in war and human murder by crazy leaders. 9/11/01 was different.

On that day we saw a vivid display of the evil in the world relating to religion and beliefs. In the days after, I remember coming to grips with the full view of what had taken place. For a group of thugs to do as they did for the sake of their beliefs and religion still grips my mind. Beyond the evil and hatred was then and is now a lesson. One might say many lessons. Lessons that I do not think we as American Christians are learning.

Lesson One
American Christianity has become too easy. Easy believism is every where. We are not passionate about much beyond our own well being and desires. We fight for our rights as individuals while we sit apathetically by and watch our freedoms fall by the side of the road. While fighting for our rights, we have forgotten the command to "GO" and spread the Gospel. We send money. Yet more money is spent on humanitarian needs than on the sharing of the Gospel. We run from churches that still preach the truth of Gods Word and call people to repentance. We fight for a watered down holiness of self developed righteousness while we ignore 2 Corinthians 7:1 which states that we are to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Lesson Two
American Christianity is willing to squander an incredible inheritance. Muslims will die for their beliefs. Not many American Christians will do the same. We are living in an hour of compromise in hopes of preserving our material things while we sell out the spiritual. People before us poured their hearts into the ministry of Gospel. Churches thrived in a land of freedom to worship. Now, we find Christians who argue against any moral stand in America while failing to realize that the very freedom that gives them the right to argue is at stake. A freedom that was paid for with blood from many people and handed to us.

Lesson Three
American Christianity still fails to understand that we are in a holy war that will last until the return of Christ. Though we may attempt to compromise, no compromise will appease our enemy. Muslims are on the march in every part of the world. A holy war is brutal. It will get brutal no matter which path a person takes. If we defend and fight, we will be attacked. If we continue appeasement, we will be conquered. It is not difficult to see the stage being set for anti-Christ. Problem here is that many people who claim to be Christians will join with him and his movement. Have you not noticed the number of Christians joining hands and working with Muslims.

Lesson Four
This world is NOT our home! And this excites me! We do not need to live in fear. Wisdom demands we know the hour. But the same wisdom also reveals that the plan of the one true God is call us home. Leading people to Christ should be our focus and passion from here on! Knowing that are day is soon coming to see our Lord and Savior should anchor us and propel us.

Nine years later we find much has changed. My prayer is that we will see the real changes that need to occur and get busy about living the life we have been called to live and loving the people that God has placed before us to lead to Him and serve.

I only wish that more people would see that as Americans we have been blessed. Rather than throw it all away, let us embrace our inheritance and make the most of it for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world may be against us, but greater is He who is in us than he who is in them!

May God Bless America!

Redistribution of Wealth Coming!

2010-09-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

The following link is to a report on the goals and direction of the United Nations. A carefully reading of the material provided should cause every American to fall on their knees in prayer. We are in for some rough days if we do not stand against the evil aimed at us.

I am thankful that this earth is NOT my home!

Times R Changing

2010-09-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

From weather to finances, church to education, change is in the air. Change is not always bad nor is it always good. Organizations that experience change will often promote the new way as "the best" way. Only problem is they said the same thing last time change was promoted.

Personally there is a sense that some of the change we see coming these days deals with where we are on Gods timetable and the return of Christ. This is true when see the changes occurring around the world and even here at home in politics. But more important to me is the change that is taking place in REAL Christianity compared to the "form" of that has been so prevalent over the past few decades.

What change are you seeing in your life? What changes are you seeing in the hearts of people around you? Embracing Gods change of the heart and life is one that should excite us. Either we will be part of Gods final push or we will be part of the great falling away. There is NO middle ground. Change will be found in every life.

Are you changing for the better? Take a long look and listen to the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit. He longs to change us. He longs to bring about His will in our lives for His glory.

Is your life changing?

Mormons, Beck and Politics

2010-08-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

In reading what many have written regarding the Beck rally and even more, Becks Mormon religion, I thought I would make an observation or two. In the height of duplicity, we see bloggers living true to form. A guy says he is a Mormon and so we bash. We proceed to bash others that associate with him and we bash those who dare to say otherwise. We attack patriotism or at the least seem to impose that many view it as a religion of some sort. I will deal with more on this point later.

On Mormonism - I do not under any reason think that one who is simply a practicing Mormon knows what it means to be a Christian from experience. I do think they can know the Theology. On the other hand, I do think that someone who has been a Mormon and yet ministered to by Evangelicals who have shared the Gospel with them, can accept Christ and yet be slow to leave the Mormon church.

On Patriotism - I find it odd that several in Theological circles fail to see the value of turning America back to the roots. I fully realize that Americanism will not save a single person from hell. I fully understand that we cannot legislate morality. But it is in the return to basic American principles that we find our protection for Freedom of Religion and more. I am not a patriot for material reasons. I am a patriot for Spiritual reasons. Now living in America more than any other time in our history are indeed the peoples of the world. At a time when the Gospel is needed, I wonder why so many are so quick to forget that defending our rights and freedoms as Americans is more important to the spreading of the Gospel than we act like we know.

On Beck - I watched a show Friday where Beck sat with some well known Evangelical Leaders, Pastors of churches. These guys were not as famous as Falwell Jr or Franklin Graham, but they were and are extremely loyal to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been watching Beck and listening very closely. Whether it is in a forum with the men above, or even just on his Fox News show, I have noticed a change in his language and view of Christianity. Is Beck revealing what may have or may be working in his own life? I can only go with what I see and hear. This I do know, he gives a better presentation of the Gospel than many that sit in a pew on Sunday in most Evangelical churches.

Summary - I think we ought to stop bashing Beck and those around him and start praying that indeed there is fruit to their work in Becks life and in the life of America. We are closer than ever to losing the very freedoms we have been blessed with to share Jesus here in America. With the world in our front and back yards, what a shame it would be to lose the freedom to share with the masses.

As a patriot, I am excited to see an awakening of the sleeping giant. I sense a true movement in America that may pave the way for more roads to the sharing of the Gospel than ever before. We would be foolish to throw this all away. It just might be God's plan! And I would hate to see the day when theological arrogance actually cost us the very freedoms that would allow millions to hear the Gospel like has never before been available.

You may not like Beck at all. But I think we need to get off our prideful horses and stop to think that just maybe we do not know all that God may be up to. A saved Mormon that takes awhile to leave the Mormon church needs to know Christians love and do care about him and his eternity. And if God can use a Cup bearer to lead out and rebuild His city, who is to say that He would not use Beck to do something similar in America. I know this - most pulpits are silent today. That is a real shame!

And I did not even mention Sarah Palin until now...!

Lake Baptism Lessons

2010-08-29T21:15:00.001-07:00

Today we were honored to baptize at a lake. The first picture is easy to see what was taking place. The second picture is actually misleading. It is a picture of people gathering for the event and yet it does not show the reason for this post.

Our people were pumped. I like doing things like this for many reasons. But I learned something unique that I think will stick with me for a long time. The above pictures are just a few of this event. What you cannot see was the one thing that really caught my attention.

As our people began to walk to the area of the lake for this event, people in the lake from all sides stopped what they were doing and began to gather with us. I did not notice this at first. My Associate made the comment about what was taking place as I was speaking to a few people waiting for all of our people to join us.

It dawned on me why this was unique. We get so caught up in telling people why other people aren't interested in church and yet an outdoor Baptism caught their attention and led them to stop what they were doing and join us. People are interested in the work of God and still respect the carrying out of Baptism - even at a State Park.

I wonder why we focus so much on church y stuff and don't realize that people will care when we live out true Gospel change and down to earth Christianity. It sure caught my attention. The respect and even applause came from more than our people.

Just a thought!

Which group are you in?

2010-08-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

The idea of grouping people is just as natural as rain and sunshine. Each one of us possess certain qualities and approaches to life. There will be others in this life who are similar to us and thus a group for identity sake etc. is easy to form.

In Nehemiah chapter 3 we see a listing of many who put their bodies to work. The state of Jerusalem was horrible. As Nehemiah had been called by God to lead out in the rebuilding of this city (and more) we are given a specific list of those who worked and what that work was. Also mentioned in this chapter is a group of people who WOULD NOT WORK.

No one could deny the state of the city. No one could deny that something had to be done. But how could a group of people with a background such as "nobles" sit and watch while others jumped in and went to work? Is there a lesson here?

Sure!

There will always be those who do nothing. The nobles could have done long before Nehemiah. They could have prevented the much of the decay. They could have used their influence to rally the people long before Nehemiah chapter 3. But instead they did nothing and continued doing nothing.

You and I are in groups naturally. The key for our growing life with Christ is to make sure that we are NOT in the do nothing group! I would rather be a stepping stone than stumbling block! I would rather be part of the solution than to be a mere critic on the sidelines doing nothing and helping no one.

Which group are you in?

Something we all need to remember!

2010-08-19T13:22:00.001-07:00

A Pastors Wife Perspective - Riding With God

2010-08-18T23:35:00.000-07:00

My wife Heidi is a wonderful writer. Her devotions are stirring and so creative in applying the truths of Gods Word to our lives.

Here is her latest. Enjoy. It is a great word for today!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been 20 years since I first studied Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God." Recently, he came out with a revised workbook and I decided to get it and brush up on it during my morning study time (which I've really let falter the past two years).

Straight out of the gate this morning in lesson one, God reminded me of a very important truth - one I had forgotten in all the stress and worry over my various health ailments.

You know I'm a worrier! I know it's a sin. I confess it to the Lord regularly as one of my chief "thorns" that I try to pull out almost daily. When I feel a twinge of pain, I worry what's wrong with me NOW. I worry how I'm going to handle T going to college, how Nate's going to navigate the teen years, how my husband is holding up under various stresses, how Lobo (our little lost dog) is doing wherever he is; I worry about our sick and grieving church members, about the economy, medical bills, etc...and the list goes on. It's become a 24/7 job for me - worry. And as shameful as it is for your pastor's wife to admit, it's all grounded in a basic lack of faith...not so much lack of faith in God, but in myself; that I won't have the right responses, ability, words, resources, etc. to handle what comes my way. And really, I guess that is lack of faith in God in a way, because I haven't been trusting Him to lead me how and when it's necessary.

So this brings me to the lesson from this morning:

Jesus is The Way. (John 14:6)

Notice He doesn't say,

"I will show you the way."
or
"I will give you the road map."
or
"I will tell you the direction to go."

He says "I AM THE WAY."

Period.

Have you ever been a perpetual passenger? Tim likes to drive, so I am usually in the passenger seat when we go somewhere, chatting away, looking around at scenery, messing with my iPhone, etc. I know he must get frustrated when I have to drive somewhere and ask him for directions to a place I've been 20 times with him. But that's the key...WITH him! When Tim drives, I don't worry about where we are going, because I know he knows how to get there. He is my way around.

Wow!! How will this transform my life when I start practicing being in the passenger seat with Jesus? Jesus already knows where I'm going and how I will get there! I don't have to worry about it. I just have to get in the car with Him and let Him drive every second. I just have to be WITH Him and He will lead me!

What a relief!

A Mosque and a tale

2010-08-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

It appears that the issue over building the Mosque close to ground zero in New York is not going away soon. Even our President has jumped into the discussion and debate. This story is really a tale of just how far America has fallen. Allow me to explain.

The Mosque is NOT the issue!
Anyone who claims the great American heritage of this country should know that in America there is and should be freedom OF religion. Thus building the Mosque is NOT the issue. Islam should be granted the same rights as any other religion to practice freely in our society. To say otherwise is to trample on the very freedom that we say we are defending.

Sensitivity IS the issue!
With freedom comes a great principle - we must be sensitive to and towards others. Our freedoms end where another persons begins. This is a principle that is being lost today. We are told as Christians to be sensitive towards others. What about others being sensitive towards us? What about the lives of those lost on 9-11? What about their families? Sensitivity should tell each of us that the building of such facility close to the zero point is NOT best nor right. But this sensitivity can only come from a grasping of the Word of God.

Yes, in America today sensitivity only appears to work one way. Not to mention the very man who is leading the charge to build. His antics and CRAZY statements about America only heat up the whole scenario. And then to realize that this is quickly becoming a political tool - it ain't pretty! But what really is taking place?

As Christians I think it highlights our need to know and understand what we stand for and how that plays out in the world. I think we need to be protectors of the very freedoms we deserve and demand. Even if this means protection of the right to build a Mosque. But I also think we need to be keen to the reality that the world is not fair. Our apathy in voting Biblical values is coming home in a loud roar. Our willingness to trade the pursuit of God for the pursuit of money is costing us big time. People do not do what is right much of the time. And though we can claim sensitivity, I wonder where in the world do we expect those without it to get it?

I pray common sense will prevail somehow in this situation. But I also pray that we American Christians will realize quickly that we need to get serious about reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and living the reality of His Work and Holiness in our daily lives. We cannot expect anything but more of the same when we continue to take for granted the freedoms we have and fail to live our lives passionately serving Him in that freedom.

To whom much is given, much is expected. Ours is a tale of what we ignored while others of more passion continue to seek what we have! They are willing to fight for it and they live it. We do anything but live it!

Elect Babies and the Reformed Thoughts

2010-08-12T16:09:00.001-07:00

Reading over many thoughts pertaining to the ideas of "elect" and how one would relate those ideas and theological thoughts/doctrines pertaining to babies as led me to some interesting questions to ask of those of the Reformed movement. Beyond the questions are some clear contradictions that highlight how the Reformed/Calvinist doctrines are limited, as they should be being formed by a man and not the Word of God.

Babies are ELECT
If one holds to the idea that all babies are born elect and thus if die young do indeed inherit heaven, then one needs to ask how does one lose the status of being elect and what stage, age, or ??? would should occur? This is a logical thought process that must be addressed. Much confusion is found when reading the aged works of those Reformed thinkers. I think anyone who would, as a Calvinist, hold to this idea would also have a tough time explaining this idea.

Why?

If all are born elect, then all should be saved - according to this teaching.

Babies are born some elect and others destined for hell
If you hold to this idea, you must say that there are indeed children who die young that go to hell. In saying this, one would also be forced to admit that there is NO human way to know which it is for a specific child and family.

The above two areas are being ignored greatly in the discussion pertaining to the reformed movement. It is a sad thought when one realizes that a whole system of doctrine cannot explain the simple of the above scenario and actually is proven as incomplete and lacking.

How would you answer the above two positions? Can you back them up with scripture alone?

This will change the world and us!

2010-08-10T11:13:00.001-07:00

I was reading today the latest post from Perry Noble regarding sermon series for churches. I was curious when I saw the title. Someone is always developing the latest and greatest sermon series. it is the culture in many pulpits and just might be one of the most dangerous methods being used today.

I was elated to read the following words from Noble..."get alone with God, open your Bible, read it until he sets your heart on fire…and then go unleash that fire through preaching to the people He has called you to preach to! In other words…get “a word” from “The Word!”

That advise is GREAT advice!

But then I thought for a moment. That is GREAT advice for any Christian! If we would just GET ALONE with GOD and allow Him to set our hearts on fire!

If only! All too often we find ourselves getting caught up in going through studies and doing this and that... the latest and greatest new THING. What ever happened to the simple act of getting alone with God and allowing Him to transform us and ignite us? Why have we abandoned this in our daily lives?

So here is my challenge to you this week - get alone with God, open your Bible, read it until He sets your heart on fire…and then go unleash that fire through your life in all that you do!"

Debate or Divisiveness?

2010-08-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

I was blessed with being raised in a family that loved debate. We would debate everything from Theology to Politics on daily basis. Strangers may have wondered if we really loved one another or not. These debates were always strong times of the exchange of ideas and concepts. They were not divisive. They were part of growing and learning.

When my soon to be wife first discovered this trait in my family it scared her. Her family could not debate without feelings being hurt. It took her a long time to adjust to this debate prone guy and his family. We debated everything. We debated often. The key was that these debates where only for the purpose of sharpening our thoughts and convictions and increasing our ability to defend what we believe.

Today there is a new form of debating being practiced in some Christian circles. The purpose of this type of debating is not to reinforce but rather divide. One will discover that people are willing to even judge on one's salvation without even knowing the person much less trying to know them.

The Bible does not condone the type of debate that is taking place these days. In fact, some of the strongest language in the Bible is used in describing this type of dividing:

Proverbs 16:19

19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
NKJV

Proverbs 6:16
...Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
NKJV

Proverbs 6:19
...And one who sows discord among brethren.
NKJV

If people desire to build up - great! But to take personal the idea of debating and move to the practice of name calling and judging one's salvation is to fit the above verses to a T. This is not God's plan. His desire is for us to live in love and edification with one another.

We must examine our activity with language and communication. Those who divide are agents of destruction. They are aggressive and they are dangerous. Stay away from them and join the army that builds up and edifies.

I am certain someone will want to debate this!

James White Bears False Witness

2010-07-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight the Dividing Line internet program hosted by Mr. James White included a segment where he once again attacked me. I can easily get beyond his typical tyrant of calling people "emotional" and "naive" knowing that he uses these second and third only to calling people "liars" in that order. I am not into demeaning people to prove that I am right but I realize that this does occur. What I am against is being misrepresented and lied about. I had decided to not post on this garbage again but tonight realized that I could not allow Mr. Whites misrepresentation of me to stand. He crossed a line that no Christian should cross while claiming to call another to repentance. A person who claims to be a scholar and apologist should know and practice real research. Care should be taken to seek the truth by such a person.

Tonight, Mr. White showed that his research methods are more than lacking. In fact a caller that was announced by Mr. White as "being lost/dropped" evidently tried to clarify a point. And it was here that Mr. White revealed his carelessness and lack of thorough research; not to mention his absence of professionalism and Biblical conduct. Mr. White, this is not a game and this not about wining points.

What occurred?

Mr. White was trying to show that the only defenders of Dr. Caner are people closely tied to him and thus, emotionally charged and blinded to the truth (his version of the truth). He revealed that he had found a website that listed me serving on the Board of Directors of Watchman Fellowship with Dr. Caner. Thus it was easy to explain, in his mind and words, my emotional defense due to our closeness. According to Mr. White, the caller mentioned above, called to let Mr. White know that I had not served on the board of Watchman since 2009. Mr. White in making this announcement said the information was not relevant because all one had to do was to look at the web page and they would see the information for themselves that we had served together. He brushed off the information the caller must have given to someone before being dropped.

Yet when you see what was going on behind the scenes and know the real facts, you will see a major problem here:

1. I received an email letting me know that Mr. White was indeed going to use me in his program.

2. Mr. White was notified that indeed I had not served on the board since early 2009 via email.

3. Mr. White did not acknowledge the email response that stated the above.

4. I was indeed listening to the whole thing as it unfolded.

5. The email sent to Watchman was sent just before the program began. Christ-like?

6. I was never called or emailed.

7. His only research was an internet search. He took the information of his search and presented it as fact and reason for me defending Caner.

8. He failed to clarify the specifics that he had been given and remember he excused them when a caller tried to clarify.

But there is more. Had Mr. White done his research beyond a mere internet search, he could have easily discovered that which totally disproves his presentation and misrepresentation of me. Had he common courtesy and professionalism he would have called or emailed me with time for response. Neither was done. Integrity would demand that if you are going to accuse someone of something you would at least seek to have a first hand understanding of that which you were presenting and would know that your facts were indeed accurate. His intent was to simply malign me. What he did was bear false witness against me and completely misrepresents me and my connection with Dr. Caner. For you see, at no time during my serving on the Board of Watchman Fellowship did Dr. Caner and I simultaneously attend a meeting. More, during my and Dr. Caners tenure on the board, I never had any contact with Dr. Caner relating to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or anything else; I never spoke with or emailed Dr. Caner at all regarding anything. There was no contact. None!

Mr. White fabricated the whole connection thing. There is no excuse for such. He has no knowledge of that which he presented tonight beyond his computer screen.

Internet searches do not make for research. In this case, they actually led to Mr. White bearing false witness against me and Dr. Caner. Why? In his drive to impugn me and others, while destroying Dr. Caner, he obviously spends considerable time simply scouring the internet for anything that will help his cause with little care or effort to seek if it is true, complete, or even relevant. This is not research. It is an inside glimpse into the mess that he continues to promote. It is common among several bloggers to do the same. He is not alone. But this does not make it right.

When people make the claim, "research has revealed", one better question the research. Mr. White has proven that research does not always mean real research. The information being shared to prove a point may indeed be nothing at all and just might be totally wrong and fabricated.

I find myself at a loss in understanding why Mr. White has not emailed or called me to verify his supposed inside knowledge of me and my motivations, state of emotions and personality. This is not the first time he has mentioned me in such derogatory manner. He does not know me nor does he closely know anyone else who knows me. One can only wonder why a Christian would attack another in such manner and carelessness for truth and reliability. But we all need to grasp with clarity the seriousness of bearing false witness against a brother or sister in Christ; or anyone else for that matter. My conversations with Dr. Ergun Caner have been minimal at best until this year. But Mr. White did not know this. In fact, had he integrity, he would have researched this before attacking me as emotionally tied to Dr. Caner. His presentation about me tonight thus, was a total lie. It was an intentional fabricated conclusion based on internet searches only. No facts were contained at all beyond the one that I did serve on the Watchman Board as did Dr. Caner. Everything else was assumed. And it was assumed wrong.

Think about what occurred tonight. Mr. White brushed off the "lost" caller and the point of the above while continuing to promote his fabrication to his listeners the segment about me. Mr. White did not know that Caner and I were never at a meeting together nor did he research it. He simply assumed. Mr. White was bearing false witness. He made up a charge to strengthen his points of discrediting people who stand with Dr. Caner. He used "Enquirer" type tactics in informing Watchman of the program content by doing so as the show was beginning. He failed to inform his listeners that he had no knowledge of me and that his research and conclusions were merely leaps of assumptions birthed in limited internet research.

I have been misrepresented many a time for stands I have taken over the years by people who do not know Jesus and some who do. But never before tonight has a Christian or lost person so misrepresented and bore false witness as Mr. White did in such a public manner. It is a revelation into his methods and tactics that are appalling. It makes one wonder about his attacks on others?

But I think the real question is "What on earth would motivate him to stoop to this level?"

Caner Attackers and the Military

2010-07-28T01:52:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it that the men out to destroy a brother in Christ are about to use the military in their approach. I have it on good word that Dr. Ergun Caner has been notified that another video is about to be released with the intent of stirring the military emotions and thus rally another group to the frying. Our heroes in the military deserve better than to be used as pawns in this ridiculous evil game. Their claim of him doing them harm is disgusting and disingenuous. There will be nothing new in this or that not answered by men such as Norman Geisler. Men like Smathers are attempting to search and destroy even though the committee has acted.

Here are a few points:

1. It is easy to notice lately that the story was about to play out. Another attack is required to keep the front lines going. Why? There is nothing new in their "new" revelation.

2. The cry is for this continued pressure to force "repentance" out of Dr. Caner. They are good at playing God. This is clearly a case of piling on. While Dr. Caner has publicly repented both in a public statement as well as in a Campus Church venue, and while Dr. Caner is no longer president of LBTS, these hateful men want a scarlet letter for him to wear. It seems that unless Dr. Caner repents in front of them, God will not grant forgiveness.

3. Who determined that these James Whites minions (remember this is their own name) have the role of knowing whether or not this repentance is needed? Who set them up as the one's to motivate this activity? And just why was the Feb 25TH statement not enough? What about the actions of Liberty? He is no longer Dean. Could it be that this continued attack simply proves they want destruction regardless of their cries?

4. I still am trying to find in the Bible where it says that people are to manipulate repentance from someone? Can we say obsession? They want something yet to be defined and are quick to change the "game" and definitions etc. just to keep the story going. Human pressure is NEVER God's method for God's activity.

5. In their cries for integrity and self proclaimed holiness they are easily forgetting about the consistent scriptural commands to leave the role of Judge and Juror to God.

6. It is also noted that lately we discover that many of these "men" are also now blogging under the disguise of historical figures names. So much for integrity. But do not forget that they love to publish to the world the names of those who disagree with them. And when they make their silly phone calls to stir up trouble, they attacks, abuse, and hide their identity best they can. The phrase "Man up boys" just seems fitting here.

No doubt these young minds who follow a man with too much time on his hands, will continue in their pursuit to do whatever it is, and however it is defined, to Dr. Caner until who knows when.

All one has to do is read my last post to discover that REAL Ministry and REAL Evangelism are more than missing today. These minions and their little to do leader, are clearly bringing this point home.

Christianity can and must do much better than this. May we all remember this simple passage of scripture:

1 Pet 4:7-11
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(NKJ)

"Get Real"

2010-07-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

In my early years I was given the opportunity to work as an umpire. At the age of fourteen, wearing the uniform and calling people out though cool, was nothing compared to getting paid. At $10 per game (in the 80's), two games per night, and averaging 3 nights a week, I was doing alright. I umpired all through High School and even built an Umpire Association that handled games all over the DFW area. It was awesome and yet I learned quickly that the money was not as easy as it first appeared. Often I would hear the phrase (among others) "get real!" And as I was reflecting on that today I realized something incredible.

We know an umpire has to make tough calls, deal with dads reliving their youth and moms who can scream like no one else, and grandparents who just cannot see from the bleachers what can be seen on the field. Most nights there will be that one or two calls that make for some fireworks. I actually loved all of it. I did not worry when I got home and I never was scared during some of those intense moments (though I would be in 2010 I think!). Calling a play or a pitch was just that. I called them like I saw them. Umpires back then did not have instant replay as they do now. You saw the play and you called it. Some calls were good while others were pathetic. One's perspective usually decided one's response.

Perspectives have always played a role in sports and I am learning that today perspectives are playing a major role in churches and ministries. The human factor, as in umpiring, is prone to mistakes. But more than mistakes, the human factor can also be a path for missing God. In umpiring, it is just a game. In ministry, it is heaven or hell for people.

We are now living in the midst of one of the most challenging times in ministry. People no longer look to God's Word for their marching orders. Ministry is driven by human desires, likes, and preferences. Evangelism is often relative to one's perspective instead of God's directive. Trying to discern what REAL ministry is, and what REAL evangelism is can be troublesome it seams. Even the largest gathering of Baptist in the world approved a report this summer called the Great Commission Resurgence. But in passing the report, I wonder how many people realized that no where in the report was a definition of the Gospel or Evangelism?

We have churches today who take "mission trips" that are really glorified vacations. We have church members who will refuse to support reaching people in their own community for a number of reasons and yet dare to call the church they attend a ministry. We will send money all over the world and clothes the same, but will not spend more than 2% of a church budget (on ave) to reach children in our community.

We need an umpire like moment. The REAL is missing from Biblical Missions and Biblical Evangelism. America is proof that American Christianity loves the glory but will not sweat or sacrifice much to do the REAL. I Pastor a church that is breaking out of this norm. I serve and lead a national ministry that is charting the course of lean for the sake of churches and ministries all over America. Neither are easy. But the fruit of REAL compared to the norm of human ideas is staggering.

Try allowing God to be the umpire of your life. He NEVER makes bad or wrong calls. This week join me in asking some tough questions about life, ministry and evangelism. Is ministry and evangelism REAL or more about you? Are you a person who promotes and encourages your church to do more REAL ministry and evangelism? As our supreme play caller, only God should be leading us in these areas. Self should be out! Are you allowing God to make the calls?

People here at home and around the world need us to get busy doing the REAL ministry and REAL evangelism that God has so called each of us to.

It's time we "GET REAL!"

Mature vs. Arrogant

2010-07-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

Life is full of lessons. Teaching moments come at us from every angle. For a person to be taught, some maturity is required. I think this holds true even more so as we grow older. Maturity recognizes the need for continued learning. Maturity knows from old lessons that there is much still to learn.

Arrogance is totally the opposite. Arrogance portrays itself as the one who knows better and often more and obviously applies this in thus trying to teach others. Arrogance is an absence of humility and an unwillingness to admit that wrong could apply to one's own life.

Today arrogance is running wild. We see it growing in supposed Christian circles. People have fallen in love with pointing out supposed sin in the lives of others but will deny and excuse sin in their own life. The spiritual arrogance of today is worse than cancer.

This week in the adult track of our VBS I was privileged to watch spiritual maturity win out over arrogance. I watched a group of older adults learn about the culture of today and how ministry must be focused. They were challenged with a world that does not make sense to them and yet willing to learn. Why?

Maturity in spiritual issues always revolves around a simple principle - People Need Jesus! When one is mature enough to know this, it changes everything. Our arrogance is chopped when we see the need the need of others. Our desire for spiritual self elevation crumbles when we realize the lostness of the world and the call on each of our lives to share Jesus in this lostness.

Are you mature or arrogant? Do you spend your time pointing out the faults of others are ministering the Gospel of Jesus? May God grow us more mature!

Arrogance loves to attack. Maturity fights for the individual!

Romans 9: 1-3 is the perfect picture of spiritual maturity!

When we do ministry

2010-07-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

This week we are in hosting our annual VBS which includes an Adult track. In the past we have brought in people to do studies on special subjects. This year I felt led to do a Vision 20/20 series. So I am breaking down each aspect of the church and leading in discussing the needs both spiritually and physically of each area. I love the discussion and I really love the catching of the vision that is taking place.

Our discussion so far has uncovered a great truth that I have not been able to get out of my head. There are many people in the pew who are tired and frankly sick of all the fussing and fighting that churches can be known for. I was shocked to hear this aspect shared from all generations. We currently have no major issues in our church which makes it a peaceful experience. We get along and when we do struggle with understanding, we work it out. But though I knew this was not the case in many churches, I never realized how adamant people in the pew were getting about this bad behavior.

As we have been sharing the needs of ministries I have once again been filled with the awesome truth that I think we each need to regain and live in. It is a simple truth. It is a powerful truth.

If we would all get busy reaching people with the Gospel, we would discover that we have little time left for fussing and complaining.

May we apply this truth and reap the fruit!

When Critics Go To Far

2010-07-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Many years back a song was circulating around called "Chunkin Rocks". The song tells the story about Christians who love to blast others with words and more just to put them down. It was so many years ago that I cannot find the lyrics to the song nor have I been successful in locating them on the internet. Maybe I will soon.

I have never been able to comprehend the bashing that some Christians do towards others. It has become clear that the majority of Christians do not fit in this model of behavior and I am grateful for that. But the few who do, do so with such loud and screeching noise that it gives the appearance that there are more. The level that one must lower themselves to in generating the bash is staggering. And we are told that the over riding mission in chunkin' rocks is to self elevate. We tear down to build up and yet our tearing down actually destroys us.

Have you examined your speech lately? Do you find your relationship with others drenched in edifying communication? The Bible speaks so clearly on this subject. Notice the words:

Col 4:6
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
(NKJ)

Even in times of correction, the word "always" clearly does away with much of the excuses that one hears for violating the truths of this verse. When a person makes mistakes, correction is important. Correction that follows the truth of God's Word will produce fruit. When correction moves outside of this truth, the result will not be a fruitful one. When we seek to literally play the role of God and His Holy Spirit, we easily move away from correction. To sin while trying to point out the errors of another is not Biblical. it produces nothing Godly.

May God raise up many more Christians who understand the power of speech and who live a life of redemptive speech with other people. Should you discover a lake or stream of water, a rock is great to chunk (fun actually). But to throw a rock at people is to destroy one's own life and testimony. No good comes from chunkin" rocks at people!

Now if I could just find the lyrics to that song!

Why the change?

2010-07-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

I announced several weeks ago that I was about to make some major changes to my blogging. The following are some thoughts that have driven this change. I love the use of media. In the early 90's I began using all types of media in worship services. From television to radio and now the internet, the paths for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and assisting each other in their daily walk are numerous.

Blogging has become a strange world. Though I love many aspects of it, some of blogging makes my stomach turn. It is these things that have drawn me back to my true purpose for living and my guiding parameters for all I do. Spending time arguing with people who just want to argue will not lead others to Christ. Seldom do these arguments change much of anything. That in and of itself makes for a huge waste of time and sin.

A new pattern is emerging with blogging. Agenda driven attacks are becoming the norm. These attacks are rooted in aggressive Reformed camps who have taken upon themselves to "clean up" churches all across the land and spread the New Covenant Theology as fast as they can. Beyond the attacks are the simple facts that most of these bloggers are young and inexperienced Pastors or lay people who have much bitterness and hatred aimed at Pastors and aggressive/faithful Evangelistic ministries. The move is on to derail these ministries in the internet world and thus scar reputations and character. Mind you that none of the attackers have much credibility if any to begin with and then note that often their so called evidence is hearsay gossip driven by a few spin masters driving the show.

We as Christians can and must do better than this. I will no longer get involved in the garbage and division being spread by those who have little desire to spread the Gospel to the lost and hurting of this world. Our time here on earth is quickly coming to an end. Our focus cannot waver from the mission assigned by our Lord - to reach the world with the Gospel.

I pray you will find this blog as an asset to your daily walk with Christ and that people from all over the world will read and experience the only salvation offered to man through Jesus Christ. Jesus died so that all would have the opportunity to experience this salvation. May we pray that many will receive.

I like change! Especially the change that Jesus makes in one's life!

The Change Begins

2010-07-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

With this post the approach to blogging and interaction in the blog world is changing for me. Beginning next Monday, the site will be focused on the edification of people in their relationship with Christ. Comments will be moderated. We will discuss sermons that I preach (which will be available at this site and iTunes).

Another feature that will be added in the Fall is that I will begin a once a month (to start with) video sharing of thoughts relating to current events and how we as Christians can live our lives to make a difference in our communities, states, nation, and around the world. Sometime in the Fall or early Spring, our Winning Truth Telecast will be returning.

It is going to be a fun ride! See you along the journey!

When Christians sell out to other religions

2010-07-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

The following article, from Fox News, needs to be read by every Christian in America. We are being told that we must be inclusive. I wonder when we will realize that in so doing, we will give away our very freedoms that so many fought and died for? If the following scenario continues to go unchallenged and we continue to see Christians sell out to a lie of passive compromise we will see the end of more than we can realize in a very short time.

by Todd Starnes

A North Carolina pastor was relieved of his duties as an honorary chaplain of the state house of representatives after he closed a prayer by invoking the name of Jesus.

“I got fired,” said Ron Baity, pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. He had been invited to lead prayer for an entire week but his tenure was cut short when he refused to remove the name Jesus from his invocation.

Baity’s troubles began during the week of May 31. He said a House clerk asked to see his prayer. The invocation including prayers for our military, state lawmakers and a petition to God asking him to bless North Carolina.”

“When I handed it to the lady, I watched her eyes and they immediately went right to the bottom of the page and the word Jesus,” he told FOX News Radio. “She said ‘We would prefer that you not use the name Jesus. We have some people here that can be offended.’”

When Baity protested, she brought the matter to the attention of House Speaker Joe Hackney.

“I told her I was highly offended when she asked me not to pray in the name of Jesus because that does constitute my faith,” Baity said. “My faith requires that I pray in His name. The Bible is very clear.”

When the clerk returned, Baity said he was told that he would be allowed to deliver the day’s prayer – but after that – his services would no longer be needed.

Hackney, a Democrat, and House Republican Leader Paul Stam released a joint statement to FOX News Radio:

“It has been our practice in the North Carolina House of Representatives for many years to request, but not require, that our guest chaplains deliver a nonsectarian prayer. This is intended as a show of respect for all the religions practiced by the members of the House and the people we represent.”

“In this instance, we allowed Pastor Baity to deliver his prayer, without interference, even though it was sectarian in nature. Nonetheless, we will review our procedures and guidelines concerning guest chaplains, and we will make sure we abide by applicable constitutional procedures. The House will adjourn within the next few days, but the results of this review will be publicly available whenever it is complete.”

Baity said he’s not happy with the way he was treated.

“When the state tells you how to pray, that you cannot use the name of Jesus – that’s mandating a state religion,” he said. “They talk about not offending other people but at the same time, if they are telling me how to pray – that’s the very thing our forefathers left England for.”

The Christian Law Association helped Baity draft a letter asking for an apology and an opportunity to return to the state capitol and finish his tenure.

“The First Amendment promises all Americans the free exercise of their religion, which includes the right to pray as their faith requires, even when they are invited to open state legislative sessions with prayer,” attorney David Gibbs told WXII-TV. “We trust that the North Carolina House of Representatives will realize its mistake and will offer Pastor Baity another opportunity to pray without requiring him to use a prayer that is mandated by government.”

Baity said he is still stunned by what happened.

“You would expect this somewhere else – Cuba, Saudi Arabia,” he told FOX News Radio. “You would never anticipate this happening in the United States of America.”

In a word – the pastor said – the decision is “anti-Christian.”

Let Freedom Rise!

2010-07-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Grace While Judging Anothers Sin

2010-06-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Life is full of contradictions. It is better said this way; "all of life is full of contradictions and Christianity is no exception." I often wonder why we can see things that are so clear and still miss what we are seeing. One of the things that excites me about heaven is the fact that ALL will be revealed and the humility of mankind will be so ever present that NO confusion will be found. Our eyes will see more than we ever dreamed.

When the Bible speaks of "...God is not the author of confusion..." normally the ping pong contest begins. Confusion sets in like a bolder dropped from miles above. Paralysis of mind, eyes, and brain are triggered. Logic is lost. Craziness becomes the norm. We are right and others are wrong. The confusion is present due to ungodliness on others - not us! In the confusion the spirit of self righteousness is fed.

A Pastor friend asked me yesterday about the idea that Christians can and do celebrate one who has sinned in a public manner while judging another at the same time. His question was serious. The confusion of thought was clear. The dichotomy of our day and the pluralization of so many people highlights this growing trend. From Theology to how to cross the street. We live in a day of self righteous hypocrisy.

Why is it?

I honestly do not know! I have some ideas but I cannot follow those lines of reasoning else I would enter into the same cesspool of confusion that is drowning out the Gospel of Jesus of Christ.

I read today where an individual was defending himself from statements made by someone about him who has never met him. The truth of the defense was iron clad. No one should bear false witness against another. No one should speak for another. No one should pretend to know the heart of another. The individual who wrote the article was right.

But wait...

Why is it that some can claim to promote a picture of grace and present such a clear path of right and wrong and yet be guilty of the same? How is it that some can claim a "work of God" while judge another and NO grace be allowed? Why have we entered into a day when people think it is there job to be judge, juror, and executioner? We see it in churches, families, and the work place. We call it childlike when we see it in our children but we adults are far more guilty than they. We are actually perfecting the art for them.

I know a passage of scripture that fits. In fact, I got to thinking today that maybe all of us should examine this passage a little more often. And maybe after doing so, the confusion would not be found. Maybe in it's place would grow a masterpiece of the work of God by His own hands in a consistent picture of truth, justice, humility, and brokenness lived out in each of our lives.

Can you imagine with me for just a moment how incredible that picture would be? Think about it! And while thinking, read the following:

1 John 1:5-10
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin , we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
NKJV

I like to celebrate. God has done so much for us in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I think we all need more celebration of the totality of this GREAT work and less judging of people. It is a shoe that fits both feet, all sides, and all people!

It is the truth that ends all confusion.

A lesson from death

2010-06-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

People experience death every day. It is never easy. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or not, hits the gut of people close to the person in a way that varies from person to person. We miss the people who have gone. We are reminded of our own frailties. We ponder in our minds how our own passing will effect people and what the reactions of people will be when we are gone.

The reward of heaven is so easy to talk about and brings about much comfort to those left behind. Heaven is indeed the only place where all pain and sorrow are gone. But in this understanding is also found the fact that our grieving still hurts and little really helps.

There is one aspect that I have clung to since hearing it put so plainly many years ago. My mentor loss his mother in law and father within a twenty four hour period years ago. I traveled with several from our church to attend and support him as he led in both services. As one heading into the ministry at the time I could not even imagine all that was racing through his head and heart. I never dreamed that I would learn from him what I did during that trip.

Though I have misplaced the verses that he used, I remember this one thing from his fathers funeral. It has transformed my approach to death and my ministry to those who have lost loved ones. It has carried me through preaching both of my grandmothers funerals and doing more than 526 funerals beyond in 22 years of ministry.

As salvation is a gift from God that we share with people, so also is death. When we join in giving the gift of death as we do the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we find the peace and comfort that is promised.

Until that particular service I had never heard it put that way. As my mentor stood and preached his fathers service and imparted this truth - it stuck! We who are left behind should desire and thus participate in the giving of the gift of death. It is our letting go. It takes our thoughts away from our own selfishness and focuses us on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It maintains our understanding that God is working in drawing ALL people to Himself and so should we. Just as we are commanded to share Jesus with everyone - we are also included in the final gift - giving the gift of death.

Key point: It only works when one knows Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Today I join many in giving this gift to a man saved from drugs and more. Johnny Ray went home to His Lord early Saturday morning. His salvation had freed him from a life of disaster. He had been used by God to minister to so many teenagers and adults alike. His smile and his love for everyone will be missed. but as we will celebrate come Wednesday his life, we are reminded in our sorrow that we can join in the giving of this gift. Stomach cancer is a horrible thing. Leaving earth at 51 seems to be too soon. But now Johnny Ray is experiencing the reality of what God worked in his life.

How could we not want to join in the giving of this great gift. It is a lesson from death, for death.

Have a great time Johnny Ray! I will see you in due time! Thank you for all you did! I now give you this last precious gift.

2010-06-05T21:59:00.001-07:00

Most people know what it means when they hear that someone has a burden from the heart. When the heart is gripped by a great need, little in life can match the power of the moment. It is in these moments that we are more prone to "cry out" to God in a way that does not occur on a daily basis as it should.

For the past five months it seems that I have been in more meetings of multiple types (not all with ministers or church people) than I have been in many years. As I took time to reflect back on the first half of 2010 this week I noticed a common thread through all of the meetings. In every facet of life, trials and tribulations persist. Whether a person is in the ministry, a member of a church, a business person, or ____________, we all share this common bond - in life there is pain. And yet more than this aspect was a shocking revelation. People from all walks have noticed something is missing and have asked the following:

What has happened to the STATESMEN?

History clearly teaches that Statesmen convey a quality of leadership that organically brings people together and of elder-ship, a spirit of caring for others and for the whole. A Statesmen never promotes oneself nor do they solicit promotion from others. When a person rises to the level of Statesmen, it so obvious that honor and respect flow automatically. This type of person walks a basic and simple life keeping the focus locked in on the whole and never lowering themselves to acts or words of self absorption, division, or destruction. They get the respect due to their constant giving of respect. They rise above the mess and lead by example. People follow for their message is clear and the absence of selfishness promotes trust and loyalty.

Today we live with a huge void in our world. From politics to spiritual issues. From families to cities. A generation of statesmen have, or are, in the process of passing on. In their place we have a polarizing and extremely destructive new wave. We are seeing experts of finger pointing and blame. We may be taking this to an all time new level. We see situational ethics being applied while denial of such cries out simultaneously trying to point the finger rather than humbly break from our own sick state.

Do we not realize the time and the hour?

Natural disasters. Wars and rumors of more. Oil spills. World-wide economic collapse. Unparalleled calls for one world type governing. Why is this not driving us to our knees? Why in schools, city council meetings, hospitals, churches, denominations, conventions, and more do we continue to walk this path which is forbidden? We are told in scripture the following:

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching .
NKJV

The more I read the above verse, the more my burden grows. The plan is simple. The call is clear. Do our hearts break over the things that God desires in and from us? Oh that we would see the rising of many Statesmen for this time period. People are seeking the answers from government, political affiliations, drugs, alcohol and untold more. No answers are being found from these paths.

We who have a placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ through repentance of sin, are to be the voice in the wilderness. Oh that this would be true. We have serious issues of eternal life in heaven or eternity in hell. Our time is up for the ridiculous. May God break us and raise up a new generation of Statesmen loudly declaring the way of the Lord!

Stay Fresh

2010-06-02T00:19:00.000-07:00

It is easy for our spiritual journey to become stale. Often the daily ruts of life find a path into our spiritual growth and slow it down. There is nothing boring about God. Satan loves to distract our journey with a focus on things and people that drag us into the sea of apathy and even burnout.

This week do your bible reading different. Pick a new time. Add the discipline of writing journal. Read fewer versus. Do something different!

Focus more of your life on ministry - real ministry. Get out of the norm of 'keeping the sheep comfortable" and find people who need Jesus!

Remember this:

Psalms 47:2

2 For the LORD Most High is awesome ; He is a great King over all the earth.
NKJV

Your journey should be FRESH!

In Thanksgiving for Those Who Gave Their All!

2010-05-27T16:01:00.001-07:00

Help Your Pastor!

2010-05-26T23:29:00.000-07:00

The following is copied from Thom Rainer - President of Lifeway. It is great encouragement and direction for church members in loving and supporting their Pastors. Thanks Thom!

I know. Pastors aren’t perfect. But they do have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Regardless of the church polity, they do have to answer to every church member. Please allow me to speak to you who are church members. I know most of you love your pastor. I know most of you respect your pastor. But you may not know how you can best help your pastor.

I have served as a pastor of four churches, and I have consulted with hundreds of pastors. In many ways, I think I understand the heart of a pastor. So would you allow me to share with you how to demonstrate love to your pastor? I put them in the form of five things not to do, and five things to do.

What Not to Do

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. I’ve tried to streamline the list some.

1. Don’t criticize or make critical suggestions to the pastor unless you have spent much time in prayer over the matter. Pastors have to deal with criticisms every week. It drains them. Also, don’t criticize the pastor’s family.

2. Don’t ask the pastor to make announcements right before the worship service. He needs to be focused on his sermon. Similarly, don’t say other things to him that may distract him before he preaches.

3. Don’t tell your pastor how he compares to other pastors.

4. Don’t expect the pastor to be at all the church events and functions you think he should attend. Most of the other church members want him at “their” events as well.

5. Don’t expect the pastor to be the primary pastoral care giver to all members, their relatives, their distant relatives, and the rest of the community within a 30-mile radius.

What to Do

As I have talked with pastors around the world, they have shared with me some of the steps church members have taken that have really encouraged them. Let me share five of them.

1. Do pray for your pastor. Send him an email to let him know you are praying for him.

2. Do encourage your pastor. He needs it because he’s human, and he needs it to balance the criticisms he hears.

3. Do work with the leadership of the church to make certain the pastor is getting sufficient rest, time off, and family time. Most pastors are on 24/7 call.

4. Do encourage the rest of the church to take on pastoral care responsibility, particularly through small groups and Sunday school classes. The pastor should be the primary care giver for the most urgent and serious of needs. The rest of the church should do the bulk of the ministry.

5. Do be faithful to the ministry of the church. Few things encourage a pastor as much as committed church members.

Remembering Frances Mason

The very first blog I wrote was about Frances Mason. She was one of those church members that every pastor loves. Upon her death, I noted several reasons why I loved her so dearly.

As I reflected back on Frances for this blog, I realized that she was the type of church member that embodied all the great characteristics that are noted in these ten action items for this article. She prayed for me. She encouraged me. She looked after my welfare. She was a totally committed church member.

Many pastors are hurting. Sometimes I think most pastors are hurting. They are looking for answers to help their lives and leadership.

And the good news is that you can be a part of the solution.

Words Worth Remembering

2010-05-25T21:00:00.001-07:00

The human brain has the ability to memorize and store more than we can ever imagine. And at the same time the human brain can suffer clutter and distortion resulting in loss of memory with little to no warning. We can forget the simple things and yet recall the complicated. We can put things out of our mind and yet get things stuck. God created an incredible thing when developed the human brain.

Our memorization of God's Word is so important to our daily lives. In fact one of the most remembered versus from Vacation Bible School back in the 70's was Psalm 119: 11 "Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee." Funny how I still remember it in KJV! In fact it struck me today as I was looking at the summer schedule and studying for Adult VBS in July, that this verse is the one I most remember from my every year attendance at VBS. Other than the snow cones, this verse is about all I remember.

During a phone conversation today another verse was jogged out of my memory. A verse that really hits home in so many circles and situations. Rather than elaborating on it and sharing mere human thoughts, I am simply going to post it knowing that we all could do well to head the words written:

Titus 3:1-11
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

2 to speak evil of no one , to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
NKJV

Coming Soon!

2010-05-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

After several months of being "off the air" I am happy to announce that the Winning Truth Broadcast will once again begin airing the week of May 24TH with new messages. The broadcast will be available in podcast form and for download. Links will be provided next week. This blog will share insights into the broadcasts with discussion points from the messages. The current plan calls for one broadcast per week and an occasional Special Interest Broadcast from time to time dealing with Hot Topics of our day and particular issues that American Christianity is dealing with.

We pray that these broadcasts are a blessing to you. I look forward to interaction on the subject matter as we discuss and grow together. Time is running short. The return of our Lord is soon though NO person knows the exact time. We must do all we can in these days to reach as many people as possible with the only Winning Truth - the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

See you next week!

From the grave to today!

2010-03-30T23:56:00.000-07:00

Knowing that the grave is empty sets our hearts at ease if we know Jesus. Knowing the person who rose from the grave is only thing in life that matters. As we celebrate Easter this year, I pray that we will re-discover the true meaning of the resurrection.

The empty grave is a great lesson of how Jesus works today:

1. It is empty for He conquered our sin and death!
2. He calmly walked out of the grave to continue the work of the Father in saving and restoring lives.
3. It was witnessed by more than one to confirm the reality of the work of Christ.
4. It serves as a reminder that no one else can do what Jesus did for us!

Are you celebrating Easter? Jesus is alive! He is risen indeed!

God Provides

2010-03-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

From money to health, job to family issues, God is always able to meet our needs. Ironic in the course of life is that we know this but often fail to apply this to our days progress. Worry and fear are more common among us Christians than ever before.

Why?

Our relationship with Christ should be our first priority. It is so much more than a "get out of hell free card". It is our source of life. Lost in all of our activities are the basic disciplines that reinforce the faithfulness of God. We do not pray listening. We do not spend much time reading His love letter to us. We fail to take the time each day to praise Him!

Nothing can compare to who God is and how He cares for us. Nothing! May we realize the importance of spending time with Him and may the relationship that He bought and paid for be more than religious activity and mere thought in our lives.

God does provide!

Psalms 31:23-24

23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful , And fully repays the proud person.

24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
NKJV

The need for FOCUS

2010-02-26T21:48:00.000-08:00

Over the last few weeks I have thought much about the word FOCUS. One might even find humor in the idea that I am focusing on FOCUS. But the lack of focus among Christians has now become our greatest need in America. Where did our focus go?

Our focus is now on things that in eternity do not matter. We concentrate on money, plans, likes, eating, fun, and of course our jobs. The problem is that there is NO time left for the one who saved us. There are so many things occurring in our lives that the reality of Christ is far from our first thoughts during a day. Have we forgotten our first love? It is true that we can see many families crashing into dysfunction from a loss of focus on family. I think the same is even more true when comes to our relationship with Christ.

Revelation 2:1-5
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love .

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent."
NKJV

FOCUS is a matter of choice. We either chose to place Christ first in everything or we chose to allow all types of other issues and needs to replace Him. I cannot help but to think of the following:

Psalms 36:1-37:1
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.

2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.

3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.

5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise.
NKJV

May we focus on Him and all of His greatness today - and everyday!