Sunday, December 17, 2017
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
The Day Time Stood Still
Many experiences in this life have brought me great joy. God designed this life to be enjoyed. Sure, there will be times when things are not always pleasant. Life is a bit of a roller coaster isn't it? I can remember dark times in my soul where I felt so distant from God. These were times that I questioned my purpose...questioned God. Days like this are not the norm and they do not have to be what consumes your life.
This is not a blog about dark times. This is a blog about abundant joy, peace, and happiness. Many days mark the landscape of my life on which I look back and remember only the fondest of memories. You know the days I'm talking about. These are the days that stand out. They're not like the rest. Honestly, most days go by without anything remarkable happening. That is why time flies by so fast...you wake up in the morning and go about your routine and nothing was different from the day before. The kinds of days that I am referring to though, these are the ones that make time stand still. Memories are made on these days.
I will never forget the indescribable feeling that swelled up within me when I saw the love of my life walk through the doors in the back of the church holding her father's arm. In a moment she would walk to me and become my wife. Time stood still. The day that she told me that we were expecting our first little boy my heart nearly beat out of my chest with excitement. Time stood still. The day that little boy was born and I nearly fainted...time stood still. The day she told me that our next little boy was on his way and yet again my heart overflowed with joy. Time stood still. The day the he came into this world while his mom and I laughed together...time stood still. You see we could focus on all of the things that make this life painful or we could focus on these days.
Another day that stands out in my life happened only recently. Two weeks ago that first little boy that God entrusted us with made a decision. Although he is only six years old, he knew that he needed to trust Jesus with his life. As a pastor, God has blessed me with numerous opportunities to lead people to Christ. Each and every time someone decides to follow Jesus, I am overwhelmed with his grace. I am dumbfounded that God would use me in such a powerful way. I get overtaken with joy, time stands still, and the worries of the world fade into oblivion. When my little boy wanted to talk to me about Jesus and God opened the door for me to lead his little heart to Christ...I just could not contain it. Time stood still...it was as if everything in my life led me to that moment. This weekend, I have the privilege and honor of baptizing him. I wait with glorious anticipation for that moment. I cannot wait for the day when our youngest decides to follow Jesus too. Oh what a day that will be when Jesus saves him. I am trusting with all of my heart that this will soon occur. At that moment, my family will be made whole together. Time will stand still.
Today my wife had the privilege of sharing Jesus with one of her students. She felt the overwhelming joy. She has always loved her job but today was special. For her today I am sure that time stood still and she has a memory from that moment that she will carry with her from here to eternity. This is what we are made for. This is what life is all about...that's why days like this are so remarkable. When my wife shared her news today, one of her friends commented "There's a new name written down in Glory". This quote reminded me of a song that we used to sing in church when I was a kid. "There's a new name written down in Glory and it's mine. Oh yes it's mine. The white robed angels sing the story 'A sinner has come home.'" Luke 15:10 says, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Y'all, I'm going to break it down for you...God just wrote another name in the Book of Life!!!!
You want joy? Do you really want joy? Then join in the mission with Jesus and tell people about him! I promise you with every fiber of my being that there is no greater joy than this. This is the stuff that gets talked about in eternity. This is the stuff that makes wading through this life worth it. This is the stuff that makes time utterly stand still!
This is not a blog about dark times. This is a blog about abundant joy, peace, and happiness. Many days mark the landscape of my life on which I look back and remember only the fondest of memories. You know the days I'm talking about. These are the days that stand out. They're not like the rest. Honestly, most days go by without anything remarkable happening. That is why time flies by so fast...you wake up in the morning and go about your routine and nothing was different from the day before. The kinds of days that I am referring to though, these are the ones that make time stand still. Memories are made on these days.
I will never forget the indescribable feeling that swelled up within me when I saw the love of my life walk through the doors in the back of the church holding her father's arm. In a moment she would walk to me and become my wife. Time stood still. The day that she told me that we were expecting our first little boy my heart nearly beat out of my chest with excitement. Time stood still. The day that little boy was born and I nearly fainted...time stood still. The day she told me that our next little boy was on his way and yet again my heart overflowed with joy. Time stood still. The day the he came into this world while his mom and I laughed together...time stood still. You see we could focus on all of the things that make this life painful or we could focus on these days.
Another day that stands out in my life happened only recently. Two weeks ago that first little boy that God entrusted us with made a decision. Although he is only six years old, he knew that he needed to trust Jesus with his life. As a pastor, God has blessed me with numerous opportunities to lead people to Christ. Each and every time someone decides to follow Jesus, I am overwhelmed with his grace. I am dumbfounded that God would use me in such a powerful way. I get overtaken with joy, time stands still, and the worries of the world fade into oblivion. When my little boy wanted to talk to me about Jesus and God opened the door for me to lead his little heart to Christ...I just could not contain it. Time stood still...it was as if everything in my life led me to that moment. This weekend, I have the privilege and honor of baptizing him. I wait with glorious anticipation for that moment. I cannot wait for the day when our youngest decides to follow Jesus too. Oh what a day that will be when Jesus saves him. I am trusting with all of my heart that this will soon occur. At that moment, my family will be made whole together. Time will stand still.
Today my wife had the privilege of sharing Jesus with one of her students. She felt the overwhelming joy. She has always loved her job but today was special. For her today I am sure that time stood still and she has a memory from that moment that she will carry with her from here to eternity. This is what we are made for. This is what life is all about...that's why days like this are so remarkable. When my wife shared her news today, one of her friends commented "There's a new name written down in Glory". This quote reminded me of a song that we used to sing in church when I was a kid. "There's a new name written down in Glory and it's mine. Oh yes it's mine. The white robed angels sing the story 'A sinner has come home.'" Luke 15:10 says, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Y'all, I'm going to break it down for you...God just wrote another name in the Book of Life!!!!
You want joy? Do you really want joy? Then join in the mission with Jesus and tell people about him! I promise you with every fiber of my being that there is no greater joy than this. This is the stuff that gets talked about in eternity. This is the stuff that makes wading through this life worth it. This is the stuff that makes time utterly stand still!
Monday, August 28, 2017
The Glory Days
As I have written so many times before, I absolutely love autumn weather! As I write this, it is a sunny August day but the temperature is only in the 70s and a wonderful breeze is blowing...soon and very soon!!! I enjoy this season for numerous reasons that I have accounted for you previously. Not the least of the reasons is that this time of year is the best time of year in sports. Now it may come as a shocker to you but I thoroughly enjoy baseball and college football. Go Braves and Go DAWGS!!!
As a Braves and Dawgs fan, I, unfortunately, rely on what might be referred to as The Glory Days. Many of you have events in your life that you can remember just where you were and what you were doing when those events occurred. One such event for me happened on October 28th 1995. Tom Glavine faced the most feared offense in the MLB that season and held the Cleveland Indians to just one hit in game six of the October Classic. With a 1-0 lead, manager Bobby Cox put in the ace closer Mark Wohlers in the top of the ninth. Wohlers recorded two quick outs. And then he faced Carlos Baerga. Wohlers threw him a splitter that did not move the way that it was intended. He left the pitch a little high and on the outside corner of the plate. Baerga hammered it into to left-center field. I nearly could not watch but my eleven year old eyes remained glued to the screen. Marquis Grissom took chase and the moment that the ball touched his glove, "The Team of the Nineties" had their World Series. I sat there in jubilant disbelief. Tears of joy filled my eyes! I watched "my" team win it all! That of course was twenty-two years ago. Today the Braves are sitting in third place in their division with a 2017 record of 57-71. Hey, at least they are still better than the Phillies!
All Dawgs fans remember the historic 1980 season where Herschel Walker put up freakish numbers and set records. That season, the boys in silver britches won the National Championship Game over Notre Dame with a score of 17-10. They finished that season with a 12-0 record but, alas, I was not born until 1984. Thirty-seven years later and we still reminisce about that season. We remind our opponents about that historic season and seemingly year after year we threaten to repeat that historic feat. "Maybe this is the year", we hopefully project. Until mid-late season when we utter the most famous words in Georgia sports..."maybe next year."
Okay...so what? There have been times when I have found myself basking in the "Glory Days" of my walk with Christ. I have been blessed in my life to see God do amazing things in and through me. I am not boasting on myself...I am boasting on Christ. He has allowed me to see countless people come to himself through me. I have seen people lay everything at the foot of the Cross. I have seen families repaired because of Jesus. I have seen the Holy Spirit bring people from the grip of addiction. I have seen Jesus grow his church.
But there have been times when I have also felt like those were events from "days gone by." I have longed for the return of the "Glory Days." I have thought that maybe it just wasn't my time. Maybe if I could just change somehow that God could bring back all of that excitement. "Maybe next year", I would tell myself, hoping that I could somehow stay encouraged. But for a long time it seemed that "next year" never came. Then I remembered something that shook me to my core. God has never left the "Glory Years!" He is still winning! He called me to be on his team but for some reason I flirted with the "other" team. I can't explain it but it was almost as if I was a player for the '95 Braves but I wanted to be with the Indians. We're winning the World Series but my wicked heart wanted to play for the opponent. When I realigned my heart, I saw that the "Glory Days" are here and now!
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Heb. 13:8
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2
Struggling with defeat? God seem too far away?
Remember God has always been and will forever be in his "Glory Days." Turn your eyes to Jesus! Remember we win in the end and our victory is ultimate and everlasting!
As a Braves and Dawgs fan, I, unfortunately, rely on what might be referred to as The Glory Days. Many of you have events in your life that you can remember just where you were and what you were doing when those events occurred. One such event for me happened on October 28th 1995. Tom Glavine faced the most feared offense in the MLB that season and held the Cleveland Indians to just one hit in game six of the October Classic. With a 1-0 lead, manager Bobby Cox put in the ace closer Mark Wohlers in the top of the ninth. Wohlers recorded two quick outs. And then he faced Carlos Baerga. Wohlers threw him a splitter that did not move the way that it was intended. He left the pitch a little high and on the outside corner of the plate. Baerga hammered it into to left-center field. I nearly could not watch but my eleven year old eyes remained glued to the screen. Marquis Grissom took chase and the moment that the ball touched his glove, "The Team of the Nineties" had their World Series. I sat there in jubilant disbelief. Tears of joy filled my eyes! I watched "my" team win it all! That of course was twenty-two years ago. Today the Braves are sitting in third place in their division with a 2017 record of 57-71. Hey, at least they are still better than the Phillies!
All Dawgs fans remember the historic 1980 season where Herschel Walker put up freakish numbers and set records. That season, the boys in silver britches won the National Championship Game over Notre Dame with a score of 17-10. They finished that season with a 12-0 record but, alas, I was not born until 1984. Thirty-seven years later and we still reminisce about that season. We remind our opponents about that historic season and seemingly year after year we threaten to repeat that historic feat. "Maybe this is the year", we hopefully project. Until mid-late season when we utter the most famous words in Georgia sports..."maybe next year."
Okay...so what? There have been times when I have found myself basking in the "Glory Days" of my walk with Christ. I have been blessed in my life to see God do amazing things in and through me. I am not boasting on myself...I am boasting on Christ. He has allowed me to see countless people come to himself through me. I have seen people lay everything at the foot of the Cross. I have seen families repaired because of Jesus. I have seen the Holy Spirit bring people from the grip of addiction. I have seen Jesus grow his church.
But there have been times when I have also felt like those were events from "days gone by." I have longed for the return of the "Glory Days." I have thought that maybe it just wasn't my time. Maybe if I could just change somehow that God could bring back all of that excitement. "Maybe next year", I would tell myself, hoping that I could somehow stay encouraged. But for a long time it seemed that "next year" never came. Then I remembered something that shook me to my core. God has never left the "Glory Years!" He is still winning! He called me to be on his team but for some reason I flirted with the "other" team. I can't explain it but it was almost as if I was a player for the '95 Braves but I wanted to be with the Indians. We're winning the World Series but my wicked heart wanted to play for the opponent. When I realigned my heart, I saw that the "Glory Days" are here and now!
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Heb. 13:8
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2
Struggling with defeat? God seem too far away?
Remember God has always been and will forever be in his "Glory Days." Turn your eyes to Jesus! Remember we win in the end and our victory is ultimate and everlasting!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Growing Weary
Have you ever grown weary of doing something? I certainly have and honestly I am pretty weary of something right now. Nearly three years ago I started work on my doctorate degree and now I have what many students would refer to as senioritis. I am scheduled to graduate in December of this year but much still has to be done to reach that huge milestone. I could not tell you how many late nights I have worked at this point, how much of my writing has been submitted only to need to be rewritten and edited thoroughly, or how much sacrifice my family or my church has made in order for me to fulfill this calling. But I am tired. I am tired of writing. I am weary of working towards this goal. But it is a calling and I must continue to completion.
I know that God called me to do this so that I would be a better disciple-maker. I know that God called me to do this so that I could be equipped to bring much glory to him. I do not know what God has in store for me as a result of this but I know that he has my good and his glory in mind. My project focuses on creating a disciple-making strategy that is tailored specifically for Sardis Baptist Church and I believe wholeheartedly that God has big things in store for me and for my church but this process is just so tedious. I guess they don't just give out doctorates do they?...if it was easy it wouldn't be worth much.
That reminds me of his grace. Recently I preached a sermon about the costliness of grace. In it, I referenced one of my faith heroes, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer once said that grace is "Costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us." Insomuch that grace is not cheap, it should cost us something. We should make some sacrifice. There have been many times that I have failed him. There have been many times that I have tried to make his grace cheap. Although I am pursuing higher education for his glory, I fail him much more than I sacrifice for him and I grow weary in serving him. That is when I realize that I am finding my strength in myself. I realized a long time ago that if I pursue anything with the wrong motives that it ceases to bring glory to God and becomes worthless. Remember what the Bible says about our righteousness? Filthy rags. A doctorate just to build me up becomes a filthy rag. A wise man once said that "a doctorate doesn't require a smart man, just a perseverant one." I am no better than anyone. God called me to this just as he calls anybody to anything. My argument here is simply to persevere in the Lord in whatever he has called you to.
If we trust in the Lord he will renew us; he will strengthen us. Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Our hope is in him, not in ourselves. God is so good that he even promises blessings to us when we persevere. Galatians 6:9 says "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Read that again! If we do not give up, WE will reap the benefits!
I write this not to boast on myself or on any higher education because as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 2:16 "For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!" I simply write to encourage myself and you to not give up. Let your strength be in the Lord. He wants us to serve him and sometimes that's just not easy but just remember that "what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us."
I know that God called me to do this so that I would be a better disciple-maker. I know that God called me to do this so that I could be equipped to bring much glory to him. I do not know what God has in store for me as a result of this but I know that he has my good and his glory in mind. My project focuses on creating a disciple-making strategy that is tailored specifically for Sardis Baptist Church and I believe wholeheartedly that God has big things in store for me and for my church but this process is just so tedious. I guess they don't just give out doctorates do they?...if it was easy it wouldn't be worth much.
That reminds me of his grace. Recently I preached a sermon about the costliness of grace. In it, I referenced one of my faith heroes, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer once said that grace is "Costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us." Insomuch that grace is not cheap, it should cost us something. We should make some sacrifice. There have been many times that I have failed him. There have been many times that I have tried to make his grace cheap. Although I am pursuing higher education for his glory, I fail him much more than I sacrifice for him and I grow weary in serving him. That is when I realize that I am finding my strength in myself. I realized a long time ago that if I pursue anything with the wrong motives that it ceases to bring glory to God and becomes worthless. Remember what the Bible says about our righteousness? Filthy rags. A doctorate just to build me up becomes a filthy rag. A wise man once said that "a doctorate doesn't require a smart man, just a perseverant one." I am no better than anyone. God called me to this just as he calls anybody to anything. My argument here is simply to persevere in the Lord in whatever he has called you to.
If we trust in the Lord he will renew us; he will strengthen us. Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Our hope is in him, not in ourselves. God is so good that he even promises blessings to us when we persevere. Galatians 6:9 says "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Read that again! If we do not give up, WE will reap the benefits!
I write this not to boast on myself or on any higher education because as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 2:16 "For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!" I simply write to encourage myself and you to not give up. Let your strength be in the Lord. He wants us to serve him and sometimes that's just not easy but just remember that "what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us."
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
A Believable Gospel
The Gospel of Christ is simple and complex. The fact that Christ was crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended is something that is remarkably simple and yet the implications of it are far-reaching and complex. It changes everything about life and those changes are life-long and never ending. Thus its complexity. The Bible is alive, and though its message is ancient, its applications are current and many.
Euangelion is the Greek term for the Gospel. It is good news of an event that has occurred; a victory that has been won. It is for everyone including those who have already called Jesus Lord. We do not stop being changed by the Gospel. We should never stop growing. Unfortunately the Gospel has, on many occasions, been reduced to something that solicits a one-time response from people. Life change never occurs or it is stymied early in the life of a new believer. I believe that because of this tragic fact that, at times, the Gospel that we present to people becomes an unbelievable one.
With the invention of the internet and other various technologies, knowledge is said to double every twelve months. That essentially means that what you knew last March has become obsolete. With advancements happening in technology, the rate of knowledge doubling is fast approaching a month long process. As I researched this increase of the rate of knowledge, I was struck by something. People are smart. They get smarter everyday. Just this week I was having a conversation with someone about the Wright Brothers. December 17, 1903 is when they made their first flight at Kitty Hawk. July 21, 1969: the first man walked on the moon. ON THE MOON! There is no way that Orville and Wilbur could have ever imagined that the next generation would see such advancements. It is simply breathtaking how quickly we have advanced over the last 100 years.
People are not dumb. They can see through to the truth maybe a little more than we give them credit for. When we live our lives submitted to the Gospel of Christ it is evident. Unfortunately, it is also rather evident when we don't. Going to church is not that common anymore. Being a Christian is not as easy as it once was. When we capitulate to the world, rest assured the world is watching and they are smart enough to see through the smokescreen that we put up. It is not enough to play religion on Sundays. The Gospel must reach every area of our lives.
Last Christmas, the American Atheists Association created a billboard that read "Make Christmas Great Again: Skip Church". Of course this was a play on the words of President Trump but the deeper meaning underlying it is obvious. Atheists do not believe in God and they certainly don't believe in Jesus. In their minds skipping church is easy because there is no point worshiping something that doesn't exist. When atheists say "skip church" it is telling anyone who will listen what their beliefs are. What, pray tell, is the message when a believer skips church? I submit to you that the message is that the Gospel doesn't mean as much to that believer as they would like the world to think. When our community sees us not making much of Jesus, why in the world should we expect that they should. We shouldn't and we can't.
It is time for a new beginning. For over a month now we have been preparing for Easter. I have been exhorting you to invite people to start their new beginning in Christ with us on Easter. This invitation is not necessarily just for lost people. Could it be that it is time that you started a new beginning in Christ as well? Is it time that you took your faith more seriously and allowed the Gospel to touch every area of your life? Live in the Gospel, walk in the Gospel, spread the Gospel. After all, it is good news and that is something that we don't get much of anymore.
Euangelion is the Greek term for the Gospel. It is good news of an event that has occurred; a victory that has been won. It is for everyone including those who have already called Jesus Lord. We do not stop being changed by the Gospel. We should never stop growing. Unfortunately the Gospel has, on many occasions, been reduced to something that solicits a one-time response from people. Life change never occurs or it is stymied early in the life of a new believer. I believe that because of this tragic fact that, at times, the Gospel that we present to people becomes an unbelievable one.
With the invention of the internet and other various technologies, knowledge is said to double every twelve months. That essentially means that what you knew last March has become obsolete. With advancements happening in technology, the rate of knowledge doubling is fast approaching a month long process. As I researched this increase of the rate of knowledge, I was struck by something. People are smart. They get smarter everyday. Just this week I was having a conversation with someone about the Wright Brothers. December 17, 1903 is when they made their first flight at Kitty Hawk. July 21, 1969: the first man walked on the moon. ON THE MOON! There is no way that Orville and Wilbur could have ever imagined that the next generation would see such advancements. It is simply breathtaking how quickly we have advanced over the last 100 years.
People are not dumb. They can see through to the truth maybe a little more than we give them credit for. When we live our lives submitted to the Gospel of Christ it is evident. Unfortunately, it is also rather evident when we don't. Going to church is not that common anymore. Being a Christian is not as easy as it once was. When we capitulate to the world, rest assured the world is watching and they are smart enough to see through the smokescreen that we put up. It is not enough to play religion on Sundays. The Gospel must reach every area of our lives.
Last Christmas, the American Atheists Association created a billboard that read "Make Christmas Great Again: Skip Church". Of course this was a play on the words of President Trump but the deeper meaning underlying it is obvious. Atheists do not believe in God and they certainly don't believe in Jesus. In their minds skipping church is easy because there is no point worshiping something that doesn't exist. When atheists say "skip church" it is telling anyone who will listen what their beliefs are. What, pray tell, is the message when a believer skips church? I submit to you that the message is that the Gospel doesn't mean as much to that believer as they would like the world to think. When our community sees us not making much of Jesus, why in the world should we expect that they should. We shouldn't and we can't.
It is time for a new beginning. For over a month now we have been preparing for Easter. I have been exhorting you to invite people to start their new beginning in Christ with us on Easter. This invitation is not necessarily just for lost people. Could it be that it is time that you started a new beginning in Christ as well? Is it time that you took your faith more seriously and allowed the Gospel to touch every area of your life? Live in the Gospel, walk in the Gospel, spread the Gospel. After all, it is good news and that is something that we don't get much of anymore.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
The Best Adverstisement
I just went outside a few minutes ago and it is a beautiful warm spring day. The church lawn is covered with robins who announce the arrival of spring. Other birds fill the air with chirping and the flowers are beginning to bloom...but wait isn't it still February? Seems like it was just yesterday that our area was hit with a devastating ice storm in February although it was three or four years ago. But yes I do believe Spring is here to stay.
Spring is an especially important time in the life of the church. Every spring we get ready to celebrate one of the most important holidays in our faith: Easter. Every year, families come together and celebrate this most holy of holidays and in turn the church normally sees an uptick in attendance on that special day that we celebrate. Although much of the increased attendance is organic in nature due to long-held traditions, the church has a special opportunity to have a greatly increased impact on its community. We can expect more people who normally do not attend church to show up on our doorsteps and we welcome them with loving arms but what if we were intentional about inviting them, showing them love, and welcoming them into our faith family.
The leaders and administration of the church can create some of the "marketing" for special events such as Easter but there is a better way I believe. Everyone has heard that "word of mouth is the best advertisement". When the members of the church are excited about their church, it is contagious. When there is a buzz among the people about what the church is doing, their friends, family, and neighbors get curious. The church as a faith family is crucial in this concept. Every individual member plays a role.
This year, the church will be providing resources to the members in order for them to get the word out about our Easter services. There are no throw-away Sundays in the life of the church but we realize that Easter already presents a unique opportunity so we want to capitalize. In the next several Sundays, you will begin to see some of this material being made available to you and it is my desire that you join with me in this exciting opportunity to reach the lost this Easter.
So will you begin praying now for our church and our community? Here are a few things that I would encourage you to pray for:
1. That our church will be excited about what God is doing in and through it.
2. That we will have a great impact on our community this Easter.
3. That lost people will be invited to hear the Gospel on Easter Sunday.
4. That lost people will give their lives to King Jesus this Easter.
5. That I, as the pastor, will be granted wisdom and the words to speak to be an effective conduit of grace.
Spring is an especially important time in the life of the church. Every spring we get ready to celebrate one of the most important holidays in our faith: Easter. Every year, families come together and celebrate this most holy of holidays and in turn the church normally sees an uptick in attendance on that special day that we celebrate. Although much of the increased attendance is organic in nature due to long-held traditions, the church has a special opportunity to have a greatly increased impact on its community. We can expect more people who normally do not attend church to show up on our doorsteps and we welcome them with loving arms but what if we were intentional about inviting them, showing them love, and welcoming them into our faith family.
The leaders and administration of the church can create some of the "marketing" for special events such as Easter but there is a better way I believe. Everyone has heard that "word of mouth is the best advertisement". When the members of the church are excited about their church, it is contagious. When there is a buzz among the people about what the church is doing, their friends, family, and neighbors get curious. The church as a faith family is crucial in this concept. Every individual member plays a role.
This year, the church will be providing resources to the members in order for them to get the word out about our Easter services. There are no throw-away Sundays in the life of the church but we realize that Easter already presents a unique opportunity so we want to capitalize. In the next several Sundays, you will begin to see some of this material being made available to you and it is my desire that you join with me in this exciting opportunity to reach the lost this Easter.
So will you begin praying now for our church and our community? Here are a few things that I would encourage you to pray for:
1. That our church will be excited about what God is doing in and through it.
2. That we will have a great impact on our community this Easter.
3. That lost people will be invited to hear the Gospel on Easter Sunday.
4. That lost people will give their lives to King Jesus this Easter.
5. That I, as the pastor, will be granted wisdom and the words to speak to be an effective conduit of grace.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
That Frightening Thing Called A Calendar!!!
I just put a brand new calendar on my desk for the New Year and frankly, it intimidates me a little. So much to do and although the calendar is blank right now (that's because I haven't started filling it in yet), I know that soon it will fill up fast with all varieties of events. Church events, family events, holidays, you name it! Before I know it I will be getting ready to set out the calendar for 2018 and will be asking myself where 2017 went.
Time is one of our most valuable assets. Scripture says that we are to be "making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). In the last blog I wrote that we are to be living in the moment and taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to us; but what if we are also planning and using time management skills to enhance those moments? No one really knows what the future has in store but in our faithfulness we can plan to be used by God in mighty ways.
Consider the Israelites.Because they did not have faith in the promises of God, they were essentially condemned to waste time. Forty years of time...wasted. Just gone. What a tragedy! Can you imagine wandering around aimlessly, wasting precious time for forty years?!!! Yet, in his wisdom, Moses had a different concept of time. He wrote, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say 'Return, O children of Man!' For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night" (Psalm 90:1-4). Moses understood the eternal nature of God. He understood the importance of time.
We are some of the busiest people to have ever walked on the planet...yet somehow also the least productive. We have reduced our lives to events that we can write down on desk calendars...but how many of those events will have any lasting significance or impact? What if you determined that you would read God's Word in its entirety in 2017? That takes time, right? How about choosing to intentionally disciple someone this year? More time. What if you were to spend a few minutes with God in prayer every morning? More time. What if you were to volunteer for a ministry at church? You guessed it, more time.
So where is all of this extra time going to come from? It has to come from intentionally adjusting your routine. Think about what consumes your time. Some will have some valid reasons why they are so busy...others will not. How much time do you spend watching television? How much time do you spend staring at your smartphone? How many hours have you spent on your favorite hobby? There is nothing inherently wrong with spending time doing these things, but are they the best use of your time? Instead of getting rid of your smartphone, television, or golf clubs altogether, could the time spent doing those things be adjusted so that you might have a little more margin in your life for the things of God? I think we need to assess our calendars and schedules a little better before responding that we are just too busy for one extra thing. Are we really that busy? Or are we wandering around the deserts of mindless daily activities for forty years. Maybe so...maybe not. Just think about it a little bit and see if your daily calendar is filled up with time-wasters. If so adjust...you've got the whole year ahead of you.
Time is one of our most valuable assets. Scripture says that we are to be "making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). In the last blog I wrote that we are to be living in the moment and taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to us; but what if we are also planning and using time management skills to enhance those moments? No one really knows what the future has in store but in our faithfulness we can plan to be used by God in mighty ways.
Consider the Israelites.Because they did not have faith in the promises of God, they were essentially condemned to waste time. Forty years of time...wasted. Just gone. What a tragedy! Can you imagine wandering around aimlessly, wasting precious time for forty years?!!! Yet, in his wisdom, Moses had a different concept of time. He wrote, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say 'Return, O children of Man!' For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night" (Psalm 90:1-4). Moses understood the eternal nature of God. He understood the importance of time.
We are some of the busiest people to have ever walked on the planet...yet somehow also the least productive. We have reduced our lives to events that we can write down on desk calendars...but how many of those events will have any lasting significance or impact? What if you determined that you would read God's Word in its entirety in 2017? That takes time, right? How about choosing to intentionally disciple someone this year? More time. What if you were to spend a few minutes with God in prayer every morning? More time. What if you were to volunteer for a ministry at church? You guessed it, more time.
So where is all of this extra time going to come from? It has to come from intentionally adjusting your routine. Think about what consumes your time. Some will have some valid reasons why they are so busy...others will not. How much time do you spend watching television? How much time do you spend staring at your smartphone? How many hours have you spent on your favorite hobby? There is nothing inherently wrong with spending time doing these things, but are they the best use of your time? Instead of getting rid of your smartphone, television, or golf clubs altogether, could the time spent doing those things be adjusted so that you might have a little more margin in your life for the things of God? I think we need to assess our calendars and schedules a little better before responding that we are just too busy for one extra thing. Are we really that busy? Or are we wandering around the deserts of mindless daily activities for forty years. Maybe so...maybe not. Just think about it a little bit and see if your daily calendar is filled up with time-wasters. If so adjust...you've got the whole year ahead of you.
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