Real Life

I wish that we lived in a perfect world! I guess that would be Heaven! But until that day we live in a real world. We face difficulties at work, at home and in our personal lives. In February I will be speaking on some of the issues that we face in the "real world". Stress at work, struggling marriages, family relationships, and personal battles are some of the situations most of us struggle with. In February, our church will begin in the Celebrate Discovery program and the more I learn about this program the more I realize that it is for people in the church as much as those outside of the church. We have attempted in our pious mentality to sweep "real life" issues underneath the rug in our churches. My wife, Debbie, is the operational director of the Florence Crittenton Home (an emergency shelter) for children 6-17 years old. With the help of a great staff, they are able to help many children who are victims of the issues that the church has "swept under the rug". Our church has been awakened to the need-it is great! I pray that through the next several weeks God will change us so that no children in our families will face what some of the children in the Home are facing today! God's plan is the best! The principles in His Word are tried and true! Perhaps the best part of His plan is His grace! It does not matter where you are or what you have been through-God can and will help! I was just thinking..... and praying!

RE: 2009

The end of 2008 was busy! The New Year always brings me to a time of reflection. It was in January of 1990 that the Lord directed us to come to North Little Rock-that was a year of change for all of us. Many people have asked me how it is that I have stayed at one church for nearly 20 years. I believe it has been because of the goodness of God, the patience of our church family, and commitment. There have been a few times that another ministry has called and asked me to consider coming to serve with them. When that occurs I always ask myself two basic questions: (1) Where does the Lord want me? (2) If I want people to be committed to the Lord and His (this) church why should it be any different for me? I have learned a few things after 25 short years in the ministry-no church is perfect! I was taught that if you see something that needs to be done-no matter where you are-home, church or work- do it! Don't wait for someone else to start the Bible study or encouragement group! Do it yourself! If you see the need it because God has opened your eyes and heart to the need! A wise man told me "The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but you still have to cut the grass!" I hope in 2009 that we all dig in and begin to work! See a need! Get involved! I was just thinking.

Being Thankful

I cannot begin to express what God has done in my life. Beginning with my parents continuing with the family (wife and children) that God has blessed me with is truly amazing. To top all of that off He has allowed me to serve in the ministry of the Gospel and with a church that has a passion to share that Gospel across the street and around the world. The daily blessings of God are too numerous to account but life is good. That brings me to the point of this blog. I have come to realize that so many people exist and so few live! The Apostle Paul made this clear in Philippians 1:21, 22- "For me to live is Christ". It was his passion- what excited him, thrilled him, motivated him! What do you live for? Not what are you doing with your life? After all that Christ has done for us should not we "LIVE" for Him? Have a GREAT Thanksgiving! God is good! All the time! All the time! God is good! I was just thinking.

Change

I am not a person of change. We lived in the same house the entire time I was growing up. My parents bought a new home once I left for college- they may have been trying to tell me something. I like stability. I like to have people around me that I can trust and are not going to find a reason to leave when tough times come. This is such a paradox in a Christian's life. We are constantly changing to become more like Christ. We are constantly surrendering to the will of Christ which usually means change. The great aspect of a Christian's life of change is that Christ never changes. In church changes are hard. Most of the time they are me with opposition. But if we are constantly changes into what Christ wants us to be shouldn't the church be open change! I am not talking about abandoning the Gospel or our doctrinal truth but maybe we should be a little more open to change! Are you allowing Christ to change you-day by day? If you are not-maybe that is why change is so hard for you to accept. I was just thinking.

What A Day!

Sunday was a special day at our church. We dedicated the new Sanctuary and Educational building to the glory of God. It was an amazing day! We had several guests and many of our church family that have moved in recent days were able to be here enjoy the day. I am thankful for the love and dedication people have for this church whether they are able to physically attend or not. There are some of our senior adults who can not come now because of health reasons and yet they still support the church with their prayers and resources God has blessed them with. Their commitment is such an encouragement. The people here love each other-we are not perfect by any means-but we are a family.I do not get to see my family in Georgia but about once a year. I could not imagine giving up the chance to be with them if I possibly could. That brings me to a question-Why would anyone not want to be with the family that loves them and has supported them many years?  Maybe the parallel question is, "Why would I leave my family?" The longer I am in local church ministry the more I am intrigued why people leave a church. I know that many times the decision is extremely difficult-I am not questioning that! Is it a question of commitment? It is a personal preference? Many times God gets blamed for it! I am so thankful for my family at First Free Will Baptist Church of North Little Rock. Share your reasons with me. I was just thinking!  

Dedication Sunday

By the grace of God and a lot of hard work by some great church members and construction crews, we will have the dedication of the new Sanctuary and educational building this Sunday, September 28, 2008. There will be an Open House on Saturday, September 27 from 1-4 o'clock. Everyone is welcome! It has been a long journey to this point. There have been many lessons learned along the way about myself and the congregation of this church. I don't know if every Pastor feels this way or not, but these are the best people I could every hope to serve. I have been at this church for about 20 years and together we have been through many trials and joys. During my years as a Youth Pastor I always told our young people that God will never ask you to give something up that He will not replace it with something better! That truth has been proven again! Is God asking you to give something up in your life? He may be trying to replace it with something better! Be patient and when you can't see His hand-trust His heart! I was just thinking.

Time

The last few week it seems like there too many things to do and not enough time to get them done. We are finishing the building project at the church, the daily ministry needs of our church family that need to be addressed, my love for my own family and marriage and my personal walk with Christ always demands attention. These are just a few of the things that demand my time. You could make your own list and it would be just as important.  It would nice not to worry about time! That would take away a lot of stress! Whenever I stop and think about it, it comes down to priorities. I have mention this before in a sermon but it is becoming more practical than ever before to me-God is not my first priority, He is my only priority! Is that true in your life? I have to stop and ask myself that question several times a day. I was just thinking!