Praise God! My sins are gone.
Praise God! I am set free.
Praise God! My life has changed.
My life is new, because of You!

What will it take?

I did something this morning that I've never done before. Sitting at my table, 2:30 in the morning, with the back door open so I can hear the rain and thunder outside, I was startled by my weather radio. This alert, unlike the many that had sounded earlier this evening, was not due to the weather, however. This was an AMBER alert for a missing child in Gibson County. I could not catch all the details, so I went to the TBI website and found the alert along with a picture of the little 5-year-old girl, missing since 7:30pm last evening. I've heard AMBER alerts before, but the difference this time was that I did something about it. being at my computer already, I posted the alert and the picture to my facebook page, so that the information would go a little bit farther than just me. Why? On a stormy night like tonight, I couldn't imagine where this little girl could possibly be, last seen wearing only pink panties, if she was not at home, safe and sound:


Now, I did this because there is something I know about myself: I love children, teens, adolescents, and their families. And my life's actions have not always reflected what my life's PASSIONS really are. The troubling thing is that, the longer you go in life saying that something is important to you, but not acting like it is important to you, the more it begins to appear that the thing in question is NOT important to you. So if I have a passion to help children, but I let an opportunity pass me by to help a child in the least bit, then I could not possibly stand face-to-face with you and say with complete honesty, that my passion is to help children.

I can't help but feel that there are many people whose lives are not fulfilling their passions. So the question is: What is it going to take? With kids dying and being taken advantage of, what is it going to take? With the elderly being abandoned and abused, what will it take? When a million abortions occur and those lives are tossed out before they ever have a chance to begin, what is it going to take? With women being beaten and bruised, what will it take to move YOU?

What makes you tick? What gets your goat? Who are you recognizing needs the love of God on a daily basis that you are able to glide right by, excusing the apathy by telling yourself that it's not you problem? What searing sensation occurs in your soul that time and neglect has caused to become more dull and more weak until you hardly notice anymore? What was the last thing that made you begin to weep tears of sorrow and pray to God saying, "Please do something! Please help ME to do SOMETHING?" I know it's not pleasant to think about, but you and I both have allowed opportunities to slip by in which a little extra time and consideration could have made a whole lot of difference, where taking a small risk of being called "intrusive" or even the slight risk of being wrong, caused us to over look a situation altogether in which someone was secretly crying out for help.

There is not enough love in all the hearts of men and women in this world that can cause all the problems and injustices of people to be solved. Ahmed Zewail, 1999 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, wrote, "Despite human progress, I fear the continuing dearth of visionary solutions to the underlying causes of human misery- ignorance and deprivation." I am not deluded into thinking that man has any solutions to these causes of misery for our brothers and sisters. I am convinced, however, that the solution resides in Jesus Christ. "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." II Timothy 1:6. If the gift is in you, then the answer also resides in you. Don't let it take another day of statistics to activate your response to your passions.


Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Katelyn Cole can call the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office at (731) 855-1121 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND

Just me

I am tonight, on the eve of a Sunday service in which I am to preach to the home congregation, just floored about how unworthy I am, not just to preach, but to even be a leader or just a child of God at all! I am no where what I need to be, and sometimes it doesn't seem like I'm that far away from what I used to be. Why are the most basic principles of prayer, fasting, and the Word so hard to follow? Why do I go days and weeks without uttering someone's name in prayer? What is so important that I would let erode these cornerstones of Christ-like life and ministry in my life? Why do the words of sheep in my care bring such cutting conviction; isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

The ministry certainly cannot be separated from the man in whom the ministry is invested. The life of the preacher should be the loudest sermon he preaches! I love preaching, and the office of the preacher, and the pulpit, but I despise having to be in front of the people in the poor, miserable shape that I'm in!

I am striving so hard to get back to a life of striving for the right in my life! Praying for a fresh burden that propels me away from all the diversions that take up my time and leave me passionless, prayerless, and powerless. I don't want my family or my church or my youth to get the rest of me instead of the best of me! I hope the fact that this is a problem for me and that I'm taking the time to write about it means that this is turning around in my life, because I can't go on like this. Please God, in your Holy Name, Jesus, deliver me from the poison of pride and the body of this death! Let me take up my cross instead of lazily dragging it! Let me come back to my first love and my first works, rebuilding on the foundation! Let me be broken on your altar where your oil and blood can reconstitute my broken pieces into the man you want and need me to be!!!

Flattening of the world…

Genesis 11:4: And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
At the time in history that this passage of scripture describes, all the people of the world were gathered in one place, with one language, and one leader; one prevailing system of thought that wasn’t good- Man can be his own god and do his own thing.
The view is given by the ancient Jewish historian Josephus that, being located in time rather close to the Great Flood, this civilization thought they could build a tower that reached all the way to heaven, so that if another flood ever came, everyone could avoid it and shake their fists at God Himself for thinking he could destroy them again! The tower was the first of many that would be built over centuries by the Sumerians, who used the towers as places of ritualistic, human sacrifice. Either way, the people were full of all knowledge except the knowledge of God.
Daniel 12:4 tells us that at the time of the end “knowledge shall be increased.” It is not to be believed that knowledge is evil and that gaining knowledge is a vain pursuit; however, it is evident over time that man’s knowledge and the search for it has led many to believe that knowledge has done away with God, or has even become God itself.
At a period of time known for its wealth of information and knowledge, called the Renaissance, most maps showed that the world was flat, rather than the sphere that we all know that it is today. Whether Columbus was the first person to discover the roundness of the earth or not, his exploration certainly brought Europe’s attention to the fact that no one was going to fall over the edge of the planet once they disappeared over the horizon. It is told that Columbus got his inspiration from the scripture in Isaiah that proclaims God to sit upon the circle of the earth. How amazing that the knowledge of God would have such an impact on the knowledge of the physical world! More amazing still is the lack of the knowledge of God that corresponded with the mainstream ignorance about the shape of the earth we live upon.
Modern technology, bringing to our fingertips instant and constant information, has created a world that is practically void of horizons. Anything that anyone could ever desire is within sight and within grasp, and if it cannot be found instantly or electronically, it must not exist! There are no more frontiers, nothing left to learn, or nothing undiscovered that would not soon be discovered.
And, in the world’s eyes, there is certainly nothing that we must know that we can learn from God! Like the people of Babel, who for all their knowledge was unable to recognize that they were smaller than Almighty God; like the Europeans of the Renaissance that, for all of the enlightenment they were obtaining, were still certain that at the end of the sky was a chasm to fall into; the world today goes on about life, better informed and better equipped than any previous generation, and yet less aware of the existence, future judgment, or the present love of Jesus Christ.
The world is becoming flat again- with all that there is to learn, do not forget that there are some things that only God can show us, hidden behind a horizon that will not drop you off into coldness and darkness, but will deposit you into the loving arms of the Savior- Jesus Christ.

Thanks go out to...

This week, we were blessed to have the men and women of the various churches that attended the Impartation Fellowship in Jackson, come to do outreach at Turning Point for Men and to deliver food baskets to families that are served by the East Jackson Community Outreach.

Turning Point was blessed by 12 Apostolic, Spirit-filled men who came to pray and testify to our residents. The men were there for at least an hour, and prayed throughout the entire house and across the entire property. The prayer was that every man who crosses the threshold of the home would feel the presence of God and realize that they are only ther for a temporary stay- for God will lift them up and establish their steps! A testimony service was held on the top floor of the home, with the residents hearing words of encouragement from other men who God had saved out of drugs, alcohol, fornication, and life on the streets. It truly was an upper room experience that flowed to the outside of the home, where God's help and protection were proclaimed on the sidewolk and in the yard of the home.

A van-load of Apostolic ladies delivered baskets for 4 families in need in the East Jackson community. They had the opportunity to minister and witness to these families while showing the love and compassion that God has toward all people, regardless of the state of their lives or economic status.

The ministry of Turning Point and East Jackson Community Outreach have been revitalized by the efforts of these men and women. We look forward to continued fellowship and evangelism together for the sake of the residents of East Jackson! Special thanks to Pastor Eric Price and his committee; Minister Terrell, Greater Vision's Outreach Director; and Sister Chanda Freeman, Outreach Coordinator for the Impartation Fellowship.

Team Development pt.1

I'm typing this from printed notes, the computer file for which I lost many hard drive/flashdrive crashes ago. So It will be done in two parts...

There are four premises to work from when considering the practical reasons for team ministry:
1. There is a church full of people,
2. Each of which is a distinct member of the body of Christ.
3. Personal and church grow are prime goals,
4. And no single one of us can do all the work.

Eph. 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Team ministry has two unique dynamics that make it a meaningful and worthwhile process to take part in.

Cooperation between people and ministries is a benefit of the teamwork process. A common mission can be worked toward by diverse people and groups in unique and complementary ways. Cooperation is necessary when more than one person cares deeply about a cause. Shared thinking offers diverse solutions. Shared effort multiplies the amount of work that can be done. Shared results offer the opportunity for mutual benefits and an impact on this world that far exceeds what any individual can attain. In the words of John Maxwell, "One is too small a number for greatness."

Synergy is a quality of team ministry that refers to the effect of a team's efforts being greater than the sum of the individual's combined efforts. In synergy, there are the practices of augmentation and delegation. The members of a team each are able to augment the strengths of the other members by bringing their own gifts and talents to the mission. Delegation divides the required tasks between group members based on the strengths and availability of each member. In spite of the mathematical wisdom, adding the right people to the team actually multiplies results!

Determining the right people will be the subject of the next post.

Notes from a class I'm teaching on Acts 5

Acts Chapter 5- The Sovereignty of God in 3 Acts

In today’s study of the book of Acts, chapter 5, we will see the sovereignty of God, demonstrated through his people, unfold in a drama composed of 3 acts. The first act demonstrates the ABSOLUTE sovereignty of God over His creation. The second act demonstrates the DELEGATED sovereignty of God, which He loans to His people. The third act demonstrates the ASCRIBED sovereignty of God that resonates from the heart of the Spirit-filled believer toward God.

I. Absolute Sovereignty
a. Acts 5:1-11- Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the church, but anger God instead.
b. Was God’s treatment of them just? Did the punishment fit the crime? It matters not, for God is completely SOVEREIGN over all creation!
c. So why? Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira?
i. It was His choice.
ii. It was an example to the church.
iii. It is a reminder that all sin is first and foremost an offense to God, though we also wrong others in the process.

II. Delegated Sovereignty
a. Acts 5:12-16- The apostles work miracles among the people, winning a great number of souls.
b. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12. We see the fulfillment of this promise in these verses.
c. The working of miracles through mankind is a delegation of God’s supreme authority to intervene in the natural course of events.

III. Ascribed Sovereignty
a. Acts 5:17-42- The apostles stand firm under the oppression of the Counsel.
b. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
c. There were no miracles worked, but the lives and actions of the apostles spoke loudly enough that the counsel determined nothing could be done to stop these men, not even taking their lives. (Consider Genesis 11:6).

Revolution of the Church

REVOLUTION- Revolution of the Church
Revolution- Completion, rotation, a turning
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise…” Eph. 5:15

The command to walk circumspectly means to walk diligently, perfectly, exactly, or accurately. It is a REVOLUTIONARY look at life and living it for God to the fullest.
To break the word into it’s root parts, circum- indicates “around”, a circle, -spect indicates to look or examine. In other words, live life literally looking completely around, fully understanding, prudently, wisely.

In these days, the church must be ever more circumspect. Pitfalls await the church that is looking only in the direction of creating numbers, dollars, buildings, or anything else that, in and of itself, is less than God’s plan and will for His body in these last days. Compromise is one of the greatest pitfalls, and it is witnessed in many sectors of Christianity every day. The church CAN be and MUST be built on practices and principles that are rooted in the Word of God and sound doctrine! What simply “works” is not enough, and when closely examined, only works to bring about a result that is unbiblical and undesirable to Jesus Christ. The church can determine what really works, not by going along with the example set by other Christian or even secular organizations, but by praying and practicing the Word of God and relying on the Spirit of God, as the church at Antioch did (Acts 13:1-3).

A body of believers that is built of members that have learned to walk circumspectly is in a better position to do the work of the Lord than one that is made of members that have not been taught, equipped, and ministered to. That is why Beech Bluff has focused the first half of 2009 building strong individuals and families, which are the backbone of a healthy church.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

“One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” John Maxwell’s Law of Significance, The 17 Indispensible Laws of Teamwork
The Body of Christ is one, with individual, particular members. It is the duty of every church to disciple believers “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). (See my blog on building teamwork in the church.)

Jesus spoke of His church before it was ever known as the church when He said, “…and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” (Matthew 16:18). He said this because it would be built upon the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets, and He Himself would be the chief Cornerstone.

Beyond this fact, however, it is OUR duty and great responsibility to see that the Church carries the Gospel to every creature, nation, tribe, and tongue! What an awesome responsibility this cross we carry entails! I want to perform that work with all my heart, with the Spirit of God in me, and with the Body of Christ around me, until the Lord comes!

The Importance of the Family

These next few posts go along with the Beech Bluff CONNECT group family sessions. Enjoy!
The Importance of the Family
There is no doubt about it- whether you examine the Bible or think about your own experience and observation- the choices that are made by moms, dads, and even extended family members in the present, will have an influence on generations to come. Two families in particular- Abram and Sarai in the Old Testament; Zacharias and Elisabeth in the New Testament aptly demonstrate this point in God’s Word.
Abram and Sarai had the greatest promise offered to them from God- that from their seed, God would create a great nation, numbering more than the sands of the sea or the stars of the sky. The problem came when Abram and Sarai became impatient and tampered with God’s plan. When Abram took Hagar to give him a child, God’s plan for His nation was violated. Also, God’s plan for the family was violated. Lack of faith in God allowed this family to be divided and produced an illegitimate child. The fruits of this decision are felt today, manifest in the current conflict in the Middle East between Isaac’s lineage and Ishmael’s.
Zacharias and Elisabeth had a great promise as well: their son would be the herald for the Messiah. The opportunity presented itself for this family to be divided by the opinions of other people and by their own insecurities. Zacharias expressed some doubt at the angel’s announcement and was struck dumb as a result. At the circumcision of the child, family and neighbors tried to call the child by his father’s name and were shocked when Elisabeth spoke up to say, “Not so- his name is John.” Zacharias could have, as head of the family, named the child by his own name, fitting the mold of tradition that the others were coming from. However, he obeyed the will of God and spelled it out plainly- the name of the prophet would be John.
The family is the most basic and important building block of the church, the community, and the society at large. Think about how many of your daily habits and interactions are influenced by your family. From your major beliefs about God, to the way you squeeze toothpaste from the tube, your family relationships and experience have created who you are as an individual. This perhaps impacts others around you profoundly more than your individual personality traits or personal inclinations.
Unity of belief and action is vital to making sure your family is not divided. No matter what core beliefs are taught to us by our parents, it is the daily life and actions that we witnessed as children that have influenced us more than anything. A few years ago, death claimed a father who spoke his faith in God strongly to his children and to anyone that came to his home to visit him. After his passing, one of his sons held tightly to a memento that his father left behind, and he promised he would always hold and cherish this particular item that was so much a part of his dad’s life. It was not his dad’s Bible, but his dad’s snuff can that was so cherished by this son. We can affirm that we believe the entire Bible, the whole of God’s truth; but it is the way we live this truth that creates the lens that our children, and even lost family members, will view the Bible and the church through.
The family’s influence is so powerful that it impacts the view of an individual for the rest of their life. God’s Word testifies of this truth, and families throughout the years have proven it. This is the importance of family.

Breakthrough!

Today I had the privilege of teaching my first home Bible study in East Jackson. I taught a young father and husband in his living room using the "Place Prepared for You" one-hour study, covering the need for repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus. I was able to talk to him about these important aspects of salvation, leave the study book with him, and interest him in further study and in being baptized! This was our tenth week of outreach in this neighborhood and God is opening all the doors for us. It just takes consistant effort to show you really care about a person and their life, both here-and-now and in eternity. I thank God for what He is doing and pray that I will remain up to the task of doing kingdom-work for Jesus!

Give Yourself a Hand!

Potty training is tough. It's a lot like being on the bomb squad- every second counts. Elisha's getting the hang of it, though. It's a little tough to get him there, but he always gets up excited and ready to wash his hands (AKA. play in the water). Usually I wait for him to get finished, but one time I left him on the potty to go grab something. He finished before I got back, slammed the lid, and let out a loud "Good job!" to himself.

Elisha often completes tasks with a hearty "good job". He has heard these words said to him over and over, and others, like "way to go," "you got it," " that a boy," and " I'm proud of you!" He has heard encouragement enough that he encourages himself if no one else is around! And, he has experienced encouragement enough that he is learning to give it to others; Elisha often congratulates me or his mom with a great big "Good job!"

Encouragement is something that we seem to receive less of as we grow older. Some people scarcely receive praise or encouragement at all in their lives. Maybe others receive encouragement, but are unable to appreciate it. Still others rely completely on the people around them to keep them going. None of these scenarios are ideal or healthy.

The great thing is that encouragement can be a choice. We can choose to be with encouraging people. The company we keep is an important key to staying encouraged. We can choose to be an encouragement to others. Being an encourager is often the best cure for our own discouraging times. And, like Elisha, when no one else is around or seems to know what we are going through, we can encourage ourselves. Don't be afraid to tell yourself "Good job!" You deserve it!

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11.

It's time to catch fire!

We had an amazing watch service last night at Beech Bluff UPC, ushering in the new year with singing, preaching, prayer and praise. Many of the things that you would expect to find at a New Year's Eve service were present, but there were some things that are not expected, at least any where other than Beech Bluff.

Each of our four pastoral staff members preached for 15-20 minutes. Pastor Howard wrapped up the preaching by emphasizing the importance of prayer as we enter a new year of service to the Kingdom of God. Then we entered a time of prayer minutes before midnight.

After a time of prayer, we entered praise and worship to God for His help in 2009. As we worshiped, the Holy Ghost spoke through the gifts of the Spirit. He admonished us to get passionate for Him and His work. While we have true doctrine, anointed preaching, and demonstrative worship, it will be the passion of the Holy Ghost resident in us and exuded from us that will set us apart and draw people to us and toward Christ. He promised through John the Baptist that He would baptize us with Holy Ghost and FIRE. The fire burns and purges us, and gives us the power to make an impact in this world. It is also what will call us up from this earth at Christ's return.

The last thing I have to worry about is a young person, adult, or couple that is passionate and ON FIRE for God and His work. While we must have preaching, teaching, and Bible knowledge to know right from wrong, it is an individual's passion to please Jesus that really keeps him or her in prayer, repented, renewed, and ready for God's will.

I expressed last night that 2009 is going to find me communicating God's vision in as many ways as I can, which is why I write this blog. After the miraculous word of God we received on the dawn of the new year, I am also going to spend less time worrying about our youth and more time praying for them to get passionate for Jesus and His work in their lives. I want to demonstrate passion and speak passionately so I can play a role in transmitting to others the joy of being passionate for God and His Kingdom!