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!

Trying to get back in the swing of things...

Writing this blog was a "stroke of genius" that I had several months ago that has not been followed up on very well. Well, after having it as my home page, staring at me every time I pull up my internet browser, always the same and never changing, I think it is something that I need to take back up as a priority.

A lot of things about my life have sat for several months staring at me, always the same, never changing, much like this blog page. Stagnation is a terrible thing. I sure to some people my life has seemed to be dynamic and moving forward, but most of the time I have not felt like that was the case. I think in a lot of ways I have tried to be something I'm not, tried to obtain goals or do great things without the stuff it takes to make those goals possible. I'm really coming to a place though where God is helping me to realize the things that really count and He is bringing me back to myself.

I guess I feel like I'm reentering a life of integrity by changing to be who God wants me to be and not being what will be the most prosperous or exciting. It's hard to think that for at least several months you have had your priorities really messed up, and to think about what you could have done with all that time if you had had your head in the right place.

Well prayer is helping me change all of that. Getting in line with the will of God is helping. Reexamining some old books (not the least of which is the Bible) is helping. And, putting my thoughts and ideas out through this blog and other media will help as well. So, I hope to spend time doing what I'm doing right now a lot more in the future. Hoping it will be a blessing to myself and many other people.

Child Protective Services: Does It Help or Harm Families?

A video that I think offers some pretty good insight into child welfare investigations.