In The Eye Of D. Holder

Do These Go Together?

2012-01-31T21:37:00.000-06:00

Don't know why, but this sign I saw struck me as a bit odd.

Football, Faith, Tebow and Trivia

2012-01-14T07:05:00.000-06:00

I am impressed with Tim Tebow. He seems to represent Christianity well. It is time that we had a "celebrity" who truly lived out his or her Christian faith without phoniness and shallowness.
I am praying that he will stay true to this faith and not fall. He has been put up on a higher level, so his fall would be great. Then the skeptics could say, "Yeah, I told you; he's just like the rest of those hypocrites."

I noticed that the mayor of Pittsburg lost a bet with the mayor of Denver, so he had to wear a Tebow jersey while "Tebowing." The one thing that bothers me about it is wondering if Tim (and others) are doing this in part, to be seen. Jesus had a specific warning against that type of display. (Matthew 6:1)

I discovered some amazing trivia about Tim Tebow:

His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16. In his playoff win against the Steelers, he threw for 316 yards. His average yards per completion was 31.6 yards. The Neilson rating system had the game in the fourth quarter at a 31.6 share.

Now get this: The referees who called the game were named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And finally, according to his link, Witches are casting spells against him to end his season.

I pray for Tebow. May he stand strong in his faith...and his football.

Enough To Make Me Rethink My Ebook Reader (Not!)

2012-01-11T20:17:00.000-06:00

Try this with you Kindle or Nook!

Merry Christmas To All!

2011-12-25T07:44:00.001-06:00

Just one way of celebrating Christmas in Cajun Country....

One Reason Why Christmas Sales Are Up This Year

2011-12-24T09:04:00.000-06:00

I don't think Dave Ramsey would be pleased.....

Stupid and Graceless

2011-12-03T21:41:00.000-06:00

I admire Bob Costas for saying something on national television that needs to be said. He uses words like "obnoxious," "knuckleheads," and "idiots."

In the words of Tim Challies: “Bob Costas carves the selfish idiots who make a spectacle of themselves after they do something good on the football field."

He raises a good question: "Where are the coaches in all this?"

Preach on, Bob!

Anybody with us?

You Think It's Cold Here?

2011-10-06T22:43:00.001-06:00

Captured on an October morning in Lake Charles, LA.

A Good Reason To Let Sleeping Classics Lie

2011-10-05T21:43:00.002-06:00

Many, many years ago, I read the classic work, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie. Its impact on my life since then has been beyond measure. Its practical, sensible, and proven advice for getting along with people is worth a read by anyone. In fact, I have recently been listening to it on compact disc in my car. Though my eldest son will grimace here, I once insisted that he read the book after some now forgotten relational infraction he committed. He did read the book, or said he did, though I recall thinking that he must have had some angle on a rapid reading method.

It is a classic book.

That's why it should be left that way.

I happened to notice the other day that the book has been "updated" for the 21st century. Admittedly, some of its illustrations and examples are dated. After all, the book was originally published in 1937 during the height of the Great Depression. The world has changed much since then.

Unfortunately, the book apparently has as well. Just one sentence will suffice as an example:

Today’s biggest enemy of lasting influence is the sector of both personal and corporate musing that concerns itself with the art of creating impressions without consulting the science of need ascertainment.

Huh? What? And just what in the name of Dale Carnegie is "need ascertainment?"

Here is a good example of why classic works need to be left to stand as they were first conceived. One of the reasons this book has spanned the generations, no doubt, is its plain and simple language. Now that clear and easy to grasp wording is changed into gobbeldygook.

Let that be a lesson to all.

Some things are better left alone.

2011-09-08T22:43:00.000-06:00

I recently finished the book, Renovation of the Church: What Happens When A Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation, by Carlson and Lueken. It is a part biographical, part confessional story about a church that moved from being "seeker driven" to become more focused on spiritual formation. They went from a megachurch to a much smaller one. But they found that they gained quality over quantity. As a matter of fact, I could resonate well with their staff's feelings of having to sing and dance, so to speak, in order to please the crowd and keep them coming. In short, they went from a consumer church to more of a contributor church. They have the scars to prove it as well. Music style may not have changed as much as the tone of the church overall.

In my informal conversations with pastors of traditional churches, I have discovered that we all struggle with "performance anxiety" as well. At the end of the day, we manage to offend and please almost all individuals in the worshipping crowd. Then again, who ARE we there to please?

I maintain that it is the spirit of the worship, not necessarily the type of songs we sing. I have felt God's presence deeply while singing "A Mighty Fortress," as well as I felt I was at a rock concert performance while the band cranked out the latest worship tune as heard on "YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTIAN MUSIC STATION!." Likewise, in a more "worshipful" service, I have felt anything but. Then again, with a hard rock'n band, I truly felt God's nearness.

My eldest son, going from a megachurch in Dallas with all its bells and whistles to a coffeehouse with a guitarist seated on a stool, said he felt closer to God in the latter setting.

But the order of worship is not up for a democratic decision, just as the sermon topic isn't. However, a sense of what people will like is an ever nagging presence. Some us, even in ministry, still struggle with the desire to please our fellow humans.

In closing, I say as I have said for several years: The pendulum would one day swing. It is now swinging. The move will be back to a more liturgical form of worship. It is already happening in the more avant garde churches, particularly in urban areas and on the left coast. What type of worship will characterize the next generation?

God only knows.

One Of My Favorite Quotes

2011-09-06T20:17:00.004-06:00

Years ago, I discovered these words by Theodore Roosevelt. For some time, I had them displayed prominently under the glass on my desktop where I could see it daily.

For some reason, I enjoy reading them aloud with a voice that is my imitation of Winston Churchill. (Imagine him saying these words in the tone he used to inspire the British people during World War II saying among other things: "We shall never, never, never give up!"

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Sounds to me like Teddy had his own share of critics. But unlike so many who wither under criticism, he refused to knuckle under.

Cold and timid souls they are who are content to carp and criticize yet never even enter the arena. Things do look quite differently from the field than they do in the stands. Often one has only a split second to make a decision while the armchair quarterback can pontificate almost endlessly.

Am I immune to criticism? Of course not. Whether it is valid or not, I have many times spent restless nights replaying a critic's comments in my head.

Just the other day, I received a comment from a church guest on a response form saying that my sermon had no practical application to everyday life. In fact, I had specifically added ways there the biblical principal could be applied to work, school, etc.

So what happened? "What we have here is a failure to communicate." Whether the person wasn't getting it, or I wasn't sending it, no matter. I pledged to do better to communicate application in my sermons.

And I choose to remain in the arena.

Church Music: Style Or Substance? Or Both?

2011-06-29T13:14:00.004-06:00

I was working through some files and found this observation. I am not sure who wrote it, but it was not I:

If a church hires a new music leader, it can expect a significant turnover. Musical style and presentation in the church is one of the biggest factors for choosing a church in the first place. And when that changes, even slightly, we feel we have an excuse for leaving. I love our music leader. Great guy, great life story. He spent three stints in prison in his 20s before he surrendered his life to the King of Kings. But I don’t like the songs he chooses on most Sundays. I don’t want to sing about me and how blessed I am. I want hymns, the richness of lyrics that have been handed down for hundreds of years. But should I leave my church just because our song leader doesn’t choose songs I like? Is it really all that important what I think about the music selection? Can God not receive praise even if I think the lyrics are trite and bland?

Many of us church leaders have well programmed and produced and timed our church worship to the point that even rock stars are envious.

All the while, are we may be saying, "You can have it your way." Some of us also know that if we don't give it to 'em like they want it, well, there's always another church down the road.

What of being a follower of Jesus Christ means that we are to "deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him?"

Our music and art can be a dead giveaway.

New Celebrities/Rock Stars

2011-06-05T15:36:00.003-06:00

I heard a story the other day (probably apocryphal) that an unusual event occurred in Baton Rouge, LA. After living in Louisiana these eleven years it seems that the unusual is part of our culture. Who Dat?

Nevertheless, a concert by a well known country artist was in progress. They are so well known that I do not recall their names.

As the story was told to me, all of a sudden a sea of heads turns from the stage to see something at the back of the venue. The band is playing and singing. The ocean of bodies then parts like Red Sea to reveal The New Rockstars.

The Swamp People.

Swamp People is a History Channel "reality" show about people who live in the Louisians Bayou and wrestle alligators. I often hear from people around here who watch the show and enjoy it. The Swamp people have become quite celebrities, and not just in our native Louisiana,

The poor band on the stage didn't know what to do- keep playing or stop. I understand the dilemma. As a public speaker and church leader I have often wondered what to do when some emergency or something unepected happens during a worship service.

Unfortunately, I know the rest of the story.

I do know that the Swamp People appeared at the mall in nearby Lake Charles yesterday and people stood in line for two hours to get their autographs.

Celebrity Syndrome. It used to be politicians, musicians, and artisans.

Now it is the Swamp People.

They are apparently taking their show on the road and may be coming to a town near you. Be prepared to wait in line to speak with someone who works out of a boat and who kills 'gators for a living.

If you missed them in Lake Charles, don't worry. They did leave behind signed momentos of their visit. I hear there still a few left.

By the way, a smiliar thing happened here recently with Billy the Exterminator. People do the strangest things. While I didn't stand in the line, I did get to see him up close!

The Day Has Finally Come!

2011-04-19T15:37:00.003-06:00

I have heard of disunity in church. Now it is a reality.

2011-03-01T20:23:00.003-06:00

Last Sunday morning at our church, during our worship service, we had a minor emergency.

A young man who is a walking miracle due to burns he recently suffered was back for the second time since his release from the hospital. Doctors initially told him that he had an 8% chance of living. He suffered the burns due to a gasoline fueled bonfire that went out of control. He was taken by airlife helicopter to Baton Rouge and spent a few weeks in ICU. He is still a bit weak.

The worship music began and the first song felt so powerful and worshipful. Things were rolling. During the second song, I sensed something wasn't right in the room. This young man got weak on his feet and almost passed out. Fortunately, we have several nurses who rushed to his side and were caring for him until an ambulance arrived.

What does one do? We stopped and prayed, and the choir sung on. There did seem to be a sweeter spirit, the music felt more powerful, and one lady joined our church at the service's conclusion. I enjoyed preaching and for a moment thought I might not get to deliver the sermon. I prayed for guidance and God provided. It is not always easy to weigh a person's needs with carrying on worship.

But as one man said, "What is better in a crisis like that than to be praising the Lord?"

At the conclusion of the service, we leaned of the young man's financial needs and our church took a significant love offering to help he and his wife out. Had he not come to church, that need might not have been addressed and there might not have been medical professionals around to help.

God is good.

God is sovereign.

He showed me that Sunday morning...again.

By the way, I found out that another church across the river from us also faced an emergency situation. The church was on fire...wel, just a bit of smoke from a burned out light ballast. But it did empty the building and that pastor did not get to preach. I reminded him that he can "coast" this week and use the sermon this coming Sunday...perhaps...

Save More Than 15%?

2011-01-18T21:51:00.002-06:00

Just a thought...

If all these insurance companies who seem to be running cute, nonstop ads on Television and radio would not spend so much money on advertising, could they not save us way MORE than 15%?

Just a thought...

Prophetic Timeliness

2011-01-18T21:32:00.003-06:00

Last Sunday, I preached a message on "Affirming Life." I stated my prolife stance concerning abortion, gave Biblical, scientific, and personal reasons for it, and invited the congregation to join us this in attending the Louisiana Life March event in Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 22.

Simple and direct. That was my plan.

It was also untimely, in the sense that this coming Sunday, January 23, is reserved as "Sanctity of Life Sunday." I was one week early.

No, the message was right on time.

I had felt a simple urging to preach on this vital topic for several days prior to Sunday, Jan 16, even though the official day was one week later. To be sure, it really doesn't make all that much difference.

But in this case it did.

I preached the message for three reasons:
1. The topic needs to be addressed.
2. I am pro-life.
3. I haven't addressed the topic as a sermon subject in a few years.
4. I wanted to publicize the Louisiana Life March coming this Saturday. To wait until January 23 would be one day late.

Actually, the message turned out to be right on time.

As it turns out, a person was considering aborting a baby on Monday, the day after I preached that message. A friend who heard the message was able to show the person considering the abortion that it would indeed affect a human life; a baby.

As a result, the person decided not to abort. A decision is made, and a life is saved.

One week later, if I had waited to preach that message, that life would have been taken.

Prophetic Timeliness.

I believe it was the work of the Spirit of God.

I stand in awe.

For The New Year...

2011-01-01T11:01:00.002-06:00

Against the change of passing years
The crumbling stone and steel decay
And every cynic voice that jeers
Unchanged this simple truth will stay:
He serves God best unto life's end
Who plays the neighbor and the friend.
-Edgar Guest

Never In My 20 Plus Years

2010-11-16T21:58:00.003-06:00

I've been going to Baptist State Convention annual meetings since I was pastor of a congregation located almost off the edge of Arkansas. I have a pastor friend, "Brother Rick," who seemed to like nothing better than "Conventioning," and always encouraged me to go with him to them. I guess old habits are hard to break.

It is nice to get away and get immersed in the news, networking, and preaching that goes on at a Baptist Convention. I see old friends, find out "Whereya at now?," and catch up on preacher talk.

I am also inspired as well as challenged by the reports and messages as they come from the convention floor.

Over the years, Southern Baptists have had plenty to fight over. Convention fights make for large conventions. I've attended the Louisiana Baptist Convention for each of the eight years I've served in the state.

But this is one convention where "I seen so many things I ain't never seen before." (Apologies to Hoyt Axton)

First, the attendance. The announced registered messengers at this year's Louisiana Baptist Convention was just over 700- less than half of the number registered just a few years ago. No controversy, (sigh) no show.

Second, I don't recall any motions being offered from the floor when time was alloted. A Baptist meeting and no one made a motion? Yes, miracles still occur. Even the resolutions, quite a sticking point in years past, sailed smoothly through the business session.

In one convention in Texas I attended, I voted on every motion and was in the majority on only two: the motion to extend time for debate, and the motion to adjourn. Hey, I have to feel I've won something.

Third, officers were handily elected- with one exception. That is a remarkable occurrence. When it came time to elect a second Vice President, there were NO nominations. No one took the floor. No line of messengers stood before the floor microphones ready to nominate and debate.

What do we do?

Mercifully, we were rescued by a messenger who finally came to a mike, was recognized, and then proceeded to nominate his son for the position. He then observed, "I don't know if he is even on the Convention Floor right now!" What 'till the boy hears what his dad just did!

How about that! Nominated after an embarrassing pause by your father, and you weren't even there. The moderator gratefully accepted the nomination and since there was no opposition, had the Executive Director place a unanimous ballot on behalf of the nominee. Now we had a new second Vice President. In years past, it seemed that virtually everyone at the convention had someone to nominate for President, Vice President, or Second Vice President. At the very least, everyone had a favorite in the race.

Not this time. There wasn't even a race.

Finally, another first for me, the avid convention goer: The annual Convention sermon scheduled to be preached by our president, Rod Masteller, on Monday evening was really not a sermon at all.

It was a message from a man with a broken heart. He literally wept as he spoke of his burden concerning the sins and hurts of our nation. He concluded by challenging us to fast at least once a week and seek God for our country's repentance and revival.

There was a sustained, holy hush over the assembled messengers. When he finished, the somber tone settled over us and we weren't sure what to do next. As he challenged us to pray, dozens of people knelt at their seats (on the concrete floor) or near the stage and prayed. The man who was to dismiss the session in prayer commented that we had just heard from a "weeping prophet."

I and my friends with me felt moved and challenged. A man had spoken out of the deep recesses of his soul and it was humbling to us all.

I've never seen that at an annual meeting of a Baptist Convention, either.

Perhaps humility, brokenness, and weeping would be a very good place to begin a new tradition at our Baptist gatherings.

All those in favor?

No, It's Not Me, Either

2010-11-16T21:57:00.001-06:00

Barack Obama

David Holder and 6 other friendslike him.

No, It's Not Me

2010-11-06T21:44:00.005-06:00

DAVID HOLDER

Published: 11/03/2010

David Michael “Snooky” Holder, 57, of Texarkana, Texas, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at his home.

Mr. Holder was born Aug. 7, 1953, in Texarkana. He was formerly employed with Red River Army Depot, a carpenter and a Baptist.

I find the obituary striking, not only because we share the same name, but also the same hometown, birthdates in August, and are close to the same age.

I did not know him, but I do send my sympathy and prayers to his family.

Sony Walkman, R.I.P.

2010-10-26T10:01:00.007-06:00

The Sony Walkman portable cassette player was born June 22 1979 in Tokyo, Japan. Walkman passed away October 25, 2010, being aged 31 years, 4 months, and 3 days when production ceased.

His death is due to complications produced by a proliferation of other portable music devices such as the Apple iPod. Ironically, observers believe Walkman's death was accelerated due to his own popularity.

He is survived by a descendant, the Discman, now living in Asia, and also over 220 million units representing more than 300 different models.

Though his life was brief, he made his mark in society, both in popular culture and the English language. The Oxford English Dictionary lists the term "Walkman" to describe any cassette player.

According to a family tradition, Walkman was born in order to allow Sony's chairman to listen to his opera collection on long plane flights.

At his birth, one of his parents, Akio Morita, stated, "This is the product that will satisfy those young people who want to listen to music all day. They'll take it everywhere with them, and they won't care about record functions. If we put a playback-only headphone stereo like this on the market, it'll be a hit."

Walkman's mourners recall sitting in the backseat on car trips, shutting out all distractions. One mourner, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalled jogging many long miles with Mr. Walkman firmly clipped on his waist and the thin wired foam earpads on his head. Another fan commented that her first memory of the Walkman was lying in bed at night and falling asleep with Huey Lewis and News' Fore! cassette playing Power of Love in her ears. Others recall Walkman's adolescence, when he gained auto-reverse and Dolby noise suppression.

He's BAAAACK

However, some reports insist that Walkman's death might be greatly exaggerated. Production is only ceasing in Japan, but the device will still be available in the U.S.

In other ironic news, the iPod, a distant cousin and among suspected killers, celebrated its ninth birthday on October 23 of this year.

Miss Church This Sunday!

2010-10-25T14:14:00.003-06:00

Yes, it's true.

In his account of a revival that broke out in Western Canada, pastor Bill McLeod told how it all began: with prayer.

He said:

I began by emphasizing the Wednesday night prayer meeting. We had around twenty five people attending. I would say things like this, ’Miss Sunday morning if you have to; miss Sunday evening if you must; but never miss the prayer meeting unless you are dead,’ People began to take this seriously and the prayer meeting began to grow.

Encouraging Words

2010-10-05T19:54:00.005-06:00

Not coincidentally, I began a new sermon series last Sunday. I call it "Giving No Ground," base on Ephesians 6:10-20. I chose that title due to the repeated emphasis in the passage on either standing or withstanding the onslaught of the enemy of the soul, the devil.

It just so "happened" that I had come to that point before our weeks of revival emphasis. I had been preaching through the book of Ephesians and stopped at 6:9. How's that for timing?

Also, I was aware that after revival, some in our church would begin to feel acute spiritual opposition and warfare. As I was researching material for this Sunday's sermon on being armed with the Lord's armor, I found these statements from George Mallone in his book, Arming For Spiritual Warfare. They are enlightening and encouraging. I post them here with the prayerful hope that they will encourage some reader as well:

When Jesus sees illness, he never treats it as something good for the person, but rather he heals it. On the other hand, when he speaks of persecution, he treats it as something necessary in the course of history, something to be endured rather than avoided (Mark 13:9-13; John 15:18-27. He commands his disciples to heal the sick (Luke 10:9; Mark 6:7-13) and to endure suffering and rejection (Matthew 5:10-12).[1]

…Every time I heard from God and obeyed his voice, I was rocking the boat- and persecution came. I now believe all of us are at our best when we are receiving some degree of opposition, especially when we are attempting to expand the kingdom of God.[2]

In other words, kingdom expansion and spiritual warfare through persecution go hand in hand.[3]

[1] George Mallone, Arming For Spiritual Warfare, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1991, 52.

[2] Ibid., 53.

[3] Ibid., 54.

Revival Quotes

2010-09-26T16:28:00.000-06:00

I said there would be more on revival...

"Revival is like peeling back the layers of an onion." -Laine Johnson

In those layers are sinful habits and strongholds which need to be acknowledged and forsaken. Deeper sins lie beyond the surface. Someone pointed out additionally that the deeper one goes into an onion, the smellier it gets as well.

"Revival is messy." - Laine Johnson

It sure is. It messes with our schemes and plans. It messes with our pride and self sufficiency. It messes with our smug self righteousness. These are not things disposed of neatly.

"Revival is a painful process, like a scalpel cutting flesh. But in the end, if it does its job, healing can occur." -Laine Johnson

"In the eight years I've been on the road, I haven't seen revival break like this- and so early." --Wilson Green

"Lord, we have a little thimble of water standing in front of an ocean of what God can do."

-Wilson Green prayer

We saw just a little bit of the power of God manifested among us. There is so much more that God can and wants to do. Does our church realize the reservoir of power available to us? How easily satisfied we are, and often with so little!

"Christianity is countercultural."- Unknown

Christianity is a beast that cannot be tamed. Throughout the ages, attempts have been made to make it culturally acceptable and less objectionable to the masses. Today many attempts to "make the church relevant" to the unchurched at the end of the day emasculate the gospel and make it appear to be just another trend or fad. No one truly wants to be rejected, I am sure. However, the message of Christ requires radical acceptance and reordering of life and its priorities. The culture of the day -any day- stands opposed to that move. No, best to allow the faith of Christ to be what it is rather than attempt to make it more palatable to a fallen, sinful world.

In the previous post, I observed that each season of revival differs from others. But I expected that the revival team would quite often witness outbreaks of a move of the hand of God. Why is it different at my church? I have some thoughts, but they must be further processed before they can be shared.

I'd be interested in my reader's thoughts on this one. The ideas have been rolling around in my head for some time. This week I committed them to poetic form on paper:

"Desperation is the door.

Prayer is the key

That unlocks the door

To the room of revival."

Thoughts?

Revival Time!

2010-09-24T19:41:00.005-06:00

A pastor's life can be very busy. I'm out lots of evenings and weekends and often in emergency situations. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to even blog lately.

For the past almost three weeks, I've been out each evening. We spent 1 1/2 weeks with a Life Action team for a Revival Summit. For the rest of the second week, we had an extra evening to meet and process the events of the Summit, then a Love And Respect Marriage Conference in Houston, followed by Sunday services, then across the river to share what God has done at First Baptist, Sulphur, with the fine folks at First Baptist, Lake Charles who are now hosting the team who was with us.

Then it was a Stewardship Committee meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday prayer meeting. I was home Thursday evening. Yeah!

Regardless, the days of the Revival Summit were some of the best times of my life. Many evenings I didn't get home until 10:00 or later. We started the evenings at 5:00 with a light supper followed by the summit. The body was tired, but the spirit refreshed.

God sent us a team of people hungry to see God move through them in the churches they serve. God sent me two men (whose pictures are on this post) who seem to love nothing better than to pray and to seek God. There are so many things I can share, for my heart is full.

Among the Revival Reflections (how's that for alliteration?) in my journal:

1. The team who came to lead us fasted and prayed for us many hours while they were here. What of us here? How badly do we wish to see God move at our church?

2. I learned that I can attempt desperate prevailing prayer- and enjoy it, thought it is sometimes painful. Time seems to quickly pass. I also learned to pray in all sorts of postures.

3. These two men, Laine Johnson and Wilson Green, are men who really pray. Of the things I already miss the most about the week and a half, it is the time of praying for them and with them.

4. I am learning to follow the Spirit's leading more closely. Over the years, I have been guilty of reading the latest church growth book or wanting to implement the hottest strategies, all the while tipping the hat to prayer and seeking God about it. I have often put more trust in programs than in God. When His power is manifested, no program, strategy, or scheme can duplicate or come close.

5. Revivals have similarities and differences. From the first service, the team seemed to be on different ground. Things they planned to do or subjects they planned to address seemed to be secondary as we sought the Spirit's leadership. There are common qualities in revivals of history. But in many ways they are like thumprints- unique.

6. What is next? Our staff, seeing God move among us and in us, determined that we did not wish to go back to the "way it was." What does the future look like? We don't know. One staff member said, "It would be better for us never to have experienced these days of revival than to have experienced them and then go back to the way it was before." Amen!

Other observations:

1. There were several spontaneous eruptions of prayer during those days. We began noon prayer meetings almost three weeks ago. They are continuing today. Even the children's group paused one night to pray 30 minutes for revival. Testimonies given publicly indicated new burdens for prayer. Team members prayerwalked our property. On the Friday night with no services scheduled, several of our members prayerwalked our grounds and went on to the High School football game being played nearby. They prayerwalked there as well. Our home team lost anyway. But that wasn't the purpose of their prayers!

2. I know of at least three people who were prayed for by name. Two of them gave their lives to Jesus Christ during the Summit and the other gave up some sinful habits.

3. My priorities- the ministry of the word and prayer. I have been greatly lacking in these areas. Why do we pray a little and work a lot? Shouldn't that be reversed?

Finally, perhaps the true test of the impact of revival is what happens after the revival leaders leave. Last Sunday we had church! We began morning worship at 10:30 and finished up around 12:40. There was one salvation during the service, one marriage vow renewal, a baby rededication, several ministries were prayed over and intiated, a family joined the church, a number of folks gave testimonies and words of encouragement, and one single mom who just "wandered" in tearfully admitted her need for repentance and forgiveness. Then Sunday night, four more precious young folks gave their lives to Christ. And none of it was planned!

This, I pray, is "only the beginning..."

Revival! I'll have more to say on this subject in upcoming posts.

Guest Book Review: The Jesus You Can't Ignore

2010-09-07T14:07:00.004-06:00

We are in the midst of preparation for revival this week. We have a team leading us, but actual revival has not fully manifested itself. It will surely come, I believe.

Therefore, allow me to share a book review from our church librarian, Lydia Bryant:

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore
by John MacArthur

John MacArthur, the author of The Truth War and numerous commentaries paints a portrait of Jesus Christ that will take your breath away in his latest book The Jesus You Can’t Ignore.

In this age of political correctness & global mind-set, current thoughts on Jesus and Christianity seem to have departed from the belief system of yesteryear. John MacArthur reveals the issues of today where all aspects of Christianity and the Bible are brought into question.

Was Jesus a pacifist or an instigator? In this book you learn the reasons Jesus always seemed at odds with the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

You learn the historical context of each Biblical passage mentioned and you will definitely meet the Jesus you can’t ignore.
-Lydia Bryant, Librarian

Got to get reading!

I Don't Know...I Just Liked The Picture

2010-08-22T13:50:00.005-06:00

Supposedly found outside Frank Sinatra's House.

Customer Service A Relic

2010-08-22T13:14:00.003-06:00

The letter to the editor explained that customer service is now a relic. People talk on cellphones while checking people out. Sales clerks look apathetic and show sour faces. I heard one recently complain loudly to no one in particular that she was "gonna take her break," and they'd better get her some help.

So customer service is a relic?

To quote John Wayne in Big Jake responding to a questioner who told him he though Jake McCandles was dead:

"Not hardly."

I was in our local mall the other day. I needed to replace the plastic protector over the face of my iPhone. I had bought a package of 3 at the phone store and found that all three eventually crinkled, curled, and otherwise refused to lay down flat on the screen.

I was greeted at the booth by young man who, while serving a customer, acknowledged my presence, smiled, and said he'd be right with me.

In fact, after a short time, he finished the sale and waited on me. I explained that I wanted a plastic protector on my phone's screen. He explained the reason for my trouble was a case that forced the previous protectors to curl up. What I need was his whiz-bang case that fit down over the top of the phone as opposed to sliding together. In fact he had personally dropped one of his whiz-bang covers from a 30 foot ladder with no evident damage. Then we could place the protector on the phone and never have another worry.

Presto! He snapped his cover on my phone with a confident smile.

I was sold. (But what was he doing dropping cell phone covers from a 30 foot ladder?)

In a short time, he carefully affixed the new plastic protector and cover, assured me I'd never need another one again, and made me about $30 poorer. I went away happy, even though I'd only expected to spend $10.

I'd been served.

After he took my money, again with a smile, he introduced himself, shook my hand, and said he'd work hard for my business. Selling cell phones and accessories is a very competitive field. He understood that and gave a bit extra to earn my business.

He did. I'll be back.

Customer service lives on!

Great Moments In Ministry

2010-08-02T11:52:00.004-06:00

I recently had an email conversation with a church member. In one of his posts to me he said,

"I know pastors take a lot of heat for everything from the type of toilet paper we have in the bathrooms to the freshness of the communion bread."

That reminds me of a story a preacher friend of mine tells:

His young daughter had been considering becoming a Christian by asking Jesus into her heart. There were earnest conversations, but he refused to push her into a decision, preferring to allow her to come on her own free will and trust God to lead her.

On one occasion, after he preached his sermon, he stood at the head of the aisle and invited anyone who might "have something on their heart to share with him" to feel free to do so.

Just then, his precious daughter stepped out of her pew and toward her father. Recalling his conversations with her about becoming a Christian, and believing this to be the time, he felt a wave of emotion and began to feel his eyes moisten.

As he got down on one knee to hear his daughter's precious words, those for which he had prayed and waited to hear, she said, "Daddy, there's no toilet paper in the girl's bathroom!"

He explained... "I did say, 'If you have anything on your heart to share with me right now, please do so!'"

A Surprise Statement

2010-07-30T07:15:00.002-06:00

"There's just no data to suggest this is an environmental disaster. I have no interest in making BP look good — I think they lied about the size of the spill — but we're not seeing catastrophic impacts."

Read more here.

With all the publicity, speculation, bungling, and confusion, this is a startling statement from a former LSU professor and scientist.

Perhaps the environmental concerns will be lessened. However, there is certainly an impact to our state economy as well as the cost to so many people who make their living along the coast. The impact of the oil spill in their lives remains to be seen.

Many are speculating that our state economy will take a big hit due to the spill. This comes on top of an already sluggish economy operating in our state and nation.

God's creation has a remarkable resilience. I pray that we do as well.

A Surprise Honor

2010-07-28T11:01:00.005-06:00

It was my family's privilege to attend the 60th anniversary celebration at Southside Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas. I served as pastor there for almost ten years. I was invited to speak as well as share the moments and memories of that church's years of ministry. It was fun to see old friends and relive memories. It hurt a bit to see a dark haired, slimmer and less wrinkled man who looked like me and grinned like me in some of the pictures.

I enjoyed preaching in that beautiful auditorium again, and sharing some history. I especially enjoyed recalling a time when God miraculously provided the finances as we were attempting to finish our new building.

Those were all somewhat expected. One thing occurred at the celebration that I did not expect.

I was honored with "Pastor Emeritus" status. I not only received the honor, but another former pastor, Bro. Bobby Powell, was similarly honored as well.

As Bro. Powell received the certificate making him Pastor Emeritus, he had a two word response. "I'm scared," was all he had to say.

I felt the same way.

One reason I felt a bit of fear was because I seem to remember that Pastor Emeritus status is given by church action AFTER a man retires. It honors the years of ministry and service a man has given a congregation. It has no legal rights or standing. It is simply a way to recognize what a pastor has meant to a congregation he has served. Think of it like a being made an honorary member of an organization like the Kentucky Colonels and you have the idea.

As I thought about it, I thought I was too young, not quite gray haired enough, and certainly not worthy of such an honor.

But more than that, I was deeply humbled. When the pastor of the church, Dr. Kirby Hill, gave me the "heads up" that this was coming, I felt deeply moved. I wanted to cry.

I honestly believe that of all my awards, honors, and degrees, this one thing means most to me. I have not for years posted my educational degrees on my office wall, but this one will be displayed prominently. It is a precious gift of acknowledgement. It reminds me that perhaps when I began the journey into ministry over 30 years ago, it's been worth it.

Worth it to prepare, pray, serve, cry, bury, marry, and baptize people. Worth it to hurt with them and help them. Worth it even to be hurt by them, and probably wound some myself.

It is worth it because I was called to this ministry. I could then, and still cannot today do any other, God help me.

But whether I was recognized or not, it has still been worth it all.

Thank you, dear congregation of Southside Baptist Church. You have done far more for me than I could have possibly done for you. You honor me greatly. And you bring tears to my eyes as I consider the magnitude of it all.

But may I remind us all- Soli Deo Gloria- "To God Alone Be The Glory!"

Glory!

Today I Am A Ham

2010-07-03T19:09:00.006-06:00

It's official! Last week, I took a lark and did something I have considered doing since I was about 10 years old.

I took a test and passed it.

It was for the "Technician" class of Amateur radio. I became a "Ham" operator. Checking a website reveals that I have received my call sign- KF5HUP. The only problem is that I don't have a radio.

But then, one can be ham without a radio.

When one of my church members (KA5SUR) who was at the test site learned I had passed the test, he called his wife and told her that "We now have a Ham for a pastor. He claimed she replied, "I know that, but did he pass the test?"

Oh, well.

QSL?

Christmas In July

2010-07-03T08:09:00.002-06:00

It is no secret that Greater Vision is my favorite Southern Gospel singing trio for a number or reasons. They recently posted a behind the scenes video of an upcoming Christmas CD they are making. As I watched it, I felt the Christmas spirit anew. What a wonderful time of year!

Even in July!

Enjoy the spirit!

No Comment Needed

2010-06-04T19:09:00.003-06:00

Bengal

2010-06-02T10:04:00.006-06:00

Few people have probably ever heard of Johann Albrecht Bengel.

John Albert Bengel was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on June 24, 1687. He earned a M.A. and a D.D. degree at the Theological College of Tübingen, Germany. In 1713 he was promoted to the head-tutorship of a theological seminary at Denkendorf.

He was known for his biblical scholarship, particularly of the Greek New Testament. He produced a number of critical commentaries and a scholarly acclaimed version of the Greek New Testament, as well as a number of other books. He was also given to speculation about the end of the world in one of his important works entitled: Ordo Temporum,
He was no stranger to tragedy, having had twelve children born to him, half of whom died in infancy.

According to one biographer, on Thursday, November 2, 1752, having heard the words, "Thine I am," he laid his right hand upon his heart, to signify his full assent; and fell asleep in Jesus.

I have come to know him better through my rediscovery of a number of his scholarly works available for study on the internet. I have been using his commentary on the book of Ephesians to my great benefit as I have preached through that book this year. It is amazing that books almost 300 years old still bring great benefit today. I consider this another affirmation of the timelessness of the message of the Bible.

Today I post a number of quotes from a sketch of his life by A.B. Faucett:

“If my usual style has any peculiarity, it is that of omitting all needless words and things. Here I have somewhat imitated the ancients. Constant reading of the classics has given me quite a liking of their simplicity.”

Comment: The precursor of "K.I.S.S.?"

On solitude:

“Retirement secures me from too much of this world’s din. Thus I get leisure for building myself up in a recollected consciousness of God; without which we are liable to pass away our term of life we know not how.” “All I am and have, both in principle and practice, is to be summed up in this one expression— the Lord's property.”

On trials:

“If it be said to me, ‘ Surely you too, as one of God’s children, must have had your share of trial,’ I reply, My chief suffering was of a spiritual and secret kind. It came on slowly, and continued long. An unaccountable pang would surprise me at the thought of an approaching eternity : not that I had any perplexing dread of misery, though I was not able cheerfully to look forward to the happiness of a future state. God’s great design is at present not to delight us with pleasant experiences, but to exercise us as His faithful people. Let me, therefore, trust God for the pleasant things as realities laid up in reversion : for I know they will come in all their fulness by and by, with eternity. As little children give their sweetmeats to their parents to keep for them, so my pleasant things are safer in God’s keeping than in that of my own treacherous heart. Forgetting the past, and not taking thought for the morrow, I stand before God to-day as His daily pensioner.” 1 Kings xviii. 15.

On the examined life:

“Busy memory often gives me disquietude. If I have uttered an unbefitting word, or taken an unadvised step, though many years ago, the thing recurs to me, and by little and little gains within a troublesome ascendancy. But this makes me better acquainted with myself, and humbles me often into such submission to God, as to be willing that my most secret faults should be published by Him in the presence of all His creatures.”

There was one area of knowledge of which Bengal admitted his own inadequacy:

He said that if he desired the most perfect intimacy with real Christians on one account rather
than another, it was for the sake of learning how they manage in secret to keep up their communion with God.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2010-05-28T21:07:00.002-06:00

Something just seems wrong with this headline and story. I just can't figure out what it is. Now, what could it be? Hmm.....

Alicia Keys expecting baby, plans to marry

The R&B singer is pregnant with her first child and is engaged to be married later this year.

Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da

2010-05-26T19:55:00.003-06:00

For many years the opening bars of "Insight For Living" rang in my memory.

"Insight For Living" is the radio ministry of pastor/preacher/author Chuck Swindoll. I've often thought that he more of a "Chuck" than "Charles."

For years, I have listened to his sermons, read his books, and gleaned many thoughts from him. And, well, I may have used a few of his thoughts and outlines in my own sermons and teachings. Of course, I was always careful to give him credit for being the originator of the material. (Yeah, right!)

Anyway, not long ago, he shared some lessons he has learned over 50 years of ministry. They are worth rebroadcasting on this blog:

“Fifty years ago, I was a first year student at Dallas Theological Seminary. I was scared, unsure of myself, and fresh out of the Marine Corps. I did not know much about seminary.

“I remember sitting in chapel, and a minister told me, “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person and crushes him.” I am so proud of everything you are dreaming of and doing that I hope that you remember to leave room for the crushing.

“10 Things Chuck Swindoll Learned in 50ish Years of Ministry:

It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decisions, the lonelier it is.

It’s dangerous to succeed. It is dangerous to succeed while being young. Rarely, does God give leadership that young because it takes crushing and failure first.

It’s hardest at home. Nobody at home is applauding you. They say, “Dad! Your fly is open.”

It is essential to be real. If there is one realm where phoniness is personified it is leadership. What I care about is that you stay real.

It is painful to obey. There are rewards, yes, but it is painful nevertheless.

Brokenness and failure are necessary.

My attitude is more important than my actions. Some of you are getting hard to be around. And your attitude covers all those great actions you pull off.

Integrity eclipses image. What you are doing is not a show. And the best things you are doing are not up front but what you do behind the scenes.

God’s way is better than my way. God is going to have His way.

Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

I really like the second thought. I recall learning that lesson with clenched fists. But that's all for this time.

Stay tuned to this blog 'till next time.

"Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da"

Advice To New Graduates

2010-05-17T19:43:00.003-06:00

I recently took an (informal) Facebook poll asking for advice for this year's new graduates. Several people- mostly women- responded. Yesterday in my sermon, "A Graduation Gift I'd Gladly Give,"which you can find here, I promised to post the entire results.

Here's some good advice:

"Look for a good mentor in anything you do. Most of the time they can help you avoid a lot of pitfalls."

"Realize that for every choice in life their are consequences and be wise by learning from others experiences. A wise man is one who having the power of discerning and judging properly as what is right and true."

"Get a job! Lol! Just kidding! "

"Listen to your mother. She is always right!"

"If you want it..GO FOR IT NOW! If you wait...you may never do it..if you never do it..you will regret it the rest of your life!”

"Dream big, even if it looks out of reach. Hold on to that dream and do whatever it takes to make it a reality!

"No matter where life takes you, don't forget what is important: God and family."

"Don't wait to get a job in the field in which one studied. I graduated in 07 " and have done nothing with it . Hopefully when I job hunt I will remember what I learned ..Keep moving ! Just keep moving !"

"Be kind, caring and compassionate. "It is not how much you love but how much you are loved by others.....""

"There are plenty of lemons out there but there is also sugar. Have fun!"

"God made you wondrously beautiful...find your talents embrace them and be all that He allows you to be. "

"Don't get discouraged, work hard, trust in the Lord, and keep a close watch over your finances and everything will be great

"1. You can be anything you want to be in this world if you work hard enough for it. 2. School isn't finished 'til you graduate college!"

"Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them!”

"Keep your eyes on Jesus"

Good advice worth heeding. Any more?

Coming Soon: To A Church Near You

2010-05-13T20:41:00.002-06:00

Formula driven contemporary church:

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Isn't it interesting that what is considered "relevant," "contemporary," and "fresh" can itself become routine driven and formulamatic?

It's nice to know we can poke fun at ourselves.

This One Made Me Smile...

2010-04-26T18:41:00.004-06:00

Seven thousand copies of a cookbook called the Pasta Bible have had to be destroyed because one of its recipes recommended adding 'salt and freshly ground black people.'

The Atheist Preacher Should Get Out

2010-04-10T18:40:00.005-06:00

It was recently reported that a Dutch church assembly decided that a pastor, Klaas Hendrikse, had views that were "not fundamentally differ from those of other liberal theologians in the Protestant Church.”

Hendrikse claims to believe that God does not exist and stated those claims in a recent book.

He explains, “To me God is not a being, but a word for what can occur between people.” He has since been loosely referred to as “the atheist preacher,” although he has not declared himself a total non-believer. His theological gobblety-gook sounds much like that of former Beatle John Lennon who once wrote a song which included the line, “God is a concept by which we measure our pain.” What does it all mean?

Outside of an "atheist preacher" being an oxymoron, how can a man serve a church and minister in the name of a Being he claims does not exist? What does this "preacher" even have to preach? Unbelief?

Then he should get out of the church.

More disturbing than the existence of an "atheist preacher" is the fact that his governing body decided that it was perfectly acceptable for this man to remain as a preacher in his denomination. The fact that an unbeliever remains a minister in the church and church leaders see nothing wrong with this says volumes about the state of the church in the Netherlands.

Could such things happen in the American church?

No, surely not!

Don’t be so sure!

John Henry Jowett came to America from England and became pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City in 1911. It was said that church attendance there had dropped to 600 and rose to 1,500 after he came as pastor. Lines up to half a block long formed, waiting for unclaimed seats.

Once, a student came to Jowett one morning and told him that he was troubled with religious doubt. " In fact," said the student, " I regret to confess that I don’t believe in God!"

"You don't believe in God!" said Jowett.

"No sir," said the student, hoping that the great man would clear away his difficulties.

Jowett’s reply was crushing. " Believe in God, sir, said Jowett, " by to-morrow morning, or leave the college!"

Mr. Hendrikse, believe or leave!

Principal James Denney

2010-04-10T18:12:00.005-06:00

I love biographies, especially those about preachers.

I also love the fact that many out of print books can be found on internet libraries, downloaded and read for free, being in the public domain.

One such work I found was a biographical reflection of the New Testament scholar, Dr. James Denney, who died in 1917. It is a very brief work which didn't take long to read. For posterity, I post a few savory quotes for preachers. (And those who love them)

On being a "popular preacher:"

Denney was ever a true preacher of the Word. He had no ambition to be known as the "popular " preacher. Ah, that blessed word " popular," how potent it becomes in certain quarters.

"It is recalled how even the distinguished Principal John Caird, when first settled in the quiet rural parish of Errol, where he laid the foundations of his fame, could not be said to be a favourite with some at least of his parishioners. The church building was much too large for the people who attended, and the young divine suggested the boarding up of a portion of the premises. This, however,was opposed by an irate elder who sought to impress his views on the minister by saying, "We’ll maybe get a mair (more) popular preacher when ye are awa(y)." No more than Caird at first, did Denney draw crowds to hear him like Chalmers or Spurgeon, of both of whom he was a profound admirer; and he would say at times that he had no desire to be a great but only a useful preacher.

On simplicity in preaching:

He (Denney) wrote once to a friend: "In the course of my Bible studies I have come to have a great faith in the obvious, and to feel that what we have got to do in preaching is not to be original, but to make the obvious arresting.

"These men, Spurgeon and Denney, were ...each (a) master of a pure Saxon style of speech. Each also had learned to write with a majestic sense of simplicity, precision, and directness, and with a resolute limitation of ordinary statement by the severity of facts."

On preaching methodology:

His colleague, Professor Clow, writes: "For this Chair of New Testament Exegesis he was uniquely prepared. Wide as was the range of his reading in all literature, as his apt quotations from many languages gave evidence, and thorough as was his mastery of the whole round of theological scholarship, he was essentially a man of one book. That book- was the New Testament. Its history, its sources, its authors, and especially the Gospel writers, and Paul as their interpreter, called forth from him all his powers, with a deep joy in their exercise. To state the problem of a great passage, to trace and lay bare the writer's thought, to expound the doctrines and apply the message to the lives of men, was a visible delight to him, as it was a devout fascination to his students.

On the cross of Christ:

The Rev. Robert McKinlay, M.A., writes: "One thinks of him pre-eminently as the great exponent of the Cross. Many of his comments on the subject are simply unforgettable. He was speaking once of the tendency of some Protestants to minimize the Cross. "If I had the choice/ said he, between being such an one and a Roman Catholic priest, I had rather be the priest lifting up the Cross to a dying man, and saying, “God loved like that!”

On evangelism:

"Nature and grace had joined hands to make of Dr. Denney an almost ideal teacher of the religious teachers of this generation. He had, to begin with, the and passion of the true evangelist. He held that the first, if often forgotten, duty of the Church is to evangelize, and that to that end all its best energies must be bent. I shall never forget how he emptied all the vials of his scorn on the head of some unlucky minister who had excused himself for giving what he called a simple evangelical address because he had not had time to prepare a proper sermon. As if, said Denney, there was any task that could so tax the strength of the Christian preacher as to preach the love of God, and so to preach it that men should commit themselves to it. . . ."

Denney was a leading exponent of the Temperance Movement of his day. His speech is as telling about big government as it is of Temperance, and is relevant to our day when government is daily expanding its role in American life:

He gave a wonderfully telling speech at the joint Temperance meeting of the Churches in the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh...

"...State Purchase, which he defines as necessarily involving State management, would, he argues, tend to the steady multiplication of Government departments and civil servants, and thus be an undoubted menace to the independence of Parliament and to purity of administration."

Again, he declares:

"The need of the country is urgent and immediate, and any scheme of purchase would be elaborated with difficulty, fiercely contested at every step, and carried if it were carried at all after prolonged delay, during which the present fatal evils would continue unchecked.

It would put an enormous additional responsibility on the shoulders of a Government which is already weighted far beyond its strength, and needs nothing less than a new field for the display of administrative incapacity."

(Adapted from "Principal James Denney, D.D, A Memoir and a tribute," by T. H. Walker.)

"It Was 'Inappropriate'"

2010-04-06T07:42:00.006-06:00

53 year old Joe Stack was considered a hero for his anti-government views. In the eyes of some, he was more of a hero because he chose to become a martyr by flying his airplane into an IRS building in Austin, Texas last February.

He managed to kill at least two other persons and affect the lives of countless others in the process. In an interview, his daughter, Samantha Bell, called his actions "inappropriate."

According to one dictionary, "inappropriate" means "unsuitable, especially for the particular time, place, or situation."

On one hand, I agree. Flying a plane into a building, damaging property, killing, and threatening the lives of others is, "inappropriate." On the other hand, it is just plain wrong, and yes, it is sinful.

Inappropriate?

What this man did is murder innocent people and destroy property because he was angry with the government.

I hardly call that merely "inappropriate."

Come To A Church Where Everyone's A Winner!

2010-04-05T19:47:00.008-06:00

Here's how one church is getting a crowd on Easter Sunday:
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/living/2010/04/03/nr.church.prize.easter.cnn.html

Jesus attracted crowds so large that he had to get on a boat to be able to speak to the people. He didn't give away camels.

Hmmm.

Easter: It's Resurrection Time

2010-04-04T19:25:00.004-06:00

Since today is the day to celebrate resurrections, and Jesus' in particular, I have decided to resurrect this blog.

Over the weeks, my life has been terribly busy and crowded. For the last four weekends, I have had to preach funerals or perform weddings. In between, it seems I was going to hospitals or preparing for a retreat or another speaking engagement. After a partial week of downtime to regroup, I am ready to reemerge into the blogosphere. I enjoy writing on virtually whatever topic comes to mind and have missed doing so.

One can truly appreciate things returning to "normal," or whatever that means. It is a bit frightening to think that being in some sort of rut is preferred by me. Otherwise, I am simply getting older.

It occurs also that I am well likely attempting to fill a demand where there is none. "Since you insist, I'll be glad to sing for you," the punch line goes to the old joke about someone who thinks they can sing while no one wants to hear. Thus I hope I am not singing while no one is listening.

Keep listening.

I have again come forth.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Hope For The Next Generation

2010-02-24T11:11:00.004-06:00

Stories of revival are riveting and among my favorite items to read. While preparing for today's Wednesday prayer meeting, I noticed a paragraph from an article in the Southern Baptist Texan about revival in Texas:

(In January 2010),"A group of about 175 teenagers gathered for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in Haslet, Texas. Northgate Church was coordinating the event. When the gospel invitation was given over 100 of them filled out commitment cards indicating they received Jesus as their personal Savior,” observed Jim Richards, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention executive director. “Youths will come to Christ if we will simply present the Word to them."

“This is one example of a number of moves of God I am seeing all across Texas.”

Lord, do it in Louisiana!

Changing Traditions

2010-02-22T20:01:00.004-06:00

I read in the newspaper that an old funeral tradition is falling.

I'm not talking about "viz-tashun." In southwest Louisiana, we have some of the longest "viz-tashun" periods of any geographical area I've observed. No, we will maintain our time honored tradition of "sitting up with the dead."

The city of Gulfport, MS will no longer allow funeral processions of more than five vehicles. Citing safety and personnel issues, city officials made this decision. It also noted that the city of Jackson, MS has had no escorted funeral processions in years. One official said that if they provided escorts, there would be more officers at funerals than on the streets.

Perhaps. But perhaps the police department feels it has better uses of its time than seeing that mourners make it to the cemetery safely. What about using retired officers or off-duty ones, or volunteers?

Another city charges $250 to provide uniformed officer escorts for funerals. Talk about taxing the dead!

The article further notes that in the South, we have some long standing traditions such as these processions which move from the place of the service to the cemetery. I have been a part of quite a few in my time. I have noted with some satisfaction that many motorists, when they see a funeral procession coming, will often pull over and wait for it to pass. I have noted people out in their yards or in parking lots standing at attention with hat in hand.

I have also noted, with some degree of satisfaction, that a few have tried to get by without stopping. I have seen more than a few officers honk and point at the offender. They usually get the message.

I have also seen truck drivers try to sneak on by. They are usually unsuccessful. How much time can one lose by waiting for a line of cars behind a hearse to pass?

At a recent funeral procession I led, an obviously homeless man stood at attention, cap across his breast, surrounded by his sacks and bags as cars filed by his position. He apparently had been offering to "work for food." He was not too busy to show some respect.

What to make of this decision? Things are changing. Hard lines of traditions seemed to be melting down. I am not much of a traditionalist, but I see the value of showing respect for departed souls. At present our parish sheriff's department provides escorts for funeral processions. In a conversation I had with an officer a few weeks ago, he told me that they had already escorted over 140 funerals this year- and it wasn't quite February! It looks to be a record year. I appreciate the fact that our sheriff still provides this service.

Public safety departments are finding themselves too busy, too overworked, and perhaps too shorthanded to supply funeral escorts. So a time honored Southern tradition is sent to trash bin. Could this be another example of our modern trend toward depersonalization?

Somehow, I feel sad.

It Was Not Imagined

2010-02-08T22:50:00.003-06:00

Over the years as one looks back, one can well wonder if events recalled are recalled accurately.

Case in point: I seem to remember a television ad for "Hot Dr. Pepper." Over the years as I have "recalled" this ad, I have not discovered one person who seems to remember hot Dr. Pepper as I did.

Today, I submit proof that my memory is not at all as bad as it seems.

Watch and enjoy. Has anyone ever tried this?

I'm Out Of A Job

2010-02-07T22:19:00.004-06:00

...So I was informed tonight.

We had a church fellowship and Big Bowl party. There was a good crowd and I was surprised tonight to find a few Colts fans among us. How'd they get in here, anyway?

By now, most will know that the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl for the first time. Ever.

As we were preparing to leave this evening, I learned that I was out of a job.

The Saints had won and that proverbial place had frozen over. Hence, I am no longer needed?

Anyone know where they're hiring?

WHO DAT!

Red Penciled

2010-02-04T21:32:00.002-06:00

I recently wrote of the death of Dr. Donald Potts, professor of religion at East Texas Baptist University who was my favorite professor and a mentor. I didn't save many papers from my college days, but I did save this one, thinking I would use it for future Bible study.

I post it because it is typical of the neat, red penciled notes and grading of which Dr. Potts seemed so fond.

(This paper was written about 29 years ago. I didn't even have a typewriter to use; much less a computer. Yes, Dr. Potts' "grace did abound" toward me!)

"A Giant Oak In God's Forest Has Fallen"

2010-01-22T14:03:00.002-06:00

"I see the handiwork of God which is beauty; people who are oppressed and in need of things physical and spiritual."

These are the words of my favorite professor, scholar, and mentor, Dr. Donald Potts. He was a kind man, a wise man, and seemed to have almost infinite patience with his students. Even up to the very end, he continued to read, study, and write.

The last few years of his life he struggled with physical disease and limitations, but that didn't keep him from serving the Lord. He kept teaching and mentoring those who would stop by to visit him.

A few years ago, I was preparing to teach a seminary course on preaching. Dr. Potts always had thorough notes and well developed outlines. In fact, one of the greatest things he taught me was to think logically and outline those thoughts in a logical progression. I stopped by his home to get a copy of his preaching lectures. As I expected, he was gracious and generous with his materials. I enjoyed visiting with him and using the opportunity to "pick his brain" on numerous subjects.

I can recall that as a student,we called his Pastoral Ministries class "Story Time." He had some dillies of stories to tell. It seemed that Dr. Potts as a pastor had one amazing adventure after another.

I recall him entering the classroom on test day with a stack of tests in his hand, chuckling with a somewhat sinister tone. Every test I took from him, no matter what the class, seemed to follow the same format: 1st Page- True/False, fill in the blank; 2nd Page- Matching and short answer; 3rd Page- Essay. His tests weren' that hard, but they were thorough. When he came back to class with the graded papers, he always graded on a curve. He would show the scores on the board, sometimes reaching waaay down to get some students on the passing side. He liked to say, "Grace did abound!" In his class, it did.

I recall he was a walking library of knowledge. You could ask a question about Bible, theology, or just about any other subject, and he would reply with a thoughtful, well-reasoned answer. He never got very excited or emotional. He remained calm and steady, even in times of test debates with students who thought they knew more than he did. One particular incident I recall was when a student was arguing with him over some fine point of theology. After some discussion, with time running out for class time, he said, "Well, we'll just let you be wrong if you want to be." Sometimes I found myself cheering inside when he would, with his typical flawless logic, refute a student who was half- cocked in his thinking.

Not only did he have a library in his head, his personal library was huge. The few times I conferred with him at his college office, I was impressed with the hundreds of volumes on his shelf. I daydreamed about having a library like that. When asked if he had read them all, he would say with typical understatement, "Well, I know what's in them!"

I recall that in his former life in the world of work, he had been a nuclear physicist. His engineering background certainly showed in his carefully organized notes, outlines, and thinking. He once told us that for people to say that a man would enter the ministry strictly for the money was being foolish. He said that before he entered ministry, he made more money in a week than in a whole month as a pastor.

I recall that when I first began preaching and teaching, I found myself using phrases and thoughts he first put forth in the classroom. I applied his pastoral wisdom to several situations I have faced in my ministry.

Once he told us that we should learn parliamentary procedure because it kept him from being fired by a church. By knowing what was out of order, a business meeting where some were going to try to get rid of him was over before it got started. I've never forgotten that lesson.

I recall a few years ago visiting with his wife and him in the hospital as she was dying. His wife, Jean, was a mentor to ministers' wives herself. When I entered college, my wife met with her to learn how to be my helpmate in the ministry. Mrs. Potts could tell some good stories herself! When I visited with them, Dr. Potts asked me to pray. It was clear that the end was near, and Dr. Potts loved his wife dearly. It was a reverent and tender moment, one which I was glad I shared. When his beloved Jean died, Dr. Potts preached her funeral service. I don't know that I could do that myself, but I remember being lifted up, encouraged, and leaving with even more admiration and respect for this man.

Dr. Dane Fowlkes, a classmate of mine at ETBU, had the honor of preaching Dr. Potts' funeral message. Dr. Potts, ever meticulous and prepared, had chosen for the text Philippians 4:1-7, which emphasizes, "Rejoice in the Lord always." It was a fitting text. As he concluded his message, Dr. Fowlkes told a story that I have been pondering ever since. He said that last Saturday, the day Dr. Potts died, Dr. Potts did something rather uncharacteristic for him. He closed the curtains looking out on the patio, locked the front door, and then wheeled his scooter chair into the hallway of his home. He backed his scooter against the wall to face the pictures of his family lined up down the wall. There he was later found, slumped over, asleep in Jesus. It was as though he knew that it was his time to "go the way of all flesh." He died quietly and peacefully among pictures of the people he loved most.

The picture above shows me, a young man who surrendered to ministry under my ministry, and Dr. Potts at an awards event some years ago at East Texas Baptist University. Someone told me they could tell it was an old picture because I looked younger and thinner. Today, I treasure that picture- me with my mentor, and my mentoree, all in one shot. Three generations of ministers. The work and heritage goes on!

Countless ministers, students, and congregations have had the privilege to sit under his deep scholarship and sense his reverence for God and his word. I have sat under many teachers, but he remained my favorite. I count myself most blessed to have been a student of his. I hope I can pass on just a portion of what he gave me. In both knowledge and character, he was a "giant oak in God's forest."

So long for now, Dr. Potts. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"

If You Can Find A Better Deal, Take It!

2010-01-11T22:06:00.003-06:00

As a followup to a previous post about Britt Hume's remarks concerning Christianity and Tiger Woods I share this item

This item is well put by Rocky Henriques, who compiles The Timothy Report, which is a source of information and illustrations for preachers. Here is his article verbatim:

It is so rare these days to find a public figure taking a stand for Christ, that when it happens, it is worth noting. You may have heard that Brit Hume recommended that Tiger Woods try Christianity if he really wants forgiveness for his misdeeds. This was his exact quote:

"The extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

As you would expect, not everyone appreciated his comment. Tom Shales, writing in The Washington Post, demanded that Hume apologize, saying he had "dissed about half a billion Buddhists on the planet."

Regardless of what you may feel about Ann Coulter, you need to read her reaction. I don’t usually follow her, and would not have seen this had not one of my church members brought it to me. Currently on her website, http://www.anncoulter.com/, you can read her article entitled, “If You Can Find A Better Deal, Take It!” I heartily recommend that you read this for yourself. You certainly won’t agree with everything she wrote—I didn’t. But please read the entire article before you click off to somewhere else. You will find that she makes some very good points—pretty good for someone who does not claim to be a Christian apologist—even quoting some very pertinent Scriptures along the way.

She concludes her article:

“Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies -- no doing what all the other kids do.

“And no more caring what the world thinks of you -- because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals: The world will hate you.

“With Christianity, your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.”
--Rocky Henriques, www.timothyreport.com

There's Good News Tonight

2010-01-04T20:13:00.002-06:00

My father once recalled a old time radio newsman named Gabriel Heatter. Heatter's news career spanned World War II. He was known for his trademark phrase, "There's good news tonight!" During the War, the news, particularly during the early days of America's involvement, was anything but good. But Heatter had a way of pointing out the good even in the bad.

Interestingly, Heatter did this, in part, for his own benefit. He was a very melancholy, insecure, and fearful man. In his broadcast efforts to pick others up, he was trying to cheer himself up as well.

But this post is not about Gabriel Heatter. It is however, about good news for the state of Louisiana. After all, this blog is about "LIfe and Ministry in Southwest LOUISIANA."

Yes, Virginia, there is good news tonight in Louisiana.

It was recently reported that the state of Louisiana came in at number one in something. Not in crime, corruption, or Cajuns.

But in happiness.

Louisiana has been deemed the "happiest state in the nation." Since my time here, I would have to agree. These Cajuns really know how to have a good time. So our state now leads the nation in happiness. There's good news tonight.

And that makes me very happy.

How Often Do You Hear Something Like This In Media?

2010-01-04T20:08:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, Britt Hume made some comments on Fox News about Tiger Woods, even offering his counsel:

Hume is absolutely right. Buddaism has no theology of forgiveness. But Christianity does. Good advice from a place one doesn't normally hear it.

The one thing I would add is not that Tiger would come to the "Christian faith." I pray he comes to Christ. That's the only way he can rebuild his life.

Forever.

Jumpin' Jelly Jars

2009-12-29T20:39:00.004-06:00

For some time, I have been a promoter of, disk jockey for, and a lover of, Southern Gospel music. Over the years, I have had the privilege to meet and listen to some of the finest quartets and singers in the business.

As I have promoted concerts, I have seen a number of items for sale on artist's tables. The items can range from CD's to magazines, to t-shirts and other promotional items. But this is the first time I've seen this item on an artist's table.

McCray says that his jelly is selling like, er, hotcakes, to mix metaphors. I like jelly myself, but this is new to me. Maybe the Doves can come up with their own label. "Dove Jelly?" Nah, it doesn't have a ring to it.

Speaking of concerts, we will be hosting the Doves in concert in DeRidder LA at the Fairgrounds Pavilion on Saturday, January 16. Come by and say hello.

Now they say that they are offering muscadine jelly on their table as well. I hear it has some healthy benefits.

Healing for the body and soul at Dove Brothers' concerts?

Time will tell.

Meanwhile, pass the bread.

He Rode In From The Past, Final Chapter

2009-12-18T08:10:00.002-06:00

He was left alone with his daughter that night. She began to be upset and agitated. She said, "Daddy, I don't want to be away from you."

"How's that?" He asked.

"Daddy, when I die, I'm going to heaven and you're going to Hell. We will be forever separated."

That was the turning point. My friend decided to attend church that night and join his wife in the pew. Soon he turned his life over to Jesus Christ and became a changed man.

He was changed in life direction and changed in his calling.

Gary soon became a worker and minister at his church. Over time, the church allowed him to go out and start a "Biker church" to reach people just like himself. This ecclectic gathering reaches people that many in the "established churches" don't want to mess with. They are located in a crack neighborhood. Many of the attenders have addiction issues as well as other hangups. The neat thing is that they don't know what a traditional church is. They don't even know how to act.

Pastor Gary tells me that he sometimes has to go to people and say, "No, we don't do that here." His wife suggested he write these incidents down for future book. Gary says, "I really don't want to remember!"

I became pastor of the more established and traditional churches. But our paths crossed again a little over a week ago. It sure was good to catch up on old times and acquaintances. Some of the people we grew up with now go to his church. One has come out of prison and is leading their addiction recovery ministry.

God uses broken people. Really, though, that's the only kind of people he has to use. We are all broken in some way.

Some just are more broken than others.

But it takes all of the same amazing grace to save and change us all.

I'm so glad to have caught up with this brother in the ministry again. I look forward to preaching at his church on a Tuesday night soon.

Look for me there.

Just don't look for me to ride in on a 'cycle.

Now, that's another story....

He Rode In From The Past, part 2

2009-12-11T21:47:00.003-06:00

We both married a year out of high school. He was living down in southeast Texas. I was still in my hometown. After that, our lives took different turns but resulted in our sharing a common calling.

Gary got involved in motorcycle gangs and the whole lifestyle, eventually becoming a national officer. He was injured in an industrial accident and returned to his hometown.

A couple of years after I married, I felt called to ministry. Deborah and I quit our jobs, sold our home, and moved to Marshall, TX for me to attend East Texas Baptist College. (Now University.)

Gary's daughter and later his wife began to attend church, mainly because Gary wanted his daughter to have some morals. He wanted this for his daughter though he admits that he had no morals himself.

I graduated from college, later seminary and began to pastor churches. My wife and I began to raise our two sons. She continued her education which will soon result in a Ed.D in nursing education.

Gary's wife is a visiting nurse.

As Gary's daughter attended church, later his wife did so as well, he wanted no part of "church." That was fine for them, but not for him.

Over time, his daughter gave her life to Jesus Christ, then his wife did as well.

Then one night it happened...

(To be continued...)

He Rode In From The Past

2009-12-10T23:20:00.002-06:00

A friend from my past surfaced yesterday. In fact, it has been 35 years since I had seen him eyeball-to-eyeball. Over the years, we had gone our separate ways. Very separate.

His name is Gary Sandlin and he pastors the First Biker Church of Texarkana, Texas. Gary and I went to Elementary and Jr. High School together. We were in Scouts together. Somewhere in the High School years, his life and mine took very different turns...

(Part 2 continues tomorrow)

Detoxing The Pastor

2009-12-10T23:17:00.002-06:00

Joe McKeever has written an insightful article on what it takes for a pastor to become an industrial chaplain here.

I especially "amen" the references to the administrative load a pastor has to handle. When I "signed on" to ministry, I thought I was signing on to preach and teach- as well as help people on a one to one basis. No one told me about the administrative load that a pastor shoulders.

Now, if pastoral ministry were just about caring for people.....

String Theory from "Who Made God?"

2009-11-23T21:27:00.010-06:00

Being no physicist, I am certainly at a loss when it comes to many of the scientific realities and theories of the universe.

It just so happened that I was in discussion with one of the young men who spent the weekend with us from the Life Action Revival Team. He mentioned his interest and study of physics in college. I barely know how to spell the word "fi...," er, "physics." I then sprung upon him one of my favorite questions: "Just what is string theory?"

His reply: "I dunno."

Suddenly the thought leaped into my head that I had asked the same questions of a young, bright medical student now studying at LSU-Shreveport medical school.

I made the call to him at approximately 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening.

He was in the school library.

Studying.

Studying on a Saturday evening? Yes, for there was a test on Monday. I was impressed and amazed.

But the urgency of the question caused me to move quickly beyond small talk.

Within seconds, I sprung my question. "Just what did you tell me was 'string theory?'"

I waited anxiously for the answer.

Silence. A long pause.

"I don't remember," he quietly replied.

I informed my guest of the verdict and happily, though somewhat emptily, finished the conversation with my medical student friend.

End of story. Almost.

Today, as I was perusing my blog updates, I found the answer.

Are you ready?

In 22 words or less, describe string theory.

String theory: fundamental particles (electrons, photons etc) are not point objects but strings which vibrate in different modes to produce different particles.

These words are from an interview done by Tim Challies you can find here with the interesting title, "Who Made God?" Honestly, I don't know any more than I did before.

As a physicist, I would starve.

A Quick Way To Save Three Days Per Year

2009-11-09T08:26:00.003-06:00

Stop Facebooking.

According to this article, the average Facebook user spends about three days a year on the site. The most addicted Facebookers spent over 125 hours on the site last year, which is equal to more than a whole working week.

Granted, the study focused on British people, but it is very likely that Americans' use of Facebook would parallel these findings.

A bit ironically, the news item is posted with the proper icon to allow you to "Facebook" the story!

Another timesaving tip brought to you courtesy of this blog.

Disneyland In Dallas

2009-11-06T07:27:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite churches has announced its intentions to build a $130 million building in the heart of "Big D."

140 year old First Baptist Dallas is undertaking a massive makeover of its aging facilities. Its worship center dates back to the 1890's. The church occupies prime real estate in the heart of downtown. In fact, over the years, they have faced the temptation (and offers) to move out of downtown and build facilities somewhere in the 'burbs. But they weren't budging.

I appreciate churches which "live" in the downtown area. Many of them face and have faced changing demographics, neighborhoods, and declines in size and giving. Many simply give in and relocate to "where the people" are or simply close their doors, like City Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana. (If you want a chill, look at that thriving congregation and beautiful building in 1967 compared to its state shortly before the building was slated to meet the wrecking ball.)

I pastor a church located in a downtown area. Once the church was set in the heart of commerce and population. Over the years, however, many people moved away from the downtown area, businesses closed or relocated, and decline set in. Reversing the pattern of decline is a challenge I and my church face in our location and one the City of Sulphur faces as well.

The City has made firm its commitment to downtown Sulphur. It recently remodeled a downtown building for a new City Hall. A building across the street from it has also been remodeled which will house city services and permit offices in a "one stop stop."

Another trend I have observed is that in many places people are returning to live downtown. Loft apartments are being fashioned from old warehouses and storefronts. Many cities such as Lake Charles, just over the river from us, are attempting to "revitalize" downtown with visions for new stores, apartments, and attractions.

So I get it and appreciate it when a church remains committed to stay in the heart of the city despite the obstacles. They choose to buck the trends, grit their teeth, and face the new challenges they face in their ministry settings.

First Baptist Dallas, home of pulpit giants George W. Truett and W.A. Criswell, refused the leave downtown Dallas when it well could have. Over the years, it, too, has faced declines in membership, giving, and influence.

I am not going to judge that church on whether it should be spending the money when it "could be giving to the poor." Neither will I comment on whether the magnificent building is a good way to breathe life into the "old gray lady." I am not going to say what they should do in their setting and culture when I live 300 miles away and have not grappled with the issues involved. Jesus taught us that we were not to judge another man's servant anyway. I am responsible before God as to how I lead our own congregation. And no one who has not grappled with the issues of being the church in a rapidly changing culture in general and a unique ministry setting in particular could possibly make the call.

I did, however, learn a long time ago that buildings do not reach people. People reach people.

If FBC, Dallas believes under God's leadership that it needs to spend $130 million to reach its city and remain a thriving, viable congregation in the heart of the city, then I bless their decision. Have you been to downtown Dallas lately? Sure, it has its share of urban blight. But, like the nearby new Texas Stadium, they do things bigger and flashier in "Big D."

What would George do? In his pastorate, he led First Baptist Dallas to be a prominent congregation with international recognition.

To do that, he had to seek God's leadership, build, and change. Don't we all?

A Fine Way To Start A Sunday

2009-11-05T20:18:00.000-06:00

As I left for church recently, I was greeted by this sight.

Grow Your Small Groups and Increase the Stewardship of Your Church!

2009-11-05T19:57:00.004-06:00

Two LIVE Events - One Day with Vic Simpson in the Lake Charles Area

Thursday, November 12, 2009
9:00am - 11:30am: The Stewardship Seminar
1:00pm - 3:30pm: The Activate Seminar

The LIVE Stewardship Seminar!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
9:00am - 11:30 am

Here's what you can expect to learn in The Stewardship Seminar:

The five types of givers in your church
How to cultivate first-time givers
How to develop an ongoing stewardship system
How to motivate people to tithe
How to challenge people to go deeper in stewardship
How to teach on money
How to increase giving in your church
How to help your congregation understand the connection between financial stewardship and spiritual growth
How to help first time givers realize the significance of their gift
Understanding stewardship as discipleship
Plus much more!

Hosted by:
First Baptist Church
401 S. Huntington St.
Sulphur, LA 70663

Only $49.95!
Register online by clicking here
or
For group registrations (5 or more),
contact us at 212-730-8300 ext. 212
or e-mail Info@ChurchLeaderInsights.com

Space is limited, register today!

The LIVE Activate Seminar!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
1:00pm - 3:30pm

This is a completely new seminar with almost no overlap from the original Small Groups Seminar. We will dive deep into how to run a semester based small group system. The LIVE Activate Seminar with Kerrick Thomas will answer questions like these:

How do I get 100% of my church involved in small groups?
What are the basic elements of an effective small groups system?
How do I recruit and train enough small-group leaders?
What are the myths that are holding back my small groups?
What is a good structure for small-group ministry?
How do I get small groups involved in serving and evangelism?
How do I get started?
And many more!
Only $79.95!
Register online by clicking here
or
For group registrations (5 or more),
contact us at 212-730-8300 ext. 212
or e-mail Info@ChurchLeaderInsights.com

Space is limited, register today!

Sign Up for Both Events and SAVE!

For an even greater value, register for both events at once for only $99.95!.
Click here to REGISTER NOW.

(UPDATE: Registration fee increases by $10 to register at the door.)

About The Seminar Leader:
Vic Simpson is the Pastor of Emmanuel Church in Huntingtown, Maryland, a bedroom community of the Washington, DC area. With over 30 years in full-time ministry, God has used him to lead stagnant and declining churches to new health, growth and life. In the nearly eight years that Pastor Vic and his wife Janice have been at Emmanuel, the church has grown from just 75 people to well over 400; most of the growth coming from people who have accepted Christ. A seasoned pastor with a proven track record, Vic is uniquely equipped to help churches understand how to develop and implement church systems to achieve healthy growth. Vic holds a D.Min. from Midwestern Seminary and is a Certified Trainer with Nelson Searcy and Church Leader Insights.

2009-10-22T20:20:00.003-06:00

Over the years, I have put my pastoral sails to the prevailing winds. First, I set out to be a good pastor. Then it was a good preacher I wished to be. As the winds shifted, I got caught up in LEADERSHIP. It was all about being a good leader. In other words, it was senior pastor, CEO. After that wind died down, I looked to the horizon for the new wind that would blow.

It came.

Expository preaching.

The "movers and shakers-" the ones quoted by the "cool" preachers today are saying that "Expository preaching is thing you ought to do." So I loaded up the truck, and...well never mind.

Somewhere along the way I heard about a book by John Piper with the intriguing title, "Brothers, We Are Not Professionals." He was arguing for the model role of a pastor as a shepherd, not a CEO.

Pretty radical. Also very biblical.

Recently, one of the "cool" preachers, Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City wrote on his blog:

I pastor a church with a large staff and so I give 15+ hours a week to preparing the sermon. I would not advise younger ministers to spend so much time, however. When I was a pastor without a staff I put in 6-8 hours on a sermon. If you put in too much time in your study on your sermon you put in too little time being out with people as a shepherd and a leader. Ironically, this will make you a poorer preacher. It is only through doing people-work that you become the preacher you need to be--someone who knows sin, how the heart works, what people's struggles are, and so on. Pastoral care and leadership (along with private prayer) are to a great degree sermon preparation. More accurately, it is preparing the preacher, not just the sermon. Through pastoral care and leadership you grow from being a Bible commentator into a flesh and blood preacher

How about that? Pastoral care as sermon preparation- the pastor IS a shepherd, not the head of Church, Inc. In fact, the last time I checked there was and has been only one head of the church and He is not me.

A new wind is blowing.

Hoist the sails!

Power In The Pulpit?

2009-10-20T21:35:00.002-06:00

Honestly, sometimes I just don't get it....

Home Again, Home Again

2009-10-18T13:38:00.002-06:00

I've taken an extended period of time off from blogging lately.

There are two reasons. First, I went with a mission team from our church to participate in a simultaneous revival effort with churches in the Navajo Nations. For our church, this was the first trip of what will likely be many more. Our goals were simple:

1. Share the love of Jesus Christ.
2. Connect with the people there.
3. Find ways to serve them.
4. Scout out future projects.

In all four areas, we connected. In fact, my morning message today focused on winning "Strategic Spiritual Victories," of which this trip was one. You can listen to it here.

I'll be posting some reflections from our trip in future blogposts.

The second reason for my absence from blogging is my desire to catch up on my reading. Currently, I have three shelves of books waiting to be read. A few days before we left for our mission trip, I received my copy of Keith Durso's new biography of Dr. George W. Truett. He says, as I have insisted, that a new biography needed to be written. I have wanted to write one for over 20 years. Keith beat me to it. Thus, I am turing my sights elsewhere, for I do not believe I have anything to add to his extensive scholarly work. I finished the book on the trip. I plan to post a review of it soon.

Long story short, I'm back.

With more to come.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Truett And Louisiana College

2009-10-07T15:59:00.003-06:00

I had been working on a new biography of Dr. George W. Truett. However, I recently discovered that a new one had been written and was just released, entitled "Thy Will Be Done," by Keith Durso.

I don't know that I won't sometime in the future write about some aspect of his ministry, but I think I will this book suffice for now. (I am awaiting shipment as I received notice today that it was on its way.)

Along the way in my research, I was given a pamphlet containing a speech about Louisiana College delivered in the 1930's. In honor of Dr. Truett and Louisiana College, I reproduce a part that I find particularly inspiring:

What of the future of Louisiana Baptist College? I am happy to believe that gathered here today are men and women of one heart, one purpose, who are highly resolved by God's grace to make this College what it ought to be. I cannot believe the Baptists of Louisiana will fail to strengthen this college and make its future more secure in the weeks and months and years just ahead. I cannot believe the sons of the fathers who laid so well the foundation of Christian education in Louisiana will be untrue to their great heritage.

Men will come forward with their money for buildings for this beautiful place and with an endowment that will withstand the perils that come with long years. I am happy to believe that here before me now are enough men and women to undergird the certain future of this college from this day forward, and the $100,000.00 which you so badly need, and a building to accommodate the growing clientel coming to this college, can come from this number.

We are of one mind that we are coming to the most challenging days of civilization. We seem to be at the watershed of all history. It is a crime for a man to be a little man anytime. It would seem tenfold a crime to be a little man in a great hour like this to which we are come. Call to mind the ancient proverb, Woe to thee 0 Land when thy king is a child. Woe unto any court when a little man is in the court house. Woe unto any church when a little man is in the pulpit. Woe when a little man is anywhere in places of responsibility!

Are we understanding this hour to which Louisiana College has come? Are we of one mind and heart that we) will not be found lagging? But will we keep step with the most alert thought and effort to put this plan through?

Well said, Dr. Truett!

A New Sermon Series

2009-09-27T20:02:00.001-06:00

Some time ago, I acquired the book, "The Man of Sin," by Dr. Kim Riddlebarger. Like so many of my newer books, it has languished on my shelf. It has an intriguing title and subject.

As a student in college, I and my wife made friends with two other couples. One had gone to college to study music. He later quit to take a full time job. The other man had begun college to study for ministry. I alone was the struggling college student.

We had a common calling.

We also had a common interest.

Eschatology.

Eschatology is the study of last things. It is concerned with end times, the return of Christ, and things like Final Destiny. (That sounds so terminal.)

We would get together on Saturday evenings to eat a meal together and to fellowship. While our wives contented themselves with conversational topics of whatever women like to discuss, we men talked eschatology.

We debated.

We argued.

We agreed.

We speculated.

We were stimulated.

I learned more though those discussions about eschatology than any formal study I've done of the topic. I had to read and study just to keep up with these guys.

I find that people have a great interest in end time issues. Church members want to hear the latest as well. From time to time, I've tackled these topics from a preaching and teaching standpoint. My standard approach has been to address topics relating to eschatology or to preach through books like 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Pretty general.

Until now.

I've heard plenty in my time about just WHO antichrist (The Man Of Sin) is. Incidentally, he's been just about every American President of the past, including the current one who occupies the White House.

Given my "education," from my friends, subsequent study, a personal interest, my aquisition of this book, and now renewed speculation about who this Man is, I've recently felt I needed to address a specific eschatological topic.

The Man Of Sin.

I have been to man out a new sermon series I call, "The Spoiler." This is who this Man is called in Isaiah 33:1. Thus, this Fall, Lord willing, I will be delivering a series of messages on this one topic. As of tonight, I put my volunteer researcher on the topic. It was like throwing fresh meat to a hungry lion.

I can hardly wait to see what I will say.

Stay tuned.

E4 Conference

2009-09-22T19:42:00.004-06:00

I just arrived home from the first ever E4 preaching conference sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Louisiana College, and New Orleans and Southwestern Seminaries at First Baptist, Pineville, LA.

It was refreshing and challenging. I walked away with a new list of preaching ideas, and a few reminders of the art. It was good also to network with great Christian leaders who taught and participated.

In particular, I was struck with the ability and passion of two professors of religion from Louisiana College, Dr. Chuck Quarles and Dr. Jason Meyer.

Their presentations were passionate, scholarly, and challenging. It is wonderful to think that these men are teaching our students at the college. I pray that the students will catch some of their "scholarship on fire." We desperately need it.

To be back on the Louisiana College campus, however briefly, brought back a flood of memories from my own college experience.

Bright young students.

Red brick buildings.

Tall pine trees.

And chapel.

Yes, chapel. The chapel service was worshipful and refreshing. The college chorale sang wonderfully. The preacher spoke passionately. The students listened intently. (I noticed. I was watching.)

I was able to catch up with one student from our church. He told me of the record enrollment this semester. He had to stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks. Here is what happens when a Christian college takes its Christian moorings seriously.

Because my own Alma Mater once strongly conservative now seems less so, I happily embrace LC as my own.

Congratulations, President Aguillard, faculty, and staff for a job well done.

And just beginning.

I am proud to be a Louisiana Baptist and proud to send students from our church to that institution knowing that their Christian faith will not be called into question, but strengthened.

We need more colleges like Louisiana College.

An Act Of God?

2009-09-13T18:54:00.003-06:00

Again, I share a picture and comment from my friend, Dr. Rick Hyde. We might consider him a "guest blogger" on this site. He knows of my love for signs and the sometimes unintentional messages they bring.

Let him speak to this one:
It's not a church sign ... but it's interesting.

I went to the Lifeway Christian Store in Little Rock and took this picture with my phone camera.

I was unhappy when the SBC voted to change the name from Baptist Book Store to Lifeway Christian Store a few years ago. (I was there .. I voted against the change.)

Well ... God himself ordered this latest modification of the name ... strong winds brought the "Christian" part of the sign crashing down recently. Luckily (no, make that blessedly) it was in the middle of the night and no one was injured.

This might be a good time to go back to calling it the "Baptist Book Store."

What do you think, readers?

Celebrating Failure

2009-09-09T20:46:00.003-06:00

"These days its not just that the line between right and wrong has been made unclear, today Christians are being asked by our culture today to erase the lines and move the fences, and if that were not bad enough, we are being asked to join in the celebration cry by those who have thrown off the restraints religion had imposed upon them. It is not just that they ask we accept, but they now demand of us to celebrate it too."
— Ravi Zacharias

I recently heard of a woman whose divorce had become final. Her response to her "liberation" was to trumpet it from various social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.

In response, some of her "friends" joined in congratulating her, as though she had just received a big job promotion and raise.

Is a divorce a reason for a fandango? Should its finalization be cause for celebration?

At the very least a divorce -any divorce- is an admission of failure. A relationship failed. A marriage died. Something is dead.

And people want to celebrate?

Do they celebrate the brokenness of lives now separated after saying "till death do us part?" Do they celebrate the inevitable hurt and feelings of rejection that children experience when their parents no longer live together? Do people really want to celebrate what must legally become to some extent and adversarial relationship regarding property, parental rights, and bank accounts?

There is no cause for celebration. A divorce is a death, and its decree a death announcement. The court case is a funeral. Picking up the pieces is for many, and especially children, is grief work.

None of those things are easy.

None of those things are reasons to celebrate.

Please understand if I don't congratulate you.

One can discern the demise of a culture and the denigration of humanity when people celebrate things that should cause them to weep instead.

I weep.

I Had Lunch Here Today

2009-08-27T21:40:00.002-06:00

More later...

At My Age..

2009-08-26T21:34:00.004-06:00

...seems like simple pleasures are the most satisfying.

Yesterday was my birthday. I found many well wishes in my electronic inbox. People were very kind to remember. I had lunch with one of my prayer partners- he even bought it!

My wife and son gave me a pair of shoes and a new belt to replace one that (popped) became unusable. With age comes an expanded middle. I had several cards waiting on me. I was advised to "do nothing I did not wish to do." How does one do this and pursue his vocation?

There was even grilled steak for supper.

I enjoyed all these things immensely.

But I really enjoyed the strawberry cake. We had staff meeting and there it was- homemade strawberry cake. As I was growing up, Mother knew that was the cake I wanted. For some reason, my father always insisted on making my picture sitting beside it with the candles lit. I suppose somewhere I have 18 pictures of successive birthdays- each with me sitting beside a strawberry cake.

I have to admit that it has been years since I had homemade strawberry cake- the kind that uses the frozen berries in the cardboard can with metal ends. Some got close, but cherry cake with canned strawberry icing just isn't the same.

But for my birthday one of staff secretaries' husband made the finest cake I've had in years. Like the cartoon dog, Snuffles, I exclaimed my groans of delight. If I could, I'd have jumped into the air and floated down like he did.

As I took the first bite and realized it was just like momma's, I got a bit misty-eyed. Memories returned of birthdays gone by. I thought of my mother- now in glory. That was the best birthday present of all.

Mother is gone, but her recipe lives on.

Simple pleasures like homemade strawberry cake are the best.

I got another birthday present, too. I'm going to redeem it tomorrow. I'll write about it -and the results- in a later post.

Now, if I could just get that old Beatles tune out of my head...."You say it's your birthday..."

Talitha Cumi

2009-08-16T20:32:00.005-06:00

Early this morning, I got a phone call. Calls this early never bring good news. Sure enough, it was a lady in our church who told me of a teenage girl who attends our church with her grandparents. The girl had fallen off of a golfcart on to a sidewalk and hit her head. At that time, she was in Pediatric ICU. There was a hematoma in her skull and she was unresponsive.

I told my wife about the situation and she was troubled. I took a shower and prepared for church.

At approximately 7:15 this morning I took my wife's hand and we prayed for this young lady and another child we heard had been involved in a lawn mowing accident.

As we prayed, I led out. I was reminded of Jesus' words to Jairus' daughter in Mark 5:41. Jairus had requested Jesus' presence to heal his sick child. But before he could arrive, the child died. Jesus told the crowd when he arrived that the girl was not dead, but sleeping. He was ridiculed. Then Jesus took her hand and said, "Talitha Cumi," which is Aramaic for "Little Girl Arise." Indeed the girl awakened. Jesus raised her from the ded.

You can see a powerful video here, or here:

I prayed, repeating the words of Jesus, "Talitha Cumi" and went to eat breakfast.

Later, as I finished getting ready, I could hear my wife in the living room on the phone. She had been trying to reach the grandmother of the girl who had been injured and get the latest report. I heard her laughing, crying, and pounding the bar in kitchen.

The girl had just awakened and begun to talk to her family.

My wife asked the grandmother when this happened.

As it turned out, it had happened about the time we were praying for the girl to awaken which was ten minutes earlier.

God heard our prayer!

Coincidence? I find more coincidences occur when I pray.

I shared the story with my prayer partners and later with my church. There was spontaneous applause and cheers.

After church we went to the hospital to visit the girl and her family. We told them of our prayer, the answer, and the church's response to the story of healing and answered prayer.

The girl in particular was fascinated. "They clapped and cheered for me?" she asked.

"That's right," I said. "They clapped and cheered because you are an answered prayer."

The words of the prophet Isaiah came to mind several times today, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)

Indeed, God answered while we prayed, "Talitha cumi."

A Passing Legend And Me

2009-08-13T20:39:00.006-06:00

“I wanted something very dense, something that would sustain long and more pieces of wood that would be soft, sweet, for more of a mellow sound.”- Les Paul

I well recall the early years of my teens when I was a guitar player/band member wannabe. I had two friends, Tony and Larry, who had the same aspirations as I. In fact, we formed our own band (sans instruments, as we had no money to buy them) and even took to photographing ourselves for the covers of albums that we were sure we would one day record. In fact, if one of us got mad at the other, we would "kick him out of the band." In fact, this often happened to another friend, Raymond. We alternated between letting Raymond in the band and then later kicking him out again. Never mind the fact that we had no instruments, no songs, and none of us really knew how to play. We had a dream. We would one day be a band.

That led us to make regular trips to State Line Avenue and G Sharp Music in our hometown of Texarkana, TX. The owner of the store, as I recall, was named George Sharp- hence the "G. Sharp" of the store's name. G. Sharp had the best selection of pianos, band instruments, drums, amplifiers, accessories, ...and guitars.

Oh, they had the guitars.

One in particular caught my eye. It was a solid black Gibson Les Paul Custom model. I had seen some of the guitar players I admired at the time playing Les Pauls. I knew three things about them: They were popular among guitarists, They were heavy- hence their nickname, "the plank," and they were EXPENSIVE.

The one I had my eye upon during those frequent excursions to G. Sharp Music Store cost a whopping $695.

But wait! It had genuine mother of pearl inlays on the fingerboard. It had gold plated tuning pegs and pickups. It was a beauty. A black beauty.

And it might as well have have carried a million dollar pricetag as far as I was concerned. I was 14 years old, too young to hold a regular job, and from a middle working class family which earned just enough money to feed and house a family of six. I know that was the list price and had I haggled with G. Sharp, he would have come down on the price, but there was one thing I knew deep down.

There was no way I was ever going to own that Les Paul Custom guitar.

But I could dream. And I did. Today, when I go to music stores or talk to other guitarists- some of whom actually play Les Pauls- I am always tempted to tell of my teenage dream of owning a Les Paul.

And according to WikiAnswers.com that guitar today could sell for around $4000-$5000. Sigh.

Anyway, I bring this bit of trivia from my past in memory of the guitar's designer, Les Paul.

Paul was an accomplished guitarist himself. He practically invented some popular licks and phrasings that are the standard fare of modern guitarists. He and his wife, Mary Ford, made hit records together. One of their big hits was "How High The Moon." As Mary sings, Les can be heard in the background playing some mean chops.

Not only was Paul a popular artist and guitar designer, but he was also quite inventive on the recording end of music as well. He first discovered multi tracking and layering as a recording technique. He would record his wife singing, and then play back that recording as she sang with herself and added that track to the previous one. This is why some recordings seem to sound like the singer has cloned himself or herself. Paul perfected this technique and would often record songs with his wife in their hotel rooms as they traveled between concerts.

Right up until his death today at 92, he could still be found at clubs, jamming with his musician friends. He once said, "I have younger friends who don't work, and they aren't doing so well. My secret is to keep going, keep working."

He did indeed, right up until the end.

Thanks, Les. Thanks for the stuff that dreams are made of- from a former teenage dreamer.

--Postscript: I recently bought an Epiphone Les Paul copy, in part to fulfill that teenage dream. It certainly cost a lot less then the original Les Paul and isn't quite like the original, but I can say that I have a black Les Paul today. The thing about it is, today, it doesn't seem to matter as much as it once did. If I wanted to do so, I could buy an original Gibson Les Paul Custom. But it really doesn't seem so important to me anymore.

Lost

2009-08-09T15:54:00.003-06:00

I found two illustrations on the way to church this morning.

First, as I drove down a main street to meet with my prayer partners, I saw a man sitting in the back of a minivan reading a newspaper. My first thought was that he must be selling something.

Actually, he wasn't.

In fact, he was trying to give something away.

As I looked closer, I saw a large dog on a leash with a water bowl set before him. I also saw a cardboard sign in front of the dog.

"Lost," is all the sign said. Instantly, I got it. Apparently the man found a stray dog in his neighborhood and was trying to find his owner on an early Sunday morning. I admired his generosity and caring spirit to see that a lost animal would be reunited with his master.

As I drove further down that street, I wondered about the willingness of Christians to inconvenience themselves to reach people in our world- our neighborhoods- who are lost without Jesus Christ. This stranger's unselfish act struck me with fresh conviction to be about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Also on that commute to the church, I felt the need for caffeine. I stopped by a convenience store along the way. A young lady whom I have seen visiting our church services was behind the counter. She smiled, and as I "filled 'er up," asked me, "Whatcha gonna speak on today?"

I had an answer.

I have been challenged by a conference speaker I recently heard who asked us to labor diligently to get the gist of a message, sermon, or teaching into one striking and compact sentence. He said that if your wife woke you up at 3:00 in the morning, and asked you what you were preaching on Sunday, you should have a short, pungent answer. He also said that the statement should be able to fit on the back of your business card.

Having thought much on that challenge, and labored to meet it, I had a ready answer for the young lady.

I told her that I was preaching on "Leave Boldly," part of the One Month To Live Challenge and sermon series. I also was able to say, "I am going to say that in order to leave this earth boldly, you must be able to look back at life on earth peacefully, and look forward to life in heaven hopefully." Those words are based upon the experience of Jesus on the cross as recorded in Luke 23: 29-39.

I drove away from the store thinking, "Here is a good example of what the speaker asked us to do." I was able to give this young woman a business card condensation of my sermon." Such a practice makes preaching and teaching far more effective, because the speaker has one main idea he is attempting to drive home. Mac Brunson compares it to a pneumatic tube which drives its object home with force, power, and clarity.

I also thought, "What a great illustration to share in my preaching classes with students."

Thus, today I got two good illustrations that begged to be shared. The first I shared with our congregation during our invitation time. I couldn't let that one get away!

The other I share with you, dear reader.

May their force be with you!

HYDE'S COUNSEL TO PREACHERS .. AND HEARERS

2009-07-30T09:31:00.002-06:00

Since I am at Preteen Camp this week, I offer this post from a guest blogger, who has (humbly) offered his take (and his picture) concerning a recent post I wrote on this blog:

To the preacher: "Never say these words is a sermon: 'God said to me' or "God told me.' God has been blamed for more hot air than the weatherman. God may lead you to believe or to conclude, but God stopped speaking when the Book of Revelation closed. How presumptuous is the preacher who conveys to others that he has such communication with God.

To the hearers: "Your pastor, who hopefully is a powerful preacher, is never the less human. Evaluate everything he says by the Word of God, not the word of the preacher."

To all: "Be disciples of Jesus, not just avid (or vapid) disciples of some preacher."

These three thoughts in three alliterative words:
Deliver, Discern, Devote

A Conversation With Danny Riley Of Gold City

2009-07-18T10:06:00.006-06:00

I just added an interview to my "Conversations With Dr. Dave" podcast site I did with Danny Riley. This interview has been lurking on my hard drive for some time. Thus, it precedes some recent Gold City announcements of lineup changes. One thing is constant in Southern Gospel groups- change.

Anyway, the discussion should prove interesting to fans of the quartet.

Just click the link to "Conversations With Dr. Dave" on this blog and you can download or listen online.

Enjoy.

Spurgeon's Counsel To Preachers....And Hearers

2009-07-16T09:48:00.003-06:00

I've been spending much time reading and thinking about preaching. I found a couple of quotes from the man who is considered by many to be the "Prince Of Preaching," Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

TO THE PREACHER: "If some men were sentenced to hear their own sermons, it would be a righteous judgment on them; but they would soon cry out with Cain, "My punishment is greater than I can bear." (Ouch!)

TO THE HEARER: "Surely if men's hearts were right, short sermons would be enough. A very brief invitation might suffice if the heart were right, but since hearts are wrong God bids his servants enlarge, expand, and expound." (Preach it, Charlie!)

TO ALL: “The kind of sermon which is likely to break the hearer’s heart is that which first has broken the preacher’s heart, and the sermon which is likely to reach the heart of the hearer is the one which has come straight from the heart of the preacher.”

"...he being dead yet speaketh." Hebrews 11:4b

Mag·nan·i·mous

2009-07-09T14:42:00.001-06:00

Function:adjective

Etymology:Latin magnanimus, from magnus great + animus spirit

1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit magnanimous sufferings of their followers — Joseph Addison>

2 : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind magnanimous for resentment — Ellen Glasgow> (Adapted from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnanimous)

"People judge you by the words you use." - Advertising slogan for "Verbal Advantage."

The slogan worked for me. Several years ago, I spent money I didn't have to buy something I didn't use. It was a cassette tape program to teach me a better vocabulary. I would become more powerful and popular if I only buy and use the product.

So I bought it.

But I never really used it.

I recall listening to a couple of the first tapes while I was jogging or traveling in the car. I practiced the words on my jogging buddy who seemed to delight in learning some new word. Today, I am not sure where the set of tapes is. I am sure I would have difficulty listening to it since I now longer use cassette tapes.

Nevertheless, word power is important. I know a man who is a gifted public speaker. His voice is resonant and clear. Listening to him makes one feel like he is listening to powerful orator.

But this speaker often uses words that have me wondering, "What?"

A big part of communication is using the right word at the right time. It is also about using words that the audience will understand.

I recall reading of an experiment conducted many years ago. An audience was asked to listen to a speaker give a lecture on a particular topic. He deliberately used big words and even added gibberish. Asked to judge the presentation upon its conclusion, member of the audience stated that they had no clue what the speaker was talking about, but they were sure he was a very intelligent man.

So, do we communicators want to be impressive or understood?

I have been using a word quite easily and often this week. As I recall, up until this week, I have rarely ever used it before. It is the word "magnanimous." The definition is provided at the beginning of this post.

To do a magnanimous thing
And take oneself by surprise
If ones' self is not in the habit of him
Is precisely the finest of Joys
-Emily Dickinson

Lately I have been impressed with some folks who have shown a "magnanimous" spirit. They have been gracious, understanding, and patient under stress. They have demonstrated a desire to see the best good come out of bad situations. They are living definitions of the word.

May their tribe increase...magnanimously.

A Sad Tale

2009-07-08T21:50:00.002-06:00

It was the fourth of July in Lake Charles, LA. There was a party at a residence. There was also an uninvited "guest."

According to newspaper reports, the "guest" was invited to leave. Rather than do so, the "guest" called two friends.

The friends arrived- one with a weapon.

A confrontation ensued and a man was killed.

The man, Cole Gueringer, was a Marine and an Iraq war veteran who had returned home last February. He would have reported back in to North Carolina last Monday.

Instead he is being buried tomorrow.

This young man served his country, risked his life, and came home. To safety, he thought.

It turned out that he was safer in the Iraqi war zone than he was at home.

The young veteran is dead. Dead because he attempted to intervene and remove an unwanted guest. Dead because some people believe that confrontations can be solved with guns. Dead because he stood up instead of stood down.

According to Lake Charles Police chief Don Davis, "This is total stupidity and everyone involved will be held accountable."

I hope so.

On The Great Commission Resurgence

2009-07-04T18:21:00.003-06:00

One of the most prominent things to come out of this year's Southern Baptist Convention which met in Louisville, KY June 23-24 was the formation of a Great Commission Resurgence Study Committee.

Given the decline of membership and baptisms for the SBC, many people - and I among them - have been concerned about the future of our Convention. To the best of my knowledge, Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, fired the first shot. He delivered a message in his seminary's chapel service outlining 12 "Axioms Toward a Great Commission Resurgence." I believe he was deliberately attempting to be provocative, and he was. Several State Convention directors shared their concerns and problems with Akin's Axioms. Morris Chapman, head of the SBC Executive Committee has also been outspoken in his criticism.

One of the sticking points has been the use of the term "bloated bureaucracies" to describe agencies and boards of the SBC. Naturally, many on those agencies and boards took offense. Those initial statements have been reviewed, considered and even revised.

The upshot of Akin's challenge has been that the SBC authorized and president Johnny Hunt has appointed a panel of 18 people:

Ronnie Floyd of Springdale, Ark., chair; Jim Richards, executive director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; Frank Page, of Taylors, S.C.; David Dockery, president of Union University in Jackson, Tenn.; Simon Tsoi, IMB trustee from Arizona; Donna Gaines of Cordova, Tenn.; Al Gilbert, Winston-Salem, N.C.; J.D. Greear of Durham, N.C.; Tom Biles, director of missions, Tampa Bay Baptist Association; Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; John Drummond, layman from Florida; Harry Lewis of the North American Mission Board; Mike Orr of Chipley, Fla.; Roger Spradlin of California; Bob White, Georgia Baptist Convention executive director; Ken Whitten of Tampa, Fla.; and Ted Traylor of Pensacola, Fla.

I am certainly for investigating ways to carry out the Great Commission as Southern Baptists. I voted for the appointment of the committee on the Convention floor. I can't imagine any Baptist voting against the Great Commission. :) However, if Jesus had put it up for a vote, I am sure there would have been opposition.

I also believe in and trust president Johnny Hunt. He is one of my favorite preachers. I listen to podcasts of his sermons every Saturday as I exercise to help motive me to preach the next day. I have said many times that I would be willing to move to Atlanta just to attend his church. First Baptist Woodstock, is a dynamic and growing church.

I also think that any organization needs to periodically examine itself to see if it is functioning efficiently and effectively. Self evaluation keeps the lifeblood flowing in any enterprise.

However, I have somewhat against this committee.

First, I am concerned about the representatives. Most of them are from larger membership churches. Only one of them is from a smaller membership church. Our mission boards and agencies are not well represented. There are no missiologists to my knowledge on this committee. Ed Stetzer, though I think he is already way too busy, would have been a good choice. The representation already looks like a "top down" move instead of a "bottom up" effort. Too many times, we have seen good programs and efforts birthed by our agencies and boards, only to see them slowly die because the churches, which are the bottom line, never embraced them.

Second, how will the work of this committee dovetail with the committee formed by the North American Mission Board? Will efforts be reduplicated?

Third, and parallel to thought #1, the formation of the Great Commission Resurgence Study Committee did not come as a local church concern, but as an institutional one, as Danny Akin, president of one of our seminaries took the first step. Again, the effort looks more like the tail wagging the dog. It should be more of a local church effort instructing the Convention toward a Great Commission Resurgence. The original thrust, to my knowledge, came from an institutional level. It can be argued that by a vote of the messengers, this committee became a local church issue, or that Akin gave voice to local church concerns. But again, I have not heard concern voiced by pastors or anyone else about a need for a Resurgence until Danny Akin spoke.

I say these things with love and concern. Southern Baptists have evangelized, discipled, trained, ordained, and employed me most of my adult life. I am a Southern Baptist by conviction and choice. I want to see us resurge and expand the kingdom.

I just hope that for all the efforts being made, this one does not end up like a lot of much hyped whizbang programs that have come down the pike from the denomination, across my desk, into a file (round or rectangular) and out of memory after a time.

One reason the Conservative Resurgence was successful was that it was initially a grassroots movement. Institutions were often reluctant to get on board. They themselves were the target. In the end the effort succeeded as the conservatives worked from the "bottom up."

The genius of the Southern Baptist Convention is just that- we are a "bottom up" organization. The heart of the Convention is the local church, not the institutions created to serve it. I just hope the member of the committee remember that.

Southern Gospel Groups- Renamed

2009-07-04T18:07:00.004-06:00

Several years ago, an email list in which I participated played a game by tweaking the names of prominent Southern Gospel groups. Just this week, I found my contributions scribbled on a piece of scratch paper which had been long forgotten. I recall sending them to the list and them making the rounds in cyberspace.

Given the fact that much time has passed since then and that I feel the need to pass them on again, I offer them here. Please understand that no harm is meant by these monikers. It's all in fun. I know many of the musicians in these groups and they enjoy a laugh as much as anyone. See if you can guess the real names of these groups from these made up ones:

The Dutch Masters Quartet
The Pimento Cheese Quartet
Karen Peck And Pickled Peppers
Rold Gold City
The Winchester Cathedrals
Trying To Be Free And Finances
The Tricky Busybody Boys
The Bellhops
The Amateur Vocal Band
The Choppers
Conditioned Airs Quartet
The Melons
The Tankermen
Chris And the Allman Joys
The Dive Brothers Quartet
Later Fishin'

(I know- not all that funny, but hey, I tried!)

Attending The Convention

2009-06-27T19:45:00.003-06:00

The 2009 Southern Baptist Convention is now history. We met in Louisville, KY this year. The facilities were great, but there were few restaurants nearby. However, one could get "fast" food from vendors at the hall. I noticed they all had "sweet" tea. Yes, Virginia, we are in the South.

We had a break Wednesday afternoon. Since I had never seen The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, we drove through the campus during their open house celebrations. It is a beautiful setting- lots of tall trees, red bricks, and white pillars. The neighborhood around it is gorgeous. Again, this is the South.

We also visited the Louisville Slugger bat factory. We were taken through the shop while various aspects of bat manufacturing were described. Any baseball fan would love the tour, not to mention the souvenir bat you are given as you leave. NOTE: YOU CANNOT TAKE THE BAT ON A PLANE WITH YOU. IT IS CONSIDERED A WEAPON. IT WILL BE CONFISCATED.

But back to the Convention. I thought it went smoothly, despite some hyped headlines like this one on a 95-5 percentage vote: "Vote Reveals Underlying Tensions in SBC." What?

There were also some way-out-there motions made. One would think the convention was all about Pepsi, the KJV Bible, and Mark Driscoll. These were blips on the radar.

The big news was the overwhelming vote to establish a Great Commission Resurgence panel. I'll have another blog post on this one. The news is out- the SBC has lost membership, baptisms are down, and so is missions giving. Something needs to be done. I see nothing wrong with the evaluation of structure and program. But I fear that this will be like so many programs that come down the pike to local Baptist churches. Much noise and effort are made. In the end, little changes.

We heard some great preaching. David Platt is a 27 year young rising star. We will be hearing much more from him. One preacher did something I've never seen at a Convention. He used a visual aid. It was a round bottomed fire bucket. He used it to make the point that the bucket is not meant to sit somewhere. It is meant to be passed on- like the gospel. I have been working with creative illustrations lately, so I was intrigued. I noticed that the audience was as well, especially when the bucket fell off the podium with a loud thud. The preacher had everyone's attention. Even those who seemingly wander aimlessly around stopped to take note. Drooping eyes popped open. Maybe I need a fire bucket next Sunday.

We were led well by Dr. Johnny Hunt, convention president. I listen to his preaching podcasts every Saturday as I exercise. It gets me fired up to preach on Sunday. He has such a passion for the gospel, which is inspiring and contagious.

We heard some great music and singing. There were contemporary songs, praise songs, Southern Gospel, Gospel R&B and some music borrowing a bit from all. I especially liked the choir and orchestra from First Baptist, Woodstock GA, where Johnny Hunt is pastor. I sometimes wish I lived near Atlanta so I could go to church there.

I met some old acquaintances, made a few new friends, and had some wonderfully inspiring and informative conversations with seminary professors, Baptist leaders, other pastors, and a few strangers. I specifically recall meeting a layman who was standing near entrance to the Convention floor. He looked like a lost puppy. As my friend Rick and I stood there, he came up and introduced himself. He was very friendly. He mentioned that he was encouraged to get out and meet people. He did.

There are all kinds of people and perspectives in the Southern Baptist Convention. I am grateful to have a small part in its work to share Jesus with the world. Sure, it has problems, and maybe even faults. But I'd rather do missions, evangelism, and ministry with my SBC brothers and sisters than on my own.

Ah, this blog post is finished. Where's my sweet tea?

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

2009-06-22T20:51:00.003-06:00

I've been attending the SBC Pastor's Conference in Louisville, KY. Basically, it is an all day preach-a-thon designed for pastors. They do allow church members to attend, however! It traditionally precedes the Southern Baptist Convention, which begins tomorrow.

Between sessions, and at mealtimes, I had a chance see old preacher friends as they passed by, stopped to chat, or as I collared them myself.

I chatted with a pastor who once served with me in the same town. He's done well for himself since we last spoke. I talked to a couple of seminary professors. I saw a couple of others as well. Some of them I have listened to from their podcasts and conference audio recordings. Have you ever noticed how the face you imagined for a voice just doesn't seem to match?

One of the professors was kind enough to give me complimentary copies of his Theological Journal. As we left the Convention Center, I happened to take a seat beside him. He was a perfect stranger before this afternoon.

I gently asked a few questions about theological issues that I had been pondering. He was gracious enough to share some of his perspectives. I asked him about my book idea. After a pause, he said that he thought it needed to be written and that he would like to know more about Dr. Truett as well. I left encouraged to restart my writing and research. I thanked him for letting me pick his brain. Sometimes I miss those seminary days.

I enjoyed hearing Mike Huckabee speak this afternoon. He is a very good speaker with a genuinely pleasing personality. He had people on their feet and applauding. Then the former governor took up the bass and jammed with the band on "Victory in Jesus." One photo of this event appears at the top of this post. That's Mike behind the guitar player on the left. When was the last time you saw a presidential candidate play gospel music?

Later, I watched as my friend, Rick, who is rooming with me this week, went up to speak to him at his book signing. Mike acknowledged Rick, and smiled and waved. He was very gracious to all who came to shake hands, make their pictures with him, or have their books signed. I wondered if he remembered me when we served churches in the same Association.

Then it was good to see some pastors here from Southwest Louisiana. I sat through part of tonight's session with Shawn Thomas from Moss Bluff, said hello to Steve James from Trinity in Lake Charles, and even flew on the same plane with Dr. Aguillard, the president of Louisiana College. Small world, eh?

It is fun to visit with old friends, acquaintances and to make new friends. Someone once said that the pastor can be loneliest person in the church. I believe that can be true. We do tend to get busy, isolate ourselves from fellow ministers, or put ourselves in some self imposed exile. It is good to get out of the box and do some "preachertalk."

Old Acquaintances. May they never be forgotten.

Questions From Reading Obituaries

2009-06-13T13:22:00.001-06:00

As part of my regular morning ritual, I retrieve the morning paper from my driveway. Sometimes I retrieve it from the yard, street, or wherever it happens to land.

As I walk up the driveway toward the house, I open the front section, scan the headlines above the fold, and then turn the page to the obituaries. I’m not looking to find my name, but the names of those whom I might know. I have also discovered on at least one occasion, I was scheduled to perform a funeral for a person I did not know. I also did not know I was to officiate at the funeral.

I immediately called the funeral director who apologized and said, “Well, I had to put something in the paper.” Lesson to funeral directors and families: Always check with the pastor or officiant before you put something in print.

As it turned out, I had just moved from the area and could not then return. I suppose someone else was secured to preach that funeral. I never heard.

Anyway, this week I followed my usual routine one morning. I read that day, as I have often, of people who lived and died. Some are old, some are young. Some are my age! What I find interesting is what is said about the departed. “He loved his family.” “He enjoyed fishing, visiting with family and friends," and any number of pastimes. Other notices say, “She was a caring person,” and so on. You get the idea.

Is that the most that can be said of a life? I often struggle when preparing to preach a funeral message to capture a life in a few carefully chosen words or paragraphs. How do you summarize a life in a few moments?

This particular morning an obituary gave me pause.

The obituary of this individual was rather lengthy. It listed a number of achievements, jobs held, and accolades given. It was more a biography than an obituary.

As it concluded, one omission was glaring.

No mention of church affiliation or any type of religious service to be held. There would be a “celebration of life.” Good. We should celebrate lives well lived.

But in this case, nothing was said of eternal things. No mention of faith. No mention of church activities. No preacher to conduct a funeral service.

People can live a active, noteworthy life. But when that life is over, what remains besides memories, trophies, and items for heirs to inherit?

In short, in all of life’s achievements, what had this person done that would last?

A favorite two line poem says it like this:

Only one life, it will soon be past;
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Isn’t that what really matters?

The Long Arm Of The Law

2009-06-11T19:58:00.002-06:00

I saw a man get arrested today.

Right on our church’s parking lot.

This drama played out just as a group of us exited the church building after a meeting with our contractor, his staff, our architect, and various subcontractors. The elation of the moment- we are finally beginning our building project- was stifled somewhat by the scene that greeted us after the meeting.

A man was standing beside his vehicle. Two sheriff’s deputies were shaking him down. Shortly thereafter, the handcuffs came out. The man was shuffled to a waiting vehicle and the door slammed shut behind him. The officers took advantage of the time by standing and talking.

I thought of the man. What did he do? Why was he stopped? Is he a family man? Does he have anyone who cares for him? Will he be put away for the proverbial “long time with the key thrown away?”

All of those thoughts occurred to me as I walked from the church building to the office.

He left behind his truck. Would someone come and get it? Would it stay there, with an ice chest and various items stowed in the bed, the windows down and everything inside exposed? (Note: I returned from lunch to find the truck had disappeared. Who took it?)

It was a disturbing scene.

I know that the officers were doing their job. All in a days work for them, it was. They do this kind of stuff everyday.

But I don’t.

People do bad things. They break the law. They get caught and have to pay a price.

Innocent citizens have to pay a price as well.

I just wish the timing hadn’t been quite what it was. That arrest scene, though calm and routine, haunts me a bit.

Years ago, I told a childhood friend who had become a police officer after I had become a pastor, “If I don’t get to them first, you will.”

This time the law overtook grace.

The good news is that grace will one day completely trump the law. Then such scenes will disappear.

Lord, haste The Day!

For My Preacher Friends

2009-06-06T19:16:00.001-06:00

I have been reading a lot of books on preaching lately. A preacher friend of mine happens to be moving to a new church and he graciously allowed me to raid his book collection. I found several works on preaching by authors I've never heard of before. Here is a delicious quote by Leslie J. Tizard in his book, Preaching: The Art Of Communication. Perhaps it will inspire some of my preacher friends who will take up their glorious task tomorrow.

He writes:

Dr. Jowett tells us that when he was in Northfield, he went early one morning to attend a camp meeting away in the woods. The camp dwellers were two or three hundred men from the Water Street Mission in New York. At the beginning of the service prayer was offered for him, and the prayer opened with the inspired supplication: “O Lord we thank Thee for our brother. Now blot him out!!” And it continued, “Reveal Thy glory in such blazing splendor that he shall be forgotten.“

A great English preacher, Dr. John Watson... summed up the matter thus: ”As it now appears to me, the chief effect of every sermon should be to unveil Christ, and the chief art of the preacher is to conceal himself.“

Seattle, Angola, And Home

2009-05-30T19:05:00.004-06:00

I have been home about an hour from a prison ministry trip to Angola. This follows a return from Seattle WA on Tuesday. It hit me this morning how polar opposite those two places are.

My heart is full. I have read four books, the Bible, portions of other books, and several articles. I have finished preparations for two messages tomorrow. I begin two series: One on Marriage ABC's and another creative presentation based on "Mythbusters." We will cover some myths and legends of the Bible. I am so looking forward to both.

I have done much thinking on preaching, ministry, church life, evangelism, and prison ministry.

Because this post could go on forever, I now focus on one topic because it is more immediate. It is based on some questions asked of me about our Angola prison ministry trip this weekend. (For those of you "demanding" more blog entries, feast your eyes:)

This event we attended is an annual event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. We conducted revival services adn visited on one in the dorms, yards, and in other areas. This was the first visit for myself and a few other men, though some of our men went last year. There are other similar events planned by the Convention for later this year, among them a ministry event at a ladies facility.

Angola Prison has gone from one of the bloodiest prisons in America to one of the safest. I was curious about the changes there, so I inquired of a few inmates. To a man, they give the power of the Lord and Warden Burl Cain the credit. One does not often hear inmates praising the warden. The atmosphere there is different because he believes in faith based education and rehabilitation. New Orleans Seminary has a campus there. I was taken on rounds of the prison by one of the inmate ministers who is pastor of one of the churches. He has been there 27 years, but his heart is alive with the power of Jesus.

One thing we are asked to do on behalf of the ward, the inmates, and the chaplains, is to exert influence in the LA legislature over parole laws. Many of the men at Angola have no chance for parole. They'd like to at least get a shot at a hearing. That's all. To do this, the law must be changed. Some Legislators feel to advocate change would make them look soft on crime. Isn't part of prison supposed to be rehabilitation? What of a man who gets his life right, learns a trade or skill, and learns to behave himself? Should he not at least get a chance to be considered to be a productive member of society. I'll say more about this in later blog posts. I am thinking of a William Wilberforce type stance I may need to take on this issue. (Historical note: William Wilberforce was tireless, lone voice for the abolition of slavery before the English Parliament. He eventually won his case.)

I have challenged our men to consider prison ministry at a facility that is near our hometown. We go across the state to minister; we can go across the Parish as well.

Finally, as I noted elsewhere, I felt such a freedom and power in worship with the inmates and volunteers. It is ironic there is so much freedom behind bars. Would that this freedom be found in all churches, and mine as well!

Did Jesus Promise The Best Life?

2009-05-18T21:26:00.003-06:00

I ran across this quote the other day and filed it. Unfortunately, I did not record the author of it. I think it is timely and well said. Perhaps you will agree:

Have you ever thought about this? We are living in the most fabulously wealthy, excessively entertained and unimaginably prosperous nation in the history of the world. We have a standard of living, and a level of comfort, that much of the rest of the world cannot imagine…

The Jesus of the Gospel proclaims the promises of prosperity, real estate and parking places to be empty, if we will listen. He ís just as discomforting now as ever, unless we render him the harmless servant of our desires.

Rather than telling us about your best life now, Jesus talks over and over about persecution, sacrifice, voluntary poverty, and laying down the images and symbols of success for the lasting worth and influence of the Kingdom of Jesus.

A Great Commission Resurgence

2009-05-13T20:42:00.007-06:00

A few weeks ago, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary president Danny Akin fired a shot heard 'round the SBC concerning a "Great Commission Resurgence."

He has awakened many sleeping giants. Many bloggers and leaders (not always the same persons) have weighed in. Current SBC president Johnny Hunt is said to have taken the proposal in order to tailor it down a bit.

A friend of mine has also weighed in on the topic. Since he prefers to remain anonymous, I post his salient words verbatim:

Seminary president Dr. Akin said:

“The rally cry of the Conservative Resurgence was, ‘We will not give our monies to liberal institutions,’” Akin said. “Now the cry of the Great Commission Resurgence is, ‘We will not give our money to bloated bureaucracies.’”

(My Friend) says:

In this modern age of easy air travel and the internet, perhaps it is also time to streamline our six seminaries into one. Just think of all the money not only to be saved (one president instead of six) but actually gained (from the sale of properties)!
I thought the denomination war was over years ago. As the great philosopher "Roseanne Roseannadanna" always noted, "It's always something!"

Now you've started something, friend! I don't know how to interpret that smile!

I'm Not Saying "Sir" As Often

2009-05-13T19:47:00.003-06:00

I've noticed lately that I don't say "sir" as often as I once did.

It's not because of a lack of manners. My parents taught me to respect my elders and say "sir," and "ma'am." If I didn't, there would be timely reminders for my consideration.

Over the years, it has been my habit to address older people and use the "sir" and "ma'am" terminology. It has been as much a habit as breathing to me.

But I've noticed lately, I haven't been using these monikers nearly as much.

I haven't lost the habit. I still use the terms as often as possible. In fact, I am sure I have used them when it really wasn't necessary. If I were to make a mistake, I'd rather err on the side of showing respect than not showing respect.

The reason I don't say "sir," or for that matter "ma'am" as often is due to the fact that I have reached middle age- AND BEYOND!

I have discovered that there are more people younger than me than older. There simply aren't as many people I meet to whom I can say "sir" or "ma'am." The older ones are dying out. I buried two of them this week. My own parents are gone. I'm finding a lot of young whippersnappers out there, a few of whom actually say "sir" to me.

The tide has clearly shifted. I've grown older. Hopefully, I've grown wiser.

I'll still refer to my elders as "sir" or "ma'am." As I grow older there will be fewer and fewer people to whom I can address these term. So I'll not say "sir" as often.

On A Busy Monday

2009-05-11T11:04:00.001-06:00

A train station is where the train stops. A bus station is where the bus stops. On my desk, I have a work station…

Your Mama Don't Tweet And Your Daddy Don't Blogroll

2009-05-06T21:30:00.003-06:00

Tweeting and Blogging.

What's the difference, and why do it at all?

First, we are not talking about about some physical malady. With a blog, we are talking about an internet based journal. Think of it as a personal diary posted for all the world to see. There are as many blogs on the net as there are interests, hobbies, and opinions. People who write these weblogs (abbreviated "blogs") are called "bloggers." With freedom of speech, bloggers can say virtually whatever they wish- and often do. I find news items overlooked by mainstream media outlets. obscure ramblings, personal journeys, and material that helps me grow as a pastor and leader.

Tweeting is a bit different. A person who "tweets" is using Twitter to tell whoever follows him or her what he or she is doing at that moment. You can pass along information, weblinks, and updates. The big difference is that tweets are limited to 140 characters or less. Think of it as a miniblog. I tweet, albeit irregularly. You can follow me here.

Of course the world waits to know that "David is stuck in traffic," or David is going to make life more difficult for a young boy who insists on borrowing his power cord without asking." Surprisingly inquiring minds DO seem to want to know. I have both a Twitter and Facebook account. When I tweet, it also goes to Facebook. I get more comments on Facebook when I say something like "David is thinking about the best way to avoid a Committee meeting."

My parents lived without ever tweeting or blogging. They never even heard of such. They seemed to have done quite well without either. Can the rest of us exist without knowing what everyone else is up to?

Disturbing Trends

2009-05-06T20:57:00.007-06:00

I spoke to our church tonight (yes, we still do Wednesday nights) from Matthew 3:13-4:11. It is familiar one for most Bible students as it describes the baptism and temptation of Jesus.

I offered two movements: 1) God initiates a work. This is shown in the baptism as beginning point of Jesus' public ministry. 2) Satan attempts to hinder God's work. Had Jesus succumbed to temptation, God's plan of salvation would have been subverted.

Our church has seen a fresh move of God in recent days. Several have been saved (more to be baptized Sunday) and some have testified of renewed spirits and commitments to Christ. But with that move of God will surely come an attempt of Satan to divide and hinder the work. We must be vigilant. We must be forewarned.

Concluding that message, I noted three disturbing events:

1. President Obama's foot dragging on signing a National Day of Prayer proclamation and his de-emphasis on the National Day of Prayer which is tomorrow.

2. HR bill 909 labeled as a "Hate Crimes Bill" which many believe could land a preacher in jail for preaching against certain types of activities the Bible calls sin.

3. The Reuters story about the U.S. military destroying Afgan Bibles. Would they have done this to copies of the Koran?

Darkness is descending upon the land.

Caption, Please

2009-04-30T21:36:00.003-06:00

Well, it is baseball season!

Good Times, Great Oldies

2009-04-28T21:24:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, I went to Houston to visit an ailing church member. I took with me a man who is a good friend of the patient and her family. It was a day out of the office, on a Monday after a busy Sunday, so I was glad to be out, but also aware of the "while you were out" notes that would inevitably pile up. Amazingly, they did not.

My companion is a deacon in our church and a very fine man. Time passed quickly as we discussed cars, families, work, church, and life in general. He is a very pleasant man with a very generous spirit. (He bought lunch!)

As we traveled along, I thought of similarities between he and my own father. Both were in the same era. Both served in Air Force during the Korean conflict. Both married in mid 1950's and raised families. Both worked blue collar jobs in a manufacturing plant atmosphere. Both had affinities for automobiles. Both were good men, great providers, godly, and moral men. My friend told me he never heard his dad say he loved him. He told me his father would tell his mother he was proud of him and she would pass the word on. I thought of deja vu, since this is how my own father operated. Once, when he was going into surgery, I gathered up my courage and told him I loved him. It was the first time. He managed to murmur that he loved me also. That was a big breakthrough.

Amazingly, both men were extremely frugal. My friend won't buy a cellphone- he chooses to buy airtime to use one when he needs it- usually when he goes out of town. He also doesn't own a computer. My dad wouldn't own one either.

But I couldn't help but think of one difference: My father was a quiet man, not antisocial, but not very social. He worked his job, came home, did a few chores at the house, watched TV and read his paper. Not much conversation came from him. He was fair to me and cared for his family. But I never knew him as a friend I could share concerns with or ask for some advice. I just never felt comfortable doing that.

On the other hand, my traveling friend is very conversational. He noted that his wife said he talked too much. I found myself wishing that my father and I could have had a relationship like my friend and I have. I feel I can ask him for any sort of help and advice (and I have on occasion) and he would be glad to oblige. I thought (perhaps selfishly) "Why couldn't my dad have been like this?" Less withdrawn and a bit more open.

Then again, we could all make our parents over in our own image, can't we?

Ironically, just after I returned home, my own son called me to discuss a big opportunity and decision he is facing. I was glad he felt the freedom to call and get his father's perspective. I was glad I could be to him what I wished my father could have been more to me.

Fathers, take note.

Weddings

2009-04-20T20:45:00.004-06:00

One of the things a pastor is often called to do is to officiate at weddings. Over the years, I have had some interesting experiences presiding over them.

...I remember the time the flower girl fainted during a sweltering midsummer ceremony because we turned off the air conditioning in order to get the candles lit. (They never did get them all lit.)

...I remember the time the groom took one of the candles to light his unity candle. It was in a spring loaded case. As he raised the candle, something broke and the spring shot the candle case high into the air. Assault with a dangerous weapon?

...I remember the time both bride and groom wrote their pledges of love to each other. I co-officiated this wedding. I read his letter to her and the other minister read her letter to him. It was very touching and personal. I wonder if they are still married.

...I remember the time the groom was fired up in rehearsal. As his groomsmen arrived on stage, he dropped into a five-point football stance, fired out, and blocked each man almost off the stage. I still think it was the most fun I'd ever had at a rehearsal. There was plenty of energy (testosterone?) in the room. I also loved the song played as the bridal party exited the room- "Lay A Lovin' On Me," by Robin McNamara- a classic!

...I remember the time I performed a simple ceremony in my office on a Saturday afternoon. It was just us three and God. Bride and groom were well into retirement age. I also recall getting a nice tip from the groom!

...I remember the first "real" wedding I ever officiated. It was at a large church up the road. I was nervous. I also thought to myself, "Would I ever pastor a church this big?" NOTE: Years later, that very church considered me for its pastor after a previous pastor resigned. Interestingly enough, I didn't feel led to go there. It is funny how time changes things. Now I serve a church as large, if not larger than that one.

...I remember the time the couple wanted me to marry them- RIGHT NOW! I had to politely turn them down. I insist upon premarital counseling.

...I remember performing the wedding of my sister in law and my future brother in law. As I pronounced them man and wife, I promptly called them "Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Stewart." They were, in reality, "Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Sawyer."

...I remember the time I also pronounced another couple using the name of the bride's father along with the name of the bride. They still haven't let me forget that one.

...I remember the time of my own wedding when the minister forgot to have us kiss. My sister in law took covered that base by having us kiss outside just before we left the church, only to be stopped by the police who were waiting beside the road. My brother in law was a city policeman who put them up to it. They had to give in soon, because they were laughing so hard. We were both scared kids. I also remember that my wife's brother had tied his brand new hunting boots to my car. His father stepped in before we could drive off with them and removed them. One thing neither he nor Dupont's number 7 rubbing compound could not remove, though, was the shoe DYE! little brother used to write "JUST MARRIED" on the side of the car. I sold that car years later with just a faint shadow of those words still showing.

...I also remember family dramas, promises from the happy couple that "we just want something simple," and groomsmen showing up for the wedding whose breath indicated they were either still celebrating the bachelor party or starting early for the reception. Who knows- maybe it was both.

...I also remember some moving, touching displays of love, sacrifice and commitment. Those are the best memories of all.

As a postscript, and because wedding season is soon upon us, I offer this link by a pastor who says just what I would say to a couple making wedding plans.

Till death these memories part...

Easter Sign

2009-04-16T21:15:00.003-06:00

In previous blog posts, I have shared a number of signs (church and otherwise) that I found amusing.

Because we just celebrated Easter, and because I like the sign, it is presented courtesy of Mrs. Lynn Dent (Our local church association secretary.)

While amusing, this one also makes a salient point.