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It used to bother me …

9 Feb

I take my role as a shepherd at EBC very seriously.  And it used to really bother me when I saw people openly thumbing their noses at God.  Making excuses.  It would really bend me out of my frame to have people tell me the reasons why they were unable to attend church, and by extension unable to put God first in their lives, and yet they have the time and money to engage in recreation, travel, livin it up.  And for YEARS it bothered me.

And now, times are changing.  I have fretted over things like this.  I’ve let them get under my skin.  I’ve even let them derail me from doing what God called me to do at times.  And God has finally given me a peace about this.

And, that is probably one of the strangest things you will ever see a pastor write.  But it’s true.  No, I do not LIKE the fact that sheep so openly live lives that are careless toward God.  And toward His church.  I guess social media has made this all the more open and obvious.  But God has begun to minister to me on this and has assured me of two things:

1.  HE will handle those issues.

2.  There are some, unfortunately, that will miss out as He sweeps us up in His arms and moves forward!!

This is still tremendously sad.  But it is a fact of life.  My hope and prayer is that YOU will be part of what HE is doing at Ebenezer (or at YOUR church, wherever that might be!!)  BUILD HIS KINGDOM!!  Seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness!!

The Last Day of 2010

31 Dec

Man … hard to believe!  The last day of 2010.

I remember, as a kid, thinking about the year 2000.  Realizing that I would turn 34 in the year 2000.  I thought surely it would never come.  I would never live that long …  (I have no idea WHY I thought that.  I didn’t have a death wish, just thought it would be a lifetime away!!)

Those days seem like yesterday now.  My children are young adults (well, Drew is 15 so almost).  Every year flies by faster and faster.  Life does have its ups and its downs.

I now find myself joining many adults in that middle zone … I’ve raised my children, and now with Dad and his NPH I am helping to ease he and mom through the next few years.  Physically and emotionally, its a tough spot to be in …

But today is the last day of 2010.  I am thankful to have lived another year.  This afternoon I will perform a wedding for a young couple … He is in the Marine Corp and stationed in Hawaii.  Praying for them and for all of the weddings I did in 2010.  Praying for the families of the funerals of 2010.  Praying today for my fellow Ebenezerites, that 2011 will be a great year to serve and build the Kingdom of God however He leads.  Praying for the Wike family, that God will reign supreme in EVERYTHING this year!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!  (almost!)

What are we doing here??

21 Nov

I mean, really … what are we doing??  How can we ever believe that God likes the games we play with Him.  We tell Him we will be faithful, we humble ourselves before Him, but it is only for a moment.  Then, BUSINESS AS USUAL!!  Havin’ it OUR WAY!!  (Just like at Burger King!)

That has been one of the biggest problems with many churches in the US for longer than I care to tell.  We put our best clothes on, spit-shine the buckle of the Bible belt at the holy hour on Sunday morning, and never think about it again.  Until a week or two later, that is.

God is READY FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!!  And, for those who think this is a new movement, go read Acts 2!!!  It’s time the church START ACTING LIKE THE CHURCH!!!  And it is an exciting time!!!

Truth is, WE aren’t doing A THING!!  GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THIS ONE!!

Communicating the Vision

4 Nov

I am currently sitting in a breakout group that is honestly recapping a lot of what I’ve heard all week here. And one of the things I hear LOUD AND CLEAR is the need for effectively communicating the vision.

I’ve always been a believer in the fact that GOD sets the vision for Ebenezer Baptist Church. In fact, I believe the vision He has for us is sound and biblical. I also know everyone will not agree with this vision and some will rebel against it. But the fact remains that God is CLEAR what He wants Ebenezer Baptist Church to do … to BE.

God is clearly calling us to reach THE LOST. Those that DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST as their Savior. And there are PLENTY within the reach of our arms that do not know Him. And don’t know anyone who would disagree with this vision so far … The failure we are experiencing is largely in our approach.

We’ve GOT TO MOVE BEYOND OUR IDEA THAT WE CAN JUST “BE” Ebenezer Baptist Church and expect the lost to come running to us!!! That might’ve worked 50 years ago, but it will not work today! We need to consider ourselves as MISSIONARIES and be willing to do what it takes to reach our target!! Just like Paul … to be all things to all people (as much as we are able) so that we might reach some!!

Are we willing to do that?? Even if it meant redefining how and where we worship? Are we willing to inconvenience ourselves and possibly let go of some of our preconceived notions about what should be?? This WILL require us to step out of our comfort and into the breach. Are you up to it?

IF SO, then I AM BEGGING YOU TO JOIN ME. Begin by praying about all of this and asking God WHAT HE WANTS. This is not about David Wike. This is not about ____________ (put your own name there). This is about WHAT GOD WANTS. And if it becomes about anything else, it will fail miserably.

NEXT ITEM:
Put YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION. Ed Stetzer challenged us this week with this thought:
We all know that 80 percent of the work in a church is done by 20 percent of the people, right?? That is just an accepted fact of church in the South. THAT IS A SIN!! God gave EACH OF US GIFTS and HE EXPECTS US TO USE THEM. Are you willing?

This will be a viral thing … What are you willing TO DO for the kingdom?? Help with video ministry?? Help with greeting?? Cut grass?? WHAT IS IT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?? NOW is the time to get off the couch and FIND IT and DO IT!!! We need it desperately! PEOPLE NEED TO GET INVOLVED AND SERVE THE LORD!!

Finally (for THIS post), it is time to put our money where our mouths are … It is time to get serious about GIVING to GOD!! If every family tithed on the average income level of our area, our budget would exceed $3million dollars. Right now, we are struggling to make a $1.1 million budget and considering how we can tighten our belts for next year.

Don’t get me wrong, we NEED to be frugal and responsible in how we spend God’s money. But the shame in all of this is ministries will suffer simply because God’s people are not being faithful and giving to Him. How can you make a difference?? Good question!! ASK THE ONE WHO WILL GIVE YOU THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THAT … GOD!! Start praying about it NOW!!

If you want to catch a little more of this fire that God is lighting, COME TO WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY MORNING!!! I PROMISE YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!! In fact, I DARE YOU TO COME AND ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO BE PUSHED!!

The Blind Side

29 Oct

Walking on the Rail Trail is therapy for me … There are surreal moments (like when “You can still rock in America” by Night Ranger comes on and I am walking on an old railroad bed???  Get it??  Think about the video) and there are times when I can just think.  This can be good or bad, depending on my current state of mind.

And, I’ll be honest:  The last two weeks have been very difficult.  I’ve faced things I never thought I’d face.  And I started thinking about the Blind Side.

Not the movie, the concept:  Every quarterback has a blind side.  When he squares to throw the ball, his unprotected back WILL BE EXPOSED for a period of time.  And in life, WE ALL ARE IN THOSE SPOTS AT TIMES.  This is not a pity-party:  I have some of the best friends in the world who I KNOW HAVE MY BACK.  But there are times when circumstances change and you can feel the blind side exposed.  And those times are NOT FUN.

Like I just wrote, I KNOW I have friends who’ve got my back … and I have theirs.  But there are times when all of us are exposed.  There are times when people let  you down.  And you can fret, and you can be disappointed, and you can be angry.  And, honestly, those responses just complicate your situation.

Have you ever stopped to realize that people are FALLIBLE, JUST HUMAN.  They make mistakes and they are imperfect.  THAT IS LIFE.  But if you ever stop long enough to pray about all of this, God might just let you in on a little secret.  He might ask you “why are you depending on PEOPLE to protect your blind side when that is MY JOB??”  (My being said by GOD ALMIGHTY)

If you stop long enough to think and pray about all of this, God DOES have your blind side.  And He will NEVER FAIL YOU.

One of the flip-sides to Facebook

13 Oct

I love Facebook and use it as a ministry tool.  It helps me keep up with what’s going on in the lives of my peeps, and that is a good thing.  But there is a fascinating flip-side, which is a perfect example of an internet danger we overlook:  Bending the truth.

Of course, people can bend the truth and slant it any way they wish with their posts and statuses.  But that isn’t what I’m writing about … Today I stumbled onto a group (which anyone can create at anytime about anything).  The particular group was dedicated, NOT to a political candidate or party, but SPECIFICALLY to NOT re-elect a friend of mine in his next local election.  As far as I know, there isn’t even anyone running against him.  But that is not why these folks joined and wrote in this area:  They just don’t like this man.

I know this man pretty well.  I’ve known him for over 15 years now.  I read the things they wrote, and quite frankly, they are NOT true.  But that doesn’t matter to Joe Facebook … Most people who read that stuff might possibly believe it.

I guess what I’m writing today is this:  Don’t EVER believe everything you read just because it’s in print, or on the internet!!  GET TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!  And, as Aunt Esther (and God’s word) says, “THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE!!”

The Blame Game

8 Oct

I know I’ve blogged about this before, but it continues to be a problem in this world … one with which I get to deal on a regular basis.  The BLAME GAME.  You know how it is played … NOTHING IS EVER MY FAULT.  By extension, I must be perfect, because I never make a mistake.  EVERYTHING that seems to be my fault is actually someone else’s fault.  I (or my child) could NEVER do anything wrong.

I’d never experienced it quite like I have in the 15 years we’ve been in Florence, but I don’t think it’s a Florence-thing.  Its more a sign of the times.  Sadly, it’s grown into a worldwide epidemic.  Yesterday’s youth have become today’s adults who NEVER DO ANYTHING WRONG, and EVERYTHING that happens to them must be someone else’s fault.  I could state some examples, but all of you probably know someone who is there.

The only way to stop this epidemic is to MAKE OUR CHILDREN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their own shortcomings.  Here is the thing:  EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES.  I do.  You do.  Our children do.  Why not allow them to face that reality and deal with it, rather than running interference for them until they are in their 30s and 40s and still living that way, and still running to mom and dad with stories about how EVERYTHING that happens to them is someone else’s fault??

God calls us to prepare them for life.  How do you think He wants us to handle the Blame Game?

Lies Lies Lies YEAH!!!

7 Oct

Not that I am in favor of lies … in fact, quite the opposite.  That is just the catchy title from a Thompson Twins song from a lifetime ago …  But the topic is very relevant, and has been rolling around in my head for a while.

Like many of you, I really don’t like it when someone chooses to lie to me.  When we lie, we are usually doing it to “protect” ourselves in some way:  Maybe to make us look better in the eyes of others; maybe to cover up other lies or inappropriate things we’ve said or done;  sometimes we just do it to do it.  A lifetime ago I knew a guy who was about 5’3″ when he would tell us “I could dunk a basketball if I had my jumping shoes on.”  Hmmmmmm ……..

God said in the Ten Commandments that it is WRONG FOR US TO LIE.  Period.  Last night in a couple of Psalms we read in Bible study, David used the illustration of those who dig holes eventually seeing the holes cave in on themselves.  That the EXACT result of lies.

Self-Centered

6 Oct

Are YOU self-centered??  Does the world revolve around you (or, at least, do you expect it to)???  Is life all about your happiness and fulfillment, regardless of what it does to those around you??

If so, there are several facts of which you need to be aware:

1.  Your friends have picked up on this.  And, whether or not they are brave enough to say it, they don’t like it.

2.  You are probably hurting far more people than you know.

3.  If you are worshiping yourself, you probably are violating that commandment God gave that said “Have no other gods before Me.”  (That is in the first recorded top-ten list in Exodus 20)

4.  If you are following yourself, let’s face it, that really does mean you worship at the altar of an imperfect “god.”

5.  Since you are imperfect, you cannot possibly have a plan for your life as perfect as the one God has for you.

6.  Rest assured that one day you WILL stand before the judgment seat of Christ, just as all of us will, and answer for how you’ve lived your life.

The good news is there IS a solution to this and it’s NOT too late!!!  YOU can live for GOD starting RIGHT NOW!!!  YOU can make this choice EVERYDAY!  YOU can shift your “center,” your focus, to GOD!!!

Make the right choice!

Finding the Sweet Spot

5 Oct

There is NO FEELING like hitting a ball with the sweet spot of the bat.  It just seems to jump right off the bat, fly farther, and you barely even feel it!!  IT’S AWESOME!!

What if we lived our lives for Christ the same way?  What if we sought to find the sweet spot in our giftset and USE THEM for Him??  THE SAME FEELING OCCURS!!!  AND IT IS GREAT!!!

That is one of our goals in deacon ministry this year … finding the sweet spot in our gift set AND USING IT!!  Finding the areas where God gifted us and using them to the fullest!!  What if the entire church decided to serve that way??

It takes discipline … it takes LISTENING to the Holy Spirit … it takes FOLLOWING THROUGH … FINISHING … RUNNING THE RACE WELL.  You know, all of the things Paul wrote about often.  Paul believed in the sweet spot …  He found his and look what God did with him!!!

Focus on the positive today and find your sweet spot!!

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