One Pastor's Perspective

That is the “accusation,” the explanation as to why Miami manhandled New England this weekend. They purchased game film with audio and analyzed Tom Brady’s signals. When asked about it, Nick Saban (Miami’s coach) did not deny it . . .And, why not?? At any sports level when there is game film to watch, why not take advantage of everything on the film that might help your team win??

That is a trick that is as old as Methusaleh . . . And New England should know better. But it started my brain on some of the issues I face as a pastor. There ARE many common denominators to the handiwork of Satan in trying to destroy the church, trying to destroy families, and trying to destroy ministry at Ebenezer. So if I hear his “signals,” why not steal them?? Why not be proactive??

There is a danger in that approach: How do you recognize Satan at work 100% of the time? Because, he DOES use people (even church folks) at times. He can even use me if I allow it, if I am not on my guard!

I write all that to say this: Pray for me and pray for our church! And pray, specifically, that Satan will be bound and cast out of our fellowship, in the name of Jesus Christ!

Well, how far?? What do you think?? One of the delicate balances of the “business” of a church is that it IS a church, and yet a business. We still have bills to pay. We still have a budget. That budget depends on the faithfulness of church members to make it.

Now, last year was a tough year. We finished the year around 3% under budget in giving (although we were WAY under in spending). We put together the budget for 2006, and it increased around 10%. Some people got really mad that we were increasing the budget. Some even threatened to stop giving. That kind of move is only hurting those who hold out . . . When we tithe, we give to GOD, not to Ebenezer. Anyway, to finish the story: We did increase the budget, and to this point this year we are over budget in our giving (and, once again, under in our spending). So God has blessed us this year, and people ARE being obedient.

This year, we are looking at another budget increase. Not as much as last year, but an increase just the same. Ministries are growing. More people are coming to church. It is natural. After seeing what God has done THIS YEAR, I wonder how much faith we will have for 2007?? Or, will we get mad again??

Time will tell!

If you have seen the musical our kids are doing at Ebenezer this weekend, you know what I am talking about. Angels EVERYWHERE!!! It is an awesome sight!

I am thankful for the adults who helped pull this off, the parents who have been very patient during rehearsals and activities, and the kids, who are doing a great job!!!

The golf tournament was great, although my team did not win. My ringer FORGOT to show up (My cousin, Chuck Wike, owns a golf school in Pawley’s Island). If you think that would have given us an unfair advantage, take heart: Keith Pettigrew and I were prepared to tip the scales the other way. AND TIP WE DID!!!

Tory Brown stepped and and played with Keith, Zack Jones, and me. We had a blast, but we froze and had a hard time connecting on the first few holes (and the middle few, and the last few).

Now I sit in my den at 7:31am on Saturday, and it is 18 degrees outside . . . Makes the 40s from yesterday seem like a heat wave!!!!!

For several weeks now, we Ebenezerites have been praying for the golf tournament to be held today, specifically that it would not rain. God has indeed answered that prayer. However, in our concern to ward of liquid sunshine, I wonder if we forgot to mention the temperature!

Right now it is 26 degrees outside. Weather Channel says it will be 39 degrees at noon, and up to a whopping 43 degrees at 3pm. We SHOULD be finished by 3 or so, so the forecast for the tournament is COLD!!!

Thats alright, though . . . At least it is not COLD RAIN! This tournament is in memory of Jack Lunn, an avid golfer and longtime member of Ebenezer that died a few months ago. This year it is a benefit for our Habitat for Humanity house, which continues to go well. If things go well this weekend, we will be in the dry by the end of the day tomorrow!!!

No facts . . . No statistics . . . Nothing that would draw any of us in to learn something NEW about the attack on Pearl Harbor that happened in 1941. That attack drew the United States of America fully in to World War II. It raise the ire of many young Americans and spurred them on to service.

One of those who answered the call was a young father named Ben Hooper, from Greenville. Ben stepped up and answered the call. He joined the US Navy and was assigned to be a SeaBee (the construction arm of the Navy). Ben spent his time in the Navy island-hopping in the South Pacific, building runways and other facilities for American forces. He once told me about how they had to operate their earth-movers with a driver on the wheel and a gunner on the back to protect themselves from Japanese stragglers. He, like thousands of others like him, was a hero in his own right (although he would NEVER accept that label). He put his life on the line to protect the freedom of his family and his nation.

And for that I am most grateful and particularly proud. You see, Ben Hooper was my grandfather. And when I think about Pearl Harbor, I think about him. Yes, he DID make it home. He lived a full life in Greenville. He loved his grandkids, and they loved him. And he died in 1995 at the age of 82.

Christmas is my favorite holiday, and it really is the most wonderful time of the year. It is also the most stressful.

We could talk about shopping here, about SHIPPING, about a variety of other things that pull at our hearts and minds this season. From a logistics standpoint, this is the most stressful time at your local church office. Just go by there and watch: Groups having parties and maximizing their use of the church facility, special programs happening that require a great deal of internal support, families reaching out to the church for help, and all the while all of these people have the normal stressers of Christmas surrounding them and magnifying EVERYTHING.

Christmas should not be about STRESS!! Christmas should be the happiest time of the year!!!! But, facts are facts. I guess the only things we can do are be a little kinder this season, be a little more patient, and try our best to focus on Christ an realize He is the reason for this season and NOT all of those things we allow to stress us.

Now, don’t think I am on my bully pulpit with this . . . I am feeling the stress, too! And, likewise, I constantly try to refocus myself on the real REASON for all of this . . . My Savior!

Yep, today is my wedding anniversary and I REMEMBERED!! (I only forgot once . . . It was the sixth one (I think) and I had a huge Hebrew paper due the next day. But I am never allowed to forget that)

19 years ago today, I spent most of the morning and afternoon moving furniture into our newly rented house. And that night I sealed the best deal of my life . . . I married Diana! It seems like only yesterday, and it seems like a lifetime ago. By far it is the best thing that has ever happened to me besides my relationship with Jesus.

Someone reminded me today that we have really done something that most couples cannot do. And that is sad. We both know that it takes work everyday, and I try my best to keep up my end of the bargain.

She is awesome and today really is a special day!!!

If you shop at BiLo (the ONLY grocery store, according to my bride), you might notice them doing a food drive between Thanksgiving and Christmas. When you are checking out, they might ask if you would like to donate to this drive. In Florence, they MIGHT even tell you that it is being sponsored by Ebenezer Baptist Church. What does that mean to us??

Joe Sowell, manager of one of our stores and a friend, asked me one day if we would be willing to distribute for their drive this year. He knows that Ebenezer has our share of calls for help all year round, and especially during the holiday season. I told him it would be our privilege. So, here we are!!!

If you know of anyone who might need a helping hand this time of year, please call the church office and let us know. If you would like to help with distribution, give us a call!!!

Have you noticed?? Christmas is coming FAST!! I know the older I get, the faster time flies, but this one came quick! As I have looked at some old Christmas pictures, I realize how much my children are growing up and FAST! It really makes you think . . .

I can’t imagine how fast time will fly in ten years or so . . . On the other hand, I am glad to be here NOW to see it and hope to be there then!!!