25 Years Ago … TODAY

5 Dec

25 years ago … a quarter-century ago … I did the smartest thing I’ve ever done (besides accept Christ as my Savior).  I married my best friend.

Life has been quite an adventure since then.  In every way, Diana has been the perfect compliment to me and my weaknesses…  When we married, I was starting a career I loved as a computer programmer.  We had planned to build a house on a couple of acres my mom and dad gave us adjacent to their property (when we could afford it).  Life was all mapped out and we were good with it.

About one month after our wedding, my mom was diagnosed with cancer.  She had a tough battle, and Diana was right there with me helping.  And it was hard.  They say the first year of marriage is tough, and ours was really hard.  Mom got on the road to recovery (and has done very well since) and life resumed … until God called a couple of years later.

After I ran from His call for a while, life took us to New Orleans and my being a full-time student.  Diana didn’t flinch at the fact that she would have to find a full-time job (even though we’d been able to afford for her to be a stay-at-home mom with our toddler, Krissy).  Those were some of the toughest times, and also some of the best.

Since those days, life has been quite a roller coaster.  I guess everyone can say that about life, but our roller coaster has had some hills, valleys, and sharp turns that would snap your neck.  And in every unexpected turn, there she is … my wife … holding on tight for the ride and not shaken by any of it.  And able to make sense of it all.

Has life turned out like we dreamed many years ago??  Yes and no.  No, we are not where we’d mapped things out.  But that’s okay.  Because, truth is, we wouldn’t be happy being anywhere but where God wants us to be.  And I thank God for my wife, who not only understands that, but is willing to serve Him right along side me.

So, I know I’m a blessed man!!

Church Growth

3 Dec

How does one grow a church??

There are many methods and theories.  And, believe it or not, my Master of Divinity minor was church growth…  So, all that means is I’ve read a TON of theories and studies.  And I see a lot of those theories and studies happening in Florence.

One theory (and not one that I believe pleases God) is “Tell the people what they want to hear.”  You might call it prosperity gospel or a gospel of justification.  If I took the pulpit every Sunday and told you not to worry about the ungodly things you do in your life, or asked you to just give me $19.95 and in return you would receive ten times that in your checkbook by the end of the year … Those would be central ideas in those churches.  And, people FLOCK to those messages.  Because we all like to hear that it will be okay and we all would like to think that the sins we hold onto are alright in the eyes of God.   And there are churches in Florence, SC, that do this.

Another theory (a little more Biblically centered, but still has many  flaws) is to go after people who can help financially.  Make a concerted effort to treat them well and encourage them to give to the ministry, and then in turn really try to do ministry.  And, yes, there are churches that do this and grow big numbers with fantastic facilities.  And people flock to it. And there are churches in Florence, SC, that do this.

ANOTHER theory is to be primarily evangelistic.  The mission of the church is to tell others about Christ.  I love it, but the entire mission of the church is NOT only found in evangelism.  Don’t get me wrong:  The majority of our county is headed for Hell unless someone tells them.  That leads into ANOTHER theory, and one of which I am quite fond.

DEPTH.  Discipleship.  Learning what it means to be a disciple, and that resulting in telling others about Christ.  When we understand our purpose and what God is doing all around us, it becomes CLEAR when and where we share His good news.  It is the dual-pronged approach … GROWTH, not first by numbers but by maturity.  Spiritual growth that results in numerical growth.

Which do you see in your church??  Which do you think is best?

Do YOU have a past???

29 Nov

I’m sorry I must be so serious today, but DO YOU??  Have you done things in the past you regret??  Have you done things that wouldn’t bring glory to God??  Well … HAVE YOU?

Yesterday I had a chance to catch up with a couple of friends.  Friends who allow me to be a regular guy, who don’t force me into the official role of my vocation.  They just let me be me.  I’m appreciative of that!

One of the topics that came up (and it seems to be a much-discussed topic lately) was the past.  How Satan and sometimes people from our past will try to remind you that you are not perfect, that you have a past, and that it might be embarrassing for others to know your past.

Guess what??  WE ALL HAVE A PAST.  We ALL have things we’ve done that we regret.   Two weeks ago I blogged about the same topic … Guilty

All I can tell you is, believe it or not, GOD KNOWS YOUR PAST.  AND HE LOVES YOU ANYWAY!!!  And, as far as I am concerned, NONE OF US have the right to judge others based on their pasts.  We all have past mistakes.  And GOD FORGIVES!!

It’s funny how Satan works the same strings in the lives of so many people.  Remember, he is the father of all lies!!  And, ultimately, he might tell you that you are unlovable and unforgivable.  But God says differently!!

Who are you going to believe???  Personally, I believe God is more concerned with where you are NOW in regards to a relationship with HIM!!!

A Good Thanksgiving

26 Nov

All in all, it was a good trip home.  Got to see my sister Donna from Memphis, her daughter, her son and his wife.  I think it was good for Dad to see them.  I know I enjoyed spending time with them.  Dad’s memory is getting worse and these visits are really good for everyone.  Twice this weekend, while I was sitting right beside him, he asked mom when I would be there…  Or ask Mom how long they’ve been married … Things like that.  I know a day is coming when he might not know me, and that really stinks.

BUT … it was a good Thanksgiving.  I got to watch some football with him, laugh with he and mom at the breakfast table, watch Bailey the Wonderdog (Krissy’s dog) as she loved on Mom and Dad and conned them out of table scraps and treats.  Bailey REALLY loves Mom.

We missed Elaine and Karl, but they are heading up at Christmas. That will be good, too!

Now, if I can only get over this cold/allergy attack/sinus thing/ear thing that I’ve fighting for 10 days now.  And, honestly, I tried to go see my doctor last Tuesday.  His receptionist wouldn’t allow it.  Hoping to have better luck today.

Today’s sermon: The Continuing Debt of Love

25 Nov

The Continuing Debt of Love from Ebenezer BC on Vimeo.

Update on our Youth Pastor Search

20 Nov

Ebenezerites:

Hope this blog entry finds you doing well.  And PRAYING.  Many folks are getting antsy and asking questions about our search for a Youth Pastor.  I wanted to give you a brief update and encourage you to continue to pray!!

Personnel Team, the ministry team responsible for seeking our next Youth Pastor, has been hard at work on this project.  We are receiving resumes, reviewing them, and we’ve even had some initial discussion with a few candidates.  And, quite frankly, we are in serious prayer that God will lead us to the right person.  And He hasn’t done this yet!!

I know there are some that believe the best thing we could do is find a qualified candidate and get them in here PRONTO.  But, timing is a key in all of this.  God’s timing is THE key.  We would make a tremendous mistake if we just filled the position.  It is time to wait on the Lord … we might not even have the resume of the right person yet!!

So, pray for us!!  Encourage your youth and pray for them!!  There have been a couple of bumps in the road.  Do your part to help hold it all together!!

People of God

19 Nov

Sometimes it can be so easy to focus on the things that don’t go well in life and take the best things for granted .  This is due to our worldly nature, that is always peeking through and trying to be dominant in our hearts and lives.  Today, I am thankful for people who often are taken for granted.  People of God, who really try to live His way and pursue His will.  And I am thankful to be surrounded by them!!

These are the people who:

  • Trust God during the good times and the bad times
  • Jump in and just do what God has called them to do
  • Seek His kingdom and His righteousness first, and allow Him to place everything else in order
  • Put God first in all areas of their lives
  • Remember their commitments to Him and consider it an honor to fulfill them

This list could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.  Today, I’m taking a moment to focus on them and all they do at Ebenezer, and in my circles of family and friends.  And I am thankful God has surrounded me with them!!

Today’s sermon: When we pause to think

18 Nov

When we pause to think from Ebenezer BC on Vimeo.

Guilty

15 Nov

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9, NIV

I was talking to a friend this week about the past.  Funny thing about the past:  Often we can look back and see times when we failed God, perhaps in major ways for long periods of time.  In the verse quoted above, John reminded us that God will forgive our sins!!  In Psalm 103:12, we are told:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12, NIV

God FORGIVES and God REMOVES.  When guilt from the past creeps in, that is the work of Satan.  He will constantly remind us that we are imperfect.  That we have sinned.  That we are guilty.  And, he is right!!  And all thanks and praise to God, because He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins.  And His payment is complete and total.  When God forgives, He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west, which is an immeasurable distance.

So, as for our guilt, give it up!!  KNOW that you are forgiven if you’ve asked God to forgive you!!  Believe God’s promise is TRUE!!

To borrow a saying from a bumper sticker I once saw, next time Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!!

Lagniappe

14 Nov

Lagniappe is a small gift, given to a customer by a vendor at the time of purchase.  You aren’t buying anything from me by reading this, and I’m not really giving you anything valuable.  Just a little insight into how my mind works, I guess … So, if you continue reading ….

One of the self-imposed rules of this blog is to be careful.  Try to avoid stepping on land mines when I can.  There are times when I am really not at liberty to blog what is on my mind, because it would get me in trouble.    As a pastor, that is more than okay.  There are times when I just can’t.  So, today I will blog a little about my trivial side!!!

When I broke my arms, one of the first things we did is get a subscription to Netflix (since I was going to be home a lot and needed something to occupy my mind).  And I still love it!!  Not as much for movies as for old TV sh0ws.  The latest show I am back into is Magnum, P.I.

When I was a kid, I never missed it!!  It was a quality show, just enough humor and just enough drama to really keep you hooked.  Magnum’s producer, Donald Bellisario, is the executive producer of NCIS and that might explain my Tuesday at 8:00 addiction.  He also produced Airwolf, Black Sheep Squadron, and the one I really didn’t get into, JAG.  I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with Magnum and look forward to watching all 8 seasons as time allows.

Until then, if you see me riding around Florence in a red Ferrari and with fake moustache, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a Detroit Tigers hat, ask no questions …  I’m just looking for Rick and TC.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →