God created Cat …

12 Aug

(THIS WAS TODAY’S EMAIL FROM Mikey’s Funnies.  Contact info below!!)

Adam and Eve said, “Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you anymore. We are lonesome here and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us.”

And God said, “No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.”

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, “Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.”

And God said, “No problem. Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.”

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them. And they were comforted.

And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, “Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.”

And God said, “No problem! I will create for them a companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration.”

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.

And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat’s eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings. And Adam and Eve learned humility.

And they were greatly improved.

And God was pleased. And Dog was happy.

And Cat didn’t care one way or the other.

(Today’s post from Mikey’s Funnies.  Subscribe at http://www.mikeysfunnies.com)

Possibly more than you wanted to know …

11 Aug

What does Christ mean to me?  How did His power and presence change my life?  In a couple of weeks, I plan to share this in morning worship.  In detail.  But here are the highlights:

I grew up in church and knew nothing else all my life.  But the problem was I knew CHURCH, but not Christ.  I followed my younger sister down the aisle at a very young age and had no idea what I was doing or what it really meant.

Fast forward through the years … I became a teenager and young adult that KNEW HOW TO PLAY THE CHURCH GAME.  I was there, merely to please my family.  I could sing the songs and I could talk the talk.  But my heart was never in it.  You might say I was going hard and fast down that path of fully relying on myself in life, the path of the Christian Atheist (as Craig Groeschel so eloquently put it.  Groeschel appropriately terms a Christian Atheist as one who claims to know Christ, but lives as if He does not exist).

At the end of this path, there is no peace.  No fulfillment.  No meaning.  I realized my need for Christ in a unique place:  Counseling a couple of youth at a youth camp.  I was reading these words off a counseling guide and realized they meant nothing to me in my heart.  (Ironically, BOTH of those young men are now youth ministers in Greenville).

One of the most shocking things I’ve ever done in a church was walk that aisle, take my pastor by the hand, and tell him I realized my need for Christ.  It was hard for me and I could tell it was shocking for others who knew that I knew all the words and could play the game.

How has Christ changed my life??  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God walks with me every step of the way.  I find fulfillment when I live in the middle of His will and do things His way.  My life makes a difference, not because of me, but because of HIM!!  And I know, one day, I will go to be with Him in Heaven!!  I know God loves me, and I love Him and just want to serve Him!!  I am not perfect.  I make mistakes.  And He loves me anyway with all of His heart!!

And life is now more than just a pointless game!!!!

That is the short version … If you want to hear more, be there at EBC in three Sundays!!!

Five things

10 Aug

I’ll start with five things that bug me …

Dangerous topic.  Could be a dangerous post.  Could make some folks mad at me.  What’s new???  (Disclaimer: These are things that have been on my heart for sometime.  So don’t think that YOU are the reason I am writing it)

Five things that bug me:

1.  The craziness that has been going on for MONTHS NOW with the alarms and phone lines around here.  We have beaten our heads against the wall until mine has a permanent mortar line … Our lines seem to work perfectly.  Sometimes the alarms do, and sometimes they don’t.  Could be some of the roadwork going on around here, but we won’t know that until it is all finished, and I might be retired before that happens.

2.  Apathy among God’s people.  There are some fired-up people around this place, ready to charge the gates of Hell with a water pistol.  And then, there are some that ARE NOT.  Some that would just be happy if all that was required of them was sitting in a pew once a month or so, never having to give a dime to anything, and being thoroughly entertained (because, after all, worship is about OUR ENTERTAINMENT, RIGHT???).  I know that disappoints God.

3.  Failure to take responsibility for life.  Too many things I could write here, but the bottom line is IF YOU DID IT, MAN-UP (or woman-up) and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN LIFE.  You will never grow in life if you don’t.  Your momma or daddy will NOT be around forever to get you out of messes.

4.  Gossip.  If you need to talk to someone about an issue you have with them, please do it.  Sharing it with your Sunday School class, co-workers, or any other group that will lend you an ear is not always the best thing to do.  I have several friends who believe in hitting things head-on, and honestly that IS the best policy.  It might seem abrupt or in your face, but it really is the right thing.  See Matthew 18 if you don’t believe me.

If you DO NOT have an issue with someone, and are just passing along juicy tidbits, please stop.  Gossip acts like a colony of termites in the foundation of any church.

5.  Realize that EVERYTHING you put out on Facebook, Twitter, and any other type of social media IS OUT THERE.  For the WORLD to see.  If Christ is your Savior, be aware that you now have a SOCIAL MEDIA WITNESS to maintain.  Look at your act, and clean it up if necessary!

NOW that those are out of the way … How about five positives and possibilities for Ebenezer:  (be reminded that these are things on the top of my heart and head … nothing official here, just some speculation)

1.  What if we started worshiping in the FLC for more space??  Even if it were at 8:30, with 11:00 still held in the Sanctuary??  Some will like this idea.  Some will hate it.  All it will take is the greenlight from God and people willing to help make it happen (logistically)!!

2.  What if we started a second Sunday School hour??  Maybe we would shift our schedule to something like this:

Early Worship, Children’s Church, and 1st SS – 9:00am

Late Worship and 2nd SS – 10:30am

(And we can beat the Methodists and Presbyterians to the restaurants!!)

3.  What if we started a bus ministry to Creekside?? Maybe another locale??  Would we accept our new guests???

4.  What if we changed some things in our programming and really made a commitment to GO DEEP with our relationship to Christ??  What if we went to a year-round small group format on Sunday nights??

5.  What if we REALLY believed that Jesus IS the only way of salvation and started living like it??  And TELLING like it??

A long-overdue update on Dad

9 Aug

I know it’s been too long since I posted anything about Dad.  Honestly, you can assume that no news has been good news …

Dad came home from the rehab hospital on July 1.  Once again, they were doing in-home therapy.  Mom restarted her search for a wheelchair accessible van.  And life rolled on …

On the weekend we went up to take Mom to Montgomery, the folks at Carolina Mobility in Spartanburg called us.  They found a van that was what we wanted and in the price range we specified.  We drove out and looked it over, took it to a local mechanic for a checkup, and ended up negotiating and buying the van.  Honestly, I thought this was just a token purchase to give Mom a feeling of freedom.  BOY WAS I WRONG.

This van has allowed Mom to discontinue in-home therapy and begin outpatient therapy at Roger C. Peace, which is much better for Dad.  They have more equipment and are able to push him harder.  And he is doing pretty well in it.  The van has also given both of them more mobility.  They are now able to go to places and do things with family and friends (on a limited scale).

So, this van has been the best purchase we could’ve possibly made.  Mom says it is a real answer to prayer.  I tend to agree!

Premeditated Sin, part deux

4 Aug

Yes, I know I’ve written about this before.  But I had a great discussion with a friend yesterday about this very topic … And it is on my heart this morning.

How do you think God feels when we decide we are going to protect one area of sin in our lives and claim to be His??  As if we were saying, “I feel the need to steal.  All of the time.  And I intend on continuing to steal, regardless of what the Bible says and regardless of what God thinks about it.  After all, He made me this way …”

Anyone who says this should be aware of LIGHTENING striking SOON … So, if you plan on saying this, please do it OFF church property.  We’ve had our share of lightening this summer!!!

Seriously, do you REALLY think this kind of living puts you in good standing with God?  With His church?  We have to get to this place where we BELIEVE GOD’S WORD.  And if God’s word says it is sin, IT IS SIN.  And if anyone openly plans on continuing in sin, and yet claiming Christ, they are openly disregarding the blood and sacrifice of Christ.  So you do the math on where they stand with Him …

Realizing there is MORE to His church than just me!!

3 Aug

One of the common mistakes made by people all over the world is the belief that what THEY are doing for the Kingdom of God is the ONLY THING GOING ON IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!!  Wow … we couldn’t be more wrong.

Paul wrote to many churches about the multitude of gifts God gave each local church.  And when a church gathers together, and begins to use the gifts God gave them, many great ministries blossom and grow.  And the Kingdom of God flourishes.  And, I believe He smiles BIG!!!

I look at the garden that is Ebenezer and I see MANY THINGS that glorify Him:  Children’s ministry, Youth ministry, Weekday Ministry, Worship ministry, mission projects (Angel Food, Creekside, Honduras, Haiti), and the list just KEEPS ON GROWING.  I’d better stop here, because I cannot possibly name all of them.  And all of them have a place in the kingdom.  And all of them co-exist at EBC.  (And, at many OTHER churches, too!!)

I pray EACH of them will continue to grow, continue to bless God’s name and build His kingdom.  And I pray that HE will help US co-exist for many, many decades to come!!!

Tired of the games??

2 Aug

I get tired of the games people play.  Sometimes I can’t even form words about the games people play.  I SURELY cannot blog about them in detail, because I would get into so much trouble.  But I see it all:  People playing games with each other, with love, with God, with the church, with their jobs, and with their pastor (just to name a few).

There are times when I get full … filled up and cannot take it any more.  And just when I think I can’t do it anymore, God reminds me of a couple of things:

1.  As long as there are people, there will be games.  Of course, the games will decrease and disappear as maturity grows.  But our nature is to play games, to work angles, to negotiate.  Games, unfortunately, are a fact of life on earth.

2.  God called me to love people.  Regardless of the games.  And that call is still alive, still loud and clear.

I take comfort in knowing that God is still in charge, regardless of the games.  And He is doing something special at Ebenezer Baptist Church.  I am just glad to be a part of it!!!

Courage and the Call

29 Jul

Are you brave enough??  REALLY??

Too many people fear the call of God.  Truth is, God has a calling for EVERY ONE OF US.  Some embrace it in all it’s fulness.  Some run from it.  Some use the 95% method, holding on to the 5% of their choosing and never fully surrendering to Him.  And some never answer His call.

Where are you on that spectrum?

The fear of surrendering to His call is actually the fear of losing control.  The fear of allowing God to call the shots is found, for many, in the lack of control over our own destiny.  AS IF.  As if we had ANY CONTROL whatsoever.

I am not a fan of rollercoasters.  I have been known to ride them, on occasion.  But if I had to choose between a rollercoaster and a ride like Soarin at Disney, I would choose Soarin every time!  And the reason I do not like rollercoasters is the loss of control!!  I know it!

Here is the thing:  We might THINK we have control over this life, but we don’t.  We are not nearly as omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent as we might think we are.  BUT GOD IS.  And, the truth is, it really does take courage to give Him control.  But it really is the BEST DECISION anyone can ever make!!!

Do YOU trust Christ as your Savior??  Then make His joy complete by trusting the Holy Spirit to enable you and empower you to do what GOD has planned for you TODAY.  And EVERY DAY!!!

Cramped for space

27 Jul

A good problem for any church to have, but ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO SOLVE.  The NEED for space is great at Ebenezer in several ways … Storage space is almost non-existent, education space for Sunday School is so jammed-up you can’t believe it, and now OFFICE SPACE is the new frontier.

For the past several days we’ve debated where Dusty (our new administrator) will be billeted … The answer, for now, is that she will share space with Lisa.  So yesterday we moved stuff, assembled stuff, and got things ready.  Today we will run a few wires and set her up!!

Space limitations are good and bad.  Good that we have the need.  Bad that we have nowhere to go.  In this economy, this type of problem calls for us to do creative things.  Things that we’ve possibly never done before with Sunday School, with storage, and yes, with office space.  God is blessing up and growing us.  We might just have to break out of the molds we’re in and help make it work!!!

Two-Hundred

26 Jul

(Today’s funny from Mikey.  www.mikeysfunnies.com)

The pastor said to Mr. Smith, one of his long-time parishioners, “Thank you, Mr. Smith, for attending out church.  I wish I had twenty parishioners like you.”

“Gosh, it’s nice to hear that, Pastor, but I’m kind of surprised,” admitted Smith.  “You know that I complain about every sermon and hardly ever give money.”

The pastor said, “I’d still like twenty parishioners like you. The problem is, I have two hundred.”

************************

Okay, only a pastor would laugh at that … And I’ll be honest, in a 1300-member church, I really DON’T believe there are 200.  But there are some …  Are YOU one of the 200?

It never ceases to amaze me that some people thrive and survive on conflict.  You know the type … they are not happy unless they are UNhappy.  So they make it their business to find fault with everything and everyone.  And here is a little secret:  NOTHING and NO ONE but God is perfect.  So if you look closely enough, you WILL FIND imperfections and problems EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK.

So, are you looking??  Do you focus on the negative, or on the positive??  Focussing on the positive is the best way to survive!  Seriously, none of us are perfect.  Why focus on the negative in others when there is so much positive out there??

Don’t get me wrong … this does not give us licenses to bring less than our best to God.  As individuals and as a church, we need to bring our best and give our best every time when come to His altar.  And if we would each focus on OURSELVES and what IS our best, we would all be much better off.

Are you looking for the good or the bad in things?????

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