Anticipation

Well, the trip to Haiti has become a reality and a team of three of us will leave on 2/21. I must tell you that there is a little bit of fear built in to this trip due to the recent political unrest in Haiti. What a privilege to take the gospel to a place where many may hear it for the first time.

I have found that when you are away on mission, you realize why you are there. You are focused on the task. You go to bed tired and get up early with one thing on your mind. Sharing Christ.

Pray for all aspects of the trip with us. From packing to health, pray that the Lord will give us great opportunity to proclaim His truth.

By the way, has Jesus been part of your common conversation today?

Old Faithful

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Old faithful can apply to a number of things in life. It can refer to the famous cone geyser in Yellowstone National Park that spews 125 ft. into the air every 45 to 125 minutes lasting 1.5 to 5 minutes.
It can refer to an old car that always fires up for you or it can refer to man's best friend that is always there at your feet waiting to be petted. It can mean a special uniform or jersey you wear that makes you feel better by just wearing it.

Old faithful to me is the Bible I preach with each Sunday. The precious, infallible Word of God. It seems to almost fall open to the areas I am wanting to turn to. It is the one that is most worn, most marked, and most importantly the most read.

After preaching away last week, I began to look for Old Faithful, and got to the office Sunday morning thinking it was on my desk. To my surprise it wasn't, so I preached from a Bible that I used years ago that had been re-bound. It contained the very same thing that I read in Old Faithful, yet the personal touch from most of the notes were not there.

Why don't we all make a fresh commitment to become as familiar as possible with God's Word. One thing you can be sure of when you open it.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, it can change your life at anytime, it will point to Jesus, and it will be a road map that will always lead you home, even when you have been away, it can lead you home. I love God's Word!

Cereal Bowl?

As we approach the end of College Football bowl season, I have come to a conclusion. There are too many bowl games, and because of that, most of the games have become insignificant.

As we immerse ourselves in 2011, let us be very careful when we consider our culture and what we hear more and more. there aren't a number of ways to get to heaven according to Scripture, and all roads don't lead to God according to the Bible. Jesus said, "I am the way , the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except by me." John 14:6
That's what the Bible says and that is what folks who are lost need to hear.

Because we are living in a day where many think there are a number of ways to get to God, it does not change who He is, and that We must come to Him through Christ.

Share the truth in love, and watch the Holy Spirit work. Jesus is still the answer!

Lord, We Want Your Presence

Colossians 3:23 (New King James Version)²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the church, not a single person was quiet as we prepared for the Christmas program. There was a buzz of excitement and an air of expectation to make sure it was just right. The voices, the timing, the sound, the lights, the speaking parts, the costumes, everything had to be flawless.

In dress rehearsal, the choir members were lined up on the stage with care, in hopes that a crowd would soon be there. The program was nearly perfect, everyone felt good about themselves. It is awesome to see how things come together, let's listen for the applause.

The lights come up and to our amazement there is no applause. To our astonishment there is no crowd, just one lonely figure sitting about halfway back on the aisle.

As our eyes adjust to the light and begin to focus, surely not, it can't be, but it is, it is the the Lord Jesus sitting there. I take a hard swallow and begin to walk toward Him. In disbelief I don't know what to say or how to respond, so I just blurt it out, " Lord, we welcome you, we are glad you are here. Well what did you think?"

As His eyes met mine I could sense it coming. "You welcome me here? You didn't even take the time to ask me to be here or to bless the service? It was a nice program, good participation and a very festive performance, but always remember, there is an audience of one that you should try to please. I could have heard the same thing at the local civic gathering tonight or school production."

If you want this year's program to be special, then you have to give it to me and and do it for me. Pray before you do things, and ask me to prepare your hearts, and the hearts of the people who will be here. Regardless of the size of the crowd, in all you do, do it for me. It is then that you will know that the audience of one has been pleased."

Christmas, Contentment, and Libby

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out. and having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
I Tim 6:6

Recently I have found myself doing something that I must confess. It is something that Caesar the Dog Whisperer certainly won't recommend. I have found myself heating up the stove, and cooking our dog Libby two scrambled eggs. That's correct! I said it and feel better about it. I know it sounds crazy, but I thought it would be a treat, some serendipity in the life of a dog.

The strangest thing has happened. Instead of saying thank you in dog language, she comes back every time as if to say, where is the rest, there must be more.

Applying that to a Christian's life, we can be that way sometimes. God blesses us, and instead of stopping to say "Thank you Lord", we have already moved on to the next thing we think God needs to do for us.

Paul wrote to Timothy, that godliness with contentment is great gain. We are to be content with the things God has given us. We are to strive to live a godly life. Not one or the other, godliness with contentment.

Why don't you stop and thank the Lord for what He has done. The Lord must want to hear a grateful heart simply say thank you.

Miracle On N. Liberty St.

After serving our fourth Annual Free Thanksgiving Day Meal for the community, my response is, "It is worth it!" I am really proud of our church as we try to better serve people with the love of Christ. You have touched many lives serving with the heart of the Master.

Last night Renee and I watched the Hallmark Presentation, "Christmas in November." In this heart wrenching story about a little girl with leukemia, the parents moved the celebration of the holidays up. It was a reminder to me that we need to celebrate Christ every day, not just a few days at Christmas or at Easter.

In the movie there was unconditional love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and families sticking together when things got tough. That is a picture of a church and what Christ does.

As you watch some of your favorite Christmas movies this year, don't forget to thank the Lord for he really is doing a Miracle on N. Liberty St., one life and one family at at time.

Merry Christmas!

The Day After

Have you ever shopped and stood on the outside of a store, just looking in through the window. For me suits always look better on mannequins than they do on me, but I like to look. People often allude to the statement that is easy to criticize, or coach, or lead, when you are on the outside looking in.

Today, the day after my birthday, I met a pastor at Applebees for lunch. The parking lot was unusually crowded for this time of the day, and then it hit me. Today is November 11th, Veteran's Day. I saw the commercial and they were blessing all Veteran's with a free lunch. It was wonderful! It was packed!

My dad did not have to serve and I haven't served, so sometimes I feel like the outsider looking in when we honor our vets.

I made my way to the table and we had a good meal, and as I scanned the room, there were older men and women, many with canes or walking aides. There were men my age, and a younger group as well, some in uniform. I was reminded once again that a price has been paid for our freedom, and for most, I don't even know their names.

I wanted to stand up and shout "Thank You, Thank you" to all of you and for those who gave their lives in battle.

I have done a number of funerals with military Honor Guards. There is nothing quite like it. It helps you understand the dignity and discipline of those who serve. I hope you have the privilege to witness this in your life.

The Bible likens us Christians to soldiers in God's army.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter.

Thank you to all of our men and women in uniform now, and for those who have bravely defended our country. To those who have given thier lives and to loved ones who never saw their family member come home, or perhaps saw a flag draped casket unloaded on American soil thank you. Every year on my birthday I will remember and not forget you on the day after.