Pastor James

America Wins!

2011-05-24T10:15:00.003-04:00

So tonight two country music singers face off against each other in a major competition. Someone wins and someone loses and the season will be over...end of story!

Well, maybe it is the end of that part of the story but there is more to the story and it may well turn out that tonight's competition may just be the beginning of a new story.

I know not everyone watches American Idol and I also know some people struggle with the title itself and I understand that. We shouldn't have idols even though we all ... oops, that's a different subject for some other blog.

However, this show is about undiscovered young talent having an opportunity to compete and to show their abilities to the world. Some very successful entertainers today are a result of this show.

Now to the more of the story part of this article. This is the first time that the final two contestants have been specifically country music artists. They are both from the south, one from North Carolina and the other from Georgia. They are the youngest two contestants to be in the final. They have outlasted older and more experienced performers to be where they are tonight.
Also, they are both being referred to as Christians and very conservative in their lifestyles.
They were favored at the audition stage and have endured to the last show together as young, family oriented, Jesus loving teenagers who are setting an amazing example.

Now that in itself is worth talking about, but lets look at the rest of the dynamic of this story.

Week after week after week, American Idol has brought on some of the edgiest , sexually explicit and might I say raunchiest performers to try and sway the voting audiences to elevate that garbage as what America wants to hear. Scantly dressed, girating and grinding and just plain vulgar is how I felt many of those acts came across. I was watching the show to celebrate the young talent and the producers are making sure to soil the whole thing with stuff I find offensive.

And, at least for this year, it hasn't worked! America has screamed out loud "Give us Scotty and Lauren". They have done so by casting record high votes to insure these two young, clean and highly talented perfomers have a chance to show their gifts and bring glory to God in doing so. In fact that is what Scotty is quoted as saying "I just pray that God will use me on stage. I do everything for His glory, because He is the reason I am here."

Well said Scotty and well done to you both! No matter the outcome tomorrow night... America wins!

Passion

2011-03-06T04:17:00.005-05:00

What word can be applied to all of the following scenarios?

Commitment to one's occupation
To the point of pushing all else aside.

A desire for sexual sensation
Until fully complied.

An hatred for an opposing posture
to the point of violence and disrespect.

A love for all of nature,
to enjoy, record and protect.

A delight in certain food,
which makes waiting almost painful.

A determination to be rude,
arrogant, haughty and disdainful.

A burning to right a wrong,
and to be there at all cost.

A desire to live out a song,
and in love allow self to be lost.

Power to control all things,
and have others to you to bow.

Humility and all that it brings,
and respect for others to vow.

Curse the conviction of others,
and desire a great physical loss.

To die to make men brothers,
as Christ did on the Cross!

There is one word that can be used,
to answer the original question.

That word can not be confused,
all of the above fall under "Passion".

We are all passionate about something and it is not always a positive and lovely thing. Check your heart and your passions and the effort you make in living your passion out. Jesus was passionate enough to die for us. May we be passionate enough to live for him.

Challenging Times

2011-02-26T00:20:00.003-05:00

So, it's been an interesting week.
Our president decides that laws on the books that were established by senate & house votes and signed into law by a Democratic President only apply if he says so. So he instructs his Attorney General to ignore a law on Family Values. King Barack Hussain Obama... unbelievable.

Out of nowhere, at least I didn't see it coming, is this obsene increase in gas prices. Check out the gas companies profits for the last couple of years and see how you feel about those increases.

Are we the people just crazy or what?

There is an amazing amount of unrest happening around the world today. Eygpt & Lybia have been the most news worthy adding to all the current hotspots in the world.

Some dude moves to the U.S. and plans to kill a bunch of folks in Texas, including a former president.

Have you noticed the weather lately. Some of the most active weather patterns and events this winter then we have had in years. Included in that is the fact that one day you can wear flops and shorts and the next you are doning a scarf and leather coat.

States across our country are taking hard stands on difficult issues and are faced with problems we never dreamed of. Many are simply facing what would put a family economy in bankruptcy.

Road rage is unbelievable and very very frightening.

TV commercials today would have been listed as "soft porn" just a few years ago.

On and on I could go but you may start to feel that I am practicing for a position in the National Pessimist Organization of America, but really all I'm trying to say is... "Redeem the time for the days are evil..."
Be ready ... be watching ... be praying ... be sharing ... and be close to God through His Son... for the time surely draweth nigh!

Blessings

The Precious State of Life

2010-05-26T13:17:00.003-04:00

How tortured must a soul be to come to the place where they are convinced they have but one option?

With our normal eyes in place, life is a beautiful thing. Surely there are distractions, obstacles, road blocks and even a roadside disruption from time to time. Those things tend to shape us, sharpen us and shake us into being what we are designed to be.

With normal eyes we see flowers and birds and the smiles of children. With normal eyes we see the cracks in the walkway and the bumps in the road and the ice-cream stand on the corner. With normal eyes we see the outsretched hands of a friend, the gentle wave of a neighbor and the rushing wave of the sea shore. With normal eyes we see the evil of the world and are warned, we see the comfort of the Word and are warmed. With normal eyes we see the rock in front of the mower, the glass too close to the edge and the remote control.
It is never all too easy and without it's challenges, but yes sir, life is beautiful as seen by normal eyes.

But then there is that turn from focus. Whatever the cause and whatever the staying power of the longivity of being out of focus, the ability to see life's beauty begins to fade. Something inside changes.

Each of us could draw up long lists of reasons that people under various circumstances would chose to end their own story. No matter our list and no matter their reasons, the unfortunate truth is their story does not in fact end. In many ways it may just begin and now they would have no input to the remainder.

For those who remain, their is no end or perhaps an end that doesn't end and that just doesn't seem fair. But what good would assigning new guilt be to one who can no longer recieve it and surely did not need it had they chosen to stay.

My heart aches for those who remain. My prayer is for gentle showers of forgiveness, peace and even joy to rain down on the dry, broken spirits of the hurting.

May our thanks be to God for His attitude that says "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest."

Am I Getting Old Or What?

2010-01-04T16:23:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I preached a sermon entitled "This Old House" from II Corinthians 5:2 and talked about our earthly bodies. For emphasis for my second point concerning the fact that our bodies are deteriorating I wrote a poem and decided to share it with you here.

It's called

"Am I Getting Old Or What?"

My eyes are dimming, I cannot see & my hair is turning gray,

My ears are plugged, I can bearly hear & my teeth are going away.

My feet are sore & with arthritis my hands are bent,

My blood's growing thin, I'm getting cold again & now my energy is spent.

My bones are crackling, I wake up hacking and I think I lost some lung,

I'm not going out, I'm nursing my gout & now I watch birds for fun.

I used to play & run all day & I never seemed to tire,

But now I'm pooped & I missed a loop & I need to sit by the fire.

So, the light's still on & I still have a song but the pace has slowed a great deal,

So pass me my teeth & roll down my sleeves & get me some water for my pill.

Turn up the sound, help me sit down & get me some lotion for my skin,

Wait a minute, help me back up & point the way, Cause I think I have to go again!

My Brother, My Hero

2009-12-31T10:18:00.002-05:00

I have enjoyed for over sixteen years being able to say that my brother was the Chief of Police in Wake Forest, North Carolina. So, let me say it now...my brother is the Chief of Police in Wake Forest, North Carolina. I can keep saying that for about thirteen more hours as of this writing as he has retired effective at mid-night tonight, December 31st, 2009.

Tuesday night I attended his retirement dinner given by the town of Wake Forest. The venue was nice, the food was good (heavy hors d'oeuvres) and the crowd was impressive. A very, very cold night in the middle of a busy Holiday season could have meant a scarce crowd but the place (actually a large heated ... almost ... tent attached to a beautiful old home which is rented for social events) was packed.

One after one, officers, town management, state officials, town employees, organizational leaders and two family members (my oldest sister and I) shared stories and appreciation and many many plagues and gifts and items of recognition.

When Greg went to Wake Forest, they were a town of just over 6,000 people and 14 employees in the police department. Today the town is over 27,000 people and the police department has 64 employees which includes 54 officers. They have their own training department and the police department has been called one of the best in the state with highly trained personnel and state of the art equipment. The crime rate in Wake Forest is amoung the lowest in the state in spite of the rapid growth and close proximity to Raleigh.

Greg is a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy and has sent several of his officers through the academy as well. He was the first to receive the first police science degree offered at Elizabeth City State University where he was an Honor graduate.

He has served as preisdent of N.C. Police Chief's Association and the state board of Special Olympics and the State D.A.R.E. program.

Greg served on the Roanoke Rapids Police department for several years was Chief of Police in Weldon, NC prior to going to Wake Forest.

I said Tuesday night and I repeat here, Chief Greg Harrington is my hero! I am very proud of him. We came from very humble beginnings and Greg has truly been an example of success and all along doing it with strong Christian values.

I was greatly moved Tuesday night by the constant mention by his peers of his strong Christian convictions and lifestyle. That's not something you hear a lot about at that level and that blesses me deeply.

I love my family and am very proud of my brother and very grateful for all the influence he has had on me and my family.

Congratulations "Chief"!!

Remember

2009-12-04T23:08:00.002-05:00

I wrote this poem for the Step of Faith 13th annual Christmas Concert today.

Remember

Remember when life was simplier and coke was something you drank.

Remember when it wasn't abuse to give your child a little spank.

Remember three channels, four if your attena was just right.

Remember leaving your doors unlocked when you went to bed at night.

Remember your first telephone and you probably had a party line.

Remember wearing a cross to work, and everything was just fine.

Remember playing after lunch, just be home when the street lights came on.

Remember turning on the radio and actually understanding the song.

Remember having to get out of the chair just to turn the channel.

Remember when modern technology was teaching the bible with a board and some flannel.

Remember when the whole family ate together at the table.

Remember when being a Christian was not a negative label.

Remember when respect was shown when the National Anthem was played.

Remember when marriage meant, no matter what, we both commit to stay.

Remember waking on Christmas morning full of excitement and glee,

And being overwhelmed with just one or two presents under the tree.

Remember when someone told you that we are in need of saving grace.

Well, please always remember the love found in Jesus' face.

For many things have changed and few have stayed the same,

but Christmas is about eternal life ... found only in Jesus Name!

The Issue of Traditional Marriage

2009-11-04T16:13:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm probably writing this article for myself, seeing how I haven't written a blog in almost three months, no one will think to check by. But in case someone (you) did, here ya go.

Not exactly a HEADLINER in the paper or Network news today, but I noticed an interesting fact. As of yesterday, thirty one (31) states in this country of ours have put "Same-sex Marriages" to a popular vote. Thirty one states have come to the place where they asked the PEOPLE (residents...employees...tax payers...civic contributors...etc.) to vote on this issue.
"Should Gay Marriages be recognized as legal and appropriate in this country/state?"

Out of thirty one states to vote on this issue so far, THIRTY ONE (31) have voted against the amendment. Thirty one states have said no to that idea. Yesterday's vote was in Maine and was defeated 53% - 47%.

The American people continue, election after election, to uphold the traditional, God-ordained institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Even, other major religions (other than Christianity) hold fast to this institution.

Does it resignate to this world that the continued existence of the population depends on procreation and that there is NO OTHER form of natural procreation than one man's contribution and one woman's contribution that creates life. I believe that is Almighty God's sacred design...HOWEVER, if you choose not to join me in that conviction, it does not change the fact that the statement is nonetheless, still true. We can "mess" around with ways to "take this and plant it here and manipulate there", but you still have to have the man's contribution and the woman's contribution to procreate, period.

I do not believe any homosexual (or other groups) should be mistreated and abused for their lifestyle. I will stand with anyone on the issue of protection and preservation of freedom of diversity without abuse or hate monging. But that does not put me in the category of believing it is okay or accepting the idea of Gay Marriage.

Some would call me a bigot or intolerant for my beliefs and convictions, but they(my convictions) are scripturally based.

Millions of people in thirty one states have held to the idea of traditional marriage existing between one man and one woman and that's the way God presented and intended it according to the scriptures.

I will love and welcome those who do not agree with me, but I will continue to defend my right and duty to preach the truth .

As I write this blog let me state my concern for the internal agony of all who struggle with this issue on either side. God Bless.

Staff Changes

2009-08-13T22:16:00.003-04:00

Change is seldom easy.

We recently called a new staff member at Fellowship. Pastor Mark Brady brings many years of ministry experience with a mix of specialties that meet many of our needs as a church. With 25 years of music ministry experience and 14 years of Church administration experience and lots of computer and technological knowledge, Mark comes on board to help us as we move forward as a church. Mark's official title is Associate Pastor of FBC.

This change included replacing two of our current staff members. Pastor Jim Clark has been with us for almost 8 years and we are grateful for his many contributions and trust God will provide a place for Jim to continue to use his gifts and to follow God's call in his life. Jim has almost 30 years of ministry experience and he plans to continue serving the Lord in whatever opportunity God provides for him.

Darryl Stallings came on board in December of 2007 to move our music ministry forward as our interim Minister of music. Darryl and his family have won the hearts of our people and we are very appreciative of all he has done to help advance our ministry for over 20 months. We are confident that God will continue to use Darryl for many years to come and we hope to play a supportive roll in his ministry.

We truly appreciate these two men and thank God for their involvement in our ministry.

So, change is not always easy but we trust the Lord to provide each of us with the wsidom to follow Him and the heart to do it well.

It is Well!

2009-07-22T23:06:00.003-04:00

Sitting in a small room was the husband of 57 years of the dear woman laying just feet away being kept alive by artificial means. The man's daughter and her husband and myself joined by a doctor and a nurse who explained the horrible reality of a choice that must be made.

Not a choice any of us ever want to have to make. How do you choose to sever a part of yourself. A companion heartbeat that has been attached in every way for over half a century.
The body grows old and tired and unable to continue being the affective conduit for a precious life of a wife, mother, grandmother , mother-in-law, friend and so on.

Tears shed and then a funny story of days gone by, blank stares , another tear, a smile, another story, distant look and expressions of emptiness and sadness.

But somehow, there was the sense of joy and hope and yes, even victory. There was the absolute hope of glory because of a decision made so long ago ... a decision of surrender and acceptance.

The dear husband of so many years, burdened bythe guilt of making such a decision regarding the removal of artificial life support, in my way of thinking, offered the most wonderful of gifts when he agreed to allow his precious mate to slip peacefully into the arms of a waiting and loving Savior, Friend and Lord.

Oh Hallelujah, What a Savior.

Take a moment and express your love and enjoy the moment in which you live.

LIFE: A short gig!

2009-06-26T09:58:00.003-04:00

There have been several public figures who have died this week that have been very familiar to many of the national and world population for a long time.

We remember "HHHEEERRRRREEEESSSSS JOHNNY!" from Ed McMahon and the hair and smile of "Charlie's Angels' " Farrah Fawsett and "I'll Be There" from Michael Jackson.

Many people are mourning the lost of these well known stars. They have in their own ways touched the lives of millions of people. Each of them have enjoyed their highs and have suffered their lows. Each of them have made some kind of contribution to society.

Much will be said in the press about their good and their bad moments, no doubt. In fact we will be inundated with their stories for a while.

The truth remains from the word of God "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement." Hebrews 9:27.
Dying is something everyone has to do (except for those who go up in the rapture) and being judged is also something each of us has to experience.

That is why I appreciate the next verse "so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." Those are the people who have accepted his free gift mentioned in Romans 6:23
"...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." How do we receive this gift? The answer is found in Romans 10:9 & 10 ... "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

The news of anyone dying, whether it be well known people like those listed above, or the local preacher, Rev. William Mayo, who will not get national headlines, should be a reminder to each of us. A reminder of our mortalilty, our responsibility and the short time we have left.

The book of James reminds us in chapter 4, verse 14 ... "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."

Life is short... eternity is long... hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Tribute to my Best Friend

2009-06-15T16:31:00.002-04:00

The first sermon I remember preaching was at the church I grew up in and I think I was around 18 or 19 years old. The sermon was titled "What's in a Name" and it was about Peter and his episode of walking on the water. Amazing that I remember that.

I worked in youth ministry for several years after that and preached on many occassions through the years, often filling in for preachers for various reasons.

Then in the summer of 1985, a new preacher came to our church. We immediately became friends and soon best friends. Though I was preaching a little before he was even saved, he was a big influence on my life. While he was a rising professional God saved him and immediately called him to ministry. He and his wife surrendered to seminary, unlike myself, and the church I attended at the time was his first pastorate.

Chip and Teresa Roberson moved here from Texas (they are originally from Georgia) and God used him to challenge me and prepare me for the next step in my ministry. We went through some challenges together in a church where some people thought they were supposed to be God (rather than serve God) and God grew us through those experiences.

A group of us started a new work and called Chip as our pastor. After a year of that ministry, God called me to Fellowship Baptist Church. Chip stepped out and ordained me to the gospel preaching ministry against the desires of some folks in our association.

God has used us both in exciting and remarkable ways.

Since coming here in 1988, I have preached on five continents and visited several countries. I have preached in many churches in several states as well as conferences and camps. All of those overseas trips and many of those preaching opportunities came as a result of Chip's influence and, or insistance.

Now after 25 years in the Pastoral ministry, Chip has retired and is returning to his previous vocation of being a pharmacist in his hometown in Georgia. Now, make no mistake, he has not retired from ministry as he will always be a preacher and proclaimer of the gospel of Christ.

I am so happy for Chip and Teresa as they return home to be where their hearts are and to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Lord in a less restricted venue.

Thank you Chip for being my best friend these many years and for pushing me to be who I am today. No other human outside of my family has ever encouraged me as you have. May God use you and your family mightily in the years to come.

Dad-Gum Cough

2009-05-26T11:14:00.002-04:00

When we arrived in Argentina on Saturday morning, May 16th we were issued, on the plane, masks and rubber gloves to wear until we were out of the terminal. Of course we all assumed it was because of the Swine Flu but it was not. Argentina had recorded 46,000 cases of the Dengue Fever (pronounced Dangu) which is a virus spread by mosquitoes.
Well, I am home now and I did not get the Dengue Fever but I do have a DAD-GUM cough that is ripping my chest out. It starts somewhere just short of my big toe and works it's way up through my fat self and grabs hold of my aorta or something and tries to bring it out with it.
When I cough, boats move out of the way.

But honestly that is a small price to pay for the wonderful time we had doing ministry in Argentina.

It is still exciting when someone walks up to you and says "Hey, by the way, you will be preaching in the special service tonight" and you didn't even know there was a special service planned. I like to say that for fun, but the truth is, I love the opportunity to preach at anytime and I always expect to preach at a moments notice... it truly is one of the blesssings of going.

We had a productive week with 125 decisions for Christ and then on the last night at a soccer stadium we did the empty hearts drama and I had the awesome privilege of preaching one more time and God allowed us to witness 45 more souls come to him. AWESOME!

And regardless of what Eric says...I DID lose almost 6 pounds... granted, I don't know how, but I did...not a problem, I've managed to find of a couple of them already.

Dios es Bueno !!! God is good!

A Tribute to Scott C Calloway

2009-05-04T10:40:00.003-04:00

I ran into Mr. Jolly yesterday. Mr. Jolly was my junior high school principal and also was one of my Sunday School teachers. My oldest daughter and my wife have also worked with him in the school system. He would be one the people on my "People who help shape my life" list. It was really nice running into him and his two daughters. He was celebrating his 70th birthday (which was the day before).
It is very hard to believe that Mr. Jolly is 70...at least until I remember how old I am.

Then when I got home I read on facebook that another man on my list, Scott C Calloway, had died. He was our high school band director in our city since the forties , I think or maybe the early fifties.Mr. Calloway had a major influence on my life and I will always be grateful for the character he helped to instill in me. He died on his birthday (93, I think) I remember when I was a senior he announced one day that he didn't expect to live much longer because all of his family died around the age that he was then. I guess he would have never expected to make it another 35 years...amazing.

"Take all you want, but eat all you take" he would say when the band was eating somewhere.

"Make sure we leave this place cleaner then it was when we got here" There's one I have tried to pass on to every group I have ever been with.

"If you want to be respected, rspect others and give them a reason to respect you"

I disappointed Mr. Calloway one time in a dumb decision I made and he let me know exactly how he felt and then he gave me another chance and things changed. In my adulthood I have had a number of opportunities to see Mr. Calloway and he would beam when he saw me and often mentioned how proud he was of how I turned out. I'm quite sure that at one point he didn't expect me to turn out very well at all.

But for any success I have enjoyed, I must attribute a part to him. A true hero to me.

Thank you Mr. C. for being who and what you were... we will likely never know the thousands of lives you touched on your journey here.

Miss California is a winner to me!

2009-04-23T22:16:00.004-04:00

Perez Hilton is a homosexual blogger, a self proclaimed queen of gossip...his words, not mind. For whatever reason, he was one of the judges for the Miss U.S.A. pageant.
He asked Miss California if she thought all states should follow Vermont in allowing same sex marriages. She said she believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
She knew when she spoke those words that the likelihood of her becoming Miss U.S.A. flew right out the window. But she has no remorse and says she would say the same thing again if she had it all to do over again.

Now for those of us who feel that way are called intolerant. We are narrow minded. We are called haters and now even extremist.

So Hilton was so angry at Miss California's answer that he called her a stupid (word I will not repeat here) . He says she had no right injecting her politics and Christianity into the Miss USA pageant.

Unbelievable... where is the tolerance in this case and any case that has to do with people of faith.
What amazing hypocrisy!

Thank God for people like Carrie Prejean...what a brave young lady. God will bless her in ways she would have never known had she won the pageant.

I'm happy for Miss N.C. and I wonder if she would have taken such a stand.

Believers must take a stand... Carrie did... God is honored.

A great day on Easter

2009-04-13T11:12:00.002-04:00

I am so thankful for our folks at Fellowship Baptist Church. As we were preparing for a record crowd on Sunday, I asked that people would volunteer to go to the earlier services to allow room for visitors at our eleven o'clock service and they readily complied.
We had almost identical numbers in all three services and fell just a small family short of 500 in total worship attendance for the morning.
Two young boys asked Jesus into their hearts after the first service and 11 adults responded to receive Jesus in the eleven o'clock service.
What a wonderful day God blessed us with.
The music was great in all services.

Let's pray that many of these people will return next week and the next and so on.

Hallelujah, What a Savior!

Holy Week...Sunday...Resurrection Day!!

2009-04-12T03:38:00.004-04:00

Just outside the city...a garden expressing it's beauty
Early in the morning...the song birds fulfilling there duty

Shadows running across the ground
As the light was coming around

Dew glimmered in the flowers and the grass
Earth's longest night ever, has passed

Ladies lift up their heads in surprise
They simply could not believe their eyes

The stone has been rolled out of place
Revealing what was now an empty space

Two angels stood shining with Glory
Shared with them the resurrection story

He is not here, He said He would rise
They're story was received as nothing but lies

But Peter and John to the tomb did race
There they found as stated, an empty place

Now one certain Mary returned to the grave
And asked the gardner for His body to save

Mary said He, Please do not cry
Go and tell the others that it is I

I told you I would suffer in Friday's shame
But now ...as promised...SUNDAY CAME!

I have stood at the tomb...IN the tomb that many believe is THE actual tomb... as I stood there, I could not help but notice HE WASN'T THERE!!!
Actually that is not true...He was there, but this time He was there as a permanant resident in my heart, Praise the Lord.
To see that slab carved out of the hillside where the grave clothes were folded and laid that morning as Jesus no longer had a need for the tomb...the original owner could have it back as it was no longer occupied...

The darkness of Friday has passed...Saturdays cloud of despair was cast...Sunday is here at last... Hallelujah what a Savior!

Happy Easter!

Holy Week...Saturday

2009-04-11T14:07:00.002-04:00

In front of several churches on my way to the office today, I saw crosses with the black shrouds hanging over the cross beam. The imagery is that of the death of Christ. Taken down from the cross only after they were certain he died and wrapped in clothes and placed in a tomb...a borrowed tomb. A hole carved out of the side of a hill. A stone rolled in front of the opening. He is dead...He is buried. It's over.
Well, we know the rest of the story so we already know that it is in fact not over. Yes, Jesus said "It is finished" on the cross, speaking to the fact that He had done what He had come to do...take upon Himself the sins of the world. Now He must carry them to the grave and He must deal with the dead both good and evil.
As for the living, they did not know. What they knew was the Carpenter, teacher, preacher, healer, changer of life was dead and His body was now in that tomb.
The rock that He Himself had created now encased His body... Saturday...dark indeed.
A crowd of men and women with no idea what to do now...dark.
A mother, who watched her son brutally killed and saw the stone slam into it's place to conceal her son in a grave...dark.

Have I mentioned yet... Sunday's Coming! Shout it with me through the darkness...

SUNDAY'S COMING!!!!

Holy Week...Friday...part two

2009-04-10T20:21:00.002-04:00

I know I've already posted today but I had another thought or two.

Imagine how defeated everybody must feel right now... in the context of Holy Week.

It's night...the beginning of Sabbath and Jesus is now in the tomb...

What went wrong? How could he have been so knowledgable and so powerful and it all end this way? What do we do now... all of the religious people are alienated and we have left everything to follow Him...now what?

They were after Him...now will they come after us?

How could this happen? How disappointing....how discouraging...

Wait, has anyone thought about the things he had said... the temple will be destroyed but will be rebuilt again in three days. He told them he had to die but he would rise again. Did they forget?

The enemy didn't forget...that's why they sealed the tomb and placed soldiers there.

I wonder sometimes if we, His people, forget His promises at the most crucial times.

He is in the grave...and I repeat from my earlier blog...It is Friday, but Sunday's coming!

Holy Week...Friday

2009-04-10T08:14:00.002-04:00

Today is Friday...
Jesus has endured several trials during the night and morning, all of which were illegal and unfair.
He has been mercilessly treated by arrogant handlers throughout the ordial.
His power was demonstrated once again in the garden when all the soldiers fell to the ground, yet He submitted to the plan.
Beatings...spitting...and that horrible picture that we have all been reminded of by "The Passion of Christ" The sad truth is Jesus was likely unrecognizable by the time the beatings were over.
The long painful walk down the Via Dolorosa (Way of suffering) carrying that cross.
As if all that's not enough...the nails in the hands and feet...the thorns on His head and the spear in His side...
It's a dark moment... in fact it was dark for several hours as the Father was forced to turn His face from the Son. Wow! What sacrifice.

It's Friday......... But listen carefully.... SUNDAY IS COMING!!!

Holy Week...Thursday

2009-04-09T07:44:00.002-04:00

I have stood in a room that some believe is the upper room where Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples that Thursday night.
I have knelt in the garden of Gethsemene near a tree that very likely was there that night that Jesus prayed there. From that garden I could see the Eastern gate to the old city.
I slipped off my shoes and socks and walked bare foot up the stone stairs to Caiaphas' porch where Jesus walked that night.
I have stared at the stone floor of the place where some believe Jesus was condemned to death.

I closed my eyes at each place and tried desperately to imagine what it was like that night. Jesus had so very much to say on that last day with His disciples. The promise of the Holy Spirit...the Vine and the branches... that His joy may remain in us and that our joy might be made complete.

Maunday Thursday, as we call it, oh what a day... my life is enhanced because I have been in those places where Jesus was, but my life is enriched because the Jesus of those places is in me.

Holy Week...Wednesday

2009-04-08T18:08:00.002-04:00

Wednesday was the day before celebrating Passover. If you study the week that Jesus was crucified you will find something recorded each day from Palm Sunday to Friday except for Wednesday. Nothing is shared with us about Jesus' activity on that day. I have always wondered about His activity on Wednesday.

I truly believe that most, if not all, of that day was spent in prayer. I believe Jesus was spending the day with His Father. Maybe He spent a little of personal time with each disciple. Maybe He spent some time with some children. Maybe He spent some of that time making arrangements for the passover supper on Thursday.

Well, I don't know but I feel pretty comfortable with the idea that much of the day was spent in prayer.

I spent some time in prayer this morning for a dentist... exactly at the time he was wrestling with the root system of one of my teeth.

The pain has been pretty intense today but once again nothing like what Jesus would experience in just a few hours.

My Jesus spent lots of time in prayer ... leaving us an example of how to face our every day.

Holy Week...Tuesday

2009-04-07T11:39:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow morning I am having a tooth pulled. I hope pulled and not cut, yanked and jerked out of there. I have a feeling the roots will fight to stay put. But I genrally do not do well with teeth extractions and such. So, I have battled to not stress out, reminding myself of the scripture that says "Be anxious for nothing..." but I think my translation says "...except for tooth extractions"

Just a moment ago when I was silently whining to myself and then telling my oldest daughter Toni (I know that's gonna mess with some of you) about my appointment, something pretty heavy occurred to me.

It is Tuesday of Holy week and in a few hours I am having a tooth pulled which may produce some pain and discomfort. I cannot imagine how Jesus was feeling on Tuesday. Just a couple more days to really reach out to the world around Him.... then pain and suffering that has no measure... and why... for me! and for you!

The Bible says in the night he went into the Mount of Olives to pray.

It's Tuesday and the time is indeed short.

Holy week...Monday

2009-04-06T16:37:00.004-04:00

The Monday after the Sunday of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. What must Jesus be thinking today. Yesterday he declared the stones were capable of crying out praises to Him if men did not. Some times, I'm afraid I can almost hear stones clearing their throats.
The Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Oh, how we should praise Him!

Yesterday the temple was cleansed as Jesus turned over the money tables. Is there something in my heart ...in your heart... that Jesus needs to turn over, to cleanse you...me...of.
He is teaching every day... can we learn from Him?

His disciples, what are they thinking, they seemed so dazed. His Father, anticipating the hours of turning His face from His Son.

It is Monday and just a few days left before the world is turned upside down.

For you & I, is it much the same? Only a few days left? How much longer, Lord Jesus? How many more days?
Work while it is yet day, for the night is coming!

Happy Atheist Day

2009-04-01T09:44:00.003-04:00

So, Just wanted to wish every body a Happy Atheist Day!!!

What, you didn't know atheist had their own national day? Well, it is today, April 1st.
Today is "April Fools' Day" right?
And Psalm 14:1 says "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God."

Hope you all have a great day!

Say What?

2009-03-25T09:28:00.005-04:00

I recently was shown a book that one of our "THIRD GRADERS" from church brought home from school that had language and subject matter that would require a movie to be rated at least PG-13.
I was truly surprised even though I don't know why anything surprises me any more. I will not even give you the first letters of the words used because I really don't need to. In fact you already know the words I am referring to.

Now remember, I said a third grader...not high school or middle school but ELEMENTARY school.

Then yesterday, I sat out at the ball field for five hours watching J.V. and Varsity baseball. I didn't hear one teenager or adult use any offensive language what soever, for which I am very grateful. HOWEVER, they play music between innings and between games on loudspeakers, one of which was right in front of where I was sitting (did I mention LOUD music). I do not know who chooses the music that is played but the only bad language I heard was from those songs. Most of the words used were words that we may not consider terribly offensive, though still unnecessary, there were a couple that made me cringe.

Of course if I say anything in public, I am simply the old, cranky, old fashion, fundamental, intolerant, extremist that wants to complain about everything.

Funny thing, I would have never dreamed as I was growing older that any of those words above would ever be used to describe me. Isn't life funny?

Well, garbage in garbage out... freely feeding that language to our kids even in a school atmosphere and school property... should we wonder what the verbal out come will be for many of them.

Okay, I'm going to take a swig of geritol and prune juice now and go lay down for a spell...before I HAVE one. (A spell that is)

Reasons to Pray (not what you are expecting)

2009-03-23T18:49:00.004-04:00

Here is a partial list of some things that help increase my prayer life...

A group of three or more people walking abreast down a hall way... especially when I'm in a hurry.
Some one relentlessly clicking an ink pen.
An unhappy child who doesn't even want to be at that expensive restuarant.
That precious older person driving 6 miles under the speed limit where there is no passing opportunity.
That precious teenager who has never been taught how far to stay behind a car at night and who also doesn't know how to turn the high beam off.
That precious clerk at the fast food place (mind your own business Jamie) that forgot my fries or gave me a hot dog with relish when I clearly said chilli.
People who make me wait.
That precious person who is about to suck the enamel off their teeth after a meal.
When the receipt paper runs out with the customer just before me.
When cashiers enjoy a reunion and don't seem to notice me standing there ready to check out.

God is so good to supply me with so many things to improve my prayer life.
I hear a pen clicking, I need to go pray now.

One Giant leap

2009-03-09T10:20:00.005-04:00

Remember July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong stepped off the Apollo 11 ladder onto the surface of the moon and said "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"?

Well, let me use part of his quote ... "a giant leap BACKWARDS for mankind."

George Bush by way of veto in 2007 restricted federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to existing cells only and only private funding would be acceptable for new embryonic stem cell research. (I am reasonably sure of my statement) I don't think there were any restrictions on adult stem cells.
Today, March 9, 2009, President Obama is reversing that decision. So now, our tax dollars (I didn't think there were many of those left) will be used to finance embryonic retrieval and storage and research from aborted babies. This action further "legitimizes" abortion...after all if we use those embryos then the abortion wont be a total waste right? Sorry to sound so synical but these days seem to draw that out in me.

Of course this should not surprise anyone seeing how one of his first official acts as president was to increase federal funding for abortions.

This is not the kind of "change" I would have liked.

But here's the good news...ready... the dog is being trained and will soon be delivered to the white house. So all is well.

Daylight Savings Time

2009-03-06T11:24:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour before going to bed Saturday night, march 8th...or you can set the alarm for 2:00a.m. if you wish and do it then, but either way don't be late for church Sunday!!
Blessings

Sunday chatter

2009-03-01T09:53:00.005-05:00

I just finished writing a highly sarcastic blog dealing with our current national condition and our future hope or lack there of.
But after reading it, I simply hit delete on the whole page.

I choose to serve the Lord to the very best of my ability or at least attempting to give my best.

I choose to love Jesus and brag on Him any chance I get. I choose to let him stick out of me as much as possible.

I choose to be contagious and at times border line obnoxious...only in extreme circumstances.

I choose to trust Him...lean on Him and hold on tight. And if my grip fails, I choose to believe His will not!

I choose to pray for my country and my president and my church and my family and you...no really, I just stopped here this moment and prayed for anybody who reads this. So if you are reading this, I have already prayed for you and will do so again.

I choose to sing...can you hear me? And laugh! And shout (I did and I think I scared a child walking past my office)

I choose to say to you... God is alive and relevant and available and loving and joyful and amazing.

I choose to invite you to Chose Him!!

I Hope the current Change doesn't leave us Hopeless

2009-02-11T10:13:00.006-05:00

Well President Obama stated in his inaugural address that "we have chosen hope over fear". Sounds good to me because I believe in hope but frankly my Hope is in the Lord and not our political system. Nonetheless, his tone changed a little last Wednesday when he said "A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe." What happened to hope over fear.

Well, I've got a few fears of my own. The first is the fast action he took on expanding tax payer funding for abortions and as I understand it, not just here but in other places in the world. Another fear appeared when I heard that his very first television interview as president was not with an American network or news company but a Muslim television station where he reminded his listeners of his Muslim ties.

Then there was his emphatic stand on NO PORK in the stimulis package and then when presented it was full of pork wherein republicans called it a spending bill. Mr. Obama's response was an arrogant "What do you think stimulis is?" His statement drew laughter around the democratic chambers, but who is the laugh on?

I am a little fatigued at the continued bashing of President Bush. Has everyone forgotten that just as this president can't just do anything he wants without some house and senate support neither could the last president and he dealt much of his presidency with a democratic congress. Not all of the catastrophe that we face can be blamed on President Bush.

Go back and look at some of Barney Frank's comments about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack when the republican whitehouse was trying to get some things done several years ago.

As I promised on election day, I will and do pray for my president and he is my president, and I do hope he will seek guidance from the same place I am.

Preach it, Brother!

2009-01-27T11:44:00.002-05:00

I wonder how many people have to ask forgiveness for lying after they shake the preacher's hand after a sermon. "Great job Preacher" "Oh, brother that was awesome" "Good Word, Pastor" "Oh, my toes hurt this morning preacher"... well you get the idea.

One guy said one Sunday "Preacher, you sure used a lots of words today!"

I laugh sometimes (on the inside) when people's expressions and eyes and body language scream out something different from what they are saying.

Truth is not every sermon is going to move every person so a preacher can only pray hard, study long and think creatively... the real work comes from the Holy Spirit.

So, with all that said, it is really refreshing when people call or e-mail or show up a day or two or more after the sermon and say things like... "I couldn't shake what you said from my mind" or
"God really spoke to me Sunday and I want you to know that I have already ..." or, "Okay, preacher, here's what I have done since Sunday, can you give me some additional scripture or insight so that I can..."

When I get those kind of calls or comments the week following a sermon, I smile deep inside and thank God for allowing me to be a preacher. That has happened several times already this week and has blessed me greatly (no, it doesn't happen every week).

My sermon this past Sunday spoke to Doing your job, doing it now and doing it right. If God has laid an asignment on you (and he has) do it... do it now ... and do it right.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States of America!

2009-01-20T11:13:00.004-05:00

Today is a historic day of which no one can deny. Barak Obama will be sworn in office in just a few minutes from my typing this blog. What an amazing reality for our nation when you need look just a few decades back to a time when this day seemed highly unlikely.
We celebrated, yesterday, Martin Luther King's birthday and were once again reminded of his great dream for the equality of man in our country. No more appropriate time then today for this inauguration to take place.
President-elect, in just a few minutes to be called President Obama, was not my choice for president and was in fact probably my last choice of all the serious candidates offered a year ago.
I have even been called a racist because I didn't support him or vote for him. That's like calling me a vegetarian if I don't like steak. His race had absolutely nothing to do with my choice or non-choice of him as our president. In fact if race was an issue for any white person, they would need only to consider that he was birthed by a white woman and raised by her and his white grandparents. However, that was not and is not an issue for me.
My problem is his liberalism, having been labeled as THE most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate and the fact that he had and has so very little experience. He had barely begun serving as a senator when he was beginning an all out campaign for the presidency. He is pro abortion even to the extent of partial birth abortion which I cannot understand for the life of me is not a murderous act punishable by the same consequences as killing someone 30 seconds after they are born as opposed to before they were born. I could list many other reasons that I could not support him with my vote and will not (unless there are some drastic changes in 4 years in his platform) in four years from now.
HOWEVER, he is my president now and will be for at least four years and I will stand by him as an American and I will fervently pray for him regularly. I Peter 2:13-17 is God's command to me as a Christian to pray for and honor my leader and that I will do to the best of my ability.

For the first time since Truman, I think, the sitting president will not have the benefit of regular counsel from Billy Graham as his health and age have closed that chapter. I truly hope that President Obama will solicit the counsel of Rick Warren or someone of his strong convictions.

Obama received, overwhelmingly, the voice of our nation on election day and deserves this position based on the will of the people. It is a wonderful story of the American dream. Congratulations Mr. President! My prayers are with you and your family.
May God continue to Bless America!

No winners in the courtroom

2009-01-13T22:33:00.003-05:00

I spent the most part of my day yesterday sitting in a courtroom in Virginia Beach. It was the sentencing hearing for the young man who killed one of our church members last May when driving while intoxicated.
This was a very diificult experience. It would have been easier if he had been an arrogant jerk who wanted to blame his upbringing or being bullied in grade school or abused by a co-worker or something. But that was not the case.
This young man was obviously a decent guy who was liked by every body who knows him. He had a great support system but not one witness excused what he did and in fact each of them seemed quite surprised that this could happen with him. It was testified that he was a faithful and gifted employee and trusted friend, a good son, a servant who even the day before the accident attended his friend's wedding and then stayed to help his friend's mother clean up after the reception.
Truly, any anger that one might have had with the guy, began to melt away...well at least it did for me. My heart was crushed with his brokeness and remorse and his unsoothed devastation for the family of the deceased.
Even the judge was moved with emotion as he handed down the sentence...not a slap on the wrist but a response to the law and it's intended purpose in that he gave him five years and a month.
Handcuffs clicked on the young man's wrist behind his back as he was led out of the room. No one wins...no one!
I boldly announced downstairs to the family of the deceased that they had no choice but to forgive this young man as he pleaded for that and believed that they did in fact forgive him. Some in the family had and some had not.
As I was driving back to Moyock the terrible thought flooded my mind..."Would I be able to forgive someone if this happened to my family?" I guess I can't really say that for sure...but after sitting in that courtroom yesterday, I believe by God's grace I could do that. I do hope and pray I will never have to know the answer to that question.
A couple or three beers ...no problem... maybe not for some... but at least for one, it was exceeded speed, missed stop light, collision with an innocent person, death, heartache and five years...No, a lifetime in prison...or at least the equivalent.

Alcohol, is it ever a good idea? Ask Mr. Covington or Mr. or Mrs. Gardner.
I write this because I care!

Thank You Mr. Boyce

2008-12-28T10:14:00.003-05:00

I remember the time that Robert's daddy had to come to our house and get us out of a locked bathroom. Two young kids probably up to some kind of mischief got locked in the bathroom. My mother couldn't get the door opened from her side and we couldn't do it from our side so she had to call Mr. Boyce.
He came over and in just a few minutes, got the door unlocked, however, I think by then Robert had climbed out the window several times to investigate options that would prevent us from spending the rest of our lives in a bathroom.

Robert's parents were always the cool parents. They were active in church and always involved in parties and programs and so forth. I always loved spending time at his house because his parents were so nice and involved. I had a great home life so it wasn't that I felt unloved or anything, it's just that my parents were older than all my friend's parents. In fact my father was the age of most of my friend's grandfathers. So, there's a lot we didn't do as I wrote in my last blog.

So all my life Robert's parents were always there ... until now. His dad went to be with the Lord last Friday, Decemeber 26th. He will forever be in my memories and I am thankful that he was a part of my life growing up and his influence was a positive one.

Mark's birthday

2008-12-22T20:46:00.002-05:00

Okay, I am really sorry that I haven't written in over a month.

Just in case somebody is kind enough to come back and check, I'll attempt to write a new blog.

Today is December 22nd and is my father's birthday. If he was living he would be 102 years old. He was 49 years old when I was born. So when I was 12 he was 61 which meant we didn't play ball together or go hunting or fishing. We didn't go to ball games or camping trips and I never walked on the beach with my daddy.
So, you may be saying, oh that's sad...well not really, we still had a great relationship. In fact i thought of my father as my best friend. Other's thought he was my granddaddy (which always made him mad) but he was my daddy.
I use to go to work with him...carry shingles on the roof for him and run little errands.
Daddy was an incredible pool player and had in fact played many times with several time world champion Wimpy Lassiter. Wimpy was from our town and in fact lived down the street from us. I asked daddy one time if he ever beat Wimpy and he humbly said he had. But he also said that if you play somebody enough times you are going to beat them occassionally. That may be true, but I never seemed to remember ever beating daddy.
Well, just a tribute to my daddy tonight.
I'll try to write more tomorrow.
I love you daddy and sure wish you could see my girls...you'd be proud.

Election Night, 2008

2008-11-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

It appears now at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night that the country has spoken. History has been made it would seem as Barack Obama is about to win this election. So, what now? It is clear
that we are to do what we should already be doing as believers and that is to pray for our leadership. That is what I'll be doing. Understand that I am not pleased with this decision our country has made and am more than a little concerned about our future as a nation.
But, I know that no man can be elected unless God allows it and if God has allowed this, he has a reason.
The landscape of America has most certainly changed tonight and we have interesting days ahead.
So, let's pray and continue to serve the Lord to the best of our ability and may God be glorified.

My Civic Responsibility

2008-10-27T15:37:00.002-04:00

Well...it's out of my hands now... I have voted!!

Not much waiting this morning at about 9:00 but there was a good crowd there.

The media sure is doing their best to make me think my candidate doesn't have a chance but I can only hope that the American people will arise to the occassion.

Go vote!

Get it Together

2008-10-13T11:22:00.004-04:00

Here are some tips on getting your life in order...

Take responsibility for your own actions ... quit blaming everything and every body else.

Quit playing games with God and relying on his mercy and grace to cover your own stupidity.

His grace is amazing ... but He does have a woodshed...don't believe me...read Hebrews 12:6

Having a bad day and you think that qualifies you to do something immoral or unethical or ungodly or unholy? Wrong...that's when you should snuggle up to God and ask Him to carry you through...HE WILL!

Still asking yourself "Now, let's see, what do I want?" Quit that, instead ask "Now let's see, Holy Father, what do you want from me, for me, in me??"

Quit gazing at yourself and start focusing on the Savior...Let him gaze at you instead...He likes that because he loves you.

Okay, I feel better now...hope you do too!

A few rambling thoughts.

2008-10-07T22:14:00.004-04:00

Stock market is having some tough days
Politicians have lots to say
Gas is a little less high today
Jesus, I believe is on His way

Radical Islamic threats abound
Morality in the world is down
Lots of negative stuff around
Jesus, I believe is wearing His Crown

Prices are high, quality is low
Some say Alaska is losing it's snow
College graduates don't know where to go
Jesus trumpet is soon to blow

This little poem a reminder of sorts
To think about our eternal ports
Final judgement will not be in court
Jesus loves us and all our warts

So, have you asked Him in your heart?
Have you surrendered all your parts?
Have you received a brand new start?
Jesus, died and rose and thus did His part!

Fired Up

2008-09-19T13:56:00.002-04:00

We just completed our Seventh annual Bible Conference here. (Can you still call it annual if you skipped a year??)
Every year some of the speakers ask if there is a theme and the answer is yes but we'll let God pick it. It happened again this year, though I couldn't tell you in 3 or 4 words what the theme was I can tell you that the week simply dealt with the heart of the believer (at least for me it did) and that was awesome, seeing how I just completed a series on "The Hearbeat of God", then these four preachers came in and laid out our part in the equation.
So, our community should be looking for a change because this church has been challenged.

I pray that the fire will only glow brighter and grow hotter as... " the time is drawing nigh."
Blessings

Celebrating my birthday

2008-09-14T22:23:00.002-04:00

53 years ago today, my sweet mama gave birth to her fourth and final child. I was /am the baby of the family. Interesting that she had a miscarriage before me and after me. The one before I was born was on April 20 and the one that happened after she had me was on August 26th. Years later, after I grew up and got married, my oldest daughter was born on April 20th and my youngest daughter was born on August 26th. Amazing.

I love birthdays and today was good. Except that my wife has been suffering with migraines all weekend.

Great crowd at church this morning and the music was great. Tonight, our Bible Conference started and the music was good and the preaching...Dr. Kenneth Keathley...was awesome. We had a good crowd and tremendous response.

So, i am 53 and I feel every day of it. I have enjoyed the cake Dawn baked, the pie Toni made and the brownies that Judy cooked and the dip that Heather made. Life is good.

I am blessed beyond measure and thank my precious Lord for what a great life I have.

Love for My Country

2008-09-04T22:14:00.003-04:00

An American Flag blowing in the wind raises my pride and my appreciation for this great Country. Patriotic music makes my lips quiver and my heart burn. I love this country. I have had the privilege of visiting five continents and several countries. I have had sub machine guns pointed in my belly and I have felt fear in some places and a truly broken heart when having to leave others. My greatest experience happened just months ago when I spent 10 days in the Holy Land. An unfortunate moment occurred when a little muslim boy spit on me. The reality that someone taught him to do that broke my heart, but I simply smiled at him and tried to express some love for that precious little fellow who has been taught hatred.

My daddy served this wonderful country in World War II living in a foreign land serving to protect the freedom of our nation and the safety of others. My brother did the same thing in Viet Nam and I am so proud of him. He still honors his country as a veteran and a Chief of Police.

I am offended when someone takes a stand against our country and then say they love it and want to lead it.

John McCain was not my first choice when this process began, but he is now. A war hero who has touched the lives of so many. A man who has worked for his country and takes hard stands on many issues. Some of those stands are not mine...but his convictions are appreciated and admired. Now with the lady from Alaska...OH MY GOODNESS... My pride has been refreshed and I can't wait to cast my vote.

I am scheduled to be out of the country on election day on a mission trip...but I will have already voted before going to South America and I will find a way to hear the news of the election results.

I pray with all my heart that McCain & Palin will be moving into the White House.

Pray for this country and for our leaders.

Vice President Excitement

2008-09-03T23:21:00.004-04:00

Oh My Goodness!!!
I am sitting here tonight, wiping tears from my face and laughing out loud at the same time. For the first time in a very long time, I had an excitement in my heart that I have hoped for.
Listing to Sarah Palin absolutely encouraged me. I don't know how much of that speech she wrote, but she delivered it with incredible power and conviction.
A war hero and a woman with strength and conviction...WOW!!!
Obama has been named the most liberal senator in 2007 and his voting record has been almost nonexistent. He sat for 20 years under a preacher who blasted white America as a regular activity. His past affiliations have been anti-American types and have you seen his new logo for his campaign jet...unbelievable.
Oh my, I want to vote tonight!!
On top of all this, I am watching CNN right now and they are actually giving very strong reports on her...Amazing!!!

McCain/Palin ... Rock On!!!

Be Careful little lips

2008-08-23T17:17:00.003-04:00

Okay, first off, let me apologize to all of my reading public for being so late in writing a new entry. I hope both of you forgive me.

After hearing the news this morning that Mr. Obama has chosen his running mate...by the way, the fact that one of the candidates for president is younger than me is a little disturbing...but back to the point...I was reminded of four years ago. I remember when Mr. Edwards was asked while he was still running for the Democratic nomination, if he would consider being vice president. He made it very clear (I'm sure it could be easily retrieved somewhere online) that he had no intentions of running in the second spot and if offered he would very cleary turn the offer down. He was quite adament about it. Not many weeks later, he was gladly standing side by side with Mr. Kerry, hands in the air, with a watermelon sized smile...that's right, running for the second spot.

So, this morning, I couldn't help but sigh when they played a clip of Mr. Biden saying he had no interest in being the vice president and he WOULD NOT accept it if it was offered to him. Yet, 6 hours later...yepper, there he was arm in arm with Mr. Obama each with the other hand in the air and there it was...that same smile once owned by Mr. Edwards.

Hhhmmmm how soon we forget.

Reminds me of a little song we use to sing in Sunday School..."Oh Be Careful Little Lips What you say..."

Oh, they also played a clip where Mr. Biden once stated that Mr. McCain would make a good president. Wonder who he'll vote for.

Happy a happy day.

VBS - Special Memories

2008-07-25T17:26:00.005-04:00

Tonight is our last night of Vacation Bible School 2008. Bible school always recalls great memories of my growing up years. I could always depend on attending 3 bible schools each summer. The church we attended, which was less then 3 blocks away and was Southern Baptist. Then there was a small Pentecostal Holiness church just 3 doors down from my house and the preacher lived next door so we went there. Every year a little independent Baptist church would bring a bus around our neighborhood and pick us up for their Bible School.

So, I have wonderful memories of this time-honored institution.

Things have changed over the years for sure. There is still a lot of work that goes into having a successful bible school and it takes a faithful team to do it. A speical thanks to all who participated and especially to Pam Keaton & Kris Rial for all their work.

We had over 100 children each night and many volunteers and people just hanging out. It is a special time for the kids.

So, tonight we go home after yet another year of hard work and good times. We pray that the families we have reached will make us a regular part of their lives. And we also hope that all of these children will carry some of the same wonderful memories that I have for the rest of their lives.

See Dick and Jane run from the writings of Socrates

2008-07-17T15:13:00.004-04:00

It is no secret to anyone who knows me well that I am a hopeless "book-aholic". I love books and I own quite a few. (If one of my former teachers were to read this, however, they would either laugh or pass out... as becoming a lover and reader of books only happened in my adult life)

Taking that a step farther, I have become a collector of old and rare books. I enjoy finding old, original print books and though my collection is relatively small, it is a passion of mine.

Yesterday, I acquired two books that were different in every measureable way.
One was published in 1946 and the other in 1937. The one printed in 1946 has writing and marks and stamps and smudges and doodling and ripped pages. The other is in pristine condition, with no markings or tears anywhere in the book. The one printed in 1946 has suffered back injury as it has been separated from the binding from heavy usage. The 1936 book is in perfect shape leading you to believe that it is only a year or two old.
The book published in 1946 is a small text book. The 1937 book is an academic contribution.
The title of the 1946 book is "Fun with Dick and Jane" and the 1937 book's title is "The Harvard Classics". This volumn includes "The Apology (of Socrates), Phaedo and Crito of Plato and The Golden Sayings of Epictetus and The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius."

The obvious response here is "No wonder there is such a difference in the condition of the books."
Who in the world would want to read such a deep, philosophical collection of thoughts not easily understood? Especially when you can enjoy the ventures of Dick and Jane and Baby Sally running around trying to catch a paper plane or surprise mother or father and say "Oh My, This is fun!" "See Dick and Jane read."

Well, this blog is not a slam on a dearly loved reading instrument enjoyed by millions of children growing up including this blogger, nor is it an indorsement of Greek Philosphers who acknowledge the existence of various gods or even none at all.

I simply found the comparison interesting. What is basic and simple and easy is worn out and what is complex and deep is all but ignored.

On a spiritual level we tend to treat our relationship with the Lord more like "Fun with Dick and Jane" than "The Harvard Classics of Philosophy". We desire the easy, the simple, the surface level approach. No real depth or even mental or intellectual commitment. We will read that book until the pages fall out.
Jesus on the other hand is hoping for something a little deeper from us. He is certainly looking for a relationship that would take effort and time and concentration and even meditation on His word.

I'm afraid that if God were to evaluate us as books in a cover he would find shelves full of worn out copies of Dick and Jane stories and far too few Harvard Classic volumes.

Well, it was just a thought.

This week, I'm a beach bum

2008-07-09T07:32:00.003-04:00

I'm sorry it has taken so long to write...I'll try to do better.

Our family has never taken regular vacations together while my girls were growing up, I regret to say. We have taken our girls to the annual Southern Baptist Coventions most years, but that really is a far cry from vacation even with the one day that we would take to do something as a family.

So, two years ago a family in our church gave us a week of their time share in Pidgeon Forge which ended up being one of our best memories as a family. (sad to say for our first vacation ever as a family my girls were 24 and 20 years old)
So this week...our second vacation as a family... another family has given us a week of their time share in Virginia Beach.
I have lived an hour away from Virginia Beach all my life and I have never placed my feet on Virgina Beach sand in my whole life. Whenever someone says beach to us, we automatically think of the Outer Banks (Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, etc.) Although I have been on the board walk of Va. Beach twice before (once was in a car while we were enjoying the Christmas light tour on the boardwalk) and another time when I ate at a resturant and stepped outside on the boardwalk...but never out on the beach...until now.
This time share room is ocean front, bottom floor... 25 feet from the board walk itself. AWESOME!
Watching people dragging all of their beach stuff for 2 or 3 blocks to the beach really makes me appreciate walking out the door onto the boardwalk out on the sand and down to the water. The whole time, I have a shower, a bathroom and a refridgerator just a few yards away. So cool.
The night life is also neat... wait a minute...keep reading... walking down the strip along with hundreds of families...hearing kids scream while riding one of the amuzement rides ... seeing young people enjoying themselves... listening to live music like a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on one stage and a blues/jazz group on another and a rock band on another.

Just walking and enjoying the sights and sounds and all of it familiy friendly. People are walking, skating, blading, biking and jogging down the boardwalk all the time. I especially like the signs posted up and down the street that have #*@%* (best I can do) with a crossed out circle over it.
In other words "No Cussing" . so cool...

So, it's been a good week and we so appreciate the gift of a week at the beach...Virginia Beach that is.

Have great a week.

You are not going to believe what I saw

2008-06-27T15:24:00.003-04:00

If I told you that I saw a rhinoceros forced off the road two days ago by a caterpillar, I suspect you would either think I am writing this from Africa and that there are some monstrous caterpillars in Africa or that I am heavily medicated.
Actually neither is true but me seeing a rhino forced off the road by a caterpillar is true and it happened on the main highway that I drive on every day.

Here's what happened...I was driving behind this very large delivery truck when all of a sudden, it veered off the road onto the shoulder and slowed down considerably before returning completely back on the road. Then I saw what was happening, a very large truck designed for carrying massive heavy construction equipment (and was doing so) backed out of a construction site into the path of the large delivery truck causing it to leave the road and scaring me half to death (figure of speech of course).

Once the truck went off the road the construction truck pulled back in and let me pass on by.

When I got down the road a little bit, I started laughing out loud as I noticed the picture on the truck in front of me. It was a large Blue Rhinoceros and this was a Blue Rhino Propane Gas company delivery truck and maybe you've guessed it by now, but the piece of equipment on the other truck was a Caterpillar brand Excavator.

So, yes, I did see a rhino forced from the road by a caterpillar.

Two ways to go with this...
#1- There are days when we feel incredibly inaffective and inadaquate, like we have nothing to offer. Or that our course before us is too difficult or the wall is too high or the giant is too big... you get the idea... but with Christ in our lives we need to understand there is nothing he cannot handle. Paul says " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Trust Him and lean on Him and when you feel like a caterpillar facing a Rhino,
let Jesus do the driving.

#2- This is a totally different perspective... Not everything is exactly as it seems. Yes I told the truth about what I saw, but the specifics of what I saw were only emblematic of what is real.
The world has a lot to say about religion and the bible and Christianity and eternity. Make sure that you are dealing with a real rhino and a real caterpillar before you accept whatever the world has to offer. Deal with what is real and you will be safe.

So, drive careful and keep your eyes open ... you never know what you are going to see.
Blessings

Summer time and loving it

2008-06-21T07:39:00.003-04:00

Today is the first day of summer.
Some of my best memories growing up were in the summer.
I remember going out in the morning, coming home for lunch, unless I had lunch at a friends house, then back out till supper and out again until dark. Army...cowboys and Indians...race car drivers...kickball...football...baseball...basketball...bicycles (do you remember ballons or playing cards in the spokes to sound like a motor)... swimming in the river or a sandpit (not a great idea there) delivering papers...cutting yards...reading comic books...summer camp.

Summer camp...we take our church youth to summer camp every year...but it's a little different from the camps I went to. Today our kids stay in college dorms or similar type housing and they have a power packed day. Live, loud and uplifting praise bands lead them in music...some high energy camp pastor comes out in shorts and flip flops and captures the campers attention with funny stories and optical illustrations, etc. One year I watched a guy blow up a cake with a fire cracker for his sermon illustration...hey, the kids payed attention. High tech games and group exercises, along with traditional stuff like softball & swimming are also utilized.

When I went to camp...canoing, swimming and softball and hiking were the extent of activities. At night we met around a camp fire and some local pastor would show up in his black dress pants and white dress shirt and skinny black tie (90 degrees out side) and after somebody played kumbaya on the guitar a few times, the "camp" preacher preached his sermon. Things have changed.

However, what hasn't changed is the life-changing message of the gospel. And one night, when that fully dressed preacher shared that story almost 40 years ago by that camp fire, my heart was stirred and I responded to his invitation and it was then that I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart.

My life has never been the same.

Man I love summer. Still making good memories.

Have a safe and happy and fruitful summer.

Where There Is Smoke ...

2008-06-19T15:08:00.003-04:00

Driving in to work this morning I was once again met with thick smoke in the air. This situation motivated us on Monday to purchase several Oreck air purifiers and we have upped our contribution to sinus & allergy medicines. Our lives have been altered by the smoke in the air. I don't know who gets credit for the statement, but someone has said "Where there is smoke, there is fire". True enough there is fire, in fact at least two serious wildfires burning near us. One is south of us and the other is north/northwest. And though both are serveral miles away they are changing some of the ways we are doing things. For example, I am staying inside more and have even resorted to wearing a mask while watching TV one night.

Isaiah speaks of a fire inside of himself. We often talk about being on fire or having a fire lit under ourselves. The facts I mentioned in the previous paragraph is truth in our spiritual lives. If we are on fire there will be evidence (smoke) and if there is evidence, it will affect those around us. I must ask me a question...am I on fire and is my fire big enough to produce a significant amount of smoke and is my smoke reaching hearts and lives around me?

I do hope the wildfires are soon doused and that I will be less affected by them but I also hope the fire in me is never quenched and that I will have an affect on those around me in a positive and life altering way.

Short Timers

2008-06-18T11:16:00.002-04:00

My wife told me about a boy (man) that grew up in her community who simply passed away with a massive heart attack yesterday. Not yet 50 years old. Her brother spoke to the man Thursday in his yard...no sign of the end coming that was apparant.

NBC's news reports have been dominated this week by Tim Russert's death at the age of 58, also of a heart attack.

Last night at 10:00 I received a call about a 13 year old boy who had suffered a head injury in a skateboard accident and possibly not going to make it ... the good news now is that he is going to be okay... and this morning I was listening to a sermon where the preacher described his day on August 16th of last year when his young wife was killed in an automobile accident.

Those are depressing stories but they serve as reminders of what James says in James 4:14 "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishs away."

Our time on earth is short for sure even if we have 80 years as in comparison to eternity.

Hebrews goes on to say that " It is appointed to men once to die but after this the judgement".

So what we believe when we are alive will determine where we end up after we are dead.

We are short timers, my prayer is that you have come to a place where you have received Jesus into your life and have surrendered yourself to him.

First Blog

2008-06-17T16:53:00.000-04:00

Well, here is yet another first of something I never expected to do. Having heard of blogs, bloggers and blogging I was a little afraid of getting blogged down with all of it...SORRY...

I'm not sure I understand the whole purpose of blogging...is somebody actually going to read what I write and will it add any appreciable value to their life? Well, perhaps not but maybe we can at least provide a smile or two along the way.

So...I attended the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis last week .There wasn't a great deal of controversial action and I don't think we succeeded in offending a whole lot of people this year. Except for the attempt to support an amendment that would call for the removal of all Southern Baptist children from California public Schools. I understood the heart of the man who made the motion but wholeheartedly disagreed with it as the proper action to take. I know it is an emotional issue and will only be so more and more as the days go by, but removing the influence of Christian children (light) from a world that needs Jesus (darkness) is not the answer in my opinion. The motion was soundly defeated.
Well, I hope you will appreciate the historic value of this special event...my first BLOG!