Caring for the Community

Over the last few years there has been a huge push to love the way that Jesus loves.  Books like "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan and David Platt's books "Radical" and "Radical Together."  The basics of the books is that by loving people the way Christ loves people they will see the love of the Father and become followers of Christ.

When I first read "Crazy Love" I was moved by it beyond words until I got to the fifth chapter.  In that chapter he began to use the reference at the end of Matthew 25 to say that our mission was to help our brother with physical needs: clothing, feeding, giving drink, and visiting in the prisons.  Any serious Bible student should understand the context of Matthew 25 is post tribulation after the second advent of Christ and He judges the nations for there activity with Christ's brothers, Israel.  But no one seems to take the time any longer to check on such things.  Now, I do believe that the scripture teaches us to be generous and to help our neighbor.  I just would use that passage as a proof text.

As I read "Radical" by David Platt, I noticed that he made sure to say that every instance in which the Church would help the community there was an opportunity to preach the gospel and see people respond to Christ's message of salvation.  This made more since to me in the fact that "It profits a man nothing to gain the whole world and loose his own soul."  Then as I read "Radial Together," and Platt put this concept of the love of Christ in its proper context of the Church I knew that this was some truth in which to cling.

The longer I'm in ministry the more simple things become.  God, life, people, and Church all revolve around one thing: relationships.  God is a relational god that desires to be in relationship and has built all life around relationships.  As we left Katie's game last night we drove by a Church at had made an elaborate light show for people to drive through.  I sure the light show was free, and I know it took numerous man hours to pull it off.  but I wonder, out of all that activity for the community how many lasting intimate relationship will be built that lead someone to the saving knowledge of Christ and encourages them to build the kingdom of God.  Activity as no value in itself it is not attached to some type of relationship.  All you have done is put on a free light show.  I liked the light show!!!  I thought it was cool.  But is that what we as the Church has been called to do.

New Season Church is about to have a big community day in which we provide food, clothing, and toys for the surrounding community.  I think this is a great idea to draw a crowd.  it is a great reason for people to come together.  But if we are not intentional in building new relationships with the people that come, all we will have done is provide food, clothing, and toys. I see so many church gimmicks that are done to make the church member feel good about themselves instead of accomplishing the work of the ministry.  Jesus was so effective because the relationships he built while he was here and the relationship he has built in my heart.  Let's give like Jesus gave! Let's love like Jesus loved!  But in doing so, Let's build deep meaningful relationships that will cause people to be more like Jesus.  God speed to you in whatever you do for His kingdom.

Borger Here We Come

This morning, the girls and I got up to get ready for our flight back to Borger to pick up the last of Katie's things and move for the final time.  For those of you that don't know, when we moved at the end of August to Georgia Katie decided she wanted to finish out her senior year of high school in Borger.  Who would blame her right?  Kellie had already moved to Atlanta to start school and Kim and I were pulling out of Borger after a great 12 year ministry at Fellowship Baptist Church.  On Halloween Katie hopped a plane to surprise us and it worked.  We had no idea she was coming.  We knew that she was struggling being away from us as we were being away from her.  But I was taken back, when in the middle of trick-or-treating she looked at me and said, "Dad I'm ready to move here."  We worked it all out the next registered her for school and she started the next Monday.  While we were in the counselors office getting her classes arranged to coach of the girls basketball team came to meet us and began recruiting Katie for he girls varsity team.   I was so glad because this was the one thing she was leaving behind in Borger: the comfort of her team.

Because the move wasn't planned she left her car and clothes and everything else in Borger (not to mention the airline lost her bag that was never found).  So we needed to fly back on last time to get all our stuff.  We decided we would take the Thanksgiving holiday to make the trip with the Church office closed and the girls out of school.  Kellie and I had a credit with Southwest so our tickets were paid and we just changed Katie's flight.  Kellie was so excited to go because she has has been dieing to see all her friends in Borger.  So tomorrow we will pack up all Katie's stuff in her car and Thanksgiving we will head to Arkansas.

Kim had already planned to fly to KC and take her mom to Arkansas to be with her family in Ozark.  So, we will meet up with her in Arkansas and have Thanksgiving dinner together.  I just love it when a plan comes together.  Then the girls and I will drive on to Memphis to spend the night and then home to Atlanta.

Choose Your Primary Care Giver

In just about any health insurance plan there comes a time that you must choose your "primary care giver."  At New Season Church we are about to enter into a new series if not a new campaign on stewardship.  As soon as you read the word stewardship, I'll bet you immediately started thinking about your responsibility to give to the work of God and do your part.  This would be a correct direction of thinking because the word stewardship is all about your responsibilities to God, your family, and the Church.  The problem with this thinking is it puts you in the drivers seat instead of just along for the ride.

In Matthew 6:24 through the rest of the chapter, Jesus says that in this thing called life you must pick your primary care giver.  There are basically two options in front of you.  The most popular doctor that people choose is money.  The interesting that about the doctor of money is that he has no brain and can't make a decision to save his own life much less yours.  So, he always turns the questions and responsibility back on the individual to make all the choices.  Therefore, when you choose the money doctor you are the one that's in control and in charge of your own destiny.   

The other doctor is the Lord God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings, the Great Physician, and the Lover of our souls.  He has all the resources and all the know how to provide all the care we need.  Not only does he know the struggles your going through, but has already prepared for it.  He doesn't practice medicine He is the medicine.  Money is something he plays with.  He can put it in a fish's mouth or throw it in a mailbox.  He is not governed by it, but is the Governor of it.  When he directs your path you don't have to worry about anything.  You can have faith that God will take care of you.

So, why don't people choose him?  Why do we, the patients, think we know better than the Great Physician?  He has all the knowledge and all the skill to properly diagnose and set us on a path to recovery.  All we need to do is trust Him, believe Him, put our faith in Him, and everything will work out right.  When we put the responsibility on the Lord all we have to do is be obedient to his commands.  We don't have to manage the process because we don't even have enough understanding or information to make the right choices in the first place.  Obedience is our stewardship.  When the Lord says give, you give.  What the Lord says give, you give.  He will manage your money, if you will just turn it over to Him and follow is instruction.

(Brought to you by the offices of J.C., G, & H) 

Vacation in Florida

I'm sitting here on the beach in Perdido Key watching the sun come up and right of the shore line there is a school of dolphins playing right in front of me.  This is a pretty place.  I was so excited to come down here and finally have a moment to relax, unplug, and unwind.  My intention was to come to Atlanta and stay with my parents for a month and do nothing but clear my mind and rest in the Lord.  But, instead I found myself in a Church planting class the first week and Global Focus training later in the week I was given some office space and was setting that up.  Needless to say, I have been going non-stop since we got here.  I have met so many people and made such good friendship.  God has blessed in so many ways with great confirmations of our move.  I am at peace with every aspect of my life right now.  The opportunities for ministry are overwhelming and in all honesty I'm just trying to keep it simple, watch, and listen to what God is showing me and saying to me.  The world can get pretty noisy at times. 

So it is nice to come and be with family for a week, chill out, and watch the sun so faithfully rise over the ocean.   No matter how bad things get or confusing the world is around me I am always reminded of the faithfulness of God because the son always comes up in the morning (or as the scripture would say, "His mercies are new every morning).  I just a little bit my nephews and nice are going to be wanting to go down to the pool and swim before we go and play in the big pool.  I love being a part of their lives like this.  This is a new life for me.  It's like I just came back from the war after being MIA for so long.  I am having to learn the family dynamics and all the characters of people.  people are different when you come to visit then when you live together.  That is not to say it is bad, but just different.  I felt it as soon as I was here for a week.  Before everyone made sure that they came to Mom's house to see me and spend time with me.  Now, everyone is living there life and doing there thing and I have to find my place in the midst of this life that is already established and happening around me.  Don't get me wrong, I love it.  But, it is interesting the way people mesh together. 

I am feeling some of this at Church as well.  We haven't yet joined a Church, so we have been visiting around (which is a first in our lives).  We don't know anybody so again we have to find a place to land in the midst of other peoples lives and begin to mesh.  This process is exciting and scary all at the same time.  If you have any insecurities (and I do)  they all surface at this time.  What if they don't like me or love me?  How do I prove myself?  How do I fit in?  I'm sure these are the same questions my freshman daughter is asking herself as she attends a brand new school in a brand new place.  But, it's not just for teens.  I think we all have those feelings when we make a life change the way that we have.  This is the third life change that I have experienced and it has always been a step forward for me.  God is faithful in all things.

Whirlwind Weekend

I have been so blessed with some the contacts that the Lord has put in my path and some of the new friends I have met here already.  I think back to the early years of my ministry at Fellowship, and I can see God working out his plan for this moment in those moments.  I remember when I first met Ralph Canada on the mission field of Juarez. When he pushed me beyond my comfort zone in evangelism and changed my life and ministry forever.  Fellowship Baptist Church became the world influence Church that it has become because of those seeds that were planted in my heart so long ago.  Ralph and I have been partners in ministry from that day forward.  One of the reasons for moving here to Atlanta was because of this partnership with Ralph and others.  Many think it was just because my family is here, but in all honesty this is just an added bonus. 

Last Friday night Ralph invited me over to his house to meet the fonder and president of Global Focus, Larry Reesor.  We had a great night, eating and talking about the possibilities in ministry.  It was so refreshing as Larry shared with me his testimony of leaving everything he had to follow the will of God that has impacted so many churches and missions around the world.  He seemed excited about the direction Kim and I are headed and the possibilities in front of us.  If you are a church leader I would highly recommend clicking the link on Global Focus and getting more information on how your Church can impact the world for the Kingdom at home and abroad.  I will be going through some training myself at the end of this week.

Kim and I went to First Baptist Church Woodstock this Sunday where I was able to meet Johnny Hunt, the pastor.  We found out this morning that we went to the traditional service and that there is a contemporary service at 11:00 so we will check that out this coming Sunday.

Today we attended the Woodstock Church Planting School.  It was a good first day as we talked about personal integrity as a must for any new minister. More to come on this subject tomorrow.

The Move is Complete

WOW!  I looked at my last post and it was August 12.  That means I was in the middle of Ukraine teaching ESL and getting ready for a wonderful marriage retreat.  When we got back to Borger we had one more night with the Church and said our final farewells.  Then Thursday morning Kim and I climbed up in the U-Haul and started our journey to the East. We wanted to get as far as Memphis but were unsure of the weather that the Hurricane would be throwing our way.  We were able to stop and see some of Kim’s kin-folk in Arkansas and have dinner with her Aunt and Uncle.  We then made it to Memphis through the rain at about 11:00 pm. 

We made it to our new home in Atlanta just in time to celebrate My belated birthday with my Mom on her birthday.  That is the first time I have been home on my Mom’s birthday since I was 18 years old.  The ministry has taken me away from my family all of my adult life.  That is one of the reasons I am so excited about spending time with all of them.  I can be the son, brother, and uncle I’ve always wanted to be.

When we pulled in, my brother’s helped Kim and I get all our stuff into a 10 x 20 storage building (I wish I had sold more stuff).  Then we used the truck to move one of my brother’s into his new house while we had it.  That was a lot on this old boy.  I had bruises on my arms and legs from all the lifting (another reminder of the need to work out more).  But, we got it all done.  Tuesday, I had a chance to just relax and start to get organized.

The whole time I’ve been thinking about what the Lord is going to do with me; which has been nerve-racking to say the least.  I purposely began to read Genesis 12 (the calling of Abraham).  I can’t tell you how much this has ministered to me at this time in my life.  Today I was reading Genesis 15 and 16 when both Abraham and Sarah, at different times and in different ways, had their moments of doubt and worry.  This made me feel normal because I have a tendency to come up with a contingency plan just in case the Lord decides not to come through.  (Embarrassing but true). 

I am praying for God to show me himself in new ways, to reveal his plan through miracles, and to maximize my efforts for His Kingdom.  I would ask you to join me in this prayer.  Thanks for all the prayers during our move. 

It's good to see old Friends

It was a bitter sweet moment on Wednesday night when after my last sermon the Church asked me, Kim, Scott, and Hayley to come to the front so they could lay hands on us, pray, and send us out to minister in Ukraine.  It was definitely the close of one era and the beginning of another.  The plane ride was uneventful, uncomfortable, but uneventful none the less.  I had been warning the team of the long car ride to Rivne after the flight and how hard it would be to stay awake but that we needed to try so that we could get over our jet-lag as soon as possible.  It didn't work we were all zonked out at one time or another, literally unable to keep our eyes open.  When we finally got to our guest homes we all slept like babies wrapped tight in their blankets for about the next 8 to 10 hours.

We all got up and around and went to pick everybody up and found Scott out in the deacon's garden putting pantihose on the sunflowers. I knew, right then, this was going to be a good trip.  God blessed Hayley by letting her stay with one of the pastor's daughters that is also a college student and about the same age.  And Kim and I have the privilege of staying with Pastor Valerie and his family.  They are all sweet people and taking care of us very well.

We went to a pizza shop for lunch and again we couldn't escape the American media that is always playing in the background.  It was not until I started traveling that I realized the power of suggestion that media has on the rest of the world.  I hate the fact that American is the instructor on subjects like materialism and promiscuity, but that is in fact our gift to the rest of the world.  The pizza was good however, and the conversation even better as we talked about how the Lord moves a heart and gives direction to his people.

We came back to the Pastor's house to find ladies mashing potatoes in the kitchen and men firing up the grill.  All the leaders of the Church were gathering for a special meal for us and to talk about some possible changes that are coming to the Church.  The Church is a part of a Brotherhood of Churches and it is hard from one Church to step outside the box and do something different. It causes many questions and sometimes ridicule from the other Churches.  We talked about the reason for change; that it should not be just for the sake of change but for the furtherance of the gospel or goal of the Church.  Traditions are not bad until they hinder the growth of the Church and at that point must be changed for the furtherance of the gospel. We discussed for about 3 hours and with full bellies when to our respective homes for the evening. 

I know there are good things to come as tomorrow we will be speaking in the Churches and encouraging them with God's Word.  Please pray for a moving of the Spirit as we preach and teach this coming week.