WOW, what a week.

As I’m relaxing in my recliner tonight, I’m going over the whirlwind of the week we just had.  

For those of you who do not know, my son, Preston, plays baseball for a travel team called the Carolina Cubs.  They are a 12U major team that is ranked number 1 in the state of South Carolina and #3 in the entire nation.  The cubs took their game up to Cooperstown, NY, (home of the Baseball Hall of Fame) to participate in a national tournament for the week.  They played a total of 10 games and placed 3rd of 104 teams.  It was probably one of the most memorable trips that Preston had his entire life.  They did a great job and I’m extremely proud of my son and the “Cubbies” for doing such an outstanding job.

While Preston, Shannon (my wife) and Jordyn (my youngest daughter) were up in NY, Jessica (my oldest daughter) and I held the fort down here in SC…….sort of.  Actually, our church had family camp down at the lake this whole week.  We were there from Monday to Thursday.  I came down in the mornings and went back after the evening worship time.    There’s a few things that I learned about our church while I spent time with them and I wanted to share them with you.

1. The people at Daventon Baptist Church are some of the greatest people I have ever met, and I’m so glad to be the pastor of such a great church.   I would say that there were probably a total of 40 or so people that had stayed the entire week with others that would come down whenever they got off work.
2. Mike McCoy is a certified NUT!  I’m really looking forward to getting to know him alot better, especially when he takes me fishing at the pond he was telling me about.
3. I still have not aquired a taste for fishing……..I just don’t understand how people can take pleasure in floating in a boat all night long and not catching a thing!
4. Of the four times that I went fishing……..about the only thing I caught was a hint of a cold and alot of jawing from the guys I went fishing with.
5. Still going over my mind that I need to hold the button down right up until the time when I want to cast……..can’t tell you how many times I cast the line and it went on the other side of the boat, or if I was on the shore, I would usually cast the line around a tree branch……
6. Daventon people can cook……usually when you go to camp, you come back a few pounds lighter……this week I came back a few pounds heavier.
7. On the last night, we cooked all the fish that was caught…….YUM, YUM……and the hush puppies were awesome as well!
8. Looking forward to see what God is going to do with all of us in the near future…….it’s going to be AMAZING!

This coming week will be busy as well…….we are starting up our VBS ministry this Sunday night.  We have a high attendance of 150 people by the last night of VBS.

Waiting on Shannon, Jordyn and Preston to get home, they should be here in about an hour from now!

GOD IS SO GOOD!  Thank you Lord for taking care of us this past week.  Looking toward next week  with some GREAT anticipation!

“AS WE WERE GOING!”

I was part of a mission team that went to Jamaica over a year ago.  Our theme for the week stemmed from the actual meaning of “Go” found in the Great Commission (”AS YOU ARE GOING).   We took that theme and tried to develop it all week long.  Here’s a cool story that came from our willingness to serve “as we were going.”

“Well I haven’t said anything for a month and I know that your ears are itching to hear my voice but since I probably won’t have time to call and tell all of you guys this, I’m just going to write it up here. A year ago and a couple days, I was given the opportunity to go back to Jamaica for a week. I went down there not knowing a single soul except for Marla, Finley, and Ruby. On my flight from Memphis to Montego Bay I prayed the whole way that God would just give me one friend that I can go to and confide in for the week. I didn’t care if they were a guy or girl, old or young, anyone would be fine. Well I got off the plane and made it through customs and was greeted with a smile by Mary the intern and Finley! Finley and I talked for a while while we waited for the other group to get there. The first guy that came out was Jon Lyles. Jon had the brightest look on his face and then if possible, when he saw the ACE sign his face lit up even more. Then came the rest of the crew: Mr. Bill, Mr. Greg, Miss Terri, Nathaniel, Courtney, Amanda, Bekah, Blair, Joel, Jessica, and Hannah. Within 20 minutes I had a friend. Nathaniel. After the Burger King stop I had another friend: Mr. Bill. By the time we had driven 10 minutes from the Burger King, God blessed me with not just one friend to confide in for the entire week but 12. The next day they renamed their group ‘Westside Church and Joey.’ I could write a Harry Potter book worth (the thick ones) on each person and how they befriended me and how I’ve been blessed thus far as a result of them and it would just be a skeletal view of what they did and how they had an impact on me. You know that verse that talks about God providing for all our needs? Or the one that talks about being blessed beyond measure? Or how about the verse that talks about His faithfulness? I experienced it firsthand that week down in Jamaica and the blessing keep on coming as a result of those 12 friends. I am now at North Greenville University in South Carolina as a result of those 12 people. After attending that school for a semester I have made even more friends that lift me up and encourage me. And I know that other people can see the difference that those 12 God put in my path have made in my life. All of that just in one year. So guys, when God says go: Go. When God says grow: Grow. When He says no: it’s not a suggestion. But when He says “I know”: You better perk your ears up and listen to what He tells you, cause it will change your life. The group from Westside changed mine. I don’t know how many times I have told you guys (Westside) this, and I don’t know if you will end up reading this or not but you mean more to me than you can possibly imagine and I thank God daily for every one of you.”

So, step out of that comfort zone and care about somebody today…..you’ll never know what kind of impact you’ll make!

MONDAY MORNING THOUGHTS

It may sound trivial to some, but this is every minster’s reward.   Years ago, there was a young girl that had trouble in her life.  She had no real direction, no motivation to do anything with her life, SHE WAS IN A RUT.   She had all sorts of potential, but found it very hard to believe that she could do something worth while……(she did not have a relationship with Jesus).    After a year or two of investing time with her, developing a relationship with her and simply loving her, she began to make some turns in her life for the good.   She allowed Jesus to enter her life, and since, has been a work in progress…….this is the little note that I got from her last night……”One of the girls I worked with is back on the streets.  She called at 4 am a few nights ago.  Was patient because ten years ago I was making late calls.  Thank you.  Going to bed, hopefully it will be a quiet night! ”  

For those men out there that are tired of working with students, frustrated that you’re not making any progress,   KEEP ON KEEPING ON….it WILL pay off someday!  Here on earth, there could not be a better reward than a personal thank you for the investment that you’ve made on a life.

• Yesterday our service was AWESOME!  I’m absolutley convinced that the MAIN reason why we are still alive and breathing on this earth is because God wants us to share Jesus with those who come into our paths.
• It’s UNBELIEVABLE to be considered an “ambassador” for the cause of Christ.
• Been reading some awesome things in my personal quiet times……The word of God truly is POWERFUL and AMAZING!
• Today is the first day of family camp.  We’ll be going down to the lake and most will be staying there for the entire week.  Looking forward to some great “hang” time with some of the best folks around!
• Preston, Shannon and Jordyn  are all at Cooperstown NY this week playing in the tournament they have just for kids that are 12.  It’s a once in a lifetime experience for those boys and I’m really wishin’ I were there.  They played two games yesterday, (they won 15-2 and 13-1) , they play two today, two tomorrow and then tournament play starts up Wednesday.
• Did I mention that I wished I were there?

Have a great week and remember to try to tell somebody about Jesus!

 

WHOA!!!!

Wow…… most folks got the initials right, from my last blog, but some were rediculously, seriously off……

Here they are:

MJ=Michael Jackson
FF= Farah Fawcett
EM= Ed McMahon
and about to die, WC = Walter Cronkite

Oh and I forgot another “celeb” that passed away suddenly – BM= Billy Mays

and JC of course is Jesus Christ!!!!

I’m still hoping that He comes soon!

 

Have a great day!

Monday Morning Thoughts

There seemed to be an awesome spirit in our worship service yesterday morning. 

• It never gets tiring watching people stepping out and seeking God’s face during an invitation.   There must have been 20 people down at the front yesterday morning praying for GOd to move!  AWESOME!
• Every member IS a minister.  God has a HUGE plan for everyone who follows him.  It’s our responsibility as believers to help each other determine exactly what that looks like and then encourage one another to GET AFTER IT!
• I can’t stand people who call themselves children of God who would rather make the effort to cut down, steal joy and destroy lives and reputations of other believers rather than pick up, celebrate joy and build lives and reputations of other believers for the benefit of God’s KINGDOM!  It’s just not right!  For the people that are like that, (and you know who you are!) I would like to just give a word of encouragement……..(FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH YOUR TIME!  QUIT TRYING TO DESTROY GOD’S PEOPLE GET ON YOUR FACE BEFORE GOD, REPENT AND BEG FOR A HUGE PORTION OF HIS FORGIVENESS, GET BACK ON YOUR FEET AND GET BUSY DOING THINGS THAT ARE PROFITABLE FOR HIS KINGDOM!!!)   I’m glad I’m not responsible for their actions, (my flesh wants to punch their lights out), but I know that THE RIGHTEOUS ONE will take care of them.  (and I don’t think it’s something very desirable!)
• As I read over that last bullet point I thought hmmmm………sounds alot like this verse!!   Uh, I don’t want to be included in that kind of company!  YIKES!
• Be praying for 6 girls and a few adults who are attending camp this week at Camp  LaVida……. LaVida actually means   “98 degrees with no air conditioning!”   (just Kidding) it actually means “THE LIFE!”  Let’s pray that our girls will experience real life in JESUS this week as they are at camp.
• By the way, I’m dead serious about the 3rd bullet point!
• Next week our entire church is going to camp.  Some will actually be staying the whole week, others will come down during the day and go back home at night.    I’ve never been a part of anything like that, but I’m extremely interested in the idea and am anxious to see God move in an EXTRAORDINARY way!   I’m going to buy an ample amount of OFF!
• Alot of famous people died last week…….that seems a bit odd.  M.J., F.F., E.M, and W.C. is about to die…..(if you can figure out the initials, you’ll know who I’m talking about)…………Just ready for J.C. to come for me any day…….. the sooner the better!  EVEN SO COME LORD JESUS!

Have a great week!

in HIS grip,

Monday Morning Thoughts

Despite a mid-morning drenching, we had our highest attended service since I’ve been the pastor at Daventon yesterday.  Each week the attendance has grown.  Looking forward to August 23rd when we willl celebrate the church’s 100 year anniversary! 

• With all the chaos in the world today, the role of the father has never been more vital.  Dads, we need to be unashamed men of God who are willing to guide the next generation in the way that God intends them to go.   We need to take the lead!
• It was great to spend the whole day with the fam yesterday.  God has really blessed me with a wonderful wife and children!
• I love eating lunch at El Tejanos after church on Sundays.  Always will find good friends to chat with while we’re there.
• Mrs. Donna, Mrs. Libby – my family will ALWAYS love you guys (and your families!)
• Shannon was scheduled to have a surgery today to remove a kidney stone that seemed to be lodged, but guess what,  we think that it passed last night.  Kept the stone, cancelled the surgery, she’s going back to have a another xray this afternoon.    PRAISE GOD!
• Yesterday, my oldest hopped on a bus to go to beach camp with FBCS.  We realized that this was the first time in over 20 years that I have not been responsible for  taking a group of kids to summer camp.   Feelin’ a little down, but feelin’ kinda blessed!!!!   
• Got a big week ahead!  Better get on with the day!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

Seems like just when you need it, Jesus throws something right in your face that fills your heart with excitement and comfort knowing that you’re always on HIS mind.

THIS IS A MUST READ FOR YOU TODAY!  Pay special attention to vs. 8!

Be blessed and bask in HIS GRACE!

Monday Morning Thoughts

• Had a great day again at DBC yesterday!  Again, seemed to be a wonderful spirit there.
• I preached from the “stage” today…….felt a little trapped up there behind that big podium, but it was all good.
• Proskuneo = Greek word for worship – To kiss, like a dog licking His master’s hand!   Good stuff!
• When it comes to worship, we should not be so concerned about the PLACE of worship, as much as the PERSON being worshipped.
• Also, authentic worship happens when we realize it’s not the FORM of worship that God is concerned about, rather it’s the SPIRIT of worship!
• It’s awesome to know that we worship a God who is absolutely free from all limitations of space and time and is therefore not to be “trapped” in temples or churches or other “man-oriented” places.
• Looking forward to a great week. 
• Going to the Dr. today for a follow up visit on my back!  I’m sure that he’ll tell me that everything’s going well.
• A little frustrated that LA won last night!  I love pulling for the underdog!  Was hoping that maybe Orlando could pull it out!

 

Life goes on!

The miracle of life!

I had the opportunity just a few minutes to visit a former student of mine who just gave birth to her second child.   Happy to report that mom and baby are doing just fine.  The baby “weighed in” at just 3 lbs. and 7 ounces, which by normal standards today is quite small.  The baby is in NICU right now and will not be able to go home with mom until he gains another pound.   Sounds easy for me……I can gain (at least) a pound by eating a double cheeseburger and fries at The “KING”, but for a baby, the process is a lot longer.  Both mom and dad are encouraged though and tonight are resting peacefully. 

As I was driving home from my visit tonight, I was amazed at the whole miracle of life thing.   God is perfect in his design for everyone of us.  David was on the money when he wrote Psalms 139:13-14.  How in the world can someone ever say that there’s NO GOD when we observe the miracle of birth. 

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  I challenge all who read this blog to pick just one day out of the week to specifically notice the miracles of God around you…….it will blow your mind away!

Have a great weekend!

What? Not John!!!

In the midst of reading and going through a study of “12 Ordinary Men” with 10-12 ordinary guys, I’ve come to a clearer understanding of what it may have been like to be a disciple that walked personally with Jesus while He was here on earth.

This past week our study was on the disciple John.   I always thought of John as a “softy”.  Maybe it’s because most every picture portrayed of him is this pale, frigid, meek kind of guy.  It’s easy for me to forget that he and his older brother James were often known as the Sons of Thunder.   They didn’t get this name because they were good in Sunday School.   Not by a long shot!

In the study, it reveals that John was a very aggressive man that was passionate about everything he did.  He was a very cut and dry, narrowminded, black and white, truth or lie kind of a guy.  His gospel and first epistle support it……, “love the world, hate the Father”, “he that hath the Son has life, he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”  “light or darkness”, ”children of God, Children of Satan”.  Not that what he was speaking wasn’t the truth, ya just gotta think that there wasn’t too much love behind it. 

Walking with Jesus for nearly two years changed John’s life forever.   Jesus helped him gain some desperately needed balance.  He was able to mix in a  little love with the truth. 

That part of John’s life really encourages me.  I’m not perfect (just ask anyone!), but as long as I continue to walk with Jesus, I will continue to grow and be better than I was the day before.  Get it? 

Apparently after walking with Jesus during that time period, John “got it”.   So much that the very Son of God, on his death cross, believed in John so much that he asked for John to take care of his earthly mother.   How would you like to have that task?  Taking care of the mother of the Son of God, the Messiah!

“God, give me the willingness to walk with you every day.   To learn from you.  Help me to change daily, so that I can be more like you!!!”

 

Have a great Tuesday!