Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Come and Go

The lack of taking commitment seriously in the lives of some is glaring. For the Christian we should not live our lives in a "come and go" fashion but a "come and stay" one. Jesus comes into our hearts to be our King forever. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives to seal us forever. The Father comes to direct our steps forever. The commitment God has for us is firm, steadfast, and will never end. We are to be perfect as He is perfect. However, the preacher comes to a church and goes as soon as a better opportunity presents itself (pay raise usually going with it); a man and woman come together in the bonds of matrimony and go apart from one another because of irreconcilable differences; the member comes to a church to see it grow and goes as soon as he or she does not get his or her way; and the Christian comes into the presence of the Lord on Sunday and goes to live like the world every other day of the week.


Being committed is hard but it is necessary. It begins with a resolve to be "come and stay" people. We will stay no matter how bad things become. It continues with a vision of hope. The longer we live, the more we understand that things change. It might be bad right now, but it will not be bad forever. As Mark Lowery says, "It will pass or you will pass." Finally, it is realized with perseverance. There will be temptation, trials, obstacles, and seemingly valid reasons to throw one's hands up in the air and give up, but one stays committed instead. If we will take these steps we can change the culture of the church and even the world from being "come and go" people to those that are like the Lord above and "come and stay" people, which is how it should be.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Unconventional

Last Sunday was Easter. The title of the sermon that day was Living Redeemer and the text was Job 19:23-27. The thrust of the message that for the Christian, no matter how rough, tough, or difficult to handle life may become, a Christian has the hope of the resurrection. A member of the congregation told me they were not expecting Job, which was unconventional but I am unconventional. As I have had time to think about that statement the more I realize it was a great compliment.


Conventional is an adjective that is defined as based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed. Therefore, unconventional is an adjective that is defined as based on or in accordance with what is not generally done or believed. Granted, years ago unconventional would not be a compliment but the way the world is changing (for the worse and not the better), I believe unconventional is the way to go.


As I told the Wednesday Bible Study Group last night, we do not need to do what everybody else is doing, but we need to do what everyone else needs to be doing. We are to be salt and light. We are to be different, even peculiar. We are to be in the world but not of the world. We are to be unconventional. We are to do and believe what is not generally done or believed.


It is unconventional to go to church.


It is unconventional to forgive one of his or her offenses.


It is unconventional to sacrificially give one's time, energy, and resources to meet the need of a stranger.


It is unconventional to share the Gospel unashamedly.


It is unconventional to stand for one's convictions no matter the cost.


It is unconventional to consider oneself last on a personal list of priorities.


It is unconventional to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.


It is unconventional to believe Jesus is the only way to Heaven.


It is unconventional to believe most people will go to Hell.


It is unconventional to believe success is not measured by a balance in the bank.


It is unconventional to believe we are not the most important person in the world.


It is unconventional to believe we should take advantage of every last minute we have, not wasting one.


It is unconventional to believe we will have to answer for everything we do, whether good or bad.


It is unconventional to believe we are not living for this life, but living for eternity.


I have absolutely no problem with being unconventional and hope to become more unconventional today than I was yesterday.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Bowling

Since we are without a student minister at this time, the honor fell to me to take children bowling this past Saturday. There were five children that attended and they all had a different response to the activity.


One asked, "Am I winning?" after every turn at which I could answer in the affirmative because she got to utilize the bumpers because of her age, while the other kids did not have that luxury.


One said, "It doesn't matter who is winning, because I am having fun!"


One said, "I am bored."


One said, "It's not fun, because I'm no good."


One was distracted by his phone and some deer hunting game that he was playing and would have to be reminded to play.


Of course it was bowling but I learned that these five children demonstrated five different attitudes that we can have toward the life that we are living.


Some of us are so obsessed with if we are winning in the sense that we are beating the other guy or gal. Am I more successful in my job? Do I have the bigger and better toys? Are my children the most well-behaved? Do I have the happiest marriage?


Some of us are bored with life. We have lost sight of the great opportunity we have and the limited time that we possess. We are simply going through the motions when it is our turn to participate, doing as little as we can to get the job done and simply going through the motions to let someone else have a turn.


Some of us are hedonistic about life. As long as it is fun, brings pleasure, feels good, I will do it. Unfortunately there is a lot about life that is not fun in the least but must still be lived: taxes, problems, trials, death, sickness, and bad days. Though we are not comparing ourselves to others we miss out on the lessons that can be learned in the difficult times.


Some of us are negative about life. We do not think it is worth living because we are not good at it. We mess up. We fall into temptation. We are never satisfied. We covet the lives of others. We wonder why we can't use the bumpers when the little child does and we were able to use the bumpers just last year. We don't want to move forward and we stagnate.


Some of us are distracted in life. We are not focused on the task at hand and we let other things interfere with our living. It could be past mistakes, the opinion of others, a job, entertainment, or simply laziness. Before we know it time has passed us by and we are eighty years old and we realize that we have never lived.


Jesus came so that we could have life and have it to the fullest, abundant. We are to mind our own business, rejoice in all things, redeem the time,  understand the blessing of being a child of the King, and press on toward the prize. Live life to the fullest. Live life in the will of God. Live life so there will be no regrets (or at least very few) after its short duration. Live life to where there will be something eternal to show for it. Live.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

A Change of Direction

I don't know if anyone reads this blog anymore since there hasn't been any posts since 2010 but the reason there have not been any posts is because of the purpose of the blog. It was about the journey to my first pastorate, which ended at Guthrie Baptist Church where I have served for nearly 4 1/2 years.


I am changing the direction of the blog: It will be about what God is teaching me as a pastor one day at a time (or week, or month). I hopefully will have something to look back on to see how God has grown me and maybe even provide some encouragement to you who read the posts. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do writing them.


On Wednesday nights we are studying 1 Thessalonians and we were looking at the last part of Chapter 2. Paul speaks to the persecution that the Thessalonians had suffered at the hands of their own countrymen just as the Paul, Silas, and Timothy were persecuted by their own countrymen. Persecution can come from anywhere. Paul wants to encourage the believers to continue living in a way that is worthy of God even in the face of persecution and so I believe he gives them three truths that we need to hold dear as we face persecution:


First, those that are persecuting us are adding to their sins daily and wrath has overtaken them. Through our faithfulness one of two things will take place: they will see the change that has been brought about in our lives and change as well by repenting of their sin and believing in Jesus or they will not and get what is coming to them because they will reap what they have sown. God has not forgotten one thing the lost persecutor does to us. We should pity them and do all we can to win them to Christ before it is too late.


Second, we are not alone. Though Paul, Silas, and Timothy had to leave physically, emotionally they were still there. Though we have One that is better than those great missionaries, the Holy Spirit of God that will never leave us or forsake us. He will comfort. He will convict. He will counsel. We have the church and we have God Himself there to help us through the trials of persecution and there is always great hope in knowing that you never have to go through anything alone.


Third, we are dear to others. Paul says they are their hope, joy, crown, and glory. There are people that want what is best for us even if there are those that want us to experience evil. There are those that we encourage to continue on in their work because we are in their lives. There are those that we bring a smile to their face because we are in their lives. We are crown of boasting and the glory of another, which they will cast at the feet of Jesus and redirect to Him for He is worthy.


Whatever persecution we may face (maybe not as severe as some but persecution nonetheless) God knows, we are not alone, and we are loved by others. Hang in there! Keep up the good work! Don't give up! Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. After all, our suffering for the sake of the Gospel allows us to partake in the sufferings of Christ, which is the greatest honor that any Christian can receive.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Journey Ends...Or Just Begins

I am the new pastor of Guthrie Baptist Church! It did not take as long as I thought! If you are ever in town visit us at 217 West Park Street. Sunday School 945 Worship 11 and 6. Wednesday Discipleship 615 Bible Study 7. Thanks for taking this journey with me. See you later!
PS I started October 3.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sorry It Has Been So Long, But I Have Good News

The reason I haven't written until now, is because much has not been happening. But things have changed from the first of July. I have been in talks with Guthrie Baptist Church in Guthrie, Kentucky. The committee has invited to me to do a trial sermon on August 22! I have accepted and continue to pray for the Lord to do His will. Please join with me in that prayer.

Friday, April 16, 2010

A Clarification

First Baptist Church has been searching for a pastor since September of 2008. Three days after the search began, I was told by the committee that they were not considering me for pastor because I did not have my education completed, I was too young, and I did not have any experience as a pastor. Later I was told that it was because I was single. None of these reasons ever really set well with me.

I received another reason today and though the logic is faulty, I can live with it. It is, "First Baptist called me to be the Youth and Children's Minister and I am doing my job very well, and they do not want to mess that up." First let's address the logic. Would they consider me if I was doing poorly? Is that how businesses operate? I believe they promote their associate managers that do well to department, general, district, regional, etc. Do they not know that if another church selects me, the youth and children's ministry would be without and be "messed up"? Wouldn't it be better for me to maintain some stability as pastor and aid the new Youth and Children's Minister? Why could the successs found in the youth and children's ministries not extend to the entire church body? Finally, I thank God that Jesus does not operate that way either. In the parable of the talents Jesus says, "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'"

So I will continue to work under the call that First Baptist has given me until it is replaced with a call from another church or they remove the existing call, replacing it with a call to be a pastor. That is kind of freeing don't you think? I wouldn't have to juggle two positions but just be faithful to one.