Never In My 20 Plus Years

I've been going to Baptist State Convention annual meetings since I was pastor of a congregation located almost off the edge of Arkansas. I have a pastor friend, "Brother Rick," who seemed to like nothing better than "Conventioning," and always encouraged me to go with him to them. I guess old habits are hard to break.

It is nice to get away and get immersed in the news, networking, and preaching that goes on at a Baptist Convention. I see old friends, find out "Whereya at now?," and catch up on preacher talk.

I am also inspired as well as challenged by the reports and messages as they come from the convention floor.

Over the years, Southern Baptists have had plenty to fight over. Convention fights make for large conventions. I've attended the Louisiana Baptist Convention for each of the eight years I've served in the state.

But this is one convention where "I seen so many things I ain't never seen before." (Apologies to Hoyt Axton)

First, the attendance. The announced registered messengers at this year's Louisiana Baptist Convention was just over 700- less than half of the number registered just a few years ago. No controversy, (sigh) no show.

Second, I don't recall any motions being offered from the floor when time was alloted. A Baptist meeting and no one made a motion? Yes, miracles still occur. Even the resolutions, quite a sticking point in years past, sailed smoothly through the business session.

In one convention in Texas I attended, I voted on every motion and was in the majority on only two: the motion to extend time for debate, and the motion to adjourn. Hey, I have to feel I've won something.

Third, officers were handily elected- with one exception. That is a remarkable occurrence. When it came time to elect a second Vice President, there were NO nominations. No one took the floor. No line of messengers stood before the floor microphones ready to nominate and debate.

What do we do?

Mercifully, we were rescued by a messenger who finally came to a mike, was recognized, and then proceeded to nominate his son for the position. He then observed, "I don't know if he is even on the Convention Floor right now!" What 'till the boy hears what his dad just did!

How about that! Nominated after an embarrassing pause by your father, and you weren't even there. The moderator gratefully accepted the nomination and since there was no opposition, had the Executive Director place a unanimous ballot on behalf of the nominee. Now we had a new second Vice President. In years past, it seemed that virtually everyone at the convention had someone to nominate for President, Vice President, or Second Vice President. At the very least, everyone had a favorite in the race.

Not this time. There wasn't even a race.

Finally, another first for me, the avid convention goer: The annual Convention sermon scheduled to be preached by our president, Rod Masteller, on Monday evening was really not a sermon at all.

It was a message from a man with a broken heart. He literally wept as he spoke of his burden concerning the sins and hurts of our nation. He concluded by challenging us to fast at least once a week and seek God for our country's repentance and revival.

There was a sustained, holy hush over the assembled messengers. When he finished, the somber tone settled over us and we weren't sure what to do next. As he challenged us to pray, dozens of people knelt at their seats (on the concrete floor) or near the stage and prayed. The man who was to dismiss the session in prayer commented that we had just heard from a "weeping prophet."

I and my friends with me felt moved and challenged. A man had spoken out of the deep recesses of his soul and it was humbling to us all.

I've never seen that at an annual meeting of a Baptist Convention, either.

Perhaps humility, brokenness, and weeping would be a very good place to begin a new tradition at our Baptist gatherings.

All those in favor?

No, It's Not Me, Either

Barack Obama

David Holder and 6 other friendslike him.

Like

No, It's Not Me

DAVID HOLDER

Published: 11/03/2010

David Michael “Snooky” Holder, 57, of Texarkana, Texas, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at his home.

Mr. Holder was born Aug. 7, 1953, in Texarkana. He was formerly employed with Red River Army Depot, a carpenter and a Baptist.

I find the obituary striking, not only because we share the same name, but also the same hometown, birthdates in August, and are close to the same age.

I did not know him, but I do send my sympathy and prayers to his family.

Sony Walkman, R.I.P.

The Sony Walkman portable cassette player was born June 22 1979 in Tokyo, Japan. Walkman passed away October 25, 2010, being aged 31 years, 4 months, and 3 days when production ceased.

His death is due to complications produced by a proliferation of other portable music devices such as the Apple iPod. Ironically, observers believe Walkman's death was accelerated due to his own popularity.

He is survived by a descendant, the Discman, now living in Asia, and also over 220 million units representing more than 300 different models.

Though his life was brief, he made his mark in society, both in popular culture and the English language. The Oxford English Dictionary lists the term "Walkman" to describe any cassette player.

According to a family tradition, Walkman was born in order to allow Sony's chairman to listen to his opera collection on long plane flights.

At his birth, one of his parents, Akio Morita, stated, "This is the product that will satisfy those young people who want to listen to music all day. They'll take it everywhere with them, and they won't care about record functions. If we put a playback-only headphone stereo like this on the market, it'll be a hit."

Walkman's mourners recall sitting in the backseat on car trips, shutting out all distractions. One mourner, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalled jogging many long miles with Mr. Walkman firmly clipped on his waist and the thin wired foam earpads on his head. Another fan commented that her first memory of the Walkman was lying in bed at night and falling asleep with Huey Lewis and News' Fore! cassette playing Power of Love in her ears. Others recall Walkman's adolescence, when he gained auto-reverse and Dolby noise suppression.

He's BAAAACK

However, some reports insist that Walkman's death might be greatly exaggerated. Production is only ceasing in Japan, but the device will still be available in the U.S.

In other ironic news, the iPod, a distant cousin and among suspected killers, celebrated its ninth birthday on October 23 of this year.

Miss Church This Sunday!

Yes, it's true.

In his account of a revival that broke out in Western Canada, pastor Bill McLeod told how it all began: with prayer.

He said:

I began by emphasizing the Wednesday night prayer meeting. We had around twenty five people attending. I would say things like this, ’Miss Sunday morning if you have to; miss Sunday evening if you must; but never miss the prayer meeting unless you are dead,’ People began to take this seriously and the prayer meeting began to grow.

Encouraging Words

Not coincidentally, I began a new sermon series last Sunday. I call it "Giving No Ground," base on Ephesians 6:10-20. I chose that title due to the repeated emphasis in the passage on either standing or withstanding the onslaught of the enemy of the soul, the devil.

It just so "happened" that I had come to that point before our weeks of revival emphasis. I had been preaching through the book of Ephesians and stopped at 6:9. How's that for timing?

Also, I was aware that after revival, some in our church would begin to feel acute spiritual opposition and warfare. As I was researching material for this Sunday's sermon on being armed with the Lord's armor, I found these statements from George Mallone in his book, Arming For Spiritual Warfare. They are enlightening and encouraging. I post them here with the prayerful hope that they will encourage some reader as well:

When Jesus sees illness, he never treats it as something good for the person, but rather he heals it. On the other hand, when he speaks of persecution, he treats it as something necessary in the course of history, something to be endured rather than avoided (Mark 13:9-13; John 15:18-27. He commands his disciples to heal the sick (Luke 10:9; Mark 6:7-13) and to endure suffering and rejection (Matthew 5:10-12).[1]

…Every time I heard from God and obeyed his voice, I was rocking the boat- and persecution came. I now believe all of us are at our best when we are receiving some degree of opposition, especially when we are attempting to expand the kingdom of God.[2]

In other words, kingdom expansion and spiritual warfare through persecution go hand in hand.[3]

---

[1] George Mallone, Arming For Spiritual Warfare, Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1991, 52.

[2] Ibid., 53.

[3] Ibid., 54.

Revival Quotes

I said there would be more on revival...

"Revival is like peeling back the layers of an onion." -Laine Johnson

In those layers are sinful habits and strongholds which need to be acknowledged and forsaken. Deeper sins lie beyond the surface. Someone pointed out additionally that the deeper one goes into an onion, the smellier it gets as well.

"Revival is messy." - Laine Johnson

It sure is. It messes with our schemes and plans. It messes with our pride and self sufficiency. It messes with our smug self righteousness. These are not things disposed of neatly.

"Revival is a painful process, like a scalpel cutting flesh. But in the end, if it does its job, healing can occur." -Laine Johnson

"In the eight years I've been on the road, I haven't seen revival break like this- and so early." --Wilson Green

"Lord, we have a little thimble of water standing in front of an ocean of what God can do."

-Wilson Green prayer

We saw just a little bit of the power of God manifested among us. There is so much more that God can and wants to do. Does our church realize the reservoir of power available to us? How easily satisfied we are, and often with so little!

"Christianity is countercultural."- Unknown

Christianity is a beast that cannot be tamed. Throughout the ages, attempts have been made to make it culturally acceptable and less objectionable to the masses. Today many attempts to "make the church relevant" to the unchurched at the end of the day emasculate the gospel and make it appear to be just another trend or fad. No one truly wants to be rejected, I am sure. However, the message of Christ requires radical acceptance and reordering of life and its priorities. The culture of the day -any day- stands opposed to that move. No, best to allow the faith of Christ to be what it is rather than attempt to make it more palatable to a fallen, sinful world.

In the previous post, I observed that each season of revival differs from others. But I expected that the revival team would quite often witness outbreaks of a move of the hand of God. Why is it different at my church? I have some thoughts, but they must be further processed before they can be shared.

I'd be interested in my reader's thoughts on this one. The ideas have been rolling around in my head for some time. This week I committed them to poetic form on paper:

"Desperation is the door.

Prayer is the key

That unlocks the door

To the room of revival."

Thoughts?

Revival Time!

A pastor's life can be very busy. I'm out lots of evenings and weekends and often in emergency situations. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to even blog lately.

For the past almost three weeks, I've been out each evening. We spent 1 1/2 weeks with a Life Action team for a Revival Summit. For the rest of the second week, we had an extra evening to meet and process the events of the Summit, then a Love And Respect Marriage Conference in Houston, followed by Sunday services, then across the river to share what God has done at First Baptist, Sulphur, with the fine folks at First Baptist, Lake Charles who are now hosting the team who was with us.

Then it was a Stewardship Committee meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday prayer meeting. I was home Thursday evening. Yeah!

Regardless, the days of the Revival Summit were some of the best times of my life. Many evenings I didn't get home until 10:00 or later. We started the evenings at 5:00 with a light supper followed by the summit. The body was tired, but the spirit refreshed.

God sent us a team of people hungry to see God move through them in the churches they serve. God sent me two men (whose pictures are on this post) who seem to love nothing better than to pray and to seek God. There are so many things I can share, for my heart is full.

Among the Revival Reflections (how's that for alliteration?) in my journal:

1. The team who came to lead us fasted and prayed for us many hours while they were here. What of us here? How badly do we wish to see God move at our church?

2. I learned that I can attempt desperate prevailing prayer- and enjoy it, thought it is sometimes painful. Time seems to quickly pass. I also learned to pray in all sorts of postures.

3. These two men, Laine Johnson and Wilson Green, are men who really pray. Of the things I already miss the most about the week and a half, it is the time of praying for them and with them.

4. I am learning to follow the Spirit's leading more closely. Over the years, I have been guilty of reading the latest church growth book or wanting to implement the hottest strategies, all the while tipping the hat to prayer and seeking God about it. I have often put more trust in programs than in God. When His power is manifested, no program, strategy, or scheme can duplicate or come close.

5. Revivals have similarities and differences. From the first service, the team seemed to be on different ground. Things they planned to do or subjects they planned to address seemed to be secondary as we sought the Spirit's leadership. There are common qualities in revivals of history. But in many ways they are like thumprints- unique.

6. What is next? Our staff, seeing God move among us and in us, determined that we did not wish to go back to the "way it was." What does the future look like? We don't know. One staff member said, "It would be better for us never to have experienced these days of revival than to have experienced them and then go back to the way it was before." Amen!

Other observations:

1. There were several spontaneous eruptions of prayer during those days. We began noon prayer meetings almost three weeks ago. They are continuing today. Even the children's group paused one night to pray 30 minutes for revival. Testimonies given publicly indicated new burdens for prayer. Team members prayerwalked our property. On the Friday night with no services scheduled, several of our members prayerwalked our grounds and went on to the High School football game being played nearby. They prayerwalked there as well. Our home team lost anyway. But that wasn't the purpose of their prayers!

2. I know of at least three people who were prayed for by name. Two of them gave their lives to Jesus Christ during the Summit and the other gave up some sinful habits.

3. My priorities- the ministry of the word and prayer. I have been greatly lacking in these areas. Why do we pray a little and work a lot? Shouldn't that be reversed?

Finally, perhaps the true test of the impact of revival is what happens after the revival leaders leave. Last Sunday we had church! We began morning worship at 10:30 and finished up around 12:40. There was one salvation during the service, one marriage vow renewal, a baby rededication, several ministries were prayed over and intiated, a family joined the church, a number of folks gave testimonies and words of encouragement, and one single mom who just "wandered" in tearfully admitted her need for repentance and forgiveness. Then Sunday night, four more precious young folks gave their lives to Christ. And none of it was planned!

This, I pray, is "only the beginning..."

Revival! I'll have more to say on this subject in upcoming posts.

Guest Book Review: The Jesus You Can't Ignore

We are in the midst of preparation for revival this week. We have a team leading us, but actual revival has not fully manifested itself. It will surely come, I believe.

Therefore, allow me to share a book review from our church librarian, Lydia Bryant:

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore
by John MacArthur

John MacArthur, the author of The Truth War and numerous commentaries paints a portrait of Jesus Christ that will take your breath away in his latest book The Jesus You Can’t Ignore.

In this age of political correctness & global mind-set, current thoughts on Jesus and Christianity seem to have departed from the belief system of yesteryear. John MacArthur reveals the issues of today where all aspects of Christianity and the Bible are brought into question.

Was Jesus a pacifist or an instigator? In this book you learn the reasons Jesus always seemed at odds with the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

You learn the historical context of each Biblical passage mentioned and you will definitely meet the Jesus you can’t ignore.
-Lydia Bryant, Librarian

Got to get reading!

I Don't Know...I Just Liked The Picture

Supposedly found outside Frank Sinatra's House.

Customer Service A Relic

The letter to the editor explained that customer service is now a relic. People talk on cellphones while checking people out. Sales clerks look apathetic and show sour faces. I heard one recently complain loudly to no one in particular that she was "gonna take her break," and they'd better get her some help.

So customer service is a relic?

To quote John Wayne in Big Jake responding to a questioner who told him he though Jake McCandles was dead:

"Not hardly."

I was in our local mall the other day. I needed to replace the plastic protector over the face of my iPhone. I had bought a package of 3 at the phone store and found that all three eventually crinkled, curled, and otherwise refused to lay down flat on the screen.

I was greeted at the booth by young man who, while serving a customer, acknowledged my presence, smiled, and said he'd be right with me.

In fact, after a short time, he finished the sale and waited on me. I explained that I wanted a plastic protector on my phone's screen. He explained the reason for my trouble was a case that forced the previous protectors to curl up. What I need was his whiz-bang case that fit down over the top of the phone as opposed to sliding together. In fact he had personally dropped one of his whiz-bang covers from a 30 foot ladder with no evident damage. Then we could place the protector on the phone and never have another worry.

Presto! He snapped his cover on my phone with a confident smile.

I was sold. (But what was he doing dropping cell phone covers from a 30 foot ladder?)

In a short time, he carefully affixed the new plastic protector and cover, assured me I'd never need another one again, and made me about $30 poorer. I went away happy, even though I'd only expected to spend $10.

I'd been served.

After he took my money, again with a smile, he introduced himself, shook my hand, and said he'd work hard for my business. Selling cell phones and accessories is a very competitive field. He understood that and gave a bit extra to earn my business.

He did. I'll be back.

Customer service lives on!

Great Moments In Ministry

I recently had an email conversation with a church member. In one of his posts to me he said,

"I know pastors take a lot of heat for everything from the type of toilet paper we have in the bathrooms to the freshness of the communion bread."

That reminds me of a story a preacher friend of mine tells:

His young daughter had been considering becoming a Christian by asking Jesus into her heart. There were earnest conversations, but he refused to push her into a decision, preferring to allow her to come on her own free will and trust God to lead her.

On one occasion, after he preached his sermon, he stood at the head of the aisle and invited anyone who might "have something on their heart to share with him" to feel free to do so.

Just then, his precious daughter stepped out of her pew and toward her father. Recalling his conversations with her about becoming a Christian, and believing this to be the time, he felt a wave of emotion and began to feel his eyes moisten.

As he got down on one knee to hear his daughter's precious words, those for which he had prayed and waited to hear, she said, "Daddy, there's no toilet paper in the girl's bathroom!"

He explained... "I did say, 'If you have anything on your heart to share with me right now, please do so!'"

A Surprise Statement

"There's just no data to suggest this is an environmental disaster. I have no interest in making BP look good — I think they lied about the size of the spill — but we're not seeing catastrophic impacts."

Read more here.

With all the publicity, speculation, bungling, and confusion, this is a startling statement from a former LSU professor and scientist.

Perhaps the environmental concerns will be lessened. However, there is certainly an impact to our state economy as well as the cost to so many people who make their living along the coast. The impact of the oil spill in their lives remains to be seen.

Many are speculating that our state economy will take a big hit due to the spill. This comes on top of an already sluggish economy operating in our state and nation.

God's creation has a remarkable resilience. I pray that we do as well.

A Surprise Honor

It was my family's privilege to attend the 60th anniversary celebration at Southside Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas. I served as pastor there for almost ten years. I was invited to speak as well as share the moments and memories of that church's years of ministry. It was fun to see old friends and relive memories. It hurt a bit to see a dark haired, slimmer and less wrinkled man who looked like me and grinned like me in some of the pictures.

I enjoyed preaching in that beautiful auditorium again, and sharing some history. I especially enjoyed recalling a time when God miraculously provided the finances as we were attempting to finish our new building.

Those were all somewhat expected. One thing occurred at the celebration that I did not expect.

I was honored with "Pastor Emeritus" status. I not only received the honor, but another former pastor, Bro. Bobby Powell, was similarly honored as well.

As Bro. Powell received the certificate making him Pastor Emeritus, he had a two word response. "I'm scared," was all he had to say.

I felt the same way.

One reason I felt a bit of fear was because I seem to remember that Pastor Emeritus status is given by church action AFTER a man retires. It honors the years of ministry and service a man has given a congregation. It has no legal rights or standing. It is simply a way to recognize what a pastor has meant to a congregation he has served. Think of it like a being made an honorary member of an organization like the Kentucky Colonels and you have the idea.

As I thought about it, I thought I was too young, not quite gray haired enough, and certainly not worthy of such an honor.

But more than that, I was deeply humbled. When the pastor of the church, Dr. Kirby Hill, gave me the "heads up" that this was coming, I felt deeply moved. I wanted to cry.

I honestly believe that of all my awards, honors, and degrees, this one thing means most to me. I have not for years posted my educational degrees on my office wall, but this one will be displayed prominently. It is a precious gift of acknowledgement. It reminds me that perhaps when I began the journey into ministry over 30 years ago, it's been worth it.

Worth it to prepare, pray, serve, cry, bury, marry, and baptize people. Worth it to hurt with them and help them. Worth it even to be hurt by them, and probably wound some myself.

It is worth it because I was called to this ministry. I could then, and still cannot today do any other, God help me.

But whether I was recognized or not, it has still been worth it all.

Thank you, dear congregation of Southside Baptist Church. You have done far more for me than I could have possibly done for you. You honor me greatly. And you bring tears to my eyes as I consider the magnitude of it all.

But may I remind us all- Soli Deo Gloria- "To God Alone Be The Glory!"

Glory!

Today I Am A Ham

It's official! Last week, I took a lark and did something I have considered doing since I was about 10 years old.

I took a test and passed it.

It was for the "Technician" class of Amateur radio. I became a "Ham" operator. Checking a website reveals that I have received my call sign- KF5HUP. The only problem is that I don't have a radio.

But then, one can be ham without a radio.

When one of my church members (KA5SUR) who was at the test site learned I had passed the test, he called his wife and told her that "We now have a Ham for a pastor. He claimed she replied, "I know that, but did he pass the test?"

Oh, well.

QSL?

Christmas In July

It is no secret that Greater Vision is my favorite Southern Gospel singing trio for a number or reasons. They recently posted a behind the scenes video of an upcoming Christmas CD they are making. As I watched it, I felt the Christmas spirit anew. What a wonderful time of year!

Even in July!

Enjoy the spirit!

No Comment Needed

Bengal

Few people have probably ever heard of Johann Albrecht Bengel.

John Albert Bengel was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on June 24, 1687. He earned a M.A. and a D.D. degree at the Theological College of Tübingen, Germany. In 1713 he was promoted to the head-tutorship of a theological seminary at Denkendorf.

He was known for his biblical scholarship, particularly of the Greek New Testament. He produced a number of critical commentaries and a scholarly acclaimed version of the Greek New Testament, as well as a number of other books. He was also given to speculation about the end of the world in one of his important works entitled: Ordo Temporum,
He was no stranger to tragedy, having had twelve children born to him, half of whom died in infancy.

According to one biographer, on Thursday, November 2, 1752, having heard the words, "Thine I am," he laid his right hand upon his heart, to signify his full assent; and fell asleep in Jesus.

I have come to know him better through my rediscovery of a number of his scholarly works available for study on the internet. I have been using his commentary on the book of Ephesians to my great benefit as I have preached through that book this year. It is amazing that books almost 300 years old still bring great benefit today. I consider this another affirmation of the timelessness of the message of the Bible.

Today I post a number of quotes from a sketch of his life by A.B. Faucett:

“If my usual style has any peculiarity, it is that of omitting all needless words and things. Here I have somewhat imitated the ancients. Constant reading of the classics has given me quite a liking of their simplicity.”

Comment: The precursor of "K.I.S.S.?"

On solitude:

“Retirement secures me from too much of this world’s din. Thus I get leisure for building myself up in a recollected consciousness of God; without which we are liable to pass away our term of life we know not how.” “All I am and have, both in principle and practice, is to be summed up in this one expression— the Lord's property.”

On trials:

“If it be said to me, ‘ Surely you too, as one of God’s children, must have had your share of trial,’ I reply, My chief suffering was of a spiritual and secret kind. It came on slowly, and continued long. An unaccountable pang would surprise me at the thought of an approaching eternity : not that I had any perplexing dread of misery, though I was not able cheerfully to look forward to the happiness of a future state. God’s great design is at present not to delight us with pleasant experiences, but to exercise us as His faithful people. Let me, therefore, trust God for the pleasant things as realities laid up in reversion : for I know they will come in all their fulness by and by, with eternity. As little children give their sweetmeats to their parents to keep for them, so my pleasant things are safer in God’s keeping than in that of my own treacherous heart. Forgetting the past, and not taking thought for the morrow, I stand before God to-day as His daily pensioner.” 1 Kings xviii. 15.

On the examined life:

“Busy memory often gives me disquietude. If I have uttered an unbefitting word, or taken an unadvised step, though many years ago, the thing recurs to me, and by little and little gains within a troublesome ascendancy. But this makes me better acquainted with myself, and humbles me often into such submission to God, as to be willing that my most secret faults should be published by Him in the presence of all His creatures.”

There was one area of knowledge of which Bengal admitted his own inadequacy:

He said that if he desired the most perfect intimacy with real Christians on one account rather
than another, it was for the sake of learning how they manage in secret to keep up their communion with God.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Something just seems wrong with this headline and story. I just can't figure out what it is. Now, what could it be? Hmm.....

Alicia Keys expecting baby, plans to marry

The R&B singer is pregnant with her first child and is engaged to be married later this year.

Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da

For many years the opening bars of "Insight For Living" rang in my memory.

"Insight For Living" is the radio ministry of pastor/preacher/author Chuck Swindoll. I've often thought that he more of a "Chuck" than "Charles."

For years, I have listened to his sermons, read his books, and gleaned many thoughts from him. And, well, I may have used a few of his thoughts and outlines in my own sermons and teachings. Of course, I was always careful to give him credit for being the originator of the material. (Yeah, right!)

Anyway, not long ago, he shared some lessons he has learned over 50 years of ministry. They are worth rebroadcasting on this blog:

“Fifty years ago, I was a first year student at Dallas Theological Seminary. I was scared, unsure of myself, and fresh out of the Marine Corps. I did not know much about seminary.

“I remember sitting in chapel, and a minister told me, “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person and crushes him.” I am so proud of everything you are dreaming of and doing that I hope that you remember to leave room for the crushing.

“10 Things Chuck Swindoll Learned in 50ish Years of Ministry:

It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decisions, the lonelier it is.

It’s dangerous to succeed. It is dangerous to succeed while being young. Rarely, does God give leadership that young because it takes crushing and failure first.

It’s hardest at home. Nobody at home is applauding you. They say, “Dad! Your fly is open.”

It is essential to be real. If there is one realm where phoniness is personified it is leadership. What I care about is that you stay real.

It is painful to obey. There are rewards, yes, but it is painful nevertheless.

Brokenness and failure are necessary.

My attitude is more important than my actions. Some of you are getting hard to be around. And your attitude covers all those great actions you pull off.

Integrity eclipses image. What you are doing is not a show. And the best things you are doing are not up front but what you do behind the scenes.

God’s way is better than my way. God is going to have His way.

Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

I really like the second thought. I recall learning that lesson with clenched fists. But that's all for this time.

Stay tuned to this blog 'till next time.

"Da-Da, Dih-Dah-Duh, Da-Da"

Advice To New Graduates

I recently took an (informal) Facebook poll asking for advice for this year's new graduates. Several people- mostly women- responded. Yesterday in my sermon, "A Graduation Gift I'd Gladly Give,"which you can find here, I promised to post the entire results.

Here's some good advice:

"Look for a good mentor in anything you do. Most of the time they can help you avoid a lot of pitfalls."

"Realize that for every choice in life their are consequences and be wise by learning from others experiences. A wise man is one who having the power of discerning and judging properly as what is right and true."

"Get a job! Lol! Just kidding! "

"Listen to your mother. She is always right!"

"If you want it..GO FOR IT NOW! If you wait...you may never do it..if you never do it..you will regret it the rest of your life!”

"Dream big, even if it looks out of reach. Hold on to that dream and do whatever it takes to make it a reality!

"No matter where life takes you, don't forget what is important: God and family."

"Don't wait to get a job in the field in which one studied. I graduated in 07 " and have done nothing with it . Hopefully when I job hunt I will remember what I learned ..Keep moving ! Just keep moving !"

"Be kind, caring and compassionate. "It is not how much you love but how much you are loved by others.....""

"There are plenty of lemons out there but there is also sugar. Have fun!"

"God made you wondrously beautiful...find your talents embrace them and be all that He allows you to be. "

"Don't get discouraged, work hard, trust in the Lord, and keep a close watch over your finances and everything will be great

"1. You can be anything you want to be in this world if you work hard enough for it. 2. School isn't finished 'til you graduate college!"

"Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them!”

"Keep your eyes on Jesus"

Good advice worth heeding. Any more?

Coming Soon: To A Church Near You

Formula driven contemporary church:

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Isn't it interesting that what is considered "relevant," "contemporary," and "fresh" can itself become routine driven and formulamatic?

It's nice to know we can poke fun at ourselves.

This One Made Me Smile...

Seven thousand copies of a cookbook called the Pasta Bible have had to be destroyed because one of its recipes recommended adding 'salt and freshly ground black people.'

The Atheist Preacher Should Get Out

It was recently reported that a Dutch church assembly decided that a pastor, Klaas Hendrikse, had views that were "not fundamentally differ from those of other liberal theologians in the Protestant Church.”

Hendrikse claims to believe that God does not exist and stated those claims in a recent book.

He explains, “To me God is not a being, but a word for what can occur between people.” He has since been loosely referred to as “the atheist preacher,” although he has not declared himself a total non-believer. His theological gobblety-gook sounds much like that of former Beatle John Lennon who once wrote a song which included the line, “God is a concept by which we measure our pain.” What does it all mean?

Outside of an "atheist preacher" being an oxymoron, how can a man serve a church and minister in the name of a Being he claims does not exist? What does this "preacher" even have to preach? Unbelief?

Then he should get out of the church.

More disturbing than the existence of an "atheist preacher" is the fact that his governing body decided that it was perfectly acceptable for this man to remain as a preacher in his denomination. The fact that an unbeliever remains a minister in the church and church leaders see nothing wrong with this says volumes about the state of the church in the Netherlands.

Could such things happen in the American church?

No, surely not!

Don’t be so sure!

John Henry Jowett came to America from England and became pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City in 1911. It was said that church attendance there had dropped to 600 and rose to 1,500 after he came as pastor. Lines up to half a block long formed, waiting for unclaimed seats.

Once, a student came to Jowett one morning and told him that he was troubled with religious doubt. " In fact," said the student, " I regret to confess that I don’t believe in God!"

"You don't believe in God!" said Jowett.

"No sir," said the student, hoping that the great man would clear away his difficulties.

Jowett’s reply was crushing. " Believe in God, sir, said Jowett, " by to-morrow morning, or leave the college!"

Mr. Hendrikse, believe or leave!

Principal James Denney

I love biographies, especially those about preachers.

I also love the fact that many out of print books can be found on internet libraries, downloaded and read for free, being in the public domain.

One such work I found was a biographical reflection of the New Testament scholar, Dr. James Denney, who died in 1917. It is a very brief work which didn't take long to read. For posterity, I post a few savory quotes for preachers. (And those who love them)

On being a "popular preacher:"

Denney was ever a true preacher of the Word. He had no ambition to be known as the "popular " preacher. Ah, that blessed word " popular," how potent it becomes in certain quarters.

"It is recalled how even the distinguished Principal John Caird, when first settled in the quiet rural parish of Errol, where he laid the foundations of his fame, could not be said to be a favourite with some at least of his parishioners. The church building was much too large for the people who attended, and the young divine suggested the boarding up of a portion of the premises. This, however,was opposed by an irate elder who sought to impress his views on the minister by saying, "We’ll maybe get a mair (more) popular preacher when ye are awa(y)." No more than Caird at first, did Denney draw crowds to hear him like Chalmers or Spurgeon, of both of whom he was a profound admirer; and he would say at times that he had no desire to be a great but only a useful preacher.

On simplicity in preaching:

He (Denney) wrote once to a friend: "In the course of my Bible studies I have come to have a great faith in the obvious, and to feel that what we have got to do in preaching is not to be original, but to make the obvious arresting.

"These men, Spurgeon and Denney, were ...each (a) master of a pure Saxon style of speech. Each also had learned to write with a majestic sense of simplicity, precision, and directness, and with a resolute limitation of ordinary statement by the severity of facts."

On preaching methodology:

His colleague, Professor Clow, writes: "For this Chair of New Testament Exegesis he was uniquely prepared. Wide as was the range of his reading in all literature, as his apt quotations from many languages gave evidence, and thorough as was his mastery of the whole round of theological scholarship, he was essentially a man of one book. That book- was the New Testament. Its history, its sources, its authors, and especially the Gospel writers, and Paul as their interpreter, called forth from him all his powers, with a deep joy in their exercise. To state the problem of a great passage, to trace and lay bare the writer's thought, to expound the doctrines and apply the message to the lives of men, was a visible delight to him, as it was a devout fascination to his students.

On the cross of Christ:

The Rev. Robert McKinlay, M.A., writes: "One thinks of him pre-eminently as the great exponent of the Cross. Many of his comments on the subject are simply unforgettable. He was speaking once of the tendency of some Protestants to minimize the Cross. "If I had the choice/ said he, between being such an one and a Roman Catholic priest, I had rather be the priest lifting up the Cross to a dying man, and saying, “God loved like that!”

On evangelism:

"Nature and grace had joined hands to make of Dr. Denney an almost ideal teacher of the religious teachers of this generation. He had, to begin with, the and passion of the true evangelist. He held that the first, if often forgotten, duty of the Church is to evangelize, and that to that end all its best energies must be bent. I shall never forget how he emptied all the vials of his scorn on the head of some unlucky minister who had excused himself for giving what he called a simple evangelical address because he had not had time to prepare a proper sermon. As if, said Denney, there was any task that could so tax the strength of the Christian preacher as to preach the love of God, and so to preach it that men should commit themselves to it. . . ."

Denney was a leading exponent of the Temperance Movement of his day. His speech is as telling about big government as it is of Temperance, and is relevant to our day when government is daily expanding its role in American life:

He gave a wonderfully telling speech at the joint Temperance meeting of the Churches in the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh...

"...State Purchase, which he defines as necessarily involving State management, would, he argues, tend to the steady multiplication of Government departments and civil servants, and thus be an undoubted menace to the independence of Parliament and to purity of administration."

Again, he declares:

"The need of the country is urgent and immediate, and any scheme of purchase would be elaborated with difficulty, fiercely contested at every step, and carried if it were carried at all after prolonged delay, during which the present fatal evils would continue unchecked.

It would put an enormous additional responsibility on the shoulders of a Government which is already weighted far beyond its strength, and needs nothing less than a new field for the display of administrative incapacity."

(Adapted from "Principal James Denney, D.D, A Memoir and a tribute," by T. H. Walker.)  

"It Was 'Inappropriate'"

53 year old Joe Stack was considered a hero for his anti-government views. In the eyes of some, he was more of a hero because he chose to become a martyr by flying his airplane into an IRS building in Austin, Texas last February.

He managed to kill at least two other persons and affect the lives of countless others in the process. In an interview, his daughter, Samantha Bell, called his actions "inappropriate."

According to one dictionary, "inappropriate" means "unsuitable, especially for the particular time, place, or situation."

On one hand, I agree. Flying a plane into a building, damaging property, killing, and threatening the lives of others is, "inappropriate." On the other hand, it is just plain wrong, and yes, it is sinful.

Inappropriate?

What this man did is murder innocent people and destroy property because he was angry with the government.

I hardly call that merely "inappropriate."