Seattle, Angola, And Home

I have been home about an hour from a prison ministry trip to Angola. This follows a return from Seattle WA on Tuesday. It hit me this morning how polar opposite those two places are.

My heart is full. I have read four books, the Bible, portions of other books, and several articles. I have finished preparations for two messages tomorrow. I begin two series: One on Marriage ABC's and another creative presentation based on "Mythbusters." We will cover some myths and legends of the Bible. I am so looking forward to both.

I have done much thinking on preaching, ministry, church life, evangelism, and prison ministry.

Because this post could go on forever, I now focus on one topic because it is more immediate. It is based on some questions asked of me about our Angola prison ministry trip this weekend. (For those of you "demanding" more blog entries, feast your eyes:)

This event we attended is an annual event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. We conducted revival services adn visited on one in the dorms, yards, and in other areas. This was the first visit for myself and a few other men, though some of our men went last year. There are other similar events planned by the Convention for later this year, among them a ministry event at a ladies facility.

Angola Prison has gone from one of the bloodiest prisons in America to one of the safest. I was curious about the changes there, so I inquired of a few inmates. To a man, they give the power of the Lord and Warden Burl Cain the credit. One does not often hear inmates praising the warden. The atmosphere there is different because he believes in faith based education and rehabilitation. New Orleans Seminary has a campus there. I was taken on rounds of the prison by one of the inmate ministers who is pastor of one of the churches. He has been there 27 years, but his heart is alive with the power of Jesus.

One thing we are asked to do on behalf of the ward, the inmates, and the chaplains, is to exert influence in the LA legislature over parole laws. Many of the men at Angola have no chance for parole. They'd like to at least get a shot at a hearing. That's all. To do this, the law must be changed. Some Legislators feel to advocate change would make them look soft on crime. Isn't part of prison supposed to be rehabilitation? What of a man who gets his life right, learns a trade or skill, and learns to behave himself? Should he not at least get a chance to be considered to be a productive member of society. I'll say more about this in later blog posts. I am thinking of a William Wilberforce type stance I may need to take on this issue. (Historical note: William Wilberforce was tireless, lone voice for the abolition of slavery before the English Parliament. He eventually won his case.)

I have challenged our men to consider prison ministry at a facility that is near our hometown. We go across the state to minister; we can go across the Parish as well.

Finally, as I noted elsewhere, I felt such a freedom and power in worship with the inmates and volunteers. It is ironic there is so much freedom behind bars. Would that this freedom be found in all churches, and mine as well!

Did Jesus Promise The Best Life?

I ran across this quote the other day and filed it. Unfortunately, I did not record the author of it. I think it is timely and well said. Perhaps you will agree:

Have you ever thought about this? We are living in the most fabulously wealthy, excessively entertained and unimaginably prosperous nation in the history of the world. We have a standard of living, and a level of comfort, that much of the rest of the world cannot imagine…

The Jesus of the Gospel proclaims the promises of prosperity, real estate and parking places to be empty, if we will listen. He ís just as discomforting now as ever, unless we render him the harmless servant of our desires.

Rather than telling us about your best life now, Jesus talks over and over about persecution, sacrifice, voluntary poverty, and laying down the images and symbols of success for the lasting worth and influence of the Kingdom of Jesus.

A Great Commission Resurgence

A few weeks ago, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary president Danny Akin fired a shot heard 'round the SBC concerning a "Great Commission Resurgence."

He has awakened many sleeping giants. Many bloggers and leaders (not always the same persons) have weighed in. Current SBC president Johnny Hunt is said to have taken the proposal in order to tailor it down a bit.

A friend of mine has also weighed in on the topic. Since he prefers to remain anonymous, I post his salient words verbatim:

Seminary president Dr. Akin said:

“The rally cry of the Conservative Resurgence was, ‘We will not give our monies to liberal institutions,’” Akin said. “Now the cry of the Great Commission Resurgence is, ‘We will not give our money to bloated bureaucracies.’”

(My Friend) says:

In this modern age of easy air travel and the internet, perhaps it is also time to streamline our six seminaries into one. Just think of all the money not only to be saved (one president instead of six) but actually gained (from the sale of properties)!
I thought the denomination war was over years ago. As the great philosopher "Roseanne Roseannadanna" always noted, "It's always something!"

Now you've started something, friend! I don't know how to interpret that smile!

I'm Not Saying "Sir" As Often

I've noticed lately that I don't say "sir" as often as I once did.

It's not because of a lack of manners. My parents taught me to respect my elders and say "sir," and "ma'am." If I didn't, there would be timely reminders for my consideration.

Over the years, it has been my habit to address older people and use the "sir" and "ma'am" terminology. It has been as much a habit as breathing to me.

But I've noticed lately, I haven't been using these monikers nearly as much.

I haven't lost the habit. I still use the terms as often as possible. In fact, I am sure I have used them when it really wasn't necessary. If I were to make a mistake, I'd rather err on the side of showing respect than not showing respect.

The reason I don't say "sir," or for that matter "ma'am" as often is due to the fact that I have reached middle age- AND BEYOND!

I have discovered that there are more people younger than me than older. There simply aren't as many people I meet to whom I can say "sir" or "ma'am." The older ones are dying out. I buried two of them this week. My own parents are gone. I'm finding a lot of young whippersnappers out there, a few of whom actually say "sir" to me.

The tide has clearly shifted. I've grown older. Hopefully, I've grown wiser.

I'll still refer to my elders as "sir" or "ma'am." As I grow older there will be fewer and fewer people to whom I can address these term. So I'll not say "sir" as often.

On A Busy Monday

A train station is where the train stops. A bus station is where the bus stops. On my desk, I have a work station…

Your Mama Don't Tweet And Your Daddy Don't Blogroll

Tweeting and Blogging.

What's the difference, and why do it at all?

First, we are not talking about about some physical malady. With a blog, we are talking about an internet based journal. Think of it as a personal diary posted for all the world to see. There are as many blogs on the net as there are interests, hobbies, and opinions. People who write these weblogs (abbreviated "blogs") are called "bloggers." With freedom of speech, bloggers can say virtually whatever they wish- and often do. I find news items overlooked by mainstream media outlets. obscure ramblings, personal journeys, and material that helps me grow as a pastor and leader.

Tweeting is a bit different. A person who "tweets" is using Twitter to tell whoever follows him or her what he or she is doing at that moment. You can pass along information, weblinks, and updates. The big difference is that tweets are limited to 140 characters or less. Think of it as a miniblog. I tweet, albeit irregularly. You can follow me here.

Of course the world waits to know that "David is stuck in traffic," or David is going to make life more difficult for a young boy who insists on borrowing his power cord without asking." Surprisingly inquiring minds DO seem to want to know. I have both a Twitter and Facebook account. When I tweet, it also goes to Facebook. I get more comments on Facebook when I say something like "David is thinking about the best way to avoid a Committee meeting."

My parents lived without ever tweeting or blogging. They never even heard of such. They seemed to have done quite well without either. Can the rest of us exist without knowing what everyone else is up to?

Disturbing Trends

I spoke to our church tonight (yes, we still do Wednesday nights) from Matthew 3:13-4:11. It is familiar one for most Bible students as it describes the baptism and temptation of Jesus.

I offered two movements: 1) God initiates a work. This is shown in the baptism as beginning point of Jesus' public ministry. 2) Satan attempts to hinder God's work. Had Jesus succumbed to temptation, God's plan of salvation would have been subverted.

Our church has seen a fresh move of God in recent days. Several have been saved (more to be baptized Sunday) and some have testified of renewed spirits and commitments to Christ. But with that move of God will surely come an attempt of Satan to divide and hinder the work. We must be vigilant. We must be forewarned.

Concluding that message, I noted three disturbing events:

1. President Obama's foot dragging on signing a National Day of Prayer proclamation and his de-emphasis on the National Day of Prayer which is tomorrow.

2. HR bill 909 labeled as a "Hate Crimes Bill" which many believe could land a preacher in jail for preaching against certain types of activities the Bible calls sin.

3. The Reuters story about the U.S. military destroying Afgan Bibles. Would they have done this to copies of the Koran?

Darkness is descending upon the land.