What if there was a land somewhere far away
that had no father's
and no Father's Day!
And someone from there was to visit today
and ask what's a father
and what is Father's Day?
I don't know about you, what you would say
but here is my answer
of father and father's Day!
Father's day is a day set aside
when we honor the man
God gave to be our guide.
Some make us happy others make us sad
some call him father
but most call him, Dad!
And as for a father...
Well, he’s the man who rolled with you on the floor
Or played with you out in the backyard.
The one who wasn’t home quite enough,
Because he worked so hard.
The man whose wallet is always lean and trim
Cause every single child thinks he’s the ATM.
The man whose cologne always seems to linger.
The man who joked and said, "Hey! Pull my finger!"
The one with a voice that was low and gruff.
Who had a way of snorting, Stop it! That’s enough.
The man who always backed you and was quick to applaud,
Who led you and taught you about his Father, God!
The one who appears so rough and tough
and upon whom everyone can rely.
But that’s because he hides his pain,
And the things that make him cry.
Dad’s the one who hung the moon,
And who often leaves this life too soon.
He drives away our heartaches and fear
And brings us comfort because he is near.
He’s the mystery man in everybody’s home.
Cause no one knows just what he does or exactly where he roams.
The man whose face grows red as his blood vessels bulge out,
Because when a dad is mad, no one ever has to doubt.
My heart is always heavy and my soul is so, so sad
For everyone who has not known the pleasure of a dad.
For he’s the one whose always there for us in the end
And no matter what we do, is always our faithful friend.
And being a real dad is not perfect, that’s not at all what I mean.
But a real dad is every child’s hero, and every woman’s dream.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mother's Day 2009
Mother’s Day 2009
May 10th
Today is Mother’s Day. A day that is probably filled with more mixed emotions than there are women wearing fanny packs out at
First Monday.
Nothing seems to lodge in the mind so securely as the well-turned maternal phrase, we’ll call Momilies (those special little sayings your mom used to use). Just listen to your conversations and notice how frequently you offer up a maxim, a piece of advice, or even a threat that your mother used to say… and you swore you never would!
Momilies get passed down from generation to generation. Many of them are all-purpose, a few are cruel, the majority loving. What's amazing is how, year in, year out, they guide our behavior, in ways both large and small. In fact, all you need to do is think of one of your mother's favorite sayings and her voice is magically in your ear,
whether you like it or not.
She may have not been the smartest women to have ever lived, and Lord knows she wasn’t perfect, but the truth is, Mom taught us just about everything we know about life.
Things My Mother Taught Me
My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside - I just finished cleaning!" My mother taught me RELIGION "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" My mother taught me REASON "Because I said so, that's why."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident" My mother taught me IRONY "Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about." My mother taught me about the science of
OSMOSIS "Shut your mouth and eat your supper!" My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM "Will you "look" at the dirt on the back of your neck!"
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION "Just wait until we get home."
And my all time favorite... My Mother taught me about JUSTICE "One day you'll have kids ... and I hope they turn out
just like you!
Mother… there are very few words that can
conjure so many emotions by just hearing or
thinking on them, as that word does.
Many of you here today are flooded with warm thoughts of the woman who sacrificed for you, soothed your scraped knees and broken hearts, kissed your fevered foreheads, had some weird sort of ESP, and had eyes in the back of her head.
But others of you were not so fortunate. The word mother may bring feelings that sting your heart. The memories of mom for you are of a self-centered, self-absorbed, unsympathetic, and perhaps even
uncaring and selfish woman.
I don’t mean to make excuses, nor do I intend to
defend anyone’s honor. But one thing I have learned in life, is that it’s easier to judge someone else than it is to understand the reasons behind their behavior.
I don’t know what kind of mom you had and I certainly don’t know the hand she was dealt.
But the one thing I do believe, is that deep in the heart of every woman who wears the title, MOM, beats the desire to be good at it. She may not know how to love you, (because no one ever showed her), but she tries in her own way to do it.
Let’s face it, there are no real moms like Marjorie Lord in Make Room for Daddy, or Jane Wyatt in Father Knows Best, or Harriet Nelson of Ozzie and Harriet, or Barbara Billingsley of Leave It To Beaver.
Erma Bombeck, now there was a real mother. For 30 years she made us laugh and she made us think! She referred to these women as the “Prime-Time Mothers”.
“They look better cleaning their houses than most us did at our wedding. They never lose their temper, gain weight, spend more money than their husbands make, or give us any
reason not to believe that they were living out their lives in celibacy.”
Bombeck reacts to such perfect moms by
admitting her failure to achieve it.
“I was one of the not-quite-ready-for-prime-time mothers. I never wore hose around the house all day, nor did I know anyone personally who did. My kids were the ones the prime-time mothers would not let their kids play with.”
But on the serious side she said, “We all know that being a mom is the hardest, most rewarding job on the face of the earth.”
“You don’t love me!” Bombeck asks, “How many times have your kids laid that one on you?”
She adds; “Someday, when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I’ll tell them…
I loved you enough to bug you about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home.
I loved you enough to insist you buy a bike with your own money, which we could afford, and you couldn't.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover your hand picked friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your bedroom, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to say, "Yes, you can go to Disney World on Mother's Day."
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust, and tears in my eyes.
I loved you enough not to make excuses for your lack of respect or your bad manners.
I loved you enough to admit that I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness.
I loved you enough to ignore "what every other mother" did or said.
I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall, hurt, and fail.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your own actions, at 6, 10, or 16.
I loved you enough to figure you would lie about the party being chaperoned, but forgave you for it...after discovering I was right.
I loved you enough to shove you off my lap, let go of your hand, be mute to your pleas and insensitive to your demands...so that you had to stand alone.
I loved you enough to accept you for what you are, and not what I wanted you to be.
But most of all, I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it. And that was the hardest part of all.
So, if you had a Mom that conjures up
feelings of resentment and bitterness, there is not better day to forgive her, to try to
understand her even if she’s gone, or to give her another chance if she is still alive, than today, Mother’s Day!
And if your Mom was one of those not ready for prime time moms, who still has place in your heart and a voice in your ear, then there is no better day to remember and
appreciate her, than today, Mother’s Day.
May 10th
Today is Mother’s Day. A day that is probably filled with more mixed emotions than there are women wearing fanny packs out at
First Monday.
Nothing seems to lodge in the mind so securely as the well-turned maternal phrase, we’ll call Momilies (those special little sayings your mom used to use). Just listen to your conversations and notice how frequently you offer up a maxim, a piece of advice, or even a threat that your mother used to say… and you swore you never would!
Momilies get passed down from generation to generation. Many of them are all-purpose, a few are cruel, the majority loving. What's amazing is how, year in, year out, they guide our behavior, in ways both large and small. In fact, all you need to do is think of one of your mother's favorite sayings and her voice is magically in your ear,
whether you like it or not.
She may have not been the smartest women to have ever lived, and Lord knows she wasn’t perfect, but the truth is, Mom taught us just about everything we know about life.
Things My Mother Taught Me
My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside - I just finished cleaning!" My mother taught me RELIGION "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" My mother taught me REASON "Because I said so, that's why."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident" My mother taught me IRONY "Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about." My mother taught me about the science of
OSMOSIS "Shut your mouth and eat your supper!" My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM "Will you "look" at the dirt on the back of your neck!"
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION "Just wait until we get home."
And my all time favorite... My Mother taught me about JUSTICE "One day you'll have kids ... and I hope they turn out
just like you!
Mother… there are very few words that can
conjure so many emotions by just hearing or
thinking on them, as that word does.
Many of you here today are flooded with warm thoughts of the woman who sacrificed for you, soothed your scraped knees and broken hearts, kissed your fevered foreheads, had some weird sort of ESP, and had eyes in the back of her head.
But others of you were not so fortunate. The word mother may bring feelings that sting your heart. The memories of mom for you are of a self-centered, self-absorbed, unsympathetic, and perhaps even
uncaring and selfish woman.
I don’t mean to make excuses, nor do I intend to
defend anyone’s honor. But one thing I have learned in life, is that it’s easier to judge someone else than it is to understand the reasons behind their behavior.
I don’t know what kind of mom you had and I certainly don’t know the hand she was dealt.
But the one thing I do believe, is that deep in the heart of every woman who wears the title, MOM, beats the desire to be good at it. She may not know how to love you, (because no one ever showed her), but she tries in her own way to do it.
Let’s face it, there are no real moms like Marjorie Lord in Make Room for Daddy, or Jane Wyatt in Father Knows Best, or Harriet Nelson of Ozzie and Harriet, or Barbara Billingsley of Leave It To Beaver.
Erma Bombeck, now there was a real mother. For 30 years she made us laugh and she made us think! She referred to these women as the “Prime-Time Mothers”.
“They look better cleaning their houses than most us did at our wedding. They never lose their temper, gain weight, spend more money than their husbands make, or give us any
reason not to believe that they were living out their lives in celibacy.”
Bombeck reacts to such perfect moms by
admitting her failure to achieve it.
“I was one of the not-quite-ready-for-prime-time mothers. I never wore hose around the house all day, nor did I know anyone personally who did. My kids were the ones the prime-time mothers would not let their kids play with.”
But on the serious side she said, “We all know that being a mom is the hardest, most rewarding job on the face of the earth.”
“You don’t love me!” Bombeck asks, “How many times have your kids laid that one on you?”
She adds; “Someday, when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I’ll tell them…
I loved you enough to bug you about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home.
I loved you enough to insist you buy a bike with your own money, which we could afford, and you couldn't.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover your hand picked friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your bedroom, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to say, "Yes, you can go to Disney World on Mother's Day."
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust, and tears in my eyes.
I loved you enough not to make excuses for your lack of respect or your bad manners.
I loved you enough to admit that I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness.
I loved you enough to ignore "what every other mother" did or said.
I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall, hurt, and fail.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your own actions, at 6, 10, or 16.
I loved you enough to figure you would lie about the party being chaperoned, but forgave you for it...after discovering I was right.
I loved you enough to shove you off my lap, let go of your hand, be mute to your pleas and insensitive to your demands...so that you had to stand alone.
I loved you enough to accept you for what you are, and not what I wanted you to be.
But most of all, I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it. And that was the hardest part of all.
So, if you had a Mom that conjures up
feelings of resentment and bitterness, there is not better day to forgive her, to try to
understand her even if she’s gone, or to give her another chance if she is still alive, than today, Mother’s Day!
And if your Mom was one of those not ready for prime time moms, who still has place in your heart and a voice in your ear, then there is no better day to remember and
appreciate her, than today, Mother’s Day.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Choosing Life
In Deuteronomy 30:19, God declares, "...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,..." I've been thinking about that verse alot, lately. Perhaps because I am staring my 45th birthday in the face, or maybe it's because I have become very sedentary. Either way, I'm realizing that the choices I'm making or bringing me either life or death, blessings or curses. Everything from what I eat, to what I do with my time, to what I look at, say, or do. I have decided that I don't want death or curses. I realize that I have the power to choose, to get up and do something about it. That doesn't mean that it's easy though. Believe me, the older I get the harder it is to discipline my self. Going to the gym gets harder while saying yes to the Oreo cookies gets easier. So, today I took a teeny tiny step, but I took one. If anyone out there reads this, I would appreciate a little encouragement to keep stepping. Plus, feel free to hold me accountable. You can ask if I've chosen life or death today. My intentions are to discipline myself in two ways: Spiritually & Physically. You know, getting back to the basics. Spiritually - prayer and time being a Psalm 1:1-3 kind of guy... Physically - going back to the gym and eating healthier. My goal is to lose 12-15 pounds. Anyway, this is a good tool to put in your shepherd's back... Choice! You have the privilege of choosing, so choose wisely!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Celebrate & Experience The Resurrection
Happy Easter! What a wonderful time of the year. It's spring and Easter is open us. As you celebrate the season, I hope and pray that you experience the resurrection power fresh and new in your life, home, finances, etc. The resurrection is not just some past event, it also provides our present victory. (see Romans 6:4) We are saved and secure in Him. He works all things together for our good. And we have the resurrection power to help us live like were saved! Not only that, but the resurrection assures us of future certainty. One of these days (if you are a believer) we will either rise from the grave or be raptured from the earth, whichever comes first!!! At that point we'll have a glorified body. No more sin nature, Praise God! In the future we can expect either a resurrection or a rapture, a reunion with family and friends, and rewards for serving Him. (study the 5 crowns mentioned in Scripture) So, run that you may win you a crown and then don't let anyone take it from you. (Revelation 3:11) Anyway, I encourage you to celebrate the resurrection past, present, and future. We will celebrate with a special Easter Musical called, "Arise My Love" on Sunday. If you live anywhere around, I hope you can join us at 10:30 am. Otherwise, I'll see you here, there, or in the air!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Search & Rescue
What exciting days we are living in. Oh, I know it's a little scary, but yet it is thrilling to realize that the Bible prophecies concerning the "last days" seem to be unfolding before our very eyes. The peace we have as Bible believers is that God will protect and deliver us from the destruction of those end times. However, as the time of the end draws near, we should be experiencing some great evangelical results. Even though we are living in times when it seems that more and more people are becoming more and more agnostic or atheistic... people still need the Lord.
As the "church" we sometimes forget who the enemy is. We cannot expect people to act "saved" until they are! Lost people are not the enemy, Satan is. Our "Mission" is search and rescue, that is to search for and rescue the lost.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells three separate parables illustrating this great truth. However, a major point is made before He ever begins teaching. In verse 1 it says that "tax collectors and the sinners" drew near to Him. In other words, Jesus attracted people who were not religious. In fact, it was in response to the criticisms from the religious crowd that Jesus responded with the three parables of Luke 15.
The point is simple... we are to be building relationships with people outside the "church" so that we can show them the love of Christ. I know we need intimate and personal relationships with fellow believers, but it shouldn't stop there. We need to be building intimate and influential relationships with people who don't believe, so that they can see our "light", taste the "saltiness", observe our "good works", so that they can see Jesus through our lives.
The days of door knocking are pretty much over. People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Don't get me wrong, we should prepare ourselves to tell people the "good news", and we should pray for opportunities to share the gospel. But the greatest opportunities come by "receiving sinners and eating with them". See Luke 15:2
Whens the last time you wept and prayed for someone who was lost? How many times a day do you wonder about someone, where they will spend eternity? We have grown cold and insensitive to the LOST, and that's why we are Losing the battle.
So, I encourage you to volunteer again for Search and Rescue. Join us Sundays from now through May 3rd... or listen online to the series, Search & Rescue. May 3rd will be Search & Rescue Sunday, and we are praying that lost people will be rescued before it's too late. Not just here, but all over the world. Please feel free to join us by praying for someone you feel may be lost, and also ask God to here the prayers of our members who are praying specifically and intentionally for lost people over the next six weeks.
See you Here, There, or In The Air!
'cause Jesus is coming soon,
Pastor Mike
As the "church" we sometimes forget who the enemy is. We cannot expect people to act "saved" until they are! Lost people are not the enemy, Satan is. Our "Mission" is search and rescue, that is to search for and rescue the lost.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells three separate parables illustrating this great truth. However, a major point is made before He ever begins teaching. In verse 1 it says that "tax collectors and the sinners" drew near to Him. In other words, Jesus attracted people who were not religious. In fact, it was in response to the criticisms from the religious crowd that Jesus responded with the three parables of Luke 15.
The point is simple... we are to be building relationships with people outside the "church" so that we can show them the love of Christ. I know we need intimate and personal relationships with fellow believers, but it shouldn't stop there. We need to be building intimate and influential relationships with people who don't believe, so that they can see our "light", taste the "saltiness", observe our "good works", so that they can see Jesus through our lives.
The days of door knocking are pretty much over. People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Don't get me wrong, we should prepare ourselves to tell people the "good news", and we should pray for opportunities to share the gospel. But the greatest opportunities come by "receiving sinners and eating with them". See Luke 15:2
Whens the last time you wept and prayed for someone who was lost? How many times a day do you wonder about someone, where they will spend eternity? We have grown cold and insensitive to the LOST, and that's why we are Losing the battle.
So, I encourage you to volunteer again for Search and Rescue. Join us Sundays from now through May 3rd... or listen online to the series, Search & Rescue. May 3rd will be Search & Rescue Sunday, and we are praying that lost people will be rescued before it's too late. Not just here, but all over the world. Please feel free to join us by praying for someone you feel may be lost, and also ask God to here the prayers of our members who are praying specifically and intentionally for lost people over the next six weeks.
See you Here, There, or In The Air!
'cause Jesus is coming soon,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Secret to Success
We have just finished a series entitled, The Quest for Success. We have been talking about God's desire for us to experience the blessings, prosperity, and success He has ordained for those who listen to and follow His principles. We may not experience success the way the world defines it, but what God offers us far exceeds anything this world has to offer. I challenge you to meditate on Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3, Matthew 5:1-11, and 3 John 2. Our concluding message this past Sunday was; The Secret to Success. In Philippians 3:12-14 the Apostle Paul shares his most valuable secret to success. "I follow after", "I reach for", "I press toward the mark for the prize". Calvin Coolidge once said, "Nothing can take the place of Persistence and Determination". I call it F.O.C.U.S.
Fix your heart and mind firmly on succeeding!
Order your life according to God's Principles!
Choose your companions carefully!
Understand how the enemy works!
Stay with it!
Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl.
One was an optimistic soul.
The other took a gloomy view
and said we'll drown without more ado!
And so, with a final sigh,
he kicked up his legs and said goodbye.
The other frog said with a steadfast grin,
"I can't get out, but I won't give in".
"I'll just swim around untill my strength is spent."
"At least I'll die the more content."
And so he set out to fulfill his scheme
and as he struggled he churned the cream.
The more he swam his legs aflutter,
the more the cream turned into butter.
When at last on top of the butter he stopped,
out of the bowl he gladly hopped.
Now the moral here is easily found;
If you can't get out just keep swimming around!
Hang in there baby, sooner or later the victory comes to the one who thinks they can!!!
Success stories come in all shapes and sizes. They come from different backgrounds, circumstances, and situations. But one thing every success has in common... Determination, Persistence, FOCUS!
Keep swimming and God's blessings,
Mike Stone
Monday, March 9, 2009
Time Is Ticking Away
Well, we are just about to finish our current series; The Quest for Success. I continue to pray that God is impressing upon all of our members hearts that He has some great plans for us, our home, finances, jobs, and our church this year. There are some exciting things that will be coming our way in the coming months. I'm so excited about what I believe God is going to do.
I encourage you t o be present at church on Sunday and Wednesday, that is the best way to stay connected and keep the vision and dream alive and well. Pray for our church, the leaders, the community, and the kingdom of God to be advanced.
And now it's Daylight Savings Time again. I'm reminded just how fast time is ticking away... and we need to be more zealous, serious, and about His business than we ever have before! I love the challenges and days we are living in. There will be some great outbreaks of revival and God moving in these last days. Besides, it won't be very long and we'll hear the trumpet sound and be out of here!!! As one evangelist used to say; "Gabriel's going to toot, and I'm gonna scoot!" So, even though the economy looks bad and times may seem tough. Even though we wonder if this is it, and we may even be a little scared about. Cheer up!!! God is in control.
So, pray hard, love deep, and live every day to the fullest!!!
I encourage you t o be present at church on Sunday and Wednesday, that is the best way to stay connected and keep the vision and dream alive and well. Pray for our church, the leaders, the community, and the kingdom of God to be advanced.
And now it's Daylight Savings Time again. I'm reminded just how fast time is ticking away... and we need to be more zealous, serious, and about His business than we ever have before! I love the challenges and days we are living in. There will be some great outbreaks of revival and God moving in these last days. Besides, it won't be very long and we'll hear the trumpet sound and be out of here!!! As one evangelist used to say; "Gabriel's going to toot, and I'm gonna scoot!" So, even though the economy looks bad and times may seem tough. Even though we wonder if this is it, and we may even be a little scared about. Cheer up!!! God is in control.
So, pray hard, love deep, and live every day to the fullest!!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Heart of The Matter
What a timely, relevant, and needed message that Clinton Everitt brought this past Sunday. There are several themes, principles, or truths in the Bible that we need to be reminded of on a routine basis, and Sunday's subject is certainly one of them. If you were not there I hope I have your curiosity up, if you were there, you know what I'm talking about. It's a message that has been played out in the public arena through stars, athletes, and entertainers. The Eagles are one of those bands that have been able to span the generation gap and gather listeners from different age groups. Their weaknesses, failures, successes, and painful relationships have been paraded down the public streets of life, via the media. The lyrics of their songs often betray their attempts at privacy because their songs are replete with the heartfelt emotions of life. Almost like the Psalms of the Bible, their songs seem to decry the circumstances of their current situations. And so, we find in one of their songs the subject that we studied from the Bible this past Sunday. And why wouldn't we, for sooner or later everyone will deal with it. I must point out again, that the purpose of this blog is to help people put some necessary "stuff" in their "Shepherd's Bag". There are certain things that must be in there when we face some of the giants we will face, or we will not be victorious. Sunday's subject is one of those items. The point of the Eagles song is one of those items. The name of the song is, The Heart of The Matter... and what an appropriate title, for that's exactly what this principle, this truth is!... The Heart of The Matter is FORGIVENESS. We learned a good definition for Forgiveness: Let It Go! How do we know if we really let something go?
F - Focus on the good and not the bad that's been done to you
O - Open yourself up to trust again (you have to be willing to be hurt again)
R - Repeat as often as necessary (forgiving that is)
G - Give forgiveness freely (no conditions)
I - Ignore your desire for revenge (we don't know what "even" is)
V - Validate that persons place (recognize what they bring to the relationship)
E - Erase the scoreboard (no "bone digging" : forgiveness means you will not use that against them ever again)
William Arthur Ward said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." Forgiveness is of God, by God, and because of God! So, let Him help you put some forgiveness in your bag of tools for successful living!!!
Deus Primus
F - Focus on the good and not the bad that's been done to you
O - Open yourself up to trust again (you have to be willing to be hurt again)
R - Repeat as often as necessary (forgiving that is)
G - Give forgiveness freely (no conditions)
I - Ignore your desire for revenge (we don't know what "even" is)
V - Validate that persons place (recognize what they bring to the relationship)
E - Erase the scoreboard (no "bone digging" : forgiveness means you will not use that against them ever again)
William Arthur Ward said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." Forgiveness is of God, by God, and because of God! So, let Him help you put some forgiveness in your bag of tools for successful living!!!
Deus Primus
Friday, February 20, 2009
New in 2009
We have recently developed (in 2009) a new website for our church. www.come2lifenow.com Since we have developed the site, I want to renew my efforts to blog so that church members and visitors can keep up with my heart and vision. I have deleted most of my old blogs, but will endeavor to blog more faithfully. We will soon add a link to our website that will connect interested people to my blog.
We are also, currently doing two series of study: 1) The Quest for Success on Sunday mornings & 2) God's Will on Wednesday evenings. I encourage you to get the CDs or listen online to these messages because I believe that they will be of great benefit to you, your life, and your relationships in 2009.
This coming Sunday we are having a special "Family Day". We will have as our special guests, Clinton Everitt and his wife T'Shana. T'Shana is a licensed Marriage and Family Conselor. Our church and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Canton refers many of our members, at a discounted rate, to her professional counseling services. The theme this Sunday: Forgiveness
I hope you will check out this blog in the coming days and future. God is still doing some crazy, awesome things and we need to be tuned-in to where He is working. I believe that while we are living in some scary days (economy wise), we are living in the most exciting days (because His return is very near). God has always looked for a people who were willing to walk by faith and join Him in what He wants to do. The "time" we live in, makes Him even more willing to use us, if we will willingly make ourselves available. Or should I say, be willing (most people want it their way, but God wants it His way). So church, this ain't Burger King... As we get ready to face these final days, the vision of our church becomes increasingly more important. Our tagline sums up our philosophy as a church about the Christian life: "It's Not Just Church... It's A Way of Life!"
There are great challenges ahead of us as there are for all God's churches. Will we trust Him in these uncertain times? Will we do what He is doing? Will we be willing to do it His way? Are we ready to face these last days giving it all we got, for the kingdom's sake?
If we are, great things will happen. But, great sacrifices will have to be made. Persecution, misunderstandings, criticism, and even rumors and gossip will be a part of our life. It's one thing to face opposition from without, but a whole different thing to face opposition from within. Let's be united in our goal, our mission, and our vision!!! Very soon I will be preaching a series called, 20/20. It is my prayer and desire to reunite, redirect, and refocus the body of believers as to God's purposes and plans for THE Church and most especially for Our Church!
Let me close by giving you a little motivation to be a part of the 20/20 series: Many things have already been said about us from without and within. In the words of a popular pop song; "Let's give them something to talk about". If the rumors and gossip are out there and they would be effective in the kingdom and honoring to God, then by all means, let's make them true! Let's make honset people out these folks who are talking about how different we are. I think that most of our members and I hope all of our leaders would agree; Our church is not traditional. So, let's not be afraid to break with the traditions of men, so that we can follow the directions of God! I promise there will be some exciting, some scary, and some very non-traditional things to think about! So stay tuned and jump in. The water is fine and God is still on the throne!!!
We are also, currently doing two series of study: 1) The Quest for Success on Sunday mornings & 2) God's Will on Wednesday evenings. I encourage you to get the CDs or listen online to these messages because I believe that they will be of great benefit to you, your life, and your relationships in 2009.
This coming Sunday we are having a special "Family Day". We will have as our special guests, Clinton Everitt and his wife T'Shana. T'Shana is a licensed Marriage and Family Conselor. Our church and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Canton refers many of our members, at a discounted rate, to her professional counseling services. The theme this Sunday: Forgiveness
I hope you will check out this blog in the coming days and future. God is still doing some crazy, awesome things and we need to be tuned-in to where He is working. I believe that while we are living in some scary days (economy wise), we are living in the most exciting days (because His return is very near). God has always looked for a people who were willing to walk by faith and join Him in what He wants to do. The "time" we live in, makes Him even more willing to use us, if we will willingly make ourselves available. Or should I say, be willing (most people want it their way, but God wants it His way). So church, this ain't Burger King... As we get ready to face these final days, the vision of our church becomes increasingly more important. Our tagline sums up our philosophy as a church about the Christian life: "It's Not Just Church... It's A Way of Life!"
There are great challenges ahead of us as there are for all God's churches. Will we trust Him in these uncertain times? Will we do what He is doing? Will we be willing to do it His way? Are we ready to face these last days giving it all we got, for the kingdom's sake?
If we are, great things will happen. But, great sacrifices will have to be made. Persecution, misunderstandings, criticism, and even rumors and gossip will be a part of our life. It's one thing to face opposition from without, but a whole different thing to face opposition from within. Let's be united in our goal, our mission, and our vision!!! Very soon I will be preaching a series called, 20/20. It is my prayer and desire to reunite, redirect, and refocus the body of believers as to God's purposes and plans for THE Church and most especially for Our Church!
Let me close by giving you a little motivation to be a part of the 20/20 series: Many things have already been said about us from without and within. In the words of a popular pop song; "Let's give them something to talk about". If the rumors and gossip are out there and they would be effective in the kingdom and honoring to God, then by all means, let's make them true! Let's make honset people out these folks who are talking about how different we are. I think that most of our members and I hope all of our leaders would agree; Our church is not traditional. So, let's not be afraid to break with the traditions of men, so that we can follow the directions of God! I promise there will be some exciting, some scary, and some very non-traditional things to think about! So stay tuned and jump in. The water is fine and God is still on the throne!!!
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