Larry's Thoughts

Preaching

2010-06-05T18:53:00.003-05:00

I got a call from a dear friend who invited me to fill his pulpit in a few weeks.

Over the last few weeks I have thinking and praying about preaching being used more in ministry.

This Sunday I am filling in for one of our Elder's Sunday school class.

I really feel called to work with a small church pastoring and preaching.

I don't know what this will look like totally but I am trusting God to see it through.

Stand with me and pray for His will.

Explicit Lyrics

2010-03-19T18:13:00.005-05:00

The song lyrics below are from a song called "What It's Like" by Everlast. It was written by Erik Schrody. He also was with the band House of Pain. It is a rap / acoustic song.

The song has some curse words in it but at the same time it has a poignant message.

We tend to judge things by the surface. We look at what we can see and never get to the heart of a matter.

Growing up I was taught to never judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes. My grand mother showed me an article written in our home town's news paper called "a mile in my moccasins". The lesson stuck.

I need a reminder sometimes. Sometimes in life we do need to make quick decisions. But not all the time. We really need to get to know a person and how they got where they are. Why? We have to find common ground to build upon. Calling someone a "slob, sinner, killer, thug, loser" before we know how they got their is not helpful.

To lead them to the Cross we have to find the starting point. The woman caught in the act, was not condemned but forgiven by Jesus. Paul wrote to Philemon and appealed to him to free the slave. Jesus entered the home and touched the dead child.

We have to relate. We cant put up barriers and pre-conditions and expect results.

These lyrics tell the story. Yes there is "bad language" but look at the underlying message. See past the exterior and listen with your heart.

Think about them the next time you see the bum, pregnant girl, thug on the corner or who ever....there is an underlying story.

Just my rambling thoughts...

What It's Like...

We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you fuckin' slob's all he replied

[CHORUS]
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like [x4]

Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don't worry about a thing baby doll I'm the man you've been dreamin' of
But three months later he said he won't date her or return her call
And she sweared god damn if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore

[CHORUS]
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like [x4]
I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the baddest dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start

I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get shit faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some shit
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that's what they say when you play the game

[CHORUS]
God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like [x3]
To have to lose...

Vanity

2010-02-04T17:13:00.003-06:00

I love the song "Your So Vain" by Carly Simon...

The line about "clouds in the coffee" I thought she said "clowns in the copy"...

You walked into the party
Like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror
As you watched yourself gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

You had me several years ago
When I was still quite naive
Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved
And one of them was me
I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga
And your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well, you're where you should be all the time
And when you're not, you're with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you? Don't you?

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you

You're so vain (so vain)
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you? Don't you?

Maturity

2010-01-31T22:42:00.003-06:00

This morning's message really got me thinking today....(Good job Pastor Ross)

Ross talked about growing in maturity. He talked about our growth in the Gospel. Our growth does not come from a check list or a "7 step secret"...do this and you will succeed.

For along time I heard a lot about doing the right things in the right formula and God must bless you or answer you....

But it is not about human effort. Does growth take work? Yes I believe it does. But it is not a simple check list that by human effort we achieve our sanctification. It is taking the time and wrestling with the deep things of God. Of knowing who we are and who He is. It is His Holy Spirit communing (back and forth) with our Spirit...(being born again, it is that same Spirit).

In that back and forth, we grow. We see things in the light of Christ. We see things in the mind of Christ. We see things past a mere conversion. We move to a place of a deeper understanding of Gospel.

The Gospel is not a state of salvation. It is the greatest story ever told. It is relationship between God and us. When He said the tabernacle of God is with men...his tent is right in the middle of our lives. His Kingdom is all around us.

Growing in God is bigger than learning moral teaching and completing a list.

What is it God wants to do in your life that you are resisting?

Ambushed

2010-01-27T22:20:00.003-06:00

Have you ever wondered how and why God loves us?

Despite our dark sins, despite our feeble prayer life, our inconsistent discipleship, our what ever......

He loves us. He dares us to doubt the love he has for us.

Thank you that you love me. Thank you that you died for me. Thank you that despite my dark sin, my feeble prayer life, my inconsistent walk as a disciple and my discipleship....you love me.

Jesus, I love you. I am not lovable but I love you.

Blaise Paschal wrote..."God made man in His own image....and man returned the favor"

Let me never think lowly of you my God, my savior.

I am yours. I am a bruised reed that you will not break. I am a smoldering wick that you will not snuff out...

MLK

2010-01-18T22:26:00.003-06:00

Today we celebrate a man who was cut down too soon. We take the day off. So many don't know what he did. So many don't know what he stood for.

As history goes on, fewer and fewer people will know all that he did and died for. It will be simply a few paragraphs in a history book. One of the first times I think i heard about Dr. King was in a U2 song on the Rattle and Hum album.

We need to tell the story. We are not too far from segregation. There are still reminders of it all over the place.

In the courthouse in the county I work it, if you go to the top floor near the library, if you look you can still read "white men restroom."

In my home town when I grew up there was "the campus." It was the black school until integration in 68 ( i think). It was still there as I grew up in the late 70's and 80's. We would pass by it and I remember it being pointed out as "the black school."

It is torn down now. I don't know if that is good or bad. Maybe we need reminders of the ignorance that divided our society. Maybe we don't. It is a fact of history. It is one thing to read about it in a history book, it is another to be able to walk up to it and touch it.

"early morning, April 4, shot rings out in the Memphis sky, free at last, they took your life, they could not take your pride......"

Doves - the return

2010-01-17T18:43:00.003-06:00

This morning I started to get frustrated. I was looking through some things and some feelings of anger, resentment...etc...etc...

Out of no where The Doves that were such a blessing in mine and Liz's life return. They sat outside our window and sang to us.

God knows our need, before we need it. God knows how to reveal Himself to us in ways we will understand.

I have had some awesome encounters with God that I understood, though others may not. But I think God can and does reveal Himself in diverse ways so that we understand and will not miss the Message.

The Message of a Redeemer. A Message that He goes before us and is our rear guard. A Message that He owns the Cattle on a thousand hills.

Thank you El Shaddai....

Grand Torino

2009-11-13T22:20:00.004-06:00

Today I had the day off and watched the movie Grand Torino.

As I watched the movie (which is Rated R) I began to draw a spiritual lesson from it. I did not start out my day to come up with a sermon illustration or devotion point....but there It was.

It is the story of an old soldier (Walt), who hates what his world has become. He is grumpy. He is a bigot. He is a widower. He is basically pissed at how things have become.

He is pursued by people who care for him before he cares for them. His priest goes after him non stop. His neighbors who are Hmongs go after him. They reach out to him to care for him. He does everything he can to offend his priest and his Hmong neighbors.

He sees his Hmong neighbors being hurt. Walt gets his rifle he carried in the Korean War and stands up for them. He begins to have a crack in that hard exterior and starts to care for them in his own way. As the story goes on his new found friends are hurt further. They are unable to stand up for them selves.

Walt decides he must stand in the gap for those who can not defend themselves. He goes to his priest who has never given up on him and seeks comfort. Walt then goes and gives his life to protect the weak.

St. James wrote that pure religion in the sight of God is to defend those who can not defend themselves (my paraphrase).

I think as Christ followers we have to be the people that pursue the Walt's in our lives. We also need to be the Walt's who lay down their lives to help those who can not help them selves.

Christmas

2009-11-11T17:39:00.002-06:00

I love what Christmas means. The incarnation of God. The birth of Jesus. The God-Man prophesied about made real.

I hate the business, expense, non-sense, commercialism and greed.

This year I want to go to a Mid-Night Mass. I have never been to one, but I want to experience one.

Hold Me

2009-10-16T18:51:00.004-05:00

Just when you think you have something beat. It comes back.

I hate myself sometimes. I hate that I struggle with lust and drinking. I hate that sometimes I want to get sloshed until I can not feel my face. I hate that I find myself lusting over women who are not my wife.

But they are still there. Today I went and played golf. I loved it. I was really craving a cold beer. I saw the beer cart start my way. The struggle in me began until I almost wanted to puke. All of a sudden she turned and went a different way. I was glad and mad at the same time.

As I was telling Liz latter of my failure and struggle she asked was it around 12:45? I told her yes. She said she got a message that she was being prayed for at that time. She told this friend she did not know if it what it was for. I began to weep.

God loves me. Also, God likes me.

God help me to stay pure and sober. Forgive me for my failures and short comings. Help me to remember that you love me furiously. Thank you for letting me run to you and be held.

I am tired

2009-10-15T19:15:00.003-05:00

I have just about worked in to a frazzle. I am tired and exhausted to the point where I forget things.

I have to find the balance of when to stop and when to keep going.

I love what I do.

I got to eat lunch with a pastor friend today who is a wonderful man. He inspires me to be a better person. (Thank you James)

As I sit here rambling on I am listening to Brennan Manning. I love his guy. He has help me to learn that not only does God Love me, he actually likes me.

Short note - but wanted to put it down.

Reflection

2009-10-12T18:41:00.004-05:00

Brennan Manning has a way to make me look at myself and my walk. Brennan Manning tried all sorts of things to try and make God Love him. He finally discovered that God has a furious love for him, they way he was.

I am learning that lesson. I am learning that Abba is mine, and I am His. I belong to Abba. He desires me.

I have thought of going and doing for God, to have God love me more....but I dont have to do those things. God loves me like I am. He loves me with my scars, imperfections, weaknesses and sins.

I belong to Abba, He loves me.

I have returned

2009-10-11T22:18:00.002-05:00

I have been asked about blogging again.

I had given it up for a while after I got in a bit of trouble. No I will not write on here what it was. Just know that what I did will not happen again.

The last couple of days have been really cool. I got to have lunch with two couples from Rose Heights. They are dear friends who have always been special to Liz and I. I told them that being around them makes me miss pastoring.

I do want to pastor again as I have said. I still have a vision of working with a small rural church in a bi-vocational setting. Will see how that works out. I will leave it to God.

Today in my Sunday school class our Executive Pastor Fritz Hager came by...no pressure. I got to talk to him a few minutes. Seems like a very cool guy. He is a West Point Grad. I need to swap book stories with him. He has done and lived things I have only read about.

Well off to bed. I am finishing a book by Nelson Demille then I have a new (new to me) book by Brennan Manning I am going to read.

Well it has happened

2009-07-09T22:35:00.004-05:00

I got a letter today from the Administrative Bishop of Texas. Since I am violating my "Ministerial Covenant" by not tithing at a church of God and attending the nearest Church of God..." he "must take action regarding the revocation of your ministry...."

I thought the wording was interesting.

I have met with the Sr. Pastor at Bethel. I am still credentialed with them.

I have not ill feelings towards the church of God. I hope that millions of souls are saved and churches are planted all over the world by the work they do.

I will continue to be obedient to what I believe God has called me to do.

Father I trust you. I surrender to your will.

The Wisdom of Tenderness

2009-07-05T19:47:00.003-05:00

Brennan Manning is one of my favorite people. Like me he has struggled with some things. His cost him his priesthood. He was able to recover and continue serving God.

His book I am reading now is called the Wisdom of Tenderness. There is a quote in it that really blew me away.

"It's more important to be a mature Christian than to be a great butcher or baker or candlestick-maker; and if the only chance to achieve the first is to fail at the second, the failure will have proved worthwhile. Isn't failure worthwhile if it teaches us to be gentle with the failure of others, to be patient, to live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness, and to pass that tenderness on to others? If we're always successful, we may get so wrapped up in our own victories that we're insensitive to the anguish of others; we may fail to understand (or even try to understand) the human heart; we may think of success as our due. Then later, if our little world collapses through death or disaster, we have no inner resources."

Think on that a while.....

Flash Back

2009-07-04T16:49:00.003-05:00

Got to hang out with some dear friends today. Bro Peterson who let me preach at his church when I was in Seminary and his wife Linda, daughter Kristi and her two girl Kimmer and Kinsey came over from Corsicanna. We hung out at Chik Fil A and visited for 3 hours or more. It was great.

We covered a world of topics. Shared memories and laughs. It was awesome.

God is so good that He allows good friends to fellowship and share. It is what the church should look like. Believers building each other up. Believers united by the Holy Spirit.

Stay close to your friends in the faith. Share time with each other with no agenda. No lights, sound, smoke machines, just life.

Raising its ugly head

2009-06-27T20:29:00.004-05:00

Well,

My nemesis is back, or at least it reminded me it is there. My big two. I guess the stress and worry of dad and other things has stirred them up. I don't like seeing my daddy sick.

No, nothing has happened. I have not drank. I have not strayed. But the thoughts and temptations are there.

One way to explain it is to quote Jeff Foxworthy..."I want a beer, and I want to see something naked."

I have been reading more from Mother Theresa. I am reading about worshiping in silence and reflection. It helps.

Driving home today I listened to Jimmy Swaggart on a Palestine radio station. Hearing him sing and play helps.

I look forward to church tomorrow. It helps.

They Name is as ointment

2009-06-13T23:42:00.002-05:00

Thy name is as ointment poured forth:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Thy name is as ointment poured forth,
Thy name is as ointment poured forth.

Therefore do the virgins love Thee:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Therefore do the virgins love Thee,
Therefore do the virgins love Thee.

Thy love is much better than wine:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Thy love is much better than wine,
Thy love is much better than wine.

Draw me, we will run after Thee:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Draw me, we will run after Thee,
Draw me, we will run after Thee.

Behold, Thou art fair, my Beloved:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Behold, Thou art fair, my Beloved,
Behold, Thou art fair, my Beloved.

I found Him whom my soul doth love:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
I found Him whom my soul doth love,
I found Him whom my soul doth love.

I held Him and would not let go:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
I held Him and would not let go,
I held Him and would not let go.

Make haste, my Beloved, to come:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Make haste, my Beloved, to come,
Make haste, my Beloved, to come.

We love Thee with all of our heart:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
We love Thee with all of our heart,
We love Thee with all of our heart.

Black Snake Moan

2009-05-17T23:42:00.003-05:00

Yes I have seen the movie....a couple of times.....Why do I write about it?

Think of the character Lazarus. A black man in the south. Finds a half naked white girl dumped near his house. He picks her up and takes her inside. He cleans her up. Bandages her wounds. Goes and gets medicine for her. Watches over her for days. She continues to wonder off in a drug induced haze, so he chains her to the radiator. He learns more about her from different people. That she is a party girl, will sleep with anyone any where. During this Lazarus is reading his bible. The girl wakes up and wants to leave. He tells her that he is going to cure her of her wicked ways. Well lets say she is not to thrilled with the idea. Lazarus says over and over that is has made up his mind and will not be moved.

Here is a guy with every excuse not to get involved. Every reason to walk away. Trying to help someone who does not want it or appreciate it. She does everything to get away from him. But he has made up his mind....and he will not be moved.

It is easy to do good those who are like us. It is even easier when they appreciate it and say thank you.

But how hard do we work to do for those who will never appreciate it. Are we willing to risk our lives, our reputation, our appearance to our community and what "looks right."

What if the thing we see and are moved to get involved with "offends" those who pay the bills?

Willing to risk it?

Dad

2009-05-12T18:54:00.004-05:00

My dad has another health thing going on. He has been going to an oncologist. They have done a biopsy of his bones and his marrow to test for cancer. He is over producing iron or something and they are having to "bleed" him every week. I did not know they still did this sort of thing. Sounds like something out of Dr. Quin Medicine Woman.

Another scary chapter.

Lessons from Dad

2009-04-19T20:17:00.004-05:00

Today started off to be a great day. We got up and went to Bethel. We had great time in Sunday School. Church was wonderful. We left church and went to Lowes. Everyone was happy. We bought some flowers. We walked over to the hot dog stand and all got a sausage and a hot dog.

We got home and King did not meet us at the gate. We called him and he did not respond. Walking into the back yard King started to stagger over. He stopped to pee. He was peeing blood. He was not acting like himself. I had a treat for him. King loves and lives for snausages. I held it out for him and he paid no attention to it. We broke up a piece of it and he took it and dropped it. I went to the phone and was trying to get a hold of our vet. He was not available so we called the emergency clinic. They said to bring him in. I got his leash and led him to the yard.

I told the kids to talk to him while I got the car ready. I figured they would put him to sleep. He is old and had a couple of health issues. We got a blanket for him. King then laid down on the side walk. He laid his head over on Savannah's lap. He was having trouble breathing. He then just stopped breathing. We held him and cried. We talked to him and petted him as his heart stopped. We wept in the yard.

After a few moments I knew I had to do dad duty. I had to do what I saw my father do. I had to bury our pet. I went over and cleared the back of my truck. Sarah gave me a blanket of hers to wrap him in. I picked up our doggy and put him in the back of the truck. The kids and Liz came over and kissed him and told him how much they loved him.

I drove to Troup to my father in laws farm to bury our dog. I cried the whole way. I never knew the emotion that would go in to this. This is not something they tell you in "dad school". I saw dad do it, and now I am the dad. As I was doing this I remembered the first time one of my pets died. It was Tom the cat. He was a black and white cat. I even took him to school one day for show and tell. He died when I was about 8 or 9. Dad picked him up and put him a box. We went out behind his shop and dug a hold. I had wrapped him up. Dad placed him in the whole and put the box over him and covered the hole. This was so many years ago and I can still take you to the spot where we buried him.

Part of our family died today. To some this is silly, but we loved this dog. He was the dog that helped Sarah get over her fear of dogs. He protected our kids. He loved to chase cats. He would bark at strangers. He never wondered off. If the gate was ever left opened he just walked to the front door and sat there. That is where the treats are.

RIP King. Find Tom the Cat in heaven and chase him. Role on the streets of gold. Ask Saint Peter for a treat. Take a drink from the River of Life that flows from the throne. We will see you someday.

My Sins, My Sins My Savior

2009-04-12T17:42:00.003-05:00

What an Easter. My first in several years where I was not a pastor. Many emotions. While at Wal-mart today I pondered or more closely, was ambushed by my sinful nature. That thing that I so wanted to be gone from me. That thorn, that chain, that thing.....Actually there are two of them. One often used to mask or as an excuse for the other. Sometimes they work together. Sometimes they work alone. Sometimes one will disappear for a while and I think "finally, it is gone." But there it is.

The last several years in full time ministry I could not tell anyone about them. I had to pretend they are not there. Early on I tried to mention it as an aid to someone and was told to never tell anyone about it. You cant be in ministry if you have that thing. Even if you have this thing, tell no one. I have even asked other ministers about this. One even told me that if he knew that one of his staff had one of these problems he could not allow them to work as a minister. "It would just look bad" is what he said.

Any idea how lonely it can be to walk around day after day, year after year and not be able to openly ask someone to pray for you about your thing? (except my wife, who knows all and knows everything...thank God for her.)

The night before my final Sunday at Rose Heights I stayed up most the night reading the biography of Rich Mullins. What release he felt when he could admit publicly that he struggled with a specific sin. He feared rejection, and was by some. But most embraced him and loved him.

So what are my two things that I have following me around? Drinking and Lust. So before I explain, I have not taken a drink in almost 10 years. I have never cheated on my wife. I have not had an affair. I am not hooked on porn.

But often, like today, I have to pray though and fight lustful thoughts. They happen at the most inconvenient time. Often times I literally have to get up and leave where I am so I can pray that God will deliver me. I go and tell my wife, the only person I have been able to tell, that I am battling this thing called lust.

About the drinking? There are times when the craving and desire so over comes me I wind up in tears. I want to just simply get tore up. I want to get a 12 pack and drink every bit of it until I cant feel my face. It is really bad when you are out of town and "no one would know" and the stuff is all over the place.....Some times the battle leaves me bruised. By the Grace my God, I have not given in. But I must admit, it is not easy. I have been at weddings where there is drinking, I smell it and I want it. But I cant do it. I have had to get in the car and just leave.

Do I think drinking alcohol is wrong in and of it self? No. But for me it is. I know that if I go down that road, there is no good that can come from it. I know people that can have a beer or a margarita and that be it. Me? I want the whole pitcher. I want every drop I can get.

I know there will be repercussions from writing this. Some will use it as an excuse to reject me and write me off. I cant help that. But maybe this will help someone. I leave that to God.

Below is the words to an old him I sang to myself in Wal-mart today.

John S. B. Monsell, Hymns of Love and Praise, 1863.

My sins, my sins, my Savior!
They take such hold on me,
I am not able to look up,
Save only, Christ, on Thee;
In Thee is all forgiveness,
In Thee abundant grace,
My shadow and my sunshine
The brightness of Thy face.

My sins, my sins, my Savior!
How sad on Thee they fall;
Seen through Thy gentle patience,
I tenfold feel them all;
I know they are forgiven,
But still, their pain to me
Is all the grief and anguish
They laid, my Lord, on Thee.

My sins, my sins, my Savior!
Their guilt I never knew
Till with Thee in the desert
I near Thy passion drew;
Till with Thee in the garden
I heard Thy pleading prayer,
And saw the sweat-drops bloody
That told Thy sorrow there.

Therefore my songs, my Savior,
E’en in this time of woe,
Shall tell of all Thy goodness
To suff’ring man below;
Thy goodness and Thy favor,
Whose presence from above
Rejoice those hearts, my Savior,
That live in Thee and love.

Home Town Hero

2009-03-25T11:08:00.004-05:00

I went to visit a hero today. He has pastored in my home town for I guess 30 years. He has worked bi-vocational for many years as a chaplain as well. He is in the hospital, but PTL he is going home today.

He is a faithful man. He has faithfully cared for the small flock that God has given him. The church he pastor's probably has never been over 100. Maybe higher. But he has cared for them. He has loved them, married them, buried them and gone through life with them as well.

Pray for him.

Waiting

2009-03-23T10:05:00.005-05:00

I don't do well at this. I know patience is a fruit of the spirit. It is something I have had to always work on. If I have some thing to do, I do it. Maybe I am just OCD. I like to be busy, knowing what is expected and then do it. But sitting around waiting on someone else and not knowing what the outcome will be, well honestly it drives me nuts.

ARGH!!!!!!! God help me to not go nuts. Help me to display the fruit of the spirit. Real fruit that has taken time to grow and is plucked in the proper season.

BTW - the doves sang me to sleep last night. (Zephahiah 3:16-20)

On the Wings of a Dove

2009-03-13T20:32:00.002-05:00

On the wings of a snow white Dove, God sends His pure sweet love, a sign from above,,,,on the wings of a dove.

Catholic Stuff

2009-03-08T20:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I went to Mother Frances to visit a new born baby. As I was leaving I felt the Lord leading me to go to the Chapel and pray. I have learned and am learning to obey. The chapel at TMF is beautiful. If you have never visited it, it is pretty. I have counseled folks before there. I have spent other times in prayer there.

While there I picked up a tract about the Rosary. I found it interesting because it explained "praying the rosary." I found it an interesting way to teach people to pray and to teach the fundamentals of the faith. Of course I don't pray to Mary nor do I think one should. I don't disrespect Mary, I think we should obey her and "do what ever he tells us" as she told the wedding party at Cana.

As I looked over the tract, I like the way it explains the mysteries. I also appreciated the art work in the tract that explained the Gospel Message.

I think in the protestant church we have lost some of the mystery of our faith. We rely less on the arts and being comfortable with the unknown. I think we should allow God to give us wonder. We should be wowed by what he does. I think we should be able to express that in the arts and with poetry.

Just some rambling thoughts....

TV Preachers

2009-03-02T20:50:00.003-06:00

Maybe I am just jaded. I sometimes flip through TBN and INSP and these channels sort of tick me off. I think of all the money they fleece people for just so they can be on TV. How much can they really be accomplishing for the kingdom? All the money that is spent to have make up, costumes, lights, sound and just the air time.....Everyone is on the air begging for money.

It just makes me sick to see money wasted. These word of faith guys that get on the air and lie, and abuse the word of God just to get money. They don't care about the people. Having been around these "diva" types just makes me sick.

I know that God is not blind to this sort of thing. I know that God will judge in the end. I know they will answer in the end.

But I can not help but think of those who get missed. Of those who could have been reached. What could have been done for the kingdom with that money? Instead of buying airplanes, big cars, diamonds, fancy suits and all sorts of other junk, what if we put that money in the kingdom? What if we used that money to help the poor? What if we fed the hungry? What if we could build churches? What if we could help missionaries stay on the field and not have to spend their time raising money?

What if?

Something to Think About!

2009-02-25T13:08:00.004-06:00

Do you wish to honour the body of Christ? Do not ignore Him when he is naked.

Do not pay Him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect Him outside where He is cold and ill-clad.

What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother is dying of hunger?

Start by satisfying His hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the altar.

John of Chrysostom a.k.a. John of the Golden Mouth.

Your thoughts??

Where did the month go?

2009-02-24T15:47:00.003-06:00

I cant believe that the month of February is flying by. MARCH is right around the corner. Good grief what is up with that.

Who knows what exciting fun filled adventures await us in MARCH, which is NEXT week.....

UFC

2009-02-22T20:43:00.004-06:00

I love watching Ultimate Fighting. Part of me day dreams of being a cage fighter. But then I feel the arthritis in my shoulders and back and I get over it pretty quick.

I see myself as a cross between Chuck Liddell and Uriah Faber.

Three Simple Rules

2009-02-16T09:00:00.003-06:00

I have been reading a lot about John Wesley since the fall. When I was in California I purchased a little book called Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living by Rueben P. Job.

It is very small but very profound.

Here are the three rules:

1. Do No Harm.
2. Do Good.
3. Stay in Love With God

In the back of the book is a prayer guide.

I am very challenged with this.

The Doves

2009-02-06T12:54:00.003-06:00

I was having a rough day. Lots of emotions running too and fro. As I pulled into my driveway and I saw the doves again. They were sitting in my rock garden. They sat their even as I pulled in the drive and parked.

I felt comfort of God. I felt the presence of God. I felt the peace of God. I felt the promise of God.

Thank you Jesus.

Doves

2009-02-03T17:50:00.004-06:00

This afternoon I was sitting in my front yard reading my bible. I looked up in a tree across the street and I saw two doves. They were beautiful. As I sat watching them I began to reflect on doves in the Bible.

I thought of the passage in Genesis where the dove brought back the twig to Noah. Showing Noah that hope was near.

In Genesis 15 during the covenant agreement with Abraham, God instructed Abraham to have a Dove, left whole, beside the sacrifice.

In the baptism of Jesus, a dove was used to describe the falling of the Holy Spirit.

Here God has used them to show hope, promise and His presence. As I reflect this season of life these two doves brought me comfort. They showed me that there is hope, that His promises will be fulfilled and He will be with me.

Dont Let Me Peek

2009-02-03T09:04:00.003-06:00

We are to walk by faith and not by sight. I believe it. I teach it. Lord Help me live it. Help me not peak and to continue by faith. The stuff I "see" the stuff I think I control, is scary.

I have read Psalm 37 a lot over the last week or so. I find its words so helpful. I have looked at it in multiple translations. Each one is beautiful and helpful.

Father Keep Your Hands Over My Eyes. Direct my steps. Guide my hands. Calm my fears. Settle my stomach.

I love you Lion of Judah.

Book Report

2009-01-24T17:04:00.005-06:00

I have been reading another great book. It is called Dirty Word - The Vulgar Offensive Language of the Kingdom of God - by Jim Walker.

This is one of those books that really kicks me around and makes me think. It makes me think about the way we do church and ministry. I like people that make me think.

In the book is a passage from a book by one of my hero's, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In his book Life Together, he has a quote:

"God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary idea of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians with his demands, sets up his own laws, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren. He acts as if he is the creator of the Christian community, as if his dream binds men together. When things do not go his way, he calls the effort a failure. When his ideal picture is destroyed, he see the community going to smash. So he becomes first a rejecter of his brethren, then a rejecter of God, and finally the despairing rejecter of himself."

Walker uses this in talking about building community. He ask the question, "How do we conjure up authentic Christian community? We don't. Because frankly we cant. He says that it happens naturally. It happens when we are surrendered and humbled. Koinonia will take place naturally.

Challenging.

Poverty

2009-01-22T11:50:00.004-06:00

I have been thinking over the words of Jason Upton in his song: Power in Poverty. They are so profound. I want to weep every time I think of them. We chase and chase big, shiny and new. We chase the cutting edge, but what about the poor. A Catholic Priest I heard once really challenged me to invest in the bellies of the poor. We need them. We can never end poverty. Therefore, we always have something to do.

Power in Poverty – Jason Upton

There's a power in poverty that breaks principalities
And brings the authority's down to their knees
There's a brewing frustration and ageless temptation
To fight for control by some manipulation

But the God of the kingdoms and the God of the Nations
The God of creation sends his revelation
Thru the homeless and penniless Jesus the son
The poor will inherit the Kingdom to come

Where will we turn when our world falls apart
And all of the treasures we've stored in our barns
Can't buy the Kingdom of God?

Who will we praise when we've praised all our lives
Men who build Kingdoms and men who build fame?
But heaven does not know their names?

What will we fear when all that remains
Is God on His throne, with a child in his arms, and love in his eyes
And the sound of his heart cries

What a Day

2009-01-18T20:27:00.005-06:00

The last 24 hours has been odd. I was called to the hospital to be with a family. The husband had been diagnosed with an aggressive type of Leukemia. He had been fine, started feeling bad, went to the hospital and was admitted. He progressively got worse and worse. By 2 am, he was dead. I have never seen someone die so quickly from this disease. Normally they suffer for a long time. He did not. He and his wife loved each other so much. They were a real example of a loving relationship.

While leaving the hospital I ran into another church member. Her niece was on life support. She was only 28, mother of 2. She died this afternoon. The family is devastated. As one could imagine.

In both cases the doc's and nurses did every thing they could. It seems they pulled out all the stops and tried everything. But the effects of these diseases was too much.

What a day for these two families.

President Bush

2009-01-15T22:13:00.003-06:00

As I listen to his final farewell address, I am proud that I supported President Bush. He is the kind of person I respect. I believe that history will come to his side. I have not always agreed with him, but through it all I respected him.

Good Luck Mr. President.

Good Read

2009-01-14T21:35:00.004-06:00

Just finished a good book. It is called "The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community: The Posture and Practices of Ancient Church Now." It was written by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay.

I highly recommend this. They are pretty bold and brave guys who are church planters.

On to the next read.

Community

2009-01-03T20:56:00.004-06:00

Today my son Sam and I went to a cub scout event at Tyler State Park. We had to learn to cook something outside. We were hosted by a group I had never heard of. It was called "The Lone Star Dutch Oven Society." I was a bit skeptical when I first heard of it. I never knew there was a whole society of "dutch oven" people.

I have seen dutch ovens used for years. Through my experience with scouting I have seen all kinds of things cooked in them.

But this was different. We arrived at the Tyler State Park. A large crowd of trucks, vans, RVs, 5th wheels all gathered in a circle. Out of the back of all these various vehicles every kind of out door kitchen you could imagine was set up. People of all ages were slicing and dicing and preparing food. They welcomed the cub scouts into their fold with open arms. The boys were divided up to watch and prepare a meal in a dutch oven. I have never seen so many different sizes of dutch ovens. I thought a dutch oven was a dutch oven.

The gentlemen that Sam was with was great. He was an older gentleman. He patiently and gently showed Sam how to prepare the cake that Sam was working on.

This scene was played out all around the camp. Not only were the cub scouts being helped, but all kids of other people were there who had never done this before were welcomed into the community. They showed them what they were doing. The let them participate in what they were doing. They gave them advice, tips and suggestions on how to get started. There were kids, teenagers and retired people were fellowshiping and having community. They welcomed people into their community and made them feel at home. There was no drinking, no smoking, no profanity nothing that detract. Those not involved in the cooking were walking dogs, riding bikes, walking or just chatting. There was even a central teaching area were the new folks were shown how to make their own dish. At 12:30 everyone brought what they had cooked, put it in a central area and everyone ate. You could sample from any dish that was prepared.

I have no idea the spiritual condition of the people that we met with. Maybe they were believers maybe they were not. Maybe some were and some were not.

Looking at this group I get a sense of maybe what the early church must have been like. People having real incarnational community. Sharing as they had. Helping others grow. Welcoming new people. Fellowshiping and doing community together.

If the early church was like this. Why cant the modern church be like this?

Bad News

2009-01-01T20:47:00.005-06:00

I got a call this morning that was sad. The man that lead me to Christ, Pastor Perry Jones died yesterday. He had been in the hospital with a blood clot. He was expected to get better and go home but died suddenly.

When I was 16 years old I had a crush on a young lady named Amanda. It was the summer before I turned 17. She was beautiful, sweet and a christian girl. Being the Suave guy that I am I tried to make my move. But it did not work. She wrote me a letter explaining that she did not date non christian boys. She shared the gospel with me and wrote out a lot of verses. It honestly angered me. I could not understand why she would say that I was not a Christian. I went to church, I went to youth group I did church stuff. What more was involved?

I went to church that Sunday night with the letter and showed it to Perry. You see, Amanda was Perry's niece. My goal that hot summer night was to get Perry to straighten her out. He said we could talk after the service.

After the service we sat down on the back row of the church. Perry then opened up the word to me and it just clicked. I had heard this before many times but this time it just made sense. That being a christian, meant that I had to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and not just go to church and do church stuff. I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart. Perry baptised me that same night.

Perry pastored the same church in Elkhart for I guess 25-30 years. A small work there in my home town.

I would have loved to gone to the funeral or the visitation of the family. Ironically, I am now a pastor and had to go to a funeral visitation and preach a funeral at the same time as his. I think he would understand.

Perry was a rare breed. To pastor in a small town for years. To minister to multiple generations in the same place. To some he would not be "successful". He never had more than 150 in church. He did not have large crowds, flashy presentations, large budgets, multiple staff's, special effects, lights and 6 figure sounds systems.

But he was faithful. He faithfully with conviction shared the greatest story ever told. He faithfully shepherded the flock that God gave him. He faithfully ministered in a small town that time and progress seems to have forgotten.

Perry is now home. Perry's faith is now sight. Well done good and faithful servant.

Joy & Pain

2008-12-23T20:42:00.003-06:00

Some days are like sunshine, and others are like rain.

Some days are filled with the joys of the ministry. Doing life with people. Being with hem as they go through the trials and difficulties of this sinful world. Rejoicing when they do well. Visiting them while they are ill. Being able to help with tangible things. Praying with and for them to have strength and peace.

Some days are just gut wrenching. Watching someone struggle. Seeing people dabble with sin. Seeing people forget that they are bought with a price. I want to cry as I encounter those who for what ever reason are on the edge of poverty not only physically but spiritually also.

Some days, these are the same day. Going from Joy to Pain in the same day, sometimes within an hour. This can be very difficult on someone who has a struggle with depression.

Silly Grandmother

2008-12-22T21:05:00.005-06:00

I love my mammaw. She is my hero. She has always been one of my best friends and confidants. We have had some long discussions about everything in the world. We have some disagreements over political things. She is a what you call a "yellow dog democrat" . If a yellow dog was on the ballot, she would vote for them.

She really through me for a loop when she voted for George Bush for president the first time in 2000. I thought hell froze over and I did not get the memo. She did not re-vote for him in 2004

Any way she voted for Obama. Big surprise. She knows how I am so not a Obama guy. I mean I guess he is a nice a guy in a sort of Fascist, Communist, Socialist, Marxist, Leftist sort of way. If you like that sort of thing.

She knows I am also a avid reader. I read a lot of books on all sorts of topics. So for Christmas she got me "The Audacity of Hope" by non other than the Chicago Thug politician himself, Mr. Obama. She even inscribed it for me. I love her.

Plus she got me Mike Huckabee's book "Do the right thing". I told her that that was more like it.

I am going to read both. I love her.

Update on all the happs

2008-12-21T20:02:00.005-06:00

Well I still h ave not got that stupid deer. Sam and I went back again tonight and I went on Friday and still nothing. I am starting to wonder about my skills as a hunter. sigh...

I have been doing a lot of reading about Mother Theresa. What a profound lady with a profound ministry. I am bothered a bit by some of the things she says. In some of the prayers that she has written she encourages Muslims and Hindus to put the name of their God in the place of Jesus. She encourages them to be better Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or what ever. This bothers me.

I guess the evangelical in me screams out "why not lead them to Jesus.!!!!!" I don't want to diminish the work that she did, but wow.

I also re-read a book by Dominic Dunne called "Anther City No My Own" - about the OJ Simpson murder case. He is a good writer. The first time I read this book I had borrowed it from my grandfather. He read every book written about the OJ trial. I read most of them. My thoughts...GUILTY!!!!!

Tonight we went to my mother in law's church. They had a walk through nativity story. It was done by the youth. They did a very good job.

In the next couple of weeks I am going to be taking on some new responsibilities at the church. I am excited, nervous, sad, over whelmed all at the same time. One of the things I will not be doing is teaching Sunday school. A break is nice. I have been teaching straight for 4 years now. I love to teach. I love the prep time that I have getting to study in the word and drawing out from God's treasure things that I can share with what ever class I am leading.

I have also been reflecting on the the last 4 years and asking some questions.
1. Have I made a difference?
2. Have I been obedient?
3. Have I missed anything?
4. How can I improve?
5. What should I do more/less of?

Time will tell.

Babies are Messy

2008-12-09T21:20:00.003-06:00

Babies are cute. The development leading up to the birth is fun and challenging. It is scary. The magic day arrives. They are here, there are tears of joy. All the first happen. Teaching them how to walk and talk. Picking them up when the stumble. Teaching them right from wrong. Being excited when they do good. Being upset when they don't do well.

One might think I am talking about my kids.

New believers sure can make messes. They can make you happy and they can make you weep. But when they grow and do well, nothing makes you prouder. When they screw up, they sure can tick you off.

Vacation Day 5

2008-12-05T21:41:00.004-06:00

Well I finnaly got them. I am the proud owner of 4 brand new Uniroyal Tires Tiger Paw Tires. I figured up and I got over 49K miles off the last set. My truck sure does drive better with these on it.

I went and got Liz a little present for christmas. I went and got my hair did. Got to read some more. I went hunting again. And again I got nothing.

While Liz and I were in the van, I heard the rear brakes GRINDING>>>> Not good. So tomorrow I will be putting brakes on the van. I just love spending money I did not plan on.

Sam and I are going to be in the Christmas parade in Whitehouse tomorrow. Savannah is trying out for all region band all day tomorrow. I am so proud of her.

Today was a good day.

Vacation Day 4

2008-12-04T20:23:00.004-06:00

stupid deer...I will not be mocked. I will get him. I will get him with extreme prejudice.

I had an awesome nap today. Don't tell Liz, but I took a 4 hour nap....i did not get up until 1 pm.

I went twice today and did not see anything. I did get to do some readying of the book "no perfect people allowed." It was written by the pastor from Gateway Church in Austin.

Tomorrow I am buying myself a set of tires. OOOOOOO, how fun is that. I have needed them for a while. I have 4 bald tires on my truck. I got my Christmas bonus so that is my gift to myself. 4 Uniroyal Tires, 50K mile rated!!!!!

The week of Larry continues......

Vacation Day 2 and 3

2008-12-03T14:18:00.004-06:00

Well more hunting. Have not seen anything. At least nothing I wanted to shoot. I have seen cats, coons, squirrels, birds, ducks, geese......

I am resolved to continue. I have just about finished the book The Jesus Conspiracy. I am going to start on No Perfect People Allowed by John Burke. I have to miss hunting this afternoon. I am taking my oldest to a Jr. High shin dig while mom takes rug and rat to church stuff. I will go and hide somewhere and read.

Today I have taken a nap. Had Lunch with rug and rat. Went to the pharmacy. Cleaned the house. Did some laundry and watched fox News. Took a drive and looked around. Now I am surfing.

Vacation Day 1

2008-12-01T20:46:00.004-06:00

Well I did not get much hunting done today. Well none really. Last night I went hunting and took a shot at a buck. I would have sworn I hit it and it went down. I could not find it, a blood trail or anything. We burned up some flashlights looking around for it. My father in law said that after we left a deer came back and ate up the corn that was on the ground. Stupid deer. I guess I missed it and it was hiding behind a tree laughing while we looked around. That is OK, I am going to come back again, and again, and again....

I spend most of the day with Savannah and Sarah at the eye doctor getting their eyes checked. Then me and Sam had cub scouts tonight. It was a relaxing day though.

I did get some reading done. I am reading a book called the Jesus Conspiracy by Gordon Thomas. I have read other books by him. He is an investigative reporter. His books are well written and researched. He has a lot of background information that he weaves in the the story of Jesus. It is very good.

Off to bed.

Secrets of the Kingdom

2008-11-27T20:07:00.004-06:00

I am studying what I call "Jesus Stories". It is study of some of the conversations and teachings that Jesus had and gave. I have been concentrating on the book of Matthew because it is a favorite of mine. This coming Sunday I am going to teach about the farmer sewing seed. I have been challenged by this. The idea that some of the precious seed that is sewn out, will die. It will be swallowed up. No matter what you do, no matter the program, no matter the technique...some will be lost.

This deeply challenges me. I see this all the time in my work in follow up. We get a lot of "decisions" in church. But of these decisions, some we never see again. We don't hear from them. I can call and call and go see them, and nothing. Some get real involved real quick and then disappear. Others, take a lot of work to get fruit. It can be very frustrating and gut wrenching. But apparently Jesus told us that this is the way it will be.

Challenging......

Vacation

2008-11-26T19:42:00.003-06:00

I am taking next week off. I have one more week of vacation. I normally take one of them off during deer season. I plan to hunt everyday. I also have some books that I hope to read. I need this.

Random Thoughts

2008-11-25T11:51:00.004-06:00

I love getting to do the practical things of ministry. I love visiting hospitals, funeral homes, our members in their homes. I love talking to our people about their lives and their faith. I love meeting our new folks and new believers.

I am a blessed man. I have a beautiful wife and kids.

My God has supplied all my needs. My God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

My prayer is the people of God will fall in love with Him so much that they can not help but do the work of Christ. That they would be the church.

Just a random "thoughty" moment.

Reflections of a Weakling

2008-11-16T19:37:00.004-06:00

I am reading one of the books hat I got in San Diego. It is called "The Faith" by Charles Colson. Colson was involved in the Watergate Scandal back in the 70's. He is involved in prison ministry. This book is about helping to define the faith that we have.

In the chapter about Exchanging Identities - where we take on the identity of Jesus and give up our own identity he talks about two of my heroes: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Mother Teresa.

I h ave read lots about Bonhoeffer. He was a Lutheran Pastor from Germany. He became an enemy of the Nazi's. He became involved in a plot to kill Hitler. He was arrested and was sent to prison. In his prison cell, he continued a routine of worship every day. he lead church services and witnessed to everyone he could. The first few days of his imprisonment were not this way. He was very depressed and contemplated suicide. He then began a routine of a vibrant life in prison of reading, prayer, witnessing and writing. His family was allowed to bring care packages into him. Bonhoeffer often shared the things that came in with the other inmates. During one of the allied bombings all he inmates were moved to a basement for protection. Dietrich never flinched as people ducked and hid from the attack.

The prison doctor tells of the account of the last few moments of Dietrich's life. After they took his clothes, he knelt down and prayed fervently to God. This non-believer was struck by how passionately and fervently he prayed. He said that Pastor Bonhoeffer (this is how the Dr described him) prayed as if God would actually answer him (imagine that). Dietrich climbed up the gallows and stood brave ad composed. The camp Dr who had seen many people die in this prison said he hand never seen anyone dies with such submissiveness to the will of God.

I read about this brother and I am so moved. I want to have this passion for God in the hardest of circumstances. I at times allow hard stuff to distract me from my worship. I take comfort that a man such as Dietrich could remain composed in these times.

The part about Mother Teresa that really touched me was that she often struggled with depression. it is said that she had bouts of depression when she reflected at what she was not able to do. She was depressed at the abortion in the Western world. It is said that she took on the grief and pain of those she ministered to. I am told that this is not proper for a pastor to do. but I do it. I emote the pain of others and feel the hurt that they hurt. And I battle depression.

Both of these children of God died to self. This death that the endured is not gentle. Dying to self and caring for others is not a gentle death. they both trusted Christ in the darkest of times.

God help me to do the same. Help me to be at peace with your will. Help me to bear the grief of others. Help me to not lose the ability to hurt and cry with those who hurt and cry.

Today Was A Good Day

2008-11-14T20:56:00.004-06:00

The last couple of days has been great. I have been able to do some of the things that make me glad I am in the ministry.

I got to talk to a guy on the phone about the bible. I got to visit with a guy who I have been discipling for a several years. He is doing well. We got to help a widow who needed some home repair. We got to help a family that needed to re-locate. We got to help a family with gifts for Christmas. We got to help the Salvation Army by ringing the bell.

I love what I do.

Un Electable

2008-11-13T22:04:00.003-06:00

I am watching Glen Beck's Un-Electable dvd. This guy is so funny. He is totally non pc, but I love him. He is not all there, like my self.

He is going to be in Tyler in a couple of weeks. I am going to go and see him.

A Call To Action

2008-11-12T15:40:00.004-06:00

I just found this article in the Dallas Paper. Ed Young Jr, who pastors in the DFW Area has called on his married folks to get busy for 7 days strait. I don't think I have ever heard a minister tell his folks to "do it till your satisfied." But why not? Why not tell your married folks to get busy like a school boy making an A?

We here lots and lots about the wrong way, wrong time, wrong partner, wrong number, wrong everything else. I say kudos's to Ed Young!!

Copy of Article here:

Dallas-area pastor issues sex challenge
12:00 AM CST on Wednesday, November 12, 2008
By ROY APPLETON / The Dallas Morning News rappleton@dallasnews.com

God may have rested on the seventh day, but the Rev. Ed Young wants married couples to have sex all week long.
Once a day. Beginning this Sunday.
The call to action will headline Mr. Young's Sunday sermon at Grapevine-based Fellowship Church. He plans to deliver his challenge while sitting on a bed.
"I won't be dressed in pajamas," the pastor says.
In these days of financial crisis, rampant divorce and debates over same-sex marriage, it's time, he says, to turn the "whining" into "whoopee."
More fundamentally, he adds, the embracing of sex is about nurturing and strengthening marriages.
"Sex is like Super Glue. It's a spiritual thing, an emotional thing," he says.
And the marriage thing, he believes, should only involve a man and woman. God's way, he says.
Jim Dale of Coppell said he figures the pastor is trying to create more buzz for his five-church mega-ministry.
"Draw 'em in, no matter what or how," wrote the Coppell resident in a posting on dallasnews.com. "Sex? You betcha. That'll pack the pews (or theater seats)."
Mr. Dale, author of a book about individual relationships with God, said he has attended Fellowship Church a few times. And he offered some praise: "I've got to hand it to them, they are brilliant marketers."
Mr. Young says his challenge – the latest in a sermon series called "Leaving Lust Vegas" – isn't about filling seats. "We've got more people than we can say grace over," he says of his 20,000-worshipper Baptist ministry that video streams services from Grapevine to churches in downtown Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth and Miami.
Marketing is indeed at play, the pastor says. "It gets people thinking on a deeper level about sex. I want people talking about it," he says.
But doing it?
"God says sex should be between a married man and a woman. And do it," he says.
Whatever the motivation, the pastor's rousing words aren't unprecedented. A Florida church earlier this year issued a 30-day sex challenge.
Mr. Young said his words may well resonate more with the young and healthy. And at 47 years old, he plans to practice what he's preaching.
"We're going to give it a try," he says, speaking for Lisa, his wife of 26 years and mother of their four children.
As for others, "I can't make them do it," the pastor says.
But he's hopeful. "I think people are going to have a happy Thanksgiving!"

Sinus Crap Day 2

2008-11-10T21:23:00.004-06:00

I have the man cold. I went to the Dr today, and it appears to be a fatal case of of it. I hurt, ache, drip, wheeze and all kinds of other funny anomaly's that should not be here on my otherwise healthy self.

I have a good wife. I don't know what I am going to do when she goes to work in the morning. I guess I will lay here in the silence and suffer. But I know she will come home.

Sinus Crap

2008-11-09T19:30:00.002-06:00

I hate sinus crap. That is all I have to say. I have it and I hate it.

San Diego Day 5

2008-11-08T12:39:00.003-06:00

I am sitting at the airport now. I have learned so much and have so much to process it is almost overwhelming. I am still blown away from last nights message by Francis Chan. I need to order the cd and share it with a few people.

After the service we went to a dinner put on by Dave Ramsey and Financial Peach University. It was at the poolside Tiki Pavilion area. Picture this, we leave a holy ghost service, seeing people on their face before God, some have never been in an altar service and we are lead into a party area, with loud secular music playing. All the songs were about money. The were selling Ramsey's stuff. On any other day I would not have cared, but i really felt vulgar sitting there listening to this music. It was the wrong atmosphere.

At the airport i got the treatment. Having this metal in my spine opens doors for me to meet some new people. They feel you and touch you all over. Of course it is not very intimate. First they put me in a glass box and then made me stay there. Then I got put on this metal chair and was assaulted by a beeping stick. Then he gloved up and gave me the rub down. I think I need a shower.

Any who, I just ate some pizza and finally have found some diet coke. I have not had some in days. All the resort had was diet Pepsi. You can live on it, but it taste like crap.

I am on my 3rd big gulp size glass of it. AHH heaven must be like this. I am going to nose around a bit.

Oh, all the books cost me an extra fifty bucks at the airport for a heavy bag. When the guy picked it up he yelled, my God that is heavy. He said this thin is over weight. I can not tell a lie, I have about 25 books in it. I even put some in my back pack, but, they got me.

San Diego Day 4 part 2

2008-11-07T21:23:00.005-06:00

More Books: On the way to the evening part, I past through the exhibit hall, and Zondervan was giving away a ton of stuff that they did not want to pack and carry back.

Creating a Prodigal Friendly church by Jeff Lucas
Surprising Insights from the unchurched and proven ways to reach them by Thom Ranier (I love his work)
The Unchurched Next Door: understanding faith stages as keys to sharing your faith by Thom Ranier
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Compelled by Love: a journey to missional living by Ed Stetzer
The Multiplying Church: the new math for starting new churches by Bob Roberts
Should we use someone else's sermon: preaching in a cut and past world by Scott Gibson
The American Church In Crisis by David Olson
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Almost vulgar the number of books i have to read now. Guess I know what I am doing the next couple of days. HA

tonight with Francis Chan. I don't know what else to say other than wow. It was so powerful and so moving and then he gave an altar call at the end and Lincoln Brewster was playing in the background. It was so heavy and so deep I am not even at this time able to express it in to words. I never expected to see God do something like this here. My friend the Lutheran Pastor, Joseph was really blown away. We have had a lot of discussions about what our different churches did. He had never experienced an altar call where people are laying hands on people, and people were prostrate in the floor. even Lincoln Brewster said he did not know what to do at this time. I will talk more about it later.

Headed home tomorrow.

San Diego Day 4 part 1

2008-11-07T17:07:00.003-06:00

wow what a day. Good stuff, good teaching and preaching and worship.

I just got out of a class about Ancient Faith, about reaching the lost the way the early believers did. I will blog more about this later.

More Books:

The Juggling Act: bringing balance to your faith, family and work by Pat Gelsinger
Making God Known: how to bring others to faith by Greg Laurie
The Faith: what Christians believe, why they believer it, and why it matters by Chuck Colson.
When Your Teen is Struggling: real hope and practical help for parents today by Mark Gregston (he is from Longview Texas.)
More Good News for Great Days by O.S. Hawkins (former pastor of FBC Dallas)
Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the churches that reach them by Ed Stetzer.

I think my suitcase will be over the weight limit with all the books. they are just giving them away.

Francis Chan in next. Off to hear him.

San Diego Day 3 Part 2

2008-11-06T18:42:00.003-06:00

More reading material.

I made a lot of great contacts. I also gathered some new reading material that I hope to learn from.

Here is the list of what they are.

1. Three Simple Rules - A Wesleyan Way of Living by Rueben P. Job
2. Women Married to men in ministry - breaking the sound barrier together by Teresa Flint-Borden (this looks really good, i think maybe the staff wives would enjoy it. Liz and I are going to review it.)
3. The Crisis of Younger Clergy - by Lovett Weems
4. Dirty Word: The vulgar, offensive language of the kingdom of God by Jim Walker
5. The Life: A Portrait of Jesus by J. John
6. An African Awakening: My Journey into Aids Activism by Valerie Bell
7. Preparing for Change Reaction: how to introduce change in your church by Bob Whitesel (i got to meet the author and talk with him a while, he is from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is the guy on all of the advertisements.)

I am back in my room relaxing for a bit before the comedy show.

San Diego Day 3 Part 1

2008-11-06T16:51:00.004-06:00

Today so far has been great. Went to a couple of great classes on why people stay or go to a particular church. very good stuff.

The other one i went to was about visitor follow up. got some great ideas.

The general session was real good to. Lincoln Brewster lead worship. A guy I had never heard of before called J. John spoke. He is a Greek guy who lives in London. He preached a great message on taking personal responsibility in Evangelism. He was also hysterical.

The next class i am going to is on mystery visitors or secret shoppers. tonight we have a comedy show.

the weather is 68 degrees, I am poolside at a cafe waiting on my next class.

San Diego Day 2

2008-11-06T08:57:00.002-06:00

San Diego – Day 2

This was the first official day of the conference. Today was called the pre-conference seminar. I had an option to choose from 4 different intensive classes. I chose one called Welcome to the Family. It was about visitors and assimilation. It was very interesting and I got some great ideas. I also heard that some of the things we are doing are good. Something’s we need to work on.

I got to spend some time with pastors from different traditions. I learned about a program called ALPHA. It is a discipleship / evangelism program where people who have not church background learn about the gospel over a 10 week, dinner discussion type format. It is not high pressure. It encourages dialogue and study. I got to meet with an Anglican Pastor and an Episcopal pastor who uses this. ALPHA had a booth in the exhibit hall. I went by and talked to them and got some information. I will spend some time studying more about it.

I picked up a bunch of books. Some were free and I bought some. My “too read” list has grown now, but I think it will be well worth it. Here is a list of what I got:
1. Children of Hope by Vernon Brewer
2. Why a Star by Bodie and Brock Thoene
3. The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community: The Posture and Practices of Ancient Church Now by Hugh Halter
4. Parenting Teens in a Confusing Culture: Answering Parent’s Most Challenging Questions by Mark Gregston
5. Identity: who you are in Christ by Eric Geiger
6. Choose Your Faith in a World of Spiritual Options by Mark Mittelberg
7. The Peace Maker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande
8. No Perfect People Allowed: creating a come as you are culture in the church by John Burke
9. Essential Church: reclaiming a generation of dropouts by Thom S. Rainer
10. The Shape of Faith to Come: Spiritual Formation and The future of Discipleship by Brad J. Waggoner

Pretty good reading list huh?

I had lunch with a Lutheran Pastor from Nebraska. I had a great conversation with him about church and ministry. He is a very interesting guy who I hope to keep in contact with.
The general session tonight was with Lincoln Brewster leading worship. He is a great guitar player. I was pretty tired and did not feel like a concert.

Erwin McManus was next. He had an awesome sermon/talk about doing what is uncomfortable. It was very challenging. I think I will read more of this stuff.

Tonight they were showing the move Fire Proof, but Liz said I could not go and watch it without her.

Supper was interesting. I finally found a place that the price is normal. While sitting there drinking my diet Pepsi talking with Liz, a cock roach took a walk across my table….CHECK PLEASE!!!!! I wound eating supper in bar type place. I had a calamari wrap. It was good.
Back to the room. Relax, read, thing, process, blog, email check and all that. Tomorrow is a big day.

SanDiego Day 1 part 2

2008-11-04T21:11:00.004-06:00

I took my life in my hands today. at the airport i could not find the shuttle to the resort where the convention is so i got a cab. It would be my luck that I would get a Jamaican Cab Driver who was smiling like he was stoned out of his gourd. I could not understand a word he said.

This place is so expensive. I just ate a 26 dollar sandwich. For lunch I had a 24 dollar burger. I am scared to see what breakfast will be like.

Yikes.

It is so cool (temperature wise) here. The sun went down and it got pretty cold. I sat outside for a while and talked to my grandmother. My dad had a ruff afternoon. The procedure did not work. I called him at home but he was already asleep. I really wished it would have worked.

SanDiego Day 1

2008-11-04T15:03:00.004-06:00

Day One – somewhere over Texas..

Got an early start this morning. No problems at the Tyler Airport. I met a family that was sending their dog to Florida on a different plane. I thought that was odd.

Got in to Houston ok. Had to ride the shuttle bus to my terminal. I had some time to kill so I got my boots shined at one of those shoe shine stands. It was done by this Asian man wearing an old black cowboy hat that had seen its better days. He also was wearing a bow tie and white shirt. He did a real good job on my boots.

Sitting on the plane now as I type this. It is only about 80% full. There are several Marines on board. I know there is a large Marine base in San Diego. They look like they are new to the corps. No rank or badges on the uniform except for their rifle qualifying badge. The look like high school kids. There are also a lot of moms with little babies with them. Some of them are happy and some are not happy.

The flight is supposed to be a three hour flight. They are going to show a movie that I don’t think I want to see it. Looks boring. Just wanted to type out some thoughts. More LATER!

Got here. This place is beautiful. Cool temp, beautiful water, palm trees, roses, Spanish tile roofs...awesome.

I have a garden bungalow. It has its own covered area with vines and flowers. Very nice.

It is lunch time so i went to one of the 5 restaurants here at the convention center. I had forgot about the "laid back" atmosphere of this state. The restaurant was nice, but waitresses do not get in a hurry. I am used to being called sugar and honey and they fall all over them selves to get to serve you. Oh well, being in a foreign land like this one must adapt to the surrounding areas.

Later tonight I am supposed to check in at one of the ball rooms here. I am going to take a nap now and rest.

incidentally, Dad's procedure did not work. He is very discouraged. So am I.

Going West - Dad

2008-11-03T09:09:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow I leave for San Diego for a conference. I will fly out of Tyler at 7. Will be back Saturday night. I should be able to post every day on this and face book to keep up with what is going on.

One complication. Dad's heart procedure is tomorrow. He has to be at Mother Frances at 8 in the morning. They will shock him at 10. I hate not being here for this. Dad insisted I go on with my trip. He has the hard part. My grandmother will be with him.

My prayer is that this will work and will help dad.

A Walk In The Garden Lesson 3 Note

2008-11-03T09:03:00.004-06:00

This is the final set of note from this study. I will be starting something new next week. I have enjoyed this study very much.

Lesson 3

The Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

v. 1. Virgins – also translated bridesmaids. To be one is an honor. It is very insulting to the bride, if the bride’s maids are not prepared. To be shut out because you did not get ready could ruin a friendship.

Jewish Marriage Customs. 2 basic stages.

Betrothal (or engagement) – spouse is chosen. Usually with input of parents or full decision made by parents. Sometimes the young ones would make choice or preference known. This could happen anywhere from 13-18 years of age. Legal contract would be made with witnesses to this. They were to remain abstinent during this time. To break this contract would mean divorce. If one died, the other was a widow or widower.

The Wedding – formal ceremony would be a year after the betrothal. Special garments would be worn. The groom would leave the fathers house and go to the bride with his companions. They would go and get the bride and bring the bride back to the wedding supper. Could be in either place. Parents and friends would bless the couple. The father of the bride would then draw up a formal contact. Then they went to a special nuptial chamber and consummated the marriage. While everyone waited outside. No pressure. The virginity was established afterwards by the presence of blood on the *sheets*. Then there would be a party for a week or more.

*The presence of the blood – shows that the virgin was pure, that she belonged to the bridegroom – she had been preserved. (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

Jesus is the Lion of Judah – the Lion of Judah has washed his clothes in blood. (Genesis 49:8-12)

God looks for the blood so that He can pass over and not punish – (Exodus 12:13)

Believers showed that they were His, but the presence of Blood on their clothes (Revelations 7:14)

The church overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb. (Revelations 12:11)

Jesus is pictured as a the rider on the white horse, with his own clothes dipped in blood.

v. 2 – Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

v. 3 – many have a lamp of profession in their hands. But few of them have settled the matter and have the oil of the spirit of salvation in their hearts. They have outward works, but the inside is dead.

v. 5 – all 10 slept. Waiting and Watching is OK. Sleep is OK, if you are prepared. Once you have everything ready, it is OK to lie down and rest.

The wise could enjoy a true peace.

The foolish a false peace.

The foolish were not prepared to wait. They could not handle a delay. They apparently wanted an instant fix. They could not endure a little wait.

Though Jesus tarries past our time He will come in due time.

v. 6 – a new day has started.

v. 8 – The oil lamp was made of clay, had a basin for the oil and a wick that was burned to produce the light. These outside torches could burn for hours if their was enough oil. Could have also been a torch with oil soaked rags.

Their faith was dead. At the time when it mattered the most, it was dead and no one could help them. No prep work. Trouble came and now they are scrambling.

They were not spiritually prepared. A delay cause what they had to burn up.

The virgins were to escort the groom to the bride. They had the procession to light the way to the bride.

If the bridesmaids tried to share oil, none would have enough.

v. 10 – they went to buy, what could not be bought. What was once free without price is now not available. Is. 55:1-3.

v. 11 – being outside in the dark while the marriage supper is going on is a picture of being in hell. Not known, and un-helpable. No way to change the disposition.

v. 12 – they had insulted the dignity of the host. They missed the procession. They missed the chance to be a part of the celebration, dancing and singing.

v. 13 – the oil they had was good, but it ran out. A new day had come, and they needed to be re-filled.

Closing Challenge:

We can not lean on a past experience. We need to have new and fresh encounters with God to lean upon.

Daily grace is needed for daily need.

We are fools if we seek to only get through a moment, with no thought to what might happen.

The wise will have a fresh supply of spiritual strength to get through the time of waiting.

Playing my part

2008-10-27T19:49:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow morning I am going to be preaching at the Salvation Army Chapel for their daily service. The message I am sharing is about John the Baptist from John 4 where he says that he must decrease so the Jesus can increase.

John's followers were upset because the people that used to follow them, were now following Jesus. John tells them that God gives each of us jobs. We are to each play our part. And sometimes our part is to step back so someone else can step up.

A good friend of mine explained that even in ministry, not everyone can be the quarterback. There has to be linemen. There has to be blockers. Without the guys on the line taking the initial hits, the quarterback can not set up do what he does.

I have been doing some self thinking, reflecting or day dreaming or what ever you call it. I don't know if I have what it takes to be "the guy." Maybe my part to play, is that of a behind the scenes person. The guy who does the nuts and bolts, but is never the out front, up front main guy. I am becoming more and more OK with that. That maybe my calling is to be the detailed task doer, while others stand up front. For a while it was bothering me. But then as I study the John the Baptist, he was OK with the part he was given. He did his job and did it well. Then he faded out. Actually he got his head cut off for telling a guy who he should not be getting busy with his brothers wife, but you get my point.

The bride will follow the groom. The friend of groom will rejoice at this.

A Walk In the Garden Lesson 2 Notes

2008-10-27T09:31:00.002-05:00

Lesson 2 – A Walk in the Garden

Matthew 24:15-30

v. 15 - The abomination that causes desolation – a deliberate attempt to mock and deny the reality of God's presence. (Daniel 11:12)

The standards of these desolating legions, on which they bear the images of their idols.
John Wesley described all of Jerusalem as Holy.

168 BC. Antiochus Epiphanies – sacrificed a pig in the temple to Zeus (Greek) Jupiter (Roman). Over 100K Jews were slain. Side note of history of him, as picture of what the future will be like.

41 AD - Caligula (Emperor Gaius) wanted to put a giant statue of himself in the Temple (was dissuaded by King Herod Agrippa 1)

66 AD – Zealots killed the priest in the temple.

70 AD. Titus placed an idol where the temple had been.

v. 16 – The Mountains were close and an easy place to hide.

v. 17 – the roof was a place of prayer and of drying vegetables, had a stair case.

v. 18 – Field hands would wear an extra cloak in the morning when it was cold. As the day warmed, they left it at the end of the field.

v. 19 – Travel has always been hard with kids. It still is. During the siege of Jerusalem, Mothers ate their children.

v. 20 – Winter time – wadis would be flooded (dry creek beds) and would make travel difficult.
The haste will be so great that it will cause undue difficulties for those who are hindered because of pregnancy or who for other reasons have problems traveling.
Sabbath - Jewish law forbade riding horses and mules. Walking was also limited to distance. Would be hard to arrange secret travel for fear of discovery.

v. 21 - The horrors of the Holocaust of WW2 are a somber warning that the desolation that comes from humanity's unleashed depravity will yet be unequaled. It is a mere shadow.

v. 22 - It is cut short to allow for survivors. Trouble is ahead – it will be bad. But the return is sudden. The will be so bad that if they are allowed to run their course the entire human race would be destroyed. But according to God's time table, they will be shortened.
God controls the persecution; He does not and will not forget His people. God's people will be rescued.

v. 24 – False christ and false messiahs will appear and perform miraculous signs and wonders to deceive. These are done under the power of the devil.

The signs are not proof they are from God. Signs should not validate that someone is preaching the truth. If what they say is out of line with the word of God then the sign does not matter.

People will accept these signs regardless of what is said. We should always test everything. We must know God's word so that we will not be duped.

v. 26 - The desert has had messianic overtones for diverse groups within Israel. They associated the desert with God's forthcoming deliverance. (Essenes of the Qumran Community)

Messianic pretenders would gather their followers in the desert before making a public appearance.

Simon son of Gioras - joined the fugitives of Masada in the desert and hid in the hills.

The Inner Rooms - John of Gischala - with army of 6K seized the temple during the Jewish rebellion and how 2400 Zealots joined him there in the inner quarters of the temple.

v. 28 - Jesus is describing the nation of Israel as a lifeless corpse, surrounded by vultures / eagles (both birds of prey)

Proverbial use: Could mean "Where there is a situation ripe for judgment, there the judgment will fall."

Vultures find corpses very quickly. Picture of the swiftness of the judgment. (Could also be a reference to the fact that Rome had an eagle on its standard.)

V. 29-30 - Darkness will come. Literal and figurative. The darkness of the moral decay of the human race. Also the moon and sun being darkened. Zephaniah 1:14-16 talked about the darkness. Against this backdrop is how we will see the sign of Jesus.

All through out the Old Testament God has been described as Light. Light in a dark place. The shining of light. (Paul's conversion, the bright light. Light of the Gentiles, a Great Light. Best way to notice the light is against the backdrop of darkness.

The return will be unmistakable. Lighting flash, it will be obvious to everyone.

The return of Emmanuel (God with Us) will be heralded by the shining of the essential glory that belongs to him. The suddenness of the explosion of light will be so fast that there is no chance to make a change. When that sign happens, the decision will be made. The sign of Jesus will appear in the sky and all will see its glory.

But some will mourn at the appearing of this sign. Those who have chosen wrong.

They who have turned their back on the only person who could save them.

Zechariah 12:10-14 - Could also be tears of joy. Like someone who you have longed to see, finally appears. You are so happy that you cry.

What Jesus has said is intended to promote caution can to satisfy their curiosity. He wants them to prepare for the events rather know every detail of the event.

These things should drive us to prayer now. If you don't pray when things are good, what makes you think you can do it later?

Update on dad

2008-10-22T17:14:00.004-05:00

What a day. Today starts out to be a good day. A few unexpected events and conversations. But that I guess that is life. It does go to prove, that no good deed will go un punished.

But such is life.

I went to dad's dr appointment. He showed us the spots in dad's gut that have these weak vessels that are bleeding. They have increased dad's iron intake. The GI doc thinks that they can maintain dad's hemoglobin by helping produce more than he loses. BUT,

To fix dad's heart they have to thin his blood. So the GI doc said one option is to go down dad's throat with a long scope and a laser and burn those vessels. BUT, they can not do that in Tyler, he would have to go to Dallas to do that.

Dr. Radford then got on to dad pretty good about drinking. Dr Radford said that its one thing for the Dr's to jump through hoops to try and help, but if you will not do your part then what good are we doing?

Dad just sat there and listened. You could tell he was uncomfortable. I was too. AWKWARD!!!

I love dad, but dad has to do his part. Maybe he will listen to Dr. Radford.

A Walk In the Garden Lesson 1 Notes

2008-10-21T12:53:00.003-05:00

Please remember these are my notes. they may not make sense, but please ask if you read something you dont understand.

The Olivet Discourse – The Future of the Kingdom

Lesson 1

History Lesson

Apocalyptic – end times spoken of in code, figures or symbols. Means “mystery revealed” not necessarily “mystery explained.” Should drive the reader to worship, repentance and wonder. Not “oh I get it.”

Prophetic – Judgments of God, can have future meaning, can be 2 view.
Matthew is a Jewish writer. Speaking forth the words of God.

The lament – transition from the denouncing of his enemies to the teaching on Olivet.

Matthew 23:37-39 - As he starts the walk to the Mount of Olives – He weeps over Jerusalem.

Jewish Tradition – converts to Judaism were “brought under the wings of God.”

Chicks will naturally run to their mother (hen) in time of danger. The wings being a picture of protection. In OT is description of God protecting with His wings (figurative). That of an eagle.

Not Jerusalem. They ran away from God.

Because of this the house – the temple – worship – was empty. Jesus walked out as did God. The house was devoid of the presence of God. No more would He dwell in the Holy of Hollies.

Walking along – the disciples are dumbfounded at the things that Jesus has said. They point to the buildings.

The Mount of Olives was on the East side of Jerusalem. It over looked the Temple Mount as well as the whole city of Jerusalem. Romans used it during the siege.

Matthew 24

v. 1 – Herod’s Temple was covered in Gold. What was not gold, was pure white.

v. 2 – The actual temple took only 10 years to build, but the decoration and ornamentation continued up until the Jewish revolt of ad 66.

The Disciples (as Jewish men) were proud of this temple. They were excited about what the hand of man had built.

v. 3 – Zechariah had said the Messiah would stand here. When he comes to conquer (Zech. 14:4) but now Jesus is sitting. The position of a teacher. Not a conqueror. He opens up His heart about the future.

The 12 wanted to know when. Jesus does not tell them when. But tells them to always be ready. Even if the tough times of life, be ready.

They ask what the signs would be, and his first answer is “do not be deceived.” If you focus on signs and events, you are not focused on Jesus and the cause of building the church. Preaching the gospel.

People mislead. “Signs” are open to interpretation and opinion. The only way to not be deceived is to focus on Jesus.

v. 5 – since the time before and after Jesus, many have claimed to be the messiah.

v. 6 – sufferings will be a regular and recurring part of the age following the ascension. They are “normal”. Even though they are bad, the end is not near.

Eugene Peterson in The Message calls this “routine history.”

v. 8 – “Birth Pains” is common metaphor from the OT prophets to depict terrible human suffering. Used to point to what Israel will endure prior to deliverance. It is an expected time. All this bad stuff is simply the beginning. Just because they happen does not mean we should read in to them. History will take place. But that is just the start.

v. 9 – Though in Tyler, Texas we are not handed over to death, but sand up for your faith in business and life and see what happens. Called intolerant, sectarian, and holier than thou...

Our brothers and sisters around the world are being persecuted. (Honduran Pastor Doug spoke of.

v. 10 – it is not just outside pressure, it will come from with in the church as well.

v. 11 – as if life was not hard enough False Prophets come and try to mislead. They preach what people want to here. They preach from selfish motives.

Not new – Isaiah 30:10-11 (NIV) - They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!"

v. 12 – with false teaching and loose morals comes loss of true love for God and others. Sin makes you love your self more than you love God. You can’t have “God Love – Agape Love” if you only think of yourself.

v. 13 – Being saved by enduring does not mean escaping death. If you do die during persecution, you are saved because you are with the Lord in death. Saved – full blessing and peace of salvation with Jesus either in death of life.

Persecution will sift out those who don’t really love God. The false and fair-weather Christians will not endure hard times of faith.

v. 14 – The gospel must be preached to every nation. This is a very explicit condition.

The disciple’s mission was to “go in to the entire world.” As disciples, that is our job today. It is urgent and real. It is an enormous task.

We should think strategic in our missions planning.

Only God knows when this will have been done.

Life must be a tension between the imminence of Jesus coming and the fact of the great commission.

A Walk In the Garden - Day 1

2008-10-19T19:27:00.003-05:00

I really enjoyed teaching lesson 1 this morning. I really enjoyed even more the study leading up to it. There are so many little nuggets in the first passage. I will post my notes on here for those who missed it. If you missed the first lesson, don't worry. Read over the notes I will post in a couple of days. Feel free to ask questions.

A Walk In the Garden

2008-10-13T09:19:00.004-05:00

I love the Lord. I love the way he drops things in my Spirit. I just wrapped up 1 Thessalonians in Sunday school. I am not sure about the class, but I loved it. The last part when it gets in to end times stuff, I did not want to get bogged down in it. It is important, but with a diverse group in a short time, I did not want to have to chase rabbits. The end of the book is so cool, the way Paul lays out some practical stuff for the daily life.

Any who, I have been thinking/praying where to go next. God just zapped me yesterday during church about where to go. God is so funny.

So starting Sunday I will begin teaching The Olivet Discourse. It kind of scared me at first because just like the end of 1 Thessalonians, it is all about eschatology. But as I got to reading it and praying through it, I thought, you know, we could simply tell the story and glean from it.

I am not a date setter or a person who says that what is not clear must mean this or that. I am not dogmatic about things must happen in this order. I think it is OK for somethings to be a mystery.

But there are some beautiful lessons in these short 2 chapters. So we are going to walk though the garden with Jesus and listen to the story He has to tell.

A Redneck in Europe - Romania - the Last Chapter

2008-10-09T16:47:00.003-05:00

Thursday

I worked at the clinic again with Sunni, Pepper and Debbie. It has been a busy day. We saw about 32 patients in the clinic. Sunni said this is what she sees in a full day, we did it 4.5 hours. More to go.

We had several pastors wives come through. One was the Pentecostal pastor’s wife. She was very nice.We had a Jewish lady. She was very sweet. Debbie and a translator talked to her for about 30 minutes. She had never heard that Jesus could be the messiah they are waiting for. It was incredible. She took a new testament to read.

One lady came in. She was very beautiful, dressed like a fashion model. Jewelry the whole nine yards....when I came in to do her blood pressure and triage, she went in to shock......she told the translator that she thought the dr was a woman!!!! It was funny. (I am wearing scrubs and have a stethoscope) I am the only man here so....

Whew....we just got down with clinic. 51 ladies. I think if we add them up these ladies we saw today had about 130 abortions total. One lady had 37!!!!!!!!! There were several with 10, 6....I just wanted to sit down and cry. One lady got saved with our group. The one that had 37 abortions is now saved and is married to a pastor. Over just these 2 days, we saw women who had had a combined 209 abortions.

This morning we had a traditional Romanian breakfast. It was sliced ham and salami, cheese, hard bread, mayonnaise and tomatoes. They don’t make sandwich with it, they eat it separate. When they eat this for lunch, they only use one slice of bread. odd....Last night we ate chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cabbage salad. They do not use ice here, so everything is warm or cool when you drink it. I would choke someone for a glass of ice tea. They don’t have that either.

Friday

After breakfast Pastor Peter gave his testimony. He Romanian Army during the revolution in 1989. Up until a year ago, boys were required to serve 1 year in the army or 2 years in the navy. He took and showed us the building he was defending during the revolution. The bullet holes were still in the building.

I got to go in some really cool churches today. I did here some English in the market from a guy i would not give a dollar too, he told me to go home and have relations with my mother. How nice.....

For lunch today we were in an open air cafe next to this old house that was just beautiful. It was like an antebellum mansion. A waitress served us. The diet cokes are in the tiny bottles like you used to get in the old soda machines. They are glass and you cannot keep them. When you order one they bring it, pour it in a glass and take the bottle. Prior to lunch we were in town and needed to use a bathroom. Alex, our interpreter and guide new the owner of a bar who let us use his bathroom. To pay him we got a fanta in the little bottle, but had to drink it quick because he wanted the bottle back for the deposit. When Wayne and I walked out, Johnny and John E were there with cameras taking pictures of us leaving a beer joint. They said they will use it as black mail.Any way back to lunch. Alex sat next to me; we had a lot of great talks. He is 22 and works with his parents and works with the youth of the church. He is single. The waitress was a beautiful girl. I kept offering to get her phone number form him. We bugged him about it. Wayne and I finally asked her if she had a boyfriend and that we wanted to hook her up with Alex. Alex got upset a bit. He said she is not a Christian and that he is courting a girl who lives in the mountains of Romania. I felt bad that I had embarrassed him. (Incidentally the waitress said she had a boyfriend already). Alex forgave me.

Any way I had a dish all it said was "pork with garlic and bacon" with "king potatoes" I figured why not...It was this giant pork loin with diced garlic and had pieces of garlic put in to it in the meat with fried potatoes. It was awesome.

We went and had supper on a river boat that had been used in the days of the communist to transport tanks up and down the Danube River. The river boat supper tonight was good. I had pizza. Other people had fish. We really had a great time fellowshipping and telling stories.After dinner, I got the bill to pay for every one's meal. The bill was 680 in Romanian dollars (330 US about) not bad for 22 people. (Our group plus interpreters and pastors) any way I was going to leave 800 Romanian for the bill. Our 2 interpreters and the pastors got upset and said it was illegal to tip that much. They said that only 5% is expected and that for exceptional service you could leave up to 10%. They said that I could get in trouble for doing this and that they (pastor and interpreters) would have problems as well. So I only left 10%. They said in some towns, tip is not allowed at all. Odd huh?

On the boat I had to go to the bathroom. I found it. You open this door and their is a sink and mirror, no toilet. On the left is a half door (like at chucky cheese) you have to open it and crawl in to get to the toilet. You could sort of stand up when you got in but you had to lean to the left because the wall was tilted.

Also on the toilets here you have 2 options to flush. If you go 1, you can do a half flush. If you do 2, you do a full flush.

Traveling Home

We left Braila at midnight and got on the bus to Bucharest. The drive took about 3 hours. I could not sleep on the bus. The roads are so ruff that sleep was not an option. We got to the Bucharest Airport about 3. We had to hang out in the front lobby until about 4 am when the ticket counter opened. When I went through security, I was amazed by the female officers. They were armed as were all the officers, but they wore high heeled shoes with the uniforms. I just thought that was odd.

We got on the plane about 530 and took off at 6. The flight to Amsterdam took about 3 hours. We had to kill about 2 hours in the airport. I wondered around and got a coke and a news paper and just looked. I found a coke with ice!!! Here was the thing….I only had a 20 in US. They said no problem. The coke was 3.90 in Dutch money, was converted to us dollars to over 5. I gave them the 20 and got back a 5 Euro and some coins. In essence that coke cost me 20 BUCKS!!!! I drank it very slowly.

Went back through security, again I set off the alarm and got another rub down by the Dutch boy.

10 hours later we landed in DFW. Texas our Texas, all hail the mighty state!

A Redneck in Europe - Romania Part 4

2008-10-09T08:55:00.003-05:00

Wednesday

We just got back from working in a town about thirty minutes away. I think we saw 200 people, it was crazy. We set up today in a community center that is rented out for parties and weddings.

High blood pressure is so common. I think I have figured out why. For years they had little or no electricity and everything was preserved with salt. Most of the food we have eaten is very salty.

Many more ladies who had lots of abortions. Saw one guy whose feet have no circulation in them, he wanted to know if we could fix them. They will have to be cut off. He is only 42. Very sad, we don’t know why he has this.Saw a young couple, the man has hepatitis. He was 25.

We passed many fields today that were being burned off. We saw some people today whose id card were those issued by the communist thirty years ago.

Some people got upset because some gypsies got ahead of them in line. One lady told me that she wanted to see the dr because her husband makes her mad. I told her that husbands do this; she should take her shoe and hit him.

One lady said that when she gets mad her throat swells, I told her not to get mad any more.

We had a couple yesterday that had been dating for 50 years. They were so cute.

One lady had a large portion of one of toes cut off. I saw the largest goiter on someone’s neck that I have ever seen. We saw many people with abscessed teeth. We could do nothing other than give them some antibiotics and Tylenol.

There was this one beautiful little gypsy girl with the prettiest dress I have ever seen. I had someone get a pic with my camera; will see if it comes out.

I got to drive a van in Romanian traffic. It was a VW microbus. We got to see Pastor Peter's church. It was small, but very beautiful. Very simple. It had this long row of bushes and flowers on the side walk. It is a mission church from the Baptist church in Braila.

A Redneck in Europe - Romania Part 3

2008-10-08T10:32:00.003-05:00

Tuesday

Sunni, Pepper, Debbie and Vicky and I stayed at the clinic today and did ob/gyn stuff. Debbie and I did counseling after the visit. We shared the gospel a lot. There were many Christians from the church, there were many who claimed orthodox (Romanian Eastern Orthodox) but they don’t know about Jesus. It is so sad how they are trapped in their form of religion but have no relationship with God.

They have no assurance of their faith. They believe that if they do more good than bad, then maybe it will work out.We saw many women who have had many abortions. One lady had had 6.The translator that we worked with is named Anna Maria Magdalena Tudschoo, she is 24 and in her 4rth year of medical school. She is part of a church called God’s Army; it is a renewal movement in the Orthodox Church. They are trying to change the orthodox belief from the inside.

One thing I saw today that really surprised me was a lot of 7th day Adventist. Apparently they have a big work here. The people seemed to have a genuine faith. For the most part I am ok with their theology it, is just different.

I talked to a lady today who is about 25. She was coming to see Sunni. She wants to have children, she said that she is healthy but her husband can not make babies. She was very sad.

One lady wanted to know that since she is 51 is it safe that her and her husband have a vigorous sex life. Sunni assured her that it is ok.

I talked to one lady who wanted nothing to do with the church because she said that they abandon her in her hour of need.

After clinic we all walked down to the park and looked at the Danube River. The park is really beautiful. I am still impressed by the architecture of the buildings. Some have been painted up and are very nice.I joked with someone that instead of bibles, send Sherwin Williams. Maybe Cordell (my brother in law who has a painting business) could come and to a painting outreach.

Tomorrow we all go to a new village to work.

A Redneck in Europe - Romania Part 2

2008-10-07T17:53:00.005-05:00

Sunday

I preached this morning. The church is very beautiful. It has lots of natural light and great acoustics. The whole thing is round. Their choir sang and there was testimony time. It was from a lady who had been to the clinic 2 years ago, and over a year she became a Christian. They sang a couple of songs that we knew the tune too.Leslie Brotherton interpreted for me. She is our missionary in Romania. Her family goes to Rose Heights. We worked well together. I preached from the book of Mark.

After church the team was taken to different homes for lunch. I went with Johnny J, John Mark and Wayne A to the home of the pastor. It was about a 2 block walk through this beautiful park. People walking around, there was a band (brass and drum) playing in the park. I saw a little kid driving a “CARS” car. The homes are late 1800 model; some have been re done and are great. Other are need some T.L.C... The streets were cobble stone. The pastor's house reminds me of a southern American type, formal sitting and dinning room. The pastor has traveled lots. He had many books from around the world. On top of one table and shelf were books about Texas. Mamma Mia (the pastor’s wife) his daughter who is about 20 and her husband hosted us for lunch. Soup, bread, meat, potatoes, rice, noodle/bean things, water, ice cream, plums and grapes. Served on beautiful china and dishes. They would make great southerners by their hospitality.

We walked back to the clinic and I took a nap. I preached the Sunday night service again from the book of Mark. Leslie again interpreted for me. The people are so friendly. Most of the team stayed behind at the clinic to prepare the supplies and bag up medicine and get organized.

After church we had a late supper.

Monday

We got up early and had our breakfast. We loaded up in several cars and headed out into one of the rural villages about an hour away. We set up clinic in a Baptist church in a village about an hour from here. We saw maybe 50 patients, not many.

I met the wife of a martyr. Her husband had been in the Romanian Army under communism. Some how, someone shared the gospel with him and he got saved. He came home and shared the gospel with his wife. They soon helped to establish a bible study in their home. From this bible study, the church were working in was formed. Her husband and her were persecuted and tortured by the communist. The man responsible for the death of her husband was head of the local communist party. After her husband died, the man that tortured him died a painful death of cancer.

Wayne and John were threatened with a knife by the local bar owner. He apparently was not happy with us being in the village.Sunni (M.D. Ob/Gyn) treated a patient in a horse drawn wagon. This village is like a peasant village. I don’t say that to be mean. They are just very poor. They still get around with horse drawn carts like they would have 100 years ago.

Kerfoot and I made a house call to see an 88 year old lady with a broke him that has been broke for 4 years. Because of her age, they would no operate on her. They were very friendly people. There was not much we could do. I met her son, my first Romanian red neck. Learned about his wine operation and his vodka cooking. They showed us around their house and farm. They have a vegetable garden and were cutting up a tree that they had delivered from the mountains for firewood.

I saw a lady herding turkeys. No kidding. She had a stick and she was herding a flock of turkeys down the road.

When I discovered the out house I did not drink anything the rest of the day (12 hours) and held my but cheeks until I got back to the clinic. I was not squatting over a hole. No sir ree. Maybe if I had no choice, I would, but I had a choice. Yes I have been in the mountains, camped all over and have done my business in the wild out doors. But OMG!!!

I think I only took BP's on 2 people who did not have high blood pressure.

I sat on the ground at lunch and ate a sandwich with hot mustard. We were sitting in the churches vegetable garden. On the fence was a dead chicken hanging by his neck. We figured that he either committed suicide. He could have been playing with some friends on the roof of a near by barn, daring each other to jump off and he did not make it. Or someone killed the chicken as some sort of hex? Either way, it was a topic of great discussion in the garden.

I did get to see 2 gypsy girls, teenagers. You can spot them by the red and orange dresses they wear. They were beautiful as were their dresses. The gypsies are hated here. They are an ethnic minority. Apparently they were originally brought to Romania from India as slaves. They were later freed. They are treated here worse than blacks in the American south in the 60's. After we left the clinic, we stopped in a small town. I got a 2 liter of Pepsi and drank it in 40 minutes on the ride back to town. I was so dehydrated.

On the road back we saw a guy on the side of the road laying down next to a bike, we stopped to see if he was hurt. He was just drunk.

I saw corn fields harvested with combines and in the same field, a guy with a sling blade and a wagon and horse. What a contrast.Supper tonight was spaghetti with little smoky sausage, egg plant spread and hard bread (the common type here) and I drank 2 liters of water before I was able to go tinkle.

A Redneck in Europe - Romania part 1

2008-10-06T15:09:00.005-05:00

I will post some things over the next few days. Here is the first.

Romanian Journal

Friday / Saturday - Travel

We left Rose Heights at 10:30 am. We got to DFW Airport around1. we got checked in and through security with no problems. We are flying on KLM – Royal Dutch. Everybody gets their own TV in their seat with a large selection of movies to watch. We took off at 330 PM. 10 hours later we landed in Amsterdam. I think we ate 4 times on that flight. I lost track. I did watch 4 movies.

In Amsterdam, I was wondering around and saw a news paper stand. While looking at the English news papers and magazines for news, I discovered that I was not in Texas any more.In a Texas gas station if you are looking of for a "certain kind of reading Material" it is behind the counter, behind a paper sack.Not here, it is right out in front next to News week, national geographic and the wall street journal. And there is not paper sack over it. So you can check your stocks, world events and see what her turn on and turn offs are without ever taking a step or moving a paper sack. SHOCKER!!! Oh, just so you know, the urinal in the men’s room is like a gold fish bowl on the wall that does not flush. That was really odd. Plus the doors were open to the bathroom. While I was doing my business, a group of Ethiopians came in to brush their team.

Oh Well, time to get on the plane. I evidently set off some security thing in Holland.They pulled me aside to search me. Now I have patted a lot of people down. This was not a pat down, it was a rub down. He rubbed EVERY inch of my body. Some places more than others. He really rubbed my right side and leg up and down a lot. It was in front of everyone and people were asking “was i making a new friend, did I get his phone number, were we going to meet later….” I saw them do it to women as well, they rubbed them all over as well. I do mean all over. I really felt violated. A guy should have some privacy for that sort of thing. Dutch People, watta ya going to do???

We got to Bucharest about 1:30 pm. The clinic director and our missionary picked us up with a bus. The city we stopped in to eat was a real mix of 2 worlds. You can see the old soviet influence in the architecture, the way the street is laid out. Then you see McDonald's and satellites hanging out the window of each of the apartment windows. What a mix. We watched this really pretty wedding procession in a little church. When they came out there was a guy on an accordion playing, flowers were being thrown.

I got stopped by the police when I got off the bus. I did not leave with the group initially (at mcd's) because I was praying with someone. These 2 cops stopped me pointed at me and the bus and kept saying something. All I could muster was "I don’t speak Romanian" in the spirit of Chris Farley. They finally just waived me away. When I caught up to the group they kept asking what they wanted, like I could tell them, I am from out of town.

The place we are staying, I must say is awesome. I have stayed in hotels worse than this. Suffering for Jesus. It is the Diconia Medical Center in Bralia, Romania.

The pastor took me to the church I will preach in this morning. It is beautiful. It is round looking thing. 3 stories. It reminds me of the old drawings I have seen of Spurgeon's church.

I crashed as soon as I saw a bed.

Peter Paul and Mary

2008-09-26T08:32:00.003-05:00

Well my bags are packed, I am ready to go. I am standing here (well sitting really) close to the door. Already I am so lonesome (well nervous really) I could cry. The dawn woke up several hours ago, Liz is running around getting dressed (wink wink). There is no taxi in Casa Blanca to blow a horn cuz if they did, they would get a .357 through the engine block.

So kiss me and smile for me (unless you are some dude, then a head nod, high 5 or other mail greeting will work) tell me that you will pray for me, hold me like you will never let me go.

EVERY BODY!!!

I'm leaving on a jet plane, I will be back on October 4rth. Oh facebook, I hate to go.......

I will try and check in from time to time.

Dad Update

2008-09-24T10:07:00.003-05:00

Dad is having a good day. He is running around doing errands. He has mowed his yard. He seems like his old self. Still waiting to get the GI doc thing scheduled.

Ever wanted to choke someone

2008-09-23T11:16:00.003-05:00

Maybe it is the past that comes out. But I have days where I just wanted to choke someone, anyone down.

Or maybe just back hand people across the room for good measure.

I think I have problems.

Dad Update

2008-09-22T16:06:00.003-05:00

Dad is out of the hospital and at home. They were able to get his hemoglobin back up to where he was not so weak. They took him off the blood thinner and will have to concentrate on getting his GI fixed. So the fix of his heart is going to be put on hold for a while.

No stress, no pressure.....

I am leaving for Romania this Friday. Several of my team members have had struggles and challenges leading up to this week. God is doing something!

My Dad

2008-09-18T09:03:00.008-05:00

I just got back from Mother Frances hospital. Had to check dad in again. He is losing blood and still has heart issues. I really wish they could find something and fix him. He is so down. When it rains it pours.

Please keep my dad (Jim Reeves) in your prayers.

Hey buddy, can you spare 4 tires?

2008-09-18T09:03:00.005-05:00

Along with the cost of our lovable fluff ball (King), I need tires. I have about driven mine down to nothing. When I used to drive a small truck, I could buy 4 tires for like 200 bucks. Now that I have an SUV after wrecking my last truck, tires are like 600 bucks. Incidentally, the wreck was not my fault.

I love my Extera, but why does Nissan have to put some weird size tire that no body stocks and you have to order them on it? I swear I want to meet the designer of some of the parts and just pray for him.....you know lay hands on him?

I hate having stuff snow ball. You try and get ahead and you have 15 things waiting in the wings to just nail you. On top of that Liz's van needs to be aligned. You know, its just money.

I know I am blessed. I know that God has always taken care of us. God has been so faithful. I know all the right verses.

So God, I love you. Thank you for blessing me. I trust you.

King

2008-09-17T09:54:00.003-05:00

I love my dog. I really do. BUT yikes they are expensive. Yesterday was supposed to be a simple 40$ check up at the vet. turned in to a 140$ visit to the vet. We were not prepared for that. That really throws a kink in some plans.

I mean just look at this lovable, old, fluffy, silly dog. Who could not love him?

An Old Red Neck

2008-09-15T13:35:00.004-05:00

He turned thirty-five on Monday, In his hair he had some gray
But he still ain't changed his lifestyle, He likes it better the old way
So he wants a little garden in the back yard by the fence
He'd consume what he'd grow nowadays in self defense

He's never liked the twilight zone, cause it just don't make no sense
He gets off on country music, cause big hair left him cold
He's got young friends into new wave, but he's just too friggin' old
And he dreams at night of Woodstock 2 and the day Kurt Cobain died
How the music made him barf, and gave him a head ache
Yeah he thinks of Courtney Love, And he has to wonder why?

He's an old red neck and he don't know what to do
Should he hang on to the old, should he grab on to the new
He's an old red neck...his new life ain't to bad
He ain't trying to change nobody He's just trying real hard to adjust

He was sure back in the eighties, that everyone was cool
Then they sent his friends off to Desert Storm on their senior trip
And they forced them to become a men while they was still a boys
And in each wave of tragedy, he waited for the joy
Now this world may change around him, But he just can't change no more

He's an old red neck and he don't know what to do
Should he hang on to the old, Should he grab on to the new
He's an old red neck...his new life ain't to bad
He ain't trying to change nobody He's just trying real hard to adjust

Well he's always stayed away, from the parties and the clubs
And he's thinking while he's biking 'round
Sure is glad he quit the miller light
Cause him and his kind get more endangered everyday
And pretty soon the species will just up and fade away
Like the smoke from his hippie parents bong...just up and fade away

He's an old red neck and he don't know what to do
Should he hang on to the old, should he grab on to the new
He's an old red neck...his new life ain't to bad
He ain't trying to change nobody, He's just trying real hard to adjust.

Good Job Rose Heights

2008-09-11T14:19:00.003-05:00

Today I was at the PATH prayer lunch. I wore socks and a coat and tie. It was very nice with different prayers, liturgies, Litanies, (i have no idea the difference between them) and songs were sung.

After the Key Note address by Dr. Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church, Becky Duncan, the community Outreach coordinator of PATH got up and gave a nice speech about Rose Heights and the projects and supports we have done with them. The award was for Faith in Action.

Thank you to everyone at Rose Heights for your help and participation in the collections and projects that we are doing here.

God Bless!!

Adventures of the Red Neck Life

2008-09-10T08:40:00.004-05:00

As you know I am the Outreach Pastor of my church. I work closely with our supported agencies locally and globally. I get invited to all sorts of stuff that they do. This week is a big week for one in particular. Last night was a "philanthropy" dinner. That is a big word for BIG MONEY folks. It is fancy word for big time fund raiser. This is past a spaghetti dinner and youth car wash.

It was at a really swanky place. One of these Greek Temple places with folks in uniforms running about. You know the kind of place where they don't serve anything super sized or with toys in the bag. In the parking lot are lots of hummers, bmw's, Mercedes and all kinds of really fancy cars. I eased my old 9 year old Nissan up next to a Benzo and parked it. I figured out real quick that I am out of my element. They are using real dishes for the food, and not paper plates.

Any who, I slide in the door and check in at the table. They hand me my "wine ticket". I give it back to her and said no thank you, I am a temperance man. You see they were offering that fancy wine. The kind that does not have a screw top lid or come in a box. I went up to the bar keep and asked for a glass of tea. In a very uppity voice he told me "sir, you will have to go to the tea service." I had this overwhelming urge to choke him down. I didn't. I did find the tea service. It was self serve, no uniformed person was their to hand it out. I even had to get up and get my own refill a couple of times.

Walking around the place you see these fancy picture taking people. They were the kind where you get your picture taken so you could be "spotted" or "be seen" in magazines that I don't look at. (they don't have pictures of guns and ammo) You know they did not stop me to get my picture. Maybe they thought I was a client of the agency we were their to raise $ for. (Could it have been the fact I was wearing sweat pants and a foot ball helmet and was running around asking for jello?) Just kidding.

I was seated with some nice folks. They were LOADED. Just thought I would mention that. Nice, but RICH. They were bidding on the silent auction. I wasn't. All I had in my pocket was a hot check and some food stamps and they were not taking those. They were the kind of folks who have nick names for the ladies and that is how they are introduced. You know, names like "bunny" "muffy" that sort of thing. Don't get me wrong, they were sweet people, but they don't hang out where I hang out. It was all I could do not to use my Thurston Howell voice.

At dinner they served some real pretty food. I did not care for it, but I ate it. Cuz the Bible said to eat what is set before you. After a couple of hours of this, I decided to slip on out the door and head on to the house.

Am I making fun? No, just offering the perspective of your average redneck theologian who does not get out much. Till next time......

Palin the Pentecostal

2008-09-09T08:55:00.003-05:00

I was watching CNN last night. They were talking about Sara Palin being a "pentecostal" like it was some dirty word. "she believes she is moved by God" or "she may speak in tongues" or "she thinks there is going to be an Apocalypse" or some other such comments like they are bad things. I wanted to scream out, well you idiots, I believe those things as well.

My friend Mike told me how Pentecostals used to be severely persecuted in the Appalachian area. Of course when i think back and reflect, I was raised to think that people who go to "those kind of churches" were weird or that something was wrong with them. The first time I went to one, it was to an event called a "singing." My church of Christ grandmother sat me down and warned me about this place. How they do and say funny things. And when people get all excited they may run around. she told me just to sit down and don't make eye contact.

The first time I saw someone pray for a healing was in the ICU of Palestine's Hospital when my grand dad was there. My grand mother and I were in the room. A couple came in. They were very prominent people in Palestine/Elkhart. They laid hands on my grand dad and prayed that God would heal him. We had already made the decision to terminate life support. It was gut wrenching watching my grand mother make that call. We were all in support of it.

My grandmother is still upset about this too this day. She refers to them as "fanatics" and talks about how they made a fool of themselves. Incidentally, my grandmother can not stand Sara Palin.

Oh how we are separated by what should unite us.

My Son

2008-09-01T15:56:00.003-05:00

My wife told me something my son said. Sam is known for just saying funny off the wall things. I don't know where he gets these sort of things. Here is what he said.

"He just told me, "If God was a geenie in a bottle, I'd rub the bottle & when He came out, I'd ask Him for wisdom, a double portion of Elijah's life..........and a magic porthole!" "LOL! Is he all boy or what?"

That is my son.

Burden Part 3

2008-08-31T19:14:00.003-05:00

Today I taught lesson 2 of 1 Thessalonians. It was about pleasing God and not pleasing man. About how Paul, Silas and Timothy lived with integrity among the Thessalonians. They lived with a desire to please God, not man.

Man is Fickle. Man can bless you in one moment and then curse you with the next breath. Pleasing man is a moving target. There is no end point.

The lesson seemed to be more for me than it did anyone else. We had a good discussion. So good, that we lost track of time and it was 10:28 when we quit. I hope they got something out of it.

Burden Part 2

2008-08-25T22:00:00.005-05:00

It continues. I will continue with Thessalonians this coming Sunday. I think God wants me to keep going with the book. I have been enjoying the study. Chapter 2 will be where I start.

Should be a fun ride.

Mana Fest

2008-08-25T15:37:00.004-05:00

I have been enjoying listening to Perry Stone the last few days. He seems to be a very good teacher.

I really enjoyed his teaching about Golgotha and the skull of Goliath.

What are your thoughts?

Spiritual Burden

2008-08-22T22:03:00.004-05:00

I have days when I feel overwhelmed with a burden spiritually. Sometimes I know why, but like today, I had no idea why I felt the way I did. It was a cross between tears and illness. It is overwhelming at times. I did feel lead to change what I am teaching in Sunday school. I am not sure where it will go, but I feel I need to be obedient.

Will see where this take us.

What a Day

2008-08-20T16:04:00.003-05:00

Today is my anniversary. My wife and I have been married now for 14 years. I am the luckiest man in the world. I have definitely married up. She is beautiful, passionate, tender, creative, a wonderful mother, and all around great lady.

I love you honey bunny.

Hot Date

2008-08-09T19:23:00.002-05:00

My and my baby daughter Sarah went on a date this afternoon. She and I went to see Space Chimps. I have been trying to make a point to do things with each of my children alone. They do so much as a group. I try to from time to time, take just one of them and do a special thing. Today for Sarah and I we went to the movies. We got popcorn, nachos and cokes and kicked back and watched the movie. We had a blast. We laughed, we slurped, munched and just hung out me and her. She is an awesome kid.

Excuse me while I barf

2008-08-05T11:37:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow, my 12 year old daughter and I will get up early and venture to 6 flags in Arlington Texas. We are going to ride the big stuff. All the stuff that my wifey poo will not do.

I am blown away that 12 years ago I held this little 7 pound 6 ounce kid. I was crying and scared to death of how to raise her, what do I do. The day we got home from the hospital I sat her car seat on the couch with her in it and sat down and looked at her and said.."now what?" What do we do with her.

Our dog at the time "Baby" even gave her funny looks. I have watched her grow and mature in to a beautiful, smart, funny, talented kid. She is awesome.

So tomorrow we are driving off together for a big time at 6 flags. We will eat pickles, nachos, ride scary rides and hope we don't barf on each other.

Happy 12th Nana Bear. I love you.

Long Time Ministry

2008-07-28T10:18:00.003-05:00

I never heard of this guy, but the idea of a 50 year ministry is incredible. I copied this from the Dallas Paper.

The Rev. C.A.W. Clark Sr., a nationally famous Baptist pastor who spent more than half a century preaching at a South Dallas church, died Sunday at his Oak Cliff home.

Dr. C.A.W. CLARK SR. Dr. Clark, 93, was with his family, including wife Carolyn and grandchildren. "This is the passing of an era. We won't see his likes again," said the Rev. Gerald Britt Jr., vice president for public policy at Central Dallas Ministries. "He was a master of the pulpit. He influenced generations of preachers."

Services will be 11 a.m. Aug. 4 at Dr. Clark's Good Street Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Sandra Clark Funeral Home. Viewing will be all day Saturday, followed by a celebration of his life Sunday during normal church services.

Born Caesar Arthur Walter Clark on Dec. 13, 1914, in Shreveport, La., Dr. Clark was ordained in 1933 and led his first pastorate at the Israelite Baptist Church in Longstreet, La., at the age of 19, according to his church Web site.

"Everybody who knows anything about black Baptist life is familiar with C.A.W. Clark," Cleophus LaRue, author of the book The Heart of Black Preaching, told The Dallas Morning News in 2006. "He was regarded as one of the great black preachers in the 20th century." He earned the nickname "Little Caesar" for his fiery sermons as a young minister. In September 1950, he joined Good Street, where he remained until his death.

Good Street became one of Dallas' first black megachurches, opening its doors to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1956. Dr. Clark was a friend of Dr. King's father and encouraged the younger King in his work. Good Street's many other high-profile visitors over the years have included the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Johnnie Cochran, whom Dr. Clark reportedly baptized. Current members include state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. At Good Street, he oversaw the opening of day-care centers, a credit union, low-income housing and a legal clinic.

"There is hardly a preacher anywhere who has not benefited from the work of C.A.W. Clark," the Rev. B.R. Daniels, pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Fort Worth, said at a 2003 event honoring Dr. Clark's 74 years in the pulpit. His accomplishments as a church and civic leader earned him the respect and admiration of politicians, churchgoers and others who turned out to honor his service at various events in recent years. "He was one of the role models in terms of my development as a preacher and countless others," said Mr. Britt, former senior pastor for the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. "He was someone who was a joy to watch and to listen to."

The Batman and Warts

2008-07-26T18:05:00.004-05:00

Well I was able to slip away and see it this afternoon. AWESOME!!!!!! That is all I can say.

I did miss 3 minutes and 20 seconds of it at about the second hour. I went to the little pastors room twice before the movie started. I could not hold it any longer. I sprinted in there and did just enough to hold me until after the movie.

It was a dark movie. Not quite the Jack Nicholas of the one from 20 years ago. (man that is weird to say).

Anyway about the warts on my foot. On of them had this little flappy thing. Liz said hey let me look at that. Well then she started to pull on it. It was however attached. Not it is bleeding. So I had to grab a hold of it and yank out a hunk of meat out of my foot. Blood shoots everywhere. Liz fainted in the floor. I had to pour salt on it to get it to quit long enough to build a fire, heat my knife and cauterize the wound. I then coated it in chewed bark and wrapped a dirty pare of underwear around it. I should live.

Liz may never recover from the shock of it all.......