Its been almost 6 years since I wrote on this blog. Its says 1 person is still following and I think I know who that is, I feel like over the last year God has been teaching me so much and while I'm still a work in progress I feel like its time to start sharing again. So I'm going to try to keep writing.
So where do I start after 6 years? Let me just begin with the most recent. I've began a series at church entitled "Living With Purpose". For me personally, even as a pastor/preacher is so easy to get off purpose. I'm convinced that a tool of Satan in my own life, just to get me sidetracked. So many times especially when I feel the most focused something comes along to get me looking at something other than my purpose. I'm not saying that I somehow stop believing in Christ or loving Christ but I just get thinking and pursuing things that really do not matter.
Individually God purpose for my life is simple these days. Yes, it wears a lot of hats, but its simple. God has called me to love Him and obey Him with all my heart. He wants me to love His Word and follow it with all my heart. He has called me to be a loving husband to April and to put her above me, to serve and sacrifice for her and to lead her in the direction of Christ. He wants me to love Caleb and Joshua and train them to be men, godly men who will one day lead their families to love and know Christ. He has placed me in Hamilton, Al to teach Hamilton FWB Church God's Word and to love them and point them to love Christ and His Word. I love my church and am so thankful for the people He has put in it. Our best days are ahead, not behind. And past that He wants me to love Hamilton, Alabama, the United States and the rest of the World and be committed to getting them the gospel however I can.
Honestly its that simple. Lord help me not get sidetracked!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Another Great Weekend & A Small Break
Well this past weekend was jam packed. So much was going on.
First in Friday and Saturday Caleb's All-Star team, which I coached, played in the District tournament in Underwood which is about an hour and a half from here. They got beat both games which knocked us out but they had a great season and I was so proud of them. So now we get a one month repreive from sports until August. Caleb says he wants to play football and I suppose I'll let him but man, I wish he'd reconsider. But it is what it is. Football is most people's god around here and so all Caleb's friends are playing, hence, we play.
Sunday was a good day. Our choir did about a 25 minute program entitled, "From Sea to Shining Sea". It used the projector screens to show a DVD while we sang and it was powerful. I preached on "The Problem With America" and everyone seemed to be very receptive to it. It was probably the most talked about sermon after church that I have preached in a while.
Sunday night I continued with "Red Sea Rules #8". I really think our people love this series.
This Sunday Southeastern FWB College will be with us and Ron Davis will be speaking Sunday morning. I will preach Red Sea Rule #9 Sunday night and then began a brand new series Sunday morning July 12th. Not sure what yet.
Tomorrow, I'm leaving for 3 days. Not long, but needed. We are going to Ft. Morgan, Alabama. It is just west of Gulf Shores. So off to the beach for a few days.
First in Friday and Saturday Caleb's All-Star team, which I coached, played in the District tournament in Underwood which is about an hour and a half from here. They got beat both games which knocked us out but they had a great season and I was so proud of them. So now we get a one month repreive from sports until August. Caleb says he wants to play football and I suppose I'll let him but man, I wish he'd reconsider. But it is what it is. Football is most people's god around here and so all Caleb's friends are playing, hence, we play.
Sunday was a good day. Our choir did about a 25 minute program entitled, "From Sea to Shining Sea". It used the projector screens to show a DVD while we sang and it was powerful. I preached on "The Problem With America" and everyone seemed to be very receptive to it. It was probably the most talked about sermon after church that I have preached in a while.
Sunday night I continued with "Red Sea Rules #8". I really think our people love this series.
This Sunday Southeastern FWB College will be with us and Ron Davis will be speaking Sunday morning. I will preach Red Sea Rule #9 Sunday night and then began a brand new series Sunday morning July 12th. Not sure what yet.
Tomorrow, I'm leaving for 3 days. Not long, but needed. We are going to Ft. Morgan, Alabama. It is just west of Gulf Shores. So off to the beach for a few days.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A GREAT Falling Away
I know what some are thinking, "He hasn't posted this much since he has had this post." But I've had some things on my mind and so I just wanted to share.
2Thessalonians 2:3 says "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" It says that as the end nears a falling away will come first.
Why am I writing about this? Because I have never seen a falling away like I am right now. Preachers, teachers, once faithful church members, you name it, they are returning as the Proverb said, "to their vomit." Proverbs 26:11, "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." I dont guess I understand but I see it so rampant. People that once understood sin and the authority of the Bible and the fear of God, now just do what they want and disregard the Bible. I was talking to a pastor friend yesterday who was telling me that he had parishoners who the Bible had NO authority in their lives. But the problem is, there was a day it did.
I guess for myself and those who may read this - stay in the Word, stay close to God, make the Bible the ULTIMATE authority in your life and Fear God. God is a loving God but for those who don't fear Him, He will one day be there judge.
Just something to ponder.
2Thessalonians 2:3 says "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" It says that as the end nears a falling away will come first.
Why am I writing about this? Because I have never seen a falling away like I am right now. Preachers, teachers, once faithful church members, you name it, they are returning as the Proverb said, "to their vomit." Proverbs 26:11, "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." I dont guess I understand but I see it so rampant. People that once understood sin and the authority of the Bible and the fear of God, now just do what they want and disregard the Bible. I was talking to a pastor friend yesterday who was telling me that he had parishoners who the Bible had NO authority in their lives. But the problem is, there was a day it did.
I guess for myself and those who may read this - stay in the Word, stay close to God, make the Bible the ULTIMATE authority in your life and Fear God. God is a loving God but for those who don't fear Him, He will one day be there judge.
Just something to ponder.
Just Doesnt Make Sense
Have you ever wondered, "Why do God's people get attacked by "God's" people?" No, everything is fine and I am ok but it hasn't always been this way. Why do people who claim to know God attack, defame and tear down people who DO know God? Maybe I'm the only one who this has happened to but I am sure I'm not. In almost 32 years of life growing up in a Christian home with Godly parents and now almost 10 years of ministry, I've seen in over and over and over again. And from my human standpoint, it just DOESN'T make sense. I mean why would Godly people who want to serve Christ want there to be division and strife. The truth is the answer is found in the question.
Let me give a few things that I believe can help get through these times.
#1 In Matthew 13:24 Jesus begins a parable talking about how a man planted a field and that night when the man went to bed, the enemy snuck in and planted tares within the field. Stalks of tares looked a lot like stalks of wheat but they were imposters.
We may not like it but if the devil is to destroy us, he will do so by planting tares with the church. We must pray that as the tares go to work against the wheat (the true church) that God binds the work of Satan and allows the work of God to go forth.
A while back I preached on how that Satan would use someone inside our church to try to destroy it and it didnt take very long after that sermon for that to come true.
So the first thing that I have to remember, is most likely (not all the time) Im dealing with a tare, a lost person, a tool of Satan. And if you read the rest of that parable you understand that the tares receive their due judgment.
#2 1 Thessalonians 4:8 says, "He therefore that despiseth , despiseth not man, but God." A person who comes against you while you are standing for truth and serving God is just a tool of Satan who is in essence going against God. What I have to remember is that their REAL problem is not with me, its with God.
#3 And then finally one will say, "Preacher, they are lying about me." "They are running me down and its not true." "They keep running their mouths." Take it from me and remember Jude 9, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him accusation but said, "The Lord rebuke thee." You know what Ive learned, let God shut them up. Let God fight the battle for you. He does so much better than I do.
Does it make sense that "Christian" people attack Godly people? No. But it happens and will continue to happen. So remembering a few things helps me.
Let me give a few things that I believe can help get through these times.
#1 In Matthew 13:24 Jesus begins a parable talking about how a man planted a field and that night when the man went to bed, the enemy snuck in and planted tares within the field. Stalks of tares looked a lot like stalks of wheat but they were imposters.
We may not like it but if the devil is to destroy us, he will do so by planting tares with the church. We must pray that as the tares go to work against the wheat (the true church) that God binds the work of Satan and allows the work of God to go forth.
A while back I preached on how that Satan would use someone inside our church to try to destroy it and it didnt take very long after that sermon for that to come true.
So the first thing that I have to remember, is most likely (not all the time) Im dealing with a tare, a lost person, a tool of Satan. And if you read the rest of that parable you understand that the tares receive their due judgment.
#2 1 Thessalonians 4:8 says, "He therefore that despiseth , despiseth not man, but God." A person who comes against you while you are standing for truth and serving God is just a tool of Satan who is in essence going against God. What I have to remember is that their REAL problem is not with me, its with God.
#3 And then finally one will say, "Preacher, they are lying about me." "They are running me down and its not true." "They keep running their mouths." Take it from me and remember Jude 9, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him accusation but said, "The Lord rebuke thee." You know what Ive learned, let God shut them up. Let God fight the battle for you. He does so much better than I do.
Does it make sense that "Christian" people attack Godly people? No. But it happens and will continue to happen. So remembering a few things helps me.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
10 Years
Well, April has put up with me 10 years.
Let me give a short run down of the last 10. We've lived in Manassas, VA, Clayton, NC, Springfield, MO, Crewe, VA and Hamilton, AL. You'd think I was in the military. We have seen our high spots and low spots. We loved, laughed, cried and prayed together. She's made me mad and Ive got on her last nerve. She has grown to love the Braves, Alabama, the Cowboys and Duke. I still hate shopping. She still likes to spend money but appreciates my cheapness. And at the end of the day, she is the very best friend I have. She is so loyal. She has so many great qualities but most of all, she is Godly. I love her for that. She stands on Biblical truth and loves God first and foremost no matter who, and I mean who, it offends. I want her NO other way.
She is a gift from God and I will hold on to her until the day I die. And me and her both know I'll die first. (Thats an inside joke)
To my wife, thanks for the last 10. I love you so much. I look forward to the next 50.
Let me give a short run down of the last 10. We've lived in Manassas, VA, Clayton, NC, Springfield, MO, Crewe, VA and Hamilton, AL. You'd think I was in the military. We have seen our high spots and low spots. We loved, laughed, cried and prayed together. She's made me mad and Ive got on her last nerve. She has grown to love the Braves, Alabama, the Cowboys and Duke. I still hate shopping. She still likes to spend money but appreciates my cheapness. And at the end of the day, she is the very best friend I have. She is so loyal. She has so many great qualities but most of all, she is Godly. I love her for that. She stands on Biblical truth and loves God first and foremost no matter who, and I mean who, it offends. I want her NO other way.
She is a gift from God and I will hold on to her until the day I die. And me and her both know I'll die first. (Thats an inside joke)
To my wife, thanks for the last 10. I love you so much. I look forward to the next 50.
It's Been A While
Well, I know what most are thinking. Its been a while. And since my last post a TON has happened.
Let me say first the church is doing great. Services just keep getting better and better. Bro. Adrian, my new youth pastor, started about 2 weeks ago. First chore, go to camp. We went to The Wilds this year and took 28 kids to camp and had a great time. We also saw a ton of decisions. We had 5 first time decisions and a bunch of others. Last Sunday night we had 30 testimonies and I baptized 12. God is so good. And btw, Adrian is doing a SUPER job.
April and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary last Friday but I will create a post just for that.
Caleb's baseball is ALMOST over. We MAY have just one more game. We will know after tomorrow night.
Josh is just Josh. Not much else to say there.
So thats that. Im ready for the fall and football season. Its WAY too hot here and the Braves STINK.
Let me say first the church is doing great. Services just keep getting better and better. Bro. Adrian, my new youth pastor, started about 2 weeks ago. First chore, go to camp. We went to The Wilds this year and took 28 kids to camp and had a great time. We also saw a ton of decisions. We had 5 first time decisions and a bunch of others. Last Sunday night we had 30 testimonies and I baptized 12. God is so good. And btw, Adrian is doing a SUPER job.
April and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary last Friday but I will create a post just for that.
Caleb's baseball is ALMOST over. We MAY have just one more game. We will know after tomorrow night.
Josh is just Josh. Not much else to say there.
So thats that. Im ready for the fall and football season. Its WAY too hot here and the Braves STINK.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Exciting Times
Well i promise a blog update if I had some big news for this week and I do.
Wednesday night I hired a brand new youth pastor, Adrian Nottonson. We are extremely fortunate and priviledged to add Adrain to our staff at Hamilton FWB Church. Adrain will graduate next week, May 8th, from Southeastern FWB College. He will also marry Ashley Jefferson on May 23 and then start with us the first week of June. First assignment? CAMP!!!
Let me say a few words about his dear fiancee Ashley. She will also be a great addition to the Hamilton FWB Church family. She was a BIG hit with the teen girls and moms. We are excited to have her come as well.
Adrian is distinctively Free Will Baptist and unashamed of it. I like this a whole lot. He will be a great asset to our ministry.
Welcome Adrian and Ashley!!!
Wednesday night I hired a brand new youth pastor, Adrian Nottonson. We are extremely fortunate and priviledged to add Adrain to our staff at Hamilton FWB Church. Adrain will graduate next week, May 8th, from Southeastern FWB College. He will also marry Ashley Jefferson on May 23 and then start with us the first week of June. First assignment? CAMP!!!
Let me say a few words about his dear fiancee Ashley. She will also be a great addition to the Hamilton FWB Church family. She was a BIG hit with the teen girls and moms. We are excited to have her come as well.
Adrian is distinctively Free Will Baptist and unashamed of it. I like this a whole lot. He will be a great asset to our ministry.
Welcome Adrian and Ashley!!!
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