Goodbye 2008

Today is the day! Time to save money on anything with 2008 printed on it. Lord willing, tonight we will usher in the New Year.

To say that 2008 was an interesting year would be an understatement. A lot has happened in our world. Our nation saw a major shift in politics, economics, and morality. Who knows what our future holds, but one thing is for sure...God is in control!

There is a statement I think of often at this time of year and it comes from the movie Forrest Gump. I don't know how many of you remember Forrest & Lieutenant Dan celebrating New Year's Eve at the local bar, but after the countdown the lady next to Gump says she just loves New Years because "everyone gets a second chance."

A second chance at what? To get it right? To make their mark? To truly change? What is it that this young lady looks forward too...or better yet, what does she regret? The point here is simple: for many people, New Years is an opportunity for redemption (at least in their own mind). They think that by changing some type of behavior or removing a particular habit from their lives - all will be well.

Good idea...Wrong methodology.

The fact of the matter is that we can try and improve ourselves but we will never experience genuine change unless something happens on the inside. That's right...we must change from the inside out. How many people try to clean up their mouths by making a resolution to not cuss but don't realize that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"? How many people try to improve their own self worth by making a resolution to lose weight without an understanding that "we are fearfully an wonderfully made."

I know that change is good...maybe not the Obama change...but change in general can accomplish quite a lot. None of us will ever better ourselves or those around us unless we first recognize that something has to take place. The problem here is that we are focused on the wrong "something". We must 1st take care of our heart problem before we can ever influence the other problems in our lives.

The Bible teaches us that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and that "our sins have cut us off from God." We can never better ourselves with God because we continually fall short. Only when you and I recognize our inability along with His capability will we ever experience true and genuine life change. Only as we turn from our self ruled lives and turn to His grace will we ever experience redemption. Redemption isn't about saving face as the young lady in Forrest Gump believes. No...true redemption is about saving the soul. It is God buying back His creation through the sacrifice of Jesus.

We must understand that through salvation something amazing happens. Not only are we forgiven of sin but the Bible teaches that God's Spirit then begins to reside in us. The Holy Spirit is able to lead, guide, teach, and correct. He is able to help stay on the straight and narrow path we want our lives to proceed down. He keeps us focused not just on the good things but the best things. Without the work of the Holy Spirit 2009 will look just like 2008. Yes, we can expect to continue to fall under the same stresses, give in to the same temptations, and continue in bondage to the same addictions.

If you are looking for a real "New Year" then you must end this one the right way. Give your life to Christ...every area...and watch Him do what you have been unable to do for years. He will grant you forgiveness, He will give you the ability to forgive others, He will bring you peace, He will give you security, and He will change your life. That's a promise.

Our hope in the New Year is the same as it was 2000 years ago. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. In the words of the Apostle Peter I close: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," 1 Peter 1:3

May God grant you a prosperous and peaceful New Year.

If You're Going Through Hell...

Most of the stuff I get in my inbox isn't useful, however, today I received something that we can all use. **Word of caution: If you cannot handle "straight talk" you may not be able to read Doug Giles latest newsletter. I'm going to post his points on the blog but if you would like to read it in its entirety please go to: http://clashradio.com/column.html (you must copy & paste into your browser)

"If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going."
This article is meant as an encouragement to keep fighting in life and to give a great understanding of how to handle trials.

1) Jesus Promised Pain.

2) Are You Gonna Cowboy Up or Lay There and Bleed?

3) It's About Character Stupid.

4) Don't Blame God if You Brought This On.

5) Solomon Says, "Relax."

6) The "Gift" of Hell.

7) One You've Made it Through "Hell", Don't Become a Jerk.

I will say this about Doug - you don't have to wonder what he thinks. I hope that you will take the time to read his article. It can't hurt...at least not long.

Dec. 26th - Let the Memories Begin

Hope you got everything you wanted!

From: PBC To: You

Before the "Big Day"

Allow me to share with you a few more words of wisdom from Max Lucado's "God Came Near."

In Chapter 29 he tells the story of a time when their daughter almost drowned in a friend's pool. Lucado said, "The stool was kicked out from under my feet and the rope jerked around my neck just long enough to remind me of what really matters. It was a divine slap, a gracious knock on the head, a severe mercy. Because of it I came face to face with one other the underground's slyest agents - the agent of familiarity.

His commission from the black throne room is clear, and fatal: 'Take nothing from your victim; cause him only to take everything for granted'...His goal is nothing less than to take what is most precious to us and make it appear common...He won't steal your salvation; he'll just make you forget what it was like to be lost. You'll grow accustomed to prayer and thereby not pray. Worship will become commonplace and study optional. With the passing of time he'll infiltrate your heart with boredom and cover the cross with dust so you'll be 'safely' out of reach of change. Score one for the agent of familiarity.

Nor will he steal your home from you; he'll do something far worse. He'll paint it with a familiar coat of drabness.

He'll replace evening gowns with bathrobes, nights on the town with evenings in the recliner, and romance with routine. He'll scatter the dust of yesterday over the wedding pictures in the hallway until they become a memory of another couple in another time.

He won't take your children, he'll just make you too busy to notice them...Before you know it, the little face that brought tears to your eyes in the delivery room has become - perish the thought - common. A common kid sitting in the back seat of your van as whiz down the fast lane of life. Unless something changes, unless someone wakes you up, that common kid will become a common stranger."

I don't know what it is about human nature, but we tend to forget how special people are in our lives. Salvation loses its zeal, marriage loses it expectancy, and relationships lose their value. I pray that during this Christmas season that you will not forget the miracle of the virgin birth. I know...it has become almost common. We have seen the nativity's, hung the lights, and wrapped the presents. I hope that this Christmas you will remember why we celebrate. May we capture the wonder of the shepherds, the excitement of Mary & Joseph, and the love of God in giving His Son Jesus to save us from our sins. And while you're at it: enjoy the time that God has given you with your family. Allow your kids to enjoy Christmas and don't worry about the schedule. Rip open presents with joy & gladness. Love those whom God has given you.

May each of you be able to capture the true meaning and joy of Christmas. I hope to share with you after the holidays. Merry Christmas.

God Came Near

In his book, God Came Near, Max Lucado writes the following:
"...God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.

The Omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.

God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created.

God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother.

God had come near.

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, bust as one who first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty.

No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla.

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts." pp. 25-26

Think about this fact: God became a baby! This idea is so unfathomable that Hollywood struggles to re-create the miracle. Who or what can give this story the true justice it deserves? You can.

The greatest story ever told is one of God coming in human flesh, living a perfect and sinless life, dying upon a cross for the sins of humanity, and being resurrected from the dead. And God gave this story not to the most profound writers of the modern day but to fishermen, tax collectors, and other common men. He then passed that story on to each and every one of us who have called upon the name of Jesus for salvation.

This Christmas season you need to remember that His name was called Emmanuel...meaning "God with us." Oh, how the world needs to know that God came near!

A Christmas Carol

I don't know about you, but I love Dickens story, "A Christmas Carol". However, I must admit that I have only seen the movies.

This is one of those stories that never grows old. In fact, what I have found so refreshing is that every time a "new" rendition comes out - the story is unchanged. I was reminded last night that when I was younger we had an album (yes...an album) which had the Disney Christmas Carol along with an illustrated book. We used to gather in our parents bedroom and listen to this story every year. As a side note I had to explain to my 8 yr. old that an album was a black, plastic, round item that had lines upon it...you placed it under a needle...well, you get it. *Dare I try to explain 8-tracks?

Two quotes that I want us to reflect upon today are very interesting. The first one comes from the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge has basically tied this spirit with an attempt to close down bakeries on Sunday (which at the time was used by the poor since there was a law against baking bread on Sunday). The spirit replies, "There are some upon this earth of yours...who lay claim to know us, and who do their deed of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us." Does that sound familiar to anyone? How often has religion tied things to God that have nothing to do with him? Reminds me of a true story: A group of church people from North Carolina gathered at a local restaurant after services one Sunday. As the waitress went around to the tables asking for beverage orders the pastor leaned back in his chair rather pompously and asked, "Young lady did you go to church this morning?" She replied, "Pastor, someone had to fix your lunch."

The next quote from the book is one of my all time favorites. Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Future, "Are these the shadows of things that Will be or are they the shadows of things that May be, only?...But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change...I am not that man I was...Why show me this, if I am past all hope?" I often wonder how many of us would change if we knew what the future held? I think we all would. Think about it...how many people would go to hell if they knew that was their future destination? No one in their right mind would choose hell over heaven! The good news in all of this: No one has to go to hell. No one has to be separated from God for all eternity. Jesus gave his life so that each of us could change the things that may be.

This Christmas I want all of you to remember that Jesus was born to take away the sins of all men who would accept Him...to change what "May Be." I leave you with the words of Tiny Tim - "may God bless us everyone."

Bring Out the Millstones

I have had enough! I am so sick of reading new reports everyday about these sick people who cannot keep their hands off of children.

Yesterday I read a news report from ABC about a 55 year old man who was sexually molesting children. The sad part of the story is that nobody knew that this man was allegedly abusing 1 girl from 2004-2008 and another girl from January-December until the 9 year old wrote a letter to Santa asking him to put an end to the abuse of her and her 10 year old sister. Oh, by the way, he worked for the school district for 11 years.

Today brings another story...this time out of Nassau. A PTA mom in charge of fundraising was found with a 13 year old boy in the back seat of a car. Joan Tuckruskye and the child were discovered half naked parked behind the school. Once again, someone involved directly with the public school.

I say, "Bring Out the Millstones."

Luke 17:2, "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."

You want to know what I think? Obviously you do because you are still reading. I think we hear so much of this garbage going on today because we are too soft as a society on sexual predators. I don't care if we are talking about someone who is molesting children or raping women; we do not do enough as a society to STOP this problem. It's obvious that prison time means nothing to these individuals. Worse than that - the ones who do go to prison often come out and do it AGAIN.

What if we decided that people who sexually abuse children should have a millstone hung around their neck and cast into the sea? Is that too harsh? When I consider that most of these kids spend the rest of their lives trying to overcome this brutality it's not. When I think about the fact that most of these kids end up in abusive relationships later in life...drowning in emotional baggage...living in fear and shame...it's easy to see that our justice system doesn't deal harshly enough.

Oh, but there is some candle holder out there waiting to have a vigil for some brutal human being hoping for a stay of execution. Think about it folks: too often it's people like this who are looking for opportunities to work with children. They target daycare facilities and children's ministries in churches. This pandemic is widespread and doesn't look to fade away until we as a nation say enough is enough. I read a quote today that said we need to "stop raping our greatest resource." But it won't stop until we decide to deal with it. How many kids have to be hurt? How many kids have to be exposed through child pornography? How many children have to go through counseling before we wake up?

I hear so many Christians talk about Sodom & Gomorrah in reference to homosexuality. But I want you to consider that when you read about the issues in the Bible you will find that no one was safe from their perversions. It's not just a gay issue...it's all types of sexual perversions. God brought judgment upon that nation because they failed to deal with the unrighteous acts of its people. Why would God not do so today?

Here in just a few weeks we will celebrate the coming of Christ to our world. Most of our children are only concerned about their gift under the tree. They are healthy, safe, and most of them aren't scared about anything happening to them. I want you to think about that and remember that a 9 year old girl got her wish this Christmas. The abuse has stopped for now. We can only hope that justice will be served and pray that these two girls in Texas will be able to overcome this tragedy. I just wonder how many of these girls and boys are out there today that nobody knows about.

They are still hoping...

Dress for Success

I want to assure my reading audience that today's blog is not about fashion. If there is one thing my wife will tell you about me is that I am not fashion conscience. I'm BIG into t-shirts, jeans, shorts...comfort clothes. If I see something I like and think it would be comfortable to wear - it's mine. However, you rarely this pastor in a suit because it's just not me.

There is a bit of clothing that I do want to recommend to all of you: the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us a description of the armor that a believer should be dressed in everyday. Rather than post the entire reference here I will give a detail list:

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Gospel of Peace Shoes

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit

This line of clothing may not put you on the latest runway but it will provide the adequate protection needed when in the line of fire. Think about the necessities that God gives through this armor. You have the truth to support you, righteousness to cover your heart and vital organs, shoes which are adequate to carry the Gospel wherever He leads you, a shield and helmet to protect you, and a sword to fight back.

God has got you covered in this line of clothing. When you are fully equipped then you will be able to fight the good fight of faith. You will be able to carry out any assigned mission that God gives. And should you come under attack (which you probably will), then you can defend yourself appropriately. I personally love the shield of faith which is able to protect against the fiery darts of the enemy. I also love the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. There is no sharper two-edged sword in the world.

You have heard from other about how we need to dress for success in this world. If you want to go anywhere in the corporate world you would not wear a jogging suit (as Seinfeld says, "It tells the world I have given up." The same holds true in the spiritual world as well. When you and I are clothed in the armor of God we will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. I believe it's a great practice for believers to spend time in prayer every morning and actually visualize themselves being clothed spiritually for the day ahead. Why not? How many of you spend countless minutes every morning pouring over the closet trying to find something to wear? Why not do the same for your spiritual life?

And once you are fully clothed be reminded of another element of victory: prayer. If you plan on dressing like an overcomer then you must understand the necessity of praying always "with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit". Adding prayer to your wardrobe is like putting on cologne - it becomes your fragrance of choice throughout the day. Oh, how well pleasing our aroma is to God when we add prayer to our daily lives.

Hey believer...don't run around naked!

From Struggler to Overcomer

Yesterday, I shared with you from a struggler's perspective. Today, allow me to speak from my position as an overcomer.

Romans 8:37, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

If we are not careful as believers we can lose focus about the position we have in Christ. We are to be honest about our struggles. We should be willing to come clean about our failures. However, we should not be allowed to live in an attitude of defeat. God's Word teaches us plainly that we are able to overcome temptation, trials, etc. and that we are more than conquerors (super-victors) through Jesus Christ.

May we never forget that God has said that "greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world." There is nothing and nobody in this life that is able to separate us from the love of Christ. Therefore, if we cannot be separated from God's love and He has already proclaimed us victorious we have absolutely no reason to "stay" bound in our vices.

When I led the Recovery Ministry of our church, I was reminded to always identify myself according to my position in Christ: "My name is Neal and I am a believer who struggles with..." Don't allow yourself to be identified in life as an alcoholic, drug addict, depression sufferer, addict to pornography! Always recognize who you are in Christ and the focus then becomes all about Jesus and less about you.

Folks, in and of ourselves we could never overcome addictions and temptations. But in Christ all things are possible. If we could do it on our own then we would have done it a long time ago. If we could change our attitudes, change the way we speak to people, change our behavior patterns, or change our actions - who in their right mind would continue being bitter, hateful, or sinful? None of us would. Only through God's power can we ever hope to see true change. The good news in all of this is that God is able...and through Him we all are able to be overcomers.

I told you yesterday that I'm a fellow struggler...which is true...but according to God's Word I am "more than a conqueror." In other words - I HAVE THE VICTORY! When I was a kid there was a cartoon that came on called He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. He-Man was a larger than life figure with super strength and ability. However, if you know the story, then you know that He-Man had an alter ego Prince Adam. Adam was weak. Adam was timid. Adam was youthful and inexperienced. Only through the power of Grayskull (mystical/magical force) was he able to become He-Man. In our own strength we are no more than He-Man or She-Ra. It's when we are empowered by God's Spirit that we are able to be masters of our own universe. If you are a believer in Jesus say it with me: "I HAVE THE POWER!"

Remember these words as you go from being a struggler to an overcomer: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zech. 3:6.

May the Lord continue to strengthen you and give you the victory.

Are We Learning from the Past?

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Cor. 10:11

Remember the old saying, "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it"? If there is anything that I have learned in my 34 years of life it's that I better learn from the past. Some of you may say, 'Well that's just good old common sense'...no, it's much better - it's biblical. When Paul penned these words to the church at Corinth it was for the purpose of reminding the believers that lust and idolatry go hand in hand. Earlier in the same chapter he encouraged them to not become idolaters as some of them nor to commit sexual immorality as some of them did and in one day 23,000 fell.

I know those numbers seem astonishing but is there any real difference today? Statistics prove that 40 million (that's million with an "m") U.S. adults struggle with pornography. I just came from the Drudge Report where I saw several news articles with the word "sex" in the title. Middle & High School kids, teachers, KFC workers, etc. The list is endless. And yet we have not learned the lessons that history has given us nor have we learned the lessons of God's Word.

Some of you may have wondered why I have a link on the rights side of the page for XXX Church. Well, to be quite honest with you it's because men and women in the church need to realize that out of that 40 million in America many "strugglers" are members and leaders within the body of Christ. And before we start condemning and scowling let us remember that temptation is the same across the board regardless of what the item may be. We have seen the affect that greed can have in our country (just look at Wall Street) and the object there was money. Think about the alcoholic, drug addict, etc.; these temptations all come from the same root cause: lust. And lust always lead to idolatry which always ends in destruction.

I share all of this with you as a person who has an accountability partner and who is an accountability partner. That's right folks...I'm a fellow struggler. I personally use the XWatch service to monitor my activity on the Internet and have a weekly email sent to someone who will ask me questions if they find anything that looks wrong. "But you are a pastor!" I know - why do you think I take such measures? I want to ensure that I am not weighed down by the sin which so easily ensnares us (Heb. 12:1).

As a nation we need to look at the example of Rome. Rome wasn't destroyed by an outward force. No, they were destroyed by an inward lust...and that lust turned into idolatry. They worshipped all things sexual and it destroyed them. Back up a little in history and you will find that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for this very same problem. The problem of lust which led to idolatry. When will our nation learn? When will our churches learn? There must be an opportunity within the local church to come clean. We need to offer support and prayer to those who struggle with all types of temptations. We need to ensure that they can have confidentiality and accountability from within the body. How will we ever see people set free by the truth if they don't feel that they can tell the truth?

The good news: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10:13

My prayer for all the "strugglers" out there is that we will know the joy of 1 Cor. 10:13 and the faithfulness of God to help us get out from under whatever temptation is holding us down.

I know it's not spiritual but...

Steelers beat the Cowboys 20-13 this past Sunday. It wasn't pretty but it is a "W". I will say that as a fan much of this game was very hard to watch. A 3-3 tie at halftime. Then to go down by 10 in the 3rd quarter...I was already thinking about how I was going to have to give congrats to my friends who like the Cowboys (Ugh). But the Steelers fought back and won the game.

I have been a Steelers fan since the early 70's. That was a good time to start! I was probably about 5 years old when I made that choice, and like a lot of things in life it stuck.

There is just so much about this team that I like: Hard nosed smash mouth football, relentless defense, and a blue collar work ethic. I have always been impressed with how the Rooney family continually puts out a strong football team with little regard to "big name" players. Oh sure, they have some household names on this team but it's usually because of what they have accomplished as a member of this football team.

Like most of you I grew up a a lower middle class family. We had to work hard for everything we had. If necessary you would get up everyday and fight with everything you had just to make ends meet. You may have been tired at the end of the day but it was always worth it. Maybe that is why the Steelers have always appealed to me. They have always worked hard to be the best and to beat the best.

I do have to thank Tony Romo for having a horrible game. I'm especially thankful for the 4th quarter interception he threw to allow us to go up by a touchdown.

I know this has nothing to do with eternity but it sure helps get the week off to a great start. I hope that all of you (even the Cowboy fans) will look for the "good things" in life this week. As the holiday season is upon us we can easily allow the fun of family and friends to be crowded out with schedules and shopping. Take some time to enjoy the life that God has given you. I will say this: If the Steelers would have lost my life would have still been blessed.

Thanks for letting me share.

Did you see Hannity & Colmes last night?

During last night's episode of Hannity & Colmes - Rick Warren was interviewed - and there was a lot of talk about Jesus.

Here's a link to the transcript: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,461685,00.html

I was rather pleased with Pastor Warren's answers. Of course, today I have already seen so many people say that he "wimped" out on some of the answers. Please...give me a break.

Why can't we be happy that a man of God went on a television show with a huge audience and gave several references to Jesus Christ. Pastor Rick shared how Jesus said He was the way, that God didn't send 100 Jesuses but 1 Jesus, and spoke of the importance of each of us accepting Him as God's gift of salvation. Is that not enough?

In fact, when Colmes pressed him about the issue of salvation and whether or not other faiths would lead people to the same place, Warren answered: "I'm not the authority on this but Jesus is..." AMEN! However, for some people out there - it's not enough. They will never be satisfied unless there is someone standing on top of the desk and screaming you better get right with God.

This is a great frustration for me...and I'm a preacher! You may not like a certain style of ministry, style of preaching, etc. but don't belittle someone because they didn't answer the way you would have. If you ask me there are too many self-proclaimed authorities on the bible and true church representation. Why can't we just be glad that regardless of HOW it happened JESUS WAS PREACHED!!!

Listen to the words of Paul in Philippians 1:15-18, "Some preach Christ from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ form selfish ambition...supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love...what then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." WOW! Maybe if some of the opinionated people would actually read the Bible they could rejoice over the fact that Rick shared Jesus last night and could rejoice that His name was magnified.

To quote Forrest Gump: "That's all I've got to say about that."

Is it O.K. to laugh in church?

Let me ask you a SERIOUS question: Is it o.k. to laugh in church?
Answer: I hope so.

Charles Swindoll wrote a wonderful book several years ago entitled "Laugh Again" to help believers experience outrageous joy. It is a great read that covers a very interesting subject within the church. Allow me to share with you some of the chapter titles: Your smile increases your face value, Laughing through life's dilemmas, Hanging tough together and loving it, and freeing yourself up to laugh again.

Swindoll's introduction says it all: "Can you remember when life was joyful? I certainly can. Without knowledge of the Dow index or the drop in the gross national product or the accelerating crime rate in twenty-five of America's largest cities or the decreasing health-care benefits in our country's major companies, I was happy as a clam. I neither expected much nor needed much. Life was meant to be be enjoyed, not endured, and therefore every day I found something - anything - to laugh about...through my childlike eyes people were funny. (When did they stop being funny?)...(When did everything get so serious?)...(Why have families stopped making music together?)...In many homes - dare I say most? - laughter has left. Joy that was once a vital ingredient in family life has departed, leaving hearts that seldom sin, lips that rarely smile, eyes that no longer dance, and faces that say no. Tragically, this is true in Christian homes as well as non-Christian...maybe more so."

Philippians 4:4 tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!"

Allow me to share some humor with you today as I seek to bring joy to your heart and hopefully a smile to your face.

Church bulletin bloopers:
"This afternoon there will be a meeting in the north and south ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends."

"The choir will be participating in the local community sing, which is open to everyone. They will be sinning at 6:00pm this Sunday."

"There will be a sin-in at the Johnsons' home this evening, immediately following the pastor's message, "Intimate Fellowship."

"Solo: 'There is a Bomb in Gilead'"

"Order of Service: Silent Prayer and Medication"

"Pastor Brown will marry his son next Sunday morning."

Letters to the pastor (from children of course):
"Dear Pastor,
I know God loves everybody, but He never met my sister.
Yours sincerely,
Arnold"

"Dear Paster,
My Father couldn't give more $$money$$ to the chrch. HE is a good chrischen but has a cheap boss.
Ronald"

These stories are shared with you to help you understand that there is plenty to laugh about. Whether there are stories about children, misprints, or just funny events; it's o.k. to laugh. With that I add: it's o.k. to laugh at church. It's good for God's people to laugh together.

Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart does good like medicine..."

Tuesday - No Snow

Well, it's Tuesday - the kids are out of school because of the weather...there's only one problem - no snow.

This could lead me into a discussion on our reliance upon government provided transportation for our kids to school...however, I'm not going to "officially" visit that subject today. I'll just say this: If the kids are going to be out of school for snow "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

For the people who know me personally, you know that I enjoy hunting. This past Saturday I was hunting with a cousin and was able to use one of his lock-on stands. This was rather refreshing for me because the last couple of times in the woods I had taken my boy. This typically means hunting on the ground or in a blind. This also means trying to decipher the different noises in the woods. Was that a squirrel or was that Hayden rubbing his boots together? Get the point? Don't get me wrong - I love sharing my passion for hunting with him, however, it is always nice to go out and enjoy the "calm" of nature (before I disrupt all that silence with the sound of my rifle...LOL...).

As I was sitting in the stand this past weekend I was overlooking a beautiful scene. I could see all around and was anywhere from 25-30 ft. off the ground. I thought about David referring to God as his High Tower. Now without doing significant research on the military advantages of a high tower I can think of some basic assurances of it's meaning.

God as my high tower gives me:
The ability to be above my problems.
The ability to see so much more than I can on the ground.
A place of refuge and safety.

If you have been a believer of any length of time you can appreciate the need to be above the problems of everyday life. Having God as my high tower elevates me to a peace that is beyond comprehension. While most people have to live among their problems, I am able to take refuge from the despairs of life...I am able to see things from God's perspective and I can assure you that my "problems" look much different from His perspective than my own (on the ground).

I recently spoke to some believers about a very serious problem they are facing. Now, don't get me wrong, they still have their problems. But what a difference faith in the Lord can make. It's good to know that "all things work together for good to them who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose." It's good to know that "He who has begun a good work in me will complete it...". God offers us peace in the midst of life's storms, joy in the midst of pain, and abundant life in the midst of despair. Over and over again I find that God always turn my "mourning into dancing" and I'm able to trade in the "garment of sadness for the garment of praise."

I mentioned earlier that my kids are out of school for snow when there is no snow...well, you may be experiencing s similar situation spiritually. You have been told about the peace and joy that should be yours but you are not "feeling" it. Find your strength and your refuge in the Lord. He will give you what you need in this time. You may not be able to play in the snow but you can know that He is with you.

Have a blessed week.