Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."
The news from this week has been focused upon the cyclone tragedy in Burma. One of the latest reports puts the death toll around 500,000 people. Make sure that number sinks into your mind. Just a few years ago Hurricane Katrina hit and killed 1,836, the Tsunami in Indonesia claimed 225,000, and 9/11 brought with it the loss of 2,974 people. In a moments notice thousands of people were swept into eternity.
As I thought about these staggering statistics I have to ask "How many of these people knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior?" I don't share these questions and numbers with you to depress you. I want them to motivate you because none of us know when the "night" will come.
Geoff Hammond, president of the North American Mission Board, was speaking recently at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary about the need for urgency in evangelism. Speaking from John 9:4 he called the students to action in regards to how we go about sharing our faith. Hammond said, "If we...were as concerned about doing the will of the Father as we were about fellowship, we would be a lot more effective at evangelizing Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth." OUCH!
I have to wonder how many of the people who died in Burma, Katrina, the Tsunami, and on 9/11 came into contact with a believer just before they died. How many of them were approached with the gospel? Another staggering statistic came from Dr. Hammond when he said, "Three-fouths of the people who die in the United States, die without a saving knowledge of God. Be sure, wherever you are, to share the love of Jesus Christ."
I bring all of this up to prepare you for the weekend. Many of you will be around family, heading out to eat, off for mini-vacations, or out to the ballpark. Who will you come in contact with? Who will hear about your faith in Jesus Christ? I know that we have heard many different theories about how to share. There are countless books that talk about timing, building relationships, and being sensitive. Those are all great approaches if you know when the "night" is coming. Believer - you are not afforded that luxury.
Take some time today to pray about whom God will put in your path. Pray that He will give you the courage to be urgent with your faith. We never know when God's divine appointments will meet us in the mall, at the grocery store, or during the family gatherings. Be willing to join God "On Mission" to reach the world for Christ.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thoughts About the Presidency
The presidency of the United States of America is the highest office in the land. The president is also given the title as Commander in Chief of our military. With that being said, doesn't it make sense that our president have a military background?
I'm sure that this question will raise a lot of issues, however, it's one that should be asked. Some of the greatest presidents of this country served in the armed forces. I'm not suggesting that the individual has to have combat experience but I would like for them to have at least some military background. How can someone possibly lead our military if their only experience is watching "Pearl Harbor" or "Saving Private Ryan"?
Here are my reasons:
1) Deploying our military is a huge assignment. Our troops are not the World Police - rather they are serving to protect our country. We don't need a president who is going to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way simply as a distraction from their own political problems.
2) The general morale of our enlisted men and women deserve a president who has been where they are. They need to know that they are going to be taken care of, provided for, and recognized for their bravery and service. I have a great appreciation for our military but there is something different about the people around me that have served our country. They know what it means to fight for this country, honor our flag, and hold the office of the president in high regard.
3) The main purpose of the president of the United States is to protect and preserve our nation. It's not about handing out checks, delivering aid, or making sure that everybody is happy. No - the president should be concerned about making us safer. Global terrorism is the greatest threat we face. We need a commander in chief who recognizes that threat and will deal with it effectively.
4) One other reason that I want to give is in the area of leadership. It has been said that if you want to be a great leader you must first learn how to follow. The training provided to those in the military teaches men and women how to follow orders. However, it also teaches them how to think on their feet. You learn how to evaluate a situation and take the proper course of action. It's a training that is not provided in our colleges and universities. Leadership is a quality that is acquired through experience. You do not become a leader by gaining a title.
Those are just a few of the reasons I can give. I'm sure that if I spoke to one of the veterans in my congregation that they would have several more. When I look at the choices we face in this upcoming election there is only one person with military service. This is not a Republican/Democrat stance that I'm taking here. I am not at liberty to tell you who to vote for, nor would I. It just seems to me that there is a great void between the candidates. I could list all the differences but I won't. I would simply ask you to take a look at the accomplishments of each candidate and see for yourself. Which candidate has displayed their ability to actually lead something? Which candidate has a resume that has more to show than a college degree along with a little time in the Senate? Which candidate - on paper - would you hire as commander in chief? In other words: If America was your business and you needed a great manager, who would be the most trusted employee?
I know that our country does not think this way. We are more interested in a president that can give good speeches. We are more interested in a candidate that looks great in a suit or will make a good cover for TIME. We are more interested in a candidate that is going to bail us out of our stupid financial decisions and make sure that the rich don't keep getting richer. We are more interested in having a baby-sitter than a commander. What is wrong with our country? We need leadership - not empty promises.
In closing I want to be very honest with you. I'm not excited about any of our choices for the office of president. It seems to me that on either side of the aisle there are greater candidates. However, come election day we are going to have to choose who will best lead this nation. It's going to be difficult. I'm not sure how this thing will turn out. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a third option who could actually win - but there isn't. We are going to have to decide. We, the people, are going to have to ask which candidate will protect and preserve our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Who will you choose?
I'm sure that this question will raise a lot of issues, however, it's one that should be asked. Some of the greatest presidents of this country served in the armed forces. I'm not suggesting that the individual has to have combat experience but I would like for them to have at least some military background. How can someone possibly lead our military if their only experience is watching "Pearl Harbor" or "Saving Private Ryan"?
Here are my reasons:
1) Deploying our military is a huge assignment. Our troops are not the World Police - rather they are serving to protect our country. We don't need a president who is going to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way simply as a distraction from their own political problems.
2) The general morale of our enlisted men and women deserve a president who has been where they are. They need to know that they are going to be taken care of, provided for, and recognized for their bravery and service. I have a great appreciation for our military but there is something different about the people around me that have served our country. They know what it means to fight for this country, honor our flag, and hold the office of the president in high regard.
3) The main purpose of the president of the United States is to protect and preserve our nation. It's not about handing out checks, delivering aid, or making sure that everybody is happy. No - the president should be concerned about making us safer. Global terrorism is the greatest threat we face. We need a commander in chief who recognizes that threat and will deal with it effectively.
4) One other reason that I want to give is in the area of leadership. It has been said that if you want to be a great leader you must first learn how to follow. The training provided to those in the military teaches men and women how to follow orders. However, it also teaches them how to think on their feet. You learn how to evaluate a situation and take the proper course of action. It's a training that is not provided in our colleges and universities. Leadership is a quality that is acquired through experience. You do not become a leader by gaining a title.
Those are just a few of the reasons I can give. I'm sure that if I spoke to one of the veterans in my congregation that they would have several more. When I look at the choices we face in this upcoming election there is only one person with military service. This is not a Republican/Democrat stance that I'm taking here. I am not at liberty to tell you who to vote for, nor would I. It just seems to me that there is a great void between the candidates. I could list all the differences but I won't. I would simply ask you to take a look at the accomplishments of each candidate and see for yourself. Which candidate has displayed their ability to actually lead something? Which candidate has a resume that has more to show than a college degree along with a little time in the Senate? Which candidate - on paper - would you hire as commander in chief? In other words: If America was your business and you needed a great manager, who would be the most trusted employee?
I know that our country does not think this way. We are more interested in a president that can give good speeches. We are more interested in a candidate that looks great in a suit or will make a good cover for TIME. We are more interested in a candidate that is going to bail us out of our stupid financial decisions and make sure that the rich don't keep getting richer. We are more interested in having a baby-sitter than a commander. What is wrong with our country? We need leadership - not empty promises.
In closing I want to be very honest with you. I'm not excited about any of our choices for the office of president. It seems to me that on either side of the aisle there are greater candidates. However, come election day we are going to have to choose who will best lead this nation. It's going to be difficult. I'm not sure how this thing will turn out. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a third option who could actually win - but there isn't. We are going to have to decide. We, the people, are going to have to ask which candidate will protect and preserve our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Who will you choose?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Dash Matters!
www.dashpoemmovie.com
A friend recently shared with me an email with the following link. It provided a great reminder (for me) about how we should live our lives. I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about the movie. However, I do want to spend some time today thinking about the "dash."
The dash, for those of you wondering, is the thing that separates our date of birth from our date of death. The dash is what happens in the middle. Ask yourself the question: What will people remember about me? For most of us who visit a burial place we may look at the header on a tombstone and think about how long a person lived (Oh, they were 80 years old...)but those dates are not the true representation of who that person was. The Dash Matters! When all is said and done, when I take my last breath, the size of my house and the type of car I drove is not going to matter. What will matter is how I lived my life.
I was fortunate enough in life to have a great-grandfather who was a preacher. When I think about his "dash" it always brings great joy to me. I am reminded of a man who was very short in stature but large in life. I'm reminded of a man who had a wonderful laugh and a great love for God and family. I can still picture him sitting beside the kitchen table with these huge sunglasses on (cataract glasses) and his head leaned back in laughter. I can still see him riding his old tractor around until his health would not allow. And I can still remember the day that we buried him. I still remember the falling snow as the white hertz pulled onto the cemtary. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful life. What I'm trying to say is that his "dash" made a difference in my life.
A couple of years after his death I made a visit to his grave. I was standing in front of his tombstone talking as if he could hear every word. I told him that I loved and missed him, and I told him how much he meant to me. I also stood there in tears as I shared my own calling into the gospel ministry. I can only imagine what it would have been like to share it with him face to face. Once when my brother and I were very small our family visited him at his church. I want you to picture two little twin boys standing on the stage in their button up shirts, dress pants and vests singing "Jesus Loves Me." He was so proud. I'd like to think that he would have had that same smile and tears streaming down his face as we embraced my call and each other.
I hope that my life will be remembered the same way for others. I hope that people will see in my life a love for God and family, a zeal to share the faith that God has given me, and the type of character that they want to see lived out in themselves. I realize that my "dash" will be full of mistakes, however, I hope that in the end people will remember me as someone who honored God.
How will people remember you. I had a professor in school who often said, "It's now how you start that matters but how you finish what you started." I did not know my great-grandfather before he was saved and called. He was always the preacher grandpa. But in the end, I don't think it would have mattered. What mattered most what how he finished his life. A life that was dedicated to God and to his family. Yes...the Dash Matters!
May you live a life that is filled with the excitement and joy that God intends. May your dash, as well as mine, give people an opportunity to laugh and give thanks to God.
A friend recently shared with me an email with the following link. It provided a great reminder (for me) about how we should live our lives. I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about the movie. However, I do want to spend some time today thinking about the "dash."
The dash, for those of you wondering, is the thing that separates our date of birth from our date of death. The dash is what happens in the middle. Ask yourself the question: What will people remember about me? For most of us who visit a burial place we may look at the header on a tombstone and think about how long a person lived (Oh, they were 80 years old...)but those dates are not the true representation of who that person was. The Dash Matters! When all is said and done, when I take my last breath, the size of my house and the type of car I drove is not going to matter. What will matter is how I lived my life.
I was fortunate enough in life to have a great-grandfather who was a preacher. When I think about his "dash" it always brings great joy to me. I am reminded of a man who was very short in stature but large in life. I'm reminded of a man who had a wonderful laugh and a great love for God and family. I can still picture him sitting beside the kitchen table with these huge sunglasses on (cataract glasses) and his head leaned back in laughter. I can still see him riding his old tractor around until his health would not allow. And I can still remember the day that we buried him. I still remember the falling snow as the white hertz pulled onto the cemtary. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful life. What I'm trying to say is that his "dash" made a difference in my life.
A couple of years after his death I made a visit to his grave. I was standing in front of his tombstone talking as if he could hear every word. I told him that I loved and missed him, and I told him how much he meant to me. I also stood there in tears as I shared my own calling into the gospel ministry. I can only imagine what it would have been like to share it with him face to face. Once when my brother and I were very small our family visited him at his church. I want you to picture two little twin boys standing on the stage in their button up shirts, dress pants and vests singing "Jesus Loves Me." He was so proud. I'd like to think that he would have had that same smile and tears streaming down his face as we embraced my call and each other.
I hope that my life will be remembered the same way for others. I hope that people will see in my life a love for God and family, a zeal to share the faith that God has given me, and the type of character that they want to see lived out in themselves. I realize that my "dash" will be full of mistakes, however, I hope that in the end people will remember me as someone who honored God.
How will people remember you. I had a professor in school who often said, "It's now how you start that matters but how you finish what you started." I did not know my great-grandfather before he was saved and called. He was always the preacher grandpa. But in the end, I don't think it would have mattered. What mattered most what how he finished his life. A life that was dedicated to God and to his family. Yes...the Dash Matters!
May you live a life that is filled with the excitement and joy that God intends. May your dash, as well as mine, give people an opportunity to laugh and give thanks to God.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Great to Be Home
I must say that it's good to be back in VA. The last 5 days have been very interesting but it's always wonderful to be home.
Most of you know that I was in New Hampshire on a Mission Trip. This was my very first construction trip. Needless to say, but construction trips are very different from evangelistic trips. The hardest thing for me was the mindset. Oh, there is still spiritual warfare, lost people to share with, and a God-sized task at hand; it just took me a while to get adjusted. I'm very grateful for the church members from PBC who went with us.
The Southern NH Rescue Mission is located in Nashua. It's one of several missions within the area. I was completely blown away by the poverty as well as the spiritual complacency. Let's just say that "Live Free or Die" is not a patriotic statement but a "deal with it" attitude about one's life. There is one thing that I took away from this trip that I want to share with you: The Power of the Gospel! It matters not if I'm in the New England states, deep in the South, or across the ocean; the Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. It's the same message of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected that changes lives. We cannot even come close to influencing a life for genuine change if we are not willing to give people the "Good News" of salvation.
I want to give a special thanks to David, Sam, Deanne, John, Anne, Roger, and Linda for their hospitality and genuine Christianity. Their faith is making a difference where they live and will continue to impact churches and the lost where they live. New Hampshire is truly a mission field - these lives are making a difference.
I ask you to pray for Southern NH Rescue Mission that they will continue to share the love of Christ above all else. Pray for Freedom Baptist Church as they seek to experience God and join Him where He is at work. Pray for Nashua Baptist Church as they continue to host missionaries and join God in missions work. Pray for the spiritual climate of New Hampshire that the people will become open to the Gospel Message.
One other word of thanks goes to Ron, John, Ronnie, Clay, Jeff, Alison, and Patty for their tireless work and determination on this trip. I pray that the work accomplished this week will be a lasting witness to what God can accomplish through those who say "YES" to Him. Pray for Pioneer Baptist Church as we continue to move forward On Mission with God this summer. May God bless you all.
Most of you know that I was in New Hampshire on a Mission Trip. This was my very first construction trip. Needless to say, but construction trips are very different from evangelistic trips. The hardest thing for me was the mindset. Oh, there is still spiritual warfare, lost people to share with, and a God-sized task at hand; it just took me a while to get adjusted. I'm very grateful for the church members from PBC who went with us.
The Southern NH Rescue Mission is located in Nashua. It's one of several missions within the area. I was completely blown away by the poverty as well as the spiritual complacency. Let's just say that "Live Free or Die" is not a patriotic statement but a "deal with it" attitude about one's life. There is one thing that I took away from this trip that I want to share with you: The Power of the Gospel! It matters not if I'm in the New England states, deep in the South, or across the ocean; the Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. It's the same message of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected that changes lives. We cannot even come close to influencing a life for genuine change if we are not willing to give people the "Good News" of salvation.
I want to give a special thanks to David, Sam, Deanne, John, Anne, Roger, and Linda for their hospitality and genuine Christianity. Their faith is making a difference where they live and will continue to impact churches and the lost where they live. New Hampshire is truly a mission field - these lives are making a difference.
I ask you to pray for Southern NH Rescue Mission that they will continue to share the love of Christ above all else. Pray for Freedom Baptist Church as they seek to experience God and join Him where He is at work. Pray for Nashua Baptist Church as they continue to host missionaries and join God in missions work. Pray for the spiritual climate of New Hampshire that the people will become open to the Gospel Message.
One other word of thanks goes to Ron, John, Ronnie, Clay, Jeff, Alison, and Patty for their tireless work and determination on this trip. I pray that the work accomplished this week will be a lasting witness to what God can accomplish through those who say "YES" to Him. Pray for Pioneer Baptist Church as we continue to move forward On Mission with God this summer. May God bless you all.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
National Day of Prayer
I hope that you will set aside some time today for prayer. I'm grateful for a nation that continues to view prayer as a national concern.
Here's some things you can pray for:
1) Leaders of our nation
2) Spiritual Revival
3) Protection of our country
4) Men & Women in the military
5) Direction of our nation
6) The lost
7) Churches to be light in darkness
8) Missionaries
9) Pastors
10) Families
These are just a few of the things that you could pray about throughout this day. I don't want you to think that you have to spend the whole day on your knees. God's Word teaches us to pray without ceasing. Today - I want you to have an attitude of prayer. Keep in constant communion with God.
As you pray I hope that you will remember our mission team as we travel to New Hampshire. Pray that God grant us safety and use us for His glory. May you be blessed throughout this day.
**Should you need any other points for prayer you can go to this link: http://www.ndptf.org/7x7/index.cfm?flash=1
Here's some things you can pray for:
1) Leaders of our nation
2) Spiritual Revival
3) Protection of our country
4) Men & Women in the military
5) Direction of our nation
6) The lost
7) Churches to be light in darkness
8) Missionaries
9) Pastors
10) Families
These are just a few of the things that you could pray about throughout this day. I don't want you to think that you have to spend the whole day on your knees. God's Word teaches us to pray without ceasing. Today - I want you to have an attitude of prayer. Keep in constant communion with God.
As you pray I hope that you will remember our mission team as we travel to New Hampshire. Pray that God grant us safety and use us for His glory. May you be blessed throughout this day.
**Should you need any other points for prayer you can go to this link: http://www.ndptf.org/7x7/index.cfm?flash=1
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