Looking Back on 2011

On the last day of 2011 I am finally doing what I have thought about doing for the last two weeks; writing a few thoughts about the year that ends today. My buddy Mark Wingfield gave me that last bit of inspiration I needed. He writes so well and so often and I really enjoy reading his notes. Thanks Mark and hope you keep notes coming!


Here is my lookback:


Early 2011 was a little rough as my Mom passed away in January. She had suffered for several years with COPD and we all knew that the day of her passing would not be far away. It was difficult, especially for my Dad as he said goodbye to his bride of 60 years. Mom was personally ready to go and had that peace of God that Jesus gives right to the end. I know she is with the Lord.


The year brought some more death of people I knew well. Bruce’s Dad, Cecil passed away in March. We all miss Cecil, especially at the Coffee House this year as he used to wear his powered Santa hat and make us all laugh. I also lost a very special friend right before Thanksgiving, Mr. Tom Bass. I spent some great days with Mr. Bass over the last few years. That man taught me a lot and he did it with very few words. I will miss him greatly. I would love to see his face at the table that is set before him now!


At the beginning of 2011 Jordyn got involved with the Richmond Christian Youth Theatre (CYT). She was in two shows and loved it. We enjoyed the process as well and even all the trips to Richmond were fun as we spent that extra time together. We knew Jordyn would be leaving for college in the fall so we tried to squeeze in as much family time as we could this year. Speaking of college, in preparation for those financial challenges, Becky went back to work (outside of home and church) in May after many years devoted to being a teaching Mom and Volunteer Church Administrator.


Jordyn left for Liberty University in August and has completed her first semester as a resident student. She loves it and is doing quite well if I may brag about my daughter. Before she left for college we enjoyed our annual beach trip with Johnny and Pat, Ryan and Holly and Amanda even made it with Jaelynn in tow. That was a great week as always.


2011 was year seven for Community Christian Fellowship. Once again God amazed me through the people that are CCF. I would mention specific church events, worship services, bible studies, prayer meetings, service projects, or the fact that more were baptized through CCF than any other previous year (guess I just did) but it sounds like I am talking more about our accomplishments instead of God’s work. It is all God. Little CCF is part of God’s massive Kingdom here on earth and it is good and just so awesome to be a part of His work. “This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”- Psalm 118:23


As 2011 came to a close for CCF we had our annual Christmas Coffee House and on Christmas Eve Eve, CCF had a first ever impromptu “Christmas Pageant.” It was fun and a blessing as we worshipped the Lord remembering the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.


On Christmas Day my new baby granddaughter arrived! Zoey Maria Rivera was born to Amanda and Josh and Jaelynn has a little sister. Beck, Jordyn and I were able to head down to Fayetteville the day after Christmas and see that beautiful child! Wow! What a way to end the year! Amanda and baby are doing great and Josh is not on deployment (praise the Lord!) so he is able to be with his family.


As 2011 began I read a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and was inspired to focus more on personal self-denial, really taking up my cross and following Jesus. Looking back on 2011, I know that self did not like that idea at all and resisted constantly but on the eve of 2012, the call is the same. I still hear Jesus say “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”


Another year, another chance to die.  I’m preaching about that tomorrow. I pray I can live it in 2012. Happy New Year!

An Unexpected Trip to Bizarro World

Today I drove my Dad to an appointment and while I was sitting in the waiting room the surreal feeling that I once again, was in the “Bizarro World” began to come over me.

The first thing I suddenly found bizarre (although it is becoming rather common) was the obnoxious presence of two wide-screen HD TVs in a small (relatively speaking) room. I noticed my Dad’s voice apparently yelling at the receptionist and then realized that he was not “yelling” but forced to raise his voice over the sound of the televisions and the “surround” sound that was piped through the ceiling speakers. Where was I, “HH Gregg?”

It seems like not long ago that waiting rooms consisted of softly playing“Musac” and “Field and Stream.”

Not that I particularly cared for either of these entertainment choices of yesteryear but it was the ambiance that one expected in a “waiting room.” Never thought I would actually miss that, but I guess those days are gone.

So as I settled down for a protracted wait, I wished I had brought a book to read but wondered if I could have pulled that off anyway in such an environment. The sound was overwhelming!

And what I  heard through the cinema-style speakers, and saw on the wide-screen televisions was the most bizarre element of my whole experience. CNN.

It was CNN and it was bizarre.

Before you label me as an ideologue or hater, know that I used to watch CNN all the time. Way back when the voice of James Earl Jones simply stated “THIS IS CNN.”

I can remember rushing home from work in the 80’s to follow the Iran-Contra Hearings on CNN and watching (and taping) live coverage of the Gulf War in the 90’s as well as following major political campaigns and other big stories through CNN’s coverage.

It was not extremely difficult to detect the liberal slant buildingthrough the years but even with that, you could still get NEWS on CNN. They were in fact “The Worldwide Leader in News." But today, what I saw and heard emanating from CNN was…well, bizarre.

The particular “news” program that was on today was reporting the attack of Anderson Cooper as he tried to cover the story in Egypt.

That in itself is newsworthy but it didn't take long for the coverage to descend into the Bizarro World. The “anchor” began playing clips of David Letterman and Conan O’Brien “yucking it up” about the situation in Egypt climaxing with O’Brien sarcastically wondering about the safety of American journalists in Egypt and how we could “get Glenn Beck over there?”

While such “humor” is expected on late night comedy shows, the look of glee on the CNN anchor’s face while these clips played was nothing short of (repeated for effect) bizarre.

And then as  this “news” program continued, emphasizing the crisis in Egypt, a CNN contributor “reminded” listeners that although “schools were closed, the police force had quit, wide-spread looting was rampant, food was in short-supply, all cameras except for the ones operated by the Egyptian government were banned, and the death toll was climbing because the sheer violence in the streets was continuing to escalate,” it really wasn’t “that bad” over there. Really?

Should we at least consider the importance of the Suez Canal or the statement of the Muslim Brotherhood to its members to “Prepare for war against Israel?”

Should we just maybe, report some of those facts? Maybe keeping in mind a cursory knowledge of world history?

 What about the revolution in Iran in 1979? It didn’t turn out as Utopian as some hoped. Neither did the Weimar Republic in Germany or what followed, the Third Reich. How about some rather notorious regimes like Hitler? Mussolini? Stalin?  How about Mao Tse-Tung in China? How many people died as a result of these regimes?

These men (and their ideas) all rose to power when the people shared a common denominator: a desperate desire for revolution.

And lest we say “but what about the American Revolution? That turned out pretty good!” Remember, those revolutionaries fled to a whole different continent to start a new life. The radicals wishing to force their ways on us followed us to the new land…they came here to fight.

I hope the best for the Egyptian people but I fear that they are ripe for a radical power-grab. Should we not at least inform people of this possiblilty?  What I saw on CNN today was more like the coverage of an anti-war rally from the sixties in America getting a bit out of hand. And to be fair, I have seen a little of this on other “news” channels as well.

Sure, Mubarak may be a dictator but did Obama and Hillary just make that discovery? Or did they just find out that we give the Egyptian government 1.3 billion in aid annually? Ooops! And please don’t say this is a partisan rant.

I know full well that this has been going on for 30 years so the aid is not Obama’s fault alone. The government probably has very strategic reasons for pumping all that money that we don’t have into the Middle East but how does this make sense with the sanctimonious demands for freedom in Egypt now?

Don't forget that the President made his first official international visit to Cairo. Did he demand Mubarak step down then? Or at least make the revelation that the people of Egypt were ruled by a brutal despot?

What are we going to do if there is an uprising in China? Discover a long-lost disdain for communism and demand freedom for the Chinese? Shhhh! Don't you know we owe them almost a trillion dollars? We have to be nice!

I personally think we need Glenn Beck’s voice in this country. Someone who is willing to consider facts. He reports the very words of the players in this very serious game. Their own statements and creeds. Not talking points. Not naïve hopes of a sudden desire for “democracy” to make everything OK. And again, I know this administration's rhetoric is nothing new from an American President.

Glenn Beck doesn’t even claim to be a journalist but at least he tells the truth to the people. I may not agree with all of his opinions and predictions or theories but his perspective comes from documented fact. I personally like truth. 

But yet today I see an anchor on the gentile and compassionate CNN that is working hard to “tone down the hateful rhetoric” beaming at the thought of Beck being beaten in Egypt! Bizarre indeed…and I was forced to continue watching…and listening.

 And then came the CNN coup de grâce: A giggly “Hollywood reporter” excitedly talked about the President’s Super Bowl Party and how Mark Anthony and “J-Lo” were on the guest list.

The “anchor” then joins in with the giggle fest and agrees with the Hollywood girl in dreaming of being on “that guest list!”

While this may interest many and one might expect such material on “The View,” “Inside Edition” or “Entertainment Tonight,” watching this display on CNN as the Middle East teeters on the verge of anarchy gave me that too familiar sensation that I had been transported to the “Bizzarro World.”

And then, none too soon, my Dad came out from the back, apologizing that I had to wait so long. “No problem” I said but couldn’t help but silently rejoice that my little trip was coming to an end and as Dad and I drove home, we talked… a lot! And that was good. I had successfully escaped from the world that seems to lurk in every venue of life...that crazy little place that can only be described as the Bizarro World.

Postscript:

My “Bizarro World” observation is just that, an observation. Egypt is on the southern border of Israel. That in itself makes it a very serious situation so I will continue to follow the news (when I can find it). I am interested but do not fret. Despite any level of violence or threats of any kind, I believe the ultimate outcome in the Middle East is declared in the word of God. For another one of my blogs on U.S. and Middle East relations check out a post of my observations from 2009:

http://thewaxle.blogspot.com/2009/03/as-many-knowpresident-barack-obama.html

Meeting Time

This past Sunday was weird.We didn’t have worship service at CCF. Along with many churches in our area, the snow put a halt to our normal activities. Not having worship service on Sunday was even more significant as we had not met during the week before Christmas either.

It was a strange Sunday. I wrestled with regret for not having a meeting of some kind during the week and wondered how we might manage to have an extra service in the coming week. Hopefully our CCF Family has been able to enjoy some extra time with family and friends but it’s Christmas right? “Jesus is the reason for the season” and all that…you know, if you are a Christian you “should” be in church at Christmas. Even people who never attend church any other time of the year go at Christmastime.

“Why didn’t you all have a Christmas Eve Service?”

These are some of the thoughts and questions that have been looping through my brain over the last 48 hours or so.

A pastor’s mind can sometimes drive a person crazy!

It was really good to have extra uninterrupted family time. We laughed and ate and Jordyn and I watched a lot of football and laughed some more when Becky said “The Giants just don’t look right in green and gold!” (she thought the G on the Packer helmets was for Giants). My wife is an awesome woman but definitely NOT a football fan.

We certainly made the most of the snow day but I was unable to completely escape the questions and concerns that I incessantly ponder this time of year about worship services, special events, etc. Like I said, I sometimes drive myself crazy!

I finally gave up thinking about it last night and escaped into a book that I received as a Christmas gift. “Bonhoeffer- Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxes. As Christianity Today accurately says, it is a massive biography so I only read about one fifth of the book last night. I have read Bonhoeffer’s writings before but not a biography. From Metaxas’ book, I am getting a better understanding of this compelling figure of modern history. Bonhoeffer questioned the status quo. He was raised in a family that placed great importance on the truth and as a result, his theological studies alone would not satisfy his soul. The very existence of theology suggested the existence of God. And if God was, then knowing Him had to be more than religious exercise. The church had to be more than just a place for ritual and formality. The God of the universe could not be confined to a building or organization. Bonhoffer observed, in his day, that the church had become “the most grandiose of all human attempts to advance towards the divine.” And further stated that it is“far too easy for us to base our claims to God on our religiosity and our church commitment, and in doing so to utterly misunderstand and distort the Christian idea.”

 Of course Bonhoeffer was observing a different culture and time. The German Lutheran Church in the 1920’s was probably quite different from the average evangelical church of America 2010, but the principle is the same. The Christian “idea” is that God came to us. This is Christmas right? At least what Christians say is the reason we celebrate.  The Word became flesh and we received grace and truth through the person of Jesus Christ.

Our religiosity may be less formal but just as capable of serving as a distorted substitute for an actual personal relationship with God, which is the most incredible gift and only hope that any of us have.

As much as I love my church (and I do). As much as I love worshipping with, praying with and preaching the word at CCF, it is all about the real and living person of Jesus Christ. He is. He has always been and He never changes. He never leaves or forsakes us. He is never snow bound or hampered. Nothing slows down or prohibits Him. He is not dependent on us keeping our scheduled worship services intact.

Along with the instruction to preach the word, pray together, worship together and love one another, God’s word also says: “Be still and know that I am God.” “Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden.” “Pray in secret.” To His disciples He reveals the “secrets” of the Kingdom and scripture promises that God will judge the “secrets” of man in Christ Jesus. He is personal and involved in every aspect of our personal lives.

He is the God who revealed His glory in the Temple and promised that the gates of Hell would never prevail against His church.

He is also the God who ministered to Elijah in a cave, appeared to Moses in the wilderness, rescued Jonah from the belly of a whale and revealed His future plans to the Apostle John while he was in exile on Patmos.

He has been faithful to His own in the cathedral and the dungeon. The King’s Courts and the slave quarters. He makes poor and makes rich. Brings low and exalts. There is no place where He does not see and the darkness is as light to Him.

His Spirit knows no bounds and He is unimpressed with the loftiest expressions of religion, largest of churches or number of meetings.

He runs to the humble and heals the broken. He is love! He is life! He is salvation! He is our righteousness! He is! When we worship and when we don’t. When we meet together and when we don’t. When we “have church” and when we don’t.

Our most grandiose attempts to reach the divine have failed but He has reached us!

In human form, with all the fullness of God, He came to us as a servant and although our sins had separated us from God, He made peace by the blood of His cross. In His body of death He has reconciled us to God. By His resurrection He has defeated the last enemy, death. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together and still He stands at the door of our hearts and desires personal fellowship with us! You! Me! Think about that. During this time when we can’t meet together, I have been reminded that the Lord of the universe stands waiting to meet with me. I hope you have too.

If He is willing, I will see you soon. We will sing to Him, pray to Him, talk about Him and celebrate Him together! 

Time to Post

2010 is almost gone. Wow. What a year it has been for the Burton family! We even went to Narnia! OK, it was Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs (we were there in April).
As usual my blogging has been lacking. My last entry was lamenting the end of summer and now here we are on the verge of Thanksgiving! It has been quite a year and looks to finish with a real bang.
My oldest, Amanda, her husband Josh and my grand daughter Jaelynn are in town and it has been great to see them some. My brother-in-law, Ryan is getting married the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend and then of course, the Christmas festivities begin and take us blazing into 2011...whoa!
Just amazes me how time keeps moving faster. The Lord is good and we keep trusting Him. He is good and His mercy endures forever! I am so glad that my God is not intimidated by time. He is not intimidated by anything!

Where Did Summer Go?

I haven't blogged in quite a while so I thought I would write a short one. About time right DP?
Seems like I have been busier than ever. Don't know if I really have or I am just older and get tired quicker.
It has been a good Summer. Hot but good. We took our annual family beach trip and enjoyed it immensely. I did some serious reading and had some great time with the Lord. No cellphone. No computer....I needed that. Probably need a lot more of that.
Jordyn and I have not played much tennis this Summer. She is a busy girl...working and everything else and it has been super hot outside. We did go to the court this past Sunday night and played a set. It was so fun.
Maybe we will get some time in when the weather breaks a little but since she is starting college that could be a challenge. Oh well. There are certainly more important things than tennis.
Every year about this time I get a little sad that Summer is winding down and this year is no exception but I am excited that Beck and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage this September! I love that woman. She is simply the best! And she is my wife. Wow! God is so good to me!
Amanda has been here most of the Summer while Josh serves in Afghanistan. We have enjoyed spending time with her and our granddaughter Jaelynn.

CCF is always cool. I love being a pastor!
God is always working and we have been blessed to see Him continue to move and work in Community Christian Fellowship. We love our family in Christ and look forward to seeing what the Lord will do next in and through the believers of CCF.
So that is about it for this one. Did not have any philosophical comments or observations on my mind. Just checking in. Sometimes it's cool to go back and look at old posts. Kind of like a journal. Man I wrote some lengthy ones in the past. Once I get started sometimes I can't stop (just ask the people I preach too!)
See you soon!

In The Clouds

Beck, Jordyn and I had the opportunity to travel to Colorado Springs last week and we were amazed at what we saw. First, the reason why we went: Amanda had a baby! Yes, I am a grandfather...kind of freaky.
It is another one of those milestones in life that reminds me how fast time is flying and how fleeting this life is.
I can remember like it was yesterday, the first time I met Amanda. I went to see Becky (I was in love...still am) and she crawled up on my lap, looked me dead in the eye and said: "Are you Jim Burton?" She was 2. That was 20 years ago.
Now Amanda is a mother!
Her daughter's name is Jaelynn Isabella Rivera and she is beautiful and healthy, by the grace of God.
For more pics of our trip and to see Jaelynn click on my wife's blog: http://www.beckums.blogspot.com/
Amanda and Josh (her husband) are doing well. Josh is an officer in the Army and currently stationed at Fort Carson. They hope to be moving much closer to Virginia before too long but for now they live in beautiful Colorado Springs so we got to go there.
So while we were in Colorado Springs last week, we visited a couple of popular sites. Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak. The above picture was taken from about 13,000 feet, near the summit of Pike's Peak. In the  clouds. It was awesome. 
We were "in the clouds" all week, literally, spiritually and emotionally. God is awesome. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1: "His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made."
He made it all. Pike's Peak. The Garden of the Gods. Amanda. Jaelynn. Me...and you. He made it all and it (you and me included) all belongs to Him. Psalm 24:1
"The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
   the world and those who dwell therein."
Have you acknowledged your maker? The One by whose will you live and move and have your being? This awesome Creator has revealed His eternal power and divine attributes in the things that He has made and He has revealed His divine love through His Son Jesus Christ.
Even though mankind saw the mountains, the sea, the stars and the miracle of  new life, we rebelled against God. 
We all went our own way. We all broke His Holy Laws. We all alienated ourselves from the very God who created us...but He still loves His creation so He made a way for us to be reconciled unto Him.
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except through Me." 
The Bible says there is no other name given under heaven by which men might be saved other than the name of Jesus. 
He took our sins. He took our rebellion. He took our shame. He took it upon Himself and went to the Cross. Laying down His life. Shedding His blood. Dying a criminal's death and paying our price. He rose again on the third day, defeating death and He has ascended into heaven and has all authority in heaven and on earth and one day all will know this. 
The Bible says that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead. The One who made those peaks. The One who knit together Jaelynn in Amanda's womb. He is coming. What will you say when you stand before Him?
Look at His creation. Look at your life. Look at your heart. Confess your sins and your need to be forgiven. Repent and trust Jesus to save you. He will lift you from the pit into the clouds! 

Investment Strategy

Have you seen any of these commercials recently about buying gold? They warn of the falling dollar, rising debt and volatile stock market while talking about the solid value of gold.

Yesterday Becky and I were eating supper and the TV was on when an ad for “goldline.com” came on. It depicts a professional looking couple in their mid 30’s, preparing some dinner maybe, as if they just got in from “the office.”

They are discussing money and the man says something like “Maybe it’s time we rethink our investment strategy.”

I started pondering this statement. “Maybe it’s time we rethink our investment strategy.”

The ad was obviously designed to convince people with stocks or savings of some kind to consider investing in gold but I began to think about my own investment strategy. I have no stocks to worry about or other monies that I need to be careful with but I have been blessed with very valuable commodities. We all have.

One very valuable commodity that we all are given is time. Time is so precious. We are only given a certain amount and we only have one chance to invest it.

It is not hard to see, in our day, that much time, if not most of our time, has been invested in earning money. So we can have things…more things…bigger homes…newer cars…security for the future. Is this really a wise investment of our time?

What have we sacrificed for more money? Many times we trade our one and only chance to raise our children for more money. Is that a wise investment of our time? Has this strategy been good for our families?

We sacrifice time with our spouse in this endless pursuit of money. What kind of returns have we received on this investment? Dividends of broken homes and shattered lives, but we have more money! Guess the divorce lawyers are getting that return.

 We foolishly put very little investment into the most precious of earthly relationships and then wonder what happened. Why didn’t it work? Where did we go wrong?

Marriage and children are precious gifts. We would be wise to rethink our investment strategies in these areas.

And if we are courageous enough to rethink our strategies to invest the precious commodity of time, what about our faith? How much of our time are we investing in such a precious gift as our faith?

There seems to be less and less time left in our ever busy schedules to invest in our faith these days and so many appear to be trapped in the relentless cycle of busyness. So consumed by this world.

The Bible says that our faith is more precious than gold and the outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls. So how can we invest time in our faith?

If we really would rethink our strategies and invest less of our time in the pursuit of money, we are, at the same time, cultivating and exercising the precious gift of faith so its genuineness may be tested.

If we consider what scripture says is valuable instead of all the other influences and desires that we follow, the constant pursuit of money is just not a priority.

But what about our stuff? What about our standard of living that we have worked so hard to achieve? What about our retirement goals? Education and travel plans?

The Bible says the world and its desires are passing away but the one who does the will of God will abide forever. I believe that is why Jesus seemed to care so little about obtaining money. Why he said that God considered the successful farmer who built bigger barns to store his crops a fool. Why Jesus said not to worry about what we would eat or wear….that a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions.

Maybe that is why Jesus said even to sell your possessions and give to the poor and provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old. Treasures in heaven.

Time to rethink our investment strategies?

1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Sweetness of Unity

As a pastor of a relatively young fellowship of believers, one question that I get constantly is "How's the church going?" I appreciate the interest that people have in Community Christian Fellowship but my answer is always so inadequate. I usually answer that question with something really eloquent like "pretty good." Wow. Really? "Pretty good?"

It is really hard to articulate to someone how "the church is going" but today was a good "snapshot" of how CCF is going. Today was another reminder to me that God is indeed doing a work in our church and I have to say it is "pretty good." Actually it is better than that. It is sweet.

What happened today? Record attendance? Huge offering? New building? No, no and no. What happened today was another demonstration of love by serving one another with pure joy.

Because of the snow, we were unable to meet at our normal location or our normal time but that didn't faze the people of CCF.

"Where?" "What time?" "We will be there!"

And I am not talking people who show up, sit in a chair or pew for an hour and then go home. I am talking about people who arrive an hour or more before we start to work and work hard, and then stay after the service to serve more.

The trailer has to be hauled to the location, unloaded. Then everybody works as one to set up sound, a children's department and everything else we need in a new location that nobody is used to. Then when the worship service is over (and our worship is never only an hour!) everything has to be broken down and loaded back in the trailer and hauled away.

It requires flexibility, patience and a willingness to simply serve and it requires teamwork. I saw all of that today and more. I saw a family that God has made, not only working together, but serving Him with joy and true unity. It is so sweet.

Jesus said "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Apostle Paul urged the believers in Ephesians to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

I love to preach but the most powerful message that is proclaimed from Community Christian Fellowship is the love for one another and unity in the Spirit demonstrated every week and magnified in challenging circumstances like today by our family in Christ at CCF! Thank you Lord!

The next time someone asks me "How's the church going?" maybe instead of "pretty good" I will say, "It is sweet!"

Worship In The Snow

This past year I heard a sermon in which the preacher ask a question that haunts me every time I am tempted to complain about the weather. He simply asked "who are you complaining to?" So, although this snow storm has prohibited us from having church at the school tomorrow, I will worship the Lord. I will not complain.
"God thunders wondrously with his voice;
   he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,'
   likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour." Job 37:5-6

First Post of 2010

I realized I had not posted a new blog since last year and the fact that my wife has really been blogging it up lately, somehow compelled me to post something.

I have no deep thoughts to write tonight and maybe that is what I need to do more often anyway...just blog...period.

2010 is starting as a blessed year for sure.

This picture of Beck and I was taken on Jan. 17th at Community Christian Fellowship's 5 year Celebration Sunday. Wow! I still cannot believe it has been five years! And what the Lord has done in that time is nothing short of miraculous.

As we said from the very beginning, it is all His work, we just have "front row seats!"

Global Warming- The Real Concern

(Soren Bidstrup)

Are you concerned about “Global Warming?” Or is it “Climate Change” now? We are supposed to be concerned! Al Gore is very concerned and has been for some time now. World leaders are meeting in Copenhagen, even as I write this, formulating a strategy to stop this “threat” to the planet. Thousands are protesting in the streets of Denmark, demanding that the politicians of the world sign a treaty to “curb emissions.” Activists are also demanding that the “rich” nations pay for the damage done to poor nations by our use of fossil fuels and other climate threats like cow flatulence.

I know, you can’t make this stuff up. One of the most ironic ideas is that the world still thinks that the United States is one of the “rich” nations. Have you seen the debt clock lately? http://www.usdebtclock.org/

12 Trillion in debt…so how will we pay for “damages” to other nations?The whole thing is such a circus. I won’t even mention “Climate Gate” because it really doesn’t matter. The politicians will do whatever the politicians decide will be in their best interest and the best interest of the people and corporations that fill their pockets with money. You and I will just have to deal with the consequences.

This “Global Warming” hysteria would be funny if the consequences were not so serious.

If we go as “green” as many would like, we will all pay a lot of “green” and I personally think it is all a big lie to get whatever the power people want.

But even if the planet is getting warmer and even if man has anything to do with it, don’t be fooled into concerning yourself with the miniscule effect that we have on the climate. Be very concerned, however, with the effect the Creator will have on our climate in the future. Yes, I said the Creator. He has not gone anywhere and He is still in control. The most high minded of all elite scientists and the most powerful of all world leaders do not move Him in the least.

“The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.” Psalm 46:6

^“His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.” Psalm 97:4-5

He, and He alone will bring about some serious “Global Warming” in the future…guaranteed.

There will be no “Climate Gate” or other efforts to conceal data. There will be no more debate or conferences on the issue. There will be no more hysteria and protests over 1 or 2 degrees per quarter century. There will be no need for that, nor will there be any time for that. The Global Warming that is coming will melt everything with fervent heat. Everything. All of the elements of the world.

How can I be so sure? Because God’s word says it is coming. The word of God has never been wrong and will always come to pass. Every prophecy that has ever been uttered through the Spirit of the Lord has come to pass. Every prophecy that has yet to come to pass will.

We have been warned for centuries that the Day of the Lord would come.

The Apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter chapter 3:

“That you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will comein the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:2-13)

“Global Warming” is far from our greatest concern. Total economic collapse is far from our greatest concern.

By far, the greatest concern of man is the coming judgment of the Holy and Righteous Creator of this earth. He has made us. He has created this world for His pleasure and we have rebelled against Him. We have all been disobedient and unbelieving. By our very nature we have become objects of His wrath and when His wrath comes, it will be very, very hot.

Repent of your rebellion today. The Lord commands men everywhere to repent. Humble yourself under the Mighty Hand of God and cry out for His mercy and obey His word. He has provided the way for your escape. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, the repentant sinner can be saved from the coming wrath of God.

God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), but you must repent and trust Jesus to save you. Then you can warn others of the real global warming threat and the way of escape. There is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved other than the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12)

Repent and call on Jesus to save you today! The future is very hot without Him!

Waxing on Political Incorrectness

Jordyn went to "College For A Weekend" this past week at Liberty University where she is planning to attend full time next Fall. Hard to believe! I am so proud of my little girl! I am so glad that Jordyn wants to go to Liberty.

She brought me a shirt back this weekend and I absolutely LOVE IT!

Is anybody else out there just sick of political correctness?

I was driving down Sycamore Street in Petersburg the other day and saw this banner hanging across the road advertising the "Holiday Parade." Are you serious?

And then to make it even more ridiculous a caption underneath read "Going Green On The Scene." I almost had to pull over and puke.

Are we robots? Can we not think for ourselves anymore? Are we really ready to do away with our faith in the Lord and the common sense that He gave us?

I recently heard a commentator say that "This country has a virus and it is killing us. It is called political correctness." And yes! It was on FOX NEWS! I watch FOX news! I love FOX news! Yes, I am one of those...those "politically incorrect" rednecks. You know those uneducated types that still believes that the Constitution should be interpreted as it was written. I believe in free speech and freedom of religion. I believe in the right to bear arms. I believe in traditional marriage. One man, one woman. I believe that freedom comes with responsibility.

I believe we reap what we sow.

I believe that principles like honor, character and commitment are invaluable.

I believe that a child is a child no matter how young or how small, in the womb or out. And I believe that refusing to protect the most innocent of all lives is a choice that NO ONE has the right to make.

I am actually naive enough to think that history does not change no matter how much a "politically correct" world-view would like it to.

I believe that the less money you have, the less you should spend and that applies to the government no matter what fantasy you aspire too (refer back to history).

I like Glenn Beck. I like Rush Limbaugh. I like Mark Levin and think that Sarah Palin, Michelle Malkin and Ann Coulter all have more spine than most of the men in positions of influence in this country.

They are far from perfect people and I don't even agree with everything they say but at least I believe that they actually believe what they say.

I don't believe that a person can stand on conviction and principle and be every body's favorite.

I am sick and tired of hearing people apologize for truth. I am sick of hearing myself apologize for truth.

I believe there is truth that never changes regardless of how persistently the masses choose to deny it.

I love Jesus. I love Him. I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. The only way.

I believe that everything that is written in the Bible is true. Everything. Noah built an Ark and Balaam's donkey talked to him.

God became flesh and laid down His life for my sins. Jesus died and rose again and He is coming back again to judge the living and the dead and the only way to be right on that Day of Judgment is by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in this life.

Yes. I believe all of this. Yes. My daughter is going to Liberty University! Am I "politically correct?" I sure hope not.

Catching Up

Left to right- Johnny (my father-in-law), Pat (my mother-in-law), Ryan (my brother-in-law), Jordyn (my daughter), Becky (my wife) and me.

It has been a while since I blogged. I missed the whole month of August and as I sit here with Jordyn watching the US Open, it is a reminder to me that Summer is almost over.

The Summer just flew by as always but it was good. We have been very busy in the ministry but I did get to the beach for a week with the whole family at the end of July. It was a great week (see above picture) and another one of those times that compelled me to consider how time is flying by.

We have had many vacations at the beach and I thought of the years when Jordyn would spend hours building sandcastles, Ryan would play "Mario Kart" and Amanda would be incessant in her attempts to persuade "Nanny" to take her to "Wings" to go shopping.

This year, Jordyn spent hours reading Solzhenitsyn, Ryan checked stocks and Amanda didn't even make the trip...she is married now and lives in Colorado Springs!

What? When did all this happen? Guess I am just either getting old, nostalgic or both but those years went by like a flash.

It was a reminder to me, in real time, that our lives are literally vapor. Try as we may to hold on to such blessings, they are all temporary, which makes me cling even closer to what will last...my Lord Jesus.

He is so awesome and as the old song goes, "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows."

I thank Him for the wonderful blessings of family...my beautiful wife, Becky and my amazing daughter Jordyn. I thank Him that Amanda is married and happy and I thank Him that He has blessed our family with a strong bond of love and faith in Him. But most of all I thank Him that He has revealed Himself to me. His grace is truly amazing.

I thank Him that while this earth and all that we see will pass away, His word will never pass away.

Reminds me of one of the many great songs that my nephew Jason wrote, "You Will Be"

Some of the lyrics:

"When the song is sung and the day is done, when the final battle's won, You will be, You will be.

When the dust is cleared and there's no more tears, when there's nothing left to fear, You will be, You will be.

You will be exalted to the highest place. There will be no other to steal your praise. Even after losing count of days, You will be!" - Jason Burton

What are you depending on? What are you hoping in? Anything other than Jesus, simply will not last.

The Risen Christ says:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Even More From Bizarro World

Yes it is that time again...time for another observation of "Bizarro World."
This particular piece will be a bit different from my previous musings as I will not be making cynical comments about our government or the President...no this is strictly for and about us "Christians."
Don't get me wrong...I still stand by all that I have said in the past about the policies and actions of our government and the President. I still believe in calling evil evil and I refuse to say something is "OK" just because of the absurd idea of political correctness but I will not talk about that stuff today. I want to talk about another observation that is also very bizarre but hits much closer to home.

In Hebrews 10 we as believers, are instructed to consider how we might stir one another up to love and good works... I hope this little note might stir up one or two Christians who read this.
If you are not a believer or don't believe in the authority of scripture, then you might find this to be dogmatic and offensive.
My observation today is meant to appeal specifically to the sensibilities of those who really believe what is written in the Bible
You know... about God? Remember Him? Spoke the heavens and the earth into existence? The Alpha and Omega? The Beginning and the End? His Glory fills the whole earth? Perfect in all of His ways? All of His judgments are right and true? Revealed in His Son Jesus Christ? Became sin who knew no sin that we might become His righteousness? Died for our sins, paying our price for our rebellion and rose on the third day defeating death and the grave? Gives liberally of His Spirit to all who ask believing? Sanctifies, empowers, counsels, teaches, comforts and leads all who hear His voice? Is coming again as King of kings and Lord of lords to judge the earth in righteousness and rule the nations with a rod of iron?
Remember Him? Do we?

I know I said I would not talk about the government in this piece but I did not say I would stop being cynical...brothers and sisters, I am being cynical for a very serious purpose and I use the word "bizarre" in a very sober tone today.
Here is what I find to be bizarre (and remember, this is an observation, not a declaration):
People who sing about God, talk about God, build buildings for God, focus their higher education on God, along with countless other activities about and for God (that all may be good) seem to have so little interest in praying to God.
I am not claiming to know anyone's heart or trying to judge your prayer life, just observing the activities that the Church seems to be interested (or not) in.
That Bible that we claim is the inerrant, infallible Word of God has right much to say about prayer...way too much to mention here...things like, ask and you shall receive, pray on all occasions, without ceasing, with all kinds of prayers and stuff like that...check it out for yourself. The fact that so few believers seem to want to gather to simply pray is bizarre in itself but here is the fact that qualifies this situation for a "Bizarro World" piece.
WE KNOW OUR NATION IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE AND WE STILL WILL NOT PRAY!!
We see what is going on in our country...we see what our government is doing...we have to know that we live in a critical moment of time...and yet we don't find that prayer is important enough to devote ourselves to.
I know what some might be thinking "You don't know how much I pray alone." True. I don't pretend to, but here is the deal brothers and sisters (remember I am writing to believers) this country of ours has roughly 300 million people and roughly 200 million of them claim to be believers. If 200 million people were praying effectively, do you really believe we would be in the trouble we are in?

We, the Church, have to face up to our responsibility in this day. We have pointed the finger at "culture" and government for far too long (I am guilty). Again, we must stand for righteousness. I am not saying that our beliefs and convictions have no place in social and political matters. What I am saying is that the very problems we have been complaining, boycotting, e-mailing and facebooking about are our own.
The Church needs to examine ourselves in this dark day. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord Almighty. We need to realize that we have become too proud and self-sufficient to pray. I don't mean a few words thrown up asking God to bless our activities. I mean, on our knees...our face...repenting and broken before the Lord in prayer.
I am convinced that the willingness of the Church to humble ourselves is the last and only hope for America.
If you are already one of the few who are fervently seeking the face of the Lord don't quit! Don't ever quit! And if you are one of many in this country who claim the name of Jesus Christ but have become so distracted by every activity that serious, humble and fervent prayer before the Lord is a rare (if ever) part of your schedule I call you you to repent. Repent of your prayerlessness. Repent of your pride. Repent of your self-sufficiency. Do not trust in your riches, your organizations, your buildings and your successful enterprises...trust only in the Lord.

This Sunday, July 5th, churches all over the nation will be bowing their knees in humility before the Lord.
The Family Research Council has been rallying the Church in its "Call 2 Fall" that will take place this Sunday. I am not big on promotions and programs but this one is a "no brainer"
It is simply a call to the Church to humble ourselves before the Lord in repentance and although a couple thousand churches have signed up to participate and about 26,000 people will be involved, that is such a small portion of our nation's believers.
Have we become like the Church at Laodicea?
Do we say "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" not realizing that we are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. The Risen Christ counsels us to buy from Him, gold refined by fire, so that we may be rich, and white garments so that we may clothe ourselves and the shame of our nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint our eyes, so that we may see. Christ says "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."
To many the idea of calling the Church to fall on our knees on Sunday morning is "over-the-top" and "fanatical" ... "getting carried away"..."too charismatic"..."just a show" (wouldn't want a show in Church!)...praying in Church...too much to ask?
That my brothers and sisters, is truly bizarre.

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Doug Howard

I washed and waxed my cars today. My 2005 Honda CRV and even my ole 97 Mercury Sable. That might not seem like a big deal but if you know me then you probably have noticed that I am not that much of a "car guy." But I had a special reason for washing my cars today. I did it in honor of Doug Howard and if you knew Doug, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Doug passed away this past Friday and I knew that if I had died before Doug and he was going to my funeral, his car would be clean...then again, his car was always clean...ALWAYS clean.

Doug lived across the street from us and I will miss him. I know his family and many friends will miss him greatly and Jean, his wife of almost 44 years, most of all.

I know Colonial Heights Baptist Church will miss him. I remember when my family and I started going to CHBC in 1998, Doug was as constant as anybody there. It always amazed me how he seemed to be at every door, all the time...always ready to serve as usher and always that humble, but confident grin on his face.

I can see him now, quietly setting Pastor Harper's water in place before the service and I can hear his commanding voice as Finance Committee Chairman, dispelling any notion that the Finance Report during the Business Meeting would be met with anything but a unanimous approval. Whenever the "voice of God" was needed for Pageant Performances, it was Doug they asked. He was quiet most of the time but when he spoke, everybody listened.

Doug was just one of those special people who seemed to have a sense of quiet confidence, humility and kindness all the time.

That is how he was to us before we joined CHBC, while we were at CHBC and he was the same to us when we left CHBC in 2005 and I began to Pastor Community Christian Fellowship.

Every Christmas, a few days before Christmas Day, Doug would deliver a tin of "Chex Mix" to all the neighbors. I have never been a big fan of "Chex Mix" but there was something special about that gift every year. I will miss Doug ringing my door bell this Christmas. I will think about him then.

He was a man that I respected greatly, even before I knew of his distinguished service to our country, all of his medals and awards, not to mention being called to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 and sent to Indonesia after the Tsunami of 2004.

To me, he was just a great neighbor and a brother in Christ. Not the type that you have cookouts and block parties with but the type that you just knew would be there if you ever were in crisis and you needed a hand.

He was the same when I visited him in the hospital and he knew he was dying. Even though he was very sick, he still had that same look of quiet confidence. He was concerned with others, getting his affairs in order and making sure that he would not be a burden to anyone when he left this world.

When I finished washing my cars today, I went to put the hose up and heard water leaking out...guess the washer is bad...I couldn't imagine Doug ever having such a problem, then I imagined his face as I tried to neatly put the hose away, struggling to just get it under the porch. I looked at my cars and thanked the Lord for humble servants of His like Doug Howard. I am sure that as Doug is now in the presence of the Lord, he is far from concerned about cars and lawns but I have feeling that if he saw my cars today, he would grin and he might even say "good job." See you on the other side Doug. Thanks.

Waxing on Peril

The United States of America is a nation in peril. Why? The economy? The economy is only a symptom. We are financially in trouble for sure, but that is not the root problem. The root problem is that the United States has become a nation where the word of the Lord has become an object of scorn. We are like Israel of Jeremiah’s day, which took no pleasure in God’s word so the word of the Lord was against them: 
“Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you. This is your doom, and it is bitter; it has reached your very heart.” Jeremiah 4:18
The Apostle Paul wrote of the end result of the rejection of God’s word in Romans chapter 1:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

This week our President proclaimed June as “LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009” giving his official approval to behavior that God’s word clearly denounces. Read the proclamation for yourself:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/

"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:10-11)
10,000 Presidents can proclaim pride in perversion. 10,000 nations can approve of the mass slaughter of millions of unborn children and it will never change the counsel of the Lord.
This is not political speech, nor is it judgmental speech and it certainly is not “hate speech.” If the ship is sinking and one tries to convince you to secure your life vest or get into the lifeboat, he definitely does not hate you. We must not allow the incessant message of political correctness that is now officially approved of by our President to silence the truth. We must warn people while there is time.
The Bible is full of warnings.

Hebrews 12:25
See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish but you must reach repentance in order to be saved. You must repent, Jesus said, or you all will perish. Repent of your rebellion against God. He is God alone. His word will never pass away.

Repent today and trust Jesus to save you. He became sin who knew no sin that we might become His righteousness. His blood will cleanse you, His Spirit will regenerate you, His life is eternal and He has promised to never leave or forsake you but you must repent of your ways and put your faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes unto the Father but by Him.
Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

John 3:16-21
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Common Ground?

I watched a documentary produced by the BBC today titled, "The Fatal Attraction of Adolph Hitler." It examined the euphoric allegiance that kept so much of Germany enraptured by Hitler during the Nazi Regime. Even during the intensive Allied bombing in which 300,000 German civilians died, the majority held firm in their commitment to their "Fuhrer."

 As Hitler began the systematic slaughter of millions of innocent Jews and others, most of Germany did not realize the horror that was taking place in Death Camps like Auschwitz where two million were murdered in one location. Even those who knew of Hitler's "Final Solution" had been led to believe the lie that this atrocity was actually a necessary action. 

Obviously, the Nazi Regime was ultimately defeated and most know that Adolph Hitler committed suicide in his bunker as the Russian Army closed in on Berlin. 

The Nazi Regime was now history and the killing stopped, but then many of the German people who had supported Hitler were faced with the reality of what he had done. As the German people witnessed the evidence of what Hitler had ordered, the spell was broken. National pride and loyalty gave way to horror and regret. The attraction that had been dressed up in politics and promises had been fatal for millions. Adolph Hitler had been successful in swaying an entire country to support mass genocide.

As every book, movie, or documentary that deals truthfully with The Holocaust makes you feel, I sadly thought of all of the innocent life that was so tragically taken. 

I thought of the loss that so many families suffered and I thought of the loss that the world had suffered as the possible contribution of these millions of lives were denied...and then I wondered...I wondered if the political rhetoric would mean the same to Americans if we could see just some of the tens of millions of babies that have been murdered in our own National Holocaust. I wonder if we would be so quick to applaud the liberal mantra of "freedom of choice" if we could just see some of what these lives may have brought to our world. 

Would the "fatal attraction" to the idea of "choice" be as appealing to us if we were forced to stand in close proximity to just some of the 50 million dead. 50,000,000 lives wasted. 

This is the ghastly fact that no amount of "common ground" will ever cover up.