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.