What if football was really played this way?
How Do You Go Home On Sundays?
Posted: January 19, 2012 in Bulliten NotesTags: sunday worship services, worship service
It has been said, “There is plenty of heavenly music for those who are tuned in.” As I thought about that statement it reminded me that this should be true for each of us as we approach Sunday worship services. Many times we leave a worship service and have nothing but complaints. Maybe the building was too cold or too hot. Maybe the music seemed too fast or too slow or too new or too old. Maybe the sermon was too long or too dry. We find ourselves leaving focused on our complaints. However, that’s not the way it is suppose to be. If we come to church “tuned in” we won’t miss out on the real blessing of worship. The reason we may leave church with complaints, is because we have come to church with a selfish heart. Honestly, we aren’t to come to Sunday worship to see what “we” can get, but what we can give. Worship is all about God and when we come into His house our hearts and minds need to be tuned in on Him. Having the right focus will cause us to leave with fewer complaints.
Book Review: Nearing Home by Billy Graham
Posted: January 13, 2012 in Book ReviewsTags: billy graham, thomas nelson publishers
In the book Nearing Home, Billy Graham gives some great insights for Christians to consider before and after they find themselves in the twilight years of their lives. He deals with such things a retirement, personal wishes on hospitalization arrangements, funeral preferences, leaving a legacy, how to walk with God even to the end of life.
As a husband, father, son, and a pastor I would definitely recommend this book to every Christians who considers it. This is a great book for any stage of life and is worth reading more than once. The legendary Graham eloquently displays biblical standards for us to live by as we walk to the close of our lives on earth. You will be challenged to reconsider what you view as important as you work and plan out your life. Graham makes you feel that you are joining with him as he is preparing to leave this life for the next. This is a great book for the elderly, as well as, young adults who are just starting out in life. You should read Nearing Home.
Disclosure: I did receive a free review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers, but was not required to write a positive review.
It has been said, “To hear truth and not accept it does not nullify truth.” In the day and age we live in, many people believe that truth is negotiable. The common frame of thought is “what’s true for you is fine and what’s true for me is fine.” However, anyone in their right mind knows that two opposing teachings can’t both be true. You cannot honestly believe that 2+2=4 and also believe 2+2=5. The same is true with issues of God. Either the Bible is the Word of God or it’s not. My challenge for each of us this year is to make our stance as Christians on the Bible quite clear. To many folks claim that they believe the Bible is the Word of God, but their lives preach a far different message. As we enter 2012, lets each commit to taking the Bible more seriously. This calls for us to read it daily, think about what it teaches, and then apply it to our lives. If we want to honestly be in step with what God wants from us this year, then we have to follow His Word.
Someone once wrote, “We f
eel close to everyone at Christmas – especially on a bus.” This brings back memories when I had to travel home for Christmas from college on a Greyhound bus. It felt as if I was packed in that bus like a sardine. However, one thing I did notice was that nobody hardly talked to anyone. 12 hours traveling home that trip proved to be a very lonely ride.
My encounter on that trip reminds me of how many of us face the holidays. We are busy going to parties and events, but it seems that we are alone in a crowd. Oh we may put on a good front and talk to lots of people, but deep down we are feeling something quite different. Maybe, this time of year reminds you of a lost loved one or maybe your life isn’t where you wanted it to be by this time. Whatever, the reason is, your feelings don’t match the season. Let me encourage you not to bottle these emotions up. Find confidence in a friend or loved one and truly share how your feeling. Let them pray over you and take time to pray yourself. Then finally, find joy in the birth of our Savior, besides He is the real reason we are celebrating anyway!
Let’s No Forget Who We Are This Christmas
Posted: December 15, 2011 in Bulliten NotesTags: christmas season
It has been said, “To avoid cause for regret, be today as you might have been tomorrow.” In the business of the Christmas season it is easy to find ourselves doing “regrettable” behavior. In busy shopping centers, crowed streets, and slow service desks we may be tempted to say and do things that don’t show the love of Christ. Quite frankly, it bothers me how so many Christians act so selfish and foul during the time of year that we should be acting the most Christ like. We lose our tempers when we have to wait, are rude to overstressed clerks, and cuss at others when things don’t go our way. This Christmas, I wish to challenge each of us to remember Who we represent. As Christians let’s forget the materialistic drive of the holiday and remember that Christmas is about Christ, not us. Let’s be willing to slow down and be courteous to those around us. After all for a Christian life isn’t about what we want, but what the Lord wants from us. Please remember to keep serving your King this Christmas.
As a pastor, I am reminded each day that to be a good leader you have to make tough choices. To be a leader can be a lonely job, because as a leader you can’t make everyone your friend. I can remember before having any leadership roles in my life, thinking how glamorous and easy it must be to be the boss. However, that’s not the case at all. Truthfully, I have more stress now in my life than I ever did before. This is why I have learned that leadership is not for the faint of heart. It takes people with deep conviction to want to do what is right, over what is popular. It takes a person willing to be the “bad guy” when it comes to issues of discipline and ethics. Leadership is meant for the honest. For honest people are the same before everyone they face. A good leader will be consistent in their actions, even when the easiest thing to do is ignore the situation or play it down. “Am I a good leader?” BY NO STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION. However, I am striving to be one. The reason I know what it takes to be a good leader, is because I can see all the areas in my leadership where I need to improve. Why am I sharing all of this? Leadership is meant for the honest.
