I'm Back!!!!

Well, theres really no excuse for not blogging for a month except there really wasn't alot to say! We had our Fall Fest at the church and it was a great success. We had over 100 people there and I got to see some old friends. Janet and I just returned from a cruise to Mexico and we really enjoyed it. I think I could live there until I see the federales with machine guns guarding the area. We forget how good we have it in the U.S. The christian community needs to keep America in its prayers. I believe we are in the end times and that things will get much worse before they get better. We must get the message of Christ out any way we can. There are so many who dont know Him as lord and savior. One day it will be too late. Wemust never forget this and make hay while the sun shines! Dont know when I'll post again but come back and I will promise to be more faithful!! God bless!!

Improvements?

Its been a while but I haven't forgotten you. I would like to say that I've been busy but baptist preachers aren't supposed to lie. In reality I've been thinking on how to improve the services at the church but to tell you the truth the spirit is good and I dont know that we can improve that. We are going to try a new music service next week and that may be all. We already have a testimonial service every service(which I have drawn some flak from). Not from members but from Older pastors that I know. I think it is a very important part of our service and its not going to change soon. I know that at some point the church will be too big for that on Sunday morning so it will move to the evening service.The church has experienced good growth with the service like it is so I dont think there will be much change. God is in control and thats the way it should be. Sometimes I get in a hurry and He has to slow me down. Sometimes He has to speed me up too! Pray for us as we try to reach the Price community. Fall Fest is about a month away! Pray for that too.

lazy

Its been a while since I have written any thing and I apologize for that. It isn't that there hasn't been anything to report but that I have been lazy. We are going through one of those periods that happen after you have been real busy. The lull before the storm if you will. I know that God has something for us but He hasn't revealed it yet. Its easy to let down and say I need a rest but in reality you better get ready because God is not finished yet. We will know we are done when we can see the pearly gates! Until then, better buckle up and be ready for anything!

almost christian

I had a friend tell me some thing yesterday that really upset me. It wasn't the first time I had heard it but for some reason it really got under my skin. You dont have to attend church to be a christian. This is not true! God made christians to want to be with other christians. How can you grow if not discipled by more mature christians? Jesus spent three years teaching the apostles so that when he was gone they could teach others. This is how God grew his church. Too many people want to make christianity convenient and God never said that it would. It is too easy to be fooled by false doctrine if you dont have a mature person to correct you. Also the church has a responsibility to hold its members accountable for their lifestyle. We need to remember that we were bought with a price and that we dont belong to ourselves anymore. People want to make God bow to their wishes and forget that He created the world! One day when we are held accountable these people will say Lord I cast out demons in your name and he will answer depart from me I never knew you. This really scares me for my friends. We, the church, need to stand up and be strong enough to make people upset with us. It's better that they are angry now and know the truth than to please them now and allow them to spend eternity in a devils hell.

Be still and know that I am God

It seems sometimes that we are always on the go for the church. However this is not true. while our lifes may seem busy there are times when everything slows down. The problem is that then we feel guilty because we aren't doing something! Don't you know God is just shaking his head at us. He has given us these times to rejuvenate ourselves and to get ready for the next round. Be still and know that I am God.

near perfection

Well it's Saturday morning(actually noon) and i am having a great day so far. It's days like today when everything seems to slow down and you can enjoy life for a little while. My granddaughters are playing, I put some ribs on the stove to get them ready for the grill and theres no rush to do anything. Near perfection! Ithank God for allowing me to have these not so little pleasures and hope that I never take them for granted. Thank you Lord!

Looking for God in all the wrong places

It amazes me what people will believe in! Whats bad is I used to be one of those people. I was watching the Rangers game the other day and a commercial for scientology came on. I know many celebrities have joined this group and are very vocal about it. How can anyone accept a religion that obviously was made of man? I know that when I was younger I looked into T.M. and agnostism but nothing was fulfilling. Then I came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and the truth set me free.I see so many people looking for spiritual enlightenment but they will not even consider christianity. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S.! We know that God does not give you proof of His existance until you are saved by faith. Its our job to tell the unbelieving world of the gospel of Christ. Its a big responsibility but God enables us to do it. Dont pass up even one opportunity to tell others about Jesus and God's grace.

Monday again

Here I am on monday afternoon trying to recoop from playing golf this morning. Iknow that it sounds like I live the life of riley but in reality I need the break everyother week or so. I play with a pastor friend of mine from Lindale so the fellowship is good. Services were good yesterday and we had business meeting after. It's amazing what God does with a little church like ours. Of course, He says that His strenghth is more appparent when He uses a weak vessel. We are blessed!

Finally!

Well I have finally entered the world of blogging! I guess I'm more old school than I thought. In todays world we have gotten so busy that maybe this is the best way to communicate. Now I have a outlet to express the amazement that God fills me with each day. Come back often and hear my thoughts....strange as they may be! Remember that God is always in control and there is no problem He can't fix. Even my typing!