Getting Burned

Somehow it always surprises me just how sun burned  you can get from being outside on an overcast day.
Has that ever happened to you?  You are outside and it is so cloudy you don't concern yourself with sunscreen, and before you know it you are scorched and red?
It happened to me just the other day when Tracy and I took the kids to the local water park.  We got there as soon as it opened.  It was about 70 degrees out and overcast, threatening to rain.  Nonetheless, I sprayed the kids down in SPF 70 sunscreen and add used the cream for their faces and under their eyes.  We went home at lunch time and then returned around 2:00 PM.  I applied the sunscreen again to them as well as to myself and about 1.5 hours later I applied it a 3rd time because the sun was out a fair bit more and I wanted to be on the safe side.  We played, splashed, swam and went down the water slides.  We stayed until just before closing time at 5:30.  It was so much fun and we really had a good time.
Then we got home and I noticed how sun burned they were.  I was shocked, it wasn't that sunny out for most of the day and I had applied sunscreen liberally.  There is not much that can make me feel like a bad parent than to let my kids get sun burned.
Then I noticed that I was even worse!  It made me wonder if the sunscreen I was using even works.  And then it hit me...A sermon illustration in the making.  God opened my eyes to this comparison.
We live in a world that is cursed with sin.  It happened in the beginning with Adam and Eve, and the Bible says will continue until Jesus returns and once and forever rids the universe of sin.  As a Christian I realize this and try to shield myself from it's effects as much as I can.  I try to protect my children from this as well as much as I can. I don't mean we live in a bubble and I realize that as my children get older, they will have to make decisions for themselves to be shielded from sin as much as they can.  But no matter how much we may try to avoid sin, we still live in the world and are affected by it.
How many times do we participate in something, thinking well it is not really "that bad" is it?  Ever engage friends with good intentions of being good influences and witnesses only to find out that they really influenced us more than we did them?  Or we think we have applied enough "sin-screen" (church, prayer, Bible reading) to inoculate ourselves only to find out that we have been deceived and that we missed the verses about "fleeing youthful lusts" and instead we hang around.
As Christians we must practice the Biblical principle of avoiding sin as much as possibly can.  We do so by turning and getting as close as we can to Jesus.  Sin, like the sun is fire.  Play with fire (or out in the sun) and you are going to get burned.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

When the Pastor Gets Preached at

Okay so if you did not know or had not figured it out...I am a pastor of a little church here in Anderson, SC.  I love West Whitner Baptist Church and am proud to be the pastor there.  As a pastor, most of my messages that I preach are things that God has been dealing with me about.  I am not sure exactly how other pastors and preachers do this but that primarily is what I preach.  Occasionally there is a topic or a text that I preach that simply is needed or Calendar appropriate.  For example holidays like Christmas, 4th of July etc are pre-planned topic wise.  Baby dedications, mission emphasis and others are often planned well ahead of time.  And it is not that God is not dealing with me regarding these topics but it is more scheduled than most of my messages which are things that God is showing me in my devotions or in my life in some way or another and I believe if God is speaking to me about this than perhaps he intends for me to share with others.  It comes from His word, but it comes from the bottom of my heart and what God is doing in me overflows and bubbles out of me.  These, at least in my mind end up being the most effective messages I preach.  

That being said, no matter what the message is or devotional thought, it almost never fails that after I preach something, God decides to test me on it.  As if God is saying, “Ok you preached on this, do you really mean it and will you really practice it?”

Yesterday was such a time.  I wrote a devotional blog and posted on wwbchurch.org under the “Stepping Stones” link about being a priest and answering the Call to priesthood that God has placed on our lives if we are Christians.  I said we are the avenue for people to see and know God.  I even close the devotional thought by saying “The opportunities are endless.  Opportunity is calling!”  Now here is where God tested me.  Shortly after I had posted the blog I was heading out the back door to go run some errands and make some visits, when someone rang the door bell at the front door.  I decided to answer and low and behold it was two ladies that were Jehovah’s witnesses.  

I have never had the chance to be home when a Jehovah’s witness had knocked on my door!  I was so excited, opportunity was actually calling, or in this case, ringing.  I thought about what I had to accomplish all the busy things I had to do, and it was as if I heard a voice, “So are you going to be my priest to these people or not?”  

To make a long story short, I spent the next hour or so discussing politely with these very nice ladies the differences in what we believe.  I was able to share with them the Truth of Jesus Christ, The Love of God and some of the problems with their interpretation of Jesus, heaven, how you get there, who will go, and what happens if you are not a believer in Jesus Christ.  It was a wonderful opportunity.  I learned a lot about what they actually say they believe as opposed to what I have read.  

The funny thing was in the end they told me they were out of time and had to leave, and It was me inviting them to come back and talk some more.  

I prayed for them this morning.  I ask you to do the same.  I know the world wants to say that there is no difference in what Jehovah’s witnesses believe and what I do, but there are major major differences and important ones.  I was able to share with them that what we do in response to Jesus Christ is the chief issue.  

The preacher got preached at yesterday....and yesterday I felt like I was obedient in that regard of answering that call.  I don’t always I am ashamed to say.  I am praying that I will and ask that you pray for this preacher, because I need your prayers.

Count Your Blessings - And Be Surprised

Yesterday, I ate what might have been the best piece of toast I have every had.  I didn't even
use a toaster.  Instead I buttered it lightly on both sides and fried it in a skillet.  I used it to soak up egg yoke like I had done many times before with regular toast as a kid.  It was pure joy to eat.  It really hit the spot.  

That piece of toast was a blessing.  It was the first really taste morsel of food since I had been sick the previous few days.  

The funny thing about the blessings that God provides for our lives.  Rarely do we actually count them.  When we do count them we tend to only count what we consider blessings.  We count the pay raises, good health, family and friends etc.  

What we fail to realize is that God’s blessings are not always Identified as what they are...blessings.

In the past two weeks, my family and I have suffered through all three of our young children being sick with the flu bug as well as I and Tracy getting sick.  Add to that the fact that I accidentally hit my daughter in the head with the tailgate of our van, a trip to the emergency room in the middle of the night due to kidney stones for me, and nearly another trip to the ER when I passed another stone.  It was an awful one and a half weeks.  And it has all been counted as a blessing!

You see, I don’t get sick often and subsequently I tend to be less compassionate to those who do get stomach bugs and infirmities often.  But when I have been sick, I tend to be much more compassionate towards others and their ills, no matter how minor.  So in truth, God blessed me with the gift of compassion and understanding.  

God blesses us in many ways.  His ways are far above our ways and he moves in mysterious ways.  So often we live our lives and we count the hard times and trials and we count them in a negative way.  We don’t take the time to count the obvious blessings  that God grants us and we go through love with a pessimistic and negative outlook on life and God.  But when we count our blessings, when we keep our eyes on Jesus we see the obvious blessings as well as the hidden blessings of life.  And when we do, it will not fail to surprise us what the Lord has done.  

At least I know in my life when I count my blessings, it has never failed to surprise me.  

Now...I am going to enjoy the blessing of another piece of fried toast..dipped in egg yolk.  I hope you have a blessed day.  Start counting!

I So Love Being in Love

I So Love Being in Love

I so love being in love.  I am so loving this new year.  So much to love that I fear if I start to list things I will leave something out or sound like I am bragging.  If you take it as bragging take heart, I am not bragging on me; I am bragging on God.  It is because of His love that I am so much in Love.  

I John 4:19 We love because He (God) first loved us.  

This verse has taken on a whole new meaning for me.  Everything we have to love, the ability to love, the ability to love God back is because He loved us first.  

It had occurred to me late last year, that I had developed an apathy towards God’s love.  Taking it for granted and not really appreciating Him and all He does and has done for me and my family, friends and church.  So as one of my 30 day challenges I am doing something about it.  I am investing more time with the things I love...and that starts with God.  I really started this last year shortly before Christmas, but I am continuing to build on it and add to it.  

I am spending more time reading God’s word and prayer, but I am also reading two different devotional studies, plus more focus on Sunday School material and other Bible based books to aid me as a husband, father, pastor and friend etc.  And so far the results have been amazing.  (Not bragging on me, bragging on God.)

My love for God is growing dramatically.  I find I have little time to waste on other things.   Most of my time is spent reading, studying and preparing.  Then in turn leads me to get out of the office more and visit people more, and spending more time sharing God’s love!  

It has also increased my love for my wife, my kids and others.  Granted honey, if you are reading this it may not have manifested itself greatly to you or the kids yet, but it is there...and more than anything at this point it has opened my eyes to all that I don’t do, all that I don’t say to share the love in my heart.   It has even begun to open my eyes to what I sometimes do say and do that show the opposite.  (Talk about a confession.)

I have been identifying all that God has given me, and I have little time to complain about what I think he should give me and has not.  In fact my focus has been so much so on love that at this moment I cannot think of anything that He has not given me.  

As this comes out of me, I know it will come out in these blogs, devotionals etc.  

I am thankful to the many of you that have pray for me and are encouragers to me.   Those in my church and those that have never been to my church but read what I write on here have been such an encouragement and blessing.  Please know that whether you pray for me, comment, or just read the blogs here or on wwbchurch.org, you are appreciated, loved and prayed for.  

For the record, (for those following along) the devotional blog I have been trying to do daily I have moved to the church website.  (wwbchurch.org) Although I will have devotional thoughts occasionally on this blog site as well.  Sometimes I may post the devotional to both.  Also for the record, in case you have not noticed, I use my facebook page primarily as a ministry tool.  I do connect with people, keep in touch and post what I consider humorful comments, but primarily it is what it is for me...a tool to point people to an all-loving Savior.  

Being in Love is wonderful, In love with my Savior and God, So much in love with my wife and loving my children.  I am truly blessed.  I love you all as well.  I thank God for you all.  I thank God for all his blessings, which include what He gives, what He takes away and even what He does not give or does not take away.  

I encourage you to the same.  Spend time with God, fall in love all over again with Him...and just watch how it impacts everything else.

Turn the Page

Turn the Page

So a new year is here, and ready or not we are now in 2012.  What will this year hold?  What challenges?  What Trials?  What victories and accomplishments?  I have done a lot of thinking about this the past few weeks.  I even preached a message on “Turning the Page” this past sunday at  West Whitner Baptist Church.  Something about changing calendars seems to invite a fresh start, a new beginning and thus new years resolutions.  

While I am not a big advocate of new years resolutions, I am about turning the page and today is as good if not better than tomorrow.  All of us have changes we need to make, and I am no different.  All of us should take stock of the past year and discover where we are in our journey in this life.  Are we in the middle of where God wants us.  Are we off course?  Are we making par for the course?   What ways can we improve as Christians and human beings?  What mistakes did we make last year and how can we avoid making them in the future?  How can we learn from both our failings as well as our triumphs?

First I think we need to count our blessings.  It will surprise you what the Lord Has done.  If not I find that I too often look back at all the trials and negatives from the previous year and negate all the many blessings.

Second, identify those things that you want to not repeat this year from the past and those things that you want to carry into this new year.

Finally seek the Lord for what he would have you do and the direction He would guide you in.  Seek the Lord in prayer and Bible study.  

Something that  I and my wife are going to be practicing this year, are a series of 30 day challenges.  While this 30 challenge is not original with me, I am advocating that we spiritualize it.  The 30 day challenge is for the purpose of eliminating something not good for you and adding things that are.  I simply want to use this and ask the question, what would God have me subtract or add for 30 days?  Not that it has to stop at 30 days, but rather can continue.  It is my belief that 30 days of doing or not doing, aids in making lasting change.  

Those of you that know me, know that I don’t do much half way.  So therefore I and my family are attempting several 30 day challenges.  Some are simple, some less so.  Stop yelling at my kids, stop drinking carbonated beverages, show the love of God to at least 1 new person a day.    These are just a few of the challenges I am taking on.  I want to turn a page this year and write what God wants me to write on the wall of my life.  My life is my testimony.  What changes will you make this year?  What will you write on the pages of your life?  Look at this new year with all the wonder and potential possibilities it Holds.  I don’t know what the future holds, But I know God holds the future.  Trust God and see this year for the opportunity that it is.