Eternal Stones…The Beginning

Eternal Stones….The Beginning

In the next few weeks our church family is beginning a challenging but rewarding task. We have placed a simple theme around this task called Eternal Stones.

This summer, I took on a new challenge. A flower bed at the back of our property was just begging for a new fountain. Instead of purchasing a pre-made fountain, I decided to design and construct one. Driving to a local stone quarry retailer, I begin to ask myself, “What am I doing?” The truth… I had no idea what kind of stone to purchase, what design I was undertaking, or the cost of such a task.

It took me weeks, cutting piece by piece, gluing each stone into position. The final project was far from perfect…but one that had a great personal investment.

Out of this experience, we built a thematic approach to the task ahead. Thankfully, our church family is being led by the great architect of this universe. With His leading, we will begin future construction of a new outdoor playground for our church and community, additional pre-school and children’s educational space, administrative space and an area for special needs individuals in our community. The resources for this project will come from our church family and friends of our church. This project will be called

“Eternal Stones.” We are putting one building block after another together hoping that these stones will impact lives eternally. We know God will do many things through this task far greater than the construction of additional space.

Eternal Stones will clarify our priorities. Often those challenged in our community, the handicapped, are forgotten. Those that have the smallest voices, our children, are pushed aside. We value these special groups and desire to focus on their needs.

Eternal Stones will be a tool for character building. Goals and the challenge of stretching ourselves is one of the most effective tools that God has gifted us with. It teaches us discipline and delayed gratification.

Eternal Stones will demonstrate we are serious about our God-given responsibilities. Jesus taught we should minister to “the least,” the forgotten, those that cannot help themselves, those that need a helping hand. God never meant for us to shirk the responsibilities before us while we are here on earth.

These next few weeks will be pivotal for our congregation. Pray that God would provide the necessary resources for this task. Eternal Stones could have an incredible impact superseding brick and mortar. It could be a project that will impact eternity.

Emmanuel God With Us

Incredible Project….

G3 Music just released our CD Project entitled Emmanuel God With Us.  This project was built and created by our own Worship Pastor Jason Millsaps.  Churches all over America are looking for music and worship materials for the Christmas season.  I am very excited about this project.  Christian artists like Jennie Riddle and BJ Davis are featured in this amazing Christmas collection.  I want to thank one of the most generous churches in America, Albuquerque’s First Baptist Church, for their investment in this project and in the lives of others.

Jason Millsaps, thank you for the hours you poured into the collection so other worship ministries across our great land might have a super collection of Christmas songs.  Many musicians are great vocalists and musicians, but few have the gift of truly leading worship.  Jason has a special God given gift of leading worship.  This project is just another example of that gift being demonstrated on a national level.  AFBC Choir, you are truly the best.  Your hours of investment into the recording and development of this body of work is incredible.  It truly will be “special time of the year.”

Go to g3worship.com and check out this collection….Emmanuel God With Us.

To Give Or Not To Give…..

To Give or Not To Give….and “How Much?”

There are constant and reoccurring questions a Pastor is asked on a regular basis.  Some are obvious questions:

• How do I know I will go to heaven?
• Will we recognize each other in heaven?
• What will heaven look like and can you describe this wonderful place?

There are questions that require delicate answers because of the slippery slope they present.  For example, “Can God make a rock so big that He can not lift it?”

There are also challenging questions that are extremely sensitive.  In the world of disciples and followers of Christ, there are two things that will strike a chord with people quicker than any other….. “their” children and “their” money.  Scripturally, it would be more accurately referred to as “God’s money” and “God’s children” because He has entrusted these to us.  A question that has really brought great disagreement and debate is “How much money does the Bible teach that we should give to the New Testament church which we attend, if any?

The tithe is often the answer given among Bible scholars and teachers.  A tithe represents to most “a tenth” of all you acquire.  Rodney Thomas of Texas recently submitted this editorial containing his perspective of giving.  He said in his editorial comments…

“Most people are sadly misinformed regarding the ‘scriptural mandate for financial support of the church.’ Tithing is a Mosaic Law of Judaism that called for those that raised crops or cleaned animals to separate 10% of such for the ‘storehouse’ for the poor (Mal. 3:10), for the priests, and for the temple in Jerusalem.  Our Christian nation accomplishes the counterpart to those scriptural mandates of the tithe through taxation of those that can afford it and social programs for the poor.  Half of Baptists must realize this in their ‘heart of hearts’ because, statistically over the years, half of the membership of the church give nothing to the church annually.  And additionally, neither Jesus nor His disciples tithed- they were not required to according to Mosaic Law.  We do know, however, that He did ‘render unto Rome’ the coin, His taxes, from a fish’s mouth.”  Thomas went on to say, “I give my offerings to places that actually minister to the homeless, to children, to missionaries, and to ministries that are getting the gospel of Jesus Christ out to the world.  These people and agencies seem to be neglected by the church in the church’s rush to build ever bigger churches and ecclesiastical bureaucracies for themselves.”

What are your thoughts on the tithe, sacrificial giving, and what we should give to our local New Testament Church?  Looking forward to your thoughts.

Unsung Hero’s

Unsung Hero’s Making a Difference….

Summer is here!  School is out!  Yet the memory of one individual lingers on in my mind from this past school year.  When schools across our country are in session, there seems to be more of a routine, normalcy or a “normal” pattern in life.  Certainly weekends have a unique or different feel throughout the year.  If we think about it, approximately 8ish a.m. to 4ish p.m. are school times.  Even those that do not have school age children are impacted by school buses, traffic flow and school zones that are speed regulated.  That is where this “individual” keeps coming to my mind.  Near our office there are a number of school crossing attendants that maintain safe passage through intersections for our children.  They all do a fine job.  But one stands out above all the rest.  Her energy is exception.  She waves, dances, and has so much emotion as she serves.  Her enthusiasm is relentless.  I have witnessed her attitude toward the children and the special interest she pays to each child.  Some people are really making a difference in life.  All of us can “do a job” but to do it exceptionally well, with superior excellence is a real chore.  Then if a person were to add the lasting impact of making a difference, that individual would truly be on the right track.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”                                                 Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

I hope this will be a summer of excellence.  I trust you will be a “difference maker.”

Surprise, Surprise….

I stopped into a McDonald’s the other day to have a milkshake. I am not the biggest Ronnie Mac fan in the world but it was close and convenient. Shortly after I got back to the office and no sooner than I finished my milkshake….I got a surprise. I was shocked to find that McDonald’s milkshakes contain seaweed. That seaweed is in the form of an extract called carrageenan, a thickener and emulsifier that keeps the butterfat in the shake from separating out. I guess I should acknowledge, “I enjoyed my seaweed!”

Marine private Gomer Pyle (Gomer Pyle USMC aired from 1964 to 1969 on CBS) used to repeat in almost every episode of his television show the phrase, “Surprise, Surprise!”

Life is full of surprises. Some of the surprises refresh us. At our lowest ebb when we are “under the pile” or “in the tank” a word of encouragement can feel like a replenishing rain. Maybe out of the blue we receive a letter of affirmation. Those lines, though few, life our spirits. It could be an unexpected phone call or a hug of reassurance that sends us soaring. On the day we need to hear or read those words, we are refreshed by surprise. Other surprises rebuke us. A pastor friend had worked with a family for months after counseling and performing a wedding. At the conclusion they paid him with a pair of work gloves. He shared with me how disappointed he was with that token for services rendered. Several weeks later he called me on a Saturday afternoon to share with me when he had attempted to put the gloves on there was a $100 bill rolled up and stuffed in the end of every finger and thumb socket. What a rebuke!

Life is short. God is sovereign. All plans are in His hands, not ours. When God repeats “Surprise, surprise!” through various episodes of our lives, let’s not waste valuable time asking “Why me?” or “Why now?” or “Why this?” Just keep in mind, “He does all things well.” Yes…all things…….

Starting Over….

The last few weeks have produced so many people in my path that are starting over…or attempting too! Two weeks ago, an alcoholic…sober again. Last week the struggle of an impending divorce….the most recent of three. And on Monday, a young man with a criminal record who is in his own words was… “trying to pull it all together and find a new start.”

We all have to remember that our lives are trial and error. There are successes and failures. Highs and Lows. The greatest and the least. You will never win the raffle if you do not buy the ticket. We have to keep plugging away. One step at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time. I was shocked the other day to learn that Silly Putty resulted from a failed World War II effort to develop an inexpensive synthetic substitute for rubber.  It reminded me that the best intentions do not always turn out as we had first hoped.

God can bring so much from so little. You may have a fresh start anytime you choose, for this thing we call “failure” is not the falling down but the staying down.

I read a quote several years ago from an anonymous Lieutenant in the Fire Department as he was leading his fireman into a massive fire as a result of a large scale earthquake. He said, “We will see things today we shouldn’t have to see, but listen up, we will do it together. We’ll be together and we will all come back together.”

Those words closely resemble another one that said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Divided Loyalties…..

Most know that I am a huge football fan.  In a few weeks the Super Bowl will end and we will begin a “depressed” time at my house for the next 6 months or so.  Baseball, Golf, Basketball are all great sports mind you, but football is king!  I have been a Notre Dame “Fighting Irish” fan for years, we have the University of New Mexico Lobo Quarterback at our home often and he has become our “adopted” son, and my daughter is graduating from Texas Tech in May and we have allegiance there.  So who is my team?  With which team do I cast my hat in the “ring” and say….this is my team?  It is a case of divided loyalties.

In the Kingdom of God there can be no question of divided loyalties. Oh the world tries to creep in with its “colors” and Satan attempts to lure us away with all the alumni from Satan’s team.  But in the end we can only have love, loyalty, and devotion to THE ONE.

Paul warns of this “divided allegiance concept” when he said, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:3 (NIV)

What an incredible word for the day.

Paths, Direction, and Choices….

When it comes to a life, there are many ways to live it!  The choices and opportunities are endless.  Amazing examples arise when one begins to analyze how individuals make choices and selections on their path of life.  It brings to mind the Rubik’s Cube.

A Rubik’s Cube can be twisted and turned into over forty-three quintillion (43,252,003,274,489,856,000) configurations in the attempt to line up one solid color on all six sides.  There are a countless number of options.

When a person stops to fathom that God has a specific plan for every single life…simply “mind boggling.”  The “Creator”  has a specific path that He desires we follow.  Many miss the path all together because they do not wait on the Lord’s direction.  Others find themselves on a self-appointed path that is doomed for destruction because they lack patience.  They just can’t wait.  Two of the signposts of true faith are “Slow Down” and “Wait Here!”  Patiently waiting is valuable because the Lord has instruction for us.  While we are waiting, He has our attention.  We are ready for lessons in obedience and open to “right” path.  God makes a promise.  Faith believes it.  Hope anticipates it.  Patience quietly awaits it. 

The Psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

A Powerful Word for the Day.

Frozen French Fries…

Encouragers are hard to find.  When society is assessed, an evaluation done, there are very few individuals handing out praise and strategically encouraging others.  Whether it be in schools, hospitals, or in the private or public sector….encouragers are in short supply.

 

Nothing can stifle someone’s progress more than negativity.  The single most challenging obstacle to a person’s success is a wet blanket of discouragement and negativity.

 

Did you know that McDonald’s teaches its employees that the fastest way to put out a shortening fire is to dump frozen French Fries on it!

 

Nothing can stamp out the fire of desire and aspiration like a “frozen discourager.” It is a killer of dreams and hope for the days ahead.  Let’s all do our part.  Drop someone a note TODAY accentuating the positive.  Tell a waitress what a great job she did or offer a simple word of encouragement in your circle of influence.

 

“May the God that gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other….” Romans 15:5 (NIV)

That is a tremendous word for the day!

Missing Ingredients….

Is your life hectic?  Do you ever feel that you do not have enough days in the week or hours in the day? Man life is crazy, fast paced and challenging.  Often fatigue begins to set in and we get weary and frantic.  There are moments that we “vent” to God and others by saying, “That is the BEST I CAN DO!  I AM DOING ALL I CAN!  THAT IS ALL I HAVE!  I AM SORRY, I HAVE FALLEN SHORT!”  There are those times for all of us that we feel like our lives have a missing ingredient.  Yet in the midst of our struggle, God often brings new and fresh victories from our inadequacies.

Ruth Wakefield is a perfect example of that truth. While making cookies for her hotel guests one evening, Ruth lacked the powdered cocoa called for in the recipe, so she substituted tiny bits of chopped chocolate in its place.  Unexpectedly, the chocolate pieces did not melt in the baking but, rather, held their shape, softening only slightly to a creamy texture.  She served the cookies anyway, naming them Toll House after the inn she owned.

There are those times when each of us must use the ingredients we have, do our best, and trust that God will do the rest.  Paul described the challenge in a simple way in Galatians 6:9. He said,

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Now that is an INCREDIBLE word for today.