Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

My site has moved....

2006-06-09T23:54:00.000-04:00

It is time to graduate to a new site. With all of the problems at blogger over the last few months I have made a new site at http://kevinbussey.wordpress.com/ Please change your bookmarks. See you over at word press.

SBC acquires rights to Gordy Gecko!

2006-06-08T22:03:00.000-04:00

Greensboro, NC (Recovering Pharisee Press) The Southern Baptist Convention has bought the rights to Gordy Gecko from GEICO Insurance. They traded Psalty the Singing Songbook, Bibleman and a character to be named later. Gordy Gecko has been brought on to start a nationwide bus tour promoting evangelism and discipleship among SBC churches. The program is called "15 Minutes." It is designed to appeal to younger SBC'ers. The slogan for "15 Minutes" is "15 Minutes or Less Can Your Soul by Switching to Jesus."
When asked about his new role, Gordy Gecko said, "It is my job to help spread the woooooord......"
An insider said they hope that Gordy will appeal to the TV age. Gordy Gecko finished his press conference by stating, "It is my job to save souls for Jesus, I love my job."

Church of Scientology to sponsor a NASCAR Team

2006-06-08T00:22:00.000-04:00

The Church of Scientology, the religion for which actor Tom Cruise crusades, will attempt to spread its "Ignite Your Potential" message into auto racing through sponsorship of a race car in one of NASCAR's lowest levels. Read the story here.

Maybe the SBC can sponsor a car too! How about instead of the Busch Grand National, we have all of the Christians form a team against the cults. Think of the possibilites. NASCAR usually races on Sunday--we might find our missing church members. :)

The Problem with labels.....

2006-06-06T22:08:00.000-04:00

I have had it up to my neck with labels. When will the church start acting in love to each other? In recent weeks I have seen accusations leveled at people that are un-founded. W hides behind a blog and won't identify who he is. He claims that Dr. Frank Page of Taylors First Baptist Church, Taylors, SC is a "liberal." He actually tried to imply that he condones homosexuality. I can't allow this to go on! Please! Plus Dr. Page is being criticized for standing behind one of his former church members Dr. Rusell Dilday! What good pastor wouldn't stand behind a church member when they are unfairly treated? Last year, Larry Bateman, the administrator at Taylors called me for an interview. Larry was my former boss in Atlanta. He wanted me to become their Adult Pastor. Cassandra and I flew to Greenville and met with the staff and enjoyed a night of worship at their church. I was very impressed with Dr. Page. He has transitioned every church where he has been pastor. He spent a few hours with us and all I can say is he is the real deal. We decided that God was leading us to pastor a church so I had to back out of further talks with Taylors FBC. I promise you Larry Bateman would not be serving at a "liberal" church. I said I would not talk politics on my blog and I won't. Name calling is a problem in Christian circles. If you don't like someone, you call them a name. In my denonomination if you want to ruin a person's reputation, you call them a "liberal" or an "emergent." This is wrong! I've read books by so-called "emergents" and have liked some of what they say and think a lot of it is garbage. I voted for George W. Bush but I don't like everything he has done either. We believers need to quit calling people names! If we don't agree with them, then love them anyway because when we get to Heaven we will spend eternity with them!

How many of the Ten Commandments can you name?

2006-06-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

I was looking through some old videos that we made when we planted a church in Atlanta. Here is one that Stuart Delony and I filmed on the coldest day of the year (I am behind the camera). We were starting a series on the Ten Commandments and we wanted to see how many people could name. Check it out here. How many can you name?

Tomrrow is 666!

2006-06-05T15:31:00.000-04:00

Should we all stay home? Read the story here, here and here. Hell, Michigan (it is a city) is having a 666 party. The sad thing is that the number is signifcant. I don't think anything will happen tomorrow. But maybe I will stay home! :)

Church apologises to neighbours

2006-06-05T12:13:00.000-04:00

The congregation of St Philip's Church in Penn Fields, Wolverhampton, Engand spent Sunday delivering letters of apology to every home in the parish. Check out the story here. Sound like a good plan to me. What do you think?

New Product

2006-06-04T15:52:00.000-04:00

Al Gore, Preacher Man?

2006-06-04T10:14:00.000-04:00

I'll admit, just seeing his name made me laugh! The man "who invented the internet" :) has a new passion. Al Gore is back. Not as a political candidate, but as a Baptist preacher with a moral message. His favorite sermon is about the judgment day that will come upon us if we do not mend our ways and stop contributing to global warming. Read about it here. Check out his new movie here and a clip here. Maybe he could run for SBC Pres and win? How much does his church give to the CP? He could start a nationwide bus tour promoting "Global Warning Awareness and the internet." I wish he cared for un-born babies and the souls of man as he does for mother earth!

Soldier's dad to sue Westboro Baptist Church

2006-06-03T11:14:00.000-04:00

It's about time somebody stood up to these evil people! Albert Snyder of York, PA, the father of Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder of Westminster, will sue the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka for unspecified actual and punitive damages, according to attorney Sean Summers of York. The civil suit will claim defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Read the story here.

Summers said it never occurred to the elder Snyder that protesters would be at his son's funeral. "He was hoping for closure, and Mr. Snyder didn't get it,"

That is so sad! I agree with Joe Kennedy that my denomination, SBC, should condemn the un-Christlike actions of these hateful people! Jesus came to love people. He died for those people that Fred Phelps and his group protest. God help us!

Must have!

2006-06-02T11:36:00.000-04:00

TBN announces the release of the TBN Networks Media Player. The new TBN Networks Media Player features all five TBN Network Channels for your viewing enjoyment. Now you can simply download the viewer, then after a quick and simple installation we can bring TBN to your computer desktop 24 hours a day. Download here! Now you can watch Jan and Paul right at your computer. You too can be a "CROUCH POTATO!"

Why do they get a pass?

2006-06-01T23:58:00.000-04:00

Fred Phelps and the Westboro church crew definitely are hateful people. But the Jesus Metropolitan Community Church of Indianapolis, IN is misusing the Bible too! The $55,000 campaign by the church asks: Would Jesus discriminate? And it comes while Indiana lawmakers are being asked to prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children. Read the story here. Some of what they say is true: "Do you know someone who is homosexual? Would you give your life for that person? Jesus did," the church's ad says.
I agree! But the Bible says homosexual behavior is a sin. We don't have special interest groups for Adulterers. We don't have special rights for those who are gluttons. We don't give special rights to liars. If I were a minority, I would be appalled at these people. Their first newspaper ad was run Sunday, a day when nearly 300,000 people were in town for the Indianapolis 500. In a Sunday edition of The Star showed a group of Klansmen around a burning cross with a headline, "Remember a time when a symbol of love was used as a symbol of hate?" The subtext: "The Bible shouldn't be misused to justify discrimination against any group, including gay people."
Excuse me, if I were an African American, I would be outraged! If you say something about it you are called a homophobe. Jesus loves everyone, but He didn't die so we can excuse sin--any sin!

TP Thief on the loose........

2006-06-01T16:04:00.000-04:00

A burglar is on the loose after stealing from a house of worship in South Memphis. A crook broke into the Cornerstone Church on South Parkway Wednesday afternoon. Police say the crook stole a water hose, two cases of soda and two boxes of toilet tissue. Read story here. I guess this man's life has gone to pot. It is being flushed down the drain. Maybe he has a small bladder. Maybe he is headed to Greensboro to roll the SBC Convention. :)

Mistaken Identity....

2006-06-01T11:53:00.000-04:00

Whitney Cerak and Laura VanRyn looked remarkably alike, both attractive young women with blond hair, similar facial features and the same build and height. They were together the night of April 26, returning from banquet preparations with a group from Taylor University, when a tractor-trailer slammed into their university van, peeling off the side and killing five people. Cerak's family was told their 18-year-old was among the dead. VanRyn's parents were told their 22-year-old daughter was alive but seriously injured and in a coma.The VanRyns kept vigil at the young woman's bedside for weeks, but as she gained consciousness, she began saying things that didn't make sense. This week, they made a stunning discovery: The recovering patient wasn't their daughter at all, she was Whitney Cerak. Read the story here. I can't imagine the roller coaster of emotions that both families went through. Wow! For those of us who have children, this has to be the worst nightmare.

Create a caption....

2006-06-01T11:19:00.000-04:00

Church Telemarketers..........

2006-05-31T15:32:00.000-04:00

Today I had a telemarketer from you know where call and harass me. I don't know what is worse than unscrupulous so called "Christian" telemarketers weaseling their way through our secretaries by lying. Joe G. from an un-named pictorial directory company lied his way through my secretary today and wasted my time for something I don't need. Then he harassed me for several minutes trying to make me feel guilty for not using his services. Give me a break! If we need a directory, we will call you. Mr. Joe got my blood going by lying and using very un-Christian practices to waste my study time. I am writing this as therapy. Thanks for indulging me. :)

Truth is stranger than Fiction...

2006-05-31T12:21:00.000-04:00

You have to be kidding! Check out JESUS PAN. Holy images have been popping up all over. A grilled cheese sandwich with the image of the Virgin Mary sold for over 17-hundred dollars on Ebay.- JesusPan is made from durable steel and topped with a non-stick coating. - JesusPan is perfect for holiday meals - Jesus Pan has been featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno! This is no joke, check out the story here. Unbelievable! Imagine the witnessing opportunities as you grill a Jesus burger! How about a Jesus Loaf! Maybe even a Jesus Pancake! Cooks at a restaurant in Jacksonville, Fla., claim they discovered the image of Jesus in a pan used to heat water just days before Christmas, according to a Local 6 News report. Check out the story here.

New Evangelist!

2006-05-30T21:51:00.000-04:00

Tonight while I was out taking my son to football practice and going to a funeral visitation a new evangelist was born in our family. Cassandra called to tell me that my soon to be 8 year old daughter Hope had just led a girl a few doors down from us to Christ. Hope pulled out her Bible and shared with this little girl about Jesus. Then she told Cassandra what she was doing. She asked Cass if she could pray with the little girl to ask Jesus in her heart. Cass said yes and had Hope tell her what she was going to say. Cass was going to go with Hope but when she came out of the room Hope had her head bowed with the little girl and was praying the sinners prayer with her. Cass said Hope told the little girl that Heaven would have pearly gates, golden streets, and that there would be no more pain in heaven. Cool!

New Orleans Trip Pictures

2006-05-30T14:56:00.000-04:00

Starbuckization of society?

2006-05-30T09:33:00.000-04:00

Starbucks is changing what we eat and drink. It's altering where and when we work and play. It's shaping how we spend time and money. That's just for appetizers. Starbucks has an even glitzier goal: to help rewrite society's pop culture menu. The company that sells 4 million coffee drinks daily in the USA is hot to extend its brand beyond the espresso machine to influence the films we see, CDs we hear and books we read. In the process, it aims to grow into a global empire rivaling McDonald's. Read about it here. Now, I admit, I love Starbucks. I go to meet people and start conversations that often lead me to sharing my faith with others. While Starbucks is just getting into the pop culture business, it has already touched us all by:

Changing what we'll pay for coffee.
Changing coffee tastes.
Changing what we eat.
Changing how we order.
Changing how people meet.
Changing cities.
Changing social consciousness.
When I read this list I thought--Why is the church not doing this? Why aren't we changing the way people are using their money? Why aren't we changing their tastes? Why aren't we changing the way people meet? Why aren't we changing cities? Why aren't we changing social conciousness? That is my prayer for my church! I pray we can change our community for Jesus. What do you think?

How will we ever make a difference?

2006-05-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

The wacko's from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS were at it again yesterday. On a day when most of the nation was remembering our heros for their sacrifice in protecting our country, the people of Westboro were protesting at Arlington Cemetary. Read about it here and here. I don't know what Bible they are reading from but I can't see Jesus protesting a funeral. I don't see Jesus condemning people during their grieving. Jesus reached out to sinners like me. He told the woman caught in adultery to go and "sin no more." He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. How will those who have no relationship with Christ take us serious when we have hate-filled people likt this. God help us all!

Church Discipline?

2006-05-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

Does a church have the right to publicly reveal a person's private sins? A Dallas court is being asked to decide whether Watermark Community Church can do exactly that to a man and a woman identified in court records as "John Doe" and "Jane Roe." Church officials say they are only following a process of church discipline outlined in the Gospel of Matthew and written into the church's bylaws. "Basically, we're being sued because we're seeking to love John Doe in accordance with the principles outlined by God's word," said the pastor, the Rev. Todd Wagner. Read the story here. I believe in church discipline. I believe the church went through the appropriate means according to scripture up until the man wanted to leave the church. But Watermark's bylaws say a member

"may not resign from membership in an attempt to avoid such care and correction."

How can a person not resign? Somehow this sounds almost cult-like. You can't force someone to change can you? What do you think? [Update] As usual, the media got a lot of this story wrong. Read this and this.

From Samaria back to Jerusalem

2006-05-28T10:13:00.000-04:00

Well we are back in Charlotte. Our trip to New Orleans was emotional to say the least. We were all changed by the destruction of homes, lives and families. I don't think we will ever be the same. New Orleans was our Samaria. It is a long way from home. The people at Edgewater are truly ministering to the Gentilly community. I am so proud of them. Jason Sampler said something to us Friday night that was very profound. He challenged us to remember that the needs in New Orleans are very visible. We saw houses, cars, churches and lives in shambles. However, he said in Charlotte their are hurting people too. They drive their cars into nicely painted garages. They have good jobs and all appears wonderful on the outside. But there are hurting people everywhere. I spoke from Acts 1:1-11 today. (I have one more service to speak). I challenged our church to be on mission in our Jerusalem. I again beg people to go to New Orleans and help Edgewater. They still have over 120 homes on their list to gut and they will never finish at the pace they are on. Alan Cross also mentioned the Mississippi Coast is a mess. We drove through Gulfport yesterday and it is amazing how bad it is there too. Our group wants to go back in the Fall. I challenge you to go too!

Arrived home safely

2006-05-27T23:06:00.000-04:00

We got home about 2 hours ago. I am bushed. I've got to preach tomorrow on Acts 1:1-11. Too tired to say anything meaningful tonight. I hope to have something tomorrow! Have a great day in the Lord.

New Orleans Mission Trip- Final Day

2006-05-26T16:57:00.000-04:00

Wow! This week has flown by. We are all tired physically and emotionally drained. Our men have worked hard to help Edgewater get back on their feet. We have mixed feelings about leaving. We see so many needs in the community and at Edgewater. We are ready to get back to our families but see our mission as just a drop in the bucket. I don't know how else to say this but please consider bringing your church groups down here to help out. My family watches Extreme Makeover Home Edition every week and we are always moved. What if the SBC through NAMB or whoever decided to come down in mass for one week and fix churches like Edgewater and others. Imagine thousands of SBC'ers storming the city to make a difference for one week. These people are being the hands of feet of Jesus to this community. We will spend millions of dollars in Greensboro for our SBC convention. What will be done for God's Kingdom? I think we have our priorities out of whack. There was a group from FBC Thomasville, GA working with us today. I met several SBC'ers from Oklahoma yesterday working down here. Seeing churches band together to help one another gives me hope for the SBC. Please pray that God will send more to make a diffference here in New Orleans. In other news Jason Sampler's FEMA trailer was condemned by Mayor Ray Nagin while he was away. I don't know who would have done such a thing. :) I will have pictures of it next week! Jason and Kevin are taking us to eat so I've got to go.

New Orleans Mission Trip- Day 3

2006-05-25T22:01:00.000-04:00

Last night our group went to worship with the folks from Edgewater. They are truly ministering to their community. They cook out hamburgers and hotdogs for anyone who comes. There were a lot of New Orleans Seminary students, faculty and some locals. Kevin Lee had a great message. We enjoyed getting to see them in action. Following the service we drove over to the 9th Ward. As we drove over the bridge the devestation was unimaginable. We are here almost 9 months later and it still looks horrible. We saw numbers on the homes that indicated deaths. I went to the Ukraine 6 years ago and I felt like I was in a place even worse. Today we began taping and mudding the drywall. I have actually gotten pretty good. Donnie Rae Kendrick our chairman of Deacons taught me well. Edgewater is trying to get part of their facility done so they can make it a community center. Tomorrow is our last day and as much as I look forward to getting home to my wife, kids and church, I feel like part of my heart is here. Jason, Kevin and Dr. Ray have been great to us. I admire what they are doing. They are being the hands of feet of Jesus in their part of New Orleans. We had fun when we left Edgewater by rolling Jason Sampler's FEMA trailer! (that's TP for you northerners) We went to the Riverwalk tonight and I'm glad to see their is a family area in downtown NO. We had an intersting experience on Bourbon Street the other night and we left immediately. Riverwalk is much nicer. We saw an SBC group from Oklahoma at the Cafe Massaro. I also saw a former church member from Peachtree Corners who is finishing his degree @ NOBTS. What a small world. I am sorry for what happened to Wade Burleson this week. I'm concerned about the SBC Convention in Greensboro next month. But all of this seems sort of meaningless when you see people who have nothing. We have met so many people who literally lost everything they had. If you have any influence over your church missions--I urge you to send them to the Gulf Coast. I have a friend on staff @ 1st Gulfport and I know the need is great in Mississippi. I was living in Mobile when Katrina hit last fall. But I can't imagine anything worse than what I have seen in New Orleans.

New Orleans Mission Trip- Day 2

2006-05-24T16:41:00.000-04:00

I'm tired physically but emotionally drained. We worked again at Edgewater Baptist putting up sheet rock and other stuff. I got sent to Lowes near the church and it was packed. I can't believe I am in the USA. This place looks like nowhere I have ever lived. It reminds me of a third world country. We drove by several of the areas where the levies broke and it was depressing. Several of the homes had up to 7 feet of dirt and sand. An 80 year old lady came by Edgewater to have her house worked on. She cried in front of all of us telling us she lost everything she has. Jason Sampler has over 120 home on a list to help. I don't envy Jason's job. I am putting out a plea to churches to come down and help. Edgewater is really doing ministry. Talking about the SBC convention and IMB trustees and other stuff doesn't mean squat!!!!! These people are hurting and they need our help. Let's stop getting $350.00 a night rooms in Greensboro for some meaningless convention and get off our tails and help people. I'll be honest if I could I would divert all our CP $ to help Edgewater and these children of God that have been forgotten. I urge every church in America to do something.

New Orleans Mission Trip- Day 1

2006-05-23T17:56:00.000-04:00

Our group began our work here in the Big Easy. It was great to meet Jason Sampler in person. He is a great guy and I admire the ministry he has at Edgewater. Their pastor Kevin Lee is a great guy who was very gracious to us. We began by removing all of the belongings of an 85 year old woman named Alma. It was depressing to see how all of her memories were literally washed away. The streets were eerily quiet. Alma's next door neighbor is a guy named Mike. He was very appreciative of what we were doing for his neighbor. He is Catholic and said the only church doing anything in the area is Edgewater. They are really meeting the needs of their community and it was our honor to help. Mike is not attending church but is considering attending Edgewater on a Wednesday night because they have a cook-out every week. I did not go into full blown witness mode because I realize that Jason and Edgewater are doing it everyday. I did pray with Mike and he took our picture with his own camera when we left. The rest of the day we helped Edgewater put up drywall in the building. Kevin and Jason were almost embarrassed to ask but we are here to serve them. I put up my first drywall today! Cool! We will be back at Edgewater tomorrow. Our guys have been great. It has been very emotional to see the lives that have been shattered because of Katrina. I want to challenge other churches to connect with Edgewater and come down to New Orleans. The need is great. I will share more tomorrow.

Overwhelmed....

2006-05-22T22:39:00.000-04:00

We made the 12 hour trip from from Charlotte to New Orleans. We stopped in Mobile to show our guys the attik. We hope build something like that in that in Charlotte. I said hello to the secretaries. It was great to see my former assistant Soupie and my intern Neil. Greg and Mike were cranking up the band and Joe Kennedy dropped by too--I was excited to see all of them. As we entered New Orleans my heart sank. I felt like I was in a third world country. We drove along I-10 and tears filled my eyes. Our van was silent as we drove thru the city. I still can't put into words how terrible it is here and it is 8 months after Katrina. Our family had a lot of damage in Mobile, but nothing compared to this!!!! I felt like I do when I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition except it isn't one house it is an entire city! Linda the NAMB missionary who runs the Rachel Sims Baptist Mission that is housing told us so many stories about the hurting people in the city. Edgewater is ministering to this city along with other faith based ministries. I'm looking forward to meeting Jason Sampler tomorrow. I would encourage anyone that can to hook up with Jason and Edgewater and come down and help these people. The need is great but our God is greater. I hope to give a report of Day 1 tomorrow. Pray for us!

Headed to the Big Easy.........

2006-05-21T23:37:00.000-04:00

I am taking 9 men to New Orleans tomorrow to help Edgewater Baptist Church clean up some of the homes affected from Katrina last fall. We are all excited about ministering down there. I will try to check in but I'm not sure what kind of internet access I will have this week. Pray for our safety, our families while we are away and for God to give us opportunities to share His love.

I don't get it...

2006-05-21T10:44:00.000-04:00

Is this going to bring people to church?

2006-05-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

There are actually people who don't like Starbucks. How misguided! The mission of Delocator.net is to assist the public in finding and supporting independently owned cafés. On the results page for each search, listings of both independently owned cafés and Starbucks retail stores are presented. By comparison of quantity and user-created information, Delocator.net users will be able to make an informed decision about spending a buck (or three) on a cup of joe. This conspiracy is egregious! The horror of sending someone to another place than Starbucks. I'm sure Adam Feldman is behind this. We thought the Da Vinci code was bad--this is worse!

The Gospel according to Oprah?

2006-05-20T11:18:00.000-04:00

Forbes magazine called her the most powerful celebrity in the world last year. She's also known as a perennially popular talk show host, an Academy award-nominated actress and the first black woman billionaire. Her influence is global. "The core messages of her gospel are clear and constant," Marcia Z Nelson writes. "Be thankful. Give and you shall receive. Think about things a little differently. Listen to your inner voice. Know yourself. You can change." Though Oprah is rarely explicitly religious on her television show or magazine, Nelson points out that there are several major Christian themes that weave through these aspects of her life and work: confession, redemption, healing, mission, forgiveness, and salvation. Nelson concludes that Oprah is a "compelling spiritual teacher in a spiritually eclectic and ever-practical America." Read about it here and here. I don't deny that Oprah is a good person. But she is a new ager. She lives with a man that is not her husband. I'm amazed at how many Christians watch her and thing she is "Mother Teresa." Does she point people to Christ? I don't think so. She is a wonderful person but there will be a lot of wonderful people who will miss out on heaven because they don't have a relationship with Jesus. She is good, but how good is good enough? Andy Stanley talks about that here. I'm impressed by what Oprah does for others. But if we don't accept Jesus we will never be good enough.

Separated @ Birth?

2006-05-19T16:48:00.000-04:00

Errol Flynn or Art Rogers?

Minister's microphone causes a wee splash at church

2006-05-19T09:33:00.000-04:00

Hasn't this been a fear of all ministers? A MINISTER had his congregation squirming with embarrassment when he used the toilet during a service and forgot to switch off his clip-on radio microphone. Nature called during a break in proceedings and the Rev John Hawdon forgot to switch off his microphone, which broadcast his every splash and sigh to the congregation. Read the story here. I remember seeing Leslie Nielsen having the same thing happen to him in Naked Gun 2 1/2. An elderly lady who attended the service said: "Maybe we are getting too clever with things like radio microphones. Mr Hawdon certainly made a splash."
Has this ever happened to you?

God told me to tell Pat to Retire..... :)

2006-05-18T13:58:00.000-04:00

In another in a series of notable pronouncements, religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says God told him storms and possibly a tsunami will hit America's coastline this year. Read the story here. Why does he do this? He needs to retire. Robertson has come under intense criticism in recent months for suggesting that American agents should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip. God is telling me to tell Pat to keep quiet. Pat, you are doing nothing but making all Christians to appear to be a bunch of wacko's. [Update] you can listen to Pat's communication here and read the transcript here.

Church finds novel ways of attracting flock

2006-05-18T12:19:00.000-04:00

The Church of England is seeking new ways to shore up its dwindling flock - by offering divine assistance to those seeking peace and happiness in a new home. Read about it here and here. When I first saw the headline I thought this could be funny. But actually I think this is a great idea. I believe that evil can be in certain homes based on what the inhabbitants were involved in. When I was in college my roomate Rob, who is a pastor in Decatur, AL and I both had the same experience of a dream that we were in bondage-on the same night in different rooms. We believe that God was working on both us because we both knew we were to be pastors but he was pursuing Pharmacy and I was going to be a football coach. It was creepy. Then, when Cassandra and I moved to Atlanta, our real estate agent (who reads this blog and will vouch for this- Hey Claudia!) took us to a house that she warned was a house of two men who had alternative lifestyles. As we were looking around at the house, I started sweating and feeling oppressed. I couldn't breath and started having visions of evil going on in that house. Claudia and Cassandra looked at me and asked what was wrong and I said we had to get out. This has nothing to do with me being homophobic. I don't know what evil there was-but something evil was occuring in that house. So, I believe what the Church of England is doing is good. I would be willing to bless anyone's house that asks because I believe prayer works. Way to go Church of England!

All in the family....

2006-05-18T00:52:00.000-04:00

Shirley Phelps-Roper is a name that has been growing in infamy over the last few weeks. She is a daughter of Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS whose website can be found at GodHatesFags.com. The whole Phelps clan is an embarrassment to followers of Christ. They protest the funerals of military, homosexuals and politicians. I can't imagine Jesus doing anything like that. Look at this clip of her arrogance, hate and twisting of scripture. What really bugs me is people like the Phelps ruin the witness of those of us who try to reach out to "seekers" unbelievers and atheists. Check out this article in the Fullerton College Hornet, a college paper in California. What disturbs me is this young man is an atheist and the Phelps family makes him want to stay away from all believers. Read what he said: I have to say, despite my atheism and indifference toward Christianity as a whole, that Phelps-Roper and people like her are horrid, disgusting examples of human beings. In fact, if I were to die, only to find out there is a Heaven and a hell, then by their standard and judgment, I would much rather spend my eternity in hell, with my friends and idols than risk even a shred of a chance of rooming with her or one of her fanatical brethren in heaven.
That just breaks my heart. My prayer is that I would never cause another to stumble and chose Hell over Heaven because of my arrogance, pride and hypocrisy. God help us!

Church organist in Oregon linked to fraud

2006-05-17T09:18:00.000-04:00

A 66-year-old church organist has been charged with defrauding Washington state by collecting about $400,000 in workers' compensation checks that were intended for her mother, who died 18 years ago. Read the story here. We all sin and have sinned, right? But at least own up to your sins. Lois Bachhuber of Portland, who had power of attorney for her mother, allegedly signed certification forms saying that her mother was still alive and entitled to benefits from the state Department of Labor and Industries. But her mother, Viola Elsner, died in March 1988."She continued to submit to the state annual forms saying, 'Mom's fine, please keep the checks a-rollin,'" Check out this quote: Bachhuber said "In her mind, her mother was still here."

That is a classic line! Here are some other possible ones we can use:

1. Officer, In my mind I was driving the speed limit.

2. Teacher, I didn't cheat, in my mind I studied all night.

3. I didn't steal that car, In my mind I paid for it!

4. I didn't hit my sister, in my mind I hugged her!

5. In my mind I was baptised by immersion and a proper administrator! :)

$400,000? Why didn't the government discover this sooner? Unbelievable! What are some of the best excueses you have heard for sins?

Do Americans lie about attending church services?

2006-05-16T11:03:00.000-04:00

Would it surprise you to know that people lie about whether or not they attend the regularly scheduled services of their church or synagogue? Of all things to be dishonest about in the whole fabric of life, why would someone not want to tell the truth about going to church? Read the story here.

Evangelists have always taken the brunt of the numbers' jokes. If a man was known to exaggerate his church attendance or offering numbers, it was said that he spoke "evangelistically" of his feats. Some leading pastors were known to count attendance that included groups meeting in schools, union halls and schools along with those meeting in the church buildings.

I believe it! I would dare say there are only 3-5 families that attend church on our street of about 20 homes. I remember when I attended Samford University that students would come to lunch on Sunday dressed as if they went to church when in reality most of them had just gotten up from partying all night. Churches wouldn't lie about their attendance would they? ;)

Da Vinci Code--Why the public outrage?...

2006-05-16T10:09:00.000-04:00

Actor Alfred Modina who stars in the new film The Da Vinci Code has expressed his disbelief at church leaders who have publicly denounced the film. Read the story here. Modina said:

"Ultimately, the book is a piece of fiction, as is the movie"

I have to agree! I don't see all of the fuss. I watched "National Treasure" and it didn't make me believe that there are billions of dollars of treasure under the streets of NY. Why is it that Christians are always against things? Think about it everytime you tell someone not to do something--human nature makes us want to do it. I've got better things to talk about then debunk a hollywood movie. What do you think?

Men and Women are different---Scientific Evidence to support!

2006-05-15T09:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I talked about communication and I found some scientific evidence to prove it. Check out these top secret scans of the male and female brain.

Scientology missions?

2006-05-14T23:19:00.000-04:00

Tom Cruise's religion of choice - the Church of Scientology - has opened its first mission on the Mississippi Gulf Coast amid the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. The church sent 800 volunteer ministers to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans area to counsel hurricane victims. Read about it here. The Scientology-trained ministers provided auditing - the core religious practice of Scientology - free of charge. Auditing is a form of spiritual counseling in which an auditor listens to a subject without offering solutions, advice or evaluation. Student-to-student auditing sessions are free, as is an introductory auditing session for anyone interested in the religion. But "donations" or "suggested amounts" of payment ranging from $100 to $200 are standard with introductory auditing sessions at missions for non-students,. A 25-hour professional auditing session at a mission or church would garner a suggested donation of about $2,000. So let me get this straight. In order to be ministered to you have to give a donation? How can such intelligent people fall prey to such a strange religion? People on the Gulf Coast are broke! This sounds like "Religious Gouging!" If this was a Evangelical Mission group, the media would be all over this. How come this cult gets a pass? I'm taking a group from my church to got to New Orleans next week to help Edgewater Baptist (Jason Sampler's and Joe Kennedy's church)minister to the people in their community. We aren't asking for money. My people are paying their own way and taking off work. God help us from cults like Scientology!

Cars washed in Holy water...........

2006-05-13T23:39:00.000-04:00

Members of a Manchester, England church are cleaning cars with Holy water. In an attempt to be environmentally friendly and serve the community, church attendees will use the water from the morning's Baptismal service to wash local vehicles. Read the story here and here. Levenshulme Baptist Church does baptise by immersion. It is not known if a car washed by the water is eligible to serve with IMB.

San Francisco Intollerant?

2006-05-13T12:21:00.000-04:00

More than 25,000 evangelical Christian youth landed in San Francisco for a two-day rally at AT&T Park against "the virtue terrorism" of popular culture recently. They were greeted by an official city condemnation and a clutch of protesters who said their event amounted to a "fascist mega-pep rally." Read the story here. "Battle Cry for a Generation" is led by a 44-year-old Concord native, Ron Luce, who wants "God's instruction book" to guide young people away from the corrupting influence of popular culture. Luce wants to unleash a "blitz" of youth pastors into the communities to do everything from work with the homeless to find new ways to bring others to Christ. How could any city be against that? Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who told counterprotesters at City Hall that while such fundamentalists may be small in number, "they're loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco." Disgusting? It sounds like Sodom and Gomara. It is intersting to me how people who aren't followers of Jesus want us to be tollerant, yet they don't want to tollerate us! Kudos to The San Francisco Chronicle for calling the city out on their hypocrisy! Read about it here. Here is what they said:

The young people who came to San Francisco to affirm their faith and enjoy a day of rock music deserved better. They deserved to be welcomed by a city that was as tolerant and progressive as its sanctimonious supervisors like to profess.

I pray we believers will treat groups we disagree with with more Christ-like love. What do you think?

Book Review: Radical Reformission....

2006-05-12T09:32:00.000-04:00

I told Adam Feldman (notice the Crimson color) that I would give him my impression of The Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll. So here it is: Driscoll is a passionate guy. He is the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. I hate it when books that challenge my set in stone beliefs! Of course, sometimes the old pharisee comes out in me and it hurts to get rid of the huge tree sticking out of my eye. Driscoll challenged me to be more missional in my approach to evangelism. I have been going to coffee shops, weight rooms and elsewhere for years trying to connect with the unchurched. Being a chaplain for Marketplace Ministries has been the best way for me to be around the unchurched. I'll be honest the chapter on "the sin of not drinking lite beer" was a little much for this southern boy. He talked about the sin of abstinence and that is a little over the top for me. The best part for me was how believers have no unchurched friends. That is a shame! Jesus said not to be of the world but He did not want us out of the world. I also like the fact he was hard on liberal theology. Postmodern/emerging churches often get a bad rap. Driscoll points out their are liberal churches in all spectrums. We need to be relevant without selling out! The book was very insightful and I plan to read his newest book. We need more Reformission Christians! [Update] Jamie Wooten mentioned that I forgot to rate the book. New rating system out of a possible 5 hockey sticks. I give Radical Reformission 4.5

Papa Don't Preach........

2006-05-11T18:32:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I should laugh or be offended. A group of improvisational actors from my home town of Kansas City decided to go to the Crossroads district in downtown Kansas City and stand on the street corner in the bar districts and scream and yell at passers-by about why they have lost their salvation. Improv-Abilities is a professional comedy troupe based in Kansas City. Read about their experience here. What is sad to me is this is what non-believers think of Christians. We have to do a better job of sharing who Jesus really is. My prayer is that we can show the world that Jesus is someone who can really make a difference in their life today and in eternity.

The Prank Police............

2006-05-10T16:20:00.000-04:00

A 43-year-old woman is charged with helping her daughter and two other teenage girls bake cookies laced with a laxative that were then given to a teacher. Read the story here. Two students were charged with insult or abuse to a teacher after allegedly putting a laxative in tea that two teachers drank before the prank was uncovered. Read the story here. What happened to good old pranks? Man, if I were a teenager now, I might have gone to jail! My kids have been pulling "cranks" (what Hope used to call them) I mean pranks for sometime. On April 1st, my kids put soap on my toothbrush. I just smiled and told them I don't get mad, I get even. Some of my top pranks were: 1. Penny jamming frat brothers in their frat house rooms. Then blowing baby powder under the door with a hair dryer. 2. Cellophane on the frat house toilet seats! 3. Throwing water balloons on the third floor of the girls dorm where they were sun bathing! :) 4. Throwing bottle rockets at cars and students from top of the frat house! (although they got me back by pulling out a hose and spraying us down!) 5. Kidnapping co-eds and placing them on the conveyor belt in the cafeteria @ Samford. 6. Rolling with TP our Fraternity Letters on the Mountain across from Samford! 7. Woopie cushion underneath my best friends prayer altar in his wedding. 8. Writing "HELP ME!" with liquid paper on the bottom of my best friends shoes for his wedding! 9. Lifting a car up the steps of the fine arts center at Samford. 10. Kidnapping a prospective bride during her rehersal dinner. (it was a friend of Cassandra) What are some of your best pranks?

A New Creation?

2006-05-09T22:42:00.000-04:00

A teacher in Kentucky is considering what to do about being fired from her job after officials learned she appeared in an adult movie more than 10 years ago. She become a follower of Jesus after she was in the movie. But the school system fired her for something that happened 10 years ago. Read the story here. II Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
I guess that doesn't apply in the school system. Would you be comfortable with this woman as your child's teacher?

New Blogger

2006-05-09T13:02:00.000-04:00

My friend and former pastor Greg Pouncey is now a blogger. Check out his site here. Greg is a cool Samford and SWBTS grad like me. But he is also a big BAMA fan!

Transitioning....

2006-05-09T11:25:00.000-04:00

When we accepted the call to come to Charlotte to help our new church family transition a church, I didn't realize the transitioning included me! One of our Godly deacons told me recently that he was slow to change but he liked what God was doing. You know what, I'm slow to change also! If we are all honest, we are. We like things that we like. I'm pretty adventurous! But, some of the pharisical ways I have are hard to go. I resist because I'm not comfortable. I read a lot of books. Since I became Lead Pastor it takes longer than it did when I was a staff member. But I'm reading The Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll and it is challenging and convicting. Look at this quote: Reformission recognizes that Christians will have differing personal convictions in matters of culture and welcomes those differences that are not sinful, because what pleases God is unity, not uniformity.
Ouch! It is easy to offer advice to others. It is hard to transition ourselves. I'm trying. I'm submitting. Uggh!

Gossip banned in some N.C. ?????

2006-05-08T22:51:00.000-04:00

Guess who is joining the ranks of banning gossip? Read here. I wonder where they got that idea?

Redirecting.................

2006-05-08T11:44:00.000-04:00

I have done some soul searching and have decided to change the direction of my site. I will no longer write about any specific church, politics or my denomination. I will write about the hypocrisy of my own life and the struggles I have in living in the 21st century as a follower of Jesus. I hope to add some humor too. Obviously, I still have a lot to learn. I believe in God's grace and personal freedom. I am struggling with where I fit in. I am obviously different. I will not judge. I hope we can agree to disagree with respect for one another. I have deleted some posts because in the view of people I greatly respect I needed to. The last 5 years have been tough. I usually get through tough times by laughing and poking fun. I haven't had a lot to laugh about recently. I pray that joy comes back. It will, I'm confident of that.

Pillsbury Doughboy kidnapped

2006-05-07T16:36:00.000-04:00

Pillsbury Doughboy is kidnapped. Read story here.

Blinded by the Grey.............

2006-05-05T16:08:00.000-04:00

I hate ambiguity. I have always seen the world in black and white. I am a very creative person and this makes matters worse. There is a war within me. I just don't know where I belong anymore in religious life. Things were much easier when I had a list of what was right and what was wrong. Sure the Bible gives some specific do's and don'ts. But what do I do with the Grey areas? I'm struggling with where I belong in this whole spiritual journey. There are people in my own denomination and others that I agree with theologically but not in methodology. There are others that I appreciate there methods but not their theology. Where do I fit in? Am I alone? I am grateful for God's Grace. I am not the total Pharisee I use to be. I am still struggling though. I am recovering. There are some things that would have never been done by ministers in my denomination in the past. Now some flaunt it! I'm struggling with that. I'll be honest it is disillusioning. Maybe I'm out of touch. Maybe I need to lighten up. I don't want to argue. I don't want to rain on the parade. I would never want to be a stumbling block to others, but these things make me stumble. They puzzle me. I don't want to be this way. I'm really trying but everytime I read about those who do participate I feel like my nose is being rubbed in it because it destroyed several extended family members lives. I'm struggling. I just don't get it. It's probably just me. I have enough junk in my own life I need to get rid of but this doesn't help. I don't feel like I can relate. I searching for the black and white but I guess I won't find it. I guess I will just be blinded by the grey!

What would Jesus Direct?

2006-05-05T10:45:00.000-04:00

Hollywood sees a pot of Gold in the pews. For years Hollywood just forced sex, drugs and violence on the Big Screen. Now they see the church as a way to make money. Check out the story here. I know that we need a more spiritual presence in Hollywood. Campus Crusade is sending missionaries to Hollywood. NAMB ought to consider doing the same. Instead of protesting and criticising Hollywood, why don't believers infiltrate and change Hollywood from the inside. Inside the studios but more importantly inside their hearts. Imagine if Steven Spielberg became a follower of Christ. What if Tom Cruise became a Christ-follower? What do you think?

Fore.................

2006-05-04T14:04:00.000-04:00

It is a beautiful day in Charlotte! It is 75 degrees and sunny. I am taking 3 middle school boys to the Wachovia Championship at Quail Hollow! Thanks to Mr. Paul Jackson for providing me tickets. Enjoy your day!

They are not our enemies..........

2006-05-04T10:20:00.000-04:00

As I read the Memphis Declaration I was struck by the humility of the document. Wade Burleson was very transparent as he made the Declaration personal. I am concerned that churches have become territorial. I don't care if a church is denominational or non-demination some churches feel they have been given a territory that is theirs only. Some feel it is like the business world. IBM gives it's salespeople protected territories to make sales in. Some churches feel just because they are in a community they have a protected territory for their church. This is a lie from hell! God doesn't give out territories. When we sent out postcards to invite people to our church in Georgia, I had dozens of "CHURCH POLICE" call up to voice their displeasure that we were in their territory. If people aren't going to their church now, then they probably are not ever going to go. Other like minded churches are not our enemies!!!!! In fact, they are our partners to win our communities for Christ. When we get that into our heads, then I think God will bring revival not just in our individual churches but in our nation and the world.

Imagine..........

2006-05-03T19:20:00.000-04:00

I just got back from Pursuing Vital Ministry Exploration Learning Experience. My mind is on overload! I feel like I can't think anymore. It was well worth going. Thanks to Bill, Russ and Neal our leaders for three days well worth going. I have been to great conferences and seminars in the past. Almost everyone of them gave me a pre-packaged system or program to take back to my church. The problem is that each church is unique. The first item we talked about was: IMAGINE WHAT GOD CAN DO........
This should be our lifestyle. I want to wake up each day asking God that question. How do we do this? 1. Pray 2. Imagine and plan 3. Present it The foremost question we need to ask God is: What do you want us to be? & What do you want us to do?
But we must know the answer to the 1st question before we answer the 2nd. I'm excited about taking our church on this journey. I look forward to seeing what God does!

Could the SBC be next?

2006-05-02T13:13:00.000-04:00

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced that that 75 employees would lose their job at their headquaters in Louisville, KY. Read the story here. I know lots of God fearing people in the PCUSA so I don't want any comments about how they have become liberal. There is a group in the PCUSA that is very conservative called PFR. But, one comment hit me hard. It sounded like a microcosm of what is going on in all churches and especially denominations. Read this:

"Presbyterians today do not want to write a check and send that money off for somebody else to make a decision on where it goes or how the mission is done, Presbyterians more and more want to be involved."

Does this sound similar to what those of us in the SBC have been saying recently? I have read criticism about the amount that some churches--especially mega churches have been giving to the Cooperative Program. Maybe they want to make their mission decisions for themselves! Maybe some churches want to be more involved. I think Steve McCoy has a valid point about picking and choosing where to give CP $. He says if we just live out a "missional" life and church it will transform our convention. He is correct. And I believe we need more networking among like minded churches and ministries. For example, our church is going down to New Orleans in a few weeks to help Edgewater Baptist minister to their community. This happened through networking. I did not get contacted by NAMB or any Association to do this. I think the way we minister as Southern Baptists is changing. The internet has changed us. Some may not like it, but it is reality. But I also think we can't just give up on our denomination either. Wade Burleson makes his plea for this point of view. I think we need a balance somewhere inbetween! I would hate to see all resources of the SBC go down the tubes just because we can't get along. Wade said this: THE issue within the SBC as I see it ---
Unless we stop shrinking the parameters of what it means to be a Southern Baptist, we will end up being a narrow, isolated sect within Christendom and lose our ability to reach the world for Christ.
I think that sums it up best!

Our walk with Christ is a Journey not a destination....

2006-05-01T22:08:00.000-04:00

Today was a great at my Pastors' Awareness Learning Experiences or as Wes calls PALE! :) We talked how our walk with Christ is not a destination it is the journey. I am one who loves to travel. I like seeing new places. Unfortunately, I am the only one in my family that feels the same way. I like seeing new cities. I like the journey to get to my destination. Today I drove up I-77 to come to Hickory eventhough it was a little out of the way. I got to see Lake Norman which is beautiful. Then I stopped in Statesville to eat at one of our church member's cafe called, "It Don't Matter Cafe." I love the journey as much as getting to my destination. Our walk with Jesus should be an adventure. In John 10:10 Jesus says he came to give us an abundant life. Everyday we should cherish the journey. Carpe Diem!

Well spent Cooperative Program $$!

2006-05-01T17:51:00.000-04:00

Today I am near Hickory, NC at one of the NC Baptist Conference Centers called Hollifield Leadership Center. It is on beautiful Lake Hickory. I am attending a Pastors' Awareness Learning Experience which is part of the Pursuing Vital Ministry of our state convention. So far this has been a great experience. Pastors' Awareness Learning Experiences are routinely held to build awareness about how the journey can help congregations discover and live into their full kingdom potential. What is awesome about this is it cost my church nothing. Our CP $$ go to help pay for this. For a small to medium sized church this is great! With so many bad stories being exposed about the CP, I wanted to share my appreciation. Thanks to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina for this wonderful experience!

Will politics save our nation?

2006-04-30T00:23:00.000-04:00

I remember when the Moral Majority helped boot out many "liberals" from Washington. Then the Christian Coalition worked to put more "conservatives" in office years later. I am about as conservative as you can get. But, I have concerns that "conservatives" in politics is being mixed up with being a conservative Christian. Years ago I was one of the rude people at Samford that heckled Senator Edward Kennedy when he spoke. I am ashamed to admit it now. I don't like his politics but he deserved my respect because he is a Senator. I read this story "Religious conservatives worry about losing political control." Isn't that the problem--"Control." I worry that believers are more worried about changing our world politically rather than through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us! Jesus refused to change the world politically. Shouldn't His example be good enough for us. I do believe we should be active in government because we are citizens. But we can place the 10 Commandments in every courthouse and school in the nation and it won't change the hearts of criminals and those who don't know Christ. Romans 8:6-8 says : The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
See, people who don't know God can't please God because they don't have the Holy Spirit! Politics will never win our world to Christ--only His people who are controlled by the Holy Spirit changing the world by sharing Him with the world.

Can how you treat a waiter can predict a lot about character?

2006-04-29T08:55:00.000-04:00

Can how you treat a waiter can predict a lot about character? Many CEO's say yes. Read about the story here. I was taught to treat everyone with respect. I would think that "followers of Christ" would be the most respectful people in the world. Unfortunately, my experiences prove this is not always the case. Bill Swanson, CEO of Raytheon, offers this list about character here. Several stuck out to me. Learn to say, "I don't know." If used when appropriate, it will be often. If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much. Don't be timid; speak up. Express yourself, and promote your ideas. Strive for brevity and clarity in oral and written reports. When dealing with outsiders, remember that you represent the company. Be careful of your commitments. Don't ever lose your sense of humor. Have fun at what you do. It will reflect in your work. No one likes a grump except another grump.
What about the unwritten rules of being a "Christ Follower?" Here are some of mine: (no specific order) 1. Obey the great commandment. 2. Spend time with God 3. Have fun-life is short 4. Look for opportunities to share Jesus with others 5. Make your family a priority 6. Smile 7. Use "God-honoring" language 8. Don't be a stumbling block 9. Learn how to say, "I was wrong!" 10. Learn how to ask for forgiveness-don't just say I'm sorry! 11. Remember that you represent all "believers!" 12. Show humility 13. It's easier to say no up-front then to play spin control later 14. Use words sparingly 15. Learn to say "I don't know" but I'll find out What about you? What would you add?

My Boxed in God.......

2006-04-28T09:23:00.000-04:00

I have always had God figured out. At least the God I believed in. The God I believed in was like me! After all, I was my god. I worshiped in a way that I was "comfortable" with. I was brought up in a "conservative" SBC church in Tuscaloosa, AL. We were taught to watch out for "liberals" and "charismatics." When I shared with my church that I was going to Samford University you would have thought I was going to to Sodom and Gomorrah. I hate it when God stretches me. I am comfortable with "my God." But the more I study the Bible, read books, attend conferences and hang out with people "different" than me I am convinced that I have God "BOXED IN!" I'll never forget the first time I saw someone raise their hand (it wasn't even two hands) in church--it made me uncomfortable. I was self-righteous and thought why don't they go to the Assembly of God, don't do that in "my church." What a hypocrite I am! I'll never forget when I went to a potential church member's house in Georgia and they took me in their "media" room and they had enough alcohol to stock a bar. My pharisical personality thought, get me out of this place of "sin." Then, at supper their 11 year old daughter brought in a neighbor she had just led to Christ! What a hypocrite I am! I'll admit I read comments on blogs or listen to sermons by various pastors and I think they are wrong. Then God slaps me through His word or through circumstances and I see what a hypocrite I am! Actually I'm glad God is not finished with me. Because I have so much to learn. So bear with me, I'm a work in progress. I learn every day. I am not finished. I am grateful that God thinks enough of me to change me. I learn from those of you who read my blog. I learn from your blogs too. Thanks for being part of what God is doing in me!

Most unusual excuses offered for tardiness to work....

2006-04-27T12:54:00.000-04:00

A study by CareerBuilder.com found that as many as 13 percent of American workers show up late at least once a week and that 25 percent are tardy at least once a month. Read story here. Here are the top ten: 1. "I dreamed that I was fired, so I didn't bother to get out of bed." 2. "I had to take my cat to the dentist." 3. "I went all the way to the office and realized I was still in my pajamas and had to go home to change." 4. "I saw that you weren't in the office, so I went out looking for you." 5. "I couldn't find the right tie, so I had to wait for the stores to open so I could buy one." 6. "My son tried to flush our ferret down the toilet and I needed to tend to the ferret." 7. "I ran over a goat." 8. "I stopped for a bagel sandwich, the store was robbed and the police required everyone to stay for questioning." 9. "A bee flew in my car and attacked me and I had to pull over." 10. "I wet my pants and went home to change."
What are some good ones that you have heard or used yourself? :)

Happy Birthday to Cassandra

2006-04-27T12:01:00.000-04:00

Today is my beautiful wife Cassandra's Birthday. She has put up with me for 18 years of marriage and 2 years of dating. Wow! She deserves "Sainthood." Happy Birthday Cass, I love you!

Rick Warren weighs in on Dr. Reccord's exit....

2006-04-26T17:40:00.000-04:00

Rick Warren: 'You Can't Put New Wine in Old Wineskins' The SBC's most prominent pastor comments on Bob Reccord's resignation. Read about it here.

Tom Hanks: Church Marketer......

2006-04-26T08:50:00.000-04:00

Tom Hanks says The Da Vinci Code could help church leaders to draw in bigger crowds. Read the story here. I haven't read the book because I don't read Novels. I enjoy leadership and self-help books. Maybe Tom is right. What do you think?

Ambushed?

2006-04-25T09:10:00.000-04:00

My sister-in-law and her husband just moved from Baltimore, Maryland to Richland Hills, GA (near Savanah). I wish they could have met and attended Adam Feldman's church before they moved. Adam is a former Bama boy who is planting a church in Baltimore. He shared today about being "Gospel Bombed." That's when a Christian tries to evangelize someone by yelling out something like "your going to hell" or "repent" or something else that they will not understand. My sister-in-law did not grow up in church. My wife was blessed to have friends that got her involved in their church in Scottsboro, AL but Carmen never had that support system. She married a young man from Baltimore a while back who came from a Lutheran background but has since become an "athiest." They visited our church start in Georgia a few years back and he actually enjoyed it. But they couldn't find--or didn't want to find a church like that in the Baltimore suburb they lived in. Three weeks ago they moved near Savanah, Georgia. Their neighbor brought over some cookies and welcomed them to the neighborhood. Carmen went to work the next evening and 3 people from a local Baptist church came to visit Pete unannounced. They had no relationship with him. They told Pete they got his name from the neighbor who brought over the cookies. Pete felt ambushed! I know some of you who read this will say they are fulfilling the Great Commission. I disagree. They did more harm than good. Pete thinks all believers but Cassandra and me are wacko's. If the neighbor had taken time to get to know Carmen and Pete--she could have shared with them as a friend. Instead Pete felt like he was a conquest. We have to start examining our methods and our motives to reach the Judges 2:10 Generation!

Being billed for putting up a cross......

2006-04-24T13:10:00.000-04:00

The Wood Methodist Church was informed in March by the town council in Dudley, England, that it owed an ''advertising fee'' of the equivalent of about $130 to put up a cross. (Town regulations specify that a ''cross'' is an ad for Christianity.) Check out the story here. This is scary!!! This got me to thinking. We already have advertising in every other aspect of life. Look at NASCAR-ads are all over cars and the drivers suits. You watch a sporting event and everything is sponsored. Watch out or our government officials will charge us for everything we do and we will have to start seeking sponsors. Here is a potential church bulletin: Prelude (sponsored by The Hammond Corporation-the best organs money can buy) Welcome (sponsored by E-Harmony.com) Children's Sermon (sponsored by Toys R Us) Music (sponsored by Lifeway Christian Stores) Prayer (sponsored by USPS "We deliver for you.") Offering (sponsored by Bank of America--"Higher Standards") Message (sponsored by UPS-"What can Brown do for you?) Invitation (sponsored by Hallmark) Benediction (sponsored by FedEx) Postlude (sponsored by Allied Moving Company) Any thoughts?

New SBC Voting Cards

2006-04-23T00:02:00.000-04:00

(SBP) Greensboro, NC In a move to reach out to younger Southern Baptists, The Southern Baptist Convention has decided to use Starbucks Cards loaded with $20 as voting cards for each of it's messengers. The news spiked reservations for this years convention to be held in Greensboro this June.

And I child shall lead us.....

2006-04-22T21:56:00.000-04:00

Tonight a young man at our church made my week. His name is Blake and he is only 8 years old. He ran up and had some great news to tell me. He shared with me that he led a friend to Christ this week. I wish you could have seen the excitement on his face. He has no college degree. He has not been trained in FAITH or The NET or The Roman Road. He is just a young boy who had compassion for another person and shared with him what God has done in his life. He said the boy he led to Christ said that he would be quiet about it. But Blake said this is something you should tell everyone about. The boy said, "you are right. I will tell my family the good news." Sometimes it takes the younger ones to shame us into doing what God has called us to do!

Call me intolerant.....

2006-04-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

I have posted about my disgust of Fred Phelps and his hate group. I believe God loves everyone. Hate is wrong. But the as a believer in Christ I know the Bible is clear that God hates sin. Truth has to be proclaimed. I read this story and it made me sick. The teacher at Joseph Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington, Mass., read to her class "King & King" --a colorful 29-page children's book in which a prince searches for a wife, only in the end to choose another prince. The story ends with the two princes "marrying" and living "happily ever after." On the last page, the princes -- now kings -- even share a kiss. What people do in the privacy of their own house is their business. I don't want a book on two "un-married" people having sex ethier. Let's face it we don't have adulterer's lobbying Congress to have special rights. This is just plain sick. What's next a book to 1st graders on Beastiality? What about a how to book on torture? How about how to start your own porn business. This is wrong. Everytime my wife and I struggle with to continue to Homeschool our children, stories like this give us peace to keep going. My daughter is in 2nd grade. She could have been in this class. Don't think it isn't coming to our schools here. Is there any more evidence that we need new churches in the NE US? I don't hate the author of this book or anyone who is in the homosexual lifestyle. But, I don't want them exposing this lie to our children. God help us.

Clean for free and take a pay cut........

2006-04-21T23:11:00.000-04:00

Delta Airlines is bankruptcy. They asked their employees to take a pay cut and they reluctantly agreed. Now Delta is asking their employees to volunteer to clean their jets for free! Read about it here. Now in defense of Delta, they are offering "free" t-shirts to all employees who volunteer to clean the jets. Man is Delta generous! Side note: Do you feel safe flying on a airline that is bankrupt? When they start asking mechanics to volunteer I will take the bus!

Wade Burleson for SBC President?

2006-04-21T09:05:00.000-04:00

I say yes! According to Marty Duren @ SBC Outpost this may be the case. Read about it here. Wade Burleson has withdrawn as a speaker @ the Younger Leader Summit scheduled at the SBC Convention in Greensboro this June. The reason is he is prayerfully considering allowing his name to be nominated for an office in the SBC. Wade is the Senior Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, OK. He has been the pastor at Emmanuel since 1992. Not that my endorsement will make a huge difference, but I think this is a great idea! So here it is:

WADE! PLEASE ALLOW YOUR NAME TO BE NOMINATED FOR PRESISDENT OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION!

Why? 1. Wade has demonstrated that he can work with everyone. Look at the whole IMB Gate mess. He was asked to be removed from the IMB Board of Trustees then restored. No apology was given, yet Wade continued to support IMB and work within the system. He can work with "Calvanists" or Arminians. He can work with the "old guard" or the "younger" generation. Wade has argued for a "big-tent." 2. Wade has demonstrated Grace. His name has been dragged through the mud by people who should know better. He has been called a "gossip" and "slanderer" yet he has kept a postive attitude. We need a example like Wade leading our convention. 3. Wade has a heart for missions. Wade has said all along, that IMB Gate is not about him. It is about our missionaries. We need a man as our president who understands that what unites Southern Baptists is missions! (Wade, your slogan should be: "It's Missions Stupid!") 4. Wade loves the Southern Baptist Convention. Wade bleeds SBC. We need a man whose agenda is to lead the SBC into the next century. I believe he is that man. 5. Wade loves God above the SBC. Wade has demonstrated that his passion is for Christ to be known in our world whether it is from the SBC or not. We need a man who will cooperate with other like-minded believers so we can partner with other denominations and organizations to win our world for Christ. None of my reasons are a "slam" against anyone else who may be nominated. We have had fine men in the office for many years. They served their purpose and God's well. I just believe it is time to move in a new direction. Wade, we need you!

New Resolution for SBC Convention.

2006-04-20T10:35:00.000-04:00

WHEREAS the Southern Baptist Convention commonly hold the Starbucks; refreshing, bold and inspired; having affirmed that it has brings joy to our lives as expressed in the Coffee Drink and Message adopted in the year 2006; and WHEREAS John 2:8-10 describe Jesus turning water into wine, since we are Southern Baptists and are marked as different than worldly leaders we will make Starbucks Coffee the official coffee of the SBC; and WHEREAS our culture has shown a marked inclination to drink Starbucks and the leadership of all religious entities, often citing self serving motives we ask that Starbucks Coffee be offered for free to all messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention; and WHEREAS the greatest testimony to our culture of God's nature, goodness and mercy is to mirror the self sacrifice of Christ's submission to the Cross, we will begin the Starbucks Strategic Coffee Initiative which will place Starbucks Coffee in the hands of every SBC church member; and WHEREAS those Southern Baptists that bear responsibility of any nature, including but not limited to, local church Sunday School teachers, Volunteer Nursery Workers, Trustees, Committee Members, Deacons, Ministers; Associational Directors of Missions, Officers, Entity Trustees, Committee Members and employees; State Convention Officers, Entity Trustees, Committee Members and employees; Southern Baptist Convention Officers, Entity Trustees, Committee Members and employees; are all considered to be leaders in the Kingdom of God; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that the Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, do affirm the Starbucks Culture of leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention; and be it further RESOLVED that the Southern Baptist leaders at every level and of every calling are now urged to exemplify the greatest servant nature seen in Christ's example of self sacrifice by providing Starbucks Coffee to every gender, age, culture, tribe, tongue and nation who attends the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro. [Update] I must give Art Rogers credit for the outline. U da man Art!

BBQ review part 4

2006-04-19T13:20:00.000-04:00

Another public service those driving through Charlotte. Today I ate BBQ @ South 21 Drive-In. They are located @ 3101 E. Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC. Here is the Map. I ordered a Pork BBQ plate that comes with chopped BBQ, slaw, a bun on the side, pickles and french fries. I also had an ice water. The total was $5.97 with tax. I drove up and pushed the button to make my order. My food came out within 2 min. I left a $1 tip. The food was warm. I don't like slaw so I can't comment on it. It was stringy not chopped. The fries were OK. The BBQ was average at best. It needed some sauce. I think I should have had a hamburger. I learned a lesson. Don't eat at a restaurant that doesn't have a pig on the sign. I should have listened to Den Mother. I give South 21 Drive-In 2 1/2 pigs (out of 5)

My ideas for a perfect North American Mission Board....

2006-04-18T23:08:00.000-04:00

Marty Duren asked on his site, You are the new President of NAMB. What are your goals? That is a great question. I made a comment and one of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) Trustees e-mailed me to tell me that they want our imput! Cool! That is so refreshing! He/she may be the only one who wants my ideas but since he/she was so kind to ask I will give my ideas for the perfect NAMB. I was a NAMB Missionary for 2 years so I do have some insight to how NAMB works. Plus, I have many friends who work at NAMB in Alpharetta and I have great respect for them. 1. Start Fewer but better funded Church Plants. When we started our church I was grateful to Dr. Reccord and Dr. Harris for their moral and financial support. But we started our church with just our family. That was hard and lonely.

I think it would be better for NAMB to start Well funded church starts with a minimum of 3 full-time staff members @ the beginning.
Fund the church starts for at least 5 years! (I can't tell you how hard it is to see your bank account at zero and you only have 6 months left of funding.)
Building Church Planting in the New Start's DNA. Have them start a daughter churches.

2. NAMB needs to be the Evangelism Guru's of the SBC.

I have several friends who work in the Evangelism @ NAMB. I have never been around people with such a passion for souls as them. It is frustrating and dishearting to develop an Evangelism Strategy for the SBC (THE NET) yet have Lifeway push FAITH. Nothing against FAITH but Lifeway's mission is to sell books not create evangelism strategies.

3. Provide Free Top-notch Multi-Media for small to medium sized churches.

Let's face it, usually only the mega-churches can afford top-notch media. I would welcome top-notch free video clips, powerpoints, and direct mail that would help us reach our community.

4. Continue to Dream Big.

Don't allow number crunchers to scare NAMB from trying daring ventures! I would rather fail and try then to do the same old boring things that don't win people to Jesus!

I don't have all of the ideas in the world, but I am encouraged to know at least one trustee is listening to us! I hope this is helpful.

New Video from NWBTS

2006-04-18T08:12:00.000-04:00

I got this today in the mail. Click here. From what I understand, no CP $ were used. [UPDATE] The link should be working now.

Priceless moment....

2006-04-17T20:33:00.000-04:00

I told my 7 1/2 year old daughter Hope that she had to go to bed in 15 min. She told me that "15 minutes or less I could save money on my car insurance by switching to Geico!" Priceless! [Update 4-17-06] Today, Hope is saying it is her job to "Help Spread the worrrrd....."

Newest twist on the Lord's Supper

2006-04-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

My friend Stuart Delony wrote about this on his blog. Episcopal Churches are trying to attract people to come to their churches by playing U2 songs during their Eucharist (for all of you Baptist's that is Lord Supper). Read about it here. I agree with Stuart here. Isn't the Lord's Supper suppose to be built around--say "JESUS." I'm all about innovation, but this is going over the edge don't you think? I love U2, but at communion? What's next? Lynyrd Skynyrd during the invitation? How about Garth Brooks during the Prelude? Eminem during the Offering? Sister Sledge during the prayers. Why not Poison at a funeral? How about Winger at a wedding (16?). We could do Amy Grant's Baby-Baby at a child dedication. What do you think? What other groups could be played and when?

Whew.....................

2006-04-16T10:20:00.000-04:00

Today we began our contemporary service called "Dwelling Place 843." We had over 150! Praise God! I forgot how emotionally draining it is to speak at two services. I am trying to recover before I speak at our 11:00 service. I pray for all of you to have wonderful Easter Services. I thank God Jesus is Risen! [update] We made it through. We had 225 in the traditional service! God is good all the time!

Easter Thoughts

2006-04-15T16:12:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter! As I was preparing for our services tomorrow, I was amazed at how far people go to find ways to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. What is interesting to me is the explanations take more faith than just believing Jesus did rise from the dead. A few weeks ago a wacko professor from FSU said that Jesus walked on ice. Many of the readers on my blog pointed out the flaws for that. Look at some of the explanations people have to disprove the resurrection of Jesus: 1. THE "SWOON THEORY"- Jesus did not die on the cross, but due to tremendous physical suffering had passed out and only appeared dead. Subsequently, he was buried alive in the tomb where he revived and escaped. This theory attempts to explain the post-resurrection appearances and the empty tomb. 2. Hallucination Theory: The post-resurrection appearances could be explained as hallucinations experienced by the followers of Jesus which were possibly triggered by their anguished longing for his presence. This theory, of course, simply ignores the evidence of the empty tomb. 3. Mistaken Identity Theory: The appearance of the resurrected Jesus are considered cases of mistaken identity on the part of the distraught disciples. Mary Magdalene who mistakes Jesus for the gardener in John 20:11-18 is an example. 4. Wrong Tomb Theory: Sometimes coupled with the mistaken identity theory, suggests that the disciples and the women went to the wrong tomb which happened to be empty. 5. Stolen Body Theory: This is the oldest theory, dating back to the New Testament (Matt 28:11- 15). The disciples simply stole the body and fabricated the accounts of the appearances of resurrected Jesus. 6. The Telegram/Telegraph Theory-This theory claims that the spiritually ascended Jesus telegraphed images of himself from heaven to the minds of his followers on earth. These images were so graphic that his followers mistakenly thought that they had physically seen the resurrected Jesus in their midst. But what about the empty tomb (the telegram theory also asserts that Jesus’ body remained in the tomb)? 7. The Seance Theory- This theory asserts that Jesus was "raised" in the same manner that a spirit is "raised" in a seance through ectoplasmic manifestation. It claims this despite the fact that it makes Jesus' followers participants in a seance, a practice their own Scriptures sternly prohibits (cf., e.g., Deut. 18:9-12). It also makes them out to be either liars or deluded for believing that something as ephemeral as an ectoplasmic manifestation was the same thing as a literal, physical resurrection appearance. I know there are other crazy theories. But it takes more faith to believe these crazy theories than to believe that Jesus is who He said He was. I'm grateful for what He did for me and you. I pray you have great services tomorrow. We are starting a new Contemporary Service called, DWELLING PLACE 843. Happy Easter! He is alive!

On the condition of anonymity.....

2006-04-14T10:29:00.000-04:00

"On the condition of anonymity." I hate those words! Have some guts people! I am torn. Dr. Bob Reccord the President of the North American Mission Board has had a big impact on my ministry. I responded to a message he delivered when I was on staff at a church in Metro Atlanta. He helped us get our church start off the ground. If it had not been for him we would have struggled. According to the Associated Baptist Press, Dr. Reccord's job is in the balance. Read the story here. I don't know all of the details. I want to think the best but I'm not there. The part that disturbs me is how the Board of Trustees are speaking "on the condition of anonymity." Why? He deserves better. If they believe he needs to be removed, then do it. I hate anonymity. That is being a coward! Dr. Reccord deserves better than that. Dr. Reccord thanks for your service to the SBC and your help to me!

Is it better to be right or save people from hell?

2006-04-13T23:41:00.000-04:00

I have been reading this story for weeks on various blogs. Marty Duren first brought to our attention. But Micah Fries wrote last week A Doctrine that could lead to hell. Now the Associated Baptist Press is picking up the story here. What is the story? Two IMB Missionaries are going to be fired for "cooperating" with missionaries from another denomination to start a church that is "Baptist" in doctrine but not "Baptist" in name. So, we would rather make sure we are "RIGHT" rather than save people from hell? I really don't get it. I watched the message from Ergun Caner at Thomas Road Baptist Church this past Sunday. He said
"In March, in our beloved Southern Baptist Convention, a bunch of young guys got together and formed the young leaders network, now God help me this is my generation, but what they meant to do was to find some way to wrench leadership of our convention away from the men who got us there."
Thanks Dorcas. Then he said his sermon for the PM was to preach against "Calvanism." Now, I'm not a Calvanist (at least all 5 points) but some of the greatest soul-winners in the past centry have been 5 pointers like Bill Bright of Campus Crusade and D. James Kennedy of Evangelism Explosion. Why is so important to be right on "NON-ESSENTIALS?" Why in the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all get along?" This isn't a laughing matter. It seems to me that we have 2 conventions in the SBC now and it is not Conservative vs. Liberal. Those who are left are conservative. It is cooperatives vs. legalists. God help us. I would rather side on the side of cooperation and love than to be "right" and send people to hell.

A true fisher of men............

2006-04-13T10:50:00.002-04:00

With all of the sniping and accusations that have occured on various blogs, I think we need to read a story that puts things in perspective. Clay Dyer has a dream job. He believes without a doubt God called him to become a professional fisherman -- and not just the "fisher of men" variety. Dyer makes his living with a rod, reel and tricked-out bass boat -- complete with a fancy paint job paid for by a sponsor -- Dyer's life is the kind many men would envy, except for one detail. He was born with no legs and no left arm. His right arm stops above the elbow. Read his story here. That hasn't stopped Dyer from competing in fishing tournaments. But his biggest thrill is to tell people about Jesus Christ. Now he is a pro fisherman except the biggest catches he gets are people. He said:

"It's not about the national exposure for Clay Dyer but a means of drawing people to Christ," he said. "People ask me why I fish, and I tell them, 'It's my witnessing field, my platform for testifying about what God has done in my life and what he can do in other people's lives.'"

Wow! When you are down in the dumps and worried about trivial stuff, think about Clay Dyer and his passion for reaching people for Jesus.

Wisdom from the Plains............

2006-04-12T12:52:00.000-04:00

I never been a fan of his politics, but former President Jimmy Carter is making some great points. President Jimmy Carter, a lifelong Baptist lay leader and Sunday school teacher, sponsored the gathering at the Carter Center. Bill Underwood, president-elect of Mercer University in Macon, GA, helped recruit the participants. You can read about it here. Read some of President Carter's quotes. They sound similar to what many of the younger SBC leaders have been saying: [emphais mine]

"The most common opinion about Baptists is we cannot get along together.... I have been grieved by the divisions of my own [Southern Baptist] Convention."

Wow! What more can I add. "there are some things on which we can have unanimity," he added, mentioning the involvement of all participants' in the Baptist World Alliance and the shared belief that people are "saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ."
Interesting, if we heard that from Billy Graham or Bobby Welch most conservative leaders would say "AMEN." But when it comes from a "liberal" or "moderate" we dismiss their statements. Could it be that we could learn some humility and servanthood from the likes of President Carter?

Public Service for SBC Convention.

2006-04-11T10:07:00.000-04:00

With the SBC Annual Meeting coming in Greensboro this summer I thought how I could be of service. There are many bloggers that have expertise in certain areas. Marty Duren- well he is just information central. Wade Burleson has a passion for our missionaries. Art Rogers is an expert on Roberts Rules of order and how to handle ourselves at the SBC convention. Dorcas Hawker is analysing the makeup of the various committees. Villa Rica is our resident SBC historian. Wes Kenny is our "devils advocate" (but a great guy). I thought, what can I offer to as a service to all of our "messangers" coming to my great state this June. Everyone has their expertise and this is mine. I am providing a list of Starbucks for those coming to Greensboro so you can make your hotel reservations and your route to the convention center. I would hate for someone not to have the caffine needed to vote accordingly. For those driving north through Charlotte, here are the locations: Concord, Hwy 29 1490 US Highway 29 Concord NC, 28027 Concord Mill 8111 Concord Mills Blvd Concord NC, 28027 - This one is inside the mall. Bass Pro Shop is here too! The Arbors 2121 East Arbors Drive Charlotte NC, 28262 Mallard Pointe 9211 North Tryon Street Charlotte NC, 28223 7th Street 1961 East 7th Street Charlotte NC, 28204- this is the one I witnessed to "Bill Murray" Providence Road 545 Providence Rd. Charlotte NC, 28207 - for those taking I-485 There are others in Charlotte, but they are out of your way as you travel to Greensboro. This one is on I-85 in Salisbury. Towne Creek Commons 916 East Innes Street Salisbury NC, 28145 -I had coffee there yesterday- they gave it to me free because they didn't have coffee ready. For those driving West on I-85/40: Harris Teeter-Chapel Hill #117 2110 Estes Dr Chapel Hill NC, 27514 Burlington Mall-- I've been here a few times. It is an old bank. You can sit in the vault-cool! 451 Huffman Mill Road Burlington NC, 27215 Harris Teeter-Burlington # 345 2727 Church St. Burlington NC, 27215 Target Burlington T-2037 1475 University Drive Burlington NC, 27215 For those driving East on I-40: Embassy Suites Winston-Salem 460 N Cherry St Winston-Salem NC, 27101 Stratford Road 110 Oakwood Drive Winston-Salem NC, 27103 Hanes Mall Blvd.---I've been here. Great mall. 2085 Frontis Plaza Blvd. Winston-Salem NC, 27103 Harper Hill Common 4912 Country Club Road Winston-Salem NC, 27104 Mt. Tabor Place 3331 Robinhood Road Winston-Salem NC, 27106 Greensboro/High Point area Starbucks: Shops on Battleground 1603 Battleground Avenue Greensboro NC, 27408 Golden Gate (Store/Training Center)- 2204 Golden Drive Greensboro NC, 27405 Friendly - HT- Been here too. Great location 3310 W. Friendly Ave. Greensboro NC, 27408 BI LO - Greensboro #131 2639 Lawndale Rd. Greensboro NC, 27408 Four Seasons Towne Centre-I've been here too. Next to Four Season's Hotel. Great mall for ladies! 400 Four Seasons Town Centre Greensboro NC, 27407 Battleground Village 2969 Battleground Avenue Greensboro NC, 27408 Patriots Place 516 Pisgah Church Road Greensboro NC, 27455 Guilford College 5607 W Friendly Ave Greensboro NC, 27410 Harris Teeter Greensboro #33--I've been to this one too! 701 Frances King St Greensboro NC, 27407 Shoppes at Deep River 3875 John Gordon Lane High Point NC, 27265

Anticipation......

2006-04-10T22:15:00.000-04:00

I drove through Greensboro, NC today on my way to and back from Burlington, NC. I attend the Innovative Church Community every month in Burlington. As I was driving through Greensboro I couldn't help but think about the Southern Baptist Convention to be held in Greensboro this June. I'm sure there have been conventions in the past that have had more controversy. I have heard stories from disenfranchised SBC pastors and their family members. All I can say is I'm sorry for your pain. I can't take back your pain. I can't turn back the clock. It is time for the SBC to move forward. I think Greensboro is going to be a turning point for the SBC. The controversy with the International Mission Board has ingnited a fire among many of the younger leaders in the convention. I look forward to meeting many new friends that I have met through blogs. I look forward to see what God is going to do with the SBC. I cherish our past, I respect our present, but I look foward to our future!

What is Revival?

2006-04-09T23:47:00.000-04:00

Today I talked about "revival." I'm not talking about a revival meeting but real revival. I taught from II Chronicles 7:11-16 and Joel 2:12-13. What I found intersting is that God wants to show himself in His Temple. But the Temple is not a building, it is our bodies. In I Corinthians 3:16-17 Paul stated that our bodies are God's Temple. What I thought was cool is that if we want revival to start it has to start in us. It was reported that Gypsy Smith, the noted evangelist, would lock himself in a private room, mark a circle around himself with a piece of chalk, and pray "Lord, send a revival ....and let it begin inside this circle."
I remember reading about the Asbury Revival of the 1970's. I was at Southwestern in 1995 when a revival broke out during one of the chapel services. I want to see revival in my church, but I realize it begins in me!

Nuke plant loses keys.....

2006-04-08T18:56:00.000-04:00

It's one thing to lose the keys to your car, but to a Nuclear plant? Well check out this story here. I thought this was crazy but apparently this is not unusual. Check out this story about keys missing at Nuke plants in the US here. That's right! Hundreds of keys have been missing from US Nuclear plants. Who is running these places. Maybe they should go to Brookstone and order these. What would be some excuses we might hear from the Nuclear plant employees?

Must Read......

2006-04-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

Dorcas Hawker has become the Diane Sawyer of the SBC. She has done some great research called the "SBC Friends and Family Plan." I'm headed to Carowinds with my son. I hope the SBC doesn't have a boycott there that I don't know about.

Jesus may have walked on ice?

2006-04-07T13:53:00.000-04:00

The New Testament says that Jesus walked on water, but Professor Doron Nof theorized in the early 1990s that Moses's parting of the Red Sea had solid science behind it. Nof, a professor of oceanography at Florida State University believes there could be a less miraculous explanation --he walked on a floating piece of ice. Thanks to my friend Stuart Delony for this article here.

Second edition of Younger Leaders Summit set for Greensboro

2006-04-07T10:50:00.000-04:00

Second edition of Younger Leaders Summit set for Greensboro. Link is here. See ya'll there. I'm ready for BBQ!

Props to the Executive Committee...

2006-04-07T10:29:00.000-04:00

I just got my DVD from the Executive Committee called "The Difference." All I can say is "WELL DONE!" It reminded me one of the reasons I am a Southern Baptist!

More Church police

2006-04-07T09:14:00.000-04:00

Some people just don't get it! This is the cover of Charlotte's Creative Loafing this week. I know there are a lot of stange beliefs out there. I realize a lot of Fundamentalist pastors and churches have blasted the "emerging" church. But I expected a more balanced approach from a secular publication. Read their story about "Postmodern" churches in Charlotte here. Two of the churches that they mentioned are part of two of the most conservative denominations--the PCA and SBC. Both churches are conservative theologically but are reaching a very eclectic group of people. I for one am grateful for what God is doing in their churches. Most of the people they are reaching are not going to step foot in a traditional church. When I saw the cover of the magazine I was angered by the cover. I would have thought the Sword of the Lord would potrait the "emerging" church this way but not CL. I guess I was wrong. Why is it that that when a group of believers try to reach our present culture they get blasted from the church and from the secular media. There is a new Mosaic church that started up near us. They are reaching a lot of the "emergent" group. I for one praise God for what these churches are doing to reach people for Christ. Paul said in Philippians 1:17-18 : The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Church police: It is time for you to retire. It is not our responsibility to find out a church's motives. Lets leave that to God. If Christ is preached we should rejoice!

The hardest words to say....

2006-04-06T15:37:00.000-04:00

Growing up I used to watch "Happy Days." One of the lead characters was THE FONZ! He had 2 flaws, one was he could not eat "Liver" and the other was he could not admit he was wrong. He would say "I was wrroooongg" as he gritted his teeth. In January, the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board voted to remove Wade Burleson as a Trustee for Gossip and Slander. They never proved their case in fact last month the voted unanimously to rescind the motion to remove him. My question is: WHERE IS THE APOLOGY? I was brought up to admit you were wrong and not just say I'm sorry but will you forgive me? Either Wade is guilty of gossip and slander or he is owed an apology for dragging his name and his family's name thru the mud! Read the minutes from the IMB meeting here for yourself. Read page 27 for yourself. Why has the BOT's not issued an apology to Wade? I think that is a fair question. I believe Wade did nothing wrong or they would not have rescinded the vote to remove him. Then where is the apology? The leaders of the BOT's remind me of this woman and have just said "NEVERMIND"

Hills and Valleys of our faith.........

2006-04-06T13:11:00.000-04:00

I have had the gift of Evangelism for as long as I can remember. It is a gift. I did nothing to deserve it-God gave it to me. I can remember leading people to Christ in middle school. It followed me all through out my vocational ministry. I often wondered if you could lose a gift. For the last few years, our ministry was dry. I saw the fewest decisions for Christ I had ever seen. I saw a church that was falling apart. I was the last of 7 full-time pastors on a staff hired and the last one remaining as of last June. I began to wonder had God removed my gift. But, I think God left us in Mobile to transition for the new pastor. He is a good man and I believe he is good for the church. He gets to establish his team. After my leaving my assistant Brad Campbell (Soupie) was named interim. Soupie is a great guy and was my biggest supporter. He and I built a youth center called the "attik" and it is cool. Check out the website here. We scheduled a D-Now for Jan. Of course I resigned before the D-Now occured but it went on because of Soupie! Soupie sent me the following message after the D-Now.

Youth Service when great!! ... 6 Salvations, and 4 re-dedications presented to the church last nite. And the youth flooded the altar at invitation for prayer. It was a good ending to a great weekend....everyone of them mentioned you in their testimony!! Just thought I'd let you know.

Then Neil Elmore one of my interns has been leading people to Christ on a weekly basis! I get excited about seeing young people I trained leading people to Christ. I wondered why God allowed us to plant a church that eventually folded. Then I received this note from Gary Lamb who is meeting in the same movie theater that we met at in Canton, GA. Gary's church is doing awesome and I praise God for that. Gary said: ...if it were not for the Bridge laying groundwork here in what a modern churchcould look like, we would not be here. You guys fought a lot of battles especially with the association that made it where I didn't have too. I have never shared that with you before but I should have.
Personally, God has restored the gift he gave me-not that it ever went away. I never stopped sharing my faith, it is just now he bringing people to Himself again. The dryness I felt for the last 3+ years has gone. It makes me appreciate God's Grace. I am grateful He never left me. I am more excited than ever to reach Charlotte, NC for Christ. I know I will go through more valleys--Maybe this will encourage others to continue serving Him eventhough you feel His hand has left you.

I witnessed to Bill Murray!!!

2006-04-05T14:19:00.000-04:00

Remember the movie Caddyshack? Bill Murray played the part of Carl Spackler. He was the greens-keeper at the golf course the movie was based on. Today I was @ Starbucks on 7th Ave in "Uptown" Charlotte. I love "UPTOWN" Charlotte because there are so many eclectic people! I was in-between hospital visits so I went to study for my message on Sunday. I was journaling my prayer for the morning as I do everyday when a man named Thad asked if he could sit in the comfy chair next to me. I said yes and continued praying. I asked God to send me another "Person of Peace" (read A Passionate Life) my way today. God did! Thad started talking to me. Thad looks like, sounds like and acts like "Carl Spackler" (Bill Murray). I had to keep from laughing everytime he talked. I kept thinking "The Cinderella story here at Augusta about to become the Master's Champion." He was your typical "post-modern" person. He talked about Scientology, Creationism, Catholisim, etc.... I realized this was my "Person of Peace." I talked with him for over an hour about every religion in the world. Finally he realized he needed Jesus. He is in real estate/construction/fixer ups. So, the best analogy I could come up with for him to accept Christ was to make Jesus the "Head Foreman" of his life. He sat there in Starbucks and asked Jesus to become his "Head Foreman!" Praise God. He was headed back to Hilton Head today, but is moving to Uptown in a few weeks. He is going to call me when he gets back. What an awesome day! I wanted to shout: "It's in the hole!" Update: I forgot to mention that I used the Starbucks Card that Dorcas Hawker sent me a few weeks ago! Thanks Dorcas!