Yesterday was another good day of worship at CrossRoads. Any time with God’s people is good, but when the Spirit is noticeable present in the praise and the Word added with people responding for prayer, it is good.
Yesterday I reminded our people of some principles that sets CrossRoads apart as well as our understanding of offerings. The notes of the sermon “A Church of a New Wineskin” are here.
I attended the conference at First Baptist Church Muscle Shoals this weekend and had the privilege of hearing Dr. Jay Adams and David Miller. I have known Bro. David for over 20 years and it is always a blessing to set under his preaching. I have read Dr. Adams for years but never heard him in person. There is a blog that contains all the sessions of the conference and you might be interested to take some time for reading. Oh, the theme of the conference was on church discipline.
Last night I had the privilege of attending our Student Worship Service. Bro. Dan is sharing about dating, courtship, and relationships. Last night he gave the best message I have ever heard from anyone and I was blessed as a pastor that our students was hearing such instruction. Pray for Bro. Dan as he leaves Saturday for a mission trip with his home church to Guatemala.
James Dobson recently wrote in his last two monthly articles interesting comments about “parenting girls.” You might like to check them other articles and advice on his web site or at Focus on the Family.
Well I headed to Montgomery for two days for our annual Alabama Baptist State Evangelism Conference. One of my favorite singers will be singing today and that is Luke Garrett.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Updated Resources for Sharing the Story of Jesus with children
I am enjoying my ITouch Pod that I have mentioned before was a gift from my boys this past Christmas. One of the joys is the ability to get podcasts all in one place and not have to keep up with several CDs in my car.
One of the podcasts I listen to is by Albert Mohler. As I was listening to his radio program in late December, it was a reply of his November 16 session. A caller asked about resources in helping teach small children.
In his reply, Dr. Mohler gave three resources that I had never heard of but I thought I would pass them on to you. He later wrote about one of these resources in his blog that you can find here. His advice is good if you have children at home.
The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos.
I want to add another book to this resource list. Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland.
One of the podcasts I listen to is by Albert Mohler. As I was listening to his radio program in late December, it was a reply of his November 16 session. A caller asked about resources in helping teach small children.
In his reply, Dr. Mohler gave three resources that I had never heard of but I thought I would pass them on to you. He later wrote about one of these resources in his blog that you can find here. His advice is good if you have children at home.
The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos.
I want to add another book to this resource list. Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Spiritual Tuning
I have been saving this email devotion for six months and found it in my email box today so I think I’ll post it for your edification and my purification (cleaning up email box). I receive via email David Jeremiah’s daily devotion and this was his devotion on July 31, 2007.
Spiritual Tuning
We have turned, every one, to his own way.Isaiah 53:6
"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship." These are the words of A. W. Tozer, who clearly understood the importance of fellowshipping with believers in order to keep our minds and hearts turned toward the Lord.
On our own, it is easy to become out of tune and start living a life that is in disagreement with God's standard. But when we surround ourselves with the body of in-tune believers, our ears are suddenly opened, and we hear our need for a spiritual tuning.
Keep yourself in tune with the Lord by staying in consistent fellowship with other believers.
There are many things which a person can do alone, but being a Christian is not one of them. As the Christian life is, above all things, a state of union with Christ and of union of His followers with one another, love of the brethren is inseparable from love of God. William T. Ham
Spiritual Tuning
We have turned, every one, to his own way.Isaiah 53:6
"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship." These are the words of A. W. Tozer, who clearly understood the importance of fellowshipping with believers in order to keep our minds and hearts turned toward the Lord.
On our own, it is easy to become out of tune and start living a life that is in disagreement with God's standard. But when we surround ourselves with the body of in-tune believers, our ears are suddenly opened, and we hear our need for a spiritual tuning.
Keep yourself in tune with the Lord by staying in consistent fellowship with other believers.
There are many things which a person can do alone, but being a Christian is not one of them. As the Christian life is, above all things, a state of union with Christ and of union of His followers with one another, love of the brethren is inseparable from love of God. William T. Ham
Monday, February 18, 2008
Yesterday with the "22 Principle"
Yesterday was awesome. Even though our attendance was down (it was raining hard at Bible study and worship time), it was exciting to share “The 22 Principle” with our church. You may read the sermon at www.energizingword.org. I’ve placed in on the front page for a while.
A couple quotes:
"It is never too late to be what you might have been." --George Eliot
"There are two great moments in a person's life: the moment you were born and the moment you realize why you were born." --Pastor Kirbyjohn Caldwell
A couple quotes:
"It is never too late to be what you might have been." --George Eliot
"There are two great moments in a person's life: the moment you were born and the moment you realize why you were born." --Pastor Kirbyjohn Caldwell
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Catching Up…..
I have not blogged as much in the past few days because we are still having internet problems at home (still on dial-up and I can’t stand it). I find it difficult to blog at the office so most of my blogging happens at home when I have a good internet connection.
We are trying out a new Verizon connection (a shameless plug since my wife works there) and it may work. I will keep you informed.
· These are exciting days for our church. This Sunday I share with our church some new directions called the “22 Principle.” Our staff, deacons and Bible study teachers approved this last year and Sunday is the revealing of it to our church body.
· I am so grateful for a church that is willing to do “new” things without a fight and even without a hint of hesitation. How God has blessed me!!! Visit us on the web here.
· I love this time of year because of basketball season that is closing for high school and soon for college. March Madness Baby!! My oldest son is an assistant coach at Southside High School in Gadsden and their team won the first area game and then lost in the championship game Monday night. I got to see both games at Ft. Payne. Tomorrow night they play at Butler in Huntsville. I look forward to seeing them again tomorrow night. Bring it on.
· Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, has announced he is facing colon surgery. Please pray for him. He has withdrawn his name as a candidate for the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention because of this.
· Dr. Mohler posted a fine blog on Monday about “Has God Called You to Preach?” Read it here.
· I am deeply sorrowful that Dr. Mohler is facing this surgery because I’ve seen one of my best friends go through the similar; but my friend, Aaron Johnson, got news about two weeks ago that he is now 5 years cancer free. Praise the Lord!!!
· I am enjoying teaching in the North Alabama Center for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary that meets at First Baptist Church Athens. I am teaching Hebrews and it has been so exciting. I have had the privilege of teaching for over 10 years but this may be the most exciting class I have ever conducted. For info about the classes, go to www.fbcathens.org and click on NOBTS.
· Pray for Frank Whitaker and Larry Wright and several others who left yesterday for Guatemala.
We are trying out a new Verizon connection (a shameless plug since my wife works there) and it may work. I will keep you informed.
· These are exciting days for our church. This Sunday I share with our church some new directions called the “22 Principle.” Our staff, deacons and Bible study teachers approved this last year and Sunday is the revealing of it to our church body.
· I am so grateful for a church that is willing to do “new” things without a fight and even without a hint of hesitation. How God has blessed me!!! Visit us on the web here.
· I love this time of year because of basketball season that is closing for high school and soon for college. March Madness Baby!! My oldest son is an assistant coach at Southside High School in Gadsden and their team won the first area game and then lost in the championship game Monday night. I got to see both games at Ft. Payne. Tomorrow night they play at Butler in Huntsville. I look forward to seeing them again tomorrow night. Bring it on.
· Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, has announced he is facing colon surgery. Please pray for him. He has withdrawn his name as a candidate for the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention because of this.
· Dr. Mohler posted a fine blog on Monday about “Has God Called You to Preach?” Read it here.
· I am deeply sorrowful that Dr. Mohler is facing this surgery because I’ve seen one of my best friends go through the similar; but my friend, Aaron Johnson, got news about two weeks ago that he is now 5 years cancer free. Praise the Lord!!!
· I am enjoying teaching in the North Alabama Center for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary that meets at First Baptist Church Athens. I am teaching Hebrews and it has been so exciting. I have had the privilege of teaching for over 10 years but this may be the most exciting class I have ever conducted. For info about the classes, go to www.fbcathens.org and click on NOBTS.
· Pray for Frank Whitaker and Larry Wright and several others who left yesterday for Guatemala.
Doubts and Faith
I was listening to Andy Stanley the other day and he made a statement that has stuck with me about doubts and faith.
"When I begin to focus on the unexplainable instead of the undeniable then I have more doubt than faith."
There are many things that are unexplainable about God and His ways, but what God has done through a changed life is undeniable. Let our lives be the witness when no other word will satisfy a questioning heart.
"When I begin to focus on the unexplainable instead of the undeniable then I have more doubt than faith."
There are many things that are unexplainable about God and His ways, but what God has done through a changed life is undeniable. Let our lives be the witness when no other word will satisfy a questioning heart.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
T.W. Hunt quoted on the Link between Music and Revival
One of my favorite internet hobbies is reading blogs. Paul Burleson is a retired pastor and the father of Wade Burleson (whose blog I read almost everyday at http://kerussocharis.blogspot.com). Bro. Burleson recently had this blog entry and it caught my attention because it was about T. W. Hunt (author of The Mind of Christ and a man I highly respect in the Southern Baptist Convention). Here is what he wrote (the following is his quote to the end):
“The reason I know T.W. and Laverne is because I was privileged to be their pastor for several years of his tenure as a Professor at SWBTS when they were members of and I was Pastor of the Southcliff Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. ...
The purpose of my dropping T.W.'s name today is to give a final small follow-up on the post addressing worship. … it has to do with a morning I sat with T.W. in a Dairy Queen in Ft. Worth. He and I were eating ice-cream and talking. Before long I was writing on a napkin. It usually wound up that way. Something he would be saying was always of the nature that I must not forget it. So....write it down I did.
T.W. said that he was a student of revival. He had, in fact, studied every known revival in history, beginning with the Old Testament events and right through Acts and into the Awakenings to the "Charismatic revival, as it was being called, of that day in which we were living and conversing.
T.W. said that every genuine move of God that he had studied had produced it's own music. The new music of those moves of God were new, not just in lyrics, but in meter, rhythm, notations, and a whole bunch of other stuff that didn't then and doesn't now mean much to me. But I kept listening.
He said that those involved in the revival usually wrote and produced this "new music". His example was Charles and John Wesley. He reminded me of the many songs written by the Wesleys during that Great Awakening of which they were such a major part. "The Church's One Foundation" was one of those.
T.W. said there were several odd things about the music being produced during each revival. For one thing, it was not only different, it was rejected by the religious establishment. Wesley sang his songs with the crowds on hillsides but was not permitted to do so in the churches. He was shunned.
Then, he said, after a while, the religious powers that were, gradually accepted the music by now being sung by the masses. Finally, that music was "the music" and was until another revival came along producing it's own music which was rejected as ungodly by those singing "The Church's One Foundation" and not permitted in the churches. So, again, the masses had to sing in isolation from the religious establishment. You see the pattern I'm sure.
That's why, according to T.W. Hunt, the Charismatic movement was, while not agreeing with it's theological excesses at all, a real movement of God, in his opinion. The music evidenced it.
I think time has shown the validity of that view of the history of revival. Look at the music we're singing now. I wonder where revival will happen next? I know it will have it's own music. I know some won't like it. For a while anyway.”
“The reason I know T.W. and Laverne is because I was privileged to be their pastor for several years of his tenure as a Professor at SWBTS when they were members of and I was Pastor of the Southcliff Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. ...
The purpose of my dropping T.W.'s name today is to give a final small follow-up on the post addressing worship. … it has to do with a morning I sat with T.W. in a Dairy Queen in Ft. Worth. He and I were eating ice-cream and talking. Before long I was writing on a napkin. It usually wound up that way. Something he would be saying was always of the nature that I must not forget it. So....write it down I did.
T.W. said that he was a student of revival. He had, in fact, studied every known revival in history, beginning with the Old Testament events and right through Acts and into the Awakenings to the "Charismatic revival, as it was being called, of that day in which we were living and conversing.
T.W. said that every genuine move of God that he had studied had produced it's own music. The new music of those moves of God were new, not just in lyrics, but in meter, rhythm, notations, and a whole bunch of other stuff that didn't then and doesn't now mean much to me. But I kept listening.
He said that those involved in the revival usually wrote and produced this "new music". His example was Charles and John Wesley. He reminded me of the many songs written by the Wesleys during that Great Awakening of which they were such a major part. "The Church's One Foundation" was one of those.
T.W. said there were several odd things about the music being produced during each revival. For one thing, it was not only different, it was rejected by the religious establishment. Wesley sang his songs with the crowds on hillsides but was not permitted to do so in the churches. He was shunned.
Then, he said, after a while, the religious powers that were, gradually accepted the music by now being sung by the masses. Finally, that music was "the music" and was until another revival came along producing it's own music which was rejected as ungodly by those singing "The Church's One Foundation" and not permitted in the churches. So, again, the masses had to sing in isolation from the religious establishment. You see the pattern I'm sure.
That's why, according to T.W. Hunt, the Charismatic movement was, while not agreeing with it's theological excesses at all, a real movement of God, in his opinion. The music evidenced it.
I think time has shown the validity of that view of the history of revival. Look at the music we're singing now. I wonder where revival will happen next? I know it will have it's own music. I know some won't like it. For a while anyway.”
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