Let me give an update on two precious children for those who read this blog.
Reagan McBride is improving at Children's Hospital, Birmingham. The tests showed she was 100% paralyzed from her neck down but she is moving her feet, arms and talking. God is good. They are hoping to bring her home July 14. Check out her blog here - http://reaganfaithmcbride.blogspot.com.
Eli Chambers is improving at Children's Hospital, Huntsville. He is off the ventilator and C-PAP with only a few times of complications. He is still in ICU there but improving daily. Praise the Lord!!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Reviving some thoughts from Russia
I was going through some "old" piles of paperwork today and found my journal from my Russian Mission Trip in November, 2003. As I was re-reading my notes, I came across some thoughts that I would like to resurrect here for they spoke afresh to me.
While there, I had the privilege of visiting a house pastor who was about 65 years old but had been pastoring a house church for over 25 years. He was almost arrested by the KGB on one occasion but had a unique escape that I won't go into here.
These are some of my notes that he told me that night:
* "Always keep your heart open to the Lord. We can all learn from others because we don't know the truth of God fully. We need not boast since we are incomplete - we need each other."
* "There is a wall between Baptists and Pentecostals." I asked what could heal the breach, he said, "To reach the level of true love. True love does not boast nor magnify oneself."
* He said he was ashamed to be so old and know so little. But he said, "I am understanding more and more of Jesus the older and older I get." He said he was 60 when God revealed to him about His love. He stated further, "In my last years God teaches more and more."
* Concerning the persecution, I asked him if freedom now for them or persecution was better for pure Christianity. He responded, "God will decide what is best. But persecution increases the grace of God."
The house was very common but I can still remember with vividness that small living room and me kneeling down before him for him to lay hands on me and pray for me. I truly believe that everytime God permits me to go overseas there is always one unique experience that He wants me to encounter during the trip. Meeting this dear brother was mine. I actually visited there twice just to talk and learn more.
While there, I had the privilege of visiting a house pastor who was about 65 years old but had been pastoring a house church for over 25 years. He was almost arrested by the KGB on one occasion but had a unique escape that I won't go into here.
These are some of my notes that he told me that night:
* "Always keep your heart open to the Lord. We can all learn from others because we don't know the truth of God fully. We need not boast since we are incomplete - we need each other."
* "There is a wall between Baptists and Pentecostals." I asked what could heal the breach, he said, "To reach the level of true love. True love does not boast nor magnify oneself."
* He said he was ashamed to be so old and know so little. But he said, "I am understanding more and more of Jesus the older and older I get." He said he was 60 when God revealed to him about His love. He stated further, "In my last years God teaches more and more."
* Concerning the persecution, I asked him if freedom now for them or persecution was better for pure Christianity. He responded, "God will decide what is best. But persecution increases the grace of God."
The house was very common but I can still remember with vividness that small living room and me kneeling down before him for him to lay hands on me and pray for me. I truly believe that everytime God permits me to go overseas there is always one unique experience that He wants me to encounter during the trip. Meeting this dear brother was mine. I actually visited there twice just to talk and learn more.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Some Good Words from Dan Yeary
“I tell our new members: you don’t join a preacher, you join the church. And you join the church for one reason—because you believe that God told you to plant your life there. If you join because of a style of preaching, that can change. If you join for the facilities or the programs, that can change. You’ve got to ask, ‘Where does God want me to invest my life?’ We don’t welcome spectators.”—Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, attended by presidential candidate John McCain. The quotation comes from an interview with The Christian Century magazine. [religionblog.dallasnews.com, 6/9/08]
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The rest of the sermon....June 22
This morning I didn't feel to finish what I had prepared, so I wanted to share it here.
The text of the morning was Romans 6:14 "You are no longer under the law, but under grace." We showed how that grace frees us from the law. But Paul clearly teaches that a misunderstanding of grace will lead to more sin, not less.
There are four things that will happen to cause more sin:
1. When we don’t deal with the issue of our motivations.
If we are not clear that what we are doing is for God's glory and not ours, then wrong motivation will lead to more sin. Sin is all about our feelings anyway.
2. When we don’t deal with the issues of the mind.
When we permit ourselves to think, “I can think that, it doesn’t hurt anyone,” then wrong thinking will lead to more sin.
3. When we don’t deal with the issues of the masses.
When we permit us to excuse our sin by saying, "Everybody is doing it, everybody talks that way, everybody deals with people that way," then this will lead to more sin.
4. When we don’t deal with the issues of missed service.
When we commit the sin of omission ("a chance to do good, an opportunity to forgive, a chance to serve, to witness,) and we don't correct it next time by actually doing the thing prompted, then it will lead to more sin.
Grace does not lead to more sin, but instead gives us the power to overcome sin.
The text of the morning was Romans 6:14 "You are no longer under the law, but under grace." We showed how that grace frees us from the law. But Paul clearly teaches that a misunderstanding of grace will lead to more sin, not less.
There are four things that will happen to cause more sin:
1. When we don’t deal with the issue of our motivations.
If we are not clear that what we are doing is for God's glory and not ours, then wrong motivation will lead to more sin. Sin is all about our feelings anyway.
2. When we don’t deal with the issues of the mind.
When we permit ourselves to think, “I can think that, it doesn’t hurt anyone,” then wrong thinking will lead to more sin.
3. When we don’t deal with the issues of the masses.
When we permit us to excuse our sin by saying, "Everybody is doing it, everybody talks that way, everybody deals with people that way," then this will lead to more sin.
4. When we don’t deal with the issues of missed service.
When we commit the sin of omission ("a chance to do good, an opportunity to forgive, a chance to serve, to witness,) and we don't correct it next time by actually doing the thing prompted, then it will lead to more sin.
Grace does not lead to more sin, but instead gives us the power to overcome sin.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Last Day of Week Two of BFC
We have just finished week two of Builders for Christ with us. The Mechanical Team has done a super job and what a joy it has been to meet new brothers and sisters in Christ. Our heart is filled with much thanksgiving for their willingness to come and help us.
Each meal there is a devotion. On Friday, we had a special visitor - Moses - on his way to CrossRoads for VBS next week.
On Friday night, we had our second "Community Celebration." We had a good crowd and enjoyed "The Kellys" as they sang.
We were very excited that Bro. Joe Eady got to attend, as well. Shaking hands with Bro. Joe is one of the BFC from Atlanta, Bro. Jeff and in the middle standing is another of the BFC from Atlanta, Bro. Tom. Also pictured is David and Dixie Setzer.
Each meal there is a devotion. On Friday, we had a special visitor - Moses - on his way to CrossRoads for VBS next week.
On Friday night, we had our second "Community Celebration." We had a good crowd and enjoyed "The Kellys" as they sang.
We were very excited that Bro. Joe Eady got to attend, as well. Shaking hands with Bro. Joe is one of the BFC from Atlanta, Bro. Jeff and in the middle standing is another of the BFC from Atlanta, Bro. Tom. Also pictured is David and Dixie Setzer.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Late Father's Day post
This past Sunday (Father's Day) I gave my congregation part of a writing from Byron Paulus, Executive Director, Life Action Ministries on "Praying for Your Children." This is an excellent prayer guide for parents to use in praying for your children. I promised the church that this would also appear here (and it is, just late). Paulus posted this over six blogs so I am giving you the link to the first blog and then you can navigate to the other five blogs from the left column of his blog. The site is here.
It is worth your time to find all five of these blogs. If you wish to just read what was I printed Sunday, you may do that here.
It is worth your time to find all five of these blogs. If you wish to just read what was I printed Sunday, you may do that here.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Mechanical Team from Builders for Christ here this week
We are experiencing our second week of "Builders for Christ" here. This team is the Mechanical Team and they are doing a great job with plumbing, electrical and HVAC. A team of approxiametely 45 have come to serve our Lord and us and we are grateful.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday Night Celebration Service
On Friday night, we had a Community Celebration under the tent with free food, testimonies from "Builders for Christ," opportunity to see the progress on the new building and music by Praise 24 from Athens, AL. It was a great ending to a great week. Our next Community Celebration will be June 20.
Finals pictures from Framing Week
The platform and baptisery taken from an upstairs class room.
The front of the building. The three openings will be glass.
The youth room
The AWANA room.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Prayer Requests Updates
Bro. Joe Eady had successful surgery today to remove the "stub" of his left arm. He hopefully will be discharged to return home tomorrow (Wednesday). We are also praying that his pain will be gone.
I saw Reagan today. She has a virus. You can read about her at their blog here: http://reaganfaithmcbride.blogspot.com/
I have an update from Lori Tinker on her grandson, Eli. After a very tough week last week, he is doing better this week. They moved his oxygen level down to 63% and for the very first time in his young life, his mother got to hold him. He is still in the ICU at Huntsville's Children's Hospital. Lori wanted me to thank everyone for their prayers and that "the prayers have meant the world to us."
I saw Reagan today. She has a virus. You can read about her at their blog here: http://reaganfaithmcbride.blogspot.com/
I have an update from Lori Tinker on her grandson, Eli. After a very tough week last week, he is doing better this week. They moved his oxygen level down to 63% and for the very first time in his young life, his mother got to hold him. He is still in the ICU at Huntsville's Children's Hospital. Lori wanted me to thank everyone for their prayers and that "the prayers have meant the world to us."
Monday, June 2, 2008
Pictures of "Builders for Christ" Framing Team and Day One
This is how our "Phrase One" building looked Saturday, May 31 as the "Builders for Christ" Framing Team arrived to our new property at 10932 Highway 72, Elgin.
The "work" trailers for BFC have arrived and are unpacking for the week.
This is the crew that has assembled as of Monday morning, June 2 at 6:30 a.m. ready to go to work. They come from Georgia, Ohio, West Virginia and Alabama. About 75 were present at this picture at breakfast. At lunch, the number had grown to about 95.
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