New Sermon series

Saturday nights are always "quirky." But after having been sickly for a couple days to where I was even wondering if I would get to preach tomorrow, I am excited that I am for several reasons.

Number one. It is always a joy to preach God's Word. That's what God called me to over 35 years ago - to be a preacher. When I study, contemplate and shift through for my people, that is always exciting.

Number two. I'm beginning tomorrow with Romans 6. We started Romans in 2005 going through Romans 1-5 and stopping for a rest in June of last year. Now, we start back. A little later than I had anticipated, but nevertheless perfect in God's timing. Romans 6-7-8 are the three greatest chapters back-to-back in the Bible. I have entitled this study "Protection from Spiritual Identity Theft."

Number three. To once again encounter the power of the Word of God in proclamation. I enjoy preaching no matter where, when or from what portion of Scripture. But my greatest love is a verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter exposition. There is just power and edification in that approach that can not be found anywhere else.

That is true in my own private life. I read different devotions and Scriptures, but the greatest impact on my spiritual life has been when I have been studying a prolonged passage of Scripture, topic or book.

I believe a church is best fed by the same procedures. I do not mean to be disparagingly toward anyone, but for me this type of preaching just seems to help us more readily "grow in full maturity."

The big issue today is not the inerrancy of Scripture, but the sufficiency of Scripture. It is sufficient for all of life.

John MacArthur recently said of the Word, "God's Word becomes the anchor of our life. Our hiding place. Our counselor. Our teacher. Our shield. our lantern. Our reference point. Our measuring stick. No one has ever been saved apart from it, and no one has ever grown to spiritual maturity apart from the Holy Spirit working through it."

I pray I am digging deeper than I ever have and I pray you are as well. I love it more today than ever before. Can't wait til tomorrow.

Elite Eight

In my original bracket, only UCLA and Xavier is the bracket that I still have going completely and I picked UCLA to win it all, so I'll go with UCLA over Xavier.

North Carolina over Louisville (will be a close game and could be an upset here)

Memphis over Texas (Memphis looked awesome the first half against Michigan St. and I think they are playing with a chip on their shoulder - watch out).

Kansas over Davidson (I have not picked Davidson in any of these upsets and I've been burned, but I'm still going against Davidson). Did anyone pick Davidson to the Elite Eight?

Sweet 16 picks

Have I told you how much I love this time of the year. Upsets...Davidson, Western Kentucky. WOW.

Well, here go my pics for the Sweet 16.

Thursday games:
North Carolina over Washington St
Louisville over Tennessee (ok, my bracket has Tennessee winning, but after watching Louisville and Tennessee both from the seventh row last week in Birmingham, I'm sorry to pick against Bobby, Barry, Greg and other orange fans (and to pick against my own bracket), but I just think Louisville is playing very well and are very hot.

UCLA over Western Kentucky (I have UCLA winning it all, I can't pick them now)
Xavier over West Virginia (this is going to be a good game)

Friday games:
Stanford over Texas (there is something about Stanford that I like)
Memphis over Michigan St
Kansas over Villanova
Wisconsin over Davidson

Easter weekend

Always Easter is a special time of worship and celebration. Our choir did a mini-musical that was well done and led us in celebration. I had the priviledge of preaching the simple gospel Sunday and to proclaim that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

During our L.I.F.E. Groups we are studying "The Baptist Faith and Message" and this past Sunday we looked at the doctrine of Jesus Christ. What a blessing to do so on Easter Sunday.

We were delighted to welcome four new members into our fellowship. These four had ackowledged that they were believers, had been baptized and were in agreement with our church covenant and wished to enter into covenant with us. We are always grateful when God brings us new people. We welcome Bobby Gibson, Nathan Alred, Michael and Penny Camp.

We expressed our love and appreciation to Tom and Pam Carrigan for thier team ministry among us for the past 13 months. We will miss them but certainly wish them God's best.

I got to spend time over the weekend with our sons enjoying college basketball. What a life!!!

Trying to help a young girl with cancer

My son, Keith, teaches PE at John Jones Elementary School in Rainbow City, AL (Gadsden). The PE teachers are attempting to raise $1,000 for a young student who has cancer. To learn more about this, Click here or go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/thepeteachers.

If you would like to donate, you may do so at the web site.

Thanks in advance for your help.

He's Still Alive

My Saviour is still alive. He's not old, helpless, tired or struggling. He is what He's always been and will always be what He's always been.

Round 2 picks

Tampa once was a beatiful city clarmouring for visitors. Not anymore. Its UPSET city - WOW you can you believe what happened yesterday in Tampa. It sure "upset" me all the way to Alabama.

While I did miss several games in the first round (Michigan St, Siena, San Diego, W. Kentucky, Villanova, and others), the good news is that only two of my Sweet 16 teams are gone (Vanderbilt and Conn.). Thanks Tampa.

Here are my second round picks:
Notre Dame over Washington St
Stanford over Marquette
Pitt over Michigan St (this is the second time in a row I've picked against MSU)
Kansas over UNLV
Wisconsic over Kansas St
UCLA over Texas A&M
Duke over West Virginia
Xavier over Purdue (tough one to pick)
UNC over Arkansas
Louisville over Oklahoma
Tennessee over Butler (unless Tenn plays like it did yesterday, then Butler will beat them)
Villanova over Siena (I didn't pick either one of these two to be here)
Georgetown over Davidson
Memphis over Miss. St
Texas over Miami
San Diego over W. Kent (I don't know either team that well so I'm picking the team that had the biggest upset yesterday). Thanks Tampa.