WOW! It is Saturday, May 31 and "Builders for Christ" started arriving yesterday at our new property. The metal building is up and ready for them to begin framing. At this point, 111 are coming this week to help us to frame the building. Under the direction of Bro. Bobby Lunceford, this group is in their 11th year of building churches and this year they are for the first time ever, doing two churches. I am glad we are one of them.
How exciting!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately?
David Wilkerson Have You Felt Like Giving Up Lately writes about “God has provided some better thing for us….” (Hebrews 11:40). But how shall we define that better thing? Better health benefits? Better goatskins? Better financial arrangements? Better times of ease and prosperity? Bigger barns?
No! I say God has provided for us something better in His only begotten Son. We should be spending more time getting into Jesus than trying to get something out of Him. We should not be praying that God make things happen for us, but to us.
Faith is a gift, not a diploma. Faith should not be a burden or a puzzle. The more childlike it is, the better it works. You need no seminar or textbook; you need no guide. The Holy Spirit will lead you close to Jesus – who is the Word – by whom cometh faith.”
No! I say God has provided for us something better in His only begotten Son. We should be spending more time getting into Jesus than trying to get something out of Him. We should not be praying that God make things happen for us, but to us.
Faith is a gift, not a diploma. Faith should not be a burden or a puzzle. The more childlike it is, the better it works. You need no seminar or textbook; you need no guide. The Holy Spirit will lead you close to Jesus – who is the Word – by whom cometh faith.”
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 26
We had a wonderful day of worship yesterday with Bro. Darrin English leading music and preaching. We honored our graduates and it was Bro. Jeremy Clemmons' official first day with us as Student Pastor.
I have good news from Reagan. Allen is reporting that she has had a good weekend and had a "GREAT day today (Monday)." They took her for a "walk" around the floor in a special wheelchair and her AWANA Commanders (Lin and Sandy Lilies) were there to be with her for the ride. Also, she is eating good so that is encouraging.
Pray for Mike and Brenda Trousdale's daughter, Carrie Tracey. Carrie has a one-month old baby and today they have discovered a mass on her liver. The doctors believe it is not cancerous. They live in the greater Nashville area.
Also we are so excited for Bobby and Beth Clemmons as they were called yesterday to serve as Student Pastor at Muscle Shoals Baptist Church. We will miss this family but are so excited for them. We send them with our very best of God's blessings. They have served the Lord well at CrossRoads and I know they will continue to do the same there.
I have good news from Reagan. Allen is reporting that she has had a good weekend and had a "GREAT day today (Monday)." They took her for a "walk" around the floor in a special wheelchair and her AWANA Commanders (Lin and Sandy Lilies) were there to be with her for the ride. Also, she is eating good so that is encouraging.
Pray for Mike and Brenda Trousdale's daughter, Carrie Tracey. Carrie has a one-month old baby and today they have discovered a mass on her liver. The doctors believe it is not cancerous. They live in the greater Nashville area.
Also we are so excited for Bobby and Beth Clemmons as they were called yesterday to serve as Student Pastor at Muscle Shoals Baptist Church. We will miss this family but are so excited for them. We send them with our very best of God's blessings. They have served the Lord well at CrossRoads and I know they will continue to do the same there.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend Thoughts
This is Memorial Day weekend when we seek to remember those who have died and gone before us.
We wish to pray for families of more than 4,000 Americans who have lost their lives in the Iraq/Afghanistan war. What we cannot quantify is the pain these families are enduring because of their losses.
I am told that on this day years ago people would gather at cemeteries to remember the dead. I like that. How did Southerners ever move it to Sunday? I digress.
But when we remember those who have gone before us, it is like the “Great cloud of witnesses” that Hebrews 12 refers to. These are pastors, great stalwarts of the church, Sunday School teachers, music leaders, grannies, and family members who have “fought the fight and finished the course.” They are now cheering us on to do likewise.
Dottie Rambo died May 11, as most of you know. When I heard of her death on that Mother’s Day afternoon, I immediately thought of her great song, “I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before.” The words go like this: “See the bright lights shine, its just about home time. I can see My Father standing at the door. This world has been a wilderness, but I’m ready for deliverance. Oh, I’ve never been this homesick before. I can see the family gather. Sweet faces, there all familiar. But no one’s old or feeble anymore. Oh, this lonesome heart is cryin’ Think I’ll spread my wings for flying’. Lord, I’ve never felt this homesick before.”
I grew up on the Rambos, Goodmans, Speers and the like. I still like that music. It speaks to the heart.
Now, Dottie has joined that “cloud” and we are still pressing on. But we are walking this path under the cloud of great soldiers of the faith. And as we think of them, it makes the heat of the day more bearable.
We wish to pray for families of more than 4,000 Americans who have lost their lives in the Iraq/Afghanistan war. What we cannot quantify is the pain these families are enduring because of their losses.
I am told that on this day years ago people would gather at cemeteries to remember the dead. I like that. How did Southerners ever move it to Sunday? I digress.
But when we remember those who have gone before us, it is like the “Great cloud of witnesses” that Hebrews 12 refers to. These are pastors, great stalwarts of the church, Sunday School teachers, music leaders, grannies, and family members who have “fought the fight and finished the course.” They are now cheering us on to do likewise.
Dottie Rambo died May 11, as most of you know. When I heard of her death on that Mother’s Day afternoon, I immediately thought of her great song, “I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before.” The words go like this: “See the bright lights shine, its just about home time. I can see My Father standing at the door. This world has been a wilderness, but I’m ready for deliverance. Oh, I’ve never been this homesick before. I can see the family gather. Sweet faces, there all familiar. But no one’s old or feeble anymore. Oh, this lonesome heart is cryin’ Think I’ll spread my wings for flying’. Lord, I’ve never felt this homesick before.”
I grew up on the Rambos, Goodmans, Speers and the like. I still like that music. It speaks to the heart.
Now, Dottie has joined that “cloud” and we are still pressing on. But we are walking this path under the cloud of great soldiers of the faith. And as we think of them, it makes the heat of the day more bearable.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friday, May 23
As you know I use this avenue to communicate personal items from my life and family, to post "thoughts" that I receive as I read and devotional thoughts (there have not been many of these postings here for awhile - we go in seasons, don't we?) and church related items.
Let me continue to post concerning church related items today.
I saw Reagan and Allen yesterday in Birmingham. Reagan has had two "uneventful" days which is good news for them. They have received the official word that she is totally paralyzed from her neck down and our heart grieves with them. Pray for their strength and for continual wisdom. They are still anticipating her being there 4-6 (possibly 8) weeks.
Darrin English is leading music for us Sunday and I have asked him to preach, as well. I knew him as an effective communicator of the Word before I knew of his music leadership abilities. But when I was told he was free to lead our music, I secured him but with the understanding that it was just music. Well, God has not let me get away from this impression the last two days that he needs to preach Sunday. So, I'm glad to announce Bro. Darrin will be leading music and preaching for us Sunday. I look forward to it!!
It is Graduate Honor Service Sunday for us as well. Bro. Dan will be honoring our graduates. We have six: Jessica Butler, Florence Christian Academy; Seth Chambers, Brooks High School; Amanda Davis, Clements High School; Mitch Farris, Brooks High School; Brittany Harvey, Lexington High School and Caleb Roden, Brooks High School. We are proud of you all and wish you God's very best!!
Let me continue to post concerning church related items today.
I saw Reagan and Allen yesterday in Birmingham. Reagan has had two "uneventful" days which is good news for them. They have received the official word that she is totally paralyzed from her neck down and our heart grieves with them. Pray for their strength and for continual wisdom. They are still anticipating her being there 4-6 (possibly 8) weeks.
Darrin English is leading music for us Sunday and I have asked him to preach, as well. I knew him as an effective communicator of the Word before I knew of his music leadership abilities. But when I was told he was free to lead our music, I secured him but with the understanding that it was just music. Well, God has not let me get away from this impression the last two days that he needs to preach Sunday. So, I'm glad to announce Bro. Darrin will be leading music and preaching for us Sunday. I look forward to it!!
It is Graduate Honor Service Sunday for us as well. Bro. Dan will be honoring our graduates. We have six: Jessica Butler, Florence Christian Academy; Seth Chambers, Brooks High School; Amanda Davis, Clements High School; Mitch Farris, Brooks High School; Brittany Harvey, Lexington High School and Caleb Roden, Brooks High School. We are proud of you all and wish you God's very best!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Days of Change for our Student Ministry
Our church officially welcomes Bro. Jeremy Clemmons to our church staff as our Student Pastor. We are delighted God has led this family to CrossRoads. His is married to DeNita and they have three children: Alivia, 6; Chalea, 3; and Kade, 9 months.
As we begin this new season of student ministry, let us be reminded that our Sovereign Leader of the church moves His leaders and in so doing, brings new leadership to lead in new directions. One of the toughest assignments a minister can receive is to follow someone who had long tenure in the same place. There is a tendency for the people not to let the “old” go so God can do the “new.” This is only natural. But we are called to be supernatural and spiritual and to become followers of Jesus; not a human being. These are great times of our lives to discern who and why are we doing what we are doing.
One thing that can help is a good interim and we have had that. The last nine months has been a good bridge for us. Bro. Dan Arant has done a fablous job of ministering with our students and I have spoken of his effort in other writings.
But we must let God use Bro. Jeremy with his abilities and visions and not require him to be and do like someone else in order to be a success in our eyes. Let him be himself and go with the vision that God has given him. There will be changes. Some we will like immediately; others will be more difficult.
I know this is hard, but it is Biblical. There had to be an announcement in Joshua 1 that “Moses is dead, Joshua is now your leader.”
I hope one day someone will say these words to CrossRoads when I leave because it will need to be said.
As we begin this new season of student ministry, let us be reminded that our Sovereign Leader of the church moves His leaders and in so doing, brings new leadership to lead in new directions. One of the toughest assignments a minister can receive is to follow someone who had long tenure in the same place. There is a tendency for the people not to let the “old” go so God can do the “new.” This is only natural. But we are called to be supernatural and spiritual and to become followers of Jesus; not a human being. These are great times of our lives to discern who and why are we doing what we are doing.
One thing that can help is a good interim and we have had that. The last nine months has been a good bridge for us. Bro. Dan Arant has done a fablous job of ministering with our students and I have spoken of his effort in other writings.
But we must let God use Bro. Jeremy with his abilities and visions and not require him to be and do like someone else in order to be a success in our eyes. Let him be himself and go with the vision that God has given him. There will be changes. Some we will like immediately; others will be more difficult.
I know this is hard, but it is Biblical. There had to be an announcement in Joshua 1 that “Moses is dead, Joshua is now your leader.”
I hope one day someone will say these words to CrossRoads when I leave because it will need to be said.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Reagan's new mailing address
Reagan was moved into a private room today at Children's Hospital. They are telling Allen and JeriAnn that she will most likely be there 6-8 more weeks. If you would like to write or visit, here is the address:
Reagan McBride
c/0 Children's Hospital
Room 552
1600 17th Avenue S.
Birmingham, AL 35233
Reagan McBride
c/0 Children's Hospital
Room 552
1600 17th Avenue S.
Birmingham, AL 35233
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