What is Your Mission Statement?

I was asked a question a few years ago by a pastor, "What should the mission statement of our church be?" I couldn't really give an answer then. I have had afew years to grow as a Christian and if asked today I would have to say, "To seek and save the lost." This is only a rewording of the great commission and was Jesus' mission statement. I know this statement on first glance seems to leave out all our social activities and chartitable activities, however these activities should come as a result of or in support of this mission statement. If we do not do this and are only a social club that tries to make peoples lives better and not save them, then we have done them a terrible disservice because now they live a good life here on earth and eternity in Hell. And we are partly to blame for this. I would rather live 100 terrible years here on earth and eternity in heaven than 100 good years on earth and eternity in Hell. Are you truly saved? Are you 100% certain of your salvation can you point to a time where you asked God to save you? If not and you want to talk or have more information let me know. Christian, what is your mission statemen

Why do you go to church?

Sometimes when you do a search for a word, you never know what gem you will come up with. I ran across Christine's website. http://thisistemporary.wordpress.com/ and she had posted a question, "Why do you go to church?" So I thought it was a very good question and I thought I would post my answer to that.

Well, I have been going every Sunday for almost 50 years. I have gone for many reasons. To meet others, draw off what encouragement they can give, Because I had to, because of habit, because I was expected to be there, so I wouldn’t get a visit during the week from the preacher or others, to get something from the sermon. but over the last couple of years I have found a new reason and that is to worship God. All those other reasons are temporal and changing. God is the only constant in this universe and He is never changing. I find when I go to church for the purpose of worshiping God and that is my focus, I come away having been blessed. I hear people walk away from church saying, “I didn’t get anything out of that message.” They went in the wrong attitude of getting instead of giving. I find that when I give to God (Not necessarily in money) I get from God. Or they were disappointed that there friend wasn’t there or someone didn’t encourage them the way they ought to be encouraged. People are changing and God is not. Our reason for going to church is important.

http://thisistemporary.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/why-do-we-go-to-church/#comments

Why do you go to church?

Redneck fix

Well, this is the third workday in a row that I have had some sort of vehicle problem. Friday I had a flat on my truck, so I moved everything to another vehicle. Monday that vehicle needed a new battery that I had to change out in the Wal Mart parking lot. Apparently one of the battery leads won't tighten very good, so this morning while I was running late and it wouldn't start I applied a backup redneck fix to it. That was because duct tape or WD-40 wouldn't do the job. This is the way it has rode all day. Better fix it for real before my wife finds out. So let's add this to the redneck toolbox. You know even with the with all that has happened, my God is great and I was blessed all those days.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN LOUISIANA IN SUMMER WHEN . . .

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN LOUISIANA IN SUMMER WHEN . . .

The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.

The trees are whistling for the dogs.

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

You can make sun tea instantly.

You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron!

The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.

You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.

You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.

Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"

You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.

Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

The cows are giving evaporated milk.

Ah, what a place to call home. God Bless Our State of LOUISIANA

What would your life be like if you gave up tv, video games, internet and other things? What could we give up that is not really important that we think we need? What would you do in the time it freed up? I will come back in a week or so and comment on this more. What do you say?

There’s a Whole Lot of Ministering Going On

It has been 2 weeks today since the tragic bus accident that took the life of one teenager and injured several others of the First Baptist Church Shreveport youth group. Earlier today at church something stirred a thought in me about ministry. I thought about Maggie Lee Henson and her family after we had our prayer. I thought about how so many people have ministered to her and her family in so many ways, even without knowing it. First, who are the ones who are ministering?
Everyone from around the world are ministering to them. Christian and non Christian alike can minister to people. Everyone who has visited the CaringBridge site (approaching 120,000 as I type) website to check on her are ministering to them because they know people care. Our preacher tonight talked about the 3 friends of Job who showed up to minister to Job and for the first few days just sat with him in the ashes without words. He pointed out that sometimes it is best just to hug them or put an arm around them to let them know you care. I have experienced that in my life. Secondly those who have left messages on the site have ministered to them. The parents have posted that they do read and are encouraged by the posts.
Thirdly those helping them out back home and looking after the house and dogs are ministering to them.
Fourthly, those who sent cards and gifts are ministering to them.
Fifthly, those who have provided their homes and the churches who provided places for them to sleep are ministering to them.
Sixthly, those prayers going up all over the world minister to them.
Lastly, I have been blessed and ministered to by the Hensons in their posts and their standing strong in the faith. Have you been ministered to or have you been ministered to?
I notice KTBS did a really nice story on them tonight. Thanks KTBS.
While I am typing this let me say that my prayers still go out to Brandon Ugarte and his family and all those still recovering physically as well as spiritually.

I know I listed some of these sites before, but here are some to check on them also.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson
http://wonderingthoughts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/its-been-a-week-now.html
http://www.fbcshreveport.org/
http://www.ktbs.com/news/praying-for-a-miracle1

Sunday Morning Worship

As I prepare my heart for worship this morning (do you prepare your heart for worship before going to church) (Worship on Sunday Morning is the sum of your private worship during the week) Again, As I prepare my heart for worship this morning, I find myself drawn, compelled, desiring, almost like a drug, to go to church and be with other believers and worship my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Humans were created with a need to worship something, if it is not God it will be something else. I hope yall have a wonderful day in God's house. God Bless.

He Comforts

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles... 2 Cor 1:3-4, NIV

God is the Father of compassion. When we're hurting, He's right there for us. He speaks to us through His Word, He listens as we lay out our pain to Him and He uses other people as a conduit for His compassion. He never leaves us alone to figure things out by ourselves. And then, He turns around and uses us to funnel His love to others in pain. We can look back at what we learned and share it with someone else.

Application to Date my Daughter

Hope everyone (especially parents) like this. It came to me by way of email and I just had to post it.

APPLICATION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER
*NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a certified financial statement, job history, and current medical report from your doctor. Please be prepared to submit additional information, such as psychological profile and polygraph test, as requested.Name ______________ Date of Birth __________ Social Security #___________ Driver’s license # __________ IQ __________ GPA __________Home Address __________________________________________Do you have one male and one female parent? If not, explain: ____________________________________________Do you own a van? ______ A truck with oversize tires? _____ A waterbed? _____Do you have an earring, nose ring, or belly button ring? _____ A tattoo? _____(If you answered YES to any of the last 5 questions, discontinue application and leave at ONCE!)In 50 words or less, what does "LATE" mean to you?_____________________________________________In 50 words or less, what does "DON’T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER" mean to you?_____________________________________________In 50 words or less, what does "Abstinence" mean to you?_____________________________________________What is your Church affiliation? __________How often do you attend? __________Best time to interview your Parents? __________Your Preacher? __________ Your Employer? __________Have you ever been fingerprinted? __________Had a DNA sample taken & recorded? __________Answer the following questions under oath:The one thing I hope this application does not ask about me is:_____________________________________________A Woman’s place is in the:___________________________________________My greatest fear is:____________________________________________When I meet a girl, the first thing I notice about her is: _______________________*Note: If your answer begins with a T or A, discontinue and LEAVE AT ONCE, keeping your head low and running in a serpentine fashion, for your own safety.CERTIFICATION OF ACCURACY BY APPLICANT: I swear all information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, under penalty of death, dismemberment, Chinese water torture, and red hot pokers.________________________________________SIGNATURE (If you have to ask what this means, you are a MORON, so tear up this application and leave immediately!)Thank you for your interest. Please allow four to six years for processing. You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write.If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentlemen wearing white ties, and carrying violin cases. (You might watch your back!)

Can red be turned to white? Isiah 1:18. What color are your sins today? They can be forgiven and turned white.

One Person Touching So Many Lives, Maggie Lee Henson

How can one life touch so many people. God. I checked http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson this morning. Over 52,000 visitors to check on her and her family. How will our lives impact others? As I read her father's post, I am encouraged at the families reliance on God. This just reminds me that their trust in God didn't just come at this last minute. It has be developed over the years. We need to learn to walk, love and trust God now, and not wait until tragedy strikes to learn to walk with God then. Because of their previous walk with God, now they are able to bless and encourage others during these trying times.

Apollo 11

I remember as a small child sitting at my granddad's house at Christmas time glued to the black and white tv as the apollo mission flew around the moon. I was thinking WOW. As I watched those Apollo rockets take off from Cape Canaveral and thinking how massive and powerful they looked. I remember being back at my grandads house watching the landing of Apollo 11. Again WOW. I was hooked. Then more missions to the moon. Then Apollo 13. I remember someone saying the Russians shot the spacecraft, of course that wasn't true. We were in a race to beat them to put the first man on the moon. I don't think they ever put a man on the moon. Then we put first tire tracks on the moon. Then we left it parked there. Left the keys in it and the top down. Then we stopped going. Then came the Skylab with the tin foil to keep it from getting to hot. Just like a trailor park trailor with the tin foil in the windows. Then came the space shuttle missions. I remember where I was when both disasters occured. I remember being in San Antonio Tx at Wilford Hall Medical Center the first time I saw one fly in piggyback on a 747. What a site. Last year I got to visit the space center in Florida. Again WOW. To see history and the places I had only seen on TV. The Saturn V rocket was bigger than I had imagined. We went into the launch contol room for the Apollo mission. They simulated what it would be like inside the control room during liftoff. It rattled and shook. The noise was deafening. One of the first astronauts on the first Saturn V rocket said the power and force of the Saturn V was so unexpected that he thought he had brought the farm. As powerful as this rocket was and the success of our space program, it is not even a drop in the bucket compared to that of God. Just imagine creating from nothing time, space and matter in an instant. And one day will bring all this to a conclusion. But in the meantime he continues to work in and through His creation to bring us into a personal and intimate relationship with Him. I try reserve this one word for God only. "AWESOME"

First Baptist Shreveport Accident Update

Jim at www.mybossier.blogspot.com pointed me in this direction.

The youth at First Baptist Shreveport had an accident last week on a youth trip. My prayers are still with the Ugarte family over the loss of their son Brandon. My prayers are also for those recovering and their families. In particular are those still in the hospital. Of real concern is Maggie Lee Henson who has suffered a brain injury. I could not imagine how the families are feeling as I have never suffered such a trial. We studied James 1 this morning that said count it all joy when you suffer these trials. As a Christian one thing I have found Joy in trials is knowing that by going through these trials is that God will reveal something about himself to us. I know that maybe real comforting, but hopefully it helps when these trials come.

Anyways, the best place for information to be found is http://www.fbcshreveport.org/ . You will find a link to www.caringbridge.com where a site has been set up so Maggie's parents can post updates on her condition and theirs. Caringbridge is a great organization.

What is my concern since I don't know or affiliated with anyone in the church. I work with our youth at our church, have gone to many youth camps and now have a 12 year old daughter. Plus the concern a Christian should have.

And That's the Way It Is

Strange that His death comes at the time we are celebrating the anniversary of the moon landing by the crew of Apollo 11. I grew up on him. But I got my real first taste of him during those Apollo missions as I was about 9 years old at the time, so I was too young to remember him during the Kennedy assassination. I would have been 4 years old at the time. “And that’s the way it is” is what he would say at the end of his broadcast. His words were a statement that indicated “Absolute truth.” Notice he didn’t say it might be the way it is, or the way it seems or appears or could be or should be. He said that is the way it is. Jesus also spoke “Absolute truth” when he said “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father except through me. Notice he say, “I could be the way or one of the ways”. He also made an exclusive statement, that says all other ways are the wrong way.

Sergeant First Class John C. Beale

This comes by way of http://sarahwaydownsouth.blogspot.com/ Pat Austin at http://soitgoesinshreveport.blogspot.com/ posted something and Jim at http://mybossier.blogspot.com/ posted it from her site. This is a you tube video of the support of one of our hero veterans who gave his life for our freedom. Click one of the following links below and have some tissues ready.



http://mybossier.blogspot.com/2009/07/staff-sergeant-first-class-john-c-beale.html

http://sarahwaydownsouth.blogspot.com/2009/07/sgt-1st-class-john-c-beale.html



Lets remember the families even after the services are over.



Here is what the producer of this video had to say in explanation of the Video:



Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City , Georgia , just south of Atlanta , on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough , Georgia . A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time.


More Information on Sergeant First Class John C. Beale:
Birth: February 11, 1970 in Riverdale, GeorgiaDeath: June 4, 2009 in Kapisa, Afghanistan
Sgt 1st Class John C. Beale of Riverdale, Georgia graduated from Riverdale High School. He served in the United States Army from 1991 through 1994 and was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He later joined the National Guard in 2005 after a strong desire to return to military service. His father is a former sailor and a military career was also John’s goal in life. In his civilian job, he worked for the Clayton County Water Authority. He was also very involved with the authority’s youth programs and liked to participate in career days at local schools. After John married he moved to McDonough, Georgia where he lived with his wife Crystal and their two children. John died at age 39 near Kapisa, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. John was a member of Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Crystal; children, Christopher and Calye; father, William B. Beale; brothers, Michael and Timothy; grandfather, William R. Beale; father-in-law, David Collier; brother-in-law, David E. Collier among others. Major Kevin Jenrette and Specialist Jeffrey Jordan were also killed in the attack.ArmyNational Guard1st Battalion108th ReconnaissanceSurveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron48th Infantry Brigade Combat TeamCalhoun, Georgia

Bible Quiz 1

Here is a question: Besides Adam and Eve, what Old Testament character had no parents? This is a trick question.

He Heals

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalms 147:3, NIV

The Dart Test

Dart Test...
A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

Dr. Smith said only these words.... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40.

One God

The kids threw me a loop tonight at VBS. I have been playing the part of a pompous Roman Senator, who is against Christians this week. I had a Toga, with sandals, a slave and a guard. I have been roaming the market place asking the kids about this Paul I have in jail and purposely making remarks to make the kids realize that they could be imprisoned if they were Christians. Tonight I was to talk about the multiple gods that we Romans worship, including the Emperor. Tonight the kids were instructed to ask us why we worship multiple gods instead of the one true God. We did not know they were going to ask the question, so I had to consider an answer on my feet. And threaten them with jail. My answers were rambling and trying to justify my worship of multiple gods. What are the gods we worship? Do we defend them?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (KJV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

True Fulfillment

Look to God, Not Your Spouse, for True Fulfillment. Your spouse cannot fill the deepest needs of your heart.

Spilling Jesus

A cup of water that is overflowing spills on those around it.
A Christian overflowing with Jesus spills onto those around.
Be an overflowing cup of water today and spill the love of Jesus on someone.

Has someone spilt Jesus on you this week?

Disbelief in God

When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing - they believe in anything. G. K. Chesterton

God's Providence

KTBS 3 reported that a busload of National Guardsmen returning from training exercises that taught them how to respond to roll overs with a number of them having been trained in triage were following the bus from First Baptist Shreveport when it had a blowout and rolled over. As tragic as it was, God's hand of providence was there by having them in the right place at the right time. And how about the churches who responded to help those in need there. And let's not forget the emergency responders. There are still good people in this world and God is still in control. Let's continue to pray for all involved.

Monday Morning Praise!!

Monday morning. Need I say more? For many Monday is a depressing day. The beginning of another work week or school week. For many pastors Monday seems to be a downer of a day. How can we lift each others spirits? I have some thoughts on that. Start your day, or at any time by praising and thanking God for everything. Be specific, name those blessings one by one. (Sounds like a song) Sing those old, and news songs "to the Lord". Take your eyes off self and place them on Jesus. Be attentive to others and call to encourage them. Especially call your pastor and offer kind words of encouragement and it will brighten your day. May each of you have a blessed Monday.

First Baptist Shreveport Accident

May God bless and comfort all those involved in this accident with the youth church bus from First Baptist Shreveport.

Be of a Good Reputation

I went to preach last weekend at a church that was an older church as a congregation goes. As I walked in, I didn't know a soul, but my wife and I love to go to churches like that. We always drop in to church when we are on vacation, (Sunday morning and night). People are always surprised to see us on Sunday night, especially when we did it on our honeymoon. Drop in on the Wednesday night service and you really surprise people. Anyways, as I didn't know them, they knew "my dad". Though they only really knew him from many years ago. They all had good memories of him. As I stood to preach, I said it was easier to preach knowing they had good memories of my dad. Had they not, had he done some of them wrong, or done something illegal, then the crowds opinion of me might have been different or even possibly hostile and not willing to listen to the message. Thank you daddy for your reputation. Which brings to mind, how do others see us? How have we treated others? Have you ever tried to witness to someone who has been wronged by a christian? Or witnessed to someone who has seen the bad side of Christianity? How about trying to invite someone to church who has heard about one of our business meetings? It is important that we live the christian life in such a way that we appear blameless in the sight of those around us. We are the Jesus that others will see here. What do we do when others do not walk the way they should and hurt the christian witness of the church. We should continue on and do what we know to be right. Walk blameless before man and God.

A Real Hero

I spent some time in a hot tub the other night with someone I would call a real hero. He had been in Vietnam and had to escape and evade Viet Cong for 3 days and for 2 of those days carried a dead buddy until he reached safety. Years later he reentered the service during the first Gulf War because experienced infantry were needed and he felt a duty to the younger people in the service to help them. Again in the second Gulf War he reentered service for the same reasons. After a parachute jump that went wrong, he was injured lying flat on his injured back all night in the desert at which point he figured he was going to meet his savior. When he heard people approaching the next day, he figured it was Iraqis, so he pulled the pin on a grenade and was ready to take some with him. Thankfully it was his troops looking for him. I would consider him an American hero, and I believe there are many more just like him in service and out of the service in America today. Those who do what they have to do because it is right and because they do love others.

But my real hero is Jesus. He really did for us what had to be done, because He loved us. John 3:16

Does our will and God's will agree?

Oswald Chamber stated in "Our Utmost for His Highest" that our will and God's will are always in agreement. He says that the more shallow aspects of our nature such as sin and and disobedience are in conflict with this will. This is the first I have heard of this. Does this mean that all men,including the lost have theis will inside of them? Or is it just the saved that receive this at the time of salvation? Is this statement true? What do you think?

Lord, let me be the person my dog thinks I am.

All Religions are the Same?

Anyone who claims that all religions are the same betrays not only an ignorance of all religions but also a caricatured view of even the best known ones. Every religion at its core is exclusive. Ravi Zacharias

Dust on the Bible

If there is dust on your Bible, there is drought in your heart.