There is something that I like about Chick-Fil-A. It's not just that they cook up the gospel bird (which all preachers that I know like except for one). It's not just that they always are kind and respectful in serving you. And it's not just that they work you through the drive thru really quickly.
It's this. In a day when all other businesses operate as normal on Sunday, there is one business that is closed on the Lord's day. With all other eateries open and doing great business, there is one whose doors will not open on Sunday due to its founder's convictions. That business is Chick-Fil-A. It's profits do not suffer at all and their employess always know that they have the day off. There could be other Chick-Fil-A's open, but the Lufkin branch is always closed on Sundays.
I'm not a Chick-Fil-A spokesman nor do I own any stock in the company. It's just refreshing to see a business stand out and not travel with the herd with regards to Sundays. Maybe if we Christians wouldn't eat out so much on Sundays, then others wouldn't have to work so much. But that's another subject entirely.
Olay for Chick-Fil-A!
Ora MBC
Ora Missionary Baptist Church is located 6 miles out of Huntington on FM 2109. It is the second church I have been privileged to pastor. We are beginning somewhat small, yet we did have 50 in attendance last Sunday (the Thanksgiving meal probably didn't hurt attendance any :)
Most of the adults at Ora I already knew and most of the youth I have taught in public school. It is interesting to note the looks on faces when you do things a bit differently than the previous pastor or what the church is used to. I've tried to keep that to a minimum, but the fact is, every pastor is a bit different. Thus far, the transition has been very smooth and we have a had good services.
Sunday Services 11:00 and 5:45
Bible Study 10:00 and 5:00
Wednesday 7:00 P.M.
Most of the adults at Ora I already knew and most of the youth I have taught in public school. It is interesting to note the looks on faces when you do things a bit differently than the previous pastor or what the church is used to. I've tried to keep that to a minimum, but the fact is, every pastor is a bit different. Thus far, the transition has been very smooth and we have a had good services.
Sunday Services 11:00 and 5:45
Bible Study 10:00 and 5:00
Wednesday 7:00 P.M.
Satan's Crosshairs On Today's Youth
Sinful influences on our youth are so powerful. Take a listen to our local radio (such as KFOX) her in Lufkin and you won't have to listen for very long to hear lyrics and topics such as "tight jeans, double D..." "I kissed a girl and I liked it" (sung by a girl, btw) and on and on. Raunchy lyrics have been around for awhile, but there seems to be little shame anymore. In the words of Glenn Beck, "Shame has died."
Television constantly offers homosexual characters as being normal and well-adjusted and those who simply don't agree with their lifestyle as bigots. Do you really think this hasn't affected our youth? A surprising number of them believe that homosexuality and bisexuality is cool. Other shows regularly portray people living together who are not married, cheating on their steady or their spouse, or tricking/backstabbing someone else in order to get ahead.
I realize this post may be a bit strong, but Christians have been silent for so long that we now have a climate and culture that disdains God and the paths that God would have a person take. Many of these people don't need to change their lives. They need Jesus Christ and then He will make "all things become new."
What a time for ministry. What a time to defend and promote God's truths. And what a time to be in prayer for our youth who are in "Satan's Crosshairs."
Television constantly offers homosexual characters as being normal and well-adjusted and those who simply don't agree with their lifestyle as bigots. Do you really think this hasn't affected our youth? A surprising number of them believe that homosexuality and bisexuality is cool. Other shows regularly portray people living together who are not married, cheating on their steady or their spouse, or tricking/backstabbing someone else in order to get ahead.
I realize this post may be a bit strong, but Christians have been silent for so long that we now have a climate and culture that disdains God and the paths that God would have a person take. Many of these people don't need to change their lives. They need Jesus Christ and then He will make "all things become new."
What a time for ministry. What a time to defend and promote God's truths. And what a time to be in prayer for our youth who are in "Satan's Crosshairs."
Blog Change
The time has arrived for a blog change. Instead of adding a new blog, it would be easier to simplify and edit what I already have. It is my intention from this point to post topics that are primarily related to Christianity in general with heavy emphasis on local matters regarding the Huntington community and Ora Missionary Baptist Church.
I still value the friendship and input from my preacher friends, but this will likely not be a site that lends itself to very much debate/discussion. If it occurs, so be it.
For those of you who will be reading and are new to posting comments on a blog, it is very easy and free. Even though it is phrased that you have to "set up a Google account," it requires only a few steps and costs nothing. (the word "account" tends to scare people)
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.
Psalm 136:1 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."
I still value the friendship and input from my preacher friends, but this will likely not be a site that lends itself to very much debate/discussion. If it occurs, so be it.
For those of you who will be reading and are new to posting comments on a blog, it is very easy and free. Even though it is phrased that you have to "set up a Google account," it requires only a few steps and costs nothing. (the word "account" tends to scare people)
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.
Psalm 136:1 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."
Annual Call
I would like to read some discussion on the "annual call" of a pastor. This is, of course, when the pastor is called annually, usually at the time of year when Sunday School teachers, etc. are elected. Some churches practice it while others don't.
What is its origin? What is the purpose? Is it necessary? Does the church of which you are a member practice it?
What is its origin? What is the purpose? Is it necessary? Does the church of which you are a member practice it?
Joe
The only adult male survivor of the Alamo (on the Texas side) was William B. Travis' slave named Joe. Travis, commander of the Alamo, had instructed Joe that if he were killed and the battle was being lost, to go hide in the Alamo. Travis knew that Joe might have a chance to live since the Mexican government was opposed to slavery.
Travis was likely one of the first Texans killed on March 2, 1836, as he ran up the north wall ramp and was shot in the head. His slave, Joe, went and hid in the Alamo. As Mexican soldiers burst into the room he was hiding in, Joe yelled "I'm a slave! I'm a slave!"
He was shot in the shoulder and then the Mexicans ceased fire when they realized who he was and what he was saying. Joe was later released and it was assumed that he returned to South Carolina where Travis' family lived.
The only other reference to Joe was many years later when the Austin-American Statesman newspaper noted that a reunion of the Alamo soldiers' families was being held. A black man showed up, was treated rather rudely, and then left abruptly. The newspaper noted that it was Travis' slave, Joe.
The only man who could have given some insight into what happened in the Alamo (from the Texas perspective) and his own personal narrative of the event, walked out of Austin and into the unknown. Historically, nothing else is known of Joe.
Since I began teaching Texas History, I've often wondered what happened to Joe and what thoughts he carried to the grave. He is one of the Alamo's biggest unsolved mysteries.
Travis was likely one of the first Texans killed on March 2, 1836, as he ran up the north wall ramp and was shot in the head. His slave, Joe, went and hid in the Alamo. As Mexican soldiers burst into the room he was hiding in, Joe yelled "I'm a slave! I'm a slave!"
He was shot in the shoulder and then the Mexicans ceased fire when they realized who he was and what he was saying. Joe was later released and it was assumed that he returned to South Carolina where Travis' family lived.
The only other reference to Joe was many years later when the Austin-American Statesman newspaper noted that a reunion of the Alamo soldiers' families was being held. A black man showed up, was treated rather rudely, and then left abruptly. The newspaper noted that it was Travis' slave, Joe.
The only man who could have given some insight into what happened in the Alamo (from the Texas perspective) and his own personal narrative of the event, walked out of Austin and into the unknown. Historically, nothing else is known of Joe.
Since I began teaching Texas History, I've often wondered what happened to Joe and what thoughts he carried to the grave. He is one of the Alamo's biggest unsolved mysteries.
Pattern of The Patriarchs
Is there anything to the "Pattern of The Patriarchs?"
The meaning of the first 10 generational names in the Bible form an amazing statement. It is found in Genesis 5 and goes as follows:
Adam- Man
Seth - appointed
Enos - mortal (lethal)
Cainan- sorrow (final perishing)
Mahalaleel - blessed God
Jared - shall come down
Enoch - preaching
Methusaleh- his death shall bring
Lamech - strength
Noah - comfort
Statement : Man is appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down preaching (that) his death shall bring strength and comfort."
Accident or divine inspiration???
The meaning of the first 10 generational names in the Bible form an amazing statement. It is found in Genesis 5 and goes as follows:
Adam- Man
Seth - appointed
Enos - mortal (lethal)
Cainan- sorrow (final perishing)
Mahalaleel - blessed God
Jared - shall come down
Enoch - preaching
Methusaleh- his death shall bring
Lamech - strength
Noah - comfort
Statement : Man is appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down preaching (that) his death shall bring strength and comfort."
Accident or divine inspiration???
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