Lately I've been reading the likes of:
The Bible (always a good one)
Common Sense by Glenn Beck
Dead Certain by Robert Draper
(about George Bush's preseidency)
K2 : Life & Death on the World's
Most Dangerous Mountain by Ed Viesturs
Books on the waiting list on Shelf 5:
What Difference Do It Make by
Ron Hall and Denver Moore
The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING???
(whoever you are)
A Wise Journey
The three(?) wise men embarked upon a wise journey.
1.It was a journey of faith. They didn't ask "Is he here..?" They asked "Where is He..?" Perhaps their ancestors had learned about a coming Messiah when the Jews had been taken captive in Babylon at least 600 years earlier?
2.It was a journey of worship. "we are come to worship him"
gold- fit for a king
frankincense- incense for worship
myrrh- used to annoint the dead (this was the world's sacrifice, right?)
3.It was a journey that took them a different way.
The wise men could not go back the way they had come. After finding Jesus, they went a different way. So should we.
If we could blend these components of the wise mens' journey, then perhaps we could have a wise journey through life as well.
1.It was a journey of faith. They didn't ask "Is he here..?" They asked "Where is He..?" Perhaps their ancestors had learned about a coming Messiah when the Jews had been taken captive in Babylon at least 600 years earlier?
2.It was a journey of worship. "we are come to worship him"
gold- fit for a king
frankincense- incense for worship
myrrh- used to annoint the dead (this was the world's sacrifice, right?)
3.It was a journey that took them a different way.
The wise men could not go back the way they had come. After finding Jesus, they went a different way. So should we.
If we could blend these components of the wise mens' journey, then perhaps we could have a wise journey through life as well.
Grace To All
Ephesians 6:24 "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."
Chick-Fil-A
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!
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."
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