Works in Progress

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There is a song that children learn in church at an early age that goes something like this, “He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.” That simple song has its roots in a much deeper spiritual truth. The truth is that each day, God is working in us and on us to make us ore like His Son Jesus. This happens through the application of the written Word, revealing how we are to act and live. This also happens through conviction by the Holy Spirit, revealing areas that are not pleasing and need to be changed.

Recently, I came across a video by the The Skit Guys that gives an accurate, vivid picture of this process at work. The video is about 8 minutes long, but well worth your time. Please watch, enjoy, and apply.

Fluid Plans

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surprising

I heard a quote the other day that stopped me in my tracks. It was very simple. It was something I believe that I already knew. The more I have thought about it the more of an impact it has. I pray that it always will. I intend to share this quote in a post at a later time with some application.

In the meantime, this quote has caused me to change what I am reading. Last week, I wrote that I was going to review the book Simple Life. That has changed. Instead, I have begun a reread of a book that I read a year or so ago. This book is entitled Surprising Insights from the Unchurched. I expect and believe this book will have an entirely different meaning. Also, I will be offering a review of this book as well.

My Personal Prayer

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Father, I thank you that you have given me the privilege to pastor the people of Port Royal Baptist Church. Thank you for the opportunity to pour my life inot your people, for your glory. I need your strength to do this.

Father, I pray for the people of your church. I pray they would look to you for their every need. It is my prayer, that in all we do, from our study, to our worship, to our fellowship, we would be together. Father, some of your people are hurting. I ask for your peace to rest upon them. I ask you to comfort and assure, as only you can. I ask you to speak a word into their hearts. Your people are ready. I pray that you would show them they way to the field. I pray that every individual and every family would rest in your love and provision as you lead them. As you lead us together.

Father, I pray for power in your church. It is my prayer that you would empower your church, the people of Port Royal, to be your hands and feet to the world around them. I pray that your power would rest upon every believer so they may live as conquerors. I pray that your church would become a missionary-sending agency.

Father, take us from where we are and move us to where you would have us to be.

Amen

Changing Faces at the IMB

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The International Mission Board has reported that Dr. Jerry Rankin, president of the IMB has announced his retirement that will take place on July 31, 2010. Dr. Rankin made this announcement while in Jacksonville, FL at the IMB Missionary Appointment Service that was held at FBC Jacksonville where 60 new missionaries were appointed. You can read about that service here.

Let me say that I have never met Dr. Rankin personally. I have heard him share mission messages and his heart for the lost at various convention settings. This man has a true heart for mission work and the lost. I am thankful that such a passionate and humble man had led our IMB fo the past 17 years. During his leadership, the missionary force has grown to what it is today. Here is how the IMB looks today. There are over 5500 missionaries, nearly 27000 churches have been planted in total, 101 new people groups have been engaged for a total 1190 different people groups being reached.

I have served on six short-term mission trips through the IMB to Honduras and Nicaragua. I have been impacted and challenged by Dr. Rankin’s vision for the IMB. As I have watched and participated in IMB ministry over the years, the IMB has had some real challenges. One challenge has always been present and will always be there. I am speaking of the challenge to take a message of love and hope to an unloving world. It is a call to take the message of Jesus to the unsafe and dangerous parts of the world. Dr. Rankin has consistently encouraged and challenged the Southern Baptist Convention to trust God above all else and go. We are seeing time and time again individuals and couples willing to put their lives on the line tht othes might hear. Amazing.

Another challenge that has surfaced recently is the decrease in giving to the Cooperative Program. As you may or not know, our missionaries are solely funded by the CP gifts from every SBC church and from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. As a result of these tough economic times, mission funding has decreased. I have written about that here. Today, the IMB has candidates who willing, capapble, qualified, and approved to go the field, however, the money is not there to send them. Tragic.

I will be praying earnestly for our IMB. I cahllenge you and encourage you to pray as well. How can you pray? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Pray the IMB will seek a president that has a passion for the lost and that will listen to God as how to reach them.

2. Pray for the safety, security, and success of our missionaries already on the field worldwide.

3. Pray the funds will come available through increased CP giving to be able to send those missionaries who are waiting to go.

4. Pray that God will open a door for you to go.

Service With a Smile

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Today, our church hosted the Beaufort Housing Authority in the their annual Senior Luncheon. We had upwards of 120 senior citizens from Beaufort and the surrounding areas of Sumter, Charleston, Columbia, and others. I had the opportunity and priviledge to work along side 6 of our church members who volunteered their time to serve today. Our goal was to make ourselves available to their needs in order that they might have a enjoyable experience. Whether preparing plates, waiting tables, or just sharing a conversation with someone was, for me personally, exciting. My excitement was tempered with the challenge that every individual faces at one time or another: The challenge to put someone else first. The reason this is challenging is that it goes against everything we are naturally and it contradicts what the world teaches today. The world’s lesson: look out for number one.

As I watched our people give of their time and of themselves, I was encouraged, at the same time reminded that Jesus told HIs disciples in Mark 10:45-

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

If you have never intentionally put yourself in the position to serve others, I challenge you to find a way to do so. Look around you, wherever you are, for ways to serve someone else. Do this for no other reason than it is what has been modeled for us by Jesus himself. You will not be sorry.

FIFS : John 3:30

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There is an old saying that goes something like this: ‘less is more’. This truth comes to life across the pages of the Bible. There are many short verses that pack a tremendous punch. One of these verses that I find very powerful in found in John 3:30. It reads-

‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’

This verse falls within the context of the ministry of John the Baptist. The sole purpose for his ministry was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. I believe this one verse sums up that ministry. John understood the need for Jesus to increase, or to have the prominent place in his life. As believers, Jesus is to have the prominent place in our lives. It is vital for us to rearrange whatever we need in order that Jesus be first. He is to be first in our worship, first in our work place, first in our churches, first in our relationships, and first in our desire. We will be more profitable to the kingdom if we allow Him to increase.

John also knew that he had to decrease, or have the lesser place in his own life. We must decrease. We must take a back-seat when it comes to setting personal priorities. As a believer I must die to the old man every day, get out of the way and let Jesus be seen. If we refuse to decrease, we will be powerless, inefffective, and a stumbling block to kingdom work.

Book Review – Simple Life

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simplelifeI am embarking on something new to me. I am going to write my first book review. Understand, this is not a critique. Who am I to critique another author when I have not authored. One of my favorite authors is Thom Rainer, President of Lifeway Christian Resources. He writes with such passion about the church, the unchurched, and the pursuit of Christ that his books, to me, are addicting. He even has a way of making books based on research and numbers challenge you in your Christian walk, especially if you are a leader.

Dr. Rainer’s latest book, “Simple Life” makes use of  the teachings of his bestseller “Simple Church”. In his new book, he guides the reader to pursue balance betwee four critical area of life: God, time, relationships, and money.  If this book is anywhere near as good as “Simple Church”, it will be well worth the time spent in reading.

The book has 305 pages, containing sixteen chapters which are housed in four main sections. My intent is read each section an then come back here and review that section. I will then give an overall review at the end. In the event there is a particular chapter that is beneficial to the reader here, I will review that chapter alone. At times, there will be other posts scattered in between the book reviews. If you are a reader of this blog, help me with accountability. I am looking forward to this read and even more to shring my thoughts with you.

FIFS : Psalm 127:1

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Today, I want to resume what I like to call Friday Is For Scripture. Solomon wrote,

1. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;  Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

We are people who like to build. We like to see visible results from the works of our hands. This has been the case since the beginning of man. I believe, at times, man forgets who it is that allows us and grants us the strength, wisdom, and desire to build in the first place.

Today is the 8th anniversay of the terrorist attacks upon our country that forever changed us. The attacks  that took place by passenger plane in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a  field in Pennsylvania will be forever imprinted in the fabric of America. Quickly after our thoughts turned to rebuilding.  As man set forth to rebuild, to see a visible result of his work, it appears that we have forgotten again who it that builds.

Solomon gave a statement to be remembered, ‘unless the Lord buids the house, they labor in vain who build it.’ There is no doubt that we need to surrender the rebuilding of this country to God himself. Our country needs the principles of integrity, love, and the clear sense of right and wrong that God’s Word offers. We can build all we want. We can give the appearance that everything is just right. However, if God himself doesn’t do the building, if we don’t allow His to guide, all human labor is futile.

It is my prayer that  we will hear Solomon’s words, ‘unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.’ and begin asking and begging God to watch over our cities, towns, schools, chruches, and our nation. On this anniversary day, remember. Remember our military. Remember our firefighters and EMTs. Remember that nothing takes God by surprise and He is still on the throne today.

What if Everything Looked Like a Church Service?

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Those of who are connected to, and part of the local church know there is a pattern to how we conduct our worship services. This entire experience  begins the moment an individual gets out of their car and continues until they drive out of the parking lot.  This “order” is something we have become familiar and comfortable with. I wonder what it looks like to someone who comes into the church for the very first time? Further, what if everyone else conducted business like we “conduct” our services at church? The video below is a light-hearted parable that I believe, at least in part, answers that question. While this video is funny, it is at the same time painfully true. It made me think about what we do. Enjoy.

A New Chapter

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I have come to the end of a meaningul, benefical, and joyous chapter in my pastoral ministry. Yesterday was my last day as the pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Perry, FL. I have accepted the call to be the Senior Pastor at Port Royal Baptist Church in Port, Roayl, SC. Lakeside was my first full-time pastorate after leaving the youth ministry. I enjoyed and benefited from my time at Lakeside. As I look back, I see this in two ways. First, the people at Lakeside trult have a deep love for Jesus Christ. This love for Christ and His Word enabled and allowed me to preach and teach the gospel without reservation. Second, the people at Lakeside know what it means to love and support their pastor. Coming in as a first-time pastor, they were patient and loving the entire 4 1/2 years I was there. They prayed for me, helped me, encouraged me, and prepared for the next step in my ministry. For these things I will ever be grateful.

The Lord has His own unique way of leading, guiding , and directing. On August 2nd, I will begin a new pastorate at Port Royal Baptist Church. I am loooking forward to, with great anticipation, assuming my new role in Port Royal. I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to minister and pour my life into the lives of the people of Port Royal. I thank the Lord for this new chapter in my pastoral ministry.