November 11, 2008
Sundays sermon
....was on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Pastor Shaylon presented the thought..."The question isnt 'Who is my neighbor?', rather it is, 'Whose neighbor am I?'" Food for thought.
November 05, 2008
Job 39:19-25 (New King James Version)
Glen Coffee of the Alabama crimson Tide uses this verse as one of the themes of his life....
19 “Have you given the horse strength?
Have you clothed his neck with thunder?[a]
20 Can you frighten him like a locust?
His majestic snorting strikes terror.
21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
He gallops into the clash of arms.
22 He mocks at fear, and is not frightened;
Nor does he turn back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against him,
The glittering spear and javelin.
24 He devours the distance with fierceness and rage;
Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.
25 At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
The thunder of captains and shouting.
July 20, 2008
Romans 13:12
"The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light." (NIV)
June 03, 2008
April 13, 2008
A few thoughts.....
....from today's sermon at The Crossing
1. The enemy does not hate our rebuke as much as he does our worship, repentence and obedience.
2. God requires the best because He gave his best.
3. We were created to be worshippers and warriors, giving God total devotion, obedience and repentence.
Pastor Michael Sharp.
1. The enemy does not hate our rebuke as much as he does our worship, repentence and obedience.
2. God requires the best because He gave his best.
3. We were created to be worshippers and warriors, giving God total devotion, obedience and repentence.
Pastor Michael Sharp.
March 06, 2008
A Reminder
I found thnis quote in a daily devotional I get from beliefnet. It reminded me of things Al Baker, my college pastor, taught us about social justice. We must always remember to never look down on anyone. The ground is always level at the foot of the cross.
Justice demands that we seek and find the stranger, the broken, the prisoner, and comfort them and offer them our help. Here lies the holy compassion of God.
-Mechtild of Magdeburg
Justice demands that we seek and find the stranger, the broken, the prisoner, and comfort them and offer them our help. Here lies the holy compassion of God.
-Mechtild of Magdeburg
February 11, 2008
Peace in the Storm
Pastor Buddy Gray of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama had two children who lost practically everything in the tornado at Union College in Tennessee. They were in a safe place and survived.
When asked about the situation he pointed to Job 1:21 which says, "the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
He said that is not being fatalistic it is based on trust and assurance of knowing that God is in control. That really is so true and it really carried a lot of meaning for me personally.
When asked about the situation he pointed to Job 1:21 which says, "the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
He said that is not being fatalistic it is based on trust and assurance of knowing that God is in control. That really is so true and it really carried a lot of meaning for me personally.
January 23, 2008
January 22, 2008
A thought.....
....from How to be a Man of character in a World of Compromise; Insights from the Book of Proverbs by Richard Exley
"Adversity tests a man's character, his ability to hang in there when times get tough. Success, on the other hand, tests a man's integrity, his ability to remain true to himself, morally and ethically pure." (p.167)
"Adversity tests a man's character, his ability to hang in there when times get tough. Success, on the other hand, tests a man's integrity, his ability to remain true to himself, morally and ethically pure." (p.167)
A Godly response to tragedy
Quotes from Rick Burgess regarding the death of his precious two year old son, Bronner.
Satan made a huge mistake attacking my family. He miscalculated greatly.
So many lives have already been changed because of the appointment God had with him.
The biggest injustice you can do to my son, to my family, to God, is to leave here unchanged.
Bronner is in the care of the only Father who loves him more than me, the Father who he really belongs to.
Satan you have kicked up a can of worms
The fight is on.
Satan made a huge mistake attacking my family. He miscalculated greatly.
So many lives have already been changed because of the appointment God had with him.
The biggest injustice you can do to my son, to my family, to God, is to leave here unchanged.
Bronner is in the care of the only Father who loves him more than me, the Father who he really belongs to.
Satan you have kicked up a can of worms
The fight is on.
January 10, 2008
Bigger than Before
The above is the title of a sermon preached by our Associate Pastor Shayl0n Sharp. Below are some notes from that sermon.
Some of the church staff went to a seminar on the universe. After they walked out they realized God was bigger than before. It hit them anew that God was the creator of it all.
Psalm 19 -"Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere."-(Shaylon read this particular quote from The Message.)
So often we make Him to0 small. We are like Him but He is not like us.
If we are the center of the Universe it is too big but we're not.
All of Creation is about God.
The Milky Way is so big if we counted 1 star per second it would take 2500 years to finish counting them. Yet Isaiah says God calls each by name.
Again, we tend to undersize God.
In comparison to the Milky Way, the solar system is like quarter laying on the North American Continent.
Sometimes we think too much of ourselves and not enough of God.
Who are we to tell God what we will believe and how we will live?
One irony: The creator of the world chose to hang from a cross made from trees HE made.
Shaylon said all this to say this. He is bigger than your sins or problems. Remember how great God is.
Some of the church staff went to a seminar on the universe. After they walked out they realized God was bigger than before. It hit them anew that God was the creator of it all.
Psalm 19 -"Unspoken truth is spoken everywhere."-(Shaylon read this particular quote from The Message.)
So often we make Him to0 small. We are like Him but He is not like us.
If we are the center of the Universe it is too big but we're not.
All of Creation is about God.
The Milky Way is so big if we counted 1 star per second it would take 2500 years to finish counting them. Yet Isaiah says God calls each by name.
Again, we tend to undersize God.
In comparison to the Milky Way, the solar system is like quarter laying on the North American Continent.
Sometimes we think too much of ourselves and not enough of God.
Who are we to tell God what we will believe and how we will live?
One irony: The creator of the world chose to hang from a cross made from trees HE made.
Shaylon said all this to say this. He is bigger than your sins or problems. Remember how great God is.
January 03, 2008
"Things Left Unsaid" - Disciple
Powerful song...maybe I can post a YouTube video soon..
Just a matter of time a few days ago,
I saw you you were fine
Remembering what you said
About the book you read
The one I got you the begining of the end
Oh how we talked, for hours upon end
What I would give just to do it again
Your lying there in this hospital bed
Wont you open your eyes
And lets talk once again.
If you fly away tonight, I wanna tell you that I love.
I hope that you can hear me, I hope that you can feel me.
If you fly away tonight,
I wanna tell you that Im sorry,
That I never told you
When we were face to face.
Well Ive been here all night
And Im watching you
Breathe in and Breathe out
Is it really you or just a machine
Thats giving you life and
Making it seem that there could be hope
I could say it to your face?
If it werent for you then
There would be no grace
Thats covered my life.
You took the time to speak into my mind
And my harsh words were lies
If you fly away tonight
I wanna tell you that I love you
I hope that you can hear me
I hope that you can feel me
If you fly away tonight
I wanna tell you that
Im sorry
That I never told you
When we were face to face
Just a matter of time a few days ago,
I saw you you were fine
Remembering what you said
About the book you read
The one I got you the begining of the end
Oh how we talked, for hours upon end
What I would give just to do it again
Your lying there in this hospital bed
Wont you open your eyes
And lets talk once again.
If you fly away tonight, I wanna tell you that I love.
I hope that you can hear me, I hope that you can feel me.
If you fly away tonight,
I wanna tell you that Im sorry,
That I never told you
When we were face to face.
Well Ive been here all night
And Im watching you
Breathe in and Breathe out
Is it really you or just a machine
Thats giving you life and
Making it seem that there could be hope
I could say it to your face?
If it werent for you then
There would be no grace
Thats covered my life.
You took the time to speak into my mind
And my harsh words were lies
If you fly away tonight
I wanna tell you that I love you
I hope that you can hear me
I hope that you can feel me
If you fly away tonight
I wanna tell you that
Im sorry
That I never told you
When we were face to face
December 15, 2007
Even before He was born
Luke 2:8-20.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus was always going to places no one else would go and calling people to Himself that no one else wanted. In the above passage the angels anounce Jesus' birth to shepherds abiding in a field. Scripture tells us God is not a respecter of persons. This is a great example. Shepherds were basically the dregs of the earth in that culture. I've known many years that Jesus called these type people to Himself throughout his earthly ministry. tb wasnt until my Pastor pointed it out that I realized Jesus was doing this even before he was born.
Thank God that no matter what we've done or how bad we think we are, He still wants us.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus was always going to places no one else would go and calling people to Himself that no one else wanted. In the above passage the angels anounce Jesus' birth to shepherds abiding in a field. Scripture tells us God is not a respecter of persons. This is a great example. Shepherds were basically the dregs of the earth in that culture. I've known many years that Jesus called these type people to Himself throughout his earthly ministry. tb wasnt until my Pastor pointed it out that I realized Jesus was doing this even before he was born.
Thank God that no matter what we've done or how bad we think we are, He still wants us.
December 14, 2007
Mission: Possible....
Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee..."
Mark 10:27 "Looking at them, Jesus said, 'With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.'"
December 06, 2007
Our God is an awesome God
Deuteronomy 7:21 "Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God."
Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome..."
Exodus 15:11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
Nehemiah 1:5 "Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands..."
Daniel 9:4 "I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands..."
Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome..."
Exodus 15:11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"
Nehemiah 1:5 "Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands..."
Daniel 9:4 "I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands..."
December 04, 2007
Matthew 1:23
23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."
November 06, 2007
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
October 24, 2007
October 04, 2007
Good Article
This article showed up in my inbox Tuesday. Thought I would share
thelife.com/explore/goodpeople.html
thelife.com/explore/goodpeople.html
September 30, 2007
Isaiah 43:1-3
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you I have summoned you by name; you are min. When yo pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God.”
This verse was posted by a very courageous lady, Brenda Ladun, who is undergoing her second major battle against cancer.
This verse was posted by a very courageous lady, Brenda Ladun, who is undergoing her second major battle against cancer.
September 18, 2007
Great blog posts...
I read a couple of very well done blog posts by my pastor from my college days. Check out his excellent website, Early Church History - CH 101 and his posts about "Water Baptism in the Primitive Church" and "Wine in the Ancient World - Part 1". Really good stuff!
September 17, 2007
The Word of God found while tailgating!
Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
September 11, 2007
I Love You, Lord!
Do you have any worship songs that you always come back to on a regular basis? I do. There are songs that just rise up in my heart sometimes. One of those is this song:
Here is the story behind this precious worship song. Read this short story!
Here is the story behind this precious worship song. Read this short story!
I love you Lord and I lift my voice
To worship You O my soul rejoice
Take joy my King in what you hear
Let me be a sweet, sweet sound In your ear
I love you Lord and I give my life
To worship You under pain and strife
Take joy my King in what you see
September 08, 2007
An eternal perspective...
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO.
September 03, 2007
God's call
Last week marked the anniversaries of the deaths of Princess Di and Mother Teresa. One was celebrated due to her status as a potential Queen of England. The other labored in relative obscurity.
So many people measure their lives by the success and position they hold. Mother Teresa labored form many years seeing very little results from her work. One time she was asked how she could go on seeing so little results. Below is the reply that was attributed to her:
"God has called me to obedience not success."
We would all do well to remember this.
So many people measure their lives by the success and position they hold. Mother Teresa labored form many years seeing very little results from her work. One time she was asked how she could go on seeing so little results. Below is the reply that was attributed to her:
"God has called me to obedience not success."
We would all do well to remember this.
August 18, 2007
A moment in time
Today, I attended the funeral of one of the older saints in our church. During the service Pastor related a story I wanted to share.
Jake was a WW2 veteran. He accepted Christ at the age of 11. During the war, he was in a foxhole with one of his buddies. During this time God allowed Jake to share the Gospel with this young man. Minutes later that foxhole was hit and that young man stepped into eternity and into the prescence of God. Because of Jake's faithfullness and obedience to share that man met his Maker right with Him.
I want to encourege all Christians to consider Jake's example and be faithful and obedient. I encourage non-Christians to consider the other young man. Any presentation of the Gospel you hear could be your last chance to know God.
Take advantage of this moment in time God has given you.
Jake was a WW2 veteran. He accepted Christ at the age of 11. During the war, he was in a foxhole with one of his buddies. During this time God allowed Jake to share the Gospel with this young man. Minutes later that foxhole was hit and that young man stepped into eternity and into the prescence of God. Because of Jake's faithfullness and obedience to share that man met his Maker right with Him.
I want to encourege all Christians to consider Jake's example and be faithful and obedient. I encourage non-Christians to consider the other young man. Any presentation of the Gospel you hear could be your last chance to know God.
Take advantage of this moment in time God has given you.
August 17, 2007
August 15, 2007
I know the PLANS I have for you!
I know the PLANS I have for you,
declares the Lord,
Plans to PROSPER you and not to HARM you,
plans to to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.
Jeremiah 29:11
August 04, 2007
July 03, 2007
You are so blessed!
Have you ever had a down day? Who hasn't? We all do that. Sometimes the reason we get down is that we look at our circumstances and compare them to the circumstances of other people. That can get us down. Sometimes we compare our circumstances to what we would consider an "ideal" situation.
The problem is that we often pick out our worst circumstances and focus on those. God never promised that everything would go our way. What we do so often though is ignore the truth of how good we actually have it.
If we are going to play the "comparison" game, we should compare ourselves to the rest of the people in the world, past and present. We might also compare ourselves to Christ Himself! Most of us who are able to read this post will have to admit that we fare quite well.
Enjoy this presentation and reflect on just how blessed you are today!
The problem is that we often pick out our worst circumstances and focus on those. God never promised that everything would go our way. What we do so often though is ignore the truth of how good we actually have it.
If we are going to play the "comparison" game, we should compare ourselves to the rest of the people in the world, past and present. We might also compare ourselves to Christ Himself! Most of us who are able to read this post will have to admit that we fare quite well.
Enjoy this presentation and reflect on just how blessed you are today!
July 01, 2007
A couple of thoughts...
from the past week...
Jeremiah 29:10-13
"This is what the Lord says 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fufill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart....' "
God wants to be found, however, He wants us to be willing to give all we are and have to find Him. Are you willing to seek Him with all your heart today?
******
Also heard Jeff Foxworthy say something on an awards show I thought was pretty good. He was speaking of God being a prominent part of country music. He said that we were not trying to offend anyone but the evidence we have seen of God working in our lives trumps the opinion of those offended.
Once again the greatest proof we can give of His existence is what He has done for us personally. Our personal testimony is one of the greatest tools we have.
Jeremiah 29:10-13
"This is what the Lord says 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fufill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart....' "
God wants to be found, however, He wants us to be willing to give all we are and have to find Him. Are you willing to seek Him with all your heart today?
******
Also heard Jeff Foxworthy say something on an awards show I thought was pretty good. He was speaking of God being a prominent part of country music. He said that we were not trying to offend anyone but the evidence we have seen of God working in our lives trumps the opinion of those offended.
Once again the greatest proof we can give of His existence is what He has done for us personally. Our personal testimony is one of the greatest tools we have.
June 24, 2007
They'll Know We Are Christians
Does this bring back any good memories? They don't write many like this any longer.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us
I was given an insight today in church that I never really thought about before in these exact terms. I love it when that happens! 3 John 6 says that we should "send them on their way in a manner worthy of God." Pastor Steve Britt of Northbrook Baptist Church in Cullman, Alabama had a very good illustration of this passage. He said, basically, that we should treat everyone as if they were Jesus Himself. That is obviously scriptural. What a challenge, though, huh?
What would you say to Jesus if he was your co-worker, neighbor, person who sat next to you in church, etc.? We should treat everyone with the same level of respect and love we, as Christians, have for the Lord!
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