A view from a Pastor's Study

The Devil at work

2009-08-16T21:04:00.002-05:00

We have a guy who needs prayer. He is letting his ill feelings towards a man in our church get out of hand. He has a problem with a certain item in our church that I grew up with, but he feels doesn't belong in a church. It's amazing. We voted on the guy to be our new youth director and this ill feeling dude is bent on making things difficult. Pray for him.

Still in the city @ same church

2009-07-22T21:32:00.001-05:00

It's been almost 7 years and I'm still here in this same church. There is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. It might be a train or it might be some hope of a better future for the folks here at this church. Right now there is a sense of optimism. I am not too excited, don't want to get my hopes up. So far we've had more in VBS than we've ever had. Even looks like some prospects in view.

Forever

2009-04-20T23:16:00.002-05:00

It's been forever since i've posted. I am still alive. I am also still at the same church. Hoping to leave soon. Waiting on God to move me. Of course, He may leave me here. Pray for me.

Man Dies

2008-09-29T00:12:00.001-05:00

A 94 year old died tonight. Pray for his 91 year old wife. Married for 75 years they were.

Posted with LifeCast

Tass

2008-09-24T21:09:00.001-05:00

So, like the dog loves going outside. For no good reason. We do this at least three times each night. Whoopie! Big fun.

Posted with LifeCast

Ordered it I did.

2008-08-12T23:20:00.002-05:00

Ordered it from BigBadToyStore.com Can't wait to get it. It should come this month!!! Yes, it's the Tom Baker Doctor. Number 4 to be exact.

Vatican 'regrets' female bishops decision - CNN.com

2008-07-08T12:47:00.001-05:00

Vatican 'regrets' female bishops decision - CNN.com

I am siding with the Catholics on this one. Notice how some who oppose still want to be a part of the group, the Anglican Church. They truly are open to new ideas. They don't want to split. I, for one, would love for our SBC to be willing to get along on some issues, but the issues that are non-negotiable, are just that, non-negotiable. We must define who we are and stick with it. When it comes to a "private prayer language" with missionaries, I don't think there is an issue there. If it's private, then it does not affect anyone else. Right? Wow. What a world.

BBC NEWS | UK | Synod set to debate women bishops

2008-07-05T00:34:00.001-05:00

BBC NEWS | UK | Synod set to debate women bishops

It's amazing that there is a debate at all. Ok, I know not everyone will like me for that comment, but I am "one of those." I take the Bible literally.

YES!!!

2008-07-01T23:59:00.001-05:00

Episcopal Church Dissidents Win Court Ruling

A Virginia judge ruled last week that 11 churches which broke from the larger denomination may keep their church property, according to Reuters. Eleven conservative congregations in Virginia broke from the Episcopal Church in America as part of the increasing controversy in the Anglican Communion worldwide. Judge Randy Bellows of the Fairfax County Circuit Court ruled that the Virginia law under which the congregations want to keep the property is constitutional, which says that any "church or religious society" that "divides" remains under the control of the majority, as does any property entrusted to it. Further appeals seem likely. The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia believes the "regrettable" ruling on the law violates the U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state.

Split gets bigger with Anglicans

2008-06-29T20:01:00.002-05:00

So, it has finally occurred. This was a long time coming. The most interesting thing is, and it's in line with Episcopal thinking, this group is not leaving the church. They are still a part. That amazes me.

BBC NEWS
Anglican conservatives form group

Conservative Anglicans meeting in Jerusalem will create a global network to combat modern trends in the Church like the ordination of gay clergy.

The group has also decided to break its relationship with the liberal wings of the US and Canadian Churches.

It will operate independently of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but will stay inside the Anglican Communion.

The traditionalists say they are fighting a "false Gospel" and the rift in the Church cannot be patched up.

After five years of trying unsuccessfully to get the American church expelled for its ordination of an openly gay bishop and blessing of same-sex relationships in church, the traditionalists say the international alliance will emphasise a more orthodox reading of the Bible.

Network of allies

The plan is expected to be adopted on Sunday, the final day of the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon), where some 1,100 traditionalists - many from developing countries - have been meeting in Jerusalem.

The Anglican Church is being destroyed by false teaching of the Bible on issues such as sexuality
Rev Rod Thomas
Chairman of the Reform group

The group said it would stay inside the Anglican Communion, but with its own statement of theology and council of archbishops.

"A major realignment has occurred and will continue to unfold," the group said in an official statement.

BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says the existence of a separate shadow Communion is likely to have a profound impact on Anglican churches all over the world - providing disgruntled traditionalists with a powerful network of allies overseas.

The move underlines the alliance's independence from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and makes clear that it will no longer recognise Dr Williams' traditional role as the leader of the world's Anglicans.

READ THE STATEMENT

Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader

Conservatives at the Jerusalem event repeatedly criticised Dr Williams for failing to fully discipline the US Episcopal Church.

Long-standing divisions over how Anglicans should interpret the Bible have been widening steadily ever since the Episcopal Church consecrated the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in 2003.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7479735.stm

Published: 2008/06/29 07:08:04 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

Just because...

2008-06-27T22:59:00.001-05:00

Just because the majority thinks it's right or ok does not make it right or ok.

Man, I am glad i am not in a denomination that is confused as to what the Bible says. Check this out.

Teacher accused of burning cross on student's arm - CNN.com

2008-06-21T09:05:00.001-05:00

Teacher accused of burning cross on student's arm - CNN.com While it's a great idea to stand up for your faith, it's a bad idea to cram it down people's throats!!! This does NOT reflect well on us as Christians.

Senior Pastor Hero & pickle ball

2008-06-16T21:26:00.003-05:00

I spoke with an adviser to the pastor at a large church in Brandon, FL, today. He gave me some encouragement. I also spoke with our DOM. I am at an odd spot in my life. I don't know if i am ready for the red sports car or not. I am really accessing my life as to if it has mattered much. Have i changed the world i live in? What have I done to help my world?

On the lighter side of things a neighbor invited me to play pickleball tonight. Whoa! Ladies and gentlemen, it ain't tennis. It just ain't! What is was, was fun. i enjoyed it. Not sure if I'll pick it up or not. Just might.

Bo died.

2008-06-02T12:06:00.001-05:00

Rock legend gone. Wow. Google News

A few cents away from po

2008-05-28T00:10:00.003-05:00

With gas going up, up, up our whole lifestyle is not too good. Everything is so high vacation for us will be short and not far from home. It's tough seeing others go on big vacations and still living as if the high prices don't bother them. I am trying to have a positive attitude, but it's hard. I have friends who seem to have so much more financial resources than we do. It's hard to see them able to continue to eat out all the time and enjoy what some would consider a normal everyday life. Being squeezed financially is very hard. Pray for all the pastors you know. Most of them are strapped financially.

Baseball woes

2008-05-27T21:03:00.001-05:00

Wonderboy wandered and picked grass as his team played around him. He paid attention some of the time. They lost 25-19. Sad it was.

Coming close to something happening

2008-05-20T22:38:00.001-05:00

Yes, I think we're close to a breakthrough at the church. I think something may come to pass at some point soon. I probably need to get a man scheduled to come and share in some revival meetings soon. We seem to be getting closer.

The apology

2008-05-18T22:53:00.004-05:00

This post was pulled for privacy reasons. Thanks

CBF--Wow

2008-05-10T21:40:00.005-05:00

So I, for some odd reason, get the news magazine of the CBF. I usually toss it. This time I picked it up and read a bit of it. I found something very interesting. Listen to this. There was an ad on page 5 of the June edition that said,

"Why I give... "I believe it's so important to support CBF because together we are fighting oppression in many different forms–race, gender, socio-economic. There are few organizations out there like CBF, which looks at difficult situations and then gets involved in being part of the solutions." Tiffany Kellogg, Richmond, VA.

Tiffany Kellogg's grandfather, pastor jerry Barnes, introduced her to CBG many years ago. But it was a "burnging bush experience" at a Passport camp that reinforced her call to ministry. Since then, Kellogg, 29, has been an active pleader in CBF life, including becoming the youngest member of the CBF of Oklahoma Coordinating Council at age 24.

"I felt called, and I was looking for a place to serve where I, as a woman, could have a voice," said Kellogg. "CBF of Oklahoma offered me that place, with the Baptist distinctives I so love."

So, I surmise that her involvement has nothing to do with sharing the gospel. It appears to be more about fighting oppression. Nothing in the ad said anything about Jesus or sharing the gospel. I find that odd. Sure the rest of the magazine mentioned being missional, but this ad disturbs me. It seems we have this all inclusive ideal out there which some feel we MUST have, even at the cost of calling sin truth. I could go on and on, but who's reading this anyway?

empty pews & radio

2008-05-04T21:18:00.004-05:00

Our church has a habit of enjoying nature. The first nice weekend they go camping. It doesn't matter if it's during the school year, they go. They leave on Friday and come back on Sunday evening. It leaves a number of empty pews at the church and it's quite disturbing. Many notice the empty pews and find it disturbing as well. God needs to visit our church and bring with Him a huge revival that will turn hearts to Him. Pray with us.

On another note, a local radio station wants me on radio. I doubt that will happen since it costs $150 a month. Who knows, it could happen. We'll see.

Bible & Call from man

2008-04-29T22:57:00.003-05:00

I got a copy of this Bible today at the Associational State Training Event at Kingsville Baptist Church. It's what i call a throw away Bible. It's one of those Bibles that has a bit more information in it than most, but not enough to be really useful to someone like me. I think it will do well with people who have limited knowledge of the Bible, but to one who's been to seminary i fin that is is not as helpful to me as i had hoped. Still, NICE gesture form LifeWay to give us one!!!!

We're still headed toward praying for revival. I got a call from a man who is chair of a pastor search committee today. I shall call him and tell him I'm not interested. I am dedicated to seeing something happen here first.

Unexpected baby #3

2008-04-28T00:14:00.002-05:00

Well, I found out another girl, unmarried, in our congregation, is pregnant. The first one married the guy and seems to be making it ok. The second one had her baby and does not know who the father is. The most recent one knows the father, but he is unfit to be a dad and she is not in love with him. Why?! It pains me to write this. It is so sad. People today just make one bad decision after another.

We have drug heads in our church and girls who sleep around. Man, this church needs to be revived and some need to get saved!!!! Pray for us!!!

Revival, the Pope and prayer

2008-04-26T13:56:00.003-05:00

Well, Revival has swept through Jena, LA. After nine weeks the meetings have stopped, but the spirit lingers. Revival seems to be sprinkled around our parish as well. Numerous stories have been shared with me about how God it at work changing hearts. I want that so much for our little church I could bust. The roots of grudges run very deep at our church. We have numerous people who won't serve on a committee if so and so is on it. We have some members who do not talk with each other. It's truly sad. We are in a desperate need of a touch from a Holy, mighty and loving God. He is at work all around us. I am reaching with more boldness than I ever have. I truly feel as if i have been revived. I want so badly for others to be this way. We are going to pray as a church for God to move. I have this feeling, this excitement inside. I have never felt like this before. God is our only hope. He's the only one who can change the hearts of people. Pray for us.

The Pope is back in Rome. He came to visit and left us with a lot of good quotes, some of which I have shared in a few sermons. We truly do live in a state of "forgetfulness of God."

Pray for our church and your church and for yourself. Pray and talk with God. Get back into a growing relationship with Him. Do it today, do it now.

Funeral #2

2008-04-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

I did funeral number 1 of this month last week. Funeral number 2 was today. I stood at the casket of one of God's chosen one's and watched as the family wept. The lady was a great lady. She did not hold grudges, she loved and knew almost half the world. Yes, it appeared half the world showed up at her funeral. It was amazing.

At the graveside I watched as two of the three daughters, the freshman and a senior, wept openly for the loss of their mother. They had lost their mom. She was a wonderful mother. She taught them so much about how to live like Jesus. May prayer is that they got it and understood.

How hard it is to think that their mother won't be at their graduation. Man, cancer stinks!!!!!!

And their world expanded...

2008-04-06T22:35:00.003-05:00

Well, we did it. After having been in this world six years we showed Star Wars to the Wonderboy. We let 4 year old, Smilingboy, watch with him. Wonderboy kept asking which one Star Wars was. I told him there wasn't one named "Star Wars." He then was in the process of keeping everyone straight. He kept asking who everyone was. I am not sure what they thought. They liked it as far as i can tell. Smilingboy kept asking to watch the Han Solo movie today. Their world just got a bit bigger. Smilingboy liked "Dark Vader." I laughed when I heard him say that. It was too funny. Yes, the boys world expanded yesterday.