"Tostitos Blessing"

When I awoke at 4:00 a.m. I wasn't aware that I was waking up to a blessing. I only realized that the Tostitos I had eaten last night while playing Clue with my sons, weren't going to let me just go right back to sleep. I headed downstairs for some distraction, picked up my laptop, and went online to myspace. I found messages from friends, and read some really encouraging blog posts. Then I checked out a really positive Christian profile, and may have found a new friend. Wow, in a very short while I had forgotten why I was up. I certainly wouldn't have guessed at first that I had awakened to a "Tostitos Blessing."

God is so good! He takes those things that the enemy of our soul intends for harm and turns them around for our good. Remember Paul's words in Romans 8:28,

And we know that all things work together for good to ..them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So, next time Tostitos, or Pizza, or BBQ, or whatever wakes you up in the middle of the night. Look a little deeper and see. God has a plan. All things are working together for good! You may be the next recipient of a "Tostitos Blessing."

Wishing you all God's Best,
Pastor Dan

I received the following poem in an email, and wanted to pass it along to all who read my blog. The autor is unknown to me. I added the pictures from various internet sources.

Freedom Isn't Free

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.



I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

I want to encourage you to continue praying for our troops. These young people who place their live on the line every day for the sake of freedom. As we enjoy the blessing of freedom let us never take it's price for granted.

Yours for freedom,
Pastor Dan

Ban on Gay Marriage Ruled InvalidSuperior Court Judge Constance C. Russell

Last night on Fox there was some disturbing news. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Constance Russell effectively overturned Georgia's Constitutional ammendment that banned same sex marriage. It had taken her 15 months to come to a decision in favor of gay rights activists. It was certainly clear what the people of Georgia wanted. Voters approved the ammendment by a 76% majority in November of 2004. It's amazing that one Superior Court Judge can have the clout to make null something passed by such an overwhelming majority.

We celebrated a great victory in Georgia in 2004, but the war for is not over here on the homefront for the soul of America. This is just another evidence the battle rages on. Let me encourage you today to keep the faith. We know that neither this judge nor those who won her decision speak for the majoriy Georgians. The may have caused a temporary set back, but their victory will be short-lived.

Yours for godly government,
Pastor Dan

Getting Involved

Yes, I have been criticized for being so involved in the "political" process, but let me share again a quote from Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

I believe that we must be involved to make a difference. In the 33rd chapter of the book of Ezekiel the prophet writes that God has made him a watchman for the people of Israel. Further, God says that if the watchman is not faithful then the blood of the people is on his hands. God has placed his servants here in the Dalton area to be watchmen as well. It is most unfortunate when pastors and/or religious leaders cave in to the pressure to leave politics alone. I've heard the lines so many times before. Among them is, "You can't legislate morality." It is certainly true that legislation won't change men's hearts and souls, but it is also true that someone's morality or lack of it is behind legislation. In Deuteronomy 12:8 Moses writes that the people are not to do what is right in their own eyes but as he continues in Deuteronomy 13:18 that God will show mercy and compassion to them,

because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.

There is such an awesome need for godliness in government, and I see two ways that we can make a difference. One is to do all that we can to elect godly people to leadership, and the second is to hold those who are elected accountable to God's standards. Let's do all we can while we can to make a godly difference.

Blessings,
Pastor Dan

Meeting at City Hall

from their website at www.cityofdalton-ga.gov

We had a great turnout at the City Council Meeting last night. I'm sure I'll leave some out, but to give you an idea, there were five of us from CFA: Bob and Gay Rodriguez, Sharon Ferney, Janet Cochran, and myself. Besides our local church, other pastors and the folks from their churches included, Pastor Roger Whorton, Pastor Wayne Cofield, Pastor Ted Miller. A group of us had prayer in front of City Hall before we went in. Pastor Bill Walker, formerly of Grove Level and now at Dug Gap Baptist, was there along with Grove Level's current pastor, and a number of their people including our friends David and Sherri Blevins. Over 60 percent of the crowd was there to oppose Sunday Sales. Rev. Cannon, who is an associate pastor at 1st Baptist had an opportunity to speak at the work session, and he did a superb job representing our views, although we never spoke about it prior to this meeting.

The Council did not make a decision tonight. Instead Mayor Ray Elrod made an announcement that there would be no decision until July, because of certain time constraints. If they decided tonight then it would demand a special election to vote on the refernedum. By waiting until July they could have the referendum on the November ballot in the General election. It seems obvious to me that if Mayor Elrod did not expect the measure to pass there would be no need for him to wait. The local paper should be very interestin in the morning, but somehow I doubt that the paper's perspective and mine are very much alike.

Other evidence that Mayor Elrod seems very pro Sunday Sales included his announcement after the Hospitality Association made their speeches. The Mayor said that non-city residents should allow residents opportunity to speak first. It's interesting to me that he did not make this announcement before the the others spoke. Then at the close when Pastor Wayne Cofield asked if the Mayor would have those to stand to show their support or opposition to the measure, again the mayor raised the city resicency issue, only allowing those who were city residents to stand and show where they stood. Since no one other than the Mayor raised this issue, it made his own position most transparent.

Well, our work is certainly cut out for us, if we are to make a difference in the city of Dalton. We must identify and motivate those in our churches who are Dalton residents. Meanwhile I encourage all of you to write the Mayor and City Council. I think they should find their email accounts flooded with requests to keep this off the ballot. Remember, that Jesus said even the unjust judge relented when the widow unceasingly continued to make her petition. The email addresses are as follows:

Mayor Ray Elrod - relrod@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Charlie Bethel - cbethel@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Terry Christie - tchristie@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Bobby Grant - bgrant@cityofdalton-ga.gov
Dick Lowery - dlowery@cityofdalton-ga.gov
.

Of course, you may use conventional mail writing the Mayor and City Council at:

City of Dalton
City Hall
Dalton, GA 30720

Together we can make a difference!

Mother's DayMom with her Bible beginning her day in the Word

This is my third Mother's Day since Mom passed away. This year I sent a spray of Spring Flowers for the church in honor of her memory. Mother's Day has been difficult since Mom's death, but this year I really wanted to celebrate her life! I told Dad that I wasn't going to wear a white rose. My mother is very much alive, just in a different place. Like any time when your loved one is away for lengthy stay, I miss her. Somedays I miss here terribly, but we go on living, in God's promise that one day we will be reunited. Today I am thankful for a godly mother, and I echo the words of our first president, "all that I am I owe to my mother."

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Dan

A Christian Response to Rebellion

Our Wednesday Evening Bible Teacher -- Hubert Cochran

In our Bible Study tonight Hubert dealt directly with the question, "How do we respond to a Christian friend in rebellion? The goal tonight was to give some practical direction for responding to those who are rebelling against God.

First, he said that we must confront rebellion directly with God's Word, and that if at all possible we should confront that one who is in rebellion privately, one on one. In Galatians 2:11-13 notice how Paus deals with Peter.

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Secondly We should avoid embarrassment. In Galatians 6:1 Paul writes: Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted..

Thirdly, we should allow time for response, time for prayer. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in prayer for them. Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
A key word here is the word, "alert" here in the NIV. Another translation uses the word "watching." It can even mean to be sleepless. We need to watch and pray.

Fourthly, you might not win your brother or sister immediately, therefore use wisdom, and love. In James 5:19-20 we read:
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Patiently encouraging your brother in Christ is worth the effort. With wisdom and love you can hope to eventually restore them.

Hey if you've been living your own way instead of God's, Yes, I mean if you've been in rebellion, don't run from God. Run to him. He wants you to be restored.

Blessings
Pastor Dan

Live ReadyOur newest colt Tybee, a paint like our mare, Georgia

It has been a few days again, since I've posted, and a lot has happened. You can check out my blog on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/yourpastor because with two blogs going now, I forget where I've posted what.

I missed prayer meeting Friday night. I took two Advil migraine gel caps and went home. I'm sure there were some folks praying becasue by 8:30 p.m. the headhache was gone. I have taken headache medicine before and barely taken the edge off. I was grateful and I'm sure my family was grateful too.

Saturday we received a call at work that one of our mares, a paint named Georgia was in trouble. She was in labor with a littl filly. The filly didn't make it, and the mare was down. After working with her for more than six hours Saturday afternoon and evening, we decided to let her rest through the night hoping she might be a little stronger on Sunday. Sunday after church we lifted her up and put her on her feet again, but she was weaker instead of stronger, and after I retreated to the barn, Odell put her down, and we buried Georgia in the pasture, immediately afterwards.

These events bring me to focus again on the brevity of life. How fragile it is! In Job 14:1-2 the Bible records:

Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.
He springs up like a flower and withers away;
like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Life is fleeting. When we are young we feel so indestructible, but then life smacks us in the face with tragedy and we realize how fragile life is. In the last couple of years I've been to funerals that cover the age spectrum from an eighty year old grandmother to to a teenage young man. We certrainly have no promise of tomorrow.

So, today let me encourage in your relationship with God. Don't just get ready, but live ready. Live in such a constant relationship with God that death itself can not hold you hostage through fear. Have a blessed day.

National Day of Prayer

When you get a day off, you usually try to get a little extra sleep, relax with a favorite activity or hobby, or catch up on some projects around the house, right? Well, not this Thursday. The day began just a little earlier than usual, because there was a breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. with Sonny Perdue who came to Dalton this morning. He told some great stories that I hope to share with you later. Anyway, I was home by 9:00 a.m. to begin the day with my family.

Just as I began working on my blog, Odell comes in. It is time to go to the National Day of Prayer event at the City Hall. It was 11:30 a.m. The event was good, as we prayed for our nation, our soldiers, their families, our president, congress, our state leaders, the governor, senators, representatitves, law enforcement, firemen, emergency medical technicians, our schools, and our churches. We concluded with the old song, "God Bless America." Now we can go home, right? Certainly, not! Not while there was another wonderful meeting to attend. At 2:00 p.m. there was a meeting in front of the new county courthouse, a dedication ceremony. Add to these events, an alarm going off at the business that I went to check out, and well, the day disappeared pretty fast.

It reminds of these words in James 4:14:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

When the aged Evangelist Billy Graham was asked with his years of experience what impressed him most, he responded, "the brevity of life." It is so vital that in the midst of all the rush of living that we remeber to live. Jesus said he came to give us abundant life. One way we can make the most of life is to remember to invest our life wisely, and one of the wisest uses of our time is to give some each day to prayer. Let me encourage you today, to live your life to the fullest... pray! Have a blessed day.

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

The old song goes something like this.

I beg your pardon.
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
there's gonna be a little rain sometime.

The singer reminds the hearer that life isn't always easy, and difficulties come. As he continues he goes on to make his point that he never promised it would be easy either.

While I'm remembering old songs, another one comes to mind that sounds like a prayer of thanksgiving.

Life can't be all sunshine or the flowers would die.
Life can't be all blessings or there would be no need to pray.
So I thank you for the valley I walk through today.

Thank you for every hill I climb;
for every time the sun didn't shine.
Thank you for every lonely night;
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright.
Thank you for the valley I walk through today.

I'm sure that's not all of the words, but the message of the song is there. The point is that life is fraught with difficulties.

There once was a little boy who found a cacoon attached to a small branch. He took the cacoon and placed it in a jar. He poked some wholes in the lid so air could get in, and then he waited. Every day he would check the cacoon to see if there was any change. Then one day the cacoon began to move. Something was happening. He sat down to watch and thrilled to see the a butterfly begin to emerge. Eventually the butterfly was halfway out of the cacoon, but it seemed tired. While the butterfly rested, the boy grabbed his pen knife and began to help the butterfly escape from the cacoon. Carefully he cut the sides of the cacoon to release the butterfly completely, but there was a problem. The top half of the butterfly's wings were open and beautiful, but the bottom half never opened. What the boy did not know was that the struggle of emerging from the cacoon caused the capillaries in the wings to fill with blood which opened the wings. Without that struggle the wings would never open.

In life so many beautiful thing come out of the struggle. Today if you're struggling, let me encourage you to take heart. The struggle will pass. God has a beautiful plan for your life. I certainly am not here to promise you "a rose garden," but in spite of life's struggle you do have His promise to be with you through it all. He will see you through! Have a blessed day.

Buried with Him!

A couple of weeks before Easter a nine-year-old little girl, named Savanah, in our Missionettes program, came into the Bible Study class as we were closing to make an announcement. "I received Jesus as my Savior tonight," she boldly proclaimed. Immediately after service she asked, "Pastor, when can I be baptized?" Well, we arranged the timing with her parents, and this Sunday was the big day!

Thoughts of baptism brought me to back to Romans 6:1-4

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Depending on the church to which one belongs, baptism may be anything from a very formal service to a very relaxed and casual event. What really grabbed my attenttion this time was the picture of burial. In just about a month I attended three funerals, and all of them related to the same family. When death comes so close, it really brings life into focus. As a pastor, I have both had attended and officiated numerous funerals through the years. One of the most difficult moments is the burial. Why? I believe because it is so final.

In baptism, we are "buried with him." We identify with the burial of Christ. In those three days that Jesus was in the grave, some awesome things happened. One of those is referenced in Revelation 1:18:

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Whle Jesus' body was in the grave He was preaching to the "spirits in prison," and we learn that when Jesus rose from the dead not only was he seen but also many dead saints were seen who also were raised, according to Luke 16:19-28.

How does all this relate to baptism? Stay with me. In baptism we make a public declaration that our "old man" is not only dead but buried! But we don't stop there! If we stopped there in the baptism, we would drown our physical body as well. We also identify with His resurrection. We are raised in newness of life! In baptism we celebrate the power of the resurrection! We were buried with him by baptism, but we were raised to new life! Therefore, we no longer have to be slaves to sin. Like the spirits in prison, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and death! So today let me encourage you to live daily in the awesome power of His resurrection!

Is Jesus the Only Way?

While my son, Daniel, was at the farm last night to pick up a van for a Royal Ranger trip this morning. I met him at the warehouse. Then I received a call from a man in North Carolina that had found my phone number through some reasearch he was doing about holiness in the pentecostal church. He found it curious, as I do, that Christian Fellowship was listed on the Holiness Messenger website. It was good converstaion, and edifying, but wow, did we ever talk for a long time, and I still had one more project to complete before bed.

A young man who has been on a spiritual journey has some questions about faith, and I had a goal to put together some study questions, and hopefully some answers, to help him find the truth. One vital question whether or not Jesus is the only way to heaven? Popular answers to this question include the following:

"I'm basically a good person, so I'll go to heaven." "OK, so I do some bad things, but I do more good things, so I'll go to heaven." Surely God wouldn't send me to hell just because I don't live by the Bible." "Only really bad people like child molesters, rapists, and murderers should go to hell."

These are all common rationales among most people, but what is the truth? We live in a culture where the popular belief is that all truth is relative. Many believe that what is true for you is cool if you believe it, but that doesn't make it true for them. The idea is that rather than one truth, there are many truths, and all are equally valid if you just believe, no matter how contradictory.

Now, that may be the popular take on things, but this is really an extremely serious question. If the popular view is correct, then of course it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe it. Here's the problem. What if the "all-truth-is-relative" philosophy is wrong and Jesus Christ's claims are true? Then Jesus was not a lunatic, and to quote an overused expression, "there will be hell to pay."

Listen to what Jesus said in John 14:6.
I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.

Now, tell me. Does that sound exclusive to you or what?If we want to make room for some other belief systems here, we need to have this verse rewritten. It would need to read, "No one comes to the Father except through me or (insert whatever you want to believe in here.).

I just wanted to share with you today that WHAT you believe in really matters. In Acts 16:29 Paul and Silas were in jail, and the jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" To this they replied in verse 31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

After the crippled man was healed in Acts chapter three, Peter and John stood trial before and were called to give an answer. This is how they answered that day in Acts 4:9-12.

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness
shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then
know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom
God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you
healed. He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has
become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved."

There remains therefore no other way and no other name. There is no other provision for salvation but Jesus. Put your trust in Him today. Blessings.

"Fly the Airplane"

One of the things that flight instructors constantly drive home while they are teaching is this lesson, "Fly the airplane!" Most crashes take place because the pilot is distracted. In the midst of an emergency, they begin to focus on the instrument panel, or trying to find the problem, and forget to focus on the main thing, flying the airplane. Over and over filght instructors remind their students, "Fly the ariplane!" Hey, if you quit flying the plane, it's over!

In life we sometimes get distracted, by so many things. Sometimes there are emergencies, but often we can become distracted by mundane things, those everyday problems that nag at your soul. It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the distractions and forget the main thing, "flying the airplane."

I remember times in my life when the pressure was more than I could handle. There was more "outgo" than income and so many deadlines that I could not meet. These overwhelming pressures began to seem unsurmountable. When I just couldn't take it anymore, I went to my room to be alone with God in prayer. It was time to fly the airplane. The prophet Isaiah said it this way,

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

In that time alone with God my perspective changed. What looked impossibel to me was not impossible with God.

We often just need to correct our perspective and focus again on the main thing. Let me encourage you today. "Fly the airplane." Take all your stress and worry to God in prayer. Soar above the storms. Fly the airplane, and change your perspective. Have a blessed day.

"The One Thing"Billy Crystal and Jack Palance in City Slickers

In the 1990's movie, City Slickers, the character, Mitch, played by Billy Crystal, says to his wife, "I just feel lost." Unfortunately the three "City Slickers" don't find help in a local church but head out west looking for the meaning of life on a cattle drive. It's there that they meet the real- deal cowboy, Curly, played by Jack Palance. Listen to Curly's wisdom as he speaks to Mitch.

"None of you get it. Do you know what the secret of life is? One thing. Just one thing."
Mitch responds with this: That's great, but what's the one thing? Then Curly conludes, "That's what you've got to figure out."

In Mark 10:17-22 Jesus was asked a similar question.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him
and fell on his knees before him.
"Good teacher," he asked,
"what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.
"No one is good—except God alone.
You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,
do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give
false testimony, do not defraud,
honor your father and mother.'"
"Teacher," he declared,
"all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him.
"One thing you lack," he said.
"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad,
because he had great wealth.

What is that one thing? In the above account of the young, rich man, it seems at first that the issue is his money. He was clinging to his wealth. The real issue is deeper. The one thing was his heart. The fact that he couldn't let go of his wealth was just the evidence that his heart was not fully committed to Christ.

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he responded that you must "love the Lord your God with all your heart!" That's the one thing. Today I want to encourage you to fully surrender your heart to Christ. If you can fix this one thing, everything else will fall into place. Have a blessed day.

What's Hidden in Your Tent?

"Hey, what's the big deal, anyway? I'm not hurting anybody. It's my life, and I have the right to live it the way I want to. Why are you judging me?" Have you ever heard that kind of defense before? Well, I have heard it plenty. In fact most of us believe that many things in our lives are just nobody else's business. In America we have certainly underscored that with "rights to privacy." One of the big complaints about the Patriot Act is that it threatens our right to privacy. Supporters of the Patriot Act believe that it is necessary to limit the right to privacy in the interest of national defense in the war against terror.

In the seventh chapter of Joshua this issue comes into clear focus. Israel has just come from an awesome victory at Jericho. Now, the face a smaller challenge at a place calle Ai. In fact it is decided that all the armies need not go up against Ai, only about 3,000 men. However, the armies of Ai come out against Israel and defeat them in this first battle, killing 36 men and causing the hearts of the people to melt for fear. Joshua falls on his face before God crying out along with the elders of Israel. In Joshua 7:10-12 God answers Joshua.

The Lord answered: Stop lying there on the ground!
Get up! I said everything in Jericho belonged to me
and had to be destroyed. But the Israelites have kept
some of the things for themselves. They stole from me
and hid what they took. Then they lied about it. What
they stole was supposed to be destroyed, and now
Israel itself must be destroyed. I cannot help you
anymore until you do exactly what I have said.
That's why Israel turns and runs from its enemies
instead of standing up to them. (CEV)

The search all Israel tribe by tribe than family by family until they find a man named Achan. When he is found out Achan confesses in verses 20-22.

It's true," Achan answered. " I sinned and disobeyed
the LORD God of Israel. While we were in Jericho,
I saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred pieces
of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as fifty
pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself,
so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent
and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe."

Had Achan lived in our day, you could imagine his defense. "Hey, I didn't hurt anybody. The stuff was just going to be destroyed anyway. All I was doing was looking out for my future. Whay is this anybody else's business anyway. Can't a man have privacy in his own home?"
That defense would have sounded hollow in the ears of the families of 36 men who had died fleeing from Ai.

It may be that today you are hiding some secret sin, or some small compromise. You may think that it's not hurting anybody. You might even really believe that it is nobody's business but yours. The truth is that we all have a sphere of influence. Your life affects others. You are eiher having an impact for good or for evil. Even something as seemingly harmless as your online activities may be affecting someone you care about.

What is the impact of your life? Are you blessing others or are you hiding some forbidden treasure somewhere that could destroy you and others. May God bring us awesome revival as we impact others for His glory. Have a blessed day.

Healing for the WoundedSculpture of the Good Shepherd
who leaves the 99 for the one stray lamb

We are often too quick to judge others. Even when at first we feel so completely justified in doing so. I mean, they might even seem venemous in the way they lash out at you. They seem arrogant and angry. The truth is that underneath all that tough exterior is a hurting soul. Eveywhere I turn of late, I am seeing people who have been spiritually wounded. Then the enemy of our souls comes and builds a fortress around that wound. For some reason people think that if they just don't let anyone get near that soreness, that it can't hurt them anymore. The truth is that it continues to eat away like a cancer of the soul. Hebrews 12:15 records it this way.

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Job even wrote about people dying in bitterness of soul in Job 21:25.

Another man dies in bitterness of soul,
never having enjoyed anything good.

This morning, perhaps you've been afraid to deal with that hurt from the past. Maybe you fear that it would open an old wound and would just hurt too much. Your first response may be, "No, don't go there!" Well, I want to encourage you, please don't let that wound spirit destroy you. Cry out for help. Do it now, while you have the courage to act. God is ready to heal you and forgive you. Yes, He is even ready to help you begin to forgive others. This can be a day of wonderful new beginnings!

The Hidden Story

This morning at church you might notice the lingering aroma of popcorn, reminding you of our Narnia movie night at the church last night. When the movie came out in theaters, there was a lot of talk on the news about it just being a fantasy and having nothing to do with Christianity. Well, I found an interesting little letter written by C.S. Lewis to a young girl just about a month before his death in 1963. He was answering her letter that asked if there would be any more Narnia books.
The letter reads as follows.

Dear Ruth,
Many thanks for your kind letter, and it was very good of you to write and tell me that you like my books; and what a good letter your write for your age! If you continue to love Jesus, nothing much can go wrong with you, and I hope that you may always do so. I'm so thankful that you realized the "hidden story" in the Narnia books. It is odd, children nearly always do, grown-ups... hardly ever. I'm afraid the Narnia series has come to an end, and am sorry to tell you that you can expect no more. God bless you.

Yours Sincerely,
C.S. Lewis

The truth is it is always good to go to the source. Of course the "hidden story" is the analogy to Jesus Christ having given His life in our place on the Cross. Just as Aslan lays down his life for Edmund, Jesus has paid for our sins at Calvary. Hey today if you are carrying a burden of guilt for your past sins, then come Christ in prayer. He is ready and waiting to forgive you, and He has already paid the penalty for your sin. Have a blessed day.

Trusting GodMy daughter Miranda

As the Wednesday evening Bible Study ended, I made my way to the altar to kneel and pray. I was feeling a great heaviness about Miranda's trip. It seemed as though my daughter would be traveling nearly half way around the world. It was difficult to let her leave for six weeks to Louisiana, but now she was preparing to leave for nearly three months! Getting her to the Atlanta Airport and making our way home took up most of the day, and saying goodbye to her at the airport was certainly an emotional moment.

As I prayed God reminded me that my wife and I had dedicated our daughter to Him. He is our loving Heavenly Father, and he loves her more than we do! I am remembering a line in song entitled "Fear Not My Child," that says, "I know how to care for what belongs to me."

Since there is a time and a season for everything, this is just a time for trusting God. We have this promise in Romans 8:28.

And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.

I am certain that God has a purpose in her life, and that He able to keep what we have committed to Him.

Today, if you have worries or concerns, let me encourage you to give them God. He cares about what's happening in your life too. Why not commit it all to Him? Have a blessed day.

Day of ReckoningImage from www.apfn.net

Have you ever notice that sometimes we seem to wait until the last minute just hoping that the unpleasantness will go away! Unfortunately, it doesn't. Faithfully the day of reckoning comes each year. We gather our records, fill out the forms, and send our annual contribution to our dear Uncle Sam. For many of us in Georgia that day was April 17th this year. Yesterday, I dutifully went to post office before it closed to send my checks to the Federal and State Governments. It's amazing when you think of all the worry and fuss over this one day each year.

There is however a reckoning day day coming that is far more important than paying our taxes! Unfortunately there are so many people who are ill-prepared for that fateful day. Paul wrote about it this way in Romans 14:10-12.

For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' "
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

It is one thing to try find loopholes in the tax law, or find some way to avoid penalties here, but there will be no loopholes when we stand before the judgment seat of God. It will surely be a an awesome day of reckoning. Today let me encourage you to prepare yourself for that great day of reckoning before God. Come before God in prayer and find forgiveness and peace with Him. That great day is coming. and it may be coming sson! Maranatha!

Online Guidelinesimage from www.glendalespringscondos.com

Hey, it's a fact that there are more young people online today that ever before, and you can expect the number to keep growing. The internet can be a useful tool but with so many people online you know that there are also so many evil influences. Since so many of our Christian kids are online these days, I think it is important that we provide them with guidelines for when they're online. I came across this great list in a teen magazine. Now I know you've got to think I'm a little strange at 48 to be reading teen magazines, but I still have two teenagers at home, for whom I am responsible before God, and great group of young people at church who are graciously inviting me to be their friend too! Now here are these guidelines.

1. When your typing online, ask yourself this question, "Would what I'm typing now bring glory and honor to God?

2. If you put your profile online, would someone who doesn't know you think that you are a Christian after reading it?

3. If people are sharing gossip with you, is it because you are gaining a reputation for participating in it?

4. Hey, be really careful when clicking on links on other people's sites, because they may take you to inappropriate websites.

5. Remember, that what you are posting could be copied and posted by other people and used against you in the future, so don't type something you wouldn't be comfortable with having others to read.

6. Don't talk about someone else. They could be sitting next to the friend you are instant messaging.

7. Hold your Christian friends accountable if they use bad language or inappropriate comments or images, by gently challenging them to clean it up.

8. Is your screen name edifying to God? Part of one young lady's name read "Christianbabe." Would that be sending a contradictory message?

9. Remember that email message and instant messages can be misunderstood because your intent and emotions aren't communicated in printed text. Therefore it's better to save serious conversations for face to face encounters.

10. You might remember that there is software that tracks every email, every IM, and records every keystroke and website visited. Even more important, God doesn't need software to track your every keystroke!

Hey, I think these are some great guidelines for online, but let me finish with a couple of references from the Bible. First, our girl's ministry program has a code that they take from Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things.

Then as Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, he declared that there is a spiritual battle raging. He said,

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war
as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine
power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ.

What we say and do comes from who we are on the inside. So let me encourage you today to let Christ rule and reign in your life 24/7 online and offline. You'll be glad you did.

*Online guidelines adapted from Teen Virtue.

Hoyt's Legacy

Although I have known Hoyt and Pat for several years, I met his two sons, Billy and Clark, for the first time tonight. Visiting with Lisa, I learned that Hoyt also had two daughters! Well, I guess if you knew Hoyt Thomas, that's certainly not hard to figure. Lisa said that he had never treated them any differently. They were his girls, and had been for 21 years! Of course that also meant, he was Grandpa Hoyt too! He was the grandfather that her children had grown up knowing on her side of the family. The truth is Hoyt never really met a stranger. He flashed that winning smile and made everyone feel welcome when they were in his company. He loved life and enjoyed living it. I believe he exemplified what John wrote in John 10:10 where Jesus said,

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

He certainly lived it to the full! He was one who got all the gusto out life. He loved Pat and the children dearly, and I've only come to understand recently how he felt about his grandchildren, but now that I know, you could see it in his eyes. There was only one love in his life that surpassed all the others, and that was his love and passion for his Savior. Hoyt loved to talk about God's word, and he loved to witness to the "wounded" Civil War re-enactors. His life was lived with such zeal that he will be sorely missed, but the impact Hoyt's life will be felt for generations to come if Jesus tarries.

It is however likely that Jesus is coming back much sooner than we think. So let me encourage you today to draw near to Christ and be ready. You never know when it may be you that God will call into eternity. Following Hoyt's awesome example let us purpose to leave such a legacy that all doubt might be erased we come to the gateway of eternity.

As we celebrate Hoyt's homegoing, tomorrow let me encourage you to make your relationship with God so sure, as to leave no doubts about your whereabouts. Have a blessed day.

Peace in the Storm

The weatherman reports some bad weather for the area including the possibility of tornados for our areas. There have already been reports of tornados in the Nashville, Tennessee area! Since recent Thunderstorms packing tornadoes and hail as big as softballs ripped through eight states, hitting Tennessee the hardest, striking five western counties Sunday and killing 23 people, including an infant and a family of four, this news causes us all great concern. Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, homes, and possessions.

Still I am remembering that Jesus was there in the boat with his disciples when severe weather struck in Mark 4:35-38.

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side."
They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along.
A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening
to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping!
They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that
we're going down?"

His discples were afraid, just like we are when we face the awesome fury of life's storms, but they teach us an important lesson. First, they had Jesus with them in the boat. No matter where we go, we need to have Jesus with us! Since we can't always predict when and where life's storms may strike, having Jesus close by is indispensable. Secondly they thought to cry out to Him for help. Knowing Jesus is there is good but communicating with Him is vital.

Best of all, Jesus is listening. He heard their cry and responded.

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea,
"Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea
became smooth as glass.

Hey, I just wanted to encourage you today. Whatever storm you may be facing, Jesus is listening and waiting for you to cry out to Him. He is there. Let Him speak peace in the midst of your storm. Have a blessed day.

Barber Shop Fellowship

Well today I finally made it back to the barber, and it was a great experience. Although the chairs are similar, I much prefer the barber's chair over the dentist's chair. I sat in both today for about the same amount of time.

Recently an elderly customer was telling me about the old barbershops in Dalton. He said that there used to be showers in barber shops. Men would come to the barber shop for their weekly shower, shave, and a haircut. They also caught up on the latest news (or town gossip) and could have their shoes shined. One of the best things about the barber shop was the fellowship.

My tri p to the barber today had some of that old time barbershop flavor except for the shower, the shave, the shoe shine, and the gossip. Besides getting an excellent haircut, my barber,Tom, and I enjoyed a great time of sharing our faith. Tom attends EMC where he is a lay preacher.
What began as just a haircut, ended with two brothers sharing testimonies of the faithfulness of God.

In Acts 2:42 Luke records that fellowship was a regular practice of those who came to Christ on the day of Pentecost.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

It was such a refreshing time that I just want to encourage you to devote yourself to fellowship.
When you do you may see ordinary events become extraordinay as we walk daily in faith and fellowship together. Have a blessed day.

A New "Do" for Pastor

Monday night we had pizzas and four square at the church for our young people, and I had a blast. I certainly hope they did. Because I am getting my hair cut this Thurday, I thought it might be fun for them to help me move on in to the 21st century by choosing a new hairstyle for pastor. We suggested the Wavy but Grey look of Richard Grear (left) and the long and straight look of Elton John (right). Both got a laugh but neither won. Then we even tried the long look of Al Pacino (left again) and the short and frosted look (below to the right). Well, we had great fun, but they didn't choose any of these four! They chose the one centered below! I can't believe it! Can you? Maybe they chose that one because it is so impossible (short, dark, curly, hair on this head? I don't think so, but we can dream can't we?

Just in case you were worried, I don't think they will be doing any these looks with my hair. It's just not happening. Well, anyway, Monday night the laughter was good. The pizza was good, and the four square was intense.

As our evening came to a close we were reminded of how importatnt it is for our every day lives to reflect our relationship with Christ. We don't leave our faith at the door when church is over. We don't put it on and take it off like our Sunday clothes. God really wants us to serve Him with all of our heart soul and strength every day and in every area of our lives. From church to school or work, to our entertainment and even cyberspace, God wants our lives to reflect his holiness. So, today I want to encourage you again as you look at every area of your life to ask the question that Charles Sheldon made so popular in his book, "In His Steps," "What would Jesus do? " Peter wrote it this way in 1 Peter 2:21:

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

This is my prayer for you today that God will empower you to follow Christ's example and be an example of one who is doing what Jesus would do, following "in His steps." Have a blessed day.

The title of this book has become a popular phrase. "I've got your back," not only means that I'm looking out for you, but that I'm watching out for those things that might sneak up on you from behind. A good friend is always looking out for you. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:24,

there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Today I want you to know that you have such a friend in Christ Jesus. He is always looking out for you. As Christians we are most like Christ when we look out for one another. Today I want you to know that "I've got your back" is more than a catchy phrase or the title of a book. It represents an attitude that we ought to have as we watch out for one another. Hey, I've got your back.

"My Space" on the Net

Tonight, on "The Factor" Bill shared a piece about a young girl who had published her own nude picture on her "My Space" sight. He asked his guest if this was really good for the kids or not.

Logo from Myspace.com website

Myspace.com is a free internet site that allows young people fourteen and older to have their own place to communicate with friends. They can limit their circle of friends, but they are in control of their "myspace" site. Bill had a guest who was defending this "as a much safer place than hanging out in town." One comment was that kid's aren't allowed to hang out as much these days because the world is so much more dangerous now.

Like any other public communication tool the internet can be used for good or for evil, but parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing on the internet. How do you know what's happening? Communicate with your kids, and take an active interest in their lives!

Remember that "Myspace" is not only used by kids but by adults as well, and set some guidlines for your children about information "not-to-be-shared" on the internet. In January of this year "Dateline" aired a program that included this statement from Internet lawyer Parry Aftab, "Pedophiles are using all of the social networking sites. And every other anonymous Internet technology to find kids. The social networking sites are where kids are." Like Bill says on the factor, we need to "keep looking out for the kids."

One great way that we can look out for our children is to help them build godly character and values. Those values need to be modeled in front of them. If we compromise on our values then they will feel justified in compromising theirs. Holiness can't be hammered into your children. It must be lived before them. Proverbs 22:6 says,

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Tonight I visited several of our kids' "spaces" and found some interesting things. Some were encouraging and others were challenging. It wasn't hard to find them. I just did a google search.
Some might be critical of this interest I have in our kids. Let them them criticize. We need to just keep loving our kids.

A Word on WednesdayCFA Praise and Worship Team

We recently began opening our Wednesday evening services fifteen minutes earlier with a time of praise and worship before prayer and Bible study. Tonight as we sang the chorus:

I want to be clean. I want to be pure.
I want to be holy. I want to be yours.
Purify me, Jesus. Purify me, Lord.

There was such an awesome awareness of God's presence as we sang. It was more like a praying to music, as the song flowed from our hearts. Then we received a word from the Lord that I want to share with you here. The Lord said to us:

I want purity and holiness from you,
not just an outward holiness for the benefit of others
or because of your sense of responsibility to others,
but true inner holiness that flows out of your passion for me,
a passion that causes you to long for my presence.

God doesn't just ask us to be holy and pure. He commands it! Listen to what He says in Leviticus 11:44-45

I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy,
because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any
creature that moves about on the ground. I am the LORD
who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God;
therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Not only does God give this strong word to the children of Israel in Leviticus, but He also reminds us in the New Testament in Hebrews 12:14 that holiness is not optional!

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Tonight the Lord not only reminded us of this truth, but told us that holiness can flow out of an inner passion for Him. If you're struggling with living the holy life, then I want to encourage you to let God give you a fresh baptism of His love and stir your passion for His presence. Out of that passion you will be empowered to live a pure and holy life. Get ready, now, you are about to experience the awesome holiness of God! Have a blessed day.

Fruit of the SpiritMonnie with Odell and Selva at an Ellijay Apple House

My wife's parent's, Odell and Selva really enjoy visiting the apple houses in Ellijay at harvest time. The apples are great, and the cider is fresh. There are also apple butter and fried apple pies! It's a great family trip. The abundance of apples and apple products on display were evidence of a tremendous amount of work during the harvest season. Their labor was certainly fruitful.

Paul writes to the church at Galatia about another kind of fruit in Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.

God wants our lives to fruitful. In fact the nine spiritual fruit listed in this passage are evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. I believe we can ask ourselves some questions that shed light on the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

1- Am I motivated by love for others?
2- Do I demonstrate unshakeable joy regardless of the circumstances?
3- Do others see my inner peace and take courage?
4- Am I longsuffering waiting patiently for results?
5- Do I demonstrate kindness being caring and understanding
toward others?
6- Do I manifest goodness wanting the best for others?
7- Do I demonstrate faithfulness keeping my commitments?
8- Is there gentleness, manifesting strength under control?
9- Do I have self-control being disciplined to attain godly goals?

I think these qualities describe the character of Christ, and the more like Him we become the more we will demontrate the fruit of the Spirit. Let me encourage you to grow in Spirit. Have a blessed day.

Happy Birthday Kel!Old family picure: Top -- John, Rick, and me,
then Mom and Dad with Kel at front and center.

Now here's an old family picture! Mom and Dad with all four of their boys. The birthday boy is front and center. Although he's 36 today, this picture was taken more than thirty years ago. Yes, that's me, the shortest one on the back row and still a teenager in this picture. I thought it my be nice for Kel to remember those days when he was completely free of worry and responsibility. Wow, does childhood ever go flying by. Then, one day you wake up and say, "Man, how did I ever get to be so old?" The describes life this way in James 4:13-14.

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go
to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business
and make money." Why, you do not even know what will
happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that
appears for a little while and then vanishes.

The fact of life's brevity was never more real to us than at mother's passing, but since then we have been closer than ever before. I have become more thankful every day for my family and especially for the special times we get to share together.

Hey, today I want to encourage you to make a special effort to hug your mom or dad, grandmother or grandfather, wife or husband, or son or daughter. We have no promise of tomorrow, but we are blessed with today!

As I wish my youngest brother a happy 36th birthday and thank God for putting him into my life, I also want to wish you a day filled with God's choice blessings. Once more, Happy Birthday Kel.

No Fear!

Last night after work, I went to Hutchelson Medical Center to visit Walt Lillard. At noon on Tuesday he went thourh surgery to remove a tumor about the size of a grapefruit from his stomach. Chester, Hubert, and I bowed for prayer at my desk on Tueday during the surgery to pray for Walt. The good news is that the surgery went well although Walt is still in ICU and will be in the hospital at least 8 to 12 days. I was impressed last Friday with Walt's courage facing this surgery. He words to me were, "If God wants me, well I guess He can have me." It was the way Walt said it that made an impact. These words were not spoken in fear, but with a resolute calmness that filled us with hope. In the hospital Tuesday night he made another declaration that also inspires hope. He declared, "I love God with all of my heart!"

Once I visited a retired neighbor who had suffered a heart attack and had a near death experience. He asked me, "What could God want with me? What do I have left to give Him?" I responded that all God really wants is our heart! In fact Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all was to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." Surely when Walt declared that he loved the Lord with all his heart, there was rejoicing in heaven.

Walt has been given tremendous mercy in that his life was not taken in a moment, in an accident or sudden tragedy. God has given him time for reflection, and the good news is that he has called upon the Lord.

Today, if you haven't come to that place in your life where you know for certain that if you were to die today, you would go to heaven, then I want you to be sure. It is my heart's desire that you would receive Christ today and the peace that passes understanding. If Jesus tarries, may you one day walk to eternity's door with No Fear! These word from Psalm 23:4 really leap from the page today.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I saw a Witness T-shirt the other day that said it this way. "Know Jesus, No Fear!" That pretty much says it all. Have a courageous day in Christ!

The War Rages On!President Bush at Whitehouse Press Conference

Photo from www.foxnews.com

Today the President passionately defended himself against the liberal critics in the press. When Helen Thomas, the dean of the White House press corps, asked why he wanted to go to war, The president responded passionately that no president wants war! He never wanted war, but he was force to defend our nation after 911 when thousands of innocent Americans were attacked in an act of war. The liberal press needed to to be put in it's place, and in a bold and passionate way, President Bush obliged.

The fact is that the war rages on. This war on terror is an ugly one. Terrorist never play fair, and the president has taken on this horribly wicked enemy. How long must we battle against terrorism? There will be terror as long as evil exists, and those who are just will boldly stand against evil and injustice.

While this costly war rages in Iraq, another war rages on here. The Bible describes our adversary as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know
that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing
the same kind of sufferings.

There is definitely a spiritual war that rages on. You must know that your enemy wants to devour you. In fact, John describes our enemy as a thief, in John 10:10.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As long as there is evil in the world there will be a battle raging for your soul, but John also tells us in 1 John 3:8,

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

Today you may be in the heat of the battle. You may even feel sometimes as though you are suffering some heavy losses. I want you to remember this promise from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war
as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not
the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have
divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish
arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The war rages on, but we are on the right side, and we will prevail, Christ Jesus Himself is the Captain of our salvation. We will overcome! Have a blessed day.

My Father, My FriendMr. John L. Burt, 1939 - 2006

Today I attended funeral services for Mr. John L. Burt. No, Mr. Burt didn't know me, and I probably wouldn't have recognized him had I met him in town. We never really crossed paths very much. Therefore I couldn't say that I knew Mr. Burt, but I know David, his son and my friend. Because I know David, I realized that I know more about Mr. John Burt than I thought. As I listened to all the fine words used to describe the godly character Mr. Burt, I realized that many of these words also described my friend, David. I remember the words of Jesus' proclamation in John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me."

Then In the verse 7 He says:

"If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Now I only know Mr. Burt through his son David, and the things he and others told me about him. But I learned enough in just two days to know that he was a prince among men. I came away with admiration and respect for a man who thought more of others than himself and walked in integrity to eternity's doorway without fear.

As I saw the emotion in David's face, it wasn't at all difficult to imagine walking in his shoes today. I knew that he would miss his Dad's visits and greatly feel the void left by Mr. Burt's passing. This was His father and his friend.

As I reflect on these things and meditate on Jesus' words above, I want to encourage you today in your pursuit to know our Heavenly Father. We can know the Father through the Son. We know God because we know His Son, Jesus Christ, and because of all that Jesus told us about His Father. Through Jesus' faithfulness we have seen the faithfulness of the Father. Through Jesus' love, we have come to know th Father's love. In fact according to John 3:16, the Father loved us so much that He sent us His Son, so that we might know His awesome love. Let me encourage you today to draw near to Jesus, and get to know My Father, My Friend, our Heavenly Father, who loves you and cares for you more than you can know.

Excuses, Excuses!Picture from CFA Christmas Banquet 2005

Let me apologize to those of you who are regularly checking my blog. I am not going to make any excuses. As a new grandfather I confess to have Daisy on my mind, and being quite preoccuppied with thoughts of my granddaughter. Of course that's difficult to tell from the last three postings. Then of course there are also these trips to the dentist, now four all together. This time I went in for a root canal, which they couldn't do. The canals in the tooth had narrowed too much through calcification, and after drilling and making his best effort to save the tooth, my dentist finally sectioned it and pulled it. I now have a huge hole where that tooth was, nearly large enough to stick my tongue in and tickle my optic nerve. Well at least I don't have any more worries about that tooth, although the dentist and I are far from through. Besides recovering from oral trauma, I have been working on several other projects including a music video presentation starring my new granddaughter, Daisy, and some other materials for church, including a new video CD to be included in welcome packets for visitors. Well, I said I wasn't going to make excuses, and I hope this doesn't sound like whining, because I really enjoy doing the blog and especially reading the occasional comments.

In Luke 14 Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet. In this parable the host of the banquet receives excuses from invited guests as to why they cannot attend. Look at verse 16-20:

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great
banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the
banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited,
'Come, for everything is now ready.'
"But they all alike began to make excuses.
The first said, 'I have just bought a field,
and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "
Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen,
and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

Excuses, Excuses! Notice that when the host found out about all these excuses he became angry. Then he sent out his sevants to invite others including the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Hey, I believe there is a message here. God doesn't want our excuses! He simply wants our fellowship. He wants us to join Him and feast at His banquet. the wonderful thing is that we are invited regardless of our limitations or weaknesses. We are invited to share in all that the Lord has provided. If you want to make excuses you will find a wide variety of them to choose from. In fact through the years, the list of excuses has grown quite long, and folks have become quite creative at manufacturing excuses. I wonder, what do we fear? Why do we avoid coming to the Lord's banquet table. He wants to strengthen us and feed us. He wants to prepare us for the awesome work of His Kingdom beyond the fellowship of the banquet table.
Let me close with words from an old hymn of the church.

Jesus has the table spread where the saints of God are fed.
He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine."
You can have your heart's desire, bread and fish upon the fire.
Oh 'tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time.
"Come and dine" the master calleth, "come and dine."
You can feast at Jesus' table all the time.
He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
to the hungry calleth now, come and dine.

You're invited! You're wanted. The Lord of all creation has invited you to His table. Don't miss it!