Monday Morning Reflection

What can I say? Yesterday was an amazing day of service and worship. Here are some highlights:

• The worship (praise) team was on their "A Game"... great job team.
• The church was also singing their "A Game"... great job ya'all.
• I can't explain this, but there is always a feeling of angst before preaching. Last Sunday was no exception.
• I have a confession, I totally forgot that there was no song after the sermon. Oops! So we had a moment of reflection, which was proper... I might start going that more often.
• The Sunday evening prayer time was not only a great time of fellowship and prayer.

Amen.

I also got a call today from a member of the church I served in Kingsland, GA. She said that things are booming in their rural Georgia church. Amen!

Until next time, Shalom.

Still Affecting Me.

The events and challenges of last Sunday are still affecting me.

• Three Child Dedications

• A music set that was right on the spot! (Great job team.)

• A sermon that took a lot out of me physically and emotionally, but from what I am hearing. . . challenged a couple hundred people.

• Two adult baptisms.

• And, to add the proverbial "cherry on top", we sang VICTORY IN JESUS. (My favorite hymn.)

Yep... The Lord is doing amazing things in His church. Let's be mindful to seek to work in accordance with His will . . . .

A Taste of Sunday's Easter Message

(Taken from my sermon outline)

After 400 years of silence… man does not hear from God from a prophet… GOD COMES DOWN HIMSELF. And if we had time to expand on this we would, but He offers Himself a the King of the Jews… to lead them and guide them and they, much like most people today, REJECTED HIS AUTHORITY … they rejected Christ. They turned on the God who made them and loved them.


All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. -- James Thurber

The Power of the Resurrection

We love the cross.

It is at the cross of Calvary that the sins of the world were put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the cross that answers the question, "What can I do about my sin?"

The mercy of God is manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ.... but probably in no greater single event than the cross.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17).

There is power in the cross. The Power of God to save sinners. The power of God to change lives. The power of God to inpart life. But it would all be for nothing if it were not for the Ressurection. Pay close attention to the words of the Apostle Paul as he writes about the Resurrection:

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:13-17)

Brethren, as we consider the events leading up to the cross this Friday and on into this weekend, let us not forget the Ressurection.

Easter on Our Minds

Greetings.

I have been noticing a trend recently. Pastors and church staff from around the country are focusing in on Easter. That’s good! But what I am noticing is that they are spending a lot of time and energy inviting folks to church. Don’t get me wrong here… I am all for inviting people to church, but let’s keep in mind what the focus of this coming Sunday is.

We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ every Sunday, but probably none more passionately than Easter Sunday. Here is my admonition to us all:

Allow the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior to energize, encourage, and strengthen you year-round.

Remember, He promised to give His sheep life… and life more abundantly. (John 10:10) And that is only possible through the resurrection. (Romans 5:9 - 11)

Shalom.

From inside the Airport...

(From February....)

It sure seems unfair that the folks on the other side of the security check-point can charge whatever they please for sandwich, a bottle of water, or a diet coke.... I guess I have no choice. Sort of the same thing with the Lord... It's His rules... And HE SETS THE VALUE OF THINGS.

Naptime

For those who may not know I am battling a sinus problem. I only write that to let you know why I took a nap yesterday. I was sick and tired… literally.

I thought though tat this would be a great time for Sammy and I to bond a little more… just dad and son…. So we camped out in the basement. He brought a toy with him, a motorcycle that turns into a jet. It’s a cute little toy. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I had to tell him “toutoe” (which means time for some sleep now in a modified baby Spanish). He wasn’t interested at all.

Here I was, a father who loves his son, trying to spend a little snuggle time with him and all he wants to do is play with a toy. As I watched him, this is what the Lord impressed on me:

Chris, how many times have I sought audience with you only to be ignored for something else?

Wow.

The next time you come to God in prayer or study the Word of God, come to Him with no distractions. He desires intimate fellowship with His people and if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ… He wants fellowship with you.

Shalom.