The struggle.

Ephesians 6:12–13 NASB 
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

I have been thinking a great deal lately about how things are in our society. As I observe the behavior of people, these verses above become more and more relevant to me. I hate to bring up Westboro Baptist Church again, but they are just the best example I can think of of Christians who are trying to fight a spiritual problem by physical means. They, like us, see the evil in our world and for some reason have decided to ignore this verse. Not only have they ignored this verse but many others in God's Word.

I see Westboro Baptist as people who are seeking to do something about that evil that they have observed, and yet, are misguided in how to go about it. In one respect, that is not horrible. Certainly if someone can do something about evil they must do something. In another respect, the manner in which one fights evil must be taken into account. One must dig into the word of God, and see exactly what God would have him to do. If God is truly seeking to make people like His Son Jesus, then He must be allowed to do that. This means one must listen to God, read His word, communicate with Him on a regular basis and be willing to be molded into the likeness of Christ.

This is just my observation but I do feel that many Christians seek to fight spiritual problems with physical weapons. Usually the weapons of choice have been the written word and the use of picketing and protesting. The struggle we face in America today is a spiritual struggle. It is a spiritual struggle against forces of darkness. May we remember that!

God, help us.

As I sit here reflecting on this past week, I shudder. I shudder because as a Christian, I have given my life to reflect the love of Jesus. There are days when this is a huge challenge. There are other days where it is a joy. I also shudder because I fear there are some Christians who will be hostile to the very people they wish to see turn their lives over to Jesus. God's love MUST be shown.

Charleston, SC

First, how would Jesus treat Dylann Roof? He took a gun and sat in a Bible Study and then shot and killed nine people. I, just me, I think Jesus would look at Dylann and offer him forgiveness. He would allow Dylann an opportunity to ask for it and Jesus would then give it to him. What Dylann did is a sin. He killed people. For no reason other than they were the "wrong color," he killed them. Jesus would give him the opportunity to get things right. Does this mean there are no consequences to his action? Certainly not. There are ALWAYS consequences to our actions. We serve a just God, but also one who forgives.

How would Jesus treat the homosexual? He would love him. He would offer forgiveness. Why? First, because He cares about every individual. Second, because sin is sin. According to the Bible, homosexual behavior is a sin. No, I do not want to debate this issue. You will not change my mind, nor will I change yours. I did not write this to start a fire. Both Christians and non Christians must realize that we are not always going to agree on everything.

The "Supreme Court"

No, I am not one of those unfeeling, non-caring Christians who has never had a friend who is homosexual. Nor am I one who has never known or spoken with a homosexual. In fact, the ones I have known and know, know themselves better than a lot of heterosexuals. I am one who seeks to love people, follow God's word and point people to Him.

I am also not one of those who uses God's word against others. The way I see it, if the person does not adhere or care about the Word of God, they are not going to be won over by it. They need to see God's love in action. They want to see the Love we say we have shared with them. THAT is what makes a difference.

Now some would say I am "judging" people by saying this. Others would say I am a hater. Disagreement is not hate. I sometimes disagree with my wife on issues, but that does not mean I hate her. My goodness, to take disagreement and elevate it to hate is a huge leap for me, but evidently not for others. The ability to respectfully disagree with another human being, and not hate them, is what I call, "living on higher ground." God wants us living on "higher ground."

"Preacher, what about the Confederate flag?" Hmmmm. That is best saved for a post of its own. I do need to point out that getting rid of anything that reminds us of the civil war is not going to change the fact that it happened. I think it is best to have reminders of the pain lest we repeat the same mistakes later.

The big question for every Christian, and it should be asked every day, is "How do I reflect the love of Jesus today?" What we do with Jesus makes a difference in our lives, in our community and in our world. If one has truly given their lives to God, then they have said to Him, "Rule over me. Guide me." In doing this, we put ourselves in subjection to Him. THAT is where we need to live. May God help us to be who He wants us to be. May we listen to Him.

Helping Hands

So we had a work day at the church on Saturday. Had a great group show up. Got things done! Love our church! Topped the weekend off with two baptisms and a great camp report from Ridgecrest. What a weekend!

Even got spots off the ceiling!

It's amazing what happens when Christians choose to love.

I read this story and was so pleased. THIS is what we, as Christians are to be like. THIS is what it means to look past what we see with our eyes and see a person's heart in need of the love of Christ. THIS is it. Read this story. I think it will amaze you. God is a big God and we can share His love if we'll simply look past what we see with our eyes and look at the need of a person's heart. There are many broken hearts in need of His love. Some even live in Franklin Parish.

Prayer for the Pastor would be great!

As I sit here typing this, I think about prayer and what it means to me when someone says, "I'm praying for you." Sometimes I believe it. At other times I hope it's true. Either way, when you pray for your pastor, it's one of the most important actions you can participate in concerning him.

Take time to pray for your pastor. Every now and then, tell him you do. It will make his day and maybe even his month or year.

As it so happens, while I did not intend to add this to this post, I would like you to pray for me as I serve on the board of the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro and on the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Message. Neither will tax me, but I do want to serve well in both of those roles. Thankfully they will not take away from me passion of shepherding God's people at FBC.

One more thing…
Huge thanks to Rev. Johnny Hankins, and wife Pam, as they shared with our Triple L group on Thursday. They did a great job. They even taught us a bit of history! Thank you for the laughter as well!

Choir loft gets facelift and cameras on their way

We are in the middle of a redo of our choir loft. It's going to be great. We have some very talented folks working on it. We're also getting new chairs for the choir. If you'd like to purchase one, please let us know. They are $72 each.

The cameras will probably be put in next week. We are enjoying the screens. Pray we use them to glorify God. We don't want them to be a hindrance, but a help. So far, we've shown a Mother's Day slide show and have had the words to hymns and other songs visible on them. I also use them for my sermons.

VBS is coming soon. June 6–10. I hope we'll have a great week. The week immediately following I'll be in Glorieta with our youth. Looking forward to that adventure!

Moving, moving, moving...

Wow. I am still enjoying my time here at FBC, Winn. We are currently enlarging the sound booth and preparing for projection screens. I truly feel they can be used as aids in worship. We're using a thrown together setup at the moment, but it works.

We have the Catfish Festival this Saturday. We'll be selling catfish. I even get to help at the booth. Come and say, "Hello." The family and I will be working 10-Noon. It will be my first time to be at the largest one-day festival in the state of Louisiana. I'm looking forward to it.

We have a wonderful church family here. What's coming? Well, we're going to be looking into some local mission organization similar to Impact Benton or Hands and Feet of FBC, Vivian.

We're also looking into Upward Soccer. Be praying for FBC. We're on the move!

At the brink...

As we stand on this side of the end of this year my prayer is that this year will stay where it is–in this year. If God chooses to give us 2011, I hope you'll leave 2010 behind. Any sadness and any disappointments need to be left behind. Yes, even the joy. You can't live on the joys of yesterday or yesteryear. Joy must be something we obtain from the Lord on a daily basis, not something we try to live on from another day in our past. Sure we can enjoy those memories, but we need joy for today. Get it from the Lord. He is there for us. He is there to give us strength for today, hope for today and joy for today. Let's grasp those as He hands them out to us on a daily basis.

I hope your journey to the new year finds you with an empty backpack ready to collect all the Lord has for you in 2011. May He bless you and strengthen you and remind you of His presence daily.

Thankful

I'm thankful today for a church who has sensitive and caring people who love each other and their pastor. What a church!! God has placed me in a place to serve Him where I feel I don't deserve to serve. Wow. Thank you for all that you do, God. You are awesome.

I'm praying for us all during this Christmas season. Don't forget there are some who are hurting over the loss of a loved one. Minister to them. Pray for them. Love on them. They need to know someone remembers.

Family, food, funeral

Well, the family is on their way home from Texas a day early. They should be back this evening. I stayed with Beau. Amazing dog. He was very well behaved not having Jack around. I ate at the White's home for Thanksgiving lunch. I watched a bit of the Saints beating the Cowboys, almost losing and then winning game. That was good. Today I shall do the funeral of Robert Gwin. Great man. Great smile. Great attitude. Loved his wife, grandchildren very much. What a man. Sad to have him leaving us. Every church needs cheerful and supportive people in it.

Thoughts on the LBC

I'm reading this book I got at the LifeWay display at our convention. It's good.

Ok. Does it matter where you sit or was this years Louisiana Baptist Convention just that boring? I was moved by the heart of Rod Mastellar. His heart is in the right place. The others who shared, well...I did enjoy Al Mohler's Bible studies. If you go buy any of the cd's, get his. Hope they were available.

I did not feel as if the Spirit of God was really present. Was it my own cynicism?

Pray for our convention. Missions and evangelism are the heartbeats of Baptists. May they be brought to the front of all we do. Please, help that to be true by being involved in any outreach your church does. Not for the sake of Baptists, but for the sake of people without God. People matter to God–don't forget that.

Moving along

Well, things are moving along quite well here at FBC. Screens are going to happen as soon as we get a good estimate and people to to it. Can't wait! It's going to be great. Let me say, you people of First Church? You are an awesome bunch of folks! You have such a great spirit about you. Thank you for being who you are!!!

Oh, check this out. Can't believe this!!! Odd roommate situation.

Pray

There are times when I shudder to think about pastoring people. There are so many variables. People aren't like cows, they are like sheep. They are not all alike. You can't tell them what to do and expect everything to work out fine. You have to take into consideration each person's personality.

Pray as we continue to work on planning worship. Pray that we are doing it for God and not just because we think it's going to bring thousands in our doors. People matter to God, but God matters most.

Great day in the morning!

What a great day we had today. It was a great time of worship. Started the service off with a baptism and then our Minister of Music and a choir member sang, "Brethren We Have Met to Worship." It was the best way to begin a service. Wish we could start off every Sunday with a baptism!!! God is good.

Sounds like God is moving at Calvary as well. They have a few baptisms to do and they don't even have a pastor. Praise God He still moves!!!

Got the boys haircuts this past week. That went well. Took them to Donnie's Barber Shop.

Susanne has been working hard on her school stuff, Worship Team rehearsal and more school stuff. It's a bit overwhelming. The boys like school. For that I am truly thankful. Do we miss Natchitoches? Of course. Are we adjusting to life in Winnsboro? We are. It's where God has us and we'll be here until, or if, He moves us. Pray for Calvary Baptist as they seek a new pastor.

Acts of Kindness

One of our members came and brought us each a gift certificate to eat out. Little acts of kindness like that sure help the pastor to know he matters. Have you appreciated your pastor lately? He works hard on hearing from God as to what to preach. He cares about you and your family. Have you told him, "Thank you?" Let him know Sunday that you appreciate all he does. He needs to hear it.

Screens

We are looking for screens or LCD monitors. Anyone have an idea of who to talk to around Winnsboro? We hope to show missions videos this year as well as the Operation Christmas Child video. I have dealt with them at Calvary, but they would be new here. They will be a huge help in worship.

Busy

Like that is what you want to see. Actually I guess it's better than, "I sit around all day looking at the wall of my office." I mean when you do what you are supposed to do, you find yourself busy.

We're having the young adults and kids at the parsonage Friday. I am looking forward to it. It will be fun.

This picture is from a water play day at my son's school last year.

We vote on three men to serve for three years as Deacons this Sunday. Three are rotating off and it's time to elect more. Pray for us that we'll do what God wants.