Road Wins

Last night, the Mississippi State Bulldogs did something very rare for a Southeastern Conference Basketball Team. They won "on the road," defeating LSU (61-39) in Baton Rouge.

Visiting hoopsters are always at a disadvantage. Visitors must travel, sometimes great distances, on a cramp bus to play their rival in inhospitable environs. The Home Team is accustomed to their court. The host combatants are able to keep their normal routine by sleeping in their beds and eating in familiar surroundings. The "Homers" practice everyday shooting at the same basketball goal in their gym, while the visiting jocks have only a few minutes to get acquainted with the nuisances of the unfamiliar rim.

In the Fall of 1987, as a proud tuba playing member of the Famous Maroon Marching Band of Mississippi State, I traveled with my fellow musicians to Baton Rouge, LA for a football game. Did you know they take football seriously in Louisiana? Well, have no doubts about it.

As the band marched into Tiger Stadium (affectionately called "Death Valley"), a gauntlet of LSU fans lined our path. The frenzied Tiger Fans yelled at us all along the route. Shockingly, I was "cussed" by a 7 year old boy and a 70 year old woman. During the game, since my tuba made an easy target, I was pelted with debris. Before I boarded the bus to return home, I emptied my burdensome horn of enough trash to fill a small garbage can. LSU, this year's Football National Champs, has a definite home field advantage.

(O.K. How is this preacher going to relate this to a spiritual truth? Don't rush me.)

In John 15:19, Jesus said, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

We should not be surprised that there is hostility against the gospel. However, Jesus scheduled our lives as Christians as away games. In Matthew 28:19-20, he gave what we call the Great Commission, which begins with the word "Go." Whether it is to the Australian Outback or to the folks in Greene County, Mississippi who live out in the woods, we are to go to them. Around the world or across the street we must be on the road sharing the gospel in word, as well as deed.

Furthermore, remember that Jesus does not force us to travel alone. He is right beside us. He said at the end of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, "I will be with you always." Through the victory Christ won over the grave, we can have the confidence to serve him in any environment--any time, any place.

Clean

Don Hussong shares this story:

After church, where she had been taught about the Second Coming, a little girl was quizzing her mother. "Mommy, do you believe Jesus will come back?"
"Yes."
"Today?"
"Yes."
"In a few minutes?"
"Yes, dear."
The little girl thought for a moment. Then she asked, "Mommy, would you comb my hair?"

We all want to be prepared when Jesus returns, but, obviously, whether or not we are having a "bad hair day" does not matter. What does matter is the condition of our soul. Are we cleansed from sin?

In John 15:1-2, Jesus explained that God—the supreme gardener—removes every branch that is not productive. Also, he prunes or trims the dead branches that are attached to the vine. Dead, broken, and excess twigs are cut away. This process of pruning is not performed to punish, but to enable the branches, and the vine, to be more productive—more fruitful.

Jesus told his disciples in John 15:3 that they were "clean." He stated, they were clean because of the word he had spoken to them.

The Greek word for "clean" is kathoros, which also means "pure." In the physical sense, the word was used in reference to vines that were prepared, by pruning, to bring forth fruit. Actually, the Greek word for pruning is kathairō, which means to remove useless "shoots" from a vine or branch. Also, this word conveys the idea of removing filth. So, a clean branch or vine had been pruned and was ready for the growing season. Consequently, in context, Jesus connected the physical practice of pruning to the spiritual cleansing that occurs when we are obedient to Him--who is the Word (John 1:1).

A clean branch can produce more fruit and is not burdened with wasting nutrients on shoots that are not beneficial. Since the disciples had responded to His teaching--His "word"--they were spiritually cleansed from the contamination of sin. This meant they were ready to be beneficial to the Kingdom of God.

Unfortunately, not all of the disciples were clean. We know that Judas, who conspired with the religious leaders to have Jesus arrested, was a branch that was removed. Obviously, he refused to be pruned, to be cleansed. His dirty deal caused great suffering for Jesus and produced so much turmoil in his own life that he committed suicide.

As a child, I didn't like to bathe. On one occasion, after being ordered to take a bath, I went into the bathroom and filled the tub with H2O. Next, I dropped a clean bath cloth and a bar of soap into the water. I splashed a little water on my face and wet my hair on the ends. Then, I walked out in a towel, appearing to have completed appropriate physical hygiene. Unfortunately, my mother took a glance at the tub. She knew how dirty I was before entering the bathroom. The water was too clear, the washcloth too fresh. So, after some strong persuasive words and actions by my mom, I returned to the site of the attempted deception to get a complete washing.

Consequently, just as being near a bath tub filled with fresh water does not clean us, being near Jesus--the Vine, the Word--does not cleanse us from sin. We must submit ourselves to Him and receive forgiveness. Then, we can be productive and fruitful for Him.

In order for you to be clean, what needs to be trimmed from your life today?

Avoiding Discomfort Not Possible

As I was surfing the web, I found an interesting story on Yahoo!. A Mexican boy hated the idea of returning to school after the holiday break so much that he used some industrial glue to adhere his hand to his bed (Read the story here.)

He said that the Holiday Break had been so much fun that he didn't want to go back to school. So, he slathered his hand in glue and stuck himself to his bed. I wonder if he was glad to be at school after the paramedics were called and they freed his hand. What was his punishment? If I had done something like that when I was a kid, I am sure I would not have lived to go to school ever again.

Many people go to great lengths and risks to avoid things which are beneficial, but uncomfortable. Whether it be the dentist, the doctor, the mechanic, or that crotchety teacher, at times we are forced to trade fun for growth and/or healing.

By walking through times of discomfort, outside our comfort zone, we are able to experience the peace and comfort of God. Faith begins where our abilities end. So, we must be glad that everyday is not a Holiday. If all days were easy, we would never understand or value the blessing of God's comfort.

In II Corinthians 1:3-5 (Read the verses in context here.), Paul underscores the fact that God comforts us in our struggles through the power demonstrated in the victory Jesus won after his struggles. Then, we can comfort others with the same comfort we experienced from God.

Last year, I heard a pastor of a large congregation share that he would only hire Church Staff Members who had been through some pain or difficulty in life. He felt that these individuals would be able to relate to the many hurting people in the congregation. This is the truth in Henri Nouwen's book The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society.

In 1998-1999, I enrolled in a year of Clinical Pastoral Eduction (CPE) with the MacFarland Institute in New Orleans. I was an Oncology Chaplaincy Resident at the former Baptist Hospital in New Orleans. We engaged in group discussions and confrontations designed to force us to deal with our problems. Again, the premise being that in order for a chaplain to help others he/she must understand why uncomfortable emotions arise in certain situations. These emotions may hinder a minister from being totally present for a distressed individual.

Also, in CPE, I encountered chaplains of other faiths, which really helped me confirm my own spiritual beliefs. As a conservative baptist, I was challenged, and even ridiculed, at times for my doctrinal stands. However, the challenges help me grow as a minister.

For me, at times, I have avoided addressing certain disappointments and losses of the past, which only grew more difficult to handle as time passed. As the mechanic said in a commercial of the past, "Pay me now or pay me later." Regular car maintenance is more economical in the long run than neglecting routine maintenance. Putting off the inevitable "life maintenance issues" does not stop the unavoidable moments of truth we all encounter.

Gluing your hand to the bed, or stuffing your emotions, does not keep you from facing tough decisions and growth opportunities. Eventually, you will be forced to make a decision. So, go ahead and roll out of bed and head to the "School of Hard Knocks." The Class Bell of this school rings everyday. So, don't be tardy.

The "Church Field" and the Gardener

The first Sunday at First Baptist Leakesville was encouraging. It seems some people resolved to be more involved in church and some of them kept their commitments. Our attendance was up. In Sunday School, we almost doubled our attendance over the previous week.

One Ladies Sunday School Class Teacher shared, with excitement, that a lady she had been inviting to her class for several weeks came for the first time. Our Deacons Meeting, which was held at 8:00 AM, was well-attended with only 2 out and they had to work. A family--who my wife and I have been inviting for several months--came for the first time.

We started a special program for children on Sunday Night, DiscipleKID, and we had several workers help us. They are using the material Jesus: The One and Only, which is a study written by Beth Moore for children. Seventeen children came and we know of many more who were sick and out of town who usually attend. When I first came to FBC in Dec. 2005, there were very few children attending. So, this is thrilling.

So, I was encouraged on many different levels. I extend invitations to church on a regular basis and it is so exciting to see a family attend in response to my invitations and prayers. While I work the "church field," I know it is God who draws and grows people. I don't.

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser (John 15;1)."

Jesus is the “true vine” because His Father, God, is the "vinedresser." In other words, Father God is the supreme gardener.

A vineyard does not produce on its own. Wild vines are not productive. A successful vineyard needs a knowledgeable and attentive grower who is responsible to cultivate the soil, water the vines, remove the weeds, repel insects, trim branches, and harvest the grapes. God is the irreplaceable vinedresser. He gets all the credit for any fruit produced. Paul acknowledged this truth when he wrote His letter to the Corinthians. He declared, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (I Cor. 3:6, NKJV).”

As I serve the Lord, I am reminded I don't "grow" the faith of anyone. I simply introduce them to the gardener.

The True Vine

Jesus said, “I am the true vine (John 15:1)."

For centuries, grapes have been and continue to be the most commonly produced fruit in the world. During the time of Christ, grapes were essential to Israel’s economy. Since everyone was familiar with the operation of a vineyard, Jesus decided to refer to Himself as “the true vine” to give a word picture his audience would understand.

Aren’t you glad Jesus was committed to communicating to his hearers on a level they could easily understand? Jesus did not use opaque lexis (unclear words). Cellular phone companies could learn from Him.

Jesus wants you to know Him. He never plays hard to get. He is not a grouchy college professor that prides himself on a 50% failure rate. Jesus has no annual quota to reach of folks he wants to fail spiritually. He adores you. He wants you to “get it.” My friend Glenn Padgett once said, "God would much rather celebrate your victories, than forgive your sin. But, he is willing and able to do both."

The commitment to communicating his love for the world is a sign of his authenticity. He said, “I am the true vine.” Since he is the real deal, the true Savior who was sent because God “so loved the world, Jesus was completely transparent. He put up no false front and he wore no mask. He has no secrets, no baggage, no excuses. He wants you to know he is true and will be true to you.

Down through the years many religious leaders and self-righteous Messiah-Wanna-Be’s proved to be artificial plants. Jesus is the true vine.

Where's George?

In the trenches of Christmas Shopping Combat, I received a One Dollar Bill from Target in Hattiesburg, MS. The next day, as I was surveying the damage to the cash in my wallet, I discovered a $1 bill with this message stamped on it: "Track this bill at Where's George.com." Since I have seen this message on bills in the past, I decided to give it a try.

After inputting the serial number into their database, the website reported "Ole George" was initially entered into their tracking system on April 19, 2007 in Holt, Michigan. Since I brought the bill to Leakesville, MS on December 21, 2007, the website calculated the greenback had traveled 824 miles in 246 days, covering, on average, 3.3 miles per day.

What society profits from such detailed information is not clear to me at the moment, but I was semi-entertained by discovering the distance the currency had traversed.

Furthermore, I was reminded of a joke I heard about the life of a $1 Bill. A version of the joke is on Comedy-Zone.net .

A one dollar bill met a twenty dollar bill and said, "Hey, where have you been? I haven't seen you around here much." The twenty answered, "I've been hanging out at the casinos, went on a cruise and did the rounds of the ship, back to the United States for awhile, went to a couple of baseball games, to the mall, that kind of stuff. How about you?" The one dollar bill said, "You know, same old stuff... church, church, church."

Where will your money go this year?

The Speed of Preparations

This morning the temperature is 20 Degrees Fahrenheit with a windchill of 12 Degrees. For fun I checked the temperature in Anchorage, AK, where we lived for 3 1/2 years, and the weather channel reports the temp. there is 22 Deg., with no wind chill. So, this is very unusual weather for us here in South Mississippi.

With the prospect of colder weather, I had to "wrap" one of the faucets on the north side of the parsonage with insulation to insure the pipes would not freeze. The cold, cutting wind motivated me to complete the task quickly. Usually, tasks such as wrapping a pipe would take me a little longer, but, under the conditions, I performed at a higher speed.

Zig Ziglar, in a speech I have on audio tape entitled Goals, challenged everyone present to notice how much quicker they accomplished tasks before leaving work for vacation. Have you been there? You will be away for a week or several days. As your departure approaches, you make note of things that must be done before you leave. You gain momentum as the "deadline" races toward you. At times, I have accomplished more administratively in one hour than I have in an entire day.

It's all about urgency. Not for everyone, but sometimes we just don't feel the urgency to accomplish certain tasks until we must.

On Sunday Dec. 23, in the evening service, I preached on the Parable of the Wise and Unwise Bridesmaids recorded in Matthew 25:1-13 (Read the passage here.) Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a traditional wedding of the day. The bridesmaids (virgins) would await the coming of the groom to the home of the bride. Then, the groom would escort the bride to his home for a celebration. Since the groom would arrive at night, the bridesmaids were responsible to bring lamps, which were used to light the path for wedding party to make their joyous journey.

In the parable, five of the bridesmaids failed to bring additional oil for their lamp (it was really a torch). So, when the time came for them to do their duty, they were unable to provide light. They begged the prepared bridesmaids for oil, but they could not share. They would not have enough, if they gave up some of their oil. The unwise bridesmaids went to buy additional oil, but, when they returned to the home of the groom, the door was shut. They were excluded from the wedding celebrations because of their negligence.

Jesus concluded the parable with these words "Be on the alert then." Jesus was referring to his Second Coming. He underscored the "urgency" we should feel as we live our lives.

We want to finish strong. Bro. Barton, the Senior Pastor of Wade Baptist Church near Moss Point, MS, once said something to the effect of "If we compared life to a football game, a man in his 40s would be at Halftime. So, the last half of his life is vitally important, because no one ever remembers a Halftime Score."

My prayer is that I will "play ball" until the last second ticks off the clock.

Preaching Engagements Make Me Daydream

I consider myself a sort-of-kind-0f-semi-normal guy, but there is one thing I do that may be--O.K., it is--strange.

In order to be transparent, I feel compelled to tell you a secret. Please don't tell anyone, but...well,...I sometimes sit at my desk and, frequently, preach to an invisible congregation. O.K., now I feel better. Furthermore, I zone out while shaving before a mirror and preach to myself. At these times I am oblivious to the world.

Candidly, I do catch myself preaching, even whispering my major points out loud and gesturing wildly for emphasis in empty rooms and even while driving.

My wife and oldest daughter have "caught" me in this "checked-out" preacher mode at times. It's kind of embarrassing, but I do feel it's a good thing in one aspect. For me, this confirms I enjoy what I feel called by God to do.

When you love someone, you will daydream about them. When you long to do something, you envision the activity. You "check out" and daydream. I love God and I daydream about telling everyone about my commitment to Jesus Christ. While I must not just practice telling others about my faith, the excitement of having a special opportunity to preach is exhilarating.

For example, tonight I am going to preach for a local congregation, Pine Level Baptist Church. The pastor of the church, Jeff Byrd, called me on Sunday and asked me to pick a Wednesday Night in January to preach as part of a special Wednesday Night Series of Revival Services. Since I had already asked someone to lead a devotion here at First Baptist on this Wednesday night, I asked him if I could preach tonight. While he was planning to preach himself, He was surprised that I would commit on such a short notice. However, I was thrilled by the opportunity. (This turns out to be good for Jeff, because I talked to him today and he has a terrible cold.)

Since the invitation to preach at Pine Level, I have been excited to no end. I can already see myself preaching to the congregation. As I rehearse my sermon, I pray that God will be pleased with every facet of my delivery. It is a blessing to enjoy what you do--to wake up thrilled to be in the ministry.

While I'll continue to try to keep my unique sermon preparation exercises concealed, I'm not ready to give them up yet.

Now, remember, this is a secret. So, don't tell anyone.

Your Time Bank

For a child, time is difficult to quantify. For example, when our daughter, Abbey, was 4 years old, we would use a purple dinosaur named “Barney” to explain how much time needed to elapse before a desired event would occur. You see, this purple character appeared regularly on our TV via video tapes. The programs lasted exactly 30 minutes. So, while traveling, whenever Abbey would ask, “Are we there yet?” If we would arrive in about an hour, we would answer “In about two ‘Barney’s.”

Our five year old son has to be answered in a similar manner whenever an anticipated event is several days away. His favorite unit of measurement is “sleeps.” So, as Christmas approached, we would have to inform him of the number of sleeps before he would awake on Christmas morning. Two days until Christmas equals two “sleeps.”

As we enter a new year, let me remind you that you will have the same number of “sleeps” and “awakes” as everyone else. Well-known Christian writers, Max Lucado and David Jeremiah, who seem to publish a book every 2 weeks, have the same amount of time as I do. You have the same amount of time in this year as the most successful folks in the world.

There are 8760 hours in each person’s annual calendar “bank.” How will they be used? My prayer is the hours I spend this year will be an encouragement to others and will bring glory to God. In Ps. 90:10, the Bible says that our days are “soon cut off, and we fly away.” Our “sleeps” and “awakes” pass faster than a truck with a Hemi. So, use your days, and “sleeps,” in ways that please God.

Recipe For A Happy New Year

Yesterday morning, my father preached a sermon based on Philippians 3:13-14 entitled "Recipe for a Happy New Year."

He stressed a Happy New Year should include three main ingredients.

I. Repentance

We must repent of sin (I John 1:9).

Sins of Neglect:

Neglect of reading scripture.

Neglect of church attendance.

II. Resolve

Resolutions are important. You aim at nothing and you'll hit it every time.

Many men of faith made resolutions (or vows).

Daniel resolved not to defile himself.

Jacob vowed to tithe (Gen. 28:20-22).

David resolved to pray when he said, "I will call upon the LORD."

Paul resolved to be a witness for Jesus Christ.

III. Remembrance

We must remember we can never repay Christ for all he has done for us.

We must remember this may be our last year on earth.

If we knew for certain this would be our last year of life, what would we do with the upcoming days, weeks, and months.

Thanks, DAD, for these great reminders.

Recovering from a Busy Saturday.

Yesterday was our anniversary. Terri and I have been married 17 years. I am a blessed man who falls deeper in love with his wife each day.

We had a unique day. We checked out of our hotel around 9 AM and did some shopping in Trussville, AL, a city which seems to be bursting at the seams. We had lunch at a Red Robin Restaurant there. Terri and I ate at a Red Robin several times when we lived in Anchorage, AK. So, that was kind of nostalgic, but more challenging with three kids.

We left Trussville at 12:35 pm and arrived in at my parents' home in Magee, MS at 4:35 PM. That's 266 miles in exactly 4 hours. We never stopped and I did the speed limit.

Later, my parents kept the kids. Terri and I went out to eat at a surprisingly nice restaurant just outside of Magee. Matilda's is a beautiful restaurant decorated like a log cabin, but not too rustic (Read a review here). The place is set on a lake. A fire was burning. The menu was not typical "fish house" fare, while they had that as well. After a long day of driving, just being anywhere with Terri was special. We didn't think there was a place that nice in the Magee/Mt. Olive, MS area. We were pleased.

Today felt different, since I didn't have to preach. We went to church with my father and mother. My dad is Interim Pastor at a small church that suffered major destruction from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. They are nearing completion of a beautiful sanctuary. My dad has been a big help to them.

I enjoyed hearing my dad preach. His sermon was titled "Recipe for a Happy New Year." I'll share more on that tomorrow.

Holiday Dash

We've had a fun and busy Christmas Break so far. On Monday we were in Bay Minette, AL with my in-laws. We returned home that evening and Santa Clause had failed to read the instructions ahead of time. So, I had to air up a Jump-O-Lene starting at 11:00 AM. It only took me 2 hours using a hand pump my wife uses to blow up balloons for her clown act. Then, I had to set the other toys out. At 3:30 AM I put the Turkey on the smoker. At 8:30 AM the Turkey was removed from the smoker and placed in the oven. The kids weren't up until 9:00 AM. They were excited.

Later Christmas Day, we went to Magee to have Christmas meal at 2:00 PM. I enjoyed being with my Grandmother, Uncle Jim, Brother John and his family. My Dad and Mom continue to enjoy the home they purchased after my dad retired a few years ago. We filled it up Tuesday.

Thursday, we traveled to Trussville, AL, which is on I-59 just out of Birmingham. My sister lives here. We have enjoyed seeing her and her family. She cooked Cheesy Chicken Pasta for us last night.

We going to head back to Mississippi tomorrow, which is our Anniversary.

The traveling has been enjoyable because I have had time to just do nothing for a few moments. With three kids, "down time" is a premium. However, spending a large block of time with the family has been fulfilling and shown me what a blessed man I am.

The Impact of Jesus

Merry Christmas!

Surprisingly, the kids are sleeping later than ever this Christmas morning. The fragrance of the 11.9 pound turkey is wafting through the house. While we didn't have a silent night, we are being blessed with a Silent Morning.

This "lull" has given me time to reflect upon the impact of Jesus. While many do their best to remove "Jesus-References" from His birthday celebration, the impact of Jesus upon the world cannot be denied.

Personally, my relationship with Jesus Christ has changed my life in so many ways. Last night, my wife gave me a picture of Jesus with the children (Based on Mark 10:13-14). The large poster-like, color drawing is the type of image I had in my mind when, as a child, I prayed and committed my life to God. I asked God to forgive me of my sins and thanked Jesus for letting kids come to Him. That one decision has colored all of my life. Nothing is more important to me than my relationship with Christ.

For me, no writing or prose captures the impact of Jesus Christ better than this poem, believed to be published originally in 1926.

One Solitary Life

by Dr. James Allen Francis

He was born in an obscure village, the child of a simple peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never had a family. He never owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born, and where he did go he usually walked.

He never wrote a book. He never held political office. He did none of the things we usually associate with greatness.

While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends deserted Him. He was turned over to His enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had in this world - and that was His robe. His purple robe.

When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave provided by compassionate friends.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure for much of the human race, the leader in the column of human progress. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth so powerfully as this one solitary life.

Silent Night? I Don't Think So

Last night, we closed our Evening Worship Service by singing "Silent Night." This carol brings to mind a serene and tranquil scene. However, I really think silence was at a premium in the Little Town of Bethlehem, which was packed with people reporting for the census. All hotels had "No Vacancy" signs posted. Probably, relatives who had not seen each other in a while were reconnecting. So, just as my family gets loud when they get together for a reunion, that was more than likely the case in Bethlehem that night.

How could the night have been silent? Men were probably venting their frustrations to one another regarding the census. Just imagine how inconvenienced they felt. No doubt they resented having to submit to the order by Quirinius to report to Bethlehem (Luke 2:2-3). They hated the Romans and they must have been verbalizing their disdain for them.

Have you been to a barnyard? Cows, sheep, chickens can be loud. Animal noises-"moo's"and "cockle-doodle-do's"-- were sounded all around the birth of Jesus.

More significantly, the manger could not have been silent. Remember, Mary experienced labor pains like all mothers. No epidurals to ease her agonizing discomfort. Joseph and Mary had not been to a Lamaze Class at Nazareth General Hospital. Her breathing and cries of pain were loud as she gave birth for the first time. The long awaited Messiah was born after tears, sweat, and blood were shed.

While the decibel level was higher then we imagine, the birth of Jesus brought peace, hope, and love in the flesh. In the midst of chaos, cackles, and cries, Jesus came.

John 3:16: More Than a Placard

If you watched any major sporting event in the 1970’s and 80’s, you will remember seeing the work of Rollen “Rainbow Man” Stewart. At almost any major sporting event, including Olympic events, there was a man wearing a rainbow colored Afro and hoisting a sign, which read John. 3:16. That was Rollen Stewart. He was present at football, baseball, and even golf competitions.

Stewart, also known as “Rockin’ Rollen,” first brought attention to himself with outlandish antics at a Portland Trailblazers basketball game in 1977. His rainbow colored hair and fur loin cloths brought him media notoriety. Admittedly, Stewart became discontented with his life. Following the 1980 Super Bowl, Stewart stated he experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity (An excellent article on his life is here.). Then, the Rainbow Man became even more obsessed with gaining media attention in order to spread the “Word of God.”

Signs that he was not “level headed” began to present themselves as early as 1986, when, during the World Series, he physically assaulted his wife at Shea Stadium for not holding her John 3:16 placard in the correct position. Eventually, “Rockin’ Rollen” went to bizarre lengths to gain attention to declare the “end of the world” was drawing near. In September 1992, the Rainbow Man was arrested after holding a maid hostage in the Hyatt Hotel next to Los Angeles International Airport. He posted doomsday messages in the windows and even shot at Jetliners as they passed. He was given three life sentences in fear he was a religious fanatic in the line of David Koresh or Jim Jones.

To have such a sad story associated with the verse John 3:16 is regrettable. However, just knowing the Biblical Address (or scripture reference) does not equate to a heart change. Yet, John 3:16 contains enough gospel to rock your world, but on a deep level.

This morning I will preach on the “Gift of Love” as stated in John 3:16. We will examine it according to this outline.

I. Starting Point- For God…
A. Supreme Passion- so loved…
B. Sinful People- the world

II. Sacrificial Present- He Gave
A. Superior Possession– His only begotten
B. Sole Progeny-Son

III. Staggering Promise-That whoever
A. Spiritual Purpose- Believes in Him
B. Saving Power- should not perish

IV. Serene Perpetuity- But have everlasting life.

Max Lucado on John 3:16

Tomorrow, I will be preaching in the morning service a sermon entitled "Gift of Love" based on John 3:16. As I was preparing my sermon, I noticed Max Lucado's book, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope is in many stores. So, I decided to read the book as part of my sermon prep.

Lucado is a simple, but profound writer. You just can't improve on John 3:16, but Max includes some interesting stories and uncompromising exegesis that underscore why this verse is so loved by the faithful and loathed by the faithless.

The main content of the book encompasses only 120 pages. A nice addition to the book is a devotional section at the end with readings for 40 days. I could recommend this book to everyone for its readability and insight.

Lucado summarizes John 3:16 like this:

He loved. He gave. We believe. We Live.

God Doesn't Need a Hearing Aid

Once, two young brothers went to spend the night with their Grandparents during Thanksgiving. Before arriving, their parents admonished them not to barrage their grandmother with a litany of requests for Christmas presents.

One night as the boys were being tucked into bed by their grandmother, she reminded them to say their prayers before going to sleep. After the grandmother had left the room, the boys knelt beside the bed. First, Johnny prayed in a loud voice "I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE. I PRAY FOR A PLAYSTATION 2 Video Game. I PRAY FOR A NEW DVD Player..."

Eventually, his brother nudged him and asked, "Why are you praying so loud? God is not hard of hearing?" Johnny responded, "I Know, but Grandma is."

I am so glad God is not hard of hearing. In Nehemiah, the Levites were praising God for allowing the city of Jerusalem's Wall to be restored. They praised God and said, "You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea (Neh. 9:9 NKJV)."

God heard the cry of his people for a deliverer, the Messiah. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be that Messiah. He wrote,

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV).

God hears us.

The Power of Pondering

Last night, in our Midweek Service, I presented some thoughts based on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

On two different occasions, the Bible reveals Mary's contemplative nature. First, in Luke 2:19, we read that after the shepherds visited Jesus and spread the news about his birth, Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Second, when Jesus was 12 years old, he went with his family to Jerusalem. He amazed all of the Jewish teachers of the Hebrew Law. Inadvertently, the family departed without him. After discovering he was missing, the Mary and others rushed back to Jerusalem to find him. As any mother would, she scolded Jesus for raising their stress level. The Bible records in Luke 2:49-51:

Luke 2:49-51 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

Mary challenges us to do 3 things:

1. Contemplate the grace God has displayed in choosing to use regular folks for extraordinary tasks.
2. Contemplate the wonder of the coming of God in flesh.
3. Contemplate what God is teaching you through things that are confusing.

How do you utilize prayer in your daily life?
Do you praise God in your private life?
What “things” do you ponder?
Have you taken time to contemplate the grace of God in your life and in your church?

I pray you have a worshipful Christmas pondering the ways of God.

His Name Shall Be Called...JESUS!!!!!!!

Last night, our children's choir performed their musical "Away in a Manger." They did an incredible job...really. I know pastors are supposed to say that, but I was amazed at the singing, which was especially good for children of that age. I have a degree in music and have served as Minister of Music at six different churches. Our children "nailed" it last night.

One humorous moment was when one of our children was quoting a Bible verse about the birth of Christ. He approached the microphone with great confidence and yelled, as loud as he could, "His name shall be called JESUS!!!!!! He made his point and I'm afraid he short-circuited some hearing aids.

The innocence and freedom children display in worship is so refreshing. I pray that my voice and my life scream the true focus of Christmas.

During the 1992 Presidential Election Campaign, Bill Clinton's strategist, James Carville, posted a sign in the Campaign Headquarters, which read "The Economy, Stupid." This was to keep everyone focused on reminding everyone that people were concerned about the ongoing recession. The sign helped center everyone on a key issue.

Sometimes, as I travel by homes decorated with a myriad of lights and inflatable "winter wonderland" characters, I just want to scream "It's Jesus' Birthday!" Now, that's not politically correct, but, Christmas is about Jesus' Birth. The Savior of the world gets lost in the shadow of 7 foot tall Snow Globes and inflatable Santas (Purchase an inflatable Santa riding a motorcycle here).

May, we all lovingly, but forcefully shout with our lives and words that JESUS(!!!!!!) is the reason for the season.

He Is More Than Wonderful

Our Sanctuary Choir presented the musical The Love of God at Christmas Friday Night and in this morning's Worship Service. In our choir, we have a talented bunch of folks who love to sing. Mike Smith, our Minister of Music, is a dedicated and likable leader.

My daughter, Abbey, sings in the choir and she sang a solo in an arrangement of More Than Wonderful today. The song was made popular by Sandi Patti and Larnelle Harris. While the song has been around for a good while, the message is still relevant.

For He’s more wonderful than my mind can conceive
He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe
He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.
He’s everything that my soul ever longed for
Everything He’s promised and so much more
More than amazing, more than marvelous,
More than miraculous could ever be
He’s more than wonderful, that’s what Jesus is to me.

The Heroic God

Tonight, I will be preaching in the South Mississippi Correctional Facility. Every third Saturday night, I preach in the chapel there. This has been very fulfilling for me. Before I preach, there is always an impressive time of worship through music. The inmates have formed a band and choir that can really rock the house.

My sermon for this evening will be based on Isaiah 9:6. When prophesying the birth of Jesus, Isaiah gave several names for Jesus. One of the names in Hebrew is El Ghibor, which is commonly translated Mighty God. An alternative translation, which I read in a devotional book penned by Richard Wurmbrand, is Heroic God. For me, the term "Heroic God" really captures the miracle of Christmas.

Contemplate with me this translation of Isaiah 9:6, "And His name will be called…Heroic God."

If you are looking for the ultimate hero, don't go the largest athletic stadiums and coliseums. Kicking, throwing, and catching balls is entertaining, but is it truly heroic?

If you are looking for the ultimate hero, don't go to Washington, D.C. Negotiating treaties, contracts, and compromises is important, but not truly heroic.

If you are looking for the ultimate hero (or heroine), don't go to Wall Street. Buying and selling commodities is an integral cog in the economic machine, but that's not truly heroic.

If you want to find the true hero of the world, go to a barn in Bethlehem. Look into a feed trough lined with hay and you will find the Son of God wrapped in swaddling clothes when he could have requested the finest robe. Look into that manger and see the Son of God who humbled himself to show us love.

If you want to see the true hero, go to Calvary. Look at the Heroic God choosing to suffer on a cross instead of resting on a throne.

Finally, if you want to see the true hero, go to the borrowed tomb in which they laid Jesus. You will find an eternally empty tomb. Jesus is a true hero for you cannot his body buried anywhere. Yet, he is everywhere. He is alive. He is the ultimate Hero. All other so-called heroes fail in comparison to Jesus Christ.

Title: Praise God for Christmas

By Joseph Bayly

Praise Him for the incarnation,
for the word made flesh.
I will not sing of shepherds
watching flocks on frosty nights,
or angel choristers.
I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem,
or lowing oxen,
wise men trailing star with gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
Tonight I will sing praise to the Father
who stood on heaven's threshold
and said farewell to his Son
as he stepped across the stars
to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son,
who became most finite, a baby
who would one day be executed for my crime.
Praise him in the heavens,
Praise him in the stable,
Praise him in my heart.

Steroid Use and Practicing What I Blog

Yesterday, the long-awaited Mitchell Report regarding the use of steroids in Major League Baseball was released. Many MVPs and All-Stars were implicated in the report(Click here for the entire report and Click here for the Associated Press story highlighting the prominent names mentioned.)

Of all the names, I was really disappointed to see Andy Pettitte listed. Pettitte is an influential Christian. He has written an excellent book for boys entitled StrikeZone: Targeting a Life of Integrity and Purity.

Last night, I discussed the report with Scott Bray, our former High School Baseball Coach and one of the members of the church I pastor. Scott, like me, expressed surprise that Pettitte's name was mentioned. Then, he said, "...but, my preacher (me) told me Wednesday night that I needed to 'practice grace.'" I appreciated the reminder.

Wednesday night in our Mid-Week Service (and in this blog entry), I shared a devotion on the life of Joseph, Mary's husband, and his reaction to her pregnancy as described in Matthew 1:18-25. Joseph had every right, according to the custom of the day, to have Mary stoned for committing, what he thought, was adultery. However, as he was "considering these things," an angel came and shared with him the marvelous truth concerning the child conceived in Mary.

So, I'm going to wait and see what happens concerning the allegations regarding Andy Pettitte. I have yet to read his response.

God has used Pettitte in the past and I pray he will continue to do so. At the same time, I'll practice what I preach and blog.

UPDATE: Andy Pettitte did admit using human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury in 2002. Read the Fox Sports story here. I feel he showed great courage in coming clean and not trying to be evasive.

December Picnic

For lunch, my son and I had a picnic in Leakesville's Bear Creek Park. This is December, but around noon the sky was overcast with a temp in the mid 70s. Jared is so much fun. He enjoys showing me his "tricks." Also, we had to go to one of the Baseball Fields and simulate his hitting of a "home run." I love to watch him run the bases. I am a blessed man.

What Would Joseph Do?

Last year, along with my parents, I saw the movie The Nativity Story in a small theatre in Magee, MS. One scene from the movie comes to mind as I read the story of Mary and Joseph from the Gospel of Matthew (2:18-25).

After Mary received the news she would give birth to a child, even though she was a virgin (Luke 1:26-29), the Bible records that Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth. Possibly, she was seeking comfort from someone she thought would understand the amazing revelation she had been given. Even though she was "well along in years," Elizabeth had conceived John the Baptist (Luke 1:18). During their time together, they celebrated what God was going to do through both of them.

The movie depicts Mary's return to to her hometown in a provocative manner. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was thrilled she had returned. So, he hurried to greet her and welcome her home. However, as she stepped down from a small cart, he noticed she was, unmistakably, well along in a pregnancy. Understandably, he was shocked and shaken. How could this be? He was so angry and confused.

What would Joseph do? What would you do? He could have had her stoned according to the custom of the day.

Well, tonight in our Mid-Week Prayer Service we will examine his response.

There are three statements that characterize the response of Joseph.


Words of Encouragement from Joseph


1. Practice grace whenever you discover apparent sin in someone’s life.
2. Practice grace when you take an action against a person who appears to have done wrong.
3. Practice grace and seek to restore dignity to a person.


In summary, practice grace, not disgrace.

The outline I'll follow in studying the Godly Example of Joseph is:

4 Aspects of Joseph’s Involvement with the Birth of Christ


Matthew 2:18-25:

I. Joseph’s Disappointment (v.18)

II. Joseph’s Desire (v.19-20a)

III. Joseph’s Dream (vv.20-23)

A. Purity of Mary (v.20)

B. Purpose of Jesus (v.21)

C. Prophecy of Isaiah (v.22-23)

IV. Joseph’s Decision (vv.24-25)

Community Roofing Project

After going to Hattiesburg early this morning, I returned around 10:30 AM and helped some men from our church and community place a roof on the trailer of one of our members. We're not finished, but we made a lot of progress. Work will continue tomorrow. Also, we are going to purchase some concrete steps to replace a dilapidated porch at the front entrance.

The men are a joy to be around. Projects like this are very fulfilling.

Surprisingly, it was hot and the sun was bright. Temps had to be in the low 80's, which is not as hot as it can get in the Summer, but...this is December!

Santa is a Farmer

Should I have told this joke? This is how I opened my sermon yesterday. I try to use humor, but maybe this was not an appropriate introduction to a sermon entitled "The Gift of Peace.

Well, you decide.

Did you know that Santa is a farmer? Well, of course he is. Everywhere he goes he yells "Hoe, Hoe, Hoe!"

Laughter erupted. Now that I hear it...that's way too corny. I try.

The Gift of Peace

We had a great service this morning. The choir sang a selection from the Christmas Musical they will present next Weekend. Mike and Selena Smith sang a beautiful song about peace. The sanctuary is decorated beautifully.

My sermon was based on John 14:27. Four Words That Describe Peace

1. Supernatural
2. Personal
3. Internal
4 Eternal

Festive Weekend

Well, we've had a "Christmassy" weekend so far. One of our Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School classes had their Christmas Party at the Leakesville Library on Friday Night. Tony Gray, a missionary to Brazil, led us in singing several Christmas Carols. I gave a devotion.

The meal was incredible. One of the ladies baked a cake and she substituted Hickory Nuts for Pecans. That was unique.

Yesterday, our family went to my wife hometown of Bay Minette for their Christmas Parade. Terri's Mom, Dad, and a nephew met us there. (Don't tell anyone, but I was much more impressed with Lucedale's Parade last weekend.)

I look forward to our services today. My sermon is entitled "The Gift of Peace" based on John 14:27. More on that later.

The Family Tree of Jesus

One of the most amusing memories and lasting images of my maternal grandparents’ home is a souvenir one of my uncles bought on a trip to the mountains. This odd “conversation piece” was placed in a prominent spot in the home. The figure was a small tree placed in a wooden pot. The branches of the tree were covered with various nuts and on each of the shells plastic eyes were glued. The caption for this fine work of art was affixed to the base and it read: Our Family Tree: A Bunch of Nuts.

So, at an early age I was conditioned to accept the truth my genealogy was filled with a bunch of nuts. In many ways this is true. We have a good time when I get together with my mom’s family. My Uncle Aubrey is a joker. Unfortunately, I can’t write all of his jokes here. My Aunt Dorothy is a nut. One Christmas the “Harris Family” gathered and she was tasked with passing out the presents. She came dressed as a clown. You have to be a nut to dress like a clown at Christmas. However, the reason she dressed like a clown was she was too cheap to buy an appropriate costume.

All of us have The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in our family tree.

We all must recognize we have to trace our family roots all the way to the Garden of Eden. There the first sins were committed by Great, Great, Great, Great, Great (etc.) Grandmother and Grandfather Adam and Eve. Once the first sin was committed, God put a plan into motion.

God had a plan to redeem the good, the bad, and the ugly.

So, as you examine the genealogy of Jesus listed in the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, you can notice some truths about the redemptive plan of God.

Four Words that describe God’s plan.

1. Purposeful Plan (Matt. 1:17)

Matthew grouped the genealogy into three groups of fourteen. Seven or any multiple of seven — like 14 — symbolized perfection. Three was also a divine number of perfection and fullness. The genealogy is perfectly planned. The genealogy is a demonstration of God's order and movement toward Christ.

Matthew's point: God is in control.

2. Prophesied Plan

Hundreds of years before Christ was born, Isaiah prophesied his birth (See Isaiah 53).

3. Passionate Plan

"For God so loved the world...(John 3:16)

4. Personal Plan

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish."

Four Summary Truths to Remember

I. God moves history forward in an orderly and purposeful way.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

To expand a point we made earlier, Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. wrote: “Matthew 1:8 omits three names between King Joram and Ozias (Uzziah), Ahaziah (2 Kings 8:25), Joash (2 Kings 12:10)and Amaziah (2 Kings 14:1). In Matthew 1:11 Matthew omits Jehoiakin (2 Kings 23:34). Matthew’s goal is to reduce the genealogies to a memorable three sets of fourteen individuals, for fourteen is the number of ‘David,’ D = 4, V or Hebrew waw = 6 and the last D = 4, for a total of 14.” Matthew wanted to underscore God perfect design.

II. God uses flawed humans as he carries history forward.

The family tree of Jesus includes some folks that used bad judgement at times.

· Abraham "more than once lied like Pinocchio."
· Jacob, whose name means "cheater," was "slicker than a Vegas card shark."
· Judah committed incest; he was a hypocrite and adulterer.
· David was an adulterer and a murderer.
· Rahab was a prostitute
· Manasseh was a wicked king who sacrificed his own son to Baal.

III. Irregardless of their past, God works through individuals who seek Him.

Take a look at Josiah (v.10)—One of the best kings in Jewish History. He became king at age 8 and, at age 16, “began to seek the God of his ancestor David (II Chronicles 34:3)."

We may be from a family of Godless "nuts," but God can still use us, if we let Him.

IV. While many in Israel were unfaithful, Jesus still came.

(1:17) Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

Why did God use these people?

· He knew we'd be worriers, and he wants us to know he's in total control.
· The proof is in the last name on the genealogy list: Jesus, the Christ.

Consequently, this Christmas don't forget that God can work through an individual who comes through a family of Wavering, Wounded, Wrestling, Worshipping, Warring, Wealthy, Wise, Wanton, and/or Wild "Nuts."

FBC in Blogosphere

We have a blog now. Susanne, our secretary, posted several pictures of activities at our church. Check it out at fbcleakesville.blogspot.com.

Ministers Christmas Party

Last night, ministers who serve churches affiliated with the George-Greene Baptist Association gathered for the annual Christmas Party. I really enjoyed it. Ronnie Cottingham sang some Christmas favorites. Lowry Anderson, pastor of Bel-Aire Baptist Church in Gulfport, MS, spoke and shared some humorous and inspirational thoughts.

The number of pastors and wives who gathered was encouraging. I love getting to know other ministers.

Tommy Mitchell (read his blog), pastor of Agricola Baptist in George County planned the event. He did a great job.

Random Post of the Year: Barbeque Pecans

Christmas is the only time I ever cook, except for "smoking" something on a grill.

While I'm no Emeril Lagasse, I have a great recipe for roasting pecans. This year, the pecan crop in the area has been exceptional. My Uncle Aubrey Harris lives near Glennallen, MS in the Mississippi Delta. He gave us several pounds of pecans a few weeks ago. So, I had to find a recipe. This recipe was one I found on the web, but I tweaked it a little by adding seasoned salt. Also, some people put a few dashes of Tobasco Hot Sauce in the mix.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
4 cups pecan halves
Seasoned Salt

PREPARATION:

Melt butter in large saucepan or skillet. Add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup. Add pecan halves, stirring to coat well. Spoon into a lightly greased glass or nonstick baking dish; spread out in an even layer.

Toast at 400° about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn out on paper towels and sprinkle with seasoned salt.

Finding the Perfect Gift

Question: What Christmas present do you buy for the person who has everything?

Answer: A Garbage Can.

Have you ever received or purchased the “perfect” gift? Each Christmas season, Americans spend countless hours, burn several gallons of gas, and pay millions of dollars to buy the perfect gifts for friends and relatives. Then, after these perfect gifts are opened, countless hours and several gallons of gas are used to return what turn out to be imperfect presents. The shirt doesn’t fit. The color isn’t right. The item doesn’t work. So, the perfect gift is returned.

What would be the perfect gift for Jesus? Even though several days had passed, the Bible records that the wise men gave Jesus the first Christmas gifts. Gold is a valuable gift fitting for a king. Frankincense is a glittering, pleasant smelling incense, which is a gift appropriate for deity. Myrrh is an embalming agent, a proper gift for a person who was going to die. Jesus is King, God, and the Perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the world.

While the gifts were symbolic of the identity of Jesus, they were practical.

The editors of the Archaeological Bible state the gifts were the “most valuable, transportable, and marketable items of the day, ideal for sustaining Mary and Joseph in another country.” Shortly, after the Wise Men visited Jesus, Joseph and Mary fled their homeland and went to Egypt, due to the order of King Herod to kill all the boys in Bethlehem under the age of 2. So, the gifts from the Magi were perfect in their symbolism and in their usefulness.

Ultimately, God knew the perfect gift for humanity. He knew our greatest need was for forgiveness. So, in Luke 2:11, we read the words the angels gave to the shepherds. For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! God knew our greatest need. So, he sent us a savior. As Paul wrote, Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

"Red Roots" in Concert

Last night, our church enjoyed "The Red Roots" in concert. Natalie, Nika, and Nicole Taylor are Godly Teenage Girls who are multi-talented. They are identical triplets. I've known them since 1994. Their parents, Mark and Sherry Taylor, are dedicated Christians and they faithfully minister through Wade Baptist Church. Also, they have a brother who was a member of my youth group for several years when I was Youth Minister at Wade Baptist. Check out their website TheRedRoots.com. They can play 12 different instruments and various styles of music. I praise God for thier dedication.

The "Egg Bowl" and my Jonah Experience

Yesterday, I took my daughter to the "Egg Bowl" on the campus of Mississippi State University. This annual rivalry football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss is always an interesting affair. In the past, the game has had some amazing finishes, but this year was crazy. (Read about it here.)

I haven't been on the MSU campus much since the Fall of 1987 when I was enrolled there for one semester. Being on the campus brought back a lot of memories and an appreciation for the journey I have taken in the last 20 years.

After graduating from Calhoun City (MS) High School in 1983, I made a commitment to be a minister. So, I enrolled in the Winters School of Music at William Carey College (now Wm. Carey University) in Hattiesburg, MS.

At that time I was preparing to be a Minister of Music, but I never had the "passion" that many of my fellow students exhibited. For example, my roommate from Japan, Kenichoroh Fugisawa, practiced 8 hours a day--even on Saturday. That was never my level of commitment, but I did graduate.

Deep down, I still felt a desire to be in the ministry, but I didn't want to go to seminary. So, I compromised and rationalized not going to seminary by pursuing an Master of Business Administration Degree at MSU. My plan was to get the degree and go to work in some aspect of the Christian Music Industry--exactly in what capacity I was clueless.

I loved being a student at State. My roommate from Florence, MS was a member of the Famous Maroon Marching Band at MSU and he encouraged me to join. I did. Being in the band was a dream fulfilled. The band gave me opportunities to carry a tuba to football games at Auburn, Legion Field in Birmingham, and LSU's Tiger Stadium (I was even present when they filmed scenes during Halftime for the movie Everybody's All American).

The courses at MSU were challenging, but the academic environment was very different from what I experienced at William Carey.

Even though MSU was a great place to study, I came to the realization that I needed to focus on preparing for ministry in a church setting. So, during Christmas Break I transferred and attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While leaving State was difficult, I felt a peace about going to seminary. So, like the prophet in the Bible, my "Jonah Experience" came to an end.

As I look back, if I had stayed at MSU, I would have never met my wife in New Orleans. Terri has been such a blessing to me. So, unexpectedly, the journey that took me from Hattiesburg to Starkville to New Orleans was necessary for me.

Consequently, I am a Bulldog fan and I enjoyed watching Ole Miss choke down the stretch. They had a 14-0 lead with Ten Minutes left. State won on a last second field goal. Go Team, and you go to Ninevah if necessary.

Alternatives to the Traditional Thanksgiving Meal

10. Turkey Bologna Lasagna served with a Cranberry Spinach Dip. Drink: Two Raw Eggs seasoned with a dash of Olive Oil.
9. Turkey Ham Croquettes covered with Honey Mustard Butter. To Drink: a lemon-lime sports drink with a splash of Sodium Free Tomato Juice.
8. Super-Sized Cajun Pepper Chicken Sandwich Combo with a Diet Coke.
7. Deep Fried Twinkies, Smoked Italian Sausage, and Broiled Banana Creamed Moon Pies. Beverage: Royal Crown Cola or any Faygo Brand Soda.
6. Fig Newtons dipped in White Chocolate and "chased" with a Strawberry Yahoo warmed over an open fire.
5. One Word: Ramen Noodles
4. Pecan Crusted Trout, Pecan Crusted Green Beans, and Pecan Crusted Pecan Pie. Drink: A Pecan Crusted Glass filled with your favorite Laxative.
3. A Spam Omelet smothered with a cranberry sauce served on a bed of a green beans wrapped in black pepper bacon. Drink: A Pepto Bismol Smoothie.
2. Deep Fried Beer-Battered Meatloaf, Fri tos "Scoop" Corn Chips, Bean Dip, and Iced Goat Milk.
1. My Favorite: Can You Spell K.F.C.

Thanksgiving a Matter of Perspective

Thankfulness is a matter of perspective.

Sherwood Wirt once met a woman who only had two teeth (top and bottom) and she was “rejoicing” because “they hit.”

Will Rogers spoke from a unique perspective when he said, “Just be thankful you’re not getting all the government you’re paying for.”

Yes, thankfulness is a matter of perspective.

From my vantage point, God has been good to our church this year. We have seen many join our fellowship and several have been baptized. Throughout the community I hear positive things about FBC. However, I am thankful that God is not finished with us. Many more people need the love of Jesus in their lives and what a privilege FBC has to share that love with them. What a joy to anticipate the upcoming months just to see what God is going to do as we sacrificially follow Christ.

Personally, this year will always be remembered as the year we officially adopted Jared (5) and Charlee (3). Along with their big sister Abbey (13) and my incredible wife Terri, I have been blessed with an amazing family. As a young “twenty-something,” I never dreamed I would be entrusted with such a treasured wife and children.

So, this month, show your gratitude to God by “entering into his gates with Thanksgiving (Ps. 100:4)” and demonstrating thanks-living.

If you can’t think of anything for which to be grateful this month, just be thankful you are not a turkey.

Interview on WDAM-TV

Last week, WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, MS aired a series entitled "Faces of Adoption." My wife and I appear in Part I and Part III of the series discussing our adoption experience. Access Part I here. Access Part III here. If you cannot access the segments at the previous link, go to the WDAM website and look under Featured Videos, which is not at the top, but in the middle of the page.

In Part I of the series, a representative from the Department of Human Services stated that there is a great need for adoptive families. However, I talk to people all the time who are struggling to adopt a child. Also, I hear of many people who attempt to adopt here in the states, but "give up" and go overseas to get a child. It's hard for me to understand. However, I have to admit, while our experience was better than most, 3 1/2 years elapsed from the time we had our son placed in our home. We are blessed.

The USS Alabama and the USS Drumm

We enjoyed a beautiful Saturday morning touring the THE MIGHTY BATTLESHIP USS ALABAMA (BB-60). SUBMARINE USS DRUM (SS-228) at Battleship Memorial on Mobile Bay.

When I was 5 (I'm now 43), my father took me to tour the ship. I still have memories of the awe I felt at such a massive vessel. The power of America is epitomized by this ship.

Today, I was so proud to carry my son and oldest daughter to the DRUM and the ALABAMA. My Father-in-law and Brother-in-law along with his two sons went with us as well.

What America accomplished in WWII is staggering. We owe a great debt to our Veterans.

I have an Uncle who served in Vietnam. Every Veterans Day I always call him and thank him for his service to our country. Please don't forget to thank our Veterans.

The Depth of Jesus' Love

Paul prayed that the Christians at Ephesus would understand the depth of Jesus’ love. No matter how deep you have been submerged into sin and rebellion against God, God’s loving arms are able to reach you. Jesus will never give up on you. You are never too low for Jesus.

In August 2000, Rescuers raced to save the crew of a Russian nuclear submarine, which sank during military exercises in the Barents Sea off the northwest coast of Russia. The submarine was approximately 300 ft under water. Due to fierce weather and incredibly cold water, rescue efforts failed. In Oct. 2000 the bodies of the Russian sailors were recovered. A note found on the body of one of the dead seaman, Lieutenant-Captain Dmitry Kolesnikov, indicated there were 23 survivors immediately following two explosions that ripped through the nuclear submarine. However, they were trapped and no one was able to rescue them.

In sin, we are trapped. However, deep we are in guilt and shame. Jesus can reach us.

Community Block Party

Yesterday, we had a Community Block Party in Downtown Leakesville. We estimate that 450 to 500 people were present. Six churches and six different orgranization were represented. We had several inflatables and we gave away hot dogs. The District Attorney's Office gave away popcorn. The closing event was an outdoor showing of the movie, Facing the Giants.

At our booth we distributed around 100 Christian CDs, including Rick Warren's The Invitation, which gives a clear plan of salvation.

Our Area Missions Director, Jimmy Holcomb, planned a similar event around 3 years ago and he estimated around 200 attend at that time. So, we were encouraged by the support from the community.

Family Celebration

Today was a special day in the life of our family. At 2:00 PM, most of our families gathered for a family dedication. All of our parents and siblings were present. Many church members came.

Rev. Bill Barton, founder of the Home of Grace, and Senior Pastor of Wade Baptist Church (Moss Point, MS), spoke. Bro. Bill is my father in the ministry. He is 83 and still going strong pastoring one of the fastest growing churches in Mississippi. I served on staff with him for several years.

Also, Bro. Bill's wife, Jean Barton, spoke. She shared about the two children they adopted. Tragically, one of their adopted children was killed in a motorcycle accident when she was a teen.

Jimmy Holcomb, Area Missions Director for George-Greene Baptist Association, helped us present a slide show

My father, Max Price, prayed the prayer of dedication. This was an unforgettable and humbling time. My brother John, pastor of FBC Charleston, MS, gave the closing prayer.

Last, we partied. We had two "inflatables" in the church activities building. The kids had a blast. This is a day long in coming, but precious in its observance.

John Yates-Ventriloquist

John Yates led music and shared his "friends" with us through ventriloquism in our revival. He is one of the most talented men I know. He was featured in an article in the Dothan Eagle. (Read it here).

First Impressions

Recently, a group of observers came to our community and shared their perceptions. Our town agreed to participate in the “First Impressions” program offered by the Mississippi State Community Action Team. The process is designed to capture the thoughts and feelings of visitors as they encounter a community for the first time.

I was pleased to hear that they were impressed by the care of the local churches. They stated “The churches in the community stood out as an exceptional part of the town. They were nice and clean, had well-manicured grounds, and were freshly painted.”

On the other hand, the observers noted the presence of many empty buildings. A challenge for any community in Mississippi is to decide on how to address “eyesores,” especially rundown buildings. Some towns have placed fake fronts on abandoned structures to give the appearance that the property is being utilized, while in actuality the site is vacant.

First impressions are important, but we have all experienced great disappointment when we discovered our initial feelings about a person, place, or product were wrong. Generally, realities are not gathered from a casual glance. We have to look deeper for the truth.

As we hold Revival Services, September 30-October 3, I pray we will not be content with looking on what is on the surface. At this time, many positive comments are being made by our church. Praise God! However, each of us must examine our lives and deal with what is really in our hearts.

Our Revival Preacher for the services is Keith Manuel, who ministers in the Evangelism Dept. of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He has a Ph.D. in preaching and is a genuinely nice guy. Leading our music is John Yates, who is one of the most talented men I know. John is a ventriloquist and he plays the trumpet. People of all ages will enjoy John. You will be blessed by these men. Please attend these special services.

In closing, may we all remember “the Lord does not see as man see; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (I Sam. 16:7).

Adoptions Finalized

Today, around 10 AM, Judge Randy "Bubba" Pierce signed the orders for us to officially adopt Charlee and Jared. Praise God. We are so thrilled. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us.

Judge to Sign Adoption Papers

I made the drive to Jackson, MS this morning and was given the "Adoption Packets" for both of our foster, soon-to-be-adopted, kids. Then, I delivered the paperwork to our attorney.

Tomorrow morning, we are to be at the Greene County Court House and our good friend Judge Randy "Bubba" Pierce is supposed to sign the petition to adopt Jared and Charlee. I'll feel a great relief when the paperwork is "official." God has truly blessed us.

Adoption Closer

Today, I drove to Jackson, MS and picked up the "Adoption Packets" for Charlee and Jared. Then, I hand delivered them to our attorney. Looks like the petitions can be signed tomorrow. We can't wait to get the adoptions finalized. God is good.

Article Written by Keith Manuel

Keith Manuel, the preacher for our revival Sept. 30-Oct3, has an excellent article on Baptist Press entitled "Don't Let Buildings Blur Your Vision." Read it here.

In the article, Keith shares about an encounter he had with a waitress. Keith tries to make an impact for Christ with everyone he meets. I can't wait to hear him preach.

Keith and I attended college and seminary together. God used Keith and his church on the "West Bank" of the Mississippi River to minister to thousands of folks following Hurricane Katrina. Presently, he is serving in the Evangelism Department of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

Update on Adoption

Well, we were told this morning that Jared's adoption paperwork was found. However, it doesn't look like we will be able to get the Adoption Packet by Friday to finalize the adoptions. Miracles still happen. So, we haven't given up yet.

A Time to Vent

My posts have always been inspirational, generally. However, at this midnight hour, I feel the need to express some frustration.

Terri, my wonderful wife, and I have been foster parents since May 2005. Abbey, our daughter, was born in Anchorage, AK in Jan. 1994. We were unable to have anymore children. (In 1998, we experienced a miscarriage.) So, we had accepted the fact we would not have anymore children. Basically, I was content with one child. However, Abbey kept praying for a baby brother or sister. Almost nightly she would pray, "God, if you want us to have a baby in our family, we will gladly accept it."

So, in the Spring of '05, we enrolled in the Foster-to-Adopt Program through the Dept. of Human Services in Jackson Co., Mississippi. We were shocked at how quickly a child was placed in our home.

In the Summer of '04, we were blessed to have Jared (2 yrs-old at the time) placed in our home. He is a beautiful boy and he has greatly enriched and entertained us. In the Summer of '05, Charlee (5 mo.-old) was placed in our care. She has experienced major developmental delays, but she has gained a lot of ground in the last year. My wife is incredible with the kids. Abbey is a super big sister.

The process to adopt both of the children has been a long one. Many obstacles have been faced, but we have been patient.

On Sept. 14, we were told by our Adoption Specialist that both of the children were free to be adopted and their "Adoption Packets" were complete. So, we contacted an attorney and he wrote the appropriate letter to have the packets sent to him. Then, we were told, all we needed was for petitions to be signed by a judge and both of the children would be "Prices" officially. The attorney made the request on Sept. 14.

Since the law office had not received the packets, we were worried, but not too concerned. Then, today, we received a call from the Adoption Specialist who came to our home.

The "Adoption Packet" for Jared is lost. Unbelievable. They cannot locate his papers that contain the "Termination of Parental Rights" and the "Permission to Adopt" Form. We were anticipating having the Petitions for both of the children signed on Friday, Sept. 28, but if Jared's packet isn't found, we will have to go back to the Attorney Generals Office to "redo" a portion of the process. This is what we were told.

We are still in it for the long haul, but things like this really upset me. How can a State Agency not track such important papers. This is a child's life that is on hold.

On October 6, whether the adoptions are final or not, we are going to have an Adoption Celebration at the church I pastor. We will have a Dedication Service for our family and a reception, complete with inflatables for the kids.

So, I'm praying that tomorrow we'll get a call indicating the papers were found and we will be able to proceed with finalizing the adoptions on Friday, Sept. 28.

I haven't cursed yet, but I'm tempted to (as Evangelist Junior Hill has said) write a curse word on a piece of paper and sign my name to it!

I feel a little better. So, much for my first effort at self-disclosure and transparency in the blogosphere. Good Night.

Praying for R.E.V.I.V.A.L.

During our Mid-Week Prayer Service, we have been praying for our Revival Services, September 30-October 3. I've used the following acrostic to guide our prayer time. I will be examining these in more detail in the upcoming week.

Pray we will experience the following.

Repentance (Isaiah 57:15)

Evangelization (Matthew 28:16-20)

Vision (Proverbs 29:18)

Invitations to all people (Luke 14:7-14)

Victory (I John 5:4-5)

Awareness of God’s Holiness (Is 6:1-8)

Love (1 John 2:9-11)

"I Am" and 9/11

Charles Swindoll, in his book Laugh Again, shared a poem by Helen Mallicoat:

I was regretting the past
And fearing the future…
Suddenly my Lord was
speaking:
“MY NAME IS I AM” He paused.
I waited. He continued.
“WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE PAST,
WITH ITS MISTAKES AND REGRETS,
IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE.
MY NAME IS NOT "I WAS."

WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE,
WITH ITS PROBLEMS AND FEARS,
IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE.
MY NAME IS NOT "I WILL BE."

WHEN YOU LIVE IN THIS MOMENT,
IT IS NOT HARD.
I AM HERE.
MY NAME IS "I AM."