Durant, OK - Great things happening here-

I've been in Durant, OK, for the last few days attending a Pastor and Leaders Conference at Victory Life Family Worship Center hosted by Duane and Sue Sheriff.

Duane spoke for us on Wednesday night at the Vine Fellowship. After a time of fellowship with Duane and Sue they traveled home to prepare for this conference. I drove up Thursday.

Duane and Sue have been special friends for a number of years. I spoke at his Jubilee a few years back and have enjoyed their encouraging friendship since then. He has been with us a number of times in Arlington.

He is gifted with an anointing and ability to communicate the simplicity of the Gospel. He believes a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord is essential for every believer. His desire is to see the body of Christ walk together in unity.

It becomes evident as Duane opens his heart that God has bestowed on him an abundance of divine revelation, which pours forth as he shares and ministers the Word. His personal presentation of the Gospel resurrects hope and ignites faith in the hearts of God's people.

Duane began the free tape ministry in 1984. His insatiable desire to make the Word of God available to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, burned in his heart. Many times the people that need tapes the most are least able to afford them. The fruit of this outreach has resulted in the distribution of over 7 million free CD's and tapes.

Duane and Sue are genuine and have been there for Debi and me in some tough times. They have loved on us and helped us 'stay the course.' We are indeed thankful for them.

People ask me, "Pastor who feeds you? You give and give to us, but who helps you?" "Well," I answer, "Of course God does regularly, but I also allow Duane Sheriff to speak into my life with his teachings an a regular basis."

If you are ever in Durant, stop by and visit this powerful yet personal ministry.

Once a Hokie- Always a Hokie!- Updated-

Having attended Virginia Tech I too am saddened by the tragedy that occurred there yesterday. I have sat in those classrooms, lived in those dorms, walked that long drill field, shopped in that small town, worked as head waiter in the Student Union, and it was there that I spent my first years of married life with Debi. -updated- I also worked as a Staff Photographer for the University and Debi worked as a Secretary at the University Motor Pool.

I am stunned- I am not looking for answers 'why,' nor do I want politicians using this to make a political statement and set an agenda.


All I want is for prayers (if I might be allowed) for those grieving families, hurting students, and perplexed VT administration.

That's all- is that too much to ask?

David Kerr- We all Can't be Bad?

You ever get those phone calls about things you've never done?

Creditors calling from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital wanting payment for a child you have never had there!

General Motors calling about the missed payment on a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe you don't own!

Other creditors calling about missed payments, again not me.

This one really got my attention. A call from a local Police officer wanting to set up an appointment with me. When I asked what it was about she said that my ex-wife had brought 'sexual assault charges towards my daughter' against me! Ouch!! When I tried to explain I was a Pastor, that didn't phase her (no wonder in today's climate). Then when I explained I was still married to my first and only wife, Debi, for 35 years and that I had 2 sons and NO daughters, only then did she start to listen. She finally realized she had wrongly obtained my phone number for somebody else who was in hot water! She apologized and said I wouldn't hear from her again. I told her not to take this wrong... but I was glad! I also told her as we were hanging up that she had scared the stew out of me! Again she apologized....

So, I decided to check and see how many of me there are out there. Here's the result:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 572 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Hopefully, we are not all bad!!!

Bruised Apples--

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples.

Apples flew everywhere.

Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our Destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Celebrity Religion -

Fred Smith wrote in his blog on March 12, 2007, the following:
I was invited to attend a luncheon of 17 leading pastors, including Stephen Olford. During the table conversation he said, “My brothers, I am weary of celebrity religion. You know I have received my share of honors. But if when I die my family does not say, ‘There is something of God in the man I will have failed.’”

I must confess that I too am having a hard time with the current ‘Celebrity religion.’ More so after doing the series on the Beatitudes, with the thought that these Kingdom attitudes don’t characterize those of ‘Celebrity Religion.’

We have all heard the reports and experienced some of this first hand:
1. The proverbial Senior Pastor Parking spot closet to the door.
2. The assistant that greets the Pastor and carries his Bible and briefcase into the church.
3. The ‘bodyguards’ that surround the Pastor and keep those that he is called to minister to away from him.
4. Escorting the pastor out the back door after preaching so he won’t ‘be bothered.’
5. The Senior Pastor refusing to visit the hospital or do funerals for his church members.
6. The Pastor who requires his staff to forgo medical insurance and other amenities but has his taken care of.
7. The pastor who never goes to the office but stays at home.
8. The Pastor or traveling minister, who charges $40,000 per speaking engagement, wants a limo to pick him up, and wants to stay in the penthouse of the hotel.
9. The minister that jets around in his 20 million dollar plane and says we are not doing enough for the poor and suffering.
10. The pastor who sells his congregation to another pastor.
11. A pastor who has no qualms of drawing people away from another pastor’s church all in the name of God.
12. A pastor, who despite repeated attempts to get him to join with other pastors in the city, suddenly declares he has the true vision for the city and invites them to join with him.
13. A pastor who only meets with the ‘rich’ people in his church.
14. A pastor who berates someone publicly for their lack of faith to be healed.
15. Pastors who live a double standard and are not the same in and out of the pulpit.
16. A Pastor whose theology is all over the place and not grounded in the Bible.
17. Those Pastors that are trying to reshape the church without a single idea of where they are going.
18. Pastor's wife who comes in late for the service and leaves early so as to 'miss' people.
19. People who go to church to see 'a man' rather than Jesus!
20. People who change Churches because of the personality of the Pastor.
21. You are welcome to add to this list.....

Php 2:4-8
Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. TMB

Dear God, let us as Pastors restrain ourselves from a life of special privileges and be as Jesus was- poor in spirit, humble, and among the people.

Awesome Easter Service- but shouldn't it be?

We had a great day yesterday as we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! The highlights were:

1. The place was packed- thanks to the Vine members for bringing those guests!

2. The music was extraordinary as Brad and the team took us before the throne. Great song by Brad and Ali. They rocked!

3. Great audience participation as I had them stand and do the Twist complete with music- it was a point from a book 'The Twist- The Story of the Song and Dance that Changed the World.' It was good hearted and spirited fun. For many, it was the first time and probably last time they will dance in church!

4. The message on 'Changing Your World' struck a cord with all. The resurrection was the event that literally changed THE world!

5. God was glorified and souls were saved!

We had to move our picnic inside because of the weather, but that didn't stop us from eating, exciting fellowship, and having a great time together. Thank you Pat and your crew! Awesome!

Because He lives, we can face another tomorrow with victory!

Sunday is Here....YESS!!!!!

conclusion to Friday's post....
And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Now it's Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn't the only thing that was shaking because now it's Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it's Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it's Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.

It's Sunday, and the crucified/resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It's Sunday. And now everything has changed. It's the age of grace, God's grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again.

All because it's Sunday.

It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love this story. Love to read it, tell it, and share it. Here it is:

Dr. Tony Campolo tells the story of a little preaching competition that he had with his pastor during services at the church where he attends. Dr. Campolo tells how he preached the perfect sermon, perfect in every way. He had taken the congregation to the heights of glory. And as he sat down beside his pastor, Dr. Campolo patted him on the knee and simply said, "Top that." The older black pastor looked at him and said, "Boy, watch the master."

It was a simple sermon, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was completely involved, repeating the phrases in unison. The sermon went something like this.

It's Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter's denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It's Friday; but Sunday's a coming.

It's Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, "Father, forgive them." It's Friday; but Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, "My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?" What a horrible cry. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. And at the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that's because it's Friday, and they don't know it, but Sunday's a coming.......

Conclusion on Sunday (of course); because today is Friday.....

Loving Sacrifice

There was a blind girl who hated herself because of being blind. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.

She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One lucky day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. She then saw everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend then asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"

She was SHOCKED when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too. She said, "I am sorry but I can't marry you because you are blind and it will be too hard."

Her boyfriend walked away with tears and said,

"Please just take care of my eyes."

Jacquelyn- The Why of Missions

By Steve Same
It must have been eight years ago (to the day) that God had a very special purpose and plan. I had my usual weekend of preaching in mind, with the expectation of "the unexpected." When I came up out from the underground tube train (with ladder in hand), my eyes fell upon a depressing sight. The City of Westminster had given permission for a carnival to set up on the very spot in Leicester Square that I regularly preached on my ladder. It was loud.. .louder than I could raise my voice over to be heard, and that habit of doing! My first thought was to turn around and go back down into the underground train and go home, but I felt the Lord's urging to "spy out the land." There were lines of people waiting to get on the "Chaos", a spinning, twirling roller coaster type ride. Other crowds gathered to watch the 'Bottle Toss' and 'Shooting Gallery' with hopes of a large stuffed animal being won. There I was in my cowboy gear and 'Jesus is Lord' trousers with the thought in my mind, "Why not? What do I have to lose?" I saw an area that suited me, set up my ladder and began to preach. At first most people thought I was part of the" carnival. ..that is until they listened long enough to what I was preaching! I related in my preaching message how life really is like a big carnival. "We are all just waiting in life to try out another ride, win a prize, or feel thrilled,... . . . but it's allover just as quickly as it began. . . ..and then we search for new "experiences," I explained. "The search is completely fulfilled when we meet our Creator through the forgiveness of sins, found only in His Son, Jesus Christ."

One young lady listened intently the entire time I shared God's love. When I finished sharing she walked up to me and said, " I have never heard about the things that you have been speaking about, can you please explain to me in more detail?" Her name was Jacquelyn and she had just arrived in London from her native country of Argentina. At her request, I shared in more detail about the love that God had for her. She then shared about her most awkward situation. She had planned on staying with a friend that had invited her to London, but found out when she arrived that the family had an emergency and needed to leave town. I called Tina and we had a peace about inviting her to stay with us. I accompanied Jacquelyn back to the hostel which she had already (in frightful desperation) booked her stay. The hostel owner had told Jacquelyn that she would have to share a room with him to compensate for the "little money" she had! Arriving in full cowboy gear, I talked to the owner face to face and demanded that he return her money and bags. He hesitated and then surrendered both. Jacquelyn stayed with our family for three nights. Her heart melted as we shared with her God's wonderful mercy and grace that He so lavishes upon our lives. Then she was gone... .out of our lives and back to Argentina... and all we could do was pray that God's Word was planted within her heart, and yearning to be watered. That was about eight years ago.

A few weeks ago: We had just arrived in the United States to itinerate and the cell phone ( which we had just had purchased) rang. "I don't know if you remember me but my name is Jacquelyn. I was in London eight years ago and heard you preaching in Leicester Square. You and your wife Tina were so kind to take me into your home in my desperate situation." In complete joy I responded, "Of course I remember you Jacquelyn!" After not hearing a word from her in eight years, there she was on the phone! As she continued to speak I could not hold back the steady flow of tears that flowed from my eyes. "On this very day eight years ago you and Tina took me into your home and explained to me how I could have a relationship with God, For the past eight years on this very day I have thought about you and Tina in thanksgiving toward God. This year I decided to make every effort to contact you to thank you. I thought that you would be encouraged to know that I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, I have a wonderful Christian husband and two beautiful children."

Steve and his wife, Tina, direct the London Outreach Center (a 'converted' former pub) which was founded by Dirk Wood of Arise and Shine Evangelistic Association. This article was copied from Steve and Tina's March 2007 newsletter. To learn more about Steve and Tina and to read this newsletter as well others, click here. To read about Dirk and Elizabeth Wood and read their newsletters, click here. These are must read newsletters!

Heartbeat of Heaven- Rev. 7:9-10

We just finished our annual World Missions Conference. It was awesome! It always is- for my 16 years here at the Vine we have taken seriously Jesus' command to go into all the world. We believe in establishing His Kingdom both locally and globally by remaining missional. We channel a good part of our budget into global outreach.

While others are building big buildings, establishing their own kingdoms, making a name for themselves, and increasing massive programs, we remain committed to the Heartbeat of Heaven and use our resources for the lost. Why build something that is so very costly only to leave it here when are gone? We would rather populate heaven with people from every tribe, kindred, nation and tongue!

Rev 7:9-10 AMP
After this I looked and a vast host appeared which no one could count, [gathered out] of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. In loud voice they cried, saying, [Our] salvation is due to our God, Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [to Them we owe our deliverance]!

click all pics to enlarge
We had the following missionaries with us: Dirk Wood from Cape Town, South Africa; Sandy Carter, Nicaragua; Bob and Melissa Hill, Scotland; Daniel Hammersley, St. Petersburg, Russa. We also included Stan and Caye King who we will send out this summer to do a church plant in Nacogdoches, TX. They all did a great job representing the Heartbeat of Heaven as they ministered to us.



Picture of Paul from Scotland entered in FuelMyBlog photo competition.

I am convinced that a church that has no missions (global emphasis) has failed in its mission!

'Hi Dave' - bye Chris!

”I think it’s bye-bye, curly,” predicted Simon Cowell, before the results were announced last night on American Idol. And so it was!

As a rule I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories. But hey, who didn't see this one coming for Chris Sligh.

After last week's shout out, 'Hi Dave.' Chris' humor was lost on the judges and producers.

So I expected that he would be gone.

Chris, great run and we love and appreciate you.

BTW- here is his official blog written and maintanined by Chris. Accept no substitutes!

Got Your Sponsorships???

I am still waiting to nail that 'perfect' sermon!

The Pilot --

As the pastor concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.

He had been on a long flight When the first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on "Fasten your seat belts". Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

Then, I noticed a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her! She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid. The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies & throw our plane spinning out of control. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Just remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home!"

Global Warming -- is it a fact or fiction?

I have not commented on the whole fictional Global warming crisis. I am leaving that to other 'expert' bloggers such as Pastor Rob's blog.

But, I thought I might enter into the icy/warm waters with this post-- hope you enjoy it.

'Idol' Contestant's Faith Questioned

Give me a break! This story is from a Greenville, NC, newspaper-

Chris Sligh, the "American Idol" contestant who has won fans thanks to his curly mop of hair and soulful voice, has a few people concerned with his departure from strictly Christian music. But for most others in this city of 56,000 about 100 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C., Sligh has become a hometown hero.

Jonathan Pait, a spokesman for fundamentalist Bob Jones University where Sligh attended for several years, said: "We really are somewhat disappointed with the direction he has gone musically." He nonetheless tunes in each week to monitor Sligh's progress.

Local fans—some wearing fake glasses and curly wigs and calling themselves the "Fro Patro"—gather each week at restaurants and bars to cheer Sligh on. The local newspaper has been tracking his progress on its Web site.

Sligh, a 28-year-old son of missionaries who spent much of his childhood overseas, is trying to keep his spot on the TV show.

People who know Sligh well say that he may be singing rock 'n' roll on television, but he's always clear about the faith that motivates his music. "He's not going to back away from the fact that he's a Christian," said Chris Surratt, pastor of Seacoast Church, where Sligh has been music leader for more than two years. "He's going to let that shine through in what he does."
Hundreds of people gather each week to hear Sligh's music at Seacoast, where his electric guitar and vocals have become an integral part of services, Surratt said.

Support for Sligh also is strong at North Greenville University, the small Baptist school he attended for several years after leaving Bob Jones in the late 1990s. Cheryl Greene, the professor who helped Sligh hone his vocal talents, said just because Sligh may not be singing strictly Christian-themed songs shouldn't reflect on the depth of his faith.

But Greene said she still has worries over Sligh's long-term spiritual journey.
"Is he going to stand strong by his true Christian morals?" Greene said. "Christianity is a lifestyle ... and there are things in your life that you do need to stand for."

Mt 5:14-16
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. TMB

I for one thank God that Chris has had this opportunity afforded to only a select few. Take your talents and use them for the Glory of God.

This pastor is proud of you!! Shine for Jesus, Chris!

Also understand Chris may have gotten himself in trouble with the judges and producers by twice yelling out 'Hi Dave!' Some think it is a reference to the 'Vote For The Worst' site that ridicules American Idol.

We All Need Understanding!

A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale."

Signs like that have a way of attracting small children and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked.

The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."

The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"

The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That is the little puppy that I want to buy."

The store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."

The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies."

To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"

He identified with that puppy in order to understand- I wonder if the reason we don't put up with people (forbear-is the Bible term) is we don't take time to understand where they are coming from.

A BIG THANK YOU to All!

I have been blogging since January 2006 when a friend showed me his blog and I was hooked. I want to thank all of you that take time to stop by for a dose of my 'Pastoral Ponderings.' Your presence and comments are a delight and make this very fulfilling. Often I write with you in mind and do appreciate your acknowledgements.

I received kind encouragement from Mike at CMB. He said:

"Praise the Lord and pour the coffee! This is my kind of blog. An upbeat and positive blog written in a regular, down to earth tone. Pastor Dave does a great job with keeping his blog fresh and informative with a healthy dose of humor to round it off. Fantastic job...keep up the good work!"

And I do want to keep at it. Any suggestions are appreciated even by those who have doubted my sincerity and whether or not I was really a Christian (ask God and my wife, they really know).

God's richest blessings to you all and may you truly know His peace. Keep loving, keep writing, and please, keep laughing!

A Proper Burial

A young minister was asked by a funeral director to hold a graveside service for a homeless man, with no family or friends.

The funeral was to be held at a cemetery way back in the country, and this man would be the first to be laid to rest there.

He was not familiar with the backwoods area, and became lost; and being a typical man did not stop for directions. He finally arrived an hour late. He saw the backhoe and the crew, who were eating lunch, but the hearse was nowhere in sight.


So he apologized to the workers for his tardiness, and stepped to the side of the open grave, where he saw the vault lid already in place. He assured the workers he would not hold them up for long, but this was the proper thing to do. The workers gathered around, still eating their lunch. He poured out his heart and soul.


As he preached the workers began to say "Amen," "Praise the Lord," and "Glory!" He preached, and he preached, like he'd never preached before, from Genesis all the way to Revelation.


He closed the lengthy service with a prayer and walked to his car. As he was opening the door and taking off his coat, he overheard one of the workers saying to another, "I ain't never seen nothing like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

24's Jack Bauer Introduces My Sermon - Updated

Click here for video...

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God. Mt. 5:9

Thank you Jack!

Can you guess how I feel?

Sat all day in a board meeting for a particular ministry -

love them board meetings!

(actually it was good and productive)

Numbers, Noses, Nickles - Insecure Leadership

We had our Liberty Fellowship SW Regional Conference in Sugarland, TX, a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and the Word. Bobby Hill from Vanguard Ministries ministered a powerful series of messages. He will be with us again for our summer family conference in July at Lake Junaluska, NC.

He ministered one message on Healing Our Insecurities. His premise was that as a leader you can’t lead people if you need people! If success as a leader surpasses your security as a person, the result will be self-destructive. Insecure leaders are toxic leaders!

Toxic leaders:
- are a danger to themselves and the people they lead.
-they are everywhere, we all are insecure to one degree or another. - “95% of people in western society have a strong sense of inadequacy.” James Dobson
-develop unhealthy behavior.
-don’t provide security for others.
-take more than they give.
-limit the potential of the church.
-are not kingdom minded.

Saul’s relationship and reaction to David (1 Sam. 9:2, 21; 10:9-11) provides the following insights:
1. He was overly influenced by opinions of others. More concerned with what people thought than what God thought.
2. He couldn't handle anyone receiving more praise than he did.
3. He vacillated between extremes. Such as self-deprecation and self-glorification
4. He doubted loyalty of those closet to him. Signs of paranoia.
4. He showed little interest in the things of God.

How does a leader overcome his insecurities?
1. Receive a divine revelation from Scripture of who you are.
2. Settle question of 'Who am I?'
--You are not what you achieve!
--You are not what others want you to be.
--You are what God created you to be. (Eph. 2:10)
3. His divine standard for us.
--We are accepted by Him because of the cross.
--Our identity is in Him as His children.
--We perform to serve His interests.
4. Renew our minds by His view of us not the worlds!
--World says achieve to gain acceptance.
--World says you are accepted by what you do- performance track.
--World says your identity is in what you do.
5. Receive your healing and deliverance!

Who you are is NOT what you do!

Eph 1:6
...to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. NKJV

How can you top that acceptance?!?

Coffee and Beatitudes-

For the love of coffee...

For the series I am preaching on the Beatitudes....

Animals will be animals- eventually!

A Big snake doing what the nature of snakes do! We are surprised when animals do what comes naturally to them. Like we really ever train them and change their nature!

Go figure!

March- Caffeine Awareness Month!

-Meet Nico. She's the barista who pours your morning espresso.
-No other barista in town makes a latte like Nico.
-Her beans are always freshly ground, she never tamps the filter basket too tight and her foam is perfect: thick and decadent, like a pillow of edible clouds.
-Each 5 inch tall hard plastic Barista Action Figure has movable arms and legs and comes with two interchangeable heads and two different sized cups (tall and grande) that she can hold in her hand.

Love that coffee- this marks the month where they try to scare you to the effects of caffeine on the body.

You hear such comment as, "Coffee drinkers should watch out for Caffeine Intoxication Syndrome, an onset of anxiety, panic, headaches and a frustrating inability to sleep. Most people would have to drink about 10 cups to fall into this condition, but some are so sensitive that it can hit them after only 2 to 3 cups."

Yes, there are negative side affects of too much caffeine but can't that be said for overindulgence of alot of things?

Listen, if you know that too and you are frightened by all the hype this month then may I suggest that you send all your coffee, expresso machines, brewers, and other paraphernalia to me. I will be glad to give you my address upon request!

Here are some links for fun: If you have some time to kill (you do if on a caffeine high!)

Caffeine Calculator

Test Your Caffeine Knowledge

Killed By Caffeine - a humorous calculator

Caffeine Comparison Chart

Listen, whatever you do don't let them get to you!! Smell the coffee and drinking it!

Another Assualt on the Faith--

Archaeologists and clergymen in the Holy Land derided claims in a new documentary produced by the Oscar-winning director James Cameron that contradict major Christian tenets. "The Lost Tomb of Christ," which the Discovery Channel will run on March 4, argues that 10 ancient ossuaries — small caskets used to store bones — discovered in a suburb of Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus and his family, according to a press release issued by the Discovery Channel.

One of the caskets even bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son. And the very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven.

In 1996, when the BBC aired a short documentary on the same subject, archaeologists challenged the claims. Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television.

"They just want to get money for it," Kloner said.

He also says the theory is 'nonsense'.

Kloner said the names found on the coffins had been found in tombs before, adding: 'It makes a great story for a TV film, but it's impossible. Jesus and his relatives were a Galilee family with no ties in Jerusalem. The Talpiot tomb belonged to a middle-class family from the first century.'

1 Co 15:3-8
...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. NIV

Amazing that over 500 eye witnesses saw Jesus Christ after the resurrection at one time (I Corinthians 15:6) as well as many other accounts of people seeing Him.

By the way, the box that Mr. Cameron found with the name Jesus on it was EMPTY!

Jesus is still ALIVE regardless of Hollywood's and the media's continual assualt on Christianity!!

How's the Weather - Man?

Unbelievable!!! Hilarious!!!!!

Thanks to Bobby Lepinay...

We All Have Two Choices!

Jerry was the kind of guy who was unpleasantly positive. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say.

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed Him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood." I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it’s not that easy," I protested. "Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I’d be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.

"Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, ’He’s a dead man. "I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. ’Yes,’ I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ’Bullets!’ Over their laughter, I told them, ’I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

note: from the Internet by Francie Baltazar-Schwartz, attempted to verify it, regardless...

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Blessing our Soldiers!

At a time when the Democrats and media are stating their obvious disdain for the war in Iraq and are demoralizing our troops, we decided to show our support of these men and women who are putting their lives in harms way for us.

DFW airport is one of 2 gateways to enter the USA for returning troops back for R&R. Every day there are troops coming thru our airport. So a group of us went there one Saturday morning at 8am and welcomed them home.

It brought tears to my eyes to see these brave young men and women- the emphasis on young! They are so very young and they are there for us. How could anyone look them in the eyes, trash them, spit on them, and not appreciate them?

The place was alive with patriotism, love, appreciation, and thankfulness. Each soldier was made over from handshakes, hugs, pats on the back, expressions of being proud of them, and they were given numerous goodies. We had bags made up with all kinds of neat things for them.

It is a mystery to me that politics has no face accept the faces of the likes of Hillary, Kennedy, Pelosi and others. I would rather look into the face of these young soldiers any day than have to look at these self centered politicians who only have their agendas and are using these brave men and women as pawns to achieve their goals.

God Bless the USA!

Another Reason I Attend Church!

Mummified man found in front of TV, still on

Southampton police responding to burst water pipes in a Hampton Bays home found the mummified body of the owner — dead for more than a year — sitting in a chair in front of a television.The television was still on.

Vincenzo Riccardi, 70, appeared to have died of natural causes in his home, said Dr. Stuart Dawson, Suffolk County deputy chief medical examiner. The medical examiner's office considered Riccardi's body mummified because the lack of humidity in his home preserved his features, morgue assistant Jeff Bacchus said. "You could see his face. He still had hair on his head," Bacchus said. "I've never seen anyone dead that long."

Police and county sources said Riccardi, whose body was found Thursday, had not been heard from since December 2005. The medical examiners said they were baffled as to why the electricity would be on in the home all that time. "He was in his house, sitting in his chair, as if watching television, and the television was, in fact, still on," Dawson said.

Riccardi lived alone; his wife had died years ago, Dawson said. Mail had piled up, but then delivery stopped. Neighbors said Riccardi had diabetes and had become blind in his 50s. His house was up a long driveway and could not be seen from the street.

I attend church so that someone will notice when I am missing and come looking for me!!!

Champions for a Cause

One of the neat things about blogging is you have the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. One such couple is Kris and Rebecca DeMauro. She came across my blog quite by accident or... maybe by God's design?

Rebecca lost a 12 year old daughter, Andi, to kidnapping, rape, and murder. Since then Rebecca has been championing rights for children and their protection. Click here to read about it.

I applaud their tireless efforts in a crooked and perverse generation that has no regard for the rights of children both unborn and born.

Coffee Scare!!!

Decaffeinated????????????????

Explain to me why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dangers of Online Viewing!

Love this Pluggers' cartoon! It speaks volumes.

Protect our children!

Meekness is Not Weakness!

Been doing a series on the Beatitudes. Especially enjoyed Sunday's sermon on Meekness. Meekness is not weakness!

I get asked how a former Drill Sergeant can be a Pastor. It has to be God and a good dose of power under control!

This picture is of my Associate Pastor, Stan, veteran of the Gulf War and of no small stature with me in a full nelson head lock. Did I trust him, you bet, had to! This was an example of power under control because he could have easily broken my neck with a little effort. Through meekness his power was under control! Thank God!

Another area of meekness is when our tongues are under control!

James 1:26 Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much.(TLB)

Whether it is gossip, slander, backbiting, cursing, etc., like Arabella Young's tombstone, don't wait until your dead to control your tongue.

Meekness means having the right amount of anger at the right time. It means being angry at what angers God and not just letting our fleshly anger control and get the best of us.

Pure meekness gets angry when injustices are done to others, when God is dishonored, or sin is accepted or condoned.

The result of meekness is receiving what God has promised!

"Happy Valentine's Day" - God

God taught us how to give the best!

Debi and I celebrated Valentine's Day a little early. I surprised her with a trip to Granbury to stay a night in her favorite Bed and Breakfast, The Arbor House. We left after Sunday service and didn't return until Monday evening. We had a delightful time! It is amazing what getting out of town can do for one's soul.

Have a great day! Show your love to someone--

"Christofascists"??? Note- Updated 2/14/07

"Not only that — count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable." Mt 5:11 (from the Message Bible)

I have been called a lot of names in my life: in high school, college, as a Drill Sergeant in the Army and as a Pastor. So it doesn't bother me. But I am amazed at those who call for tolerance, and an end to bigotry and name calling when they coin a new word and think that it is okay for them. It is always a double standard with them.

The current word for conservative Christians is "Christofascists." You can find it on their mean spirited blogs, on the internet, and now in public print. It can also be found among a Presidential candidate's staff.

"Mr. Edwards announced today, after 36 hours of deliberation, that he would keep on his campaign staff two liberal feminist bloggers with long cybertrails of incendiary comments on sex, religion and politics. Deliberations over the fate of the two bloggers, Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan, created a crisis in the nascent Edwards campaign and illuminated the treacherous road ahead as candidates of both parties try to harness the growing power of the online world to their campaigns...In deciding to retain Ms. Marcotte and Ms. McEwan, he extracted public apologies from them for some of their work and a promise from them to maintain a civil tone while in his employ."

"In some of their online writings, Ms. Marcotte and Ms. McEwan used vulgar language to characterize religious conservatives and Roman Catholic teachings on birth control, homosexuality and the virgin birth of Jesus."

"Ms. McEwan referred to conservative Christians as “Christofascists” and Mr. Marcotte said that the Catholic Church’s prohibition on the use of birth control forced women to bear “more tithing Catholics.”

We must be getting to them. For them to coin this word identifies their contempt not only for Christians but also for Christ! These are perilous times and it is not just the attack of Islam we have to deal with but the attack from our own fellow countrymen!

What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

Both quit--
Melissa McEwan wrote on her personal blog, Shakespeare's Sister, that she left the campaign because she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the level of attention focused on her and her family.

"This was a decision I made, with the campaign's reluctant support, because my remaining the focus of sustained ideological attacks was inevitably making me a liability to the campaign," McEwan said Tuesday night.

Kate Bedingfield, a spokeswoman for the Edwards campaign, said McEwan left the campaign under her own terms. Both Bedingfield and McEwan declined additional comment.

McEwan's resignation came just one day after another blogger, Amanda Marcotte, left the Edwards staff for similar reasons.

Close Encounters?

And you were sittng where?

Congrats to Tony Dungy and the Colts--

I'll tell you what. I'm proud to be representing African-American coaches, to be the first African-American to win this. That means an awful lot to our country. But again, more than anything -- I said it before -- Lovie Smith and I are not only the first two African-Americans, but Christian coaches showing that you can win and doing it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that. Tony Dungy as he was handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy Sunday night.

It was a wet soggy game. A lot of miscues. That football just wouldn't stay tucked where it was supposed to.

But, there was a victor! Peyton Manning, yes; Rhodes, yes; Addai, yes; but my eyes were fixed on Tony Dungy! Class Act! A Christian Coach! A victor at life's struggles! He had weathered yet another storm!

The storms:
1. Dungy lost his first head coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a series of disappointing postseason runs, only to see the man who followed him (Jon Gruden) lead the Bucs to a title the next year.
2. In December 2005, Dungy went through a parent's worst nightmare when he buried his eldest son James after a suicide. Read what I wrote about that here.
3. This 2006 season was tough. Indianapolis was the worst in the league against the run, allowing yards faster than I could say 'Jesus wept."
4. And others I don't know about.

Yet, Tony Dungy kept the same stoic, unwavering strength that has defined him in both good times and the worst that fate had to offer.

"He has always been a high-character guy," linebacker Rob Morris said. "He believes very strongly in what's important to him and, to him, life and life's lessons are bigger than football."

It is more than winning a championship for Dungy. More than becoming the first African-American coach to capture a Super Bowl. It is about a way of life.

"That's one of the reasons I stayed in coaching – to prove you can win with Christian principles," Dungy said.

This is a coach who doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't curse and doesn't raise his voice. He treats players, coaches and all those who come in contact with him with respect.

After the super Bowl victory, Tony Dungy gave the credit to a fine organization and The Lord!

"The Lord doesn't always take you in a straight line," Dungy said. "He doesn't always take a direct path. I think he tests you sometimes to see if you're going to keep the faith and hang in there and I think we did. We did as an organization and it's just such a great feeling to get, to win this game.

"It's not the biggest thing in the world, but … it feels great."

Isa 43:2
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — from THE MESSAGE

Life is more than football! It is what you make it even in the tough times and how you make it out of them!

Why I attend Church---

There's a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the truly great entertainers. He was asked to do a show for World War II veterans. He told them he was very busy, but if they wouldn't mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he'd come. They agreed. But when Jimmy got on stage he went through the short monologue - then stayed, and stayed. Soon he'd been on stage 15, 20, then 30 minutes. Finally he took a last bow and left. Backstage someone stopped him and said "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?" Jimmy answered, "You can see for yourself if you look on the front row." In the front row were two veterans, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that's exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.

That's a picture of what's supposed to happen in church!

1Co 12:25-27
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. You are Christ's body — that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything. THE MESSAGE

We need each other! We can't afford to stay away from church as some do. We can't go it alone and succeed at what God meant to be a shared life with others.

I am concerned for those that started well but don't finish well; or finish at all!

We need each other so that we can accomplish together what God intended for His church. We also need each other to help us become the people God intended us to be.

God help us to understand our importance to one another!

Heard of 'Footprints in the Sand-'

Now there are 'Footprints on the Tummy'

I believe in Life!!! It begins at conception!!!

http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/footprint.asp

Once there were Republicans--

But no more!

Dick Morris is no fan of Sen. Hillary Clinton, having spent much of the past decade writing and speaking out against her. And he took his always-quotable opinions to the offices of Americans for Tax Reform Wednesday (01/31/07) at a breakfast sponsored by The American Spectator.

He laid out the political future: “Hillary will be the next president, and she’ll be the worst president we’ve ever seen.” No matter what happens, the situation in Iraq will “assure that the GOP gets massacred in 2008 congressional elections.”

In 2010, the Republicans will take back the Congress — “Hillary will give Republicans the same gift she gave them in 1994” — and they’ll win the presidency in 2012, but thanks to demographic shifts favoring Democrats(namely the rising Hispanic and African-American populations), “that will be the last Republican president we’ll ever see.”

No Privacy!

Get that camera out of my face!

Oooops! Great to be a Dad?

A man was packing for a business trip and his three-year-old daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed. At one point she said, "Daddy, look at this" and stuck out two of her fingers.

Trying to keep her entertained, he reached out and stuck her tiny fingers in his mouth and said, "Daddy's gonna eat your fingers," pretending to eat them.

He went back to packing, looked up again and his daughter was standing on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face.

He said, "What's wrong, honey?"

She replied, "What happened to my booger?"