When Relevancy is Dangerous!

The Church: Different From the World
by A. W. Tozer

The church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.

This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it. But miss it we do, for we hear constantly that the Church must try to be as much like the world as possible, excepting, of course, where the world is too, too sinful....

Let us plant ourselves on the hill of Zion and invite the world to come over to us, but never under any circumstances will we go over to them. The cross is the symbol of Christianity, and the cross speaks of death and separation, never of compromise. No one ever compromised with a cross. The cross separated between the dead and the living. The timid and the fearful will cry "Extreme!" and they will be right. The cross is the essence of all that is extreme and final. The message of Christ is a call across a gulf from death to life, from sin to righteousness and from Satan to God. The Set of the Sail, 35,36

There is a fine line being walked today between being uniquely Christian and being uniquely worldly with Christian in the name! All in the name of relevancy-

I too want to be relevant in my ministry! But there have to be principles that we will never cross because if we don't have them and settle that fact now then we will 'cross over.' We complain about Christian singers who 'cross over'- it's time we be honest about Pastors and Churches that 'cross over.'

I like the fact that we have 'Cowboy Churches,' 'Biker Churches,' 'Skateboard Churches,' 'Surfer Churches,' etc. Those are fine as long as the culture and spirit of those distinctives do not prevail and overtake the Spirit of the Living Christ! It is still all about Him changing us into His image and us not changing the church into a distinctive or worldly image. If we yield to that then we become just like all other social clubs across the land! Social clubs are good and have their place but they don't change the heart of man!

The world still needs Jesus and His Church!

Funny Church Happenings-

God must have a sense of humor-

Absurdity #10- Psychic Answers!?!

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

Believe it or not, each year nearly $2 billion is spent by Americans for psychic answers to their problems. For example organizations such as the Psychic Readers, or Psychic Believers Network charge anywhere from $2 to $5 a minute to supposedly answer people's questions, mostly about the future.

To point out the silliness of this practice, here's a "Top Ten List of Questions for Telephone Psychics":

10. Why don't psychic hot lines call you right before you call them?

9. Why do phone psychics have to ask for your credit card number?

8. If you have a friend who works for a psychic network, should you plan a surprise birthday party for him or her?

7. Why is it you never see the headline, "PSYCHIC WINS LOTTERY"?

6. Is it possible for a "psychic fair" to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances?

5. Does a psychic amnesiac know in advance what he is going to forget?

4. Do people with psychic powers get nostalgic about next week?

3. Why don't people understand that psychics are only doing what they're doing because it makes them feel less poor?

2. If psychics can tell the future, why haven't they retired on their stock options?

And the number one question for psychics is: Would a midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison be called a small medium at large?

By the way, did you hear the one about the frog and his psychic? A frog telephones the psychic hot line and is told, "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you." The frog says, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?" "No," says the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."

God just doesn't describe it as silliness, but knows there is a serious aspect about those that consult psychics, mediums, wizards, consulting the dead, channeling, etc:

Lev 20:6 "If a person turns to mediums and wizards, playing the harlot after them, I will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people." RSV

Absurdity #9- Gere Should Know Better!

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

An Indian court ordered the arrest of Hollywood star Richard Gere on Thursday for kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS campaign event this month saying it was an obscene act committed in public.

Gere's repeated kisses on Shetty's cheeks at an event to promote AIDS awareness in New Delhi sparked protests in some parts of India, mostly by Hindu vigilante groups, who saw it as an outrage against her modesty and an affront to Indian culture.

Gere can be sent to jail for up to three months or fined or both for the crime if he is arrested. He is not in India now but can be held if he visits the country again.

The Hollywood star is a devout Buddhist and a vocal supporter of the Tibetan cause and visits India frequently to meet the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in northern India.

Remember, Richard, you are not in the decadent United States when in India!

Absurdity #8- Defeat Accomplished

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

GIULIANI: The Democrats -- and I can make a lot of other points about this -- do not understand the full nature and scope of the terrorist war against us. But I listened a little bit to the Democratic debates, and I could be slightly wrong about this but I think this is almost correct. If one of them gets elected it sounds to me like we're going on defense, where we got a timetable for withdrawal out of Iraq. We're going to wave the white flag there. We're going to try to cut back on the Patriot Act. We're going to cut back on the electronic surveillance. We're going to cut back on interrogation. We're going to cut back, cut back, cut back, and we'll be back in our pre-September 11 mentality of being on defense.

Get ready to once again have this fight come to our shores!

Monk Designations?

Lost on a rainy night, a nun stumbled across a monastery and requests shelter there.

Fortunately, she's just in time for dinner and was treated to the best fish and chips she had ever tasted.

After dinner, she went into the kitchen to thank the chefs. She was met by two of the Brothers.

The first one says, "Hello, I am brother Michael, and this is Brother Charles."

"I'm very pleased to meet you," replies the nun. "I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful dinner. The fish and chips were the best I've ever had. Out of curiosity, who cooked what?"

Brother Charles replied, "Well, I'm the fish friar."

She turned to the other Brother and says "then you must be...?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I'm the chip monk."

Absurdity #7- Never Having to Say You're Sorry-

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

Being a Liberal means you never have to say sorry for all the mean-spirited, nasty things you say about someone else. Whether its Harry Reid, both the Clintons, Nancy Pelosi, Barak Obama, and others, somehow they are given a pass on their offensive comments.

But no one is given the pass more than Al Sharpton-

1987: Sharpton spreads the incendiary Tawana Brawley hoax, insisting heatedly that a 15-year-old black girl was abducted, raped, and smeared with feces by a group of white men. He singles out Steve Pagones, a young prosecutor. Pagones is wholly innocent -- the crime never occurred -- but Sharpton taunts him: "If we're lying, sue us, so we can . . . prove you did it." Pagones does sue, and eventually wins a $345,000 verdict for defamation. To this day, Sharpton refuses to recant his unspeakable slander or to apologize for his role in the odious affair.

1991: A Hasidic Jewish driver in Brooklyn's Crown Heights section accidentally kills Gavin Cato, a 7-year-old black child, and antisemitic riots erupt. Sharpton races to pour gasoline on the fire. At Gavin's funeral he rails against the "diamond merchants" -- code for Jews -- with "the blood of innocent babies" on their hands. He mobilizes hundreds of demonstrators to march through the Jewish neighborhood, chanting, "No justice, no peace." A rabbinical student, Yankel Rosenbaum, is surrounded by a mob shouting "Kill the Jews!" and stabbed to death.

1995: When the United House of Prayer, a large black landlord in Harlem, raises the rent on Freddy's Fashion Mart, Freddy's white Jewish owner is forced to raise the rent on his subtenant, a black-owned music store. A landlord-tenant dispute ensues; Sharpton uses it to incite racial hatred. "We will not stand by," he warns malignantly, "and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business." Sharpton's National Action Network sets up picket lines; customers going into Freddy's are spat on and cursed as "traitors" and "Uncle Toms." Some protesters shout, "Burn down the Jew store!" and simulate striking a match. "We're going to see that this cracker suffers," says Sharpton's colleague Morris Powell. On Dec. 8, one of the protesters bursts into Freddy's, shoots four employees point-blank, then sets the store on fire. Seven employees die in the inferno.

2006: Pity the Duke players in Sharpton's blind rush to judgment For more than a year, three Duke University students were crucified by the news media, vilified by the Revs. Sharpton and Jackson, humiliated by their own professors and student body, and viciously attacked by a narcissistic prosecutor-- all because an unscrupulous prosecutor supported a compulsive liar in order to further his political ambitions.

2007: Unimpressed by his on-air apology or corporate promises of a tighter leash, angry critics of nationally syndicated radio host Don Imus called Saturday for his dismissal over his racially charged comments about the mostly black Rutgers women's basketball team.
"I accept his apology, just as I want his bosses to accept his resignation," said the Rev. Al Sharpton. He promised to picket Imus' New York radio home, WFAN-AM, unless the veteran of nearly 40 years of anything-goes broadcasting is gone within a week.

So Don Imus must go and Sharpton continues his racism; and by the way, he has never apologized for any of the above.... go figure!!!

Absurdity #6- Confused about God!?!

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

No wonder the church is becoming more and more irrelevant- we who are to reveal God are not sure ‘who he is’ anymore! Read on:

“God has no gender. And the Lord? There’s not much Lord in this church service. At Tucson’s largest Episcopal church, St. Philip’s in the Hills, the creators of an alternative worship service called Come & See are bucking tradition by rewriting what have become prescribed ways of worship.

For the faithful, that means God isn’t referred to as “him,” and references to “the Lord” are rare.

“Lord” has become a loaded word conveying hierarchical power over things, “which in what we have recorded in our sacred texts, is not who Jesus understood himself to be,” St. Philip’s associate rector Susan Anderson-Smith said.

“The way our service reads, the theology is that God is love, period,” St. Philip’s deacon Thomas Lindell added. “Our service has done everything it can to get rid of power imagery. We do not pray as though we expect the big guy in the sky to come and fix everything.”

Other random quotes:
First Congregational United Church of Christ in Midtown even has a different name for The Lord’s Prayer. They call it “The Prayer of Our Creator.” “We do still use the word ‘Lord’ on occasion, but we are suspicious of it,” First Congregational pastor Briget Nicholson said. “Inclusive language is important. Our United Church of Christ hymnal does have hymns that will say ‘Father’ and ‘God.’ but the next verse will always then say ‘Mother’ and ‘God.’ It’s gender-balanced.”

“I’m sorry, but if there is a Lord, by implication there is a Lady,” he said.

“We don’t stress the blood and gore of the crucifixion and the so-called sacrifice of the Mass,” he said. “I think that calls attention to Jesus’ death but it doesn’t call attention to why we are Christians. It seems to me, being a Christian isn’t just about the birth and death of Jesus. It’s about living in the world with his life as an example.”

-----
While most Protestant churches still refer to God as “him” and pepper their liturgy with references to Lord, there’s been a shift among the mainlines for the past 20 years, said Ruth A. Meyers, academic dean and professor of liturgics at the Seabury-Western Theological School, an Episcopal seminary in Evanston, Ill. Such changes in liturgy often are called “expansive language” and can be found in supplemental Episcopal Church materials, including one titled “Enriching Our Worship,” published in 1997, she said.

All is not lost though:
“If we continue to water down and make ourselves politically correct, there won’t be anything left. God is the king of the universe. We are to bow before him. He is king, savior, Lord and master. … God is the great patriarch of heaven and Earth,” said Mark Roessler, pastor of Catalina Foothills Church, part of the non-mainline conservative Presbyterian Church in America.

“We call him ‘Lord’ because he is Lord,” said the Rev. Joe Bettridge, senior pastor at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Tucson’s Northwest Side. The church is part of the mainline Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

“If you read the Bible, he — God — created everything from nothing. That’s pretty powerful to me.”

Only the fool and confused have problems with Jesus’ revelation of The Father God.

Absurdity #5- Gore Won't Sign 'The Gore Pledge'

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

A so-called "Gore Pledge" was introduced last month when the former vice president appeared before a Senate committee to discuss his views on climate change. Sen. James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican, asked Mr. Gore to sign the pledge to reduce his use of products that produce greenhouse gases, but he declined, instead citing alternative carbon trade-offs.

Mr. Gore says he pays a self-imposed "carbon tax" to offset the environmental impact of his large home and global travels.

Sen. Inhofe, leading skeptic of global-warming science, is challenging celebrity activists such as Al Gore and Sheryl Crow to lower their "carbon footprint" to the same level as the average American by Earth Day in April 2008.

"I simply believe that former Vice President Al Gore and his Hollywood friends who demand we change the way we live to avert this over-hyped 'crisis' not only talk the talk, but walk the walk," declares Sen. Inhofe.

"How hard is it for these elitists to become as frugal in their energy consumption as the average American? I think the American public has a right to know they are being had."

Evidently, Gore and others have not heard the phrase 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander.'

Oh excuse me, I forgot, they don't have to play by the rules they set for others!

Shopping Churches--

Being a consumer driven society, we have begun to apply those principles towards the church. So today people are shopping churches; they are moving from one church to another based on what they feel their needs and wants are.

Here are the necessary things when looking for a church:

1. It is to have Christ-centered worship, the celebration of God for who He is and what He has done for us. A Biblically sound church places a high priority on praising God.

2. Strong Bible instruction. Does the church you are considering believe, honor, and teach God's Word in such a way that you understand the Bible and see how it applies to your life? Remember, you can't grow beyond what you know.

3. Church must promote fellowship - the sharing of the life of Christ among the members. This goes far beyond Sunday morning attendance or coffee and doughnuts in the fellowship hall. True fellowship occurs when we are involved in each other's lives - caring, encouraging, correcting, loving and sharing with one another. The church should provide us with a meaningful sense of belonging.

4. Make sure the leadership is one of servant hood versus authoritarian that lords it over the people. We don’t need any more Kool-Aid tragedies. Jesus loves the people not beat them up at every opportunity.

5. Church's ministry of outreach. A church that wants to grow cannot be ingrown. There's nothing wrong with being a small church - as long as you are not a small-minded church. The church you identify with should provide you with opportunities to use your gifts and talents to touch other lives, emphasizing the importance of sharing your faith in word and good deeds. In other words, the church's impact should extend well beyond its walls.

Bobby Lepinay had the following link on his blog- check it out:

Click here to watch it.

Absurdity #4- The Breck Man

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

Looking pretty is costing John Edwards presidential campaign a lot of pennies. The Democrat's campaign committee picked up the tab for two haircuts at $400 each by celebrity stylist Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a financial report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

FEC records show Edwards also availed himself of $250 in services from a trendy salon and spa in Dubuque, Iowa, and $225 in services from the Pink Sapphire in Manchester, N.H., which is described on its Web site as "a unique boutique for the mind, body and face" that caters mostly to women.

But, hey, you can spend that much when you own a 28,000 sq feet mansion on 100 acres like his in the picture below:

Listen, I have no problem with the guy being rich and spending his money how he wishes, but it is supremely obnoxious that just about every liberal politican lives like the top 1 percent they've been denigrating for the past six years.

Go figure!

Absurdity #3- Republicans Blamed for Va. Tech

absurd-ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous

Sen. Joe Biden, a Democratic Party candidate for president in 2008, on Thursday blamed the Republicans for the Virginia Tech killings and a string of events that have made news in the past few years.

Speaking at Al Sharpton's National Action Network event in New York, Biden said President Bush, Newt Gingrich and Karl Rove are responsible for what he called "the politics of polarization."

Biden said Republicans have created an environment that brings bad things to the United States.

"I would argue, since 1994 with the Gingrich revolution, just take a look at Iraq, Venezuela, Katrina, what's gone down at Virginia Tech, Darfur, Imus. Take a look. This didn't happen accidentally, all these things," he said.

Well at least that takes the heat off of God for allowing it!

And this man wants to be President?

How Did This All Start in Our Schools?

It is not God's punishment- we did this to ourselves!

19 Things to Remember- If you can!

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.

2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.

4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.

5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.

6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?

7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.

8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?

9. Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.

10. No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car.

11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.

12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM. It could be a right number.

13. Think about this...No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.

14. I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.

15. Be careful reading the fine print. There's no way you're going to like it.

16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.

17. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of OLD LADIES running around with tattoos? (And RAP music will be the Golden Oldies!) Yikes!!!!

18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than in a Ford.

19. After a certain age, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead.

Absurdity #2- Only One Sheet for the Loo!

Beginning a news series of posts about what I consider absurd(ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous). Hope you like it. Send me info if you come across something you think needs to be included. Thank you in advance.

WIPE OUT GLOBAL WARMING: CROW PROPOSES LIMITS ON TOILET PAPER

Singer Sheryl Crow has said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be introduced to help the environment.

Crow has suggested using "only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required".

"I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming," Crow wrote.

"Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating.

"I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting."

The hypocrisy-
When it comes to Sheryl Crow's touring requirements, if it's Tuesday, this must be Bombay. Gin that is. The rock star's performance contract includes specific day-to-day instructions on what kind of booze Sheryl needs in her dressing room. For each show, Crow requires 12 bottles of Grolsch beer, 6 bottles of "local" beer, and a bottle each of "good Australian Cabernet" and "good Merlot." As for the harder stuff, promoters are directed to purchase specific booze depending on what day of the week the concert falls. Additionally, when the global warming warrior hits the road, her touring entourage (and equipment) travels in three tractor trailers, four buses, and six cars. Now that's a carbon footprint!

That's absurd!

Absurdity #1- How Liberals Talk to Their Children!?! Updated-

Beginning a news series of posts about what I consider absurd(ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous). Hope you like it. Send me info if you come across something you think needs to be included. Thank you in advance.

Alec Baldwin to his 11 year old daughter via cellphone-

I'm tired of playing this game with you. I'm leaving this message with you to tell you, you have insulted me for the last time. You have insulted me! You don't have the brains or the decency as a human being. I don't give a (bleep) that you're 12-years-old or 11 years-old or that you're a child or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the (bleep) who doesn't care about what you do as far as I'm concerned. You have humiliated me for the last time with this phone. This (bleep) you pull on me with this (bleep) phone situation, that you would never dream of doing to your mother, and you do it to me constantly, and over and over again! I am going to get on a plane, and I am going to come out there for the day, and I'm going to straighten your (bleep) out when I see you! Do you understand me? I'm going to reeeeeally make sure you get it! So I'm going to get on a plane. I'm going to turn around and I'm going to come home. So you better be ready Friday the 20th to meet with me. So I'm going to let you know just how I feel about what a rude little pig you really are. You are a rude, thoughtless little pig!

Anyone else upset by this? What do you think?

To me that is child abuse- he should be locked up!!!

updated-

Feuding Kim Basinger hired a bodyguard to protect her daughter Ireland after her ex-husband left an angry message on the girl's phone, it has been claimed.

The star is said to have arranged 24-hour cover for Ireland after her father labelled the 11-year-old a "thoughtless little pig" on the voicemail, which was leaked to the media.

Mother and daughter were seen in Los Angeles over the weekend - accompanied by the burly security man.

updated-

Actor Alec Baldwin will apologize to his daughter on national television on Friday for calling her a "thoughtless little pig," according to excerpts from a pre-taped ABC interview released on Thursday.

In the voice mail, Baldwin said he was furious at not being able to reach her for a prearranged phone conversation.

"Obviously, calling your child a pig or anything else is improper and inappropriate, and I apologize to my daughter for that," Baldwin said. "There's nothing wrong with being frustrated or angry ... I took it out on the wrong person."

Meanwhile, television therapist Dr. Phil McGraw revealed that Baldwin had called him for advice on Thursday and that the two had a "far-reaching, intense conversation" about the actor's daughter and his former spouse.

Ahhh, Dr. Phil to the rescue!!!!

BLOG Preaching--

Sign of the times!

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!