God is on the Democrats Side- is He really?

This conversation was overheard and filmed on a plane from Denver to Charlotte following the Democrats' convention. It is a conversation between former National Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Don Fowler and Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina. Their conversation was interesting to say the least.

For example, they made fun of Gov. Sarah Palin for several minutes, Fowler calling her "Dan Quayle" on steroids and Spratt creatively describing her as "just terrible." They both agreed that, "Other than the simple fact that she's a female," she has nothing to offer. And then they begin to talk about Hurricane Gustav:


Don't you just love the Democrats sense of humor - laughing at a natural disaster and how it will benefit them. They always play these things to their advantage.

I even expect to see Barack Hussein Obama II milk this and be somewhere to show his great concern while behind closed doors they are laughing with Michael Moore: This hurricane is proof that there is a god in heaven.

They are right - there is a God in heaven for sure and He will judge the wicked!

I Am Voting Democrat because....

Well, after 3 nights of the Democratic Convention, I have decided to vote Democrat this year. With all the speeches given before Obama's tonight, I am convinced! Here are great reasons to do so...

I’m voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

I’m voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

I’m voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they’re doing because they now think we’re good people.

I’m voting Democrat because I believe that people who can’t tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don’t start driving a Prius.

I’m voting Democrat because I’m not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

I’m voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as THEY see fit.

I’m voting Democrat because I believe three or four pointy headed elitist liberals need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

I’m voting Democrat because I believe that when the terrorists don’t have to hide from us over there, when they come over here I don’t want to have any guns in the house to fight them off with.

I’m voting Democrat because I love the fact that I can now marry whatever I want. I’ve decided to marry my horse.

I’m voting Democrat because I believe oil companies’ profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn’t.

Makes you wonder why anyone would EVER vote Republican , now doesn’t it?

----
Thank you to Caleb Menikos where I first saw this and to Bud Simmons.

It's Convention Time- Love Those Democrats!

Through a friend, I was able to get a copy of the Monday evening agenda for the DNC Convention.

Schedule of Events
7:00 pm OPENING FLAG BURNING
7:15 pm PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
7:20 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Barack Obama
7:25 pm OPENING PRAYER - Reverend Jeremiah Wright
7:45 pm CEREMONIAL TREE HUGGING - Darryl Hannah
7:55 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Joe Biden
8:00 pm GLOBAL WARMING!!!!!!!!! - Al Gore
8:15 pm GAY WEDDING PLANNING - Rosie O'Donnell
8:35 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Hillary Clinton
8:40 pm CHARGING OUR TROOPS WITH WAR CRIMES - John Kerry
9.00 pm MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SADDAM AND HIS SONS - Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon
10:00 pm ANSWERING MACHINE ETIQUETTE - Alec Baldwin
11:00 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Evan Bayh
11:05 pm COLLECTION FOR THE OSAMA BIN LADEN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT FUND - Babs Streisand
11:15 pm FREE THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS FROM GUANTANAMO BAY - Sean Penn
11:30 pm OVAL OFFICE AFFAIRS - William Jefferson Clinton
11:45 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Nancy Pelosi's Rack
11:50 pm HOW GEORGE BUSH BROUGHT DOWN THE WORLD TRADE TOWERS - Howard Dean
12:15 am FREE THE MINUTEMEN IN IRAQ'S PRISONS - Michael Moore
12:25 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Paris Hilton
12:30 am SATELLITE ADDRESS - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
12:45 am NOMINATION OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA - Nancy Pelosi
1:00 am Ted Kennedy proposes toast and SINGS NATIONAL ANTHEM
1:05 am CORONATION OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
1:30 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST TO Ritt Momney
1:35 am Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hillary home.

Sorry I missed it!

The Bible in a Minute

Click Here

Thoughts on the Need of Relationships-

I have been reading the best seller ‘The Shack.’ I have been struck by a number of comments in the book. Here is one: ‘Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationships.’

Jim Darnell made a similar comment: “I am very much aware that much of life is relationships and if your relationships are good your life is good.”

Do you have good relationships? You do need them; a relationship with God, your spouse, and with others. I have some great relationships here at the church and around the world.

One such relationship is Pastor Rob and Brooke. They have been with me for close to 17 years now. They have won my respect and appreciation. They have stood the test of time, struggles, disappointments, and sorrow yet remained faithful, loyal, proven, and as refined gold increases in value they have increased in value to me, the Kingdom of God and The Vine Fellowship. I have few friends that have preserved and have my loyalty and trust as do Pastor Rob and Brooke.

Pr 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Pr 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Pr 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

True friends don’t tear each other down, reveal secrets, disrespect one another even when disagreeing, separate and divide from others, are not jealous and always remain loyal. I consider Pastor Rob and Brooke as true friends.

My prayer is that you too can experience that true friendship and relationships that we all desire and need. In order to have friends, one must show himself friendly!

I have had friends leave me, betray me, speak evil of me, turn others against me, given up on me - but I have never quit loving them and consider them friends to this day! I would always receive them back! That quality of never giving up on anyone regardless what they have done to me amazes my wife!

On another note for pastors, I think you can relate to this. I may be gone for a Sunday ministering elsewhere or on vacation. I generally don't announce my absence. I have been asked why I don’t announce when I am leaving town or having guest speakers. My answer is a difficult one to say and causes me great pain and frustration. But here it is — it is because attendance is generally down when I am gone. For some reason people feel that if I am gone they can be gone too. They may stay home, go to the lake or park, or visit another church. Who knows why this happens but it does grieve me. Do they only have relationship with me and not other members of the Vine? But, enough of that as that is my cross to bear alone.

Texas smoker/grill - for men only!

This is how we make our BBQ grills/smokers in Texas -
got to love it!

Populate or Disintegrate!!

Stagnant -- not advancing or developing (the economy is stagnant)

The economy is not the only thing that can go stagnant. How about a church going stagnant? How about your church growing stagnant and becoming irrelevant to our society?

What are some signs of a stagnant (dying) church? Consider these (list not exhaustive):
-Declining or steady number of baptism, attendance, and giving
-Little excitement for outreach or mission to save the lost
-Few new and young families
-Church work is perceived as what takes place inside the church building only
-Prevailing sense of complacency
-Witness and outreach effort are done mainly by the pastors
-A high percentage of inactive members

Jesus stated what our purpose as the church was and if we fail to follow this we become like the list above:

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. "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. Mt 5:13-16 TMB

Who among us wants to be thrown out, to be put in the garbage? None of us do! But that is what a church is in danger of if they fail to realize why they are here. Too many think churches are all about them, getting their needs met, and gazing at each other’s navels.

It is not! It is about being the Kingdom of God here on earth and visible to the world! It means demonstrating God’s love to all. It means going out to bring them in. It means inviting people to our activities. It means going out to where they are so as to reach them. How will they be saved if they don’t hear the message from you and me?

How do we avoid becoming stagnant?
-Invite your friends to services and special events?
-Endeavor to pray and seek new souls for the Kingdom of God.
-Encourage young families to come to the church.
-Help with your churches outreaches?

We either populate the church with new souls and families or we disintegrate!

(Listen, I am in FL for vacation- last post for a week! See you again on the 18th. Until then stay safe!)

Do They Think Jesus Was a Liar?

Do They Think Jesus Was a Liar?

By Cal Thomas
Syndicated Columnist/FOX News Contributor

I am shocked and appalled over a newly published survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. It finds most Americans believe there are many ways to salvation besides their own faith. Most disturbing of all is the majority of self-identified evangelical Christians who believe this.

Apparently they must think Jesus was a liar, or mistaken, when he said: “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me.” Look it up.

This theological ignorance is a product of several things. It is surely a product of biblical illiteracy by people who don’t read, or selectively read scripture. It is also fallout from the political correctness vice that says you are intolerant if you believe anything to be true, because people who have another truth, or no truth, might feel bad and experience rejection.

If they feel rejection now, wait until they hear “away from me, I never knew you.”

Tolerance is a good thing. People should tolerate and respect people of different faiths, or no faith. But watering down your own set of professed doctrines in order to appeal to the lowest spiritual common denominator is akin to Peter denying Christ three times.

If there are many paths to heaven, Jesus suffered and died for nothing. He could have stayed in heaven, sent down a book of sayings and avoided crucifixion. Orthodox Christians have always believed – and their Bible teaches them — there is only one path to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ and him alone. One can believe whatever one wishes, but you can’t be considered a Christian without believing in this fundamental doctrine.

Christian churches have a lot of work to do in addressing biblical illiteracy, ignorance and, yes, heresy, in their midst. They might want to pay more attention to fixing what’s gone wrong among their members before expending too much energy on politics and politicians.

thanks bobby

Do they get it?

THIS IS A CEILING MURAL IN A SMOKER'S LOUNGE.

Congrats- Rush Limbaugh!

Ann Coulter had a great article singing the praises of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh entitled the 'Other Inventor of Radio.' You can read it here:

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27819

I remember 20 years ago today what I was doing when I heard the first Rush Limbaugh radio program. I was working for a friend laying tile. We laughed at all his zany antics, sayings, and attacks on Liberals. I was hooked!

I remember well his monologue on farding and the ensuing bashing he took for bringing this up. Who had ever heard of such a thing? Now it is common place and often time Rush does not get the credit for initially telling the world of this dangerous practice. For those of you in Rio Linda who still don't understand, farding is putting makeup on while driving a car; 'a farding woman drove into my car...' Rush knew then and now the danger of this female phenomena. Look at this article telling us today how dangerous it still is:

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=673206&nid=456

I want to extend my appreciation and congratulations along with President Bush 43, President Bush 41, and Jeb Bush the former governor of Florida as well as a host of others to Rush for being the best thing that happened to AM radio and the United States!

Thank you Rush for being the point man of Conservatism! You have taken your share of hits, but like the 'Energizer Bunny' you have kept on and not given up.

Your passion inspires us all.

the 'They Say' group

Do you know that often times in the church, places of employment, schools, etc. there is a large, often disgruntled, contingent of people that no one ever sees. They may not be able to see them, but boy do people listen to them and repeat what they are saying. That is the unseen group called “The ‘They Say’ Group.”

I have encountered them over the years in my experience here at the Vine. In fact, when I first came here I set out what I called ‘21 Rules of This House.’ When I shared them with the church I also told them we were not going to tolerate factions, egocentricity (the world moves around me, and in ministry it is all about me which causes people to get bent out of shape), and we would not listen to the unseen group called the ‘They Says.’

You have heard about them in conversations with other people. Because they will quote them often, “Well, you know what they say…!” You may ask that person who the ‘they say’ are and you will notice the blank look on their face because they can’t identify them or are unwilling to. So, with that said you should discontinue the conversation!

Listen, nothing of significance is ever accomplished by the ‘They Say’ Group. In fact, quite the opposite generally happens with strife, confusions, contention, disunity, etc. being but a few of their results!

A group closely associated with the ‘They Say’ Group is the ‘Anonymous Group.’ They too may mean well but they conduct their conversations, letter writing, behind the scenes ministry, anonymously.

I can find no place in Scripture where we are called on to deal secretly. We are Children of the Light! The Bible says let our ‘Yes be Yes and our No be No!’ In other words we are to own up to what we say and think! We are to allow someone to quote us if they are going to repeat us! We are to sign our name to all correspondence or notes that we send! Away with ‘don’t tell anybody I said that’ or anonymous notes.

We can all benefit from open discourse and an open exchange of ideas. But, if we don’t follow these rules we will be destroyed by the incessant picking of the ‘They Say’ Group or the ‘Anonymous’ Group.

Eph 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace(NIV).

We are all called on to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace! All of us should make this our endeavor too and not be part of these groups.

Don't Try This in Church!

Hmmmm, Jesus uesd a whip to run the money changers out of the temple!

Is it Really Body Art? To Ink Up or Not? Pt. 3

So what does all this mean? Chuck Gerwig is a youth pastor at the conservative Santa Cruz Bible Church in Santa Cruz, Calif. The burly Harley-Davidson riding pastor has worked in ministry for 23 years. He is the founder of SacredInk.net, a site devoted to the ink experiences of 17 tattooed Christians. Through his work Gerwig, who sports tattoos and a shaved head, has noticed a “reexamination of faith” among the young with one of the tell-tale signs being tattoo.

“It’s like an outward symbol of the inward truth,” Gerwig said. “For years tattoos were considered wrong. It was considered sinful,” he added. “There’s obviously been a big shift in the culture. This generation, I believe, is asking more questions than prior ones.”

Most important, consider your motives for getting tattooed. Certainly some people do so to rebel against authority; if that’s your reason then you need to go to the cross and receive healing before tattooing. If you are doing it to shock people, refer to previous sentence. But if your motive is for positive and deeply spiritual reasons, then ink up.

SacredInk give these guidelines: Tattoo is a significant life-choice and should be only entered into with a great deal of forethought. Some questions to ask yourself if you are young and considering a tattoo are:

-Am I legally of an age to get a tattoo?
-If I live with my parents, would my parents support my decision?
-Would I be defying the authority God gave my parents over me at my current age?
-Would I still want this particular image when I get older?
-What if my future mate wouldn't like having to see this image for a lifetime?
-Would this tattoo be in an area of my body that would be plainly visible? – Many people do unfairly judge people with tattoos as being “second-class.”
-Would this image bring God glory?
-Do I feel fully convinced that tattoos are allowable for Christians?

If the tattoo will not violate your conscience or others, if it will not cause permanent harm or disease, if it will not harm relationships which you have and if it is symbolic of a Biblical truth which will benefit your relationship with Christ - then I believe that Christians are free to get tattoos. But remember, the butterfly you get now will likely resemble an amorphous blob when your skin succumbs to the stretches and wrinkles of age.

In the end, should we worry too much about how we decorate our exterior as long as we devote our interior to Christ?

BTW, my son didn’t get the tattoo and neither did I! Whew!!!

Is it Really Body Art? To Ink Up or Not? Pt. 2

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Ink opponents typically ignore the verse that says God “inscribed” a picture of his people on his palms (Isaiah 49:16, NASB; the AMPLIFIED BIBLE says “tattooed”), and instead ominously quote another Old Testament verse: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28, ESV). Understanding the context of the Leviticus verse, however, is imperative.

God gave this command to the Israelites around 1444 B.C. (right after the parting of the Red Sea) to forbid them from practicing the idolatrous customs they’d picked up in Egyptian captivity. Their captors had a nasty habit of slashing themselves to express grief and to appease their pantheon of imaginary gods. Example, ”So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.” 1Ki 18:28 NIV

The Egyptians also tattooed their bodies with symbols of pagan gods. So Jehovah, the only true God, essentially said to the Israelites, I don’t want you to practice those silly superstitions anymore. You’re my people, and I love you. The heart of God’s message isn’t about body art, but about reminding the Israelites they belong to him.

These prohibitions seem to relate to pagan religious customs which should be avoided, including pagan mourning rites (vv. 27-28) Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R.B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983–c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary: An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

“Make any cuttings in your flesh” (v:28): the reference here is to the practice of making deep gashes in the skin while mourning the death of a relative. This was done to provide life blood for the spirit of the dead person rather than to express sorrow. On account of the dead: as indicated above, this describes the purpose of all the actions in verse 27 as well as verse 28. Péter-Contesse, R., & Ellington. (1992). A handbook on Leviticus. UBS handbooks; Helps for translating (Page 296). New York: United Bible Societies.

Do we today follow God’s original intent for Leviticus? Because if Christians today adhered to the literal application of every moral and ceremonial rule handed down to the Israelites, no one could eat shrimp or cheeseburgers (Leviticus 11); moms would be “unclean” after childbirth (40 days of separation from society after a boy, twice as long after a girl), so new mothers couldn’t go to Beth Moore Bible studies or Curves or book clubs for more than a month (Leviticus 12); menstruating women would have to separate from friends and family for seven days during that time of month (Leviticus 15); no one could wear clothes woven from both linen and wool (Leviticus 19); and everyone who went out to eat after church could merit a possible stoning (Exodus 31).

The great news of the gospel is that Old Testament law no longer binds Christians. Avoiding tattoo parlors or Red Lobster doesn’t make you righteous - Jesus’ death and resurrection do! While you need to remember your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16), you don’t have to let other people’s sense of religious propriety constrain you. However, if our bodies belong to God, we should make sure we have His clear “permission” before we “mark it up” with tattoos or body piercing. An important Scriptural principle on issues of this nature that the Bible does not specifically address is that if there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to not engage in that activity.

Next post- The Implications

Is it Really Body Art? To Ink Up or Not?

A number of years ago my son Jason asked if he could get a tattoo. Rather than be shocked by his request I was cool and said why didn’t he wait a few years until he was older and if he still wanted one I would get one with him. ‘What did I just say,’ I said silently to myself?

I thought back to the church plant in Scotland I was involved in many years ago, I would watch in amazement as young people would come out of tattoo parlors sporting (showing off) tattoos glowing with vibrant colors! Did they not realize that they would eventually turn a 'darkened black/green not so pretty mark' on their bodies?

In fact, in Bible College, I remember one student who got some of his tattoos removed but not without considerable pain and scaring. Of course, that was before the advent of laser that has now found a new use (according to the ads) among those who don’t want their tattoos anymore.

A pastor friend called me this year and wondered what I thought of staff people having tattoos? Of course I now actually have some that do. I tried to give him some pointers, not sure I helped.

A couple of weeks ago three children’s workers returned to the lodge sporting what looked like actual tattoos, one of them on the calf and the other two had theirs in the small of their backs. They asked me if I was shocked. ‘Of course not,’ I said. Of course I was wondering if the mountain air and altitude had gotten to them and if I was next. (They were henna tattoos that faded off over a brief time) Whew!

And now many are asking about the tattoos of Todd Bentley and the Lakeland Healing revival. Does and can God use an inked body for His glory?

So it is obvious that Christians are now getting tattoos. Many are going through the doors of ‘questionable tattoo parlors’ and allowing others to put their hands on their bodies and ink them. Google this issue, and you’ll see opinions varying from “Go for it!” to “You’ll go to hell for it.” Many Christians as well as Pastors are grappling with the tattoo question.

I have been studying this issue (as any pastor should) having read countless articles, have had numerous discussions (or were they heated debates?) and I have arrived at a peace in my mind about it. I will attempt to put forth some ideas and will give references if I have them or can remember them.

Next post- What does the Bible say about tattoos?

Also, at the end of this series I will tell you whether or not my son and I got tattoos!

Wear Yourself Out!

Ex 18:17-18 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. NIV

I have run 5 marathons and I am acquainted with hitting the wall. I’ve known first hand the cramping and exhaustion that often occurs. I have experienced the complete physical depletion!

You can imagine my surprise that over the past few months I have arrived at a point of physical depletion – all without running any marathons!

It all started with a few Saturdays on a project at home where I literally exhausted my body. Plus add to that the fact of God moving at the Vine and my praying upwards of an hour for people on numerous Sundays. Then add a trip out of town, stress of meetings, and sleepless nights. What does all this spell- exhaustion!

I hit the wall physically! I wore myself out in spite of knowing Jethro’s counsel to Moses!

An upper respiratory infection running for 4 weeks! Fungus infection in my throat! My immune system compromised! That is the price I am paying for not pacing myself. As a response to all this, my Doctor, my wife, and son put into affect an intervention. I have been confined to my house for rest since Thursday. No work, no tennis; just rest----

I am feeling somewhat better and I hope to preach Sunday- on Ex 18:17-18!

Thanks for praying.

Bridge to Hawaii or Understanding Women?

A man was walking along a California beach and stumbled across an old lamp. He picked it up and rubbed it and out popped a genie.

The genie said, "OK, OK. You released me from the lamp, blah blah blah. This is the fourth time this month and I'm getting a little sick of these wishes so you can forget about getting three. You only get one wish!"

The man sat and thought about it for a while. Finally, he said, "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii but I'm scared to fly and I get very seasick. Could you build me a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive over there to visit?"

The genie laughed loudly and said, "That's impossible. Think of the monumental logistics! How would the supports ever reach the bottom of the Pacific? Think of all the concrete! Think of all the steel! No, think of another wish."

The man said OK, sat back down and tried to think of a really good wish.

Finally, he said, "I've been married and divorced four times. My wives always said that I don't care and that I'm insensitive. So, I wish that I could understand women. I want to know how they feel inside. I want to know what they're thinking when they give me the silent treatment. I want to know why they're crying and know what they really want when they say 'nothing'. Most of all, I want to know how to make them truly happy."

The genie said, "You want that bridge two lanes or four?"

Who's My Neighbor?

A 91-year-old woman who had crawled under her car to look for her keys ended up stuck beneath an axle for two days until her mail carrier noticed letters piling up, police said.

Betty Borowski, of the Milwaukee suburb of Greendale, was found Tuesday and remained in a hospital in critical intensive care Friday, her niece Nancy DiMarco said. The hospital would not give an update on her condition Saturday.

Borowski, who lives alone, became stuck June 29 while looking for her keys; her head apparently got pinned by the axle, Greendale Police Chief Rob Dams said.

"She was pretty well wedged in there," Dams said. "It looks like she crawled under headfirst."

Borowski's mail carrier noticed Tuesday that the previous day's mail was still in her mailbox, police said. He rang the doorbell and then asked a neighbor whether he had seen Borowski lately. He hadn't, so they called police.

Firefighters lifted the car with a jack and removed Borowski, who was dehydrated and confused.

It turned out her keys were in the car door.

Borowski appears to be recovering, DiMarco said, but may have suffered a minor heart attack while under the vehicle.

"If it wasn't for people seeing a situation and following through ... who knows?" she said. "She wouldn't have made it about one more day."

Would you have noticed?

MAJOR CHANGE HAPPENING IN MY LIFE

While at the Liberty Fellowship conference this week the presbytery met at the conference. A major change is occurring for me at this time, but let me say straight up that IT DOES NOT INVOLVE MY LEAVING VINE FELLOWSHIP NOR RESIGNING AS PASTOR. Let me give you the details as expressed in a letter sent to LF members by our former Executive Director Jim Darnell (with me in pic):

At our Liberty Fellowship Summer Family Conference at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina I resigned as Executive Director of Liberty Fellowship. I will turn 67years old at the end of August and feel the Lord changing our ministry…

I could not make these changes if Pastor David Kerr had not been willing to become our new Executive Director. God has always been faithful to provide the point man leadership for this Fellowship. When Brother Bill Stamp stepped back from the office of president after many years of service, Danny Tice stepped up to the plate. When Danny resigned God persuaded me to do it for three years. Now the Lord is bringing David into this responsibility.

David Kerr is a man of real character and anointing. He is a good man and a creative leader. I trust him fully. He will do a great job.

What will be my future relationship to the Fellowship? I will continue to be a faithful member attending district meetings and the summer conferences, but not as a presbyter. Beth and I love Liberty Fellowship. I will also continue to oversee those in the fellowship that I have been pastor to for many years. Also, since David Kerr is pastor of a church he will not be able to fulfill all the traveling responsibilities of the Liberty Executive Director. He has asked me to be his traveling arm of the ministry. When he can’t go do a new church building dedication, a local church Bible conference, or a church leadership training session, etc… I will go for him. I made this personal commitment to David and the presbytery.

May God continue to bless you, your family, your ministry and Liberty Fellowship. It has been my honor to serve you. Jim Darnell.

So, there you have it! I have been Administrative Director of LF for a number of years. I assumed the responsibilities of Executive Director this past week. Tammy Barch will be Executive Assistant and carry many of the responsibilities that I previously had. Therefore we need your prayers and God’s grace and abilities to faithfully perform our duties as we continue to serve both Vine Fellowship and Liberty Fellowship!

News from the NC Mountains-

We are into our third day of Liberty Fellowship Annual Family Conference. It has been awesome! There are not many organizations that attempt a 'Family Conference' anymore because of the logistics, cost, and the hassle of setting up children's and youth ministries to run concurrent to the adult meetings. LF has successfully done this every year since it's beginnings! It really is a conference for the whole family ministering to the whole family.

Mike Cavanaugh is our speaker for this conference. He had flight problems on Monday and was not able to make the first meeting. So, I ended up preaching the first service- God was faithful and showed up and touched the hearts of many people.

Tuesday is always a 'family play day' and families are encouraged to do something together. We had a golf tournament, tennis, white water rafting, kayaking, shopping, eating---- great time had by all.

Mike's main theme Tuesday night was training the next generation. Challenging to us as a fellowship and the changes that are taking place with us right now.

I am up early- 4:15am - planning for the presbytery breakfast mtg, the general meeting, a LF business meeting with all the members, and then my seminar this afternoon on 'How to Handle Rejection in Ministry!' Appreciate your prayers.

And yes, I still remember that tomorrow is my 37th Wedding Anniversary to the most wonderful wife, mother, woman of God that I know on the face of this earth- I love you, Debi!