Adult Bible Study

Today is New Years Eve...Tonight we have Church. I know what you are thinking, but this is one of the many things I really appreciate about our church. We don't ever just not have Church. Since Bro. Scott is out of town, I get to the lead the adult bible study tonight. I'm pretty pumped even though I think our numbers will be WAY down. We are going to talk about some New Years Resolutions. I did some research on the origin of these resolutions what I found out is that their motives for these resolutions back in 153 B.C. (the first recordings of New Years Resolutions) is pretty much the same as ours today. We want to be better this coming year than we were the last. Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual betterment...we want to be better. Tonight I'm going to share with the church some things I've committed myself to praying for in 2009 for this church:

1. I'm going to pray that we learn deeper (Hebrews 6:1-2)
2. I'm going to pray that the older mentor the younger (Titus 2:2-8)
3. I'm going to pray that we test God in our giving (Malachi 3:10)

Well, those are the three things that will be studied in depth tonight. My other hopes are that we will see the importance of family and that we will all commit to pray hard for our Body.

What are your resolutions??

Back on the Job

I'm back here in my office and I thought I would give you a little pic post of my week in Bama...Hope you enjoy:

Our Christmas Card

JP watching TV wondering why he always has to watch what Dad wants to watch...
Opening Cars gift #1000

Enjoying Cars gift #1076

JP hanging out in his Dad's old bedroom talking to himself in the mirror...I think he may have bumped his head one too many times.

Grandma getting in on the action.

Dad jealous he didn't ever get this many gifts
Dad experiencing his first case of wrapping paper rage while JP plays with cars gift #2021

JP and Cars gift 2098

My brother and my smoking hot wife and thank the good Lord for everyday.
Look Marci, I am sweet:)
Mom helping with the gifts while Dad struggles with the wrapping

JP is...Top Gun
Megan's Dad dropping loads of knowledge on me.
REINDEER!! It's A REINDEER!! Think Buddy in the movie Elf where Will Ferrell freaks out because Santa's coming.

In-Laws Christmas Tree

JP opening the Jungle Book DVD...Megan was the one who really wanted it.

"CHOO CHOO!!" It's a Train!!

Tools to help Dad with some home improvements.

He loves this train...I love the pink couch in the background:) Megan's mom doesn't think it is pink but we all know the truth.

Well, that was a very condensed version of Christmas. I hope all you guys had a merry one. God is good.

Christmas Friday Five

The Sowell Family Christmas vacation isn't over yet, but here are some of my favorite things that have happened so far:

• My Favorite Gift: I'm not being girly or anything, but it was actually a Willow tree Angel Megan gave me. It was a guy sitting on a stack of books studying. Megan really appreciates my commitment to work and I'm thankful for that. A close second was the money I got from my parents...I'm coming Sears, Daddy needs a new TV:)
• My Favorite Statement: "Boys are just ridiculously dirty dogs who only have one thing on there mind!!" Pastor Andy talking to his 15 year old cousin about boys.
• Favorite Moment: Watching JP open his presents and then run to his grandparents and give them hugs...
• Favorite Past time: Hunting with my father-in-law. He gave me the best spot on the field...his spot on the field. The man has hunted in that one spot ever since Megan and I have been together and let me sit there...It was fun bird shoot.
• Favorite Food: Mom's peanut-butter cake. You just have no clue how good it is. Tied for second would have to be the homemade sausage and biscuits she cooked...ever morning and the lemon pie.

Christmas Day

Dude things have been hectic since the trip home to Bama, and I know you all are out there in blog land are just dying to know what's going on here (can you here the sarcasm?) It's been good. I've hunted, hung out with family, played with JP, spent some good time with Megan, ate TONS of food, and I still have several days left. I'll have pictures and some thoughts for you when I get back in the office. I hope all you readers have a merry Christmas and remember: Christ was born just to die so that you and I could have life...God is good.

7 Days

It is now seven days until Christmas. That's pretty exciting. I'm sure we all have huge Christmas plans that involve tons of food, family, and thirty different groups of people we are "required" to see. Here are a quick 7 things I'm looking forward to as we travel home to see family...

• The drive. This may surprise some since the drive is so ridiculously long, but I enjoy my Megan and JP. Especially since Megan loves to drive:)
• Food. Dude I am so ready to tear into the food my mom will have cooked just for me. Yeah that's right...just for me. I'm not exaggerating. She will cook whatever you ask her even if it is crazy. Kind of like Buddy on the movie Elf where he mixes cereal, pop tarts, spaghetti, and syrup. My mom loves me that much.
• Weather. It was 80 degrees last week.
• Peanut Butter Cake. I know this probably should have went with food, but if you ever eaten peanut butter cake you know it deserves it's own line. Nothing is better than this.
• 4 Christmases. No, not the movie. We literally have four different Christmases to go to. This is not something I'm looking forward to, but it is nice to see everyone.
• Andy Blankenship. I love this guy and it seems like I only get to see him during Christmas.
• Hunting. I don't care what you Arkansas folks say...nothing beats hunting in Alabama.

Morning Thoughts

Prepare yourself for this statement..."I'm in a pretty serious mood this morning." I know this doesn't happen a lot, but here for the past couple of days it seems as though I can't be normal. So here are a few things that are rampaging in my mind:

• I'm reading a book by Fancis Chan called "Crazy Love". I definitely recommend this one. Chan is one of the best preachers I've heard and the dude is committed to solid theology unlike most of the nut jobs out there.
• The first chapter is filled with the theme of how awesome and big God is. Have you ever sat down and thought just how amazing this world is and how completely unimportant it seems on a universal scale. God chose us in the mist of the hugeness of the universe. It made me examine Psalm 46:10 in a whole new light.
• I got to play basketball with a completely new group of guys last night at the community center. My desire is to be salty. I want people to see a difference in me while I'm playing and after we are done. Last night as I began to start developing some relationships, I got to meet another strong believer. God is good.
• I just listened to the sermon "Jesus is NOT the reason for the season." Really intense...Check it out.
• I'm praying really hard for Berryville right now. God is ready to do some big stuff in this town and I want to be a part of it. Do you??
• Tonight's youth service is going to be extreme. "Complications, Celebration, and Compassion" is the title. Be ready see the Christmas story in a real way.
• Shout out goes to my buddy Clint, a pastor down in Alabama. He preached a sermon in first person and I think it was a great idea. Thank you for your heart for the Gospel.
• Like Slayer, I also hate Christmas music. But Relient K's "I Celebrate the Day" is still the best Christmas song of all time to me.
• I wish my blog was as popular as Marci's.

So there you go...just some thoughts. I'm about to pray and read, and just seek the heart of God for a while. I'm pretty excited because I can feel a dry season coming to an end because the Grace of God is so incredible. If you are dry...let Him rain down on you.

My Reads

If you noticed, I changed my "My Reads" section. I deleted some and added others. It is not that the ones I deleted were not worthy of my list, I have just realized how much time I waste reading blogs. The ones that stayed or were added...now those are worthwhile every day reads. Here is a breakdown of the Chosen Ones:

Slayer: Matt is a teacher a Berryville Highschool. A really cool guy with a much cooler last name (Sayer). He could be one of the smartest guys I've met in a long time. He is a politics machine and he loves sports. So this will always be an interesting read.

Marci: Marci is a charter member here at Southern Heights (joking). We love her family and her boy Benjamin and my boy JP are best friends. If you like all the froo-froo decorating stuff...this is a blog for you:) Plus, you'll get some hilarious stories pretty regularly.

TJ: Singer/Song writer who doesn't blog that often, but when he does prepare to get blown away by his use of words.

Wes: A youth pastor who needs to blog more often:) This guy is serious about the Faith

Jessie: A student here at DM. I understand she is WAY too busy, but I'll be selfish anyway and say, "Start blogging again!!"

Ryan: FBC Abbeville's upgrade from me:) Definitely in my top five greatest youth pastors of all time...

You Can Know God: Michael is the Pastor of Oak Leaf Church in Georgia. One of the most engaging speakers I have ever heard.

And They Laughed Until it Hurt: B-Dutt is a youth pastor over in Lowell, AR. I could learn a lot from this guy if he would write a little more often...yep Brad, I called you out:)

Kristen: Calvary Baptist Youth Group Alumni and Mom of the year award runner up...Who got first place you ask?? Well, my wife of course.

Mary Anne: Calvary Baptist Youth Group Alumni and the one who taught me that sarcasm is an art form. You must work at it.

Lucy: Calvary Baptist Youth Group Alumni and possibly the funniest person I have ever met. We see things on the same level.

Rise Up: Andy is a Pastor and cousin to my wife. One of my heroes and by far the boldest guy I have ever met.

I hope you check out these blogs. They are definitely worth your time.

**UPDATE** I, by all means, meant to add Kasey to the list. This was a honest mistake, for I cannot lie (I'm a youth pastor...we aren't allowed to lie). Kasey I'm sorry, and I honestly do read your blog every update. My mistake:)

Friday Five

• I just finished my last class and I'm already seeing some final grades posted. I made an A in Youth ministry (possibly the easiest class I've ever taken) and and A in The Book of Acts (possibly the second hardest class I've ever taken). I'm waiting on some final things to be graded in my Genesis class (possibly the hardest class I've ever taken). If I pull a B out of my butt for this class you will hear me rejoice all over town.
• I need to go to Fayetteville extremely bad today, but my wife doesn't want me to go without her. Give me the husband of the year award for not going.
• I'm actually feeling a lot better since I started excercising more regularly. Basketball is a blessing.
• Marci turned...umm...I'm not sure if it is ok for me to post her age here or not, but her birthday is today. Marci, you are one cool chick and I appreciate you and Allen a lot. You guys make ministry in Berryville easier than it should be. I think this could be the first nice thing I have ever said to you:)
• I graduate in May...I'm pretty sure I'll be quick to start my Master's, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Tagged

Lucy called me out and said I would be the one who answers this...I can't help I don't have a life. I have to answer each question with one word. Here we go...
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? hot
3. Your hair? patchy
4. Your mother? hospitable
5. Your father? teacher
6. Your favorite thing? reading
7. Your dream last night? BAHAHAHA...(Marci ask me about this one)
8. Your favorite drink? milk
9. Your dream goal? satisfied
10. The room your in? office
11. Your fear? failure
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? content
13. Where were you last night? church
14. What your not? skinny
15. Muffins/donuts? both
16. One of your wish list items? truck
17. Where you grew up? B-ville
18. The last thing you did? text
19. What are you wearing? shorts
20. Your TV? movie
21. Your pet? dead
22. Your computer? life
23. Your life? computer
24. Your mood? relaxed
25. Missing someone? always
26. Favorite past time? basketball
27. Something your not wearing? underwear
28. Favorite store? Bass Pro
29. Your summer? Missions
30. Your favorite color? violet
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? don't
33. Who will/would repost this? Marci
34. Four places I go over and over again? church, Eureka Springs, Wal-Mart, Lucky Dragon
35. Four people who email me?Dare 2 Share, Ebay, Facebook, Michael Whitt
36. Four of my favorite foods? Sweet and Sour Chicken, Chicken Wings, Chicken Alfredo, and Sausage Balls
37. Four places I would like to be right now? Thailand, Europe, Nicaragua, Oregon
38. Four people I tag: Marci, Wes, Jessie, and Brad

A Working Church

I just want to give a shoutout to all those guys who have worked hard for Upward Basketball. I'm proud to be a apart of a church that has people willing to give up Saturday mornings and Monday nights to help serve the community. There are too many to name, but I really appreciate all you guys more than you know. God will bless you for your dedication to the Gospel.

Merry Christmas

Megan has been constantly talking about Christmas cards. Well, I took it upon myself to give you this Christmas greeting from the Sowell family:

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Oasis and Verve

For all of you younger kids out there that never got the opportunity to hear two of the greatest 90's bands ever, here is the acoustic cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall" and The Verve Pipe's "Freshman" by Boyce Avenue.




Notice the sweet percussion

More Bullet Points

Dude, seriously. My blogging schedule has become as lame as a junior high relationship. So for you guys who may get on here to read some thoughts and ramblings...I'm sorry. School, work, and family has started taking up more time than ever. I'm a semester away from graduation, trying to figure out next years calendar, and I love my wife and son...I really want to spend time with them. So blogging has become as sparse as people in church over the holidays. Today, sadly I have nothing to offer but just a quick recap of my sometimes hilarious life:

• School is almost over. I feels extremely good about the classes I finish in 2 weeks, and next semester will be tough but manageable.
• I heat went out the one night it snows. No, I am not kidding. I woke up to a 50 degree house early Sunday morning.
• What am I most thankful for this Thanksgiving? Well, we are extremely thankful for Allen, Marci, Benjamin, Georgia Kate. They invited us over to eat Thursday, they had normal food that didn't gross me out, I got to hear Allen make funny comments about Marci's mom (which was comforting to hear someone else make fun of there mother-in-law...Just joking Maxine), Benjamin completely occupied JP which was a relief, and Megan got her "I want a baby fix" by holding Georgia Kate.
• What else you ask? Heath and Lisa for letting us stay with them while our heat was out, buying us food, and having the coolest place in the world. Funny story, their calf took a dump (not a small dump...a rather large dump) right by the door and Roxy (the small wiener dog) was running around it while we were leaving today. As we walked by JP said, "Look, Roxy pooped."
• Honduras sign up is officially over and we have 14 for sure with the possibility of 16 to go...God is good.

Saturday's 7

• I went and played ball this morning in Eureka Springs. It's actually not too hard to get up on Saturday morning at 5:45 anymore. I think I may make this a daily habit...BAHAHA!!
• Sunday School in the morning will be really good. The question is, "Can you be a Christian and not go to Church?" Another intense Sunday:)
• Although this question is really good, the question concerning baptism was really good. I did, however, think it was going to go straight downhill after I read the question and Marci, who is faithful in giving me those "looks" when ever I start to digress, busted out in laughter.
• NO- SHAVE NOVEMBER is still rocking. I even got a compliment from Miss Betty Rotramel:) It kind of made my day.
• My quote for the day on my "desk quote giver thing" is: Live for God and not for things. Simple...yet challenging.
• I think I'm going to head over to Bergman tonight with some friends and my lovely wife to go visit the Brand New Church. I'll let you know how that goes. I mean it's church on a Saturday night...that has to be good
• For those of you concerned, I haven't been fired yet which is a plus. Pretty excited about that one actually.

The Youth Room

Well, we came to the conclusion that 20 students in our house is a little too much on Wednesday nights. So I went and bought some new stuff for our flippin' sweet youth room. This way after service on Wed. nights the youth room will stay open till 9 and my house doesn't get crushed and I stayed married. We tried it out for the first time last night and it worked incredibly. We had a NCAA Football tourney which I would have dominated if I could have stopped the stinking option, the wii got some serious use before and after service, rock band was jamming hard in the corner, and ping pong was actually being played like it should have. I still hate the fact the I won't have the younger kids at the house as much, but I'm sure we will keep seeing the ones who can drive. Some of you guys wanted to see our new paint job so here it is:

This is next to our media area...sorry for the mess

This is the old game area, but it has completely been reorganized thanks to my wife and king decorator Russell

Yeah, that's Jesus. He hangs around our place:)

Oh Dook...

Well, here's a funny story...that may eventually cost me my job...but nevertheless funny. A guy came into my office last week and here is how the conversation went:

Me- Whats up man? What can I do for you?

Him- I'm an artist and I'm in town for a little while...can I paint your youth room?

Me- Sure dude...go ahead

Of course I left out the part about me asking Mrs. Rama and Bro. Scott and they both said yes, but I still didn't have time to go through the proper approving channels that us Southern Baptist put in place so well. Well the guy did a fantastic job up stairs in the youth room and I will take pics and post them later when I'm not being so lazy. Then I had the bright idea, "Hey, let's do something in my office." Don't get me wrong I think the end result is freaking intense, but I'm just going to keep my door closed for awhile. He painted one of walls and this is how it turned out:

I know...ridiculous right!! It is insane and upstairs looks, in my opinion, even cooler. I just think it was really weird how this guy ended up here of all places. So I'm going to wait a few days to see if I'll be calling any of you for a job:)

You've Got Questions...We've Got Answers

This was a lot more intense than I thought it would be. My apologizes for not expounding more on the last point:

Baptism? Do you have to be baptized a second time when coming from a church of a different denomination? Is baptism necessary for salvation? What about those who are sprinkled? Do you have to be dunked?

1. Here are some questions for you to think about as we go through this:
· What is baptism?
· Does Jesus command us to be baptized?
· Is baptism necessary for salvation?
· What does baptism accomplish?
· What is the proper method of baptism? Emersion, Sprinkling, Pouring, Baptistery, River??
· Why do churches, Southern Baptist in particular, ask you to be baptized a second time when coming from a different denomination?
2. What is baptism?
· Baptism is an outward sign of a person’s commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus was baptized.
· Matthew 3:13-17--13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
· The baptism of Jesus was His public expression of His dedication to God’s will and the ministry.
· This event marked the beginning of His public ministry.
4. Jesus commands us to baptize.
· Throughout the public ministry of Jesus, His disciples were baptizing the converts. John 4:1-2-- 1Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),
· After the resurrection of Christ and during His 40 days of revealing Himself and His resurrected body to the people, Christ used these last days to give some final instructions. These instructions included the gospel and baptism. Matthew 28:18-20--18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
5. Is baptism necessary for salvation?
· John 3:1-5-- 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" 5Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
· Baptism is not necessary for salvation. Jesus was simply speaking here about how people must be born twice. Once through natural childbirth and then through the Spirit.
· Baptism is simply a command of Christ that we follow, but it does not save or help save. It does not seal you or guarantee anything.
6. What then does it accomplish?
· Baptism is public demonstration of your faith.
· Baptism is a symbol of you dying to your old life and being raised anew with Christ. Romans 6:3-4-- 3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
· If you are a believer, you will desire to be baptized. Acts 8:36-37-- 36And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
· We must realize that it is an honor to be identified with Christ. We’ll put stickers on our car to identify with schools, the freemasons, clubs, but we can put off being identified with Christ.
7. What is the proper method of baptism?
· Baptism (baptizo) literally means: to undergo, to wash, to immerse
· The early church fathers (Calvin, Whitefield, Luther) of different denominations that now practice other methods of baptism each say that baptism was by immersion and immersion only.
· Sprinkling was originally done for the sick and bedridden only.
· Acts 8 and the Ethiopian tell us that it doesn’t matter where the water is…just as long as there is some water.
8. Why must people from different denominations be baptized a second time?
· The Baptist Faith and Message

What's Important?

I feel like I have grown up. Wow!! That was a big statement for me. What brought that statement on exactly? Well, during my ordination council a good friend, deacon, and member of my old Sunday School class at FBC Abbeville asked, "Do you feel like you have grown up any?" That was by no means a demeaning statement, but a recognition that we all need to be continually "growing up". I feel like I have grown in several areas (please no these are not prideful statements because I realize that any growth I may experience comes completely from the grace of Jesus, and I also know that I have A LOT of growing up yet to do), and these "growths" are helping me prioritize the importance of things.

1. The Gospel= The all important message that we are sinners headed for death, judgment, and hell, but God who loves us so greatly decided to become a man so that He may live a sinless life, die a brutal death on a cross so that he could be the atonement for our sins, and then rise victoriously from the grave three days later conquering death and becoming the promise and hope of eternal life for those who place their faith in Christ as Savior so that not by works or anything we have done, but solely through the work of Christ He becomes our righteousness before God the Father.

2. The Mission= The ability to know this incredible Gospel and then share it with all who we meet.

3. The Family= Without my family...I have no ministry. When I become more passionate about my office hours than my bride, I have successfully become a moron that is not loving my wife like Christ loved the church and I'm being a horrible example for my son.

4. The Church= God has called me to this amazing calling of full-time ministry. I'm not sure why. I'm completely unqualified, unworthy, and unable. But God in His all sufficient grace has called me. I will love the church for it is the Body of Christ. We are His hands and Feet. I will support it and it's members to do all we can do to fulfill the Great Commission.

Please notice that I didn't make this list. Paul teaches us Philippians 2 that we should be like Christ and put others needs before our own. Notice I did not mention the color of the youth room (which is being painted at the very moment I'm writing this...) God never mentioned the biblical colors in Leviticus. Notice I didn't mention the style of music, because the style isn't important but the solidity of the message in the song.

I'm glad I'm growing up in Christ...I'm finally seeing that those important issues need more time and focus. I've wasted so much ministry for the sake of preferences. God forgive me, and thank you for growing me.

Update On...Me

I'm fully aware that I may have lost all 4 of you guys that read this since it has been over a week since I last posted. What can I say?? I'm a slacker. Anyway, here is a little updaye on things going on lately:

• Traveled to Alabama this past weekend with JP, Heath, and Lisa. I was kinda worried how we were going to do without SuperMom, but JP was actually incredible. Praise the Lord for portable DVD players. I am also thankful she decided to skip out on the easy plane ride home and make the 13 hour ride home with us.

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• While we were home I got to enjoy the Peanut Festival and take two Arkansans to see what a real fair looked like...Needless to say, they were impressed. Especially with the food.




• Another big event that took place this weekend was my ordination. Yeah, that's right, I'm an ordained pastor now. I am, however, not above slapping you if you ever call me Reverend Ricky:)


• I got to see several of my best friends while we were home including the world famous Phillip Weems...the Rock Star




• I'm really pumped about what God is doing at FBC Abbeville. Bro. Mike is one of the most hardcore preachers I have ever met, and God gave me a great blessing by allowing me to serve with him in Abbeville.
• I'm also glad I got to see my parents and my in-laws. They have some really amazing hearts, and I do not appreciate them enough.

Who is your Hope?

My goal throughout this post is to stay cool and calm. I'm not sure how successful I'll be, but you got a fair warning at the beginning:

This whole election has been a cultural phenomenon. I honestly cannot remember anything like it. I was ok with all the disagreement since the beginning...every one has a right to an opinion. But here lately I have gotten real frustrated with strong believers thinking life is over because who they wanted to be in the White House didn't make it. People after People saying, "I'm moving to Canada" (Which is a godless place so apparently God is not your priority just your priority is your god), or "McCain or Amsterdam" (I'm sorry guys but even McCain can't legalize pot).

Please understand that I am aware that there may be some extremely tough times ahead. The frustrating thing for me is that I have heard many people ignore the fundamental truth of the Sovereignty of God!! Or if they do mention it...directly after is some negative comment about the future state of America!!

OK...I need to calm down before I write anymore...talk amongst yourselves...I'll give you a topic: "Football's are made of pigskin but you never hear PETA complaining about that." Discuss....(even in a heated moment I can make Saturday Night Live comments)

My buddy Ryan, who I do not get to talk to enough, wrote an incredible facebook note mentioning that our hope is not found in government, economic stability, or the military...It is found in King Jesus. The most powerful part was his mentioning of the children's future...He then asks a sobering question, "Will our children's future in the Gospel change??" I'm pleading with you brothers and sisters in Christ, know that God is sovereign. Do not lose faith in Christ because your candidate did not win...God is still God

Here is Ryan's note in whole if you want to read this short...convincing piece.

You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers part 2

Is it ok to be friends with someone who is lost?
1. First let’s ask ourselves some questions:
· If we have lost friends, what does that say about your testimony?
· Can you think of any scripture references that speak to this question?
· If we don’t have lost friends, how will we ever be able to share the Gospel?
· Do we want our children under the influence of lost people?
· If we don’t have lost friends, when will our children ever see us share the Gospel?
2. Let’s look at a verse:
· 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,"I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
· What does this verse mean? First of all, we get the Old Testament picture of livestock that are joined together but have different causes. One is pulling against the other and nothing beneficial will be accomplished. Using this analogy, we see Paul teaching us that a Christian not only should not, but cannot be joined together with an unbeliever in a committed relationship to accomplish anything spiritual.
· What does this include: Marriage, humanitarian projects, or any relationship that makes you an alliance for a certain spiritual cause?
3. The real Problem is not our association with unbelievers; it’s our association with professing Christians.
· 1 Corinthians 5: 9-13 9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."
· Paul says make sure you associate and even befriend the dirtiest of sinners, but he also says purge yourself of the ones who claim Jesus with their lips but practice these things.
· Paul says it’s not our job to judge people outside of the faith, but it is our job to judge the fruits of those who claim Christianity.
4. What about James 4:4
· James 4:4 4You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
· James calls the people prostitutes who profess Christ and are outwardly associated with the church, but are holding a deep affection for sin.
· Friendship (philia) this Greek word describes a love-friendship with strong emotional attachment. Those with a deep and intimate longing for the things of the world give evidence that they are not redeemed.
5. The fear of befriending lost people:
· 1 John 2:15-17 15 do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
· The fear is that we will develop a love for things of the world. That the lust of our flesh will begin to be fed from their habits and possessions.
6. What about Jesus?? Does He say anything?
· Great Commission
· Zaccheus
· Woman at the Well
· Woman caught in adultery
· Accused of being a friend to sinners
7. Conclusion
· 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Where's Waldo??

Well, my creative wife decided to make JP a costume. See if you can find Waldo:

He really is a happy kid...I promise

This is right before we left for AWANA...I think he is excited

Confessions of a Youth Pastor

Another confession…this one actually hurts. My pride can’t take many confessions like these, but I’m hoping after I put this out there that I will realize some serious truths about myself. But I guess I need to start with Saturday morning for this to make sense.

As most of you know I usually play basketball on Saturday mornings. Well, I didn’t get up with Nolan (my ballin’ partner) so I ended up going mountain bike riding with our worship leader, Russell. I have never been, but I’m always looking for the next adventure and plus this would help with my “Get in Shape” campaign. We took off up the mountain at Lake Leatherwood. I should have known by the name that this was not a good idea. I had no clue what to expect. I mean you can’t believe how clueless I was, but I was quickly informed as Russell dived off the main road into the woods and I was embraced by no small hill. This thing was a beast. I could feel my manhood slipping out from my grasp as I realized there was no climbing this mountain on a bike. So I jumped off and began the trek on foot. When it finally leveled off the fun began. I was dipping and dodging trees, up down the small ramp like hills, and then disaster struck. As you read this feel free to laugh, but please know that when this disaster struck it wasn’t funny. I mean Russell didn’t even laugh it looked SO BAD. If he doesn’t laugh…something is wrong. Russell is maybe 20 yards ahead of me so I really can’t see what to expect next. I then go straight down this 10 foot cliff. The back of my bike flies up and over the handle bars I fly. Funny right?? Yeah it was until I braced myself by hitting this tree, it then proceeded to break, and I landed full force chest first into the knife shaped stump I created. I was laying thinking I was about to die because I felt like my chest cavity was split. Russell thought the tree had punctured my body and was actually inside of me…it was literally the worst pain I had ever felt. He ran over to me and slowly rolled me over…like he was a trained medic or something. As he rolled me my shoulder began to pop and he comforted be by saying, “Well, your shoulder is either broken or it was dislocated and you just popped it back in place.” It turns out the latter was the verdict. I couldn’t breathe or feel my arm, but managed to get on my feet and walk off the mountain. The ER doctor told me to expect some serious muscle spasms as the tissue and cartilage I disintegrated begins to grow back together. I have a major whole in my chest and bruising all over my body.

What’s the confession? I’m not the 17 year old I once was. I think that is one of the most heartbreaking truths I must realize. When I was 17 there was nothing I couldn’t do. I was in shape, the metabolism was up, and the body was strong. It’s my fault because I know 50 year olds that are in better shape than I am. I always think of Larry Pitchford walking down Dothan Rd. scaring me because he was in such good shape. Resolution?? I’m getting in shape before I do anymore dumb things…

Question 2

This week will will explore the question, "Is it ok to be friends with lost people?"

Another surprising answer for you Sunday...Be there and bring some friends

A 2 Year Old's Conviction

Last night wasn't a good night. For several reasons, but that is not what this post is about. This post is about the conviction of a 2 year old that most Christians don't have. I was blown away. JP, for some reason, wasn't in the mood to go to sleep last night. Maybe it was because I tried to put him in bed at 8:30, a good 1 hour and a half or 2 hours before his normal bedtime. I know, we are horrible. So I told him to go lay down and we would read a story. We read this really cool little book about a Shepard losing his sheep and doing everything to find it and how Jesus loves us like that Shepard loves his sheep. I closed the book and looked at JP. We had this moment...It's hard to explain, but it's like God connected our hearts for a 5 seconds and it was amazing. He then continued to say, "Daddy we need to pray." I said, "Do you want me to pray or do you want to pray." After he very strongly told me that he was going to pray, He began by saying, "God thank you for:

Daddy, Mommy, Church, Benjamin (JP's best friend), Ms. Marci, Mr. Allen (Benjamin's parents), Craig, Ms. Mindy (Awana teachers), Ms. Rama (church secretary), Grandma, grandaddy, Mack Mack, Den Den, Mr. Brian (Megan's boss at Sears), Mr. Tommy (co-worker at Sears), the
lawnmowers, tools, and screwdrivers

After I saw that we were beginning to digress, I jumped in and said "and thank you for Jesus...amen." He could have went forever, but I stopped. I was laughing at first because of the things he was thankful for, but this morning the more I thought about it the more I realized he had something most don't. Even at two he understands God is the giver and He deserves to be thanked. Something I think we all know, but how many of us truly know?? Does that make sense? I guess I feel that our culture has become numb to the incredible attributes of God. And not because they are something we have been taught our whole lives, because the character of God is so amazing we will never be able to truly understand who He is. We've became numb because we have satisfied ourselves with a Vacation Bible School amount of knowledge of our Creator. We need to dig...

JP...Preaching??

God may have given us a glimpse into JP's future calling. Last night Megan, JP, and me all went to Eureka to get some food. As we were riding through, I said, "Hey, let's go see the big Jesus statue." Here in Eureka Springs they have the Great Passion Play and right down from it they have the "Christ of the Ozarks" statue that is massive. I mean bigger than you could ever think a statue would be. So we made the walk down the hill and right away JP started declaring loudly...that he sees Jesus. As we get far away enough from it so we could actually look up and see the whole statue JP begins to scream, "JESUS IS COMING!! JESUS IS COMING!!"

A two year old gets it and is talking about it...why can't we??

You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers part 1

After Sunday School, a few people were asking for the notes I had gathered after our biblical search for the answer to the long discussed alcohol question. To be honest, I know these are long notes but you'll have to read all of them to get the final conclusion. So, in case you are interested: (Just so you know most of the facts came from Johnny Hunt's Sermon "Total Abstinence")

Why is it not acceptable to drink alcohol but being a glutton is? Is taking a single drink of alcohol a sin? If not, how many drinks does it take before you sin? Where’s the line?
1. Let’s tackle the alcohol issue first by asking some questions:
· Would you go to a church where the pastor openly consumes alcohol?
· If you had young children, would you keep alcohol in the house?
· What do John Calvin, Martin Luther, and Saint Gall all have in common? They all Drank...
· Would you ever drink in front of someone who struggled with alcoholism?
· How do those who do drink, talk to their children about teenage drinking?
· Are you strong enough to only drink in moderation?
2. Now let’s tackle some facts:
· Alcohol was commonly used in the church for fellowships and communion until 1869 when the Methodist Pastor Dr. Thomas Welch invented the very Christian Welch’s Grape Juice.
· Advertisers will spend over $500,000,000. to tell us to drink this year.
· Seventy-five percent of all high schoolers drink, and 50% of all junior highers.
· Four hundred and fifty thousand teenagers are alcoholics in the U.S.A.
· One half of all ordained ministers drink, and 1/3 of all active church-goers drink.
· Forty-eight percent of Southern Baptists drink, and an estimated 16% of those who do drink become alcoholics (a higher % than virtually any other religious group in the nation).
· One-fourth of all active Southern Baptist church teenagers have used alcohol in the past 12 months.
· Proverbs 20:1- Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
· Billy Sunday called liquor “the Devil in liquid form”
· Many people believe, for whatever reason, that the answer to drinking alcoholic beverages is moderation. I personally believe that moderation is not the solution but the cause of alcohol abuse. – Johnny Hunt
· All Bible believing Christians believe drunkenness is a sin. (Romans 13:13, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Peter4:3)
· There are many sins that are associated with drunkenness. (incest (Genesis 19:32-35), violence (Proverbs 4:17); adultery (Revelation 17:2); mockery and brawling (Proverbs 20:1); poverty (Proverbs 21:17); murder (2 Samuel 11:13), vomiting (Jeremiah 25:27, 48:26; Isaiah 19:14); staggering (Jeremiah 25:27; Psalm 107:27; Job 12:25); madness (Jeremiah 51:7), depression (Luke 21:34)
4. The major argument: It is not wrong to drink wine, a beer, or a mixed drink.
· The Bible does not condemn it, and by the way, did not Jesus turn water into wine?
· One “minister” a few years ago applied for license for beer/wine for their church. His argument: “Jesus was the first bartender.”


5. Let’s look at the words for wine and strong drink
· Strong drink - (Shay-kahr) pronounced she-care; refers to a drink that has been distilled from fermented dates, grain, apples, and honeycomb. Universally condemned everywhere it is used. Only time it is recommended is a sort of narcotic in Prov. 31:6, “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that are of heavy hearts.” (time of extreme sorrow)
· In Prov. 31:4-5, tells us that kings and national leaders are to leave wine and strong drink alone.
Prov. 31:4-5, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink, lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice of any of the afflicted.”




· Again, in Isaiah 28:7-8, leaders are rebuked.
“But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way. The priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink; they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink, they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.”
· Wine- Hebrew word Yayin (Ya-yin) - may be intoxicating; may not be; generic word.
· So we see there is a different word used in the bible for intoxicating drinks and wine.
6. Here is the good stuff
· Yale University’s Study on alcoholism - it was revealed that the normal process of fermentation of “fruit of the vine” does not produce a drink with sufficient alcohol content to bring on drunkenness. There must be a mechanical interference with the normal process, such as the addition of pure alcohol or other mechanical processes of distillation or it will not produce the kind of wine that is common today.
· The Hebrews would have referred to our wine and beer as “strong drink”.
· The wine of biblical times was not like the wine that exists today. Stein’s research uncovered the fact that wine in the days of Jesus, for example, was actually wine mixed with water. On average, it would be three or four parts of water mixed with one part of wine. In other words, what the Bible calls wine was basically purified water.
· He points out that water in the ancient world was unsafe to drink. It could be made safe by boiling it, filtering it, or the safest way was to put wine into the water to kill the germs.
· Dr. Norman Geisler concluded, “Therefore, Christians ought not drink wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages, for they are actually ‘strong drink,’ and are forbidden in Scripture. Even ancient pagans did not drink what some Christians drink today.”
7. Conclusion
· As God allows me to personally be Salt and Light, I commit to never drink alcohol. Your children will not be encouraged where I pastor. Moderation or Recreation is not my testimony, but TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
· I am hard-pressed to think of any way that casual, social drinking can enhance your witness, much less bring people to Christ.
· Romans 14:21, “It is good neither to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”
· Alcohol is just one of the many substitutes for the joy of Christ.
· Eph. 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”
· You say, “I will never abuse alcohol. I will never become an alcoholic.
· One out of every ten that start to drink will become an alcoholic.
- We drank for happiness and became unhappy
- We drank for joy and became miserable
- We drank for sociability and became argumentative
- We drank for sophistication and became obnoxious
- We drank for friendship and became enemies
- We drank for sleep and became awakened without rest
- We drank for strength and felt weak
- We drank for relaxation and got the shakes
- We drank for bravery and became afraid
- We drank for confidence and became doubtful
- We drank to make conversation easier and slurred our speech
- We drank to feel heavenly and ended up feeling like we had been to hell
- We drank to forget and were forever haunted
- We drank for freedom and became a slave
- We drank to erase problems and saw them multiply
- We drank to cope with life and invited death.

Saturday's 7

Cool things going on. Here are 7:

• We had 28 students here for Desiringmore last wed. You wanna know the incredibly cool thing about the 28?? Probably 25 of them that attended were seeking... It was a good night
• For our "You've Got Questions...We've Got Answers" series in Sunday School, here is the first question will discuss: Is taking a single drink of alcohol wrong? And, if not, how much is? Where's the line? It's going to be one heck of a morning.
• I went and played basketball at 6 a.m. twice this week. I feel like I'm in better shape already...NOT!! (old school right there)
• Alabama has got Ole Miss today at 2:30. We have an incredible schedule set up for us to win out. Something will happen...it always does.
• I got contacted by a church planter over in Fayetteville today. He is a part of the Acts 29 network and I'm looking forward to see what God does through those guys. We'll eat lunch soon and I'll be able to find out more about them so I can start praying...Church planting has got to be tough.
• I went to the "Great Passion Play" last night over in Eureka with Megan, JP, Russell, and Erin. It was good, and JP got pretty ticked when the guys started beating up Jesus..."HEY!! Thats not nice!!"
• On another: "You've got to love my kid" note, we walked passed some guy who was smoking and JP yelled, "EEWWW!! Thats disgusting!!" Yep...thats my boy. Never shying away from speaking his mind.

Doing What I Do

I have really stunk it up lately visiting. It's just really hard with family, school, and everything else that HAS to be done each day. By the time I get home, all I want to do is chill with JP in the floor playing cars and see my wife. But, I decided the other day that my visitation schedule has to be picked up. I love visiting. I love going to people's homes and getting to know them as they get to know me. So this week has been a good week of visiting. I went and visited two possible members and answered questions about our church that they had. They were already strong believers but had recently moved to the community and looking for a church they could serve in. I was honest and expressed our strengths and weaknesses, but I have a good feeling will be seeing a lot more of them. Then last night the whole family went to see the Motzko's. JP played with ms. bannah (Savannah) and ms. caleb (Micaela) the daughters while me and Megan got talk to Leah and Greg for awhile. Another great visit with some amazing brownies and ice cream. Although I did get a little nervous when Mrs. Leah began to compare something to poop in the brownies...I'm not sure what she was saying...I just hope nobody pooped in those brownies.

School, School, School

Well, my new classes start Monday. I'm kind of excited and depressed at the same time...is that possible? I'm exciting because I'm taking some really cool classes, but the syllabuses for each class takes the excitement away quickly whe you see how many papers are required for each. My schedule is:

Acts- By far the toughest and most demanding class of the term
Genesis- I'll be ok if I can keep up and not get behind
Youth 201- Let's be honest...I'm thinking this is going to pretty simple

God, why I'm doing all of this??

Ordination

I just wanted to go ahead and post to the world that I'll be ordained by FBC Abbeville on November 9th. I would love it if all you guys could come. It's going to be pretty incredible and I'm pumped. I would love it also if you guys would be praying for our ministry. Peace

The Cry

In Genesis 18 we read about Abraham and his plea with God to spare Sodom. I love verse 22 where it says the men went towards Sodom but Abraham stood before the Lord. Everyone else had given up on the people...They said to themselves, "They are lost. They are nasty wicked sinners and really deserve to feel the wrath of God. There's no hope for them" But Abraham stood before the Lord. He understood the very grace that saved him could also save the dirtiest of sinners. So he began pleading with God, "If you find just a few righteous...spare Sodom." What a model for us today. There are so many people we have given up on. They are too lost and there's no hope. Therefore we have, liked the other men in this story, started walking and gave up hope for their souls. Oh I wish we could become become like Abraham and stand before the Lord and plead for these people. For our families and friends that don't know Jesus, may we fall on our faces and PLEAD with Jesus. I have spent the majority of this morning praying for my family. The family that I have that I gave up hope for a long time ago. But for some reason this morning God has given me a burden for those I know who are openly lost and those who may profess but they show no signs of Jesus. I'm praying that as you read this you to will begin to pray for those you have long given up hope for. I pray as you read this you'll examine your heart ask God if you are the person that we will be praying for. It's about time that the church becomes more than weekly meeting place and became a battle ground for the souls of man.

For my family
For my friends
For my students
For my church
For my son
For those who have never heard
For those I'll talk to today
For those I'll talk to tomorrow
For those I love
For those I don't
For those who don't deserve
For the good
For the bad
For the unworthy
For the hurting
For the prideful
For the confused
For the clueless
God I pray, I cry, I plead that you will use me to declare the Gospel. God I pray that you will not let me give up, but That I will continuously intercede for those that need you. Your grace is enough...

Sunday's Six

• My picks were incredible yesterday if you ignore the LSU prediction. I felt pretty dumb after they got beat thirty points and picked them by two touchdowns.
• Alabama falls to #2 in the polls. I expected it and understand we still have alot to prove. I do know that we'll have to run the table to get in the Championship game. Are you ready for this bold prediction...are you?? Alabama and Penn State...that's right. You heard it hear first.
• By the way, these are not flower bullets to your left. They are...the new dashes. Or maybe they are flower bullets!! OK, listen you try and find a manly template that is perfect for your blog. Thanks Marci for making me feel like a woman.
• I had more fun in Sunday School this morning than I have had in a long time. We talked a lot about our purpose and calling as the Church. I love teaching relevant things and nothing is more relevant than our purpose in glorifying Jesus.
• We start a new Sunday School series next week I'm giving the title, "You've got Questions...Jesus has Answers"...What ya think?
• The questions the class are giving me are pretty tough topics. I'll post Sundays question or questions this week for you to ponder.

Saturday's 7

• I got up at 5:45 and went and played basketball this morning...I'm getting way too old to be doing dumb things like that.
• I'm glad Alabama has the week off, preparing to finish strong. I guess I need to start being hardcore like Lucy and not washing the clothes I wear every Saturday during the Alabama game.
• JP is becoming my little man. The other day he hugged me and said, "Daddy, your my best friend." Two seconds later he said the same thing to Megan...the little butt kisser.
• Even though JP has become this brown-noser, he has been using the potty consistently for the last two days. That's my boy!!
• Went and took in "Fireproof" last night with Jeff and Kim Phillips and their daughter Courtney...definitely a cool chick. The movie gets an A+ from me. Despite the acting not being incredibly great, the story was amazing and they made a clear Gospel presentation. The action scenes were really good to. Definitely a movie worth seeing twice.
• I was watching the Terminator the other day and this was the conversation the kid had with Arnold Swarzeneggar (yeah, I thought I would try and spell it...back off...you don't know me):

Kid- We're all going to die aren't we...people I mean?

Terminator- It is your very nature to destroy yourself.

WOW!! The Terminator gets it...Why can't we??!!

• Football Day...Texas by 3 and LSU by 14...You'll see

Desiring God Part 4

This was by far my favorite part of the conference, mainly because I'm a Driscoll fanatic. I highly recommend you go to www.desiringgod.org and view this message. It was intense and there is no way I got down everything he said...

Mark Driscoll: The Biblical Use of Sharp, Cutting Language
- Our words need to be free but not reckless, biblical and faithful in correct speech.
1. Christians need to feed the sheep.
- Sheep: Believers or those honestly seeking truth
- Ephesians 4:32, Jesus and the woman at the well, Zacheus
- Love your sheep, take care of your sheep, edify your sheep, be kind to sheep
2. Rebuke the Swine
- Swine: People who are unrepentant
- Isaiah 3:14-16, Amos 4:1, Amos 6:4-6
- God uses sharp, cutting language towards swine
- Without the strong and sharp rebuke no change would be made
- The bible is easy to read when we are talking about them, but it becomes hard when we realize it is talking about us.
- Don’t use good words to soften bad acts ie. Fair=Adultery. Call it what it is…
- DO NOT REBUKE THE SHEEP!!
3. Shoot the wolves
- Wolves: False teachers
- Martin Luther says, “With the wolves you cannot be too severe; with the sheep you cannot be too gentle
- We shoot wolves because we love the sheep
- FIGHT for the Gospel and the well being of your church.
4. Bark at the dogs
- Make fun of religious people (people who try to bind themselves to God by their works)
- Religion always leads to depression or pride
- Religious people take themselves too seriously and God too lightly
- Show them how ridiculous they are
- God thinks our religion is disgusting (Isaiah 64:6
- Religion is crap Philippians 3:8 (rubbish is translated dung)
5. Pray for the Sheppard’s
- Pastors have to decide who are sheep, swine, wolves, dogs

Confessions of a Youth Pastor

I came to the office with all intentions of giving you my final notes from the Desiring God Conference, but I have a need in my life for confession and repentance this morning. I was reading some of John Piper's thoughts on blogging, and he had a question to ask us bloggers:

What would you say to a pastor who is considering blogging?
1. I would say, "Get on your knees and ask the Lord to clarify your motives." That's the first thing I'd say: "Why are you considering this?" and, "How much of the desire for notoriety is in it?" because we all battle that. There's not a human being on the planet that doesn't love the praise of man, or doesn't like being known, or doesn't like being considered intelligent or wise or helpful.
And I'm not just indicting blogging here. I'm talking about preaching and doing what I'm doing right now. It is all possibly contaminated with a desire for the praise of man. And Jesus said, "How can you believe when you seek the praises of man and don't seek my glory." So pride and the desire for praise is a deadly thing.
So that's the first thing I'd say: search your heart--on your knees, in the word, and in prayer--as to whether or not there is a contamination that will make blogging more hurtful for you and for your people than otherwise. That's the main thing.

While my sole intention was not praise when I began this blog sometime ago, I searched my heart and now I must repent. I have allowed myself to glory in the praise of man instead of glorying only in the cross. I repent...I turn from my selfish motives of gaining praise for myself and direct all glory to the only One worth glorifying. I pray that this blog makes you laugh. I pray that it some ways it may teach you some things about Jesus. I pray that while reading this blog you see the glory of God in changing a dirty, wretched guy like me. He alone is worthy...

To My Dad...

Today is my Dad's birthday, and in honor of that I want to tell you a few amazing facts about him:

1. He always seemed to stay extremely gentle with his family, and now that I'm a husband and father, I see how incredibly difficult this can be.
2. My dad has worked swing shifts ever since I was born, but he hardly ever missed anything I did in when I was in school. When I say "hardly ever" I mean I can think of like three games he ever missed.
3. Me and Megan were talking about how kind-hearted he was just the other day. He'll do anything for anybody...especially his family.
4. He reminds me of one of the greatest men I ever knew...my granddad...his dad.
5. He was always under appreciated, but he never stopped loving and giving. That is remarkable.
6. He showed me how to always love my wife no matter the situation, and to do everything possible to make sure your kids know that you love them. He is my example as a father and a husband.

I love you dad, and with the deepest affection...thank you for being the dad you are.

Sunday's Songs

I love music. I love biblical music. Here are some songs that have helped me realize who Jesus is, what He did, and how I should respond. These are Sunday's Songs:)

• Jared Anderson- Glorified
• Among Thorns- Bless the Lord
• David Crowder Band- Come Thou Fount

Just a few songs for you to listen to, download, and enjoy...

Saturday's Seven

• I'm about to head to Rogers with the family to do some shopping. Oh how I love to shop...
• We went to the Green Forest homecoming game last night to see our very own Tiana Anderson get crowned Homecoming Queen. I know now after last night why God didn't give me a sister because when those two guys gave her kisses on the cheek I freaked out. I don't like that kissing stuff.
• I'm not sure if you have ever felt your heart-break at the same time that it is overflowing with joy. That's how I feel with our students. Some completely turning their backs on Christ and some digging so deep...Ministry is so tough.
• I read a John Owens sermon on "The Mortification of Sin" this week. I now realized you can place John Owens up there with John Calvin, Johnathon Edwards, Martin Luther, and Augustine.
• Me and Megan really want to name our children meaningful things. JP's name actually has a double meaning. James: my grandad (an incredible man of God) and James the half brother of Jesus. Paul: my middle name and the Apostle Paul, my hero. We have already picked out a girls name if we have one of those things:) If a boy I would really like to name him...I can't tell you yet, but it will be posted at a later date.
• I'm reading a couple of books right now I would definitely recommend: Death by Love by Mark Driscoll and Taste and See by John Piper.
• I need to preach...it is erupting inside of me.

Toilet Water

To take a break from the Desiring God posts...I thought I would do a little plug for, what I think, one of the most helpful books ever on the struggles of pornography. If you don't know already, I'm a HUGE fan of Mark Driscoll. I know, I know some of you think he is very vulgar and mean, but I just appreciate his heart to do what Jesus has called him to do. He is ministering in one of the darkest places in the world, and God is truly glorifying Himself through Mars Hill Church. He has a passion for truth and he is a completely honest guy. Yes, I agree, sometimes his statements can seem edgy, but I think he has tons of wisdom for today's people. Like Piper said about Driscoll, "I didn't like where you were, not sure about where you are, but hopeful to where you are going." Here is a chapter one of his new online book "Porn-Again Christian". (I'm not sure if this copy and paste is illegal or not but I'll take my chances:)
chapter 1
A Tall Glass of Toilet Water
God tells us that his people tend to satisfy their thirst not by drinking from his streams of living water, but instead drinking from man-made toilets (Jer. 2:13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. [ESV]). This metaphor is particularly adept in a world where men such as Tom Leykis, Dr. Drew, Howard Stern, and a legion of men’s magazines and porno providers become wealthy by selling glasses of toilet water to thirsty men across our nation, many of whom claim to be sons of God. Meanwhile, the church alone has access to the living water from God’s perfect Word, but largely fails to teach men masculinity in any area, particularly regarding their sexuality.
The causes for this sin of omission are many. First, there is a propensity in many churches to take sexuality out of the hands of theologians and place it in the hands of secular counselors, whose philosophy is dominated by unbiblical evolutionary concepts of humanity and gender. This error prevents the church from speaking about men and women because they’re only permitted to see androgynous humanity. Second, the effeminate nature of pastors and churches causes many masculine men to feel unwelcome in what they perceive as an organization solely for women, children, and weaker men. Third, there is a timidity among weak pastors to wade into controversial issues in general, and sexual ones in particular. Lastly, the sad truth is that many pastors are also enslaved to their own sexual sins and/or are languishing in unfulfilling and infrequent sex with their wives, and therefore are unable to speak of sexual matters out of a sense of disqualification.
To speak of the matters of pornography and masturbation, I must speak frankly, as frankly as the Scriptures do on important issues. In 2 Timothy 3:16 God says through Paul that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” These Scriptures that God breathed for our profit include the very frank discussions of sexuality throughout the Song of Songs and Ezekiel.
In Ezekiel 16:25–27 God says, “At the head of every street you built your lofty place and made your beauty an abomination, offering yourself to any passerby and multiplying your whoring. You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger. Behold, therefore, I stretched out my hand against you and diminished your allotted portion and delivered you to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd behavior.”
Also, in Ezekiel 23:18–21, God says, “When she carried on her whoring so openly and flaunted her nakedness, I turned in disgust from her, as I had turned in disgust from her sister. Yet she increased her whoring, remembering the days of her youth, when she played the whore in the land of Egypt and lusted after her paramours there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses. Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom and pressed your young breasts.” God basically called his people tramps for lifting up their shirts like it was Mardi Gras and chasing men with huge penises and semen emissions like fire hoses.
While God spoke frankly to Israel, he is certainly not crass like some meat-headed high school boys killing time in a locker room. God is honest and forthright about the truth and his people must not be so prudish as to try and speak in ways that are holier than their God. In our age of lewdness and perversion we, like our Father, must avoid crassness, while wisely and boldly speaking frankly about the joy and beauty of sexual intimacy when it is confined by the loving directions of the God who created both us and our desires. And, we must refuse to speak in sanitized clinical euphemisms like calling adulteries “affairs,” fornication “dating,” and perverts “partners” because God uses frank words for deplorable sin so we will feel its sickness without anesthesia.

Desiring God Part 3

After the panel discussion we went home for the night and rested really well. We got up early Saturday Morning for Bob Kauflin who was incredible. He spoke about words in song but focused on the fact that our words in song should be Gospel centered. This guy had a ton of wisdom. Check him out at www.worshipmatters.com...
Bob Kauflin, www.worshipmatters.com
What Happens When We Sing
- Over 400 references to singing
- Over 50 direct commands to sing
- When I become more moved by the singing than what was sung; I have sinned wickedly. I would have rathered never to have sung. –Augustine
- Don’t wait until moves you. God has already done something to move us.
I. 3 Ways Singing Helps us Engage the Word
1. Singing helps us remember the words.
- Use effective melodies in worship…the melodies that people want to learn.
- You can leave music behind but not the words.
- We should sing what God wants us to remember.
- Show me a churches song selection and I’ll show you their theology. –Gordon Fee
- If the songs sung were the only teaching your church receives, how educated would your church be?
2. Singing Helps us Engage Emotionally with Words.
- We need to be solid in what God has made clear in his word and discerning in what He has not.
- Singing allows us to stretch out portions of the song we may need more time to think on.
- When people begin to complain about repeating the chorus of a song too many times tell them to read Psalm 136…to get the point across REPEAT IT!!
- There is a difference between emotional moving and spiritual illumination. Emotions fizzle. Illumination sticks.
3. Singing Helps us Demonstrate Unity.
- Christ did not die for a soloist but for the universal choir…Everyone matters
- Sing songs that unite rather than divide.
- It must be clear that it is the sung Gospel and not the sung music that unites.
- The Bible makes clear what we should sing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain.”
- It is not the style…It’s the Lamb
- Going to 2 services because of difference in musical styles is wrong. Be united over the Gospel and not the style. If music style can separate us than we are not a Gospel united Church.

Desiring God Part 2

After Ferguson finished his message, he was joined by Piper and Driscoll for a panel discussion. There was way too much knowledge flowing around on that stage to capture it all, but here are some quotes that I was able to take down. Let me know some of your favorites...

Quotes from Panel Discussion between Sinclair Ferguson, Mark Driscoll, and John Piper
· What you say is instant, constant, global, and permanent. -Driscoll
· Afflictions may correct you, but they also can make you more sensitive to Christ.
-Ferguson
· Criticism is, “You were this, but you should be this.” -Ferguson
· Our words are not the grounds for our acceptance with God. Justification by faith alone.
-Piper
· He who spoke the righteousness with His tongue is imparted to my tongue. -Piper
· Speaking on the Atonement, “This is what Jesus did so that you might be able to live.”
-Piper
· Those who give away the cross, give up conversion. All you are left with are very Pagan
people in powerless churches. -Driscoll
· When you destroy the wrath of God, you destroy the heights of joy one will experience for
the forgiveness of sin. -Ferguson