Newsletter

I know there may be some of you who do not read the church newsletter (shame on you), so I decided to post my part here. I love talking about grace. Also, I know two posts in one day is extremely rare so don't forget to read "Sunday Action" below...Peace

Right now we are in a series called the “Letter’s of John” on Wednesday nights. We are going through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John verse by verse trying to see the very heart of the author as we read these divinely inspired letters together. Last week we looked at the first 4 verses, and they absolutely blew me away as we saw that the Apostle John was someone who walked, talked, ate, and prayed with the God-Man, Jesus Christ. One thought that impacted me significantly was that John was allowed to behold eternal life with his own eyes as he saw and interacted with the resurrected Christ even after John abandoned Jesus at his arrest and lost all hope after the crucifixion. Yet, God demonstrated that beautiful grace in establishing him as a vital leader in the early church and spoke through him as he wrote the Gospel of John, these three letters and the beautiful book of Revelation.

The more I read and study the New Testament, the more God reveals his amazing grace. He saved apathetic fishermen, prostitutes, Roman soldiers, jailers, thieves, and even the Christian killer, Paul. There are endless stories of Jesus saving people who many think could never be saved and restoring those who seemingly could not be restored. GRACE!! People need to know about this amazing grace that is available. Go tell someone about the grace that transformed your life…even to those whom you may have no hope for. Remember the promise in Hebrews 7:25:

“Consequently, He (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Amen…and Amen

Sunday Action

I think yesterday could have been the longest Sunday of my life. I felt like I was here all day, but I did enjoy seeing people fellowship...Community is beautiful. Here's the action that went down:

• The day started off with me getting in the shower and the bar of soap breaking...I hate when that happens.
• For some reason JP had an unreal amount of energy. I'm always making sure that in my heart I'm being thankful that I have a son who can run, jump, and talk. Even though he runs everywhere, jumps loudly, and talk non-stop.
• Sunday School was good with an amazing full room of adults. You know this time of the week is so awesome to me. They refresh me and to see them grow spiritually blesses my heart.
• Then church happened (Just so you know for some reason I can't quit laughing while I'm typing this). The good news is that no cell phones rang during the service...hey, that may sound like a small thing, but that is a major step for SHBC. We had a Gospel Quartet sing which is always exciting. It's true they were not of my musical taste, but they were entertaining...especially the guy with the Yosemite Sam mustache.
• We honored the Senior adults and ate afterwards. Megan kind of headed things up and I was really impressed how she recruited workers. That is the key in ministry...FIND PEOPLE TO HELP!! So I may be bias but I think it went incredibly smooth, and the best part was not one of our student servers spilled a drink on a senior adult...Big plus on the day.
• That afternoon was semi relaxing until JP woke up. I'm not sure why he decided to get up with a horrible attitude but I should have figured it since we was going to be on stage singing for the AWANA ceremony.
• Speaking of...I want to give a huge shout out to Heath and Rama who saved my child from the beating of a lifetime (please do not call child services) when they went on stage and put their arms around my boy before he did or said anything not smart. Seriously, I wouldn't have beat him, but I was expecting any minute for him to take off running and do a Superfly Jimmy Snuka body splash on all the kids in front of him. Yeah, that's an old school WWF reference by the way:)

Kicking it Old School

Back in the day I used to do a regular Thursday post called "DM Demolition" where I gave you guys every detail on our Wed. night Desiring More services. Well, grab your knee high socks, Afro picks, and your sweet Saturday Night Fever shirts because we are kicking it Old School...

1. The only reason I feel comfortable saying this is because I know Russell would not take time to read my blog, but our wed. nights have been going SSOO much better since he started leading worship. The guy is talented and like I said I would never tell him that, but he picked up a guitar just a few months ago and already he is quality enough for our kids to say they miss him when he is gone. Send this guy to a few worship conferences and he would join the Passion tour...OK, maybe thats a stretch.
2. We started "John's Letters" last night. Dude, I'm not sure how many times I've read these three letters but never has it been so alive to me (Hebrews 4:12). We only read the first 4 verses last night and I could not get out all God taught me. John is one amazing example of what grace really is.
3. We have some students seriously stepping up and owning their faith...this makes me really excited.
4. We have always had girls who lead and lead well. I think some guys (and I few I would never had expected to tell you the truth) are really stepping up and being that example at school, church, and home.
5. I'm not sure if I have ever publicly thanked all the people who have really poured into my and taught me how to do ministry. The list is way too long, but I think I need to do this soon.
6. A few big things coming up...

• Lock-In with Troy Campbell May 8th. Starting the night off with Community group flag football game.
• I'm preaching the Senior Graduation Sunday May 17th.
• Community Groups start Monday
• M-Fuge...I need the rest of the deposits

Super JP

This is JP fighting all the bad guys on Open Season...

He doesn't like it when all the hunters attack Boog.

The Forgotten Golden Age

I know...2 posts in one day, but this is just simply something I have to put down while it is freshly speaking to my heart.

I just read a book review on "The Forgotten Golden Age" where Phillip Jenkins traces Christianity from Rome to China, Egypt, Ethiopia, and several other places. The idea is that these places, which were once thriving Spiritual communities, met there end by not successfully standing against opposition. Muslim and Turkish invasions, the Black Plague, and other factors eventually ended Christianity and soon gave over to becoming predominately Muslim. This absolutely breaks my heart because we, if we are honest and look closely, can see the exact same thing happening in our world today. Your right that it may not be Muslim and Turkish invasions, but it is us failing to fight off secularism and spiritual apathy. Many of us do not see the Gospel as something worth living and dying for (we may say it with our mouths but do our actions support our words??) therefore, we will soon give way to a secular world that refuses to believe in God and His holiness.

What does this mean for us?? Well, let's look at what has happened to the previously mentioned countries. They have spent centuries in spiritual darkness with countless generations dying lost because of their ancestors giving way to religious tolerance.

Here are my final thoughts: If we soon do not stand upon the immovable foundation that is Christ and His word, and prove to our children that there is nothing more important than the Gospel, we will soon lose the next untold number of generations to secularism and spiritual apathy. I heard in high school once that History repeats itself...Can we please take Jesus' words and begin thirsting and hungering for righteousness...Our children's response to Jesus depends on it.

Monday Mind Dump

• I was wondering something, and I'm just going to put this out there: Is there any other church in the world that has the cell phone problem Southern Heights has??!! Honestly, we average at least one cell phone ring a service and last night there were 5!! 4 of them sounded like the same phone. I am proud to say, however, that not one of them was a students:)
• I really think God revealed the Scripture He wants me to preach on May 17th. I'm extremely excited, and I know if we have ears to hear that God is going to speak. He is good.
• My wife is amazing. She serves like crazy and loves endlessly.
• It is good to have close friends. Seriously, we have deep relationships with some really good people here. People who love us, care for us, who always listen, and stand up for us... That is something I greatly appreciate.
• M-Fuge happens in little over a month. Honduras happens a month after I get home from M-Fuge. Phillip is getting married the week after I get home from Honduras. Where did my summer go??
• JP sure is getting funny in his old age...He talks about the craziest stuff and his imagination is wild. Being a Dad is fun...as of right now:)
• I'm writing my last paper for school today. Yeah, it took a long time, but graduation is upon me!!

Saturday's 7

• Going to help a couple move to a new house today. I think the ankle may slow me down a bit.
• I am so pumped about the weather change. Yesterday Megan and I rode out to Worley's World (Heath and Lisa's) and the weather was absolutely amazing. You forget about the harsh winters quick up here.
• We got a visit from Dan Moran Thursday night to ease some minds of those going to Honduras with us. He did a fantastic job, but he did remind me of how much more stuff I have to do in preparation.
• My goal is to take a team of people out of the country once a year...I think Honduras may be the place where we can go every year and truly invest.
• I think some people are going to be shocked when they realize this not a sight seeing adventure. We are really going to work and be involved with the people.
• Read a story this morning where a police officer in Abbeville got shot and killed by some moron. It breaks my heart, and it definitely reveals the depravity of people.
• I'm still looking for a new truck...you got one to sell??