Pastoral Good News/Bad News

GOOD NEWS: You baptized seven people today in the river.
BAD NEWS: You lost two of them in the swift current.

GOOD NEWS: The Women's Missionary Society voted to send you a get-well card.
BAD NEWS: The vote passed by 31-30.

GOOD NEWS: The Deacon's Board accepted your job description the way you wrote it.
BAD NEWS: They were so inspired by it, they also formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the position.

GOOD NEWS: You finally found a choir director who does things exactly the same way you do.
BAD NEWS: The choir mutinied.

GOOD NEWS: Your women's softball team finally won a game.
BAD NEWS: They beat your men's softball team.

GOOD NEWS: The trustees finally voted to add more church parking.
BAD NEWS: They are going to blacktop the front lawn of your parsonage.

GOOD NEWS: Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks.
BAD NEWS: You were on vacation.

GOOD NEWS: Your deacons want to send you to the Holy Land.
BAD NEWS: They are stalling until the next war.

GOOD NEWS: Your biggest critic just left your church.
BAD NEWS: He has been appointed the Head Bishop of your denomination.

GOOD NEWS: The youth in your church came to your house for a surprise visit.
BAD NEWS: It's in the middle of the night and they are armed with toilet paper and shaving cream to "decorate" your house.

Knowing Is Half The Battle

1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

We live in a world today that is looking for the unusual, the different, and the odd thing. It has become very notable in the church without people titling themselves as Apostles and Prophets along with displaying specific spiritual gifts. The problem is so many that seek to show out do so only for their glory and not the glory of God. The Bible has a problem with people who follow every mandate of spiritual leaders that are not proven out by scripture. In other words, knowing who they are, how they live, and why they do what they do can enforce their effectiveness. However following every dictate from the lips of the unproven can lead to disaster.

Luke 6:39 says, "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?"

Here some facts that might upset you, but they show the trends of today regarding the shallowness of people's spirituality:

-If the shoe fits wear it. We like what these folks say so much that we ignore the other qualifications of leadership that the Bible and God require. It just sounds good to us and makes us comfortable so it must be okay.

-Man, that's different. The other side of the spectrum is we want something unique that seemingly nobody else has so we blindly follow every thing we hear and take it as a Word from God.

-He must be a prophet because only God could reveal that to him. Yes, God uses people and he will honor His Word. He even used animals to fulfill His plans in times past. But remember not everyone that says, "Lord, Lord", shall enter into the Kingdom of God.

God wants us to know those that labor among us. Not just by name, but by actions and by lifestyle. Don't take every thing that every "spiritual person" says to you as a prophecy from God. No them that labor among you. See their lifestyle. Make sure they live what they preach, teach, or say. Don't be fooled into being a pawn of the enemy, but stand up and be a soldier of the cross. As I said earlier, knowing is half the battle. The rest comes by faith.

Almost A Year

Becky and I received the word that we would be leaving Union and coming back to Greenville to pastor one year ago this weekend. I was 43 years old when we moved to Union and enjoyed 13 years of ministry there. I felt that God was through with us and was looking forward to our new post of ministry at DCOG. However I found out that 13 years in one place makes a difference when you are finally making a transition. I am writing this for the benefit of someone who may be trying to find the Lord's Will about a move in hopes that it will prepare them for the adventure ahead, especially if you have been a long term pastor.

-First, I found out that 13 years makes a difference in a lot of ways. It was a lot easier to adapt to a new environment and new people when I was 43 than it was when I was 56. You've heard that old saying that "people are people everywhere"-well, in some respects that is true. However, trying to learn names, faces, places, and the quirks of a new congregation is a lot harder when you're older than when you are younger. The main problem that I inherited at DCOG is that several people only come on Sunday morning and it's hard to get acquainted with folks that you only see one time a week.

-Second, some churches accept change well and others don't. I've never had a problem adapting to a church situation because I was raised to do so and accept what the Bible says to be content in whatever state of mind or environment I'm in. DCOG has accepted my implemented changes slowly but surely and more will be coming. When people understand the changes are not about ego or self, but are about what helps the church to do the work of God better and more efficiently it's easier to make the needed transitions.

-Third, no matter where you are you will not please everybody. I had complainers in Union just like I do at DCOG. Man, if people would work for God as much and as hard as they find something to complain about, we could turn the world upside down for Jesus. But I will never see that happen in my lifetime unless the younger generation refuses to be set in their ways like their elders. My biggest problems in the last 3 years have come from those who are not regular in church attendance. I do not count as regular those who just come on Sunday morning unless their work keeps them out of church. They usually are the people that complain the most. Yet, most of their complaints could be solved if they would just be in church like they agreed to be when they joined the church!

-Fourth, there are good people in every church. For every complainer I have 2 good people who love God, love their pastor, and want to see the church go forward. Most pastors find when they make a move that they don't escape from problems-they just change faces. However, their are some folks that you automatically fall in love with because you see they share the same vision and compassion for souls that you have. I found that at UCOG and I've found that at DCOG as well.

Valentine's Weekend 2010 we said good-bye to UCOG. The next Sunday we started here at DCOG. It has been a wild year filled with a lot of ups and downs, but I can honestly say I still believe God sent Becky and I here to pastor. Have I done the best job I could this past year? I think so. Could I have done more? Probably, but can't we all say that?

I miss my friends of 13 years and the closeness that we had. We were a part of many families during our time at UCOG and we miss many of them. Yet God has given us a new family and we have fallen in love with so many of them it will be hard to say good-bye when God is finished with us here.

That's why I'm convinced in my spirit that God knows much more than me and I am trusting Him to reveal His next step in my life. It's been almost a year, and I know I'm where He wants me to be. But I will never shut the door on God or what He has planned for my future. I advise you to do the same.

Victory Over Death

What is that victory over death? Let's think together and reflect for a moment on some of the great declarations of the Bible:

(1) Because of Christ's victory for us, God assures us in His Word that this separation is not permanent for believers in Christ. For one day there will be a reuniting of believing loved ones in heaven, never to be separated again. Even now, (Name) is enjoying not only fellowship with the Lord, but with other members of her family that have gone on before.

In the OT, it is often repeated that a saint who died "was gathered to his people." This was said of Abraham, Isaac, Aaron, and Moses. This does not mean they were laid to rest with their people, for Moses was not. It means their souls and spirits were reunited in a place called Abraham's bosom or paradise.

When David's child died, he said in 2 Samuel 12:23 "Can I bring him back? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." It was comforting to David to know he would someday be reunited with his child whom he would know and with whom he would have eternal fellowship.

(2) The Word of God tells us that the sting of death has been swallowed up in the victory of Christ. The "sting of death," Scripture says, "is sin," and Scripture says because of this sin "it is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment." But for (Name), the sting, which is sin, has been removed and so also the judgment. For Romans 8:1 says "there is therefore now no condemnation (no Great White Throne Judgment for sin) to them who are in Christ Jesus."

(3) For (Name), this appointment has been canceled because an earlier appointment was made and kept when she received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Christ's death canceled sin's penalty and its judgment was born by the Lord in the sinners place on the cross.

(4) Because of the victory of Christ, death for (Name) was a departure for home and means being in the presence of the Lord as well as in the presence of other believing loved ones. In II Timothy 4:6, Paul wrote to Timothy "for I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand."

The Greek word here for departure is analusis which is (a) a nautical term used of a ship which pulls up its anchor and sets sail; (b) it also used in a military way of an army breaking camp to move on; and (c) it was used of freeing someone from his chains.

Do you see? This, for the Christian, is what death is--it’s setting sail, it’s breaking camp, it’s being freed from this life so we can go home. The anchor is weighed and we set sail for the golden shore of the blessed presence of God, carried into God's presence.

Have you never been away from home and then boarded a plane or train, and as the time to depart approached, experienced that warm feeling and the thought--I am going home. This explains what death is like for the believer--it’s a going home experience.

John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

II Corinthians 5:8 "We are of good courage, I say, and prefer to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."

There is no intermediate state. The Bible teaches us there is no soul sleep, no purgatory, but instant entrance into God's presence and home. So, heaven is our eternal home. Our Lord is there. Our friends and loved ones in Christ are there. There is no sin nor sinful nature there to cause unhappiness.

Death for the believer is not a venture into the unknown, or a strange or alien atmosphere: it’s like going home. But it is even more wonderful than that because it is a home in God’s presence.

(5) While the ultimate wiping away of every tear awaits the final battle and the resurrection, our victory in Christ means that at death, we are ushered into the Lord's presence which brings joy unspeakable. In this heavenly home there won't be the sorrow, the tears, and the pain that we have here, and certainly, there is no death there (Revelation 21:4). The believer there experiences perfect happiness and all the joys which attend being in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When thinking of the glories of heaven and being at home with the Lord, the apostle Paul wrote, "I am in a straight between two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, or to abide here."

So you can see we should receive much comfort and joy if we think about what death really means to the departed believer in Christ.

(6) Our victory in Christ also assures us that the believer will one day experience a glorious resurrection and a glorified body like that of Christ. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Paul said, "For our manner of life is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21).

This life is so often beset by ailing and painfully sick bodies, but our future body will know no such problems.

(7) The Word of God assures us that the victory accomplished for us by the Lord Jesus means a glorious, eternal inheritance "an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, which is reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:3-5).

In other words, our heavenly inheritance is everything that our earthy inheritances are not. Our heavenly inheritance is: incorruptible in substance, undefiled in purity, unfading in beauty and joy, and reserved in heaven (kept sure) for every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ by the eternal power and love of God in Jesus Christ (Rom.ans 8:39).

This means that our work on earth is never forgotten and that the labors of believers will follow them into eternity. So the Apostle concludes the resurrection chapter with these words:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

(8) Finally, we can find further comfort in knowing "that precious in the sight of the LORD, is the death of His saints." There are no accidents with God, His timing is perfect, and He works all things together for good, for the one taken and those left (Romans 8:28-29). When a believer is called home, it's because God's purposes for that believer are over. It's because in God's love and wisdom, He wants that believer with Him in glory.

The apostle also wrote: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Just Say What You Mean

It amazes me how so many people want to make excuses for their actions on a daily basis. I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect, that I have many flaws, and that I get very easily frustrated with the actions of people who just don't seem to try. All that I ask from anybody is that they be straight forward with me-good or bad- and we can make things work out.

It's those kind of people that say stuff to everybody else except to you that drive a pastor crazy. They never come to him with their problems, but blame him when they are not solved. They never share their needs with him, but they complain when he doesn't seem to read their minds and understand what they are going through. They never express their feelings to him, but they sure don't mind expressing them to others. It's those kind of people that turn a pastor's hair gray before its time.

So here's the thought for today-just say what you mean. No more excuses, no more lies, no more gossip, just say what you mean. I will look you in the eye and apologize if I've done wrong and I expect the same response. I will make things right if I have harmed you in any way. Isn't this what the Bible says we are supposed to do-just say what you mean?

Matthew 5:22-24 "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."

So just be honest with yourself and others-just say what you mean and mean what you say. Put the past in the past and press forward in Jesus name. I promise-you will be glad that you did.

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

Words have power within them for the good and the bad. Words can encourage, enlighten, engage, and enthrall a listener, but they can also destroy, damage, detour, and decrease one as well.

Sometimes things are better left unsaid than said because people are looking for something to harm or hurt others with today and they take things we say and try to turn them to their advantage.

So be careful what you say. Here are just a few tips to help along your journey through life:

-Be careful of the words you speak in public because you never know who is listening. Many things get misinterpreted because somebody hears just a part of a conversation and repeat the portion that they hear.

-Be careful of the words that you print. Because of the increase in the social media with Facebook and My Space more people have access to your thoughts than ever. Some will twist what you say for their advantage and make you look like a fool.

-Be careful putting your thoughts into words. There is a desire to retaliate especially when someone tries to make you look bad, so be careful of the words that you use. Many times they will come back to haunt you later on in life.

Remember that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me?" Well, in today's world that's entirely wrong. All it takes is one person's words that are spiteful or filled with vengeance to ruin your reputation or your life.

So just be careful of the words you speak, print, or write. Some things are just better left unsaid and put into the hands of the Lord. He knows the truth and He will reveal it one day along your journey.

A Few (Ugh) Laughs About Valentine's Day

1. What would you get if you crossed a dog with a valentine card? A card that says, "I love you drool-ly!"
   
2. What did the painter say to her boyfriend? "I love you with all my art!"
   
3. What does a man who loves his car do on February 14? He gives it a valenshine!
   
4. "Do you love me more than you love sleep?" "I can't answer now. It's time for my nap!"
   
5. What did the man with the broken leg say to his nurse? "I've got a crutch on you!"
   
6. Did you hear about the romance in the tropical fish tank? It was a case of guppy love.
   
7. What do you call two birds in love? Tweethearts!
   
8. What do you call a very small valentine? A valentiny!
   
9. What did Frankenstein say to his girlfriend? "Be my valenstein!"
   
10. What do farmers give their wives on Valentine's Day? Hogs and kisses!
    
11. Why did the pig give his girlfriend a box of candy? It was Valenswine's Day!
    
12. Do skunks celebrate Valentine's Day? Sure, they're very scent-imental!
    
13. What did the paper clip say to the magnet on Valentine's Day? "I find you very attractive."
    
14. What did the French chef give his wife for Valentine's Day? A hug and a quiche!
    
15. What did one pickle say to the other? "You mean a great dill to me."
    
16. Why do valentines have hearts on them? Because kidneys would look pretty gross!
    
17. What did one light bulb say to the other? "I love you a whole watt!"
    
18. What did the caveman give his wife on Valentine's Day? Ughs and kisses!