I Want To Be A Golfer When I Grown Up!

Yesterday was a really awesome day! I am so proud of my wife, Lisa. She has grown so much in her walk with God and it is completely incredible and a priveledge to be by her side as she discovers God's plan for her life! Yesterday, we celebrated with her as she was baptized at the Cove Church in Mooresville, NC. It was a beautiful ceremony, and Lisa looked radiant as she was about to express her Christian commitment with God publicly.

One of the really cool things that The Cove Church does at their baptisms is reading the testimony of the person being baptized beforehand, for all to hear. The testimonies ranged from members having tragic lives that were saved by God, to feeling alone and needy of Jesus' loving arms around them as they walk through life. Some expressed going to church all their lives, but never being told that they could have a personal relationship with Jesus just by the asking! As they read the testimony of a seven year old boy last, I realized something very simple, but very important, none the less, that I wanted to share with everyone. There are many paths that lead to Jesus, but there is only One path that leads to Heaven! The little boy's testimony only said, "I want to be a golfer when I grow up". You see, his life was too young to fully understand life's tragedies and loneliness, but one thing was for sure: He wanted to be with Jesus, even out on the golf course.

They say that alot of business deals are done on golf courses. Now, I can say that even life saving deals are done there as well!

Special Gifts From God

I had an opportunity to teach a lesson to the 4th and 5th graders at Sunday School this passed weekend. I was so excited to talk to them and I wanted to do something that would capture their attention so that they would listen and remember my message. The scripture was from Romans 12:5:

"so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

I decided to tie in the next few verses as well to help with my illustration. Romans 12:6-8:

"We have different gifts, according to the gifts given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

I decided to play a game to help illustrate the verses. I read the kids the verses, and told them that God has given each of them gifts that are to be used to glorify Him. Then I asked for a volunteer who has the gift of "leadership". After choosing a young man, I asked for a volunteer that has the gift of "serving". Then I asked for a volunteer that has been given the gift of "teaching".

The game was simple. There would be a race. The Leader and the Server would race across the room to the other side, pick up a Full glass of water, and race with it back to the other side. The first one to cross the finish line....wins! The Teacher would be the commentator of the race, similar to NASCAR commentators, and with the same excitement, since we are using our gifts to glorify God.

The race was about to begin, "On your marks, get set.....wait a minute, wait a minute". I told the Leader that he has not been using the gifts that God has given him very well. I told him that he has done things this passed week that have blinded him to being able to lead effectively. So, I placed a ski cap on his head and over his eyes. I then turned to the Server, and told her that she has not been serving the Lord all that well the last week. When there were opportunities to serve, she decided to stay in bed and sleep. So, I tied her feet together with a bandana.

"OK, on your marks, get set....wait a minute, wait a minute". Once again, the race was post-poned as I turned to the Teacher, and said, "You have been filling your mouth with impurities, and this has impaired your ability to teach others about the greatness of God". I then stuffed his mouth full of marshmallows.

"OK, on your marks, get set...GO!!" The race began, and the Leader wandered around aimlessly, and the Server hopped quickly to the drinks, picked one up, and began hopping back, spilling the drink all over herself and the croud as she hopped. The Teacher began to commentate on the event with enthusiasm, but all that was heard was a muffled mess!

After the race was over, I asked the class, "Do you think that God was glorified by our Leader, Server, and Teacher? Do you think that God would have been happy at the efforts made by all three?"

You see, we are all one and work together in the body of Christ...the church. And when one of us fails to perform, it hurts all the rest of us. Not only does it hurt the rest in the church, but others outside the church see someone that is not acting too "Godly", and this may hinder a chance for them to accept Christ into their heart. God has given us all special gifts. It is up to us to either squander them, or to use them to our best potential and Glorify God.

God Doesn't Work In Mysterious Ways, He Works In His Way

I have been talking to a friend of mine that I knew very well in High School. Alot has happened since then, and when I talked to her, I realized how much she has grown in Christ, and how much she talks to Christ on a daily basis.

We have been talking about plans to grow Christian Life ministry. I have expressed that it is very frustrating at times that things don't move faster. But when I stop to look for a minute, there is so much happening all at once, that things probably couldn't go any faster. She told me about a book called "Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On" and recommended that I read it sometime. I purchased the book, and took a quick glance at it. I realized something that I have known for a long time, but seemed to have temporarily forgotten in all my busyness. All the things that we are doing are for the Glory of God. Every little step is a planned step by God. For those that keep their eyes on Him, the steps we take are His steps, and in His perfect timing.

All of us have heard the old cliche, God works in mysterious ways. Well, I used to believe that too. I don't believe that God works in mysterious ways any more, however. I think that God works in His perfect way! And the more we pray, the more we read his word, the more we keep our eyes on Him, the more He will shed some Godly light on the step we are taking. God wants us to follow Him, and take bold steps trusting in Him.

I heard it explained this way once. God wants you to take the bold steps forward in His name, keeping your eyes on Him. Once you have taken the step of faith, God will respond with His promises. But only after you step in faith first will He respond, just as He did with Joshua in biblical times. Joshua was told to step into the Jordan River to cross the river, and once he stepped into the river, the river would part. The step of faith had to be taken by Joshua first before God would reveal His promise. (Joshua, chapter 3)

I am excited to grow this ministry. I am excited for all the children that this ministry has brought to know Jesus. My eyes are on Him, and He lights my steps. I look forward to seeing what exciting things God can do through Christian Life.

Pass It On Forward

I was coming home from work yesterday, and as I drove around the corner, I noticed a man that had driven his huge lawn mower into the swail, and had sunk the rear tires up to the axel. Frustrated, I saw him throw his hands up in the air and tromp back towards the house.

So, I turned my truck around and headed back to his driveway and asked him if I could pull his tractor out of the mess he was in. He asked me if my truck could do it, then took a look at my truck and responded, "nevermind...sure!"

I drove my truck over to his tractor, backed it up, and hooked my tow strap to it. My truck is a very large diesel F250 4x4, and it pulled it out of the hole with ease.

The man was really happy, and asked me how much he could pay me, to which I handed him a Christian Life Pass It On Forward card, and responded "God Bless you my friend, just pass it on forward.

Good deeds are our outward expression of our Christianity. The book of James is all about Faith and Good Deeds.

This is what I think would be cool for all of us to do. Go to the Office Depot store, or something like it, and purchase a packet of blank business cards. They are only a few bucks. Write with a marker on the cards the following:

This is a "Your Name" Pass It On Forward Card

God has Blessed you with good fortune, pass it on forward to someone else.

God Bless!

Just think of the smiles and warm hearts that will be generated because of you, and God will be glorified by it all!

Let's Pray!

Yesterday, my work required me to fly to Griffin, GA, a city south of Atlanta. After dropping off our passengers, we decided to eat lunch at a Mexican restaurant called El Toro to have some fajitas. Shortly after I received my order, a very large group of young construction workers came in and sat at the table next to mine. All eight of them were carrying on different conversations at the same time, which made their entrance extremely loud and boystrous. I glanced over to see who was making all the ruckous, and noticed that they were all very rough looking individuals: some had no teeth, most were extremely dirty from the morning's work.

Apparently all had called their orders in, because they received their food almost immediately. Then the most surprising thing happened. The young man on the end of the table announced to the rest of the group, "let's pray". Well, that caught my attention rather quickly and I turned and watched as all eight workers, ranging in age from about 18 to 24 years old, took off their ball caps, bowed their heads, and each prayed, out loud, their own prayer. It was a menagerie of praises that echoed across the room. I heard words of "thank you for the food provided", and "forgive me of my sins", and "bless this meal". It was amazing!! I have never seen a group of construction workers, that young, stop to talk to God and give thanks before eating!! I was completely impressed!

Our world is in economic crisis right now. Leaders of every nation are gathering to sort out the details and try to formulate plans that will hopefully pull us from this dilemma. But I think the world has hope. And all it takes is to stop, remove your ball cap, bow your head......and pray!