The Country Parson

Women of Faith Worship - Rejoice CD

2011-06-15T22:22:00.012-05:00

You may be wondering why I'm reviewing a music CD.

Well, first of all the CD was free. Second, I'm always on the look out for great music. Third, did I mention the CD was free?

Anyway, how to approach such a review?

I guess song by song would make the most sense.

This is challenging since music tastes vary from person to person. Anyway, here's my take on Rejoice.

01 Beautiful Redeemer
I actually found the song annoying and fast forwarded to the next...

02 So Good
Ah, not so good...

03 Forever Reign
Strange, it seems to be an "echo" song. Most phases are repeated, "You are good, You are good; You are love, You are love; You are light, You are light..." Didn't finish listening, Didn't finish listening!

04 Come As You Are
Beautiful solo voice to begin, then group joins in. Love the message in this song. "He's not mad at you, He's not disappointed, His grace is greater still."

05 Hosanna
Don't really like the "feel" of this one.

06 Our God
I like the Chris Tomlin's version much better. This sounds like a church praise and worship team; nothing to write home about.

07 Glory to God
Amen, all Glory goes to God, but I really didn't like this song. On to the next....

08 You Brought the Sunshine
Too much of a "gospel" feel for me. Got a kick out of the writer's name - Elbemita "Twinkie" Clark!

09 Greatness of Our God
Worshipful. Slower paced and then picks up the pace. The words and message in this one really magnifies the Greatness of Our God. I'm on the fence on this one.

10 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I'm a hymn lover, so I was interested to hear this one. Tastefully and beautifully done. My favorite song on the whole CD. I loved their "you've been so faithful" in between the verses.

In all honesty, I'm 2 or 3 out of 10 on this CD. I'm sure that some will love it, but if I were listening before buying, I would have passed it up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Just in Time for Father's Day

2011-06-15T21:20:00.004-05:00

Here's a new book for new dads just in time for Father's Day!!

How I wish I had had a book like this before my first son arrived. I'm sure I read books on parenting and fathering, but I still was not really prepared for just how much my (our) life was about to change!

John Fuller, the author, is most qualified to write about this life changing topic. He's a father of six and is the co-host of the Focus on the Family radio broadcast. Rest assured that the book is written from a Christian viewpoint.

I was interested in this book because as a Pastor I always try to put something in the hands of new parents to help prepare them for the adjustment that is coming. First Time Dad fits the bill perfectly.

The book is not just about having a baby and the changes that it brings, John goes much further in discussing the role of fatherhood, the importance of marriage, and the differences between girls and boys, just to name a few.

In all honesty, the title of the book may not do it justice. At the time of this writing I have a 6 and 4 year old, yet I found the content of the book very interesting and helpful even at this stage of the game.

With only 168 pages the book is small enough for even a non-reader to tackle. I've found that expectant dads are interested in this kind of stuff even if they aren't huge readers. This would make a great gift for yourself or someone you love.

Thanks to C. Grant & Company for the copy to review and another to share! I gave it to an expectant Dad at our church; he seemed quite grateful.

Happy Fathering!

Distractions

2011-05-10T09:02:00.007-05:00

Distractions, Distractions, Distractions!

Will they ever end?

No, not here.

Everyday I am being pulled in a 1,000 different directions all at the same time.

Madison Avenue screams for my dollars. Facebook and Twitter are clamoring for my time. The TV and Radio are always willing and waiting for my attention. There's gas in the car and places to go! But then I look around at all the work that needs to be done -- weeding the flowers, feeding the children, and speeding to the store before they close. The phone is ringing, again. Another text message just arrived along with 12 more emails. There's homework, housework, and to be honest, more work that I can get to today, or even next week!

Then I remember His words, "Be still and know that I am God."*

Be still? What is that like? Every time I'm still, I fall asleep. I'm exhausted from the sheer pace of the never ending rat race.

Be still?

Be quiet?

Be silent?

Those items fled from my life long ago.

But wait.... He is still waiting for me.

The invitation is still good!!

There's no RSVP required!

When is it again?

NOW!

*Psalm 46.10

Prayer and/or Human Effort?

2011-05-06T07:47:00.012-05:00

Charles Spurgeon said a mouthful with this sentence:

"Though effort without prayer would be presumption, prayer without effort is mockery."

Ah, there's one of the great challenges in life and ministry - balancing prayer and human effort!

This reminds me of another famous quotation (attributed to quite a few different folks?), "Pray as if everything depended upon God, work as if everything depended upon man."

There's that struggle again - God's part and man's part.

In reality, I have to pray, and I have to work. So how do I balance all of this?

I think the key is to pray before, during, and after my work!

Praying before starting helps me to examine motives, get clarity, clear direction, and the reason for doing the work in the first place.

Praying during my work helps me to keep my focus right. I'm supposed to be doing this (and everything else) for God's Glory! 1 Corinthians 10:31 Pausing to pray throughout a project reminds me that I am not able nor capable on my own to complete this task. My very breath and strength are gifts from His hands.

Praying after the work is completed helps to ensure that all glory goes to Him, not me. It allows me to see where I have succeeded in glorifying Him, as well as areas where I could have done better. It allows me to praise Him for the successes, and to comfort me in my failures. I can bring any problems, frustrations and struggles to Him.

I guess I could summarize this post very simply with a verse of Scripture - 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."

Nuff said.

Is it just me, or are you tired of it too?

2011-03-16T07:57:00.006-05:00

Is it just me, or are you tired of it too?

Have you noticed how hard it is today to simply buy something? Oh for the days when all you had to do was pull out some cash, get your change and purchase, and be on you way! But that's not how it goes today!

First you have to hunt up your discount card (my key chain is overflowing with them), then you have to refuse to sign up for their store credit card (even though you can save 10% off your $2.00 purchase!) Next you'll be asked to donate a dollar to help save the baby pigs in Istanbul. Next they'll want your zip code, phone number, or email address. What's next? A blood or urine sample?!

If that isn't bad enough, have you noticed the 385 feet of receipt that they give you now? You purchase 3 items and that printer keeps going and going! Why? Because they want you to take a survey! You could be a winner of $$$ if you participate! Give me a break! I just want my Diet Mountain Dew and to go on with life.

I'm getting to the point where I hate checking out at the store!

OK, my complaining is over - let's go shopping. But don't forget your discount card!!

A Response To Steven Furtick's Article

2011-02-25T09:09:00.011-05:00

While I don't usually publicly respond to articles, I made an exception with this one. It's important that you read it before reading my response (I'll wait and give you time to read it......)

If you have trouble with the link above, here is the full address: http: //www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/148703-furtick-are-you-an-aquarium-keeping-leader.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Update

OK, welcome back! Let me say that I believe that Steven is totally off in that article.

Let me say again, I want you to understand my heart in even mentioning this - this is not a bash Furtick post! I love my brother. I praise God for those that have been reached with the Gospel through Elevation. I use orange to honor them! It's their color!

I feel that since he publicly shared this on the worldwide web I have the right, and even a responsibility to respond to it, for several reasons:
*we are in the same denomination
*it was written to influence other pastors (especially younger ones)
*it impacts others pastors in my area (our church is around 50 miles from Steven's.)

I believe that the philosophy promoted in the article is unbiblical. This article is not just a passing thought with Steven and Elevation. It is one of the foundational beliefs that they hold. You can read all of them on their website; they refer to it as The Code.

You'll find it here: http://www.elevation...church.org/thecode

The Code #'s 5 and 9 seem to be most applicable to the above mentioned article on the Fish Tank. There are other things in the Code that concern me, especially #4, but I'll not get into that at this time.

The main reason I disagree with the article on Keeping the Fish Tank is because it conflicts with the plain teaching of Scripture!

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NKJV)
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Please read verse 2 again. It doesn't mention the aquarium, but it does mention the flock! Two different analogies, but one truth! As a pastor I AM to keep the aquarium (shepherd the flock!)

Evangelism is a vital part of the function of the church! One of several - Evangelism, Discipleship, Fellowship, Ministry, Worship.

I understand where Steven is coming from; sadly, many pastors ONLY keep the aquarium. We are to keep the aquarium and go get new fish for it (be fishers of men). The analogies are flowing here, aren't they! But this is Scriptual!

As pastor's we don't completely abandon the fish we have to find new fish - we take care of them AND add new ones! All of the fish are to be going to find new fish (evangelism).

When a church becomes all about numbers (Code #9) it will grow! It will most likely become a mile wide and an inch deep.

One of the most disturbing parts of the article was this sentence: "They let saved people dictate style. Saved people dictate focus. Saved people dictate vision." Um, should lost people do this? Steven believes he should do this (Code #4).

While I certainly believe in pastoral leadership, I would argue that ultimately God's Word and The Holy Spirit dictate style, focus, and vision. If Elevation is built on Steven's Vision, what happens when Steven is no longer pastor?

The conclusion to the article was almost heartbreaking. "The way I see it is they’re just occupying the space of a person who needs to hear the gospel. You’ll fill their seat. And it will be with the person who needs it the most." To be quite honest, I'm glad I'm not a member of Elevation. It seems I am only a number, a seat-filler. I cannot disagree with anything. If I do, I'll be encouraged to "find a church elsewhere to graze." I'm assuming they're not congregational is church government!

I know I have gone on and on, but I wanted to address just how serious these issues are! Steven speaks to more people in one Sunday than most of us do in a year. He has a lot of influence on younger pastors who look to him as an example. ... This is one reason that I write - it is imperative that he stay biblical in his mission and methodology!

I pray for him. I love him as my brother in Christ. I know that what I've written here will probably not be popular (even with some in the church I pastor), but the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice. Pray for Steven. Pray for me. Pray for all pastors.

Blessings!

FAMILY

2011-02-11T15:12:00.010-05:00

While planning and preparing for a sermon on the family, I came up with an acrostic. I didn't end up using it in the message, but I felt it was worth sharing anyway.

These are things that you can give to your family:

Forgiveness
Affection
Manners
Interest
Laughter
Yourself

Let's think about each one of them individually.

FORGIVENESS:
Are you holding anything against a family member? Did they do something? Not do something? Hurt you in someway? Go ahead and forgive them. Don't hold grudges - they lead to ulcers, headaches, and heartaches! Christian, aren't you glad that God forgave you? Forgive others!

AFFECTION:
Sure, you love your family! But do you ever tell them? Do you ever show them? When's the last time you hugged your child? When's the last time you held your spouses hand? When's the last time you wrote them a note? I better stop; I'm getting convicted. CLEMENTS FAMILY - I LOVE YOU!!!

MANNERS:
I know you have to clip your nails and clean your ears someplace; and that home is a place where you can "let your hair down" - but what happened to manners?! Do you say "please" and "thank you" around your house? When you belch do you say "excuse me?" Are you kinder to strangers than you are your own family? If we were honest, most of the time we are. A little manners around the house goes a long way!

INTEREST:
Maybe you hate shopping but your wife loves it! Maybe you detest Monday Night Football but your husband looks forward to it every week! Maybe your daughter's ballet recital seems less exciting than a root canal - but it is exciting to her!! Show some genuine interest in what your family members are interested in. It gives you a place to connect, spend time together, and show love. And who knows? You might find yourself looking forward to Black Friday sales before long!

LAUGHTER:
If your children are young, this isn't too hard! The stuff they come up with would be hard to write. Laugh as a family. Learn to take yourself a little less seriously. It's OK to be "laughed at" once in a while. I don't mean in a hateful way. I don't mean mocking or demeaning. I mean when you make a totally ridiculous statement, blunder, or joke! Laughter is great medicine! Lighten up! Learn to laugh!

YOURSELF:
I believe whoever said that "LOVE" was spelled T-I-M-E knew what they were talking about. Give your family members your time, your attention, and your service. Give them your most valuable daily asset - time! I know you're busy; I'm busy too. But we mustn't bee too busy for our family! Listen, if you have time to watch TV, spend on FaceBook, and download the latest i-phone app, you have time for your family! And even if you don't do any of those things, you better MAKE time for your family!

Well, there they are! Six gifts to give to your F-A-M-I-L-Y!

How would you change the word?
What would your own acrostic look like?

A Prayer for Today, and Everyday

2011-01-18T08:56:00.005-05:00

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain and not a loss; good and not evil; success and not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price that I have paid for it. - Anonymous Author

Someone Shared This With Me....

2010-12-21T00:16:00.000-05:00

Top 10 Predictions for 2011

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people..

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

AMEN!!!!

Saturday To Do List

2010-12-11T17:42:00.007-05:00

~~Sleep In~~
~~Gather Trash~~
Change Furnace Filter
Feed Jet (Gabe did this one)
Take Trash to the Dump (invite Mr. Steve to our Cantata tomorrow night)
Pick up Pine Cones for Danielle (for Christmas Decorations)
Put away all the outside Toys
Bring in Touch-up Paint & Brushes
Straighten-up the Garage
Straighten-up the Laundry Room
Haul Christmas Storage Bins and Boxes out to Garage
Cut Holly for more Christmas Decorations
Dig/Pull up Dead Bushes
Trim some out of control Bushes
Print the Cantata Bulletins for Danielle (who is home with Gideon, he is sick!)
Move podium for tomorrow's service
Pick up Sugar and Coffee Creamer
Take Gabriel out for a "Daddy Day Lunch" (he helped me most of the day)
Bring lunch back for Danielle and Gideon
Respond to yesterday's email (yesterday was my day off)
Type this blog post
Thank the Lord for a great day!

Book Review: The Prophecy Answer Book

2010-12-09T21:01:00.008-05:00

David Jeremiah’s The Prophecy Answer Book is a dandy little volume being only 6 ¼ x 4 ½, but don’t let its small size fool you! It is packed with great truths on Bible prophecy!

As the title suggests, the book is laid out in a question and answer format. Topics include: the Rapture, Tribulation, Antichrist, Second Coming, Millennium, and New Heaven & New Earth. Most of the individual questions in the handbook are answered very succinctly, usually taking no more than two pages each. With 195 pages, one can tell that a lot of questions are answered! Maps, charts and graphs are used sparingly throughout the book.

David Jeremiah is a pre-tribulational, pre-millennialist. The book clearly reflects his position. Fine by me; I agree!! This book is a handy reference to keep with arms reach when preparing Bible studies or doing general Bible reading. In just a few minutes one can refresh their memory on the major points of Bible prophecy. It would also serve as a great gift to anyone who is a student of prophecy.

The only downside to the book is its lack of an index. It would have been great to have all of the questions in the back with the appropriate page number for even quicker reference.

You can learn more and purchase a copy of this great book by going here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A tour of one of my favorite places: My Study (part 2)

2010-12-05T17:50:00.015-05:00

As we continue our tour, I thought we'd take a look at some of the artwork that fills my office.

The "Old Captain" has been with me for many years.
He seems angry, don't you think?

This goes with the Captain - are they his books?
The words say "Grant me the wisdom."
Both of these were gifts from my mother.

These signs bring a little levity in sometimes a very
serious place. Those who come in for pastoral counseling
see these on the wall behind me.

The car is like the one my father left me, but
mine had a white top. My Uncle owns it now.

The Hershey's & Twinkies are self-explanatory, I'm afraid!!

This is one of my favorite family photos.
We once stayed at a charming little house on the
Outer Banks where this was snapped.
It was a week I think I'll never forget.
There was just something about that week; just
being together as a family. I can't explain it.

This sign hangs over the exterior door where I
can see it. I am very analytical, so this is a needed
reminder!!

Charles Spurgeon has been hanging out
in my study for a long time as well!

We actually made this ourselves.

I bought the frame all beat up at a thrift store, refinished it,
bought some glass, had a matte cut, and framed a print
I got for Christmas one year. I think I actually got that
print when I was a teenager - I told you I was strange!
How many teenagers do you know who ask for a print of a dead
preacher from another country!? Or their own, for that matter!

Of course, I asked for a safe one year as well. I am really odd!! But I digress.

I guess we'll stop our tour till next time. Perhaps you'd be interested to see some photos from Spurgeon's own study - here they are...

If you prefer someone still living,
check out Al Mohler's awesome study!

And for those who think I have too many
books, just wait till you see his library!!

Al Mohler - Study Tour from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

A tour of one of my favorite places: My Study (part 1)

2010-12-03T09:36:00.013-05:00

I don't think I'm alone in this, but I'm fascinated with the place where a Preacher studies. Some might call it a Study, or a an Office, but whatever it is called, I love to sneak a peek. I love to browse the bookshelves, check out the desk, and even glance at the art work. Maybe I'm just weird, but I guess I've always loved offices. When I was much younger I used to pretend that I was a businessman, even dressing the part. I had my own bank - GI Joe Bank & Loans (at least I think that's what I called it). My older brother would even let me keep his money for him! OK, I am weird, but I wanted to be a banker. God had other plans for me, but I still enjoy a good office/study.

My study is one of my favorite places in the world. It's my domain, my territory, my kingdom - but I'm getting carried away! On a more spiritual note, it's actually HIS domain, and it's where I am privileged to do much of HIS work. In this place I plan, prepare, pray, pastor, and get ready to preach. I spend more time here each week than I do at church, because much of my life is about preparing. If I do well here, I do well there. If I goof off here, I miss the mark there. You get the point. The carpenter has his workbench, the mechanic has his toolbox, the office-worker has his cubicle, and the preacher has his study.

In both of my pastorates I have had a dedicated room in my home that served as a study. I did have one at a church one summer, but that was only for a couple of months, so I don't count it! Anyway, there are pros and cons to having a study at home verses having one at church. I'll not get into that here; I'll leave you to read the pastoral theology books at your leisure, but I like having a study at home. The commute is great, the hours are flexible, the dress is whatever you choose. Enough said.

Are you ready to begin the tour?

Good.

We'll take our time as we move around and allow time for some interesting (hopefully!) facts about what you see.

Let's begin today with my current view:

I spend a lot of time with this view!
Years ago I hand wrote all of my sermons,
now I type them. I think my typing has
greatly improved with this exercise.

Looking just a bit to my left. Just ignore that
overflowing in-box! I have for a while!

Current Sermon Series Folder, a book I'm
reading, my wallet and new phone. I just
ventured into the smart-phone world, and
am glad I did!

A look to my right. Bibles, weekly worksheet clipboard,
digital recorder, phone, mp3 player, cd player, other stuff.
The white remote is for my ceiling fan - how lazy is that!?

Your view, if you were literally visiting. Oh, I
guess I would be in the picture then, though.

A close up view out my front window - cold!!
That swing-set keeps traveling across the yard!
The boys swing on it so hard it gradually moves
to the right. We keep moving it back because we
don't want it to end up in the road!

The pecan tree is now "naked" after the recent storms.

A close up out the side window. You see why I call
myself the "country parson!" Looks like December now.

My calendar, just back of my left shoulder.
This one featured major league ballparks.
My team is this month - the Braves!
Can't believe it's almost time to throw this
one out and put up a 2011 one.

Next time we'll explore a little more. Before I sign off though, I thought you might like to see another study.

Here's John MacArthur's study:

John MacArthur - Study Tour from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

Does this ever happen at the Food Court at your Mall?

2010-12-03T08:33:00.000-05:00

Still Can't Believe I Keep Doing This!!!

2010-10-13T09:54:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I Feel Like Lucy in this Clip! How About You?

2010-07-20T21:50:00.001-05:00

Reality

2010-06-29T21:03:00.002-05:00

It seems that going to seminary is really taking away from my blogging time!

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T15:15:00.001-05:00

Your Prayers For Me Are Always Appreciated

2010-05-25T11:30:00.002-05:00

Random Thoughts While Jogging

2010-05-11T10:19:00.029-05:00

For starters, let's just say that my "jogging" includes a lot of walking with spurts of jogging!

I am slowly building up my jog by adding a little more each day. I have certain goals for my jogging depending on where I am in my walk - it might be "just make it to the mailboxes," "make it to the corner," "make it to that trashcan," or "just don't die today!"

The triangle I walk is 1.2 miles, and I'm currently doing two laps. It is NOT flat! They don't call it Red Hill for nothing! With extra jogging in both laps, I've had to add a short break after about the 1.4 mile mark. I can tell that I'm making progress each day that I'm out there.

In this post I thought I would share some random thoughts that I've had during this journey. Here they are in no particular order. . .

Overweight people CAN jog. It may be just a few steps, but it can be done!
Jogging is not always fun! At this point, it is hardly ever fun!
Jogging in our area provides a great time to pray. It's usually nice & quiet.
Jet (our OLD dog) is in a lot better shape than I am!
There are a lot of dogs in our neighborhood! Thankfully most of them are contained!
I had mixed feelings when the Little Debbie truck passed me today.
I haven't added a mp3 player to my routine; I like hearing the trucks/cars roaring up behind me. I like life more than music!
I wear so much adidas clothing perhaps they should give me an endorsement deal! Probably not goin' to happen. . .
It's sad to see garbage along our beautiful country roads - use a trashcan people!!!
If I don't make exercise a priority, it will not get done.
The cows look at me in a funny way - I don't think they know what to think of me!
Most people that drive by wave at me; some don't. Must be big-city transplants. Country etiquette dictates that "You must wave at others whether you know them or not; you probably don't know them, but they may know you! If you are a preacher this is doubly true; better safe than sorry!"
I can't believe that a stretch of road that long is only 2/10 of a mile! Really?! It has to be longer than that!
If there is a bone or carcass to be found along our path, Jet will find it! She scored a pork chop? / tbone? two days in a row! Don't know if it was two different ones or not?
Can't believe she left the dead squirrel alone; perhaps she's saving it for later?
My legs are sore. . .
Did I mention that my legs are sore?
Are you really still reading all of this? Good!
The wheat crop looks like it's doing pretty good this year.
I'm really thankful for deodorant and soap!
If I take my shirt off, I'm afraid I would cause too many wrecks!
Did I mention that my legs are sore?
I wonder how far I could jog on a flat track?
This is probably the cheapest exercise you can do. You don't need a gym membership or any specialized equipment, other than your clothing and shoes.
Walking was how Jesus exercised. He did it as a part of His normal life. Someone has figured out that Jesus walked at least 21,000 + miles during His life. I don't know, but He did walk and walk and walk!
If you don't want to jog, that's fine. At least get out there and do some walking!
Did I mention that my legs are sore. . .

From Yesterday's Sermon - Here's Tammy Trent in Her Own Words

2010-05-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

I shared Tammy's story in yesterday's sermon.

You can listen to the message on our website.

Look for the sermon called "Barley Field Blessings!"

Book Review: You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be

2010-05-07T14:48:00.016-05:00

Now, you have to admit, this book looks good on my blog! I mean really good! I couldn't ask for a better match! But enough about that! As the old saying goes, "You can't judge a book by its cover."

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be is really just a condensed version of Max Lucado's book Cure for the Common Life. It seems that book publishers are doing this more and more. You buy a book expecting something new, only to find out you have a repackaged version of an older work. If you're ever curious, just check the really small print on the inside of the book where all the copyright and other legal stuff is found.

Just because it's a remake, doesn't mean it's bad! In fact, I really enjoyed reading this little gift-book edition of Cure for the Common Life.

If you've ever read anything by Lucado, you know that he does have a way with words. You don't sell more than 65 million books by accident! It appears that Lucado has certainly found his "sweet spot." In this little book he seeks to teach you all about finding your own.

The book is written in very short chapters and is highly illustrated throughout. Basically, Lucado encourages us to study our S. T. O. R. Y. to see how God has "packaged" us, to do the assignments that He created us to do. Your "story" consists of your strengths, topics, optimal conditions, relationships, and yes! Throughout the book you are encouraged to be the best YOU you can be, because we only get one of YOU! If YOU are not YOU, we don't get YOU!

As I was reading, I was curious about the role spiritual gifts play in Lucado's method of helping someone be all God created them to be. I found the answer in a little footnote in small print on the last page of the book. He writes, "New Testament gift listings are, in my opinion, to be seen as samplings. . . .Caution, then, is to be taken with spiritual gift inventories. They might suggest a gift mix, but can't define one."

In all honesty, I'm still thinking on that one!

While I enjoyed the book, and even benefited from it, I see one big omission. He never addresses what to do if you can't do what you WANT to do! What if you can't pursue your "passion" and never find your "sweet spot?" Not everyone gets to do what they love! Not everyone gets to live in optimal conditions!

In all honesty, I have mixed emotions on this book. The cover does look good, though!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Confession

2010-05-07T14:44:00.003-05:00

I do like Twinkies! Shhh! Don't tell!

An Arm & Diet Update

2010-05-05T13:18:00.010-05:00

I'll start with the arm. If you didn't hear, I fractured my arm during a bike accident in the end of March. You'll find the story here on my wife's blog. Anyway, the Ortho doctor is happy with the progress. I'm out of the sling and allowed to do "whatever doesn't hurt!" I go back on the 12th of this month to see him again. He plans on giving me exercises to do to regain my use. I'll be honest, this has been a lot more difficult than I first imagined. I was expecting to bounce back, but it's been more of a slow walk back! Praise the Lord I'm getting there, though!

Concerning my diet, I thought it was time for another public update on how I'm doing. By the way, I ran across this embarrassing diet related blog post from 2008. I had forgotten about it! Hope it brings a chuckle to you!

As of this morning I am 266 pounds. I started at 302 and have lost 36 pounds. If you consider my all time high of 326, I'm down 60 pounds!! 60 pounds!! Hallelujah!

I've still got a ways to go, but I'm getting there! How about you? How's your journey going? Leave a comment and let's encourage one another...

Book Review: Plan B

2010-05-04T09:17:00.014-05:00

Do you remember how you planned for you life to turn out?

How's that plan working?

If you're like most people, your life hasn't turned out quite like you had imagined. In fact, it may be the exact opposite of everything you dreamed it would be! Now that Plan A is no longer a possibility, how do you move on to Plan B? Is there even a Plan B? And where is God when your dreams, hopes and aspirations are going down the drain? Does He care? Does He notice? Is He still in control?

Pete Wilson, in his new book Plan B - What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up The Way You Thought He Would? addresses these very issues. Drawing upon the lives of biblical characters like David, Joshua, Joseph, Abraham and others, Wilson shows us that life has always been filled with Plan B's. The book is also full of modern day examples of those who have had to deal with the death of their dreams, including the author and his Brandi.

Until this book, I really wasn't all that familiar with Pete Wilson. He is the lead pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Pete writes in a way that makes you want to continue on to the next chapter. He is very transparent and interjects humor throughout. I literally burst out laughing when I read about what his son Gage did (see page 128).

I really wish I had read the book with a highlighter in hand; there are so many stories, quotes and illustrations worth storing for future use. As a pastor I saw so much that could be used in sermon prep and for illustrative material.

If you're looking for a quick fix or a nice and tidy outline for solving your problems, you're going to be disappointed. Pete laments the fact that he cannot offer us "the bow" as he calls it. He writes, "There is no bow on this book. But that's okay because Christianity doesn't always have a bow on it. There is no bow, but there is hope. There is hope because there is a cross." (215-6) He's absolutely right!

If you're struggling in a Plan B let me encourage you to pick up Pete's book. While it may not solve all your problems, it will point you to the One Who still in control. As Wilson puts it, "I'm not asking you to understand. But I am asking you to trust the God who loves you." (225)

This book has its own website - check it out.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

My New Secret Weapon For Weight Loss

2010-05-01T11:27:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite things to do...

2010-04-29T20:19:00.027-05:00

As a pastor I get to be with people during the highest and lowest points of their life. It might be visiting someone who was recently arrested, or it might be visiting a family that just added another little one to their family. In all honesty, when the phone rings I never know what situation I might be facing next! This certainly helps my prayer life!

Tonight I got to do one of my favorite things; I helped a young couple prepare for their lives together as husband and wife.

In my opinion, pre-marriage counseling is one of the most rewarding things that I get to do. It is really a lot of fun watching two people who are sooooo in love! Their very presence in the room is refreshing. They come to their first session not really knowing what to expect. "What is the preacher going to say?" "What is he going to ask us?" "What is this all about?"

Right now I'm taking two couples through the materials. We meet at different times, of course. These two couples have been great! I'm looking forward to how God is going to use them in the future.

I can assure you that I am very passionate about the importance of these pre-marriage sessions. I meet with the couple 7 different times, and the sessions usually run anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours - depending on how much they want to discuss. It usually takes 3 1/2 months to get through all the material. We meet every other week and they do their "homework" in between the sessions.

Seven sessions!? Yes, seven sessions. Why so long? Because it's THAT important!! Think about it, how much time do couples spend planning their wedding ceremony? Several months; a year or longer!? The ceremony is important; but at the most it's over in an hour. Even the reception and gifts and all will only last half a day? Even if it lasted all day, that's still a lot of planning and prep for such a short event. (please don't think I'm against planning the ceremony - I'm not!)

But what about the marriage itself? How long is it supposed to last? "Until death do us part." How much preparation and planning is put into it? Sadly, for a lot of couples, not very much!

I think 3 1/2 months preparing for a marriage is time WELL INVESTED!

I think of it this way - they can either come to me and deal with all this "stuff" before they get married, or they will probably be coming to me afterward! Now don't misunderstand. I'm not saying that pre-marriage counseling is foolproof. But it certainly helps to remove a lot of the "surprises" that come after a couple begin their lives together. We deal with some of the adjustments BEFORE they have to actually make them.

In our sessions we cover everything from God's purposes for marriage to how to handle the checkbook. We talk about their past, present and future. We talk about the good and bad. We show the picture "warts and all!" And yes, we talk about purity and sex!

The specifics we talk about in these sessions are none of your business! We talk freely and openly, but privately. I do my best to be transparent about my own life, marriage and struggles. After spending up to 14 hours or so together discussing all these things, I believe all of us know each other a lot better than we ever have before! Those couples know their pastor is a REAL person who doesn't exactly have it "all together!" I think the mutual transparency is what makes the sessions so valuable!

I think one of the reasons I enjoy this so much is because I know when that couple walks down the aisle, we have done our very best with the Lord's help to prepare them for their life together.

Oh, one other thing about these sessions - they humble me every time. I end up "preaching to myself" in every session. I hope it makes me a better husband.

PS - if you're a pastor and need some great material to use in your pre-marriage counseling, send me an email and I'll be glad to let you know what I use.

Can you tell my wife is out of town? part 2

2010-04-28T13:12:00.002-05:00

Thinking about trying this one!

Can you tell my wife is out of town?

2010-04-27T19:36:00.005-05:00

Here's the receipt from my grocery run tonight:

Book Review: This Little Prayer of Mine

2010-04-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

I was excited to do this review because I could really "field test it" with my 3 and 5 year old boys!

I like that it was a quick read, one of those books that work well right before bedtime. Some books are way too long, but not This Little Prayer of Mine. Each 2 page spread has no more than a paragraph. The pictures are very colorful and seemed to hold the attention of my boys quite well. As you probably guessed from the title, the message inside is very wholesome and well worth reading.

The book is endorsed by the National Day of Prayer. It really is just a prayer with beautiful illustrations. It addresses fear, God's guidance, forgiveness, loneliness, selfishness, etc.

I guess I better wrap this up; my 3 year old just walked in and said, "I like this book." So there you have it, don't take my word, take his!

To order a copy for your children go to this Random House webpage.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Check Your Kids Homework!!

2010-03-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

For homework, a class was asked to draw their parents at work. This is Mary's drawing:

Here is a copy of the letter the teacher received the next day:

Dear Mrs. Jackson,

I wish to clarify that I am not, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer.

I work at Bunnings (Hardware Store) and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week after the flood hit. I told her we sold out of every shovel we had and then I found one more in stock and several people were fighting over who would get it.

Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last shovel we had in the store.

From now on I will remember to check her homework before she hands it in.

I'm sorry, but this was too funny to pass up sharing!

Gideon as a Pez Dispenser

2010-03-19T15:16:00.004-05:00

Meet the Robinsons

Book Review: Start Here

2010-03-19T12:16:00.008-05:00

Having never read the Harris' first book, Do Hard Things, I was curious just how interesting this one would be.

Start Here was written to answer the BIG question that Do Hard Things left teens wondering about - "How do I get started doing hard things?" Of course, if you've never read their first book, you may be wondering why you would even want to "do hard things," or even what the "hard things" are that you should be doing?

Confused? You need not be. In just a few short paragraphs Alex & Brett summarize what these "hard things" really are.

According to the Harris Brothers, Do Hard Things was written "to counter the Myth of Adolescence, which says teen years are a time to goof off and have fun before 'real life' starts. We invited our peers to choose to do hard things for the glory of God and, in the process, turn the world's idea of what teens are capable of upside down." (p. 1)

I'm not a teenager, but I did enjoy the book. It is very practical, inspiring, and chocked full of real life examples of teenagers who are doing "hard things" for the glory of God. The appendix even lists "100 Hard Things" to give teens ideas of what can be done.

I would heartily recommend this book to teenagers, parents of teens, and those who work with teens. In fact, thanks to the good folks at Random House I'm giving away my review copy and another one! The first 2 teens or youth ministers/workers to comment on this post will receive a FREE copy of the book! (U. S. residents only)

Gotta run...I have to do some "hard things!"

Check out the Harris' ministry: TheRebelution

Find out more about the book and buy a copy at this Random House webpage.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Here's How You Can Help

2010-03-02T09:59:00.006-05:00

It has been such a blessing to be contacted by so many people wanting to help the Lee family. The best way to help is to provide some financial assistance as they seek to rebuild their lives. If you would like to help please send your check to our Brotherhood. We assure you that every gift received will go to the Lee family entirely.

Send it to:

Red Hill Baptist Church Brotherhood
4747 Red Hill Mt. Vernon Rd.
Polkton, NC 28135

Please write Lee Family on the memo line of your check.

Thanks so much for your generosity and love!

PS - for those who don't know the Lee family, they are a family of 5. They have one who is in elementary school and two toddlers.

The smoke is gone ... What now?

2010-03-01T21:23:00.010-05:00

Today I got to witness firsthand just how devastating a fire really is. The phone rang at 8am with the news that one of our church families' home was on fire...get there as fast as I can!

The rest of the morning and early afternoon was filled with smoke, emotion, and destruction.

As I sit here tonight my mind is filled as I try to process all that has happened. I cannot even imagine what the family is feeling at the moment.

Please pray for them.

I am so proud of our church family and community. Their love and support for the family has been amazing! I also have a greater appreciation for our local heroes - the volunteer firefighters.

Although we do not understand why this has happened, we know that they are in God's hand. God is good all the time; all the time God is good. As much as we love them, we know that He loves them so much more! He is not surprised by what has happened. All of this was filtered through His loving hands.

To those who have expressed a desire to "do something," here's what I can tell you as of tonight:

Their immediate needs are met (at the moment). They have many decisions to make in the next couple of days and certainly need our prayers. As we become aware of further needs we will make them known to you.

Thanks for your continued concern and prayers.

Book Review: Angels

2010-02-05T23:55:00.007-05:00

Ask the average person what they believe about angels and there is no telling what you might hear! Some beliefs are biblical and accurate, and some of them are anything but!

In a world filled with angel pictures, pins, figurines, pictures, books, television programs, movies, jewelry, ad nauseum . . . some clarity and truth is needed! Bring on David Jeremiah's book Angels - Who They Are and How They Help ... What the Bible Reveals.

Can all the fascination with angels actually be dangerous? Dr. Jeremiah believes so. He writes, "The biggest danger may well be greater susceptibility to spirituality's dark side." p. 15 Wow! But don't get the idea that the book is all negative "angel bashing!" Nothing could be further from the truth.

With chapter titles like "Angels You've Heard About (And More)," "The Greatest Angel," "Coming To Carry Me Home," and "Hell's Angels," you know you're in for some interesting reading!

Do yourself a favor and learn what the Bible teaches about Angels.

Find out more about the book and purchase a copy by visiting this Random House webpage.

Thanks to the fine folks at Waterbrook Press I have a copy to give away! The first person to leave a comment on this post will receive a FREE copy! (U. S. residents only)

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Ready for the Olympics!!!

2010-01-19T22:54:00.001-05:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Book Review: The Male Factor

2010-01-14T09:49:00.003-05:00

I'm not quite sure why I agreed to review this particular book! I guess I didn't take the time to read exactly what the subject matter was. Anyhow, I agreed to a review, so here it comes...

The Male Factor - The Unwritten Rules, Misperceptions, and Secret Beliefs of Men in the Workplace is a book that was not written for me, or any man for that matter! Through interviewing thousands of men, Shaunti Feldhahn shares with her readers just what men are "thinking" in the workplace.

Frankly, I found the book very boring. Very boring! I scanned it and was glad to be through. Perhaps if I were a business woman my take would be much different. Sorry, Shaunti.

Learn more about the book at this Random House webpage.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Book Review: The One-Day Way

2010-01-08T10:56:00.015-05:00

"The One-Day Way produces lasting results by taking you back to the basics." That sentence from the fly-leaf of Chantel Hobbs' newest book is a great summary of what you will find between its covers!

Having "battled the bulge" myself over the last several years I was interested in what she had to bring to the table on this gluttoned part of the book market. Pardon the puns, I couldn't help myself!

The One-Day Way is certainly no fad diet or get slim quick approach. Emphasizing diet, nutrition, and the right kind of thinking, she encourages the reader to approach the weight loss journey just one day at a time. Mess up today? No problem, another chance is just around the corner tomorrow!

I think this is an excellent book for the person who is just starting out on the path to weight loss and fitness. It is also an excellent refresher course!

The early chapters focus on goals, right thinking, and dealing with your past. These chapters are invaluable! Later she walks you through what she calls "The 10 Commandments of Eating for Weight Loss" and "The 10 Commandments for Fitness." The book even includes sample weekly menus and fully photographed strength training exercises that may be accomplished by using only a medicine ball or resistance band.

While I do recommend the book, I do have a few constructive criticisms to offer:

1. I think that this was written for the Christian market, yet the author was very vague about "faith." While she did include John 3:16 and an appeal to cry out to God, I don't remember ever seeing the Name Jesus anywhere in the book. It's not just "faith," it's faith in Jesus!

2. As a Pastor and Theologian I took issue with a statement on page 21 which read, "And because we are His [God's] creation, we deserve His blessings." No. It's His grace and mercy. I'm thankful He didn't give me what I deserve!

3. I felt that the entire book was written to women. Being a male reader I felt a little excluded. Perhaps this IS a book geared toward women, but if that is the case why have Mike Huckabee write the forward?

4. The formula for figuring out how much water to drink each day was just a little much for me! You'll find it on page 116. Using the formula I would have to drink over a gallon of water each day! Even the recommended 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water a day only equals 64 ounces! I would have to drink 17 - 8 ounce glasses! Look out bathroom...here I come!!!

Perhaps I'm being a bit too critical. I don't mean to be. This is a great book to get you motivated, and to help you stay motivated to reach your fitness and weight loss goals.

Why not start today?

Why not start with The One-Day Way?

Learn more about the book at this Random House webpage.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

click on picture to view larger

WANTED - UPDATE

2009-12-18T07:18:00.002-05:00

One of the criminals has been brought
to justice thanks to these two alert citizens.
They are just angels!

Gabe the Shepherd Boy remains
on the loose at this time.

WANTED

2009-12-17T17:53:00.006-05:00

King Gideon

These highly dangerous criminals are wanted alive!

If you see them, please contact the authorities immediately!

Don't let their cuteness fool you!
They can destroy a room, a house, anything!
- in a matter of moments!

Warning: they are armed and dangerous!
They can slobber, snot, sneeze, and
spit on you without provocation!

No reward is offered at this time.

Gabe the Shepherd Boy

Eat Less. Move More. Make Better Choices.

2009-12-15T13:09:00.007-05:00

I walked by my bathroom mirror the other morning and was shocked by what I saw! No, it wasn’t little hand-prints or dirt and grime; I saw a man that I had never seen before. I saw a slimmer version of me!

I was somewhat taken back! Yes, I've been dieting and exercising, but I was still shocked. I really liked what I saw.

I knew that I was losing weight. I have under-grown my wedding band, my jeans, and my suits! Other folks have noticed the weight loss and even commented on it, but the other day I finally saw it.

This has been a long journey, one that goes way beyond just this past year. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can't remember a time when I wasn't heavy. Back when I was a boy I had to wear "husky" sized clothing. Do they still call it by that term? I was usually one of the heaviest in my class all throughout school. I was the one who couldn't keep up in gym class or on the ball field. I had a great relationship with the lunch room ladies; they loved me and I loved them! It's a wonder that I didn't turn out to be a lot heavier than I did.

I never really tried dieting until we were married and in our first pastorate. My weight hit an all time high at 326 pounds. Yes, that is a 3! (I can't believe I publicly announced that!) My sedentary job as a DJ probably didn't help during my senior year of high school, and all my college jobs involved food! I worked at Ponderosa Steakhouse & McDonalds. Then on to being a pastor…and you know about pastors and food, don't you? We can preach a "mean streak" against alcohol, tobacco, and pornography; but what about gluttony? I guess it's an "acceptable, respectable sin."

I don't remember all the details exactly, but one night I saw an advertisement for Richard Simmons Food Mover Program. After discussing it with Danielle, I ordered it. Say what you will about Richard (I'm not sure of him myself), but that program really changed my life. For the first time I learned about food, portions, ingredients, nutrition, and making better choices. Our food was changed greatly! A change that has for the most part stayed in place to this day. Through using the Food Mover program and mall walking I dropped from 326 to 280! It felt great! It felt wonderful! It felt like I had really accomplished something! And I had! I was able to keep most of that weight off for a good, long time.

But over the years 2004 - 2009, I slowly began to put the weight back on. I reached an all time second highest weight of 302 pounds at the beginning of this year. I knew I had to change. I knew I had to get this weight off of me. I realized that the older I became the harder this would be. Not to mention the health risks involved. I have been blessed with wonderful health, even at my heaviest! I had acid reflux and borderline blood pressure problems, but all of that went away after I lost the weight the first time. Thankfully at my last physical all my blood work came back great! But I knew that if I didn't change that probably wouldn't always be the case.

So, slowly but surely I have progressed along this year dropping a pound here and there. I have done it mostly through moderation, making good choices, and only until recently have I added exercise to the equation again. As of today, I am at 274 pounds! The lowest that I've probably been since high school!

Now don’t misunderstand, I'm not done yet. This is a journey - a marathon, not a sprint! I have a long way to go, but I plan on celebrating the victories along the way! I'll try to keep you updated.

Oh, by the way, we ordered a replacement wedding band. When it arrived I tried it on and it was too big! Returned it and finally got one that fit! From a 16 on my wedding day to a 12.5 today!

Remember: Eat Less. Move More. Make Better Choices.

Book Review: What in the World is Going On?

2009-12-15T09:52:00.006-05:00

It seems everyday we are bombarded with distressing world news. Military conflicts, natural disasters, worries over fuel supplies, and on and on! When one finally takes a moment to "catch his breath" and really think, the question that probably arises is - What In The World Is Going On? For the answer to that question look no further than Dr. David Jeremiah's book by the same title. In it he discusses 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore.

Wondering what's really going on behind the prices at the gas pump? You'll find the answer in chapter two.

Wondering what role America will play in the End Times? See chapter six.

This is a great book for the person just beginning to explore biblical prophecy, or the one who just needs a refresher. The Rapture, Second Coming, Armageddon, Anti-Christ, and many more topics are explored in a fresh engaging way.

I really enjoyed reading Dr. Jeremiah's explanations of today's headlines in the light of biblical prophecy. As a pastor myself, I found that there is much material to help me in my own sermon preparation on such topics. In fact, I am quoting from the book this Sunday.

It's a great book and an "eye opening" read!

Learn more about the book at this Thomas Nelson Page.

I'm a member of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger Program.

Notes Worth Sharing

2009-11-05T14:25:00.003-05:00

click on picture to view larger

Notes like these make my day!

Strange, Indeed!

2009-10-27T15:35:00.004-05:00

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how two hours seem so long when you're at church, and so short when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring you think it is to read one chapter of the Bible but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn things about God to share with others but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

- from Preaching.com

Thought of this Old Song Today....

2009-10-27T09:55:00.000-05:00

A Good Reminder to Those of Us Who Preach & Teach the Word

2009-10-20T08:48:00.000-05:00

Church Meals...

2009-09-30T08:28:00.002-05:00

This post from Trey Morgan is great!

It's called "We Need Some Church Potluck Meals."

I agree! But I'd also say that some of the best food that I've ever had has come from those same meals! I'd also love to eat again with some of those dear saints who are now with the Lord.

Oh, and for the record: beets - NO! Sweet Potatoes - YES!

Learning to be Unselfish

2009-09-24T13:24:00.011-05:00

While preparing for sermons each week I do a lot of reading. I often run across great stuff that I just don't have time to use, or just doesn't quite fit in that week. Sometimes I'll end up using it later, and sometimes I guess it is forgotten altogether.

This week I ran across the following and it just caught my attention. I reckon it did because it describes me in many ways. I have learned (and am learning) many lessons from fathering! And to think, I only have two!

I have found that just having a large family -- say, four or five kids -- is enough to teach us how selfishness fouls up the works. I recall when Cynthia and I began to have children, I thought two would be perfect. 'Alpha and Omega' ... ideal! Along came our third . . . and not too many years later a fourth.

Now, you need to understand the kind of guy I am. I like my shoes spit-shined rather than stepped on and scuffed up. And I like my clothes hanging in the closet in an orderly and neat manner rather than drooled on and wrinkled up. And I really like milk in a glass on the table and not on the floor. I especially like a clean car with no fingerprints on the windows and no leftover school assignments spread across the floorboards.

So what does the Lord do to help broaden my horizons and assist me in seeing how selfish I am? Very simple: He gives me four busy kids who step on shoes, wrinkle clothes, spill milk, lick car windows, and drop sticky candy on the carpet. You haven't lived until you've walked barefoot across the floor in the middle of the night and stomped down full force on a jack . . . or a couple of those little Lego landmines. I'll tell you, you learn real quick about your own level of selfishness.

You see, this is not some deep, ethereal, or theological subject we're thinking about. Being unselfish in attitude strikes at the very core of our being. It means we are willing to forego our own comfort, our own preferences, our own schedule, our own desires for another's benefit. And that brings us back to Christ. Perhaps you never realized that it was His attitude of unselfishness that launched Him from the splendor of heaven to a humble manger in Bethlehem . . . and later to the cross at Calvary. How did he accept all that? Willingly.1

By the way, my foot is sore today; I stepped on some toy........

1. Chuck Swindoll, Laugh Again - Experience Outrageous Joy (Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1992), 84.

2009-09-23T09:06:00.009-05:00

Allow me to recommend a book to read soon: Great Attitudes! by Chuck Swindoll.

From the preface: "This may shock you, but I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position."

"Attitude is a choice.
A good attitude is a good choice."

This book is a great read! I have added it to my list of "Books I try to re-read every year." It's a small list that I am growing very slowly!

It is really 10 sections (Choices) that are made up from passages taken from the many different books that Chuck has written. In it you will be challenged to choose an attitude of: Optimism, Excellence, Confidence, Joy, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Cordiality, Perseverance, Humility, and Generosity.

As a bonus, the book is really beautifully done! In a world filled with "bad news" everywhere you turn, this book will certainly be a breath of fresh air! Click on the book cover to buy a copy for yourself!

*****

This week is a little different from a "normal" week, whatever that is! :) Yesterday a large part of our day was spent at the Annual Meeting of the Anson Baptist Association. I am rushing to fit everything else in (I guess I shouldn't be blogging then :) because I am going to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for a conference this weekend.

Here's a video on the conference:

God Exposed Conference Promo from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

I'm looking forward to a few days away for a little challenging refreshment!

I guess I had better get to work! Blessings!

Something Ridiculous & Something Cool

2009-08-26T20:08:00.003-05:00

Yes, you can actually buy these?!?! Really, here.

Cool idea, but I would choose a different color!

Summertime Thoughts & Rambles

2009-08-01T15:20:00.018-05:00

I still seem to be suffering from "Bloggers Block!" I think the blame lies with the ease and simplicity of Twitter. Twitter is so quick and easy, and it even updates my Facebook account and this blog - see right hand side of page labeled "Twitter Updates."

It takes a lot of time and thought to put a blog post on, but Twitter takes little thought or time! On second thought, maybe that's not a good thing after all! :)

But alas, I will not abandon this blog and my faithful readers! I will blog on!!

This summer has been an enjoyable one - very busy, but enjoyable. We spent a week at the Outer Banks of NC during the end of May, and then headed to PA to visit Danielle's family the first week of June. DelGrosso's and Lake Tobias were some of the highlights of PA. We arrived home for a short time till it was time to drive out to Louisville, KY, for the Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor's Conference. The Pastor's conferences of the SBC and the BSCNC are highlights for me each year. It is a time for me to be challenged, encouraged, convicted, and inspired! Red Hill is so gracious to see that I get to attend these meetings each year. They are a wonderful congregation to serve in so many ways.

The summer is busy for me because it is a major planning time. Our church year begins in September; so there is calendar planning, budget planning, nominations, planning for youth programs, and on and on. Danielle (our music director) spends quite a bit of time planning the music for the fall, especially focusing on the Christmas cantata. And what summer is complete without VBS? Our boys have attended vbs at 2 other churches in our community so far, and loved every minute of them! This next week is our turn! We begin Boomerang Express tomorrow night!

Attendance at church is also interesting during the summer with so many people traveling. We even had some groups traveling for All star baseball appearances, and one young lady participating in the Miss Teen USA pageant. Yes, we country folks do get out and about once and awhile!

We had house guests last weekend (my mother, grandmother, and two aunts). We took them to Salisbury, NC, on Saturday. We spent quite a bit of time at the NC Transportation Museum, ate lunch at little hot dog place across the street from the museum, rode the train, and then headed downtown to do some antiquing. I of course had to stop by Robar's - sadly they are closing next month! Among the other places that we went into, we found great old general store that we hadn't visited before. On the way home we stopped and had supper at a place that I had been wanting to try - Johnny's. We were not disappointed!

Gideon and Gabriel will both be attending our new Weekday Children's Ministry starting in September. Gideon missed the cut-off for Kindergarten by 13 days. It is hard to believe that Gabe will be 3 in just 7 more days (Aug. 8th), and Gideon will be 5 on Sept. 13. They are getting older and growing up too fast - and the other downside is that I am getting older too fast! :0

On to brighter subjects - Last month I finished preaching the series on Joseph, and started a new one on the book of Philippians. All of the messages for both series can be found on our sermons page on the church website; or here on the rss podcast feed. They are also available through itunes; just search Red Hill Baptist in the itunes store. Personally, I have been really blessed in studying Paul's letter to the Philippians.

I guess I'll close for now; I guess I busted my "Bloggers Block" after all! Blessings!

2009 Summer Vacation Pictures

2009-06-08T20:49:00.003-05:00

Captions written by my wife; her full vacation blog post is here.

A Quiet Night at Home

2009-05-15T20:11:00.009-05:00

I'm enjoying a quiet evening at home tonight. Danielle fixed a wonderful supper of fish, rosemary garlic potatoes, and broccoli. I am currently listening to a sermon online while I type.

Earlier today, Danielle and I tried a new card game called Scrabble Slam! It was fun! We played 3 hands, and thankfully I won 2! That is quite a feat since Danielle usually always beats me in games! Now you must understand, to Danielle's family, Scrabble (the original one) is SERIOUS BUSINESS!! When the Scrabble board comes out in the Teaman household, you had prepare yourself for a long night! Lots of hot tea will be consumed! You might as well have a book handy to pass the time, because it will usually take a while before your turn to play comes around again! It really is fun, though! We are looking forward to playing in just a couple of weeks!

Oh, back to the new Scrabble Slam! Card Game - one of the reasons I think that we enjoyed it was because it was so fast paced! You could quickly play a couple of games and go on with life.

On another bright note, we bought a new Boggle game. Ours was bought at a yard sale and was fairly old. It was on clearance at Wal Mart, so we threw it in the cart. Boggle is another fun word game if you want to try it out sometime! In fact, you can try it out online by going here. Enjoy!

Great Counsel from Joshua Harris

2009-05-15T19:30:00.001-05:00

Which is better - Public School, Private School, or Home-school?

What's Been Going On

2009-05-03T23:00:00.001-05:00

I just took a look at my wife's blog and was reminded that she has been a lot more faithful in her blogging than I have. Therefore, I hope that you have not become totally bored with this blog! If you have, you probably are not reading this anyway, since you quit checking this blog long ago.

For those of you who have "hung in there with me," alas, a new post (and not just some movies from YouTube!)

Things have been very busy for me lately. As you know from previous posts (both here and on Danielle's blog), we have been in the middle of a major renovation at church, Gideon has started playing soccer, and we had our annual Friend Day this morning. There has been little dust gatherin' under our feet lately! All of the above items are actually over, or almost over. Gideon has 2 more games to play (he misses 2 since we'll be out of town), and the renovation should be over in a couple of weeks. It has been an amazing transformation! I'll try to post some pics of the progress (or completion) soon.

It's hard to believe, but Gideon and Gabriel have almost completed their first year of preschool. Next year Gideon will begin Kindergarten, and Gabriel will head back to preschool - this time at Red Hill, God-willing. Oh, I forgot to add that to my list above. Yes, we are launching a Weekday Children's Ministry at the church in the Fall.

To be quite honest: I am busier at the moment than I really care to be! But as I think more about it, I am also grateful for all the wonderful opportunities that the Lord has granted. I am also thankful just to have work, especially when so many would love to just have something to do!

I have made it more of a priority to MAKE SURE that I get my day off. I usually try to take Friday's off. Friday seems to work best (on most weeks). This has helped in a tremendous way in making it through this busy season.

I thought, perhaps, that some might be interested in what a typical week includes for a Country Parson. While I cannot speak for all Country Parsons, I'm sure that my list would coincide with many other CP's out there.

A Weekly To Do List would include:

Sunday Morning Sermon (Preparation is much longer than delivery!)
Wednesday Night Bible Study
A lot of reading!
Visitation (Sick, Hospital, Follow Up, Phone, New Prospects & Families)
Weekly Bulletin Notes (emailed to whoever is serving that month)
Planning, Planning, Planning, & Planning some more
Committee Meetings
Secretarial Work (don't have one, need one! One day?)
Phone Calls, Emails, Website Updates, etc.
Puttin' Out Fires! lol :0

It could also include:

Funerals
Weddings (no one getting married lately, though)
Pastoral Counseling Sessions
Associational Meetings
Chaplain Duty
Puttin' out more Fires!

And finally, some of the more interesting things I've done since moving back to the country:

Probing the Cemetery to locate graves (with the fellow from the funeral home, of course)
Killing thousands of fire ants
Turning down an invitation to go "grabbling," or "hand fishing" or "noodling" (a video is in order at this point to truly appreciate this one)

Being a Country Parson is an adventure! You never know what a day or week may hold! On that note, I'd better sign off and go to bed! Another busy week has begun.... Blessings!

Had Family Dental Appointments Today - thought of these, Enjoy!

2009-04-27T19:36:00.002-05:00

Worked My Way Through Another Classic Tonight

2009-04-18T19:03:00.005-05:00

One of the benefits of parenting small
children is that you get to read stuff
like this.

I need these guys at my house! If you've
ever read this book that comment makes sense.
If not, perhaps you need to read it! :)

Update on Renovation & Other Happenings

2009-04-13T19:21:00.007-05:00

A lot has been happening lately!

I celebrated a birthday the first Sunday of this month. Dani's Blog Post here.

Yesterday we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ! Dani's post about our Easter celebrations here. (I'm glad she's blogging, it's a lot less work on me! lol)

Oh, as all this is going on, we're still in the midst of a major renovation at the church!

To see some before pics, go here. Things have moved along pretty nicely!

Come on in and look around!

This door will be replaced.

Drywall hung in the old kitchen area. Flooring yet to come.

A view of the door above (left) and the new church office.

A new classroom! Much needed space!

The hallway lookin' more cheerful & brighter!

Besides a major updating of the whole basement (minus the nurseries - they were completed last year - see the transformation), we are gaining a new Men's Bathroom, Church Office, and Classroom. Well, we actually sacrificed one smaller classroom and gained a much bigger one!

Here's what is coming up in the near future:

Operation Inasmuch this Saturday.
Red Hill Baptist Church Friend Day - May 3rd.
County Wide Power Team Crusade - May 13-17th.
Baby Dedication Sunday - May 17th.

VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our beach house!! (I use the term "our" very loosely!)

Blessings!

He Arose

2009-04-08T14:56:00.001-05:00

Don't know who they are, but I
bet their parents are proud of them!

R U ever Discouraged about your To Do List?

2009-04-02T22:16:00.002-05:00

Here's some encouragement.

Diet Food - NOT!

2009-03-25T15:57:00.001-05:00

Full Story Here

Church Basement Renovation Underway!!!!

2009-03-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

The work officially began yesterday!

Can't wait to post the "After" pictures!

As you can see, it was definately time to update!

Your prayers for this project are appreciated.

KIDS - Lessons in Humility!

2009-03-23T18:47:00.011-05:00

Ran across this on an old blog that I no longer use; it is too good to just "delete," so here it is. Enjoy!

POTTY TALK

by Shannon Popkin

My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does it quite well. He talks to people constantly, whether we're in the library, the grocery store or at a drive-thru window.

People often comment on how clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask him to turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked. There've been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have I wished this more than last week at Costco.

Halfway, through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade with me into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the restroom that evening, this is what you would have heard coming from the second to the last stall:

"Mommy, are you gonna go potty" Oh! Why are you putting tiowet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on da toiwet paper now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on the potty?"

At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in the bathroom when I walked in. Several stalls were full . . . 4? 5? Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut out of this stall and reveal my identity.

Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh . . . Mommy! I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl, Mommy. You are gonna get some candy!"

I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of me. Where is a screaming newborn when you need her? Good grief. This was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to divert him, I said, "Why don't you look in Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candy. We'll both have some!"

"No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh! Mommy!" He started to gag at this point. "Uh oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!" As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall. I quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason with myself: OK. There are four other toilets. If I count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will be long gone.

"Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done going stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He grunted as he tried to pull me off. Now I could hear full-blown laughter. I bent down to count the feet outside my door.

"Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You wooking under da door? What were you wooking at, Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?" More laughter. I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the situation.

"Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now, Mommy." He started pounding on the door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I want to go out!!"

I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling. As I sheepishly opened the door, and found an open sink, I thought, Where's the fine print on the 'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit of my privacy?

But as my little herald gave me a big, cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.

- Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and a mother of three. She lives with her family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she no longer uses public restrooms.

MomSense Magazine, Jan./Feb. '07, p.10

Chick-fil-A anyone?

2009-03-15T04:00:00.001-05:00

Frugal Living - Part 2

2009-03-14T19:43:00.010-05:00

Here are some more tips on living well, while spending less!

Frugal Living - Part 1 here

Shop at the Goodwill. This is harder for us than it used to be, since we now live so far out in the country! But we still buy a lot of the boys clothes at the Goodwill and yard sales. You can find some great stuff at them for bargain prices. Our boys wear jeans made by Levi's, Gap, Wranglers and Old Navy; and we usually pay no more than $2.49 each! Here's a tip on thrift stores and yard sales - the richer the community, the better the stuff; the poorer, ... Not being unkind, just stating the facts. To find a Goodwill near you, click here. I was also interested to find out that they now auction off some of their "good" stuff online now. They are even on facebook!

Use Advanced Auto Parts if you need to check your battery, alternator, or starter. I did this just the other day, and they do it for Free! Need a new battery, they're happy to install it for you for free. Here is a listing of all their store services.

Pick up change. Sounds simple, but it's free money! I have even read blogs where people keep up with where and how much change they accumulate over time. If I see a penny on the ground, it's going in my pocket! (I told you in the first post that some of these tips were going to be "well duh" ones!)

Take advantage of your local Soup Kitchens. You know, the ones who serve meals for those who are less fortunate. Remember to wear old clothes, and be sure and park your car a good couple of blocks away so you can walk to the event. You'll end up with a free meal and perhaps even some food to take home with you.

Ebay & Craigslist. Buy and sell stuff! Craigslist is only beneficial if there is one in your area. Just ignore all the "trash" on their site and focus on the "for sale" section.

By the way, the soup kitchen thing, that was just a joke. Just seeing if you're really reading carefully!

Enough for this post, part 3 may be coming in the future???

In the meantime, share in the "comments" section any frugal ideas that work for you and your family!

Financial Freedom by Adrian Rogers

2009-03-13T10:37:00.006-05:00

The other day while traveling, I listened to a message by Adrain Rogers that I have had on my mp3 player for some time. I was struck by the following quote:

“Friend, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. And what one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government can’t give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody. And when half of the people get the idea they don’t have to work because the other half’s going to take care of them, and when the other half get the idea it does no good to work because somebody’s going to get what I work for. That, dear friend, is about the end of any nation.”

Apparently, I'm not the only one who has remembered or heard that quote recently, and thought about the day in which we're living. In fact, Love Worth Finding has the quote and the message on their site right now. To listen to just the quote, go here; to listen to the entire message, go here.

Dr. Rogers is my pastor. I know that seems strange since he's in heaven, I never met him personally, and I've never attended Bellvue Baptist Church. But as a pastor myself, I need to listen to preaching; I need to be fed too! So he does that through the messages that he left behind. I dvr his weekly tv program, and download the daily radio podcasts. If you've never listened to Dr. Rogers before, you're in for a treat!

Enjoy! Amen!

Frugal Living - Part 1

2009-03-11T20:50:00.025-05:00

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "frugal?"

Skimping, Sacrificing, Poverty, Lack, Dullness, Dreariness...

According to the dictionary, the word frugal simply means being thrifty, avoiding waste, and involving very little expense. Go ahead, read it for yourself!

Being frugal does not mean living "poorly," not really; in fact, you can live well while still being frugal! I am not an "Extreme Frugaller" (I don't think frugaller is a word), but I have read about some putting tin foil in their lamp shades to reflect light, or separating 2-ply paper towels!! Not us!

For much of our married life we have, for the most part, lived frugally. Sometimes we do better than others; sometimes we totally blow it; at other times we had no other choice but to live frugally!

Listen, frugal living is the way to go! We have made a recommitment to it lately - that's not to say that we do it perfectly, nor will we ever! I don't think there is even a way to do it perfectly! Frugal living for me, will look a little different than frugal living for you. Why? Because we are different. Our families are different. Our tastes and interests are different. Our paychecks are different!

My brother has called me "tight" at times. In Eastern North Carolina that means that you don't like to spend money! I even come from a heritage of "tightness" if you will. Be that as it may, I don't think that I'm tight! I think I'm careful, frugal, and am trying to be a wise steward. After all, this is not really MY money anyway, it's God's!

I thought in the next couple of posts that I would share with you some of the things that we have done (or are doing) to live well on less. Some of these are probably "duh" items! Others may be new to you. I love reading and studying about organization, goals, time management, and yes, finances. Most of these are probably not original with me, but I share them with you in the hopes that you might just be a little more "well off" next year at this time, than you are right now.

I'll probably consult the Country Parson's Wife on these posts as well. She is actually more frugal than the Country Parson. I'm the spender in the family! Well, except when it comes to shoes! :)

TIPS FOR FRUGAL LIVING

Honor God in your finances! I put this one first, because it IS first! If you're not paying the tithe and giving offerings above your tithe, why should you expect God to bless you in your finances? Be a cheerful, generous, systematic giver to God's work!

Pray about you budget, expenses, needs, and yes, even your wants!

Drive your car until the wheels fall off; and even then, consider buying some new wheels for it and driving it some more. (Some are thinking - "Wait a minute, you just got a new van didn't you? Yes, new to us! It is a used low mileage van that our families loves!) But here is the rest of the story - the Accord that I still drive has over 205,000 miles on it. I plan on driving it and driving it! Keeping a car this long requires that you maintain it; but the money spent on routine maintenance really pays off in the end!

Budget for recreation and entertainment! Often when people are "cutting back," this is one of the first items to go - but they end up spending money on it anyway! So go ahead and budget some, and when the money is gone for the month.....well, find some free entertainment!

Use generic prescription drugs (if possible.) I say "if possible" because I know that some people can't take the generics because of allergic reactions (my mother-in-law for example), and some drugs aren't out in generic form yet (my Nasonex). If you must take a name brand, "google it" and see if they have a discount program or even co-pay vouchers available. For Nasonex, I can get $10. certificates that apply toward my copay (here) - that's $120. a year in savings! Out of curiosity, I looked into to some other drugs that I don't use, just to see what was out there - Nexium (save $30. a month!) Lipitor (free 30 day trial, $10. a month) - you get the idea!

Eat out less. I feel guilty on this one, so I'm moving on!

Drink water. When you do eat out, you can save some serious coin by just ordering ice water. We are a family of 4, so if each beverage is $1. or $2. each, well, you do the math. Ice water is free (I hope) and it is better for you anyway. Do we always do this - no. These are tips, not legalistic rules - never forget that!

Pay your bills online. Most banks offer this free with your checking account. If they don't, find a new bank! I know, I know, paying bills online isn't safe!! Is it any less safe than sticking a check in your mailbox with you checking account number, address, name, and signature? I write very few checks each month (church & preschool). The rest I pay online, therefore saving checks and postage. If the bank will mail a payment for me free, why should I pay 42 cents to do it? I know some will never be convinced on this one, but I am.

Use coupons -but only for stuff that you were planning on buying anyway. Why buy stuff that you don't even want - to "save money?"

Shop online. When you are going to buy something, you have the world at your fingertips! Comparison shop, check prices at lots of stores, and don't forget to "google" the name of the store and words such as "coupon code" or "discount code." Coupon codes don't always work, but we have found many that do! It's worth checking!

Part 2 coming soon....

A Reminder...

2009-03-10T23:14:00.001-05:00

"It's time to wake up, time is passing;
look up, Jesus is coming;
and sober up, Satan is working."

- Adrian Rogers

Prayer Request

2009-03-08T15:30:00.003-05:00

Please pray for his family, and also for the church family.
Story here.

Another 12 - Step Program

2009-03-04T09:59:00.004-05:00

Since I have not had the inspiration to write anything personal lately, I thought I would at least share another humorous post.

Hopefully my "blogger's block" will be lifted soon!

For all of us who are spending a lot of time online....

12-STEP INTERNET RECOVERY PROGRAM

1) I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the Internet.

2) I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.

3) I will get dressed before noon.

4) I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes and plan dinner before even thinking of the Internet.

5) I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family who are Internet-deprived.

6) I will call someone on the phone with whom I cannot contact via the Internet.

7) I will read a book ... if I still remember how.

8) I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Internet.

9) I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check email.

10) I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, whether it's necessary or not.

11) I will remember my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Internet.

12) Last, but not least, I will remember I must go to bed sometime ... and the Internet will always be there tomorrow!

- Preaching Now Email Newsletter

A Little Saturday Light-Heartedness

2009-02-28T10:06:00.001-05:00

2009-02-23T17:54:00.000-05:00

click on pic to view larger

Marriage in North Carolina

2009-02-19T15:48:00.000-05:00

What an Amazing World we Live in!

2009-02-19T10:48:00.004-05:00

Received this note from Graycian, a pastor in Lilongwe, Malawi, a friend I met on Facebook.

Hey Pastor,

My wife Christine and I have a baby boy named Dyson-Graycian Chitekwe II, after my Dad the Rev. Born on the 16th Feb, 10:15 pm , weighing 3.37kgs. Both the boy and the mother are doing great at home now. We thank God for this son and the Hym is correct: " How good to hold, a new born baby". Please pray for the little one to grow in God's Grace.

God Bless,
Graycian.

Congratulations to Graycian and his family!

Facebook, email, blogs, and other social networking sites have definitely made the world a little smaller!

PS - you'll find me on Facebook here; and you'll find the church on Facebook as well! Just search "Red Hill Baptist Church."

Valentines Day Thoughts

2009-02-18T14:23:00.005-05:00

Here is the front of the card Danielle gave to me.

Notice the lovely button that I can wear?

Here's the inside:

Now for the really funny part: here is
how I signed my card to Danielle

I guess we were thinking alike on this one, for sure!

By the way - I am really BAD at directions!!
When I can't take my wife along, I take the GPS!

Preparing for Our Main Evangelistic Outreach of 2009

2009-02-13T12:57:00.007-05:00

Our 2009 Red Hill Baptist Church
Friend Day preparations are under way!

This is one project that I like to "mind map."

Here is the handout for our
Friend Day Ministry Team meeting Sunday.

You will notice that it is not complete; the minstry
team will continue to brainstorm & plan the event.

Click on pic to view larger, or click here to link directly.

The above was made with the free version of mindmeister.

Your prayers for this evangelistic event are appreciated!

Economic Stimulus Plan?

2009-02-10T10:21:00.004-05:00

Happiness or misery?

OPINION: Will the economic stimulus plan lead to the end of prosperity, individual initiative, personal dreams, and a complete transformation of America, as we have known it? | Cal Thomas

In Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield, Wilkins Micawber delivers an economics lesson to young David that has been lost on most congressional Democrats, the president, and many of us. “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.”

The so-called “stimulus plan” cooked up mostly by House Democrats is, in reality,...read more

Notes:
Great deal for new subscribers of World Magazine (1 year for $29.95 + receive a $20. Crossway Books & Bible Giftcard!

Not sure what World Magazine even is, click here

Country Parson Secrets

2009-02-09T21:28:00.006-05:00

For those who may have doubts, being a country parson isn't all fun and games! You see, this job can be loaded with stress at times! LOADED with STRESS!!!

So how does this country parson handle it? Well, just take a look at what is sitting by my sink right now.

Yes sir! Stress relieving hand soap!

Read the above label carefully.

When I'm having trouble focusing,
I just wash and smell my hands!

Mind a bit muddled?
A good hand washin' can fix that!

*****

But what about the Country Parson's Wife?

Have we left her out? Absolutely not!

When you're home with a 4 year old
and a 2 year old you need ENERGY!

Look no further!!!!

Tired mom??
Wash your hands!!

Feeling a bit depressed? Need to instill a
sense of optimism? Wash your hands!

But what we really need at times is some of this!

Forgive me; but I need to quit for now
and go wash my hands....

PS - if you see us sitting around sniffing hand soap - don't worry, it's just been a rough day!

Take The Challenge!

2009-02-08T21:59:00.007-05:00

Some much needed words for today!

Peanuts?

2009-02-08T21:33:00.001-05:00

My Wife's Blog

2009-02-06T22:41:00.003-05:00

Danielle's Blog, "The Country Parson's Wife"
is up and running strong!

Go on over - check it out - and give it a bookmark!

A comment would be nice as well!

Get A Free Book!

2009-02-04T16:51:00.002-05:00

Get A Free Book From Moody Publishers
Details Here

Yes, You're in the Right Place!

2009-02-04T16:14:00.010-05:00

It was time for a "face lift" for my blog! You'll notice a new look, a new name, and some other new stuff.

The blog is now a little more "user friendly" - I hope!!

Of course the web address is still the same (obviously, or you wouldn't be reading this ;)

This is actually the third time the name of this blog has changed since launching it in November of 2005.

In case you're wondering about Danielle's role, she has finally launched out on her own!

Check it out: The Country Parson's Wife

I'll try to be a little more regular in my own blogging in the next little while.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Glorious Snow Day!!!

2009-01-29T14:52:00.016-05:00

We've had a lot of guests lately.

2009-01-29T14:43:00.036-05:00

It all started December 24th when this character showed up!

It's O.k. though, because I promptly put him to work wrapping! (My Brother Corey. Second oldest in the lineup)

We took him to see the Beach on Dec 26th!

Where it promptly rained on us.

We hid under this tree.

.... and snapped funny pictures.

Then we went out to eat at Captain George's for
our 11th Wedding Anniversary.
Corey loved the Crawfish....
I don't eat anything that is still looking at me.

Then these folks showed up.... Rodney's sweet parents.
We had Christmas all over again.

Then God hand delivered this.

Then these folks showed up.

..... and these folks...

Rodney's Grandma, Ms Nancy, and Rodney's Mom.
His Aunt Lou (not in this pic) as well.
We had a little Christmas again.

A picture I'll cherish.

Silliness! Kay's going to kill me for posting this one.

Then this guy showed up....

And this poor, forlorn Teenager... It seems she
wanted my car. I gave it to her to get rid of her
.... LOL just kidding... about the getting rid
of her part.... not the car part.

Sister in Law Michelle and Blake (Brother in the exact middle of the 7 of us.)

I didn't ask Michelle's permission to post her pics... I knew she'd say no!

Cousins

Just want everyone to know that the Clements'
Bed and Breakfast with it's home made blueberry,
pecan, and chocolate chip waffles is now Closed for the Season.
It's been fun.

... will re-open during warmer weather!!!

Thanks for looking at our pics!

Don't Ever Give Up!

2009-01-28T12:04:00.001-05:00

Are you feeling discouraged today?
Here's some encouragement for you.

Yes, I'm Still Alive!

2009-01-25T15:52:00.002-05:00

Some Classic Southern Gospel!

A Day in the Life of a Country Parson - Recent Stuff

2009-01-13T15:28:00.003-05:00

Clipped from my Facebook page...

click on picture to enlarge

A Day in the Life of a Country Parson - January 6, 2009

2009-01-06T23:00:00.013-05:00

It is 10:24pm, and I've finally traded my dress clothes for some lounge wear. It has been a long, but great day.

After the normal morning "stuff," it was time to take the boys to preschool. I am still learning our "new" 2006 van. It has way more buttons and gadgets than I'm used to.

At the boys preschool, you simply pull up, and the teachers get your children out of your vehicle. You never have to leave your car. I made sure to have the doors unlocked so I could simply push the automatic doors and be on my way.

I pull up, stop, press the buttons, and nothing...press again, nothing. One of the ladies then starts to open Gideon's door and it jams and begins beeping. She begins to push and pull - I try to get her to stop. It's an automatic door! I'm getting desperate. Is it broke. I'm sure the folks in the car behind me thought "what in the world are they doing?"

Finally the teacher says that she thinks that you have to put the gear shift in "park." Yep. She's right. The boys are safely in and I'm on my way to my Pastor's meeting at the Baptist Association in Wadesboro.

Would you believe that this was on the back
of the van when we bought it? Perfect!

The meeting starts at 8:30am, but I usually don't make it until 8:45 or 8:50, because preschool also starts at 8:30. Only 3 of our normal 5 guys made it to the meeting today. We discuss everything from mega-churches to how to minister to the youth of our county. The meeting is wrapping up when my phone rings. It is our Deacon chairman calling about some of the items that we discussed at last nights meeting. Meeting ended, on to my next stop...

My bedside night stand.
A little "light" reading.

My next stop is Walmart. I don't know about "a smile on every aisle," but I'm pretty sure that I have helped pay for every aisle over time!

I go in with a short list:

Plastic storage bins
Jet Dry
Waffles
A Basket to store blankets (if they have one)

I retrieve all of the above except the basket.

I add the following to my cart that is overflowing with plastic bins.

Light Bulbs
Golden Graham Cereal
Granola Bars
Fruit Snacks
Waffles
Pancakes
Breyer's Lactose Free Ice Cream
Pizza

I have to mention more about the pizza...

Gideon, visiting with Daddy in my office this afternoon.

Back to the pizza. I saw it as I was walking down the frozen aisle and thought "that would be perfect for lunch today." A quick call to Danielle to get her input. Sure! You have to understand, we don't keep frozen pizza on hand because of the freezer situation. We have a side-by-side fridge, and we have found that pizzas just don't fit very well in our "full" freezer.

We need to get a another freezer, but that can wait a while.

Oh, the pizza! Make sure you try the DiGiorno Garlic Bread Pizza. It is fantastic!! It was even on sale today for $4.75. Just make sure you get the garlic bread pizza.

OK, enough about pizza. Are you getting hungry yet?

Now, to the house. Unload all my goodies and time to work the phone for a little bit. Times up. Time to go get the boys from preschool. I will be ready with those doors this time!

Boys secure, doors closed! Back home for lunch.

I had several calls today, but I can't remember when they all came. I did run the battery out on my cell phone today, though.

Now, time for some study. This week has been challenging when it comes to preparing for teaching and preaching.

On Wednesday night we are going to be in John 12. John 12 has 50 verses and is jammed packed. We are not doing a verse-by-verse study of John, but 50 verses in one night? I think I'll have to divide it up for sure.

On Sunday we are going to continue our sermon series on Joseph called "God Meant It For Good." We will be in Genesis 41. Genesis 41 has 57 verses! I know we will split it into several sermons, but exactly where to split it, I'm not sure at the moment. We are doing a much more in-depth study on Joseph.

I've got a lot more work to do!

As you can see, I have gotten a little behind when
it comes to processing new library additions.
Most of these are new (used), at least.

More study, daily devotions, and cleaning out my email box. Oh yes, Facebook. I respond to a friend who has been unemployed and needs prayer. (Pray for him please.) I respond to a fellow in England who befriended me; he attends Spurgeon's Tabernacle Seminary. I put up the previous blog post on Date Nights. I package the books for the winners of the last "best caption" contest. Yes (Mast Family) I have not forgotten you!

Nearing supper time. The boys have been "napping," and Danielle had taken a break from her busy day. She did some reading and fell asleep for about 20 minutes.

Here's what happens when you fall asleep around here...

Yes, that's Mom underneath all that stuff.

Supper was hamburgers added to the left overs from last night. Since Danielle had had such a long day, I started supper. I mixed the ground beef with some Onion flakes, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and A1 sauce. It makes a tasty little burger.

Supper is served: Burgers, Corn on the Cob, Green Beans, and I finished off some butter beans.

Oh, I've got to get to the dump! I head to the dump while Danielle takes the boys to their adopted grandma, Ms. Phyllis. Ms. Phyllis keeps the boys most Tuesday evenings so that Danielle and I can visit or attend to other church "stuff."

Tonight was a preschool committee meeting for me while Danielle worked on some choir planning. The meeting runs from 7 to 9.

Back to Ms. Phyllis, boys finally packed up - straight home and to bed with them!

And now this blog post.

This Country Parson is tired.

This couch feels good!

Good night.

Date Nights

2009-01-06T16:19:00.008-05:00

As many of you know, we (Danielle & I) have a date night every week.

It is a rare thing to find us doing anything else on a Thursday evening. We do have to change the day or time, at times; but for the most part we stick to the Thursday evening routine.

This was sent to me in an email the other day, and I thought it was some great stuff to share.

...a few practical suggestions to take your marriage to a higher level this year:

Have a date night every week. Do something special and work hard on that night to keep your romance alive.

Be creative and energetic in meeting each other’s needs. Have "his" or "her" date nights where the desires and needs of one spouse become the focus.

Brush up on your manners. Recommit to appreciating each other and honoring each other - husbands opening doors, wives appreciating and honoring, etc.

Go to at least one marriage seminar this year and read at least one marriage book together. - source

When is the last time you and your spouse went out on a date?

Get your calendars out, call the babysitter, and plan one soon!

Remember - it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive; the main thing is that you are together!

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T06:30:00.005-05:00

A great article on
making the most of 2009.

I'm tackling these for my devotional times this year:

This Bible

This Devotional

What are you reading??

2008-12-31T10:26:00.003-05:00

More proof to back up that old saying,

"Readers are Leaders, and Leaders are Readers."

Merry Christmas from the Clements Family!

2008-12-25T19:19:00.000-05:00

A Day in the Life of a Country Parson - December 23, 2008

2008-12-23T21:42:00.028-05:00

Next to our house, earlier this Summer

A Country Parson - that's me.

Yes, I'm a Pastor, Preacher, Teacher, and Shepherd; but I think I might best be described as a country parson.

Why?

Our Boys with Some of our neighbors

Well, for starters, a country parson lives in the country. He is not a "big city" executive Sr. Pastor, and probably never will be. And that's OK with him. He would probably be miserable not knowing the majority of people sitting on the pews on a Sunday morning. He likes to know their names, what they do for a living, where they live, their families names - even the name of their pet(s).

Another thing about a country parson is that he is known by everybody. He may not know them, but they know him. Yes, he sees the group of older ladies whispering when he walks in the restaurant, and he knows when that certain fellow is watching his speech because the preacher is around. It's hard to hide in the country!

What we saw from our house this Summer
click to enlarge

A country parson has to be a "jack of all trades" and a master of just a few. A country parson will get to find out more about DOT bus laws than he ever wished to know! He'll get to learn regulations for daycare, how to plant shrubs, why toilets are not flushing correctly, where all the keys are hidden, where the septic tank is buried, how to probe a cemetery (and find an unidentified coffin!), and on and on...

View from study window, earlier this Summer

A country parson wears a lot of hats (just like most members of a country church.)

A country parson has an interesting schedule. On any given day he could find himself at the nursing home, the hospital, the funeral home, or several other places. The "wise" country parson has long ago given up on the idea of a "normal" day. He has also given up on keeping that "ideal" planned schedule. You know, study on Monday from 7am - lunch, visit from 1pm - 4pm, and "off" for the rest of the day. He tries to keep this, but has finally resorted to a homemade weekly checklist. He studies, visits, and does everything else around the "emergencies."

A country parson does his dead-level best to get at least one day off a week (even though he only works 1 day a week.) On the weeks that he doesn't get it, he assures himself and his wife that he will take off extra time the next week (little knowing that the next week will be twice as busy as the present.) He finally understands that if he is to truly get some time off he must take the family and head to the BIG City! He does, and returns home thankful that he is a country parson!

A country parson has a loyal dog. He may not have had one before moving out to the country, but to be a "true" country parson, he will have one. An outdoor dog, mind you. In the country the dog is "best" outdoors, although he is careful not to voice that, lest someone get offended.

View from study window, earlier this Summer

A country parson had better have a sense of humor, lest he end up being a dead country parson. He has to laugh at himself, and remember that he is not in charge, God is!

Yes friends, I am a Country Parson. Called & Commissioned by God to serve Him and His Church! Some days I wish that I were anything but a country parson; but on most days, I wouldn't rather be anywhere else but here in the country!

*****
I thought you might be interested in what a day in the life of a country parson was like. I'm starting with today, even though this is nothing like a "usual" day in my life. This was actually a day "off" I suppose.

The alarm sounds - snooze button - I'm really tired this morning. Gideon (our 4 year old) comes down the hall and plants himself between mom and dad. I finally get up, surrender my warm spot to him, and drag myself to the bathroom to prepare for the day.

Shave, shower, dress....

Out the door to my doctor appointment in Norwood. I have been battling dizziness on and off for the last week or so. Danielle made the appointment for me yesterday.

Check in at the doctor, called back, step on the scales, I weigh (none of you business,) blood pressure check - a little high! - let me use the bigger blood pressure cuff - arm squeezed again..... there, it's much better now. (mental note - always request the large cuff.)

Doctor comes in, discovers fluid in my left ear: antibiotics, Mucinex D, and regular allergy meds. Check out, cross the hall to the pharmacy. We're out of Mucinex D, they say. OK, I'll take the Z pack and go elsewhere.

Call from Danielle on cell phone. I'll call you back, I say.

Pay for meds and out to the car. Call to Danielle.

Off to Albemarle to pick up my dry cleaning. I wouldn't be picking up dry cleaning if it were not for our dog Jet, you know, the Country Parson's dog thing. I stepped out in my suit the other night headed to the funeral home - and Jet is laying next to the door. Now, how can I put this delicately?....Jet is older, and has bladder issues. She was laying in a puddle, stood up, and before I could move...well, she shook any liquids off of her fur onto my suit and dress shoes! I have finally forgiven her, but if you stop by the parsonage...you might want to remember this!

View of parsonage from Martin Rd.

Dry cleaning secured, now to find some lunch. I think I'll try the Hardee's in Albemarle. I haven't been to this one, and was pleasantly surprised at just how nice it was. It was probably the nicest one that I've been to.

Food digesting while I call Danielle for the list of final things to pick up before Christmas. With pen and paper in hand, I make the following list:

Mucinex D
Milk
Bread
Cough and Cold Medicine for the boys
Breath Mints
Granola Bars
Tub & Stick Margarine
Peanut Butter (all natural, organic)
Saran Wrap (must be Sam's Choice kind)
Hand Wipes for vehicles (kept by car seats, very handy!)
Dark Hot Chocolate
Chocolate Chips
I later add a few items while shopping - batteries, chips, etc.

Before Wal Mart I go to the Christian bookstore and pick up 2 books and some more visitor cards. Check out, making sure to request my pastor's discount. Did I mention that a Country Parson is thrifty....or is it cheap?

OK - time to "brave" Wal Mart. Finally done, check out time.

I throw a candy bar in - shhhhhh - don't tell! I'm drained and dragging at this point - the dizziness is worse today than it has been.

Drive home. Stop by the bank in Ansonville. Cash 2 checks.

Spend most of the afternoon on the couch, resting. The first time in a long time! It was great and made me feel much better! Did do some "phone work."

I felt good enough to plan a family outing for tonight.

Supper at the Chinese restaurant in Norwood, then on to see these Christmas lights on Loop road in Norwood. It was worth the drive. You actually drove through a sort of "tunnel of lights" stopping midway to talk with Santa Clause. Kinda like a Santa Clause Drive through - you never leave the car.

Gideon and Gabriel tell Santa their wishes: Gideon wants a Dennis & Rocky (Thomas the Trains.) Gabe wants a baby doll. Help! A baby doll! I think we have it figured out. He had asked for an Elmo, so I bought him a baby Elmo. Let's hope he will accept this clever plan from his father! I don't know if I can take his pudgy face and eyes on Christmas morning saying, "Where baby doll at?" ...This is your baby doll, Gabe. Baby Elmo!

Fast forward...boys in bed...time at my desk...spoke with my step-father on the phone...this blog post....spoke with mother on phone...back to this blog post!

OK, that is more than you ever wanted to know about this Country Parson! Perhaps soon I'll record a "usual" day for you.

Good night.

Church Doors, taken tonight

Merry Christmas!!!!

More About the Song From Last Sunday

2008-12-20T21:45:00.003-05:00

Michael Card

Since so many of you were blessed by the song that I ended last week's sermon with, I thought I would share more information concerning it.

"Joseph's Song" was written by Michael Card. You will find it here (scroll down to hear samples.) Since it is Christmas time, let me also recommend "Immanuel" from Disc 2.

And the winner is......

2008-12-20T21:05:00.005-05:00

"Because I'm the Pastor, and I say so!"

Congratulations to Lisa!
Lisa - send me your mailing address

Original post here.

Thanks to all who participated!!

Ms. Priscilla: Sorry, but I never received your comments.
Not sure what happened.

Sunday Comics

2008-12-14T17:09:00.002-05:00

click on cartoon to view larger

December's Best Caption Contest

2008-12-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

Needed:
Your Best Caption!

Prize for the Best Caption:
Since we're celebrating Christmas, we're
giving away 2 Books this time!

yours will have a different cover

Contest Details & Rules

You may enter as many times as you like
You must place your caption in the "comments" section of this post*
Please remember that this is a "clean" blog - any profanity will be deleted
This contest will end on Friday, December 19, at 2pm (eastern time)
We will announce the winner & how to claim your prize after the contest ends**
We reserve the right to change or end this contest, or change the prize(s) as needed

* Simply click on "comments" found below, and follow the instructions; you do not have to have a blogger account to enter; your first name is sufficient, if you feel uncomfortable putting your full name

** Your prize(s) will be mailed to you free of charge (or hand delivered if you're local)