A Day's Portion

My Little Slugger

2010-06-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Rett LOVES baseball! He is 4 and just wrapped up his first season of t-ball. He played for the Twins on the TX side of town. It has been so much fun to watch him blossom as the season has gone along. This kid is nuts about baseball. Every day, on his own, he has gone in the backyard and practiced hitting the ball off the tee, chasing it down, and doing it again. His hitting and fielding improved big time through the season. While some kids in t-ball goof off in the field, playing in the dirt or pulling flowers, Rett was always engaged in the game and ready. I can't wait to see how he plays next year!

Another thing Rett loves is Texas Ranger baseball! This child will sit with me and watch a 9 inning game on TV! He knows all the Ranger players when they come up to bat...without any prompting from me. Rett's favorite player is 3rd baseman, Michael Young. He also likes to see "Big Bad" Vlad swing the bat! We are planning to go to the Ballpark for a Ranger game in July. Rett can't wait and is counting down the days. He has told me multiple times, "Daddy, I want to go there and see the Rangers." It should be fun! I love my little slugger! Way to go, Rett!

A Lesson from America's Game

2010-06-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

I have been just amazed at this story from MLB about the near perfect game and the blown call. Detroit Tiger's pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from doing something that has only happened 20 times in the history of MLB. Galarraga was close to pitching a perfect game. For those of you that don't know baseball, a perfect game is where a pitcher throws so well that no batter reaches base during a game. A perfect game is when a pitcher get 27 outs without a better getting on base. It's only been done 20 times in history...amazingly, twice this season already! I remember when my Texas Ranger, Kenny Rogers, threw one back in 1994 at the Ballpark. I say all that to say, a perfect game is rare. So, here is Galarraga, in Detroit, having pitched 9 2/3 innings. He is one out from being perfect game number 21 in history. A grounder to the first-base side seemed to seal the deal. The Tiger at first base fielded the ball and made a soft throw to Galarraga covering the bag. First base umpire Jim Joyce, a 22 year MLB ump had a perfect view of the play. What seemed like an obvious out and a perfect game in the books changed in a moment when Joyce made the call, "SAFE!!". The players could not believe it. Galarraga smiled and turned to walk back to the mound. The next batter grounded to third and the game ended...but the talk and controversy was just getting started.
Jim Joyce said that as soon as he got in the clubhouse he asked to see the replay. Once he saw it, he knew he had blown the call. In several interviews I heard, Joyce has mentioned that he can't repeat on the air what he said when he saw his mistake. He came out that night and admitted his mistake. Joyce, understandably, felt terrible. The calls for MLB to expand replay started, but the bottom line was that the game was over and there would be no perfect game.

The next day, the Indians and the Tigers showed up for the game. Jim Joyce was due to work homeplate. MLB had given him the option to miss the game, but Joyce would have none of that. He came out onto the field fighting back tears as most of the Detroit crowd booed. Detroit manager, Jim Leland, allowed Galarraga to present the umpire, Joyce, the day's lineup card along with the Indians' manager. Galarraga and Joyce shook hands at home. One man admitted an obvious mistake and the other willing to graciously forgive it, even though it cost him a piece of baseball history.

This whole story has just fascinated me all week. It was refreshing to have a guy admit, with real brokenness, that he screwed up. We all do. It may not happen in front of thousands of screaming fans or be replayed in slow motion over and over again on national TV, but we all make the wrong call. Joyce admitted it...plain and simple. I really respect Galarraga and his attitude of accepting the fate of what will not be and the apology of Jim Joyce. It was not all bad for the Tiger pitcher...General Motors felt sorry for him and gave him a shiny new Corvette at the start of Thursday's game. When we make a mistake, admit it and own up to it. When we bear the brunt of another's blown call, be gracious and move on. Some have said that Jim Joyce will always be known as the umpire that blew the call that took away a perfect game. That may be so for some. I will chose to remember him and Galarraga as a couple of class acts that demonstrated something we all could learn from!

The Big 4-0

2010-05-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

I hit the magic number of "40" on my birthday this year, April 24. I really don't feel any different. I had a very fun and special birthday weekend. My parents along with my sister, Lori, and my 2 nephews made the trip from Fort Worth to Texarkana. We went out to eat for Reid's birthday (April 29) at his place of choice...Outback, on Friday night. On Saturday, my birthday, we just hung out at the house before heading to watch Rett play t-ball. My parents were excited to get to see him play...and the Twins won again! My birthday night was a "guys-only" affair. Mel, my mom, and sister attended a woman's event at the church for much of the evening. Dad and I held down the fort with the 5 boys! The girls surprised me when they got back with this yummy cake and some great gifts. One of my favorites was a book from my parents "Historic Photos of Fort Worth". It has some great pics and stories about Cowtown...my hometown! I ave enjoyed plowing through it this week before bedtime. We had a big morning at Beech Street Sunday. One of my nephews, Hayden, got sick so my folks left for home early and had to miss out on church. We had one of our Ouachita students, Adam, over for lunch. I had to meet with a family and attend a funeral visitation so I left about 4 and did not get home until a bit after 6. Little did I know that Mel and several others were up to something. She had told me that her sis, Tracey, along with Neil and Brenley, were coming over to grill out and celebrate my birthday. When I got home I was very surprised to find my backyard full of friends throwing me a surprise party! We had quite a time with some "FLAME-grilled" burgers by Neil. If you are a Facebook person you have to visit "Sean Mills" page for a video of the 3-alarm grill fire we had in the backyard. Let's just say that I'm glad I did not have to eat one of those burgers! I had a blast and good some really special gifts. They certainly "got me" and I enjoyed every minute of it.

As I have reflected on hitting the "4-0" mark, I have thought about how blessed my life has been through the years. There is no way that I ever imagined that I would have this kind of life. Several things come to mind...
1. My calling to be a Pastor has brought more growth and joy than I could have imagined.
2. To have an incredibly godly, beautiful, funny, talented (I could go on and on) wife in Melanie is still something that is amazing...working toward 18 years in August!!
3. I have 3 sons that I love dearly...Ryan, Reid, and Rett...watching them grow in all dimensions is so fun and more challenging that I imagined as a parent.
4. I have an amazing job as pastor of a wonderful church, Beech Street FBC. I knew of this church as a college student at OBU...never dreamed that I would pastor there!
5. I live in a house that is so nice and larger than the one I grew up in. It still is so cool that this is our house and we are surrounded by wonderful neighbors and friends.
6. Speaking of friends, I have some of the best people in my life as friends of all levels.

I know there is more, but these are just some of the things I have thanked God for many times over the past few days. 40 is not bad so far...I'm pumped about facing this next season of life with strong faith, passion, health, and more!

New Day @ Beech Street and 57 cents

2010-04-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

"New Day" is the name of the current and coming ministry and facility vision at Beech Street. We have made a decision as a church to remain in our current campus in downtown Texarkana. Staying here is the first of many items that we must address as a church if we are to continue to be a reaching and relevant church. Our desire is to continue to be a work that God can use for many new days to come. You can check out our New Day website by clicking on the link at www.beechstreetfbc.org or by going directly to the site at www.beech.impac2.com. You can learn more about the New Day campaign and its detailed projects on the site. As we build our way as a church family to Commitment Sunday on May 2, I've been preaching a series of messages called "It's Our Turn Now!". In this series I've been taking a look at some of the major building/capital stewardship campaigns found in the Bible. God has long been giving His people vision and provision to build. Many have gone before us and now it is our turn to step up! As I've preached on the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus, the Temple in 1 Chronicles 29, and the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra and Haggai, one of the many common traits is that a diverse and large number of people came together to give. The people did not all give the same gifts, but they all gave out of sacrifice.

In my message this week I told some of the story of Hattie May Wiatt. This little girl and her 57 cents serves as a great example of stewardship. I did quite a bit of research to make sure this account is accurate. I found the text to the sermon preached by Russell Conwell, the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Pennsylvania. It seems that this message was preached on the day a portrait of little Hattie May was dedicated at the church on December 1, 1912.

This sermon delivered by Russell Conwell to his Grace Baptist (Temple) church congregation in 1912 is presented here due to inquiries about this story based on a slightly inaccurate version which some people have read elsewhere. Please note that the portrait referred to in the text is the property of the current Baptist Temple congregation which is located in Blue Bell, PA. An image of the portrait can be found at the end of this sermon. The portrait itself is not on the campus of Temple University. Note also, that the Samaritan Hospital referred to in the text is now the Temple University Hospital. The Baptist Temple building referred to in the text is now owned by the University. Although it is not currently in use, it is undergoing extensive renovation. It is not open to the public at this time, but should eventually be open once again when all the renovations are completed. The Wiatt Mite Society house referred to in the text was replaced by a new University building some time ago.

"THE HISTORY OF FIFTY-SEVEN CENTS"

Sermon By Russell H. Conwell

Sunday Morning, December 1, 1912

We are here to unveil this picture of Hattie May Wiatt, a little girl who died in 1886. Years have gone rapidly by, but she still speaks. We intend to put this picture in the pastor's study, in the most prominent place, and keep it there through the years to come, that people as they pass through may ask: "What meaneth that picture?" And the story, simple and wonderful, may be told.

Little Hattie May Wiatt lived in a house near the church in which we then worshiped, at Berks and Mervine, which is now occupied by the Christian Church. It was a small church and was crowded, tickets of admission were obtained sometimes weeks in advance for every service. The Sunday school was as crowded as the rest of the congregation, and one day when I came down to the church, to attend Sabbath school, I found a number of children outside. They were greatly disturbed because they could not get in, on account of the crowd of children already in the Sunday school rooms of the church, and little Hattie May Wiatt, who lived near by, had brought her books and a contribution, and was standing by the gate, hesitating whether to go back home or wait and try to get in later. I took her up in my arms, lifted her to my shoulder, and then as she held on to my head - an embrace I never can forget - I carried her through the crowd in the hall, into the Sunday school room, and seated her in a chair away back in a dark corner. The next morning as I came down to the church from my home I came by their house and she was going up the street to school. As we met, I said: "Hattie, we are going to have a larger Sunday school room soon", and she said: "I hope you will. It is so crowded that I am afraid to go there alone". "Well", I replied, "When we get the money with which to erect a school building we are going to construct one large enough to get all the little children in, and we are going to begin very soon to raise the money for it". It was only in my mind as a kind of imaginary vision, but I wished to make conversation with the child. The next that I heard about it was that Hattie was very sick, and they asked me to come in and see the child, which I did, and prayed with her. I walked up the street, praying for the little girl's recovery, and yet all the time with the conviction that it was not to be.

Hattie May Wiatt died. She had gathered 57 cents - some have written 54 - which was left as her contribution towards securing another building for the children. After the funeral the mother handed me the little bag with the gathered 57 cents. I took it to the church and stated that we had the first gift toward the new Sunday school building; that little Hattie May Wiatt, who had gone on into the Shining World, had left behind her this gift towards it. I then changed all the money into pennies and offered them for sale. I received about $250 for the 57 pennies; and 54 of those cents were returned to me by the people who bought them. I then had them put in a frame where they could be seen and exhibited them, and we received by a sale of the $250 changed into pennies money enough to buy the next house north of the church at Berks and Mervine. That house was bought by the Wiatt Mite Society, which was organized for the purpose of taking the 57 cents and enlarging on them sufficiently to buy the property for the Primary Department of the Sunday school. In the Wiatt Mite Society was Mr. Edward O. Elliott ( now one of our trustees) who has charge of this picture, and was then a member.

Then when the crowd became so great we could no longer get in there, the thought impressed itself upon our congregation, "We ought to have a larger church and a larger Sunday school room". Faith in God was the characteristic of this people, and they said, "We can do it", notwithstanding the fact that the church had a mortgage on it then, I think, of $30,000, and that we had no money in advance. Yet the conviction was strong that we ought to build a larger church, and some ventured so far, though then it seemed absurd, to say that we might "build on Broad Street somewhere". But the Wiatt Mite Society, using the influence of Hattie May Wiatt's first deposit, raised the money to pay, as I said, for the house, and then the undertaking was before us, whether we would go out and try to build a large church. I walked over to see Mr. Baird, who lived on the corner where the German Athletic Association now has its meetings, and asked him what he wanted for this lot on which the Temple now stands.

He said that he wanted $30,000. I told him that we had only 54 cents toward the $30,000, but that we were foolish enough to think that some time we would yet own that lot. Encouraged by what he said, and with no opposition on the part of the Board of Deacons, I went around again to talk with him, and asked him if he would not hold the lot for five years. Mr. Baird said: "I have been thinking this matter over and have made up my mind I will sell you that lot for $25,000, taking $5,000 less than I think it is worth, and I will take the 54 cents as the first payment and you may give me a mortgage for the rest at 5%. I went back and so reported to the church, and they said: "Well, we can raise more money that 54 cents", but I went over and left the 54 cents with Mr. Baird and took a receipt for it as a part payment on the lot. Mr. Baird afterwards returned the 54 cents as another gift. Thus we bought the lot, and thus encouraged of God step by step, we went on constructing this building. We owed $109,000 when it was done, but we had courage and faith in God then. We could hardly have dreamed then that in the number of years that followed this people, without wealth, each giving only as he could afford from his earnings, could have paid off so great a debt without any outside help. The only outside help that we really received was from Mr. Bucknell. Although our church was then called the Grace Baptist Church, he was not willing that we should call the new building a church until the mortgage was paid. He gave us $10,000 on the condition that we call this building by some other name than the Grace Baptist Church, and that accounts for its being called The Temple instead of the Grace Church. Afterwards, when we did pay off the mortgage accounts, we dedicated the building and have a right now to call it whatever we choose, but after 21 years of being named as it is, there is no reason why we should change it, and there is no hope of doing so if we should undertake it. It will always be known as The Temple. I must state here also that in the house purchased by the sale of the 57 cents was organized The Temple University.

Now, giving simply that brief introduction to the history of Hattie May Wiatt, I wish to call your attention to two or three important lessons in connection with it:

Who are the really great of this world? Who are the mighty? Is it the king, the emperor, the president, the famous, estimated by the kingdom of heaven and on the books of God? How little we know. Our nation has given credit to Washington, to Jefferson, to Lafayette,t o the great Pitt of England, to the great generals and writers, and to great financiers like Morris, but there is one person hardly over mentioned in our history who had so much influence in our affairs that as a nation we ought to have her picture in every public hall and in every school; yet because she was a young woman she seems to have been lost to the sight of the world. That was the Princess Elizabeth, sister of Louis XVI, of France. That little woman who was a treasure of femine loveliness, with a heart as pure and bright as any that ever beat in the breast of woman; she who lived in the aristocracy of that time, but who plead for the starving, common people and protested again against Marie Antoinette's use of the public money as she did at Versailles, and spent her life in charity and loving kindness. She laid the foundation for the victory of this nation. Those who read history know that we could not have hoped for freedom if Rochambeau had not come to this country, if the French had not indorsed us, and if the French had not fought England on the waters and lands of Europe while we were trying to fight our battles here. If it had not been for Yorktown and its surrender we could never have hoped to obtain our freedom from what was then the tyrannous king of England. Who sent Rochambeau, who used the influence that brought his coming about? In some of the correspndence of Benjamin Franklin, who represented us at the Court of France, we find that the princess, a lovely young woman, was well acquainted with him and liked to talk with him upon philosophy and upon American ideas. She served as a "go-between" with Franklin and the queen, who used her influence with the king; for Louis XVI reminds one of Henry Ward Beecher's statement with reference to his church in Ohio, when he said: "It had only 19 members, 18 were women and the other one was nothing". Louis XVI was really nothing, and Marie Antoinette was the power indeed behind the throne, and behind Marie Antoinette was the Princess Elizabeth. It was she who opened the way for Franklin to reach the ear of the king. It was she who went to the Prime Minister of France and secured from him the condemnation of the arms, which were sold for a few cents apiece to America, yet were just as good as the best made in the world. It was she who secured the influence of the king to declare war on England in order that he might help America to her liberty. It was that young woman, acting all the time with continued energy, with prayer as well as with her social influence as one of the royal family, who really secured to us our liberty. Yet how little is said of her. In the great records of the history of mankind she should occupy a leading place. When I think of that innocent, sweet woman going to the guillotine on that morning in the old cart, encouraging all the humbler ones in the cart with her to keep up t heir courage, to hold their faith in God and to believe in a future world; when I see that noble, patriotic martyr going to that great square where she was beheaded, I see one of the great martyrs of earth. Yet in history, I say, we find our nation remarkably silent concerning her. And so in the history of Hattie May Wiatt - the name is new to some of you. She was a school girl, living in one of the homes of the industrious, honorable, upright and saving classes of society, not of the wealthy and great, yet think how her life was used; think what God did with her and the great, yet think how her life was used; thaink what God did with her and the 54 cents that was used of hers. A glance at it would put many to shame. Think of this large church; think of the membership added to it - over 5600 - since that time. Think of the influence of its membership going out and spreading over the world. Think of the influence of the Sabbath school carried on in this great building for more than twenty years. Then think of the institutions this church founded. Think of the Samaritan Hospital and the thousands of sick people that have been cured there, and the thousands of poor that are ministered to every year. I received the report of the Samaritan Hospital for October last Saturday and find that during the month 2540 had visited the dispensary. By multiplying that by twelve to get the average for a year, we find that over 30,000 people every year go to the dispensary of that one hospital, and that does not include the inner wards for the poor or the private rooms. Then there is the other hopital, the Garrestson, also taken up by the poeple of this church. Without this church, it could never have been started. There they ministered in one single year to over 14,000 workmen, wounded and broken and dying. When we think, I say, of the ministrations of these hospitals that were started by the influence of this church and supported in the .... in the beginning by members of this church, what a long roll it is of the deeds of Christian kindness. Think of how in that Wiatt house were begun the very first classes of the Temple College. The Wiatt Mite Society provided the seats, the books and the teachers. Thus it began as an evening school, and it has gone on growing and developing through the years. That house, bought for 54 cents in the first place, was sold and the proceeds given to the Temple College in order that it might open on Park avenue, and when we moved out of the original church that was given bodily to the Temple College, and the college sold it to the Christian Church and used the money to erect a building next door to us on Broad Street. Think of the influence of that 57 cents just for a moment. Almost 80,000 young people have gone through the classes of the Temple University, and think where they are. A year ago we estimated that there were 500 young men and women in the business department who earned nothing before they went there and who, after six months' instruction, were earning from $5 to $15 a week. Think of the added income, of the added comforts, which even the smallest departments had given, and then think of the Departments of Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Theology, Household Arts, the Normal School and the Teachers' College - nearly 4000 are now going in and out its various doors in various parts of the city. Just estimate how they will go and teach thousands more, and how those thousands will in turn teach many thousands more in their lifetime; think how it sweeps the world in a century with one techer, multiplying himself or herself a hundred times, perhaps, nearly every year. Two years ago - the smallest year of that work, - we took statistics of the Temple University students to learn their religious connection, and, of course, we found all kinds of religions because it is an undenominational institution. We ascertained that 504 young men of all denominations were studying for the Gospel ministry, in a single year. Now, if we graduate - and certainly we do - at least a hundred a year into the ministry of the various denominations, think what must have come to pass in twenty years. Think of it - two thousand people preaching the Gospel because Hattie May Wiatt invested her 54 cents; because she laid the foundations and gave her life for it.

I wish I had time to extend these remarks until you could realize more than one can without details. But I want to draw one or two more lessons and at once. In the first place, the people had faith in God, and they went ahead, trusting Him, and He has followed all the way. He has kept and protected us through every step with great care, and the future is just as safe, certainly, as is the past. Hattie May Wiatt was being used to do a mighty work. We sometimes think that when a life stops in eight years, or in ten, it is a shortened life, and that it is a broken life, that it was never completed. But in God's sight, every life is complete. Whether taken at eight, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty, or seventy years, every life is complete, when God takes it; hence, that is the case with the life of Hattie May Wiatt. Think of the sorrow that was in that home. I shall never forget the broken-hearted state of the family and friends who came to the funeral. Think of that mother sorrowing through all these years. I am making her heart more tender every moment as I speak, I am arousing within her the memory of those days which a mother can never forget. But Hattie died at the right time, she was called of God at exactly the moment when it was best for earth and for the kingdom to come that she should go. Her life was filled out, it was complete, and when we think of the influence of it upon the world, upon all the ages, we feel as though she was one of the greatest of earth who had accomplished that which leaders of armies had failed to do, and that which kings upon their thrones could not accomplish. Her life was just as long as any other.

The other thought that I would have dwelled upon if I had the time, is that being dead she yet speaks. Men may have powers of eloquence, they may sing with all the sweetness of angelic voices, and yet they may not speak as Hattie May Wiatt speaks tonight, as she will speak through your life as you go out and do differently from what you would have done if you had not been here. Hattie May Wiatt is speaking in tones of eloquence, sweet, divine and powerful, moving on upon the ages. Many men are counted great, many men are given credit for that which they do not do, but here is a life filled with motive power that sweeps on for all time. Twenty years and more have gone, and is she twenty years older in Heaven? When her mother meets her there will she be twenty years older than she was when she went?

When that little lad brought five loaves and two small fishes to be used of Christ for His great work of feeding the five thousand, it was precisely the same thing that Hattie May Wiatt did when she brought her 57 cents, and that lad and Hattie May Wiatt are now in the land on high. Does she see us? Yes, she does. It is one of the great comforts of life that every person is used of God, that every individual is loved just as closely and in careful detail as though he were the only person on this earth. Think of that, my brother, my sister, if there were not another person living on earth God could not take any more individual care of you than He now does. He sees and knows you; though you may think your life is humble, unknown, hidden, yet God sees all, and your life has probably just as great an influence for the uplift of mankind and the progress of His kingdom as has been the life of those who are seemingly great, seemingly famous in this world. There is no difference before God. The humblest of His Christian servants is doing just as much for His kingdom, when waiting, or doing faithfully their little duty, as are the seemingly great; and Hattie May Wiatt looks down from the towers of Heaven upon this world and sees all these myriads of powerful influences moving out upon the earth and shaping the course of the world beyond anything we can dream. She is happy on high with the thought that her life was so full, that it was so complete, that she lived really to be so old in the influences she threw upon this earth.

Tiger Serve Day - Texarkana Style!

2010-04-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm a proud alum of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR (www.obu.edu). Of the many great things that are going on with the school, students, and campus, one of the greatest events at OBU is "Tiger Serve Day". On this day, hundreds of students hit the streets of Arkadelphia to serve the community. The impact on the city and the students is always filled with many blessings. A few weeks ago, OBU alums and Beech Street (www.beechstreetfbc.org) members Samuel and Angela Costen came up with a great idea. Why would Tiger Serve Day have to be for students only? What if OBU alums, wherever they are located, spent the day serving their community on the same day students were in Arkadelphia? It was a great concept and I told Samuel that I was in to help out in Texarkana!
Samuel chose his workplace, Runnin' WJ Ranch (www.runninwjranch.org), in Texarkana to be the site for our service. This ranch has one of the most unique functions and ministries that you will find. They provide therapeutic horse riding opportunities to kids that are disabled (mentally or physically) or with severe illness. 6 days a week, kids come out to ride in 30 minute sessions. Samuel, whose work at Runnin' WJ focuses on public relations and raising funds, arranged for us to assist the riders by serving as "side-walkers" during the riding exercises. My 2 oldest boys, Ryan (14) and Reid (10) headed to Runnin' WJ Saturday morning for 3 hours of serving. Ryan and I worked with the horses, while Reid hung out doing some work with Samuel since he was too young to side-walk. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The kids are so excited and enjoy the horses and the riding. The first rider I assisted was Michelle. She loved riding "Jack", the horse, and working the learning activities. Ryan walked with a boy named Justin. I was proud of Ryan's patience and care with Justin and the horse! Reid is my animal lover so he got a real treat helping Samuel in the barn with the horses.

After our first class, Samuel let me know that he had placed me as a side-walker to a very special rider at Runnin' WJ. Maggie, is 10 year old little girl who is in a tough battle with cancer. She is undergoing some very aggressive treatments. The cancer has affected her left side, sight, and hearing. Her trips to the ranch have been a huge part of her dealing with the illness. It was a real treat and privilege to get to meet and
serve Maggie on her ride down the trail. Prayer requests for little Maggie have been shared with Beech Street and several others over the past few months. We have prayed for Maggie, but after today, I'll pray harder for Maggie and her family as they go through this tough time! The 3 hours that we spent at Runnin' WJ went by as fast as a few minutes. The boys could not believe that we were there for 3 hours! We had a great time and plan to return and help the ranch out again with the kids. There are also a hosts of service/ministry opportunities at the ranch. I'm planning to share some of those with our Beech Street small groups with the hope that they will take them on as projects to serve together. Great job pulling this event together Samuel! Loving on kids and horses...what a Tiger Serve Day for us!!

Easter Bash & Kid's Ministry

2010-04-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

We had our second "Easter Bash" @ Jefferson Park this morning for kids and families. As you can see in the pic, we had a great crowd of folks on an absolutely beautiful day in Texarkana! I'm so thankful and proud of Emily Smith, our Children's Minister, and her team of Beech Street helpers. We had an awesome morning of loving on kids and families. Thanks to all who helped!

So, what is Easter Bash and how does it work? It started with a passion for us to reach out to neighborhoods that are "in the shadow" of our church campus. Several folks from our kid's and student ministry passed out invitations last week. People were greeted this morning with a jump house, face painting, and games. With the crowd gathered in the amphitheater, Emily shared the Easter story by having kids help with "Resurrection Eggs". It is a great tool for sharing...you can get your dozen at a Christian bookstore or online. We asked each parent/guardian to register each kid. We gave away a Nintendo DS to one lucky winner! Those registration cards will be key for follow-up and future mailings pumping up kid ministry events. We had an egg hunt with 2 sections...one for preschool and another for big kids...something like thousands of eggs, I was told! Our Kid's choir performed a few songs from their upcoming Dinner Theater and did awesome. In a couple of hours, God used us to touch several folks in a positive way. Thanks to all who made it happen.

I've got to brag on Rett, my 4-yr old son. He has done something twice in the last 4 days. At his school party this past Thursday and today at the Easter Bash, Rett racked up on finding hidden eggs. In a great move, Rett gave away eggs to kids that did not find many for their baskets. I was really proud of him for thinking of others in a time that folks are normally just focused on their baskets! I was definitely a proud Pappa and Pastor after this full day!

Pre-Easter Reflections

2010-04-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

Today is "Silent Saturday". On Friday, Jesus was hung on a cross and died late afternoon. He was placed in a borrowed tomb later that day and left behind a large stone. I have have often wondered what the disciples and the followers of Jesus felt on this day. Could they have been thinking, "Will he come through with his claim to be God and rise from the dead?" Or could their thoughts have been, "Have we been part of a con job?" From their vantage point, it must have been difficult, if not downright impossible to put the pieces together concerning the importance of the death of Jesus on the cross. His death was essential. We have no resurrection...no salvation...no forgiveness if you have no death. By way of reflection, take a few moments to consider the reasons that Jesus had to die for you...for me...for the whole world.

John Piper, pastor and writer, has expressed this so well in a little book called "50 Reasons Why Jesus Had to Die". It is worth having it in your library. Reflect on these truths today. I promise...it will make the resurrection and Jesus' complete victory all the more sweeter!

50 REASONS WHY JESUS HAD TO DIE

1) To Absorb the Wrath of God

Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged u on a tree”

Romans 3:25 – whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

1 John 4:10 – In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

2) To Please His Heavenly Father

Isaiah 53:10 – Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3) To Learn Obedience and Be Perfected

Hebrews 5:8 – Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Hebrews 2:10 – For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

4) To Achieve His Own Resurrection from the Dead

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, (21) equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

5) To Show the Wealth of God’s Love and Grace

Romans 5:7-8 – For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — (8) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

6) To Show His Own Love for Us

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

7) To Cancel the Legal Demands of the Law Against Us

Colossians 2:13 – And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Eight) To Become a Ransom for Many

Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

9) For the Forgiveness of Our Sins

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Matthew 26:28 – for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

10) To Provide the Basis for Our Justification

Romans 5:9 – Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Romans 3:24 – and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:28 – For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

11) To Complete the Obedience That Becomes Our Righteousness

Philippians 2:8 – And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Romans 5:19 – For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:9 – and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith —

12) To Take Away Our Condemnation

Romans 8:34 – Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

13) To Abolish Circumcision and All Rituals as the Basis of Salvation

Galatians 5:11 – But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Galatians 6:12 – It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

14) To Bring Us to Faith and Keep Us Faithful

Mark 14:24 – And he said to them, “This is my h blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Jeremiah 32:40 – I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.

15) To Make Us Holy, Blameless, and Perfect

Hebrews 10:14 – For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Colossians 1:22 – he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

1 Corinthians 5:7 – Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

16) To Give Us a Clear Conscience

Hebrews 9:14 – how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

17) To Obtain for Us All Things That Are Good for Us

Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

18) To Heal Us from Moral and Physical Sickness

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Matthew 8:16-17 – That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. (17) This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

19) To Give Eternal Life to All Who Believe on Him

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

20) To Deliver Us from the Present Evil Age

Galatians 1:4 – who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

21) To Reconcile Us to God

Romans 5:10 – For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

22) To Bring Us to God

1 Peter 3:18 – For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

Ephesians 2:13 – But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

23) So That We Might Belong to Him

Romans 7:4 – Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Acts 20:28 – Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

24) To Give Us Confident Access to the Holiest Place

Hebrews 10:19 - Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

25) To Become for Us the Place Where We Meet God

John 2:19-21 – And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” (20) He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (21) And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

26) To Bring the Old Testament Priesthood to an End and Become the Eternal High Priest

Hebrews 7:23-27 – The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, (24) but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. (25) Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives m to make intercession for them. (26) For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. (27) He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:24-26 – For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (25) Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, (26) for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 10:11-12 - And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. (12) But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

27) To Become a Sympathetic and Helpful Priest

Hebrews 4:15-16 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

28) To Free Us from the Futility of Our Ancestry

1 Peter 1:18-19 – knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

29) To Free Us from the Slavery of Sin

Revelation 1:5-6 – and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (6) and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:12 – So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

30) That We Might Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness

1 Peter 2:24 – He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

31) So That We Would Die to the Law and Bear Fruit for God

32) To Enable Us to Live for Christ and Not Ourselves

2 Corinthians 5:15 – and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

33) To Make His Cross the Ground of All Our Boasting

Galatians 6:14 – But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

34) To Enable Us to Live by Faith in Him

35) To Give Marriage Its Deepest Meaning

Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

36) To Create a People Passionate for Good Works

Titus 2:14 – who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

37) To Call Us to Follow His Example of Lowliness and Costly Love

1 Peter 2:19-21 – For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (20) For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (21) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, a leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Hebrews 12:3-4 – Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (4) In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Philippians 2:5-8 – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

38) To Create a Band of Crucified Followers

Luke 9:23 – And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.Matthew 10:38 – And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

39) To Free Us from Bondage to the Fear of Death

Hebrews 2:14-15 – Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

40) So That We Would Be with Him Immediately After Death

1 Thessalonians 5:10 - who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

Philippians 1:21, 23 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

2 Corinthians 5:8 – Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

41) To Secure Our Resurrection from the Dead

Romans 6:5 – For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:11 – If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

2 Timothy 2:11 – The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

42) To Disarm the Rulers and Authorities

Colossians 2:14-15 – by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (15) He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

1 John 3:8 - Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

43) To Unleash the Power of God in the Gospel

1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

44) To Destroy the Hostility Between Races

Ephesians 2:14-16 – For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

45) To Ransom People from Every Tribe and Language and People and Nation

Revelation 5:9 – And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

46) To Gather All His Sheep from Around the World

John 11:51-52 – He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, (52) and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

John 10:16 - And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

47) To Rescue Us from Final Judgment

Hebrews 9:28 – so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

48) To Gain His Joy and Ours

Hebrews 12:2 – looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

49) So That He Would Be Crowned with Glory and Honor

Hebrews 2:9 - But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Philippians 2:7-9 – but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Revelation 5:12 - saying with a loud voice, a “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

50) To Show That the Worst Evil Is Meant by God for Good

Acts 4:27-28 – for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (28) to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

8th Wonder of the World - Cowboy's Stadium

2010-03-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, a group of our Beech Street Sr. Adults took a day trip to Arlington, TX to tour the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. We had a couple of vans of these great folks who made the 3 hr drive to the FW/D metroplex along with my car filled with Sean, Rob, and Emily. After a lunch at Black-Eyed Pea near the stadium, we headed over to see for ourselves the 8th wonder of the world!

This place was incredible! We had a private tour that lasted over an hour and a half! The stadium is over 3 million sg/ft and cost over $1 billion. Jerry Jones payed for over $700 million of that! As you can see, on the day we went, the turf had been rolled up and stored away. They were setting up for a moto-cross event later in the week. The screen that dominates the room cost $40 million and has 30 million LED lights! If you stand it on end, it is a 7-story building. We got to visit one of the luxury suites. They have to be leased, not purchased for 30 years. They come with quite a view. After seeing the place from many angles up high, we headed down below to the lower levels. We got to spend time visiting the Cowboy's locker room, as well as the locker room of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. I had to snap pics of lockers in both rooms that had players with a famous last name. That would be "Jenkins" of course. We got to see the door the Cowboy's run out onto the field. Their first step is on an old piece of turf from Texas Stadium. My being a true-blue Cowboy fan for years...this was a great experience! I'd love to have a chance to go to a game and experience the place with over 100,000 Cowboy fans.

After the tour, I took Sean, Rob, and Emily westward to the "promised land" of Fort Worth. Rightfully so, I always brag on the great food in my hometown to the staff. Since we were so close, we visited the best BBQ place around - Angelo's! They serve up some of the best beef ribs you have ever tasted...just fall off the bone. Dad and Megan (Rob's significant other who is a student at TX Woman's University) joined the crew for some tasty food and fun. This was a day that I and our staff needed. We have been working lots of extra hours and days on various projects and we needed to get away and have some fun. Mission accomplished on both fronts. I love and am blessed to serve with my staff. This will be a day I'll remember for a while!

Beast Feast 2010 @ Beech Street

2010-03-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

We had our second Beast Feast tonight and it was a great and powerful night. This is one of our "Believe" events at Beech St that is very community focused and evangelistic. We open this event up to families, not just men and boys. We had some incredible food from catfish to deer steak to smoked wild hog to some goood gumbo! Trust me, if you left hungry it was not our fault! Once again, my team of men were absolutely incredible. This group of men have made this ministry a labor of love and they give it their all. I love these men and God used them greatly once again this year. We had several individuals and businesses help us with the event by sponsoring a table. A huge thanks to all our sponsors!! All the funds generated from tables and ticket sales goes right back into Beast Feast to buy prizes to give away and food to eat. We had a great crowd of over 400 at our event this year, with several folks coming for the first time after hearing about last year's event.

We gave away some really nice door prizes for kids and adults. Each adult prize was valued at around $100! We had a "People's Choice" mount contest again this year with 2 categories to judge - antlers and non-antlers. We gave a prize for the winner of each category. We had some really impressive mounts entered! At the end of the evening, each person completes a special card to enter the grand prize drawing for a $500 gift card to Gander Mountain. We give that away right before we go, so nobody leaves early. Trust me, they are staying to win that!

A huge key to these events is getting great speaker. We had a one-of-a-kind man and ministry this year in Hank Hough and Kingdom Dog Ministries (www.kingdomdog.com ) Hank brought 2 of his dogs - Monk (chocolate lab) and Bandaro (black lab) with him to our event. He shares spiritual truth and a clear gospel message using the dogs and their training/obedience as an object lesson. Folks are glued to Hank, but especially glued to the dogs! Their obedience to his commands is amazing and fun to watch. They really steal the show! God is using Hank's ministry in a great way all across the country. His very "down-to-earth" demeanor and message connects with folks. We invited Hank to stay over Saturday night and speak in our Sunday morning service. I'll really be anxious to see if some of the folks who attended Sat night will come back to see more of Hank and the dogs in the morning. By the looks of the standing ovation they gave him after he spoke, I'm pretty sure that several will be at our service for more!

We have prayed and worked on this event for months. I trust that each person present was there for a purpose. As we are still sifting through the response cards, we have had several indicate making a decision to trust/follow Jesus in a new relationship. We will follow-up on these people right away to develop what God started at Beast Feast. This is a great "touch" event for our church and I'm looking forward to seeing how God continues to develop it as a tool He can use to impact lives. I'm already thinking about 2011...I'm thinking about a fishing theme. Start praying now for some bites and God's blessings!

My Week @ Angels Way

2010-03-10T13:14:00.001-08:00

Tonight is the final night of revival services at Angels Way Baptist Church (www.angelswaybaptistchurch.lifewaylink.com) in Marion. My good friend Loren Strickland has been their pastor for 8 years. Loren and I became close while serving together in LA - "Lower Arkansas" in Warren and Hermitage. We traveled together on a mission trip to Brazil with a group of other pastors. Loren is doing a great job at Angels Way. He has led this church to relocate and refocus from West Memphis to the city of Marion. Their new location and facilities are incredible and God has positioned them to make a big impact here. The people of Angels Way have been so responsive to the Lord and encouraging/kind to me. The church is filled with warm, friendly, inviting folks. God has blessed them with a lot of growth and as Marion is growing, I believe Angels Way will continue also.

Sunday morning I preached on God's love. From 1 John we looked at one thing that God does not know how to do...love you anymore than He already does. Sunday night we focused on reaching the coming generations of students and kid's. It was moving to see many come to altar to pray that Angels Way would be a place for the next generation to learn about and follow Jesus. Monday night I preached on the parable of the lost sheep out of Luke 15 and our need to make room for "one more". Tuesday night I felt led to challenge the people to be more missional...like the church at Antioch in Acts 11. Loren is challenging the church to be more on mission locally and abroad and I sensed a need to reinforce that work. Tonight I am going to challenge folks to give lavishly like Mary when she annointed Jesus' feet at Bethany. I'm praying that we all will be willing to give our all to the One who did that for us!

A side-treat during the week has been hanging out a little bit with my friend Clay Hallmark, the pastor at First Baptist Church in Marion (www.fbcmarionark.org). Clay is our current President of the AR Baptist State Convention. He is a great leader and pastor. 4 years ago this spring, Clay shared with me an opportunity to minister in Texarkana at Beech Street. At the time, I was not looking to leave Warren...little did I understand at the time that God was already working a new work for me at Beech Street. I'm very thankful for Clay's friendship...plus I got a free lunch today from the president!

I've had a wonderful week in eastern AR. Reminded me of the good times we had on this side of the state while serving as pastor of First Baptist Marked Tree. I'm so blessed and thankful for God's call on my life...at the same time feel so undeserving! My only prayer is that God has used His word and His servant to advance His causes this week. After a trustee mtg tomorrow at Ouachita, I'll head home to see Mel and the boys. I've missed them big time and so ready to see them!

Sharing Life @ Death

2010-03-04T15:31:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow morning I will be preaching my third funeral in 6 days. I've noticed as a pastor that these events seem to come in "3's". While that may be randomly true some of the time, the reality is that death is a daily part of life. I have never found the obituary page of the local newspaper blank due to nothing to print. Ecclesiastes 3.2 reminds us that there is "a time to be born, and a time to die" and that happens everyday! Hebrews 9.27 says, "It is appointed once for a man to die and after that to face the judgment."

I always count it an honor to preach at a funeral. When I meet with a family to discuss/plan the service, I share with them my three aims of a funeral. First, is to bring honor and glory to God. Second, to honor the life of the deceased person in some manner. And last, to being comfort and hope to those who gather for the occasion. In a crazy way, I really love to preach at a funeral. It is a prime moment to "be" Christ to people and share his glorious gospel of hope. For the most part, I find that at a funeral, folks are actually still enough to at least consider the subject of death...especially since they are most of the time starring at a casket place in front of them. I think that people genuinely listen better because they are considering what is being talked about. I always talk clearly about the gospel and its availability to all. It's just too ripe of an opportunity to miss out on that.

At about 11 in the morning, my seemingly usual pattern of "3's" will be complete, or at least I hope so. If it changes to "4's", I'll be ready to share life at another death!

Speaking @ OBU Chapel

2010-02-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

I got the opportunity and honor today to speak at the weekly chapel service at my alma mater, Ouachita Baptist University (www.obu.edu) in Arkadelphia. Toward the end of last year, my friend Ian Cosh, called and invited me to speak. OBU has chapel every Tuesday at 10 AM and all students are required to attend. I was under no illusion that the students gathered to hear me...they were there because they have to be. But for me...to be asked to be there...this was so cool! Most of the staff (Sean, Rob, Melanie, and Emily) traveled an hour up I-30 to support me. As we pulled into town, they put the song "Eye of the Tiger" on to get me pumped up and ready! It was too funny...I love the people I serve with and am so thankful for their friendships!

There was about 1,200 students and faculty in JPAC...that is the largest crowd I have ever preached to. God led me to talk on Proverbs 25.28 and the value of self-control. I used the recent trials of Tiger Woods to challenge students to examine any broken walls in their life and shifted to Nehemiah 2.11-17 to see how to build the walls back. I pray that God used His word today. I confess that my pride wanted students to remember me...but God reminded me that I fail if people do not remember Him and His word more than me!

After chapel, we gathered up our Beech Street students to treat them to lunch. Krystal, Andrew, Mark, and Adam joined us...Duncan had a baseball game. We had a great meal at Little Italy...who would have thought that you could get that good of authentic Italian food in Arkadelphia, Arkansas!!?? It was sooo good!

Ouachita is a really special place for me. It is the place God gave me an incredible wife in Melanie...God shaped my call to ministry...God gave me tools to accomplish His calling...God gave me so many valuable friendships that are still a blessing to me each day! What a treat to be on campus and share in chapel!

Why I Support Student Ministry!

2010-02-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

We are in the middle of our "live LOVE" Disciple Now weekend at Beech Street. Our h2o student ministry under the leading of Sean Mills (www.seanmillsh2o.com) and Rob Dunning (www.therobdunning.com) has put together an awesome weekend involving teens, college students, and adults. Mel and I are hosting the 7th grade boys at our home again this DNow...we have 8 guys at the house who can demolish some junk food! Our college leader is Chad who is a student at Texarkana College from Nashville, AR. He is doing great with the guys and is sharp in his walk with the Lord.

As a Pastor, I strongly support student ministry. It drives me crazy that so many pastors are disinterested and disconnected from their teenage ministry staff and students. Kids and teens are as much a part of God's flock as the young adults and the senior adults. I want our students to know who I am and that I care about them. This younger generation doesn't care about titles or status...just that someone is authentic. I have determined that all my folks...especially our students, will not just see me or know me from a distance.

I support student ministry because of its great value. A strong student ministry made all the difference for me. It was during that season in my life that I grew to really understand and grasp that God wanted a relationship with me. I learned how to abide and walk with Christ. My student ministers at FBC Benbrook (www.fbcbenbrook.org)...Mike Williams and Craig Hobson are men that I love and am so grateful for. I'll tell you why I support student ministry. They are incredibly receptive to the Gospel. There are more teenagers right now than ever before and they are open to Jesus. This generation can be reached...they can be a force for Kingdom work and that is why the enemy is after them big-time!

It's been a great weekend of seeing God work in the lives of teenagers...may there be many more days like this!

Barksdale AFB Pastor Appreciation

2010-02-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

Once again this year, I was invited to attend the Clergy Appreciation event at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport. Active Duty Air Force airmen or Reserve airmen are encouraged to invite their minister for a special day on base. The 917th Air Wing is the Reserve unit at Barksdale, along with the 8th Air Force and other units. It is one of only two bases that the B-52 call home. The flight line is filled with B-52's and A-10 attack fighters. My invitation came from Tech Sargent Ken Wooley, one of my Beech St. members. Ken serves the AF Reserves full-time. He maintains the many complex components of the B-52's electronic warfare systems. Much of what he works on he could not discuss. Sean Mills, my Education/Student Pastor made the trip with me for a great day with Ken and the staff at Barksdale.

We were treated to a great lunch at the officer's club. We were then briefed on the day's activities by a General who commands the 917th! We boarded a bus and got a tour of the massive base. That place is huge! We ended up going to the secure area of the flight line to see up close a B-52 and an A-10. We were given a walk-around tour of the B-52 by a weapons officer who had almost 5,000 hours of flight in the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella). He told us many of the weapons the bomber deploys and some of his recent combat missions in Afghanistan. We checked out the bomb bay and the cockpit of the massive plane! An A-10 pilot joined us to visit with us about the plane they call the Warthog. He shared with us some of the missions he had carried in Iraq helping troops on the ground with close air support. The coolest part of the A-10 is the massive gun under the nose that I would not want to have aimed at me! We got a special treat at the end as Ken got permission to show us his work station and a B-52 his guys had been working on.

This day makes me so appreciate Ken and the many other folks in our military doing the mission and keeping our nation safe. They are so nice and encouraging to us, but it's the airmen that deserve the thanks! Thanks for the invite Ken...I can't wait until next year!!

Super Sunday & New Sermon Series

2010-02-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

It's time for Super Sunday at Beech St this week! Each year, we have a couple of big-day, one-day, emphasis on our small group ministry. On Super Sunday we encourage each group to contact all members and invite some new friends. On Sunday evening, our small groups are having Super Bowl home fellowships all across Texarkana. Sunday morning is sure to be charged with all kinds of energy and excitement as we gather to worship our great God. Sunday night is filled with some great times of friendship and fun. Melanie and I have invited our College small group to our home for the big game and fellowship. We're excited to have these great students in our home. What are your plans this coming Super Sunday? At Beech St, we have seized this day to make it more about our gatherings than a game!

I'm really excited about a new sermon series I'm starting this Sunday called "Dream Home". For too many, home is a place of struggle...dare I say nightmare, at times. In this series, I will be tackling with application how we can apply God's principles to our families. I'll be preaching on family time, marriage, communication, parenting, and more! You can catch the messages on our website www.beechstreetfbc.org by clicking on the "Media" tab. I'm praying and believing that Sunday is indeed going to be SUPER all day long!

TX High Plains Fun

2010-01-23T16:32:00.000-08:00

This past week, I traveled to the High Plains of West Texas to hunt sandhill cranes. This trip with my Dad and my brother-in-laws, Mike (husband to my sister, Lori) and Neil (husband to Mel's sister, Tracey) has been in the works for almost a year. We hunted with Childress Guides and Outfitters in O'Donnell, TX. My Dad has been hunting out here for over 20 years with Pat and Melba Childress. Pat is "The Man" when it comes to hunting sandhill crane...he is the premier guide in TX, with folks from many states, even Canada, that come hunt here. Ms. Melba is a great host and an incredible cook! We ate every meal around their kitchen table and were treated just like family.

As folks have found out what I was up the last few days, I've been asked a couple of questions. First, "When did you start hunting?" and second, "What are sandhill cranes?" To answer the first, I've been hunting since I was 10 with my dad. I'm so thankful that I got to tag along and hunt dove, quail, deer, and ducks growing up. In 2 of the churches I have served, great hunting was a fringe benefit. In Marked Tree, AR (northeast AR) I was in the middle of some of the best and most legendary duck hunting around. I spent many mornings out on the St. Francis river with my hunting buddies, Hoot (real name!) and Bill. In Warren, AR I was in a great deer and duck hunting area. I loved deer hunting at Camp 13 with some great guys and spent many amazing mornings at the Promised Land Duck Club with one of the all-time greats, "The Captain", Steve Richardson! Since coming to Texarkana, I sort of "retired"...so busy with a new work and just have not pursued hunting much. That has changed this year, as my 2 oldest boys are starting to show interest in heading to the woods, water, and fields. Reid (my 10 yr old) killed his first deer this year at Uncle Neil's hunting club in Camden, AR. I've had a renewed interest because of the boys desire to hunt. I'm looking forward to checking into several options and having a great fall and winter with the boys this year!

Sandhill crane are NOT those birds that you see standing around the lake or your local pond. They are a migratory bird. Much like ducks and geese, they hatch in central and western Canada. They move south through the central grain states of Nebraska and the like, eventually spending the remainder of the winter on the high plains of west Texas. As you can tell by the pic, they are big birds. I would guess that they weigh in from 5-9 pounds! I'm not kidding when I say that we saw at least 100,000 crane! There are tons of these birds! During the season, you can harvest 3 crane per day. If you have ever been goose hunting, this is close to it. As for eating them, I have heard that crane is the "steak" of migratory birds. Melba fixed us her famous filet-crane-on for supper one night and it was awesome!

The 3 days we spent in the beautiful country of west Texas was so much fun! The time with family and in fellowship was priceless. We are already planning our next trip back to see Pat, Melba, and some sandhill cranes!

Tears for Haiti

2010-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

I heard the news story that broke late yesterday about the massive 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti. After a busy day Tuesday, I honestly did not pay attention to the talking heads and the initial images. In my morning devotion I prayed for Haitian relief efforts and for opportunities to show and share the love of Jesus through this disaster. It was not until I slowed down enough to really look at the images and read some information that became broken and moved to tears. Haiti, in many ways, was a disaster before the quake. It is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with over 80% of people living on virtually nothing, about $2 per day. I read a report from a missionary who stated that the whole country is built of concrete and it has all either cracked or collapsed. Haitian government officials are saying that there could be as many as 100,000 dead, and after seeing the pictures, I could believe it. With such a dense number of people packed into this space, the dead and injured has to be overwhelming.
As I scrolled through several images, I was overcome with sorrow, conviction, and motivation in my own heart. I feel compelled to do something. As a pastor, my staff and I have been doing some research today in how we can lead out and encourage our church to give to Christian relief efforts in Haiti. I want to mention 3 that have stood out to me today. 1. The disaster relief efforts of Southern Baptists is focused through an agency called Baptist Global Response (www.baptistglobalresponse.com). Funds can be given directly to this organization or through a Baptist state convention. I have received word that the Arkansas Baptist State Convention is collecting relief funds to pass to BGR (www.absc.org). The Florida Baptist Convention is leading some relief efforts as well (www.flbaptist.org). 100% of funds given is going to Haiti and the disaster ministry. 2. I trust and respect Samaritan's Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org). I've been involved with Operation Christmas Child for several years and have been impressed with the mission and integrity of Franklin Graham. Samaritan's Purse has had teams on the ground in Haiti since last night. 3. World Vision (www.worldvision.org) is a ministry focused on helping children. It is not limited to children, but gives them a great deal of focus and ministry. Our family has sponsored a boy named Dedinho who lives on the western coast of Africa. Its been a joy to give to and pray for him. I can only imagine that there will be countless children who will need special aid and assistance after all this.
I pray that through my help...your help...the help of countless others...that the words of Psalm 147.3 will be come reality for the people of Haiti, both physically and spiritually. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Mornings with God - Getting Started with a Quiet Time

2010-01-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

One of the most often-asked questions I get this time each year is, "Can you help me get started having a quiet time?" Simply put, you must have a daily time where you are meeting with God. If you lack such a time, you better get accustomed to struggle. Of all the spiritual decisions and disciplines that I have made...committing a portion of my morning to God has been one of the greatest. Some of my most meaningful times have come in the quiet of my office as I have read, wrestled, listened, and yielded to God and His word for me on that day. If you have an established quiet time, great! Keep it up and keep it fresh! If this is a struggle for you, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind as you get started in 2010.

1. You must see a QT as a PRIORITY. I hear people say that they just don't have time to read the Bible or pray in the morning. Yet many, find time to read the paper or watch a morning news show. Spending this time is a discipline that has to be developed. Commit this task to the Lord...ask Him for help and strength to get started and keep going. Physically, we take and make time to feed ourselves. How tragic that many are spiritually starving themselves because they have not made spending time with God a priority. Your walk will suffer if you continue to neglect this priority.

2. You must have a QT PLAN. Trying to have a devotional time without a plan is a sure-way to have a "flame out" after a few days. You need some structure and direction. There are several good Bible reading plans that can be found on the web. The best tool that I have found is the One-Year Bible. It breaks the Bible into daily readings of the OT, NT, Psalm, and Proverbs. If you want to see more, check out the link on the blog to the right. I've used the One-Year 2 of the last 3 years. Last year I worked through the One-Year Chronological Bible (readings lined out in the order they happened vs. the order the Bible is written) and loved it for a change. For 2010, I'm trying something new out as I'm reading "The Message" Bible through daily readings and working through a One-Year Devotional Prayer Book. The point of all that information is...you need to have a plan or your passion will fall off!

3. You must have a QT PLACE. The depth of this next statement is sure to move you. To have an effective quiet time, you need to find and secure a quiet place. This is a task you can't do at the breakfast table with the family or in front of the morning news. To have a quiet moment you may have to wake up 30 minutes earlier to have the house to yourself. For several years, I have spent my time with God at the office. As soon as I walk in and turn on the lights, I get my books and read before touching or looking at any work. Finding that spot free of interruption and disturbance is key to the necessary reflection, listening, and talking of a healthy quiet time.

If you are not doing this...you can...and you must! Get started today and see the difference spending your mornings with God will make in your 2010!

Operation Hot iphone

2009-12-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

I love the old cop shows from the 1960's. My two favorites were Adam 12 and Dragnet. Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Bill Gannon were tough as nails dealing with the criminals in the city of Los Angeles. Amazingly, they always caught the bad guy and solved the case in 30 minutes! This Monday, I and much our office, set aside our normal ministry activities and became Joe Friday. We had a crime that had to be solved and we were determined to see the case closed.

It all started Sunday night when Melanie's iphone was stolen from church. After the musical, Mel sat her phone on top of some items and turned away for a few moments to return and find the phone gone. Myself and others on staff called the phone and texted with no answer. We figured the phone gone and were scrambling to make a plan for a replacement Monday morning. After continuing to send multiple texts early Monday morning like "U have a stolen phone...return it today...u r being tracked" and one sent from my staff, "U have stolen the pastor's phone", there was still nothing. That is until mid-morning when we got a text back from Mel's phone. For the next couple hours we texted and eventually ending up talking on the phone (Mel's phone) with a young man. He told us that he did not take the phone. He wanted to make things right, but needed some help. His baby needed diapers and formula, and he asked if he could get an eye exam because poor vision was keeping him from being able to hold down a job. We told him that we were willing to help him if he would return the phone.

He agreed to do that. Sean and Rob ( my student ministers) and I loaded in our van and drove to the house he told us. He came outside and handed the phone over. We gave him the diapers and formula, then loaded him and his 4-month old daughter in the van to go get an eye exam. This guy told us where he got the phone...a student that we have tried to minister to at church took it Sunday night and gave it to this guy who was staying at his house. Turns out the guy has some serious issues with his eyes that need treatment that is very expensive. We got him the info and some options for further help. We took him back to the house and headed back to the office.

The police are going to deal with the young man that stole the phone. We suspect that he has been involved in a few other thefts at the church over the past couple of months. Only God could have taken a hot iphone and turned it in to an opportunity to show grace and give help to a guy who was willing to give the phone back. It took a little longer than 30 minutes to get the case solved, but less than 24 hours after it was stolen, a happy Mel was chatting on her iphone. I knew that all those episodes of Dragnet would come in handy one day! Pretty incredible Monday...God's grace still amazes me!

A Ministry Mile-Marker

2009-11-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I hit one of those personal mile-markers in my ministry. My assistant shared with me that she logged my 1,000th sermon! That seems absolutely crazy to me! I remember starting out in ministry having one "Sermons" file folder that contained all I had. Now, I have 2 file drawers that are nearly full. I love the privilege and the task of preaching. 1 Timothy 5.17 speaks of those who "labor in preaching and teaching". It is a labor/work, but it is one that I love. Preaching is an essential part of God's Kingdom work. Romans 10.14-15 speaks to that...in part saying, "And how are they to hear without someone preaching?".

Each of the 3 churches that I have had the joy of pastoring have come with great ladies that served as assistants. Claudine (Marked Tree) and Fran (Warren) put up with me on a daily basis and were an important part of my ministry, as well as the whole church. A first for me now at Beech Street is that my assistant (Salli) primarily only covers me. I share her in a couple of other ways, but for the most part she belongs to the pastor. Of the many great things that Mike Huckabee did as pastor at Beech Street in the late 1980's, one of them was to hire Salli. I tell her often that she is the best personal assistant I've ever had...of course then I remind her that she is the only one that I've ever had to myself! Before coming to Texarkana, my sermons were in files, but were not organized. If God brought a previous message to mind, I just had to start searching for it. Salli has taken all my messages and logged them in Microsoft Access with several categories. Each sermon has info on it that includes title, text, subject, date/place preached, part of a series, etc. Each sermon is assigned a number and filed accordingly. I can search for and find any message with ease by using any of the above ways. Salli has spoiled me and I'm so grateful for her organization in this area!

I'm well on my way to working on the next 1,000, Lord willing. I never imagined that God would call me to a task like this. Naturally, I'm introverted and somewhat shy. I was voted "Most Quiet" as a senior at Western Hills High School in 1988! I'm humbled and overwhelmed weekly at what God allows me to do. I gladly accept God's challenge in 2 Timothy 4.2 to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching".

Friend Day @ Beech Street

2009-11-09T11:33:00.001-08:00

We had a great Sunday at Beech St yesterday! While every Sunday is a "friend day", each year we pour lots of effort and resources into one day that focuses on taking the opportunity to intentionally invite friends to church. Our guest for the day was Grant Ethridge. He serves as Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia (www.lbcmin.com). Grant served here in Arkansas at one church - First Baptist Lavaca - for almost 20 years! He has been in Virginia for approaching 3 years and God is doing some great things in that place. I got to know Grant when I had him come to Immanuel in Warren for a week of revival services back in 2003. His friendship has been a great blessing to me. His leadership and mentorship to me as a young pastor has meant so much. This Sunday was Grant's first time to be away from Liberty since going there. Getting him to Texarkana was really a "God" thing! And God used him yesterday to encourage folks greatly with God's Gospel and truth.

Boz the Big Green Bear was also our guests for Friend Day. Our preschool/children loved him and his show. Emily Smith, our Children's Minister, worked for the production company in Dallas that handles Boz while she was going to SWBTS in Ft. Worth. She used her connections to get the "Big Green Bear" to Beech St! Connecting with kids has been a huge part of our growth of young families...seeking lots more of that in the days ahead.

Our h2o Student Ministry led by Sean and Rob brought in the band, KingsDown, from Little Rock for a concert during the small group time Sunday morning. They rocked it out! The students worked hard inviting friends, in fact we had 100 students Sunday with several friends in small group and worship.

One-Day events like Friend Day are a lot of work and will wear you out, but they are worth it in the end. Praise God for showing up yesterday! May He do it again this Sunday...for another "friend day"!

Arkansas Pastor's Conference Reflections

2009-11-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the Pastor's Conference here in Arkansas. It always takes place the day before our Southern Baptists churches gather from across our state to report, encourage, and focus on God's work through us. This past year, I've served as the president of the Pastor's Conference. That fancy title basically means that I'm responsible for planning and pulling off the conference. Here I sit on Tuesday, the morning after, reflecting back on a great conference yesterday. I'm also finding myself reflecting on some lessons I learned over the course of this last year...thought I would ramble about a few.

I've made some new friends. David Hastings from Bentonville and Matt Pryor from Conway served as officers with me this past year. Getting to forge a new friendship with these guys has been great. Their passion and attention to this conference has been so helpful. I'm thankful that God put us together for this work.

I've had my faith stretched a bit. About this time last year, I had just been elected to serve as president. I had no clue what the conference would be about or who would come speak. I remember me, David, and Matt gathering to pray...asking God to come through. God led us to a theme (Bridging the Gap-Reaching Coming Generations) and to the exact speakers that were needed to drive that home in AR pastors, staff, and church leaders. The big question that every guy in my shoes deals with is, "How am I going to pay for all this?" The ABSC gives some start-up money for the conf, but the major funding is the responsibility of the president. God led us to some incredible speakers who we believed fit the theme. Now how were we going to get them to AR? How would I pay for flights, hotels, expenses, and all the other stuff that comes with a conference? I did not have to pay for it...God did! In what I believe was a miracle, God supernaturally provided for every need through the faithful and generous gift of a person in Texarkana committed to loving pastors and building God's kingdom. The details are not important...just that God is faithful and stretched me to get that lesson a little more. Wow!

I've been challenged to be more passionate and targeted on reaching out to the coming generation. Each speaker we had was unique, but there was a common thread of how we can "bridge the gap". Scott Maze from Van Buren, AR preached that the gap will be bridged when they see real intensity and passion in us. Al Meredith from Fort Worth (my former pastor from Wedgwood days) preached that the gap would be bridged by grasping the differences in the ages and engaging the lonely and isolated like Jesus did. John Avant from West Monroe, LA preached that the gap would be bridged by getting a new vision for the work and pursuing this generation that the enemy is so after. Ted Traylor from Pensacola, FL preached that the bridge will involve encouragement and getting hands dirty in doing good works. David Uth from Orlando, FL preached that to bridge the gap we don't need to lower the bar, but instead raise it...that's what this coming generation wants.

As I left last night, my cup was full. The worship and adoration of God that Jon and Suzanne Rushing led in was amazing...along with the good and timely words preached. But God's Spirit nudged me...reminding me that he filled me up so that I could be poured out. How I long to be a pastor and church leader that God uses to bridge the gap with the coming generations! Thank you God for an amazing day and year!

Boy's Night/Day Out

2009-10-28T13:50:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, the Jenkins boys packed up and headed to the wilderness for a Friday night and Saturday trip. We were excited to go and Melanie was excited to stay home and get some peace and quiet! A great BSFBC guy and friend, Jerry Hile, along with his boys Brennen and Hampton, invited us to spend the night with them at their cabin in Daisy, AR on the northern shores of Lake Greeson. After the drive up, some cabin time, and a greasy pizza dinner in Glenwood, Friday night came to an end. We got up early Saturday morning and rode 4-wheelers in the Albert Pike Rec Area...part of the Ouachita National Forest. I had heard about this place, but never been. This first-timer just marveled at the beauty of this place. From the "Blue Hole" to the Little Missouri River Falls, and all the trails in between, we had a great time together enjoying God's incredible creation. For most of the day, Brennen and Ryan (both 14) drove a 4-wheeler each with Reid choosing to trust riding on back with Brennen over his brother! (Imagine that!) Jerry, myself, Hampton, and Rett rode in the Ranger. We hit a few mudholes and returned back only mildly dirty.

What was so neat for me is that Sunday morning I preached on the Christian core truth of creation in my current series "Identity". Talk about a way to wrap up a week of study and preparation...getting to see all that He made up close and personal. That will not be my last time to Albert Pike. The boys insisted that we have to break down and show Mom some of these sights...so we will be back.

It made for a great weekend of God time, Dad time, and friend time!

Perspective

2009-10-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

On my run early this morning, the cool sky was packed with stars. At two points on my run, I saw shooting stars. They were so vivid and clear against the early sky. It made me think, "Who threw that star?" As just little me ran, I was overwhelmed with the thoughts of how God knows and cares for me, even while all that He made, He is maintaining. I mean, it's not like God does not have millions of other things He is working on, yet He knows me...He was speaking to me. God prompted my heart to the words of Psalm 8.3-4, "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"

Lather that morning, I read Luke 10.38-ff in my One-Year Chronological Bible. It is the story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha was not bad, so was just busy. She was so busy doing for Jesus that she missed an opportunity to just sit at the feet of Jesus and take in his truth. It is so easy to become like Martha! I need to hear that...I need that perspective to keep me focused and balanced. May I and you be more like Mary in this story...choose what is better...and He is better than anything else!

Busy Few Days

2009-10-05T12:34:00.001-07:00

I found this neat picture of a really busy airport. The last few days and this coming week are going to be like this for me...lots and coming and going!

I want to thank Chris Wright and the folks at Grace Baptist (www.gracebastrop.com) in Bastrop, Louisiana for a wonderful Sunday at their "Friend Day". I love to preach and count it an undeserved joy each Sunday. While I was sad to be away from my Beech Street family, the folks in NE LA were kind and a joy to be with. A nice lady shared with me after the service about how encouraging and on-target the message was for her. She said that if it was just for her, thanks and it was worth it. Words like that make we love what I'm privileged to do.

Sean (www.seanmillsh20.com) did a great job here at Beech Street. What a blessing to have a partner on staff that can bring it from the pulpit! I try not to let him preach too much...they might want him instead of me! If you missed his message like me, you can watch it on our website www.beechstreetfbc.org under the "Media" tab. I was excited to hear of another new family that joined in on what God is doing at Beech Street...welcome Wheat family!

After a full Monday of office stuff, study, and visits, I'll be in Little Rock tomorrow for a Ouachita meeting. I'm heading to Fort Worth to see family Friday and Saturday so it will be a short and very full week. Looking forward to getting back to the "Identity" series this Sunday morning...preaching on the Holy Spirit. In all my flights this week, Lord, keep me grounded!