Church

The late pastor Dr. George Truett (First Baptist of Dallas) once said: "God will not ask you what kind of a church you lived in but what kind of church you longed for." What kind of church do you long for?  Jesus described the type of church I long for: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18) A church that is on the offensive. A church that is taking the battle to the darkness. Posted from WordPress for Android

This is from Jimmy Valvano, the coach who led NC State to the NCAA basketball title in 1983.  Nearly ten years later he died of cancer. "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day" ... Cancer can take away all my physical ability.  It cannot touch my mind; it cannot touch my heart; and it cannot touch my soul.  And those three things are going to carry on forever". Posted from WordPress for Android

We were studying Acts 9 in our elders Bible study this morning.  Acts 9 tells the story of Saul's (Paul) conversion to Christianity.  In one simple statement Luke tells us that Ananias baptized Saul and then moves on with the rest of Acts.  Never again do we hear about Ananias. Do you ever wondered what stories Ananias might have told years later, stories around the dinner table when people are sharing highlights or bragging points?  "I taught the second graders in Sunday School last week", one guest might say.  "I baptized Paul. Maybe you've heard of him". We don't know if Ananias ever baptized anyone else.  In the world of multi-level marketing, however, Ananias would have a tremendous down-stream. Never underestimate or under-appreciate what a single person can do when they are obedient to God. Posted from WordPress for Android

Discipleship -- the art and process of becoming more like Jesus -- requires a nimbleness of mind, attitude, and spirit.  While I'm not a dancer nor the son of a dancer, it might be best described as two-stepping. Step one - moving downward, burying our old self in an act of spiritual crucifixion. Step two - moving upward by setting our sights on things above. This nimbleness is not easy.  It requires a thoughtfulness that isn't always light-hearted or easily reckoned with.  It asks us to adjust our habits, which is more than turning over a new leaf -- it's often the rooting out of a dead influence and beginning the process of planting and nurturing a new one. Dancing and discipleship.  Nimble.  Two-stepping.