Random Thoughts

Today was another great day at First A/G. We had a wonderful service. I believe they get better each week. Cathy and I are enjoying some down time tonight. It has been a busy weekend but enjoyable. It is always good to be with family especially those from out of town. Thanksgiving is the only time of year I get to visit with some of them. Wouldn't miss it for anything.

Charles and Tyler went back to school after lunch. They should get back to the campus later tonight. They have 7:30 a.m. classes tomorrow.'

Now we are focusing on the wedding and Christmas. Tomorrow night is the staff/board Christmas party. The wedding is just over two weeks away. Sarah has her last dress fitting on Thursday.

Life just keeps going along. I am enjoying the ride.

Thanksgiving Celebration

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours has been busy but good. Thursday we went to my father's family for lunch and then to my mother's family for dinner. I ate way too much but we had a really good time. This is the only time of the year I get to see some family members.

Friday we traditionally go to a movie with my brother and my cousin Matthew and their families. The kids always enjoy it. Then we go to my parents house and have pizza together. This is one of my favorite times.

Today (Saturday) we are going to Cathy's family in Robards. They are nice enough to work around my family for Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to it.

I am really looking forward to service tomorrow. Last Sunday was a special service and I believe for more tomorrow. Hope everyone is able to come.

Thanksgiving

Wednesday night we had our thanksgiving dinner for our food pantry guests. It was a great night. I shared with the guests what I was most thankful for this year. Let me share them with you:

1) Charles & Tyler graduated from high school
2) Charles & Tyler enrolled into Central Bible College
3) So far we have been able to the college bill.
4) Sarah is getting married in December
5) Emma & Macey turned 1 and are doing well.
6) For a great family and church family

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Generosity

I was reflecting today about First A/G's generosity. We gave 145 shoe boxes full of toys to Samaritan's Purse missions project Operation Christmas Child. These are gifts that are given to the world's poorest children. Tonight we are having Thanksgiving Dinner for our Food Pantry guests. We will serve dinner to around 150 guests and give out around 150 food baskets. This is meeting the need of the neediest of our community. In December we will begin raising money for our end of the year mission project: Hope House. This is a residential home in the amazon jungle for girls that come out of overt poverty, prostitution, and even slavery. Our church is truly generous.

I believe giving is what the holiday season is all about. We live in such a consumer culture. It is easy to get caught up in it. We think more about what we want rather than what others need. I believe these service projects we do at the end of each year is important to help us to keep a proper perspective.

Charles & Tyler

We are waiting for Charles & Tyler to come home. We are really excited. It has been quite a while since we have seen them. This is the first time in our lives we have been separated from any of our children. It has reinforced the idea that the holidays are about family. This is the most excited we have been about thanksgiving in a long time because our family is going to be back together. For those parents who have all their children home, enjoy it and don't take it for granted. Also remember those families whose sons and daughters are serving overseas in the military and as missionaries.

My brother is coming to town tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing the babies again. I have not seen them since labor day weekend. They change so much at that age. I know they will not remember me, but hopefully they will warm up to me quickly.

Planning session

I went to the KY District office today for a planning session. 2009 is the 75th anniversary of the KY District Council. The opening night of District Council will be our celebration service. I am a member of the team planning the event. It should be a really exciting night. We are going to honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest into our future. We are putting together a creative team and praying about what investments we are asking our people to make but it is exciting. I really believe that the best days for the church are coming. Something in my spirit tells me that God is up to something. I am looking forward to the future.

Healing

We had a marvelous service today. I am always amazed at God's grace. I believe that God changed some lives today. I believe that some miracles of healing took place. So many times when we think of healing we think of broken bodies, but I have learned that some of the biggest hurts are broken hearts and spirits. Some of the deepest healing is those that need to occur on the inside of a person. I think God did some of that today. For those who came to the front, keep possession of your healing through faith. God did something special today.

Home from Fall Fling

Cathy and I just got back from the youth convention. It was really good. Each service was incredible. I think our young people were really blessed. This is one of those trips were everything went right. The band was great, the kids were good, the speakers were right on, and God showed up. Cathy and I have been on a lot of these trips, but this one would rank right up there with the best of them. Glad we got to go.

Life Principles

I have been working on something in my personal devotionals. Psalm 119 uses the word principles several times. The Psalmist says teach me your principles. I have been making a list of "life principles." Biblical principles that I want to live my life by. It is an unfinished product. So far I have written 31 of them. The list may grow or shrink as I work on it. For the next several days I want to share some with you. My first life principle is this: "Knowing God is my highest calling." There is nothing more important in life than to know and experience God. If I only do one thing in a day it has to be to know God more. Knowing God is the key to everything else: my marriage, kids, money, etc.

I will continue sharing my life principles when we get back from the youth convention (remember to pray for us). In the mean time begin thinking and writing your own. What Biblical principles are you living by.

Random Thoughts

Tomorrow we are going to Fall Fling. It is the A/G youth convention. Cathy and I are really looking forward to it. It has been a long time since we have gone on a youth trip. Pray for us.

I spoke with Bill McDonald today. He said his grand daughter is doing well. They are still waiting about the surgery. They should know more in the next few days but for now baby and mother are doing well. Praise the Lord. God answers prayer.

This Sunday I will continue teaching on the Holy Spirit. The teaching will be "The Holy Spirit is Wonderful." I believe that God is going to bless us abundantly.

Saw some snow flurries this afternoon. It seems a little early for snow but it was pretty. It is going to be a cold weekend. I hope it warms up some for Thanksgiving.

Charles and Tyler are coming home next Tuesday. We can't wait to see them.

Youth Trip

This weekend Cathy and I are taking the youth to Fall Fling. It has been a long time since I was on a youth trip but I am looking forward to it. Pastor Steve is working on his house and wants to be with Leslie, so we are going on the road. I am getting ready for a long ride in a church van, lots of pizza, and no sleep. The good side is the speakers that are scheduled are awesome. I believe the services are going to be great. Pray for us and for the kids.

We have a baby.

I received an email from Bill McDonald. It says "all went well. 6lbs. 11oz 19.25 inches. No immediate surgery needed. We will know more later."

Saturday

Today is work around the house. Cathy and I painted a bathroom and are working on Christmas decorations. Our house in on First A/G's holiday home tour. It is a fund raiser for missions. We need to get a lot done this weekend. Next weekend we are going to Fall Fling and then it is Thanksgiving. The home tour is on December 6. It is only three weeks away. It will be fun though.

Breakfast with Kristen

Today I got to take my niece, Kristen, to breakfast. I don't get to spend much time with her, especially alone. She is in for the day and we got to spend some time together. It was fun. I believe in the importance of the extended family. There was a time in our nation that you lived close to your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Now a days families are more spread out and we do not always live close to one another, so it takes more effort to have influence over your extended family, but it is worth it. I believe we can have an impact on our families. We do not want to reach the whole world and lose our own families. We need to make the effort to spend time with them. The holiday season is coming and it is a perfect time to do so. Make time this year to spend extra time with your family.

A Visitation of the Holy Spirit

Last night I had a wonderful experience. Before I went to sleep I was reading a book on the Holy Spirit. Later in the evening I was awakened and experienced the presence of God. It is hard to explain or to put into words but you know it is God. I just stayed in my bed and my mind was full of thoughts about the Holy Spirit, how great and wonderful He is. I do not know how long it lasted but it was incredible. It is one of those moments you live for. A few moments in the presence of God gives you a taste of what heaven is like. For those who have never experienced this, I know it must sound weird, but all I know is I was blind but now I see. I cannot explain it but I can tell you about it. God filled my room, my heart, and my mind. God is a today God. God is a personal God. God is a now God. The Bible teaches that if we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. You can have a personal encounter with God as well.

Family Night

Wednesday night is family night at First A/G. We have family meal at 5:30 p.m. Tonight we are having barbecue and all the fixings. At 7:00 p.m. we have our family ministries. There is Missionettes for the girls, Royal Rangers for the boys, G7 youth ministries for our young people, and adult Bible study and prayer for the adults. It is a night that the whole family gets ministered to.

In the Adult Bible Study we are going to learn about establishing memorials in our lives. The concept is that remembering what God has done in the past builds faith for the present. I am going to give each person an opportunity to build a memorial by remembering what God has done in your past and then we will spend time in prayer for the present.

Holiday Home Tour

I had a really good day today. It was one of those days that I felt like a pastor. I visited two people in the hospital and led one of them in the salvation prayer. I made some plans for Christmas. I prepared for CLASS 301. I wrote a letter to be mailed out to the congregation. I prepared for Sunday's sermon. I think I got a lot done and made a difference in some people's lives.

One of the Christmas plans we made for First A/G is a Holiday Home Tour. This is a fundraiser for our end of the year mission's project Hope House. We preparing to have five homes from our church and the church sanctuary on a tour. They will decorate for Christmas and we will charge $10.00 per person. All proceeds will go to the home in Ecuador that houses girls that have experienced severe abuse, prostitution, and even slavery. It is a great project and I believe a great fund raiser. It will be fund and go to a good cause.

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning I am going to teach on "Four Principles for the Operation of the Holy Spirit." Paul teaches in I Corinthians 14 how the gifts of the Spirit are suppose to operate in a corporate worship service. The church in Corinth was a Pentecostal church where the gifts of the Spirit were evident. The church was having some difficulty and was becoming divided. Paul wrote this church a letter that taught the church about spiritual gifts and how they were to be demonstrated. Paul not only spoke about how the Holy Spirit ministered to the individual but how the Holy Spirit ministered to the whole body. I hope you are able to be there Sunday. I believe God has something special for us.

Spending the day with Cathy

Today I am going to spend the day with Cathy. Sarah and Ross went to Springfield to visit Charles & Tyler so Cathy and I are alone this weekend. We are looking forward to it. We have talked about taking a drive, having lunch together, doing a little shopping, and anything else we want to do. We are looking forward to it.

A Great Day

Cathy and I had a great day yesterday. We spent the day visiting some couples in our church. We really enjoyed ourselves. First A/G is made up of some of the best people on earth. We were given such hospitality and kindness. It was one of those days that you are thankful to be pastors at First.

This Sunday I am preaching on "The Ministry of the Holy Spirit." We will learn how the Holy Spirit helps us in everyday life. I think it is going to be a great day. At the altar time we are going to give people an opportunity to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit or to receive a fresh filling of the Spirit. If you do not know what that means, come to the service and check it out.

Don't forget that we are sponsoring "Samaritan's Purse" this holiday season. Cathy and I are going this weekend to get our shoe boxes. We are going to give one for a boy and one for a girl.

Conference on the Holy Spirit

Yesterday I worked on the calendar for 2009. I think we are going to try something new next year. Many of our people like to go to conferences. It is a good time of renewal. I think next year we are going to try to host a conference. I want it to be a "conference on the Holy Spirit." I want it to be a weekend where we all receive a fresh filling of God's presence in our lives. I am currently working on scheduling the speakers and confirming dates. We will need help putting together promotional materials and figuring out all the details. I would like for churches across the region to participate. Please pray with me. I want this to be God's will and I want to think big.

Election Results

Today is the day after! Some of your candidates won and some of your candidates lost. This is true for me. This morning I was thinking, "what is the right response the day after the election?"

1) Continue to pray for our nation.
2) Be civil. The Bible clearly teaches us to obey our authority.
3) Stand for righteousness. Speak up for the unborn, marriage, etc.
4) Trust in God. Jesus is your saviour, healer, and provider. Place your trust in Him.

This is a day of great opportunity for believers. We can be the voice of righteousness. We can demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit and civility. We can demonstrate faith in God. This is not a bad day but a great day. A day the Lord has made.

Vote for Jesus

Today I got the privilege to vote. I really do believe it is an honor. Men and women have shed their blood for our nation's freedom. Families have had an empty seat at their dinner table because their sons and daughters gave the greatest sacrifice for America. I believe that gives me the responsibility to vote. I do not understand why so many citizens fail to exercise their duty. I hope all of you voted today.

Thinking of the sacrifice our soldiers made for us naturally reminds me of the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. He shed his blood that we might be saved. Jesus has provided for our freedom from sin, death, and the grave. If you have not received that freedom, I strongly encourage you to do so today. Vote for Jesus!

Vote

I encourage everyone to vote tomorrow. I believe it is our civic responsibility. The Bible teaches that believers are to be good citizens. I am going to the church for our prayer meeting. I am seeking God's will for America.

Today I was in Louisville at the District office. We had a departmental meeting. It was really good. We do not get together very often. Most of the district department heads also pastor a church or have another full time job. We are volunteers. They are a great group of people. They love God and love our Kentucky pastors and churches. There was a good energy in the room. Pastor Joe, our district superintendent, does a wonderful job. It was a good day.

Election

Tuesday is an important day in our nation. Every four years we elect our president. He is considered the leader of the free world. I believe it is the civic duty of every believer to vote. I encourage you to vote Tuesday for the candidate of your choice. Monday night we are having a prayer meeting. I believe it is good to gather and pray for our nation and God's will on the eve of election day. They prayer meeting is 6:30 till 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Step up and spend some time in prayer for America.

Surviving an Economic Crisis

This Sunday I am giving a special message. I am teaching on "Surviving an Economic Crisis." I believe the Bible teaches a great deal about how to handle our money. If we manage our money God's Way, we can survive any crisis, whether it be on a national or personal scale. Tomorrow I will teach Four Principles to Succeed Financially.

Monday night I am calling a special prayer meeting. This Sunday begins 21 days of prayer. I believe our church needs to set some time aside and seek God. Monday is especially strategic because it is the day before the election. We will pray in the sanctuary from 7 to 8 p.m. The Pastor's Cabinet will meet from 6:30 to 7.