"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"
Hebrews 10:24
"Old" (i.e. the older members participating) and young moved across with the field with joy and excitment. Runners strove up the baselines with intensity. Batters swung for the gate. Throws were made-some taking their spots while others were errant. Runs were scored. And laughter was heard all around.
Saturday was a fantastic time together for those who gathered for the church-wide softball game. It had been many years since a softball game had actually taken place on our old field. I am sure that memories flooded the minds of those that participated in church league games years ago. For one moment, the old competitive juices flowed again in a game that led to a final score of 23-22.
As we played together on Saturday, we were reminded of the simple joy of just being together and being a part of an activity that allowed us to enjoy one another. You can't help but wonder why such things are not more a part of our regular fellowship. It is in those times that we get to see things about each other that we have never seen before. We are able to "let our hair down" and laugh and run and smile. It is in that fellowship together that we enjoy one another and are glad that we are a part of each other's lives.
In those moments we recognize how much we love each other and are glad that we are in each others lives.
In the midst of sore muscles and funny attempts to recover old sports glory, we are surrounded by the joy of being part of the church. We see God's good gift of laughter and friendship and sport.
We see that fellowship is often the choice to be together. Yes - we can be doing something else with our Saturdays. Yes - we can be somewhere else. Yes - when we are together like that, we wonder, perhaps, why we have not sought that fellowship sooner and more often. (I am sure some who woke up on Sunday mornign know why it has been a long time?)
As I headed off toward Savannah on Saturday evening after the softball game and cookout, I was truly happy. I was glad to have been in Arabi, Georgia with an incredibly fun group of people. I was glad that their was joy and love in our midst. I was touched by the sweet memory of a group of people that surrounded me and prayed for me as I would go and preach to another sister congregation. It all communicated to me-we are together and it is good.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Prayers of Charles Spurgeon's Mother
"Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ." -Eliza Jarvis Spurgeon
My mother said to me, one day, "Ah, Charles! I often prayed the Lord to make you a Christian, but I never asked that you might become a Baptist." I could not resist the temptation to reply, "Ah, mother ! the Lord has answered your prayer with His usual bounty, and given you exceeding abundantly above what you asked or thought."
My mother said to me, one day, "Ah, Charles! I often prayed the Lord to make you a Christian, but I never asked that you might become a Baptist." I could not resist the temptation to reply, "Ah, mother ! the Lord has answered your prayer with His usual bounty, and given you exceeding abundantly above what you asked or thought."
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Lay Renewal Training, Glen Sheppard and the Discipline of Evangelism
Hello everyone! Hope you are having a great Tuesday.
I am quite thankful to everyone that participated in our Preparation Group Training this past Sunday. Leaders, you should be getting a card in the mail encouraging you to take the following two steps: 1)Reviewing and Assessing what your team will need to accomplish and 2) planning your first meeting with your team. Just a reminder, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our General Chairperson(s), Tracy & Kathryn Walls or myself.
Our Preparation Group Leaders are: Prayer Group - Pam Dollar & Kathy Bradford, Communication Group - Connie Still & W.L. Farmer, Publicity Group - Pat Story & Jacqueline Evans, Coffee Group - Lonnie & Melissa Nelms, Food Group - Gary & Dennette McDaniel & Cheris Gardner
Please don't forget this Wednesday Night Activities.
6:30 Supper for Youth and Children
7:00 Adult Prayer and Praise, Youth Group, Mission Kids
I would implore everyone to make to Wednesday Night Prayer a priority as we prepare for for our upcoming Lay Renewal!
Glenn Sheppard of International Prayer ministries has been in Revival services this week at Ebenezer Baptist Church. I heard him last night and yesterday morning. He said something to a group of pastors that really got my attention.
"Evangelism is done first in the closet of intercession with brokennesss over the lost condition of people."
Recently, I have been reading a book by Patrick Morley on Spiritual Disciplines. He shares how he has shared Christ with many people, especially men over the past several years. He tells how many have told him that he must have the "gift" of evangelism. He states,
"I don't. It's true that I do a lot of evangelism, but I do it as an act of discipline. Evangelism is not my natural interest, nor my spiritual gifting. I do it because of the following declaration by Jesus, our Master: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; an you will be my witnesses...(Acts 1:7-8).
"Clearly from this verse, part of what it means to be a disciple is to be a witness--either by gifting or by discipline. So I look at this verse and say to myself, 'I am willing to substitute discipline for a lack of natural interest." I do this for Jesus. I also do it for the men [to which I minister]." (emphasis added)
Hope everyone has a great evening. Look forward to seeing you Wednesday Night.
Rodney
I am quite thankful to everyone that participated in our Preparation Group Training this past Sunday. Leaders, you should be getting a card in the mail encouraging you to take the following two steps: 1)Reviewing and Assessing what your team will need to accomplish and 2) planning your first meeting with your team. Just a reminder, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our General Chairperson(s), Tracy & Kathryn Walls or myself.
Our Preparation Group Leaders are: Prayer Group - Pam Dollar & Kathy Bradford, Communication Group - Connie Still & W.L. Farmer, Publicity Group - Pat Story & Jacqueline Evans, Coffee Group - Lonnie & Melissa Nelms, Food Group - Gary & Dennette McDaniel & Cheris Gardner
Please don't forget this Wednesday Night Activities.
6:30 Supper for Youth and Children
7:00 Adult Prayer and Praise, Youth Group, Mission Kids
I would implore everyone to make to Wednesday Night Prayer a priority as we prepare for for our upcoming Lay Renewal!
Glenn Sheppard of International Prayer ministries has been in Revival services this week at Ebenezer Baptist Church. I heard him last night and yesterday morning. He said something to a group of pastors that really got my attention.
"Evangelism is done first in the closet of intercession with brokennesss over the lost condition of people."
Recently, I have been reading a book by Patrick Morley on Spiritual Disciplines. He shares how he has shared Christ with many people, especially men over the past several years. He tells how many have told him that he must have the "gift" of evangelism. He states,
"I don't. It's true that I do a lot of evangelism, but I do it as an act of discipline. Evangelism is not my natural interest, nor my spiritual gifting. I do it because of the following declaration by Jesus, our Master: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; an you will be my witnesses...(Acts 1:7-8).
"Clearly from this verse, part of what it means to be a disciple is to be a witness--either by gifting or by discipline. So I look at this verse and say to myself, 'I am willing to substitute discipline for a lack of natural interest." I do this for Jesus. I also do it for the men [to which I minister]." (emphasis added)
Hope everyone has a great evening. Look forward to seeing you Wednesday Night.
Rodney
Monday, August 24, 2009
Listening for the Glory of God
Sunday Morning, Katie Schrader did a wonderful interpretive sign that led us to think on the freedom that we have in Christ. As I watched Katie sign, I was struck by the wonderful movement and sound of the music and the power of the song's message. After the song was complete, I was ready to continue worshipping in my role of preaching and teaching as I hope that those who heard were ready to worship God through listening to His word read and exposed.
I off-handedly remarked that as we have a “Summer Reading Festival” (with the purpose of reading books to help us love Jesus more), perhaps we should begin a music or listening festival (with the purpose of listening to music hat helps us love Jesus more)!
In Seminary, I came to really appreciate the ministry of Professor Chip Stam. He was both a great teacher and worship leader. I had the good blessing to attend Clifton Baptist Church where he lead our congregation in, what he called, the singing of worship. His teaching helped me to gain a bigger understanding of the practice of worship. In congregational worship, worship is more than the singing. We worship when we read and listen to the reading of Scripture. We worship as lead and listen to prayer. We worship as we give our financial resources. We worship as we spend some moments in quiet meditation. We worship as we greet those around us in love. We worship as we leave the congregational meeting to go out and live faithfully for Christ.
Chip Stam taught me that worship is more than just the singing part of the congregational gathering and we should see each element as such.
Professor Stam also taught me to be thoughtful as I listened to and sang the music during worship. What are the words teaching me about Christ? What biblical texts are the words moving toward for further reflection? Am I experiencing the love or correction or faithfulness or holiness or greatness or etc. or etc. of God as I sing? Is the music helping me to love Christ more?
All the music we listen to causes us to think about something. Jimmy Buffet enjoys leading us to think of drinking a lot. Toby Keith leads us to think about “me, I , #1” or how America is going to kick the tails of terrorists. Snoop Dog leads us to think about illegal activities. Why is this? Songs have a message.
I believe that is why we should consistently listen to music that helps us think biblically about Jesus and encourages us to love him more and live more faithfully.
Here’s a few albums that have helped me do just that recently.
Bob Kauflin, Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project and Worship God Live
(available at www.sovereigngracemusic.com/albums ) Bob is Worship Leader at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD. He was involved in the early Contemporary Christian Music scene with the group Glad. He has a great worship blog, which you can read at http://www.worshipmatter.com/ The hymns album is older songs with new arrangements and the Live album gives you a feel for worship a Covenant Life Church.
Keith Green, Greatest Hits
Keith sang in the late 70’s, early 80’s. His songs still sound fresh after all these years. His songs are both worshipful and challenging. He has the most interesting voice and is a great piano player. He died in a plane crash in 1982 at the age of 28. My kids love his music!
dcTalk, Jesus Freak
dcTalk was one of the first Christian rap groups. However, this album took the group in a more decidedly “rock” direction. In 2006, a 10th anniversary addition of the album was released.
Sara Groves, Tell Me What You Know
This is one of the most thoughtful albums I have every heard. “When the Saints” and “Song for my Sons” are two of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. She has a real acoustic, folksy sound.
Caedmon’s Call, Overdressed
Again, thoughtful music in a very acoustic/pop sound. There songs never fail to help me worship and think about the Lord.
You can hear examples of these songs on the Internet by either checking them out at the artist websites or at other places.
I off-handedly remarked that as we have a “Summer Reading Festival” (with the purpose of reading books to help us love Jesus more), perhaps we should begin a music or listening festival (with the purpose of listening to music hat helps us love Jesus more)!
In Seminary, I came to really appreciate the ministry of Professor Chip Stam. He was both a great teacher and worship leader. I had the good blessing to attend Clifton Baptist Church where he lead our congregation in, what he called, the singing of worship. His teaching helped me to gain a bigger understanding of the practice of worship. In congregational worship, worship is more than the singing. We worship when we read and listen to the reading of Scripture. We worship as lead and listen to prayer. We worship as we give our financial resources. We worship as we spend some moments in quiet meditation. We worship as we greet those around us in love. We worship as we leave the congregational meeting to go out and live faithfully for Christ.
Chip Stam taught me that worship is more than just the singing part of the congregational gathering and we should see each element as such.
Professor Stam also taught me to be thoughtful as I listened to and sang the music during worship. What are the words teaching me about Christ? What biblical texts are the words moving toward for further reflection? Am I experiencing the love or correction or faithfulness or holiness or greatness or etc. or etc. of God as I sing? Is the music helping me to love Christ more?
All the music we listen to causes us to think about something. Jimmy Buffet enjoys leading us to think of drinking a lot. Toby Keith leads us to think about “me, I , #1” or how America is going to kick the tails of terrorists. Snoop Dog leads us to think about illegal activities. Why is this? Songs have a message.
I believe that is why we should consistently listen to music that helps us think biblically about Jesus and encourages us to love him more and live more faithfully.
Here’s a few albums that have helped me do just that recently.
Bob Kauflin, Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project and Worship God Live
(available at www.sovereigngracemusic.com/albums ) Bob is Worship Leader at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD. He was involved in the early Contemporary Christian Music scene with the group Glad. He has a great worship blog, which you can read at http://www.worshipmatter.com/ The hymns album is older songs with new arrangements and the Live album gives you a feel for worship a Covenant Life Church.
Keith Green, Greatest Hits
Keith sang in the late 70’s, early 80’s. His songs still sound fresh after all these years. His songs are both worshipful and challenging. He has the most interesting voice and is a great piano player. He died in a plane crash in 1982 at the age of 28. My kids love his music!
dcTalk, Jesus Freak
dcTalk was one of the first Christian rap groups. However, this album took the group in a more decidedly “rock” direction. In 2006, a 10th anniversary addition of the album was released.
Sara Groves, Tell Me What You Know
This is one of the most thoughtful albums I have every heard. “When the Saints” and “Song for my Sons” are two of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. She has a real acoustic, folksy sound.
Caedmon’s Call, Overdressed
Again, thoughtful music in a very acoustic/pop sound. There songs never fail to help me worship and think about the Lord.
You can hear examples of these songs on the Internet by either checking them out at the artist websites or at other places.
Just wanted to remind everyone that on this Wednesday, the adults will be participating in GO Outreach. Looking to write a few cards, make some phone calls, but mostly looking for folks willing to GO out and deliver cupcakes to some folks and invite them to church or Sunday School. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Guide: Hearing the Voice of God
This past Sunday evening during Adult Discipleship, we truly benefitted from hearing John Ortberg—Teaching Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian—teach on God being our guide. It is always good to hear faithful pastors give us biblical direction, particularly when it comes to obeying the voice of God.
How many of us have gone through a circumstance when were seeking and listening for God’s voice of direction for a decision that we needed to make? How many of us have had an impression or thought that might have went something like this…
“Hey, you need to call _________ (fill in the blank with the name that came to your mind) and encourage them!”
“You need to send _________ a card to encourage them through this difficult time they are facing.”
“Pay attention…go an talk to _________, they are heading in an unhealthy direction and I want you to warn them!”
“Go and make your relationship with _________ right, you were wrong and need to seek forgiveness.”
“BE QUIET! BE! QUIET! DON’T SAY A! THING!! NO!! DO!! NOT!! SAY!! A!! THING!!!!”
“Tell them that God loves them!”
John’s teaching was so helpful because it reminded us that if these promptings are consitent with Scripture, consistent with the character of God, in line with Christian living and honor Christ…then the main point is for us to obey.
If you did not have an opportunity to see the DVD but would like to or would like to see it again, please let me know and I will be glad to let you borrow it. This coming Sunday, we will be viewing another pastor from the Menlo Park Team, Scott Scruggs, teach on “Fear of the Future.” Be with us this Sunday eveing at 6:00 p.m.
I also want to follow up with a Discipleship announcement I made a few weeks ago in both Discipleship Time and our last Congregational Meeting. On September 20, we will launch a special 7 week time of Discipleship designed specifically for “…just men” and “…just women”. These time will allow us to have time together as a group of men and a group of women. There are seasons that call for us to grow together specifically for the benefit of our individual lives and for the benefit of our congregation.
Several months ago, I sensed that our men, in particular, needed some specific time which would allow our more mature men to help our younger men grow. This is been something I have spoken with our deacons about over the past months and they agree. In fact, a conversation I had with a man this past Sunday reminded me of how important it is for us to have intentional times for our men to grow together in their love for Christ! I know that this process will benefit our ladies as well.
On September 20, our men will be going through a study based on Coach Tony Dungee’s book UnCommon. “Dare to Be UnCommon” will challenge our men to grow closer to christ in various areas of our lives.
Our ladies will be taking on a study entitiled, “Me, Myself and Lies.” The focus of this study is to guide ladies in redesigning their “thought closet.” In other words, having a thought life based on God’s Word as you face life.
I believe God will use these times in a special way, in particularly, as we come closer to our time together as a church during our Lay Renewal on November 13 – 15.
If you have any questions, let me know. Have a blessed week and look forward to seeing you on Wendesday Night.
Much grace to you all,
Rodney, Psalm 32:8
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