Touching Phone Call

Spring Break Blessing

Gi and I really enjoyed our short break. We are both ready to get back in full swing. Gi and I both battled a cold this past week, but we are doing much better now.

We were able to visit a great church in Virginia this morning. Old Dominion Baptist Church is a church that has really grown the last several years. Bob Purdue, the pastor, told me this morning that when he came to to the church in December 1998 the church was running about 90 people. This morning the church was full. I'm not sure how many were there, but I'm guessing about 1500. They have a beautiful facility, but more than that they have a wonderful spirit. It was a real blessing to see the number of young people there. Bob had a visiting Youth Band this morning. They did a great job leading the worship. I was so moved to see the young people in the audience so into the service. I sat behind a family this morning that had three young boys. I have to say, it brought tears to my eyes to see the young boys singing.

I'm constantly aware of the fact that a church is just one generation away from closing it's doors. After what I experienced this morning, I am convinced that Old Dominion is good for at least one more generation. Amen!

Cherry Blossoms

One of the things I love about living in the DC area is that there is so much to enjoy. Gi and I were able to spend a day downtown this week. We really enjoyed the cherry blossoms. We walked from the tidal basin to Georgetown...ate some ribs at Old Glory...boy, were they Great! We topped our day off with a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. I figured after all the walking we were up to it.

iChanged!

‘I want to change and live a better life.’ Haven't we all said that at one time or another? So, how do you go from just saying, "I want to change" to actually changing? In this new series, we will explore ways for making positive life change a reality and then we can truly say, "iChanged!"

Make Change a Reality!

What is the one thing you would change about your life if you knew you could?

Easter Sunday

Really looking forward to Sunday. Easter is always a special day as we focus on one of the most important events in history; The resurrection.

The resurrection changed everything! Jesus, once and for all, conquered sin and death. We know now that we can have new life in Him.

This Easter after our church services, we will be visiting our family in Virginia. We will first visit with Gi's family, then we plan to go to a get together with my family. It's really convenient since the two are only about 20 minutes apart.

I hope you have a great Easter Sunday as well.

Scatter

I've had this thought on my mind these past several days. Where does the church actually do it's work? Most people associate the main work and ministry of the church with it's worship services. But I disagree. The main work of the Church is to scatter from it's worship services and engage in ministry, service, and witness to unbelievers. If the only activity of a church is within it's church buildings, the church is not working. Don't misunderstand. The worship services are a vital part of a healthy Christian life. Our corporate gatherings are where we get encouraged and charged up for the ministry we do when we are apart.

I've been thinking a lot about this word scatter. Christians need to scatter everywhere; our homes, workplace, and the world sharing Christ.

Unfortunately the natural progression for churches is to become internally focused. Focusing more on the corporate gathering than the work we are to do in the world.

We need to be externally focused. Keeping our focus on the goal of reaching the lost.

It doesn't take faith to go to church as a believer. Church is not where a believer exercises his faith. We exercise our faith as we scatter reaching the lost. Church is a place to have our lives challenged and encouraged so that our faith works the rest of the week.

Good Friends

Looking forward to spending a couple of days with Michael, Sarah, and Madison Nichols. I'm heading out now to pick them up. Michael is a real innovator and entrepreneur. He is currently on staff with Trinity Baptist Seminary. He and I can chat for hours about ideas, concepts, strategies, and dreams. Looking forward to the fellowship, encouragement, and growth that comes from being with friends.

Lost list?

I was really challenged today in the area of prayer and witnessing as Mickey spoke from Colossians 4:2-6.

A Lost List. What a great idea. A lost list is a list of lost people that you are praying for God to save.

No doubt lost people were the priority for Jesus' life and ministry. His very purpose for coming to earth was 'to seek and to save' the lost. The same is also true for the apostle Paul. Paul was willing to be permanently cut off from Christ if that would save someone else. Wow!

Who is on your lost list? I have to wonder, if we prayed more for lost people, would we be more likely to make the most of every witnessing opportunity? I wonder how many opportunities we fail to even see because we first failed to pray?

Guest Speaker

Wow, seems like forever since we have had an outside speaker for a Sunday morning service. I'm looking forward to having Mickey Creed here all day this Sunday. Mickey and his wife Barbara are truly two of the best people I know. They have a tremendous testimony and a great family; Anna leads Colonial's Music Ministry, Joe works for a Maryland law firm, and Tim is in law school.

Mickey and his family have had a huge impact in my life as well as our entire family. They started Colonial Baptist Church and have been the church's only pastor...near 30 years!

Preachers need preaching too! God has always used Mickey in speaking to my heart. I'm praying for another life changing moment this Sunday.

God's Grace

I want to thank all of you who prayed for the funeral services for Jaden Anthony McGee. Jaden was just 56 days old when he died. God's grace was seen in a mighty way today through the strength He gave Tricia and her family. They are doing so well. His grace was also seen when at least 13 people called out and asked Jesus to saved them. Please continue to pray for the family. They truly are a special people.

Godly Sex?

Last night, Godly Sex?, was the title of our study. We really tried to keep the discussion 'G' rated. I really question the benefit of sharing openly what should be kept Private. But, with this topic, there will unavoidably be a few blushes. We did have some great laughs...it was a blast!

Godly Sex? I Know, sounds like an oxymoron. But, really it is not. Remember God did create us. And sex was not an accident.

I think the biggest take away was that 'Great sex' is multidimensional. It is not just physical. It is also spiritual and emotional. On the spiritual dimension, sex honors God when we keep sex within the bounds of marriage and seek to please our partner more than our own self-gratification. Sex was never meant to be a selfish act.

Proverbs 5:15-19

Who's Church?

I recently read Gordon MacDonald's book Who Stole My Church? The book is fiction, but the plot is so real for many churches that have tried to move into the 21st century. The title Who Stole My Church originated when a dear lady, struggling with change, cried out "Who Stole My Church? I just want my church back."

Imagine that! Owning a church? Did she purchase it or something? How do you buy a church?

We need to remember that it is His church. He bought it with His blood. Imagine the error of thinking that any of us owns a church. The church is not ours to be stolen from. In fact, if we feel like the church is being stolen from us, wouldn't that mean that we first stole it from Him???

Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

I'm convinced the reason churches lose their effectiveness is that people rule instead of God. Holding on to tradition and preference the church becomes irrelevant. 'Holiness' is no excuse for barrenness. Remember the 'fig' tree!

God is building His church! Any church not seeing conversions is dying.

Let's give the church back to God. He'll do a better job building it than we ever will.

Practicing Forgiveness

C.S. Lewis said, "We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it."

To conclude tonight's message on practicing forgiveness, I asked everyone to take out a piece of paper and write the following:

• Write down everything that God will not forgive.
• Write down everything that you will not forgive.

The next time you are angry, offended, or hurt, take out this piece of paper. If the offence is on this list, then you do not have to forgive. But, if it isn't, practice forgiveness.

Hooray:)

This evening our email server started working again. So, my pastor@countychurch.org is currently up and running. The website is not up yet. But, I'm hoping it will not be much longer before it's going again too. Sorry for any inconvenience:)

Stay Cool! & "Sorry" is Enough

Wrapped up our Rescuing Frankenstein Relationships series this morning. I'm convinced the monster of anger and unforgiveness is the culprit of more damaged relationships than anything else.

Anger itself is not bad. Anger is a God-given emotion to alert us when something is wrong and it needs fixed. But, angry responses such as venting, revenge, or 'bottling-up' provides an opportunity for Satan to work.

Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. (Ephesians 4:26 - 27)

"Stay Cool!" If you don't, someone more horrible than you will take control.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31 - 32)

Forgiveness is the key to any lasting relationship. We are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. How has God forgiven us? Is there any limit to God's forgiveness?

God's grace is Amazing! And, by His grace, we can manage our anger and forgive others.

Prayer Request

This past Tuesday I received a call from one of our church members that their cousin's 2 month old son died in his sleep. The mother is a 20 year old single parent. They have asked that I officiate the funeral service this Wednesday @ 11:00. Please pray for the family. Pray they would experience God's great grace during this time.

Downtown

Had a really good time today hanging out with Chuck Clark. Chuck is pastor of Faith Liberty in Woodbridge. He is doing a great job. He and I were sent out of the same home church in Stafford. We did not attend Colonial at the same time. He was there a few years after I came to Waldorf.

We really resonate with each other since we both have a similar church heritage. I always feel charged after we spend time together. Sure is good having pastor friends who have a positive outlook on what God is going to do in the future.

Still no email...

Our web host has been very reliable for several years. In fact I can not remember it being down in the past., so this technical problem is really out of character. Sorry for any inconvenience, but if you need to email me, please temporarily use HaroldDixon@vbc.edu. Pray that our site will get fixed soon...

Website Woes

Sorry for any inconvenience, but our church website has been down for a few days. My email was working till today. Hopefully tomorrow everything will be up and running again. If you have been trying to email me at pastor@countychurch.org please try using harolddixon@vbc.edu till our web site is back up.

How to Fight!

Tonight's newlyweds group we will be talking about how to fight.

I really believe fights do not have to end with a winner and a loser. Our fights can and should be a win/win.

Here's the key, agree to:

• Include God in the process. Psalm 32:8.
• Speak to your partner as you would like to be spoken to. Matthew 7:12.
• Seek to understand more than to be understood. James 1:19.
• Choose your words carefully. Proverbs 12:18.
• Do not bring up past grievances. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8.

Fighting by the rules will assure that the relationship wins!

Mary Washington Hospital

Gi and I spent a fair amount of time visiting the hospital this past weekend. Both Gi's grandparents have the flu and were admitted Friday. They are in their mid 80's, but live a very active life. Being in the hospital is very frustrating for them. Papa was released Saturday. He's doing okay, but Gramma is still having some breathing complications. Sure would appreciate your prayers for them. I believe in prayer and the power of God to heal. I sure want to see them both well again.

Say it Right!

Words are so powerful!

I wish I had the power to recover some of the words I have spoken in the past. God says that 'Death and Life are in the power of the tongue.' He also, warns us that we are accountable for every word we speak. At first that seems a bit unfair, but after realizing the power of words, I see why we need to be accountable.

It's always puzzled me as to how we could be held accountable for something we cannot control. The Bible says in the book of James that no one can tame his tongue. But, James also speaks of how a pilot controls a ship with just a small rudder.

Jesus says that our words are a reflection of our hearts. Since what we say reflects our heart, we need to allow Jesus to be the pilot of our lives. When Jesus is the captain of our lives, our words will give life.