Give or Take

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

Sunday mornings we are currently going through the three temptations of Christ: 'the lust of the flesh', 'the lust of the eye', and 'the pride of life.' Satan takes full advantage these natural desires in our lives to tempt us to sin. We all want to satisfy what our bodies desire, to get what our eyes see, and to be promoted in this life. To win against the 'lust of the flesh' we have to walk in the Spirit. To win against the 'lust of the eyes' we have be generous. To win against the 'pride of life' we must have a humble heart.

This week we are going to take a close look at how selfishness leads to sin.

The tempter takes takers, but God guards givers.

Are you a giver or a taker?

10 Life Choices

I'm really excited about Bob Perdue's new book and ministry. Bob has a real burden to help those who are hurting and broken. There are a lot of people who can give advice and council, and that's good. But, Bob offers help from his own journey and the trials he has overcome. Bob is the senior pastor of Old Dominion Baptist Church. He has used these 10 Life Choices to help so many people.

Be sure to check out http://www.lifenowministries.com/. If you know of anyone who is hurting, here is a good place to send them for help.

Memorial Day Picnic

Wow! Can you believe the weather today? Definitely a perfect day for a picnic in the park. We had a great day at Gilbert Run Park. I always enjoy the hike around the lake after lunch...such a good time to talk and at the same time reflect. Not to mention work off some calories:)

Gilbert Run Park

The Memorial Day service was great. Just want to say thanks to all that worked and participated in the service this morning. I thought it was a great honor to those who have given their lives for our freedom.

Tomorrow we'll enjoy our annual Memorial Day Church picnic at Gilbert run park. Nothing like food cooked on the Grill.

Memorial Day Service

Really looking forward to all the activities this weekend. We are planning a special service to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We can never take freedom for granted. Freedom is never free! Here is a video some of our young adults have put together to remind us of the price of freedom.

Special Evening Service

Really enjoyed spending the day with Dan and Janette Smith. Dan was ordained in our church a couple of years ago and then called to pastor Central Baptist Church in Onley Virginia. He and Janette are wonderful people. So encouraged by his genuine and growing love for the Lord and ministry. Speaking tonight you could sense his increased passion to win the lost.

I was challenged as he shared his struggles and how the Lord has used those very struggles to help him to grow and to develop in his ministry.

I look forward to how the Lord is going to bless and continue to use him.

Deal No Deal Launch

We launched our 'Deal No Deal' series this morning. I really felt I shared what the Lord wanted me share today. But, in dealing with the 'lust of the flesh,' it was difficult being relevant and at the same time keeping it respectable. So much more I really wanted to share.

Satan has no boundaries in His presentation and enticements. But preachers have limits in showing the degree to which sin destroys.

So many lives are ruined when the temptation battle is lost. I pray today's message will help our people win this battle.

Happy Mother's Day

Really enjoyed Mother's Day today. Just want to say thanks to all who were a part of the service. So great to hear the testimonies for mothers...all three were a blessing. Neat having the children do special music...a great job! Props to Christina for doing the Mother's Day Video Card...soooo cool. It was a perfect conclusion for the message 'Just Mom!'

After service our family had a super dinner together. The girls and their guys shopped for the food...did all the cooking...It was wonderful! Terry stopped by the Butcher in Bryans Road and picked up for Gi and I a NY Strip... he cooked it on the grill... and man it was good.

Nathan cooked up some of the best Green Beans I'd ever eaten...Definitely a dish I'll want again. Brittany made a dessert that I really wanted seconds of. Amanda made some of the best mashed Sweet potatoes ever...anything that good had to be High Glycemic.

Of course I topped it off with some lattes:)

We then enjoyed the evening at home.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day Service Ideas

Really looking forward to Mother's Day this Sunday. After fifteen years of solo planning the Mother's Day service I thought I'd enlist some help. This year I asked some of our mothers. 'What would be your dream experience for church on Mother's Day?' Well, I didn't personally ask them, but I did ask one of our ladies to meet with a group of mother's to brainstorm some ideas. They really came up with some great ideas that I think will make this Mother's Day very special for everyone. Here are a few Mother's Day service ideas we are planning:

1. Testimonies... One by a daughter. One by a mother. And two by sons.
2. Recognize and honor certain mothers with gifts...All Expectant Mothers, First Time Mothers, Mother with the most children, Grandmother with the most grandchildren, Great-Grandmother with the most great-grandchildren.
3. Special gift for all mothers.
4. Music special by children.
5. Mother's Day Video Card...maybe next week I can blog it. We'll see...
6. Sermon of encouragement for mother's.
7. Not sure we can do this yet, but we will try to get replacements for all the mother's who serve in the nursery or children's ministry this Sunday so they can be in the service.

I really hope the service is a worthy tribute to moms.

Deal No Deal

Life has many alluring temptations. But most will lead you down a path of deception and destruction. Don’t be fooled! They might look like the “real deal”, but they’re not! Join us starting May 18th on Sundays @ 11 AM and follow the discerning path that leads to truth and a life well lived. Be Discerning; Not Deceived!

Club Member or Enlisted?

Bob Perdue discussed the church's vision and mission yesterday morning. People lose sight of the church's mission and instead focus on the church's programs and ministries. Programs and ministries are not an end in themselves. They are simply a vehicle to accomplish the mission. Our church's mission is preparing effective ambassadors for Christ. Seeing unsaved people begin loving God, people, and serving.

The mission is the big deal.

It's not just something the church does...it is what the church does.

Many people become 'club members' because they like a particular person, program, or ministry a church offers. When mission minded leadership sees the need to reinvent those ministries or programs because it has lost effectiveness in accomplishing the church's mission, 'club members' leave in search of another with that person, program, or ministry. An observation about 'Club members': they never accomplish the mission. They have no spiritual 'family tree.' They have no one that they have personally lead to Christ who's now an effective ambassador for Christ.

On the other hand 'enlisted' people are for the mission. Enlisted people quickly see when something may be fun but does not accomplish the mission. The enlisted welcome needed change for the sake of the mission. Enlisted people bear fruit. Enlisted people have spiritual babies and grand babies they are nurturing and discipling. Enlisted people prepare and produce effective ambassadors of Christ.

Should you enlist?

National Day of Prayer

It was so neat getting invited to the White House today for the National Day of prayer. The President reminded us how important prayer has been to previous presidents, and he personally thanked us for praying for him during his two terms in office.

It was also cool meeting some people for the first time...recognize this person?

If not...here's a clue...

I really enjoyed being able to meet and talk to Beth Moore. She has been such an encouragement to so many people.

We do need to remember to pray for our president and other national leaders.

'I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior' (1 Timothy 2:1 - 3)