Catchin' Up

It has been pointed out to me by several people that if I am going to have a blog, I must keep it updated. So all those people, especially Kristy, I apologize and will try to do a better job. So much has happened it has been fascinating. I have been preaching every Sunday for the last three months and have recently accepted an Interim Pastor position at Lakeview Baptist Church in Sumter County. I don't know where it will lead but it has been an incredible blessing. The people are fantastic and I pray daily that God will continue to work in their lives. Anyway that's a quick catch up.

God's Grace

I recently had a discussion with Scott, the children's pastor at our church about grace and the Holy Spirit began to reveal things to me. Here are a few of my thoughts.

The older generation of people in America who suffered through wars and the depression era understand the concept of grace. We as a younger generation do not. Think about this. It used to be common place for man to help out his brother without expecting anything in return. During the depression and war people used to help one another with food or money knowing full well that they would probably not receive anything in return except lasting relationships and love for one another. We don't understand that.

I'll use this example that I used with Scott. While we were eating lunch I told him that if we went over and picked up an older couples check and asked them to let us pay for their meal, a majority of the time they would accept it graciously. However, if we did the same with a young couple they would be insulted and refuse. If you don't believe me, try it. Another example, if I took a 100 dollar bill and just walked up and gave it to that older couple they would accept it with the spirit with which it was given. But if I did the same thing with the other, they would become suspicious. They would want to know why, are there strings attached, is the money real, they may eventually accept it, but not without a fight.

I think that is why people have a hard time understanding God's grace. We can't imagine someone giving us something for nothing.

I also think that we as Christian's and church's need to change direction in the way we tell people about Christ. Nothing makes me madder than to hear a preacher or anyone telling a lost person that they need to come to church over and over again. I know it is biblical for us to assemble but Christ never told his disciples to preach "church" he told them to them share about Him. Don't get me wrong, going to church is one of the essentials to Christian growth and we should go, but when we tell people about Christ and then we attach all these strings like going to church, quit smoking, quit drinking, quit this and quit that. Just like that young couple they become uninterested and suspicious and eventually walk away.

We need to tell people about the grace of God, about the loving nature of Christ and what he did for us. The rest will take care of itself.

When I became a Christian I did not need a church to tell me what I needed to change in my life. The Holy Spirit revealed it to me. I began to attend a church to fellowship with like minds and to grow spiritually. I also need my brothers in Christ to hold me accountable (that's another thing modern churches fail to do). I agree we should absolutely preach against sin but should we slam someone who is lost about all the wrong he has done in his life? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Trust me I am very conservative in my beliefs and believe the bible is the infallible word of God but what we are doing as a church is not working. The numbers show it. I am not speaking about my church. Our pastor is a strong Christian leader who understands that something has to change.

I did not mean to get on a rant but I have such a passion to tell people about Christ but they have been turned off by "church" that they simply do not want to hear. I urge you to join me in prayer about the need in this country and world to begin to know about Christ.

Faith in People

Well I did it again! I made the mistake of putting my faith in people and as usual, they let me down. As a man and as a Christian we expect people to be forthright and upfront with us but that is not the way of the world. I'm not saying that I'm perfect, far from it , but since becoming a Christian I try daily to be kind and forgiving toward people. It hurts me when people aren't the same.

I guess I cant blame them. I have only been a Christian for a little over three years and I guess I am still paying for things that I did prior to my fellowship with Christ. One of my favorite songs has the line "I guess I must be reaping from the seeds that I have sown" and that must be the case. It seems that when you become a Christian that people expect you to be perfect. I know I did before becoming one. I still make mistakes, I still fall, but I know God forgives and that is wonderful.

Last year I was put in a situation where, as a young minister, I should not have been. It came back to bite me. Anyway the person who thought I wronged him told me he forgave me and would keep the incident between us. This week I found out that he did not keep his word. The bad thing is that he is a pastor. Someone you think you can trust. I forgive him but I am deeply hurt by it all. Anyway, life goes on an I will keep my eyes on the prize, eternal life.

I will keep each of you in my prayers an please do the same for me and my family.

Church!

I was sitting here doing some work but I can't stop thinking about church yesterday. The morning service was good, as usual, but last night was amazing! Our Pastor, Ray Sullivan, told us that we were going to spend some serious time in prayer and brother we did. As we all gathered at the altar to pray the Holy Spirit showed up and showed out. There was confession of sin, people truly repentant, including me, people praying for our children, community and country. It was an incredible spiritual time. Ray has really been praying lately and asking for God's direction for our church and community and I think he is now ready to lead us to a whole new level of service and commitment to God's kingdom. It's exciting. I hope everyone at the church will get on board. If not they will truly be missing out on a blessing!

New Website

I finally got my website updated, and while I was at it I completely rebuilt it, adding a lot of new things. Please check it out and let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions I am open to receive them . The site is listed in my links section...Gotta go Chris

Just Meandering!

It's been several months since I began this blog and I thought I would never keep up with it. I was right. A lot of things have changed since I began this thing, too many to mention but I will name a few. In February I went on a mission trip to Moldova and it was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life. The people there were so kind and had a true servants attitude. I will never forget them and with God willing I will return next year. I quit my job last week, just up and walked away. I haven't been happy with it for a long time and I am at peace with leaving. I know in my heart that God will take care of me an my family. He always has. I hope to find something soon in the ministry full time and God is opening doors left an right. We have also started going to a new church and we joined just a few days ago. The Pastor is Ray Sullivan and he is also my friend. I met him in Russia and we really have a kindred spirit. We both have a passion to minister and develop strong Christian Warriors. I will add his blog to my links. Anyway thanks for reading this and God Bless You.

Doing it again!

I said that when I posted the first time that I wasn't sure if I would do it again. But here I am! I really feel melancholy today, not sure why, but I do. Maybe it has to do with the weather change, but I think it has to do with my new job. I have been put into a position that I really do not know how to do the work and no one here knows how either but they expect results. It's frustrating to feel backed into a corner with no way out. I guess more accurately, I am caught in a maze and no one knows how to help me get out or even interested in helping. But I will just continue to have faith that God is on the throne and no matter what, he is in charge.

Church was good yesterday and I really enjoy the time with my church family. We heard a missionary speaker last night and he really convicted me that there is more I can do to serve Christ but I feel stuck in a rut. I dont know where to go or where to turn. I don't want to be a pew warmer. But if that is what God needs me to do then I'll do it.