The Drift

In ministry there is always a risk that we will drift to a place where we are no longer effective in accomplishing our mission. I read an article by Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church, that really spoke to the need of guarding against three natural drifts in ministry.

1. We have to be careful of the drift toward insiders and away from outsiders. If we aren't careful we will spend all of our time handling the squeaky wheels and little to no time reaching people who don't know Jesus.
2. We have to be careful of the drift toward law and away from grace. As a ministry matures the natural tendency is to begin developing policies and to begin to think of people in the context of categories (tax collector, adulteress, sinner, lost) and the result is that grace begins to slip away.
3. We have to be careful of the drift toward preserving rather than advancing. In the early days of a ministry when all we have is vision and there is nothing to lose, we are willing to take great risks in trying to reach people. As we grow larger the drift is toward preservation, which often comes at the cost of advancing the Kingdom.

Our mission is not to build a great organization, or to exalt ourselves, but to lift high the Savior so that He can build His Kingdom!

Matthew 16:18 (NASB95) -- “Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."

To Infinity and Beyond!

One of my favorite animated movies is Toy Story and my favorite character in that movie is Buzz Lightyear. One of the things that I like about Buzz Lightyear is his infectious positive attitude. With his statement "To infinity and beyond!" he let everyone know that regardless of the boundaries that he faced, he was going to push through them.


The apostle Paul wrote to the church in  Philippi these words of encouragement in Philippians 4:13 (NASB95), "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

If these word are true then why do we tend to allow the boundaries and limitations of life to keep us from accomplishing our God-given calling? You can sum it up with one statement: We have doubts about the character of God!

1. We doubt the power of God
2. We doubt the love of God
3. We doubt the faithfulness of God
4. We doubt the goodness of God
5. This list could go on and on . . .

Let us stop falling for the lies of the enemy and let us move out in faith to accomplish that which God has called us. May we say with the apostle Paul, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE

Did you know there are close to three million prisoners in the United States right now and that population is growing at a compounded rate of well over 2 percent a year? Did you know that over 80% of the children whose parents are incarcerated will also find themselves incarcerated one day? What will the future bring?

I want to introduce you to Hospitality House.

This ministry is the real deal and if you’ve been looking for something to support, get involved with or pray for, you definitely want to check this out.

The Hospitality House was founded in 1986 in Huntsville, TX by the Texas Baptist Men to minister to the families of those who are incarcerated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the Huntsville area. The director, Debra McCammon, shared with our church last night about their ministry.

Here are some of the features of the ministry that meet the needs of the families:

• They provide approximately 1,250 people per year, from all around the world and nearly every state of the Union a place to stay the night when they come to visit loved ones incarcerated by the TDCJ in the Huntsville area.
• They share the love of Jesus to these families through counseling and providing food.
  
• They provide a safe and caring environment for the children.
  
• They minister to the families of those who are on death row.
• They are open 24/7 every day of the year.

Please pray for Debra and Joe McCammon and the volunteers who serve by their side as they minister to the least of these.

Matthew 25:40 (NIV84) - "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Biblical Illiteracy

I read an article recently by George Guthrie that didn't surprise me, but it did reaffirm how important it is that we as a church take every opportunity to teach people how to read and study the Bible. Some of the statistics that he gave were:

• 25 million Bibles are sold each year in the US
• 400 million copies of all or part of the Bible are distributed through Bible societies each year

Those are the good numbers, but read on for the rest of the story.

• Only 16% of church goers read the Bible daily
• 25% of church goers never read the Bible
• Only 37% of those who attend church regularly say that reading the Bible has made a significant difference in the way they live their lives.

For those of us who are in leadership in the life of the church it is vital that we not only teach people what the Bible says, but we must also teach them how to read the Bible and apply its truths to our daily lives.

John 8:31–32 (NASB95) – “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

The only way to continue or to obey Jesus' words is to read and to study the Bible!

2011 Vacation

We are on our 2011 family vacation. This year we are visiting Becky's brother and sister-in-law in Baton Rouge. Missouri is also taking the tour of LSU while we are here. Today after attending church at Jefferson Baptist Church we took a driving tour around Baton Rouge. One of the places that we stopped was Oakcrest Baptist Church, the place we served 20 years ago, while I was a student at LSU. I was blessed to be the Minister of Youth and Evangelism there from 1989-1991.

It was neat to share some old memories with Missouri as we traveled through a community that had such a great impact on the early years of our marriage and ministry!

The Words I Say

As I had my quiet time this morning, the Lord placed Ephesians 4:29 on my heart. It says . . .

"You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear." -- Ephesians 4:29 (NET)

I was reminded that it is not only a good idea to be careful about the words that I allow to come out of my mouth, but it is actually a command. I stand broken, because too often the things that I say are hurtful or judgmental!

My commitment is to allow my speech to be full of grace with the intent of building others up!

Thankful for a Wonderful Wife

Today Becky and I celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. I know that this will probably surprise most of you, but I am not the easiest person to live with. I can be driven, stubborn and down right aggravating at times. Becky is the opposite of all those things and she has made my life truly blessed!

Becky is . . .

• my best friend
• my help-mate
• my partner
• my lover
• my biggest cheerleader
• my sounding board
• my main squeeze
  

We are told in Proverbs 31:10 (NASB95), “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.” Let me say that I know first hand that this is true, because I have an excellent wife and her worth cannot be calculated.

Becky I love you and I thank God that he placed you by my side!