"I will set out and go back to my father..." (Luke 15:18)
I often call myself a "positive realist." I admit that I sometimes wonder if both of those things can really happen at the same time. Being realistic and being positive? At the same time? Well, in Christ Jesus I think that they can. Jesus dealt head on with the truth and reality right in front of Him. He also truly loved the folk's right in front of Him regardless of who they were. I would say that's being realistic and positive at the same time.
You will remember the story of the "Prodigal Son." The story tells us that nothing changed for the Prodigal Son until he said, "I will set out and go back to my father, and I will say to him...I have sinned." This young man's story ends well. Yours can also - but you must...
1. Decide to take control of your life before circumstances or other people do. Every solution in my life and your life begins with you & me. Well, actually it begins with God and me. A new partner, a new job, or a new house or an unexpected influx of money won't cure what's wrong in your life if the cause lies in your own attitudes and actions. Give God control right now...and don't hesitate. We often have 101 excuses & reasons for the way things are right now in our lives. But what are you willing to do to change them? In this passage, no one came looking to haul the kid home. Not even his father. The son had to do the leg work. He had to do the hard part...which was to CHANGE his life! Will you do what needs to be done in your life?
2. Face reality as it is, not as you think it should be. Do I sometimes wish things were just a little bit different? Sure I do! But that's not living in reality. The prodigal had to realize that the rules he rebelled against at home were essential to his peace and happiness, that all the fun he thought was waiting for him out there wasn't...and that he had to acknowledge his mistakes and correct them before he could get his life back on track. Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake his way...and return to the Lord." God wants to intervene in our lives, but we've still got to do our part. It's often called the "H.O.W" principle – Honesty, Openness, Willingness.
3. Act now...while you still can. It's been said that The law of evolution states that things evolve and improve on their own. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not. But what we all know is this...certain things left unattended and uncorrected get worse, not better. That's absolutely true whether it's your health, your marriage, your finances, your children, and even your walk with God.
4. The journey is long...but it will end. Sooner or later. Especially as we make the right decisions and choices. Always choose God's Will and Way. You can't go wrong that way. God is always right...and He is never wrong. Think about all the struggles in so many lives of so many folks simply because they refuse to heed the Word of God and the Holy Spirit's work in and around their lives. With God we can & will endure.
5. Even when you live right...there will be those that don't agree with you. Some of the unhappiest people on the planet are those that are trying to govern their lives around what other people think; always trying to make other people happy. That didn't' work in the past and it won't work today. Govern your life around what God thinks and says in His Word. If I'm making God happy...then that's really all that matters. The prodigal's older brother didn't like his brother's life , actions, and choices. But the young man was making things right. That's what matters. Remember that God always knows our heart and sees our motivations. Honor God and don't worry about all the rest!
Let's always face the reality in front of us and honor God in our actions while we can.
God bless each of you. I'll see you in the halls at church.
IN HIM,
Bro. Eric
Other than the gift of 'Eternal Life,' there isn't anything much greater than God's creation of Holy Marriage. That beautiful commitment when man and woman come together, taking their mate, to love and cherish for a lifetime. There's not a greater human relationship and commitment.
Then why are close to fifty percent of marriages failing today? They're also saying that slightly more Christian marriages are failing now than non-Christian marriages. How can that be?
I think that there are several reasons...
1. Marriage Requires "Grown-up-ness"
So many men and women that step up to the altar are just babies. Not necessarily in age. But they are babies in attitude, emotions, and perspective. So many Brides and Grooms who step to the altar of marriage today are selfish and arrogant, thinking only of themselves and what everyone is going to do for them. They just haven't grown up yet!
Marriage isn't about ME! Marriage is about my mate and how I can live my life for them. My prayer is that every Christian that steps to the altar in the future is relatively mature and ready to give themselves away. And when both husband and wife have that desire and understand that choice, each other's needs will be met.
Remember this also...marriage is not '50-50!' Marriage is '80-20!' If both husband and wife will GIVE 80% to their marriage and only TAKE 20% from their marriage...then blessings will come.
If you're not a grown-up when you step to the altar, trust me...you will be before long.
2. Marriage Starts Long Before You Get to the Altar
So many folks will decide to start looking at who they are and who they've married after they tie the knot. Most aren't real successful in trying to change their husband or wife after they're married.
So we start the marriage process long before we step to the altar!
a. We do everything we can to make sure we are right with God and that we are who He wants us
to be. We make Him the No.1 thing in our lives.
b. We have to love ourselves and who God made us to be before we can fully love someone else! The only
way we can fully love ourselves is to accept God's love into our heart and life. We are able to love
others because God first loved us.
c. We begin to pray for the person God will lead us to. He has a plan...and that plan normally includes a
husband and wife. Trust Him in this process. God always knows best.
3. Marriage Requires A Pure "Spiritual Genealogy"
In other words...at the altar, Christians are supposed to marry Christians! Children of God are supposed to YOKE themselves to Children of God. And God desires nothing less than that for His people. I know this isn't a popular teaching today...some think it is rigid. But it's still God's TRUTH!
I asked the question not long ago in one of our worship services..."If you truly believe that Christians should marry non-Christians, please raise your hand." Not a soul raised their hand. That's because we know with all our heart Jesus Christ doesn't desire that for His people. We know that without a doubt. But so many of God's people are making that choice just the same.
Do you remember these verses?
+ 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Not technically a marriage verse. But it does apply to marriage. A born-again person has no business yoking themselves to a non-Christian in many areas...especially marriage.
+ Genesis 6:1-3
A verse that's not really about 'fallen angels having sexual relations with human women.' This passage is really about the godly descendents of Seth intermarrying with the evil descendents of Cain. Once again...the godly were marrying the ungodly.
Not the best game plan for God's people. No matter how you try and make it fit, it just doesn't work for the Christian.
+ 1 Kings 11:1-6
King Solomon marries many foreign women who worshipped foreign Gods (read the passage). Because of that, his heart was turned away from God.
So my main point is this – marriage is not the area in which we need to begin practicing our evangelism. Our marital lifetime mate should and must be a true born-again believer who has given their heart and life to Jesus Christ. PLEASE DON'T COMPROMISE in this area of your life (if you're single)!!
That's what will honor the Lord. Don't CLOUD your Spiritual Genealogy. Ask God to guide you and help you find your mate from within the family of God.
4. Give God Total Control in Your Marriage
Seek God and His perfect will before you get to the altar. Ask God to lead you to the right person for your life. Believe He'll do that! Because He can and will.
I tell couples who are getting married and who are single-again that there is something worse than being single...and that's being married to the wrong person. Please seek God in this matter.
Then, after God has blessed you with the very best person in marriage...don't put Him up on a shelf or in a closet. Keep allowing God to have first place in your life and marriage and allow Him to continue to guide your marriage in all things.
It's been said, "That marriage is like an old 45 record. You buy it for one side but unfortunately you get the other side also. And divorce is like the hole in the middle."
Let's commit to getting back to doing things God's way...especially when it comes to marriage. And may God bless us!
Blessings,
Bro. Eric
1. I Get Discouraged
Yes, pastors get discouraged. We also get tired...and that often is one major reason we get down and discouraged. We don't want to, like to, or plan to. But we do get discouraged...just like you do!
Ever been asked on some kind of interview..."What's your greatest strength and weakness?" I hate that question! But let me answer it quickly...one of my weaknesses is that I can get discouraged rather easily at times. Yet, one of my strengths is that I get over my discouragement pretty quickly. When I get down, I get back up quickly.
Well, here's what I get discouraged about...
when the sanctuary isn't full.
when God's people come to church without their Bible.
When God's people gossip...sometimes while at church!
when God's people act one way at church and another way
out in the world.
So you see...things discourage me. But I know that God is bigger than those things, and people face the consequences of what they do.
2. I Get Frustrated
I honestly want to make things better. I want to see people's lives and hearts changed. It's a pastor's nature to want to fix people's problems...whatever they are.
But most of the time I can't fix things or make things go away. Again, many struggles and problems we face and deal with are of our own making and doing(though not all are!).
Oh, but I want to! I often tell folks 'that if I could, I would snap my fingers and make their problems disappear.' I really mean that.
But I just can't. God didn't give me the authority or ability.
The pastor's heart wants everything to be good, go well, and be a blessing to people's heart.
3. I Don't Know Everything
Yes...I've been to seminary and I've got the degree. But I'm still not an expert. There is so much to learn about the Bible – the original languages and the biblical history can be overwhelming, just to name a few. Seminary training barely scratches the surface of all there is to know and learn about God and the Bible.
There are times when I'm asked spiritual questions that I can't really answer. My answers will be mostly based on personal interpretation of scripture and even personal opinion. I'd have to be God Himself to answer some questions I'm asked.
There are those that like to put their pastor and staff up on a pedestal. They don't mean to do anything wrong by that – it's just normal. "Pastor's are just perfect and know everything," they say and think.
Believe it or not...I don't know everything. If I don't know the answer I will try and find it. So trust me...I will work to find the most accurate and honest answer.
And always remember, God knows all things.
4. I'm On God's Side
Hey...relax! I'm for you and I'm on your side. I will not take sides in family disagreements, in marriage struggles, or church preference stances. I will be there to help you in any way you might need.
And I will not argue about people's personal preferences...because they're just that – 'preferences.' Jesus didn't die on the cross for personal preferences. He died for TRUTH.
I will always listen to people, to both sides of an issue or story...
But then I will do two(2) things:
1. I will work to minister to folks on both side of a situation or issue.
2. Then I will work to protect the GOOD OF GOD'S CHURCH FIRST!! That's
the only way it can be.
Some may find that offensive. As if I don't really care about people. But it's not. We must protect God's church and the spirit of God's church at all costs. The church is not about any one member, family, or age group. It's about GOD and His CHURCH.
Any time I'm forced to choose...I'm on God's side! What does He tell us in His Word?
5. I Can't Grow A Church Alone
I've never tried to be much of a 'church growth expert.' I can't grow a church. Only God can do that. He just sends us waves of growth according to His sovereignty. Growth is always about what God is doing. In fact, there are times I think that God sends growth only when He knows that we've moved past that, "Look at us! Look what we've done," attitude.
But I do work hard at be a "Church Health Expert." I believe if you make decisions to get healthy as a church, adding things that are godly and positive and removing things that are ungodly and negative, then we are set up much better to be able to accept the growth that God sends us.
Listen...I wish that quality preaching alone could grow a church...but it can't.
I wish quality music alone could grow our church...but it doesn't.
I wish great children's and youth ministry alone would grow a church...but it can't.
I wish a surplus of money would grow a church...but it doesn't.
When we work hard in all those areas, honor the Lord in our efforts, desires, motivations, reach out to those around us, and pray, pray, pray...God in His time and way will bring growth.
Please remember, Bro. E can't bring growth by himself. But together with God's help we can do much for the Kingdom.
Blessings,
Bro. Eric
A few things that you may or may not know and understand about your pastor...
1. I'm Human...
OH MY GOSH!! I know this may come as a shock to you. But don't be shocked...because I bleed red, stink when I sweat, and can have bad breath like everyone else. I'm not SUPER-human, just human. No more, no less. I am who God in Jesus Christ made me to be – with the good and not so good! I am not your former pastor or the pastor who will follow me one day. I am simply ME.
I'm an even-keel kind of guy. Most of the time, I don't get real HIGH or real LOW emotionally. I'm pretty stable, loyal, have deep convictions, don't anger very easily, and I hate being out of fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. But I will take a stand when I have to...especially for truth. I love being with and around people but I'm just as comfortable being by myself. And being an only child...I'm not near as spoiled as you might think!!
As you may have already discovered, I have strengths and weaknesses. My strengths are average at best and I'm afraid my weaknesses are often glaring. Some things I do well and other things not so well. And I often get frustrated and discouraged about both.
Believe it or not, I have fears...stuff that just scares me to death, I have concerns, and a few doubts just as all humans do. I often worry(more than I should) about Regina, Thomas, and our families. And much more these days...I'm beginning to be concerned about aging and my future health and life.
Again, are you surprised? Well, don't be...I'm just like you.
2. I Truly Care About You
Regardless of what you may think or feel. Only God can see into my heart and know what's there or not there. So trust me...when I say I love you I mean it. My pastoral hugs are not out of duty...but from a true and real sense of love and affection. You and your family's well-being are one of my top priorities. I can't solve or make all your problems just disappear, but I do care about you.
Pastors have many folks to love and care for. I try and befriend everyone...but the truth is that some folks I just will not get to know that well. God's most faithful people will be those I know best because they will be at church. Those who don't make it to church very often may not be known as well by me. But I do want to know God's Mt. Olive folks and those not yet in the family of God.
Also, please understand that I have much to do and my time can be very limited. You get to love me and I am only one. I love you also but you are one of a good sized congregation. But I am trying my best to get everything done.
And without fail...I will love you unconditionally, despite any past or present struggles, failures, or sin. I pray you will do the same for me. We are called to love, accept, and pray for each other...not judge each other.
So please don't forget, your pastor truly cares about you.
3. We May Not Always Agree
We will have some differences and we will not always agree. But not agreeing doesn't mean that we have to be enemies.
As your pastor, I will always try and speak, teach, and preach the Word with all of my heart. I want to handle God's Word with authority and responsibility. Being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit is what I honestly strive for most of all! Even in all of that...there will be some of you that will not like or agree with something I say or do.
If you do ever disagree with something I believe in or stand for...please know you and I can meet and talk and pray. I cannot promise that I will always change what I'm doing or what I believe. But I will listen and I will love you.
4. I Truly Love Our Church
The minute Mt. Olive Baptist Church called me as pastor, this church became MY church. I love this body as much as any I've ever served.
So please understand...at all times I want the BEST for Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Every decision I make will not be based on what you want or what I want, but on what is best for the good of Mt. Olive. I will be the first to admit...that some things we do at "The Olive" will be a trial run. We don't know what the outcome or success will be of everything we do. But I love our church.
Also, I am the first to admit that I haven't been a part of our church for all of its ONE HUNDRED years. I've been here for eight years – but I love Mt. Olive no less than you do. A gift God gives us as pastors is to love the church and people where He puts us.
5. I Really Want You To Grow
Do you really want to grow closer to God? I hope so, because I certainly want that for you. I want you to know your Savior as much as He knows you. My desire is that you fully understand how much God loves us.
You pastor wants you to find, understand, and be obedient to God's Will for your life. You'll find total peace there.
Your pastor wants you to love God's Word. My prayer is that the Word will fully guide and govern your life.
I desire for you to love the brethren. Where would God's people be without each other?
With all my heart I want you to grow in the tithe. I pray that you will grow in your giving as you watch God always bless you and meet your needs.
I hope and pray that you will always desire to be in church. We'll always find God there!
Blessings,
Bro. Eric
God truly takes everything that happens in our lives and works it for our good.
One Thursday in late 1995, as Minister of Students at FBC Bastrop, Louisiana, I was home on my day off when the phone rang. Picking up the phone, I was surprised to hear the sound of my pastor and boss' voice. He simply asked me to meet him in his office at the church the next morning. As I hung up the phone, I had no idea what was coming, but I was suddenly uneasy.
The next morning a train ran over me that I never saw coming. My pastor informed me that a group of parents wanted me to resign and quietly move on from FBC Bastrop. I remember asking, "What? Resign? Pastor, what's the deal, man?" Oh, the pastor has a list of trumped up charges and all of that, but I was being asked to resign just the same.
I left his office, asked my secretary not to disturb me, and locked myself in my office. There was nothing I knew to do except go to God. I literally fell down on my face and cried out to God. While praying I asked God for simply two things and two things only:
First - "Lord if all of this is from you, all I ask is that you give me another place to go."
Second - "But Lord, if this is not from you, all I ask is that you protect me."
And He did.
Two years and twenty-two contacts later from various churches, I was still at FBC Bastrop. God in fact did not open a door. I took that as a confirmation that He was not working in those circumstances with those parents who decided that they were God and could RUN my life and ministry without my input or permission. God honored me and I left that church on my own terms.
Through that occasion...God was indeed working.
Now, let me share this. Before, during, and after I had been asked to resign, the desire to preach had been growing. I know now that that wasn't a MISTAKE. Youth contacts from churches ceased and contacts from churches about the pastorate began. That wasn't a MISTAKE either.
I finally said 'yes' to God in June of 1997 and accepted the call as pastor to Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, Louisiana.
The confirmation that I have from the Lord today is that He ALLOWED all of that in my life to move me from the youth ministry to the pastorate. You see, the fact is I can be very single-minded and focused at times, and I was very loyal to my calling at that time, which was ministering to young people. I don't know if I would have ever made the choice to move to the pastorate on my own. God knew all of that, of course. So I'm not sure that I fully recognized God's desire to move me to another area of ministry. But it happened just the same.
Maybe God knew I needed some help...that I needed a little nudge. Maybe being asked to resign was that nudge. Though God protected me through that situation, a little part of my desire for youth ministry died that day. Kind of a 'beginning of the end,' I guess.
Well, all I know is that I am where I'm supposed to be today...even though I didn't plan it at first. So once again I hear those words..."For God causes all things to work together for good."
So thank you, Lord...for getting me to where you want me to be even when I'm not very responsive to your leading.
Blessings,
Bro. Eric
Did you ever experience that romantic relationship that you thought was true love? That romantic love that made you feel dizzy, lose all track of time and tasks and responsibility, and made life feel like at that moment it was as good as it would ever get?
Well, maybe it was true love...maybe it wasn't.
But it ended anyway.
In the spring of 1988, I was engaged to a young lady who I thought was going to be my lifetime mate.
After several years of dating, having that major talk with her parents, and purchasing a diamond, we set the date.
But six months from our wedding date, I detected (my mother also detected) that my feelings, desires, and emotions were at a different place than my fiancés. I could get no real response from her...and I also often noticed that other couples 'in love' seemed to be in a different place than we were. I was feeling like a lower priority than I should be in a love relationship leading to marriage. I was very confused, yet there was no denying that my love wasn't being returned.
So after praying and seeking trusted counsel, in sadness I called my fiancé and asked her to bring the diamond and meet me at a mall in central Louisiana. There, I collected the diamond, we visited and said our goodbyes, and I walked away in tears, driving on down the road of life that God had planned for me.
But in driving away from that situation...I drove right into the arms of my current wife and mate, Regina, who I married almost two years later.
What was going on in those circumstances? Was God at work? Was He in fact involved in those important circumstances of my life? You better believe He was! My fiancé at that time was a very sweet, godly, lady from a wonderful Christian home. She was smart, gifted, and talented.
But we weren't God's best for each other.
Sometimes we try and force our plans and force what we want and desire for our lives. We honestly and sincerely believe that what we want is the absolute best for our lives. But many times that simply isn't so. We suddenly find that we were SINCERELY wrong! When we demand our way and our plans, we simply will be settling for second best.
Believe me...when it comes to God's perfect Will in your life, you don't ever want to settle for second best. Especially in marriage.
We only want God's BEST. At all times. And God gave me the best in Regina and Thomas.
So once again...I hear those scriptural words, "For God causes all things to work together for Good...!"
Thank you, Lord, for stopping my GOOD plans and showing me your BEST plans, even when I don't recognize them at first.
Blessings,
Bro. Eric
In the 1980's, during my college years at Northeast Louisiana University, a huge part of that experience was being active and involved in the Baptist Student Union.
Having arrived on campus as a born-again Christian, the BSU helped me grow to new levels in my Christina faith and walk, gave me wonderful opportunities of service and ministry (including spending the summer of 1984 in Zimbabwe, Africa as a BSU Summer Missionary), and most importantly, fellowship with other Christian college students.
Having surrendered to the full-time gospel ministry in 1985, I graduated from NLU in December 1986 and began seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in August 1987. Due to my college BSU years and God's leadership, I felt a tremendously strong call to serve as a BSU Director on the college campus, ministering to college students.
Several months before graduating from seminary in 1990, I sent close to forty(40) resumes out to state conventions and college campuses, knowing that God was going to open many opportunities for a BSU position.
It just didn't happen.
As hard as I scratched and clawed, prayed and cried, called and wrote letters to those who I thought could help me, the door just never opened.
In late 1990, my one and only opportunity for a BSU position came while Regina and I were serving in Camden, AL. John Moore, State BSU Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, called and generally offered me the BSU Director position at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA.
Well, needless to say I began packing my bags and making my plans, preparing to say goodbye to Camden, AL and hello to Thibodaux, LA.
Two weeks later...the letter came.
A letter that stated, "Thanks for allowing your name to be submitted...but we now feel led by the Holy Spirit to move in a different direction. May God bless you as you seek His perfect Will for your life. (blah, blah, blah, etc.)"
To be honest, I was as crushed as I've ever been in my life as I watched my dream go down the drain. God's perfect will was in my heart and mind, or so I thought. I felt my ministry had ended before it even began. The tears began to flow and I alerted my wife that I was going home for the day, where I then sulked in my heart- brokenness and despair.
I never received another nibble towards a BSU Director position after that.
Some days I can still feel the pain of that disappointment creep into my heart & mind.
But one thing I can remember during that occasion is that my wife never fully felt my pain in that rejection. Not that she didn't care that my dreams had just gone down the tubes, but I think something else was going on.
I think what was ultimately going on was this - the fact that I wanted to be a BSU Director was my dream, not God's dream. So what I thought was God's best for me...may not have been God's best for both me and Regina.
Sometimes God has other plans. We have good plans. God has the BEST plans for us. I simply wasn't supposed to serve in the capacity of a BSU Director. Thankfully, God knew things I didn't know. He knows best.
So once again I hear the verse ringing in my ears..."For God causes all things to work together for good...!"
All I can really say is thank you, Lord, for working your best in my life. Even when I don't understand it.
Blessings,
Bro. Eric
May I give you a few little details about the church you serve?
1. Your Church Isn't Perfect (Romans 3:23)
Your church isn't perfect! And why? Because people aren't perfect. In fact, your church is full of sinners!
We forget at times that we are...
sinners by nature
we were born with a sinful nature
born with a pull & draw toward sin
born with a desire to sin
born with the tendency toward sin & rebellion
And by the way, if you are one of those folks that like to take the 'holier than thou' road, thinking that you aren't quite as bad a sinner as others...I've got news for you – you are as bad a sinner as everyone else around you (you just haven't got caught yet!). I mean, I understand that you might not be a person that kidnaps people, cuts them into little pieces, and hides them in your deep freeze. But you're a sinner just the same. Sorry to break this news to you...
I'm glad to announce today...that sinners will fit in really well at my church!
2. Your Church Can HONOR the Lord (1 Samuel 2:30; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
But WILL your church choose to honor the Lord?
We can actually honor the Lord in everything we do, big or small...
we can truly love sinners...evangelize our area
we can accept people just like they are...and not expect them to look
just like we do
we can put God 1st...give God total control
we can walk totally in faith
There are some churches that can't or don't honor the Lord in anything they do. I mean nothing! They're more worried about what people and the world around them thinks! That's not going to work in the Lord's book!
Will you help your church honor your Lord?
3. Your Church Has A Reputation (Matthew 16:18)
The question is...what kind of reputation does your church have? Well, many churches have reputations that are good and some that are bad.
Every church becomes known as a certain kind of church...
a family run church a loving church a fighting church
a warm church an evangelistic church a growing church
a cold church a preaching/teaching
Your church is known for something...
known for its victories known for certain families & individuals
known for its problems known for its past more than its present
What will you do to help your churches reputation?
4. Your Church Can Die (Acts 20:28-31)
If you let your church die, that is. If you're not careful...you church will die!
What could cause our church to die?
we love OURSELVES more than we love the lost around us
we love our MONEY more than we love our Lord
we love our TRADITIONS more than desire God' s moving
we love the WORLD'S way more than God's way
(and we could go on and on)
Churches do not have to die. Small churches, large churches, country churches, or city churches...a church does not have to die. The only reason a church dies is because the people of that church allow it to die.
5. You're Not the Most Important Person in Your Church (Romans 12:3)
And neither am I! You can't demand your own way or demand that your church do certain things or not do certain things. Your church isn't built around you. Our churches are built around US! Every person in your church is important. Every opinion is truly important.
Here's a sobering & humbling truth...if you or I were suddenly removed from our church for some reason, the odds are it would survive. It would move forward without you.
Our churches aren't about you or me.
Our churches are about Jesus Christ and His will for our lives and our church.
6. The Church Budget Isn't Worth Dying For
The flower beds around your church aren't worth dying for. The pews, chandeliers, and hymnals didn't die on the cross for your sins. Your worship bulletins and monthly newsletters aren't what will sustain you in the trials, tribulations, and temptations of life.
Jesus Christ is your hope for living in this dark, dark world.
Jesus is worth living for and dying for each and every day. The rest is often just details.
Put HIM first and we'll watch our churches flourish and grow and touch lives for eternity.
Blessings,
Bro.Eric
Tonight was the "Super Bowl," for the forty-fifth year in a row. The big game has come and gone once again. I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan…so I guess I was pulling mostly for the Stadium!! But the game was entertaining, especially for Green Bay & Pittsburg fans.
Duane Thomas, running back for the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1970's, was once quoted as saying, "If the Super Bowl is so super, why are they going to play it again next year?" I love that quote. There's a spark of reality in those words. Some things in the end just aren't as great as they're made out to be. Some things don't fulfill us the way we thought they would.
Our church had our "SOUPER BOWL" party again this year. We purchased the Halftime devotional video that is always made available for churches to use. John Kitna, longtime NFL Quarterback gave his testimony on this year's video. He was honest in the fact that only Jesus Christ has made a real difference in his life. Football alone wasn't doing it. I guarantee that many NFL football players who have won the Super Bowl through the years who didn't know the Lord Jesus as Lord and personal Savior were empty and unhappy again in just a few months after the game ended.
That's just the way it works. Remember…if the game is so great, then why are they playing it again next year?
As Pastor of our church, I have no regrets using the Super Bowl as an opportunity to bring unchurched folks into the fellowship of our body of believers. Tonight, we watched the game, ate food that was out of this world, played board games, and laughed and loved each other in wonderful ways. I mean, the reality is this…you can't beat the Super Bowl. So churches might as well use the game to reach someone and try and bring them into the love of Jesus Christ.
And no, we are not dishonoring the Lord by trying to be creative and touch a heart or two on Super Bowl Sunday.
And no, Mt. Olive Baptist Church is not going to let a faulty doctrine like Calvinism stop us from reaching out to those around us. Jesus Christ died for ALL people, by the way (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:13; Ezekiel 18:23, 32). Our church will always try and reach all people.
Remember the verses…
+ 1 Timothy 1:15…"Here is a trustworthy statement that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst."
+ Mark 2:17…'On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."'
+ Luke 19:10…Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man to seek and to save what was lost."
Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. He talked with them, ate with them in their homes, and accepted them just as they were. Yet, today, many Christians and churches go out of their way to not have to have any dealings with the lost whatsoever. In fact, if a lost individual can't tithe and contribute to our budget, we're not real interested in them most of the time.
We live by an attitude at our church that says, "If it's not illegal or immoral, we'll do it" to reach others for Jesus Christ. Isn't that the reason we're here and the attitude we should live by? I hope we believe that and live that way.
Yes, we didn't have a normal Sunday PM Service. Today was a very secular day. But we met in the fellowship hall and fellowshipped and loved each other in the Lord just the same. Because that’s' what we've been called to do. And we honored the Lord in doing so.
So today really was a SUPER Sunday!!
God bless each of you!
Bro. Eric
On March 12, 1998, I became a parent! Yes, I am the father of Thomas Ericson Hodge. The most special little boy in my universe(he's not so little anymore). God has given me the responsibility to do my BEST for my son. I am responsible for raising & protecting him...not you. No one else will answer to God for the raising of Thomas except for me and Regina.
The best thing I can do for Thomas is to live my life for Jesus openly in front of Him. And I'm not talking about playing spiritual games. Thomas needs to see a living, breathing, real-life relationship in his father. He needs to see a real faith at home and not just at church in the pulpit. He needs to see a real faith when the clerk at Wal-Mart short-changes me some money and when I'm on the softball field representing God & Mt. Olive Church.
Another 'best' thing I can do for Thomas is to love his mother. When a mother and father love each other, and model that before their children, it does so much for those kids! Hopefully Thomas is already somehow, someway understanding what real love is between a man and a woman....and how he should love his wife one day.
The last thing I need to do for Thomas is protect him; protect him from many things in this world. One area that is as important in protecting Thomas as any other concerns the area of the 'internet'! Maybe you read about this story...
In November 2008, a Los Angeles jury found Lori Drew guilty of three misdemeanor computer crimes and sentenced her a maximum of three years in prison. She is the "MySpace mom" who created a fake MySpace account under the pseudonym "Josh Evans" to lure a thirteen yr. old Missouri girl into an online relationship. This was part of a hoax orchestrated by Drew, her own thirteen yr. old daughter(who was friends with the Missouri girl), and an employer of Drew's. After developing a relationship with the girl through "Josh," Drew wrote in a message to the girl "The world would be a better place without you." Soon after, the Missouri girl committed suicide.
That was a terrible tragedy. But internet sites are being created today to intentionally spread gossip. One site provides a virtual bathroom wall for 500 college campuses. Users anonymously can post gossip, slander, racial slurs, and sexually explicit comments about any person on their campus without any fear of legal recourse. Another site lets a person pinpoint their neighbor on a map and post comments about their barking dogs and alleged domestic violence, or whatever they want. Pictures of the neighbor's house are provided through 'Google maps.'
That stuff and much more is why one of the BEST things I can do for Thomas is protect him from that smut. It's my responsibility. No one else's.
Are you protecting your child on the internet? Statistics tell us this...
34% of teens have seen illicit material online they did not want to see.
71% of teens have reported receiving messages online from people
they do not know.
14% of teens have met someone in person with whom they first
communicated online.
33% of teens say their parents know "very little" or "nothing" about
what they do on the internet.
Well...there are great lessons in all that for us. And the lessons? There are many, but the main lesson is that we have a responsibility to guide, teach, and protect our kids. Period. No excuses. And I don't care what society is doing. We're called by God to be different! Be in the world? Yes. But be of the world? No way.
What can we do to protect our kids from the internet? Here are a few things...
1. Do not allow internet access in the kid's bedroom. Make no
exceptions. It's a foolish choice to allow this.
2. Put internet access on a computer in a common family area
where all can see. Keep the computer screen facing the family.
3. Have you ever tried to limit TV for the kids? Then limit time
spent on the internet(internet surfing is like teens just driving around
town. Often we find trouble even if we're not looking for it – idle time
can be dangerous).
4. By all means, put adult content blockers on your computer. Let
the wife of the house set the PASSWORDS! Regina sets ours. Don't
give the devil a foothold.
5. Delete all e-mail from someone you don't know.
6. And most of all...stop talking that trash about not wanting to
'violate' your child's privacy! The things of this world can
destroy them. Quit being a computer coward(or a coward in general)
and take some stands and remind your child who's in control.
* And yes we want to trust our kids...but temptation is temptation to
all of us. Satan can get anyone if they don't take precautions.
Let's be God's people at all times, in all areas, and especially with our children. We're gonna answer for them, folks. Especially during their early years. Let's do our best with them. Don't give your childan 'open door' to sin!
God bless each of you.
Bro. Eric
|
RSS Feed