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I Have Hidden Your Word  In My Heart

1/9/2017

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"I have hidden your word in my heart…"    (Psalm 119:9-16)
     I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little used to having to read a bunch of stuff digitally online.  Things like digital magazine articles, newspapers, sports sites, etc.  You don't have to wait for magazines to come through the mail anymore I don't guess.  Some folks are saying that we ought to feel good that we are saving trees!  But others are complaining negatively about all this digital reality.  I bought a copy of the Monroe News-Star-World newspaper a few months back.  Man, the thing isn't much bigger than a piece of notebook paper!  I was shocked.  Newspapers are probably on their way out.  I still love the smell of a newspaper, a new magazine, and a brand new book off the shelves.

    Well, I guess I also have to admit that I have a digital copy of the Bible on my Android device.  I use it in the spur of the moment, or a few times here and there when I don't have my Bible with me.  But I will always love the working copy of my Bible.  I love the sounds of the pages turning.  My morning quiet time study Bible has been highlighted and wrote in a lot, with notes in the margins and underlined and marked.  I love a well-used Bible.  That tells me something.

    But here's what we know and we will always know.  We don't know the future of the printed page.  But one thing we do know…the best place for God's Word is not so much on our cell phones, electronic reading devices, or beside table.

    In Psalm 119 we read about treasuring God's scriptures in our hearts:  "I have hidden your word in my heart" (vs. 11).  Nothing compares to pondering and meditating on God's Word, learning more of Him, and putting God's Word into practice in our daily lives.  The very best place for His Word lies deep in our souls!

    It's 2017.  Maybe 2016 brought us many excuses for not reading, memorizing, and meditating, but we need God's Word just the same.  I pray that this New Year that God will help us store His Word in the best place possible – our hearts!
​
Remember this wonderful poem about God's Word…
 
    Though...the cover is worn,
    the pages are torn -
    And some places bear traces of tears...
    Yet more precious than gold -
    Is this book worn and old;
    That can scatter and shatter my fears.
 
    This...old book is my guide,
    It's a friend by my side;
    It lightens and brightens my way.
    For each promise I find,
    Soothes and gladdens my mind,
    As I read it and heed it each day.
 
    So...to this book I will cling,
    Of its worth I will sing,
    Tho great losses and crosses be mine.
    For I can never despair,
    Tho surrounded by care
    While possessing this blessing divine.
 
    May the Word of God do in each of us everything that it can, and everything that God desires for this New Year 2017!  I love you and I'll see you at church with the Word of God in hand…
 
Blessings,
​
Bro. Eric
 

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The Water of Life

11/2/2016

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Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst."        (John 4:13-14)
      As Dave Mueller reached down and turned the handle, water rushed from the spigot into a blue bucket. Around him people applauded. They celebrated as they saw fresh, clean water flowing in their community for the first time. Having a clean source of water was about to change the lives of this group of people in Kenya.
 
    Dave and his wife, Joy, work hard to meet people’s needs by bringing them water. But they don’t stop with H2O. As they help bring people clean water, they also tell them about Jesus Christ.
 
    Two thousand years ago, a man named Jesus stood at a Samaritan well and talked with a woman who was there to get clean drinking water for her physical health. But Jesus told her that what she needed even more than that was living water for her spiritual health.
 
    As history has marched on and humanity has become more sophisticated, life still filters down to two truths: Without clean water, we will die. More important, without Jesus Christ, the source of living water, we are already dead in our sins.
 
    Water is essential to our existence—both physically with H2O and spiritually with Jesus. Have you tasted of the water of life that Jesus, the Savior, provides?
 
    What are you drinking of from the worlds water tap?  Whatever it is it will not last nor will it bring you and me any joy, peace, satisfaction, or quenching that we need.
 
    Have you ever tasted bad water?  Have you ever experienced water that smelled bad?  For the Child of God that has the Holy Spirit within, that's what it's like when we try and drink of the junk of this world.
 
    This Sunday at Mt. Olive, we are offering the best tasting, clean, 'living water' that you have ever experienced!  Will you come drink of the living water with us?
 
    God bless each of you.  The preacher loves you.  See you this Lord's Day.
 
In HIM, 

Bro. Eric
 
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If You Can't Take the Heat...

10/5/2016

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"Don't push your way into the place of promotion."       (Proverbs 25:6 / "The Message")
          Do you love yourself?  It's a strange question, I guess.  We don't hear it asked in our lives much.  In fact, in our relationship with Jesus Christ, He gives us the ability to love and respect ourselves very deeply.  So the question isn't really do you love yourself, but the question is HOW much do you love yourself?  Ahhh…now that's the question!

    Pride and selfishness for all of history have been deadly enemies to God's church.  Loving oneself too much has caused many Christians to act in ways that have literally destroyed God's church beyond repair.  Many Children of God who have simply loved themselves too much have viciously attacked pastors, staff, other Christians in the flock and have caused irreparable damage to everyone around them.  Satan just loves getting Christians to think too highly of themselves.  These folks want their church and every detail in their church their way.  They honestly believe that God has called them to run, control, and protect His church. 

    But these folks love themselves to such a high degree that they don't see what their actions and attitudes really do to the very church that they say they love so much.

    So aspiring to leadership is commendable.  Paul said, "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position." (1 Tim. 3:1).  But there is a difference between stepping forward to take on the responsibility of leadership, and stepping forward to project yourself into the limelight.  Harry Truman once said, "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen."

    Another question isn't whether you enjoy the focus of attention, but whether you can take the heat that goes along with it.  For every person who acknowledges our skills and appreciates out accomplishments, there'll be ten who make demands on our time, talent, treasure, and will be out to get you.

    Consider Barnabas.  When the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles, church leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to check it out.  "When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.  For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and …faith.  And a great many people were added to the Lord" (Acts 11:23-24). 

​    Barnabas had three(3) great qualities…

    1. He had nothing to prove.  He never sought the limelight.  When he mentored Paul, he gladly let the emerging apostle rise above him, supporting him every step of the way.

    2. He had nothing to lose.  He didn't seek to guard his reputation or fear losing his popularity.  He wanted to serve, not be served.

    3. He had nothing to hide.  He didn't try to maintain a façade or image.  There were no skeletons in his closet.  He remained authentic, vulnerable, and transparent.

    And best of all, he rejoiced in the success of others.

    Can each of us do that?  Can we live that kind of life?  Or is it all about you?

    So I ask again…"Do you love yourself too much?"  Do you love the Lord more than you love yourself?  That's the starting point.  God must be first…and not ourselves!

    I hope God is blessing you and I hope to see you loving yourself just a little bit less this Sunday!

   In HIM,

   Bro. Eric


 
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No One Is Exempt

9/1/2016

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"They…asked each other, 'Who is this?  Even the wind and waves obey him!'"        (Mark 4:41)
      We've had our fill of storms recently, haven't we?  Storms that have only delivered us with much rain, and no damage of any kind.  There have been storms in Southeast Louisiana last month, in the Baton Rouge / Denham Springs, LA area that destroyed property and lives.  Seeing four feet of water in your home obviously can't be very fun.

    We've also been watching storms of other kinds of late.  Tropical storms have been threatening to develop into Hurricanes and threaten coastal areas, homes, and lives.  And some years ago, in 2005 to be exact, our community also did everything possible to help those displaced in Crossett, AR from Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

    Yes, storms are a part of life!  And there's usually not much we can do about it. 

    Storms of all shapes and sizes blow into our lives and we usually have no idea that they're coming.  It can be a helpless situation as we deal with storms that involve…

    our health            
    our children/grandchildren
    our homes
    our marriages
    our livelihoods
    our churches
    our finances
 
    And we often find ourselves feeling as if we are floating while clinging to life on a board or sitting on top of our home while waiting for help and rescue.

    In the book of Mark we read about another terrible storm.  The disciples were with Jesus on a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee.  When a "furious squall came up," the disciples – among them some rather seasoned fisherman – were afraid for their lives (4:37-38).  Did God not care?  Weren't they handpicked by Jesus and closest to Him?  Weren't they obeying Jesus who told them to "go over to the other side?" (vs. 35).

    Why, then, were they having to go through this storm of life?
 
    What we learn is that no one is exempt from the storms of life.  But just as the disciples who initially feared the storm later came to revere Jesus Christ more, so the storms we face can bring us to a deeper knowledge of God.  "Who is this," the disciples pondered, "that even the wind and the waves obey Him!" (Vs. 41).  Through our trials we can learn that no storm is big enough to prevent God from accomplishing His will (5:1).

    While we may not understand why God allows trials to enter our lives, we thank Him that through them we can come to know who He is.  We live to serve Him because He has preserved our lives.

    So whether we are in our warm/cool, dry home, or we are floating in water watching our home float away, we are never alone and the God of the storm is with us.

    So come rain or shine this Sunday, I hope to see each of you in God's House!

    God bless you and I love you.
 
    In HIM,

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Going Home...

9/28/2011

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                            "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

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Marriage God's Way

5/23/2011

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            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

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About Your Pastor - Part 2

5/16/2011

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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         

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About Your Pastor - Part 1

4/26/2011

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    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

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All Things Work Together for Good - Part 3

3/14/2011

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            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

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All Things Work Together for Good - Part 2

3/7/2011

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            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

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    Bro. Eric S. Hodge
    Pastor, of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Crossett, AR.

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