A Skunk

Yesterday, I went to meet with Mike for our normal Friday run.  On my way, I ran over a skunk that had already been hit.  I think someone hit it not long before I came upon him.  The smell was bad.  I only partially ran him over but it was enough.  Enough to make the car wreak and the smell lingered for the rest of the day. The smell stayed with me until I went to the car wash.  Thankfully, I no longer smell but one thing is for sure skunks smell and others know it.  
When you smell a skunk, you know he/she has to be around somewhere because you can smell him.  Christians should have an odor that lingers as well.  The odor is not physical but it is a spiritual odor that brings praise to God.  The Apostle Paul says, "Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing (New Living Translation)."
Those who are perishing and are rebelling against God might think Christians stink and rain on their parade.  Yet, to those who are being saved, we rejoice in the aroma of Christ-followers.  Why?  Because it is an odor of grace, humility, love, and righteousness.  An odor that can only come from Christ.  As Christians, we should display an example of humility wherever we go.  It will result in praise to God and will point others to God's power.  God has removed our foul odor that leads to death and replaced it with a fresh aroma that leads to life.  

What I Have Learned In 2 Years

Today, is my 2nd anniversary of being the pastor of Haven Baptist Church.  It is easy for me to remember in light of the events that took place on September 11th, 2001.  

Over the past two years, I have seen God do many things in our faith family.  We are growing in our Love for the Lord while learning what it means to love one another.  God continues to humble me and remind me of his steadfast love.  I'm reminded that slow and steady wins the race when at times I want to just hurriedly get things done or change the path we are currently on.  

I was encouraged this past week as one of our deacons read from Hebrews 12:1-2.  

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I'm learning to run with perseverance while fixing my eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of my faith.  Jesus is the chief shepherd of the church.  He has led me to pastor the flock at Haven Baptist and I’m thankful for such a weighty responsibility.  I’m more thankful that God is transforming our lowly bodies into his (Jesus Christ’s) glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).  God is still working! 

My Cell Phone Is Dead

     Well, it least it was dead the other day.  I've been having issues with my cell phone battery when it will just die in the middle of the day.  I'm not sure if I'm not charging it long enough or what but it has been frustrating.  Yet, the other day I was thankful (by the end of the day) when my cell phone died.  The reason why I was thankful is because it gave me more time to memorize Scripture.  Far too often, my phone can be a controlling idol in my life.  I was thankful the idol was dead for the time being.  Now that my battery is fully charged, I want to make sure it is dead in regards to ruling my life.  The passage that I worked on memorizing the other day was Romans 8:1-5.  I've challenged our church family to memorize Romans 8:1-5 during the month of September.  It's not a monumental task but at least it's a start.
     Romans 8 is one of the best chapters in all of the Bible.  In my opinion, it summarizes the New Testament in one chapter.  It is a robust theology of God and a practical reminder as to how we should live daily as Christ-followers.
 
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life who gives life set me free from the law of death.  For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.  And so God condemned sin in the flesh so that the righteous requirements of the law might be met in us who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.  Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  -- Romans 8:1-5 --

A Poem For My Bride

Before I knew your name or your favorite color, 

God had a plan

He has given me more than I deserve or can understand

God's faithfulness and love is evident to me

In numerous ways, His grace is plain to see

Despite my sin, God said, "Go, pursue her, 

and call her your delight."

Despite my sin, Christ pursued me so that 

I might see the light.

I have obtained favor from the Lord in finding you, 

an excellent wife

You sacrifice daily while encouraging me to pursue 

the fountain of Life.

God’s plans are not finished and with my voice, 

I now rejoice!

I Love You Sheena

God's Purpose In Our Trials

Life is hectic.  Life is hard.  It is easy to get overwhelmed.  I'm thankful that I'm not the only one that is overwhelmed though.

In the Bible, it is pretty clear that David and the Apostle Paul were overwhelmed at times.  In those dark and bleak situations, they called upon God and sought refuge in Him.  They realized they were not enough but God is.  God's grace is sufficient because God is still God.  He meets our needs and as he does he reminds us of our need for him.  Isn't this what Jesus was saying in John 15?

There are times when I don't desire to read the Word of God.  It is hard to describe.  I think it is mostly due to my own pride and selfishness (but not always).  I'm thankful for when God brings me out of those dark times to remind me of the power of God's Word.

I was reading in the book of James today and was blessed by the words (yet again) at the beginning of the book.  James says...

     "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing      of your faith develops perseverance (1:2-3)."

I've been encouraged by those verses at various times in my life.  Yet, today it was different because I realized that my ability to persevere is not based upon my ability.  It never was!  Yes, I am to strive and persevere and put forth effort but my efforts must be grounded in the gospel of grace or else they will be in vain.
As I persevere, I will be reminded that the tests God has ordained are for my good so that my faith (in God, not in myself) will be strengthened.  As tests come, they will either be an opportunity for me to praise God or for me to praise man.  Tests are designed to humble us and teach us more about who God is.
In school, I didn't enjoy taking tests.  But sometimes, I would look back on those tests and realize they made me a better student.
In life, tests are designed to make us better disciples who follow Jesus.
If we seek to "pass the test" on our own, we will always seek to justify our actions.

Lord, teach me to trust in you as I face each test realizing that you are good and every gift you give is good (including this test).  -- Based on James 1:12-18 --

Back to blogging...

Well, I'll try again.  I've tried blogging on two different occasions and slowly faded into oblivion both times.  Hopefully, this time it will be different.  I'm thankful for Dr. Thom Rainer and his blog on why pastors should blog.  

My main reason for blogging is not to be just another voice on the Internet.  My main reason for blogging is to hopefully encourage the church that I pastor, Haven Baptist, while providing encouragement to others who just happen to stop by.  

I hope that this blog will not be a time-consuming experience where I seek to please others.  My goal is to please the Lord in all things.  In Colossians 3:23 it states, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."  So, as I write, I pray I will display the light of Christ in my writings.