Happy Holidays...it is not a big deal...get over it

I know the word I use is quite provocative. It is not cool to use Holidays in our midst. In the last year we have been told about the War on Christmas. John Gibson and O'Reilly have told us about the Culture vacuum and that Christians are being fought on all sides. I do agree that there is a a culture war and we must do our part I am not sure about the war on Christmas. My guess is the Christmas being spoken of is not what Christ came into the world for. Greed and Materialism is not Christmas. Christ is Christmas. God in the Flesh coming to earth born of a virgin who was killed and bodily rose again is what Christmas is about. So I am not sure we should really care what a clerk at Target or Walmart tells us when we check out. Because I bet the Christmas their is not a Christmas worth fighting for.

Preaching

I am often asked the above question. Is it hard? Well imagine writing a term paper every week. Usually mine are about 15 pages. It takes about 25 hours to write a good sermon. Then there is Sunday School, Sunday night. Trying to visit people that are sick and shut in. Pick up orders, order supplies..etc. Here is a very dated but good quote about what it is like to be a preacher

"This is the claim I make for a good theology of preaching—that it introduces order into the chaos of a mans ministry. He is lost in the thicket and tangle of crisscrossing paths and dense undergrowth. A dozen major responsibilities tug at his sleeve, this way and that. Administrator, educator, counselor, prophet, pastor, social worker, maybe custodian, secretary, copier, plumber, carpenter, and husband and parent—on the side he is expected to be many things, indeed even wants to be. But there are definite limits to his time and energy and physical composure. He would like to be all things to all men, but there are times when he feels the need of saying, ‘this one thing I do.’ And the one thing claiming precedence over all the others, demanding to stand at the center, because it has been the distinctive, necessary task of the ministry in every age, is the matter of proclamation. Nothing else will substitute for it. Its priority is absolute. It alone is capable of bringing to heel the multitudinous and variegated duties which yip and yap at the minister’s coattail like mutts of hell wherever he goes.”

OOOPS

Monday Monday

I trust everyone gad a great Thanksgiving. I got to spend time with my parents over part of last week which was great. We spent Thanksgiving day with Tina's parents and brother and his family. Got to see my neice and nephew. Spent Saturday night in Greenwood with my wonderful wife and do some Christmas Shopping. The Bulldawgs upset the Jackets and I turned 40. WHEW!!!!

Hope everyone has a great week. Starting a Christmas Series this week. Now to get motivated..lol

Appreciation

I love to be appreciated don't you? I love to know that someone is thinking of me and loves me. My wife loves me and my kids love me. I am a very lucky man.

Yesterday the love the church here at Shoals has for me and my family was reaffirmed. Rowena Tripp wrote a song for the choir to sing about our family and we were given a wonderful gift.

We love Shoals and will serve here as long as God gives us opportunity. I hope my friends felt that as well. I have many great friends who are serving God in churches and I want you guys to know I love and appreciate all of you.

Monday Monday

Had a great day at Church yesterday. We have one baptism and a very good crowd. Looking forward to fall break this week. Me and the boys are going to hang out together on Wednesday and hopefully we will have a fun day on Friday.

We had a great Revival last week with Mike Kjeergard and I wish I could be at the GA camp meeting this week. Three of my students will be speaking.

Have a great week. Starting a new sermon series this week pray that it goes well.

Monday, Monday

Our Revival got off to a great start yesterday here at Shoals. Mike Kjergaard did a great job and I am really enjoying the fellowship. Today we are eating lunch with a great couple, Mike and Kathy Harker, and then off to Boggs Lake for 9 holes of golf with some good friends.

This will be a great week. The Mitchell family will be here tonight thru Wednesday and tomorrow will be our study group meeting and Wed possibly lunch with another good friend. Then to top it all off I get to do my favorite thing on Thursday...TEACH at LBC.


Have a great week...I know I will

He is Coming

It is official. Isaiah Charles Sullivan will make his apperance around Feb. 27th. We are very excited and can't wait.

Three boys, going to be a fun house

Yes he is here to save the world

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Yeah I kind of do...

Monday Monday

What a great weekend. Tina and I went to Evansville to look for Baby Furniture. We bought a few items and I prices furniture. WOW!!!!!! It has been sometime since I needed to do this.

We are looking at getting a crib that will eventually transform into a full size bed.

Good day at church yesterday and we had a good time playing volleyball last night during Family fun night.

This proves to be a long but a good week.

Flood

MY home state of GA has had some incredible rain lately. My brother is a LT in his a fire station in Douglas County and he and others worked all Night pulling people out of the water. I found this pic and had to post it. Props to whoever did it.

Good Stuff

I love music. I can listen to almost anything. I can listen to the Rolling Stones and turn around and listen to a country song.

As far as "Christian Music" my taste is as fluctuating. However, I still remember the roots and love the Cathedral Quartet. This is one of the best they ever did">

Went to th Dr. yesterday. We heard the babies heartbeat. We go back October 7th to find out if the baby is a boy or girl.

Men's Retreat

Today i am Leaving for the Men's Retreat at the Whitewater Christian Camp in Vevay, IN. I am really exicted about the opportunity to preach the next two days.

I know they have been preparing for a good while and I even had one man from the area call me on the phone to pray with me. I was not here and he left his prayer on the answering machine. Outstanding!!!!!

I hope to tell you soon how it went.

Also, we have begun our new school year at Louisville Bible College. I love that place. They are training people for Christian service.

Hope to talk to you again soon

The Northmen

It is hard to believe that it is August Already. Tomorrow Wade Allen and I are leaving to speak at the Northmen Men's Clinic. I am excited but nervous about it. I am looking forward to seeing some friends and hearing some good preaching.

Last week was the Hillsboro Family Camp and my family enjoyed the time together. I took the Louisville Bible College Booth and enjoyed representing the College. Maybe I can do more of that in the future.

Hope to blog later

In Memory of George Trueblood

So Long....the dynasty is over.

Well it is over. Today the Atlanta Braves released the last pitcher of its dominant 90's staff, Tom Glavine. I Still remember the Playoffs of 1991 watching this guy come from nowhere it seemed to dominate that season and many to follow.

I only got to see him pitch once, last year in Cincinnati. We will miss you Tommy and thanks for the memories.

I will always remember game 6 1995 World Series.

Monday Monday

Today is the last Monday of the school year here in Shoals. I am not sure who is more excited, the students or the teachers. We had a busy weekend with Saturday being our annual Gas Buy Down here in town. For two hours our church paid .50 cent for each gallon sold. So for two hours gas was $1.79 instead of $2.29.

I am very proud of the way our church wants to serve this community. Yesterday we had 114 in services. I spoke on the urban legend "Living together will prepare us for marriage." It seemed to go over quite well.

Hope you all have a good week.

Vision, indifference, or Complacency

That is the question that I find myself asking lately. As change is made you always expect to feel some push back, I have friends that can testify to that. However, what if no push back happens at all. Is it because that a group of people have a grand vision? Is it because they are indifferent or am I not paying enough attention.

Am I complacent and somewhat bored? Do I need a new challenge? What form will that Challenge take? Can one become too comfortable? Does no problems mean good things are no one is paying attention.

I am just wondering. Maybe this is normal, maybe it is not. Maybe it is the Lord, maybe it is not.

Anyone have any ideas?