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?

Monday Monday

I hope everyone had a great Mother's day yesterday. We began a new series here at Shoals called Suburban Legends. It is a series that I noticed that Southeast did last year. I am adding to and taking a way some of the titles but I preached from Proverbs 31 yesterday about appreciating our moms.

We had a great day at Church. We had 134 in attendance and the service was really good.

I was also honored to attend graduation at Louisville Bible College Saturday and was pleased to learn I had been moved from instructor to Assitant Professor, pretty cool.

Have a great week.

Waiting

I hate waiting. It drives me crazy to have to wait on anything or anyone. I know it is about being patient.

That does not work well for being a Christian. For being a Christian is a discipline in waiting. Waiting for the Lord to return. Christianity is about the All ready and the Not yet.

Already we have won a victory but not yet. Already we share in a meal, but not yet.

It is the not yet I get tired of waiting on. I want it all now but I have to wait on God's Timing and God's timing is always perfect.

As I say this here I am waiting again. Waiting on something I have no control over and I am growing more impatient on waiting on a person than I should be waiting on the Lord.

Why? R u like this?

Great Day

Yesterday we had a great day at Church. We had 157 in attendance which was a record for my time here in Shoals.

Our young people sang a special yesterday as we as our ladies and both did wonderful. We had our annual Sunrise Service yesterday and breakfast. Ronnie McKibben, Keith Albright and all their crew as always did a stand up job.

Now what will happen this Sunday?

Also a shout out to my good friends Darrel and Mark for breaking the thousand barrier at the Christian Church of Jasper

Handling Adversity

I have a friend who has had some real adversity lately. It has been so refreshing to watch him use the Lord, his friends, and his own resolve to see it through.

It made me wonder how would I handle adversity. How should we? God never promised that he would wipe every tear from our eye on this earth but would one day.

I am proud of my friend, he has shown how a Christian should act even when times seem very bad.

I hope I will honor the Lord by doing the same thing.

Tuesday not Monday

We had another great weekend at Shoals. We used our projection System for the second week. Things have gone rather smoothly with everything thus far. I am very excited about staying and working with the church here. They are really wanting to grow and expand their influence in the world.

I am sad to see Dr Terry Peer leave Louisvlle Bible College as Academic Dean. He is a great leader and the church where he serves will be lucky to have him.

Blessings to all my fellow preachers who will be speaking of the wonder of the resurrection this coming Sunday.

Spring Break

This week is our spring break. Both of my boys are enjoying the time off. Tomorrow we are going to the Indianapolis Children's Museum to see the new Star Wars the Clone Wars Exhibit.

Robert is a Star Wars nut and he is very excited. Then we pick up my mom at the airport and she is going to spend a few days with us.

I am preaching on the Lord's Supper this week. I am enjoying the study and it is opening up some wonderful truths.

Thanks for Checking

I was told I had not blogged in a while so Here I Go: BLOG. How is that Darrel.

National Preaching Summit

Today several of my friends and myself are heading off to the National Preaching Summit. This is one of the great blessings of my year. Outside of time with my family it is the best thing I do most of the year.

I always come away refreshed and motivated for another year of ministry. Plus we have a great time.

Happy Bday Jonathan

Today our oldest son Jonathan is ten years old. This is very hard to believe and is making me feel very old. Last night we went to O'Charleys to celebrate. That is his favorite place to eat.

Monday Monday

Well it is Monday again. It is nice to be out of the house and back at a normal pace of work. We had a good day at Church yesterday and I finished my Stewardship sermon on giving.

Looking forward to getting back to LBC this week and I very proud of my brother.

There is a new Christian Movie coming out in May called "Help My Child is Missing." Mark and his agency, Consumed Artist, are in charge of publicity. This is an incredible opportunity for him, so please pray for him.

Service is the only way

Yesterday we had our annual Ministry Team Fair. We encouraged people to find a ministry in our church and begin to serve there. I spent the last week iced and snowed in for a couple of days and really began thinking about it.

WE live in a world that hass the motto, “Do whatever you must to conquer gravity” Up is the direction of greatness. Many people think the word privilege and the word serving should not be in the same sentence. When you think of someone who is privileged you think of someone who has servants not someone who needs to be a servant. We live in a world that says to be privileged is to be on the way up to be over others.
In our culture we use words like upscale, up and coming, upwardly mobile, upper class. Compare those to words like down and out, downscale, down hill, and down hearted.

But then the most intriguing man whoever walked this earth comes along. A man who could have chosen the view from the top had he wanted it, and Jesus of Nazareth chose a downward path.
In this radical counter culture kingdom that he formed he said downward mobility is the path of greatness. In Christ’s Church the noblest honor of all is the privilege of serving. The roll of servant is the highest calling in the kingdom of God. There is no role in the kingdom of God that the role of servant.

There are many job descriptions in the body of Christ but there is only one role and that role is servant. The reason this needs to be talked about is because the body of Christ can only function well when everyone of us understand that our main task in the Church is to be servants. It seems to be there are some who want the benefits of being in the body but not the responsibility of being a servant. That should not be surprising because it is human nature. Human nature is to want the benefit without the effort.

We want the benefit withoug the effort. There are some in the church who want the church to be everything the bible says the church is supposed to be for them but not through them.

I have had many calls from people about the church over the years. The call I usually get is What can you church do for us? I have never been asked “How can we serve Jesus at your Church?”

Are you one of those Christians who won’t minster but expect ministry? Or are you following Jesus to greatness on the path of downward mobility.

What a game

Last night was a fantastic game. I really enjoyed watching it and it was a blast to have Robert getting into it with me. We are missing our 5th day of school in a row today. We, along with most of Indiana, was snowed and iced in most of last week but even with all that snow and ice we were able to muster 92 for church.

Looking forward to a great week. I am starting a sermon series on 1 Corinthians this week. Any ideas let me know.

Monday Monday

Well it is another Monday and a busy week has started. Yesterday was the last sermon in our stewardship. This Sunday is our minstry team sign up.
This has been a tough but good week. This coming week some rough weather is heading our way. We are under a winter storm warning. Several inches of ice and snow are headed our way.
Also, I started facebook this week. It has been a real blast to reconnect with some old friends.

Monday Monday

Well we woke up to about two inches of snow this morning. It was great! We had a good day at Church yesterday. I am currently preaching a series of sermons on leadership. It seems to be going really well. Yesterday we spoke about the Standard of giving found in the scripture.

Watched the Steelers win a great game yesterday. I am pulling for them to win the Super Bowl. My brother was a huge fan of them growing up.

MASADA

On our trip to Israel we explored the fortress of Masada. It was orginally a fortress built by King Herod for him to flee in case of a Coup. He was paranoid beyond belief.

After the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 many of those who escaped fled to Masada. They stood the Romans for about two years until they finally scaled the mountain and when the Romans entered they found mass suicide. The Jewish Zealots had killed their own families and each other leaving one man to kill himself. The only real writings about Masada is from Josephus Flavius.

School Daze

Today is the day I head back to Louisville Bible College to start another Semester. I am teaching James and 2 Corinthians.

Looking forward to the semester.

Reflections on Preaching

Props to Wade on his Preaching post recently. It made me think how do I describe myself to others.I found this Quote and thought it was a dated but good description for the life of 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, mimeographer, 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.”

Location Domination

Well it has happened again. Oklahoma Choked and Florida brought home another National Championship to the SEC. Shock Shock. I would want to see USC and FLA play. Not sure who would win but what a game.

The only thing I agree with Obama about is the need for a playoff. Maybe after we become socialist we can pool our resources and have one.

Me and the Pilgrims

Here is the group that I went to Israel with. They were a great group.

Back Back Back

Last Night I returned home from Israel. In the future I hope to have pictures to show you and some info. Even though the conflict is going on our group so no evidence of it. We felt 100% safe the whole time.

Thanks for the prayers!

My Favorite Christmas Story

A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then a nother sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

(Revelation 12:1-6)

Ice Ice Baby

Well it is finally here. It only took our local weather people three times to actually get something right. The ice is here. Hopefully it won't keep us from our Christmas plans. We are already postponing our trip a day so hopefully it will actually warm up like they say it will.

Off on a trip of a lifetime

Well on Saturday I will be leaving for chicago on a trip that will ultimately take me to Israel.

I am going to be gone December 27-January 7. I am looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to walk where Jesus walked. I hope to be able to blog from there some and share some pics.

All I want

Christmas is coming this week and I always have to answer the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" I never really know. I love the Office TV show and got season 4 on DVD for my Birthday. My parents and In-laws always give money for the most part which goes for my addiction to books.

But the truth is I have what I want. I have a beautiful and loving wife, two great kids, a wonderful set of parents and a awesome brother.

I have fantastic In-laws all around and have some of the best friends you can have.

On top of that I have a wonderful church family that has generously given money so that I can go to Israel next week. They even gave enough for a round trip (HAHA).

So I have what I want. More than I deserve. What do you want?

Robert Edward Sullivan

It is hard to believe that my son Robert is seven years old today. He was only three months old when we moved here to Shoals. Time flies and it worries me. He was very excited this morning when he got he Clone War Movie on DVD.

Another Monday

Well it is Monday again. Had a good weekend. Went to Indy with Tina and got home last night. Today is my last excel class at LBC. Working on another behind the music sermon for Sunday, "O Little Town of Bethelehem."

Busy week but looking forward to it.

Hark The herald Angels Sing

Today at Church we started a series on Christmas Carols entitled "Behind the Music." I started with Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

It seemed to go over really well. Props to Mike Luke and Bob Russell for the help. HAHA!

We also had a sad day. We lost a dear member of our church early this morning as Jane Davis went home to be with the Lord. She will be missed very much by all of us.

Hope you had a good holiday. My brother and his family came as well as Tinas family. It was great although my kids have had strep. They are feeling better and now we go on to a new week.

One More Year

Well I turned 39 today. One more year until the big 4-0. I am so lucky. I got to see my brother and his family and Tina's mom and dad her bro and his family. I have the best nieces and nephews anywhere. I missed my mom and dad but got to talk to them on the phone today. They are the best. I am blessed with great friends and a great church to serve.

I also have a great wife and two awesome kids. SO no complaints as I get older.

Matt

Happy Birthday

Just a quick shoutout to my brother Mark who is 37 today.

Love you man

Bad Start and Congrats

Woke up this morning to no hot water. Tina told me last night about it. Having to call M and M today.

Congratulations to my Brother In Law Danny he and my Sister In Law Christy Bought their first House yesterday.

Best Bugs Bunny Cartoon Ever

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Great Cartoon

This is a Great Cartoon he is saying "Uh Oh"

Remember how we got there? Good Solid Principles. When we forget them things never go well.

What A Night

Last Night Tina and I went with her brother Danny and his wife Christy to see Third Day. We had a blast and got to meet the band backstage. Thanks to my Brother Mark for hooking us up with the tickets and to the keyboard player Scotty for his help.

That is Tina and I with Scotty.

The Day After

Something happened this morning. I Woke up at 5AM this morning as usual and took a shower. The water was hot, my coffee pot worked just fine, TV worked and my bible said the same words it did yesterday.

Politically my voice was heard locally but my voice was drowned out nationally. My voice is always heard spiritually by my Heavenly Father. I was disappointed with the election results last night. However, God was still God this morning. I still have a great wife and two fantastic kids. I have a wonderful family great parents and in laws, two brothers and two sisters (in laws and such included), and great friends.



This morning I will continue to try to lead young men and women in ministry, lead the Shoals Church to a greater relationship with Christ, and lead the lost to the Lamb that was Slain. And nothing and no one can change that.

My good friend Wade has some awesome thoughts this morning read his blog as well.

http://wadeallen.blogspot.com/

Appreciation

It is nice to feel needed and loved. This past Sunday the church honored me and my family for our service to the church. People gave us cards and gift cards.

This church is great. The people here love us and we love them. I look forward to many more years here.

Tina couldn't be there. I came home from the Camp Meeting and Tina was sick and now Jonathan and Robert have it today.

Hope you all have a great week!

PS Camp MTG was great. I really enjoyed seeing my parents and many good friends.

Georgia Camp Meeting

I leave tomorrow for the Georgia Camp Meeting. I am speaking this year and I am very excited about it. I get to see my parents and get to hear one of my favorite preachers Johnny Pressley.

Hope to give you a report from the Camp.

Monday, Monday

It is Monday here in Southern IN. HAHA. We had a good weekend here. We had great Sunday Morning with my son Robert helping lead singing. We had to get him a shirt and tie he insisted.

Our son Jonathan and the rest of the youth opened our services with two specials and then one of our young ladies came forward and was immersed for the remission of her sins.

Last night we had annual Hay ride at the home of one of our Elders Keith Albright. He and his wife Mary are always willing to host the church for anything and we appreciate their generosity.

Last night was my second Sunday night at the Christian Church of Jasper taking them through the book of Revelation. I am really enjoying the opportunity to teach this wonderful book in other places.

This Thursday and Friday is our Annual Fall break at school. Friday we are heading to the Newport Aquarium for the day.

Have a great week

Hi all

Hope you have a great weekend. We are looking forward to this Sunday. Our son Robert is helping lead singing. He is 6 years old.

Jesus Made in America

I am in the process of reading the book Jesus Made in America. It looks at how we as Christians has shaped Jesus to fit our own personal mold. We all do that. We have all declawed the Lion of Judah. We have all made Jesus like Mr Rogers and turned him into our XL buddy. It is a good read and I am really getting alot out of it.
I found out about the book on Dr Robert Lowery's Website and was intrigued by this post.

"As I reflected on the title and as we celebrate our independence, I must remind myself that Jesus is not a Savior dressed in red, white and blue.
He is a Savior who brought freedom, a freedom purchased at a terrible price–the shedding of innocent blood.
He is a Savior who established a Kingdom that knows no bounds–a kingdom that draws from every tribe, language, nation, and people.
He is a Savior who welcomes people from all cultures.
He is a Savior who expects his people to be both cross-cultural and counter-cultural.
He is a Savior who demands that we pledge allegiance to the Lamb.
He is a Savior whose commands supersede all others.
He is a Savior who cannot be kidnapped by any political power or party.
He is a Savior who reigns not from any country–the United States of America or Israel, for examples–but a Savior who reigns from heaven above.
He is a Savior who is dressed in white and he invites his followers to be dressed the same. "

I agree with that.

Very Funny and Very real

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Saw this on I monk. It is great and sad at the same time

Isn't She The Cutest

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This is my niece Mia. She is the cutest is she not.

Greatest Video Ever

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Revival

This weekend is our annual revival here at Shoals. Our Evangelist is my dad Tony Sullivan and our Song Evangelists are Art Bush and Steve Foster. We are looking forward to an incredible weekend. Not only good preaching and singing but getting to see my mom and dad for a few days.

It has been very busy few weeks here in Shoals. If you are close by come by and visit us.

Awesome

Wow

Sarah Palin was fantastic last night. Every Lefty Feminist in the US is stewing in their jealousy. She has it all and didn't need Gloria or Hillary for any of it.

Could it be they are wrong. Of course they are. Always have been always will be. McCain Vetted her well and now they are paying the price.

Good Weekend

This weekend went very well:
We had a good crowd in Church Sunday. One of our couples, Gene and Eldean Sherfick, celebrated their 60Th wedding anniversary. After our service Tina and I along with Brian and Cassie self went to the Christian Church of Jasper where my friend Darrel Land preaches. The church service was great and the youth minister Ryan did a great job preaching.

We spent Monday with Bob and Evelyn, my in laws and had a good lazy day. We grilled out and just rested, except for Bob, Tina always has something for him to do (poor Guy).

We got to eat supper Saturday Night with our good friends Wade and Stephanie Allen.

Good Job John

Sarah Palin is a great pick for John McCain. A great surprise for all of us and really threw a curve ball to the Democrats and to all of us.

Great Job John. Stole the spotlight from Obama and no one is talking about him. Brilliant

Missing the Beauty

We are currently doing a survey of the Old Testament in our Sunday Evening Bible study. We were looking at the book of Ezekiel and I was taking them through the beauty of the book. How Ezekiel is trying to tell these captives that there will come a day that will be so much better that what they were experiencing at that time in their history.

I was struck by the beauty of what he told them. It really seems as if Ezekiel and the prophets are talking in materialistic terms at times. But they are not.

This is how we concluded:
Just to say this, it can seem, when you read the Prophets, that they are talking materialistically, just as it can seem in the New Testament as you read about streets of gold in Jerusalem and so on, and you say, “Oh gee, it is all materialistic.” That is a misunderstanding. With Ezekiel, when you read about the supposedly material restoration, like you will get your land back, but it is not the same land. You will get your city back but it is not the same city. You will get your temple back but it is not the same temple. Everything changes. What he is really saying is, “We prophets do give our predictions in what sounds like material terms, land and vineyards and abundance and all that. But if you really examine what we are doing, we are using that as a means of conveying the fact that there is something ahead that we don’t even understand. It is beyond; it is great. You don’t understand it; we don’t understand it. It is something fabulous in the plan of God. We can only describe it from the point of view of the material but that is not really what we are thinking.” If you understand that, you can see it so well in Ezekiel 40-48. It will be like a prism through which you can, also then, suddenly understand what Amos means, for example, when he says, “The days are coming when the person trying to plant his field will tell the person who is still harvesting, 'Would you please get out of the way, I need to plant the crops',” because the harvest will be so abundant that they will go right around to planting time again. That is just crazy in any agricultural society; you do not have harvests like that. It is a way of saying, using material terminology, something great and wonderful is ahead that we do not really have any ability to portray as well as we would like to.

This is what John did. Will Heaven have streets of Gold or is God really Jasper and Carnelian? No but it is just the best way I can think to describe it, John would say.

Sometimes we miss the beauty of the prophets and Revelation because we think they predict the end of the world but they don't and when we realize that the beauty and exictement of what they are really saying can wash over us.

I am back

Sorry it has been a while since I blogged. I have had a very busy 10-12 days. The last two weeks we have had 125 and 105 in Church. Yesterday we were down a bit but had a great day. We had a nursery shower for our new nursery. It was well attended and many either gave gifts or gave money.

The church has really responded well to some of our changes for the most part. Last week I also started my classes at Louisville Bible College. I go back tonight and Thursday.

I am teaching I II Timothy and Titus in a Satellite Class at Central Christian Church. I am loving all this preaching and teaching.

Hope to get back to you soon.

Traveling Light

For a few years now I have wrestled with questions. Questions like How can I best serve the Lord? What can our church do to reach the greatest number of people with the gospel, without compromise? I have come to the conclusions that our structures weigh us down.

After thinking over these things I want to make a few statements:

First, I am traveling internationally in December and I have learned through experience and very good advice that the best thing to do is to travel light. I only took one suitcase and a small carry on. I finally decided that the church would do well to do the same. These are just some questions I have.

Why is that so many of are interested in building monuments and not participating in movements? Why so many of us program focused and not people fixated? Are we an organism or organization? Will our churches be led by chairpersons or by co-workers? Will we continue to believe that if a structure is not visible or rigid God just can’t be served or worshipped?

God is not hung up on structures. I think we place so much emphasis our structures because we place so little emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Structures must follow identity and mission but they must be light and flexible to liberate people.

We must be willing to dismantle without regret when something else more suited to the needs of the day comes along. These light and flexible structures can adapt to the changing need. Why are so many of God’s people more interested in keeping things the way we think they have always been rather than realizing that we live in a world different than did our ancestors, even our ancestors of 50 yrs ago? Why do so many cling to ways of doing things that may have been effective in another era but no longer works with reaching people with the gospel?

Would we be willing to give up a 9AM church service if you knew you could reach more people by having that church service at 4PM? Why are so many devoted to certain style of church music or preaching rather than to unceasing worship of God?

Why are so many committed to pleasing people and not ruffling feathers rather than being a people whose core value is pleasing God? We don't want to be a community departing from God’s word but we want to be a community trying to develop in light of biblical truths in order to carry out the great commission.

Is it possible that we as the Restoration Movement have ceased becoming a movement and have become a "church?"

Now a word of warning if you plan on challenging structures:It is dangerous. The greatest threat Jesus faced didn’t come from without but within. The first martyr in the life of the Church did not come at the hands of a Roman Sword but from Jews throwing Stones.

I close with this quote from a very peronal mentor of mine "
May God give us men and women who are alive to the times, who respect the past and yet are not blind to past mistakes or mired in deadly traditionalism, and who eagerly anticipate the future, desiring to go where God is going and already is—all so that people are reached with the gospel of Christ." Are we going to go where God is going and are we going to travel light?

Bother Me

http://www.myspace.com/consumedartistagency

That is the link to my Brothers new talent agency. Copy and paste it into your browser, it won't work right for some reason.

On it you will find a music video called bother me. It is on the right side of the site just scroll down you will find it. The family on the video is My brother Mark, sister in law Sherry and my neice and nephew Mia and Zach.

Check it out. The site is also linked from the bottom of my blog.

Russia, Georgia, and Jesus

Well it was inevitable. Some misguided soul would think the return of Jesus is soon because of war in Russia. For years preachers have been trying to decipher when Jesus is coming back. They use very obscure texts and play on them like kids on a jungle gym.

The truth is Jesus is bodily returning to earth one day. When it happens it will be the greatest event in history. However, wars, nor earthquakes, nor oil prices will give us a better idea than we already have. That is no idea. Martin Luther was asked if Jesus came back tomorrow what would you do. "I would plant my garden today." He responded. May we ever be watchful to the sky and not the news when it comes to Christ's return.

Happy Birthday Granny

Today we are celebrating Tina's grandmother's 85th birtday (it was actually Wed.).

HAPPY BDAY Granny

It Never Gets Old

WOW What A Day! This Morning was started off with the Baptism of a man in our community. I never tire of hearing the words "I Believe that Jesus is the Christ,the Son of the Living God, and I accept Him as my Savior." Then burying him in the water for the forgiveness of his sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit."

The Last act of a sinful man is one of complete submission. How Great is that.

Now a frustrating question will be asked. "Didn't he join the church?" That is frustrating to me because the decision to become a Christian is not the same as which church to join. Mostly they are made at the same time but they are not the same decision. If he and his wife join our fellowship, she is already immersed, then great. If God can use them elsewhere then that is great as well.

RIP Skip

I couldn't help be sad this morning as I learned of the death of long time Braves announcer Skip Cary. Skip was a great announcer and did a great job. He was a cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves and I know will be missed greatly.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/08/03/skip_caray_dies.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

Above is the story about Skip that appeared at http://ajc.com

Happy Anniversary

Today is the 20th Anniversary of Rush Limbaugh's Radio Show. This is one of my favoite things to do. I listen in my car or on my computer. I am a member of Rush 24/7 and can see his webcam as well. First thing today President Bush 41 and 43 and Gov. Jeb called in.

I am a conservative in the mold of Rush. Low Tax, small Government, and and no commies, ie Obama.

CONGRATS RUSH

Finally Home for a Lesson on Marriage

We got home yesterday from the Hillsboro Family Camp. We had to leave a day early because a lady in our congregation passed away and her funeral was this morning. Minnie Brown was 97 and she and her husband Ralph, who died in September of 2006, were married over 70 years.

How do you do that? Well this story should show you how: A lady from our church asked Ralph what kind of pie was his favorite. She was going to bake him one since Minnie couldn't bake anymore. Ralph thought for a minute and told her, "Minnie likes Lemon."

Thinking of the other persons wants, needs, and desires is how. May I have that kind of marriage and may you as well.

Hillsboro Family Camp

Well here I am at this years HFC. It is an uplifting time of preaching and singing. I enjoy seeing many friends I don't normally get to see very often and my mom and dad always come up for it.

Dad is preaching this year and I get to hear my favorite preacher of all time Jeff Faull.

Kerry Allen is the director of Person to Person Ministries (.

They do alot for the kingdom and Kerry Does a Great Job

Another Week

Well It is Monday and a new week is upon us. The weekend was a good one. We are getting ready to reveamp our Sunday School and hopefully attract more people to it and we are going to add video projection to our sanctuary to aid our Sunday Morning Worship.

This week will be another week of sermon prep (I Timothy 3) and getting ready for my classes at LBC and DCC. Hope all is going well with you. Next week is the Hillsboro Family Camp. Hope to see some of you there.

It's Monday

A new week begins today. Yesterday we had 143 in church. It was our VBS closing program and it was great. Last night was our board meeting. We talked about hiring a new part time staff person. We are still looking into that possibility but we are going to put a screen and projector in the auditorium. I am very excited about his and what we as a church can do with it.

Our leadership is very supportive here at the church and last night was just more proof of that. Hope you all have a good week. Working on my sermon from 1 Timothy 2.

VBS Closing Program

Tonight we had our VBS Closing Program. It was Great. Everyone did a great job and we had a great time. Our Church really does programs well. Events like this keep us unified.

New Carpet and Tina is HOME

Today we are finally getting our new carpet in upstairs. The guys are doing a great job and are moving pretty fast. Tina got home from her training last night. It was great to see her. Didn't get to see much of her because we were getting ready for the carpet guys to get here.

I hope to be able to blog more soon. It has been crazy with my LBC Faculty meeting and VBS. Have a great week.

Catfish Time

Well this week starts the annual Shoals Catfish Festival. We close off Main Street Wednesday Night and Thursday the festival begins. This will be our 7th festival and it is great every year.

Another Week

It is Monday again. This will be a short week. Wednesday the family and I are going to the Indianapolis Children's Museum and then Tina and I are off to the North American Christian Convention. Have to get on the sermon only have two days. More later.

Integrity

Last week I was in a Verizon phone shop and they told me they could transfer my contacts in my old phone to my new one. Today I went in and talked to the same guy and he told me he couldn't. I reminded him of last week but he didn't remember. This is the same guy that told Tina and me that he has a phone account from another carrier.

What is with Integrity. Doesn't anyone have it anymore?

New Phones

We Got new phones yesterday and I activated them today. They seem really cool but it will take me forever to learn to use them. My meeting is tomorrow and I am looking forward to hanging out with my peeps.

Later Guys

Monday Mania

It is Monday again. Time to get a good start on next Sunday. Wayne Shaw was with us and presented us with our Natural Church Development results. We need to do some work on our personal spiritualness as well as our worship as a Church. I am looking forward to the challenge.

Hope you all have a good week. I am starting a series on 1 Timothy this week. What about you?

Great Blog

I love the approach that Bob Lowery Takes on Revelation. This is a great thought on his blog about the link between those who use Revelation to predict the end of the world and those who use the stars to predict silly things.

Great job Bob, Read it below:4
The Link Between Dispensationalists and AstrologistsJune 9th, 2008
By the time you read this the United Astrology Conference will have met in Denver and will have offered their prediction on who will be the presidential winner in November. They were to have made their choice by Tuesday, May 20. I don’t know who they will pick nor do I care.*Â

It appears that an integral component to predicting who will be the next President is the candidates’ exact birth times. Hmmm. They "know" that Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, at 7:11 p.m. (Yet other astrologers give other birth times for Obama.) As in the past when it comes to disclosing information in a timely fashion, Hillary Clinton is not sharing the exact time of her birth. And Senator McCain has changed his known birth time by at least two hours, wrecking havoc with predictions on his presidential aspirations. (Supposedly his birth time was embedded like a gold nugget in a Mother’s Day campaign ad where his mother mentioned that her son was born August 29, 1936, at 11 a.m.) I have read that birth data are rated for accuracy and shared among astrologers through a variety of Web sites.


Astrologist Shelley Ackerman and others insist their profession’s work is accurate, if not more so, than many polls. . . . Just about as accurate as dispensationalists like John Darby, C.I. Scofield, William E. Blackstone, Charles Ryrie, Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, and John Hagee–which isn’t saying much! For these individuals have consistently been wrong. Let me take Lindsey as one example. According to the way he read the Bible (at least in the early 1970s), the rapture must take place before 1988, within forty years of the establishment of the nation Israel (May 16, 1948). Furthermore, ten nations would make up the European Common Market. With great certainty Lindsey said that these events were predicted in a variety of Scriptures. And yet he was wrong.

Why are the astrologists and the dispensationalists wrong? The former appeal to the rhythms of heaven and earth, specifically the cycle of nature between the sun and the moon and the planets and the stars, and the latter appeal to newspapers headlines, and when the headlines change new editions of books need to be published.

Both camps remind me of those individuals who read tea leaves for guidance. Ridiculous? Yes! But how many Christians do you know who read their horoscopes or listen to the latest self-styled prophecy experts?

*For the record, they predict an Obama victory — Ed.

Tuesday

Working on my LBC Classes today. I don't have to preach Sunday so I am doing some work on my classes for this fall. I love to teach and preach. Have a good day.

Tuesday

New Week

it is a great new week. Started this morning with a nice walk to get my paper and drafted a letter to send to our board about a meeting we are having this weekend.

Don't have to preach this Sunday but have alot of meetings. Always seems to work that way.

Happy Father's Day

Hello all just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to all. Love you dad

Priorities

I have been really worrying about my priorities lately. I don't know why but is my priorities what they should be. I love the Sermon on the Mount and I know that Jesus has alot to say on this info:

Everyone has treasures. Treasures are things we try to keep because of the value we place on them. We go to great lengths to hold on to them and protect them because we value them. In Matthew 6:19-24 Jesus forces us to do some uncomfortable wrestling with the issue of financial treasures. To Jesus this is not a matter of money but of the heart. It is not a matter of physical possessions but of spiritual priorities. It is not a matter of this life but of eternal life.This is what Jesus is concerned with in the text. Jesus is not speaking against possessions but about our preoccupation with them. He gives us sound reasons why we should make it our priority to store up spiritual treasure in heaven rather than material treasure on earth. Jesus gives us for reasons worth our most serious consideration:

Material things do not last

Jesus gives us another reason for treasuring up our treasure in Heaven:

Focusing on Money will Bind us to Earth

Concentrating on “things” clouds our vision

Put your treasure in Heaven because:

It decides who our Master is

What do we treasure? What has our heart? What are our priorities? Treasures on earth and be eaten and destroyed? Or treasures in heaven? Jesus said where our treasure is determines where our heart is? Where’s our vision? Do we look at people and opportunities through God’s lenses? Is it clear that reaching people who matter to God is the greatest thrill in life? Who is our Master? It is impossible to have two. We will hate the one and love the other; or be devoted to one and despise the other. Ultimately, the only way we know what we treasure is when we are willing to honor the Donor above the gift and give away chunks of it freely in order to advance His causes. This is the best way to see who our Master really is.

Teaching Preaching

I think it is amazing that I am going to teach Preaching at Louisville Bible College this summer. It is a little nerve wracking and exciting that I get to do this. I love to preach and I LOVE to teach at this level.

http://www.louisvillebiblecollege.org/ is our website. Pray for me as I prepare this class and if you have any ideas let me know.

Meeting Time

Tomorrow will be a meeting of the "Minds." Some of the members of our study group are getting together. I hate it that two probably won't be there. Randy and Brian are caught in some of the flood waters in Indiana. We will miss you guys and we are praying for you friends.

I know you will miss the Donuts, Coffee, and stories that go no where. Mike if you can't come hope you are doing well.

These guys are great and are one of the reasons I stay in the ministry at times.

Thanks guys

Church Health

We are in the process of our third Natural Church Development Survey. It measures the health of the church. You get 30 people from your own church to take the survery.

I am reading now "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church" and it has gotten me thinking. Just how healthy are we here at Shoals. I went to the Dr this morning and I need to go back Thursday for blood work. The NCD is like our bi annual check up here at Church. I hope we are growing in our love for Christ, His Church, and each other.

Swim Party

Today I took my son Jonathan to a swim party with his third grade class. One of the coolest things about being a parent is that you actually have a good time watching your child having fun.

Home Home

We got home from my mom and dads today. It was a great visit. We visited a place called Jumping Joeys and played for several hours. It had an obstacle course and several slides all powered by air to blow them up.

Yesterday we visited the GA home of FDR, the Little White House. My son Jonathan loves to learn about the presidents and he really enjoyed it. We finished the day at Red Robins for supper.

Tina is planning on painting all next week and my mom came home with us and will stay until Wednesday.

Baseball and Carpet

Tonight I helped with Roberts Baseball Game. We Won 19-1. It was fun, everyone on our team got a hit. However, I felt bad for the other guys. They tried hard and they are all really good kids.

We got our upstairs measured for new carpet. I am getting Tina new upstairs carpet for Mothers Day...yes I am that awesome.

Family Movie Night

We just got done watching Cars for our Family Movie Night. It is a great movie and we really enjoy it. The boys love this night of the week. We are leaning towards The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe for two weeks from now.

Walking

I woke up this morning about 6:15 and could not go back to sleep. I got up and walked about a mile to RJ's to get a paper. I feel pretty good and I hope to keep this up. I need to get into shape.

In office now working working working. Have a lot to do before I leave Friday.

Reds Game

The Family and I are heading to Cincinnati for the Reds Braves game on Friday. I am spending the next two days trying to get ahead on sermon prep. Sunday we are leaving for Carrollton, GA. Going to spend a few days with my parents and see my Brother and Sister In Law but most important I get to see my Zach and Mia.

Last Day of School

Today was our last day of school here in Shoals. Planning on a busy summer. Our first even is a stop at the Great American Ball Park to watch the Reds and the Braves.

Great Weekend

This Past weekend the elders, myself, and our wives had a retreat. We got alot talked about and it was an uplifting weekend. It is great to have such a wonderful group of men to work with.

Men's Clinic and catching up

Last week was great. Dad did a great job as did my buddies Wade and Jeff. It was good to catch up with old friends and also see my bro Mark. It was good to spend some time for him as well.

This week we start a new series entitled Pest Control. We will start this week with "Criticism."

Hillsboro Men's Clinic

Well I am in Hillsboro Ohio for the Men's Clinic. Dad and Mark are both here. My pal Wade will be here later today.

Got to have lunch with a good friend Lee Mason. I am anticipating a great week. Will say more later

Graduation Day

Today was Graduation at Louisville Bible College. It was a wonderful honor to participate in the ceremony. This was my first time as a Faculty Member. It was great to see those who I have had in my classes walk across the stage.

Joshua Deering gave the address and he did fantastic. There are alot of wonderful Christian leaders now heading into service.

Happy Mothers Day

Hello all just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Mothers day. I hope you can call those that are precious to you.

I will be calling my Mother and my adopted mom Bev Sweeten. I am spending the day with Indiana Mom and My wonderful Wife.

Hillsboro Men's Clinic

Next week I will be preaching a the Men's meeting sponsored by Person to Person Ministries. I am excited because my dad is also going to be there and he is bringing my bro Mark. I can't wait to see them both and hear some great preaching.

I get to hear one of my favorite preachers Jeff Faull and I am psyched about hearing my very good friend Wade Allen preach next week.

Operation Chaos

Well Rush got to me and since there was no major candiate on my ticket and I pulled a democrat ticket and voted for Hillary. I emailed Rush and he read it on the air. Here is the email I sent him:





Rush, At 8:15 AM this morning I voted for Hillary Clinton in Indiana Primary. It was tough. I showered twice and threw up a little in my mouth but I did it. Oh yeah It was an honor to follow your orders. Matthew Sullivan Shoals, IN



He read it verbatim, what a "rush"

National Preaching Summit

Next Monday and Tuesday I will be going up to Indianapolis to the National Preaching Summit. I am really hoping that this year will be better and the lineup lends itself to that for sure.

As I type this I am watching the Election Returns: McCain has the Republican Nomination and Clinton and Obama are fighting it out and I love watching really these idiots beat each other up.

I personally favor a nominee from the Jedi Party

Great Day

Today We had our preaching group. We are preaching through Jonah and we discussed chapters 2 and 3. I really enjoy those guys. I love to get together with all of them and blow off steam.

I am looking forward to the Preaching Summit next week. (TWSS)