The Next Step of Faith

 I am standing on the cliff of another faith step. The cliff looks higher than I first believed. The step looks impossible. The temptation is to turn back in fear. The gentle but firm hand of God nudges me closer to the edge. I either have to trust and obey or turn running the other direction and disobey. 

Over the past three decades I have taken numerous steps of faith. The feelings are usually the same. There is great excitement and exhilaration initially when the faith step is revealed. Mind you the step is not actually required at this point. It is more of a dream for the future. Then comes the day when the step of faith has to be taken. When caution must be thrown to the wind, fears cast aside, and bold conviction to obey God by stepping out even though I am unsure as to the outcome. 

Experience has taught me that God is trustworthy. He has earned the right over and over again to be trusted and obeyed. Faith steps in the beginning were tiny. They were easy steps to take. Now they are harder. Giant leaps instead of little steps. The stakes are higher. The things to believe God for are more mountainous than ever. The glory of God that stands to be promoted is greater than ever as well. 

My faith step will require many others to take some faith steps as well. It will require great commitment and maybe even sacrifice. It is one thing for me to step out. It is more sobering to call others to do the same. 

It is my conviction that the great works of God happen on the other side of faith steps. For example; Noah building the ark required faith.  [Heb 11:7] So did Abram leaving his country. [Heb 11:8] Moses holding his staff in the Red Sea trusting God to make a way of escape for Israel. [ Ex 14] David facing down Goliath. [I Sam 17] Elijah bravely battling the prophets of Baal in a test to see who the real God was. [I Kings 18] The disciples following Jesus. [Mark 1:17] Paul laying his life down to follow Jesus. [Acts 20:24] God required each one to face something impossible. They trusted God and watched Yahweh do something extraordinary in response to their faith filled obedience. 

 Past steps of faith have resulted in God's provision, revivals, souls saved, and kingdom of God expansion. Here I stand at the threshold of another step of trust. He has not failed me in the past. Though my pulse quickens and fear tries to conquer faith, I will leap in blind belief convinced I am doing so at His bidding. I trust Him with the results. If I crash and burn I will do so having believed God. If God blesses I will humbly give all glory to Him for the great things He does. There is no turning back. I gave God my yes a long time ago. The decision has already been made. Here I go again. See you on the other siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!

Where It All Began

 Bremd. Turner, and I hit the road this past weekend headed east. We went to visit some dear friends. We ended up in my beloved hometown of Lufkin, TX. I wanted to visit meaningful sites from my past. I went back to where it all began. 

The very first site we visited was Abe Martin Football Stadium. I did not go there to relive my glory days of playing offensive defensive line for the Panthers. It was not the bright lights of a Friday night donned in purple and gold that dominated my thoughts. I pulled up to the visitor side parking area where I had a clear view of the homestands. I looked up to those stands about halfway on the fifty-yard line. I got out of the car to remember the night it all began. 

Go back with me in time. It was a Thursday night back in October of 1983. I was at the junior varsity football game with my girlfriend. It was a normal fall night for some football. I actually went to watch the game. God was up to something new. He had me in His crosshairs and I was totally unaware. To my recollection I had not considered God, Jesus, the Bible or even attending a church one single time that day or for as far back as I can remember. 

Like a deer located with a scope on a gun in a hunter's hand God had me zeroed in. I never saw Him coming straight for me like a freight train. Only the messenger was disguised as a local youth minister from North Carolina who had recently transplanted to Lufkin to work at a local church. He came to the game that night with one mission. To share Jesus with anyone God would lead him to. God led him to me. 

I sat there minding my own business watching the game and enjoying some time with Anji. I noticed a couple of guys from my school walking up the stands with an older man. I was not friends with either of those guys. They did not play football and I had little use in those days for people who were not teammates. I was a little curious when they made their way to our seats and struck up a conversation with us. It did not take long for the man, after introductions by my classmates, to get to the point. He asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks that night. He asked if I knew where I would spend eternity. I could not believe this Bible thumper was interrupting my watching the game with such a question. 

I fumbled for an answer thinking and hoping that I would go to heaven. The man's second question proved just as jolting. He asked if I were to stand at the gates of heaven and they asked why they should let me in what I would say.  I did not respond immediately. I had to think. I gave my best answer. I replied, "I treat people fairly. (a lie) I try to be good. (Another lie) 

I went on with my list of good works that I hung my hat on that were good enough to get me into heaven. I was annoyed that this guy was asking me questions I did not know how to answer and HAD NEVER CONSIDERED BEFORE. 

God grabbed my full attention when that man named Eli started explaining sin and my sinful condition. I knew I sinned. He did not have to convince me of that. God's conviction swept in. These were things I had never considered. I always thought that we got to heaven by our good works outweighing our bad works. NOT TRUE!

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
⁸  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
⁹  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
¹⁰  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

God drew me in closer. Eli and I actually got up and left the crowd to go sit alone so he could more fully explain this message I had never heard. Yes, I heard about Jesus and His crucifixion in my childhood. That night was the first time anyone shared the gospel message with me in a way that I could understand. Nothing made more sense to me than what I heard. I know in hindsight it was God awakening my faith, taking the blinders of deception off and probing my heart to come to Him. God chose me that night. I certainly did not choose Him. He came after me. I had no interest in God on that night before Eli approached me. God never crossed my mind. I did not read the Bible and I had not been to a church service in years. None of that mattered. God had a plan for my life before the foundation of the world. I did not know it then, but I was God's workmanship. A vessel He would choose to use in His service. 

After Eli explained the gospel message to me, he asked if I wanted to trust to Jesus for salvation. The game going on below no longer held my attention. God had me. I do not recall anything else happening around me. I knew I was a sinner in need of salvation. Right in the stands with a football game happening and surrounded by other fans, I cried out to Jesus and He saved me. He redeemed me. He transformed me. He rescued me. He forgave me. He changed me. He made me a new creation in Him with the old things passing away and being made new. 

The first impression I had after Jesus saved me was RELIEF. Like a huge heavy burden of sin was taken off me. I carried that feeling through the rest of the game and walking down the ramp back to my Jeep in the parking lot after the game. 

That is where it all began for me. Standing outside the chain link fence looking in I did not recall one single game I played in that stadium. I flashbacked to the night Jesus wrote my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. He brought this rebellious and hard-hearted teenager into His fold. He tamed the young man nobody else had been able to tame in 17 years. Not my momma. Not my grandparents. Not teachers or coaches. What none of them could do in 17 years, Jesus did in about 17 seconds.

 That is where it all began. In another part of the state a young teenaged girl had been praying for her future husband three years at that point. That girl was Brenda who has been my wife for 32 years now. A pastor's wife committed to pray for me who resided in my neighborhood with her husband who would eventually baptize me. It would be her same pastor husband I would talk to a year and a half later committing my life to preach the gospel. God led me to Howard Payne where I met that brown-eyed beauty I made my wife. In subsequent years we followed God to serve as a youth ministry team, pastor, traveling evangelist, church planters, and back into pastoral ministry. We took many faith steps, saw the astonishing power of God displayed on multiple occasions and had four sons who are grown up now. 

All of it began on a fall night back in October of 1983. Out of all the sites we visited on our trip that by far was the most meaningful to me. We drove by the house I grew up in. We visited the cemetery where my grandparents, mother and sister are all buried. We drove by the first church I pastored, and the first home Brenda and I purchased. None of that mattered. Where it all began for me was in that football stadium. Every good thing in my life started right there when God adopted me as one of His own. 

I don't get back to Lufkin much anymore. I had not been there in years before this past weekend. The whole trip was worth it just to revisit that old stadium where it all began. Brenda got out of the car and took my picture with the stands in the background standing outside that fence. My whole life changed that night. I had no idea of the thrilling adventure that awaited. I'M SO GLAD TO BE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD. WASHED IN THE WATER AND CLEANSED BY THE BLOOD. JJOINT HEIRS WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL THIS SOD. I'M SO GLAD TO BE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD. 

Three Little Words

My prayer time was interrupted when one of our deacons came in to tell me Brenda needed to get hold of me for an emergency. My phone was on silence. I had 9 missed calls from her and a missed call from someone in Plainview, TX. That Plainview call was from the Plainview Police Department. Turns out they found Tucker's car running in an alley abandoned. Subsequent calls to locate Tucker or Tanner were unsuccessful. 

Brenda finally got through to me in a panic. I was greatly alarmed as well. I tried calling Tanner and Tucker but did not get hold of either of them. Some dark thoughts began to creep in. I told Brenda to calm down reassuring her that both our sons were probably in the bed fast asleep. The car most likely was stolen and abandoned for some reason. 

We waited on the police to do a welfare check. Time seemed to crawl. In that time I prayed something sincerely. I prayed, "God I trust you no matter what. If my sons are alive and well I trust you and praise you. If harm and even death have taken them I still praise you. I am not going to let the enemy paralyze me with fear. I will trust and praise you no matter what. Amen." 

Seconds ticked ticked away into minutes. Then a half an hour elapsed. Time marched on with no word approaching the one hour mark. After an hour I received a short text from Tucker that read, "We are ok." Three little words packed with power. Immediate relief flowed over Brenda and I in two different towns as she waited at work and I waited in Weatherford. 

Just three little word. We are ok. I entertained the thought before that at a tragic outcome and a double funeral. I anticipated withdrawing into seclusion to heal. I saw myself weeping. I resolved if my sons were dead that I would preach their funerals. Then I rejected those thoughts. I recalled all the plans we believed God had for Tanner and Tucker. Kingdom purposes. Not to be stolen by the enemy. I would not give into fear. 

Then the three words that brought relief like a rain shower cascading over our hearts and mind. It was the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. A calm tranquility that everything was ok. 

I devoted my life to my sons. I forsook hobbies most men have so as to give myself to them. If I went to a store I took one of them with me. I took each one with me on different occasions to camps I preached. I took Taylor with me on a mission trip. I took them lunch at school. I came home from the office and played with them. I was not a perfect father. I was a devoted one. I coached their teams. Rarely missed their games through junior high, high school, and college. Even as grown men I often take them out to eat one on one to reconnect with them after long absences. I gave my heart and life to those sons. I did not deserve God to protect them. I am so grateful He did. So grateful that we will hug again, say the words I love you again, laugh together again over funny family memories, and worship together when they are in town. 

Three little words brought me peace. My comforted heart rejoices over the minuscule statement we are ok. It did this aging scribe some good today to hear those words. It is well with my soul. 

Satanic Systematic Child Abuse

 For years I have done my own investigation into the pure evil heinous crime of sex trafficking children and pedophilia. Reading articles about this made me sick to my stomach. When I talked about it publicly or privately people did not believe me. This satanic systematic child abuse is widespread. It is way worse than you think. The culprits are disguised as some of the very people we admire. 

I read about the terroristic torture of children. While they are screaming in pain their blood is drawn to be drunk by Hollywood, political, and economic powerbrokers. Seriously. Grown successful people torturing children so they can drink their blood. Barbaric hidden behind a veil of secrecy. People you support at the movies, watch on television, and those on the evening news who are the movers and shakers in society. The Bidens, Obamas, Clintons, Podestas, Kevin Spacey, Tom Hanks, Bill Gates, and so many others. Democrats and Republicans. Even the Royal Family in Britian. This well-kept secret pervades not only Hollywood but also the halls of Congress at the Capitol building. 

Who we thought were respectable people gather annually in a place in California at Bohemian Grove to perform secret occultic rituals. I did not believe that at first reading. People like Henry Kissinger, both George H. Bush, and George W. Bush have attended. A whose who list of people you would never suspect. They put on robes gather at bonfire and perform ancient occultic rituals to Molech. Do your own research to find out if I am telling the truth. 

The inclusion of occult activity in connection with those who influence our world is shocking. Digging deeper to see how many people frequented Epstein Island where child sex abused occurred ritualistically is heart breaking. You will not have to dig too hard to discover people who flew to that island. I warn you it will not please you. 

For all these years I have lived with a scathing anger. A heavy burden.  I have included this information in sermons and Bible studies. Most of it has fallen on deaf ears. I DO NOT TRUST ANY POLITICIANS. I DO NOT TRUST NEWS MEDIA. I DO NOT TRUST ECONOMISTS. I DO NOT TRUST HOLLYWOOD STARS NOR MUSIC ENTERTAINERS. The atrocities some of these commit in secret is nauseating. Well respected highly successful people systematically abusing children and getting away with it. 

When the movie SOUND OF FREEDOM was released, I knew very little about it. I read about a movie about sex trafficking being filmed. I did not even know the title of it. I was not emotionally prepared when we went to the theater to see it. I thought the movie had something to do with Independence Day just based on the title. I watched with that same sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. 

Without big studio backing the film surpassed expectations in the opening week. If what I share with you next does not reveal the sinister satanic plot behind all this ritualistic abuse of children, I don't know what will. 

I saw a video where a lady reported purchasing tickets for the movie and suddenly had the money refunded. She and her friends showed up at the theater anyway. Employees at the theater told her the a/c was out. She and her friends decided to watch the movie anyway. If I recall correctly, they were the only ones in the theater to see the film. She posted her video about the experience afterward and people from all over the nation commented how the same thing happened to them all over the nation at AMC theaters. Coincidence? Conspiracy?

I saw this morning an article about theaters shutting down the movie right in the middle because of a supposed emergency evacuation alert. No perceived threats were identified. Mind you this was not an isolated incident. Multiple people reported the same experience all over the nation.

Sick, perverted, twisted, evil, slimy, depraved, demonic, and cold heated people will go to any length to keep their secret in the shadows. They will fight to keep their fiendish fetishes in play. The SOUND OF FREEDOM brings an ugly truth to light. The darkness hates the light. John 3:19-20 (NASB)

¹⁹  "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
²⁰  "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Jesus shines light in the darkest places of society. Well-groomed and mannered church people do not want to be bothered with the truth. It is easier to keep our heads buried in the good book and sing our spiritual songs ignoring the pure evils in our society and an all-out attack on children. 

Doctors mutilate the genitals of children calling it Gender Affirming Care while elected politicians vote in legislation making it illegal for a parent to try and stop it. It is legal to give birth to a baby and give no care to them so they will die. Babies are partially born while a butcher jabs a vacuum into the back of the skull to suction out the life of that child. That is legal. 

Children are kidnapped and sold for sex. Traffickers have found this to be more profitable than drugs as a child might be abused up to half a dozen times in one day. This may continue for up to a decade. What does the church do? Have another potluck dinner? 

All of this is happening on our watch. God appointed us to be watchmen on the walls of our community and country. The U.S. leads the world in child pornography. SICK! GOD HELP US.  Apathetic pew sitters with lukewarm hearts don't care. Where are the prayer meetings? Where are the preachers calling the evils of our day to light? Where are the prophets declaring thus says the Lord in thunderous judgment against this sin sick satanic age? Where are the Davids to go confront this giant in the name of the Lord? 

I have wept many tears thinking of the terrorized children who must cry out for help in vain. I have helplessly prayed asking what I can do from my little corner of the world? I can't know these things and do nothing. James 4:17 (NASB)

¹⁷  Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

IT IS SIN FOR THE CHURCH TO DO NOTHING! IT IS SIN FOR ME TO DO NOTHING. I do not know what to do. I feel helpless. I can pray. Maybe I could give money to organizations committed to rescuing trafficked children. It just feels like more has to be done. I am one man with a very tiny platform. With God's help I will not let that excuse keep me from doing something. To know the right thing to do and not to do it is sin. Now you know what I know. We are in the same boat. We must do something to help God's children. To love them. Protect them. Point them to Jesus. Fight for them. Even rescue them. I am not saying I have the answers. I just know to do nothing is sin. May God help us all to get in the fight for children. 

Wet Wood Doesn't Burn

 Before moving to Weatherford, Brenda and I enjoyed living in the quiet community of Runaway Bay for six years. Our home had a fireplace which we used often in the winter months. During those cold months we hauled firewood from the pile into the garage. We did this for two reasons. First, it made hauling the wood into the house to be burned easier. Second, it kept the wood dry when it rained or snowed. 

We found out the hard way when we first moved into that home that wet wood does not burn. We tried in vain to get a fire started with soaked wood and all we got was a house full of smoke. Thus, we learned the lesson of moving wood into the garage as it was needed to keep it dry. 

Fire is a powerful force. Last night during Bible study we heard sirens screaming as emergency vehicles drove past the church. Turns out one of our deacon's hay field was on fire and he lost a couple of dozen round bales of hay. Grassfires are no joking matter for farmers and ranchers. In dry hot conditions like we are experiencing in Texas in July the fields are like a tinder box. Wildfires can destroy acreage, crops, and livestock. Unbelievably it suspected that someone intentionally set not only that  fire but two others down the same stretch of highway. 

I reread a story this morning that I've preached on, written about, and read several dozens of times over the years. Today it seemed fresh. You know the story of Elijah and Mount Carmel. He called for a showdown between Yahweh and Baal to see who the real God was. The prophets of Baal cried out in vain for fire to consume their offering. They were humiliated when nothing happened. 

Elijah stepped up to the plate and did some unusual things. He had a trench dug around the altar. Then he had barrels of water poured over the sacrifice and the wood not once but three times. Water soaked the wood and saturated the sacrifice. The overflowing water filled the trench. Elijah wanted to leave no doubt who the real God was. 

Without using a match, diesel fuel, or gasoline to ignite the fire Elijah used something more powerful. He prayed. A short prayer at that. You can read this story in [I Kings 18:20-39] Read verse 38 for yourself. What happened after Elijah prayed?

1 Kings 18:38 (NASB)
³⁸  Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 

Just by praying boldly and in faith God answered by sending fire. This was no ordinary puff of smoke. The fire was so intense notice what happened. The fire totally consumed the saturated wet offering. Consumed means there was nothing left of it. The fire destroyed all of it. No traces were left. The fire also burned and consumed the wet wood. WET WOOD DOES NOT BURN! That is an impossibility. Not when God is involved. The wood was consumed instantaneously. This was not a slow burn. Wet wood was no match for omnipotent God. The stones were also consumed. All twelve of them. The fire also sucked up all the water overflowing in the trench. 

I have read and preached this story numerous times. I don't know that until today I really let the magnitude and intensity of that fire really sink into my mind. It defied logical explanation. How many were awed that day. How many scratched their heads in disbelief. How many could not believe their eyes. 

Their unified response included everyone that day falling on their faces. They all bowed down in the presence of GREATNESS. In one accord they repeated, "The LORD He is God. The LORD He is God." A better way to understand it would be to say Yahweh is the Supreme Deity. 

God does not have to prove Himself to anyone. On that day He showed a watching nation who had departed from Him how powerful He was. We stand in need for God to move just as powerfully so a lost pagan world can see how powerful He still is. 

Everything Elijah did that day was a bold step of faith. Even calling for a showdown was a step of faith. He put His reputation and life on the line to stand up for God. Pouring water over everything three times was meant to leave no doubt. He confidently believed God would answer. How many of us would have shied away from such a bold move? We might have sought a compromise. Elijah acted on conviction and confidence. His courageous act of faith brought a nation to its knees. 

Might I say with God nothing is impossible. He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, and however He wants. He can speak creation into existence. He can part the waters of a sea. He can provide bread and quail for a starving nation of million people in the desert. He can bring water from a rock. He can calm a raging storm. He can heal the infirmed. He can raise the dead. He can deliver any number of demons. He can revive. He can move people to repentance. He can send fire and even make WET WOOD BURN. A God who can do all that can surely handle whatever trial you are facing today. I hope you will be reminded all day, sometimes when God chooses WET WOOD DOES BURN!

Turning on a Dime

 God works methodically in our world and lives to accomplish His purposes. He is never in a hurry. He does not run late. He is always on time. It may not always seem that way. Especially if you are waiting for Him to move. 

There are seasons when it appears God is not working on our be halves. Sometimes these seasons stretch into days, weeks, months, and at times even years. Israel experiences this for over 400 years when they were enslaved in Egypt. They waited and waited. It was not until God called Moses and then the 10 plagues that they saw deliverance. Joseph experienced this in prison. In both cases when God decided to move, He did so in dramatic fashion. Their circumstances turned on a dime. 

God can do more in a few days than we can do in decades with all our best made plans, programming, and hard work. I write this in a bit of a daze. I have witnessed in recent days God turning everything in my life on a dime. It has been bewildering. I have sat at my desk stunned by God. Astonished at the rapid way He is working. Humbled and awed by the sovereign plan He has been working for decades that I could not see. The plan that I often doubted. 

When He decided to move in my life, He turned everything on a dime in dashing fashion. I never saw it coming. My head is still spinning. I am trying to process the move of God around me. For decades it felt like God was not using me. I experienced repeated failures, confusion, and even bouts of depression. I could not make sense of it all. Then in one fell swoop God turned everything on a dime. 

It all started with one conversation after a meeting. That one conversation led to other meetings and connections and a few months later here I am. Blown away. Being called to the biggest faith step I have taken in a very long time. More content than I have ever been. The puzzle pieces are coming together. I can see the traces of God's hand to shut certain doors, to open strategic doors, to keep me from making wrong decisions, and to place me where I am for this appointed season. 

God can turn everything on a dime. Maybe you are confused, broken, and weary. Maybe you feel like you will never step into your intended purpose. Maybe you feel like it is too late. Hope is setting like the evening sun on your dreams. Perhaps you just cannot bring yourself to believe anymore. It is too painful to hold onto dreams you thought were planted by God but never come true. 

Joseph had dreams. Instead of living those dreams his brothers sold him into slavery. Eventually he ended up in prison accused of a crime he did not commit. I have often wondered what went through Joseph's mind during his prison sentence. Did he doubt his dreams? Did he doubt God? Did confusion cloud his mind? We do not know. What we do know is that Joseph was faithful to God in prison. He was a model prisoner. Then God turned everything on a dime. 

Joseph interpreted two dreams from officials from Pharaoh's court who were imprisoned for a short time. One was executed as Joseph predicted. The other was restored. Joseph begged the cup bearer to mention his situation to Pharaoh. The cup bearer forgot for two full years. Then Pharaoh had a couple dreams nobody could interpret. It was then the cup bearer remembered Joseph. 

God orchestrated Joseph getting to interpret the dreams for Pharaoh. Everything turned on a dime. I do not exaggerate when I write that Joseph went from the prison to the palace second in charge over all of Egypt. God worked the whole time through the pain of imprisonment and slavery to put Joseph where He needed to be. Joseph's dreams came true overnight. After years of looking like God had abandoned Him God worked the whole time. Joseph's eyes were wide opened when he saw his dreams coming true. He even forgave his brothers. He saw it all as part of God's master plan. 

He does that for us too. We interpret His silence for His absence. He is not absent. He does not forsake His children. We may not understand His ways and methods. When the time is right, He turns everything on a dime and then the picture comes into focus. We are able to see clearly what had been obscure for so long. 

Brenda and I experienced some very painful seasons in ministry over our three-decade marriage. God planted deep dreams in me as a seminary student. I thought those dreams would never come to fruition over the years. It became much easier not to dream. Not to hope. Decades of confusion. Decades of pleading with God to use me. Decades of failures, setbacks, disillusionment, looking for greener grass in other pastures, and just trying to survive. 

God has positioned Spring Creek to go places we have not considered possible. God has added life, enthusiasm, help, and a new position personally I never entertained in the past. I contented myself in a coaching role in addition to my pastoral duties. God had more in mind. He turned everything on a dime when I was voted in as the Athletic Director at Pinnacle Christian School that starts meeting at Spring Creek this fall. He turned everything on a dime and my head is dizzy trying to take all He has done in the past few weeks. Everything in my life has led to this moment in time. To pastor Spring Creek and to lead us into a very bright future and now to pioneer sports at Pinnacle as the Athletic Director. I am humbled. I feel so unworthy of either position. I am in awe of an amazing God I love and trust. 

In addition to serving as pastor here, I also get to pour my life into students as a Bible teacher and coach. Every passion God welled up in me years ago is now being leveraged for His kingdom. I get to do the things I was born to do. I get to teach and preach the Bible not only as a pastor, teacher, and coach young athletes pointing them to Jesus, and shepherd wonderful people I love immensely. On top of all that I get to write. I am living my dream. Even dreams I did not know I had. I am living life in the sweet spot. God did it all when He turned everything on a dime. 

The Dirty Dozen

 I just returned from 1 Way, our substance abuse detox ministry. We had our largest crowd to date. One dozen people including Turner, Fred, and I in addition to nine others. All broken. All struggling in one way or another. All in need of a touch from Jesus. 

It gets real at 1 Way. No hiding behind false pretenses. Flaws and failures are openly confessed and admitted. People gratefully receive the gift of a free Bible to keep for themselves. Some have come from homeless backgrounds. Some were former athletes. Some have lost custody of their children. Many are estranged from their families. They come from all over the nation with two things in common. They are enslaved to addiction and they are broken. Broken people who need a Deliverer and in many cases a Savior. We keep pointing them to Jesus. 

After our study today we worshipped watching a video. We sat before the King of the universe in awe of His greatness. A dirty dozen of us caught up in worship without a worship center, large crowd, or someone on stage leading. Just a dirty dozen of us responding to the good word of the Lord. A dirty dozen of us assembled to hear and respond to truth. 

Honestly, some had trouble believing today. They are skeptical. They have tried in the past and failed repeatedly. It is hard for them to believe that this time could be any different. Jesus makes the difference. When we are weak He is strong. When we are tempted He gives strength to resist. When we are most vulnerable He is our refuge. When we fail He is there to pick us up and set us on the straight and narrow path again. He is able when we are incapable. He is sufficient when our resolve is deficient. 

I received as much joy ministering the word of God today among a dirty dozen this afternoon as I did this morning before a much larger crowd in the Spring Creek sanctuary. Jesus sought out broken people. He still seeks broken people through His servants on mission for Him. He gravitated toward the down and out. He embraced the sinners and helped the helpless. Shouldn't we do the same? The church is not a museum to show case our collections over the years. It is more like a trauma center. A place where hurting people can find healing. Jesus spent a great deal of His time among irreligious people. He did not get trapped in holy huddles of holy rollers. He got out among the people. He rubbed shoulders with the ones other religious people ignored. 

Before we left today I thanked the group for allowing us to come. Attendance at our gatherings are volunteer. They do not have to come but they do. Most of them keep coming. Many contact Fred after they leave. He guides them in finding churches when they get out on their own. He prayed with a lady who sobbed because she is about to get out but not confident about staying strong. 

I love pastoral ministry at Spring Creek. I also love the 1 Way ministry. It is raw. The language is often colorful. The stories break your heart. The love is real though. It is a judgment free zone. I am thankful Jesus invited this church to go love on people who need it most. We might have been the dirty dozen but with Jesus we are capable of becoming the dynamic dozen disciples who help other broken people. What a  gift. 

Just Say the Word

 Research shows that the average person speaks 7,000 words a day. Words of affirmation, complaints, instruction, information, correction, worship, prayer, gossip, slander, and profanity. Some words carry more weight than others. A wise person will learn to measure his or her words. 

My maternal grandmother used to tell me all the time that a fish would not get caught if it would just keep its mouth shut. I took that to mean not to talk all the time. As James wrote in the Bible, "Be quick to listen and slow to speak." [James 1:19] We live in a world where many live just the opposite. They have much to say and are quick to say it while not willing to listen to other points of view. 

Some people's words seem to carry greater weight than others. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words are still remembered to this day. Who can forget his "I Have a Dream," speech delivered in Washington, D.C. John F. Kennedy spoke of a dream of putting a man on the moon. Ronald Reagan spoke these famous words, "Tear down this wall," in his fight against communism. 

We recall memorable lines from movies and songs. Those words bring back vivid memories like, "Follow the yellow brick road," "Yo Adrian, I did it," "Here's looking at you kid," and "When a Man Loves a Woman," or "Love Me Tender." I bet most of you could identify the movie or song those lines are in. 

None of that is what is on my mind this morning. I am thinking of the words of Jesus. The power of His spoken word is greater than any force in the universe. Greater than tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, blizzards, earthquakes, nuclear weapons, and any military that ever existed. With spoken words He was part of creation, He healed, He cast out demons, He raised the dead, and He said it was finished while on the cross securing our salvation. 

In [Luke 7:1-10] a centurion had a sick slave about to die. He sent Jewish elders to Jesus for help. Just before Jesus reached his home, he sent others to tell Jesus that he was not worthy for Jesus to walk into his home. All Jesus had to do was speak the word and his slave would be healed. Just say the word. 

What word do you need Jesus to say on your behalf in your situation? Forgiveness. Healing. Comfort. Strength. Wisdom. Provision. Hope. Comfort. Counsel. Peace. Hope. Love. One little word from Jesus can change everything. One spoken word from Him and turn everything around. 

Do we really believe that? Do we pray like we believe that? 

Last year my family spent over $12,000 in car repairs. We have already spent several thousand this year in additional repairs and have one vehicle out of commission currently and need to spend more. A few weeks ago, I felt burdened to pray for my family to all get newer cars in better shape than our older ones. Six newer cars without going one penny into debt. All Jesus has to do is say the word. You may scoff at me. I am used to it. Many have scoffed at my outlandish prayers in the past. Just a few years ago I prayed a similar prayer. God provided five vehicles in a month. No joke. Five vehicles in 30 days. A Yukon, Tundra, Sonata, Optima, and Silverado. Granted they were all older with very high mileage on them.  He still answered that prayer and demonstrated His power. All Jesus has to do is say the word. 

I am a child of the King of Kings. Not a child of a pauper. Whatever I need He already possesses. His resources are unlimited. His power is irrefutable. It is no more difficult to believe God for six vehicles than it is to believe Him for one. Answering that prayer does not tax Jesus one bit. We have need for dependable transportation. We have limited funds to purchase them ourselves. God will be glorified in doing this. He has done this for us several times in the past. He can do it again. All He has to do is say the word. I believe He will do it again and I will get to brag on Him. I don't know when or how. That is not important. I just wait on Him to say the word. I hope you will do the same in your situation. 

For the Love of Books

 For the eleventh time I tackled the herculean task of moving my office and library to a new office. Not to worry. We are not leaving Spring Creek. We reallocated some space and I moved my office back to where it all began here 32 years ago to the space I used back then. It has been nostalgic. 

32 years ago, I had a few dozen books. I have thousands now. Many of them I purchased. Most were given to me by retiring preachers who needed to downsize their libraries. I have been gifted with some timeless treasures. Books you cannot find at a bookstore any longer. Classics. Invaluable. I don't care about most possessions. I do care about my library. Those books in many ways are like old friends. God has used the truth in them to comfort me in tough seasons, bolster my faith to believe Him for more, and to teach me invaluable lessons. 

Turner and I began working on transferring all my books from two different locations to my new office yesterday. We started mid-morning due to a couple of meetings I had. We worked afterward until lunch. We recruited some help and worked with five to complete the job until late afternoon. I have been blessed with the most bookshelf space I have ever had in any office. I thought there would be multiple shelves left unused for further expansion. 

The piles of books kept coming. As they wheeled in box after box, I busied myself putting each book in its proper place. About the time I thought we were getting to the end of it they would tell me there were many more. I could not believe all the books and I own them. I have had just as many books in storage for the past four years as I actually had in the office. 

When it was all done, most of the shelves were full. Thousands of precious, intriguing, enticing, truth filled, and beloved books. Two thoughts race through my mind at the same time. First, I am blessed. I remember starting my library in college with half a dozen volumes. A meager beginning. I admired the libraries of two men who retired and gave me most of their books. I was humbled and grateful for such a gift. A priceless gift worth thousands and thousands of dollars. Those books are not show pieces. They are the opportunity to encounter God and to LEARN. 

The second thought that goes through my mind is conviction. Conviction of all those I have not read. Conviction of all the time I waste. Of undisciplined laziness. I hope and pray God changes that in me. I love to read. I just do not always give myself permission to do so as I get busy in other things. When I get home at night I often just want to vegetate in front of the television. With God's help I want to make a change. May He enable me to do so for the love of books. 

The Sound of Freedom

 My family had not been to a movie theater in months. There were no movies we wanted to see. I have deep convictions about what I will watch. Most of the movies released violate those convictions in one way or another. When Turner and I returned from camp late on July 3, Brenda mentioned a movie she wanted to see called The Sound of Freedom. I never heard of it. 

When she checked the local theater, all showings were sold out. She discovered the same thing in other theaters. Finally, she found some available tickets in Ft. Worth for yesterday afternoon. I went not knowing anything about the movie. I was not prepared for what I saw. Neither was Brenda or Turner. The movie elicited provocation in me. It was the kind of movie where I did not want to talk afterward. I needed time to process what I saw. It felt the same way after watching The Passion of Christ and Jesus Revolution.

The Sound of Freedom moved me. I sit here trying to find the words to describe the way the movie moved me. I'm fumbling for words. Emotions like anger, sorrow, helplessness, and frustration overwhelmed me. I felt nauseated. I sat in disbelief as the drama unfolded. The movie is a true story. 

A challenge was issued at the end of the movie to recommend it to others. Brenda and I have been a big proppant of recommending films with a positive message. I wondered if I could recommend this film to others. It was so disturbing. It dealt with the topic of sex trafficking. I would not say the movie is a Christian movie. There was mild profanity used in it. The topic was uncomfortable. Brenda sat in tears through the whole movie. I grew so sickened by the content matter I stopped eating popcorn. It no longer felt like entertainment. The only word I can come up with is I felt disturbed. Shaken from my complacency. The movie is a jolting wake up call to the church about a real-life problem I have preached about over the past few years. 

I prayed silently on the way home, "God, now what? What am I supposed to do with the content of that movie? I feel helpless to do anything. You said to know to do something and not to do it is sin. I don't know how to help or where to begin." That is the truth. I don't know what to do or where to turn next other than to pray. It feels like I should do more than to pray. 

The Sound of Freedom is not a movie most of you will want to see. It is a movie you need to see. You also need to be disturbed. You need to be confronted with one of the greatest evils in our time. You also need to be provoked and nauseated as you see what happens to children all over the world. 

I have long told how former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barach Obama, and Joe Biden have all been accused of pedophilia. Hillary Clinton is also linked to such wickedness. Hollywood A listers have been accused of the same things. So have pop stars. Some of the wealthiest people in the world have been linked to sex trafficking of children. Ever heard of Jeffery Epstein's Island and the list of frequent visitors. People you hold in high regard or depraved sex fiends. High ranking politicians live this secret life of wickedness in the shadows. They dress up the outside in front of the cameras and sexually torture children in the dark. Most people are ignorant of this fact. You would not believe some of the names involved in this behavior I have discovered over the years. People you trusted. People you supported by watching their movies and buying their music. We were all duped. 

The film's star said the movie The Sound of Freedom was actually completed five years ago but is just now being released. I can only imagine how many fought to keep that movie from ever being seen. It does not have the backing of a big Hollywood studio. Why would they produce a movie so many are guilty of doing themselves. They do not want their dark secrets brought into the light. They love the dark because their deeds are evil. They treat children like they are an object for gratification to be bought and sold. GOD'S CHILDREN ARE NOT FOR SALE. So the only advertising for this money is word of mouth. It is not much. It is all I can do at this point. To challenge you to go see this movie for yourself. YOU WILL BE DISTURBED. 

This is a blight on our society like abortion. How can a nation tolerate such evil perpetrated on our most vulnerable. Wicked men and women abusing the very ones Jesus said not to hinder them from coming to Him. 

If you have the guts to go see this movie, I challenge you to do so with your eyes wide open. Don't go not knowing anything about it like I did. Go prepared to be disturbed. Force yourself to see what millions of children suffer around the world. Be a part of bringing this secret out of the shadows and into the light. Then ask God what He wants you do to with the information you learn. 

A Broken Promise

 I sat listening to Turner teach a morning Bible study under deep conviction this past week at camp. God reminded me of a broken promise I made to Him 22 years ago. A vow I made to Him at another youth camp when I was only 35 years old. 

I was preaching a different camp all those years ago. God moved my heart deeply in one service. I saw the spiritual need in the campers. When the service ended, I walked off alone outside to pray. It was in that moment through tears I made my promise to God. I promised Him I would keep preaching camps for the rest of my days if He would open the doors. I promised to keep pointing students and adults to Him. 

Fast forward to this past week. I had not preached a camp in several years. I felt irrelevant preaching camps. I preach harder to students than any other group of people. I grew weary of leaving Brenda for a week. I disliked leaving the flock I shepherd to spend a week away at camp. I had a few invitations but turned them down. Truth is I never intended to preach another youth camp. I preached dozens and dozens over a several decade stint. I grew tired of the camp high that wears off so quickly once campers return home. Sitting in a lawn chair listening to my youngest son pour his heart out teaching the Bible conviction came. God reminded me of my broken vow. I sat broken and repentant. 

When the Bible study ended people scattered throughout the camp for various activities. I did not move. I felt ashamed, remorseful, and broken. I stared at a large boulder imbedded in the dirt. That boulder became my altar. I recommitted myself to go preach any camp or revival where God invited me to go to declare His word boldly. I will not seek out those invitations. I will not pursue opportunities. If God has additional camps for me to preach, I trust that He will send the invitations. He has my yes. I will follow Him to the mountains, to the beach, to campgrounds, to do His bidding. I am a one trick pony. I preach the Bible boldly. If He chooses to put me before students, I will keep pointing them to Jesus.

I broke my promise but have since repented and will obey. What about you? Have you broken promises to God? Have you followed through on vows made to Him? Maybe you vowed to do something as an impressionable teenager. Perhaps as a young adult God moved you to commit to a certain course of action. Maybe you were called to a ministry that you did not follow through on. It is never too late to repent and yield to God's leadership. 

If God follows through on what I promised to do for a second time, next summer I will be packing my bags and spending a few weeks on the road sharing the glorious gospel and the life changing principles from the word of God. From this point on it will no longer be a promise broken but rather a promise kept. 

Campfire Call to Worship

 The last night of camp proved to be the best night of all. God began building His message in me all through the day. Like a smoldering fire that begins to build and grow, so did God's word in me. It felt like hot lava churning and belching from a volcano ready to explode. 

By the time we gathered for worship the natural light was fading fast. When it came time to preach, I could see to read the first few verses. After that I had to preach from memory because I could not see the text. I cannot explain fully what happened next. God's word burned in me so feverishly I could not preach any harder, with more passion, more on fire, or with greater forcefulness. It really felt like God erupted truth inside me like a volcano. I felt that truth down in the deepest parts of my soul. I preached like I would never get to preach again. Everything pint up in me had to come out. No holding back. I could not preach that same message in the same no matter how hard I tried. 

The theme of the camp was "ignited." The theme of the message that night was to spread the flame back home. During the invitation students were challenged to take seriously the call to spread the flame back in Sudan, TX. Adults were challenged to do the same. Students were asked to leave their seats and stand by the fire if they would commit to spread the flame. Several started getting up. They were all asked to sit down again while the challenge was made even harder for full commitment. Half a dozen got up a second time to stand by the flame. 

Turner handed each of them a long match. A second challenge was issued for the leader of the group to ignite their match and spread the flame. Matches were passed to all the group. One young lady ignited her match first and the flames spread around the campers. Then the students and adults were challenged for form prayer huddles and to pray for God's work to spread back home once the matches flamed out. It was so dark faces could not be made out in the dancing shadows of the campfire flames. Multiple groups huddled and prayed. Time became irrelevant. Tears flowed frequently. Arms were placed on the shoulders of the others in the prayer huddles. I sat back and watched God do His marvelous work among us. 

When all the groups finished praying nobody returned to their seat. They circled around the campfire and worshipped. Pure, sincere, authentic, emblazoned worship like I have not experienced in a long time. At one point I looked up at the towering cottonwood trees swaying back and forth in the wind. Each branch seemed like a hand held high in exaltation of the King of Kings. We sang. Then somebody would feel compelled to speak a word. Then we would sing some more. This pattern repeated for a long time. I think that one service lasted for two and a half hours. The majority of that time was the prayer and worship after the message. God truly saved the best for last. 

Rio Grande Revelation

 One of the exciting things we got to do at camp included a whitewater rafting trip. I got to do that back when I was in college and always counted it as one of the top fun things I had ever done. Making the trip more memorable included the fact Turner and I were getting to do it together in the same raft. 

The waters ran high from melting near record snow falls that winter. On top of that spring rains added to the intensity of the rapids. We floated down the river blissfully at times and then paddling furiously in the midst of the rapids at other times. We bounced in the air, twisted and turned, and survived rapid after rapid. To catch a break, we floated to the shore to hang out and catch our breath holding onto the reeds on the shoreline. That is when I had my God moment. 

I glanced over my shoulder beholding the massive mountain overlooking the Rio Grande. I felt so small next to such grandeur. To think God in His creative genius spoke that mountain into existence. The Rio Grande felt like God just ran His index finger through the dirt to carve out the river. There were no words to be spoken. Though on a raft with six other people, the private worship moment felt like I was all alone in a cathedral. Surrounded by mountains with boulders bigger than cars, I felt very tiny. Insignificant. Miniscule. In that moment I saw God as glorious, majestic, powerful, mighty, and awesome. 

Not long after that, I had the chance to witness to our river guide named Katie. An Irish girl from Boston, Mass who comes down each summer to give guides on the river. Katie is studying to be a teacher. Katie is not saved. She did not know how to respond when I asked her if she knew where she would spend eternity. I pointed her to Jesus as the only way to heaven with the rest of our group amening out loud. Katie did not get saved. She was flustered for a bit. I could not press the issue further because of approaching rapids. I pray she is not able to shake our conversation. 

I am grateful to have been blessed with the adventure of river rafting. I would not trade for that Rio Grande revelation of the grandeur of God. I hope it is a memory that lodges itself deep in the brain to be retrieved from time to time. To remember His greatness compared to my smallness. 

Broken

 Up in Sipapu, NM God met broken people and did His work. Surprisingly He did it among adults first and then the students. All day on Saturday I asked for His word for the service that evening. I kept coming up blank. To make matters worse I could not find a spot to pray without people wandering near that spot to fish, meet in small groups, to have quiet times, and some in casual conversations. We all shared the same shower in the room where Turner and I slept. 

I sat by the stream only to have others come nearby. Then I saw it. An Academy blue canvas canopy that became my canvas canopy tent of meeting. I ducked under that place and nobody disturbed me. The canopy was raised to half its usual heights. We used that to store the lawn chairs overnight in case of rain. I sat under there with mountains in full view and the noise from the running water in the background. It was under that tent of meeting that God formed the message in me. A message for broken people. God also inspired how to direct the invitation. Adults would confess their broken areas first and have students come pray for them. Then students would have adults pray over them afterward. I really did not anticipate the powerful way God would move that evening. 

I preached the word of the Lord with great fervor. I confessed my broken area before the rest of the adults were challenged to do the same. I feel like a failure. I have most of my life. I have no great list of accomplishments to boast. No distinguished track record of successes. Most of my ministry has been spent in shepherding churches of 50 people or less. No matter what people say about my preaching, the truth is people do not flock to hear what God inspires in me. There are more empty seats than filled ones on Sunday mornings. More people have come and left again than have stayed hooked. I know in my head that God judges on faithfulness and not on other standards to measure success. Those thoughts do not filter into my heart. Hardly a day goes by that I do not a failure before God, to my family in not being a better provider and to the flock I love so deeply. Feeling like a failure is one way Satan has bound me for years. Like the woman who was bent over doubled and could not straighten, Satan uses fear of failure to bind me. 

I confessed this to the group at the end of the message. I was still sharing my heart in the dark when I saw Turner get up from his seat on the other side of the campfire. He made his way around the group in the shadows to where I was standing. We locked arms embracingly tightly and he buried his head in my chest.  This youngest son of mine began to pray. That was a Kodak moment. Deeply etched in my mind as a treasured memory. He prayed with the fervor and maturity of a seasoned minister. It was my favorite camp moment amidst many other snapshots of the heart moments. 

The camp was silent except for the sounds of the rushing stream, the wind blowing through the trees, and the crackling of the campfire. One by one nearly every adult confessed areas of brokenness. Students gathered around each one and prayed. After what seemed like an hour, we flipped the script and the students confessed areas of brokenness. Each time the adults circled them to pray. I cannot say how long this went on. Maybe an hour and a half. That was just the prayer time.

All of this was followed by sincere worship. Broken people were made whole. Whole people were able to give their whole hearts in worship. It was a scene I can't really describe. It was something to be felt and experienced more than to be expressed in words. God was not done. He saved the best for last on the next night. 

Message in the Mountains

 I preached the past two nights outdoors with a fast running stream to my back. We all circled a campfire to worship and get into God's word surrounded by towering trees and a mountain at my back. I never had to compete with the noise from a running stream in preaching. There are no sound systems. No lights. No modern worship centers. There are several dozens of us gathered under the cathedral of star lit skies. It is worship in its purest form. Simple. 

People are meeting God in the mountains. That is why we came. Sins have been confessed. Prayers have been offered for the broken. Worship has been authentic. Breakthroughs have come and we still have two more nights. 

Making this trip all the more special for me is that Turner, our youngest son, is teaching the morning Bible studies. God is using him. He is connecting with the students and adults. I have enjoyed sitting back and watching God work through him. It is evident God's hand is on him. 

For those praying for us please keep it up. We need all we can get for God to really have His way among us. I trust tonight to be even more powerful than the past two nights. I am thankful for this opportunity to preach God's message in the mountains of  Sipapu, NM.