March has been labeled Pastor’s Wife Appreciation Month. It’s a noble thought to be sure but somehow it seems trivial to limit our recognition of these God-sent individuals to a mere month. One might argue that, while mothers and fathers only receive a day of appreciation in our year, a whole month is pretty generous to those who serve alongside our spiritual leaders. I’m not expecting anyone to argue that we only appreciate our parents on their respective days any more than I’m anticipating anyone claiming to only appreciate their Pastor’s wife one month a year. It is an allotted time frame set aside for honor and thanksgiving. Still, it just seems a little odd that someone so great only receives a month.

In Jeremiah 1:4, God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” What a revelation! God is telling His servant that, before he was ever created, the design and purpose of his life had already been set. God knew him and designed a destiny just for him. In light of the fact that God is no respecter of persons, I’m well aware that the same applies to me. Now, before you assume that I have elevated myself to a better-than-thou plain, please understand that the same is true for you. God knows us before our creation. His design for our lives is established before our existence. Those facts alone should encourage us as we ponder the awesome nature of His plan for our lives. At the age of 17, though the design of God had been set in motion long before, He finally revealed to me what my life’s purpose was. I received a call to the ministry in the kingdom of God. To this day, I can think of nothing I’d rather do. There is no task, no project, no mission and no goal that I can imagine that would rival, equal or even compare to the calling of God on my life. It’s what I’ve been shaped to do. It’s what I’ve been designed to do. Please don’t think for a moment that I’m claiming to deserve this great privilege…certainly not. But, by His grace and His mercy, He has chosen to allow me to serve as His representative and His ambassador. I’m humbled and thankful.

But on to the subject at hand! 1979 was a good year. I’m rather fond of this particular year. It’s the year that I came into the world. It’s also the year that someone else came into the world. You see, while my destiny had already been decided, someone else’s had as well. It takes a special person to serve in ministry. Please don’t receive that from an arrogant stance. Simply put, ministry is just not for everyone and it’s only by His grace and mercy and power that I’m still here. But, even more than that, it takes a special person to serve alongside someone who is serving in ministry. God knew that my service in His kingdom would not be what it is today without a helper. I needed a partner. I needed a best friend. I can honestly say, without hesitation, doubt or speculation, that for the last 19 years my wife has been my helper, my partner and my best friend. Words cannot adequately express what she means to me, what she’s done for me and how she is responsible for helping me to be all that I am today.

We met at the age of 16 at the Glennville Church of God. I attended with my parents. She attended with her best friend. We were introduced. I was hooked. She was willing. The rest is history. Over the next year or so, we grew closer and quickly realized that God had something special in mind, not just for us individually, but for us together. She said she’d never be a Pastor’s wife. I said I’d never be a Pastor. God didn’t listen. Before long, we found ourselves preparing for our journey together…her as an Educator, me as a Pastor. Things were taking shape and quickly. We’ve never looked back.

People will never understand the commitment and dedication required of someone serving as a Pastor’s wife. As I remember our first Youth Pastor opportunity, I’m reminded of how she loved a small group of teenagers when she was only a kid herself. She sacrificed. She served. As God does from time to time, we realized that a change would soon occur. Funny thing about change…God doesn’t always tell you what you’re changing to. That situation requires a little searching and a lot of praying. So, search we did…from Sanford, FL to Savannah, GA. God directed us to Savannah and she embraced it with open arms. We spent four wonderful years there and, to this day, we both agree that those were some of the best times of our lives. After serving 8 years in Youth Ministry, we began to pursue Pastoral Ministry. The call came and Willacoochee, Georgia was our opportunity. What a blessing those five years were! Once again, she not only approved of the change but became excited about the challenge and the calling. When we made the transition to our current post in Townsend, her attitude and acceptance was the same as it had always been: “Wherever the Lord wants us to be is where I want to be.”

Most wives wouldn’t want a life of constant sacrifice, commitment, dedication, trust, faith and a willingness to go when instructed. But my wife does. She has embraced the calling on both of our lives in ways that exceed every possible expectation that anyone could place on her and she has served as a faithful wife and mother every step of the way. Most people don’t know the real Pastor’s wife in my life. Most people aren’t aware that, while loving those kids in our first church, she was graduating high school as Valedictorian, working a job and stepping into Georgia Southern University, where she would later graduate Summa Cum Laude. She now holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. Most people aren’t aware that, while entertaining the possibility of transferring to serve as Youth Pastor of a church in Sanford, Florida, she was bracing herself for the chance that she might be asked to leave her family and move some 4 hours away, something that would not have been easy for someone who loves their family as she does and was glad to do it if it had been the Lord’s will. Most people aren’t aware that, while serving at my side as Youth Pastor in Savannah, she was earning Teacher of the Year honors at Effingham County Middle School. Most people aren’t aware that, while accepting the position as Lead Pastor in Willacoochee, she was becoming acquainted with the challenges of being a new mom. In the midst of nesting anxieties, she was embracing a position in which a church told her where to live with her new baby. Most people aren’t aware of how excited she was to begin a new chapter when God directed us to Townsend Church of God. In each of these instances, she has left friends, opportunities and familiar surroundings, all for the sake of the kingdom and I can honestly say that I can’t remember one complaint from her. Further still, there are sacrifices she has made in her life that most people will never know about.

She has served many, many roles in her life. She has stepped into the position of cook, laundress, painter, landscaper, housekeeper, money manager, educator, fundraiser, Women’s Ministries President, homework proctor, stain remover, vacation planner, leader, caretaker of the sick, household manager and shopper. More importantly than those roles, she has served as wife, mother, lover, friend, companion, counselor, partner, forgiver, prayer warrior, encourager and guide. And she does it all with a smile. She endures the phone calls at dinner, the endless meetings that come with ministry, the stress and anxieties of leadership and the counseling sessions that arrive at the front door on wedding anniversaries (no, I’m not kidding). She’s been stabbed in the back by so-called “Christians” who had no reason to hurt her at all yet she consistently believes the best about everyone and always attributes their offenses to the fact that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. That is mercy. There is no one on this earth that I trust more or love more. She has been there every step of the way since she became my best friend at the age of 16. She was there when I said goodbye to the aunt that was more like a sister. She was standing beside me when my great grandmother stepped out of this world and into eternity. She was there when I lost both of my grandparents that were more like a mom and dad to me. She has given me two beautiful children that have changed my life in more ways than I could ever describe. She was there for the worst day of my life when I lost my mom. She was the first phone call I made after an automobile accident that I should not have survived outside of the grace of God. She has calmed my fears and comforted me in the midst of anxiety. She has seen me at my best and she has seen me at my worst. She has seen me serve as a Pastor and she has seen me act like a fool. Thankfully, she loves me still. I will forever be grateful.

I’m not against March being labeled as Pastor’s Wife Appreciation Month, but you’ll forgive me if I am of the opinion that a month is hardly enough, won’t you?

Isn’t it amazing how the sweetest things in life can also prove to be inconvenient at times? For example, as a parent, I’m convinced that there is nothing more special than that middle-of-the-night moment when either one or both of my children decide that sleeping between myself and my wife is safer and more peaceful than remaining in their own bed until morning. It’s a natural part of childhood. We all remember waking up from a restless slumber only to realize that we were seemingly a million miles away from the protection of our parents even though we were mere feet away in the comfort and safety of the rooms they prepared for us. We lift our heads from the pillow, cast the covers aside and begin the long, dark journey to freedom. The inconvenient part of this equation falls to the necks and backs of the parents who unsuccessfully attempt to obtain a decent night of rest while being poked and prodded by tiny feet, bony knees and outstretched arms that seem to serve as falling pine trees crashing onto our vulnerable and unprepared faces. Surely the next day will hold limps and moans as our backs recover.

In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul is writing to his young counterpart. In verse 6 of chapter 1, the writer encourages his pupil to “stir up the gift of God” that had been deposited into his life when those in the early church laid their hands on him. Timothy had a calling. He had a purpose. But, immediately after Paul instructs him to stir the stagnant waters of his mission, he speaks into his life one of the most profound expositions in all of Scripture. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul said, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Could we all take just a moment and thank the Holy Spirit for including this wonderful passage in His Word?

The Greek word for fear in this verse is deilia and it means “timidity, fearfulness and cowardice.” Sound familiar? It should. It’s the feeling that overwhelms us when we don’t know what to do. It’s the high-tide waves that crash onto our heads when our marriage is under attack. It’s the helplessness we experience when we’ve done all that we can do and our babies’ head is still burning up with fever. It’s the desperation we feel when the storm clouds of our own sinfulness begin to roll in and darken the skies of our heart. The world we live in is a scary place. We look over here and terrorism is rampant. We look over there and our nation is rotting in moral decay. The bills keep coming in and the doctor has unsettling news. Unfortunately, fear is part of the world that we live in.

However, as he so often does, the Apostle Paul beckons us to turn our attention from those things that project fear into our hearts and focus on more beneficial aspects for our mind, will and emotions. The great writer informed Timothy that, instead of fear, God had given us three forces well able to overcome the panic and anxieties of our lives. The first of the three was power. You know, the word dunamis or where we get our English word dynamite. It’s the same power that invaded the upper room and turned the world upside down. He went on to describe the agape love given to us by our heavenly Father. This is the unconditional, no-matter-what-you-do-or-say-you’ll-always-be-able-to-depend-on-it-type-of-love. And he finally concludes the Godly gift pack with the treasured prize of a sound mind. A quick check of the thesaurus and we discover that the word sound means flawless, intact, robust, safe, sane, solid, stable, sturdy, thorough, vibrant and vigorous. Whew! That’s a lot of words to describe a peaceful state of mind.

One of the most paralyzing attacks launched into the lives of believers is fear. Fear somehow has a way of stopping you in your tracks and convincing you that the best course of action is to fight or take flight. Panic destroys power. Fear crushes faith. Anxiety robs us of our spiritual advantage. And the devil loves every minute of it. We all know what it’s like to sit in a stationary position and tremble at the thought of moving forward. But we must. We must rail against the wind and the rain that screams of hopelessness and disaster. We must take hold of God’s promise and realize that, in order to be successful and victorious, we must embrace the gifts of power, love and sound minds and reject the unsolicited offerings of fear, panic and anxiety. God has already set in order the life that He desires for His children and fear has no place.

I’m not sure what’s rocking your boat today but, take it from me, the Sea Walker knows how to speak peace to the troubled tides that threaten death and destruction. God knows where you are and He is fully aware of what is happening in your life. He has given us His Word, His Spirit and His promise that when we call on Him, He will answer and display His glory for all to see.

It’s interesting that the gifts God has given us to combat fear are the same things my babies seek in the middle of the night when they awaken to the perceived no-man’s-land called “their room.” When they shuffle their little feet toward Mom and Dad’s bed, they seek the power that we have as parents to protect them from the dark, the bumps in the night and the potential dangers, even if they’re only imaginary. They crave the love that only their parents can provide. They long for the soundness of mind that comes when they feel the warm, comforting arms of their providers wrap around them, assuring them that everything is all right. God surely must have known that we would be able to identify with those needs when the fears of life creep their way into our hearts. He always provides what we need before we need it.

No matter what is stealing your peace today, trust Him. No matter what the enemy lies to you about, cast your care on the One whose in control. He is not inconvenienced by the bed that is made a little more full and His back is strong enough to withstand whatever pokes your knees may provide. He won’t even be sore tomorrow. Though you feel like God is a million miles away, it takes only a step or two to reach the warmth and safety of His embrace. It’s time to throw back the covers and head His way.

One of the not-so-pleasant experiences I’ve had as a dad are those times in which I seem to fall on the bad side of my children because I refuse to ignore the fact that toys must be picked up and various other efforts must be made on their part. Every parent knows the feeling of their child’s anger flying in like flaming arrows at 100 miles an hour as a sense of responsibility and excellence is taught. To be perfectly clear, my wife and I know that our children are in fact children. We do not place unrealistic expectations on them. In the same sense, we also understand that the older our children get the more we must help them realize that life is not handed to you on a silver platter. There is still great value in hard work and accountability for our actions. It may not be the most pleasant conversation we ever have but, in the end, we’re confident of the principles that were instilled in us and aspire to settle for nothing less than those valuable lessons for our children.

In case you haven’t noticed, bashing the church has become quite the trend lately. Blog sites and social media have been inundated with various individuals taking their stand against organizations around the world, expressing their discontent regarding everything from presentation to theology. It should come as no surprise. We find ourselves in the midst of a society that has been taught the world does, or at least should, revolve around them. While there will always be hard-working, dedicated and faithful men and women woven throughout the tapestry of our lives, we also find ourselves having encounters with people who believe the deception that convinces some of the world’s debt to them and how everyone should make a concerted effort to make their lives better and easier at all costs.

From the onset, let me be very clear about the problems present within the modern-day church. I do believe I have somewhat of a connection with organized, corporate worship. I’ve attended church my entire life. I was saved at the age of 12, filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit at age 16, called to preach at the age of 17, and licensed at the age of 19. I’ve served two four-year terms as a Youth Pastor in two wonderful churches. I’ve led two different tremendous congregations as a Lead Pastor, the first for 5 years and my present pastorate for nearly four years. I am well aware of the problems that exist in the local church.

As true as the ever-present accusation, there are in fact hypocrites in the local church. There are individuals who would just as soon stab you in the back metaphorically than shake your hand. There are people who could almost make a living by talking about you, placing your failures under a microscope and focusing on all the reasons why you wouldn’t be good enough to attend their perceived-to-be-perfect church. There are people in the church who care nothing about vision, mission and the will of God, instead focusing on their own promotion. There are individuals who will get mad if they have to share the spotlight as a singer, musician, teacher or any other talent or skill that Mom ordained them to carry out. There are power-hungry sharks who will gladly take a fatal bite out of anyone who stands in their way when it comes to seeing their agenda fulfilled. There are “ministers” who care more for their secretary than the God of their salvation, the integrity of their call and their responsibility as husbands and dads. There are “pastors” who would rather get “paid” by stealing and mismanaging for their own gain rather than trust God for the supply of their needs. While I certainly want to acknowledge that the local church is far from perfect, let me continue on to the greater mission of this entry lest I also become a “church-basher” in the process…perish the thought!

Even with the problems mentioned above and those issues that were not, the church is still one of the greatest living organisms on the planet. While this may not be true in every single gathering of individuals that call themselves the church, the following benefits and blessings can be found within the local body if an individual is willing to prayerfully discover where the will and work of God is being accomplished. There are Pastors who love God more than anything in this world. There are ministers who remember the real reason for entering into the ministry in the first place. There are men and women of God who are genuinely concerned for the spiritual well-being and quality of life for individuals under their umbrella of leadership. There are servants in the kingdom who realize that ministry is not about the salary you receive but the satisfaction of living out your purpose in this world as an ambassador for Christ. There are persons who, despite the opinions of others, really are focused and determined to make a difference and become a channel for the love of Christ to flow through.

There are women in the church who really understand what it takes to touch the throne of God in prayer for those who are sick, oppressed or hurting. There are men in the church who understand the importance of a praying brother and friend when the valley is too dark. There are teenagers in the church who come to worship to worship rather than coming to worship to socialize. There are children in the church who understand far more about the mission than some adults. When 6-year-old believers confess that corporate worship is supposed to be an opportunity to spend time with God and learn about Jesus with others, they put the lemon-sucking, fault-finding spectators to shame.

The church is not perfect but the church is good and valuable and beneficial to the lives of those who quit listening to atheists and so-called revolutionaries that seek nothing more than to divide the local church and take the spoil for themselves. Where can a person hear the greatest story ever told? The local church. Where can a person find out that, no matter what they’ve done, forgiveness is always available? The local church. Where can an unloved 8-year-old learn about the never-ending love of Jesus? The local church. Where can a teenager who’s pregnant and afraid come to understand that Jesus offers counsel and direction in times of confusion? The local church. Where can an 18-year-old crackhead find freedom from the vices that seek to end his life? The local church. Where can a single mother find Godly sisters for support and encouragement? The local church. Where can a young man who made a mistake and lost his marriage as a result discover that there is life after divorce? The local church.

I cannot speak for every church in the world. Just like every other organization, fast-food chain, and department store on the planet, there will always be “horrible” churches, “bad” McDonald’s, unfriendly “JC Penney’s” and more. But I can speak for our church when I say that, while we’re not perfect, we’ve decided to place control of our congregation in the hands of Jesus. It’s His church anyway. He’s the only One with the wisdom and knowledge to lead it forward without the possibility of it slipping back. I’m thankful for those individuals who make up our church. I feel that our Youth Ministry is second to none. I like to think that our Children’s Ministry is a tremendous blessing to our kids. There is no doubt in my mind that our Worship Team is anointed to make a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of those who attend our services. We’re not perfect but we’re focused on God’s will for our lives, our assembly and our community.

In my experience as a believer and a minister, I’ve discovered that those who bash the church, rail against the church and tear the church down with their words and opinions, are often those who found that they couldn’t control the church with their heretical belief systems and alternate ideas. Many times, those individuals who are disgruntled find themselves in that position because the church took a stand for righteousness and holiness (which is still God’s standard no matter what you hear elsewhere). To be accurate, let’s go on the record by saying that there are times that churches handle situations wrong. Pastors are not perfect (including the writer of this blog). People are hurt and wounded by ministries that are designed to heal and comfort. However, many times the church is blamed for wrong and inefficiency when, in reality, the person giving the blame is just mad that they didn’t get their way.

No matter what your opinion of the church may be, the Word of God is clear. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus told Peter, “…thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In Acts 20:28, the Ephesian elders were exhorted in this way: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” In 1 Corinthians 12:28, God showered gifts on the church in this way: “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Finally, in Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus loved the church enough to edify their strengths and correct their weaknesses as He prepared them for His purpose.

Jesus loved the church so much that He willingly poured out His own blood to start it. No matter what our opinions or experiences may be, it’s still His church. It’s amazing to me that, while we have unpleasant experiences on our job, we continue to set our alarm and scurry to our post morning after morning with coffee in hand. It’s really quite obvious that, while we may find ourselves discouraged when it comes to our experiences at Wal-Mart, we continue to make our lists, grab our shopping cart and fill our lives with the products that they sell. As a sports fan in Georgia, I’m sure many would agree with me that every spring, summer and early fall holds the hope of another World Series championship for our Braves. Anything could happen, right? Unfortunately, disappointment looms every season as our favorite pastime winds down and we watch other teams from other states compete in the Fall classic. Any red-blooded Bulldog fan will tell you that there has to be a national championship for our Dawgs sooner or later. Sadly, we seem to struggle every year to make it happen. Chick-fil-A gets an order wrong (not often). The gas pump is too slow. Our birthday invitations contain a misprint and our television is defective. Yet, we keep showing up for work, running by Wal-Mart for a few things, cheering on the Braves and Dawgs, placing orders at Chick-fil-A, filling up our tanks, chalking up the misprint to the fact that life’s not perfect and giving our television company another chance to make it right. Am I the only one or does anyone else see that the church seems to be the only place that we assign a one-and-done approach to? Could it be that we don’t value what the church has to offer as much as our paychecks, shopping list items and satisfaction as sports fans?

Whatever your grievance may be, take a moment and realize that the church is not perfect. It was never meant to be. Don’t get all bent out of shape because the church decided to do something other than what you suggested. There are factors you may not know about that must be considered. Don’t fall apart because the Pastor didn’t visit you within your acceptable time frame. There are many responsibilities for a minister and Pastors have families too. Don’t get mad because the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. The church didn’t write the Word of God; we just deliver the message. When truth is preached, just accept it like everyone does. The truth hurts sometimes but it ultimately brings life and healing. When things aren’t perfect, don’t vent on Facebook and devour Christian leadership and your brothers and sisters in Christ over dinner with unsaved loved ones. It’s impossible to convince someone of the life available while you’re speaking death about the Body.

I wonder if those who seem determined to destroy the church have anything in common with those children who detest correction and leadership. If so, it’s possible that the church isn’t the problem. Maybe the problem is that our society refuses to be taught anything because they’re convinced they already know it all. Maybe arrogance and pride have so consumed us that we feel we’re simply too good to be taught a better way. Maybe our sense of entitlement has convinced us that the church is to be our spiritual cruise-ship, providing a smooth sail to a tropical destination while attendants serve our every need. Maybe our frustration with the church’s doctrine and belief systems is really our refusal to be held accountable for our actions (something that the Apostle Paul believed in vehemently). Maybe our hatred for the church is our battle cry that we will not be told what is right and wrong for our lives, when the Bible clearly says that believers are to be taught and instructed within the local church. Maybe our sinful flesh is warring against the move of the Holy Spirit, convincing us that rebellion is better than humble submission to His work. Maybe the church isn’t the problem after all. Maybe we’re just mad because we have to pick up our toys.

Halloween is a controversial subject among Christians. The issue is figuring out how we’re supposed to feel about a day dedicated to themes of death and fear when the Word of God speaks so much of life and faith. The actions carried out during Halloween have their beginning in a Celtic holiday called Samhain. This day was known as the end of the harvest season and it was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was at it’s thinnest. As a result, the living would dress up as the dead in order to blend in and avoid whatever trouble the deceased tried to incur. But the name Halloween is actually Christian in nature and was originally intended to honor the saints of the past. And so the issue becomes whether or not Christians should celebrate a holiday that’s dedicated to anti-Biblical themes. Here are three reasons I believe it’s important to take advantage of the opportunity known as Halloween…

First of all, Halloween provides an opportunity for community. In the Book of Acts, it’s clear to see that those involved in the formation of the early church spent a great deal of time together. This tells us that fellowship is extremely important. Unfortunately, people are less inclined to come to worship services now than ever before. As a result, though our focus will always be on worshiping God, we must also employ other methods to involve those on the outskirts of our fellowship. Relationships, food and activities make this possible for the modern-day church.

Secondly, the enemy would love nothing more than to paralyze the people of God with fear and pressure them to hole themselves up in locked houses for an entire evening for fear of what the kingdom of darkness may try to accomplish in their midst. By convincing us to act as a recluse, we are failing to love and serve those around us. Choosing to celebrate a day that was originally meant for good and not evil would actually be causing great damage to the enemy’s intentions. We’ve given up far too much ground to the enemy. What would happen if we allowed him to maintain complete possession of every day that he used for evil?

Lastly, having grown up in a Christian environment, I’m all too familiar with the traditional methods of prohibition that come with an uninformed faith. I’ve heard many Christians tell of how they were forbidden to play recreational sports, watch television, go to the movies or listen to secular music. I truly believe that the Word of God is clear when it comes to God’s demand for holiness. However, I also know that if I portray Jesus as a weak, easily-offended, fuss-pot, my kids will grow up to think that anything other than Scripture and hymns are sinful and displeasing to God. Simply put, what real harm is there in telling our kids that we’re going to take one day a year and allow them to dress up as anything they want (meaning cartoon/movie characters and excluding characters that promote death and terror) and permit them to eat all the candy they want? We’ve robbed our children of the simple pleasures of being a kid all because we choose not to look at things with proper perspective. My children know that we do not promote fear, terror, nightmarish ideas, horror, or anything that glorifies harming others. But I will always allow my babies to enjoy dressing up like a pirate or a princess, if nothing more than a single evening. Is our faith really so fragile that we can’t allow them that?

I will always believe that Hank Aaron is the single most amazing, inspiring and under-appreciated Brave in franchise history. April 8, 2014, will mark the 40th anniversary of the moment that he hit number 715 and broke Babe Ruth’s all-time homerun record. Most everyone has seen the footage, heard the call, or worn the feather. Most do not know what he and his family endured in the days and weeks leading up to that monumental moment. Jack Wilkinson puts the entire situation in proper perspective:

“It wasn’t until Aaron surpassed Ruth, though, that the awful truth eventually came out: the racism he’d endured, the pure hatred and vitriol, the hate mail and death threats aimed squarely at the color of a man’s skin. It began in the 1972 season and built throughout ’73 as Aaron, at age 39, hit 40 homers to finish the year with 713, one shy of Ruth’s record. ‘All I’ve got to do this winter,’ he said at season’s end, ‘is stay alive.'”

“Of course, long before he challenged Ruth, Aaron had encountered racism in baseball. As a teenager, the young infielder from Mobile, Alabama, briefly played for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. One weekend, their doubleheader in Washington, D.C., at Griffith Stadium – home of the Washington Senators – was rained out. As Aaron recalled in his autobiography I Had a Hammer, written with Lonnie Wheeler: ‘We had breakfast while they were waiting for the rain to stop, and I can still envision sitting with the Clowns in a restaurant behind Griffith Stadium and hearing [restaurant employees] break all the plates in the kitchen after we were finished eating. What a horrible sound. Even as a kid, the irony of it hit me: here we were in the capital in the land of freedom and equality, and they had to destroy the plates that had touched the forks that had been in the mouths of black men. If dogs had eaten off those plates, they’d have washed them.'”

“A quarter-century and untold anguish later, at 9:07 PM on a Monday night, 715 finally took flight. In his second at-bat, when the rain subsided as if on cue, Aaron lined the historic homer into the Braves’ bullpen, into the glove of teammate Tom House. The reliever ran toward home plate and hand-delivered the historic ball to Aaron. His father, Herbert, hugged his son. Then his mother, Estella, finally embraced him. A crowd of 53,775 roared its approval. Henry Aaron could finally exhale and say, ‘Thank God.’

As I begin this entry, I’m well aware that the subject I’ve selected is highly controversial and extremely sensitive. At the same time, I’m also compelled by the calling of God on my life to speak the truth and never shy away from an opportunity to shed light from His Word on situations that affect our daily lives. It is not my intention to use this article to offend or seem insensitive to anyone.

I did not follow the Trayvon Martin case as closely as others, therefore, I’m in no position to comment on the details of that horrible situation. However, living in the southern part of the United States, I’ve seen and heard my share of racial controversies throughout my life. Unfortunately, there have been times that I’ve been ashamed of being white after hearing the ignorance of some manifest through words, seeing that ingnorance through actions or coming to understand the unimaginable belief systems of some who choose to discriminate because of skin color.

Christy and I have come to realize that some of the best friends we have in life are African-American. That fact alone has caused us to scratch our heads in disbelief as we see certain individuals who feel that they are superior in some way, simply because they’re not black. One of the most appalling beliefs we’ve encountered is the belief that interracial marriage is a sin that is frowned upon by God. I’ve certainly disappointed and angered individuals when I’ve shared the fact that a belief system like that is severely unfounded and unsupported by Scripture. What most people miss is that the only prohibition set upon the marriage union is a believer being yoked together with an unbeliever, not a white person marrying a black person.

The Bible says that Moses married an Ethiopian woman from Cush. There is ample evidence to support the theory that his wife was black. Moses’ sister, Miriam, had a problem with this union. Numbers 12:1-6 says, “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. ‘Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?’ they asked. ‘Hasn’t he also spoken through us?’ And the LORD heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them came out. Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, he said, ‘Listen to my words: ‘When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?’ The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them. When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam–leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy; and he said to Moses, ‘Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.’ So Moses cried out to the LORD, ‘O God, please heal her!’ The LORD replied to Moses, ‘If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.’ So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

It’s interesting to me that, even after Miriam sought to lead a rebellion against her brother, Moses still interceded for her healing. It just goes to show that some people are filled with hate (Miriam’s racist stance) and some people are filled with love (Moses’ intercessory response on behalf of his sister). It’s been infuriating at times to hear and see the words and actions of so-called “believers” that still harbor hateful racism and discrimination in their hearts. We throw around disrespectful slang terms that are designed to demean and insult while we puff ourselves up with pride somehow thinking that we’ve been graciously elected to journey through life as a superior class. On the flip side, I’ve had numerous African-American friends express their frustration with certain individuals who seek to use the color of their skin to advance in life and seek out opportunities to cry offense. These are two extremes that cause major damage to the peace and unity we seek.

God is not pleased with this type of hatred and learned behavior. Just because Grandpa used that word doesn’t mean you should. Older wisdom doesn’t always represent better. As Christians, we must learn how to accept the differences in skin color with appreciation and respect. Anything short of this is displeasing to the God who created varieties of color in His infinite wisdom.

“On the night of Aaron’s homerun, Vin Scully, the Dodgers’ iconic broadcaster, said this to his Los Angeles audience: ‘Fastball…there’s a high drive to deep left-center field. Buckner goes back to the fence, it is…GONE!’ Scully paused, for one minute, 44 seconds. The only sounds: the cheering of the crowd and fireworks exploding in the night air. Then: ‘What a marvelouse moment for baseball! What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia! What a marvelous moment for the country and the world! A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking the record of an all-time baseball idol.”

Once we get past all these foolish divisions, once we treat people in ways that are based on the content of their character and not the color of their skin, once we learn to look through the eyes of Christ and see everyone as children of God, well, that’ll be a homerun for everyone.

Before I jump into this topic too far, let me say that I enjoy down time and leisure just as much as the next person. I remember, as a child, playing Super Mario Bros. on the original Nintendo Entertainment System, spending hours playing football and baseball with my cousins, and “killing time” with other activities that provide little to no benefit to me today other than simply having enjoyed my life as a kid. Even today, Christy and I have determined that we’re going to take advantage of the opportunities that we have to enjoy life with each other and with our kids. We love to attend Braves games, go swimming and play video games as a family. We simply love to have fun but, unlike some in our society, we were raised to understand that fun has it’s proper place and time.

In today’s technological world, we are afforded the great enjoyment of entertaining ourselves with endless apps and devices. We have Playstations, XBOXs, Wiis, Smart Phones, tablets and handheld video game systems. We embrace the excitement that comes with time-killers from Madden NFL video games to interactive online competitions. Now, with the launch of social media, the world has been taken by storm with games such as FarmVille (a little older) and the new sensation called Candy Crush. There is absolutely nothing wrong with entertainment as long as it doesn’t infringe on the moral principles laid out for us in the Word of God. Movies, music, the Internet, social media, games, and apps are undeniably a huge part of our lives. But where does it cross the line?

A number of years ago, the Lord impressed something very interesting on my heart regarding the time that we spend entertaining ourselves. As simple as it may seem to others, this thought from the Lord really got my attention: how many people focus a great majority of their time growing a virtual garden, playing a make believe video game sports season, or using colors and patterns to crush inedible, digital candy? Could it be, because we tend to focus solely on our own entertainment, that we are candy crushing the kingdom of God?

Please keep in mind that I’m in no way anti-entertainment. I love movies and video games just as much as the next person. But it seems to me that some of the biggest complainers, fault-finders, and problem-creators in the kingdom are also those who don’t have an active role in fulfilling the mission of God in the local church. It’s very easy to blame the Pastor because attendance is down. It’s not hard at all to blame the Worship Leader when we don’t “feel the anointing” in a service. But could the problems that are present within the kingdom be that we have all become so distracted by our “entertain-me-now” attitude that we’d rather blame the few who put forth an effort rather than take responsibility for our share of the load?

Don’t be confused by the intent of this blog entry. I’m not angry. I’m just curious as to how some within the flock could possibly have the audacity to blame the issues present within the church on those that are working and giving their best efforts to build and advance the kingdom. Simply put, how can we blame poor attendance on the Pastor who’s doing his best to visit, study, pray, and prepare when we haven’t invited anyone to church in six months? How can we ridicule the Worship Leader for their “lack of anointing” when we haven’t worshipped God at all on our own time? How can we fault the Sunday School teacher who teaches the truth that we don’t see as truth because we never open the Book for ourselves? Could it be that we’ve spent too much time up in the mountains, down by the ocean, and at the local ball field to realize that it’s the congregation’s responsibility to compel the lost to come in to the house of God? Could it be that, because we’ve spent so little time in the presence of the Spirit that we don’t know how to recognize His anointing that we take the easy road and blame the Worship Leader for lack of talent or passion? Could it be that we’ve allowed ourselves to sink to such a depth of spiritual ignorance when it comes to the Word of God that we automatically rail against the leaders of our church when they speak the truth simply because we don’t know the truth ourselves?

Once again, I’m not against killing time or having fun. As a matter of fact, I still love playing Super Mario Bros., Playstation, and enjoying activities that ultimately offer no spiritual productivity. It’s part of human nature to need a time of relaxation and unwind. But, until we maintain the proper spiritual perspective in every part of our lives, we must not ridicule those that are following God to the best of their ability. This article is not meant to offend anyone but it’s intended purpose is to challenge those that spend most of their time entertaining themselves to reach a little higher when it comes to their life’s purpose. Until you actually participate in building the kingdom, don’t blame the issues that are present on those that care enough about the kingdom to shut off the video game console and sign out of Facebook for at least an hour. Instead of complaining about the job that’s being done in the kingdom while you build your electronic garden, why not try to, in the famous words of Jack Nicholson, “Pick up a weapon and stand a post”? “You may have the most plentiful digital garden in all of FarmVille but when was the last time that you planted a real spiritual seed into someone’s life and believed God for an eternal harvest of souls? You might be trolling Facebook for added help from your friends to make your digital endeavors a success but when was the last time you asked someone to join you for worship instead of asking for help clearing Level 10? It’s time for the church to wake up and realize that time is short. How sad it will be when we stand before our Father to give an account of our time and effort on earth and find out that we were crushing someone and something much more valuable than candy.

Pastor Jeremy

I’ll never forget the moment I decided to give my life to Christ. I was 12 years old and scared to death. After being promised by my mom that she would accompany me to the altar, I decided that the time had come. I stepped to the front, prayed a simple prayer, and my life changed forever because of that one moment. I come from a rich heritage of faith. I remember the nights that were brought to a close by the prayers of my Grandfather, F.J. Barfield. It was an unmistakable moment. He would muster the strength to sit on the edge of his recliner and, just before he bowed his knees, he would always say two words…two simple words that informed everyone within earshot that it was time to pray. He simply said, “Y’all be pretty.” Everyone knew what that meant. It was code for “It’s time to pray. Act right.” I miss those times. I miss hearing my mother pray. I miss going to church with my grandmother. I miss that foundation.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that there was something unique about the times and experiences that I shared with my family in certain small churches known to be part of the Church of God denomination here in South Georgia. While most would agree that church services tend to be boring and uneventful, somehow ours were completely different. As I grew older, learned more of the Word of God, and listened to those in authority over me, I quickly came to understand that the difference was not a man, a program, a desire to be different or any other attempt to muster some form of life and excitement within the church. I had come to understand that the difference was the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:13 says, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” As I grew older, I quickly experienced the reality of this verse. I knew what it was like to feel a gentle urging from the Holy Spirit. This urging allowed me to see things from a spiritual perspective when I veered off God’s course for my life, spoke or acted out of His will or came close to the danger of disappointing Him in any way. The presence of the Holy Spirit in my life is the single most important aspect of my relationship with God. Sadly, this is not the case with many believers.

This entry is not for the purpose of lamenting the “good old days” when church life and spiritual experiences were thought to be much better. The Word of God teaches that fools are the only ones who thrive on the experiences of their past. However, I would like share a few insights that I’ve received over the last 15 years of full-time ministry. It seems to me that the presence of the Holy Spirit and the power that comes with that presence has not been given it’s proper place in our churches. We no longer feel compelled to seek the face of God and seek His Spirit like we once did. After all, “we have things to do and places to go. It’s really not reasonable or practical for anyone to be expected to spend more than an hour or two in a worship service. We live in a fast-paced world. Times have changed.” But have they?

From where I stand, things have remained the same more than we realize. God is still God and we need Him. We still live in a fallen world that’s ruled by our enemy. His goal is to destroy our lives and the plans of God for those lives. The world is still competing for our attention and devotion. It all sounds the same to me. I’m only one of countless believers around the world who are fed up with church as usual. We’re tired of going through the motions. We’ve had it with fulfilling weekly house of God duties. We’re ready for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit so that life and living water can flow through the kingdom once again.

I believe that we will continue to deal with no-care attitudes, lack-luster dedication and half-hearted believers until we stand ready to receive the outpouring described in Acts 2. Until then, churches will continue to struggle, believers will continue to backbite one another, many will continue to be offended as Jesus said that they would, and we will scratch our heads trying to figure out why we can’t win our communities and what it is that we’re doing wrong. There are many things that the older generations missed in terms of accuracy when it comes to our convictions. But they had many things in perfected perspective. We will never enjoy the presence of God’s Spirit until we give Him the number one place of priority in our lives. Then, and only then, will our services come close to those “old-style” services in which you could sense the awesome power of the Holy Ghost and know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that God was present in the sanctuary. It’s our choice.

Who is considered to be part of Generation X? Demographers, historians and commentators use beginning birth dates from the early 1960s to the early 1980s. A careful study of this generation reveals some rather disturbing information. The 1960’s have become synonymous with irresponsible excess and flamboyance. The decade also became known as the “Swinging Sixties” with regard to certain standards of sexuality in society. In a similar way, many governments of the world shifted rapidly to the left side of the aisle and what restraint existed among the peoples of the world seemed to begin a rapid fade.

President John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States and pledged to land a man on the moon. The feat was accomplished in 1969. Conflict in Vietnam began and America found itself in the midst of a war that would extend into the next decade. Feminism took the stage in the early 60’s and by the latter part of the decade the Gay Rights movement had begun. Along came the 1970’s and with it the invention of consumer video games. The first email was sent in 1971. Microwaves and VCR’s were made available to the public. Apple Inc. ushered in the modern personal computing age in June of 1977 with the launch of the first personal computer, the Apple II. In October of the same year, Atari burst on the scene and enjoyed huge success. By 1982, video gaming systems had become an industry and, in 1989, Nintendo took the world by storm. Remember this

It’s plain to see that technology has overtaken our lives. An article in Psychology Today shares some insight on how that technology may be affecting us in a negative way. The question is asked, “Has computer and communication technology allowed us to connect more deeply with life or, as we become more connected with technology, are we becoming more disconnected with life?” We have developed into a society that cannot function if our battery dies. No, not the battery that gives us the physical strength to step next door and share a conversation with our neighbor or take a friend to lunch. No, the battery I’m referring to is the one that gives us the thrill of a chime when plugged into an outlet. Whether it’s a text message, a sports alert, a Facebook post or a Twitter tweet, we are constantly disengaging from people to engage ourselves with accounts run by people…some of which we have never nor will we ever meet. Something is wrong.

Life is not and should not be about connecting electronically at the risk of losing our real-life connections. We have forgotten how to interact with people. There’s no dialog box to automatically begin a conversation and certainly no “X” button to shut it down. We’ve become so technologically connected that we’ve become uncomfortable with making eye contact during a conversation. We no longer care so much about our relationships as our relationship status. We’ve abandoned the principles of our heritage that involve blood, sweat and tears…none of which are offered from a computer, video game or television show. We feel safe when it comes to technology. We choose our own actions with the peace of knowing that anything can be deleted and we comfort ourselves with the assurance of de-friending a “friend” at will. Something is wrong.

Now, before you rush to judgment and conclude that I’m anti-technology, please understand that I am one of the worst tech geeks in the world (hence the blog)! I LOVE technology! I’ve been told by my parents that, as a child, I would rather have had something that lights up, plays music or requires batteries than playing outside or anything that didn’t require some type of power source (I never understood the whole mud pie thing…some kids are just weird). I have thoroughly equipped myself with more than my share of technological gadgets to make my life “easier” and satisfy my craving for electronic interaction. However, thanks to my upbringing, I also understand the importance of sharing an ice cream cone on the beach with my family. I appreciate the opportunity to “go walking”…something that many people can’t seem to understand the point in. I enjoy cutting grass and then sitting on the front porch to enjoy the result of a little hard work.

My generation (Generation X) and all generations after me have no idea what it’s like to live life without some form of technology. It characterizes our entire existence. Our days are filled with internet access, iPhones, iPads, WiFi, playlists, text messages, status updates and tweets. These things, in and of themselves, are not bad until they begin to replace our desire for real interaction and common sense. Some in our society have become enslaved to their technology. You know the one I’m referring to. It’s the woman who refuses to call someone back in five minutes, instead choosing to make the seven people in line behind her wait for her to juggle her cell phone, the three kids screaming at the top of their lungs, and the cashier waiting on her to punch in her debit card pin while she discusses the “outrageous, like totally crazy Facebook status her co-worker just posted”. It’s the employee who refuses to stop texting during an important meeting because they care more about tech connections that respecting the authority of their leadership. Something is wrong.

As believers, we’re called to make a difference in this world. Technology is a huge part of that mission. It’s a great tool. But, like every other tool in the world, it must be used properly and appropriately. We must rededicate ourselves to good, old-fashioned communication. There is nothing that will ever equal the power of a handshake, a pat on the back, or a hug for a hurting friend. Cell phone batteries die daily and must be recharged. I wonder how satisfied we’ll be when we reach the end of our “battery life” on earth and realize that we’re about to stand before the Father and give an account for all the missed opportunities. We must love people. We must reach people. Technology can help with that but we must keep it in proper perspective. So put the phone down and look someone in the eye. Plug into them…it may just be the connection that they’re looking for.

When I was a child, my favorite Easter candy was Peeps. I would get so excited when Spring arrived and those sugar-drenched, pastel marshmallows found their way onto the shelves of local stores. This childhood fascination may explain why I was so intrigued to read a recent article in the April issue of Food Network Magazine. While it’s not breaking news that there are 2 billion Peeps sold each year, I was quite surprised to see that 30 percent of those sold are never eaten. Instead, they serve as home decorations, art supplies, microwave experiments and collector’s items. As I read on, I found that some have created prom dresses, covered cars, and spelled out marriage proposals. Who knew that so much could be done with simple sugar and marshmallows?

The article proceeded to highlight a gentleman by the name of David Ottogalli who enjoys a direct line with the Just Born company that produces the treat. He’s afforded the great privilege of receiving mass quantities while in the midst of one of his projects. The company even looks to him when they need art made from the snack. After reading the article, it was obvious that many people seem more interested in playing with their Peeps than eating them.

As I pondered this I began to think about the parallel between Peep artists and those who make up the Bride of Christ. It seems that Christianity has transformed itself from a personal encounter with God to a testimony service void of Heaven’s power. Let me explain…each Sunday morning believers stroll into sanctuaries all across this great nation and join in worship services comprised of prayers, songs, benedictions and countless expressions of peace, joy, life, love, forgiveness, hope, restoration and abundant living. But do we actually possess these attributes in our hearts?

You know exactly what I’m referring to. We’ve all witnessed the lady at the end of the pew who sings “Victory In Jesus” with her lips but exudes complete defeat with her face. We’ve heard the loudest amens, supporting a message on forgiveness, come from the most bitter, judgmental person in the room. It just doesn’t add up. This is the primary complaint from those living outside what we’ve come to call Christian circles. When they look into our churches they see a spiritual resolve to follow hard after God but as the congregation files out they witness a group of people committed to everything but Christ. They hear our messages of hope and joy but there are more Christians suffering from hopelessness and depression than ever before. Something is wrong.

It’s a sad commentary but needed nonetheless. We’ve become content with playing church and professing a power rather than having the experience we seek to place on our pedestal and it’s had an effect. Tommy Tenney says that the church has promised fresh bread from heaven while only able to provide stale crumbs from the floor. If we expect to make a difference in this world for Christ we must have an encounter with Him ourselves. This is a non-negotiable principle of God’s Kingdom. Of course, this will require sacrifice on our part. We must rededicate ourselves to prayer, studying God’s Word, fasting and seeking His face through worship. Every believer has a choice to make. We will either return to our first love and see the hand of God move in our lives and our outreach to others or we can continue to offer empty religion without the relationship that we already know provides everything that we’re promising.

Can we really blame those who would rather play with their food than actually receive the benefit from eating it? Not that there’s much nutritional value in a Peep, but the principle remains that we are more like those who build destructible projects with sugar that dissolves and marshmallows that melt than we realize. There’s a better foundation to build on and His name is Christ. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” It’s time to put all of our “tools” away and just get back to tasting instead of trying to build the kingdom with flashy gimmicks. You won’t believe how sweet that can be!