Tag Archives: Religion and Spirituality

by | April 30, 2012 · 7:22 pm

Monday Monkey “Graduation 2012” (Episode 21)

Graduation Day

Well, technically, my degree was conferred in December, 2011. However, this was the day when everybody walked. So, what was I supposed to do? Miss the opportunity to take Mr. Monkey?

The poignant thing is that my dad went to TTU from 1972-73. He never actually graduated. He would be proud to have been here, today.

Long Time Coming

I graduated high school in 1985. I got my Associates in 1995. Even after two additional years of study which was non-accredited, I decided to go back and take 2 more years in order to get my Bachelor of Science in Bible (Pastoral Studies).

I owe a great debt to my wife, Valerie, and my girls for putting up with me.

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by | March 15, 2012 · 4:48 pm

What Underground Churches Don’t Worry About

In a sermon I preached not long ago, I made mention of the fact that you never see “First Baptist,” “Methodist,” or “Community Non-Denominational” plastered above an underground church. When all one wants to do is worship God without being imprisoned or killed, denominational distinction is one of the least of their worries.

That led me to think of other things that an underground church might not worry about:

  • The color of the carpet
  • The font on the church bulletin
  • Whether or not they sing a hymn or a praise song
  • Whether or not the pulpit is made of wood or etched glass
  • Cassette tapes or CD’s
  • Bible Versions
  • Post-graduate or seminary training
  • Projection screens
  • Padded pews
  • Pews
  • A family activity building
  • Gold or silver communion accessories
  • How long the worship lasts
  • What people wear
  • Parking
  • Youth activities
  • Revival Meetings

No, I don’t think underground churches ever have time to worry about all these things. They are more concerned with fellowship, encouragement, prayer, reading God’s Word in any version they can get their hands on, and staying alive.

Evidently we are closer to God – we have more things to worry about.

Some may even worry that these Iranian Christians are dancing and using a drum to chant the names of God. For shame!

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by | March 13, 2012 · 12:23 pm

Prayer Before Writing

While reading a required book for one of my seminary classes, I came across something that convicted me. It was a prayer.

“Holy One, you wrote my name in the palm of your hand before time began. You commanded the prophets to write down your will for your people. Please let me, as I write, share your love and grace and wisdom through my words.” – Deborah Core

The Seminary Student Writes is a small book, but it is full of helpful instruction and insight for writing at the seminary level. However, the above prayer, or its equivalent, should precede not only research papers and dissertations, but blog posts as well.

Every time I sit down to write I should say a prayer. Before I hit the “publish” button I should be sure my words comply with His words. For you see, words are powerful. Words are tools. Words are weapons. Words should be used with the utmost care and wisdom.

It never fails to amaze me when I see how my words reach so many place all over the world. Most of the places my blog is read I will never visit. Yet, what I write here has the potential to minister in ways I could never imagine. With so much potential to influence lives in places only God knows, how much more should I ask Him to give me the words?

Do you pray before you write?

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by | March 9, 2012 · 10:25 am

Pooped Pastors

At first you may think it strange to combine the words “pooped” and “pastor,” but for many it is an every day reality. The fact is that there are more pooped pastors, ministers, elders, etc., than you can imagine. That is why I would like to introduce you to…PoopedPastors.com.

Loneliness Kills

Let me be as serious as I can be – being a loner is deadly. That is why it is so important for those in church leadership to have friends they can trust. However, what most people fail to understand is that pastors have a very hard time making close friends.

There are limits to what we can share, and with whom we can share it. The burdens we carry, many times, have to be held in the strictest confidence. Besides our Savior, there are some times we literally have no one else to talk to. This can lead to feeling isolated, alone, and depressed. Some have even committed suicide.

You may think, “Well, why don’t pastors just get some help?” It’s not as easy as you think, believe me. For instance, when a person needs encouragement, the pastor is there to offer Scripture, prayer, and hope. Who does the pastor go to when he is discouraged? The parishioner? Does the pastor want to discourage the very people for which he is burdened?

When the shepherd is lost, does he ask the sheep for guidance? Not usually. The sheep would run away! A pastor with a heart for souls will even find it hard to talk with a professional counselor for fear of turning that one person away from Christ. So, he stays silent. But there is hope…

PoopedPastors.com

Dr. Steve Brown and I at a fundraiser for Harvest USA

If you are a bona fide pastor or minister, there is a place for you to go and be yourself. You don’t have to worry about what others think when you express your frustrations, your worries, your fears, or your doubts. Pooped Pastors is a place where you can communicate with others who are walking down the same road. It is not meant to replace flesh-and-bone friends, but it can help. I have been a forum member for about 3 years, and I am eternally grateful for what it has meant to me.

Anonymous

What is so unique about Pooped Pastors? Well, Dr. Steve Brown (Key Life Ministries) started this site in order to encourage those who minister. There are many helps and links that are useful, but the hallmark of the site is the pastor’s forums. There, once you are confirmed to be who you say you are (they check), you are assigned a personal number (yes, you become just a number). Once you have your number, you can log into the forums and feel the refreshing breeze of freedom. You don’t have to worry about sharing what’s on your heart. You can be 100% honest, and no one will come asking for your resignation (but don’t go too crazy).

Pass the Word

If you are a minister, please go visit Pooped Pastors. If you are not a minister or pastor, tell your pastor about it. Let him know you are praying for him and that you want him to be encouraged. Write the web address down and give it to him, or, as you know, he’s likely to forget (I’m just say’n).

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by | February 27, 2012 · 7:13 pm

See Me at Work

My Official Pose

Ever wanted to know what I am like behind the pulpit – for real?

Here’s your chance.

  1. Follow the link below to the video archives of Mile Straight Baptist Church.
  2. Next, scroll down till you see the January 29 (pm) service entitled “In the Beginning, God.“

On Jan. 29th I was a guest speaker at Mile Straight. My daughter, Katie, sang before I preached.

Big Risk

Now, I know I’m taking a big risk, here. You may not like me after this, and that will make me sad. On the other hand, maybe you will see that there is more to me than “Monday Monkey.”

Oh, if you would like to have me as a guest speaker, feel free to give me a call or email me (especially if you are talking England – hint, hint).

NOTE: for some reason Mile Straight Baptist’s website is experiencing some trouble. If the link does not work, try again, later. I’m sure it will be back on line, soon. Sorry for the inconvenience. (this was posted Tuesday at 5:40 am, eastern)

As of 7:05 am it is working. However, it’s in Flash video, so sadly it won’t play on an iPhone, which is aggravating.

http://sites.radiantwebtools.com/index.cfm?i=8898&mid=18&g=18587

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by | January 30, 2012 · 12:06 am

Monday Monkey “Monkey Meets Benny” (Episode 14)

Yesterday was the fifth Sunday of the month, and every fifth Sunday we have a singing at the church I pastor.

Our guest for the yesterday’s singing was Benny Berry. He was a tremendous blessing to us all. Check out links to his websites, below.

Anyway, I had plans to do some other stuff for this episode, but things changed when I heard the closing song in the service. The song was I Love to Tell the Story. The “story” is why Mr. Monkey and I do what we do. I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.mccanns.freeuk.com/

http://www.bennyberryusa.com/

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by | October 31, 2011 · 12:00 am

Monday Monkey – “At the Wheel” (Episode 2)

One of the greatest country songs to come out of Nashville in the last, oh, 20 years was Jesus Take the Wheel.

This video is not meant to make fun of that song, so I hope Carrie Underwood doesn’t hate me when she sees this (I hope she see this).

This episode/edition of “Monday Monkey” pays tribute to Jesus Take the Wheel, while at the same time making fun of Monday-morning drivers.

“There’s a Monkey at the Wheel”

And before I forget, thanks to:

  1. Lauren Huckabee, for doing the vocals (she actually has an American Idol story). Great job!
  2. Scott, for the use of his Isuzu (that’s what the monkey drove to run me off the road).
  3. My daughter, Katie, for putting up with me and doing all the filming (with the iPhone 4).
  4. My wife, for not reminding me how much time it took to make a 59 second video.
  5. Jesus, for taking the wheel.
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by | May 23, 2011 · 11:58 am

Being “Real”

Have you ever been completely spent? Worn out? Empty? I have. As a matter of fact, I woke up this morning feeling like a squeezed out tube of toothpaste.

Yesterday was a great day. I was blessed to be able to preach in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening. The only problem is that when you go all day, preaching your heart out, by the end of the day you’re exhausted. When I got up to drive the school bus, I looked at that tube of toothpaste and said, “That’s me.”

Over the next couple of hours a thought came to me: how can you tell when a tube of toothpaste is empty? Usually, it is flat and rolled up. The compacted tube shows evidence that all of its contents have been used – there’s nothing left. Then what about the hard, stand-up kind?

These new containers for toothpaste are deceiving. Unlike the old-fashioned tubes, they do not compact and show any visible signs of being empty. They always look full. Then it hit me – what hypocrites! Those new-fangled containers are just putting on a show and never give any hint of being used up. In other words, they’re not “real.”

I want to be “real.”

This is not a lesson on hypocrisy. This is not a lesson on being a whitewashed tomb full of dead men’s bones. This is about being “real.”

Too often, especially in ministry, we are forced to put on a façade, thereby making ourselves appear to be something we’re not. It’s not meant to be hypocritical. It is meant to spare others from the truth of our own inadequacies – our own emptiness. Sadly, because we don’t want to be a burden or a disappointment, we endure the emptiness…the loneliness…the fatigue. Being “real” is risky.

There are limits to how much dirty laundry a pastor can air in public without losing his ministry. There are limits to how vulnerable he can be around others. But may it never be said that we have to pretend to be something we are not. We are human. We have weaknesses. We have limitations. We can feel “used up.”

Fortunately, unlike a tube of toothpaste, we can be refilled. And for that matter, even a seemingly squeezed out tube always has just a little more to give. God gives us what we need, when we need it.  The important thing to remember is that we shouldn’t try to act full, when we are empty. When we do that, that is when we act in our own strength. Let us then admit our weakness and emptiness, and in turn our heavenly Father will refill us with what will bring Him glory. Who knows, maybe it is our emptiness He wants to use most.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV

Just keep it REAL.

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by | April 26, 2011 · 8:55 pm

You Call THAT a Church?

Does Size Matter?

I suppose the debates and arguments over the pros and cons of congregation size will continue even after the church has been raptured (yeah, I believe in that). But if you want to know; I have a few comments about size.

I like big churches – to a degree.

I like small churches – to a degree.

I think the perfect size church is one in which…

  • the congregation still has some access to the pastor without having to make appointments months in advance, or have to be cavity-searched before getting withing 50 feet of his office.
  • the choir is capable of glorifying God and leading the congregation in worship, but not so big or independent that it has it’s own group health plan, publicist, or copyright on robe color.
  • the annual Christmas play can include all the children who want to participate, as long as there is a spot or role to play, without having to spend more than the gross national product of Denmark during production.
  • there is a sense of community and fellowship that is possible without having to marry one of the other members.
  • the congregation is capable of meeting needs within their community, but not by rezoning a community out of existence.
Churches come in all shapes and sizes, for sure. Most have fewer than 200 members.  A few do great works through global outreach. Whatever the size, God can use a congregation that depends on Him and remembers its “first Love.” We should never think negatively about a church because of their size; but we do.

Comparison Legalism

One way in which legalism is expressed within the church is through the judging of congregation size. Now, you may think this does not go on, but stop and do a reality check. What is the first thing most people associate with a growing church? Simple – numbers.

The next time you drive down the road and see a large church with staff directing traffic into overflow lots; the next time you hear of a church with multiple services; the next time you see an additional annex or satellite campus, stop and ask yourself, “Is this church more right with God than the little church out in the county with 20 members?” If your thoughts are even close to “yes,” then you are being legalistic.

Now, what about that huge church with 20 pastors and a choir of 200, or the one with a praise band that has won four Grammy’s? Look at all that fancy furniture and sound equipment – do realize for what all that cost 10 families could have been fed for a year? Surely God does not get glory from all the money and effort put into that mega-monstocity! Is that how you think? You’re being legalistic.

Don’t be so quick to judge what God may be using for His purposes, even though we can’t see how He’s doing it. Focus on your own field of ministry. Are you doing all God has called you to do? Are you bringing Him glory? Are you seeking the lost and reaching out to the needy and hurting? If you are, then size doesn’t matter.

On the other hand, do you have a “form of godliness,” but are “denying the power thereof?” No amount of members could change the fact that God is not pleased. Criticizing another congregation only exposes the legalism within and further offends the very Power you deny.

Remember – Legalism isn’t limited to lists of do’s and don’ts.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. – Col 1:18 KJV

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by | April 21, 2011 · 10:42 pm

I Just Want to Know Him

Feeling Down

For a little while I have been feeling down, a little discouraged. I can’t exactly explain why. It could be the change of seasons, or all the rain our area has been having. Maybe, it was all the comments I was making on other people’s blogs.

Comment sections will make one ill.

I learned a long time ago to totally avoid the comment sections on places like YouTube and our local news paper (online version).

YouTube comments are usually vulgar, vile, pornographic in nature, and full of hatred, ignorance, and vitriol. The comments in the local newspaper are also vulgar, vile, pornographic in nature, and full of hatred, ignorance, and vitriol. The difference is that the newspaper comments are written by people in my own town – my neighbors! If I avoid reading them, it is much more likely that I continue singing the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood theme song. Otherwise, I may throw my “sneakers” through the wall and choke somebody with an argyle sweater.

On the other hand…

I enjoy reading the comments on other blogs I follow. Because they are monitored, the language is acceptable and weirdos are usually weeded out. But on occasion, there comes along a blogger (hint, hint) who wants to pose questions that are meant to stir up the pot. The ensuing comment bombardments can stir up long-lasting debris from text-verse explosions, the result of which can choke the joy right out of a Care Bear (that’s an 80’s toy). A week of battling through these things has evidently taken its toll…I need a hug.

You see, the problem with legalism (over-simplified: a life of rules and regulations) is that it can give one a false sense of knowledge and understanding about God. Lists of regulations are fine, to a degree, but they are limited. Obeying lists does not make one any closer to the List Maker, or any more like Him. As a matter of fact, following the lists too stringently may cause one to risk missing something written between the lines, or even miss the reason the list was given.

I have come to a simple conclusion about God:  I don’t need to argue anymore about lists – I just want to know Him.

A list in our hearts

The Bible talked about the time when the Law would be written on the hearts of men (Jeremiah 33:31). What does that mean? Well, it’s easy to understand if you think of it in terms of relationship.

If you are in a close relationship with someone, it doesn’t take a list for you to know what makes that person happy or sad…you know in your heart. God essentially told Jeremiah that a day would come when men would no longer need a list to live by, but they would act according to relationship. In a close relationship, a grocery list can help you prepare for a special night. However, without a relationship, a grocery list from a total stranger might be easy to check off, but it doesn’t mean you’re invited to dinner.

Grocery List

Keeping with the “grocery list” analogy, have you ever been given a list for things to pick up at the store? If the list was from an employer, your boss at work, and he wrote down ten items he needed for the office kitchen, the safest bet would be to buy exactly what he requested, no exceptions. You would not want to question his authority or wisdom, and you would especially not want to seem insubordinate – you could get fired. You would be wise to not think for yourself – just follow the list. That’s like LEGALISM.

What if the list was from your husband or wife? Would you feel stressed walking into the store? Would you be afraid to go home if something on the list was not available, leaving you with no option but to find a substitute? If you were in a healthy marriage, you would know to make the best choices for the sake of your family. No list would have to tell you that. The key is that you would not be chained to the list, but you would be free to make the best choice for the sake of your family. You would be trusted. And if you messed up, you’d still have a home to go to. That’s like GRACE.

My Prayer

I pray that I come to a point where everything I do gives evidence of the fact that I have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to know Him more. I want my heart to beat in rhythm with His. I want to be able to distinguish between things that bring Him glory, and things that break His heart.

Jer 31:33  – But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34  – And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Psa 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.


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