Ten Things I'm Excited About Right Now

Ten Things I'm Really Excited About:
1. Vacation with Debby to Branson on June 20th - 27th.
2. Visting Doug & Sandy, (Debby's missionary parents) in Mexico in July.
3. My day off tomorrow. I'm going to read and watch the History channel.
4. My rebate check coming from the IRS for $1200
5. Going to see Jennifer (my daugher) in Lubbock and see my nephew Patrick's graduation from LCU.
6. Seeing the new Indiana Jones movie coming out in May.
7. Hearing Tracy Wilson's class on Sunday.
8. Preaching on Praying & Blessing like Jesus, PBJ.
9. The price of gasoline to go down.
10. The hamburger I just ate this evening from the General Store on 1187.

House vs Grace

I'm watching House. You know the TV drama series staring Hugh Laurie. His character, House, is a typical athiest. He not only doesn't believe in God, but he believes that all people are generally selfish and self centered. House doesn't believe that people can be nice, or that people can change for the good, and that people cannot act benefically for the good of others or for the good of mankind. Because he doesn't believe in God, he doesn't believe in goodness and graciousness.

Athieism removes any reason for people to act on behalf of a greater cause or to have reason to live a righteous and moral life.

How sad!

Without the existence of God, I believe this world we live in would never have become what it is today. Mankind would never have become what it is today. We would have, long ago, destroyed ourselves. We would have been completely morally corrupt without the existence of God and never would have developed morally much less in any other productive or positive way.

Because of the existance of morality it only makes logical sense that God exists.

Same thing is true of love. If God does not exist then love cannot exist if House and other athiests are right. If God does not exist then love is only a raging animalistic lust.

Sin is in opposition to God and sin brings about the same consequences in this world as if there was not a God--degradation and corruption.

Grace is another proof of God. Without grace we might as well be athiest and athieism would be a reality. When we live and react in our lives without grace we are acting like House - as an athiest.

What I'm Thankful For...

It's been a great weekend at home and at church. I think it's good to count your blessing and spend a little time being thankful for the way God blesses us and watches over us.
Here are some blessings I'm thankful for today:
...I'm thankful that Debby is over the shingles and is feeling so much better.
...I'm thankful for our teachers at Lakeside.
...I'm thankful for the great Teacher's Appreciation Dinner we had yesterday.
...I'm thankful to Wayne & Melissa May who did a great job of setting up and preparing our Dinner. You are Stars also!
...I'm thankful for the 3rd - 6th graders who served as hosts & hostess and waiters & waitresses.
...I'm thankful that Trey & Lea and their four boys came to spend the day with us at Lakeside and for Trey's preaching and teaching. He did a great job!
...I'm thankful to have known Bill & Joy Hare. I did Joy's funeral this past Friday. I had preached Bill's funeral about three years back. They were good people.
...I'm thankful for my kids and my grandkids. They are such a joy and a blessing.
...I'm thankful that our building smells better after some of the classrooms flooded and we spent last week drying the floors and the walls out.
...I'm thankful for God's Amazing Grace. You need to listen to Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).

A Little News

Here we are another evening at home with thunder storms going on around us. We've had some pretty good storms come through here. The Lakeside building flooded around four windows and four classrooms. The walls and the carpets got soaked and we had to call a restoration service to come in and dry the carpets and the walls. It was a pretty penny. Its raining again pretty good now. I hope and pray that the water doesn't get into the building again tonight.
The lights flashed a few times, but we never lost electricity. Speaking of electricity I signed up for Ignite, a division of Stream Energy. I get cheaper electricity plus I'm an associate now and can help others get started. If you are interested in cheaper electricity or making a little money on electric bills that you have others to sign up, check out my web sight:
http://shawnwilliams.igniteinc.biz/ (yes, I have no shame) but if this could help you save money I would not have said anything. Besides I needed something for today's post and my cards are right here.

Tomorrow I travel to Wills Point. Joy Hare, one of the sweetest ladies in all the world passed away. I will do the funeral on Friday at 1:00 PM. Bill & Joy Hare where some of the best folks I've ever known. They are both with the Lord and I rejoice because of that.

A Recovering Legalist

I've heard the phrase a few times here lately about being a recovering legalist. I have to smile a bit when I hear this because I know that is what I am. Can you imagine in the same way that AA and other types of recovery meetings take place that one would be held for recovering legalists.
I was talking with Debby about how such a meeting might proceed. At the beginning of every meeting you have people who introduce themselves and then they have to tell for what purpose they are there, for example at AA meeting you hear that a person will introduce themselves and say, "hello, my name is so and so and I'm an alcoholic." The idea is to openly admit to yourself and others what your addiction is so that you can face the need for recovery.

Here are some of the introductions you might hear at a legalist recovery meeting:
...Hello my name is Sherry and I judge people.
...Hello my name is Bart and I think I'm the only one going to heaven.
...Hello my name is Jane and I choose to be right over being kind.
...Hello my name Joe Bob and I think the KJV is the only inspired translation of the Bible.
...Hello my name is Billy Joe and I decide what truth is and you must believe the way I see it.
...Hello my name is Mary and I love people because I have it to, but I don't have to like them.
...Hello my name is Johnny and I worked hard to earn my salvation.
...Hello my name is Steve and I've never heard a sermon on grace.
...Hello my name is Debbie and what's love got to do with it.
...Hello my name is George and I prefer sacrifice and never mercy.
...Hello my name is John and I write everybody up.
...Hello my name is Betty and I keep a record of all your wrongs.
...Hello my name is Bill and I believe there is no excuse for ever missing a Sunday service.

Just a fun little approach to help us see the need for more grace in our lives. I wouldn't be opposed to such recovery meetings.

Kids & Grandkids

Kids and grandkids. You can't help but love em.

You love them because:

...they are yours.

...you watched them grow-up.

...a little part of you is in them.

...they love you back.

...they laugh at your bad jokes.

...they trust you.

...they listen to your stories no matter how boring.

...they are always calling to see how you are doing.

...they sing with you.

...they accept your love.

The Beautiful Fight

Here is what I'm currently reading. This is a great book for anyone trying to find out more to Christianity that just mere keeping of rules, or just going to church. This book is very good and helping you find meaning to your faith.

It seems like we get so board these days with the tiresomeness of going to worship and Bible class. It always seems to be the same ole, same ole. But there is more to being a Christian than just going to church and being told what you can and can't do. Being a Christian is to experience the presence of God in you life, it is to be filled with the joy of salvation. It ought to transform us into the image of Jesus and make us zealous, exuberant, and happy Christians.

I like this paragraph from the second chapter, "When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back into heaven and then sent his Holy Spirit to indwell believers. Christianity became a dynamic, supernatural faith of God's touching the world through us. It is not merely a list of beliefs. While rooted in history, it is a living kingdom that spreads even as we speak. This Christianity has a pulse; Paul tells the Corinthians, 'To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.' (1 Cor. 12:7)"

I'm thankful to find something that makes being a Christian exciting and worth while. Christianity is a livin growing breathing power. I'm glad I'm reading this book.

The Fool Says in His Heart, There is No God

This story was given to me not to long ago and I found it amusing to say the least.

In Florida, an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on athiests by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays, while atheists had not holiday to celebrate.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel and declared--Case dismissed!
The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, "Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah...yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!
The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, 'Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate, his own atheists' holiday!
The lawyer pompously said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for athiests. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?"
The judge said, "Well it comes every year on exactly the same date--April 1st! Since our calendar sets April 1st as 'April Fools Day,' consider that Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday! Now have a good day and get out of my courtroom!!

Now I don't know if this story is true or not, but..you know... it makes a lot of sense. I'd like to think its true at least the overall premise is true.

EXPELLED

Here is something that I think many of you might be interested in going to see. It is a documentary movie hosted by Ben Stein dealing with the issue of Creationism vs Darwinism. The movie is to open in various theaters on April 18th. The trailer itself will show you how the current Darwinist mentality has generally pervaded the scientific community, the media, our educational systems, and businesses. It is a dangerous thing to question the Darwinian stance. Watch this trailer and then go see the movie. As Christians we need to stand up on this issue and lift up the Creator God for all see.

A Recommended Blog Site

Blogging is indeed an interesting experience. You are always thinking in terms of what you would like to post and how you would post it. Just about every experience or situation you come across you are thinking whether or not it would make a good or interesting post for others to read.
I was able to attend part of the Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Debby was with me and so were Amy & Robby (my middle daughter and son-in-law). It was good to see some old friends. I enjoyed the workshop and got a little fired up and renewed again by the Spirit. I was grateful for being able to get away.
I missed the Thursday night gathering where Patrick Mead and Josh Graves spoke. I will catch the taped version of it later.
I want to make a recommendation to those of you who enjoy surfing the Internet for interesting information and for spiritual messages to uplift and inform you. It is the blog site for Patrick Mead. Patrick preaches for the Rochester church of Christ in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He also has a couple of degrees in stuff that has to to with the brain (wasn't that technical sounding). He is an excellent writer and you can find information on his blog from things having to do with the Bible, spirituality, Alzheimer's, the new atheists, etc.
Go to http://www.patrickmead.net/. I think you will enjoy it. I do.

What's It All About?

I've been in ministry now for over 26 years. That's just so hard to believe. I've been around the proverbial "ministry block" a few times. I've been hundreds of places; on mission trips, retreats, camps, lectures, workshops, universities. I've done what seems like thousands of weddings (an exaggeration), hundreds of funerals (not an exaggeration), elders meetings, counseling sessions, etc, etc, etc. Yet, after all of this I still feel like I'm just starting out, just starting to get my ministry going and having good things happen.

I do keep asking myself, "what is it all about?" I believe deeply in the grace of God and his awesome love for us in that he gave his son to die for us. But when you go through all the motions and with earnestness and sincerity--I still step back and ask "what is ministry all about?"

I've focused in on a whole bunch of stuff thinking I had what ministry is about:
...preserving doctrine. But doctrine is already pure, God made sure of that.
...discovering new doctrine. But that was only tradition I was trying to preserve.
...making sure that the one hour on Sunday morning was correct. But worship and living the Christian life is about my whole life, not just that hour on Sunday morning.
...teaching the lost. But then you have to worry about keeping the faithful faithful.
...visiting the sick, the elderly. No doubt great ministries, but elders failed in this task and letting (or demanding) the preacher do it so that they didn't have too. Yet, Biblically it's there primary responsibility.

I've come to this conclusion now and believe this is what ministry is about--it's about relationship!
Relationship with God.
Relationship with Christians.
Relationship in my family.
Relationship in my marriage.
Relationship to the lost and those without Christ.
Relationship to those struggling, hurting, and searching for relationships.

I believe it's about relationship and relationships. To have a vision of tomorrow and the future--building, preserving, keeping, and maintaining spiritual relationship covers everything.

What's the greatest commandment? - Love God
What's the second greatest commandment? - Love your neighbor as yourself.
Relationship!