I had a wonderful visit today with one of my choir members who is battling cancer and has accepted the fact that God may want to have her with Him sooner than later. She is such an encouragement even in the midst of this battle, and she said something today that was astonishing. She said it was a job to die. I never thought of it like that. We all have a job to do throughout our lives. Here is the question: Are you/we faithful with the job God has given us at this point in our lives? I pray that I am, and will be, when God gives the final job to do. I pray like this precious saint I visited with today, He will find all of us faithful and ready in doing the task He gives to us daily.
Being Yourself
I think we as fallible people find ourselves reaching out so much for commonality around us, that we can fall into a cloning mentality. I'm not saying that we shouldn't look to others around us that are a little more spiritually experienced and try to learn from their journey; even Paul exhorts in all of his letters to the churches by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clear examples of how to live. 1 Corinthians 4: 15 and 16 says: For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. Now putting this in context, we know that these are believer's Paul led to the Lord ("In Christ Jesus, I have begotten you"), but still Paul is telling them to imitate him. Wait a minute, did you get that? "In Christ Jesus". Paul is just the mouthpiece; but he is an example that can be followed as long as God is the one getting the glory. I just think there's a fine line that we could cross and we will be following an idea, a fad, a person, a family, etc. There are many men, families, that I look to. Men like: John MacArthur, Steve Maxwell, Voddie Baucham, J.R. Miller, the late-great Adrian Rogers, but out of all of these, this is the one who amazes me...:
Christian?
I have been pondering today on a word. The word is Shame. I ponder because I know some people that I have walked with on my Christian journey, and they some how have fell. My heart breaks so much because this word I ponder isn't there for them; so I have to question whether they are really regenerated? I understand nobody is perfect, I will have to be the first in line of non-perfection, but to have no shame? I have more respect for the one who is vile toward the things of God in secret, than to the one who spiritually smacks God in the face and is proud of it!
Woe to us!
See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. (Isaiah 30:27)
Woe to us!
See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. (Isaiah 30:27)
Upward Basketball Update
We just finished our registration at Waterville. This year we are playing K through 8th grade! 180 kids so far!!!! You can still sign up and scholarships are available. Please let me know if you are still interested.
This is HIS-STORY!
This truly is "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year". Our society, although commercialized; is in a situation where one can very easily bring up the name of Jesus in conversation. The thing we need to be aware of, and ready for, is the draw of busy-ness. We can be so busy, we forget to bring up that Name. Christmas can be so much more than we make it. I am trying so hard to lead my family to not focus on the presents, presents, presents under the tree, and instead stay focused and kneel underneath the tree of Calvary and find His presence. Will you join me?
Wonderful Read
I recently read the book Do Hard Things with my oldest daughter Morgan. This book was written by the twins Brett and Alex Harris. Man did it challenge me! I know it will challenge your pre-teen or teenager..Oh wait a minute, let me say young adult. (you'll see when you read the book)
This Hope Coming To Waterville Jan 31st!
I'm excited to announce that the christian group "This Hope" will be coming to my church and leading in worship in the morning service on Jan 31. If you like the group 4Him, you will like This Hope. They are a group of guys that travel and sing for the Lord! Check them out at http://www.thishope.org/Sammy
Homeschooling and Christian Educating
I recently put a post on my blog and I prefaced the blog by saying there would be nothing to add. Our pastor is preaching a series in Romans and he has come to chapter 14 about not offending those weaker in the faith, so I removed the post...Here is a sample from Romans 14: 1)As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2)One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3)Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Well you can call me the weak one if you would like, but today after talking to a new wiser friend on the subject; I'm going to post the video again because I do think this message needs to be said, but I am going to preface this by adding more than I did last time I posted my lay-it-on-the-line brother Vodie.
First of all, I am not against teachers. If that were the case, I would dislike myself and there have been a lot of teacher influence in my life to the positive, but I do think the system is corrupt and therefore it is binding wonderful hearted teachers from being able to have Godly influence in the classroom.
Secondly, my family, and what they learn, is my responsibility; regardless if they are in public, private, or homeschool. There isn't one teacher I know that will dispute this. If Johnny, is failing, normally the mom and dad haven't given him the environment to strive in and they are not holding him accountable.
Thirdly, whether you agree with homeschooling or not, you must admit that the environment your children are in is what they will become. I use to hear this all the time when I was in a secular working environment. I would hear things like; "Look around you and see who you are keeping company with, statistics tell us that you will be like those people in 5 years". If this is the case with adults; how much more with children.
With that all being said, here is the video again:
Well you can call me the weak one if you would like, but today after talking to a new wiser friend on the subject; I'm going to post the video again because I do think this message needs to be said, but I am going to preface this by adding more than I did last time I posted my lay-it-on-the-line brother Vodie.
First of all, I am not against teachers. If that were the case, I would dislike myself and there have been a lot of teacher influence in my life to the positive, but I do think the system is corrupt and therefore it is binding wonderful hearted teachers from being able to have Godly influence in the classroom.
Secondly, my family, and what they learn, is my responsibility; regardless if they are in public, private, or homeschool. There isn't one teacher I know that will dispute this. If Johnny, is failing, normally the mom and dad haven't given him the environment to strive in and they are not holding him accountable.
Thirdly, whether you agree with homeschooling or not, you must admit that the environment your children are in is what they will become. I use to hear this all the time when I was in a secular working environment. I would hear things like; "Look around you and see who you are keeping company with, statistics tell us that you will be like those people in 5 years". If this is the case with adults; how much more with children.
With that all being said, here is the video again:
The Heart Of Christmas
I'm getting really excited about doing our annual Christmas Musical with North Cleveland Baptist this year...It will be at North Cleveland on Dec 13, 6 pm and again at Waterville on Dec 20, 6 pm.
Come out and worship with us!
The above video is of the Finale of the musical done at Grace Chapel in Sanford, NC.
I AM
I know it's a little early, but this is one of the songs we will be doing in our Easter Musical at Waterville in 2010. Pause my playlist and enjoy this video of Bradley Knight and Prestonwood Baptist Choir. (Under the direction of Todd Bell who used to be Music Minister at Waterville many years ago I might add)
Upward Is Almost Here!
Upward Basketball is right around the corner for our church. Our first evaluations begin this Thursday! Wow! A big "Thank You" to First Baptist for advertising for us...We had an awesome 200 kids last year...Praise The Lord!If interested please click on the picture and shoot me an e-mail.
Here is a pdf of our basketball brochure so you can print it out or view it for info.
A Great Christmas Gift For Parents From Titus2
I have had the privilege of being introduced to the website Titus2.com by my wife a few years back. We have bought about everything the Maxwell family has done. I want to recommend one book in particular from the site: Keeping Our Children's Hearts.This book has enlightened my wife and I as parents of 6, and if you would be open to change, and willing to take the advice, you would benefit greatly from this book.
A great Christmas gift this year for Parents!
Good Morning
Good morning to all!
Thanksgiving dinner was outstanding last night!!! I was able to keep the fire going all night. God is good!
Thanksgiving dinner was outstanding last night!!! I was able to keep the fire going all night. God is good!
Thanksgiving Day!
This day is a time to reflect on God's goodness. Of course, this is something we should do all year long, but why don't we? In a world where things seem to be on fast-forward, I would hope one could really live out an attitude of "Thanks". I could present a list of what I'm thankful for, and it would never get completed because I don't have enough years left in my life to list everything. Some things would be, of course : My Heavenly Father, My wonderful Wonder-Woman Missy, My Glorious Gals: Morgan, Katie and Sarah, and My Fabulous Fellas: Josiah, Jacob, and Samuel. During our Thanksgiving service at church, we looked at 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:(16, 17, 18) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. This scripture is so true! If we could remember to have an attitude of prayer continually with God in all circumstances with Thanksgiving in our hearts, we would truly be living out this Holiday season year round.....Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!
Sammy
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