Learning from a Pig

The Hatfield and McCoy feud started over ownership of one lone pig. In the late 1800’s it was common for Eastern Kentuckians to turn their swine loose to forage freely until time to round them up for slaughter. Each porker sported a distinctive family
“brand” that identified him as a “Jones, McCoy, Hatfield, Rice, etc.” The long-lasting feud began because one family believed the other family had killed and eaten one of their pigs.

For an entire decade I had the privilege of pastoring smack-dab in the middle of the feud area with several Hatfields and McCoys as active members of my church. The thing that many do not understand about “The Feud” is that it lasted for many years. The hatred
and bitterness brewed with killings happening after long periods of dormant feud activity.

The Bible instructs us not to let little things brew and fester. Matthew 18:15 says, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.” Don’t let things build up over time or you might find yourself “feudin’ over pig’s feet”
(Interpretation: fighting over insignificant matters.)

New Shelbyville First Baptist Website

We have been working closely over the last few months with an awesome design team from 524 Concepts to design and launch our new Shelbyville First Baptist Church website.  The site is now live and you will discover a different look and feel.  Roam around the site, push a few buttons, and let us know what you think.

We will be adding a lot of items to the site over the next few weeks.  For example, we will soon add our Sunday messages that can be heard on a standard media player or through a Podcast.

I want to personally express my sincere appreciation to Sue Gray and others who helped so much to maintain our past site.  As a new pastor, I simply wanted us to have a new look and a new approach to communicating through our website.  Be sure to tell others church members and friends to check out the new website.

Greg Jacob’s New Book

I want to give a shout-out to Greg Jacobs, one of my friends, on his new book called To Be Continued:  An Ordinary Man On An Extraordinary Journey.  Greg is a talented writer and a passionate follower of Jesus. 

For information about how to purchase his book, you can check out his personal website.  Here’s a quote from Greg about his book:

This is a Christian Living book that encompasses my personal testimony in life and what God has taught me over the last 35 years.  It is aptly named, as I believe that God wants to “Continue” His work in us on a daily basis.   I pray that you will take the opportunity to read this book, as it has a little something for everybody.  I address such topics as Grief, Marriage, Addictions, Pride & Image, Perceptions of Jesus, Spiritual Growth, etc…  At 125 pages it is an easy read that is full of spiritual wisdom and insight from our Maker.  I hope you enjoy this book, as much as I have.

I sure hope he gives me a cut from the sale of his books since I’m promoting it here…..I won’t hold my breathe.

“Beam Me Up, Scotty”

Have you ever taken a shortcut?  I live for shortcuts.  I love side streets and back roads that save time and keep you moving toward the desired destination. A while back, I bought a GPS unit, in part, so I can find additional routes that can save time.

Unfortunately, I have discovered there are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity! If a person wants his or her life to count for God in a significant way, there is no shortcut. It’s not all that complicated, but, it’s certainly not easy!  No shortcut will lead you into the power of God and impact for His kingdom.

How can a Christian make a Godly impact on his world?  The answer can be found in a simple Scripture written by the Apostle Paul to the church of Galatia.  Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Paul alludes to this same truth in 2 Corinthians 12 when he tells about his William Shatner, Star Trek experience of being “beamed up” into Heaven where the Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul responded by saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

These verses teach us that we cannot rely upon our own strengths to accomplish God’s will.  We will only see the power of God when we are filled with His presence and His power!  We trust Him to do what only He can do. The formula for spiritual success then is as follows:

Surrender +  faith  =  God’s Power

We do not apply this formula to our lives one time and then that’s it! No, we apply it daily–sometimes several times throughout the day. Walking with Christ implies a journey where we take step after step. Sometimes we will run; sometimes we will walk; sometimes we will stand still!

Book: “A Different Gospel”

I’ve been reading A Different Gospel by D.R. McConnell.  The book takes a bold and revealing look at the biblical and historical basis of the the Word of Faith movement.  The book began as McConnell’s master’s thesis when he was a student at Oral Roberts University.  McConnell himself is a Charismatic pastor, so this is an insider’s look at something he finds unbiblical and heretical.

McConnell says that today’s Word of Faith preachers (Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch, Fred Price, Benny Hinn, Marilyn Hickey, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, etc.) base their doctrine on the works and teachings of Kenneth Hagin.  Hagin based (some say plagiarized) his doctrines on the works of E.W. Kenyon.  The real bombshell in the book is that Kenyon based his teachings and beliefs on what he was taught in college, at the hands of teachers who were Gnostics and Christian Scientists.  Although Kenyon was sincere, his theology was not biblical from the very beginning.

I personally believe that many of the Word of Faith ministers are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.  In effect, they have changed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to include Gnostic and Christian Science teachings.  Paul clearly warns:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”
Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV)

McConnell’s book is not an easy read,  but it is imperative that every believer be informed about the Word of Faith message.  You can also read a lot about Word of Faith with a simple Google search.

Real Bullseyes

A little boy got a real bow and arrow for his 10th birthday and immediately went outside to practice in his yard. A few minutes later his father stepped outside to check how he was doing and was amazed to see a dozen arrows dead in the center of a dozen different bullseyes that were painted on the trees in the backyard.

“That’s astounding, Son! You just got that bow a few minutes ago. How do you manage to hit a bullseye every time?” “Easy, Dad. First I shoot the arrow. Then wherever it lands, I paint circles around it!”

That’s a cute story, but a deeper lesson is easy to find. I have found that many live theirs lives exactly that way. Instead of aiming for the targets of life set forth by the Bible, they draw circles around their own lifestyles and call it a bullseye. As a preacher, I must strive to preach the truth of the Bible without compromise. When this is done, we know where to aim in life.

As Christians, we should stand for what’s right! We should stand for the truths in the Bible. I believe if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything! With that in mind, let’s stand for what we know is right even when others don’t understand. I like the way the Apostle Paul said it in Philippians 3….

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14

Paul did not say, “I’m not pressing toward anything in particular . . . I’m just drawing a bullseye around my lifestyle.” Paul didn’t say, “I press toward what this cultural deems acceptable.” Paul didn’t say, “I press toward what would make me appear to be a really super nice guy!” No! Paul said, “I press toward the mark!”

This mark had been set forth for Paul by the Lord. Our marks are given to us in God’s Word. Take a solid stand on God’s Word, but be nice about it!

The Worth of a Smile

According to a recent study, the way we look has a direct bearing on a paycheck. Researchers analyzed employment data from seven thousand adults. They divided the group according to their looks and then compared what those working similar jobs in each category were paid. Those who were rated below average in the area of appearance earned less than those who were rated as average. Those who rated as average in appearance earned less than those who were rated as above average.

Appearance includes many things–the style and neatness of your clothing, the shine on your shoes, the crease in your shirt, your choice of colors, and a host of other things. The way you fix your hair, your makeup, and all the elements of your personal grooming make a contribution. However, the biggest factor is the smile on your face followed closely by your attitude and sense of humor. Interestly, a good sense of humor and a positive attitude are particularly important as you move into the upper echelons of business.

….the biggest factor is the smile on your face followed closely by your attitude and sense of humor.

I encourage you to attend to your attitude, sense your sense of humor, and smear your smile.  People do not want to be around an ol’ stiff, stick-in-the-mud! In case all of this talk sounds less than spiritual, remember that we are ambassadors for Christ. As wise, conscientious ambassadors we want to improve our “abilities.” Let’s improve our respectability, approachability, and likeability. In this way we can draw people to us in order to point them to Christ!

Make A List

As a young man, Benjamin Franklin resolved to attain the habits of virtue that would lead to success by making a game out of self-improvement.  He wrote thirteen key virtues in a notebook, one to a page, and checked off each instance in the day when he failed in one of them.  He focused intensely on one virtue per week, running through his list four times every year.  His thirteen virtues and goals were as follows:

• Temperance
• Silence
• Order
• Resolution
• Frugality
• Industry
• Sincerity
• Justice
• Moderation
• Cleanliness
• Tranquility
• Chastity
• Humility

Interestingly, this list is similar to the one the Apostle Paul gives us in Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”

Could a similar list make a difference in our lives today?  I suspect we could each benefit from such a reminder!

Thrilled to Be Here

Can you imagine putting up with me for 28 years? Just thinking about it can make your heart skip a beat, but that’s exactly what Laura has done! Twenty-eight years of being married to me should earn her a mansion or two along with several stars for her crown.

We have seen a lot of life together. She followed me to the mountains of eastern Kentucky. The first time she sat foot in eastern Kentucky was when I took her to meet “the folks.” She later told me that the hills almost smothered her to death. She followed me to Morehead, Banner, Fort Worth, Hazard, Pikeville, Belfry, Georgetown, Williamstown, Louisville, and now Shelbyville. At least 14 times we’ve loaded all our belongings in a rental truck and moved to a new home. A couple of weeks ago, we made the trek from Louisville to Shelbyville. Thank you for all your help in relocating us—we are thrilled to be here!

We have seen highs and lows mixed in with a lot of everyday life. We were thrilled when our little marching band from Pikeville finished Class A State Runner-up in ‘88 and ‘89, but more thrilled when God began to move dramatically within our church at Belfry. We watched the church almost triple in size and celebrated several members called to full-time ministry. Missionaries, pastors, youth directors—God did an awesome work.

We both long to see God’s awesome power in our church at Shelbyville. We are overjoyed to be in Shelbvyille because we believe God wants to do a great work here as well. In order for that to happen it cannot be business as usual. The church is not a business; it is the bride of Christ. God will move when we, the bride, fall in love with Christ, the Groom. It’s one thing to mark off another anniversary with Christ, but another thing to be madly in love with Him. Which one do you think He prefers?

Home Sweet Home

Tonight I’m staying at the Hampton Inn in Pikeville, Kentucky. Tomorrow I will be teaching at a Super Saturday event for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. As I type, I’m looking up the hill at the Pikeville College campus where I began my formal studies. I spent two semesters at the college before I transferred to the big city of Morehead, Kentucky where I eventually graduated from Morehead State University.

I spent a large percentage of my life here in these hills and I suppose it will always be “home” to me. I began my life here, grew up in “these parts,” taught school nearby, and pastored for 12 years at two different churches in the area. I often miss the mountains and miss serving as a pastor of a local church here. When I get to make a treasured visit back home I always feel a certain peace and serenity.

I remember when I left the First Baptist Church of Belfry to take a senior pastor position in Northern Kentucky. When my moving truck topped the last hill on the Mountain Parkway, I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. I knew at that moment that I might never live here again.

If you are reading this and you are from Eastern Kentucky, please know that you are blessed if you are able to live your life in these beautiful hills among these wonderful people. Although I have loved the people and places where God has allowed me to live, I know in my heart, this will always be home!