WOW!!!

Not in my wildest imagination would I have thought that 33 (and counting) boys and girls would accept Christ at our Vacation Bible Xtreme. That's one for the history books of Union Baptist Church and my ministry. We also had the most volunteer servants ever as well as the largest enrollment in over a decade.

It's amazing to watch God move through something people call "obsolete" and "dated". VBX is the greatest outreach of every summer but this year really blew my mind. It was even worth putting on a firefly suit and "illuminating" the children with our Worship Pastor Mike Pursiful. (see picture) If nothing else it allows all of us adults to become children for one week out of the year. I thank God for such talented and serving people like those at Union Baptist Church. One lady, Jennifer Burress who organized, recruited and prayed for weeks saw the fruit of her work last night! Thank you to all who served the children in 2009!

Christianity in action

Serving was never more fulfilling for me than last week when my wife, daughters and I traveled with our church with 20 people to Mt Auburn, Illinois. We painted, cleaned, and built. Most importantly we built...we built character, teamwork, and relationships. The picture has two ladies Carla and Anna (daughter and mother) that we helped. They will forever be a part of our ministry memory bank!

Jesus' words from 2000 years ago about service are still relevant today. I am so proud of everyone who not only chose to go but actually paid to go serve. It gives me deep fulfillment seeing Christians growing and maturing simply because they are practicing Christ's principle of serving.

Faith Walking

A powerful verse from God is found in the Book of 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Our church has just been challenged to walk by faith. The church responded with a resounding yes, we will walk by faith. I love to see God move among His people. I love it even more when He moves in financial ways when the economy is rotten. It's great to know that God is not bound by the US economy and He needs no stimulus plan.

I am thankful for an awesome God and a faithful church who follows Him. How are you walking?

God is bigger than...

Amazingly, people's view of God is getting stranger. Don't believe me? Then read this quote from that Great Theologian Cybill Shepherd: "I’m a Christian Pagan Buddhist Goddess worshiper, but I’m also a feminist."(FoxNews.com) She said that in context of once again trying to get homosexual marriage made legal in California. She's mad at the Catholics and Mormons for financing the opposition to this twisted scheme of confusion and sin.

God's bigger than Miss/Ms/Mrs. Shepherd's view of Him. As a matter of fact He is bigger than anyone's view of Him. The Bible says God's way's are higher than ours. Aren't you glad? God does not get caught up or offended by our views, our opinions or our ranting. I am thankful for a God who is bigger than any issue I face. I would love to get a chance to talk to Cybill Shepherd...she definitely needs the only True God I know!

Communicate

I am so pumped to know the only true God who communicates with me. I am not worthy by any means. But through Jesus Christ, the Living Word, I can commune with Almighty God.

I believe God longs for us to communicate with fellow believers and even those who don't follow Christ. That's why I blog, Facebook and now Twitter. Communicate, commune, in common are all from the same root word. The New Testament book of Acts speaks of the first Church having all things in common. They shared. That's my goal with my family and my church family...even with those who will be my family in the future. Join me in sharing the awesome, powerful love of Jesus in any way we can possibly think of.

Experience Easter

The most sacred day of the year approaches...Easter. It is the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sure many followers of Christ celebrate this event every Sunday but Easter Sunday seems extra special. Let me tell you why:

1) It helps us re-focus on the reason we have eternal life.
2) It guides us to re-think our status in life now.
3) It proves to us that Jesus re-generated us so we can live as well.

Are you living this Easter or just existing? Jesus lived His life to the fullest and died so you and I could as well.

He is risen!

Who's on Facebook?

Social media is the thing right now and it has become an awesome tool of communicating. Even the church can communicate in an evangelistic way. The church was the first to utilize print media by printing the Bible and were pioneers of the radio...today I have seen numerous churches and ministries on Facebook or My Space. My church is there and we are excited to see what God will do through mass communication as we get our message of hope, love and eternity out.

Our target is people and this is simply one more tool as we get some face time with those who need Jesus Christ.