Huge updates coming to PastorCraig.com  Stay tuned for brand new features, updates, videos and pics.

Skipping Easter

Easter Sunday is THE day that so many churches swell in attendance but I wonder how many people are skipping Easter this year.  Oh, they will be at church but probably will skip the benefits. Judas was one such person...he was with Jesus, learned from Him, followed Him but when it came right down to it he skipped the most important part of Jesus' life.  He bailed at the end just as Jesus was about to die for the sins of the world including Judas' sins.

Judas missed the crucifixion and the Resurrection for his own selfish reasons.  I wonder how many people will skip Easter this year and miss the point of Jesus' life purpose.

Life goes by fast

If you are like me you have realized that 2009 zoomed by. Life goes by fast, my Dad warned me.  So did God in Psalm 39:4-5.  Since our days are numbered, it is important to set some goals to achieve each year and sometimes each day.  Here are some great goals for 2010 I hope to accomplish:
1- Love deeper.
2- Pray harder.
3- Focus more intently.
4- Seek to make the greatest impact. 

2010 will be gone sooner than you think...don't let the busy-ness of life overcome your life.

Thanks

The older I get, the more I am thankful for things...even little things in life. Leaves to rake, pets to care for, neighbors to speak to may seem small but they are evidence of being able to get out and have mobility that we take for granted. This Thanksgiving I am so thankful for God's gift of breathing, moving, the ability to exercise and even run (if oxygen is available). Be sure and tell God thanks for the little things.

Circle Drawing

Sunday I spoke about prayer and how important it is as a gauge of our faith walk. I mentioned Honi the circle draw-er. Honi lived before Christ and was known as a man who would draw a circle on the ground and vow not to come out of it until his audacious prayers were answered by God.

I challenged myself and our congregation to become circle draw-ers. Anything we need to pray about in a serious way, something desperate, something bold, we are going to "draw a circle" around it and not stop praying until God answers us.

Is there anything you need to draw a circle around in your life?

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!

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?