Many of you have inquired and thought about me in the latter part of this past week concerning the fires here in Horry County. Below is a picture my friend and ministry partner, Todd Wood, took while with Horry County Emergency responders as he worked with our association's Disaster Relief:
I had the opportunity to do fly to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in a 25 hour whirlwind trip this weekend, and I got two books finished:
Counted Righteous in Christ by John Piper, I started in 2007 and it has been a deep struggle to comprehend and understand.
Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard, I picked up used and 60% off and let's just say "it was interesting".
Here is a throw-back book I finished at the end of last year, 2008. I never got it on the blog, so here is to forgetfulness. I really enjoyed reading this book (written before the national election in November) and specifically about the unbiased writing of Mansfield. He (to my lack of knowledge) expounded greatly on the controversy of Obama's previous pastor, Reverend Wright. I am interested (and have obtained) others books by Mansfield regarding former President George W. Bush and current Pope Benedict XVI.
Wow, Easter has passed and the summer is just around the corner. I am five weeks away from our summer missionaries coming in on Memorial Day for the 10 weeks of Summer at Intracoastal Outreach! We have around 800 volunteers coming in as well throughout those 10 weeks which divide out into about 25-30 different churches. PRAISE THE LORD. We have prayed hard and worked very hard recruiting this year and are looking at about 250 more volunteers than in 2008 in our summer and spring break ministries.
I had the opportunity to go with some adults and students from the First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach to the country of Wales April 4-11, and the time we shared with the students there was a great experience as we shared Christ and hung out with them. I did a lot of serving and praying which was a little different for me but I was glad to just be a part of the team.
I am adding two books to the library that have i have completed and read in the past two months. I have a goal of one book to read every month, so lets see how much I can exceed that goal like I did last year:
I was able to read this one on my trip to New Orleans to take the PhD entrance exam and to do the department interview. What an incredible book and insight to the "call" I have experienced like many others who faithfully serve in ministry. Iorg pointedly and thoroughly explains the difference between how every Christian is to be a minister and those who are "called" to be ministers in ministry leadership. Great read, well written, and a must for those who feel God's calling and those who may be questioning theirs.
I got this one read on the Wales trip, and had to finish up the ending this afternoon. This was a great read for those who are stuck and complacent in their student ministry endeavors. Nothing really new, but more of an insight into how to move from shallow complacent student ministry to life-changing and tranformational ministry to today's students. With personal victories and struggles along with testimonials from those in the trenches, Clark and Powell provide a worthy read to encourage student ministry leaders (adults, ministers, and students) to continue on in their students lives for the purpose of mature Christian growth!
NEWS: PhD process is continuing, I have done the application, taken the entrance exam, and have had the interview. The committee meets end of the month, and I hope to hear something from them soon. I will keep you updated. For those of you who do not know, I am pursuing a PhD degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Christian Education. This will require three seminars a semester (Thursday noon - Saturday noon) on the campus.
I have had the opportunity to read a few books in the new year thus far. Here they are, and look for others to be added soon as i have a couple I'm reading to finish:
Zigarelli, a professor at Charleston Southern University, illustrates a number of principles to influence people like Jesus. There are a lot of principles, and plenty of examples in which to lead and influence others in the name and for the glory of Jesus Christ. Maybe a great book for the businessman or the church staff person interested in leadership, but I'd probably not use it for small group study. Thanks Zigarelli for bring the principles of the Word to the area of leadership, and go bucs!
This is our ICO summer staff 2009 book. Grieger (co-author of Simple Church with Thom Rainer) accurately delves into 1 Peter 2:9-11 and how our identity should be found in Christ and Him alone. He uses this verse to show Christian and non-Christian how intimately involved God the Creator is involved with man His creation. I am very excited to use this book to encourage and challenge our summer missionaries this summer as we seek together to find our all in Christ Jesus.
In effort to continue the tremendously successful rebuilding of the Big Easy, the New Orleans Marriott has launched "Build & Bond," offering voluntourism groups a special nightly rate of $84, including all taxes. This rate is based on an occupancy of one to four, which could bring the price per person, per night as low as $21.
"Build & Bond" makes it easy for groups visiting New Orleans for mission trips. It offers a resource kit including information on area transportation companies and city guides; a complimentary meeting room, where the group can congregate to discuss and plan the day ahead; complimentary parking for 15-passenger vans; 50 percent off parking for personal vehicles and discounted pricing for box lunches to keep volunteers fueled "on the job." For guests in need of some direction about where to lend a hand, "Build & Bond" provides recommendations on a variety of local volunteer organizations so do-good guests can plan where to donate their time.
For more information about the New Orleans Marriott or to book "Build & Bond," call 504.553.5526.
4. TO WHAT AREAS OF SERVICE HAS GOD CALLED YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR MINISTRY GOALS?
Over the past ten years, I have really felt God’s call to the area of student ministry.I can not seem to get away from my passion for students, even when I have tried.There is a connection I feel for students, for their culture, and their hurts, from one extreme to the other.When I pursued the undergraduate degree in youth ministry from Charleston Southern University, my ideal job would have been to travel all around the world speaking to students (whether in churches, schools, big events, etc.).When I began seminary and throughout seminary, the possibility of teaching youth ministry really touched me in very special kind of way.In my past almost nine years of ministry, God has allowed me to do a myriad of ministries all relating to students in some facet.I have had the opportunities to serve an internship under a Music/Youth Minister, do some travel speaking to student groups (football teams, D-now, youth nights, etc.), in addition to Singles (mostly college and young adult) and Student Minister positions.
Currently, as a resort missionary with the North America Mission Board and serving on the associational staff, I work with youth ministers and directors and assist them in their mission trip in my mission field, Myrtle Beach, SC.Our summer missionaries are high school and collegiate students who sacrifice ten weeks of their summer to serve the Lord sharing Christ’s Message and Love.I travel a good bit educating people that missions is possible (at all ages) and I attend a few mission conferences on college campuses encouraging students to be involved in mission work.I have the opportunity as a young adult to reach out to students in over seventy churches that make up our association with the platform of missions, in addition to speaking to the over five hundred students we have each summer four nights a week in our services.
I have written a number a number of times that my passion is threefold: youth/college/evangelism.This passion has been and continues to be evident in my pursuit of God and in Him allowing me to serve Him in ministry.When I came to serve in Myrtle Beach, my vision has been this: “To empower, excite, and equip local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment”.This has been my focus in all audiences of people that I have spoken to in my time as US/C2 resort missionary, whether that be a Wednesday night youth group, WMU ladies luncheon, associational meeting, men’s breakfast, missions celebration week, or a pre-project weekend for summer ministry leaders.This vision and my three-fold passion come hand in hand—loving people and sharing Christ with them.
5. GIVE YOUR EDUCATIONAL GOALS.WHAT IS YOUR REASONS FOR PURSUING THIS DEGREE?
For much of my life, I thought college was an absolute, and then through much of college, I knew seminary was even absolute.Then to the end of seminary and with the hope of graduation, I was really excited about getting on the field and closing the study books for a time.It was been an amazing experience to serve Southern Baptists as a missionary appointed by the North American Mission Board.Further, it has been incredible to serve a two year appointment with an extension in this resort ministry field, Myrtle Beach, SC.I have learned numerous elements, concepts, and valuable tools to reach unbelievers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Halfway through my appointment, I began to realize (yet again) my desire to help assist in the training of future ministry leaders and servants.Each summer, I immensely enjoy leading summer ministries through our summer program and teaching them ministry development through their experience in resort missions here at the beach.
Even with a un-desirable verbal score on the GRE this past Friday, I fully believe that God has led me to apply for a PhD.Many have encouraged me, and affirmed me in this time commenting they could see me in this particular role/ministry.I intend on using this PhD to attain a teaching position on a Christian College campus to help empower, excite, and equip men and women(in certain positions) to be pastors, leaders in this world, and specifically student ministry ministers and leaders.I want to use this PhD to reach students with the same vigor and influence that those like my parents, student minister, professors, and Godly adults had on me.
This PhD is far beyond me by any imagination.Honest, the thought of PhD scares me.I have wrestled and thought about this decision for a very long time, but time and time again I really been moved by the Holy Spirit that this will not be mine, but His.If I was to walk across the stage in the chapel in a few years, I would know without a shadow of a doubt that this degree would be by His grace and favor alone.I want to use this for His glory and to continue making Him known in my life, in the community around me, the among the globe in the places he Has allowed (and will continue to allow) me to go, and for the furthering of student ministry leader development in the years to come.
3. SHARE ELEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. TELL ABOUT YOUR CALL TO MINISTRY.
My Spiritual development has been influenced early on through Christian parents, Christian education, and the involvement in a local church. I learned as a middle and high school student more and more about what spiritual faith looked liked in a practical way through my student minister at church, Danny Wilson. It was very common growing up that everyone said that I would become a preacher one day. To this day, I reflect back on his counsel, friendship, and commitment to me as a student that has helped me to be a man of service and real faith for Jesus Christ. He modeled for me a Christian marriage (in addition to my parents), an authentic walk with Jesus, and the importance of excellence in ministry. He took me places, showed me trust, and at times allowed me to have responsibility in different aspects of our student ministry.
In the Summer of 1996 (after my freshman year in high school) I attended a World Changers mission project in Charleston, West Virginia. It was during this week that I really felt God’s providential and guiding hand on my life and surrendered to the ministry. Some call it ministry leadership, others call it full time Christian ministry and service… call it what you will, but it was there that God got a hold of me and to this day, I have never been the same. It was as clear as it could be, and it was here that I knew that God had set me a part to serve Him vocationally as a minister. In college, I pursued a Youth Ministry major because I fully believed that my call to ministry was to help students (middle school, high school, and collegiate) know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to guide them in a real and growing relationship in Jesus Christ. Throughout much of my experience in college as youth intern, summer missionary, singles minister, student revival/d.now/bcm speaker, and as student minister, I have had countless number of people in my life affirm and encourage my call and passion for ministry on numerous occasions. I enjoyed ministry both in the church and on my Christian campus where unbelieving students went to school. Over these years I have learned much from those of whom I worked and studied under (i.e. Pastors, Youth Ministers, Professors, Campus Ministers, Missionaries).
In my seminary time, I learned a lot about sacrifice and surrender. Hurricane Katrina taught me a lot of people and a great deal about myself. I really began to learn that everyone has a story, but the greatest story I have tell is the most important thing in my life, and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. My life verse has been for a couple of years now 1 Corinthians 10:31, when Paul stated, “Therefore, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all for the glory of God”. I believe and will go to my grave confessing that my life should be lived for the Glory of God. Before all people, at all times, and in all things, my life should worship Jesus Christ. I have had men and women who loved God in my life model this passage for me, and so I want to model this cry of Paul’s for generations to come.
1. EXPLAIN YOUR CONVERSION EXPERIENCE.INCLUDE YOUR AGE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC.
At a very early age, (in addition to local church involvement) I attended a non-denominational Christian school, and every summer I grew up going to children’s camp at Bonnie Doone Plantation (owned and operated by the Charleston Baptist Association) in Walterboro, South Carolina.I accepted Christ Jesus as my personal, Lord and Savior one night at our camp chapel at the age of eight.That night, I will never forget.It was this night that I responded in faith to my Savior, Jesus Christ.I knew I was a sinner in need of forgiveness.I believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross for my sins and I confessed my sins to Him.I committed my life to Him that night, and I have never been the same since then.
About a year later, I (along with my brother) was baptized on the last night of our church’s revival.I understood that baptism was an outward expression of an inward change—a relationship with Jesus Christ—but the fear I had of water kept me from immediately getting baptized.With a desire for God to use my life in extraordinary proportion and realizing I experienced salvation at the age of eight, I rededicated my life at the age of thirteen.It was here at my first youth camp, the summer after my seventh grade year in a new public school that I began to realize that salvation in Christ was a daily commitment to a daily relationship with my best friend, Jesus Christ.Jesus became for me more than a religion, but an intimate, growing, vital, and real relationship that would cultivate into daily study of His Word and a continued commitment to church and service.
2. DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND
I have grown up in a loving, Christian home.My father and mother are examples of Godly faith and perseverance.My father and mother has been active in local church work throughout their lives individually and their marriage together.My father has found his employments, whether he was a insurance salesman, shipyard pipe fitter, air force reserve man, or supply manager for FortJackson, to be his mission field.He has served his church families well as deacon, pulpit supply preacher, small group host, or Sunday school teacher.My mother has found her employment, as a public hospital nurse on the mother and baby floor, to be her mission field for over thirty years.She, as well, has been an active servant in her church families with my father, as nursery workers, vacation Bible school teacher, youth camp cook, and mission trip participant.
One of the many things I do as a missionary is preach at local churches. This past Sunday (yesterday) was just a little different. I didn't preach my usual third sermon to a church that had already heard me twice before. I actually hadn't preached the sermon since about seven years ago.
It was awkward. It just was. I really thought all week that I would talk about the Greatest Commandment and how God wants us to love Him and the second like it, love others more than we love ourselves. But something just didn't seem to fit.
Sunday a week ago the guest preacher (and my supervisor who is the Director of Mission) talked about "how deep is your love" so I thought a sermon on love would just continue the thought he shared with the congregation last week. I thought that could work, but something deep within just was not quite right. Then i thought of tying in the adulteress woman's story and the call to love we have and add the Shema (the Jewish confession of faith) found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
So in stuggle and wrestling, I changed my sermon Saturday early evening. I decided to shoot back 7 years ago this month to the very sermon I had written in manuscript and spoken orally for a class grade in homiletics during j-term. And then the thought hit me-- what if everyone in the audience and myself took off our shoes before I preached (just after we read the text of Moses and the burning bush) the Exodus 3:1-9 text.
Ridiculous, unheard of, very far-fetched (yes, to all of those). But it worked. The following is the church's website where you can watch the special soloist and myself preach: http://www.langstonbaptist.com/ondemand/ for a good look at all the shoes at the alter of the church, forward to 12 minutes 3 seconds.
The sermon wasn't the best, and I know it. It was within the text, accurate to the best of my ability, but just not my best. I think though, looking back, the text hit home because the church experienced the text.
Maybe I'm rambling, but it's my blog anyhow. I just thought for down the road, someone may have a very far-fetched idea like I had, and maybe know that sometimes God works in far-fetched ways to get His people to experience His Word.
ps. By the way, the church also held baby dedication. The gentleman who led this dedication time (as the church is without a Pastor), read the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 text. God is "I AM"!
Two stories of two people who made me remember 2008:
Number One: I was really impressed with one of our summer missionaries whose name was Courtney Spiers.If you could have a model missionary to serve on your staff as far as knowing the Bible, telling the Bible, and devoted to the Bible… she was the one!As I and some of the summer missionaries traveled each week to our WBA churches, I always enjoyed hearing Courtney share her testimony and how she had grown up in Mission Friends, GA’s, and Acteens learning about missionaries (praying for them, writing to them, etc.).That part of her story coupled with the Acts 1:8 scripture that she shared really made me thank God for her testimony of her mission desire to make Christ known all around the world.The way she related the Bible to kids at day camp and even to collegiate lifeguards was a true sign of her relationship to Christ and His Word.She was a good people person, hard worker, good staffer, but ultimately she was used by God because she had a clear and right upbringing that made her want to know Christ, His Word, and to share it with people around her.
Number two: Every opportunity I have to present my ICO presentation before people, I speak of one who I respect and love more in each passing day.She is the best missionary to lifeguards that I know.Her heart and passion for lifeguards gets stronger and stronger each year and she has done it for many years, and just this month she turns 70 years old.Her name is Beady Moore and she helps coordinate the suppers in the FBC of North Myrtle Beach each week during the summer.To the lifeguards, she is known respectfully as the “Church Lady” and she loves her lifeguard hugs as they come in each week and as they depart.One of the added benefits of my position has been to work with Beady and get to know her personally.She’s a volunteer minister (basically) at her church.If its ministry in any shape or form, Beady has got a part in it… dedicated and active in her local church.Her resume includes many years of service and ministry and even missions, both locally-statewide-internationally.I had a lunch with Beady about a month after the Summer to talk about our summer lifeguard ministries/suppers and what we can do better to reach the lifeguards in a greater way.I wish you could have gone with me, to hear the stories and concerns, to hear a person whose faith has been challenged, yet she spoke with full faith and confidence in her Lord.Maybe I’ve made a mark on her life, but the mark on mine she has made is bigger and better.
Richland Northeast High School has many many memories for me. One of which will always Terry McCoy whom we affectionately called "T-MAC"!
Whom I personally studied under while at RNE and am forever grateful for are TMAC and Mrs. Barbara Thomson.
The following is today's post from the Greenville Newspaper regarding the life, accomplishment, and memory of one whom today I will greatly miss:
"Long-time educator, Terry McCoy of Columbia, died Sunday.
Mr. McCoy, 61, was student activities director at Richland Northeast High School and executive director of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils. A native of Easley, Mr. McCoy was born on August 4, 1947. Following a short illness, Mr. McCoy had spent the past week at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.
An English and French teacher with 40 years' experience, Mr. McCoy was a respected mentor to student government leaders throughout South Carolina. Today, there are countless civic, community and business leaders who first learned their lessons of service from Mr. McCoy, affectionately known to many of them as "T-Mac". An eloquent speaker of both languages that he taught, Mr. McCoy impressed on his students the value of precision in English. He passed this passion on to the many students who have served on his award-winning school yearbook staffs.
A towering figure with a beautiful bass voice, Mr. McCoy was a true gentleman who fostered courtesy among those around him. Each of the events, he touched bore his personal stamp, as he oversaw the many details that together made those occasions successful and memorable for the participants and spectators. As Richland Northeast's first student activities director, Mr. McCoy leaves a legacy of such events he created, including the Miss Richland Northeast pageant and the school's commencement ceremony, among many others.
At Richland Northeast, Mr. McCoy established the student government, a leadership effort that is nationally recognized for its success. Student life at the school has been immeasurably enriched by Mr. McCoy's efforts. Prior to coming to Richland Northeast at the school's opening, Mr. McCoy taught at Spring Valley and Dentsville high schools. For his efforts in Richland School District Two, Mr. McCoy was in 2005 presented the Richland School District Two Unsung Hero Award.
Mr. McCoy was a devoted and active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as bass soloist and section leader in the Chancel Choir for 25 years. In 1991, he served as chairman of the committee to adopt the new Presbyterian Hymnal. His good will and humor were credited with making the task a smooth one. Mr. McCoy has been a member of the Carolina Chorale and the Arpad Darazs Singers. In addition, for several seasons he was a leading member of the bass section in the Palmetto Mastersingers.
Among several solos he had with the group, many of its members recall his infectious rendering of "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas".
Mr. McCoy was an avid Gamecock fan and a loyal supporter of the Richland Northeast Cavaliers. He enjoyed the fellowship of a group of teachers and friends who went to dinner and Cavalier games together on Friday nights. His love of sports was nurtured as a young man keeping score for a local textile league baseball team in his hometown.
Especially admired for his efforts to develop high quality student councils, Mr. McCoy was a member of the National Association of Student Councils, the National Association of Workshop Directors and National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors. He served as a mentor to new executive directors of the NASSCED and was on the organization's executive board. Mr. McCoy was a member of the Southern Association of Student Councils, one of the oldest student council organizations in the naation.
Prior to assuming the role of executive director of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils in 1985, Mr. McCoy was the assistant executive director for three years. Under Mr. McCoy's direction, the organization's state summer leadership training camp has grown to capacity, training hundreds of students in leadership skills. Many participants fondly recall their experiences at the camp, commonly referred to among them as "Cherry Grove" for the location in which it is held.
In 2007, Mr. McCoy developed the first Middle School Student Council Workshop in South Carolina, which is held in January in conjunction with the SCASC Advisors' Workshop.
Mr. McCoy was recognized for his service to student councils with the 1994 nomination for the Southern Association of Student Councils Advisor of the Year; the 1995 SCASC Advisor of the Year; the 1996 NASC South Carolina Warren E. Shull winner and the 2003 NASC/NAWD Earl Reum Award - Region 3 winner. In 2007, Mr. McCoy was recognized at the state convention for 30 years of service to SCASC.
A 1965 graduate of Easley High School, Mr. McCoy graduated in 1969 from the University of South Carolina. He was a former treasurer of the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers Association.
Mr. McCoy was preceded in death by his parents, Troy E. and Varo McCoy. He is survived by two sisters, Dot M. Brown and Glenda M. Cannon and husband, Buddy, all of Easley; three nieces, Tomi Lane, Linda Adams and Teresa Bearden; and a nephew, Glenn Cannon; two great-nephews, Heath Lane and Bradley Cannon; three great-nieces, Kelli Hunt, Leslie Mousa and Marlee Cannon; two great-great-nephews, Kaleb Land and Kolton Lane; and a great-great-niece, Cadence Mousa.
Private graveside services will be at a later date at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Rev. Jeff Mousa officiating.
The family requests that memorials to Mr. McCoy be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or the Terry A. McCoy Leadership Scholarship, c/o the Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204."
It has been awhile since i last put a blog post up so i thought a Sunday afternoon one would be a good time for one. I've got all the gifts bought, well except for Grandma who is always the person i need Mom's help with in buying. But I'm getting very excited, even though it does not seem like Christmas is 18 days away. It's been a slow month thus far and it appears as it will be a slow one all the way through, which I am thankful for!
I don't know if I've ever quoted Reverend Billy Graham on my blog, but i thought the following excerpt was worth it:
In his recent letter to supporters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham writes: "I also told my friend that my main reaction as I have approached my 90th birthday has been one of deep gratitude and thankfulness. For seven decades, my calling has been to preach the simple message of the Gospel: that God loves us, that He sent His Son into the world to take away our sins by His death on the cross, that we can be forgiven adn reconciled to God through faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, that through Him we can have hope--hope for a new life right now, and hope for a joyous eternity with Him in Heaven"
More Books I've Read for 2008: I read at least one Lucado book a year, and usually it is not the current one! Facing your Giants gives a character look at the popular Old Testament figure David. Born a shepherd boy who later becomes King, Lucado drives the reader to see the successes and flaws of not just David but his/hers as well.
She may not be Liberal American's favorite, but she has instilled tenacity and a new wave of GOP leadership into American politics. This book gives a touching history and background of the Sarah Palin many know but don't know much about! Definite read if you enjoy US politics.
I usually don't read books very fast, as comprehension is a difficult for me; however, this book and the book above and below were all read in a matter of a few sit-downs. Mouw, though sometimes a little inclusive in his theology of salvation, describes an accurate description of anyone who describes to a non or pro calvinistic theology. What description would that be? Love! How important it is to love others like Christ loves us no matter where we agree, disagree, or agree to disagree!
Some of you may or may not know, but dad allowed us (randy and I) to watch professional wrestling growing up. To this day I do enjoy the matches and hoolah of wrestlers both on and off the mat. But by far, Sting has been my favorite ever since I can remember. This autobiographical looks shows how a man so well-known and involved in a world-ly lifestyle turned to place his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Read it in about 3 hours.
" I have checked this out onTruthorfiction.com and on Snopes.com. This is true and even though I will have little effect on ABC News revenue I do plan on being careful to not view any program that is on ABC and boycott, if at all possible, the sponsors of ABC. Barbara Walters said that this was going to hurt ABC bad. As you know she works for ABC.
ABC NEWS BANS FLAG LAPEL PINS!
YESTERDAY THE BRASS AT ABC NEWS ISSUED ORDERS FORBIDDING REPORTERS TO WEAR LAPEL PIN AMERICAN FLAGS OR OTHER PATRIOTIC INSIGNIA. THEIR REASONING WAS THAT ABC SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL ABOUT 'CAUSES'.
SINCE WHEN IS SUPPORT FOR PREVENTING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION SOME SORT OF A 'CAUSE'? SINCE WHEN IS PATRIOTISM TO BE DISCOURAGED?
I URGE YOU TO BOYCOTT ABC AND ITS SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES. WE ARE SLOWLY LOSING EVERYTHING OUR COUNTRY STANDS FOR AND EVERYTHING OUR MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE!
I admire Walt Mueller to a great extent. His concern for media and students has been enjoyed on my part since I started seminary in 2004. Here is a recent thought off of his blog concerning our post-election rollercoaster:
"According to some people, the world ended at around 11pm last Tuesday night. Now, these people are depressed, down-in-the-dumps, morose, etc. Many of these people are fellow followers of Christ. I've even heard some of these people speculate on whether or not Barack Obama might be the Antichrist. By the way, I've been around long enough to have heard the same about other Antichrists dujour.
According to other people, the world began at 11pm last Tuesday night. It appeared to me that many of the people who descended on Grant Park and other places around the country to celebrate Obama's victory were heralding "good tidings" of "great joy," almost as if the Savior had come.
I understand that these seem like blanket overstatements on my part. However, they capture the two ends of response on the 2008 electoral spectrum. I voted. I won't tell you how I voted. Some of my fellow believers would be happy with my vote. Others might think I'm off my rocker. I know because I've had these discussions. As I voted, I tried to do so through the lens of my Biblical world and life view. Sure, that perspective informed the issues for me and directed my decision on who to vote for. But even more than that, it gave me perspective. So as the sudden void of a 24/7 barrage of political messages and posturing has left me with more time to think, I'd like to share some perspective. . . for the simple reason that I think our responses to the election are often indicators of a lack of faith and Christian maturity, rather than a sign of faith and Christian maturity.
So. . . . my thoughts. . . .not exhaustive. . . . and certainly not very deep. . .
God's got this all under control. He's taking our country and world where He wants it to be. To those who think that it's all starting to fall apart due to the election results, you need to realize that it was all falling apart a long time ago. And if we are proud enough to believe that it wasn't all shattered until now. . . well, that's just a sign that our own falling apart led us to accept and believe a delusion. Which is, of course, proof positive that it's all fallen apart. In my own humble opinion that's based on my own personal experience. . . I think we feel good about the country when we feel good. And feeling good is predicated on the chicken in our own pot and the car in our own garage. It's symptomatic of our deeply embedded North American materialism, which is - by the way - epidemic in the church and our homes. Maybe, just maybe, a crisis that would shatter our idols and force us to our knees in dependence on God is just what the Creator ordered and just what we need for the sake of our own spiritual growth.
If God's in control, then we don't need to be afraid. So. . . . why are we? Perhaps we should be spending less time complaining about the change we think is about to come, and more time looking in the mirror at the changes that need to come in our own lives based on our fear. . . . including a little more dependence on God.
Government can't save us. Numerous societies have been down that road all throughout history, and it's never worked. Those who think Obama is the Savior are wrong. And those who think that Obama is the opposite are equally wrong. . . . simply because their despair is an indicator of the fact that they have relied on the political status quo to save them (whatever that means), and now that the political status quo has moved them from a place of comfort to discomfort, the world and their lives are doomed. Either way is idolatrous. . . replacing the Creator with something created.
Let's say Obama is the Antichrist as some Christians believe (and there's no way of really knowing is there?). Do we really think that our vote could have changed God's grand plan to redeem His world and work out what He's had in store for all eternity in His way and His time?
Maybe the most valuable thing to come out of this election is the truth about ourselves. We live in a media saturated world with a media that's saturated by spin. Fair and balanced? I don't think it exists anywhere or at either end of the spectrum. Yet, we still buy into it when it caters to our leanings. Truth is, as well, that our world is hungry for the Redeemer. Obama won't do it. And truth is, as well, that the component of the church that placed their faith in McCain and Palin are equally wrong. Don't misread what I'm saying so that you hear me say that however you voted you were wrong. I'm simply saying that many on both sides have placed their faith in people and things that don't warrant our allegiance.
So, for the next two months and some days our responsibility as God-following citizens of this country is to live under the authority of our current leaders as long as they don't require us to disobey the authority of our Lord. In addition, we should be praying for the President and all others in authority. And, when the new administration takes over, these commitments must continue.
And remember, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Finally, I knew my blog title would catch your attention..."
The weekend didn't turn out like I had planned. Wednesday I left from Myrtle and drove to Raleigh to catch a flight to New Orleans. I had intended on looking into PhD work at the seminary, spend the weekend with my family and our friends, fly back to Raleigh Monday morning, and then head back to Myrtle late afternoonish. For some reason Gustav came...Knowing what happened three years ago as the entire Gulf Coast looked at Katrina beckoning its devestation in a category five kind of way, I speedily called UNITED (my LEAST favorite airline in America) and was blessed to get a seat on the noon flight on Friday. Flying into Washington just makes me nervous because destiny had it for the catering truck to hit the airplane.
So...NO extra planes for the over eighty passengers so that sent us to customer service line, and i was proud to be the second in line. A quick nights stay at the Hyatt and an early Saturday morning proved another airline (US Airways, woohoo) with a layover in Charlotte (CLT) and a 11:15am arrival into Raleigh. I would like to take a brief moment to thank Ryan and Melissa for their traveling agency logistics for me during all the above.
So is life... you can make the best of plans for the best mini-vacation you can get, but God's way is always going to be done whether you or I like it or not, and even WITHOUT those delicious beignets i just love to eat my fill of when I'm in the city of Nawlins.
PRAY FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, PRAY FOR THE NEW ORLEANS BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, AND THE BEACON OF HOPE AND LIGHT FOR CHRIST THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AS THEY MINISTER IN THE AREA, YET AGAIN!
I'm adding FOUR more books read to the list and here they are:
Yaconelli is the co-creator of Youth Specialties and had an adventurous life as a radical believer in Jesus Christ. You will read of his heart for people to not just know Christ but to experience the joy and satisfaction we know only remains in Christ. This is a little of the box, and a great picture of Grace and how believers are to model grace to this society and culture.
What a great book and instilling of the notion to just say NO! Fields raises specific and soul-searching questions that will engage the reader in his/her ministry, whatever it may be. Quick, easy, and yet so powerful!
A great read for smaller churches with only one pastor. Not only does it encourage one's call to pastor and lead a small flock, but also a reminder to large and mega church pastors of the sacrifice many make in the smaller field for the cause of Christ!
This is your typical "how i communicate or preach" book and it was a really good read. I read it back in March on a plane to Texas for another NAMB missionary week, I just kept forgetting to put it on this piece. I haven't heard Stanley speak a full sermon, but I know this books is years of trying, messing up, and finding out something worked for his communication style.
And on a side note: For those of us who loved www.CampusI.com for our book needs, they changed the named to: www.dealoz.com
Here are two books I finished this Summer and another two i completed in the Spring:
Great read if you want something out-of-the-box. For fans of Blue Like Jazz (which I read last fall) and anything thats not your typical-christian-living pick up. My friend Richard said it was great and one of the best he had read in awhile, it was good just not the best.
In my vain efforts to try and figure out the opposite sex, i tried my yearly relationship book and it was pretty decent. It was a little repetitive but short and to the point in some areas. Thinking ladies should read it, too!
It has been a long time coming, but back to one of my favorite authors in my library. I had been wanting this book since it came out 2 years ago at the Lifeway I was working at, and i was able to pick it up for $5 a the five buck christian bookstore at tanger. AWESOME READ!
I started this one last summer in July and I finished it around late April, finally. It was probably the longest book I've ever read cover to cover (besides the Bible) and the persistence paid off. What a great history of the work and movement of the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. EVERY Southern Baptists needs to read this!
a. How old were you when you answered the call to ministry?
I was 15 years old when I accepted my call to full time Christian ministry and service. This calling occurred at a World Changers mission week in Charleston, West Virginia, just weeks after I finished my freshman year in high school. I will never ever forget it. I have reflected often on this time and this commitment to my Savior and I today rejoice in that He called me… even me!
b. How did you know you were called to ministry?
Many things occurred after my call to ministry. Godly parents, Sunday school teachers, Christian adults, and leaders affirmed me in my decision. Through lots of prayer, reading God’s Word and getting in on the actual doing of ministry and service that God calls us to, helped affirm the call for my life to serve Him in Christian vocation.
c. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you answered God’s call?
Following Christ isn’t easy. When Christ told His disciples to deny themselves and to take up their cross, the same is true today. People will not agree with your call to follow and answer God’s call. There will be what seems to be better things to do with your time and your money, but a call to Christ is a call to deny self. You will meet more people than you ever wanted to know, go places you never knew existed, and experience things you will never think imaginable as you walk and delight yourself in Him.
d. What is the best advice you would give a student entering the ministry today?
Love God with all that you have, Love others more than you love yourself, and live a life of Love. Ministry exists because people exist. If there were no people, there would be no ministry. If you and I can’t love the people that God has put in front of us, than our ministry will never affect the Kingdom of God. Throughout the Scripture, we see Jesus loving people, ministering to people, touching people, healing people, and teaching them about the Kingdom. Be a Kingdom person who loves like the King does!
I recognize that I have not blogged since March 26th and that is tragic!
2008 has been thus far an incredible faith journey in Christ. Tonight as I sit and type this blog entry, I have been reflecting and thinking of the events/situations/experiences of the past months that make my journey difficult and astounding all at the same time.
This summer I am continuing to speak to students in our ministry four nights a week in our resort missions INTRACOASTAL OUTREACH. You have to understand, that these four weekly talks I have thought about since last summer concluded. The idea of "love" is our theme this year and it has been a personally interesting journey in seeking God's Word and really hearing from Him in which passages to speak from for the evening services at our Holiday Inn West hotel.
I am not one to talk about relationships, dating, and the time in which LOVE springs forth in those life events. I hope i never have to really, because it seems to me that everyone has their opinion (with Scripture to back them up of course) and I'm just not going there. There are so many other things about LOVE that I read and am personally convicted of throughout the Bread of Life.
My friend Wil Owens once wrote a book and noted, "The sure sign of intimacy with God is that our circumstances do not change our passion to know God and dwell in His presence." Love and intimacy - now there are two words that go hand-in-hand!
This spring has been an up-and-down time of highs and lows which have really made me think on how "I love those around me". LOVE is one of the greatest gifts we have from God, not only to love ourselves, love others, but most importantly to Love the Lord our God! I'm so glad that despite what happens in this life, God will always love me. I'm thrilled to know that despite my inadequacies, failures, weaknesses, mistakes, and mess-ups, that God will still love me.
3 weeks ago today my aunt, Linda Watford, went to the medical university of South Carolina to have a heart valve replaced. The surgery was successful, with no complications, and my family waited patiently for her to wake up. somewhere between that Wednesday, march 5 and the following sunday, march 9 my aunt Linda suffered a stroke which went undetected until doctors ran a ct scan.
Currently, my aunt is awake and is making progress. very slowly. As of last Wednesday she can move her head, her left arm, left leg, and can smile if the right joke is cracked. The last i heard on Tuesday was that she is now supporting her head on her own, somewhat. that's a big deal.
We don't know how much motion or cognizance she will recover, or how quickly. it's a waiting game to a large degree.
I am posting all this, and will continue to give updates, so that anyone who reads it will see the needs of my family and will pray for my aunt Linda, her husband Don, their son Brian and his family, their daughter Heather and her family, and all of our extended family.
I love my aunt! She provided for me a lot in college and she is probably the closest person to me in my extended family, and i ask for your prayerful support for my family during this time.
(thanks Randy for putting this all into words and for letting me revise this for my blog)
Some of you i know check daily for updates on this piece just awaiting a newfound thought and inspiration from me..... just kidding! It has been awhile so I think a note will be justice for each of you:)
It has been an incredible years already, and i have traveled many miles already. Ministry as a US/C2 missionary is fascinating, and we found out on Thursday that I have been approved to serve for an extra year, so i guess they can call me the US/C3 now... i dunno.
Many of you know that we lost our Group Coordinator at Intracoastal Outreach back in August for another position, so we went August - First of February without one. I am so thankful for a new Group Coordinator in our office and the work Kristyn will do for our ministry as we strive to grow and build ICO for the Kingdom.
Here's a funny story: This morning I preached at one of our WBA churches out in Galivants Ferry. I preached on Job as a man of Faith out of the first two chapters in the book of Job and concluded in the latter part of the end in chapter 42. I left the church after the service to head back this way to the beach, already having planned to eat at Zaxby's for lunch (cause i had this taste for good chicken fingers). So here I was driving down the road and i felt this thing in my pocket. I was like, 'don't tell me i left the church with the wireless microphone'. Sure enough, I had done just that. Figuring I'd call the pastor (who was on his way back from vacation) sometime this afternoon, I was to focused on eating lunch because preaching makes me really hungry. As I am eating my lunch inside at the Zaxby's place, one of the students in the church gets out of his truck and comes in to order. I get his attention, ask him if he is going back to church tonight, and he replied that he was. I then asked him, laughing on the inside of course, if he would do me a favor by taking the microphone back to the church. Immediately he called his pastor (thankfully the pastor did not answer), because he just couldn't believe I 'stole' the church's mic. Funny story, and I thought you'd get a kick out of it.
I've been to three conferences already, and i fly out this Friday for a NAMB event, where I'll speak five times about the ministry (Intracoastal Outreach) that I'm a part of here in myrtle beach. One of my goals this year is to read a 'youth ministry' book each month, so a total of 12 for the year. Below are the two I have already read to reach my goal:
1. A New Kind of Student Ministry - by Chris Folmsbee
2. Love This! - by Andy Braner
Probably one of the greatest blessings of my ministry position is meeting new people and getting to know others more closely. The list below is some of those that I'm thankful for putting into my life over the past two months, and others who are constantly a part of my life in a special way:
Richard, Sarah, and Douglas Jenkins
Todd, Amy, Ellyn-Kate, Caroline, and Abby Wood
Waccamaw Baptist Association, all WBA pastors, and Brother Rick and Donna Astle
Renee Sullivan and Lee Avery
ICO's new group coordinator Kristyn Sewell (praise the Lord for her)
Ministry encouragers and partners like Larry Lemming and Amanda Bouchillon at Lowcountry Ministry
NAMB missionary-family like Randy and Jeannie Mullinax, other US/C2'ers Erika Holt and Michelle Bruss... and new friends like Chad Moore and Jennifer Mackey
Of course, i cannot be a miss to mention my bestest friends Ryan and Melissa Peduzzi who have a new found love for me and trekking Himalayan Mountains in Nepal :)
Caroline Wham, who sadly sunk the Hunley to get a ride in a silver Camry
and to wrap up a long list, every WMU lady who prays for me, those back home at North Trenholm and those everywhere who lift me up in prayer before the Father of Lights!
So to close this post on this sometimes-ever-so-slow-updating blog, I will end with a picture of Ryan and Melissa and I on the airplane from the country of Qatar headed to America! And please notice my shirt that shows the Yak-Yak-Yak-Yaks and Ryans hot red north face coat:)
