Remember

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3)

Last night in our Student Ministry we wrapped up the month of November with a message entitled, "Remember." It was a informational and educational teaching on what the Bible says about the poor and the persecuted. An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation. Now I'm not talking about 2,000 years ago, I'm talking about in todays time! Can you say, "wow"! What will we do about this information? Ignore it? Act like it doesn't exist? Act like it's not happening? Or pray! Or get involved! We choose to educate our teenagers about other teenagers worldwide who are suffering. Several of our teens did a illustrative skit of what it would be like to have radical muslims storm in a service and oppose the gospel! (Great job guys!)

For the month of December, we will have the opportunity to remember the poor through the Networkers ministry of Life Church. Join us as we go to the poorest of the poor in our area and hand out free groceries. We will also have the opportunity to visit local nursing homes and love on the elderly.

A Time to Reflect

I know we need to be doing this (being thankful) on a daily basis but with Thanksgiving upon us it is an even better time to reflect.

I know everybody has their on definition of "being rich" and according to my definition, I am.(not financially speaking.)

Top 10 Reasons Why I am Rich:

1) My salvation.
2) My wife.
3) My daughter.
4) My family.
5) My health to enjoy them with.
6)Opportunity to make a living.
7) My Pastor/Mentor/Friend
8) A few people I can trully call friends in my life.
9) God's planted me in the country (where i can hunt!)
10) I know who I am

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jail Ministry

I had the privilege of accompanying Ricky Nolan of Hope Street Ministries to preach in the Union Parish Detention Center in Farmerville, Louisiana last night. Bro.Rick and I have worked off and on for the past 5-6 years in jail/street ministry. Rick has served faithfully in these areas now for over 18 years.

It is such a "rush" to bring the gospel in such a dark place as we were. The gospel brings light and freedom no matter how dark a place is;no matter how oppressed a place is;no matter how bound the captives are,the gospel sets those free to whom receive it! It is encouraging to see the attentiveness and responsiveness of the inmates. Rick and I "tag teamed" preached and then had the honor to pray for over a dozen inmates, two of which recieved salvation for the first time.

I always have such a great time but am always grateful they let me out!

Just a little while longer

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. —2 Corinthians 4:17

During my devotion time this morning this verse really ministered to me. May it minister to those of you who are experiencing some type of trial or affliction. May you be encouraged to keep on keeping on and that it is just "alittle while longer." It's only temporary! Stay focused! Eyes on the goal! Stay the course!

Chew on the verse.

Last mile of current series...

LAST NIGHTS SERVICE

We had a powerful service in our Student Ministry last night as we completed the second part of our current series, "Speak the Language".

You know as I looked around last night I was encouraged to see a room full of teenagers. We haven't seen "explosive" growth over night but it has been consistent and it has been steady. I've seen teenagers develop into Godly leaders who are now and will lead one day. We have a great "team" of leaders that helps "get it done" every week. As I see more and more teenagers begin to respond to God's word and God's call to "come follow him" I am encouraged.

UPCOMING EVENTS

We will be playing an extreme game of paintball this Saturday at 1:00 P.M. at the Northgate Paintball off of I-165. We will all meet at the facility at 1:00 P.M. and will play until about 3:00 P.M. The church will cover the cost to get in ($8). Come sling some paint!

We wrap up our series next week on a message entitled, "The Rut"- Lust, Love, and Sex. We aren't holding anything back next week! Also, don't forget about the cool hunting giveaways we've been giving out each week! And yes, girls we have some for you as well!

I see dead deer...

"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature (deer) that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:28) paraphrase mine

The next several months are the most favorite of the year for me. You possibly will see my entrie wardrobe change to camouflage for a while. This past week was a full-filling one for me while I spent a few mornings and afternoons in the woods taking advantage of the cooler weather. Myself and my brother in law went hunting after the white-tailed deer this past week and three deer later...well, let's not get into a long story here. Let's just say we got our meat in the freezer so now it's time to hunt the big boys!

We continue with our current series for the month tomorrow night (Wednesday) with a message entitled, "Speak the Language". It is based out of I. Corinthians 10:22-23. "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

Now if I'm trying to call in a white-tailed deer would I use a turkey call? If I was trying to call in (reach) a turkey would I use a grunt call? Of course not! So why is it as Christians we do that when trying to reach the lost? Speak the language!

Come on out this Wednesday night where we will experience an encounter with the Holy Spirit through worship, a life changing message that only the Word of God could bring, awesome friendships, and cool giveaways!

See ya there!