Halloween Fun
Every year at Dollar Tree Stores, Inc we have an opportunity to dress up on Halloween. This year our department wanted to dress in a theme. The theme is Renaissance or Medieval. It's always fun to see who dresses up and who doesn't. I didn't want to spend the money so I put on an old pair of jeans, t-shirt, a baseball hat, and a pair of work boots and telling people I'm dressed as "Emanuel Labor." Below are some pictures of my co-workers.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
CHKD
Teresa and I have no children. We aren’t trying to have them nor are we trying not to have them. God hasn’t blessed us with them and we both feel that children are a blessing from God. God has given me a soft heart when it comes to children. When I hear news about a child being hurt or killed, I get mad and sad. Sometimes I feel the same way about adults but not very often.
Yesterday at around 4:40 PM Roger called me and asked me to go to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. A church member’s child was rushed there at 10:30 am in an ambulance and they wanted someone to come. He had another appointment at 5:30 pm that he couldn’t cancel. By this time, I had been home maybe 15 minutes and had put my house clothes on. I got the needed information and hung up the phone and got dressed.
We live maybe 5 minutes from the hospital so I got there and told the ER people that I was the family’s pastor and a security guard walked me to the room. The parents have been in this little room since 10:30 am (it was a little after 5 pm when I got there). They looked tired and worried. Little Trinity was just a crying because of the pain. She’s only 13 months old so this was how she showed her pain. The doctor in the room was awesome and was very caring. I was impressed. After the doctor left, I talked with the family and prayed with them. I stayed for about an hour and half. I left only after the grandfather arrived and the room was too small for 6 people so I left. I wanted to stay with the family until they had a room but I knew it was time to leave. I prayed with the family one more time and made sure they had my cell phone number in case they needed me again.
Please pray for little Trinity and her parents Jonathon and Crystal.
Teresa and I have no children. We aren’t trying to have them nor are we trying not to have them. God hasn’t blessed us with them and we both feel that children are a blessing from God. God has given me a soft heart when it comes to children. When I hear news about a child being hurt or killed, I get mad and sad. Sometimes I feel the same way about adults but not very often.
Yesterday at around 4:40 PM Roger called me and asked me to go to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. A church member’s child was rushed there at 10:30 am in an ambulance and they wanted someone to come. He had another appointment at 5:30 pm that he couldn’t cancel. By this time, I had been home maybe 15 minutes and had put my house clothes on. I got the needed information and hung up the phone and got dressed.
We live maybe 5 minutes from the hospital so I got there and told the ER people that I was the family’s pastor and a security guard walked me to the room. The parents have been in this little room since 10:30 am (it was a little after 5 pm when I got there). They looked tired and worried. Little Trinity was just a crying because of the pain. She’s only 13 months old so this was how she showed her pain. The doctor in the room was awesome and was very caring. I was impressed. After the doctor left, I talked with the family and prayed with them. I stayed for about an hour and half. I left only after the grandfather arrived and the room was too small for 6 people so I left. I wanted to stay with the family until they had a room but I knew it was time to leave. I prayed with the family one more time and made sure they had my cell phone number in case they needed me again.
Please pray for little Trinity and her parents Jonathon and Crystal.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Scary Religion
I was looking through SciFi.com and reading about the new Sci-Fi shows that are on the TV air these days and came across an article about the movie “The Haunting of Molly Hartley.” I have no plans to watch this movie but what the director (Mickey Liddell) says about how he came up with some of the stuff in the movie made me sad for him. He says, “I think religion is really scary. So I have a lot of religion in there [the movie]. Overzealous people about religion scare me a lot, on one side or the other, you know? So that's a theme that goes throughout the whole film. I grew up in Oklahoma, and it was always kind of scary growing up, and I remember I belonged to a Baptist church. In the Baptist Church you get baptized when you're, I don't know, 13 or 14 or something like that. And there's this big baptism that's up on a big wall. It's very theatrical. The lights are on it and everything, and the preacher takes you in there. You wear robes, and you go underneath, and the whole congregation watches you. And I always thought that was the scariest thing. Even when I was doing it, I wasn't really sure what I was doing, but it was what everyone else did. And I just thought it was really theatrical and really scary."
The sad part about this interview is not that he put a lot of what he believes (religion is scary) in his movie, but that the church he grew up in didn’t properly explain the whole idea of baptism. Baptism has nothing to do with salvation, but it’s about a picture of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. A person is baptized after they receive Christ as Savior. Baptism is a way for a newly saved person to show the world they are different; they are a new creature in Christ. Since the church Mickey Liddell grew up in baptized children without clearly explaining things, Mickey thinks all churches do this. My fear is that Mickey has a false sense of security so it’s doesn’t sounds (through this interview) that he has more than just religion.
Religion is itself can be scary because it’s empty. Being a Baptist and/or Christian has nothing to do with religion. Christianity is a relationship with God and Jesus Christ period.
I was looking through SciFi.com and reading about the new Sci-Fi shows that are on the TV air these days and came across an article about the movie “The Haunting of Molly Hartley.” I have no plans to watch this movie but what the director (Mickey Liddell) says about how he came up with some of the stuff in the movie made me sad for him. He says, “I think religion is really scary. So I have a lot of religion in there [the movie]. Overzealous people about religion scare me a lot, on one side or the other, you know? So that's a theme that goes throughout the whole film. I grew up in Oklahoma, and it was always kind of scary growing up, and I remember I belonged to a Baptist church. In the Baptist Church you get baptized when you're, I don't know, 13 or 14 or something like that. And there's this big baptism that's up on a big wall. It's very theatrical. The lights are on it and everything, and the preacher takes you in there. You wear robes, and you go underneath, and the whole congregation watches you. And I always thought that was the scariest thing. Even when I was doing it, I wasn't really sure what I was doing, but it was what everyone else did. And I just thought it was really theatrical and really scary."
The sad part about this interview is not that he put a lot of what he believes (religion is scary) in his movie, but that the church he grew up in didn’t properly explain the whole idea of baptism. Baptism has nothing to do with salvation, but it’s about a picture of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. A person is baptized after they receive Christ as Savior. Baptism is a way for a newly saved person to show the world they are different; they are a new creature in Christ. Since the church Mickey Liddell grew up in baptized children without clearly explaining things, Mickey thinks all churches do this. My fear is that Mickey has a false sense of security so it’s doesn’t sounds (through this interview) that he has more than just religion.
Religion is itself can be scary because it’s empty. Being a Baptist and/or Christian has nothing to do with religion. Christianity is a relationship with God and Jesus Christ period.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Run Away!
For me the best parts of the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” are when the characters are attacked and the king yells, “Run Away! Run Away!” in stead of retreat. To me it’s hilarious.
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, basically tells Timothy to “Run Away!” from youthful lusts. I’ve heard of men fall to sexual sin in the ministry and how easy it can be. I remember as a 24 year old single Youth Pastor in Richmond, VA asking the two older ladies who were the moms of the youth group to help me keep an eye on the girls. I’m like most guys; clueless when I’m hit on my women. These ladies had my back when it came to telling me which girls started looking at me with those eyes. When I knew who they were, I made it a point to be friendly but not too friendly so not to lead them on. I remember this one young lady who was moving away so she gave me a figurine to remember her by. It was weird the way she hugged me good-bye. I have never allowed myself to be left a lone with a female to make sure there is no doubt to anyone’s mind by my conduct.
This leads me to a devotion I read by Jack Zavada about watching our purity as men. He said, “If you've ever looked at my bio page, you know I look more like Andy Rooney than George Clooney, yet several times during my career, married women at work let me know they were available. I wasn't misreading their signals and I didn't do anything to encourage them. I was shocked every time it happened.” For some reason, women think that men in the ministry are different than their husbands or boyfriends. I guess they think we don’t have mad breathe or something. This is the reason why it’s good to have blockers in place. Blockers are people who will let you know when females are acting differently toward you. When you are told who they are, you should “Run Away! Run Away!” Never be left a lone with someone you know may have feelings for you either than your wife. It’s just common sense.
I actually had my own little situation with a co-worker who was eyeing me. This was back in 1998. I was easily 40 pounds heavier (fat), and I thought I kept seeing this woman looking at me; not just looking, but looking (if you know what I mean). This was at a secular workplace. I shared my thoughts with 3 women I was working with; these ladies all knew I was in church work and they were old enough to be my mom. They started looking out for me. One day, I was making a copy and this woman walked by. I thought I imagined this, but she looked me up and down like a piece of meat. Just so happened one of the ladies was near by and she confirmed it wasn’t my imagination and this woman wanted me. I found out later that this woman would go after married men and bed them for fun. I avoided this woman like the plague.
If you ever think a woman (other than you wife) is acting like they want more than friendship or they told you so, put them straight and “Run Away!” Talk with an accountability partner or your pastor about it. You may want to share this with your wife so she will know what’s going on.
For me the best parts of the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” are when the characters are attacked and the king yells, “Run Away! Run Away!” in stead of retreat. To me it’s hilarious.
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, basically tells Timothy to “Run Away!” from youthful lusts. I’ve heard of men fall to sexual sin in the ministry and how easy it can be. I remember as a 24 year old single Youth Pastor in Richmond, VA asking the two older ladies who were the moms of the youth group to help me keep an eye on the girls. I’m like most guys; clueless when I’m hit on my women. These ladies had my back when it came to telling me which girls started looking at me with those eyes. When I knew who they were, I made it a point to be friendly but not too friendly so not to lead them on. I remember this one young lady who was moving away so she gave me a figurine to remember her by. It was weird the way she hugged me good-bye. I have never allowed myself to be left a lone with a female to make sure there is no doubt to anyone’s mind by my conduct.
This leads me to a devotion I read by Jack Zavada about watching our purity as men. He said, “If you've ever looked at my bio page, you know I look more like Andy Rooney than George Clooney, yet several times during my career, married women at work let me know they were available. I wasn't misreading their signals and I didn't do anything to encourage them. I was shocked every time it happened.” For some reason, women think that men in the ministry are different than their husbands or boyfriends. I guess they think we don’t have mad breathe or something. This is the reason why it’s good to have blockers in place. Blockers are people who will let you know when females are acting differently toward you. When you are told who they are, you should “Run Away! Run Away!” Never be left a lone with someone you know may have feelings for you either than your wife. It’s just common sense.
I actually had my own little situation with a co-worker who was eyeing me. This was back in 1998. I was easily 40 pounds heavier (fat), and I thought I kept seeing this woman looking at me; not just looking, but looking (if you know what I mean). This was at a secular workplace. I shared my thoughts with 3 women I was working with; these ladies all knew I was in church work and they were old enough to be my mom. They started looking out for me. One day, I was making a copy and this woman walked by. I thought I imagined this, but she looked me up and down like a piece of meat. Just so happened one of the ladies was near by and she confirmed it wasn’t my imagination and this woman wanted me. I found out later that this woman would go after married men and bed them for fun. I avoided this woman like the plague.
If you ever think a woman (other than you wife) is acting like they want more than friendship or they told you so, put them straight and “Run Away!” Talk with an accountability partner or your pastor about it. You may want to share this with your wife so she will know what’s going on.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Vision
I’ve been thinking a lot about the vision of the church. At least what I feel the vision is for God’s people. The only time most church members hear about vision is when their pastor is trying to get money for a building project. The pastor uses Proverbs 29:18 (Where there is no vision, the people perish) to get people to give money. Pastors use this verse out of text to get money. I feel pastors need to address the vision of the church as Jesus showed while He was on Earth.
To me, the vision of the church (and Christians) is to reach the community that surrounds them with the love and light of Jesus Christ. The body of Christ should show the same type of compassion Jesus did. The early church grew by leaps and bounds because of the love they had for one another and for the lost around them. I just finished reading the book “Love, the Ultimate Apologetic: The Heart of Christian Witness.” This book basically puts in easy to understand how we, as Christians, can reach our community and loved ones for Christ by showing real love to them. The vision of the church should be outward focused.
Being outward focused takes time, energy, and money. The body of Christ, should be so outward focused that our community changes. Most of the time, our community influences the church instead of the church influencing the community. I feel the reason why we have so many churches either plateauing or declining is because the church stops being outward focused and starts being inward focused.
Inward focused churches have programs that please the members. It’s all about the members’ comfort and happiness. The longer a church is inward focused the harder it is to change the focus to the actual vision of the church; which should be an outward focus body.
A healthy church with a Biblical vision is an outward focused church that reaches out to the community with the love and light of Christ. This church equips the members to share the gospel to loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers. This church has a pastor who leads the people to be more like Christ and less like the world. In my option, this is the true vision of the church of Jesus Christ.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the vision of the church. At least what I feel the vision is for God’s people. The only time most church members hear about vision is when their pastor is trying to get money for a building project. The pastor uses Proverbs 29:18 (Where there is no vision, the people perish) to get people to give money. Pastors use this verse out of text to get money. I feel pastors need to address the vision of the church as Jesus showed while He was on Earth.
To me, the vision of the church (and Christians) is to reach the community that surrounds them with the love and light of Jesus Christ. The body of Christ should show the same type of compassion Jesus did. The early church grew by leaps and bounds because of the love they had for one another and for the lost around them. I just finished reading the book “Love, the Ultimate Apologetic: The Heart of Christian Witness.” This book basically puts in easy to understand how we, as Christians, can reach our community and loved ones for Christ by showing real love to them. The vision of the church should be outward focused.
Being outward focused takes time, energy, and money. The body of Christ, should be so outward focused that our community changes. Most of the time, our community influences the church instead of the church influencing the community. I feel the reason why we have so many churches either plateauing or declining is because the church stops being outward focused and starts being inward focused.
Inward focused churches have programs that please the members. It’s all about the members’ comfort and happiness. The longer a church is inward focused the harder it is to change the focus to the actual vision of the church; which should be an outward focus body.
A healthy church with a Biblical vision is an outward focused church that reaches out to the community with the love and light of Christ. This church equips the members to share the gospel to loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers. This church has a pastor who leads the people to be more like Christ and less like the world. In my option, this is the true vision of the church of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Total Recall
I enjoy listening to audio books when I’m driving. I’m a member of an audio book club so I get 4 books at a time; it’s awesome. I just finished listening to a W.E.B. Griffin book called “The Hunters.” This is actually the third book by the author with the same characters and underlining plot. As soon as I heard the beginning of the book, I had total recall of the last two books. It was neat to pick up right where the last one ended. It was like meeting old friends.
I was thinking about how just hearing the names of the characters gave me total recall and I thought that’s how God is with us. There some Christians who are so scared to share their faith because they maybe asked something they have no idea how to answer. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity [KJV has fear], but of power and love and discipline.” Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what to say when (and He said when) they would stand before councils because the Holy Spirit would give them the words.
We are called in the Great Commission to simply “GO” and tell people what we know. The passage doesn’t say we are the one who make people become believers in Christ. We are simply told to make “DISCIPLES.” A disciple is someone who follows a leader or a student of someone. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His followers that the Holy Spirit will give us power to do what He has called us to do. It’s not us doing anything; it’s God doing it through us. We are just the work gloves.
The Bible tells us to not only read but mediate (or absorb) the truths in it. As we read and mediate on the Word of God daily, the Holy Spirit will give us total recall when we need it. When people are hurting, the verses that deal with pain will come to mind. When people are lonely, you will know what to say. It’s freeing to know that we don’t do anything. God does it all. We are just his vessels.
I enjoy listening to audio books when I’m driving. I’m a member of an audio book club so I get 4 books at a time; it’s awesome. I just finished listening to a W.E.B. Griffin book called “The Hunters.” This is actually the third book by the author with the same characters and underlining plot. As soon as I heard the beginning of the book, I had total recall of the last two books. It was neat to pick up right where the last one ended. It was like meeting old friends.
I was thinking about how just hearing the names of the characters gave me total recall and I thought that’s how God is with us. There some Christians who are so scared to share their faith because they maybe asked something they have no idea how to answer. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity [KJV has fear], but of power and love and discipline.” Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what to say when (and He said when) they would stand before councils because the Holy Spirit would give them the words.
We are called in the Great Commission to simply “GO” and tell people what we know. The passage doesn’t say we are the one who make people become believers in Christ. We are simply told to make “DISCIPLES.” A disciple is someone who follows a leader or a student of someone. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His followers that the Holy Spirit will give us power to do what He has called us to do. It’s not us doing anything; it’s God doing it through us. We are just the work gloves.
The Bible tells us to not only read but mediate (or absorb) the truths in it. As we read and mediate on the Word of God daily, the Holy Spirit will give us total recall when we need it. When people are hurting, the verses that deal with pain will come to mind. When people are lonely, you will know what to say. It’s freeing to know that we don’t do anything. God does it all. We are just his vessels.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Heritage
I’ve grown up with my mom tell me and my sister that we have Indian in the family line. I’ve always thought this is cool. Most people look at me strange when I share this truth because I’m fair skinned, red haired, and blue eyed. My mom sent me and my sisters a letter from her brother answering some questions about the Harrell family homestead in North Caroline. His answers to her questions were eye opening about my family heritage. I’ve pasted some of his letter below. To me, it’s pretty cool.
“Hertford [part of NC where the Harrell homestead is located] was settled in the late 1600s (whites and Indians)...perhaps around 1672 or a little later, and was a part of Perquimans County which was founded in 1668. Both of which were still under English rule.
In fact, Perquimans County began (at that time) at the Virginia border reaching south to, or below, the Albermarle Sound. Records during that time were very sketchy. That why I had such a hard time with my paper...which I wish I'd kept. It also had many gaps in it which I couldn't find the necessary information.
Perquimans County earliest inhabitants were the Yeopim Indians who were a part of the Alqonquiants Indian tribe family. The Indians gave Perquimans its name, meaning "land of beautiful women."
Do you recall the creek, which ran into the river, then into the Albermarle Sound...the creek and a part of the river surrounded granddaddy's property...which was named the Yeopim Creek/River?
However, being a mixture of Indians and whites early on, is perhaps why you and I have 1/8 Indian blood. Also, the Harrell family didn't want our father to marry our mother because her grandmother was full blooded Indian...did you know that?”
I’ve grown up with my mom tell me and my sister that we have Indian in the family line. I’ve always thought this is cool. Most people look at me strange when I share this truth because I’m fair skinned, red haired, and blue eyed. My mom sent me and my sisters a letter from her brother answering some questions about the Harrell family homestead in North Caroline. His answers to her questions were eye opening about my family heritage. I’ve pasted some of his letter below. To me, it’s pretty cool.
“Hertford [part of NC where the Harrell homestead is located] was settled in the late 1600s (whites and Indians)...perhaps around 1672 or a little later, and was a part of Perquimans County which was founded in 1668. Both of which were still under English rule.
In fact, Perquimans County began (at that time) at the Virginia border reaching south to, or below, the Albermarle Sound. Records during that time were very sketchy. That why I had such a hard time with my paper...which I wish I'd kept. It also had many gaps in it which I couldn't find the necessary information.
Perquimans County earliest inhabitants were the Yeopim Indians who were a part of the Alqonquiants Indian tribe family. The Indians gave Perquimans its name, meaning "land of beautiful women."
Do you recall the creek, which ran into the river, then into the Albermarle Sound...the creek and a part of the river surrounded granddaddy's property...which was named the Yeopim Creek/River?
However, being a mixture of Indians and whites early on, is perhaps why you and I have 1/8 Indian blood. Also, the Harrell family didn't want our father to marry our mother because her grandmother was full blooded Indian...did you know that?”
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Pastor Appreciation Month
October is the month set aside to thank men who pastor churches. I’ve always thought it weird that people had to create an official month to say thank you to men who minister to them. I try to say thank you to Roger and Floyd (both pastors of Common Ground Community Church). Since starting the Monday Bible Study and work at developing weekly devotions, I appreciate all the work pastors need to do each week. Pastors have to work long hours and get little money; it’s a ministry or a calling and not a career.
Today, Common Ground wanted to say thank you to our pastors. I went to the back of our church build just after the service. Floyd called me back to the sanctuary. I had no idea why, but apparently I was to be appreciated along with our pastors. I have no clue why (I’m one of 7 Elders but not a pastor). We were given a gift card to Outback Steakhouse. I’m honored for this but I felt weird (to be honest). I’ve always tried to be in the background while doing ministry work even when I teach and preach. You may think, “How can you be in the background if you are teaching and/or preaching?” I feel that it’s God who should be the focus of teaching and/or preaching. It’s all about God.
If you haven’t said thank you to your pastor, do so the next time you see them.
October is the month set aside to thank men who pastor churches. I’ve always thought it weird that people had to create an official month to say thank you to men who minister to them. I try to say thank you to Roger and Floyd (both pastors of Common Ground Community Church). Since starting the Monday Bible Study and work at developing weekly devotions, I appreciate all the work pastors need to do each week. Pastors have to work long hours and get little money; it’s a ministry or a calling and not a career.
Today, Common Ground wanted to say thank you to our pastors. I went to the back of our church build just after the service. Floyd called me back to the sanctuary. I had no idea why, but apparently I was to be appreciated along with our pastors. I have no clue why (I’m one of 7 Elders but not a pastor). We were given a gift card to Outback Steakhouse. I’m honored for this but I felt weird (to be honest). I’ve always tried to be in the background while doing ministry work even when I teach and preach. You may think, “How can you be in the background if you are teaching and/or preaching?” I feel that it’s God who should be the focus of teaching and/or preaching. It’s all about God.
If you haven’t said thank you to your pastor, do so the next time you see them.
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