Not Everything Has to Be Serious

I want to preface this entry by saying I don't believe in Global Warming. I think Al Gore doesn't understand what he is talking about and just like with evolution, there is insufficient evidence to support calling this theory a fact.

LOCAL PASTOR: "I HAVE SOLVED THE GLOBAL WARMING CRISIS."

SHELBY, NC - If you have read anything the experts say, we can not stop Global Warming. It is inevitable that the ice caps will melt and the ocean will rise, however one local pastor believes he has the cure. Rev. Pardue stated, "If you have seen any of the new Campbell's Soup commercials, you know that, "They're made with high quality ingredients and seasoned with lower sodium natural sea salt, so they taste great!" I think here in lies the solution to this climate crisis. If more Americans would buy Campbell's soup, the company would be forced to take more water out of the ocean. The more we buy, the less water will be present in the ocean, so the risk of coastal flooding would greatly diminish. Of course when the water is distilled and the salt is removed, this leaves clean drinking water, which can then be turned over to Al Gore and the United Nations to send to parts of the world where drinking water is scarce." Rev. Pardue's idea is one of pure genius. This way people who really don't care about the environment, can do their part, and enjoy some great tasting soup in the process. We should do our part and eat lots of soup so we can save the world.

Random Act of Kindness

Today I was able to witness someone showing a random act of kindness. I was in Office Max looking to price printers for our church. Of course printing is expensive, but we have items that we must print to effectively carry out ministry. As I was about to walk away from the aisle I was browsing on, a man stopped me and ask what it was I was looking for. I explained to him about our church and what we needed, and without hesitation he offered me a new printer and a slightly used "all-in-one" printer for our church to use.


I personally was shocked that someone would make this offer. I of course accepted and these new resources will be of great benefit to our church and those we are able to reach through their use.
What an example! We do not live a world that teaches folks to help others. Most people would never think about giving away hundreds of dollars worth of equipment, but this guy did this without asking for anything in return.
I got to see a little example of Christ through someone else today. Christ gave himself for us. He made a sacrifice and gave up something worth far more than printers or money or any other thing we can give away. He did it and asked nothing in return, save we die to ourselves and follow Him.

Pure Sex God's Way

I encourage you to read the article or watch the video linked below:




Then ask yourself, if you were driving by this billboard, how would you feel? Would you be proud that this church is willing to take on this tough issue, or would you be like the one gentleman who is interviewed and this the billboards should come down? Folks in our world go to Hell everyday because we take down the billboards of truth that the Bible command us to display to this lost world. I believe this church is doing something extraordinary. I happen to be very good friends with the youth pastor and he informed me they stared with 15 less than a year ago, now they need more space because God is blessing them. Isn't there a lesson to be learned? I'd much rather cause a stir and see God work than be stuck in the mud of mediocrity while folks are going to Hell.

God’s Piece of the Pie (Sunday Night, Jan. 20)

Luke 21: 1-4


I. Introduction The Junior Sunday School Teacher asked her eight eager 10-year-olds if they would give $1,000,000 to the missionaries. “YES!” they all screamed!! “Would you give $1,000?” Again they shouted “YES!” “How about $100?” “Oh, YES we would!” they all agreed!! “Would you give just a dollar to the missionaries?” she asked. The boys exclaimed “YES!” just as before except for Johnnie. “Johnnie,” the teacher said as she noticed the boy clutching his pocket, “why didn’t you say 'YES’ this time?” “Well,” he stammered, “I HAVE a dollar.”


II. Money

1) This is an area we don’t like to talk about in Church life.
a) no pastor likes stewardship sermons
b) no church member likes hearing them

2) Jesus watched those who had a lot, give just a little.
a) these men in the temple thought their gift was something special
b) in reality they were not giving cheerfully or with a genuine love for God.

3) It’s not about what you give, it’s how

4) The lady that Jesus saw proves we all can give.
a) she really gave more than she could afford to.
b) She gave without regard for herself.


III. Talents
1) You have to figure out what you’ve got.
a) You would be surprised at what even the most unique talent can accomplish

2) No matter what it is, everyone has a talent that God can use for the glory of his Kingdom.
a) no excuses about not being able to do anything
b) you are never too old or too young

3) We have to remember that we can work with others to put our talents to use effectively

IV. Time

1) No one seems to have enough time

2) Where can we cut out time that we don’t use effectively, and devote that time to God?

3) What things do we do that make us feel better but we could give up for God.


V. Conclusion
1) We shouldn’t feel like our service to God is optional.
2) When we reflect on what God has given us, it will be clear that we have a clear calling.



“I have tried to keep things in my hands and lost them all, but what I have given into God’s hands I still possess.” - Martin Luther

Forgiveness, When the East Meets West

Here is my sermon outline for Janurary 20th

I. Introduction
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.

Medea – the play is thousands of years old and yet it could be pulled out of the headlines today.
There are three instances where we need to show forgiveness.

II. Others
Forgiveness is not something lost people understand, but neither are other things that God calls us to do.

What about when a person continues to do things that require forgiveness?

Leonardo Da Vinci Story:

Jesus made it clear that we had to not only forgive, but we must keep forgiving.

Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Jesus was willing to forgive those who were in the process of taking his life.

III. Yourself
Forgiving yourself. It sounds kind of odd.
Luke 7:36
Jesus didn’t say, your sins are forgiven, but drive yourself crazy by thinking about what you’ve done.
Paul was present when Stephen was killed, yet he didn't let it stop him from serving after Christ.
IV. God
In some situations there is a tendency to blame God. Though he is perfect and infallible this doesn’t prevent us from shifting blame to him.
Job's story:
In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Job lost everything, but he knew that all that he had, had been given to him by God, and that it was God’s.
We may not always understand why God is doing something.

V. Conclusion
Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)
"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, [24] leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Is there something that is standing between you and God? Someone has wronged you and it weighs heavy on your mind? You lost something and you have laid the blame on God? Not forgiving is robbing you of your joy.

Getting Started

I invite all of you to check out my blog on a routine basis. I will put excerpts of sermons, Bible studies and various other resources that people from our community and at High Shoal can use.