Starting November 5, I will preach a series of sermons with the theme "Happy Thanks Living." I pray that these sermons will challenge us to truly be aware of how much we have spiritually and physically and to be thankful for them. And of course, a thankful child of God will be a child of God who has a happy (joyful) life. Besides, shouldn't we be the ones who are happy? We have eternal life! Let's put on a smile and share it with all!

Great things are happening! I finally cleaned out the closet and found stuff I had been looking for. My wife is extremely pleased with the cleanliness too. Overall, I must say that I did quite a job on the closet. You can actually see the floor. But please don't call me to clean your closet...unless, I get to throw away everything! Well, enough chit-chat for now. I have homework to do.

Texas A&M - 34
Oklahoma St. - 33

Whoop! Gig'em Aggies!

Faith Promise Results

Well, Bro. Lynn Raburn did an excellent job this past week. At the close of our Missions Revival, Sunday morning, we had everyone sit down and fill out a commitment card with their covenant between them and God circled or written down. That evening, the Missions Committee met and tabulated the totals. Now, are you sitting down? For our FIRST Faith Promise Missions Revival, the members of Ebenezer Baptist Church covenanted with God to give $24,432 for missions over the next year! Praise God! What an awesome God we serve. Who says God can't do big things still!?!

Faith Promise Missions Revival

Please pray for us as we have our first annual Missions Revival. Bro. Lynn Raburn is the guest speaker, and, as usual, is challenging us to be more faithful to God. Pray for us as we try to be obedient in this area of "church life."

"Do You Have Change For A..."

I bet you never hear that in a Baptist Church. Why is it so difficult for a church to make changes? Does change equate to new doctrine or unscriptural teaching? Wasn't it a change to have microphones, air conditioners, padded pews, etc. in the church building? Wasn't it a change, at one time, to have a church building? Did Jesus reach every person with the same method, or did He change the method to fit the person?

While many changes are not for the best, how about an honest evaluation of something before it's condemned because "it's never been done this way before."

I believe it's time for a change. We need...no, we must get back to the basics of preaching and teaching the Bible. We must quit promoting the church welfare system now known as "missions." We need to teach local church and practice local church! We must be more concerned about people than we are about land and buildings. We must be willing to take the heat and quit backing down when people don't like what the Bible has to say. We must change!

Oh, by the way, do you have change for a...?

What a week!

Where do I start? Ah, yes. It all began during Sunday night's business meeting, while Bro. George was giving his youth report, when one of the men came in and told me that our yellow lab Aggie II had been hit and killed. Well, I knew instantly that there was going to be a long night ahead of me. Well, thankfully, three of our men took care of the mess and took him off before my children could see him. And yes, Savannah and Levi were distraught to say the least. There was crying, crying, and more crying. This was their first "real pet." I felt so bad for them and wish I could take all the hurt away. All I could do was hold them and tell them that things would be okay. Even Jennifer, who is not a big animal person, was tore up. She had grown so attached to Aggie that he actually minded her better than he minded me! Well, we're all doing better now, but it has caused quite a stir to say the least. The saddest part though, to me at least, is watching my little boy Levi walk around (or mope) as if he's lost. I guess you could say he is lost in a sense. His best buddy is no longer running around his feet, etc. Now we all know that we'll get another dog, etc. He won't be Aggie II (maybe we'll call him Aggie III), but we'll love him too.
But think about this. While I couldn't do anything about the pain Savannah and Levi were experiencing, God can help us with our pain and suffering. He will do more than just hold us; He will provide for us. If He doesn't remove the pain or problem, then He'll see us through it. Oh how great is the Father's love. Being a father helps me understand that more and more.

We are starting a study over the book of Malachi, and if you have any information that would useful concerning this book, please send it to me. I have some commentaries and research, but I always like to broaden my horizons on these issues. Have any of you ever really studied through this book? If so, what did you come away with and how did it change your life? Just curious.

Okay, I missed on my prediction. A&M won 35-3. Whoop! Gig'em Aggies!

Oh what a great time of year it is. The temperature is dropping, school is back in session, and COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS IN THE AIR!!! Yes, I have plans to listen to the Texas A&M / Citadel game tomorrow. Of course, A&M will have a much better year and will surprise many people. Okay, here's the prediction for tomorrow's game.

Texas A&M - 42
Citadel - 17

Okay, okay. So I haven't been able to blog here for awhile. Everyone stop complaining and start enjoying again (there you go Jason!). We have had a great summer even though it has been extremely busy. I cannot even begin to tell you all the great things God has done. Well, let me try to tell you a couple. Two weeks ago, we had 102 in our morning service. What a change! 18 months ago the average was 20-30. Can you believe that? In fact, God has added 63 members to Ebenezer since January 2005. NOW THAT IS AMAZING (sorry for the shouting...but you know us preachers)! And God continues to do great things in the church and my personal life.

One great thing God has done is to save my daughter's precious soul. Savannah accepted Christ as her Savior on Monday evening at 7 pm. She was sitting next to me on our couch and prayed to the Lord to forgive her and to save her. Wow! Now, just to let you know, I'm one proud daddy. I was blessed with the opportunity to lead my little girl to the Lord. You can't ask for more than that. How I wish other parents would see the need to teach their children and be ready for that precious moment when the time is right. Well, that's just a couple of the things God has accomplished this summer. Post a comment and let me know what God has done for you.

"Seeking The Salvation Of Others"

Did you know that the most effective witnessing is that which you do among those who know you best? Your friends, family, and neighbors will listen to you many times when others will not (unfortunately, sometimes the opposite is true). However, the real question is, "How do you reach those people you love and admire for Christ? What are some effective methods to reach those close to you? Can we as a church institute these methods?" I would like for you to give me some ideas, comments, or even questions about this. I will use your comments (unless you specify otherwise) during our Sunday night service on August 6. Remember, the ideas you share may allow us to lead someone to Christ! (Thanks for your input!)

God Bless America!!!

What a familiar saying that is, but have you ever thought about why God should bless America? Should He bless a nation that denies its Christian heritage and continues to fight anything with the name of Jesus in it? God will bless this nation if her people that are called by His name take a stand and fight for what is right. What do you think? Can this nation become the nation it once was? Will God continue to bless us? Let me know!

Family Feud?

Is it me or does it seem like Satan and the world is constantly attacking the institution of family? Pro-Homosexual groups are now wanting to call a genuine marriage (that between a man and a woman) an "opposite sex partnership." I say bologna! Our courts and schools teach our children that parents have no right to discipline them. I say phooey! Families are deemed outdated and unneeded. The BIBLE teaches differently. What is even sadder is the fact that many churches do not even seem to notice the breakdown of the family. So, how can we as a church help strengthen the family which will in turn strengthen our church and nation? Is it too late to do anything? Have we as a nation tolerated too much liberal, ungodly thinking to now turn back to our godly roots? Can we restore "family" to the rightful position it once held? I pray that your family will look to the Word of God to strenthen itself and in turn strengthen others.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm sure you would agree that godly mothers hold a very special place in the success of a family. Mothers sacrifice that last piece of pie so the children "will not do without." They clean, clothe, and cook for their family without much thanks. They teach their children the Bible stories that can change one's life. So, how does today's woman fulfill her God-given obligation to meet the needs of the family and still find some time for herself? How does she meet all the demands of our society while still functioning as a successful mother? How can we as a church teach what a mother is to be and how to be it? Let me know what you think!

The Da Vinci Code - Fact Or Fiction?

The Da Vinci Code, written by Dan Brown, has become a bestseller in over 100 countries. It has even been made into a movie which will open later this month. So why all the "hoop-la" about this book? Granted, this book meets many of the requirements for a "good read," however, it is based on much bad history. And much of this bad history has been around for centuries! There are many websites that address this controversial issue, but what I want to know is what questions and concerns you have about the book and/or movie. Are you afraid of what this movie will do to Christianity? Have you read the book or do you plan on seeing the movie? Do you think Christians should abstain from watching the movie? Give me your feedback, and we'll try to answer any question you put out there!

Miracle-Gro?

What a wonderful 16 months we have experienced here at EBC. We have added 50 new members and seen many needed changes made. But what is the real reason behind all this growth? Is it the new staff? Is is the blended-worship? Is it people talking to their friends about church? Is it all of the above? Or is it something else? What do you think? Leave me a note and keep praying for more growth!

Isn't it interesting that most people say that their church is doing great, but then they will turn around and say "We need a revival"? So, what's the deal? Are they doing great or not? Well, the answer may be both. There are many times in our life that we are doing good but maybe not great. A revival can be a time for a church body as a whole to examine itself and see what areas need to be improved. The question is, "How can a church experience true revival"? So many times, churches have a revival and things change for a week. Then you look at the church six months later and nothing has changed. Did that church experience true revival? Probably not! So what can we do here at Ebenezer Baptist Church to experience a God-inspired true revival? Comments are welcome!!!

Jesus Christ Was Crucified On Wednesday

I hope all of you have read the booklet I handed out at church Sunday. If you have any questions or comments about this position, please post them here. Remember, Christ entered Jerusalem on Saturday, was crucified on Wednesday, and rose on Sunday. It fits with Scripture and Jewish tradition!

"Full-Time" Christians

A tragedy of modern American Christianity is that Christian service has become so exclusively associated with the church building. The average Christian seems to think that his attendance at and participation in church services comprises the total extent of his service to God. We have also created the unbiblical distinction of "full-time" and "part-time" Christian service.

God ordains that all His people be in "full-time" service, and almost all of that service is performed outside the church building. We have the daily opportunity and responsibility to take up our cross and follow Christ -- on the job, in school, at home -- wherever we are is the place of service!

May God grant that we the reject the notion of "part-time" Christian service and begin to recognize His calling beyond the four walls of the church house.

- by Robert Vaughn, 03/23/06