Achieving The Impossible

We continue to study through the book of Nehemiah on Sunday mornings. I've titled the series "Achieving The Impossible" and hope that our church will be taught and motivated to do greater things for God. It's been an interesting ride so far!

Being Filled With The Holy Spirit

Did you know that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not something you can do? I'm not saying it's impossible for this to happen to you, I'm saying that it's not something you can do! There's a big difference really. You see, in Ephesians 5:18 we are told to not be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is interesting to note that both verbs (one used for not getting drunk and one used for being filled with the Holy Spirit) are passive verbs. While we are commanded to not do one thing and then do the other, it is in the passive state. Understand that alcohol becomes a controller and makes you drunk. While, you must drink the alcohol, it is actually the alcohol that makes you drunk. Thus the passive verb. Now understand that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not something you can do. It is a passive verb and means that God fills us with the Holy Spirit. Unlike what many groups teach, it is not something you can go grab ahold and say "It's mine!" Yes, you must yield your life to God so that He may "fill" (we'll discuss the meaning of this word on another post) you with the Holy Spirit, but remember He is doing the filling not you!

Okay, I'll write more later on concerning the aspect of "fill" and what it really means.

Whew! We Made It!!!

Well, many of you know, and some of you don't. What is it that I'm talking about? Well, it's one reason I haven't blogged in awhile. Jennifer and I were privileged to go to Niagara Falls (Canada even!) this past weekend. A member in our church gave us airline miles, etc. so that we could celebrate our 10th anniversary. What a wonderful gift! We really enjoyed seeing "new country" and relaxing. I was able to see 2 of the Great Lakes, the Falls, and snow! We were really amazed at the beautiful scenery and how God would give us such things for us to enjoy. Furthermore, we were thankful that God saw us there and back safely. He watched over us every bit of the way and worked things out better than we could have. Overall, I would like to say "thanks" to God for keeping us safe, allowing us to relax, and for giving us a member who wanted to do something "a little extra" for us. What an incredible and, often underestimated, God we serve!

Consistency Is The Key

How easy it is to say one thing and do another. We are all guilty of this at one time or another and should definitely be concerned about it. We wear the mask of a hypocrite and try to soothe our souls by making excuses for our inconsisencies. This is true personally and corporately (within our churches). How many of us talk about Bible study and prayer to our congregation and then struggle with it ourselves. We preach the principle of forgiving others but may hold grudges against those who hurt us. While I could continue the list, let's look at it from a church standpoint. How many churches say they love people but will not even let a guest sit in "their" pew. Members of most churches say they want an active outreach program...as long as someone else does it. Many of our churches (ABA) criticize other groups but fail to see our own shortcomings. Do you get the picture? If you talk the talk, then you better walk the walk, or you risk being called a HYPOCRITE (which you truly are). I pray that you and your church may have a consistent life of service, and remember - practice what you preach!

P.S. Is it worse to be all evangelistic with no discipleship, or to be all about discipleship with no evangelism?

Happy New Year!

Wow, do you realize that there are only 357 shopping days until Christmas 2007? How in the world will I get it all done? Well, I know it's silly to think that way, but before you know it, we'll be singing Christmas carols and sending cards to each other. The point is to not let another year go by and not make any significant changes. Before you know it we'll be talking about January 1, 2008 (Lord willing) and what we did/did not accomplish in 2007. So accomplish something! Follow through with what God wants you to do. Go, tell, and teach! Let 2007 be different!

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Remember to keep Christ in Christmas and of course, enjoy the eggnog (without the alcohol obviously)!

Church Discipline

Well, without giving any details, etc., we (Ebenezer Baptist Church) exercised church discipline to the point of exclusion about one week ago. There was a situation where we took approximately 6 months to pray, teach, and approach the subject. In my opinion all these actions are to be considered church discipline. However, the person involved would not repent, and we excluded them from membership. After the official vote, we gathered together and prayed for this person hoping that they might repent of the particular sin. Of course, we know God can do great things, and we hope He will move in a mighty way in this individual's life. The question I have is how many of you have ever exercised church discipline to the point of exclusion? How did it affect your church? Did you use it as a teaching opportunity? I have more to say about how God has already used this event, but I'll stop for now.

Prayer Request

Please pray for my family. I lost my grandmother this morning (Wednesday) at 11:50 am. Pray that my grandfather will have the strength he needs as it was a sudden, severe stroke that killed her. Also, pray for me as I try to reach some of my family through this event. However, praise God that she was saved and is now in the arms of a loving Savior. What amazing grace!

Matt

The Nativity Story

Saturday night, my family and some other families from church went to see The Nativity Story. I have been wanting to see this movie for quite some time and since I had a bulletin insert promoting the movie (along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes dvd with trailer to show during morning worship), I thought I might need to see the film. And boy am I glad I did! The film was very, very good. The main thing that I had to bite my tongue on was about the wise men being at the manger scene. However, I overlooked this common tradition and looked at it from the bigger theme of the birth of Christ. This movie is different from the Passion of the Christ in that it is not as intense to begin with. In fact my wife looked at me and said, "It's not as majestic as I thought it would be." However, later in the movie, the majesty of Christ's birth came through in a glorious way. But she does have a point. The whole story of Christ's birth is not majestic. I mean the King of Kings, the Savior of the world, being born in a manger! Of course, at the same time, it is majestic in what it means. Now, back to the movie. It portrays Joseph and Mary, in my humble opinion, as normal, everyday people. I think the producer did a great job not creating a Mary of worship but a Mary of Israel.

Okay, for the rating. I give it 5 stars out of 5 stars. Yes, in fact, I told the congregation that they ALL needed to see it, and I encourage you to see it too. In fact, I am going to buy the movie when it comes out.

P.S. I wish I could watch this movie on Christmas Eve...whew, what an emotional ride that would be!

I am preaching a sermon from Genesis 3:15 and would like to know if any of you have preached a sermon from this text before. If so, give me some thoughts or email me your sermon! I want this to be a tight sermon because we are having so many lost people and new Christians attending that need to know what is taught in this passage. Thanks for your help!

Whoop!

I love it! A&M beat t.u.!!! What more could a guy want? Not only that, but after the game I put up the Christmas decorations (lights, outside Christmas card, etc.). Wow, what a day. I love this time of year!

Texas A&M - 28
t.u. - 24

Yes, that's right. Texas A&M will defeat texas university on Friday. What a glorious day that will be! If you are around Henderson, come on over and join the guys from church as we watch the big game. Gig'em Aggies!

Happy Thanks Living!

Yes, I know it's cheesy, but that is the current series I am preaching on Sunday morning. This coming Sunday will be the last Thanksgiving sermon (hey, there were only 4!). I pray that all of you have a great Thanksgiving and please, please, please, remember to thank God for His many blessings. And maybe you ought to take time and read Psalm 105 just to refresh on how to do this. Once again, happy thanks living!

Well, we took the kids to see Happy Feet. It was okay, but not an out of this world film to me (watch Hoodwinked for that!). I do have one question though. Have any of you noticed how the kids' movies are including more and more sexual references, etc. I understand that most of the small children do not understand it and that mainly adults "get it." But why must it be included in the first place. Happy Feet had way too many sexual innuendos. I now know why it was rated PG. I guess that should have been my first clue. What happened to the good, rated G movies? (not the rated G movies that should be rated PG either!) I don't want to sound old-fashioned, etc., but it just concerns me as a parent. Besides it's my blog and I can type if I want to! (sorry for the bad Cindi Lauper joke.)

Well, that was one interesting state meeting. There was a great time of fellowship and discussion. However, sometimes, the tension was felt when certain issues arose. But, I'll say this, at least there was no yelling and shouting (kind of boring huh). Sometimes I wish we could have a meeting like the British House of Commons. Really, all I want to do is yell "Aye! Aye! Aye!" Well, let me know what you think about the meeting.

Whew. I finally made the transition to Beta Blogger! I thought I'd never be able to get everything straight. I love computers and I love to be on the Beta end of things, but sometimes it does make you sweat. But at least I'm up-to-date! Now I've got to go Beta on my email! Yikes!

What are the odds?

I can't believe it. For the second week in a row, Texas A&M was outscored by 1 point. And both games were on ABC! We gave the game away...how sad. But I can't complain too much because my wife and kids gave me a great birthday present. They took me to the A&M-Nebraska at Kyle Field. Whoop! It was so much fun to go back to my old school and see all the new stuff going on and show the kids where daddy went to school. We toured the campus, went to the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library, ate great food, and visited with one of my old roommates (and yes Greg, you are old!). Overall, the best part of the entire 3 days was watching my children's eyes light up when the jet planes (warthogs) flew over, the corps marched in, the football team took the field, the band marched, and 87,000 crazy fans yell like you've never heard. They were so excited about the game, etc. that they started crying when we had to leave. I know this is "mushy" and all, but it really made me a proud daddy. It may mean nothing to you, but when my children love their dad and his old school like they do, it brings tears to my eyes. I'm sure you can make a good correlation to how we should act towards God, but I won't do it because I'll start preaching if I do. Anyway, I'd like to say thanks to Jen and the kids for such a great weekend and Gig'em Aggies!

What Time Is It?

Okay, wait a second. It just turned November 1, but I'm already through Thanksgiving on my school calendar. What is going on? Well, with the state association meeting and then the week of Thanksgiving, half of November has "disappeared." (Not that it's all bad, mind you!) But what is even worse is that on Halloween I turned 32. When did I get to be 32? Wasn't I just 22 yesterday? You mean I've almost been married 10 years? Savannah is 7? Levi will be 5 in a week? Jason Sheffstall's son is 3? Well, why don't you just call me Rip Van Winkle! My how time flies.

But you know, that should make us realize that time is short and before we know it *poof* - we're gone. We should make most of our time and make full use of the tools God has given us to reach others around us for Christ. Time is short. The Bible teaches that very principle...so maybe we should start acting as if we believe it.

Besides, by the time I get around to writing another post, I'll probably be 42. Oh well...

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.