When Prayer Moves God

When Prayer Moves God
I Samuel 7:2-11

Let’s begin today with a moment of HONESTY and TRANSPARENCY:
Have you ever been in church—but church was not in you?
Have you ever come to worship and you just went through the motions?
Have you ever come to church and it seemed like everybody else was connecting in worship BUT you?
Have you ever been at the place where you were in the right place at the right time doing the right thing with the right people—but you had the wrong feeling?

Everybody else is singing and shouting and—though you are present and in the number—you’re just there. Upon the surface and at first glance, everyone else appears to be passionate, fervent, and full of zeal and life about their worship toward the living God and you just can’t seem to figure out what all of the noise and racket is all about.

I think I’ll begin with a moment of honesty and share with you that I’ve been there.
- Where it seemed like I just could not connect.
- Where I didn’t seem to fit into the overall plan and scheme of the purposes of God.
- Where the pieces of the puzzle just did not seem to fit together properly within the framework of God’s cosmic design.
- Where it seemed like I was disconnected and distant from the heart of God.
- Where it seemed as if I was away from the family.

In church—but didn’t have that oomph that I thought that I was supposed to feel that inevitably could help me be who I knew that I was supposed to be as a son of the Most High God.

Preaching—but distant.
Teaching—but distant.
Leading and serving—but still sensing some disconnect from where I should be.

I am thankful and grateful that those moments and instances have been few and far between; but I also realize that most of the time when I have felt that way—it has not been God’s fault; it’s been MINE. More often than not the moments and instances when I have felt an isolation from God it was not because—somehow and in someway—that God had withdrawn Himself from me. But in some way or another—it was I who had strayed away from Him.
Not prayed up as I should have been.
Not as devoted to the reading and study of God’s Word as I should have been.
Not obedient and committed to the cultivating of my intimacy and communication toward God as I should have been.

Have you ever been there?
- Where you didn’t have those private moments of prayer and devotion to God;
- Where you had strayed away from a passionate pursuit and passionate commitment toward the centering of your heart and your life in oneness and in sync with the heart of God through prayer and communication with HIM?
- Where you had strayed away from allowing your will to fall in line with HIS will and to flow with what God was up to through the practice and pragmatic approaches of prayer?
- Where you didn’t have the moments of meditation and devotion and as a result of a life void of prayer and devotion you just seemed to be floundering and faltering through the day?
- Just moving through the day without any aim or focus?

You’re in the church—in the right place at the right time with the right people doing the right thing—but the songs don’t mean anything; the sermon just doesn’t seem to have any flavor for you; it seems like it just doesn’t do anything for you at all.

That you’re going through the motions. That everything that is going on around you is just kind of lazze fare; doesn’t have much meaning; but just kind of floats on through; and you don’t really CONNECT to the point where you fit in with everybody else like you should.

And that is what is going on with our brothers and sisters called the children of Israel—the people of God, the chosen ones of the Most High God. Here in our text today, we have seen these brothers and sisters who have celebrated the fact that God has been returned to them as the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark of the Covenant represented the manifested representation of the presence of God; and now it was back in their midst. The Philistines had try to capture the ark and successfully they had captured it in years prior and had defeated Israel in battle; and they have removed from their presence the Ark of the Covenant which had symbolized the holy presence of the Most High God.
- They were depressed and they were defeated and they were distraught by the absence of the Most High God being in their midst; BUT the Lord had returned His presence BACK into the hands of the children of Israel.
- It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to have the Ark of the Covenant back among them and in their midst; and when we pick back up with them in chapter 7 of verse 2 of 1 Samuel, we see that the Ark of the Covenant has been in their midst for 20 YEARS…..BUT verse 2 says that they are still mourning, seeking after the Lord. There is a disconnect and there is something that is not quite right; they are not quite at the place that they need to be.
- They wish that they could sing and celebrate as they should but there is something that is not quite right.
- They are distant from the Most High God. And it is NOT God’s fault—the presence of God is there. But something in them has moved them from the place where they need to be.

But thanks be unto God, God always has a God-appointed, God-ordained leader who knows how to stand of before the people of God and tell them just what they need to hear so that they can move to the place that they need to be. So the Lord raises up a brother by the name of Samuel.
- He loves the Lord with all of his heart.
- He is sold out to the will and ways of Almighty God.
- He is a man who stands before God as one who has been both anointed and appointed
- He is one who is committed to following after the statutes, the decrees, and the laws and the will and ways of God.

Here is this brother named Samuel. And he has been raised up as the leader of the people of Israel.
- Their judge
- Their leader
- Their man for that time

And the Bible lets us know that this man knew what needed to be said/what needed to be done. Because when God anoints and appoints a leader, He knows how to give that leader the ability to flow in his or her divine appointed call and say just the right thing at just the right time to give you just what you need just when you need it most.

Is there anybody here who has ever been in worship not understanding what was going on in your life—but some kind of way when God started speaking through somebody somewhere to speak into your life just what you need, just when you needed it most.
- He spoke to your circumstance
- He spoke to your condition
- He spoke to your situation

Is there anybody here today who knows that that is just the way that our God is.
- When you need a word, He’ll speak a word.
- When you need deliverance, He’ll speak a word to give you deliverance.
- When you need a way out, He’ll speak a word just when you it most—to let you know that all you have to do is stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

The Bible tells us that Samuel stands before the people and tells the people—that if you sense a disconnect from God—ALL you have to do is get back to God!!!
If you can get back to God—then God will move in your situation/then God will move on your behalf/then He will magnify Himself in such a way that even your enemies can do you no harm.

You need to RETURN to the Lord.

He says it here in verse 3, ‘Return to the Lord with your WHOLE heart’.

Return (Hebrew word Shoowz) means to reverse, to give back, to go back, to restore, to revisit. And then he declares ‘with your whole heart’. Heart denotes the faculty of devotion and emotion. God says that He wants them to go back to the place of pure devotion, loyalty and gratitude.

Don’t give God half-hearted worship
Don’t give God half-hearted devotion
Don’t give God half-hearted commitment

He said, ‘Return to the Lord with your whole heart’.

And the bigger problem with these Israelites is that they had entered into this thing called syncretism. And syncretism is when you begin to mix idol worship with the worship of God. The Bible says that that is what the Israelites had done, they had begun to mix up the worship of Ashtoreth and Baal. Ashtoreth was the fertility goddess, the goddess of LOVE. And they had begun to mix and mingle in with the worship of God with the goddess Ashtoreth and Baal. And old Sam said, ‘You’ve got to get rid of these idols.’

In essence he was saying this: WHATEVER IT IS THAT’S GETTING IN THE WAY OF THE WORSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND GOD—GET RID OF IT.

And I believe that that is a word for somebody who is here today: Whatever it is that’s standing in the way of you and God—it’s time to get rid of it.

He says that whatever it is that is getting in the way of your devotion to God get rid of it and ‘commit yourself totally unto the Lord’.
- I know it’s not easy
- I know it seems like you have more fun out there than you do in here
But if you are going to get what you need from the Lord, you have to commit yourself totally to the Lord.

And this is a difficult message for somebody who is here today because you are trying to figure out:
- How you can have God AND the club
- How you can have what YOU want AND what God wants
- How you can please God AND stay in your bed
- How you can obey God AND not get up the stuff that you want
- How you can be holy AND drop it like it’s hot

And that is the struggle of anybody who has every classified themselves as human.
- You DO want to sin
- You DO want to do it your way
- You DON’T always feel like coming to the house of God
- You aren’t always up to laying before God in prayer

But there must be an understanding that life is not always just about what YOU want. Because what YOU want is not always what’s best for you/leads to destruction and disarray/is that which displeases the ONE who placed you here to begin with.

You have to COMMITT yourself to HIM and RETURN to the Lord!!!

The Bible says that when they decided they were going to return to the Lord and they were going to commit themselves to the will and way of God; and ONE of the privileges to answered prayer—is that when we commit ourselves to God…

I. we have a GOD Who receives us.

- When you remove the distractions
- When you eliminate every encumbrance that stands between you and God
- When you take out the middle man

The good news from the WORD of God is that God ALWAYS receives you!!!

- He never turns you away
- He never ignores you
- He never disregards you
- He never puts up a cold shoulder
- He never closes the door in your face
- He never removes the welcome mat
- He says you are always welcome in MY presence
- He always receives us
- He always gathers us
- Always accepts us/protects us/corrects us/directs us/insures us/matures.

Your God RECIEVES you BACK into the FAMILY!!!

And I think that’s a good word for somebody today. Because I’m trying to preach to somebody who is here today for somebody
- who’s walked away too far
- who’s strayed away too long
- who’s drifted away for no reason at all

The good news is that your God is ready to welcome you back with open arms; He says, WELCOME BACK, I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE. THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!

Our God is ready to receive us.

- Maybe you’re at rock bottom today. Rock bottom doesn’t mean anything to God. He made the rock!!!

Your failures and your mistakes don’t mean anything to God—because you can always begin again!!!

And that’s a good word for somebody who is here today who’s stayed away too long and drifted too far. You should never allow your failures, disappointments or even your setbacks to keep you from a God Who loves you and desires to have a place and play apart in your life.
- Yes you lost a child that you wanted
- Yes you had a child that you didn’t want
- Yes you had a sickness that you didn’t expect
- Yes you’re making less money but you have more bills
- Yes you were in the relationship that you have given your life to and now it has taken something out OF you
- Yes you even mess up so much that you had even given up on yourself

But let us ALL agree—that you ARE a survivor!!!

And never allow the failures or disappointments in your life to prohibit or inhibit you—RUSHING to the very God (the ONLY God) Who has given you another chance/another opportunity to start ALL over again.
- People said you aren’t worth it anymore…but He wants to receive you!
- People have said that you are no use…be He wants to receive you!
- You don’t even know if you will live to see next year…but He’s waiting to receive you!!!

Your God says COME HOME

Is that not the story of the prodigal son? The very story of the prodigal son teaches us about the very privileges of prayer/coming before the throne/the God Who receives us when you come and talk to Him. The prodigal son had enjoyed himself. He had been having a good time; he got all of his mammas and daddy’s resources and momma and daddy I’m tired of living in your house. He said, ‘I need my money—show me the money’. He got that money from daddy and the Bible says that he went into a far country, says the Word, and spent it all on RIOUTOUS living. Having a good time (‘Party over here’); had a good time spending his money on riotous living; folks were enjoying him while he had money/while he was paying the bills/was the spender of all of his resources.
- But when the money got funny….and when the change got strange…and when the pennies weren’t many—he found himself doing what no good Jew would ever do—he said he need to go slop the hogs. And he began to feed the swine and it got so bad that he contemplated eating some of the food of the swine himself in order to fill his belly. And the Bibles lets us know—that just before he drifted too far away/just before he made the bad move/just before he went too far/just before he made one more mistake/just before he offended daddy to the utmost.

The Bible says, ‘That he CAME to himself’. He said, ‘No…I’m not supposed to live like this/it’s not supposed to be like this/I’m not supposed to be in the pig pen with swine…I’m going back to my father’s house.’ And the Bible lets us know that when he gets halfway down the road, he daddy was waiting for him and ran up to him, gave him a big kiss, and he threw a party for him, and said, ‘This my son was dead, but he is alive again.’

You can ALWAYS COME BACK HOME.

Jeremiah 33:3; Jeremiah 29:11-12

Come home!!!
Come home!!!
Come home brother/sister!!!

Ye who are weary….COME HOME!!!!

I was talking to some members of our praise team and they said that at certain clubs, there’s a policy. They say that if you get to the club and you pay the cover charge; that SOME clubs will stamp your hand as PROOF that you’ve paid your fare to get in the club. And other clubs will give you a wrist band that says, ‘you’ve paid your fare, you can go into the party—and have a good time’. Enjoy yourself; ‘party all the time, celebrate good times come on’. It’s a wonderful thing going on to have the party AND because you have the stamp on your hand or the wrist around your hand….
- You can leave the party
- Go do whatever you need to do
- Go get whatever you need to get

Do whatever needs to be done while you’re outside of the party. But if you’ve got a stamp on your hand; and if you’ve got a wrist band on your wrist—when you come back from doing whatever you did, you don’t have to stand in nobody’s line/don’t have to pay an additional charge/don’t have to answer any questions/don’t have to tell anybody where you’re been. Just show the stamp/wristband—and you can walk through the barrier, walk straight into the party and have a good time.

COME HERE: I’m not just talking about any party; I’m talking about the daddy’s house. This party is 1600 miles wide and 1600 miles long. And you don’t even have to go to Him, He’ll come to YOU. When you’re strayed away from the house too far/whenever you went out there and did whatever you did—the good news of the Word of God is—when you’ve been STAMPED with the name of the Most High God—when you’ve been wrapped up with the power and love of Jesus Christ—when God sees the image of His Son when you cry out to Him—He doesn’t ask you any questions/does not meet you with condemnation/doesn’t ask you where you’ve been because He already knows.

He just says, ‘Come on into the party and talk to me—you are WELCOME in the HOUSE’.

That’s the first thing—we have a God who receives us.

II. We also have a God who relieves us.

I want you to watch the text—verse 5.

Old Sam says, ‘meet me at Mizpah’. Mizpah means ‘The Watchtower’. Samuel says, ‘Meet me up high!!! I want to get above the fray/above the drama’.

He says, ‘I know that the enemy does not like the fact that you’re prospering—they can stay where THEY are; but YOU meet ME at Mizpah…Because I’m going to talk to the Lord on your behalf.’

I like that. This is a praying leader. This is a prayer leader!!! He says, ‘I’m going to talk to the Lord on your behalf; I’m going to intercede for you.’

And the Bible says that as Samuel begins to pray that the people begin to sacrifice unto the Lord.

- They poured out water
- They fasted
- They confessed before the Lord
- They repented of their sins

They said that we don’t want to do that anymore; because when you come back home, you ought to repent and declare, ‘I’ll never do that anymore’.

They repent and Old Samuel begins to pray; he begins to talk to the Lord.

Child of God—don’t you EVER deny the power of prayer.

Don’t ever degrade the efficacy of a talk with a Holy God.
Don’t ever demean the potency of conversation with THE HOLY OTHER.

There’s something that happens when you talk to God.

I don’t know HOW He works it out; but I do know that while you are trying to FIGURE it out, He’s already WORKED it out.

Is there anybody here who can testify that God will go behind the scenes and He’ll shift stuff around and release stuff in the atmosphere—to make sure that it works out for your good.

Anybody in here every tried to power of prayer? And you found out that God does answer you when you call on His name?
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything (that’s the big stuff and the little stuff)
Everything (that’s the hard the stuff and the easy stuff)
Everything (that’s your job and your family)
Everything (that’s your money and your health)
Everything (that’s your man; that’s your woman)
Everything to God in PRAYER!!!

Samuel said, I have to pray.

Listen: Prayer is NOT a quick fix every time. Because the Bible says that WHILE Sam is praying, the enemy’s ATTACK INTENSIFIED.

WHILE he’s praying the Philistines get the word that they are at Mizpah; and they say we’re going to go get them now/we’re going to attack them at Mizpah and take them out.

But what they didn’t understand was—the LAST time they defeated them it was because they didn’t have anybody who was praying. But THIS time—the man of God was up there calling their name in prayer.

And you need to know that it is PRAYER that makes ALL of the difference.

Now my question is: Where did Samuel get this from? Where did Samuel learn about the power of prayer? You have to realize that you ought to trust in the power and potency of prayer—when you realize that the very fact that YOU are even here—is a result of somebody praying for YOU!!!

Well—this is chapter 7, but if you go back to chapter 1 and chapter 2, you’ll find a good sister who knew that she wanted a baby boy; but her WOMB had been shut up; but she knew that she needed to talk to God. Old Samuel’s mamma’s name was Hannah and Hannah learned how to pray for her baby boy.

And the Bible lets us know that because Hannah prayed that the Lord opened up her womb and gave her a baby boy; and called his name Samuel. And she prayed in her prayer, ‘Lord, if you give him to me, I’ll give him back to you all the days of his life’. And that is how Samuel began to understand the power of pray—because the fact that he was even here—was because he had somebody who was praying for him before the Most High God.

I wonder if there is anybody who is here today—that knows that you are not here because you look so good/because you’re so smart/so intelligent/because you made the right connections.

But because somewhere you had some mamma, some saint, some deacon, some pastor—somewhere who was praying for you!!!

The Bible says that after Samuel prayed—the Philistines advanced in their attack toward Mizpah—the Bible says that on THAT day—
- Because somebody believed in the power of prayer
- Because somebody gave heaven earthly license to influence earth
- Because somebody issued forth terrestrial license for celestial intervention
- Because somebody called those things that were not as though they were
- Because somebody cried out to God and believe Him to work and do the impossible

The Bible lets us know that because somebody, somewhere—was in intercession—that ‘The Lord thundered against the enemy’.

That lets us know that we not only have a God who receives us in prayer/relieves us.

III. We have a God who rewards us when we pray

And I wonder is there is anybody here today who has seen the results of answered prayer?

Some of you are living on some blessings right now NOT because YOU prayed but because somebody prayed.

And the Bible lets us know that on that day that the Lord thundered against the Philistines.

The Lord said:
- I’m tired of people acting against my children/of people messing with my babies/messing with my people.

And on THAT day the Lord thundered against the Philistines.

Now this is not the first time that the Philistines had come up against the Israelites. But it was not until THAT day that God said ‘NO MORE’.

And I like the fact, that when I learn how to cry out to God—God knows how to allow what I’ve gotten myself INTO to come to an end.

God knows how to give you a THAT day.

The Bible says that as a result of THAT day that the enemy’s of the Israelites were slaughtered all the way to Beth Car.

Somebody in here needs to do inventory and that God for THAT day.

- It was THAT day that the Lord saved my soul
- It was THAT day that the Lord confounded my enemies
- It was THAT day that the Lord made my enemies my footstool
- It was THAT day that the Lord gave me victory over:
disease/destruction/death/devastation/divorce/disaapointment/disaster.

Does anybody remember THAT day? And it is because of THAT day I can thank Him for THIS day.

This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.

That day he brought me deliverance; this day I’m bringing him my devotion
That day he brought me hope; this day I’m bringing him my all
That day he brought me salvation; this day I’m bring him my surrender

Sunday, January 27, 2008

What a great time to be alive!!! Worship service today was awesome and inspiring. I don't know exactly what God is doing at Cornerstone--stopped trying to figure it out. I know that, of course, He is answering my prayers--that He would open the eyes of our understanding more and more each day; that He would make us more kingdom-minded; that He would center us in Christ and in His Word; that we would grow in every facet and form. But I sense that the Lord is not only doing this and more; but that He is working between the lines and sentences of my limited prayers. I am SO excited about my NEW discovery of the power of praying the RIGHT way. Prayer has always played a part in my life, of course. But--it was the end of 2007 that I REALLY understood that there is absolutely nothing more powerful that the Christian believer can grad a hold of--other than the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit; and even those two things can not be realized fully without prayer!

Today I shared from I Samuel 7:2-14 from the topic, 'When Prayer Moves God'. Prayer has been our theme for the entire month. I want to extend it another month; but we are approaching our Stewardship month. Nevertheless, I will be emphasizing prayer not only throughout the year, but I am committing my life the understanding and ruminating on the true power and gift of prayer.

We had 2 people come forward today. Praise God!!! I sensed that we had another; but I went ahead and left it at that. Got a call later on this evening from someone at our church who said that it was her who was supposed to come forward. Nevertheless, I prayed with her and I am so grateful for her call.

Our ministers did an outstanding job today! We are a unique church--we have more ministers than we do deacons. Of course, this is only a confirmation of a call that God has placed upon my life to be a friend and mentor to preachers and eventually pastors. We held our first ministers meeting last Friday--and I am glad to report that this morning everything ran smoothly--all I had to do was stand and preach--and then give a few announcements. God is also adding MEN to our church. I am putting these men TO WORK. One of the problems I have faced in the past is placing people in charge who may have not been qualified to be the leader; who may have simply needed to perfect the art of serving. I am learning that, starting out, it is difficult to spot those who will just be a servant. The longer I serve at Cornerstone, the more I am seeing that eventually it becomes easier to connect with servants--people who aren't looking to dominate, dictate, and have a position with absolutely no accountability or responsibility. God, in His OWN time and HIS own way--is adding men to our church who will serve even without being asked or without a title--and will let me be their Pastor. This is what Cornerstone needs. Moreover--this is what is needed in the KINGDOM!!! There will always be hardships and-I am sure-there will always be people who come with their OWN agendas, pre-concieved notions, and trying to drive and push their personal preferences. But--from here on out--my constant expectation and prayer is that people on that level will be the minority and their tactics will always come to naught. Thank God for every OBSTACLE; it has helped me to appreciate fully every OPPORTUNITY. To GOD be the GLORY!

...A great read on PRAYER

This month at Cornerstone, we have classified the month of January as our 'Month of Prayer and Consecration'. This has certainly proved to be a time of oneness and renewal with God! I am excited about the members of our congregation cultivating a deeper level of intimacy with God.

Incidentally, Myles Munroe's book on prayer has served as a great read and teaching help. It is thorough, very informative and insightful. It is my plan, intent and desire to re-visit this book some time again this year; and also to have our leaders read this inspiring work. All in all, this book will certainly classify in years to come as 'A Christian Classic'.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

God saw fit to smile upon us today in Worship. Attendance seemed to be low today. The weather was not unbearable; but it would be classified and inclement. All in all-God blessed our worship today. All of this would typically have bothered me; but since I have committed to saturating my life, family, and church in prayerfully aligning it with God's Will and Word, I saw it as an incredible growth opportunity. Add to this--Saturday night, I really fell into some sort of sickness. I had never had such a chill fall over my entire body completely to the extent where I contemplated calling upon one of our preachers to stand and preach the Word and another to officiate; while also asking D'Ani to teach the Sunday School lesson, considering she is one of our best impromptu Sunday School teachers. I simply prayed. I have been training all of our ministers to ALWAYS be prepared; so I would wait until Sunday morning. I was able to arise at 5am Sunday morning and complete preparation for the message. I was very weak though empowered to stand and share the message, 'Hindrances to Answered Prayer'. No public decisions were made. As a preacher and minister of the gospel-and preaching for almost 15 years--I KNEW the message should have gone much better. Thanks be to God, some shared with me how God used the message to challenge them in the Prayer life. This, along with Sunday School, proved to be very enlightening.

...Money Matters..

Aside from my father and other ministers in my family, I must say: If there is a man in ministry that I could pattern my ministry after, it would have to be Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Well--I do admire quite a few people in ministry, particularly Billy Graham, E.K. Bailey, etc. But Ulmer defines for me a Wholistic approach to ministry, particularly on the business side.

I just picked up a book that I can not put down. It is entitled, 'Making Your Money Count'. Next month I am starting a series on Stewardship, particularly Financial Stewardship. This book is helping me immensely in my study!

Thank you Dr. Ulmer for you unwavering commitment to integrity and excellence in ministry throughout the years.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

We had a wonderful time in worship today. I am learning the importance and benefit of delegation-so I am seeing others step up and doing the work of the ministry. I will continue utitlize the people that God is sending our way; and I am grateful. Today I continued my series on prayer. Today I spoke from the subject, 'The Pragmatics of Prayer.' Well-actually, the subject was prayer, but anyway. :-) I really did some teaching today. All in all, God smiled upon the entire service and 1 person came forward for membership and another to re-unite with our church. I have been praying for atleast one soul to come either through first-time decisions or simply through membership. 3 joined last week; and 2 this week! I pray that we continue to forge ahead and watch God move, work, and have His way.

Interestingly, I thank God for every trial, dissapointment, setback, failure, people issue, financial issue, naysayer, etc. - because through the crushing and learning process--the Lord has revealed to me His power and His faithfulness to His Kingdom agenda.

I am literally seeing the results of my prayer life beginning to manifest in my everyday life and experience. I can truly attest to the fact that there is POWER in PRAYER. Sunday School was off the chain-for real! We are still in 'When God Builds a Church' and we were on Principle # 9 , which was stewardship! I haven't got the report on our giving today; but prayerfully it has been acceptable to God today. God bless Cornernstone; and I am looking forward to the rest of this month; particularly this coming Friday's Prayer Conference; I can't wait for that!

A Harsh Dilemma

I am dealing with a strange an unusual set of circumstances as a Pastor: Our church is GROWING! We are growing in more ways than one--we are growing spiritually (which is most important), in commitment, and also numerically. Well-kind of. My dilemma is very frustrating--new people are coming; and some of the old people are leaving.

As Pastor, I know that there are people who are only here for a season; and that there are some selfish attitudes that just don't harmonize with the unselfishness that Christ demands. I am aware of this. But it seems as if-just as many people that come; we have just that many people who depart. I want to keep the front door open; I also want to shut the back door.

I am gathering (and I could be incorrect) that the people who have been at our church already feel as if they mean nothing to the success of our church's future. I can only assume, because most of the people who have either left, or just not present--are NOT talking to me!

I am beyond the point of always blaming myself for these person's leaving. I know where I am; I know my heart and I know my stance with the Lord. Additionally, this is also a new year and I refuse to harp on the mistakes we've made in 2007.

I just hope and pray that people will see that they are wanted and their work is needed. I will continue to reach out; but I can only do my part--as I continue to pray--as I also continue to nurture those who are still in our fellowship and the new souls that have been added.

In closing, I do know this--everybody is not at the same level spiritually. Therefore, I do know that there are some members who require and desire extra attention. This isn't compromise. I am willing to oblige; but I will never do it at the expense of wavering in my convictions. We are a GROWING church; and there will ALWAYS be new people who come. Therefore, it is my prayer that our congregation will learn how to welcome new members of the family and recognize that the Kingdom of God is 'a family affair'.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

I will not make this blog long at all. Simply put--we had an awesome time in the Lord today, as we do every week and have for the past 2 or so months.

Today was no different! At Cornerstone, this is our month of Prayer and Consecration. I am praying that as our church goes into this new year that we cultivate and develop intimacy with God. I have committed, aside from praying throughout the day and other needs, an hour a day to praying for our church alone. This has added so much fulfillment to my prayer life thus far.

I started a series of prayer today entitled, 'Does Prayer Make a Difference?' Today I spoke from the title, 'Prayerfully Handling Situations Beyond Your Control' taken from Acts 12. I have also been praying that the Lord would add to our church. I have really been praying that God would add atleast one soul to our church body a Sunday. I am continuing that prayer. God is still maturing my faith--so I haven't announced that I am praying for atleast one soul to come each Sunday, especially with low attendance.

It's amazing how God works--3 people came today! I believe I'll continue my efforts in trying to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer. I see it working already.

As a new church, we have kind of been a little informal with our first Sunday communion/Lord's supper. One of the teams I am working with--worked very hard as we have planned to have Lord's Supper taken to another level at Cornerstone. I am so glad to report that it was done in a way that I believe God is pleased! I can't even begin to describe it; it was worship in and of itself. Even the breaking of the bread in the sanctuary was only a powerful demonstration of Christ's unfailing love toward us.

My prayer continues to be that of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1; that the Lord will open the eyes of our understanding. He is doing it; I pray that He continues!!!

Gone fishing...Kind of.

This morning I had the opportunity to go out fishing with some of the brothers from the church. I can not begin to explain in this blog how much this blessed me in so many ways. I have come to cherish the moments I spend with the 'brethren', particularly those who call me their pastor. For some reason, when starting Cornerstone, there was a disconnect between myself and some of the brothers that connected with our ministry. I know now-though none of these men were/are perfect, I take the initiated and 'insist' that we work in the 'relationship.' All in all, the past is the past and I realize now that we must learn from our mistakes in an effort to avoid repeating the same mistakes. That is where I am! There are some relationships that I have lost and they will never be what they once were no matter how I try. Let me say quickly, I am not trying to make myself out to be a villain; of course there are some whom I've been connected to who may have been a little un-spiritual, stuck on themselves, untrustworthy, ambitious and impatient to execute their own agendas. I have seen that side; and I have learned how to allow the Lord to deal with that. The reality is--the adversity has helped me to appreciate even the smallest triumphs.

I prayed for more men--and God is sending them!!! The enemy isn't happy, of course; and that definately means I have to pray mightily--because he will trying EVERYTHING he can to ruin the divine relationship that God is establishing.

Annual Business Meeting

Tonight we held our Annual Business Meeting at the church. This is the 2nd we've had since I've been pastor. I must say--that the meeting went extremely well!!! For the past month or so I have really seen the spiritual growth of our church as a whole. In the meeting tonight, everyone behaved themselves in a Christ-like manner and in a way that I believe God was well-pleased. It is amazing to see the difference a year can make; insofar as last year (my first ever business meeting as anyone's pastor and me moderating) left a sour taste in my spirit. I really can't explain it all without simply saying that we read scripture, prayed, went over the newly revised mission, vision, and core values of our church along with our philosophy of ministry. When dealing with the revisions of mission, vision, core values, etc. - I really saw the Lord speak through me and all of the work I pored into making sure our mission, etc. was right - I saw Him use it and speak. It really turned into a Bible study! Then we dealt with the business side, of course. We had a few questions for clarity's sake; but overall there was not a spirit of confusion nor any cantankerous comments. I am so excited about the new beginning.

New Beginnings...New Expectations

According to Kevin Conner, 8 is the number of New Beginnings. He has used scripture to define and convey this truth; and I agree. We are a few hours from 2008; and I am looking forward to a year of new beginnings. I am also seeing that a lot of work will need to be done; to whom much is given much is required. We have made several changes in our congregational leadership paradigm; for instance, we have gone from trying to establish 20 plus ministries; and now we will focus on 6, their formation, and making them the best that they can be--so that God is pleased. We did a sign up several weeks ago and the results were actually the most positive we have had since we've started the ministry. Now it is my responsibility to disciple, train and equip these saints for the work of the ministry. This will be both challenging yet VERY rewarding. In the past, I've done this with one or so people; some things worked-but there were things that fell through for whatever reason. Maybe it was just too much information, I don't know. But at the end of the day--some that I have discipled have recieved it and are doing very well; others have not. Overall, I am praying that God will work through me to do a better job in equipping disciples. I look forward to the Lord granting this request.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

This last Sunday of the year has marked the end of things old and the beginning of things new. Today was a good day; it has also been a difficult day for me personally. Well, difficult may be the incorrect word. Let me simply say--I delivered the State of the Church Address. The reason why it is always difficult for me is because I am talking about our vision. Not that I hate talking about our vision-it is just extremely taxing and takes a lot out of me. Also-because preaching is my element and something I love to do--I have the added pressure and wanting to preach the way I typically preach; and I just can't do that and talk about the vision. My experience has been when talking about our vision--that I have to stand flat-foot and 'talk' to our people, and clearly share with them our direction. It is something I feel that I must do and need to do on a regular basis.

We are between Christmas and New Years-so many of our members and regular attenders were out-for one reason or another. I can't say this was a great surprise; though my expectation was that I would be proven wrong.

The good news is we had in our worship service a committal and burial. We buried and committed to ashes every issue and person that we needed to let go in 2007. 2008 is the Year of New Beginnings. And we are entering the coming year with a new attitude, perspective, and commitment to do things God's way.

This is going to be a challenging yet rewarding time for us; but I am excited about the new possibilities!!!

...Finals

This is finals week. I have taken one final thus far. I am not pleased with how I have done and plan to contact my professor tomorrow and see if there is ANYTHING that I can do to make up for the horrible job I did today. All I am looking for, at this point, is GRACE. I need it - I really have no excuses. Interestingly--I think we have all been there SPIRITUALLY as well!!! No excuses, should have done better, could have done better--just didn't. We need HIS grace...

Sunday, December 10, 2007

Thank the Lord for a wonderful day in worship today! Attendance was nothing out of the ordinary--still waiting on the increase. Nevertheless--God was present!!! And that is all that really matters. This was one of those mornings where nothing seemed to come together--couldn't find my glasses, left my coat at home, etc. All in all--God moved in our corporate worship experience and He really used the message. Also--Sunday School was fantastic!!! I expect God to do more each and every week at Cornerstone...

Annual Church Survey....

For the second year now, we have conducted a church-wide survey. It is only 'church-wide' insofar as only a selected few take advantage of the survey. I am busy trying to tally up all of the answers, etc. Though I appreciate the obedience of some of our members who took the survey--I am two-sided in my response to the survey. On the one hand, I appreciate those who really gave honest answers, whether they were harsh realities (like my not answering my phone enough) that I already knew the answer to or some great comments and views regarding our church. This will both help and challenge our church as a whole. On the other hand, as a NEW pastor, I see why more churches/congregations DO NOT conduct an annual church survey. Because though there is a desire for everyone to be honest, all are NOT qualified to assess the progress, spirituality, and quality of the church. They just can not!!! I don't want to say NEVER. But I doubt very seriously that we will be doing an annual church survey next year. Though I appreciate and will take advantage of MOST of the surveys, I think that next time it will NOT be 'church-wide'.

I am praying that tomorrow, when the results are reviewed--that the Lord will allow us as a congregation that are few in number--to take legitimate, spiritual concerns and suggestions and implement/integrate them into the life of our great church.

More Greek!

Tonight was MORE Greek. We had three weeks off; and it was quite evident!!! Thank God that our professor forgot that he had assigned us a quiz on declensions, etc. that I hadn't studied for--though many remembered and were prepared. He forget because OF ME!!! God is good!!! We discussed some things, mainly one that I DID NOT even know. Southern Baptists take the stand that there are Women Deacons! What? I need to do more research; this may be a Southwestern thing and not a SBC thing. The premise is taken from 1 Timothy 3:11; that, in the original language--the qualifications there do NOT make reference to Deacon's wives, but rather female deacons. I just had a lot of questions about this subject knowing that I never even heard or even considered this point of view. I remember doing a study on some of our culture calling the wives of Deacons a 'Deaconess'. I have not nor do I see now that concept in scripture. A Deacon's wife being a 'Deaconess' by default is no more true than the wife of a Pastor makes her a Pastoress or the wife of a Prophet (in the OT) a Prophetess.

Take note, I haven't done any research on any of this as of yet--that is, on female deacons. Rest assured, I WILL. And in no way, am I placing this in the category of women ministers. Those are 2 separate issues in scripture. I don't want to say anything that is incorrect only to have to correct myself after I have studied and it looks as if I am contradicting myself. I will say, as of now, my BIGGEST surprise is that Southwestern is a proponent of this view. And moreover, I have always 'assumed' that the term 'Deacon' (diakonos) was a masculine term. If the term, in scripture, is gendered neuter--then that changes everything. Atleast for me! If it is gendered masculine--then the term Deacon in my view could NOT possibly mean a female Deacon.

I will study this in depth, as I have with women in ministry--and, will post in a future blog. Bear in mind, this will take some time. I try not to stand for something unless I am 100% certain that I have done research and insight into the the biblical text. Disclaimor: I know this is a sensitive subject. Note: I have NOT attempted, in any way, to express one way or another in this blog which way I am leaning.

The Bee Movie!

Yesterday I did something I have NEVER done before--I went to the movies with Kai--just he and I!!!! We have been to the movies as a family, typically he was with the church gathering; or his cousins would take him to a kid movie while Dee and I went to a movie we really wanted to see. D'Ani has been to these 'kid movies' with Kai before. I just don't do the cartoons. I never see the point of spending that kind of money for a movie that I will probably have to purchase in 3 or so months and will be played over and over again. But after church, I really wanted to just BE with Kai--just he and I!!! I wanted to enjoy his presence. The movie was okay; but my major thrill was seeing how excited thid 4-year was to have his 'daddy' all to himself. It really amazed me to see him so excited and thrilled to have me there--with him. I felt so out of place, all of the kids....women (mothers)....men with shorts, t-shirts and baseball caps....while I sported a dress shirt, slacks and, of course, my Dallas Cowboys cap!!!! (Go Cowboys!) All in all--I had to think about my prayer life; how, at times, I really neglect to give The Father the time He wants and desires. It is my prayer before this year is out to cultivate a heart like that of Kai--I want to simply enjoy being with my Eternal Daddy (Abba!). I was talking to an old friend of mine as we were leaving--they called me on my cell. I told them that I spend time with Kai and I really don't do 'kid movies' but I 'made it through'. He said, 'yes....but it meant the WORLD to him'. I had to repent--may my time with God always continually mean the WORLD to me!!!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Worship today was both effectual and empowering! I did not preach; I asked one of our ministers, Steven Richardson, to share with us the Word of God. I try to occassionally allow our associate ministers the opportunity to 'minister' and 'preach' the Word not only when I am away but also when I am present. I am told that this can be a definite blessing and example to the entire congregation toward support of those who serve under my leadership in a ministerial capacity. Being that I am not in a present series, and also working toward next year's agenda, etc.--this was the perfect opportunity to have one of our very able and capable ministers to share. He did an awesome job in allowing God to use Him as the Word of God was explained. He shared a passage from Matthew 17:1-5 and spoke from the subject "Spiritual Reconstruction". We were blessed!...I can't put it any other way....


In Sunday school we continued our series 'When God Builds a Church' and today's discussion dealt with 'Excellence'. We were blessed! Interestingly, the teacher not only teached but some stated that he was on the brink of preaching the lesson that he taught. All in all-we were blessed!

Back Home

I'm glad to be back home from the Texas Valley. God really blessed our time there, particularly on women's night (Thursday). The boys, Kai and Kaden, were happy to see me and D'Ani, of course, smiled from ear to ear!!! I love my family!!! I am so blessed to have them in my life. They are the best!

Revival in Brownsville!

This week I am preaching at the St. James Church, where Rev. Leroy Roundtree serves as pastor. This is my seventh year with St. James and I love being here! I look forward to this time every year. I really love the Roundtree family, Pastor Roundtree is just a jewel and simply has a natural gift for pastoring God's people. I see the growth each and every year. One of the things that really stood out to me this year is that the main ingregdient to their growth is is 'true' passion for prayer. He believes in the power of prayer. He sort of reminds me of one of my FAVORITE preachers, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle. Roundtree is a giant of a man and preacher!!!

For the past several years, it has given me to opportunity to renew myself, read, reflect, and be revived. I am able to look at what's been accomplished the past year, both personally and ministerially and pray and evaluate where the Lord is guiding and leading me, my family, and the church the coming year. As He speaks to me, I realize that there are some harsh realities in terms of things that need to be done, where we must go, and YES--some mistakes I have made personally and ministerially. Last night the Lord really shined on the worship service and upon the message. It was a youth night and I spoke from I Peter 2:9 from the subject 'I'm About To Take my Position'. It was a very simple message and God is allowing me to free myself from the manuscript....comfortably though with much prayer. My messages involve a lot of information; and I feel that it is ALL extremely important. However--(though I have been preaching for some time now) the Holy Spirit is really teaching me how to follow His lead and feel the pulse of the people in preaching--and when to give more or less. For this I am grateful.

Struggle!

Today in my seminary class, we completed our semester's teaching agenda. This gave opportunity for us to glean from this sage and giant of a man we call Dr. Overton. The course is entitle 'Life and Ministry of the Pastor'. One of the things he mentioned was moving from one church to another and how he knew when the time had come to move on and when to stay in certain places that the Lord had planted him. One of the things that happened to be mention in our discussion is--being able to discern when where you are and the obstacles that you face are merely a 'time of testing' and when it is God raising the red flag that it is time to move. I think many of us who are saved struggle with this. In my transparency--I must ADMIT that I, too, struggle with this from time to time. I consider myself a person of strong resolve and persistent (though sometimes wavering) faith.

Cornerstone has face many, many obstacles. From those who have come and those whom have gone; from obstacles in finding space and a location; to finances and just simply 'people problems', lack of commitment, leadership issues, etc. My story is probably all too common among pastor, people, and many congregations. Of course, I would be to differ and suggest we are a unique situation--why? Because we are a NEW church. We don't have any history--so we don't have the credit to where banks trust us; we don't have a track record--so many of our members will not put their name on the line to make it happen; we are predominantly a young church (in age)--so there is very little commitment and giving. Why? They are doing work, school, and leisure--and usually houses, cars, etc. come first. I could go on and on but I think it's clear what I am trying to say--unless there is RESOLVE, we can easily interpret that this is NOT God, close up the church and dissolve. Others may say--this is a season of testing. I used to claim that I knew 100% for sure. I do know that HE called me to do this; but like a marriage--it is a partnership--no one is an island. No man can pastor a church by himself. We have about 5 to 10 strong, committed Christians who are being discipled under the leadership of Cornerstone--where I serve. I thank God daily for these people in particular, though I pray daily for all the members of Cornerstone. It is my sincere prayer that more of our 'attenders' will see the urgency of what is still deemed 'a new ministry' who 'has yet to fly on her own' that they are urgently needed. It is crucial and critical. Until God shows me differently--I will contine to see this as a time of testing for 'me' personally--if for no one else, I am growing spiritually and I have seen and experienced enough at Cornerstone alone to write a book!!!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

We had an awesome time in Worship today! It was a COLD day in Houston. It was one of the only times I can remember where I wanted to stay in my socks and not go out. OF course, I thought about the season of Thanksgiving and all that the Lord has done and how He has blessed me in so many ways--I COULD NOT stay in the house that He blessed me with and get up and eat breakfast that He provided, without first telling HIM 'Thank You' for just being Who He is. He is an awesome God.

As far as I could tell--MOST of our parishioners FELT and acted UPON the way I initially felt: they stayed home! I am convinced that some had to work, others were out of town; but I know quite a few were simply missing in action. Add to this, the woman who brings many people to church with her is not doing well right now; and we are praying for her! It was a mixture of many things. All in all--it can be quite discouraging; the enemy can often make you concentrate on trivial matters. Why do I say this? Though the attendance at Cornerstone was low, the overall spirit was high--the Lord moved in the place where we worship each week. More than this--he moved in US. For this I remain continually grateful.

Evan Almighty........

I won't be long now; it is Friday evening. I can not believe that Sunday is almost here; and I am not yet ready for Sunday's message. I have a lot that needs to be done. I will be out this week for revival and I need to get together a church evaluation. I had the boys again today; and they did NOT let me even get ANY alone time to pray, meditate, and study. Needless to say, tomorrow will be an interesting day.

I did have the chance to watch Evan Almighty this evening with D'Ani. Though I am a Jim Carrey fan and actually enjoyed Bruce Almighty and its plot much more; I could identify MORE with this movie! This movie, Evan Almighty, allowed me to see so much of myself. I often feel as if I am misunderstood in some of the decisions I make, particularly with regard to ministry, though I KNOW when God is speaking. I can't really get too much into the movie without giving it all away. But if someone reads this blog-just think of me if and when you watch the movie--THAT'S ME!!!

I'm Thankful

I have so much for which I am thankful. I just want to shine a little light on a few:

1. My salvation. Ephesians 1:1-11 is so precious to me. I thank Him for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ; and for the rich and meaningful relationship that I see growing stronger on a regular and consistent basis.

2. D'Ani & The Boys. I can not say enough about these 3 people. They mean the world to me! I love them beyond any earthly degree. They make life so enjoyable. Add to this, my boys are such entertainers and so very funny. D'Ani-she is really the best thing God has EVER placed on this earth.

3. My ENTIRE family and....friends. From my parents, in laws, grandparents, etc. I love them all. The few friends, far and near, whom I haven't met by chance or happenstance. These friends are 'traffic signs' that God really loves me. I thank the Lord for them.

4. The Cornerstone Church family. To say that we have had our struggles, setbacks, and disappointments--in MY view, would be an understatement. But the people and families at our church a near and dear to me and will always have a special place in my heart and life.

5. The CALL. This is big for me. In a time when the process and the pain doesn't appear to match the promise-I know one thing for sure-I'M CALLED!!! I am glad, humbled, and honored that the LORD called someone like me. I wouldn't trade the call for anything in this world.

6. My enemies and my haters! Eventually, I will draft a thank you letter to them. I am extremely grateful for the Lord allowing and permitting this very vital people group into my life.

7. His WORD. The grass will withers; the flowers shall fade; the WORD of our God shall stand forever!

Thanksgiving Eve

Today was both a good and hectic day. I wasn't necessarily extremely busy; just had Kai Livingston all day; he was out of school-though I still had to get things done. Then I had to take him to the barber shop. Add to this, Kaden Lexander had to be picked up early from daycare. All went well; we had a good day. Kai and I went to Blockbuster, which is something Kai really enjoys doing with his 'old man'. I was going to go by myself; but Kai is always trying to sneak in some extra time. For some reason, he LOVES going to the 'movie place', or any place, with me. I must admit-he is crazy about his 'Daddy'. I am both grateful and humbled by this fact. It is my prayer that I will ALWAYS make him proud; it is my prayer that he will always see me the way that I see my Daddy-as his HERO. The one regret I have today is not spending more time with my Heavenly Father today in prayer, study, and devotion. I will try to do better...

Words on Gratitude & Thanksgiving, Part 2

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

--H.U. Westermayer

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?

--George Canning

Some complain that roses have thorns—others rejoice that thorns have roses!

--Unknown

Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world: It is not he who prays most or fasts most, it is not he who gives most alms or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.

--William Law

If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.

--Robert Quillen

I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.

--Kahlil Gibran

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

--John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving to God is an exuberant response to giving me HIS everything . . . by giving Him MY everything.

–Martha Kilpatrick

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

--W.T. Purkiser

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

-- Cicero

Words on Gratitude & Thanksgiving, Part 1

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!

--Henry Ward Beecher

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live.

--Jackie Windspear

Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.

--Estonian Proverb

You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.

--Charles Haddon Spurgeon

You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.

--G.K. Chesterton

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

--William A. Ward

O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!

-- William Shakespeare

Gratitude consists of being more aware of what you have, than what you don’t.

–Unknown

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

--Cynthia Ozick

Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.

--Harper Lee

To know the value of generosity, it is necessary to have suffered from the cold indifference of others.

--Eugene Cloutier

Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.

--Horace

Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.

--Henry Clay

How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child's personality. A child is resentful, negative—or thankful. Thankful children want to give, they radiate happiness, they draw people.

-- Sir John Templeton

Gratitude ... goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.

--Henri J. M. Nouwen

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

--Thornton Wilder

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it

--William Arthur Ward

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

--Melody Beattie

Thank God every day when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know.

-- Basil Carpenter

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.

--Chinese Proverb

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.

--Author Unknown

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

-- Aesop Fables

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Praise God for another Lord's day! Last night and this morning we had non-stop rain. I do not think this is an epidemic, but some of our parishioners were allergic to the rain this day. The good news is-many who attend on very rainy days are often serious about worship. Praise and Worship were both uplifting and empowering. For me, I felt extremely fatigued and, in my view, struggled with communicating the message. We shared a message from 2 Kings 4 that deals with the Shunamite woman and her son. Yes-I did preach the truth and conveyed the message of the text. I tried to deal with the idea of 'remaining calm when life seems cruel.' All in all-I know that the message could have come across better; but God breathed upon the message despite my fatigue. Incidentally, though attendance was down; giving was kind of better than it has been. I am unsure if this is simply a 'Cornerstone' thing-but when attendance is the highest, giving is the lowest. I have tried to figure this out for the life of me; but it is not MY church. I do know that the economy we are living in is extremely disturbing and we have all, but declared a recession. There is no excuse for failing to give God the tithe and offering-but there are many within our congregations (across the nation) who have allowed this systemic infiltration perpetrated by the 'Administration' (from 3 dollar gas to raising electricity while minimum wage stays the same) to affect the first priority-putting God first. I have noticed--that EVERYTHING is raising in price...everything, of course...except paychecks. Well, unless you work for Halliburton. This has, no doubt, affected many churches-I am sure. I am praying for a breakThrough! It is not my intention to be political in this blog; though I think that the record in scripture will show--that the prophet/preacher didn't always agree with the current 'Administration'. I do pray for our nation (these yet to be United States), our churches (whom Christ gave His life), and for the Bush!!!

I do love quotes. When I have nothing to say I find it helpful to add someone else's interesting thoughts to my blog. I came across two that I thought I would add to today's blog. I have read and have often quoted the second by St. Francis; but I just happened upon the Lily Tomlin quote, which I WILL be using at some point. Typically on my blog my quotes are interrelated; these two are not related in any way. If you see any relation at all-please comment!!! I'd love to read your thoughts....

"The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat"

(Lily Tomlin).

"Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words"

(Francis of Assisi).

A note about PROBLEMS

1. Problems often provide us with greater opportunities
2. Problems can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
3. Problems prove our integrity (1 Pt 3:15)
4. Problems produce a sense of dependence
5. Problems prepare our hearts for ministry (more empathetic)
- Source Unknown.

Bible Study

This evening at TNT (Thursday Nights Together) we talked about reconciliation. This is a loaded subject that really helped me both ministerially and personally. Interestingly-it lead to the idea of church discipline. In my reading, I am discovering that church discipline is extremely vital and necessary to the growth of any church. I am praying that the Lord will grow me in this area; namely because this can be a struggle for me. In my view, church discipline is hard! It is something you would love to delegate to 'a hired gun'. I want to be bold enough to both ASSESS and ADDRESS sin the pervades the life of our church. This is, NO DOUBT, the church's greatest hindrance-SIN.

...For for THOUGHT...

Always have a book at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for the family; a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms. It will impress on your own mind a thousand valuable suggestions, and teach your children a thousand lessons of truth and duty. Such a book is a casket of jewels for your housebold.

Tryon Edwards

*************

Great truths are portions of the soul of man;Great souls are portions of eternity.

James Russell Lowell

Happy Birthday Momma!

God has blessed me with a wonderful mother! I call her 'Momma'! I praise God for her life, her witness, her encouragement, and understanding. She has been a constant source of strength and prayerful support for our entire family.

There were many times I saw her kneel on the side of her bed and toil before the Lord in prayer; times when I saw her crying tears of joy and sometimes pain for her children (never me!) and others; so many stories she shared with me early in my formative years out of the Word of God that stick with me to this day. She shared with me the plan of salvation, and the Lord (unbeknown to me) used her as an instrument that influences my preaching, teaching, and speaking ability even today. Among many other things, she enrolled me into speech classes while I was still very young in age and was insistent that I remain there, in the midst of all of the embarrassment and humiliation I received from my classmates.

Little did I know that SHE knew that I would one day proclaim God's Word and teach His people. Traveling with me everywhere I went as a teenage preacher, nurturing me, loving me, supporting me, constructively critiquing me, and being present through some of the darkest moments in my life that I will NEVER forget (even in eternity)-This woman is a true gift cut from God's BEST cloth! I LOVE her and always will!!!

Happy Birthday Momma!!! Proverbs 31......

Veterans Day

This has been a day full of things to do; but again I say-the blog is my commitment. I am overly committed to the FEW things that I do (though I wouldn't term it in the OCD category); I do think it may be a Pullam thing, but not sure. I want my blog to be helpful, meaningful, and insightful. More than this--I want to be both truthful and relevant.

I thank God for our veterans! I have not had the opportunity to serve our country in the capacity of being in the Armed Forces. However, I think that our veterans are often overlooked, underpayed, under-appreciated, and typically forgotten after their term(s) of duty have concluded. This is a special day for me because my father, along with my 2 brothers, father in law...served in the Air Force. Several of our members are in the military. I have been touched by all of these individuals. I honor them. We honor them. The sacrifices they have made in their families, personal lives, etc. for their country are unmeasurable.

Again...Happy Veteran's Day to all of our Veteran's, past and present!

....Spiritual Plagiarism...

A couple of months ago I got in trouble (I talked about it in a previous blog); I wrote a 10 page Greek exegesis term report. I was cornered by my professor because, though I had a page full of footnotes, endnotes and references-there was a sentence in my paper that I did NOT reference. It was a sentence talking about the texture of the original masoretic text in scripture; I could have ONLY wrote that sentence had I traveled to the Holy Land and observed that particular text/papyrus myself. It is what he pointed out in the handbook as, you guessed it, PLAGIARISM. I was speechless and did NOT have a defense. It was accidental on my part and he saw my sincerity, I suppose. Plagiarism is defined as claiming, or implying, authorship for work and applying it to our own without giving CREDIT to the original author and his work....

Wow!!! How often have we done this spiritually? How often have we been guilty of spiritual plagiarism?
* How many times have we prided ourselves in something without giving GOD credit?
* How often have we boasted about our jobs, finances, families, and deliverance without giving Him the credit?
* How often have we mistaken our paychecks as OUR money and neglected to give Him HIS portion and failed to give HIM credit?

That's Spiritual Plagiarism...!!!

Just a thought--but I think it'll preach!!!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

We had a good worship experience this morning! There is no other way to put it-God showed up and we had church. I have theological views that work against that expression: 'we had church'. But--I hope its only taken at surface value and what I intend to say is clear. I don't know exactly how to describe what the Lord is doing in our local fellowship; there are certainly changes that HE is making. It is slow growth at this point; but it is sure growth. As my eldest preaching brother has noted: sometimes...if it GROWS fast it BLOWS fast! Therefore, I am learning to appreciate what God has given me and see it as a gift. This slow growth for me allows ME to grow in the process. Attendance today was the best I have seen in a while. The spirit of the church was amazing and we were on one accord. Well-from what I can tell. I've learned to weed out negative spirits, personalities, pessimistic personalities and the like. I can't ruin my day because of trivial people who simply have a problem with themselves and God; it's not my problem. No decisions were made in terms of someone walking forward; though I had an unusual burden on my heart sensing that the Lord was speaking to someone to come forward. That burdens me; but I did my part. Sunday School went well. D'Ani taught today on the subject of 'Leadership'. She did an outstanding job! We continued a teaching series that we've been in for Sunday School entitled 'When God Builds a Church'. In our general Sunday School we had 23 in attendance today! This probably means nothing to many local congregations. But when we're accustomed to having no more than 9 or 10 in Sunday School-this is nothing short of a miracle, as far as I'm concerned. Again I am sure that the adversary is not pleased-but I am committed to seeing all of this through! God has a specific plan and purpose for Cornerstone, and He will have HIS way in our church.

Here is the skeleton for today's message:

Subject: Take Possession
Text: Genesis 12:1-2

Opening Premise: It is the desire of God that every child of His live in the fulfillment and purpose for which they were born.

Thesis: God has an amazing plan in store for you; it is up to you to follow His plan through your obedience.

Intro
- You are already in a position for prosperity and in your destiny.
- God’s definition of prosperity is different from man’s definition of prosperity.
- What prosperity is not (cars, wardrobe, etc.)
- Prosperity is a condition of existence that allows you to walk in the fulfillment of who God has designed you to be.

* Abram is already positioned for greatness (verse 1)
* Abram is positioned irrespective of his history
* His father Terah (Genesis 11:31 -32)
i. He set out for Canaan
ii. He settled in Haran (metropolitan city)
iii. He grew comfortable living short of Canaan (the promise)

- God is not in your stuff; He resides in your obedience.
- Be careful about becoming complacent in your Haran.
- There is always danger when your pursuit of stuff gets in the way of God’s glory.

Lessons:
Don’t settle too soon
It’s too soon to quit
Don’t remain where you are on the basis of how good a thing may look; because that may not be where God wants you.
When you stop before you arrive where God wants you—you may look good but you will die.

Transitional Statement: God puts you in position; YOU have to take possession.

Probing Question: How do I take possession in order that I can be all that the Lord has created me to be?

I. In order to take possession you have to change your environment. (verse 1a)

II. When God pronounces possession on you it is NOT when you have it. (verse 1b)

III. If you manage it, God will make it happen. (verse 2)

My Prayer

My earnest prayer is that the Lord will smile upon our worship experience on tomorrow. It is also my prayer that He will bless our Sunday School experience. Ultimately, I pray that He will shine upon the message and move up the hearts of his people to be both receptive and responsive to His Word and worship. I pray for all Christ-centered congregations as they gather this weekend to experience the most important time during the course of the entire week-the assembling together with the saints.

Bloggers...

I wanted to post some blogs that have really caught my attention. These guys have some good information/insights! I admire how they are so consistent with blogging every day. I really love the blog. It should be a sacrifice. Though I, like so many pastors, have a strange schedule and many surprises-this is one of my forms of expression as well as an amazing outlet. By the way-I think the Apostle Paul would have been a blogger if he were living in the 21st century!

Pastor Scott's Blog

Evotional.com - Originality, Authenticity, Creativity

Better Living: Thoughts from Mark Daniels

Bible Study

Tonight we continued our teaching, discussion, and dialogue on the subject of 'Forgiveness.' We will conclude the study next week during Bible Study with teaching on reconciliation. We had a good, insightful study. Attendance was about the same. I am praying for an increase in Bible Study attendance and participation. The upside is that Sunday School bible studies are increasing some. All in all-I praise God for those who were present and those who were both helped and left our study with a urgency to forgive their offenders, experience God's forgiveness, and if they have been the offender-to take the appropriate steps toward reconciliation.

....Character

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
- Henry David Thoreau
Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word.
- Lord Chesterfield
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
-Thomas Paine

Carlton Pearson...Exalted? Exactly!

Where in the world can I begin with this one? Whatever I say-I am certain it won't really convey what I am feeling. I've just watched a new series that began a few weeks ago, BET's Exalted. I am not only disturbed, but saddened by this great potential-turned-directionless man. My wife can attest to the fact that I have either Tivo'd, recorded, etc. things about Calrton Pearson. Let me say, I love Pearson-he is one of my myspace friends-and he is a great singer and seems to be a 'nice guy'. What disturbs me about Pearson is his uncanny way of mixing truth with error. He says things that are sarcastic and then tries to use it as a premise for what he is really trying to push-the "gospel" of inclusion. No matter how judgmental it sounds--his stance is clearly heretical.
There are just some things that make no sense to me: he says that hell doesn't exist; he states that EVERYONE (EVERYONE) is going to Heaven; he states that God doesn't condemn anyone, at anytime, for anything. This all sounds good and, believe me, the fleshly part of me WISHES this were true. The Bible is clear in Both New and Old Testament that Hell is real....period! Pearson thinks it's a metaphor. That's heresy! Everyone will go to Heaven? I really don't understand how he gets this so I will not expound. God will not condemn anyone at any tme for anything? Okay--I am assuming his basis is the scripture which states, '....there is therefore now no condemnation'. Or perhaps his premise is Christ's declaration that '...it is finished'. But Pearson should be more educated than this; he should know context, the security of the 'believer', the all sufficiency of Christ for those who are IN Christ, etc. Pearson's wife said something that really stuck with me in her interview on Exalted. She stated that when her husband announced his views, people began to walk away and it was then, in her words, '...I began to see the lack of love in the church'. Now I will be the first to admit that the church isn't all that it should be. And there are a lot of issues, including lack of love, etc. in the church. But wrong is simply that...wrong! Examining 1 Corinthians 13, I see nothing in that chapter stating that Christian believers are to condone wrong. At the end of the interview, he said that he did all of this and has gained his soul. Now--I don't make myself an authority. I don't! Maybe we will all get to heaven and discover that everybody who ever lived will be there. But if God is the God of the Bible that I read--that will not occur because God doesn't contradict Himself. One of the main 'interviewees' on Pearson was Tonex (Remember him?). I don't even have the time to talk about this misguided young man. For those who read this blog and sense anger. It is not that at all. It is "righteous indignation." I am not a politician; I speak as a proclaimer, preacher, pastor and prophet! The tragedy is this-many Christians are being led astray by this 'inclusion' theology. I consider this false doctrine to lead the bunch; namely because it appears to be so saturated in love and acceptance; when, in actuality, it is leading people astray.

Food for Thought

Nature and wisdom never are at strife.
-Plutarch
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
-Francois De La Rochefoucauld
The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.
-William James

Sunday School

I wanted to add a blog about our Sunday School. The last blog was long and I didn't want to make it any longer. We had an awesome Sunday School session today. I am really liking the direction and response we are getting from When God Builds a Church outline. Today one of our members, Mrs. Adrienne Richardson, did an awesome job teaching the class today. She is the wife of one of our ministers, Min. Steven Richardson-who is a gifted preacher by all accounts. I knew that she would do a good job-though I think she stated her 'nervousness', for the lack of a better word. I began with the introduction 2 weeks ago. Last week one of our men taught on the first principle, which is TRUTH. Today, Mrs. Richardson taught on the second principle, which is WORSHIP. By the way-she was the first worship leader at our church! I am looking forward to her sharing again in this capacity. I am excited about next week-my wife, D'Ani (Dee) will be teaching on the third principle, which is LEADERSHIP. I can think of no finer Christian to teach on such a subject; she is the consumate Christian leader. After all--look who she's married to!!! Enough now, Kaden is trying to get my attention. Be Blessed. :-)

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Today in worship we had a glorious time in the Lord! I must say-the presence of God was not only with us in our worship experience; but we left there today with an emphatic "YES" to the question, 'Was God pleased with our worship toward Him today?' During our worship service today, God simply showed us that He is faithful, reliable, trustworthy, and worthy! My prayer on the way to church this morning was simply asking God to meet us there; my personal struggles with impatience, discontent with mediocrity, etc. - have really pushed my faith to its optimum peak. Though I pastor a small church-I am insistent that we fight the spirit of small-mindedness. Today-though attendance was low (as it has been since moving out of Pearland-well, actually--it has been low since we started!), God showed me that He honors faithfulness toward Him. This was another reminder that He will keep His Word. I am excited about how the Lord is growing and stretching our fellowship; there are times of misunderstanding when I don't see individuals being used that I thought He was going to use. More than this, it surprises me how easily I have released myself from the burden of faulting myself for some who have either left, or are present but are not involved. Some are meant to stay only for a season; then there are others who were just in the wrong place. Then, of course, there are some who leave any given congregation because of the enormity of the task and the pressure of doing more than they desire. All in all-I thank God for each of them. I used to ask people who've left 'why' they left. I now realize that that the answer simpler than I cared to admit: 'it is what it is'!

Anyway--that's kind of off the point. As we prepare to move back to Pearland as we enter the new year, not knowing HOW God is going to do it--He did answer my prayer today as I headed to church. And that is He assured me that we are headed in the right direction. That is all I need to know! Why? Because it pleases HIM! By the way--FOUR people joined church today-these were all adults. Worship was already dynamic, uplifting, and empowering--that only sealed the deal for me. More importantly, these four people have already shown that they are at Cornerstone to work, be used, commit to the vision and leadership--and prayerfully under-gird our entire ministry with their service and witness. Interestingly--this is the first time in our church's short history that we didn't even have programs--for VARIOUS reasons. I will write later about how awesome Sunday School has been! Cornerstone is doing a great work; thought we aren't even close to where God is trying to send us--I see GROWTH! I remain prayerful and submitted to HIS service and plan...

Let me give the outline of today's message:

Subject: Don't Fight Your Furnace
Text: Daniel 3:21-26

Thesis: God could be using your crisis of adversity as a tool to perfect your character and develop your maturity.

Intro
a. Where the Devil has lost the battle for your soul, he is still in the battle for your witness, etc.
b. Don't fight your furnace, curse your crisis, rebuke the fire...
c. The furnace is good news for the believer-it's what Joel C. Gregory calls 'Growing Pains'.

Transitional Statement: The job description of your adversary, the Devil, is to make you feel as if checking with God and walking with God's plan was a wrong decision.

Probing Question: How do I handle the fire so that God can show Himself to be faithful?

I. You have to come up with a new definition of what it means to be free
a. God delivers them while they are still in it.
b. God can teach you and train you how to walk IN the fire.
c. They're walking - and indication that they are:
i. Survivors (You and I are standing in something that should have destroyed us)
ii. Loosed (They went in bound (vs. 21) but they are walking in it loosed (vs. 25) )

Lessons:
1. Remember that God can set you free in the crisis.
2. Don't forget to keep walking.
3. Quit listening to false theology that teaches you to rebuke anything that makes you uncomfortable. Discomfort and inconvenience could be a compliment from God!

(Bonhoeffer 'I'm blessed when I BLEED')

II. When your faith is intensified, you can believe God to show up earlier than scheduled.

Vs. 24 '...looks like the Son of God.'

a. This is Daniel. Isaiah has not yet prophesied about the coming of the Son of God.
b. The 'Son of God' is not scheduled to show up until Matthew.
c. Because of the intensity of their faith-the 'Son of God' steps in earlier than they expected.

Note: Theological understanding of Christophony

Lessons:
1. There are moments in all of our lives where we need God to move earlier than scheduled.
2. The question from God's perspective is this: do you have earlier-than-scheduled faith?
3. Remember that God's glory is the brightest when your furnace is the hottest.

III. God can use your difficult situation to devise divine revelation.

a. Revelation is not something you extract out of a textbook. (Logos/Rhema)
b. When God reveals Himself, it necessitates a situation; and always a season of difficulty.
c. In the activity-you learn to define and ascribe what God does based upon a NAME that gives reference to what God did.

- You couldn't call Him Jehovah Jireh-until you couldn't provide for yourself.
- You couldn't call Him Jehovah Rophe-until you couldn't heal yourself.
- You couldn't call Him Jehovah Shalom-until you couldn't find peace yourself.
- You couldn't call Him Jehovah Nissi-until you couldn't fight for yourself.

Lessons:
1. God can use what you go through to help somebody else to see Who God is.
2. God can use your testimony and your story as a platform to display His resume'.
a. I am a reference in God's curriculum vitae:

- Under healing-I'm there!
- Under joy-I'm there!
- Under miracle-I'm there!
- Under salvation-I'm there!

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.

– Goldsmith

The journey of thousand miles starts with a single step

– Chinese Proverb

un/Forgiveness and the Offender...

Last night, we began a lesson that centers around our series Why Churches Die, we have been dealing the past two weeks with two major ailments that sicken and poison the body of Christ-Glossolitis (Gossip) and the Toxin of Bitterness, Jealousy and Envy. At its root is a heart and the issue of unforgiveness. We had, I believe, a good Bible study. I continue to find some degree of discouragement because of attendance. It can be quite frustrating to see some not take advantage helpful, insightful, scriptural information--when I know that it will both help them and is something they deal with continuously in their own lives. I try not to allow myself to become overwhelmingl discouraged by looking at the majority (read the last blog and you will see the frustration) that I overlook and become ungrateful with the minority. That is one end of the sprectrum; on the other end--I think it SHOULD bother me as a pastor, to some degree. Especially when I look at the shepherd in scripture who wetn looking for the one lost sheep when he already had 99 sheep in his pasture. He passionately pursued after that one lost sheep. I don't mean to imply that those who aren't passionate about studying the Word are lost. I think their priorities are misplaced. Whether it is a result of their being 'lost' or not, that is God's call (John 15:1-8).

In our discussion on forgiveness, someone asked if it is necessary to forgive the offender when they don't even know they've offended or convinced they didn't offend. Immediately I would say yes; atleast I think that is what I've been taught-for the most part. There is another question that comes to mind: does God forgive US if we unknowingly sin against Him? If so, then what's the point of both confession and repentance? This is a question I thought I knew the answer to, quite naturally. But I thought it was a good question--that I need to look at again. I would love to know the thoughts of you who read this blog. I would love to know what you think.

Will the TRUE Disciple PLEASE stand up!

Something is bothering me...REALLY bothering me. Do you know what it is? CHURCH PEOPLE! Not all church people-but MANY of the church people that I've come into contact with. It is interesting to me: Jesus never instructed/exhorted the church to 'go and make Christians'. He instructed/exhorted them to 'go and make Disciples'. I don't know what we're trying to call this brand new Burger King Christian we're now seeing all too often in this 21st century (have it your way ain'ts); but it certainly doesn't exemplify true, biblical discipleship. By that, I mean a "Christian" disciple. There are various kinds of learners and disciples.

What in the world are we doing?
Where in the world are we going?

A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ, in my view; they are people who are hearers AND doers of the Word. They follow the commands of God and His Word. They stop making excuses when it comes to Christ and His kingdom. People (for lack of a better word--they can't be disciples) make so many lame excuses when it comes to Christ and His church that it overwhelms me to even think there is such apathy and flippancy. These excuses are the excuses that people know would NEVER fly in the corporate arena, the secular workplace, or anywhere else. They expect the church to deal with it.

Take Christian Education--that is my background and it was my livelihood right out of college. I have heard almost EVERY excuse to why people can't attend Bible study: everything from cats being sick, headaches, forgot, overslept, leg fell asleep, couldn't find their glasses, on and on. However, MOST of the people who have given these 'excuses' have been people who I know would never use to justify why they weren't at work, a party, on a hot date, didn't call in, didn't go to school. Which leads me to the premise of this blog: will the true disciples please stand up. Come on--are we serious? In this emerging age of self gratification where "it's all about me"--it is only getting worse! My prayer is that the Lord will increase the number of passionate and committed disciples of Jesus Christ in our churches. The world is becoming MORE aggressive, which means that we as Christians, Disciples, and the Church need to become MORE aggressive than we are with our poor attempt at what we've termed 'Postmodern Relevance'. When it is self-centered rather than Christ-centered, it isn't relevant at all and it is nothing more than postmodern MAYHEM. I'm sorry--I just refuse to cater to Pew Potatoes, Sitting saints, and church free-loaders. If this empties out the church even more--FINE! We'll still be around when the REAL DISCIPLES show up and ready to go and REPRODUCE!

Now I am not saying that things like cats, headaches, jobs, schools, etc are not important. They ARE important and some of them are necessary in this world. I am saying that we must learn how to put FIRST things FIRST. (Matthew 6:33) The strange thing is this--those who have been apart of the church for any length of time--KNOW, all too well, that what I say in this blog is so true. The only thing that really allows me to voice all that is aforementioned is the fact that I LOVE the church and I LOVE God's people. This provokes me to 'speak the truth in love'.

I don't claim to be very old--though I know I am about to sound archaic....but
- what happened to the days when coming to church EVERY Sunday was just a given?
- what happened to the days when the average tenure of church membership was, on average, more than 15 years?
- what happened to the days when people made church a priority?
- what happened to the days when Bible study and Sunday School attendance just made sense?
- what happened to the days when parents made their children come to church and fathers and husbands led the way?
- what happened to the days when the Pastor could correct people out of line and people would straighten up?

I feel like a Dinosaur, almost extinct. Maybe I am naive and this day never really existed in the church. But I do know that it was better several years ago than it is today! I KNOW that there are those whom God will transform into true Christian disciples. It is my prayer that more churches that are Christ-centered, Bible-teaching congregations will experience a greater influx of true disciples. Why? Because these inflated-church freeloaders won't get the job done....Period!!!