Pastor Rev. Ray E. Owens

It's Actually a good Day, When you Consider

2012-02-09T10:06:00.003-05:00

I admit this is one of my favorite commercials presently playing on TV. It's not because it is so funny or has cute animals or cute graphics but it has a message that speaks to me every time I see it.

Let me say I am not advocating Nationwide Insurance. I am sure they are a fine company with great people providing a necessary service but my intent is not to get people to sign up with Nationwide Insurance. Feel free to choose whoever you like, can afford and is best for you. Again, I just like the message of the commercial.

Do you get the message? Not Nationwide's message but the underlying message of the commercial, if not look at it again and then come back and read this..............go ahead..............I can wait.
, hint it shows up about the 28 sec mark of the commercial.

The commercial opens with two men in a car who are buckled in upside down just experiencing a car accident. The insurance man receives a phone call stating that he has some bad news and some good news. The bad news is the customer's car is probably totaled but the good news is because Nationwide has a program called Vanishing Deductible, for his years of good driving he will pay no deductible.

The jingle is now sung NATIONWIDE IS ON YOUR SIDE. Good Commercial, but that's still not the REAL MESSAGE. Yes Nationwide did a great spot pitching its product of vanishing deductible but that isn't the real message.

In the last sentence of the commercial, the company man for Nationwide says, "IT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY GOOD DAY...WHEN YOU CONSIDER". There is the real message!

Replay the spot! This person just had a car accident. He may be injured and require medical attention. He is still trapped in his situation by the device that saved him. His car is completely totaled and may have to find alternative transportation for a short time. His world has just been turned upside as symbolically he is sitting upside down..............and through it all, it still can be said, "IT'S ACTUALLY A GOOD DAY WHEN YOU CONSIDER".

There comes times in our lives where we need to consider, take a step back, BREATHE, look around and reevaluate, reassess, reconsider our situation.

I was just in a car accident................but I am still alive
I am sitting upside down.....................but I wasn't thrown out
I don't know what I am gonna to do...........but God will make a way
I have lost everything....................................but I still have hope
I couldn't save my car..................................but I saved my coffee

That's my word of hope for someone today, Take time to consider in the middle of all that is wrong, look at what is right. Nationwide didn't mean to create a religious commercial but they did. There is one one more shout within that 30 second spot. Notice where he was when he considered.

He was still strapped in, upside down, half injured, not sure of his future when they word of hope comes, "IT'S ACTUALLY A GOOD DAY WHEN YOU CONSIDER".

In the middle of our situation, not when we go on vacation, not when we take a mental holiday, not after a few drinks but right in the middle of our situation we can consider. You may ask how is this possible.

Paul says it better than I can in Philippians 4:8 ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

OWENS

Luther J. Taylor Sr appointed to South Bend Board of Public Safety

2012-02-02T18:03:00.004-05:00

The Pastor and People of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church come together to congratulate of Deacon, Business Manager, Sunday School Teacher and a Child of God, Deacon Luther Taylor for his appointment to the Department of Public Safety Board for South Bend, Indiana.

Deacon Taylor is South Bend living African American History as he was the first Black Fire Chief of South Bend, Indiana. He served over 21 years in this position and was the longest running ever Fire Chief in South Bend History.

He serves currently as the Manager of Emergency Preparedness for Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana. He is a faithful member of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

Deacon Taylor is a Pastor's dream, a man who follows God, supports the Pastor, tithes according to the principles of God's Word, works with other for the benefit of the Kingdom and truly understands the motto, If I can't help you, I won't hurt you.

On behalf of the entire Macedonia Family, Deacon Taylor, WE LOVE YOU AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU.

MAYOR BUTTIGIEG APPOINTS FORMER FIRE CHIEF TO BOARD

Luther J. Taylor Sr. will serve on the South Bend Board of Public Safety South Bend—Mayor Pete Buttigieg has appointed Luther J. Taylor, Sr., former South Bend fire chief and former director of the St. Joseph County Emergency Management Agency, to the South Bend Board of Public Safety. Taylor served 21 years as fire chief in South Bend. He is the longest serving chief in the department’s history. Taylor retired April 16, 2007 after 34 years of service to the Fire Department.

“I am honored that Luther Taylor will continue to serve the residents of South Bend on the Board of Public Safety,” said Buttigieg. “His years of service to the community are exemplary and he will ensure that our public safety officials and officers are held to the
highest standard.”

Taylor joined the South Bend Fire Department in 1972 and on January 12, 1976, Taylor was promoted to captain. Four years later, he was named battalion chief of fire suppression where he implemented the HAZ-MAT team and served as its first coordinator. Taylor was named fire chief in 1985 by former Mayor Roger Parent.

“This is an opportunity to give back to the community after 34 years with the Fire Department,” said Taylor. “This is also an opportunity to continue to work on the important issues facing public safety. I’m honored that Mayor Buttigieg has asked me to become a member of the board.”

Taylor will replace Bruce J. BonDurant on the board. BonDurant is the stepson of the new fire chief, Stephen Cox, and resigned due to a conflict of interest. Buttigieg will swear in Taylor before the next Board of Public Safety meeting on February 15, 2012 at 9:15 a.m. in Board of Works Conference Room on the 13th floor of the County-City Building.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History

2012-02-01T09:27:00.006-05:00

Recently, the men's ministry of our church had a fellowship where we took the younger boys of our church out to the movies to see the film Red Tails. It was a good time; however, we learned many things. One of the most striking things that stood out from this encounter was how many of our African-American boys didn't have any knowledge of who they are or where they come from.

I was reminded of these words: "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history"

These are the words of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, distinguished Black author, editor, publisher, and historian (December 1875 - April 1950). Carter G. Woodson believed that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs in our country. He strongly believed that Black history - which others have tried so diligently to erase - is a firm foundation for young Black Americans to build on in order to become productive citizens of our society.

Known as the "Father of Black History," Carter G. Woodson holds an outstanding position in early 20th century American history. Woodson authored numerous scholarly books on the positive contributions of Blacks to the development of America. He also published many magazine articles analyzing the contributions and role of Black Americans.

He reached out to schools and the general public through the establishment of several key organizations and founded Negro History Week (precursor to Black History Month). His message was that Blacks should be proud of their heritage and that other Americans should also understand it.

Carter G. Woodson was born in New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia, to former slaves Anne Eliza (Riddle) and James Henry Woodson. Although his parents could neither read nor write, Carter G. Woodson credits his father for influencing the course of his life. His father, he later wrote, insisted that "learning to accept insult, to compromise on principle, to mislead your fellow man, or to betray your people, is to lose your soul."

Ambitious for more education, Carter and his brother Robert Henry moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where they hoped to attend the Douglass High School. However, Carter was forced to earn his living as a miner in Fayette County coal fields and was able to devote only a few months each year to his schooling. In 1895, a twenty-year-old Carter entered Douglass High School, where he received his diploma in less than two years.

From 1897 to 1900, Carter G. Woodson began teaching in Winona, Fayette County. In 1900, he returned to Huntington to become the principal of Douglass H.S.; he finally received his Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College, Kentucky. From 1903 to 1907, he was a school supervisor in the Philippines. Later he traveled throughout Europe and Asia and studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris. In 1908, he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago, and in 1912, he received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University.

During his lifetime, Dr. Woodson developed an important philosophy of history. History, he insisted, was not the mere gathering of facts. The object of historical study is to arrive at a reasonable interpretation of the facts. History is more than political and military records of peoples and nations. It must include some description of the social conditions of the period being studied.

Woodson's work endures in the institutions and activities he founded and promoted. In 1915, he and several friends in Chicago established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The following year, the Journal of Negro History appeared, one of the oldest learned journals in the United States. In 1926, he developed Negro History Week and in 1937 published the first issue of the Negro History Bulletin.

Dr. Woodson often said that he hoped the time would come when Negro History Week would be unnecessary; when all Americans would willingly recognize the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of this country. Dr. Woodson's outstanding historical research influenced others to carry on his work. Among these have been such noted historians as John Hope Franklin, Charles Wesley, and Benjamin Quarles.

Whether it's called Black history, Negro history, Afro-American history, or African American history, his philosophy has made the study of Black history a legitimate and acceptable area of intellectual inquiry. Dr. Woodson's concept has given a profound sense of dignity to all Black Americans.

Prove me Now

2012-01-31T11:09:00.002-05:00

"Prove me now" (Mal. 3:10).

What is God saying here but this: "My child, I still have windows in Heaven. They are yet in service. The bolts slide as easily as of old. The hinges have not grown rusty. I would rather fling them open, and pour forth, than keep them shut, and hold back.

I opened them for Moses, and the sea parted. I opened them for Joshua, and Jordan rolled back. I opened them for Gideon, and hosts fled. I will open them for you--if you will only let Me. On this side of the windows, Heaven is the same rich storehouse as of old.

The fountains and streams still overflow. The treasure rooms are still bursting with gifts. The lack is not on my side. It is on yours. I am waiting. Prove Me now. Fulfill the conditions, on your part. Bring in the tithes. Give Me a chance. --Selected

I can never forget my mother's very brief paraphrase of Malachi 3:10. The verse begins, "Bring ye the whole tithe in," and it ends up with "I will pour" the blessing out till you'll be embarrassed for space. Her paraphrase was this: Give all He asks; take all He promises." --S. D. Gordon

The ability of God is beyond our prayers, beyond our largest prayers! I have been thinking of some of the petitions that have entered into my supplication innumerable times. What have I asked for? I have asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains! I have asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides! My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father's giving: it is beyond that we can ask. --J. H. Jowett

Bishop Donald Alford to attend the National Day of Prayer

2012-01-28T21:45:00.005-05:00

Let me be one of the first to congratulate and celebrate the faithfulness of a wonderful Pastor/Bishop and Mentor, Bishop Donald Alford. He has been selected as a Pastor/Preacher to pray with our President.

I know many reverend clergy who love the spotlight, clamor for attention, position themselves in front of the person they think will get them within camera view and who claim to advance causes of the city when in reality they are serving their own self promotion agendas. Bishop Alford is not like this.

He has been faithful to this community for multiple decades transcending three generations. He preaches and lives the Word of God. He was generous to me as a young Pastor coming into this area sharing his expertise and praying with, for and over my life.

There couldn't be a finer man going to pray with the President than Bishop Alford. Certainly our President stands in the need of prayer.

SOUTH BEND - The Rev. Donald Alford said members of his church pray daily for their elected officials.

“We have a morning glory prayer at 6 a.m. where we pray for the president, the governor, the mayor and the Common Council,” said Alford, pastor of Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ.

Alford, who is the bishop of the Indiana North Central Jurisdiction in the Church of God in Christ, will get a chance to pray with the president.

He was invited to take part in the National Day of Prayer Breakfast,
which will be held in Washington on Thursday.

The invitation to attend the event came from Congressman Joe Donnelly, Alford said. “President (Barack) Obama is expected to be there along with other congressmen and senators.”

Alford said the breakfast is one of the activities that takes place on the National Day of Prayer, held annually on the first Thursday in February.

“I was very honored to be invited,” Alford said.

The breakfast is an event that brings clergy from all faiths to the nation’s capital. Members of Congress from both parties will attend, Alford said.

Anger Management 101 for Men

2012-01-25T09:18:00.006-05:00

I had a great time last night teaching our Men's Bible Study at the Macedonia Church. I am blessed that so many men are being open and honest in their dialogue concerning anger. We are studying ANGER MANAGEMENT 101 using the Bible as our Primary Resource and "WHEN GOOD MEN GET ANGRY", The Spiritual Art of Managing Anger by Bill Perkins.

It is interesting to have such a wide array of ages in the Men's class because it gives us a unique perspective to view this subject. While I will admit this is a necessary and needful class for the men of our church from the Pastor to the Pew, I would contend this is a necessary class for ALL MEN to take.

We studied last night from Numbers 20:1-12 where Moses lets his anger get out of control and his disobeys God while lashing out at the people. It's a typical day in the life of Israel, God provides for their needs, God protects them from danger, God preserves their existence, but as usual the people complain.

The most blessed people on the face of the earth, AND THEY COMPLAIN. Spoiled beyond belief, AND THEY COMPLAIN. Blessed going out and coming in, AND THEY COMPLAIN. Blessed so well you can't describe it and should realize they don't deserve it, AND THEY COMPLAIN.

In our class, we are attempting to identify our triggers. What sets us off! What takes us to that point! For many in our class and many reading this blog, you may be able to admit that incessant complaining, whining, nagging from unappreciative people who never seem to be satisfied can work your last nerve.

To wake up and here complaining, to go to bed and here complaining, to go to work and all through work you here complaining, to come home and still here complaining, and to further your anger, to be blamed for someone else's hardships can almost be too much. VS 3, The People Blamed Moses

We all have to deal with anger. The EXPERIENCE of anger is not a sin but the EXPRESSION of anger if not handled in a Spiritual way can result in a sin. Even though the end story of this encounter Moses had does not seem positive, it can have some concrete convictions for us to live by.

Moses did two things that you need to learn every time you get angry.

I. Moses turned away from the Source of His Anger Vs 6

Before you black out, before you lose it, before you see red or see nothing at all, there is a point, a moment, a chance for you to turn away. To stop looking at the person, to stop listening to the criticism and have a moment of pause before you respond. This is Proper Expression! IMPROPER EXPRESSION WILL LEAD TO AN UNNECESSARY EXPLOSION.

It isn't easy but it is possible. You can turn away from the noise and pollution that is driving your blood pressure up and find comfort. However, just turning away by itself will not work. After you turn away, you must turn too.

2. Moses turned to the Source of His Advocacy Vs 7-8

When you deal with the Experience of Anger and feel toe Expression coming, what do you turn to?
Some men turn to their Keys, I am leaving I am out of here don't want to here it
Some men turn to their TV, turn the volume up to drown the noise out
Some men turn to their bunker or man Cave for peace and solitude
Some men turn to their bottle to numb away the ability to hear and process the noise
Some men turn to their side chick or jump off for an oasis in their desert

WHAT DO YOU TURN TO?

There is more to this story but my Pastor taught me to always end on good news so I encourage you today, there is someone that wants to help you in your time of trouble but you have to turn to him. He wants to aid you and give you advice but you have to turn to him. He is waiting with open arms to exchange your disgust for His delight. Turn to him today

Owens

We Protect the Heavies

2012-01-23T08:49:00.003-05:00

Tuskegee Airman were an elite group of African-American pilots in the 1940s. They were pioneers in equality and integration of the Armed Forces. The term "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to all who were involved in the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft.

The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. The primary flight training for these service members took place at the Division of Aeronautics of Tuskegee Institute. Air Corps officials built a separate facility at Tuskegee Army Air Field to train the pilots. The Tuskegee Airmen not only battled enemies during wartime but also fought against racism and segregation thus proving they were just as good as any other pilot.

Racism was common during World War II and many people did not want blacks to become pilots. They trained in overcrowded classrooms and airstrips, and suffered from the racist attitude of some military officials. The Tuskegee Airman suffered many hardships, but they proved themselves to be world class pilots.

Even though the Tuskegee Airmen proved their worth as military pilots they were still forced to operate in segregated units and did not fight alongside their white countrymen. The men earned the nickname "Red Tail Angels" since the bombers considered their escorts "angels" and the red paint on the propeller and tail of their planes.

My mind has been racing since I left this movie. I thought, "Our churches, our ministries would be so much better if we learned how to PROTECT THE HEAVIES. Instead of receiving glory for ourselves, building a name for us individually, instead of becoming known as the ACE or master Pilot, we learned to work together, fly together, and protect the assignment given to us.

Just like the Red Tails who escorted the bombers, we in the church should be protecting the angels that come in our doors every day. It is our job to protect them so that they might be able to make a rational and intelligent decision about accepting Christ as their Savior. Yes your name may not be called, Yes you may not get the chance to have an appreciation service in your honor, yes it sometimes is a thankless job, but we so need people who will sacrifice their glory for some one's else greater good.

We Protect the Heavies. People with broken hearts, people with wounded spirits, people shattered by loss of life, job and income, people who have been abandoned and discarded by life and who feel like no one cares. We protect the Heavies.

Red Tails Trailer: Courage

2012-01-21T18:11:00.002-05:00

I just left the Men's Fellowship with Macedonia where we grabbed our young men of the church and tried to start a monthly fellowship with them where we go out, eat, talk, share, watch a game, see a movie but more importantly give our time and our presence to them.

I recognize that is is not often when Hollywood will show a movie depicting African-American men in a positive light. Before anyone sends me an email or calls me to tell me I am becoming too sensitive, just think about it and you will see, there aren't many examples of a positive African-American man shining forth from the Big Screen. Pimps, murderers, robbers, rapists, crooks abusive husbands, dead-beat dads, those are abundant but surely that isn't the sum total of the Black experience for men.

I would recommend everyone regardless of race or gender go see this movie. I was amazed how many of our young people knew very little about The Tuskegee Airmen. This movie left our men's group with a lot to talk about over the weeks to come. Some I hope to share on this blog.

It Came to Pass, Not to Stay

2012-01-16T13:15:00.002-05:00

Luke 24:4—And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

The scriptures use the phrase, "it came to pass" in 452 different places, that my friend is a lot of times for one particular phrase to be mentioned. It should give us much peace to realize that no matter what the situation, it came to pass, not to stay; you can find great consolation in that fact.

No matter how dark the day, no matter how long the night, it only came to pass, never to stay. It does not even matter how horrible the news, how terrible the pain, how horrific the results, it too shall pass. The good news is that our heavenly father is in control, no matter the situation, no matter the despair, no matter how dire the circumstances may seen, this too shall pass.

I can expect some to say, but you do not understand, this may take us to the graveyard, yes it very well may take you there my friend, but remember this, the graveyard is not the end, it is really the beginning. As my uncle was getting ready to pass on over to the other side, he asked his brother if thought that he would feel the sting of death?

After a great pause, my other uncle told him he did not know, he never experienced death, but he assured him of one thing, he would not have to cross over alone, he would have a friend and a guide. Our heavenly father will not abandon us, he has not brought things our way to stay, and he will see that they pass, they may not pass by swiftly, but my friend they will pass.

What are you facing today, does it seem to have settled in, seemingly never to go away, don't worry, fret not, it will come to pass. One day you will look back and realize that your heavenly father brought you through safely, the storm paused momentarily, but it pass eventually.

Cantrell's Jewels for the Journey.

Lessons From a Snowstorm

2012-01-13T10:31:00.002-05:00

I count my time here as the Pastor of the Macedonia MB Church by the seasons. I am going through my 4th winter season here on my way to my 5th Spring if the Lord allows me to see it. It has been a very mild winter up here so far. Last year this time, I had already seem almost 80 inches of snow, 34 inches in one day.

This year it has been very mild, temperatures above freezing in January, the flu season was here in January instead of April, not a normally winter at all. However God returned order in our section of the world and we received a normal snow storm. As the snow fell yesterday, last night and even this morning, God reminded me of some lessons that snow storms teach me.

1. There will be times in your life where you will get dumped on!

Go to bed, life is fine, wake up in the morning and you are covered. Death, Bills, Terminations, sickness, flu, theft, fire and flood, it can happen overnight. It would be OK if it just came in small doses but sometimes it comes in a good ole fashioned dumping. It won't stop, it won't quit, the snow machine of your life is blowing and there is no escape.

2. Just like snow is quiet when falling, many times your problems give you no advance notice!

My son woke up this morning and was amazed by how much snow had fallen overnight. He said, "I didn't hear nothing". Well that's snow! It's not a thunderstorm that will come with an announcement of boom and the fireworks of flash, snow is silent. Many of our problems are the same way. No boom, no flash, no warning, no announcement. We didn't see it coming! The job looked good, health seem fine, marriage seemed strong, car ran fine yesterday, them BAM here it comes.

3. When the snowstorm hits, you have to learn how to dig yourself out of your situation!

We can't control what life throws our way nor can we control how much will come. All we can do is when we get buried beneath our problems, our burdens, our bills, our heartaches and our headaches, we learn how to dig out.

When I was taking my son to school, when we opened the door, the entrance to the garage was filled with snow that had drifted up the wall of the garage creating a fort of snow blocking my way out. My son, ever the lazy young man, said "oh well, we are stuck, guess I am not going to school". I immediately handed a shovel in his hand and secured mine and said, Let's start digging.

Did we remove all of the snow? NO! Did we make a perfectly clean path? NO! What we did was dig a small passage so we could see, then another small passage so we could navigate, and then dug another passage so I could turn. Piece by piece, shovel by shovel, we dug our way out.

That is what you must do, when you get dumped on, DIG OUT. Don't hide in your bunker, don't stay secluded in your shelter, DIG OUT. Piece by piece, space by space, it will get better, it will become clear.

4. When you dig our, help someone else who is still stuck inside!

A youth minister by the name of Eric who at the time worked at the Granger Community Church taught me this principle. Last year during our record 38 inches of snow following in a 24 hour period, I watched him. He diligently and effortlessly cleaned off his driveway, then he went to his neighbor's house and cleaned their driveway off and then he went to another. His work ethic convicted me so I put on my boots and snow suit, grabbed my shovel and went to help.

I asked him why he was doing this for his neighbor. He told me I am originally from Florida. I had never seem snow like this. My first year, I was stuck, ill prepared to deal with what had hit me and God sent my neighbors to dig me out so now its my turn to help someone in need.

The miracle kept repeating itself! After a while. another neighbor came with a shovel and then another and another, all of us saw someone working and decided to come help. If God frees you from what was dumped on you, maybe you ought to go and help someone else dig out of what's been dumped on them.

Hope this helped someone, got my second wind, have some more shoveling to do here at the church.

Owens

Tattoo Parlor Ministry

2012-01-12T09:11:00.006-05:00

DOES IT TAKE ALL OF THIS TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO CHURCH? IS THE GIFT OF JESUS NO LONGER ENOUGH? AM I A FOOL BECAUSE I STILL BELIEVE IN JOHN 12:32, IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, I WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME".

A Michigan pastor who says he's doing everything he can to reach out to people who don't feel comfortable at a traditional house of worship has opened a tattoo parlor inside his church.

Rev. Steve Bentley of The Bridge, a church located inside a Flint Township shopping center, said his ministry is built on the belief that mainstream religion has become ineffective and irrelevant to most people. To that end, he opened Serenity Tattoo.

Tattoo artists Ryan Brown and Drew Blaisdell work by appointment or from noon until 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday, at the county-licensed tattoo shop that sits not far from Bentley's office as well as the watering trough that he uses for baptisms.

Bentley, who has two tattoos, said he understands some don't like the idea of Serenity Tattoo inside the church, but the pastor considers tattooing a "morally neutral" practice that he likens to getting one's ears pierced.

"We are about doing church in a different way and being relevant to people," Bentley told The Flint Journal. "You can get a tattoo in a clean environment. You can do it while still sticking to your moral code."

Brown is a recovering alcoholic who said the atmosphere inside the church building has helped to keep him focused and on the right path.

"I was running my own studio. I was just working. There wasn't much purpose in it," he said. "I was struggling with whether I could keep my studio" and stay sober.

"I prayed a lot and decided the best thing was to close it and come to the church. I figured I could have a lot more positive impact" here, Brown said.

The church owns 30,000 square feet inside the Flint-area shopping center. Bentley said about 1,000 people call The Bridge their home church, and up to 500 in total attend his three weekend services.

The pastor makes an effort to talk to all who visit Serenity Tattoo, he said, although not all end up checking out the church.

St. Augustine helps me here: In things that are ESSENTIAL, let there be unity, in things that are NON-ESSENTIAL, let there be liberty but in ALL THINGS, let there be love.

What Does Hope Do

2012-01-10T10:38:00.000-05:00

What Does Hope Do For Mankind?

Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when discouragement comes. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope sweetens while bitterness bites. Hope sings when all melodies are gone. Hope believes when evidence is eliminated.Hope listens for answers when no one is talking.

Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. Hope endures hardship when no on is caring. Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing. Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking. Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging. Hope dares to give when no one is sharing. Hope brings the victory when no one is winning.-

John Maxwell from Think on These Things –

I am an Introvert

2012-01-07T12:55:00.003-05:00

I read an article today from a man I had the opportunity to meet while serving in Oklahoma by the name of Ron Edmondson. I have followed his ministry whether through Twitter or his blog or his devotional site but this article that was published through the Better Preaching Update that I receive from sermoncentral.com has blessed my life.

I never thought of myself as an introvert but now I realize I am. I have been talked about and criticized by other/fellow Pastors for not always wanting to go to the golf range or bowling alley to talk shop. Many times after church I just want to go home and sit and think, revisit and replay. To be honest, I always have thought (and still do) that something is wrong with me, that I am not as social as other people.

I hope this article he has written will be a blessing to you as much as it was to me. Please check out his ministries at http://ronedmondson.com/ and http://mustardseedministry.com/

I am an introvert. With all my public appearances on Sunday mornings, this surprises many people. But in my private life and with those closest to me, there is no questioning that fact. If anything, the larger our church has grown, the more introverted I have become. I wish I were otherwise, but this is how I am wired.

Here are 7 pitfalls of being an introverted pastor:
1. People often think I’m arrogant, aloof, or unfriendly. Now, I may be a lot of negative things, but those are not really the main three. I sometimes have to go back and apologize once I hear someone thinks I avoided them. This happens especially with extremely extroverted people.

2. I sometimes hesitate to make the connections I should and miss opportunities to build my network.

3. I’m worn out after a long day of talking and need time alone to rejuvenate, which can impact my family time if I’m not careful. It also leads to people at the end of the day telling me I look tired…guess what? I am!

4. Crowded rooms, which I love in terms of reaching people for Christ, are actually intimidating to me as a person.

5. I’m not as quick-witted when in crowds, and when I try to be, I sometimes appear awkward on first impressions.

6. I realize the need to talk with people…it’s what I do, but wrestling through the introverted tendencies actually adds even more stress to my life.

7. If I’m not careful, and thankfully I’m fairly disciplined here, I will close out people from really knowing me, which subjects me to all kinds of temptations, anxiety and even depression.

How’s that for transparency?

Are you an introvert? Do you see how it impacts your work?

Manasseh and Ephraim Part 2

2012-01-06T08:05:00.003-05:00

Until a person makes peace with his past, it is impossible to properly proceed to you future. We can escape the place where we were born, the people who mistreated us, the school mates who teased us and the church members who maligned us. It is possible to move to a new city, obtain a new job, secure a new family and create new memories but until you properly deal with your past, it will impede your future and cloud your present.

God is such a good God that he gave Joseph this chance by giving him a Manasseh Miracle. He caused him to forget the pain of his past. This blessing allows you to remember the event without the effects of the experience. The things you used to cry about when you remembered them, God can help you cry no more. The memories upon reflection that made you cringe now don't bother you as much because has eased the sting and removed the weight.

This blessing is enough that we have reason to shout just on this; however, God gave Joseph a second blessing. Hod gave Joseph an Ephraim Experience. Ephraim means fruitful, twice fruitful, double blessed; he has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

I must admit this blessing confused me. It seemed like an oxymoron. Like Jumbo Shrimp! A huge guy name Tiny! Fruitful and affliction shouldn't be in the same sentence, in fact it shouldn't be in the same thought process.

The testimony of the Ephraim experience is God made Joseph fruitful IN THE LAND of my affliction, my sorrow, my rouble, my grief. Whatever translation you pull, it still lends to the same tension of the text. God did not bless him outside his affliction, He blessed Joseph IN IT.

Many times we spend a lot of our prayer time asking God to remove the things we do not understand. We ask God to change this, fix this, solve this. If we have uncooperative co-workers, we ask God to move them or get us another job. If the area we live in no longer seems like the place for us, we ask God to find us another place. We pray for the Favor of God to move on our behalf and remove the pains that we deem unnecessary, the problems we think are are unneeded and the people we believe to be

God in his infinite wisdom teaches us He doesn't have to change our surroundings in order to bless us. He can bless us in it. God can give you more money in you check without a raise. He can give you a new car experience within the confines of the same vehicle you were driving.

Therefore, the Ephraim experience seems to suggest that our blessing comes not running from our afflictions but rather it comes when we become planted in God while going through our afflictions. He blesses us not when we get out or before we go in But God is so powerful he can bless us right IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SITUATIONS.

The wonderful wisdom of God's Word is the fact He gives us witnesses to teach us how He works. Whether it's Daniel in the lion's den, the three Hebrew Boys in the fiery furnace, the Disciples on the ship in the middle of a storm or Paul and Silas in jail, clearly we learn that God is not limited by our circumstances. He can bless us where ever and however he chooses to do so.

Even in our desert experiences, God can give us an oasis. With limited funds, God can still allow us to sit at the Kings table. We can be promote to Prime Minister of the Palace even though we started out in the Pit and Prison.

God can give us an Ephraim Experience and make us fruitful in the land of our afflictions.

Manasseh and Ephraim Part 1

2012-01-04T08:22:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year to all of you I haven't talked to in this forum. I pray God's best for you in 2012. I am looking forward to what God has in store for the Macedonia Church in 2012. I pray this week as I settle back into the office routine that I will share with you some things about vision casting and teamwork but for today I want to revisit where the Lord led me to share for Watch Night and New Year's Day service.

I shared with the Macedonia Church from Genesis 41: 51-52. English Standard Version (ESV)51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Manasseh means "he who causes to forget"; however this forgetfulness was not amnesia. Joseph still remembered the incidents but what God helped ease was the Pain from the procedure. Many times we replay events over and over in our minds, reliving the pain, replaying the problems, rehearsing each part until we injure ourselves all over again.

We pick the scab off wounds that are trying to heal causing our bodies to become infected all over again. Joseph had thirteen (13) years of hardship in Egypt to forget: the jealousy of brothers, the selling into slavery, Potiphar's wife and time in the jail. Lots of time to review and replay, to relive and reexamine and if you are not careful maybe even re injure yourselves.

God gave him a Manasseh Miracle. He took the pain away. There are some events in life we will NEVER get over but by the grace of God we can get THROUGH IT. By taking the pain away from the incident, it goes from being a trial to a testimony, a burden to a blessing, a problem into a provision, a dilemma into a deliverance.

Many of you are praying this 2012 will be a better year for you Spiritually, financially, mentally but be sure you are not carrying excess weight in from the previous years. 13 years of hardship, 13 years of mistreatment, 13 years of lies and deceit, 13 years of unrealized dreams and frustrating treatment, 13 years of seemingly being stuck in a dead-end job, 13 years of a frustrating family! For you, God has a MANASSEH MIRACLE. He can cause you to forget.

It allows you to give the Benediction to your Foes.---Somethings, Some People, Some Problems, Some burdens you have to say goodbye to. I have carried you long enough, we have traveled together too long, we have spent too much time together, It;s time to say goodbye. Goodbye to the pain of the hurtful family member, the disappointing church member.

It is impossible to move into your future or even adequately deal with your past until you confront your past. Some baggage can't go with you into your new blessing. God will give you a MANASSEH MIRACLE.

MANASSEH is also the Beginning of forgetfulness. It doesn't happen overnight. It took time to conceive. It took time to develop, it took time to shape in the womb of your life but when the fullness of time has come, Forgetfulness will be birthed into your beginnings. You wake up and you no longer see today in the tint of yesterday's failures. You no longer look at all men as the last man or all women as the last woman or all churches as the last church. TODAY IS A NEW DAY.

You start to see how God allowed people not to destroy you but develop you. You begin to Praise God because you recognize the vehicle that transported me to this place is the same vehicle that now allows me to RIDE IN THE SECOND CHARIOT.

In this forum, I have written too much about Manasseh so I will write about Ephraim separately but just know that Ephraim is the Blessing of Fruitfulness. Manasseh takes away the pain from you past but Ephraim makes you fruitful in your Present Position. I missed the chance in the delivery to share what I wanted to because I became way too involved in the delivery of the sermon; however i wanted to say:

I've had many tears and sorrows,I've had questions for tomorrow,there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.But in every situation,God gave me blessed consolation,that my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all,through it all,I've learned to trust in Jesus,I've learned to trust in God.Through it all,through it all,I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places,I've seen a lot of faces,there's been times I felt so all alone.But in my lonely hours,yes, those precious lonely hours,Jesus lets me know that I was His own

I thank God for the mountains,and I thank Him for the valleys,I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.For if I'd never had a problem,I wouldn't know God could solve them,I'd never know what faith in God could do.

USA TODAY article on Churches closing on Christmas

2011-12-23T13:39:00.004-05:00

The article below comes from the USA TODAY, Friday, December 23rd, 2011 edition. It is interesting how much this topic has taken off.

The Macedonia MBC at 1862 N. Olive Street in South Bend, Indiana will be open regular hours on Christmas Day. Nothing is changing. Below is the article.

Because Christmas falls on Sunday this year, some churches are opting to close that day so that
families can spend the morning together at home. Among the nation's top 20 largest Protestant churches — as ranked by Outreach Magazine — three will be closed on Christmas, and 10 will be having only one service, The Tennessean reports.

LifeChurch.tv, an Oklahoma-based megachurch with 14 locations in five states, says it will be closed on Christmas, but it plans to hold Christmas Eve services. In Atlanta, First Baptist Church will hold morning services on Christmas Eve but close on Sunday.

Life Research, based in Nashville, says its national survey of Protestant churches found that 91% would hold at least one service Christmas morning, while about 9% will not worship on Sunday at all. Some plan Christmas Eve services instead.

"Having church on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday seems as if it would be as much of a given as having Thanksgiving on a Thursday, but this has been an issue of discussion and contention in recent years," says Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. "Also, just because an overwhelming majority of pastors think that way doesn't mean those in their congregations necessarily share their perspective."

The survey found that Protestant pastors in the South are the least likely (62%) to host a Christmas Eve service compared to other regions. Pastors identifying themselves as Mainline(87%) are more likely to have a service on Christmas Eve compared to those identifying themselves as Evangelical (70%), Life Research found.

The Houston Chronicle reports that many pastors in that Texas city are consolidating services or even canceling them for Sunday. St. Martin's Episcopal Church, the largest Episcopal congregation in the country, anticipates just 500 to 600 people at its one service Sunday but
expects 6,000 at its five Christmas Eve services.

In Colorado, The Longmont Times Call reports that Vinelife Church is offering families devotion packets to have a "church experience" in their homes on Christmas, according to executive pastor Bob Young. Each packet includes a written message from the senior pastor, a CD of Christmas hymns and a suggestion for how to weave the spiritual side of Christmas throughout the day, Young tells the newspaper.

White Fields Community Church is holding a Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m., which senior pastor the Rev. Pete Nelson says appeals to the large number of young families with children in the 200-member congregation. "We feel very comfortable with giving the mantle of discipleship and ministry to the parents of the family," Nelson says. "It's not about a service. It's
about being a family that serves Christ."

In Murfreesboro, Tenn., the Rev. Brady Cooper of New Vision Baptist Church notes that it takes 150 volunteers to staff a single service at the megachurch, so he is opting to run five services on Christmas Eve instead, The Tennessean reports.

"Asking them to be there all day Christmas Eve and most of the day on Christmas is hard,"Cooper says. "Our staff is very thankful to have the chance to be home with their family."
The LifePoint church, one of three "campuses" in the country, including Smyrna, Tenn., will also be closed on Sunday.

In Nashville, however, Mt. Zion Baptist Church isn't planning any Christmas Eve services but will go all out instead on Christmas Day. "We are having a birthday party for Jesus," says Bishop Joseph Walker III, pastor of Mt. Zion, who hopes the services will take the focus off commercialism on that day.

We need Peacemakers

2011-12-05T08:19:00.004-05:00

There has been continued feedback and fallout over the decision by the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church to vote against or ban interracial couples. People have asked, "Where was the Pastor", who by the way was against this idea but it was being led by a former Pastor of the Church.

The National Association of Free Will Baptists has been backpedaling as quick and as far away from this church as possible, "We are not a group of racist people". The question continues, "How did it happen"? Them the thought hit me! It hit me so hard, it scared me! It terrified me when I realized what happened at Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church could happen at Macedonia MBC.

I am not concerned about our church going that route but i was struck by the fact that 40 people, in estimate, were at the meeting but the vote was 9 to 6. That means only 15 people used their voice to speak out. 25 or so people stayed quiet. I became even more frightened because I realized THAT COULD HAPPEN AT MACEDONIA.

There are three types of church members. The ones who will stand for whats right, the ones who will stand for whats right for them even if its wrong by the Bible and the others who will watch everyone else stand while they do nothing. You know they tell you whenever a church mess or a church problem starts, My name is Bennett and I am not in it.

The ones that walk away when they see a fight happening, the ones that intentionally stay home when they sense any drama brewing, the ones that stick their heads in the "spiritual sand" and pray when they pull it out, it will be all worked out. the ones who are afraid to take a stand because it may go against family ties or may upset friends so they stay neutral and walk away.

Many people use the old Texas adage, "I don't have a dog in this fight"which means I don't have an interest in this matter. I don't care what y'all decide. Doesn't affect me, but in affect that is not true. In a church, what affects one affects us all.

In the Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church, A decision that affected the ENTIRE church was made by the MINORITY voice because the MAJORITY voice stayed quiet.

We need Peacemakers!

A peacemaker is a person who labors for the public good. Instead of fanning the fires of contention and strife, he uses his influence and wisdom to reconcile divided parties, adjust their differences, and restore them to a state of reconciliation and unity. The peacemaker is also one who, having received the peace of God in his own heart, brings peace to others. They have been reformed by the regenerating power of the Gospel. They are peacemakers because they themselves are at peace with God.

The peacemaker is not simply one who makes peace between two parties, but one who spreads the good news of the peace of God which he has experienced. As all men are represented to be in a state of hostility toward God and each other, the Gospel is called the Gospel of peace, because it tends to reconcile men to God and to one other. They have entered into the peace of Christ and thus are able ambassadors of God's message of peace to a troubled world. The peacemaker is concerned about peace between men and God. He strives to get men right with God.

God's blessing is on the peacemaker, not necessarily the one who is a lover of peace. The Lord is not speaking about people with a peaceful disposition or those who love peace. He is referring to those who actively intervene and get involved to make peace.

The blessing is not on the person who runs away from conflict, flees from drama or stays at home when things get messy but rather it is on the person who actively gets involves and who makes things better. Many people can get involved but they don't always make things better. A Peacemaker does!

I am praying for the Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church but I am also praying for my church. While praying, I am praying for all of all churches. We need people who will be used by God to become peacemakers. Not to run away! Not to hide! Not to show up to the meeting and listen to the arguments but people who are willing to stand for right after the discussion is over.

Kentucky Church bans interracial marriage

2011-12-02T08:05:00.001-05:00

A small Kentucky church has chosen to ban marriages and even some worship services for interracial couples. The Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church, located in Pike County, made the vote in response to a longtime member who is engaged to a man whose birthplace is in Zimbabwe.
Other pastoral leaders in the area were quick to denounce the church's vote. "It's not the spirit of the community in any way, shape or form," Randy Johnson, president of the Pike County Ministerial Association, told the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The small congregation, which usually hosts about 40 members each Sunday, held the vote after longtime member Stella Harville, brought her fiancé Ticha Chikuni to church with her in June. The couple performed a song together at the church in which Chikuni sang "I Surrender All," while Harville played the piano.

Chikuni, 29, who works at Georgetown College, is black--and Harville, who was baptized at the church but is not an active member, is white. Dean Harville, Stella's father, said he was told by the church's former pastor Melvin Thompson that his daughter and her fiancé were not allowed to sing at the church again. However, Thompson recently stepped down and the church's new pastor, Stacy Stepp, said the couple was once again welcome to sing.

Stepp's decision prompted Thompson to put forth a recommendation saying that while all members are welcome at the church, it does not "condone" interracial marriage, and that any interracial couples would not be received as members or allowed to participate in worship services. The only exception? Funerals.

The Harville family has formally requested the congregation to reconsider the interracial ban, and Thompson has also said he would like to resolve the issue, the area CBS affiliate WYMT has reported.

A copy of the recommendation, obtained by WYMT, reads in part:
That the Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church does not condone interracial marriage. Parties of such marriages will not be received as members, nor will they be used in worship services and other church functions, with the exception being funerals. All are welcome to our public worship services. This recommendation is not intended to judge the salvation of anyone, but is intended to promote greater unity among the church body and the community we serve.

Members of the church held a vote on Thompson's proposed language, with nine voting in favor and six voting against. The other members in attendance chose not to vote. Gawker notes that Pike County is 98 percent white and home to the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud.

The Harville family doesn't see Gulnare's new policy promoting anything like unity or civil peace. "They're the people who are supposed to comfort me in times like these," Stella Harville said.

And Stella's father was much more forceful in his denunciation of the interracial ban. "It sure ain't Christian," Dean Harville said. "It ain't nothing but the old devil working."

Be careful what you Choose to Carry

2011-11-30T10:00:00.003-05:00

I was getting ready for the snow that was predicted by the forecasters to come in to the South Bend area on yesterday. Anywhere from 4 to 8 inches, then 2 to 4, then a coating to 2 inches, Ultimately we received NOTHING. A line/curtain almost like a buffer protected South Bend where we received nothing but just 8 exits down from my home, in Elkhart, they received 10 inches. Amazing! I will talk about that later.

As I was getting ready for the snow THAT NEVER CAME, I reviewed my property. New Gloves for my son, new boots, pulled out the Dickie's, bought the rock salt for home and reviewed where the church stood on its supply. The Shovels, and I remembered.

Last year, during the first week of January we received a massive snow total of about 36 to 38 inches of snow that fell within a 24 hour period. The grace of God allowed it to come in waves so we dug out from the first 18 inches and made room for the next 18. The men of Macedonia on Saturday night came to the church to clean out the parking lot. armed with shovels, snow plows, bobcats and snow blowers, we started digging.

As I worked with the men, I encountered a reality I will never forget. WET SNOW IS HEAVY! 38 INCHES OF WET SNOW IS UNBEARABLE. IT WILL BREAK YOU.

I had the ability to lift the snow, that would be my own strength. I had the capacity to hold the snow, that would be the utensil I was using to hold it, but I did not have the power to bear the load of the snow, therefore, the shovel folded under the pressure or weight of the snow.

The Before and After shot I provided gives us today a great object lesson to view our own lives. many of us are trying to "LIFT OUR OWN SNOW"! We have discovered it is wet, it is heavy. We are naive so we ignore that this same "SNOW" has ripped down power lines, this same SNOW has destroyed branches and trees that have stood for years. So we lift it!

We use whatever device we have to lift it. The shovel, if you will, is how we pick it up. We use the shovel of "Family obligation", it's my job to do it, we use the "Work obligation", It has to be done so its my job to do it. We find whatever reason we have to in order to lift it. AND WE DO, WE LIFT IT.

Then it happens, We snap. We break, We fold, We give into the weight, the pressure, the amount, WE CAN"T TAKE IT ANYMORE! We had the strength to lift it and the capacity to hold it but we didn't possess the power to bear it, so WE LOST IT! Has this ever happened to you?

The day where you had enough, the day where you snapped, lost it, folded in. People thought you were crazy because they had no idea how much you were trying to bear. Sick of family, sick of church responsibilities, sick of bills, sick of the phone and then just one more ounce of snow on your shovel and you folded, bent in two, caved and crashed in.

For some of us we went off, Told people off, gave them a piece of our mind, said words we shouldn't have said, for others you turned your phone off, unplugged from the viral worlds of facebook and Twitter to jump in a bed not wanting to return, while others found clothes, food, alcohol, sinful relationships to handle their inability to carry the weight.

It is sad really. If I would have read the instructions on this shovel I would have known in advance what its load capacity was. Load capacity is a specified amount of weight per square foot that is allowed to be placed on a given building level or platform.

There are just some things God never meant for you to carry because IT IS TOO HEAVY FOR YOU. It will break you, it will fold you, it will make you cave in, it isn't within the guideline of you load capacity. Therefore God tells us this:

Psalms 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

I Peter 5:7 (BBE) Putting all your troubles on him, for he takes care of you

Change the way you count

2011-11-29T09:01:00.002-05:00

A minister's wife and worship leader used to lead the congregation in that old song, "Count Your Blessings." When the congregation got to the part where it would sing, "Count your blessings, name them one by one/Count your blessings, see what God hath done," she would say, "One is not enough. Let's count them by twos." The congregation would sing, "Count your blessings, name them two by two/Count your blessings, see what God can do." She would then go on, "Let's count them by threes."

The crowd would sing, "Count your blessings, name them three by three/Count your blessings, many more there'll be." You guessed it. She would take them on to fours, "Count your blessings, name them four by four/Count your blessings, there'll be many more." No telling what the song writer thought about that, but I think she had it right.

I think it is time to change how we think. God's blessings are too numerous to count by ones. He woke me up this morning, but that implies that he kept me safe last night, that implies I had shelter, which reminds me I had a place to stay, which means bills were paid, which means money was given to provide a way for me.

I made it to work this morning safely, which implies he gave me safety, he gave me transportation from point A to point B, when I turned the key the ignition started, the keys to the church hadn't been changed on me, no theft, robbery or fire befell the building where we worship.

Change how you think. One blessing ties to another and gives you pore pause and power to praise God.

Owens

Begging to Be a Blessing

2011-11-28T08:22:00.005-05:00

On Sunday we kicked off our 2011 Advent Sermon Series, WE ARE GIVERS! Because the Lord has given unto us, we give to others out of the gift that we have received. We dealt with II Corinthians 8:1-9 although we only made it to verse 6 and entitled it Begging to Be a Blessing. It is our goal during this advent season to share more in this forum, the reason why we are givers, the requirements of a giver and the rewards of giving.

At our church we have a slogan that the Lord gave me from the first Sermon I preached at Macedonia from Acts 16, where I challenged the church by asking them "Do you Know who you are? The answer from that sermon formed our phrase, WE ARE MACEDONIA AND WE ARE CALLED TO HELP SOMEBODY. Many "city" theologians and "cross-town" pastors immediately took our church to task saying your Pastor has wrongly interpreted this Scripture. You are the place that needed help.

As I explained in teaching to the church, all of us have a beginning, a middle and an end. The Macedonia vision was the beginning, Paul sees a man, crying and calling for Paul to Come over and help us. This is the beginning but this is not the end of Macedonia. The churches birthed from Paul's obedience to the call from this Macedonia region become known as some of the greatest churches in the New Testament.

The Macedonians (mainly the churches from Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea) become our example of people who beg Paul and Titus to allow them the chance to be a blessing in someone else's life. They remind us it is impossible to be a Christian without being a giver. The apostle is about to cover the matter of raising funds for the Christians in the city of Jerusalem.

The Corinthians were not in the dark about this issue, so the apostle reminds them of his earlier instructions and gives them further details. This issue was not only addressed with Corinth, but also with the other churches in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. This concern was brought up with the churches in Galatia (1 Corinthians 16:1) and Rome (Romans 15:25-26).

Why was Paul raising funds for the Jerusalem church? As the church continued to grow, it became overwhelmed by all the needs and was not able to keep up. Paul recognized the needs of the Jerusalem believers and determined to take up a collection for this church from the churches of Asia Minor and Europe. He also sought by raising these funds, to strengthen the spiritual bond between those largely Gentile congregations and the Jewish church in Jerusalem. The apostle knew that the love offering would serve to ease the suspicion, bitterness, and hostility with which Jews and Gentiles generally regarded each other.

The financial support would demonstrate the unity and oneness of Christians, the relationship we have as brothers and sisters in Christ, and that the Lord did break down the wall between Jews and Gentiles.

Paul needed the Corinthians to know how the Macedonian Christians were such a great blessing and how God's grace had transformed their lives. He used their example to challenge and be a model to the Corinthian church. He was trying to show this church at Corinth what God could do through them and how they could be a blessing to the Lord and others.

To ensure that one church doesn't get jealous of another church, Paul is quick to point out to the Corinthian church how the Macedonia church was able to do this giving. IT WAS GRACE. The riches of God's grace had been poured out on them, and then they in turn poured out what they had on others.

The grace of giving is what this section is all about. The word charis ("grace") occurs eight times in chapters 8-9. In fact, charis occurs five times in 8:1-9: in verse 1, "the grace," ten charin; verse 4, "the favor," ten charin; verse 6, "this act of grace," ten charin; verse 7, "this act of grace," ten chariti; and verse 9, "the grace," ten charin. Paul's teaching on giving is a sermon on grace from beginning to end.

Concerning the grace among the Macedonians, "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part" (vv. 1, 2).

The Macedonian churches that Paul was using as an example had experienced severe difficulties, and yet they had given generously. They had not simply gone through "affliction"; they had experienced a "great trial of affliction" (2 Cor. 8:2). They were in deep poverty, which means "rock-bottom destitution." The word describes a beggar who has absolutely nothing and has no hope of getting anything.

But their circumstances did not hinder them from giving. In fact, they gave joyfully and liberally! No computer could analyze this amazing formula: great affliction and deep poverty plus grace = abundant joy and abounding liberality!

That was Heaven's stewardship program—the genesis of the grace of giving—and it is the pattern for us. Giving is a matter of grace from beginning to end. Christ gave himself for us. We receive his grace, and then we give ourselves to him and to others in his name. This response to grace includes giving what we have. That is how the Macedonians gave out of their poverty with great liberality. And that is how we give out of our affluence. It is the same.

First sermon out the chute, lots to cover, hopefully the blog this week will help me condense.

Owens

I am Thankful

2011-11-24T11:15:00.003-05:00

....the taxes I pay .... because it means I’m employed.

....the clothes that fit a little too snug ....because it means I have enough to eat.

....my shadow who watches me work ....because it means I am out in the sunshine.

....a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and ....gutters that need fixing ....because it means I have a home.

....the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot ....because it means I am capable of walking.

....my huge heating bill ....because it means I am warm.

....all the complaining I hear about our government ....because it means we have freedom of speech.

....the lady behind me in church who sings off key. ....because it means that I can hear.

....the piles of laundry and ironing ....because it means my loved ones are nearby.

....the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours ....because it means that I’m alive.

....weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day ....because it means I have been productive.

....Deacons with no vision and and no vitality....because it reminds me why I am a Pastor

....Church mothers who remind me constantly I need a wife....because it means someone is praying for my destiny

....Dressing, Sweet Potato Pie, Mac and Cheese, Ham Turkey and Brisket, Pound Cake and cookies....Because it must mean I am home.

The art of thanksliving. It is gratitude in action. Find a reason to be thankful

86th Church Anniversary Celebration

2011-11-10T09:48:00.003-05:00

The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church comes together to Praise God for His Providence, His Protection and His Provisions that have allowed our Church Family to make it 86 years. Through Wars, Depression, Racism, Poverty, Discrimination, even through the storm and the rain, somehow someway WE MADE IT.

Our Church has the unique honor of being able to reach back and celebrate its history by honoring its former Pastors that are still alive. Rev. Anthony R. Pettus Sr., Pastor of the Greater Progressive baptist Church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana will be our Sunday Morning Speaker.

Rev. Carlos D. Williams, Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Church Family from Flint, Michigan will be our 5:00pm speaker. Both of these men are former Pastors of the Macedonia Church and are great preachers in their own right.

We look forward to God blessing us as we celebrate Pastors and People who have by the Power of God helped produce this great place know as Macedonia

What Americans spend on Halloween

2011-10-25T08:35:00.004-04:00

There are many differences serving in a large church versus a small church. Staff, workers, space are a few. One of the major differences is budget. A smaller church does not always have the same resources that the larger church does so it makes the local Pastor become more careful over dollars and the budget.

I was lamenting the fact that our "Harvest Feast" was taking place, celebrating with the kids and their parents that we would be offering a Christian alternative to the practices of the world but combing through the numbers to find the money to fund the activity.

As I was going through the planned activities of Hayrides, pumpkin patch mazes and rides, bowling and food on Saturday and skating, games and food on Monday, I realized I am close to the $500.00 range. I realize that is not a lot of money for most ministries but this is more than I had intended to spend per the budget.

As I was pairing down the wish lists of the youth workers to fit back within the numbers, I ran across this illustration from Preaching Today on Halloween and what Americans spends celebrating.

The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend the following for Halloween in 2011:

Total Halloween expenses—$6.9 billion (that's more than twice the amount Americans spent for Halloween in 2005)

Largest Halloween expense—$2.5 billion for costumes

Amount spent on candy—$2 billion

The research also shows that Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. In 2011 nearly 70 percent of adults plan to hold their own celebrations for Halloween.

Martha C. White, "Now That's Creepy: Americans Will Blow $7 Billion on Halloween," (9-29-11)

After reading this, I put my pen down, lifted my hands and thanked God that we had the resources to fund this activity and pray that we can make a difference in our section of the world, our parcel of ground to the glory of God and the betterment of our young people.

Owens

Make Me

2011-10-24T09:11:00.004-04:00

"I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument." (Isa. 41:15.)

A BAR of steel worth five dollars, when wrought into horseshoes, is worth ten dollars. If made into needles, it is worth three hundred and fifty dollars; if into penknife blades, it is worth thirty-two thousand dollars; if into springs for watches it is worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered, and passed through the fire, and beaten and pounded and polished, the greater the value.

The "making process" is painful. Drilling away at this, hammering away at that, the pounding and polishing, to what end God? Why must I go through this ? Those who suffer most are capable of yielding most; and it is through pain that God is getting the most out of us, for His glory and the blessing of others.

Dealing with Procrastination

2011-10-13T12:05:00.002-04:00

Pastor Steven Furtick of the Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina blessed my soul today with his blog. I have a major problem with procrastination of my own dreams, goals, and ideas. I have a hard time chasing personal goals because I am always working on ministry goals, member goals, district, state or even local initiatives, I forget to chase mine. Very Simple Blog that kicked me to my knees and made me pray. I am sharing his words with you.

Two words can disqualify every dream you’ve ever had:
One day.

One day I’m going to start my own business.
One day I’m going to move overseas.
One day I’m going to live wholeheartedly for Christ.
One day I’m going to lose weight.
One day I’m going to make a difference.

If you’re not careful, one day becomes the next day, and the next day becomes the next day, and the next day becomes…

The best time to start a diet is tomorrow.
The best time to start making a difference tomorrow.
The best time to do anything is tomorrow…

…if you don’t want to ever actually do it.
Tomorrow always comes but the dream never happens.

Stop waiting.
There’s only one day that’s appropriate to start chasing your dream:
Today.

Make today your “one day.”

I Wet My Pants, Jesus Understands and Sympathizes

2011-09-28T15:35:00.006-04:00

We have a Great High Priest, He is in PERSON, in POSITION and in PROVISION.

Come with me to a third grade classroom. There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk, and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet, and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It’s never happened before and he knows that when the boys find out, he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they’ll never speak to him again for as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop, so he puts his head down and prays this prayer: "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I’m dead meat." He looks up from his prayer, and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says that he has been discovered. As the teacher is coming to snatch him up, a classmate named Susie is carrying a gold fish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl in the boy’s lap. The boy pretends to be angry but all the while is saying, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!"

Now all of a sudden the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the children are on their hands and knees around his desk, cleaning up the mess. The sympathy is wonderful! The ridicule that should have been his was transferred to someone else, Susie. As the day progresses the sympathy grows better and Susie’s ridicule grows worse.

At the end of the day they are waiting for the bus. Susie has been shunned by the other children. The boy walks over to Susie and says, "Susie, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?" Sue whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

Why is Jesus better than Susie? Jesus doesn't have to wet His pants to understand or sympathize.. Just because a person stands with you, it doesn't mean they know where you stand.

The High Priest would stand for the sinner and offer sacrifices for all the times the sinner had "wet pants". All "wet Pants are is "uncontrolled urges, impulse over ridden by desire, untrained or untaught flesh.

God told me to hold my peace but I just had to say something. WET PANTS! I know I should tithe but I couldn't resist the sale at Macy's. WET PANTS!

We have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST who is able to sympathize with us. Not as the High Priest did. You mess up, we cover it up, no sympathy. Not like the people who stand with us but don't know where we stand. I like women, man I do too, I feel ya. I need to give up cookies, man I do too, I feel ya.

I need the Great High Priest who was tempted on all sides and yet was without sin. He controlled his urges, he trained His flesh, He taught His nature and He didn't wet His pants. SO, since He lives in me, I CAN CONTROL MY URGES, I CAN WITHSTAND.

I Have a Great High Priest, and He understands Wet Pants.

Owens

How to defeat a mountain lion and Satan too

2011-09-26T14:42:00.003-04:00

Did you know that in the United States, mountain lions are the number one predator of human beings? So says author and naturalist, Craig Childs. On one occasion, he was doing research on the lions in Arizona’s Blue Range Wilderness. As he approached a water hole from downwind, he spotted a mountain lion drinking water, but the lion did not know he was there. When it finished drinking, it walked slowly away into a cluster of junipers.

After a few minutes, Childs walked to the water hole to identify tracks in the mud and record notes. Just before he bent down to look closer, he scanned the perimeter, and there among the shadows of the junipers, 30 feet away, he saw a pair of eyes. He expected the lion to run away, but it walked into the sunlight toward him. Childs pulled his knife and stared into the eyes of the lion. He knew what he had to do. More importantly, he also knew what he must not do. He writes:

"Mountain lions are known to take down animals six, seven, and eight times their size. Their method: attack from behind, clamp onto the spine at the base of the prey’s skull, snap the spine. The top few vertebrae are the target, housing respiratory and motor skills that cease instantly when the cord is cut...Mountain lions have stalked people for miles. One woman survived an attack and escaped by foot on a road. The lion shortcut the road several miles farther and killed her from behind..."

About the incident in Arizona’s Blue Ranger Wilderness, Childs says, "I hold firm to my ground and do not even intimate that I will back off. If I run, it is certain. I will have a mountain lion all over me. If I give it my back, I will only briefly feel its weight on me against the ground. The canine teeth will open my vertebrae without breaking a single bone...

"The mountain lion begins to move to my left, and I turn, keeping my face on it, my knife at my right side. It paces to my right, trying to get around on my other side, to get behind me. I turn right, staring at it...My stare is about the only defense I have."

The amazing thing is Childs actually maintained that defense as the mountain lion continued to try to provoke him to run, turning left, then right, back and forth again and again, until it came to just ten feet away. Finally, the standoff ended. The lion turned and walked away – defeated by a man who knew what never to do in its presence.

The Bible says in I Peter 5:8 that we are to "Be clear minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour".

The Bible also taught us how Satan attacks. Deuteronomy 25:17-18 demonstrates that the Amalekites attacked from behind, preying upon stragglers who appeared faint and weak. Cowards who attack from the back and not the front.

The time has come for Christians to stand strong. Quit retreating ground, running away from our enemy but rather look him in the eye without wavering. We have already ceded enough ground to the devil in our homes, our marriages, our ministries, the time has come to stand.

Lest anyone think I am "CHANGING", I am just saying what the Bible says in James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

If we run from Satan, give an inch to the left or to the right, we will be defeated but if we STAND, we can win.

Owens

In Memory of Pastor A. Glenn Woodberry

2011-09-12T08:09:00.003-04:00

I've had some good days
I've had some hills to climb
I've had some weary days
And lonely nights
But when I look around
And I think things over
All of my good days
They out weigh my bad days
So I won't complain

Sometimes the clouds are low
I can hardly see the road
I ask the question Lord
Lord, why
Lord why
Why, why, why so much pain?
But the Lord knows what's best for me
Although my weary eyes
Oh they can't see
So I'll just say thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
I won't complain

God has been good to me
He's been so good to me
More than this world could ever be
He's been so good
He's been so good
He's been so good
To me

He dried all of my tears away
Turned my midnights into day
So I'll just say thank you Lord
through all of my heartaches
Thank you Lord
Through all of my trials
Thank you Lord
I been misunderstood
But thank you Lord
Even been lied on
But thank you Lord
Body wretched with pain
But thank you Lord
Bills were due
Don't know where the money is coming from
But thank you Lord, thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
I won't complain

131st Annual Session NBC USA Inc.

2011-09-05T17:38:00.002-04:00

I thank God for safe travel from South Bend, Indiana to Orlando, Florida where I am participating as a Pastor and Preacher in the 131st Annual Session of the national Baptist Convention, USA, INC.

Sunday was a great day at Macedonia. The praise team and the choir ministry were on point. The numbers are growing but more importantly the chains are coming off the people and the praise. It was a typical Labor day crowd for South Bend and Macedonia but the level of worship was different. We focused on the fact God was there and not who was not there.

The Lord Blessed our sermon beyond our preparation. The level of peace and power I had was nothing but God-given and I am grateful for it. We stepped out of our "Blesses Life" series in Psalm 1 and preached a sermon out of Exodus 24:15-16 "Clear Reception on a Cloudy Day"

I. Sacrifice for our Atonement Vs. 4-8
II. Stay in the Area Vs. 15
III. Saturates the Atmosphere Vs. 16a
IV. Speaks to announce His Arrival Vs 16b
V. Don't be Surprised How God will Appear- Vs 17

I learned a valuable lesson Sunday. It is a bad idea to teach Teacher's meeting, Prayer Class, Preach Sunday Morning, Conduct Lord's Supper and then get into a car and drive into Midway Airport BY MYSELF because I will be WAY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLEEPY.

As usual, The Lord saved me from myself. Went the entire day without eating, so I had a nervous and upset stomach before flying but God allowed me safe passage into Orlando.

I pray that this will be a productive and powerful week. As much as I love and miss Macedonia when I am gone, it is still good to leave every now and then. I have the honor of preaching in the Moderator's Division of our convention. I appreciate the Vice-President at Large of the Moderator's Division, Dr. Marion J. Johnson for allowing me this opportunity.

I also will get the chance to see friends from across the nation and enjoy some of the best preachers in the nation. Late-Night services have Rev Elliot T. Ivey (Poison), Rev Clinton McFarland, Rev. Tellis Chapman and one of God's greatest preachers, Rev. A. Louis Patterson preaching this session.

It will be a great time in the Lord.

Owens

Are you a Preacher or a Motivational Speaker

2011-09-01T13:04:00.003-04:00

In my devotional time today, I ran across an artice written by Sherman Haywood Cox II. It blessed me so maybe it will bless you as well......

Some preaching that is considered great by many is nothing more than a motivational speech. It might be true, it might even be helpful. It may help you succeed at work. But too often all one has done is changed the title from the latest pop-psychologist’s seminar from “how to succeed” to “hot to fulfill God’s purpose” where God’s purpose is defined as “succeeding in this life.”

It is almost rampant in some circles. In fact some see this as the epitome of “relevant” preaching. The person comes and learns a skill or a mindset that will help them finally break the boundaries that keep them from that promotion. Maybe others finally decide to go back to school or change their career. Perhaps others find ways to become better planners and thus are more effective in their financial life. And then the preacher sits down. Sometimes the people shout other times they sit there contemplating the message, but in too many cases what is missing greatly outweighs the benefits of these messages.

When a sermon is merely a motivational speech, what is missing? At least two things:

The Cross is Missing
The first thing that is missing from this kind of preaching is the cross. Sometimes the preacher may tack it on at the end, but even in those cases the cross is reduced from the pinnacle of God’s work on behalf of humanity to simply a mechanism to help me do better at work. The cross both Jesus’ and ours is totally missing. The idea of our sin causing the death of Christ in some way is totally absent from this message. The idea that we are to take up our cross and follow is also absent.

In short, the Gospel is missing from many of these presentations and thus no matter how eloquent or well visited, this kind of preaching is missing the real power that comes from preaching “Christ and Him Crucified.”

The Coming Kingdom is Missing
In many of these sermons, the idea of God’s coming kingdom is totally missing. Whether it be how we are to prepare for the coming kingdom, or whether it be how the coming kingdom is different from the current “kingdoms,” this aspect of true preaching is often missing from the “motivational preaching” sermons.

If you are not preaching the cross and the coming kingdom, then one must ask onesself, what are the eternal consequences of my present preaching? If someone comes to your church after hearing about the cancer diagnoses, what does your sermon about being a success have to do with that one? If someone is in the midst of despair and needs to hear a word about the coming kingdom where righteousness reigns, what does your message that mistakes American middle class values for the Gospel have to say to them?

People can get motivational speeches in any number of places, but when they come to church they have come to hear a preacher. There is a time and place for the motivational speech, but if you as a preacher use up all of your time being simply another place, then you have not done your duty. For a preacher to degenerate into a facsimile of Oprah Winfrey or Tony Robins is to step down from the height of speaking God’s words to humanity to speaking good advice gleaned from the best human thinkers.

Dr. R. G. Lee On The Bible

2011-08-30T08:10:00.000-04:00

The late Dr. R. G. Lee, former pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis TN expressed the value of God’s Word in this way:

"The Bible is a book beyond all books as a river is above and beyond a rivulet. The Bible is a book beyond all books as the sun is above and beyond a candle in brightness. The Bible is a book beyond all books as the wings of an eagle is above and beyond the wings of a sparrow.

It is supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, inexpressible in value, immeasurable in influence, infinite in scope, divine in authorship, human in penmanship, regenerative in power, infallible in authority, universal in interest, personal in application, and inspired in totality.

This is the Book that has walked more paths, travelled more highways, knocked at more doors and spoken to more people in their mother tongue than in other book this world has ever known or will know."

You are the Bishop of your Own Heart

2011-08-29T08:46:00.004-04:00

One of the most powerful verses in the New Testament is Hebrews 12:15. It says, "Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

I want you to especially notice the words "looking diligently" in this verse. This phrase comes from the Greek word episkopos, taken from the two words epi and skopos. The word epi means over, and the word skopos means to look. When these two words are compounded into one word as in Hebrews 12:15, the word means to look over or to take supervisory oversight.

The word episkopos is the same Greek word translated "bishop" in First Timothy 3:1. As you know, a bishop has oversight or responsibility for a group of churches. As the chief overseer for those churches, it is the bishop's responsibility to watch, direct, guide, correct, and give oversight to the churches under his care. As long as he serves as bishop, he will be held responsible for the good and the bad that occurs under his ministry.

Hebrews 12:15 uses the word episkopos to alert you and me to the fact that we are the bishops of our own hearts. The use of this word in this verse means it is our responsibility to watch, direct, guide, correct, and give oversight to what goes on inside us.

As the bishop of your own heart, it is your responsibility to guide, direct, and give oversight to what goes on inside your emotions and thinking. You alone are responsible for what you allow to develop inside your head and heart. Like a bishop, you are personally responsible for both the good and the bad that occurs within your thought life.

Why do I make this point? Because we are often tempted to blame our bad attitudes, bitterness, resentments, or feelings of unforgiveness on other people. But the truth is, we are responsible for our own emotions and reactions! If a person does something that has the potential to offend us, God holds us responsible for whether or not that offense takes root in our minds.

We can choose to let it sink into our souls and take root, or we can opt to let it bypass us. We are not able to control what others do or say to us, but we are able to control what goes on inside of us.

It is that "inside" part—the part you control—that God will hold you responsible for. Why? Because you are charged with a personal responsibility to oversee what goes on inside your soul. That means you have the last word. You are the one who decides whether or not that wrong settles down into your soul and starts to take root in your emotions.

Anger is an emotion that comes and goes. You choose whether or not irritation turns into anger, anger into wrath, wrath into bitterness, bitterness into resentment, and resentment into unforgiveness. You choose whether these foul attitudes and emotions take up residency in your heart or are booted out the door!

When the devil comes to tempt you with an annoying, hounding thought about the person who offended you, at that moment you have a choice whether or not to let it sink in. You are the only one who can give permission for these attitudes to make their habitation in your mind and emotions. If you're filled with bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness, you permitted the devil to sow that destructive seed in your heart and then you permitted it to grow. Remember, you're the bishop of your own heart!

There is only one reason weeds grow out of control in a garden—because no one took the proper time and care to uproot and remove them. When the garden is choked by weeds, the gardener can't complain, "I just don't know how this happened! How did this occur right under my nose?" It occurred because he was being irresponsible with his garden. If he'd been exercising the proper amount of diligence, he would have known that weeds were about to get the best of him. His lack of diligence is the reason his garden got into this mess!

Hebrews 12:15 says, "Looking diligently...." It takes diligence to keep your heart in good shape. The only way you can stay free of the weeds the devil wants to sow in your "garden" is to be attentive, careful, thorough, and meticulous about the condition of your own heart. Don't expect others to take care of your heart for you either. It's your heart!

Also, don't make excuses for the rotten attitudes that fill your thoughts about people who supposedly did you wrong. Even if they really did commit a wrong against you, was it necessary or beneficial to permit the devil to fill you with putrid feelings of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness? Get over it! What good does it do to let the offense fester inside you until you are inwardly eaten up by its bad memory?

As long as you blame everyone else for the bitterness that rages inside, you'll never walk free. The only way you can get over the offense and walk free of your emotional prison is by accepting responsibility for your own heart.

If someone deliberately sows bad seeds in our "garden" in an effort to hurt or destroy us, God will deal with them. But if we know bad seed has been sown in our hearts and we just ignore it, allowing it to take root and grow unchecked, God will deal with us.

God will hold others responsible for what they do to us.
God will hold US responsible for what we allow to go on inside our minds and hearts.
We cannot answer for the actions of other people.
We will answer for our inward responses to what others have done to us.

Since the phrase "looking diligently" is from the Greek word episkopos, implying that you are the bishop of your own heart, what are you going to do about the negative and wrong attitudes that are trying to take root in your soul right now? Are you going to let them fester, take root, and begin to produce bad fruit in your life? Or are you going to take the initiative to rip out those attitudes by the roots so your heart can stay free?

Never forget that you are the bishop of your heart. It is your heart, and you are the only one with the authority to decide what does and doesn't go on inside of you. In light of this truth, what are you going to do about the situation you are facing right now? Forgive and let it go, or hang on to that grievance and let it grow? The choice is yours!

Sparkling Gems from the Greek.

First day of school, AGAIN

2011-08-25T08:45:00.002-04:00

I had the pleasure today of dropping off my 16 year old Son, Khalil to school today for the beginning of his junior year in Washington High School. While Khalil is not my biological son, to me he is every part of my son as I have been in his life since he was two years old.

Although his mother and I divorced, he still sees me as Dad and amazingly enough when no one else can seem to get through to him, I still can. After spending time with me this summer, he expresses his desire to stay with me in South Bend. With deep prayer and personal counseling and after consultation with his mom and dad, Khalil is now with me.

There is not a day that goes by where I don't think at least once, "What the hell have I gotten myself into"? With that said, I still thank God for the opportunity to impact and shape this young man.

I learned the definition of a hypocrite! When I do something, say something, exaggerate about something, it is ok, when my son does the same thing I do, it is wrong. Being around my son has sparked a desire in me to become a better man, to lead by example, to lead him not drive him, to shape according to the God-created mold and pattern for his life, not by what I want him to be.

Please pray for him and me. As I dropped him off at school this morning, I looked around at all the students and became a dad all over again. It is a blessing God can go where we can't and do what we can't do.

Pray for this church and all churches

2011-08-12T10:29:00.005-04:00

God expects more from us then this: The testimony of the church among the public should never be reduced to man-made, man-caused divisions and strife. Please pray for this church and the Pastor. While praying for this church and their Pastor, pray for your own church and your own Pastor because before any of us get high minded act point the finger at this church, sadly, this could happen, has almost happened and in some cases has happened in all of our churches.

My prayers are with this church and pastor. God let this time become a time of healing and restoration and from this moment, allow new beginnings to emerge in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Man who allegedly tased pastor arrested
Deacon allegedly stabs mother of minister of music
Updated: Wednesday, 10 Aug 2011, 9:06 AM CDT
Published : Monday, 08 Aug 2011, 2:08 PM CDT

Paige Malone
GRAND BAY, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile County Sheriff's Office was called to New Welcome Baptist Church on Boe Road August 7 in reference to a tasing and stabbing.

Lori Myles with the Sheriff's Office said a fight broke out when Pastor Daryl Riley told the minister of music, Simone Moore, he was no longer needed for his position and handed him his final check.

Apparently, Moore wasn’t pleased with the amount.

“At that point, the minister of music, Mr. Moore, tased the pastor and then other people got involved, and I think it just escalated from that point,” said Myles.

Several church members were involved in the fight, including Moore's mother, Agolia Moore. She was apparently stabbed by one of the church's deacons, Harvey Hunt.

“When too many emotions get involved and you don’t let the right process follow ... They should have called law enforcement, and they could have handled it from that point,” said Myles.

Kenryton Gray lives just across the street. She said she was sitting in her house with her family when something outside got their attention.

“I heard a lot of hollering, and we looked out the window, and we seen folks running back an fourth to the back of the church. And, like I say, it was hot, so I thought somebody might have fell down or something,” said Gray.

Gray has lived next to the church for over 3 years. She said it is a quiet area. She was shocked when she found out what really happened across the street.

“My father went over there a couple times, and he said it was a nice church. So, like I said, I would never have expected nothing from the church ... any church,” said Gray.

Two people were treated and released from a local hospital. Myles said Agolia Moore received several stitches on her arm.

A arrest warrant was issued for Simone Moore on assault charges for tasing Riley. Moore turned himself in late Tuesday night and was released on bond. A warrant was also signed for the arrest of Hunt for stabbing Agolia Moore.

The name Simone Moore may ring a bell. He ran on the democratic ticket for the senate back in 2010. Moore was defeated in the primary.

Unplugged from the World

2011-08-10T12:20:00.004-04:00

Thank God for safe passage from South bend, Indiana to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with my most precious cargo, my children. The 12 to 13 hour drive is starting to lean on me but thankful God sent some rain my way in Missouri that kept me alert and attentive. Sometimes adversity can be your advantage.

Upon arriving in OKC, I was reacquainted with what makes the Sooners so fit, Running two a days in 110 degree weather, It was and still is hot. To top it off, they had a freak Summer thunderstorm come thru Monday evening. Until you have seen a thunderstorm while the temperature is over 100 degrees, you just had a little rain.

It was beautiful but costly. The electrical storm burned transformers all over the city and the straight line wines were equivalent to a week F-1 tornado so roofs, poles, tree limbs and everything else starting flowing. My mom's electricity went out Monday about 9:00pm. The house warmed quickly and we reminded ourselves of times not so long ago where we didn't have AC.

That was all fine and good but after awhile, I realized I was unplugged from the world. No TV, No Internet, all I had was my phone and that was on a dying charge with nothing to charge it back up with. When i told the Lord I needed to get away with no distractions, I certainly didn't realize he would answer like this.

No electricity for 48 hours. I could have left to go to a motel but someone needed to stay with the house and watch things so, I sent mom to my aunt's and I stayed here. In that time I learned what community is and what it does.

We have so much in common especially when tragedy hits. No big I's and little U's, no mansions or penthouses, none of us have lights, none of us have air and all of us are dealing with 100 degree weather, so we came together.

We took water to the elderly. We camped out at the transformer pole to watch the OG&E people to make sure they did their job. I cut down neighbor's trees and moved some things for a big trash day pick up. We came together.

The sad part is this. The lights came back on, about an hour ago. We all went back inside. We all have air, no need being outside. We all have TV, no need to talk and converse anymore, we can chill and cool our own water, no need to share anymore. No interaction, back to computers, phones, IPAD's. Back to being plugged in.

Sometimes God has a way of slowing us down, unplugging our outlets and helping us to see what really matters. I had a great time here in the heat with no lights on with my family. Best time in a long time.

Owens

Drive-thru Prayer Service

2011-08-03T13:00:00.001-04:00

How long does a Pastor Work??

2011-07-25T10:33:00.003-04:00

So what do you do anyway Pastor when you are at the office? You just look at the Internet and play Spades online huh? Yeah Sometimes, and sometimes I play fantasy football and watch TV, rarely, very rarely but sometimes. However, the life of a Pastor is very hectic. It is a non-stop, always on-demand, 24-7 job.

Anyone still think pastors only work one day per week? According to a study by LifeWay Research, full-time senior pastors tend to work 55 hours or more per week, and 42% work 60 or more hours. When including bi-vocational pastors, part-time senior pastors and volunteer pastors, 35% work at least 60 hours a week, and 30% work 50–59 hours.

Half spend 5–14 hours a week preparing sermons, while 9% spend 25 or more with just 7% spending less than 5. 30% of evangelical pastors spend 20 or more hours a week in sermon preparation vs. 20% of mainline pastors. Other time-consuming activities include meetings, handling e-mail or e-correspondence, counseling others, or in hospital, home or witnessing visits.

More than 70% of pastors spend up to 5 hours a week in meetings with 15% doing so 10 hours or more a week. 30% spend 20–29 hours a week with their families, and 16% report spending 40 or more hours with them. 52% spend 1–6 hours in prayer each week, and the same percentage spend 2–5 hours in personal devotions unrelated to sermon prep. 14% spend an hour or less in personal devotions. 24% watch TV 10–14 hours each week.

The scary stat is while being all things for all people, we are nothing to ourselves. Only 14% spend an hour or less in personal devotion. If we don't personally grow, how can we expect our churches we have been entrusted with to grow.

Owens

YOU'RE ONLY A MAN VS. YOU DA MAN

2011-07-20T15:26:00.008-04:00

One of my favorite movies that I enjoy watching is "Law Abiding Citizen" starring Jamie Foxx and Gerald Butler. An overlooked but powerful scene in the movie is at the very beginning when a story is told about Marcus Aurelius.

“Marcus Aurelius hired a servant to walk behind him as he made his way through the Roman town square. And this servant’s only job was to whisper in his ear when people praised him, ‘You’re only a man. You’re only a man.’”

As I continue to get ready for our VBS at the Macedonia church, which will concentrate on Leadership, I realized that good leadership is about assembling the right team. No Leader can carry the entire load; therefore the assembling of a good leadership team is vital for ministry.

One insight that I read on this subject matter comes from Jim Collins' book Good to Great. He said before you even think of deciding where it is that you want to go as an organization/church/business or community group, you need to make sure you assemble the right team.

1.Get the right people on the bus (your leadership team)

2.Get the wrong people off the bus.

3.Get the right people in the right seats.

Many times, we fail to assemble the right team! Instead of finding the right people for the position, we pick "OUR PEOPLE, or PASTOR PEOPLE, or YES MEN. Our staff, our deacon board, our accountability committee looks like a grand collection of people who instead of in love walk with us to remind us "YOU'RE JUST A MAN", they are hand picked cheerleaders, our personal, paid entourage who holla on demand, "YOU DA MAN"!

All of us like people who give us compliments and appreciate our efforts because in service work, many receivers of the gift God has given you act like they could do it better, faster and cheaper than you; however, it is dangerous to surround yourself with people who will not tell you the truth but would rather fill your ears with good sounding words. We must remember that the first key to leading and living a Blessed Life is to not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.

Colin Powell said, "If you have a Yes man working for you, one of you is redundant".

There is a danger that is worse than surrounding yourself with YES MEN and that is having the power to actually create your own YES MEN. To cultivate, Construct, to create your own private cheering section of YOU DA MAN PASTOR PEOPLE.

A Yes Man is someone that won’t challenge your position and in fact they will always tell you what you want to hear and then scurry about to execute your plan. Generally, Yes Men can be easily found in a crowd because they are the up and coming risers, trying to advance their careers as quickly as they can.

Our job in leadership development for the church is not to develop YES MEN but GOD MEN. A GOD MAN will be loyal to the Pastor because you can't follow God and disrespect his program or his Pastor. A GOD MAN will know how to express an opinion without disrespecting the office or the officer. A GOD MAN is not just looking to see how much power they can possess or just talk to hear themselves talk.

GOD MEN who have been trained either by the Acts 6 principle, the I Timothy 3 Principle or the Matthew 25 Parable of the Talents principle; Leadership within the church is not management in the business sense but stewardship. We don't own or run! We are entrusted with and must answer.

Thank God that I have been blessed at Macedonia with a Marcus Aurelius who loves me enough to say, "YOU'RE ONLY A MAN! Thank God in our Convention Work, District, State and National, I have real Pastoral friends who will walk with me while praise is being showered and say "YOU'RE ONLY A MAN".

I am looking forward to vacation Bible School 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owens

Keep the Way Open

2011-07-16T16:04:00.004-04:00

The CEO of a large manufacturing corporation was in the habit of going to a room on the roof of the administration building and locking himself in, that he might be free from interruptions. One day he discovered that the building was on fire. He flew to the door to find that the lock had become set, and he was unable to open it.

He remembered the intercom which communicated with the room below. But, his calls were in vain. It had been many months since he had last used the intercom, and it had become so corroded with soot and dust that it was useless.

How fit an illustration is this of the prayerless life. It is by daily fellowship that we keep the way open between ourselves and God.

When is the last time you talked to God?

What dirt, soot, contamination is blocking you from talking to God?

Where do you need to clean in your life so there is nothing that would hinder your prayers?

Leading is Following Backwards

2011-07-15T00:34:00.003-04:00

Continuing to get ready for our 2011 Vacation Bible School where we will be teaching the adult class on the concept of Leadership Vs Management within the Church, I am compiling many articles, books and sources for our lecture.

I found a great article written by Eric M. Bryant that talks about Leading is Following Backwards:

Following is leading backwards. The opposite of leading is not following; the opposite of leading is apathy. Following creates the character and the credibility to lead. When we humble ourselves and set aside our dreams to help others accomplish theirs, we catch a glimpse of God’s character.

Joshua influenced his nation beyond his lifetime. He was chosen to replace Moses and lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. It was Joshua who led the people of Israel to march around Jericho. How did Joshua gain such influence?

When Joshua is first mentioned in Scriptures, we find him in a situation we would not imagine for the future leader of God’s children. Joshua was Moses’ assistant, his aid. Joshua did not appear to be headed towards greatness. Joshua was an intern; the person Moses would ask to carry his luggage, put up his tent, or pick up some manna on the way to their meetings.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel….”

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.”

“Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God….’” – Exodus 24:9-14a

By serving Moses faithfully in mundane ways, Joshua walked into God’s presence! Sharing a meal with God is quite a perk for an assistant. Joshua was later chosen to travel with Caleb and ten other spies to check out the new land. When looking to replace Moses, God did not choose Moses’ brother Aaron or sister Miriam. He did not choose Nadab, Abihu, or any of the seventy elders. He chose Moses’ assistant. God chooses to exalt those who are humble.

When we serve others faithfully and effectively, we work toward accomplishing another person’s vision. When we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for others, our leaders recognize we can be trusted. If we can be trusted as a follower, then we can be trusted with followers.

Early in his new role, Joshua had the opportunity to establish his own reputation as a miracle worker. Just as Moses parted the waters as the Israelites escaped from Egypt, God planned another spectacular water trick to exalt Joshua.

“And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses’” (Joshua 3:7).

After the waters stopped flowing and the people had crossed to the other side, Joshua stood ready to seize the moment. We expect he would point out that this miracle confirmed his leadership. Instead, Joshua chose a different message for the people.

“Joshua said to the Israelites… ‘[God] did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God’” (Joshua 4:21a, 24).

Joshua chose to point people to the Lord’s leadership rather than his own. He was more concerned with building God’s reputation than his own. This should come as no surprise; he spent years building up Moses rather than pursuing his own interests.

We can become a better leader by serving as a better follower. In these moments we discover what Christ meant when he promised that “we find our lives when we lose our lives serving him and serving others.”

Bring the Book

2011-07-12T23:04:00.002-04:00

The beginning of the Summer Exodus has begun as many people were missing from church on Sunday but we had a great time with the members and visitors who were in the house. Sundays have become a little more hectic for me than usual but it has sharpened my vision in the pulpit. Teaching the New Members class at 8:30 and the Prayer Class at 9 has made me right ready when I hit in the pulpit and I can tell during the preaching moment.

I have had the same experience two Sundays in a row. I prepared a sermon that I thought would be used for a section of the church addressing one thing and God has made me use it for the entire body. I am walking into a series of sermons from Psalms 1. To prepare the soil, I have been concentrating in sermons on making The Word of God our emphasis in our lives, in our church and in all that we do.

We used Nehemiah 8 as our platform to plant this idea in the collective spirit of the membership. We need more Ezra's in the Pulpit who can:

Vs 1 "Bring the Book"

Vs 5 "Opened the Book"

Vs 8 "Explained the Book"

It amazes me how many "Books " are brought to the church, the pulpit, the business meetings, our Sunday Schools, Our Vacation Bible Schools and our Christian Education Departments that are not or have no relation to THE BOOK which is GOD'S HOLY WORD.

Let me quickly say, I appreciate, thank God for and want to be the best rounded preacher I can be by reading all that I can in supplemental reading; however, we cannot allow this to take the place or remove from our diet the fundamental reading which is God's Holy Word.

We need some more Ezra's who will BRING THE BOOK. Not Robert's Rules of Order! Not Parliamentary Procedures! Not Someone who has studied the Constitution and the By-laws of the Church more than they have the Word of God. Not Politicians but a Preacher.

Again, thank God for politicians! They have a place and a purpose but they are not the pastor/teacher. We do not need a Day of Prayer from a politician, we need a preacher to teach us the Bible wants us to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. We do not need a resolution from the State House or a Bill signed from the White House ordering a day of observance for religion, we need a Preacher, an Ezra to bring, open and explain the Word so we will know it must be a daily lifestyle, not a one-time event.

Thank God for all that Nehemiah did in leadership, organization, strategic planning, vision casting and implementation but it takes a preacher to teach the people what thus says the Lord and thereby restoring them to where they should be.

In presentation, God allowed it to go better than preperation. I had fun explaining why we stand upon the reading of the Word of God and what that really meant back then and what it should mean now; the building of the pulpit and what it was built from (WOOD) and why it was elevated and the people's reception, reactions and results to the Word of God.

The people:

Said Amen, Amen, We don't say amen for the preacher, we say Amen, truly truly, verily, so be it in response to the word of God.

They lifted their hands, bowed their heads, laid prostrate and cried out to God as they responded to the bringing, opening and explaining of the Word of God.

They learned a lesson that we all should remember: Through the Word of God, The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.

We had a great time on Sunday, spiritually and financially.

Our 90th State convention for the Original General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana Incorporated is going on in Ft Wayne Indiana this week. Please pray for us.

Owens

Boundaries Vs. Branching Out

2011-07-08T10:46:00.004-04:00

I inherited a church that had a healthy love for the Book written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend entitled, "Boundaries": When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life. It was done as a Bible Study here several Pastors ago. While I appreciate the Boundaries Book, if not careful it can serve as motivation for the old song, "I SHALL NOT, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED, JUST LIKE A TREE THAT'S PLANTED BY THE WATERED, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED.

One of the most important duties for any leader is moving people from their comfort zone to their "wheelhouse", area of expertise, their sweet spot.

Getting out of your comfort zone is like going to the gym for your mind, your confidence, and your creativity. It forces you to engage things in a new way. It stimulates you to think new thoughts and see things in a different light. It expands the scope of what you see as currently within reach. Without it, your mind gets flabby.

The problem with this is most people are resistant to being moved because COMFORT IS THE ENEMY TO CHANGE. Most of my members ignored the part of the book that taught them how and when to say yes but rather embraced the no concept.

It’s good to stretch someone beyond their comfort zone. To put people in situations that stretch their capabilities and familiarity. It’s how you pull potential out of people that didn’t even know they had. Make them realize they are capable of things they won’t believe until they do them. Past the edge of our comfort and convenience is where God can raise our lives to new heights.

One of the biggest hindrances to this is not only comfort but the Past. Nostalgia is the best friend of comfort. Often times, when we have stepped out of a comfortable situation because we know it is holding us back, we find ourselves confronted by nostalgia. When the future is uncertain, it is natural for us to think about the past, and long for what was comfortable.

What’s deadly about nostalgia is that is always looks different than reality. Nostalgia shows us the past as we wish it was, anything negative tends to be either filtered out, or blurred into the background.

Nostalgia and comfort work together to stunt our growth and keep us from progress.

While it’s good to stretch a person out of their comfort zone, we have to understand that it was God who wired them, gave them life experiences, passions, burdens, and skills to do what He called them to do.

In other words, they have a God-ordained sweet spot. A place of intersection where God has called them to live in and function out of.

People can’t be anything they want to be. Or anything we want them to be. But they can be everything God created them to be. And this only happens as they’re operating in their sweet spot. Where they’re using everything God has equipped them with to be all He has called them to be.

Stretching someone out of their comfort zone should be a means of developing people in their sweet spot. Not taking them out of it. There’s such a thing as being uncomfortable because you’re being stretched. And then there’s being uncomfortable because you’re doing something you weren’t created for.

Our prayer is over the upcoming Vacation Bible School is to develop new leaders and transform older leaders into finding our sweet spots in Christ for greater service. I believe that Acts 6 model shows us how to find our sweet spot and we will talk about that in the upcoming posts.

Owens

Tugging at my Heart

2011-07-06T17:50:00.001-04:00

A twelve year old boy became a christian during a revival. The next week at school his friends questioned him about the experience. "Did you see a vision?" asked one friend. "Did you hear God speak?" asked another.

The youngster answered no to all these questions. "Well, how did you know you were saved?" they asked. The boy searched for an answer and finally he said, "It’s like when you catch a fish, you cant see the fish, or hear the fish; you just feel him tugging on your line. I just felt God tugging on my heart."

Leadership is Serving God, Not the Sheep

2011-07-05T11:27:00.004-04:00

I am getting ready for our 2011 Vacation Bible School which will be held July 25th-July 29th. I am teaching the adult class this year on the concept of Leadership Vs. Management. It is a topic that not only for the church I serve, but for the entire body of Christ, needs to be discussed in great detail.

I have come across many authors with good information that I am looking forward to sharing. One of those authors was Fred Smith who wrote the book, "Learning to Lead: Bringing out the Best in Other People" from The Leadership Library Volume 5 (24-25) His section on "Leadership is serving God, Not the Sheep proved to be invaluable and it is out of that section that I share this:

Currently one of the most popular concepts is “servant leadership.” Properly understood, it’s a helpful concept, but it has been terribly abused.

The Christian leader is primarily a servant of God, not a servant of the sheep. Many shepherds act as if they’re servants of the sheep—a faulty concept. You are a servant of God, given to absolute obedience to what he says. To extend that to say you are the servant of each sheep is a fallacy.

Steve Brown, a pastor in Florida, said he nearly became neurotic when he used to think he worked for the church—because he had five hundred bosses. When your boss calls in the middle of the night to tell you something, you’re supposed to do it. But if everybody in the church is your boss and you’re their servant, you’ve got an absolutely intolerable position.

Yes, you lead by serving, but the major expression of your service is your leadership.

Take, for instance, Lee Iacocca, a great leader. He is the servant of the Chrysler Corporation, but he doesn’t ask the assembly line workers to decide where the company should go. He may solicit opinions, but Lee Iacocca doesn’t ask the man on the machine to do anything except run the machine and run it well—and have faith in the company. Iacocca’s servanthood is expressed by his leadership. If he were to quit leading, he would no longer be a trustworthy servant of Chrysler.

There are shepherds who constantly ask the sheep which way to go. If the pastor quits leading the sheep and starts following them, he is no longer a trustworthy shepherd.

In addition, a shepherd does not expect his compensation, blessing, or reward to come from the sheep. He expects it to come from the owner of the sheep. I don’t know of any sheep that ever gathered around to applaud the shepherd. All they do is cause him trouble.

Sheep are the work. They’re not the wage.

As leaders we have to say, “I’m going to get my ultimate strokes from God.”

If we don’t watch ourselves, we start manipulating things to get strokes from the sheep. If that happens, it’s like what Jesus said about giving alms in public. God will say, “You’ve got your reward.” You can lead with an eye on crowd approval, but if you lead primarily to be rewarded by the sheep, you’re not going to be rewarded by the owner of the sheep.

This position is difficult for some pastors to accept because of their personality make-up. Some pastors prefer serving people. There’s a certain ego satisfaction in doing menial things for other people. They justify it by saying, “I’m showing people I’m not above doing menial things,” which is a prideful statement, when you think about it.

Leaders who say, “Anything you need, let me know. I’ll cut your lawn. I’ll drive the kids to school” are not serving God, nor are they offering their best to their people. They are failing to understand the doctrine of gifts. There’s no point in a clumsy, all-thumbs person trying to be a carpenter. He might desire the servant role, but he isn’t serving. If my gift is leading (as evidenced by my having followers), then my serving is leading.

Smith, F. (1986). Vol. 5: Learning to lead : Bringing out the best in people. The Leadership library (24–25). Carol Stream, Ill.: CTi.

Free Indeed!!!!!!

2011-07-03T23:46:00.003-04:00

I was prepared on Sunday to preach a message from John 8:32-36 concerning Free Indeed. The Lord led me in a different direction and I wound up preaching on Acts 12 concerning "Keep Knocking". The Lord blessed our obedience. It was wonderful to be back in the pulpit after so many preachers, McGhee, Witherspoon, Bacon, Arthur Lane, Bishop Alford, just to name a few, have just unleashed havoc on Satan and his forces through the sound preaching of the Word.

I am still amazed by how many people live life under the disguise of freedom when all the while they are bound and chained. They think their job frees them. Their money. Their social status. Their educational level, but John 8:32-36 teaches us all of these things are not the Sum of our freedom.

In these verses, Jesus is speaking to a group of people who thought they were free. They believed that because they were the sons of Abraham, they enjoyed spiritual freedom, v. 33. Jesus lets them know that because they are sinners, they are slaves to sin, v. 34. This same truth is repeated by Paul in Rom. 6:16.

Jesus also wants the audience listening in that day, as well as in this day, to know that He has the power to make men truly free, v. 32. He reminds them that because they are slaves to sin, they are not truly free. He tells them in v. 35 that a slave is not a permanent part of the family, while a son is. Then, Jesus tells us that since He is the Son, He has the power to make men truly free, v. 36.

You see, a person can be locked away in a prison and still be free in Jesus. A person can live in an atheistic, godless society and still be free in Jesus. He has the power to make men truly free. This text encourages us to:

CONSIDER THE SOURCE OF OUR FREEDOM

Jesus says the source of spiritual our freedom in v. 32 is in “the truth”. This word refers to “that which is true in respect to God and the execution of His purposes in Jesus Christ.” In other words, the truth Jesus refers to is the whole truth regarding Who He is and what He did for sinners. It refers to the whole truth about Jesus Christ.

CONSIDER THE SCOPE OF OUR FREEDOM

Jesus says in verse 36 that when He makes a person “free” they are “free indeed”. The first word translated “free” comes from a word that means “to set at liberty”. It is the picture of someone liberating a slave from bondage.

The second word translated “free” refers to “one who is freeborn”. Jesus is saying that the freedom He gives us when He saves us is so complete that “it is as if we were never slaves to begin with, but it is as if we were freeborn sons of God”.

The liberty Jesus gives us is so complete that it blots out our past and makes us absolutely and eternally free in Him. That is a far cry from where we were before we met Him, John 8:34; Eph. 2:1-3. Thank God for the liberty we enjoy in Jesus Christ!

Consider for a moment that areas where we have been liberated.

We have been delivered from the wrath of God – Rom. 5:9

We have been delivered from condemnation – Rom. 8:1

We have been delivered from death and Hell – John 5:24; John 3:16

We have been delivered from the power of sin – Rom. 6:13-14

We have been delivered from the power of Satan – 1 Pet. 5:8-9

CONSIDER THE SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOM

Our freedom as Americans was purchased at a very high cost. We should be thankful for it. While the price for our national freedom was costly and bloody, it pales in comparison to the cost of our spiritual freedom. The cost of our spiritual freedom was the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary.

It was there that He “gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1Ti 2:6)

It was there that He became “the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1Jo 2:2)

It was there that “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isa 53:5)

It was there that “the LORD…laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa 53:6)

Why did He do it? The answer is quite simple. He did it because He loves us! “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)

CONSIDER YOUR SHOUT FOR YOUR FREEDOM

I don't know what your freedom means to you, don't know what had you bound and how long you were intertwined within your mess but as you do inventory of your life and recognize that you are now walking in freedom, there should be a war cry. There should be a rumbling of praise. There should be a shout.

We have a song that the angels can not sing. I have been redeemed!

Dream Big

2011-06-30T19:35:00.000-04:00

I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13

GEORGE FOREMAN first won the World Heavyweight Championship boxing title in 1973 at the age of twenty-three. He was at the top of his game and in his prime when he defeated Joe Frazier that fateful day in Jamaica. A year later he lost his title to Muhammad Ali in their infamous bout in Kinshasa, Zaire, known as the "Rumble in the Jungle."

Foreman retired a few years later to pursue the career he'd always dreamed of. He became the pastor of a small church in Houston, Texas. Members said he was as fiery and powerful in the pulpit as he was in the ring. He used part of his boxing money to establish a youth center in Houston, and his church did its best to cover the rest of the expenses. But it wasn't long before financial resources dried up. The church struggled to keep the center alive. In 1987 Foreman surprised everyone by announcing his plans to save the youth center from bankruptcy. "I'm going to be heavyweight champion again," he said.

In spite of the jokes and jeers from the media and late-night comedians, Foreman set himself on a strict regimen of training. He had to start at the bottom, fighting little-known boxers and working his way back up the ranks. Though he was older, he'd never lost his ability to land an explosive punch and bring his opponent down, so his climb was quicker than expected. Before long, Foreman had become a serious contender for the top belt. After seven years of work, he finally had a shot at the title.

In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman shocked the world by knocking out Michael Morrer to regain the World Heavyweight Championship title. He was the oldest man in history to do so. He used the money he made to save the center. The comedians were no longer laughing. From the beginning, Foreman attributed this feat to his faith in God and his belief that the Holy Spirit would supply him with the strength he needed.

"It doesn't matter what people say about you," Foreman said after the fight. "Look in the mirror and never put yourself down. Give yourself time and anything can be accomplished."
"I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need," writes Paul (Philippians 4:13). When God sets a task on your heart, all you have to do is believe that he can help you carry it out. His power is sufficient for all our needs in any given situation.

Embracing Eternity: Living Each Day with a Heart Toward Heaven.

The Golden Rule of Interpretation

2011-06-29T10:38:00.003-04:00

Sitting in the office getting ready for Noonday Bible Study preparing for Chapter Three of Hebrews, I ran across a gem in my study. As in most things, it is amazing what we find when we aren't looking for anything specific and just commune with God.

John Wycliffe developed a Golden rule of Intrepretation. Although this was creacated way back in the 1300's, it still makes a god application in 2011. Listen and Read this Golden Rule:

It shall greatly help thee to understand Scripture if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, and to what intent, under what circumstances, considering what goeth before and what followeth.

Class will be fun today

Owens

What Does God Want?

2011-06-28T09:32:00.001-04:00

What can we bring to the Lord? Micah 6:6

IF YOU HAD to get God a gift, what would you get him? What present would you lay at the feet of the Creator? Let's say you wanted to make up for the things you've done to hurt him. You've ignored his requests, you've cheated on him, you've gone months without acknowledging his existence, and now you want to say you're sorry and try to make things right. What would you give him to show him you're sincere? The prophet Micah poses this same question to the people of Israel:

"What can we bring to the Lord to make up for what we've done? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and tens of thousands of rivers of olive oil? Would that please the Lord? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for the sins of our souls? Would that make him glad?" (6:6-7).

What about you? What would your gift be? Would you think about giving a large lump sum to your church? Would you consider making a promise? I'll read my Bible every night before bedtime, and I'll go to church every Sunday, Lord. Maybe I'll even join a men's breakfast group. Do you think that would appease him? Is that what God wants? Let's let Micah answer the question for us.

"No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

Do you want to make God happy? Do you want to know what he wants in place of your money or gifts or offerings? He wants your heart. Your life. Your mercy toward others. Your humility before his throne. God wants from you the same thing that he gives to you. He pours himself out for us, and he wants us to pour ourselves out for others.

He gives unconditional love, and he wants us to selflessly love others. He walks with us, and he wants us to walk with him.

God doesn't want to break your bank; he wants to have your heart. He doesn't want your gifts, he wants you. God doesn't need a present, he wants devotion. And that's something that each of us have to give.

Embracing Eternity: Living Each Day with a Heart Toward Heaven.

Children are wonderful

2011-06-15T17:23:00.003-04:00

The Glory of Children

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers" (Prov. 17:6).

One of the greatest incentives for godly living by fathers and grandfathers is the example set for one's children and grandchildren, that they may indeed "glory" in their parents, and desire to follow in their footsteps, especially with reference to their moral and spiritual example.

It is one of the joys of fatherhood not only to have children but, Lord willing, to see one's grandchildren as well. Most honorable men will also work hard to be able to leave an inheritance to their children first of all and, through them, to their grandchildren. "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children" (Prov. 13:22).

Depending on circumstances beyond his control, it may not be possible to leave a significant material estate to his descendants. Therefore, such promises as these must ultimately be understood in the spiritual sense. Even a poor man can leave a goodly inheritance—an inheritance of love and concern and a godly life. The greatest of all the gifts that one should try to pass on to his children, of course, is to lead them, by witness and example, to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, for that heirloom will last forever.

Even men who are childless in the physical sense can have spiritual children as they witness for Christ in word and deed. Paul, for example, could call Timothy "my dearly beloved son" (2 Tim. 1:2), and he could remind the believers at Corinth that "I have begotten you through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:15).

Then what a joy it is when someone we have led to Christ begins to lead still others to Him! These become our "children's children" in the great spiritual family of God, and such spiritual grandchildren constitute a most beautiful "crown of old men!

I am enjoying my son and daughters being here with me in South Bend this summer.

Owens

Remember the Lord's Supper Service

2011-06-13T09:37:00.003-04:00

Coming down from a great week of Anniversary services and back to the grind of work, worship and witnessing, I was encouraged by a service our church had this past week. Because we were concluding my anniversary services on the first Sunday, it caused a problem for our normal activities.

On the first Sunday of the month, the Macedonia Church observes its Baptism and Lord's Supper Service. I had the privilege of baptizing three young people who made a profession of faith; however, I was moved by God not to observe the Lord's Supper on Sunday; before that sentence settles wrong within your system, please let me explain.

I remember when the Lord's Supper service was the most spiritual, intense and meaningful service the church ever had. It was where we learned and passed down our hymns; it was where we heard about the amazing grace of God and his providence and provisions that he has given to his people through testimonial service; it was where someone would sing a impromptu verse of "Just Another day that the Lord has kept me.....; it was where the mothers of the church would get happy and the Spirit of God had free reign. not to mention we sang hymns we don't normally sing such as At The Cross, Because He Lives, I know it was the Blood, just to name a few.

However the Lord's Supper service in the modern church does not have the same power and punch that it used to. In the older church, this service was a stand alone service. WE DID NOTHING ELSE BUT THIS. No distractions, no diversions, nothing but the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was highlighted.

Now this service is either in between our two or three morning services or is on the back end of Sunday Morning service. It has a time limit. There is not time to linger over words, free praise as you reflect in the goodness of God; testimonial service is almost an unheard of concept because we have to get this done and out of the way. Got to get ready for morning worship! Got to get ready for our afternoon service! Got to get out of church as we have been in here too long!

I was moved by God to quit fitting the Communion service in. Quit half doing it. This is our chance to remember the most magnificent gift ever given to us. SALVATION. Jesus gave his life, he died on the cross in our place, He was buried in an borrowed grave, He stayed there all night Friday and Saturday and early Sunday morning He got up with all power in His Hand.

Certainly He deserves more than 15 or 30 minutes. Certainly He deserves more concentration than just a duty or obligation that we punch on our religious check list of observations that have no power, no meaning, no transformation but rather just another religious ceremony. It should mean more than that.

It was in this service I learned, there is no talking in church, no gum-chewing, no sleeping, no playing, no texting, no horse play, JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS!

I wonder what our young people see now when they see us observe the Lord's Supper!

With that said, I no longer wanted to be a part of the system that only gives God a part and not all. A system where we try and fit God in our time instead of saying however long you need Lord is OK with me. A system that sees this as a religious ceremony instead of a worship experience. There should be crying, shouting, singing, dancing, worship and praise whenever we think of what God has done for us and it shouldn't be on a time schedule, a clock or metered out for comfort.

Therefore, I was moved not to observe the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday but I moved it to Wednesday night. A stand alone service. I recognize I am a rebel because the Bible Says the Lord's Supper should be observed on the First Sunday or at least that is what someone tried to tell me until I asked for Scripture and Verse and then it turned into I was taught that, etc.

What I would like to encourage someone reading this is this, I took a risk and a chance following God. Everyone didn't like it or agree with. FOLLOWING GOD COMPLETELY WILL NOT ALWAYS MAKE YOU POPULAR.

We started our service at 7:30pm and didn't actually observe the taking of the bread and wine until almost 8:45pm because the Spirit of God had free reign. People shared, people testified, people sang without a praise leader, praise team, choir or organ and we all left here refreshed and energized because we put God as the Main attraction and not a side appetizer.

Communion is too important to be rushed through, hurried by and treated as an inconvenience. Christ died for us, it is about time through our actions within the local church we start living for Him.

Owens

Third Annual Pastor's Appreciation Service

2011-06-01T22:59:00.002-04:00

How can I say thanks For the things You have done for me, Things so undeserved, Yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels Could not express my gratitude .All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee. To God be the glory, To God be the glory, To God be the glory, For the things He has done. With His blood He has saved me, With His power He has raised me, To God be the glory, For the things He has done.© 1971, Andrae Crouch

Just as Paul said it to the people he loved in Philippians 1:3, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God”, so do I say it to you and our church family at Macedonia, Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I have been blessed with a wonderful congregation of God-fearing people who are kind and caring.

It was a joy hearing you share, as well as reading your words of appreciation in cards and letters. Your encouragement means more than you will ever know to me and my family and I want you to know that I consider it a high honor to serve here at the Macedonia Church as your Pastor.

Special thanks to all the members of the Pastor’s Appreciation Committee who embodied through their service the spirit that was demonstrated by the workers in Mark 2:1-12 who showed us the power of people who work together for the greater good.

To the Chairpersons of the committee who are the right mix of strength and submission; who know when to push the Pastor and when to pray for the pastor, I will forever be grateful to you. I realize what you do is a labor of love so I pray that everything you lost in time, energy and resources by heading this committee, God will give back to you in abundance.

To all of the Pastors who came this week to pour into our church what God placed in your heart, I am grateful and remain steadfast in my resolve to work with you to make our city what God would have it to be. Please know my heart as a Pastor is, “IF I CAN’T HELP YOU, I PROMISE I WILL NEVER HURT YOU”.

To Bishop Alford, Pastor Hardy Williams, Pastor Andre A, McGhee and Pastor K.D. Witherspoon, I acknowledge a Pastor’s calendar is very busy especially for preachers of your caliber, so for you to find time within your preaching itinerary to come over and bless our church is an encouragement to me so deep I cannot explain. May God bless and keep you is my prayer.
Finally to the greatest people in South Bend who worship at 1862 N. Olive Street, thank you for allowing me to be your Pastor. Thank you for being patience with me as I grow in Christ. Thank you for following me as I follow Christ understanding that obedience does not require understanding. When God tells us to move we must move, so thank you for keeping your eyes on Jesus as Christ is the head of the church.

A party of pioneers on the Oregon Trail suffered for weeks from a scarcity of water and grass for their animals. Most of the wagons had broken down, causing endless delays in the stifling heat. A feeling of fretfulness and futility prevailed. Optimism and cheer were gone. Courage was in limited supply.

One night the leaders called a meeting to air complaints. When they gathered around the campfire, one man stood up and said, "Before we commence our grief session, don't you think we should at least first thank God that he has brought us this far with no loss of life, with no serious trouble from the Indians, and that we have enough strength left to finish our journey?"
The other settlers agreed. After the brief prayer, all that could be heard were the cries of a distant pack of wolves. There was otherwise stone silence around the campfire, because no one had any grievances they felt were important enough to voice.

They suddenly realized if they couldn't be satisfied with what they'd received, they could at least be thankful for what they'd escaped. Thankfulness enabled them to see the mercies of God they had been overlooking. I hear my mother saying to me:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

WE ARE MACEDONIA AND WE ARE CALLED TO HELP SOMEBODY

PASTOR

I am trying to find my "THERE"

2011-05-25T18:38:00.002-04:00

1Ki 17:4—And it shall be, [that] thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

1Ki 17:9—Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

1Ki 17:10—So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman [was] there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

In this passage and these verses we find a word that could be overlooked and ignored were it not the nudging of the Spirit. The Spirit often times sets off a spiritual alarm, stop, look, be careful, you are about to overlook something needful. The little word that I want to focus on is "there".

In this passage it is used no less than four times, the ravens will feed you there, arise and go to Zarapheth and dwell there, a widow will sustain you there, the widow was found "there". I can imagine that you are asking what the importance of this little word, there?

The Lord commanded the prophet to go to the brook, there is where he would be taken care of by the Lord, when the brook dried up the Lord commanded the prophet to move yet again, when he moved over there, there is where the Lord would continue sustaining his prophet. As he arose and went and got to Zarapheth, he found the widow woman there, there was where he found the abiding presence and abundant blessings of his God.

As we go from day to day, we must always find out where our there is, we must realize that often our "there" is subject to change!!! It may be here today, somewhere else next year, another place in the future. The most important place that you and I need to be is the place that God has chosen as our "there".

There Is Where He Abides Personally
There Is Where He Provides Powerfully
There Is Where He Confides Privately
There Is Where He Presides Pointedly

Lord please guide me to where my there is

Cantrell's Jewels for the Journey.

A Message for everyone at 6:01pm EST May 21st, 2011

2011-05-21T11:36:00.003-04:00

Today is the day according to the latest and greatest prediction that the World will come to an end. Jesus is coming back today! Over the last 100 years, it has been predicted at least 100 times that the rapture was coming. Harold Camping through his study in numerology has determined that today, May 21st, 2011 at 6PM EST, Jesus will return for the rapture.

Let me leave a message for all of you on what to do at 6:01pm EST. First off, nothing will happen. While I agree Jesus is coming back, it will not be today at 6:00EST. I can say this with absolute certainty because it is what the Bible says:

Matthew 24:36--
New Living Translation (©2007)
"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

Therefore, If the Angels don't know when and Jesus doesn't know when, Harold Camping doesn't know when. But what does this say to the people who may have believed? Is God real? Is Jesus Really coming back? Maybe this religion thing is just a scam and for the birds.

I. We are to look towards the Savior and not the Signs. We are to live EVERYDAY like it is our last night because as far as we know, IT IS. We don't watch the calendar, or the climate. We don't watch the Middle East or the latest earthquake or tornado, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Keeping our eyes on Jesus will fix us to live in a state of expectancy. It may be today, it may be tomorrow, so I live everyday on the grace of God.

II. Preachers are to preach what the Bible says, not what we think it says! The Bible is the written, revealed Word of God. It does not need our spin, our thought, our interpretation, our opinion, it just needs obedience to the one that has called us to say what THUS SAYS THE LORD. Harold Camping spent over 1,000,000 dollars to give his opinion. How much more powerful could this amount have been if he would have used this to simply say, Jesus is coming back any day now GET READY.

III. The mistakes of man are not representative of God. We serve a God who cannot lie, does not change and who will not fail. God is real, even when the church falls short, his representatives fail, the preachers falls short, the deacon does not live according to the standard, GOD IS STILL REAL.

IV. at 6:01pm EST May 21,2001, GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. People will laugh, They will say religion is fake, preachers are pimps and charlatans, religion is the opium of the masses to keep the people calm and behaved, but God is still on the throne. He still has all power in heaven and earth in His hand, He still is coming back and although it wasn't at 6:00pm May 21st, 2011. IT IS COMING.

V. GET YOUR LIFE IN ORDER. Live everyday as some did today. If today was the last day, people called others, told family they loved one another, didn't sweat the small stuff, enjoyed life, slowed down. Well, you should live everyday like its your last day. Use this time to clean your house, sweep your porch, check your gutters. This is nothing but a GRACE MOMENT. God knew you weren't ready yet so HE still is giving you time.

The Prison of Perplexity

2011-05-16T12:07:00.009-04:00

SuperMax is a term which describes a special type of prison. It is literally a prison within a prison that is used to house the most serious of offenders, the worst of the worst who pose a threat to society both nationally and internationally. Alcatraz Island which was opened in 1934 is considered to be the prototype for this type of prison. "The inner cell or dungeon" that Paul and Silas was thrown into would be a good Biblical description of how this place looks.

There are other prisons. They are not made of bars, boulders or bricks. They are not constructed with poured concrete and metal furniture. There is no barbed wired or miles of security-lined electric fences, but it still is a prison. It still confines! It restricts! It entraps and it is my contention that it has more people in its custody then all of the prisons in the world combined. It is the Prison of Perplexity.

Perplexity is the mental state characterized by a lack of clear or orderly thought or reason that can lead to bad, misguided or unintended behavior; to be unable to think with clarity because of confusion and complications. All of us have been inmates of this prison system. Either life is filling out your intake form now for entry; either you have been recently paroled from or you are currently a resident of this prison.

What you do with your prison is up to you:
Peter Slept through his Prison--Acts 12:5-12
Paul and Silas Sang through their Prison--Acts 16
John the Baptist Struggled through his prison--Matthew 11:1-6

What are you doing with you prison? How are you handling your restricted area? Your conflicted mind? The unending questions of life? The bills that won't stop and the pain that will not end? How do you answer the what now, whats next questions? What is your plan for the where questions? Where is my next provision coming, where will I get the money to meet these bills? How am I going to hold on, How will we survive? Why is God doing this? Why am I in this prison in the first place? Why am I here in this city, in this town, in this church, with this Pastor, with this spouse, with this job

ARE YOU THE ONE OR SHOULD I LOOK FOR ANOTHER

John the Baptist was in this prison. Even though Jesus calls him the greatest prophet to live; even though it seemed as if the Spirit of Elijah was back through John the Baptist, although many came to see him preach, this did not exempt him from spending time in this prison. If John had to go through this prison, what makes you think that your life will be exempt. Keep living and you will spend time in the cell of ARE YOU THE ONE OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER? There never seems to be overcrowding, there never seems to be a shortage of bed space.

What I will endeavor to do over the course of the next posts is encourage you to know, the prison that you find yourself in now is not permanent but only temporary. There is a plan, purpose and provision that God will give you in the Prison of Perplexity.

The Lord allowed me to preach this sermon on Sunday at our church and we had a great time. I want to thank my friend Pastor Arthur Lane from the St, Matthews Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, TX our Family and Friends day Speaker this upcoming June 2011 for milking the cow and I thank God for giving me the resources to make my own butter and cheese from it. Always good to have pastor Friends. Will share more later........

Owens

18 Ways Leaders can ruin their reputation on Facebook, Part 2!!!

2011-05-12T09:44:00.000-04:00

Facebook is a great way for you to build and maintain relationships with people both inside your church and in your community. But Facebook is not without its risks. Every time you post something, you risk hurting, offending or distancing yourself from people.

The disingenuous…

9) Act like your life is perfect. Nobody is perfect, and everyone knows it. If you act like everything is good all the time, you’ll be perceived as inauthentic, wearing a mask.

10) Act like you’re always “joyful in the Lord” Nobody is happy all the time either.

11) Act like you have all the answers. Nobody likes a know-it-all either. Share insight and advice when asked. Be confident but not arrogant.

The offender…

12) Act like the language/morality police. Your Facebook friends are not perfect. They are going to swear, post questionable pictures of themselves, and share things you don’t agree with. If something is really bad, consider contacting the person privately about it, but don’t call people out publicly for what is unfortunately common behavior in our culture.

13) Roll out the fire and brimstone. I don’t know if preaching about sin and hell worked with past generations, but it’s not going to put you in a position to influenced people on Facebook. People on Facebook respond much more favorably to hope and love.

14) Be overly political. It’s OK to take stands on key issues, but unless you want to irk half your church and close the door to half the people in your community (not to mention risk losing your non-profit status), don’t tow a party line.

15) Engage people in debates. Online (and offline) debates rarely cause anyone to shift their position on an issue. Discussion is great, but if things get heated or personal, it’s time to lighten up.

The disengaged…

16) Post a lot of theological stuff that’s over the head of your friends. It’s great for pastors to engage their Facebook friends in spiritual conversations, but avoid posting your doctoral thesis. It’s not going to engage anyone, and will put people off.

17) Login once every week or two. Relationships require consistency. You can take breaks, go on vacation, and don’t need to be on Facebook every day, but you’ve got to be regular if you’re going to build relationships in Facebook.

18) Fail to respond. When people send you messages, post to your wall, or post comments to your status updates and links, it’s important to respond. Answer people’s questions. Thank people for their insight and stories.

Happy Mother's Day Mama

2011-05-08T07:36:00.003-04:00

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

"Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

On May 31, 1970 God sent me to the arms of an angel. An angel whose arms are always open when I need a hug, whose heart always understands when I need a friend. An angel whose eyes are stern when I need a lesson, whose strength and love guides me and give me wings that enables me to fly. I am most fortunate to call this angel my mother.

"You will simply call her, 'Mom.'"

18 ways Facebook can ruin the reputation of Leaders Part 1

2011-05-06T12:17:00.003-04:00

I saw this article on Churchleaders.com written by Paul Steinbrueck and I wanted to share this. I praise God for technology but we must be careful how we use it and also make sure it (being the technology) does not use us.

Facebook is a great way for you to build and maintain relationships with people both inside your church and in your community. But Facebook is not without its risks. Every time you post something, you risk hurting, offending or distancing yourself from people. So, here are 18 things you want to avoid doing on Facebook…

First, the ugly…
1) Post something out of frustration in the heat of the moment. We all get frustrated at times. And if you want to engage people authentically, you need to “keep it real.” But Facebooking when angry, frustrated, or hurt is never a good idea. Take a few minutes (or a few hours) to cool down, and then think again if you really want to use Facebook to vent.

2) Criticize people. Even if you don’t use a person’s name, chances are you’re Facebook friends with that person or someone close enough to the situation to know who you’re really talking about.

3) Embarrass yourself. Expect everyone in your congregation and your community to see everything you post to Facebook. So, don’t post anything you wouldn’t be comfortable saying or showing from the pulpit on a Sunday morning.

4) Embarrass your family. Our spouses and kids say and do funny things all the time. Most of those things can be posted to Facebook with no problem, and they help people to see you’re a normal person with a normal family. But be sensitive and when in doubt, ask your spouse and kids if it’s OK to share a quote, happening, or pic online.

5) Criticize other churches in the community. Every church has a different mission, ministry philosophy, style of worship, and theology. But we all share one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. We should be known for our unity not our division.

The self-absorbed…

6) Only talk about your church. Pastors, when people become Facebook friends with you, it’s because they want to engage with you – a real person – not a spokesperson for your church.

7) Share everything posted to the church FB page. Even if you post personal updates to your Facebook profile, don’t repost every church update as well. Some – yes, all – no.

8 ) Just talk about yourself. When you go to a social event, do you like hanging around with people who only talk about themselves and never ask you about you? Don’t be one of those people online either.

The disingenuous…

9) Act like your life is perfect. Nobody is perfect, and everyone knows it. If you act like everything is good all the time, you’ll be perceived as inauthentic, wearing a mask.

I will post the other nine reasons in my next blog.

Owens

A back to Work Thank you

2011-05-05T13:07:00.003-04:00

Today is my first full day back in the swing of things, office appointments, hospital visits, planning and preparing for Sunday School and Sunday morning, but I want to take this time to thank some people.

Let me say Thank you first of all to Pastor E.J. Tyson for inviting me to be his guest evangelist for the 67th annual Simultaneous revival services of Oklahoma City. His hospitality was amazing and the mentoring and imparting of vision that he gave to me during this time is more than I could have asked or imagined.

Thank you to the New Hope Baptist Church family which went out of their way to meet all of my needs. Thank you to their Hospitality Committee for the welcome basket, their Youth ministry for the gifts given to my girls and to the Culinary Committee which made sure I had food to eat. May God Bless you.

Thank you to the officers and members of the Baptist Ministers Association of Oklahoma City and to my adopted "Pop" in the ministry, Rev. Dr. J.A. Reed Jr., for allowing me to be on the slate of preachers who preached the noon-day and Late-night revival services. Dr. Reed put me at ease on Tuesday when Pastor Tyson was introducing me. During the introduction when Pastor Tyson was making me sound better than I am, he leaned over and said, yeah all that may be true but he was still a bad child growing up. It is good that people knew you when, good and bad, and still acknowledge what the Lord is doing now in your life.

Let me say thank you to all of the Greater Mount Olive members that I saw during the week from Tuesday until Friday. Always good seeing the people that have prayed for you during this adventure.

Let me thank the Macedonia church family for being so understanding. Sometimes it is necessary for a Pastor to get away and recharge his batteries. Let me thank our chairman, Deacon Calvin Manns and our Finance chairman, Deacon Luther Taylor for carrying on with the business of the church. Also, let me thank Deacon Kevin Howard and Deacon John Williams who serve as the administrative arms of the Pastor for keeping fires to a small burn until I could get back.

So much to do, so little time but I am grateful to so many people. No man is an island and no man stands alone. Let this thank you serve as my sincere appreciation to so many people. I love and thank God for you constantly.

Owens

67th BMA Revival Services in OKC

2011-04-25T19:30:00.002-04:00

I am honored to be in Oklahoma City this week participating in the longest running simultaneous revival in the nation, the 67th Baptist Minister's Association revival of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

I am the guest revivalist for The New Hope Baptist Church whose pastor is the Rev. Dr. E.J.Tyson. This is my third year sharing with this pastor and people.

I am doubly honored as this year not only do I get the privilege of preaching to the wonderful people at New Hope but I also get the opportunity to preach the opening message for the noonday services which are held Tuesday thru Friday. There always has to be a sacrificial lamb for the slaughter and so is the case.

I find myself in a unique position this year as I am in need of a revival. So much attack has happened to my mind and ministry as of late, I certainly need to hear from God in these services and as He speaks to me, I pray the people of New Hope will hear God speak to them as well.

Please pray for us during these revival services.

Owens

I AM HE

2011-04-22T12:07:00.003-04:00

Production Crews

Props……….South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC)
Art Department and Ms. S. Sprouls
J. Willis & Son

Music and Special Effects……….SBCSC
“Baby Pookie Pie”
Javon Lewis and Friends

Lighting……….SBCSC Drama Department

Costume and Design………Julie Yoder and Lisa Clark

Stage Hands………. Cast Members, SBCSC and Friends

Production Consultant…… Ms.Neimi and Wanda Dudley

Program Design……….GaNiece Gentry

Graphic Design……….Carolos Hurtizil

Tickets………. Scarlet Anderson

Media……Wanda Dudley

Special Thank You
Our greatest sense of pride comes from the vision of Pastor Ray E. Owens of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, whose members know: If we truly believe in the word of God, we have to reach beyond the walls of our churches and even our traditions and denominations so we can do what God has called us to do…..”To Help Somebody”

April 22 and 23, 2011 6:30pm
Written and Directed by
Bonnie Willis & Coco Howard
Setting
The Last Days of Christ

The Miracles

The Celebration

The Upper Room

The Garden

The Betrayal & Arrest

----------Intermission---------

Pontius Pilate

The Scourging

Bearing the Cross

The Crucifixion

The Burial

Cast of Characters

Storyteller……….Linda Lewis

Decree……Horns of Thunder (Michiana Christian Embassy)

Jesus Edward Denny IV

Peter…………..Disciple……….Kevin Howard

John…………..Disciple….Steve Reeves (Greater St. John)

James………….Disciple……….Willie Moody

Thomas…………Disciple……….Vernon Jones

Matthew……….Disciple………Chuck Coleman

Phillip…………..Disciple……….Harmon Piggue

Andrew……….Disciple………Jerry Malone

Thaddeus……..Disciple……….Luther Taylor

Bartholomew...Disciple…Elvis Willis

Judas………….Disciple……Carlos Pruitt (Greater St. John)

James……….. Disciple……….CJ Moody

Simon…………Disciple………….Chris Dudley

Cast of Characters

Angel……….Marcus Moody

Pontius Pilate……….Robin Rice

Claudia……….Annette Williams

Simon of Cyree………….Patrick Daniel

Mary……….Mother of Jesus……….Karla Hill

Woman at the Well……..Nikki Lawson (BSDA)

Joseph of Arimathea……….Elvis Willis

Mary Magdalene…………Lizzy Rouse (1st AME Zion)

Guards…….Joe Davis, John Williams, Arthur Turner, Guillermo Adkins, Brent Willis, and Matt Williams

Satan………..Basil Driver

Servant………..Woman……….Johnai Moody

Servant………..Child………..Jayla Clark

Servant Girl to Upper Room……Tyler Rice

Servant Girl to Pilate……….Jazmin Rice

Man with the Pitcher……Lynn Coleman (City of So. Bend)

Jewish Priest…………Clavin Mann

Jewish Priest………..Fred Prince

Thief #1……….Jerry Willis Jr.

Thief #2………….Jose Juarez

Crowd… The Washington High School Gospel Choir, The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Elizabeth Memorial COGIC, First AME Zion, Berean Seventh Day Adventist and Greater St. John.
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the South Bend Community School Corporation Washington High School Gospel Choir, WUBS radio, and a special thanks to Mr. Lynn Coleman and his vision. We also want to thank Mr. George McCullough, Ms. S. Sprouls, Ms. H. Neimi, Mr. John Williams, Mr. Mike Lizzy,and Ms. M. Gaston who believed in the vision that: “South Bend is NOT DEAD” and with the commitment from the community to be a family, we could create a better place to enjoy God’s blessings.
.
We are truly thankful for your faith in this production from the following churches: Greater St. John, 1st AME Zion, Berean Seventh Day Adventist, Michiana Christian Embassy, Sounds of Thunder (Niles, MI), MI), Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Family, Elizabeth Memorial COGIC, and Apostolic Church of Deliverance.

We would also like to thank Sony and AIR records for the soundtracks; none of which are used in this production have been authorized for the sale of any DVD’s/CD’s.

Praising God for the Wrong Reason

2011-04-17T12:55:00.002-04:00

Gene A. Smith, an American historian, authored a book entitled, "When the Cheering Stopped". The book told of Woodrow Wilson and the events surrounding WWI. Upon the end of the war, people ere optimistic, people had hope for freedom and democracy everywhere, people started cheering. Every place Woodrow Wilson went, he was cheered. He went to Europe and he was cheered. He went to parades and he was cheered. Throughout the land, he was cheered.

The cheering lasted about a year until things changed. European leaders started caring more about their region than the entire world, and the cheering stopped. Politicians within the Senate defeated the idea of league of nations and the cheering stopped. In the next election Wilson's party lost, and the cheering stopped.

Jesus experienced this on Palm Sunday. People always cheer you as long as you do what they want you to do. SO they cheered Jesus. The Jews desired a king to free them from Roman rule, to end the oppression and to set restore them to an elite status again. As Jesus sits on the colt, prophecy is fulfilled and people cheered.

Then, it all changed. Jesus didn't gather any troops, didn't lead a revolt, instead of shaking up the government, he shook up the church, and the cheering stopped. He taught in order to be great you must be a servant, and the cheering stopped. He gave to Caesar what belonged to Caesar and rendered to God what belonged to God, and the cheering stopped. The question begs to be asked,

"Why do we Praise God"? The people had: THE RIGHT MESSAGE----HOSANNA, SAVE US THE RIGHT METHOD-----PRAISE WAS VERBAL AND VICTORIOUS THEY HAD THE WRONG MOTIVE--THEY DIDN'T WANT A REDEEMER, THEY WANTED A KING

They were like the Pharisees that Jesus warned us about when he said, "They praise me with their lips but their heart is far from me". This is why it was so easy to flip the script from "save us" to "Crucify Him"! Authentic Worship is not based on signs and symbols such as palm branches or meaningless words.

Authentic Worship is about SURRENDER. Surrender to the Will of God for the Purpose of our lives, SURRENDER to the Way of God that protects our lives and SURRENDER to the Word of God which Prospers our lives. Authentic Worship is not about what God has done but we worship God for who he is.

A secular analogy to teach a spiritual premise, "A wife does an activity or blesses her husband in a certain way, the husband becomes spoiled to this, One day , things change beyond her control and the activity ceases. Does the Husband trade her in for a newer model? Sadly in some case this happens because the husband fell in love with the activity rather than the essence of the wife that made her perform the activity. As long as her essence is the same, the activities may come and go, change and alter, but the essence that makes her give in the first place is still there.

A lot of people are in love with God and praise God for his activity and have not worshipped God for his essence, that is who he is, and who is HE?

He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
He is my redemption, my ransom, my sacrifice, my propitiation, my kinsmen redeemer,
He is my lily of the Valley my bright and morning star, my rose of Sharon, .............................

Owens

The Blessing within the Business Meeting

2011-04-14T00:03:00.002-04:00

I HATE BUSINESS MEETINGS! By and large, Business meetings within the traditional Baptist church are a drain, a drag, depressing and often disappointing. They sap energy, misuse and misdirect excitement and at least for me are very rarely energizing, and now a word from our sponsor( I am just venting and I loved the meeting we had tonight at Macedonia) and now back to our regularly scheduled programming. I HATE BUSINESS MEETINGS! However, I am proud to write that God has been working on me and I have come away believing there is a blessing and not just a burden within the business meeting. Business meetings are more than just the discussion of financial details, going over how much the pastor, musician and etc makes. Business meetings are a chance for the pastor to do another version of vision casting. When we preach we cast vision from the pulpit to show forth what the Lord has spoken to us as Pastors; what the Scriptures says and how it applies to our lives and how we should enact it in our world, in our church and in our lives. We do the same in our teaching sessions whether small group, Discipleship, Sunday School or Deacon training; we declare what God has deposited in us so that we might develop and deploy disciples for Christ. Therefore, why don't we view the Business hour as the same opportunity! There is a blessing within the Business Meeting! Just some ideas:

REVIEW AND PREVIEW- A good business meeting is one where we look back at where we have been, review where we are now and look ahead to where we want to be.

REINTRODUCE- One of the things that personally bothers me the most about business meetings is I feel I am wasting time answering questions that I have already discussed in Bible studies or said in Sunday Sermons. I want to scream ARE YOU LISTENING? Then it hit me, No, they are not. Every one does not come to Bible Study, every one does not listen to Sunday Sermons and sometimes people can miss the forest because of the trees, so we have an opportunity to reintroduce our agenda. To bring back to the forefront what others have missed or tried to misplace which leads me to the next point.

RETOOL AND RESTRUCTURE- Every good idea does not always work for a variety of reasons: not enough manpower, not enough money for ministry, wrong motives and unwilling workers, sometimes it was better in thought than in reality or better in principle than in practice; therefore business meetings give us a chance to retool, reshape and restructure our practices for better productivity. Periodically, General Motors would issue down time to some of its workforce in an attempt to retool the line, change the spacing, create better footsteps for greater efficiency and maximum production. Business meetings give us the same chance to stop double work, or prevent people from walking within the same foot path creating gridlock and chaos.

RESTART AND REKINDLE- Some people don't get it on the first, second or even third tries. Some people got the idea but allowed events, enemies or the evil one to put out their flame for service and ministry. We have the chance to restart and rekindle. Sometimes people need a boost or a shot in the arm. Sometimes we as leaders need a boost and a shot in the arm as well.

REMINDER- This is mainly for the leaders. Sometime we need the critics, the hell-raisers, the devilish deacons and tricky trustees, our meddling mother's boards and our messy music ministries to remind us WE NEED HELP. WE NEED GOD! While there are times we believe these people are killing us and they may believe they are doing the Charlie Sheen WINNING, by destroying us, in reality it just reminds us we need God. We pray better, preach better, pastor better because there are people who drive us to our knees and to our God. In addition, there are people that we are so desperate to love us, affirm us, appreciate us when in fact sometimes God allows these people to cross our paths to remind us, There is something better waiting for us. Some Hell reminds us this place is not a permanent passage but rather a rest stop on our way to our destination. Some people through the pain they cause us are just giving us the fuel we need to get to our purpose. Thank God for the reminder.

I will readily admit, I STILL HATE BUSINESS MEETINGS but I do believe there can be a blessing within them. I hope that was displayed in my actions and demeanor during this last session.

Owens

Change of Scenery

2011-04-11T18:43:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you just need to change locations! I had that experience recently. I wish I could say it was planned, thought out or purposed in my heart but it was not. I agree with the Greek author and Philosopher Plato as he said in The Republic, Necessity is the Mother of invention.

Our church is not the largest of churches so our ministries have to learn how to share space. It can be challenging at times. As we near Resurrection Sunday, we have many activities going on at the same time so multiple people with multiple ministries but limited space can spell N-I-G-H-T-M-A-R-E. To accommodate room, I moved the Wednesday Night Bible Study to the basement so the youth choir could practice and work on their Easter Program. It was just Spring Break in this area so it is a great time to reach all of our youth. I never anticipated what happened.

We had about the same number of people. We were on the same topic study in Acts. I was teaching from the same lesson format; however, the class was more engaged. Instead of being in the sanctuary swallowed up by size where people listen, take notes and are virtually non-interactive, the class was talkative, participated in the process and helped develop a dialogue between teacher and class.

A simple change of scenery made Bible Study intimate; it created a small-group atmosphere. The lack of space made it more of a discussion because we were basically on top of each other. Same Message, different Methodology because of a new meeting place. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery.

Owens

13th Appreciation Services for Pastor Ricky D. Turner & Family

2011-04-03T16:19:00.002-04:00

I am sitting in the Kansas City International airport reflecting on the time I just spent with the Oak Ridge Baptist Church family and their Pastor and wife as we celebrated together the 13th Pastor's Appreciation Service. Pastor Turner and his wife Sister Tinalisa watched, helped and mentored my growth at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church.

Pastor Turner is the greatest son to be produced from the Mount Olive Ministry under the leadership of Pastor A. Glenn Woodberry and yet his humility is unsurpassed within the preaching ranks. Unintentionally, I was irritating him as he has always been and will always be one of my idols so I referred to him as Dr. Turner. He kept reminding, "Ray, it's just Ricky", but I know and have been trained better.

I never had the chance to see or worship in the Oak Ridge Church. When Pastor Turner was called to Pastor Oakridge, he was the Assistant Pastor of GMO. I was blessed by God to assume the responsibilities of the Assistant when he left but NO ONE has or ever will fill his shoes at Mt. Olive. I am sure many members of Mt. Olive wish they had a Dr. Ricky Turner still there but thanks be to God the same Power and the same Pastor that developed Turner is still at work developing other ministers for the glory of God.

With that said, Oak Ridge is a worshipping church. They like to have church. Sometimes when a church gets large, builds new buildings and becomes the "CHURCH" in an area, they forget to do what they did to get there. Oak Ridge is not like this. In the words of Pastor Turner, we don't SPECTATE, WE PARTICIPATE, and participate they did. It was a wonderful time.

Even with this great service, I hate leaving the pulpit God has given me, I don't leave my church just to leave or for just for any service so my attending Oak Ridge on this Sunday shows the level of respect I have for this man of God.

Let me express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Pastor Turner, his wife, and the Oak Ridge family for how kind they were to me. To Macedonia: Thank you for allowing your Pastor to share in other settings but please know, Pastor is on his way back HOME. Therefore, pass the word and I will see you in Bible Study and Noon Day Bible Study on Wednesday.

Owens

A Little Homesick

2011-03-30T18:54:00.002-04:00

I love my church! Macedonia is a great church with great people. South Bend is a great place to raise a family with many opportunities for the person who has vision.

However, I woke up today Homesick. I miss the girls, I miss big head Khalil. Some of my members gave me these pictures from Greater Mt Olive's 100th Church Anniversary and I ran across this old picture from my very first church picnic here at Macedonia.

It is amazing how time flies, things change and kids grow up. I will be fine in the morning, this too shall pass but for now, I am a little homesick.

Be Careful What You Pray For!

2011-03-27T15:33:00.005-04:00

Preaching Numbers 11 today presented many problems for me, many of which I didn't share with the church but I praise God that the deeper we dig, we never hit rock bottom.

Why did God punish the children of Israel for grumbling about the food and asking for meat in the second year of wandering in the wilderness, recorded in Numbers 11, but not the previous year when they had made the same request (Exodus 16:11-18)? What so distinguishes the two events that it would demand the judgment of God in the second instance but not in the first?

When Israel complained, they were doing more than objecting to a monotonous diet; they were challenging the goodness of God and his ability to provide for them. The affair in Numbers 11:4 began when the "rabble" of the foreign element that had joined the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:38) began wailing about the lack of meat and vegetables in their diet.

The rest of the people of Israel joined in, and the pressure was on for Moses and the leadership of the nation. God does say "No" for a reason. He does forbid certain things for our benefit. Israel was ungrateful for God's provisions and the Lord lets them have their own way and desires. He teaches them a big lesson. Getting your own way will not always make you happy. You may find that you will get what you want, but lose what you had.

God does not force obedience. Yes, He expects it, desires it, demands it but He does not force us, He does not overpower us, you have a choice. If you choose to walk away from God, as much as he does not want to see you go, God does not make you stay. Therefore, there are times when God says No but in our stubborn and hard hearts we reject him, so God will allow us, turn us over to our selfish desires and we will have to deal with the consequences of our actions.

Lot got the wealth and prestige of Sodom. He got what he wanted but he lost his family and his home. Many parents make the same mistake in their quest for wealth. They are gone so much, that the kids never see the parents or the spouses never see one another. This is a prescription for a troubled marriage and family. Samson got his own way. He got the wild woman he wanted and he lost his strength, sight, freedom, and life.

David got Bathsheba. He had his sexual fling with this beautiful woman, but he lost his peace and the blessing of the Lord on his home. Peace may not seem to be a big deal, but it is when you realize you have lost it. Immorality leads to misery and guilt. If you fool around, you are a fool. Be careful what you pray for.

God orders and ordains what is on the menu!

God knows what we can handle! Obedience is a voluntary act. Rejection of God always carried consequences! Prayerfully, God will arrange this into a nice preaching form and I don't die a horrible death today.

Owens

In Memory of Ms. Bessie Lewis

2011-03-21T09:52:00.004-04:00

There is nothing better than a Chicago Sunday night Home going Service. I am saddened that the occasion was the loss of our member Sister Geneva Dudley's sister, Ms. Bessie Lewis; however, Pastor LeVelle Brown Sr., Pastor of the Mercy Seat Baptist Church and his church family did a magnificent job with this service. Let me thank the members of Macedonia who made this trip to support our mother Sister Geneva Dudley and Deacon Chris and Sister Wanda Dudley, who are loyal and dedicated members of our church.

Pastor Johnnie L. Miller and the Mt. Vernon M.B.C. opened their doors to the JLM Abundant Life Community Center and welcomed over 700 people to celebrate the life of Sister Bessie Lewis.

She was a jewel and will be missed by many. Even in the short time of Pastoring here in Macedonia, I looked forward to her visits, her smiles and encouragement.

Please continue to pray for the Dudley family, The Mercy Seat Baptist Church family and Pastor LeVelle Brown Sr.

Owens

One-Woman Man

2011-03-10T20:25:00.004-05:00

I am looking forward to our Sunday School lesson this week as it deals with the qualifications for spiritual leadership for Pastors and Deacons. It is significant that in describing the qualifications, the apostle Paul focuses on the character rather than the function. A man is qualified because of who and what he is, not because of what he does.

I also must admit this lesson is very personal for me. Many of my members are attacked in this town for attending, joining and worshiping at a church where the Pastor is single. They have been told by other church members, non-church members and a few Pastors that they are wrong for coming to this church and their basis for this is I Timothy 3:2.

"The husband of one wife" is not the best translation of I Timothy 3:2 according to the Greek. "Wife"(gunaikos) and "husband"(aner) are better translated "woman" and "man" with the construction of the Greek placing the emphasis on the word "ONE" which communicates the idea of a one-woman man. There are many interpretations over what this verse means:

Interpretation#1: Many Commentators believe this to mean an elder can't have more than one wife at a time. ANSWER: Understanding the religious and cultural climate of the day this is written, this view is unlikely as neither Jews nor Romans engaged in this practice.

Interpretation#2: Some believe this verse means a man can't be a Pastor if he has remarried for any reason. ANSWER: This view cannot be true because God permits remarriage after the death of one's spouse, (cf. Rom.7:2-3; I Cor. 7:39; I Timothy 5:9-15)

Interpretation#3: Some contend this was a prohibition for divorced men being unfit or unable to serve as elders/pastors. ANSWER: This verse is not a prohibition against divorced men serving as Pastors because the Bible teaches that under two(2) Circumstances, remarriage after a divorce is within God's will. (cf. Matthew 5:31-32, I Corinthians 7:15)

Interpretation#4: Some people contend this verse prohibits single men from serving as Elders/Pastors. ANSWER: This view cannot be true as Paul operated within the office of elder/Pastor as a church planter; giving Pastoral advice; conferred through the laying on of hands as an elder statesman pastor(cf. I Timothy 4:14, II Timothy 1:6) and he did all of this while single.(cf. I Corinthians 7:7-9)

Therefore, the concept of a one-woman man has nothing to do with marital status, social status or external conditions but rather it deals with the state of heart of the person seeking this job. IT DEALS WITH CHARACTER.

John MacArthur states it better than I can in his book, "The Master's Plan for the Church", If he is married, he is to be devoted solely to his wife. If he is not married, he is not to act or behave as a "Ladies man". For the man who looks down upon the single pastor, "Unfortunately it is possible to be married to one woman and yet not act or behave as a one-woman man." (cf. Matthew 5:28)

What Paul told Timothy is that a married----or unmarried man who lusts after many women is unfit for ministry.

Sunday School will be fun! I am tempted to teach this one to all the adults myself.

2011 Spring Trust God Sunday

2011-03-06T14:30:00.003-05:00

Words cannot describe how wonderful our service was today, and really for the past 6 to 8 weeks. It is simply amazing how God is moving in Macedonia. We still have our issues, the devil is still roaring and this week was the worst week I have ever experienced as a Pastor. The attacks have been both personal and public but somehow it didn't defeat me but rather it just gave me more fuel to run on a little while longer.

Trust God Sunday for the Macedonia church is the day where we commit to 100% tithing in our church. We ask people to do three things.

1. If you are not already a tither, we ask that you would pray that God would lead you into becoming a giver on this day. Take God's Challenge in Malachi 3:10:

"Test me in this" NIV
"Prove me Now"KJV
"Try me now in this"NKJV
"Put me to the Test"ESV
"I Challenge You to put me to the test"CEV

2. If you are already a tither, we ask on this Sunday for you to bring your tithe, we also ask that you would bring a Sacrificial offering on top of your tithe so that you can feel the same burden as your fellow member who is giving for the first time. We don't ask for an amount because what is a sacrifice in one house may not be in another.

3. We asked every member to pray that God would give us something to give and then that we would be obedient in our giving. We have been praying for 6 weeks for this day. We usually pray the Month of February.

The music ministry under the direction of Minister Javon Lewis had church jumping from the opening praise song. The choir loft is over my office so when I heard them start stomping and jumping, I ran upstairs to get me some of that. They have made preaching so easy for me over these past few weeks, I cannot explain.

The choir was trying to get me to sing with them but I was fighting that off; however after they finished the church went into "Yes Lord" and for some reason(God) Javon went into "I will trust in the Lord" right after that and that's all she wrote. Let me tell you a good hymn will still destroy a church and a preacher. That makes two weeks in a row, I have been singing before I preach. I am going to the doctor as I don't sing unless I am sick or the Spirit is really high.

We preached on Proverbs 3:5-6 and encouraged the members to:

Trust God ENTIRELY vs 5a "with all your heart"
Trust God EXCLUSIVELY vs 5b "Do not lean until thy own understanding"
Trust God EXTENSIVELY vs 6a "In all thy ways acknowledge him"

God blessed the sermon and our 2011 Spring Trust God Sunday. Through people committing to God, we took up today what we normally take up for a month. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Owens

Learning Transparency in Ministry

2011-03-04T09:44:00.004-05:00

Charles Swindoll tells the story of meeting a ministry leader whom he had respected for many years named Jim Petersen. This was when Swindoll was new to ministry and still looking for that formula for success in ministry.

“Tell me the secret of ministering to people.” I expected him to say, “Always set the pace,” or, “Be strong no matter what,” or, “Model the truth, and stand against the adversary as he attacks you.” I got none of that. The answer he receives was “Chuck, let people see the cracks in your life, and you’ll be able to minister to them.”

I love this story but I must admit I am scared about the natural application that comes with it. Is this suggesting that I should reveal my personal and private business in the public arena? Does this mean that I am to remain naked and bare emotionally and spiritually to the church in which I serve?

Some of my deepest pains have been caused by people I let inside who wore Christian robes and the badge of being employed by the Master but were living a life of masquerade who had crept in unaware. If this is what Transparency looks like; then this concept is for the birds and I don't want to do it, however, I found a definition that gave me hope.

Transparency is something that is made visible by light shining from behind.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (New Century Version)
God once said, "Let the light shine out of the darkness!" This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.
We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us.

Therefore, it is not a bad thing to admit I have faults, fears and flaws because it allows people to see the Christ that works in me. LET THEM SEE YOUR CRACKS.

I am apprehensive before I preach, worried about declaring what has been deposited in me. I am anxious after I preach, replaying every word, reviewing every sentence, ready to find a pulpit to get back up and say what I should have said or could have said better; however this frailty shows people MY FATHER, so LET THEM SEE YOUR CRACKS.

There are times that studying leads you to new ideas that deepen your faith, stretch your horizons and pushes you out of your comfort zones. It changes our preaching and may make the preacher and pew uncomfortable as new territory is discovered but if I LET THERM SEE THE CRACKS, then we take this adventure together, we grow together. It will be seen God is growing our Pastor and as He grows we grow.

I am LEARNING Transparency so:

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.

I needed a Praise Break

2011-03-02T10:55:00.003-05:00

I needed this one today. Thanks to Deacon Kenny Whitelow for sending me this. I knew one day it would come in handy. Today was the day.

Owens

Death in Ministry

2011-02-25T13:59:00.003-05:00

Eugene Cho in an article in churchleaders.com asked the question, "Is pastoral ministry a dangerous profession"? Based on interviews and feedback, Peter Drucker compiled a list of the four hardest jobs in America, in no certain order.

1. President of the United States
2. CEO of a Hospital
3. A University President
4. A Pastor

Forty-eight percent of them think their work is hazardous to their family well-being. Another 45.5 percent will experience a burnout or a depression that will make them leave their jobs. And 70 percent say their self-esteem is lower now than when they started their position. They have the second-highest divorce rate among professions.

The profession that reported these stats is the office of Pastor. The data collected was overwhelming.

•80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with spouse and that ministry has a negative effect on their family.
•40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month.
•33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
•75% report they’ve had a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
•58% of pastors indicate that their spouse needs to work either part time or full time to supplement the family income.
•56% of pastors’ wives say they have no close friends.
•Pastors who work fewer than 50 hrs per week are 35% more likely to be terminated.
•40% of pastors considered leaving the pastorate in the past three months.

•Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
•Fifty percent of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce.
•Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
•Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
•Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
•Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
•Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
•Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

As I read this I realized Pastors need encouragement And if no one in the church is assigned to nurture, affirm and prevent burnout for the pastor, then no one will. When they get in trouble, who can they turn to?

Most churches do not give sabbaticals to their pastors even though, unlike college professors and high school teachers, they cannot use the same talk twice.

Most pastors are underpaid. They did not take a vow of poverty. Few have personnel committees who are geared to being their advocate in terms of salary, study leave, bonuses, vacations and remembering their anniversary work date, birthdays or special celebrations, or finding ways to affirm the spouses of whom 25 percent claim the pastorate is a major source of family conflict.

Congregations expect pastors to wear too many hats: CEO, therapist, scholar, teacher, administrator, accountant, fund-raiser, friend of children, preacher, spiritual leader, wedding/funeral presider and house blesser.

Church members expect their pastor to be on call seven days a week; few churches give their pastor two full days off, thereby losing 52 days of rest that most people relish. They work on holidays, Christmas Eve, Easter and Thanksgiving and never have a three-day weekend.

Let me be clear. I am fine and this is not about me. Macedonia is a great church, not a perfect one but practicing and striving to be. They deal with my imperfections so I would be a hypocrite not to deal with theirs, so this article is not about me but it is designed to prayerfully identify with my fellow pastors in the struggle and hopefully, a parishioner might stumble upon this blog and develop a better respect and love for their Pastor.

So give your pastors a hug, a big salary increase, more time off, a pat on the back, and help them. They need it.

How Full is Your backpack?

2011-02-21T13:18:00.002-05:00

Up In The Air: Trailer Backpack @ Yahoo! Video

How much does your life weigh? Imagine for a second that you're carrying a backpack. I want you to pack it with all the stuff that you have in your life... you start with the little things. The shelves, the drawers, the knickknacks, then you start adding larger stuff. Clothes, tabletop appliances, lamps, your TV... the backpack should be getting pretty heavy now. You go bigger. Your couch, your car, your home... I want you to stuff it all into that backpack. Now I want you to fill it with people.

Start with casual acquaintances, friends of friends, folks around the office... and then you move into the people you trust with your most intimate secrets. Your brothers, your sisters, your children, your parents and finally your husband, your wife, your boyfriend, your girlfriend. You get them into that backpack, feel the weight of that bag. Make no mistake your relationships are the heaviest components in your life. All those negotiations and arguments and secrets, the compromises. The slower we move the faster we die. Make no mistake, moving is living. Some animals were meant to carry each other to live symbiotically over a lifetime. Star crossed lovers, monogamous swans. We are not swans. We are sharks.

Great speech, even better movie. George Clooney is an amazing actor but this is still the human response to carrying weight. We try and carry everything, we try and balance what is and what is not important. We try and do all the work ourselves only to discover we are not strong enough, we are not tough enough, WE JUST CAN'T DO IT.

Instead of turning it over to Jesus, we first try and shed weight, Remove friends, end relationships, distance ourselves, lessen our workloads and for a minute, for a moment, even for a month, IT WORKS. It seems to get better and lighter but this is still not the way God intended it. This proves itself by the weight coming back, getting heavier again and that feeling of this is too much to bear returns. SO WHAT DO WE DO?

GIVE YOUR BACKPACK TO GOD! Quit trying to find the right weight ratio of friends, relationships, burdens, bills, the formula never works out. Quit living life as a hermit, scared to let people in because they weigh too much or it costs too much. Give your backpack to Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 (Common English Bible)

28 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. 30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

Owens

What comes before the offering?????

2011-02-18T09:00:00.004-05:00

Family Feud: Name something you pass around - wsbt.com

Let Love Continue

2011-02-15T10:27:00.005-05:00

I pray that everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I hope you had quality time with the one you love; took time to share with mothers and fathers, children and family because charity begins at home. I even pray some of you shared loved with your Pastor or fellow church members as we should demonstrate all types of loves.

However, I have always wondered. WHAT HAPPENS THE DAY AFTER VALENTINE'S DAY? When the candy is gone and the flowers start to fade, when the card collects dust and the bear accidentally hits the floor, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. When the Hallmark store starts removing the Valentine displays and begins putting up the Easter and Mother's Day Displays, Where does the Love Go.? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The spirit of February 14th is good but if it isn't lived the other 364 days of the year, it makes the acts of this day cheap and void. It is wonderful you called her sweetheart yesterday but what are you calling her today? He was your wonderfully sweet man given to you by God yesterday but what do you call him when he gets on your last and tiring nerve?

It is nice to remembered, appreciated and celebrated for a day, event or occasion but if it doesn't remain or continue, we can undo what we have just done. Is there a remedy? Is there an answer? Yes there is, the Bible says LET LOVE CONTINUE! Hebrew 13:1

Let love of the brethren continue. NAS

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. NIV

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. NLT

Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord's followers should CEV

LET LOVE for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail]. Amplified

“Let love continue” does not really do this sentence justice. It is more blunt than that. The English seems a more courteous way of telling someone what they must do. If I am climbing a ladder to the second story window of a house and I say to you, “stay here and don’t let this ladder slip,” that is not an optional request in my mind. Most of our English translations say it pretty much the same way; however, The Greek says, ”You must continue to love the brothers!” It is not God’s hope or wish. It is His most often repeated command to you.

So I urge you, Don't let your love expression be a one-time act. A birthday, holiday, anniversary occasion but rather let it be a lifestyle. Let love be the garment of expression that you wear everyday. How better would our marriages, relationships, families, churches and even our world be if we would let love continue.

Owens

Please Pray for the Manns Family

2011-02-12T08:40:00.002-05:00

The Macedonia Church Family is asking for your prayers for our chairman of the Deacon board, Deacon Calvin Manns. Deacon Manns has been a faithful deacon and chairman for over 40 years.

He has always been there for the church in rough and trying times. Now, it is our chance to return that same blessing to him.

In one week, Deacon Manns was forced to rush his wife, Pastor Verlie Manns to the hospital to have emergency surgery. For those of us that know Pastor Manns, she is a strong Christian woman. With that said, the average person would have admitted pain much sooner, However Pastor Verlie Manns is no where close to being an average person. She is a powerful preaching woman.

On the same day that Pastor Manns was scheduled to have surgery, word came down from Detroit that Deacon Manns brother, Elder Julius Manns had died of a heart attack at the age of 72. As the oldest sibling this hit Deacon Manns hard. Our continued prayers go out to Elder Julius Manns' four daughters, one son and his wife of 19 years Mrs. Marjorie.

No Man is an Island and No Man stands alone! We are all better together! Today we stand and pray for Deacons Manns. My prayer is today as you read this blog you will stop for a minute and whisper a prayer to God on behalf of the Manns Family. The way this life is, what happens at one house today will be at your house tomorrow, so we should pray one for another.

The Power of Collective Prayer

2011-02-08T12:49:00.004-05:00

Sunday, the Macedonia Church had it's Prayer and Installation Service. I have been preaching through the Armour of God and it has been a blessing to me personally but I think, also to the people of Macedonia. I say this only based on each Sunday I am noticing it is not as hard to preach because the series has taken a life of its own, To God be the Glory.

I was scheduled by preaching calendar to be in Vs 17 Sunday and do the Helmet of Salvation, but God redirected us and we skipped down to vs. 18.. I explained the purpose of this verse and then our church discovered the power in this verse. Sunday, the people of Macedonia preached and they did a wonderful job.

Most people don't realize there are different kinds of prayer. But according to this verse, God has actually made many forms of prayer available to us to use as needed, such as the prayer of faith, the prayer of intercession, the prayer of consecration, and the prayer of agreement.

Sometimes life can be difficult and challenging. For one thing, the devil doesn't want you to be blessed or successful in your endeavors. So in order to face the inevitable attacks that arise against your marriage, finances, body, job, and career, you must come to realize that prayer is indispensable. You cannot succeed as a Christian without an active and effective prayer life.

No matter how anointed, skilled, or gifted you may be or how bold and courageous you think you are, you simply cannot maintain a victorious position in life apart from prayer. Without prayer, you can be sure of absolute and total defeat. But as you develop a lifestyle of prayer, taking advantage of every form of prayer available to you, you will find that victory is yours in the midst of every challenge!

Thank God for the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shield of Faith and our Feet Shod with the Preparation of Peace, Sword of the Spirit and the Helmet of Salvation, BUT TO GO OUT TO BATTLE WITHOUT PRAYING IS A RECIPE FOR DEFEAT EVERY TIME.

If you want to grow in your spiritual walk, you need to make prayer a central part of your life. But in order for prayer to be the great adventure God wants it to be in your life, you must understand that there are all kinds of ways to pray. Don't get stuck with just one form of prayer! The Bible tells us that there are several kinds of prayer, and you need to learn to use every kind of prayer that's available to you.

Other translations of Ephesians 6:18 include:
"Use every kind of prayer..." (Goodspeed)
"Pray... with all manner of prayer..." (amp)
"Pray... with all kinds of prayers...." (niv)
"Pray... with all kinds of prayers that are available for you to use...." (rev)

Sunday we prayed. The first prayer was from the pulpit and every prayer following was from the pews, covering Area Churches, Pastors, prayer for the Macedonia Pastor, Deacons, Trustees, Finances, Women's and Men's Ministries, Youth and Children, Choral and Fine Arts, Ushers and Nurses, Praise Dancers. From the young to the old we tried to put into practice vs. 18.

It is amazing to watch God move, Last year this prayer service had an excitement to it, People were shouting and running and we had to pull people from under the pews. This year was a somber experience, crying, emotional; the burden of ministry was felt, the realization that we must pray like this everyday not just during an installation service was evident.

So I am writing this to let you know, we prayed for you, we prayed for your family, your church, your pastor, your ministry, We want you to succeed and God's best enacted in your life and on your behalf. As we pray for you, please pray for us as well.

WE ARE MACEDONIA AND GOD HAS CALLED US TO HELP SOMEBODY

Owens

I want to say Thank You

2011-01-26T22:10:00.003-05:00

A party of pioneers on the Oregon Trail suffered for weeks from a scarcity of water and grass for their animals. Most of the wagons had broken down, causing endless delays in the stifling heat. A feeling of fretfulness and futility prevailed. Optimism and cheer were gone. Courage was in limited supply.

One night the leaders called a meeting to air complaints. When they gathered around the campfire, one man stood up and said, "Before we commence our grief session, don't you think we should at least first thank God that he has brought us this far with no loss of life, with no serious trouble from the Indians, and that we have enough strength left to finish our journey?"

The other settlers agreed. After the brief prayer, all that could be heard were the cries of a distant pack of wolves. There was otherwise stone silence around the campfire, because no one had any grievances they felt were important enough to voice.

They suddenly realized if they couldn't be satisfied with what they'd received, they could at least be thankful for what they'd escaped. Thankfulness enabled them to see the mercies of God they had been overlooking.

I wanted to say "thank you" to all of the people who prayed, texted, called, checked on, bossed, fussed, cooked and nursed me back to health. I had the blessing of the flu and a middle ear infection that lasted over 11 days. Preached two Sundays sick, taught Bible Studies at less than 100%, but the Lord blessed. I write this because this story made me realize all the while I had been mad, I am sick, I am dizzy, I don't feel good etc, as I got my list out to complain, I was struck by God to remember all the things he kept me from.

I have been dizzy for 11 days, moments that caused me to sit down until I regained my balance, but I never fell! I didn't wind up in a ditch while driving, didn't kill myself on the highway, I didn't fall down or up the stairs at my house, because God let me escape. When I realize all the things that could have happened to me and how close danger was to me but God made me sick enough to force me, to drive me to a bed, to sleep for four days, where God's angels at Macedonia, In Oklahoma, In Peoria, In Georgia, In California, In Texas, started praying because I couldn't even pray for myself. God let me escape.

It is said that in Africa there is a fruit called the "taste berry," because it changes a person's taste so that everything eaten tastes sweet and pleasant. Sour fruit, even if eaten several hours after the "taste berry," becomes sweet and delicious. Gratitude is the "taste berry" of Christianity, and when our hearts are filled with gratitude, nothing that God sends us seems unpleasant to us. Sorrowing heart, sweeten your grief with gratitude. Burdened soul, lighten your burden by singing God's praises. Disappointed one, dispel your loneliness by making others grateful.

Going Back to Bed

2011-01-23T13:24:00.002-05:00

I crawled out of the covers long enough to go to church this morning. Macedonia had High Praise today and I thank God for that. I felt horrible and I am sure sounded and preached horrible but, HEY GLORY, God still added to the church again. New Members class is overflowing. OK Going back to bed,

Owens

2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Celebration

2011-01-17T15:26:00.003-05:00

I am writing this blog to thank the wonderful people of the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Mishawaka Campus for allowing the Macedonia Church family to participate in their 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration "Journey to Excellence Program".

I want to thank Mr. Aaron Austin, who is the Chief Human Resource Officer and Executive Vice President of Support Services for allowing our church to partner with Saint Joseph to make this program a success.

I also want to thank God for members of our church whose dedication to the ministry help to Make Macedonia what God wants it to be. We were blessed on last year to add to our membership the Rice family. Mr. and Mrs. Robin Rice have been a God-send to our church. Mr. Robin Rice serves as the Director of Environmental Services (EVS). I am honored and overwhelmed that he loves Christ and his church so much that he choose to make a spot for us on this program.

I also want to thank God for a faithful Deacon, an honest Finance Manager and an incredible man in the person of Deacon Luther Taylor. Words can not express how much the Taylor family means to me personally and Pastorally. Luther Taylor has served as the FIRST Black Fire Chief in South Bend, Indiana. He also served as the Director of St. Joseph County Emergency Management Agency. Currently, he serves as the Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

With all of these accolades, the best one-word description for Deacon Taylor would be SERVANT. He is a humble man with a non-assuming spirit and I am honored he is a member of the Macedonia Family.

I also would like to thank our Minister of Music, Brother Javon Lewis and the Praise Team for filling the corridors of the hospital with Praise and Inspiration. We never know who we are ministering to so we can not be afraid of the doors God opens for us. Our ministry is larger than 1862 N. Olive Street. I am proud of you for living out our Motto: WE ARE MACEDONIA AND WE ARE CALLED TO HELP SOMEBODY.

Finally, I want to thank the members and Deacons who came out today and supported your church family. I am so proud that God has given me the privilege of being your Pastor. I pray that you will continue to follow me as I follow what God has for me.

Owens

Margaret Saulsbury Dixon

2011-01-14T15:26:00.003-05:00

I write this blog to celebrate the life and to mark the home going of one of the Mother's of the Macedonia Church, Sister Margaret Saulsbury Dixon. On Monday, we celebrated her life with a Spirit-filled home going service.

I am grateful to Reverend Anthony Pettus, Pastor of the Greater Progressive Baptist Church and former Pastor of Macedonia for coming back and doing the eulogy. The wishes of the family were for him to do this part of the service, but I appreciate him for respecting me as the current Pastor and not doing anything until we had talked. The Body of Christ is best served when we ALL work together.

He preached a wonderful message from Romans 8:28 reminding us "God is in Control" weaving a wonderful tapestry between Scripture and memories of Sister Dixon. To God be the Glory that three people gave their lives to the Lord as this is my prayer and over riding conviction that funerals are evangelistic opportunities to the Living.

My relationship with Sister Dixon is different than others because I never had the opportunity to experience her cooking, her singing or her service but I praise God she shared with me her testimony. She never spoke, she never gave me Scripture and verse, she never told me about her struggles, BUT SHE DID BLESS MY LIFE.

Many blogs ago I shared my conviction that our church needed to do a better job visiting our sick and shut-in. We have men who want to run money of the church but don't participate in any real meaningful ministry in the church. No hospital visits, no nursing home calls, no Communion deliveries, No Tape and Program/Bulletin sharing. I wanted us to do better. I thank God for Deacon Henry Turner opening the door for me to go and visit our sick. It was in this way, I had a relationship with Mother Dixon.

One time as we went to share Communion with her, Mother changed my life. We gave the Bread and shared the Cup and I was preparing to conclude and leave. I believe in not being a burden to the family or the sick by staying too long. Mother must have heard in her voice either Pastor F.D. Johnson or Pastor Pettus say, "After they had done this, they sang a hymn and went out unto the Mount of Olives" because Mother started Moaning.

At first I thought this was pain, but I kept listening. It wasn't Pain but rather it was Praise. She was praising God and her Praise was so infectious the mothers who were with us starting moaning with her, and Deacon Turner and Prince became happy as well. Mother taught me an important message:

Death/Sickness may rob us of many things but it can not take away from us that which is most essential. Our steps may grow short, our eyesight may grow dim, our strength may fade and our breath may become shallow. We may forget names, events, places and times in history but WE NEVER LOSE THAT WHICH IS MOST ESSENTIAL.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rest on Mother,

Owens

SNOWMAGEDDON 2011 CHURCH

2011-01-11T09:41:00.005-05:00

I wanted to say "Thank You" to all the people who have called, texted or in other ways reached out to me to see if I was OK. I have survived SNOWMAGGEDON 2011. So far, this winter season the South Bend area has seen 64.3 inches of snow (still counting).

My new year started off with record highs on the first Sunday of the year. Temperatures soared to the 50's, all the snow had melted off and we could see the ground. One week later, 39.4 inches of snow had fallen, with 25.6 inches of that snow coming in one day. Needless to say, the majority of our South Bend churches were closed on the second Sunday of the year as travel was bad; most people could not dig out of their own homes and the snow crews couldn't keep up with the falling snow.

I want to thank the Men of Macedonia for all of their hard work in removing and plowing our parking lots. One local Pastor called and joked with me about "my slave driver mentality" for calling a men's meeting during a blizzard, which isn't true but to pass by our church on Saturday night and see 6 Deacons and 4 men along with their Pastor trying to clear the parking lot was a great sight.

Our church sits on Olive Street which South Bend considers one of their priority streets so the city had our street cleared off. With the lots and the street clear, I prayed and decided to have church even though the city was still digging out. I figured who wanted to come would come and who wanted to stay in would stay in; but I noticed Notre Dame and Connecticut still played their Women's Basketball game and 18,000 people showed up. Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Super Target and Meijer's had full parking lots so I decided if they weren't shutting down, God's House wasn't shutting down.

Sunday Morning we had good community church with members from Greater St. John, Mt. Carmel, New Salem, Bethlehem as well as the few from Macedonia. I thank God for a relationship with these Pastors that the members they have been entrusted with would count me worthy that if they couldn't have their "Chef" for the day, they would trust my cooking. I told them, I can't cook it, serve it or prepare it like your Pastor but I will make sure you won't starve.

What took place on Saturday night and even on Sunday Morning inspired me to preach out of Mark 2:1-12, about the paralytic that was brought to Jesus. Some problems are so big, one person can't do it all by themselves. No matter your education, finance, strength or expertise, YOU NEED SOME HELP.

Even the best Rooster still needs a Hen
Beethoven still needs a Piano
Picasso still needs some Paint
Surgeons still need a Scalpel
Cornflakes need milk
Pastors need workers
We all need some Help. We are Better Together!

There were four helpers, each one carrying their own end of the pole, Most of the hassle we have in churches is someone trying to carry someone else's pole. CARRY YOUR END. They were all moving IN THE SAME DIRECTION and they were all headed TO THE SAME DESTINATION, the injured paralytic will receive A NEW DESIGNATION.

I. A New Position Vs 5. "Sins are Forgiven". He was on the outside looking in, but forgiveness will climb the roof, forgiveness will cut a hole, forgiveness will let you down to where Jesus is. There was a time we didn't have access to God because of our sins but God cut a hole,............

II. A New Posture Vs 11. "Rise, Pick up your Bed, Go Home". Sin had me on my back, but Jesus put me on my feet. Why take your Bed? People need to know the Before and After story. I was crippled, I was lame, I was a paralytic but I met Jesus, Here is my bed in case you don't believe me. And we all have an I WAS STORY. What's your Story? I was a liar, I was a gambler.....................

III. A New Praise Vs. 12 "We never seen anything like this before"

We had a good time Sunday with a few people.

Owens

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

2011-01-07T12:28:00.002-05:00

A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)

Joseph Scriven had wealth, education, a devoted family, and a pleasant life in his native Ireland. Then unexpected tragedy entered. On the night before Scriven’s scheduled wedding, his fiancée drowned. In his deep sorrow, Joseph realized that he could find the solace and support he needed only in his dearest friend, Jesus.

Soon after this tragedy, Scriven dramatically changed his lifestyle. He left Ireland for Port Hope, Canada, determined to devote all of his extra time in being a friend and helper to others. He often gave away his clothing and possessions to those in need, and he worked—without pay—for anyone who needed him. Scriven became known as “the Good Samaritan of Port Hope.”

When Scriven’s mother became ill in Ireland, he wrote a comforting letter to her, enclosing the words of his newly written poem with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of a never-failing heavenly Friend. Sometime later, when Joseph Scriven himself was ill, a friend who came to call on him happened to see a copy of these words scribbled on scratch paper near his bed. The friend read the lines with interest and asked, “Who wrote those beautiful words?”
“The Lord and I did it between us,” was Scriven’s reply.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness—Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He’ll take and shield thee—Thou wilt find a solace there.

Osbeck, K. W. (1990). Amazing grace : 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions (19). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications.

Service Evangelism

2011-01-05T15:15:00.002-05:00

A missionary in New Guinea returned after several years of service. His friend said to him, "Jones, tell me what you found at your station in New Guinea?"

"Found! I found something that looked more hopeless than if I had been sent into the jungle to a lot of tigers."

"What do you mean?"

"Why those people were so degraded that they seemed utterly devoid of moral sense. They were worse than beasts. If a mother were carrying her little baby, and the baby began to cry, she would throw it into the ditch and let it die. If a man saw his father break his leg, he would leave him upon the roadside to die. They had no compassion whatever. They did not know what it meant."

"Well, what did you do for people like that? Did you preach to them?"

"Preach? No! I lived."
"Lived? How did you live?"

"When I saw a baby crying, I picked it up and comforted it. When I saw a man with a broken leg, I mended it. When I saw people in distress, I took them in and pitied them. I took care of them. I lived that way.

And those people began to come to me and say: 'What does this mean? What are you doing this for?' Then I had my chance and I preached the gospel." "Did you succeed?" "When I left, I left a church!"

I am Praying for You

2011-01-02T15:18:00.002-05:00

I am praying for you! I am used to praying for people in their bad situations and I am also used to praying with people in their good as we give thanks to God for new cars, homes, jobs etc but this is new territory for me, just praying for people, JUST BECAUSE. Well you are a pastor, you are supposed to do this?! OK! Let me be the first to admit, I have not always done this.

Two things happened to me. Some of the greatest things happen in my life when I am not looking for them. Sometimes we are so busy trying to MAKE something happen, we just don't allow God to move in His time. I was studying for another assignment, another blessing and God gave me this one.

He laid an individual on my heart of whom I will not say. The person is not a member of
my church and I shouldn't have any reason to be connected to them, except I felt their pain. No, Not the Bill Clinton presidential line, "I Feel your Pain" but an actual connection that moved and motivated me to pray for their situation.

While praying for this, I saw my church. I saw Bethlehem, New Peter's Rock, Greater St. John, Carmel, I saw churches and Pastors in other cities, some I work with, some I blog with and follow their words and I was pushed, shoved, forcibly moved to pray this prayer.

While studying for a series of sermons on the Anatomy of a Healthy Church, I was in Colossians 1 working on "Who's the Boss" 1:18, as usual to go forward in a sermon, I move backwards so I was reading Paul's prayer for the church at Colossae and was moved. THIS IS THE PRAYER I SHOULD BE PRAYING DAILY FOR EVERYONE., so this is my prayer for you.

I am praying that God will ALLOW YOU TO SEE BETTER IN 2011.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9 KJV)

This year I pray you see God's Will better for your life! More clearly, and that can be discovered by spending time in His Word. We don't have to walk around aimlessly, unsure of what steps we should take, His Word shows us.

Uncertainty is like the fog in our lives. As I was driving back home from OKC after seeing the girls, I encountered warm weather but at night, the warm weather while melting the snow on the ground caused huge fog bands that made visibility almost impossible. I prayed that God would give me safe passage. I slowed down almost to a crawl on the highway but as soon as the fog appeared, it seemed to miraculously disappear. It was just a valley where the fog could accumulate, but once I was out of the valley, God gave me clear sailing.

When God changes your perception problems don't seem as big, mountains don't seem as high, burdens don't seem as heavy because you can see things better. This type of living is found in the Word of God.

I am praying that God will allow you to ABOUND IN PROSPERITY IN 2011.
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10 KJV)

Paul's prayer for prosperity was to manifest in two areas, our Walk and our Work, not our Wallet. I am not praying for God to allow you to win the Mega Millions lottery jackpot. God can't trust you with 290 dollars why would He trust you with 290 Million. I pray that God individually and collectively produces in us a fruit He can be proud of. One that looks like HIM, Smells like HIM, Tastes like HIM.

I pray that God will ACTIVATE HIS STRENGTH IN YOUR LIVES.

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1:11 KJV)

I am praying that God will give you Power, Not manpower or willpower, but God's power. With God's power, I believe the best is yet to come. We haven't even scratched the surface yet.

I end by how lately I have been ending church,
I pray for You
You pray for me
Watch God changes things

Owens

Review God's Providence

2010-12-30T18:54:00.004-05:00

I attempted to preach a sermon Sunday from Genesis 50:19-20 entitled "How I Got Over". Joseph taught us that one of the first steps we need to take to is to Release Our Past; however, there are other steps we need to make. Another step we need to make is to Review God's Providence.

The elephant in the room, the unmentioned mentionable, the question that seems to hit the lips of society is when a tragedy hits, when bad things happen, where was/is God? I see it all the time and if you think about it, so do you! An earthquake happens, a mudslide in California takes place, a tsunami in the Orient strikes, a tornado falls in the Midwest and CNN, ABC, FOX NEWS will convene a panel with religious experts engaging in the field of Christian Apologetics trying to explain where was God and why did He allow this to happen?

The consensus of the public is either God does not exist or He does not care. If HE cares, HE is powerless to stop it because after all, bad things can only mean, GOD was not there. Joseph teaches us this concept is not true because he says if you want to know How I Got Over, all you have to do is Review God's Providence.

Without the systematic traditional theological Biblical survey language, Providence simply is "To Go Before" and "To see After". The story of Joseph suggests this is true and he begs us just to Review God's Providence. The phrase "The Lord was with Joseph" becomes a common thread woven through the tapestry of Joseph's testimony.

Even when he was sold he was still secure because God was with him. When he was with Potiphar, he still prospered because God was with him. In problems, he is still promoted because God is with him. While enduring fabrications and falsifications, God still shows favor by letting Joseph go to "The King's Prison". In prison, God is still with Joseph, when others forget, God remembers and in due season, Joseph is positioned in the place God has arraigned from the beginning because God will go before and see after.

When we Review our life, it is tempting to say God has forgotten about us. Death, loss of friends and family, pink slips and over draft notices can make you say Where is God? We mistakenly believe that "favor" is the absence of problems. God should stop the factory from shutting down. God should prevent my doctor from giving me a bad report on the MRI. God should stop my family member from dying but favor is not the absence of problems but rather it is the prosperity of God's children even through problems because GOD has gone before and seen after.

I am reviewing God's Providence. God was there when General Motors closed down on February 24, 2006. He went before and Saw after so on June 26, 2006, General Motors in Arlington, Texas offered me another job. I walked away as the assistant to the Pastor of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church on the fifth Sunday December 31st, 2006 but because God went before and saw after Easter Sunday Morning April 6th, 2008, I became the Pastor of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. When I walked away from the provisions and the protection of General Motors, The Lord has Gone before and Saw after and provided my buy-out parachute to allow me to work full-time as a Pastor.

As you read this blog, you may be tempted to think that 2010 was a bad year. You may think that God forgot you, abandoned you or left you all by yourself. I invite you to slow down, sit sown and write down all the bad things that happened in your life in 2010, I bet you will discover that God was there all the time.

Review God's Providence,

Owens

A Great Book on the Providence of God is by D. A. Carson, "The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story", not systematic or theological but a character driven devotional walk through the Bible on the Providence of God. Good read.

Release Your Past

2010-12-26T12:46:00.003-05:00

How I Got Over! How I got Over! My Soul Looks back and wonders How I Got Over! I wanna Thank Him because He brought me, I wanna thank Him because He taught me, I wanna thank Him because He kept me, I wanna Thank Him because He never left me. I gonna sing Hallelujah, I gonna shout troubles over, I gonna thank God for being so good to me.

Whatever version you sing or singer you listen to, Mahalia, Aretha or Vickie the words are still powerful and inspiring. On this last Sunday of the year, I can not help but look back on what God has done for me in 2010. I realize that we have been trained that this song is to be sung when we cross over to the other side but I realized this song can be sung now because it is a song of reflection and remembrance.

Time and vocabulary limit me from saying all I could say about how good God has been to me this year so I brought a witness. His name is Joseph. The dreamer who saw his future but didn't understand all of what he saw. The boy that was cast in a pit, sold for a profit, was accosted by the first "Cougar" in the Bible, Potiphar's wife, thrown into prison but ultimately was elevated next to Pharaoh. Joseph can tell us How to make it Over.

Joseph tells us the first thing we need to do in order to make it over is to RELEASE YOUR PAST. Some people can never move into the future because they are held hostage by their past, what happened to them, who lied on them, who mistreated them. Every time they see the person they review and remember so instead of releasing their past, they REHEARSE THEIR PAIN. They live life as a perpetual victim instead of the promised victor.

No one would have been angry with Joseph if he told his brothers off. It would be expected. After all, they plotted against him. After all, the cast him in a pit, they sold him for a profit. But Joseph doesn't do this, instead he Releases His past. He says, "God did this, and not you. He sent me ahead of you to preserve you, to secure a remnant".

In saying this, Joseph is no longer the Victim but rather he is the Victor. Someone reading this needs to Release their Past. All of us have family that mistreated us; people who have lied on us; acquaintances who ate and drank in our presence while we had nothing, but God allowed this to happen, not to destroy us but to develop us.

When you have become free from you past, you live in that freedom. Have you ever met someone who describes to you something that happened to them? In their description, their breathing changes, their voice becomes elevated, the color either leaves or changes in their faces. You can tell they have become disturbed. The amazing part of this is they are describing something that happened 10 years ago but because they have never let it go, it sounds like it just happened yesterday.

When they see the person, they walk the other direction, frown up, become upset, even leave church, because they are still the Victim. They make future relationships pay for past ones. They refuse to accept future blessing because of past disappointments but God wants us to follow Joseph's example and free ourselves into victory by releasing our past.

I have written too much and hopefully will synthesize this by the time I preach it as this is just the first point but I leave the blog with this: Look at you body. All of us have a scar! Somewhere! There is a place where we fell, were struck or cut, scratched or scraped that left evidence.

When you point to the scar, you remember the story. You remember what happened. You remembered you cried, the blood, etc. However, what you can not remember is the Pain. You remember there was pain, but somehow the pain of the event is gone. If it wasn't then every time you remembered the event, you would cry, but the pain is gone.

That's what God does for us when we RELEASE OUR PAST. We remember the event, we remember the experience but we live in the Emancipation FROM the event. We are no longer a VICTIM TO but rather we are VICTORS FROM.

Yes, we have scars, yes we have wounds, yes we have evidence of battles, scrapes and dust-ups but God has freed us. Now our scars are our testimony, I am free, You meant to kill me, you tried to destroy, the scar is the proof you meant it for my evil but God meant it for my good.

I am going to the pulpit and pray this works out but I am shouting because God just gave me something that I didn't write. FOR ALL MY SCARS GOD HAS GIVE ME SOMETHING BETTER THAN COCOA BUTTER, I AM COVERED BY HIS BLOOD.

HEY GLORY, KEEP RUNNING

Owens

Christmas contrasts

2010-12-23T10:11:00.002-05:00

R. G. Lee, that great Baptist preacher once wrote: “There never was another Who caused all creation to be ransacked in pursuit of words appropriate to convey to human hearts and minds His glorious pre-eminence.

There never was another Who was a human child and also a divine Son; Who was wounded by Satan and Who, at the same time crushed Satan; Who was appointed the Savior of men, yet was crucified by men; Who was Judge of men; yet was led as a felon from one tribunal to another.There never was another Who died and was buried and yet lived; Who saved others and Himself could not save; Who had no sin in Him, yet all sin on Him; Who was the King of Glory, yet wore no crown but a crown of thorns; Who, in the glory He had with God before the world was, had the angelic hails of heaven and yet, on earth, gave Himself to the murderous nails of men!

There never was another Who was the Prince of life, yet died on Calvary; Who was as old as His heavenly Father and ages older than His earthly mother.There never was another Who was the victim of a Roman cross and victor at a Jewish grave.There never was another Who poured all seas, all lakes, all rivers out of the crystal chalices of eternity, yet on a cross said with a mouth hot like a parched desert that cries for rain, ‘I thirst’”.All of this was written to describe the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Jesus Christ was born in the meanest circumstances, but the air above was filled with the hallelujahs of the heavenly host. His lodging was a cattle pen, but a star drew distinguished visitants from afar to do Him homage. His birth was contrary to the laws of life. His death was contrary to the laws of death.

No miracle is so inexplicable as His life and teaching. He had no cornfields or fisheries, but He could spread a table for 5,000 and have bread and fishes to spare.... Three years He preached His Gospel. He wrote no book, built no church, had no money back of Him. After 2,000 years, He is the one central character of human history, the perpetual theme of all preaching, the pivot around which the events of the age revolve, the only regenerator of the human race.

Was it merely the son of Joseph and Mary who crossed the world's horizon 2,000 years ago? Was it merely human blood that was spilled on Calvary's hill for the redemption of sinners, and which has worked such wonders in men and nations through the centuries? What thinking man can keep from exclaiming, 'My Lord and my God!

Santa Theology vs. Grace Theology

2010-12-20T13:47:00.003-05:00

It is unfortunate that many people learn their theology from songs rather than Scripture. That is to say, many people base their beliefs on the beat of the song rather than the basics of the Bible. It reveals itself in many ways and applications but one time it is clearly seen is at Christmas.

The Christmas song "Santa Claus is coming to town" says "He is making a list and checking it twice, he is gonna find out who is naughty or nice". Parents have used this song as a bargaining tool for better behavior. Individuals have used this as an incentive to give or not give to someone.

Santa Theology suggests "Only the righteous deserve a Christmas gift"
Santa Theology suggests "Give only to those who are good"
Santa Theology suggests "Give to those who have earned it".

And whether you realize it or not, many people use "Santa Theology" in their lives. Wives decide whether or not they will be intimate with their husbands based on behavior" We give gifts to people based on whether we like them or they have been good to us. Children believe they should be rewarded for keeping a room clean or bringing home good grades.

However, this flies directly in the face of the Bible and Grace Theology. Luke 2:10-11 (HCSB) "But the angel said to them, 'Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: [11] today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David."

Therefore the good news of great joy isn't just for the good people; it is for all the people. Even people who've committed great sins. Grace, unmerited favor, something I have not earned and can't pay back, God's riches at Christ's expense. I HAVE THIS GIFT BECAUSE OF GRACE.

Some of you think you woke up today because you were so good yesterday (Santa theology) but I woke up today because God looked beyond my faults and saw my needs (Grace theology). Some of you believe you drive what you drive, wear what you wear, live how you live because you earned it (Santa theology) but I am driving, wearing and living like I am because Jesus said to my creditors, his debt give it to me and my credit that I have with you, give it to him. (Grace Theology).

The good news of great joy is for all the people so let's tell the good news of grace and not Santa.Go tell it on the Mountain, Over the Hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the Mountain that Jesus Christ Has come.

Owens

Living Life In Between the Waves

2010-12-09T10:12:00.002-05:00

Living in South Bend, Indiana has its unique challenges. Great town! Great people! Great environment and yet there are challenges. The snow season has kicked into high gear and in order to survive it, one must learn how to live in between the waves.

We receive "System Snow", "Clipper Systems" and "Lake Effect Snow". System Snow is the mildest of the three. There is advance warning! It won't stay around long and usually it won't leave too much precipitation, maybe 1" to 3" inches.

Clipper systems are seasonal, usual coming from November through February. They are fast moving, can appear out of no where, not much if any notice and can be very intense in a short amount of time leaving large patches of precipitation.

Lake Effect Snow is the worst of the three. It is a dumping! Large amounts of snow that never seems to end. It comes in waves and depending on which way the wind blows, it can miss you to the east, miss you to the west or it can hit you dead center. As of this blog writing for the season we are at a snow total of 14.5" inches of snow. Watching and dealing with this snow gave me a Word for someone.

Many times we hate the season of our lives and we pray for God to change the season. We groan, agonize, plead and fast for God to remove/change/alter the season, when God is trying to teach us how to live in between the Waves.

For some it is cold in your lives, no warmth, no sun, just cloudy cold days where you wonder will it ever get better. It does. IT IS IN BETWEEN THE WAVE. During the winter here, we may go 30 to 40 days without the sun shining, however even in between the clouds, the sun is so powerful, that even when the clouds won't leave, there are times the sun leaves an indention where the "GRAY BECOMES BRIGHTER". It's isn't the sun, it isn't clear skies but it is a reminder the Sun is still there. Gray becomes not as gloomy, not as dungy, GRAY BECOMES BRIGHTER.

There are times we need to remind ourselves that even when the clouds in our lives won't roll away, God is still powerful to shine through the clouds and leave an indention.

There are seasons in our life where it looks like it won't stop snowing, raining, storming, thundering, precipitation won't end. How do you live with it. The first year here in South Bend the winter season yields 119" inches of snow. Last year, it yielded 78" inches of snow, so far this year 14.5". Someone asks how do you do it? It's easy, you live in between the waves.

It changed my spiritual live when I realized this in my natural life here in town. IT DOES NOT SNOW ALWAYS. It only seems like it does but it will stop. YES, more is coming, YES, more is on the way, YES, it is only a temporary break, but IT IS A BREAK. During that break, we dig out, we shovel through, we make room, we clear space, so that when the next snowfall comes, it doesn't stack higher than we can see.

God always gives you a break in between the waves, so I don't need Him to change the seasons. Yes it would be nice, Yes it would be great, YES I WOULD LOVE IT. But I waste time arguing with God to change something that is due to the season I am in. It won't be 80 in the winter, it won't be sunny during cloudy times, it won't be dry in the middle of rainy season, so just find your IN BETWEEN WAVE.

It's the place where I find peace WHILE the storm rages, it is the sanctuary I worship in WHILE trouble is all around, it's the hiding place I rest WHILE my enemy is trying to subdue, it's the pocket of praise I find in the middle of my hell, it's the encouragement in the Lord that strengthens me so I can deal with the next attack that is coming.

Sometimes between the 6" inches of trouble that you are going through now and the 12 inches of desperation that will follow that and the 8 inches of disappointment that is the after affect of that, it's tempting to ask, plead, fuss, cry out to God to change the season but God can teach you how to live in between the waves. Dig out, shovel through, climb over, burrow out. LIVE LIFE IN BETWEEN THE WAVE

OWENS

Rosa parks: "It just takes one person"

2010-12-01T10:43:00.001-05:00

It amazes me how many people don't seem to realize the historical value of this date in history. It seems like more people are paying attention to man-made concerns than actual history. While I appreciate the massive pandemic of AIDS, let us never forget the epic pandemic of racism that even now still pervades our society.

I had the thought while reading this great history. It doesn't take a lot of people to change something. It just takes one person who is willing to say I have had enough and I won't stand for this anymore. Our churches would be better if one person would just say, I have had enough. Our schools would be safer, if one parent would say, I have had enough. Thank God Rosa Parks made this declaration. It just takes one person.

On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks, with one single act of ‘defiance’ that would launch the Montgomery Bus Boycott, became the first lady of the Civil Rights Movement.

Many of us grew up with the notion that Parks simply didn’t want to give up her seat because she was tired from work. But as she revealed in her autobiography “My Story,” she knew very well what her decision to disobey bus driver James Blake would mean something.

“People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”
When Parks refused to give up her seat, a police officer arrested her. As the officer took her away, she recalled that she asked, “Why do you push us around?” The officer’s response as she remembered it was, “I don’t know, but the law’s the law, and you’re under arrest.” She later said, “I only knew that, as I was being arrested, that it was the very last time that I would ever ride in humiliation of this kind.”

We thank you, Rosa Parks, for helping change the world.

This Christmas, Who Will Take the Son???

2010-11-30T12:16:00.002-05:00

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift."The father hung the portrait over his mantle.

Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"Another voice angrily. "We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?"Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I’ll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford."We have $10, who will bid $20?""Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.""$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let’s get on with the collection!"The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I’m sorry, the auction is over.""What about the paintings?"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

In all of your getting, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Don't Forget to take the Son. The man who gets the son gets everything.

Rev Benjamin Holmes Obituary

2010-11-27T14:18:00.003-05:00

Holmes, Pastor Benjamin On December 21, 1930, Pastor Benjamin Holmes was born in Leslie, Georgia to Lynwood Holmes and Victoria Smith Holmes, Sr. Leaving a lasting legacy, he made his Heaven-bound transition on Monday, November 22, 2010. In addition to his parents, five brothers and a granddaughter preceded him in death. He was a respectable, gentle boy and the ninth of ten children. At an early age, Pastor Holmes accepted Christ as his personal savior and never let go. He was a faithful member of Shady Grove MBC in Leslie, Georgia and of Pilgrim MBC in Gary. In 1953, Pastor Holmes married the love of his life, Leatra Purnell Holmes.

To this union, they were blessed with six beautiful children: Yvonne (Rev. Willie) Nichols, Evelyn, Ben Jr., Jeanette (Council) Jones, Antoinette (*Thomas) Gaines, and Melissa. Pastor Holmes was the organizer and pastor of the New Friendship MBC for 53 years! He was employed at the Combustion Engineer Corp., US Steel Mill, the Gary Community School Corporation, and the chaplain for the Gary Steelheads. Pastor Holmes graduated from A.S Stanley High School in Americus, GA. He then attended Fort Valley State College. He received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Theological Institute in Houston, Texas; an associate Degree from Calumet CoIlege and a BA in Religious Studies and Pastoral Psychology.

Pastor has mentored and ordained numerous licensed ministers. Multitudes looked to him for direction, encouragemet and mentorship. Pastor Holmes has been awarded innumerable awards for commendations: Tolle-Mann Community Service Award; 2009 Outstanding Pastor of the Year, Midwestern Baptist Laymen Fellowship, Honorary Attorney General for the State of Indiana, Awarded Pastor Of the year by GMOR Theological Seminary, officially certified by the Sunday School Publishing Board in Nashville, TN., distinguished Leader Awards from God's First Ministry, and Instructor for District and State Conventions.

Cherished forever, Precious memories of Pastor Holmes' dedicated life will be shared by his loving, devoted, "easy on the eye" wife of 57 years and best friend, Lady Leatra Holmes; six children, seven grandchildren: LaKisha, Terrance (Tamika), Tarriesha (Rev. Royce Sr.), Antoine, James, Anthony, and Damion II, eight great grandchildren, four sisters: Lucille Franklin, Eleanor Mays, Izora Frank, and Gennie Williams, the entire body of the New Friendship MBC Family, and a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, fellow yoke men, other relatives and friends. "Well done thy good and faithful servant", you will be greatly missed!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T14:03:00.002-05:00

It has been two years since the entire family has been back at mommas house for Thanksgiving. The past two years my brother and me have been celebrating Thanksgiving in Canfield, Ohio at his house with the girls doing the "Man's Thanksgiving. We would always have a good time and the girls loved it with many of our "non traditional foods" along with the classics.

However, it has just taken a couple of minutes to realize how wonderful it is to be back home. Eating out of the pot, food everywhere, starting fights, mom already ready to get the belt, my aunt's undying passion for the Dallas Cowboys, plus, I forgot how much family I have. Good Lord, this many people in here, I need an offering plate!

The Lord has blessed my mother, Angeline Owens to see 75 years. Today is her birthday. Although we have tried to cook and introduce our man food into this tradition, we quickly were reminded, THIS IS HER HOUSE. She is an amazing woman and I thank God for her everyday. I wouldn't be the man, Pastor or even father I am if it was not for her.

The weather just became normal as when I first arrived, it was in the 80's and 70's but I left South Bend in the 30's so I needed it to cool off. I have become a Northerner. I need it cool in November.

I plan on thinking about the goodness of Jesus, thanking God for all He has done, spoiling my girls, picking fights and gobble till I wobble.

No running, call a medic, MAN DOWN

Owens