Letters from Kids

Dear Pastor, Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Dear Pastor, My father should be a preacher. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold. Dear Pastor, I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there. Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Dear Pastor, Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.

God Answered My Prayer - I Killed an Eight Point Buck

God gave me success. I prayed for an 8 point buck and he heard my prayer. I hunted in Mason County WV on my brother-in-law’s farm. Bob and his dad Bob Sr. allowed me to hunt there and I’m grateful to them – I had a great day. I saw two dozen turkeys and 13 doe. Then, at 2:30pm, two 8 points came across the field. I took the one with the largest rack. It was a 160 yard shot with iron sights on a borrowed gun (it was my nephew's [Todd Meadows] 30-30 Winchester). The buck stopped broad sided. I hesitated and whisper a prayer “God, I can’t do it without a scope. Lord, please help me shoot him. Guide the bullet.” I pulled the trigger and the deer dropped where I shot him. I know that God guided that bullet because it was a perfect shot to the heart. I could not have done it myself with iron sights – he did it. I know he did because I prayed in the spirit a of David – a prayer too long and passionate for me to explain. But it happened exactly like I prayed. Exactly! When I reached the deer and saw his rack I got down on my knees and thanked the Lord. I held my riffle up. I lifted my hands. I was in the middle of the field with no one around. I shouted “Thank you! Thank you Lord! You did it. You answered my prayer. He’ll make a great mount! In the name of Jesus I thank you!” Then I started laughing and saying “Yes! Yes!” It took me 3 hours to drag him to my car and it was worth every step. I will never forget today. I’ve hunted hard since August. Every chance I got I was in the woods scouting, building tree stands, taking corn to my feeder, and hunting. If I wasn’t in the woods I was thinking about it. This has been a great seasons. I’ve killed four deer this year – our freezer is packed! In fact, we are going to have to use mom’s and Jeanie’s freezer. Today was a great way to end the season. Gun in Ohio season starts Monday but I can’t hunt because I’ve bagged my limit. I thank God for the thrill of hunting deer and I can’t wait till next year. I told God I was going to brag on him. I think God is pleased when we put him in the center of our recreation. What do you love to do? Tennis? Biking? Golf? Some other sport? Try this – focus your thoughts on Jesus and invite him to participate in everything you do. Tell him what trophy you want and ask him to give it to you. Tell him you will brag on him when he does it. Then be patient. I came out of the woods empty handed more often than not. But be patient. He will give you the desires of your heart and then shout to the Lord in the middle of your field. Show him you love to play with him at the center. I believe God likes us to approach him with these simple enjoyments. I want my kids to involve me in their recreation (volleyball, basketball) and I cheer for them as they play and celebrate when they win. I think God feels the same about his children.

Headed for Mason County WV

It is 1:40 a.m. and I can’t sleep. I’m excited about going deer hunting in Mason County WV. I no longer have a buck tag for Ohio – I’ve tagged out in Ohio. So I’m headed for WV this morning. I have to leave in 3 hours (at 4:30am). I need to get some rest but I’m thinking about that 8 point buck Bob Sr. has been watching. I've been to bed three times and I am too excited to sleep. I pray I get it. I’ve killed 3 deer this year but I want a wall hanger. I pray for an 8 point. God, give me success.

Thanksgiving Dinner and Deuteronomy 8

Kim, the girls and I enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner at Kim’s parents and brother. We ate, watched football, and visited. During dinner I read the Deuteronomy 8. I love this passage - it goes well with the holiday. Deuteronomy 8.6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. 19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

I Killed Another Deer

I killed a buck today with my crossbow. It was a 35 yard shot and the deer dropped where he was standing. I’ve never seen a deer drop like this with an arrow. It was like I shot him with a riffle. I love my crossbow. I thank God for giving me a successful hunt and I'm grateful for the meat.

Do You Have a J-O-B?

A young man wanted to marry a farmer’s daughter. The young man had been in school all his life. He went to this farmer and he said "Sir, I would like your daughter’s hand in marriage. I want your blessing. I want you to know that I have a BA and a MA and a Ph.D.” The old farmer didn’t know what a BA or MA or a Ph.D. was, so he said ‘Son, what I want to know is - do you have a J-O-B?”

Speaking at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center

Last night I spoke in the auditorium of the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center on the Campus of Marshall University. The theater is nice, a very different atmosphere for a lecture and the screen for my power point was as big as a movie screen in a cinema. The presentation was for Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Senior Wise Program. I spoke on Coping with Holiday Depression – using the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy structured around Alfred Adler’s Five Universal Life Tasks. I also played my guitar and sang two songs. I can’t believe I get to do these things. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Just 3 ½ years ago I was in a pit of sin headed for jail but Jesus Christ has completely turned my life around and I’m so grateful.

Sermon Preparation

I spend a lot of time in sermon preparation – approximately 20 hours per sermon. If I get busy and neglect my sermon preparation I can tell the difference and I am not satisfied. So I plan to spend many hours in preparation. Most of the time I preach sermon series – a balance of expository and topical lessons. My favorite type of preaching is expository. I like to preach straight through books of the Bible. But I have also found topical preaching to be helpful for the church. I typically plan my sermons 3-6 months in advance. I email a copy of my “Sermon Series Planner” to Matt Hayes (our worship leader) and to Jeanie (my sister/secretary). During this planning period I am gather materials for study (books and tapes). After I have the series plan in place, each week I go through the same ritual that is described below. First, I read the text many times. I read silently and then I read aloud. I pray and ask God to open my eyes. As I read I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. I want to know the answer to two basic questions: 1) What does Jesus want me to know? 2) What does Jesus want me to do? While I am reading and studying the text Jeanie takes my old sermon tapes and transcribes them. These are old sermons from Hurricane and Reynoldsburg where I used to preach. Jeanie typically stays one or two lessons ahead in my series. She emails them to me when she completes them (I really appreciate Jeanie’s time and work – she is invaluable!). I like it when I have already preached on the subject because I get the benefit of reminding myself of what I previously learned. I read the manuscript and see what I can use. I have to be fed before I can feed the church. So I like to have at least three commentaries and two taped sermon series on the subject from other preachers. As I ride in my car listening to these tapes I feel like I am have great teachers riding with me. I ride with Chuck Swindol, David Jeremiah, Beth Moore, Bob Russell, Rick Atchley, Rubel Shelly, and Alistair Begg. I love to ride with these great teachers and I learn so much from them. When I am in my office or at home I listen to these tapes at double speed (so I can listen to a 30 minute sermon in 15 minutes). I take notes from what I read in the commentaries and hear on the tapes. I put it all together in a manuscript, trusting that the Holy Spirit is leading me. When I get all my notes together – what Jeanie has transcribed from old sermons that I have preached and the new notes that I have taken from commentaries and sermon tapes – I frequently have 15 pages of notes. Then I follow the principle of parsimony i.e., using the least amount words to say the most. I limit my manuscript to 5 pages to stay within 30 minutes. I write down every word I am going to say. I rehearse each page five times aloud. I often tape myself as I rehearse and then play the tape for myself, listening through the ears of my audience. I am constantly editing the manuscript and making changes throughout this process to make improvements. Sometimes I get stuck and I have to walk and think. I like to walk in the cemetery near our church. Getting out, changing the scene, and moving around while I’m rehearsing seems to help me. I often pray “God help me. I’m stuck. Don’t let me spin my wheels. Speak to me. Insert thoughts and images into my mind. Give me insight. I am preparing to preach for your people. It’s important. I feel so urgent about it. Please help me!” And God answers my prayers. After I finish editing the five page manuscript I highlight all my scripture references and major points for Rob Durst, our AV man. I prepare power point slides with appealing background images. Then I email my manuscript and power point to Rob. He makes multiple copies of my sermon manuscript – some for people who work in the AV room and the other copies go to our international students who have some difficulty with English. I clip my manuscript in the Bible so that I can walk around while I deliver the message. I underline key words in my manuscript so that I can glance at it and know where I am at as I move through the manuscript. In addition to this, I meet with Matt Hayes our worship leader. The exchange with Matt is always energizing. We pray, review and evaluate the previous Sunday, and plan for the upcoming service. Matt is great to work with. He thinks in songs and I think in sermons. We work together and I love it. After our meeting Matt plans the praise and worship with the Praise Team. They do an excellent job leading worship. On Sunday morning I isolate myself away from all distraction. I want to be alone so that I can rehearse and pray. Sometimes I have to prepare props and run copies of the manuscript but most of the time is spent alone. I isolate myself in the Spirit of Jesus who frequently spent time alone before he ministered. Then, when the congregation begins to arrive before Bible Class I usually stand at the door and greet people. This helps me greatly because it makes me feel connected to the people I will be speaking to. If I feel unsure about my sermon I continue to rehearse and pray over it during Bible Class time. I struggle with this because I want to always be in class but sometimes I feel compelled to spend the final 45 minutes rehearsing and praying over my manuscript because I want to do my best for Jesus. After Bible Class I mingle and greet people warmly. I walk around from section to section and try to greet as many people as I can. Again, this connects me to the people. This process of being alone with God and being with people makes me feel connected to both. I am always nervous before each sermon but it’s a good kind of “nervous.” It’s not the kind that immobilizes me. It’s the kind that energizes me. I am nervous before I preach because I am keenly aware of how important my role is. It is an awesome responsibility and I want it to please God and encourage people to live for Jesus Christ. In the end I have four goals for each sermon. First, I want to be accurate – to interpret the Bible and proclaim God’s word accurately. Second, I want to be clear – to help people understand God’s word. I want my lessons to be simple, clear and concise. Third, I want to be practical – to show people how to apply God’s word in daily living. Fourth, most of all, I want to please Christ– to walk away from the pulpit knowing that I did my best for Jesus. To think that if Jesus was physically present in the audience he may have said “Amen.” This is how I prepare for sermons. This may not work for others. I sort of envy preachers who can speak extemporaneously and don’t have to spend this much time preparing. Some people have told me that I need to trust God more and allow the Spirit to work. But for me, I believe the Spirit works better when I have done my homework. I enjoy the process of sermon preparation. It is hard work but I like it. Plus, I believe it follows the directives Paul gave Timothy. 1 Timothy 4.13-16 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Speaking at Cabell Huntington Hospital

This evening I will be speaking for employees and volunteers at Cabell Huntington Hospital. My presentation is entitled Coping with Holiday Depression. I pray that I do a good job and people are encouraged.

The Benefits of Getting Caught (My Story on Realaudio)

You can listen to my story on realaudio at http://www.rhchurch.org/audio.php. The title is The Benefits of Getting Caught - Grace through the eyes of a recovering alcoholic. The date of the sermon is 11/16/05 at the Richland Hills Church in Fort Worth Texas.

34,000 Feet High

I am in an airplane flying back home from Texas. I am 34,000 feet high. I can see miles and miles. It’s big. It’s beautiful. I’m taking it in. God is awesome! I’ve always been fascinated with airplanes. When I was a little boy I loved to watch airplanes fly across the sky. I could only see part of the sky because I grew up between two hills in West Virginia. But I remember how I laid down in the leaves and watch little shiny dots leave a jet stream across the sky. I could hardly stop watching. Now I’m in a little shiny dot and some little boy is watching and dreaming below. I love to fly in airplanes but I want more. I look forward to being able to fly myself. Elijah did it in a chariot of fire. But I want to fly like Jesus. He just took off while people watched in amazement. How high did Jesus go? I don’t know but one day I want to fly like him and I will go higher than 34,000 feet.

From Richland Hills in Fort Worth Texas

I spoke at Richland Hills tonight. The church is huge! I enjoyed spending time with Rick Atchley - eating dinner and visiting. It was wonderful being with him. I have admired him for a long time. I thank God for the opportunity to speak tonight. The people were responsive and I am happy with my sermon. It's the largest audience I've ever spoken to. You can hear me speak on "The Benefits of Getting Caught" on Realaudio at http://www.rhchurch.org/audio.php. The date of my sermon was 11/16/05.

Headed to Fort Worth Texas

I will be speaking at the Richland Hills Church in Fort Worth Texas tomorrow. I am going to tell my story. I pray that Jesus will be pleased and people will be encouraged.

My Sinful Nature and the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5.16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature . Nothing good lives in me i.e., my sinful nature. All it knows how to do is sin. It’s a law at work in my body. It attracts sin like a magnet. I don’t want to sin but I do. Even when I try to do good sin trips me up. My sinful nature is wretched. It cannot be tamed. It cannot be converted. It must die. I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live. Christ lives in me by his Spirit. The Holy Spirit moves us to follow God's decrees and to be careful to keep his laws. When I live by the Spirit I do not gratify my sinful desires. The Spirit moves me, prompts me, comforts me, enlightens me, strengthens me, and santifies me. He does all these good things for me. His purpose is to glorify Jesus. He does this by gradually transforming my mind and behavior so that I look like Jesus. When I sin I am living by my own nature but when I do good it is not really me doing it, its Christ living in me. There are periods of time when I keep in step with the Spirit. During these times I don't feel the urge to sin. I love it when it happens. There are also periods of time when I feel strong urges to sin. When this happens I pray God will help me to die to myself so that Jesus can live in me.

The Promises

The following is taken from pages 83 and 84 of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous - or what is commonly referred to as - "The Big Book". These are known as "The Promises" and they fill my heart with hope that God will continue to bless me as I follow Jesus. The Promises are usually read before every AA meeting. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

My Name is Pride and I am a Cheater

I like this piece Beth Moore wrote about pride. My name is pride and I am a cheater. I cheat you out of your God-given destiny because you demand your own way. I cheat you out of contentment because you deserve better than this. I cheat you out of knowledge because you know it all. I cheat you out of peace because you are too full of me to forgive. I cheat you out of holiness because you refuse to admit it when you are wrong. I cheat you of genuine friendship because no body is ever going to know the real you. I cheat you out of love because real romance demands sacrifice. I cheat you out of greatness and heaven because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth. I cheat you out of God’s glory because I convince you to seek your own. My name is pride and I am a cheater! You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you. Untrue, I’m always looking to make a fool out of you. God has so much for you I admit, but don’t worry, if you stick with me you’ll never know. (Beth Moore)

Seven Point Buck

I found the deer I shot. He was a seven point buck.

How Would You Spend It?

The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Psalm 90.10 Time is a precious commodity. I believe it's more valuable than money. If you spend money you can make more but when you spend time it's gone for good. Ever said "I wish I could win the lottery?" Let's suppose you won $25,550, how would you spend it? How long would it last? It sounds like a lot of money but it isn't. It would not last long. If you live to age 70 you have 25,550 days. It sounds like a lot of time but it isn't. It doesn't last long. Much of it is spent doing little things. The average American will spend… • Six months sitting at stoplights • Eight months opening junk mail • One year looking for misplaced objects • 2 years unsuccessfully returning phone calls • 4 years doing housework • 5 years waiting in line • 6 years eating (survey of 6000 people polled in 1988, U.S. News and World Report, Jan. 30, 1989, p. 81) I will be 43 this month. If the Lord lets me live to age 70 I only have 9,855 days left to spend. It goes fast. I'm trying to make it count. My goal is to spend it serving Jesus, my family and other people (and I want spend some of it hunting deer). How would you spend it?

Night Owl

I’ve always been a night owl. I suppose it has to do with my circadian rhythms. My light naturally burns bright at night. I work in the mornings and afternoons. But I do my best work at night. The house is so quiet. All I can hear is a fan. Kim and the girls are fast asleep. I’ve been studying two subjects: Multimodal Psychotherapy and The Life of David. Weird combination but my attention is captured by both. I’m preparing for Thursday’s lecture at Marshall and Sunday’s sermon at church. When do you function best?

Wherever You Are Be All There

Matthew 6.34 Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.(The Message) Don’t worry about the future. Don’t live in past regrets. Live now for that’s all you can do. Now is all you have. You can’t live two seconds beyond now so be fully present wherever you are. When you are working don’t wish you were somewhere else - work. When you are playing a game with your wife and kids don’t worry about your work – be emotionally available to your family. When you are in bed at night don’t worry the future or ruminate about the past – let your mind rest. Wherever you are be all there. Stop living so much of your life in the past and future. Live today. Experience it fully because today is all you have.

Wounded Deer

I shot a 6-point this afternoon. I used a rattle bag and grunt tube. He responded and came in close - just 25 yards away from my tree stand. I waited until he presented a good target. He had a big body and stood broadside. I felt good about the shot when my arrow hit him and I waited 40 minutes before I began to track him. He bled good for about 60 yards but stopped bleeding and I lost his trail. At the last drop of blood I got down on my knees and prayed for God to help me find him. I tried hard but I couldn't find him. I walked out of the woods feeling bad about it. I hate to leave a wounded deer in the woods. He was a beautiful animal.

A Prayer for Keely

Father, Please heal Keely. She fell and fractured both sides of her skull. She is so little and precious – take care of her as she is in ICU. Strengthen Geff and Bevin. Comfort them and give the assurance as Keely recovers. We will brag on you and tell everyone how you healed Keely. Do this and get glory out of healing her. We will praise you and thank you as she recovers fully. In Jesus name. Amen!

Nine Dreams for the Future

1. The dream that Jesus would be the star and the message and the true Lord of our church. And that the Church of Christ would be a description of whose we are and not a denominational designation or a sectarian category. 2. The dream that we would seek to use powerful and relevant ways to get the church out of the building and be disciples in the marketplace. That we would lift our eyes to the fields and see the lost and speak with compassion the instruction of the Lord to their hurt, confusion, and weariness. 3. The dream that we would be a people that would not ask “What can the church do for me?” But that we would be a people who serves a transcendent God and practices a costly discipleship. It’s the dream that we would serve from the strength of our spiritual gifts 4. The dream that we will have dynamic assemblies that hits people at a heart level and ushers them into the presence of God. 5. The dream that we will develop a loving intolerance for sectarian language that implies that God loves us alone. 6. The dream that we will find effective ways to use the spiritual muscle and the spiritual wisdom of our women. 7. The dream that we will never compromise the gospel of grace. That we will speak where the Bible speaks, and despite the temptation to do otherwise, to be silent where the Bible is silent. To shout where it shouts, to whisper where it whispers, and to allow liberty where God’s Word allows liberty 8. The dream that we will have dynamic ministries that addresses the needs of every age and ethnic group. That we would be all things to all people so that we might save some. 9. The dream that we will be known for our love, our grace, our knowledge of Scripture, our moral excellence and our uncompromising loyalty to the Lord Jesus. I’ve had these nine dreams with me for 17 years. Where did they come from? I heard Ken Durham speak on the power of dreaming at the Nashville Jubilee in 1989. His message encouraged me. I bought his tape and transcribed his dreams. Since then I have changed and modified and added my own words.

Bats in the Cemetery

I often visit the cemetery near our church building. I go there to study and pray and rehearse my sermons. One evening I was rehearsing a sermon called Fear Factor. My sermon manuscripts are five pages long and I rehearse each page aloud five times. That evening I was concentrating on my sermon and didn’t notice how late it was until it was almost too dark to read my manuscript. I looked up and saw several bats swooping around my head. I found myself ducking and weaving, fearing the bats were going to fly into me. Then it occurred to me – I’ve been practicing this sermon on fear but I was afraid of those silly bats. So I stood up straight and tall and said out loud, “In the name of Jesus Christ I refuse to allow these bats to ruin my time with God!” I immediately felt confident and walked on, preaching my sermon aloud from memory. It may seem insignificant or silly to others but this little experience taught me some important lessons. Fear can make you walk funny. Fear steals your confidence and is very distracting. It’s hard to concentrate when you are afraid – even if it’s something as insignificant as bats. But when you call on the name of Jesus he gives you courage immediately. Faith overcomes fear. If you practice this in the little things it prepares your for the big challenges.