Allen and Jeanie are headed for the 2009 NEXT Saddleback Conference in Cinci

This weekend Allen & Jeanie Meadows are attending The NEXT Saddleback Small Groups Conference at the Vineyard Church in Cincinnati, OH. Karen McClanahan and Debbie Starkey will be driving up on Friday night for the session on Small Group Leaders Saturday. They will be learning from the best small group trainers in the country. Below is the conference synopsis.

This small groups conference is focused on connecting people to Jesus and each other. The conference is designed help lead our church to a deeper level of fellowship with God and people. Allen, Jeanie, Karen and Debbie will hear presentations and workshops like ...

· Learning how God helped us get 100% of our Sunday morning attendance connected in small groups

· Learning from prominent Christian leaders like Erwin McManus and Joseph Garlington who will be presenting live at the conference.

· Interacting with a team of effective leaders/trainers of small group ministries in one of 60 workshops for churches of all types and sizes

· Small Group Saturday - a special mini-conference just for small group leaders

Sounds exciting! We appreciate Allen, Jeanie, Karen and Debbie for attending the conference. They plan to be back Sunday. Say a prayer for them - pray for travel mercies, much learning and be sure to pray that we can incorporate the what they learn into our small groups. Jeff

Mike Shepherd's Turkey 2009

Yesterday a good buddy and I went Turkey Hunting. We hopped on his 4-wheeler about 5:30am. It was a perfect morning. We walked up the creek and separated. Just before day break Mike hit his call one time. About 10 minutes later he started calling and it wasn't long before a gobbler responded. He must have been about 200 yards away. Mike hit his call just right and he responded again and again. Then Mike stopped and everything got real quiet. Pretty soon I saw three turkeys coming right at Mike. Two hens and a gobbler. That old gobbler jumped up on a log 25 yards from Mike and BOOM! Mike took him in one shot. Now, if you knew my friend Mike, you'd understand. He's a marksman - a national champion at nationwide shooting matches - he typically scores in the top 5 shooters in international matches - no kidding! Shooters come from all over the world and he competes against them and wins. So, when that old goobler jumped up on that log he had no idea who he was facing. Mike shot him and I saw it all. We laughed, did a fist bump and back pats, we took pictures and a nice video. Mike's going to give the turkey breast to a neighbor and it will be good eaten. It was an exciting hunt.

Listen like Jesus (a six day challenge)

The sign read “You ain’t learning nothin’ when you’re doing all the talkin’.” It reminded me of two Bible verses. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Everybody knows that one. But my favorite verse on listening is less famous. It is tucked away in the OT book of Proverbs. Solomon wrote “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude (Prov. 18:13 The Message). I love that verse but I often violate it. How about you? Let’s try something new – OK? For the next six days (from now till Sunday) let’s try to listen like Jesus. When someone asks you a question don’t be so quick to give a pat answer. Avoid monologue – go for dialogue. Seek first to understand, before you’re understood. Answer questions with opened-ended questions. That’s Jesus’ style. Don’t merely listen with your ears. Listen with your heart. Listen with your eyes. That’s the key. William Glasser found that 70% of what people communicate is through body language, 23% through tone of voice and only 7% through words. If you’re not listening with your eyes you are missing most of what’s being said. Be eager to listen. Speak less. Ask good questions then be quiet and listen like Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see what Jesus sees and hear what Jesus hears. Give away attention. Everybody’s craving it because few people are giving it. It cost you nothing but it means everything. Try it for the next six days and you’ll be amazed at how many hurting people God sends your way.

Be an inviter

Andrew was always bringing people to Jesus. Check out three frequently overlooked passages and see if you can spot what I’m talking about. The first passage is John 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah." 42 And he brought him to Jesus. The second passage is John 6:8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" And the third passage is John 12:20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Andrew brought Peter, a little boy and some Greeks to Jesus. That’s all it takes. Just find a friend and bring them to Jesus this Sunday. It’s friend day. It’s Easter. They will come if you ask them. Just say “Will you be my friend this Sunday.” Be like Andrew. Be an inviter.

You are his masterpiece.

If you've been a Christian for a while you probably know Eph. 2:8-10 which explains that we are saved by grace not works. Your good works are the result of your salvation, not the basis. You are familiar with that passage. You've read it, heard it - you may have memorized it. But there is a word that jumped out of verse 10 this morning. It made me smile. "Workmanship". Did you know that the word "workmanship" actually means "masterpiece"? In fact the NLT translates verse 10 "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Now that's amazing. You and me? God's masterpiece? That's right! God displays the beauty of his creation everyday but his greatest piece of work is you. You are God's crowing achievement in creation. You are God's masterpiece. The next time you get down on yourself think about that. The way you view yourself is very different than the way God views you. He loves you. You are his masterpiece.

How to make friends

Quartet from NACC Praise Team Wins Recording Opportunity

Matt and the NACC Praise Team are amazing. Every Sunday they lead our church family in praise and worship. They are the best! Today Matt received an exciting letter from Acapella Ministries and I pasted it below. Matt, Keri, Teresa and Kevin responded to a request from Acappella Ministries to record a song and sent it in. Quartets from all over the country sent recordings in but only a few were selected to work on this recording project. Read the letter below and the next time you see our praise team congratulate them. __________________________________________ Dear, Norway Avenue Praise Team. Thank you for your audition for the next Praise & Harmony recording session, June 30th & July 1st. Your overall group has been given a rating of “A”. We are happy to inform you that your quartet has been accepted for this project. Thank you so much for the work and time you put into your audition. Your rating allows you the status to apply for future Praise & Harmony recordings without further auditions. In April, you will be able to download the music and details needed for your preparations. Please pray that this project may equip Christians and glorify our Lord! Keep Pressing On! John J. Bynum Project Coordinator Acappella Ministries 708 Loretta Dr. Goodlettsville, TN. 37072 (580) 399-4758

Invite Children to Our Easter Egg Hunt

Invite the kids in your neighborhood to our easter egg hunt (April 12). They are sure to learn about Jesus and have fun with our children. There are many parents and children in our area that are looking for a church home. Easter is a great day to invite your family and friends. If they have children make sure to invite them to the 9:30am Bible class and 10:30am easter egg hunt. While the children are learning about Jesus downstairs the adults and teens will be worshiping upstairs. Easter is the biggest day of the year for churches. It is a time of celbration and thanksgiving for the resurrection of Christ. Make sure to invite and bring your family and friends and if they have children, tell them about the exciting easter egg hunt. It's going to be a great day!

Dancing with Shayna (Dads and Daughters)

I cherish this picture of Shayna dancing with me. There's something special the relationship between dads and daughters. I have three daughters and I love being their dad! The Lord turns the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6). My heart is full of my children. I love them so much. It's the little-every-day-things. Last night, when I returned from NC, Tori and I laughed together as we played tennis on Wii (she always beats me because she is a pro - a 2000+ player). Then when I picked up Amber from her new job at D.Q. - well, it's hard to describe what I felt. I was parked in a place where I could see her working - I prayed for her and then came memories and flashbacks of when she and her sisters were little girls running around my feet. They are growing so fast and I love each stage. I am excited to see what God does with my daughters. The Lord has good things in store for them and I pray for them daily. I love being their dad.

Age and Gender Distributions of Evangelical Churches

Check out this great website http://religions.pewforum.org/portraits which contains statistical portraits of various religious groups in the U.S. This morning Jeanie Meadows (my sister/secretary) counted the people in our church directory and we compared it to the national average. Our numbers are similar to the pie chart above.

I became interested in learning about the current demographics of our church because I am currently preaching through Joshua and I'm in chapters 13-14 where Joshua takes on a new role (from soldier to administrator) and Caleb takes on the giants in Hebron. We know Caleb was 85. We don't Joshua's exact age but we know he was old because God told him in 13:1 "You are very old." When I read that it dawned on me that these two men were the only senior citizens in the entire nation of Israel. That led to memories of walking in some churches that were predominantly composed of younger people and others that were composed of an older generation. There are various reasons why old-young gravitate toward their own age group but I believe God's ideal is for their to be an intergenerational mix similar to families. I was very encouraged by the chart Jeanie put together. The age and gender distribution looks good to me and I believe it looks good to Jesus. We do, however, need to improve intergenerational relationships. I believe the best way to do that is by serving together. Not a program or a project or a new church ministry. It needs to happen naturally. A great example is the friendship between Robin and Ms. Martha. Two generations - great friends. I pray God will repeatedly create those types of friendships in our church family so his love will flow from generation to generation.

Evangelism Jesus' Style is Simple and Easy

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. When you serve other people, especially the less fortunate, you are planting seed like Jesus. Peter said in Acts 10:38 that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and ... he went around doing good". That's Jesus' style of evangelism. He went around doing good. We make it too hard. We seem to think we are not evangelizing unless we're in some deep theological discussion about the meaning of life. There may be times when that happens but more often than not the most effective evangelism occurs when you are doing simple little things like shoveling snow off your neighbors driveway or fixing a peanut butter sandwiches for neighborhood kids or picking up mail for the widow next door. Somebody asked, "Does that really count? I mean, is that 'real' evangelism?" You bet it is - the best kind. Jesus' style is simple and easy. Just go around doing good things for people and God will make it grow.

Serve like Jesus

Your life has purpose and meaning, but you will never discover it in isolation from others. The meaning you assign your life largely depends on your willingness to serve, love, and work with other people. Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth. Do you remeber what Jesus said after he had washed his disciples feet? John 13:12 When [Jesus] had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Huntington WV (Beth Moore and Gary Smalley) Focus on Marriage Simulcast

When your marriage is satisfying and stable everything looks different i.e. your problems and pressures seem manageable. But when your marriage is not satisfying and unstable it makes everything look worse. Your problems and pressures seem overwhelming. The quality of your marriage affects every area of life. Couples who are happily married tend to enjoy life and cope with problems better than unhappy couples. That's why we have to take time to nurture our relationship with our mate. As I write these words I feel convicted because I spend so much time working. I’ll bet you feel the same way. You are busier than me. We're all busy. But there comes a time when we need to stop working and focus on marriage. This weekend you have an opportunity to do just that. Come to Norway Ave Church of Christ this Saturday morning at 9am for the Focus on Marriage Simulcast. You will worship God and learn from his word and meet couples from nearly every church in the Tristate area. You will be inspired by great speakers like Beth Moore, Gary Smalley and John Trent and many others. Most important, the Lord Jesus Christ will be at the center of it all. You see, Jesus is the key to enriching your marriage. The closer you get to Jesus the closer you'll be to each other. So come to the Focus on Marriage Simulcast this Saturday (Feb 28). Our church is easy to find. Just click on this link for directions http://norwayave.org/findus.html or email Jeanie Meadows at secretary@norwayave.org or call 304-525-0095. See you Saturday.

Focus on Marriage Simulcast at Norway Ave (Beth Moore and Gary Smalley Live)

Come to Norway Ave Church of Christ on Saturday February 28, 2009 for the Focus on Marriage Simulcast. That's right! You will be blessed as by the the worship and praise led by Jeremy Camp and you we learn how God wants to bless your marriage from some well-known speakers. Live via satellite, you will hear Beth Moore, Gary Smalley, John Trent, Gary Thomas and Del Tackett. Tickets on sale now. Child care will be available. Contact the church office (304-525-3302) for more info or visit the church website at http://norwayave.org/.

All of our ministries at Norway Ave are built around the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross is at the center of everything we do. It's all about being transformed from the inside-out - not by will-power and self determination, but by the Holy Spirit. All of our ministries - benevolence, buildings and grounds, children's ministry, education, evangelism, small groups, fellowship, Sonshiners, youth ministry, technology, women's ministry and worship - it is all focused on the cross of Jesus Christ. The vertical beam represents our love for God and the horizontal beam represents our love for each other.

I am writing from Dallas where I attended a great conference called Innovation3 . Over 100 innovative church leaders spoke at the conference which was held at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. Some of the leaders that spoke were Brian Tome (Crossroads Church - where my friend Phil Richardson attends), Tim Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian Church), Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill), Nancy Ortberg (Teamworx2), Steve Robbins (Vineyard Church), Stacy Spencer (New Direction Christian Church) - just to name a few. The conference ended with a great talk by Matt Carter. Carter is the pastor of Austin Stone Community Church. Carter planted that church with the help of worship leader Chris Tomlin (imagine that!) and it has grown to have a dynamic impact in Austin, TX. The conference was great - the speakers were fantastic, the bands were awesome and the worship and praise was amazing. This evening I began the process of transcribing my conference notes - most of the other pastors had their lap top at the conference but my battery is bad so I had to use pen and paper. The content of the presentations was so good I couldn't write fast enough. When I finish transcribing I plan to share what I've learned with our ministry leaders at Norway - I may also post them on this blog. My plane leaves DFW early and arrives around 1pm in Columbus. After teaching a 6-9pm class at Marshall I'll be home. I look forward to seeing Kim and the girls.

From Glades Springs Resort

I spoke at the State of WV Probation Officer's Conference at Glade Springs Resort near Beckley. The resort is big and beautiful - there is snow on the ground. The title of my presentation was "Effective Strategies for Highly Stressed Probation Officers." The room was packed and the the PO's responded with interested and enthusiasm. I really enjoyed speaking - I used principles from CBT the audience was engaging and participated. I also played my guitar - I opened with Grandma's Feather Bed by John Denver and closed with a song I wrote - Home Six Mile. Two of the PO's were from Madison and they said that a bar in Madison WV plays my music in their juke box - the especially liked "1981" and "Home Six Mile."

From Dallas Texas - My presentation at the Association for Assessment in Counseling and Education (AACE)

I am writing from my hotel in Dallas. I just finished speaking at the AACE National Assessment Conference and I am excited! I thank God for the opportunity and the way people responded to my research. The title of my presentation was "Using ENRICH to assess the marital satisfaction of interethnic couples". The first part of my presentation focused on the the instrument itself (e.g., it's content, it's psychometric properties, etc.) and the second part focused on the results of my research. The response amazed me! I thank God! People did not want to leave the room. I told them we had to go because the next presentation was about to begin. They came to me, ask for copies of my study. The AACE president Dr. Richard Balkin and another AACE leader walked me down the hall, talking the entire time - they asked me to speak at next year's conference in Virginia Beach and recruited me to serve in a leadership position. I am not sure what it involves but they way they described it sounded really great. If I understood them correctly - they asked me to consult and advise and colaborated with other profs in AACE as they create standards for clinical assessement and standards for training graduate programs. These men serve important roles in the counseling profession and influence the profession at a national level. The president of AACE is a prof at Texas A&M-Commerse - I do not remember which university the other man was from but he talked about how they work at a national level (e.g. NBCC). Anyway, I know God opened this door for me and I thank him for it. And now, I can't wait to get home to see Kim and the girls.

From Mackinac Island in Michigan

I am writing from the beautiful historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Isaland in Michigan. Today I spoke at a state-wide convention for the Michigan Association of Healthcare Advocates (MAHA). My presentation was titled "Serving Others is What Life is all About". It was a mixture of CBT principles spiced up motivation, inspirational stories, lots of jokes and, of course, music. I always bring my guitar to these speaking engagements to sing and play. Music brightens up the audience and creates a climate for learning. The people received my presentation very well and I am happy! I'm grateful to Mary Lou McFadden (VP of Education for MAHA) for inviting me. My good friend Pat Chambers invited me to speak in Charlotte NC and Williamsburg VA. Mary Lou was at both conventions, heard me speak and that's how she came to invite me. Pat opened a great door for me which has resulted in numerous speaking engagements and I am so thankful for Pat. I thank God for the opportunity to speak here. It is a great privilege and I never take opportunities like this for granted. I thank God for being with me as I speak. I always put in a good word for Jesus, share my story and encourage people. They laughed, cried, bought all my music CDs. I sold out and people were standing in line expressing disappointment that I didn't have more. I gave them my website and instructions on how to download my music on itunes. The island is amazing. As beautiful as the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs in WV but I believe this setting tops it. Out my window is a beautiful lawn, a large blue pool, a view of the great lakes, horses, buggies, lots of people - it's a self-sustained island of hotels, bed and breakfast inns, shops and historical buildings. No cars are allowed - only horses and bikes. I saw a beautiful stone church (congregationalists) on the way up the hill that was built in 1900. I wish Kim and the girls were hear. I miss them now and look forward to seeing them Wednesday at church when I return. For now I will continue to study through the night and try to make good use of this peaceful and quiet (and very expensive) hotel room before I catch my 11:10am flight back home.

From New York City

Kim, Amber, Tori, Shayna and I are in New York City on Vacation. We have had a blast! We stead in a Ramada just a few blocks away from the Empire State Building, which we visited at night to see the beautiful lights of the city. We took the ferry, saw the Statue of Liberty, went to China Town, Grand Central Station, two museums, art gallaries, St Peter's Cathedral, Central Park, Time Square, Yankee Stadium, Ground 0 where the Twin Towers collapsed, the Rockefeller Center, walked down Wall Street, walked through Tiffany's, and shopped in Macy's and much, much more! It has been fantastic and Kim, the girls and I have had a wonderfulful time - it's a vacation we will always remember. And it's not over because tomorrow we are going to an Dorney Amusement and Water Park in Allen Town PN - it has about a lot of big rollercoasters and water slides.

From Pepperdine University in Malibu California

I have had a wonderful week at Pepperdine University in beautiful Malibu California. I taught a class called "Wonderful Counselor: Chirst-Centered Cognitive Behavior (CBT) Training for Church Leaders. I have renewed friendships and had great visits with lots of people like Rick Atchley, Chris Siedman, Buddy Bell, Craig Kelly, David Martin and Lynn Anderson gave me a great big holy kiss. I'm looking forward to going home. I miss Kim and the girls.

From Williamsburg

I'm writting from Williamsburg VA. Pat Chambers invited me to speak for the SDVSHO Conference Pat is the president over the district which includes 13 states. I went to dinner at a very nice resturant with Pat and her friends tonight and I speak two times tomorrow. The hotel is beautiful and surrounded by history. The 301-acre Historic Area, with 88 original 18th-century buildings and more than 500 structures re-creating the colonial capital of Virginia, which is a brief stroll from the Lodge front entrance. I am grateful to Pat for the opportunity to speak. The people at these conferences are wonderful and I enjoy being with them. I pray I do a good job speaking.

1981 (Scott High 25th Year High School Reunion)

I wrote this song for my 25th year high school reunion. I graduated from Scott High School in Madison (Boone County) WV in 1981. I hope you like the song.

From Columbia SC

I'm in Columbia SC. I just finished speaking at the President's Summit for South Carolina's Hospital Auxilary. My presentation was a mixture of CBT, stories, jokes, and music. I really enjoyed it but I'm tired and ready to be home. My connection is Philadelphia which puts me in Charleston at 11pm and home late but it was worth it. They responded well to my presentation and my music. My music CD is now in SC! I have one more speaking engagement this month in Waverly Ohio. Next month I will be in Virginia. I will be in Malibu CA in May and at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan in June. I thank God for the opportunity to speak to a variety of people and audiences.

Six Point Buck (Deer #7)

The Lord gave me success this deer season. Jacob used these words to decieve his father in Genesis 27:20 Isaac asked his son Jacob, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" "The LORD your God gave me success," he replied. Jacob lied. He wasn't serving wild game. He was serving a young goat taken from his father's flock. His mother prepared it and dressed him up so that he felt like and smelled like his brother. Jacob decieved his poor old feeble blind father. But his statement "God gave me success" is meaningful. Isaac did not balk at that statement because God can give a hunter success. God gave me success this season. The Lord gave seven deer and the last deer was a six point buck. My freezer is full and I'm eating deer meat (not goat) almost every day. It's really good. There is something special about eating the meat you hunted and killed. After every kill and before every meal I said a prayer of thanksgiving. It was a great season. I didn't get the monster I was hunting but I got a good buck. I'm tagged out and my season is over.

My Songs on Ourstage.com

Listen to my new CD at - http://www.ourstage.com/entry/UZWYDYTSTDMZ-home-six-mile-upload.

I've killed 6 deer this season

I've killed 6 deer this season. I killed four in WV and two in Ohio. My freezer is full! I'm sharing the meat with some friends. I have one more month to bow hunt in Ohio. For three years I've been hunting a buck that is larger than the one in the picture above. He's a huge monster and I pray I get him in January. At this time I'm sitting in a ski lodge at Seven Springs early this morning and I am thinking about the recreation that I am enjoying with my family and the deer hunting that I have enjoyed this past fall - my heart is filled with gratitude. Thank you Lord!

From Seven Springs Ski Resort (PN)

We are skiing Seven Springs. Carl and Sharon (Kim's parents) gave the girls a ski trip for Christmas! They are so generous. The girl's cousins Ally, Emma and Dillon are here and the girls always have a great time with their cousins. Carl just took Darren to Pittsburgh and is on his way back to Seven Springs. Pray for Darren, he's headed for Germany because he was deployed by the US military. Sharon, Kim, the girls and their cousins are asleep and I woke up at 6:30am and it snowed 15 inches last night and it's still coming down! Ski conditions are going to be great today and 7 Springs has night skiing so we can ski till 9:30pm. Last night Shayna had a little trouble on one of the slopes but it was so funny that we all stood at ski lift and laughed till it hurt. It was so much fun!

Preparing for 2 Corinthians

I am preparing for my next series in 2 Corinthians around the theme "Maintaining Healthy Relationships." My teachers are Scott Hafeman (2 Cor. - NIV Application Commentary), Kent Hughes (2 Cor. - Power in Weakness), John MacArthur (The MacArthur NT Comentary 2 Cor), Aida Spencer (Daily Bible Commentary: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer), Charles Hodge (Commentary on 2 Cor - this commentary belonged - I love to read it because I can see the parts that dad highlighted and underlined) Ray Stedman (Exposition of 2 Cor: Power Out of Weakness) and John Piper (who has several online manuscripts on 2 Cor). I just recieved my commentaries in the mail today. It's like opening up boxes of candy. It's exciting for me. I have been reading and re-reading 2 Corinthians and now I get to enroll in six courses on 2 Corinthians. Jesus and his Spirit will feed me with the text, the profs will help me go deeper, and through prayer and refection and meditation and living and talking and getting stuck and unstuck - I will fill myself up with the word of God so that I can preach. I have to live with it first. I learn far more than I ever share. I learn from the best teachers (that I know) and when I'm full, I can preach Jesus with passion. But I cannot feed others until I am fed. I love what I do! I love to study God's word, Lord help me apply it to my own life first. I love to prepare to preach - to wrestle with the sermon manuscripts and the presentation. I love searching for illustrations and stories. I talk to others, learn from everyday events, search for multimedia on ignitor video and blue fish. Jeanie helps me so much with this whole process. So, I'm excited now and ready to begin my preparation. I've taught 2 Corinthians in Bible classes, but I've never preached through 2 Corinthians. God help me preach Jesus and bless me and the church as we learn from this series of teachings. Help me make it encouraging and uplifting and simple and practical and clear and strengthen our faith in Jesus so that we can build and maintain healthy relationships.

The New Earth

How could I have missed it? As many times as I have read passages about a new heaven and a new earth - how could I have missed it? It's right in the middle of the song we sing every Christmas - "Joy to the World". Remember the phrase - No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found. Jesus not only redeemed humanity by the cross, he will one day reclaim the earth. Isaiah, Peter and John spoke of a new heaven and a new earth. They were talking about this old earth being made new. That's right! The earth you're sitting on will one day be reconciled to Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks of the renewal of all things (Matthew 19:28), the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21), the liberation of creation (Romans 8:21), and the reconciliation of all things (Colossians 1:19). One day Jesus will make all things new. All things includes not only people, but the visible universe. The prophets were never concerned about some far-off immaterial realm where ghosts live. The prophets talked about the land, the inheritance, the city of Jerusalem, and the earth they walked on. This is where we will live because heaven and earth will be one.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is here. Kim, the girls and I are headed tO Jeanie's for Christmas Eve dinner. We will celebrate Christmas tonight and tomorrow here at our house and then it's off to Carl and Sharon's for another Christmas meal. We are so grateful for all of God's blessings, especially gift of his one and only Son Jesus Christ. God bless you and your family this holiday. Merry Christmas to all!

His Name is Wonderful (100 Biblical Names and Titles for Jesus)

Advocate (1 John 2:1) Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) Amen (Rev. 3:14) Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1) Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2) Author of Life (Acts 3:15) Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10) Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13) Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15) Bread of God (John 6:33) Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48) Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15) Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7) Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20) Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) Christ (1 John 2:22) Creator (John 1:3) Deliverer (Rom. 11:26) Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20) Gate (John 10:9) Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5) Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 3:14) First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13) Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5) Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15) Gate (John 10:9) God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.) Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14) Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23) Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2) High Priest (Heb. 2:17) Holy and True (Rev. 3:7) Holy One (Acts 3:14) Hope (1 Tim. 1:1) Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27) Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69) I Am (John 8:58) Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4) Immanuel (Mt. 1:23) Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17) King of Israel (John 1:49) King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11) King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16) King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3) Lamb (Rev. 13:8) Lamb of God (John 1:29) Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19) Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45) Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4) Light of the World (John 8:12) Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) Living One (Rev. 1:18) Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4) Lord (2 Pet. 2:20) Lord of All (Acts 10:36) Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8) Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48) Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15) Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16) Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9) Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13) Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2) Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3) Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7) Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6) Prophet (Acts 3:22) Rabbi (Mt. 26:25) Resurrection and Life (John 11:25) Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5) Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1) Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16) Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14) Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5) Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20) Son of David (Lk. 18:39) Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14) Son of Man (Mt. 8:20) Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32) Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9) The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11) True Bread (John 6:32) True Light (John 1:9) True Vine (John 15:1) Truth (John 1:14; 14:6) Way (John 14:6) Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Word (John 1:1) Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

Justification and Sanctification

Justification is God's saving action where he declares a sinner righteous by faith in Christ alone. Sanctification is the process of being made holy i.e., living out the righteousness that God has reckoned to our account. God imputes his own righteousness to you but he will never impute your own sin against you. Faith in Christ alone is the means of salvation. We are not saved because we keep laws, rules, and rituals. We are saved because we believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Then we are transformed into the image of Christ by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. By one sacrifice God has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The perfecting and being made holy are at the same time a finished and an ongoing work. By the blood of Jesus God has made us perfect forever and at the same time he's working to change our hearts and minds and behavior so that we look like his one perfect Son Jesus and reflect his glory. But your salvation does not depend on your behavior. You can grieve God by misbehaving and he will discipline you but you are still his child and a part of his body. Since you are in him you cannot be condemned and you will not be disowned - he can't disown himself. This security is great motivation to live like Jesus. Knowing your salvation rests on the cross does not make you want to sin, it makes you want to obey him because he loves you.

Heaven is tangible

Heaven is not a misty fog bank where ghost float around. The Bible says heaven has light, water, a rainbow, trees and fruit. Heaven contains animals like lions, lambs, and enough horses for the armies of heaven to ride. The capital city is the New Jerusalem. There will be music and instruments such as harps and trumpets (and I imagine every other type of instrument - I can't imagine spending eternity without a guitar. I want to learn to play like Jimi and Eddy and Stevie). Heaven as a tangible reality.

An impression without an expression leads to depression

An impression without an expression leads to depression. Buried feelings don’t die, they struggle for life and come forth in uglier ways. Where did men ever get the idea that it’s not masculine to express emotion? I love the passion of King David. Read the Psalms and see for yourself. David express exuberance, deep sorrow, grief, anger, wrath, bewilderment, fear, triumph, elation, ecstasy, sorrow, grief, hopelessness, and remorse. One time David cried so much that he drenched his couch in tears. Paul expressed joy, contentment, despair, healthy pride, and exhaustion. And Jesus expressed joy, peace, righteous indignation, heartache and in agony he cried tears with loud cries and prayers and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Men, the next time you try to hold it in and stuff it, remember David, Paul and Jesus. Don’t suppress it, express it.

My Friend Mike Shepherd

I met Mike Shepherd a couple of years ago. We hit it off great the first time we met. We started talking about Jesus and our friendship took off from there. I enjoy talking and spending time with Mike. He loves the Lord and his family. Mike just loves people and he is full of Jesus. He's got a shepherd's heart. He leads our Care Caller Ministry and always taking care of the flock. This year Mike invited me to hunt with him and Terry (his brother) and Stewart and Paul. I had a great time. His son Travis killed a nice eight point on another day. Mike is an amazing marksman. He shoots skeet professionally and wins huge tournaments competing against shooters from all over the world. No kidding! Some matches involve hundreds of shooters and Mike often wins. He's awesome! He averages 98/100. I cannot imagine shooting like he does. The first picture (above) is of Mike and the 13 point buck he killed this year. The second picture (below) is of Mike and his friends after a successful day of hunting pheasants. I thank God for Mike and I know we will be friends for the rest of our lives. Mike's going to take me rabbit hunting soon. I can't wait!

Our Small Group

We have a great small group. We meet every Sunday night at 6pm. Last Sunday we went to the Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe and ate a meal together. Karen (in the first pic) is our small group leader and she is doing a fantastic job leading our group. We had a great time last Sunday.

Deer #3

Sitting in a box blind at the edge of a field. It's dark. I load my rifle, a 30-30 Winchester which was a Christmas gift from my church. Smile. Pray. Check to make sure I have my sermon manuscript in my pocket - it's there. Still dark. Quiet. Sunrise. Life! Birds. Chip monks. Barking squirrels. A dozen noisy turkeys. I glass four does at two hundred yards. Waiting for a buck. More does - 15 deer grazing. No bucks. Waiting. Thermos. Coffee. Sermon. Rehearse silently. Whisper. Quoting Scripture. Memorizing. Underlining. Watching deer. No bucks - only does - all around. Waiting. Praying. Phone vibrates - text message from Darrell. Phone vibrates - phone call from Mike. Text message Kim. Watching. Only does. No bucks. Waiting. Memorize sermon. Repeating scripture over and over. Highlighting. No bucks. Only does. Eight hours later one doe bedded. 150 yards. Rifle. Rest. Aim. Breath. Exhale. Shoot. Kill. Death. Wait. Gather gear. Walk. Kneel. Pray. Thanksgiving. Field-dress. Drag. Drag. Drag. 3/4 mile drag. 2 1/2 hours later check-in station. 30 minutes later butcher. Steaks. Deer burger. Butterflied tenderloin. Jerky. Drive home. Rehearse sermon. Bed. Sleep. Dream of a big buck.

How to Stop Church Gossip

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing. Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing. Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house... walked home.. .and left it there all night!!! You gotta love Frank!

Podcasting Sermons from Norway Avenue Church of Christ

Rob Durst, our church's IT/AV man, told me that over 2,000 sermons have been downloaded from our podcast on itunes this year. When I heard that there 147 downloads last week I was so excited because the gospel of Jesus is being downloaded into 100s of computers - people I've never even met! It motivates me to know that we are planting the seed into the hearts of so many people. It stirs my heart and makes me want to pray and study and do my very best on my sermons for Jesus. Here is my prayer "God bless me and open my heart and mind and mouth so that I can proclaim your word faithfully. Use Jay and Jon and me to preach and teach others about Jesus. Make us fruitful and advance your kingdom through us. Use us. Amen!" I thank God for Rob Durst! He set up the podcast and takes care of all of our IT/AV needs and he does an excellent job! If you want to receive our podcast go to itunes and search "Norway Avenue Church of Christ Podcast" and click subscribe. It's free! The podcasts on itunes is an excellent resource. I download about 40 sermons every week. I listen to sermons from Chuck Swindol, Charles Stanley, Andy Stanley, Adrian Rogers, Ravi Zacherias, Jack Hayford, Joyce Myer, Rob Bell, Rick Atchley, and James McDonald and others. I don't have time to listen to every single sermon but I listen to a lot of them - I average about three or four sermons a day and it feeds my soul. I burn the rest on CDs and keep them for future reference. I keep a steady intake of God's word and it helps my walk with Jesus. I used to spend 100s of dollars ordering tapes and CDs but this is free! Try it!

More Deer for Dinner

First day of gun in WV, I shot an 8 point buck Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. but he got away. I lost is blood trail at 200 yards. I search for three and a half hours. Called my hunting buddy (Bob Mays Sr.) for help but we could not find him. I didn't knock him down with the bullet, so I think I grazed him. I hope he makes it. Monday evening I took another doe. Thank you Lord for meat! I have 8 more days of vacation for deer hunting. This morning I am hunting with my bow in Ohio.

Teaching at Marshall University

I am currently teaching three courses at Marshall University. This semester I am teaching counseling theories, counseling techniques and counseling with parents. Paul made tents - I teach school. It keeps me fresh and current. It keeps me in touch with people and the community outside the church. It's so rewarding! The faculty in the counseling department and the students are great. I believe I am doing exactly what God made me to do. I love to use my gifts of pastoring and leading for the church and I love teaching at Marshall. I thank God for the opportunities he's given me. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Deer for Dinner

I killed a doe last Saturday. She walked about 15 yards in front of my tree stand. I drew my bow and shot her. The arrow pierced her heart. She ran about 50 yards and dropped. I could see her laying on the ground from my stand. I waited 20 minutes, climbed down, and approached her. When I kill a deer I always kneel and say a prayer of thanksgiving. I thank God for the thrill of the hunt and the meat. Deer are graceful. Strong. Wild. Agile. Fast. Beautiful. After my prayer and thanksgiving ceremony I field dressed her. The meat is now in my freezer. I'm going to share the meat with Ralph Larue, one of my shepherds. Ralph had a heart attached two months ago. He had to change his diet to fish and chicken but he ask me for some deer meat because deer meat is so lean. So I'm going to give him some deer tenderloin, steak and hamburger. I love deer meat. Last year I killed four deer and ate deer meat throughout the year. I had just ran out of deer meat when I shot her. But now I have some to eat and some to share. Surprisingly, I haven't seen many deer this year. The drought, lack of mast, and the late rut has left me wondering where they are hiding. I hope God gives me more success as this season continues.

Speaking at Reynoldsburg Ohio

Kim, the girls and I were in Reynoldsburg Ohio this morning. Kim and I enjoyed Gloria Hardy's Sunday morning class. Gloria is great! On Wednesday nights she teaches Greek and on Sunday morning she is teaching through 1 Corinthians 11-14. Jay Collins baptized a young woman before Bible class began. Jay has a heart of gold and he is a wonderful shepherd. Dion Frazier is the minister at Reynoldsburg. Dion is a dynamic, full-of-Jesus preacher of the Gospel. Dion is also a fantastic worship leader and he led the service this morning. Everywhere we turned it was holy hugs and kisses. The people at the Reynoldsburg church are full of the love of Jesus. As I was preaching I could see the faces of the people we love - a beautiful sight! I talked about heaven and how wonderful it would be when we will all be together with Jesus. After service we had a great fellowship meal and visited with all our friends. The girls got to see many of their friends and spent the night with Alex Frankie. It was a great trip. We just put the girls to bed and they were filled with excitement because of our trip. We thank God for our friends in Reynoldsburg. The church website is http://www.reynoldsburgcoc.org/.

Creating Environments that Connect us with Jesus and People

Last year Jay Barrow told me about Andy Stanley's podcasts on leadership called "Practically Speaking" (http://www.practicallyspeaking.org/) - All seven podcasts are great and I've listened to them several times. One of the many things that Andy Stanley and his leadership team talked about was creating environments. Stanley had summarized every role and goal in his mega-church to one sentence and every description talked about creating environments. So, I've been thinking about this a lot. I've been praying that God will help me. During a conversation with Allen Meadows who leads our small group ministry, Allen was preparing for a small group leaders meeting. It was just a simple phone conversation and I don't know how it evolved but I know that God was in the conversation. We were trying to reduce our mission into a single sentence that captures what we believe Jesus wants us to accomplish in our small group ministry. Allen ALWAYS emphasizes Jesus. He even counts how many times "Jesus" (his name) is used in the Bible, in conversations with people, in sermons, in classes - I mean, he really wants Jesus to be the center of everything. And I do to. So, we are talking about this and Allen is emphasizing how the mission of small groups has to focus on connecting people to Jesus. He said it over and over - the purpose of our small groups has to focus on connecting people with Jesus (that's why I love talking to Allen!). Well, as we talked we decided this sentence captures what Jesus wants us to accomplish in our small groups: "our purpose is to create environments that connect us with Jesus and people." That's it! Eureka! Thank you Holy Spirit! That's exactly what Jesus wants us to do. And I am convinced that it applies to every ministry in our church. That summarizes our purpose. Now we have a mission statement (our purpose is to know him, follow him, share him, and worship him) and that's great. I will continue to repeat it and encourage others to let it inspire and give direction. It's painted on our walls. It's on every piece of literature that we produce from bulletins, to CD covers, to letters. It's a good mission statement because it focuses on Jesus. But this "new word", for me at least, captures it because it summarizes how we can accomplish the four points of our mission. It answers this question: How can we know him, follow him, share him, and worship him? By creating environments that connect us with Jesus and people. Even more, it answers the deeper question that I've been struggling with every since Jay challenged me. The deeper question is: What problem are we trying to solve? That question lodged in by brain. I had no answer other than scattered ideas, all of them OK, but scattered ideas that left me feeling like I was trying to do everything at once and nothing well. So, I have wrestled with that question: "What problem are we trying to solve?" for months. It's a great question. If you were able to ask the people in Nehemiah's day "What problem are you trying to solve?" the people would answer together with one voice "The walls are broken down and we are building a wall for God!" Today, if you ask anyone in AA (who has some time under their belt and knows the purpose of AA): "What problem are you trying to solve?" they will respond together with one voice: "Our primary purpose is the take the message of AA to alcoholics who still suffer." Now that sentence inspires me. That's it! That says it all! Or at least, it captures our primary purpose and what we are trying to accomplish. AA exists for alcoholics and the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. Underneath that statement lies all the richness of a relationship with God, the 12 Steps, the 12 Traditions, the Big Book, and the fellowship of AA. The point is this: we need to know what problem we are trying to solve. For me (and many others), the problem relates directly to our lack of connection with Jesus and people. By "connection" I mean "relationship". Connecting with Jesus means so many things to me: Worshiping. Loving. Repenting. Obeying. Learning. Changing. Engaging. Enjoying. Receiving. Giving. Praising. And on and on. Connecting with Jesus means we have a close, personal, dynamic relationship that puts Jesus at the center of everything in life. Not only on Sundays but every single day, hour and minute so that our entire life is a sacrifice of worship - so that everything we do is to the praise of his glorious grace! Connecting with people is similar to connecting with Jesus (excluding worship of course) because the connections we make with people is nothing more or less than Jesus connecting with people through us. Understand? We are channels for God's love. I love people but the love I have comes from God. God loves and connects with people through us (1 John 4:7-21). Jesus' love is so dynamic that we not only receive it we share it with other people. So, it's really not our love, it's the love of Jesus Christ and the Father. It's the love that the Holy Spirit has poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5). I will get back to "creating environments" in a minute but first I want to get this idea of connecting out of my head and into my computer. God's eternal purpose is so amazing! He chose us in Christ before creation! In love he predestined us to be adopted as sons and daughters. He did it to the praise of his glorious grace so that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace and love. God is working out his eternal plan according to the purpose of his will (read Ephesians). He loves us with a love that is beyond anything we can imagine. He has accomplished it all through his Son Jesus Christ who prayed that through the message of the gospel believers would be one so that the world would believe HIM! Jesus prayed "Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them" (John 17:21-26). That's what I mean my connecting. It's more than a word. It's God's eternal purpose. "Connecting with Jesus and people" means that we are one in Christ like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. Even more, I don't know how to say it other than how Jesus prayed: "I (Jesus) am in you (the Father) and you are in me and they (people) are in us because the Holy Spirit is in them." Now that is connection! It's a ONENESS that cannot be topped. It's a connection that cannot be stopped or disrupted because the power that keeps us connected is God's love that is so deep and high and wide and long and NOTHING can separate us from his love in Jesus Christ. Nothing in all creation can stop it! It's the most powerful force that exists. It's older than creation. God's plan is wrapped up in a man, Jesus Christ, who came to connect us and give us eternal life. The cross is the center and stands eternally as the ultimate demonstration of love. Now, back to "creating environments". Well, not yet. One more thing. The reason this grabs my heart is it's theological foundation. For me, it's not the latest fad. For me, it's like stepping into the flow of God's eternal purpose - the redemption and reconciliation of all things. I must admit that my interest peaks when I read leadership material, but deep in my heart I want something more than the principles of the world. Something more than "Seven Habits" or "Good to Great" or even the principles found in Christian literature (including Andy Stanley's podcast practically speaking). I'm not saying anything bad about these things - I like them and I see their value. I just want more! I want to know what God is doing right now. I want to join him and make it as simple as possible. Simplicity. It needs to be simple. Powerful, dynamic, God-driven simplicity without all the jargon. No esoteric language understood by only a few. God's message to the world is not helped with wise and persuasive words. God's message is simple and clear because it is revealed i.e., we can't figure it out with reason or logic. It is revealed. The Holy Spirit reveals it - he illuminates it and the cross of Jesus Christ stands at the center! God's ultimate demonstration of love - the climax of everything meaningful is focused on the cross of Jesus Christ by which God connects with us. That's why I want to keep it simple and I, like Paul, resolve to know nothing but the cross of Christ. That's my theology. That's my message because that summarizes everything God has to say. It's all about God loving us, saving us, and connecting with us. In response, we desire to connect with Jesus and all people. Now, back to "creating environments". I think of it like this. God was the first to create an environment. He created earth. Eden was the perfect environment for connecting with God and people but we messed everything up and we fell. The earth became so corrupt that he destroyed it with a flood, with the intention of re-creating another environment for Noah and his descendents. Then God called Abraham to leave his idol-worshiping country and move to an new environment which would be occupied by his descendents. Eventually, Israel occupied this new environment - the Promised Land, which was intended to be a "type" or a model of what God was planning to accomplish for everyone on planet earth by sending his Son Jesus. God made covenants, promises, and revealed his plans throughout history. Every covenant God made was focused on connecting with people, first with the Jews and then with us (Gentiles). We (Gentiles) can gain incredible insight into the importance of God's creativity by studying the Old Testament. For instance, the Sonshiners (the seniors at our church) and I spent several months studying Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus. We're taking a break through the winter because of weather but will pick up in Numbers and Deuteronomy in March. We've learned so much about God's creativity by studying the Old Testament, especially the book of Exodus. God's instructions for how to construct a tabernacle is amazingly detailed. It is so comprehensive and detailed that, at times, it left us scratching our heads in wonder. Why is this so important to God? Why did he choose the colors (e.g., gold, blue, purple, scarlet)? Why did he choose the fabric? Why did he choose the particular wood and metal? Why did he give the craftsmen special gifts to make it just like he wanted? Why did he prescribe the incense? Why did he give detailed instruction for so many different offerings and animal sacrifices? Why all the attention to diet and holidays? Why? Because he was creating an environment for people to connect with him and each other. Worship was central but it generalized to every aspect of life. Worship engaged all the senses; seeing, hearing, touching, and even tasting the fellowship offerings. And the beauty of the model does not compare with the glory of what John describes in Revelation - our eternal home. In the fullness of time God sent his Son Jesus. When Jesus saw how the religious leaders had ruined God's temple he drove them out with a whip. Twice! They had ruined the environment by turning it into a den of thieves. He accurately predicted it's destruction and pointed us to heaven. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us but before Jesus takes us to this perfect environment - our home in heaven - he made is home in our body. Jesus lives in me and you. The Holy Spirit leads us to others as the Father calls them. I've seen him work in AA meetings, restaurants, city streets, homes, hospitals, and jails. When I went to jail God set me free. Ironic? Not really. God shows up everywhere if you look for him. He's made his home in me and he wants me to create safe environments everywhere I go. I do it with a smile. I engage people, smile on them, brag on them, praise them, and when the Holy Spirit opens their heart I put in a good word for Jesus. It is just that simple. No matter where you go or where you are Jesus is with you. He wants to connect, not only with you, he especially wants to make his home in the hearts of those who do not know him. So create warm safe environments in small groups, homes, coffee shops, schools, AA meetings, hospitals, jails - wherever you go love people and keep it simple, easy to understand. Just go about doing good things for people and put Jesus Christ in the center and watch the Holy Spirit work. He will connect you with Jesus and people. Connecting. Loving. Healing. Encouraging. That's what Jesus wants us to do. Don't ruin the environment with a bad attitude or a critical spirit. Target pain. Pay attention to their hurt and meet their felt needs. Divorce. Depression. Anxiety. Addiction. Guilt. Grief. Find where they hurt and show them you care. Create the environment by being completely humble, patient, loving, and empathic - then, once they know you care and understand – asked Jesus to make the connection.

From Birmingham.- Sweet Home Alabama

I am in Birmingham Alabama. I spoke at a state conference for the volunteers of the Alabama Hospital Association. My presentation titles were "Getting What You Want and Wanting What You Get" and "Serving Others is What Life is all About". During my presentation I play my guitar and sing some of the songs that I have writen. At their request I also played Sweet Home Alabama. It has been a wonderful trip but I'm looking forward to going home to see Kim and our girls.

Today, by the Grace of God, I am 5 Years Sober

Today (October 19), by the grace of God, I have been sober five years. I thank the Lord Jesus for saving me for a life a self destruction. I could not stop drinking by using my own will power and self determination. I tried to get sober on my own many times. I threw my liquor in trash cans, poured it down the sink, busted bottles by the road side, made solemn vows and promises - but I always went back to it. I could not do it on my own. God did for me what I could not do for myself and I am so grateful. Thank you Lord! I am so grateful for Kim who stead by me. I am so thankful to have Kim and the girls. I am grateful for my family - mom, Jeanie and Allen, Susan and Bob, Carl and Sharon. I am grateful for my brother and sisters in the church and for my friends in AA. For my previous sponsor in Columbus John C, and my current sponsor Tom J. I am grateful most of all for Jesus and my heavenly Father. Today, I am sober! Lord, keep me sober - one day at a time.

Monster Buck

My brother-in-law Bob Mays killed this monster buck last December. It scored 161. He was hunting on Bruce Johnson's property. For years I hunting on land that Bob owned or leased but now Bob and his dad are making trips to Ohio to hunt with me because I live in deer country. I was happy for Bob when he killed this 12 point. Bob and his dad have hunted all over the United States and in places like Canada, Alaska and Africa. They have trophy rooms with awesome mounts of bear, mountain lions, elk, and white tail. This deer, however, was taken on Bruce’s property in Lawrence County Ohio and it is the second largest whitetail in their collection. It’s a great picture of Bob with his trophy. Last Saturday I stood at the place where Bob took him and remembered the excitement of that day. We appreciate Bruce and Janet for allowing us to hunt on their land. The Johnson's are a great family.

I Want to Be a Rock Star (Solomon, the OT Rock Star)

Solomon was an OT rock star. When I read Ecclesiastes 2 I think of the popular song by Nickelback "I Want to Be a Rock Star". Read the words and think about how similar it is to the story of Solomon. Yes, God was pleased when Solomon prayed for wisdom in 2 Chronicles 1, but in Ecclesiastes Solomon indulged in the pleasure of a playboy it's the same kind of story Chad Kroeger sings about today. I'm through with standin' in line To clubs I'll never get in It's like the bottom of the ninth And I'm never gonna win This life hasn't turned out Quite the way I want it to be (Tell me what you want) I want a brand new house On an episode of Cribs And a bathroom I can play baseball in And a king size tub big enough For ten plus me (Yea, So what you need) I need a credit card that's got no limit And a big black jet with a bedroom in it Gonna join the mile high club At thirty-seven thousand feet --(Been there done that)-- I want a new tour bus full of old guitars My own star on Hollywood Boulevard Somewhere between Cher and James Dean is fine for me (So how you gonna do it?) I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame I'd even cut my hair and change my name [CHORUS] 'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars and Live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap We'll all stay skinny as we just won't eat And we'll hang out in the coolest bars In the VIP with the movie stars Every good gold digger's Gonna wind up there Every Playboy bunny With her bleach blonde hair And well... Hey, hey, I wanna be a rockstar Hey, hey, I wanna be a rockstar I read this song in our Bible at church and compared it to Solomon. Ecclesiastes 2:1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." ... And what does pleasure accomplish?" 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. 4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. ... Solomon was a big rock star. He tried it all - wine, women, and wealth but he was never satisfied. Solomon said in 2:11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." ... 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. I don't want to be a rock star. I want to follow Jesus.

Church Camp Dance

We're at church camp and our theme for the week is "Step into the Ring." Dan Barlette of Russell Christian is my co-dean this year and next year he will take my place. Dan rented these big blowups and the kids played like the fought each other with big boxing gloves. All the Bible lessons are about fighting the enemy. Round one - "Who is the Enemy". Round two - "God is in our Corner." And so on. Lots of campers and lots of fun. I wrote a song for the talent show and I hope the kids like it. Shayna and her friends are going to dance beside me as I play my guitar. The lyrics are below.

Church Camp Dance

Up in the morning about 8 o’clock. We eat a good breakfast so we never have to stop. Then we all go to chapel and we have our God Time. When we praise the Lord Jesus everything is always fine. Then we go to class and we have our workshop. We’re going to fight the good fight and we’re never going to stop.

Chorus

Cause everybody’s going to step into the ring. Everybody’s going to shout and everybody’s going to sing. You may be surprised so I’ll tell you in advance. That everybody’s going to do the church camp dance.

We all love to play the sports and games. But cabin-cleanup is just a necessary thing. We eat a good lunch and we get our rest. But swimming in the pool is what we all love the best. Then we all go to crafts and to the canteen. It feels so good that everybody’s going to “scream!”

Chorus

Free time is fun and so are special events. Everybody plays and no one sits the bench. When the camp bell rings we all stand in line. Cause everybody’s hungry at supper time. Then Dan leads the worship and he leads it so well. That everybody stands up and gives a great big yell!

Chorus

It happens in the evening when the sun goes down. We build a camp fire and make a great big sound. Cause we worship the Lord with all our might. We praise him every day and we praise him every night. Then it’s back to the cabins, tomorrow we’ll do it again. And everybody at church camp shouts “Amen!”

My Old Man Needs to Die (My new song)

I just wrote an new song. I hope you like it. It's called my old man needs to die. It's my story i.e. the story of how God saved me from alcoholism.

My Old Man Needs to Die

When I was young I got baptized to wash away my sins. But I did not have a clue that my old man could swim. I’ve struggled with him everyday since I was a child. But in my teens, about 15, my old man went wild.

I took a hit and had a sip and brother it was on. I drank it from a bottle and I smoked it from a bong. Three years passed, I turned 18, I said “I got to quit”. It’s way too much I’ve had enough my old man made me sick.

My old man needs to die. So I don’t act like Jekyll and Hyde. He’s my old man and he needs to die. My old man is not my dad. He’s the part of me that acts real bad. He’s my old man and he needs to die, he needs to die.

Twelve years went by and I was dry, I tried to be good. I went to church, I read the book, and I did those things I should. But my old man was still alive, waiting for control. I took one drink of whiskey and the devil took my soul.

My friends were Jack Daniels and his brother Jimmy Beam. I loved Smirnoff Vodka and everything between. It was like a little puppy to play with every night. But he grew into a pit-bull and took my away life.

My old man loves to drink. And he never turns the other cheek. He’s my old man and he needs to die. My old man put me in jail. But my wife came and paid my bale. She said “Your old man and he’s got to die, he’s got to die. (But he didn’t).

I was sitting in a biker bar 2am one night. Three bikers came to kick me out and I stood up strong to fight. I knew that I could take those three, but there were 15 more. Who grab me by shirt and kick me out the door. (Then one day it happened).

I was driving down the road one day, higher than a kite. I blacked out like so many times but this time I ran a light. Three cars were totaled in that wreck and no one hurt but me. They put me back in jail and that’s were I got free.

My old man went to rehab. And I gave up everything that’s bad. He’s my old man and he needs to die. My old man went to AA. And worked the 12 Steps day by day. He’s my old man and he needs to die, he needs to die.

Years have gone by and I’m still dry, I have not had a drink. But I still go to meetings, to change the way I think. I’m grateful for my family and my serenity. And most of all for Jesus Christ who died to set me free.

Now you may think since I don’t drink, that I am all cured. But my old man is patient and he knows just how to lure. I struggled with him every day, what a wretched man I am. Every time he rises up, I put him down again.

My old man knows how to sin. So I don’t want him back again. He’s my old man and he needs to die. My old man can’t be tamed. He’s always bad, he’ll change. He’s my old man and he needs to die, he needs to die.

My new song "Home Six Mile"

I just wrote a new song. Finished it at 7am this morning. It's about growing up on Six Mile.

Home Six Mile

No shirt, blue jeans, running bare feet. Honey suckle growing up and down the creek. Railroad tracks and a fishing hole I got a Rainbow Trout on the end of my pole.

Yes its been a while Still makes me smile When I think about … home Six Mile

White house, porch swing, chestnut trees Sunday morning church, Jesus set us free Jeanie and Susan, little brother, that’s me Childhood memories, good family

Front yard, green grass, all the cousins play Granny and Paw, “making-apple-butter-day” Don’t worry, don’t fret, it don’t make sense Just knock that whiffle ball over the fence

Yes its been a while Still makes me smile When I think about … home Six Mile

Cross cut saw in the blacksmith’s shop Floating down the river on an old car top Playing guitar at the Boone County Fair Family and friends, everybody’s there.

Full moon, crickets by old water fall Fireflies, hoot owl, listen as them call. Hound dogs barking, there’s a fox on the run Slipping through the woods with my old shot gun

Yes its been a while Still makes me smile When I think about … home Six Mile

Bridge Sometimes I wonder how the days have come and gone When I need break from life, I love to sing the six mile song … about …

No shirt, blue jeans, running bare feet. Honey suckle growing up and down the creek. Railroad tracks and a fishing hole I got a Rainbow Trout on the end of my pole.

Yes its been a while Still makes me smile When I think about … home Six Mile

Loving an Imperfect Church - My study in 1 Corinthians

I just began a new series in 1 Corinthians called "Loving an Imperfect Church." I enjoy preparing for topical sermons but my favorite type of preaching is expository. When I work through a book I live in it longer. In my mind I have sailed into the Corinthian port, watched the ships being pulled over the Isthmus on the "haul across", I have made tents with Paul, spent time with Pricilla and Aquilla, listen to Paul preach and persuade people to believe that Jesus is the Christ. I've felt the opposition and rejection, watched him leave the synagogue in protest as he shook his clothes out and said "Your blood be on your own heads, from now on I'm going to the Gentiles." One night I heard Jesus say "Paul, don't leave, don't be afraid, I will protect. Stay and preach because I have many people in this city." I've seen the church grow strong. I've sit in their spontaneous and sometimes chaotic assemblies, I've listened to them prophesy, sing, speak in tongues, pray, commune, and love each other. The church become such a threat to the established Jewish religion that a united attacked was aimed at Paul. In my mind I witnessed Paul being accused before the Roman procouncil and watched Sosthenes get beat up. On and on I go imagining, envisioning what it must have been like for Paul. Paul is in Ephesus now but I'm going to stay in Corinth for the summer and learn all I can about how to love an imperfect church. I'm posting my sermons at http://sermonsbyjeffgarrett.blogspot.com/

From Siesta Key

Kim, Amber, Tori, Shayna, Mom and I are in Siesta Key. We are staying with (my sister) Susan and Bob. We got to visit with Heather. Hiedi and Jason are here with Scout and Gus. We have had a great vacation. Bob has taken us on his boat twice. Mom and Susan went on the first boat ride. Today, Hiedi, Scott and Gus went went and we all we swam in the Gulf of Mexico, two miles from the shore. The girls giggled and laughed. Mom brought Molly (her dog) and she loves it here.

Kim and I went out late last night and heard a couple of bands and went for a late night walk on the beach. The weather has been beautiful. Sunday morning we worship at Bob and Susan's church. Sunday night we walked to the beach and watch people drum and dance as the sun set. We've caught a few fish. We've walked and talked and ate and visited and laughed. Bob and Susan are living a dream in paradice. We are so happy they invited us. The rest of the family is coming to visit this summer.