Its been a great day! It's late and I should have written this this morning. But with Prayer Conference, the Tools Conference, and preparing for Sunday worship services...I'm fortunate to get it in now. But I hope that you have had a good day and you are ready for the weekend. We have a lot going on at the church this weekend begining with Prayer Conference tonight and the kids annual rock-a-thon.
Annette's father is staying with us this weekend. He and wife live in Tennessee near Pigeon Forge. They get up a few times a year and we are always glad to have them.
Please prayerfully approach this coming Sunday's worship services. Come hungry and thirsty. That is always the key to receiving from God. Even if you don't feel like worshipping, thats when you need to even press in more so. God God your best. He won't let you down!
Well, I;m going to bed. Have a great Saturday!
-Pastor
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What Has Happened to our Country? #4 "A Weak, Prayerless Church"
Really, where you to start when it comes to answering the question "What Has Happened to our Country?" I have pointed so far to the decline of the family which undoubtedly is BIG. Secondly, I wrote about pluralism or "our worship of many gods" in America. Yesterday, I talked about the rise of individualism and I tried to describe how it is effecting our nation in many ways. These are all powerful contributors and these along with other factors are causing America to cease to be a great nation. But let me give you another one that maybe the greatest factor of them all.
#4 - A Weak, Prayerless Christian Church
Believe me, I am doing everything to see that this changes. But it's true, a weak church leads to a weak nation. As the church (God's people) in a nation goes, so goes the nation. Why is that? Because the church traditionally sets the standard for the nation's morals, ethics. Some today would say the government does that. But the founding fathers didn't believe that. Their moral convictions came from the preaching and teaching of the bible in their Christian churches. Those men took those Christian convictions and made them a part of America's founding principles written into our most basic foundational documents. In reality, the principles of God's Word through men who read and studied the bible has powerfully influenced our nation for nearly the first two hundred years.
But for nearly one hundred years now in America, there has not been a national revival in America. The last one at Azusa Street in Los Angeles was a part of a move of God that birthed the Pentecostal movement in the United States and was a major force in launching missionary efforts throughout the world. But over the last one hundred years the American church seemingly has taken a beating from humanism and lately, secularism in America. America's educational system especially, followed by the powerful influence of the media has become preachers and teachers for humanism and secularism without realizing it. Meanwhile, the church became more and more isolated and disconnected especially in the intellectual circles of our nation. In the infant years of our nation, our colleges and schools read and taught Judeo-Christian principles and they became mainstream in intellectual thought. Over the last fifty plus years, humanism as been the religion of the intellectuals and it has shaped and formed America's thoughts and philosophies now for two generations.
How does a weak, prayerless Christian Church change? 2 Chronicles 7:14, 15 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer [that is made] in this place."
Notice, what I put in bold. We, the church, must HUMBLE OURSELVES, PRAY AND SEEK GOD'S FACE (NOT JUST HIS HANDS OR WHAT GOD WILL DO FOR US), AND REPENT OF OUR WICKEDNESS. God says this is the beginning and then He will hear, forgive, heal. It's not too late! But it's 11:59 pm in America and we must pray like it...now!
-Pastor Randy
#4 - A Weak, Prayerless Christian Church
Believe me, I am doing everything to see that this changes. But it's true, a weak church leads to a weak nation. As the church (God's people) in a nation goes, so goes the nation. Why is that? Because the church traditionally sets the standard for the nation's morals, ethics. Some today would say the government does that. But the founding fathers didn't believe that. Their moral convictions came from the preaching and teaching of the bible in their Christian churches. Those men took those Christian convictions and made them a part of America's founding principles written into our most basic foundational documents. In reality, the principles of God's Word through men who read and studied the bible has powerfully influenced our nation for nearly the first two hundred years.
But for nearly one hundred years now in America, there has not been a national revival in America. The last one at Azusa Street in Los Angeles was a part of a move of God that birthed the Pentecostal movement in the United States and was a major force in launching missionary efforts throughout the world. But over the last one hundred years the American church seemingly has taken a beating from humanism and lately, secularism in America. America's educational system especially, followed by the powerful influence of the media has become preachers and teachers for humanism and secularism without realizing it. Meanwhile, the church became more and more isolated and disconnected especially in the intellectual circles of our nation. In the infant years of our nation, our colleges and schools read and taught Judeo-Christian principles and they became mainstream in intellectual thought. Over the last fifty plus years, humanism as been the religion of the intellectuals and it has shaped and formed America's thoughts and philosophies now for two generations.
How does a weak, prayerless Christian Church change? 2 Chronicles 7:14, 15 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer [that is made] in this place."
Notice, what I put in bold. We, the church, must HUMBLE OURSELVES, PRAY AND SEEK GOD'S FACE (NOT JUST HIS HANDS OR WHAT GOD WILL DO FOR US), AND REPENT OF OUR WICKEDNESS. God says this is the beginning and then He will hear, forgive, heal. It's not too late! But it's 11:59 pm in America and we must pray like it...now!
-Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
What's Happened to Our Country? (continued from last week's posts)
Continued from last week...more facts that help answer the question "What Has Happened to Our country?"
#3 - The Rise of Individualism in America
Individualism according to wikipedia.org is a moral, political, or social outlook that stresses independence, self-reliance and individual liberty. The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.
I know that there are many people under thirty who might think that the American culture has always been characterized by individualism. But that's no so. Something has happened to our country in the last thirty plus years that has caused us to be more concerned about self then others. Maybe we should have saw this coming in the 70's when the best-selling paperback of the decade was "Looking out for Number One" and you could say that we as a people have been doing just that since that time. The consequences of such a rise in individualism has been a sexual revolution that has left us with a teenage sex crisis unlike we have never seen before; and with a cultural acceptance of adultery, homosexuality, pornography of all kinds, and sex education in our schools as early as kindergarten.
Individualism has also contributed to the millions of children that have been aborted since the 70's as well as the increase of divorce in America, corporate greed, drug addiction and alcoholism, and on and on. When self is exalted above everyone and everything else, its tentacles are endless and it's reach is limitless.
Not only do you see Individualism's influence in our culture but you also see it's hold on institutions that have traditionally countered pop culture, the greatest of which is the American church. Thankfully, I believe that there is still a segment of today's American church that still opposes individualism with the teaching and preaching of a true gospel message that focuses on self-denial (in Christ) rather than self-adulation. I also think the foundational tenets of the American military is basically opposed to the ideas of individualism as well. So there is still some hope for the present. But these few institutions influence a minority of people compared to the majority masses that are indoctrinated with Individualism daily by the media (TV, music, movies, etc.), the education systems, and the government. In reality, they are winning the day and changing a nation that was once a people given to self-sacrifice into a people looking for self-gratification.
-Pastor Randy
#3 - The Rise of Individualism in America
Individualism according to wikipedia.org is a moral, political, or social outlook that stresses independence, self-reliance and individual liberty. The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.
I know that there are many people under thirty who might think that the American culture has always been characterized by individualism. But that's no so. Something has happened to our country in the last thirty plus years that has caused us to be more concerned about self then others. Maybe we should have saw this coming in the 70's when the best-selling paperback of the decade was "Looking out for Number One" and you could say that we as a people have been doing just that since that time. The consequences of such a rise in individualism has been a sexual revolution that has left us with a teenage sex crisis unlike we have never seen before; and with a cultural acceptance of adultery, homosexuality, pornography of all kinds, and sex education in our schools as early as kindergarten.
Individualism has also contributed to the millions of children that have been aborted since the 70's as well as the increase of divorce in America, corporate greed, drug addiction and alcoholism, and on and on. When self is exalted above everyone and everything else, its tentacles are endless and it's reach is limitless.
Not only do you see Individualism's influence in our culture but you also see it's hold on institutions that have traditionally countered pop culture, the greatest of which is the American church. Thankfully, I believe that there is still a segment of today's American church that still opposes individualism with the teaching and preaching of a true gospel message that focuses on self-denial (in Christ) rather than self-adulation. I also think the foundational tenets of the American military is basically opposed to the ideas of individualism as well. So there is still some hope for the present. But these few institutions influence a minority of people compared to the majority masses that are indoctrinated with Individualism daily by the media (TV, music, movies, etc.), the education systems, and the government. In reality, they are winning the day and changing a nation that was once a people given to self-sacrifice into a people looking for self-gratification.
-Pastor Randy
Monday, February 23, 2009
Why Every Believer Should Be Connected
Sunday evening we had a few wonderful testimonies from individuals that talked about the importance of discipleship. And that happens as people began to make connections with one another in the body of Christ. I'm not speaking of just getting to know a fellow believer, but connecting is knowing God, relating to God, sharing God, growing in God, and serving God. As we do this within the framework of the body of Christ, discipleship results.
Our fast-moving lives have wreaked havoc on our relationships. We don’t feel nearly as connected to each other as people did a generation ago. These days we can close our electronic garage door and step into our house without even greeting our neighbors.
Yet we were created for relationship. In fact the first thing God said was, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” God said that humans were not made for isolation. We were made for connection. Why? We were created in the image of God. The Bible says God is love. And to love, you’ve got to have somebody to love.
The Bible says that that being spiritually connected means:
• We’re built like a building. “In Christ you are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God” (Ephesians 2:22 NRSV). We are meant to fit together like bricks in a new building. It’s essential that the parts of a building fit together. You aren’t safe otherwise because there’s no support. Likewise, those who aren’t connected to a church family in any meaningful way have no support. Life is tough. We all need the support of people who care about us. Your church can provide that for the aimless multitude in your community.
• We’re joined in a body. “Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s Body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (Romans 12: 4-5 TLB). What Jesus Christ did when he was here in his physical body, he wants to do today through the church. We are the body of Christ on Earth. We are his hands. We are his feet. All of us have to play our part. Being part of the body of Christ means we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and if we don’t play our specific part, the mission of the church is impacted.
• We’re born into a family. “I want you to know how people who are members of God’s family must live. God’s family is the church…” (1 Timothy 3:15 GW). This is my favorite metaphor for the church. It doesn’t take any explanation. Most people think that Christianity is a belief system. There are beliefs in Christianity, but it’s so much more. Christianity is a belong system. The Bible says we were born again into God’s family when we became a follower of Jesus. It also says that we’ve been adopted into God’s family. Both are great metaphors for what it should mean to be a part of the church.
Because those of us who follow Christ are part of God’s family, we should accept one another and love one another. Now let me be very clear here. We don’t approve of everyone’s behavior. That’s not love. If someone is doing something hurtful, approval is the opposite of love. But we must accept and love one another. Your family hasn’t always approved of everything you’ve done, but – I hope – they’ve loved you anyway. That’s a picture of the church that your congregation needs to see.
• We’re attached to a vine. “Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me”(John 15:4 GW). Being connected isn’t just a horizontal issue. It’s a vertical one as well. Your congregation needs to be connected to God himself. Jesus says when we are connected to him it’s like being attached to a vine. Fruit not connected to a vine dies. It’s that simple. Our congregation can have all the interpersonal relationships possible, but if we are not connecting to God, we will not have the life that God wants us to have.
Paul continues Jesus’ metaphor when he talks about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. When we’re connected to the True Vine, there will be certain spiritual fruit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. If you’re connected with God, those fruit will characterize your life. And that’s the kind of connection we all want.
Connection is a major focus of Kings point. We are making every effort to connect people based on the five biblical purposes of knowing God, relating to God, growing in God, serving God, and sharing God.
-Pastor Randy
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Hello everyone! Sorry, I have missed a few days here. I have been fighting this aggravating cold and cough - between that and preparing for five teaching & preaching sessions for this weekend...I just haven't got around to doing it.
Today was another great day of worship! We were little down this morning in worship attendance. A lot of our older folks didn't get out due to the snowy weather. But it was a good service. Tonight's I thought was even better. Great worship, testimonies, and the preaching of God' Word.
The ladies restroom renovation should be completed this week. It will be really nice. Again, special thanks to Roy, Dale, Eddie, Gerry, Wilma, and April.
The ladies had a wonderful pajama, p----, p------. I don't remember what the other two p words were. They had nearly one hundred women show up for a night of fellowship, fun, and worship.
Well, I'm really tired. Sundays really take it out of me. I guess I am not as young as I used to be. Everyone have a great week!
-Pastor Randy
Today was another great day of worship! We were little down this morning in worship attendance. A lot of our older folks didn't get out due to the snowy weather. But it was a good service. Tonight's I thought was even better. Great worship, testimonies, and the preaching of God' Word.
The ladies restroom renovation should be completed this week. It will be really nice. Again, special thanks to Roy, Dale, Eddie, Gerry, Wilma, and April.
The ladies had a wonderful pajama, p----, p------. I don't remember what the other two p words were. They had nearly one hundred women show up for a night of fellowship, fun, and worship.
Well, I'm really tired. Sundays really take it out of me. I guess I am not as young as I used to be. Everyone have a great week!
-Pastor Randy
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Whats happened to Our Country?
Sorry, I didn't do this earlier today. My cold is back so I kind of laid low today. But I want to continue tonight on the topic of "Whats Happened to our Country?" Last night, I stated that one of the greatest reasons we are in the mess that we are in is due to the deterioration of the family. And I wrote about how the lack of true fathers has contributed greatly to this decline. Tonight, lets look at another fact that has greatly effected our country...and this one definitely goes against the mainstream, even some of you Christians.
#2 Pluralism...the worship of many gods.
That's right! We have become a nation of not just one God, but many gods. Our founding fathers never meant for America to become a nation where there is freedom to worship whatever god you wanted to worship. They broke away from the church of England so they could worship freely the one and true God. Especially in the last fifty years, we have become a nation of religious idolatry which God warns Israel against relentlessly in the Old Testament. Islam has become one of the fastest growing religions in America. Buddhism and other eastern religions have also grown rapidly in the U.S. over the last few decades. The New Age religion may have the most influence in America today with Oprah Winfrey leading the way even though she doesn't consider herself a New Ager. Then, there are cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Church of Christ Scientist, and others that have deceived many Americans as well as occult groups. When you add all these groups together, they easily influence millions of Americans pointing them to other gods that are not the one true God of the Bible.
"What's so dangerous about living in a nation with many gods? Just as long as I have freedom to worship as a Christian, I don't mine." Unfortunately, this is the attitude of a lot of Christians today. However, the Bible says idolatry becomes a snare to people which leads to the destruction of a nation. Also, Islamic fundamentalists as well as other religions are not content just "having a piece of the cake" in America. Islam wants all of it. When they come into a nation, they want to conquer it if the people choose not to convert. Once pluralism gets a stronghold on a country, the death certificate is about to be signed. Hey, if you don't believe me, read the Bible. God hates idol worship. The Bible says He is a jealous God. You would be too if you created or gave life to beings and they chose not to acknowledge you and make up others to take your place. That's what idolatry is. We refuse to acknowledge the one true God and make up others to take his place.
More tomorrow!
-Pastor Randy
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
What's happened to our Country?
Tonight, I just felt like doing a little blogging from my heart. I may write some things that are not politically correct but these things need to be said. A lot of Americans are feeling like me right now. Our heads are spinning. It's hard to sit by and watch our country dissolve before our very eyes. I really don't think its a republican-democrat thing. I'm not going to blame George Bush, President Obama, the media, or even the government. I think we have pointed fingers at one another long enough. I think it is past time that we are brutally honest with ourselves and face up to the following painful facts. And they are painful. They are painful for me to admit as a Christian, as a Christian leader, and as an American.
1. The deterioration of the American traditional family is the single most destructive force in our country.
I see this every day. It is so sad. Right now in the news we are hearing a lot about the poverty conditions of the people that live in Appalachia. But what we don't see is the rampant drug use, the alarming alcoholism, the high teenage pregnancy, divorce, and the incest in the Appalachian culture. All of this leads to a lack of education, an increase in single-parent families, jail and prison sentences, a high rate of sexually transmitted disease, high unemployment, abuse, and greater poverty. And this is not just the case in Appalachia, but it is true in many other parts of our country. We have the same family problems in America's cities as well as in it's suburbs and rural communities.
One of the greatest causes of the breakdown of the American family today is the lack of "true fathers" in our homes. When I speak of a "true father" I am talking about men that have some integrity about them. Men that provide to the best of their ability for their families. Men who love their wives and their children sacrificially and are constantly putting them first. Men that can be trusted to do the right thing when no one is looking. Men who are not afraid to show some leadership and exercise their God-given authority with the love of God working within them. When these kinds of men function within the framework of a family good things happen. God blesses his wife, his children, his finances, his church, his business, his community, and eventually his nation. I am not just speaking of good, moral men; but I am speaking of righteous men...men that are right with Almighty God. Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to many people."
Did you read the last part of that verse. "Sin is a repoach to many people." In other words, sin is the blame, and brings shame and disgrace upon many people. Either a nation is exalted by the righteous hearts of it's people or disgraced and shamed by the sins of it's people.
America our sins have caught up with us. Whether we are too proud to admit it or not, our sins are shaming us bfore the entire world. We have a great history and a proud past. But the world is no longer judging us by our history or our great feats of the past. Joel 11:17 reads, "Give not thine heritage to reproach." Sadly, this is what is happpening to our once great nation. May God have mercy upon us!
More facts tomorrow.
-Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"God is God" by Cassandra Ballard
I thought my blog audience might enjoy the following blog written by my niece, Cassandra Ballard (Tom & Debbie's oldest daughter). Cassandra wrote this the day my father passed away. Cassandra is a very bold believer in Christ who might be Indiana's first-ever woman Senator if the Lord tarries. She is currently a student at Indiana University. Annette, Gabe, and I think she's pretty sharp. We love her!
This is pretty good...
_____________________________________________
God is God. I should probably get that put on my tombstone when
my day comes. Some may question what that really means. In able to fully
understand, you have to know what the word God means. We have two definitions of God that are used in this small statement. First, is God as our worshiper and our creator the man in the sky whom we will all one day stand before and be accountable to.
Second, God as an occupational term: Being perfect in power, all wisdom,
all knowing. So this very simply means our God the man who created us, which whom we worship, he is all knowing and perfect in his power.
Life has an incredibly history for throwing dramatic curve balls. They can come from nowhere fast, quick, and powerful enough to knock us flat off our feet. Or they can be like a slow moving train. You see it coming, you can see the lights,
you can hear the horns, but still if you are not prepared it can cause unbelievable
damage. Or even if you are ready for it to pass by, it can still rattle some
windows if you are close enough. To me it seems as if life in general cannot be
content with a non-dramatic easy going walk. It is always ready and willing to blow in a whirlwind.
I don’t know if any of you have seen the 1996 movie Twister with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton? But if you have, you will remember the scene where Jo and Bill were running from the tornado and they ran and they ran. As they were running it seemed like their total environment was being shaken and to be left upside down. When finally they knew they couldn't’t out run a twister, they had to “bunker” down and ride it out. They ran into a barn and tied themselves to a led pipe that ran way down deep into the ground. They gripped that pipe and held on until the end. When it was over they found themselves gripped to the pipe and everything around them destroyed. Sometimes life can be like this scene. You are trying to keep everything together and the storm continues to gain power. It blows you around and maybe knocks the wind out of you a time or two. And when it seems like the worse is upon you, you find shelter. The pipe they tied themselves to was deep into the ground. It couldn’t be uprooted as easily as some of the other places around
them. The storm went right over them and took them up in the air, but they continued to grip that pipe for security, knowing that if they do not let go, they will make it.
My grandfather just passed away and it seems like he suffered so long and so hard it wasn’t fair. And it was/is painful I feel like reality has come along and sucker punched me. Although the winds are blowing and I am knocked off my feet for a while I know I have to hold on to my life preserver, my pipe that is dug deep down in the solid ground, my faith. At my local church we sing a song called “Way Down Deep” It says ‘I got the love of Jesus, I got the joy of Jesus, I got the PEACE of Jesus deep down in my soul. The course sings ‘way down deep, way down deep’. If you do not
have Him way down deep, deeply rooted in your soul, you do not stand a fighting
chance in this world. Life throws’ way to many ‘hurricane parties’. You might
last through the first couple, but sooner or later you’re going to grow tired
and start slipping up.
Knowing that God is God is knowing that no matter what happens, I am grounded in him, and he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and completely in charge. He sees a picture that our human mind cannot even begin to imagine. During my grandfathers last couple days I kept repeating to myself “God never calls a saint home without precise timing.” I’ve heard my dad say this a hundred times! I know, God thought about it, worked things out, allowed him to live longer than expected, to die at a
specific time. Which means God was still lining things up; he was still dealing in people’s lives and using my grandfather to do so. Stepping back and
looking at some things I can see where God did do some work, but it may take
years before I see exactly why God allowed him to continue to fight for every
breath as long as he did. So as this storm passes by, as I lay gripping to my deep roots, I pray for peace, I pray for joy to be restored in people’s lives and I pray that people on the outside looking in see that our family lives and breathes the simple three word sentence, God is God.
This is pretty good...
_____________________________________________
God is God. I should probably get that put on my tombstone when
my day comes. Some may question what that really means. In able to fully
understand, you have to know what the word God means. We have two definitions of God that are used in this small statement. First, is God as our worshiper and our creator the man in the sky whom we will all one day stand before and be accountable to.
Second, God as an occupational term: Being perfect in power, all wisdom,
all knowing. So this very simply means our God the man who created us, which whom we worship, he is all knowing and perfect in his power.
Life has an incredibly history for throwing dramatic curve balls. They can come from nowhere fast, quick, and powerful enough to knock us flat off our feet. Or they can be like a slow moving train. You see it coming, you can see the lights,
you can hear the horns, but still if you are not prepared it can cause unbelievable
damage. Or even if you are ready for it to pass by, it can still rattle some
windows if you are close enough. To me it seems as if life in general cannot be
content with a non-dramatic easy going walk. It is always ready and willing to blow in a whirlwind.
I don’t know if any of you have seen the 1996 movie Twister with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton? But if you have, you will remember the scene where Jo and Bill were running from the tornado and they ran and they ran. As they were running it seemed like their total environment was being shaken and to be left upside down. When finally they knew they couldn't’t out run a twister, they had to “bunker” down and ride it out. They ran into a barn and tied themselves to a led pipe that ran way down deep into the ground. They gripped that pipe and held on until the end. When it was over they found themselves gripped to the pipe and everything around them destroyed. Sometimes life can be like this scene. You are trying to keep everything together and the storm continues to gain power. It blows you around and maybe knocks the wind out of you a time or two. And when it seems like the worse is upon you, you find shelter. The pipe they tied themselves to was deep into the ground. It couldn’t be uprooted as easily as some of the other places around
them. The storm went right over them and took them up in the air, but they continued to grip that pipe for security, knowing that if they do not let go, they will make it.
My grandfather just passed away and it seems like he suffered so long and so hard it wasn’t fair. And it was/is painful I feel like reality has come along and sucker punched me. Although the winds are blowing and I am knocked off my feet for a while I know I have to hold on to my life preserver, my pipe that is dug deep down in the solid ground, my faith. At my local church we sing a song called “Way Down Deep” It says ‘I got the love of Jesus, I got the joy of Jesus, I got the PEACE of Jesus deep down in my soul. The course sings ‘way down deep, way down deep’. If you do not
have Him way down deep, deeply rooted in your soul, you do not stand a fighting
chance in this world. Life throws’ way to many ‘hurricane parties’. You might
last through the first couple, but sooner or later you’re going to grow tired
and start slipping up.
Knowing that God is God is knowing that no matter what happens, I am grounded in him, and he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and completely in charge. He sees a picture that our human mind cannot even begin to imagine. During my grandfathers last couple days I kept repeating to myself “God never calls a saint home without precise timing.” I’ve heard my dad say this a hundred times! I know, God thought about it, worked things out, allowed him to live longer than expected, to die at a
specific time. Which means God was still lining things up; he was still dealing in people’s lives and using my grandfather to do so. Stepping back and
looking at some things I can see where God did do some work, but it may take
years before I see exactly why God allowed him to continue to fight for every
breath as long as he did. So as this storm passes by, as I lay gripping to my deep roots, I pray for peace, I pray for joy to be restored in people’s lives and I pray that people on the outside looking in see that our family lives and breathes the simple three word sentence, God is God.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Since Annette and I were not at KP yesterday, I can't comment on the services too much. I do appreciate Pastor Ron Smith ministering yesterday in the AM. Ron and Joy are seasoned pastors but even better than that, wonderful believers in Christ. I am sure that God ministered exactly what He wanted through Ron Sunday. I love Ron and Joy and their family. We are so blessed to have them at KP.
Pastor Tim Orr ministered the Word Sunday evening. Tim is a gifted teacher-preacher. I am so proud of Tim and Michelle. I know that God is preparing them for something very special in the near future. They too, are a great blessing to KP!
Next Sunday after service, we will be conducting a very important Easter Egg Hunt committee chairmen meeting. As a church, we are committed to making our community Easter Egg Hunt one of the most effective evangelism events of the year. If you have been asked to chair a committee, I ask that you come prayerfully ready to give God your very best in order that souls will be added into His kingdom through this powerful outreach.
Well, have a wonderful week!
-Pastor
Pastor Tim Orr ministered the Word Sunday evening. Tim is a gifted teacher-preacher. I am so proud of Tim and Michelle. I know that God is preparing them for something very special in the near future. They too, are a great blessing to KP!
Next Sunday after service, we will be conducting a very important Easter Egg Hunt committee chairmen meeting. As a church, we are committed to making our community Easter Egg Hunt one of the most effective evangelism events of the year. If you have been asked to chair a committee, I ask that you come prayerfully ready to give God your very best in order that souls will be added into His kingdom through this powerful outreach.
Well, have a wonderful week!
-Pastor
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Some Final Saturday Thoughts...
Well, its been a long day, but a good one. This day was pretty much about Dave Dayton's mother's funeral. The funeral service itself was so much like Dave. What I mean by that is; it was honest, transparent, loving, and intimate. The crowd that gathered for the service was a mixture of Kings Point and United Methodist folk. And even though we had a difference or two in our doctrinal backgrounds, we were and are truly one in Christ. It was great to be with brothers and sisters in Christ from the UM tradition.
Sarah Dayton, Dave's mother, was a gifted song writer and pianist. She loved to play the piano and wrote quite a few hymns of praise. She was a fine Christian lady who was a godly example to all she came in contact with.
I have a lot of thoughts on the stimulus bill. They're not political thoughts, but just some commentary on how this whole idea of entitlement is digging our grave as a nation as well as astonishing other nations in how irresponsible and reckless we have become fiscally as a government.
Proverbs 13:11 states "Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathered by labour shall increase." The Good News Bible is a little clearer, "The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have."
I will have some more on this early in the week. Have a great day of worship!
-Pastor Randy
Sarah Dayton, Dave's mother, was a gifted song writer and pianist. She loved to play the piano and wrote quite a few hymns of praise. She was a fine Christian lady who was a godly example to all she came in contact with.
I have a lot of thoughts on the stimulus bill. They're not political thoughts, but just some commentary on how this whole idea of entitlement is digging our grave as a nation as well as astonishing other nations in how irresponsible and reckless we have become fiscally as a government.
Proverbs 13:11 states "Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathered by labour shall increase." The Good News Bible is a little clearer, "The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have."
I will have some more on this early in the week. Have a great day of worship!
-Pastor Randy
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday Countdown
Well, we are back. Sorry for three days that our server was down. I am suspending my "Ways to Cut Costs in a Lousy Economy" video series. I guess you could say, I've lost my momentum and desire due to the website being down.
Many of you have not heard that Pastor Dave Dayton's mother pased away Wednesday. Please keep Dave and his family in your prayers. Brother Dave is a wonderful man of God who cared of rhis mom until her passing. If you would like to pay your respects, the visiting hours are Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon with the service scheduled to begin at 12 noon at Stine-Kilburn in Lebanon. Our church is providing a dinner for the family after the burial service. Please contact Hazel Dye if you are interested in contributing food or serving the family at the dinner.
Both Ken Brumfield and Danny Flinders are doing well after their surgeries this week. Please keep them in your prayers.
As most of the KP crowd knows, the ladies restroom is under construction. It's going to look great when done. Roy and April are leading this project with some help from Gerry, Wilma, Dale, Chris, and others. Thanks everyone for your hard work.
We do hope to start on the courtyward renovation project this spring. You will be hearing more about this project in the future.
In spite of the poor economy, God is blessing KP financially. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in tithes, offerings, and in giving in special offerings. As I mentioned Sunday PM, we are planning now to do more in the future to help needy families inside and outside the church with food, jobs, and in other ways. We also want to continue to emphasize helping our widows and the fatherless.
One final note, thank you for your prayers for my family. My mother is doing well. She has her tough days but God is comforting her day by day.
-Pastor
Many of you have not heard that Pastor Dave Dayton's mother pased away Wednesday. Please keep Dave and his family in your prayers. Brother Dave is a wonderful man of God who cared of rhis mom until her passing. If you would like to pay your respects, the visiting hours are Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon with the service scheduled to begin at 12 noon at Stine-Kilburn in Lebanon. Our church is providing a dinner for the family after the burial service. Please contact Hazel Dye if you are interested in contributing food or serving the family at the dinner.
Both Ken Brumfield and Danny Flinders are doing well after their surgeries this week. Please keep them in your prayers.
As most of the KP crowd knows, the ladies restroom is under construction. It's going to look great when done. Roy and April are leading this project with some help from Gerry, Wilma, Dale, Chris, and others. Thanks everyone for your hard work.
We do hope to start on the courtyward renovation project this spring. You will be hearing more about this project in the future.
In spite of the poor economy, God is blessing KP financially. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in tithes, offerings, and in giving in special offerings. As I mentioned Sunday PM, we are planning now to do more in the future to help needy families inside and outside the church with food, jobs, and in other ways. We also want to continue to emphasize helping our widows and the fatherless.
One final note, thank you for your prayers for my family. My mother is doing well. She has her tough days but God is comforting her day by day.
-Pastor
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Meeting the Needs of People....in a Lousy Economy
Seriously, Kings Point is in the business of helping people. I have no doubt that things are going to continue to get worse, with or without a stimulus bill. America's corporate greed and our wickedness is what has put us in this position and the only answer is national repentance before the one and true Almighty God. So far we don't see that happening.
As a church, in the days ahead and we want to put ourselves in a better position to help meet the basic needs of people. We want to do a better job of helping the needy, provide food for hungry, visit the sick and those in jail and prison, provide for widows and the fatherless, and do what can to help people get jobs. If you would like to participate in any of these efforts, please let me know. As we do this, we will point people to Jesus Christ as the real answer to their every need.
Now, for "our not so serious suggestion." Our Top Ten list on "Ways to Cut-Costs in a Lousy Economy."
#7 - Get with someone you know well and put your heads together like Corina and Debbie and try this (you may have to watch this a few times to appreciate it). It just may save you $$$. But then again, probably not...but you might feel better.
Have a great day!
-Pastor Randy
As a church, in the days ahead and we want to put ourselves in a better position to help meet the basic needs of people. We want to do a better job of helping the needy, provide food for hungry, visit the sick and those in jail and prison, provide for widows and the fatherless, and do what can to help people get jobs. If you would like to participate in any of these efforts, please let me know. As we do this, we will point people to Jesus Christ as the real answer to their every need.
Now, for "our not so serious suggestion." Our Top Ten list on "Ways to Cut-Costs in a Lousy Economy."
#7 - Get with someone you know well and put your heads together like Corina and Debbie and try this (you may have to watch this a few times to appreciate it). It just may save you $$$. But then again, probably not...but you might feel better.
Have a great day!
-Pastor Randy
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up...Top Ten List Continued...
Tonight #8 on "Ways to Cut-Costs in a Lousy Econonmy."
#8 - "Try this at home with the Guys and Save $$$ on Water-Skiing." Its a lot more fun!
Great service this morning! Isn't that graphic (on my multi-media) of the bride being raptured up beautiful? I mean it really depicts the church as the bride like no other drawing or picture I have ever seen. I really believe we are close to the time of the rapture of the church. All signs in the bible point to it occuring between now and the next few years.
The renovation of the ladies restroom is going well. It ought to be really nice when done. Hopefully, we will be starting on the fountain in the courtyard sometime this month or March. That will be really nice also!
Tonight's service was good. Everyone ought to study the Tabernacle in the OT. The symbolism is beautiful. You see Jesus everywhere.
I hope you have a great Monday!
-Pastor Randy
#8 - "Try this at home with the Guys and Save $$$ on Water-Skiing." Its a lot more fun!
Great service this morning! Isn't that graphic (on my multi-media) of the bride being raptured up beautiful? I mean it really depicts the church as the bride like no other drawing or picture I have ever seen. I really believe we are close to the time of the rapture of the church. All signs in the bible point to it occuring between now and the next few years.
The renovation of the ladies restroom is going well. It ought to be really nice when done. Hopefully, we will be starting on the fountain in the courtyard sometime this month or March. That will be really nice also!
Tonight's service was good. Everyone ought to study the Tabernacle in the OT. The symbolism is beautiful. You see Jesus everywhere.
I hope you have a great Monday!
-Pastor Randy
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Some Saturday Thoughts...Top Ten List and Obama's Costly Abortion Decision
Today we continue our video series on "Ways to Cut-Costs in a Lousy Economy."
#9 - Trade in your teen's car for a cheaper form of transportation.
Of course, it might help if they had some type of rider's training which might cost a little but is much cheaper than "Driver's Education." Remember, we are just having some fun. We will have #8 tomorrow on the "Sunday Wrap-up."
On a more serious note...and I mean very serious. One of President Obama's first acts in office was to strike down a rule Friday that prohibits U.S. money from funding international family-planning clinics that promote abortion or provide counseling or referrals about abortion services. The policy, referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was initially announced at a population conference in Mexico City. Reversing the previous administrations' stance on the policy was one of Clinton's first acts as president in January 1993 and the very first executive order issued by Bush on January 22, 2001, the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Critics, including Planned Parenthood, called Bush's move a "legislative ambush." However, President Bush defended his action, saying, "It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or actively promote abortion."
So what does this mean for you and I? Congratulations, your tax offerings and mine will be used to pay for hundreds of thousands and eventually millions of babies to be murdered around the world for the next four years (Obama's tenure). As a Christian and one who has God's Holy Spirit residing within, this makes me sick in my stomach...I am not exaggerating.
For you that profess Christianity but vote for politicians who are pro-choice, please consider what God says about human life inside the womb...or maybe you don't care what God says.
Psalms 139:13-18 "You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there---you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
Now that's pretty clear and very black and white! You and I and our government is paying for children to be sucked out of wombs and for scissors to be jabbed into the skulls of the millions of babies. These are just two of the procedures that are used to kill a baby in the mother's womb during an abortion. What are the consequences of a nation that promotes and pays for the killing of millions of innocent children? Seriously, I shudder to think what lies ahead of us as nation.
What are you saying Pastor? I am saying God won't look the other way. He hasn't in the past and He won't in the future. God told Israel long ago in Leviticus 20 that anyone that would hand over their seed(children)to the god Molech should be put to death and should be stoned by the people. In case you don't know, it is traditionally thought that children were burned alive when given to the god Molech. God says His face is against the person or family that offers His seed to Molech. God says in Leviticus 20 He takes this personally (the killing of a child). He says it is defiling His sanctuary and profaning His name.
God has not changed his mind. He has not changed. He still judges a people that chooses to put children to death. Can I ask you a question? What if on the ABC evening news, video was shown of little kittens being ripped out of the womb of it's mother? What do you think the reaction would be? You know, the PC crowd especially would go crazy! They would be boycotting ABC news and their sponsors the next day. However, as a nation, we choose to look the other way as millions of babies are being ripped and sucked to death out of their mother's womb...and again, we are paying for it to happen...you and I.
What can we do as Christians? Other than do everything we can to keep abortions from happening, I don't know. I think as a nation we are headed for national tragedies like we have never seen before if we don't repent soon.
-Pastor Randy
#9 - Trade in your teen's car for a cheaper form of transportation.
Of course, it might help if they had some type of rider's training which might cost a little but is much cheaper than "Driver's Education." Remember, we are just having some fun. We will have #8 tomorrow on the "Sunday Wrap-up."
On a more serious note...and I mean very serious. One of President Obama's first acts in office was to strike down a rule Friday that prohibits U.S. money from funding international family-planning clinics that promote abortion or provide counseling or referrals about abortion services. The policy, referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was initially announced at a population conference in Mexico City. Reversing the previous administrations' stance on the policy was one of Clinton's first acts as president in January 1993 and the very first executive order issued by Bush on January 22, 2001, the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Critics, including Planned Parenthood, called Bush's move a "legislative ambush." However, President Bush defended his action, saying, "It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or actively promote abortion."
So what does this mean for you and I? Congratulations, your tax offerings and mine will be used to pay for hundreds of thousands and eventually millions of babies to be murdered around the world for the next four years (Obama's tenure). As a Christian and one who has God's Holy Spirit residing within, this makes me sick in my stomach...I am not exaggerating.
For you that profess Christianity but vote for politicians who are pro-choice, please consider what God says about human life inside the womb...or maybe you don't care what God says.
Psalms 139:13-18 "You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there---you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
Now that's pretty clear and very black and white! You and I and our government is paying for children to be sucked out of wombs and for scissors to be jabbed into the skulls of the millions of babies. These are just two of the procedures that are used to kill a baby in the mother's womb during an abortion. What are the consequences of a nation that promotes and pays for the killing of millions of innocent children? Seriously, I shudder to think what lies ahead of us as nation.
What are you saying Pastor? I am saying God won't look the other way. He hasn't in the past and He won't in the future. God told Israel long ago in Leviticus 20 that anyone that would hand over their seed(children)to the god Molech should be put to death and should be stoned by the people. In case you don't know, it is traditionally thought that children were burned alive when given to the god Molech. God says His face is against the person or family that offers His seed to Molech. God says in Leviticus 20 He takes this personally (the killing of a child). He says it is defiling His sanctuary and profaning His name.
God has not changed his mind. He has not changed. He still judges a people that chooses to put children to death. Can I ask you a question? What if on the ABC evening news, video was shown of little kittens being ripped out of the womb of it's mother? What do you think the reaction would be? You know, the PC crowd especially would go crazy! They would be boycotting ABC news and their sponsors the next day. However, as a nation, we choose to look the other way as millions of babies are being ripped and sucked to death out of their mother's womb...and again, we are paying for it to happen...you and I.
What can we do as Christians? Other than do everything we can to keep abortions from happening, I don't know. I think as a nation we are headed for national tragedies like we have never seen before if we don't repent soon.
-Pastor Randy
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday Countdown...How to Save $$$ in a Lousy Economy
Today, I'm starting a top ten video list featuring "Ways Families Can Cut-Costs in a Lousy Economy." Hopefully, these suggestions will help your family save hundreds of dollars.
10. How to save on doggy bones...(featuring my dog "Bear")
As you can tell, this isn't a serious top ten lists. We will try to have a little fun with this.
Praise the Lord, it is suppose to warm up this weekend. Maybe it will melt all the white stuff...bu then of course I might have to buy a bone for Bear. I hope you have a great Saturday. I plan to share a message Sunday AM called "The Wedding Invitation." I believe it is a timely message from God for us all. Sunday PM's message will be "The Power of the Altar." Come ready to worship and invite someone to come with you.
-Pastor Randy
10. How to save on doggy bones...(featuring my dog "Bear")
As you can tell, this isn't a serious top ten lists. We will try to have a little fun with this.
Praise the Lord, it is suppose to warm up this weekend. Maybe it will melt all the white stuff...bu then of course I might have to buy a bone for Bear. I hope you have a great Saturday. I plan to share a message Sunday AM called "The Wedding Invitation." I believe it is a timely message from God for us all. Sunday PM's message will be "The Power of the Altar." Come ready to worship and invite someone to come with you.
-Pastor Randy
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Great Encounter Testimony from Stratford Heights
Some updates on some prayer needs:
Debbie Ballard (my brother, Tom's wife) came home from the hospital after a heart cath came back showing no blockages in her heart. She has no chest pains and is feeling good. Thanks everyone for your prayers.
Anna Hilton is home after pace-maker surgery. She is doing well.
Please remember Amanda McClure who was running a high fever and sick in bed most of the week.
Thank you for the sympathy cards and phone calls from our friends and church family. Annette, Gabe, and I are overwhelmed with the love of God that has been shown to us. My mother also tonight told me she has received many cards from the people at Kings Point. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness toward her and your prayers for her. She is doing well.
Recently, I had breakfast with Dave Anderson. Dave and Missy are leading encounters and assisting in starting cells over at Stratford Heights. Dave led a men's encounter last weekend. He was telling me that last year at this time there was a little girl here in Cincinnati that had a tree limb fall on her during the ice storm and tragically took her life. Dave said her dad came to the encounter. At the encounter he stood up and received Christ as his Lord and Savior. His wife a few weeks before attended the ladies encounter. Dave said that these are just two of many people who God has changed through encounters at Stratford Heights over the past year.
To God be the glory!
-Pastor
Debbie Ballard (my brother, Tom's wife) came home from the hospital after a heart cath came back showing no blockages in her heart. She has no chest pains and is feeling good. Thanks everyone for your prayers.
Anna Hilton is home after pace-maker surgery. She is doing well.
Please remember Amanda McClure who was running a high fever and sick in bed most of the week.
Thank you for the sympathy cards and phone calls from our friends and church family. Annette, Gabe, and I are overwhelmed with the love of God that has been shown to us. My mother also tonight told me she has received many cards from the people at Kings Point. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness toward her and your prayers for her. She is doing well.
Recently, I had breakfast with Dave Anderson. Dave and Missy are leading encounters and assisting in starting cells over at Stratford Heights. Dave led a men's encounter last weekend. He was telling me that last year at this time there was a little girl here in Cincinnati that had a tree limb fall on her during the ice storm and tragically took her life. Dave said her dad came to the encounter. At the encounter he stood up and received Christ as his Lord and Savior. His wife a few weeks before attended the ladies encounter. Dave said that these are just two of many people who God has changed through encounters at Stratford Heights over the past year.
To God be the glory!
-Pastor
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Ministry of the Altar
The Golden Altar of Incense >(located just outside the Holies of Holies in the inner court of the Tabernacle)
Many churches today don't understand the ministry of the altar. Many do not even have altars in them. To understand the role of the altar, we don't need to look any further than "The Golden Altar of Incense" as described in Exodus 30:1-6.
The Golden Altar of Incense was placed against the veil of the Tabernacle. Behind the veil, unseen by human eyes, was the Mercy Seat, where the blood offerings were placed on the Day of Atonement. There was something else in this little room behind the veil, called the Holy of Holies. The Shekinah Glory of the presence of God dwelt there. The only access to the glory of God was through the veil.
In a sense, Jesus is the veil. It is through Him alone that we access to the riches of God through prayer - John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24; 26. The Lord Jesus is the only access that have into the hidden riches and glories of the Lord - 1 Tim. 2:5.
It is not an accident that the Altar of Incense was placed just outside the Veil. Think of prayer like you would of a wall outlet. When we take a plug and place it into the wall outlet, we are able to tap into the hidden resources inside the wall. When we take the plug of prayer in the hand of faith and use it properly, we find that prayer does change things and that there is great potential in praying to the Lord.
So in summary, we as royal priests of God offer up prayers at the altar to Jesus who has torn down the veil and serves as our mediator before the mercy seat of God, our Father. I encourage you today to make an altar of prayer somewhere and enter into the Holies of Holies, the presence of God Almighty. What a great privilege we have!
-Pastor Randy
Many churches today don't understand the ministry of the altar. Many do not even have altars in them. To understand the role of the altar, we don't need to look any further than "The Golden Altar of Incense" as described in Exodus 30:1-6.
The Golden Altar of Incense was placed against the veil of the Tabernacle. Behind the veil, unseen by human eyes, was the Mercy Seat, where the blood offerings were placed on the Day of Atonement. There was something else in this little room behind the veil, called the Holy of Holies. The Shekinah Glory of the presence of God dwelt there. The only access to the glory of God was through the veil.
In a sense, Jesus is the veil. It is through Him alone that we access to the riches of God through prayer - John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24; 26. The Lord Jesus is the only access that have into the hidden riches and glories of the Lord - 1 Tim. 2:5.
It is not an accident that the Altar of Incense was placed just outside the Veil. Think of prayer like you would of a wall outlet. When we take a plug and place it into the wall outlet, we are able to tap into the hidden resources inside the wall. When we take the plug of prayer in the hand of faith and use it properly, we find that prayer does change things and that there is great potential in praying to the Lord.
So in summary, we as royal priests of God offer up prayers at the altar to Jesus who has torn down the veil and serves as our mediator before the mercy seat of God, our Father. I encourage you today to make an altar of prayer somewhere and enter into the Holies of Holies, the presence of God Almighty. What a great privilege we have!
-Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Satan's Onslaught Against My Father
Before I go any further, I ask everyone to remember my sister-in-law, Debbie Ballard in prayer. Debbie has had pain in her chest and a very high blood pressure since Sunday. Tonight, her doctor decided to put her in the hospital in Marion, Indiana, and run a stress test on her tomorrow (Wednesday).
___________________________________
My father was one of the healthiest men you would ever meet. I cannot remember dad being sick while growing up. He fell off a truck at Kroger one time in his 30's and hurt his back pretty bad. But even then, God healed him and he fully recovered. But at around 54 years old everything changed.
Looking back now on all that dad went through over the last fourteen years, I can see the fingerprints of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." I absolutely believe that Satan targets God's people that are fruitful in the kingdom of God. I believe that there are modern day Jobs that God allows Satan to try and test in order that He (God)may be glorified through man's good works.
Dad's illnesses were more than just a man growing older. Dad within a fourteen year period had one physical problem after another. It started with being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease followed by Diabetes. Then, a few years later the Doctors found cancer in one of dad's kidneys. After the surgery, I can remember the Surgeon telling us that dad's tumor in his kidney was the size of a football. So he had to remove the entire kidney. At around sixty years of age, dad had a heart attack while living in Terre Haute. They put to stints in dad's heart. Afterwards, dad really worked hard watching what he ate and exercising often. But a few years later, the Parkinson disease began to slow him down physically and mentally. Finally, over the last 18 months, my father had an infection throughout his body that contributed greatly to his death.
Dad's life was a fruitful one, even the years when he was sick. He multiplied himself many times over as he led people to Christ, discipled people, pastored and planted churches. Dad planted churches and sent people out into the ministry that planted churches. When a church is planted it is like planting a tree that bears fruit season after season. Satan hates and detests people like dad who are fruitful and multiplies many times over what God gives them. He will attack them and try them with regularity in order to cause them to become discouraged and to work less for God.
As it was said many times during my father's funeral service last week, he never complained through the fourteen years of sickness. He never felt sorry for himself. He never asked "Why." As the scripture says, "Endure hardness as a soldier," and dad did that understanding that his battle was not against "flesh and blood" but demonic powers that could not be seen with natural eyes. Through it all, Dad "...fought a good fight...finished [his] course...[and] kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). He was a overcomer through Christ Jesus.
Some of you that are reading this blog today need to hear a word from the Lord. He is saying to you "Don't give up! Keep fighting! Keep battling!" As you do this your life is producing fruit. Just because you may not be able to see it or feel it doesn't mean it's not happening. Yes, Satan is attacking you and you may be getting discouraged. But keep going to church. Keep giving. Keep teaching. Keep praying and keep sharing Christ. Remember, your enemy is not flesh and blood and remember you are an overcomer because "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).
___________________________________
My father was one of the healthiest men you would ever meet. I cannot remember dad being sick while growing up. He fell off a truck at Kroger one time in his 30's and hurt his back pretty bad. But even then, God healed him and he fully recovered. But at around 54 years old everything changed.
Looking back now on all that dad went through over the last fourteen years, I can see the fingerprints of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." I absolutely believe that Satan targets God's people that are fruitful in the kingdom of God. I believe that there are modern day Jobs that God allows Satan to try and test in order that He (God)may be glorified through man's good works.
Dad's illnesses were more than just a man growing older. Dad within a fourteen year period had one physical problem after another. It started with being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease followed by Diabetes. Then, a few years later the Doctors found cancer in one of dad's kidneys. After the surgery, I can remember the Surgeon telling us that dad's tumor in his kidney was the size of a football. So he had to remove the entire kidney. At around sixty years of age, dad had a heart attack while living in Terre Haute. They put to stints in dad's heart. Afterwards, dad really worked hard watching what he ate and exercising often. But a few years later, the Parkinson disease began to slow him down physically and mentally. Finally, over the last 18 months, my father had an infection throughout his body that contributed greatly to his death.
Dad's life was a fruitful one, even the years when he was sick. He multiplied himself many times over as he led people to Christ, discipled people, pastored and planted churches. Dad planted churches and sent people out into the ministry that planted churches. When a church is planted it is like planting a tree that bears fruit season after season. Satan hates and detests people like dad who are fruitful and multiplies many times over what God gives them. He will attack them and try them with regularity in order to cause them to become discouraged and to work less for God.
As it was said many times during my father's funeral service last week, he never complained through the fourteen years of sickness. He never felt sorry for himself. He never asked "Why." As the scripture says, "Endure hardness as a soldier," and dad did that understanding that his battle was not against "flesh and blood" but demonic powers that could not be seen with natural eyes. Through it all, Dad "...fought a good fight...finished [his] course...[and] kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). He was a overcomer through Christ Jesus.
Some of you that are reading this blog today need to hear a word from the Lord. He is saying to you "Don't give up! Keep fighting! Keep battling!" As you do this your life is producing fruit. Just because you may not be able to see it or feel it doesn't mean it's not happening. Yes, Satan is attacking you and you may be getting discouraged. But keep going to church. Keep giving. Keep teaching. Keep praying and keep sharing Christ. Remember, your enemy is not flesh and blood and remember you are an overcomer because "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Video Tribute, Don Ballard (Dad)
Top Ten Observations Today
10. The parking lot and sidewalks looked pretty good today. A special thanks to Frank Jones, Mark Bowers, and Ken Brumfield (and Jonathan) who worked hard clearing off sidewalks and putting down salt on the parking lot.
9. Amazing service this morning. Dan and Nancy Keaton ministered wonderfully in song and testimony. I think it was good for me to share publicly about dad.
8. The crowd this Sunday was really down. As a church, we are going to have to do a better job of doing evangelism and inviting the lost to church. We will be doing some things over the next few months to incite this. WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO COME...WE ARE SUPPOSE TO GO AND COMPEL THEM!
7. I appreciate all of you who shared your hugs, kind words, cards, and love today. I don't know what people do without a church family.
6. Great service tonight! I appreciate our youth and what they did this weekend. It is so very important to disciple our kids and give them opportunities to do evangelism. Thanks so much Corina, Mark, Gerry, and Wilma for going with the youth.
5. Brother Aker taught on the first three verses of Matthew 17. Good, sound bible teaching. I love it! I am a great football fan, but I wouldn't have traded hearing God's Word tonight to be a part of the world's big party.
4. A few years ago, we did a Super Bowl party type ministry thing. But people would leave after the food and watching the first half of the game without participating in the ministry thing we did. And I'm not talking about people who were visitors but this was church folks. Kind a makes you wonder who their serving...self or Christ?
3. Please remember Anna Hilton in your prayers. She will be having surgery to put in a pace-maker tomorrow. Also remember, Imogene Halcomb in your prayers this week.
2. Thanks to everyone who gave a little more than usual in an offering today for the Keatons.
1. I believe Arizona just might come back and win this game!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
-Pastor Randy
Top Ten Observations Today
10. The parking lot and sidewalks looked pretty good today. A special thanks to Frank Jones, Mark Bowers, and Ken Brumfield (and Jonathan) who worked hard clearing off sidewalks and putting down salt on the parking lot.
9. Amazing service this morning. Dan and Nancy Keaton ministered wonderfully in song and testimony. I think it was good for me to share publicly about dad.
8. The crowd this Sunday was really down. As a church, we are going to have to do a better job of doing evangelism and inviting the lost to church. We will be doing some things over the next few months to incite this. WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO COME...WE ARE SUPPOSE TO GO AND COMPEL THEM!
7. I appreciate all of you who shared your hugs, kind words, cards, and love today. I don't know what people do without a church family.
6. Great service tonight! I appreciate our youth and what they did this weekend. It is so very important to disciple our kids and give them opportunities to do evangelism. Thanks so much Corina, Mark, Gerry, and Wilma for going with the youth.
5. Brother Aker taught on the first three verses of Matthew 17. Good, sound bible teaching. I love it! I am a great football fan, but I wouldn't have traded hearing God's Word tonight to be a part of the world's big party.
4. A few years ago, we did a Super Bowl party type ministry thing. But people would leave after the food and watching the first half of the game without participating in the ministry thing we did. And I'm not talking about people who were visitors but this was church folks. Kind a makes you wonder who their serving...self or Christ?
3. Please remember Anna Hilton in your prayers. She will be having surgery to put in a pace-maker tomorrow. Also remember, Imogene Halcomb in your prayers this week.
2. Thanks to everyone who gave a little more than usual in an offering today for the Keatons.
1. I believe Arizona just might come back and win this game!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
-Pastor Randy
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