Dear People,
There was once a woman who went to her doctor. She said, “Doctor, something is seriously wrong with me. I’m unusually tired, and I’ve been experiencing muscle weakness, headaches, and dizziness. I’m sure I’ve got fybromyalgia, and I’d like some medicine for it.”
The doctor said, “Well, let me take a look.” After giving the woman a full medical examination, the doctor explained the prescription as he wrote it out. “Take the green pill with two glasses of water when you get up. Take the blue pill with two glasses of water after lunch. Then just before bed, take the red pill with another two glasses of water.”
“So, exactly what is my problem, Doctor?” the woman asked.
The doctor replied, “You’re not drinking enough water.”
Tiredness, muscle weakness, headaches, and dizziness are in fact symptoms of fybromyalgia, but they are also symptoms of mild dehydration. Of course, a person can go online or open a textbook in order to self-diagnose. But when accuracy counts, it is best to get the perspective of a doctor! We seek expert advice for both the breadth of knowledge and the depth of perspective.
Proverbs 10:13 tells us, “On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found.” Discernment (or “understanding” as the KJV has it) comes from both experience and knowledge. In fact, the next verse in the Bible (Proverbs 10:14) says, “Wise men store up knowledge.” Proverbs tells us that when it comes to seeking advice, we should go to the person who has experience and knowledge. We should seek the counsel of someone who has stored up a wealth of relevant information to give a balanced and informed perspective.
Therefore, to whose advice do I give the most weight when, for example, considering the new strain of swine flu? I listen to a trusted doctor and to the advice of a broader community of doctors—not to my neighbor, a popular news anchor, or an old friend on facebook. I listen to doctors on this one because I am convinced that’s what God encourages us to do in situations like this.
That’s why I am not panicked about the swine flu right now because doctors right now are not panicked. Therefore, I’m just going to keep washing my hands frequently. As a church, we’re going to make sure that our buildings are clean like they need to be. As always, we’re going to encourage people who are sick to stay home from church and recover. We’re going to encourage people who have a fever or are feeling ill to call their doctor to see what they should do. We’re also going to have alcohol-based sanitizing gel available on Sunday mornings for people as they come in and leave. In other words, we’re just going to be conscientious to do what we should already be doing…just like we should be sure to drink enough water every day. The doctors I know tell me that there is as big a difference between forty-one American cases of swine flu and a real national emergency as there is between mild dehydration and fybromyalgia. Let’s not be too alarmed yet!
Peace,
Ernest
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
National Day of Prayer
Dear Friends,
This year the National Day of Prayer falls on May 7, 2009. More than ever we should realize that prayer is America's hope. The current spiritual and economic crisis is quite real in the lives of families across the nation, and apart from God's blessing there is no hope. Therefore, the theme of our 18th annual National Day of Prayer in Georgetown is "May your unfailing love rest upon us, Oh, Lord, even as we put our HOPE in You." (Psalm 33:22)
I hope you will make it a point to join me at the Georgetown High School Football Stadium (221 North Austin Ave) on May 7 (a Thursday) to pray with others all accross Georgetown from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In case there is a rain-out, the location will be the Georgetown 9th Grade Center Gymnasium located at 4290 E. University.
Peace,
Ernest
This year the National Day of Prayer falls on May 7, 2009. More than ever we should realize that prayer is America's hope. The current spiritual and economic crisis is quite real in the lives of families across the nation, and apart from God's blessing there is no hope. Therefore, the theme of our 18th annual National Day of Prayer in Georgetown is "May your unfailing love rest upon us, Oh, Lord, even as we put our HOPE in You." (Psalm 33:22)
I hope you will make it a point to join me at the Georgetown High School Football Stadium (221 North Austin Ave) on May 7 (a Thursday) to pray with others all accross Georgetown from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In case there is a rain-out, the location will be the Georgetown 9th Grade Center Gymnasium located at 4290 E. University.
Peace,
Ernest
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Georgetown Job Cafe
Dear Friends,
Allow me to tell you about something new and exciting happening here in Georgetown. It's called the GEORGETOWN JOB CAFE (GJC). The GJC is a not-for-profit source for local employment information for all residents. The goal of the GJC is to match local employers with qualified job candidates and to match job seekers with local jobs in which they can excel and enrich their lives. Churches from all across the metro-Austin area will supply many of the GJC applicants and employers. This idea of using churches networking employers and potential employees within those churches with other churches in a much larger network is a great approach because statistics tell us that seventy percent of all jobs are "hidden jobs" and are not advertised.
Here's how the GJC works. Churches like Main Street Baptist Church who are active in the GJC network provide liaisons to the GJC. Every week there are weekly support meetings that offer prayer and spiritual encouragement, job search skills training, career counseling and assessment, networking and job leads, resume review and assistance, financial counseling, and online job search tools. At the moment the weekly GJC meetings are being held at the Georgetown public library, but that site could change in a few weeks.
Presently I am the liaison for our church, so if you are an employer needing help, or if you are presently looking for a job, please, contact me at ernest@msbchurch.com. Also, please consider going to one of the weekly meetings at the library. The meetings start at 9:00 and end at noon every Wednesday. If you are just one of these people who likes to help, has a heart for men and women looking for work, and wants to get involved, contact me at ernest@msbchurch.com.
God bless,
Ernest
Allow me to tell you about something new and exciting happening here in Georgetown. It's called the GEORGETOWN JOB CAFE (GJC). The GJC is a not-for-profit source for local employment information for all residents. The goal of the GJC is to match local employers with qualified job candidates and to match job seekers with local jobs in which they can excel and enrich their lives. Churches from all across the metro-Austin area will supply many of the GJC applicants and employers. This idea of using churches networking employers and potential employees within those churches with other churches in a much larger network is a great approach because statistics tell us that seventy percent of all jobs are "hidden jobs" and are not advertised.
Here's how the GJC works. Churches like Main Street Baptist Church who are active in the GJC network provide liaisons to the GJC. Every week there are weekly support meetings that offer prayer and spiritual encouragement, job search skills training, career counseling and assessment, networking and job leads, resume review and assistance, financial counseling, and online job search tools. At the moment the weekly GJC meetings are being held at the Georgetown public library, but that site could change in a few weeks.
Presently I am the liaison for our church, so if you are an employer needing help, or if you are presently looking for a job, please, contact me at ernest@msbchurch.com. Also, please consider going to one of the weekly meetings at the library. The meetings start at 9:00 and end at noon every Wednesday. If you are just one of these people who likes to help, has a heart for men and women looking for work, and wants to get involved, contact me at ernest@msbchurch.com.
God bless,
Ernest
Monday, March 30, 2009
Dear Friends,
Yesterday I mentioned that Titus 1:8 was worth a closer look but that we didn't have time. Well...here's the closer look. When speaking of church leaders Paul says (Titus 1:8, NIV), "Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined."
“Rather he must be hospitable,” The word is literally phileo. It means gentle spirit, or warm, or kindly. He must be kindly, or friendly.
So, he must be friendly, and “one who loves what is good.” Then Paul uses the word phileo again, only this time it’s combined with another word, the word agathos. Agathos in Greek literally means kind. In fact, it is used by Paul in Romans 5:7 when he says, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” The word “good” used there is the same “good” used over here in Titus. A kind man, Paul says. You might die for a kind man, maybe not a righteous man, but you might for a kind one.
Then Paul continues speaking of one “who is self-controlled.” Now, self-controlled is sometimes translated prudent. The word used here is the same one Paul uses when he says to Timothy, (2 Timothy 1:7) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (deliria, a spirit of disorienting fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (or sound-mind).” The word for sound mind is pseuphrono. Phrono is the word for mind, and pseu is from the word soter, save, or health. The word “to save” caries the meaning “to make healthy.” It means to have a healthy mind. The same word is used here in Titus. So, look at what he is saying. He wants the elders, along with Titus of course, to be “friendly, lovers of kindness, and of sound mind.”
Then Paul adds “upright,” That’s the word “dikiaos” which means righteous.
Paul also uses the word “holy,” often translated devout. This has something to do with the presence of God. So, I see Paul communicating that he not only wants them upright, but also close to God, Christ-centered. He wants someone close to Christ. Have you ever known people who just seemed to walk with Jesus? There is a kind of devoutness there. They are in close.
Then Paul closes this list with the word “disciplined.” We love that word, because it’s one of the fruits of the Spirit—self-control. It's the same word. This word in Greek is used almost exclusively of athletes, because they are disciplined in diet, training, and sleep. They’ve got focused and concentrated effort.
So, putting it all together, Paul is telling Titus, "This is what I want to see in your life and in the lives of the elders around you, and hopefully eventually in the live of everyone in the congregation. I want them to be friendly. I want them to be lovers of goodness/kindness. I want them to be clear-headed. I want them to be upright. I want them to be close to Christ. And I want them disciplined.” Can you imagine the impact of a church filled with folks like that? When Christ-followers have these marks of distinction, I would think that would be winsome in any culture.
Peace,
Ernest
Yesterday I mentioned that Titus 1:8 was worth a closer look but that we didn't have time. Well...here's the closer look. When speaking of church leaders Paul says (Titus 1:8, NIV), "Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined."
“Rather he must be hospitable,” The word is literally phileo. It means gentle spirit, or warm, or kindly. He must be kindly, or friendly.
So, he must be friendly, and “one who loves what is good.” Then Paul uses the word phileo again, only this time it’s combined with another word, the word agathos. Agathos in Greek literally means kind. In fact, it is used by Paul in Romans 5:7 when he says, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” The word “good” used there is the same “good” used over here in Titus. A kind man, Paul says. You might die for a kind man, maybe not a righteous man, but you might for a kind one.
Then Paul continues speaking of one “who is self-controlled.” Now, self-controlled is sometimes translated prudent. The word used here is the same one Paul uses when he says to Timothy, (2 Timothy 1:7) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (deliria, a spirit of disorienting fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (or sound-mind).” The word for sound mind is pseuphrono. Phrono is the word for mind, and pseu is from the word soter, save, or health. The word “to save” caries the meaning “to make healthy.” It means to have a healthy mind. The same word is used here in Titus. So, look at what he is saying. He wants the elders, along with Titus of course, to be “friendly, lovers of kindness, and of sound mind.”
Then Paul adds “upright,” That’s the word “dikiaos” which means righteous.
Paul also uses the word “holy,” often translated devout. This has something to do with the presence of God. So, I see Paul communicating that he not only wants them upright, but also close to God, Christ-centered. He wants someone close to Christ. Have you ever known people who just seemed to walk with Jesus? There is a kind of devoutness there. They are in close.
Then Paul closes this list with the word “disciplined.” We love that word, because it’s one of the fruits of the Spirit—self-control. It's the same word. This word in Greek is used almost exclusively of athletes, because they are disciplined in diet, training, and sleep. They’ve got focused and concentrated effort.
So, putting it all together, Paul is telling Titus, "This is what I want to see in your life and in the lives of the elders around you, and hopefully eventually in the live of everyone in the congregation. I want them to be friendly. I want them to be lovers of goodness/kindness. I want them to be clear-headed. I want them to be upright. I want them to be close to Christ. And I want them disciplined.” Can you imagine the impact of a church filled with folks like that? When Christ-followers have these marks of distinction, I would think that would be winsome in any culture.
Peace,
Ernest
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Prison Ministry Report
Dear Friends,
One of the biggest joys in my life is the opportunity to see so many amazing people humbly serving the Lord in amazing ways. Two people who constantly amaze and humble me are Ted and Pam Ludlow, a new-member couple that is serving as volunteers ministers at the local jail in the name of Main Street Baptist Church, and much more importantly in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am so thrilled by what God is doing through their ministry, and you should be as well. Just take a moment to read a letter I just received, and think about lifting them up in prayer throughout the course of your day, week, and month. You might also want to email Ted and Pam a word of encouragement.
Peace,
Ernest Jones
Dear Praying Partners,
Words fail to express changed lives. One has to see the expression on a face, hear the inflection in the voice and observe the body language to get the full impact. Therefore, the following story is hard to communicate with words. But, let me try. One of the women in our AA group is called “Ozzie” – 9 months ago she was totally indifferent to the claims of Christ and wasn’t sure about “God” in whatever package He/She came in. Through Pam’s faithful witness, the impact of a dynamic Christian inmate (Maria) and the AA class Ozzie came to a strong faith in Christ. She was not afraid to publicly express that faith in class and was a diligent student of her Bible. She has been a model inmate since she found life in Christ.
When her “day in court” came along we were all praying for favor with the judge. Ozzie was nervous and apprehensive, but seemed ready for whatever came down. Well, it didn’t come down so good. The prosecutor enhanced the charges (increased them to aggravated) and changed her to a level one inmate. When she got back to her pod and the pod officer told her – she just lost it! She threw her Bible against the wall, swore at God and said, among other things, (expletives) she was all finished with God because he did stand up for her. That outburst caused her to be “rolled” to the south side where the tougher women are located in single and 8-man cells.
Pam ministered to her there. Ozzie came to a place of profound repentance and humility for her untoward behavior. She ministered to the women in her 8-man cell and asked God to restore her to her old pod - if for no other reason than to be able to express her love and appreciation to Maria for Maria’s spiritual help before Maria left for prison. The Lord did exactly that. She was returned to her old pod, these two women had one night of talking and praying together and both of them were filled with joy at God’s goodness at that moment in their lives. Ozzie then came to the AA class filled with the goodness and love of God. I cannot begin to express the power of her testimony about how “unfaithful” she was and yet how faithful God was to her. That’s where words don’t communicate her passion, excitement, gestures and appreciation to God for all he had done in those last few days. She was even profoundly grateful for having had the experience and the lessons God taught her in the process. Pray for Ozzie, Maria and all these women so powerfully impacted by Christ while in prison. Maria is a strong believer and capable of bearing a faithful witness for Christ in the next prison she goes to.
It is only one story of dozens we see every single month. Thank you for your faithful prayers and interest.
Ted
512-635-8732 (cell)
TedLudlow@gmail.com
One of the biggest joys in my life is the opportunity to see so many amazing people humbly serving the Lord in amazing ways. Two people who constantly amaze and humble me are Ted and Pam Ludlow, a new-member couple that is serving as volunteers ministers at the local jail in the name of Main Street Baptist Church, and much more importantly in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am so thrilled by what God is doing through their ministry, and you should be as well. Just take a moment to read a letter I just received, and think about lifting them up in prayer throughout the course of your day, week, and month. You might also want to email Ted and Pam a word of encouragement.
Peace,
Ernest Jones
Dear Praying Partners,
Words fail to express changed lives. One has to see the expression on a face, hear the inflection in the voice and observe the body language to get the full impact. Therefore, the following story is hard to communicate with words. But, let me try. One of the women in our AA group is called “Ozzie” – 9 months ago she was totally indifferent to the claims of Christ and wasn’t sure about “God” in whatever package He/She came in. Through Pam’s faithful witness, the impact of a dynamic Christian inmate (Maria) and the AA class Ozzie came to a strong faith in Christ. She was not afraid to publicly express that faith in class and was a diligent student of her Bible. She has been a model inmate since she found life in Christ.
When her “day in court” came along we were all praying for favor with the judge. Ozzie was nervous and apprehensive, but seemed ready for whatever came down. Well, it didn’t come down so good. The prosecutor enhanced the charges (increased them to aggravated) and changed her to a level one inmate. When she got back to her pod and the pod officer told her – she just lost it! She threw her Bible against the wall, swore at God and said, among other things, (expletives) she was all finished with God because he did stand up for her. That outburst caused her to be “rolled” to the south side where the tougher women are located in single and 8-man cells.
Pam ministered to her there. Ozzie came to a place of profound repentance and humility for her untoward behavior. She ministered to the women in her 8-man cell and asked God to restore her to her old pod - if for no other reason than to be able to express her love and appreciation to Maria for Maria’s spiritual help before Maria left for prison. The Lord did exactly that. She was returned to her old pod, these two women had one night of talking and praying together and both of them were filled with joy at God’s goodness at that moment in their lives. Ozzie then came to the AA class filled with the goodness and love of God. I cannot begin to express the power of her testimony about how “unfaithful” she was and yet how faithful God was to her. That’s where words don’t communicate her passion, excitement, gestures and appreciation to God for all he had done in those last few days. She was even profoundly grateful for having had the experience and the lessons God taught her in the process. Pray for Ozzie, Maria and all these women so powerfully impacted by Christ while in prison. Maria is a strong believer and capable of bearing a faithful witness for Christ in the next prison she goes to.
It is only one story of dozens we see every single month. Thank you for your faithful prayers and interest.
Ted
512-635-8732 (cell)
TedLudlow@gmail.com
He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
Dear friends,
Every once in a while I get an email devotional that I think is really helpful, and this morning I received just such a devotional I thought was worth immediately passing along. It’s a devotional that concerns Malachi 3:3 that says of God, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
That’s a great verse, but this verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that's easy—when I see my image in it.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Whatever you’re going through right now, just remember that God has a purpose.
Peace,
Ernest
Every once in a while I get an email devotional that I think is really helpful, and this morning I received just such a devotional I thought was worth immediately passing along. It’s a devotional that concerns Malachi 3:3 that says of God, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
That’s a great verse, but this verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that's easy—when I see my image in it.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Whatever you’re going through right now, just remember that God has a purpose.
Peace,
Ernest
Thursday, March 19, 2009
More About Baggage Claim
Dear People,
As you can tell from my last blog, I am excited about our upcoming play. However, some of you have asked, "But what is the play about?"
I am reluctant to say too much because I despise movie trailers that overtell about an upcoming movie. Saying too much spoils the fun, and this is a fun play.
What I will tell you is that Baggage Claim lays out the gospel in a way that can be easily grasped. The story revolves around the D'Baquel family who has decided to vacation at a much publicized Bed & Breakfast that is served by a bellhop who offers far more than meets the eye. The comic beginning of the play seques into a darker reality as the pain and inner conflicts of the four family members surface. This is one vacation where the rest only comes in shocking ways.
See you there!
Ernest
As you can tell from my last blog, I am excited about our upcoming play. However, some of you have asked, "But what is the play about?"
I am reluctant to say too much because I despise movie trailers that overtell about an upcoming movie. Saying too much spoils the fun, and this is a fun play.
What I will tell you is that Baggage Claim lays out the gospel in a way that can be easily grasped. The story revolves around the D'Baquel family who has decided to vacation at a much publicized Bed & Breakfast that is served by a bellhop who offers far more than meets the eye. The comic beginning of the play seques into a darker reality as the pain and inner conflicts of the four family members surface. This is one vacation where the rest only comes in shocking ways.
See you there!
Ernest
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
BAGGAGE CLAIM
Dear People,
I am very excited about what’s coming in the week before Easter Sunday: BAGGAGE CLAIM! I love this well-written play! We have such a wonderful opportunity to present the message of salvation through this dramatic production that will entertain and deeply move everyone who sees it. I hope you will take the opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to watch it with you.
Getting out the message of God’s love, grace, mercy, and salvation is as important as ever, and BAGGAGE CLAIM is a perfect vehicle for doing that. Our world is filled with visual images from television, computers, video games, and now cellular phones, so a live dramatic presentation of the Good News cannot be underestimated. People not only need to hear God’s Word, they want to see it!
For those who doubt the power and importance of drama in a church, we would do well to remember the implicit honor given to drama in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God presented dramas through His prophets. In the cases of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, the prophets actually acted out their messages. God uses actual events in the lives of real people to teach others His Gospel truths, such as Abraham's offering of Isaac or the life of Joseph, both of which illustrate John 3:16. Also consider the fact that whole Old Testament Sanctuary Service with its supplies, furniture, and rituals was an illustration of the entire plan of salvation that was fulfilled at the cross. Our Lord Himself taught with parables and dynamic life-lessons such as the withering of the fig tree. In keep with the Old Testament and New Testament, the early Christian Church under the Holy Spirit’s direction employed the use of drama to pass on the story of Jesus, a method that transcends the barriers of language and social class standings. In short, while people obviously appreciate some good drama, most importantly so does God!
So…I’m excited about this play, and I can tell you that our director Brian McMinn and his cast have been working extremely hard for well over a month now. Several others will be faithfully helping with the set design and construction. So I hope that at the very least you will make plans to come and see. More than that, I hope you will also encourage someone else to come and see with you. Do not underestimate this opportunity.
Peace,
Ernest
I am very excited about what’s coming in the week before Easter Sunday: BAGGAGE CLAIM! I love this well-written play! We have such a wonderful opportunity to present the message of salvation through this dramatic production that will entertain and deeply move everyone who sees it. I hope you will take the opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to watch it with you.
Getting out the message of God’s love, grace, mercy, and salvation is as important as ever, and BAGGAGE CLAIM is a perfect vehicle for doing that. Our world is filled with visual images from television, computers, video games, and now cellular phones, so a live dramatic presentation of the Good News cannot be underestimated. People not only need to hear God’s Word, they want to see it!
For those who doubt the power and importance of drama in a church, we would do well to remember the implicit honor given to drama in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God presented dramas through His prophets. In the cases of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, the prophets actually acted out their messages. God uses actual events in the lives of real people to teach others His Gospel truths, such as Abraham's offering of Isaac or the life of Joseph, both of which illustrate John 3:16. Also consider the fact that whole Old Testament Sanctuary Service with its supplies, furniture, and rituals was an illustration of the entire plan of salvation that was fulfilled at the cross. Our Lord Himself taught with parables and dynamic life-lessons such as the withering of the fig tree. In keep with the Old Testament and New Testament, the early Christian Church under the Holy Spirit’s direction employed the use of drama to pass on the story of Jesus, a method that transcends the barriers of language and social class standings. In short, while people obviously appreciate some good drama, most importantly so does God!
So…I’m excited about this play, and I can tell you that our director Brian McMinn and his cast have been working extremely hard for well over a month now. Several others will be faithfully helping with the set design and construction. So I hope that at the very least you will make plans to come and see. More than that, I hope you will also encourage someone else to come and see with you. Do not underestimate this opportunity.
Peace,
Ernest
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Letter from Royce
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, last Sunday we gave about seven minutes of our service to The Gideons International, and organization of business men dedicated to distributing Bibles around the globe. It's a fantastic organization with some exceptional men, and I thought it appropriate to pass along to you a letter I received from Royce today. The letter is addressed to me, but it actually concerns the entire church family. I hope you enjoy his letter.
Dear Ernest,
Thank you for the warm welcome that you and the Main Street congregation extended to the Gideons last Sunday. It was good for me personally to see friends I had missed for a few months. I especially appreciated your message and your introduction talking about the heart when I was all set to talk about pulse rate in my opening. A "coincidence" I'm sure!
Thank you for the privilege of presenting a report on what God is doing with and through Gideons International around the world. On behalf of The Gideons of Williamson County and The Gideons International, we want to express our sincere thanks to you and your congrgation for your past support of the Gideon work, as well as the outstanding response this year. We were blessed by donations in the amount of $1486.23, which will provide for 297 Bibles or 1061 Testaments to be purchased and placed! We can pray that many precious souls will come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of these Scriptures being distributed.
I mentioned in one of the services that current and past Gideons at Main Street that I know of include Bob McMinn and Wayne Doss (who assisted at the doors) as well as Tom Mulcahey, Brooks Slaughter and Marshall Duke.
I especially appreciate your prayerful supoort for this ministry. Your specific prayers for the Gideon ministry in the services, and your encouragement of the congregation to support financially was much appreciated. Thank you again for the privilege of representing the The Gideons in the services last Sunday.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Royce Lindsey
As many of you know, last Sunday we gave about seven minutes of our service to The Gideons International, and organization of business men dedicated to distributing Bibles around the globe. It's a fantastic organization with some exceptional men, and I thought it appropriate to pass along to you a letter I received from Royce today. The letter is addressed to me, but it actually concerns the entire church family. I hope you enjoy his letter.
Dear Ernest,
Thank you for the warm welcome that you and the Main Street congregation extended to the Gideons last Sunday. It was good for me personally to see friends I had missed for a few months. I especially appreciated your message and your introduction talking about the heart when I was all set to talk about pulse rate in my opening. A "coincidence" I'm sure!
Thank you for the privilege of presenting a report on what God is doing with and through Gideons International around the world. On behalf of The Gideons of Williamson County and The Gideons International, we want to express our sincere thanks to you and your congrgation for your past support of the Gideon work, as well as the outstanding response this year. We were blessed by donations in the amount of $1486.23, which will provide for 297 Bibles or 1061 Testaments to be purchased and placed! We can pray that many precious souls will come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of these Scriptures being distributed.
I mentioned in one of the services that current and past Gideons at Main Street that I know of include Bob McMinn and Wayne Doss (who assisted at the doors) as well as Tom Mulcahey, Brooks Slaughter and Marshall Duke.
I especially appreciate your prayerful supoort for this ministry. Your specific prayers for the Gideon ministry in the services, and your encouragement of the congregation to support financially was much appreciated. Thank you again for the privilege of representing the The Gideons in the services last Sunday.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Royce Lindsey
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ignore
Dear Friends,
It’s not nice to ignore people…at least that’s what we tell our children. But then we read about how Jesus is in the middle of performing a miracle in Mark 5:36, and some doubters start to voice their cynicism. To describe Jesus’ reaction, Mark uses a phrase that throws some of us for a loop, Ignoring what they said.
Jesus goes on to heal the little girl, in spite of the surrounding doubt. This teaches us a valuable lesson: In order to witness the miraculous, sometimes you will have to ignore what they said. Maybe some people are perpetually misjudging your motives, and nothing you say seems to sway their verdict. Ignore what they said. Perhaps someone in your past filled your head with insecurity about who you could never be, and what you could never do. Ignore what they said. Sometimes the voice of doubt is manufactured from within—and we struggle to tune out the static of condemnation, faithlessness, and worst-case scenarios. Ignore what they said.
If any voice is raising itself in contradiction to the will and Word of God concerning you, be like Jesus. Practice selective hearing. Ignore what they said.
Peace,
Ernest
It’s not nice to ignore people…at least that’s what we tell our children. But then we read about how Jesus is in the middle of performing a miracle in Mark 5:36, and some doubters start to voice their cynicism. To describe Jesus’ reaction, Mark uses a phrase that throws some of us for a loop, Ignoring what they said.
Jesus goes on to heal the little girl, in spite of the surrounding doubt. This teaches us a valuable lesson: In order to witness the miraculous, sometimes you will have to ignore what they said. Maybe some people are perpetually misjudging your motives, and nothing you say seems to sway their verdict. Ignore what they said. Perhaps someone in your past filled your head with insecurity about who you could never be, and what you could never do. Ignore what they said. Sometimes the voice of doubt is manufactured from within—and we struggle to tune out the static of condemnation, faithlessness, and worst-case scenarios. Ignore what they said.
If any voice is raising itself in contradiction to the will and Word of God concerning you, be like Jesus. Practice selective hearing. Ignore what they said.
Peace,
Ernest
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dear Friends,
Brooke Keith wrote that life is not about being prepared for whatever comes our way. Life is rather about being prepared to choose joy whatever comes our way. Those are good words for those of us who have continued to watch unemployment rates soar and the stock market tank.
Habakkuk seems to back up Brooke's observation. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
While all else fails, God never fails. Where is our trust? Where is our hope? Where is our joy? In circumstances? In our national leaders? In the wisdom of the 111th Congress? I most certainly hope not!
Peace,
Ernest
Brooke Keith wrote that life is not about being prepared for whatever comes our way. Life is rather about being prepared to choose joy whatever comes our way. Those are good words for those of us who have continued to watch unemployment rates soar and the stock market tank.
Habakkuk seems to back up Brooke's observation. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
While all else fails, God never fails. Where is our trust? Where is our hope? Where is our joy? In circumstances? In our national leaders? In the wisdom of the 111th Congress? I most certainly hope not!
Peace,
Ernest
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It's Nearly Spring...Praise God!
Dear Friends,
The last few days have been pretty rough. Bad news on the domestic front is so abundant that some of you have told me that you have stopped watching the news. Last week a member of my extended family was the victim of a murder-suicide. I've been putting in lots of miles on the road to both lower my cholesterol and build up my endurance. In fact, last week I ran a total of 48 miles--sort of draining. I'm sort of looking forward to relief. I can't wait for Spring!
In spite of high winds and chill,
Winter is on the wing;
My calendar says it's early March,
But in my heart it's spring!
Dorothy Labelle
For those of you who've had a hard winter, I've got good news. Spring is coming! God always brings relief. Psalm 81:6, "I will relieve your shoulder of it's burden; I will free your hands from their heavy task."
Peace,
Ernest
The last few days have been pretty rough. Bad news on the domestic front is so abundant that some of you have told me that you have stopped watching the news. Last week a member of my extended family was the victim of a murder-suicide. I've been putting in lots of miles on the road to both lower my cholesterol and build up my endurance. In fact, last week I ran a total of 48 miles--sort of draining. I'm sort of looking forward to relief. I can't wait for Spring!
In spite of high winds and chill,
Winter is on the wing;
My calendar says it's early March,
But in my heart it's spring!
Dorothy Labelle
For those of you who've had a hard winter, I've got good news. Spring is coming! God always brings relief. Psalm 81:6, "I will relieve your shoulder of it's burden; I will free your hands from their heavy task."
Peace,
Ernest
Friday, February 27, 2009
Ministry Fair
Dear Friends,
This Sunday our church is hosting our annual Ministry Fair where people get to view and sign up for various opportunities to serve in and through our church. With 29 ministry booths and tables all set up, we should be encouraged by what so many people are already doing.
As you hopefully take the opportunity to attend the Ministry Fair this weekend, I hope that you will remember that God wants what's best, but not necessarily what’s best for ME. Waiting for the death penalty while shackled to a prison guard wasn’t BEST for Paul. But it was best for the advancement of the Gospel. (Philippians 1:12) Being beat to shreds on a criminal’s cross wasn’t BEST for Jesus. But it was the only way to procure salvation for those He came to redeem. (Matthew 26:42)
Ultimately God’s best is what’s best for me. But in the meantime: If what’s BEST for the cause of Christ doesn’t happen to be what’s BEST for ME…am I okay with that? Think about it.
Peace,
Ernest
This Sunday our church is hosting our annual Ministry Fair where people get to view and sign up for various opportunities to serve in and through our church. With 29 ministry booths and tables all set up, we should be encouraged by what so many people are already doing.
As you hopefully take the opportunity to attend the Ministry Fair this weekend, I hope that you will remember that God wants what's best, but not necessarily what’s best for ME. Waiting for the death penalty while shackled to a prison guard wasn’t BEST for Paul. But it was best for the advancement of the Gospel. (Philippians 1:12) Being beat to shreds on a criminal’s cross wasn’t BEST for Jesus. But it was the only way to procure salvation for those He came to redeem. (Matthew 26:42)
Ultimately God’s best is what’s best for me. But in the meantime: If what’s BEST for the cause of Christ doesn’t happen to be what’s BEST for ME…am I okay with that? Think about it.
Peace,
Ernest
Monday, February 23, 2009
His Best Adornment
Dear Friends,
I once knew a pastor whose goal in life was to never quote Charles Haddon Spurgeon because everyone quotes Spurgeon. Well, the reason Spurgeon is quoted so often is because everything he wrote is worthy of being quoted! Whenever I have read anything by Spurgeon I have thought to myself, "There is no wonder as to why this man pastored a mega-church in the days before mega-churches."
Yesterday I came accross a Spurgeon quote that got me to thinking. I'll share it with you without comment. Just meditate on what he's saying for a moment.
Do you want arguments for soul winning? Look up to Heaven, and ask yourself how sinners can ever reach those harps of gold and learn that everlasing song, unless they have someone to tell them of Jesus, who is mighty to save. But the best argument of all is to be found in the wounds of Jesus. You want to honor Him, you desire to put many crowns upon His head, and this you best do by winning souls for Him. These are the spoils that He covets, these are the trophies for which He fights, these are the jewels that shall be His best adornment.
May we lay before Jesus what He most desires. May we crown Him with many crowns. May we honor Him with trophies and jewels eternal.
Peace,
Ernest
I once knew a pastor whose goal in life was to never quote Charles Haddon Spurgeon because everyone quotes Spurgeon. Well, the reason Spurgeon is quoted so often is because everything he wrote is worthy of being quoted! Whenever I have read anything by Spurgeon I have thought to myself, "There is no wonder as to why this man pastored a mega-church in the days before mega-churches."
Yesterday I came accross a Spurgeon quote that got me to thinking. I'll share it with you without comment. Just meditate on what he's saying for a moment.
Do you want arguments for soul winning? Look up to Heaven, and ask yourself how sinners can ever reach those harps of gold and learn that everlasing song, unless they have someone to tell them of Jesus, who is mighty to save. But the best argument of all is to be found in the wounds of Jesus. You want to honor Him, you desire to put many crowns upon His head, and this you best do by winning souls for Him. These are the spoils that He covets, these are the trophies for which He fights, these are the jewels that shall be His best adornment.
May we lay before Jesus what He most desires. May we crown Him with many crowns. May we honor Him with trophies and jewels eternal.
Peace,
Ernest
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Dear Friends,
Like many of you, I am upset by the financial chaos in which we find ourselves as a nation. Like many of you, I also have a few ideas as to why our nation is in this current situation. Over the period of a year we've seen debates, read articles, and followed the political obverservations concerning our financial stresses. There are lots of interesting viewpoints floating around right now, but the article that most impressed me (maybe because it was simple enough for me to understand) was one written by a Christian psychologist named Charles Lowery. I hope you enjoy his writting as much as I have. Charles Lowery writes the following in an article entitled "Life's Portfolio":
It has finally happened. The world has gone crazy. As a psychologist I now have a job for life. News reporters are correct. They are always talking about breaking news, and now everything is breaking. We know that kids fresh out of business school and employed at Wall Street investment banks have been advising grown-ups on Main Street to buy nothing with nothing down. They can then leverage to pay themselves fees so that they can pay nothing for something else and collect more fees. Of course that's risky, so you have to involve an insurance company just in case nothing becomes something.
It seems like giving permission for someone to bet your money on a race horse that will never run a race. The horse will be sold so many times that by the time the race occurs, it will be impossible to determine who owns the horse. And if the horse wins the race, then everyone will have enough money to go to court. At any rate, the fees charged for selling the horse over and over added up to more than the horse is worth. The people who care for the horse, train the horse, and ride the horse are paid peanuts while the people who have never seen the horse live in a palace. We have created a world of smoke and mirrors where you get more (a lot more) for pretending to be a doctor on television than for being a real doctor.
Obviously this is an oversimplification of the Wall Street crisis. Some on Wall Street tell us that they were selling exotic derivatives. Let me ask you, have you always wanted an exotic derivative? I had never even heard of them, much less that we could buy them! I've also heard that they were selling credit default swaps. I now understand why it had to be based on leveraged money. I can't see the average guy saving for a down payment on a credit default swap. The only way to explain our current situation is that we lost our grip on greed and the world Ponzi scheme has squeezed the "cents" out of us.
We have leveraged ourselves to the hilt and are now in shock that the system has let us down. I think it hit home when the car executives flew in their corporate jets to Washington to ask for billions of dollars in free cash. I was thinking, "Didn't they make enough on that undercoating charge that has been added to every car I have ever purchased?" Actually, that meeting was somewhat encouraging to me because I realized that I (combined with the rest of the tax payers in this nation) made $38 billion more than GM. Actually, I (we) lost $38 billion less than GM, but I like to look at life in a positive way. I don't want to single out one industry because all of us know of con artists who peddle false prosperity (just surf some of the religious channels).
Most of us in America were born on third base. Unfortunately, we go through life thinking we hit a triple. It is easy to become obsessed with our presumed specialness and forget our ordinary humanity. This may be why USA Today chose as one of the best financial slogans of the year, "Chill out people. In the long run we are all dead."
Now some are pushing for more government bailouts. Wishful thinking is about as bad as wishful drinking. It is a sign of losing touch with reality. Remember that snow turns to slush, puppies turn into dogs, babies turn into teenagers, and candidates turn into elected officials. Public funds always make it into private pockets, and it's usually the wrong pair of pants. Now that I have convinced you that irrational exuberance is not a great financial plan and that the bull market was more bull than market, you probably think that your best financial position is somewhere between cash and fetal. Let's look at what we can learn and not who we can blame.
I think it all started with Starbucks. The essence of irrational exuberance is to pay $5 for a 50-cent cup of coffee. I believe the explanation is in the name. "I must be a star to pay big bucks for coffee." Guess what? Starbucks is now selling oatmeal. It is real food, old-fashioned, down-home oatmeal. I think oatmeal may be our tipping point. Maybe it's time to trade Hummers for humility; to realize the basics are the blessings; to invest in that other portfolio. Invest in the one that pays real dividends; the one that can't be leveraged or outsourced because only you can be the husband, the father, or the believer. I'm not saying it will be easy. The whole world is a Ponzi scheme. It is always promising more than it can deliver, always talking about the return but never the risk.
It's a science. Market researchers know that shoppers are more comfortable staying to their right. Research indicates shoppers moving counter-clockwise spend $2 more per trip than those moving in the opposite direction. The world even knows which way it wants you to turn. What advice do the consumer experts give to counteract the marketing experts? Have a list before you enter the store. Grab the smallest cart that will hold your items. The number one piece of advice is to never shop when you are hungry. This is not a bad strategy for life. Know what is important, have your list, decide the largest cart or house or car is not what you need, and the number one piece of advice is that you have the Bread of Life so you don't begin the day hungry.
Peace,
Ernest
Like many of you, I am upset by the financial chaos in which we find ourselves as a nation. Like many of you, I also have a few ideas as to why our nation is in this current situation. Over the period of a year we've seen debates, read articles, and followed the political obverservations concerning our financial stresses. There are lots of interesting viewpoints floating around right now, but the article that most impressed me (maybe because it was simple enough for me to understand) was one written by a Christian psychologist named Charles Lowery. I hope you enjoy his writting as much as I have. Charles Lowery writes the following in an article entitled "Life's Portfolio":
It has finally happened. The world has gone crazy. As a psychologist I now have a job for life. News reporters are correct. They are always talking about breaking news, and now everything is breaking. We know that kids fresh out of business school and employed at Wall Street investment banks have been advising grown-ups on Main Street to buy nothing with nothing down. They can then leverage to pay themselves fees so that they can pay nothing for something else and collect more fees. Of course that's risky, so you have to involve an insurance company just in case nothing becomes something.
It seems like giving permission for someone to bet your money on a race horse that will never run a race. The horse will be sold so many times that by the time the race occurs, it will be impossible to determine who owns the horse. And if the horse wins the race, then everyone will have enough money to go to court. At any rate, the fees charged for selling the horse over and over added up to more than the horse is worth. The people who care for the horse, train the horse, and ride the horse are paid peanuts while the people who have never seen the horse live in a palace. We have created a world of smoke and mirrors where you get more (a lot more) for pretending to be a doctor on television than for being a real doctor.
Obviously this is an oversimplification of the Wall Street crisis. Some on Wall Street tell us that they were selling exotic derivatives. Let me ask you, have you always wanted an exotic derivative? I had never even heard of them, much less that we could buy them! I've also heard that they were selling credit default swaps. I now understand why it had to be based on leveraged money. I can't see the average guy saving for a down payment on a credit default swap. The only way to explain our current situation is that we lost our grip on greed and the world Ponzi scheme has squeezed the "cents" out of us.
We have leveraged ourselves to the hilt and are now in shock that the system has let us down. I think it hit home when the car executives flew in their corporate jets to Washington to ask for billions of dollars in free cash. I was thinking, "Didn't they make enough on that undercoating charge that has been added to every car I have ever purchased?" Actually, that meeting was somewhat encouraging to me because I realized that I (combined with the rest of the tax payers in this nation) made $38 billion more than GM. Actually, I (we) lost $38 billion less than GM, but I like to look at life in a positive way. I don't want to single out one industry because all of us know of con artists who peddle false prosperity (just surf some of the religious channels).
Most of us in America were born on third base. Unfortunately, we go through life thinking we hit a triple. It is easy to become obsessed with our presumed specialness and forget our ordinary humanity. This may be why USA Today chose as one of the best financial slogans of the year, "Chill out people. In the long run we are all dead."
Now some are pushing for more government bailouts. Wishful thinking is about as bad as wishful drinking. It is a sign of losing touch with reality. Remember that snow turns to slush, puppies turn into dogs, babies turn into teenagers, and candidates turn into elected officials. Public funds always make it into private pockets, and it's usually the wrong pair of pants. Now that I have convinced you that irrational exuberance is not a great financial plan and that the bull market was more bull than market, you probably think that your best financial position is somewhere between cash and fetal. Let's look at what we can learn and not who we can blame.
I think it all started with Starbucks. The essence of irrational exuberance is to pay $5 for a 50-cent cup of coffee. I believe the explanation is in the name. "I must be a star to pay big bucks for coffee." Guess what? Starbucks is now selling oatmeal. It is real food, old-fashioned, down-home oatmeal. I think oatmeal may be our tipping point. Maybe it's time to trade Hummers for humility; to realize the basics are the blessings; to invest in that other portfolio. Invest in the one that pays real dividends; the one that can't be leveraged or outsourced because only you can be the husband, the father, or the believer. I'm not saying it will be easy. The whole world is a Ponzi scheme. It is always promising more than it can deliver, always talking about the return but never the risk.
It's a science. Market researchers know that shoppers are more comfortable staying to their right. Research indicates shoppers moving counter-clockwise spend $2 more per trip than those moving in the opposite direction. The world even knows which way it wants you to turn. What advice do the consumer experts give to counteract the marketing experts? Have a list before you enter the store. Grab the smallest cart that will hold your items. The number one piece of advice is to never shop when you are hungry. This is not a bad strategy for life. Know what is important, have your list, decide the largest cart or house or car is not what you need, and the number one piece of advice is that you have the Bread of Life so you don't begin the day hungry.
Peace,
Ernest
Monday, February 16, 2009
God, please, make us starved for you!
Dear friends,
I know this is a short post, but hopefully the thought is helpful: An ounce of hunger is worth a pound of experience. I am talking about a hunger to see God move as evidenced by humility, sacrifice, and dedication. In fact, hunger is so valuable that experience minus hunger can amount to arrogance and cynicism. Statements like, “But we’ve always…” “But we’ve never…” and“ Why should we bother to…” are a sure sign that the hunger isn’t there anymore. I've pretty much learned that I can't stay hungry when I'm full of myself. Hunger, I think, covers a mound of inexperience, and so it comes as no surprise that revival often starts with the youth.
I hope God makes us starved for more of Him and His ways. That's when we should get most excited. As Jesus told us in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." When we get starved for Him, I get excited because I know a feast is just around the corner.
Peace,
Ernest
I know this is a short post, but hopefully the thought is helpful: An ounce of hunger is worth a pound of experience. I am talking about a hunger to see God move as evidenced by humility, sacrifice, and dedication. In fact, hunger is so valuable that experience minus hunger can amount to arrogance and cynicism. Statements like, “But we’ve always…” “But we’ve never…” and“ Why should we bother to…” are a sure sign that the hunger isn’t there anymore. I've pretty much learned that I can't stay hungry when I'm full of myself. Hunger, I think, covers a mound of inexperience, and so it comes as no surprise that revival often starts with the youth.
I hope God makes us starved for more of Him and His ways. That's when we should get most excited. As Jesus told us in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." When we get starved for Him, I get excited because I know a feast is just around the corner.
Peace,
Ernest
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Renunciation of Always Playing it Safe
Dear Friends,
It’s amazing how innovative people become when there’s no back door and no option to quit. Whether you know it or not, Main Street Baptist Church has leapt forward into an arena previous unexplored…a dramatic presentation open to the community during the Easter season. We’ve just never done a play like “Baggage Claim” before, and yet we committed to doing it before we even had a cast! To me, jumping into the dark and trusting that God will catch us is very exciting stuff.
One of the primary factors that contributes greatly to the success of any church or ministry is a “come hell or high water” commitment. When people say, “We’re going to birth something great or die trying,” when people have no plan B, no diversification strategy, no escape route, and no back door the juices get flowing.
I think that when people leave themselves the option to quit if it gets too rough, it switches off the innovation mechanism. When there is an escape route and people happen to run headlong into the kind of severe frustration that has the potential to spark a breakthrough concept, they have a tendency to start figuring out how to get out instead of how to fight through. I seriously feel sorry for people who miss the blessings and breakthroughs born only by perseverance because they constantly keep one hand on the back door.
May we all learn to take our hand off of the back door…at least in areas where we truly believe God is leading. I guess that’s why contingency plans make me nervous…if we’re ever not sure that God is in something, shouldn’t we wait until we are? What business does any church have in playing it safe? Our business is to follow God, and whoever said that was safe! Sometimes “playing it safe” is the least responsible thing we can do! Think about it.
Your pastor,
Ernest
It’s amazing how innovative people become when there’s no back door and no option to quit. Whether you know it or not, Main Street Baptist Church has leapt forward into an arena previous unexplored…a dramatic presentation open to the community during the Easter season. We’ve just never done a play like “Baggage Claim” before, and yet we committed to doing it before we even had a cast! To me, jumping into the dark and trusting that God will catch us is very exciting stuff.
One of the primary factors that contributes greatly to the success of any church or ministry is a “come hell or high water” commitment. When people say, “We’re going to birth something great or die trying,” when people have no plan B, no diversification strategy, no escape route, and no back door the juices get flowing.
I think that when people leave themselves the option to quit if it gets too rough, it switches off the innovation mechanism. When there is an escape route and people happen to run headlong into the kind of severe frustration that has the potential to spark a breakthrough concept, they have a tendency to start figuring out how to get out instead of how to fight through. I seriously feel sorry for people who miss the blessings and breakthroughs born only by perseverance because they constantly keep one hand on the back door.
May we all learn to take our hand off of the back door…at least in areas where we truly believe God is leading. I guess that’s why contingency plans make me nervous…if we’re ever not sure that God is in something, shouldn’t we wait until we are? What business does any church have in playing it safe? Our business is to follow God, and whoever said that was safe! Sometimes “playing it safe” is the least responsible thing we can do! Think about it.
Your pastor,
Ernest
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tough Love
Dear Friends,
The term “tough love” has come up in a few conversations this week. It got me to thinking that when tough love really is love (and not just some sick justification for our lack of love) then it can be tough for everyone, but especially for the one administering the tough love. Most of us want to be both loving and likeable in the eyes of those we love, but sometimes misunderstandings just have to stand, feelings have to be hurt, and the expectations of those we love have to be frustrated. There’s nothing worse for a parent who loves his child than to be told by his child, “I hate you.”
How often do we put God in the position having to exercise tough love? In those moments when we are mad at Him, do we ever feel at least a hint of shame? God is always loving, but He may not always be likeable…and we should actually be grateful for this. When a parent sets out to be likeable, the primary intention is to make the child happy. Likeable parents want their children to have favorable opinions of them at all times. So, in order to enforce this opinion, likeable parents give their children whatever the children want, whenever they want it.
We should be glad that God is not that kind of Father, just as we should be glad that God's plan for our lives is to help us become so much more than little brats. God is entirely unconcerned about how He fares in the paternal popularity poll. And every parent knows that in order to be truly loving toward your children, sometimes you have to be utterly unlikeable.
Sometimes being loving means saying a firm no, refusing to capitulate no matter how much your children scream or cry or beg. Sometimes being loving means taking something away from your child because it’s bad for them, even if they don’t understand the danger of the object they’re playing with. Sometimes being loving means measuring out discipline to correct and train, even though you hate giving the punishment more than they hate receiving it.
Maybe you don’t like what the Lord is doing in your life right now. That’s okay. He’s infinitely more moved by how much He loves you than how much you like Him.
Peace,
Ernest
Monday, February 2, 2009
Shoulder, Share, or Shift?
Dear God,
It seems like a more people are having a hard time, and as your people our questions are, "How can I help? Should I help in this case? If so, how much?" Hard times are just a part of life, for not a day passes that we haven't dealt with a burden or a heartache of some kind. So, Lord, please teach us what to do with our burdens.
Galatians 6:5 tells us "each person should carry his own load." Sometimes it just seems appropriate with some burdens to shoulder them alone. Indeed, people can and do often ask for too much.
At the same time, that same chapter in Galatians (Galatians 6:2) says, "Carry each other's burdens, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Some burdens we should shoulder, and some burdens we should share. Some tasks our children and friends should do by themselves, and some tasks require our help. Lord, teach us to know the difference.
And then it seems like there are those burdens that You alone can lift. The scripture (Psalm 55:22) says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you." Some burdens we shoulder. Some we share. Some we shift to the Lord.
So, God, in these increasingly difficult times, give us wisdom when to shoulder, share, or shift. God, also, grant us Your grace to draw appropriate Christ-honoring boundaries as we know that this issue of burdens isn't as simple as throwing ourselves into every request that comes our way, and help us not to hide behind that fact or to merely justify our lack of compassion.
You alone are righteous!
Your servant,
Ernest
It seems like a more people are having a hard time, and as your people our questions are, "How can I help? Should I help in this case? If so, how much?" Hard times are just a part of life, for not a day passes that we haven't dealt with a burden or a heartache of some kind. So, Lord, please teach us what to do with our burdens.
Galatians 6:5 tells us "each person should carry his own load." Sometimes it just seems appropriate with some burdens to shoulder them alone. Indeed, people can and do often ask for too much.
At the same time, that same chapter in Galatians (Galatians 6:2) says, "Carry each other's burdens, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Some burdens we should shoulder, and some burdens we should share. Some tasks our children and friends should do by themselves, and some tasks require our help. Lord, teach us to know the difference.
And then it seems like there are those burdens that You alone can lift. The scripture (Psalm 55:22) says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you." Some burdens we shoulder. Some we share. Some we shift to the Lord.
So, God, in these increasingly difficult times, give us wisdom when to shoulder, share, or shift. God, also, grant us Your grace to draw appropriate Christ-honoring boundaries as we know that this issue of burdens isn't as simple as throwing ourselves into every request that comes our way, and help us not to hide behind that fact or to merely justify our lack of compassion.
You alone are righteous!
Your servant,
Ernest
A Prayer
Dear God,
It seems like a more people are having a hard time, and as your people our questions are, "How can I help? Should I help in this case? If so, how much?" Hard times are just a part of life, for not a day passes that we haven't dealt with a burden or a heartache of some kind. So, Lord, please teach us what to do with our burdens.
Galatians 6:5 tells us "each person should carry his own load." Sometimes it just seems appropriate with some burdens to shoulder them alone. Indeed, people can and do often ask for too much.
At the same time, that same chapter in Galatians (Galatians 6:2) says, "Carry each other's burdens, and this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Some burdens we should shoulder, and some burdens we should share. Some tasks our children and friends should do by themselves, and some tasks require our help. Lord, teach us to know the difference.
And then it seems like there are those burdens that You alone can lift. The scripture (Psalm 55:22) says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you." Some burdens we shoulder. Some we share. Some we shift to the Lord.
So, God, in these increasingly difficult times, give us wisdom when to shoulder, share, or shift. God, also, grant us Your grace to draw appropriate Christ-honoring boundaries as we know that this issue of burdens isn't as simple as throwing ourselves into every request that comes our way, and help us not to hide behind that fact or to merely justify our lack of compassion.
You alone are righteous!
Your servant,
Ernest
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thanks for the Prayers!
Dear Congregation,
I have to tell you that I’m so pleased with the first month of 2009, and it’s not just because of the attendance, attitudes, and positive movement in all sorts of arenas here at Main Street. I am so excited because (for whatever reason) prayer seems to be a growing focus. I certainly have appreciated the nearly fifty people who have expressed their intention to personally pray with me on a monthly basis, and I appreciate the amount of prayer that is happening all of the time on an individual basis and in the context of ABFs, homefires, and other church-related gatherings.
The prayer going on around here is both empowering and humbling. Obviously, church-wide prayer is empowering because it is God who does the work, and without God’s blessing nothing worth doing is ever accomplished. Less obviously, church-wide prayer is also humbling because when any one person or group within the church “succeeds” there must be the humble recognition that without the prayer support of the whole family there would be no victories.
I love the story involving Denzel Washington that came out in Parade magazine about a year ago. Everybody needs somebody who's willing to deflate their egos from time to time—even movie stars like Denzel Washington. While promoting 2007's The Great Debaters, Washington was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. Midway through their conversation, Washington noted the encouragement his mother had given him throughout his life. He also shared this story of his mother's reproof over his budding pride:
I walked in the house one day and—feeling full of myself, a movie star—I said to my mother, "Did you ever think this was all going to happen?" She was like, "Please. First of all, go wash the windows for me. You have no idea how many people have been praying for you when you were being a knucklehead."
When we pray together for one another not only are our victories more numerous and greater, but they are also shared. Nothing moves a church forward in unity like prayer. So, thank you for praying, and keep it up!
Your Pastor,
Ernest Jones
I have to tell you that I’m so pleased with the first month of 2009, and it’s not just because of the attendance, attitudes, and positive movement in all sorts of arenas here at Main Street. I am so excited because (for whatever reason) prayer seems to be a growing focus. I certainly have appreciated the nearly fifty people who have expressed their intention to personally pray with me on a monthly basis, and I appreciate the amount of prayer that is happening all of the time on an individual basis and in the context of ABFs, homefires, and other church-related gatherings.
The prayer going on around here is both empowering and humbling. Obviously, church-wide prayer is empowering because it is God who does the work, and without God’s blessing nothing worth doing is ever accomplished. Less obviously, church-wide prayer is also humbling because when any one person or group within the church “succeeds” there must be the humble recognition that without the prayer support of the whole family there would be no victories.
I love the story involving Denzel Washington that came out in Parade magazine about a year ago. Everybody needs somebody who's willing to deflate their egos from time to time—even movie stars like Denzel Washington. While promoting 2007's The Great Debaters, Washington was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. Midway through their conversation, Washington noted the encouragement his mother had given him throughout his life. He also shared this story of his mother's reproof over his budding pride:
I walked in the house one day and—feeling full of myself, a movie star—I said to my mother, "Did you ever think this was all going to happen?" She was like, "Please. First of all, go wash the windows for me. You have no idea how many people have been praying for you when you were being a knucklehead."
When we pray together for one another not only are our victories more numerous and greater, but they are also shared. Nothing moves a church forward in unity like prayer. So, thank you for praying, and keep it up!
Your Pastor,
Ernest Jones
About E's Mail
Dear People,
You may have noticed that my blogs from 2008 are gone. This is due to the fact that I'm going to be blogging a little bit differently in 2009. I've decided that some of my open letters will be addressed to the congregation, some to people visiting our church, some to Christians at large, some to unbelievers at large, some to staff, and some to God.
Since these letters are addressed to all manner of people, since my blogs will always take the forms of letters and not lectures or treatises, and since I am sometimes called "E" for short, it seemed that the most appropriate title for my blog would be "E's Mail."
As for the frequency of the "E's Mails"... I'll be doing at least one each week prior to noon on Tuesday, and at least one each week prior to noon on Friday. In other words, I'll be writing at least two blogs a week. Sometimes I'll do a few more.
Your Pastor,
Ernest Jones
You may have noticed that my blogs from 2008 are gone. This is due to the fact that I'm going to be blogging a little bit differently in 2009. I've decided that some of my open letters will be addressed to the congregation, some to people visiting our church, some to Christians at large, some to unbelievers at large, some to staff, and some to God.
Since these letters are addressed to all manner of people, since my blogs will always take the forms of letters and not lectures or treatises, and since I am sometimes called "E" for short, it seemed that the most appropriate title for my blog would be "E's Mail."
As for the frequency of the "E's Mails"... I'll be doing at least one each week prior to noon on Tuesday, and at least one each week prior to noon on Friday. In other words, I'll be writing at least two blogs a week. Sometimes I'll do a few more.
Your Pastor,
Ernest Jones
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