Archive for November, 2007
What a privilege it was yesterday to take some of our staff up to Vision Baptist. They took us to lunch right off the bat at a great Mexican restaurant and we had a wonderful time of fellowship with some of their staff. It was good to see Bro. Toney Howeth and his family as well yesterday and they asked to tell VBC hello for them. Bro. Austin Gardner was a wonderful host and very generous with his time and training. I appreciate the fact that he is willing to assist us when his hands are in so many other things as well. It really shows his heart to minister to others and reach the world with the Gospel.
Last night at their midweek service, it was buzzing. From the Spanish services to the children’s program in the back to the special singing groups and young people, it was a fun place to be. I love it when you go to a place and you know something is happening there! The funniest thing happened to me as I went to get the “lapel” mic. Bro. Mark Coffey handed me one of the microphones that looped around the ear and comes around my face towards my lips. Now, that wasn’t the funny thing, the funny thing was that the day before (Wednesday night) here at Victory, I mentioned to our church that the new kind of mics were those kind. I told the church if they ever saw one of those on me, it was for the recording and hearing purposes, not so I could resemble Madonna. Of course the guys who came and supported their Pastor (Mark Smith, Clinton Ayers, Dough Hoffman and David Savage) had a good laugh and even had their camera phones taking pictures. Anyway, the music was great, the people friendly, warm and easy to preach to. We had a great night there and thank the Lord for the opportunity He allowed us to be with Vision.
November 16 2007 | General | 1 Comment »
This Sunday evening we’ll be dedicating the service to appreciate all those who do so much around here at Victory. We have some gifts we are going to give to all the directors as well as have a special fellowship planned following the evening service at Delectable Delights in Loganville. Let me remind you that our evening service will begin at 5 PM instead of our usual time.
November 15 2007 | General | No Comments »
I’m looking forward to spending some time with Pastor Austin Gardner and his staff today at Vision Baptist. We’ll be discussing church leadership principles, bounce ideas of ministering off each other and just plain ‘ol fellowship as well. I also have the privilege of preaching for them tonight at their midweek servce so please be much in prayer…I really want to honor the Lord tonight and along the way be a blessing to the people of Vision. If you are planning on going or would like to ride with someone, contact the church at 770.466.4040. I love you church and am grateful for what the Lord is doing at Victory.
November 15 2007 | General | No Comments »
Somebody forwarded this to me…it’s from a 12 year old’s mouth, but from a much older mind. Short and worth your time. Click on this link, it’s from a boy named Logan.
November 13 2007 | General | No Comments »
I just wanted to encourage those of you who took the challenge I presented to you at the beginning of this year to read through your Bible. We have less than two months left and if you’ve gotten a little behind, take some time, get away and get caught up. I want to recognize all of those who complete it on our Victory Vision Night.
There’s a man name John Pearson, a member of Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, who has started a neat blog entitled “Bible Reading Revolution”. You should check it out and note some of the comments and good ideas.
November 13 2007 | General | No Comments »
What happened these last few days? It seems as if the days either got fuller or shorter…either way, let me catch you up on the happenings here at VBC and get you ahead a little bit.
Pastorally Speaking:
- On Saturday we had our AWANA Grand Prix with some “sho’ ‘nough fancy cars!” We presented the winners with their trophies on Sunday night and those kids (mainly dads) did an incredible job! Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to all our workers and directors.
- Sunday of course was Veteran’s Day. We are greatful for the men and women have served our country to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. We are also proud of those men and women who are currently serving and pray for their safety and well-being.
- The way Sunday’s morning messages went are still a mystery to me. In the first service, I preached on the topic of Sin and how great a matter it is, finishing up with those things that are greater than our Sin…the Person of Jesus Christ, the Power of the Blood, and the Purpose of His Love. I thought that was what I was going to preach in both services until I finished the first one. I had no liberty at all to preach the same message in the second service and came to my office and begged God for His direction. I went to the pulpit with the Sin message and another message that I preached a couple of years ago entitled “What Are You After?” and it was based on David’s statement found in Ps. 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;…” David was singular in his focus…He was seeking the Lord. Honestly, I still didn’t know until I finished praying which message to preach and felt led to preach the message out of Psalms. The Lord was good and gave me good liberty and I praise His good and holy Name.
- Sunday night’s message was on Tithing. We had a good Sun PM congregation and again, even on a message on tithing, God gave good liberty. The people were very attentive and I pray very responsive. I praise the Lord that we have a giving church, yet realize I must preach on the matter of giving more often than I should so those who do not understand the principle behind tithing, or have joined recently, can be Bible educated in it.
- I praise the Lord for Mr. Robert Blake’s baptismal Sunday evening as well.
- Looking forward to “A Day with Pastor” today as I will meet the Senior Adults here at the church, load up on the bus and head to Nagoya’s for lunch. I’m curious to see how many may try some sushi today…I’ll let you know how it goes.
- Of course we’ll continue with our “Understanding the Bible” series tomorrow night.
- Thursday I have the privilege of going to preach for the good people of Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta and their pastor, Bro. Austin Gardner. If you would like to go, please see Bro. Josh Ayers (770.466.4040) for details. I am really looking forward to being there…Bro. Chad and I have really enjoyed getting to know Bro. Austin and his staff better these past couple of months. Big things are happening at Vision and I trust you’ll pray for them and their “Vision”. You need to check out “Christmas on the Northside“, it’s an awesome idea and pray it will be a great outreach tool.
- This Sunday we’ll be having “Ministry Appreciation Sunday” where we look forward to thanking all of those of VBC who do so much ministering to our community and world! Don’t forget, the evening services will begin at 5 PM and followed with a fellowship for our ministry directors at Delectable Delights. Childcare will be provided for here at the church during that time.
- Looking ahead to next week, we will be having our mid-week service on Tuesday night. The offices will be closed the remainder of the week.
Personally Speaking:
- Going back to last Friday, I took my son, Cole, on his 9 yr. old birthday trip. Bro. Shannon Greeson graciously offered to take us hunting on his property in Farmington, Ga. We had a great time. It was a beautiful day and just right for deer hunting. It didn’t take long for us to get a shot (or two), as Cole shot an old buck and 45 seconds later I shot a little doe. We were excited! Doubles! Cole was pretty pumped, but the fun didn’t stop there. That evening we had the opportunity to repeat…and we did. Both of us shot big does. That made history in the Lawrence Hunting Journals…a “double-double”! It was a birthday that Cole will never forget…he summed it up that night for me on the way home. “Dad” he said, “this was the second best day of my life!” I said, “Yeah, buddy, it was great for me too. What was the best day?” He replied, “You know, dad, the day I got saved!” Hallelujah!!!!! If that doesn’t make a father (and the Father) proud, I don’t know what does. A special thank you to Bro. Shannon for giving us a “Birthday Hunt of a Lifetime”
- For all you dads out there, let me say this. Take some time for you children. We’re all busy and will continue to be busy till we die. The greatest opportunity for influencing the world starts at home with our own. I haven’t always followed this advice given to me, but am learning to do that. The troubles and deadlines of life will be there tomorrow, your children may not be. Take some time in these next few weeks to make yourself a hero…be DAD!
November 13 2007 | General | No Comments »
Lead and inspire people. Don’t try to manage and manipulate people. Inventories can be managed but people must be led. ~ Ross Perot
November 07 2007 | Leadership Quotes | No Comments »
We had another wonderful day at Victory today. God really blessed us with a gorgeous day to worship Him on. Driving to church this morning, you couldn’t help but let the words “this is the day that the Lord hath made…we will rejoice in it” roll off your lips. Driving on to the property, I could already sense the excitement and expectation for what the Lord was about to do. Here are several things I want to Praise the Lord for and give Him Thanks for:
- Roy Knight, who we’ve seen saved and baptized recently, joined the church in the first service.
- A really good message out of I Sam. 17 showing us “What it takes to get Victory in our Lives”. When I say a really good message, it wasn’t because of the preacher or his preaching, it was really good because of what the Lord showed us through it. If you’re tired of not getting the Victories you desire and need in your life, get a copy of this message and ask God to speak to you through it.
- Sandra Phillips, another woman who has been saved and baptized here lately joined in the second service this morning.
- Frank Farrenkopf, one of the adults who got saved last Sunday got baptized in this evening’s service. It was good to have some of his friends with him here tonight. Pray that God will continue to help Frank in some areas in his life. I’m really excited about the opportunity to help him grow spiritually.
- For not only the song my wife sang tonight, but how she sang it. She sang “Safe Thus Far” and thoroughly blessed my heart as well as many others. I’m so glad He keeps us safe, Amen!
- For an example out of Matt. 5:44 on how we can “Deal with Difficult People” in our Sunday PM service. Who of us don’t have a “difficult person” of which we need to learn how to deal with?
- For the check of $525,000 that was turned in for the building fund. (Oh, I’m sorry…that was me seeing if you were still reading…one day I might get to say that!)
What a privilege to pastor the greatest church in Loganville, Georgia! I love you Victory Baptist…have a great week!
November 04 2007 | General | No Comments »
This week, Bro. Chad and I attended a Pastor’s Conference where we were able to discuss different ideas and points of view with other pastors. It amazing how often we do not confide or confer with other pastors. I believe it is to our detriment oftentimes. There are many things that I need to learn so as to be better used by God. One of the highlights of the meeting was a session in which Roy Mack, the pastor of Pinecrest Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga, taught about “Un-ordinary Missions”. It was exciting to see some of the ideas that God has given PBC and their passion for world-wide missions! Sitting next to me all day was Bro. Austin Gardner, the pastor of Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Ga. We had a blast with he and one of his assistants, Bro. Trent Cornwell. It was obvious that day why Bro. Austin always travels with one of his staff…you can’t take the man nowhere! You can take the man out of the foreign country, but you can’t take the foreign country out of the man! Honestly, the only thing I can say is that the man is “nuts!” But I like it when a man is “nuts” over His Lord, his family and his ministry. And that’s exactly what you see in Bro. Gardner. I’m looking forward to preaching for him on Thursday, Nov. 15th. Would love to have those of you that can to go with us. It might be a little late when you get home, but I’m sure it will be a blessing to Vision, and I know to me. Well, let me get back to the Mission Challenge. I’m really excited about the direction we plan on taking for our vision for world-wide missions this upcoming year. Bro. Austin, being a very successful former missionary to Peru has accepted the invitation to preach for our Missions Conference and to help us broaden our view and assistance and love for missions. It’ll be a Missions Conference like never before!
November 04 2007 | General | 1 Comment »