Imperfect People!

Just before Christmas, Lanelle and I were in a Christian bookstore when the title of a book caught my eye. It was “Soul Revolution” by John Burke. I had read another of John Burke’s books several years ago titled “No Perfect People Allowed” which had an amazing influence on me and how I view people and today’s culture. So, as I stood looking at Burke’s newest book I was once again captivated by it’s title. Well, not so much by it’s title but rather it’s subtitle. It read, “How Imperfect People Become All God Intended“. The picture also grabbed my attention.  Standing there is a guy wearing blue jeans and a brown tee shirt with tatoos up and down his arms. In his hand is a Bible. In the world of Christianity today, there are many people who walk into our churches looking just like this. At least in our church. But that’s the beauty of it all. And besides, arn’t we all imperfect people?

The most amazing reality in my own life is that God, for whatever reason, chose to not only change my life, but to use me in the church planting world. And imperfect I was and am! So much so that I question God’s judgment. Not really, but I do wonder so many times…why me? Why would God use someone like me who has made such a mess of things, at times in my life, to accomplish His work? It’s not like He can’t find people out there who have lived a more obediant life. It’s not like He can’t find people out there that are more committed. It’s not like God can’t find people out there who even have a better grasp of the Scriptures than I do. So why? The only reason I can come up with is because for whatever reason, God chooses to equip those whom He calls (the imperfect) , not call those whom are equiped (The perfect). God certainly has a way of changing people’s lives. So anyway, getting back to the book. Lanelle bought the book for me for Christmas. I am just into the first chapter, but already I like what I read. I’m looking forward to hearing how Burke answers “how imperfect people become all God intended.” I will keep you updated!

~ Pastor D.

Christmas has come…well, almost!

Well, we started decorating the house today….for Christmas. This always puts me in such a bad mood. I don’t know why really, because I love Christmas. I imagine its because putting up a tree and all is so much work for just a short time. But hey, my kids are grown now and all I really have to do anymore is get the tree down from the attic, put it together, adjust a few of those troublesome lights so they will work, and then get back to munching on homemade candy while the fam does all the decorating. My wife and Marlee, my youngest, loves it. Me and Rebecca don’t. Anyway, I don’t want to be consdiered a grinch or anything, but then again, its probably to late for that…at least with 2 here in the house. But it seems like a lot of work to me for just such a short time.

Christmas, or at least the issues surrounding it, has also become such a debate these days. It has become so political. We can’t dare say Christmas without offending someone. Nowadays people are resorting to Happy Holidays or Merry Xmas or some other boggus wordage. What’s weird is that all my life I have known others who believe differently than I do and have heard them refer to their holidays, and never once has any of that offended me. Sadly, those who don’t believe in anything, and even most Christians these days, have made it more about swapping gifts and Santa Clause than anything else. Why would ol’ Saint Nick offend anybody? I don’t get it. Anyway, from this perspective, it might not be such a bad idea if somebody did steal it. So when did Christmas become so much about everything in this world except Jesus Christ? Who knows. And let us also be reminded, Christmas was never really so much about His nativity as it was really more about His divinity! Jesus was not some little baby born in a manger. Jesus was instead was the Son of God born of a virgin birth, fully man and yet fully God, who came to live and die here on earth. He was God in the flesh!  Well, at least that’s the way I see it! Merry Christmas everyone!

Carmel Cafe Latte!

Carmel Cafe Latte

For those of you who know me, Starbucks is one of my favorite meeting places. Why? Because I love their Carmel Cafe Lattes! Yesterday i met two young ladies there that had been visiting our church now for a couple of months. One was a believer…the other a life long Buddhist. As we talk we shared our stories. Time flew by as we talked and I enjoyed my latte! Then GOD showed up. Our conversation turned to spiritual things…mostly talking about how awesome God is. We talked about Christ. We talked about how Christ said He was the only way. And my new Buddist friend shared with me how empty her religion was. GOD had been drawing her closer and closer to Himself over the past few months and I shared what authentic Christianity really was. Tears were being shed and right there, in Starbucks, with people watching, we bowed our heads and she prayed to recieve Christ! Unashamedly!! GOD showed up at Starbucks drinking Carmel Lattes!!

There is never…let me say that again….there is never anything greater to me than seeing someone turn their life over to Christ! It was the greatest decision I ever made and I also honored whenever GOD allows me to be a witness to Christ transforming someone’s life. My new friend turned completely away from an empty religion and turned wholeheartedly toward a new life in Christ. No longer is she my new Buddist friend, but rather she is my sister in Christ! She says she wants to be baptized now. To that I say OK! I can’t wait to see all that GOD has in store for her and I look forward to watching her grow in her new found faith in Christ! Now if you will excuse me…I think I’ll head down to Starbucks! ~ Peace!

Islam

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Did you hear that? Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Muslims have been and are making a global impact on our country and countries all around the globe. Why you might ask? Because they are passionate about what they believe in. So another question might be, what if they were impacted with the truth…the truth about who GOD really is? The truth about who Christ is. What if? Every day, all across the middle east, there are people coming to know Christ as their Savior. They are risking EVERYTHING to say that they are His followers. Some risking even their life. Places like Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Iraq are seeing a movement of God take place as muslims surrender their religion of birth to build an authentic relationship with Christ.

In a short time I will have the opportunity to travel to the middle east and teach at a pastors conference. But more than that, discover how God might use me to participate in the great things he has going on over there. It will be an opportunity to discover how CrossPointe Church could be involved in a global movement of GOD. I was asked recently if I would be willing to go to the hard places. The places where Christians are not welcome. That is a serious question. It is a question that can not be answered easily! My prayer is that as I move forward in all this that GOD would reveal the plans for us to reach not only Valdosta for Christ, but the ends of the world.

Coldplay

Went to see Coldplay in concert last night in Atlanta! Most unbelivable and entertaining concert I have ever been to. Amazing!! Chris Martin is very talented. You may be wondering why I was at a Coldplay concert. I’m not really sure except that I liked some of their music. However, I find their music to be somewhat spiritual. Not that they are a Christian band…they are not. But they certainly believe in a divine power. It was very obvious in their music. In many of their songs they mention Heaven, having a place there, and God’s grace in a very positive way. Chris Martin has said he reads the Bible regularly. What an amazing influence they could have on the world if they were Christians…and maybe they are. I’m not sure. As for me, I have added them to my prayers. Great concert!! Thanks Matt!

~ Pastor D.