Brad Giddens

Graduating to WordPress

2006-08-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

I've decided to switch to Wordpress for my blogging excursions. A few more features, etc. My new address is im4geezus.wordpress.com Hope to see you over there. Now, is there a way to transfer all my posts and comments over there from here? I haven't a clue.

Evangelism Dialogue

2006-07-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

There is a great dialogue going on over at www.wadehodges.com about where you start with a person that you want to come to the Lord. Check it out. I really liked what Jeff had to say near the end of the comments.

Easter Bunny From Hell

2006-07-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

This just isn't right on many levels.

Hermeneutic Extreme Make-over

2006-06-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I preached the second part of a two part mini-series on our handling of the Word of God. My main theme over the past several weeks has been on the idea of deepening our relationship with God instead of having a superficial, surface one (title - Running Deep In Shallow Times). Yeah, I got the idea and title from Lynn Anderson at Tulsa this year. Don't worry , I gave him credit. For this part of the series, my belief is the approach to Scripture we have inherited from our forefathers is flawed in certain areas and has put some barriers in our way in regard to our work and identity as God's people, namely the command, example and necessary inference hermeneutic. It has led to us drawing lines of fellowship that God never drew, making laws that God never made, and nullifying what God actually said (see Mark 7:1-13). Those are some serious missteps that our church, and a few others I can think of, has needed to deal with for a long time. It seems to have been well received for most, a struggle for some, but needed if we are to move on and get serious about kingdom work. Pray for us.

I closed with this quote from Rick Atchley: "We are not responsible for the church handed down to us from our parents. We are responsible for the church we pass on to our children. " Well said.

CENI Blunders

2006-06-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

I found a little article by a guy named Dwaine Dunning, who wrote sometime in the 1970's about the authority of the Bible as gleaned by command, example, and necessary inference (CENI). Here are some of his thoughts on the power (or lack thereof) of "inference".

"For many years, Bible questions have been discussed from the standpoint of a given viewpoint having 'command, example and inference' in support. Such use, listing three types of argument without distinction as to value, has given the impression that all three are equal in value. This is not true! Thomas Campbell, who developed the system, wisely limited it and showed that the third area of 'authority', that of inference, was of such a nature that questions affecting fellowship should never be determined by using inference, or argument by logical process."

"A vast majority of 'unity problems' are in this third area of 'authority'. There is little disagreement among Bible-believing people about what God said. There is some disagreement about what should be made of apostolic practice or precedent. There is a lot of disagreement on non-commanded, non-precedented matters where human reasoning is the factor by which the position of some individual or group is determined. This is precisely what we should expect. If a process of reasoning, a logical procedure, is properly the grounds upon which unity may be extended or withheld, then unity is at the absolute mercy of the weakest intellect and the most uncharitable dispositions in Christendom."

" To say 'direct command, approved precedent, and necessary inference' without distinquishing between them, thus giving the impression that all are of equal strength, is to do violence to the insight of the the man who contrived they system."

So where the Bible is silent, being silent might be a good thing, not speaking where God has not spoken, keeping your beliefs between you and God, and keeping the lines of fellowship open between those who differ with your contrived belief. Peace and unity just might spill out.

Restoration Blunders

2006-06-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

Those of us in the Church of Christ, and others, have roots in the Restoration movement. There was an attempt many years ago to bring people together around the Bible and only the Bible as the sole source of faith and knowledge of the will of God for us for us to be better able to evangelize the world. It is a noble plea and a worthwhile one. There were some great catch-phrases that came out of that era. Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. No book but the Bible. No creed but Christ. No name but the Divine Name. In matters of doctrine, unity. In matters of opinion, liberty. In all things, love. Call Bible things by Bible names. These all pointed us in the direction of unity for the cause of Christ.

But it seems, at least in my tribe (cofc), we have woefully abandoned those ideals. Our motto seems to be today, "Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we speak even louder with more passion and conviction". We have splintered the body of Christ mainly because of our abuses of the word of God and how to understand it. We have a flawed approach not only to Scripture, but to restoration as well. The "command, example and necessary inference" approach comes up terribly short in exploring and understanding the heart of God. I think there is a better way. I'll write more later. Pray as I work through some of this with my people here in Idabel. It needs to be addressed.

Conspiracy Theories

2006-06-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Someone came by my office the other day and dropped off several DVD's they wanted me to look at. My secretary was here, I wasn't, so I have no idea who this person was. The first one had to do with 911 and how every event that happened that day was not the result of terrorists but our own government. The plane that flew into the Pentagon was not a plane at all but a missle. The fires that raged in the WTC towers were not the result of jet fuel, but of some other mysterious explosive. The plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was not flight 93, but another mysterious plane caught on radar in the same area at the same time. I read the other day where this meteorologist from Idaho or somewhere thinks all the contrails in the sky from airplanes are really marking points for a weather weapon that is being used by the Japanese mafia to wrought destruction on the U.S. They used this weapon to stir up and steer all the hurricanes that hit us this past year. I just finished a book by Dan Brown, author of the DaVinci Code called Deception Point. (*Disclaimer here...... If you want to read this book, stop reading this post or I will ruin it for you) ...............................................It is the story of how a certain government official orchestrates this elaborate hoax of finding proof of life on other planets in order to save NASA and help a struggling President of the United States get re-elected. Sounds weird, but it is a great read of fiction, as are other Dan Brown books, but still, c'mon.

What's the deal with people these days? Have we been watching too much TV or something? Nothing is as it seems. Everybody is evil. There is a grand, wicked plot behind everything. Conspiracy theorists must be the most miserable people in the world, thinking that deception hides around every corner.

Lord, please deliver people from cynicism.

Well, I better go. I heard a noise in the other room. I think it might be an NSA operative planting a bug in my phone.

"I'm back in the saddle again....." bum chica bum chica bum chica bum

2006-06-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I made a difficult decision to go part-time, half-salary at my church and work during the week in town to make ends meet for our family. Well, that was probably not the best decision I have ever made. The contracting work became more and more consuming, requiring more and more to make things work, and it was taking me more and more away from the ministry work that the church here needs done and away from my family, and I was not happy with any of that. So, I asked for a do-over, and my elders have graciously allowed me back. It was announced yesterday what their intentions were and I was warmly and lovingly embraced again as their "full-time" preaching minister. I love these people. We are going to make some deep cuts, selling the house, some other things to make it work here. I've heard that a minister's best and most productive years with a church don't really start until the 5th or 6th year. This is our 5th. I don't want to ruin it. We see bright days ahead for this church and the kingdom work it can do. Please pray for us.

Once Upon A Post....

2006-04-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been quite a while since I posted last. Just some random thoughts on stuff for now.

The CofC sure has been hammered the last few weeks in the news. Not a good PR time for us, though that is really nothing new.

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Tulsa Workshop was great!!! The unity thing was long overdue. I am looking forward to seeking opportunities to work with fellow believers.

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Haven't played golf in about 8 months. I am playing in a tournament next weekend. I'd better start hitting some balls or something. I don't think watching the Masters from my living room couch will help just a whole lot. Way to go Phil Mickelson.

Tooth Fairy

2006-02-28T20:29:00.000-08:00

What is the going rate for a 5 year old's first tooth to come out? She seemed to think $2 or $100 would be appropriate.

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Wade Hodges has some great discussion going on over at his blog on the ICC and CofC. The Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop should be great this year. I am looking forward to it.

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Lord, please help the violence in Iraq to stop.

I Love the Olympics

2006-02-14T19:33:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of the Olympics came last night when one of the Chinese figure skating pairs took the ice. A few minutes into their program, the guy threw the girl in the air for a quad something or other. He slipped in the throw, she went spinning and fell a nasty fall, bending her leg in a way that it is not supposed to be bent. She got up but couldn't put any weight on her leg. The guy helped her off to the side. After about thirty seconds, she said she wanted to continue, and they proceeded to skate a perfect rest of the program earning them silver. I love when people rise above adversity on such a huge stage and show the triumph of the human spirit. I love the Olympics.

Slight Change of Plans

2006-01-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

One of my elders got up this past Sunday to announce a slight change in plans for me and my family concerning our work here in Idabel. It became very evident the past couple of years that we were going to have to do something in order for our family of six to make ends meet. We don't have a lot of debt, no credit card debt, we aren't extravagant spenders. It's just costing more and more to raise 4 kids, especially with one starting to drive several months ago and another one about to in a couple of years, college on the way, etc. My wife got a job, not a well paying job, but a job, and it is almost killing us. I don't know how some families do it, with both parents working. The stress, the lack of family time together, the obligations of everyone having to be at different places at different times, I greatly respect those who can pull it off and still be a family.

Anyway, I have given up half my salary and will be contracting to build homes during the week to be able to make enough to support my family. The elders here have been very understanding and cooperative and want to make this work. I will still be able to preach, teach, counsel, visit the sick, etc., all those things that are expected of preachers. I will office out of the house, where I will be doing all my studying. I just won't be in the office during the week. Being self-employed will help me be able to get free in order to take care of any church business that might come up during the week. Our office will still be covered by our seniors minister, youth minister and secretary. It seems to me like a workable situation.

I ask for your prayers for me, my family, our church and the kingdom work that needs to be done in this community.

2006-01-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics my son Tim did for his youth group and for us on a Sunday night devo. One is marker. One is spray paint. He is very gifted in drawing and wants to somehow use that gift to glorify God. I'm proud of him and his desire to honor the Father.

Greatest Sermon Ever

2005-12-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I preached on hell. I don't do that too often. In fact, I can't remember when I last preached on it. But I was doing a series on "unseen places", different places mentioned in Scripture that are of the unseen realm, the spiritual realm. (Heaven, hell, hades, third heaven, tartarus, etc.)

Anyway, it was a very average sermon. Very average. I was not happy at all with it. I was distracted and tired. Getting out late for Bible class, I was stopped by about 14 people wanting something from me. Of all things a fireworks company called me at church in the middle of all that asking about our Kiwanis fireworks sale (I am the president of our local club). Another guy wanted to talk to me for about 5 or 10 minutes. (That is all we had between class and the assembly). You know how it goes. 8 different things were going through my mind.

Well, I got up, said my piece, again very average. The only thing I did a little different than I normally do is I offered a real invitation. At the end, I quoted a Dr. Maurice Rawlings, an emergency room doctor in Tennessee who studied patients who had near death experiences and witnessed scenes of torment, anguish and pain in their glance at the afterlife. His quote was this, "Just listening to these patients has changed my life. There is a life after death, and if I don't know where I am going, it is not safe to die." I talked about faith and baptism and making Jesus Lord.

When church was over, several of our members (older) came to me and said that was the greatest sermon I have preached since I have been here. I finally had preached a real "gospel sermon", with baptism and everything! (Of course I have preached on baptism before, mentioned it before, even did a whole series on it before) I was the hero of the day!!! (ugh)

Note to preachers: Next time you find yourself in the middle of preaching a very average sermon, say the word "baptism" somewhere in it and you might get a raise and a Christmas bonus.

Note to everyone: The vast majority of this church does not want "gospel sermons". They want meat. They want to grow, mature and learn. Gospel sermons are for the unsaved, which we don't have too many of in our assemblies. I am proud of my church and their faith.

Doughnuts and Basketball

2005-12-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

Is it OK to be eating a doughnut on your way to go play basketball?

Does a diet Coke help when you eat a bacon cheeseburger?

I need to know.

Divorce in the church

2005-12-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

Mike Cope was blogging this morning about the high rate of divorce among believers. You can read his post here. Here are some thoughts I responded with.

- Preachers and elders, for the most part, are not equipped with the right tools for marriage crisis counseling. Too many times all elders or preachers know to do is go visit, pray with them, and that's about it. We have not educated ourselves with the right tools to help people survive in marriage. I am guilty of that and am trying to do better.

- Many preachers and elders, mainly elders in my experience, are not committed enough to their flock to go and get their hands dirty and help couples work through their problems. It is hard, frustrating, time-consuming work that many don't care enough to get involved in, for whatever reason, mainly too busy.

- We in the church have modeled a complete disregard for committment in relationships by church-hopping. We don't like something, we leave. Maybe that's why church goers possibly divorce more, they have that scene played over and over again right in their face. The churches I have worked with have been "severely" affected by divorce in their past.

What to do?
1. Better training for leaders, elders included, is a good start.
2. Modeling committment in the leadership. Leaders being committed to God, to each other but mainly to the sheep, showing they are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure spiritual wholeness in the flock.
3. A commitment to the teaching and practice of grace, in its various forms. People are motivated to do better and try harder when they are shown grace, instead of being shown rules and regulations and threats and hell. In my limited experience, the people who have had the most problem with divorce struggle with the concept and acceptance and promoting of grace. Anybody else found that?

Last Pic

2005-12-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

Here's my beautiful wife of 21 years. No, we didn't get married when she was 10.

The Giddens Posse

2005-12-08T06:09:00.000-08:00

Might as well show you the whole crew, sans wife. From left to right, Tim (16), Erin (5), Abby (10), and Megan (13).

2005-12-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a girl who luvs her dad. Thank you, God.

Qualifications to Preach

2005-12-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

I was just reading Wade Hodges' blog about Brian McClaren not having a seminary degree and how it is probably to his benefit, and it got me to thinking about preaching. I am pro-education. Continually studying, growing , learning all help make a better preacher. I just wonder if all the weight we put in a formalized education really is warranted? Usually, no degree means no job, at least in churches of any size. In a resume and interview, questions are pointed towards education, background, etc. It seems, at least in my experience, that very little is said about how in touch the candidate is with the One for whom the person is going to be speaking for the next 5, 10 or 20 years. A guy with a degree in Bacteriology is seen as more qualified than a guy with no degree or even with a preaching school degree. I wish formalized education was about 6th or 7th on the list and a guy's relationship with God and how well God lives, works and speaks through him was at the top. I'll take the Spirit-led guy everytime, I don't care how many letters someone has after their name.

Living Like There's No Tomorrow

2005-12-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

Check out the words to Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying.

He said, I was in my early 40's
With a lot of life before me
When a moment came
That stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days
Lookin' at the x-rays
Talkin' 'bout the options
And talkin' bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How's it hit you
When you get that kinda news,
Man whatd’ya do?

He said, I went skydivin'
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named FooManChu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said someday
I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin’.

He said I was finally the husband
Most the time I wasn’t
And I became the friend
A friend would like to have
All of a sudden goin’ fishin'
Wasn’t such an imposition
I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book
And I took a good hard look at what I’d do
If I could do it all again, and then
I went sky divin'…….

I'm just thinking that if we could all live like eternity was just around the corner, how many of our problems would immediately be solved.

Still Here

2005-11-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't died or anything. Just real busy and needing a break. I'll post again soon.

2005-11-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

If you want to read something funny, check out Wade Hodges' post this morning here.

That is hilarious!! Sounds like the time I was driving home after doing some carpentry work. I looked down and saw smoke coming out of my pants leg at the knee. I thought,"What the heck!!" I slapped my knee to put it out and only got more smoke. I frantically starting beating my pants leg to put the fire out, all the while trying to keep the car on the road. It took about 15 seconds for it to come to me that the "smoke" was only dust from the carpentry work I had done and that I had started this "fire" when my hand brushed my pants leg while trying to change the radio station.

Stupid people of the world, UNITE!!!!

2005-11-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

My Mavs won in double overtime against the Suns last night. Lord, please let this be the year. I wonder if Amare would have made a difference? That guy is awesome.

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Our seniors group, the Autumn Leaves, left this morning to go into the mountains and look at the fall colors. Question - Are they standing around and staring at each other?

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A lady shared with me this morning about a sermon she heard about from a neighboring c of c. The preacher was saying if you support denominations in any way, you are going to hell. The Methodist Church here has a pumpkin patch that most of the kids in town get their pumpkins from. The preacher was quoted as saying if you buy a pumpkin from them, you are supporting denominations and therefore doomed to hell.
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Side note: My four year old bought a pumpkin from the Methodist Church pumpkin patch. Ooops!

Let My Lifesong Sing To You

2005-10-30T06:02:00.000-08:00

As you can tell, I'm on a Casting Crowns binge at the moment. Here's the title track to their latest album, Lifesong.

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to you
Let my lifesong sing to you
I want to sign your name
To the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to you

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet
So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to you

Musings....

2005-10-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

I'm headed tonight to a Casting Crowns concert in Tyler, TX, taking about 15 or so kids with me. Our youth minister planned it, got the tickets, got me to go to help drive, then backed out on going. Whas up wid dat? Something about being with his dad who he doesn't get to see except once every couple of years. Oh please!! Give me a real reason. Naw, I'm glad he gets to be with his dad. I wish I could be with mine more.

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A friend of mine in ministry told me he's getting divorced. Not sure all of the details, but I grieve for him in many ways. Losing a life partner, being alone, starting over, etc. To add to all of that misery, he has just been disqualified from being hired at about 80 percent or more of churches looking for ministers, whether it was his fault or not. We want perfect sermons in perfect worship services from perfect ministers in perfect churches buildings full of perfect people. God hasn't caught on yet. He seems to have only used broken people to do His greatest work. When will we learn?

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Another minister friend, who I only know through blogging, is quitting professional ministry. It is painful to read what he has been going through. If you're interested, you can read his story here, if you'll promise to pray for him and his family. What he writes, many of us feel. I just pray God is using this to lead him to some green pastures somewhere in order for him to put to use the wonderful talents he has been given. God bless you, Neal.

How 'bout them Aggies??!!

2005-10-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

Somebody sent this to me the other day. Makes me proud to have attended A&M for a couple of years. Go Aggies!!! (Surely they are remodeling the inside.........I hope.)

2005-10-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

Today my oldest son Tim turns 16. It is a great day for him, not so great for me. He gets to drive on his own. He gets to start dating. He just got his own cell phone. Life is good. As for me, I get to start paying double or triple car insurance premiums, worrying about him driving on his own (boys his age are the highest risk out on the roads right now, insurance statistics say), worrying about the safety of those in his care while driving, worrying about who he will date, how we will pay for extra gas, maintenance, etc. Really, though, I gave that stuff over to God a long time ago. I am excited for him. I remember when I went through all that stuff (except the cell phone thing). It was a great time. No, my heart says God is in control. He has protected him until now. My faith says He will continue to do so. Is it OK to trust God to take care of your children, but still get just a little antsy when they are driving on McCurtain County roads?

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I saw on ESPN that Bill Romanowski confessed to using illegal steroids for a few of his 16 years in the NFL. No big surprise there. Seems like he busted some guy in the eye a while back in a fit of rage. Broke his eye socket. Steroids make many people more violent and agressive. Hmmm..... I think anyone proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of using illegal performance enhancing drugs should have all their stats and records taken off the books. It is cheating. Bonds, McGuire, Palmeiro, Canseco, Lance Armstrong, all those guys, should be stripped of any records or honors, if proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They possibly acheived those records over other players by having an unfair advantage. They should be put on trial to be able to defend themselves, but then let the evidence be weighed and a verdict issued.

Enough Already!

2005-10-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

My heart is growing weary from all the major catastrophes it seems our world is having recently. Tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, roadside bombings, etc. Enough already! I don't believe it is some sign from God that the end is near, I just grow tired of seeing people suffer. I saw this picture and was just thinking of all the rescue workers and the horrible job they have of pulling people out of the devastation. Some end up committing suicide, some are emotionally scarred for life, some are never the same again from all the broken and battered bodies they have to carry. My prayers are with them tonight, as well as those who are being rescued.

Salvation - What's The Point?

2005-10-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

This quote came off of Mike Cope's blog today. It's the words of Unveiling Glory.

"Living like Jesus is not something we do to get salvation--it is our salvation."

As I grow in my faith, I'm increasingly convinced that salvation has more roots in this life than in the afterlife. Don't get me wrong. There are many times when I am going through something difficult, the only thing that keeps me going is knowing that one day this will all be over and I will be in heaven. That is a vital and important part of me knowing I am saved. But the majority of the time, I bask in the glory of salvation because of the kind of "life" Christ gave me in the here and now. Life is better because of Jesus. Kingdom living is blessed living. The word, the Spirit, the church, all impact me and benefit me in this world, in the realm of the physical. I know this life is but a vapor in the wind, but it's the life Jesus came to bring me until He takes me to my true home.

Salvation means that not only eternity is secured for me, but my daily walk is guided and influenced by the Good Shepherd, the guardian of my soul.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"
John 10:10

The Loss of Compassion

2005-10-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

I'm just wondering today why we are so eager to help Katrina and Rita victims who lost everything, and yet seem unwilling to help guys like this? We were falling all over ourselves, scrambling to do anything and everything for people we didn't know from LA, MS, and TX. We didn't know their backgrounds, didn't know their personalities, didn't know their faith, didn't know their work ethic, didn't know their marital status, yet we poured millions of dollars into the cause (thousands from our church alone), worked countless hours to feed, clothe, give personal necessities, pray, help, etc. What is it about perennial homeless people that all of a sudden causes us to lose our compassion?

I know where some of you will go. "Get a job!" Fine. Many need to do that. But have you ever been unable to do something that you really need to do in order to improve your life? Have you ever tried to quit smoking, quit drinking, manage your money better, quit cursing, eat better, lose weight, exercise more.....the list could go on and on. Many try and most are unable to overcome these powerful negative influences. Did you ever think that it could be the same being homeless? That maybe the circumstances they are in are so powerful that they don't have the energy, will, wisdom or fight in them to overcome? And that maybe if we stepped in and, instead of chirping at them to get a job and pull themselves out of their misery, helped them, clothed them, fed them, got them a job, encouraged them, prayed with them, detoxed them, that it might be just what they need to see a brighter and better life?

"They will take advantage of us!" Some will. Everyone won't.

"They've got to want to get better!" Do you really think they like being homeless, unproductive, dirty, smelly, poor, lonely, sick, addicted, etc.? Don't kid yourself and don't listen to them, whatever they might tell you.

"They got themselves into their situation, they need to get themselves out!" Yeah, right. Do you want the Lord to tell you that? And another thing, many times that isn't true. Losing a child from a drunk driver, which started their downward spiral, was not their fault. A marriage partner walking out was not their fault. Layoffs at the plant were not their fault. Surgery that required high powered pain killers that they now are addicted to was not their fault. Being told they are worthless and they don't matter their whole life is not their fault. Give people a break, for Christ's sake!

If everything in your life was taken away from you, and you were sitting on the corner under a blanket like this guy, what would you want to hear from people driving by? "Get a job, you lazy bum!!!" or "Hop in"?

A Heart That Seeks God

2005-10-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

In our quest to learn more of God's true character and nature, yesterday we looked at the amazing revival that took place during the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah. The temple had been shut down, high places erected, idol worship, sacrificing sons in the fire, you name it, it was probably happening among God's people. But here comes a young 25 year old that in the first month of his reign, he begins a path back to God, starting with the temple. It is a beautiful story...........EXCEPT the fact that the whole revival process was fraught with violations of the word of God. Levites were helping skin sacrificial animals, which they were forbid to do according to the law. Only the priests could serve at the altar. Levites were killing sacrificial animals, which was supposed to be done by the worshiper bringing the animal. People were eating the Passover while ceremonially unclean. Even the Passover was not being eaten at the prescribed time. But here's what Hezekiah did. He prayed, "May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God..." And an amazing thing happened. He forgave them. He overlooked their violations of His will because something greater was going on. People's hearts were turning. They were seeking God again.

We may not get everything right in our understanding of God's will or our practice of it, but we serve a God who is able to see beyond our ignorance and weakness and see the intent of our heart. Praise God for that!!

Now That's What I'm Talkin' About (part 2)

2005-09-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Why Do Believers Do What They Do?

2005-09-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

I preached last Sunday on the basis for submitting ourselves to the will of God. Why do I do the things I do as a Christian that I probably wouldn't do normally if I weren't, things like serving others, giving, attending church, loving my neighbor, etc. I think there are two choices to answer the question why - fear or love. I either do those things to dodge the wrath of God or I do them because I love Him. I've seen way too many of the former and not so many of the latter. My series is focused on trying to get people to see the defining nature of God, the overarching characteristic of the Almighty is one of love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness, not one of wrath, anger and judgment. My first case in point - the Prodigal Son. When the son was still a great distance, the father ran to embrace him, kiss him, hold him, celebrate his return. The father ran! Oh man. Running has never been so rich in meaning and purpose than when God did it!

I closed with these words from a song on Phillips, Craig and Dean's RESTORATION cd, titled "When God Ran".

Almighty God
The Great I Am
Immovable Rock, Omnipotent, Powerful, Awesome Lord
Victorious Warrior
Commanding King of Kings
Mighty Conqueror
And the only time....... the only time I ever saw Him run................
Was when He ran to me
He took me in His arms
Held my head to his chest
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice
He said "Son, do you know I still love you"
He caught me by surprise........when God ran.

Those words and that story powerfully affect me and my view of God. I'm hoping it will others.

Now That's What I'm Talking About!!

2005-09-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

One Of My Favorite Songs

2005-09-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again

Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.

Mike Cope blogged this morning about youth ministers, and I couldn't help but think of this song sung by a youth minister, Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. God bless those youth ministers. They get to do all the fun stuff!

"Crave Pure Spiritual Milk"

2005-09-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

I began a series last Sunday on Pure Spiritual Milk. I live in an area, SE OK, where legalism is rampant, the "brotherhood watchdogs" are numerous and organized, grace is frowned upon, the Holy Spirit is the word, sound doctrine at all costs, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Our church has decided to swim upstream and is making headway by the grace of God, though we still have some folks who can't seem to break free from those chains of bondage. It is no easy thing to break free from that.

It is my contention people who are on that path somewhere along the way have been given milk that has been tainted, spoiled, left on the kitchen counter for several days. They have been taught a skewed view of God, therefore they cower in fear. They have been given a messed up view of salvation, therefore they believe they must work to be saved. They were led to believe worship is acts and not heart, therefore they show up, eat and drink up, listen up (sometimes) and then pack up and go home, unaffected by being in the presence of God.

My prayer for this series is this - we will go back and explore the foundational truths of our faith, the "pure" spiritual milk. To see God as He truly is, salvation as God's work and not man's, the Christian disciplines of prayer, meditating, studying, tithing, etc. Maybe we can rebuild some of these folks' foundation and their house can be remodeled. That is my prayer at least.

One Of My Favorite Pictures

2005-09-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death....."

When In Doubt, "Let Us Pray!!"

2005-09-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

I was told by a disgruntled member of my congregation the other day, during my sermon, to "keep my mouth shut, you don't know what you are talking about!" I have honestly never had anyone say that to me, in pulpit or out. I've not known what I have been talking about for years now, but no one has ever pointed it out to me in quite that fashion.

What did I say to set this brother off? I was simply praising the work the Red Cross was doing for the Katrina victims who were coming to our church for help. I was trying to dispell the rumor that the Red Cross charges people today to help them in a disaster. There was an incident in WW2, maybe other places as well, where the Red Cross was asked by our high command to charge our men over in Europe for things like coffee, doughnuts, etc. at the clubs the Red Cross had set up for the men. Servicemen from other countries were charged for these items by their own country's relief organizations and it was creating tension between the troops that the Americans did not have to pay. So, reluctantly, after receiving a "request" from high command, Red Cross charged for these items. It was anything but a money-making venture. Well, the way people tell it now, the Red Cross helps no one, they supposedly spend 75% of the money they get on themselves, they charge people before they will hand out a bottle of water or a blanket. I was trying to dispell that rumor. I had no idea this was such a passionate issue with some.

Question - What do you say after you are told to keep your mouth shut in the middle of a sermon? My response was "I apologize, let's pray". It seemed appropriate.

Lesson for the day - Don't praise relief workers from the Red Cross after a national disaster in a sermon unless you are willing to be told to keep your mouth shut by someone who thinks you are wrong. (now why didn't I know that already?!)

That's The Church?

2005-09-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

Last night in the adult class I taught at our church, we started a study of 1 Corinthians. One of the first things we did was to peruse the book and just look at the headings given every so often. Here's what we saw. Pleas for unity, lawsuits, sexual immorality, divorce, judging, idol feasts, worship assembly abuses, doubts of the resurrection, lack of love, pride........ And then, there it was in verse 2 of chapter 1 "To the CHURCH of God in Corinth..." That's the church??!!! Those are the called out ones??!!! The justified??!!! The sanctified??!!! Are you serious??!!! But I kept reading in chapter 1 ......... something about being given grace by God, enriched in Him, sustained by Him. Oh. I see. The Church. Saved folks who still struggle but are being led to a closer and deeper understanding of God and kingdom living. I can accept that. I "are" that. Praise God that what sustained that church is the very thing that sustains me and you some 2000 years later. Grace gives hope.

To Help or Not To Help

2005-09-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

Our new Family Life Center has been a hurricane relief shelter for the past couple of weeks. We are geared up to hold approximately 200 folks with cots, food, showers, clothes, anything these folks need. People that have actually used the shelter - 1 . One lady came and spent the night a week and a half ago. Texarkana, New Boston, Paris, Camp Gruber, Falls Creek Baptist Camp, all are housing numbers of victims. The masses never came here. We are not on a major travel route, which is probably why. We have helped about 60 who were just passing through on their way to family or friends, or even on their way back home. But no one stayed except the one. Our dilema is this. Some of the places where hundreds are being sheltered are having problems like rape, stealing, even killings in certain places. Do we want the possibility of that here? Are we willing to minister to people who are capable and many times guilty of murder, rape, robbery, extortion, etc.? My head says no. It is not safe. My hearts says yes, help whoever, however, whenever. I'll defer to the Lord. If He thinks we can handle it, then maybe he'll re-route one of the buses, if there are any left. Maybe He's already answered that question for us. I'll accept any answer I get. But I still may be nervous!!!

The Power of Good Music

2005-09-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here listening to Phillips, Craig and Dean's RESTORATION. Wow, I love this album. Talk about gifted musicians and song writers. All their stuff is good.

Just this week I have had several come to me and express concern about the singing at our church, that it is less than inspiring. It's funny, the preaching can be average (which it usually is, thank you), prayers too long, communion too short, and people seem fine, at least I don't hear anything. But when the singing is bad, people can't stand that. I can't either. Maybe because the singing affects everything else we do in the assembly. The most powerful tool for communicating truth, encouragement, admonishment, praise is more often than not given the least amount of attention and effort.

What to do about it, I don't know. Would song leaders accept a training class to make them better? Would people sit closer to the front and middle if it would make a difference? Could we possibly put microphones on some folks who sing their parts well in order for us to get the full effect of 4 part harmony, which is something we do very well? If the Lord wants our best in sacrifice to Him, shouldn't we do our best in all areas of the assembly? Seems right to me.

I'm not dead....yet!

2005-05-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

I am not blogging until our Family Life Center is finished. I will take a long vacation and then start blogging again. I am looking forward to being done.

Whew!!! Even that was tiresome.

Highland Church of Christ youth group tragedy

2005-01-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

I found out yesterday that a suburban carrying several youth from the Highland COC in Abilene, TX flipped, seriously injuring several and killing one. Please remember the Brody Bourland family in your prayers. He was the 10 year old boy that was killed. Also Highland's pulpit minister and his wife, Mike and Diane Cope, had a boy in the suburban that was hurt. He was flown to Dallas. Please lift up your prayers for this church and those involved in the accident.

Today was "Budget Sunday" at our church

2005-01-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what I think about Budget Sunday. It is the time when our treasurer/deacon gets up and tells how we did last year and tells us what we need to do this year. He called his message, "The good, the bad, and the ugly". The good, we spent $100.00 a week under our budget last year. The bad, we spent $300 a week over our contribution. The ugly......well, he didn't have anything ugly to say. I did appreciate what one of our elders said to the church after the presentation. He said, in effect, budgets are not to be worshiped. When a good work presents itself, we shouldn't go running to the budget and let it dictate our work. We should run to God and seek His council and will. Budgets are good and needed as a reminder of commitments made. But, all they are is an estimation of expenditures and income. God's ability to bless is concrete, rock solid reliable! I'll let Him dictate the extent to which I can serve and give. I think more will probably end up being done that way.

Breaking News!! Late New Year's Resolution Just Coming In...

2005-01-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

I saw I haven't posted anything since way back in October. Other than possibly losing a few pounds, I vow to blog more regularly. Hopefully it will become easier after our Family Life Center is completed. I will have more time then.

One World Government?

2004-10-26T06:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I heard two guys and a woman on a religious radio show discussing the dangers of the world uniting together in peace. The United Nations, the European Union, etc. are all tools of Satan in order to wrestle control away from our government and make us subservient to a one world government, and if we aren't careful, we will be sucked into surrendering our sovereignty as a nation.

That part is nothing new. I've heard that before. New to me, though, were the key players in leading America down the road to the very bowels of hell - none other than Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church and Bill Hybels of Willowcreek Community Church. You see, these two "demonic prophets" are promoting world peace in their churches. And if we aren't careful, it will lead us to a one world government............... (well sure) ...................... You see, how it is working is, there is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. There are two sides of this tree - good and evil. What Warren and Hybels are doing is using things from the "good side of the tree", peace, love, etc. in order to lure us into the very pit of hell................. Oh, OK. Now it makes sense.

I must have missed that class in preaching school.

2004-10-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Is this why women live longer than men?

Free will?

2004-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

We batted this around in our S.H.A.R.E. group last night. Does God ever predestine unbelief, hard hearts, etc. in order to accomplish something that will promote His kingdom? We considered Judas, Pharaoh, king Saul, Israel. Were they manipulated by God to disobey so that God's power could be made known to the world?

Before you go ballistic, consider this:

Rom 9:10-24 Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13 Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? 22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-- 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

Responses from the group:
1. How could God predestine someone to go to hell because of their unbelief?
2. We shouldn't talk about things like this.
3. We can't understand God
4. God sees the future and then plans things out accordingly to match up with it.

I'll stick with Romans 9:20 "Who am I to talk back to God". If God does stuff like that, I'm O.K with letting God be God.

2004-10-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Goliath was about 2 inches taller than this guy!

Give It Up For Jesus

2004-10-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

Our church leadership is getting ready to head up to the mountains for a retreat. Elders, deacons, and ministers are all converging on a couple of small cabins in the woods for one purpose - to seek God's direction for this church. It is not a planning session. We are planned to death. It is not an organizational meeting with pie charts and graphs and chain of command diagrams. We are organized to death. No, we are seeking the Lord, His will, His direction, His priorities. My personal hope is that a booming voice comes down from heaven and says, "O.K. You guys have run things long enough. Now it's my turn." My prayer is that our leaders, me included, will give up their leadership of this church and become vessels through which God leads his people, and that we will have the courage to go where God is directing us. Hey, wait a minute. I've got a great idea. Jesus being in control of His church!!!! That just might work!

The Little Polar Bear

2004-09-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

A young polar bear goes up to his father and asks, "Dad, am I a brown bear?" The dad replies, "No, son, you are a polar bear." "Oh, O.K." says the young polar bear. A few minutes later the young polar bear comes to his dad and asks, "Dad, am I a black bear?" "No, son, as I said before you are a polar bear." "O.K. dad." the young polar bear replies. It was not too long that the young polar bear asked his father again, "Dad, am I a grizzly bear?" Exasperated at his son's constant questioning, he says, "No, I told you you are a polar bear. Why do you keep on asking me what kind of bear you are?" The son replied, "I'm freezing!"

Ministerial Schizophrenia

2004-09-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

I am reading Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. God did some great work through Jim with a small church in the Bronx. Concerning preaching, he says this:

"...People are not put off by honesty. I didn't have to keep up a ministerial front. I could just preach God's Word as best I knew and then call the congregation to prayer and worship. The Lord would take over from there...."

"...I didn't need to play the preacher. Jesus called fisherman, not graduates of rabbinical schools. The main requirement was to be natural and sincere. His disciples had to depend totally on the Lord and His power. In the same way, I had to stop acting ministerial - whatever that was. God could only use Jim Cymbala the way he is. What a breakthrough that was for me as I learned to trust in God to use my natural personality. God has always despised sham and pretense, especially in the pulpit. The minute I start trying to effect a posture or pose, God's Spirit would be grieved."

Things That Make Me Go "Hmmm"

2004-09-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

My dad is on the list for a heart transplant. In a sense, I guess I am praying for someone to die.

My good friend just bought a funeral home. In the same sense, I guess I am praying for lots of people to die.

I pray for the military to be successful in their campaign over in Iraq against the terrorists trying to destroy that country. The only way to defeat them is to kill them.

My prayers have never contained so much death in my entire life!

2004-08-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

I am a regular visitor to the blogs of Wade Hodges and Mike Cope. This is a whole new world for me, but one I think I will enjoy, as long as somebody reads it, and maybe even responds once in a while. I read where Mike Cope had over 600 hits on his blog in one day!!! I would be happy with 6..... OK 4...... Maybe 2........ Alright, 1!!! 1 measely hit would make my day. This seems to be a good way to communicate and broaden my world a bit. I'll probably put some preaching stuff on here. I'm always in the mood for a joke or two. Maybe some interesting photos. We'll see what happens.

I preached on Hannah last Sunday. My focus was this.... God does his best work through what seems to us to be damaged merchandise. Hannah was a woman, barren, verbally and psychologically abused, but God accomplished something great through her. He did the same through David, Moses, Jonah, woman at the well, a blind man, even a man with a legion of demons. "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong..." (1 Cor 1:27). Maybe He can do something with me.

Brad

Now what?

2004-08-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

O.K. I've got this blog page............................ I need to post something..............................Something...........................
......Anything................................Maybe later.