When You Can’t, He Can

When you are the neediest, His is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.
When you feel totally dependent, He is the most dependable.
When you are the weakest, He is able.
When you are most alone, He is intimately present.
When you feel you are the least, He is the greatest.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest, He is the only light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.
When you are most humble, He is most gracious.

Big, Good and Unexpected

I have decided to wear a special shirt today. It is not so much the material that makes it so unique, as much as it is the message sewn on the front of the shirt. Just above my pocket is the phrase, “Big, Good and Unexpected.” Now for those who do not know, let me tell the story behind the message.

Five years ago the First Baptist Church of Center Point (the church that gave birth to CrossPoint) started moving dirt on what we now call Phase 1 of CrossPoint. For those of you who were not around then, this was a bold step of faith. You must realize that five years ago there were not many houses in the Argo area. Some people were questioning our sanity on such an operation. Some of the questions asked about the vision of CrossPoint included, “Why build such a big complex where no one lives? Who is going to drive out there for worship? Where are all the people?” Additionally, there were some who were saying the vision of CrossPoint was just a flash-in-the-pan idea that would never last. Others were saying we should go ahead with the construction, but they would never support the effort. And there were a few, many of whom who are now part of the core of CrossPoint, who believed CrossPoint was a God-thing.

For several years we were focusing our attention around a core theme. The year God introduced the vision of CrossPoint to our church we were dwelling on the theme “Just Like Jesus.” The next year when we set the wheels of CrossPoint into motion by using the theme, “Imagine.” The theme we settled on the year we started moving dirt was, “Big, Good and Unexpected.” For two year the church had been praying, searching and watching for God to move among us. During that season of searching we decided to start asking God to do something “Big, good and unexpected.”
Five years later we see the harvest of that prayer. CrossPoint has already outgrown its present facility. We now marvel at the thought the God would challenge us to build Phase 2 so early in our growth process. Neighborhoods are sprouting up all around us. People are moving in, and CrossPoint is poised to do something big, good and unexpected for the Kingdom.

So, if you see me wearing my “Big, Good and Unexpected” shirt today you will know why I am wearing it. I am wearing it as a testimony to those of you who have bought into the CrossPoint vision since we built Phase 1. You are the result of God answering our big, good and unexpected prayer request. I am wearing it also as a testimony to what God has done and what He will continue to do through CrossPoint as we stay on point with His Gospel message.

Facing the Giants

Do you know what you will be doing the weekend of September 29 & 30? If the Lord is willing, sometime that weekend I will be in the movie theater with my wife and children watching the new movie release “Facing the Giants” by Sherwood Films.

If you want a small glimpse into the movie click here and watch the teaser trailers.

Does anyone recognize the group singing the theme song? That would be Casting Crowns singing their hit song, “Voice of Truth.”

Sure, it looks like another “Remember the Titans” and “Glory Road” kind of movie, but I will still be there because the movie trailer has already hooked me.

Worship Is...

This Monday morning email best describes what happened yesterday at CrossPoint. The CrossPointer wrote,

“Yesterday was absolutely off the hook!!! Yeah God!!”

I concur. Yesterday was an incredible day of worship in all three worship celebrations.

We must remember…
Worship is not something we observe; it is something we contribute.
Worship is not something we watch; it is something we do.
Worship is not something we scrutinize; it is something we execute.
Worship is not something we survey; it is something we implement.

Tiger Did It Again
Did any of you watch Tiger Woods win his fourth golf tournament in a row yesterday? The man is a machine. Ten years to the day after he turned pro, Tiger took the lead, gave it up, fought back to tie, and then defeated Stewart Cink in a four-hole playoff to win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Tiger admitted to waffling some on Saturday, after scoring four bogeys in a row on the front nine. After his third round Tiger said, “My body took me out of the game, but my mind kept me in it.” Wow, what a mind. If there can be such a thing, the man is an intimidator on the golf course.

WHO do you want to be?
During our weekly lunch last week Taylor and I talked more about college. We discussed his top three choices, a possible major and the subsequent career choices that would ensue. By the end of the meal I suggested to Taylor that his mother and I were more interested in WHO he would become rather than WHAT he would become. I think his light came on when I asked, “Taylor, WHO do you want to be in 10 years?”

Parents often ask their children, “WHAT do you want to be when you grow up?” I think the healthier question is, “WHO do you want to be when you grow up?”

And finally…
While working through my journal this weekend I ran across this great quote from G. K. Chesterton:

“Humility makes us small and that means everything around
me becomes large and astounding and magnificent.”

Dealing with Obstacles

Last weekend I watched the PGA Golf Championship with eager anticipation. I will admit on the front end that I am a huge Tiger Woods fan. I know it is easy to be a fan of his since he wins just about every golf tournament he plays. And I guess you could say I am a fair-weather fan by joining the bandwagon with so many other people.

As some of you know, Tiger had already won the tournament by Saturday, when he completed the third round tied for the lead. For those of you who do not know, Tiger has never lost a Major tournament when he leads after 54 holes of golf.

Something one of the commentators said during the television broadcast sparked my attention. While talking about who would win the tournament, the analyst said, “Winning a golf tournament like this is not about AVOIDING obstacles as much as it is about DEALING with obstacles. Obstacles are going to come. Whoever deals with them best will win the tournament.”

Not only is that true about golf, I think the statement is true also about life. The secret to life is not about avoiding obstacles; obstacles will come. The secret to life is dealing with obstacles.
Today, tomorrow or the next day an obstacle will come your way. How do you plan to address that problem? How you deal with your trials and troubles is how you live life.

Please Pray for Bryan & Charma Haskins

For those of you who do not know, Charma Haskins had a situation yesterday with regard to her pregnancy. As a result, she and Bryan rushed to Brookwood Hosptial, where Charma’s doctor performed a surgical procedure to protect the baby and her womb. The next 48 to 72 hours are vital to Charma’s health and the health of their baby.

As soon as I learned of the situation I rushed to the hospital to pray with them. Both Bryan and Charma modeled great faith and trust in the Lord.

Bryan told me by phone this morning that Charma seems to be doing better. They moved her to a more comfortable room to help her rest. The doctor was very serious yesterday when she was explaining the possible outcomes of the situation.

Their baby boy is in God’s hands. He formed that child in Charma’s womb, and He will decide what is best for the baby. Please join me in praying for God’s best in this circumstance.

Pray till you pray!

While reading through an A.W. Tozer article this morning, I found this quote:

Dr. Moody Stuart, a great praying man of a past generation, once drew up a set of rules to guide him in his prayers. Among these rules is this one: "Pray till you pray." The difference between praying till you quit and praying till you pray is illustrated by the American evangelist John Wesley Lee. He often likened a season of prayer to a church service, and insisted that many of us close the meeting before the service is over. He confessed that once he arose too soon from a prayer session and started down the street to take care of some pressing business. He had only gone a short distance when an inner voice reproached him. "Son," the voice seemed to say, "did you not pronounce the benediction before the meeting was ended?" He understood, and at once hurried back to the place of prayer where he tarried till the burden lifted and the blessing came down.

Another illustration of praying till you pray occurs almost every morning in my personal devotion time to the Lord. I have learned that it takes me several minutes to give my undivided attention to the Lord. After that is accomplished, it takes several more minutes for me to get into the rhythm of praying, studying and reading.
Today I encourage you with the words of saint from times past, Moody Stuart, by saying, “Pray till you pray!”

Seventeen Years Ago Today

Seventeen years ago today Vonda and I became the proud parents of an 8 pound, 13 & ½ ounce, 21 & ¼ inch baby boy we named Ryan Taylor Whitley. Taylor was born on August 22, 1989 at 3:22 PM at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I remember so many things about that day.

Many of our friends gathered at the hospital to celebrate his arrival with us. Our pastor and many staff members were present. Vonda’s parents along with her grandmother were there. My mother, along with one of my nieces drove down from Birmingham to celebrate his birth also. Vonda was in labor for 33 hours. Ouch! I think she slept for the next two days. Overall, it was an amazing day.

One event from that day that sticks out in my mind was catching a tender moment with our pediatrician. Just a minute or two after Taylor was born he was placed in the capable hands of Dr. Ronnie Kent. Not knowing I was standing behind him, I decided to catch this moment on video tape. Toward the end of the examination I watched Ronnie placed his hand on my son’s chest, bow his head, close his eyes and pray. He prayed for several minutes. Taylor seemed to know what he was doing, and remained as still as a newborn could remain.

It was difficult for me to keep the camera focused on my son because tears were filling my eyes. It did not surprise me to see Dr. Kent praying over my first born child. He is one of the Godliest men I know. And to have him pray over my son was a distinct honor. I do not know what Dr. Kent prayed. Whatever he prayed I know it was from his heart, and I am so glad he prayed it. (Perhaps some time I can write about the time Ronnie prayed during a long distance phone call for my son to be healed of a serious sickness, and within hours Taylor was up and about asking for something to eat.)

Today, as you might imagine, is a special day in our house. Seventeen years ago my son entered this world. And seventeen years ago his mother and I began a journey that has introduced us to so many blessings. I thank the Lord for both the privileges and challenges of being a parent, especially to such a fine young man as Ryan Taylor Whitley.

Cradle, Cross & Crown

There are those rare occasions when a message will come to me when I least expect it. Most of the time, I discover messages during a time of intense prayer and Bible study. However, there are those select moments—while driving or exercising or cutting grass or doing something else—the Lord will give me a message from a particular passage. While driving in my automobile yesterday afternoon, the Lord thrilled me with a message from Philippians 2:5-11.

Even though the message is in its infancy, you can still start seeing the form of its content through this simple outline:

The CRADLE of Christ proves He was a SERVANT.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Philippians 2:5-7

The CROSS of Christ proves He was OBEDIENT.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8

The CROWN of Christ proves He was HUMBLE.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11

We should give thanks for the cradle, cross and crown of Christ.

A Leader Who Loves Us

My favorite uncle, Luke Henley, who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, sent me this email the other day. It’s a good word about our Savior.

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.

Living in Category One

Our emotional state usually settles into one of three broad categories:

Category 1: HAPPY—you are blessedly content or excitedly optimistic about the future.

Category 2: SAD—you are decidedly worried or certainly dissatisfied about the future.

Category 3: AMBIVALENT—you are happy some days, while other days you are sad. You vacillate between happy and sad, contented and discontented, hopeful and distressed.

Of the three aforementioned categories, which best describes you? Is your emotional bent primarily happy, sad or ambivalent? Perhaps the more telling answer would come from members of your family. So, let me ask the question this way: if a member of your family selected a category that best describes your emotional capacity, which category would they select?

I believe the Bible teaches that believers should be Category 1 kind of people. The Bible teaches we should be excitedly optimistic or blessedly content about our future. That is why the Bible states with abounding evidence how “blessed” (happy, content, satisfied) we are as born again followers of Christ (see Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 3:13; Isaiah 56:2; Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 5:3-12, etc.).

A key Old Testament passage that applies to Category 1 is found in Psalm 34:8, where David writes,

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

The invitation offered by David is not one of observation. He does not instruct us to “come and see” or “watch and see” or “listen and see”. Instead, David invites us to “taste and see”. Tasting and seeing is not a matter of observing; it is a matter of experiencing. David wants his audience to experience the goodness of God; and by experiencing the goodness of God we are blessed.

And how good is God? God’s goodness is so extravagant that He covers every illogical mistake or bad choice or stupid decision or sinful act we commit with His grace, love, mercy and forgiveness. As sinners we can do some stupid and sinful things. But as God, He can do even more through His goodness extended to us. That is why I believe happy people are happy because they fundamentally understand and appreciate God’s grace and goodness.

To support his teaching about happiness, David supplies three inner resolves we should develop toward becoming emotionally happy, content, satisfied and optimistic individual.

First, David teaches that we must develop the inner to resolve to WORSHIP God in order to maintain a “blessed” perspective.

David writes,

I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3

Notice the redundancy of David’s worship—“at all times”, “always”. Discern also the numerous expressions of worship—“extol”, “praise”, “boast’, “rejoice”, “glorify” and “exalt”. Observe how David moves from the personal expression of worship, “I will extol”, to the collective expression of worship, “let us exalt.” To be specific, worshiping people are happy people.

Next, David teaches that we must develop the inner resolve to TRUST God in order to have a “blessed” outlook.

David records,

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:4-7

How many fears and troubles does David say the Lord will deliver us from? He says, “All my fears” and “all his troubles”. Notice how the Lord responds when His children seek Him—“answered”, “delivered”, “heard”, “saved”, “encamps”, and “delivers”. People who trust in the Lord and not in themselves or circumstances are happy people.

Finally, in Psalm 34, David instructs that we must develop the inner resolve to BOAST in God in order to maintain a “blessed” disposition.
David says,

Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:8-10

Those who fear the Lord “lack nothing” and those who seek the Lord “lack no good thing.” The Lord loves taking care of His children. His children should lavish the opportunity to testify to His great care.

In conclusion, I must ask: what kind person are you? What is your emotional condition? Are you a Category 1 kind of person? Are you a Category 2 person? Or, does Category 3 best describe you? The Bible is clear: God wants every one of His children to be happy.

I implore you to start striving toward becoming a happy person in Christ. Start today. Choose today to worship, trust and boast in the Lord. The sooner you start developing those inner resolves today, the sooner you will become a happier person tomorrow.

Some days will be better than others

Whew! Today was a difficult day for me to exercise. It should not come as a surprise that I felt so sluggish this morning. Yesterday was a peak performance day for me. I felt good and I ran hard, beating my best three-mile run for time since I returned to a regular routine. Therefore, it should not be a big surprise that I struggled some the next day.

This is what I was writing about two days ago when I offered several suggestions about getting in shape. Speaking of difficult days, I said:

• Some days will be better than others. When the bad days come, slow down your pace. Your goal is to finish. Most bad days are the result of progress. I know most of my soreness usually comes after a long run or after I moved up a notch in my training routine. Bad days are expected. I think they show signs of progress.

Well, I had to follow my own advice this morning by slowing down my pace. Actually, my run became a jog and then my jog became a walk. After walking for three minutes I picked up the pace and returned to my regular stride.

On difficult days I have one goal—that is, to finish. Days like today you just stick it out. You don’t push it. You don’t press. You just finish. And today, all I could do was finish. But when you finish, you feel good. You feel like you accomplished something.

So beware! Bad days will come. There will be some mornings you feel tired or sore or parts of your body that you did not know existed will hurt. When those days come, hang on, complete your routine, and celebrate the fact that you did not quit.

Tomorrow I take my first day off for the week. I will be resting up for Friday. Friday is my long run day. Last Friday I ran four miles for the first time in a long time. This Friday I might go for five miles. I will just have to wait and see how my body feels.
For those of you walking or running your way back into shape, stay the course.

Going to Church

While studying the last several weeks in order to prepare for the “I Praise” worship series I am preaching, I have been reminded of how we talk church in most of our conversations.

Have you ever noticed how we talk about “church”? Consider these examples:
How was church today?
Where do you go to church?
Was church good?
We want you to visit our church.
Church sure was long today.

I know what we mean when we talk about church this way, but in actuality I think we have it all wrong. I know much of my aforementioned thinking is based on semantics. However, I believe the semantics tell more about us than we are willing to admit.

So what’s my point? I think the way we talk about church supports our view of church. On Sunday we don’t go to church; we are the church. And, on Sunday we don’t go to church, we go to worship.

I like the way Harold Best describes what I am attempting to explain. Best says, “We don’t go to church to worship, we go to church because we are worshipers.”
Instead of going to church this next weekend, I pray we gather for worship.

Physical Training is of some value

The word is coming in that many of you are taking up the Couch to the 5K training program. That is huge! I am super proud of you for trying. Hang in there. Take one day at a time.

For those of you trying to get in shape let me give you a few pointers:

• Wear proper shoes & clothing. Make sure the shoes you are wearing fit you well and are built for running. Dress comfortably. For those seriously committed to the training program, I encourage you to spend some extra shekels on running shoes and shorts from someone like Trak Shak in Homewood or off Highway 280. Plus, the salespeople in stores like that usually know what kind of shoes should fit your type arch. For instance, I wear a heavier stabilizer shoe, while someone like Steve Parr wears a lighter performance training shoe.
• Pace yourself. Do not overdo it. Take your time. You want to build into the program. Few of you will run at the pace you think you can run. Start at a slow pace, like a jog, and then each week build into a faster pace. Remember, it is how you finish, not how you start, that counts.
• Be consistent. I try to exercise the same time every day, the same days every week. That way I build consistency and my body learns to adjust to that pattern. For example, I exercise every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday morning. My days off are Thursday and Sunday. It is good to break up your week with a day off scheduled at least after every two or three days of training.
• Keep a journal. I like to record my progress whenever I am training for a race. I encourage you to do the same thing. Try keeping a 10-week journal monitoring your progress. In my journal I record items like my time & distance, the weather conditions, how I felt and so on. You may even want to record your weight loss.
• Some days will be better than others. When the bad days come, slow down your pace. Your goal is to finish. Most bad days are the result of progress. I know most of my soreness usually comes after a long run or after I moved up a notch in my training routine. Bad days are expected. I think they show signs of progress.
• Exercise on a track. It is safer. It is better on your feet and legs. Plus, at the track you can monitor more accurate records.
• Enjoy yourself. If you have not already noticed, the exercise routine lasts only 30 minutes. This is not a hard routine. The cumulative effect is what you are banking on. Stay with it each day, and you will be surprised at your progress.

I am proud of you for putting for the effort to get in shape and to stay in shape. Remember, Paul admonished his readers with this truth: For physical training is of some value…(1 Timothy 4:8).

From the Couch to the 5K

In the worship guide this weekend we are providing two training programs for those of you who wish to participate in CrossPoint’s 5k on October 28.

One of CrossPoint’s seven core values includes that we appreciate the pursuit of physical health. That is one of the many reasons why we offer a 5K run each year.

Provided below is the CrossPoint training guide for those who wish to run or walk in this year’s 5K. Get busy. The training guide starts on Monday, August 14. What have you got to lose? Go for it. Who knows, you may lose a few pounds. Moreover, the next kind of race you may have your eyes fixed on is a marathon. Don’t laugh. You can do that as well. Let’s get in shape—together!

From the Couch to CrossPoint’s 5k
Beginning Runner Training Program


Objective: To run CrossPoint’s 5k on Saturday, October 28.

Week-----------------------Days-----Run------Walk-----Repeat
August 14 – 20------------5 days-----1 min-----5 min-----5 times
August 21 – 27------------5 days-----2 min-----4 min-----5 times
August 28 – Sept 3-------5 days-----3 min-----3 min-----5 times
September 4 – 10--------5 days-----5 min----2.5 min----4 times
September 11 – 17-------5 days-----7 min-----3 min-----3 times
September 18 – 24-------5 days-----8 min-----2 min-----3 times
September 25 – Oct 1---5 days-----9 min-----1 min-----3 times
October 2 – 8-------------4 days-----13 min----2 min-----2 times
October 9 – 15------------3 days-----14 min----1 min-----2 times
October 16 – 22----------3 days-----30 min----------------1 time
October 23 – 27----------1 day------30 min----------------1 time
October 28----------Race Day------Run 5K------Celebrate!

Parenting that Matters

My 16 year old son and I enjoyed lunch together on Wednesday. He and I have been trying to eat lunch together at least once a week recently. With school starting today, the opportunity diminishes drastically.

The purpose of our lunch was to talk, once again, about the expectations his mother and I have for him. I share a brief summary of these expectations with you thinking it might be a source of encouragement for some of our parents.

EXPECTATION #1: We expect you to grow in your devotion to the Lord.

That growth includes reading his Bible, communicating daily with the Lord, memorizing Scripture, sharing his faith and submitting to the Lord’s will for his life.

EXPECTATION #2: We expect you to remain committed to the kingdom of God through CrossPoint.

That commitment includes participating in his weekly Bible study class, tithing every dollar he earns, worshiping regularly and fellowshipping with other believers.

EXPECTATION #3: We expect you to remain pure in your dating relationships.

Taylor and I have had this conversation countless times. I have instructed him that he should treat each date as a potential mate. Then I remind him that he should treat that date the same way he wants his future wife to be treated. That also includes being a gentleman every time he takes a girl out on a date.

EXPECTATION #4: We expect you to be a good example for Christ.

That example includes having the same attitude and approach to life that we believe Christ would show. We expect him not to smoke or drink or cuss or lie or gamble or cheat or steal or do anything else that impugns the name of Christ. That example also includes hanging out with people who are trying to be the same kind of example.

EXPECTATION #5: We expect you to do your best.

At school that includes arriving on time, studying appropriately for each class, completing assignments, being courteous and making the kind of grades we know he is capable of making. With regard to his lawn care business, that includes finishing each task he is being paid to complete and leaving the yard in better shape than when he arrived.

EXEPECTATION # 6: We expect you to remain connected to your family.

Part of growing up includes growing apart from your parents. We understand that Taylor is now at the stage of development when he wants to spread his wings and fly on his own. We realize that is a normal part of maturing. However, we also want Taylor to set aside time to spend with us as a family.

Our commitment to Taylor in fulfilling these expectations is very simple. If he fulfills these prospects, then his mother and I will do everything within our power, resources and ability to help matriculate through college and establish himself as an adult.
These expectations are high; we know that. But Vonda and I have learned that we would rather challenge our children to rise up to being what God wants them to be than to stoop down to what the enemy would like for them to become.

What to Do When the Horse is Dead…

My good friend, Dr. Ron Ethridge, pastor of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Muscles Shoals, Alabama sent me the following article.

The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from one generation to the next, says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. However, in modern business, because of the heavy investment factors to be taken into consideration, often other strategies have to be tried with dead horses, including the following:

1. Buying a newer, better, and stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Threatening the horse with termination.
4. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
5. Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.
6. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
7. Appointing an intervention team to reanimate the dead horse.
8. Creating a training session to increase the riders load share.
9. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
10. Change the form so that it reads: “This horse is not dead.”
11. Hire outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
12. Harness several dead horses together for increased speed.
13. Donate the dead horse to a recognized charity, thereby deducting its full original cost.
14. Providing additional funding to increase the horse’s performance.
15. Do a time management study to see if the lighter riders would improve productivity.
16. Purchase an after-market product to make dead horses run faster.
17. Declare that a dead horse has lower overhead and therefore performs better.
18. Form a quality focus group to find profitable uses for dead horses.
19. Rewrite the expected performance requirements for horses
20. Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position.

Are you riding a dead horse? Is there a more sane option you ought to follow than one of the 20 just named?

I would add the following antidote to riding a dead horse: just shoot it! Of to be more Christian in my thinking I would say, “If you are riding a dead horse, find a way to bury it and move on.”

Reasons Why They Oppose the New Music in Worship

For those of you who missed it, I provided ten reasons why some people oppose the new music in worship. Read the following for a better understanding.

Someone has developed a list of reasons why they oppose the new music used in worship. The reasoning includes:

1. It is too new, like an unknown language.
2. It is not as melodious as the more established style.
3. There are so many songs that it is impossible to learn them all.
4. It creates disturbances and causes people to act in an indecent and disorderly manner.
5. It places too much emphasis on instrumental music rather than on godly lyrics.
6. The lyrics are often worldly, even blasphemous.
7. It is not needed, since preceding generations have gone to heaven without it.
8. It is a contrivance to get money.
9. It monopolizes the Christian's time and encourages them to stay out late.
10. These new musicians are young upstarts, and some of them are lewd and loose persons.

By the way, the list was written in 1723. The new upstart musician they were critiquing was Isaac Watts. The hymns in question were “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “Joy to the World” as well as many others that had been recently published in a new hymnal.

People rarely change!

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

I started a new message series yesterday entitled, I Praise. The six-week series will focus on worship—where, when, how, what and why we worship. While studying last week, I found this illustration about worship that I think is so fitting.

About 15 years ago, Orel Hershiser was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They had just won the World Series, and Orel had been named the Most Valuable Player.

One of the TV shows about the series showed him in the dugout just before the 9th inning started. He was leaning against the wall. And his lips were moving.

So when he was a guest on the Tonight Show, Johnny Carson asked him what he had been saying. "I wasn’t saying anything," Orel responded. "Well, then, tell us what you were doing." Finally Orel replied, "I was singing." Johnny said, "You were singing? I didn’t know you were a singer. Come on, let’s here it!" And Orel said, "Nah. I don’t want to." And the audience clapped and said, "Yeah! Let’s hear it! Wooooh!!!!"

Finally, Orel Hershiser started to sing:

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise him above Ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen!"

And Johnny Carson was speechless. The whole audience was dead silent. Then one person stood up and started clapping. And soon, the whole audience joined in applause.

This was Orel’s way of saying, "Lord, the only reason I’m a Most Valuable Player is because you’re a Most Valuable God. You’re the one who gave me my ability. You’re the reason why my life has been so blessed. And I respect you. And I love you."

Orel Hershiser is a person who truly appreciates God.

What about you? Do you fully appreciate God—who He is and what He has done for you?

How Adam Had It Easy

I found this on the web earlier today and thought you would get a kick out of it.

1. He is the only man who has never been compared to the man she could have married.
2. He had no in-laws to drop in.
3. There were no Jones for him to keep up with.
4. There were no credit cards OR shopping centers.
5. He never had his dinner interrupted by window salesmen.
6. He got away with wearing a simple wardrobe.
7. He never had to shovel snow!
8. If he had gone bald, who would have known that wasn't normal.
9. There was no "standard weight and height" tables -- and the word fat meant good.

Just For Today

Very few, if any of you, knew my friend, Dr. Larry Thorton. We met in Cleveland, MS, when I was the pastor of the First Baptist Church (1992 – 1996). Dr. Thorton was the Dean of Psychology at Delta State University. He was also a bi-vocational pastor. We befriended one another through mutual friends.

Larry was in an interesting guy. He always drove a brand new car; usually a Mercedes. He wore the latest fashions. He loved people and he had a consuming desire to love life.

Larry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease approximately three years ago. He went home to be with the Lord two years after that, and yet his influence is still felt in my life today.

Larry gave me a great tool that I still use in my morning devotions. He called it his “Just for Today List.” His Just for Today list was a working list of attitudes and actions he felt the Lord wanted him to address. He called it “Just for Today” because that reminded him to remain focused on the present instead being so consumed by the future. When Larry shared the tool with me it was exactly what I needed.

I’m good at making lists. However, my lists usually included things I wanted to do or accomplish, not things God wanted me to improve. Rarely had I ever made a list of what I should become. Thanks to Larry, I now usually make a “Just for Today” list before I prepare my To Do list.

Provided below is a sample of my “Just for Today” list. I share it with you, speculating if it might help you think of some things the Lord wants you to address.

Just for Today
Wednesday, August 02, 2006

• Just for today I will humble myself before you Lord, because Your word says You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble.
• Just for today my attitude will be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
• Just for today I will look for ways to encourage others.
• Just for today I will not be in a hurry.
• Just for today I will not be greedy; instead, I will trust You by being generous to those around me.
• Just for today I will finish reading a book I started reading last weekend.
• Just for today I will do everything for Your glory.

Richer Than You Think

How rich do you think you are? Go to http://www.globalrichlist.com/ and enter your annual income. When you do so it will tell you where your income rates in the world. Get this: I am one of the top 2% richest people in the world…and so are you!