Until Sunday

2011-12-27T13:32:00.000-08:00

Did you see it? That is, the Person of the Year selected by Time magazine’s editors? Each year Time picks the person they believe has had the greatest impact during the past year. The Protester gets that distinction for 2011. Time writer Rick Stengel:

“Everywhere this year, people have complained about the failure of traditional leadership and the fecklessness of institutions. Politicians cannot look beyond the next election, and they refuse to make hard choices. That's one reason we did not select an individual this year. But leadership has come from the bottom of the pyramid, not the top. For capturing and highlighting a global sense of restless promise, for upending governments and conventional wisdom, for combining the oldest of techniques with the newest of technologies to shine a light on human dignity and, finally, for steering the planet on a more democratic though sometimes more dangerous path for the 21st century, the Protester is TIME's 2011 Person of the Year.”

While protests have taken place around the globe, we have heard mostly about Occupy Wall Street. According to the Time article, it was fueled by ‘…three acute and overlapping money crises-tanked economy, systemic financial recklessness, (and) gigantic public debt-' I’ll leave it to you to debate the accuracy of that for yourself. What I would call attention to is that the article pointed out that the protesters were ‘disproportionately young, middle class and educated.’

Young people now, as always, have wanted a cause. Today, it is being expressed in the form of protest. In many places in the world, protesting how a government operates results in a sever response that can and in fact did, cause death. In the U.S. the response of the government is, to say the least, much more tolerable. Nonetheless, there was a widespread willingness to come together to protest what was seen as greed. (For the record, I do not agree with their premise or their actions.)

It does make me wonder-what if Christian young people stood together against the devil and his onslaught against the church? What if Christian young people stood together in protest against what the devil is seeking to do to their peers with alcohol and drugs? What if they protested against the devil and ‘stood’ against him on their knees in fervent prayer? Let me tell you, I think they are!

I for one am very encouraged by this generation of Christian youth and young adults. They are, among other things, ready and willing to go to some of the most difficult places on earth to proclaim the gospel. They are passionate in worship, devoted in Bible study, faithful in church, and desirous of authentic revival.

I want to be more faithful to pray for them and to encourage them for they truly are making the greatest impact!

Your Thoughts?

2011-11-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am reading David Platt’s book Radical for the second time. I read a lot and don’t often read a book twice, but this book is special. I just finished re-reading chapter five, where the main point is about discipleship. If you could thumb through my copy of this book, you would notice that I have underlined and put stars by much in this chapter. For me, underlining something means that it stands out to me and a star is kind of like a wow moment.

If you have not read this book, I highly encourage you to invest the time in doing so. I believe mining in this book will yield many nuggets of gold. Not wanting to spoil that pleasure for you, I will avoid the details of the chapter and simply challenge you to consider some questions that I am probing in my own life.

If disciple making is such an obvious command from our Lord; if a Christian’s growth in grace is tied inextricably to the investment of others; if all of our programs and methods and creative strategies are yielding such few observable and lasting results-why in the world are we so slow to embrace what Jesus said to do? What prevents us from developing relationships that are intentional and purposeful in making disciples?

Do you have thoughts on this? If so, I for one would be interested in reading them. Click on the comment at the end of this article and share your thougths that will not only benefit me but other readers as well. In the mean time, who are you investing in? Who are you trying to disciple? Who are you ‘going’ to for the purpose of sharing the gospel? Who are you helping connect with the church with ‘baptism’ as that initial step? Who are you ‘teaching’?

Pastor Chuck

Fall Festival Fun

2011-11-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

Until Sunday

Each year on October 31 we host a Fall Festival. I love this event! I love getting to meet different people and seeing children having fun playing games and getting candy. So many positive and good things stood out this year. In addition to what I have already mentioned about meeting people and the children, allow me to mention a few others that made for such a great night.

· We had people on our campus from at least five different nations.

· We had many guest.

· We served a meal to our church family and members of our community.

· We heard some great music from our praise team.

· We had many willing hands to serve in many different ways.

· We shared the gospel eight different times with those who participated in the hay ride.

If you served in any capacity, thank you! If you were a guest to Woolsey Baptist Church, thanks for coming and please come again. Thanks to Sarah Vessell, our Children’s Ministry Leader for putting together a great event.

Pastor Chuck

How Are You Doing in Your Growth?

2011-10-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

How do you measure church growth? Numerical measurements are certainly valid. People that say numbers do not matter when it comes to church growth cannot say the same in most other areas. In the world of academics, a number is the difference between passing and failing. How important is the blood pressure number or temperature number to the physician? Sports teams are in first or last place based upon the number of wins and losses. However effective numerical measurements are in determining church growth, growth within the church is determined by different measurements.

First, a clarification is needed. Growth within the church is growth taking place in the lives of those who make up the church. It is theologically known as sanctification. It is progressive and comes faster for some than others. Several factors relate to this growth that is not within the scope of this blog. For simplification, suffice it to say that growth within the church is growth toward Christian maturity. One of the marks of this growth is when a Christian begins to share the gospel with others. It is taking the good news to others. It is being a disciple maker. It is seeking to reproduce.

Early today, one of our members excitedly told me of recently speaking to a friend about Jesus. To their utter astonishment, the person had very little understanding of even the basics of the Christian faith. In sharing with this person about Christ, there was no response. Yet, it was not long until the person being told about Jesus actually sought out another Christian that had the opportunity to lead them to Christ.

How do you measure church growth? One good place to start with is growth within the church. One of the marks of church health is reproduction. By the way, how are you doing in your growth?

A Picture of Love

2011-09-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I made two pastoral visits. I don’t always get to make such visits with my wife but this week we did and that made it all the more special. Our visits were to two couples, both in the same nursing home. In these two situations, it was the wife who was in the nursing home. They were there for different reasons and for different lengths of time but both had one significant common denominator- husbands that adored and loved their wives. Between the two couples, there was easily over 100 years of marriage. They had no doubt weathered some of life’s storms and enjoyed some of its mountain peaks of joy together. They spoke of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Age had not diminished their love.

Men, I have to tell you that these two fellows gave a great demonstration of what love looks like. Whatever you age, consider a few of the lessons I observed.

Love serves

Love comes

Love sticks

Love sits

Love leads

Love follows

Love reminisces

Love touches

Love pushes

Love reads

Love longs

Love hurts

Think about it; I know I will.
Pastor Chuck

9/11 and Show and Tell

2011-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

We are approaching the tenth anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks of September 11, 2001. Most reading this will never forget that terrible day. You remember where you were and what you were doing when the events of that beautiful fall morning changed our lives. Hearing that our nation was under attack was surreal. Most looked on to television sets or listened to radios completely stunned, unsure of what to say or do.

Reflecting back, I remember those first responders that gave their lives in rescue efforts. I remember those who perished in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I remember those that perished on the planes that were used as weapons. I remember those that died in the plane crash in rural Pennsylvania in their sacrificial and heroic efforts as they managed to take back control of the plane that was likely headed for a direct hit on the U.S Capitol or the Whitehouse. I remember the courage and compassion of President Bush as he spoke to the nation. I appreciate and greatly value the men and women of law enforcement today that seek to keep us safe in our homeland. I am indebted to the men and women of our armed forces for their diligence in the fight against terrorism.

But, how are we to respond to these events ten years later? Is it more patriotism that we need? Let me be clear, I love America! I love to sing our National Anthem and proudly stand with my hand over my heart whenever I hear it. I am moved when I hear God Bless America or America the Beautiful. I love to hear Lee Greenwood sing God Bless the U.S.A. I am proud of our military and thankful for all who seek to preserve our freedoms. Although it can be an inconvenience, I am thankful for the efforts and good work of the TSA as they detect dangerous items or fraudulent travel documents in airports. While I am patriotic and love our great nation, patriotism is not our most urgent need as we approach 9/11.

How will the church respond as we move toward this historic date? Do we reject those who call themselves Muslims? Not if we are serious about following Christ; not if we are serious about the Great Commission. Muslims are not people to be hated. The gospel is good news for all the people of the earth. The promise to Abraham “…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” was ultimately fulfilled in Christ. It took the church awhile to understand the full implications of the gospel but eventually they too came to understand that the good news was for all people. So, how does the church respond as we move toward 9/11?

One way we can respond is in learning more about Muslims and befriending them with a view toward sharing the gospel. They, like everybody else, have souls and need to hear the good news that we can know God and have eternal life not by our works but by His grace and faith in Christ alone.

If Christ were walking this earth today, what do you think He would do? By the way, we are the ‘body of Christ.’ We are His hands and feet. Think about it; how are you going to respond to Muslims as the anniversary of 9/11 approaches? What if you prayed for them? What if you befriended them? May God by His grace enable us use this upcoming anniversary of 9/11 to show and tell the gospel.

Pastor Chuck

Money Matters

2011-07-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

The American economy is in trouble. Daily reminders are abundant. We cannot go to a news source without being reminded of it. Radio talk show host and their callers all have their opinions. Most of us paid little or no attention to The Federal National Mortgage Association or ‘Fannie Mae’ until we started to see that the real estate industry was headed for seriously hard times. Home foreclosures started to become all too common and unemployment numbers steadily rose. It was not long before churches started to feel the pinch of this with a decrease in giving. While politicians in Washington continue to debate this issue, how should a Christian respond?

Let’s focus on the individual Christian by considering where we stand on the matter of money and particularly debt. John Morgan, in an article entitled Financial Integrity, makes the following observations about how to get out of debt:

· Transfer ownership of everything you have to God.
· On the first day of every week, return an offering to the Lord as a reminder that all we have belongs to Him. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
· Stop all spending that is not absolutely essential.
· Stop all new indebtedness immediately.
· Put all extra income into debt retirement.
· Sell all depreciating items for which you are now in debt and replace with a less expensive item if necessary.
· Closely examine food costs and cut at least fifteen percent off your food bill.
· Do things yourself that you are presently paying others to do.
· Set a challenging goal for debt retirement and make any sacrifice to reach your goal.
· Make getting out of debt a family effort.

It is time to stop complaining about Washington and the White House and get our house in order. The steps above, if taken seriously and done with a committed effort can make a difference. Look them over again. What would happen if you made such a commitment?

Think about it.

Pastor Chuck

To Drink or Not to Drink

2011-06-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

Should a Christian drink alcoholic beverages? It seems there are three prevailing views. Some say that a Christian should never drink because drinking alcoholic beverages is a sin. Others reason that a Christian is permitted to drink an alcoholic beverage in any setting because wine is mentioned throughout the Bible and it is therefore not a sin to drink. Still others have concluded that a Christian is permitted to drink alcoholic beverages as long as it does not offend another Christian.

It is clear that the Bible condemns drunkenness-Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-35; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 5:22; Isaiah 28:7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:18- There is no debate here. But what about drinking alcoholic beverages so long as you do not get drunk and do not hurt anybody?

To think through this, I would suggest some questions to consider.

Am I sure that the wine sold today is the same as the wine used in the Old Testament and New Testament?

Am I sure there are health benefits from drinking wine?

Am I sure that I can drink alcoholic beverages without making another Christian stumble? Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Am I sure that I am not drinking alcohol because of peer pressure? Romans 12:2

Am I sure that I am not pushing Christian liberty too far? Galatians 5:1. Two quotes to consider on this are:

“We do need to guard against making absolutes out of personal standards that are not specified in Scripture, or assuming that others are sinning if they don’t adopt our standards about issues that may not be traps for them. But why are we so prone to defend choices that take us right to the edge of sin, and so reluctant to make radical choices to protect our hearts and minds from sin?” Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“Liberty may be an instrument for giving glory to the Most High, or it may be a curtain used to shield base indulgence of the flesh (I Peter 2:16). You may discover by self-examination of your heart which function liberty serves in your life.” Walter J. Chantry

Am I 100% confident that I would never under any circumstance move from being an occasional drinker to getting drunk or becoming an alcoholic? Proverbs 23:29-35

Here is my position on a Christian using beverage alcohol. While the Bible condemns drunkenness it does not say that it is a sin to drink alcohol. There is, as far as I know, not a clear, direct, specific command that prohibits drinking alcohol. The saying, “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t chew and don’t go with those that do’ – is good advice but it is not in the Bible. To tell you that drinking wine is a sin would mean I would be giving a universal command for all Christians that I cannot find in Scripture.

However, considering all the factors, for me personally, I have chosen not to use alcohol.
While the Bible does not forbid it, the spiritual risks are far greater than any perceived benefits. If a teenager saw me buying beer or wine or ordering such in a restaurant and conclude it was okay for them, I would have a hard time with that. If a lost person I am trying to reach saw me buying or ordering alcohol, I believe my witness would be compromised. I believe alcohol is the devil in liquid form and that with the abundance of other beverages, I just do not need it. I do not want to be the cause of anybody stumbling and certainly not over something that is totally unnecessary in our society.

I have just seen too much of where alcohol leads and what it can cause. I have helped get a drunken, vomiting man from the toilet to his bed. I have sat in a detox unit with a man who lost his family because of alcohol. I have sat with a family, whose son, deathly yellow from too much alcohol, lay in the ICU, unsure if he would survive. I have listened to the anguished cries of a child who wished their daddy would sober up. I have heard the heartbreak of parents whose child was caught in another drunken stupor. Considering all things, there is just no good reason for a Christian to use alcoholic beverages. Beverage alcohol is associated with too many things evil for me to use it.

I urge you to consider the questions and get before God and decide.

Should I drink or not drink? Can I drink to the glory of God? If Jesus came to my house, could I say, “Jesus, I’m so glad you’re here. Come on in. Let’s have beer! Let’s go get some wine?” I know I could not.

What is the primary mission of the church?

2011-05-23T06:43:00.001-07:00

Would you have ever thought there would be confusion on the answer to that question? Apparently there is. Last fall, when John Piper made the statement “As believers we are concerned about all human suffering, especially eternal suffering” it stirred quite a controversy at, of all places, the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. Why?

The growing trend today is that the main task of the church is to care for the physical needs of the world over caring about and concerning ourselves with the eternal destiny of individuals.

Of course we should care for the suffering and sick, defend the oppressed, and give aid to the poor. But, our primary mission is to take the message of salvation to the ends of the earth. Suppose we do minister to the suffering and the sick; what if we do come to the rescue of those oppressed and what if we do meet the needs of the poor? If we leave out the gospel what have we really done? To quote Piper again- “As believers we are concerned about all human suffering, especially eternal suffering.” Those who die without a saving relationship with Christ do in fact suffer eternally. Only the message of the gospel can reverse that.

Perhaps the question I asked earlier can be best answered by highlighting the word ‘primary.’ The word primary in that sentence is an adjective. It means first in importance. Of all that we should do, the first on our list of importance is to proclaim that Christ died and was raised to life again for fallen man in rebellion against his creator God. All who repent of sin and trust Christ alone will be born again. This is and remains the primary mission of the church. Let us do all the good for man that we can but let the church not fail to point man to the Lord Jesus Christ who alone can change the human heart and give man real goodness and eternal life.

Should We Have a High Attendance Day?

2011-05-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 15 is a big day at Woolsey Baptist Church. One of the focuses of this special day is a high attendance emphasis in Sunday school. Translated- we want a lot of people to come; we purposefully desire to have more than fewer people; we anticipate Sunday school classrooms having people in them that are not normally there and we see that as very, very good! But, should we? Is it right to emphasize numbers? Should we have a high attendance day? Yes, by all means we should and here is why I think we should.

Jesus certainly seemed to have an interest in numbers. When He saw the people of Samaria making their way toward Him and His disciples He saw them as a massive harvest ready to be gathered. (John 4:35) There is nothing in the text that would remotely indicate that Jesus saw this gathering crowd as anything but good. On another occasion Jesus demonstrated His concern for a crowd of 5,000 plus by miraculously feeding them. (John 6:1-15)

The book of Acts shows an emphasis on numbers that is hard to miss. Consider the following- Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 6:1.

The fact that you are even reading this is most likely because somewhere a church was interested in numbers. It may have been your parents or even grandparents but somewhere a church was interested in the eternal destiny of those around them and set out to reach them and kept some sort of record or count. I am no mathematician but I know that numbers are how we measure things.

We count the numbers because they do in fact count! How many things can you name that are more important than the number of people that show up to study God’s Word? How many things are more important than the number of people that we have on a class roll that we see as a ministry list that we are seeking to lead to faith in Christ.

Has your medical doctor ever discussed your health without mentioning numbers? Our blood pressure, temperature, weight, pulse rate, respiration, and much more are all measured by numbers. In fact, a complete blood count provides a list of numbers that evaluate the state of the patient’s health.

So, yes, we should have a high attendance day in which we count every number because every number represents a person that for that Sunday was in Bible study and could potentially be in a Sunday school class on future Sunday mornings.

Yes, we should have a high attendance day because numbers help us to assess where we are and help to reveal where we could be. None other than Charles Spurgeon said, “I am not among those who decry statistics, nor do I think that they produce all manner of evil, for they do much good if they are accurate and if men use them lawfully. It is a good thing for people to see the nakedness of the land through statistics of decrease, that they may be driven on their knees before the Lord to seek prosperity. On the other hand, it is by no means an evil thing for workers to be encouraged by having some account of results set before them. I would be very sorry if the practice of adding up, deducting and giving the net result were to be abandoned, because it is good to know our numerical condition.” (The Soul Winner, Reprinted 1995)

Numbers count and we should count them. Let’s count a lot this Sunday!

Pastor Chuck

Is God shaping you?

2011-04-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Dr. Gary Howard is one of our Sunday school teachers and currently teaches our Wednesday night Bible study. Recently, Gary did a lesson from Hebrews 11 and Genesis 22 on the trail of faith in the life of Abraham. Among many great points he made, one statement spoke volumes of encouragement to me- “Where there is true faith in God, that faith will be tested!” He demonstrated from selected passages how as our faith grows it is tested.

It got me to thinking- should we not tell this to a new believer and tell him or her early? Should we not explain that Christian growth means trails? However, think of how that sounds. “Hey, it is great that you are a Christian now. I am so glad that you have been saved and now belong to Jesus. Now, God wants you to grow in your Christian faith. He wants you to mature by spending time with Him. Read your Bible, pray, get involved in a Bible teaching church, find your place in Christian service. Doing these things are ways that can help you grow. Oh yes, one more thing, the more you grow, the more trials you will have.”

Yet, the trials are the means of revealing the genuineness of our faith and of showing to a watching world that God’s grace preserves us through hard times. So, yes, we have to explain to a new convert that trials are sure to come. To do otherwise is to lead a baby Christian down a disappointing path.

How about you? Are you facing some perplexing and uncomfortable circumstance in your life? Perhaps God is using this difficult experience to chisel away in your life to shape you more for His purposes.

A story I read once illustrates this shaping process of trials. One day a man who had experienced much loss in his life came upon some men who were doing the stone work on a church building. One of those men was skillfully crafting a triangular piece of rock. Not seeing where that piece of rock would fit, the man asked, “Where are you going to put that?” The stone mason pointed towards the top of the building, and said, “See that little opening near the sphere? There’s where it goes. I’m shaping it down here, so it will fit up there.”

Is God shaping you? Is He chiseling you? Know that with each ‘blow’ God is working in love to fit us for His purposes here and to wean us from this world so that we anticipate the beauty of eternal life with Him.

2011-03-24T08:12:00.001-07:00

This past Sunday morning I preached a message on what the Bible says about hell. I did this in response to Rob Bell’s book Love Wins. If you were not here I would encourage you to listen to the sermon. I would also encourage you to view Martin Bashir’s MSNBC interview with Rob Bell. Note how, when pressed about his book, Pastor Bell struggles to defend his views. After you watch the interview, it would be good to read Dr. Albert Mohler’s article entitled, "We Have All Seen This Before: Rob Bell and the (Re) Emergence of Liberal Theology". In addition, for a longer but well worth reading review, I suggest Kevin DeYoung’s article "God is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School is Still True". Both the interview and the articles will show how indefensible Bell’s position is to maintain.

Pastor Chuck

Where Are You???

2011-02-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one sure is. Do you see the tragic parallel to the modern church? How is it that we enjoy the security of the ‘dock’ while all around us people are perishing? I do not know all the reasons. But, I do know my reasons.

Being painfully honest, I forget what it is like to be lost in sin. It is not that I don’t believe people are lost; it’s just that I forget what that is like. Also, for me, I substitute the many good things I could do for people for the best thing I can do which is, of course, to help pull people to safety. Look at those on the dock. It does no good to talk to a friend about the many activities on the dock. It does not help a drowning man to see me enjoying fellowship nor even to ponder the plight of those drowning. There are so many good things we could do. Yet, as many have said, the worst enemy of the best is often the good. Do you see the man that is ‘fishing’? Does it strike you as odd? To me, he is doing something that he loves. He is like me. There are things that I ‘love’ to do from the dock (think in the church). What I love can often blind me to that which I need to be doing.

Take one more look at the picture. Look away from the dock to the water. Notice how close the drowning are. Need I say more? Finally, notice the two out in the water working from the lifeboat to rescue the perishing. As one is reaching to pull someone in, the other cries for more to come and help. The rescue of the others could so easily be done.

Where are you in this picture? If you are on the dock maybe you too should consider being painfully honest and figuring out why. And, be encouraged by these lyrics from a Jeremy Camp song we sang this past Sunday-

Jesus Saves…
Hope is here, shout the news to everyone
It's a new day, peace has come, Jesus saves
Mercy triumphs at the cross
Love is come to rescue us, Jesus saves

Hope is here what a joyful noise we'll make
As we join with heaven's song
To let all the world know that Jesus saves
Raise a shout to let all the world know that Jesus saves

Pastor Chuck

The Great Commission or The Great Suggestion

2011-02-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

Matthew 28:18-20 is a verse that demands our attention and obedience. "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" It has been correctly noted that this is the Great Commission not the great suggestion. The Great Commission is predicated upon Christ having all authority. The imperative is ‘make disciples.’ We have to ‘go’ to do this. Why are we the church so slow to get this? How have we missed such a clear command? What difference would it have made to this point in world history has the church taken this command seriously?

6,754 Unreached People Groups (2% or less know Jesus); 3,784 of those are not only unreached, they are unengaged (No one is making disciples among them). Don’t just see numbers. See people. Many people are included in these people groups. The tragic fact is that unless these people come to faith in Christ they will be eternally lost. May we pray for God to call and for the called to obey? May we be willing to go ourselves? May we give of our financial resources so that those called may go? As the Unfinished Task Clock will show, more than 3 billion people in our world today have not had an adequate opportunity to hear the gospel. Remember, it is not the Great Suggestion.

Pastor Chuck

A book worth reading...

2010-12-02T11:21:00.001-08:00

A book, I would highly recommend that you read, is Why We Love the Church, co-authored by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. I have just finished reading this and it is well worth putting on your reading list and even moving it up near the top! The book confirmed much of what I have felt, I was seeing, and hearing about the church from different corners, but I have to say that I did not know how blatant the critics were. What I thought was an insidious attack on the local church is actually a very open denouncement coming from many fronts. Chapter one opens with these words, “The word on the street is that the American church is gasping for its last breath.” The authors document with solid references (many helpful footnotes) that so many today are advocating that the church is somewhere between lame and completely irrelevant. The solution is to leave the traditional church and find other ways to connect with God. That could mean that you have church with your buddy on the golf course on Sunday morning. Or, Starbucks will provide a nice place for some friends to meet and ‘have church’ while they address the real problems of the world that the church is missing as they do that same old boring routine church stuff that includes evangelism which should no longer be the emphasis.

The authors write, “Now the emphasis is on human trafficking, AIDS, poverty, the homeless, and the environment. To bring Christ’s kingdom of peace, justice, and blessing to the world is the mission of God for the church.” The church is failing and lame crowd says, that the church is not doing its job and not doing enough to transform communities. Along with this, is the quest for ‘revolution’ and ‘redeeming the culture.’ We would do well to remember that Christ is the redeemer. We do not redeem- He does. We would also do well to make sure we fully embrace and proclaim the gospel in its simplicity before we trade it for something more in line with the perceived needs of the world.

One thing I love about this book is that the authors do not gloss over the church's weaknesses and problems. Nor, do they assert that human needs are to be neglected. Their argument is that those who are so down on the church need to take a fresh look at the high value Christ places on His church. For those that wish to love Jesus but not His church, they need to consider that one cannot love his friend and enjoy him and hate his wife or even not like her. It would be a strange relationship indeed.

The authors make a strong plea not to give up on the church. The church is not perfect but is just the same the bride of Christ that we should love and involve ourselves in fully and meaningfully.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that the authors are both in their early thirties! J.I. Packer sums up the book best for me. “Two young men, a pastor and a layman, here critique the criticisms of the institutional church that are fashionable today. Bible-centered, God centered, and demonstrably mature, they win the argument hands down. As I read, I wanted to stand up and cheer.” I did too and I think you will as well when you read the book.

Real Heroes

2010-11-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

How do you define the word hero? What does a hero do? Do they save the day with the game winning home run? Perhaps a hero to you is not in the realm of sports. Maybe your hero is the first responder to a fire and saves a life by running into a burning building. This certainly gets closer to a real hero. It could be that the hero you envision goes into the classroom and saves a student others gave up on a long time ago. Who could argue with that picture of a hero? Is your hero one that saves our country and protects our freedoms? I cannot think of a hero without thinking of these men and women. In a sense, the athlete, the first responder, the teacher, and the member of the military are all heroes in different ways and at different times. Let me tell you about some heroes of mine that I got to hang out with last week.

They work in different parts of the world. They are various ages. They use different strategies. They are not interviewed by news agencies and are rarely in the limelight for their heroics. They have little of this world’s goods but seem perfectly content with that. They come from different backgrounds and have different tastes and styles but all are guided by one compelling vision. Sometimes their very families do not value what they do or understand why they do it. Some even see them wasting their lives. They don’t save games but are used in saving work. Their saving work may involve a child being rescued from failure but it involves so much more. Like the first responder, they are busy plucking people from a fire that will never be quenched. Like a soldier, they wear armor but it is armor that the human eye cannot see. And, like a soldier, they are targets of the enemy.

By now you have probably figured out who my heroes are. They are missionaries. What an example these that I have been with were to me and to Woolsey Baptist Church. These are hard working, how can I serve you kind of hero’s. They did not come to leave us thinking of them but of the One whose fame they are seeking to make known. If you missed the Global Impact Celebration let me tell you that it was truly an impact. I do not think it’s a stretch to say that the results of the work of the hero’s I spent time with last week will be felt for a long, long time to come.
To my “hero’s” that spent time with us last week- Thank You!

Worth Reading

2010-09-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Those who attend Woolsey Baptist Church know that in August we went back to having more of a blended worship. In my heart, I believed this to be the right decision but could not really articulate all the reasons stirring in my heart. All I knew for sure was that our attendance in Sunday School was being adversely impacted and that there seemed to be an unhealthy separation in our church body. Thus, a change was made. Your response to this has been affirming.

I shared with the congregation on Sunday, September 26, that I would be sharing a guest blog that speaks about this. I actually read this only a week or so after we had made the change. I wish I could have said it as well as this young pastor did. I hope you will take a few minutes to read it now and share your comments.

Pastor Chuck

We Are One

Today was a monumental, historic day at Coral Ridge.
For many years Coral Ridge had two very distinct worship services–one contemporary and one traditional. The result was the unintentional development of two different churches under one roof. It wasn’t healthy. So back at the end of Spring we started talking about what we could do to unify our one large church.

Given our desire to re-plant Coral Ridge around a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the gospel we concluded that we needed to make a change. After all, since the gospel is the good news that God reconciles us not only to himself but also to one another, the church should be breaking down walls, not erecting them. God intends the church to be demonstrating what community looks like when God’s reconciling power is at work.

Most churches would agree that any segregation arising from racial or economic bigotry runs contrary to the nature of the gospel and should not be tolerated. But there’s another kind of segregation, perhaps more subtle, that many churches today have unapologetically embraced.

Following the lead of the advertising world, many churches and worship services target specific age groups to the exclusion of others. They forget that, according to the Bible, the church is an all-age community, and instead they organize themselves around distinctives dividing the generations: Busters, Boomers, Millennials, Generations X, Y, and Z. Many churches offer a traditional service for the tribe who prefer older music and a contemporary service for the tribe who prefer newer music. The truth is, however, that if the only type of music you employ in a worship service is old, you inadvertently communicate that God was more active in the past than he is in the present. On the other hand, if the only type of music you employ in a worship service is new, you inadvertently communicate that God is more active in the present than he was in the past.

The only way to musically communicate God’s timeless activity in the life of the church is to blend the best of the past with the best of the present. In other words, we must remember in our worship that while “contemporary only” people operate with their heads fixed frontwards, never looking over their shoulder at the stock from which they have come, and “traditional only” people operate with their heads on backwards, romanticizing about the past and always wanting to go back, the Church, in contrast from both extremes, is called upon to be a people with swiveling heads: learning from the past, living in the present, and looking to the future. That’s the only way to avoid in worship what C.S. Lewis called “chronological snobbery.”

You see, when we separate people according to something as trivial as musical preferences, we evidence a fundamental failure to comprehend the heart of the gospel. We’re not only feeding toxic tribalism; we’re also saying the gospel can’t successfully bring these two different groups together. It’s a declaration of doubt about the unifying power of God’s gospel. Generational appeal in worship is an admission that the gospel is powerless to join together what man has separated.

Building the church on stylistic preferences or age appeal (whether old or young) is just as contrary to the reconciling effect of the gospel as building it on class, race, or gender distinctions. In a recent interview J. I. Packer said, “If worship services are so fixed that what’s being offered fits the expectations, the hopes, even the prejudices, of any one of these groups as opposed to the others, I don’t believe the worship style glorifies God.” One of the leading ways the church can testify to God’s unifying power before our segregated world is to establish and maintain congregations and worship services that transcend cultural barriers, including age and musical styles.

So, I am thrilled that as of this morning Coral Ridge broke down a thick wall that had been separating this church family for years. Because of our firm commitment to and love for the gospel, we worshiped together as one body around one table united to one Christ by one Spirit–and we felt God’s infinite approval!
The gospel revolution at Coral Ridge continues!

Some Numbers Worthy of Consideration

2010-07-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that when I have a physical examination that my physician does several things. He looks, he listens, he pokes and prods and I am sure all he is doing tells him quite a bit. To me, it appears that the real accounting of my health comes when the blood work is done. It is amazing how much can be learned about you by drawing out some blood and subjecting it to various test in a laboratory. In a few days, a report is prepared that has a numerical assessment that includes my actual number and the range. There are maybe 15-20 numbers on the sheet. Each tells a story about some aspect of my overall health. I do not understand most of those numbers, but I do trust my doctors’ evaluation of them. Ignoring a number that was too low or too high would not be wise from a physical health standpoint.

Conversely, I do understand the implication of numbers related to church health and I do know that ignoring them is unwise.

• “82% of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited” – Dr Thom Rainer

• "Only 21 percent of active church goers invite anyone to church in the course of a year" –Dr Thom Rainer

• “Four percent of formerly churched adults are actively looking for a church to attend regularly (other than their previous church). Six percent would prefer to resume attending regularly in the same church they had attended. The largest group, 62 percent, is not actively looking, but is open to the idea of attending church regularly again.”–Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research

• “71% Of Americans are absolutely certain there is a God.” –The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey

• “56% of Americans believe that religion is very important in one’s life.” –The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey

• “Clearly we can encourage Christians to pray that the unchurched would sense God calling them back, but God works through His people," said McConnell. "The survey showed that many would respond to an invitation from a friend or acquaintance (41 percent), their children (25 percent) or an adult family member (25 percent).” – McConnell, LifeWay Research

Let’s summarize this- The majority of people that do not attend church are somewhat likely to attend if they were to be invited but most of us in the church are not inviting them. This is strange that we are silent on this matter because most of the people we will speak to already believe in God and that “religion” is important. The people that we already have existing relationships with are very likely to visit a church if we will invite them.

Question- What are we holding back for? What would happen if we just started asking –“Are you currently actively attending a church?” If the answer is not an affirming yes- invite them to your church. If you have found a great restaurant you recommend it. Why not do the same with your church? Just something to think about; actually, let me put that another way- Just something to do something about!

Does an occasional, social drink really hurt anything?

2010-07-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you how often that question or some form of it has been presented to me. This morning I was looking at some statistics about alcohol that you might find interesting. Here they are:
• Alcohol is the number one drug problem in America.
• There are more than 12 million alcoholics in the U.S.
• In the United States, a person is killed in an alcohol-related car accident every 30 minutes.

This tells only some of the story. Alcohol is a factor in 73% of all felonies, 73% of all child beating cases, 41% of rape cases, 81% of wife beating cases, and 83% of homicides. Let there be no confusion about this, alcohol is involved in many serious crimes.

Additionally, the drinking and behavioral patterns of alcoholics affect their family members. Spouses, siblings, parents, in-laws, grandparents- all are affected by the alcoholic. If there are 12 million alcoholics, there are an estimated 40 – 50 million family members directly affected by alcoholism. The cost of alcoholism is simply mind boggling. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimated the annual cost to be 184.6 billion dollars and that was 12 years ago!

So, does an occasional, social drink really hurt anything?

If you are a Christian, it hurts your testimony. Some counter that Jesus turned water into wine and that Paul actually told Timothy to use a little wine. I have heard these arguments all of my life. I do not find in them grounds for supporting the use of beverage alcohol. Why? We have an abundance of beverage choices to say nothing of pure water. There is simply no need for alcohol in our day. The risks to the one using alcohol are too great. Maybe you can drink and “handle it.” Are you sure those watching you can? I would not wish to show my children or grandson that I can drink and “handle it responsibly” and have one of them start. What if they could not handle it?

It can harm your body. The teaching of the New Testament is that we are to glorify God in our bodies. 19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 Alcohol affects the brain. It dulls the brains capacity for reasonable judgment. Even those that advocate the use of red wine for medicinal purposes state that in addition to aiding the digestion of food, alcohol “calms the nerves”. Alcohol enters the bloodstream and touches virtually every organ in our bodies. Alcohol can cause damage to the heart and liver. It can cause brain and neurological problems. Alcohol causes gastrointestinal diseases, nutritional deficits, and reproductive impairments.

It is highly addictive. As a Christian, I have a new Master! I am no longer under the old master. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. Yes, we could be enslaved by many things that are non-alcoholic. That is true. But honesty demands that we admit that one that becomes enslaved to alcohol has much more potential to harm himself/herself and others than one enslaved to soft drinks. And on that note, I have never heard of an ER visit from drinking too many soft drinks. I have never heard of the police being called to a home to deal with a domestic fight because of soft drinks. I have never heard of tragedy on the highway from too much soft drink in the blood stream. I have never heard of anyone losing their job because of soft drinks. I have never heard of little children scared to death because Daddy had his soft drink bottle out again. I have never heard of anyone dying from drinking too many soft drinks, yet more than 100,000 people die every year from alcohol related causes.

A Christian cannot use alcohol and be separated from the world. Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15, and 2 Corinthians 6:17 all remind believers that we are not to be identified with this world. In fact, we are to be separated from this world. We are “in it” but not to be “of it.” It is hard for me to justify using something that is associated with so much hurt, sorrow, pain, and even death.

Does an occasional, social drink really hurt anything? Yes, it definitely does. Instead of looking for loopholes and making excuses to use alcohol, why not just avoid it? To quote Nancy Leigh DeMoss, “We do need to guard against making absolutes out of personal standards that are not specified in Scripture, or assuming that others are sinning if they don't adopt our standards about issues that may not be traps for them. But why are we so prone to defend choices that take us right to the edge of sin, and so reluctant to make radical choices to protect our hearts and minds from sin?”

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1

Silence is Not So Golden

2010-05-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been particularly troubling for me. I have struggled with laryngitis. This is not something that causes most people too much distress but I am not one of those. Nearly ten years ago I developed a vocal cord nodule from continual use of my voice when I had laryngitis. I learned the hard way that continuing to try to talk under those conditions is very harmful to your vocal cords. In my case, it required surgery to correct the problem and a three month period of very limited voice use. So, this week I saw an ENT to rule out any possibility of another nodule and the report was good for which I truly give thanks to the Lord. I am very grateful that my voice is improving. I did not really want to go but I had to find out what was wrong.

Being unable to speak reminds me that silence is not so golden. This is particularly true when it comes to sharing our faith with others. Francis of Assisi is attributed with saying, “Preach the gospel: if necessary use words.” Sounds good, right? Wrong. I suppose the intent behind the statement is that our lives should match our words or something like that but the statement just does not work out very well. J.D. Greer said that is like saying, “Tell me your phone number; if necessary use digits.” Sharing our faith requires words. The gospel has to have a medium of communication. Yet, tragically, in a day of unparalleled opportunity and urgent need too many of us seem to have a case of spiritual laryngitis. That should trouble us and motivate us to find out what’s wrong. Silence is not so golden. Think about it.

Do We Really Get It?

2010-04-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Until Sunday
Easter Sunday was a great day! I gathered with others in the predawn for a glorious sunrise service. Sitting in the woods and watching the sun come up was a beautiful experience. Hearing a powerful message about the resurrection of Christ from a time tested veteran in Christian ministry was very inspiring. This man of God shared from God’s Word and his heart about the resurrection power that we have available to us in our daily lives.

In our first of three services I heard a powerful message from one beginning his ministry about how the whole Bible pictures God bringing life from death situations, culminating in the resurrection of Christ. We were challenged to respond to the gospel by submitting to His Lordship, to humble ourselves to His likeness, to praise His goodness, and to work for His glory. I was privileged to preach the unchanging gospel of Christ in two later services that morning.

I’m just thinking- do we really grasp the profound significance of the resurrection of Christ? Think about it- Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate game changer. Satan is defeated, sin is conquered, and Christ’s followers are assured of future resurrection and have victory in this life now. We are not simply following the teachings of some religious leader. Our Lord Jesus was so much more- He is the God-Man that overcame death! He is alive forevermore. No wonder Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It's Time To Get Off The Fence

2010-03-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday evening, March 21, 2010, the House voted 219 to 212 to approve the federal health care bill. (219 Democrats voted “Yes” while 178 Republicans and 34 Democrats voted “no.”) This was done in light of the fact that, according to a CNN poll, 59% of Americans oppose President Obama’s plan. My desire is not to debate the legislation but simply to use this as a means to make an appeal.

Christians have got to get off the fence and get involved in the political arena.
We must educate ourselves on what is taking place in our government.
We must refresh ourselves in how our government works.
If you have not done so, read the U.S. Constitution.
Write letters to members of Congress.
Use your social networking websites to let your friends know what you are
learning and what you are doing.
Run for office

What? Run for office? Yes- you! Why not you? Godly men and women of integrity, honor and love for this great land are urgently needed now. Do not give ear to those who say that politics is dirty business. Jesus did not pray for His disciples to be taken out from the world but that they be kept from the evil on. (John 17:15)

Do not let lack of experience be a reason to keep you from trying. I am currently reading 1776 by David McCullough. This is a fascinating book about those that marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence. This book has reminded me again of the enormous sacrifices paid by common people for the birth of this nation. By the way, as far as lack of experience goes- George Washington had never led an army in battle! Suppose he had retreated because he had never “done that before?”

Think about it.
Pastor Chuck

A Book Worth Reading

2010-03-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

I recently finished reading Mark Dever’s book The Gospel and Personal Evangelism. This is an excellent resource for kindling the flame of evangelism in your life. Dever answers seven crucial questions in this book that challenges and motivates Christians to do the work of an evangelist. The book helped me to clarify how the doctrine of election and the call to evangelize can fit together. In fact, a confidence in God’s work of election guarantees success in evangelism!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone serious about following the command of Christ to make disciples. You will not find a bag of tricks and gimmicks; rather, you will find a thoroughly Biblical presentation of evangelism along with encouragements to share the gospel. You will come away with a sense that evangelism is not the work of the salesman that knows how to “close the deal.” Instead, you will see that converting someone is a human impossibility. It is not up to us to get a person to make a decision.

Our calling is to simply but regularly proclaim the gospel and call those to whom we speak to repentance. The book is short- just under 120 pages. It is well worth your time to read this book.

Pastor Chuck

Have you set on a porch swing lately?

2010-02-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

Earlier this morning I was making myself reminders of people I need to call and things I need to do. I’m sure you do the same. This morning I put several of these reminders in my phone with alarm activation. No problem with that. Later, as I was finishing my devotional time I was thinking about technology. (I know what you’re thinking- how does a devotional time lead to thinking about technology?) Actually, the devotional time didn’t but a book I am reading did. I will not go into the details of that right now but suffice it to say that my mind was on technology and namely our use of it. Specifically, I am thinking of communication technology. We are loaded with it and while it can be of great benefit there is a big draw back.

From texting to twittering, from Facebook to MySpace- we are quickly losing our abilities to interact with people. Why call when we can send a text? The result? We are losing our ability to communicate with each other. Don’t get me wrong. I am not down on technology. I am using it now. I am simply saying that we need to learn again the value of personal communication. We need to rediscover the porch swing. We need to learn how to have engaging conversation. We need to learn again the art of listening and asking questions. We need to remember that when somebody is hurting and facing a hard time, a text message may be okay for a time but what is really needed is a friend that is there. Think about it.

Leaders Needed

2010-01-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Although one hundred years earlier, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves; black people in America still lived under the oppression of segregation. In his speech, King said, “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand’s of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” He spoke of his dream. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr. rallied a nation to needed change. He had a vision for an America that assessed men by their character instead of by their skin color. His actions took courage and a willingness to press on even when the opposition to his cause was intense.

Leaders do not lead because leading is easy. They lead knowing full well that leadership involves costs. No greater case study on leadership can be found than that of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. He was made aware of a great need. He prayed and fasted. He surveyed the situation. He formulated a plan and called others to join him in a great task. When opposition arose, he did not turn back. God had given him a vision of a better tomorrow for his people and Nehemiah would not be dissuaded from his assignment.

May I encourage any young readers that may be reading this to consider making a difference by being a leader instead of a follower? Leaders are not always the smartest or the most talented or the most successful. John Maxwell said, “Although it’s true that some people are born with greater natural gifts than others, the ability to lead is really a collection of skills, nearly all of which can be learned and improved.” Leaders, however, do have a vision for a better tomorrow; learn all they can about their area of concern, set out with a plan for change and refuse to be sidetracked by their critics and opposition.

Again, to any young readers, I would challenge you to be leaders in an age of followers. I would love to hear from any of you about how you believe God might be pointing you in the area of leadership. The best way would be to email me at chuck@woolseybaptist.org

Lead On!

Merry Christmas- Really- It’s Okay!

2009-12-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

I am not a shopper but the season of the year makes it somewhat of a necessity. Traffic is congested. Parking is scarce. Stores are packed. Check out lines are long. The traffic I can deal with. I don’t mind an extra walk from having to park a long way from the door. Aisles congested with shoppers are to be expected. I can handle that. I expect to have to wait in a long line to check out. It is after I am handed my receipt and hear those dreaded words from the store clerk- Happy Holidays - this is what bothers me. Last night, I responded to two different clerks in two different stores with this reply- Which holiday would you be referring to? Almost as if both had been through the same “How to Respond Class” both said- “Whichever one you want it to be.” The second added, “I don’t want to offend anyone.” To both I said the same- “It’s Christmas- It’s okay to say it- Merry Christmas!”

Why is there so much obsession with not offending anyone? Or, another way of asking this- why is there not any concern with offending Christians? Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time of the year that Christians take great joy in the fact that God came to us and provided salvation through His sinless life and atoning death and bodily resurrection. We don’t believe that we are saved because of the “Christmas story” but it is an essential part of the gospel. If we get this wrong, we are wrong on the gospel. So, needless to say, Christmas is important. It is more than a holiday. It is the time we remember His coming. Bethlehem and Calvary are inextricably linked.

Frankly, truth be told- I am offended by the trivialization of my Savior’s birth with the words- “Happy Holidays.” Could the real reason behind not saying Merry Christmas be that Christmas focuses our attention on Jesus Christ and a secular culture cannot stand that? When all is said and done, three words are behind a ban on saying- Merry Christmas- Relativism, pluralism, and tolerance. Relativism essentially says that all religions are the same while pluralism says there is no absolute truth. Tolerance says we are to be accepting of all views.

Christian- let your voice be heard. Joy to the word- the Lord has come! So, my suggestion- say it- Merry Christmas. Really, it’s okay.

What Kind of Questions Do You Ask?

2009-11-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

This week, as with most weeks, a part of my devotional time included a reading from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. It was so good that I wanted to pass this on. I have it for you below. It’s worth pondering.
Pastor Chuck

Morning and Evening
C.H. Spurgeon November 19
Avoid foolish questions…Titus 3.9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3.8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we mush not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to caviling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peacemakers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to “avoid foolish questions.”

How Great is Our God!

2009-10-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, in the business and complications of life, it is good to sit back and consider just how big our God is and how small we are. We are prone to get our thinking all backwards. We think, for example, about the vast size of the earth. Consider this- NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, launched in 2003, is currently 66 million miles from Earth in orbit around the sun. The telescope enabled scientist recently to discover a nearly invisible ring around Saturn. So, what is so great about a ring around Saturn? The answer is in the question- it is great (in size) beyond belief. According to scientist, the ring starts about 3.7 million miles away from the planet and goes out another 7.4 million miles. Scientists say the volume is so enormous that it would take about one billion Earths stacked together to fill the ring. That’s big!

Be reminded and be encouraged that our God is great. The universe is enormous. As Psalm 19:1 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” He created this massive universe so big that even today with our advanced technology- i.e. NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope-we are still discovering how vast it is. But- in spite of its vastness- He knows you and me! In fact, He knows, according to Matthew 10:30, the number of hairs on our head! He knows the details of our lives. He knows what we are going through.
Take heart friend, your problems may seem big but God is greater. Remember, we are still learning of how great He is.

Are You Growing?

2009-10-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

We are truly excited about having our first grandson. With his living eight hours away, we had not seen him since he was a week old until last weekend. It was amazing to see how much he had grown. He had doubled his birth weight and is starting to smile. Our time together went by so fast but we are already looking forward to the next time we see him. I fully anticipate that the next time we see him we will see yet more growth and more personality.

What if that were true of Christians? What if those who have not seen us in a while could notice how much we had grown? What if they could see our joy in Christ? What if they looked forward to seeing us because they knew they would see that we were growing up in Christ? Why does growth seem, dare I say, almost absent in many of our lives? Babies grow if they are healthy. Christians should grow. Besides not growing, many that profess Christ are not vitally connected to the church. Some estimates say that up to 61% of those in their twenties that were involved in church in the teenage years are spiritually disengaged. It kind of makes you wonder, does it not?

I am sure there are many reasons for the lack of growth among so many of us, but this much I know- a healthy Christian will grow. But, just as a baby must have a healthy mother from which to nurse, so a Christian needs to be joined to a healthy body. Do you see this? Could the reason that so few are growing have to do with the health of those of us in the church that have been on the journey a while? As a pastor, I am more and more inclined to believe that when we have a “birth” that the nourishment provided comes from a body that is not all that healthy. It might be worth thinking about- am I growing? Am I spiritually healthy enough to nourish another? If not, why?

Just as I want to see my grandson growing and am excited to observe his progress so far, as a pastor, I want to be growing and I want to see others doing the same. By the way, how spiritually healthy do you believe you are right now? Give it some thought. I am!

2009-09-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

I am very encouraged about what I am seeing, reading, and hearing about younger Southern Baptist. This has been affirmed on recent trips to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and attendance at the last convention meeting. As a denomination, we are at a critical juncture in our history. I was a part of the conservative resurgence of the late 70’s an 80’s and am thankful to see the repositioning of our convention back toward its conservative theological foundation. But, in some ways, I feel that we are like a team that won a big game and can’t get over it to prepare for the next game. It is almost as if that was the only game on our schedule. Sadly, it is all too easy to get settled in and coast along. It does little good to believe in an inerrant Bible if it does not lead us to be Great Commission Christians. The pressing needs of a lost world are growing daily. Time is short and resources are limited. Do I sound depressed? I am not. Here’s why. I sense that God is raising up churches in these days that desire to be aligned with God and His purposes. Is that new? Not really, but there is an interesting and refreshing wind blowing across the landscape of Southern Baptist Churches and as I have stated it concerns younger Southern Baptist. Let me explain.

It is not about what many assume- contemporary verses traditional. Don’t get hung up on this. So, if it’s not contemporary verses traditional- what is it?
• It is theological. There is a deep and abiding commitment to our historic Baptist roots. (Read the theological statement of our very first seminary- The Abstract of Principles)
• It is missiological. There is a passion for all the peoples of the earth to hear the gospel. They are going to the ends of the earth.
• It is convictional. There is a high standard. The holiness of God is not just a chapter in a systematic theology textbook.
• It is holistic. There is a desire to do more than see a man come to faith in Christ. The desire is to see this man become a disciple.
• It is relational. Community is important. It is so much more than coffee and doughnuts on Sunday morning.
• It is (not sure how to say this one) Bible Sufficient. Of course it is Bible believing but it sees Scripture as totally sufficient to address the needs of every man.

Personally, I thank God of these young men and women. They have challenged me deeply and regularly inspire me. I am obviously not a younger Southern Baptist at almost 52 but I know this- I don’t want to coast home!

Highs and Lows

2009-08-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

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The past 26 days of my life have been marked by an incredible low and high. On July 18th, after months of failing health, my precious Mom went to be with the Lord. She was such a great Mama! I will miss her greatly. Since my Dad died almost five years ago my Mom and I talked every morning and many evenings. She gave me a morning “weather report” and we just talked about different things going on in our lives. After her fall, I constantly believed she would get better. She tried so hard. To the very end I believed that she would get better. I will miss her smiles and times to visit with her and so much more. She was truly my star!

August 13th was a day of great joy and blessing as our family welcomed our first grandchild into the world. What a blessing! Check out the pictures. He has two wonderful parents that will love on him and train him up in the way he should go. Did you look at the pictures yet? Steven Andrew Chambers, Jr. will be called “Andrew.” May he be like the Andrew of the gospel of John that brought others to Jesus! I am so proud of him already. Look at his pictures- he’s really something! I am happy to report that his mom and dad are doing great, maybe a little sleep deprived but doing great and enjoying their little bundle of joy. Look at his pictures!

Vacation

2009-06-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

Our family just returned from a wonderful vacation at Seabrook Island, South Carolina. It was just an incredible time to be with our daughter, sons and daughter in law. Seven days at the beach will go a long way in clearing the mind and refreshing the body. We played, played, and played some more. The ocean did not have perfect waves, but they were perfect for me. Our time in the ocean was so good and we had some great games on the beach. Daily pool swims and good reading times mixed in were very relaxing. We rode our bikes and took one really l-o-n-g ride. We had two runs that were just incredible. Watching the sun rise over the Atlantic was just awesome. In addition to all we did at Seabrook Island we visited Charleston Air Force Base and had a close up look at a C-17.

This time was so special because our family was together. I am a man to whom God has been so good. He has given me such a sweet and beautiful wife, three great kids and an amazing daughter in law. Being with them was what made this vacation very special. I am probably leaving out a lot that could be mentioned but I think I will just let the pictures tell the story. By the way, if you have not figured it out-I recommend vacations!

FAMILY PHOTO on SEA-
BROOK ISLAND

BIKING ON KIAWAH ISLAND

SUNSET on SEA-
BROOK ISLAND

SUNRISE

BOARDWALK to the OCEAN

Facing Life’s Challenges

2009-05-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am definitely living in some challenging times. It is nothing others have not already gone through and certainly many have gone through much worse. For those that do not know I, along with my sister Pam, am caring for my Mom following her hip fracture three months ago. The hip fracture itself has been the least of our issues as it is apparently healing as it should. The issues that have been so hard to overcome have been repeated urinary tract infections that often lead to confusion in some elderly patients. Coupled with this has been a bout or two with pneumonia and what you end up with is an inability to do the necessary rehab to get better and resume something of a normal life.

The challenge for me, besides seeing my mom’s health decline, has been the miles and miles of driving between Fayetteville and Canton or Roswell or, most recently Jasper. I can not tell you how many miles I have driven. Am I complaining? No, I am not complaining but I am tired.

Why am I writing of something so personal? Because I know that you too walk through hard times. I have not mastered how to do this and it is not something I ever want to get good at, if you know what I mean. Yet, I would like to share with you how I am dealing with this.

You have probably guessed the obvious- prayer. I know I pray but I also know others are praying for me. Thank you! Along with prayer, time in the Word of God has held me together. But then there is a great church family at Woolsey Baptist Church. I do love this great church. I am a man that is has been greatly blest by our Lord to shepherd this flock. And then, my sweet wife- so understanding, so supportive, so unselfish, so willing to help carry more of my load so I can do what I can for my Mom at this time. She gladly gave up her Mother’s Day for a long Sunday afternoon drive to the hospital that included a lunch stop at Subway and a supper stop at Arby’s. How’s that for romantic dining? What a sweetheart she is! Many talk about surrender and sacrifice, she lives it and it is just one of the reasons I love her so much. By the way, I am so proud of Kari as well. She gave up a lot too on Sunday afternoon including a ride in the old folk’s car! Watching her feed her Meme and serve her in other ways was a sweet time.

So there you have it- or at least some of it. Just thought it might be worth letting you come in close and maybe see something that can assist you as you face life’s challenges.

The Gospel Preacher and the Emergent Church

2009-05-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

We need the gospel preacher now more than ever. The man of God who faithfully preaches from an open Bible boldly declaring “thus saith the Lord” is, in the eyes of some, becoming a relic of the past. The man who will daily get alone with God to hear from Him regarding his personal life and who will set aside time for the hard work of diligent study of the Word of God to bring God’s message to the church is sadly becoming more rare than common. This man I call the gospel preacher. He has no interest in crowd pleasing, because He longs to please the One who redeemed and is redeeming him. He makes it his ambition to make Christ known because he knows from personal experience that knowing Christ is the greatest pursuit in all of life. He does not preach because he has to get up and say something, but because he has something to say. His heart is white hot because he has spent time with the Lord Jesus Christ; he has saturated his mind with Biblical truth and when he preaches that truth he preaches not a lifeless message but a living, reigning, and soon coming Christ. He is like Jeremiah when he said, “But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.” Jeremiah 20:9.

We need the gospel preacher today. We need him more than ever. We need men that are not interested in the latest fad, gimmick, or gold. They are not looking for the next opportunity to advance a “career” but are consumed with a passionate following of a “calling” they cannot escape. I have been privileged to sit under the preaching of Al Whittinghill over the past few days. How encouraging and refreshing and convicting and in your face-get right with God it has been! He is truly a living example of the gospel preacher and I thank God for this man.

For many reasons we need the gospel preacher today and none are greater than the growing influence of the Emergent Church. The Emerging Church movement is made up of those that hold to Christianity but feel that reaching a postmodern culture calls for a reshaping of orthodox Christianity to appeal to the postmodern mind. This is, as one would imagine, fraught with many dangers. Click here to learn more about the Emergent Church. Suffice it to say that only a casual reading of Dr. Mohler’s blog will leave the discerning reader with a sense of the dangers inherent within this movement.

So, here is what is on my heart. Surly we are living in perilous days. As Amos 8:11 states, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” I thank God for the gospel preacher that earnestly contends for the faith. If you are one, stay the course. If you know one, pray for him. Again, we need him now more than ever.

A Tragic Proof of the Accuracy of the Bible

2009-03-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

Two news items on violent crime Sunday turned my stomach. There are other places to read about the terrible nature of these crimes but they were particularly heinous. A gunman kills eight people in a North Carolina nursing home. And, in a Boston suburb, a 23 year old man turns on his family, brutally kills two of his sisters before being gunned down by police officers. The violence was directed toward those that were completely defenseless. A 17 and 5 year old in the incident in Boston; the victims in North Carolina ranged from age 78-98. The age of one nurse that was killed was not released.

These horrible stories only attest to the truthfulness of the Word of God. Jesus said in Mark 7:21 “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts…murder…” and in Isaiah 1:5-6 we read “…The whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it…” Both the Old and New Testament remind us of the fact that man’s fundamental problem is a sin problem which affects his total being.

One should have no problem grasping something of the meaning of total depravity with news stories such as those I referenced. Neither should one demand for a long list of evidences for the Bible’s accuracy. The manuscript and archaeological evidence is clear. But, so are the news headlines. Just something to think about.

Snow and Young Adults

2009-03-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a great day for many reasons. The music was great. A good number of people were in church in both of our morning services including guest. I was excited about the message from Romans 13 on the Christian and Government. One of our men brought a friend that has recently affirmed his faith in Christ. What a blessing it was when this man presented himself as a candidate for believers baptism at the conclusion of the service. The church appropriately broke into applause as he was introduced. But, there was more excitement to come as the second service ended- snow!

Snow was falling and falling fast; not a typical Georgia snow but a snow like our friends from parts north see all the time in the winter. We are talking big flakes of the perfect texture for making snowballs and snow men. Kids and kids at heart were running out of the church so fast it looked like the last day of school. People leaving church that are not from Georgia and have seen snow all their lives must have had a good laugh watching all the excitement. The fun was short lived but snow men were going up on virtually every street.

The snow looks so white and so pure. It brings smiles to the faces of kids and even those who did not play in it could not help but looking at it in amazement. It seemed to do wonders and was the topic of discussion without a doubt.

Here is a thought to ponder on. What would it be like to see people running into church? What if there was something so exciting and so attractive that people were drawn in? Just suppose that what God was doing was the topic of discussion. Just think of what it would be like to see kids and young adults running into the church! In case you have not been paying attention, they aren’t.

According to a Facts and Trends Winter 2009 article, “The number of baptized younger adults in the Southern Baptist Convention is down from about 100,000 to 35,000 in a decade. The trend holds true in other denominations as well.” We are simply not reaching this 18-34 year old age group. Their world is not the same as the world of Andy and Aunt Bee or Ward and June. A significant number of them grew up in broken homes. Depression is as common as the cold. Many never had a single godly mentor. The times they have attended church have not seemed related to the world they live in and not provided answers to the questions they are asking.

What is the answer to this? I like what Ed Stetzer said in the article I mentioned. Making yourself or your church cool will not draw young adults. “The answer is to make your church more godly and true to the Word of God. That is what will draw young adults.” He is right. I for one have not written off young adults. I look forward to the day that we see large numbers of them coming to church and excited to be here!

Live On Purpose

2009-02-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

I have just come home from the Georgia Baptist Evangelism Conference. For those reading that have no idea what this is, it is a gathering of pastor’s and ministry leaders to be motivated and challenged in obeying the Great Commission. If you want to read some of the specifics about the speakers and the sermons you can check out Georgia Baptist’s web page www.gabaptist.org and get those details. My desire is to open up and share some of my impressions about what I sensed God saying to me and to Woolsey Baptist Church.

We are not doing a very good job in reaching people for Christ. This is not a criticism as much as it is a simple fact. Don’t think so- can you name a single person that you have shared the gospel with in the past four weeks?
Our poor job is not for a lack of lost people to talk with nor is it due to their unwillingness to hear our message. There are plenty of lost people around us and most are very open to hearing about Jesus Christ.

At the heart of the problem is our relationship with God. It is not technique or resources. It is a relationship problem. In our family we are expecting our first grandchild. I’m already talking about his or her arrival six months before the due date! We love our son and daughter in law. Talking about this baby is natural because of our relationship in our family. If you and I are not talking about the gospel the reason is likely not a lack of technique or resources; the reason is most likely a matter of the heart and our relationship with God.

The longer we have been on the security of the island, the less we remember what it is like to be lost at sea- unless we purpose to go back to sea on rescue missions.

Evangelism is not about results. It is about the glory of God and bringing honor to Him.

What if, just what if, I determined that I would speak to somebody every week about Jesus Christ? What if you determined that? I think it’s time to live on purpose. Think about it.

2009-02-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

I wanted to say thank you to so many of you that have prayed for my sweet mom these past days following her fall and surgery. She has had quite a time but she’s not one to give up. She is making slow but steady progress. Your prayers have meant so much to our family and have surely been the reason for how far she has come. I have learned a few things in the past days that I will share with you.

**I am very thankful for the skill of doctors.

**Nurses are incredible in their compassion and knowledge.

**Physical and Occupational Therapist are amazing.

**Staying up all night three out of eight nights will make you feel like you are 100.

**Predicting when the doctor is going to come by is impossible.

**Eating junk food makes you feel like junk.

**The people that clean the hospital are valued and appreciated beyond words.

**There is a lot of hurt and pain around us all the time.

**It takes a great team to operate a hospital and each person role is important.

**The parent cares for the child then the child cares for the parent.

**Every stranger you meet could potentially be going through a difficult time.

**Hospitals are great places…to get away from!

Thanks again for praying. It means so much.
Pastor Chuck

Day with the Family

2009-01-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do in Georgia is to hike up and around Kennesaw Mountain. Yes, I know, compared to the Rockies or Smokey Mountains Kennesaw Mountain is not much of a mountain. Yet, the view of Marietta and Atlanta on a clear day is spectacular and if you have climbed it you know it sure seems longer than a mile to the top! Hiking beyond the top to some of the back trails is my favorite part. Recently, when our sons and daughter-in-law were home we spent an afternoon hiking and had a great time. It was cold on this day but the exercise of climbing and the settling of the wind made it much more bearable. It was just a day to do some things that I love doing the most like being with my family and being outside. If you have never been, you would really enjoy this. Enjoy the pictures.

Passing the Baton

2008-12-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

This is for parents. Others are certainly welcome to read it but it is for parents. I have a question for you. I hope you will reflect deeply on this question. Here it is- Are you going to drop the baton? In Track, the relay race is not just about speed. It is about successfully passing the baton to the person that will run the next leg of the race. If it is dropped, the race is lost. There is no recovery. Zilch! It happened in the 2008 Summer Olympics games. The men’s 4x100 relay team dropped the baton as the photo shows. But back to the question -Are you going to drop the baton?
Your role as a parent is to pass on to your children a godly heritage. No, you can not make them take the Christian faith. You can not force them to take the baton of a committed Christian lifestyle. Yet, you can so run and so place it in their hands that grasping it for them is smooth and natural. How so?

You and I can not pass the baton if we are not in top shape spiritually. We have to run our leg of the race. We have to have a goal in mind and we have to go all out to get the baton of truth to our children. It requires focus. You will never see a relay runner looking off in the stands. Their focus is intense. Their resolve is firm. Their purpose is settled- completed their leg of the race and successfully get the baton in the hand of the next runner. To do this requires being in top shape. A jog cannot suffice for what calls for a sprint. Make sure you are doing all that is necessary to stay in top shape spiritually.

Are you still growing? Are you as close to the Lord today as you were in the past? Here is good, no great news- our Lord Jesus gives renewal whenever we repent and confess sin. And, even better news; unlike the 4x100 relay and the dropped baton, with God there is recovery. The race is not lost. Pick it up and by grace begin to run. God will honor any effort you make to pass on the baton of a godly heritage to your children.

Gifts to Start Giving Out

2008-12-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

Recently I have heard some very sad stories related to Christmas. Consider the 34-year old Wal-Mart employee that was literally trampled to death as early morning shoppers on Black Friday burst the doors down to get to bargains on big-screen TVs, clothing and other items. In addition, a woman eight months pregnant was also caught in the stampede. Thankfully, neither she nor her unborn child suffered serious injury. It is unimaginable that people would knowingly knock a person down and then step over them as if they were not there to get to be the first to get to a big-screen TV!

And then there is the story of the Maryland woman out stealing her neighbors Christmas decorations. Do you see the tragic point of this? Christmas is about the birth of Christ. It is a time to remember the One that came to die in the place of sinners like you and me. It is a time to give as He gave His all for us. Stealing the decorations of neighbors that celebrate His birth is not only a crime, worse yet it reflects a horrible misunderstanding of the whole meaning of Christmas.

In Parrish, Florida a man was arrested for assaulting his father with a Christmas tree. That’s right- a Christmas tree was used as a weapon as it was thrown. Law enforcement officials said that after he missed with the tree the accused man then tried to use the steel base of the tree as a weapon. Sheriff Deputies indicated that the steel base of the tree weighed about five pounds and could have seriously injured the man’s father.

As tragic and bizarre as these stories seem they remind us of a fundamental problem called sin. Greed, covetousness, and anger were the manifestations of the root of sin in these three separate incidents. Before we judge, let’s examine our hearts. I’m sure if you’re reading this you would not trample over somebody or steal their Christmas decorations or throw your Christmas tree at a family member but you like me must ever guard against greed and covetousness and anger. The season that should bring out the best can bring out the worst. Make sure that you consciously seek to be content with what you have. If you have children at home, there are few lessons you can teach that are more needed than the lesson of learning to be content. Most of the things that we get angry over are so minor in the big scheme of things. Make sure that you do not spoil your Christmas with anger. Confess it and let it go.

Make a difference in the lives of neighbors and strangers you are around this Christmas. Give them two gifts! What? I can not afford to give all of my neighbors and every stranger I see two gifts. Actually, you can. The gifts will really cost you very little and will be priceless to those that receive them. What are they? A smile and a kind word- They will go so far and are so needed. And the good thing is, you don’t even have to go shopping to buy these gifts. Go start giving out your gifts!

The Secularization of America and the Silence of the Christian

2008-11-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

Last month in London the British Humanist Association launched an advertisement campaign on London Buses with this message: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” As unbelievable as it is sad that such an ad could come from where Christianity had such deep roots, the fact remains that Christianity is rapidly loosing ground in European countries. Churches and Cathedrals sit mostly empty. Some estimates say that as few as 5% of the people have any connection to a church. Oh, well, that’s across the “pond” and has little to do with America.

Tragically, America is hot on the heels of our European counterparts. “Ads proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist Association unveiled the provocative $40,000 holiday ad campaign Tuesday.” Now, this is truly remarkable, is it not? It is not just London buses; it’s Washington, D.C. buses! I suggest you go to WWW.FOXNEWS.COM and read the article entitled ‘Why Believe in God?’ Ad Campaign launches on D.C. Buses.

I hope as you read it that you sit back and ask yourself ‘What is America coming to?’ and as you ask it I hope you will also ask what can be done about the growing secularization of America? Whatever conclusions you draw, here is one that seems we can not miss. Christians have got to stop being silent! We need to, in love, show our friends and acquaintances that there are valid reasons to believe in God. For your edification take some time to meditate on Psalm 115 as a means of solidifying in your mind that there is a God and that our God is unlike the idols man worships.

The approaching Christmas season provides an ideal time to make the greatness of our God known to others. Use the words ‘Merry Christmas’ and not ‘Happy Holidays.’ Quit worrying about offending somebody! Send Christmas cards with a message about Christ. Speak up for Him in conversations at work and company parties. When it comes to a growing secularization in our land, silence is not golden!

Our Nation Has Spoken

2008-11-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

After what has seemingly been an unending campaign (I recall watching the first Democratic debate in July 2007) we now have a President-Elect. While I disagree with the positions of Mr. Obama on abortion and the definition of family and the war against terrorism, he is our President-Elect and his achievement is deserving of our congratulations. My political differences and the differences in our values do not change the fact that I am still called upon by Scripture to pray for him. He will be the President and our duty as Christians is to pray.

For those that disagree with him, I would also say that we will do absolutely no good complaining about his being elected. This election will be discussed and debated and analyzed from every possible direction. Regardless of which man was elected, mean spirited and critical comments would be made. Without a doubt there will be those types of comments made about Mr. Obama. May derogatory and condescending remarks not come from the lips of those that claim to be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unbelievers around us will watch our actions and listen to our words. He has been elected to the highest office in the land and his historic victory commends our respect for him as our President. While we have legitimate areas of disagreement and cause for concern on fundamental issues we dare not fall into the trap of a sharp and critical tongue toward him. This shows a lack of respect for the office and worse yet, a lack of understanding of the injunctions of Scripture. Consider these passages from God’s Word:

Romans 13:1-2
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

In addition to supporting the new President through our prayers and actions the results of this election should call out to the church to redouble our efforts and deepen our commitment to personal evangelism and discipleship and apologetics. Why do I say that? Beyond the popular vote and the electoral vote was a vote about worldview. A worldview is one’s philosophy that provides an approach to understanding God and man and how man relates to God and the world. President-Elect Obama received 52.33% of the popular vote while Senator McCain received 46.38%. There is a rather clear difference of worldviews in our great nation. May the church be more committed than ever to follow the command of 1 Peter 3:14-17, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

As we face troubling days let us be marked as men and women who know and love truth. Let us be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ. Let us show respect to those with whom we differ.

Our nation has spoken. Now, we must speak to the nation one by one. By the way, is that not what we were supposed to be doing all along anyway? Did not our Lord instruct us to make disciples? This is not a time for Christians to complain but rather a call to make known our Lord’s name to those in our circle of influence. Our nation has spoken, now may believers within this great nation speak the message of new life through a saving relationship with Christ.

What an Opportunity!

2008-11-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

Who could deny that we are living in challenging days? Political corruption, economic crisis, and global conflict dominate the news. The problems before us are greater than our ability to correct. We can not vote our way out, buy our way out, or maneuver our way out. People are disturbed. There is a prevailing sense that troublesome times are ahead. Young and old alike are perplexed by the increasing confusion around us.

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ alone can hold forth the one answer for the ills of our day. The answer is a Person and the effective work of that One. Our precious Lord Jesus Christ is that One Person and His saving work is the one answer that we are to hold forth. The opportunities are all around us to do as Paul exhorted us in Philippians 2:15-16 to “…be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…”

My personal desire for my life and for those that I pastor is that we are indeed living blameless and innocent lives. This is not a result of works but a life of grace that flows from the cross. As we live in abiding fellowship with Him through repentance and faith and daily yielding up our all to Him- His life flows through us.

It is true- these are challenging days. But it is also true that we have a confirmed message. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) For this reason, we should “…encourage one another, and build up one another…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Realize too that our being built up is not just for our benefit but also for reaching out to others. In these days, men are seeking truth and are searching for hope. May we be ready to offer the only remedy for the pains of our day- the message of the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Will You PRAY?

2008-10-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

In 23 days, we will go to the polls and cast our votes for the next President of the United States of America. So much is on the line in this historic election. I know any potential readers of my blog suffer from the same information overload that I do. You are swamped with “stuff” to read. So, knowing that, may I simply make one request of you? Pray! Regardless of what polls and journalists say, will you pray for the United States of America? There are two completely different views of America represented in the two candidates and different views on issues that matter to Christians. None is more different than their views of the life of the unborn. Senator Obama’s view “…he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.” (His Official Website) And Senator McCain’s view? John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. (His Official Website)

Christian- we need to pray! Will you?

Challenging Days

2008-10-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

We live in challenging days- economic turmoil at home and war abroad dominates the headlines. This morning I had a conversation in which the Battle of Gettysburg came up. I recalled having had the opportunity to visit Gettysburg a few years ago. It is a moving experience to walk around that historic sight and to recount that great battle. On the night before the battle, President Abraham Lincoln is said to have dropped to his knees and prayed. In fact, Lincoln said that he was often driven to his knees by the overwhelming conviction that I have nowhere else to go.
Nowhere else to go…That is where we are as a nation today. We have nowhere else to go but to God. I think of that painting of George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge. It was a defining moment and a turning point in the American Revolution. It was a time of overcoming great adversity. Our challenges, while great, do not compare to what those brave men faced. The question is will we rely upon Almighty God as they did? I fear for our nation if we do not. In a few weeks, we will elect a new president. In the days leading up to this election we need to pray. We need to be touched with the conviction of Abraham Lincoln that we have nowhere else to go. We need to implore our God for our nation that President Ronald Reagan called A Shining City Upon a Hill. Would you join me in that? Will you pray in the coming days leading up to the election that God would have mercy on America? Remember, we have nowhere else to go.

Would You Please Pass the Salt?

2008-10-03T08:48:00.001-07:00

As Christians we are called to be salt and light according to Matthew 5:13-16. Salt was rubbed into meat to prevent decay. However, the salt had to be pure to accomplish its task. As Christians, we must remain pure in our walk with Christ and we too are to have a penetrating effect on society as salt had on meat. Our mission is the Great Commission but the example of Christians from the past reveal to us that our mission does not stop when someone prays to receive Christ or when they start to grow as Christians. Our mission involves penetrating the culture as salt penetrates meat. This is particularly needful in America as we see a rapid acceleration in the decline of morals and values. In fact, we see this in virtually every element of society. We need to be involved in the saving of men and in the saving of our culture. What in particular do you find most troubling in our land today? What is it that when you think about it, it really troubles you? What is that thing that you see that just causes you to say that “something should be done”? What comes to your mind that is diametrically opposed to what you know of God and His truth? Is it abortion, human trafficking, AIDS, poverty, hunger, education, pornography? For you there is no doubt something that every time you hear of “it” your interest is peaked and you pay a little closer attention. You have thought for a long time that you should get involved in some way but each time you manage to put personal involvement out of your mind.
As inspiration to get involved- to be salt-consider William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was a young politician that won a seat in Parliament in 1780. He was for a long time concerned about the slave trade and sought to bring it to an end. He introduced his first slave trade bill in 1787 and would spend most of his political career in the battle to end that which brought so much human misery and death. He faced an uphill battle because slave trade was profitable business. The people of his day were interested in greed and cared nothing about the loss of life and the untold sufferings their pursuit of wealth brought. It was just how life was. But Wilberforce would not be dissuaded. He introduced and argued bill after bill in the House of Commons but each was met with stiff resentment. His Christian commitment would not allow him to give up. Finally, in 1807, the slave trade ended.
Get involved. Quit saying that “something needs to be done”. Do something. Get involved in politics. Run for office. Write letters to your Congressman. Support a child that has AIDS. Just think about what concerns you and take some steps to become salt.

Sarah Palin and Rosa Parks

2008-09-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

Her name is sweeping the headlines. Who has not heard of Sarah Palin? Can you recall in your memory when a Vice Presidential candidate has attracted so much attention? 40 million people watched her acceptance speech. Michael Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan said watching her was like seeing his dad reborn, only this time he's a she! Without a doubt, Sen. John McCain's choice has everybody talking.

I think of another woman who did something that got everybody talking. She stood up for something by sitting down. Rosa Parks was a forty-two year old seamstress from Montgomery, Alabama. At the end of a work day she got on a bus and took her seat in the "colored section". The law did not allow her to be in front of the bus and forced her to give up her seat to any white person left standing, including a man. On December 1, 1955 while ridding the bus she was ordered to give up her seat for a white man. She refused and was immediately arrested. The brave action of Rosa Parks started a movement that eventually helped bring about desegregation. Rosa Parks was right and the heroic decision she made that day helped to turn the tide in America .

Who knows? Maybe Sarah Palin will "sit down" as our next VP and help start a movement that will bring about much needed change in Washington.

Running the Race

2008-09-09T19:36:00.001-07:00

September 3, 2008

1 Corinthians 9:24 exhorts Christians with these words, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” Labor Day morning gave me a chance to do something I truly enjoy, running. I participated in the U.S. 10K Classic in Marietta, Georgia. In that race I do not know who received the prize for the overall male and female winner, but I know it was not yours truly! Nor can I even say I followed Paul’s injunction to, “Run in such a way that you may win.” 50 year old joggers do not win these races! But, this race did provide a good learning experience for me- really, two.

The course was up and down hills. It starts off with a slight downhill and then you are almost immediately on the first of several long hills. Learning experience number one for me, that is how life is. There are many ups and downs. Runners can not quit because the hill is steep or long. We go through those times in our lives when we are going up a hard hill in marriage or finances or emotionally or in our career or in- you can add to this list. Which hill are you on today? May I encourage you not to quit? Even though it is much harder and you may want to quit, keep running. Others have made it and so shall you, in due time.

The second learning experience is that running with a partner sure beats running alone. Yes, honestly, there are times that I enjoy running alone, but on a long run having a partner with you makes all the difference in the world. Here is the main point, when you are climbing the steep hills of the challenges of life, it sure does make a big difference to have somebody with you. We really cannot be isolated as Christians and expect to get up too many hills. It just will not happen. I am so incredibly thankful for a life running partner in my sweet wife. She is there for me for every hill! As wonderful as she is to me, I like you, still need the encouragement of fellowship with other believers in the church. Don’t even think of running up the hills of life without other Christians. It just will not happen.

Maybe you are starting up a long hill as you read this. The top looks so far away. Focus on the goal. Persevere; it will be worth it if you do.

Pastor Chuck

Church Membership or Just Attendance

2008-09-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

August 13, 2008

A troubling trend of our day among Christians is the practice of attending a church without joining a church. First, let me qualify what I am thinking by attending. Attending is the practice of going to a church or more popular in our day, multiple churches, without considering membership. Obviously, one would want to go to a church for several weeks to learn about the church and get to know their belief’s and practices before committing to membership. However, those who are simply in the habit of attending have no intention of membership. They come; they go. Why is this? I have given some thought to this phenomenon and am sure that there are more capable and articulate views than mine but here are my thoughts.

This practice of attending removes accountability. That is a dreaded word because it flies in the face of our relentless pursuit of individualism. As long as I am in the attending practice, I am not accountable to anyone. No one can expect anything of me because, after all, I am not a member. Not only can nothing be expected of me neither can anyone say anything to me about my lifestyle practices and choices. If I am in the practice of “attending” I can come and go. I have no vital connection to the local church. If I am attending but have no plans toward membership I can fall in sin and have nobody to come rescue me. I have not committed myself to a local church or they to me. To borrow from a sports analogy, I may believe in the sport and like the team but when I “attend only” I am really saying that I would rather not wear the uniform.

However, when I join a church that all changes. I become accountable to others and others now have a Biblical mandate to admonish me. The New Testament is very clear on this…”And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.” (Romans 15:14) Accountability brings me under the protective umbrella of the church body and the care of godly leaders. Accountability to a local church through membership says that I’m on your team and I want to wear the uniform. To use another analogy-I am not just along for the ride in the boat. I want to use my gifts and my resources to help row the boat. Those that are along for the ride usually have no problem abandoning the boat when storms are on the horizon. Why shouldn’t they? They have no sense of accountability to others. It is much easier to find another boat.

Here is my plea. Once you have found a church that preaches/teaches the gospel, is committed to helping you mature and wants to take the gospel to the ends of the earth-“get in the boat with them!” Make yourself accountable to that local church. If you are going to play on the team, wear the uniform. Think about it.

Pastor Chuck

2008-09-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

July 30, 2008

On August 8th the 2008 Summer Olympics will get underway from Beijing, China. More than 10,000 competitors representing 204 nations will come together. The United States will have an estimated 550 athletes participating. Even if you are not an athlete or sports fan, the Summer Olympics provides an opportunity to see some of the worlds best athletes compete in sports ranging from archery to wrestling. The events I am most looking forward to watching are Track and Field, Swimming and Diving, Triathlon, and Basketball. Watching these athletes from around the world perform will be exciting. Yet, the 2008 Olympics have the potential to get Christians around the world focused on something else- Praying for the nation of China.
China has spent more than $40 billion dollars transforming itself. More than one-fifth of the worlds population calls China home with a population of 1, 321,851,888. According to a recent New York Times article there are 80-100 million Chinese worshiping in underground churches. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in China. Christianity is restricted and the persecution is intense. Would you allow these upcoming Olympic Games to be a reminder to you to pray for China? If you would like, go to www.vombooks.com to order an Olympic prayer band. Once you get to the Voice of the Martyrs web page, scroll down and click on the China Olympic prayer bands to place your order.

Let the games begin and as they do, let our praying match the intensity and devotion of the athletes that will compete.

My "Finish Well" List

2008-09-09T19:31:00.001-07:00

July 16, 2008

Thank you so much for all that prayed for Steven and Christy’s wedding. For those that were able to make the trip, we are humbled. For those that could not, we completely understand and just want you to know that your prayers meant so much to us. It was a beautiful wedding; they did a great job planning it. Christ was honored from start to finish. We are most thankful for our new daughter in law and gladly welcome her into our family.

In my last blog, I talked about finishing well. I shared the story that Pastor John Bisagno has told of the men he started out in seminary with compared to how few were in the ministry when he retired as a pastor. Many, too many, seem not to finish well. For sure, we know that we can not do this apart from the grace of God. But, I do think that there are some principles that should be working in our lives to put us in a position to finish well. I think of the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. Written when he was only 19 years old, these resolutions show a depth of thinking way beyond his youth. At my age, I feel I lack the maturity he had as a 19 year old. I certainly know I do not have the intellectual capabilities and the spiritual depth he had. Yet, I do have a desire to finish well.

Here are some things that are important to me in this desire.
-I want to be consistent in my devotional time.
-I want to be honest in confessing all sin and keeping short accounts with God.
-I want to be devoted to my wife and live above reproach.
-I want to never do anything that would disappoint my family.
-I want to trust God for meeting my needs and avoid a fretful disposition.
-I want to be disciplined.
- I want to be a faithful pastor.
-I want to cling to Scripture and clearly and lovingly proclaim God’s Word.

I am sure that there is more that I should have on this list but these are some that I want to tenaciously and consistently stick to.

Pastor Chuck

Finish Well

2008-09-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

July 2, 2008

I’ve often heard it said that “it’s not how well you start but how you finish that counts.” For example, we have all heard of students that started poorly and finished well. Or, teams that struggled to find a way to win early in the season but finished strong. Who can forget the political journey of Abraham Lincoln to become our nations sixteenth President? Our Lord Jesus finished well. In His prayer in John 17 He said, “I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do.” (John 17:4 NAS) Finishing well is important; however, it is not common. I recall hearing an incredible story from Pastor John Bisagno that highlights this sad fact. At the end of his college days, he and all the young men who were graduating and entering the ministry decided they were going to pray for one another throughout their ministry. Pastor Bisagno had all of their names written on the inside cover of his Bible. There were 24 names on that list. Over the years he would hear of one of his friends who had dropped out of the ministry for various reasons and scratch through the name. When he retired as the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Houston, of the original 24 names there were only two names beside Bisagno’s left in the ministry. You see, how you finish is what counts but sadly most do not finish well.

Why do you think that is? It is certainly worth consideration. In fact it’s worthy of some serious investment of thought and prayer. Here is a challenge for you. Why not find a quite spot and think through this one. Using your Bible and a note pad, why not write out a “My Plan to Finish Well” strategy. If it’s not too personal I would love to read about your strategy. You could email it to me at chuck@woolseybaptist.org In the subject box, please put “My Plan to Finish Well” I will look forward to reading what you write. By the way, I will share more about this in my next blog.

Pastor Chuck

Vacation Bible School

2008-09-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2008

VBS- Does that mean anything to you? For many of you reading this it does. VBS stands for Vacation Bible School. It is a fun week for children where they learn Bible stories, make crafts, play games, sing, and enjoy snacks. Some of you can recall your childhood experiences of VBS. We just finished what I believe is one of the best VBS we have ever had! I say that for several reasons but mainly because of the enthusiasm I saw in the teachers and workers each day. They were amazing, energetic, concerned, faithful, dedicated, loving, kind- what else can I say? They were all of those and more. If you served in VBS-THANK YOU!

What really struck me this year more so than in past years is the narrow window of opportunity that we have with children to impact their lives. The tentacles of a sin cursed world so quickly wrap around the minds and souls of boys and girls. At the risk of sounding like an alarmist, I sense that those of us in the Christian community are looking over a large field where hundreds of children are playing innocently. On the horizon we can see a threatening and ominous looking black cloud approaching. The cloud formation is suited for a tornado. Soon, cell phones are ringing with frantic callers watching the weather reports of a tornado warning in our area. We are in the path of a serious storm. We have to act quickly to get these children to safety.

Children are innocently enjoying a stage of life in which they should be secure and protected. The impending storms on the horizon are world views and values that are in direct contradiction to the revealed truth of God’s Word. They are certain to cut a swath of destruction and leave countless numbers devastated. Yes, we have to act quickly.

Who is “we”? I am thinking of parents and the church. We have to live an exemplarily life, we have to know and teach the Bible, we have to give credible answers for why we believe what we believe, and we have to teach creatively and consistently. Does my life say that Christianity is life-changing? Do I know my Bible? (This is not a matter of just knowing where to find things as much as it is a matter of knowing the key doctrinal teachings and how they apply to life.) Do I know how to defend the truth? Can anybody say apologetics? (Check out 1 Peter 3:15. Can I do what that verse tells me to do?) Here are a few recommendations and resources-

A daily time with God’s Word is a must. Pick a book and stay with it until you finish. Pick a shorter book such as Colossians and work your way though it over a couple of days. Go back through it once and then move on to another book of the Bible. Consider a book such as The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel. I have not read this book in its entirety but have used it as a reference. It is very good. It is a book that seeks to answer some of the toughest objections to Christianity. Josh McDowell and Ravi Zacharias are both excellent resources. For Josh McDowell go to www.josh.org and for Ravi Zacharias go to www.rzim.org

The storm clouds are indeed gathering. Let us not be caught up in idle conversation and ignore the warnings. Children are too precious and the opportunity to reach them is too short.

Wedding

2008-09-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2008

Many reading this know that our youngest son Steven is soon to be married. We as parents could not be happier for Steven and Christy. They both have their hearts set on the Lord and desire His plan for their lives. We are honored to welcome Christy into our family.

Steven was home for just over two weeks recently. It was a special time to spend with him. As dad and son, we got to do many of the things we both enjoy. The time he was home just flew by. When he left early Monday morning it was hard for me. The next time he comes home, he will be a married man. In a strange way I feel that nothing will change but at the same time everything will change. The changes are good but hard to come to terms with. I mean this from the standpoint of time. You see, to me, it seems like just last month that we were in Ft. Worth, Texas welcoming Steven into the world. And it seems like just last week we were at the little league field watching a T-Ball game and that only yesterday I was watching Steven in a high school football game or run in a track meet. Those years went by like a flash; just as his years in college did and now already one year of seminary! I know full well that some reading this are saying, “It just gets faster.” And, I have no doubt that it will.

So, I want to enjoy the moments. Each is special. Neither you nor I can slow time down nor can we control what happens in time. But, we can control what we do with our moments. We can determine that every day is a gift from the Lord and determine to honor Him in each day. Things do sneak up on us- like a son getting married- but things should not sneak by us! Let us look forward to each day as an opportunity to know God better and to enjoy the simple but beautiful things of each day.

Steven and Christy- Looking forward to your wedding!

Computers - Good or Bad

2008-09-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

May 23, 2008

What do you think about computers? Obviously you and I both like them or we would not be using them! We just updated some software in our church office and although I have to learn to navigate my way around, I am glad we have it. Computers can save time but they can also waste time. Henry Blackaby writes that “…computers are instruments for work as well as for entertainment, and some people struggle to differentiate between the two.” What do you do with your computer? Is it for work or entertainment? Some people with computers definitely own one for entertainment. Somehow, they manage to find all kind of stuff on the Internet that they pass on. They get forwarded emails and automatically forward them to all on their mailing list. In addition, they seem to find all kind of neat things on the Internet that they send on for others to read or see.

If you are not careful this can become a major waste of time. Here is a fact; you can not read everything on the Internet. Here is an opinion; you do not need to forward everything you do read. Listen to Henry Blackly again. “Everyone seems to know at least one zealous Internet guru who inundates them with quotes, jokes, feel-good stories, and late-breaking news about impending crises or the most current computer virus.” Here is a plea. Everything you read is not true. Unless you really know the source, you might want to verify the accuracy before you forward it on and even then you might need to ask if sending this is really necessary. Just a thought!

Discipline

2008-09-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

May 14, 2008

Discipline- What comes to your mind when you see that word? Do you think of the rigorous practice and training of the athlete or musician? Do you think of a drill instructor getting a group of raw recruits in shape? Do you think of the student determined to graduate from college with a high GPA? Maybe what comes to your mind is the image of punishment.

Here is what I am thinking. Discipline is an attitude or action steps that you consistently take to develop or improve in a particular area.

I have found that the most effective Christians I know have this ingredient of discipline in their lives. There are some attitudes they have or actions steps they regularly take that make them strong in their walk with the Lord.

Here are some I have seen:

-They have disciplined themselves to read their Bibles, pray, attend church, witness, serve etc. independent of their feelings.

-They have disciplined themselves to make a plan and work their plan unless God redirects them.

-They have disciplined themselves to focus on those areas where they are most effective. -They have disciplined themselves to press on even when it is not easy.

-They have disciplined themselves to keep learning and growing

How are you when it comes to discipline? Today is a great day to begin. By the way, every effective Christian had a day where they began some disciplines. What might you begin today?

Pastor Chuck

Moms

2008-09-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

May 7, 2008

Mom’s, we are soon to celebrate a special day for you. You know it as Mother’s Day. You are honored on this day. You are appreciated and valued so much and this day just gives all of us that are not Mother’s the chance to say what we should say all the time- Thank You!
My blog is not really for “preaching” and while what I want to say may sound like it; it’s not. Really, I just want to encourage you.

I want to encourage Mom’s that feel under appreciated, that are tired, that many times feel that all you do goes unnoticed- hang in there! You are appreciated. You are making a difference. What you do is not unnoticed! Some reading this are changing diapers for one, getting another child to practice, and helping still another child deal with important decisions in life. What you are able to do in a day is amazing. You may not think it matters but everyday and every word, hug, and act from you does matter!

I want to encourage Mom’s that have experienced the death of a child. My heart goes out to you. Nobody knows the depth of your pain but God. He cares. Far be it from me to explain the ways of God. Foolish is the person that thinks they can. I can say what I know for sure is that He loves you. He observes every tear that falls and knows your pain. He will not leave you.

I want to encourage every woman that longs to have a child. Like death, who can explain why a woman that aches to hold her own baby in her arms is unable to do so? I hurt for you. I think of the account of Hannah in 1 Samuel and her anguish when she was childless. Our God has not forgotten you.

I want to encourage Mom’s that are dealing with a child in rebellion. You have prayed, cried, taught, begged, pleaded and more and yet you face the reality that your child is on the wrong path in life. For some, it’s a very destructive path. You seldom get a good night’s sleep and live in fear of what’s coming next. I’ve heard too many testimonies of those that came to the Lord because of Mom’s persistence prayers. Don’t give up.

I want to encourage Mom’s that do not hear from your grown children as often as you would wish. A visit would be wonderful but you would gladly settle for just a phone call! You know they are busy but you also know you would just love to hear from them. This has to hurt. May I tell you that while they may not call or come as often as you might wish, I suspect there is not a day they don’t think of you.

Happy Mother’s Day and to those who hurt, Jesus loves you and will not forget you!

Pastor Chuck

Fade into Irrelevance

2008-09-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2008

Dr. Chuck Lawless is the Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Today I read this statement by Dr. Lawless that really got my attention. Too much is at stake for us to sit by and fade into irrelevance in North America. We desperately need God to move us, change us, and redirect us to Great Commission obedience. What is he talking about? He is talking about the decline in church membership and baptisms in our denomination.

While all that he said in that statement is important and thought provoking, I can not get away from the words “fade into irrelevance.” Imagine the church fading into irrelevance. Can that happen? Is it possible? One only needs to look at Western Europe for the answer. Cathedrals and churches dot the landscape but say less than 10% of the population attends church regularly. The research on our denomination cannot be denied regarding the trend in membership and baptisms. Much like the x-ray that reveals a broken bone, the research indicates that something is in fact broken and needs to be repaired.

At the risk of sounding like I know what to do or of having a simple answer I humbly offer this “what if?” What if individual believers in Christ just got honest about our lives? What if we just confessed and forsook sin? What if we just came before God in our churches and prayed for spiritual awakening? What if we just started living before others an authentic Christian life? What if we just loved people and practically demonstrated it? What if we just made it a point to purposefully tell our friends about our relationship to Christ and showed them how they could be saved according to the Bible? What if we just invited people to our churches and gave them the best seats and the best parking places? What if we just did those things?

An Incredible Trip

2008-09-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

April 16, 2008

I have just returned from a wonderful time of vacation with my family. It was good to get to spend this time together seeing some amazing scenery in Washington D.C., New York and then on throughout New England. You probably don’t really want to read every detail of our trip so I’ll just give some thoughts and reflections of this time.

-In Arlington National Cemetery I was reminded of the countless men and women that have given their lives for this great nation. Walking among the graves of those that have been buried even recently, seeing the names and dates of birth of these so young that gave their all in Operation Enduring Freedom was a touching experience.

-Standing in the Pentagon where a commercial plane was flown into the building was a reminder of the reason why America must prevail in the war against global terrorism.

-Walking through the U.S. Capitol, seeing the historical aspects of our government, and the process of how our government works was eye opening.

-A tour of the White House was incredible.

-Going to church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle was great. Driving in Brooklyn was not so great!

-West Point, our oldest U.S. Service Academy was majestic and definitely worth seeing.

-New England is beautiful! The coastlines, the historical aspects; it was unlike anything I had ever seen.

-Skiing in New Hampshire was so much fun. I knew that our sons’ ability had long ago exceeded mine but I was not prepared for our daughter’s to just yet. It is oh so humbling when you can’t stay with your 14 year old daughter on the slopes anymore! I was not expecting that but quickly realized I had to decide between my pride and my bones.

-The food was great. What can I say? I like to eat.

-I loved to hear the people’s ascents, especially in Boston. I probably sounded like Jethro Bodine to them.

-There is definitely a need for Southern Baptist Church planting throughout New England.
It was so special to be with our family. At the risks of sounding sentimental, I know that we will never have another vacation quite like this one. When Dave Ramsey is asked, “How are you doing?” He answers, “Better than I deserve.” Without a doubt, I have better than I deserve in my sweet wife, and wonderful children.

Thank you, Woolsey Baptist Church, for making this trip possible for us. We love you and are glad to be home with you!!!

Have You Been Fooled?

2008-09-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

April 3, 2008

This past Monday was April Fool’s Day. I heard a news story about the top 100 April Fool’s hoaxes of all time! Here is one that was mentioned…

In 1976 the British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur that listeners could experience in their very own homes. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth's own gravity. Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, BBC2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.

It is amazing how easily we are fooled. In the case of the dear woman who reported that she and her eleven friends had floated around the room, she was really fooled. Have you ever been fooled? Most of us have and most of us more than once.Jesus warned us…“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) To be wise as serpents reminds us that serpents are cautious in avoiding danger. We need to practice situational awareness. One area that comes to my mind is related to teachings we hear in the name of Christianity. Just because it is on television does not make it true. Just because a “minister” says it does not make it true. We need to make sure that what we are hearing is based on what the Bible says and what it means. If we do not ask those questions- what does it say in the Bible and what does it mean we may find ourselves and our friends floating around the room!

Easter Sunday

2008-09-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

March 24, 2008

Sunday was a great day- Easter Sunday- that is. To reflect on the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the grave on the third day stirs my faith and helps me refocus on the central truths of the Christian faith.

Sunday was a great day because of the incredible joy of being with my family. Although Steven was unable to come home, we had a great afternoon watching some old movies, the NCAA basketball tournament, playing “horse”, and having our own home run derby. It was fun. It was more than fun, it was great! Sunday also marked our 29th wedding anniversary. God has been so good to me in giving me such a sweet and godly wife. I am so thankful for Lisa. She is a wonderful wife and an incredible mom.

Yes, Easter was a good day. God has been so good to me. I honor Him above all. He is good!

Easter

2008-09-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

March 20, 2008

I’m glad we are soon to celebrate Easter! What a day for the believer in Christ to know that no matter how bad things may get, Jesus Christ is alive! May I tell you why that has meaning to me?

- It has meaning because I know my sins are forgiven. He died for sinners and the fact that He arose from the dead demonstrates that God the Father accepted His payment for my sin. I am not trying to earn my way; my salvation is in Christ. He defeated sin, death, and the grave. Wonderful news- my sins are forgiven.

- It has meaning because I know death is not the end. In October 2004, when I stepped off an airplane in New Delhi, India, I was met by the Air France gate agent and notified that my Dad had passed away. Shocked, hurt, grieving, and more I made my way back home and to his funeral. We sang “Because He Lives.” What a comfort to know that because Jesus Christ lives, we too shall live. As I stood there singing with a broken voice, I stood knowing that my precious Dad was in fact more alive than ever because Jesus Christ is alive!

-It has meaning because it brings hope. Just listen to the evening news; it’s depressing. War, crime, a failing economy, and more- there is not too much good news. Yet, I have hope. Jesus is alive. He is coming again one day. And, until He comes He is at work in the world. He is at work in my world. He can resurrect hope in me when I feel hopeless. He has done it countless times.
Easter- celebrate it, thank God for it, worship with other believers on Sunday and remember- if you have trusted in Christ- sin is forgiven, death is not the end, and of all people, you should have hope!

Safely Home

2008-09-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

March 11, 2008

I recently finished reading a book that I want to recommend to you. Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn, is a novel about the persecuted church. This book shook me. I have known that Christians in other parts of the world are persecuted for following Jesus but this book brought it home unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I highly recommend that you read this book. Without telling you too much I will tell you that the book chronicles the lives of two men that get reacquainted after twenty years since their graduation from college. One is a believer; one is not. One is pursuing the American dream; one is pursuing God and suffering for it. They come together and the story takes off from there. It is a fascinating look at persecution and its reality.

Here are some of the lessons I took away from the book:

-Persecution is real. Christians really are suffering greatly for the name of Jesus Christ.

-Success in life without Christ is really no success at all.

-The Bible is such a treasure. There are believers in the world that would love to have a copy of even a portion of God’s Word.

-Will persecution come to the American church? I don’t know. But what if it did? How would things change? What if it became illegal to speak openly about Christ? What if churches were required to sign something saying that they would not preach about certain sins? What if they were monitored to make sure that nothing was taught that went against the regulations of the governing authorities? Just something to think about.

More Fouls We Commit

2008-09-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

March 4, 2008

I’ve been using the analogy of fouls in a basketball game to address the issues we can be guilty of in the church. I have talked about some different types of fouls we are easily guilty of committing and now I would like to look at the two that I would consider the worst. These are the flagrant foul and the technical foul called on the bench. As in the past weeks, for those that have little knowledge of basketball rules, let me explain the fouls and then provide the analogy.

-The flagrant foul - This is a foul that is called when the referee determines that excessive force or contact is used or ill intent toward an opposing player.
How could a church be guilty of this kind of a foul? Certainly we would not consciously do ill will toward a non believer, but unconsciously we can if we become like the Pharisees. In our desires to do right and maintain that which is right, we can get ourselves in a position where we attack the sinner instead of the sin. This is never right. When Paul was observing the idolatry in Athens, his message was Jesus and the resurrection. There is no indication of his attacking the people of Athens, but rather of his clear contrast between the God who made the world and their idols. (Acts 17:16-31)

-The technical foul on the bench - This is a foul that is called when the referee determines a player on the bench or a coach has said something unsportsmanlike or has overtly questioned a call made. It could also be called if the coach has left the coaches box and not heeded warnings.
How can a church be guilty of such a foul? I think one way it happens is when we forget our role. We are not in the game to officiate. We are to play and to coach. The translation is that there is a God and we are not Him! He makes the calls; not us. I think sometimes the non-believing world sees us in a debate with God about what He is doing or has done instead of just trusting that He is God and that His ways are always best. If the non-believer should look down our bench, do they see joy and contentment or frustration and complaints about how life is treating us? It is something to think about!

Fouls We Commit

2008-09-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

February 27, 2008

Last time I shared a bit with you about the analogy of a basketball game and the work of the referees in calling fouls. We agree if their call is to our advantage and disagree if their call is not. Even when they do not make a call, we see them! That is, we see the ones the other team commits but never do we see our teams’ fouls.

I think that can be true in the church. We can miss our fouls if we are not careful. In fact, I think sometimes we are committing fouls that we are unaware of.

Let me mention a couple:

- Holding Fouls... We can be guilty of holding on to cherished traditions that are keeping non-believers off our court. Reflect on these words from George Barna. “…unchurched people embracing church life is "both counter-cultural and counter-intuitive." Reaching out to unchurched people is difficult for born again Christians because the two groups have such different viewpoints and lifestyles. "Born again adults are more excited about a church’s strengths and more forgiving of its weaknesses, more disposed to spiritual growth, and less skeptical of theological and biblical claims. They neither see nor understand the obstacles that impede the unchurched. Addressing the reticence of the unchurched takes more than prayer and hard work: it requires a lot of deep reflection to see the world and the local church from a completely different angle.”

-Player Control Foul- In the basketball game this is usually called “charging.” It is an offensive foul indicated by the referee’s fist in the air, then the hand behind the head and point in the opposite direction. In the church, we can be guilty of running over people with our programs and wondering why they are not interested. In most cases, I think it’s not that the program is wrong it’s just that we charge forward so hard with them without first meeting the needs of people. The unchurched are not looking for polished programs they are looking for relationships.

Next time, I will share what I think are the two worst fouls we can commit.

Lessons from the Court

2008-09-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

February 19, 2008

The whistle blows, the referee’s fist goes into the air, the game stops as the referee approaches the scoring table. A foul has been called. With his hands he indicates the player’s number that has been charged with the foul to the official scorer. In a well officiated game, play resumes quickly even among the cheers and groans (usually worse) depending on which player and team was cited with the foul.

What about those cheers and groans? We readily agree and applaud the referee’s decisions when their call is to our favor and we are quick to disagree when the call goes against our team. And then there are the calls that are not made. Funny isn’t it- how easily we can spot a foul or traveling violation or a charge on the other team but never see the same on our team? Think about it. Have you ever heard a die-hard fan say something like this when a player from their team drives in for a lay up and scores: The official should wave that off. That should be a player control foul. We shouldn’t get those two points!

Basketball has so many parallels to life. Momentum can change quickly, sometimes nothing goes right; sometimes you’re on a roll and can’t miss. Back to the analogy of the referees- it seems they make good calls when it is in our favor and they miss it when it is otherwise.

Here are a few lessons that I am learning…
- It is hard to see my own fouls.
- Unlike the best referee that will miss some violations, God sees all.
- Not only is it hard to see my own fouls, it’s easy to see those fouls others commit.
- It is safe to say that with our best intentions, we as a church are guilty of committing some fouls that we are unaware of.

I want to say more about that last statement next time.

Pastor Chuck

Super Bowl

2008-09-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

February 4, 2008

It is being called one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets ever. The highly favored New England Patriots’ team was stunned by the New York Giants come from behind victory. With only 2:42 to go in the game the Giants offense was able to drive the ball 83 yards for a touchdown. It was an incredible drive. On one particular pass play it looked like it was all over for the Giants. Eli Manning narrowly missed being sacked for a loss. Eli then was able to not just throw the ball away, but throw it into the arms of a receiver that somehow managed to catch the ball and hold on to it to keep the drive alive. The Giants would go on to score to take the lead and then to hang on for the win, shattering the dreams of the New England Patriots’ perfect season.

I like it when underdogs win. (Unless an underdog beats Georgia Tech!) I love comebacks that defy the odds. Eli Manning led his team at a crucial time to make a great comeback. It took everybody working together. Lineman blocking, receivers making catches, coaches sending in the right plays: everybody had a role to play. There were no unimportant roles.

It’s kind of like churches. Everybody has a role to play. What about you? Are you playing any role in your church? Your church, whether it’s Woolsey Baptist or any other church, faces some stiff competition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Some in the crowd are for us; some are not. That is really not what matters. What matters is that the church is on the field with one purpose in mind and everybody playing their role.

- It may be to block out criticism and negativity.
- It could be to catch the mission and purpose of the church and run with it.
- It could be to send in others with a warm and positive invitation to attend.

This is a great day to be in the game. Victory is sure. The struggle is worth it. Even if at times we seem behind, we are going to win!

Our God reigns!

Politicians

2008-09-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

January 29, 2008

Do you read church signs? Some are humorous. Some are silly. Some make you think. Rarely have I seen one that offends and disturbs, but recently I did. I will not dignify it by quoting it but I will tell you that it is about politicians. It makes the assumption that when a political figure speaks they spread that which is foul.

Why do I find the sign offensive? For one thing, the sign reflects a total lack of understanding of history. It was a politician, William Wilberforce, who was responsible for the ending of the British slave trade. In fact, this member of Parliament would spend his political career seeking to end the slave trade. It was a politician, James Madison, who led in writing a Constitution that secures for Americans the right to worship as they please.The sign also makes the mistake of putting every politician in the same boat, so to speak. To be a politician is to be bad. That simply is not true. There are men and women serving in politics that do so simply because they love their community, their state, or their nation and they want to make a difference. We desperately need young adults that have a Christian worldview to step up and run for office. Signs that categorize all politicians as bad certainly do not inspire gifted young leaders to run for office. In fact, the type of thinking reflected on the sign actually makes people cynical toward the political process, a process we desperately need Christians participating in. Beyond that, the type of thinking reflected on the sign could well cause people not to vote because they might feel, “Why vote? It will not do any good.”

A few thoughts to think about….
- Be thankful to live in a nation that has a political process such as we have.

- Pray for the men and women in office. Scripture commands us to do this in 1Timothy 2:1-2 It is hard to pray for someone when we have the attitude presented on that sign.

- Disagree with them if you will; vote them out if you must, but don’t assume all are bad.

- Maybe you should consider running for office. Some of you reading this have ideas that could make a difference.

- If you serve in public office... Thank You! I may not agree with you. I may not support your parties platform but I thank you for your willingness to do what you do.

Be Consistent

2008-09-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

January 24, 2008

A few months before our first child was born, we bought a book entitled “The Complete Book of Baby and Child Care for Christian Parents” by Grace Ketterman M.D. and Herbert Ketterman M.D. The book really is complete, covering everything from preparing to have a child, nurturing the newborn, treating illnesses, rearing a confident child and much more. We did not read this book cover to cover but used it more as a reference manual. I suppose a great deal has changed in the medical section since that book was published in 1982. However, there is something mentioned early in the book that clearly has not changed. The authors state, “Nurturing your child is a big job- one that encompasses his mind, emotions, and spirit, as well as his body. Protection of your child is not likely to demand walking into a freezing north wind on the plains. It is, however a very cold world into which your children will be born. The selfish, humanistic environment of our culture is an even more deadly threat than frostbite. You must become strong to protect your children from this. Training and guidance are, first of all, and most importantly of all, your responsibility. Training today for the child’s future is awesome, but it is exciting to know that doing it right now will bear good fruit later.”
At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, I will tell you that it saddens me greatly and grieves me when I see the ravaging effects parental neglect has on children. To be to the point, I am thinking of neglecting spiritual leadership and training. Here is one suggestion- not two or three- but one that if you do as a parent, I believe you will in time reap a reward. Are you ready for it? Two words- Be Consistent! Children learn by seeing something modeled over and over to them. If you consistently pray, read your Bible, come to church, love your family, discipline in love, serve your fellowman, reject the shallow values of this world and embrace a Biblical worldview- guess what- the likelihood is extremely high that your children are going to follow you. You don’t have to be perfect. In fact, consistently admitting your need of God’s grace is important too. May God grant us the grace to be consistent!

A Special Honor

2008-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

January 15,2008

It’s Tuesday morning, 9:00, as I write this. I am sitting in a doctor’s office in Alpharetta. I actually arrived here about fifteen minutes ago. I am thankful I am not here for myself. You see, I brought my mom to the doctor. I left Fayetteville at 5:40 to get to Canton by 7:00 to pick up my mom in order to get to Old Milton Parkway by 9:00 a.m. - Wow! I am thankful I don’t live around here. Talk about serious traffic congestion. Crowded would not explain it. However, here is what I am thankful for. I am thankful that I can do this for my mom who spent 21 years of her life taking care of me in thousands of ways. It is my privilege to get to do this for her.

Many of you reading this are in that stage of life, like me, where you have the special honor of taking care of your parents at some level. It is so important, if you are able, to be there for them. You can’t be everything and you can’t do everything. You cannot neglect your family or your career but you can look for ways to love and serve those that served and loved you and gave so much for you. Here are a few simple but hopefully meaningful suggestions to help you serve your parents.

-Pray for them-Call them regularly
-Go visit them
-Plan to do things with them that they are able to do
-Be patient with them
-If health permits, take them on trips with you
-Listen to them

Doing these things can help us toward obeying the fifth commandment to"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

Can you be dogmatic?

2008-09-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

January 2, 2008

I am thinking out loud as I write this. (Actually, I guess I am thinking in print but you know what I mean.) Here is what I am thinking- “What’s up with all this business about tolerance and openness and statements like ‘You can’t be dogmatic’?” I don’t know if you have been listening lately but there seems to be no shortage of voices from media, academia, and sadly, even religious circles that tout tolerance as the greatest virtue. The Associated Press and MTV conducted an extensive survey among young people age 13-24. You can read the article by going to HERE. Here are a few quotes from the article. When it comes to spirituality, American young people also are remarkably tolerant -- nearly 7 in 10 say that while they follow their own religious or spiritual beliefs, others might be true as well. Sixty-eight percent agree with the statement, "I follow my own religious and spiritual beliefs, but I think that other religious beliefs could be true as well." Thirty-one percent choose, "I strongly believe that my religious beliefs are true and universal, and that other religious beliefs are not right."One 14 year old stated, “I believe whatever you believe is true to you and it really shouldn't matter what other people think.”Think about that. Almost 75% are saying in essence, “I have my beliefs, but whatever you believe could also be true.”There is an incredible danger to this reasoning. Why? If those who stand behind the pulpit and those who sit in the pew start to buy into this view of tolerance we will step on to a slippery slope from which recovery of balance will be nearly impossible. Fundamentally, there will cease to be Biblical absolutes; the natural consequence being chaos. We will become like the people in the history of Israel where “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” I plead with Christians to adhere to the Word of God. Jesus was emphatic about truth. (“…Thy Word is truth.” John 17:17.) We can not afford to buy into the views stated above in the USA Today article. Standing on the truth of God’s Word is not intolerant. Rather, it is more essential than ever. In 2008 determine that you will be one, regardless of the shift in culture, that applies Biblical truth to your values. And, I would add, be one that stands for Biblical truth as the only truth.

Merry Christmas

2008-09-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

December 20, 2007

It’s almost here- Christmas Day- a day for celebrating the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ came to live among fallen humanity. Yet, His ultimate purpose was more than living among us. He came to die for sinners and to be raised from death to life. I love the words of the hymn by Charles Wesley-
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

That is what Christmas is about- Christ came that sinners condemned in sin and under the judgment of God, could have a second birth. Think of the wonder of it. It is mind boggling and utterly beyond us. Yet, it is so simple that children can grasp it. If you have experienced the second birth, Christmas is a day for you to rejoice and celebrate! Here are a few suggestions that might just help you as you look to honor Christ on Christmas Day.
Read (Slowly and thoughtfully) the account of Christ’s birth from Luke 2:1-20.
Get up early or stay up late or find a suitable time to just be still for five or ten minutes and do nothing but think about Christ coming into the world for the purpose of dying for sinners.
Express to Him your thankfulness for your salvation.
Call somebody that could use a word of encouragement and let them know that you love and care for them.
Remember to pray for the men and women in our Armed Forces that are away from their families on Christmas Day. Many are in harms way fighting for our national security and the preservation of the freedoms we enjoy.
Don’t forget to pray for missionaries that are fighting a spiritual battle for the souls of men. What a blessing an email to someone overseas could be on Christmas Day!
If you are traveling, go out of your way to be sensitive and courteous to store and hotel clerks that are working on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Don’t forget to speak a word of appreciation to a Police Officer or other emergency personnel you might see on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Pastor Chuck

Good Morning?

2008-09-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

November 27, 2007

Can you think of the times in your life when you have been exhausted and proud at the same moment? Some that come to mind would be a new mother after an exhausting labor as she looks into her baby’s eyes for the first time, or maybe the new Grandparents that have traveled through the night to see this bundle of joy. Perhaps you might think of the marathon runner as he crosses the finish line or the college student at the end of finals week.

One of those exhausted but very proud moments came for me the day after Thanksgiving. We had come home from Thanksgiving travel late Thursday evening and slept only about four hours before meeting at the church at 3:15 Friday morning. For what insane reason would anybody do that? For us, it was a choice to give up a little of our sleep in order to go to a local business to hand out hot chocolate and coffee to patrons standing in line awaiting the opening of the store. You should have seen their hands shoot up when we asked “who would like a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate?” From 4:30 to 8:00 we poured and served the hot beverages to cold and grateful Christmas shoppers.

Okay, so you get the exhausted part, but proud? How does that fit in? I was proud of our youth and adults from Woolsey Baptist Church! Some 20 youth braved the early morning cold (yes, our youth were at church at 3:15 a.m., busy at work getting ready for the morning of ministry) with smiles on their faces, ready to serve others and expecting nothing in return. They were not raising money for a project or earning money for a special trip. They were merely out serving others in Jesus name! This is why I was proud. The same is true for our adults. 30 plus adults were on the other side of town giving out cups of coffee and hot chocolate, wrapping Christmas presents and wishing “Merry Christmas” to the thousands coming and going from Wal-Mart. Between our youth and adults, approximately 600 cups of hot chocolate and coffee were served and many, many, Christmas presents were wrapped. As pastor of this great church, I was so proud that you took ministry to the streets.
I was proud that you donated so much Christmas wrapping paper.

I was proud that you gave up sleep and time for others.

I was proud that you were showing love to total strangers.

I was proud to see you engaging them in conversations.

I was proud to see you serving the business proprietors by cleaning up around their places of business.

I was proud to see you helping by gathering up shopping carts for them.

I was proud to see you serving with smiles and joy.

I was proud of Jeremy and Tracy. They were at church when Lisa and I got there Friday morning, already getting the hot chocolate prepared.

I was proud of Clay and Larry. They were at Wal-Mart at 5:00 a.m. getting everything set up and ready and they were there till the end!

I was proud of Melissa Nelms for hosting some of the girls at her home, and staying up with them through the night till time to come to the church.

Thank you, for giving “a cup of cold water” in Jesus name. Or, in our case, a cup of hot chocolate and some neatly wrapped Christmas presents!

The Golden Compass

2008-09-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

November 16, 2007

And just in time for Christmas-- The Golden Compass, a new children’s movie will open. What could be better than taking the little ones to the movie on a Saturday afternoon for some good entertainment? After all, kids love movies and this will be another outing of family fun and innocent entertainment. Right? - Wrong!
You should think twice about loading the kids up for a trip to the theater to see this December 7th release. This movie is based on a trilogy of books by a British author named Phillip Pullman, an atheist. That fact alone should cause Christian parents to reject the value and content of the movie! In addition, British columnist Peter Hitchens indicates that Pullman is, “The most dangerous author in Britain.” Pullman is quoted as saying, “Blake once wrote of Milton that he was a true poet, and of the Devil’s party, without knowing it. I am of the Devil’s party, and I know it.”
The movie comes across as a much toned down version of the books and is not intended to offend so that parents will see nothing wrong with it and be more likely to buy the book series for their children. According to snopes.com “The film is based on Northern Lights (released in the U.S. as The Golden Compass), the first offering in Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy of children’s books, a series that follows the adventures of a streetwise girl who travels through multiple worlds populated by witches, armor-plated bears, and sinister ecclesiastical assassins to defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God.” In the Golden Compass, the character Lyra Belacqua has a daemon which is pronounced dee-mon.
I went to the movies website and was astounded to read these words.“In Lyra’s world, a person’s soul lives on the outside of their body, in the form of a daemon- an animal spirit that accompanies them through life. A child’s daemon can change shape assuming all the forms that a child’s potential inspires; but as a person ages, their daemon gradually settles into one form, according to their character and nature. In our world it is possible that people have daemons as well, only they are invisible. If you would like to learn more about your daemon, and create a daemon avatar to take out into the world with you select “Meet you Daemon.”
This brings the current sermon series on Spiritual Warfare from Ephesians 6 into sharp focus!
According to Dr. Ted Baehr, Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE, “Phillip Pullman says that he wrote his fantasy trilogy, HIS DARK MATERIALS, because he was so upset by the Christian evangelism of C. S. Lewis in his series of Christian tales entitled THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Pullman says he wanted to expose the “lie” of the Christian Church and assert his truth of an atheist vision of reality.”
Parents, I would strongly encourage you to avoid taking your children to this movie and, by all means, do not buy these books for your children. Children are easily caught in fascinating tales and can be easily misled. It simply makes no sense, with the abundance of other good and wholesome literature to read materials that are intended to destroy faith, promote the demonic world, and belittle the church.

Pastor Chuck

High Stakes

2008-09-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

November 7, 2007

Last week I shared that the stakes are high but our kids are worth the investment. Why are our kids worth the investment of our lives in passionately pursuing Jesus Christ and serving Him through the life of the local church? One simple answer is that if we do not do it as parents, it likely will not happen. These are serious times and serious times demand serious effort. How serious? Keep reading. The information below about this generation of teenagers is taken from the website teenmania.com It is both alarming and saddening at the same time.

THIS IS A GENERATION IN CRISIS

- 1 out of 11 attempt SUICIDE each year.

- 1 out of 10 fifteen year olds and younger have gone through family divorce in their lifetime.

- 58% have been involved in objectionable content on the web.

- 40% have experimented with SELF-INJURY (are "cutters").

- Use of prescription DRUGS (Ritalin, anti-depressants etc.) by children/teens has increased substantially in the past few years.

THIS IS A GENERATION WITHOUT MORALITY

- By the time the average child graduates from high school, he/she will have watched 19,000 hours of TV including about 200,000 sexual acts and 1 million ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

- 1 in 10 high school females have reported being RAPED at some point in their life.

- Fear of violence in schools is now the leading "worry" of public school teens.

- 48% of high school seniors are SEXUALLY ACTIVE (had sexual intercourse in past 3 months).

THIS IS A GENERATION WITHOUT TRUTH

- 91% say there is NO ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

- 75% of teens in America believe the central message of the Bible is, "God helps those who help themselves".

- 53% believe Jesus committed sin (40% of born again teens believe Jesus committed sin).

As a pastor, may I challenge you to consider this with prayer? Particularly, I would ask you to think about the last three statements related to TRUTH. Shocking, appalling, what adjective would you use? May I commend to your reading a book that can give you solid ground to help your child in those three areas? It is an old book but by no means obsolete. It’s the New Testament book of John. In those 21 chapters you will find the TRUTH about each of those areas.

Pastor Chuck

More on Kids

2008-09-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

October 30, 2007

As a pastor, I am with people in some of life’s greatest times and some of the worst. As far as the “worst times” few compare to the pain of a parent that has a child living in rebellion. I know there are genuine, devoted Christian parents that have led by example, prayed fervently, and loved unconditionally only to have the hurt of a child that walks away from the faith. With that stated, I would yet appeal to parents that perhaps just don’t get it when it comes to assuming responsibility for spiritual leadership in the home. Consider some sobering research from the Barna Group done last November. Their survey revealed that Busters (those born between 1965-1983), who are the parents of today’s teenagers, tend to follow their peer groups when it comes to sexual affairs, pornography, homosexuality, and sexual fantasies. It is my observation that teenagers rarely embrace a Biblical worldview if their parents do not. Teenagers face monumental challenges when it comes to a life of moral purity. Technology alone almost guarantees those challenges. Today’s teenagers are hit from every angle. From the text message they receive, the email they open, the website they go to, the podcast they download, to the evening television show they watch- virtually everything is calculated to work against them. Back to parents- namely, those of you that have young children- start now to share Christ with your children through your words and lifestyle. The research used to say that if you do not reach a child before they are eighteen years old, you have a hard time doing so. That has changed. Today, if you do not reach a child by the age of eleven, you only have a four percent chance of reaching them!What can you do? Work hard and work constantly on having a healthy relationship with your kids. You don’t have to be cool (they don’t want you to be cool) but you do have to spend time with them. Each age is different but if you are willing to spend time and listen now and make them a part of your life now, they will want you to be a part of their life as they grow. In addition, show them by example that Christ, Christian values, the church and serving others are all major priorities in your life. (You can not fool children for long. They know if you are bored with Christianity.) This means that as parents we must have a growing and abiding relationship with Christ. This relationship is one in which we live to honor Him and love that which He loves and do that which He commands. The stakes are high. However, our kids are worth the investment of our best. Next week, I plan to share why this is so.

Pastor Chuck

Count Your Many Blessings

2008-09-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

October 23, 2007

The old gospel hymn exhorts the Christian to “Count your many blessings.” I have many to count. Near the top of that list of blessings would be our children. If riches were determined by where your children are in their relationship with the Lord, I would be a very wealthy man. It is a joy beyond words to watch our children and to see what God is doing in their lives. They are following Christ and are involved in the life of the church. Our two sons are no longer at home. Both live in different states but both are seeking to follow the Lord and serve Him. Our daughter is a beautiful young lady and she too is consistent in her walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. I could not ask for more. Knowing that a number in our church are raising small children I offer just a few words of encouragement to you that long to see your children follow the Lord. In giving you these I in no way think we have done this perfectly or even done it well for that matter. These are just a few simple concepts worth pondering in the years of raising children.

- The Christian faith is not a set of principles that you teach so much as a life that you model before your children.

- Pray with and pray for your children.

-Have fun with your children.

- Listen to them. Really, really listen!

- Admit your mistakes and ask your children to forgive you.

- Any earthly success that takes you away from your children is really not a success.

- You are the best teacher your children will ever have. Teach from your life experiences.

- Excitement about coming to worship services and joyfully singing and attentive listening to the sermon speaks volumes to your child.

Conversely, the opposite does too. Raising children is filled with challenges but the rewards are great. Don’t lose heart. God is working.

Pastor Chuck

Fifty Already?

2008-09-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

October 15, 2007

This weekend I turned 50. Depending on your age that could be old or not old at all. I have heard everything from “It’s just a number” to jokes about AARP cards. Well, first I will say that I did have a very wonderful birthday! We spent some time with our families and that was very special. I did do some reflecting over the past weeks as I knew this date was approaching. I’ll share some from heart about this time in my life. Some are probably obvious and others may be more related to my life.

- Life is fast. As I was thinking about turning 50 I kept asking myself “How did this happen?” How did I get to be 50 so fast?

- I’ve spent too much time concerning myself with things that I have no control over or things that never came about. I hope I can do better at that on the next part of the journey.

- I am an incredibly blest man. I have a wonderful, sweet, and beautiful wife; awesome kids; a great church family and so much more. I have no reason for complaining.

- More years in ministry are likely behind me than are in front of me. I want to be strategic in these days and serve Jesus with a greater passion.

- Life is filled with challenges, hurts, and disappoints but life is still so good. It is a great day to serve the Lord in ministry. I love being a pastor!

Wherever you are on the journey, remember that Jesus paid it all, all to Him we owe. Let us be among those that run the race faithfully and may we be numbered with those that one day hear our Lord Jesus say,“Well done, good and faithful servant…”

Reading

2008-09-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

October 9, 2007

Do you enjoy reading? I do. In fact, I love to read. Recently, I finished reading a book that I would highly recommend. The book is The Forgotten Spurgeon by Ian Murray. If you have heard me preach over any period of time, you have heard me quote Charles Spurgeon. Charles Haddon Spurgeon was the great Baptist pastor in England for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. The book, however, is not a biography of Spurgeon. Rather, it deals with three significant controversies in his ministry. Much of this book deals with the stand he took against the defection from sound doctrine in the churches.
We live in a day much like Spurgeon’s in that today many want to minimize doctrine and magnify the practices of corporate America as standards for the church. This subtle paradigm shift is something we must be very cautious about. Doctrine is not optional. It matters. It is essential.

- The Bible is the inspired Word of God

- Christ is not a way but THE way of salvation

- The cross is not a tragedy but the eternal plan of God to redeem sinners

- Preaching is not a thing of the past; Biblical preaching is needed now more than ever. We do best when we stick to the Word of God and we grow most when we understand and apply Biblical doctrine.

Until Sunday,
Pastor Chuck

Don't Assume

2008-09-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

October 2, 2007

Assumptions can be costly. We have all had the experience of assuming something was taken care of or understood only to discover that our assumption was wrong. Recently, I shared with the church on a Sunday evening something about assumptions that I’d like to pass on to you.
It is very easy to assume that everybody that shows up at church has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or that they know their way around. It might be worth retooling our thinking process on this so that our assumptions don’t prove to be wrong. When you come to church train yourself to think that…

-Everybody doesn’t know Jesus

-Everybody doesn’t feel comfortable.
Smile at people, reach out to them, look for people that you don’t know and initiate a conversation with them. Do not allow shyness to hold you back.

- Everybody doesn’t know what to expect.
For somebody that has not been to church in years, they really don’t know what goes on. Sit with guest. Just look for ways to be helpful.

- Everybody doesn’t have friends here. Include new people in your social events. Include them when you go out to eat after church as a small group.

You can make a difference.
Don’t assume. Instead, understand that it is your responsibility to reach out and to engage people in conversation. It really needs to be an “if it’s to be, it’s up to me” mentality. Be the one.

Until Sunday,
Pastor Chuck

Getting Back

2008-09-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

September 27, 2007

I want to get back to something I shared with you a few weeks back on how to deal with discouragement? So far, I have shared with you a few quotes that have been of great help to me. I have mentioned these so far.

-“Never doubt in the dark what you believed in the light.”

-“A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.”

-“Fear sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunity."

-“There are two quick ways to disaster: Taking nobody’s advice and taking everybody’s advice.”

-"He who never walks except where he sees other men’s tracks will make no discoveries.”

- "The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision.” (Helen Keller)

- "There are no victories at bargain prices.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

To these I would add two others. This was a hard choice because there are several that I really like but here they are:

-“You may fear that the Lord has passed you by, but it is not so. He who counts the stars and calls them by their names is in no danger of forgetting His own children. He knows your case as thoroughly as if you were the only creature He ever made or the only saint He ever loved.” (Charles Spurgeon) - My True Identity

- I have been redeemed. I am forgiven of sin- past, present, and future. I have been crucified with Christ. I am justified. I am complete in Christ.

The quote by Spurgeon means so much to me because I love to read about this great pastor. In the latter years of his life he waged a valiant fight against the departure of the church from her historic roots. He was faithful to the Word of God and pure doctrine. No doubt, he labored under great difficulties. His quote just seems to say to me that in our times of challenge, in those periods when our prayers seem to go unheard, when we feel overwhelmed and forgotten; God knows where we are!
The last quote about our true identity is just a simple but powerful reminder of what Christ has done for us and who we are in Him.

Until Sunday,
Pastor Chuck

Revive Us Again

2008-09-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

September 17, 2007

My heart is rejoicing today over the beginning of our revival on Sunday. What can I say? God did a great work in all of our worship celebrations yesterday. Today, although they may not yet know the old gospel song, seven individuals can say,
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,Since Jesus came into my heart! I have light in my soul,For which long I have sought,Since Jesus came into my heart.Since Jesus came into my heart, Since Jesus came into my heartFloods of joy o'er my soulLike the sea billows roll,Since Jesus came into my heart.Our choir's singing had the touch of God. The guest music evangelists, Joe and Kim Stanley, sang beautiful, Christ honoring, soul stirring music and Len Turner powerfully and clearly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory, great things He has done!Remember, we are having services Monday-Wednesday of this week. Services begin each night at 7:00 PM. I look forward to seeing you. And, finally, may I ask you to pray today for the services this week. Join me in praying that the lost would be saved and the saved would be revived. Pray for specific individuals you know that you long to see come to Christ. Don't give up praying. God still moves.Thank you and know that our family loves you.

Pastor Chuck

Twenty Years

2008-09-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

September 12, 2007

How can we ever say thanks for your kindness shown to our family this past Sunday night! Honoring us as you did for our 20th year at Woolsey Baptist touched our hearts in ways I can not even explain! We will never forget that night and your words of affirmation and the generous gift. Many of you have asked me if I was surprised. Yes, I was surprised. My mind Sunday night was on the DVD series we are showing and on the upcoming revival. I did get a bit suspicious when I saw so many people present. Even though we have been having some really good Sunday night crowds, I knew there were a lot of folks here. Then, when Don Lanier came up and said, "You are not preaching tonight- we have a surprise" I was in for quite a night. I just want you to know that being your pastor is one of the great honors in my life. I love you and I love what I do. You just amazed us with your love and thoughtfulness on Sunday night. The opportunity to take "a trip of a lifetime" is just simply beyond anything we can imagine. God has been so good to us in allowing us to serve in this great church. We love you dear people. All we can say is Thank you and know that from the bottom of our hearts we appreciate all that you did to make us feel so valued on the occasion of 20 years as pastor and family of Woolsey Baptist Church. It is my sense that some of our greatest days of fruitfulness as a church are ahead of us. Let us press on to serve our Lord Jesus Christ together in these days.Thank you and know that our family loves you.

Pastor Chuck

Discouragement

2008-09-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

September 5, 2007

So, how do you deal with discouragement? I shared with you last week that there are a few quotes that have been of great help to me. I mentioned these three."Never doubt in the dark what you believed in the light.""A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.""Fear sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunity."To these, I would like to share a few more that I have gone back to more than once and just found to be sources of encouragement to my life. Here they are.· "There are two quick ways to disaster: Taking nobody's advice and taking everybody's advice."· "He who never walks except where he sees other men's tracks will make no discoveries."· "The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision." (Helen Keller)· "There are no victories at bargain prices." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)I have at least two others that I would like to share with you. They are a bit longer so I will save them. Then, I would like to share with you why these particular quotes mean something to me.By the way, last Sunday was just an incredible day at Woolsey Baptist Church . God has been so good to us. We should offer Him our praise and worship Him from thankful and joyful hearts.

Until Sunday,
Pastor Chuck

Blogging?

2008-09-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

August 30, 2007

Blogging? This is new for me. I have to admit that I am usually a few steps behind most in technology. (I can hear some of you now-"a few steps?") I did some research and found that "blogging" is simply an electronic form of journaling. That cleared it right up for me. No, really it didn't. I know what journaling is but in all honesty it is one of those disciplines that I struggle with. What can you expect to find here? Well, I don't plan to have sermons or lessons outlined for you to read. I will share a lot of different things. I'll talk about what is going on in my life. I will write about lessons God is teaching me. I will talk about books I am reading and what I am learning from them. I will talk about things going on at Woolsey Baptist but will try to stay away from announcements and information you can find elsewhere in the website. I know you don't want to read a long winded blog so the goal will be to be brief. It would bless me greatly to know that you find encouragement in reading these week by week. So, it will hopefully provide a good deal of that. By the way, how do you deal with discouragement? Most of us have it from time to time. Here are a few quotes that I go back to that help me greatly."Never doubt in the dark what you believed in the light." "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.""Fear sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunity."I'll share more next time. I will see you Sunday. Have a great Labor Day.

Until Sunday,
Pastor Chuck