Wow... it's been too long

I can't believe it's been over four months since my last blog! I don't know if anyone still reads this thing, but I promise to do better.

I'm very excited about what the Lord is doing in our church right now. We will be having a very busy and active summer, which is just around the corner. In just a few weeks, our youth will be attending summer camp in Florida. After they get back, me and Mandy will be attending the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando. Then, in July, we'll be having Vacation Bible School. I'm looking forward to how the Lord will work through these events and activities and pray for His blessings.

Remember to pray for one another to offer support and encouragement when possible. The Lord has given us these relationships as a gift and blessing, and we should all be careful not to waste them!

Glory to Jesus and His grace to you,
Michael

Sermon of the Week...

New Addition: Sermon of the Week

I'm going to start adding a new feature to this blog... The Sermon of the Week. I will post videos of sermons from the Word of God from some of America's best pastors. I encourage you to check back each Wednesday for a new sermon to watch. This week's sermon is by Jim Cymbala of The Brooklyn Tabernacle. Bro. Jim is also the author of the book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire," as well as other best-selling books on the Christian faith. I'd love to hear what you think about this sermon after you've watched it. It is a very powerful message of what happens when the people of God truly pray...

Jesus is the reason...

It almost seems cliche now to say "Jesus is the Reason for the Season," but it doesn't change the truth of the statement at all. During a day and time when people are afraid to say "Merry Christmas," and our wise Governor decides to have a "Holiday Tree" in Frankfort because its more politically correct, it's certainly worth reminding anyone and everyone that Jesus is still the reason we celebrate at Christmastime.

Last night, I took Brandon and Chad with some friends and we went to see "One Special Night in Bethlehem," an outdoor drama of the nativity scene at New Hope Church in McCracken County. It was so moving to see Bethlehem re-created and to see the young couple and the baby in the stable. As I stared at the little baby, knowing the One he represented, joy was in my heart and a lump was in my throat. How far have we really come since that first Christmas? Bethlehem was a buzz with the census, and the inns were booked because of all the visitors. Poor Joseph and Mary were forced to stay in a barn and Jesus was born next to farm animals while the rest of the city bustled with excitement for other things.

Here in America, we're all preparing for Santa, and gift giving and celebrations of food and family. However, are we leaving Jesus out of it all? Is He on the outside of our hearts because there's no room for Him inside, just as there was no room for Him in the Inn?

This Christmas, open your hearts to the joy of Jesus Christ, and make Him your most prized gift. His grace is the one thing you won't have to worry about not fitting, breaking too soon, or going out of style. Embrace the true gift of grace this Christmas and share it with others.

Yes, we all need to be reminded the true reason for the season. Jesus.

Carpe Diem!

For most of us, Mondays are typically not much fun. We have to go back to work, or school, and on to another week of responsibilities. But Mondays don't have to be all bad. Think of it as a new beginning... a clean slate to do everything we put off from the week before. Let us not put off what we know God would have us to do this week! Carpe diem... sieze the day!

Ephesians 5:15-16 says... "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."

A fool lives with no thought of today or tomorrow, but the wise make the most of every opportunity! Let us live like those wise in God's Word, and not the worldly fools of these evil days.

Sieze this day.

Stealing kisses...

If your desk is like mine, its full of numbers to call, email addresses to contact, and books to read and study. Meanwhile, the kids are in the next room, their sweet voices (even at maximum volume) serving as a reminder that sometimes, those things can wait a bit longer. But for how long? There's baths to give, mouths to feed, soccer games to coach, and when time permits, lightning bugs to catch and kisses to steal. But these things, unlike the other everyday tasks, are open for a limited time only. This weekend, as we prepare to trick or treat and spend time with family and friends, I'm vowing to make my wife and children priority #1 with my time. What a treasure provided to me by my gracious God... an open ended gift that can be taken when the Lord calls or as time marches on.

Today, I will steal kisses. Tomorrow, the rest... if time permits.

His grace is enough...

Just a quick reminder to everyone out there (and the man in the mirror), His grace is enough. May we focus on that more than we do our own sinfulness and pain. Of course life is hard, and pain is often overwhelming, but that is why God sent Jesus to the cross. Jesus not only died in our place, but also provided a path to the very throne room of God. By His grace we are forgiven and saved and are taken care of by a gracious and loving Father.

1 Peter 5:7 reminds us of this truth. "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."

Amen.