Competition

Since I am a pastor then I am qualified to question my profession, motives, and perspectives.  We are a peculiar bunch…watch the reactions from the people in our church! Every Christ follower has his or her own set of doctrines, beliefs, and interpretations of Scripture.  Often, the more study we give to the Bible makes us more grounded in those beliefs.  But why do they have to divide us? 

We classify our doctrines as “right and wrong” instead of “my understanding of God’s Word.”  Now be careful, stray from the Word of God and you will lose the presence of God!  I’m not talking about the major tenets of our faith, just the minor stuff that God isn’t really clear on!  Sometimes we even wish negative things upon those who are not in our own “camp” and confess the same doctrines we do!  I don’t understand it…does that thought come from the pews or the pulpit?  To make matters worse, the more God blesses a place the more we tend to be critical of them. 

Just for the record, Chris Hodges and Church of the Highlands were recently named the fastest growing church in America…Go God!!!  I am pumped that Chris answered God’s call to start Highlands and, as always, God is blessing their socks off!  I’m sure we have differences but we have the same Jesus! 

May God continue to bless and anoint their efforts.  By the way…God bless Crosspoint, North Park, First Methodist, Holy Infant of Prague, North Point, Willow Creek, Saddleback (you get the point) and God anoint First Baptist Church of Trussville too…that pastor needs your help!!!!

Reasons Not to Go to Church!

What a difference a week makes! The “Blizzard of 09” was replaced by a spring day that made it hard to be inside! I guess on any given Sunday it is hard to be in church. Here is what I hear as it relates to church attendance:

“I live on a hill and wasn’t sure I could get home with all the snow.”
“I live in a valley and wasn’t sure I could get home.”

And then this time of year I am bombarded with things such as:

“It was such a rainy day.”
“My son/daughter plays travel ball (or cheerleading) and we were out of town.”
“I am leaving town on business.”
“We have family in town.”
“We are going out of town to see family.”
“The time change caught me off guard and I wasn’t able to get up.”
“I was out of town for Mother’s Day/Father’s Day.”
“It is spring break and we will be out of town.”
“I will be at a sporting event…like the SEC tournament.”
“I needed a few days away.”

The list could go on and on. All of these are good things; but, for many, one Sunday leads to another and before long we lose the perspective of being in God’s house on the Sabbath. Isn’t it amazing that anyone comes to church? I’m glad God shows up…every minute of every day! If you did not make it to church this Sunday, you missed a blessing but this Sunday is coming! Will you be there?

Snow on Sunday!

Why does it have to snow on Sunday morning? Man, it is pretty but what’s up with Sunday? Could James Spann tell us how many times it happens on Saturday night or Sunday morning when snow does come to the Birmingham area? You have services when you should have canceled them and you cancel services when you could have had them. It just messes up things and you really don’t ever recover! Check out our budget giving this past Sunday when it comes in! But don’t you like snow? I know most of you do because you stayed home to enjoy it! For southern folks it is so pretty…then it is gone just as fast as it came.

I’m glad God cleans us up just like a blanket of snow! Whiter than snow! What a great benefit of knowing a great God. Now we should go and do likewise. Just cover others up with the grace, love and presence of God. Snow! I wish it would have snowed a foot…just not on Sunday morning!

Our Journey Begins

Blog…until a few years ago we had never even heard of one!  Now it has become a great tool for communication, learning and visioning among various groups.  Many of us have favorite blogs we like to read and they shape our approaches to many areas of life.  If you spend time in negative critical blogs…yep that will be how you approach your life!  It seems like there is a neat verse about that…”bad company corrupts good character.” 

This week we have started a new journey in the life of First Baptist Church of Trussville.  Sure a journey of a blog but more importantly a journey of faith and obedience.  The decision in this time of uncertainty to be certain about God’s direction will be blessed by Him for years to come!  Generations will reap the spiritual benefits of this generations step of courage.  More importantly, the world will see a united fellowship and know that Jesus really is the Son of God (John 17).  The presence of unity in the church can not be explained or denied by anyone!  It’s just God. 

We begin a journey this week.  Our next steps in this journey will cause us to adjust our personal lives so that the journey can continue.  Begin now to pray about what God wants you to do and we will ride the wave of His blessings in the months ahead!

Extreme Series Finale

Yesterday we wrapped up the “Extreme” series here at FBC Trussville in a historic way. Our church voted to move forward with the Building Master Plan!

I sense there is great anticipation and expectation among our church family for all that God is doing. Yeah God!

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. It is going to be an amazing journey together.