Just Some Animal Pictures 4 Fun

A grouper and his "groupies."

"No worries, mates..."

 

They spit AND rip people's heads off.

In case you are wondering, this is a wombat.

And this is an upside down bullmastiff.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(1 Th 5:18)  "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Having a Bad Day?

Having a bad day? The Bible speaks of dark days, evil days and days of adversity. Life is not always sunshine and daffodils. Sometimes you just have to get through the day, the week, the month, or the year. Remember that David spent 7 years in hiding in the wilderness while being hunted by Saul. Joseph spent 13 years as either a slave or a prisoner, while "the word of God tried him." Daniel had to spend the night in the den of lions. Paul had to get through more than one long week in a dark prison cell. Our Lord went through Gethsemene to an old rugged cross. When bad days come, we are told to "consider." (Eccl 7:14)  "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him." Remember the days of joy; be thankful for your many blessings. Consider that there is a balance to life: days of prosperity are matched by days of adversity.

At least I have never had days like these:

Productive Weekend

Praise the Lord for another week of service. Yesterday after soulwinning, we loaded up good o'l Bus 1 (24 years old and counting) and starting picking up teenagers to take to a Youth Rally. Some of the kids couldn't go this time, but we ended up taking a total of 25 people to Haltom City. After navigating through traffic, taking a short cut into more traffic, then getting turned around and taking a wrong turn, we ended up at Lakeland Street Baptist Church. The Rally was very good and our kids had a great time. We even had a new kid go, Caesar, from my bus route. The drive home was fun with more traffic in Dallas and then missing the turn to go home. But we all arrived safely home and back at the church by 9:30 pm.

Josh preaching. Let 'er rip!

The Rallys feature a segment called "Young Timothys" in which preacherboys have an opportunity to preach to each other and a few adults who give them some pointers and tips. They then pick 2 of the guys to preach in the rally. Last time, Josh Barzon was picked, and he preached yesterday at the Rally to about 190 people. He did a great job. Because of that, I let him preach for me tonight (10 minutes) as well.

Alyssa and Gabby won the marshmallow eating contest. We never win any of the spiritual events, just food games.

It has been interesting to watch the Youth Department grow numerically and as a group. The first rally everyone kind of sat by themselves or with a good friend and it was real quiet. Last time, they were talking and cutting up some. Yesterday, it was a full-blown party on the bus  on the ride home. Everyone seemed to be having a great time together.

Sword drills! Doesn't Kaston (far right) look enthused?

Services were good today with 111 in Sunday School and a new family visiting with us as they prayerfully seek a church home. God is so good to us; better than any of us deserve.

Bible quiz team.

Pastor Seeking Church

Today I received a letter which made me laugh, though it was not intended to be funny. A pastor from up north sent a letter stating that he has recently resigned his church and is looking for a full-time opportunity as a pastor. After a page and a half of describing his entire five years of ministry without any Bible college training, and the fact that he and his wife are both on their second marriages, and his desire for a church with a full-time salary, he wrote this paragraph which made me smile:

"Goals - To pastor a flock of knowledgeable, born again believers, that believe the KJB is perfect, and that love soul winning... that attend church on a regular basis, that support their pastor and his wife and love one another and the souls of the lost, that pray often, that read and study their Bible and want to learn more about it; people that aren't always bickering and fighting and back biting one another and the pastor and his wife...

"If you know of a Church that my wife and I could be a help to, please call me at..."

Brother, if there is a church like that, I don't think they need any help!

So, if anyone knows a church like the one described that is also looking for a pastor, let me know - I want to apply!

Trials Reveal Our Character

The "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, said, "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of." Henry Fielder said, "Adversity is the trial of principle." Robert Freeman wrote, "Character is not made in the crisis; it is only exhibited."

In the Wilderness Wanderings of Israel, God "proved" them many times: at the waters of Marah (Ex. 15:25); concerning manna (Ex. 16:4); and at the waters of Meribah (Ps. 81:7). He proved them at Kadesh-barnea (Num. 13-14). The Exodus generation kept failing their tests. So, as the song says, they kept taking laps around Mount Sinai until they learned their lessons.

After that generation had died off, Moses told the new generation why they had wandered for forty years:  

(Deu 8:2-3)  "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. {3} And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."

I have seen some Christians go through severe trials; and they have come out as refined gold. My respect for them increased greatly. They won greater respect from others and greater leadership resulted. They came out improved. I have seen others go through trials with far different outcomes. Serious, serious flaws were seen. Decisions with long-lasting consequences were poorly made. Lines were crossed that cannot be easily recrossed. Bridges were burned, trust was wounded or destroyed, and harmful things happened.  They did not come out humbled and ready for greater responsibilities or leadership opportunities. Why? Because of the trial? No - because of the character revealed in the trial.

I have not always done as well as I should have in my own trials; this is where honest self-evaluation must take the place of excuses. If I want to be used of God, I need to learn my lessons and not continue repeating my mistakes.

My father's last tour in the Navy was on the USS Roosevelt, a brand new nuclear aircraft carrier. The picture at the top shows the Roosevelt going through "shock trials." These trials took place in the bay and were designed to test the ship's sea-readiness. If there were flaws, the ship would have to return to be repaired. If everything was "ship shape," the ship would be ready for deployment. I have this picture hanging in my office as a reminder of this truth.  The picture to the right was the day that TR was commissioned. It was declared ready for the seven seas and for any battles it might have to face. Only then could it fulfill its purpose in serving our country.

James referred to these trials in our lives (Js. 1:1-4). Let us strive to get through our trials so that we are ready for greater service, as vessels unto honor, meet for the Master's use.

Is There A Time to Move On in the Ministry?

I believe strongly that long-term ministries led by faithful, strong, and growing men of God are the most productive over time. It has always been my goal to spend the majority of my ministry in one church. In Bible College, the mantra of "don't quit" was rightly drilled into my soul. I hate quitting. I believe in overcoming.  A lot of people have been disillusioned and hurt by short-term hireling preachers who hop around every three years, climbing the "ministry ladder." And a lot of folks just run from their problems.

Let me say quickly, to the joy of some and the disappointment of others, that I have no intention of leaving the Lighthouse Baptist Church except in a pine box or at the Rapture. However, I must always remember that I am in the Lord's army - if He chooses to redeploy me, I'll have to go.

I believe that there are times when God's full-time servants will be directed to leave for other fields of service. A missionary friend of mine reminded me of this recently. My own pastor served as a pastor, then an assistant pastor, then a pastor again in Louisiana, then as an evangelist for 10 years, and then a pastor again in Texas. One of my heroes, Dr. Jack Hyles, pastored five different churches - four in Texas and the last in Hammond, Indiana.

A good friend of mine recently resigned his pastorate and became an assistant pastor in another State. Was he a quitter? No, not at all. This man has no quit in him. The fact is that the little town he lived in would not accept him or his family, and his family was suffering for it. I believe that this man, proven faithful over many years, was led of God.

Is there a time when God takes the man of God out of a town, and tells him to shake the dust off his feet and move on?Apparently so, for the Lord told His disciples: (Mat 10:14-15)  "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. {15} Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

There are probably many good, faithful, godly men who are perhaps wasting away in cities that are not going to receive God's Word. Perhaps God could use them greatly in other areas. Perhaps they would follow the will of God more easily if those of us in the ministry would not brand them as quitters or losers for doing so. This often happens to young church planters whose first works do not "make it" (3 out of 4 do not) Because of that, many are out of the ministry when they could have been used elsewhere.

Paul preached in Athens, and had a few converts there; but no church was started in that city. Paul did not quit, nor was he counted a failure. He went down the road and started the church of Corinth and then the great church of Ephesus. Athens rejected Paul's ministry, but God did not. He used him greatly down the road.

I am not writing this to encourage quitting, but rather to encourage that we follow the Lord's leadership personally and that we forbear judging each other when it really could be God's will to turn in a resignation, shake the dust off our feet, and move on down the road. I will hasten to say that before anyone does so, they should spend much time in prayer, search their hearts and motives, and seek much wise pastoral counsel (not just from your pity-party partners). Never make a decision in discouragement. And never leave unless you have someplace to go.

Israel Dedicates 911 Memorial in Jerusalem

U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham and Defense and Air Attache Colonel Richard Burgess took part in the dedication ceremony for a JNF-sponsored September 11 monument and Living Memorial at the entrance to Jerusalem (in the surrounding forest) on Thursday, November 12, 2009.

I wish that our current Administration was as dedicated to Israeli interests as they seem to be to ours.

WHEREVER I STAND,

Just 4 Fun

Not something you usually see at a garage sale. Makes you wonder.

And you thought fly balls were dangerous.

Why immigration agents have to keep a close watch on the border.

Allah hackahairball! Allah hackahairball!

Another Rachel/Leah episode waiting to happen.

"Smile wife number three!"

When John Wayne found Osama.

One of our own teens. You're only a child twice.

Praise the Lord

Today was one of those run-of-the-mill days at church in which we can easily overlook God's blessings. Too often, we in the ministry are looking for the spectacular and get discouraged. We didn't have anyone saved today, but that doesn't take away from the fact that folks came to church, the Bible was opened and taught, the buses ran, people served the Lord, offerings were given, prayers were made, and fellowship enjoyed. Our attendance was down from last week but we did stay over 100 with 107 in church. We did have one family revisit, which was a blessing.

Preacher's Kids Conference 2009

We just got back from Gainesville, Texas, where our family attended the annual Preacher's Kids Conference at the Crossroads Baptist Church. Dr. Garry Way and his wife have hosted this conference for the last ten years. This is the second year that they have had it in their beautiful new facility. The name of the conference is a little misleading; when I first heard about it I thought that it was just for the children of those in full-time ministry. After attending, I realized that it is actually for the parents most of all, although they did have some good break-off sessions for teenagers. The theme was "Games People Play."

Dr. Way is a pastor's son, and has known thousands of preachers in his lifetime. He knows how hard it can be to raise your children when you are in the ministry; also how hard it can be to be the preacher's kids. Too many preachers are losing their families trying to build the biggest works. I like to think about how Noah managed to build his ark for God AND got all of his kids on board. That is my desire.

It was a very good Conference. I believe they had well over 250 in attendance. The place was full. Crossroads Baptist Church is a real blessing. They provided this Conference 100% free of charge. They even paid for the hotel rooms of visiting pastors, missionaries, staff members, etc. Not to mention two HUGE meals. I can't even imagine the cost - and it was all for others. The church members didn't even get to sit in. I sure appreciate their giving spirit and hospitality. They even took care of our kids the whole time. What a blessing.

I was glad to take my youth pastor and his family. I believe that the Abshers had a great time. The ministry is no place for out-of-order homes. The Bible is clear that if a man cannot keep order in his own house he has no business over the house of God. Thanks Bro. and Mrs. Way for a great and encouraging meeting!

World's Greatest Grandma

Not everyone is blessed with great parents who also make great grandparents. When I was a kid, my two sets of grandparents lived a thousand miles away. When I was 14, we moved next door to my paternal grandparents. The time I spent with my Grandpa fishing or working in the orchard was a blessing.

I am thankful that my parents live only 2 hours away, and my children have had the opportunity to spend much time with them. I am also thankful that my parents are still together after 40 years, still in love, and still in church! How often do you find those three things? Not often enough.

My Mom is a little crazy, as the picture below reveals. But raising me probably pushed her over the edge. She talks to her cross-dressing dog about doga (inside joke). She's had a lot of hardships in her life, but she is joyful and happy in the Lord.

I personally don't know any grandmas who enjoy spending so much time with their grandkids or who try harder to have good, creative fun with them.

Two Italian raviolis in a bowl, my mom and her mom, Grandma Rose. Going to some sort of red hat organization. Is that related to the Freemasons?