Hey Gang,

The other day I wrote a blog about our opposition.  God gave me another thought and I thought I would give it to you.  Hope it helps! When we are in the midst of the battle what are we supposed to do?  It says in the book of Hebrews to “fix your eyes on Jesus.”  The key to winning the war is your focus.  This is a recurrent theme for me and I hope for you.  We are to stay riveted on Jesus and His throne. If we stay fixed on the circumstances we will be like Peter -  out of the boat walking on the water and sink.

Didn’t the Psalmist say, “Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death You are with me?”  We live in a world of shadows, the real reality is in the spiritual world.  The things that will last are the things that God does.  So in the midst of the war the enemy wants your eyes off the Victor and on the “victim.”  We are not victims but “more than conquerors.”  Jesus won the victory when He walked out of death and the grave.  Focus on the finish! Keep your eyes on the throne and the glory of God and know we have WON!

See ya at the celebration!

Love ya,

Pastor

Hey Gang,

It was a weekend of Michael Jackson media.  You could not turn the T.V. or radio on without hearing tributes to him.  The “King of Pop.”  I listened to many of the stories just like you.  Two things hit me like a ton of bricks.

One, is how two-faced the media really is.  It was just months ago that the media made Jackson out to be a monster child molester.  They staked out his home and the court room.  Now Jackson is a hero and will be sorely missed.  Do we have a memory? How dumb do they think we are.  I guess they can do whatever they want and we will keep watching and listening.  How sad!

The second thought I had was even more heartbreaking.  Where did M.J. go?  We know he  left here and now he is in eternity. The Bible is clear that  there is one way to heaven.  I do not care what the culture says, the Scripture leaves no wiggle-room – One Way!   Jesus said in John’s gospel, “that unless a person is born again he or she will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Call it intolerant, bigoted, narrow-minded, or anything else you choose, Christ was very clear and specific.  Why would God waffle on the most important issue on this side of heaven. That is how to get to heaven. He didn’t leave us clueless or to wonder. He spelled it out in Scripture.

So what do you think?  Where did M.J. go?  I don’t know. I have a guess, but it makes me want to get even more serious about sharing with people before it is too late.

Love ya,

Pastor

Hey Gang,

Last week I shared with you a great book I read on the cruise, “Under the Overpass.” I read some other great books while Michele and I were gone. One was Servolution by Dino Rizzo.  He is the Pastor of Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge.  What a book.  That Church has a heart for serving the poor and all in need.  I was deeply moved.

When I was saved in 1982 most Evangelical Churches did not do “Serving” ministry.  It was a hold over from the  “Liberal conservative” differential.  It started in the 1950’s where quote, liberal Churches started feeding the poor and  left out the gospel.  At the same time conservative Churches gave out the gospel and left out serving the poor.  It was as if each one of the two groups took part of the gospel and left the other to do the other side.  How sad!  How can you have one without the other?

After 25 years in the ministry and studying the Scriptures I finally saw the gross error.  One group left out the heart while the other left out the Word.  Both are required to fulfill God’s great commission and command.  I believe in our day we have a chance to rectify the heinous error and do both.  Serve and Share like our Lord.  If we are Christ followers and He did both shouldn’t we do as He did?  So simple, how could we miss it for so long? Satan is very subtle and sly, we must wake up and fulfill the Word of God in our generation.

I am ready to do my part, are you? What do you think?

love ya

Pastor

Hey gang,

I am convinced that we are better together! It is also clear that us being together is the perfect will of our Lord.  Years ago I heard Tony Evans tell a story I would like to relate to you.  There was a security guard at the insane asylum whose job it was to guard the gate during the time the patients were outside.  Every day he would stand his post while 500 emotionally disturbed patients walked the grounds.  Daily a neighbor would pass by and watch the guard stand at his post. One day the passer-by stopped and started up a conversation.  “I watch you here at the gate without a gun and guarding against the escape of the patients.  Aren’t you afraid? The patients could get together and overpower you and escape.” “No way I never worry, crazy people never get together.”

Are we Christ followers crazy? We never get together!  We need to wake up and see the big picture of the redemption of our generation.  Jesus has called and commissioned each of us to get involved with the building of His Kingdom.
Are you in?  Faith and sacrifice are daily requirements to make a difference in this Godless culture.

Together We Can Make a Difference!  God is building networks and partnerships for the express reason to reach people without Christ. I have been amazed at the relationships that I have been able to make recently.  These new relationships all want to build leaders to impact the Kingdom.   We are not to be building our empire but His Kingdom.

Are you in?  Let’s get together

love ya,

Pastor

Hey gang.,

Most of you who read this blog have a heart for God and His Kingdom.  We all really want to make a difference. The more you press into the enemy’s camp to take souls and set the captives free the more opposition you will encounter. Sometimes the opposition is not easy.  We expect opposition from hell and it’s inhabitants but we don’t expect to face it from our own family and friends.  I must tell you that after 25 years in ministry my scars, pain, and problems have come from inside the Church and not outside.

I have been attacked by church members, staff, and their families.  This is something I was not taught in seminary.  Actually it is just a small fraction of the stuff I didn’t learn in seminary.  When I became the Pastor of a Church I was not prepared for the onslaught of heat from the Church. I could give you many of the reasons why people have gotten mad at me, but that it a subject for another blog.  The reason for this blog is that no matter what opposition you face you must go on.  Jesus deserves that we go down swinging for Him just as He did for us.  Never give up!

It is amazing that we train to face the Devil and it is in our family we take the greatest heat.  Please “Stay on the alert, the Devil is a roaming lion seeking whom he may devour.”  Later this year we are planning a series on spiritual warfare. Please know that we all face opposition and you are not alone in the fight.  Jesus has already faced it, and won.  We serve the Winner.  He walked out of the grave.

Together we can make a difference for Jesus and His Kingdom, if we “do not grow weary in well doing.”  Remember Jesus is praying for you right now and you are being cheered on by “such a great cloud of witnesses.”  Hang in there no matter the opposition and you will receive a crown when you get to heaven. You can also make a big difference here before you get there.

love ya

Pastor

Hey Gang,

I am blown away at how good God is to so many of us.  Today our Ex. Pastor Josh Whitehead came into my office with a letter he had just received.  It stated that we were on the list of the “Top 100 fastest growing Churches in America” again. I was floored and thought there must be some mistake.  Wow, we know at least somewhat of how good God is and yet we still are shocked when He shows up. Just like the disciples praying for Peter’s release from prison and then shocked he was at the door.

By now we should never be shocked at the blessings and miracles of our heavenly Father.  He is so good to us, I know He is to me. Sometimes I feel like I’m His favorite. Do you ever feel that way? I feel like His blessings are overtaking me and our Church. I watch weekly as God shows up and changes and challenges thousands.  He is growing a great Church and I believe we will rock Knoxville and the world. Are you ready for God to do some great  things?  I am, and I believe He is doing it right now. I believe He wants to use you in His great plans.

I give God all the glory and credit for how Faith Promise is growing and seeing people set free to do His will and build His Kingdom. I stand amazed that I get to be a part of all He is doing.

Be blessed.

Love, Pastor

Hey Gang,

This Sunday is Father’s Day and for so many it is a bummer.  We never celebrate it like we do Mother’s Day, even if we have a great dad. We are living in a day where we are close, if not over the  line on the “curse of fatherlessness.”  You can check it out in Mal. Chapter 4, last 2 verses. It is a scary thing.

Why did God choose to reveal Himself as our Heavenly Father when He knew earthly fathers would blow it so badly? Every revelation we have of God, He gave us. He let us look at Him as Father.  He was the one that designed and developed the concept of dad.  What a wonderful idea.  I wonder how God came up with it? Maybe He looked in the mirror. It took many years of biblical history for Him to show us this side of Himself.

Just because some dads have blown it does not mean God is not good and very close. Regardless of your experience with an earthly father, if you had one, God is better.

Take it from one whose experience with earthly dads was less than stellar. Remember, I was physically and sexually abused as a kid. I have a wonderful relationship with my Heavenly Father. Daily I climb up into His lap and feel His arms pull me in and  protect me.  He loves me and He blesses me. What a God!

Today, no matter how horrible or wonderful your earthly dad is, or was, climb up into the lap of the Heavenly Father and experience real love and acceptance. One day we will be with Him forever in heaven and I, for one, can’t wait.

Happy Father’s Day!

Love ya,

Pastor

Hey Gang,

In 25 years of ministry of I have watched a lot of people bail. I have seen pastors, staff and members bail. They give many reasons for dropping out on God,  burnout being high on the list. How can you provide leadership that lasts. We all know bad stuff happens, so what are we supposed to do? “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”   (Phil. 4:8)

It really is all about your focus!  It is our nature to stay focused to the negative and not look where God said to look.  The church can easily be a bummer and many of the people critical and negative.  Got to tell you, this still is shocking for me. This is where we are.  If you want to provide leadership that lasts you must stay tuned to positive faith-building stuff.

1. Is God still on the throne?

2 Does He still own the future?

3. Is He still in charge?

4. Does He still love you and work all things out for good?

5. Is the Bible still true?

We know the answer is YES!  Then keep stoking the fire. God said, “For a lack of  wood the fire goes out.”  Let’s pile some wood on the fire to keep it going and yes, God can still light a fire with wet wood!  Allow Him to fire you up and start a revival in your heart.  Take a walk. Open up your Bible. Call out to the Lord. Spend some time in silence and solitude. Go for a prayer retreat.  Throw some wood on the fire in your heart and let the Holy Spirit turn you into a  bonfire fire for Jesus.

Be blessed and look up for that is where your help will come from.

Love ya,

Pastor

P.S. Ann Jackson’s book, “Mad Church Disease“, could be of great help. I loved it.

Hey Gang,

Watch the news, listen to talk radio, or just listen to people complain. It is all around us. I am as guilty as the next person. The question of the day is: do we believe our theology? Do we believe “God is” all knowing, all powerful, all present, and all good? If we do then we would chill out some.  We would trust God and do our best to serve and follow Him.

Yesterday I finished Esther in my quiet time. I was overwhelmed at the horrible circumstances the Jews were facing and yet God had put all the people in place to take care of the problem. It was miraculous. Mordecai and Esther had an opportunity, they took it and God moved to save the Jewish race. Pretty amazing; but isn’t God amazing? Can we move to present times and trust God?

I believe the Lord has placed the Church here “for such a time as this.” God knew we would be here and facing the problems we are facing. He wants us to make a difference. He wants us to get involved with the problems our friends and family are facing. Do we care? Do we believe God is sovereign? Do you believe God can use YOU? I do, and I believe He put you here for right now!  What is your part to play in righting the circumstances we face? I challenge you to read Esther (it is a short book) and watch how God moves in circumstances.  He is here and He cares! 

I love ya, it’s just a thought!

Pastor

Hey Gang,

Last night I spent a few hours in the housing project called Western Heights.  As I drove in I saw kids playing and people talking out in their yards; it all looked pretty normal.  But you don’t have to dig very deep to see the problems.  The households in the project are almost all “woman head of house.”  The school three blocks away is 100% free and reduced lunch.  The problems seem to glare out at you after a while almost asking, “Do you care, will you help, what will you do about it?”

After the meeting of the “minds” was over I was able to go home to my beautiful home and protection. Just having come home from a two-week cruise in Europe did not make it any easier. DO I CARE?  WHAT WILL I DO? HOW WILL I LEAD FAITH PROMISE CHURCH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?  These questions and more roll around in my brain. What does Jesus want us to do? With over 400 compassion commands in the Bible, clearly He wants us to do something.

Today the answer seems to be money and government. I do not believe they can solve the problems I see. Only God and His people can make a difference – that is, if we care. I grew up in the projects and for years I did not want to go back. I believe God is calling us to do something. I am willing to do my part, are you with me?

Love ya,

Pastor