It's Official! - Da Minista is coming to Da M-Town

Our friend Walt Hill was able to book Christian Hip Hop artist Da Minista to come lead an outreach event at the Playground for Jesus at Wesley House. Start praying for this now!

Wild Game Supper Driving Directions per Elizabeth Morgan

1. Take HWY 45 North from Meridian to Lauderdale (about 12 miles).

2. Go past Lauderdale turnoff (about 1.4 miles).

3. Take right off of HWY 45 at crossover and take immediate left onto Old HWY 45.

4. Go north on Old HWY (about 1.1 mile) take left at paved driveway located between 2 houses.

5. Go 1 mile down driveway to camphouse.

NOTE: We will tie ballons at critical turns to help you out. There is also a map you can pick up in the Welcome Center.

Big Ole Challenges

Here is the sermon from Sunday. I pray that it's useful.
#vString=13194,100000616,717

Big Ole Challenges

We all face big ole challenges. I've discoverd a biblical pattern for meeting them that is very useful. This Sunday we will look at Mark 6:30-45 and see this pattern at work in the lives of the apostles.

Here is the pattern: Talk to God > Listen to God > Give to God > Watch God Work = Meeting Big Ole Challenges.

Check back in the middle of the week for a link to the message. Have a great weekend!

My Guiding Quote for 2010

"Hey guys, it's our time." Mikey Walsh

A Thousand Ways to Jesus

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10 KJV

I have been lingering over the Christmas story for a week or so now. I cherish the time between Christmas and New Years because its rhythm gives me some needed time to read and reflect. This year I have come to freshly appreciate an important truth about the gospel. The good news is simultaneously narrow and wide. The Christmas story reminds us of this because all the seekers were looking for “the Lord.” You also get the point that he was intended for “all people.” Jesus was particular. He was born in a specific time and place and there was only one of him. There is a “the” connected to him and believers have affirmed this stubbornly. This is one for chief beefs people have with our message. In addition to the “the” Jesus is closely associated with “all.” His birth became the concern of poor Jews and rich pagans alike. He was one for many. The Christmas story is clear on this.

This principle was further affirmed for me as I read Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson’s, The Externally Focused Church. We are going to use some of their recourses later in the year and I appreciate their work. Here is a quote from the book, “There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus. But there are a thousand ways to Jesus.” We need to be stubborn and preach the onlyness of Jesus and we must be equally committed to offering his healing deeds and saving words to all. God is at work through FBC Meridian. He’s expanding our vision. We must walk through the doors of service opened to us and recognize that people come to Christ in a thousand different ways. As 2010 begins we need to ask ourselves:

What is God doing?
How can I join him?
What does God want to do?
How do we get started?

"Hey guys it's our time!"

Learning How to Fish

I love this photo. It's a picture of my grandmother teaching my son how to fish. I like it because I deeply love both of those wonderful people and because it reminds my of my calling as a Christian minister. Ephesians 4:12 reminds the church that God gave pastors, "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service." We are called to teach, prompt, and support God's people in the work of the Kingdom. Sometimes you wonder if you are doing any good. I was reminded this morning that remaining faithful to this calling results in God honoring service.

Turning on the radio for my drive to work I heard one of our church members talking about a community ministry that he is leading. He spoke with passion about how God has been at work in his life. He mentioned other young leaders in our church and how God was working in them as well. He spoke of "pew power" and challenged other churches in our community to get outside. He said that he has experienced God in amazing ways as he entered the community to serve in the name of Jesus. I was blown away. His testimony was really about a conversion experience. He said for ten years it was all about coming to church and learning. Serving has changed his life. He sounded like a Deep South Darrell Guder. It was awesome.

Over two years ago we decided to pour missional theology into the church. We were very intentional about this. We taught and taught and then we acted. We canceled Sunday evening services in the Summer and challenged SS classes to serve the community. New ministries have been born and people have been renewed. I have a new confidence in the pastoral calling. If we will devote ourselves to empowering and supporting the pew God will do beautiful and surprising things.

We will celebrate Christmas in two days. We need to thank God for what he and did and ask God what he is doing. Now is the time to join in. Let's teach fishing, learn fishing and by all means fish.

"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19