Molly kissing Wes under the weeping cherry tree.

"You say cheese."

Jay Walking

I preached a revival in Jay, Florida earlier this year. During the meeting Pastor Will Rushing announced a community outreach event that he wanted to do in the community. The church left the building last Saturday and touched the community with the love of Christ. Way to go Will and Jay FBC!

Donkey Theology

I remember last Palm Sunday like it was yesterday. We all stood in the sanctuary of the Truitt Memorial Baptist Church and waved our branches. We sang and did all the things Chrisitians do on Palm Sunday. I preached the story from Matthew's gospel. I got to 21:6 and the words jumped off the page and hit me between the eyes, The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. I talked about those nameless disciples and the powerful example they set. The message sank in deep. We even had some t-shirts printed.

The disciples did what Jesus told them to do. I have come to call this donkey theology. The measure of our discipleship is seen in our simple obedience to the directions of Jesus. Maybe we should just listen to his mother, Do whatever he tells you. John 2:5b TNIV

Have a great Palm Sunday!

Groovy takes his first steps!

Living Like a Hippo

A group of us met a Ben's house last night for a bible study. We talked about Genesis 3 and played a couple rounds of Hungry Hungry Hippos. The principle problem in the Garden of Eden was taking. Grasping is still the big problem with the world. Many of us view life like a plastic hippo game. The one that grabs the most marbles wins. It's the great lie of the father of lies.

The Gift of Creation

The Gathering @ Ben's House will meet tomorrow night at 6:30. Last week we talked about the gift of creation. Some influential Baptist leaders have issued a declaration on climate change that you may want to check out.

Bubba Visits MTown

I went to see Bill Clinton speak at Meridian Community College tonight. Our democracy is amazing. Seeing a two term president speak at a small town junior college says something. In other parts of the world power is determined by the sword. In the US presidents visit hot JUCO basketball facilities (and other plain ole places) to ask for votes from people like me. Wow!

Vocation

Vocation is one of the gifts of creation. We were given the earth to keep and till. Having something meaningful to do was part of God's intention for our lives. Here is one of my favorite quotes about vocation -

Vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need. Frederick Buechner

I hope you have a good weekend!

March Reading

My good friend Mark sent me this book a long time ago. I just found it in a stack of things we moved to Meridian. He sent me an email about it. I'll read it this weekend and ship it on back to Brandon. I've worked through about a half of it and think it is great. Eric Sandras has a Ph.D in psychology and is a Vineyard pastor.

The Trinity and the Gift of Community

Community was one of the gifts of creation. We are created in the image of God. Christians believe in the Trinity - God in three persons. This has a practical implication for us. Check out what theologian Millard Erickson had to say about this -

...the type of relationship that should characterize human persons, particularly believing Christians who have accepted the structure of intratrinitarian relationships as the pattern for their own relationships to others, would be one of unselfish love and submission to the other, seeking the welfare of the other over one's own.

God in Six Acts or "bible study at Ben's"

I had a great time with you last night. I appreciate Chris Dean locating the song "Propane". I hope it will help Ben and Dustin in their next marketing campaign. I look forward to seeing ya'll next week. Invite your friends!

We talked about the gifts of creation last night. Act I of God's story is about his good creation. We were created by God and for God. Check out Colossians 1:15-20. What are some implications of being created "for Christ"?

God in Six Acts

Welcome to the bible study! I will post devotional thoughts here. Have a great day!