Seasons

I rode my motorcycle to work this morning. I ride it all winter, but this morning it was actually enjoyable. I am looking forward to spring, summer and fall. Sorry winter, you're not my favorite.
I love to ride, but I have to admit, sometimes it is not as fun as other times. I put a pair of Metlzer tires on a couple weeks ago. What a difference! Man, I thought the way it rode before was "what it is." I'm now wondering what else I have come to expect as "just the way it is."
Sort of like life. Different seasons/always room for improvement.
Loving a new Thai restaurant I discovered. It's called Thai Season. My wife and I have missed Thai food ever since leaving West Palm Beach. They have great food! It's located just south of Dick's Pawn on 17 in North Myrtle Beach. Say hi to Jan, Kit or Sak and tell them Jim sent you. I have a selfish motive for helping make their business successful. If you ever have the need to schedule a lunch meeting with me, it will be at the Thai Season at the right/front corner table which has been named "Jim's corner" by Kit.
Enjoying the season, enjoying improving, lovin' the Thai restaurant.
Just Thinking.

Generations

Easter Sunday was great! God worked in the lives of many people. I was so blessed to see people walking forward to declare that they were letting go of their ropes and trusting Christ to save them. The power of the resurrected Christ was all over the property!

I watched as many "20-somethings" moved down the isle. Some with tears, some with a look of relief, some with a look of discovery and determination. This is the generation that is the product of my generation.

I am presently reading through the Bible with a group of friends who meet at our house every Wednesday night. We are watching the generational shifts that took place in Israel's history from the time they left Egypt through the period of the judges (we read through Judges 7 today). Judges 2:10 leaped off the pages this morning and pricked my heart.

A generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. My generation had a remnant of information about God available to us. The next generation had none and the recent generation (students) are even further removed from a knowledge of God and what he has done on our behalf through Christ.

The generation of Judges 2:10 was under the affliction of their own choices but Judges 2:18 says the Lord had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. And He sent leaders to save them out of the hands of their enemies.

May the Lord give us compassion, courage and wisdom as He calls us to take the Gospel to the next generation.

How do you look at the next generation?

Just Thinking

Promises, Promises II

Yesterday's blog was different. It was sort of a peek inside my weird head. I got a "?" response from some anonymous guy or girl. I can see how the blog could be confusing. The "Wow! God keeps His promises" could be read as a discovery of something new. It was surely not a discovery on my part, but rather a strong reminder that the surety of life is found only in God.

This morning as I finished Joshua, he gave the same reminder to the leaders again. (Joshua 23:14) When I focus on what God has promised, we gain a new perspective on the problems and disappointments that life often throws our way.

Things that came to mind this morning:

"And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." Philippians 1:6 Praise the Lord for continuing to create the new man in me. What a project!

"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish , so he is giving more time for everyone to repent." 2 Peter 3:9 God's all about seeing people saved before He returns. That's what I should be all about, too. Sometimes we get so caught up in baby sitting the saints that we neglect taking the life-giving gospel to the lost.

Which of God's promises rock your world today?

Just Thinking

Promises, Promises

I don't know about you, but I put little stock in people's promises. I have spent the past month trying to get a tracking number for a transmission I ordered on e-bay. Last night I finally told the seller to cancel the order and return my deposit, which he took on March 3rd.

For the past three weeks he has promised to call me back six times and never did. He promised I would have a tracking number within three days of my order, never got one.

He is just the most recent disappointment I have had with trusting people to keep their promises.

You know what; this has probably dulled my expectations when I read of God's promises in the Bible. Today, at the end of my reading through the Bible schedule, I encountered was this verse:

Joshua 21:45 -- "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

Wow! God keeps His promises! My mind immediately began to rehearse all the great promises I find given to me as a believer in Jesus Christ. It's going to be a great day. With what God has promised, it's going to be a great every day.

I needed that reality check today as I begin to look for another source for a transmission. Maybe I'll find someone I can trust.

Just Thinking

Healthier Together

One of my ministries includes guiding people into Community Groups and plugging them into authentic relationships where real ministry can take place. This is not as easy as it sounds. People often see church as a place to fulfil their duty to the God who saved them and to learn more about God and the Bible.

God describes church as a body where every part functions with and for the other parts. Check this out: (discovered in Andy Stanley's Creating Community)

Researchers have found that most isolated people are three times more likely to die than those with strong relational connections. People who had bad health habits (such as smoking, poor eating habits, obesity, or alcohol abuse), but strong social ties lived significantly longer than people who had great health habits but were isolated.

So, it is better to eat Crispy Cremes with good friends than to eat broccoli alone.

That's why the Krispy Kremes at Barefoot Church are safe to eat.

Just Thinking.

I'm Back

I am so sorry for my lapse. I have lots of excuses but no real reasons. I am like a cook with many pots on the stove. I seem to get focused on several things that are demanding my time and then loose sight of the things that don't call me or show up in my office. It is a privilege to be serving what God is cookin' up!

My internal conviction about neglecting my blog started last week, but today "I got the call." Not from God, but from Clay. Accountability is great!

Good things are happening here. We had a powerful time at NewSpring! The whole thing was FLAMBOYANT! (Sorry, Tony, a little late with the word.)

Easter is coming up with three services. I would imagine that we will see over a hundred people believe on the resurrected Christ for salvation. Can't wait.

I'll be back on a regular basis now. The move to the new office is nearly complete. We have Internet, praise the Lord! Phones are on the way. God is good.

Pray for a great move of God as we present the risen Christ to our world on Sunday.

Later.