Homecoming at Sandy Creek

This morning was a very moving and emotional time for me as I was given the honor of preaching the homecoming message at Sandy Creek Baptist Church.  Today was the 255 anniversary of this amazing church that has sent out hundreds of people during its history that have served our Lord all over the world. 

It was in this small wooden frame church that I received Jesus and became a Christian as a child.  It was in this church that I was baptized.  It was in this church that I knelt at the alter and surrendered my life to go into the ministry.  It was in this church that I made a commitment to God to give my life to be a pastor during my vocational years.  It was in this church that I was licensed as a Gospel preacher.  It was in this church that I was ordained into the ministry.  It was in this church that I led my brother to a relationship with Jesus.  It was in this church that I knelt and told the Lord that I promised to be the best hisband and father that I could be.  WOW, I made so many important life decisions here!  That is why it has such a special place in my heart.

Today was so special as several of my childhood teachers came that I have not seen in years.  Today was so special because the youth group I was a part of all came back and we were together again.  Today was so special because I had the opportunity to see those who poured their lives into mine so that I can be who God created me to be today.  Today was so special because I had the pleasure of seeing how God has worked and is currently working in the lives of the people in this small community where I grew up.  Today was so special, because I had the opportunity to worship with my entire family ( something that will probably not happen for many more years.)  Today was so special because it helped to remind me of God's grace and how that grace was extended to me as a boy so that I could live with joy an victory as a Christian.

After the service and dinner outside on the grouds of the property with so many precious people, Laura, the children and I made our way back to my parents home to pack up so that we could be back at Southside tonight for AWANA and Evening Worship.  As I sat in the auditorium tonight at Southside, I was once again filled with emotion in my soul as I realized that I would not be where I am or doing what I am blessed to do each day without that little white church on a country hillside and the wonderful people there that God used in my life several years ago . 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, THANK YOU JESUS FOR SANDY CREEK!

God's Hero's

There are true hero's in every community.  They are the people that make communities great and blessed.  I received a call earlier this week from a man who is running for office in our state government requesting to meet with me.  I agreed for him to come by and he did so this morning.  As he began sharing his story, I sat in my office in complete awe of how our awesome God works.

He told me about a dear man in our church who pushed him and challenged him several years ago to do something great with his life.  This man really stepped out to lead this individual to go down the right path "God's Path."

Today, as the politician sat in my office, he told me that he would have never made it to college or to follow the call into politics without the man at Southside that invested in him.

This testimony reminded me that we have HERO'S in our community that have given their lives to make a difference for our Lord.  Let's all think about the hero's in our lives and how God used them to touch us in mighty ways.

A Great Opportunity

Tomorrow morning will be a great opportunity for students all across America to display their love, loyalty and faith toward Jesus Christ.  Tomorrow is the designated day of the calendar year for "See You At The Pole."  This is a time that students all across our country can gather for student led prayer around their school flag pole at 7 AM tomorrow morning.

Luke and Anna Brooke will be going to school early to participate in this event even on the elementary level.  Luke is prepared to lead as a second grader if no one else older comes.  I am excited to join them for this important time.

Sarah Belle and Paul will be going to the flag pole at our church before morning preschool begins at 9.  Although this is later than the official time, we really want to instill this opportunity in their lives.

I remember leading the "See You At The Pole" event each September when I was in high school.  I will never forget that during my 9th and 10th grade years, only a few of us from the youth ministry at our small church showed up to participate.  Then, during my junior and senior years of high school, we had over 200 students show up.  It was an unstoppable movement that I still remember to this day. 

My prayer is that God will use my children, the students at our church, and students all over the country to lead the way for the LIGHT of Jesus to shine tomorrow.

Southside Youth:

I am praying for you tomorrow morning as you stand tall for JESUS.  I can not wait to hear all about your journey with "SEE YOU AT THE POLE" tomorrow night. 

A Great Adventure!

It was 13 years ago today that Laura and I went on our first date.  I was a freshman in college and she was a sophmore.  We had been liking each other since mid August when we met the first day of school, but it took me a few weeks to get the nerve to ask her out.  We went on our first date to Ruby Tuesday's. 

As we sat in the family room and reflected on our journey tonight, Laura and I both confessed that we have been on a ride that has been full of adventure and fun.  I am so glad that God opened the door for us to go on that first date.

Mr. Harry Lee, A Hero Of Faith

Tonight when I arrived home from a busy Sunday, I was blessed and surprised when I received this picture on facebook from the daughter of Mr. Harry Lee who was recognized today as deacon emeritus at Brush Creek Baptist Church in Siler City.  This picture is so special because it shows a true hero of faith being honored.  Harry Lee (on the right) is pictured with Dr. Al Martin who currently serves as Pastor of Brush Creek.

While I was serving as pastor of Brush Creek, Harry Lee and Jean were our neighbors and dear friends.  They loved us and we loved them.  We loved each other so much that we ate lunch together every Friday for over 5 years at the little grill located inside of the local company that they owned.  Laura and I often talk about the influence and love this couple poured into our lives.  They are true examples of servants.

At Brush Creek, Harry Lee has served as a deacon, member of the stewardship committee, and treasurer of the trust fund that has given millions of dollars to missions over the years.  God has used him to lead the way for missions to go from this precious church to the world.  Standing by his side, Jean has served as a Sunday school teacher and WMU director.  Brush Creek is blessed beyond measure to have this amazing couple.  Now they are the oldest married couple in the church and they give there time to mentor young families.

Laura and I will never forget how they took us under their wings when I became their pastor at the young age of 21.  They will always be hero's in our eyes.  We are eternally grateful.  We are so proud that Brush Creek chose to honor this dear man of faith for his many years of humble and faithful service to the kingdom. 

My Beautiful Bride

I am so blessed to have such a beautiful bride.  Laura and I have been married for over 10 years now and it has been such a joyful journey.  We were talking just a few minutes ago about this journey and both of us feel so blessed to be a part of our marriage.  Everyday when I think of how God has blessed me, I can not help but thank God for my beautiful bride.  Her love and passion for the Lord is one of the most beautiful things in my life.

My prayer is that our four children will one day marry people with the same love and passion as their mommy.  She is such an example to us all.  Lord, allow our legacy to carry on into our children's lives as they grow up.

Holy Spirit, Mold Me

I am so blessed by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  The past 4 Sundays, we have been on a journey of learning about the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works to fill our lives.  Today, we studied how to have the molding of the spirit in our lives.

As I reflect on this mornings message and scripture, I am sitting here in awe of just how mighty our God is to give us the amazing opportunity to have the Holy Spirit in our lives.

"Lord, I pray that you would allow the Holy Spirit to captivate and control our family each and every day.  I beg you to do mighty things in us and thru us.  Lord, mold us to be all you desire for us to be.  Give us the freshness of your spirit everyday."

God's Word Is Right On Time

This morning while doing our family devotion before Luke and Anna Brooke went to school, we were reading Psalm 18.  Since today is the 18th day of school, it was the appointed Psalm for the day.  As we were reading, the kids noticed that it spoke about the fact that we are the apple of God's eye.  It was so cool to also realize that Luke's teacher requested for his class to all bring apples to class today.  I thought is was so cool that God gave us this verse this morning and now as Luke looks at his apple today, he can remember that he is the apple of God's eye. 

WOW God, your word is always right on time for our need.  Thank you LORD.

The Triumphant Church

Several months ago, God touched my heart about the importance of having healthy churches.  As I began to study the Bible concerning church health, God continued to draw me back to the wonderful and powerful book of First Corinthians. 

This coming Sunday evening, we will begin a new series entitled, "The Triumphant Church."  Please join us as we embark upon this journey together.  I trust that God will use Paul's wisdom and advice of correction to challenge each of us in our personal walk and in our personal role in His church.  I am excited about what God will teach me and I am praying the same for you.

For those of you who are serving in AWANA, I would encourage you to order the DVD's for each Sunday night so that you can join us on this journey. I can not wait to see how God moves in our midst as we seek His triumph together as a family.

I love you and can't wait to see you on Sunday.

God's Blessings

Today, after Laura and our youngest two kids finished preschool, we had the opportunity to have lunch with an amazing couple in our church.  As we sat around the table and enjoyed fellowship with them, I thought about how God blesses us.  His blessings come in so many ways, but one way they come is by the friendships he provides for us. 

As I think of the many friends that I am blessed to have, I can not help but to thank God for those that he uses constantly in my life to bring me closer to Him.  Today, the friends that he allowed me to be with for a short few minutes over lunch are true portraits of what I hope to become in my walk with God in the days ahead.

Thank you JESUS for friends that we can love and respect as models for the Kingdom of God.

Our First Night of the AWANA year @ Southside

When our family came to Southside, there were hardly any children in our church.  In fact there was only one other child in the preschool department.  Laura and I knew that we had a challenge on our hands but that God could revitalize this ministry with preschoolers, children and youth.  With this hope, God began to put a vision in our heart to start AWANA since it had been so successful at our previous church.

We started AWANA and God used it to really develop outreach and growth into the ministry at Southside.  After the first year, God raised up a person in our church to take this ministry over and they have done an incredible job. Now after a few years of growing and developing this ministry, God has raised up several of our new young families to work in AWANA.  It really blessed my heart on Sunday night as I walked into the opening AWANA rally to find so many young adults and children. (GO GOD)

On Sunday night, we began our new AWANA year and God proved faithful with a record attendance.  It really blessed my heart to see just how far God has brought us from our first AWANA night several years ago with only 6 children on that first night. As I looked around on Sunday night, my heart began to weep with joy to see just how many young families God has brought us who are now a vibrant part of our ministry.

Thank you to all of you who sacrifice, serve and help to make this important evangelism and discipleship ministry such a blessing to the families in our church and to our community.  Your pastor is eternally grateful.

Sarah Belle and Paul on their first morning of preschool

Here is a picture of our 2 preschoolers on there first morning of preschool.  They were so excited about getting started.  It was hard for them to wait 2 weeks after there siblings started school.  we are so proud of Sarah Belle and Paul.

Remembering 9/11

On our way home tonight, one of our children asked why all of the flags were at half-staff.  I answered the question in the best way I could with language that they could understand.  After they posed that question, my mind began to go back to the dreadful day 9 years ago when our country faced such a terrible terrorist attack.  Like most of you, I will never forget where I was and the somber feeling in my soul. Tonight, my heart is reflecting on the families of those who were killed and the many people that have sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom.  I am proud to be a Christian and I am proud to be an American.  With this type of pride in my heart, I pray that I will never forget the hardship that so many have endured so that I can enjoy my life as a Christian and American.

The New Bike

Paul is enjoying his new bike.  Here he is tonight after bath time riding it in circles around the house.  Isn't he so cute?

Labor Day Fun

Luke loves to play jokes on mommy.  She was swinging away today and he came up to her and took over her swing by twisting it around.  It was so funny to watch him as he kept on twisting the swing.  He twisted it at least 20 times and then when he let go, mommy went flying everywhere.  It made our labor day a fun one filled with lots of laughter.

Paul's birthday swim

Paul decided that he wanted to get into the pool after his party.  Here he is about to take a dive into the pool.

Paul and the Train

Here is Paul at The Children's Museum filling up the Train Engine with fuel.  He loves trains so this is where he spent most of his time on saturday morning.  You can also see Anna Brooke inside the train.

Paul in the Firetruck at the Greensboro Children's Museum

This is a picture of Paul at his birthday party on Saturday.  He is sitting in a firetruck having a blast.  This picture really captures the adventurous side of his personality.

Paul's 3rd Birthday

Paul will turn 3 years old tomorrow.  Since his birthday is on Sunday this year, we decided to have his party today.  Here he is as everyone is singing happy birthday to him.  He is really enjoying the celebration.  It is hard to describe or put in words the blessing and joy that our baby Paul is to our family.  Being that he was our BIG surprise 3 years ago, it makes this time of celebration so very special.  He did a great job blowing out his candles, and his cake was awesome too.

Paul has finally graduated to a booster seat! YEA!!!!

Paul is seen here in his new booster seat that he got on Friday.  He is so excited because he has waited patiently and endured graciously for this moment to come.  You see, in North Carolina, you have to be 3 years old before you are allowed to ride in a cool, comfortable booster seat.  Paul has watched his siblings ride in these cool seats while he has continued to sit in his baby seat.  Now, he has arrived to that moment of seat graduation.  We are all so excited that now Paul will have the same comfort that everyone at Fullertown has.  Sarah Belle is cheering her little brother on as he tries out his new seat.  What a special moment.