Navy Chaplain Corps...

I received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy on September 6th.

I was commissioned into the Navy's Chaplain Corps a little more than three years ago and overall it was a good experience. I joined just after my 40th birthday as a result of what I call a "Wild at Heart" experience. I had always wanted to have some connection with the military but it just never seemed to make sense for me. At the time that I joined, age 40 was the limit for chaplains. It was "now or never". My biggest difficulty with the Navy was adjusting to the inefficiency and the unending paperwork. I found that true ministry was fairly hard to create. The much spoken-of problem of praying in Jesus' name was never a problem for me. At no time, other than Chaplain School, was I ever instructed to avoid "Jesus". My experience with the Navy has really confirmed my calling as a pastor. I have much more that I would like to share at some point but for now I just wanted to let all my friends and family know that my time in the U.S. Navy has now concluded. I would be more than happy to answer questions that any of you may have about my experiences.

Prince Caspian...

Coming May, 2008...

I loved reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a young high school student. I was going through a spiritually transformational period and I very much connected with the characters in the books.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was a wonderful cinematic beginning to this great series of stories that C.S. Lewis created. I was greatly pleased with the way that the first book came alive on the big screen.

May, 2008....I can't wait!

My Dad's Wedding...

I recently made the trip to Texas to stand by my dad as he remarried. Here is a picture of my dad and his new bride, her two children, my sisters, my brother, and myself.

Wait for the Promise...

I have learned from my reading of Tom Eliff books of a an often quoted influence called, "Preacher Hallock". I actually found an old and worn copy of his book that I enjoyed while at Southwestern Seminary. Preacher Hallock was famous for asking the question, "Do you have a promise?" His point was that God gives us personal promises throughout scripture and before we act on our own, we should discover God's promise. Jesus told the disciples, "Don't leave Jerusalem but wait for the promise from the Father". We should never do anything without first hearing from God. Henry Blackaby puts it this way, "don't just do something, stand there!" It is extremely foolish to plow ahead unaware of the purposes of God. Before making any significant decisions, get alone with a copy of God's Word, and find a promise.

Don't leave Jerusalem...

I have seriously considered leaving my church more than once over the past year. I am drawn to resignation whenever my plans don't quite work out or perhaps when a critic doesn't fully appreciate my work. Thankfully, I didn't leave Jerusalem this past year. The disciples could have moved on with their lives, gotten jobs at the local funeral home or perhaps selling insurance. But they didn't! They stayed in Jerusalem. Hardship is rarely the voice of God telling us to move one. God doesn't seem to speak through discouragement. There are, of course, other voices telling us to quit. These are the voices that would keep us from fulfilling our purpose. Perhaps you need this word today as the disciples needed it in Acts 1:8 and as I have often needed it..."Don't leave Jerusalem!"

What to Do Before You Do Anything...

I have begun a new sermon series from the Book of Acts and I want to attempt to share some of what I am learning about the church and how Jesus designed it to function without "preaching" the sermons. I read somewhere that people don't want to read sermons on blogs. So, in order to spare both of my readers from discomfort, I'll try to simply pass along the teaching as more of a discussion.

To begin with--why Acts? Simply put, "Acts" records the birth of the church and the early days of this infant world-changer. The new-born church was simply amazing especially when compared to the contemporary coma-like organization we generally refer to as "the church". You would think that the fully grown mature church would dwarf the effectiveness of the baby version and yet we find just the opposite to be true. The church's greatest days appear to lie behind her in the pages of Acts. We have much to learn and rediscover from those who have gone before us and have effectively taken the Gospel around their known world.

Let me just key in on five things that Jesus said to the apostles on the day that he rocketed into space right in front of them. Read the story for yourself in Acts 1:1-8 and then note the five instructions from Christ.

1. Don't leave Jerusalem (v4).

2. Wait for the promise (v4).

3. You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (v5).

4. You will receive power (v8).

5. You will be my witnesses (v8).

(more tomorrow)

Biblically Defined Growth Barriers

One of the things that I appreciate about Ed Stetzer's newest book, Comeback Churches, is that he places an emphasis upon the spiritual as well as the methodological causes of church effectiveness. Included in the book is a list of 30 spiritual barriers to conversion growth within the church. I have found myself going through the list several times now looking for deficiencies in my church. I really think that Ed has hit upon a key to the ineffectiveness of the contemporary church in his list. Let me list just a few of his biblically-defined growth barriers. Consider whether any of these might be true of your church. These are just the ones that I am most concerned about in my church.

Churches aren't concerned about God's glory, believing the church is just for them (Isa. 42:8; 48:11).

Pastors are more concerned about self-interests than about God and His people (Phil. 2:21).

Traditional practices are done without a heart for God (Mal. 1:6).

Sin is not dealt with, bringing weakness to the church (1 Cor. 5:5-7).

A lack of love for Christ devastates the church (1 cor. 16:22; Rev. 2:4).

A lack of unity brings division (John 17:23; Col. 3:12-15).

A lack of love within the body creates strained relationships (John 13:35).

Lukewarmness in the church becomes prevalent (Rev. 3:16).

Lack of true and earnest prayer in the church leaves people powerless (Matt. 6:9; 2 thess. 3:1).

Saints are not doing the work of service in the body (Eph. 4:12).

People are not growing spiritually (Eph. 4:12-16).

Pride in a church will always bring it down (1 Pet. 5:5; Prov. 6:17).