Life of a Pastor Blog

This weekend we will conclude our hostage series.  We have looked many of the things that hold us captive in our lives.  I believe it has been a transforming series for many.

Last Sunday we talked about being held hostage by anger.  We looked at the things that make us angry:

1.  Impatience (Short Fuse)
2.  Bitterness
3.  Jealousy and Envy

We then looked at how to overcome anger:

Ask God for patience
Never speak rashly
Give time to cool down
Emulate Christ
Recite the Word of God

These things are sure ways to overcome our angry reactions and outbursts.

This coming Sunday we will be sharing about the topic of Bitterness and Revenge.  It will be a look at the root of bitterness and how to be set free from this captivity.  Don’t miss it!

I have been mulling over some tough issues that seem to be prevalent in our culture today.  It is centered around what we seem to value most in our society.  Even among believers, we tend to hold the wrong things in high esteem.

Recently, a cultural icon passed away.  He had a troubled life to say the least.  He was at the center of controversy and scandals for many years.  He never could seem to find peace in his life. Michael Jackson was what we idolize in America.  SUCCESS!  Was he a success in the way he lived or was he a success because he sold 750 million albums.?  Was he a success because he gave back so much to society or because he was the King of Pop?   What we see in Michael Jackson’s life, was a man who had a void to be filled but nothing, not even success, could fill it.

For years, the media portrayed him as a freak, a troubled man, but this week we paint him as the greatest entertainer since Elvis.  The response to his death paints a poor picture of what we value in this nation.

I am not at odds with Michael Jackson, nor would I hurl any accusations toward him.  What I am at odds with, is our society that idolizes the wrong things.  We idolize the troubled, while we never consider the unsung heroes.

Steve “Air” McNair, a leader on the football field.  Phenomanal athlete, all around good guy who was senselessly murdered.  His life was snuffed out in a horrific act of murder.  I was a fan of Steve McNair.  I think he was one of the greatest quarterbacks that played the game, but again, we have all kinds of great things to attest to about his life. Yet, we forget, the surroundings of the end of his life.  He was a leader on the field, but not at home.  Married, with four kids, but yet had a girlfriend.  We idolize him because of his athleticism but not because of his example to his family.

Again, I am not at odds with Steve McNair, but rather a culture that idolizes the wrong things.  What we have come to accept in society is heroes that are SUCCESSFUL in our eyes, but do those closest to them see the same thing?

I write these things because I believe we focus on the wrong things in our culture today.  Who are the real heroes?  Who are the true successes?  How come the unsung heroes are never highlighted on the news when they die?  Too many live life and then will only get there name in a newspaper when they are in the obituaries.

We will talk about how our celebrities are who gave 10 thousand dollars from their millions to the Needy, while a poor widow gives $50.00 a month, from her Social Security check, to missionaries.  We glamorize athletes who will visit a kid in the hospital, but do not consider the volunteers who work in the hospital on a weekly basis.  We read about all the great deeds of the famous, but what about the volunteers who feed the hungry, teach Sunday School, support missionaries, and go on mission trips.

Who will spot light them when they pass away? 

Why do we rent out coliseums to bid farewell to an entertainer but hardly consider the funeral of a serviceman or servicewoman who gave their life for our nation’s freedoms?  Why does a football veteran leave with such fanfare but a veteran of America leaves with a small group by his side?

I am not against the famous or any of that, I just wonder sometimes what we value most.  The sad truth of our present day is that many who have give so much back to our society, will receive little recognition in this life or in their passing.  I thank God for the many volunteers and servants of our nation’s communities who serve even without much consideration.

I pray for the Jackson and McNair families, for God to comfort them and strengthen them during these tragic times.  I pray for all the unsung heroes to continue serving and to do all things as unto the Lord.  And I pray for our society, that we would value all people, not just the famous.

Are you free?

The old song says, “Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood. Would you be free from your passion and pride? There’s power in the blood.” That is a question we must ask ourselves. Are we free from the burden of sin?

Today is Independence Day, a national holiday celebrating America’s independence from British Rule. It is a day that we can celebrate our freedoms. We are blessed to live in a free nation where we have freedom to worship and freedom of speech. It is a privilege to live in this great nation. I am thankful for a country that is a leader of the free world and has been a great sender of missionaries around the world.

However, there is another Independence Day celebration coming later in July. July 27^th is the day I celebrate my independence from the life of sin. Eighteen years ago on that day, I started a revolution and waged war against the sin in my life. I became victorious over the burden of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. Thus, today I can say that I have spiritual freedom.

The Bible declares to us that He whom the Son has set free is free indeed. I have been free now for eighteen years and if the Lord tarries I will be free for many more years. I have decided in my life that I will no longer be in bondage to sin. I have a written Declaration of Independence that can be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

If you have not made that Declaration of Independence from sin, today is your day! Make the decision to lay down the weight of sin and shame and take up the life that Christ gave for you. He wants you to be free!

I read this on Mark Batterson’s blog.  It gives us some interesting history as we celebrate the July 4th Holiday.

“I love history. And I love America! Thought I’d share a little of both as we celebrate Independence Day.

Before I do, let me say a few things. First of all, this isn’t meant to be a dissertation. It’s a blog. Secondly, I’m not nominating all of our founding fathers for sainthood. Having said that let me say this: there is a lot of revisionist history that totally ignores or distorts the faith of our Founding Fathers. A lot of them were motivated by their faith in Christ.

Here’s some back story on some of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Most Americans know next to nothing about these fifty-six heroes who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of freedom.
John Witherspoon was an ordained minister and authored several books of sermons, as well as editing America’s first family Bible in 1791.

Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was a Biblical scholar. He helped edit the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.

Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.
On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.

Another Founding Father, Benjamin Rush, is considered the "Father of American Medicine." He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded "The First Day Society" which was the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as founding America’s first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was "as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power."

Francis Hopkinson was a church music director and edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.

Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America’s Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also a theologian. He wrote a personal creed that was adopted by his church:

I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this: many of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God’s purposes in their generation. And I, for one, am grateful.

Hope that adds a spiritual dimension to your 4th of July celebration!

HT: Mark Batterson

What Do You Pray About?

Forgive me for getting so personal but let’s evaluate what our prayers consist of. Are they full of me’s and I’s? “God do this for me…God do that for me…I want you to give me…”

Our prayers are often self-centered with little concern for others. The truth is, however, that it is not all about us. God is looking for people to be concerned about kingdom things. Concerned about His agenda for the world.

Psalm 2:8, “Ask of Me, and I will give the nations to you, the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

This is a prayer with God’s Kingdom in mind. “Lord, Give Us The Nations!” Our prayers should also have a focus on seeing people come to Christ. For the Gospel to be brought to every nation and that we would be instrumental in reaching the world for Christ.

This doesn’t mean that we should never pray for our own needs but rather our focus should be on more than just our needs. God wants to do things for His people, but I think we could have a lot more of what He wants not just what we want. God desires to give us the nations. The reason we have to pray for it is that it shows our concern for the nations when we pray.

When is the last time you asked God to give us this city? When is the last time you asked God to give you an opportunity to share His love with someone else?

One pastor told his congregation — "Many of our prayer requests are for the sick rather than for the lost. We are more interested in keeping the saints out of heaven than we are the sinners out of hell."  What A Thought!!!

There is nothing wrong with praying for your needs, but we must balance that with praying for others as well.  We must pray for the lost, our community, our nation and world.  God works through prayer. 

As I was reading the Gospel of Matthew this morning, I noticed that Jesus was describing those who hear or receive the Word and  fall away.  In the parable of the sower Jesus gives us a glimpse of what happens when the gospel is communicated.

The enemy of our souls does not want the gospel preached and will certainly try to hinder its taking root in the lives of people.  Jesus shares four types of people who hear the Gospel and then describes three that fall away.

1.  There is the one who hears but does not understand.
2.  There is the one who hears and receives but trials come and he has no root.
3.  There is the one who hears and receives but the pleasures of this life consume him and he bears no fruit.
4.  There is the one who hears and receives.  He has understanding then goes on to bear much fruit.

As a pastor, and ultimately as a church, I/We must make sure that those who come through our doors and those who hear the Gospel, receive the Word and follow through like number four. 

We must communicate in such a way that people understand.  Our messages must be communicated in such a way that believers and non-believers alike should be able to understand and receive the Gospel.

We must ensure that those who receive the gospel are rooted in the Word and growing in their relationship with Christ.  Somehow, we must find a way to see people move from the Sunday morning service to a life of being rooted in Christ and His Word.  When the trials come, those who have no root will not be able to stand.  It is our duty to help people become rooted that they can stand against life’s storms.

As a church, we must work on helping others become fruitful.  It begins with us being fruitful.  This man in the parable received the Word but was so wrapped up in this life that he would bear no fruit for another life.  How often are we so consumed with the things of this world that we have little time to bear fruit for eternity?  We must find a way to move people into a Kingdom mind-set, balancing this life and working for the next one.

These are thoughts that God is stirring in my heart.  As a pastor, I am responsible for how we disciple others.  I am praying that God will give us a plan to make sure that people understand, take root and bear fruit.

"What is needed is something that cannot be explained in human terms. What is needed is something that is so striking and so signal that it will arrest the attention of the whole world. That is revival.

Now we of ourselves can never do anything like that. We can do a great deal, and we should do all we can. We can preach the truth, we can defend it, we can indulge in our apologetics, we can organize our campaigns, we can try to present a great front to the world. But you know, it does not impress the world. It leaves the world where it was. The need is for something which will be so overwhelming, so divine, so unusual that it will arrest the attention of the world . . . .

‘Authenticate thy word. Lord God, let it be known, let it be known beyond a doubt, that we are thy people. Shake us!’ I do not ask him to shake the building, but I ask him to shake us. I ask him to do something that is so amazing, so astounding, so divine, that the whole world shall be compelled to look on and say, ‘What is this?’ as they said on the day of Pentecost."

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Revival, pages 183-185.
HT: Ray Ortlund

I love my day off on Monday!  For many years I have had a hard time taking days off.  I would always feel stressed, knowing I was going to be off because I felt like I had too much to do.  Then I realized how important it is to have a time of disconnect, a time of refreshing, and now I get more done because I am more rested.

Yesterday, we took a road trip.  First to Huntsville, Arkansas for lunch and to check out Withrow Springs State Park.  We found this little cafe called Granny’s and it was incredible.  They had great burgers and homemade pie.  It was heaven on earth!

We left there and drove up to Roaring River Sate Park, which has become one of my favorite places.  Roaring River is in Southern Missouri not too far from the Arkansas border.  It is a place of beauty and rest.  We enjoyed the fish hatchery again and spent some time at the park.  But the best part of the day was spent on the banks of the river.  We found a place down the bank where we could put our chairs and find solitude.

It was quiet except for the roaring of the river.  To me, there is nothing as peaceful in nature as the rolling of water.  You could sense and feel the peace of God.

Everywhere we have lived, I have always had a place of solitude.  In Jacksonville, there was a stream behind the church that I would walk down to and find solitude.  In Nederland, there was a park bench alongside the ship channel that I would frequent and watch the ships go by while I contemplated.  Now, it is this little place in Southern Missouri that I find refuge. 

In the world we live today, there is few places to disconnect.  We are always connected to the internet, or cell phones, the hustle and bustle of life.  There is a need for solitude, aloneness in the quietness of God’s presence.  Jesus found a place to pray and talk to His Father, we must do the same. 

Where is your place of solitude?  Where can you go to disconnect for a while and find refreshing?

I guess I ought to let it be known now so it will be less painful tomorrow; the youth won.  The youth challenged the adults to a softball game and they won.  We had a great time playing even though it was 98 degrees outside.  It made think of my native Texas weather.  It was hot!

We had a good game, good fellowship and good food!  It made for a wonderful day. 

I do know, that the older I get the harder it is to play sports.  I am more out of shape than I used to be, 15 years ago, and I am not nearly as sharp as I used to be.  Yes, that is my excuse for making two costly errors for my team.  (I thought about saying the sun was in my eyes, but people might think I was making excuses.)  When I get out and play with the youth, I begin to feel my age. 

All in all, it was a great time with the church family.  It is awesome that we can all get out and have a good time together.  That is how we build closer relationships and that helps make a great church.

In my years of preaching I have developed files for my different sermons.  They are labeled by topics or series and I file them accordingly.  There is, however, a special file that no one else would ever notice.  It is the sermon dud file. 

As with any public speaker, I am sure they can testify that sometimes, you can tell the crowd connects, and that you connect with the crowd.  Other times you know you are getting across to people even though their response doesn’t show it.  Then there is the dud.  The dud is when you can’t wait until the sermon is over.  If the preacher can’t wait until it is over, the congregation must be even more anxious.  This is the dud sermon.  The one that I file in the dud file.  Another name for that file is “never preach this one again”.

Through the years, the file has grown but not too rapidly.  There may be some of the congregation who would like to suggest some for the dud file:)  But as a communicator it is important to connect with the crowd.  That means preaching something that people can use and learn from.  Furthermore, there is another thing that makes the sermon able to connect.  It has to connect with the preacher first.  If the message hasn’t impacted the preacher during preparation, it won’t impact the crowd.  Sermons shouldn’t just be written, but rather birthed within the heart of the preacher.

On the same line, I read a great story today of a preacher who had a dud.  this is from Mikey’s Funnies:

“They say that a preacher’s wife is always his number one assistant.

An example of this comes one Sunday morning after the preacher had just finished his sermon. He went and sat down with his wife and she asked him how he thought the church service went.

The Preacher shrugged and said, "The worship was excellent, and I think the prayer and communion times went quite well, but," he continued, "I just don’t think the sermon ever got off the ground."

The wife looked over at him, and before she could stop herself, she said, "Well, it sure did taxi long enough!"

“A typical Goldfish is less than five inches and often three inches or less. Here is what I learned recently; A goldfish will grow to size of it’s environment. If you put it in a small bowl, it will be a small goldfish…if you put it a river it will grow and grow.

It’s the same principle in your organization…small vision and small environment equals small results. I am learning most people are content with a small everything except a small paycheck. Expand your vision and environment so that your organization can grow.

Just a few questions of examination:

1) What projects are you working on right now? How big are you planning for?
2) Does your environment allow for small goldfish or large?
3) How big is your personal aquarium?
4) What will it take to increase your personal and professional fish tank?

Don’t settle…increase your everything for growth, expansion, development, escalation and progression.”            HT: Shannon O’Dell

How are we doing as a church and in our ministries?  Are we content with the small fishbowl or are we willing to swim in the river?  We must be minded for the pursuit of a larger purpose.  Our goal is to reach more people for Christ and impact Northwest Arkansas for Jesus.  We must get outside of our fishbowl and reach those around us.

Father’s Day is one of those holidays that has its good side and bad side.  It is a day that we honor fathers and their role in the life of the family.  The father’s role cannot be overestimated.  It is important!

There is however, a downside to Father’s day.  Memories.  This is one of those holidays that pulls up the emotions of the past.  Many people miss their dads, who have passed away.  They wish they could be here to celebrate another Father’s day.  Others have memories of a harsh childhood, mingled with abuse or a lack of fatherly love.  While there are others who did not know their father or remembering that he had little part of their lives.  Like I said, Father’s day is not always an easy day!

To be honest, Father’s day is the hardest sermon for me to decide what I preach.  Should I talk about the role of dads?  What should I say?  There are many times that I almost decide not to even discuss this topic on Father’s day because of the hard memories others have.  We talk about how to be a good dad, but there are so many in the pew that have some pain associated with Father’s day.  I am mindful of the men, who sit on the pew of the church who have tried to be dads only to find their kids turn their back on them or to have little to do with them.  Many have children but have had little chance to rear them because of circumstances.  There are dads who desire to build a relationship with their kids only to be pushed away. 

My prayer today is that these men will find the strength of God and His abundant peace.  I also pray that God will soften the heart of the children and that relationships will be restored.  May God help everyone who has a difficult time on Father’s day to find peace, restoration and love.

“If we begin to get a glimpse of the vast glory of God, we will realize that many of our conflicts are like two ants arguing about which is taller while standing in front of Mount Everest.

“We quibble over some infinitesimal difference of opinion while the vastness of Almighty God soars into the heavens.

“We need to stop looking at one another relative to ourselves, or, better yet, stop looking in the mirror. And we need to turn our eyes to the loveliness of Christ in his Word.”     -Chris Brauns-

HT: Trevin Wax

There is alot of talk these days about absent fathers, homes wrecked by divorce and dads who do not care.  Certainly those are issues that are problems today, however, I believe there are alot of us dads who are doing our best to be “good” dads. 

The good thing is there is a great deal of resources to help us become successful fathers.  There are an endless amount of books, cd’s, podcasts, radio shows and internet helps to get us to become better dads.  But even with all of that, dads often feel helpless when it comes to “successful” parenting.

We are told to be patient, but we still blow it from time to time.  We are taught to be firm, but often we are too soft. (Which I am the failing more at this now that I have a beautiful little girl)  We are instructed to spend more time with our kids, but our work demands more and more from us.  We know we are to be loving, but for some reason we feel like we fall short in that area.

Within the heart of man is the desire to achieve, the desire to be the best we can be.  At home, at work, at church and everywhere else we go.  Our desire is to be the best, BUT at the end of the day we often feel like we don’t cut it.  I know how often a dad feels a sense of guilt when he believes he has let his kids down. 

As I have been preparing for a Father’s day message, I have wondered how many dads wish they could attain all the things they are taught.  I wonder how many dads feel like failures even though they would never admit it.  Fatherhood is challenging to say the least.  Dad, do your best!  When you make mistakes, move on.  Try your hardest, but always remember you are only human.  Love your family, spend time with them, provide for them but don’t be too hard on yourself.  Kids are often very forgiving, even when we blow it.

It is Father’s Day week so I decided to post an interesting assessment of the different types of dads.  I have been thinking more lately about how I can be more effective as a father as well as more intentional in shaping the lives of Josh and Hannah.  Dads must play a major part in the spiritual development of their kids.

“Three Types of Dads by Robert Lewis:

ABSENT dads are invisible and are only shadows in a boy’s life.

INVOLVED dads participate in their son’s lives but without a plan. This kind of dad is often vision-less or shapeless. He has overlooked investing a core of clear, masculine directives into his son’s life which are vital to his success.

STRATEGIC dads have a well thought out plan and vision. They understand the true sense of masculinity and know how to deposit it in their son’s life.

Which one are you?”     HT: Braxton Brady (Strategic Dad blog)

Here John Wesley gives a word to a young preacher:

"No, Aleck, no! The danger of ruin to Methodism does not lie here. It springs from quite a different quarter. Our preachers, many of them, are fallen. They are not spiritual. They are not alive to God. They are soft, enervated, fearful of shame, toil, hardship. . . . Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth." 
HT: Ray Ortlund

Having read this today it makes me evaluate myself in light of such a great man as John Wesley.  The American church and the world could use a group of pastors that Wesley is looking for.  I ask myself, as should every pastor, “Am I Spiritual?  Am I alive to God?  Do I desire God wholly?  Do I fear only sin?

As men and women of God we must consecrate ourselves wholly to God.  Give Him all of us.  Sell out to all that He is, and be all that He desires us to be.

So often we pray for years for something and never see results.  We become tempted to believe that God isn’t listening or doesn’t care or that He is not going to answer.  Sometimes we have to wait.  His timing and ways are not always ours.

Sonya and I have been praying for her brother for over 18 years.  We have prayed for his salvation and deliverance from alcohol.  He was hard-core for all these years.  There were times we thought he would never change.  We continued to believe that,  until about a month ago, when Sonya got a call from him.  He gave his heart to Christ.  Circumstances in his life caused him to turn to Christ.  He is now serving the Lord and is completely delivered from alcohol.  In fact, Friday, he told me  that he has been dry for exactly 30 days. 

Yesterday, Brock was baptized at New Vision Church of the Nazarene in San Antonio.  You can see the video here.  Watch the one from June 14th “Godly Living”.  His baptism is about 4 to 5 minutes in.  What an awesome God we serve!

There is hope for your lost loved ones.  They can come home.  Do not quit praying!  The answer may be just around the corner.

I always look forward to Sunday so we can see what God does.  It was a busy morning nonetheless.  I taught Youth Sunday School this morning.  Their teacher wasn’t able to make it so I pulled something together to talk about.  I enjoyed our conversation and getting to know our young people a little better.

We continued our Hostage series.  We talked about being held captive by worry and how to overcome worry.  We identified four major causes of anxiety in our society today.

1.  Rush Sickness – trying to cram 30 hours of activities in 24 hours.
2.  Straining – trying to make it ahead in this world and straining to find acceptance and success in life.
3.  Change – changing jobs, homes and other things that are tough changes.
4.  World Instability – all the issues of living in a sin-filled world.

To overcome worry we find the remedy in Philippians 4:6-7.
1. Prayer and Supplication – supplication literally means taking our burdens to God and leaving them there.
2.  Thanksgiving – Focusing on what He has already done, rather than on what He hasn’t done yet.
3.  Let your requests be made known to God – Be specific with your needs.

These are good remedies for worry.  They are sure to work because the Bible tells us to take this road.  Paul said to be anxious for nothing and then gives us these steps to be without anxiety.

After service we had our first newcomers luncheon to get to know some of our newest people.  We were joined by several new families and singles as well as a couple of our long-time members.  It was a great time of connecting with some  of our newest attenders.

I have been working the last couple of days on changing our church website.  I was able to upload the new version this afternoon.  Now, there are still a few things to be done like adding sermon audio and pictures of our leadership.  But for the most part, it is complete.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  www.rogersag.com 

Also, be sure to check back over the next several weeks as we continue to enhance the website.

I have been re-adjusting my Scripture reading time and I am taking a new approach to maximize my daily intake of the Word of God.  It takes me a little longer but it enables me to glean from more sections of the Bible daily.

I have broken down the sections of the Bible and now read one chapter a day from each section.

1 chapter from the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy – The Law)

1 chapter from the History Books (Joshua through Esther)

1 chapter from the Poetic Books (Job through Song of Solomon)

1 chapter from the Prophets (Isaiah through Malachi)

1 chapter from the Gospels and Acts (Matthew through Acts)

1 chapter from the Epistles (Romans through Revelation)

Doing this has helped me digest more Scripture daily and read through the Bible a little quicker.

You can download a copy of the reading plan here.  Just check of the box of the chapters you read when you get done.  This chart helps you keep up with your progress.