You've got to check the movie out. It's awesome! Below is an article; listen to what is being said:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)
--Audiences turned out in force Sept. 26-28 for the opening week of "Fireproof," the latest film from the makers of the 2006 surprise hit "Facing the Giants."Fireproof generated the second-highest average revenue in theaters this past weekend, beaten only by "Eagle Eye," a thriller that showed in four times as many theaters and cost 160 times as much to make.
Across the country, people hungry for family friendly films packed the 839 theaters where Fireproof was showing. Attendance was boosted by churches that promoted the film to their members and in some cases bought out theaters as an outreach to their communities.
In Starke, Fla., almost 20 percent of the entire population of the city saw the movie, said Joe Fennell, executive pastor of First Baptist Church. The congregation contracted with the local theater to show Fireproof free to all comers and in three days 1,121 people attended a screening in the north Florida city.Moviegoers came from "across the spectrum," Fennell said. Church members brought co-workers and neighbors, and non-believers came because it was free. He said he was especially pleased to see several engaged couples in the audience."I think the movie will provide a good foundation for them and increase their communication. It is an encouragement for healthy marriages, too," Fennell said.
A church staff member or volunteer was on-site for each showing and packets of evangelistic material were distributed at the end of the movie, Fennell said. One piece in the packet promoted a six-week sermon series on marriage that senior pastor Rodney Coe will begin preaching Oct. 5."As in many churches, we have marriages that are struggling, and this is what prompted our pastor to preach the series after the movie," Fennell said. "We hope people will find in the movie enough truth of the Gospel and truth about typical marriage that they will think that their own marriage is worth saving."
Ashley Nelson of Arlington, Texas, who saw the movie on opening weekend, agreed."This movie addresses the needs that many couples struggle with in marriage -- the need to be respected, the need for communication, but ultimately, the need for Christ as the center of the marriage," said Nelson, who is engaged to be married. "Just as [lead Fireproof characters] Caleb and Catherine realize, married couples need to understand God's true and pure love before they can truly love their spouse."
'IT CAN GIVE HOPE'
Kathy Steele, an assistant professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, believes Fireproof will be a great encouragement to couples in difficult marriages."I believe this movie can have a huge impact on marriages. It is extremely realistic and deals with problems that are real in marriages today," Steele said. "I think one of the greatest ways this movie could strengthen marriages is that it can give hope to one partner who really wants to change the marriage, that if they change, the marriage can change."I think Fireproof could spark a new wave of Christians seeking to love their marital partners unconditionally, and to realize it has to be practical, everyday ways they treat each other," Steele added. "My hope is that the neutral story of another couple, seen from the 'inside,' will motivate Christian couples in our churches to start seeking to be more obedient to Christ in how they respond to each other."
Marcus W. Allen, a counselor with First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., said Fireproof sends a message "to keep working on the marriage even if your partner has given up." "This is the message all marriages need to hear," Allen said. "We all need the encouragement to not give up when it seems hopeless -- encouragement to just do what God says and keep loving and acting in a loving manner no matter what the response is from the other side."
Members of Rapid Valley Baptist Church in Rapid City, S.D., attended the movie in lieu of their Sept. 27 worship service, according to pastor John Little."One of our area Christian businessmen became so excited about the film [during a preview for community leaders] that he worked with a local doctor to provide tickets for all active military, firemen, policemen and first responders in the area," Little said. "Our church gave away tickets to folks we identified through our block parties and survey work."
'DATE NIGHT'
When Pam Weitzel of New Hope Community Church in Baltimore, Md., heard Fireproof was coming out, she and her husband Mark helped spearhead a "Date Night" in their church. They were pleased to see many of their church friends in the theater on opening night. Many couples take their marriages for granted, Mark Weitzel said, and Fireproof prodded him to think differently about his wife."I thought it was an awesome movie. It was good for marriages," Weitzel said. "We need to act as 'first date' sweethearts. I want to continually treat my wife as if we are courting again ... even if we are 75."
Bart Walker, pastor of Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, La., believes the film can help congregations reach people who don't attend church."The chief thing Fireproof is doing for us is giving a talking point for marriage and families," Walker said. "It shows how hard marriage really is. It shows the struggle for marriages to be mended. It takes supernatural intervention. And it shows no marriage is beyond repair.Fireproof speaks volumes about Christ's power to change lives, Walker added."The world's view of the veracity of the Gospel is tied to the world's view of God's transforming power in His followers," he said. "And since marriage is a living illustration of Christ and the church, then healthy marriages present a healthy picture of Christ and the church.
"The movie's focus on marriage also speaks to a hot-button topic on the national scene, said Jerry Pounds Sr., professor of discipleship at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. "While our society has been attempting to redefine gender, roles, marriage and family, we are grateful for ... a national venue for a discussion of divorce and the biblical message of covenant marriage," Pounds said. "The movie is excellent, well worth seeing, and is a great discussion starter for a marriage retreat or a Bible study on marriage or a small discipleship group."
--30--Mark Kelly is an assistant editor for Baptist Press. With reporting from Shannon Baker, Joni Hannigan, Sharon Mager, Gary Myers, Michelle Myers, Carolyn Nichols and Karen Willoughby.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Home from vacation
We hate it's over, but we're glad to be home. We had a great time at the beach. We saw two of my three sisters and there families, and we also got to eat supper with a cousin of mine from Cocoa Beach that I haven't seen but one time in fifteen years. We took Morgan to SeaWorld on Monday and she had a blast. She loved the shows, especially the Pirate Ship Show. The rest of the time we spent swimming in the pool, my little girl is a "water rat." She loves to swim. She is swimming without "floaties" and thinks she is a big girl, but she still likes to wear them so she can go wherever she wants in the pool. She's growing up so fast it hurts.
It's back to the normal grind now. We had a great day at HGBC yesterday, it was Homecoming. To those who don't know, that means a special service followed by a delicious meal. Great job ladies! The food was delicious. Former staff member Doug Hemanes was the guest speaker, he did a good job and I know the church was full of people who had been impacted by Doug's ministry at HGBC. We have set new SS attendance records the last two weeks (since I've been here anyway). We had 150 last Sunday in SS and we had 154 yesterday. That's amazing and God is awesome!! I am so encouraged and blessed by God's working in the hearts and lives of His people. I pray God continues to extend His favor toward us as we seek to honor Him by reaching this whole wide world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has also been growing our worship services; in the past four weeks we have had 250, 272, 287 in attendance. Praise the Lord! We would love to have you come join us.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
It's back to the normal grind now. We had a great day at HGBC yesterday, it was Homecoming. To those who don't know, that means a special service followed by a delicious meal. Great job ladies! The food was delicious. Former staff member Doug Hemanes was the guest speaker, he did a good job and I know the church was full of people who had been impacted by Doug's ministry at HGBC. We have set new SS attendance records the last two weeks (since I've been here anyway). We had 150 last Sunday in SS and we had 154 yesterday. That's amazing and God is awesome!! I am so encouraged and blessed by God's working in the hearts and lives of His people. I pray God continues to extend His favor toward us as we seek to honor Him by reaching this whole wide world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has also been growing our worship services; in the past four weeks we have had 250, 272, 287 in attendance. Praise the Lord! We would love to have you come join us.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
An Email from my Brother-in-Law
I receive this forwarded email from one of my sisters husbands. I thought it was interesting. Read it and tell me what you think. (I didn't "snope" it to see if all of this is true, but I don't have a hard time believing it considering all BHO has written in his two autobiographies.)
Rich Carroll articulates the thoughts that have been on many people's minds. There's too much question surrounding Obama and Michelle's real ideology. Too many sinister associations make me suspicious. Also his past is still a blank. Have you ever thought about where Obama gets all his campaign money---more than Hillary or McCain put together in such a short span of time? Do think about it..............
The Jihad Candidate
by Rich Carroll
Conspiracy theories make for interesting novels when the storyline is not so absurd that it can grasp our attention. 'The Manchurian Candidate' and 'Seven Days in May' are examples of plausible chains of events that captures the reader's imagination at best-seller level. 'What if' has always been the solid grist of fiction.Get yourself something cool to drink, find a relaxing position, but before you continue, visualize the television photos of two jet airliners smashing into the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan and remind yourself this cowardly act of Muslim terror was planned for eight years.
How long did it take Islam and their oil money to find a candidate for President of the United States ? As long as it took them to place a Senator from Illinois and Minnesota ? The same amount of time to create a large Muslim enclave in Detroit ? The time it took them to build over 2,000 mosques in America ? The same amount of time required to place radical wahabbist clerics in our military and prisons as 'chaplains'?
Find a candidate who can get away with lying about their father being a 'freedom fighter' when he was actually part of the most corrupt and violent government in Kenya 's history. Find a candidate with close ties to The Nation of Islam and the violent Muslim overthrow in Africa , a candidate who is educated among white infidel Americans but hides his bitterness and anger behind a superficial toothy smile. Find a candidate who changes his American name of Barry to the Muslim name of Barak Hussein Obama, and dares anyone to question his true ties under the banner of 'racism'. Nurture this candidate in an atmosphere of anti-white American teaching and surround him with Islamic teachers. Provide him with a bitter, racist, anti-white, anti-American wife, and supply him with Muslim middle east connections and Islamic monies. Allow him to be clever enough to get away with his anti-white rhetoric and proclaim he will give $834 billion taxpayer dollars to the Muslim controlled United Nations for use in Africa .
Install your candidate in an atmosphere of deception because questioning him on any issue involving Africa or Islam would be seen as 'bigoted racism'; two words too powerful to allow the citizenry to be informed of facts. Allow your candidate to employ several black racist Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan followers as members of his Illinois Senatorial and campaign staffs.
Where is the bloodhound American 'free press' who doggedly overturned every stone in the Watergate case? Where are our nation's reporters that have placed every Presidential candidate under the microscope of detailed scrutiny; the same press who pursue Bush's 'Skull and Bones' club or ran other candidates off with persistent detective and research work? Why haven't 'newsmen' pursued the 65 blatant lies told by this candidate during the Presidential primaries?
Where are the stories about this candidate's cousin and the Muslim butchery in Africa ? Since when did our national press corps become weak, timid, and silent? Why haven't they regaled us with the long list of socialists and communists who have surrounded this 'out of nowhere' Democrat candidate or that his church re-printed the Hamas Manifesto in their bulletin, and that his 'close pastor friend and mentor' met with Middle East terrorist Moammar Gaddafi, (Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)? Why isn't the American press telling us this candidate is supported by every Muslim organization in the world?
As an ultimate slap in the face, be blatant in the fact your candidate has ZERO interest in traditional American values and has the most liberal voting record in U.S. Senate history. Why has the American main stream media clammed-up on any negative reporting on Barak Hussein Obama? Why will they print Hillary Rodham Clinton's name but never write his middle name? Is it not his name? Why, suddenly, is ANY information about this candidate not coming from main stream media, but from the blogosphere by citizens seeking facts and the truth? Why isn't our media connecting the dots with Islam? Why do they focus on 'those bad American soldiers' while Islam slaughters non Muslims daily in 44 countries around the globe? Why does our media refer to Darfur as 'ethnic cleansing' instead of what it really is; Muslims killing non Muslims! There is enough strange, anti- American activity surrounding Barak Hussein Obama to peek the curiosity of any reporter. WHERE IS OUR INVESTIGATIVE MEDIA!?
A formal plan for targeting America was devised three years after the Iranian revolution in 1982. The plan was summarized in a 1991 memorandum by Mohamed Akram, an operative of the global Muslim Brotherhood. 'The process of settlement' of Muslims in America , Akram explained, 'is a civilization jihad process.' This means that members of the Brotherhood must understand that their work in 'America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions.'
There is terrorism we can see, smell and fear, but there is a new kind of terror invading The United States in the form of Sharia law and finance. Condoning it is civilization suicide. Middle East Muslims are coming to America in record numbers and building hate infidel mosques, buying our corporations, suing us for our traditions, but they and the whole subject of Islam is white noise leaving uninformed Americans about who and what is really peaceful. Where is our investigative press? Any criticism of Islam or their intentions, even though Islamic leaders state their intentions daily around the globe, brings-forth a volley of 'racist' from the left-wing Democrat crowd.
Lies and deception behind a master plan - the ingredients for 'The Manchurian Candidate' or the placement of an anti-American President in our nation's White House? Is it mere coincidence that an anti-capitalist run for President at the same time Islamic sharia finance and law is trying to make advancing strides into the United States ? Is it mere coincidence this same candidate wants to dis-arm our nuclear capability at a time when terrorist Muslim nations are expanding their nuclear weapons capability? Is it mere coincidence this candidate wants to reduce our military at a time of global jihad from Muslim nations?
Change for America ? What change? To an Islamic Nation?
Rich Carroll articulates the thoughts that have been on many people's minds. There's too much question surrounding Obama and Michelle's real ideology. Too many sinister associations make me suspicious. Also his past is still a blank. Have you ever thought about where Obama gets all his campaign money---more than Hillary or McCain put together in such a short span of time? Do think about it..............
The Jihad Candidate
by Rich Carroll
Conspiracy theories make for interesting novels when the storyline is not so absurd that it can grasp our attention. 'The Manchurian Candidate' and 'Seven Days in May' are examples of plausible chains of events that captures the reader's imagination at best-seller level. 'What if' has always been the solid grist of fiction.Get yourself something cool to drink, find a relaxing position, but before you continue, visualize the television photos of two jet airliners smashing into the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan and remind yourself this cowardly act of Muslim terror was planned for eight years.
How long did it take Islam and their oil money to find a candidate for President of the United States ? As long as it took them to place a Senator from Illinois and Minnesota ? The same amount of time to create a large Muslim enclave in Detroit ? The time it took them to build over 2,000 mosques in America ? The same amount of time required to place radical wahabbist clerics in our military and prisons as 'chaplains'?
Find a candidate who can get away with lying about their father being a 'freedom fighter' when he was actually part of the most corrupt and violent government in Kenya 's history. Find a candidate with close ties to The Nation of Islam and the violent Muslim overthrow in Africa , a candidate who is educated among white infidel Americans but hides his bitterness and anger behind a superficial toothy smile. Find a candidate who changes his American name of Barry to the Muslim name of Barak Hussein Obama, and dares anyone to question his true ties under the banner of 'racism'. Nurture this candidate in an atmosphere of anti-white American teaching and surround him with Islamic teachers. Provide him with a bitter, racist, anti-white, anti-American wife, and supply him with Muslim middle east connections and Islamic monies. Allow him to be clever enough to get away with his anti-white rhetoric and proclaim he will give $834 billion taxpayer dollars to the Muslim controlled United Nations for use in Africa .
Install your candidate in an atmosphere of deception because questioning him on any issue involving Africa or Islam would be seen as 'bigoted racism'; two words too powerful to allow the citizenry to be informed of facts. Allow your candidate to employ several black racist Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan followers as members of his Illinois Senatorial and campaign staffs.
Where is the bloodhound American 'free press' who doggedly overturned every stone in the Watergate case? Where are our nation's reporters that have placed every Presidential candidate under the microscope of detailed scrutiny; the same press who pursue Bush's 'Skull and Bones' club or ran other candidates off with persistent detective and research work? Why haven't 'newsmen' pursued the 65 blatant lies told by this candidate during the Presidential primaries?
Where are the stories about this candidate's cousin and the Muslim butchery in Africa ? Since when did our national press corps become weak, timid, and silent? Why haven't they regaled us with the long list of socialists and communists who have surrounded this 'out of nowhere' Democrat candidate or that his church re-printed the Hamas Manifesto in their bulletin, and that his 'close pastor friend and mentor' met with Middle East terrorist Moammar Gaddafi, (Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)? Why isn't the American press telling us this candidate is supported by every Muslim organization in the world?
As an ultimate slap in the face, be blatant in the fact your candidate has ZERO interest in traditional American values and has the most liberal voting record in U.S. Senate history. Why has the American main stream media clammed-up on any negative reporting on Barak Hussein Obama? Why will they print Hillary Rodham Clinton's name but never write his middle name? Is it not his name? Why, suddenly, is ANY information about this candidate not coming from main stream media, but from the blogosphere by citizens seeking facts and the truth? Why isn't our media connecting the dots with Islam? Why do they focus on 'those bad American soldiers' while Islam slaughters non Muslims daily in 44 countries around the globe? Why does our media refer to Darfur as 'ethnic cleansing' instead of what it really is; Muslims killing non Muslims! There is enough strange, anti- American activity surrounding Barak Hussein Obama to peek the curiosity of any reporter. WHERE IS OUR INVESTIGATIVE MEDIA!?
A formal plan for targeting America was devised three years after the Iranian revolution in 1982. The plan was summarized in a 1991 memorandum by Mohamed Akram, an operative of the global Muslim Brotherhood. 'The process of settlement' of Muslims in America , Akram explained, 'is a civilization jihad process.' This means that members of the Brotherhood must understand that their work in 'America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions.'
There is terrorism we can see, smell and fear, but there is a new kind of terror invading The United States in the form of Sharia law and finance. Condoning it is civilization suicide. Middle East Muslims are coming to America in record numbers and building hate infidel mosques, buying our corporations, suing us for our traditions, but they and the whole subject of Islam is white noise leaving uninformed Americans about who and what is really peaceful. Where is our investigative press? Any criticism of Islam or their intentions, even though Islamic leaders state their intentions daily around the globe, brings-forth a volley of 'racist' from the left-wing Democrat crowd.
Lies and deception behind a master plan - the ingredients for 'The Manchurian Candidate' or the placement of an anti-American President in our nation's White House? Is it mere coincidence that an anti-capitalist run for President at the same time Islamic sharia finance and law is trying to make advancing strides into the United States ? Is it mere coincidence this same candidate wants to dis-arm our nuclear capability at a time when terrorist Muslim nations are expanding their nuclear weapons capability? Is it mere coincidence this candidate wants to reduce our military at a time of global jihad from Muslim nations?
Change for America ? What change? To an Islamic Nation?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Random Thoughts
I enjoy Friday's. It's my day off and I ususally spend the day with Morgan, and Melissa if she is not working.
Melissa went to the Dr today. She is 20 weeks and everything is just like it should be. Thank you Lord.
Morgan is excited about the baby in Mommy's tummy but I don't think she quite understands how her life is about to change.
A good friend of ours from Fayetteville, NC called this morning to tell me that he and his wife just had a baby; just over 10lb little boy. God bless you Carey and family.
I'm looking forward to Sunday. See ya then.
Melissa went to the Dr today. She is 20 weeks and everything is just like it should be. Thank you Lord.
Morgan is excited about the baby in Mommy's tummy but I don't think she quite understands how her life is about to change.
A good friend of ours from Fayetteville, NC called this morning to tell me that he and his wife just had a baby; just over 10lb little boy. God bless you Carey and family.
I'm looking forward to Sunday. See ya then.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Please Pray
I am dealing with some difficult things right now. I am simply asking for those of you who see this to pray for me over the next few days. Thanks.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Curiousity Killed the Cat
That's kind of how I feel today. I read an interesting article this week about Facebook and the potential for exceptional ministry through this networking tool. Facebook is a place where people can connect or reconnect with people and network or build relationships.
Relationship building is crucial in obeying and fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ. It is the only marching orders of the Christian, so I'm giving facebook a try. We'll see how it goes, and I hope no "cats" get killed around here.
Pastor Mike
Relationship building is crucial in obeying and fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ. It is the only marching orders of the Christian, so I'm giving facebook a try. We'll see how it goes, and I hope no "cats" get killed around here.
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Getting Excited
As I go through life these days there are several things I am excited about.
1) I'm excited about the new baby girl that is on her way into our lives; around February 5th. I think Melissa and Morgan named her last night, but I will wait a little while longer before sharing.
2) I'm excited about what God is doing at HGBC. As we follow his path and serve others, he will do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could dream, hope for, or expect.
3) I'm now excited about the political race for president of these United States. I believe John McCain has helped his cause greatly in choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She is pro-life, obviously, by giving birth to a son with down syndrome. And the way she is sticking by her daughter during this very difficult and public scrutiny. I also applaud McCain for standing with Palin. I almost have to assume that he knew about this before his choosing her, and they knew it before accepting the nomination. I can't wait to see what she says at RNC tonight. She is pr0-marriage: heterosexual marriage that is. She is pro-second amendment: a citizens right to own and bare arms. (I'm getting more excited as I write.) These are just a few of things I am pleased with concerning Palin. I believe November will be much more interesting now. Have fun.
Pastor Mike
1) I'm excited about the new baby girl that is on her way into our lives; around February 5th. I think Melissa and Morgan named her last night, but I will wait a little while longer before sharing.
2) I'm excited about what God is doing at HGBC. As we follow his path and serve others, he will do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could dream, hope for, or expect.
3) I'm now excited about the political race for president of these United States. I believe John McCain has helped his cause greatly in choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She is pro-life, obviously, by giving birth to a son with down syndrome. And the way she is sticking by her daughter during this very difficult and public scrutiny. I also applaud McCain for standing with Palin. I almost have to assume that he knew about this before his choosing her, and they knew it before accepting the nomination. I can't wait to see what she says at RNC tonight. She is pr0-marriage: heterosexual marriage that is. She is pro-second amendment: a citizens right to own and bare arms. (I'm getting more excited as I write.) These are just a few of things I am pleased with concerning Palin. I believe November will be much more interesting now. Have fun.
Pastor Mike
Sunday, August 24, 2008
A Prayer Concern
As we in Florida have been in a state of prayer (and rain) over the last several days, please continue with these two requests: 1) Pastor Tony Buchanan (preached the 1st revival meeting at HGBC after I came as pastor) is in El Salvador with two other preachers on a mission trip. They are doing pastor's conferences and revival services; pray that God uses them for His honor and glory. 2) Tim Guthrie's son T, Tim is a pastor friend from Tennessee, experienced a shooting at his high school today. I believe one was killed and the shooter was caught before he could do more damage. Please pray for T and the others who are trying to minister to their classmates during this very difficult time. And pray for the families of those affected by this tragedy.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Fay More Days
As we sit here in the comfort of our home, my family and I are wondering with the rest of NE Florida: "What is TP Fay going to do next?" I think she is tired because she is moving very slowly. That is not a good thing because she is "crying" about her pace, and it is leaving us awefully damp.
Most weather "experts" are only guessing about what will happen next. I do know that I can add, and if she continues at her current pace we will be dealing with Fay all weekend. I know that most in the state are ready to give her "the boot." I hate the "wait and see" game, but we are getting very good at it this week.
OH! and if you didn't know: we found out what we are having. You can ask us if you want.
Most weather "experts" are only guessing about what will happen next. I do know that I can add, and if she continues at her current pace we will be dealing with Fay all weekend. I know that most in the state are ready to give her "the boot." I hate the "wait and see" game, but we are getting very good at it this week.
OH! and if you didn't know: we found out what we are having. You can ask us if you want.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Storm on the Horizon
Faye is on the way. No one on this earth really knows what is going to happen or what direction she will decide to go. One minute the report is it's going away, the next is that she is growing. It looks like what ever she does she will hit our area tomorrow evening or Thursday. I'm kind of nervous because I've never had to go through one of these storms with the responsibilities I have: husband, father, homeowner, etc... I pray God's protection on all who have been, are or will be affected by Faye. God bless you. Prepare well and stay safe.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Still Here
As I sat down to write a few lines I thought to myself, "What can I call this?" And after the time I've had while in Honduras and this week, about all I can say is I'm still here. I finally broke down and went to the doctor Wednesday and he put me on two medications for my stomach problems. Thank God for medicine.
I was at church all day Sunday, God blessed our share service and then I preached Sunday night. I preached an introductory message on the book of Acts; we will begin a verse by verse study of the Book of Acts. I can't wait! I've done bible studies of this wonderful, amazing book, but I've never actually preached through it before. I know that God is going to revolutionize our church as we take this journey through Acts.
I actually feel much better. I spent all day Monday and Tuesday at the house unable to leave whatsoever. I was at home most of Wednesday; going into the office about 2pm to get ready for Wednesday night. I love teaching my DC, Theology 102 "Why We Believe What We Believe." Thursday I was in the office most of the day studying for Sunday morning. I cut my grass today, but I realize after the fact that I am still weak from my "missionary blessing." But I will be ready come Sunday morning. Can't wait to see you there.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
I was at church all day Sunday, God blessed our share service and then I preached Sunday night. I preached an introductory message on the book of Acts; we will begin a verse by verse study of the Book of Acts. I can't wait! I've done bible studies of this wonderful, amazing book, but I've never actually preached through it before. I know that God is going to revolutionize our church as we take this journey through Acts.
I actually feel much better. I spent all day Monday and Tuesday at the house unable to leave whatsoever. I was at home most of Wednesday; going into the office about 2pm to get ready for Wednesday night. I love teaching my DC, Theology 102 "Why We Believe What We Believe." Thursday I was in the office most of the day studying for Sunday morning. I cut my grass today, but I realize after the fact that I am still weak from my "missionary blessing." But I will be ready come Sunday morning. Can't wait to see you there.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Honduras 08- Part 5
I'm sitting in my recliner watching the Olympics and the PGA Championship. It's nice to be home.
We left Tegucigalpa at 4:30am, and traveled the 4 hours to the airport at San Pedro Sula. We checked in, paid our exit taxes, and hung out until our flight left for Houston at 11:55am. Each leg of the flight we lost an hour as we traveled East. The flight was uneventful.
We landed in Houston, got through Immigration and Customs, got some good food, and waited until our flight for Jacksonville took off at 7:25 (8:25 EST). The flight was uneventful once again, except that as we approached JAI we witnessed a beautiful lightning storm out to the North. It was quite impressive to see the lightning light up the night sky. It was just another demonstration of the magnificence of God. We landed safely and began the last, small portion of the journey home.
As we were walking toward baggage claim, I saw Melissa and Morgan. I was so excited to see them. Morgan ran to jump up in my arms, and I just hugged her for a minute or so. I gave Melissa a big kiss and we were off to get the luggage. We had to help one of the team fill out some paper work because of a lost bag. We loaded up and headed home.
It's always good to come home, but every time I do, I find that I leave a little bit more of my heart behind. I pray that God continues to give me a GLOBAL VISION that will accommodate his GLOBAL COMMISSION.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
We left Tegucigalpa at 4:30am, and traveled the 4 hours to the airport at San Pedro Sula. We checked in, paid our exit taxes, and hung out until our flight left for Houston at 11:55am. Each leg of the flight we lost an hour as we traveled East. The flight was uneventful.
We landed in Houston, got through Immigration and Customs, got some good food, and waited until our flight for Jacksonville took off at 7:25 (8:25 EST). The flight was uneventful once again, except that as we approached JAI we witnessed a beautiful lightning storm out to the North. It was quite impressive to see the lightning light up the night sky. It was just another demonstration of the magnificence of God. We landed safely and began the last, small portion of the journey home.
As we were walking toward baggage claim, I saw Melissa and Morgan. I was so excited to see them. Morgan ran to jump up in my arms, and I just hugged her for a minute or so. I gave Melissa a big kiss and we were off to get the luggage. We had to help one of the team fill out some paper work because of a lost bag. We loaded up and headed home.
It's always good to come home, but every time I do, I find that I leave a little bit more of my heart behind. I pray that God continues to give me a GLOBAL VISION that will accommodate his GLOBAL COMMISSION.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Honduras 08- Part 4
As I write this post it is Thursday afternoon 2:20pm Honduras time (4:20 EST). We arrived safely in Tegucigalpa about 11am this morning. Most of us are in some state of sadness having had to leave those we have come to love from Kerygma (Proclamation); that is the name of the church in Juticalpa we have been serving along side this week. Several from the group volunteered to take extra vacation time if we could just stay a few more days. (You will hear about much of this on Sunday morning during our share service.)
When we arrived in Teguc we unloaded the van at the missionary house, and then went to Greengo ally for lunch. It is a section of Tegucigalpa with several American resteraunts (Wendys, Burger King, Subway, etc...). Steve, Iris and I decided to come back to the house rather than go site-seeing. Steve and I are still somewhat leary of our stomachs, while I believe Iris is just tired. When the rest of the team returns we will be going to eat with the Acosta's.
We will "hit the sack" earlier b/c we will have to be up at 4am or so to load up and travel the 4.5 hours to San Pedro Sula for our 11am flight back to Houston. We have a 4 hour layover in Houston and should arrive back in Jacksonville at 10:42pm. We can't wait to see our loved ones, and share all that God has done during this short stay in Honduras. I pray God multiplies "the seed" over and over to the ends of the earth. See you Sunday.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
When we arrived in Teguc we unloaded the van at the missionary house, and then went to Greengo ally for lunch. It is a section of Tegucigalpa with several American resteraunts (Wendys, Burger King, Subway, etc...). Steve, Iris and I decided to come back to the house rather than go site-seeing. Steve and I are still somewhat leary of our stomachs, while I believe Iris is just tired. When the rest of the team returns we will be going to eat with the Acosta's.
We will "hit the sack" earlier b/c we will have to be up at 4am or so to load up and travel the 4.5 hours to San Pedro Sula for our 11am flight back to Houston. We have a 4 hour layover in Houston and should arrive back in Jacksonville at 10:42pm. We can't wait to see our loved ones, and share all that God has done during this short stay in Honduras. I pray God multiplies "the seed" over and over to the ends of the earth. See you Sunday.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Honduras 08- Part 3
It’s Wednesday morning and our trip is quickly coming to an end; it’s always a sad time when one of our trips comes to an end. We have to leave friends and family here. It’s amazing how quickly you can create a bond with people in another place and from another culture. The Lord God is God of all the earth, and it’s so very easy to love people. In Honduras the people we work with are so kind and gracious. They are so appreciative of what “little” we can do in such a short period of time, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve them.
Tuesday was a very interesting day for me. I got sick Monday night after supper and haven’t eaten anything since then (through Wednesday morning). But what made yesterday interesting was the time I was able to spend with 6 local pastors, when I say local I mean they traveled and hour or more to come and allow me to teach them. I am so overwhelmed at the responsibility and possibility for disciple-making which can come from the 6 hours of teaching on Monday and Tuesday. God I pray that you would multiply and duplicate in them the things they have seen and heard.
After the teaching time yesterday, we rested for about an hour and then it was church time. The local church here meets every night but Monday night. Dave shared a tremendous testimony last night. It was a great encouragement. I preached last night out of John 3:1-21. I had to keep it short and sweet because of a certain “missionary blessing” that I have had the last few days, but I believe God blessed in spite of my ailment.
VBS has been going very well. Sue and Iris have shared the teaching responsibilities. Debbie and Judy have been taking care of the crafts, and Joy and Carrie have been handling the recreation time. Today has been the largest crowd so far. All of the chairs were full and children were standing around the room. At the end of the lesson today, they did a question and answer time reviewing the weeks VBS stories and awarding prizes to those who answered correctly. The children were so excited and enthusiastic; it blesses my heart to watch them.
One of the things I enjoy most during our trips is being able to do food ministry. We purchase food, bag it up and with the help of church members hit the streets of the community seeking out nonchurch members to minister to. We do this to meet a physical need but more importantly we do it to help the church establish a relationship with the family so that they can have a door of opportunity to minister in the future. We share the gospel as the Lord opens the door. It is always a great time. After we finish the food ministry we will gather once again with our brothers and sisters in Christ for worship. We will share testimonies, sing songs and the Word of God will be preached. At the conclusion of the service we will present the church with the items we collected from our church as a gift. They will use it to minister to others. The pastor will come back to the hotel with us and we will give him “the clothes off our backs.” He will take them home, his family will wash them, and they will use them for ministry to others.
Please continue to pray for the 3 of us who are suffering with the “missionary blessing.” Traveling will be very difficult in the condition we are currently in. Pray that God will touch are stomachs and settle them so that we can travel the 4.5 hours back to Tegucigalpa. I will try to put one last update on here tomorrow evening. Pray also for safety as we travel. There will be about 9 hours of travel in the van, plus the 4 or so hours of plane travel. Everyone says hello and we miss you. See you soon.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday was a very interesting day for me. I got sick Monday night after supper and haven’t eaten anything since then (through Wednesday morning). But what made yesterday interesting was the time I was able to spend with 6 local pastors, when I say local I mean they traveled and hour or more to come and allow me to teach them. I am so overwhelmed at the responsibility and possibility for disciple-making which can come from the 6 hours of teaching on Monday and Tuesday. God I pray that you would multiply and duplicate in them the things they have seen and heard.
After the teaching time yesterday, we rested for about an hour and then it was church time. The local church here meets every night but Monday night. Dave shared a tremendous testimony last night. It was a great encouragement. I preached last night out of John 3:1-21. I had to keep it short and sweet because of a certain “missionary blessing” that I have had the last few days, but I believe God blessed in spite of my ailment.
VBS has been going very well. Sue and Iris have shared the teaching responsibilities. Debbie and Judy have been taking care of the crafts, and Joy and Carrie have been handling the recreation time. Today has been the largest crowd so far. All of the chairs were full and children were standing around the room. At the end of the lesson today, they did a question and answer time reviewing the weeks VBS stories and awarding prizes to those who answered correctly. The children were so excited and enthusiastic; it blesses my heart to watch them.
One of the things I enjoy most during our trips is being able to do food ministry. We purchase food, bag it up and with the help of church members hit the streets of the community seeking out nonchurch members to minister to. We do this to meet a physical need but more importantly we do it to help the church establish a relationship with the family so that they can have a door of opportunity to minister in the future. We share the gospel as the Lord opens the door. It is always a great time. After we finish the food ministry we will gather once again with our brothers and sisters in Christ for worship. We will share testimonies, sing songs and the Word of God will be preached. At the conclusion of the service we will present the church with the items we collected from our church as a gift. They will use it to minister to others. The pastor will come back to the hotel with us and we will give him “the clothes off our backs.” He will take them home, his family will wash them, and they will use them for ministry to others.
Please continue to pray for the 3 of us who are suffering with the “missionary blessing.” Traveling will be very difficult in the condition we are currently in. Pray that God will touch are stomachs and settle them so that we can travel the 4.5 hours back to Tegucigalpa. I will try to put one last update on here tomorrow evening. Pray also for safety as we travel. There will be about 9 hours of travel in the van, plus the 4 or so hours of plane travel. Everyone says hello and we miss you. See you soon.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Honduras 08- Part 2
Yesterday, Monday, was a good day. VBS went very well. The construction project is going smoothely, or at least as smoothely as it would in a 3rd world country, but we are having a good time.
I spoke to 14 pastors yesterday, and they seemed very attentive and excited. I was suppose to speak for 2 hours today and 2 hours tomorrow, but they have asked for me to do the rest today because gas prices are so high. So I will do 4 hours this afternoon, and then preach at church tonight. That doesn't seem to bad, except that I got very sick yesterday, and it has continued on today so far. I feel very weak, and am having some stomach trouble. What is even sadder than that is several from the team are starting to have some physical problems too. I chalk it up to the attack of the enemy because what we are trying to do is world changing and eternal. I ask that you pray for us at your every remembrance. We are stedfast and refuse to let these problems get the better of us.
In the midst of the physical discomfort, I am so excited and am preparing for today with great anticipation wanting to see God restore the "lost vision" of what His people are suppose to be doing: fulfilling the Great Commission/making disciples of all the nations.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
I spoke to 14 pastors yesterday, and they seemed very attentive and excited. I was suppose to speak for 2 hours today and 2 hours tomorrow, but they have asked for me to do the rest today because gas prices are so high. So I will do 4 hours this afternoon, and then preach at church tonight. That doesn't seem to bad, except that I got very sick yesterday, and it has continued on today so far. I feel very weak, and am having some stomach trouble. What is even sadder than that is several from the team are starting to have some physical problems too. I chalk it up to the attack of the enemy because what we are trying to do is world changing and eternal. I ask that you pray for us at your every remembrance. We are stedfast and refuse to let these problems get the better of us.
In the midst of the physical discomfort, I am so excited and am preparing for today with great anticipation wanting to see God restore the "lost vision" of what His people are suppose to be doing: fulfilling the Great Commission/making disciples of all the nations.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Monday, August 04, 2008
Honduras 08- Part 1
Hello from Honduras. It is a beautiful Monday morning and the team is about to head out to the church to do VBS for the kids and construction for the church. We are going to be completing a shower and bathrooms for the church. This afternoon I will be teaching about 18 local pastors; I will be introducing them to the discipleship process which Christ commanded us to follow (Matt. 28:19). I can't wait to see what God is going to acomplish through these teaching times this week. I covet your prayers.
I will give you a "play by play" of the days so far, and I will try to keep you up-to-date on what happens each day.
We left the church at 3:30am Friday morning, and flew out of Jacksonville at 6:10am. We flew to Houston, TX and then to San Pedro Sula. We were originally scheduled to fly into Tegucigalpa, but dew to a plane crash last month, the President of Honduras had closed the airport. By the time we flew down, the airport was open again, but they wouldn't transfer our flight back to Tegucigalpa. So we had a 5 hour van ride from SPS to Teguc. No problem, but it was a very exciting ride. We stayed with some missionaries working with North Carolina Baptists, Steve and Elaine Stevens. They work in Honduras coordinating mission trips for NC Baptists. We will be staying with them Thursday night also.
Saturday we got up and left for Juticalpa. It is about a 4 hour van ride from Teguc to Juticalpa. We arrived safely, checked into the hotel, ate lunch and went to the church in the community of Solidadidad. We conducted our first session of VBS for the kids, and about 50 kids came that first afternoon. We came back to the hotel, ate supper, had a team meeting which was interesting to say the least, and then it was off to dream land.
We got up yesterday morning, did the usual and the necessary, and then went to church for the AM activities. The ladies taught SS for the kids and youth, while the men began working on the construction project. It looks like we have enough resources to complete the project, do food ministry to about 40 families, and do some minor repairs to the electrical project from last year. After SS we went to Chester's and had some good fried chicken (don't think that you will come on a trip like this and go hungry. I bet you won't even lose any weight.) We met the Pastor Jesus Torres and some from the church about 2pm for a baptismal service in the river. He asked me to help and I had the privilege of baptizing 2 young Christians: David and Noel. It was my first experience baptizing in a river, outside, in moving water, but it was a wonderful experience. We have some good video and pictures of it. I can't wait to show them during our share service Sunday morning. After that it was back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes, and then back to the churh for the evening service. Joy Loner did an excellent job of sharing a testimony, and I was given the opportunity to preach. I love preaching. I preached the final message from our study of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 16:12-20, "What are we suppose to do now?" A delicious meal was prepared for us at the church, we ate, and came back to the hotel for our nightly team meeting. Then it was off to dream land again.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
I will give you a "play by play" of the days so far, and I will try to keep you up-to-date on what happens each day.
We left the church at 3:30am Friday morning, and flew out of Jacksonville at 6:10am. We flew to Houston, TX and then to San Pedro Sula. We were originally scheduled to fly into Tegucigalpa, but dew to a plane crash last month, the President of Honduras had closed the airport. By the time we flew down, the airport was open again, but they wouldn't transfer our flight back to Tegucigalpa. So we had a 5 hour van ride from SPS to Teguc. No problem, but it was a very exciting ride. We stayed with some missionaries working with North Carolina Baptists, Steve and Elaine Stevens. They work in Honduras coordinating mission trips for NC Baptists. We will be staying with them Thursday night also.
Saturday we got up and left for Juticalpa. It is about a 4 hour van ride from Teguc to Juticalpa. We arrived safely, checked into the hotel, ate lunch and went to the church in the community of Solidadidad. We conducted our first session of VBS for the kids, and about 50 kids came that first afternoon. We came back to the hotel, ate supper, had a team meeting which was interesting to say the least, and then it was off to dream land.
We got up yesterday morning, did the usual and the necessary, and then went to church for the AM activities. The ladies taught SS for the kids and youth, while the men began working on the construction project. It looks like we have enough resources to complete the project, do food ministry to about 40 families, and do some minor repairs to the electrical project from last year. After SS we went to Chester's and had some good fried chicken (don't think that you will come on a trip like this and go hungry. I bet you won't even lose any weight.) We met the Pastor Jesus Torres and some from the church about 2pm for a baptismal service in the river. He asked me to help and I had the privilege of baptizing 2 young Christians: David and Noel. It was my first experience baptizing in a river, outside, in moving water, but it was a wonderful experience. We have some good video and pictures of it. I can't wait to show them during our share service Sunday morning. After that it was back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes, and then back to the churh for the evening service. Joy Loner did an excellent job of sharing a testimony, and I was given the opportunity to preach. I love preaching. I preached the final message from our study of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 16:12-20, "What are we suppose to do now?" A delicious meal was prepared for us at the church, we ate, and came back to the hotel for our nightly team meeting. Then it was off to dream land again.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Monday, July 28, 2008
Getting ready to leave...
This will probably be my last post for a couple of weeks. I am leading a team of 10 on a mission trip to Juticalpa, Honduras. We leave Friday morning at 3:30 and will not return until next Friday late. I am so pumped about the potential for the coming week. We will be doing construction and VBS during the day, and I will be training pastors during the evening. I can't wait to see and participate in all that God will do. Please pray for us. I will be spending most of this week studying for all of my teaching opportunities.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
It's Everywhere...
There is one theme that seems to be surrounding my life these days. The theme is that of forgiveness. I am dealing with circumstances in the church that need true, godly, genuine forgiveness to envelop it. I had a meeting with a precious lady in our church this morning who had some concerns, and one of the areas of need in that situation is forgiveness. I just got off the phone with a young lady who was recently saved and is struggling severely with issues of forgiveness, specifically forgiving herself for her failures and sin.
I am so glad that God, that sovereign, all powerful, holy and righteous God, is the God of genuine forgiveness. It is a forgiveness that is not stupid or forgetful. God defines forgiveness as the act of choosing never to remember or bring up the incident being forgiven again, NEVER EVER NEVER EVER bringing it up again. Sometimes we think that forgiveness is forgetting. No where in Scripture does it say that God forgets your sins or mine; it says that He chooses not to remember them anymore. Praise God that He chooses not to remember, He chooses never to throw my past, present or future failures up in my face when I come to Him. He never refuses to act or work on my behalf or in my life because of sins that have been washed by the blood of Jesus, my eternal substitute.
I believe that the hardest aspect of forgiveness is self-forgiveness. The act of forgiving oneself after we have sought and received the forgiveness of God. Question one: "Who am I to refuse to forgive myself when the God of the universe has already forgiven me?" If God can forgive me, I ought to forgive myself and move on for His honor and glory. Question two: "Who do I think I am that I would refuse to forgive someone else when God has offered so great a forgiveness (salvation) to them and to me?" (I must be crazy to live my life with unforgiveness in my heart! And you must be too.)
Remember Jesus said that if we will not forgive others we will not be forgiven. Maybe that is one of the reasons so many in the church are so miserable today; they are carrying a burden not meant to carry because they refuse to forgive.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
I am so glad that God, that sovereign, all powerful, holy and righteous God, is the God of genuine forgiveness. It is a forgiveness that is not stupid or forgetful. God defines forgiveness as the act of choosing never to remember or bring up the incident being forgiven again, NEVER EVER NEVER EVER bringing it up again. Sometimes we think that forgiveness is forgetting. No where in Scripture does it say that God forgets your sins or mine; it says that He chooses not to remember them anymore. Praise God that He chooses not to remember, He chooses never to throw my past, present or future failures up in my face when I come to Him. He never refuses to act or work on my behalf or in my life because of sins that have been washed by the blood of Jesus, my eternal substitute.
I believe that the hardest aspect of forgiveness is self-forgiveness. The act of forgiving oneself after we have sought and received the forgiveness of God. Question one: "Who am I to refuse to forgive myself when the God of the universe has already forgiven me?" If God can forgive me, I ought to forgive myself and move on for His honor and glory. Question two: "Who do I think I am that I would refuse to forgive someone else when God has offered so great a forgiveness (salvation) to them and to me?" (I must be crazy to live my life with unforgiveness in my heart! And you must be too.)
Remember Jesus said that if we will not forgive others we will not be forgiven. Maybe that is one of the reasons so many in the church are so miserable today; they are carrying a burden not meant to carry because they refuse to forgive.
Serving Him,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Slight Correction
In my last post I said that we were going to baptize five this past Sunday (July 13); we actually baptized eight. Twelve precious souls have publicly aligned themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ in the last two weeks. During the invitation Sunday morning, and I do still give an public invitation in every service, we saw two join the church and two more come forward publicly professing Christ as Savior. I counseled with them after the service, and we are baptizing them this coming Sunday morning. Yesterday four of the twelve were cousins, with two of them brothers. This coming Sunday I will be baptizing a brother and sister. God rocks!
I want to encourage you to hit your knees hard over the next few weeks. The reason is that several of your brothers and sisters in Christ, including myself, are coming under some severe spiritual attacks. We need your prayers and support as we face the enemy on a daily basis. Many of these attacks are aimed at our families and homes. We covet your prayers.
Pastor Mike
I want to encourage you to hit your knees hard over the next few weeks. The reason is that several of your brothers and sisters in Christ, including myself, are coming under some severe spiritual attacks. We need your prayers and support as we face the enemy on a daily basis. Many of these attacks are aimed at our families and homes. We covet your prayers.
Pastor Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
