The Feeling Has Faded

What excitement on Saturday Night as the Big Orange defeated the Memphis Tigers.

What jubilation as we were crowned the #1 team in the land.

What joy in being the top dog in college basketball.

Those feelings have faded now that we have lost to the despised Vanderbilt Commodores.  Yes, we had to play in their lame, elementary school gym.  Yes, the officiating was horrible.  But, we still lost.

I’m going to keep cheering on the Vols, though.  We could still win the SEC and make some noise in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments.  Who knows, we may even see Vanderbilt again down the line.

If we do, it won’t be in their pathetic excuse for a gym. 

Go VOLS!

By the way, all of this is similar to what happens after a person becomes a Christian.  At first, there are feelings of euphoria and magnificent gladness.  The renewed person feels like they are on top of the world and everything is beautiful from that viewpoint.

Then….sometimes in a matter of just a few hours, or a few days, or weeks, because of normal everyday problems and possibly more serious ones, the feeling begins to fade.  Often, this causes the person to lose heart.

But a person’s faith should not depend upon a feeling.  Feelings are a part of it, I suppose.  But mainly it is based upon committment.  Jesus loves me and I love Him.  I have put my trust in Him and no matter what I feel like, the committment He made to me remains.

In being a Vol fan, I will be a fan regardless of what happens throughout the season.  In being a believer, I will remain one regardless of what happens throughout life.  Good feelings are great, but the knowledge that my faith doesn’t depend on them is even better.

(Note to readers:  If you feel compelled to assist a church in being all that it can be, please click on “To Help a Church” at the top of this page)

Chicken-n-Dumplings for Jesus

Our church had an official welcome lunch for us after church this morning.  I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen so much food.  Previously, I mentioned to them my love for Chicken-n-Dumplings.  I believe that they will be serve in Heaven, along with Rocky Road ice cream.  Because of this, there were about 6 pots of Chicken-n-Dumplings brought to the lunch.

After church tonight, Kristy’s aunt gave me a large portion of her Chicken-n-Dumplings to take home with us.  It was enough for several days worth of lunch.  However, that all changed before we made it home.

 While pumping gas at a station on Strawberry Plains Pike, a man approached me stating that he and his wife did not have $ for gas, nor did they have any food.  He didn’t really give more details, but I felt compelled to do what I could.  I told him that I could put some gas in his tank and offered to buy him some food at McDonald’s.  Then I remembered that I had the Chicken-n-Dumplings and told him that he could have them or McDonalds food, or both.  He chose the Chicken-n-Dumplings.

The Bible says that when we do something for people in need, we are doing it for Jesus.  So, in essence, I gave Jesus some Chicken-n-Dumplings tonight.  I hope He was pleased.

Really, I wish that I could do more for people.  However, we do what we can do.  I gave the man advice on some services that I am aware of and was able to tell him about God’s love.  He was appreciative and seemed hopeful.  He said that with our help, he thinks he’ll be ok.  I pray that this is the case.

Toward Better Health–Again (Part 7)

Well, I lost 3 pounds–again.  That put me down to 319.  How am I doing it?  Little by little.

As I’ve written before, I’ve been on a cycle of loss and gain for several years.  I’m not losing as much as I normally do once I start trying, but I think that it is for the better.  In the past, when I have pressed to lose weight more quickly, I have given up rather easily.  This time, I don’t feel like giving up.  I have a deep desire to press on.  Mainly for 3 reasons.

1.  I have four children (ages 6,5,4,and 3) and one more on the way.  I need energy to play with them and I would like to live to an old age so that I can see who they will become later in life.  God has blessed me with them and I see their well-being as my responsibility.  I need to be an example to them and desparately desire to be there for them as long as possible.  Of course, weighing less does not ensure long life.  However, I do not wish to dig my grave with my own teeth, either.

2.  I need to be an example to my church.  I preach about people denying their lusts and yet can not control my lust for food.  It is amazing the number of overweight prechers.  I am one of them now, but that is changing (hopefully for good).

3.  For me.  I want to feel better, have more energy and confidence, and know that I did not let my weight issue defeat me.

So after 1 month and 3 weeks–319 pounds (-2 for the week, -5 for the month, -13 overall).

(If anyone is interested in helping a church be all it can be, please click on “To Help a Church” at the top of this page)

Vols Caught a Tiger By the Toe

I predicted a high scoring game–that didn’t happen.

I predicted a seven point win–that didn’t happen.

I predicted a Tennessee victory–BINGO!

A fantastic game from stat to finish with momentum swings, physical play, and clutch shots made by players on both teams.  I yelled, complained, grimaced, and finally clutched my fist in victory.

The Vols should be ranked #1 for the first time in history. 

How ’bout them Vols!

I would say “Bruce Pearl for President,” but I’d rather have him as our coach.

(If anyone is interested in helping a church be all it can be, please click on “To Help a Church” at the top of this page)

Bring On the Tigers

Taking a break from cleaning.  It’s a good day for me to clean because I have more energy when I am excited.  One guess as to what I’m stoked about……

That’s right–Memphis vs. Tennessee, #1 vs. #2, The Kitty Cats (er..Tigers) vs. The VOLS. 

Never in my dreams did I ever imagine the Men’s team being ranked higher than the Lady Vols.  Never did I imagine that we (the Vols) would ever have the opportunity to play in a #1 vs. #2 game with a chance to be the #1 team in the country.  Never did I think that some would ever call a game we would play in the “College Basketball Game of the Year.”

But it has happened.  Bruce Pearl is a miracle worker, taking a team with no identity, no well-known stars (at least a few years ago), no fan interest and turning it into a juggernaut.  Some have called him “Bruce Almighty.”  While I’m don’t go that far, I do believe that he is the best coach at motivating his players and enticing the fans  to do the same.  In actuality, he is one of the best (if not the best) college basketball coaches in the country. 

Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith, Tyler Smith, Ramar Smith, Wayne Chism, Duke Crews, Jordan Howell, Ryan Childress, and the rest have learned to play well together and to help carry the team when needed.

I’m excited about the game tonight and here’s my prediction:

Tennessee 89, Tiger High (Memphis) 82

GO VOLS!

(If anyone is interested in helping a church be all it can be, please click on “To Help a Church” at the top of this page)

To Help a Church

This may seem unusual to you, but I have thought and prayed about this for a little over a month now and think that it is appropriate. 

Some of you who read this blog have been blessed financially.  I believe that we do not received blessings just to enjoy all to ourselves, but that we have been blessed to be a blessing. 

Stoney Point Baptist Church (the church that I am privileged to be the pastor of) built a much needed new church building about 3-4 years ago.  Their old church building experienced continued flooding throughout the years.  The church members did all that they could to stop the flooding and succeeded on occasion only to see it start back up again.  This caused irreparable damage to the church building.

The church stepped out on faith and purchased land and paid it off.  They kept raising money and finally borrowed money to build a new church building.  They started out with about $460k in debt 3 years ago and have been able to bring it down to about $358k. 

The church has been faithful in making the regular payment and in paying extra–I am so proud of them and praise God for their sacrifices.  We will be doing more in the future to keep paying the debt down because we are convinced that we will be able to perform more ministry if this was accomplished.

As I’ve already stated, some of you may be blessed financially.  It’s possible that you already give to your church and other charitable organizations.  Some of you may not.  Either way, if you want to be a blessing and help my church–I would surely appreciate it.

 Donations can be made out to Stoney Point Baptist Church.  They can be sent to:  Stoney Point Baptist Church, ATTN: Treasurer, 1980 Stony Point Rd., Knoxville, TN 37914.  If you give us your return information, we will be happy to send the appropriate forms back to you for use on next years taxes.

 Please do not consider this begging, because it is not.  Regardless of whether you give or not, our church will continue to strive to paying off the debt.  However, if you feel led to give please do so with the knowledge that God will be glorified by your kindness.

If you have any questions or thoughts on this, please leave a comment.

God Bless.

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR)

I had supper tonight with C. Fletcher Armstrong, the Southeast Region Director of the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (a pro-life, anti-abortion group) along with a John Stiner, also of CBR.  They wanted to speak with me about my most recent column in the Knoxville News-Sentinel (http://knoxnews.com/news/2008/feb/03/consistency/). 

Many of the statements I made are similar to the ones that they hear from people who think that Christians should stick with helping the poverty-stricken and homeless and leave the fight against abortion out of it.  In talking with them, they saw that I am against abortion as well, but think that being pro-life should include all life. 

I actually appreciate what they do, even if it is somewhat controversial.  While some may question their tactics, it has proven effective in helping people see that when an abortion occurs, it is a human life that is being murdered.  Abortion is something that we talk about in principle, but rarely do we see what actually occurs. 

If you are interested in learning more about CBR or if you do not know exactly how painful abortions are for both the baby and the mother, check out their websites at www.abortionno.org or www.achoiceforlife.com.  Please be aware that these websites contain images that may be disturbing for some (especially children). 

(If you would like to help the church that I pastor, please click on ”To Help a Church” a the top of this page) 

Toward Better Health–Again (Part 6)

Well, I lost 3 pounds–down to 321.  That’s 11 pounds overall.  I’m pretty happy about it.

The struggles are still there as I keep eating a little too much.  However, I am exercising, which offsets the eating a little.  If I could stop eating so much then I would be losing quite a bit more.  I’m not beating myself up over it though.  I’ve done that in the past only to have it cause me to quit altogether.

So after 1 month and 2 weeks–321 pounds (-3 for the week, -3 for the month, -11 overall).

A Love Poem to God

I’ve struggled with sin for so long,

You’ve been so right, I’ve been so wrong. 

When will I triumph over my sin?

When will true closeness to You begin?

“At the cross” you reply with a strong voice,

“My Son made the ultimate choice,

He took your sin and nailed it there with Him

So that your time being near Me could begin.

So don’t fail to praise Me with all you are

Because your sins were forgiven through His scars.”

Your love for me, o God, is beyond compare,

But I’ll do all I can to lay my sould bare

So that you can see that my love is true

All my days I will spend praising You.

 (I realize this is not the best poem ever–it’s not even in the top 1,000,000,000,000–but it’s what I am feeling at the moment).

Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!  Hope yours was a good one.  I spent time with my wife (the most beautifuly woman ever), my wonderful children, my dad, and a little time with my mom.  I love them all and I know that they love me.

That, however, is not the best of it.  I also spent time with God, who loves me like no other.  His love is deeper, stronger, better, and so much more. 

Being loved by God is like a continual hug that will last into forever.

Being loved by God is like laying underneath the covers on a cold, stormy day.

Being loved by God means that I never have to worry about Him not loving me one day.

I believe that it’s something to be excited about–do you?