Concerning the matter of the preachers emotions when he goes home after service
There are days it is all flesh and faith......
Then there are those that HE arrives and makes us look really good.....
The secret is....
Be there both days
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sleepless Night
Tonight I am emotionally and physically tired but sleep avoids me....
So I sit in a most beautiful home with my family around me this pre-thankgiving night pondering....
Pondering the realities of my blessed life....
God has been good to me....
Tracie has been such a trooper all these years and I can only rejoice that she continues to stand beside me....
Redonia, Trent & Calah bring me nothing but joy....
CUPC is the passion of my life and if truth be known tonight I do not sleep because I love her so much....
Tonight's service was filled with testimonies of people who God has done so much for....
Men like Kevin Greer who came here 15 years ago, young, confused and overwhelmed with life.....
Jimmy Hobbs who was so confused just a year ago.....
Jason Ballman the new convert who boldly told the church that he did not have much but now he did have this church and this church was his home.....
And the others who touched my heart with tender sincerity.....
I have so much to be thankful for.....
Paul told us the way to the will of God was to give thanks in everything...
Tonight I am so truly thankful for CUPC and the wonderful people I am called to serve....
I rejoice that my children walk in truth....
I rejoice that Tracie loves both myself, the kids and the truth....
I rejoice in the living, viable church God has given me....
I thank the Lord for every blessing and answered prayers....
And the unanswered prayer I struggle with this night I rejoice with thanksgiving that though I am sleepless with this burden......
I thank HIM for HIS answer.....
So I sit in a most beautiful home with my family around me this pre-thankgiving night pondering....
Pondering the realities of my blessed life....
God has been good to me....
Tracie has been such a trooper all these years and I can only rejoice that she continues to stand beside me....
Redonia, Trent & Calah bring me nothing but joy....
CUPC is the passion of my life and if truth be known tonight I do not sleep because I love her so much....
Tonight's service was filled with testimonies of people who God has done so much for....
Men like Kevin Greer who came here 15 years ago, young, confused and overwhelmed with life.....
Jimmy Hobbs who was so confused just a year ago.....
Jason Ballman the new convert who boldly told the church that he did not have much but now he did have this church and this church was his home.....
And the others who touched my heart with tender sincerity.....
I have so much to be thankful for.....
Paul told us the way to the will of God was to give thanks in everything...
Tonight I am so truly thankful for CUPC and the wonderful people I am called to serve....
I rejoice that my children walk in truth....
I rejoice that Tracie loves both myself, the kids and the truth....
I rejoice in the living, viable church God has given me....
I thank the Lord for every blessing and answered prayers....
And the unanswered prayer I struggle with this night I rejoice with thanksgiving that though I am sleepless with this burden......
I thank HIM for HIS answer.....
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Plump Possum Pie
Tracie has asked for a contitribution from me for her Charming Hospitality blog for Thanksgiving. I thought I would share it here first.
1 plump possum
2 pie crusts
2 nice taters
3 big carrots
2 cans mushroom soup
Place plump possum feet down and face up in first pie crust. Chop taters n carrots and place them around the plump possum. Pour the mushroom cans over the plump possum. Put second pie crust over the plump possum and squeeze edges down real tight. Bake until plump possum stops grinning and hair is crunchy.
The delightful delicious delectable dish definite defeats duck and all the other birds one other might offer up on Thanksgiving day.
1 plump possum
2 pie crusts
2 nice taters
3 big carrots
2 cans mushroom soup
Place plump possum feet down and face up in first pie crust. Chop taters n carrots and place them around the plump possum. Pour the mushroom cans over the plump possum. Put second pie crust over the plump possum and squeeze edges down real tight. Bake until plump possum stops grinning and hair is crunchy.
The delightful delicious delectable dish definite defeats duck and all the other birds one other might offer up on Thanksgiving day.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Prediction
K people....
Today I offer a little predictification concerning the response we are seeing to the Ft Hood terrorist....
I humbly suggest that in the not too distant future we will see a car bomb or suicide bomber in the marketplace of America...
Our weakness will enbolden these activities....
Pray for our children.....
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Will You Divorce Me For This?
Is the same question as.....
Is this a heaven or hell issue?
Tonight at Mid.Point we will discuss a relationship that asks these questions....
A husband has things to worry about if his wife often asks him will he divorce her for the things she is doing.....
As the Bride of Christ, rather than see what we can get by with we should seek to do what pleases him.....
Fringe living is not optimum for a relationship....
Is this a heaven or hell issue?
Indicates a christian who is not sold out to pleasing or doing everything possible to please the Bridegroom.....
When we ask this question...
We put God in a defensive position of not wanting to appear hard or mean so he just allows his mercy to endure and he tolerates our unfaithfulness.....
I would humbly suggest HIS mercy will one day subside and his judgement will begin...
In that day I hope HE and I have not had any discussions concerning HIS divorcement of me or my family.....
Blessings....
rks
Is this a heaven or hell issue?
Tonight at Mid.Point we will discuss a relationship that asks these questions....
A husband has things to worry about if his wife often asks him will he divorce her for the things she is doing.....
As the Bride of Christ, rather than see what we can get by with we should seek to do what pleases him.....
Fringe living is not optimum for a relationship....
Is this a heaven or hell issue?
Indicates a christian who is not sold out to pleasing or doing everything possible to please the Bridegroom.....
When we ask this question...
We put God in a defensive position of not wanting to appear hard or mean so he just allows his mercy to endure and he tolerates our unfaithfulness.....
I would humbly suggest HIS mercy will one day subside and his judgement will begin...
In that day I hope HE and I have not had any discussions concerning HIS divorcement of me or my family.....
Blessings....
rks
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WeShine Pics
Last Friday night Trent & Calah along with Stand Student Ministries hosted a rally they themed as WeShine....
Here is a shot of the Pre-Service stage....
Praise Team with Trent & Calah leading....
Kids were everywhere....
View from sound booth....
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pumpkin or Punkin?
K folks...
Today I bring you deep thought and hope that the more intellectual that follow this blog can keep up....
Is it pronounced....
Pumpkin or Punkin?
My family is divided on the issue.....
Tracie says definitely pumpkin.....
Trent, Calah, Doni and Dad all vote for punkin....
Problem with this is....
Mom gets 5 votes....
Mom makes the rules as she goes.....
So when she reads this I will come back on and edit the punkins to pumpkins....
But til then....
Punkin prevails....
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Rev & Mrs R Trent Smith
I am awfully proud of these kids today....
Trent met the Texas District UPCI Board today and was granted credentials with the United Pentecostal Church International...
Congrats kiddos....
The Proud Papa
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Rockies Game Snowed Out!
The headline and pic above make me chuckle and bring a single question to mind....
Whatever happened to Global Warming?
rks
Addendum...
Just a few more Sunday Headlines on this subject....
BBC: What happened to global warming?
Montana cold breaks records...
Record Cold temps in Idaho threaten potato crops...
Hundreds protest Gore in chilly Wisconsin...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Manna's Mandate
Ex 16:4Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. KJV
There appears the miracle of manna....
Was not for the feeding of the people...
But rather to prove them....
Whether they could be obedient in the most basic of things....
They had been delivered and brought out of Egypt...
They had a new life and walk....
But now after being brought out of Egypt they murmurred....
God's remedy for murmurring was manna and quail...
To feed them daily....
To prove their obedience....
Daily gathering of manna is the only cure for the sins of the spirit....
Fleshly and carnal sin…lust, resentment etc. Keep the old man pressed down
Murmuring, complaining, gossiping etc can only be remedied with new manna.....
Many want to celebrate the miracle of provision...
However he provides for us with stipulations....
He expects exact following of his plan....
We are to be stewards of his manna...
Stewardship is a mandate if one is to manage manna
Munch….
Blessings….
Munch…
Tonight I intend to lead CUPC in gathering manna....
Munch....
rks
There appears the miracle of manna....
Was not for the feeding of the people...
But rather to prove them....
Whether they could be obedient in the most basic of things....
They had been delivered and brought out of Egypt...
They had a new life and walk....
But now after being brought out of Egypt they murmurred....
God's remedy for murmurring was manna and quail...
To feed them daily....
To prove their obedience....
Daily gathering of manna is the only cure for the sins of the spirit....
Fleshly and carnal sin…lust, resentment etc. Keep the old man pressed down
Murmuring, complaining, gossiping etc can only be remedied with new manna.....
Many want to celebrate the miracle of provision...
However he provides for us with stipulations....
He expects exact following of his plan....
We are to be stewards of his manna...
Stewardship is a mandate if one is to manage manna
Munch….
Blessings….
Munch…
Tonight I intend to lead CUPC in gathering manna....
Munch....
rks
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Novel Ministry Concept
We live amid a constant barrage of marketing concepts. There seems to be a new gimmick ever day. The best sale ever is going on this week and next week a better one is coming. I told someone recently if the sales keep getting better pretty soon they will be giving us the stuff. But in all reality it is not so. Rather, only another gimmick to transfer your money to their pocket.
The church and ministry is not exempt from such things. We all want revival. We all want to grow. We want bigger and better facilities. We want to make sure no visitors slip through our fingers. We want our website to be a little slicker than the church across town. Therefore we seek out the best means and methods to make our churches just a little bit better.
At 48 years old I am a web sort of guy. I get the ether world. Blog sites, forums, online communities, Facebook, Twitter and who knows what is next. I see the way our culture is moving via the web and technologies. I can also remember a different time when truth was truth and absolutes were just that. I can remember being confused with the term post-modern and now the church is afflicted with it.
It seems that today Pentecostal ministry concepts are gleaned from non Pentecostal sources more so than the Word of God. Golf courses have replaced the prayer rooms. Ministerial values are assumed from associates rather than an altar. Ministerial concept books are consumed while dust gathers on leather bound bibles. Laptops, projectors, stools and music stands have replaced reference bibles, battle scarred pulpits and tear stained altars. Casual has replaced the careful dress of yesteryear. Grace replaced conviction. Sin is now called spiritual liberties. Morality in the pulpit is being challenged.
How did we get here?
What did Jesus say?
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matt 16:24
Jesus indicated three distinct things should be found in those that were to lead his church. Self denial, cross bearing, and following Him.
Self Denial seems to be a thing of the past in ministerial circles. Churches are blessed and young men are able to live above the levels of their fathers. Financial blessings are handed over instead of sacrificed for.
Along with these blessings we see ministers who do not deny any liberty to their flocks. Nor do they deny anything to their families. Wife and children are carnal because their minister daddy or husband denies them nothing. The church duplicates the pastor’s home and the things he allows, the members take further. A sad cycle begins that spins out of control quickly.
Pastor denies no liberties to his church because he denies no liberties to his family because he has never denied liberties to himself.
Jesus told the carriers of his gospel to first deny themselves and then to take up their cross….
Cross bearing is not fun. It is not cool. It is not sexy nor is it socially desirable. But then cross bearing was never intended to be so.
When a minister carries a cross he cannot go some places and do some things. He cannot carry it alone so his family helps him. A cross bearing parsonage will result in a cross bearing congregation.
Some doors are not accessible to one who carries his cross. The cross prevents access to some places. The minister who checks his cross at the door, and then tries to pick it up on the way out finds the cross overly burdensome. Therefore instead of carrying it to the door he just leaves it at home and his cross bearing is for personal conviction rather than public view. Soon the cross seldom leaves the parsonage and often can only be found stored away with the stuff from yesteryear.
But Jesus said if you are going to propagate my gospel you must deny yourself and take up you cross and follow. This might be where some of the real issue is found.
For nearly a generation we in the ministry have been consumed with leadership and ceased followership.
A few years ago I found myself without organizational leadership or inclusion in any way. I felt forgotten and unappreciated. Then I decided to do my leading from the pew of whatever meeting I attended. Instead of leadership books I began looking for books about following. I found far fewer followership books than leadership. Jesus seemed to think that following him was much more important than anyone following us.
Heed this word of caution my good preacher friend. Following him never disallows self denial and cross bearing. Post modern emergent concepts claim the Grace of Christ without repentence or self denial. Walking in grace does not create a license to partake in sins of the flesh. Jesus had this figured out long before any of these modern scruffy looking shirt tail flapping ministers were conceived.
What a Novel Ministry Concept!
Self denial, cross bearing and following HIM.
rks
The church and ministry is not exempt from such things. We all want revival. We all want to grow. We want bigger and better facilities. We want to make sure no visitors slip through our fingers. We want our website to be a little slicker than the church across town. Therefore we seek out the best means and methods to make our churches just a little bit better.
At 48 years old I am a web sort of guy. I get the ether world. Blog sites, forums, online communities, Facebook, Twitter and who knows what is next. I see the way our culture is moving via the web and technologies. I can also remember a different time when truth was truth and absolutes were just that. I can remember being confused with the term post-modern and now the church is afflicted with it.
It seems that today Pentecostal ministry concepts are gleaned from non Pentecostal sources more so than the Word of God. Golf courses have replaced the prayer rooms. Ministerial values are assumed from associates rather than an altar. Ministerial concept books are consumed while dust gathers on leather bound bibles. Laptops, projectors, stools and music stands have replaced reference bibles, battle scarred pulpits and tear stained altars. Casual has replaced the careful dress of yesteryear. Grace replaced conviction. Sin is now called spiritual liberties. Morality in the pulpit is being challenged.
How did we get here?
What did Jesus say?
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matt 16:24
Jesus indicated three distinct things should be found in those that were to lead his church. Self denial, cross bearing, and following Him.
Self Denial seems to be a thing of the past in ministerial circles. Churches are blessed and young men are able to live above the levels of their fathers. Financial blessings are handed over instead of sacrificed for.
Along with these blessings we see ministers who do not deny any liberty to their flocks. Nor do they deny anything to their families. Wife and children are carnal because their minister daddy or husband denies them nothing. The church duplicates the pastor’s home and the things he allows, the members take further. A sad cycle begins that spins out of control quickly.
Pastor denies no liberties to his church because he denies no liberties to his family because he has never denied liberties to himself.
Jesus told the carriers of his gospel to first deny themselves and then to take up their cross….
Cross bearing is not fun. It is not cool. It is not sexy nor is it socially desirable. But then cross bearing was never intended to be so.
When a minister carries a cross he cannot go some places and do some things. He cannot carry it alone so his family helps him. A cross bearing parsonage will result in a cross bearing congregation.
Some doors are not accessible to one who carries his cross. The cross prevents access to some places. The minister who checks his cross at the door, and then tries to pick it up on the way out finds the cross overly burdensome. Therefore instead of carrying it to the door he just leaves it at home and his cross bearing is for personal conviction rather than public view. Soon the cross seldom leaves the parsonage and often can only be found stored away with the stuff from yesteryear.
But Jesus said if you are going to propagate my gospel you must deny yourself and take up you cross and follow. This might be where some of the real issue is found.
For nearly a generation we in the ministry have been consumed with leadership and ceased followership.
A few years ago I found myself without organizational leadership or inclusion in any way. I felt forgotten and unappreciated. Then I decided to do my leading from the pew of whatever meeting I attended. Instead of leadership books I began looking for books about following. I found far fewer followership books than leadership. Jesus seemed to think that following him was much more important than anyone following us.
Heed this word of caution my good preacher friend. Following him never disallows self denial and cross bearing. Post modern emergent concepts claim the Grace of Christ without repentence or self denial. Walking in grace does not create a license to partake in sins of the flesh. Jesus had this figured out long before any of these modern scruffy looking shirt tail flapping ministers were conceived.
What a Novel Ministry Concept!
Self denial, cross bearing and following HIM.
rks
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thoughts on the UPCI 2009 General Conference
Having arrived home this afternoon from the UPCI General Conference in St. Louis......
I have been mulling my own thoughts of the happenings....
First my overall impression is .....
All is well......
The term limits of our manual were not kind to the sitting General Superintendent Bro Kenneth Haney....
It appears my single vote was not enough to push him over the top so life must move forward.....
Bro Haney's graceful response was incredible and hopefully I will pass the grace test in like manner.....
The Election of David Bernard to the leadership of the UPCI is in my opinion a good decision.....
It is my opinion that Bro Bernard will be a by the book kind of leader and both the right and left would do well to shift center.....
Sooner rather than later.....
It is also my opinion that those tottering on the fence will be inclined pull center under Bro Bernard's leadership.....
Thanks to the Haney's for their selfless years....
Congrats to David and Connie Bernard......
One final note on the election....
Wayne Huntley's name appearing as the fourth vote getter indicates that the UPCI is much more conservative than the doomsdayers prophesy......
The preaching was phenomenal at the conference....
Indeed the Healer is speaking.....
I enjoyed the fellowship of many and rejoice in the unity of the brethren we felt.....
Looking back two years to Tampa's vote and remembering the confusion of the movement following said conference and comparing that to the feelings we share leaving St. Louis....
I think we can be safe in saying that somewhere the last few months the UPCI did a little right hook back towards the center.....
To God be the Glory.....
To all those we saw at the conference I rejoice in your friendship.....
To those we did not see.....
We will see you next year here in Houston.....
Blessings....
rks
I have been mulling my own thoughts of the happenings....
First my overall impression is .....
All is well......
The term limits of our manual were not kind to the sitting General Superintendent Bro Kenneth Haney....
It appears my single vote was not enough to push him over the top so life must move forward.....
Bro Haney's graceful response was incredible and hopefully I will pass the grace test in like manner.....
The Election of David Bernard to the leadership of the UPCI is in my opinion a good decision.....
It is my opinion that Bro Bernard will be a by the book kind of leader and both the right and left would do well to shift center.....
Sooner rather than later.....
It is also my opinion that those tottering on the fence will be inclined pull center under Bro Bernard's leadership.....
Thanks to the Haney's for their selfless years....
Congrats to David and Connie Bernard......
One final note on the election....
Wayne Huntley's name appearing as the fourth vote getter indicates that the UPCI is much more conservative than the doomsdayers prophesy......
The preaching was phenomenal at the conference....
Indeed the Healer is speaking.....
I enjoyed the fellowship of many and rejoice in the unity of the brethren we felt.....
Looking back two years to Tampa's vote and remembering the confusion of the movement following said conference and comparing that to the feelings we share leaving St. Louis....
I think we can be safe in saying that somewhere the last few months the UPCI did a little right hook back towards the center.....
To God be the Glory.....
To all those we saw at the conference I rejoice in your friendship.....
To those we did not see.....
We will see you next year here in Houston.....
Blessings....
rks
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Way Out Of Temptation
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Cor 10:13 AMP
I could not have said it any better myself....
rks
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Rest In Peace
I borrowed this from Pastor Jay Jones blog.....
Obituary Notice
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated valuable lessons such as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, that life is not always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I Am A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because few realized he was gone.
~ Excerpted from “Obituary Notice,” by Martha Parker in The Pentecostal Herald, 6/08
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Incredible Pic From The Hubble
New pics released from the Hubble telescope remind me of the greatness of the God who numbers the stars and calls them by name.....
And the surreality that all of this happened by accident rather than intelligent design....
This places a single verse in my heart this morning....
The fool has said there is no God.
Blessings....
rks
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Quote concerning truth.....
"The 1st generation gets excited about it, the 2nd generation makes it routine, the 3rd generation makes monuments to it, the 4th generation questions it, and then God has to start over with the 5th generation...."
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Truth Stands Tall
Look around your world and see how truth is doing.....
It seems to me truth always prevails....
Whether it be politics, family, home, career or the church.....
Truth always rises up out of the smoke and ashes of her enemies....
Truth prevails....
While some will manufacture opposition to truth.....
There is no amount of money or energy that can withstand truth when she is wielded by someone who loves her....
In the United Pentecostal Church there is a grass roots gathering of men who are tired of every wind of doctrine.....
They are weary of the spiritual tumbleweeds who go this way and that.....
They weary of the latest religious fads and gimmicks....
And they have taken hold anew on truth and rise up....
So truth prevails...
Truth stands tall.....
Personally I am weary of all the latest gimmickry of relative Pentecostalism...
Give me truth that is timeless and we will build a church....
When today's fads and gimmicks are gathering dust in forgotten store rooms....
Truth will proudly yet humbly stand tall....
And I hope to have my arms wrapped around her.....
Blessings...
rks
Labor Day Sunday
Most pastors I know dread two particular Sundays.....
Memorial Day and Labor Day Sundays.....
Most of the home folks will be away on such days and rightfully so.....
But we the soldiers of the pulpit remain to shepherd the remaining and welcome the weekend visitors....
Today I will not worry about those that are away for that will be futile....
I will haply rejoice with those here....
Celebrate the visitors that will be with us.....
And will do due diligence to reach and find....
The lost coin, prodigal or single sheep that is here and hungry.....
Blessings to each of you this Labor Day Sunday!!!!
rks
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Free on Bond
The bond servant had the scratches on the wall to confirm that indeed today was his seventh year.....
Today was his day of freedom....
He had come bankrupt, empty handed and nowhere else to go....
Today was freedom day......
As he gathered his possessions he looked around and paused.....
He had come with nothing.....
But now the Master had given him a wife and she had given him a family......
How can I leave them?
No doubt she paused with her chores and cast a look of curiosity and worry his way.....
When he dropped his bag and strode from the room....
To the Master's house....
Sir please come with me to the front porch......
Here sir is the awl......
Sir please do it quickly.......
So Master and servant leaned close to the doorpost and the awl was quickly driven through the servant's ear forever marking him as....
A love slave.....
He decided to stay because he had so much more in the Master's place than he had ever had in his own....
And then he had been given things...
Like his wife and family......
He loved them all....
This day he was free to go.....
But he was also free to stay.......
And the benefits of staying far outweighed the benefits of going.....
My blogger friend.....
The benefits of a relationship with Jesus Christ far outweigh being the master of your own universe....
The servant was more free than you or I might imagine....
He decided to stay.....
He chose the bond of love.....
He indeed was free....
Free on Bond.....
Blessings......
BTW.....
Since He was nailed to the cross for me I am nailed to the church for Him....
Today was his day of freedom....
He had come bankrupt, empty handed and nowhere else to go....
Today was freedom day......
As he gathered his possessions he looked around and paused.....
He had come with nothing.....
But now the Master had given him a wife and she had given him a family......
How can I leave them?
No doubt she paused with her chores and cast a look of curiosity and worry his way.....
When he dropped his bag and strode from the room....
To the Master's house....
Sir please come with me to the front porch......
Here sir is the awl......
Sir please do it quickly.......
So Master and servant leaned close to the doorpost and the awl was quickly driven through the servant's ear forever marking him as....
A love slave.....
He decided to stay because he had so much more in the Master's place than he had ever had in his own....
And then he had been given things...
Like his wife and family......
He loved them all....
This day he was free to go.....
But he was also free to stay.......
And the benefits of staying far outweighed the benefits of going.....
My blogger friend.....
The benefits of a relationship with Jesus Christ far outweigh being the master of your own universe....
The servant was more free than you or I might imagine....
He decided to stay.....
He chose the bond of love.....
He indeed was free....
Free on Bond.....
Blessings......
BTW.....
Since He was nailed to the cross for me I am nailed to the church for Him....
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
I Am The United Pentecostal Church
Twas a nice little gathering of RPG's (regular preacher guys).....
All were credentialed with the United Pentecostal Church Int.....
During the talk a round the guy from Maryland mentioned that he was not in the loop of things....
The Illinois guy mentioned he wasn't very well connected....
The Okie mentioned he felt isolated.....
The Kansas guy mentioned we should just pray for him......
The Alabama guy drawled out that down in his neck of the woods they were a long way from where things were happening.....
When something came over this Texas guy and I interrupted the discussion....
Listen to us....
We are all expressing that we do not feel a part and are isolated and and feel a long way from the mainstream....
Brothers I declared......
We are the mainstream!!!
What happens in every local church is the mainstream of the movement....
Here we were a group of successful pastors who will collectively preach to thousands Sunday morning and we failed to realize that we indeed are the UPCI....
Brethren and members of the UPCI....
You are the UPCI....
Stand up in your sections and districts and committees and be heard.....
Proudly remember that it is ministers just like you and I that comprise this wonderful movement....
RPG's (regular preacher guys) just like you are the heartbeat of our beloved church....
We the regular preacher guys from all over the country and around the world are what comprise the United Pentecostal Church....
Without us there is no UPCI.....
RPG's are the UPCI....
I am an RPG!
I Am The United Pentecostal Church!!!
Blessings...
rks
All were credentialed with the United Pentecostal Church Int.....
During the talk a round the guy from Maryland mentioned that he was not in the loop of things....
The Illinois guy mentioned he wasn't very well connected....
The Okie mentioned he felt isolated.....
The Kansas guy mentioned we should just pray for him......
The Alabama guy drawled out that down in his neck of the woods they were a long way from where things were happening.....
When something came over this Texas guy and I interrupted the discussion....
Listen to us....
We are all expressing that we do not feel a part and are isolated and and feel a long way from the mainstream....
Brothers I declared......
We are the mainstream!!!
What happens in every local church is the mainstream of the movement....
Here we were a group of successful pastors who will collectively preach to thousands Sunday morning and we failed to realize that we indeed are the UPCI....
Brethren and members of the UPCI....
You are the UPCI....
Stand up in your sections and districts and committees and be heard.....
Proudly remember that it is ministers just like you and I that comprise this wonderful movement....
RPG's (regular preacher guys) just like you are the heartbeat of our beloved church....
We the regular preacher guys from all over the country and around the world are what comprise the United Pentecostal Church....
Without us there is no UPCI.....
RPG's are the UPCI....
I am an RPG!
I Am The United Pentecostal Church!!!
Blessings...
rks
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Christ Without A Cross
Peter shook the Lord in rebuke and told him that all these things would NOT happen to him on his watch.....
Suffering, murder and resurrection were things that horrified the good and noble Peter....
Peter loved the Lord so much that he did not want him to have to go to the cross....
Nobody can ever question Peter's love for the Lord....
But then the Lord called him Satan....
Because you desire the will of man over the will of God.....
You see my blogging friend....
Peter wanted his Christ but did not want His cross....
Christ without his Cross....
Today we see the same....
Good zealous fiery young men who love Jesus but resist His cross....
This zealous love for Christ but avoidance of His cross is the spirit of anti-Christ....
Get behind me Satan, Jesus had said....
Jesus then told Peter....
You want me on your terms rather than mine.....
Too many good men today desire Christ on their terms rather than his....
Then Jesus made the startling statement....
If you want me you must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me....
Jesus was in essence telling Peter that you cannot deny me My cross....
And if you want Me you cannot deny yourself your own cross....
Too many today desire the goodness of a Christ without the sacrifice of crucifixion.....
I do not find a lot of the Cross in today's neo concepts of Pentcostalism....
Many want Christ without the doctrines of separation.....
Many want Christ but only the Christ of grace rather than the Christ of responsibility and self denial.....
Gentlemen....
If you want the Jesus of the New Testament you must also accept the cross of self denial...
You cannot deny him his Cross....
Or yourself yours.....
Suffering, murder and resurrection were things that horrified the good and noble Peter....
Peter loved the Lord so much that he did not want him to have to go to the cross....
Nobody can ever question Peter's love for the Lord....
But then the Lord called him Satan....
Because you desire the will of man over the will of God.....
You see my blogging friend....
Peter wanted his Christ but did not want His cross....
Christ without his Cross....
Today we see the same....
Good zealous fiery young men who love Jesus but resist His cross....
This zealous love for Christ but avoidance of His cross is the spirit of anti-Christ....
Get behind me Satan, Jesus had said....
Jesus then told Peter....
You want me on your terms rather than mine.....
Too many good men today desire Christ on their terms rather than his....
Then Jesus made the startling statement....
If you want me you must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me....
Jesus was in essence telling Peter that you cannot deny me My cross....
And if you want Me you cannot deny yourself your own cross....
Too many today desire the goodness of a Christ without the sacrifice of crucifixion.....
I do not find a lot of the Cross in today's neo concepts of Pentcostalism....
Many want Christ without the doctrines of separation.....
Many want Christ but only the Christ of grace rather than the Christ of responsibility and self denial.....
Gentlemen....
If you want the Jesus of the New Testament you must also accept the cross of self denial...
You cannot deny him his Cross....
Or yourself yours.....
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Single Key To An Apostolic Revival
We hear much about new gimmicks, fads and the old paths....
Jesus shared with us the key to a move of God....
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matt 16:24
Cross bearing is the secret brothers....
Not our standards or our gadgets.....
Cross bearing will regulate our standards.....
Cross bearing will moderate our gadgets......
Cross bearing will grow the church......
For Jesus said.....
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32
One cannot carry the cross without lifting it....
One cannot lift the cross without men being drawn.....
One cannot carry the cross and not have a revival.......
Gentlemen.....
While some want Christ without the cross.....
Others have chosen the plan of Christ and have taken up the cross and are following him into Apostolic dimension....
Blessings...
rks
Monday, August 24, 2009
Buy The Truth
Last evening Bro Wofford called me an enigma from the pulpit and then defined what he meant....
He mentioned that I was old fashioned and refused to let go of the basic traditions of the church....
He then said though that I was brave enough to embrace current and new methodology.....
This got my thinker going....
Here is where many of us find ourselves involved in the battle.....
Many here define the truth by grace and liberty....
Others here focus more on the visible cans and can'ts.....
Brethren....
Tis not our liberties or our convictions that define us.....
For both sides seem to wander off into the wasteland of the forgotten....
I have seen way too many conservatives wander off into the bitterness of everybody is going to hell but me.....
And I have witnessed too many liberal types backslide while loving Jesus....
I humbly suggest that the defining element that keeps men close to the church and the Lord is the "love for the truth".....
While one man might allow rings and video but noone can question his love for truth....
Another might be old fashioned in his standards but none here can question his charactar or love for truth.....
Herein lies the crux.....
Many wander off the reservation to the right and left because they love the stuff of the church more than the truth.....
Short sleaves and chin whiskers will no more send a man to hell than long sleeve white shirts and and a black suit will save a man....
These are things we as men set aside in consecration in our worship.....
Sure there are some who have consecrated more things to God than others....
And there are others with less consecration who love Jesus and their brothers much more than the more consecrated.....
Bottom line is....
Everyone of us better get a good grip on truth and love it....
Buy the truth and sell it not.....
He mentioned that I was old fashioned and refused to let go of the basic traditions of the church....
He then said though that I was brave enough to embrace current and new methodology.....
This got my thinker going....
Here is where many of us find ourselves involved in the battle.....
Many here define the truth by grace and liberty....
Others here focus more on the visible cans and can'ts.....
Brethren....
Tis not our liberties or our convictions that define us.....
For both sides seem to wander off into the wasteland of the forgotten....
I have seen way too many conservatives wander off into the bitterness of everybody is going to hell but me.....
And I have witnessed too many liberal types backslide while loving Jesus....
I humbly suggest that the defining element that keeps men close to the church and the Lord is the "love for the truth".....
While one man might allow rings and video but noone can question his love for truth....
Another might be old fashioned in his standards but none here can question his charactar or love for truth.....
Herein lies the crux.....
Many wander off the reservation to the right and left because they love the stuff of the church more than the truth.....
Short sleaves and chin whiskers will no more send a man to hell than long sleeve white shirts and and a black suit will save a man....
These are things we as men set aside in consecration in our worship.....
Sure there are some who have consecrated more things to God than others....
And there are others with less consecration who love Jesus and their brothers much more than the more consecrated.....
Bottom line is....
Everyone of us better get a good grip on truth and love it....
Buy the truth and sell it not.....
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Rejoicing for 200+ Visitors
Today CUPC hosted it annual Back 2 School bash.....
I want to thank everyone who helped in any way for this event.....
The teams of people in the streets yesterday.....
The singers and worshippers.....
The decor group....
Bro Matt Newton did a good job coordinating the event and speaking.....
Tracie's passion for her kids in the community again proved to be a blessing....
And we celebrate today over 200 visitors in our sanctuary this morning....
I learned a new acronym today....
TGBTG...
To God Be The Glory!!!
I want to thank everyone who helped in any way for this event.....
The teams of people in the streets yesterday.....
The singers and worshippers.....
The decor group....
Bro Matt Newton did a good job coordinating the event and speaking.....
Tracie's passion for her kids in the community again proved to be a blessing....
And we celebrate today over 200 visitors in our sanctuary this morning....
I learned a new acronym today....
TGBTG...
To God Be The Glory!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Fishing For Men
Today I spend my day fishing....
Fishing For Men.....
Flyers....
Got Thirst Conroe water will be passed out....
Snow cones and more snow cones.....
Hopefully we will catch someone....
I'll let you know....
Pray for us....
rks
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Back To School Letter
Greetings to the CUPC family!
It is back to school time and that means many exciting things are happening around the church. I would like to encourage you to participate in as many of these events as possible.
• Tonight I continue my study entitled “No Such Custom” and will be discussing “Scriptural Modesty”
• Due to circumstances @ Baskins we are moving our outreach effort to Saturday @ 10 am.
• Then we will meet at the church @ 1:30 to pass out flyers around the community to invite people to our Back to School bash on Sunday Morning. We need as many adults and youth as possible to help with this outreach effort.
• Sunday @ 10 a.m. will be our annual Back to School Bash. We all will be able to be kids for a day. Please feel free to dress in a manner that will support the theme “Ready, Set, Go, Power”. The suggested attire is modest gym attire. I personally will not be wearing a suit rather a jogging jacket, slacks and a shirt. Some men are wearing jogging pants, tennis shoes, etc. Bro. Matt Newton and others are working hard to make this a successful event. Let’s support their efforts.
• Sunday night we will enjoy the ministry of Bro Ron Wofford.
• SFC cans are due on Sunday.
• The following weekend Bro Wofford will be with us both Sunday services.
Look around the campus and you will see some neat changes. We are in process of new signage. Also you will see the “polka dotted” bus this weekend! It will be a very unique ride. Conroe Christian School has many new updates including a computer lab upstairs and new furniture in several classrooms. Our enrollment is strong and our staff excited to be back in school. I want to thank Sis Tina Parker for her hard work.
Bro Trent and Sis Calah along with the Stand Student Ministries enjoyed a wonderful trip to the National Youth Congress in Nashville. Next week they will be taking the entire group to the Sheaves for Christ Blitz in Lufkin. I know the kids are very excited. Sunday is “Can Day”. Please remember to bring your “can” filled with change or dollars to support the Sheaves for Christ offering. As I told you I will be placing $100 in my can and hope that many of you will feel led to do the same. These monies all go to help youth around the world including the purchase of vehicles for all of the missionaries of the United Pentecostal Church. Thank you for helping with this offering. Bro. Trent has been asked to get a group together to provide some of the music for a concert @ the Blitz. Bro. Trent is working with some of our boys to provide this music. I’m proud for the confidence placed in Bro. Trent as well as the confidence Bro. Trent has in our youth.
I have mentioned my pig and chicken story a couple of times. Remember the pig told the chicken that the chicken’s plan to feed the world with eggs and bacon only required an offering from the chicken but total commitment from the pig! Thanks to each of you for your commitment to stewardship. It is your stewardship that has helped us with the unexpected expenses the last few weeks. Let me encourage you to not be weary in well doing and to walk steadfastly in your commitments in the areas of tithe and offerings.
Thanks for all that you do for the cause of CUPC. I know that HE will reward each of you.
Sincerely,
R. Kent Smith
Pastor, Conroe United Pentecostal Church
It is back to school time and that means many exciting things are happening around the church. I would like to encourage you to participate in as many of these events as possible.
• Tonight I continue my study entitled “No Such Custom” and will be discussing “Scriptural Modesty”
• Due to circumstances @ Baskins we are moving our outreach effort to Saturday @ 10 am.
• Then we will meet at the church @ 1:30 to pass out flyers around the community to invite people to our Back to School bash on Sunday Morning. We need as many adults and youth as possible to help with this outreach effort.
• Sunday @ 10 a.m. will be our annual Back to School Bash. We all will be able to be kids for a day. Please feel free to dress in a manner that will support the theme “Ready, Set, Go, Power”. The suggested attire is modest gym attire. I personally will not be wearing a suit rather a jogging jacket, slacks and a shirt. Some men are wearing jogging pants, tennis shoes, etc. Bro. Matt Newton and others are working hard to make this a successful event. Let’s support their efforts.
• Sunday night we will enjoy the ministry of Bro Ron Wofford.
• SFC cans are due on Sunday.
• The following weekend Bro Wofford will be with us both Sunday services.
Look around the campus and you will see some neat changes. We are in process of new signage. Also you will see the “polka dotted” bus this weekend! It will be a very unique ride. Conroe Christian School has many new updates including a computer lab upstairs and new furniture in several classrooms. Our enrollment is strong and our staff excited to be back in school. I want to thank Sis Tina Parker for her hard work.
Bro Trent and Sis Calah along with the Stand Student Ministries enjoyed a wonderful trip to the National Youth Congress in Nashville. Next week they will be taking the entire group to the Sheaves for Christ Blitz in Lufkin. I know the kids are very excited. Sunday is “Can Day”. Please remember to bring your “can” filled with change or dollars to support the Sheaves for Christ offering. As I told you I will be placing $100 in my can and hope that many of you will feel led to do the same. These monies all go to help youth around the world including the purchase of vehicles for all of the missionaries of the United Pentecostal Church. Thank you for helping with this offering. Bro. Trent has been asked to get a group together to provide some of the music for a concert @ the Blitz. Bro. Trent is working with some of our boys to provide this music. I’m proud for the confidence placed in Bro. Trent as well as the confidence Bro. Trent has in our youth.
I have mentioned my pig and chicken story a couple of times. Remember the pig told the chicken that the chicken’s plan to feed the world with eggs and bacon only required an offering from the chicken but total commitment from the pig! Thanks to each of you for your commitment to stewardship. It is your stewardship that has helped us with the unexpected expenses the last few weeks. Let me encourage you to not be weary in well doing and to walk steadfastly in your commitments in the areas of tithe and offerings.
Thanks for all that you do for the cause of CUPC. I know that HE will reward each of you.
Sincerely,
R. Kent Smith
Pastor, Conroe United Pentecostal Church
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Dilemma Of The Day
OK folks....
I share my dilemma of the day with you.....
Here I was clicking around on Continental.com looking for the price for 4 tickets with the tax included....
When suddenly the screen said Congratulations, thanks for choosing Continental....
I didn't know I had made such a choice.....
I accidentally bought 4 flights.....
So my One Pass status allowed me to make adjustments so I made the wrong adjustments....
So I was given the option to cancel the flights and get a refund....
I did so and got a confirmation email that indeed I had cancelled but was given Continental credit for future flights.....
I did not want future credit...
I wanted my $$$$ back.....
All of these events took place in a somewhat quiet and peaceful envirorment....
But then I accidentally let Tracie and Deadra in on the dilemma....
Things were no longer quiet and peaceful....
Deadra (the secretary person) was laughing at me.....
Tracie....
Well I just wish Tracie was laughing at me....
But she did decide it was a great moment to go get lunch for herself....
Husband excluded...
Oh me oh my.....
So I called the nice Continental lady and she fixed it all and gave me a refund....
But she couldn't do that without a parting remark....
Sir, I suggest you keep you fingers away from these kinds of things....
Why is it all the girls are conspiring in this matter?
But never fear....
Crisis averted....
And I am gonna take another shot at the tickets....
rks
I share my dilemma of the day with you.....
Here I was clicking around on Continental.com looking for the price for 4 tickets with the tax included....
When suddenly the screen said Congratulations, thanks for choosing Continental....
I didn't know I had made such a choice.....
I accidentally bought 4 flights.....
So my One Pass status allowed me to make adjustments so I made the wrong adjustments....
So I was given the option to cancel the flights and get a refund....
I did so and got a confirmation email that indeed I had cancelled but was given Continental credit for future flights.....
I did not want future credit...
I wanted my $$$$ back.....
All of these events took place in a somewhat quiet and peaceful envirorment....
But then I accidentally let Tracie and Deadra in on the dilemma....
Things were no longer quiet and peaceful....
Deadra (the secretary person) was laughing at me.....
Tracie....
Well I just wish Tracie was laughing at me....
But she did decide it was a great moment to go get lunch for herself....
Husband excluded...
Oh me oh my.....
So I called the nice Continental lady and she fixed it all and gave me a refund....
But she couldn't do that without a parting remark....
Sir, I suggest you keep you fingers away from these kinds of things....
Why is it all the girls are conspiring in this matter?
But never fear....
Crisis averted....
And I am gonna take another shot at the tickets....
rks
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Rolling Stones
Tonight at CUPC we had an old fashioned break-thru.....
Take ye away the stone, Jesus said.....
Martha and others resisted citing death, decay and stench.....
But somebody had enough faith to go ahead and obey the Lord and the stone was rolled.....
The stone was rolled away from the stench of disappointment, death, heart ache, sadness, failure etc........
Tonite I rolled a monitor speaker off the stage and used it as my stone and we had a time rolling the stone around the church.....
Now I know that there is nothing spiritual about rolling a Yamaha speaker around the front of the church....
But after a week of sweat and work and stress.....
I needed a little old fashioned break-thru....
I rolled some stones....
Then one sister got happy and ran up front and rolled the Yamaha around and the spirit broke in the church.....
Rolling Stones tonight.....
Hopefully we can keep them rolling....
I pray you week is blessed....
rks
Take ye away the stone, Jesus said.....
Martha and others resisted citing death, decay and stench.....
But somebody had enough faith to go ahead and obey the Lord and the stone was rolled.....
The stone was rolled away from the stench of disappointment, death, heart ache, sadness, failure etc........
Tonite I rolled a monitor speaker off the stage and used it as my stone and we had a time rolling the stone around the church.....
Now I know that there is nothing spiritual about rolling a Yamaha speaker around the front of the church....
But after a week of sweat and work and stress.....
I needed a little old fashioned break-thru....
I rolled some stones....
Then one sister got happy and ran up front and rolled the Yamaha around and the spirit broke in the church.....
Rolling Stones tonight.....
Hopefully we can keep them rolling....
I pray you week is blessed....
rks
Friday, August 14, 2009
Biblical Black Holes
Study Finds Earliest Black Holes Born Starving
Friday, August 14, 2009
By Clara MoskowitzThe first black holes in the universe were born starving.
A new study found that the earliest black holes lacked nearby matter to gobble up, and so lay relatively stagnant in pockets of emptiness.
The finding, based on the most detailed computer simulations to date, counters earlier ideas that these first black holes accumulated mass quickly and ballooned into the supermassive black holes that lurk at the centers of many galaxies today.
"It has been speculated that these first black holes were seeds and accreted huge amounts of matter," said the study's leader Marcelo Alvarez, an astrophysicist at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology in California. "We're just finding out that it could be much more complex than that." ................................
The above article is amazing in its complex simplicity.....
Black holes were hungry pockets of huge amounts of stagnant matter....
Scientist calculated with computer models this profound truth....
But the Word of God told us a long time ago....
And the earth was with form and void and darkness covered the face of the deep......
Somehow I have more confidence in the Word of God than the computer models.....
But I am once again rejoice that science confirms creation even though the confused scientist don't realize it yet.....
However I have one question for the good scientist....
Where did the matter come from?
Blessings....
rks
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
No Such Custom
Today I was blessed to spend some time via telephone with my General Superintendent Bro Kenneth Haney.....
Our talks led us down a myriad of paths and I was blessed and even honored by his taking time to call....
He referenced several times I Cor 11:16 several times and got me to thinking...
We have no such custom in the church.....
Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent [according to your customs] for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered? Does not the native sense of propriety (experience, common sense, reason) itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor [humiliating and degrading] But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this, we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this, nor do the churches of God generally. 1 Cor 11:13-16 AMP
I am thankful for the reassurance Bro Haney offered on the subject of hair on both men and women....
As an Apostolic pastor I have long held to the teaching the a woman should have long uncut hair and a man should have trimmed hair....
Let me send a clear message out to the CUPC family.....
Gentlemen we must maintain good clean haircuts and to be involved in leadership on the stage we must be clean shaven....
That goes for you boys trying to grow some chin whiskers.....
We have no such custom as long or shaggy hair and facial hair in the church....
We have no such custom....
Ladies....
Long hair means uncut hair, untrimmed hair, unbobbed hair.....
Long is long....
We in Conroe have no such custom such as cut hair or trimmed hair...
To be in leadership or on the stage we have no such custom as highlighted or colored hair.....
No such custom.....
Now I know that some will respond negatively but Wed night I am going to discuss this verse....
No such custom.....
Blessings...
rks
Our talks led us down a myriad of paths and I was blessed and even honored by his taking time to call....
He referenced several times I Cor 11:16 several times and got me to thinking...
We have no such custom in the church.....
Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent [according to your customs] for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered? Does not the native sense of propriety (experience, common sense, reason) itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor [humiliating and degrading] But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this, we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this, nor do the churches of God generally. 1 Cor 11:13-16 AMP
I am thankful for the reassurance Bro Haney offered on the subject of hair on both men and women....
As an Apostolic pastor I have long held to the teaching the a woman should have long uncut hair and a man should have trimmed hair....
Let me send a clear message out to the CUPC family.....
Gentlemen we must maintain good clean haircuts and to be involved in leadership on the stage we must be clean shaven....
That goes for you boys trying to grow some chin whiskers.....
We have no such custom as long or shaggy hair and facial hair in the church....
We have no such custom....
Ladies....
Long hair means uncut hair, untrimmed hair, unbobbed hair.....
Long is long....
We in Conroe have no such custom such as cut hair or trimmed hair...
To be in leadership or on the stage we have no such custom as highlighted or colored hair.....
No such custom.....
Now I know that some will respond negatively but Wed night I am going to discuss this verse....
No such custom.....
Blessings...
rks
Flippantly Flaunted Spiritual Liberties .....
Seems that there are those that love to hang around the edges of UPCI ministry......
They love the fellowship......
They love the conferences and brotherhood.....
And some find great joy in flippantly flaunting their spiritual liberties.....
Saying things like....
I can do this.....
I am able to participate in this certain activity.....
There is no scripture for this particular thing so I do it.....
Or my family does.......
The manual does not prohibit this so I will do it......
My membership in said organization does not say that I cannot do this.....
My brothers......
The flaunting of spiritual liberties is a reproach....
It reeks of legalism....
Legalism is the attempt to see how close to the world one can go but still be in the church.....
Spiritual liberties flaunted in the face of others is legalistic.....
More plainly it is classless.....
Ah yes...we have all seen the ultra conservatives in their moments of holier than thou ism's
They are wrong....
But just as wrong is the flippant flaunting of spiritual liberties.......
This is more legalistic than the ultra conservative’s stand on many issues.....
Whatever happened to the Pauline concept of....
If meat offend my brother then I will eat no meat?
What we see today is.....
Meat offends my brother, so I offer him cowpie.....
They love the fellowship......
They love the conferences and brotherhood.....
And some find great joy in flippantly flaunting their spiritual liberties.....
Saying things like....
I can do this.....
I am able to participate in this certain activity.....
There is no scripture for this particular thing so I do it.....
Or my family does.......
The manual does not prohibit this so I will do it......
My membership in said organization does not say that I cannot do this.....
My brothers......
The flaunting of spiritual liberties is a reproach....
It reeks of legalism....
Legalism is the attempt to see how close to the world one can go but still be in the church.....
Spiritual liberties flaunted in the face of others is legalistic.....
More plainly it is classless.....
Ah yes...we have all seen the ultra conservatives in their moments of holier than thou ism's
They are wrong....
But just as wrong is the flippant flaunting of spiritual liberties.......
This is more legalistic than the ultra conservative’s stand on many issues.....
Whatever happened to the Pauline concept of....
If meat offend my brother then I will eat no meat?
What we see today is.....
Meat offends my brother, so I offer him cowpie.....
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Congrats for 49 years
Either yesterday....
Today....
Or Tommorrow....
I am not sure but I know it is this week.....
My parents celebrate 49 years of marriage....
Congrats Mom & Dad.....
A year later....
They got me......
Today....
Or Tommorrow....
I am not sure but I know it is this week.....
My parents celebrate 49 years of marriage....
Congrats Mom & Dad.....
A year later....
They got me......
Monday, August 3, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Like A Racket Ball
Yesterday and today have proven to be extremely busy....
At lunch Tracie commented she felt like a racket ball....
I pondered this and remembered years past.....
Times that we would feel the stress of too much work for months....
Times the stress never seemed to leave....
Times that we indeed were that "preacher in the pressure cooker" we had heard of....
And then I compared those times to these...
Truly we are blessed.....
With great people and staff around us....
With cash flow enough to take care of many of the mundane responsibilities....
We do not have to stress as we did so many times in our early years here in Conroe...
Thank you Jesus!!!
And thank you CUPC along with the key staffers who make so many things happen every week.....
You are the best and indeed I am humbled you call me pastor....
So if you pass by and read this.....
You are the best....
Pastor
Monday, July 27, 2009
God Bless The Memory of Elder Billy Cole
I never spoke to him....
I observed his great meetings......
I teased about speaking in thumbs after the San Antone conference....
But I have watched the men who were touched by him....
And they were never the same....
They became marked......
I give honor to this man who I never spake to, broke bread with, or even shook his hand.....
Honor to a man who kept giving.....
I observed his great meetings......
I teased about speaking in thumbs after the San Antone conference....
But I have watched the men who were touched by him....
And they were never the same....
They became marked......
I give honor to this man who I never spake to, broke bread with, or even shook his hand.....
Honor to a man who kept giving.....
Friday, July 24, 2009
Righteousness Exalts The Church
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Prov 14:34 KJV
Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. AMP
Righteousness or uprightness and right standing with God exalts a nation....
The same works for the church....
Righteousness or uprightness and right standing with God exalts the church.......
Add this.......
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. Prov 11:11 KJV
or....
By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God's favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. AMP
Let me make a simple observation.....
There is the blessing of God upon those who are upright with God.....
The influence of those that are blessed for their uprightness.....
That blessing is the favor of God.....
Those that carry the favor of God bless everything around them.....
Therefore.....
It is the favor of God upon the people that exalts the church.....
Right living folk exalt the church.....
The blessed church is the church who has a righteous and upright membership....
Thank you CUPC for you efforts to live holy and acceptable before the Lord which is but your reasonable service.....
Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. AMP
Righteousness or uprightness and right standing with God exalts a nation....
The same works for the church....
Righteousness or uprightness and right standing with God exalts the church.......
Add this.......
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. Prov 11:11 KJV
or....
By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God's favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. AMP
Let me make a simple observation.....
There is the blessing of God upon those who are upright with God.....
The influence of those that are blessed for their uprightness.....
That blessing is the favor of God.....
Those that carry the favor of God bless everything around them.....
Therefore.....
It is the favor of God upon the people that exalts the church.....
Right living folk exalt the church.....
The blessed church is the church who has a righteous and upright membership....
Thank you CUPC for you efforts to live holy and acceptable before the Lord which is but your reasonable service.....
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Celebrate 27 Years
Dearest Tracie,
Just a note to let you know that I love you more than ever. These years have not been without adventure but then I promised you that if you would stick with me I would have you wearing baseballs as big as diamonds!!!
You are the best and I look forward to 27 more.
Simply yours.....
K
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Happy Birthday Tracie
I have been blessed to have celebrated 27 birthdays with a most beautiful lady....
Tracie you indeed are the light of my life....
You continue to help my dreams come true day after day....
I know I am the inspiration and you are the perspiration in this team and I truly appreciate all that you do.....
You are a graceful and constant reminder of what a lady should be.....
A perfect mother and wife, no man could ever ask for more.....
I do not intend to make a big fanfare about the day....
Rather I know you will go about your affairs and ride your bus and hug your kids and be the church mama this community has come to love and appreciate....
I will allow you a graceful day......
Please know that I love you more than ever and though we will not discuss years.....
You indeed have gotten better with them....
I will love you forever.....
K
Friday, June 26, 2009
Birthday Thanks
The birthday texts began at 12:01 today....
Emails, calls, Facebook wishes, texts and numbered in the hundreds.....
Thanks to each of you who have shown kindness to me today....
Thank you Tracie for making the day special....
From your blog note to the lunch and the man cure stuff and the birthday cake and Starbucks and all the sweet things in between......
Truly you made this a special day....
Thanks to the friends and family who indeed make life worth living....
And thank you Lord for allowing me these 48 years along with my family and CUPC and the host of friends we travel this life with....
Thanks all....
rks
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tribute To My Preacher Daddy
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Father's Day Repost
I offered this some time back in a more informal setting but have chosen to edit and offer it as a tribute to my father this Father's Day weekend. Pastor Ron Smith is a hero to his children and has been very careful to guard the name he handed to his three sons. Andy, Myron, Sharla, Kay and I have much to be thankful for. Mom has followed him through rain and flood to help him follow his dream. Blessings...rks
Dad is a preacher man...
The old fashioned kind that believed that white was white.....
Black was black.....
And gray had too much white to be black and black to be white...
He started and pastored numerous churches.....
Accumulating five kids along the way.....
Of which all five are in full time ministry with the United Pentecostal Church...
To this day he apologizes for the things he was never able to give us....
He shouldn’t….
Look what he was able to.....
Faith, trust, conviction, work ethic, willingness to sacrifice, conviction, manhood, independence and unwavering stamina are to name but a few.....
A few days ago we talked again on this matter I wanted him to know what I considered to be the greatest thing he gave us....
Dad was always there......
No, his was never a marquis name.....
You never saw him on conference platforms....
Nor his name printed on little postcards.....
He never flew off to preach for some big name....
Or in some other country...
Dad was always there.....
He took us to school....
And then picked us up.....
He would let me play hooky and run around town with him and then send a note to the principal saying that Kent was sick yesterday and needed a treatment....
Ah those treatments from Dad.....
Breakfast at Whataburger, coffee at 7-11, and back to Whataburger for lunch.....
Those treatments consisted of garage sales....lumber yards....trips to his bank....
And laughing.......
Laughing....
And then laughing some more.....
I think I might could use one of those treatments this week.....
Dad was there......
Dad was poor when I was growing up........
But God changed all that for him.....
Poor that is by monetary standards.....
But today he is a very wealthy man.....
When he goes to conference or camp meeting.....
He has some or all of his five kids sitting on the bench beside him......
His grown grandchildren are all seeking ministry.....
He even had an old dog one time that he taught to sing and preach.....
Dad is rich....
Dad was there......
He retired from pastoring a few years ago....
But took another little church earlier last year and is working his little miracle on it......
He took me by it yesterday and wanted to show off the new annex, sign, parking lot, sound system and even brag about some of his new saints…….
Old preachers never really retire….
He has refired……..
I heard him preach at the Texas Camp Meeting today……
The same clear sound as the last forty years……
I just want to salute the old rascal this morning.....
Dad was always there for his wife, his five nappy headed little kids and his church
Thanks Dad.......
On this Father’s Day week I salute you….
You stand head and shoulders above many………
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
The View From The Electric Grocery Buggy
I have always wanted to drive on of these things.....
Today was my opportunity....
And I saw the grocery store from a different perspective.......
First off all the nice looking ladies were careful to give the little old guy in the buggy plenty of room and refused to look at him.....
The firemen cleared the aisle so he would have plenty of room......
The house mom on the cell phone wouldn't get out of the way....
I ran over the pharmacy sign.....
The little guy in the regular grocery buggy looked down at me....
Then he started hollering for his momma to look at the man in the buggy......
I noticed the stuff on the bottom shelf......
Then the construction guy looked at me like what is that healthy guy doing on that buggy....
I know, I know.....
I have done the same thing more than once over the years......
But my ride today reminded me to slow down a bit.....
My only regret....
Tracie did not catch me doing the laps around the watermelon bin.....
Blessings...
rks
Sunday, June 14, 2009
1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
Rebellion wrapped in spirituality is as the sin of witchcraft....
This afternoon I feel to address this matter....
I simply resist the spirits of rebellion and the curse of witchcraft which would attach themselves to the saints of God....
And to the ones who are angered by this simple post....
I plead the blood of Jesus for you.....
Rebellion wrapped in spirituality is as the sin of witchcraft....
This afternoon I feel to address this matter....
I simply resist the spirits of rebellion and the curse of witchcraft which would attach themselves to the saints of God....
And to the ones who are angered by this simple post....
I plead the blood of Jesus for you.....
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Nothing Ever Really Changes
The following is an excerpt from dialogue with some United Pentecostal Church International ministers earlier today. The subject was change, and my thoughts below I share with you.
Now none can deny a rapidly shifting culture...
But in all reality beyond technological advances we are really kinda like we always were.....
Sin will not change......
Nor will the definition of sin.....
No matter how popular the guy is that wants to "turn the grace of God into lasciviousness"
You boys that beat the change drum really must understand that nothing really changes and you in your youthfulness are but seeing the same things cycle by again......
35 years ago the preachers were crying out because we had some girls wearing minidresses and cutting their hair.....
Look around and the past repeats itself.....
We have had preachers backsliding and going the other direction for generations.....
This was even going on back in the NT.........
You youthful change drum beaters need but cool your jets and enjoy you laptops while they last for they will one day be gone as well.....
Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of God will not......
And those principles continue on unchanged......
And there will be lovers of truth....
There will also be lovers of them ownselves....
There will be those who manipulate the grace of God to their advantage......
There will be those who are nothing but ticklers of the itching ear.....
There will be those who forsake their first love....
There will be those who love this present world.....
There will be those who choose to believe lies and be damned because the Lord will turn them over to the delusion of the lies they love......
There will be those Annanias and Sapphiras who lie about their business.....
Sceva still is having sons......
But all in all things of the Kingdom will remain the same and the beaters of the drum of change view life but in the narrowest of their personal agendas.....
And things will continue....
We heard that TV was the answer to winning the masses and we could not wait a single day or they would all be lost....
Where are the masses won?
Where are the campaigns and blitzes into those high rise buildings.....
And we are about to lose that crowd who was the loudest for this absolute needed change.....
And as usual.....
Nothing really changed and now we see unbudding the truth that TV and souls in high rise buildings were never really the issue....
They were just the propaganda tool.....
And nothing changes......
Each of us should just keep praying and fasting and preaching and loving the souls we encounter for one day soon the real change will take place and all these mundane debates will be forgotten.....
Monday, June 1, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
A Soul Winner's Prayer
I been thinking and maybe some of you theologians can give some substance to my penny thoughts.....
Simon the Sorcerer was emotional irrational and the man of God perceived two things...
First he was in the gall of bitterness....
Second he was in the bond of iniquity......
Over the years I have come to notice that people who respond with emotional irrationality to the unexpected more times than not deal with issues of bitterness.....
Bitterness seems to wrap unresolved issues from yesterday to yesteryear.....
And the root of most of those bitterness seems to always be a root of sin......
Simon was living with the misery of bitterness....
Because he had never dug out the root of sin.........
That root can lie dormant for years but let the unexpected storm pass and it buds out with the galling response of a bitter reply......
Angry irrational behaviour indicates an abiding bitterness rooted in an old sin......
My prayer today is that I never allow sin to continue in my members and that I never display the irrationality of angry bitterness....
No wonder David prayed......
Ps 51:1-131 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
This prayer is what I view as a true soul winner's prayer....
Create in me, restore in me, renew in me, cast me not, take not from me....
After living this prayer I might one day be a soul winner.....
I stood in the streets of my city last night inviting souls to the house of God for Pentecost Sunday when oppostion came, lies were told, and the police showed up.....
The joy I felt with the opposition was incredible....
The people of the neighborhood rose up and defended the people of God....
Amid that I was able to pray for a new convert family in the middle of the park.....
And never a word was issued in self defense.....
I am so thankful that resentment, anger, bitterness or irrational response was not found in my spirit last evening....
But then that root of sin was long gone....
Sudden revelation comes to me.....
It is impossible for me to win others....
If I have not won the battle for my own human spirit....
Lord...
Create, renew, restore in me your Spirit....
Blessings...
rks
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
My Heart Is Fixed!
This pic of a perfect angiogram is how I feel this morning.....
My heart if full....
My heart is fixed.....
I am filled with faith for what HE is doing....
I am filled with faith for those that we are helping.....
I am stirred for those who are troubled.....
I am absolute confident God is in control of everything....
Therefore....
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Ps 57:7.....
I can assure that most moments in life are not perfect...
Yet he is a perfect God and there is much to be thankful for.....
Reading this today be assured that God cares....
And that I am praying for you today....
Blessings....
rks
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Living in the Blessings!!!
Folks I am living in the blessings....
Today Tracie bought a whole gallon of milk that I thought would be wasted....
Then around 10pm Trent and Calah showed up with a brand new box of Cocoa Pebbles....
There was only two bowls of cereal in the box.....
Slurping on the milk from the bowls reminded us of old times....
Then Tracie pulled cut n bake cookies out of the oven....
I am living in the blessings....
And you my blogging buddies are just gonna have to deal with the jealousies....
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Fuzzy-Wuzzy World of Charismatic Morality
I saw this article written by Lee Grady of Charisma Magazine and knew immediately that I wanted to share it here
"Christian leaders who flippantly divorce without adequate explanation are confusing young believers and mocking biblical standards.
In an era when evangelical ministers are endorsing pro-abortion candidates and an Episcopal bishop is marrying his gay lover, I guess it is no surprise that our own charismatic church leaders are sending out confusing signals about morality these days. It seems that in 2008, up is down, right is wrong and biblical absolutes are up for grabs.
This is especially true when it comes to marriage, an institution that once was considered sacred by all Christians. Nowadays, many preachers and even famous evangelical authors have created a new trend: Throwaway wedding vows. Christian divorce today is cheap, easy and not that much more expensive than a facelift. And some of our superstar preachers have figured out a way to use Bible verses to support their moral failures.
Take Paula White, for example. The high-powered preacher announced last August that her marriage to Randy White was over, with no clear explanation why, and she continued on her whirlwind ministry circuit without skipping a beat. The Whites said adultery was not the reason for their breakup, although Randy said the whole mess was his fault. We were all left scratching our heads.
“Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness.”
Paula teaches people all over the nation how to live “a life by design,” which is also the official name of her trademark success seminars. But I am left questioning what kind of design she’s promoting—especially when she joined the staff of San Antonio pastor Rick Hawkins, who divorced his wife last year. By partnering with him in ministry, Paula is legitimizing his questionable choices.
When a local news reporter in Tampa, Fla., asked Paula about how she reconciles her faith with her decision to divorce, she quoted a verse from Ecclesiastes and implied that, just as there is “a time for everything under heaven,” her divorce was just an unfortunate moment in her spiritual journey. She also glibly suggested that one day she and Randy might get back together since they are good friends.
Huh? What kind of talk is this, and what garbled message does it send to immature believers who don’t know yet how to discern God’s will for themselves? Many of them will take Paula’s confusing words as license to do whatever they feel like doing. If there is a time for divorce, then there might as well be a time for binge drinking, a time for a porn movie or a time to steal from an employer. Morality gets morphed into an ooey-gooey concept that you shape for yourself.
I wish that Paula had said this: “Divorce is not God’s will. It destroys families. If anyone out there is thinking about divorce, please don’t choose that path until you have tried every avenue for restoration.” But she didn’t sound a clear trumpet. She gave us mishmash.
Then we have Bishop Thomas Weeks III, the estranged husband of celebrity preacher Juanita Bynum. Their marriage crashed and burned last August when she accused him of beating her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot. Weeks and Bynum have continued preaching since they announced plans to divorce, and Weeks told Gospel Today magazine last month that he’s looking forward to finding wife No. 3 while he continues to oversee several churches. When asked what he needed to change, the bow-tied preacher replied: “I have to take vacations.”
What is missing in both the Weeks-Bynum fiasco and the White’s breakup is a clear admission that biblical principles have been violated. For the Whites, we are left feeling that if you drift apart from your spouse because of the demands of ministry, you just move on and keep preaching. (After all, as Paula says, “Your best days are ahead.”) For Bynum and Weeks, the message is also muddled: If your marriage doesn’t work out, it’s probably because your partner didn’t realize how powerful God’s calling is on your life. (In other words, it’s all about you.)
This sad scenario seems almost normal today because our standards have been totally compromised. In many independent charismatic churches we refuse to draw boundaries. We don’t enforce biblical standards of leadership. We don’t tell those who have failed morally to get out of the ministry long enough to find true healing.
Leaders must be godly examples. God does not require them to have perfect marriages, but He does raise the bar for all those called into the ministry by requiring marital faithfulness. We don’t have the right to lower that bar just because we live in a permissive culture.
We must make biblical standards clear: (1) Marriage is indeed sacred, and divorce should never be viewed as a flippant choice; (2) Ministers of the gospel should have exemplary marriages; and (3) Leaders who fail at marriage can be instantly forgiven, but they have no business leading a church until they have walked though a healing process that includes full repentance and a heavy dose of accountability.
It is time for some backbone. Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness. We must lovingly but firmly redraw the lines before they are blurred beyond distinction."
"Christian leaders who flippantly divorce without adequate explanation are confusing young believers and mocking biblical standards.
In an era when evangelical ministers are endorsing pro-abortion candidates and an Episcopal bishop is marrying his gay lover, I guess it is no surprise that our own charismatic church leaders are sending out confusing signals about morality these days. It seems that in 2008, up is down, right is wrong and biblical absolutes are up for grabs.
This is especially true when it comes to marriage, an institution that once was considered sacred by all Christians. Nowadays, many preachers and even famous evangelical authors have created a new trend: Throwaway wedding vows. Christian divorce today is cheap, easy and not that much more expensive than a facelift. And some of our superstar preachers have figured out a way to use Bible verses to support their moral failures.
Take Paula White, for example. The high-powered preacher announced last August that her marriage to Randy White was over, with no clear explanation why, and she continued on her whirlwind ministry circuit without skipping a beat. The Whites said adultery was not the reason for their breakup, although Randy said the whole mess was his fault. We were all left scratching our heads.
“Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness.”
Paula teaches people all over the nation how to live “a life by design,” which is also the official name of her trademark success seminars. But I am left questioning what kind of design she’s promoting—especially when she joined the staff of San Antonio pastor Rick Hawkins, who divorced his wife last year. By partnering with him in ministry, Paula is legitimizing his questionable choices.
When a local news reporter in Tampa, Fla., asked Paula about how she reconciles her faith with her decision to divorce, she quoted a verse from Ecclesiastes and implied that, just as there is “a time for everything under heaven,” her divorce was just an unfortunate moment in her spiritual journey. She also glibly suggested that one day she and Randy might get back together since they are good friends.
Huh? What kind of talk is this, and what garbled message does it send to immature believers who don’t know yet how to discern God’s will for themselves? Many of them will take Paula’s confusing words as license to do whatever they feel like doing. If there is a time for divorce, then there might as well be a time for binge drinking, a time for a porn movie or a time to steal from an employer. Morality gets morphed into an ooey-gooey concept that you shape for yourself.
I wish that Paula had said this: “Divorce is not God’s will. It destroys families. If anyone out there is thinking about divorce, please don’t choose that path until you have tried every avenue for restoration.” But she didn’t sound a clear trumpet. She gave us mishmash.
Then we have Bishop Thomas Weeks III, the estranged husband of celebrity preacher Juanita Bynum. Their marriage crashed and burned last August when she accused him of beating her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot. Weeks and Bynum have continued preaching since they announced plans to divorce, and Weeks told Gospel Today magazine last month that he’s looking forward to finding wife No. 3 while he continues to oversee several churches. When asked what he needed to change, the bow-tied preacher replied: “I have to take vacations.”
What is missing in both the Weeks-Bynum fiasco and the White’s breakup is a clear admission that biblical principles have been violated. For the Whites, we are left feeling that if you drift apart from your spouse because of the demands of ministry, you just move on and keep preaching. (After all, as Paula says, “Your best days are ahead.”) For Bynum and Weeks, the message is also muddled: If your marriage doesn’t work out, it’s probably because your partner didn’t realize how powerful God’s calling is on your life. (In other words, it’s all about you.)
This sad scenario seems almost normal today because our standards have been totally compromised. In many independent charismatic churches we refuse to draw boundaries. We don’t enforce biblical standards of leadership. We don’t tell those who have failed morally to get out of the ministry long enough to find true healing.
Leaders must be godly examples. God does not require them to have perfect marriages, but He does raise the bar for all those called into the ministry by requiring marital faithfulness. We don’t have the right to lower that bar just because we live in a permissive culture.
We must make biblical standards clear: (1) Marriage is indeed sacred, and divorce should never be viewed as a flippant choice; (2) Ministers of the gospel should have exemplary marriages; and (3) Leaders who fail at marriage can be instantly forgiven, but they have no business leading a church until they have walked though a healing process that includes full repentance and a heavy dose of accountability.
It is time for some backbone. Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness. We must lovingly but firmly redraw the lines before they are blurred beyond distinction."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
13 Recieve the Holy Ghost
Revival comes in so many packages.....
The last few weeks we have baptized around 170 new souls....
We have seen many of these receive the Holy Ghost including 13 brand new souls today.......
As I approached the sanctuary door today Kasey approached me and asked if she could have her baby dedicated?
"Sure" I replied, "Just tell us when you can have your family here and we will be glad to do it."
Kasey and Jason have only been coming to church for a few weeks.....
"I want you to dedicate Matthew this morning!"
"You sure?"
"Yessir"
And we did just that....
But that was only the beginning.....
For Kasey and Jason not only gave their baby to Jesus this morning but they also gave their hearts to Him.....
And both recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost today!!!
The last few weeks we have baptized around 170 new souls....
We have seen many of these receive the Holy Ghost including 13 brand new souls today.......
As I approached the sanctuary door today Kasey approached me and asked if she could have her baby dedicated?
"Sure" I replied, "Just tell us when you can have your family here and we will be glad to do it."
Kasey and Jason have only been coming to church for a few weeks.....
"I want you to dedicate Matthew this morning!"
"You sure?"
"Yessir"
And we did just that....
But that was only the beginning.....
For Kasey and Jason not only gave their baby to Jesus this morning but they also gave their hearts to Him.....
And both recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost today!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Miracles Come In Many Packages
I saw a fantastic one yesterday for a family that had been praying for several years.....
Finally around the altar it happened!!!
How will yours be packaged today?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Executive Decision
In my quiet time this morning I made an executive decision.....
This is a week of miracles for CUPC and anyone who dares to agree.........
Blessings....
rks
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
I take this moment to give tribute to my mother.....
Mom continues to be a selfless hard working mom who continues to stand beside our Dad and raised 5 kids to work hard and love truth....
I love you Mom......
Also today I offer love to my momma n law.....
I hope you have a good Mother's Day.....
To all the mothers of CUPC, I pray that you have a sunshiny day and continue to walk in the blessings of the Lord.....
To the mother of my children....
Tracie....
I love you more than words can say.....
You have been the best mom to Trent and Doni......
On this your 23rd Mother's Day I want you to know that you are more beautiful now than then.....
I hope this Mother's Day is the best.....
I love you forever.....
Friday, May 8, 2009
Revival is Hard Work
I have been in church work all of my life....
Mowing, garbage, sewage, painting, moving walls, praying, preaching........
The list could go forever...
But revival is hard work...
Example....
As of this afternoon we have baptized 120 the last few weeks....
And when I got home I lugged a big container of towels in to be washed and taken back to the church before Sunday....
This is the second time this week!!!
Work.....
Revival is hard work...
Revival is exiting....
Revival is fulfilling....
But never forget....
Revival is hard work......
Another example....
Wednesday night we had several seekers in the altar....
Due to classes being held around the campus I had no altar workers to help me....
I was running from one seeker to the next to the next....
Where are my helpers I asked myself.....
They were all in the harvest taking care of new babies.....
Adam wanted to be baptized so I sent them back to get him ready....
And after awhile realized they were waiting on me to baptize since the other ministers were all elsewhere...
I baptized in Jesus name....
Adam spoke with tongues in the water and was filled with the Holy Ghost....
I was worn out by the time we got home....
With more towels.....
But fulfilled because prayers and dreams are coming to pass.....
Revival is hard work......
There seems to be plenty of harvest....
Lord please send more laborers.....
While we labor we know that it is HE that gives the increase.....
Blessings...
rks
UPDATE: Just got off the phone with a police officer that pulled over a van full of questionable characters. They told him they were on the way to Bro Smith's church to get baptized. The officer wanted to make sure they were legitimate. I told him to let them go. He asked if I knew the history of all the guys in the van. Nope, but we are trying to rewrite the story. He let them go and they got baptized tonight.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
This Pastor Takes Up His Shield
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always...... Eph 6:13-18
In the midst of revival the enemy wants to send fiery darts to every believer...
My spirit is stirred today to make sure the good church family of CUPC is equipped to withstand those darts....
I am convinced that the devil has learned to not try to deliver big bombs to the Body of Christ...
Rather he likes those pesky little fiery darts....
Those constant little stings and tormenting thoughts....
Those little darts of discouragement....
The little fiery dart of a discouraged saint....
The fiery dart of an forgotten thank you.....
The fiery dart offense....
The fiery dart of fatigue....
The fiery dart of finance.....
The fiery dart of stress....
The fiery dart of sickness....
The fiery dart of second guessing...
The fiery dart of disunity...
The fiery dart of the cares of life....
The fiery dart of distrust....
The fiery dart of loneliness....
The fiery dart of a discontented spirit.....
These little fiery darts and quadjillions of others are the devil's specialty....
But there is a solution and protection from these things....
The whole armour of God!!!
Our loins must be girt with truth....
The reproductive part and vital organs of our bodies must be protected with truth....
Our hearts must be covered with the breastplate of righteousness.....
We must everyone have our gospel shoes on.....
Our minds and thoughts must be covered with the helmet of salvation....
We must not allow the sword of the Spirit to ever be at rest....
And the fiery darts of the devil are to be warded off by the shield of faith...
We do all of this by prayer....
I declare the revival spirit that has taken CUPC will not be deterred by the devil's fiery darts...
Rather...
I take up the shield and wield faith....
This pastor has his faith out today and I am taking the front line to bounce off the darts....
I refuse the pesky little darts...
Because I realize they are not pesky if our faith is let down and the dart gets past the armour....
Therefore....
I stand fast with faith....
We will put on the whole armour of God....
We will see a continued revival....
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