Category: Church Chat

How Fat Are You?

Posted in Church Chat, Discipleship, Life Happens8 Comments

When I was a young man in my twenties, I decided to take up running.  I discovered that I not only loved the sport, but I was a halfway decent runner.  I built up my endurance to the point that averaged about 40-50 miles of running each week.  I was strikingly thin at 5′ 11″ tall and 145 pounds.  I often won my age divisions at local races and occasionally won the entire race at small events around eastern Kentucky.

Well, that was then and this in now! I’m still 5′ 11″ tall, but the rest is none of your cotton-pickin’ business.  Let’s just say, my waist size has increased three inches since those days.  Recently, I decided that enough is enough — I’m gettin’ in shape!

When I was in shape, I would often take long training runs up to 20 miles in length.  Now, it’s difficult to even jog around the block.  I realize that it’s going to be a long, slow process, but I’ve got to start somewhere.

Many times, our spiritual journey is a lot like my physical journey.  We fall off after a period of spiritual fitness and frankly, we know we’re not where we should be.  In order to regain our fitness, we have to become more disciplined in our spiritual lives.  Does that describe you?  I have committed to become more fit it all areas of my life and I invite you to join me.

Will you join me in this journey?  I’m writing about it here to build in some accountability.

Give me a shout-out here on the blog if you will join me to provide a level of accountability with your decision.  May God bless you in your efforts.  Keep pressing forward  Here’s a great theme passage….

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

$22,000 Phone Bill

Posted in Church Chat, Evangelism, Funny, Life Happens2 Comments

According to an Associated Press story, a 13-year-old California teen ran up a cell phone bill of nearly $22,000.

Ted Estarija said he was expecting his bill to be higher this month after adding his son to his plan, but wasn’t expecting a bill of $21,917 in data usage charges. The Hayward man said his Verizon Wireless  bill soared after his son apparently downloaded about 1.4 million kilobytes of data last month.  His plan didn’t cover data usage, so he was charged by the megabyte.

Estarija said after the first media reports, Verizon said they would credit his account for the entire amount. He has also suspended his son’s account.

When I read this story today, I thought of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Unlike Mr. Estarija, Jesus knew the cost.  He knew that coming to this earth would cause him unspeakable pain and ultimately cost Him His life, yet He came anyway.

PRAYER:  “Lord, thank You, that although You knew the cost, You came to this earth.  You came so we could know You, see You, and experience salvation through Your death on the cross.  Thank you for paying our bill, caused by our sin and for crediting our account with your righteous when we trust in You as our Savior.  Lord, thank You!  AMEN.”

Today Is Christmas At Our House

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Today is Christmas at our house, well, kinda!  Our daughter Lauren will be working with the International Mission Board over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  Because she will be leaving soon, I worked out a deal with Santa to come early at our house.  As I type, I’m looking at her full stocking hanging from the fireplace.

Please pray for Lauren as she travels and represents the Lord.  Pray for the children, youth, college students, and missionaries with whom she will be working.  Naturally, we will miss her this Christmas, but we’re happy she will be serving in this capacity.

World’s Greatest Sermon

Posted in Church Chat, Discipleship2 Comments

This morning I read the Sermon on the Mount from the gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7.  One day an unusually large crowd gathered to hear Jesus, so he gathered them together on the side of a mountain.  There He preached the greatest sermon that has ever been preached throughout all history.

In the sermon, Jesus addresses some difficult topics like the following:

38″You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.'”  Matthew 5:38-42

Does Jesus mean this literally?  Do you know of anyone who has actually practiced this in real life?  I encourage you to read through this sermon–it will challenge you in your thinking and in your walk with the Lord.

Thrilled to Be Here

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uhaulCan you imagine putting up with me for 28 years? Just thinking about it can make your heart skip a beat, but that’s exactly what Laura has done! Twenty-eight years of being married to me should earn her a mansion or two along with several stars for her crown.

We have seen a lot of life together. She followed me to the mountains of eastern Kentucky. The first time she sat foot in eastern Kentucky was when I took her to meet “the folks.” She later told me that the hills almost smothered her to death. She followed me to Morehead, Banner, Fort Worth, Hazard, Pikeville, Belfry, Georgetown, Williamstown, Louisville, and now Shelbyville. At least 14 times we’ve loaded all our belongings in a rental truck and moved to a new home. A couple of weeks ago, we made the trek from Louisville to Shelbyville. Thank you for all your help in relocating us—we are thrilled to be here!

We have seen highs and lows mixed in with a lot of everyday life. We were thrilled when our little marching band from Pikeville finished Class A State Runner-up in ‘88 and ‘89, but more thrilled when God began to move dramatically within our church at Belfry. We watched the church almost triple in size and celebrated several members called to full-time ministry. Missionaries, pastors, youth directors—God did an awesome work.

We both long to see God’s awesome power in our church at Shelbyville. We are overjoyed to be in Shelbvyille because we believe God wants to do a great work here as well. In order for that to happen it cannot be business as usual. The church is not a business; it is the bride of Christ. God will move when we, the bride, fall in love with Christ, the Groom. It’s one thing to mark off another anniversary with Christ, but another thing to be madly in love with Him. Which one do you think He prefers?