The Sweetest Frame

Today was one of the hardest days that I've had in a long time. Today we told our church family that we are moving to Indiana this summer. I'm very excited about what the Lord has in store, but it is also very hard to think about leaving so many close friends. God has been so good to us while we have lived here . How do you tell people that you love that you are leaving? I couldn't find an easy way to do it. We have spent over 13 years with our church family laughing, and singing, and ministering together. And lots of eating too! And every now and then there was some crying and lots of praying. When you go through so many events with your church family, it brings you close. And yet, when God is calling, we must follow . In my heart I know that staying when God said to move, would only bring difficulty. And I also know that this move isn't just about our family serving in a new place, but also someone new serving here. I know that God has great things in store ...

Two years ago the Lord changed how I pray after we studied the Lord's prayer at Church. Every prayer ultimately should end with the goal of Hallowing the Father's name. Read Piper's take .

How often do you take a break? Exodus 31:17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed .’” You've heard it often - "Even God has to take a break once in a while." We are built to work and to rest and we need to be about both of these things. I've neglected the latter at times, and it usually comes back to get me. A friend sent me a book by Wayne Cordeiro entitled Leading On Empty. I've been a little "extra" stressed lately, but I don't think I'm near to the point of stress that is displayed in some of the stories in this book. And yet, I've found some preventive things in this book that I think will be a huge help in ministry. So if your feeling a little stressed, here's some things to consider: 1. Solitude is a healthy and prescriptive discipline; Isolation is a symptom of emotional depletion. Intentionally getting aw...

I know it has been a while since my last post. We were working intensely on hosting this year's Illinois State Association Meeting at our church and it's finally over. During Dr. Garnett Reid's message on Saturday , one verse that he referenced struck right at my heart. This same verse was also in my devotions for yesterday. 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. There are two things that stick out to me from reading this verse. 1. I don't have to save, baptize or convert. That's not my job. My job is to witness, to preach and to herald. I don't need to feel guilty about not converting someone or saving someone. I must preach the gospel. 2. I can empty the cross of its power. This is a scary verse to me. Somewhere along the way words can become "eloquent wisdom." Paul didn't have a projector, or a creative...

My Father I pray that this would be the cry of my heart... Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Whenever I hear the words "Precious Blood," I usually think about Jesus. But this verse in Psalm 72 reminds me that our blood is precious too! 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight. Lord, help us to value others, even as you value us.

I've been working on a new website for the Illinois State Association of Free Will Baptists. It has been a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. This has been my first "real" venture with Wordpress, and I must say I'm impressed. Hopefully in the next few weeks, I can put together a series of posts on fwbmedia.com about the process. I think I'm going to do my next project in Wordpress. I couldn't believe all of the features that the widgets provide and how easy it is to add pictures. I think that's one of the things that has been lacking in the couple other Content Management Systems that I have tried. If you have some time, leave some comments on the Introducing ILFWB.org post. I'd like to see how the comment feature is going to work.