The Sounds of Silence

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For there, those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” Psalm 137:1-4

This testimony of the Israelites in this Psalm is extremely touching and moving to anyone who has ever found themselves out of the will of God. The Jewish people had long neglected the commands of scripture, and were also guilty of ignoring the clear warnings of God’s prophets that He had graciously sent to them. And what was the result?  They were eventually overthrown by an invading army and carried away captive into the land of Babylon. It was after this sobering event that their captors asked to hear some of the famous songs of praise from the lips of God’s chosen people. The reply to this request is so very powerful. They “wept” after “hanging their harps upon the willows” and said, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”

If you have ever been sidetracked in your journey of faith, you know how difficult it is to sing songs of praise in what Psalm 137 calls a foreign land. I remember foolishly making statements years ago that can only be likened unto the boasting of Peter on the night of Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. These past few years have made me realize how arrogant I was to make mindless claims of what I would and would never do based upon the limited understanding of my own self.

The truth is, we have no idea what we will face in our lives, and we have no idea how we will respond. Recently living in what felt like a Babylonian experience, my heart had no real joy in singing the “songs of Zion” for quite a while. During the last few weeks, however, I have experienced my broken chords of praise beginning to vibrate once more.

I am so thankful for His amazing grace working in my life, my family, and hopefully, in a new season of gospel ministry. Thank you for praying for us. Doors of preaching opportunities continue to swing open for me, and I am most humbly grateful.

The Promise of Restoration

"I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten" Joel 2:25

The promises of God can be misused and abused by those who teach and believe a false gospel that has a primary focus on good health, temporal comfort and financial prosperity. The truth of God can be twisted to say whatever the wickedness of man wants it so say. That's why it's dangerous to go out on a limb when considering a promise like the one found in Joel 2:25. Looking at the context of this book of the Bible, I understand that the initial message is directed toward the people of Judah. As Joel presented a stern message of judgment to those who refused to live a repentant lifestyle, he also gives a hopeful message of restoration to those who would return to the Lord in humility and brokenness.

What a great word: restoration. When a marriage is restored, a church, a family, or a community is restored following an event that is tragic and heart rending, it is reason to celebrate and rejoice. Likewise, when a life or ministry is restored, it is also time to celebrate and rejoice. Remember the great ending in the story of the prodigal? When the oldest son refused to come to the celebration, the father said to him: "It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32

God's promise to "restore to you the years that the locust has eaten" gives me great hope for the future. I know that I cannot travel back in time to correct wrong actions and attitudes, but I can put my faith in the One who promises me restoration! I know that I cannot go to those places and preach messages to those people that I refused to go to during the past few years, but I can put my faith in the One who promises me restoration! I know that I cannot undo what's already been done, but I can put my faith in the One who promises me restoration!

A sweet promise from Heaven...RESTORATION!

Thank you for praying - God bless you!

Originally emailed on August 8,, 2016

The Patriot - The Prophecy - The Preacher

In the opening scene of The Patriot, one of my favorite movies, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) says, "I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear."

Each time that I would watch that movie, I thought of my own rebellion, and wondered if my heart would be broken in similar ways that I had broken the hearts of others. The Bible says, "The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation." The Bible also says, "Do not be deceived, God will not be mocked; whatever a man sows, that will he also reap." I know that some may say that my theology is somewhat off target, but it does not diminish the truth surrounding my personal fears concerning my past failures.

Following my email last week, I realized that my silence over the past few years resulted in many of you not knowing our family situation. We are still in the Starkville/Sturgis area of Mississippi, and our home became what sociologists call a multi-generational household when Apryl moved back with her boys following their birth in October of 2012. We are all still adjusting to our "new" normal, and by God's grace, we will do more than survive, we will thrive!

After preaching and writing on the "Ministry of Sorrow" and how that God uses everything in our lives to conform us into the image of His dear Son, I admit that my initial response to Micah and Eli was less than ideal. Looking back, I realize now that God was teaching me that too much of my life was still about me and my reputation, and not about Him and His glory.

This journey called life is about growing, learning and maturing, and I've got a long way to go. I appreciate so much the kind and gracious responses that I received last week. We all need real friends to pray and encourage us as we all walk by faith, and I am blessed to know of your love and concern. When a local pastor learned of my recent availability, he invited me to be in his pulpit. Thank you, Randy, what a great blessing to once again be with the wonderful people of the Wesley Community Church. I am also privileged to be preaching in our home church, Friendship Baptist Church in the Craig Springs community near Sturgis, on this upcoming Sunday during both services..

 

Thank you for praying for us in this new journey of faith - God bless you!

 

Originally emailed on July 29, 2016

The God of Another Chance

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord." Jonah 3:1-3

 
When life circumstances upset our journey some four years ago, the spiritual and emotional dagger thrust into my heart dealt a fatal blow to my faith. I continued to immerse myself in my ministry responsibilities, but I was simply going through the motions. It finally culminated in me deciding to step on the sideline and remove myself from the game. The only problem is, when Heaven and Hell are hanging in the balance, this is no game.
 
Now that I've had time to reflect on who, what and where I am on this pilgrimage, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to put myself back into a position of availability to the Lord and His kingdom activity. My employer has been very gracious to me in allowing me to move from a full-time to a part-time position. This will give me the privilege of having time to devote to whatever type of gospel ministry that God might desire to put me in. I am not trying to resurrect my evangelistic organization, nor do I feel compelled to try and re-birth our church plant. I simply want to hear and obey.
 
Let me close by saying that I love my family immensely. Tammy is still the most beautiful woman in the world, my own personal super-model, super-wife, super-mom and super-grandmother! Our daughters are gorgeous, intelligent young women who continue to own parts of my heart that I hope they will always treasure. Micah and Eli are growing, and becoming more and more special to me everyday. Tammy always wanted four children, and like most men, I always wanted the opportunity to raise a son. We just didn't know that some of our dreams would become a reality in the way that they did. Like I told her a few days ago, I now have two little men who share my name and carry my likeness. May I be the godly example to them that they need and deserve.

I would count it a privilege if you would pray for us all. Thank you - God bless you.

Originally emailed on July 21, 2016