Fireproof Your Marriage

Check this out when you get a moment!

Been There, Done That

There's an old saying that goes, "if at first you don't succeed, try try again." There is much wisdom found there, particularly if you have a word from the Lord.

Peter had spent the whole night fishing and came back to the shore empty handed. In fact, the crew was busy cleaning the nets when Jesus asked him to get in the boat a put out a short distance from shore so He could teach a crowd who was anxious to hear from Him.

After He was done teaching, He told Peter to put out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch.

I'm wondering, what would my response be? Probably something like, "I've been out all night doing this and have caught nothing. Why waste time now? I want to go to bed." But Peter's response was quite different and extremely enlightening.

Luke records these words, "And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5, ESV, emphasis mine).

Peter takes a lot of hits because he was quick to speak his mind. But its moments like these that make me want to be like him! "Because you said it, I'll do it." Oh to have a heart and attitude like that. So often I am the 'been there, done that' kind of guy--but I am striving to be the 'You said it, I'll do it' kind of guy.

How about you?

The Value of Christian Friendships

Greg Jones, Dean of Duke Divinity School, was recently quoted as saying, "Holy friends challenge the sins we've come to love."

This quote is just but one reason we ought to be pursuing Christian friends and Christian fellowship. I've been convicted recently that maturity takes not only Bible reading and prayer, but also Christian fellowship.

Are you intentionally adding to your spiritual growth through Christian friendships?

Hope for the Small Church

There are saving works that God will only do through small churches and ordinary people, not through large churches and more sophisticated people.

The Lord said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'" (Judges 7:2)

Beware of missing your appointed fruit by envying bigger trees.

- John Piper

Stay or Go

"Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10).

Moses couldn't stay and still go with God.

God loves us too much to allow us to stay the way we are. We can't stay the same and go with God.

Are you willing to commit with the hymn writer, wherever He leads I'll go?

Anniversary -- No foolin'

Today is the 12th anniversary of when I became pastor of Moose Creek.

I can't help but think of the profundity of beginning a ministry on April Fool's Day.

Soli Deo gloria!

Biblical Authority

The message from Sunday, March 30 is now posted on the church web site. It's rather unique in that the original message was not recorded due to a technical error (I pushed the wrong button). So on Monday I recorded it as I preached it again in my office.

It's a good message about biblical authority. We need to master God's Word so that it can master us!

Let me know what you think.

Something New

I consider myself a dreamer. Maybe its just a pipe dream, but I'd like to be a regular contributor to a blog. I have the best of intentions, but we'll see how it goes! Like asparagus or spinich--I'll never know if I like it unless I try it.