The best valentine ever!!!

If your reading this on the day that I wrote it, its Valentine's day! For some, this is a very exciting day. The majority of proposals are given on this very special day of love. For some, its a day that should be forgotten and done away with. Me, I don't think much of it, but I do enjoy making much of my wife. Now I don't need some silly day on a calendar to show my beloved my appreciation. I should show it every day of my life. However, since there is a day to do just that I choose to take the plunge and celebrate. 

There have been many Valentines that i've celebrated and many that i've watched pass right on by due to my single status. Some of you might celebrate the fact that you have a single status and thats absolutely fine. I was wondering what your idea of the best valentine gift would be. I'm not looking for ideas. In fact, I've finished all my valentine stuff for Sarah, but I was wondering what your thoughts or experiences have been. Please write and let me and the other readers know what your special valentine would be or has been. It might just help out some fading relationship out there in cyber-space.

More Precious than silver...

I must be honest in saying that I'm brought to conviction when I think about what things in my life I place on a higher shelf than my King. There's a popular song called "More precious than silver" that was written in the early 80's by Lynn Deshazo. Lynn, after graduating high school, went off to college at Auburn Univ.. It was there that Lynn really began to grow as a Christian. She practiced spiritual disciplines and made every effort to grow in her walk with Christ. She took a humble job at McDonalds to help pay for her college tuition and it just so happened that Lynn was practicing the discipline of fasting. It was during this time that her boss put her on french-fry duty one Wed. during her fast. Well, the battle of wills began. As Lynn describes, she fought and fought all day not to indulge in the fries and break her fast. However, after hours of battling she looked to her left and then to her right. Once she noticed that no one was looking she helped her self to some fries. Immediately, Lynn was broken hearted and conviction took over. She left that day and repented before God for breaking her commitment . It was at this time that she sat down and wrote the song, "more precious than silver." 

You see, Lynn was convicted over the fact that she placed a french-fry over her King. If we, as christians, take so much pride in who we belong, than why is it that God is placed on the back-burner of our lives? Is He truly more precious than silver, gold and french-fries? I am challenged, yet again, to be sure that God is positioned in His rightful place of supremacy in my life. 

Are you amazed by grace?

What is grace to you? We use this term a lot in church land, but do we know the weighty implications that nestle down behind this loaded word. Do we use grace in our church lingo with an attempt to stay culturally (church culture) relevant or is it that we are still trying to wrap our minds around the very notion of God's grace, therefore grace is foreign? The impact of grace, although it was given, was not something that I thought a great deal about until a couple of years ago. The very idea that God being pure, precious and perfect would provide me, a sinning, God hating, self-centered and self-righteous black hole with light and life is beyond all I could ever comprehend. Its the grace that God imparts that saves us (by grace you've been saved) from our hell-bound wayward lives. God only knows why he would cover His saints in the warm, comforting blanket of His gracious love and rescue His children like a fireman would rescue his family from a burning home. 

Is grace only experienced by the Saints of God? In the words of the Apostle Paul, "may it never be!" You see, God extends grace to the most vile of sinners. God has extended grace to Adolf Hitler while mercilessly massacring hundreds of thousands of Jews. God gave grace to Bobby Joe Long the notorious rapist and to Jeffery Dahlmer the infamous serial killer. As striking or absurd as this may sound, I implore you to answer one question; is it not gracious that God would allow individuals like that to live a single moment a part from a well-deserved, inevitable eternity in hell (assuming they died unregenerate)? Of course its gracious. It may not be saving grace, but its grace none-the-less. 

What do you think? What does grace mean to you? Has grace changed you from the inside out or have you yet to realize the magnitude of such an impartation? Let me know.

Alan

Video Blog 2 (Have you blushed lately?)

Hey guys,

     This one is about 5 minutes. I condensed it as much as I could and 5 is what I landed on.

Blessings,

Alan

Video Blog 1

Hey guys,

           Check out this 4 minute devotional from Matthew 16:13-17. Enjoy!

Blessings,

Alan

One day with Jesus

I've always thought to myself how neat it would be to spend a day in the physical presence of Jesus Christ. Now, I know that He's in our presence, but I mean if He were here in the flesh and could walk and audibly talk to you, what would  you spend your day doing? If Jesus said, "ok, today we can do whatever you want to do", what would you and JC do? It's kind of an overwhelming thought when you think about it, because after all, its Jesus. If one of your friends came over to your house you would probably be content sitting and festering in your own boarding, but would you really want to sit and talk on facebook or myspace with Jesus hanging out for a day? Would you take Jesus to Memphis, because thats what we Clarksdale people do to treat ourselves? Would you watch Jesus destroy Rock Band and Guitar Hero on expert because  you know it doesn't challenge Him. Would you ask Him nicely to cook your favorite meal? It would be the best thing you ever put in your mouth. 

Maybe your a little more spiritual than that and you would like to take Him to one of your friends or loved one's house so that He could tell them His story in hopes that they might be saved. Perhaps you would be content with sitting in a quiet room all day and listening to Him retell the Gospels. Could you imagine if Jesus got online with the Halo experts and utterly obliterated their existence. That would be a site to see. Maybe you would ask Jesus questions that you've always wanted to know the answers to; like, what exactly will we be doing in heaven? Will we be singing to You the whole time or will we live in those mansions that were built for Your children? 

I told you this was an overwhelming thought. If you think about it enough you would realize that there wouldn't be enough time in that day to do all the things you desired. But still, I'd be interested in knowing what you would do with Jesus. Please submit your idea and share what you would do if you had one day with Jesus.

Alan

Youth Ministry Name

Guys, I've been doing some thinking lately about the possibility of coming up with a ministry name for our youth group. For example, Longview Heights' college groups name is "The Well". The idea is that it is a place to come and draw sound biblical teaching like drawing water. I've also heard of a youth group at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg being called "Refuge". Finally, the college group at Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus is called "The Gathering". 

I would like to have a name for our ministry if  we can find one that best fits us and is not generic or cheesy. In fact, one name that I was tossing around in my mind was "SURGE". Surge is defined as a sudden powerful, forward or upward movement by a crowd or by a natural force. There are potentially thousands of great names we could have to represent our ministry and mission, but I would like to include you guys since this will be the name you'll have throughout your stay in the youth group. 

Once we've decided on a name I will have a sign made and all that fun stuff along with t-shirts so I need some feedback. Please respond to this blog with not only a possible name but with some explanation as to why your idea should be considered. 

Interestedly waiting,

Alan