The Quest for Holiness Part I

I'm back!!! I understand that its been a really long time, but I've come to find out that blogging for me is a seasonal activity. However, I have once again found some inner determination to start blogging again, so without further delay, here we are.

Recently, I've found myself enamored with the not so casual concept of God's holiness. I'll let that notion sink in for a moment...................Ready? Ok. I have found myself reading books and coming across countless scriptures that elevate the "otherness" of God. I don't know how God works in your life, but for some reason He likes to take a concept/attribute/characteristic of Himself and decides to poor it over me for a season. Don't get me wrong, I love it and appreciate the fact that God is doing things so that I will learn more about Him, but its been somewhat of a sensory overload. Its not just the fact that He's holy (like no other/separate), but its the full extent of that implication. 

 God is so holy, that the OT writers would use LORD (all caps) as the name of God (Jahweh) and use Lord (adonai; Sovereign One) as a title for God. For example, George Bush is the name of our current president, but President is George Bushes title. 

The terms in the Bible for God were used the same way. Have you ever noticed that in Psalms chapter 8 and verse 1 it reads: "O LORD our Lord,"? The actual translation would be "OH GOD OUR SOVEREIGN ONE."  The very name of God is holy in and of itself. It is so holy that they Jews wouldn't even say His name. This has been called the Tetragrammaton (the unspeakable four letters). This all applies to the name of God, much less the actual person of God. God Himself is the epitome of Holiness. He can be likened to no one or no thing in all of creation and yet He's knowable. He shares communicable attributes with humanity rendering them made in His image. So, here's the question: Where does God fall on our reverence scale? Does His holy being dictate the journey of your life? Its just some food for thought...

Passion or partial?

Its interesting to me when I hear someone talking about their passions. I think that word gets used a lot without considering the implications that it carries. The problem is when someone says, "I am passionate about this or that",  but that "passion" yields no fruit. Its one thing to enjoy or to be somewhat invested in something, but to be passionate enters into an entirely different ball park. True passion yields results. You can say all day long that I am passionate about things, but unless they compel you to act, than I'm not convinced. I am passionate about good hygiene; therefore, I take showers and brush my teeth daily. I could never claim to be passionate about that which I am not acting on; Unless, of course, I say that I am passionate about lethargic slothful passivism.

 I am passionate about having a healthy relationship to my wife; so, I work to maintain an open line of communication and I spend great effort to enjoy her and our marriage. Could you imagine someone walking up to you dressed in some scantly clad outfit and trying to persuade you of their passion for modesty. That would be absurd! My question for you, reader, is this; what are you passionate about? 

Would you dare to say that you are passionate about evangelism? If so, are you out seeking the lost and giving them the gospel? Would you dare say that you are passionate about missions? If so, when is the last mission trip you went on (stateside or international)? Perhaps you would say that your passion is the infallible Word of God. If so, how has His word impacted your life and what books are you reading that heavily outweigh the time you spend in God's word? This has all been weighing heavily on my heart lately as I have been teaching through the Doctrine of God's Word. If we, at the risk of sounding cliche, say that we are so passionate about the things of God, than shouldn't that "passion" yield fruit? It MUST! Perhaps some of us should simply say I'm not passionate about spiritual things, but It sure interests me from time to time. At least that would be sincere. But, to say that I am passionate about God, evangelism, missions, the Church and His Word without fruit to back it up, is simply a lie.

 I am not accusing anyone other than myself. You might say that I am passionate about false passions. I have been convicted and challenged, yet again by God's word, to live as though I'm more than just interested in God from time to time. Hopefully, this has been whatever its needed to be for you. God bless.

Baby Days

It was just little less than a week ago when I woke up to hear my wife saying, "Alan, I think its time". I wish I could describe the feelings that where swimming through the currents of my groggy (having been woken up) brain. It wasn't quite how I expected myself to respond. I didn't run around like a chicken with my head cut off or anything; probably because Sarah was calm about everything. We gathered everything together and made our way toward the hospital to begin a journey that I will not soon forget. It wasn't long before the contractions ensued and my wife began her own little journey through the catacombs of pain. However, God bless a little medicinal treat called epidural. It wasn't long before Sarah took up new residence in a land called la la. 

After a days worth of labor, the time had come to bring Wesley into this little world. The next two hours would prove to me that my wife is one tough cookie. No screaming, no shouting, just a little grimacing and then he was here. Finally, after great anticipation, my first born son is here. Waves of emotion swept through my entire being. In moments, I experienced an endless array of feelings. I was happy, afraid, concerned, overwhelmed, proud and anxious. Its incredible at how my entire existence has changed. In a few short hours I went from a family of two to a family of 3. I HAVE A SON!!! 

For years I never imaged taking care of a little human being that was utterly dependent on me and my wife. Not just dependent on some things, but everything; and the only way he can communicate his needs is to scream. Its funny how things like poopie and spit-up suddenly are cute instead of gross when its coming from a baby. Why its called spit-up instead of vomit?; I have no clue. In addition to that, its ok that Wesley goes through about 8 changes of clothes a day, but if I wear more than two, I get scolded. Yeah, babies have it made. 

Wesley's been home now for four days and we're finally getting into what we feel is a good routine. Because Sarah is breast feeding I really can't do much in that area, but I try to offer help in anyway I can when she's feeding. Sometimes, I bring my computer in there so that she can watch a movie during the hour he feeds or I just lay in the floor and keep her company until she's done so that I can hold him again. Anyway, there's not a lot to say because he's only been with us for 4 days, but I'll keep you posted as time progresses. Please pray that God gives us wisdom to lead as godly parents would and that Christ would be honored in our decisions and leadership. God bless.

Street Witnessing

I don't know if any of you are familiar with "Way of the Master Ministries", but it is lead by Kirk Cameron (child star from "growing pains") and evangelist Ray Comfort. The whole ministry is street evangelism using God's law (Ten Commandments) as the tool. Watch this video and see this teenage boy's countenance drop to the floor when he realizes his own guilt.

Christians in the UFC

In the last several years the Ultimate Fighting Championship has hit the scene with force that seems to be potentially unstoppable. During the early 90's the UFC, which is mixed martial arts fighting (MMA), was banned throughout most of the country. In fact it was on the precipice of extinction. Why, you ask? I suppose the problem was the fact that it was brutal. Many nay sayers attributed the UFC with being the human version of cock fighting. True, it is not for the faint of heart, then again neither is football, kickboxing, bull riding or any other of the countless sporting events that are hazardess to your health. 

Allow me to briefly explain for those  of you who are unaware of the sport. MMA is basically taking many forms of martial arts and combining them in an arena that allows you to strategically use them offensively and defensively to defeat the opposition. Such martial arts include: Kickboxing, jujitsu, wrestling, boxing and etc... These forms of martial arts include submissions and ground and pound tactics, which is where, for most, the brutality comes in. The entire point of the fight is to win by whatever means necessary. This might include submitting the opponent, or nocking the opponent unconscious. Many times the fight comes to a judges decision based on the points that were earned by striking during the match. For better or for worse this is the concept. 

     Having followed the UFC for a number of years now I've come to know a lot of the fighters in all the classes. Of course I don't know them personally, however, you see someone so much on television you feel like you know them right? Anyway, every now and then there is a fighter who professes to be a Christian. I don't mean they make a reference to thanking God after a fight, but that they really act like  Christ followers and conduct themselves, through word and deed, as a Christian would. 

I would like to hear some feedback from you as to how you feel about Christians being in the UFC. Should Christians get in the octagon and beat each other to a pulp as an occupation. Does God call Christians to fighting occupations to be Salt and Light? Consider this and please respond with your convictions or support.

One Year!!!

Well friends, yesterday was my one year anniversary of living in Clarksdale and serving as full time Youth and Evangelism pastor of Oakhurst Baptist Church. I've always heard that each year you should set goals for yourself as a minster and follow up on those goals at the end of that year. Well its time for evaluation. Last June 1st, when I started, I really wanted to see a few things happen. First and foremost I wanted to build relationships with the students. I had been commuting for over a year and it was hard to really invest the way I wanted to from a distance. Looking back over the past year I feel that many relationships have flourished. This is no way means that I have fulfilled my task and its time to move on. Ministry is about people and I will always strive to continue building and bridging until the Lord takes me home. 

I also desired that God would grow our group qualitatively and I feel that he has. I've seen tremendous spiritual growth in many of the students and that is one of the greatest answers to prayers I've ever received. The Lord has saw fit to grow us quantitatively as well. Of course, some times are better than others, but as a whole God has grown our numbers by the truck loads. 

The Lord has blessed our year with so many great moments of ministry. We had a successful fifth quarter and an awesome Fall Retreat. RAKE has grown along with Youth Nights and we have our first self-organized (in-house) mission trip in a few weeks. Wow, God has been good! 

In the last year I've seen a church (Oakhurst) that never treats its staff any less than they did the first day we arrived. In the last year, I've had many visits from members bringing great food, gifts and blessings. Finally, God saw fit to bless my wife and I with a child in this last year.  If this next year is only half as good as the first, than I still have a lifetime of gratitude for all that I've experienced. So what are the goals for next year? Hopefully, we can do all that we've done and more. Thank you God and Oakhurst for making this year so great.

Hang in there...

Hello everyone,

    Sorry about not blogging lately. Its been a very crazy two weeks for me. I had the Clarksdale Crusade this week, I am officiating my sister's wedding this weekend (so I've been preparing a sermon and slide show) and I am in another wedding in two weeks; not to mention my Wed. night preparations and regular duties. Anyway, its been a wild time for me. So, i figured I would just write and give you and update on my life. Sarah and I went to have a 3D ultra sound the other day and now Know for sure that its' a boy!!!! We were a little skeptical at first because we were told a couple of different things, however, Wesley Shane is well on his way to being born. Last weekend Sarah's mom and step dad came and brought us our furniture we ordered and carpet for the nursery. It looks so cute. Wow, I'm not even a daddy yet and already sounding less masculine. Excuse me, I meant to say his room looks cool and tough. Sarah has been doing well. She hasn't really complained all that much to be honest. I know I sure would be if I couldn't see my own toes. It really is a neat thing to watch. Sarah feels that she is not as attractive anymore, but I think seeing her pregnant with my son is hot. Pretty funny huh? Pray for us as we travel to Orange Beach Alabama this weekend and as I pronounce my sister a wife to her husband. Again, sorry for the delay in blogging. Stay tuned for more once I return.