Leadeship

The other day someone mentioned to me that a local church was looking for a new pastor and that I should ask the search committee for an interview. The pastor of the church she was talking about had suddenly quit before the Wednesday service and he had only been there a few months. About 2 weeks before I happen to hear someone else talking about the same church and a recent interim pastor that had preached a couple of Sundays. They had mentioned how much they enjoyed the pastor that was filling in the void left by the younger pastor. The person also said, "I wish we could get him to be our full time minister". The only problem I saw with their request was that the interim pastor they were talking about was almost 90 years old and no one would relate to this pastor but the older members. How would that attract younger families?

So back to the original conversation with the individual that mentioned that I should apply at this church. My response was probably taken the wrong way but my reply was this, I said, "that church wouldn't want me!" Any more when I see a red brick building it makes me turn away because most of those congregations are running the young ministers off because they don't want a pastor to reach the young families that live in the communities around them, they want church to be like it was when they were young, 40 years ago.

Why do I keep coming back to the red brick church? Because there is so much pain and turmoil behind those walls. It's on my mind because God has put it there and I've got to address it. Now I'm not some influentional member of a denominational board or even looked upon for advise from church leaders but if I were I would be telling the older generation of the church leaders to wake up or get left behind. But no one is asking my opinion.

That opinion, by the way, is not only mine but the voice of so many crying out in our communities around us. If we go out and reach people for Christ, invite them to church and then drop them into 1974 it is not going to last. Those families won't stick around for very long. Recently I was having a conversation with a pastor that was afraid for his job, he was the pastor of a very volatile small town church, he had tried change with the church and almost got fired, so he bowed to the pressure and went back to the way it was. But he told me that he was afraid to try anything new because if he invited some of the young families around the church he didn't want them to come in and leave. So do you see the delima, a pastor afraid of new people because of his churches tradition. He is also afraid of losing the big tithers because they have threatened him with withdrawing their tithe. Wow!

Who will go!? Maybe someone who is reading this has an answer to reaching the young families today with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Someone with influence, fearless in the face of tradition, yet humble in the delivery of the saving message of our Lord and Savior. A new generation of the church, not the organization of Christians doing the business of the church which usually leaves in it's wake a path of disappointment and conflict, but a movement of Christ followers moving with the Holy Spirit leading and guiding their every move. This requires integrity, trust, strength and the ability to stand up for the cause of the Cross. Savy!

Red Brick Church

Do you think the church of 2010 is relevant today? You know the one, a red brick building that's been there since "19 something", and each Sunday there are 10 or 20 cars in the parking lot that could park 50 or 60. It's the one you remember from your childhood, the organist and pianist played each week and hymns were sung with every ones face buried in a songbook. It's "church from 1974".

If you walk in that church today it looks like, sounds like and operates like it is 1974. There may be 4 young families there only because they are related to someone in the church. The rest of the congregation is slightly older than retirement age. Does this sound familiar yet? This church is run not by the pastors leadership but by a few local families and if the pastor or staff do anything that doesn't fit into the "1974" model he may be a sermon away from getting kicked out. Another unemployed, young pastor. Seem familiar?

I'm not writing this to upset anyone but rather to hear your feedback.

The New Testament Church which Christ ordained is very different from most churches that are operating today. I see churches dying on the vine every day and the congregations that are the stewards of theses churches letting them fade into the past by not embracing the communities within their ministry. A lack of real leadership and vision.

Would Jesus accuse us of being "graves full of white washed bones"? Ill equipped to reach the communities around us.

Recently Earl (GPS Outdoors) and I were camping and ran out of fresh water. Since we were next to a large river we refilled our canteens with the cool, clear, rushing water within easy access of the camp site. Now, did I drink this water directly from the stream? No! If I did Earl would have to carry me out (not an option) or end up being air lifted out. It's a pretty river but not for drinking. Instead we used a water purification system to make this water drinkable and quench our thirst. The same may be true of many of the congregations today. Hearts are hard and proud. Only one person can wash us clean and purify us. Jesus. Do you hear what I'm saying?

God doesn't like proud or hard hearts. That's our will. How will He work if the church is an institution more concerned about individual feelings and traditions or how long this family has been in this church? Many of these places are almost empty today, I know I've been in them and the congregation sits distant and with arms folded not wanting to hear "that kind of music or a message like that"! Alot of church administration today is like trying to drink that water from the river, it may look good; cool and clear, but if you try it without being prepared it'll make you sick.

So tell me, what do you think? Where is Gods word of salvation in Christ going to be preached? That's His will. Can the Red Brick Church survive?

Is It In You

God, at times, can seem so far away. Understanding His plan for our lives seems complicated. The church establishment seems to create more questions than answers. Let me help you clear up some of the confusion.

First ask God for forgiveness of your sins. You may think that's corny or not cool but you've got to do it. Second believe that Jesus Christ is Gods only son, it's ok if you have questions but the only way we have access to God is because of what Christ did for us on the cross. Jesus provides that access for you and me. Third say it; Jesus I want you to live in my life, come into my heart, make me into the kind of person you want me to be. To have Christ in your heart you have to say it yourself, no one can do it for you. He'll change you from the inside out.

Seems too simple doesn't it but God says if you want to have eternal life you first have to know His son Christ Jesus. All your talents and all that you live for are because of who God made you to be. If you are wondering who God wants you to be just ask Him, he will show you, it's in a book called the Bible. You can do it. Get around other people who believe it, they can help. If you have questions about where people that believe in Jesus are just ask me and I can help point you to Bible believing Christ followers.

Don't put it off, do it today.

Two Cigars

Leadership is not something to be taken lightly. A true leader not only manages their position with which they are entrusted, the rights with which the position entitles one to, but by example always raising the bar. I've had many examples of leaders in my life some were my supervisors others coworkers and some working side by side on projects. Even though some had the authority to lead they fell short of being an example of leadership. I would guess that their short fall in ability was due to lack of experience maybe even fear. But they still maintained a posture of leadership. Some leaders just take charge when given the keys to the office and plow ahead with out a real plan other than they have the authority to order others around. Then there are those with who have the title of leadership is bestowed upon them and they have the ability to move people to action and everyone seems to jump into action at their request. True leadership is an art form, a delicate balance of politics and personalities. So begins our story.

Recently I was feeling beat-down needed a way to get my head back in the game. Do you know what I mean. It's time to power-up. So who do I share this with? Earl, my friend and ministry partner with GPS Outdoors. He had just finished an over night hike on Friday and Saturday. I told him how I felt and the next thing I knew we were planning an overnight hike into the Pisgah National Forest South Mill River. It's a trip he has done many times just not with me.

We held Drive-In Church on Sunday morning, then we all went to breakfast and planned our trip which would depart by 3:00 PM that day. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this but it was already in the works and we were going camping. It's a 7 Mile round trip hike along South Mills River. Note; I haven't been hiking in 20 years.

Earl came on over to the house and even brought a Backpack for me and so I packed it up and kissed Suzanne, my wife and the kids good-bye. As we were pulling out Suzanne told Earl, "have him back by dinner Monday night" and off we went.

We got to the Trail Head, donned our equipment and headed out on the trail. Trust me when I say I needed to reboot and this trip was going to be the maintenance I needed. Even my daughter told me "Dad, you're always On!" She meant that I'm always working in ministry in some form and it was time to put it down for a while. So here I am on a mountainous trail not exactly in the best shape of my life physically and I'm hiking into the Western North Carolina wilderness. It's not Mount Everest but still... you know.

It takes us about and hour and a half to hike to our camp site. Once there we begin to setup and get settled in for the night. It's a beautiful location right on the river. Earl and I go after some firewood and begin cooking dinner. As we start cooking Earl unveils a pack of steaks and two tinfoil wrapped potatoes. Then it happens Earl realizes that he forgot the grill for the steaks. With out even hesitating he cuts off some Maple branches and makes something that resembles a tennis raquet. This becomes our grill. With the potatoes in the coals of the fire and the steaks hoovering about the flame all we could do is wait.

With the steaks done and the potatoes unfolded we then realize that we don't have any plates, so we put the steaks on the foil the potatoes were cooked in and get ready to eat. I took a moment to say the blessing over our meal and then put the feed bag on. I didn't even bother to cut my steak, I picked it up and to a bite and wow, it was perfect. Earl always says food tastes better when your camping, he was so right. It was one of the best meals I've eaten. It was the kind of meal that you savor every bite.

As we were finishing up our meal Earl reached over and handed me a cigar with a lighter in the other hand and he said, "this is how we end this meal". Now I'm not a smoker but this was an exception. I lit my cigar and Earl lit his and we stood there below a clear, star filled sky, on the bank the river rushing by and enjoyed the solitude of the wilderness. Now that's how you clear your head.

We sat by the fire until it was embers and then we turned in for the night. As we were putting the food away we saw a small creature come into our camp near our tent and then it decided to buzz by giving me quite a start.

The next morning I got up and spent some time with God and in His word. After Earl got up we read Proverbs 27:17 and it was just what we needed to start our day. We put our fly rods together and headed up the river. Since I have never been fly fishing Earl took some time to show the mechanics and then let me try it for myself. Once I got the motion I was fly fishing! Wow!, it's fun. We continued up stream for about an hour and a half. At one point I was throwing my line down stream and ended up having two Brook Trout hit my line. Each fish was only two inches though, they went back to swim another day. We had decided to head back to camp and as I was navigating the river one wrong step sent me off my feet and head first into the river. As refreshing as that was I still had to hike out. So we went back to camp, changed into dry clothes and then headed back to the trail head.

Our hike out was at record pace but I wanted to see if I could keep up with an experienced hiker like Earl. At one point on the trail Earl asked if I wanted to stop and rest I said "if I stop now I won't want to pick my pack up" so we headed back to the trail head were the car was parked.

As we reached Earls truck and we finished our hike side by side, just the way we began.

Lie'n Around

It's funny what happens in the life of a pastor. We work for little pay, or at least I do, put up with churhces that have us come and speak to their congregations but somehow forget to send us an honorarium that we agreed upon. It causes stress on me because I don't want to be a bill collector but I end up having to ask churches to pay me what we agreed upon. Then they don't want to pay.

Then there are those that think a pastor is the kind of guy they can walk over with no consequence. If I disagree with someone then I must not be the kind of pastor I should be. Recently I heard "you call yourself a preacher?" This came from a man who claimed to be law enforcement because when I challenged him to produce his credentials he refused. He did it to intimidate me but it didn't work so he has to find a way to get back at me, kind of like two boys on a playground. He may not do that again.

Does being a pastor and doing Gods will mean being a passive man and letting people walk over you.

As a pastor I have a family to care for bills to pay and try to lead people in worship. The problem lies with the human condition. Just because you claim to be someone doesn't mean that I automatically accept your claim. During a recent incident someone got involved in a conversation I was having on the phone. A lady just walked up and got in my face. So, I asked them to please mind their own business. But they continued to get involved. It was really weird. Since that happened all of a sudden I hear back that I cursed people out. Wow! It never happened but someone started the rumor. So not only does someone poke their head into my business now the same person has to make up a lie to make it sound better for there purpose.

I'm amazed that the same people will be in churches this Sunday, sing hymns, pray and look at you and smile. But God is not present. Maybe it's just Western North Carolina but our hypocrisy has no boundary.

Our move to Asheville has been difficult over the past 3 years. The church planting experience has been met with many obstacles. As I have been studying and going deeper into scripture I discover that this is nothing new. The Bible says expect trouble doing Gods work. It feels like I've been beat-up and then kicked while I'm laying on the ground. If you know me, one thing you'll soon discover is that I don't quit and I will question your authority. The Bible tells me to test the spirit and many of the men I come in contact with have a questionable spirit.

It's not pride or arrogance but knowledge that drives me to feel this way. The knowledge and power of God being bigger than all the darts and lies that come my way. The Bible warns of slothfulness as a way to ruin. What I have experienced while here in Asheville is not a physical laziness but a mental slothfulness. Double minded Christians or people claiming to be but only having a convenient relationship with Christ. If it fits their agenda then they make it fit into Christ. Instead of Christ changing, the attitude is I'll make Christ fit into my life.

Yeah we all make mistakes, pastors included, but I have yet to understand the Christian just waiting to strike at the first sign of weakness. My spirit feels like a long dusty trail, little rest and even less food and water. Green pasture seems like a distant horizon.

MERGE

2 Corinthians 5:20 tells us we are to be ambassadors for Christ. One of the goals for our young men and women is to be changed by Christ. We trade our wants and desires for who Christ wants us to be. The best way to learn this is to see it in practice. Better yet, go out and get your hands dirty working at who Christ want us to be.

So as we are on the path God has called us to, we help others MERGE into the life He has planned for us. I’ll put it this way, allow God to come into your heart and He will begin to change you mind (your old way of thinking), your sinful ways and you will see a change in your life.

You trade the road you are on for the one God wants you to follow; MERGE. Bible knowledge is good to have, Sunday School can provide deep insight, Preaching from the pulpit can stir you and a Wednesday night group can provide encouragement for your week but nothing preaches like experience. Putting it into action. Not just a casual relationship or book knowledge of Christ but changing our path for His.

MERGE will seek opportunities for our youth to put into action the lesson and values Christ wants us to share with those around us. You learn it then pass it on, teach it to someone else. It, the Good News, becomes part of their life, MERGE.

Virginia is for Cowboy Church

Traveling is something I have always enjoyed. So when we started planting Cowboy Churches it only seemed natural that I would travel as a Cowboy Pastor, better known as a "Circuit Rider". With that said the latest journey took me to Virginia to visit with Ray and Linda Bell who live in Roanoke, Virginia.

I met Ray Bell in 2007 just after we had moved to Asheville to start our Cowboy Church. The area we had begun to plant our Cowboy Church in wasn't as reseptive as we had hoped. Ray and I had spoken on the phone a few times before but never in detail. So after a lengthy phone call one day the next thing I know Ray and Linda were driving up our driveway here in Asheville. Now there is the kind of friend you want to have around. Ever since that day Ray and I have spoken often. During the next couple of years we talked about visiting the Cowboy Churches in Virginia and finally we planned a week long visit in March.

Originaly I had planned on bringing my whole family on the trip but because of all the snow days here in Asheville they had to stay home and make up a school day on Saturday. I arrived at Rays home in Roanoke on Friday and his wife Linda served up a great meal. After dinner we were all talking and catching up when Linda looked at me and said 'you look tired", and with that I headed back to the hotel.

Saturday we began our journey to Mount Jackson, VA. which is about 2 hours north of Roanoke. Ray and Linda work very hard to make sure all the elements for these Cowboy Churches is ready to go and their number one concern is for those that attend these churches. The Cowboy Church in Mt Jackson is held at a Pasa Fino Ranch called River View Farms. This place is beautiful. While we were setting up Ray got a call that one of the team members that helps him setup had broke down on I-81. Ray threw me the keys to his truck and said go pick them up and bring'em here. So off I sped. Luckily they weren't too far away and we got back to the ranch in plenty of time to get everyting ready. The service is held in English and Spanish, I like that. We had supper and Ray turned the service over to me.

After the service we had to return to the scene of the "grime" of the broke down vehicle. A few of the guys from Cowboy Church were already at work, they got it fixed and we were on our way. We finally got back into Roanoke around 12:30 AM, it was a long day but everyone was still excited about the service.

Sundays Cowboy Church was held at the Moose Lodge near Roanoke. I met some great people there. After the service we went outside and a few of the members tried their had at my cracker whips. It was a lot of fun.

With Monday off I followed up on a few details on the up coming rodeo here in Asheville.

Tuesdays Cowboy Church we traveled to Blacksburg. The service is held in the Music Barn which is a famous Bluegrass Music Venue. The walls of the barn are covered with Bluegrass and Country musicians that have played there over the years. This was a great place for Cowboy Church I really enjoyed the people and the atmoshpere. After the service was over we all went out for Frosties and then I hit the road back to Asheville. I was ready to get back home to my family.

One thing is for sure, the Cowboy Church of Virginia is a ministry that is reaching the Cowboy community for Christ. Ray and his teams are committed and spend a great deal of time making sure everything looks professional and that the message of the Gospel is clear. This group deserves the "Tip of the Hat" for all that they do for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Preachin or Practicin'

There is a verse that recently caught my attention. Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

"How will you compete with horses?" We've had groups that said they would help support our work but no one ever shows up to work. Others have just out-right made up lies about us and yet the same men will stand in the pulpit and tell their members to "not quit" and yet they have told me to "give it up". Yet when I read this verse in Jeremiah it all makes a great deal of sense to me. The same opposition has been experienced by the heros of the Christian faith long before I was ever called to service for Christ.

Many of the church planter blogs I read have faced the same situations and do they quit, no! They are not called by man, they are called by the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean that I am above anyone, only that God has called me to a purpose and I won't stop no matter what others say.

When Suzanne and I began our church planting mission we knew of the pit falls of church planting. It was a commitment we both spent much time in prayer about. Early on we made up our minds that our church plant would reach the unchurched, not the "swapped church." Now to qualify this let me explain. Many of the successful church planters that I know, you know, the ones that begin with 50, 100, 200 people. The majority of these members are from another church in the area and not unchurched. The planter mearly swapped people from one church to another. Are they really reaching the unchruched?

Thats the challenge in church planting, if you want to support the work you need people and those people need to tithe to support the staff. Then on the other hand if you are really going to reach to unchurched it will be a challenge to support that new work because people that haven't been raised in church take time to understand what it means to support Gods work. How does a church plant survive? Is a successful church plant a group of rechurched people with 150 each week in attendance or a room with 15 or 20 who have found Jesus, turned their lives around and that now have a personal relationship with their Savior that wasn't there before. The Southern Baptist would rather see 100+ strong with money coming in. How do I know this? It has been said to me.

It's hard with only 15 or 20 people showing up each week, but you know what, those that are showing up are comitted and will tell you their relationship with Jesus is new and strong. That doesn't look good on a monthly report. The Bible I read doesn't teach that, it teaches instead a mission of going to the lost and preaching the good news.

Yeah, we have faced opposition and I have learned that instead of saying "why me?", I say "why not me?". Thats a hard thing to face and even put up with when Christian leaders are the ones causing the opposition. God didn't call me to the paved path, He called me to the wilderness where people are and they need to hear the Good News in a practical way. That's how people come to know Jesus it's through a personal relationship.

Would you like to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? You can ask Jesus in to your life right now. First you must admit you are a sinner, sin seperates us from God, ask God to forgive you of your mistakes. Next believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept the gift He gave us of forgiveness, finally confess your faith in Jesus as your Savior. Ask Him to take up first place in your life. Now call us or email us and let us know of your decision and we will help you on you journey. If you live in Western North Carolina come over and visit with us, we would like to meet you and help you in your personal growth in Christ.

These are challenging times for us all. It helps if we have someone we can turn too, a friend that understands. God will never let you down, He wants to know you and has a plan for your life.

Showdeo

Now for something completely different. This video was captured at the 2010 Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS Preview at Ridgecrest Conference Center Friday January 8, 2010. We don't take ourselves very seriously. But it is all for Gods glory. Thanks to the staff at Lifeway for letting us be a part of the Saddle Ridge Ranch Coral. Enjoy

Shine'n Boots at the Rodeo

Here is a video I set up during the Southern Finals Rodeo in Asheville, NC Saturday night November 14. The Ag Center was packed and this video condenses 45 minutes of shining shoes into about a minute and a half. We shined shoes from 6 PM until 10:30 PM Saturday evening. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did being there shining all these boots. Earl (Trail and Outdoor Ministry Leader) is in the white hat and Gene (pastor) is wearing the black hat. All together we shined about 125 pairs of boots over the 3 day finals event. Look for us at a Rodeo - Shining for Jesus.

Fried Chicken and BBQ'd Bibles

OK I just can't resist this. Did you hear the one about the preacher that was burning Bibles, oh wait it's not a joke this one is real.

My wife and I moved to Asheville to start a church two years ago. As I would invite people to our services one question was prevalent in the responses I got. "What version of the Bible do you use?" This usually lead them to say well if it's not King James then I'm not interested. This statement would come from those who went to church and those who didn't. This seems to be a classification here in Western North Carolina; if you don't preach from a King James 1611 then you're a heretic. There is even a WKJV radio station here in Asheville. Every pastor that preaches from the KVJ has to translate his text it for anyone to understand it. Does their use of stories and illustrations make them a heretic for not only preaching scripture or in a manner befitting of the Kings English? Sorry I'm off the point.

Jesus came to break down the barriers between us and God and yet even today we, as Christians, put the same barriers up in the path of those who need to hear it. Are we worshiping a version of the Bible? If so it is a stumbling block to the world around us. The best translation of Gods word is how you live it each day. It's the story of how your life has been changed because of His word working through you and in you. And just because you don't look like me, dress like me, talk like me or read like me doesn't make you less capable in Gods eyes. KVJ, NASB, NIV, HSB or YOU and ME. Gods word lives in those who believe in Christ through faith. Everyone has a story to tell, some about heaven and some about hell but everyone has a story to tell.

Don't be angry or discouraged by the misguided attempts of man to reach to God, trust in the one way and that is by faith. What is comes down to is this. Ask Jesus into your life, and let him make you into the kind of person he wants you to be.

Don't quit

Things don't always work out the way we expect. You can plan for every possible turn and twist and still miss something along the way. Does that sound familiar? I've heard that tape play over in my head a time or two. The good news is that in Gods timing success and failure can be measured by the service given for the cause of the gospel. We all want to see doors burst open and crowds of people showing up to ministry activities. When in reality it takes boots on the ground and time in the saddle to effectively share the Good News in our communities. I was watching a horse trainer working with young horse and someone said how long should it take to get this horse trained enough to ride. The trainers comment back was one of a wise cowboy, he said, "wet saddle blankets", or better yet time in the saddle. No magic training session or slick presentation can replace the time honored advice of hard work and commiment to solid ground work. It all comes down to "wet saddle blankets". You just have to get in the saddle and go.

In John 9:4 Jesus says "I must work the works of him who sent me".

There is a time when all of the fancy books and seminars are over and a time has come to place a boot in the stirup, swing you leg over the saddle, grab the reigns and give a kick and go forward. Not everything will come with a wrapping and a bow. The work of the disciple or minister takes commitment and a willingness to accept there are people that will oppose their efforts and there are people that will support them. But in either case it is the motivation of the worker that wells up deep inside and causes them to move forward or retreat at the first sign of discomfort. Our examples come from Christs' service. You can't seperate Christs words from his life, they were bound together even to the cross.

To a cowboy church planter that equates to miles on my Ford, to you it may mean time in Gods word or getting involved in a small group. I would challenge you to stop thinking about it and get to it. Those words of the trainer still ring in my ears, "wet saddle blankets".

Lets Talk

Welcome back. It has been an interesting summer. Each month I will feature a new video devotional for you to study along and dig a little deeper into Gods word. Understanding Gods plan for each one of us is important in these times. So saddle up and ride along with us as we experience Gods word for our everyday lives.

Snow Daze

We finally got a sizeable snow fall here in the mountians today. It began Tuesday night just as I was feeding the horses. On the drive back to the house the snow was so heavy it looked like it was coming from under the car. It was dark and the flakes were huge. Everything got a white winter blanket, it was very pretty. I took this shot this morning about 9am, it was very peaceful but 10 degrees.

This morning the roads were white with a thick layer of ice covering the road. I had to venture out to drive over the farm to feed the horses. On the way over to the farm there are a couple of very steep hills and the icy conditions made it a slow drive. When I got to the horses the fields were white and untouched, the horses were waiting near a large Cedar tree. They just stood there in the 10 degree wind. I made sure they got grain and a large amount of hay, since the ground was frozen. I've got a tank deicer that keeps the water from freezing and since the tempurature isn't going to get above 28 today I'm glad I've got it.

We are going to get some more snow showers this evening but not quite the amount we had Tuesday. The roads are still pretty icy but with more snow on the way I'll bet the conditions will worsen tonight. The horses got a plenty of hay tonight along with grain and they will be nice and warm in the run in shed. The wind has to go around the barn and the run-in shed is on the opposite side of that so the horses are well protected from the cold and wind.

It's a winter wonder land here in Western North Carolina and I am looking forward to getting out and throwing a few snowballs tomorrow. I'm sure we will end up cancelling Cowboy Church this Thursday because of the ice on the roads. But we will be on for Sunday at 10:30 am. So if you are in Asheville stop by and visit with us.

Stay warm tonight.

See you on the trail.

Never Give Up Never

Recently during a phone call a pastor said to me that "maybe I should look for another line of work", this was in response after asking him if he and his church would like to work with us during a rodeo event near his church. His statement hit me like a ton of bricks because I really thought he would welcome the chance to work together but I got a different reaction. His statement really hurt.

I make this comparison because many Christians have had similar situations by well meaning, but grossly misinformed church goers. What are we thinking? We talk so much about ministry and sharing Christ to the world around us and yet we get caught up in a territorial conflicts. Isn't Christ the only reason we do what we do and He calls us to our purpose, after all that's what we have been teaching in church for the past 6 or 8 years. Remember the Purpose Driven Church, Purpose Driven Life and all the subsequent series. Someone left out the chapter about your purpose being validated only if your approved by someone from your church. This would negate the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, oh and the other part, faith and grace.

Look at James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? The chapter starts off like this; James 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

We want everyone to like us in our church and if someone is different or from the wrong area or not the right area we don't approve. Although this may be a natural reaction of our human condition,this falls short in the face of the gospel. Look at James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Our churches need guidance and it is up to us, the Pastors, elders, ministry leaders and teachers to train and disciple them without prejudice. In the Message Bible, Hebrews 12:12-16 says it best; So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent.

Ask God to cleanse your heart and mind from bitterness and distress in your life. This is hindering your effectiveness for Christ. If you have been saved and know Jesus as your Saviour look to Gods word for your direction and if you have never asked Jesus into your life do it right now. Just say, "Jesus I am a sinner, I believe you are the Son of God, please come into my life and take up first place in my heart, make me into the kind of person you want me to be."

If you said that prayer for the first time please let us know, email me so we can pray for you and your new life in Christ.

New Year Keys

Do you have keys that don't work on anything? I have one or two that I'm not sure which locks they will open. Have you ever seen a Skeleton Key? All the doors in the house where I grew up all had skeleton key style locks. You don't find new houses these days using Skeleton Keys for locks anymore, they just didn't provide any kind of security. It's a difference in technology. What worked in the days of Skeleton keys doesn't necessarily provide adequate security now.

There are alot of books out there that advertise the "Keys" to success, happiness, weight loss, spiritual abundance, the list is endless. Even in the Christian circles many authors have written about "Keys" to Church Leadership or "Keys" to great sermons. Jesus said in Matthew 16:19-"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and what ever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven."

Jesus provides a key, if you will, to heaven and eternal life. It is not a key for deeds or church activities rather a path to grace that each of us must choose. Do your inward conditions reflect your outward acts? Or is the weight of circumstances around you corroding your spirit. The harder you try the more ground you seem to loose, sound familiar? You can free yourself from the challenge of "trying to hold on to Jesus" by letting go of the old attitudes. Once you have asked Christ to become your Lord and Master you have to put away the old habits that inhibit your relationship with God. When you asked Jesus to forgive you it was done, don't let doubt and discouragement cloud your view of who God made you to be.

God opens and closes doors in our Christian walk. Be ready to go through the doors He opens and accept the doors He closes. A yes on earth is a yes in heaven and a no on earth is a no in heaven. Let loose the things that keep you from a complete relationship with the Lord by allowing Jesus to turn the key of salvation and opening your heart to Him.

No Bull

There is a verse in Matthew when Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Many people that encountered Jesus were wondering if he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:15. As Christmas draws near have you asked that question? With the economy in a spiral and people out of work there are many around us asking that same question. "Where are you God?"

Suzanne, my wife, has been having a difficult time this year with the Christmas Season. Usually she is excited about the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, one because she loves being with family and friends and second because she loves sharing with others and helping share Christs love through giving back and helping make Christmas special for others. However, this year is not quite the same. Even after seeing the Singing Christmas Tree she came home and was still not motivated. Now with that being said, she and I both know that those things in themselves don't make Christmas but it is nice to be around friends and share in the joy of the season.

In John 3 verse 12 Jesus says it like this, "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" Have we become so smoothed over by the happenings in our life and the world around us that the miracle of Christ is just another event? Christs' message was a "No Bull" approach.

This season ask yourself this question, Who do you say Jesus is? Is he the name on a holiday, a reason to party, an excuse to gather the family together once a year, or is He Messiah, Emmanuel, Risen Savior, Lord of your life. Religion can get old, I see that in many of the churches I come in contact with, but a relationship with a Living God cannot get old. Renew your relationship with Christ today ask Him to come into your life and take up first place in your heart this Christmas.

Saturday Nights All Right

You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy Bull Riding. It is the most dangerous sport anywhere on the planet. It is also one of the top watched events in television sports today. For those of you new to Bull Riding, the object is to sit on a bull, hold on to a rope wrapped around the bull, and when the chute is opened you hold on and stay on for 8 seconds. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, it doesn't seem like that long now, does it. But try to hang to a 1,500 to 2,000 pound bull who wants nothing more than to get you off of his back and 8 seconds can seem like an eternity. Got the picture!?

For those cowboys who ride bulls it's an everyday occurrence, you just have to maintain the nerve to repeat last weeks ride or not depending on how bad you got hurt. These guys are tuff. It's mental an physical. Sort of like ridding down a bumpy dirt road in the back of a Pick-up Truck going 50 miles per hour with nothing more to hang onto than a rope. Let me know how it works out. On second thought don't even try it, I don't want to know. Leave it up to the pros, ok?!

I met Jeff Robinson, who owns a number of PBR bucking bulls, a few weeks ago and he was telling me about a Bull Riding event he was putting on here in Asheville at the old Stockyards on the river. That's all I needed to get involved, other than Jeff's' permission. Scott Collins, who attends our Cowboy Church, is a rodeo judge and he is also one of the judges for the bull riding here in Asheville. So I went down to the Stockyards almost everyday last week just to let Jeff know we were serious about helping and then we watched them transform the stockyards into a bull riding arena.

The whole goal of our Cowboy Church is to share the gospel with those who like to cowboy and those that like to be around cowboys. You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy Cowboy Church, just come as you are and worship the Lord. God wants to know each of us personally. The way we develop that relationship is to ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour.

I don't want to see any of the bull riders get hurt but if something should happen while they are riding, I want them to trust in Christ for all their needs. Ask Christ to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be.

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Gospel Cow Dog

Our dog Fletcher is an Austrailan Cow Dog. He comes from a working cattle ranch in Florida, he's mixed with Catahoula which makes him a little bigger than most Cow Dogs. When we first got him he was just a puppy and many of our friends warned us that cow dogs by nature are an aggressive bunch. But from the time I brought Fletcher home we trained him and had him around people. He has a great personality for people and the other day helped me share the Gospel.

Each Wednesday I go over to the Canton Livestock Auction to meet new people for our Cowboy Church. Not to mention it's a great place to hang out. The owner Ed Johnson and I met back in the summer and he has allowed me to come over and hold bible studies and promote our cowboy church. Many of the men there are from the area where we hold our Cowboy Church, so it's a great way to meet new people and promote our Thursday services.

Fletcher has not been around alot of cows since we moved to Asheville; horses yes, cows no. So I thought it would be fun to let him get a taste of a real stock yard.

Fletcher and I were standing by the truck when a man come over and asked if my dog was a Blue Heeler, so we began to talk about dogs. I told the man that Fletcher was from Florida. He noticed immediately that Fletcher had a nice personality. I told him that Fletcher is the official dog of Cowboy Church. This gave me the opportunity to share with my new friend how we started a cowboy church in North Buncombe county. His eyes lit up. He told me that he goes to a small church outside of Canton but the Cowboy Church seemed like a great way to share Jesus with people that don't like the typical church.

This whole conversation and meeting began all because of Fletcher. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

As the day went on I met more and more people because of Fletcher being with me, he helps me break the ice with people. I even took Fletcher back into the chutes to help work the cows going into the "Tub", but it was very noisy and crowded and Fletcher wasn't having any of that. The men working the cows liked having Fletcher back there. But in the end sharing Christ with someone is my goal. Some times I find it difficult to just go up to someone and hand them a Cowboy Church postcard and say "come on over!" I tend to be a little shy sometimes. Meeting new people can be intimidating, yes even for a church planter.

You may have something you enjoy that can help you share the Gospel, a way to break the ice with people that you haven't thought of yet. Take a moment today and think about what you do and the talents you have. Your witness is within those talents. If it pleases God then allow that part of your personality to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You may be the only Christ people ever know.

Black Ice

There is a phenominum that occurs here on our mountian roads when it is wet and the tempurature gets to freezing. Moisture freezes on the paved surface and as you drive down the road it looks like a normal road. But you come over a hill and the next thing you know your sliding out of control. Black Ice can be dangerous if you're not expecting it. So when it is raining or even begining to snow the news stations will warn drivers of Black Ice on wet roads. While driving on these mountain roads you have to be aware of the dangers that could cause you to wreck.

John 1:9 says, The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. This verse talks of the coming Christ. The coming Messiah would reveal a flawed system of trying to reach God and provide a way for a relationship with God through faith, grace and forgiveness. If you don't know there are dangers ahead how do you know what to look for. As this season approaches watch for the signs that indicate you are getting close to slippery surfaces. Sin doesn't come into our life with flashing lights and red and yellow warning signs in our path. It sneaks into our lives a little at a time.

Let the true light shine in your life and through this Christmas season. You will be surprised how your light provides a wide beam even for those who may need to see a path during this maze of Christmas confusion. Christ is the light of the world.