It is Monday morning. All the Edwards are exhausted. We traveled to Breckenridge on both Thursday and Friday nights for football games. While the older boys watched game film on Saturday morning, Brenda, Turner and I headed to Brownwood for Taylor's game. After our prayer meeting last night Tanner, Tucker, Turner, Brenda and I drove to Denton to watch the new Christian movie Woodlawn. We did not get back home until 11:00 p.m. It was well worth the late night. I highly recommend the movie. Getting up this Monday morning was a little tougher than normal.
The boys have to leave the house around 6:00 a.m. to begin their day. I am confident they did not wake up thinking this is the day God made and they rejoiced in it. Like most people who have weekends jam packed with too much activity and too little rest, Mondays are a gut check. When the alarm sounds many want to snuggle under the covers longer rather than to get up and attack the day.
However you feel about this Monday this is the day God has given you. This is the only day you can live now. What happened in the past is gone. Tomorrow is not promised for anyone. All we have is this day. God has gifted us with this day. THIS DAY. What will we do with it? How will we use this day? Will we fill it with pleasures, leisure activities, and entertainment? Will we endure this day enslaved ball and chain to our employers showing up dutifully but giving lackluster effort? Will we go through the motions of living this day? Will we stop and take in the scenery around us? Will we cherish the time we have with loved ones today? Will we take full advantage of having access to God's word to seek and know God better? How will we use God's gift of this day?
This is the day. This is a day to seek God and trust Him for greater things. This is the day to unload burdens as we cast them upon the Lord. This is the day to pray fervently. This is the day to spread the love of Jesus to those around us. This is the day to serve someone as we shine our lights through good works in such a way others see it and glorify God. This is the day we get to impact our little worlds through a kind word, a gentle loving touch, a listening ear, or a thoughtful deed. THIS IS THE DAY.
None of us can predict all the events of this day. For the first time ever I sat in the movie theater last night and thought about a gunman showing up and what I would do to protect my family. None of us can predict the next disaster, the next horrific crime, the next terrorist attack, or the next diagnosis that blindsides us. All we have is this day. To be more specific, all we have is this moment. There are people all over the world who will not live to see the end of this day.
So what will we do with this day? You have a choice. Live it to the fullest and honor God with what you do with the gift of this day.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Pebbles And Boulders
Did you ever go to a pond or a lake and skip rocks? We did that often as kids and held competitions. We took our time to find the best rocks. The flat ones skipped the best. Ever so often I would try to find a big rock to see if I could make it skip. Normally they just made a splash and sunk.
Who are the people you influence? If you use your mind even a little when reading you are probably asking what skipping rocks has to do with influence. Stay with me. Back to our question. Who are the people you influence? A spouse? Sibling? Friends? Co-workers? I'm betting you have influence over someone.
Now think a little bigger. At the end of your life what impact will you have had? Most of us are pretty ordinary. We are like pebbles skipped across the water. The after effects leave ripples. Some pebbles are bigger than others and leave larger and more far reaching ripples. No matter what the size of the pebble they all leave ripples of varying degrees.
We cannot afford to use our ordinariness as an excuse for not making some kind of splash. In the hands of God we can impact our families, churches, and communities. The ripples of our lives must be both seen and felt by those around us.
God calls some people to be boulders. Their lives will make a bigger splash. Sometimes such lives don't leave ripples. They leave waves. I am referring to people in history like Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Amy Carmichael, John Wesley, George Whitfield, D.L. Moody, Mother Teresa, and Billy Graham. Their lives made huge waves as they served Jesus. The masses have often been caught up in the wave of their influence.
What I am advocating is that whether God calls us to leave ripples or waves we need to make a splash. If God has called you to be a pebble then make the biggest splash you can make trusting the ripple effect to make a difference. If God called you to be a boulder then make a splash and trust the waves of your life will reach far and wide.
Who are the people you influence? If you use your mind even a little when reading you are probably asking what skipping rocks has to do with influence. Stay with me. Back to our question. Who are the people you influence? A spouse? Sibling? Friends? Co-workers? I'm betting you have influence over someone.
Now think a little bigger. At the end of your life what impact will you have had? Most of us are pretty ordinary. We are like pebbles skipped across the water. The after effects leave ripples. Some pebbles are bigger than others and leave larger and more far reaching ripples. No matter what the size of the pebble they all leave ripples of varying degrees.
We cannot afford to use our ordinariness as an excuse for not making some kind of splash. In the hands of God we can impact our families, churches, and communities. The ripples of our lives must be both seen and felt by those around us.
God calls some people to be boulders. Their lives will make a bigger splash. Sometimes such lives don't leave ripples. They leave waves. I am referring to people in history like Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Amy Carmichael, John Wesley, George Whitfield, D.L. Moody, Mother Teresa, and Billy Graham. Their lives made huge waves as they served Jesus. The masses have often been caught up in the wave of their influence.
What I am advocating is that whether God calls us to leave ripples or waves we need to make a splash. If God has called you to be a pebble then make the biggest splash you can make trusting the ripple effect to make a difference. If God called you to be a boulder then make a splash and trust the waves of your life will reach far and wide.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Quick To Judge
Why are Christian so quick to judge? Why are they so quick to throw stones and condemn those who sin, fall, and make mistakes. It is almost like some Christians revel in the pain, sorrow, and humiliation of others.
We all have skeletons in the closet. We all have sinned. We all have failed. None of us is perfect. In recent days I have had the opportunity to minister to those who have fallen. They failed. They sinned and the sin became public. These broken people wept, confessed, repented, and made no excuses. The backlash they received from many in the Christian community has been shameful. SHAMEFUL. What ever happened to grace and mercy. Walking with them hurts. Walking with them has been the right thing.
Each child of God has been lavished in grace and mercy. Our sins are just as bad. Those shameful deeds committed in the secrecy of the dark shadows can be kept from public knowledge. Sometimes the truth comes out. O for grace and mercy. We plead with God to deal with us in grace and mercy and yet demand He deal with others in justice. That is hypocrisy. Everyone needs grace and mercy.
It is painful and messy to pull up next to someone caught in sin. It is painful. My heart has grieved long and hard over people caught in trespasses and the ensuing consequences. It is awkward at times. Didn't Jesus deal with the woman caught in adultery with grace and mercy. She deserved condemnation but Jesus offered a second chance. He was not weak on sin. Before she departed He told her to sin no more. John 8:10-11 (NASB)
10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."]
2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
We all have skeletons in the closet. We all have sinned. We all have failed. None of us is perfect. In recent days I have had the opportunity to minister to those who have fallen. They failed. They sinned and the sin became public. These broken people wept, confessed, repented, and made no excuses. The backlash they received from many in the Christian community has been shameful. SHAMEFUL. What ever happened to grace and mercy. Walking with them hurts. Walking with them has been the right thing.
Each child of God has been lavished in grace and mercy. Our sins are just as bad. Those shameful deeds committed in the secrecy of the dark shadows can be kept from public knowledge. Sometimes the truth comes out. O for grace and mercy. We plead with God to deal with us in grace and mercy and yet demand He deal with others in justice. That is hypocrisy. Everyone needs grace and mercy.
It is painful and messy to pull up next to someone caught in sin. It is painful. My heart has grieved long and hard over people caught in trespasses and the ensuing consequences. It is awkward at times. Didn't Jesus deal with the woman caught in adultery with grace and mercy. She deserved condemnation but Jesus offered a second chance. He was not weak on sin. Before she departed He told her to sin no more. John 8:10-11 (NASB)
10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."]
Why are people so quick to judge. I have needed grace and been bathed in that grace. Who am I to throw the first stone in judgement. Who am I to look at people with condemnation. Who am I to act as if I am better than they when I have needed the same amount of grace as the vilest offender.
I think all Christians who love to spread the misery of someone caught in sin through gossip should go back and read what Jesus said in Matthew 7. Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB)
1 "Do not judge so that you will not be
judged. 2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Not one person reading this has the right to sit in judgement of anyone. We have all sinned. Some of us have done a better job of hiding it. We all need grace and mercy and should treat others with that same grace and mercy.
The day may come when we fail and everybody finds out. What a horrible thought. We will be forced to face up to the music of sin. Dressed in our humiliation, shame, and regrets we will wish for grace and mercy on that day. We will wish for true friends that will stand by our side on that day. We will wish for those who will not gossip about us behind our backs and who will not shun us to our face.
Jesus is holy. Completely holy. He had every right to condemn the woman caught in adultery. He did not! Who do we think we are to sit in judgement of others when they fail. I will never shrink from calling sin a sin. By the grace of God I want to deal with others in the same grace I have experienced in my own life. I hope you will do the same.
Little Daydreamer
The little fifth grade boy sat at his little desk bored. He looked out the window day dreaming. The teacher kept teaching but the little had no interest in the subject matter. He was lost in his thoughts of a fantasy world. Nobody could reach him while he lost himself in a fantasy world of his own choosing. A place of imagination where all things were within the realm of possibility. The little daydreamer preferred this world to the reality around him. A world of broken hearts, disillusionment, and where dreams were not encouraged or believed.
Suddenly the teacher said something snapping the boy's attention back into reality. This little boy was not a model student. He showed promise but had no interest in things like science, math, or social studies. The only time the little boy showed interest and promise came when the teacher taught English. To be more specific, when the teacher taught composition. He loved to write.
On this day she gave out a writing assignment. All other the classroom the other students moaned in agony. Not the little daydreamer. The teacher assigned the students to write a short story. Each child could pick out their own subject matter but the story had to be several pages in length. While other children whined in their protest of such a taxing assignment the little daydreamer quickly took out his notebook and pencil and let his imagination run wild. He went to work and came alive on the inside.
The daydreamer became so engrossed in his assignment he got lost in the story. It felt like he actually lived in the story. He could feel the emotions, picture himself in the adventure, and see every scene in vidvid detail. Here is the plot of what he wrote. The world was about to come to an end. The main character overcame many obstacles to get to safety. In the end there was no safety to be found except to escape to another planet via a spaceship.
In the end, the main character made it to the space ship where he would be rescued along with family and friends. In a surprising plot twist, when the captain of the spaceship opened the door, he just so happened to be a popular kid in that very classroom. The captain was in real life the daydreamer's best friend. The daydreamer wrote furiously for the entire class period. It seemed like time stood still. The assignment brought the young lad to life academically. Long before he wanted the allotted time ended and the next subject had to be taught. The writing assignments were turned in.
The next day the teacher did something surprising during the English period. Instead of the children doing another assignment she decided to read each short story for the class without revealing who wrote it until the end. This took a couple of days.
The daydreamer's story did not get read until the second day. He sat nervously at his desk as the teacher read story after story. While most of the students were exuberant that they were not having to do classwork, the daydreamer writhed in agony. Then Mrs. McKinney picked up the next story and the daydreamer knew immediately she read the work of his imagination out loud.
The daydreamer tried to act nonchalant but the truth is he cared about what Mrs. McKinney thought about his work deeply. He also cared about what others in the class thought about the story. As she came to the part of the story about the revelation of the identity of the captain of the spaceship, she and the whole class gasped in surprise. This reaction satisfied the little daydreamer to no end.
This proved to be pivotal day in the life of that little boy. He never forgot the reaction of that teacher and the class to his story. On that day he understood the power of words and the ability to move people with those words through writing. For the first time in his young life he believed he could be good at something. For the first time he felt like he had a gift and could excel at something. That little boy always considered Mrs. McKinney his favorite teacher. She had inspired the best in him, at least in English. He always struggled with the other subjects doing just enough to get by.
This continued to be the case through the years. The little daydreamer became a larger daydreamer. Anguishing in classes like Biology, Algebra, Geometry, and Chemistry. He even failed an Algebra II class. Teachers could not motivate the daydreamer. No matter what said or how they threatened, none of them broke through. The daydreamer continued to stare out the windows and get lost in his daydreams and fanciful imagination.
He squeaked by enough to graduate from high school. The same pattern followed the daydreamer in college. In each class he suffered through. He gravitated toward the desks near the windows. He continued to get lost in his thoughts. One professor gave a writing assignment and once again the daydreamer fully engaged. Just like Mrs. McKinney had done about ten years earlier, the professor saw the promise in the daydreamer and wrote words of encouragement in red ink on the his essay. The daydreamer never forgot them.
Just like in high school, the daydreamer did just enough to squeak by to earn a college degree. After college he devoted himself to his career. His career took him in a total different direction than all his daydreams. He got married. Had some children. He worked hard and enjoyed some modest success in his career.
One fall afternoon the daydreamer sat his desk. Just like in earlier days he could not get focused on his work. He had work to do but his imagination and daydreams got the best of him. Just like as a kid he looked out the window and began to daydream. He took out a legal pad and with pen in hand he did something he had not done in years. He began to write. He wrote whatever came to mind.
Suddenly the daydreamer awakened to a reality he had never discovered before. He knew he had been created to write. He knew writing coursed through his veins. It did not matter how many people would read his writings in the future. It only mattered that he write. On that day he did more than daydream. He began to fulfill his destiny. For the rest of his days he wrote. He wrote essays. He wrote inspirational pieces. He wrote poems. He wrote a few books. This little daydreamer gave his life to writing. He never became famous. That never drove him to begin with.
God used a little teacher named Mrs. McKinney to deeply impact his life and help him pursue his dreams. The little daydreamer never saw or spoke to her again after fifth grade. She never knew the impact she had on that little daydreamer. Her gift and words of encouragement help fuel the fire in the daydreamer's heart to this day. How do I know. I am that little daydreamer.
Suddenly the teacher said something snapping the boy's attention back into reality. This little boy was not a model student. He showed promise but had no interest in things like science, math, or social studies. The only time the little boy showed interest and promise came when the teacher taught English. To be more specific, when the teacher taught composition. He loved to write.
On this day she gave out a writing assignment. All other the classroom the other students moaned in agony. Not the little daydreamer. The teacher assigned the students to write a short story. Each child could pick out their own subject matter but the story had to be several pages in length. While other children whined in their protest of such a taxing assignment the little daydreamer quickly took out his notebook and pencil and let his imagination run wild. He went to work and came alive on the inside.
The daydreamer became so engrossed in his assignment he got lost in the story. It felt like he actually lived in the story. He could feel the emotions, picture himself in the adventure, and see every scene in vidvid detail. Here is the plot of what he wrote. The world was about to come to an end. The main character overcame many obstacles to get to safety. In the end there was no safety to be found except to escape to another planet via a spaceship.
In the end, the main character made it to the space ship where he would be rescued along with family and friends. In a surprising plot twist, when the captain of the spaceship opened the door, he just so happened to be a popular kid in that very classroom. The captain was in real life the daydreamer's best friend. The daydreamer wrote furiously for the entire class period. It seemed like time stood still. The assignment brought the young lad to life academically. Long before he wanted the allotted time ended and the next subject had to be taught. The writing assignments were turned in.
The next day the teacher did something surprising during the English period. Instead of the children doing another assignment she decided to read each short story for the class without revealing who wrote it until the end. This took a couple of days.
The daydreamer's story did not get read until the second day. He sat nervously at his desk as the teacher read story after story. While most of the students were exuberant that they were not having to do classwork, the daydreamer writhed in agony. Then Mrs. McKinney picked up the next story and the daydreamer knew immediately she read the work of his imagination out loud.
The daydreamer tried to act nonchalant but the truth is he cared about what Mrs. McKinney thought about his work deeply. He also cared about what others in the class thought about the story. As she came to the part of the story about the revelation of the identity of the captain of the spaceship, she and the whole class gasped in surprise. This reaction satisfied the little daydreamer to no end.
This proved to be pivotal day in the life of that little boy. He never forgot the reaction of that teacher and the class to his story. On that day he understood the power of words and the ability to move people with those words through writing. For the first time in his young life he believed he could be good at something. For the first time he felt like he had a gift and could excel at something. That little boy always considered Mrs. McKinney his favorite teacher. She had inspired the best in him, at least in English. He always struggled with the other subjects doing just enough to get by.
This continued to be the case through the years. The little daydreamer became a larger daydreamer. Anguishing in classes like Biology, Algebra, Geometry, and Chemistry. He even failed an Algebra II class. Teachers could not motivate the daydreamer. No matter what said or how they threatened, none of them broke through. The daydreamer continued to stare out the windows and get lost in his daydreams and fanciful imagination.
He squeaked by enough to graduate from high school. The same pattern followed the daydreamer in college. In each class he suffered through. He gravitated toward the desks near the windows. He continued to get lost in his thoughts. One professor gave a writing assignment and once again the daydreamer fully engaged. Just like Mrs. McKinney had done about ten years earlier, the professor saw the promise in the daydreamer and wrote words of encouragement in red ink on the his essay. The daydreamer never forgot them.
Just like in high school, the daydreamer did just enough to squeak by to earn a college degree. After college he devoted himself to his career. His career took him in a total different direction than all his daydreams. He got married. Had some children. He worked hard and enjoyed some modest success in his career.
One fall afternoon the daydreamer sat his desk. Just like in earlier days he could not get focused on his work. He had work to do but his imagination and daydreams got the best of him. Just like as a kid he looked out the window and began to daydream. He took out a legal pad and with pen in hand he did something he had not done in years. He began to write. He wrote whatever came to mind.
Suddenly the daydreamer awakened to a reality he had never discovered before. He knew he had been created to write. He knew writing coursed through his veins. It did not matter how many people would read his writings in the future. It only mattered that he write. On that day he did more than daydream. He began to fulfill his destiny. For the rest of his days he wrote. He wrote essays. He wrote inspirational pieces. He wrote poems. He wrote a few books. This little daydreamer gave his life to writing. He never became famous. That never drove him to begin with.
God used a little teacher named Mrs. McKinney to deeply impact his life and help him pursue his dreams. The little daydreamer never saw or spoke to her again after fifth grade. She never knew the impact she had on that little daydreamer. Her gift and words of encouragement help fuel the fire in the daydreamer's heart to this day. How do I know. I am that little daydreamer.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Meditations On Psalm 145
What has God done for you? What reasons do you have to extol and praise His name today? What mighty acts have you seen Him do? How has He sustained you in the difficult times? When did He bring you out of the miry clay and pit of destruction? In what ways has God worked wonders in and around your life?
One generation declares the praises of God and His greatness to the next generation. Can you think of anything passes on to you about God's faithfulness from grandparents or parents? Are you passing on these same things to your grand children and children? Everyday there is a reason to praise Him.
Even in the tough times. I know many of you are living in those tough times now. Tough times never last but tough people do. Just ask those who fought in WWII or lived through the Great Depression. They can testify of works of God in very trying times. Look at those devastated by floods and fires. Many lost everything except their lives. They can praise God for life.
Many mourn the deaths of spouses, parents, children and the hole in their hearts aches daily. The saved can praise God for the gift of eternal life. The grieving can praise God for HIs comfort and strength to get through each day. God does not abandon those in their grief and sorrow. He is there each step of every day. He is the only one who can heal broken and shattered hearts.
So let me ask you to pause in your day and mediate on what God has done for you. Think of the many things you can praise God for doing in your life. Contemplate the many things you have to be thankful for. This is what I did during my quiet time today reading and meditating on Psalm 145. What an amazing God and what a privilege to testify for Him.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Bad News
I think with every edition of the morning or evening news should come the introduction, "Welcome to Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN Bad News." The news is nearly always bad.
Try these on. In recent days we have seen another mass shooting in Roseburg, OR, wildfires in CA, a hurricane brushing the east coast, investigations of a presidential candidate, Russian aggression in the Middle East, more terrorism and terrorists threats, racial upheaval. and a bad economy. These are just some of the highlights, or perhaps I should say the lowlights.
As I watched some news programs this past week, I grew increasingly irritable, frustrated, angry, and disillusioned with all of it. In those moments God stepped in to intervene. He used His word once again to bring me back to balance.
The 46th chapter of Psalm seemed addressed just for me. Psalm 46:1-2 (NASB)
1
God is our refuge and
strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Try these on. In recent days we have seen another mass shooting in Roseburg, OR, wildfires in CA, a hurricane brushing the east coast, investigations of a presidential candidate, Russian aggression in the Middle East, more terrorism and terrorists threats, racial upheaval. and a bad economy. These are just some of the highlights, or perhaps I should say the lowlights.
As I watched some news programs this past week, I grew increasingly irritable, frustrated, angry, and disillusioned with all of it. In those moments God stepped in to intervene. He used His word once again to bring me back to balance.
The 46th chapter of Psalm seemed addressed just for me. Psalm 46:1-2 (NASB)
1
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
It is good to be reminded that in the middle of all the chaos in our world, when it appears the very foundations of our society are coming unravelled, falling apart, and crumbling right before our eyes. In the middle of this God offers some comforting words about Himself.
He is our refuge. That means He is our shelter. He is also our strength. That means He is our might as well as our fortress and stronghold. He is also our very present help in times of trouble. To put that another way God is our support and the One who comes to our aid in distress and anguish.
Those are comforting truths.
Verse two starts off with these words, "Therefore we will not fear..." The word fear defined is to be afraid or terrified. It is easy to look at everything and fall prey to fear and terror. It is so vitally important that we balance out all the bad news with the good news that God is still in control.
No matter if we face the afflictions of natural disasters, political upheaval, or wars brought on by the aggression of wicked tyrants, we need not fear. God is still our refuge, strength, and very present help in times of trouble. That does not change no matter what is going on around us. Because God is our foundation we need not fear. We need not live life in terror. We trust Him and we hope in Him.
The next time the bad news gets to you recall the words of Ps 46:1-2. We need not fear because God is our shelter, our fortress, and the One who gives us aid and support in our afflictions. Maybe we all need more time in the book of the Bible with good news instead of glued to the television, newspaper, or internet with all the bad news.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Let Me Brag On God (Part Three)
We started Faith Community Church a little over four years ago with high hopes. God blessed immediately. Attendance soared. We scrambled to keep up having to find a larger meeting place after our first Sunday. We witnessed God at work and went about our work with faith and enthusiasm. Those were euphoric days. Many were saved and we celebrated their baptisms.
After a year things changed. We could not sell our house in Seminole. This depressed me. Attendance at church began to decline. The gossip spread about me around town took its toll. I became increasingly bitter and withdrawn from public life. Preaching became a greater chore as I saw more and more empty seats than people in attendance.
Three times we tried to start Sunday School and three times the people did not support it. The offerings dwindled. We found it harder and harder to make ends meet each month. The morale in the church reflected my defeated and soured attitude. It felt like Faith Community Church began taking on water and sinking like the Titanic. I did not hold out hope the church would survive.
My depression deepened. Nothing brought me out of it. No amount of Bible reading or praying. No books I read. All looked hopeless and dark. A veil of darkness covered my mind and outlook. I went through the motions of serving as a pastor but I did not shepherd or lead the church adequately. I doubted my call to start the church and convinced myself I got it wrong. I contrasted our troubles with the wonderful years we enjoyed in Seminole. Instead of looking forward I looked back to the past. People I loved shunned me, refused to even speak to me, and spread lies behind my back.
I had enough. I tried everything in my power to leave. I sent resumes. I prayed. I visited with friends. For two years my obsession became getting my family out of Paradise. FOR TWO YEARS GOD SHUT EVERY DOOR.
Fast forward to this past summer. God used a series of events to remind me of His call on my life to start Faith Community Church. He settled this in my mind in a very real way. He renewed that sense of call on my life to do this. He healed my heart from bitterness. God produced forgiveness in my heart. God renewed my love for the Faith Community Flock and opened my eyes to see how much they loved their pastor. They prayed me through the darkest times of my entire life.
Then it happened. I got involved in public life again. I shared my faith with people. I began loving people. I shepherded people with a renewed joy and preachhed with a renewed passion and power. I knew God called me to start Faith Community Church. Instead of planning to leave my mindset changed to planning on staying.
Then it happened. The church began changing. Many did to notice at first. Instead of the lingering smell of death and defeat the fragrance of life filled that little warehouse. God began moving. Slowly the attendance increased. People lingered long after the services ended. Our Sunday evening prayer meetings were better attended.
Then the attendance started increasing more dramatically. To be more exact, it doubled in two months. New faces started showing up and returning. The youth group began burgeoning like it had in the early days. Church became fun because God worked in visible ways. Testimonies were more frequent. Answers to prayers became more evident.
The final thing I want to brag on God about is not just what He is doing in Faith Community Church. It is what He is doing in me. A week ago I worked in the concession stand at a football game. A trusted friend texted me later that night and said, "I see changes in you." I knew God had brought me back from the brink.
Last night, after Bible study, I talked with a member of our leadership team about what the Lord is doing in our church. That person made a comment that deeply impacted me. "You are different. I see joy in you again." Hallelujah.
I can only brag on God. He is touching me. He is delivering me from the things that strangled my faith and hardened my heart. He is still making me whole. He is opening His word to me in ways I have never known. He is anointing me to preach and teach. He is setting me free from the chains that nearly destroyed me. He has restored my passion to write again. LET ME BRAG ON GOD. He is at work in Matt Edwards and Faith Community Church. He brought me back from the brink of destruction and Faith Community Church from the brink of death. All I can say is, "Thank You Lord. I am unworthy. I am humbled You would bestow such amazing grace on me again. I renew myself to this work, to shepherding this flock, and to the advancement of the gospel and building your Kingdom in the community of Paradise, TX. In Jesus name, amen."
After a year things changed. We could not sell our house in Seminole. This depressed me. Attendance at church began to decline. The gossip spread about me around town took its toll. I became increasingly bitter and withdrawn from public life. Preaching became a greater chore as I saw more and more empty seats than people in attendance.
Three times we tried to start Sunday School and three times the people did not support it. The offerings dwindled. We found it harder and harder to make ends meet each month. The morale in the church reflected my defeated and soured attitude. It felt like Faith Community Church began taking on water and sinking like the Titanic. I did not hold out hope the church would survive.
My depression deepened. Nothing brought me out of it. No amount of Bible reading or praying. No books I read. All looked hopeless and dark. A veil of darkness covered my mind and outlook. I went through the motions of serving as a pastor but I did not shepherd or lead the church adequately. I doubted my call to start the church and convinced myself I got it wrong. I contrasted our troubles with the wonderful years we enjoyed in Seminole. Instead of looking forward I looked back to the past. People I loved shunned me, refused to even speak to me, and spread lies behind my back.
I had enough. I tried everything in my power to leave. I sent resumes. I prayed. I visited with friends. For two years my obsession became getting my family out of Paradise. FOR TWO YEARS GOD SHUT EVERY DOOR.
Fast forward to this past summer. God used a series of events to remind me of His call on my life to start Faith Community Church. He settled this in my mind in a very real way. He renewed that sense of call on my life to do this. He healed my heart from bitterness. God produced forgiveness in my heart. God renewed my love for the Faith Community Flock and opened my eyes to see how much they loved their pastor. They prayed me through the darkest times of my entire life.
Then it happened. I got involved in public life again. I shared my faith with people. I began loving people. I shepherded people with a renewed joy and preachhed with a renewed passion and power. I knew God called me to start Faith Community Church. Instead of planning to leave my mindset changed to planning on staying.
Then it happened. The church began changing. Many did to notice at first. Instead of the lingering smell of death and defeat the fragrance of life filled that little warehouse. God began moving. Slowly the attendance increased. People lingered long after the services ended. Our Sunday evening prayer meetings were better attended.
Then the attendance started increasing more dramatically. To be more exact, it doubled in two months. New faces started showing up and returning. The youth group began burgeoning like it had in the early days. Church became fun because God worked in visible ways. Testimonies were more frequent. Answers to prayers became more evident.
The final thing I want to brag on God about is not just what He is doing in Faith Community Church. It is what He is doing in me. A week ago I worked in the concession stand at a football game. A trusted friend texted me later that night and said, "I see changes in you." I knew God had brought me back from the brink.
Last night, after Bible study, I talked with a member of our leadership team about what the Lord is doing in our church. That person made a comment that deeply impacted me. "You are different. I see joy in you again." Hallelujah.
I can only brag on God. He is touching me. He is delivering me from the things that strangled my faith and hardened my heart. He is still making me whole. He is opening His word to me in ways I have never known. He is anointing me to preach and teach. He is setting me free from the chains that nearly destroyed me. He has restored my passion to write again. LET ME BRAG ON GOD. He is at work in Matt Edwards and Faith Community Church. He brought me back from the brink of destruction and Faith Community Church from the brink of death. All I can say is, "Thank You Lord. I am unworthy. I am humbled You would bestow such amazing grace on me again. I renew myself to this work, to shepherding this flock, and to the advancement of the gospel and building your Kingdom in the community of Paradise, TX. In Jesus name, amen."
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