Is Green Bay Loss an indicator of our society?

First, let me clarify that I am neither a Packers fan, nor a Seahawks fan. I am a huge sports fan and especially a football junkie. I will admit that I am an Aaron Rodgers fan and have a great respect for his character, testimony, and talent.

This morning, I've been watching the sports channels, reading blogs, seeing the posts on various news sites and wondering how professional athletes making millions of dollars can blame the replacement referees for their failure to win a ball game. I have been a player, coach and umpire. I've been on both sides of the calls and admit to making both good and bad ones. In all cases, I have coached my teams and taught my children that the referee never wins or loses the ball game. If a team outplays and out scores the other team, then they will beat their opponent.

Today, fans and players have forgotten that there is a total of 60 minutes in a football game. They have forgotten that Aaron Rodgers was sacked 8 times in one half. They forgot that he slipped and fell with no one around him. They forgot that the league MVP threw no TD passes in 60 minutes and only averaged 4.7 yards passing. They forgot that the Packers only had a total of 84 yards rushing. The Packers didn't look very good last night and their offensive line was getting blown off the ball by the Seahawks' defense.

In "conveniently" forgetting their failures and focusing only on the failures of others (in this case the referee's), the Packers are a great illustration of the condition of our society. There is a mentality that refuses to admit personal failure and accept personal responsibility. Whether an athletic loss, job loss, a divorce, a bankruptcy, an auto accident, a bad test grade, or any other myriad of failures --- it is always the other person's fault -- it is never our fault.

Could this mindset be one of the reasons that it is so difficult for people to see their need for a Savior?  Could this mentality be robbing us of the common sense needed to admit when we are wrong, to confess our faults, and to ask for forgiveness? Could this be a contributing factor for church splits and the refusal to reconcile relationships with other believers? Could this all stem from the basic sin of PRIDE? 

The bottom-line is that referees (regular or replacements) will make mistakes, players will make mistakes, and people will make mistakes. I challenge you to admit your personal failures, to learn from them, and to correct them. I also remind you that God loves us in spite of our failures -- He loved us "while we were still sinners." In addition, remember 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Thank you, Lord, for giving us second chances!

Pray for Cindy (Our Missionary)

EBC is blessed to be the sending church for our home-grown missionary, Cindy. Through God's providential hand, Cindy returned home earlier this year to visit with her father, whose health was failing -- or so she (and we) thought. God used that circumstance to get Cindy off the field, only a few days prior to a government coup and uprising by Al Queda  rebels in her country of Mali.  I am happy to tell you that her father has recovered and Cindy is safe. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the country and many are starving and their living conditions are very poor. Just as Romans 8:28 promises, God took a circumstance that looked bad, and used it to accomplish His good.

Last week, Cindy met with our deacons to discuss and pray over a date for her return to the mission field.  After looking at the political situation, discussing it with her mission board, talking to believers inside the country, and not sensing the peace of God; our deacons have asked Cindy to wait until the end of the year  before returning to her field of ministry. At that time, we will evaluate the situation, before making a final decision. I would ask you to pray with us that God will give very clear direction and make our hearts sensitive to listening to His Spirit.

Cindy's situation and the recent attacks against Americans abroad, serve as reminders for us to pray for the safety of those carrying the good news to foreign countries.

Restoration Church Launched - 9.9.12

Yesterday, my family and the Brown family drove to Greensboro, NC to help launch a new church plant. Joey & Nicole Baynes, along with a team of nearly 40 people have been laying the groundwork for Restoration Church for almost a year. They have been meeting for Bible studies in homes, praying, visiting, planning, seeking God's direction, and hosting preview services. The core group consists of families have relocated, some in Greensboro who feel led to help, and some who are newly saved and ready to reach others.

The excitement on launch day was amazing! They really had it together and God blessed their efforts with over 280 people attending the service, and 3 making decisions for salvation! It is exciting to see a solid church starting and to have had a part in helping them. Restoration Church is receiving support from various church planting organizations; and our church supports two of them. I pray that EBC continues to see these success stories and will continue to help start new churches!

For more info about Restoration Church visit www.restorationgso.com

First Baptist of West Hollywood Reunion

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a reunion celebrating a great pastor - Dr. Verle Ackerman, and a great church - the First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, FL. I had the privilege of growing up in that church that was once named among the ten fastest growing churches in America. Dr. Verle Ackerman was, without any doubt, one of the greatest pastors of all time. That fact was obvious as we reminisced, shared testimonies, cried, and laughed. It is also obvious by those who found Christ under Pastor A's ministry and are still serving faithfully; and by the number of people who have served and are still serving in vocational ministry.

It was so good to see people that I had not seen in quite some time -- nearly 30 years since I last saw some of them. These people included friends, staff pastors, teachers, bus drivers, children's ministry workers, cafeteria workers, classmates, parents of classmates, former co-workers, a man whose grass I used to cut, and so many more. The surprise of the day was seeing the grown-up "little sister" of a high-school sweetheart. I would never have recognized her without a name tag. I'm sure others felt the same about me, but some people looked exactly the same as I remember them from 30 years ago!

Among the brightest spots of the day was being able to spend time with my parents; and being reunited with people who had put up with, trained, invested in, and prepared me for the ministry in which I serve today. God blessed me with mentors during my teenage years like Dell Lindsey, Guy Melton, Larry Coy, and Pastor Ackerman. If nothing else had happened at the reunion, it was worth feeling that embrace from Pastor A. and hearing him say, "I am so proud of you." I can't even imagine how much better it is going to be to hear our Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

First Baptist has been through some difficult times after Pastor A left. Changes in leadership, the community, economic conditions, and even the name have all taken their toll; but God has now blessed that church with a good and godly pastor. I've known Brian and Vicki Burkholder since my days at BUA and I would expect God to do some great things through them.

To everyone who had a part in putting the reunion together -- THANK YOU! It was a great time and brought back many, many wonderful memories.