Born to Follow Jesus

Oprah Denies Jesus As the Only Way!

2009-04-12T17:19:00.003-05:00

I know this is old - but I had not seen this before.

Family Devotions for Holy Week

2009-03-31T19:45:00.003-05:00

As we begin to reflect on JESUS! and march toward the Celebration of His Glorious Resurrection - I feel it's so important to open the Word and revisit the last week of His earthly life. Blessings!

Palm Sunday - "Royal, Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem"
Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19

Monday - Jesus cleanses the Temple
Matt 21:12-22
Mark 11:12-25
Luke 19:45-48
John 12:20-50

Tuesday - Jesus in the Temple
Matt 21:23-27
Mark 11:27-33
Luke 20:1-26

Wednesday – Jesus anointed at Bethany
Matt 26:6-13
Mark 14:1-8
John 12:1-11

Maundy Thursday - The “Last Supper”
Matt 26:17-30
Mark 14:12-26
Luke 22:7-46
John 13:1-30

Good Friday - The Lamb of God
Matt 26:47-27:65
Mark 14:43-15:47
Luke 22:47-23:56
John 18:1-19:42

Easter Sunday April 12, HE IS RISEN!
Matt 28:1-15
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-49
John 20:1-23

Super Sunday!

2009-02-01T15:53:00.004-06:00

The weather was amazingly wonderful today - for the first of February. The "Snow Eater" visited us yesterday, with almost 60 for the high. All the snow that was on the ground has begun to melt away!!

Today, we had a great crowd in Sunday School and Worship! I hope that this is a sign of good things to come. We even have 5 children that have recently accepted Jesus as Savior and are seeking baptism. I just finished meeting with the mom and dad of two of the children. This family is unchurch, but the kids ride the church van to church. Please pray that the Lord will use this time to draw the parents to Jesus too :)

I pray that you all have had a SUPER Sunday too, and remember that we have a Great God.

Blessings to your week!

Discipleship 101 "The Church MUST follow-up!

2009-01-30T19:56:00.005-06:00

Imagine that you're about to be a parent; in nine months you'll have a child. You're excited and scared and want to learn everything possible about parenthood. So you read books, decorate the nursery, ask people for advice and prepare for the big day. When that day finally comes, you go to the hospital, and after many hours, the baby is born. High fives. Cheers. You call your family.

And then you decide to leave the baby at the hospital.

If you did this, everyone would think you were crazy and a bad parent. Yet spiritually, we often have the same approach to new believers in Christ. We put so much energy into bringing them to Christ (praying for them, bringing them to evangelistic events, helping answer their questions), and then we stop. In a sense, we leave them at the nursery. But when a person accepts Christ, our work is only just beginning. The first few years—and even the first 24 hours—are vital in establishing a new believer's walk with the Lord.

The process of helping a new believer grow in his faith is often called "follow-up." During this time, new believers can begin to grow in maturity and learn to become multiplying disciples—Christians who help others come to Christ and grow in their new faith. Here are a few essential elements to guide you in helping new believers grow.

1. Prayer

In the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul prayed for his disciples, confident that God was going to complete the work He started in them. Throughout the gospels, Jesus also prayed for His disciples.

In the same way, it is important for us to pray for new believers, trusting God to work in their lives. Praying with them shows that we care for them. It also gives them an example of what it looks like to communicate with God.

2. Word of God

In the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul mentions that he shared the Word of God with them. It is essential for new believers to learn how to read the Bible and listen to God from His Word. We know from experience that we grow in our faith by consistently studying the Bible and spending time with Him. God's Word is our spiritual food, and we can't live without it.

3. Building a loving relationship

In addition to teaching spiritual things, we must also share our lives with new believers, being open and honest about the good and bad as well as what God is teaching us. Get together and do fun things. Go shopping, play video games or go out to lunch. When you become someone's friend, you show who you are and that it can be fun to be a Christian.

Paul mentions that he is like a spiritual parent to the new believers: "But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children" (1 Thessalonians 2:7). We, too, can be like caring parents for new believers—watching over them, nurturing them, encouraging them, correcting them and keeping them accountable.

4. Fellowship with other believers

Another part of follow-up is introducing new believers to other Christians who can encourage them and support them in this new phase of life. Invite new believers to come to your Bible study or church. If you are meeting with them to go through follow-up materials, ask some of your Christian friends to come too. This way they can make new friends, hear different perspectives and learn from others.

5. Encourage them to tell others about Christ

It's never too early to encourage new believers to talk to others about how God has changed their lives. This will help to solidify their faith and show how God is working. When you share your faith with others, take them along and train them in how to share the gospel. Then they can be multiplying disciples and see God touch others' lives like He has touched their lives.

6. Don't forget the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit's role is essential. Help new believers understand who the Holy Spirit is and what it means to walk in the Spirit's power, not their own power. If we try to live the Christian life on our own, we will just fall away.

As soon as possible, make a transition from sharing the gospel to initiating follow-up. New believers might have questions and doubts, and it's important to support and encourage them right away.

In follow-up, we can play an important part, but ultimately it is God who is doing the work. Don't be offended if people aren't interested. God is the one who is pursing them and He will bring about fruit. He has promised in His Word to bring about the good work that He has begun in us.

My Girl Just Turned 6

2009-01-17T23:05:00.002-06:00

It's so hard to believe, but Arianna is 6 now. Actually, her birthday was yesterday. We asked her what kind of party she wanted - and she said I want a CoCo Key party. CoCo Key is an amazing indoor waterpark / attached to the Sheraton in Kansas City. We left yesterday morning - and had a 2 day pass to CoCo Key and an overnight stay in the Sheraton. What a BLAST we had.

We surprised Ari with her very own CRAB dinner! Ari loves crab legs - can you say expensive? Last night for her birthday dinner - we all went to Joe's Crab Shack. She loved it, and we all had a great time.

Well, we're now back home, and kids are in bed. I'm quite tired out too from all of the festivities - but all in all - it was great.

Blessings to all - and to all a good night :)

Life In Grant City

2009-01-13T17:02:00.003-06:00

I'm sorry that's it's been so long since I've blogged, but here's the latest. We are alas getting setted in. Grant City has been a great change for my family. The kids are enjoying their new school - making friends quickly; Holly is enjoying working from home, and I am getting used to pastoring again.

We have fallen in love with the people, and they have made us feel at home from day one. We still have a few boxes (in the garage) to unpack, but the house is coming together quite nicely.

We started off the new year with prayer. On New Year’s Eve, the church was open from 6:00 p.m. until midnight. Individuals or families were encouraged to come in during that time for personal prayer and communion.

Prayer guides were distributed for January with an emphasis on men’s ministry. Baptist Men put out the free guides that include a daily scripture/prayer for the entire month. A Men’s Breakfast was held on January 10 ( 16 men attended ).

We are going to have a Family Fun Night on January 24 with a movie and munchies for the Sunday School kids and their parents.

Last weekend, we had some dear friends from my former pastorate come and visit with us. It was almost 4 years since we last saw them - but we were able to pick right up where we left off. That's the amazing things about friends - it's like time never passed.

I am looking forward to great and mighty things to come, and would covet your prayers as we seek God's plan for our new ministry here.

BLESSINGS!!

Grant City Baptist Church

2008-11-06T10:39:00.004-06:00

Missouri Bound!!

2008-11-04T09:36:00.004-06:00

God is So Good! We had a delightful and spiritfilled weekend in Missouri. On Friday we traveled up to Missouri and spent the evening with good friends in the Kansas City area. Then we got up on Saturday morning and headed out to Grant City. We met with the search team for lunch and began planning the rest of the weekend.

Sunday began with a breakfast - then Sunday School, followed by worship. I preached on Acts 3:1-10, "The Church in Action - Do You See Me Sitting Here?" It's the passage about the begger who set outside of the Temple Gate called Beautiful. The preaching went well and I received many compliments.

After the service we had a wonderful Dinner - It is their custom to have a fellowship dinner on the first Sunday of every month! There are some awesome cooks in Grant City.

After the dinner - there was a time for questions and answers - Holly and I were both able to share and respond to their questions. Everything went very well, and following that time, the church then was asked to vote. There were 36 members who stayed for the meeting, and the vote went as follows - 35 yes and 1 no.

We then accepted, and the rest is history! We are excited, and have already fallen in love with the congregation and the community. While there, we stayed in a wonderful cabin on a lake - it was so restful, and was so hard to leave.

We are planning on moving the first week of December - and December 7th will be my first Sunday there. Please pray for good weather conditions - as weather in Missouri during December can be bruttle.

We are so elated to be going back HOME to the midwest, and are ever so grateful to be going back into the ministry.

BLESSINGS TO YOUR WEEK!

Brent

After Much Prayer...

2008-10-15T21:10:00.003-05:00

Well, after much prayer, I feel led to pursue the senior pastor position. The search team would like for us to come up on the weekend of November 2nd. I have accepted, and will be preaching in view of a call.

Can you say, Yeah God!! The church is in a wonderful community about 90 miles north of the Kansas City area - just 8 miles from the Iowa border, and even includes a parsonage.

Thanks for all of your prayers as we contiue to seek God's perfect will for us.

Blessings!!

The Unexpected!

2008-10-13T19:47:00.003-05:00

Life is full of turns. There has been an amazing turn of events lately. Last week I went up to Kansas City to see if there were any possible doors open for ministry. Low and behold two opportunities have popped up rather quickly.

One is from a new church plant, in the north town area - they are seeking a worship leader (team), in which Holly and I have done in the past, but have not really been looking to pursue. However, the possibility is pretty intriguing. I met with the pastor and his wife, and my philosophy (views) of worship seem to line up with his.

Another, is from a church in a small community north of Kansas City. They are pursuing me as their next senior pastor. While up in Kansas City, I received a call form the search team, seeing if I would be willing to come up for an interview. They couldn't believe that I was already in the area. Soooo, the next day I drove up to the town, did a lot of sight-seeing, and met with the team. They were such a blessing, and the interview went very well!

Sooooo, I am perplexed. God is so good - not only do I have a ministry opportunity staring me in the face - BUT TWO!

Please pray for Holly and I as we seek God's perfect guidance in all of this. We only want what He wants.

Blessings to Your Week!

Just Walk Across the Room!

2008-09-21T21:15:00.006-05:00

Our church began a 4 week series last week called "Just Walk Across the Room." This series is by Bill Hybels (pastor of Willow Creek in Chicago). It reminds us that we can and should reach out to others around us with the Love of Christ.

There are so many who do not know Jesus, or even desire to have a relationship with Him, and Oh how God wants to use us to be a vessel of good news to them. We have to be willing to let the light of Jesus shine within us, and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts.

We need to be ever so aware that we do have lost co-workers, neighbors, friends and yes - even family who do not know Jesus. May He give us the courage and the strength to reach out to them, and love them into the Kingdom.

One of the great things about the book, and this series is the sense of taking the pressure off believers to see those outside of Christ as projects to work on, but rather as people with needs. That we just need to enter into their lives at whatever level, and then ask the prompting of God’s Spirit to help us know what to do next.

Micah 6:8, “This is what the Lord requires of you: to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”

There’s something crazy about getting your mind off of yourself and even doing the smallest thing for someone else that allows grace to flow in your heart afresh. I don’t know what’s going on in your life today, but let me encourage you to just walk across the room.

Blessings to Your Week!

http://www.justwalkacrosstheroom.com

New School for my 1st Grader and Kindergartner

2008-08-27T20:13:00.004-05:00

It's so hard to believe that my babies are now in Kindergarten and the 1st grade. We were hoping that our new school year would have been in Kansas City, but the Lord has other plans.

Anthony and Arianna started their new school yesterday - and their first day went on without a hitch. Day two went quite well also. We now have taken the plunge as parents. They were in the safe haven of a private Christian School for the past 2 years, but now are smack dab in the middle of the Public School system. Ironically, it is the same school that Holly graduated from over 22 years ago.

Our little angels are now lights in the public school system - but through it all, we have a perfect peace about everything. We do not know how long they will be here, for things with the church in Kansas City are beginning to pick up pace. If all goes well for us, we could be in KC by October.

Life is filled with changes. Along with change comes hope. A hope for a great and bright future. Whether that future is here, smack dab in the heart of Texas, or in Kansas City - we will press on for a better tomorrow.

Another Hurdle Jumped!

2008-08-18T22:46:00.002-05:00

Got word back today that the meeting on Sunday evening went very well. Questions were asked, and answers were given. Church members were given copies of my testimony on CD. The church will be meeting again on Sunday evening, August 31st to determine the next (final) step for us in this process.

God is doing an amazing work in all of this. It's awesome to sit by and watch it all happen.

Thanks for ALL the PRAYERS!

Praying Hard This Weekend!

2008-08-15T22:58:00.003-05:00

Well, this Sunday, Aug.17th is pretty big for me and my family. The church in the Kansas City area will be praying HARD to discern God's perfect will. The Pastor Search Team has chosen to proceed with me as the primary candidate for pastor.

They will be presenting the church with much personal information about me - my past struggles and ALL - but also sharing the AMAZING journy of God's faithfulness, healing, and restoration in my life.

Thank you for praying for US is this journey. Holly and I are looking forward to ALL that God is going to do - and is already doing in this amazing process.

Blessings & Have a Joy-filled Weekend!

Endlessly

2008-07-28T20:33:00.001-05:00

Another Great Worship Song I learned at the 2008 Exodus Freedom Conference!

OVERCOME!

2008-07-26T23:22:00.004-05:00

This is a Powerful Worship Song from the 2008 Exodus Freedom Conference, Holly and I attended last week at Ridgecrest, North Carolina.

We Have Overcome by the Blood of the Lamb!

Lesson On Trust!

2008-07-23T10:15:00.004-05:00

While we were gone to North Carolina, there was a horrible accident at my place of employment. A man I worked with (Jimmy, 49 yrs old) was killed on the job site. He had just tac-welded a large (400lb) beam, and on his way down it broke loose and fell on him. It hit his head and shoulders.

This was a great shock of course to everyone, and they have had a rough week. I met with the owner of the company today because I wanted to be an encouragment to him - and also offered to pray for him. He shared with me some amazing things. After the accident - he was beside himself - extremely heart-broken, and felt powerless.

His mother gave him his grandfather's Bible - which you could tell was very USED. He said his grandfather was a very godly man, and a pillar of strength to his family - when he died - he hardly had a nickle to his name. When he opened the Bible - it fell open to this, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..." He told me that it was the Word that he needed. He said even though his grandfather was poor - he was really the richest man in the world in his eyes. This comes from a man who is very wealthy.

He was very glad that I came in and shared words of encourgment with him. I also was able to pray with him as well. I really didn't know him very well before all of this - but while we were talking - it was as if we were long-time friends. God is so good.

Hope You Are Having a Blessed Week!

Trusting In Him Together

Decision Made

2008-07-14T20:30:00.004-05:00

Today is a much better and brighter day. The pastor search committee in the KC, Missouri area has decided that I will be the best fit for their church. Yeah!! The process is still in motion, and if all continues to go well, we should be heading there to meet with the church by late August.

More waiting, but it will be worth it. We are looking forward to what God is going to do through all of this. Just keep praying for patience, because good things are worth waiting for.

Holly and I leave bright and early in the morning for a Conference at Ridgecrest, NC ( near Asheville). We'll be returning Sunday evening, July 20th.

Blessings to Your Week!

Final Word Coming Soon!

2008-07-11T09:48:00.002-05:00

Well, heard back from the committee, and after answering a few final questions they informed us that they would MOST LIKELY be making a decision on Sunday. They are spending their Sunday School hour to JUST PRAY over the decision.

After church they will meet again for the purpose of making that decision. Of course, you know what I want the answer to be. Thank you all so much for walking with us on this journey of faith. Through it all, we have seen God's amazing faithfulness.

Have a Blessed and Wonderful Weekend!

Back In the Groove Again! & The Wait Goes On!

2008-07-10T09:17:00.002-05:00

Well, been home for almost a week - after a WONDERFUL and REFRESHING vacation to Kansas City. We ended our vacation with Holly's sisters family in Denton, Tx. Great time had by all!

Well - waiting again. The search committee met last night to discuss their next step with us. Waiting anxiously to hear from them today. Thank you for all of your support and prayers for us during this long process.

We only want what God wants - but we're kinda praying selfishly, if you know what I mean.

Blessings to Your Day!

INTERVIEW Accomplished

2008-06-29T09:13:00.002-05:00

Well, the BIG interview is now a thing of the past. I interviewed last night for the possible position of senior pastor of a great church in the Kansas City area. We loved meeting the wonderful people on the committee, and enjoyed their hospitality.

It is ALL in the Lord's hand, and we are praying that only God's perfect will to be done here.

Thanks for all of your prayers and have a blessed Sunday :)

Kansas City Bound!

2008-06-19T20:40:00.005-05:00

Well, the countdown has begun. We are getting ready to head up to Kansas City for 10 days. We're leaving on Saturday morning, and hope to arrive Saturday evening. We'll be staying with good friends while we're there.

We are planning on visiting lots of friends, as well as our former church in Camden Point. We also have tickets to a new INDOOR waterpark called Coco Key ( cocokeywaterresort.com ) .
We are sure to have a blast!

Our time in KC will end with the BIG interview for a church that may be calling me to be their new senior pastor. Got a few butterflies - but overall the Lord has given me peace - the whole process has been amazing - thanks for the prayers.

Well tomorrow is the day we'll get everything together for the big trip - I'm off of work - so guess I'll be busy getting many things done so we can leave bright and early on Saturday.

Blessings!!!

The picture above is of the "JC Nichols Horse Fountain" at the Plaza in KC.

I Needed this Day!!

2008-06-07T21:44:00.012-05:00

After a long week at work - and STILL at the airport... I needed today. Well it actually began quite differently - I performed a wedding in what's called the Annex of Texas Life. Texas Life is where Holly works. I performed the wedding of a co-worker of Holly's. It's actually the 3rd wedding since I have been "out of ministry."

The wedding went off without a hitch - other than them getting hitched - hehe. It was good to see the love in the room - filled with loved ones and family.

When I got home - the family - all jumped in the car... we had lunch and then drove around. We ended up going around the other side of our lake to Airport Park. This particular park has a "beach" with sand minus the crabs. We had a blast wading in the water and letting the waves roll over us. Nothing better than this ... basking in the sun with your family.

Sometimes I am way too busy to enjoy all that God has given me. He's blessed me with a wonderful, beautiful wife, and two precious children. What more could a man ask for.

Thank you, Lord!

Hope that your weekend has been refreshing as well.

Blessings!

Counting the Days

2008-05-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

I am counting the days now. I've been working construction at our local airport since July 22nd of last year. The company I work for built a new hold room for passengers. Today, we had our final punch list (walk-through). There are a few items to take care of - but nonetheless, I should be out of there by the middle of next week. Yippeeeee!

I'm not sure where I'm going next, but looking forward to whatever it is - I hope.

I am counting the days... to when my family and I travel to the Kansas City, Missouri area. I am going for an interview with the Pastoral Search Team of a church in that area the last weekend of June. It has been over three years since I have served as pastor, but I felt the nudge to go back into ministry last fall. The journey through the process has been pretty amazing - it's so plain to see God's hand in all of this.

During my time with them, I've have been asked to lead a Bible study. It's been pretty hard to figure out what to do - but think I've got it. I just bought John Eldredge's book, "Desire," and the study guide that goes with it. It is Powerful. I believe that I'm going to develop my Bible study based off of that book. It feels right, but of course it's all subject to change.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your prayers as I prepare what God wants me to teach.

Blessings

My Babies Are Growing Up - Part 2

2008-05-28T21:12:00.001-05:00

Now for some pictures of Anthony's great day - KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION!

Doesn't his sissy just love him? They get along so great....

...sometimes

Growing Up - looking less like a little boy every day

My Babies Are Growing Up! Arianna's Special Day

2008-05-27T20:25:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how quickly time flies. Seems like just yesterday we brought our baby boy home. We received Anthony Dean when he was just 6 weeks old. He was our bundle of joy and brought so much happiness and laughter to our home.

Then just a short year later we were asked to adopt his biological sisiter, Arianna Grace. She was only 3 weeks old when we brought our little princess in to our home.

What a blessing they have been to our lives. Today I look into the eyes of a handsome 6 year old and a beautiful 5 year old. Anthony just graduated Kindergarten and Arianna graduated from pre-school.

Anthony's pics coming soon :)

Memorial Day Blessings

2008-05-26T16:05:00.000-05:00

Hope you have had a blessed Memorial Day. This day is traditionally set aside to remember those who have served in some way in our armed forces - laying down their lives in many cases, serving our country faithfully, and fighting for our freedom. FREEDOM ISN'T FREE.

We are free to worship, free to buy, sell, trade, get a new job - free to be and do just about anything. It cost many men and women greatly to give us those rights.

My prayer is that we will not take for granted what has been done for us.

Blessings!

Making the Most!

2008-05-25T21:43:00.000-05:00

As I sit here this evening, I'm reminded just how precious life really is. How God wants us to take time to spend valuable time with family and friends - making the most of every opportunity - cause after all life really is quite short.

I have a beautiful wife, Holly. We've been married over 21 years now - so hard to believe. We have two wonderful adopted children. A six year old son, Anthony and a five year old daughter, Arianna. Just a few days ago, the beloved Christian songwriter and musician, Steven Curtis Chapman lost his precious daughter, Maria (only 5 years old), the same age as my little Arianna.
This hits me close to home.

Oh how I do not want to take my family for granted - but know I do far too often. May we learn to make to most of every moment that God gives us on earth. It is all a precious gift from Him.

Blessings to Your Week!