The Gathering

Four more days until "The Gathering." Who have you invited? Who has confirmed they are coming with you? Who slipped your mind until now? Pull out all the stops and utilize every tool available: Facebook, Twitter, email, text messaging, and even the device we used before all this fancy technology called the telephone (where you can actually hear someone's voice on the other end of the phone). God has BIG plans for you and those you bring with you. Pray for them, remind them, entice them by telling them you will buy their lunch after worship. Whatever you have to do, do it in order to get them here. Your friends, family, co-workers, etc are searching desperately for hope and that hope can be found in Christ. Get them here so that they can hear a message of hope. I believe in you and the fact that you truly can make a difference in the lives of so many people.

The Gathering

The Gathering is now less than two weeks away and we need to be pumping it up by inviting everyone we can think of to this event. God is a God of radical faith and He is calling us as a church out of apathy and into intentionality. I have been praying for my three friends and already have a confirmation that two of the three will be here for the Gathering on September 12th. Don't let this opportunity slip by but rather use it as a tool to get your lost and/or unchurched friends here to hear a message of hope. Refuse to live a life of little or no impact. Commit to make a difference in someone else's life. We Gather to Scatter.

The Gathering

As I sit at my desk and type this blog, I am also praying for the three people that God has placed upon my heart to invite to "The Gathering" September 12th. I am asking God for three specific things: first, clear their calendar of any events that would keep them from coming to church that day. Second, that God would allow them to sense the genuineness of my invitation so that they would not feel they are simply part of an experiment or "notch in a belt". Third, that the Holy Spirit of God will prepare their hearts for the message of hope from His word that will be delivered in both our small groups and worship.
I want to challenge you to begin to pray these same three requests as you ask God to move in the lives of those you are inviting on the 12th. It is going to be very easy to allow apathy to keep you from not only inviting but also praying for those who need to hear the message of hope. Don's settle, don't get distracted, don't buy into the lie that it is someone else's job. God desires to use you to impact the lives of people all around you. God desires to use you, allow Him the opportunity, and then watch Him work.

This post is part of the blog carnival that is taking place over at Bridget Chumbley's blog.

The other night I made a late night trip to grocery store to get some more coffee. My goal was to just run in and run out but God had a slightly different plan. I immediately found the aisle with the coffee and quickly chose the brand that I wanted. I then began my way toward the check out line.

Before I got too far though a little First Nations boy came running up to me and said "Could you please help me get some peaches?" My immediate response was "I'm sorry but I don't work here." He just stared at me in bewilderment and replied "But I still need help!"

Of course I needed to help him now because I had no response to that (and more importantly my heart was stirred with compassion). He grabbed me by the hand and led me to his sister and pregnant mother. They were in the dairy section trying to get some peach yogurt from the top shelf and they couldn't reach it. It was a very simple need but I was able to meet it.

Nothing profound happened as a result of that little encounter (that I am aware of anyway) but it did get me thinking about compassion. According to the dictionary, compassion is "the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it."

In the Bible, the word that is translated compassion goes to a deeper level. It means to "feel the pain of others in your gut." It carries the meaning of being deeply moved by the other persons situation. Many times in the Gospels Jesus is said to have had compassion on people (Mark 6:34, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Luke 15:20).

Unfortunately, not many of us are compassionate on a regular basis. We always seem to have a good excuse as to why we can't help. I want to share two things I believe keep us from being compassionate:


1. We become desensitized to people's needs.

When we become desensitized to people's needs we don't feel what they are feeling. Having peach yogurt meant nothing to me but it meant something to this little family. I believe media is a big contributor to our desensitization. We see so much need on a daily basis that it can become overwhelming. As a result, we learn to not feel the pain and the hurt of others. We need to keep our heart tender towards those who are in need.

2. We become distracted by other things.

I wonder how many opportunities to demonstrate compassion we miss because we are distracted by other things? We try to cram so much into our days that there is no time to help others. We need to stop and slow down and be looking for those little opportunities. We need to build margin into our lives so that we can take the time to show compassion.

What tends to keep you and/or others from being compassionate?

An Under Cover Christian

I was absolutely blessed by this cool story of how one young lady obeyed God's call as He spoke into her life and He led her to be part of our fellowship here at First Baptist Holly Springs. She shares this story on her blog anundercoverchristian.com. Be sure and check it out. Be blessed...

April 23, 2010

In the beginning…

I’m here to share my story, how God is working in my life, so let’s start with the beginning.

I’ve been in search of a church home for the last three years. Previously I attended a very large church that I loved however now I found myself with a growing little boy that needed something smaller, and honestly so did I. A church that could become an extension of our family, a place close to home where we could be more active yet even if it was close it had to feel right. I attended many different churches over these three years then one Sunday the magic happened, I finally entered the doors of a church that had been calling to me all this time and when the sermon begain I was told to, “stop shopping churches”.

There it was…the message I had been searching for…a place that knew what my struggle was and told me what I needed. It was true, I had been shopping, why would I allow myself to shop for a church like it was a new car? Had I completely lost my focus? My heart pounded that day as I knew this was to be my home however my mind just couldn’t understand. How do you commit to something that you have only been a part of for 1 hour? I struggled as the alter call was simply to obey what God was telling me to do…yet I continued to feel a need to be in control. I just wasn’t ready to hand my struggle to God even though he was reaching out to take it…

Maybe you know the feeling…it’s time to publicly confess your love of God but you’re physically paralyzed with a trembling heart…don’t worry…God isn’t finished with us yet.

April 23rd, 2010

Still shopping…

The next Sunday came and I thought…maybe I should try just one more church so I’m sure before I commit. Maybe it wasn’t God talking to me but just me in a desperate search to belong, so I went to yet another church…still shopping.

As the music began I felt nothing but anxiety. How could I have questioned this? Why could I not trust what I was hearing? What do I do now? I can’t stay here, I belong down the road. I’ve got to get out of here…okay…I get it…please forgive me and take control. The hairs on my head are numbered, I will have faith and obey.

April 24th, 2010

That someone was me

I returned to the church I had been called to join sure in my heart and mind this is where I belong however God had heard my thoughts the week before and was there to let me know. He knew my excuse for not joining, how could I commit to something I had only known for an hour, that day he spoke to me. The pastor began his sermon and abruptly strayed going into details of his personal life and how he came to know God. The struggles he has faced as a sinner just like me, “now I don’t know who that was for but God put that in my heart to tell someone here today”, he said. That someone was me.

The alter call that day was one I’ll never forget. I stood at my seat trembling, knowing it was time to be bold. I stepped forward, stated that I wanted to obey what God was telling me, and left with a peace like no other.

Maybe it is time for you to find peace…be bold.

A Cup of Cold Water to Thirsty Men

A good word from blog.frankshelton.com:

Yes, Sandra Bullock won the ACADEMY AWARD for Best Female Actress this weekend for the inspirational movie “The Blind Side.” I saw the movie three times and enjoyed thrice as nice. However, this post will not be about the Hollywood hit and modern day cinema classic.

Special props go out to my friend and fellow Evangelist Clayton King who has consistently reminded all whom he comes in contact with to PROTECT THEIR PASTOR. Jesus is our Coach but the pastor of your church is the Quarterback. At times, I have been too harsh on ministers (even as one) and for that I apologize when wrong. Like Jesus, I am short with Pharisees but show great grace to pastors, people and even prostitutes in need of a touch from God.

Without question, the Shepherd of the Flock may live “by faith” but still lives as flesh. The fact is, we chase Divinity but are still sidelined as humanity until we get our “Glorified Body” in Glory. Ministers are no different. It is easy to play arm-chair quarterback from the comfort of our couch or Monday morning moderator by the water cooler at work and continually criticize how the QB (aka senior pastor or youth minister) missed the “open man” en route to a game scoring drive. Like it or not, 265 lbs line-backers want to bury you on national television and since they sprint like a cheetah one doesn’t always see the “wide open” receiver. Magnify that with the barrage of temptations, stress of life, critics from deacons, complaints from Mrs Jones and un-ending undermining from an un-controlled, callous tongue our pastors deal with more than concussions. Worse, the repercussions are so riveting and damaging that many ministers are throwing in the towell at record rates (not just interceptions).

The “blind side” is the area of the helmet where peripheral vision is blockedand one doesn’t see the heat sinking missles coming from the corner (or worse, BEHIND). What sparked my desire more than ever to touch briefly on this subject today is a tweet RICK WARREN posted on Twitter tonight. He noted he was at a funeral today for a pastor in Texas whom committed suicide. This should not be. How tragic! Years ago, I heard an evangelist say: “How you love, honor, pray, support and protect your pastor is a direct gauge to read how your walk with God is at the present time.” If that doesn’t prick your heart - CPR won’t either.

Like Jesus, I have no time for Pharisees but preachers are precious to me. Actually, they are priceless. In ministry, we either get too much credit or not enough and honestly, I dont have the answers how to find the balance. However, I do know that almost all the ministers I know and been blessed to preach for have a deep love for God and compassion for people. Sadly, but some (if not all) at times find themselves empty emotionally, drained physically, weak spiritually and on fumes financially. Ministers are known to give and give and give but (sad but true) feel as if no one either understands them or folks don’t know how to minister to them. A recent survey showed the alarming rate that 87% of senior pastors feel like they don’t have one real friend that they can confide and just be themselves. Yes, it is true that we find only one road to Heaven and that is through faith in Christ but it shouldn’t be a ONE WAY street for our pastors.

My humble request to you this post is to do three things: 1) READ my college friend, Evangelist Clayton King’s blog on PROTECTING YOUR PASTORwww.ClaytonKing.com 2) PRAY to God and ask how you could in the very near future minister to your minister. We have folks that read this blog and my MOTIVATIONAL MINUTE from Kansas to Kenya, La Plata to Los Angeles, Washington, DC to Spokane, Washington, Dunkirk to Dallas, Indiana to Illinois and a few stops in between (no joke) but wherever you are and whoever your pastor may be; please surprise them and bless them. Reach out to them, invite them to dinner, send a gift, pay their utility bill out of the blue one month (some of them are in the red), mow their grass, baby-sit their child(ren) so they may have a date with their spouse. In a nutshell, show some love to the ones who loved you and lead you to Jesus on a daily, monthly, weekly and yearly basis.

They will be shocked, you will be blessed and Jesus will be pleased. No more preachers need to retire prematurely, no more clergy need to die tragically because they felt unloved and Christians can emulate Christ like never before by practicing what their preacher preaches and to love not only the “least” but those who love you the most: Jesus and your pastor. 3) Maybe send them on the cruise I have the privilege to speak on May 30 - June 4, 2011, with CASTING CROWNS, Dr Johnny Hunt, Pastor John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Jason Crabb & others for a much needed PASTOR APPRECIATION gift for some much deserved Rest & Relaxation. Its a tax-deductible gift and they can relax in the Sun while being refreshed in the Son. Contact me directly for more infoFrankmotiv8s@aol.com and CRUISE INFO www.CruisewithaCause.org

Chest of Joash

“Money is everything”

For many people, “money is everything” is more than a statement; it is a fundamental belief. To most folks in today’s world, money is everything. We work hard to amass money in order to acquire those things we most desire. Consider that our parents paid less for houses than what some of us now pay for automobiles!

The modern world is not the only segment of history that has struggled with the implications of money. The implication of making money, the most important segment of our lives, was as real in the days of Jesus as it is today.

In Matthew 19, we read of a young man who came to Jesus seeking the kingdom of God. This young man had high standards for conduct and good moral character – he was good man. Nevertheless, in his discussion with Jesus, our Lord went to the heart of the matter. Jesus called him to sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he owned much property” (vs.22). This young man made the fatal mistake of allowing his money to rule him instead of him ruling it.

In our church, we are now faced with a similar decision. The Lord’s grace to us has been evident; we have truly been blessed beyond measure. But over the last several months, the global economic challenge has come to First Baptist Church Holly Springs and our budget is being stretched.

It is such a tragedy that many who call themselves followers of Christ will, for want of simple obedience in the area of money, spend their lives never having the opportunity to be a participant in an endeavor as meaningful and great as that which is now taking place at First Baptist Church Holly Springs. Just as the young man Jesus called to follow Him in Matthew 19, we are invited to engage the kingdom of God. What will be our response? Will those who come behind us find us faithful to the task? It would be to our shame for the next generation of believers in Holly Springs to look back at us with regret and realize that many were more controlled by that which was in our checking accounts than by that which should have been in our hearts.

God has placed before the people of FBCHS an incredible open door. The staff that God has placed to serve this church is of a caliber of which I have never been a part and it is an incredible blessing to serve alongside this wonderful group of men and women of God. Within each of their hearts, God has placed a vision similar to that God has given your pastor. That vision is to reach men, women, boys and girls for Jesus through new and innovative ministries as well as current ministries of which we are already involved is breathtaking. Nevertheless, in order to continue to grow our existing ministries as well as expand to new ministries each one of us must be involved in the process.

You may be asking yourself the question: “Pastor, this sounds exiting but how do I become a part of the journey?” As your pastor, I want to challenge you to make a spiritual and tangible commitment. This commitment is not between yourself and the church; rather it is a commitment between you and God.

Beginning Sunday, March 28 and continuing through the month of April, we as a church will have an opportunity to focus our prayers and our actions on obedience to the call of God in our finances.

As we prepare for this season, you will want to ask the Lord to give you wisdom, direction and obedience through one or more of the following ways:

1. If you are not currently a consistent, Biblical tither, commit to God, by His grace, to begin being obedient in this area starting now. This is the first step of obedience regarding our personal finances. (The tithe is a tenth of your individual, total gross income. See Malachi 3:10)

2. If you are already a consistent Biblical tither, commit to God, by His grace, to continue to give the tenth and possibly commit to give over and above the tithe (an offering).

3. In addition to being a consistent Biblical tither, you wish to give a one-time gift of whatever the Lord directs you to give in order that the ministries and the organizations of First Baptist church might continue to expand.

Below is a picture of our commitment card we will be using. As your pastor, I would ask that after much prayer, you would come to worship prepared to fill out this card and place it in the “Chest of Joash” (taken from the Biblical account in 2 Chronicles 24:4-13) at the appropriate time during the morning worship services.

On Sunday May 2, during our morning worship service, we will have a praise report as to the number of commitments made and the total amount of the one-time gifts. We ask that you do not put your name on these cards – again this is a commitment between you and God.

God bless you as you seek the Lord and I pray His blessing on you for your obedience. I sincerely pray these days will bring about blessings in your life and the life of this church.

FBCHS Marriage Seminar

Marriage is the most rewarding and yet also the most challenging relationship in your life. Isn’t it worth doing all in your power to help your marriage grow or to lay a solid foundation for a marriage yet to be?

You need to plan to attend the “I Promise” seminar coming to our church on Friday March 12^th and 13th. Our very own Missions Pastor, Dr. Keith Travis, as well as his associate, Steve Dyess, both are nationally certified in PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program). Keith and Steve will be leading this event utilizing this challenging and insightful curriculum. I strongly encourage you to do all you can in order to attend. I also challenge you to bring your lost and unchurched friends as we are praying God use this “bridge event” as an incredible outreach tool to the community.

Tickets for the seminar are $40.00 per couple. The cost includes a steak dinner Friday night, all lessons and materials, breakfast on Saturday morning, as well as childcare. Sign up for yourself and if possible, invest in someone else’s life and/ or marriage by purchasing a ticket for them as well.

You can sign up for this event in one of two ways: by going to the church website www.fbchollysprings.com or by signing up after services on Sunday mornings at the connection table. Please be sure and register as soon as possible so that we can have an accurate count of all involved.

A guy named Bob receives a free ticket to the Superbowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Bob arrives at the stadium he realizes the seat is in the last row in the corner of the stadium - he is closer t the Goodyear blimp than the field. About halfway through the first quarter, Bob notices an empty seat 10 rows off the field right on the fifty yard line. He decides to take a chance and makes his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat. As he sits down he asks the gentleman sitting next to him, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?" The man says no. Now very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, Bob inquires again of the man next to him, "This is incredible! Who in the their right mind would have a seat like this at the Superbowl and not use it?" The man replies, "well, actually, the seat belongs to my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Superbowl we haven't been to together since we got married in 1967. ""Well that;'s really sad," says Bob, "but still, couldn't you find someone to take the seat? A relative or a close friend?" "No" replies the man"they're all at the funeral. Taken from The Christian Weekly

Where Did the Passion Go?

Friends and critics alike said of John Wesley, “You cannot preach in the Church of England. You are too fanatical.” Well, in his day, in the 1700’s, it was heresy to ever preach outside the four walls of a church. He knocked on the door, saying, “Andrews, may I preach here?” “No, you are too radical.” So, he walked outside to where his father was buried, stood on his father’s grave, preached, “You must be born again,” and he looked around, and he said, “Man, this world is big,” and he said the famous line now, “The world is now my parish.”

He and Whitfield took the message outside the church in the first time in centuries, and then he, Wesley, traveled some 250,000 miles on horseback, preached over 40,000 messages, 40,000 sermons, and led some 150,000 people to Christ. Couldn’t do that in one building, could he? He broke some rules.

Where has God placed you to make a difference in carrying out His purpose in you life? You can make a difference!!!