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!!!

Passion for People

As I think about yesterdays message concerning the woman at the well from John chapter 4 I cannot help but be challenged by the passionate faith she launched into. This woman, after a brief meeting with the Lord Jesus, became a Christ follower, and began to tell the world about the change that had taken place in her life.

As I pondered this encounter again today, I could not help but ask myself if I am one who truly makes it known to those I come into contact with on a daily basis that I am a Christ Follower. I challenged you to ask yourself the same question and join me in realigning the areas of your life to emulate the new found faith and passion of this woman. God do it in my life today.

40 Days of Purpose Days 20 & 21

Day 20 - Restoring Broken Fellowship

Relationships are always worth restoring!

“If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you … Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.” Philippians 2:1-2 (Msg)

Because life is all about learning how to love, God wants us to value relationships and make the effort to maintain them instead of discarding them whenever there is a rift, a hurt, or a conflict.

Paul taught that our ability to get along with others is a mark of spiritual maturity. If you want God’s blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker. Here are seven Biblical steps to restoring fellowship:

1. Talk to God before talking to the person.

2. Always take the initiative.

3. Sympathize with their feelings.

4. Confess your part of the conflict.

5. Attack the problem, not the person.

6. Cooperate as much as possible.

7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.

Who do you need to contact as a result of reading this today? With whom do you need to restore fellowship? Don’t delay another second. Pause right now and talk to God about that person. Then pick up the phone and begin the process.

It takes a lot of effort to restore a relationship. That’s why Peter urged, “Work hard at living in peace with others.” 1 Peter 3:11 (NLT)

But when you work for peace, you are doing what God would do. That’s why God calls peacemakers his children.

Pastor Phil

Day 21 - Protecting Your Church

It is your job to protect the unity of your church!

Unity is the soul of fellowship. Destroy it, and you rip the heart out of Christ’s Body. It is the essence, the core, of how God intends for us to experience life together in his church.

In his final moments before being arrested, Jesus prayed passionately for our unity. It was our unity that was uppermost in his mind during those agonizing hours. That shows how significant this subject is. Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than his church. He paid the highest price for it, and he wants it protected, especially from the devastating damage that is caused by division, conflict, and disharmony.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

How are we to do this? The Bible gives us practical advice:

- Focus on what we have in common, not our differences.

- Be realistic in your expectations. Choose to encourage rather than criticize.

- Refuse to listen to gossip.

- Practice God’s method for conflict resolution.

- And most importantly, support your pastor and leaders.

What are you doing personally to make your church family more warm and loving? There are many people in your community who are looking for love and a place to belong. The truth is, everyone needs and wants to be loved, and when people find a church where members genuinely love and care for each other, you would have to lock the doors to keep them away.

Pastor Phil