A.D. Building Demolished

We have all heard of the fire that devastated Southwestern Christian College in January. Prayers have been made and answers are being given. They have began to tear down in order to build up. Here are some of the pics of the demolished building.

Destiny Matters

Brother David Jones, Minister of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ, in Nashville Tennessee is our guest preacher for our Spring Revival. It's only Monday, but I'm hyped by his message.

He is looking at the book of Hebrews in order to encourage faithfulness in the life of the believer. I asked him to do so in an effort to regain some who have fallen away, help those faithful to increase in steadfastness and help us understand the mind of the backslider.

One of the many great thoughts from yesterday was from the concept of choices. We know that God has made us free moral agents with the ability to chose. God in His sovereign will has given us the ability and responsibility to choose whatever we want. Whether to be right or wrong, blessed or cursed, wise or foolish. Of course we choose the consequences of those decisions as well.

While explaining this he began speaking about roads. Good roads lead to good things, while bad roads lead to bad things. Simple yet profound in the context of decision making. But wait, it gets better. There are good things that happen on a bad road, but they only last for a season before you arrive at a bad destination. Likewise, there are bad things that happen on a good road, but they only last a season before you arrive at a good destination.

Application - Don't determine your path based on seasonal pleasures or temporary pains. Choose where you are going, not what you go through. Destiny matters.

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)."

Blogger Been Busy

It's been a long time, but the Brooklynite preacher is back. Got a lot to catch up on.

Spent a few days in Myrtle Beach with the fam. Had a good time with the Wilson party-of-five. Nice hotel, great scenery and a lot of things to do.

A highlight of the trip was our stop in Durham NC. We dropped in to see our friends at the Southside Church of Christ and had a blast. William Stephens and the congregation treated us so nice it made me blush.

Played golf with the S.S. crew and the star of the show was Brian Moss, aka - Big Little. He spanked that ball like he was playing for money. I didn't stand a chance. He was an inspiration. I did tie Brother Stephens though, but he had a bad game against my regular. Oh yeah, Brother Matthis was there too...................

Thanks again Durham. I thank God you're only an eight hour drive away.

Growing Conditions

It's sowing time!!! Time to till the soil, fertilize it, smooth it out and drop some seeds. Ohhh, I can't wait to start growing some veggies. Yet wait I must.

Even though it's springtime, it is still too cold. The day temps may get up to fifty or so, but the nights drop down to the low thirties. Not good for new growth. Needs to get a little warmer for the conditions to be right for growth. (That's why the front room of my house looks like a plant nursery.)

The same thing works in life as well. Growth is a response to the right conditions. The environment can excel, retard or impede one's development. For instance, tomato plants will still grow through a touch of frost, but it will struggle through the season and produce a few small tomatoes. Best to wait till the end of May.

My veggies need nutritious soil, moderate warmth, 6-8 hours of sunlight and balanced moisture. If the seed meets up with these conditions it responds by growing. It's not magic, not even science, it's designed that way by God, the Original Grower.

In like manner our lives grow in response to the right conditions. Physically, you need healthiness, cleanliness, rest and security. Mentally, you need insight, positivity, challenges and relaxation. Emotionally, you need acceptance, association and appreciation. Spiritually you need God.

Often, we want to force growth. We read 'how to' books, and listen to accomplished people to do what they do or do what they tell us. But the fact is, you can't make something grow, you can only place it in the right environment.

I wish preaching could make my veggies grow. If so, I would put in a good three hours a day, screaming and hollering in the back. But preaching doesn't help veggies. It barely helps... well, never-mind.

"I planted, Appollos watered; but God gave the increase (I Cor. 3:6)."

"For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessings from God (Heb. 6:7)."