One Idea Can Save Lives - REALLY!

WHAT WORLD-CHANGING IDEA
IS GOD WANTING TO GIVE YOU????

Here is a statue near Niagara Falls of Nikola Tesla who invented a lot of stuff. I've blogged about him before. This statue, however, was designed to communicate one event in his life when, in January 1881, he was walking with a friend in a city park in Budapest, Hungary. Without warning, he had a vision concerning a design he had been struggling with for an electric motor. In that moment of insight, an idea came to him which he quickly drew in the sand with a stick (hence the stick in the statue). That design would late be the basis for the AC (alternating current) motor which some have said is among the 10 most important inventions of all time (hence the big AC motor in the statue!)! He went on to invent 700 more inventions, including AC electrical current! Your life would be VERY dark if Tesla had not lived!

Now stick with me here. Wednesday night I challenged my church members at prayer meeting to get alone with our Father in prayer and ask Him, "what is ONE thing I can do that I am not currently doing to add to the health of the church as the Body of Christ?" Lately, I've been reminded of the power of the ONE thing when two of our older Sunday School classes decided to start a "little" project of collecting and selling scrap metal to buy fresh water wells in impoverished countries. More people die daily from unsanitary water than any other reason! Some of our kids have helped out in the collection effort, too! In less than a year, they have collected enough money ($10,000) to dig three wells! They then continued the drive to raise money for a much-needed piano for the sanctuary and carpet for our nursery...ALL FROM ONE IDEA!

So, what ONE thing can you do to impact your church and your world for Christ? Don't underestimate the power of one idea! It was one idea that gave us electrical power in our homes; and another idea turned junk into water for those who need it most! So, go ahead, pray and let God ignite your imagination! Then watch out....something's going to happen!!!

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE...HERE IS THE COLUMN I WROTE ON THE SUBJECT FOR THIS WEEK'S CHURCH NEWSLETTER:

WHAT IS JUST ONE THING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE OUR CHURCH FAMILY HEALTHIER? Here’s an exercise that might help you to understand. Inhale…but DON’T exhale…inhale some more….but DON’T exhale…inhale some more…but DON’T exhale! Now how long could you keep that up? Eventually your body would force you to exhale, because the body needs to take air in, but it also needs to get air out. If you keep breathing in and holding your breath, eventually you’d pass out and your body would force the issue.

Erwin McManus, pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, used this illustration in a sermon I recently heard to drive home an important point about the danger of always taking in the blessings of God without ever passing them on to others, especially to those who don’t know Christ. For the Body of Christ to be healthy, each part must breathe in spiritual nourishment (Bible study, worship, discipleship, fellowship) and breath out blessings on others (through evangelism and ministry). With a year of higher than normal losses of members who have gone to be with the Lord, and with the continuing tendency of the young to move out of Denmark after graduation, it is more important than ever that we pay attention to the health of our church family.

Last night I challenged those in our Wednesday night prayer meeting (By the way, you’re missing some mighty fine fellowship if you’re missing Wednesday nights!) to ask themselves, “what ONE thing can I do to contribute to the health of my church family?” This is not something you need to share with me, but something you need to get on knees about with our Father. Each of us need to ask Him, “Father what do you want me to do to bless the Body of Christ here in Denmark?”

I have been amazed by what a simple idea like collecting scrap metal has done for our fellowship. Less than a year after our Dessie Stedman and Jim Tant Sunday School classes started this simple project, we have enough money for up to three wells to bring life and health (and an opportunity to hear the gospel!) to possibly thousands of people. Enough money has been collected also to help buy our new piano, and to put toward new carpet in the daycare. That is the power of just one “what can I do to help” idea. What idea is waiting in your mind? What idea is our Father waiting to put into action in your life to bless our church family that we might be a blessing and witness to the people of our community and even the world?

As I said Wednesday night, Christ did not die so we could sit in the stands like fans at a football game yelling our instructions to the team on the field as to how WE want them to play the game for OUR enjoyment. No, Christ died so that we could be on the field, and share in the victory. And this is NO game, but a war with very high stakes…literally the souls of man. No expense was spared to rescue those thirty-three Chilean miners last week, and Chile and the world agreed that an estimated one million dollars per miner as a cost of the rescue attempt was not too high. If that is true, what should each of us be willing to sacrifice or willing to do to join our Father’s Spirit as He is on a rescue mission, convicting and drawing people to Christ. No joy can compare with the victory of being a part of someone coming to know Christ, and you can’t get that joy from sitting in the stands.

So seek the gifts our Father wants to give you, but remember Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:12: “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” If you love our church family, I implore you to pray earnestly to the Father to show you, to empower you, and to equip you to do that ONE thing you’re not doing to contribute to the health of His church here in Denmark. If God can save thousands of people through the one idea of turning scrap metal into clean water, what is He waiting to do through you?

Different, Not Less

"Different, not less!" That's how the mom of Dr. Temple Grandin described her daughter with regards to growing up with autism. Just watched the DVD about this amazing woman's life. She is a brilliant person with autism. Along her journey, people thought she should be ignored or worse, disgarded, but she is a professor and worldwide speaker on autism and animal handling. Her story is inspiring, and reminds me of how careful we need to be about dismissing people according to our quick judgments. Dr. Temple Grandin's life is a testimony to the power of hope. How thankful we all should be for the gift God gives us people who are "different, not less." Here is the trailer for the film:

Wow, I'm Published....Sort Of...

A friend of mine on Facebook had a picture of a church published last week on a www.sciway.net, a pretty comprehensive site on all kinds of SC information (great reference if you know someone coming to SC for a vacation). Her FB post encouraged me to submit a picture of my church, and they actually posted it! Now people can find out that Denmark, SC, does indeed exist! Click here and find out a unique relationship the First Baptist Church of Denmark and Clemson University!
http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/bamberg-county/denmark-first-baptist-church.html

Thanks to Our Father for Making Me A Country Parson

I found this bulletin yesterday, one day after the 18th anniversary of my church voting to call me as pastor, and two days after they honored me at a special service on Sunday morning. My how time flies....I mean how it REALLY flies! This coming April will mark 24 years since I came to Denmark as the church's youth and education and associate pastor.

I am grateful that my Father would allow me the privilege of being a country parson, because that is what I am. The service reminded me of just how much my Father has given me out of His grace and love. I have never deserved the privilege He and my church family has given me of ministering in this town for almost a quarter of a century. Most pastors (statistically speaking) don't stay put in a church for this long, but that means that most pastors don't get to know their people as well as I do. Most pastors don't get to honor high school graduates who he first saw on the days they were born. Most pastors don't get to perform weddings for church members who they first saw on the days they were born.

This summer, in particular, has been extraordinary in its depth of experience. I have officiated at six funerals, assisted in another, went to two more (including the tragic death of one of most beloved day care workers), officiated at two weddings, went to three graduations, spent a week on a mission trip with some of my college students, welcomed a new baby, celebrated 1st birthdays for two more, took pictures at a 90th birthday party, and helped a couple celebrate 60 years of marriage. All this occurred since the first of June.

Am I exhausted? Yes. Am I grateful? YES! Even in tiny, little Denmark, every day there are multiple opportunities to see my Father at work in so many ways...on the mountain tops of joy, and in the valleys of grief and heartache. I have prayed with many people this summer who are grieving the loss of loved ones....and when I say "loved" ones, I mean it. It is a sacred honor to be with brothers and sisters in Christ at those times when they are having to say good-bye to someone they love. It's hard to explain how much I value those conversations with people this summer who knew their time was coming to leave, and how ready they were, and how much they were trusting in the promises of Christ., and how willing they were to tell others. Seeing their peace encouraged me again and again.

This past Sunday was extremely encouraging, too. Those planning the pastor appreciation day knew how awkward it is for me to sit and listen to "appreciation," and they made sure the emphasis was on worshiping our Savior, not me. The speakers, musicians, soloists, choir, and those participating in the children's sermon (entitled: "Things You Don't Know About Andy") encouraged their pastor more than they'll ever know.

So for anyone from my First Baptist Family reading this, THANK YOU for allowing me the great privilege of being your pastor and friend these many years. THANK YOU for allowing me to journey with you through life as we seek to follow Christ. I can think of no better ending words than those of Paul in Phillipians 1:3-6: "I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Happy Birthday Kelly

Garrett Doss has implored all friends of his wonderful wife Kelly to find and send pictures celebrating the completion of her fourth decade on planet Earth!!! Happy 40th Kelly! Enjoy your day with your true love...you know...the guy in the picture! Have a TITANIC Birthday (without the sinking, of course!!!!!)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

How to Remember 9/11...

It's 8:47 am, Saturday, September 11th..one minute after the exact time that the north tower of the World Trade Center was hit nine years ago by American Airlines Flight 11. The news just had a special report concerning the moment of silence at 8:46 to remember that first impact. Other moments of silence will be observed throughout the morning.

• 9:03 am (United Airlines Flight 175 striking the south tower of the WTC)
• 9:37 am (American Airlines Flight 77 striking the Pentagon)
• 10:03 am (United Airlines Flight 93 crashing near Shanksville, PA after the passengers fought to regain control of the plane which would have been used for another attack...probably on the Capitol or the White House.)

Other moments worth pausing to remember include the collapse of the south tower (9:59 am) and the north tower (10:28 am).

Almost 3,000 people lost their lives that day, plus another 6,000 injured...make that "physically" injured...10,000's more family members and friends of the victims were forever injured on that day. So what do we do now?

Romans 12:21 is a simple, powerful compass for anyone seeking to respond wisely to evil: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Here is how one American, Kevin Tuerff, president of EnviroMedia in Texas, remembers Sept. 11th.

For more information on this company's annual 9/11 "Pay It Forward" emphasis, go to: http://www.enviromedia.com/enviroblog/?tag=pay-it-forward

September 11th, 2001 was a horrible day in the history of our nation, but the evil of the hijackers and those aiding them did NOT destroy our capacity to overcome evil with good. So let us remember those whose lives were cut tragically short, by not wasting our lives or our freedom on human selfishness. Let us not imitate the terrorist by becoming intolerant and guided by hate, but more like the good people of Gander (and so many others in our nation and around the world who poured out compassion and love in the days following the tragedy), by being kind to whoever we can. Wait, isn't that a part of what love is (I Cor. 13:4) and part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)?

How complicated is kindness? How many doors can it open? How many people can it "deflect" to magnify its impact (like with Kevin Tuerf!)? How many bridges can it build so people can find the ultimate kindness of God through Christ? (1 John 3:16)

So remember 9/11! But may we all join together to overcome the evil of that day with love and kindness whenever and wherever we get the opportunity!

P.S. For those who have never heard the story of little Gander, Newfoundland, Canada (pop:10,000) and the extraordinary kindness shown to over 6,500 stranded airline passengers during the week of 9/11, here it is....

Be Honest...

Hmmm...I wonder whose car this is!? Be honest...do you think the driver is "too geeky?" If you have any clue as to who this guy is, just pray for him! I'm reminded of Luke 10:38-41: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Well, at least the car was parked, and he didn't try to take the picture "in transit!"

Don't Fall For The World's Deception!

I haven't seen the latest Shrek movie, but I do like this clip as Donkey is tempted the bait in a trap...WAFFLES!


Okay, so what's the deal? Well, here's the "deal"....really...it was a deal...about half off at Amazon, and given my new desire to eat healthy (did I mention I've lost 35lbs this summer?), I had to get this grill...

Wow! Five interchangeable (and therefore easily washable) plates! It was perfect for someone transitioning to a healthier diet. Imagine the joy I had when my treasure arrived from Amazon this past Friday. I open the box and carefully slid out the main unit and then started the "plate extraction" process. Oh, there were five plates in the box BUT FOUR OF THEM WERE FOR MAKING WAFFLES!!!!!! Donkey would have thought it a bonus! I then decided to find something good about this mistake and decided to use it for my children's sermon this past Sunday.

I brought the box, gave them the buildup and then began to take out the plates. At the third waffle plate, there was laughter....and a deacon shouted "You get what you pay for!"... more laughter.

I warned the kids (like Shrek warned Donkey in the clip)...don't fall for the promises of the world. I asked, "have you ever gotten a toy that didn't seem quite as good or exciting as it did in a TV commercial?" Heads started shaking. Yep, they knew already...and then I reminded them that God isn't into false advertising and that He always tells us what is right and what is true and that we need to trust Him above everyone and everything else. So be careful out there! Don't fall for the world's trap, no matter how tasty something might seem! Don't be a donkey and believe every promise the world makes, no matter how "tasty" it may seem! Oh, and the George Foreman people are sending the missing plates... until then....waffles anyone?

Sittin' in the Dark on a Sunday Morning!

Good morning everyone! It’s 6:21 am and I’m sitting in the church office where I’ve been since just before six setting up to put finishing touches on my sermon/Sunday School lesson/children’s sermon. I awoke this morning at 4:40 and a mere two minutes later my electricity went out. I looked out the window and saw that everyone else had lights so I took a quick shower (hot water only retains its heat so long) and headed to the church. I called the electric company. I very nice lady answered and said a limb was down and they were fixing it. I asked her if that meant the power here at the church might be interrupted it.

An…..WAIT…THE STORY JUST GOT BETTER….I was just scared out of my skin by someone banging on the window a mere three feet in front of me! It was my church member (and deacon!) who is on my alarm list who was called by the alarm company when the power went out! He had been at my house trying to get me up and was circling the church when he saw a dim, mysterious glow from the church office. I’m glad no inappropriate words were screamed at his knock! Sitting in a dark, big old church in the dark is creepy enough!

Anyway, what I was saying is that as the lady from the power company was assuring me that there would be no interruption of service….mid-sentence the power at the church went off, so here I sit wasting valuable battery life (two hours remaining) blogging about my early Sunday adventure…which is continuing the theme of this roller coaster summer in a little town where exciting drama is always in the making! May you all have a blessed power-filled day of worship, joy, celebration, air-conditioning, and electricity! Oh, and God bless all power employees hard at work at all hours of the night in all kinds of conditions making life comfortable for the rest of us, often at the risk of their own lives!

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

Live in the Light!

What Upsets You? Make Sure It's Not YOU!

I have found in life that often the things that upset us are things of our own making, and/or our perspective. Here a dog seems to think the water is alive, and he attacks, but also contributes to its movement toward him. Maybe he's upset because he can't control this strange "flow." Maybe he really is crazy. Still, it reminds us all whenever we get upset to first stop and ask ourselves, "what am I contributing to this situation?" "Is this something God wants me to get upset over?" "What do I get for being this upset?" So be careful when attacked by a stream of water in the sand...it maybe be just a stream of water. Relax, reflect, response, rejoice!