"Plod on! Plod on! Plod on!"

With face book and so many other means of correspondence, and given the fact I haven't posted anything on this site for over a year, I'll probably discover no one is 'out there' anymore. I've been excitingly busy. But, I'm happy my 'busyness' has been about the Kingdom: studying it, preaching it, advancing it, defending it, and preparing for my next 30 years of ministry.

That's right! I'm more excited today about the open doors of opportunity for ministry than I've ever been before. I can hardly wait to see what God will do next...tomorrow, the next day, and the next! Don't get me wrong, I'm living in the present! However, I am greatly anticipating the future, with much hope!

I'm trying to 'live' a message I heard soon after my conversion at the age of 16. (Can you believe I remember a message I heard then?) Anyway, at the time, the Youth Director of the GA District of the A/G, Robert Elliott, who later became the Dean of Men at Southeastern Bible College which is now Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL) emphasized three points in his sermon: "Plod on. Plod on. Plod on."

I give God praise. My youthful mind absorbed his message. I've never forgotten it. So, I'm excited...as I plod. I love plodding! At least, I'm still moving...it speaks of progress; albeit, slow.

Plod on, my friends. The journey is worth it!

A Day of Celebration at The Ministry Center

Today The Ministry Center Advisory Council, led by our Chairperson, Janelle Wade, celebrated the lives that have been touched and transformed during the first four months of operation! What a great team God has assembled at Trinity UMC! How grateful to God we are for this West Campus! Our people truly have a vision to effect lives in practical and measurable ways! The GED (General Educational Development) classes, the School of Music, and the Health and Wholeness components of the Ministry Center are off to a great start. ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) is set to begin in January of 2010. I can't wait to see what God will do next! It was our special treat to have Rev. Ed Dinkins, former pastor of Trinity, and his dear wife, Patsy, as our guest. In addition, our District Superintendent, The Reverend Doctor Sharon Austin, encouraged and challenged us to continue to move forward with great expectations of God's grace! My heart is full!

"Burnin the candle...'

For those of you who've been hitting the site, I apologize for not blogging lately. I've been 'burnin' the candle at both ends' and I haven't given blogging the attention it needs.

A while back I used an over the counter sleep aid (melatonin)--I still use it--its non addictive--to help me fall asleep. I needed more rest and I needed to 'get a jump' on the day, so when I arose at 3:00 A.M. (my normal time is 3:00-4:30...that's A.M.) I decided to drink Red Bull to get me started...you know, the energy drink. Well, my melotonin was usually kickin' in real good by that time, but when I drank the Red Bull, my body was a bit confused! (Go figur...) Anyway, I started developing headaches....Wonder Why? After a while I decided to see the Doc. The Doc asked about my routine....Reluctantly, I confessed. So, the Doc said, "You can keep this up but when you finally crash, it will not be pretty." I changed my routine. I deleted the Red Bull!
Gotta' go!

On my way to a Celebration Luncheon soon for what God has done at our second campus...which you'll hear more about soon....The Sunset Heights Worship & Ministy Center, A Campus of Trinity United Methodist Church. God is truly using the Center to impact the city. But, the best is yet to come!!!! (Check out the miracle of John 2....and see for yourself! God saves "the best for the last." See ya in church tomorrow.

I'm interested....

Hello there! I'm back! No. I've not been on vacation. Neither have I lost interest in communicating with you. I've had quite a bit on my plate...but that's okay! In fact, that's life and life is good. My excitement for life continues at a boiling point. Ministry has never been more fulfilling. It seems that days do not have enough hours to complete their tasks. However, the Good Lord allotted only 24 for each of the 7 (which make a week), so who am I to question this? Anyway, I have have a few questions for you. I look forward to your thoughtful response.

If you've visited Trinity's website, you know that our mission statement is about making disciples. So, here are my questions: 1) What is a disciple and how would you explain this to the person on the street who has absolutely no idea of first century Judaism? 2) In making disciples we are to "win, establish, and equip." What does this mean? In modern day terminology? Consider that you are speaking to a post-modern person, who doesn't have a clue as to the meaning of these words as they relate to discipleship, since they don't know what a disciple is.

Think. Write. Send me your thoughts!
Thanks.

How's your familiarity with the Word?

This morning I decided to recite the books of the Bible again, just to insure I still had the order right in my mind. While knowing that it is most important to know the Lord of the Word, learning the books of the Bible early in my Christian experience was a great help. I found myself much better equipped to handle the Word. For me, such exercise, deepened my familiarity and friendship with my Savior. I discovered that I could find passages of Scripture more easily when in discussion about our Lord and His ways, in addition to verifying truth that my pastors preached from week to week. It's the Minor Prophet section of the Old Testament that stumped me the worst! You know: the Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah grouping of the Old Testament list of what we call, Minor Prophets! So, I encourage you to practice reciting all 66 books of the Bible. Try tackling them 5 at a time. Once you've mastered them, you might even find yourself carrying your Bible to church more often.

Are you integrating your faith into the marketplace?

What a weekend! Henry and Richard Blackaby spoke volumes of truth at the "Impacting Your Marketplace" weekend seminar. The event was held at the Trinkle Center on the HCC campus in Plant City. The crowd was much smaller than expected. I assure you, however, everyone who attended is better for it. God showed up. The Holy Spirit clearly spoke.

Henry's address at the Friday morning breakfast set the stage for a fabulous seminar: there is great need for us to discern the times in which we live. Jesus pointed to his world and cautioned, while religious leaders could observe the sky and predict the weather, they had great difficulty discerning the times in which they lived. Their was a 'disconnect' between the way folks were living and the doctrine of a soon expected Messiah. They missed the Messiah. They lost thier opportunity. They failed to 'seize the day.' (Luke 12:54-59) Many were busy with religion.

What about us? According to Blackaby, God is already moving in judgment upon America. Yet, while many are oblivious to this idea, others reject the possibility altogether. Oh, that the church (you and I) might awaken to the truth that everything our Lord has allowed in our lives up until now is for this hour! We have been strategically placed here by God to be instruments of mercy and witnesses of grace. Do you agree that we are already under judgment? Do you know the times in which we live?

'old' and 'outa shape'

Okay. I know it is often difficult to get into an exercise routine. But, since your body is the only means of transportation to get you from this life to the next, you oughta'. Even if you are 'old' and 'outa shape' you oughta'. You may be a bit overweight, as I am. But, let's be honest. We often use our weight as a flimsy excuse for a sedentary life.

Here's the scoop. This 'old man' just finished a 2 1/2 mile run. From the parsonage, I ran south through the Historic District, up by the library, crossed Baker and Reynolds, ran past City Hall, turned left just past the P.O., circled Sun Trust Bank, then came up Evers, to Calhoun, to Wheeler, to Garden, and back to the parsonage. It's a rather short run. I could have done better had I not eaten 10 wings and a hefty helping of cold slaw an hour before, but I did all right, I guess. I wasn't able to hold to my 4 minute mile, but came close. (Just kidding!) Actually, I've been bothered for a few months with pain in my calves, but now I feel as good as new, thank God! I'm getting back in shape.

After all, I'm supposed to be presenting my body "a living sacrifice." I want be any good to Jane, my family, or the church, if I'm dead. Know what I mean? Oh, I plan to leave a godly legacy, Lord willing. But, I need to take care of myself, and so do you! What's holdin' you back? Wanta' share?

Maybe running is not for you. It probably would not be for me, either, if I had not started 25 years ago. Perhaps you should try walking, or dancing, or biking. How about it?