Ministry Team

It is 8:23 on a Monday morning and I am preparing for a lengthy staff meeting. We will not only handle the normal staff meeting items but will also begin to do some advanced planning on a major Bridge event that will take place in the the Fall. As I was planning the agenda earlier this morning I reflected on the staff ministry team that God has put together for HDBC. It is truly a great team. Each member of the team brings a unique set of gifts, a particular perspective, and creative ideas for ministry. I am so thankful for the privilege to work with each person on our team. So, thanks team, for all you do for the Kingdom.

New Sermon Series

This Sunday morning I will begin a 7-part sermon series examining word pictures of Jesus. Join us at 8:30 or 10:45 as we begin this exciting study of the word pictures that Jesus used to describe Himself.

I have been reading David Jeremiah's newest book, What in the World is Going On. It is a great book dealing with prophetic events that will be clear signs that we are living in the last days. Whether or not Jesus will come during our lifetime is not for me to know. But this much I do know. We are a day closer to His coming than we were yesterday. Today . . . tomorrow . . . or a hundred years from now . . . the important point is to be ready. I have no fear because I know I have put my faith in Him. He knows me personally and has forgiven my sins.

Therefore, I join with John in praying even so, come Lord Jesus.

Father's Day

It was a joy to celebrate Father's Day once again yesterday. Not only was I able to speak with my own father, but was also able to spend time with two of my three daughters. Julie and Jana joined us for some pizza on Sunday night and had a great time. Joy would have been here, but her ministry responsibilities in Fayetteville kept her from being able to come. I am so blessed to have three wonderful girls who have all grown into beautiful adults. One of the great joys of my life is my relationship to these incredibly diverse individuals whom God chose to bless Jan and I with. It is so much fun to reflect on the memories of their childhood. And it brings a great sense of contentment to see the kind of adults they have become. I am blessed that Julie, Joy and Jana call me dad.

Centrifuge

It is Wednesday evening and our youth group has now been at Ridgecrest Conference Center for Centrifuge Camp for about 48 hours. Boy, we have packed a lot in during that time. Our students have played disc golf, soccer, battle ball, basketball, whiffle ball, kick ball and ultimate frisbee. Some have learned to juggle, take pictures, do duct tape art, and many more things. They are all involved in small group Bible studies and are participating in activities that they have chosen because of personal interest.

We begin each morning with The AM Show. This is a high energy get-the-day started rally for all youth. Big Daddy Weave is leading the worship, so it is great. Following The AM Show, students enjoy planned recreation. After rec, they have group Bible studies and then break for lunch. Following lunch they participate in track times that interest them. Each evening we have large group worship, church devotion times, and Night Life. Night Life is a high energy time of fun and competition. After a litte more free time, we are all in our rooms at 11 p.m.

Well, that is a short summary of each day. It is hard to describe the facilities. The camp center is located on the side of a beautiful mountain. The scenery is great. The downside is that every thing is either uphill or downhill from where you are at any given time. All the rec fields are way up the mountain. The students and adults are getting some great exercise just walking from place to place. Chris Leggett and I even climbed to Rattlesnake Summit, a snaky trail that winds three miles up the mountain from the camp. We're still feeling the burn in our legs. But the view was worth it.

Apart from some rain, everything is going great. The students are doing well and God is working. The adult volunteers are wonderful. Please continue to pray that God will speak to hearts and that we will finish strong.

Good Intentions

I had good intentions of blogging every day during Vacation Bible School just to keep everyone up to date. Oh well, it is now Thursday and I have only blogged about Bible School one day. Tuesday has been our high attendance day with 137 kids. Enthusiasm remains incredibly high for workers and kids as we are rapidly approaching the end of the week. God is working in the lives of these precious children and also in the lives of our workers as well. What a blessing it is to impact these sweet children.

Bible School - Day 1

HDBC Vacation Bible School began this morning. We enjoyed having 112 children for our first day. I am especially proud of our workers and leaders, who have done a fabulous job. The kids are having a great time and learning some important truths from God's Word. Looking forward to tomorrow.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

I listened to President Obama's speech before an audience in Egypt this morning. And while I applaud his efforts to bring people and nations together I believe he is somewhat naive. He is holding out the proverbial olive branch to anyone willing to talk. That sounds good. However, history and human nature tell me that there are some who will not only reject the overture, but will also use it to their advantage. Evil people, regimes and philosophies refuse to play (or fight) by any rules. For many of our enemies there is simply no common ground. No coming together. No compromise.

So, what do we do? As believers we must be faithful to pray for our president and those who advise him. We must pray for those who are charged with the responsibility of keeping our nation safe. We must pray for our troops who are in harms way. And ultimately we must trust the sovereign God who has never lost control for one second. He is God! And because He is . . . we can live in peace and security. If my understanding of the Biblical teachings about future events is correct it will get worse before it gets better. But God has written the final chapter and He will make sure that His will is completely and perfectly fulfilled.

So, be strong and of good courage. God is on His throne!

17 Years and Counting

Seventeen years ago today I was enjoying my first official day in the office as pastor of HDBC. Jana was 3, Joy was preparing for kindergarten and Julie was planning to be a student at SAC in the fall. My weight was lighter and my hair was darker. I was driving a 1986 silver Toyota truck. I later sold it after it had over 220,000 miles. We moved into our very first house on Patriot Circle and began to settle in as your new pastor.

Now, seventeen years later two of our three daughters are married and we have a wonderful grandson. As I look at the faces each Sunday morning I am thrilled to see how God has brought so many people into the church and how He has challenged and matured so many who were already here. God has done some great things during these years, but I truly believe the best is yet to come. Jan and I love serving alongside each of you and count it a great privilege to be here. Thanks for being a great church and for loving us like you do.

Lord willing, I'm hoping for another seventeen years (or more), all to His glory.