This morning I want to express my appreciation to a core group of men who meet each Thursday morning to focus on praying for our church, our community and our world. Many of these men have made it a regular part of their Thursday morning to be at the church from 6:30 to 7:00 to engage in one of life's great privileges. Each week we are blessed to enter into a sweet time of fellowship with the one who created us, and to bring needs and concerns to Him. I look forward to these special times. Men, your faithfulness is not only encouraging but also inspiring. Keep it up guys! God moves when we pray.
Johnny
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Monday Morning Anti-Blues
Sometimes people talk about the "Monday morning blues." There are no "blues" in my heart this Monday morning. I am so excited about the way the Lord blessed in our church yesterday. There was a great sense of excitement over our "One Mission, One World" focus.
I am so grateful to Jerry and Armentia Adams for their hard work and persistence in helping to keep us focused on missions and evangelism. Only God knows the ultimate value of their leadership. I am also thankful to all the volunteers who work alongside them: E-team leaders and members, other staff members and so many other volunteers who give time and energy to our global evangelism efforts.
I also want to commend our small group leaders for doing such a great job of making our small groups effective. Our groups are not only growing in numbers, but also in relationships and spiritual maturity. We were blessed to have 271 in small groups yesterday morning. God knows each one by name and cares passionately about them. Through our small groups we will have an opportunity to know and ministry to them as well.
I + I = E. It's working!
Johnny
I am so grateful to Jerry and Armentia Adams for their hard work and persistence in helping to keep us focused on missions and evangelism. Only God knows the ultimate value of their leadership. I am also thankful to all the volunteers who work alongside them: E-team leaders and members, other staff members and so many other volunteers who give time and energy to our global evangelism efforts.
I also want to commend our small group leaders for doing such a great job of making our small groups effective. Our groups are not only growing in numbers, but also in relationships and spiritual maturity. We were blessed to have 271 in small groups yesterday morning. God knows each one by name and cares passionately about them. Through our small groups we will have an opportunity to know and ministry to them as well.
I + I = E. It's working!
Johnny
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sweet Sounds
Hutch is expanding his vocabulary on a daily basis. He is now saying his own names (Hutch and Bristow), ketchup, sucker ball (suckers), ready, basketball, shoot the ball, dunk the ball, and a whole host of other words. It is so much fun to watch and listen as he is in that stage where he tries to mimic almost everything he hears.
So, I am trying to take full advantage of this window of opportunity. Whenever I am around him I say things like Go Bulldogs, just as often as I can. I know I am fighting an uphill battle but I am working hard to influence him into being a Mississippi State bulldog fan. I may lose the battle, but I at least I will go down swinging. By the way, if you love your pastor you will refrain from calling the hogs around Hutch for the next few months (make that years). I would not want him to be confused about where his loyalties need to be.
Regardless of the content of his words, it is just a pleasure to listen to that sweet little voice. Life is a gift from God . . . and what a precious gift it is. Oh, and did I mention the most important words that he is now saying? Papa J and Mama J. It doesn't get much better than that!
Johnny
So, I am trying to take full advantage of this window of opportunity. Whenever I am around him I say things like Go Bulldogs, just as often as I can. I know I am fighting an uphill battle but I am working hard to influence him into being a Mississippi State bulldog fan. I may lose the battle, but I at least I will go down swinging. By the way, if you love your pastor you will refrain from calling the hogs around Hutch for the next few months (make that years). I would not want him to be confused about where his loyalties need to be.
Regardless of the content of his words, it is just a pleasure to listen to that sweet little voice. Life is a gift from God . . . and what a precious gift it is. Oh, and did I mention the most important words that he is now saying? Papa J and Mama J. It doesn't get much better than that!
Johnny
Monday, April 28, 2008
New Partnerships?
As I write this blog entry I am in a hotel room in Wichita, Kansas. Jerry, Armentia and I are here on a "vision" trip to pursue possible partnerships in this area in planting new churches. This could be a great opportunity for many members of HDBC to participate in short-term projects that will make a difference in the Kingdom of God. A team to drive to the area in one day, work for several days, then drive home. The costs would be minimal and the results eternal.
Tonight we will attend banquet and meet the folks who are already working in this area. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will tour the region. On Wednesday we travel home. We are praying for the Lord to give discernment and clear direction as we seek His will in this matter. I am looking forward to seeing how God may want Highland Drive to be involved in this part of His world. I'll let you know how it goes.
Blessings,
Johnny
Tonight we will attend banquet and meet the folks who are already working in this area. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will tour the region. On Wednesday we travel home. We are praying for the Lord to give discernment and clear direction as we seek His will in this matter. I am looking forward to seeing how God may want Highland Drive to be involved in this part of His world. I'll let you know how it goes.
Blessings,
Johnny
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Count 'em
Last Sunday night I had the privilege of speaking at a banquet for Heber Springs Baptist Church. It was a kick-off banquet for a capital campaign designed to raise funds for a new building. Because our church recently completed a similar campaign, they wanted to me to share a testimony. It caused me to go back and review some things related to our own experience. That was truly a blessing. I needed to be reminded of some of the ways God has blessed us in the last few years.
I shared with the church in Heber Springs how God led us to enter a major building project at a time when we had experienced budget shortfalls for four consecutive years and when we had absolutely no money in the bank for a new building. From a financial standpoint, it was not a smart time to build. However, we do not base our decisions on finances but on our absolute trust in God.
Once again we discovered just how faithful God is. Here are just a few of the ways God blessed us throughout the process of expanding our facilities.
Our pledges to the building exceeded our Victory Goal by 24%.
At the end of 2007, 86% of the money pledged had been given.
Many people have met their pledges, but continue to give.
In 2006 and 2007 we exceeded our MAPs (budgets).
We have developed a children's playground and coffee shop.
We have added ministerial staff.
We paid cash for a new roof.
We have added landscaping.
We have purchased a new van.
In addition to all of these practical blessings, we have seen God add many individuals and families to our church.
I know this post went a little long . . . but it is hard to find a stopping point when recounting the blessings of God. What a joy it is to "count 'em" often.
Johnny
I shared with the church in Heber Springs how God led us to enter a major building project at a time when we had experienced budget shortfalls for four consecutive years and when we had absolutely no money in the bank for a new building. From a financial standpoint, it was not a smart time to build. However, we do not base our decisions on finances but on our absolute trust in God.
Once again we discovered just how faithful God is. Here are just a few of the ways God blessed us throughout the process of expanding our facilities.
Our pledges to the building exceeded our Victory Goal by 24%.
At the end of 2007, 86% of the money pledged had been given.
Many people have met their pledges, but continue to give.
In 2006 and 2007 we exceeded our MAPs (budgets).
We have developed a children's playground and coffee shop.
We have added ministerial staff.
We paid cash for a new roof.
We have added landscaping.
We have purchased a new van.
In addition to all of these practical blessings, we have seen God add many individuals and families to our church.
I know this post went a little long . . . but it is hard to find a stopping point when recounting the blessings of God. What a joy it is to "count 'em" often.
Johnny
Monday, April 21, 2008
Spiritual Darkness
As I write this entry I am in a hotel in the Little Rock area. I spent the day in a missions conference focusing on Central and Eastern Europe. It was an eye-opener. Though that part of the world has experienced liberation from communism, it remains in spiritual darkness. Though there are believers in each country, their numbers are very few. There are thousands of towns and villages with no real access to the truth about salvation.
We are anticipating a project in that part of the world later this year. I know the Lord has some great things in store for the team which He will assemble, as well as for the people with whom we will come into contact.
Congratulations to Jason and our youth ministry on a great silent auction. Though I was unable to be present, I have heard great reports. Thanks to the church for being so supportive of this important area in our church.
Blessings,
Johnny
We are anticipating a project in that part of the world later this year. I know the Lord has some great things in store for the team which He will assemble, as well as for the people with whom we will come into contact.
Congratulations to Jason and our youth ministry on a great silent auction. Though I was unable to be present, I have heard great reports. Thanks to the church for being so supportive of this important area in our church.
Blessings,
Johnny
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Look Out Branson
We have 28 ladies from our church traveling to Branson over the weekend to attend the "Women of Joy" conference. Not only will they experience great worship and Bible study, but the fellowship will be sweet. I am sure they will manage to squeeze in some shopping while in that vacation mecca of the south. I'm excited to see our women's ministries growing.
Our ladies Bible studies have been very successful and strategic. Lives are being changed because of them. I recently learned that a group of our younger ladies have begun a ministry to stay-at-home moms with the hope that it will not only minsiter to HDBC ladies, but also to many who are not already involved in a church. It is thrilling to see how God is leading so many of our members to begin and lead creative new ministries.
I am getting positive feed-back on our current sermons series, Friends. It will go through the month of April. On May 11, I will begin a new series, Mythbusters: Exploring the Parent Traps. Come join us for this series on parenting.
Johnny
Our ladies Bible studies have been very successful and strategic. Lives are being changed because of them. I recently learned that a group of our younger ladies have begun a ministry to stay-at-home moms with the hope that it will not only minsiter to HDBC ladies, but also to many who are not already involved in a church. It is thrilling to see how God is leading so many of our members to begin and lead creative new ministries.
I am getting positive feed-back on our current sermons series, Friends. It will go through the month of April. On May 11, I will begin a new series, Mythbusters: Exploring the Parent Traps. Come join us for this series on parenting.
Johnny
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