God is a god of fresh starts and new beginnings. I've said that hundreds of times over the years. Sometimes in the context of a sermon and other times in an intimate counseling setting. There are times when we just need to be reminded of that fact. When you look at the pattern of God's activity you will see that new beginnings are built into every area of creation.
Every 24 hours we get to start a new day. Every seven days we get to start a new week. Every thirty days (or so) we get to start a new month. Every 365 years (or in the case of 2012, 366 days) we get to start a new year. God has designed all of creation around cycles which provide multiple opportunities for fresh starts and new beginnings. What a blessing! No wonder Solomon wrote "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven . . ." He then proceeded to offer examples of the way life runs in cycles.
Today it is January 2, 2012. One day is past. 365 are yet to be lived. Each one provides a wonderful opporunity for a new beginning. This keeps life fresh and interesting. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing what each of those days will hold.
Father, I praise You as the ultimate Creator. Thank you for being a God of fresh starts and new beginnings.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Monday, December 19, 2011
Christmas Music and Movies
We are less that one week away from Christmas Day. That means I am in full-Christmas mode. And that means the Christmas music is playing non-stop and the Christmas movies are being watched. Although I have watched fewer by this time than in previous years. Joy comes home tonight, so we'll be catching up on the movies. Some of my favorites include, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, The Christmas Wish, The Santa Clause (1,2 and 3), Christmas With the Kranks, Polar Express, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Home Alone (1 and 2), Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Carol (George C Scott version) . . . well, you get the point. I'm sure I will think of an obvious one that I left out after I publish this blog.
Watching Christmas movies takes time and focus. Maybe this is why I am a bit behind this year. It has been a busy season. Listening to Christmas music is another thing entirely. I can listen to music and do almost anything. Therefore, the music stays on most of the time. I love the classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and so many others. I also enjoy the Christmas music of Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Big Daddy Weave, Casting Crowns, Third Day and MercyMe. This year I have added some new artists to my Christmas play lists; Straight No Chaser, Dave Barnes, Lady Antebellum, Rosie Thomas, Taylor Swift and Michael Bublé
Could you have Christmas without the music and movies? Absolutely. But I surely do enjoy those two aspects of Christmas. It's Monday of Christmas week. I am looking forward to HDBC's annual Christmas Eve Service this Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. and the Christmas day worship service at 10:15 a.m. At the heart of it all is the worship of the Son of God. What a blessing to join with other believers as we worship the King.
Merry Christmas!
Watching Christmas movies takes time and focus. Maybe this is why I am a bit behind this year. It has been a busy season. Listening to Christmas music is another thing entirely. I can listen to music and do almost anything. Therefore, the music stays on most of the time. I love the classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and so many others. I also enjoy the Christmas music of Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Big Daddy Weave, Casting Crowns, Third Day and MercyMe. This year I have added some new artists to my Christmas play lists; Straight No Chaser, Dave Barnes, Lady Antebellum, Rosie Thomas, Taylor Swift and Michael Bublé
Could you have Christmas without the music and movies? Absolutely. But I surely do enjoy those two aspects of Christmas. It's Monday of Christmas week. I am looking forward to HDBC's annual Christmas Eve Service this Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. and the Christmas day worship service at 10:15 a.m. At the heart of it all is the worship of the Son of God. What a blessing to join with other believers as we worship the King.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Get Started
Through the years I have used a number of different plans for my personal Bible reading. Right now I am reading through "Acts and the Epistles," a plan that comes with the YouVersion Bible app on my iPhone. Yep, I often do my personal Bible reading on my iPhone. What a great time to be alive. I have the entire Bible with me everywhere I go through the technology of a smart phone. There are several good Bible apps available and a number of them offer Bible reading plans. Need a plan? Check your smart phone. Don't have a smart phone? You can still pick up the book form of your Bible or go online and follow a plan. The important thing is not the choose the right plan, but to choose a plan and follow it.
So, get started. There is an unlimited supply of blessing to those willing to read God's Word. Check out www.youversion.com for some ideas.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Culture
I just took a quick look at the hour's headlines. Quite frankly it is sickening. I'm thinking, maybe that was a mistake. And this day was going so well.
High ranking officials at Penn State University are accused of failing to report alleged sexual abuse by a former football coach at the same university. There are several layers to this story which cause concern. First and foremost is the possibility that a man sexually abused as many as eight young boys over a period of fifteen years. That is horrendous. If it turns out that others knew what was happening and failed to report it, as the media is reporting, then the level of outrage is multiplied.
Just below this headline is the story about the allegations of sexual harassment that are being brought against presidential candidate Herman Cain. Only a few know the real truth about that situation. However, a close look reveals serious problems either way. If the allegations are true then we now know that Mr. Cain has some serious character issues. If they are not true, then the accusers are maliciously impugning the character of an innocent man.
In other news, Dr. Conrad Murry has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Wealth, popularity, power and prestige certainly played a part in the tragic end of a sad life.
That is as far as I wanted to read. This much I know . . . these events and so many others are clear reflections of the universality of sin and of the depths to which sinful people will fall. Some want to naively believe humanity is on the rise toward moral purity. Not so! Left to ourselves we would plunge deeper and deeper into the abyss of depravity. Praise God that we are not left to ourselves. One of the great comforting statements in the Bible is this: Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. Grace is the great antidote to the guilt and condemnation that accompany sin.
Praise God for His amazing grace.
High ranking officials at Penn State University are accused of failing to report alleged sexual abuse by a former football coach at the same university. There are several layers to this story which cause concern. First and foremost is the possibility that a man sexually abused as many as eight young boys over a period of fifteen years. That is horrendous. If it turns out that others knew what was happening and failed to report it, as the media is reporting, then the level of outrage is multiplied.
Just below this headline is the story about the allegations of sexual harassment that are being brought against presidential candidate Herman Cain. Only a few know the real truth about that situation. However, a close look reveals serious problems either way. If the allegations are true then we now know that Mr. Cain has some serious character issues. If they are not true, then the accusers are maliciously impugning the character of an innocent man.
In other news, Dr. Conrad Murry has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Wealth, popularity, power and prestige certainly played a part in the tragic end of a sad life.
That is as far as I wanted to read. This much I know . . . these events and so many others are clear reflections of the universality of sin and of the depths to which sinful people will fall. Some want to naively believe humanity is on the rise toward moral purity. Not so! Left to ourselves we would plunge deeper and deeper into the abyss of depravity. Praise God that we are not left to ourselves. One of the great comforting statements in the Bible is this: Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. Grace is the great antidote to the guilt and condemnation that accompany sin.
Praise God for His amazing grace.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Clarity
Two weeks ago we (HDBC) were presented with the unexpected opportunity to expand our property. We quickly gathered information, confirmed the details and prayed for clear direction from the Lord. Through a series of events over the past few days it appeared that the door of opportunity was going to remain open. Last night, in a unanimous vote, clarity was confirmed. I am excited about the addition of this property simply because it will enable us to reach and disciple more people for the kingdom. We do all this for the sake of the Gospel is not just a slogan, but is the motivation of all that we do.
I praise the Lord for a unified body of believers.
I praise the Lord for a church with a passion for others.
I praise the Lord for a church with a vision for the future.
To God be the glory.
I praise the Lord for a unified body of believers.
I praise the Lord for a church with a passion for others.
I praise the Lord for a church with a vision for the future.
To God be the glory.
Monday, September 5, 2011
New Opportunities
Sometimes in life we find ourselves suddenly facing new opportunities which seem to come completely by surprise. A new job opportunity presents itself. A new relationship is formed. An invitation to join the board of an organization or ministry of offered. We may look at these things as random, unexpected opportunities. However, they are often God's way of leading us down new roads or into new blessings. This also happens to churches.
Recently at HDBC we have been presented with some exciting new opportunities. In the process of exploring the development of a new parking lot, we have discovered the possibility of acquiring additional property which would greatly enhance our options for expansion of our facilities in the future. Is it a done deal? While writing this blog I would have to say it certainly is not. But we are exploring the possibility that God may be leading in this direction. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share this with the HDBC family on Wednesday night, September 7 at 6:30. I am also trusting the Lord to give clear direction not only to our leaders, but to our entire church family.
Why would we build a new parking lot?
Why would we consider purchasing additional land?
"We do all this for the sake of the Gospel." We do these things in order to reach one more person, one more family, one more neighborhood, one more city.
Recently at HDBC we have been presented with some exciting new opportunities. In the process of exploring the development of a new parking lot, we have discovered the possibility of acquiring additional property which would greatly enhance our options for expansion of our facilities in the future. Is it a done deal? While writing this blog I would have to say it certainly is not. But we are exploring the possibility that God may be leading in this direction. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share this with the HDBC family on Wednesday night, September 7 at 6:30. I am also trusting the Lord to give clear direction not only to our leaders, but to our entire church family.
Why would we build a new parking lot?
Why would we consider purchasing additional land?
"We do all this for the sake of the Gospel." We do these things in order to reach one more person, one more family, one more neighborhood, one more city.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Future
It's Monday morning and I am thinking about the future of HDBC. Two weeks ago we launched The One More Project which involved a change in our Sunday morning schedule which will allow us to expand our small group ministry. We saw an immediate fifteen percent increase in our small group attendance the first Sunday. As I am writing this blog, I have not yet received the numbers for the second week. We learned yesterday that we are now using all of our parking spaces. It is a good problem to have, but one which we will need to address immediately. So, I am thinking about the future.
I am thinking about our new Master Planning Team. They will hold their first meeting this Sunday afternoon. Their assignment is to develop a master site plan for our facilities and make recommendations on the order in which new buildings and parking should be added. Much like our recent small group vision team, this team will provide direction for the immediate future.
I am thinking about the possibility of a new children's ministry building. Our children's ministries are growing at a rapid pace and we need to provide adequate space for these ministries. I am thinking about an overhaul of our sound system in the worship center. Our system is old, worn out and failing. I am excited to know that God will provide to meet this need.
I am thinking about our new partnership with a Baptist church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am looking forward to meeting the wonderful people of that church and working together with them to reach the people in one of the world's largest cities.
I am thinking about the people in places where we have ongoing ministries. Places like Hungary, Malawi, Ivory Coast, France, New Orleans and so many others.
As I am thinking about the future of HDBC, my heart and mind are filled with a sense of anticipation. God has a plan, and that excites me most of all.
I am thinking about our new Master Planning Team. They will hold their first meeting this Sunday afternoon. Their assignment is to develop a master site plan for our facilities and make recommendations on the order in which new buildings and parking should be added. Much like our recent small group vision team, this team will provide direction for the immediate future.
I am thinking about the possibility of a new children's ministry building. Our children's ministries are growing at a rapid pace and we need to provide adequate space for these ministries. I am thinking about an overhaul of our sound system in the worship center. Our system is old, worn out and failing. I am excited to know that God will provide to meet this need.
I am thinking about our new partnership with a Baptist church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am looking forward to meeting the wonderful people of that church and working together with them to reach the people in one of the world's largest cities.
I am thinking about the people in places where we have ongoing ministries. Places like Hungary, Malawi, Ivory Coast, France, New Orleans and so many others.
As I am thinking about the future of HDBC, my heart and mind are filled with a sense of anticipation. God has a plan, and that excites me most of all.
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