Dot to Dot!

Hey, remember when you were a kid and finally able to take the crayon and actually make it look like something other than lines going in the wrong direction?  You connected the dots!  It was so much fun seeing the picture come to life as you marked from 1 to 2 to 3 and all the way to the end!  The result of your connection revealed purpose; making it all complete.  And you felt good about it!

Can you see that principle in the church today?  You and I are  dots; individuals who all needed our lives transformed by the power of the cross.  Once we come into relationship with Christ and His church we then begin the life process of disicpleship -- becoming more like Him as we submit ourselves to be a learner; a student of His teachings.

It's so important for us to connect with other believers on this journey.  Our own personal connection helps us to find purpose and value in Kingdom work.  We join with others who find their purpose and value.  Together we create a beautiful picture of God's intention. Ephesians 2:19-22 states, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

As we are joined together we rise to become all that God desires for us individually.  As this happens to each of us we come together to form His purpose collectively.  It's a process.  Paul said that we are "being built".  The dots are forming one by one by one.  We are being transformed into God's intention.  It's beautiful!  It now makes sense.  We are not isolated.  We are a part and the picture of our lives is now clear. 

I enjoy connection.  I love feeling like I belong.  My purpose connects with yours and others and together we are complete.  I encourage you to stay connected.  Get involved in the ministry opportunities for service and nurture.  You too will experience the fulfillment of God's intention in your life.  Let it happen...dot to dot.

Get You Some Sunday Clothes, Easter’s Comin’!

We are swiftly approaching the High Holy Day for Christians – Easter. It’s the holiday where the resurrection of Christ is celebrated. It’s also the Sunday of the year when folk flock to the local house of worship to “pay their dues”. Sadly that’s what many feel they are doing. Have you heard the story of the local pastor who stood in the pulpit on Easter Sunday and said to the congregation, “Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to our church today. And for so many of you, I would also like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!” It is sad, but true that many only grace the doors of the Lord’s house on those two very important days that mark our faith.


I’m always reminded of Paul’s words to the Church at Rome when he declared in Chapter 12 that “our reasonable service” (KJV), or “our spiritual act of worship” (NIV) is to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing unto the Lord.” It goes far deeper than a couple of trips to the church annually with “them Sunday clothes” on.


I read recently an excerpt from Win Arn’s book “Planting Growing Churches” that 80 – 85% of American churches are on the downside of the church life cycle. In other words, they are declining rather than growing. That seems quite different from the Acts 3 report that “the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved.”


Arn also reports that 3500 to 4500 churches close each year, resulting in an average of 72 houses of worship in America closing their doors each week. What is going on? Why is this happening? I think the answer is quite simple. Once you define what the church is in reality you can answer the question – it’s people. Remember, the little stanza that I wrote about in my second book, “All Dressed Up And No Place To Go”? – “This is the church, this is the steeple; open the doors and see all the people.” Grandma Phillips taught me that as a kid as she cupped her aged hands to teach us on the back pew just before the preacher came out with his ministry team.


People are the church. People are the problem. We need a revival among the church at large in this nation that results in the rise of evangelism on the part of every one of us. The perpetual plan of God is that the Kingdom of God advance through the proclamation of the gospel. Preach Jesus, reach people, teach them to fulfill God’s plan for their life and His kingdom! Now clothe yourself with the righteousness of Christ and get busy!!! Happy Easter!

Tiger says, "...deeply sorry".

The world watched on February 19th, 2010 as famed golfer, Tiger Woods spoke for the first time since November when his world tumbled amidst a scandal involving marital infidelity and immoral sexual behavior. Tiger’s full statement was available just moments after his noonday speech which was not open to question.


Woods’ opening words were “…many have cheered for me, worked with me, or supported me; now everyone of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you simply and directly I am deeply sorry…”. Sorrow is a good word to hear when it comes from those who have indeed hurt others. Woods continued, “Families used to look up to me as a role model to their kids, to those families I am so sorry.”

Sorrow, when experienced because of one’s sin, should be welcomed by our forgiveness. Paul spoke to the church at Corinth and said… “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him (the one who has caused grief) , so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” 2 Corinthians 2:7 (NIV). The Apostle Paul speaks these words of instruction for us to know how to respond to the sinner in forgiveness.

Tiger Woods’ influential world filled with fame and fortune cannot buy forgiveness. Forgiveness is something that is received willingly on the part of those who have been hurt. His sorrow led him to ask for forgiveness. Many will. Some won’t. He has fulfilled the pre-requisite for forgiveness. One commentator said, “Even though Tiger’s religious persuasion is Buddhist, we as Christians are faced with a choice to forgive him and continue to pray for him.”

It’s quite easy to “cast a stone” on someone’s character. Yet, when we consider our own character, we all too often recognize the need for forgiveness ourselves. Forgiveness is something that needs to start at home. Some will say today, “Oh…I forgive the man. Everyone makes mistakes.” Yet, there may be someone in your own family, circle of influence, neighborhood, or church that you have had a hard time forgiving. They’ve expressed their sorrow, but you can’t seem to move toward forgiveness. Think about this – the one who expresses sorrow for their wrong is free, while those who harbor bitterness stay bound in unforgiveness.

Jesus was tough on this issue. Matthew 6:14,15 remind us…”For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Tiger Woods took the high road. He took the hard path and faced his difficulty. Many of his standing feel they owe no man anything. But Woods said, “Money and fame made me believe I was entitled. I was wrong and foolish. I don’t get to live by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I hurt my mother, my wife, kids, friends, and my foundation. This has made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to again.”

Woods said to the world, “I am deeply sorry.” Someone close to you has said the same. What will you do? How will you respond?

Oooooh.....I love chocolate!

February is here and the chocolate factory is ready. According to The Nielsen Company, more than 58 million pounds of chocolate candy will be sold during Valentine’s week; taking US chocolate sales to over $450 million dollars in just a few days.

February 13th is the most popular day for chocolate sales the entire year. The second most popular day is February 15th; the day after, when the prices are slashed! And just why are folk so bent on chocolate for this holiday?

Historically, Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the English-speaking countries, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery (that’s a fancy word of “chocolates” or “sweeties”).

Tradition tells us the Saint Valentine was a bishop in Rome who died a martyr’s death and was buried on February 14th. He gave his life for his faith. That’s love. Scripture states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Many have died for their faith; given their lives for the cause of Christ.

Romans 5:8 (KJV) reminds us...”But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s real love. John said, “For God so loved He gave…..”. He didn’t give chocolate, cards, or flowers. He gave His one and only Son to die for us. That’s the ultimate example of love.

Go ahead…..give your sweetie some chocolate this Valentine’s Day! But remember the greatest give that you can ever give is love.

A Completed Work!

Have you got some of those tasks around the house that you just haven’t finished? What about that piece of molding that you put up on a Saturday and “next Saturday” you were going to paint it? Or the tree that you cut down in the back yard needs to be hauled off….before it rots.? How about that barn that you cleaned out and organized all this year that still sits there in all of its clutter?

Before you think I’m not in that club, the preacher here knows all too well the frustration of an unfinished task; a goal that you simply did not meet. And when the water boils down, it’s all because of your own personal negligence. Ouch!

Well, I know what you’re doing? You are looking at your life, your goals, your dreams, your family, your money, or the lack of it and you’re saying…”This year I’m going to get it in order!” Now that’s a resolution – something that you resolve to do or accomplish.

When it comes to matters like these, I am so glad that God is a keeper of His plans. Jeremiah the prophet brought encouragement to a people oppressed and in bondage when He reminded them, “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord; “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” God desires to bless His people. He wants us to accomplish all that He puts upon our hearts. His biggest challenge is us! We neglect. We fail. We procrastinate.

And now that the year has come to a close, we are all facing the same challenge. We want to accomplish more. We want to finish the tasks that are before us; things that flow out of heart’s desire. God wants us to complete our tasks, whether they be practical or spiritual. Philippians 1:6 reminds us…”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.”

God is going to accomplish in us that which He desires. He knows us better than we know ourselves. When God starts out on the task of cleaning us up and molding us into His desire for us, He doesn’t do it like we do our barn or our closet. He starts and He finishes. It’s a process, and a steady one. And He will complete it! He is faithful.

Come on out to church on Sunday!

I love that classic admonition from Psalms 122:1 – “…..let us go to the house of the Lord!” So…what is your reason for not going to church; setting aside that holy time in your week to worship the Lord corporately with other believers? Well, before you give an answer, why not consider reading this little item of interest entitled Ten Reasons Why I Never Wash!

I never wash because….

1) I was forced to wash as a child.

2) People who wash are all hypocrites; they think they are cleaner than everyone else.

3) There are so many different kinds of soap; I just can’t decide which one is best for me.

4) I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped washing.

5) I only wash on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter.

6) None of my friends wash.

7) I’ll start washing when I get older and dirtier.

8) I don’t have time to wash.

9) The bathroom is never warm enough in the Winter or cold enough in the Summer.

10) The people who make soap are only after your money!

Sound familiar to you?

Speaking of the church, Paul writes: “There should be no division…it’s parts should have equal concern for each other…..each one of you is part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV). Friends you are part of the Body of Christ, so you need to be there.

Watchman Nee said this – “Alone I cannot serve the Lord effectively, and He will spare no pains to teach me this. He will bring things to an end allowing doors to close and leaving me effectively knocking my head against the wall until I realize that I need the help of the believers, as well as of the Lord.”

You and I must realize that there are certain things that we just will not hear anywhere else; truths that flow out of Godly instruction. It’s in the church that you will find a spiritual family to belong to, a faith to live by, and a focus that gets your eyes where they need to be – on Christ! So…come on out to church on Sunday!

Harvest Time!

I love this time of year. Just yesterday I made the trek to Perquimans County; my homeland. I saw the combines in the fields harvesting corn. My mind went back to the days of my youth. I was one of ten boys hired to chop peanuts; ridding them of Morning Glory, Nut Grass, Broadleaf Signal Grass, and the like. Some rows were bad and some were not so bad. We made our way across that field and the next taking away the hindrances to growth and development of a hopeful 5000 pound per acre yield in those days. At the conclusion of a couple of weeks, Ed Nixon told our ten-man troop that the job was coming to a close. Everyone’s last day would be Friday; that is everyone’s except mine. He slipped over to me and asked if I would be willing to stay on. I excitedly told him I would and he kept me from that day when I was 12 years old until I finished college at N.C. State. He was my influence that took me to the home of the Wolfpack! I moved a long way from pulling weeks from the goober patch. I broke land, made rows, planted, cultivated, sprayed, and finally …..harvested. That was the fun. I can still remember peeping through the tiny window to see the grain fall into the hopper. It was much fun to see the rewards of our labor as we filled the bins with corn. We were harvesting the reward of our labor.

The harvest time reminds me of those days on the Nixon farm. Ed and the gang taught me how to farm. There were standards and procedures to follow, yet we still had to have the blessing of God. The same is true of harvest in the Kingdom of God. You have the standards and procedures in the Word of God. You still need the blessing of the Lord and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to bring the harvest in that He desires. It’s harvest time and the fields are ripe according to the Lord. The need is for the reapers. Are you one?

Jesus said in Luke 10:2….."The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."