Encouragement After Discouragement

Let me ask you a simple question that is probably easy for you to answer: Do you ever get discouraged?  Sometimes, on a rough day, you might ask: Will I ever get over being discouraged?  I want to encourage you with something today.  This encouraging word is brief.  I woke up this morning just a bit tired, missing family, upset the Cowboys lost, thinking about what I could have said differently when I preached yesterday, and discouraged.  I was laying in my bed, praying for God to give Charity and myself a great week.  I prayed for the Lord to send me a source of encouragement.

Low and behold, I grabbed my phone a few minutes later, and read an email with the following prayer written in it:

Father, I lift Jeremy up to you this morning. Thank you for this one you have chosen to lead us, for his ability to help us heal, for giving him the wisdom to share your word. Please surround him with your love, your peace, your protection. Please give him a week like no other as you prepare him daily to lead us. Thank you, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN

Our God answers prayers.  Be encouraged today!

~ Pastor Jeremy

Give God the Glory VLOG

NFL Predictions

The NFL season starts today, and I’m frothing at the mouth for the season to start.  I’m slobbering like a Pavlovian dog at the thought of watching my mighty Dallas Cowboys take the field this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Bucs.  With the NFL season starting today, I must offer to you my predictions for the NFL season.  Here is how I will work my prediction process: Predict all of week one’s games, predict the winners of all of the divisions and wild card slots, then predict who will win each game in the playoffs – concluding with my Super Bowl prediction.  So, here we go . . .

NFL Week 1

Pittsburgh defeats Tennessee (rooting for the music city)

Atlanta defeats Miami (Matt Ryan is the next Peyton Manning)

Cincinnati defeats Denver

Minnesota defeats Cleveland (Favre will be injured by week 10)

Indianapolis defeats Jacksonville (not confident about this pick)

New Orleans defeats Detroit

Of course . . . Dallas defeats Tampa Bay (GO COWBOYS!!!)

Carolina defeats Philadelphia (I hope . . . can’t stand the Iggles)

Baltimore defeats Kansas City

NY Jets defeats Houston (This is an upset pick)

NY Giants defeats Washington (I wish the Redskins would win this road game, but I don’t think it’s going to happen)

Arizona defeats San Francisco (BLOW OUT!)

Seattle defeats St. Louis (most boring game of the week)

Green Bay defeats Chicago (I want to watch this game to see Rodgers vs. Cutler)

New England defeats Buffalo

San Diego defeats Oakland

Playoff Predictions

AFC

East – New England (1 seed)

West – San Diego (2 seed)

North – Ravens (3 seed)

South – Indianapolis (4 seed)

Wild Card 1 – Pittsburgh (5 seed)

Wild Card 2 – Tennessee (6 seed)

AFC Wild Card Round

Tennessee upsets Baltimore

Indianapolis defeats Pittsburgh

AFC Divisional Round

New England defeats Tennessee

San Diego defeats Indianapolis (again)

AFC Championship Game

San Diego defeats New England

NFC

North – Green Bay (1 seed)

South – Carolina (2 seed)

East – NY Giants (3 seed)

West – Arizona (4 seed)

Wild Card 1 – Atlanta (5 seed)

Wild Card 2 – Dallas (6 seed) [we'll creep into the playoffs]

NFC Wild Card Round

Atlanta upsets NY Giants

Dallas defeats Arizona (we’ll FINALLY win a playoff game for the first time since 1996)

NFC Divisional Round

Green Bay defeats Dallas (sad)

Atlanta upsets Carolina

NFC Championship

Green Bay defeats Atlanta

Super Bowl Prediction

San Diego defeats Green Bay

THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS WILL WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV in Miami!

**Bonus Prediction: The Cowboys will have a 10-6 regular season record.

The Importance of Mid-Week Ministry

Last night was an evening of extreme busyness and excitement for the Pleasant Hill family.  I want to share with you my thoughts on the importance of mid-week ministry.  However, before I share with you some brief thoughts of the importance of such ministry, I’d like to give you a synopsis of last night.

Last night, I began the evening by playing ping pong with one of our high school students, Major Whorley.  He usually beats me, but I won yesterday.  YES!!!  We have students arrive at the church very early on Wednesdays to play ping pong, Wii, cards, drink sugary beverages, and just fellowship with one another in a healthy Christian environment.  I’m appreciative of Ty and Shelly Brewster for sacrificing so much of their time to make this happen.

I then journeyed down to the second floor to meet up with Charity and preach verse-by-verse through 1 Samuel 22.  At this gathering with adults, we prayed together and broke apart a thick chapter in God’s Word.

Charity and I then journeyed up to the third floor and we musically worshiped with them.  Adam Wicker led wonderfully with an acoustic feel.  Charity and I slipped out just as Ty got on stage to deliver a solid message in his “old school” series.

Students Worshiping @ The Hill

We then journeyed over to the Lenoir City pool for our AWANA back-to-school pool party.  There were tons of kids, parents, laughter, Christian was music filling the air, and it was amazing.  Christy Brown, who has taken over as our new AWANA director, has started things off extremely well.

AWANA Pool Party

AWANA

AWANA Dads

With me giving you a synopsis of last nights busy, but healthy amount of activity, I want to share with you my thoughts on the importance of mid-week ministry.  Mid-week ministry gives people a boost spiritually, a unification ecclesiastically, and depth biblically.

A BOOST SPIRITUALLY

I have been hesitant in the past to promote much of anything that distracts from family time during the week.  However, to keep people focused on what should be their first priority, Jesus, mid-week ministry gives a fiery boost to what can become a lull in the middle of the week.  There is a reason people call Wednesday “hump day.”  It is sometimes hard to overcome the hill they have just climbed the first half of the week in school or work before they descend down that hill and into the weekend.  Wednesday night ministry provides the jolt.  Mid-week ministry is the energy drink of the local church.

A UNIFICATION ECCLESIASTICALLY

One of our church’s eight core values is unity.  We can glean from Acts 2:42-47 the importance of a unified assembly.  Mid-week ministry allows the church body to gather together to unify as one body through multitudinous ministries.

A DEPTH BIBLICALLY

All ages are afforded opportunities to gain deep biblical understanding as a result of mid-week ministry.  AWANA kids memorize verses and are taught Bible stories.  The student ministry is taught relevant Bible messages that stretch them and equip them to know how to live a God-centered life in a self-centered society.  Adults are taught the importance of prayer and expository teaching.  We march verse-by-verse, predominantly through books that are not taught as often by most ministries or most pastors.  I treat the adult time almost like I treat my classes I teach for TN Temple University on their undergraduate level.

In conclusion, the mid-week ministry for any local church is important.  I’m thankful this is one of Pleasant Hill’s strongpoints.

I Am Second: 25 Things About Me…About Him

I find it interesting to observe the way the Lord works on my heart, my marriage, my vocation as a pastor, and on my community.  If you know me, or read my blog regularly, you probably know I’m a rather structured person.  I’m rigid, and need softer corners.

With my rigidity, I plan far in advance for lots of things with our church.  One of those things is my sermon calendar.  I am usually 6-12 months ahead on my sermon planning.  For my message series I plan on kisking off this Sunday about worship, the plan all along was to entitle it “Up: It’s All About Worship.”  However, I was reminded this week of an initiative from Prestonwood, the church I served at before coming to Pleasant Hill.  This initiative is called “I Am Second.”  Please go to the website, www.iamsecond.com, to learn about it.  I have decided to change the message series I’ll be doing on worship to have a new theme pertaining to our worship: that He is first and we are second.

Here is an “I Am Second” video you should check out:

With that being said, I thought you may find the following to be of interest.  I gathered this from my friend, Chris Edmondson, on his blog.

For the past several months, one of the more popular activities on facebook has been filling out and posting “25 Random Things About Me.” Without further ado, here are 25 NOT SO Random Things About Me….that turn into things about Him.  I reiterate to you….I AM SECOND!

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
I am steeped in sin and have been since birth. (Psalm 51:5)
I am chosen. (Ephesians 1:3-6)
I am born again. (1 Peter 1:23)
I am freed from the bondage of sin.(Romans 6:6, Romans 8:2)
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am God’s workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
I am redeemed and forgiven. (Colossians 1:14)
I am a work in progress. (Philippians 1:6)
I am in Christ and Christ in me. (John 17:20, Galatians 2:20)
I am a friend of Christ. (John 15:15)
I am a co-worker of God. (2 Corinthians 6:1)
I am a co-heir with Christ to the Kingdom of God. (Romans 8:17)
I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)
I am a priest. (1 Peter 2:9)
I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
I am an ambassador of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
I am the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I am in possession of the truth. (1 John 5:20)
I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
I am loved by God. (Romans 8:38)

…and, since I was having so much fun, here’s another set of 25 NOT SO Random Things about me…

I am an image bearer of God. (Genesis 1:27)
I am crucified with Christ. (Galatians 2:20)
I am alive together with Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
I am washed in blood. (Ephesians 1:7)
I am an adopted son of the living and true God. (Ephesians 1:5)
I am anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
I am shielded from evil. (1 John 5:18)
I am a witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am a temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)
I am enriched. (1 Corinthians 1:5)
I am guarded by God who gives me inner peace. (Philippians 4:7)
I am free to access to God. (Ephesians 2:18)
I am united with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I am appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
I am a minister of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)
I am a branch of the true vine. (John 15:1-5)
I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
I am free to approach God with confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
I am part of a greater thing. (Romans 12:5)
I am justified. (Romans 5:1)
I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)
I am assured that all things work together for my good. (Romans 8:28)
I am significant to God. (Matthew 6:25-33)

Do I Pastor A Liberal Church?

The word “liberal” is a dirty word to a Southern Baptist Christian.  If a person is labeled “liberal” then they are blackballed.  If a vote is cast for a politician that is “liberal” then the voter condones any and all things evil.  However, liberality is relative (then again, relativism is liberal).

I have come to the realization in my life and ministry that Christians who engage in argumentum ad hominem are bland in their growth.  They are more like stationary bikes in a living room than velocipedes ascending the French Alps on the Tour De France.  Character assassinations are unnecessary and ungodly.

Last week, an interesting occurrence took place in my life: someone presumed the church I pastor is liberal.  Why on earth would they do that?  Pleasant Hill Baptist Church believes in the inerrancy of Scripture, the journey to Heaven is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  We affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.  So, why would someone even come close to questioning our church’s conservatism?  The answer can be summed up in one word: METHODOLOGY.

If you go to our church’s website, and click on the “About Us” page, you will see that our church describes herself as “conservative in theology and progressive in methodology.”

According to Webster, the word “liberal” can be defined as “not bound by traditional forms.”  With that definition, our church’s methods, and my personal methods could be labeled as liberal because we will do whatever we possibly can to communicate our conservative theological beliefs in creative and effective ways.  As long as the methods do not supercede our beliefs, we are on the right track.  Our orthopraxy must match up with our orthodoxy.

Allow me to give you a brief synopsis of why the inkling of an idea was presumed of our church’s liberalism.  While in Malawi, Africa, we partnered with several other churches.  The group we went with experienced great opportunities to witness.  However, it was structured into our days.  During the two weeks we had over there, we only had one day off.  We went to Lake Malawi on this day.  At this lake, there was a beach.  There was a group of teenagers there, listening to ungodly music and dancing rather inappropriately.  Some people from our mission team stood there and judged the non-Christian people instead of reaching out to them; they lacked compassion for the lost.  This judgmental attitude broke my heart.

Pastor Dancing

I took my iPod over to the teenagers and asked them to play a contemporary Christian rap song I had by KJ-52.  I danced (appropriately) to the song as a form of worship to God (Psalm 149:3) while all of them watched.  The lost folks loved the music & laughed with fun at my dancing.  I then had the opportunity to witness to them.  They did not get saved, but I planted a seed (Mark 4:15), which is all I can do.  It took a lot of courage to walk over there and do that, but I knew the Holy Spirit was the source of my witness, so He spoke through me.

During my time of witnessing, a group of people within earshot of the other member of our church on the trip began gossiping about me.  The group of gossipers said I must pastor a liberal church because I was dancing, listening to rap music, and do not regularly use the King James Version of the Bible.

I took this opportunity to witness to people by reaching out to them and speaking their language without compromising my Saviour.  The reaction of the judgmental people initially grieved me greatly.  It reminded me of Pharisaical judgmentalism and legalism of Mark 3:1-6.  However, the Lord then reassured me.  I live for an audience of one, Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily for the Lord, not for men.”

So, leading back to the initial question: Do I pastor a liberal church?  My answer to the question can be summed up by this statement: I pastor a church that will do whatever we possibly can to communicate the love of Christ while not compromising our conservative theological roots, without compromising piety and without compromising the state of being above reproach; if that results in being labeled as “liberal” then so be it.  My job as a Christ-follower is to work heartily for the Lord, not for men.  May He increase while we decrease (John 3:30)!

Renovation Update

Pleasant Hill is in the midst of an exciting remodeling project.  The project is being paid for in cash that is already in hand.  The total cost of the project is $120,000.  Pleasant Hill’s annual ministry budget is $200,000, so the renovation is 60% above the annual ministry budget.

The following bullet points have already taken place in the remodeling of the church since May, 2009:

• Three Air Conditioning Units Were Added
Church House/Office: asbestos was inspected and removed, the house was demolished & disposed of
• Upgraded Audio Equipment for Worship Center
• Exterior Signage Was Purchased, and Will Be Installed Soon
• Televisions/Mounting/Wiring: Plasma televisions have been purchased, and are in the process of being installed around the church property.  Televisions will serve the following objectives: First Floor – Children’s church media, announcements in the foyer, streaming of services in the nursery; Second Floor – Additional media presence in the worship center, announcements in the second floor foyer; Third Floor – student  ministry media & video games
• Audio System for Fellowship Hall
• Office Remodel: The new offices for the church are now completed.  Hardwood floors, fresh paint, and new furniture accent the beautiful new offices.
• Carpet on the First Floor: The entire first floor has now been carpeted with “carpet tiles” to make it easier to clean up after spills.
• New Electrical Work: The church’s electricity had not been updated since the buildings were built in the 1950s.  All electricity was brought up-to-date in order for the church to withstand the high amount of electronics we use in our creative & dynamic worship services.

The following bullet points are scheduled to take place over the next six weeks in order to complete the remodeling project:

• Interior Signage
• Steeple: Pressure Wash Steeple; the steeple may have to be painted after being pressure washed.
• Move the Kitchen to Two New Rooms & Get All New Kitchen Equipment

Five Reasons Why Everyone Should Take A 40 Day Social Networking Break

Two months ago I began thinking about taking a forty-day break from social networking.  Forty-one days ago, I started my break.  Now, after my much-needed break, I’m back on Twitter, Facebook, and blogging.

You might be thinking, “Dude, it’s not that big of a deal.  I just keep up with my friends this way.”  I’m not saying there is anything wrong with social networking.  Blogging, micro-blogging (Twitter & Facebook updates), and perusing social networking sites are amoral.  However, I began looking at my goals for the remainder of the Summer, analyzing my time usage and realized I needed to take a break.

I find it interesting that 71% of companies with an IT department block social networking sites because people waste their time during the work day (1).   The reason why companies block it is because it can become a waste of time if not harnessed properly.  So, hopefully you’re not stealing company time when you should be working right now.

All that being said, here is my Top Five List of “Why Everyone Should Take A 40 Day Social Networking Break”

5. It helps you realize you’re really not as busy as you think you are.
I can’t stand it when I talk to people who constantly complain about how they are “too busy” or “jam-packed” or “have too much to do.”  This just tells me you either don’t know how to say “no,” or you are poor at managing your time.  The key word here is constantly.  Everyone has a busy week or month (I told someone yesterday via txt message that I was too busy as I was preparing for the African mission trip I leave for tomorrow, but I’ll get to their request today.), but let’s be honest…if you have time to crack jokes on Twitter or Facebook, then you’re not too busy; you’re just poorly allocating your time.

Sometimes saying we’re “uber busy” gives us a feeling of importance, so it is a psychological statement.  Taking a forty day break from social networking frees up some time and helps you realize that you’re not too busy; you just need to re-allocate your time.

4. It helps you to re-focus your energies.
Do you ever lose focus?  Does your path on life ever seem a bit blurry?  Sometimes you have so many projects you keep saying you’ll get around to that you lose your focus on them, and they never get finished.

My need to re-focus my energies specifically pertained to my dissertation.  I completed the coursework for my doctorate back in January of this year, but was not extremely disciplined from January through June when it came to writing.  Sure, our church began a $120,000 remodeling project that took a lot of my time, on top of my other responsibilities at the church, but I still could have accomplished more than I did accomplish.  I knew I needed to re-focus my energies on my dissertation.  As a result, I finished my first draft, and am just a few edits away from submitting the final copy of my dissertation, giving my oral defense, and becoming “Dr. Jeremy.”  Yes, my energies were re-focused, and it was a great help.

3. It helps you to actually call people or visit them instead of just Facebook or Twitter messaging them.

The telephone is becoming a thing of the past, and that is sad.  Hearing someone’s voice is encouraging.  Over the last forty days, I’ve called my friends more than I did before, and it was great talking with them.  We can have a tendency to overrate the ability to communicate digitally, and ignore telephonic communication.

2. It helps you to get your tail away from the computer.

Over the last forty days, I’ve lost 12.5 pounds.  I could attribute this to the re-focusing of energies point, but I also attribute this to getting my tail away from my MacBook and iPhone, and getting to the gym.  My stomach is thankful for the social networking break.  :~)

1. It helps you to remember that God wants your time first, then your family.

If you have not read God’s Word today, but you are piddling on the computer, you have your priorities out of whack.  I don’t say this in a legalistic sense, but how you spend your time shows your priorities.  I need my time with Jesus if I’m going to face this carnal world on a daily basis.  Also, I need Charity to know that I love her and am here for her.  If God or my wife feel like I care more about the computer screen than them, then I’ve messed up.

Overall, I’m glad I took a social networking break, and I encourage you to do the same thing at some time this year.

Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy

(1) http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=21448

A Break from Blogging

I have decided to take a break from blogging from now thru the conclusion of my Malawi, Africa mission trip in August.  My reason for this is to remove distractions as I am trying to finish my dissertation by the end of July, and concentrate on preparation for the mission trip, on top of my responsibilities as a husband and pastor.

The Value of Time Away

This is a pic of Charity shopping during our time away today, at one of her favorite stores…Bath and Body Works.

This week, I have taken a couple of days away to spend some time with Charity.  Yesterday, we celebrated three years of marriage, and we’re having a blast.  We went to Nashville initially, and we’re currently in Atlanta.

Over time, especially my last year and a half serving as the senior pastor of a church, I’ve come to the realization that time away is extremely important.  Time away is good for one’s relationship with God, marriage, perspective, pure rest, and fun.

Relationship with God

Life can get so busy that sometimes it is easy to throw God into the mix of a day as another thing to clog up the day’s task list.  Time away assists me in looking at my relationship with God to think about where I am in my relationship with Christ, where I need to improve things, and to have more time with my Lord.

Marriage

My marriage would not be near the place it is right now if it weren’t for our time spent together away from home.  Especially as a pastor, it is very hard for me to truly be away from work.  Ministry creates problems in pastors’ personal lives where it is easy to allow the ecclesia to serve as a higher priority than the family.  Time away assists me in keeping my priorities straight.

Perspective

Whenever I leave town, it allows me to take a step back, and realize some fresh ideas.  Have you ever noticed that most Offensive Coordinators for football teams sit in the coach’s box at the top of the stadium instead of on the sideline?  The reason is because it gives the coaching staff a fresh and different perspective.  Time away gives me the opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on life and my ministry to help me to see what I need to do to most effectively fulfill my calling from the Lord.

Pure Rest

I don’t know about you, but I’m a hard charger.  I get up early every day, exercise, work on my dissertation, lead a church, teach a college-level course once a week in the Fall and Spring, and live a busy life.  It is nice and healthy to get away and simply rest.

Fun

I grew up going on vacations, traveling a lot, and valuing time away.  As a child, some of my greatest memories are from time away.  Charity and I have had a blast taking some time away.

Yes, there is great value in taking some time to get away.