Ancient paths

There is a Scripture in Jeremiah 18:15 speaking of God's people "stumbling or wavering" from the "ancient paths" (Hebrew: 'owlam: shabiyl). These words simply stated mean that something has caused His people to stagger off the track which He laid out for them since the beginning of time. Now this isn't necessarily your individual path, He is speaking of the entire Judeo-Christian community getting sidetracked by the devices of the enemy!

His entire family is spoken of. Now some are on a good path and even the "ancient path" He speaks of, but as a whole, we are not where He wants us and the reason is that we are not on the right road! If you are going to Tallahassee you have to get on US 90 or I-10 and head East! If you are on US 231 south you will not get there without a lot of unneccessary sidetracking!

He says in this Scripture that we are walking on a path (Hebrew: halak: nathiyb), "following the beaten path" that is not the "turnpike" He prepared for us and put us on in the beginning. We are following the footsteps of others instead of His designated "road".

His road is a superhighway which, described by Job this way: "There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it." that is the "Ancient Path" he wants us on. Don't be discouraged by others not walking it, YOU walk it and help others to follow!

It is a path of obedience TO Him, and of faith IN Him, and of loving His commandments.

jack

Obedience...

I just preached yesterday about Adam's disobedience resulted in his turning the helm over to Satan of everything he was placed in charge of. I think it is good to realize that we do the same thing almost daily!

God has given us a certain amount of power and authority. We are no longer the servants of sin and it has no dominion over us. However we sometimes act as though we couldn't help ourselves. I have had several people through the years ask me "Why did God allow Satan to tempt me like this?". I am quick to tell them that Satan couldn't tempt them with something they were opposed to! I cannot be tempted with any of the following: Chitterlings (chitlens to you country boys), beets, liver and onions, sousse (hog-head cheese), or grapes! So to tempt me, you have to put coconut cake or banana pudding in front of me!

Get the point? Satan tempts us with things we have a weakness for. We have to overcome that weakness and say no! When you yield to temptation you weaken yourself and sell-out to the deceiver! As much as I hate to write this it is still true; Disobedience has its roots directly in disrespect for the authority that made the rules. From Adam to you and me... this is true!

Sometimes the devil wears blue-jeans, short-shorts, Prada, or he adds social standing or fame, or he coats his stuff with coconut, banana cream, or just plain sugar! He is a brilliant deceiver or he could have never fooled Adam who walked with God personally in the Garden!

don't let him fool you... Now everything pretty or tasty isn't from him, but everything from him is usually pretty or tasty!

Don't fear, just be careful...

jack

Spring Fever and Faith

Hi blog...

I'm probably the only one who reads my stuff so I'll' just write to the blog!

It is fast approaching spring and it is raining cats and dogs outside... An ambulance and fire truck are going by while I write... all in all though it is a really good day. the Ambulance isn't going after me and the fire isn't at my house. Now don't think I don't care about others and their problems, I am just very grateful that this time it isn't me!

The old stuff about 'spring fever' is more real to me than it ever was when I was young. I thought it was a joke until I passed 55 or 60 years old and then it hit me... there really is such a thing as spring fever!! I haven't done anything to amount to much and I have slept my 5 hours, yet I am still lethargic!

I wonder whee the line is drawn between lethargy from spring fever and pure laziness? Maybe it is just an excuse! I don't guess it matters, I've got it anyway.

You know what? I am so glad that when the Lord gave them the disciple's prayer He said to pray this way, "Our Father which art in Heaven..." I think the reason he said the "..in Heaven..." part was to remind us that He isn't affected by weather, economy, seasons, sickness, failure, decay, destruction, and on and on... you get the point! He is removed from the influence of the things which influence us so dramatically!

Our day can be ruined by a flat tire in the rain, or someone cutting us off or getting our parking place close to the building. His is only affected when after all He has done to keep us at a peak, our victory is lost and our faith fails! How does it make me feel to know that my lack of faith can affect the Creator's day?? OR, how does it make me feel to know that my abiding faith in Him can "make His day.."?? WOW!!!

I think I will just have faith!!!

jack

A Cue FromGod

I recently got a piece of mail from someone that had one statement in it that made an inroad into my heart... It said that there was "help in the wings" or something to that effect. I immediately thought of the times I have been preaching and suddenly needed help from the wings. A cue! A clue!

I have been preaching and pastoring and teaching Bible for 40 years now, give or take a month or two, and I have never gotten over the supernatural "stage-fright", the fear of not pleasing the Creator as I spoke of Him, His son, and His Spirit! Anyone worth their salt, and with an ounce of realization in them is a little afraid of not measuring up to God's level. Now I don't worry about people, only Him! If I was preaching about people then I would worry about them... but I'm not!

I believe that He is able to take what I say, especially if I have been dilligent in my preparation, and minister it to the hearts and minds of the hearers. But I still want to please Him. I don't want to make it necessary for Him to repeatedly replace "Malchus' ear" weekly! That is just one of the problems. Here are more!

I don't ever want to use the pulpit to attack, promote, or please anyone. I don't want trivia. I don't want a "canned" sermon off the internet either! I really want to bring a relevant, revelant, 'warm' Word from God to His flock! That is what most people want anyway. They don't want to be excited by delivery, but by the Spirit! Most believers want something they thought came from God, through the preacher, to them!!!

Pray for me!!! jack

Life

Life is a wonderful thing... more wonderful some than to others for obvious reasons.

Here in America, the USA rather, if you are in reasonably good health and have a source of income other than welfare, life may be very good to you. You are free and you can seek avenues of pleasure and enjoyment to satisfy the need for some of these things. A need which most citizens of the USA have developed, mostly from Madison Avenue telling us that we want/need this to be truly happy.

There are many people in third-world countries which Madison Avenue has no access to and therefore they don't realize how deprived they are. Some have never known a family structure, i.e. father, mother, home, food, toys, etc. It is never missed because it was never known.

There could come a day when we blessed ones are in a different situation. Those who are severely deprived have learned to be happy and content with what they have. Paul said he was content... He was content because he found his joy, peace, and satisfaction in his relationship with the Lord. If you begin to lose your joy when gas prices rise, or inerest rates fall on your investment, or the stock market struggles, all you have to do is to remind yourself that His Kingdom is intact and flourishing.

I heard a preacher on TV say that church membership was failing and Islam was growing and he was concerned about the trend. I want the church I pastor to grow, but church growth is not a legitimate indicator of the growth of the Kingdom of God. It is an internal Kingdom. It does not attract the casual man of faith. It isn't showy or flambouyant. Its believers rest in the supremacy and sovereinty of God.

Life is short. Just the other day I was a young man enjoying my youth. Today I am 69 years old. I can't believe it. But for the past 40 years my faith has held me close to the Savior. Now my life is certainly closer to the end than the beginning, but I have a hope that reaches beyond my circumstance. In other words, I am closer to being with Him every day. Psalm 16:11 says it all... cling to this, "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

jack

Mistakes

Mistakes are more common than we would like to admit!

They are also more often the result of either oversight, rushing, anger, misinformation, and other like things than we would like to admit! Whether we own up to these actions or not, the truth remains the truth! Our denial, deception, or outright dishonesty about the cause of the mistake NEVER changes the truth!

Wrong roads travelled, wrong words spoken, wrong attitudes, wrong or incomplete information ultimately lead to the wrong "destination". If we get on the wrong road on our trip to Tallahassee, we will immediately (upon realizing it), change to the correct road. In life however, we often just change our destination to the one down this "wrong road" and act like we were really going there anyway.

Anyone can get on the wrong road, get the wrong information, or even miss our chance to turn off this road and get on the right one... but it takes a wise and secure man/woman to stop, turn around and go back to the right road/direction, and begin the journey over again! Honor belongs to the person who can say, "I was wrong." But honor is not always given. Why? Because we live in a society that holds mistakes against the erring one and counts them as less than smart or whatever!

I am, eventually, a man who can ask directions, keep my focus on what is my original destination, and take advice about "bridges out ahead"! Oh yeah! I almost forgot! I can admit my mistakes (if I was to ever make one!!)

jack

Family

Family...
Funny thing about being in a family... you have to participate as a member before you can understand what it is about.

I knew a kid who was adopted into a loving family and readily accepted by the siblings in the family. He never "felt like a part" of the family so he didn't ACT like a part of it. Consequently he never benefitted from the adoption.People are born into a family (usually), and some are adopted into one. The same is true in the Kingdom of God! We are born (again) into His Kingdom and then adopted into a family (Body) of believers. If we don't feel like a part of it, that is our problem! It has to do with truth, not feeling!

If we don't act like a part we cannot expect others to act like we are a part... To them it looks as though we don't want the relationship so others just accept us as "visitors" in the home.

This is a true story... Shellie and I knew a multi-millionaire whio lived in Tallahassee who was a great Christian man. His son was a rebel and only used his father's name to get out of trouble. One time the man told us his son had taken a job at the airport cleaning a hanger and washing planes. One day the father was in his private plane and was taking off on one of the runways and looked down and saw his son mopping the floor in another man's hanger and he began to weep and speak to his son even though he could not hear him. He was saying, "My son, if you would just come to me you could be flying with me instead of mopping that floor."His heart was broken for his son and the way he was neglecting his father's influence and his provision. He could have been soaring with him in the skies, laughing and talking and learning instead of mopping that floor and cleaning planes.

Now that was a honest living, but it is not what he was born into! We often do the same thing. We are born for higher things than the carnal, earth-bound things. We are born again to soar!We are then adopted into local "families" so that our Christianity can be effective in influencing others to come into your Father's family. It isn't easy to be a family member! there are others to consider when making decisions. We are not the issue, the "family" is. Now this is not like many of the cultish families, this is God's family and He is the only real Father we have. The existence of a father says there is a family. Paul said there were a few fathers around, so the terminology 'family" is perfectly legitimate. We are family and he is Father!

Deal with it!!! jack

All Things New!!

It's a great day to be alive isn't it? Troubles everywhere, wars, economic disaster looming, crime on the increase, anarchy in the streets, employment questionable (for the lucky ones, the others know there is nothing), homosexuality becoming the "norm", same sex marriages legalized (not moralized), criminals running our corporations, Dear God!!!

Why is it a great day to be alive?? Because the Kingdom of our Christ is the ONLY thing stable! His 'stuff' is being made manifest! The Jewish leaders of His day did not recognize him because they were looking for something else in a deliverer!!! The same is true today. Many 'Christians' are doubting now because He isn't rescuing our nation! America isn't immune to problems, we are just spoiled into thinking we are!

We aren't the "New Jerusalem", we are America! His kingdom is not seen with the eye any more than the wind is seen with the eye. We see the effects of the wind (especially in Fla.) by the debris flying around in the air. We can only see His Kingdom by the effect it has on the spiritual 'debris'. Good and bad stuff flying around. He said His fan was in His hand and He would thoroughly purge His threshing floor! Threshing fans blow chaff out!

His 'wind' does more than blow chaff and debris however. His wind has a sound like no other sound. I see bumper stickers that say, "Jet Noise.. the sound of freedom". I can appreciate that from a carnal point of view, but there is another sound of a mighty rushing wind from Heaven blowing into the hearts of God's people... and it is the very Breath of God! Jesus breathed that very same wind into the mouth of His followers and said to them, "Receive Holy Breath". God is calling His people to receive Holy Breath, and He is breathing it!

In the movie "The Passion", when Jesus had fallen under the load of His cross, and was beaten, weary without sleep, bleeding profusely, in pain we cannot understand because it satisfied the demands of a just God for removing all the sins of all man for all time! No pain has ever been felt like that before or since, nor will it ever! In that moment, John brought Mary to Jesus and as she knelt beside Him, weeping over her Son, a sword piercing her side just as had been prophesied, I fully expected Him to say something like: "It's alright Mother.." or "I love you mom..", I was awed by His statement which most people either missed completely or did not grasp the depth of it... He said, "See.. I make all things new"!

Naaman nearly missed his day of healing because the Scripture tells us that he said, "I thought..." He thought the king would heal him, and then he thought the prophet would come out himself instead of sending a servant, and then he thought that the muddy Jordan wasn't up to par, and then he yielded to the coaxing of a loving servant and was healed!

DON'T MISS YOUR DAY NOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY!! He may not be what you expected, but He is exactly what the Father expected!

The Jews missed Him and even His cousin John sent to Him asking Him, "Are you the one, or do we wait for another??"

This is Him y'all! He is here and He cannot set up His "New Kingdom" without breaking down the old one. He simply doesn't refurbish... he makes NEW!!

jack

The New Year

2009... It is really here! I will soon add another decade to the 8 I have already used up!

We talk about a "new" year, but it is really just another juncture in our time-space journey with Christ. We need these identifiable spaces in this journey that give us opportunity to make adjustments to out speed or 'compass heading', or maybe to set our sails different because the winds of the Spirit have changed somewhat!

Sad words in the ears of leaders are words like, "We have always done it this way, why change now?" Or perhaps, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" that's a foolish statement when it comes to walking with the Lord. we are supposed to be going from glory to glory... that is change!! It didn't say we go from being broken to being fixed. this is a move in the middle of GLORY! We go from the best to the best! Glory to glory!

Back to the new year, we are in a time of great change. Our nation is about to seat it's first non-caucasian president ever. Our finances are in ruin and people in charge of our money and our large corporations and our government seem to be void of integrity! Thieves and liars! Self-serving egotists who are bent on padding and packing their own pockets while feathering their own nests, both at the expense of the people who trusted them! Burying your head in the sand does not make it go away. But you and I are powerless to do anything about it it seems... It is above our reach and our sphere of influence! They wouldn't even answer our phone calls to them if we knew their number, and we are paying their salary!!! Shame!!

But we are not powerless! Our problem is that we are idolatrous! We are worried more about our money and our jobs and our cozy lives than we are about the Kingdom of God. I have it on the best of sources that if we would, right now, in the middle of this mess, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all our needs will be added to us!" We, in God's Kingdom, are more powerful than the government! We can touch Heaven where God dwells and he will hear us just as he did His people in Egypt! He will come down and deliver us. We MUST ask in faith!

Our prayers in faith will avail much! The enemy, using the economy, is setting the world up for a phony "savior"! One who will "deliver" us. Pulpits and TV ministers who cause us to love prosperity and position will be exposed as cohorts with the enemy. Our true Savior isn't going to 'save' our finances primarily, He is going to remove us from the problem area!! Now I don't want to rob anyone of their faith to receive, I just want their worship to be concerning what God has done in Jesus Christ in restoring us to His favor rather than what He will give them. Then He can trust them with prosperity.

In the first chapter of Job he says: "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." HE HAD JUST LOST HIS FAMILY!!

Don't let ignorance, idolatry, foolishness, nor greed steal your finances. But keep Him and His work in Christ at the front of your worship! You can tell what you 'worship' by watching what your attention is primarily on and what you run to in time of trouble! "Some men count gain as godliness, but godliness with contentment is great gain"! Many people I know personally are watching the stock market more than they are reading their bibles!!!

Protect what is yours but remember, "..except the Lord protect the house the watchman waketh in vain! (Ps 127:1b)
jack

Wings

Hi...

Still hard with a broken right wrist so I'll write big, haha! I spoke the other sunday about mounting up with wings as eagles. I tried to point out that it was not "..mounting up on eagles.."! They can't fly with you on their back!

It doesn't say that we are scooped up by eagles, but that WE are to do the "mounting up" on our spiritual wings just as eagles do. They don't constanly flap their wings and struggle to stay in the air but they glide off mountain tops or out of their aerie (nest), and catch the air currents. If they need to go higher, they just find a thermal and ride it up by circling within the thermal (hot air updraft).

God wants us to stop "flapping and struggling" to stay in the spiritual "air" and learn the "currents" and "thermals" 0f His spirit. Above every storm there is a cloudless sky! The sun is bright and the view is beautiful. I know of many people who have been in such terrible storms and did not know how to "read the wind" to rise above it.

Jesus knew how, and He said to us all, "Come unto me all you who are laboring and are under a heavy load. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me because I am meek and humble and I know the currents!" (My addition).

To hear this message live, go to www.touchedbyhislove.org and click on "media" and look for Dec 14th message.

jack

More on tiffany

I am still struggling with this broken wrst/arm so I will keep this short. I will pick up better after Christmas!

Here is an update on Tiffany I got from LA yesterday:

Hi bro..Yesterday revealed two things, small improvement in that Tiffany's nerves when subjected to electric shock displayed movement in the legs. That would indicate that the legs are alive and not destroyed. The second thing we saw was the obvious disappointment in Tiffany at how far she has to go on this journey. At one point she said, "just think what I was doing a week ago". She has been flat on her back a week today and the pain seems to be increasing as the pain meds are decreased. She is miserable in the bed because she can change positions very little. The care in the hospital is very good and attentive. Tiff is surrounded every day with many friends here who are from all over the world. 80% of those living in Dubai are from other countries. They, along with her company, have flooded her with gifts and flowers. Teresa spent the night with her last night and I'm having breakfast and getting ready to go to the hospital. She has a very nice room. The insurance company balked at first and said they wouldn't pay and the owner of her company, a very powerful man, called and said, "if you ever want to do business in Dubai, take care of this young woman". We now have a suite with leather coaches and two t.v.s. I am struggling with trying to navigate the normal frustrations of trying to do the daily tasks in a foreign culture. For example I spent all day yesterday just getting money from her atm and picking up her car from the shop. God sent me two angels, after he let me sweat and steam. One was an Indian who volunteered to take me to the bank. He stayed with me, helped me buy a prepaid phone card for my local phone and brought me home again...no charge!

The next angel was a Taxi driver from Peking. We spent a couple of hours together trying to find her Jeep. He took me everywhere and waited patiently as I sorted out each challenge. Yes, I gave him a good tip! There's a summary of our present situation. We love all of you and sense and see the effects of your prayers daily. I have traveled all over the world preaching for 30 years but things are different when you are trying to wrestle for the life and health of your child. Thus, much of my frustration. I'm not handling it very well but I am pressing toward the mark. One thing you can pray for, in addition to her healing is the right place for her long term rehab. Her company insurance will not pay for rehab in the USA. At first we were told possibly England or maybe France. Now thay are saying possibly India! That's a little scary to me. We can't afford to walk away from here insurance and bring her home so we are investigating every possible option. Please cover this in prayer. Bless all of you, Teresa and I truly pray that you and your family will have a joy-filled Christmas. We were excited that our son Shane will be joining us here for a Middle Eastern Christmas!

Much Love and Appreciation!
L.A. And Teresa

LA's daughtger

I haven't been really able to type with this broken wrist, but I will get better next week. I am so slow I get tired of waiting for myself to get the typing done..

I did want to tell you all that L.A.'s daughter Tiffany, who lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (sp ?) fell from her second floor balcony last week and messed her spine up. I will paste the laatest news at the end of this... PLEASE pray for her. LA & Teresa immediately flew over there and are having to stay for an extended time through surgery, some rehab, etc. Long way from Georgia!!!

Here is the latest! Remember it is Arab time...

Subject: Update on Tiffany
It is Monday at 3:30 p.m. as I write this. It has been a pretty hard this morning. After a 6 1/2 hour surgical proceedure yesterday, there are questions about the extent of the damage from the spinal injury. It has definitely affected her legs and feet and possibly bowel and bladder function. I only share that for prayer. Tiff had a difficult morning with it all. I think reality of the situation is setting in and the long recovery process that appears to involve extended rehab. The surgeon showed us xrays of the before and after views. He put in large screws and plates to expand the crushed area in the spine. This will, as he said, allow the healing to occur. He would not give me a time frame on the hospital stay except to say, for some time. He did tell me that his goal was to get her up and sitting. Then, he said, there is not adequate rehab here in the UAE. That raises a lot of questions. Does that mean our taking her back to the US? Insurance coverage? Many things are in question. However, we will trust the Lord and take it one step at a time. It appears that we will be here for some time and will learn more as healing occurs and we can learn the extend of the damage.
Thank you for your love and concern.
Blessings,
LAJ

Wrist break

Well, we were working at the church this week, doing some needed repairs and remodeling as well as the Christmas decorations. Everything is so beautiful (except for the stuff we haven't done yet). Thanks to the wonderful people who pitched in to get it done

We are putting a new playground in on the east side of the church, half for the nursery age and the other half for the 3-6 year olds. It is just outside the fellowship hall and the nursery so that we can watch them play and look after them.

In the process of all these projects, I managed to fall under the portico and break my wrist. It had to be my right wrist too! I will have to make short work of this blog due to the difficulty typing. I will write before Christmas but I just wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas and bless your aproaching year. Make it the best ever!

jack

It's coming!

Well, Christmas is coming and I am concerned (once again), that even the believers will commercialize it! It is not, I repeat, NOT a time for wish lists nor for thinking about what all you are going to get for Christmas, it is all about what you have already gotten!

I realize that December 25th is not neccessarily Jesus's birthday, but for the life of me I can't find anyone that knows when it is!!! So... realizing that the first thanksgiving wasn't on thursday, and there is no specific day of the month when Jesus arose from the tomb, and other such unknowns exist, I will be, (a)- grateful on whatever day, (b)- celebrate His tomb exit, and (c)- His birthday on whatever day my brothers and sisters in Him are doing it! It's a "family thing"!

We have better things to do than argue about this. Let's be one in the Spirit and be grateful that we have such a marvellous thing to celebrate and to be grateful for! And don't write me your contrary opinions about this, I'm set in my ways! However, if you want to be right, then agree with me!! (lol)

Teach your children that it is a time for giving and receiving! If you have plenty, share with the less fortunate. If you give to the poor, you are lending to the Lord! (Prov 19:17 and He pays good interest!) "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his position shall be exalted with honour." (Psalms 112:9)

I will give some things to my grandkids for Christmas because I love them, but I do this all year long! Just a note, we have a few families we get every year from the Red Cross that have a specific need and the church buys the stuff but we let families (with kids in tow), take them to the people who need them. Try it! You and your kids need it!

jack

Gratitude...

I wonder why they didn't name this holiday "Gratitude Day"?

I think maybe the word "thanksgiving" is more generic and can be recognized as a holiday quicker than a more precise, action demanding, and descriptive word like "gratitude". We have heard the word thanksgiving for so many generations that we automatically identify it with things such as:
1- Turkey and yams and cranberry sauce;
2- The eve of the biggest buying day of the year;
3- Sliced turkey sandwiches for days;
4- Turkey salad sandwiches; and then,
5- Going on a diet!

I realize that the Bible says to give thanks... but that is just an outward expression of an inner attitude of gratitude! Thanksgiving comes from the lips and maybe the actions, but gratitude is a 'gut' thing. It is a way of being, thinking, feeling, and speaking and doing! I am eternally grateful for the Cross of Christ and for His command to me to love my own cross! Now if I really love my cross I will embrace it and what it means for me, what it demands from me, and what it will do for me. i will have splinters in my lips from kissing both crosses.

I am also grateful for the hard decisions that were made by our leaders through the years concerning taking the fight to the enemy as a nation. I Am grateful for the men and boys and women who gave their lives for this country (the American people), and all of the oppresed countries around the globe. Some of the decisions were probably bad ones, but they were meant well! God forgive the ones who made the bad ones. I do!

We have done more of the will of God in our short existence than any nation ever has. We haved sent more missionaries, more bibles, more help to build church buildings in third world countries than any other nation. We have removed open prayer and bible readings from our own school classrooms and the Ten Commandments from many public places, but you know what? God hears silent prayers (so teach your kids thay can pray in school). I have heard that as long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in Schools!! Open Bible reading is gone for now but not private study of the Scriptures to etch them in our minds and our kids minds!

This would all be fruitless; from the wars, the deaths, the prayers, to the Bible studies, if it were not for the Lord of our battles, our dead, and our living. Without this reality there would be no one to hear and answer prayers, and the bible would be just another book. I AM "Grateful " in our year of our Lord, 2008! "Except the Lord keep the house, the watchman waketh in vain. Except the Lord build a house they labor in vain that build it!"

But He is there... he is listening... He loves us and I for one am SO GRATEFUL!

And i am grateful for you! JACK

..from house to house....

Hold on and lets take a ride with paul and the disciples...

First the disciples: In Acts 20:20 it says,"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,"

There is something supernatural in a relationship that gathers us "from house to house". Paul told the followers that he didn't keep back one single thing that would benefit them, or equip them in their ministry. He was wanting to reproduce himsef (in a sense) in them. Not a clone, just a reproduction as far as ministry goes. He said that he taught them these things in two locations: Publicly and from house to house. The "public" teaching speaks of his example to them in his actions and words as he ministered to the people who were in need. Teaching by demonstration and action!

There was also another method he used which is the more common. He academically taught them. He used the Scriptures and historicity of their race to give them a deeper understanding of why he did what he did. By having an understanding of these things, they would acquire a desire to follow his lead in actions. This 'method' is still used a lot, but the 'atmosphere' of Paul's teaching lends itself to a more realistic grasp of the more effective impact a person could have on the people he/she is attempting to reach with this Truth. The "house-to-house" atmosphere made them realize that this is not a 'sterile' nor 'static' word we have. This word is living, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword and it pierces and discerns!

Something about the "house-to-house" that brings the word to life. It suddenly becomes personal and isn't some ethereal, aloof, unreachable concept that makes us above other people because we are special just because we have now understood the theology of it! God's Word is a personal, approachable, understandable, house-to-house reality which is available to set anyone free or to instruct anyone in following the Lord!

Again in Acts 2:46-47 "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

I want to talk a little about breaking bread from house to house. We need to understand that this isn't just their own homes! They are also eating in the homes of their unsaved friends in order to closer identify personally, and to demonstrate the absence of aloofness by facilitating much sharing and many questions. The are also eating in the homes of saved followers to bring this Gospel to life by demonstrating it in the flesh and teaching them to do the same!

My personal "second pulpit" is whatever table in whichever restaurant or cafe' or coffee shop I am in. One "house" I break bread in is Dino's Pizza and Sub Shop. It is "church" to me when I can encourage someone I see there. My breakfast pulpit is in the Gazebo. I have another on my patio in back of my hoouse. Of course there are no real pulpits there like you would see in church, but there is a spiritual pulpit from which a spiritual word flows!

They were in one accord in the temple! They had singleness of heart! They praised God together! They ate with sinners! This unusual demonstration gave them favor with all the people who observed it, and because of this, God added to the church as people accepted Christ. There is no more powerful witness tool than your very own life and the way you interact with, love, and treat, other people!

Shellie and I met L.A. and Teresa Joiner and Larry and Elaine Millinder to break bread in Tallahassee tonight. It wasn't just the loaf we broke, but our personal "loaf" as we shared and loved and laughed and "became one" as we did so! How beautiful the Body of Christ! Try it!

later... jack

Futile goals..

We live in a society that has placed value on the valuless! It has enamored the ugly and lured us with the unattractive and trapped us with a deadly snare called, "I've got to have one of those!" I recently wrote a poem to this situation and I named it "An Ode To A City Dump". I put it in my church bulletin and some people told me that I should put it in the blog, so here it is. Its not as shallow as it seems. Read carefully!

“Ode To A City Dump”
by: Jack Hollis

I passed a place the other day,
Where dreams were buried in the clay
The things that men just had to own
Were now entombed, and weeds have grown

I passed a place the other day
Where dreams were buried in the clay
Money was spent, lust satisfied
Those dreams have now forever died

Buried in a tomb of fill
Sealed from seeping from this hill
Corruption is the product known
Corruption is the seed that’s sown

All that work, all that labor
To have it better than your neighbor
All in vain, all conceited
Labored much, but now defeated

But rain will soak the tomb of fill
And filth will issue from the hill
Trash on trash exposed to nations
And proof will show of man’s frustrations

And rain will come from Heaven’s gate
Raining peace to all who wait
Looking up toward God’s portal
Changed from mortal to immortal

I passed a place the other day,
Where dreams were buried in the clay
The things that men just had to own
Were now entombed, and weeds have grown

Jack Hollis 12-3-2007

Looking for a Moses!

After the last blog, I got a note from Greg lancaster and to quote him directly, "Good word! I agree. When I first started teaching people to hear God ,I was shocked that many didn't want to. They just wanted to go to Moses. I still hold fast to helpimg fulfill the the plan of God "My sheep know My voice.... To this I strive!"



This "going to Moses" thing is so real. But I have to admit that many men of God have become "pulpiteers" and are convinced that is the way to grow a church! Well, it is if you are looking for numbers not maturity. I personally want both in the people at Christian Center and all of the AMI churches!



Not only that but pastors must watch for the trap set by the enemy that catches them and creates the thought pattern that unless the people are somehow 'bound' to them personally their position is not secure! Any pastoral office that is not secure in the preaching of Truth, innocence dying for guilt, the necessity of us dying daily for the Lord, and separation from the influence of the world, will never be secure for any length of time anyway!



If my personality is required for keeping a flock in the "pen", I really have something to worry about! On the other hand, we can't run rough-shod over the feelings and emotions and love of the "sheep" either! God says that the sheep of His pasture are men, people! He wants them fed spiritually just as a shepherd feeds his flock....



I felt you agreeing with that so I will go farther and tell you that a shepherd never hand-feeds his flock, except for the weak or injured ones which can't do it themselves! Even that is for a season to develop them and strengthen them so thay can feed themselves. His job is to lead them to "green pastures" where they can rest in security, not weeds of tradition and flesh-pleasing doctrines of material prosperity and other such things. The "green pastures" represent a living habitatiion or 'house', quality food from the Word, good doctrines. Doctrines like I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Any shepherd worth his salt will remember he is merely a shepherd, not a rancher! The "sheep" are not his!



The still waters represent the fearless relationship with the shepherd that creates a place of security. They are not afraid to "let their guard down" and drink when he is watching over the flock. He helps to rebuild their "soul" (not spirit), this is who we are in the world. He leads (not drives) his sheep in a track of righteousness... I could go on but I think you get the point.



Pastors (shepherds) need to be hearing God for the flock on a REGULAR basis and giving the m a word that is relevant for where they are, not simply a study of the Bible. We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, not what we learned from some book that we have paraphrased to make it our message! Spiritual plagiarism is a real problem when it takes the place of accepting responsibility for the office!

I guess that's enough for today...
jack

Deception at the top...

I do not believe there is a better way for the enemy to deceive a nation than to deceive its SPIRITUAL LEADERS!

He destroys their vision (sight), and they wander like blind men!

He weakens and corrupts the Word of God through traditions and lies until it has ceased to have any effect on the leader.

Without the veracity of God's Word there is nothing to guide and direct the leader. He winds up moving in his own sphere of wisdom and knowledge and experience! Every decision is based on changing principles and ideals and there is absolutely no continuity to his leadership and life! Leaders MUST go beyond what man can possibly know and find direction in an ongoing relationship with the Almighty! He knows all and wants us to tap into His knowledge. Paul said that "..we have the mind of Christ"! (1 Cor 2:16b) and John also told us, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20) and again in v- 27 "..But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:"

I personally believe that all I need to teach my people is (1)- They need to understand the necessity of hearing God. (2)- They need to be able to hear God! (3)- Do what He says and not let anyone deter them! (Read 1 kings 13:7-32). If the efforts of God's ministers today were focused on these things I have no doubt that our people would learn to walk with the Lord in far more powerful way! This BROADENS THE BASE of Christian ministry!

But alas! We have, for many reasons, taken on ourselves the task of hearing the Lord for our people. Mostly unintentional, but nonetheless counter-productive to their personal directives from Him. I said "mostly" because it is sad to say but many ministers today desire to bring people under their control and into a needful relationship with them. They get their identity that way. Trust me, we only need to preach and teach the things that enhance their abilities to walk their own walk with the Master.

I don't think this is threatening to the role of Apsotle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher! I believe it sets forth the truth about their role as laid out in Ephesians 4:10-16! We are to equip saints to do the work of the ministry. They do not need to be "clones" of us, God forbid that! Each person can reach someone that few others can reach and if they become like us or Billy Graham they can no longer reach that one!

Enough for today...

jack

It's gonna be alright...

Bro. Ken Sumrall, my spiritual papa, spoke for me this weekend and he spoke on the same Scripture I did the week before. According to him, he did it the way I should have! (haha). I agree, he did a great job reminding us again of the reality that we have noting to fear but fear itself. (FDR)

We are in the Kingdom of God and I am sure that the Kingdom is okay. I believe that in the middle of a storm if you are in a safe building, you will be safe as well. We can't fly, but if we are in a vehicle (airplane, baloon, etc.), designed to defeat gravity, we will be safe, but if we try to fly by jumping out of the vehicle... well, you know the rest! And by the way, there are no parachutes for escaping our position in Christ!

If all this is true, and I know it is, we are in the safest economy, safest superpower, and the safest Kingdom there is and everything will be alright! I'm not talking about America, even though I believe God will continue to bless her again, I am talking about the one and only Kingdom Of God!

He will never have a "great depression" nor be defeated at war in His Kingdom! Stay "indoors" like they did in Egypt and you will be okay! By the way... I wonder if those Israelites sat around and chewed their nails and paced the floor wondering what was going to happen... I think so! But not us! We have so much more than they had to bolster our faith in His provision, deliverance, and our safety that we have no right to fear nor fuss!

jack