So here goes - my last post before leaving on a week long adventure to Florida (exact location will remain undisclosed... :) ). Shauna and I are leaving Saturday morning for a week of absolutely nothing but R&R. It'll be great - and did you know it's also Biblical?
In the book of Genesis we can see the story of how everything that we know began. It took our amazing God just 6 days to create everything that is - just 6 days. A friend of our here at the church is building a deck on his house - and it's taken longer than 6 days to get that done! But God made it all in that amount of time...but the next day, the 7th, is where we get the principle of rest and vacation.
When I was young in the ministry and knew everything (it's amazing that as I grow older I lose that vast, unending knowledge more and more...) I was the guy that said, "I'm never on vacation - I'm a servant of Christ!" I didn't know much, turns out. See, I thought it wasn't "spiritual" to take time off. I thought it was a waste of the little time we have left in this world to reach the lost. I didn't think it was a good practice. And so for years, I didn't. I just didn't take time off. And if I actually did take a vacation time, it was usually because and loving and caring Pastor I served under made me do it. And even then - I usually had a preaching appointment wherever we decided to go on vacation to.
And then I wandered upon this HUGE dose of truth straight from God Himself: am I more "spiritual" than He is? "Of course not" is the obvious answer. So if it's nonspiritual for a servant of God to take some time off for R&R, why did the God that servant is devoted to take time off? That's a simple answer: to set an example for us. Our bodies need rest!
So, after a year of intense ministry both at Lake Hamilton Church and the Lake Hamilton FD, we're leaving for a week and turning off the cell phone & the fire radio. It's all going to be off, and we are going to be on the beach working on a sun tan that will make my missionary friend in Mexico jealous! (Granted, I have, as of now, a "farmer's tan" so that will be probably be baked like a lobster, but I'll enjoy every minute of it!)
So what's the point? Don't run yourself ragged! Don't run until you fall apart! Take the example that God Himself gave us - rest when you need to! At least once a week, take a day off and focus on refueling yourself for the work He's called you to. But, vacation from ministry doesn't mean vacation from Him.
Mark it down - Sunday morning we'll be in a place of worship with fellow believers in Pensacola, FL lifting up the name of Christ. Why? Because I don't desire or require a vacation from my God - it's not a job, it's a relationship.
Until next time,
blake
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours!
Email pastor blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com !
Pastor blake will be on vacation next week, but upon his return stay tuned for our next blog, "Make it your best ever..."!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Passion or play?
I'm sitting down this morning to write after completing the preparation of Sunday's sermon...and a question is heavy on my heart. What are we about - passion or play?
Passion - a drive to accomplish a purpose that you are sold out to.
Play - recreation for the purpose of personal benefit.
Hell - the destination for all those who do not know Christ.
2009 Christian - someone who attends church every Sunday for what they can receive (mushy, gushy emotional high) oblivious to the calling of God to share Him with the lost around them daily
Guilty - all of us who sit in our comfortable Christianity while those around us live one heart-beat from eternal torment
Question - will we continue to live with blood on our hands, or will be rise up at the Body of Christ and do something about it?
Share Him - it's our job - it's our calling - it's our greatest responsibility.
Until next time
blake
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Feel free to email blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
Passion - a drive to accomplish a purpose that you are sold out to.
Play - recreation for the purpose of personal benefit.
Hell - the destination for all those who do not know Christ.
2009 Christian - someone who attends church every Sunday for what they can receive (mushy, gushy emotional high) oblivious to the calling of God to share Him with the lost around them daily
Guilty - all of us who sit in our comfortable Christianity while those around us live one heart-beat from eternal torment
Question - will we continue to live with blood on our hands, or will be rise up at the Body of Christ and do something about it?
Share Him - it's our job - it's our calling - it's our greatest responsibility.
Until next time
blake
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Feel free to email blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Not-so Simple Life
God is teaching me that I'm not in control. I mean, I say that I know that all the time, but then I move on in life as if I am in control. But I'm learning, I'm not. What brought all this about, you ask? Well, in explaining this I don't want to run the risk of sounding whiny - I'm not whining. I'm simply sharing with you how God is teaching me to trust, totally, in Him with every aspect of my life and ministry.
About 2 months ago my doctor looked me straight in the eyes and told me I had diabetes, type 2. I am 25 years old and far from obese, though I have a little bit of extra weight that I could probably do without. Turns out, you can be 25 and not too bad overweight and still have diabetes - who knew? Do you know one thing I've learned about diabetes in the past couple months: as much as you re-work your diet and do our best to manage the disease, you still have it - it's out of your control. So now, 4 times a day, I stick the ole' finger to see what my blood sugar is up to today. I can't control that...only He can.
I am a pastor - a shepherd over a flock of Christ-followers in Hot Springs, AR. And do you know what I'm learning more and more each day that I live in that role: a shepherd can't make decisions for his sheep. No, I'm not a control freak really, but there are times that I see things that some of my church folks are doing that I know will hurt them later on, or hurt others later on. And in those times, all I can do is pray and encourage them in their walks with Christ in the right direction...but the decisions are still theirs. I can't control that...only they can.
I am a husband - to an amazing woman named Shauna. We were married on February 14, 2004 in a beautiful ceremony at Victory BC in Cabot. It was very easily one of the best days of my life thus far - an amazing day. All my life I have dreamed of the day when some little stinker would look up to me and call me "Daddy." That's been my highest aspiration and dream in life, honestly. Thus far in our 5+ years of marriage, we haven't been blessed with that opportunity yet. For reasons that are far too big for my mind to understand, God has chosen to not make that one happen yet. As much as I crave that title of Daddy, and as much as I long to see Shauna have the opportunity to be the best mom in the world as I know she would be, it's just not our reality yet. I can't control that...only He can.
So all that to say this: God is God, and we are not. The sooner we accept that and begin to live our lives under His Lordship and guidance, the sooner we experience real life the way He intended for us to.
Until next time,
blake
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Feel free to email blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
About 2 months ago my doctor looked me straight in the eyes and told me I had diabetes, type 2. I am 25 years old and far from obese, though I have a little bit of extra weight that I could probably do without. Turns out, you can be 25 and not too bad overweight and still have diabetes - who knew? Do you know one thing I've learned about diabetes in the past couple months: as much as you re-work your diet and do our best to manage the disease, you still have it - it's out of your control. So now, 4 times a day, I stick the ole' finger to see what my blood sugar is up to today. I can't control that...only He can.
I am a pastor - a shepherd over a flock of Christ-followers in Hot Springs, AR. And do you know what I'm learning more and more each day that I live in that role: a shepherd can't make decisions for his sheep. No, I'm not a control freak really, but there are times that I see things that some of my church folks are doing that I know will hurt them later on, or hurt others later on. And in those times, all I can do is pray and encourage them in their walks with Christ in the right direction...but the decisions are still theirs. I can't control that...only they can.
I am a husband - to an amazing woman named Shauna. We were married on February 14, 2004 in a beautiful ceremony at Victory BC in Cabot. It was very easily one of the best days of my life thus far - an amazing day. All my life I have dreamed of the day when some little stinker would look up to me and call me "Daddy." That's been my highest aspiration and dream in life, honestly. Thus far in our 5+ years of marriage, we haven't been blessed with that opportunity yet. For reasons that are far too big for my mind to understand, God has chosen to not make that one happen yet. As much as I crave that title of Daddy, and as much as I long to see Shauna have the opportunity to be the best mom in the world as I know she would be, it's just not our reality yet. I can't control that...only He can.
So all that to say this: God is God, and we are not. The sooner we accept that and begin to live our lives under His Lordship and guidance, the sooner we experience real life the way He intended for us to.
Until next time,
blake
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Feel free to email blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I'm so not writing this...well...
I'm torn about whether or not to even write today. I have a lot on my mind, and to be honest I'm afraid of what might work its way into this blog. I usually try to write when I'm on a mountaintop and God's speaking things to me that I am just about to explode to share. Today isn't one of those days, but I still feel led to write. Here's the problem with being vulnerable - people can use your words against you if they so choose. But to tell you the truth, I need to be vulnerable, open, and honest today. I need to blog. So here goes.
Shauna and I had a conference call last night with our new adoption agency. It's an incredible agency, made up of adoptive moms that understand the process firsthand, which makes it so much easier on the couples they work with. It was a long call - about 40 minutes. They answered every question, and basically explained the process to us. Should we proceed with this agency, we're working with Christians, and we'll be flying to a hospital in a few months to pick up our new angel straight from a delivery room. Exciting, huh? Yeah, I thought so to. Then the call continued to the cost.
I have always known adoption was incredibly expensive, but when I found this agency I thought we'd found one that was very reasonable when it came to cost. Now, I sit at my desk with a computer in front of me realizing this dream is a really far stretch, and a long way from becoming reality. This program only accepts 30 couples at a time, and we're one of them. The problem is they need to know within 10 days of the phone consultation whether or not we want to move forward, otherwise they have to give our spot away. $20,000 - and 10 days to decide if we can do it. You do the math.
To say the least, I've been down since that call ended. For the benefit of the reader I've got to admit that's not all that's on my mind right now, it's just the HUGE cherry on top of an already heavy load of concerns and issues beating me up right now. Some of you will write and offer great words of advice, and probably even share some Scripture with me, which is fine. But, I just want to remind you - I'm simply being open, honest, and see-through. This is what I feel right now.
If you were to ask me what I want most right now in my life - more than anything else, my answer would be so quick and simple. See, God has already blessed me beyond all imagination. My wife, Shauna, is an angel straight from God Himself, the most amazing wife I could ever imagine anyone having ever, and He gave her to me. I love her dearly. He's given me the opportunity to share His Word on daily occasions, which is a huge blessing considering that's my calling in life. So what do I want, honestly, more than anything else in this world: to be called Daddy. I dream about it - I think about it constantly. And every time I hear that word mouthed by a small child, my heart breaks. That's the truth from my heart this morning.
Then I turn on the news last night and see 3 different stories about abused or neglected children. One of them from Austin, AR - the town that Shauna's parents live in - where two folks were cooking meth in the home with their 2 year old right there with them. Not long after that story was a story on abortion rights and the Presidents comments regarding them. Seriously? I know for a fact there are thousands upon thousands of couples just like us across this nation that are longing for the amazing privilege of being parents - and we're debating whether or not to kill the innocent babies we can't seem to have?
As I said earlier and you can see now, a lot is going through my mind. And I'm writing for one reason - it's therapy for me I guess. And I'm going to be honest once more with my readers: I really don't need advice or all the answers that everyone thinks they have. Just be understanding with us this morning and do this one thing: pray. I long for your prayers for Shauna and I. The desires of my heart are for her to get the chance to be the amazing mom I know she'd be, and for me to get the chance to be a dad as well. So just pray - I appreciate it.
That's just a thought.
blake
Shauna and I had a conference call last night with our new adoption agency. It's an incredible agency, made up of adoptive moms that understand the process firsthand, which makes it so much easier on the couples they work with. It was a long call - about 40 minutes. They answered every question, and basically explained the process to us. Should we proceed with this agency, we're working with Christians, and we'll be flying to a hospital in a few months to pick up our new angel straight from a delivery room. Exciting, huh? Yeah, I thought so to. Then the call continued to the cost.
I have always known adoption was incredibly expensive, but when I found this agency I thought we'd found one that was very reasonable when it came to cost. Now, I sit at my desk with a computer in front of me realizing this dream is a really far stretch, and a long way from becoming reality. This program only accepts 30 couples at a time, and we're one of them. The problem is they need to know within 10 days of the phone consultation whether or not we want to move forward, otherwise they have to give our spot away. $20,000 - and 10 days to decide if we can do it. You do the math.
To say the least, I've been down since that call ended. For the benefit of the reader I've got to admit that's not all that's on my mind right now, it's just the HUGE cherry on top of an already heavy load of concerns and issues beating me up right now. Some of you will write and offer great words of advice, and probably even share some Scripture with me, which is fine. But, I just want to remind you - I'm simply being open, honest, and see-through. This is what I feel right now.
If you were to ask me what I want most right now in my life - more than anything else, my answer would be so quick and simple. See, God has already blessed me beyond all imagination. My wife, Shauna, is an angel straight from God Himself, the most amazing wife I could ever imagine anyone having ever, and He gave her to me. I love her dearly. He's given me the opportunity to share His Word on daily occasions, which is a huge blessing considering that's my calling in life. So what do I want, honestly, more than anything else in this world: to be called Daddy. I dream about it - I think about it constantly. And every time I hear that word mouthed by a small child, my heart breaks. That's the truth from my heart this morning.
Then I turn on the news last night and see 3 different stories about abused or neglected children. One of them from Austin, AR - the town that Shauna's parents live in - where two folks were cooking meth in the home with their 2 year old right there with them. Not long after that story was a story on abortion rights and the Presidents comments regarding them. Seriously? I know for a fact there are thousands upon thousands of couples just like us across this nation that are longing for the amazing privilege of being parents - and we're debating whether or not to kill the innocent babies we can't seem to have?
As I said earlier and you can see now, a lot is going through my mind. And I'm writing for one reason - it's therapy for me I guess. And I'm going to be honest once more with my readers: I really don't need advice or all the answers that everyone thinks they have. Just be understanding with us this morning and do this one thing: pray. I long for your prayers for Shauna and I. The desires of my heart are for her to get the chance to be the amazing mom I know she'd be, and for me to get the chance to be a dad as well. So just pray - I appreciate it.
That's just a thought.
blake
Monday, June 8, 2009
A day in the life...
What a day yesterday was! Let me give you an idea of what I went to sleep last night having experienced on Sunday:
*A great 8:30 service with a group of people I love dearly,
*An awesome 10:45 service seeing God move among us through His Spirit,
*Lunch with the love of my life (Shauna), and my amazing deacons and their wives,
*A family meeting that went, as usual, very well with our hearts united,
*An evangelism training session, where I can see God's people being stirred up to reach the lost (even getting to hear one story from Whitney Heird of winning 5 girls to Christ at Girls' State last week!!!)
*A simply awe inspiring, amazing time of laying on of hands and prayer with Michael, Gary K, Joel, and Doug over a man in much need of a touch from above last night after Evangelism Training (the Holy Spirit was there in a powerful way and we were reminded by Him that this is what we're called to do - almost felt like we were in the book of Acts in the early church...it was sweet!)
*I then went home to my amazing gift of God of a wife. Life is good.
God has renewed my passion to do what He's called me to do. In all my life I've had different aspirations. When I was young I thought I wanted to be a policeman. I truly thought that would be my profession. For a while it was a C-130 pilot in the air force. And I'll admit - for a while I even thought I'd be in politics eventually...(some still think that should happen, but I've referred them to some really good doctors for counseling... :) ).
However, as I've really searched my heart God has confirmed something within me: in all my life, there's only been two things I've realized I could not live without. There have only been two things that my heart BURNED to do - that I realize I would have an inescapable void in my life if they weren't there. Two things, just two. One - be a husband to Shauna. From the first time I met this amazing woman, I realized she would be my wife...it just took me 10 months to convince her. :) I want to be her husband - I HAVE to be her husband. Without her in my life, I'd not be who I am today. I need my wife. That's one.
The other holds just as strong of a hold on my heart. God called me, at the age of 14, to preach. There's no doubt in my mind - nothing had ever been clearer to me in my life that far - He was calling. And I answered. Along the way there have been distractions. In the past year and a half there have been distractions. Pastoring a church is not a breeze, let me tell ya. There's overseeing staff, budgets, ministries, dealing with possible conflicts, counseling, being on call 24/7...and then brilliant me went off and joined the Fire Department and became a Chaplain...which added another on call 24/7 hat to my head. I'm not knocking that, though, God has been good in giving me so many opportunities to share Him through that ministry, and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world! If you think I am tired of being on the FD you must realize: if I got tired, I'm simply quit - it's just that simple. I'm not tired - I LOVE IT!
All that to say this: I love what He's given me the privilege of doing. He called me to preach, and I get to do that 7 days a week - not just on Sunday! And on Sunday - I get to do it twice in the morning alone! Sure there are "down days" when things seem tough and mountains seem too tall to climb. But you see, it's in those days that He speaks to my word and reminds me...it's with faith the size of a mustard seed that those mountains can be MOVED, not just climbed! What a mighty God we serve, and His grace, mercy, goodness, and benevolent blessings blow my mind.
In December 2007, Shauna and I left "home" at Victory Baptist Church in Cabot. We left Shauna's family who lived 5 minutes from us, and mine that lived 15 minutes from us. We left DEEP friendships that had developed over 5 years or more of ministry. We left a good, vibrant ministry that had a very bright future with all kinds of possibilities to reach students and their families. Sure, we LEFT a lot. But more and more each day, I'm realizing what we GOT. We GOT a church family that's second to none, that loves one another and will fight to the finish to support one of us in need. We GOT friends that are amazing. I don't mean to single anyone out, but Joel, Michael, Doug, John, Charlie...and the list goes on and on. I got friends - people I can unload to without worry of it backfiring. And then God brought Josh and Marty back to me by bringing them here, as well. Since that unanimous vote in December of 2007, our lives have changed drastically - but only for the better. We still have lasting friendship with folks in Cabot - don't know where I'd be today without Bro. Ben, just to name one. He's a second dad, or grandpa...whichever title he chooses! God brought us here, but allowed us to continue friendships that matter so deeply to us. Whoa...God overwhelms me sometimes.
So today, take great JOY in what you do - He's placed you there for a reason.
You are a missionary - every single one of you. Don't let anyone slip into hell without fighting for their soul.
Your Pastor loves you more than you know.
blake
*A great 8:30 service with a group of people I love dearly,
*An awesome 10:45 service seeing God move among us through His Spirit,
*Lunch with the love of my life (Shauna), and my amazing deacons and their wives,
*A family meeting that went, as usual, very well with our hearts united,
*An evangelism training session, where I can see God's people being stirred up to reach the lost (even getting to hear one story from Whitney Heird of winning 5 girls to Christ at Girls' State last week!!!)
*A simply awe inspiring, amazing time of laying on of hands and prayer with Michael, Gary K, Joel, and Doug over a man in much need of a touch from above last night after Evangelism Training (the Holy Spirit was there in a powerful way and we were reminded by Him that this is what we're called to do - almost felt like we were in the book of Acts in the early church...it was sweet!)
*I then went home to my amazing gift of God of a wife. Life is good.
God has renewed my passion to do what He's called me to do. In all my life I've had different aspirations. When I was young I thought I wanted to be a policeman. I truly thought that would be my profession. For a while it was a C-130 pilot in the air force. And I'll admit - for a while I even thought I'd be in politics eventually...(some still think that should happen, but I've referred them to some really good doctors for counseling... :) ).
However, as I've really searched my heart God has confirmed something within me: in all my life, there's only been two things I've realized I could not live without. There have only been two things that my heart BURNED to do - that I realize I would have an inescapable void in my life if they weren't there. Two things, just two. One - be a husband to Shauna. From the first time I met this amazing woman, I realized she would be my wife...it just took me 10 months to convince her. :) I want to be her husband - I HAVE to be her husband. Without her in my life, I'd not be who I am today. I need my wife. That's one.
The other holds just as strong of a hold on my heart. God called me, at the age of 14, to preach. There's no doubt in my mind - nothing had ever been clearer to me in my life that far - He was calling. And I answered. Along the way there have been distractions. In the past year and a half there have been distractions. Pastoring a church is not a breeze, let me tell ya. There's overseeing staff, budgets, ministries, dealing with possible conflicts, counseling, being on call 24/7...and then brilliant me went off and joined the Fire Department and became a Chaplain...which added another on call 24/7 hat to my head. I'm not knocking that, though, God has been good in giving me so many opportunities to share Him through that ministry, and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world! If you think I am tired of being on the FD you must realize: if I got tired, I'm simply quit - it's just that simple. I'm not tired - I LOVE IT!
All that to say this: I love what He's given me the privilege of doing. He called me to preach, and I get to do that 7 days a week - not just on Sunday! And on Sunday - I get to do it twice in the morning alone! Sure there are "down days" when things seem tough and mountains seem too tall to climb. But you see, it's in those days that He speaks to my word and reminds me...it's with faith the size of a mustard seed that those mountains can be MOVED, not just climbed! What a mighty God we serve, and His grace, mercy, goodness, and benevolent blessings blow my mind.
In December 2007, Shauna and I left "home" at Victory Baptist Church in Cabot. We left Shauna's family who lived 5 minutes from us, and mine that lived 15 minutes from us. We left DEEP friendships that had developed over 5 years or more of ministry. We left a good, vibrant ministry that had a very bright future with all kinds of possibilities to reach students and their families. Sure, we LEFT a lot. But more and more each day, I'm realizing what we GOT. We GOT a church family that's second to none, that loves one another and will fight to the finish to support one of us in need. We GOT friends that are amazing. I don't mean to single anyone out, but Joel, Michael, Doug, John, Charlie...and the list goes on and on. I got friends - people I can unload to without worry of it backfiring. And then God brought Josh and Marty back to me by bringing them here, as well. Since that unanimous vote in December of 2007, our lives have changed drastically - but only for the better. We still have lasting friendship with folks in Cabot - don't know where I'd be today without Bro. Ben, just to name one. He's a second dad, or grandpa...whichever title he chooses! God brought us here, but allowed us to continue friendships that matter so deeply to us. Whoa...God overwhelms me sometimes.
So today, take great JOY in what you do - He's placed you there for a reason.
You are a missionary - every single one of you. Don't let anyone slip into hell without fighting for their soul.
Your Pastor loves you more than you know.
blake
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Dreams from a dreamer
I have been thinking back, today. Do you remember the days early in life when anything seemed possible? I mean, ANYTHING. If you had a dream of some job you wanted to have, you could not only achieve that, but be the best in the field? If you wanted to be a police officer, you would not only become one, but you'd nab every most wanted felone in the continental United States...all on your first day at work. Remember those days?
My dream was always just that - to be a police officer. I played "cops and robbers" with neighbors constantly as a child, and never stopped to think until later that maybe they didn't want to be the bad guys all the time...nevertheless, they were, and they always got busted! I just assumed that some day, when the time came, I'd go to the academy and follow that dream. But along about the age of 14, something else directed my future plans - a call of God to be a preacher. There was no doubting it - it was a clear cut thing. That would be my future, and I have no regrets about taking this road, either.
When I first began this journey of ministry, I must admit I was still a dreamer. I had envisioned that I would be some amazing preacher that had all the ideas the church world had been waiting for. I thought, deep down inside, that I would eventually be that pastor that everyone thought hung the moon - that you wouldn't be able to stop people from coming through the doors of the church I would pastor, because it would be so incredible. Yes - those were dreams, and I'll admit that at the age of 14 I was not only a lofty dreamer, but a tad bit ego-centric as well.
Now to reality: pastoring isn't easy, and having good "ideas" doesn't equal the instant success of reaching untold multitudes in a short amount of time. I'm finding more and more each day that the more I depend on my own talents or abilities, however strong or weak they are, the less I get to see Him accomplish in ministry. More days than not it's a struggle, even when I'm on the mountaintop of ministry. The simple fact of the matter is that I have an enemy, and so do you. He despises the work of God, and the more lost folks that come to Christ and begin a discipleship journey with Him, the more the enemy fights.
I don't know why people walk away from the fight. I don't know why people turn their backs on the church or its leadership. And to be perfectly honest, I don't know why people neglect commiting to follow Him in what He's calling them to do. But I do know this: our King is coming back any minute, and I don't want to be doing my own thing when He does.
So, here ya go - some "dreams from a dreamer." I have an undying dream of reaching the community that God has placed me in. I have an undying dream to see men and women, boys and girls come into a relationship with Jesus and follow Him the rest of their lives. I have an undying dream to see His church grow, and the local church He's placed me in explode because its members can't STOP sharing Him with the world. I have an undying dream of a time when financial meetings are a breeze and there aren't ever any tough decisions to be made as to what to cut next. And I have an undying dream...call it a passion, rather...to see Him lifted up in all I do, and in all that the church I serve does, until the day He calls us all back to Himself in the "twinkling of an eye."
That's just a thought, and I welcome your's.
Until next time,
blake
Feel free to email Pastor Blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
My dream was always just that - to be a police officer. I played "cops and robbers" with neighbors constantly as a child, and never stopped to think until later that maybe they didn't want to be the bad guys all the time...nevertheless, they were, and they always got busted! I just assumed that some day, when the time came, I'd go to the academy and follow that dream. But along about the age of 14, something else directed my future plans - a call of God to be a preacher. There was no doubting it - it was a clear cut thing. That would be my future, and I have no regrets about taking this road, either.
When I first began this journey of ministry, I must admit I was still a dreamer. I had envisioned that I would be some amazing preacher that had all the ideas the church world had been waiting for. I thought, deep down inside, that I would eventually be that pastor that everyone thought hung the moon - that you wouldn't be able to stop people from coming through the doors of the church I would pastor, because it would be so incredible. Yes - those were dreams, and I'll admit that at the age of 14 I was not only a lofty dreamer, but a tad bit ego-centric as well.
Now to reality: pastoring isn't easy, and having good "ideas" doesn't equal the instant success of reaching untold multitudes in a short amount of time. I'm finding more and more each day that the more I depend on my own talents or abilities, however strong or weak they are, the less I get to see Him accomplish in ministry. More days than not it's a struggle, even when I'm on the mountaintop of ministry. The simple fact of the matter is that I have an enemy, and so do you. He despises the work of God, and the more lost folks that come to Christ and begin a discipleship journey with Him, the more the enemy fights.
I don't know why people walk away from the fight. I don't know why people turn their backs on the church or its leadership. And to be perfectly honest, I don't know why people neglect commiting to follow Him in what He's calling them to do. But I do know this: our King is coming back any minute, and I don't want to be doing my own thing when He does.
So, here ya go - some "dreams from a dreamer." I have an undying dream of reaching the community that God has placed me in. I have an undying dream to see men and women, boys and girls come into a relationship with Jesus and follow Him the rest of their lives. I have an undying dream to see His church grow, and the local church He's placed me in explode because its members can't STOP sharing Him with the world. I have an undying dream of a time when financial meetings are a breeze and there aren't ever any tough decisions to be made as to what to cut next. And I have an undying dream...call it a passion, rather...to see Him lifted up in all I do, and in all that the church I serve does, until the day He calls us all back to Himself in the "twinkling of an eye."
That's just a thought, and I welcome your's.
Until next time,
blake
Feel free to email Pastor Blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
Thursday, May 21, 2009
American Idol..atry
OK, OK...before I go any further I'll admit: I, too, watched this season of American Idol. I did, see - I'm open and transparent. And I'll admit this, as well: I was pulling BIG TIME for Kris Allen to win. I felt that he was the one worthy of the title, and was truly a good guy that could make an impact through his music and testimony. We'll wait and see on that one, I guess. Only time will tell. But in all the hustle and bustle of over 100 million votes being cast in this competition, God's been stirring my spirit up in concern, so I thought I'd blog since it'd been a while anyway.
You see, America is hurting right now. I'm not even referring to the economy or jobless rates at all - they are obvious. America is hurting morally, and we're hurting worse today than ever in our nation's history. Not only do I believe that, but I don't understand how anyone on this earth wouldn't see that as an obvious fact. From the huge "cultural issues" of the definition of marriage (or re-definition should I say), to the murdering of what equates to an entire generation of innocent human beings on the altar of personal convenience, we're in trouble. It's as plain as day.
There's just no more right and wrong. Even men who stand and claim to the "spokesmen for God" or "preachers of the Book" will proclaim to the world that much of our society today is gray. Moral absolutes have seemingly left town as quick as we can turn around and realize they're gone. It's all about relativism these days - "What's right and wrong to you in the moment..." And boy have we played the blame game. As a matter of fact, we've blamed just about every possible source.
There's the media - and we LOVE to blame them. "If all that smut wasn't on TV for all the world to see at any hour of the day this would all be different." Really? Would it? Is it really the media's fault that Christians sit on their couch and watch the garbage? By the way, the R on the back of that movie case doesn't stand for "really good"... I truly believe that the media is fed by the market - and the fact of the matter is, Christians make up a HUGE chunk of that market. Simple fact: if everyone who is opposed to such vulgarity and indecency in the media would simply stop giving them their money, things would have to change, otherwise they'd go broke. That fact is proven every time a "G" or "PG" movie does better than an "R" rated movie in the theaters. Listen - the powers that be in the media really don't care how much we protest or use great verbiage against them. At the end of the day, they're making money, and that's what business is about.
Oh, and don't forget politicians. Man, do they ever get the brunt of the "can o' blame" on a daily basis. Can I go on record as saying that there are, believe it or not, actually a few folks in government that are good, decent, well meaning, moral people? Yes - seriously - there are! I happen to know a few. But regardless, if we have a government that is making decisions that are totally in opposition to where we stand morally, why haven't we done something about it? This is still a democratically elected government, isn't it? So you are abhorred by the number of abortions performed each year? You tremble at the thought of marriage being redefined for the first time in human culture? You don't like greedy CEOs getting bailed out with regular folks like you and I go broke without our bailout? Then when election day comes get up off your Lazy Boy and go vote! And tonight when you lay down in bed or tomorrow when you wake up, start doing something so radical that the world might just call you crazy: pray for those "crooked, immoral politicians." Don't think it'll do any good? Oh yes it will - God's still bigger than Washington DC, trust me.
Can I just sum this book all up with one point? I'm going to talk directly to my fellow followers of Christ - my bros and sis's in the family of God. It's our fault. Period. Christ said we'd be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. So if darkness is prevailing it's not the innocent bystanders who's eternities are hanging in the balance - it's the carriers of the Light that have failed. And just before you decide to get angry and me and write me off, just ask yourself: when was the last time you led a lost person without Christ to Him? Whens the last time you spend tear filled hours on your face before God praying for this nation and its leaders? Whens the last time you demonstrated the love and compassion of Christ in His Name to those in need around you? If it's been a while, or you can't even remember a time...turning yourself around is the first step to turning this nation around. Period.
If we believe the Bible truly is God's Word, then we have to believe that what it tells us as Christians to do is really our responsibility. And if we aren't busy making disciples that will grow and follow Christ, we are sleeping on the job. Meanwhile, America is on fire with passion for everything BUT Him. Our American idols have begun to gain all of our focus, and Christ is slowly being pushed aside. And as He is pushed aside, so is the future of this amazing nation we call the United States of America.
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Feel free to email me anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
Until next time, live blessed!
blake
You see, America is hurting right now. I'm not even referring to the economy or jobless rates at all - they are obvious. America is hurting morally, and we're hurting worse today than ever in our nation's history. Not only do I believe that, but I don't understand how anyone on this earth wouldn't see that as an obvious fact. From the huge "cultural issues" of the definition of marriage (or re-definition should I say), to the murdering of what equates to an entire generation of innocent human beings on the altar of personal convenience, we're in trouble. It's as plain as day.
There's just no more right and wrong. Even men who stand and claim to the "spokesmen for God" or "preachers of the Book" will proclaim to the world that much of our society today is gray. Moral absolutes have seemingly left town as quick as we can turn around and realize they're gone. It's all about relativism these days - "What's right and wrong to you in the moment..." And boy have we played the blame game. As a matter of fact, we've blamed just about every possible source.
There's the media - and we LOVE to blame them. "If all that smut wasn't on TV for all the world to see at any hour of the day this would all be different." Really? Would it? Is it really the media's fault that Christians sit on their couch and watch the garbage? By the way, the R on the back of that movie case doesn't stand for "really good"... I truly believe that the media is fed by the market - and the fact of the matter is, Christians make up a HUGE chunk of that market. Simple fact: if everyone who is opposed to such vulgarity and indecency in the media would simply stop giving them their money, things would have to change, otherwise they'd go broke. That fact is proven every time a "G" or "PG" movie does better than an "R" rated movie in the theaters. Listen - the powers that be in the media really don't care how much we protest or use great verbiage against them. At the end of the day, they're making money, and that's what business is about.
Oh, and don't forget politicians. Man, do they ever get the brunt of the "can o' blame" on a daily basis. Can I go on record as saying that there are, believe it or not, actually a few folks in government that are good, decent, well meaning, moral people? Yes - seriously - there are! I happen to know a few. But regardless, if we have a government that is making decisions that are totally in opposition to where we stand morally, why haven't we done something about it? This is still a democratically elected government, isn't it? So you are abhorred by the number of abortions performed each year? You tremble at the thought of marriage being redefined for the first time in human culture? You don't like greedy CEOs getting bailed out with regular folks like you and I go broke without our bailout? Then when election day comes get up off your Lazy Boy and go vote! And tonight when you lay down in bed or tomorrow when you wake up, start doing something so radical that the world might just call you crazy: pray for those "crooked, immoral politicians." Don't think it'll do any good? Oh yes it will - God's still bigger than Washington DC, trust me.
Can I just sum this book all up with one point? I'm going to talk directly to my fellow followers of Christ - my bros and sis's in the family of God. It's our fault. Period. Christ said we'd be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. So if darkness is prevailing it's not the innocent bystanders who's eternities are hanging in the balance - it's the carriers of the Light that have failed. And just before you decide to get angry and me and write me off, just ask yourself: when was the last time you led a lost person without Christ to Him? Whens the last time you spend tear filled hours on your face before God praying for this nation and its leaders? Whens the last time you demonstrated the love and compassion of Christ in His Name to those in need around you? If it's been a while, or you can't even remember a time...turning yourself around is the first step to turning this nation around. Period.
If we believe the Bible truly is God's Word, then we have to believe that what it tells us as Christians to do is really our responsibility. And if we aren't busy making disciples that will grow and follow Christ, we are sleeping on the job. Meanwhile, America is on fire with passion for everything BUT Him. Our American idols have begun to gain all of our focus, and Christ is slowly being pushed aside. And as He is pushed aside, so is the future of this amazing nation we call the United States of America.
That's just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Feel free to email me anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com .
Until next time, live blessed!
blake
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