From Charles H. Spurgeon

My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although he has left that garden, he now dwells in the garden of his church: there he unbosoms himself to those who keep his blessed company. That voice of love with which he speaks to his beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Ten of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, “I am thy salvation.” No other voice can content me; I know thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to thy calls. To-night, Lord, grant thine unworthy one his desire, for I am thine, and thou hast bought me with thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open thou mine ear. I have read thy heart, now let me hear thy lips.

Mark Yancy

Mark was saved in his home 2 weeks ago after attending one of our services. He is going through a rough time with his current employment. It seems the new owners are replacing all the former employees. Mark has two girls that he takes care of by himself, and needs a new job. Please pray with me that Mark learns to depend on his new DADDY during this trying time. Mark is getting baptized on Sunday!

Hilarious Clinton

I agree with Gov. Huckabee that there is nothing funny about Hilary Clinton becoming president. As Christians we need to be praying for our country as we prepare to elect our next president. It almost seems that we are watching American Idol and not understanding the seriousness of what is at stake. We are in a serious time and transition that should not be taken lightly. From terrorism to the complete moral decline of the younger generation I fear the future for my kids! We better keep God and his standards as our rule and action plan or we will say, “GOOD BYE TO THE USA THAT WAS ONCE SO GREAT”. One individual at a time and one church at a time we can make a difference, but we must speak up in these crucial times!

My prayer: God, please cause your people to take a stand in these last days and impact change in this great country! In Jesus Name, Amen.

BTW- I heard that the Hilary Clinton costume was voted the scariest of all Halloween costumes.

Revival

We kicked off our Revival last night with a great crowd! We met in the altar for prayer, had a baptismal service, Lori, her sisters and mom led us in worship, and Roger Copeland preached it like it was the last time he would ever preach again! Please pray for us the next couple of days as we seek to get closer to our Jesus!

Does this post have too many exclamation marks???

A Great Place To Be...

One of the destinations that I am working hard to arrive at is "OLDYOUNGUNITY". Oldyoungunity is the place where both the older and younger generations come together for the same purpose! This is a hard island to find, but we are constantly looking at the compass trying to head in the right direction.

Unity in the church is a must! Without unity a church cannot experience consistent life change and spiritual growth. Unity is the third session in our membership seminar. Every person interested in becoming a part of TBC must go through the membership seminar before they "unite" with us. Church life is way to serious to miss out on this crucial opportunity (membership seminar)!

We had 8 people who started the membership seminar Sunday afternoon. Mark attended our friend day service and was saved last Thursday in his home. Brandy, who has Pentecostal background, will be baptized on Sunday for sure. I am hoping four others will be baptized with her (including Mark). Dustin who has Church of Christ background hasn't made his decision yet (baptism). Please pray that he will join the excitment!

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3

Pastoral Preaching

Today I was thinking about what kind of preaching I do-I decided to call it Pastoral Preaching. My style is linked to my responsibility. A shepherd is a guide and protector that helps the sheep get from one place to another, feed, drink, laydown, rest, and ultimately produce something that is going to benefit others (the wool). My preaching isn't, "this is what the Bible says-like it or lump it", but "this is why (the Bible says such and such) and how we can have an abundant life with Christ on this earth (here and now)."

All my messages focus on living the Christian life. All messages include some evangelistic challenge. All messages conclude with an invitation to enjoy life with God by submitting to His commands. I guess since I am preaching through books of the Bible it would be called Expository Pastoral Preaching.

I am not a scholar but I do believe my Shepherd helps me be the shepherd He wants me to be to His people!

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." I Peter 5:1-4

Regarding My Last Post

My comment about the "cultural church wave" has to do with leaders and churches that see one church do something and think, "hey we should do that"... hear one mainstream leader say or write something and say, "hey that sounds good"... then they make it their new philosophy or position without ever consulting God and the Scriptures. I am not opposed to doing new things or being different, but I certainly want confirmation from God that He's in it before I run with it!

What Is The Best Way To Do Ministry?

Answer: Listen to God!

I'm on my soap box again. I get fed up with people that think they must ride the cultural church wave to reach people. It is obvious that if we ask God for His help and listen to His answer (to us personally and specifically) He will help us do HIS WILL-which is to save people with the gospel. The following formula seems to work for me.

1. Prayer and Openness to God's Spirit (with clean hands and a pure heart listen to God)

2. Openness to Change When God Says Change (certain things change over time)

3. Determination To Be An Example Not A Spectator (as an individual and church)

4. Evangelistic Preaching (the whole Bible is evangelistic)

5. Consistency (in teaching, training leaders, and example)

6. Biblical (don't promote or bank on a philosophy that contradicts scripture)

If you are trying to be the man of God that He wants you to be let 2 Timothy 3:16-17 sink in deep.

My prayer: God help me to constantly evaluate my spiritual walk with YOU, my motive, and performance in ministry according to your terms. Keep me in check! In Jesus Name. Amen.

Thelma Hamby

Thelma Jean Hamby went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 7, 2007. Thelma was one of the best church members at TBC. She never complained about anything although she battled cancer for 7 years. I saw FAITH today! Elgin, her husband, and all the close knit family overwhelmed me with their hope in the Lord. I pray that someone trusted Christ or will soon as a result of today's service. Thelma is celebrating with her Jesus, but we will miss her!

Journal Download

I have been at Temple for one year today. The following list is a recap of the major details of what God has been doing in our church since last October.

• Lives have been changed through a variety of ministries.
• Our average attendance has increased by over 30%. We frequently run in the 120’s on Sunday mornings in comparison to 85 (which included two families that have moved from the area) a year ago.
• Our high before September 30th was 150.
• On September 30th we had over 200 people and one profession of faith.
• We have seen at least 25 professions of faith.
• We have had 27 additions (14 baptisms).
• We have restored a family that had a terrible experience with sin.
• We have started two new bible studies through the week for men and women.
• We have implemented Faith Evangelism with 8 teams making home visits.
• We have built 4 new class rooms in our education building.
• We built an additional gravel parking lot.
• We have started Faith Promise Giving and over doubled our mission’s offerings.
• We started supporting Jeremy Flanagan and Pathway Baptist in Fayetteville, AR.
• We took our first mission trip with 19 people (Fredericksburg, VA). We saw several professions of faith from this trip!
• Tommy Slinker’s life was transformed then shortly after he surrendered to the ministry.
  

Thank you Lord for working in my life and empowering me to lead TBC to get involved with you and your kingdom work! In Jesus Name. Amen.

We Doubled Our Attendance

Sunday was great! With this once a year evangelism pool we were able to almost double our current attendance. We had around 100 unchurched people at Temple on Sunday Morning. The best was that atleast one that I know of trusted Christ as Savior!

We are walking out the door... I will write more later.