July 4th
Posted by Billy on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 10:55am
"God Bless America." What a tremendous prayer. I believe that every Christ-follower prays this prayer for America. We all want America to be blessed. There may be differences concerning denominations, practice of worship, and practices of faith but we all want America to be blessed. The question comes as to what we mean by "blessed." For some it may mean that we remain the richest country in the world. For others it may include social issues being resolved. Whether it is wealth, health, or power many today stand and desire more for America. I pray that America is blessed by a return to the moral fiber from which we were created. Our founding fathers expressed a faith in God that led them to establish this nation under the guidance and protection of God. When we willingly place ourselves under God's Word and law, we will be blessed. America is made up of Americans...individuals. Each individual has the right to pursue a relationship with God or not. No one can force upon anyone a practice of religion. In the same vein, no one can hinder your worship of the Almighty God. Prayer cannot be stopped and faith cannot be extinguished. I pray that God will bless America through those who call on His name and desire to walk according to His ways. America is a great country that I believe can become even greater. I love America but I know she can do better. We can do better. God wants us to do better. So, this Fourth of July I pray you will celebrate this great country AND celebrate our great God that gave us this country and protects us each and every day. GOD BLESS AMERICA! God and Country
Print this \| Permanent Link \| E-mail a friend \| Add a comment \| 0 comments

SUMMER
Posted by Billy on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 11:05am
Ah! The first day of summer has arrived and it is hot where I live. Heat index will rise to around 102. The temperate will get to around 95+. I say that if it feels like 102 then it is 102! During this summer I hope you will take time for family and friends but most importantly God. The summer is full of vacations, travel, swimming and sweating. Fortunately, I have already completed my travels for the summer so I am available for cutting grass and trimming hedges. Yes, the gift of summer! I want to remind you that my book, "Simple Living" is still available. I encourage you to get a copy for your friends. I am using the proceeds of this book to work on another one entitled, "Playing With God." It is a look at how we play with the things of God instead od engaging in the discipled walk. It contains much humor as before but a strong challenge to move from play to living! So, with a shameless plug I hope you will order copies of "Simple Living" and enjoy it over the summer. Relax by the pool and get ready to laugh as you read of some of my experiences as a country pastor. God bless you and stay in the shade! Summer
Print this \| Permanent Link \| E-mail a friend \| Add a comment \| 0 comments

FATHER'S DAY
Posted by Billy on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 10:18am
I have heard that Father's Day has more "collect" calls than any other day. I am not sure if that is a fact but it sounds about right. I thought about taking the time to research the origin of Father's Day but felt I should just enjoy the day without the background. The Bible has many stories about men and fathers. Some stories are very positive and some are of trouble. The Bible gives a very true picture of men. In our world, I am not so sure that father's get the best story. I know that there are many who abandon their families, mistreat their wife, abuse children and so forth. But I want to call attention to those fathers that do it right. To those who labor day after day to provide for their family. To those who do come home every night and honor their family with faithfulness. I want to call out those that spend time throwing the ball in the backyard, coach little league teams, spend hours preparing baseball and football fields so our young stars can shine. I want to call attention to those dads that spend time holding their children, discipling out of love, hoping for their best, providing all the "stuff" in life to be successful. I want to say, "way to go" to dads that pray with and for their children, take them to church, teach them the Bible, model obedience to Christ, and are willing to say, "I'm sorry" when they are in the wrong. To the dads who will cry, show a tender heart, love their wife, and will put down the newspaper or turn off the TV to listen. I want to point to the dads that are getting it right and value their relationship with God more than anything else. These dads may be in the minority during our days but they do exist! I want to say to all of them, "Way to go and keep on going even when you feel you are alone." God will always honor and bless our obedience! So, from one dad to another: "Way to go!" Fathers Day
Print this \| Permanent Link \| E-mail a friend \| Add a comment \| 0 comments

TOO BUSY FOR GOD
Posted by Billy on Monday, June 8, 2009 at 1:01pm
As a minister for over 30 years I have heard all kinds of "reasons" for not attending church or following through with a promise of service in the local church. I have thought about doing a "Top Ten" list but it would be hard to narrow down that low. It occurs to me that we really can do what we want to do unless we are providentially hindered. If we were going on a vacation, very little would stand in our way. If we were going to an event for which we spent major money on tickets, I doubt we would just sleep in. I think one of the most common phrases used would be, "I am just too busy." Too busy for God sounds so strange. Too busy to celebrate the creator of the universe? Too busy to worship the one who gave salvation and eternity with Him? Too busy spend time with the one who loves you the most? Too busy to acknowledge the very one that could take your life? "Too busy" means I have made something else more important than God. I heard the other day that someone had "made other plans" than come to church. Amazing that something could be more important in our lives than God. When we stand before God, I wonder how such "reasons" will sound? Summer is here and schedules are wild and crazy. Already I have had a vacation, a youth camp and leaving for a church conference and it is only in the first week of June! It is a very busy time but not too busy for God. Others may be too busy to give to God during the summer. Whay does attendance AND giving go down during the summer months? What sounds "right" to tell God why our faithfulness drops and His doesn't? I encourage you to be faithful all year round. Take a vacation with family and friends but don't check out of church for two or three Sundays. I know of people who will break their neck, leave vacations early for a little league basketball or baseball game because it is "important." And yet, church attendance and giving is treated as optional and casual. Support your children but set good standards and examples. Allow them to know that God is most important, at least more than a practice or game. I fully believe that if Christian parents refused to allow their children to play on Sundays, games would be rescheduled away from Sundays. Then our children will understand that God is more important than anything else. I am not on a "soap box" but I am wanting to remind us that God is not just another "thing" in our schedule or life. He is above all. We should never claim to be too busy for God. Have as much intensity on being in church through the summer as any other activity; really be more intense and protect your worship. I really don't think, "God understands." Busy
Print this \| Permanent Link \| E-mail a friend \| Add a comment \| 0 comments

One in Seven Billion
Posted by Billy on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 9:10am
I honestly don't know what one billion looks like much less seven billion! To calculate such a number is beyond my brain function. And yet, that is the population the world is growing towards. I recently was reminded just how small I am. I am not referring to weight or height but to being one of several billion. I just returned from a Disney World vacation. I love to visit Disney World for many reasons including people watching and admiring the landscaping. Yes, the rides and shows are great but the older I get...well some things just aren't as appealing. Walking through crowds of people made me think again at the number of people I have never and will never see or meet. The world is just too big for such opportunity. I was amazed at the families with crying children and exhausted parents all in the name "fun." fun that many children will not remember due to their age and fun that some parents would like to forget due to costs! Another interesting thing happend while I was on vacation. I found that a credit reporting agency had accidently applied someone elses mistakes on my account. This is amazing since nothing matched to cause such an arror. Talk about producing stress! No I have to prove that i am not someone whom I never was. Sounds confusing...and it is. "Guilty 'til proven innocent" is the motto in the credit world. According to them I am married to a different person, live in a different county, owned proerty that I did not know existed and didn't pay money that I never knew was owed. I am shocked at how such an error could even be made! Humans do make errors and we are very slow at admitting them. I am glad that with God I am not just one in a crowd of billions. He knows me by name. Psalm 139 reminds me that I am special to him. God never makes the mistake of applying another persons' sin to my account. He does apply the grace of Jesus Christ to my account which gives me a perfect score in his eyes. I am sure that with diligence and patience I will get all reporting corrected. I will be glad when they realize that I am who I am and not someone else. Common names can be a headache. I am also glad to know that God never confuses me with someone else. I make enough mistakes for myself and certianly don't need others attached to my account. So taoday I pray you will know that you are one-on-one with God...always. Your account is in order and I pray you are on good standing with God. We may not have "excellent" ratings but we do have grace! Christianity
Print this \| Permanent Link \| E-mail a friend \| Add a comment \| 0 comments