Am I Really Cut Out For This?

Here I sit on Friday with my DMin workshop looming on Monday. Have I mentioned lately that I am a procrastinator? Once again, deadlines near and I have much to do.

Got some disappointing news last night but have to get past that. Dealing with a hurdle today but can’t let it take too much attention.

Lots of people told me the DMin would be time-consuming. I’m OK with that when I can take care of other stuff in a timely manner. But I don’t do that very well.

Pray for me. Pray that I’ll stay on top of everything – the DMin project, the church/job, and especially the family.

Together

Today I met with pastors from three other churches – all within 5 miles of Cross Road Baptist Church. We talked about working together to make sure every household in our communities received a gospel message. I have not seen any demographical data, but I’m guessing that could be 10,000 people or more. That’s three times as many people as lived in my hometown when I was in high school.

An undertaking of this size requires cooperation. Southern Baptists are known for cooperation. We claim to be cooperative. We named our missions funding mechanism the Cooperative Program. We are all autonomous, independently organized churches, but we do best when we work together.

Our rural area is home to folks who grew up here and have lived here all their lives or have returned here after some years away. The area is also home to former city-dwellers who have built our bought homes as an escape or retreat from the city hassles. A wide diversity lives here. Not so much ethnic diversity as socio-economic diversity. Our churches are charged (by the Lord) to minister to all of them and reach them all with the gospel.

Cross Road may need to re-tool. The church was started in the early ‘70s but this is 40 years later. The gospel is the same but the people who need it are different. How can we take the same gospel to people in ways that are relevant to them. Don’t misunderstand: the gospel is always relevant but the method of delivery can become outdated. Just like milk is still milk, but the horse-drawn wagon has been replaced with the diesel tractor-trailer.

Even with the most relevant method of delivery, CRBC can’t reach everyone without working together with sister churches. I imagine those 10,000+ people who receive a gospel message from our churches will either reject the message or accept it and find meaningful worship and opportunities to grow and serve in one of our churches.

God will get the glory when we live out our Christianity in effective cooperation with one another.

River Market

Little Rock has a trended night spot called the River Market. It’s full of restaurants (bars with food, really) and other cultural grabs. The Clinton Presidential Library is not too far away. I guess it’s been good for Little Rock’s economy, especially the downtown area.

We are headed there tonight. Deana’s boss gave her a gift certificate to one of the restaurants and we don’t like to let free food escape! We’re going early, though. Maybe we’ll miss most of the bar-hopping and general indecency. Hope I don’t show up on the 10 o’clock news.

Forgiveness

Christians are not perfect people, just forgiven people. That should be a comforting thought to us but many can’t grasp the depth of the truth. They continue to live with the burden of sin weighing on their lives. And it’s not necessary.

Two issues are at play here. One is that the Christian can’t accept that God has forgiven him. He prays asking the Lord to forgive him and “leaves it all on the altar.” But when he gets up from the altar he gathers up everything he just laid out on the altar and takes it back with him. All the guilt that should be released through forgiveness, he still carries. All the disappointment. All the shame. Yes, Christians should feel guilty, disappointed, and ashamed – before forgiveness. But once forgiven, he should take the same position God takes: that is, God forgives and no longer holds the sin against the sinner. Jesus died for this.

The second issue concerns unconfessed sin. It’s one thing to feel guilty, disappointed, and ashamed after you have confessed your sin – it’s unnecessary and unhealthy. But those feelings are completely appropriate when you have not confessed your sin. The Holy Spirit works in your life to convict you of sin, this leads to those feelings. Forgiveness is designed to alleviate those feelings and return the sinner to right standing with God. The solution is simple: confess your sin and God will forgive you.

But we don’t confess our sins because we would have to admit we’ve been wrong in our relationships, attitudes, actions, etc. Confession implies falling short of expectations. Confession indicates weakness – and it should! Our sin nature is a chink in the armor. We are not perfect, just forgiven…when we confess our sins.

Many dangers exist with unconfessed sin, but one ties these two issues together. The response  you may have when you can’t accept God’s forgiveness may begin to look and feel just like the conviction of unconfessed sin. So the two completely separate issues blur into one. In other words, you begin to think you have not really confessed or God has not really forgiven because you still feel guilty, disappointed, and ashamed. Or, even worse, you think you don’t have to confess because not confessing feels just like confessing – the stench of sin loses its fowl odor.

Listen to the truth of scripture. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Can you believe that? If you can, you can live as a forgiven Christian. God is faithful: he will do what he says. God is just: he will do what is right.

Will you confess your sins? If you need to talk, please send me a message.

Podcasts

I love preaching. I love to do it and I love to hear others do it. In person, on TV, on the radio, and now on podcasts. Technology is wonderful!

As I ran errands today I listened to a couple of sermon podcasts that I pickup on iTunes. Driving to and from revival services (about 40 minutes each way) I listened to a couple more. For me, the key is to pick speakers you really like and listen to just about everything they do. I like to listen to Ed Stetzer, Al Mohler, Bruce Chesser, and a few others. Seems like their podcasts are always helpful.

Now I need a GMC pickup with an MP3 input. My Chevy Classic doesn’t have one. That’s a good enough reason to buy a truck, isn’t it?

Revival at Ironton

I have the special privilege to preach for revival services at Ironton Baptist Church beginning Sunday. Pastor Sidney Thompson has led the church in growth and construction. I’m looking forward to these meetings.

Revival is the spiritual stirring in the heart of a believer toward deeper commitment and greater action. So I’ll speak about the marks of a revived Christian, knowing God, pressing on to Christlikeness, and following the Spirit.

Pray for Ironton, Cross Road, and me.

Emphasizing Evangelism

I’ve been thinking. That could lead to trouble! But maybe not; let’s see how this goes.

What if every Christian would have a meaningful gospel conversation with an unbeliever this week? What would happen? Can you imagine the impact that would have?

I’ve read articles citing studies indicating that fewer than 5% of believers ever have such a conversation. And we wonder why the church is not keeping pace with population growth in Arkansas? Five people are doing the work for themselves and nineteen other people when it comes to sharing their faith. And every believe is called by God to do it. It certainly is not the 5% who are at fault.

Churches work like this (at least the churches I’ve been involved with): any person who shows any interest in do anything in/for/through the church is allowed to do it asked to do more. This enables the people who show no interest or little interest to be spectators when Christianity is really an all-involved undertaking.

So I’m guessing that if this holds true with most situations in churches it holds true in evangelism, too. If a person shows interest in sharing the gospel, then those who have little or no interest in it sit back and let them do it.

Maybe the 5% has some responsibility for the problem. Not in the fact that they are sharing, because we are all supposed to share. But in the fact that they probably gladly accept the extra responsibility placed upon them by those with little or no interest. Anyone who is carrying the load for someone else, when the other person can and should be carrying their own load, is hurting the spread of the gospel. How can this be? Well, it seems obvious to me that more people can win more people to Christ. One person can lead a few more to Christ – all of us could. But many more people involved in sharing their faith will result in multiplication or exponential growth.

I’m taking an honest look at my evangelistic activity to see where I can do more – not more than I should, but as much as I should. Will you join me in that pursuit? Maybe you can do better; I think I can.

I’m also evaluating my leadership. I should be leading the people whom I pastor to share their faith. I can do better at that, too. And I will when evangelism becomes a priority in reality for me.

And I’m going to pray for evangelism more than I have before. I will pray for the lost to be saved and for the saved to reach out to the lost.

Labor Day

Labor Day weekend marks the end of Summer for many people. For me, it marks the beginning of Fall. Yes, I am aware that Fall doesn’t officially come til September 21, but the Summer routines are behind us and the Fall routines are here. Personally, I’m glad.

I don’t do well in hot weather. I sweat too much. “Not much for a fat guy” is what a friend actually told me once. Too much for anybody, I think.

I prefer lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. Perfect weather! Too bad I can’t order up a perfect day every day.

One day everything will be perfect…every day. I’m looking forward to Fall and Winter but not as much as I’m looking forward to Heaven. The Bible tells us a little about it but only a little. Folks like to speculate but nobody really knows. It is beyond our imagination. I had a fortune cookie that told me I have an active mind and a keen imagination. Still, I can’t imagine what Heaven will be like. But I’m looking forward to it. And I’m ready for it.

I hope you are, too. Getting ready for Heaven requires accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Do you know that you are a sinner? We all are so you might as well admit it. More importantly, God knows.

And God did something about you sin (which would keep you away from God). Jesus Christ – God’s son, God himself – died on the cross paying the penalty for your sins. Do you believe that? I mean believe it so that it drives who you are?

If you will confess (or proclaim) that Jesus is your Lord and commit to live your life his way and for his glory, you’ll be ready for Heaven.

In Christian-ese, we call that “being saved.” I hope you are ready for Heaven. Let me know if you’d like to talk about it.

Church Planting

I will be in a meeting today talking about church planting with other pastors from around our state. We hope to develop a network that will assist smaller churches like Cross Road to be involved. So many times when I mention planting a church I get responses like “What can we do?” or “We don’t have enough money” or “That takes more people than we have.” I’m hoping to rebut those responses by joining with other churches to start churches.

Cross Road won’t have to come up with the resources alone. We can partner with other churches of various sizes. Our people can experience church planting! So I’m looking forward to today’s meeting and to the Great Commission ministry that will grow from it.

Tithing

I believe in the biblical principle of tithing. In short, tithing is my acknowledgement that God owns all things, is worthy of my worship, and knows my needs better than I do. A tithe is 10% of your gain. It is based on gross income. It includes investment income. It includes gifts. It goes to the local church. It goes into the general budget fund.

A church made up of tithers is a church made up of maturing Christians.

When a Christian does not tithe he is showing his lack of faith in God.

The church can fully fund needed staff positions, ministry projects, missions trips, etc., through the tithe. The reason churches have to conduct fund raisers and have designated accounts is to fund projects the tithe should fund.

Do you tithe? For all pastors, I say “Thank you.”

Do you not tithe? Why not? Do you not believe God owns all things? Do you not believe God is worthy of your worship (tithing is an act of worship)? Do you not believe that God knows your needs better than you do?

Deana and I began exceeding the tithe many years ago. A few times throughout the year we increase our giving by $5 or $10 per week and maintain that new level of giving. I really cannot tell you what percentage we currently give because we increase our tithe like this. I’ve heard of others who increase their tithe annually by 1%. Over many years they are now giving well above the tithe, too. People with practices like these, including my family, can testify to God’s abundant blessings. I will not tell you that our income skyrockets when we are faithful, but I will tell you that God’s blessings come in many different packages – and his blessings always come.

I challenge you to be a tither.

Doubling Up

Hard times have set in at the Loyd household. We are able to buy groceries and make the car payments. The church provides a house and utilities. But for the third budget in a row, they won’t be able to increase their financial support. Deana and I feel like we’ve been pretty good stewards during this time by reducing our spending and eliminating or doing without some extras. But it’s been tight. So I’m looking for a job to provide additional income.

The main reason we need to do this is because we elected to put Riley back into private school this year. He attended Arkansas Baptist Elementary School for K4-K5. When I became pastor of CRBC I no longer had a secular job so we couldn’t afford to keep him there. Now, after three years of cutting back, a paid-in-full loan payment we’ve had for a few years, and the start of a tuition discount for pastors, we are pretty close to being able to put him back in ABES. So we did it.

Now I’m looking for a second job to make sure we are able to cover the tuition payments. So far, the best prospect is substitute teaching at ABES. The superintendent was pleading with parents to apply so maybe I’ll get all the days I need. Not even sure what it pays. Hopefully, I’ll have an interview soon and start before long.

That’s a prayer request. And a praise.

Healthy Living

How many times have I written about this? So many that you probably roll your eyes. I get it. But I’ve decided to start living healthy. As a matter of fact, I’ve lost about 5 pounds this week. I need to stay on an aggressive weight-loss plan because I have a lot to lose. I don’t want to take three years to lose it. I want to lose it quickly – I understand the problems with quick weight-loss – and I want to change my eating and exercise habits so that I can maintain a healthy body weight.

So far, I’ve only changed my diet. And that by only a little. I’m snacking much less than before. I’ve substituted my regular high calorie, high fat lunch with a large portion of raw vegetables. I eat celery, cucumber, bell pepper, and carrots for lunch. I’m eating a better supper. I’ve been good at breakfast for quite a while. My main problem is eating when I’m away from the house. Too many fast food value meals.

So I need to stay with my breakfast and lunch plans, do better at supper, and stay away from fast food restaurants. And add daily exercise.

I’ll post updates from time to time. Pray for me.

Memphis Pastors Conference

I like good preaching. I like good teaching. We got some of both at the Pastors Conference hosted by Steve Gaines a Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. I wish the part on apologetics would have drilled down a little deeper. We heard the Why is Apologetics Needed? and the What is Apologetics? but I sure could use a little help with the How do You do Apologetics? Guess I’ll have to add some books to my reading list.

The best part of the day was the fellowship with other pastors. Twenty-one guys from Pulaski Baptist Association and 11 from Faulkner Baptist Association road together on a bus provided by Geyer Springs First Baptist Church. That was a lot of fun. Every time we get together you can count on some clowning around, some deep discussions, and world-problem solving.

Thanks to Danny, Larry, Doug, and Jeff for making this possible.

First Day

Today is Riley’s first day of 4^th grade. He’s done the “first day” thing several times now but today was a little different. He says he doesn’t like school. That’s different. Riley has always liked school and the first day has been a time for excitement and surprises. I go to pick him up in less than two hours. We’ll see how he liked it.

I think the issue Riley is dealing with is two-fold. This is his 6^th first day, counting K4 and K5. It’s old hat. The flair is gone. He’s seen it all, he thinks. Have you ever grown complacent in your relationship with God and his people?
“It’s just another Sunday.”
“Is it time for another revival already?”
“Can’t I just take a break from teaching my class for a while?”
“Please don’t ask me to help on this project.”
Complacency is your own failure to see the excitement in something. Bottom line, it’s the result of lagging behind the Lord in your daily walk.

Riley’s second issue may also inflict church-goers. He’s been hearing from other kids that school is no fun. He’s starting to believe it. And if he acts upon those beliefs, reality will fall right in line. School wont’ be fun if you know it’s not going to be fun. Do you know anyone who thinks about church like this? One sour attitude attracts others like a dead ‘possum attracts vultures. And I mean to draw parallels in just about all the ways you can think! Going to church is a terrible experience when you hang out with others who think the same thing. Sitting through a service is boring (I can’t stand the way people use that term to describe what is really their own lack of desire to get involved) when you sit back and do nothing.

Yes, it is true that God doesn’t change, but the depths of his character is beyond our ability to completely research during a lifetime. The Bible says his mercies are new every morning; so I believe each worship experience can be new and fresh even though you been to hundreds of them. You can listen to people who have a poor walk with Jesus, you can make up your mind before you get here, or you can come to church this weekend like it’s the first day.

The last week or so has been a span of hot, hot days. Temps reached 100+ and humidity was off the scale. But a front passed through yesterday and immediately the temperature and humidity were much lower. I think we all praised the Lord for the relief.

The transition between the hot weather and the cooler weather was accompanied by a storm. As the comforting air collides with the stifling air, a storm brews. The comforting air always wins.

Seems like this is the way our troubles are, too. At least my storms always seem to be the transition from turmoil to calm. The most difficult times in my life have been when I realized I needed to be closer to the Lord. God has always waited patiently for me and Satan has always put obstacles in the way. The result: epic storms.

Some people are afraid of storms. I understand that, but don’t be afraid of the storms that usher in the peace of God. Change is uncomfortable but what God’s Spirit will change you into is worth it.

Urgency

I spent about 90 minutes on a Facebook chat with a man who graduated from the same high school that I did but several years earlier. We didn’t really know each other but through a sequence of posts on Facebook we began the chat.

Regarding religion, he is Buddhist, it anything. He leaned that way but really didn’t believe anything.

I’m Christian and unashamedly so.

The chat was interesting.

I talked about salvation in Jesus Christ alone. He said he could embrace Christianity except for the part about Jesus being God. The problem is that you can’t be Christian and not believe that.

My friend was home in Arkansas for just a short time then returned overseas to teach. We had no contact since then.

I learned that he died earlier this week. To my knowledge, he had not embraced Jesus Christ for salvation. I hope there is something I don’t know and that he and I can strike up a friendship in heaven for eternity.

I learned something a year ago. Everyone wants love, forgiveness, and redemption. They may not know how to express that desire but that is an inner longing.

I learned something this week. The need to share the gospel with all people is an urgent need. Time is short. Eternity awaits us all.

Fourth Grade Testing

Riley is going into the fourth grade in just a couple of weeks. He went to K4 and K5 at Arkansas Baptist, then first grade at Lawson Elementary, then 2^nd and 3^rd grade at Chenal Elementary. We wish we could have kept him at Arkansas Baptist but my move from bivocational to fulltime pastorate came along with a pay cut so we couldn’t afford the tuition any longer. However, this year the school is giving pastors a substantial discount so Riley is headed back.

Today is the day he is tested (assessed, they call it) to determine where he is in comparison to where they think incoming fourth graders should be. He was a little ahead of the public school students when he went from private to public so I’m expecting he’ll be a little behind going back into the private school system. Two of Riley’s years in public school were excellent; one year was not so much. Fortunately, that down year was not last year. He made up some ground in third grade that he had lost in second grade.

His mama is more nervous about the testing than Riley is. But it is what it is. Wish I had made him read more this summer. And work on his multiplication tables. Did you know they don’t call it that anymore? What I learned as “multiplication tables” Riley learned as “math facts.” A sign of the times? People aren’t interested in tables of information anymore, just give ‘em the facts as quick and concise as possible. Maybe it’s just that two syllables is easier than seven.

I just reconnected with a friend from fourth grade on Facebook. Tod Riley was at Dardanelle for just one year but he and I were good buddies. The playground had an old tree trunk (huge) laying on it. It was the favorite play place and meeting place. Tod and I spent lots of time there. I hope Riley makes friends and memories in fourth grade like that.

Looking Out My Window

I am sitting at the dining room table looking through the blinds into the front yard. The house is close to the road and we have a circle drive so there is not much grass in this part of the yard. What I can see are two wooden planters, three pine trees (my father-in-law calls this place “Three Pines Estates”), the road and beyond. Not much on this hot summer day except the weeds in the planters blown about by the dry, hot, summer wind.

So I’m reflecting on Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus recorded in John 3.

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

God’s Spirit is always around us, within us. God’s ways are higher than our ways so he is often up to things we don’t know about or understand. Even our own salvation is hard to understand.

Another glance out the window and it seems the wind has stopped. But staring a little long I see slight movement in the planters. So it is with God. Sometimes a quick glance into our lives and we think God has stopped. But if you’ll spend a little time seeking for the Lord you will find he is at work.

The wind is sometimes refreshing. Sometimes the wind blows things out of the way. Sometimes it brings rain that cleanses the air.

Looking out my window reminds me of God’s presence in my life.

Hummingbirds

We have a hummingbird feeder on the front porch. I can see it as I sit at the table working. An interest thing is taking place: the birds are sitting on the perches of the feeder while they sip the homemade Kool-Aid. They just sit there. I’ve never seen them just sit there.

All the hummingbirds I have ever seen have been flapping their wings at super speeds. Even while they sip the Kool-Aid. I’ve never seen a hummingbird sit on the perch.

I wonder why the bird known for its rapid wing movement would sit still. Apparently, the constant flapping doesn’t hurt them or tire them. So why rest?

Pretty good question to ask each of us. We are so used to the rapid lifestyle we lead that stopping or resting never crosses our minds. Sure, we say we need a day to relax or we take vacations to get away from it all, but we never really slow down. It’s true, isn’t it? When was the last time you slowed down or stopped long enough to rest for an extended period of time?

It’s been a while for me. I’ve had business trips, ministry weeks, camps, and stuff. I have weekly deadlines for sermons and publications. Today is July 20 and I thought 2010 just started.

So the lesson of the hummingbird is strange but important. We need to slow down. Stop. Relax. Enjoy what God has provided for us.

Down Time

It’s been hectic these past few weeks. Homecoming. SBC in Orlando. Fathers Day. PBA Day Camp. VBS. July 4. Picnic at the Parsonage. Siloam Camp. Sunday Evening Outreach. I’m behind schedule on the normal things around the house and office. So, “no rest for the weary,” right?

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Easier said than done. But better done than ignored. So I’m taking it easy this week. Still going to the office. Still making the rounds a pastor makes. Just spending a little less time doing all that and more time with the Lord.