Eddie Taylor

Something Bigger

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 12:18:00 +0000

Day 1 - Week 1
Something Bigger

It's over. Winter Retreat 2018 is finished. ON PURPOSE. But does it have to end? Maybe your suitcase is still full of dirty clothes. It is time to unpack. In the same way, it is time to up pack the weekend. What did God say to you? How can this MOMENT become a MOVEMENT?

Here's a key thought I'm taking away from today's prayer journal entry:

Let the public touch become a private reality.

What happened at Winter Retreat was real. Really real. You did sense God's love and acceptance. You can now cultivate that reality privately. Yep. Just you and God. Here's how: Remember - Record -Rehearse.

Remember - Take a few moments to remember your favorite moments from the weekend. A moment where you sensed the power & presence of Jesus.
Record - Write those in your journal or list them in your notes on your phone.
Rehearse - Later today, share a moment with someone else who needs to be encouraged. Your weekend wasn't just for you alone but to impact the world around you.

As you celebrate and share what God has said and done in you, those truths will continue to live through you. The time is NOW.

You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. (John 4:35 NLT)

Until tomorrow.

An Awesome Way to Pray - Making it Work!

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 01:27:00 +0000

Making it Work

The 6-Week prayer journal starts tomorrow. To keep motivated to continue every day, follow these suggestions for your time with God and your prayer team:

Go to bed on time.

Pass on the favorite late night TV show and go to bed at a decent hour. You can„t go to bed late and expect to wake up fresh the next morning. You can‟t expect spiritual peace if you‟re a physical wreck.

Get up in the morning.

You probably don‟t bounce up out of bed with enthusiastic, “Good Morning, Lord!” Most of us would rather smash the alarm clock with a hammer and go back to sleep. There‟s no magic solution. When the alarm sounds, throw your feet out of the bed, plant them on the floor, and stand up. Don‟t rationalize. Just get up.

Look to Jesus.

Don‟t start the day worrying about the bad things that might happen. Let your first conscious thoughts in the morning focus on Jesus Christ. Ask Him how He wants to use you today.

Don’t give up.

If you miss your time alone with God one morning or your time with your prayer team, don‟t worry about it and beat yourself up. You wouldn‟t quit eating if you missed a meal! You aren‟t a failure. Just try your best not to miss the next time.

Be honest.

If it feels like your time alone with God is empty and worthless, or your prayer team is dead, tell God about it. But don‟t quit. He‟d much rather have your honest complaints than your absence.

Be consistent.

Some of your times alone with God, and your prayer times with your team, will be wonderful. Others will just be routine. But the way you feel is not always an accurate indicator of success. Every day that you pray will help you grow stronger, even if you don‟t sense the results right away.

Use the Journal.

Write down what you are learning in your time with God and in your prayer team. You‟ll be amazed at how you look back and see how God has worked in your life.

From An Awesome Way to Pray - Barry St. Clair (page 14)

Summit Training Center

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:40:00 +0000

Are you a high school senior or do you know or love one? What are you going to do next year? Here's a better question, what are you going to do with your life? If you're like me (from 18-25) your answer might be "I don't know". Don't waste THOUSANDS of $$$ changing majors. Invest 9 months learning about life and leadership in a context of Biblical discipleship.

We want to help. We can help. Through Family Discipleship Ministries, we have been training leaders through our internships over 30 years. We are recruiting now for our second class at STC that begins in September.

Curious? Contact me or Jeremy Owens at familydm.com or (706)278-9208 for more information.

Early or Late

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 17:28:00 +0000

I get asked this question, "Is it better to have your quiet time in the morning or at night?" My answer is usually this: "Do whichever works best for you." Some people are just not morning people. For me, again, FOR ME, it just works better to start my day with Him. Through the years this psalm from David has been very meaningful to me:

Psalms 63:1 NKJV "O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water."

There are several reasons. I'm just fresher in the morning, I enjoy giving my best strength and focus to prayer and Bible reading. My thoughts are much clearer early rather than later in the day after I have met with people and led all day. I want to hear His love whispers before the demands of the day begin to shout at me. I do enjoy lighter reading late at night that helps me wind down and rest better (this is another post for another day).

His Example

We are told in the gospels that Jesus prayed both early in the morning:

Mark 1:35 NKJV Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

and into the night:

Luke 6:12 NKJV Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

The bottom line for me is that we don't have to pray, we get to. We have the privilege of dialogue with infinite wisdom who LOVES us. How great is that?

Just Do It

So here's my conclusion. Do it. Just make time. We all clear time in our schedule for what is truly important to us. Morning or night, spend time gazing at His face in prayer and in the Scripture. It will change your perspective and possibly your life.

Bless Your Pharaoh

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 17:41:00 +0000

Do you ever read a Bible passage that makes you shake your head? So this morning I stumbled onto a couple of strange verses:

Genesis 47:7 NLT Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
Genesis 47:10 NLT Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court.

Weird huh? So the "ruler" of the known world who owns everything lets this old, wandering shepherd touch him and speak a blessing over him. Why would he? And why would Jacob want to bless him?

Why would Pharaoh want Jacob's Blessing?

He would want Jacob's blessing for several reasons. First, this guy is 130 years old and still getting around. Pharaoh also recognizes the blessing and favor of God that is on him. He has 12 sons and his entire clan numbers 70 people and, oh, they are very rich. Most importantly, Pharaoh has been the recipient of God's wisdom and blessing that has come through Joseph.

Why would Jacob bless Pharaoh?

Perhaps Jacob blessed him in recognition of Pharaoh's kindness toward his son, Joseph, by promoting him to be his "Prime Minister". Perhaps he was moved by ancient custom or tradition to honor royalty. I am not sure, however, some theologians think he was just offering "shalom" to the ruler as a standard greeting. As I have pondered this passage, I think there are a couple of implications from Jacob's simple act of blessing.

First, Jacob is taking another step in fulfilling the promise of God to Abraham that through him, "all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him." (Genesis 18:18) Jacob as Abraham's grandson is blessing the nation of Egypt by blessing her leader.

More importantly, Jacob is prophetically pointing to his descendant, Jesus, through whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

What does this mean to us?

As Christ-followers, we are called to bless and not curse. (Romans 12:14) More importantly, we are instructed to live by the law of love. Love believes the best and speaks the best. Let's find ways to bless our families, our communities, and the nations with words of peace and hope. I dream of a church that is known more by what we are blessing, rather than what we are cursing. Do you find yourself in a difficult place today? Bless and do not curse.

Did You Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Hey friends out there in the blogosphere. Did you know that Church on the Hill here in Dalton podcast the message every week? God is really blessing our current series "Journeys in John". You can catch the most recent message here.

Drop in from time to time or subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

Greatly Loved

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Daniel 10:19 ESV And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

Nothing strengthens my heart like the revelation that I am greatly loved by the God of the universe. His unconditional love causes my weak heart to beat with passion for Him. As the light of this truth dawns across the landscapes of my life, sowing and reaping takes place. God’s love is active. He is sowing love into my heart and those seeds begin to rapidly sprout. Empty, cold prayers and passionless devotions are overtaken with a new crop of divine love.

This planting is not content to remain in the safe confines of my personal quiet garden. The first command of "love the Lord your God" empowers me to love myself and my neighbor. Divine love fuels and fills my heart with acceptance, forgiveness, and sacrificial giving. True Kingdom living is built not on the brick and mortar of rules but the organic growth of love.

Expose yourself to the radiant glow of His love. You will emerge from His presence changed. Is it possible that revival or societal revolution is waiting in the Lord’s secret chamber?

Face Difficulties

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Successful people face difficulties. Ouch…is that a scary first line or what? Don’t tune out, I firmly believe that everyone can succeed.

Success is simply knowing and fulfilling God’s plan for your life.

Back to the original statement: Successful people face difficulties. No one, absolutely no one, is born a success. What sets champions, leaders, etc. you know…successful people apart from well..you know those who choose to be less, lower, unfulfilled is the willingness to face obstacles and not make excuses.

I have to ask myself this question: “Am I better at excuses than embracing obstacles?”

Does this post provoke you to ask this difficult question or are you making an excuse right now?

Repost: In Celebration of...

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:42:00 +0000

In Celebration of… Posted on November 19, 2011 by Beth Brawley Taylor
How do you account for twenty-three years of life with another human being? Society suggests celebrating the number of years you have been married and we do so with the giving of cards and gifts, having dinner out somewhere fancy or taking a trip somewhere you have never been together. All of those things are fine and we have done them all (although I am still holding out for that trip to NYC together) but it would seem that merely counting years together is not near enough…it doesn’t do justice to the life you have lived together. For me, I am celebrating all the triumphs we have lived together, not just the years. I am celebrating…
…a rock-solid friendship that was formed before romance became reality
…a marriage that was crafted on the firm foundation of promising to following God anywhere, anytime and at any cost
…the creating of three imperfect little boys who have brought us the most perfect of joy
…the beautiful heartache of bringing one of our parents into the warm embrace of our own home for a year only to see them live and breathe their last
… surviving disappointments, failures and starting over again with nothing in our pockets
…moving forward when the fog was so thick we couldn’t see one step in front of us
…the churches God has allowed us to serve together and the immense family that we have been privileged to be part of for ever and always
…the broken parts of ourselves that we have allowed the other to not only see but to touch and to even love, bringing His wholeness where only hollowness once was
…you…this man who is so much more than anything my sixteen-year-old heart could have dreamed up and who has loved me so completely with a passion only rivaled by God himself. I wish for every person the indescribable reality of love and grace we have in our own marriage…not perfection or fairytale days and nights, but a life of chasing the dreams God has given us and finding that, in running hard after God, we run right into each other. Happy 23rd Anniversary, Eddie.
I love you completely, and only less than Him.

Preparing to Speak

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Recently several students have asked me to help them prepare their first sermons / Bible talks. Before they ever crack the Concordance or open the Lexicon, I recommend that they ask themselves a few questions. I try to answer these questions as I prepare a talk:

1) What is God saying to me?
2) Who will I be speaking to?
3) What does God want me to say to them?
4)When the sermon is over what do I want them to know?
5) When they leave the church what do I want them to do?

Get alone with God and answer these questions and you'll be well on your way! For the experienced communicator: what else do you ask yourself?

It's Scary to Be Us - Spiritled Woman

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:57:00 +0000

This Beth Moore clip is too good to keep to myself. Everytime I hear her speak I think "wow"!

It's Scary to Be Us - Spiritled Woman

BREAKAWAY 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:25:00 +0000

For those who can't make it to Breakaway this year. We will be able to live stream all services...go to www.destination-church.org click on STREAM and you should be there...we are not responsible for the adds that pop up...it is a free service and that is how they support it. Friday (7:30pm) is the first Worship Gathering.

Friday 7:30pm
Saturday 9:30am & 7:15pm
Sunday 9:00am & 7:15pm

Enjoy!

Nice Posts for Week 3 of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:59:00 +0000

Several really good posts jump out at me this week. A couple of beauties the have to do with fasting.

Rodney Thrift gives a three part reminder of Dr. Bill Bright’s teaching on fasting. You can find it here, here, and here.

So you might be asking what is a Daniel Fast? What can I eat and what items should I fast? Look no further, Shannon O’Dell has the answers.

Ben Arment shares some excellent thoughts on the art of getting rejected.

Do you have any great posts you’ve read to share with our tribe?

Overtime for Sunday, January 9, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I spoke on gossip this weekend. There are several overtime points I want to share that were not on your note sheet.

The information shared between the gossips does not have to be FALSE to be gossip. It just has to be illegal. As Rick Warren says, "Gossip is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution.
Gossip destroys true fellowship in the church. See Proverbs 26:2o

I also want to share the entire "Confetti" story here. When I found this story in a Bible Computer Program Illustration years ago the story used chicken feathers. For the purposes of our worship experience at Church on the Hill, I changed chicken feathers to confetti. Here's the story:

One time a lady, the biggest gossiper in her church, heard an especially juicy tidbit about her pastor. After she had passed the story on to a number of people in town, she found out that the rumor was false. The lady went to her pastor to apologize and ask for his forgiveness. She said that she would go back to all the people and tell them it was just a false story. The pastor agreed to forgive her, but he said that he wanted her to do something for him. He told her to go and get a sack full of chicken feathers (confetti) , take it to the main intersection of town, throw those feathers into the wind, and then come back and report to him. The lady thought it was a strange request and hesitated, but agreed to do it anyway. She did as her pastor requested and then went back to his office. "Now," said the pastor, "go back downtown and gather all those feathers again. The lady replied, "But pastor, there is no way I could ever do that. The wind has carried them all over town." The pastor smiled sadly and said, "That's true. It's the same way when you tell a story about someone else. There is no way to go around and take back what has been said."

Have a great day!

Well Done for January 9, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

It was an excellent day up at Church on the Hill! I am so grateful that God is UP to something! Several folks deserve Well Done awards for this weekend's worship services.

First, Earl Brackin and the worship team created a great environment for us to seek the Lord and allow His word to challenge us.

Special thanks to Dan Bruner, Sabrina Owens, the Royal Rangers, and many others who helped clean up the confetti in the Sanctuary. Don't know what I'm talking about...confetti in church? I'll share the story later this week in my OVERTIME post.

Sunday Rewind: "I Wish We'd All Been Ready"

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Here's a double oldie-but-goody. DC Talk covering Larry Norman's classic tune. I still get images in my mind of those 70's rapture films that Billy Graham produced. Do you see one world/communist soldiers marching in olive drab uniforms when you hear this?
Enjoy!

who are we?

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Just in case you are new to my blog and wanted to know a little about me and family.

Eddie graduated from Ware County Senior High in Waycross, GA, and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State College in Georgia. He became a Certified Youth Worker through an internship program led by Ray Owens, and was a student of the Berean School of the Bible and Beacon University. Beth graduated from Waycross High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in education from Valdosta State College in Georgia. Beth also became a Certified Youth Worker through Ray’s internship program. Eddie is an Ordained Minister in the Christian Alliance of Ministries and Beth is an Ordained Minister with Family Discipleship Ministries. They both volunteered and worked part-time in youth ministry serving several churches in Georgia before Eddie became the Assistant Pastor at Old Camp United Methodist Church in Carrollton, GA. Eddie then served as Youth Pastor at United Methodist congregations in Waycross, Georgia and Tarpon Springs, Florida before going to Christian Heritage Church in 1999 as Associate Pastor. After a season of church planting, Eddie and Beth returned as Senior Pastors of Christian Heritage Church on Father’s Day of 2004. They ended a joyful and fruitful season in Lake City by passing the mantle of leadership to long-time Associates Chris & Terra Jones in late 2008. Since 2008, Eddie & Beth have served the Lord through marketplace ministry and traveling ministry. They relocated to Dalton, GA in July of 2010.

The Taylor’s ministry is multi-faceted. As leaders to leaders, Eddie & Beth help lead Family Discipleship Ministries (FDM), a network of like minded ministers they formed with Ray & Sabrina Owens . FDM’s ministry emphases are training this generation in leadership development through discipleship, marketplace ministries, worship and missions. FDM’S main activities include: Eddie & Beth’s preaching & teaching ministries, the distribution of ministry resources such as CD’s, a mid-winter young adult retreat called Breakaway, a mid-winter youth retreat, and a spring ministry conference for those in church leadership who directly relate to FDM. The Taylors have been married for 22 years. They have three sons: Jacob (18); David (15); and Jonathan (11). Eddie & Beth also participate in leadership with Kid’s Aflame, a children’s and youth camp in Bradenton, FL.

Overtime for Sunday, January 2, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:41:00 +0000

Some weekends I have more content than I have time for my talks. I decided to post some of that information here rather than just returning it to the file. This past weekend we looked at talking too much.
I pretty said what I had but Dr. Lynn Murphy e-mailed me a funny story that drives the point home. Here it is:

Someone asked a fellow why he kept his mouth shut. He responded, "I'd rather be silent and be thought a fool, than to open my mouth and remove all doubt."

I hope you finish your week strong. If you are in Northwest Georgia I hope to see you on the Hill this Sunday.

Unshackled

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:29:00 +0000

Too often I complicate matters in my life. God is calling, wooing me to the simplicity of following Christ. Jesus said,

“…who had believed in him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31b-32

If I want to mature in Christ, there is no better place to start (and continue) than freedom from the chains of sin and self. I desire to LIVE there and not trade those shackles for religious bondage.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Anybody want to go along?

Sunday Rewind

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 10:21:00 +0000

Love this old song! I never tire of hearing of His triumph over sin, death, hell, and the grave!

6:00 AM Betty White Time

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:24:00 +0000

There is nothing sexy about what will happen tonight at 2:00 AM. It sounds so groovy to say Daylight Savings Time, however, nothing pops when you say Standard Time. It is so, so… standard. It’s time for a new, more exciting term.

I’m organizing a committee to end the boredom. I propose a new title for Standard Time. Perhaps something that honors a scientist, artist or a politician. What about 2:01 AM Einstein Standard Time? I am hoping to set my alarm for 6:00 AM Betty White Time. Maybe 3:05 AM Mondale Standard Time?

Don’t forget to set your clocks back. Please mail in your donations and post your ideas in the comment section.

Link Love - Anger

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:14:00 +0000

I have a confession to make. There might be a marriage blog or two in my reader. I want to become a better husband and father. One of those blogs is called The Generous Husband. Today, He writes a very good post on anger.

He links an earlier post by Seth Godin, the marketing and thought guru, also on anger. I reposted the link for your ease of access.

I am challenged by these post and the Scripture on Anger. I hope this helps us live out Ephesians 4:26. Have a great day!

In Christ Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:04:00 +0000

My friend Jeremy Owens, who is one of the worship leaders at Rockbridge Church here in Dalton, recently recommended that I listen to this song. I don’t know anything about the artist but there is a raw passion in this recording that stirs my soul. I hope you’ll take a few moments and give it a listen this morning.

Who knows? You just might want to worship along…enjoy!

Bible Journey: A Man of Understanding

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:47:00 +0000

Proverbs 28:2 ESV When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

I have a simple prayer today. I want to be man of understanding and knowledge. It doesn’t sound complicated, does it? Our society and our churches are torn like the land described in this verse. What does a man of understanding look like? It is not an easily obtained answer…if it was there would be more of them. One thing is that he is a man growing in wisdom and the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). I am learning what that looks like in my life. I’ll share more in later posts. Pray for me.

What is your simple prayer for your life?

Unwrapping His Presence

noreply@blogger.com (Eddie Taylor) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:13:00 +0000

In the past year, I was introduced to Chris Maxwell. What I appreciate about Chris I have also discovered between the pages of Unwrapping His Presence. This book, like its author, is warm, direct, and authentic. I encourage you to invest some time this Christmas season (and beyond) discovering these simple moments of reflection.

To order the book or for more information simply click here.