From Your Pastor's Heart

2012-08-01T14:23:00.002-05:00

It is "Back to School" time already! You can tell this by the advertising avalanche on all-things-school-related, from backpacks to bedspreads. Retailers understand that their target group includes all ages, kids from preschoolers to college-bound. Bargains are available for storage boxes and lunchboxes, memory cards and index cards, notebook computers and notebook paper. In my day, you got a Big Chief tablet, two #2 pencils, a ruler, a box of Crayons, a bottle of paste and a cigar box to hold it all. Then, off to school you went carrying your sack lunch. Times have certainly changed within the education system. My greatest fear as a student was that I might get paddled at school, which would have resulted in another whipping when I got home. Today, our students have to worry about guns and gangs. We had gangs when I was in school too, like the jocks, the cheerleaders, the pep squad, the band, Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of America. As you can see, I went to a pretty rough school. Teachers did not give grades when I went to school. Students earned them! If you got a good grade, it was because you applied yourself and deserved it. If you got a bad grade, it was because you didn't try hard enough and you deserved it. Parents did not go to the school demanding higher grades for their kids. Parents had a conversation with their darling children and reached an agreement on what it would take to motivate them to improve their grades. Partnerships existed between parents and teachers for the good of the children. Today, it seems like parents and students view the teacher as an adversary, as if they chose this profession to provide them opportunities to torment kids. While times have certainly changed since the Dark Ages when I went to school, children and their needs have not changed. What our kids need today is the same as they needed in my day. They need to feel loved and accepted. They need to be in a safe, secure environment. They need plenty of rest and adequate nourishment. They also need instruction and discipline. Having the latest fashions and the coolest supplies is optional, but having a positive self-image and a good rapport with others is not. Will you join with me in praying that our CBC students and teachers all have a great year? Serving in love, Bro. Jim

2012-01-16T14:56:00.001-06:00

With the exception of multi-generations of "John Madden Football," I have never really been much of a video game player. My patience always wears thin, as I attempt to learn new games. In addition, I have been cursed with a rather short attention span. Plus, there is the frustration of always having to start over, again and again. So, I tend to tire of the challenge long before I manage to master any video games.

However, my wife recently introduced me to what has become the bane of my existence, namely, "Temple Run." This game is innocently disguised as a "free application" from Apple. Yet, do not be misled! This evil game will suck you in and capture your brain. I do believe that it has an addictive quality about it that should carry a mandatory, government invoked warning!

This silly game consists of a man running for his life in search of a treasure, being chased by some type of creatures. There may be other challenges ahead, but I can never get past the first level. It did occur to me how much this game resembles real life. Most people are racing through life seeking some type of hidden treasure that they think will make their life richer and fuller. All the while, they are being hounded by day-to-day pressures and stresses of life. They feel as if someone, or something, is snapping at their heels ready to destroy them. Their monster might be financial problems, failing health, or family difficulties, but all of their time and energy is spent trying to stay ahead of it.

One of my favorite verses of scripture is found in II Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Paul was reminding the young preacher, Timothy, of his spiritual heritage and encouraging him to remain true to his faith as he faces both opposition and opportunities. This verse can serve us in much the same way, as we find comfort and strength in the presence and power of the Lord. Christians should not view life as a race from something, but a race towards something. We are not running in order to escape, but to triumph! And when this man dies, he does not have to start all over again. When we die, we have completed the game and victory is ours!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-10-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

We had a great turn out of volunteers for the Workday last Saturday. A lot of "clean out" and "clean up" was accomplished around the church. I want to thank David Yates for the good job he does as Chairman of our House and Ground's Committee. He spends many hours of his time working at the church. I also want to say "Thank You" to all the dedicated people who came and helped with the workday. The visible results of your hard work are very apparent.

Let me quickly add that there is still much more work to be done. If you were not able to be here last Saturday, it is not too late for you to be involved in our "Company Is Coming" campaign. We want the Lord's House to look its very best each and every week. In order to accomplish this feat, we are committed to clearing out and cleaning up any unsightly areas of the church. We want our guests to recognize how proud we are of our place of worship. So, we are striving to have our buildings ready to receive "company" whenever they come.

I also want to give you an update on the elevator status. The brick on the exterior is completed. The insulation and drywall on the interior should be going up this week. The elevator should arrive next week, ready for installation. The doors should also be hung by the end of next week. So, our elevator project is moving along, although it is never as fast as we would prefer. Again, I appreciate the patience of our church family as we wait on the completion of the work. This is just one more way that we are preparing to receive anyone and everyone that the Lord sends our way. Company Is Coming! We want to be ready for them when they get here!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-09-28T14:32:00.001-05:00

This past weekend was sweet-bitter for me. I know that goes against the usual word order for this phrase, but this is the order in which it occurred. The wedding of Abby Goldsby and William Collins, Jr. was magnificent. Despite an early weather scare, the ceremony went perfectly as planned. In other words, "They got hitched without a hitch." The couple radiated with beauty and love. They had a wonderful reception and a great turn out of family and friends. I could not have been more proud and pleased.

This was also the weekend for the Cordova Arts and Crafts Festival. Debbie and David Yates headed up our volunteers for the Community Center's lemonade booth. The numbers were small this year: vendors, spenders and volunteers. Yet, I want to express my heart-felt gratitude to the Yates and to all others who helped with our booth. This is an opportunity for us to give back to the Cordova Community Center for the benefits they offer to our neighborhood.

Working in the lemonade stand was not the "bitter" part of my weekend. It was getting sick on a Saturday night and having to call on my faithful friend and brother on Sunday morning. Bro. Ira Singleton is a god-send to our church and this pastor. He is always willing to help in a time of need. I appreciate him being "prepared in season and out of season" (2 Tim. 4:2, NIV). He always has a positive Word from the Lord.

Being the kind of guy who usually sees the glass as half-full, I am always looking for something good in every situation. My doctor supplied me with a positive slant on being sick. He said, "The Lord knew that you needed some me-time." That is not something that I'm good at, or really enjoy. My preference would have been for some "us-time" on Sunday morning. I hated missing Dalton's first swim meet Sunday afternoon. Spending my day at the doctor's office and home alone on the couch was not my idea of a fun Monday. However, as is true in all things, God knows best!

I am pleased to report that your pastor is much better today (Tuesday). Your prayers for me, and encouraging calls to me, are greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday night, as we close out our study of the "Sermon on the Mount."

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-09-19T15:12:00.001-05:00

At one time, I wrote a column for this newsletter called "Unsung Heroes." Each week I would share interesting information about one of our members that most of the church family did not already know. As an added suspenseful twist, I would not identify the person until the following week's article.

Today, I want to honor and recognize a CBC "Unsung Heroine." It would be pointless to try to keep her identity secret. Once it was revealed that she was born in 1911, everyone would immediately know her name. Ms. Rebecca Morton celebrated her 100th Birthday with a gathering of family and friends at the church on Sunday afternoon, and again on her actual birthday Monday at the retirement center where she now resides. She greeted everyone with her usual, sweet smile. Her sharp memory allowed her to rattle off names of a stream of nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

Ms. Rebecca was known as an excellent teacher. For over 40 years, she taught boys and girls in the 1st and 2nd grades in the Memphis City School system. Her God-given patience and love for children made her a natural-born teacher. Yet, her teaching didn't stop on the weekends. She also taught Sunday School at Cordova Baptist Church, where she has been a member for 88 years. When I came to serve as CBC pastor, she was teaching the Senior Adult Ladies Class at the spry, young age of 81. Her class loved her teaching, and their teacher.

Ms. Rebecca is also known as a care-giver. Despite never having any children of her own, she was very involved in the raising of her many nieces and nephews. As some of her siblings faced failing healthy in the later years of life, "Becky" was always there to help care for them. Even when she couldn't be there in person, she kept close tabs on them by phone. I'm convinced that her caring heart and unselfish spirit are part of the reason why she has enjoyed a long life.

Saving the best for last, Ms. Rebecca is known as a dedicated Christian. She doesn't just talk about her faith, she lives it. She has a love relationship with Jesus Christ that has influenced the way that she relates to other people. Her commitment to Christ is evident by the way she has lived her life. Proverbs 3:1-2 says: ”Do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you." Rebecca's reward for a life of faithfulness and obedience is a rich, full life and a heart of peace. "Happy Birthday" to our special, unsung heroine! We love you!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-08-09T10:03:00.000-05:00

Like a diamond cutter delicately chipping away at a rough stone, God uses people and circumstances in our lives to shape and polish us into gems that He values greatly. The Master Cutter skillfully removes the raw material to reveal the faceted gem within each of one of us. His tools include family, friends and fellow church members.

The techniques God uses may vary from stone to stone, but His goal is always to produce a precious gem. "Cleaving" or "Sawing" is the process of dividing a piece of diamond rough into separate pieces using a saw or laser. God often has to separate us from one other in order to finish us as separate gems. "Bruting" or "Girdling" is where two diamonds are set spinning in opposite directions and brought together to grind each other into a round shape. In much the same way, God often places people in our lives so that we can be a positive influence on each other. "Polishing" is the name given to the process whereby the facets are cut onto the diamond and final polishing is performed. Some of us are at the polishing phase of life, where the brilliance of God's handiwork should be most evident. The "Final Inspection" stage involves thoroughly cleaning the diamond in acids and examining the diamond to see if it meets the quality standards of the manufacturer. Only God is qualified to perform our final inspection, and He will do it for each of us.

It may be difficult for you and me to see the diamond in the rough found inside some individuals. Yet, God sees what we can not. "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (I Samuel 16:7). I praise God for the people, the places, and even the problems that He has used to shape my life into a stone that more clearly reflects the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, who dwells within me.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-07-26T11:25:00.002-05:00

Adding something new to something old can be both exciting and challenging. I'm talking about the addition of an elevator to our existing buildings. When the work is completed, the elevator will have ground level entry and provide access to both the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. We are also planning to add "Handicap Parking" on that side of the building. This is going to be very beneficial for our church family.

In the meantime we are going to have to deal with some changes, as well as some minor inconveniences. We are relocating the Men's Sunday School class to a classroom behind the sanctuary (organ side). We will also be moving the sound console from its present location to the front corner of the sanctuary (again, organ side). This will require the removal of one short pew. We are hoping to also work out some current issues with regards to non-working sound jacks and much needed electrical outlets. It will be nice not to have to trip over exposed wires and extension cords for a change.

Once the construction related to the elevator is completed, we can address the cosmetic needs of our buildings. We plan to repaint, repair pews and re-carpet the sanctuary. We already have money set aside to replace the flooring in the fellowship hall, kitchen and men's classroom (from the insurance claim). This area also needs to be painted before new flooring is installed. We had someone express interest in helping with the cost of remodel downstairs bathrooms, and he is not even a member of the church.

With the shiny, new elevator and a face-lift, these old facilities are going to look pretty good. After all, shouldn't we make God's House as attractive and appealing as we are able? God certainly deserves our very best. This attitude should be apparent in our commitment to the physical plant and in our dedication to our spiritual service. Please continue to pray for the progress of this work and for the future of our church.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-06-21T11:29:00.001-05:00

I haven’t decided which is the hardest part of vacation? Is it getting ready to leave, being gone from home for several days, or having to come back to the real world? Vacations are intended to be restful. Yet, we leave the comfort of our own bed to sleep on a hard, hotel mattress and pay a dear price for that privilege. The long hours spent in a car driving to our destination does little to help us reach our goal of relaxation. In the end, we have to come home to recuperate from the exhaustion of our vacation. And still, it is good to get away for a few days.

The Muston family trek to Texas was a great vacation. Sandy and I enjoyed our time with our children and their families. We had good visits with our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. We enjoyed “showing off” our grandchildren to our relatives, some who had never before seen them. Most of all, we were blessed just spending time together.

It is important for us to have a break from the day-to-day routine of our lives. We all need an occasional respite. Even Jesus would take a break from the busyness of His ministry for time alone, or with His friends. We are grateful for a church family that understands our need to get away and to be with our extended family. We appreciate your continued prayers for the health needs of our parents. What a blessing it is to serve people who genuinely care about our family!

I want to thank everyone who had a part in covering for us while we were away. I am especially thankful for our wonderful church secretary, Joyce Tate. She is not only my right hand, but also the working part of my brain. She does much to keep things running smoothly when I am in the office, and even more when I am gone. She is invaluable to the ministry of Cordova Baptist Church. I would send her on a well-deserved vacation, but what would we do without her? Praise God for the privilege of being gone and for the blessing of coming back home!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-06-09T11:26:00.001-05:00

The first night of our "Big Apple Adventure" was everything I had hoped for, and more! Shelley Hopkins and Karen Lynn are awesome individually, but when they put their heads together as co-directors of VBS they are "FANTABULOUS!" We are also blessed at CBC with some amazing, hardworking, and dedicated leaders and helpers. Let me offer a heart-felt "Thank You" to all who helped with decorations, refreshments, crafts, music and teaching. I am especially proud of my Worship Rally Assistants, Callie Goldsby and Sara Law.

This year, the entire Muston clan is taking the week following Vacation Bible School as our "Family Vacation." Dr. Paul Barkley will be preaching in my absence on Sunday, June 12th. Paul has been here many times before and I know you will be blessed by his message. Please pray for our safe travel as we make the trip to Texas to see family, have some fun in San Antonio, and then head back home to Tennessee.

A group of young people from various churches across the country will "MERGE" at First Baptist Church, Millington on June 20th - 24th. Much like the "World Changers" projects our kids have been involved in for the past several years, these young folks will be coming to Memphis to participate in service and ministry projects in our area. We have a group scheduled to be with us that week. We are planning on them doing some painting at the church and yard work for one of our widows. If you would be willing to help with providing and/or serving snacks for this group, please let me know.

As you can see, we do have a busy summer planned. Let me urge you to be careful when you travel, to be prayerful for one another, and to be faithful in your giving and attendance when you are home. We want this summer to be a fun-filled time, free of tragedy or troubles. I praise God for the gift of changing seasons!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2011-05-03T10:44:00.001-05:00

As I was driving around the city of Memphis today, I was reminded of a line from the poem, "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: "Water, water, every where..." The good news is that, unlike that aged seaman, we have plenty of water to drink. The bad news is that from all reports we have more water coming our way down the Mississippi River.

You have to wonder why God would allow one area to experience flooding while another part of the country is suffering from extreme drought. Wouldn't it be better for Texas, which is battling wildfires, to have some of our unwanted and unneeded rain? Be assured that this will be one of the "thousand and one questions" that I look forward to having answered when I get to Heaven. According to First Corinthians 13:12: "then I shall know just as I also am known." So, the answers will already be mine without even asking the questions.

There are already a couple of hundred families displaced by flooding in our city. We have shelters housing many of them, with others staying in area hotels. Bridges and roadways are also being impacted by the rushing waters. As the river level continues to rise, other parts of the city may be affected. The Mississippi River is expected to crest on May 10th. No one really knows for sure how much flooding that will bring or how high the waters will rise at that time.

The question all of this raises in my mind is, "What can we do to help?" We do not have the shower facilities necessary for providing shelter at our church. At the same time, we can do what we did for the refugees from Hurricane Katrina that stayed at Camp Cordova. We can offer our services to our sister churches as volunteers to assist with their ministry to those who are displaced. We can be faithful in praying for those who were affected by the tornadoes and those who are dealing with the floods. If we know about it, we can render aide to anyone who has to evacuate ahead of rising waters.

There are many things that divide the cities and counties in our area. We may not all agree when it comes to the idea of consolidation of city and county government and/or schools. Yet, one thing that can and should bring us together is facing the challenges of storms and floods. We need to be praying for God's protection over people, from downtown to Germantown and all points in between. A common problem offers the opportunity for a united solution.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-12-06T15:10:00.001-06:00

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
Today, I'm morning the death of a hero from my childhood. Don Meredith, former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, commentator for ABC's "Monday Night Football," and actor died on Sunday at the age of 72. "Dandy Don" was one of the few sports figures that graced the walls of my bedroom. A black and white glossy photo of him in a passing pose hung above my bed for many years. Now, I'm wondering what ever happened to that once-prized picture?

Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1969. He was not known for his great athleticism, but for his grit and toughness. He had an outgoing personality and the ability to lead the fledgling team that resulted in their first winning seasons. Having played his high school, college and professional football in the North Texas area, he was very popular with Dallas fans.

Don Meredith's quick wit and southern charm also served him well in the broadcast booth. He provided a light-hearted and folksy balance to the much more serious Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. Since the broadcasts were live, without a delay, there were a few incidents of minor controversy resulting from his slips of the tongue. Yet, "Jeff and Hazel's baby boy" managed to weather those storms and maintain his role as an affable and beloved member of the MNF broadcast team until retiring in 1984.

Why was Don Meredith my hero? Was it because I aspired to play quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys one day? No, that was never really my dream. Was it because he was such a godly man of good character? No, that was not the reputation that Meredith had in those days. It was because he was a man who looked beyond the way things are and envisioned the way they could become. He was a man who took a rag-tag team and made them contenders. He left things better off than he found them. My hope is that the same can be said of me when I die. As Dandy Don would say, "Turn out the lights, the parties over." R. I. P., old Cowboy!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-09-28T10:22:00.000-05:00

The life of the pastor is filled with both "good news" and "bad news." Certainly, we have the joy of sharing the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation. We also get to share in such good times as the birth of a child, a marriage engagement, the recovery from an illness or finding a new job. Yet, there are also times when the news is not so good. All too often, we deal with diseases, divorces and deaths. We share in the heartaches and suffering of the people we love and serve. The pastor's job is to cry with those who are weeping and to laugh with those who are rejoicing. And, there are even times when we get to put a smile on the face of those who are struggling with pain.
I am excited to share the latest news on our elevator project. The architect has completed the structural drawings and sent them over to the contractor for review. According to the contractor, he is hoping to have the foundation work done by the end of October. This means that we should be seeing some signs of activity very soon.
I know that this is good news to all of us, but especially to those family members who struggle each week to climb our stairs. We have needed this for a long time. It is much more than a convenience. To me, it is a ministry tool that will enable people to attend this church who would be unable to come otherwise. What a blessing it will be when the work is completed and the elevator is operational! We look forward to that day.
Please be in prayer that the weather will cooperate as the actual construction begins. Let me also remind you that this is an expensive endeavor, so we need to continue to be faithful in our giving as the end of the year approaches. We are grateful to God for turning this dream into a reality.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-04-27T10:06:00.001-05:00

Anyone who has ever done laundry, driven a car or tried to ride a bicycle understands the importance of balance. If your laundry load is off-balance, the washer will “shake, rattle and roll” all over the laundry room. If your tires are out-of-balance, the car tends to bounce wildly and the tires wear unevenly. And, of course, it is impossible to ride a bike without balance, unless you plan on using the training wheels for the rest of your life.

However, balance is important in more than just these three areas of life. In truth, we all struggle with maintaining proper balance in our various areas of interest and responsibility. There needs to be a healthy balance between time spent with family and time dedicated to work. There has to be a balance between work and recreation. We need to eat a balanced diet and get proper exercise in order to maintain our physical health. We must spend time in Bible study and prayer to keep balance in our spiritual life. We have to allocate sufficient time for rest and sleep to have emotional, as well as physical, stability. A broad range in styles of reading, music and movies helps us to have a more balanced perspective on the world.

I believe it is also important for a church to have a sense of balance. We need a wide range of age groups to help us view worship from different perspectives in order to maintain a healthy balance. Keeping a balance between order and freedom is also important in our worship services. A healthy church family includes people of varied backgrounds, professions and interests. We serve a God who created a world, and a universe, which is in perfect balance and harmony. Surely, He is pleased when we strive to maintain balance in our own lives.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-04-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, I read a story about a child psychologist who had spent many hours constructing a new driveway at his home. Just after he smoothed the surface of the freshly poured concrete, his small children chased a ball across the driveway, leaving deep footprints. The man unleashed a string of angry words at them. His shocked wife said, "You're a psychologist who's supposed to love children." The fuming father retorted, "I love children in the abstract, but not in the concrete!"

While I found this story with the play on words to be funny, there is also an element of truth to it. The theoretical concept of love pales in comparison to outward expressions of love. It is much easier to "declare love" than it is to "demonstrate love." Some people have little difficulty saying the words, but a much harder time backing them up. Genuine devotion is most evident when it is put into practice in the form of caring conduct and loving gestures. If we hope to convey the sincerity of our love, we must learn to show it in "word" and "deed."

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, gave us a beautiful description of true love in the thirteenth chapter of his second epistle. He describes love in terms of its tangible expressions: "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own way, is not provoked, thinks no evil" (vv. 4-5). There is nothing abstract about the type of love this scripture teaches or God's love for His children revealed in His Word. God's love is as solid as concrete and endures forever!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-03-24T11:19:00.002-05:00

Several years ago I took a personality profile exam in which I scored very high in the area of "trusting." Well, I thought that was good until the examiner explained that there was such a thing as being "too trusting," as in "gullible." Since that time I have learned to be more cautious about where, and in whom, I place my trust.

The Bible tells us repeatedly to "trust in the Lord." We know that this is well-placed trust because of God's past performance and our previous experiences with Him. He has proven Himself "trust-worthy" by the fact that He has never betrayed us or failed us. We can rely upon Him in every situation, for He truly cares for us and has our best interest at heart. His unconditional love for us gives us assurance that we can trust Him.

As Christians, we would think that we could trust our fellow believers. After all, are we not all seeking to become more like Christ in our lives? If Jesus is trustworthy, shouldn't those who follow His example also be worthy of our trust? However, the reality is that the church is made up of sinners, saved by grace. We are imperfect people, even on our best days. We should strive to be men and women of honor and integrity. Yet, we cannot expect from others what we are unable to accomplish within ourselves. Remember, the only perfect man is Jesus!

Finally, we have a tendency at times to put trust in institutions, organizations and entities comprised of worldly people, only to be surprised when they disappoint us. We need to understand that the unbelieving world does not share our value-system. They are not going to be "Christ like," because they have chosen not to know Him. Yet, we can not allow their actions to alter our commitment to the Lord. While our trust is in the Lord, our witness is before the world. We have been called to be a "peculiar people," who stand out from everyone else. Now is the time to let Christ's love show.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-03-08T14:55:00.003-06:00

An appropriate title for this week's column would be: "Confessions of a Mere Mortal Pastor." In the early years of my ministry, when I was trying to be all things to all men, my wife would often warn me, "You're not Superman, you know." Of course, I took this as a personal challenge and set out to prove her wrong. After all, I had received a call from God to preach the gospel. Surely, that endowed me with some superhuman abilities beyond that of mortal men. Yet, despite my best efforts at "leaping tall buildings in a single bound," I never left the ground. With time, I was forced to accept the sad truth that my wife was right. I'm an ordinary man with a calling, not Superman.

What does this mean to you, as a member of Cordova Baptist Church? Well, it means your pastor has limitations. I do not possess x-ray vision that would enable me to see into your heart and know your troubles. The only way that I can pray for the problems you are facing, and minister to you in your time of need, is if you tell me about it. I may not be "faster than a speeding bullet," but I have never failed to respond when called upon or come when asked. My door is always open and my home phone number is listed in both our church directory and the phonebook.

Another limitation that I must confess is my lack of supersonic hearing. I am not able to hear whispers in the hallway or discern conversations in the parking lot. My years of pastoral experience have also taught me not to pay too much attention to second-hand information. So, if you want me to know something, please do not rely upon someone else (including my wife) to relay the message for you. The best way to know that your message gets to me is to deliver it in person. You may be surprised to learn that I'm a pretty good listener and that I really do care. While I can not help with problems about which I am unaware, I will not turn a deaf ear to the needs you share.

However, the hardest restriction for me to admit to you is that I really can't fly. Like a lot of little boys with towels for capes, I've spent years trying to get off the ground so that I could be everywhere at once. Yet, all my efforts have been in vain. As much as I want to be able to zip about the city, soaring above the traffic, the reality that I have to accept is that I can only be at one place at a time. I am at the hospitals whenever I know someone from our church is there. I visit our homebound members as frequently as my schedule will allow. I try to minister to those who are grieving and rejoice with those who have cause for celebration, but it is not possible to be with everyone, at every event, at all times. Oh, Lord, if only I could fly!

Well, now you know. My secret identity is finally revealed. I'm not Clark Kent, not Superman, just Bro. Jim...a man with a calling from God and a caring heart who truly does love you all the same.

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-02-15T15:52:00.000-06:00

With snowflakes falling from the sky, it seems like it would be more appropriate to be writing about Christmas Services rather than Revival Services. I remember the day when revivals were only scheduled during the summer months. The reason was that in our agrarian based society churches planned their meetings according to the farm seasons instead of the calendar. It would have been pointless to schedule a revival in the middle of the planting season or at harvest time, because no one would be able to attend. Rural churches would set aside two weeks at the end of summer, after the crops were brought in, for a time of revival and celebration of the harvest. That was also when the churches would have their greatest "harvest" of souls brought into the kingdom.

As our society has changed, so has the church. No longer are we bound to certain seasons or months for planning revival. We now try to work around school schedules and hectic holidays. Summers are one of the busiest times of the year, filled with Vacation Bible School, mission trips and family vacations. So, we have set aside the last weekend in February for our Revival this year. No doubt, this will be a bad time for some people and a good time for others. However, I pray that you will make every effort to be here for these three services.

You will find all the information about our schedule in this newsletter. We will be having a "Snack Supper" at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday to help make it easier for families with children to attend. Everyone is invited to come and share in this fellowship time before the services begin at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, we will have a "Pot Luck Lunch" following the morning service. We urge you to bring your favorite dish to share with our church family and stay for the meal that will conclude the day's activities.

Many of you will recall Bro. Chip Dickey from a previous revival. His preaching style is quite different from mine, but his messages are relevant and biblically sound. The team of young people who travel with him, known as "the Heard," will provide us with a varied type of music from what we are typically accustomed to, but their energy and enthusiasm is infectious. Come with an open heart and an open mind and God will bless you through the music and messages.

There are three things I would ask of you in preparation for this revival. First, pray for God to do a mighty work in His church during that weekend. Second, plan on being here for every service to receive the blessing that God has for you. Third, please invite friends and family members to come with you. We especially want to invite the lost and/or unchurched to be present to hear the preaching of the gospel. May God be glorified and His Church Revived!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-02-02T10:16:00.000-06:00

After three days of being at home due to the snow and ice, I'm thankful to be back in the office. I love spending time with my lovely wife, but I think we were both ready for me to go to work today. While I'm still not sure why people stay home from church on Sundays, I am certain that it is not because of the exciting television schedule. With that in mind, let me share with you what I missed most about church on Sunday.
I missed the sweet fellowship of God's people. What we may be lacking in quantity at CBC we more than make up for in quality. We have been blessed with some of the most precious people on earth in our church. Our family is far from perfect, but we all fit together perfectly. When someone is missing, the fellowship circle is broken. I missed our weekly family reunion.
I missed the privilege of preaching to this special gathering of God's people. For thirty years I've stood before the congregation of believers to expound the infallible truths of Holy Scripture. The call that God placed on my life as a sixteen-year-old boy is still as fresh and real today as it was when I first heard it. I love to preach, but I especially love feeding the faithful flock at CBC which the Lord has entrusted to my care. I missed not being able to preach for you on Sunday.
I missed the joyous worship of God's people. No two churches worship exactly the same, just as no two worship services in any given church are exactly the same. God's Spirit moves and works in different ways at different times, but His Presence is what makes for true, genuine worship. Our worship style is very traditional, but not "high church." Our services have a relaxed atmosphere, without sacrificing reverence. We sing the old hymns of adoration and praise. The preaching is mostly expository, taken from scripture with an easy to follow outline. While the delivery may not be very flamboyant, the messages are intended to be didactic in nature and purpose. I missed my time of worship with my church family.
The good news is that we all have the opportunity to enjoy these rich blessings next Sunday. With great anticipation, I look forward to the fellowship, preaching and worship experience of the next Lord's Day!

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim

2010-01-31T16:21:00.001-06:00

We live in what has been referred to as “the Information Age.” With the modern technological advances we enjoy today, news can be broadcast around the world in a matter of minutes and information on any subject can be found in a matter of seconds. We hold in one hand greater computing power than once was housed in large, climate controlled buildings. Video footage of events taking places on the other side of the globe can be viewed in our living room with the touch of a button. For those of us who prefer the printed word, we have that delivered to our doorsteps each day.

Truly, there is a plethora of data available to us in a wide variety of formats. The question we must ask ourselves is, “How reliable is this information?” Most of us can recall our parents telling us not to believe everything we see on television or movies. It only took one or two attempts at flying, with a towel as our cape, to convince us that Superman was a fictional character and that our parents were right. We were taught in school not to believe everything we read. We were required to do research before we quoted someone as an authority on a topic. We needed to know about the writer’s credentials and any bias they might have on the subject matter we were studying.

It is important that we carefully analyze the things we read, hear and see before making a judgment on their trustworthiness. This is true about what we read, see and hear from books, newspapers, television, movies and the Internet. Yet, it is also true about what we hear from other people. We should be careful about taking at face value the things people tell us. We must guard against involvement in spreading gossip and rumors. We especially need to avoid attacks on the character of other people. Listed among God’s “Top Ten List” of things “thou shalt not” do is “bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Deut. 5:20). James warns us of the need, even for religious men, to bridle our tongue lest it prove our religion to be vain (James 1:26). He goes on to tell of the damage that can be inflicted by an unbridled tongue, likening it to an uncontrolled fire (James 3:6). We must seek God’s help in controlling what we say, since “the tongue can no man tame” (James 3:8).

As Christians, we must be careful about the things we see, hear, say and believe. If we have a concern about the conduct of another believer, we should go to them and address the issue with them personally. We should always measure any information we receive with our most reliable standard, the Word of God. And, we should reign in our tongues to avoid even the appearance of evil. James 3:10 tells us, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

Serving in love,
Bro. Jim