The Bragglands

O God, the Author of All Good...

2011-11-22T17:37:00.000-05:00

I come to thee for the grace another day will require for its duties and events. I step out into a wicked world, I carry about with me an evil heart. I know that without Thee I can do nothing, that everything with which I shall be concerned, however harmless in itself, may prove an occasion of sin or folly unless I am kept by Thy power. Hold me up and I shall be safe. May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore thy blessing, and in which I cannot invite Thy inspection. Teach me how to use the world, and not abuse it, to improve my talents, redeem my time, to walk in wisdom toward those without, and in kindness to those within. And to Thee be the glory.

From VALLEY OF VISION; a collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions

2011-05-04T10:30:00.004-04:00

Recently, I was had one of those moments. You’ve had them too. That “light-bulb-over the-head” or “ears-popping-as-you-descend-from-high-altitude” moments of clarity or at the very least realization. I was recently leading in worship and noticed that several of the songs I had chosen carried the theme and the word “hallelujah”. (This often happens that the Holy Spirit knits something together that I am clueless about…more about that another time.)

Now, “hallelujah” is one of the most commonly used praise words in history. Today, we even hear the word used as an expression of joy outside the faith-culture. But most people – even if they once heard somewhere – do not know what they are saying when they let loose with a “Hallelujah!” In my recent experience, I was reminded that the word I say and sing often has lost some of its weight in my language.

The word “Hallelujah” is a Hebrew word meaning “praise be unto God”. (In the Greek New Testament, the word is “Alleluia.”) The Hebrew word “Hallelujah” is in fact made up of two Hebrew words: 'Hallel' and 'Jah'. The second of these words, 'Jah', means God as in the word 'Yahweh'. So this indicates that the praise is directed to God personally.

In the context of Hebrew culture as well as biblical Christianity, any praise personally directed to God is a thorough, consuming fact of life. The action related to the word must be lived as well as spoken. You can't say "praise be unto God" with one breath and have murderous thoughts about your neighbor in the next. “Hallelujah” indicates living adoration, with the sole object of that adoration being the One who invites, calls us, and empowers us – through Jesus – to an intimate relationship with Himself.

So, how do we express “hallelujah” in our worship? Scripture teaches that praise to God involves a song in our hearts and on our lips. A living “hallelujah” will probably include a dance in our step (see David’s dance in 2 Samuel 6:14), and a joy that may often lead to tears of contrition and as well as joy before the Father.

In Psalm 103, we are encouraged to bless the LORD with all that is within us. I love the way the psalmist calls upon his very soul to bless the LORD. And then, to refresh his motivation for blessing the LORD, the psalmist reminds himself of all the ways the Father has shown love for His children.

So today, if you have a hard time mustering a “hallelujah”, spend some time recalling all the Father has worked in your life. Spend some time feasting on His Word, being reminded of His character and His loving revelation of Himself to us.
You might just find yourself with a “hallelujah” on your lips…and let me know if you dance!

Death of a Soldier

2011-03-02T22:08:00.000-05:00

I read news today of the sudden death of Lieutenant Joe Gauthier, a military chaplain candidate studying at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While running with a fellow chaplain candidate, he suddenly dropped and efforts to resuscitate him failed. He leaves a young bride of less than one year and undoubtedly many grieving friends and family.

This news makes me sad for a couple of reasons. First, anytime a person dies at such a young age, it stirs grief of lost opportunities and dreams – theirs and ours. Second, I have a former colleague and friend who is busting it hard as he answers God’s call on his life to become a military chaplain. These men DO NOT answer this call lightly. It costs dearly in many ways and is perhaps one of the most difficult mission outposts in our culture.

I will admit that I also struggle with a huge, perhaps obvious question to some: how could God call one of His children to service and then allow his life to end so tragically? I do not ask this question from a posture of doubt because I confess the struggle in full light of the gift of faith. But it is something to consider as a sibling in Christ, a fellow soldier of the Cross, and one set apart for the ministry of the Gospel. I have had encounters with friends and relatives of missionaries who have lost their lives tragically while serving on the mission field. That loss challenges even Rock-solid faith in the sovereignty of a loving God.

The truth is this: none of us is promised tomorrow. Regardless of social standing, bank balance, personality, gifting, calling, or talent we are all participants in a fallen world where death is a part of life. And for me, alongside feelings of sadness and grief, there rests a profound weight of gratitude. I, too, am a man called by God to live my life in full-throttle response to His amazing love, mercy and grace. I, too, am a man called to serve Him particularly as a vocational minister. I am thankful that, to this point, God has seen fit to allow me to continue the journey as a follower of Christ, a husband, a father, a son, a friend and a servant of the Most High. It makes me consider the gift of today and the hope of tomorrow. And tomorrow morning, if I am given the blessing of another day, I must consider this huge, inescapable question: will I live this day as if it could be my last day in this life serving my King? Will I count the cost, take the risks, speak the Love, embrace the pain and be the salt and light I was created to be? All that is within me hopes so.

Rest in peace, Lieutenant Gauthier; Godspeed and thank you.

Why Worship?

2011-02-23T17:44:00.001-05:00

I will worship God today because it is good and right to do so.

I will worship God today, not because of what it will do for me, or because it is popular, or because it is Sunday, or because I like the worship music, but for the simple reason that I was made to do this. To worship God is what I am here for.

Worship is not an asset. It is not an added benefit to my life like working out or taking vitamins. Nor is it a secret formula that will add a deeper dimension to my life. Worship is raw. Basic. Worship is the air I breathe. It is the blood pumping through my veins. It is the cells in my body that reproduce and keep me alive for this. Everything else I do is extemporaneous. To worship God is the root of my being. To not worship is to miss the fundamental reason for my existence.

Worship is what happens when you get in touch with God. Something about it is automatic. When any human being encountered a vision of God in the Bible, the same thing happened: they hit the dirt. It was the natural response. Some of that was fear, some of that was worship as expressed by awe and respect. Much of it was feeling little and insignificant in His sight. That's part of worship too, because we are. That's why it is so amazing that He is mindful of us. That He even notices us. (Psalm 8)

And because He loves us so much, and knows how far away we can stray from our stated purpose, and how much damage we can do to ourselves and others in the process, He has commanded us to worship Him. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Luke 10:27). That's not because He is arrogant, but because He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our fulfillment is in Him. The Rolling Stones get it right every time they sing it: “I can't get no satisfaction.” That's because there is no ultimate satisfaction until God is in His rightful place in our lives.

Think of it as God commanding us to do what we were meant to do. God is commanding us to do the one thing that will make us deeply satisfied and forever fulfilled. That's a twist, because we're so used to laws being overbearing, backbreaking spoilers of our fun. This is a law that commands us to do what will be our delight for now and for eternity.

by John Fischer

Not forgotten...

2010-12-30T10:20:00.002-05:00

I love to write. You couldn't tell it by my blog, though! I hope to return to writing and posting regular updates in the new year. I covet prayers for our family as we spend our holiday break recovering from the flu. Have a blessed new year celebration and may God's very best be yours in 2011.

BTW - went to see "Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" with the fam...loved it! So many spiritual lessons that I get to unpack with my boys. I hope to put thoughts in writing soon...

One-by-One

2010-10-13T11:35:00.001-04:00

Over two months ago, a collapse in a Chilean mine brought the eyes of the world to a remote desert location, hoping against all odds that 33 men might possibly still be alive over 2,000 feet below the surface of the earth. Today’s news is that – ahead of schedule – the rescuers are bringing these men, one by one, out of that dark, isolated pit.

The rescue effort has been a remarkable example of global effort. Three different teams from five different countries have worked at different approaches in hopes that one would be successful in breaking through and creating a safe passage for escape. In the mean time, there have been specialists of every kind working to meet the needs of the trapped miners. Food, water, psychologists, therapists, and of course, family have all been available through a small channel drilled and made bigger to connect those trapped with their saviors on the surface.

But consider this: even after all this time, with no one to look at but their fellow miners, these men will, one by one, have to climb into a capsule that is only 28 inches in diameter. Outfitted with video and audio surveillance as well as oxygen and constant medical monitoring of each miner, they will ride inside this capsule for a grueling 20-minute ride out of darkness into very bright light – they even get special sunglasses!

But this is what came to my mind as I listened to the story: these men needed rescue from an outside source. They needed someone to be troubled enough to stop their routine and intervene with extreme yet precise actions. This takes me to a tomb near Bethany a couple of thousand years ago. Lazarus – beloved brother and devoted friend has died. Those closest to him knew it was coming, in fact they sent for the friend the Great Physician in hopes that He might be able to intervene. But He didn’t – at least not in time for Lazarus. But time is a realm given only to man (another writing for another time…).

Jesus did eventually come to a familiar town with familiar faces, now shrouded in grief and some in anger. “If you had only come…” were the accusing, angry, wounded words that greeted Him. “If” – spoken from hurt, anger, fear. Beth Moore teaches that those two letters (If) stand for two words: “I fear.” This is true for each one of us. When confronted by the challenge to step outside of our comfort zone, we often respond with the “what if” roll call.

But watch the awesome love of God in action. When Jesus arrives, his actions move to bring Lazarus out of the grave, despite still more words of concern from his “If” sister. Jesus – Almighty God with skin on – demonstrates His authority over death. Lazarus steps into the light of a day he never thought he would see. Jesus – the giver of life – saw fit to leave the residue of Lazarus’ grave with him. Lazarus still wears the bandages and rags meant to bind his body in death. The command from Jesus to those standing near (can you image what they were thinking at this point…): “Unbind him and let him go.” It took the help of some rescuers to get their hands dirty and to remove the rags.

How does your community remove the rags of your death? If you have accepted and stepped fully into the “life abundant” that Jesus offers, who is helping you to remove the residue of the death and decay in your life. To be sure, the Holy Spirit is there, but we all need a friend, a brother, someone who knows us and loves us and is willing to help us be free. I would love to hear about those whom you trust to be your rescuers and tunnel down through the stuff of your life to expose the life Jesus promised.

A Worshippers Manifesto - via Spurgeon

2010-09-29T09:51:00.002-04:00

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation."

We, the called and faithful and chosen, we will drive away our griefs, and set up our banners of confidence in the name of God. Let others lament over their troubles, with joy [we] will magnify the Lord. Eternal Spirit, our effectual Comforter, we who are the temples in which Thou dwellest, will never cease from adoring and blessing the name of Jesus. We WILL, we are resolved about it, Jesus must have the crown of our heart's delight; we will not dishonour our Bridegroom by mourning in His presence. We are ordained to be the minstrels of the skies, let us rehearse our everlasting anthem before we sing it in the halls of the New Jerusalem. We will BE GLAD AND REJOICE: two words with one sense, double joy, blessedness upon blessedness. Need there be any limit to our rejoicing in the Lord even now? We will be glad and rejoice IN THEE. That last word is the meat in the dish, the kernel of the nut, the soul of the text.

What heavens are laid up in Jesus! What rivers of infinite bliss have their source, ay, and every drop of their fulness in Him! Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, Thou art the present portion of Thy people, favour us this year with such a sense of Thy preciousness, that from its first to its last day we may be glad and rejoice in Thee. Let January open with joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.

Selah.

(Thanks to my bud Micah for posting this...I agree with him: could not say it better!)

Thought for the Day

2010-09-22T14:25:00.002-04:00

"God never calls us to be better; He calls us to be HOLY!" - Dr. Fred Baldwin

O.K. - so I have too much rolling around for one thought...

"It (insert situation) is only hopeless is God is no longer faithful." - Dwight Watson, reference I Thessalonians 5:24

Probably more coming as I process...

The Capacity to...Dance

2010-09-10T09:59:00.004-04:00

As I completed a study of the gospel of Mark with our small group connection group, I got to spend several weeks looking at that which God plants in each of us. Call it potential - a scientific term which speaks of energy stores inside an object - or call it capacity...that's where we spent time. God gives so much along our journey to allow us to reach the full dream He gives and we each have a choice in how we respond to what has been given.

Jesus describes His love and care for us along the journey in John 10. He contrasts the mission of the thief (to steal, kill and destroy) with His purpose: to give life to the full and overflowing.

This came to my heart as I was walking the dog and listening to Pandora radio last week. I was having a "country" kind of day and was caught off-guard by this song. I had heard the song before, but was taken as I considered the message of the song - a prayer, hope, desire - from giver to receiver. I came to find out that the song was written out of a time of deep loss and pain and was ultimately dedicated by Lee Ann Womack to her children. I think that is so appropriate; a heart-felt desire from a parent to a child. Consider the love in these lyrics as if they come from the heart of our Father to His children...

Anguish

2010-03-22T08:42:00.001-04:00

The LORD Himself will provide a Lamb...

2010-02-11T10:28:00.004-05:00

Came across this today and worshipped the LORD. He is so faithful, even when I am not.

If the wind is just right...

2010-02-11T09:53:00.005-05:00

I love Goodwill. Not just “peace on earth, goodwill…” but the actual store. I shop there regularly. We are actually blessed to have one of the best Goodwill stores I have ever seen in my neighborhood. They may not have what you are looking for today, but if you check back often, you might just find that pair of running shoes you were seeking. (This was actually the case for me, only paid $4.00 for like-new shoes; Dave Ramsey would be proud!) One of my favorite things to shop for is books. Now, anyone that knows me knows I love books. And sometimes, I actually READ them! (A.D.D. moment here: I am actually reading William Bennett’s book “A Century Turns: New Fears, New Hopes--America 1988 to 2008” right now and will be writing a review in the coming days for Thomas Nelson. More details to come.)

One of my recent purchases was a Willowcreek small group study by John Ortberg on pursuing spiritual growth. It focuses on the difference between “training” and “trying”. It has been a good thing to focus my heart in the mornings. Yesterday, I was challenged as I considered that my “worship” (a word not literally used in the Bible) is, at its best, living with each and every moment in light of the sovereignty and love of Almighty God. (Sorry…no music required.)

Today, I was reminded of a concept I started learning about in the fall of 2006. As a matter of fact, I am still working on this one; it’s a “beaut”! As I stepped into the process of rebuilding a broken life, one of the hardest things for this self-obsessed, self-absorbed, and self-sufficient dude to capture was: what is my role in transformation and what is God’s role? (note how I put myself first…LORD, help me!) I have plenty of experience in taking over and managing the affairs of my day. But just exactly how do I go about “letting go and letting God”. Isn’t that lazy? Doesn’t that fly in the face of my “giftedness”?
In learning the “how” of this perplexing struggle, I was taught a great illustration about a sailboat. This application came back today in my study. Here is a quote from the study guide that illustrates what I began learning:

“Think of the difference between piloting a motorboat and a sailboat. I can run a motorboat all by myself. All I have to do is start the engine. I am in control. But a sailboat is a different story. I can hoist the sails. I can steer with the rudder. But I am utterly dependent on the wind. My job is simply to do those things that will enable me to catch the wind when it comes.”

“Spiritual transformation is like piloting a sailboat. I can open myself to it through certain practices, but I cannot engineer the wind. When it comes, it is a kind of gift. Seeing this saves me from pride and from the wrong kind of effort. Wise sailors know their main task is to be able to re ad the wind, to learn to raise and lower particular sails to catch the wind most effectively. They know when to stay on the existing course and when to set a new one.”

“So it is with the spiritual disciplines. Our job is to creatively and wisely engage in those activities that will give God a chance to work in our life. This can look different in different seasons of our lives. We can put up the sails and adjust them as needed. But what happens is up to God.”

So now I am shopping Goodwill for a model sailboat to display in my office. I want the visual reminder of how I am to live my day: faithful in the things to which He has called and equipped, yet always empowered by the wind of His Holy Spirit.

“We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.” – Oswald Chambers

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” - John H. Sammis

What if your world was rocked?

2010-01-13T14:14:00.003-05:00

On this day of preparation for music rehearsals at church and prayer for my declining Dad, I am struck my Face book messages and Tweets of the devastation following the massive earthquake in the small island nation of Haiti.

I see updates on the increasing number of casualties and death as well as numerous please, religious and otherwise, to help, either by donation or serving. I hear of weeping over images which pour from this devastated region. As I paused to examine a set of pictures, I am struck by a few thoughts:

1) I PRAY: Merciful, loving GOD, please be very near to these hurting people right now! In Your Sovereignty, You knew that the broken earth would heave and give on this day at this time. Please speak through Your Spirit and through Your children words of comfort, healing and life during this time of despair and death.

2) I HURT for the people whom I see in the pictures and the ones I don’t see whose stories may not be captured, but which are equally as important to God.

3) I HOPE because I see men and women in rescue attire preparing and travelling already to provide relief. Servants, many of God and many of humanity, who will sacrifice comfort and give of themselves to help people they don’t even know.
This tired, groaning earth has seen disasters before and will certainly see more before all is said and done. But now, today, I pause and reflect on my life. What if it was MY world that crumbled around me and fell in on me? I know I am ready should this life come to an end, but would I find comfort in knowing that I had made an investment in the lives of people around me that would live on beyond myself? In the words of Scripture: “Selah” – “pause and reflect”.

The Word

2009-11-10T16:49:00.003-05:00

In recent days, I have been personally reminded of the absolute need for me to spend time feasting on the Word of God. Now, I grew up in the Southern Baptist Church. And I am well indoctrinated that we (Baptists) are historically "people of the Book". In fact, the accusation has come over that years that higher merit is given to God's Word than to the person of Jesus Christ. While I understand where this comes from I also understand this: if I am to learn any truth about Who Jesus is, what He calls me to, and how He chooses to love me...I MUST turn to the BOOK. It is His chosen method of revealing Himself to me. And I have this burden for fellow believers who are on a journey of faith.

I recently read this entry from Paul Steele's blog

"One of the weakness we have with the present day Church in the United States is the reality that we have promoted experience over teaching. We have become more interested in trying to make Jesus attractive to people rather than teaching the truth about Jesus. The result of this practice is a Church in the United States which is basically indistinguishable from the rest of the world."

"An honest evaluation of the Church in the United States leads us to understand that we lack the knowledge and the spiritual maturity that we need to impact the world in which we live. We are ignorant about what the Bible says and how its teachings apply to our lives. Many of our leaders are better students of culture and current events than they are of the Bible. We are people of the sound byte and video clip rather than people of the text."

"This lack of commitment to the Bible has hampered us from becoming the people God created us to be. The Bible is God’s revelation to His people, and if we truly want to please Him then we will make the Bible our source of truth for living life."

"We shouldn't be surprised that Paul encouraged Timothy to be a student and teacher of God’s Word.

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you (2 Timothy 4:1-5; NLT)."

Without a proper foundation for spiritual truth we will be carried this way and that way by whatever suits our fancy. Whatever seems attractive to us becomes our guide for life rather than the Truth God has given us in His Word.

This is the point I would like to make: As we, the Church, have moved away from solid Biblical teaching, as we have sought to be “relevant” to the world, we have made the church inconsequential to the world that we live in. After all the church offers no answers that couldn’t be found on Dr. Phil and too often he is better at communicating them than we are.

It is time for us to return to strong Biblical teaching. Rather than picking out topics and finding proof texts for our teaching points, we need immerse ourselves in the entire text of the Bible. Rather than seeking to be relevant and attractive to culture, we need to offer God’s truth and allow the Holy Spirit to use God's Word to impact the hearts of people.

We cannot hope to become spiritually mature until we allow the Holy Spirit to teach our hearts the truth through the revelation of God that is found in the Bible. Yes, we need to be active in loving people. Yes, we need worship experiences that will warm and encourage our hearts. But we will not change, we will not live a life pleasing to God, until we are founded in the truth of God’s Word.

Let’s stop allowing the Bible to be demoted in our Church Families in favor of a worship experience and seeker sensitivity. Let’s trust God enough to know His Word, teach His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to use that Word to impact the hearts of people. Let’s be people of the text rather the people of the sound byte. Let’s be rooted in the Word of God."

Kevin here: I am praying and seeking, feasting and waiting. Beyond the "truth" contained in the Word, I am yearning for the "Truth", the Savior of the Word. More later...

Hidden Valleys

2009-09-08T14:09:00.004-04:00

I just completed reading Beth Moore's book on the life of David. Such wonderful stuff! Among the annals of redeemed failures in the Word of God, David is probably the most celebrated. Boy, can I identify with him!

This morning, a song came to my mind and I have sung it all day and celebrated its messages. Recorded by Steve Green some 15+ years ago, the song captures the heart of the journey which God desires for all His children.

Hidden Valleys

"In a hidden valley just over the hill
A young shepherd boy surrenders his will
As he lifts his voice in praise to his King
Only the lambs will hear and follow as he sings"

"In a hidden valley a faithful one leads
No one looking on, he cares for their needs
For he knows the One who tries the heart
So he is steadfast and content to do his part"

Hidden valleys produce a life song
Hidden valleys will make a heart strong
Desperation can cause you to sing
Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings

"In a hidden valley a leader is born
He has faced the fierce and weathered the storm
So with humble heart and love for his God
He becomes royalty with just a staff and rod"

Hidden valleys produce a life song
Hidden valleys will make a heart strong
Desperation can cause you to sing
Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings

Words and music by Kelly Willard. Copyright 1991 Willing Heart Music. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

Rest. Peace.

2009-07-08T16:35:00.004-04:00

In case you haven't heard, the legendary entertainer Michael Jackson died recently. His legacy of music and philanthropy has been heralded far and wide alongside reminders of the accusations made against him in later years.

I have echoed the sentiments of "enough" in regard to the media coverage during these days. I even pledged to myself that I would NOT take part in the media spectacle that was his memorial service.

But...I did. I actually caught myself remembering his music. The music which was the soundtrack for my adolescent years. And I caught myself watching video of his performances. Most intriguing were the sound and images captured a couple of days before his death. I was enthralled to watch talent personified on my television screen. Even at the age of 50 - which is becoming younger and younger to me - and with reported physical maladies plaguing him, he was still the same MJ, commanding the stage and drawing people to himself. Oh, and I did watch parts of the memorial - it was a good thing.

Was Michael Jackson, as Barry Gordy stated "the best entertainer ever"? Possibly - at least in our generation, with the proliferation of media outlets in the last twenty years - MJ was the most transforming entertainer of our era. Was his talent from God? Absolutely. All talent, all creativity comes from our Creator. Was he controversial? No doubt about it. Was he guilty of accusations made against him? I don't know. Is he gone. Yes.

The events of the past days took my back some twenty years to the death of my step-mother. She often referred to herself as the devil, something most people took as a quip. Based on my experiences, she meant it. And for me, I felt like the target of her wrath. (Hindsight and maturity allows me to see love as the motivation of her heart. She loved me and I still love her.) But along the way, she was diagnosed with cancer which ultimately took her life.

The memory that comes rushing back as of late is that of my side of the family (excluding my Dad) riding from the funeral home to the country cemetery where she was to be buried. I sat in the back seat and listened as the woman we had been eulogizing and were about to bury was categorically raked over the coals. No mercy, grace, respect or compassion. Only venom.

My reaction was sudden and visceral. I blurted out very loudly: "The woman is dead. Can't we let her rest in peace?" Well, that certainly brought quiet to the car. Perhaps the comments about her were correct and just. Perhaps they were spoken in honor of truth winning the day. Regardless, they were lost on my ears and to my heart that day.

Looking back, I would like to think that the Holy Spirit of God was working in me...not to correct or rebuke others...but working in me to mourn and grieve a life which He cherished and loved..."in stubborn spite of her stubborn spite" (Andrew Peterson).

This is were I find my heart today. My oldest son sat beside me last night and asked me: "Daddy, do you like Michael Jackson?" My answer was that I respected his talent, his creativity and his love for others - all of which came from God. My son then asked: "Even though he wore make-up and acted weird." We then got to talk about the brokenness of people, especially those gifted with creativity. I believe he understood.

I know that the things that we don't understand, we mock, criticize, and shake our heads. I am not seeking to understand Michael Jackson. I wasn't trying to understand my step-mother after her death. But I did shed a tear for both of them. "For God so loved...that He gave."

Psalm 42 & A Sparrow Song...

2009-06-22T12:00:00.002-04:00

"A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, "Will I ever make it - arrive and drink in God's presence?" I'm on a diet of tears - tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, "Where is this God of yours?" These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving - celebrating, all of us, God's feast! Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God."

"When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you, From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, including Mount Mizar. Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me. Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer. Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, "Why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by enemies?" They're out for the kill, these tormentors with their obscenities, Taunting day after day, "Where is this God of yours?" Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." (The Message)

"Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

"I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me."

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

"Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

SELAH

Dawson is in the Family!

2009-03-26T14:57:00.002-04:00

If You Wanted Me

2009-03-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine recently gave me Todd Agnew's CD "Better Questions" and it has rocked my world! I always loved Todd's music, but these songs are so great for...well...the questions. Here is the one I am soaking in today:

If You Wanted Me
I'll admit I'm glad we're not disciples
Out on a lake paralyzed with fright
'Cause I'm afraid I might have laughed at Peter
Until he stepped into that stormy night

If You wanted me to walk on water
Why'd You make this solid ground seem so right?

I'll admit I'm glad I'm not King David
Ruling over everything I see
'Cause I think I've fallen for more than Bathsheba
Your creation's a temptation for me

If You wanted me to love You only
Why'd you make the moonlight sparkle in her eyes?

I'll admit I'm glad I'm not John the Baptist
In a jail cell waiting for my day to die
'Cause at least down here I know what we're chasing
And it's hard to trust Your dreams are so much better than mine

If You wanted me to die to myself
Why'd You make me fall so deeply in love with life?

If You wanted me to surrender
Why'd You make these hands able to hold on so tight?

If You wanted me to be like You
Why'd You make me like me?

Mellow...

2009-02-28T13:16:00.004-05:00

Our oldest, Dawson, had his first sleep-over birthday party last night. It was cool for him. We got the sleeping bag, the backpack with his pj's and toothbrush - he was set for the big event. His brother, however, was NOT looking forward to the big event. Even though he got his own new sleeping bag and was going to camp out in Mom and Dad's room, the fact that he wasn't invited really stressed him. Truthfully, it wasn't the invite that bothered him, it was the absence of his best friend and big brother. As we dropped Dawson off at the party, Ethan said he felt like he was going to cry because he missed Dawson.
We tried to quickly get Friday night pizza night back on track by asking Ethan where he wanted to go for pizza. Now we have never gone to the Mellow Mushroom for pizza...making us Towne Lake parental outcasts. While in Chattanooga a last week on winter break, that changed as we enjoyed pizza at the downtown Chattanooga Mellow Mushroom. This primed the pump for a night-at-the-Woodstock Mellow Mushroom. Ethan said this was where he wanted to go for our pizza night tradition. Then he thought a minute. "No. I don't want Dawson to miss our first time at Mellow Mushroom." Sitting in the front seat of the van, I teared up at this very self-less attitude of my middle son. He wanted to wait until we could all go together. So for this week...pizza night is Saturday night @ Mellow Mushroom....with all of the Bragg family present!

Worship This Sunday

2009-02-25T15:01:00.003-05:00

Here is what we will be singing in worship this Sunday @ FBC Holly Springs.

Morning Worship
Beautiful One (By the Tree)
No Other Gods (Travis Cottrell)
You Are God Alone (PCD)
Revelation Song (Kari Jobe)

Thrive @ 5
Sing to the King (Passion)
Love the Lord (Lincoln Brewster)
Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin)
Surrender (Vineyard)

Hey...our special guest speaker for Thrive @ 5 this Sunday is Danny Singleton from FBC Woodstock. If you are in Cherokee County on Sunday, come to worship and be challenged by this amazing servant of God.

Flashback

2009-02-18T16:26:00.007-05:00

Last night I was helping around the house and was putting clean sheets on Dawson and Ethan's beds. Those who know me know that any household or other chore MUST be accompanied by sound...preferably music, but sometimes even preaching will do.

When I am working in the boys' room, I have a couple of musical-chore-time-passing traditions. Rather than actually putting in their CD of kids songs and grooving out, I chose the OTHER tradition. I slowly opened the dresser drawer and had a flash forward as I considered that one day my boys are going to talk about "Daddy's special video tapes he keeps stashed in the back of the drawer". Yes...I keep a couple of videos tucked away in their room. These particular two more or less by accident, but they are there for a reason. The reason is that the only video cassette player in the house is in the boys' room (for all those pre-DVD releases). As to what is on these videos... one is...(gulp, swallow hard...confession is good for the soul...) a Gaither Homecoming video. The other is another video from my past days. A video from the Christian comedian and preacher, Mike Warnke. Many may remember him as the man who was radically saved from his past as a satanist high priest back in the sixties, only to have that story debunked in 1991. Regardless of his story, the teaching in the video was straight-up, rich theology wrapped in great delivery and jab-at-religion humor - my kind of stuff!

It always takes me back a few years when I listen to and watch this video. I go back to my teenage years as a student believer. This time, though, I got carried back a lot further. While I listened, Dawson and Ethan came in from getting their shower and watched and listened with me while they got ready for bed. At one point, they were standing in front of the television, taking in every word that was said and every move that was made. As I watched my boys watching the screen, Ethan (my "mini-me") started mimicking every word and action on the screen. For me, it was a sudden flashback to what I used to do as a child...mimicking the things I enjoyed. It was how I processed so much of what sticks with me to this day.

The truly wonderful thing is that as my boys both watched, listened, and mimicked Mike Warnke, they both were anxious to hear what he was saying. While much of it was over their heads, so many seeds of truth were planted and I am looking forward to the conversations that are coming.

Roots

2008-11-27T11:41:00.007-05:00

While in Tennessee for Thanksgiving with family, I made a trip to Evergreen Cemetery. I have several relatives buried there, but the graves of my grandparents were my mission. I don't know, maybe working in a cemetery during the past couple of years or maybe turning 39 years old, or maybe just following a path of remembering - I just felt a need to return and remember these important people in my life. I took pictures to have in our family archives (note to self: create family archives). I'll share a couple of these people with you today and maybe more in the days to come.

First, my paternal grandparents, William Robert and Louise Redmon Bragg.

My Grandfather, for whom I was named, died at the age of 45 - when my Dad was a young teenager. My Grandmother, Louise, was a strong lady who who always took care of her family, made the most succulent pot roast I have ever eaten, the best old-fashioned coconut cake, taught me how to play the piano, and was responsible for getting me to church and was there the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my salvation.

Alongside William and Louise are two other very special burials. My Great-Grandmother, Etta White O'Brien - known to me as "Big Mamma" (she was over six feet tall...yes, I know...too bad that didn't get passed to me!) Also, my brother James is buried there. He never took a breath of air before leaving and although I never met him, I mourn him greatly. His is the "James" that goes with my middle son, Ethan James.

I will share more in the coming days...

A Birthday

2008-11-21T22:37:00.003-05:00

As of 5:45 this evening, I am officially 39 years old. That age of almost. An age often followed by "and holding". But I'm there now. The day came much like any other Friday: breakfast with a friend, work (good day), email wishes from friends, pizza with the family. Then they surprised me. Mommy had gotten a cake and soon came the melody from the kitchen. And what comes after a birthday cake? A wish and a present. Funny...mine were both the same and I have a picture to prove it! Thank you, Papa!

Chambers...Worth Repeating...

2008-11-02T21:35:00.001-05:00

Today's My Utmost for His Highest":

AUTHORITY AND INDEPENDENCE

"If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments." John 14:15 (R.V.)

Our Lord never insists upon obedience; He tells us very emphatically what we ought to do, but He never takes means to make us do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit. That is why whenever Our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an IF - you do not need to unless you like. "If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself," let him give up his right to himself to Me. Our Lord is not talking of eternal positions, but of being of value to Himself in this order of things, that is why He sounds so stern (cf. Luke 14:26). Never interpret these words apart from the One Who uttered them.

The Lord does not give me rules, He makes His standard very clear, and if my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without any hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love some one else in competition with Him, viz., myself. Jesus Christ will not help me to obey Him, I must obey Him; and when I do obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small petty incidents, altogether unnoticeable and mean; but if I obey Jesus Christ in the haphazard circumstances, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God, and when I stand face to face with God I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When once God's Redemption comes to the point of obedience in a human soul, it always creates. If I obey Jesus Christ, the Redemption of God will rush through me to other lives, because behind the deed of obedience is the Reality of Almighty God.

Our Jack-O-Lanterns!

2008-10-28T22:07:00.002-04:00

A Place for New Beginnings

2008-10-12T21:20:00.002-04:00

Today I led worship at First Baptist Church of Holly Springs, GA. This is a great little church with a heart for God and God is honoring that heart. Lives are being changed and people are being reached with the gospel. I will be leading in musical worship each week through the end of the year and then we will seek God for His good pleasure.

Pastor Phil Young is in the midst of a sermon series entitled "Fireproof Your Relationships" Today's sermon was on parasites in a relationship - a parasite being anything which taps into your life and takes away life from the health of the relationship. Common parasites...anything which would fall into the category of an idol...or anything which could be followed by "-aholic".

It made me want to stand up and offer my testimony. "I know what a parasite can do to you. It can decimate your faith, cost your career, and almost destroy your marriage relationship. BUT GOD..." Those are my two favorite words in the Bible...I'll share more along those lines soon.

I just think its kind of cool that my first "regular" post as a worship leader since leaving ministry to get things back on track is at "The Place of New Beginnings". God is indeed oh so good!

Cherry Pie

2008-10-04T17:08:00.006-04:00

So my latest weird thing around the house is the baking of cherry pies. It all started when I discovered a can of pie filling in the pantry and a leftover store bought pie crust in the fridge. Being a lover of desserts, this soon led to an impromptu pie-type dessert which was pretty good. Another part of the weirdness of getting older is that as an adult my tastes are changing. Growing up, I would rather skip dessert than to eat cherry pie. But as an adult, cherry pie has become my pie preference. This adult-onset craving led me to pick up ingredients at the store to attempt a cherry pie to rival all cherry pies. But, being the non-baker that I am, I got the wrong can of fruit and had to actually create a cherry pie filling from Bing cherries. This led to some experimentation and the following recipe which has become a favorite...in fact I just baked this one today!

So, for the benefit of all mankind...my Cherry Crumble Pie Recipe...not exactly from scratch, but fun and yummy nonetheless!

Kevin’s Cherry Crumble Pie
Makes 2 Pies

For the topping:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Using a pastry cutter, combine all ingredients until evenly mixed. Place in refrigerator while preparing filling.

For the filling:
4 15 oz. cans of Bing cherries, drained – reserve 1 cup of juice
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract

In a small bowl, add the almond extract to the reserve cherry juice. Add the cornstarch and sugar into the juice and mix until completely dissolved.

Place two store-bought pie crusts into two lightly greased 9-inch pie plates. Divide the cherries and place the cherries in the crust, forming a single layer. Pour ½ of the cherry juice/cornstarch/almond extract mixture into each pan of cherries.

Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit, covering the fruit completely.

Place the pie plates on a sheet pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is brown and the cherries are bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Oh...and another reason I love cherry pie...it reminds me of the Trinity. A good cherry pie is runny on the inside. If you cut the pie into three equal pieces, you show the lines of the cut on the surface. But once the knife has passed through (and once you attempt to remove the piece in tact from the pan) the cherry filling will all run together. So it is with the Trinity...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. On the surface, three distinct personalities but on the inside, all the same essence. At least that's how my mind can wrap around it! (Thanks to Mike Warnke for the illustration.)

Celebrating

2008-09-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

September 17 will be Logan's first birthday. He is a miracle...in so many ways. All life is a miracle. But many may recall the plea that went out last year. Early tests were indicating that Logan, born two months early, showed signs of PVL - a precursor to Cerebral Palsy. There was prayer, question, wailing and consultation. We waited for a couple of weeks not knowing what the future held for our new son. Subsequent tests revealed not a sign of any abnormalities. We rejoiced...even the nurse who called with the news got an earful of praise to God!

We now stand at the one-year anniversary of Logan's arrival. His mom shared with me today this thought: the child who we interceded for, praying for a miracle in his body...that little boy is already walking and more mobile than either one of his older brothers were. At 9 months he crawled, at 10 months he was pulling up, at 11 months he discovered that he could climb stairs! He loves to dance when his Daddy sings to him and chatters wildly when we mention "bath-bath-bath".

I am amazed when I look at any of my three sons. They are all awe-inspiring works of the Master's hand. I pray God's protection for their lives - I know the enemy has his sights set on them. I pray that they will one day bring more glory to the name of God than their falling, failing Dad ever dreamed. I pray that they will mature and walk blameless before men and before God. I pray for the families they will have and the offspring they will produce that a constant flow of God's transforming presence will make and remake them for the glory of His kingdom.

God is working on all of this now...even before I prayed it. I have a good Papa! I pray that I can help my boys to see and know Him.

Friday Night at CiCi's

2008-09-13T11:35:00.004-04:00

My boys can do some damage...none of these plates are mine (yeah, right)!

Never Forget...U.S.S. New York

2008-08-24T22:18:00.006-04:00

This story was news to me, but I thought worth passing along.

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions th at include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite , LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'

The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'

More info, video and pics at: http://www.ussny.org/

Confessions of a User

2008-07-15T19:12:00.003-04:00

O.K. - So it's been a while since I blogged. Thanks to those who noticed! A lot has been going on but let me just complete a thought I started writing a little while ago.

I was driving to work one morning and I was praying. This is not an unusual event of multi-tasking for me. But as I was praying, beseeching the Almighty for the events of the day, I was overwhelmed with a weight at what I was saying. The words I was saying were those of a "user". Now for those who know me, my personality is that of a persuader...I can talk my way through almost anything...something which has consistently gotten me into trouble. But here is was...trying to get God to take my agenda and bless it...I was deeply aware of my intent on "using" God to accomplish my goals. Stop the boat! (actually it was a Ford Explorer). Was I actually so twisted that I thought I could get by with setting the agenda and then invoking the blessing of God (don't answer that...) Yes...for a moment, I was that twisted. And I stopped short my prayer of manipulation, confessed, and once again talked honestly with my Papa. Man, the things I am capable of...my heart is really deceitful. Lord, today...please guide the desires of my heart to those of Yours. Soli Deo Gloria!

P.S. Please pray for my friend, my brother Eric. He had surgery a couple of weeks ago and is having a battle for recovery.

Bedtime Prayers on Father's Day

2008-06-18T09:52:00.002-04:00

My father's day this year was different than most. All three of my boys have been battling a stomach virus and so Rita stayed home with them while I went to worship. After I got home, we spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing. Rita had made a wonderful meal, which neither of the boys got to fully enjoy. We just enjoyed being together.

Now, it's my job to do bath and bedtime. It's just what Dad does. So as I was tucking the boys in to say their prayers, Ethan (my middle son) surprised me. He has been going "off road" for his prayer lately - working past the rote prayer to include those on his mind. As he looked up at me, hovering over his praying form, he said these words: "And thank You God that I love my Daddy and that you made him the way you did."

The child then said: "Why are you smiling, Daddy?" What he didn't see was the tears in my eyes. Happy Father's Day.

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas...

2008-06-18T09:43:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a graveside service. That is my present line of work: assisting families at a funeral home and cemetery. The service was being conducted by a sweet gentlemen, the chaplain from the funeral home. I have heard his words of encouragement to families numerous times. They are familiar words of comfort from God's Word. Perhaps in my familiarity with the words being spoken, I allowed my mind to wander. Standing at the rear of the tent, under the shade of a pear tree, I looked up. The day was rather windy for the middle of a June day. The sky was clear blue as I looked and listened to the wind rustling the leaves of the tree. In that moment, all focus was taken away from the task at hand, and I was reminded the the need to pause...be still and know...God was there. His gentle presence was all around me in that quiet breeze. I took in the moment and spent some time communing with my heavenly Father. I snapped a picture (being the visual person that I am) to help me try and remember that moment. Today, I am looking for another moment with Papa!

My Pastor, My President

2008-06-10T18:28:00.003-04:00

My only comment is to say that my heart is stirred for Southern Baptists knowing the heart of the man chosen today to lead as president. My heart is full at knowing his heart for the Kingdom of God and the work of the Kingdom that God chooses to do through Southern Baptists. It is not about a man, but this man is all about our great God and, as he says, taking as many souls as possible to heaven with him. Please pray for Johnny and Janet, their family and our church in the days to come. I can't wait to see what God is up to!!!

Hunt elected president on first ballot

Posted on Jun 10, 2008 | by David Roach

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention June 10, receiving 52.94 percent of votes (3,100) cast on the first ballot.

Five other candidates were nominated. Frank Cox received 1,286 votes (21.96 percent); Avery Willis, 962 votes (16.43 percent); William (Bill) Wagner, 255 votes (4.35 percent); Les Puryear, 188 votes (3.21 percent); and Wiley Drake, 45 votes (.77 percent).

A total of 5,856 ballots were cast, and 20 (.34 percent) were disallowed. At the time of the election, there were 7,196 registered messengers at the annual meeting.

Hunt was nominated by Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla.

Traylor said he was nominating Hunt because of his "heart for the nations" and his "heart for the next generation." Hunt will unite the convention and "forge a hopeful future" focused on the Gospel and connected to local churches, Traylor said.

Hunt's heart for the nations has been demonstrated in his church's missions giving and participation, Traylor said. Last year alone, he said, First Baptist gave $3.3 million to Southern Baptist mission causes.

Over the past 28 years, the church has been responsible for planting 78 new churches and during Hunt's 22-year tenure has seen hundreds of people surrender to full-time Christian ministry and mission service, Traylor added.

Hunt's heart for the next generation, Traylor said, has been illustrated through his work with conferences that have reached 25,000 young leaders during the past 20 years.

"As you elect him today, you will send an instant message to that young generation that they have a place at the SBC table," Traylor said. "They love him. You know him. And I believe it's time we elect him as our convention president."

I Am a Solider

2008-06-05T22:48:00.001-04:00

I am a Soldier!
I am a soldier in the army of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer;
The Bible is my code of Conduct!
Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare!

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,
Trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire!
I am a volunteer in this army and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire from this army at the rapture or die in this army,
but I will not get out, sell out, talk out or be pushed out!

I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.
If He needs me to teach children in Sunday School,
to work with youth, help adults or just sit and learn,
He can use me because I am there.

I am a Soldier! I am not a baby!
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped up, picked up or pepped up!

I am a Soldier!
No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, lure me or entice me.

I am a Soldier! I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom.
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts.
I don't need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to.

I am Committed.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this army I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still break even.
I will win! My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me and battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me!

I am a Soldier!
Even death cannot destroy me; for when my Commander calls me for this battlefield He will promote me to captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.

I am a Soldier in God's army!
I will never surrender to the enemy! I will never turn back!

I am a Soldier, marching heavenward, claiming victory as I go.
Here I stand.

Will you stand with me? AMEN!

by Brother L. J.
(Thanks to Dr. Larry Gray's Blog for this amazing post!)

Oh, How HE Loves Us!

2008-06-02T22:52:00.002-04:00

You MUST watch this video, from my friend Pat:

"I don't know what your cardboard would read. In truth, I don't think there is a chunk of cardboard big enough to detail my sin: lust, anger, pride, deceit... but on the back there would be one word: Loved and forgiven. OK... that's two words. Actually, it's three, but you get the idea." AMEN!!!

By the way...if you are "loved and forgiven" have tissues...you WILL cry.

One Choice Away from...

2008-05-30T09:27:00.009-04:00

One of my favorite quotes from my pastor, Dr. Johnny Hunt, is that we are all just one choice away from stupid. I love this! Now, my boys will correct me anytime I use the "stu***" word, but what else describes what I do? I KNOW better, I KNOW what the consequences will be, I KNOW how my choices will hurt the people whom I love and who love me, and yet...as Paul says...what I long to do, I don't and what I want to flee from, I run to (my paraphrase).

All my closest friends know that I have been in a season of healing, recovery and restoration. God presented the opportunity to come face-to-face with some life-dominating issues and truly brought salvation to me, to my marriage and family, and to the hope that I have in Him. We started this particular journey in August of 2006. We are now approaching the end of this chapter. We will officially end our season of restoration on June 22 - some 23 months later. As we approach the end of this season, there are as many unknowns and questions now as there were at the beginning, but there is a difference. We are living life more authentically, more honestly and more open with our Lord, with family and with friends. No secrets, no regrets. I am by no means "fixed" but I am more equipped to walk in light and health.

One of my favorite songs during this journey is "East to West" by Casting Crowns. There are days when I feel bound to fall and don't "feel" a change. Then there are days when I walk in connection with God and with others.

Be encourgaed by these words:
"East To West"

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to meYou're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

Quote from Willie Young...

2008-05-14T22:24:00.001-04:00

"Significance has never been about behavior."

God At Work

2008-05-14T22:01:00.005-04:00

As I write this entry, I am keenly aware of a desperate need for God.

Tonight as I led in worship at church, I noticed a man in the congregation who was not engaging in worship with the congregation; he appeared distressed. Contrary to my past nature, I took captive the thought that I was somehow responsible for his worship of Almighty God and rather I surrendered him to the Father. A few minutes later the call went out for those with special burdens to come to the altar for prayer. The man was kneeling in front of where I stood playing the keyboard. Soon he was surrounded by other men and the sounds of sobbing lifted from the altar. I was moved to join the men around him as they interceded for him. In that moment I felt a part of something supernatural...God Himself was reaching down to that altar and was meeting this man at his point of need. I do not know what the burden was (and perhaps still is) but I do believe that God was at work. Thank you, Papa!

My heart is also heavy at learning of the death of Pastor Forrest Pollock and his 13-year old son Preston. I did not know them personally, but I have a friend in that congregation. My heart is really heavy for the passing of this 44-year old father who leaves behind a wife and five other children. For them and for the Christ-followers at Bell Shoals, life will continue on...eventually. But they will never be the same because God is at work. Especially in the midst of pain that most of us cannot imagine unless somehow we have walked in shoes such as these. There is no where else to turn but to God, even if the conversation with God is angry and filled with raw emotion. There is still the point where, in the midst of agony, God breaks in and...get this - He doesn't bring comfort...He IS comfort. May the Pollock family be surrounded now and in the coming days by the very tangible presence of our Living LORD. Selah.

Dedicated to the Lord

2008-05-04T15:14:00.004-04:00

Today was Parent/Child Dedication at our church. After being out for a month (see earlier post) it was SO good to be home! The worship was kickin' (theological term) and the preaching was in high gear! You can check out the video of the dedication on the church website. Here is a cool picture of Logan Todd with his big brother Ethan after church. They are cool kids!

Four Sundays in the Life

2008-04-27T15:32:00.006-04:00

My family just returned home from church. Now that would be a relatively normal thing in our home on any given Sunday. Being Christ-followers, we go to worship with other Christ-followers...its what we do. But the month of April has been different for us. For the first time in almost two years, I have had the privilege to be a lead worshiper. Now for those unfamiliar with church lingo, this means that I got to worship (something I really enjoy) and got to lead others in this grace-filled privilege. After serving as a church musician and worship pastor for over twenty years, I have been in a season of receiving ministry rather than giving. I am thankful to God for every step of the journey that has brought me to the point of being ready to give again...although this time not from the crusty, rusty bottom of the tank of "me" but from the overflow of my life IN Christ.

To share with you WHERE we have been...

We started the month with the sweet folks from First Baptist, Forsyth, Missouri . If you are like me, you have never heard of Forsyth, MO...but you have probably heard of Branson, MO. Home of variety shows, buffets, Silver Dollar City, and all manner of family entertainment. Branson is across Lake Tanneycomo from Forsyth. We were blessed to be with FBC for worship and their 2nd Annual Global Impact Celebration. It was a blessing to take some vacation time, some family time, and also to live some "days in the life" of a worship pastor. Here are some pictures from our adventure!

Last week, I was blessed to lead worship for a group of men that I meet with every week to walk in accountability and to fight for wholeness and purity as men of God. Twice a year, we go away on retreat and spend time with the Lord and with one another. This year was my first retreat with the responsibility as worship coordinator. It was sweet to work with some AMAZING musicians and lead worshipers during the weekend. For me, it was a defining weekend as a worship musician. God spoke to me clearly in understanding the way He has gifted me and to what He has called me. I love my Papa!

Today, we rounded out the month with the precious folks at Living Hope Baptist Church in Hiram, GA. A friend of mine has been serving as transitional pastor for the past nine months. He called on me when he needed a supply worship leader. Today was a special day as the congregation as they affirmed Randy as their new pastor. It was a privilege to worship with them on this special day. It was good for me to spend time with Randy and Donna and to visit concerning his passion for the future of that congregation...they are sure to be blessed if they catch even only a portion of Randy's vision for Hiram and Paulding County!

I told Rita on the way home that for the past four Sundays, I felt as if "Kevin" was leading in worship, not some projected persona or who I believed people wanted me to be. Now I am a BIG promoter of the congregation in worship...I want to bring as many people along with me as possible...but I have had an unbelievable time this month just spending time in worship...from a child to his Papa. Did I mention...I love my Papa!

The Hammer Holds

2008-04-15T09:44:00.003-04:00

We’re back from Branson! I will write with pictures and updates a little later, but with hours on the road, I logged some major iPod time. One song that God pressed into my spirit was a Bebo Norman song, “The Hammer Holds.” If you know me, then you will understand why this song rings in my spirit…

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for Thee, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for Thee, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for Thee, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds.

My Eyes Weren't Dry

2008-03-14T13:45:00.004-04:00

I started a new job this week. A real blessing from God for me and for my family. But as with any new endeavor, there are certain things which must be taken care of at the start. Not unusually, they needed verification of my identity to pay me; a very important part of the job. A specific requirement was that they needed to copy my Social Security Card. Nothing else would suffice. The only problem was the whereabouts of that card. Rita and I both knew we had seen it, but could not unearth said card. My only choice was to take my other forms of government-issued identification and go to the nearest Social Security Office. Now if you have ever had to go and spend hours sitting in an office with rows of non-descript chairs facing a wall of endless service windows waiting on your number to be called, then you know the excitement I felt!

After arriving with my papers and a book to read, I took my number and plowed into the next chapter of John Maxwell. Now I have never been diagnosed as ADD, but sitting at the back of this room, it was hard to focus on the wonderful message of passion empowering talent. There were so many people from varying backgrounds, nationalities and ages. I found myself wandering and wondering what the stories of these people were. Quite suddenly, the door beside me opened and a civil servant came through and called a name. The man came near and there was a brief discussion. The employee went back through the door to check on something, leaving the man to wait. As he waited, he looked my way and in very broken English asked to borrow a pen. I gladly reached to my shirt pocket. He turned away and began writing. It wasn't until the employee returned that I saw what the man had been writing. He was inscribing a book to give the civil servant. It was a copy of "The Purpose Driven Life". I couldn't sit quiet and found myself encouraging with the words "Great book, great book!" I received my pen and watched as the man left the building. My eyes were moist and I audibly prayed, "Lord, bless him!" The really cool thing for me was that I had just spent the morning drive to the office - about an hour - listening to the audio of this book and allowing God to speak into my life. Just a brief moment in a government office when God sent a sweet reminder of His purpose and mission.

Logan

2008-02-29T14:25:00.002-05:00

From Oswald Chambers...

2008-02-29T11:26:00.003-05:00

This is just a little too close for comfort in my own life...

"Many a Christian worker has left Jesus Christ alone and gone into work from a sense of duty, or from a sense of need arising out of his own particular discernment. The reason for this is the absence of the resurrection life of Jesus. The soul has got out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own religious understanding. There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the soul realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perplexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and contrition he has to come back.

We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down than we do, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common - sense decisions and ask God to bless them. He cannot, it is not in His domain, it is severed from reality. If we do a thing from a sense of duty, we are putting up a standard in competition with Jesus Christ."

From My Utmost for His Highest, February 28

A Little Southern Baptist Humor

2008-02-25T14:48:00.006-05:00

Thanks to Travis Cottrell for this one...

The Bumbo Heads are Coming!!!

2008-02-22T11:08:00.004-05:00

Leave it to Ethan to put the baby's Bumbo on his head and take on that Martian look. What a kid!

Speaking of the baby, Logan was looking good...and quite the little man...as we got ready for church on Sunday. Ready...all together..."Awww..."

Press On!

2008-02-18T11:01:00.004-05:00

So this morning I was on the treadmill...yes, I use a treadmill...for about a week now. Anyway, I decided to bump up my time and distance this morning and was feeling good about my initiative. I know you have heard of "hitting the wall" - well, I didn't hit the wall but I at least saw it coming closer. About that time...and I had to laugh...the shuffle on my iPod brought up this song...and it got me through the additional time and distance!

"Press On"

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on

Dan Burgess ©1983 Belwin-Mills Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP) All rights admin. by Warner Bros. Publications, Inc. (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.

"El Ranchero!"

2008-02-17T15:04:00.010-05:00

Most Southerners are well acquainted with the idea of "comfort food". We are no exception. But as much as fried chicken, meatloaf, or mashed potatoes might bring "comfort" - so do chips, cheese dip, burritos and tamales from El Ranchero!!! Granny came to visit this weekend and bought us lunch at our local Mexican hangout.

Here is a snapshot of Dawson singing to Logan..."I love you a bushel and a peck..."

Meanwhile, Ethan was also there...just hanging out!

Real Foundation

2008-02-16T22:02:00.004-05:00

A thought came to me the other day. I thought about all that I had read and been taught over the years concerning Jesus’ teaching at the end of Matthew 7, the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn't obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.” Matthew 7:24-28

You probably are very familiar with this story. At some point in the Christian journey, we are all challenged to build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Cornerstone (Matthew 24:32), the one true foundation (I Corinthians 3:11). “The wise man built his house upon the rock” – the Sunday School song echoes in our head.

But if I were to ask you to close your eyes, to clear your thoughts and then create a mental image based on a given word, what vision comes to mind with the word “foundation”? My mental image is that of a construction site with either a concrete slab or gray concrete blocks stacked and mortared in precise rows.

All in all, a solid foundation, quite in line with local building codes. But a concrete foundation is not the same as a foundation of solid, bedrock. And there is where my heart realized the problem. Concrete is not rock. Concrete is strong and very flexible in its uses. In fact, more concrete is used than any other man-made material on the planet. But therein lies the problem: concrete, regardless of its strength, is man-made. In fact, the irony is that concrete is a mixture of crushed rock and sand, a mixture that might give you some strength for a while. But ask anyone who has ever poured concrete and they will be quick to tell you that you MUST reinforce the concrete or it will not stand up to the weathering and deterioration caused by wear-and tear. But even then, the steel rebar used to reinforce is fallible, subject to rust.

You just can’t mix sand and rock and expect the same strength or dependability as solid, natural rock. For many years, I tried to mix the “sand” of my own idols, agendas, and motives in with good intentions to include enough “rock” so as to add strength, all the while desiring to pour the substance into my forms. It did not work. And the truth is, this is a hard proposition. I want to bring sand to the construction site and every time, it undermines the building process. Then a storm comes and I am reminded in a dramatic way…sometimes a devastating way…I need the solid rock. So may we all learn.

Oh, and by the way, verse 29 of Matthew 7 says that the people were astonished at the teaching of Jesus because He taught as one who had authority. So the next time you spend time with our Teacher, look to be astonished!

A Beautiful Woman

2008-02-16T19:46:00.004-05:00

I had the wonderful privilege of taking the most beautiful and amazing woman out on a date tonight! Thanks to Granny for taking care of the boys, Rita and I got to celebrate "anniversa-birthda-valentines". Looking across the table (at the same restaurant where we had our first date 14 years ago Feb 4) tears welled up as I realized how blessed I am. I am a thankful man! You know...it makes me want to SHOUT!

Real Friends!

2008-02-15T10:19:00.005-05:00

First Baptist Woodstock served as host this week for a regional evangelism conference. My former pastor, Dr. Danny Forshee, was a speaker for the conference. Wow, it was good to hear this man of God preach. His message was tailored to the crowd of pastors and evangelists, but his passion for Jesus Christ had him running and shouting! We had some very good time to catch up and reconnect a relationship that I had missed over the past couple of years.

I also got to spend a little time with my great friend Michael Ray. Once again, I was reminded what its like to have friends that love you and accept you unconditionally. I can't wait to spend more time with Michael and his family in the near future!

Rita's Celebrity Look-Alikes

2008-02-07T19:18:00.001-05:00

My Celebrity Look-Alikes

2008-02-07T16:49:00.000-05:00

Enough

2008-02-03T22:26:00.000-05:00

You, Oh LORD, are enough.

When winds blow hard and storms rage strong.
When fires burn hot and quench my song.
You, Oh LORD, are enough.

When the sun's warm rays beam down on me.
When songs of praise burst out of me.
You, Oh LORD, are enough.

When tears are cried,
When this flesh sighs,
You, Oh LORD, are enough.

Your blood, once spilled, covers still.
Your grace, once given, sustains each breath.
Because of Your love so undeserved and so veiled by sin,
You, Oh LORD, are enough.

Redeemer, Savior, Shelter, Friend -
You, Oh LORD, are enough.

Delight & Desires

2008-01-26T14:18:00.000-05:00

"Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (HCS)

I have meditated on this passage during this past week. It is so very familiar, quoted in Sunday School classes and touted almost as a formula to getting what we want in life. After all, who doesn't want "the desires of your heart"? Almost as good as Aladdin's magic lamp, right?

There's one real problem: I can't trust my heart. My heart is more deceitful than anything else in my life (Jeremiah 17:9). In fact, according to the word used for heart in that passage, that includes my feelings, my will and my intellect - basically anything that I would normally trust in making day-to-day decisions. Ouch! So where does that leave me?

Well, the verses from Psalm 37 are instructional. Unlike most psalms, it doesn't include praise or petition, it was written for teaching. It is written to be acted out. But it is interesting to note that the instruction in verse 4 actually includes an element of our position in the action. The verb for "take delight" actually indicates action, but action to be pliable, flexible, and submissive. That is so opposite of what we think when we think of "action". We kick in to "Chuck Norris: Christian Ninja" mode and fully expect that by what we do, we can get what we want.

Consider that the whole of the Christian life is a life of "position" - covered by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, regardless of the circumstances around us ("condition"). Watchman Nee teaches that every issue we deal with in this life is an authority issue - i.e. "who's the boss?" If that is the case then, according to Psalm 37, our "delight" is in submitting to the authority and the sufficiency of the LORD.

But back to that old deceptive thing called our heart. If our heart can't be trusted, then how do we even know what the "desires of our heart" look like? Doesn't that make every yearning and every passion suspect?

Not at all. In fact, this verse takes us forward into the New Testament as Jesus teaches: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."" (Matthew 22:7) Leave it to Jesus to kick it up a notch! Not only with all our feelings and emotions, but also our life, strength and understanding.

Earlier in Matthew 6:33, we read the words of Jesus: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." The teaching is that by seeking the rule of God (kingdom) and the justification that comes from God (righteousness), everything else is taken care of. This carries the same implications for Psalm 37:4. It is a cause and effect, "if-then" proposition. Take delight in the LORD. THEN...He will both author AND fulfiller of the desires of your heart. The amazing blessing in this is that if we seek God and trust Him to the point of obedience, we can leave the consequences to Him. He will also get the glory!

It's SNOWING in Georgia!!!

2008-01-16T19:45:00.000-05:00

I really don't know who is more excited...the children or Rita! It felt and looked like it could snow all day long and finally started around 5:00 p.m. The biggest flakes we had ever seen were blowing and we did see a little accumulation. Enough for a good old-fashioned snowball fight between Daddy and the boys. I realized the folly of actually teaching the boys how to make good snowballs...they creamed me!!! The pics aren't great, but I thought of you guys when I snapped them...enjoy!!!

BTW - In a totally unrelated note... yesterday when Rita told the boys that "if there is time, I am going to make a chocolate cake for dessert," Ethan replied soundly to her that "God will help you!" (The boy is serious about God...and chocolate cake!)

An angel is watching you...

2008-01-15T23:53:00.001-05:00

We just got Logan's 3-month baby pictures back today. Here are a couple of my favorite! He is such an amazing blessing from God. And Dawson and Ethan are great big brothers!

Do you know who you are?

2008-01-15T22:54:00.001-05:00

Please don't take this beautiful graphic lightly. Many Christ-followers will SAY they know their identity in Christ, but spend some time with these thoughts...they will REVOLUTIONIZE your concept of the power of Jesus Christ. It is so important to know WHO and WHOSE you are!

2008...A Year for New Beginnings!

2008-01-11T23:45:00.000-05:00

So I first thought about starting a blog and writing about my life and a journey of healing, recovery and restoration over 15 months ago. I finally got around to starting it...and here it is! Since the time I first thought about blogging about my life, blogging has become more user friendly, and life has become a more rich and wonderful journey. I will write more in the coming days, but for now I just want to write a word of the goodness of God. He is truly amazing...more about that too!