Beating the Wind

If your going my way, I’ll go with you…

Modern day Christianity never ceases to amaze me. It seems that many believers have somehow gotten their priorities all mixed up. The 21st century church has become extremely proficient in trying to justify God’s existence. When confronted by the world many believers do not know how to explain the God they supposedly love and serve. Believers work very hard attempting to fit God (neatly) into their lives. Many have conjured up all sorts of theories to make them selves feel better about what they do not know about the Creator of the Universe. Our personal theology in many ways has become very self serving. People gladly and willingly seem to follow Jesus, that is, until the road becomes rough and difficult times set in. Then automatically to many believers tend to look for an alternate route! Over the years I have listened to well meaning Christians talk about their “salvation experience”! which many would say was a very emotional and positive time. I want you to think about what the salvation experience should look like. If unconditional surrender is not involved, salvation did not take place. Following Christ will cost you everything. A true salvation experience will bring life change. A transformation takes place…you at that point in your life will recognize your need for a Holy God who truly can save you and give you eternal life.
During the salvation experience people feel the overwhelming presence of God. God’s presence in the salvation experience allows the person to realize the depths of depravity and the total dependance required to be a true believer. When the experience takes place, our expectation that God is actually going to do something in the process is more than felt, it is realized. God is with us on the mountain top as well as the valley. His word teaches us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, this should be a great comfort for us. The Creator of the universe has our best interest at heart even though sometimes we can’t see it!
I love 60 and 70’s music and recently was listening to some Jim Croce. One of the lines in the song “I’ve got a name” really jumped right out and gripped my heart. I have heard this song at least 500 times, but for some reason some of the words in the song really caused me to think about the Christian walk. The statement that Jim makes in the song is “if your going my way, I’ll go with you”. Many believers treat our Heavenly Father this way, along as He (God) is going the way we are going everything is cool. What would you do if God asked you to go and do something that you did not want to do? What if, God ask you to sell your house, and go to a city where the gospel is really needed and start a church?” Would you be willing? It is so easy for us to say that we would really having no intention of leaving what is comfortable to us. Please don’t take me wrong, I am not trying to beat up on you while your reading this blog…my intention I is for all of us (me included) to think about the direction that we are headed. We need to sincerely search for the direction God wants us to go! By questioning God or wondering if this is going to meet the expectations that we have for self amy cause us to miss what God has for us. Like the song says “I’ve got a dream” and part of that dream is to head down life’s highway! Can I tell you that the journey of life requires a sovereign guide and His name is the name that is above all names. There is power in His name! Ask Him today for direction. I love you all! <><

Growing older…but not up

One of the struggles the Modern day Church is dealing with is the issue of Spiritual Maturity. Over the past three decades many people claim to have had a life changing experience and supposedly given their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. Don’t get me wrong; I love it when salvation takes place and I make it a point to be a soul winner daily. I believe that as a Christ follower, I have a responsibility to show and tell what has taken place in my own life. As a minister of the gospel, I want to believe the best in people but I must tell you on this beautiful Florida afternoon I believe there are many people who know about Jesus, but don’t know him intimately or have a personal relationship with Him!

How do we evaluate spiritual maturity? In the corporate world employees are evaluated on job performance and in most cases are rewarded or penalized depending on how well they do their job. In academia, individuals receive a grade that indicates the level of knowledge one has after taking a course or class. Athletes and entertainers are evaluated by how well they perform. It seems that every arena in life has a way to evaluate effectiveness except the Church. How do you evaluate ones spiritual growth? This is a question that I have been thinking about and believe we can go to the word of God and set up some benchmarks that will help us maturing believers to see how well we are doing!

Galatians 5:22 lays out the “Fruit of the spirit”. I personally believe these “fruits” would be great evaluators and a standard that we should consider. I love the idea of “fruit” and as I started thinking could not help but wonder how people consider fruit. When we think of fruit, for the most part we think of it as in an individual piece. I am thankful that real fruit is abundant and available at markets all over the country. Living in Florida and near a railroad I often have to wait for extended periods of time as the Orange Trains roll north with millions of oranges and crates of Orange Juice so that people all over our country can enjoy Florida Oranges. I was driving near Spuds Florida the other day and got behind a truck that had thousands of potatoes freshly dug out of the ground! I am thankful for bountiful harvest.

When we think of the fruit of the spirit, we must realize that there is so much to go around. The actual word “Fruit” or Karpos from the Greek language literally means harvest. It is the bounty received from nurturing the plant or tree. It is perpetual! I am so thankful that a tree or plant produces year after year. So spiritually speaking, the fruits of the spirit are also perpetual! They are the bounty from the harvest and should be possessed by all who call them selves Christ followers. As a believer I am to have affection and good will (love) toward my fellow man. As a believer I will experience joy and a state of tranquility (peace) knowing that I serve a Sovereign Lord. I will have steadfastness and perseverance (patience) and express moral goodness (kindness) and integrity. Believers also will possess an uprightness of heart (goodness) and a genuine conviction and belief in my relationship with God (faith). I will also have a mildness (gentleness) of disposition and learn to control (self control) a sensual appetite.

Against these fruits, the Bible says there is no law. The fruits of the spirit are an outward expression of Jesus living within. This fruit grows and is expressed in any person that willingly dies to what Christ died to so that the Spirit can bring new life. I also want to tell you that the fruits of the spirit are not exhaustive. But all of the fruits are an expression of love.

How do we measure spiritual maturity, I believe it starts with a live and growing relationship with Christ Jesus! How are you doing? Let go of the things of the world and grab hold of the things of God! I love you all! <><

It could happen in a moment…

For centuries people have wondered about the second coming of Christ. It is a subject that has been discussed by believers and unbelievers ad nauseam. Here we are in the year 2010, and after two millennium, believers still anticipate His glorious return. Some scholars believe that Jesus will not come back until every people group on the planet has had opportunity to hear the gospel. We do not know this though…it could happen at any moment!
When will it happen? I am not sure, scripture teaches us that only the God the Father knows the time that Jesus will return. And because He is the Father, we need not be concerned with when it is going to take place. We just need to rejoice in the promise that He is coming again.
There are some things however that we do need to give some thought to, because they lead to this glorious event. Our lives should be instant…in season, and ready. We need to be ready! God expects this of His children! We (believers) are to be actively involved in sharing our FAITH! If you are a true follower of Christ, you have a story. Your story is important. You never know how God can use your story to draw someone else to Him. Every person that we meet is not simply by happenstance. We need to ensure that all of the people who cross our paths are in a relationship with Jesus. If they don’t know Him, we have the gospel to share…how are they going to hear if you don’t tell them.
We must be ready! I believe that in this day and time there are many people who have been duped into believing they are saved. It is impossible to have a relationship with Christ and not be changed. There has to be a life change. Christianity’s claims are backed up by a repentant heart, and a willing spirit. When God does a work in your life…you are different forever! If you are a genuine Christ follower there will be evidence of Christ in your life! Before believers can handle the theology of the second coming of Jesus they must be absolutely positive that they know who He is! People must be assured that they did more than simply walk down an isle or take a preacher by the hand. It is so much more than that! Salvation comes through faith and faith involves an unconditional surrender to Jesus Christ. You must be certain! When Christ takes control of your life there will be a life change! When Jesus is truly in the heart of a believer that individual cannot help but be different! So as we pray, plan and prepare to discuss the signs of the times, I want you to make sure that you know the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. Have you experienced a life change? Jesus’ return could happen in a moment! We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Don’t put it off! Make certain today! I love you all.

Accountability…anybody struggling? Society has its cross-hairs on the lives of believers as many find they battle and struggle with daily temptation. I have spoken with numerous college and 20 somethings over the past couple of weeks who have told me that their struggle at times is so overwhelming. Many believers feel that they have no where to turn to for help. My prayer for those who are struggling that this blog may help you to begin a process of accountability that will help with your struggles.

I have had the opportunity to teach on accountability recently and with this blog post I want to take my talk a step further and offer some practical helps that hopefully will assist you on your journey of accountability. The Apostle Paul instructs the church at Corinth when he says “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.” Paul struggled with temptation and realized that the people he ministered to also struggled. Everyone struggles, not one person is immune to temptation. The Bible clearly teaches us that we will have struggles. But one of the wonderful things about our God is that He will never give us more than we can handle! Our God is faithful, so the next time you are tempted, be looking for the avenue of escape that His word teaches, that He will always provide.

Accountability is essential in the life of a believer. Accountability is something that genuine born again Christians desire and welcome. Our lives should imitate Christ, He alone cleanses us from unrighteousness, so accountability with someone that we trust and respect should be a welcome routine. In order for accountability to work, you and your accountability partner have to be completely honest with each other! If you enter into an accountability relationship and you do not plan on being honest, you are wasting your time as well as the time of your partner. Prayerfully enter into the accountability relationship and be open and honest with the one holding you accountable.

The first meeting is crucial in the establishment of the accountability relationship. You have to get everything out into the open! You must allow ample time to establish the guidelines and spend time in prayer with your partner as you begin your journey of accountability. You need to meet in a place that is private and comfortable. I strongly recommend that your accountability partner be someone of the same sex as they will better understand your struggles. You need to discuss your weaknesses with your accountability partner. Let them know the areas you struggle with so they can pray for you and also hold you accountable for those area. You should plan to meet at a minimum of at least once a week. We live such busy lives, so the opportunity to miss this vital time of accountability can easily be placed on the back burner. This accountability time should be a priority for you, or you should not do it at all. Because of business, it is easy to become overwhelmed and miss accountability time because of stuff. We need to do a critical evaluation of our lives and get some of the stuff out! Missing accountability time creates opportunity for your struggle to gain a foothold, and this leads to sin…sin leads to separation from the Father.

In the digital world that we live in, even if you are a frequent traveler, you can keep connected through text messaging, email or video connectivity such as Skype or IM.

Attached at the bottom of this blog you will find some accountability questions that I have used over the years. You can ask your accountability partner at each meeting these questions. I recommend that each of you take a time where you question each other. Remember, honesty is essential for the success of your accountability relationship. These questions are certainly not exhaustive, you may think of some better questions (when you do email them to me) which I will add to the list as I receive.

I also want to recommend that you consider installing software on your electronic devices that will keep your accountability partner informed in the event an inappropriate web pages is visited. I use x3 Church http://x3watch.com/ but there are many other filters and accountability software on the market that you can find by simply doing an internet search. You may already be using something, I would love to hear from you about the product and I will make it available for my readers. The main reason that I like x3 is that It allows me to research subjects without limiting my computers ability to operate properly. My partner(s) receive a report each week. In the event they do not get the report they will then know that I have turned off the software which gives them opportunity to hold me accountable. Iron, truly sharpens iron!

Accountability is only as good your ability and desire to be held accountable. I am praying for each of you who endeavor this accountability journey! Would love to hear from you!

Some questions that you can use!

Have you been enjoying your personal relationship with God,?
Have you spent personal time daily in prayer and Bible study?
How are you feeling these days? What is on your mind?
Is there any bitterness, hatred or un-forgiveness residing in your heart toward another person?
Are you casting your cares upon the Lord or are you worrying or stressed?
How would your parents/brother(s)/sister(s)/spouse/children) describe your relationship with them right now?
Have you been short or sharp with anyone and not resolved it?
Have you sinned by acting in a lustful manner?
Have you spent time with or talked with anybody that could have been misinterpreted as something unholy?
Have you watched any movies, television, or browsed any internet sites or listened to any music which grieved the spirit?
Have you used language that you know would grieve the Holy Spirit?
Have you gossiped about any person or situation?
Have you blown witnessing opportunities by succumbing to fear?
Have you done your best in all situations
Have you procrastinated important things that should of been completed?
Have you used or abused any substance? (Food, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Cigars, Drugs, Excessive Caffeine, etc…)
Have you taken the time to exercise your body this week and how have your eating habits been?
Are you taking time for rest and relaxation?
Are you are hiding anything else that you should be accountable for which we did not ask you about? (Breaking the law, shoplifting, etc…)
Have you been fair and honest in all your dealings this past week?
Have you lied about any of the questions we’ve asked today

I truly am proud to be an American…

What a truly wonderful Friday! I have just experienced one of the most incredible days ever! Last night as I reflected on the wonderful day that had just kind of unfolded before me, a smile came to my face. I could not overcome the familiar but distant emotion that for the last couple of years seemed to allude most of the people that live in my community. I saw something yesterday that took me back to my childhood. I experienced something wonderful…I experienced patriotism. Please do not misunderstand, I am by nature a patriotic person. I grew up in the home of a soldier, I loved it when the television signed off with “High Flight” and our National Anthem. I grew up going to Memorial day and Fourth of July celebrations. As a cub scout I even marched in the veterans day parade. I enlisted in the U. S. Navy and reenlisted for three more hitches. I love this country. We live in a great nation, some times I think that we American’s take this great privilege for granted. Yesterday, I experienced the bounty of a great nation. I experienced freedom, I got to choose what I was going to do and where I was going to go. I had the privilege of going to a Jacksonville Suns (Double A) baseball game. As I made my way to my seat (behind home plate), here are some of the things I experienced. First of all, I experienced customer service. The lady working the ticket window actually cared about serving me. Her smile and professionalism is a credit to the city of Jacksonville, and the Suns organization. Then I saw little league base ball players everywhere, in uniform! I could see the excitement on their faces, you would have thought they were at a big league game. As I climbed the stairs of this beautiful ball park, I saw scores of cub and boy scouts. I saw people in military uniforms, I saw American Flags. I could smell the peanuts, the hotdogs and hear the excitement in the voices of the people sitting around me. Prior to the game starting, I was looking beyond the ball park and I could see Alltel Stadium. Hovering just beyond the stadium I could see several SH 60 Sea-hawk helicopters in flight. Then from the North I saw a huge P 3 Orion flying toward NAS JAX. There was a visitor to our city in the seat in front of me, A Command Sergeant Major, who get this…was a woman. People all around me actually engaged each other in conversation. This great day continued as the ball clubs were evenly matched for the nights game. It came down to the bottom of the 9th with the score tied. One of the Suns players ran from third towards home and the catcher easily made the catch, except he was freight trained by the runner dropping the ball allowing the home team to win. I have never in my life seen such a hard hit in a baseball game. What a day, what a city, what a country! I truly am proud to be an American! Patriotism still exist. I am convinced we just have to look for it. My prayer for everyone reading this blog, is that you not take our great country for granted and that you too can experience a day like I had yesterday! I love you all!

PS! I could not help get excited when on my drive home (in my Chevrolet Suburban) I drove past the main Gate at NAS Jacksonville and see the beautiful FA 18 Hornet on display in Blue Angel Colors! What a NAVY!

The secret of life…James Taylor in the song titled “Secret O life” says it is enjoying the passage of time. I tend to agree JT. I love the passage of time. With each day that passes, I have the opportunity to see the great things our God has created for us. I try not to miss anything, constantly looking for God’s hand in creation. Not only do I get to see them I get to enjoy them! I enjoy the passage of time. I enjoy seeing my daughters mature and become the godly young ladies they were created to be. I enjoy seeing my grand children grow and learn new and exciting things. I love the energy they give off, the sounds they make and the wonderment in their eyes. The secret of life is seeing things (maybe for the first time) through the eyes of a child. My grandchildren amaze me. I learn so much from them. Their eyes and hearts are always open to see and experience new things. I am convinced that as we mature, we fail to see the grander of God’s creation. We close our eyes to the great things that surround us and let life’s routine and ruts box us in, so that we simply exist! Life promises to much for us to just take it as it comes never really enjoying the bounty of time. I love another line in the great song, it says “since we’re only here for a while, we might as well show some style” I want my life to count for something. I was so overcome with emotion the other night at a college Bible Study, when my six year old grand daughter was sitting on my lap as I taught. I could not help but watch her face as I taught, she considered every word. I realized something very special at this Bible Study. I realized that my grandchild would probably never remember a time when Jesus was not in her life! I am thankful for the faith of a child…Since we are only here for a while, why not have some child like faith? Why not embrace the gospel. Why not exercise our child like faith…why not show some style? Enjoy the secret of life! Enjoy a real relationship with the Giver of time! Enjoy the creator of the universe, believe with faith that He is who He says He is, and that He can do what His word teaches us He can do! The secret of life, is unconditional surrender to Christ, and enjoying the life that He has called you to live! I love you all! <><

Hopelessly devoted…

Today…I am feeling kind of hopeless. I really am! But I don’t want you to think that you need to pray for me or anything. Don’t get me wrong, I could use the prayers but I have realized that I am hopeless and I am ok with this. I like the fact that I am hopeless. I am hopelessly devoted to Jesus. I know that He is my hope! Without Him, I have no hope! Real hope comes through a real relationship with Him. I am amazed at how so many people move through life at light speed, searching for something that will provide them with hope. The worlds definition of the word hope is different than that of a believer. Are you looking for hope? Are you looking for something you can place your hope in! Can I tell you today, that my outlook is different from that of the world! I realize the more time I spend with Jesus, the more hope that I have. 1st Peter 3:15 says “…but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you”. Is His hope in you? Are you ready to give a defense to anyone who ask? Have you set apart the Messiah as Lord? Our hope truly is in HIM! Trust Him today, abandon your thoughts and desires, and unconditionally surrender to HIM today!
I love you all! <><

I am not ashamed of the Gospel…

Are you ashamed of the gospel? Think about your answer, dwell on it…think, is there anything going on in your life that causes you to shy away from the truth of the gospel! Have you ever considered what is required of a believer? Do you meet these requirements? Has there been a time when you truly recognized your lostness and turned from it and reached out to the God of the universe? Do you know what is expected of you? Reckless abandonment…this is what is required! We need to put behind the useless things of the world and fully engage our Savior. Far to long have we have cheapened our supposed relationship with the creator of the universe. What does God require of us? Think about the question! What does He want from us? I want you to consider this question today! It is paramount, it is of the utmost of importance. I believe that so many people have deceived themselves into a relationship with Christ never considering the cost. I want to tell you TODAY that by truly following Christ, it will cost you everything! It is not a prayer, a walk, a church, a class, a preacher or anything else that our contemporary culture contends that it is. It is recognition of your real need for a Savior. It is the realization of the situation that you are in, and knowing that only by turning from sin and self, and trusting a Savior that can give you the peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus truly has the power to make you a new creation. Following Jesus, is letting go of everything and totally embracing the God of the Universe. It is truly making Him your first priority. When you do this, His Word becomes the most important thing in your life! The study of God’s Word is truly the beginning of wisdom because in these inspired words we find the revelation that God has for those who truly believe. Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Prove your love for Him today by abandoning life as you know it and grasping Jesus! I love you all! <><

Turning on the lights…

In community where I grew up, everyone knew about the Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative. I loved the CEMC! For those of you who are not familiar with CEMC, I will try and explain. CEMC stands for the Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative who provides electricity for the five county area in Northern Middle Tennessee where I grew up!
My Grandmother talked of the CEMC with a humble reverence! She remembered life before electricity. She lived through the Great Depression and remembered when the REA and CEMC were created to provide jobs and electrify the countryside. The REA was the Rural Electrification Act developed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to begin a process to get electricity into rural areas.
My Grandmother appreciated electricity! She appreciated the CEMC! She would often tell me “I am a member” a statement which she took very seriously. I remember thinking how cool it must be to be a member of something that provided good for so many people! I was proud of my grandmother because she belonged to such an exclusive group! She was my hero for many reasons, she taught me in life to think through processes. At that time in my life, I did not know that the only membership requirement was to have electricity in your home!
All of her neighbors were members also, but she took being a member very careful consideration; she read the monthly publication with diligence. She studied the future plans the cooperative had planned and she would discuss with passion with anyone who would listen about the plans. She also did her part in energy conservation, making sure that lights were not left on unnecessarily, and that the radio and television were in the off position prior to settling down for the night. She would regulate the heat and always try and conserve power with the exception on those cold winter mornings when she would turn the oven on high and open the door to “burn off the cold” in the kitchen. Grand mama could sometimes treat her self to extravagant pleasures such as this.
Each year, she would receive a dividend check from CEMC and that was always a reason to celebrate! We would spend the entire amount at a local grocery store. We would buy unnecessary things with the 15 to 20 dollars she would receive! Apparently my grand mother understood the benefit of economic stimulus and I was always excited because this stimulus benefited me too. I loved the CEMC because the dividend gave me something to look forward to, like Christmas or your birthday. My grand mother would make a great deal about checking the mail, to see if the check had come. I would benefit by receiving toys or candy.
I also loved the Electric Company because they provided lights and heat! They helped us to relax by making sure that we could watch TV or listen to the radio! They helped make the vast darkness of the backyard dissipate by simply flipping a switch. By turning on the 100-watt yellow bug light (that drew bugs instead of repelling them) a dim yellow hue would illuminate the otherwise darkness and increase the area one could play at a late hour.
The CEMC was something to take serious. I was thinking that if we took our Christianity as serious as Grand mama took being a member of the CEMC, how different our lives would be! If we read the Bible and possessed the humble reverence needed when approaching the throne of grace, our lives would be greatly enhanced. Jesus, He is the true light of the world! He provides light that no one can extinguish! He chose believers to be members of a heavenly kingdom that will be in existence for eternity! Do you know the Light of the world? He came and lived as a man, so that in believing in Him by faith and making Him Lord of your life, you will have eternal life. Is He brightly shining in your life today? I pray that He is. I love you all.

Tonight is a very special night for me as I will be attending a graduates banquet to honor the graduating class of 2010. This is a very special class to me, because my youngest daughter Bethany will be graduating from Fleming Island High School in less than three weeks. This is the third time I have done this, but I want to assure you that it does not get any easier.
What a great opportunity for us as parents, to be able to publicly affirm our children. It is with great pleasure that I affirm a very special young lady, Bethany Caroline Stockdale. She is the youngest (but certainly not quietest) of three wonderful daughters.
It is so easy for me to go back in my mind, and think of that glorious day a little over 18 years ago. It was a wonderful Friday, I remember driving to the hospital as we had picked this special day for Bethany to be born. I was 32 years old, Wayne’s World was tops at the box office, and I never knew how one little girl could so drastically change my life
We named her Bethany, because that is where Jesus would go…to rest…and in thinking about my youngest daughter, it is easy to see that Jesus has always rested in her. We could not be more proud of our daughter, she has certainly been a blessing to all that have met her. She is an amazing young lady, with a heart for God and for ministry!
The most important thing that I am going to say tonight at the banquet, is just a reminder to her, that seven years ago, she made a decision; She recognized the need for a savior, and she gave her heart and life to Jesus Christ. As a father, I just have to tell you, this was one of the proudest moment of my life! You see, my family, my children had come full circle, at this point (8/18/03) all of my children recognized the need for Jesus and had followed Him in believers baptism. I have baptized a lot of people across the years, but I will never forget baptizing Bethany.
We knew that God had big plans for her. I will never forget when she was three, Bethany was sitting on a pew next to me in some rural church in Alabama where I was preaching a one night youth revival, and in the discerning spirit of a three year old, she asked me what was wrong. I remember telling her that I always got nervous prior to preaching and will never forget the words that she said “I will sing for you daddy, and maybe that will help you not to be nervous”. I will never forget her holding that microphone like she had been doing it forever and singing to the entire church. Can I just tell you, that my nervousness was gone, and parental pride beamed from me as I got to take the platform after my child. I have had the wonderful privilege to do this many times over the years.
The innocence of a child. Jesus recognized something special in little children and their innocence. Sheila and I recognized her child like faith and we have been blessed to see her faith grow as she matures as a beautiful young lady. I knew God was going to use her in a real and powerful way, and since the time of that revival meeting, about 15 years ago she has sung for the Lord in many churches and many places always proclaiming the glorious gospel through music.
I am so pleased that she has a ministry. Bethany has always sought out ways to serve in her church and we (her mother and I) are so proud of her! Boo, I want to thank you, for being a blessing to us…my prayer for you is that you will continue to be used of God, allowing Him to use you for His Glory…We love you!
I want to share her favorite verse of scripture to all who will read this blog, in Hebrews 12:28-29 my Bible says “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire”

Bethany, our prayer for you my sweet graduating daughter, is that you hold firmly to God’s grace and let His fire totally consume you!

We love you so much!