The Bible tells us that Andrew went and found his brother Peter and brought him to Jesus. (see John 1:41). That, ladies and gentlemen, is Evangelism 101. Just bring people to Jesus.
I remember hearing Rick Warren tell the story of what his father began to say over and over on his death bed. 'Gotta reach one more for Jesus. Gotta reach one more for Jesus. Gotta reach one more for Jesus.' They say that in approaching death, people revert back to talking about what is most important to them. In this case, for Rick's Dad - there was nothing more important. Jimmy Warren, Rick's Dad, repeated that statement more than 100 times.
This morning at Northside, I preached on the return of Jesus. It had been a while since I had preached on the Second Coming of Christ. I went back to the Gospel of Luke, and I picked up where we had left off a few months ago. That led me to Luke 12:35-48, and this subject. In doing so, I was reminded again of living in the light of His return. I also relived the urgency with which we must minister.
At the close of the service, I found myself making a strong appeal to the congregation to trust the Lord and profess their faith in Him. At the two services this morning, six people professed their faith in Christ, and two more rededicated their lives to the Lord. As a church we rejoiced and gave God praise for the power of the gospel unto salvation. HALLELUJAH!
When Andrew looked back over his life, he would know that he had the privilege of introducing his brother Peter to Jesus. I'm sure he has no regrets about that. Many believers are familiar with Peter and his bold faith for the Lord. I'm especially grateful for Andrew who brought him to the Lord. Andrew is the first of the disciples I hope to meet in heaven. I will tell him how greatly he impacted my life. I will tell him that our first daughter was named Andrea in essence after him.
Who are you reaching out to with the gospel? Is it a constant concern and passion of your heart? Will you echo Jimmy Warren's statement with me? 'Gotta reach one more for Jesus!' Now that's how you keep the fire burning!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Just call me Grandpa
I've heard the comments for years. People love being grandparents. You pretty much get the impression that it is the greatest thing in the whole world! Months ago, my wife and I learned that our day had come. Our first grandchild was on the way! What would it be like to be grandparents? What would it be like to have a grandchild?
I remember my grandparents. I was blessed to know three of them very well. One grandfather died before I was born. The other three each had a profound impact on my life. Just days ago, I experienced the joy of holding my first grandchild in my arms. A beautiful baby girl was born to our oldest daughter and son-in-law just last week. You know what I'm going to say - but I think I'll say it anyway. She's beautiful. And she has grabbed my heart already - but then again she did before she was even born.
You see, life begins at conception. So, I've been a grandpa for about nine months. I just got to meet her this weekend. Her Mom and Dad are doing great, and my wife and I, along with our youngest daughter enjoyed a fabulous time celebrating this birth. To be honest, it took me back to when her mother was born. That was one of the greatest day of my life - ever - period - exclamation point! This was yet another.
I don't feel like a grandpa. In fact, I still think I'm about 35, until I look in the mirror and find myself asking, 'Who is that old man?' Life is full of seasons. This is a new one. I welcome it. I'm grateful for our kids, and now for our grandchild. To keep the fire burning, family plays a huge role. Family has a way of reminding you of who you are. They know you best, and love you anyways.
God is so good. He is faithful. He blesses us beyond what we deserve or could imagine. That little baby girl was formed by Him in her mother's womb. That's what God told Jeremiah - 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you'. And the psalmist said, 'You knit me together in my mother's womb.'
Children are a heritage from the Lord. They are also a great testimony of his power. We really are fearfully and wonderfully made as the psalmist also declared. What a miracle. I kissed that little girl on the cheek this morning and said goodbye. We drove home the 500 plus miles we live apart. I may be 500 miles away, but that precious family is very close in my heart. I'm praying for them. I know they pray for me. I'm so grateful.
I remember my grandparents. I was blessed to know three of them very well. One grandfather died before I was born. The other three each had a profound impact on my life. Just days ago, I experienced the joy of holding my first grandchild in my arms. A beautiful baby girl was born to our oldest daughter and son-in-law just last week. You know what I'm going to say - but I think I'll say it anyway. She's beautiful. And she has grabbed my heart already - but then again she did before she was even born.
You see, life begins at conception. So, I've been a grandpa for about nine months. I just got to meet her this weekend. Her Mom and Dad are doing great, and my wife and I, along with our youngest daughter enjoyed a fabulous time celebrating this birth. To be honest, it took me back to when her mother was born. That was one of the greatest day of my life - ever - period - exclamation point! This was yet another.
I don't feel like a grandpa. In fact, I still think I'm about 35, until I look in the mirror and find myself asking, 'Who is that old man?' Life is full of seasons. This is a new one. I welcome it. I'm grateful for our kids, and now for our grandchild. To keep the fire burning, family plays a huge role. Family has a way of reminding you of who you are. They know you best, and love you anyways.
God is so good. He is faithful. He blesses us beyond what we deserve or could imagine. That little baby girl was formed by Him in her mother's womb. That's what God told Jeremiah - 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you'. And the psalmist said, 'You knit me together in my mother's womb.'
Children are a heritage from the Lord. They are also a great testimony of his power. We really are fearfully and wonderfully made as the psalmist also declared. What a miracle. I kissed that little girl on the cheek this morning and said goodbye. We drove home the 500 plus miles we live apart. I may be 500 miles away, but that precious family is very close in my heart. I'm praying for them. I know they pray for me. I'm so grateful.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Saying Goodbye to Last Year
It's been almost three months since I've written on this blog. It's been an interesting time in my life. I took my first ever sabbatical for one month. That is something I would highly recommend and will write more about soon. In addition, I've faced one of the greatest challenges of my life. My sister (only sibling) was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This past year has been a test for sure. It's been a year of highs and lows. I'm learning once again, life is like that.
Early in the year, one of our administrative assistants was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She didn't make it. She is now with the Lord. Her tumor was the worst kind. I still talk to her husband and he is a great friend. I am honored to be his pastor. Mid-year, my mother-in-law faced open heart surgery in her 80's. To God be the glory, it was successful. The Lord sustained my wife, her family, and all of us close to the situation, and for that we praise Him.
In the fall, I took a sabbatical. I way overestimated what I could accomplish academically toward a doctoral thesis, and way underestimated what would happen in my own heart. I was refueled by the much needed rest, the powerful research, and time away. I found that to keep the fire burning, you need faith, family and a future. I am blessed and grateful for that month and will never forget it.
My first week of sabbatical, I learned that my precious sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thoughts raced and my mind needed to stabilize and find rest in the Lord. My heart ached for my sister, her husband, her two sons, and our mother. Thankfully, it is not the worst kind of tumor, but it is a battle for sure. On December 12, she had successful surgery to remove a significant amount of the tumor and will begin treatments this month in her battle with this dreaded disease.
I see in her, so many things about my Lord. I see peace, and gratitude. I see hope and truth. I see grace and mercy. I see perseverance and endurance. I see His love. I pray the Lord heals her, sustains her, and that she has many wonderful years ahead to enjoy her family and friends.
In ministry, this was the first year of our Keep the Fire Burning conference. We had 200 leaders from 82 churches and 7 states. It was an amazing time with the Lord and His people last February. It was a dream come true. This year's conference is scheduled for March 4-6. I hope you will join us. More on that later as well.
I'm saying goodbye to 2011. I'm saying hello to 2012. I'm holding out for hope. I've learned that you've got to keep the fire burning, even when you face life's toughest tests. The Lord is faithful. He always has been. He always will be. On the bright side, I am now a grandfather. I will meet that precious little girl in the next three weeks sometime when she makes her arrival. I can hardly wait.
Bruce
Early in the year, one of our administrative assistants was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She didn't make it. She is now with the Lord. Her tumor was the worst kind. I still talk to her husband and he is a great friend. I am honored to be his pastor. Mid-year, my mother-in-law faced open heart surgery in her 80's. To God be the glory, it was successful. The Lord sustained my wife, her family, and all of us close to the situation, and for that we praise Him.
In the fall, I took a sabbatical. I way overestimated what I could accomplish academically toward a doctoral thesis, and way underestimated what would happen in my own heart. I was refueled by the much needed rest, the powerful research, and time away. I found that to keep the fire burning, you need faith, family and a future. I am blessed and grateful for that month and will never forget it.
My first week of sabbatical, I learned that my precious sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thoughts raced and my mind needed to stabilize and find rest in the Lord. My heart ached for my sister, her husband, her two sons, and our mother. Thankfully, it is not the worst kind of tumor, but it is a battle for sure. On December 12, she had successful surgery to remove a significant amount of the tumor and will begin treatments this month in her battle with this dreaded disease.
I see in her, so many things about my Lord. I see peace, and gratitude. I see hope and truth. I see grace and mercy. I see perseverance and endurance. I see His love. I pray the Lord heals her, sustains her, and that she has many wonderful years ahead to enjoy her family and friends.
In ministry, this was the first year of our Keep the Fire Burning conference. We had 200 leaders from 82 churches and 7 states. It was an amazing time with the Lord and His people last February. It was a dream come true. This year's conference is scheduled for March 4-6. I hope you will join us. More on that later as well.
I'm saying goodbye to 2011. I'm saying hello to 2012. I'm holding out for hope. I've learned that you've got to keep the fire burning, even when you face life's toughest tests. The Lord is faithful. He always has been. He always will be. On the bright side, I am now a grandfather. I will meet that precious little girl in the next three weeks sometime when she makes her arrival. I can hardly wait.
Bruce
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