tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78037351773022668612024-02-19T01:39:18.770-05:00Rural American PastorRural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-69934206011963622472008-07-28T22:52:00.003-04:002008-07-28T22:54:10.255-04:00This blog really is no more...If you stop by and read this or that, then thanks so much. Technically this isn't my active blog any longer. If you want to check out the current blog, then stop by <a href="http://ruralamericanpastor.wordpress.com">here</a> (ruralamericanpastor.wordpress.com). Happy surfing.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-81384812587722889342008-02-19T11:59:00.002-05:002008-02-19T12:12:18.396-05:00What Repentance is NOTYou've sinned. You realize it. You do not excuse it. You are ready to admit it. The only right and proper Christian response to sin is repentance. Unfortunately, we are not clear on what repentance is and is not, and so it is too common that we do not really repent of our sins. I want to briefly sketch out some common misconceptions of repentance to help distinguish true repentance from false. First, repentance is not just being sorry. We've all seen and been the person who gets into sin, realizes the error, and feels really bad about it. Maybe we even cry over it. We're eaten up by guilt. We feel very ashamed, and we're immediately sorry we sinned. BUT, we don't need to confuse sorrow with repentance. It will many times accompany and precede repentance, but it is not the same. Paul says "Godly sorrow leads to repentance." See that? Real, godly sorrow is not the same as repentance, but should lead us to repent. You can feel sorry, and still not repent. Second, repentance is not the same as confession. When I confess my sins, I am essentially agreeing with God that my sin is sin. We're saying to God, "You call what I've done a sin, and I must now do the same." The Bible says that if we confess our sins, that God is faithful and just and will forgive them. Yet one might confess sin, and still not repent. Again it is a part of repentance, but not the same as repentance. We begin by recognizing our sin as sin, calling it that, and making a confession of it to the Lord. Last, repentance is not just a firm resolve not to engage in that act of sin anymore. How many times have you sinned, felt guilty, confessed it to God, and then put your foot down that this will never happen again? Until it does happen again. Then we make another firm resolution that lasts until it ends. We should never be too impressed with our firm resolve. I'm pretty certain God isn't. Real repentance is not resolve though it includes resolve. Do you not love posts that tell you all about what something is not, without telling you what something is? Well, today that's what you get! A post about what something isn't, but not what it is. I will continue this post later, and look briefly at what real repentance is. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-92158376750087140972008-02-12T23:10:00.003-05:002008-02-12T23:12:56.383-05:00LMB Church Web UpdateThe church website has been updated today. It was freshened up a bit. I added a new article that is really an old article from the other blog, called Sin Killers. I really like the new template and if you check it out, let me know what you think. <a href="http://lmbchurch.net/">Here's</a> the link.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-68444961720131332192008-02-12T16:15:00.000-05:002008-02-12T16:24:27.727-05:00A Dry InkwellIn the old days of writing (I say that as a 30 year old who has NEVER studied this subject matter before!) one had to have a pen and an inkwell. The pen didn't have built in ink like we do today, and of course there were no word processors or typewriters. So you take the pen, dip it in the ink, and write until the ink was off the pen. Then you repeat again and again until finished. This might continue for a while until you run out of ink. And "in the old days" the writer would exclaim loudly, "My ink's run dry!" (I TOTALLY made that last part up; I don't know if they said that, but they should have). What is the point of this post? My inkwell has run dry. I don't have any ink in my brain right now, and can think of absolutely nothing to say (hence the absurdity of this post). It's been quite a while since I've gone this long with nothing to post, but forgive me, don't go away forever. I told someone today that I typically force myself to write. So I log on, click new post, and write; many times without an idea already in mind. Sometimes I like it and post it. Sometimes I reread it and immediately hit delete (something I'm tempted to do right now). Sometimes I just stare........................................... The last one, the staring option, has been where I've been for a week now. So, some day very soon, I will begin thinking again, and posting again, and will not be so sleepy that my thoughts drip like a broken faucet. Until then...may your ink never run dry.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-14424053770207407452008-02-06T15:02:00.000-05:002008-02-06T15:07:01.722-05:00Jamie Harper to Clemson!<object height="361" width="440">This is the video of Jamie Harper committing to Clemson today. He was one of the top running back recruits in the country and tops off an already stellar year of recruiting. Go Tigers! By the way, Harper blatantly and openly gives thanks to "Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." <param name="movie" value="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3233634"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3233634" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" height="361" width="440"></embed></object>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-52361551375211365082008-02-05T22:47:00.000-05:002008-02-05T22:56:02.670-05:00The Christian Safety PatrolThis morning before I left for work I sat on the floor with my 2 year old watching the Disney Channel. In between shows there was this 5 minute cartoon starring 2 Asian-American kids that ride around in what looks like Powerwheels. They dress ridiculously for their age. And truthfully they're smarmy little arrogant bratty kids that ride around looking for safety violations. I mean seriously they are very annoying. I don't know about kids today, but when I was a kid these guys would have been beat up... frequently. <div><br /></div><div>It got me thinking about people that are always looking for some type of violation to point out in everyone they meet (it was that bad. no kid was spared their safety violation speech). I mean Christians. Everyone they meet gets a mini sermon about why what they're doing is some kind of violation of their understanding of biblical ethics. These are the legalists. The modern Pharisees. Known more for what they're against then what they're for. Christian liberty is exchanged for many rules. By the way, I am not libertarian in my understanding of Christian obedience to Jesus. I'm not for doing whatever I feel like doing as long as I say I love Jesus. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, if these bratty, little twit kids are this annoying to me I can only wonder how annoying the Christian Safety Patrol is to those who don't know Jesus. Why would we ever give a non-Christian a "ticket" for not acting like a Christian? What do we expect?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-34619263827752069172008-02-01T20:27:00.000-05:002008-02-05T00:25:34.701-05:00I'll Just Take BothLoyal readers; as the input came pouring in this week, two comments and two e-mails, I sorted through for literally minutes and have come to this conclusion: I will post on both blogs. I have new readers on Wordpress and old Readers on Blogger. I'll just copy and paste and you go to whichever you like better. Remember if you have a blogger screen name you may use it on Wordpress and vice versa. Happy days. Have a great week.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-76849824423515129952008-01-28T16:53:00.000-05:002008-01-28T16:59:11.902-05:00100th PostI said I wouldn't do it, but I couldn't resist. I noticed today that I've posted 99 times on this blog since it began in September. So even though I'm technically posting only at WordPress right now, I'm posting the 100th post here today! Since I began keeping track of visits and visitors (Don't worry I don't know who you are, just where) on December 22nd I've had about 80 unique visitors from 7 different countries, 17 different states from Cali to Florida to Maine and almost 600 page views. That is very small compared to many blogs, but I can't help but get a bit excited. Now if you'd just comment more we could actually have discussions like the interesting one going on down the page a ways under "<a href="http://ruralamericanpastor.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-kids-shows-do-you-wish-would-just.html">What Kid's Shows do You Wish Would Just Go Away</a>." Noelle, if you ever come back and read again, I'm calling you to publicly repent of Dora. Turn!Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-73186930017841857042008-01-23T22:43:00.000-05:002008-01-23T22:57:06.682-05:00Which Blog Do You Like?I am extremely hesitant to do this b/c I've already been blogging on blogger and everyone who reads already knows and is used to this site. BUT, I've created a sort of "mirror blog" with Wordpress. I LOVE their templates and it just looks better. So, for about a week, everything I post will be on Wordpress. I've already imported all the posts from this blog to that one.<br /><br />So for the next few days I will allow open comments without registering, putting your e-mail in, whatever. You can feel free to post anonymously, I'll never know who you are. All you have to do is say which you like better. There is a word verification to prevent spam comments. It's all very easy. I NEED your feedback as to which blog format you like better. This or the wordpress one. The name is exactly the same except instead of .blogspot.com it is .wordpress.com.<br /><br />Anyway, <a href="http://ruralamericanpastor.wordpress.com/">here</a> is the link, but comment here on this post.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-28856071915291275492008-01-21T11:31:00.000-05:002008-01-21T11:38:03.185-05:00Creek Dunkin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtpe5YaAtgKDRgRkGXr2ehsVSlT-rm2MGEgQEGvJGJS9DPqFKal3V0AJr7xQAiWdE6buOkaW8et-KMXXnLpL0TDPiCJzZTc17xwgxdWlFNpWtj_W61FPpjaL5d34MzR17X84rCqx82_q6/s1600-h/Baptism.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtpe5YaAtgKDRgRkGXr2ehsVSlT-rm2MGEgQEGvJGJS9DPqFKal3V0AJr7xQAiWdE6buOkaW8et-KMXXnLpL0TDPiCJzZTc17xwgxdWlFNpWtj_W61FPpjaL5d34MzR17X84rCqx82_q6/s320/Baptism.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157969562930227298" border="0" /></a><br />In the old days at Little Mountain there wasn't a baptistry. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a pool of water in the church for baptizing people. So if you need to be baptized, there isn't anywhere inside the church to do so. There was a creek where a zoo sits today near the church, and baptisms were performed in the creek. Here's a photo of the creek, and the baptisms from our booklet, "History of Little Mountain Baptist Church." Sometimes we long for the "old days," but I have a feeling the creek got a little cold in the winter. I like my water warm! But it sure makes for a very cool photo.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-39374109185880550142008-01-20T13:33:00.000-05:002008-01-20T13:37:16.635-05:00Podcast Episode IIIThis is from today's sermon "I Will Cheerfully Give This Year." It's the third message from the series "I Will Not Waste My Life This Year." Many Christians believe in a doctrine of money that says, "Money is private. It's my business. It's not the business of my church." It's a sort of separation of church and finances. In 2 Corinthians Paul shatters that notion saying that money is in fact a very potent resource when used in the right way. More than that, giving is very much a spiritual matter of the heart. Click on the title to download the message or go to the sidebar and click the link to go to the Sermon Cloud website to listen or download.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-24448993202987488632008-01-19T12:57:00.001-05:002008-01-19T12:59:36.375-05:00Winter WeatherIf the weather takes a turn for the worse today and tonight you may check the closings/delays at WSPA 7. In addition I will post here to reflect any decisions that are made in regards to our worship services. The roads are supposed to be slick and the temperature is not set to rise above freezing until noon tomorrow. A decisions will be made late tonight or early morning. Thanks.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-56983586118287732412008-01-18T17:08:00.000-05:002008-01-18T17:17:08.792-05:00What Kid's Shows Do You Wish Would Just Go Away?I'm getting home from work and there's some kid's shows that Kate absolutely loves. I know I liked some very annoying things as a child, but this got me thinking about which shows I REALLY wish would just go away forever. Here's my top 5 in no specific order:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Dora the Explorer</span> (On right now. If only Dora never talked it may be decent. Plus in light of our immigration issues the Spanish is quite annoying also).<br /><br />2. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Diego</span> the male counterpart to Dora (See above on Dora).<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Barney</span> (Very popular among kid's show bashers, but deservedly so)<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Wow Wow Wubzy</span> (What is this? Japanese invasion. I just don't understand)<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Teletubbies</span> (Possibly the most pointless show ever. It teaches nothing, they say nothing, and they are very strange and scary little creatures)<br /><br />This is my top 5. I could keep going. The shows are just very bad these days. It says something that Mr. Rogers is still on television, and that Sesame Street is still kicking. Some shows have staying power. Others are trendy and faddish. If kids are still watching Dora in 10 years I'll be surprised. I'll also hope I have no little kids! What are your top 5?Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-15647057918452861842008-01-18T13:39:00.000-05:002008-01-18T13:48:51.946-05:00I Don't Want to Die in the DesertSunday night I will be preaching from Deuteronomy 8. Like so much in the OT it is a passage that rehearses scenes from Israel's past for the sake of warning them, reminding them, exhorting them, or encouraging them. Here it functions as a warning. They are finally poised to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert. An entire generation of people have been killed off by God for their sins (mostly grumbling, does God take grumbling more seriously than we do?). Now the next generation is ready, and God reminds them by taking them back in time. He shows them how he rescued them out of slavery in Egypt, how He led them through the wilderness, feeding them with manna and water from rocks. And now they're ready to cross the Jordan to the land God promised, and God says remember my ways. Remember how I've been faithful to you. The tragedy was that the wilderness wandering wasn't supposed to have happened. God never intended to keep them out there that long, to kill of the entire generation of the faithless. It was supposed to be temporary on their way to something better. But for all God had done, they forgot. They grumbled, and complained, and were thankless in every way about the wilderness, and God got fed up and finally said, "Fine, you don't like it, then don't come into your new house I've been promising. You can die in the back yard." I'm scared at the number of times I find myself comparing with the unfaithful Israelites. Always complaining about the station in life I'm in. With every new gift, wishing it were more. If we're not careful we'll find ourselves dying in the desert without entering into the blessings God has for us now. I don't mean believers losing their salvation. I mean missing the abundance that this life should be lived in. The blessings we missed out on b/c we decided we knew better than God. I don't want to die in the desert.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-86200305351266859082008-01-17T20:39:00.001-05:002008-01-17T20:44:02.927-05:00Pics of the 1st Snow of the Year<div>Here are some pictures from the snow I prayed for!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qztCoSrqRPxl4smX5YtNVvEqz8GmrWlXskq5AMVFpo8ExOcvY6O4rZ37-wjJRzfK9RIqUyJYzmBG4EP0HGyan95SHUT5XP3YgsXKpqFrAoILy4fQ_2wPkJCWucZz9MqHDFRclU9kO7hV/s1600-h/IMG_1754.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qztCoSrqRPxl4smX5YtNVvEqz8GmrWlXskq5AMVFpo8ExOcvY6O4rZ37-wjJRzfK9RIqUyJYzmBG4EP0HGyan95SHUT5XP3YgsXKpqFrAoILy4fQ_2wPkJCWucZz9MqHDFRclU9kO7hV/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156626006965725234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFa0NaRRs8gPPqAqdnC3NwqrXEQlk5OVS9UlD3KuwoInYk7cNMUkMxXb35NNej_gGvELYKtSS66Lz5kAZgjt0XH8sT4DUTF7laZoZIfMNAp6avUueStmap-yM-R3vOisfUCKtzTQ9G6Tq/s1600-h/IMG_1743.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFa0NaRRs8gPPqAqdnC3NwqrXEQlk5OVS9UlD3KuwoInYk7cNMUkMxXb35NNej_gGvELYKtSS66Lz5kAZgjt0XH8sT4DUTF7laZoZIfMNAp6avUueStmap-yM-R3vOisfUCKtzTQ9G6Tq/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156626011260692546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciM75xELpnJDMbMr0AOYMeqnADjQtkZl5ISGwtB3bfrir81-e7LBM8xNbSvUmnrpLyBsSjQSfiUB5HZA9FdY-wCSJIQG8mv_4XaVGb8iPkN6PLGAORR4S3OCaRa9UB11FgadGei-4nt0A/s1600-h/IMG_1758.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciM75xELpnJDMbMr0AOYMeqnADjQtkZl5ISGwtB3bfrir81-e7LBM8xNbSvUmnrpLyBsSjQSfiUB5HZA9FdY-wCSJIQG8mv_4XaVGb8iPkN6PLGAORR4S3OCaRa9UB11FgadGei-4nt0A/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156626015555659858" /></a>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-26655738757157974532008-01-16T23:23:00.000-05:002008-01-16T23:29:08.477-05:00I Prayed for SnowI know it's not very theological. I'm not quite sure there's any spiritual reason for it. But this morning when I heard there was a chance of a wintry mix (translated - we don't really know what form the precipitation will take) I prayed that the God who controls the weather would providentially bring snow to us. And for a night, He did. I've been looking out the window enjoying this rare treat all night. Every 10 minutes or so I get up, walk to the window, turn the light on outside and watch it fall. There's anticipation every time b/c these things usually last about 10 minutes here and then turn to cold rain or worse, ice. I don't recall a Bible passage with a prayer like this. I'm a pastor and I'm not sure this falls in the realm of "things we ought to pray for." But I did nonetheless. I actually prayed for about 6-12 inches. It's not looking like that will happen, but you never know. If I wake up and see it, I will not be surprised. If I wake and it's just small patches of snow and sleet I will not be surprised. Either way, God answered my prayer and for a night I will enjoy it.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-29885101804057465712008-01-16T15:47:00.000-05:002008-01-16T15:56:32.036-05:00When There is Never a Choir to Preach to"Preaching to the choir," is a little phrase that means something like, "All the people you're trying to convince of something already agree with you." What happens when you're preaching, or talking/sharing/whatever you want to call it, and NOBODY agrees with you. What's more, what if you're preaching/talking/teaching/sharing God's Word and still NOBODY agrees with what you're saying? <br /><br />Next time that happens, be encouraged, you aren't alone. You stand in a long line of people whom nobody listened to. 2 Things, then a link to Scripture that you SHOULD read. 1, if you find yourself in that position, you should remember YOU ARE NOT INFALLIBLE. God's Word is, but you aren't. SO, maybe it's not that the people don't agree with God's Word, but that you are preaching it in a way that contains error. Don't think you're above that. 2, maybe there isn't error in your presentation and the people listening really are stubborn and hard of heart. If that is the case, then read <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ezekiel+2%3A1-8">this Scripture passage</a> from the call of the prophet Ezekiel. God knew the people wouldn't listen, that they were hard of heart, hearing, and rebellious. He told Ezekiel to preach anyway and God would show them that a "prophet has been among them." <br /><br />So talk away, even if you have no choir.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-57996165377526860402008-01-15T18:29:00.001-05:002008-01-15T18:32:43.141-05:00Podcast Episode IIThis is the 2nd in a series of messages entitled "I Will Not Waste My Life This Year." It is episode II of the series, entitled, "I Will Gather With the Saints." Click on the title to download it and play it on your computer. Yet another interesting possibility to get messages out.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-76003161086609301062008-01-15T13:27:00.000-05:002008-01-15T13:32:53.634-05:00Audio ResourcesYou may now access recordings of the last 3 Sermons from our church by clicking on the link under Podcast Links on the sidebar. It is not an actual service recording but my feeble early attempts at podcasting. You can click on the message, the date is there with it, and it will take you to the page where you may download the sermon or play it in streaming media format. I am constantly looking for better ways to get the messages out, but this seems to be a good one for now. The blog will link to only the 3 most recent, but once you get to the page you can find links to the entire archive by clicking on the tiny "Little Mountain Baptist" link next to the message. If you try this let me know how it works.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-48001995380937498732008-01-14T11:44:00.000-05:002008-01-14T11:53:34.242-05:00Quote of the Day<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">"Jesus is the (only) fire that burns up the very root of lust." </span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is from a classic book from a Puritan man named John Owen. I've read it and it's a difficult read, but another pastor/blogger posted some of the quotes from this book, and this one reminded me why this book is so very important. "Lust" means a very strong desire. In itself it's not a sin, but it is the object of the desire that matters. Sinful lusts, says Owen, can only be uprooted and burned by Jesus. We may hammer away at the fruit of the sinful lusts all day long, but if the root is left intact the efforts are fruit-LESS so to speak. It will continue to grow and grow. </div><div><br /></div><div>What powerful desires do you have that you continue to fight in your own strength? You continue regularly to cut the top off, leaving the root in place. The root has grown very deep, like an old tree in fertile, moist soil. When you chop the top off, you feel as if the "weed" is gone, but within a very short period of time you find it's grown right back where it left off. We must deal with the roots of the sins in our lives, and not simply the bad fruit. Bad fruit comes from bad roots, which means essentially that this is a heart problem. Heart problems can be dealt with in no other way than by Jesus' strength, power, and might.</div>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-79857140577213606822008-01-13T14:05:00.001-05:002008-01-13T14:12:02.028-05:00When Our Church Was a Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc18VUMUm4V6ebUQcl1m46o5D74Uw4k6QCfyCZi67Dj7bDvi7Bv0QEVyrjadigoWd5N2QDhNrJwJrR7m94D68gpMKu3kItBJkwlfCkRlVteBYnYKirzp6z0GHyZ5GLx24ACXy7Y1EdCNvb/s1600-h/Little+Mountain+-New+Construction.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc18VUMUm4V6ebUQcl1m46o5D74Uw4k6QCfyCZi67Dj7bDvi7Bv0QEVyrjadigoWd5N2QDhNrJwJrR7m94D68gpMKu3kItBJkwlfCkRlVteBYnYKirzp6z0GHyZ5GLx24ACXy7Y1EdCNvb/s320/Little+Mountain+-New+Construction.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155040051636971538" /></a>A friend and our newest member Gregg sent me this photograph of when Little Mountain was a baby. We still meet in the same building even though many things have been added since the time this was taken. For those of you who've never seen the church, there are education wings on both sides and a vestibule and pillars in the front. The steeple is still in use. I love this picture and I am considering printing and making this available to our members. Things like this remind us of all the people that went before us to make us who we are today. Thanks Gregg<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-31493213052085908962008-01-12T14:02:00.000-05:002008-01-12T14:19:42.873-05:00Learning to Accept LossOne of the harder aspects of ministry is dealing with loss. Seeing those that you've grown to love in fellowship over time move on to be with the Lord. People you're used to seeing week after week. You know where they sit, who they ride with, you get to shake their hand, hug their neck, and greet them as they warmly greet you. The faithful who pass on are bittersweet losses. You know you'll miss their presence. You half expect to see them sitting in their same familiar place, and see the same sweet smile come over their face. You know that nobody can replace losses like that. At the same time you know that when they opened their eyes in eternity, what they saw is something we only imagine. It's glory and beauty that's unspeakable. It's communion with their savior, Jesus Christ. For that we hope even in sorrow. For that we can smile and cry at the very same time. Our church lost another beloved saint of God this morning in the passing of Lanese Jones. She was a staple at Little Mountain. At 93 years old she was faithful to be here more than men and women 3 times younger than she. And though she lived a long and fruitful life, we will miss her faithful presence here. She would be here early on Sunday morning, Sunday night if she could, and even Wednesday night we could almost always count on seeing her here with Ms. Crowe. She didn't get around like a 30 year old, but you can't match her kind of faithfulness. The longer I'm here, I find the more I miss those who move on. The funerals become harder even as I become more experienced at ministering at them. Part of the minister's job is to minister at the time of death. Doing that means learning to accept the loss. Putting myself into their shoes, even though I've been blessed to have lost very few of my own family. So you grieve when they grieve. But at the same time you trust that "he who promised is faithful." Faithful not to let a single child of His slip through the cracks. Those who trust in Him will close their eyes, but they will wake up in His presence. And one day we'll meet again, and when we do I look forward to saying hello to Ms. Jones, and Claude Camp, and James Staggs, along with the others I barely knew that went before me. We accept loss because we know it's not forever. We can learn to accept death because we know death has been defeated, even though it'll still claim all of us if Jesus doesn't come first. But we don't commit ourselves to death, but to life. Into His hands, our spirit goes, and the faithful God who saved us will one day raise us. That will be a party I will not want to miss.Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-59922065290372304212008-01-10T20:20:00.000-05:002008-01-10T20:29:30.678-05:00What Exactly is a Blog and Why Do It?A blog is a shortened form of 2 words, web and log, or weblog. There is no standard kind of blog, so that we could say a blog has "such and such" content. In some cases it is like an online journal. A diary of sorts that people on the internet can read. People usually blog about things that are interesting or important to them. There are family blogs where the blogger posts about their family, including pictures and anecdotes and insights as a parent/child/etc. There are strictly religious blogs where people post about nothing else. This blog is an eclectic blog. That just means that it is a mixture of topics that I find interesting, helpful, inspiring, etc. I'm the author and so what I find to be all of the above mentioned things is my particular preference. Sometimes I'll write about Christianity, the Bible, God, Jesus, etc. Other times it will be about family. Still others are cultural, and maybe once in a blue moon political. <div><br /></div><div>Anyone with an internet connection and a limited amount of know-how can create a blog. It's really very easy. It gives you an opportunity to communicate to a diverse group of people about the topics that matter to you. I would encourage you to give it a try. If you find it's not your thing then you don't have to continue. I personally make it an aspect of discipline. I force myself to post my thoughts on a regular basis. Sometimes in hind sight I wish there were things I didn't post, but thankfully I can go back and delete it! Blogging is VERY popular these days, and if you can think of something interesting to you, there will be a blog about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a form of expression. It is comforting. It is a release, and a relaxing part of my day. I look forward to logging on and posting, and then checking to see how many people were there any given day. If you stop by regularly and I don't know you leave me a comment. I would love to meet you. Blessings and happy blogging.</div>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-83461941398182025692008-01-09T15:57:00.000-05:002008-01-09T16:06:36.157-05:00"Christ Plays in 10,000 Places""<span style="font-style: italic;">As Kingfishers Catch Fire, Dragonflies Draw Flame</span>," by Gerard Manley Hopkins<br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies dráw fláme; </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">As tumbled over rim in roundy wells </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name; </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Deals out that being indoors each one dwells; </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Selves--goes itself; myself it speaks and spells, </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Crying Whát I do is me: for that I came. </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Í say móre: the just man justices; </span><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Kéeps gráce: thát keeps all his goings graces; </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande;">Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is--</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande;">Chríst--for Christ plays in ten thousand places, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande;">Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande;">To the Father through the features of men's faces</span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">.</span><br />(bold and italics mine)<br /><br />Read the whole thing, but look deeply at the end, what I've put in bold and italics. This is one of my favorite poems period. When God looks at you, believer in Christ, remember who He sees. He sees Christ in you. Christ's righteousness, His beauty, His "playing" within you. God, may our acts be in agreement with who we are in Jesus ("<span style="font-style: italic;">Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is--Christ</span>").Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7803735177302266861.post-59805225827281288162008-01-09T15:56:00.000-05:002008-01-09T16:08:04.245-05:00A Mother's Prayer<span style="font-style: italic;">How many times did my mom rescue me when I was a child?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How many times did she rescue me when I was a stupid teenager?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How many time has she rescued me as a poor, stupid, sinful, rebellious man?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What prayers kept me alive when I was a child? A teen? A man?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What prayers kept me strong when I was weak?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What prayers should she pray now?</span>Rural American Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491010542964228275noreply@blogger.com1