Month: February 2015

Better Be Ready!

by Dale, posted in Death, Heaven, Missions, The Gospel

A winter storm is coming!  Frigid temps, deep snow and ice are on their way.  Quick, get to the store!!  Gotta buy milk and bread! (Personally, I’ve never eaten a milk and bread sandwich, but when the snow flies, I guess it might be good.)  Nevertheless, I am intrigued at how glued we are to the forecast when we receive a winter storm warning.  That announcement has a controlling affect upon businesses, homes, churches, government, schools, highway crews and many others. Look at Facebook!  Try to shop in the grocery store.

How many times in your life have you heard, “There’s a winter storm warning in effect for . . . ,” or something similar?  And when you do, what is your response to such a predicted event?  What kind of planning begins to take place in your life?  Do you shrug your shoulders, run to the grocery story, look up in the skies, check your phone updates, begin to think of “Plan B,” and/or complain?

Seriously, there are two events that should grab our attention every day of our lives.  We were reminded of these in our “I Love Missions” Conference this past weekend.

1)  The promised return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

2)  The greatest tragedy of this life—a lost soul going to hell (Hebrews 9:27)

This most blessed event and the most tragic event could occur today!!!  What’s your response?  Are you moved more by the prediction of a weather forecast or the promises in God’s Word?  Something more eventful than a winter storm is coming.  Better be ready!

If you have never received Christ as your personal Savior and Lord; if you are not sure that heaven is your home, please go to the following link: The Exchange Message. Scroll down the page and watch the video entitled, “You Can Have a Relationship with God.”

If you are interested in what Scripture says about death and hell, please check out this brief biblical study found here: What Does the Bible Say About Hell

Friday’s Findings

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Love, Marriage, Men

Here we are at end of the week, and I’m sharing some blog posts that lead into Valentine’s Day.  Hope these are helpful.  I trust that your weekend is filled with many answers to prayer, opportunities to serve, and full of God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-filled worship!

23 Things Love Is  – Here’s a good post written by Paul Tripp for you and your spouse to read through to see if you are really loving each other as God would have you to.  Be honest with each other.  It will do you and your relationship much good!

Love Is Not For Sissies: How Trials Make Love Stronger – Enough said; great post.

Improve Your Marriage Today – Here are three simple steps to help your marriage move on and grow!

Everyday Romance – How Sweet  It Is – This is one of the best blog’s out there about love and marriage.  Looking for some practical tips, advice, and ideas, this is it!  This post is a simple one that will keep romance in your relationship. Check it out and get out of your rut (if you’re in one)!!  Thanks, Debi, for all you work.

A Very Special Moment

by Dale, posted in Prayer

There are many special moments that have occurred in my life for which I am so grateful.  Some of those include the opportunity to meet and have prayer with Governor Mike Huckabee; hearing President-elect Ronald Reagan speak; chatting briefly with quarterback Cam Newton, getting a picture and sharing a gospel tract with him;  meeting Don Drysdale, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher from the 50’s and 60’s, in JFK Airport and engaging in a gospel conversation; being around such great servants of God as Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., pianist Rudy Atwood, Doc Hay, Rock Royer, Dr. J.B. Williams, and the list could on and on.

Tuesday evening was another very special moment.  Joel, a church member, is in ICU due to complications from major surgery.  Needing to provide a meal for his wife, Ethel, Denise and I and a dear friend, Dawn, went out to a local restaurant.  Upon returning from supper, I parked the car to let Ethel depart to her car so she could go home to catch up on a few things.  Before opening the door, she stopped and said, “Could I lead us in prayer?”  We had already had several prayer gatherings during the day with the goal of encouraging Ethel and asking for God’s healing on her husband.  But at that moment, it was the hurting, needy one who desired to “take us to the Throne of Grace.”  What a moment it was as we bowed, and she poured out her heart to the Lord!  As I sat there in the driver’s seat, I felt like taking off my shoes!!  I was in the midst of three passionate, believing prayer warriors.  These are ladies who know how the heart of God through prayer; who pray in genuine faith; who have seen our awesome God answer in big ways!! And, we were all there in my car in the presence of God the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ!!!!  Aww, all those special moments mentioned in the first paragraph are good in their own right, but this was one very special moment!!

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers (Acts 1:14).

And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:12).

Marriage Matters

by Dale, posted in Marriage, Men, Renewal

Valentines Date 2015

V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E.  That holds special significance to my wife and me.  Monday, we went on our special Valentine’s date to celebrate 36 Valentine’s Days together!  Because marriage matters, each day is an opportunity to grow your relationship.  As I’ve said so many times in the past, it’s the little things that add up to a big marriage!  Valentine’s Day is not a make-up day for a sad, little marriage.  It’s just one more day to make special and enjoy the gift of marriage!

So, while seated in the corner of the restaurant, by the window, all alone, Denise started V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E.  She took each letter and used it as an acrostic for why she loves me, using one word for each letter of the word valentine.  Wow!  Then I did the same with her.  Wow, again!  As we looked into each other’s eyes, at times it was a smile and then tears.  We reminisced, became nostalgic, and were removed from all other distractions.  Oh, the meal was delicious, but my memory from our dinner will be this special moment together.

Sometime this week, on your Valentine date or after the kids have gone to bed or whenever you are able to do so, look each other in the eye, hold hands, and share V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E.  Why? Because marriage matters to God (Ephesians 5:18-33).

For some additional thoughts, check out my wife’s blog post:  Improve Your Marriage Today

The Making of a Man: Your Obituary

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Death, Men

What will be written about you when you die?

Even though I am heavily involved in the use of electronic devices, the internet, and social media, I still like to read the newspaper.  In yesterday’s edition of our local paper, two articles caught my attention.  One was the obituary of a decorated veteran who served in World War II and the Korean Conflict. As I read about his military accomplishments and grit to overcome being severely wounded in combat, my heart swelled with patriotic pride!  And then near the end of this long obituary was this sentence, “He was a member of __________________ Church.”

From there, I turned to the Sports section and read the lengthy article concerning the passing of the legendary basketball coach, Dean Smith. I remember watching him coach the Tar Heels all the way back to the days of Charlie Scott, Mitch Kupchak, Phil Ford, George Karl, Bob McAdoo, and Tommy LeGarde and the famous “Four-Corners Offense.”  There is no doubt that Coach Smith was one of the best to ever coach basketball.  As I read on into the article, I came upon some information that really grieved my heart.  His life was also given to support vocally and financially some causes that are not biblical, even though he was a member of a Baptist church.

As I look in the mirror today, I know that one day, if Christ does not return before, I will die and an obituary will be written about me.  I have blemishes in my life.  How thankful I am for 1 John 1:7-9 that reminds me, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I need the power of the Gospel every day; I am a man in desperate need of grace each day.   But today, I must be living with the finish line in mind, the Bema (2 Corinthians 5:10), and the resolve of Paul who said, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

What will be written in your obituary?  The purpose of this whole post today is wrapped up in the words of missionary statesmen, C.T. Studd:

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

To the People in the Pew: Impossible Prayer

by Dale, posted in Prayer

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Last night we began “Impossible Prayer Meeting” that will be a part of each Sunday night’s service.  Cards were distributed for our folks to write down four situations/needs that seem impossible to them.  Then we gathered into small groups for prayer.  Each one shared their card with another person in the group, and those “impossible” requests were brought before the Lord.  How exciting it will be to see how God answers the cries of His people.  Our goal is not to look so much at His hand to see what He does as it will be to seek His face; then we won’t miss His hand!  Times of rejoicing, worship and praise are ahead!!

When Christ ascended into heaven all He left behind was a prayer meeting. The early Church didn’t have a prayer meeting; the early Church was the prayer meeting. In fact, in the early Church every Christian was a prayer-meeting Christian. (Armin Gesswein)

The simple fact is, we are too vague and, as a consequence, too indifferent in our prayers and prayer meetings. We do not seem like people asking for what they want, and waiting for what they ask. This is what destroys our prayer meetings, rendering them pithless, pointless, powerless; turning them into teaching or talking meetings, rather than deep-toned, earnest prayer meetings. (CHM)

Friday’s Findings

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Marriage, The Bible, The Gospel

Is Your Marriage a Picture of the Gospel? – Here’s a great read written by my in-law’s former pastor, Dr. Hershel York.  Very transparent and insightful.

What’s Really Wrong With Millennials – Thankful here for Joel’s thoughts concerning a subject tackled by many church growth blogs.

Gangman Style vs. Bible Reading – “Bible reading is a privilege, not work! How cool would it be to trade off a couple of TV series for listening / reading through the Bible this next year? Don’t do it as a burden or from guilt. It’s a privilege. Love it!”

Ten Things We Should Get Angry About Before Yoga Pants – And more than what this article is all about, these same people need the Gospel!!  The next time you get all fumed about yoga pants or Happy Holidays, ask yourself, “Did I share the Gospel with that person?”

Give Him Praise!

by Dale, posted in Praise & Worship

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5)

This was one of the first passages of Scripture that I learned in my early days.  To this day, it evokes a heart of praise and worship that stirs me and causes me to anticipate the day when we will all acknowledge that Christ is Lord!

Note the action/descriptive words in this psalm:  joyful noise (shout), serve, gladness, singing, know, enter into, thanksgiving, praise, and bless.  Now all those words describe in some way the blessing of worship.  When we know, understand, meditate upon, and acknowledge that . . .

  • The Lord, He is God,
  • God made us; we did not,
  • We are God’s people, children,
  • We are the sheep of His pasture; what a Shepherd (Psalm 23),
  • The Lord is good,
  • The Lord’s mercy is everlasting,
  • The Lord’s truth endures to all generations . . .

what better response to these absolutes than worship?  Give Him praise!  Shout and serve Him!  Enter into worship corporately with other born again believers!  Bless His holy name!  Sing joyfully to the Lord!

Enter into your family supper gathering, visiting with friends, corporate worship, small group Sunday School class, or car on the way to work or school with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise! Respond to Who God is by every praise, every word of worship, giving Him the glory due to His name!!  Give Him praise today!!

Marriage Matters: Go Look in the Mirror

by Dale, posted in Marriage, Men

Recently my father-in-law said something that I think needs to be repeated.  While talking to my wife on the phone, he recalled his growing up days of wearing his Sunday church clothes for dinner and throughout the whole day.  He continues to do so for the reason that it’s the Lord’s day and that’s how he dresses for church, but there’s another reason that bears repeating, “Your mom sees me in my regular clothes all week and out of respect for her, I like to stay dressed up.”

Men, what do you do out of respect for your wife?  Do you . . .

  • Keep yourself looking nice and fit for your wife? Just an interesting thought here.  We want our wives to look good, but we dress slovenly and with no thought for what she might like.
  • Open the car door for her?
  • Seat her at the table?
  • Speak well of her to others?
  • Clean up after yourself such as pick up your clothes, clean the bathroom sink when you are finished, put the lid down (you know what I mean)?
  • Compliment her in private and public?
  • Make sure her car is taken care of, cleaned out, etc.?

Men, if you aren’t sure, ask your wife.  After all, we are to be the best servants in our home.  Christ gives you His best.  Men, let’s give our wives our best (Ephesians 5:25).

The Making of a Man: Men’s Prayer Advance

by Dale, posted in Men, Praise & Worship, Prayer

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Executives.  Missionaries.  Hunters.  Teens. Former drug addicts. Pastors.  White-collar/blue-collar. Musicians. Sinners. Millennials. Fishermen. Unsaved.  Broken.   Hurting.   Lonely.  Spirit-filled.  Disciples.  Multi-cultural. And I could go on and on.  This is a brief description of over 600 men that gathered in the mountains of Central Virginia for what is called Men’s Prayer Advance.  Imagine that many men coming to sing, eat, worship, listen to preaching, pray, sleep, sing, eat, pray, listen to preaching, worship and watch the Spirit of God work and move!  This is my third Advance in four years.  This is the highlight of my year as far as a ministry event is concerned outside of my own church.  Why is this Advance so special?

Uninhibited Worship – From the time the sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and end at noon on Saturday, I am in the midst of men singing with gusto, praising the Lord and letting the texts of the songs flood their hearts with praise that comes out through their voices!  The songs include “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners,” “In Christ Alone,” “I Will Rise,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “Father, I Adore You” just to name a very few.  Imagine standing with men as described above singing with hands raised, shouts of joy, tears, and real meditation.  I’m telling you, it has got to be a precursor to the heavenly praise that awaits us.  Men . . . worshiping the Lord.  I said, men.

Ambitious Praying – Ambitious is an adjective describing an attitude of prayer that is 1) “eagerly desirous to obtain success” (Dictionary.com) in believing, faith-filled prayer, 2) to have an earnest, eager desire for and in prayer, and 3) prayer that takes effort.  That’s the kind of praying we were challenged to give our life to on a daily basis.  That’s the kind of prayer demonstrated among the men attending the Advance.  To hear over 600 men crying out to the Lord (Psalm 61:2) in fervent prayer as we gathered many times in the Spring Center was an awesome experience.  Hands raised in pleading prayer; voices crying out in adoring praise and earnest petitions; tears flowing in brokenness before God; lives touched by the Spirit of God; and two men on Thursday night crying out to God for salvation (and testifying of it later on that night)!!! 600 plus men assembled before the Throne of Grace!!!  Wow!!  (By the way, no Super Bowl game holds a candle to that experience.)

The best part of the emphasis on prayer is what’s known as the “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Before lunch on Friday, we go someone on the camp site and get alone with God for one hour.  Here’s the statement that I’ve heard most from men after the “Sweet Hour of Prayer,”— “I didn’t know I could pray for one hour.  It went by so quick!”  Enough said.

Furthermore, I love what the name of this event says, Men’s Prayer Advance.  We are not attending a retreat or  in retreat mode.  We are advancing in prayer!!

Spirit-empowered Preaching – Every message I heard was like fresh manna from Heaven.  The power of God was upon the preachers as they delivered the Word with courage, compassion, and conviction leading to change.  Sitting under the preaching of an Irishman who has walked with the Lord for years was like listening to a prophet of God.  This man knows the heart of God and has learned His heart in the quiet place of personal prayer and the blessing of corporate prayer as well as meditation on God’s Word.  The practical, applicational, straight-forward, “right down where we live” preaching of one of the other men was a touch down from Heaven, too!  Powerful, Spirit-filled preaching exalts Christ and glorifies God.  That is what we heard many, many times in the main sessions and break-out meetings.  God honors the preaching of His Word!

Undistracted Meeting with God – There is something special about going way up in the mountains and getting away from so much that distracts us in our lives.  Cell phone service was sketchy at best.  The whole emphasis of the three days was simply meeting with God.  Nothing else.  May I say right here that every man of God should plan in his yearly schedule a time or two in the year to get away for a day to just simply meet with God in prayer and Bible study.

So, there’s just a brief out-pouring from my heart why the Men’s Prayer Advance is so special. Many, many times, in the moment of a song, prayer and/or preaching, I found myself saying, “I wish this would not end.”  So often I felt like a sponge just soaking in all I could in the moment.  Just think; that’s the way it will be in Heaven!

Men, are you advancing today?

Want to join us next year, January 28-30, 2016?  Check out the following link:

Men’s Prayer Advance

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