Month: September 2023

The Treasure of Man

by Dale, posted in Love, Marriage, Uncategorized

When a man takes a wife, he has stepped into one of the most blessed positions of life!

Proverbs 18:22 says, The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

What an honor it is by the grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:8) and submission to God Ephesians 5:20) to . . .

  • Love this treasure
  • Protect this treasure
  • Hide this treasure
  • Hold this treasure
  • Invest in this treasure
  • Adore this treasure
  • Cherish this treasure

Even as age, sin, disagreements, sorrows, disappointments, hardships, decay, and illness etches its hurt on the heart and the outward appearance of your treasure, that doesn’t change the fact that God calls her a treasure.

Marriage is never the problem. God created marriage, and its good (Genesis 2:18-25). The issue is an old selfish sin nature that resides in both husband and wife, and the answer is to be what you became at salvation, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

Husbands, live in and by the truths of Romans 6-8, and you will be able to love your wife as Christ so loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

She is the favor of God in your life. By God’s grace and the love of Christ in you, love her, protect her, hide her, hold her, invest in her, adore her and cherish her!

WOW Wednesdays!!

by Dale, posted in Evangelism, God's Word, Praise & Worship, The Bible

“Wow! Look what God did!!!”

Pastors, what was your “Wow” from this past Sunday or even today?

Ministry has its share of woes, wars, and worries. Sadly, we may have been blessed with several “wows” and let one woe come into the picture, and we are immediately overcome with the woe instead of the wow! We are fixated on the woe, and we forget the wow!

We need to rejoice and praise the Lord for the “Wows!” These “wows” can be anything where we have seen God at work because God is always at work all around us. The size of the “wow” does not matter because it is always awesome because it comes from the hand of God!

Continue reading “WOW Wednesdays!!” →

Are You Sinking?

by Dale, posted in Ministry, Monday Ministry Encouragement, Pastoring

Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.

Pastor, you know you need help. You are sinking. You know you are hurting. May I gently ask, “Why will you not seek help?”

Is it because of pride?

Is it because of fear?

Is because of image?

Is because of doubt?

No matter your reason, the way out is to not to run and hide. That is the worst step to take!

Run to Christ. This is the time to pray, to meet with your loving Shepherd in the quiet place. This is the time to take a deep dive into His Word letting the faithful and true words (Revelation 22:6) wash over your soul. As you read the Word, be honest with the Lord. He is your advocate (1 John 2:2) and friend (John 15:15). He is your Haven of Rest!

Continue reading “Are You Sinking?” →

WOW Wednesdays!!

by Dale, posted in Grace, Ministry, Praise & Worship, Thanksgiving

“Wow! Look what God did!!!”

Pastors, what was your “Wow” from this past Sunday or even today?

Ministry has its share of woes, wars, and worries. Sadly, we may have been blessed with several “wows” and let one woe come into the picture, and we are immediately overcome with the woe instead of the wow! We are fixated on the woe, and we forget the wow!

We need to rejoice and praise the Lord for the “Wows!”

Today’s “wow” happened during a hospital visit. Jeff has endured major trials in his life such as losing his job, his wife passing away, brain cancer, seizures, having to move out of his apartment, and now knee replacement surgery. As I walked into his room, he greeted me with a smile. After awhile, I read Psalm 61. When I finished with verse 8, So will I ever sing praises to your name, I said, “Jeff, may I encourage you from time-to-time to mute the TV and just sing praises to the Lord?”

Continue reading “WOW Wednesdays!!” →

Momma’s, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow UP to be Cowboys! (#4)

by Dale, posted in Parenting, Uncategorized

Are the children you parent YOURS? Or do they belong to God?

In the past three Wednesday posts, my heart has been to encourage all of us parents to see the children that God has loaned to us, whether born naturally into our family, adopted and/or fostered, as belonging to God and not to us. What a special grace blessing from the hand of God to be a parent, to point precious lives to Christ, and to know that we have all we need by His grace to do so!! 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

So far, my encouragement has been . . .

1. Parents, live and train with an eternal viewpoint.

2. Parents, prepare your children to leave home as God so planned.

3. Parents, fulfill your privilege with the grace of God not the fleshly grit of man.

So, how do you parent by the grace of God? Before you read any further, go back to Post #3 and remind yourself of what parenting by grit (the flesh) looks like.

Now, parenting by grace is . . .

1. Christ sets the agenda.

Who sets the parenting agenda in your home? You, your children, your parents, your grandparents, the expectations of others, the government, society, “the experts,” you being inconvenienced by your children, sports, homework, fear, your past, being a victim, or all the above? When it comes to parenting, everyone has their opinion or idea what it should look like and is shaped by many “voices.” Even children who have never parented think they know how you, mom and dad, should operate.

Continue reading “Momma’s, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow UP to be Cowboys! (#4)” →

Refiring, NOT Retiring!

by Dale, posted in Marriage, Ministry, Ministry Counseling, Pastoring, Uncategorized

In a recent post, I joyfully announced the upcoming transition of ministry after serving as lead pastor for 24 years at Boones Creek Bible Church. Perhaps I did not communicate effectively, so for clarity sake, may I say, retirement is not a part of this transition.

Denise and I will continue to serve at BCBC, but my role will change to associate pastor. This means that I’ll continue to serve by teaching an elective, biblical counselling, leading a small group, visitation, leading the senior’s ministry, preach when needed, etc.

This change allows Denise and me to pursue a passion that has stirred in my heart for a long time and that is ministering to pastors and their wives. I don’t need to look at statistics to know that pastors and their wives need great encouragement. All I need to do is look back over my 40 years of full-time ministry as well as growing up in a pastor’s home to be assured of this huge need. Add to that the number of pastors and wives we have already counseled as well as hearing of needs along the way, we are so drawn to this ministry of refreshment.

Denise and I are available to serve the local church in other capacities as well. Check out the speaking page on my blog for helpful information. Will you prayerfully consider letting us have the rich blessing of coming alongside you and the ministry where you serve to be a refuge and refreshment by the grace of God?

We’re refiring, not retiring!

Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To BE Cowboys (#3)

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family, Parenting

Are the children you parent YOURS? Or do they belong to God?

In the past two Wednesday posts, my heart has been to encourage all of us parents to see the children that God has loaned to us, whether born naturally into our family, adopted and/or fostered, as belonging to God and not to us. What a special grace blessing from the hand of God to be a parent, to point precious lives to Christ, and to know that we have all we need by His grace to do so!! 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

So far, my encouragement has been . . .

1. Parents, live and train with an eternal viewpoint.

2. Parents, prepare your children to leave home as God so planned.

Today, the third encouragement is parents, fulfill your privilege with the grace of God not the fleshly grit of man.

Continue reading “Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To BE Cowboys (#3)” →

Submission

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Fear, Uncategorized

We want to be in control! It’s one of the fiercest temptations in daily life. We want to control our lives, the lives of our children, the outcome at work, our marriages, our health; we even want to control God.

We worry and fret over how we can produce a favorable future. We plan for things that never happen! We manipulate and try to arrange things for our benefit. Fear grips us.

When we don’t get our way, and we lose control, we can “throw a fit,” even as adults. We can pout with the best of them! We can make life miserable for those around us.

Continue reading “Submission” →