Author: Dale

Raised in the south, I have a passionate love for the Lord, my wife, my daughters, my son-in-laws, my grandsons, preaching the Word of God, pastoring people, discipleship, the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Clemson Tigers football, running the Tweetsie Trail, and hiking through the awesome TN/NC/VA mountains!!

Husbands, Love Your Treasure!

by Dale, posted in D & D Ministries, Love, Marriage

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

Yes, husbands, your wife is your treasure. As I mentioned in a previous post, The Treasure of Man, marriage is not the issue. We have sufficient grace to grow in Christ through the gift of marriage, and we as men have the privilege of responding to our treasure in many ways that honor God.

First of all, we are to love our treasure, our wife. Ephesians 5:25 reminds us, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. As Warren Wiersbe said, “Paul was lifting married love to the highest level possible, for he saw in the Christian home an illustration of the relationship between Christ and the church.”

What does this look like?

In one way, just as Christ set aside His prerogatives to be our substitutionary atonement and meet the greatest need in our life, the need of redemption and reconciliation (Phil. 2:5-8), we as men set aside our desires and agendas to meet the greatest needs of our wives in love.

One of the greatest needs of a wife is security. She needs you to think about her, consider her, confide in her, share life with her, talk to her, listen to her, be friends with her, hold her, include her, forgive her, accept her, be with her, do life with her, have eyes only for her, have fun with her, laugh with her, weep with her, pray and read the Word with her, date her, worship with her, be faithful to her, encourage her, walk with her, open the car door for her, check on her, text her, etc.

How marvelous to know of the absolute security we have in Christ in salvation that is the foundation for all of life and eternity (1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:9-13). As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love (John 15:9). We are His treasure, His inheritance.

Husbands, love your treasure! May she have the joy of abiding in your love!

Wednesday WOW!!

by Dale, posted in Prayer, Uncategorized

Hey pastor friend, what has been a “wow” for you today, yesterday, last week? Where did you see God at work?

Sunday nights at Boones Creek Bible Church includes an intentional time of corporate prayer. This includes up to ten praises and requests on the screens and then asking an individual to take one praise or request to the Throne of Grace using a handheld mic so all can join their hearts in prayer as well.

This past Sunday night the items for praise/prayer were on the screen. The final one was to pray for our upcoming Fall Festival outreach event. When I asked who would pray, my six year-old grandson immediately raised his hand. Wow!

Here’s the content of his prayer without any coaching from his mom seated next to him:

“Jesus, help people to get saved at the Fall Festival and help people to come. If anybody doesn’t know you, Lord, draw them to You. Thanks for the opportunity that we got to come here today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

Wow!

My grandson, born at 24 weeks, has overcome many obstacles and deals with cerebral palsy did not let his handicap affect his heart or tongue! Wow!

Who has modeled talking to God to him? Where did Shiloh learn to pray? From listening and watching adults . . . his parents, grandparents, folks in small group, SS teachers, Sunday morning and Sunday evening cooperate prayer, times of prayer at his home, etc.

There are many things that we desire for Shiloh, but as he grows in the grace and knowledge of Christ, may the best be . . . a man of prayer!

Wow! Just wow!! Thank You, Lord!! May his tribe increase!!

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

The Day After Victory

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

As a pastor, Monday may be a day to rejoice because Sunday was a day of victories, but if so, be cautious. Even if Sunday was a “downer” day in your eyes, be cautious.

After any victory, you are vulnerable for defeat. Just ask Elijah. He had just seen the mighty power of God on magnificent display which wrought a great victory at Mt. Carmel! Then, upon hearing the subsequent news of Jezebel’s threat (1 Kings 19:1-3), he became discouraged and ran for his life!

There we find Elijah thinking unbiblically, living in unbelief, asking God to kill him, tired, weary, depressed, engaged in self-pity, and feeling like a total failure (19:4-10).

Have you been there? Do you know the place?

Continue reading “The Day After Victory” →

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)” →