Part of my Journal, March 29, 2011

5:37 AM

Mark 5, Psalm 29

29:2 "Give the Lord the glory due His Name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness." You cannot be separated, Lord, from the splendor of Your glory. Heaven is far too magnificent for me to grasp, but it is filled with You and Your splendor, Your glory. If I am to worship You, then I must be able to approach You somehow.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for relinquishing Your glory long enough to come into my fallen world in order to save me. In the process, You have given me access to the Father. When I talk to Him in Your Name I am somehow in the presence of my God and Father.

"The Lord sits enthroned, King forever. The Lord gives His people strength." v10,11 One day everyone will acknowledge You as the King of kings. But today I do. I want You to be King in my life. Help me be second.

Part of my Journal, March 28

5:49 AM

Psalm 28

"Lord, I call to You; my Rock, do not be deaf to me." v1

"May the Lord be praised, for He has heard the sound of my pleading." v6

Lord, I call to You early in the morning and know You will hear me. You will hear me because You love me. I have no merit to bring to this relationship; You, and You alone, are good, holy, and kind.

You see me, however, as if I am righteous -- all because You chose to put on me the goodness and righteousness of Jesus. And what did He get in return? My ugliness, sin, and darkness. But His reward was resurrection and victory over death.

Your overwhelming grace is greater than my sin. I want to praise You for the grace and mercy You have extended to me. I just pray my life will reflect Your goodness in some way today. Thank You for hearing me. You don't have to.

From My Journal, March 26, 2011

Psalm 56:13 … God is the light of life.

There is no death in You, Lord. You are light. You are life. There is no light or life in the whole universe without Your expressed, deliberate operation. Light is not the nature of the world. It was found by You in darkness, and it was empty. You spoke and light shone on the earth. You spoke and life appeared.

You, Lord Jesus, are the Light and Life of me. I have no hope, no chance, no eternal prospects apart from the Light and Life You impart to me … because You love me. It's all a matter of grace. Pure grace.

What in the world is going on?

People are wondering what in the world is going on? Rebellions and uprisings; Islamic Jihad; earthquakes like the ones in Haiti and New Zealand; world wide seismic activity; rise in the frequency and intensity of violent crime; economic instability. All these events and activities have captured the attention of thinking Christians.

The truth is none of these are “signs” of the end. Jesus said when you see these things that the end is not yet.

Clearly, Jesus tipped us off to the two things, and only two things, that believers should be watching in the last days.

First, is that the Gospel will be taken to every nation. At least one person in every nation and people group will be introduced to the Gospel The death of 4 people killed by Somalian pirates is more of a sign of the end times than the uprisings in the middle east. Why? Those 4 people were attempting to take the Bible to the Far East. They were carrying out the command of Christ the “go in all nations.” That is relevant to end time prophecy.

Second, Jesus, and all of Scripture for that matter, told us that it’s all about Jerusalem. It’s not about world events or wars or pestilence. It’s about Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is the place the Messiah died for our sins; it’s where He rose from the dead; it’s place to which He will return; it’s the city He will replace with a whole New Jerusalem.It’s all about what happens to and in Jerusalem.

Many prophecy buffs try mark the time of Jesus’s return (against His specific command) from 1948, when the UN voted to establish the State of Israel. But that’s not as important as 1967 – when Israel reclaimed Jerusalem for the first time in 1,941 years.

Christians should be concerned with two things: 1. Taking the Gospel, and/or supporting the sending of the Gospel, to the world; 2. Praying for Jerusalem and the people of Israel.

What’s going on in the world is not nearly important as what is happening with the Gospel and with Jerusalem. What those two things.

Some Things We Never Forget

A representative to the U.S. House of Representatives is shot down, and others killed, at an otherwise happy, public event. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. Men, women and children who attended, and survived, will never forget the sights and sounds of that day. Some things you never forget.

I served in New York City as a chaplain immediately following the tragedy of 9-11. One assignment was to attend the funerals of first responders at St. Peter’s Cathedral. The grief on the faces of hundreds of firemen and policemen; the street lined with officers from all over the U.S. as the bagpipes played; the empty body-bags being carried on a fire truck; and the need for answers – and God – in every person’s eyes. Some things you never forget.

A seven year old first grade boy, doing what he does every other day of the week, was struck down as he crossed over to his house. The students on the school bus, the drivers waiting behind the bus while students disembarked, and the driver of the bus, and the driver of the pick up, were unwilling witnesses to this tragedy. Lives are changed forever in a flash, in a heartbeat, in just a moment’s time. Some things you never forget.

Where was God? If He is good, merciful, kind, and really loves us, where was God when all this happened? The answer: He was watching – and He was grieving – the same way He was watching and grieving the day His Son was being crucified on a cross. God’s Son died for our ultimate delivery from this earth of tears, pain, and death. I pray this is will one of those things we never forget.

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King, a Baptist preacher, stressed the viability of the Constitution of the U.S. and constantly urged Americans to seek the rights already guaranteed them therein. MLK knew that it was hard work, individual liberties, and constitutional government that would give all men equal opportunity and equal access to the pursuit of happiness.

There's a debate raging over which party MLK belonged to. The fact is, he stressed the tenets of Christianity and faith in Christ more than political parties. And with that being said, let's take a quick history lesson.

Most black voters in the 1950s and 60s were registered Republicans. In their segregated South, it was the democrats like Lester Maddox, Al Gore, Sr, and George Wallace that fought for segregation, "whites only" schools, and "separate but equal" public facilities. Even John F. Kennedy voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 when he was still a senator.

The Civil Rights Act of 1963 passed because of the Republican Senators that supported it. Al Gore's father voted against it. Senator Fulbright, Bill Clinton's hero, voted against it. Leading Democratic Senators across the board, mostly southerners, voted against it.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican appointed the Supreme Court justice that would lead the charge to overturn the Jim Crow Laws. It was Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, that maintained a strong hatred of slavery and racial injustice. A southern democrat killed him.

There were racist Republicans, too, like Senator Jesse Helms, but their voices never resonated among true constitutional conservatives or the Republican Party as a whole.

The debate goes back and forth about which party favors the minorities in this country. And there are racists in either camp. But it's the constitutional conservatives of BOTH parties that carried the day. Eventually, JFK came around and demonstrated conservative views. For example, he was pro-life and against big government handouts. Remember this: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." That should be a bumper sticker!

I say, let's drop the party labels of Democrat and Republican when we talk about the direction of our government. We should clarify whether a person is a constitutional conservative, or a constitutional revisionist. The framers of the Constitution were visionary, intelligent, God-fearing men. Most hated slavery but were unable to end slavery using the Constitution. The best they could do is include this: "all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; among which are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

They added "liberty" so that future courts and generations would be able to end the atrocity of slavery. They added "pursuit of happiness" because they knew it was not the government's place to guarantee happiness.

That's a fact that we learn from all the letters and journals written by these great men.

There's enough fault to go around in both parties. Let's stick to the Constitution as our one and only reference point for all our laws and government reach. Then, like President Washington said, we too will agree, that "no government can rightly rule without the Bible."

I, too, dream of a country where people are judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Thank MLK for that dream. I hope that dream will belong to all us one day.

With Christ in the School of Adversity

That’s right. Adversity is more than a painful experience or a challenge that threatens our peace and happiness. Besides being a “normal” part of living on this cursed planet, it is also a school where we learn a great many lessons. One lesson (and there will be a test later) is about how faithful we truly are. We also learn a lesson about the faithfulness and love of Jesus.

Sunday we will attend class with Jesus in the School of Adversity. Check out Matthew 14 then join us in person or via the internet as we attend class together.

Thoughts on Second Chances

"Lord, when I read about Peter slipping into the water I think of myself failing You. But then You didn't reject / discard Peter. You reached out and took him by the hand and drew Him to Yourself. Thank You for giving me one chance after another. I walk and sink; walk and sink; walk and sink. But each time You rescue me and draw me to Yourself…and then continue to work in and through my life. I just pray that when it's all said and done that You receive the glory and praise You deserve."

Sick or Not, God Remains Awesome

I've been sick all week. You know, a cold with sore throat, larygitis, coughing, sleepless nights. When your head feels kind of woosie it's hard to concentrate on important things. One thing is certain, no matter how I feel God is still the same -- He remains awesome.

One friend of mine had a clear MRI this week; another friend's brother succumbed to our enemy, death; another friend's house burned to the ground; but Jesus died to rescue us from this cursed earth. he remains awesome. Thank You, Father, for everything.

Used My Miracle Mouthwash

Well, I'm sick with a head cold, sore throat included. So, I made up a batch of my Miracle Mouthwash (actually got it from my doctor) and boy do I feel better!!
Try it. See the previous blog for the recipe. I forgot to put in the recipe to add a normal dose of Mylanta to the concoction.

MAGIC MOUTHWASH

My doctor gave me this formula last year when I was sick. It works!!

INGREDIENTS
One small tube of ORAJEL, CHERRY FLAVORED
Liquid BENEDRYL, CHERRY FLAVORED
Liquid MYLANTA, CHERRY FLAVORED

DIRECTIONS
Cut the back or bottom of the Orajel tube with scissors and empty the entire tube into a cup.
Add twice as much Benedryl as gel
And about 20cc of water (a spoon used to measure medicine or a cup that comes with Nyquil can be used to measure the water)
Mix the contents

APPLICATION
Take 5cc to 10cc by mouth, swish it around and gargle deeply, then swallow.
Repeat every 2-3 hours as needed.
The Orajel and Benedryl help numb the sore throat; the Mylanta is to make swallowing them easy on the stomach.

There you have it: Orajel, Benedryl, and Mylanta -- all cherry flavored. Don't make a face...try it.

A Great Prayer from Thomas a' Kempis

I cant' seem to copy and paste this prayer into this blog format. Please go to link I've provided and make this prayer your own. ----->

READING THE BIBLE

I've added a new element to my blog. It's called "Faith Comes by Hearing" and makes the New Testament available to my viewers. You can listen to the Word in the English Standard Version (a good translation). So, go ahead. Take advantage and have a listen.

It's not about us, and it's not about NOW

Humans are physical by nature. God made us that way. But since we are under the Curse of sin we think in the NOW and have lost sight of eternity. But life is not about us, and it's not about NOW. Life, real life, is about Jesus Christ and what He has in store for believers.
The earth is temporary, but we invest all our emotional and mental stock in it. Truly, we give very little thought to what outweighs everything else -- the Lord and Heaven.
Worship, life, and love... it's not about us, and it's not about NOW.

Heaven just keeps getting better

I really enjoyed working on my message today about Heaven. We're studying the New Jerusalem and WOW, today I was into the River of Life, the Tree of Life (which is totally amazing!!), and even the natural wonders of the New Earth.
Think of it, mountains, trees, valleys, sunsets, waterfalls, precious stones, rivers and so much more. I wonder if the New Earth will have beautiful rings like Saturn does now; or maybe numerous moons. Why not? God always improves and advances on His work.
It's exciting; just plain exciting.

Heaven

Many of you know that I'm preaching a series on Heaven right now. In the process of reading, studying and preparing for the messages, Heaven has become even dearer and more desireable to me. Heaven is not a city floating in the clouds, or a ghostly place with ghostly inhabitants. It is a robust, full of life place where people enjoy success, work, pleasure, fun and fellowship.
Maybe all of us should be pre0ccupied with Heaven. It's our home, our future, and the place where our Savior and loved ones are.
The series can be seen on our website at www.gracekaufman.org or ordered and viewed on DVD.
I wonder what it would be like to place catch with Jesus. I always wanted to surf...I think I'll get my chance, if I want it. Sound weird? Maybe. Maybe not.

I'm not a Republican, I just seem vote Republican

Someone asked me about this the other day, and in today's political climate, I thought I'd exercise my freedom of expression (while I still have it) and answer: "Are you a Democrat or Republican?"
Sure, I've voted for Democratic candidates before when what they stood for mattered to me. But that was a long time ago. It seems I only vote for Republicans lately. But I do know some good public servants today that are Democrats on the local level.
You see, I'm a conservative. I have certain beliefs and values. I believe in a small federal government and that it's the role of the federal government to protect the homeland "from enemies, foreign and domestic", not regulate toothpaste, which medical treatment I can recieve, car emissions, nativity scenes, religious expression or free enterprise. I believe that less taxes stimulate the economy, not more taxes.
I also believe in the sanctify of human life. I belief God created human beings and our "abortion on demand" policies, and "abortion for convenience", tells God we think He made a mistake. It's like telling God that His crowning creation is disposable!!
I believe that our nation was founded on certain Judeo-Christian principles that will keep us strong, or only lead to our destruction if we abandon them.
I vote for candidates that hold to these and other conservative principles. And it seems that Republican candidates tend to hold to these principles more than Democrats. I'm open to correction if I'm wrong.
So, when I vote for conservatives with biblical foundations, more often than not they tend to be Republicans.
I think I'll join the Tea Party, however. I think the next time there's a Tea Party gathering around here you might find me there.
Bottom line? I belong to a set of principles, not a political party. So, I vote for Life. If you have to pick a single issue, make it Life. If anyone thinks unborn life is cheap and disposable, they're going to think your life is cheap and disposable, too!

Is That All There Is?

Do you remember that song by Peggy Lee many years ago? She always expected the best and most exciting things to happen, and when they did, they weren't so great.
Why anyone loves this world with all its temptations, plagues, pain, troubles, adversity, and calamity is beyond me. Yet, even with so many miseries, one on top of the other, there are people who would love this world and do all they can to preserve it... to stay here!!
Don't get me wrong, I am the last person to advocate something like suicide -- that is never the answer. Never. But I am amazed sometimes at the pain and agony people will put themselves through so they can continue to suffer pain and agony.
It's always right to preserve life and give it the respect and protection it deserves. But we believers often lose sight of just how temporary and insignificant this "vapor" of a life is. In the vast configuration of things, God created us for so much more!
Okay, let's live on earth; let's work together for God's Kingdom; let's live in harmony in Christ's Church; let's try to preserve and defend life... but let's keep our eyes on the BIG PRIZE. The best isn't here on earth, it's what comes next that is most significant.
This isn't all there is!!

Heavenly Music!

There are certainly different kinds of music that is a part of the worship scene. In America we think that music is limited to what we call traditional, contemporary, southern gospel, or black gospel. Of course, in Africa or Indonesia they never heard of any of those styles of music. As a matter of fact, some places use drums as the driving instrument, and rythym, not melody as the main factor. Southern Gospel would scare them to death and Contemporary/Traditional music would be offensive.
Is there a best style of worship and best kind of worship music. The answer is YES!
The best style, in my humble opinion, is whichever style draws the most number of people together at one time for praising God. In some cultures that would be Black Gospel with the creative organ stylings that mark that sound. In other cultures it would drums and bamboo sticks. While in others it might be guitars, flutes, or bagpipes.
I like what Greg Laurie said in a newsletter someone sent me today: "Music is not an art form, it's a heart form."
There you have it. Music is our heart response to our Creator and Savior. If we can only get our personal preferences past the style, and unite around the words, then God would truly be glorified. Now, that's heavenly music!!

What if things go wrong?

That's a loaded question. We already know that things will go wrong. It's not because Obama is the president; or the Dems hold congress; or that terrorists are out to kill us; or that the economy and the dollar are heading down the proverbial toilet. Those are all symptoms of a bigger problem.
We live in a dimension of darkness and hardship. It's about time we face it... this is not a world conducive to the welfare of humanity.
But wait! It wasn't always that way. It was once an environment that was fully compliant with, and in unity with, the needs of human beings. It was a paradise; a utopia. But alas, Sin and Satan ruined it. Don't despair. Everything God is doing has one purpose, one intent, and only one outcome: the removal of Sin, the demise of Satan, and the renewal of Paradise!
What if things go wrong? Keep your compass calibrated toward God. He's the eventual winner!

Hang on, 2010 could be quite a ride!!

It would be possible to list a lot of bad things that could happen in 2010... things related to terrorism, accidents, economic woes, higher taxes, hurricanes, and, well, you get the idea.
On the other hand, everything that happens -- and I mean everything -- moves history closer to God's ultimate purpose. The fact is, Christians wouldn't be so depressed if they understood the undercurrent of God's activity. And, as I always say, "with Christ the best is always yet to come." Our best days are ahead of us!
So lets hang on together and ride this out. God is in it...whatever it is.

HAVE A CIGARETTE...PLEASE!

I remember the good ol' days with good ol' fashioned sins. I remember when smoking a cigarette was as close to devil worship as you could get. You were a "good Christian" if you didn't smoke, didn't cuss, didn't drink, didn't gamble and didn't dance. Oh, and I remember that in some church circles you weren't allowed to have "mixed bathing". Do you know what mixed bathing is? It's when boys and girls swim in the same pool or on the same beach. You could make certain church people freak out by showing up without a tie!
Today Christians are smoking joints (marijuana), shooting up drugs, cutting themselves, having online sex, getting abortions, beating their spouses and children, abandoning all standards of decency, and experimenting with homosexuality. This is not to mention the acceptable behaviors of slaughtering other reputations with gossip, splitting churches with power plays that match those of the corporate world, and stealing from God with lousy giving.
Between you and me, the next time I see a Christian have a cigarette, I'll just assume they're engaging in that "sin" to avoid something worse like getting high, cutting themselves, or beating up on someone.
Please, have a cigarette. You won't hear a sermon from me.

CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN FEAR

That's one of the stories you'll find on the FoxNews website today. In Pakistan there are believers living in a tent city because they were burned out of their homes last Christmas. This year, they've been warned that they will be burned alive inside their tents!
Why? Because they will not deny their faith in Jesus Christ!
So if you think the Christmas season is stress for you, just remember your brothers and sisters living (for how long?) in Pakistan, China, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, and many other places where faith in Christ is not welcomed....not even tolerated.
Hmmm. That's starting to sound a lot like places in the U.S.

Something Better than a White Christmas

"Come, let's discuss this," says the Lord, "though your sins are like scarlett they be as white as snow..."
You can dream of a white Christmas -- and I used to have plenty of Christmastime snow when I lived in Connecticut -- but an even greater reality is to dream of a place where the people are clean and white like snow. It's a real place called New Earth. (More on that later).
White Christmases will melt and become a memory. But when God cleanses your sins, you are truly whiter than snow.
The pigment used to make fabrics red or purple in the old days was like a permanent dye. If you got it on your hands it wouldn't come off. You were literally, "red-handed." But God says that even though our sins are that way -- permanent and indelible -- He is capable of cleansing us completely. And it's all because of the scarlett and crimson flow that came from the Messiah's sacrifice.
I think that's better than a white Christmas.

Twinkle, twinkle little star

"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are?"
And it's a good thing to wonder what that star is. It's probably not so little. It's probably 10, 100, or 1,000 times the size of earth. We just can't always tell by looking at stars from a distance just how big they are; how many moons they have; or what they're made of.
God is that way...don't underestimate Him just because He looks little to you. The fact is, He's a lot bigger than you can imagine. And the closer you get, the more you'll come to appreciate Him.
The magi appreciated the stars and that appreciation for God's creation helped them comprehend God's signs. It was a long trip, but they made it into the presence of deity!
It may seem like a long trip to you, but follow the signs God gives you and you'll find yourself in the presence of deity eventually.

A Person Can Only Take So Much Christmas

Have you been to the mall lately? It's a madhouse!! People pressed for time and short on money have everything on there mind but the reason for Christmas. You can only take so much.
And have you watched the news lately? Christmas is being dissed by the mainstream media and Christians are being ridiculed for wanting a simple manger scene displayed in public. The nerve of those Christians! You can only take so much Christmas.
Have you seen the Santas lately? I mean, they're everywhere. There's more Santas in Dallas County than in the skies of Bethlehem 2000 years ago. A person can only take so much.
But then, when we remember that Christmas is about Immanuel -- God actually being with us -- it helps us see that He loves us. But God was with us for a reason: thogive His life as a ransom for us. Now we know HOW MUCH God loves us.
A person can only take so much of Christmas -- but can never get enough of Christ!

How do you know where God would have you serve?

We are surrounded by lost and needy people...on every level. It can overwhelm the person of good will. Where do we start? How do we meet all these needs? How do we choose who to help?
First, we must remember that Jesus did not help everyone in Palestine. He didn't raise all the dead people in Bethany's local cemetary. Only Lazarus. And He didn't return life to every child that died in Israel. Only Jarius' daughter and the widow's son. With all those needs around Him, and with the eternal power of the One and Only Son of God, why didn't He just fix everything? He could have...but He didn't.
Seeing a need is not the invitation to get involved. It is where God is at work, in the midst of these needs, that we should get involved. God isn't working on every person, every place, all the time. He is at work in the lives of specific people, at certain places, at any give time. If we are close enough to Him -- where He has our ear -- He will reveal where He is at work and invite us join in.
It's not up to us to choose where and when we'll serve! And frankly, that's a relief.
"Lord, show me where YOU are at work today and invite me to join in."

In Every Life a Little Rain Must Fall

I could wax philosophical and compare these days of rain with life in general. You know, there are days of sunshine, rain, even days that are partly cloudy with intermitent rays of sunshine coming through. Days and days of rain tend to get tiring. Right?

Well, the truth is, the sun is shining full bore in all its glory! People leaving DFW in a plane will rise above the bleak clouds and see the sun as bright as ever. Whether we see it on the ground or not, the sun is still up there -- somewhere -- shining as usual.

In our darkest days (I'm talking about life now) there is a God that is still reigning, ruling and shining in heaven. He is still worthy of praise and glory. Nothing about His character or substance has changed at all. Like the sun, He is above our storm maintaining His place in the universe and in heaven.

Yes, in every life a little (or a lot) rain must fall. But thank God this is not our end. These rainy days will end, and so will this life. This life will give way to an eternal life in the presence of God. "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus; it will be worth it all, when we see Him."

Hang in there. The rain does stop...eventually.

Story Time with 'Mr. D"

The following article, written by Khindra Kent, that should appear soon in our local paper:

Dr. Darril Deaton is the Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church but once a month “Mr. D” comes to Helen Edwards Early Childhood Center to visit with the students. He brings with him value building stories and fun characters that really hit home with the kindergarteners he speaks to. “The students love seeing Mr. D. They look forward to his visits and really gain valuable life lessons from the stories he tells,” said Mrs. Kent.

“He is a positive male role model that the children can look up to,” added Mrs. Havas. Mrs. Dawson commented, “I love how the stories are interactive. He always has a repeated word or phrase in the story so the children can participate.”

The stories he tells cannot be found in any book. Mr. D tells stories that he creates on his own about characters the kids can relate to, like Mean Margie who doesn’t have any friends because she bullies everyone and Billy who doesn’t like the rules. His story telling style keeps the students involved, and when the tale has been spun and it’s time for him to go the children have learned a priceless lesson.

Before coming to the school, Mr. D asks the teachers what kind of lesson they need. A suggestion from Mrs. Gillenwater to have a lesson about the student’s need to always be first inspired ‘Me First Mikey’. Me First Mikey always insisted on being first at everything, but soon he realized that he had no friends because he didn’t share or take turns. Mikey was lonely so he changed his ways and started saying ‘You First’. Mikey made many new friends and realized that being nice to others was much more fun than being first at everything.

So if you ever hear a kindergartener from Helen Edwards talk about Tattletale Timmy, Lazy Larry, Friendly Freddie or Super Sally you will know that Mr. D has been spinning another yarn that perhaps has made an impact on their life in a positive way.

Socialism and the Gospel

So I heard about this professor that took the average test grades of the whole class and assigned it to everyone. So on the first exam the whole class got a B. The ones who studied hard were upset, the loafers were delighted. So the next exam, the ones who usually worked hard saw no point in making the effort, the loafers did even less. Everyone got a D. The total productivity of the class declined sharply as the professor took from the hardest workers and gave it to those who didn't work at all. But at least everyone was equal -- the playing field was leveled -- and everyone failed.

Socialism never has, and never will work. It only makes us equal in our suffering, and never provides the opportunity for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

But Christians should not get discouraged. The Gospel of Christ is suited for times like these. It transcends the cultural, political, and economic lines of a civilization. Everyone, the workers and the loafers, will eventually give an account before God for their sinful nature. In hard times, which socialism will surely produce, the Gospel becomes more attractive to people of every race, status, and gender.

I certainly oppose socialism -- where the talented are punished for excelling -- but it provides us with an opportunity to see that government does not have the answer to man's deepest woes; GOD DOES.

Through Christ we can come to the One that made us and loves us more than our government ever could.

Remember Our Roots

This nation, though many want to deny it, was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Not all of our founders believed in Christ, but they believed in God and the Bible. They believed in smaller, less intrusive government; reasonable taxation, but only after the people approved; and every person's right to worship as they chose. 

Sure, some of them had slaves. But they wrote into the Constitution that importation of slavery would end in 20 years -- thus, killing the perpetual slave trade, and eventually slavery altogether. 

I'm a descendant of a slave. That's right. The first Deaton in America, spelled Deighton, came to Virginia as an endentured servant -- a slave -- from England. His life was not his own. He had to work at any job he was given without complaining; could be abused and whipped; and had no will of his own. He was not captured and taken from his home, like African slaves, but slavery in any form is ungodly and disgusting. At least our founders made a way for that travesty to end.

Today, people want to forget the heritage that laid the foundation for this great nation. We can lose it all in a generation. The WWII generation is almost gone and aren't left to help us fight this tyranny. The rest of us need to wake up; speak up; and rise up in defense of our founding principles.

More importantly, on this 4th of July weekend, we need to intercede for this nation -- perhaps God will teach us a harsh lesson from this experience and then restore our greatness. Our most important "roots" are those that are in Christ. After all, He is the vine (roots on up) -- we are merely the branches.

The Problem is ME!

Reading the first letter of John this morning for a devotional time. It, the Word, tells us not to love the world or the things in the world -- because it's passing away and has no lasting value. (People, of course, have lasting value, so love them. It's the "things" of this world we are not to love.)

Again, the Word says the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of one's life are all from the world, not from the Father.

So, who can I blame for my sins? For my wrong thoughts? For my wrong ways? I could blame the world, but I'm responsible for my own priorities. I could blame the devil. It's true he lays a snare for me and all believers -- but the Spirit helps us side step those traps if we want Him to. So the devil can't be blamed for my sins. After all, he's only being himself.

No, it's me. It's my own "flesh", as the Bible puts it. It's the junk that's inside of me that acts out. 

The problem is ME!

The good thing is this: Jesus is the remedy. Whew! Thank You, Lord.

Keep Your Eye on Israel!!

Sometimes nations get so self-involved that they forget their lack of significance. Like individuals, nations can get an overestimated view of themselves. One example is the question many Americans have regarding the Bible and end time events: "Where is America in Bible prophecy?"

The answer: it isn't there. The U.S. doesn't play a significant role in the consummation of the nations. That suggests one of two things:

1. America either no longer exists as we know it, or it has at least lost its influence and power -- it's no longer the one and only superpower.

2. Israel is the center of Biblical prophecy. The whole of history hinges on Israel -- not Rome, not Greece, not Europe, and not even the United States. Maybe one reason America isn't mentioned in Biblical prophecy is that America is not important to the story...Israel is.

Conclusion:

In the news today, focus on Israel. Israel is where the action is going to be. And one other thing, to President Obama: you push Israel aside at the peril of the U.S. 

What We Know For Sure About the End of Time

The truth is, there isn't a lot that we know about the end of time. Yes, the Bible describes some of the "WHAT" events in vivid detail -- but many of those passages equally describe events that have occurred in world history. 

We don't know WHEN it will happen. The Bible doesn't give a date, only general events that would accompany the end of time.

HOW? We know a little about that. The world will be destroyed by fire instead a flood like the last time. But never fear, God establishes a new earth. Don't ask how. We don't know. But God is pretty good at creating things from nothing.

The WHO of end times includes all humanity with certain personalities that stand out -- there's a political, charismatic dictator that rules the world; a one-world religious leader that wants to bring all religions under one unbrella. Yeah, like that will happen. There are many other personalities that people like to talk about. But lest we forget, there's only one Personality that matters. The whole of time and eternity revolve around Him. We call Him Jesus Christ, but in that day He will have a new Name -- actually a lot of them. We'll have a new name, too. Sorry mom, "Darril" ain't gonna hack it in heaven.

Talk about all the details. Speculate on the when, and draw the obvious parallels between current events and Biblical prophecy. But all of that is secondary.

What we do know that is important is this: It's all about Jesus! He is the One we should concern ourselves with. Everything revolves around Him.

Well, that's it. The one thing we know for sure is that one day God will put a stop to all this idiocy and King Jesus will come again to earth -- this time to rule, not die. And Jesus accomplishes all He sets out to do.

One other thing. If you've entrusted yourself to Christ, you're in good shape when that day comes. And, if you continue to reject Christ, there will be hell to pay!!

Hate, murder, assassination, terroism, jihad and more

I used all those trigger words so someone on the internet will be alerted to this subversive article.

I want my government to know that no matter what they do, I am a loyal, traditional, law-abiding, constitution-loving American. Even though I can't stand President Obama's liberal and un-biblical positions, I want him to know that I would jump in front of a maniac and attempt to take the bullet for you. Here's why:

1. Jesus took the bullet meant for me when He voluntarily jumped in front of the assault on my soul and died in my place. To be like Jesus, I would have to be willing to take the bullet for a sinner like you!

2. I'm afraid I don't know if you're a true Christian. Nothing you've said indicates that God has much to do with your life. So I want you to stay alive long enough to give your heart and life to Jesus -- the real Jesus -- not the radical, angry, get-all-the-white-o-people Jesus. 

3. Jesus told us to love our enemies. I'd rather not consider you an enemy, but in the spiritual sense you're against most of what I believe about God. So, I should pray for you and your salvation.

That's enough for now. I'm hoping that you, Mr. President, will live a long prosperous life until you give it all to Jesus. That's the only true meaning one can have in life -- an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus.

So let's get rid of hate, murder, assassination, terrorism, jihad and such. Let's move beyond all that to Christ.

You want a lasting legacy, Mr. President? In the end, only what's done for Christ will last. So live for Jesus, that's what matters

GF's Website

If you haven't done it lately, you need to explore the website for Grace Fellowship. (www.gracekaufman.org). It has all kinds of stuff on it -- and it's updated all the time. You can find information about the church, of course, but also a gillion photos, information about everything from VBS to missions. 

Our message from the previous Sunday(s) is available for listening or viewing!

In addition, there are a number of good articles on the left hand column. Scroll down and click on one of the very relevant and real subjects. Everyone is covered... children, parenting, teaching, and all kinds of things. These articles are changed weekly and it doesn't take that long to read them

I use the one that's always aimed at pastors (you're not allowed to read that part) LOL.

So check out the site -- DAILY.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Remember The Karate Kid? He would always say that: "What goes around, comes around." Everyone got excited at such a wise and wonderful insight. But even experts in eastern martial arts can occasionally stumble upon an eternal truth.

It was God that said, "cast your bread upon the water, and in due time, it will return to you." 

What you invest in the lives of others; what you invest in your church; what you invest in the spiritual truths of God will all one return to you. I can't say when, and I can't say how....that's God business. That must be why Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." How you treat others will ultimately affect how you're treated.

The converse is also true. If you invest in false realities, Satanic deceptions, and selfish attitudes it will come back to bite you. I can't say when, and I can't say how... that's God's business. But it will get you.

Live for Jesus, that's what matters. \O/

Be Encouraged ... the Bad News is Really Good News

Far too many Christians are discouraged by the economic news and world-events. Our president is making friends with our enemies, chumming it up with those who would destroy us, and bowing to those who support terrorism. At home the economy goes south - people lose their jobs, taxes go up, and vital government agencies, like the Dept or Defense, are told to make cutbacks. Let's give money to banks that don't need it, but stop funding the F-22 Fighter. 

Alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual perversion, gang murders, lawlessness, and godless liberalism have soared. The enemies of Israel are preparing to wipe it off the face of the earth. The nations are encircling the middle east, as if a great war will one day occur there.

What's a Christian to do?

Be encouraged!! Didn't our Lord say these things would happen first? We are the conquerors, the winners, the ones who will be vindicated by the King of All. If Jesus is in complete control and is working all things for our good, then why the long faces and discouraged emotions? 

With Jesus, the best is always yet to come. Be positive. Be encouraged. Aren't you the least bit excited to see what God is going to do next?

A Christian's Perspective on Obama

You should be excited...”don’t be anxious abput anything...”, as Paul would say. And I’ll tell you why.
First, be sure that Obama’s policies are unbiblical, ungodly, unconstitutional, and un-American. He will be accountable to God. (Hopefully, the voters will hold him accountable in four years).
But never fear. Everything Obama and his rogues do, plays into the hands of a great God. As believers, we are behind enemy lines and we should expect nothing less than tribulation, persecution, and turmoil. This world is not a friendly place for anyone, especially believers. We've had way too easy in America.
What is occurring now is a precursor to “something”. Perhaps the great tribulation. Perhaps the greatest revival America has ever seen! In any case, God is moving the world in the direction it has to go. And I think the Lord Jesus is guiding His Bride into the direction she needs to go. It’s actually exciting, not so scary.
Am I concerned for our country? Of course. But the United States is not my destiny. I believe that political conservatism will be re-energized and rise up to reverse and redeem some of Obama’s errors. And I also believe that Christian conservatism, a biblical world view, will gain strength and credibility because of these events.
Sometimes you need “darkness” to come along to contrast with “light”. In that case, Obama’s gang certainly meets a need. LOL
Don’t fear. Wait and see what God is up to. Whatever it is, we need to make sure we’re ready for it...ready to pray, ready to witness, ready to do whatever He opens for you.

My Answer to a Dear Friend's E-mail

A FRIEND OF MINE IN NC SENT AN E-MAIL EXPRESSING DISMAY WITH PRES. OBAMA AND DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE AMERICAN VOTERS. MY RESPONSE:

It's always good to hear from you...even when you're mad!! LOL

Well, this "king" infuriates me, too. And so do the people that voted for this yo-yo. Okay, now that I have that said....

God used to allow idiot kings to take the throne in the Bible, too. Sometimes to teach the people a lesson; sometimes to make things bad enough to draw people to Himself; but sometimes so His people will repent of their sins and get their act together.

I suppose all these can be true of Obama. But let me warn you: it is going to get worse before it gets better.

Did you see how the Republicans in congress--every single one except 3--stood up to Obama. It's about stinking time!!!! Finally, when faced with disaster, defeat, and overwhelming evil, they finally grew a collective backbone, returned to their basic principles, and did the unpopular thing....but the right thing.

That's what Christians can do now. Return to our principles, no matter how unpopular, and speak the truth. Fight the battles. And die if necessary. It's about time for believers to realize the war we are in -- have always been in -- and be the people of God.

This is all a great opportunity for the cause of Christ. Really. So keep your eyes on Jesus. They can take your income, your freedom, and your home, but they can't take Him away!

Praise His Name for this opportunity. Now, if the church will only grow a backbone, too.

“May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.” -Psalm 20:4

She Did It!

I knew she would, too. Today, Denise (my daughter) passed her "bar exam" for counseling. She has spent countless hours studying for this exam. Today she passed the text easily. She's smart. She's good. But please don't tell her I said that.

Anyway, she's on her way now. I'm proud of her.

Praise the Lord!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Someone recently e-mailed me and said that with the liberal, ungodly socialistic package being shoved down our throat that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting smaller. As a conservative I am as upset as anyone else at the things in this legislation. 

Example? Millions given to renovate colleges and universities for future generations of scholars. Sounds good, but in the fine print no Christian college or faith-based school -- not even secular schools that allow worship on campus -- are disqualified from getting funds. On the other hand, it pays for all kinds of money to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (abstinence-based education is not one of the options).

Any way, my point is that if the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be dimming, that's no cause for alarm. First, because nothing happens without being sifted through God's divine will. And, second, because I keep my eyes on a different Light. The world is not able to comprehend it, nor extinguish it. If anything, it's getting brighter!

So, Christian...look to the Light. Look to Jesus and "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

I am not preoccupied with tithing and giving!!

I challenged every member of Grace Fellowship to tithe, "give the full 10%", this year. Since before Thanksgiving I have been reminding and encouraging the church to give according to the Biblical ideal. 

Some people might say that I'm preoccupied with the giving of our members. Wrong. I'm preoccupied with the blessing of our members.

The promise, folks. Focus on the promise. "If you tithe, give the full 10%, I will pour out a blessing that you will not have enough room to receive it." That's it! It's the blessing I want FOR my people, not money FROM my people. It's the blessing!! Get it? The blessing!!

So give the full 10% as a starting place of stewardship and test God's honesty. God wants to bless you more than He wants your dough. Trust Him.

This Could be the Year!

Last year at this time there was no way of knowing that my dad would die in a couple of weeks. There was nothing to indicate that he would soon  pass away early on a Monday morning. So, in many ways I approach a new year anticipating that anything, and I mean anything, could happen.

That includes the second coming of Christ. He could come at anytime. This could be the year that Jesus calls His church home. That would great!!! I have so many loved ones and friends I'd love to see again -- not mention the chance to bow personally in the presence of the Almighty God and His precious Son, my Savior, Jesus.  

It seems to me that the world is rushing to a climactic event -- and any climactic event that may occur in the world always includes the personal involvement of Jesus Christ. So even economic woes, wars and rumors of wars, and the moral failure of our country are a part of a greater, holier picture.

I know 2009 could be the year that the church could really shine. A chance to be the Body of Christ it is supposed to be. Stop all of this traditional churchianity and move outside -- way outside -- its worldly  comfort zone. The church is the supernatural reflection of Christ on earth, or is supposed to be. You don't see it, but it belongs to Christ and should start looking like it.

I am praying that 2009 will be the year that the church acts like what it is supposed to be -- the Bride of Christ in the world.

Our best opportunities lie before us.  This could be the year that your life makes a difference for Jesus. It's up to you...and me.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Hallelujah! My Girl Did It!

Well, she did it.

My daughter, Denise, graduated today with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

It took a lot -- and I mean a lot -- of hard work. But she's completed the work, endured the hardship, and made it. Working various jobs, including shift manager at Starbucks, teaching classes at church, handling a counseling load through her school and through the church, playing keyboards in the worship band, and driving hours at a time to get back and forth from Kaufman, to Ft. Worth, to Weatherford, etc. etc. etc. -- I mean it, she worked hard!

I'm proud of her, of course. But I can tell you, putting parental bias aside, she is really an insightful, compassionate, and knowledgeable counselor. That's not just her daddy talking.  Well, maybe a little, but it's still true!

Pray for Denise to find a good position/ministry ... first she has to pass a major knowledge test, short of a bar exam for counselors in January. She'll be studying all this month and next.

Anyway, daddy is proud...so is mom.

This is the part I hate...

I love Christmas. I love the family traditions that we've developed over the years, and I love the music -- old and new. 

Many people seem to think that Christmas is the Savior of our economy. Already  today (Saturday) we've heard the shopper reports about "Black Friday". People look to this time of year to pull our economy out of the doldrums. Of course the world misses the whole point.

But I like buying and giving gifts, so I'm not completely adverse to the commercial hype.

This is the part I hate: Santa Clause. I'm sorry that the legend ever got started, because it's been carried too far. I mean, Santa has the attributes of Jesus: he lives forever, he knows if you've been good or bad, and knows when you're sleeping or awake. 

Alongside the stories and expectations of Santa we also teach the nativity story and all about Jesus. So on the one hand we tell them a fictional story about a character that has the attributes of God -- but one day we'll tell them that's a lie -- and on the other hand we'll tell them about a little baby surrounded by animals without really emphasizing His royal deity -- but that turns out to be the truth. 

I even heard a commercial on TV that said (and I quote) "without Santa there would be no childlike faith." You've got to be kidding!!

I've known a lot of kids who grew up without the Santa myth. Their parents never did the "Santa is coming tonight" thing. I'm one of them. Dawn and I didn't bring our kids up with Santa. They were just as happy and surprised by what they received on Christmas, but they knew it from their dad and mom. 

Santa is the part I hate about Christmas. The truth has been diluted with a cute little story that "harms no one." But why dilute the truth at all? It saves us from having to explain the difference and sort out truth from error.

May God bless your ministry today.

A Heavenly Hedge Against Hard Times

God never promised that we would not experience difficulty and hardship. When evil and adversity assails the world, believers get caught in the turmoil. Jesus said, "you will have tribulation." We are not immune to the things that befall our neighbors and friends.

However, there is a Heavenly Hedge for believers that are faithful and obedient. Based on the Word of God; and based on what I know about the character of God; and based on the history of God's care for His people I have the conviction that there is only one sure cushion against hard times.  It's tithing.

They say that when times are tough for Americans they tend to save their money instead of spending it. Which only harms the overall economy further. And our tendency as believers is hang onto our money and protect our resources...even to the point of not giving cheerfully to Kingdom causes.

But if God promises to His people that He will bless us when we give the full 10%; and if God promises to "rebuke the devourer" for us (that's whatever threatens our income and survival); then I believer the best hedge against experiencing the full impact of a chaotic world economy is giving, not saving; tithing not hoarding. 

...Just a thought.

I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU

PASTOR'S CHALLENGE FOR 2009:

I am challenging every believer to take up this challenge. God said He would bless those who bring the full 1o% into the "storehouse" (an offering room in the temple) so that expenses could be met for maintaining the house of worship. He even went further. He promised to "rebuke the devourer" on our behalf -- whatever it is that devours the fruit of our labor and threatens our economic security.

I'm challenging You -- no, God challenges You -- to tithe and see if He doesn't bless Your efforts to be obedient and give.

Well, that's my challenge. Give a full 10%  (of gross, not net) in 2009. Will take up the challenge? I double dog dare you!

May God bless your ministry today.

Obama wins...a breakthrough?

All the mainstream media celebrates the election of Barak Obama as the 44th president of the U.S. In their jubilation many are saying that this demonstrates the decline, if not the demise, of racism in our country. The fact that a black man could be elected president proves we've come a long way.

But that's not what I see. When Obama carried many states because of the black and hispanic vote, it seems that race is what got him elected. I have two questions:

1. Is voting for McCain and against Obama simply because Obama is black racism? After all it's a decision based solely on one's preference for one race over another.

2. Is voting for Obama and against McCain simply because Obama is black racism? After all it's a decision based solely on one's preference for one race over another.

So I'm not seeing a breakthrough in terms of racism in America. Quite the contrary. Racism works in both directions. I see a country more divided over race than ever. Especially with all the threats of riots and rebellion if Obama didn't make it. What's up with that? That's not a racist threat?

Several other observations: 

1) A "religion friendly" government is about to end; faith-based initiatives started by President Bush and opposed by democrats in congress will be threatened.  

2) Look for attacks, via "The Fairness Doctrine", against conservative talk radio. The liberal congress and president will not go after the New York Times or MSNBC for their sever liberal bent, but they'll go after Limbaugh, Hannity, and others... maybe even FoxNews. 

3) Look for new bold initiatives to increase abortion rights and gay marriage. The gay agenda suffered some big losses in this election (there's always a bright spot), but now you'll see abortion friendly and gay friendly judges nominated and sworn into office. 

4) Taxes WILL go up. Obama promised to end the "Bush tax cuts" ASAP. I don't know about you, but I got a tax cut with Bush's plan, now I'll get an instant increase in taxes when Obama ends that program....and so will you. (and I fall well below the arbitrary line Obama has set that separates the middle-class from the wealthy.)

5) Watch for subtle attempts to subvert the Constitution of the United States; attempts to replace capitalism and free market with government controls on profits; and watch for attempts, ever so subtle, to oppress free religious expression by churches and religious organizations. 

6) Watch for a new tone on the national level -- a tone of anger, arrogance, and superiority...as conservations and Christians are made fun of and relegated to the back seats of influence. 

Those are just a few precautions and predictions. The Word of God and evangelical Christians have been under attack during this election. The women on The View, Opray, and MSNBC  will be real tickled with the results of this election. But dear fellow believer, in the words of an old hymn: "Be not dismayed what'er betide, God will take care of you."

It is in difficult times -- times of financial stress, political unrest, and subtle/not so subtle persecution that the church grows, people turn to God, and Christ comes shining through. One of our greatest opportunities for evangelism and harvesting may be dead ahead of us. 

People will soon find out that Obama is NOT the messiah they thought he'd be. Some of them will turn to the true Messiah that doesn't need their vote, but wants their heart. 

So, Obama's election is not a breakthrough in the way the news media will portray it. But it may be a breakthrough in the months and years ahead for the gospel. Nothing happens that doesn't cross God's desk first!

Why Things Happen the Way They Do

There are 13 reasons why things happen the way they do -- good things and bad. Our conflicts and blessings all occur because God has a plan for our lives.

The number one reason why things happen the way they do is:

God is bringing us into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.

What makes Jesus the Lord, the Savior, the Messiah is not the healings, the miracles, and all the caring He showed to humanity. What makes Jesus, Jesus to me, is the cross -- the sacrificial suffering and death of Jesus!

Now if we are to be conformed to the image of Jesus it will require adversity, conflict, betrayal, disappointment, and suffering. Jesus warned us that for us to be like Him -- to follow Him -- we will have to "take up your cross daily". 

God wants us to be like Jesus. It will not happen without conflict and adversity!

There are 12 other reasons why things happen the way they do, but it will always include reason number one: to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

You can follow this series at www.gracekaufman.org -- the messages in this series are available for viewing or for downloading to your MP3 player.

The Church Ain't a Service Center

Maybe it's because we live in a "what's in it for me" world; or maybe it's because people just expect to be given things without accountability or responsibility; but for whatever reason, many folks think the church is a service center...a place where handouts are freely given to all who ask.

People that never attend our church will call and ask for assistance with gasoline, their electric bills, or other financial emergencies. Of course now we send them to the Christian Help Center where other local churches assist in meeting these kinds of needs. The point I want to make is this: people think it's okay to just show up on our doorstep and ask for money. Some even get angry if we don't!

But often church members have the same worldly attitude toward the church. They act as if the church is here to service them, meet their needs, massage their ego, tickle their fancy. And if it doesn't, they'll just go to another one -- or maybe not even go to church at all. How short-sighted. They may even be deceived by Satan himself into thinking the church owes them something.

When will Christians learn the true nature of the church -- it's not where you come to get served; it's where you come to serve! It's not a place where you come to get anything; it's a place where you come to give. 

Where in the world is the sacrifice for heaven's sake?!!

The Way Things Ought to Be -- a Trip to Connecticut

I know Rush Limbaugh wrote a book by that title, The Way Things Ought to Be, but there are times when it is clear how things should be working out. 

Dawn and I have been taking a long weekend to visit New England. It's beautiful here. We hit the leaves right at their peek time. The glowing reds, yellows, and oranges are beyond words. Yesterday (Saturday) we went with friends from Connecticut on a drive into southeastern Massachusetts. We went through Sheffield, and Stockbridge (where Norman Rockwell painted), Lee and Lenox. We stopped at little shops and inns along the way. The kind of places you can only find in New England.

Today we visited Friendship Baptist Church, where I was the pastor for almost 12 years. We greeted and hugged a lot of good friends. Many of these folks we led to Christ or was used by the Lord to help them grow into Him. The church is still involved in all kinds of missions -- the way things ought to be. They still have strong discipleship groups on Sunday evening and throughout the week in people's homes -- the way things ought to be. And they are in the process of calling a new pastor from Ohio who preaches the word, loves doing missions, and wants to be innovative -- the way things ought to be.

Tonight, we had dinner with a couple that I had the privilege of marrying. I remember when they came to me for counseling. The young lady was a Christian but her pastor would not even consider performing the wedding because the man wasn't a Christian. But I didn't want to miss an opportunity like this and agreed to talk with them -- even though they had never been to the church before.

   The young man said that he as a computer techy and thought in concrete, scientific terms ... and he could not see how believing the Bible's idea of God was logical or see the need to "receive" Christ. I made a deal with him. I promised I would marry them, no matter what he did -- whether he believed or not -- if he would allow me to share the gospel during counseling and agree to ask me the hard questions with the chance to respond. He agreed.

   That man is on the pastor search committee that is helping to lead the church in finding a pastor. My heart gave God praise as he talked about seeking a pastor that studied and taught the Word rightly. His spiritual growth the last few years is clearly evident -- the way it ought to be. 

You know, a man does not need to have a building with his name on it, or have a town named after him, or hold a world's record in something. The deepest satisfaction comes when a pastor can see the work of God in the lives of other people. There is no substitute for knowing that people have come into an eternal relationship with God because of your ministry. There is no greater affirmation of a person's ministry than to see young people growing up to serve God and make the commission of Christ their life priority. That's the way things ought to be. 

May God continue to bless Friendship as they call their new pastor and move forward in obedience to Christ. 

But I also pray that Grace Fellowship, the place God has me serving right now, will also move forward in obedience to Christ. May all of our members be able to see the eternal, supernatural working of God in the lives of many, many people who pass through our wake. May we rejoice in the continued service of growing, obedient disciples of Jesus -- that 's the way it ought to be.

May God bless your ministry today. He has certainly blessed mine!

Disaster Affects Everyone

Yes, I haven't posted since August -- as my daughter is happy to point out. I was posting regularly until disaster struck -- Hurricane Ike. Disasters change everything. Let me name a few....

First, it interrupts the flow of life like bloggers. Why? At least for me, because I am a Victim Chaplain and I led a team of responders to care for a large, chaotic shelter of evacuees from the Beaumont area.

True, it was only open for a week, but it interrupted my routine.

Second, it interrupts the lives of the people living in the stricken areas. It destroys homes, washes away heirlooms, and robs a family of their pictures and memories. It causes the loss of income, even jobs, and the interruption of schoolwork. It separates friends and families who have to evacuate to different places.

Third, it affects the lives of responders like our Victim Relief Team from Kaufman. Schedules and families are put on the back burner while responders care for the needs of others.

There are other lives and institutions that are affected, but let these examples suffice for my purposes here. 

We are trying to raise funds to equip a Disaster Response Trailer. The radios are paid for, but a generator and other essentials are yet to be paid for. If you can help let me know. We are in need of about $4000.

God bless your ministry today.

The Shack

The Shack, a fictional work by William Young, has become rather controversial. Some call it heresy. Others call it one of the great writings of modern Christianity.

I read The Shack. I liked the Shack. I have recommended The Shack to others and loaned out a number of copies -- I've given away even more.

People smarter than me have really cast some weighty stones at the book. But, you know what? I like it.

There's a few problems, but taken as a whole, it teaches some profound truths about God. You just have to put aside some of the preconceived notions you have about the Bible to appreciate the deeper truths it teaches.

Anyway, I've read blogs that support The Shack and those that are highly critical. Someone steered me to a good blog by a man I really have confidence in, Mart DeHaan of the Radio Bible Class. Please check it out for yourself.

www.beenthinking.org/2008/08/20/the-shack/

Locally, you can get The Shack at Servant's Bookstore. It can be found in our Media Center, too. Or, it can be ordered online at Barnes and Nobel, Amazon.com, etc.

Wanted: Imperfect People

How many Christians will attend church this week with the intent to impress? They put on their "going to meetin'" clothes and make sure they make a good impression. Underneath, however, there's confusion, conflict, and addictions. They make a good impression all right, but not with God. He knows.

How many Christians will attend church this week with the intent to cover up? They want to cover up their frailties and failures. They will never get help because they cover up their need. Maybe they should find a church that welcomes frailties and failures!

I don't want the "elite Christians" at Grace Fellowship. There's enough churches down the road that will welcome them. I want the people that haven't arrived yet. I want the believers that want to be discipled; that want to follow Christ; and they know they have a way to go.

Check out the short video clip that I just added to the site. It reflects my thoughts. I hope it reflect yours.

YOU MAKE ME SICK!

“Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.”            

That’s right, Jesus actually told some church members that they made Him sick. And, frankly, there are times I feel His pain.

There are two kinds of Christians that make me sick. The first are the ones Jesus was thinking about in Revelation. They are the pompous, know-it-all, have-to-be-in-the-loop, “pillars of the church”.  They’ve been members for so many years, attended Sunday School regularly, and contributed to the church often. Yet, when it comes to really obeying the Bible and learning to live in a loving relationship with others, they stink! They make Jesus sick. They make me sick, too. I often wonder when certain Christians will grow up and act with forgiveness, understanding and love. We have a nursery for our infants and sometimes I can think of some adults that belong there.

The other kind of Christians that make me sick are the ones who choose to live in ignorance of the Bible. No way is God honored by believers remaining ignorant of the Word, but you’d be surprised how many are flat out ignorant of the Word. They are devoid of understanding its principles and the ways of God, but they still have an opinion of other Christians.

Jesus may be living in both of these kinds of Christians, but you can’t convince me He feels at home.

I guarantee you that at Grace Fellowship, we will teach, preach and practice disciple-making. And anyone who puts forth the effort, and is willing to turn the power of God loose in their life, will have the opportunity to experience the fullness of God.

Follow Christ with your whole heart, be grown up, and be a gracious Christian, and you won’t have to be a Christian that makes Jesus sick. You’d be doing me a favor, too. 

Sorry for such a delay in posting

I'm sorry for the delay in posting an article lately. It's been a busy July. I was out of town with our mission team to Connecticut. The team returned exhausted. Not only were we busy every single day but the trip was tiring.

We traveled in our new 26 passenger bus -- it really worked out better than a couple of vans. After making the trip two years ago in a 15 passenger van, this was wonderful. Long, but wonderful. We can make the trip driving straight through, including stops and meals, in an easy 34 hours.

This mission team is one of the best I've ever traveled with...and I've traveled with a lot of them over the years. Grace Fellowship can be proud of the maturity and dedication of these adults and youth. They knew their job and did it well.

This year we made a number of real positive contacts with adults -- either through our day camp ministry or some survey work in the neighborhoods. We were hoping the surveying would turn up more people, but in CT people just don't answer their door to strangers. But they need Jesus, so we'll pray for New Beginnings in Meriden, CT. They've got a huge job ahead.

New Beginnings also presented our team and Grace Fellowship with a plaque recognizing our service in Meriden. May the Lord reap the harvest and the praise.

I'm Getting Tired of "Church as Usual"

I know we each have our own comfort zones, but this ain't working. Doing "church as usual", you know, the way we've done it for a hundred years, ain't getting the job done!

Disciples aren't being made; the lost aren't being reached; churches are splitting out of worldliness; Islam is sweeping the world along with every New Age religion that comes along; and attendance to services, for most believers, is deemed optional. If attendance to worship with other believers is deemed optional you can imagine how "taking up our cross and following Jesus" is applied.

So maybe "church as usual" has got to change. I'm open to new ideas. How about mandatory discipleship classes -- that's right, I said mandatory. Maybe it's time we began to expect more from people whose names are on the church roll.

What if churches were to take attendance every Sunday morning, and evening, and Wednesday...to see who is really loyal and supportive. I can hear the uproar now from the occasional attender and "just-enough-to-get-by" church member.

Forget Sunday School. That's right, I said forget Sunday School. Sunday School was invented by visionary men that brought unschooled child laborers to a place on Sunday where they get educated and hear about Christ. It was invented for lost people, for heaven's sake. Now, however, most churches have Sunday School for saved people while the lost are left to fend for themselves. Our actions tell a lost world: "to hell with you." (Hell is not a bad word, just a bad place).

I've got other thoughts and ideas on this, but let those three be enough to get us started thinking: what does it mean, in a world hostile to the things of God, to be a Christian? I mean really, what does it mean to be a follower of Christ? I'm getting tired of the ineffective, powerless, impotent "church as usual" ritual we follow.

Latest Reading

Want you to know what I've been reading lately and recommend a couple of books to you.

First, is The Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus.
Second, is Pagan Christianity by Viola and Barna.
And for fiction fans I've just finished The Shack by William Young.

I highly recommend these books to you. The first discusses the type of people God really intends for Christians to be. The world will consider them barbarians, uncultured, backward. But that's what they thought of Jesus, too.

The second explains all the church and religious traditions we follow and where they came from ... and how they have no foundation in Scripture.

The third is about a father who lost his 6 year old daughter to a violent death, and how God confronts him with His love, reasons, and abundant grace.

There's a few others, but supper is ready and Denise cooked it.... gotta try this.

Sad News Today

Some years ago there a great woman in my church that had committed her life to Christ. For several years she grew spiritually and was very active in ministry. I remember many days when she organized and facilitated a ministry to children in a mult-housing complex in Torrington, CT. She was great with kids. I actually saw her lead children to Christ.

But something snapped. She had a baby -- a beautiful baby girl that I saw just last year -- she's about 10 now. We don't know what happened...if it was related to post-partem depression or other factors. But she became a completely different person. She left home, left her family, left her church, and left all that was good to live on the street. It was really weird. And sad.

Friday, July 4th, she was found dead. Alone. Probably from an overdose.

I remember her daughter coming to the altar week after week to pray for her mommy to come home. The girl who still lives with her father, loved her mother and longed to have her home. But drugs and sin will distort a person's perspective and take their minds captive.

While other people post their MySpace blogs today and talk of partying, drinking, and taking drugs, my heart is broken for those who have lost their families, their comforts, and their lives to these addictions. :(

We're Now On the Web

Tell your friends -- you know, the ones you can't get to attend church -- to check us out on the internet. All you have to do is go to our website: www.gracekaufman.org and select the message you want to hear or watch. It's easy.

You can also view the messages in the event that you're out of town or ill that day. We're even thinking about streaming our services live on the internet so you can watch our services as they occur. That way if you're sick, you can still be a part of your church family.

Check it out.

Mercy

The word "mercy" has several applications in the English language. Two definitions found in the dictionary are:

1. Compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender
2. Compassionate treatment of those in distress

Whether a person is suffering stress and conflict, or they are guilty of offending another person, mercy cannot be received unless it is first given.

In other religious systems, such as Islam, mercy is not a dominate characteristic. But the heart of Christianity -- the very foundation of our salvation -- is mercy.

Christ was superior in showing mercy. From the helpless sick He healed, to the guilty offender He had forgiven (e.g. Zachias, dying thief etc), Jesus provided great mercy.

The process is supposed to continue with us. Christians, of all people, should be people of mercy. But we aren't. I often meet people who stay away from church because of the conflicts, divisions, and hostility they've seen among believers -- all without mercy for one another.

Mercy must begin in the church of Jesus Christ. No one but forgiven sinners are as qualified to show mercy. Let's apply the mercy we've received to others.

Keep Your Civilized Faith

You can keep your civilized faith, your domesticated, docile, acceptable, stereotype of Christianity.

There was nothing civilized about Jesus. His whole life ran contrary to the accepted norms and religious traditions of His time. He took risks. He was an innovator.

Jesus didn't come to save us from hell, which seems to be evangelical's preoccupation. Missing hell and judgment is a part of the benefits of salvation, but even more than that, Jesus died to put us into a community -- to give us a family; to make us children of God.

And Jesus never promised to save us from pain, suffering, and conflict. But He did promise to give our lives meaning. He has given us a purpose, a reason to live, work, and survive.

Domesticated believers take the path of least resistance and avoid conflict -- with the world and with other believers. But Christ never took that path, and neither should we.

Keep your civilized faith that makes no demands on you. For me, I'm willing to take some risks, be embarrassed, and take some knocks in the pursuit of following Christ. And you?

Who says there's only one way to do things?

I like to try new things, to do things different from time to time. It's good to put a fresh spin on things and try a creative approach. This is especially true of church.

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a worship rut and that I need some spontaneity when God's people come together. I've seen serious conflicts arise between believers when the traditional worship service is threatened with anything new. A change in the order of worship, dropping the time honored doxology, trying a contemporary song, not having a special music during the offering, or not having an invitation can cause heart failure for some traditionalists.

What about these ideas? Have our corporate worship service first, starting at 10, a brunch time, and then have Sunday School to follow it. Yes, flip things around. Where's the law that says we have to do Sunday School anyway?

I'd like to do without a printed order of worship and just have an announcement page or weekly news page. How about having the sermon at the beginning of the service and everything else after that? What about a service with no music at all? Or, no sermon?!!

If we have to have a Sunday evening gathering, why not do it at, say, 3:00? You know, go to lunch after Sunday School, come back for discipleship/fellowship, then go home early and get a good night's rest.

These are just a few ideas to get your cognitive juices flowing. You can probably come up with some ideas, too...but only if you can think past the traditions you've become comfortable with. If you get some new ideas let me know. Let's brainstorm. Who says there's only one way to do things?

An example of domesticated Christianity

First, I regret that the young lady in this story died. There's nothing good about the abortion industry. People die. Babies die. People are permanently sterilized or injured. That being said, the story on the FoxNews website tells how she died from taking abortion pills. But here's the paragraph you ought to read:

Manon Jones, 18, described by her mother as a devout Christian teen, opted to terminate her pregnancy at six weeks because she feared the pregnancy would cause conflict within her "Muslim" boyfriend's family, the Daily Mail reported Friday.

This demonstrates how Christians have become domesticated, civilized, and otherwise ineffective. A young woman designated as a "devout" Christian has pre-marital sex; attempts to have an abortion and kill a living baby; and all this from a boyfriend that is a Muslim. In addition, it was concern for the Muslim faith that drove her decision to have an abortion. Too bad concern for her Christian faith didn't lead her to abstinence.

The church has got to stop being acceptable to the world. Our decisions cannot be driven or influenced by what civilized society accepts. Maybe we need to redefine what a "devout" Christian is!

Supreme Court -- Supreme Error

Well, once again the liberals on the Supreme Court have acted foolishly and crippled the integrity, safety, and sovereignty of the U.S. They have just said that enemy combatants and murderers captured in the War on Terror -- people that could have legally been just killed on the battlefield -- have access to our civil courts in the U.S. That's right, these non-citizens, who would just as soon destroy our Constitution and all it stands for, have just been given standing in our civil courts!

Our own military personnel, citizens of the U.S., don't have access to civil courts, for heaven's sake. They have to be tried by military courts -- they can't appeal to a judge to have their case transferred to a civil court. Yet, our Supreme Court has given these foreign rogues access to OUR courts.

These people, the 5 Justices that voted to do this, are nuts!!

There. I had to vent. Do I feel better? Wish I did.

Marriage Amendment

An amendment to the Constitution has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. It must first pass both the House and Senate by a 2/3 margin, then be passed by 3/4 of the state legislatures. This will be a real fight, folks.

For your information, here's how the amendment reads:

Section 1. This article may be cited as the `Marriage Protection Amendment'.
Section 2. Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.

Roll up your sleeves and start contacting your representatives and senators. You have not heard about this in the media because the mainstream media is hostile to it. This is a fight worth engaging in.

Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Being "Normal"?

You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?...you are called to freedom, brothers.1

Why do some Christians expect others to dress the way they do when they come to church? Why do some Christians expect us to sing the same songs the church was singing 300 years ago? Is it because that’s what is “normal”?
And why do smaller churches try to copy what large mega-churches do? Do mega-church leaders get together and decide what church ought to look like for the rest of us? Do they decide what is “normal” for a church?
Why do all churches do Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, morning and evening worship hours all the same way? Who decided what was “normal”? And what makes “normal” church so desirable?
Don’t you ever get tired of being a “normal” Christian? “Normal” pastors, for example, are supposed to wear a suit and tie to preach, and they wouldn’t embarrass themselves by driving a school bus — especially if they don’t have to.
“Normal” Christians don’t risk their reputations, don’t risk their jobs, and don’t risk being thought insane. Whatever happened to the Jesus Freaks? They were truly freaks, but they won thousands to faith in Jesus Christ.
Sometimes I think trying to be a “normal” Christian prevents many from obeying the truth. From being real disciples. But God did not call us to conformity, He called us to liberation — to freedom. Freedom to be insane for Jesus!
Don’t you ever get tired of being “normal”?

1 Galatians 5:7,13 Copyright © June 3, 2008 Darril Deaton

What the 23rd Psalm Really Says

Continuing in our new series this coming Sunday, Famous Bible Passages, we'll be looking at the 23rd Psalm. Of course, you've heard it so often, even quoted it at funerals, that you think you know what it says.

Join us Sunday morning at 10:30 for this important message. You will never view the 23rd Psalm the same again. it won't be some mousy, mushy feel-good thing.

If you can't attend, ask for the DVD.

New "Famous" Series for Summer

Starting today, June 1st, we will begin a new series for the summer. It will be a series on the famous, or favorite, Bible passages. Some examples are John 3:16, the Beatitudes, 23rd Psalm, the Lord's Prayer, etc).

We begin with John 3:16. This will be recorded on DVD and is available upon request at the church office or just email me... mail@deaton.tv.

Every Christian an Apologist?

Always be ready to give a defense to anyone
who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. -- Peter

An apologist, according to the dictionary, is “one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something .” Applied to Christianity an apologist would be a person who can defend and explain the Christian faith. The late Paul Little, the late C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, and Norman Geisler are several whose books are still available from bookstores and the internet.
The thing is, according to Peter, every single believer should develop into an apologist. Every believer should have some kind of response to anyone who questions their faith.
You don’t have to be an expert in theology or be fluent in languages of the Bible. All you have to do is have an intimate, personal relationship with Christ and be in the process of becoming a disciple.
I overheard one teenager, who had recently received Christ and been baptized, talking to another teenager. He said, “I like to hang around the church any time I can And have you noticed how I’m not as angry as I used to be? I’m different since I became a Christian.”
Now that’s an apologist in action! And he didn’t even know it. He was confirming what Jesus had done in His life.
You can grow in Christ by becoming active in discipleship, Bible study, and a mission or ministry team. You too, can be an apologist.

Sgt. Herb Pettigrew

Herb's life was the Lord, his family and the army -- in that order. He served in the Army and National Guard for almost 40 years. It was time, so the Lord let Him go home on Sunday afternoon at 4:06 PM.

I've only known Herb and Liz for about 3 years, since moving to Grace Fellowship, but he was always one of the warmest people I've met. Always ready to laugh. I'll miss him at the "Spit and Whittle Club" at McDonalds each morning.

He was a blessing to me. Thank You, Lord, for another fine man you've allowed to grace my life.

Israel Anyone?

We're beginning to look at different travel agents for a group tour to Israel next year sometime. Summer is the best time, but it's the most expensive, too. The Fall is the best time, weather-wise and cost wise. Winter is next best.

I'm talking to a tour company that I worked with before. They are very accomodating and helpful. Let me know if you're interested in going to the promised land.

I'm Just a Hog for You, Baby

I admit it, I listen to the old 50s music on XM Radio. Phase 1 of the Rock and Roll era was from 57 to 63 -- then the British invaded. So, many songs on the 50s channel predate the beginning of Rock and Roll. I heard one the other day: I'm Just a Hog for You, Baby. The chorus says: "This little piggy likes pizza; this little piggy dig potato chips; but THIS little piggy wants to feast on your lips!" I can't even type it without chuckling.

The thing is, many of the songs, even in early southern blues and rock and roll, talk about sin, God, God's plan for marriage, right and wrong. Like the song "You Send Me": "I want to marry you and take you home." That's a far cry from "One Night with You" that came later. All the early critics of rock and roll would be glad to return now to those first lyrics and styles.

Our lives are like the transition of music stylings, too. If we don't watch out, our lives will slowly, almost without notice, slip one little step at a time into a activities and attitudes that we would never have entertained before. Keep alert to a growing indifference toward sin and relaxed morals. Being "a Hog" for the things of God is okay. Really.

Global Warming or Islamic Jihad?

Well, I'm supposed to be scared to death of global warming, according to proponents of a faulty science scheme. But let's suppose that global warming is real. How long before it destroys the USA? A century or two? Fifty years? A decade?

I'm also supposed to be afraid of Islamic Jihad -- the militant Israel haters and America destroyers -- murderers and terrorists. These people are serious! They want us wiped off the face of the map. They get into our country over porous borders with plans to kill us and undermine our culture.

Between global warming and Islamic Jihad, I think Islamic Jihad poses the imminent threat. If the Al Gore's of the world would spend as much energy trying to protect our children and innocent citizens from terrorists as they do protect a few caribou from oil rigs, we might indeed be safer and more self-reliant.

Let's see: Global warming, on one hand, that stimies productivity, is based on psuedo-science, and flushes millions of dollars down the toilet, verses Islamic Jihad that wants me dead NOW! I think I'd rather the USA be concerned about the Islamic Jihad.

Note to believers: God is still on His throne and absolutely nothing happens that doesn't cross His desk first! And whatever happened to Christians abiding in the shadow of His wing? He is our Savior, and the One who loves our very souls. So, I'm okay with world events as long as I abide in Christ, and He in me. He, afterall, is sovereign, and "all power is given unto [Christ]." All power means all power. Whew! Now don't you feel better?!

A good example of discipleship

I witnessed a good example of discipleship tonight -- actually over the last several months. It involves the music program at Kaufman ISD. I recently attended the concert for the Junior High and High School bands. They were awesome, and they've won a number of significant awards this year. Yes, indeed, it was a great concert.

Tonight I attended the concert for Nash Intermediate School -- 5th and 6th grade bands. It was a good concert, too. A few more flats, some woodwind squeaks, and less polish than the high school band, but they were good. The band instructor, Teri Sanchez, a member of our church, explained how several students were highly motivated and practiced a lot. They had reached performance markers on the high school level and were recognized and given awards.

I thought, this is how discipleship works. Go for the newer believers first like this music program goes for the youngest children. Over several years of practice, learning, instruction, and more practice they will mature in their craft. They will be more than tolerable to listen to. They will be quite enjoyable.

In the church, we need to make disciples out of believers as soon as we can. Start them out learning the notes, how to make an instrument "work", and laying the groundwork for future maturity and ministry. At first the music they play will be simpler, squeakier, but challenging. Eventually they will find themselves sight reading in high school competitions.

Being in the band since 5th grade does not make a performer an automatic sensation in high school. Work, discipline, and obedience will make the novice into a master musician over time. Christians are the same way. Just being in church and attending week after week, even for years on end, does not automatically make a believer a mature, productive disciple. In fact, many long time church attenders think they have the right to administrative and leadership positions because they've been in church so many years. But they may be immature, ineffective, run of the mill Christians. (Lord, save me from being a "run of the mill" Christian).

Discipleship starts early; stays consistent; makes demands on the Christian; and insists on cooperation and submission to authority. But the result will be sweet music to God's ears as the whole church ministers and worships from the position of maturity and power.

May -- give me warm!

Now, don't get me wrong but I love the north. (To most Texans, the north means Oklahoma). I love Ohio and really love New England. One reason is the four distinct seasons, glorious leaves, and real snow -- lots of real snow.

But this Texas winter is tough. At least in the north you know whether or not to wear longjohns and you know how many layers you need to stay warm...so, you stay warm. In Texas, however, it can be frigid in the morning and warm in the afternoon. So if the forecast says upper 60s and you dress for that, you wind up leaving the house at 5:3o AM dressed for 60s. Only thing is, it's 32 at 5:30 AM!

Look, once the "piggies" get cold, it's over. I don't care how warm the rest of you is, if those piggies are cold, you might as well give up.

Anyway, my point in all this rambling is I'm glad for the warm weather. I can ride my bike and save money, but most importantly I can leave the house with a short sleeve shirt on in the morning without freezing to death. Give me warm!