Without really realizing it until this weekend I saw that I had not done any sermon updates on the website since the beginning of the year...and now we are in August. "Ooops" seems like the easy response, but really doesn't cover it, does it? My apologies to anyone who has come on the website expecting to see some updates or even listen to some of the recent sermons. I dropped the ball on ... (continue reading)
I don't know what you're going through right now, but let me encourage you with this simple little reminder - if you're trusting God to move; BE READY FOR ANYTHING!! And if it's from God - it's gonna be great!!!!!!
Although I am missing being with our FBC Vinton family tonight, we are having a great time at Lifehouse Church in Texarkana where our family is helping doing some mission work. We are working with the youth group from Springfield Baptist Church in Morton, MS to direct the VBS at this great church plant pastored by James Ross. We were thinking that tonight would be the big night with a house f... (continue reading)
How many times have you heard someone say, “if only I could have seen Jesus healing people and raising dead, then I would be able to believe.”? Maybe you have even said it yourself. The truth is it did not help many of those who did see those things. Peter denied Jesus three times on the night before his crucifixion. Thomas said he would not believe until he touched the scars ... (continue reading)
What a wonderful Resurrection Morning worship celebration we had yesterday! I love my first Easter service at a new church because I really don't know what to expect. When I looked out into the crowd and counted some where around 140 (wasn't sure since I couldn't see everyone around the pulpit)...I was ecstatic! God is indeed good! I was also serious when I said I think we should ... (continue reading)
Well, once again...the folks at Vinton First Baptist Church has blown me away! This morning i took 23 Buckets of Hope for Haiti to our drop off center for Association at Trinity Baptist in Lake Charles. 23 buckets! As of last night Vickie was expecting 21 and we wound up with 2 more over night. When we were planning this Vickie, Brigitte and I figured 15 buckets would be a good goal, and pro... (continue reading)
I finally got around to doing some updates to the church website and noticed i haven't updated my blog since we came home at New Years, sorry about that. The last month has been a blessing for us, and a great start to 2010! I enjoyed the "Fearless" series and i do hope you heard from God in those messages as much as i did in preparing for them. God truly has not given us a spirit of fear... (continue reading)
I know I've mentioned it already, but it is worth mentioning again...I'm glad to be back home! Although I could have done without the bitter cold weather over the last week, it was good to be back in my own bed and worshiping with you, my church family. Thank you for your love and welcome back. If you have been here the last couple of Sunday's you know that we have started a new ... (continue reading)
At Clayton Assembly of God, we have gotten off to a great start, and I HAVEN'T EVEN PREACHED A SUNDAY MORNING SERMON YET!!! Week 1 was the A/G Gen. Supt., Dr. George Wood, delivering the message YOUR LIFE, YOUR LEGACY via video, and week 2 was Missionary Terry Bell encouraging us to REGAIN OUR PASSION FOR THE LOST IN OUR COMMUNITY! Come join us on our JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION as we become... (continue reading)
What a great Sunday we had yesterday at First Baptist Church! First of all, what a thrill it was for me to have my wife share with us in song. Brigitte never claims to be the greatest of vocalists, but yesterday I wouldn't have known any better! Maybe I'm just a little biased, but it was wonderful! It was also an honor to welcome the Turpin family back to First Baptist Church. Brot... (continue reading)
Last night i took the dog outside to take care of his pre-bedtime business and for some reason he chose to drag me over to the side of the house and that is when i saw it. Just to the southwest i could see what looked like the distant flickering of a huge flame, but just to make sure i had Brigitte step out to check it out too. She agreed, there was a fire some where, and if it was lighting up th... (continue reading)
Welcome to the first blog entry for me at the new website for First Baptist Church of Vinton! Since uniting with this local body of born again believers this past July we have seen God at work, hit a few speed bumps along the way, and feel even more called to this church and community than ever before! And with 2009 coming to an end in just a few weeks I am looking forward to what God has in... (continue reading)
As pastor, I serve a church which is constituted mostly of Black, single mothers on fixed or barely enough to get by on incomes. In our congregation are also young Black men with a sprinkling of a couple of 40 somethings. Several of the men, and some of the women, have had shall I say, "brushes with the law". Alcohol, drug abuse and gang involvement is common to several of them. They all have e... (continue reading)
At Clayton Assembly of God, we are beginning a journey with God and with each other to see a great TRANSFORMATION in who and what we are! We will NEVER change our message, but we are going to change ourselves (for the better) and change our methods to more effectively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those around us. Keep us in prayer, and if you live within driving distance of this church an... (continue reading)
I will be beginning a new fall message series at our church in September that I am calling: "CAUTION: DETOUR AHEAD!" - The Art of Staying Off Dead-End Streets - Looking for Life, and the Meaning to Life, in All the Wrong Places. It's a study of the Old Testament book of ECCLESIASTES. I want it to be a fresh new relevant look at this book that Solomon wrote. It will be a 12-week Chapter-by-Cha... (continue reading)
God's preacher at the Troy church of Christ where my wife and I attend. Started a new class two weeks ago on the book of Galatians. He asked the class if we were guilty of adding to the Gospel. And to tell the truth I honestly believe that we teach the gospel of grace. But another question came to my mind. Are we being misunderstood? Have you ever had someone say "When I get my life right the... (continue reading)
July 16 Last night at Vacation Bible School, I had the privilege of sharing the gospel with each grade of boys and girls. With the younger grades I presented "Five kinds of Hearts" that included a "Pure Heart" for those who are not aware of sin in their lives, a "Sad Heart that is waiting," a "Sad Heart that is ready," A "New Heart," and a "Messy Heart." After the presentation, each child cou... (continue reading)
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. My oldest daughter, Lanalee, was born in a U.S. Navy hospital on the island of Taiwan. She held dual citizenship until she reached the age of 18, when she was required to make a choice between the two. We used to ask people "doesn't she look Chinese?" Of course being blonde and blue eyed we... (continue reading)
This past Saturday at the Troy church of Christ we held our second annual "Celebrate Summer" event. This event is for children and parents within the one square mile around our building. It is designed for the express purpose of getting to know our neighbors better. Last year we had people comment that they didn't know we were there in the neighborhood (to our shame we have been there over 40 ... (continue reading)
