Peace in a Troubled World

To say the world is a troubled place I am pretty sure I can find folks that will agree with that statement. The only issue of difference I am anticipating is to what extent we believe the world is in trouble and what if any a solution might be. In the news media pundits like to argue the difference between a terrorist event and domestic violence. Debating conversations about how you qualify someone as mentally ill or just vengeful. Discussions about the various acts of harm and destruction imposed upon others physically and against personal property is a divisive issue all by itself. When it comes to all the troubling events happening around us and in the world, there are many different thoughts to contend with, never mind attempting to understand what people are thinking as these acts against humanity occur, right? The Boston Marathon Bombings have created many questions and way too few answers for most citizens. The one thing I hear that I believe citizens agree on is applause for local law enforcement. Local residents of Boston are delighted with the way in which their law enforcement community responded, it is the Federal Government that most are frustrated with because of perceived ‘no action’ or ‘no information’. Truth is that the street level Federal Law Enforcement Agents & Officers were vital to the success and resolution to the immediate danger and we should applaud their efforts too. Nevertheless, questions still remain. Prior to 1980 the world’s citizens gathered around an evening broadcast each night. The reporters had all day to work on stories, get their facts straight, and confirm and prepare for their news report about events. After the creation of Cable News Network (CNN) the world did change. There has always been violence, murders, standoffs, kidnappings, hold-ups, but never before reported nationally unless it was unprecedented event. Today, local events are national headlines and what would never have been heard about is now instantly broadcast to views 24 hours a day. These facts are all a part of our troubled world’s characteristics. Now moving to the issue of difference is what if any a solution might be. For some, there is no answer but I hold to a difference thought and truth. Many want to address issues that are easily seen and recognized, but surface help doesn’t resolve issue, problems, or troubles. It can make you feel better immediately but ultimately still leave you with questions. In a world that is troubled the only peace I have found is through personal relationships. A relationship for example that yields solid advice and wisdom through experiences. Connections established on trust that have been proven over time. Some of my personal relationships are with family members, others are friendships developed. The most important relationship of all is one I share with a guy I met named Jesus. I found Him to be a friend who is always there. He listens anytime I want to talk. I have discovered that He has my best interest and while we have disagreed on that many times, I also learned He is not the type of friend to say “I told you so”. His practice is to pick up where I am and He even works my mistakes out to benefit me. In a troubled world with more questions than answers, I have found Jesus to be a solution for every situation I have had to face so far. Until then

Amazing Moments in Church - Go & Tell

This series, “Amazing Moments in Church”, has been a lot of fun and I have enjoyed hearing from those of you regarding your moments in church. I’ve also heard from a few who said they have thought about all their experiences in church and they simply cannot think of any amazing moments. For a hard nose Christians that comment is totally unbelievable. (I define a hard nose Christian as someone who is religious, or spiritual acting with a lot of pomp and circumstance. Remember Christianity has nothing to do with religion) For them, Jesus is everything, but when asked to talk about Him personally something is missing that is convincing about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the fourth column I have written on this subject of “Amazing Moment in Church” and I am curious what stories you would list as amazing moments. I first wrote about a lady willing to stand alone. Her actions said she believed the words to How Great Thou Art were more than a song. Obviously they were a part of her personal testimony and her expression of faith moved me. I shared about a lady that totally caught me off guard. I don’t know why Christians don’t go out of their way to say hello to people, or why they are not friendly especially in church, but many times church has been a very ‘stuck up’ place for visitors to enter. However I met a lady not only welcoming but willing to pray with me too which was totally awesome and amazing. Last week I shared about a Wednesday night experience where an adult male yelled from the back of the church “that’s me preacher”, which indicated he had just asked Jesus Christ to come into his heart. “Amazing Moments in Church” for me in my examples are simple but profound because of their simplicity and genuineness. Pastoring the Horse Creek Road Baptist Church in Corbin I witnessed Some amazing moments. Seeing a close friend of mine J. Michael coming forward to be saved was amazing. That November service will always be a memory that I will never forget. Horse Creek as a church created amazing moment for individuals in so many different ways. The lives that God touched because people were faithful to come, and to give made eternal differences. In preparing for this series three weeks ago I was reminded by an email from a former youth of amazing moments experienced at the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Dorton Branch. He emailed asking about ideas for youth as he was now an adult volunteer. Seeing lives changed because people believed is amazing! The Walnut Hill Baptist Church in Ewing, Virginia reminds me of amazing moments too as does the North Fork Baptist Church in Whitesburg, Ky. In Monticello at Immanuel Baptist we planned a youth event called 3M. It was for the Cities of Middlesboro, Manchester and Monticello, Ky. All creating different but life long memories of people and places that were amazing because of Him. If you are struggling in creating your list of “Amazing Moments in Church” I have a couple of suggestions to open up your flood gate of moments. First, find a place where there is a need and be one individual willing to do your part for that moment in time. Second, look for people that desire a real friend. The fastest way to create “Amazing Moments in Church” is to be a real friend to someone. Their life will be forever changed even if you are around only for a short time. Thirdly never forget that as a Christian who has been forgiven and changed, you are required to Go and Tell. By going you will meet some amazing people along the journey of life that you can influence and people that you can reach. By telling your story of Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior others will be listening for your passion and then stand by for some “Amazing Moments in Church” simply because you were willing to share. Until then