The other day, Ansley & I went for a motorcycle ride. We passed by an old, small church building, with a message sign out by the roadside. This is what the sign said-

"The weather never changes in hell"
- Friendship Baptist Church

I found the words on that sign ironic. A church with such a friendly name, yet such a cold-hearted message. I find it sad that this message is what everyone driving by this church will judge those people by... and some will judge the rest of Christianity by that message as well. So much for "Friendship"...
Its not that the message is untrue- The Bible has much to say about hell, as much as it does about Heaven. But that's not the point. If that's all people see or hear of the message of Christ, it certainly is grossly inadequate. So often, the media portrays Christians as ignorant, narrow-minded, and mean-spirited. When messages like that sign are what people see, it feeds that false stereotype. I'm sure the people in that church are sweet, kind, and generous. Sadly, most people will never know that about those people- or the rest of us.
People in churches that display messages like that must think they are being real clever... me, as a Christ-follower who wants people to see & hear the life & love of Jesus in me, I find that sign message offensive. I certainly don't envision anyone seeing that sign, turning in, bursting in the door, and begging someone to tell them about Jesus Christ. BTW- I've never even seen anyone there, even if someone did stop in for help.
We have the greatest message in the history of the universe- salvation, forgiveness, & and restoration found in Jesus Christ. We must be so careful to present the whole Gospel, especially in our own lives. I want my life- my words, my actions, my attitudes, etc.- to attract people to Jesus Christ, not give them more reasons to scorn.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father in Heaven."- Jesus

Tonight I rode with the Spirit Riders to join Chaplain Terry Buice for a service with the inmates of I. W. Davis Prison up in Jefferson. I didn't really feel like going, but I'm glad I did. We rode up to Jefferson, ate at Mike's Grill, then on to the prison. We were joined there by Terry and the pastor & members of Martin Baptist Church. Little did we know what would happen this evening.
We greeted each inmate as he came in the meeting room, as the small Martin choir warmed up. When all the inmates were in, about 60 in all, the choir began with 3 songs they had prepared. The inmates sat quietly, listening, until the choir leader invited the men to join them in a few songs. We sang "I'll Fly Away", "Amazing Grace", and a couple of others. The inmates began to sing louder and louder, totally throwing themselves into the worship. The Martin pastor spoke on Philippians 3, having a passion for Christ instead of the things that drag us down. Terry concluded by giving men an opportunity to come forward to give their lives to Christ, and 17 men walked to the front. We each took a few of them and helped them trust Christ, and it was a precious time, praying with each of these men.
Terry had prepared a portable baptism pool out in the yard, and as the last of the sun's light left the sky, all of us, the church group, and the inmates gathered around as we baptized all 17 right then and there. I got to baptize several myself, which was a huge honor for me. Everyone clapped and cheered for each man as he came up out of the water, and when we were all done, we gathered around them all, laid hands on them, and prayed over them. We concluded out in the yard, in the dark by now, singing "Amazing Grace" one last time. Amid hugs and handshakes, the inmates filed back to their dorms, and we readied for home, riding back by the light of a full moon.
Terry had informed us earlier that the state was closing this prison, and within a month all these inmates would be sent to other institutions across the state. That knowledge made what happened there tonight all the more special. We really experienced God's Spirit & love tonight, and our prayer is that the men of I. W. Davis will carry this not only to wherever they go next, but the rest of their lives. May they go on and walk with Christ, all the days of their lives.
"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Rob

I've been reading John Eldredge's book, Walking With God. In one of the sections, he challenges the reader to ask God 2 questions-
Lord, how do I think I am doing?
Lord, how do you think I am doing?
So often, his point was, how we see ourselves is vastly different than the way God sees us, and wants us to see ourselves.
Anyway, I asked God those 2 questions, and kept getting distracted every morning, so I kept returning to those questions for several days. When you ask God a question, He will answer, in His time, in His way. Stay with Him.
Last Friday I went for a motorcycle ride (as I often do), and God spoke to me while riding (as He often does). John had written the phrase that came to describe his answer to the 1st question was, "Just barely", and that's how I've felt. Just barely doing well, as a husband, a father, a friend, a minister, a child of God's. So easily distracted, so easily tripped up. "Just barely" fit how I saw myself.
Riding some back road outside Rutledge, Ga., God spoke to my heart, "You are mine, and you are loved." He continued- "That was the wrong question for you. Its not about doing, its about being. Its not about performance, its about position. You are mine, and you are loved." Simple truth, I've known these for years, but it was so good hearing from my Father personally on this. My position is secure, as His beloved son. The "being" is just that- Being in His hands, in His presence, in His plan. The doing grows out of the being.
That night, I found myself in Jeremiah 31:3- "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness."
Rob

We took a bunch of our graduated 5th graders on our annual "5th Grade Adventure Trip." We took 51 kids & parents to the Lost Sea Caverns in Tenn., and then to Outland Expeditions for rafting on the Ocoee River. The rafting was a new addition this year, and it was a huge hit. We'll definitely keep that element in the yearly trip!
This trip is so important for our kids, on many levels. Not only is it just pure adventure & fun one last time with our 5th graders before they move up to middle school- we use it to accomplish some things in their lives. Its an opportunity to help them build & strengthen relationships with each other as they prepare for a whole new chapter of their lives. Its also a chance for parents to share the adventure with them, which cements that important bond as well. Many parents went on the trip this year, which I was glad for. They also face some of their fears and insecurities, as they crawl through the caverns and ride the raging river together. For both boys & girls, conquering these things is a huge confidence-builder, and for the boys, it goes further- its the beginning of initiation into young manhood. We also hold a couple of short Bible studies on the trip, to speak one more time into their lives the Biblical truths we've been teaching them over the 6 years they have been with us, and prepare them for adolescence.
Its a huge pleasure & privilege for me to help parents raise their kids to know, love, and follow Christ & His Word. I pray the experiences we have shared together, not only on this trip, but over their years in our ministry, will shape their lives and set their direction for all eternity.
Rob