Good Morning Everyone,
In about 48 hours we will be in full swing of the 2007 Spiritual Growth Workshop. I am writing to you as a workshop novice to say the least. I began working here in May and much of the buzz around our congregation has been around workshop.
From all of the material I have read concerning Workshop it looks like it is going to be GREAT!!! I am looking forward to sitting and listening for a change and hopefully getting to take in some classes with April.
I know that we all have busy schedules and there are always reasons not to do something but this week try to make it out to at least some of our workshop. There are classes for all ages and speakers bringing lessons on a variety of subjects. If you want to find me this week you need to look no farther than the Church Building because I will be here for workshop. I hope you are blessed today if you come to workshop I know you will be blessed.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I Sing Therefore I Preach
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I sat down to type my blog about 6 hours ago and I am just now getting to it. We have had a busy day in the office but it has been a great day with lots of great ministry going on.
Our youth group began looking at the reasons we as a church sing last week in conjunction with learning some new songs. Last night we looked at singing as a form of preaching the Gospel. I have to admit that I have gone to church my whole life and loved singing every minute of it but I never really stopped to think about singing and preaching being connected.
We looked at Acts 16 where Paul and Silas were imprisoned and instead of preaching hell-fire and brimstone they prayed and sang songs. To demonstrate how singing is a form of preaching I had the teenagers name some of their favorite songs and their favorite lines from those songs. It was amazing that by putting those lines together you can make a pretty decent message. So I present to you a message from our teenagers from some of their favorite songs.
Love one another even if the skies above you are gray and you are feeling so blue because our God is an Awesome God. So Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tried and true because Satan was defeated. Rock of ages cleft for me and let me hide myself in thee because Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth and he will lift you up. I don't know why so many things seem to get in the way of seeing my God's glory but as the deer pants for the water Lord so my soul longs after you.
I bet you never thought when you were singing that you were preaching. Next time we all come together to worship in song remember that you are also preaching the word. I hope you are blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
I sat down to type my blog about 6 hours ago and I am just now getting to it. We have had a busy day in the office but it has been a great day with lots of great ministry going on.
Our youth group began looking at the reasons we as a church sing last week in conjunction with learning some new songs. Last night we looked at singing as a form of preaching the Gospel. I have to admit that I have gone to church my whole life and loved singing every minute of it but I never really stopped to think about singing and preaching being connected.
We looked at Acts 16 where Paul and Silas were imprisoned and instead of preaching hell-fire and brimstone they prayed and sang songs. To demonstrate how singing is a form of preaching I had the teenagers name some of their favorite songs and their favorite lines from those songs. It was amazing that by putting those lines together you can make a pretty decent message. So I present to you a message from our teenagers from some of their favorite songs.
Love one another even if the skies above you are gray and you are feeling so blue because our God is an Awesome God. So Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tried and true because Satan was defeated. Rock of ages cleft for me and let me hide myself in thee because Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth and he will lift you up. I don't know why so many things seem to get in the way of seeing my God's glory but as the deer pants for the water Lord so my soul longs after you.
I bet you never thought when you were singing that you were preaching. Next time we all come together to worship in song remember that you are also preaching the word. I hope you are blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Healthy Competition
Good Morning Everyone,
We had a great weekend in the Woodward Park Youth Group. Saturday I was blessed to spend the day with several of our young people and the members of Arnold Centeno's class in Firebaugh helping the church there. On Sunday after a great time of a worship and a record setting ten minute sermon from Jim Gardner I got to continue the study of Hebrews our group started several weeks ago. The whole weekend was capped off by a devotional hosted by Gary and Linda Gearheart at the home of Bob and Virginia Jollif.
As many of you know our brother and elder John Ed Clark is facing cancer in his life right now. I know many of you are praying for John Ed and encouraging him as am I. This morning I shared something with John Ed that I would like to share with you in my blog today. We begin our teen class every Sunday and Wednesday with prayer requests from the teens. We have a unique group here at Woodward Park in that several of the teens share a common Grandfather in John Ed Clark. It is like a competition between those grand kids to see who will make the prayer request for their grandpa.
What a testament to the family of these teenagers. They love their grandfather and want every prayer they can get offered up on his behalf. I have always heard of healthy competition but grand kids trying to be the first to offer a prayer request for their grandpa takes the cake and in my book is worth noting.
So let's all take part in this healthy competition. Let's all try to outpray one another on behalf of our brother John Ed Clark. We are told that unless we become like little children we will not see the Kingdom of God. Let's take our cue from the grandchildren of John Ed and pray for a good man and from this beginning let's add others to our prayer list who need God's help. I hope you are blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
We had a great weekend in the Woodward Park Youth Group. Saturday I was blessed to spend the day with several of our young people and the members of Arnold Centeno's class in Firebaugh helping the church there. On Sunday after a great time of a worship and a record setting ten minute sermon from Jim Gardner I got to continue the study of Hebrews our group started several weeks ago. The whole weekend was capped off by a devotional hosted by Gary and Linda Gearheart at the home of Bob and Virginia Jollif.
As many of you know our brother and elder John Ed Clark is facing cancer in his life right now. I know many of you are praying for John Ed and encouraging him as am I. This morning I shared something with John Ed that I would like to share with you in my blog today. We begin our teen class every Sunday and Wednesday with prayer requests from the teens. We have a unique group here at Woodward Park in that several of the teens share a common Grandfather in John Ed Clark. It is like a competition between those grand kids to see who will make the prayer request for their grandpa.
What a testament to the family of these teenagers. They love their grandfather and want every prayer they can get offered up on his behalf. I have always heard of healthy competition but grand kids trying to be the first to offer a prayer request for their grandpa takes the cake and in my book is worth noting.
So let's all take part in this healthy competition. Let's all try to outpray one another on behalf of our brother John Ed Clark. We are told that unless we become like little children we will not see the Kingdom of God. Let's take our cue from the grandchildren of John Ed and pray for a good man and from this beginning let's add others to our prayer list who need God's help. I hope you are blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
National Day of Encouragement
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Well today is the National Day of Encouragement. This is the one day out of the year that we as Americans are asked to go out of our way to encourage others. While I appreciate the idea that is being promoted of encouraging others I wonder why it has to be confined to one day.
It seems to me that Jesus looked at everyday as the Day of Encouragement. When he healed the sick, or told people that they did not have to continue in sin and when he gave his life on the cross I find all those things to be very encouraging.
So here is where I stand on the National Day of Encouragement. I say go for it be encouraging and lift someones spirits today. There is nothing wrong with recognizing this day as a day to encourage but my challenge to you is to make everyday a day of encouragement. Make the National Day of Encouragement a day to highlight what you are already doing. I hope I have been an encouragement to you today and I hope you are all blessed.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Well today is the National Day of Encouragement. This is the one day out of the year that we as Americans are asked to go out of our way to encourage others. While I appreciate the idea that is being promoted of encouraging others I wonder why it has to be confined to one day.
It seems to me that Jesus looked at everyday as the Day of Encouragement. When he healed the sick, or told people that they did not have to continue in sin and when he gave his life on the cross I find all those things to be very encouraging.
So here is where I stand on the National Day of Encouragement. I say go for it be encouraging and lift someones spirits today. There is nothing wrong with recognizing this day as a day to encourage but my challenge to you is to make everyday a day of encouragement. Make the National Day of Encouragement a day to highlight what you are already doing. I hope I have been an encouragement to you today and I hope you are all blessed.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I wish I could study the Bible like you Earl
Good Morning Everyone,
If you have been around me any length of time you know that I can't go very long without mentioning my Pap-paw(known to grownups as Earl Milner). If you come into my office you will see a black and white picture of my Pap-paw I know that he has gone to be with God and is in no more pain but I like to look at his picture and imagine he is watching over me. Pap-paw was a good man, an elder in his church and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Pap-paw loved to read his Bible. If he was not out chasing cows, cooking something good in his kitchen or doing the Lord's work he could be found reading his Bible. It was not unusual for Pap-paw to read his Bible all the way through in the course of one year and sometimes several times a year. There was a lady at Pap-paw's congregation who wanted to learn to study the Bible like Pap-paw. He told her "It's really easy, sit down with your Bible and read until you get tired." Pap-paw's words were as true then as they are now.
I know in the fast paced world we live in we often times forget to spend time in the word. As families grow father and farther apart I believe that a more intense study of the scripture to be a much needed thing. To that end I want to share a resource with all of you today.
Four youth ministers whom I hold in the highest respect have taken it upon themselves to make the Internet a tool for ministry. Their vision came to fruition last year with the launching of a the website Striving To Be Real . Striving To Be Real has a teen section with a lot of great things for teenagers as well as a parent's section that gives resources to parents. In the parent's site there is a new family Bible Study that will be updated on a regular basis and available to be used by families to study the Bible.
I still agree with Pap-paw's words of wisdom and even though he did not know how to use a computer I know that even he would agree that this resource is one that could help families. Let's reclaim our families for the cause of Jesus Christ and let's be real. Be blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
If you have been around me any length of time you know that I can't go very long without mentioning my Pap-paw(known to grownups as Earl Milner). If you come into my office you will see a black and white picture of my Pap-paw I know that he has gone to be with God and is in no more pain but I like to look at his picture and imagine he is watching over me. Pap-paw was a good man, an elder in his church and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Pap-paw loved to read his Bible. If he was not out chasing cows, cooking something good in his kitchen or doing the Lord's work he could be found reading his Bible. It was not unusual for Pap-paw to read his Bible all the way through in the course of one year and sometimes several times a year. There was a lady at Pap-paw's congregation who wanted to learn to study the Bible like Pap-paw. He told her "It's really easy, sit down with your Bible and read until you get tired." Pap-paw's words were as true then as they are now.
I know in the fast paced world we live in we often times forget to spend time in the word. As families grow father and farther apart I believe that a more intense study of the scripture to be a much needed thing. To that end I want to share a resource with all of you today.
Four youth ministers whom I hold in the highest respect have taken it upon themselves to make the Internet a tool for ministry. Their vision came to fruition last year with the launching of a the website Striving To Be Real . Striving To Be Real has a teen section with a lot of great things for teenagers as well as a parent's section that gives resources to parents. In the parent's site there is a new family Bible Study that will be updated on a regular basis and available to be used by families to study the Bible.
I still agree with Pap-paw's words of wisdom and even though he did not know how to use a computer I know that even he would agree that this resource is one that could help families. Let's reclaim our families for the cause of Jesus Christ and let's be real. Be blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Rain, Rain Come and Stay!!!
Good Morning Everyone,
I love the rain!!! When I was hired to come to California I was told I better get used to not seeing much rain and in the beginning this was not a problem. But after being here four months and not seeing as much as a sprinkle I have to say I was having some major rain withdrawls. That all changed this morning. April woke me up before my alarm went off and told me it was raining which prompted me to spring out of bed and look out our window to see this glorious vision.
With this rain this morning came thoughts of the days when nobody on Earth knew what rain was. In the days of Noah rain was unheard of but God saw the wickedness of the people on Earth so he sent rain to flood the Earth. I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not know what rain was, in fact my time in California is the longest I can ever remember not seeing rain. As I think about the rain I remember the first time my oldest niece Madison felt the rain becuase I was the one holding her. It was a Sunday morning and we were leaving for worship and it began to sprinkle and hit Madison. I remember watching the wonder in her eyes as she began to know what rain felt like.
We live in a world where people take so much for granted and I belive the blessings of seasons and weather to be right on top of the list. I love the rain because I like walking in it and listening to it beat on the window but more than that I love the rain because it is a blessing from God falling down to us. This morning I want you to think about the everday things we all take for granted and take time to thank God for them. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
I love the rain!!! When I was hired to come to California I was told I better get used to not seeing much rain and in the beginning this was not a problem. But after being here four months and not seeing as much as a sprinkle I have to say I was having some major rain withdrawls. That all changed this morning. April woke me up before my alarm went off and told me it was raining which prompted me to spring out of bed and look out our window to see this glorious vision.
With this rain this morning came thoughts of the days when nobody on Earth knew what rain was. In the days of Noah rain was unheard of but God saw the wickedness of the people on Earth so he sent rain to flood the Earth. I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not know what rain was, in fact my time in California is the longest I can ever remember not seeing rain. As I think about the rain I remember the first time my oldest niece Madison felt the rain becuase I was the one holding her. It was a Sunday morning and we were leaving for worship and it began to sprinkle and hit Madison. I remember watching the wonder in her eyes as she began to know what rain felt like.
We live in a world where people take so much for granted and I belive the blessings of seasons and weather to be right on top of the list. I love the rain because I like walking in it and listening to it beat on the window but more than that I love the rain because it is a blessing from God falling down to us. This morning I want you to think about the everday things we all take for granted and take time to thank God for them. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
Monday, August 27, 2007
Who is going to carry your casket?
Good Morning,
As I sit here writing this morning I have just come from preaching the funeral of a man I never knew. As a minister this is a task that you get asked to do more times than you would like. This was the second funeral I have preached ever and this morning on top of preaching duties I was asked to be a pallbearer for a man I never knew. As I was helping carry the casket of this man to the grave I was reminded of my good friend Andrew Baker. Andrew was a sponsor for my social club in college and during pledge week he told us the story of a brother who had died suddenly and about his club brothers carrying his casket. Andrew told us that we were not joining a social club to play sports or go to club functions but to make friends who would be closer than brothers to us and who would carry our casket when our time came.
I grieve for the family of the man whose funeral I did this morning. I am sad they lost a loved one but sadder still that he did not have the kind of close friendships that would have taken care of carrying his casket this morning at his funeral. I hope this morning that you know who would be there to carry your casket at your funeral. I hope that you have good enough friends that love you enough to be there for you. If you are a member of the Lord's body I believe this would be the case for you. If you are reading this blog today and you have not yet named Christ as your savior and been baptized into his death I would encourage you to do that.
I hope as you read this today you know who would be your pallbearer if you were to die today. More than that though I hope you tell those people how much you appreciate them now while you still have the chance. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
As I sit here writing this morning I have just come from preaching the funeral of a man I never knew. As a minister this is a task that you get asked to do more times than you would like. This was the second funeral I have preached ever and this morning on top of preaching duties I was asked to be a pallbearer for a man I never knew. As I was helping carry the casket of this man to the grave I was reminded of my good friend Andrew Baker. Andrew was a sponsor for my social club in college and during pledge week he told us the story of a brother who had died suddenly and about his club brothers carrying his casket. Andrew told us that we were not joining a social club to play sports or go to club functions but to make friends who would be closer than brothers to us and who would carry our casket when our time came.
I grieve for the family of the man whose funeral I did this morning. I am sad they lost a loved one but sadder still that he did not have the kind of close friendships that would have taken care of carrying his casket this morning at his funeral. I hope this morning that you know who would be there to carry your casket at your funeral. I hope that you have good enough friends that love you enough to be there for you. If you are a member of the Lord's body I believe this would be the case for you. If you are reading this blog today and you have not yet named Christ as your savior and been baptized into his death I would encourage you to do that.
I hope as you read this today you know who would be your pallbearer if you were to die today. More than that though I hope you tell those people how much you appreciate them now while you still have the chance. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
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