What do these things mean?

Admittedly, I am a pastor - not an economist. Inasmuch, I am certainly not claiming to wholly understand the mortgage industry bailout nor the volatility of the stock market. In all honesty, I don't know too many people in my world that can! Nevertheless, I do believe that there are some things that can be learned even if we don't understand it all.

For example, God says that if His people would become more humble, begin to pray, seek after Him and stop living outside of His plan, then He would hear our prayers, forgive us and bring healing to the land in which we live (2 Chronicles 7:14). Again, I don't claim to understand the totality of this verse but it does reveal God's desire to change us and our world because both desperately need to be changed.

Here's another example. God invites us to talk to Him and then says that He will talk to us and show us things that we don't know (Jeremiah 33:3). It seems that what He wants is an open line of communication with His people.

Could it be that what will bring change in America is for God's people to implement the essence of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Jeremiah 33:3? There may be a whole lot more but it certainly won't hurt a thing to start right there!

I'm soooooo blessed!

Although there is certainly no shortage of things that I wish were different in my life, I must admit that I am so very blessed. In fact, even though it's sort of "cliche'-ish", I really am too blessed to be stressed.

I mean, sure, I would love for gas prices to drop below $1 per gallon...who wouldn't? And I could definitely make room for some more material blessings (ie - you know, the same stuff that most of us think we need). But then, when I stop to really count my blessings, I am almost embarassed when I realize how "much" I have compared to so much of the rest of the world's inhabitants.

Thank God, no one in my family is suffering from a major illness, there is food in the refrigerator, our vehicles are dependable (well, at least 2 out of 3 aren't giving us problems!) and we have a roof over our heads.

I'm pastoring an incredible group of Christ-followers who, like me, are on a life-long journey of transformation in order to become the person that God has designed and destined for us to be. The Ministry Team that God has assembled at Smyrna Assembly(http://www.smyrnaassembly.com/) consists of incredibly gifted and anointed individuals who are devoted to the task of leading this great church into its next season of destiny.

My Master's Degree courses at Beulah Heights University (http://www.beulah.org/) are going well (exhausting, but necessary!). My roles as the Alumni Association President and Board of Trustees Member at Beulah Heights University afford me opportunties to connect with some wonderful lovers of God.

And on top of all of that, I have the world's greatest wife and kids (can you tell that I'm a little biased?) What more could I possibly want or need? Nothing really for me.

But what my heart longs for is to spread the good news of God's redemptive grace to those who have not yet heard of who have not yet received. Statistics reveal that 80% of those people living in Cobb County, GA (where I live and pastor) do not attend church on any given Sunday.

Of the 650,000 residents, more than 500,000 of my "neighbors" won't connect with a local Christian church this Sunday. Many of these friends have received God's grace but may not be a part of a local body of believers; however, I suspect that even more of these friends have yet to experience the life-changing grace that He offers through Jesus Christ.

Are you one of those who have never received God's grace? If so, I would love to introduce you to my best friend, Jesus Christ. Perhaps you will take the opportunity to call me (770.435.5478 x225; 1.866.377.7591 x225) or to email me (Pastor@SmyrnaAG.org).

Do you know someone who has never received God's grace? Then I encourage you to tell them about your best friend, Jesus Christ.

If you live within driving distance of Smyrna Assembly (http://www.smyrnaassembly.com/) and you aren't connected with a local church , please accept my personal invitation to visit.

May the blessings of the Lord overtake you, my dear friends!

Africa Oasis Project

Did you know that 80% of all sickness is attributed to unsafe water? Were you aware that 25,000 people die every day from drinking unsafe water? Have you ever heard that many women and children often walk 10 miles per day in hopes of finding safe water for their families only to discover the water they find is shared with animals and that it is filled with parasites and deadly pathogens?

Until today, I could say, "No, No, No...I wasn't aware of those realities." But now, I know and now I feel compelled to do something about those realities.

Now before I come across as if I am the "safe water savior" or something, I need to say that I am well aware of my incredibly limited abilities. In fact, there are times when it seems that my inabilities FAR outweigh my abilities. And while it is most certainly true that I can't do "everything for everybody" it is also true, nonetheless, that I can do "something for somebody."

Today I was privileged to hear the heart of God through a servant by the name of Ken Corley as he spoke to several of us about The Africa Oasis Project (http://www.africaoasisproject.org/). While AOP has been in existence for several years and actively involved in meeting some desperate needs, there is an urgency in my spirit to help get the word out.

AOP, under the direction of various Assembly of God missionaries, is working feverishly to eradicate that continent's need for clean, safe drinking water. This worthy organization partners with churches, individuals, businesses, civic organizations and schools to both raise the necessary funds as well as to raise the awareness of the problem which exists. For more information, you can visit the AOP website (http://www.africaoasisproject.org/) or contact Ken Corley (770.922.1466).

Let me encourage you to consider what you part might be in helping someone to enjoy a cup of water that will be presented to them in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And remember, He blesses those who give water to others (Matthew 25:35 NIV).

Welcome to my blog!

It's great to be able to finally say that I am a blogger! Still not sure what that actually means but here we go!