Pastor Jim Perdue

The Role of the Pastor- Part 1

2012-01-18T14:09:00.001-06:00

This series, The Role of the Pastor, comes from a study that we've been doing on Wednesday nights at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA.

It is absolutely essential that we learn what the Bible says a pastor ought to be. No doubt we all have our own ideas and opinions, but the Word of God sets the standard. Pastors should know their God-given roles and responsibilities according to God's Word; and churches should know what the Bible says a pastor ought to be. We must have some objective standard by which to write the pastor’s job description and then to measure it faithfully. That standard is the Bible.

I want to be clear about what this series is and what it is not. This is not about the qualifications of a pastor. Those are spelled out very clearly in the pastoral epistles and is not the subject of these blog posts. Maybe we'll get there one day, but not today.This is a series about the function of the pastor or the job of the pastor; what the pastor must do according to the Word. So we are not dealing with the requirements but the role; not who he should be, but what he must do.

We will cover four major topics: love, lead, protect and feed. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but any list that does not include these is certainly not exhaustive.

There are three major words in the NT that are used to refer to the pastor. They are used interchangeably but describe a different facet of pastoral duties.

Episkopos – “bishop” in English; means an overseer. This title emphasizes the leading and ruling function of the pastor.
Presbuteros – “elder” in English; refers to age or spiritual maturity. It often refers to the maturity of their spiritual experience.
Poimen – “pastor” or “shepherd” in English; refers to leadership and care. The word refers to a shepherd who takes care of sheep or flocks, It means more than one who feeds them, but who protects, looks out for, and will give his life for them.

Let's focus on the first responsibility and role of the pastor – love the people. John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Let’s focus on three words…

1. There is a requirement: we are commanded to love: 34a

Jesus says, “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…” This is not an option; it is a requirement for all believers. And if it is a requirement for all believers, it is certainly a requirement for pastors. A shepherd cares for his flock and pastors must care for their people.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that there are three things that remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest is love. Why? Because faith will be sight and hope will be realized in Heaven, but love will always remain constant.

Love is the first listed in the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. We must be characterized by love for one another and love for others. We should love those within our church and those outside of our church.

And of course, the pastor should faithfully and consistently show love to the people of God entrusted to his care.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “A pastor should not complain about his congregation, certainly never to other people, but also not to God. A congregation has not been entrusted to a pastor that he may become its accuser before God and man.”

The great pastor, Martin Lloyd-Jones said, "To love to preach is one thing, to love those to whom we preach quite another." The trouble with some of us is that we love to preach, but we are not always careful to make sure we love the people to whom we are preaching.

Now remember, love doesn’t always do what you want or tell you what you want to hear; love hurts sometimes. A good doctor will tell you the truth, even when it hurts. The same is true of a good pastor.

2. There is a reality: we are provided a perfect example of love: 34b

We are to love others as Christ has loved us…that’s a big job! Jesus says here, “love one another, even as I have loved you, that you love one another.” There's no doubt that some people are harder to love than others. God uses those people in your life to teach you how to love like He does.

In John 13, Jesus pictures Himself as a shepherd, He provides an example for us all but especially for pastors.He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd; the Shepherd loves and lays down His life for the sheep.The pastor is called to love the people as Christ loves the people. That's impossible without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A man must have a great heart, if he would have a great congregation. His heart should be as capacious as those noble harbors along our coast, which contain sea-room for a fleet. When a man has a large, loving heart, men go to him as ships to a haven and feel at peace when they have anchored under the lee of his friendship.”

3. There is a reward: we are blessed when we love: 35

There is a reward promised here for followers of Christ. Our love for one another is a strong and undeniable testimony to the world. Jesus says, "By this all will know that you are My disciples." A pastor that loves his church and a church that loves its pastor is an incredibly strong testimony to a world that’s watching.

I describe a good marriage as one where the husband thinks he’s blessed to have his wife and the wife thinks she’s blessed to have her husband. I think the church is very much the same way. A good relationship between pastor and people is when they both think they got the better deal!

No doubt there is an eternal blessing when we love as Christ commanded. But think about the immediate blessings as well. A pastor who truly loves his congregation will have more joy in ministry and also more influence in leadership.

Next up in this series, we will examine the pastor's role to lead the people of God.

Personal Growth Plan

2011-12-20T16:06:00.001-06:00

I've noticed something very important for my own spiritual growth; I need goals and I need a plan to reach those goals. I don't know who said it, but I know they were right. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is true spiritually as well. Through a tweet from a friend, I came across this Personal Growth Plan for spiritual development. This seems to be an incredible tool to assist in setting goals for essential spiritual disciplines.

I'll include the entire document below, but if you want to download the PDF for yourself, you can click here.

Personal Growth Plan for: __________________________________________

The number one command in the canon of the Bible is: “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and all your mind.” That sounds like a lot of effort. The purpose of this plan is to help you accomplish God’s heart and your desire; to obey the first commandment.

Jude 20-21: “But you beloved, building yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

Quantify the spiritual disciplines below so you can measure them. They can be measured by differing amounts of time or pages.

BIBLE READING: ________________ (pages or chapters - daily or annually)

Psalm 19:7-8: “The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

My recommendation is to read the entire Bible annually. Options: App____________, read straight through, Bible reading record, Chronological Bible, 1 Year Bible. (Straight-through reading is not recommended for the novice, as it is easy to get bogged down in some of the Older Testament.)

FAITH

BIBLE STUDY: _______________ (amount of time, topics, books to be studied, studies)

2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth ... All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

You may choose topics of interest, character studies, book studies, word studies, Small Group Bible studies, prepared studies, e.g., Beth Moore, Precepts, etc.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY: _______________ (# of verses annually) Psalm 119:11: “Your Word have I treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Use areas of growth you need: evangelism verses, prayer promises, faith (I would suggest the “Roman Road” to salvation - Romans 3:10; 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; 13)

MEDITATION: ___________________ (amount of time)

Psalm 104:34, 119:97-99: “Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; as for me I shall be glad in the Lord.” ... “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.”

Daily in the Scriptures, names of God, doctrines, attributes of God, memory verses, etc.

SILENCE: _______________ (amount of time)

Psalm 46:10, 62:5: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth.”... “My soul waits in silence for God only, for my only hope is in Him.”

Structured listening to God, listening to the Holy Spirit, discerning the Will of God, reflecting on issues, reflecting on events, reflecting on your day, problems, or the future.

SOLITUDE: _______________ (amount of time)

Psalm 27:5; 31:2: “For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent he will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” ... “You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.”

When, where, rest, bask in His presence and His glory, receive His power. PRAYER: ______________ (specific amount of time)

I Samuel 12:23; I Thessalonians 5:17: “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing the pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.” “Pray without ceasing.”

Create a list of family, friends, co-workers, spiritual leaders, political leaders, church Family, harvest of souls, revival, ministries, missionaries, etc.

FASTING: _______________ (# of meals, days, seasons)

Matthew 6:16: “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting, Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

I would recommend starting with one meal and working your way up to one full day, three days, seven days, and longer. Plan for prayer times during the fast. Study Isaiah 58 in preparation.

EVANGELISM: _______________ (# of people you will share the Gospel with this year)

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Create a list of people to pray for and share with:

FAMILY

_______________ _______________ ______________

FRIENDS

_______________ _______________ _______________

CO-WORKERS

_______________ _______________ _______________

BOOKS READ: _______________ (# of books for the year) Consider topics, areas of interest or growth, areas of strengths or weaknesses. (I recommend one out of

every ten books be a positive attitude book, areas of professional proficiency, areas to stretch you) CDs, DVDs, PODCASTS, BLOGS: _______________ (# listened to)

Proverbs 4:23 “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Leadership, sermons, worship. (Enroll in U. of A. - University of Automobile by making the best use of

time in the car and travel!) SERVING: _______________ (Amount of Time)

John 13:14-15; I Peter 4:10: “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you”... “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Inside the church, out in the community, with the poor, visiting jail or prison, areas to which you feel called.

MISSION TRIPS: _______________ (Annual trips? When do you plan to go?)

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

LIST AREAS IN YOUR SPIRITUAL WALK THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT:

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Your personal plan should reflect all of the disciplines and the areas in which you want to grow. “Your life is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.” ~GOD

Thank You

2011-11-26T16:05:00.001-06:00

In honor of my favorite holiday, I thought I would take a moment to say “thank you.” This is a simple thanks to so many who have meant so much to us.

Thanks to the people of Crosspointe. You have loved, encouraged and followed us faithfully during our time with you. “I thank the Lord in all my remembrance of you.”
Thanks to the staff of Crosspointe. God has an incredible future in store for Crosspointe and you all are a big reason why. Continue to allow Christ to build His church the right way.
Thanks to the deacons of Crosspointe. You guys are amazing and I love each of you dearly. It has been a joy to lead you and a pleasure to serve alongside of you.
Thanks to the Lord. God has done amazing things at Crosspointe over the past four years and it’s been an honor to lead as I sought to follow the Lord.
Thanks to Second Baptist Church. While we are certainly in the midst of a transition and won’t begin our ministry until 1/1/12, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as your pastor. Although I have extensive experience with SBC in the past, I believe that the best days of our church are ahead and I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to lead us to that future.
Thanks to my family. Glory to God for a wife who loves me and follows the Lord’s leadership in my life. Thank the Lord for four healthy (although very active and energetic) children who have a heart for the things of God.

It would be very easy for this to be a very long post as I consider all of the things I’m grateful for and all of the people I’m grateful to. But, for today, I’ll leave it at that. Again, thank you.

A Time of Transition

2011-11-16T09:14:00.002-06:00

Below is a copy of the letter I recently sent out to my church family regarding this time of ministry transition.

Dear Crosspointe Family,

My family and I love this church! Crosspointe is an amazing fellowship filled with incredible people. We have never felt so loved, appreciated, encouraged and accepted. It has been so incredible to see how God has moved in our church over the last several years. Honestly, it is nothing short of a miracle.

That’s why this letter is so difficult for me to write. My home church, Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA, has asked me to be their new pastor. As of Sunday, November 13^th, I have accepted their invitation. It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from the position of pastor at Crosspointe Baptist Church. My tenure will conclude on the last day of November.

Please believe me when I say that we are not hurt, angry, mad, frustrated or disappointed. On the contrary, we love Crosspointe more than ever and we are eternally grateful to the Lord for the privilege of serving as your pastor. But, we must follow the Lord’s will and direction. If you know me, I hope you know that my deepest desire is to be faithful and obedient to the Lord’s call. Only God could bring me to Crosspointe and only God could move me away.

The future of Crosspointe Baptist Church is incredibly bright. I firmly believe the best days of Crosspointe are ahead. I will pray for you all and humbly ask that you pray for my family and me during this transition. I love each of you dearly and am grateful for the privilege of knowing you and serving with you.

Love in Christ,

Jim Perdue

My Great Need for Grace

2011-11-08T16:40:00.000-06:00

I am deeply indebted to and in need of grace. Grace is not a one-time need and it is not a one-time provision. I need grace today just as much as I needed grace on the day of my salvation. This is saving grace and this is sustaining grace.

In Titus 3:3-7, Paul paints a beautiful picture of grace. "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

The law simply points out my weakness and utter helplessness in meeting God’s standards, but God’s grace makes it possible to be accepted by Him. God will only accept those who are righteous in His sight. We are made righteous and made acceptable through the power of Jesus Christ and the grace that He brought to mankind.

God’s grace has done something that no one and nothing could ever do for us. Through His death, He offers life. Through His suffering, He offers salvation. Through His wounds, He offers healing.

I have a great need for grace. But thankfully, my need for grace is matched by God's great supply. If you ever get over grace you've gone too far.

The Entertainment Culture Within The Church

2011-09-20T09:41:00.000-05:00

We face a great danger when we show up at church wanted to be entertained. I'm sure you've heard it before; from a spouse, a friend, a fellow church member, or maybe you've said it. "I didn’t get anything out of it today” or “it wasn’t enough to keep my attention” or “it wasn’t really fun.” What you are really saying is this: “God’s Word isn’t enough for me.” The only time you shouldn’t “get anything out of the sermon” is if the Word of God is not preached. And if it’s not preached then you've got a major problem with the preacher. The Bible clearly places the responsibility of preaching the Word of God squarely upon the shoulders of the pastor. Do we show up to church in order to be entertained, or do we hope to see lives changed? Entertainment has never saved one soul from hell. Only the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God has that power.

God Must Be First

2011-09-08T15:19:00.000-05:00

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” If you notice, Jesus is speaking about priorities; about what matters most. He tells His disciples not even to worry about the essentials of life, but to focus on one main priority—the eternal purpose of God.

Every generation of believers needs to hear this message. Jesus was simply restating a truth that is seen throughout the entire Old Testament. And is seen clearly here in the Old Testament prophecy of Haggai as well. God must be first in your life!

The prophet condemns God's people for paying attention to their affairs while ignoring the house of God. Haggai 1:4-5 says, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways."

Haggai’s message is certainly a message that the church of God needs to hear today. In many ways, the church today mirrors the situation of the people of God then. They had great abundance, but they kept it for themselves, displaying great apathy for the things of God. And they displayed a lack of passion for the things of God.

Ask yourself, “Is my comfort more important to me than God’s work? Am I working hard to get ahead financially while finding earthly success empty? Do I focus more on my wants and wishes or God’s will for my life?” If so, it’s time to rearrange your priorities.

Be honest with yourself and think about what your priorities have been. Now, in light of Scripture, determine what they should be. What are you going to do about it?

I Love My Wife!

2011-03-14T15:53:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to take a second to say that I LOVE MY WIFE! She is so amazing!

*Your blog was hacked by your amazing wife!!*
SHMILY

Christ is our Substitute

2010-10-28T16:58:00.000-05:00

At the heart of Christianity is the Doctrine of Substitution. Substitution is the true meaning of Christ’s death because he sacrificed Himself in the place of condemned sinners to satisfy God’s holy wrath and righteous judgment against sin. This is also described as vicarious from the Latin word meaning "one in place of another."

The death of Christ is "vicarious" in the sense that Christ is the Substitute who bears the punishment rightly due sinners, their guilt being imputed to Him in such a way that He representatively bore their punishment. He took my place on the cross; that’s a debt that I can never repay!

John Murray said, “Christ discharged the debt of sin. He bore our sins and purged them. He did not make a token payment which God accepts in place of the whole. Our debts are not cancelled; they are liquidated.”

Thank God that Jesus took my place on the cross.

A Future Hope

2010-09-14T10:52:00.000-05:00

Contrary to the way the title sounds, this is not a spiritual post concerning our eschatological expectations. Maybe that post will come some day. But today, is not that day. Today's post is dedicated to the most awesome fast food chain in the world, Chick-fil-A.

Here is a photo to show the progress of the new site in Millington where the Chick-fil-A will one day reside. I am, to say the least, highly encouraged and spurred on by this "future hope."

Why is Chick-fil-A so popular? Without getting on my soap box, I'll mention a few simple reasons.

Family-Freindly- for me, my top reason for loving Chick-fil-A is its family-friendly focus. It's not just a good place for families to go eat and hang out, they are seriously intentional about focusing on the family and helping families grow together. It's more than a playground, decent meal and a good time. It's a focus on the family that seeks to deepen relationships, encourage participation and increase quality time.
Proper perspective- Chick-fil-A is owned and operated by faithful followers of Jesus Christ. I've had a chance to spend time with the Cathy family and I know their heart to serve the Lord. They are the real deal! They have a proper perspective about life. They know that God has given them a platform to make a difference for His kingdom and that's exactly what they strive to do. Chick-fil-A tithes off the profits of its entire corporation. Amazing!
Great service- I don't know if I've ever been to a Chick-fil-A when I received poor service. I am always greeted by friendly faces who are willing to help in any way possible. Not only that, but I am way impressed the restaurants are always willing to take expired coupons. They go the extra mile. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into a very busy restaurant and my order was taken in a timely manner with polite and courteous people willing and ready to serve.
Great atmosphere- this one could probably be grouped into the previous point but I separated it for a reason. What other fast-food restaurant do you know of where employees are constantly walking around the place offering to get you a refill on your drink or take your trash? Just another way Chick-fil-A steps it up and separates itself from the rest.
Good food- I would say the food at Chick-fil-A is very good. But that's not the reason I love the place. Now, I am known to really enjoy the nuggets, sandwiches and especially the milkshakes. But it's not about the food for me.

I read a great book one time entitled Raving Fans. The point of the book is that if you are a business or a service organization (or a church for that matter) you should strive for more than just "satisfied customers." Your goal should be "raving fans." Chick-fil-A has raving fans for sure.

Now let's get spiritual for a moment. Take a look at the five reasons I listed and apply them to the church. Think spiritually substitute the fifth for "good preaching" or "proper discipleship." How would our churches be different if we followed these principles?

And to end...a wonderful song by Tim Hawkins extolling the virtues of Chick-fil-A. Enjoy...

The Power of the Holy Spirit

2010-09-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

Why Don’t We Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit? Simply put, we don’t live in the power of the Holy Spirit because we love our sin too much. In any given moment, it is impossible to live in the power of the Spirit and sin at the same time. Sin is wholly opposed to everything that is of the Spirit. They are mutually exclusive and totally contrary to each other.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. You are not just a person living your life by human power. The Spirit of God is in you; that is why Jesus said it was before for Him to go and the Spirit to come.

Living in the power of the Spirit requires complete and total surrender on your part. Nowhere in Scripture do you find people who have this beautiful balanced life with a little bit of God added in. But when you look at the modern-day church, this is exactly what you see: a lot of people who have added Jesus to their lives. People who have, in a sense, asked Him to join them on their life journey, to follow them wherever they feel they should go, rather than following Him as we are commanded.

The God of the Universe is not something we can just add to our lives and keep on as we did before. The Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is not someone we can just call on when we want a little extra power in our lives. Jesus Christ did not die in order to follow us. He died and rose again so that we could forget everything else and follow Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

So if a little bit of spirituality added in to our lives is not what God has in mind, what does He want for His children? How does He desire us to live? We are called by Christ to give up everything. His call is to come and take up the cross. In a phrase, it is death to self and life in His Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit, you have the power of God residing within you. Now this is good news and bad news. The bad news is, you have no more excuses for living in your sin. The good new is, you have the power to overcome through the indwelling Spirit of the risen Christ!

(Portions of this post are borrowed from Francis Chan's book, Forgotten God)

The Conviction of the Holy Spirit

2010-08-29T21:58:00.000-05:00

The Bible teaches us that all people are by nature rebels against God and hostile to Jesus Christ. We are dead in trespasses and sins and by nature children of wrath. We are alienated from God and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds; blinded by Satan so we cannot understand spiritual truth. In that condition, we are helpless and unable to believe the truth. But through the Spirit of God bringing about a convicting work in our lives they are confronted with the truth, drawn to the Father and brought to life. (paraphrase of John MacArthur)

The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin. Primarily, this means the greatest sin of all; the sin of not believing in Jesus Christ. But beyond that, the Spirit convicts of us of the sin in our lives on daily basis. If you are brought under the conviction of sin, especially your sin against Christ, grace is at work in your life. Pay attention to the work of the Holy Spirit and cast yourself upon the mercy of God!

You see, the work of conviction in your life is actually an evidence of God's endless grace. Until you know how bad the bad news is you'll never know how good the good news is. Conviction always comes before conversion. Blaise Pascal once said, "Man is great insofar as he realizes that he is wretched."

Those who are truly close to God do not feel an overwhelming sense of righteousness. Instead, they see their sinfulness in light of Christ's righteousness. And through the work of the Holy Spirit of God in their lives, seek to draw ever closer to Him.

A Desperation for God

2010-08-19T06:17:00.000-05:00

"Are we dependent upon self or are we desperate for His Spirit?" This is a question that every believer in Jesus Christ must answer. It's a question that every church must answer as well.

It has become very easy in today's ecclesiological climate to operate the church according to a man-made formula. As long as you have a rocking band, a cool pastor who "connects" with you, a sweet-looking logo and some "relevant" sermon series then you have the makings of a mega-church.

By no means do I want to detract from the genuine move of God in many churches that are growing supernaturally. Nor do I want to sound like a pastor who is jealous of those churches that are "growing." God has blessed at Crosspointe in a mighty way and we continue to see growth year after year. He alone deserves the credit and receives the glory!

My point is simple, I want to remind us all that the church is not a human invention or creation; it is solely a divine creation. And can we really call it a "church" if it exists without the power of God? We are absolutely, totally and completely dependent upon the Spirit of God for the existence and advancement of the church. Someone once said, "Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things."

We have begun a four-part series at Crosspointe entitled "Forgotten God: reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit." The title is borrowed from Francis Chan's excellent book but the content is considerably different. It is my contention that in most churches and in the lives of most believers the Holy Spirit could be absent and we would never even notice.

Is there something considerably different about my life because the Spirit of God dwells in me? Is my church characterized by clever ingenuity, marketing, advertising and catchy slogans? Or it is marked by an overwhelming sense of the supernatural power and presence of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit? He alone brings life!

The Great Recession and Family Life

2010-08-17T17:15:00.002-05:00

Here's a very interesting article entitled, "What the Great Recession Has Done to Family Life." The New York Times takes a fairly counterintuitive approach to the economic turmoil surrounding us at this time.

Comparing the "Great Recession" to the "Great Depression," the Times points to the changes that occurred after the depression and what might come about as a result of this recession. Could it be that some "things" have to be taken away from us to truly see the value of family? Could it be that through the difficult economic times we are encountering, we could gain a new perspective regarding prosperity and materialism? Could it be that actually losing some of the things we depend on for our "happiness" will reveal to us the foolishness of our ways?

My prayer is that our nation, and specifically the people of God, will learn some serious spiritual lessons through these tough economic times. I pray that we will forsake the materialism that plagues and characterizes this age and we will cling to the gospel of Jesus Christ and its supreme sufficiency. In the words of David Platt, maybe this global financial crisis will serve as a wake up call for Christians to "take back our faith from the American Dream."

Waiting on God

2010-08-09T06:30:00.004-05:00

We are a people that hate to wait and we are a nation that hates to wait. We love our fast food, fast cars, microwaves and interstates. But we must learn to wait patiently on the Lord. God is not obligated to operate according to our timetable. Waiting on the Lord is active, not passive. Someone once said, “Patience is not passive: on the contrary it is active; it is concentrated strength.”

We can wait eagerly on God’s promise because we know that it will come to pass. Part of worship is waiting on God’s promise and receiving God’s promise in His proper time. The prophet writes in Isaiah 40:31, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

G. Campbell Morgan said, “Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.” Psalms 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

What is the Goal of the Church?

2010-08-03T14:50:00.004-05:00

Now this is a question that every pastor, and every Christian for that matter, must wrestle with at some time or another; "What is the goal of the church?" Of course, we know that Jesus makes the answer to this question very clear in Matthew 28:19-20. The goal of the church is to accomplish the Great Commission; to make disciples of all nations for the glory of God.

Most do not argue about the goal of the church, instead they argue about how to accomplish that goal. For what it's worth, here's what I've learned in my brief tenure as a pastor.

1. Big events and great entertainment draw a crowd, but they do not build a church.
2. Big events and great entertainment do not make disciples, they make a very dangerous class of "Christian" consumers.
3. Big events and great entertainment set you up for failure in the future. If you're built on the next big thing, the next thing has to be bigger than the last thing.
4. Big events and great entertainment will wear out your pastors and leaders and leave your people frustrated and disillusioned.
5. Big events and great entertainment leave your people looking for the next big thing. When in fact, the next big thing should be next Sunday.

To my pastor friends, I want to encourage you to resist steadfastly the temptation to entertain the masses. As you look at the ministry of Christ, you'll notice that He never sought a crowd just for the sake of boasting about His numbers. In fact, you read often of Him retreating from the crowd and other times of the crowd retreating from Him at His harsh words.

The bottom line is this: what you win them with is what you'll keep them with. Don't get caught in the trap of entertaining Christians or scheduling events to get the huge crowd to show up. In the end, the church is tasked with the responsibility of making disciples of all nations. Instead of creating "Christian" consumers, we should be making disciples that are disciple-makers.

Helping Children to Understand the Gospel

2010-07-31T15:01:00.005-05:00

I just finished an incredibly helpful book entitled, Helping Children to Understand the Gospel (published by Children Desiring God). Because children are so impressionable and will easily "repeat a prayer" or "raise their hand," it is important that we clearly communicate the truth of the gospel in a way that is both simple and accurate.

This book offers ten devotionals that you can go through as a family, with a group of children, or even with parents of small children. Here are the ten topics that accompany the devotions.

1. Truth One: God is the sovereign Creator of all things.
2. Truth Two: God created people for His glory.
3. Truth Three: God is holy and righteous.
4. Truth Four: Man is sinful.
5. Truth Five: God is just and is right to punish sin.
6. Truth Six: God is merciful. He is kind to undeserving sinners.
7. Truth Seven: Jesus is God's holy and righteous Son.
8. Truth Eight: God put the punishment of sinners on Jesus.
9. Truth Nine: God offers the free gift of salvation to those who repent and believe in Jesus.
10. Truth Ten: Those who trust in Jesus will live to please Him and will receive the promise of eternal life - enjoying God forever in heaven.

As a father of three (soon to be four), I am earnestly praying and passionately seeking the Lord for the salvation of my kids. This devotional tool will help me communicate clearly the truth of the gospel in a real, practical and powerful way. I will soon be teaching these truths during family worship!

Connect: 40 Days of Passionate Worship

2010-07-27T14:53:00.004-05:00

This summer at Crosspointe, we have been walking through what it means to worship God faithfully and consistently. Here are a few thoughts we've covered.

1. Worship is a lifestyle, not an event. Worship on Sunday is an overflow of what God has been doing in your life throughout the week! Worship is a life you live, not a service you attend.
2. Worship is about God’s glory, not my preferences. If I'm concerned more about my preferences than God's glory then I'm actually not worshipping God, I'm worshipping myself.
3. Worship is a spiritual experience, not an outward show. Who is your audience when you worship? Are you more concerned about what those around you think, or about what God thinks?
4. Worship is about what I put into it, not what I get out of it. It’s not what I get when I come to worship, it’s what I give!

Someone once offered this definition of worship: "Worship is our response to what we value most.” And if worship is our response to what we value most, our faithfulness and participation in corporate worship will reveal the value we place on our personal relationship with Christ.

Let me say it as simply as I can, with grace and love; It is impossible to be a good Christian while voluntarily, consistently and purposefully missing corporate worship. People have a thousand reasons to stay away from church. This is not a new problem. The early Jewish church had a fall-off in attendance due to persecution, ostracism, false-teaching and arrogance. Today, people stay out of church for different reasons. Today, there are all sorts of reasons but every single one of them comes back to a simple philosophy; my wants and desires are more important than God’s directives and commands.

Kent Hughes said, "It is true that a person doesn’t have to “go to church” to be a Christian. Just like you don’t have to go home to be married either. But in both cases, if you don’t, you will have a very poor relationship." Simply put, it's possible to be committed to church without being committed to Christ, but it's impossible to be committed to Christ without being committed to His church!

Back from the Beach

2009-06-20T16:02:00.002-05:00

Stephanie and I just got back from a week at Panama City Beach with the students of Crosspointe. Man, what an incredible week! God did some amazing things in the lives of our students and our adults as well. Oh yeah...and in my life too!

I know that I have a tendency to be a bit nostalgic at times, but it's impossible not to think about the times I was in Middle School and in High School at this same camp. The way God moved in my life at those times still impact me to this day. I'm praying that the decisions made this week will impact our students for the rest of their lives...and for all of eternity.

You can view daily updates and pictures here.

What to Do When the Crisis Comes

2009-05-31T20:35:00.004-05:00

I began a series this morning on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. This Minor Prophet book (because of its length, not its message) is absolutely incredible. I think this could be one of the most meaningful series I've done at Crosspointe. Why? Because trouble is the common denominator in the Christian experience. Everyone will face times of difficulty and crisis at one point or another. The question is not, "Will the crisis come?" But, "How do I respond when the crisis comes?"

God did a great work at Crosspointe today and this series has just begun. I think we'd be amazed if we really knew how many people were facing a crisis at any given moment in our church. The good news is, God is not unaware, unconcerned or uninterested; and He is capable to deal with the situation better than we ever could on our own!

Freedom FROM Religion

2009-05-28T08:48:00.003-05:00

People have certainly confused the founding father's intention of Freedom OF Religion. They have misinterpreted or misrepresented their desire for the free exercise of religion. Many now believe, or at least purport, that their intention was for religion to have no impact or mark upon society whatsoever. As you well know, this couldn't be further from the truth.

We are in a day where our religious liberties are being attacked from every side. I realize that you might not experience what these folks have gone through, but be prepared for the shrinking of the parameters when it comes to the freedom of expression.

Watch for bills coming through Congress like the Hate Crimes legislation that could limit what can be said from the pulpit and mark certain types of preaching as "hate speech." How long will it be until we have to spend time in jail for preaching against the things the Bible condemns?

Interesting and Encouraging News

2009-05-15T21:56:00.004-05:00

Through a friend's post, I found this study on gallup.com. This indicates that for the first time since this poll began in 1995, more Americans would define themselves as pro-life than pro-choice. This is very interesting considering the majority of the country just elected the most pro-choice administration in history. I wonder if this will have implications or ramifications in the next presidential election and the mid-term elections in 2010. It will be interesting to see for sure.

The lost story in this past year's election cycle was the sweeping victory for morality across the country. One simple example is the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Remember, this is CALIFORNIA!!! Not a state that typically clings to "God, guns and religion." Many other "moral" victories across the country were widely ignored by the mainstream media.

All of this could be an indication that Americans are waking up to morality. Or, it could be a blip on the radar when history records our moral decline and eventual demise. For now, we'll chalk it up as interesting and encouraging news. I hope the trend towards morality continues and we can correct our path of "Slouching Toward Gomorrah."

Very Interesting

2009-04-21T08:58:00.002-05:00

I saw this speech and thought...I hope this never happens to me when I'm preaching! Then again, if I say things as stupid as Ahmadinejad, I probably deserve it.

Hi!

2009-04-19T21:59:00.003-05:00

This is Stephanie. I noticed that Jim hasn't posted in a while so I thought I would take a second to give you an update.

Jim is married to a pretty awesome gal:-) She loves him deeply is so proud of him. He is doing a great job following the Lord as he leads Crosspointe. God is truly moving, working and changing lives at our church. I am just thankful to be apart of what God is doing. I am amazed each week.

I love you, Jim Perdue! Hope you are having a great day! I hope this post will bring a smile to your face when you finally read it. Although I am not sure how often you are looking at you blog.

SHMILY!!!

Quote of the Day

2009-03-21T16:43:00.005-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted a quote of the day. It's not that there haven't been any clever or pithy comments by our kids, it's just that there have been so many great quotes, it's impossible to record them all. So, when a great one comes along, I am compelled to include it here. Here goes...

I'm changing Anna Kate's NASTY dirty diaper (yes, I do that from time to time) and Jake is watching me.

As I'm changing this diaper, I ask Jake, "Hey buddy, do you want to help me wipe Anna Kate's bottom?"

He says, "No thanks daddy, I like to wipe my own bottom."

CLASSIC!!!

This Guy is Hilarious!

2009-03-17T10:26:00.002-05:00

I don't know if you've ever heard of Tim Hawkins but I am just now discovering him. This guys is hilarious!!! Check out this video and you can google him for some more entertainment. (In case you're wondering, that's not his "normal voice" it's one of his "funny voices" for his act...I was worried about that for a second).

What's On?

2009-03-07T14:15:00.002-06:00

OK, I have to admit that I'm not a huge TV junkie. In fact, with a wife, three kids, a dog, a cat and a fish, I don't have much time to remember that we have a TV. Oh yeah, I work a full week too (yes, pastors work more than Sunday and Wednesday).

There are, however, a couple of shows that Stephanie and I really enjoy. Our all-time favorite show is CBS's "The Unit." LOVE this show. It's actually one of the only pro-military dramas I've seen on TV. But, I hear that "The Unit" is possibly biting the dust soon. That stinks.

So, what are your favorite TV shows? Is there anything on TV that's worth watching these days?

Here's a list of our favorites:
1. Anything sports
2. The Unit
3. Life
4. Lie to Me
5. That's right, really only three shows

Show Me The Money

2009-03-06T14:12:00.003-06:00

Our Federal Budget this year is a proposed 3.6 trillion dollars. Now, that's a lot of money. A million is a lot, a billion is even more, but a trillion is a thousand billion. To put this into perspective, check out this site.

Now that's pretty remarkable. A HUGE sum of money. And guess what, it's supposedly OUR money. What we earn and what we provide to the US Government through our taxes. Hmmmm....I think I can come up with a better way to invest.

Watch This!

2009-02-19T13:13:00.004-06:00

Wow! I have no idea who Rick Santelli is, but I think he hit the nail on the head when it comes to what's going on in our nation's economy. Where's the "rugged individualism" that used to define our country? Is America really a socialist country now? Hmmm....some serious thoughts to ponder.

Pitiful

2009-02-10T18:45:00.003-06:00

I guess you could call me a pitiful football fan. Less than a month after the season is over, all I can think about when I see the remote laying on the couch is, "I wonder if there's a game on." Guess what...there's not! Not unless you turn to the NFL Network or ESPN Classic. Already know the score = not that fun to watch.

To me, College Basketball is no fun until March and the truth is, I miss football. There's just nothing else like it. I know...I know...pitiful.

Economics 101

2009-01-19T20:27:00.005-06:00

I have determined the reason for the economic downturn. Believe me, I know the basic principles of economics but this is no issue of supply and demand. Here it is...

Thanks to a kind friend, Stephanie and I had the chance to venture out into the real world today without any kids in tow. This doesn't happen very often. We were so excited to have a few hours to just hang out; grab some lunch, go to the mall, look at furniture and exchange some clothes. Big-time stuff for parents of three small kids.

Now, to the point. Almost everywhere we went today we received incredibly POOR service. I don't mean the "it was fine" service that you expect when people don't even care to go the extra mile. I mean the kind of service where people make it clear that serving you in any way is an absolute inconvenience, regardless of the fact they get paid to serve you.

I have to give Stephanie some credit here, because she's been saying this for a couple of weeks now (I guess we've had a run of some bad service lately), but we think the economy stinks because customer service is so bad!!! Who wants to buy anything when people are rude and treat you poorly?

Disclaimer: please try to find the humor here. In no way am I minimizing the global economic downturn but I do believe that a little customer service would go a LONG way.

Second Disclaimer: the bright spot of customer service today was Chris at Bahama Breeze. Chris, sorry I don't know your last name; you did a great job and received a generous tip for your outstanding service.

Holiday Hiatus Over

2009-01-19T10:47:00.001-06:00

After an extended holiday hiatus, let's see if I can't get back into the swing of things in the blogosphere. It's been a busy time for sure, but I'll try to make up for it in the next few days. Stay tuned.

What Fun!

2008-12-23T21:30:00.002-06:00

Stephanie and I took the kids to "Pump it Up" in Memphis for Family Night. I'd have to say that's the best seven bucks I've spent in a long time (it's $7 per kid but Judd was free because he's two and Anna Kate...well, you get it).

The boys loved it! I told Stephanie while we were there that it was the easiest time I've ever had watching the boys. It's also cheaper than a movie and they're able to get their energy out; which is absolutely necessary for little boys! And more than necessary for our boys!!!

I'm thinking about building a "Pump it Up" in my backyard here in Brighton. Any takers?

Judd Turns Two!!!

2008-12-15T21:11:00.006-06:00

It was a very eventful weekend around the Perdue house. We had a birthday party Friday night, Dan, Jessica and Rabun came up on Saturday and Judd turned two on Sunday. Judd's party went great on Friday night, we've had a blast with my brother, sister-in-law and niece and Sunday was another great day at Crosspointe.

Then, Sunday night, Judd came down with the vicious stomach virus. He got sick while we were at church (sorry Jody and Stacy), and then again in my office, again on the way home and a few times again at home.

I think he had a good birthday, but not a very good birthnight. Poor kid...who wants to be sick on their birthday!!!

Here he is with his hand over his face. Cute as he can be!

Big Game Tomorrow

2008-12-05T22:01:00.003-06:00

I'm looking forward to the SEC Championship Game tomorrow. Too bad UGA is not in the mix; that would be incredible. But, I believe it's going to be a great game between Florida and Alabama. Florida has been strong for years but I've been saying for a while now to watch Bama. Once they got Saban, I knew they were on the rise. It's going to be a battle for sure. When it's all said and done, I'm pretty sure an SEC team will be in the Championship Game against a Big 12 school. And, as an SEC loyalist, you know I'll be pulling for them over the Big 12.

As I was thinking football my mind was drawn to larger things. How nice would it be for us to all come together for a common purpose and goal. Sure, there may be some issues and circumstances where we fall on opposite sides, but in the big game, it's important to join together against a common foe. I know I'm probably reading WAY too much into this game and the National Championship showdown, but I'm somewhat inspired when I can root for a team I've pulled against just a few weeks ago. Interesting how football intersects with life and ministry.

All I Want for Christmas...

2008-11-14T20:03:00.004-06:00

Okay, for those who know me well, you understand that I don't even start thinking about Christmas until after my birthday on November 29th. It's a rule in my household as well; and Stephanie must show great restraint in obliging me.

This morning, Jake came to me with an "all I want for Christmas" conversation. Here's how it went.

"Daddy, I don't want a lot for Christmas. I only want three things."

A Wii Fit
A real gun so I can hunt with you
A real Monster Truck that I can drive around our house and on our road

I said, "Jake, that's a lot!" He said, "No sir daddy, it's only three things." I hope Santa hasn't been affected by the slumping economy!

Now What?

2008-11-06T21:01:00.003-06:00

This is truly a historic time for our nation. We have just elected the 44th president of the United States who will be inaugurated in January. The truth still remains however, we are a nation divided over some very contentious issues. And the question on my mind is really simple, now what?

Psalms 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Ultimately, the problems within our country are not economic, financial, national or international...they are spiritual. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Not only are we a nation full of sin, but we are a nation that has become proud of sin.

Look at history as recorded in Scripture as well as the nations that have risen and fallen before us; anytime you remove God from the picture, you spell doom and defeat for your country. So, now what? What is our task as believers today in America? What has God called us to do? I believe we have been called for such a time as this. And I believe the church is at a critical juncture and crossroads. Will we rise to the occasion and reach our nation for Christ, or will we abdicate our responsibility and fade into the shadows? It's up to us.

I'm Not Watching

2008-11-04T10:04:00.004-06:00

It's no secret that I'm somewhat of a political junky...and for good reason. I have decided, however, that there is no way I'm watching the election returns tonight. I remember staying up late in 1996, 2000 and 2004 hanging on every word and watching every state come in (and in fact, watching state returns in 2002 and 2006 as well). But now, I've just decided to wake up in the morning and hear the news.

Why?

Well, for one thing, I've become fairly disillusioned with the media. Even the good news stations say the same thing over and over and have "breaking/urgent news" every five minutes. Is that really how often something absolutely urgent happens? Maybe so, but it reminds me a lot of the boy who cried wolf.
Also, I'm not quite sure how this thing will turn out and if I'm going to be depressed or upset, I might as well wait until the morning.
Finally, I've just decided that ultimately, God is in control. It's not like I've decided that so it makes it true, I've just chosen to actually live by that philosophy in my life. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." I believe this and to be honest, that gives me an incredible sense of peace regardless of the outcome of this election.

Are there weighty and important issues at stake? Absolutely! Do I stand in favor of the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage? Absolutely. But I also know that there has never been an election in Heaven to replace God and there never will be. So, He's still on His throne, He's still in control and He's got it all covered. Maybe we'll be surprised, maybe we won't...but I can guarantee you HE won't be!

Somebody's Gotta Say It

2008-11-02T15:55:00.002-06:00

I think I have a pretty good sense of humor but there are some things I just don't get. That being said, it's pretty clear to me that the ad department at Burger King and I are pretty much out of sync when it comes to humor. If you ask Stephanie, she could tell you that I've been complaining about Burger King commercials ever since the scary, plastic, oversized king appeared on the scene (if not before). And now, here's the ad for their shroom and swiss burger. Are you kidding me?

Is Baseball Still On?

2008-10-27T21:30:00.005-05:00

I heard on the radio today that the audience for the World Series was very low this year (11 points off from last year according to Nielsen). I don't know why the excitement has waned for me, but it certainly has. Maybe it's because of the fact that the Braves aren't the perennial powerhouse they once were. Or maybe it's because College Football is so engaging and exciting that baseball seems that much slower and boring. Whatever it is...this year, for the first time I can remember, I didn't even know that the World Series was on. And when I did, I didn't really care.

Front Porch

2008-10-23T17:02:00.008-05:00

I'm a guy who enjoys the simple pleasures in life. That being said, I'll cut right to the chase. When we moved to Brighton we bought a home that was perfect for our family. To me, the one drawback was that the front porch was empty.

Well, I got it in my mind a few weeks ago to change that. Stephanie laughs at me when I get in these moods but I was at the point where the porch could no longer be empty. I went to Lowe's and bought a couple of black rocking chairs and ordered a porch swing off this website.

The results were incredible! Not only did the house look a lot better with our porch furniture, but the entire family absolutely loves it. Now, Stephanie and I can rock or swing on the front porch while the boys run around and play in the front yard. It's almost like my own little piece of Mayberry. And if you know me, that's a big deal!

Here are a few pictures so you can see what life is like on our front porch.

Incredible Book!

2008-10-23T07:30:00.005-05:00

I am reading a phenomenal book right now. It's been on my Amazon Wishlist for sometime and I bought it a few weeks ago. I have been absolutely amazed as I've read the story of the Chinese Christian, Brother Yun, in "The Heavenly Man." I want to encourage you to pick this book up and read it. You'll be shocked, amazed and encouraged by his powerful testimony. If you're like me, once you pick it up you'll have a hard time putting it down.

I Love This Weather!

2008-10-10T20:26:00.005-05:00

I LOVE the fall. The temperature drops, the leaves begin to change and my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving) is rapidly approaching. Unlike my wife, I like the colder weather and enjoy the winter months, so I don't mind that fall signals the coming winter.

Fall means more ministry for the church as well. As we settle down from summer and get into the groove of school, it's time to be faithful to church and do three major things: CONNECT, GROW and SERVE. Connect with God in worship, grow in discipleship through our small groups and serve God by reaching out to others and serving in ministry.

Use this natural change in the seasons to plug in, connect and commit to serve God at your local church. I love the fall; it's a great time to make the decision to get serious about serving God.

Quote of the Day

2008-10-10T20:09:00.004-05:00

This is a momentous occasion...Judd's first quote of the day. He's talking SO much since he got tubes in his ears. Safe assumption: he's probably hearing much better!

Judd is going through a pretty demanding stage where he wants to be held all the time. His favorite thing to do is come up to you, raise his arms toward the sky and say, "up...up...up." So, I picked him up the other day and he gets even more demanding. He says, "out...out," directing me to go out of the room.

I said, Judd, you are NOT the boss son, Daddy is the boss. All of the sudden, he looked me in the eyes and said, "No...ME...boss!" I'm not quite sure, but I think it was his very first sentence! I quickly reminded him that daddy was definitely in charge and Judd was not and before we left the room he said, "Daddy...boss." :)

Staff Get-together

2008-09-19T09:04:00.006-05:00

We had a staff get-together at my place the other night and it was a blast! We had a Mexican theme night and everyone brought their own food to share. There was a TON of food. Seriously, I think we could have fed the entire church with all of the food everyone brought.

After supper, we broke out the Wii. I'm extremely tempted to post some pictures and may do so at a later time...possibly even a video. Let's just say that Melba Dease was awesome playing Wii boxing. That image is forever etched in my brain. What a fun time!

Have You Read "The Shack"?

2008-09-11T09:04:00.004-05:00

I don't like to read fiction; never really have. I guess I like to use my reading time to study Scripture and read books that reinforce my spiritual disciplines, bring me new information or provide inspiration. For me, fiction doesn't do that. If you're an avid fiction reader, good for you! Don't misinterpret my ambivalence toward fiction to be a criticism of the genre rather than a personal preference.

We must be very careful, however, to separate fact from fiction, and orthodoxy from heresy. This is the problem with "The Shack." Apparently, this is a very popular fiction book; and apparently, I'm very much behind the times because I'm just hearing about it. But, I wanted to take a moment and address this here because heresy can be so deceptive.

I just wanted to provide a warning here to avoid the danger of this heresy. Below, I will quote an article by Hank Hanegraaff in its entirety:

Over the last few months I've been hearing more and more about a book titled The Shack by William Young, who goes by his middle name, Paul. Some, like my mother, are profoundly disturbed by the content of this book. Others are saying that it is the best book they have ever read. In fact Eugene Peterson says "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's that good."

After reading a front page article in the Life section of USA Today and hearing a comment by a colleague, I decided to open the door on The Shack. Here's the deal: I have to confess that Young's stereotypical characterization of the Father as a large, beaming African-American woman, the Son is a Jew with a large nose, and the Holy Spirit is a mysterious Asian female makes me more than just a little queasy.

Furthermore, virtually every theological heresy begins with a misconception of the nature of God and The Shack is no exception. After chiding those he believes to have misconceptions about the Trinity Young proceeds to compromise, confuse and outright contradict biblical orthodoxy.

For example, he pictures the Father bearing crucifixion scars as well as being incarnated in tandem with the Holy Spirit. Not only so, but he pontificates that Jesus has never drawn upon His nature as God to do anything. Of course those who have read the Bible even once will immediately recognize the falsity of that statement, particularly with respect to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One more point. Young has Jesus - the Jew with the big nose - declaring "I am not a Christian and I have no desire to make them" - and the them is Buddhists, Mormons, Muslims, etc. - "Christians." Indeed, Young describes Christians as religious fanatics and part of a sinful world system. Of course in sharp distinction the followers of Christ adopted the word "Christian" in the midst of suffering and persecution. You can see examples of that in the Book of Acts written by Luke or by Peter, such as 1 Peter 4:16.

The fact that The Shack is now being touted by those who take the sacred name of Jesus Christ upon their lips is, to me, a sad commentary on Christian discernment. Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle said it best: "If you haven't read The Shack, don't." I suppose in the end it is books like this that make the need for discernment ministry ever more necessary.

Thoughts About Travel and Family

2008-09-11T08:55:00.004-05:00

Well, I've been in Mexico since Monday and we have definitely had a wonderful time. It has been absolutely incredible, but I am ready to see my family! I miss my wife and kids big time! I don't travel a lot because I don't like to be away from home very much.

For one reason, I really feel like I need to put a stake down in Millington and let everyone know that's where I am and that's where I want to be. But also, I need to avoid the temptation to go here, there and everywhere while my family stays home. I'm trying to be more strategic about my travel and I'm learning you just can't do everything; even everything you WANT to do!!!

This is definitely a trip I want to do and will continue to do. Hopefully next year I'll be able to bring Stephanie with me. This will be on my strategic list of destinations and mission trips. It's been an amazing trip and I believe very fruitful for the Kingdom of God.

So, I'm ready to see my family. I miss them a ton right now and can't wait to spend time with them. See you soon!!!

Hola from Mexico!

2008-09-09T22:09:00.004-05:00

This week I am in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with my good friend, Jeff Crook, and my new friend, Jason Nave. I am having an incredible time here training pastors from all over Mexico.

My time here this week has absolutely reinforced my love for pastors. It's true, I absolutely love the church and I love those whom God has called to lead His church.

Also, for some reason unknown to me, I have a great affinity for Central America, especially Mexico. It seems that God has given me a special burden for this place and its people. It has also reaffirmed my personal goal of speaking fluent Spanish sometime in the near future. I have spoken about this often but never really acted on it. Now, I'm serious; I would love to be able to speak to others about Christ in their own heart language.

The best part about this trip is not the Pacific Ocean (actually, I'm not much of a beach bum), not my friends who traveled with me, not the pastors or their spouses or this beautiful place. The best part of all of this is that it is all for the glory of God, the advance of the gospel and the building of His Kingdom! There is nothing else I would rather be doing.

A First for Me (and Jake)

2008-08-29T21:56:00.003-05:00

We all know that football season has arrived, and if you know me, you know this makes me very happy. Not only do I enjoy College Football, but I also love High School football. Tonight was a HUGE game in our area called "The M&M Bowl;" it's Munford High School vs. Millington High School and it happens every year.

Well, tonight, I decided that I was going to go to the game. Of course, that's not really big news, but I also decided that I was going to take Jake with me. This was the first time that he has ever been to a football game; in fact, he kept asking me if we were going to watch the Bulldogs. Stephanie was very worried because Jake didn't take a nap today but he did great.

Now, I didn't expect him to sit there and watch the game all night, I'm not sure I could even do that. So we walked in, bought him a bottle of water, walked around, sat in the stands for a little while, walked to the other side, sat in the grass for a little while, watched the band at half time and headed home.

It was a GREAT night and this is just one reason I LOVE being a dad.

I watched it...

2008-08-18T13:03:00.007-05:00

It was very interesting to me to see Rick Warren live and in person on Monday night, and then watch him talk to the presidential candidates on Saturday night, along with the rest of the nation. I found this quote from the Washington Post very interesting:

"This was not a debate. There was not a winner or a loser. The one sure winner was Rick Warren, who overnight changed the face of evangelicals in this country from the cartoon caricature of rigid, right-wing fundamentalists to one of open-minded, intelligent, concerned citizens. There were grumblings that the forum should not have been held in a church. But Warren managed to keep the religious aspect of the event to a minimum, including in his questions. And he followed his own advice, the lead sentence of his best-selling book "The Purpose-Driven Life." It wasn't all about him."

I said it Sunday and I'll say it again here; if you're depending on the government to save you then I've got some bad news for you. Whether Barack Obama or John McCain becomes president I still don't place my faith in either of these men. The government holds no power for the salvation of mankind. Only the gospel holds this power. If evangelicals would stop thinking of themselves as a voting bloc and start reaching the world with the gospel, I believe a lot of these other issues would completely disappear.

It's really simple. God hasn't selected Rick Warren to save evangelicalism; although I applaud him for a job well done. And God hasn't ordained Barack Obama or John McCain to save our nation; only Christ has such power...and the willingness to do so.

Worship at the Pointe

2008-08-16T14:25:00.002-05:00

We had an incredible worship service on Wednesday night. All the guys on staff who planned, prayed and prepared did an amazing job. It was a great way to kick off "Worship at the Pointe" and all I can say is, I can't wait for this Wednesday. The bar has been set extremely high and it's going to take a lot of effort to keep it at this level. But I have confidence in our team and can't wait to see what this Wednesday will be like.

If you are anywhere close to Millington, you won't want to miss "Worship at the Pointe" this Wednesday at 6:30. Invite your friends and neighbors to come with you. It's going to be incredible.

Gone and Back

2008-08-16T14:21:00.004-05:00

I was in Lynchburg, VA last week at the innovatechurch conference. It was an awesome time. Rick Warren did an amazing job the first night. It was the first time I have heard him in person and I could sense his passion for the church; very encouraging. Got to hear Church Colson, Tom Mullins, Jim Cymbala and Ed Stetzer as well.

Man, I have always wanted to meet Jim Cymbala and I had the chance to do that this week. His ministry and writings have influenced me greatly in just a few short years. It's amazing to see what God is doing through him at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City.

It was fun hanging out with Ed again; I forgot how funny he can be! I followed him around a bit on Tuesday and got to spend some time with Jonathan Falwell also. I was really impressed with him, God is doing some great things through him at Thomas Road.

All in all, it was a great trip. But, I'm VERY glad to be back with my family. I missed them way too much when I'm gone. I think I'm figuring out that I could never be a traveling evangelist or a preacher that travels a ton. I just miss my wife and kids way too much!

Is it time yet?

2008-08-13T07:45:00.004-05:00

Man! I am COUNTING THE DAYS until College Football starts; I can't wait!

Stephanie says she can wait a little while longer because she actually enjoys me being somewhat productive on Saturdays and also football season means that cooler weather is coming. For her, cooler weather is a curse; it means that mommy has to stay inside all day with three small, wild, energetic children.

But, I am pumped about this season. I saw last week where the Dawgs are pre-season #1 in several polls. Awesome! I just hope we end up #1 at the END of the season! Starting well is important, but finishing well is vital. I'm pretty sure there's a spiritual application here as well. I tell you what, I want to finish well!

Quote of the Day

2008-08-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

The other day, Stephanie was talking to Jake about prayer. He had hurt his lip pretty bad (see previous post) and Stephanie had asked if he had thanked God for healing his lip.

He answered, "No. I'll just tell Him when I get to Heaven."

Stephanie: "Well you should tell Him thank you by praying to Him. That is how we talk to God before we get to Heaven."

Jake: "Moooommmm, when I talk to Him, He never talks back."

Stephanie: "(Chuckle) Baby, He does talk back to you."

Jake: "Well I can't hear Him."

Where I've Been

2008-08-07T20:43:00.004-05:00

Wow! I know I haven't posted in a while but there's a good reason for that. Things have been absolutely crazy since we got back from vacation. You know how it is when you get back from vacation and need a vacation to recover from the first one.

So, since then here's a little bit of what's happened since we've been back.

1. The Kudlas family, our good friends from GA, came up for a visit the last weekend in July. It was a great time.
2. Jake fell off the bed and almost bit through his lip; very close to needing stitches.
3. I left for Atlanta with our Sr. Adults on July 30th. Stephanie called me in the middle of the night on Thursday and said that Jake woke up with an extremely high fever; so bad he was seeing things flying around his room.
4. Steph took him to the doctor on Friday and he had a severe infection and needed some serious medical attention.
5. I flew home from Anniston, AL to Millington, TN thanks to a very kind act from a friend of a friend in order to get back and take care of my family.
6. We had a GREAT day on Sunday as we celebrated 5 years for Crosspointe and our family's first year here.
7. I woke up feeling awful on Monday and as of last night (for our Clay Crosse concert) I had no voice at all. Still nothing today.
8. Today, Stephanie and I woke up at 4:15 AM to get the boys ready for their surgery. They both had tubes put in their ears (details here). They're both doing well but it has been an extremely long day!

So, I hope that is proper justification for my online absence. The funny thing is, that this is only the beginning. It's going to be a crazy fall!

106 Degrees

2008-07-22T07:43:00.003-05:00

That's right, you read it correctly. It was 106 degrees in Millington yesterday. I mean HOT! I thought it was hot when we lived in Georgia but the Memphis area is definitely warmer. The report on www.weather.com said the heat index was 120! It appears we'll be back into the much cooler temperatures of 95 and 91 the rest of the week.

By the way, I realized yesterday that I don't thank God enough for air conditioning. In both the home and automobile, air conditioning is one of God's many bountiful blessings!

Fun at the Lake

2008-07-09T13:31:00.011-05:00

I thought I would post a few pics of our time at the lake. It sure has been a fun week!
All the grandkids lined up from oldest to youngest.

My niece, Elizabeth, giving Anna Kate a kiss.

Judd sporting daddy's hat.

Jake enjoying the slide in the backyard.

Jake and Judd playing with dad in the helicopter (my dad just got cleared to fly this thing).

And finally, one of my favorites from the helicopter adventure.

Vacation Time!

2008-07-06T20:25:00.003-05:00

That's right, this is our first family vacation this year. In fact, this is the first time I've been back to Georgia since Christmas. Our family drove down Wednesday night to Elko and visited with Stephanie's family for a while. The boys love hanging out in Elko; riding the four-wheeler, playing with the cats, looking at the horses and hanging out with Mema, Papa and Papa Wayne. We are now in Jackson, GA at my parent's new place on the lake and it has been great so far. It's nice to have some time to unwind, hang out with the family and play in the lake.

I had a the privilege today to preach in both morning services at Rock Springs Church in Milner, GA. It was an incredible time and this is certainly an incredible church. Rock Springs is an amazing story and an awesome testimony to the hand of God. This church is in a town with the population of 500 people and they average over 2,000 in worship.

While I had a great time at Rock Springs, I really missed my folks today at Crosspointe. I got a report that we had a great day, but I sure did miss being there; I can't wait to be back next Sunday. I found out today that I am more comfortable preaching at Crosspointe than anywhere else! That's a great feeling.

I sure do love a week at the lake. (By the way...I am NOT a beach person. The lake is definitely where it's at for me!) This is a great time to chill out, relax, catch some rays, wake-board a little, hang out with my family and take a break. So, if you don't catch me blogging much this week, you'll know why!

Great Night

2008-06-23T10:20:00.002-05:00

We had an awesome night at Crosspointe on Sunday evening. The celtic group, High Road, was with us in concert and they were incredible! I was thoroughly impressed with their sound, their talent and ability; but most of all, I was impressed that they gave all the honor and glory to Christ. If you're a member of Crosspointe or live in the area and missed the concert don't worry, we will definitely have them back again soon.

We had a great crowd last night and the concert was incredible. It marked the end of another great Sunday and the beginning of our series entitled, "Unite: 40 days of life-changing prayer." Like I said yesterday, I really believe that the next 40 days could be the most meaningful days in the history of our church. I can't wait to see what God is going to do when His people come together and pray.

Go Dawgs!

2008-06-21T22:09:00.002-05:00

Wow! The Bulldogs have quietly done an awesome job in the College World Series this year. They are 3-0 and today they won Bracket 1 in the CWS. They'll be facing either UNC or Fresno State in the championship series.

I wonder why the CWS doesn't get as much coverage or press as March Madness for basketball or Bowl Season for football. I bet you could really put something together for the entire CWS that could add buzz and create excitement.

This series has reminded me of one thing: I LOVE college sports. It just seems like college athletics has been untainted by the commercialism and over-inflated ego of professional sports. Maybe I'm naive here; if so, I'd like to stay that way.

#10 Has Arrived

2008-06-20T15:16:00.006-05:00

My brother, Dan, and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first baby into the world on June 18th. Congrats to both of them on the birth of Rabun Ophie. She was 6 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 1/4 inches long.

And yes, this is number 10 for my mom and dad...their tenth grandchild. That seems hard to believe but I guess we've got 3 out of the 10.

Congrats to Dan and Jessica. I hope you guys enjoy parenting as much as we do. It's a wonderful adventure that is sure to bring you closer to God and closer to one another. Believe me, you will learn how to pray like you've never prayed before, worry like you've never worried before, and hope like you've never hoped before. I truly believe one of God's purposes in giving us children is to teach us that there's absolutely no way we can do it on our own!

Here are a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Great Day

2008-06-15T22:10:00.004-05:00

I had a great Father's Day today. We had an incredible worship service this morning; watched a dad baptize his daughter, saw a young man give his life to Christ in the service and had an opportunity to lead a lady to the Lord AFTER the worship service in the foyer during the second Sunday School hour. Man, God is good!

After church I went home and had one of my favorite meals; peanut butter and honey sandwich with my family. Then, played with the boys and baby girl for a little while, took a nap and went out to eat. It was my choice where we ate for supper tonight since it was Father's Day and I chose to surprise the entire family. We went to McDonald's...and believe me, this is a huge surprise! The only reason we went there is because it has an indoor playground and the boys love it. Neither Stephanie nor I really enjoy the food. But the boys had a blast and after choking down some supper we enjoyed our time as well.

Came home after supper, invited some neighborhood friends over and jumped in the pool for a little while. The boys are swimming like crazy! Neither can swim without help but Jake does great with swimmies and Judd wears a life-jacket and swimmies and he does fine as well. Both of them will swim to me, jump off the diving board and play all around the pool. All in all, it was a great day.

There is nothing in the world like being a father. It's a tough job with enormous responsibilities and huge rewards!

Quote of the Day

2008-06-07T12:39:00.004-05:00

Believe it or not, this quote of the day is from Judd, not Jake. Although he only knows a handful a words, this quote is priceless.

One of Judd's favorite words is "Da-Da." In fact, he said "Da-Da" a long time before he ever said "Ma-Ma" but of course he still loves his mommy very much. Lately, I'v been asking Judd questions like, "Who's your favorite?" He answers, "Da-Da." And, "Who's boy are you?" He answers "Da-Da." In fact, the very first time I asked this question that was his response.

Stephanie was just reading a book to the boys about the Bible and I'm assuming it talked about Romans 3:23. So, she asks the question, "Who's a sinner?" And, you can already tell where this one's headed...Judd's immediate answer is, "Da-Da." I wonder if he and his mother have been practicing that one for a while.

Alright then, I guess I need to go repent now. My one year old has no questions about whether or not I'm a sinner. I mean, of course I'm a sinner; I was just hoping it wasn't that obvious to him yet. :)

100th Post!

2008-06-05T14:14:00.001-05:00

I know this is not hugely significant but I thought it was an interesting fact. This is my 100th post on my blog since I began a few years back. I did take a brief hiatus for a little while around the time that Judd was born but started back again once we moved to Tennessee.

So, I hope over the past 100 posts you have been encouraged, challenged, motivated and uplifted. I hope you have learned a little about me, a little about our family, a little about our ministry and a lot about God. All in all, it's been a fun trip to say the least.

I guess I should offer a prize or something like businesses do. Since this is my 100th post, the first 5 people to comment win an incredible prize. (Don't ask me what it is...I have no clue...just thought it sounded clever!)

Trust

2008-06-04T12:23:00.003-05:00

Someone in our church sent me an email of encouragement and support a few days ago. Included in this email was this quote by Brennan Manning about trust. I think it's absolutely powerful!

"The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise." - Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust

I don't know about you, but I want to trust God like that! If you are anywhere near Millington, make sure to be here THIS SUNDAY; I'll be talking about what it means to trust God with everything.

Change

2008-06-02T11:02:00.002-05:00

I announced Sunday morning in our worship service that we have some big changes coming to Crosspointe in the fall! We are all excited about what God is going to do and looking forward to seeing this vision He has placed in our hearts become a reality. I spoke Sunday morning on "The Power of Change" and mentioned several facts about change. It's interesting because naturally, I don't really like change myself. But I realize in order to be the pastor God has called me to be and for us to be the church that God has called us to be we must continually change. Here's what I said about change on Sunday morning;

1. Continual growth means constant change
Everyone wants the church to grow, but not everyone wants the church to change. The simple truth is, change is a part of growing businesses, organizations, educational institutions and churches.

2. If you stop changing, you stop growing; if you stop growing, you start dying
It’s true of an organism and an organization; there’s a life cycle that is present. In order to continue to move forward, you must continue to change.

3. We constantly change our methods; we never change our message
I believe one of biggest and most damaging mistakes that many churches make is confusing theology and methodology. Our forms are not sacred, Scripture is sacred; our traditions are not sacred, the cross is sacred! While we will always change the WAY of doing church, we will never change the WHY of doing church.

4. Some people can’t handle change
I have a pastor's heart and never want to leave anyone behind. But the truth is this; it's impossible to make everyone happy. To me, this is one of the most challenging facets of leadership. When it comes right down to it, I have to live my life, make my choices and lead the church for an audience of One!

5. God is the author of change
I know what you’re thinking, “God never changes.” You are absolutely right! God never changes, but He certainly changes things! Since the creation of the world, God has been the Agent and Author of continual change.

I thank God for the privilege of pastoring at Crosspointe. It's an honor and I'm humbled to serve here. I also take my responsibility to listen to the voice of God and lead His people accordingly very seriously! I'm excited about the days ahead. I truly believe they will be the best we've ever seen.

Powerful Book

2008-05-20T14:03:00.003-05:00

I just finished Jim Cymbala's book entitled "Breakthrough Prayer." Man, what an incredible book. There is no other author I have seen that writes like him. I started loving his books with his very first one, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire," and I have loved every book that I've picked up by him.

I have read many authors on prayer and this book was absolutely incredible. Cymbala writes about things that almost every other author, pastor and teacher ignores. He's not afraid to jump into the deep spiritual disciplines that must be a part of our journey as followers of Christ. I'm telling you, Cymbala is quickly becoming my favorite author! His works stand almost like "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." He's calling us to passionate prayer, to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit, to live by radical faith each and every day.

If you need a time of refreshing and encouragement...or maybe a time of conviction and motivation...or maybe some inspiration and challenge, this book is for you. I couldn't recommend it any more highly!

Great Weekend!

2008-05-19T09:21:00.003-05:00

Man, this was a really great weekend! It started on Friday afternoon with a 1:00 PM date with my wife. As you might deduce from the earlier post, we went and saw the new Narnia movie, "Prince Caspian." It was great! I'm not a huge movie fan but I'm also not a critic. This is a trilogy we will definitely own when it's all said and done. Great movie...and Stephanie and I had a great time together on our date.

Sunday was incredible at Crosspointe! God has been moving in our church in awesome ways and I'm just thankful to be a part of it. We had several people saved in our service yesterday and God really moved in a powerful way. I am excited about what's coming up for our church. The fall is going to usher in some big changes for us but we will be positioned to really impact our community and reach families like never before.

I think this great weekend was just a preview of things to come. David Ring will be with us this coming Sunday and even though it's Memorial Day Weekend, this should be a huge day for our church. Our people love David Ring and God always uses him in great ways.

I'm thankful for a great weekend and excited about all that God has in store for us as we continue to move forward.

Movie Time

2008-05-14T11:15:00.002-05:00

These days it seems like Stephanie and I get to go see a movie about once a decade. I hear there are some really cool movies out there, but it just seems impossible to make it. Most of the time when we go on a date we go out to eat and hang out for a little while. It's nice to talk to each other without a three year old asking a million questions, a one year old grunting and screaming or a newborn crying. And here's the truth, while I enjoy movies, it doesn't give us much opportunity to talk to each other and...they're so expensive these days!

There's an unexpectedly long intro to say something very simple. Stephanie and I are going to a move on Friday! I can't wait. We love "The Chronicles of Narnia." and the new one, "Prince Caspian" will be in theaters on Friday. While we got to go on an AWESOME date last Friday, I'm really looking forward to this week's movie date. We choose our movies very carefully because it's such an infrequent occurrence.

And, I must say here, mad props to Mema, Stephanie's mom, who has been with us this week and will help us out with the kids while we venture out of baby-world for a few hours.

Welcome

2008-05-08T11:14:00.004-05:00

I'd like to take a moment to welcome a great friend of mine to the wonderful world of blogging.

What can I say, Larry Grays is an incredible guy! He's a pastor/church planter in ATL, a youth speaker, evangelist, a good friend and he mercilessly picks on my wife (which is always fun to watch). And...as you can see from his post, it looks like he's going to be a dad for the third time.

Welcome to the three-kids club Larry. It takes a bit of training to move from man-to-man defense with the kids to zone defense but I have no doubt you'll pass with flying colors!

Quote of the Day

2008-04-29T07:47:00.002-05:00

Okay, here's another one. These just seem to keep on coming!

The other day I was sitting at the kitchen table with Jake. We were talking about God, Jesus, the Bible and all sorts of theology. It was a blast. We were discussing heaven and he asked, "Is heaven way far away in the sky?" I said, "Yes, Jake, heaven is very far away. And who is in heaven?" He said, "God...and Jesus..." "That's right Jake!" I said, "and who else is in heaven?"

He asks me, "Is Alan Jackson in heaven too?"

Okay, a little background here. There's a CD that we've been listening to in Stephanie's car for years now it seems. It's the Alan Jackson CD that has all sorts of hymns on it. Whenever Judd was really fussy in the car, we would turn it to, "Are You Washed in the Blood" and "I'll Fly Away." Judd would quiet down...and he still LOVES it. Now, Jake sings along. I guess because Alan Jackson sings about heaven, Jake thought he was already there. Pretty funny!

Quote of the Day

2008-04-24T20:52:00.003-05:00

I was just sitting here playing on the computer with Jake and here's what he asked me:

"Are you old Daddy? Are you old like Papa Benny?"

Papa Benny is Stephanie's step-dad and he visited us for a little while with Ms. Dawn right after Anna Kate was born. I'm sure that Benny must have said something to Jake about being old while he was here and that's where Jake came up with the question. Still, it's hilarious isn't it!?!?

I Love What I Do!

2008-04-23T09:25:00.003-05:00

I can't imagine what it must be like to hate your job. I've known lots of people who went to work every week just for the paycheck...nothing more. They're not doing something they love or something they're passionate about. That must be tough!

I am so blessed because I love what I do! I get to do the second most important job in the world (to me, Stephanie has the most important and most difficult job on the face of the earth- managing our home and our children while I'm at work). I love being a pastor. Since I was 16 years old there's nothing else that I've ever imagined doing. It's such an honor and privilege to lead the people of God in His church.

And I love my church as well. In case you didn't know, you cant find out why right here. I am so thankful God has brought us here to lead, love and shepherd the flock of God. It's an incredible honor and privilege to pastor such loving people and I'm always encouraged by the incredible potential I see here at Crosspointe. God has awesome plans for our church and I'm just thankful to be a small part of it.

In good times, hard times, fun times, sad times, up times and down times...I LOVE what I do! How great is that!?!?!

Quick but Good

2008-04-22T07:10:00.002-05:00

My best friend in the whole world, Jim Cleghorn, was able to be with us Sunday night and Monday morning for a quick visit. We were so glad to have him up. Stephanie posted a picture of him with the kids and you can view it here. Not a bad picture and a cute bunch of kids if I do say so myself!

Stephanie's mom her Step-Dad, Benny, came up right after Anna Kate was born. And my mom came up a just after they left. It was great to see everyone but it seems like we were "all alone" a lot quicker with this one than we were with either of the boys.

The good news is this; Stephanie stayed home by herself all day yesterday with three kids ages three and under and she said it was a "good day." That's incredible!!!

Quote of the Day

2008-04-16T00:39:00.003-05:00

While the "Quote of the Day" will not be a daily entry, I thought I would post one of the funnier things that Jake said today. Let me see if I can set it up for you.

Jake doesn't really like it when I go to work. It seems that when I'm gone he asks Stephanie about a hundred times, "Why did daddy have to go to work?" Finally, the answer that seemed to work for Stephanie was, "God told him to go to work." I know that sounds simple enough. But my three year old's brain NEVER stops!

Here it is...after I came home from work today, I was greeted at the door by both Jake and Judd (man I LOVE that!). I sat on the couch with Jake and He asked...

"Daddy, did God tell you to come home now?"

I was a bit confused, but after some explanation from my wife I said, "Yes, son, God told me to come home."

Can't Sleep

2008-04-16T00:22:00.004-05:00

It's about 20 minutes past midnight and I can't seem to fall asleep. Now, I know that for some of you, 12:20 AM is actually still pretty early; not for me. I'm an "early-to-bed, early-to-rise" kind of guy.

Tonight, I'm having trouble sleeping. Believe it or not, it has nothing to do with any of my children keeping me awake. Truth be told, I can't really complain because I rarely have trouble getting rest. And with three kids ages three and under that's a pretty big accomplishment!

For some reason tonight, I just had the overwhelming urge to get out of bed, read my Bible and pray. At the risk of sounding "unspiritual," this doesn't happen to me a lot. I like to read my Bible, pray, memorize Scripture and read other books during the normal hours of the day. But tonight, God has just burdened me.

I'm burdened for my family. Not because anything is bad or wrong, but because if I don't pray for my wife and my kids, who will? If I'm not the priest of my home that God calls me to be then I've failed at my most important job in life!

I'm burdened for my church. Again, not because anything is bad or out of place, but simply because God has given me a huge responsibility to "shepherd the flock of God." This is a privilege that I absolutely love and enjoy, but it comes with great responsibilities and duties.

I'm burdened for me. I don't want to settle in my life; in any part of my life. I don't want to settle for a mediocre marriage. I thank God for my relationship with my wife and treasure her as a precious gift from God. I don't want to settle for a casual, cursory relationship with my kids. I want to be a huge influence in their lives for the cause of Christ. I don't want to settle in my ministry. Being a pastor is one of the highest honors of my life and I will never be satisfied with the status quo. I love my church and thank God for the opportunity to serve Him at Crosspointe.

Simply put, I want everything that God has for me in every area of my life. I want to do everything I can to accomplish all that I can for God with the time that He has given me upon this earth. Life is too short, the stakes are too high and eternity is too long to let one more moment slip by.

Quote of the Day

2008-04-13T20:47:00.003-05:00

I've got an idea for my blog. I know you're excited since not much creative happens on this site, but here we go. Occasionally, I'm going to give you a quote of the day. These will not be wise, pithy or meaningful statements from great leaders of old or new leaders of today. Instead, these quote will be the funny things that I hear my little ones say (and sometimes other people as well). So, here's the first one...

Jake asks, "Mommy, what am I going to be when I grow up?"

Stephanie says, "Anything you want to be, sweetie."

Jake answers, "Cool, I want to be a motorcycle!"

Check this out...

2008-04-10T11:58:00.003-05:00

If you want to see some more great pictures of Anna Kate and some pics of the boys seeing her for the first time, check out Stephanie's blog here.

How amazing is it that Steph just gave birth and she's chilling out in the hospital updating her blog. She's incredible!

It's moments like these that make me love my wife even more. She did such a great job during the pregnancy and delivery; never a drama queen, never complaining or anything like that. Seeing her hold our baby girl is absolutely awesome! God has been so good to us.

Another Perdue Baby

2008-04-09T10:36:00.005-05:00

It's official. I now have a daughter...I mean, WE now have a daughter. We left our house about 12:55 AM this morning and arrived at the hospital by 1:20 AM. A little over 30 minutes later, at 1:54 AM, Anna Katherine Perdue was born!

We are so excited to have our baby girl! As you can imagine, we're very tired and want some rest, but we are certainly excited about our new addition!

Here's a picture for your viewing pleasure...

(Might I add that this picture was taken at about 3:00 in the morning and Stephanie looks absolutely incredible!)

Baby stuff...

2008-04-01T13:39:00.004-05:00

Okay, I'll admit it...I thought about titling this post "The Baby is Here" and then writing April Fool's in this secion. But, I think that would have been cruel and heartless. My family and friends might have read it and hated me. Or worse, Stephanie could have read it and been really confused. We don't want her to read my blog and think there are any other babies I'm waiting on!!!

So, here's what I'll do instead: I'm taking predictions on when our baby girl will arrive. ( Just in case you're wondering, we STILL do not have a name for her but we are thinking and praying hard!) The due date is April 16th but my prediction is April 12th, what's yours?

Interesting

2008-04-01T13:32:00.004-05:00

I thought this was an interesting article on the Fox News website. True science, astronomy, archeology and history always support the claims of Scripture. No other book in history has been so examined, scrutinized and criticized, but the Word of God always stands the test of time!

Happy Easter

2008-03-22T21:42:00.003-05:00

I LOVE Easter. It's right up there with my favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving. The only reason Thanksgiving is at the top of the list is because there's lots of good food and I get to see my family. Easter is a very close second!

Easter is incredible. Of course, I love Easter for what it means; Christ is risen from the dead! But I also love Easter for many other reasons. Just this week the weather became a bit more pleasant. It was almost like our neighborhood came alive with the better weather; kids playing, dogs barking, basketball in the cove... And yes, as a pastor, you have to love Easter. I have a wonderful opportunity to preach to many people who need to know Christ on Easter Sunday.

I guess Easter reminds me that I have so many things in my life to be thankful for; my faith, my family, my church, my friends and my life! I hope you have a great Easter!

And the Madness Ensues!

2008-03-20T21:11:00.003-05:00

That's right! It's time for March Madness. I'm not a HUGE College Basketball fan during the season, but I love March Madness. Stephanie and I both always fill out a bracket and compete with each other. This year, I invited the staff to enter the competition as well; whoever wins gets a free lunch from me!

My biggest mistake so far is that I picked Georgia to beat Xavier. But, after UGA's performance in the SEC Tournament, who could bet against them? Truth be told, if I weren't a die-hard Bulldog I might not have picked them but it's hard to turn against your team.

Who are you picking to win it all? I love it...let the madness ensue.

My wife is amazing!

2008-03-18T07:37:00.005-05:00

God is so good to me! I'm just going to be honest with you; I have an amazing wife. She is blessed to be able to stay home with our kids and she loves it. She is 36 weeks pregnant with our third baby (this one's a girl) and we have a three year old and a one year old already. Talk about busy!

It's incredible how she loves our kids, trains them to obey and teaches them the Word of God. I would put her hours of work in any given week up against anybody else's schedule. She is such a hard worker, always pleasant, giving and loving. She never complains, never wants to do something else and always seeks to be a better mom and wife.

God has given me many gifts in my life, but there's no doubt that after my salvation she is at the top of the list. Proverbs 31:10 says, "An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."

Stephanie, I love you and I thank God for you!

It's been 19 years...

2008-03-15T15:22:00.003-05:00

Today marks the day that I surrendered my life to Christ. On March 15, 1989, at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I can remember the day and the moment just like it was yesterday. There's no doubt about it, that day changed my direction in this life and for all eternity!

Something else I remember vividly is a conversation I had with my mom. It was March 15th, about 10 or 11 years ago and I walked into the kitchen to remind my mom that it was my "birthday." She looked at me and said, "I know honey, how much have you grown since last year?" I looked at her and made some silly joke like, "about an inch or two" and turned and walked away.

This day is a time for me to take spiritual stock of my life. I'm older physically with each year that goes by, but I also age in my relationship to Christ. As I'm aging, I hope that I'm also maturing. This is the mark of a true disciple!

How much have you grown since last year?

Let it snow...

2008-03-07T18:20:00.008-06:00

Well, there was no White Christmas in Brighton this year, but it looks like we could have a White Easter (not really but close). I guess it has snowed a few inches here this afternoon and evening. How about that...it's March and it's snowing. Here are a couple of pictures for your enjoyment.

Here's a picture of me and the boys just outside the front porch. If you notice Jake's face, the wind was blowing extremely hard and it felt more like a blizzard!

I thought this one would give you a good view of the front yard and a bit of the neighborhood. I know it's just a few feet, but that walk across the front yard in a blinding blizzard seemed like a trek to the top of Mt. Everest (a little exaggeration here certainly intended).

Is it March already?

2008-03-06T21:26:00.003-06:00

My how time flies! It seemed like 2008 just rolled around this morning. It's hard to believe that it's March already. Don't get me wrong, I love the month of March. Spring pushes winter off the calendar, Stephanie has a birthday and I have a spiritual birthday as well (it will be 19 years this month since I accepted Christ).

But, with March rapidly approaching that means April is just around the corner. And when April comes, so does a new baby! We've been through this a couple of times already so we know that the fun really begins once the baby arrives. The truth is though, we've never been through this when we already had two other children to take care of as well.

We are so excited about our baby girl on the way. Truth be told, at times I'm a bit nervous. I know it will be busy and it will be a big adjustment, but it will be more than worth it. And, by the way, Stephanie is an INCREDIBLE mom and she'll have this "three-kid" thing down in no time. As long as I do what she says, we'll be doing just fine.

So, here's to another month that's come and gone (February), and another year that is flying by (2008) and another baby on the way (no name baby girl). Life is sweet!

Three years old...

2008-02-28T11:59:00.006-06:00

Wow! It's hard to believe it, but yesterday, Jake turned three years old. My how time flies! I was amused by some of his questions; included here for your entertainment and amusement:

First, "Daddy, now that I'm three do you still tell me what to do?" He was really interested to find out if we never going to discipline him again!

Second, "Am I big like you and mommy now?" We've been telling him that he's such a big boy so now I guess he thinks he's grown up!

Third, and probably the funniest, "When do I get to be 2 again?" He had to move from the crib into his "big boy" bed yesterday. We've been building this up for a while because he loved his crib! So, I think he was wondering if there was ever a time where he got to move back into the crib.

Funny kids! I love it.

Need a laugh?

2008-02-26T08:19:00.003-06:00

Anytime I have a rough day I love to head to youtube and watch this video. This reminds me of the simple pleasures of life. I wish I could bottle that laugh and sell it!

Playing with trains...

2008-02-18T21:29:00.002-06:00

Believe it or not, one of the most important things I do in any given day is play with trains. I know that sounds crazy...and it creates a very humorous mental picture. I can see some of you picturing me on the floor in my bedroom hanging out with Thomas the Tank Engine and all of his friends. BUT, what I mean is this...one of the most important things I do is spend time with my (soon to be) three year old boy doing something that he enjoys.

I'll admit, it's tough sometimes after I've had a long day; sometimes playing with trains is not at the top of my list. But it's usually close to the top of Jake's list. And I want to be the kind of dad that spends time with his kids, doing what they enjoy. Call me crazy or naive, but I hope and pray that this pays major dividends down the road. My boys (and girl to be) will know that their dad loves them because he's willing to build a track and push the train through the tunnel. Jake may think we're just playing with trains, but I hope it's more than that. I hope I making deposits and investments in his life now that will produce amazing results down the road.

Sports Withdrawal

2008-02-16T18:04:00.003-06:00

Well, that time of year is here again! It's now the time between the Super Bowl and March Madness and that means that there are hardly any sporting events on television that I am interested in watching. Don't get me wrong, college basketball is alright with me but I really can't get into it until the tournament begins. So, I'm having a bit of a withdrawal when it comes to sports.

I think it should be noted, however, that Stephanie kind of likes these couple of months. No sports on TV for me to watch means that more gets done around the house. We've actually accomplished a lot in the past few weeks...and, of course, we still have a few projects left to go. For some reason it ALWAYS seems like there are a few projects left to go!

"Giant Upset"

2008-02-05T08:58:00.000-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge sports fan; especially football. After church Sunday night I ran (drove really) home to catch the second half of the Super-Bowl. Congrats to the G-Men for pulling off the big upset. Congrats to Eli Manning and the Manning family on this one. No one gave them a chance and they pulled out the win. All in all, this is good for NFL Football. It's an epic story...undefeated vs. underdog. Either way, what an awesome game...and thankfully no half-time controversy!

Now, all I can hope is that next year my Falcons won't be such a HUGE underdog in every game they play! I'm glad the Vick era is over and as Falcon's fans say so often; "there's always next year!"

God knows...

2008-01-24T09:12:00.000-06:00

God led me to read in Proverbs the other day and I was simply amazed at how this entire chapter dealt with almost every area of my life.

First, verse 1 deals with our ministry here. We must lead with integrity if we are going to build trust. One of my goals for ministry the first year or so at Crosspointe is to build a foundation based on trust. A "good name" and a good reputation is more desirable than great wealth or sliver and gold!

Second, Stephanie and I are participating in the Financial Peace University on Wednesdays here at Crosspointe. Verse 7 tells us “the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Just the other night we were working on a budget for this year and looking at how to reduce expenses so we can give more. God’s Word speaks right to that issue here in this chapter!

Third, we’ve been really challenged lately in raising our children. I never knew I had a temper until I had kids! We’ve been discussing all sorts of issues about teaching and training our kids and here in verse 6 the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

God’s Word speaks to us in any and every circumstance we encounter. It’s not accident that God led me to Proverbs 22. This one small chapter deals profoundly with three major issues in my life right now. Value God’s Word, treasure His teaching, don’t miss your time with God each day. Make Him a priority in your life!

Big Things This Spring

2008-01-17T09:30:00.000-06:00

I am really excited about how God is moving in our church. And I really believe the best is yet to come. Here are just a few things coming soon that I'm really looking forward to...

1. Our new Worship Pastor, Zach Thomas, begins leading worship at Crosspointe this Sunday! We prayed long and hard to find God's man for this spot and I'm thankful God sent us Zach. You won't want to miss Zach's first Sunday as he leads our congregation and choir in worship. It's going to be great!

2. Our sermon series is going great right now. We started a vision series in January entitled, "i LOVE my church...come see why!" We set up a website, www.comeseewhy.org, that goes along with our series. We're selling yard signs for $10 that we put in our yards with the site on it. We're hoping to create a buzz with this campaign and also to remind the people of Crosspointe and our community that there is something to love about our church!

3. Our Men's Conference is just a few weeks away (February 1st and 2nd) and I'm honored to have my Dad as the speaker. This is going to be a great weekend for our men. I've had several ladies get upset with me because they can't go to the Men's Conference but...the good news is Dad will preach for us on Sunday, February 3rd. Make sure to invite your friends and family because it will be a great Sunday for our church.

4. On March 9th, we have nationally known evangelist and speaker, Bill Stafford, coming for a one-day revival. You may have heard Bill speak before or maybe you haven't, but you won't want to miss it for sure! This will be our High Attendance Day at Crosspoitne as well so if you're anywhere near Millington, mark it down and plan to be here with some of your friends.

Like I said, we've got a lot of big things planned at Crosspointe for the first few months of the year. I just pray that God continues to move in our church in an awesome way. I really believe the best days are before us...we just need to be faithful to Christ, no matter what!

Happy New Year

2008-01-07T16:52:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year from Lynchburg, Virginia!

That's right, I'm spending one of the first weeks of the year in Lynchburg, VA, at Liberty University in a doctoral seminar. Currently, I am taking Evangelistic Preaching with Calvin Miller. Just began today but I am really enjoying it.

It's a bittersweet course for me because it's my last doctoral seminar. Sweet because it's my last class and I feel a sense of accomplishment. Bitter because it's my last class and I will really miss the learning environment here at LU. I have really enjoyed the process of earning this degree at Liberty and am thankful I continued my education here. Now, I have a dissertation to begin and complete in this next year...that oughta be fun!

More than anything, I just wanted to say Happy New Year. I hope 2008 brings you blessings and joy and the peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

What now?

2008-01-07T08:25:00.001-06:00

Here's a link to Stephanie's post about our new addition due in April! We are certainly excited about having a girl, but it leads me to one HUGE question: What now?!?!

Truth be told, I am a bit nervous about having a girl. We know how to have boys in the Perdue household (in fact, we've got a couple already) but I have no clue what to do with a girl! I'm not that great with dolls, dress-up, tea parties and pink.

And, while we are really excited, we also have no idea what to call her. Here's your chance...to those of you in the blogosphere, any good names for a girl?

Two for the Price of One

2007-12-23T21:29:00.001-06:00

Two funny stories that remind me why I'm so excited we're having another baby:

1. We've tried real hard to teach Jake about God and all the great things that God can do. So, every time it rains I ask Jake, "who makes it rain?" and he answers, "God" (try to teach him the small things and build to the young earth theory of creationism a bit later). Anyway, the other night Jake and I were walking home from our neighbors after dropping off a Christmas gift. It was sprinkling a bit outside but nothing really bad. All of a sudden, Jake screams out, "Stop it God, Stop it!!!" I asked him immediately, "what's wrong buddy?" He said, "I'm telling God to make the rain stop; I don't like it." Very funny!

2. We've also tried to teach Jake about the real meaning of Christmas. Of course, we've told him the story of the manger, the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph and all the good stuff. So, on the way to church Sunday morning I quizzed Jake on what the Bible taught about baby Jesus. Here's what he said; "Jesus was boring in a manger." I guess his mom taught him that after one of my sermons.

Now you can see why I'm excited that we're having another one! The ones we have are so fun!!!

The Birthday Boy

2007-12-14T10:31:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JUDD! Our youngest boy turned one today. It was a great day with just the family hanging out.

Stephanie made two cakes- one for Judd to destroy and one for us to eat. He got plenty of presents, but most of all he loved the big box his basketball goal came in (thanks Papa Wayne)!

It's hard to believe that the baby is really no longer a baby. BUT...it won't be long until we have another baby. April is just around the corner and another Perdue will be introduced to the world!

The Bigger Team

2007-12-08T21:36:00.001-06:00

Part of being a big UGA fan is to hate our rival teams. Hence, my natural hatred for the Florida Gators. But, (and this is a big "but") I am a huge Tim Tebow fan and am very excited that he won the Heisman Trophy tonight.

Tebow is an extraordinary athlete with incredible skills and abilities. He broke an NCAA record this season by rushing for over 20 touchdowns and passing for over 20 touchdowns. While his talent is obvious, the thing I like most about him is that this guy loves Jesus Christ. He was born in the Philippines while his parents were missionaries there. He listed his top four priorities in life and his relationship with God was number one. And tonight, he continually thanked Jesus Christ for the ability to play the game of football.

What an awesome guy and what a great way to glorify Christ. He took advantage of his God-given talent and his God-given opportunity tonight and pointed people to Jesus Christ. Awesome!

A Love-Hate Relationship

2007-12-08T21:29:00.001-06:00

You've heard of love-hate relationships before. If not, click here for wikipedia's take on it. Otherwise, I don't have the energy or time to explain.

Stephanie and I have a different kind of love-hate relationship. I love my wife so much I'll do things I HATE just to help her out. This afternoon, that "thing" was painting a bedroom. I really do not enjoy painting at all. I think it's one of my least favorite things to do around the house. But, she's been wanting our front bedroom painted since we moved here and I decided (since College Football is awaiting Bowl Season) today would be the day to do it.

Truth be told, I hate to paint...but I love my wife. And, I'd do it all over again if I had to. I might complain a little bit and try to earn some extra brownie points but I'd do it again. :)