Notes from Sunday - 10/30/11

Today was a good day of worship at the Shiloh Church.

5th Sundays are like a box of chocolates…

I led a questions and answers session with my New Members Class today. They had some provocative questions.

Thanks to all of our volunteers. You make it happen!

Today is Reformation Sunday. We introduced it with a brief video clip about Martin Luther and the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Wish we could have just shown the whole video!

We sang, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” It was a new hymn to many. But it was great to hear the voices of the saints lifted in praise to God.

We featured the local work of One Church, One Child is our services today. The representative left with a page of names of interested persons and families. May the Lord grant that families in our church will take on the great step of adoption.

Our Fighter Verse(s) this week was Proverbs 3:5-7. I memorized verses 5-6.

Our Women’s Chorus led the special music today. Sis. Letson led a song entitled “Safety.” It was wonderful.

I preached from Job 1:20-22: “The Test of True Worship.”

I endeavored to make three points about true worship from the text:

1. True worship is a choice (v. 20).
2. True worship is the result of an eternal perspective on life (v. 21).
3. True worship requires stubborn faith (v. 22).

I planned to preach something else today. But beggars can’t be choosers.

I am glad I preached what I was lead to preach.

Praise God for those who were added to the church today.

I met a new member that joined our church today as a result of the witness of one of our men. Very encouraging.

After church, I drove to Orlando with Crystal to pick up the kids who spent the weekend with the Washington family.

I drove back. I got my second speeding ticket in two weeks. I repent. (Can I repent and blame Crystal at the same time?)

I could not find my driver’s license. I found it when I got home… in my pocket!!!

The USC Trojans lost in a thriller to Stanford Saturday night.

The Jaguars lost to the Texans 14-24. We are not 2-5 for the season.
The Cowboys are presently losing to the Eagles 0-21. I probably will be sleep by the time this game is over. But this does not look good.

I am heading to Pensacola Monday morning to preach their citywide revival. Please remember this meeting in your prayers.

Notes from Sunday - 10/23/11

We had a blessed time of worship yesterday at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Thanks to all of our volunteers for your service yesterday. You make it happen!

Our ensemble, Forgiven, led the musical praise yesterday and did a wonderful job. It was a good time of worship.

We had a great Fighter Verse this week – Proverbs 1:10: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” This weeks verse(s) is Proverbs 3:5-6.

Grateful for all the guests who were in worship with us yesterday.

The world famous BrothaRollins was in the house!

I met a family from Canada after the last service. They are in town visiting their son who is here in school. They saw our TV broadcast and decided they wanted to go to church. They got lost and passed by our church. The wife suggested that they come here. They walked in and saw me standing there preaching and were so excited. Way cool.

I preached my final stewardship message for the month. My text was Proverbs 3:9-10. I called it “Godly Wisdom for Money Management.”

The point of the message: The way to make your money work for you is to make sure you money works for God.

I have really enjoyed preaching on Christian stewardship and generosity this month. I am also glad that I am done with this series.

I am still having trouble setting my work to memory. This has been going on for a few weeks now. I think I need a mental break. It is coming soon.

Praise God for those who were added to the church yesterday.

Next Sunday I intend to preach on the mission of the church from Acts 1:6-11.

Last night, I spoke that the chapel service for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a great time in the word with the brothers. Grateful to the Jags chaplain, Anthony Johnson, for the opportunity.

What do you think is going to happen when the Jags take on the Ravens on MNF tonight?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the St. Louis Rams 34-7 to go 3-3 for the season.

Before I fell asleep last night, I saw the replay of the Bernard Hopkins/Chad Dawson from a week ago. All I can say is that I am so glad that I did not waste my money ordering that fight.

The USC Trojans defeated Notre Dame 31-17 Saturday night!!!

I hear there is a pretty good World Series going on. Not watching. Sorry.

Does anyone care that the NBA is still locked out and cancelling games?

Notes from Sunday - 10/02/11

This past week we hosted our first Fall Church institute at Shiloh. It was a great week of study, worship, and fellowship. I have received many good reports on the classes. And Pastor John Adolph ministered the word in a strong way each night. Praise God for blessing this step of faith!

Today was a good day of worship.

I enjoyed teaching my New Members Class today. I have been out for a few weeks. Glad to be back at it.

It was a great joy to lead the congregation in corporate praise to God.

We celebrated the Lord’s Table in both of our services today, which is always a special time in corporate worship.

Grateful for all the guests who joined us in worship today.

I preached a message from Mark 12:41-44 that I entitled “How the Lord Counts Your Offering.”

The point of today’s message what this: The motives of the giver is always more valuable to the Lord than the amount of the gift.

I endeavored to show the church three ways the Lord counts our offerings that go beyond the amount of the gift:

1. The Lord counts your offering by the commitment it declares.
2. The Lord counts your offering by the cost it demands.
3. The Lord counts your offering by the confidence it demonstrates.

Today was the first time I have preached about giving in more than a year. I felt the weight of the message as I preached. But I was very nervous about preaching about money.

I may swap out this week’s sermon for the one I plan to preach on the fourth Sunday. Stay tuned. And pray for my studies this week.

Praise God for those who were saved and added to the church today.

We were scheduled to worship with the Abyssinia Baptist Church this afternoon in celebration of Pastor Eugene Diamond’s pastoral anniversary. However, Pastor Diamond’s went home to be with the Lord this weekend. And the service was cancelled. Please remember the Diamond family and the Abyssinia congregation in your prayers.

My wife’s cousin also passed away this weekend in Seattle, WA. Please remember my family in your prayers this week. And pray for Crystal as she plans to travel to Seattle for the funeral.

The USC Trojans beat Arizona in a shoot-out 48-41.

The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Detroit Lions (30-34) thanks to the assistance of quarterback Tony Romo.

The Saints defeated the Jaguars this afternoon 23-10.

Apple is scheduled to announce the new iPhone this coming Tuesday. Be there!