Just Me

Me at 3:30 pm....It's tame.

2011-06-17T03:26:00.002-05:00

It is 3:30am on a Friday morning in the heart of Talladega AL. I woke up from a great slumber ready to begin my day and my body not realizing that we had 180 minutes of time left before we need to get up. As I laid in bed,contemplating why in the world can I go back to sleep? I remember those college days when I would ask the Lord to wake me in the middle of the night for prayer. He did on several times. I begin to stare at the ceiling praying for folks. I began to pray for folks who have a problem with me and I don't know why. I want to keep the bond of peace in every thing I do as the bible calls us to do. Some of these are hurt because of good decisions I have made with the Gospel instead of my personal preference. It is deep inside all of us to want to be loved and liked by all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not to hate people but to love them, however my love for Christ can be so great that it seems like love. Some have left the church I pastor and I have no understanding of why they left. I have overwhelming desire to keep loving them. To keep loving them because I will spend eternity with them and we will be heartbroken at the time we were "mad" at one another in the short time on this dirt ball. PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE YOU...Check..prayed for.
Next came the lost people. I found myself desperately pleading for God to some thing supernatural in the lives of a man who sister goes to my church. Every time I see him, there is a pain in his eyes. I am building a relationship with him, but there are times when I just want to grab him and say "Jesus knows your pain and want it." I pray for the family across the street from my house. The Lord is doing a work and we have seen people saved. I want the rest of the family to come know the Lord.
Then, I thank God. I thank God for Tommy Challender who is getting better everyday. I pray for Mr. McCormack who has to be the sweetest man I know. I thank God for Gene Bolding who died last week and is now seeing the face of the Lord. I thank God for members of my church who love the Lord and will do any thing for Him. I thank God for fellowship with other pastors who are far better men of the Lord than I will ever be. I thank him for my salvation. Well, this is me at 3:49 now. Praising the Lord and wanting to surrender more of my life to HIM.

Oh yeah, my dream before I woke..I went deer hunting and saw some big deer and my gun would not shoot every time. I have had this dream more than once. Well, at least, the deer hunting and not being able to shoot. Any dream interpreters? I think I should give up hunting and work on my golf game.

New Appreciation!

2011-06-16T09:46:00.002-05:00

I am writing our VBS curriculum this year. After much prayer and consideration, I leaned toward the Life of Paul. Title: Journey Themee: YOu have a journey, because God has a plan. (Jeremiah 29:11) After much studying and looking over passages I have a new appreciation for Paul. A man (like you and me) led by God through beatings, stonings, imprisonment, shipwrecked and finally killed for his faith. How great his impact upon the world! To keep going through trials aand press on ti tell people to hang in there and to love God and even love the people that hate them. I have people leave my church and it breaks my heart. None of my members have never thrown rocks at me. Press on. We share our faith and get blasted terribly for it. Press on. If we are looking for revival in our churches, cities, and our nation, we have to be willing to "press on" through the trials.

GOD BLESS

I AM A COWARD!

2011-06-13T11:00:00.003-05:00

Lately,I have just really been in self evaluation mode. I guess that happens when you pastor a church and have dreams bigger than what reality is giving you. I want the bigger church and ready for my book to be #1 on Amazon. I want at least one person to come to know the Lord and be baptize every Sunday. And, yes, I understand all these shall be at God's will. I see the great preachers of old and the crazy and unbelievable results that happened when they preach. Jonathan Edwards would preach monotone and reading his sermons the Spirit of God was so incredible that people wept for their salvation. What has happened? Where is that power? I am too busy trying to keep people's attention, but these great men had that power because hours of prayer and seeking the Lord's face. They were intimate with Almighty God. Some prayed so much they did not eat and made themselves ill. Some were so engrossed with prayer for 10-12 hours a day in prayer was the mainstay. Yea, Yeah. I know quantity over quality. However, maybe quantity comes when I give Jesus the chance and time to show His quality. So why am I a coward? I am coward to tell people "NO." I am coward to teach my people that I might serve them better in my prayer closet on my face before an Almighty God and not at their bedside. I am coward to worry about petty stuff that others can do while I should be spending time with the High Shepherd on what my job is as under shepherd in taking care of HIS sheep. I am coward to not wanting to draw close to the Lord because I am afraid of what He might show me. He might show me those unknowing sin. He might show me an enemy to embrace. He might even lovingly chastise me. SO I am Coward. In admitting this, the Christian faith tells us when we are weak Jesus becomes strong in us. It is not the world's opinion, they already think that we are weak. It is the opinion of ourselves. Self-loathing? No, it is the truth. We know who we are. We are the guy who has taken a deep breath to pump up his chest and look strong. In reality, we are dying for air and need to breathe in the breath of life. I am letting out my air and deflating my chest and admitting that I am coward. Now, lets see what God can do. Love ya.

Me, Needs,Wants, and Worm

2010-12-08T10:44:00.002-06:00

I turned 38 on November 2nd. I began to look back at my life and the days seem to have disappeared into a pit of forgetfulness...I can ponder and remember where I was at certain times and then I think, "Wow, that was like ten years ago." I love to remember and reflect on memories but not to rest upon the glory days of my youth. I am just amazed of where God has taken me and the wonderful people He has placed in my life. There have been heartaches and trials that I wish would have never happened, but as I look back they have helped me enjoy my faith in what God is doing now. To you, it may not seem that much I pastor a small church of 80 or so in Central Alabama. I am not radio, I don't have a multi-mllion dollar book deal, I don't own a suit that cost over $100, no $80. I don't have a full time staff. But for me, it is the place where God wants me. Want is the better word, because God needs nothing. His want for me is my need for Him. I don't know what the next 30 years will bring me or where I will be, but I am resolved to know God and be where he WANTS me. Scripture? You remember in Jonah the Lord appointed a worm to eat the tree so Jonah would stop his whining. Whatever God appoints you to do, no matter how small you may think you are, it is BIG for God.

How Conservative Are You?

2010-10-21T08:52:00.002-05:00

In the midst of an election that is some 12 days away (on my birthday I might add), people have drawn lines in the sand and are standing on where they are politically. I have heard it said, "You don't discuss politics or religion with anybody." Well, I some times listen to those quotes and some times I don't. I don't in this blog. Matter of fact, I will intermingle religion and politics.
For the sake of keeping the subject on the task (and without showing you my political science kidding, of course),we will drop this to its least common factor on describing the two sides of the political spectrum. Yes, I admit there are addendums and pseudo-stands in between the two. One side believes in the government providing for its citizens. We need to help people in which the government becomes the solution to all of life's problems. The other side believes the constitution has already mandated the roll of government and we need to stick with the original plan. Both agree that government has a role in helping people. We need police, military protection and some regulation to protect from products and services. We need a government that provides an atmosphere for everybody to have the ability to have life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. We need a government who has a judicial system that rules not by case law but biblical law which was the case until the latter part of the 19th century. Ok, back to the question and purpose of the blog: HOW Conservative Are you? Generally speaking, conservatives want people to take care of themselves. Well, these people want people to take care of themselves until it comes to them who need to be taken care of. If we did cut back welfare, social security, WIC program, then who is going to help the people in real need? The problem is conservatives( which I "are" one) want the freeloader to stop sucking off the teat of the government and ultimately the taxpayer, but are we willing to use our monies to help folks if those government programs are gone? If you don't want the tyranny of the government, then the solution is self support without the government.I know the excuses will fly. "Well I dont have the money?" Scripture says LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELVES." Do you? We do what we want to do. We will make the excuses. Would you be willing to sacrifice for the case of helping someone? For instance, Nashville had a massive flood. Where were the New Orlean type reports and the screaming and gnashing of teeth for the inactive of government? It wasn't reported by the newscast. Why? People took care of themselves and their neighbor. There were no stories of manipulation for a liberal agenda CNN to broadcast.Where was Geraldo? My church gives paper for the school across the street. I am sure there are folks in my church asking why. These are the same people that will be yelling about an oppressive government, but feels they should not give paper to the school because they pay their taxes....UGH...This not burger king...You cant have it your way...So how conservative are you? Are you willing to be the solution when you don't think government should be?

God Deserves Better?

2010-05-27T10:05:00.002-05:00

Recently, a good friend wrote an article called "God Deserves Better." His intent and point in writing the article was to shed light on our busy schedules and the amount of time we give to activities compared to the amount of time we "give" to God. We do spend a lot of time and money on things that preoccupy our lives. We will spend hours in front of the boob tube (TV) watching shows that make us non- productive. Those shows add nothing to our lives or eternity.We have hobbies (mine is golf)where we will spend at least 4 hours and money. On the flip side, I think if I read my bible and prayed in 15 to 30 minutes that I am super spiritual and have done my time with God. The discrepancies of where our time is surely lopsided and noted. My friend expounds how we have to be early for kick off or get to the movies to see the previews. On the other side, if we are late for church then it's ok or we don't even go. We don't read our bible every day but we want miss the season finale of our show.
I agree with my friend that our noted spiritual laziness is there. It shows in our churches, in our society, in our schools, and in our families. I have always asked the question: "What if we tithed our time to God?" You know 2.4 hours a day just for God. Did not the Lord say test him on the tithe? I guarantee we wouldn't be the same, but who has 2.4 hours to give? We do if it is a priority and important to us. We need to give more of our time in prayer and reading the Scriptures and MAKE IT A HABIT like eating. However, I do disagree with my friend. I disagree with him in that it is not God who deserves better, but us. Yes, you and me. God is not a being whose status on how he feels is set by us. He is God. He is God, powerful, holy, judge, Creator, whether I pray or not. Christ is still the Savior whether I acknowledge him or not. Even though, He does say you deny me before men and I will deny you before the Father. God is God. He does not get depressed if I don't call or come to visit. It is me who is missing out. It is you who misses the blessings of hearing and conversing with God when you dont read or pray. Again, it is not an excuse for us to be lazy. God is God independent of me.
Also, I disagree with my friend in that those events that "steal" away our time from God can and should be spiritual acts of worship. Pastor Rob Bell argues that nothing is secular to the believer. It is all sacred. It is a sacred event to play golf, to go to a ballgame. How? Did not Paul say to the Corinthians: Whatever you drink or eat, do it all for the glory of God. A trip to Walmart is a sacred event. What makes it sacred? The believer is the dwelling place of Holy Spirit (God). Wherever you go, God is present. Wow and ouch, that is sobering thought. So what's my point? Spend time with the Lord for you and do all that you do for HIM.

2010-01-11T20:09:00.000-06:00

NFL and MEN?

2009-10-20T15:18:00.001-05:00

Football is the greatest sport on the face of the earth. It is a man's game. It's barbaric. It brings out the the "beast' in all of us . We can yell.We can scream. Gladiators of the present fighting other gladiators is football. I don't care who is playing I will watch any game that I can because I love football. However,some thing occurred Sunday that I have seen many times. I saw Ben Rothelisburger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and his receiver Hines Ward embrace after a touchdown. Yeah, I have seen many teams embrace and "celebrate." What made this difference? I imagined them doing that "celebration" embrace in any other venue without football equipment. I would dare not go up to one of my deacons and embrace like Big Ben did Hines Ward. I could see it on Sunday morning during our fellowship time and walking up to a man in my church and pulling his head to mine with my hand on the back of his neck, then using my other hand to pat the center of his back. As we break our embrace, finish it with a pat on the head and the butt. The response would be very strange for not just me and the "chosen" man of the embrace, but to the whole congregation. When did football equipment become the "license" to embrace MEN in a way that would not seem correct or right? It's armor. Did the knights of the roundtable embrace such as this? Is there some chemical being emitted in the pads and plastic of helmets and shoulder pads? Are the Chinese making this equipment? We found out about lead in our child's toys from China. Are they now spraying this football equipment with DEmasculinity juice? I played soccer in high school and college. I can never think of an embracement like the one I saw on Sunday. To all football players who read my blog: REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE A DUDE...BE MEN.

My Heart is Searching..Need Help.

2009-09-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

No cute anecdote with this one and my heart is really full. I seem to can't get people to understand what I am talking about or they just seem to look at me very strange. Some have given the complimentary nod and "yes." Here it is: I have been extremely convicted on my prayer life and it needed a course of revitalization. After reading books and Scriptures, I have been hard pressed that the lost of listening to God is gone. Well, the lost art of listening to God was gone for me. I have asked very highly esteemed religious people on this topic and getting strange answers and the stuff I know. Case in point: You are praying for your pastor and you pray for Him strength....Is it wrong to say,"God, I pray for you to strengthen my pastor, can you give me a word of encouragement that will do that? To me that requires you to listen and not just give your list of request and begone. Look, I KNOW...let me say it again, I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW that is God's volition on what He will tell me, however should that be the reason we dont ask God to use us and listen on how to be used? Could there be things that God wants to tell us and we say they are the secrets of God because we have forgotten to listen to God and spend time listening. I have prayed for this desire to go away if it is going to lead me down a wrong path. Prayer for most of us is a one way conversation and Scripture does not intend it that way. Why dont we listen? Maybe time. Discipline. Think about this scenario: Leroy is sick. Really sick. We go and pray for Leroy's healing. Leroy dies. We say (Everyone together) "It was GOD's will." I know it was God's will. What if I go to the Lord on Leroy's behalf and He speaks to my spirit that Leroy is going to die. I am prepared then to comfort his family, to minister. You are saying NO. That is lack of faith. No it is not a lack faith. Faith is those things not seen and being certain of them as they are being seen. I have tuned into what God wants. I have not created false hopes for the family who thinks they He was going to be healed. They are not mad at God because we prayed and believed in God for Leroy's healing and God did not do it. Interested in comments. God Bless.

That's Impossible, God.

2009-08-18T09:29:00.000-05:00

If I were to ask you the question, " Is there any thing impossible for God to do?" I am sure there would be some of you who would look deep with logical thinking minds and try to probe my grey matter and figure out the reasoning behind my question. However, majority would answer "NO." Without a deeper theological argument, that answer would be correct. If we believe that God is powerful and is in control and is sovereign and can move and do as he pleases ( John 3, Reference of Holy Spirit). then why do we practically believe the opposite? Yes, you...yes, we do. If God has being eating my lunch on any thing the past couple of months, it is this mamby pamby praying and not expecting God to do some thing or that He will.You have a lost friend. Some of us, don't pray for their salvation but have already condemned to hell. We don't think God can save them. Please, don't misunderstand me. I am not here pushing the "name it and claim it" Gospel. I think that is heresy. When Jesus talks about "Ask in my name and it will be given", there is always a discussion about His lordship and His power. We pray anemically with words and we say AMEN. Not expecting that our prayers will do any thing. That is being lukewarm...That is paying lip service. That is faithless. One of the problems is that we have not prepared our hearts. We come unrepetant. We come with an agenda. The reason some of our prayers are not answered is because our heart is not where they need to be. The Bible says the Lord will give us the desire of hearts.When my heart is in tuned with God in a right relationship, the request I present will be in tune with God's plan and purpose.Pray. Pray expecting God to move.PRAY WITH FAITH. You might have to be diligent and patient. But pray knowing that God is mightily strong and powerful.

Cussing Makes ME Laugh

2009-06-27T10:04:00.001-05:00

Now, that you have read the title you are probably questioning my calling to the pastorate or thinking I have gone off into the deep end of liberal theology. Well, give me the amount of time it takes you to read this blurb for you pass any judgements.
It cracks me up to hear people cuss and put the word in the correct context they are using. Being a visual person (I'll leave the cussing phrase of choice up to you), I get a mental picture in my head and lot of time begin laughing. Why? In many cases, it is not humanly possible to do what they are saying. Again, this is taking the words in their literal connotation. It is not possible for a golf ball or a golf club to do the things people are asking them to do. So what gives? Why the blog or note?

" Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear." Ephesians 4:29

Could God be telling us not cuss because it makes you sound stupid? Most cuss words are four letters and one syllable. Could God be on the same boat as Mrs Hand, my 12th grade English teacher, and wanting me to pontificate in ways that would make me sound intelligent? A man who has intelligence and believes in Jesus Christ as Almighty God might be exactly what this world needs to see, I mean hear. James said how can out of the same spring come bitter and fresh water. How can you cuss and praise Jesus with that mouth? Yeah, it is for the glory of God and to be a witness. I just want you to think maybe you cussing is making you look like a fool.

Stop Making ME Laugh,

Kory

OMG, Michael Died.

2009-06-26T06:41:00.004-05:00

It's the morning after. It is the morning after Michael Jackson passed away. I can't believe the sun came out and the earth did not stop moving. Now, don't get me wrong. I liked Michael Jackson's music, especially in the early days, but you have to admit the dude got strange as time went on. My heart is sadden not because "an icon" has died, because we truly see America's worship of superstar. Turn on the news and some people are losing it. People are asking" what are we to do next?" My heart is sadden because Michael Jackson is probably in hell (he claimed to be Jehovah witness). It is funny all the publicity Michael Jackson's death is getting , but Jesus died in almost total obscurity. Think about it. "Live from Jerusalem...Channel 7 is reporting three men have been crucified today. One claimed to be god. Now, back to the studio for the report on the 2nd annual marathon." It wasn't til years later the gospels were written explaining the life of the man that hung between two thieves. Jesus told us Matthew 22 to remember his death by partaking in the Lord's supper. We might do take the Lord's Supper and remember once a quarter or on special occasions, but let a celebrity die and we see people losing their minds. Is every soul precious? Of course, but oh how precious is the soul that His blood was shed for me. Michael Jackson leaves behind a huge legacy. Jesus leaves salvation. Michael changed pop culture, but Jesus changed history and will end history as we know it. We say we have no idols to worship and bow down. Look again, maybe we do.

How Lost are you?

2009-06-11T11:19:00.001-05:00

I have Been preaching through the book of Romans in the past couple of months. I find a recurring thought that pops into my hand. The Bible clearly states the case against us for our disobedience toward God. I think we come up with a lot of presuppositions of what that means. These presuppositions set us way higher than the true indictment upon our souls. For instance, we believe we werent that bad. We were OK and God just needed to make us better. If we truly don't understand our lostness and the condemnation upon our souls, it will have and is having dramatic effects. In my opinion, those effects are as follows:1. We will truly never understand the love of God. The love of God is all throughout the Bible. In so many cases, it is synonymous with the cross. It was God's love for mankind that put Christ on the Christ. God did not have to save any of us and would have been right in not saving us, but He did. If we never understand the true depravity of our souls we will never understand the love of God. We will never understand Paul's words in Romans 8 in which he states," nor height, nor depth, can keep us from the love of God."2. We will never understand worship. Worship is to bend knee. Why do you bend knee your knee to God in the name of Christ? Because everybody else does. We bend knee because we know where we came from and what we are now. Worship would explode. Our churches would be the place to come.
3. We will be more effective witness. Our ears are always open to here "down and out" stories or "worse to first" stories. We love to hear stories of pivotal turnarounds in people's lives. Our testimonies would prick hearts if we understood the ungodly disdain that God saved us from.
How Good are you? Well, before I got saved, pretty down rotten, evil, disgusting, sinful, enemy of God. BUT thanks to Jesus, I am redeemed Child of God.WOOT.

What are you to do? A Damning Indictment

2009-06-09T11:04:00.004-05:00

My fingers know the apprehension in writing this article. I will not make friends and probably some that I have I will lose. I browse on the computer looking at social websites, well mainly facebook. I try to keep in contact with friends and have a group page for my presidency in 2012 and one for my church. I send messages and notices on events. Being a former youth pastor, facebook allows me to keep in contact with former students who are growing up rather quickly and some even downloading children. I have some former students who are in college and I like to read their page and profile just to see who they say they are and what they say they are doing. I read intently at their religious preference (if they have it) which most profess to be Christian. I read about them and 9 times out of 10 they put some glorious statement of faith of How they "love Jesus" or "God is awesome." Then you began to look at others stuff. You see pictures that are posted with them in sexual positions or dressed like a slut. They use language in responses that are unbecoming of wholesome language.
I synthesize all this and slowly get into a pity party. Did I do some thing wrong? I taught them what I was supposed to teach. What has happened? I got at least 10 books on my shelf teaching me how to make a growing church in 21st century. CHRISTIANITY is growing every where in the world but America. Hello! Could our hypocrisy be why? What are we supposed to do? A practice for church discipline might help. Why not bring a girl who proclaims to be a member of a church of Jesus Christ and confront her? Mommy and Daddy might get mad. They might leave the church. I guarantee another church down the road will accept them and butcher you for practicing the church discipline. Matthew 7 -"Judge not and yet ye be judged" will be their battle cry.
Folks, it is not only the young people who are living life of hypocrisy. It is the old. We must not be lax. I am not legalistic, however GRACE is a precious gift that should not be trampled. We are allowing people to trample on God's Grace.

Dr. King, I have the same dream too.

2009-05-18T09:27:00.000-05:00

We all have heard of the infamous speech, "I Have Dream" that civil rights leader Martin Luther King gave in Washington, D.C. Let see I have a high school diploma, a bachelors degree, a Masters Degree, and working on a Doctorate and I think I still don't understand. How can Dr. King say " I have a dream that one day man will not be judged by the color of the skin but the content of the character." If my black friends celebrate this man and this infamous speech then why are we missing the content and the thrust of what this man was saying? Today, I can NOT mak a character call. It is call racisim. I am sorry. If you are coming at me whether, black or white, and your shorts are around the bottom of your butt crack, you are wearing a large ball cap with the bill every way but forward, then I CAN see your character.If you come at me with ink tattooed in your neck whether white or black or orange. I see your character. However, it goes further then that. IF I make a character call on anybody, then we bring GOD into it. The characterless pull out Matthew 7 and use it out of context by saying,"Judge not, less ye be judged. To you, I say "You are wrong." The passage is telling me not to be hypocritical. Mr. King I would stand by you and say YES,let us judge people by the content of the character. May your legacy continue to preach the true message of OUR dream.

Do you have God in a box? I DO.

2009-02-23T10:23:00.003-06:00

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were meade, And by the breath of His mouth all their host. He gathers the water of the sea together as a heap." Psalm 33:6-7Have you ever heard the line "You got God in a box"or maybe you were told not to put God in a box. Can we deal with this church slogan and describe the positive of putting God in a box? Yes. I said the positive outcome of putting God in the box. Think with me for a second. The Bible tells us the mind cannot come close to imagining what heaven will be like. Well, what about the Creator of that Heaven?God is huge. Psalm 33 is just a tip of the character and the explanation of God. I have a 3 year old and some times my words cannot make him stop, but God speaks and it comes into existence. That is unreal. God is huge. He can bless nations and curse nations. He can do any thing He wants to do. My brain hurts thinking about it. That's why I think it is good to put "God" in a box. IF we dont, our brains would explode. If we don't, we become one of those people who become so heavenly minded we are not ministry good. This thought came to me this morning on the way to Jackson to school. I just looked at a the Mighty Oaks down our streets. God created those. The finest fiber in that tree has been fashioned by God Himself. Put that in a box. Yes. Kory Burel is telling you to put God in a box, but get more than one box. For instance, I Love Christmas. Do you remember the presents at Christmas or maybe it was a birthday? There was the tall pile of presents. You start with the first present and open it. It might have been some thing as great as the newest toy or a new sweater. You savored it. Then, there was another present. You opened it. You keep opening presents until they are all open. It is not one present that made this special occassions. It is all the presents and it is what each present represents,They represented people who loved you to give you a gift. Each gift is just a part of the whole. We can never figure God out. We can never reach the fullness of all that God is. The problem with putting God in a box is when we just stay at one box and we think that is all God is. You are missing so many "other presents" of what God has to show you. Please put God in a box in chunks you can handle but get more boxes.

When will murder be legal in America? Sooner than you think.

2009-02-18T09:27:00.000-06:00

How long til straight out blatant murder is legal in America? It might be sooner than we think. For those who have not heard Muzzami Hassan beheaded his wife in Buffalo,NY. Yep, cut her head off. Hassan is the manager of Bridge TV. A TV station meant to bring about a positive image of the Islam faith and it is the first American Islam TV station. It seems the wife of Hassan wanted a divorce. There was a history of domestic violence and it seems the wife had enough. Hassan called police last Thursday to tell them his wife was dead in his office. They found her beheaded. Oh, no. That is not the worse of this ordeal. It continues. Hassan is now being charged with 2nd and not 1st degree murder.Here's a definition used by the majority of states, and what they test on the bar exam: 1st Degree murder occurs when there is :
the premeditated intent to kill; or the intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm using torture, ambush, bomb, or similar means that causes collateral damage; or when the murder acts with depraved indifference to human life (reckless disregard), using poison, bomb, or similar means that causes collateral damage. Any other is considered 2nd degree. So let me get this straight. If I cut my wife's head off it is not considered premeditated. Hmm. That is interesting. Oh, shall I continue? It gets even better. The National Organization of Women (NOW) have called this a "honor killing."
The New York president of the National Organization for Women, Marcia Pappas, condemned prosecutors for referring to the death as an apparent case of domestic violence.
"This was, apparently, a terroristic version of 'honor killing,'" a statement from NOW said.
What are you kidding me? This is not a domestic violence but a honor killing? The organization who supposably fights for the right of women abandons a woman who wanted out of her marriage. Hypocrisy.
Nadia Shahram, a professor at Buffalo University Law school said the following:
If a woman breaks the law which the husband or father has placed for the wife or daughter, honor killing has been justified," said Shahram, who was a regular panelist on a law show produced by Bridges TV. "It happens all the time. It's been practiced in countries such as Pakistan and in India."
Miss Shahram, this is the United States of America and not PAKISTAN OR INDIA!
Wake up, America. The Islamic faith is gaining a stronghold in America. How long will be "an honor killing" to kill those who do not believe in Allah and that Muhammed is the only prophet? Many of you are going to read this and tell me "Well, he is innocent until proving guilty." I would agree. The point of this blog is to show you the ideals of the world we are living in. It is progressing to be anti-Christian. I hope your problems with your pastor or your church seem very contrite now. I hope they do. I hope the style of worship seems contrite. Maybe the lack of heart you pray with embarasses you. I hope you "Cowboy up" to the cause and the mission of Jesus Christ.
Love You.

Packing Peanuts.....I HATE THEM.

2009-02-12T12:05:00.001-06:00

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Packing Peanuts>>I hate them.

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My church is gearing up on some evangelism training. With that in mind, I bought some tracts and some tract racks. Try saying that really fast 3 times. At the end of last week, these large boxes came. I opened one of the boxes and found another box surrounded by packing peanuts. I carefully try to pull the box out without disturbing the little critters called packing peanuts. Oh, yes! They are creatures. They have minds and move when nothing else does. I was successful of removing the smaller box away from the grasp of the packing peanuts. Then I took scissors and was suprised to find more critters..Ugh. In the middle of the packing peanuts and buried deep within the space of the box was a clear plastic tract rack. Like the game of operation, I slowly and strategically pulled the rack out of the box. Then it happened. An edge of the tract rack caught part of the box and in super slow motion the packing peanuts fell all over the floor. Ugh. Have you ever try to pick up packing peanuts? They break and crumble. They climb walls with the help of static electricity. They run from the vaccum cleaner. They ARE EVILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
I do appreciate the very well done packing job by the folks at the American Tract Society. Those tract racks would not have been harmed by a roadside bomb or a nuclear fallout, but why, oh why must we use packing peanuts? Dear Shipping Packers of America can i press upon your packing heart to look upon the avenues of bubble wrap? Aw, yes. Bubble wrap is a wonderful invention. Raise your prices 20 cents more if that is the problem. Bubble wrap protects merchandise, but it can also keep my three year old entertained for hours. Americans, write your congressman. If you are not going to write them about this HUGE stimulus package, then write them of the investation of packing peanuts and the dear bliss of bubble wrap. Thank you.
Surely, there is nothing spiritual that not even I can get out of this. How about this?
Many times in our spiritual walks God protects us. He watches over us. He keeps us from harms way. There are many times when we will go through situation where it seems God is not protecting us. It may be tragedy, illness, troubles at work or church. God always protects, but sometimes the "tragedy" we are in is that we are picking up the "packing peanuts" in which God did protect us? I have asked this question numerous of times in these "writings." Is it worth it for me to go through storms for God to be glorified more? Is it worth it for me to face tragedy to see a person come to a saving faith in Christ? Is it worth it to trust God for packing peanuts being all over the floor because he protected me? I say "Yes!" for today. Though my answer my different tomorrow. I have won the battle to let God be God today.

Luke 9:23- "IF any man shall follow me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me DAILY."

Peace,
Kory

To Be Real or NOT TO Be

2009-02-10T19:42:00.001-06:00

Ok..Caution: For those who know the author you are going to be extremely shocked by the content of this article.

I look back over the years of my Christian journey and as I grow up in my faith, I am reminded of the things I have said. Then I think, "You are growing up it is OK, but remember to think before you speak."
The issue I want to speak on is being real. Yeah being real. Many Christians fight for being real. We say things like "we should not be of the world but in the world" or "Non-Christians need to see real Christians and not holy rollers." Yes, I am guilty of the former statements and there is truth in those statements, but what I see is very different?
I see our being "real" has made us weak and caused us to compromise many issues of faith. We have hot topic issues we could look at such as the use of alcohol, secular music, dress, and philosophies of ministries. The Bible tells us that some of these issues are personal issues. 1 Corinthians says it depends on the individuals conscience. It depends on being a stumbling block to weaker Christians. These are not even part of the argument. Here is the question: When did being "real" neglect being holiness? In my numerous conversations, it seems that people play this being "real" versus "holiness." What do we want non-Christians to see in us? May I suggest Acts 5. This thing call the church was holy. They were very holy and what non-believers was powerful. In verse 13, it tells us that none of them dared joined but held the church in high esteem. Why? Because they were holy. They were in one accord. Yes, God is Holy by nature and that holiness has imputed upon us. We either live in it or we don't. I wonder what would happen to our nation if we begin to be holy and not a fake "real." AM i real? Yes, real to what God wants me to be and that is to be holy. Think about it. Holiness means to be separated for a Godly purpose. The "real" I see some Christians being is not separation but trying to fix their Christianity in a world system. That doesn't make you real. It makes you phony.

A Letter to The President

2009-02-05T13:39:00.001-06:00

Dear Mr. President,
First let me congratuate on you becoming the president of the United States. I hope you do a great job and are successful in leading our country for the next four or eight years. I want to let you know that I will be praying for you by the mandates of Scriptures found specifically in Romans 13. It must be an honor to have not only been elected by the citizens of this country and by the sovereignty of God. We hold this in common that you, as President, and me as pastor, God has called us to servanthood. He has called us to protect those who we lead. To fight for the less fortunate and lead them to become better. My main thrust is to encourage and reproof you according to Scriptures which we as Christians should use as the authority for every thing we do. Your words this morning had resounding sounds of hypocrisy. How can you say, "There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being," and still support abortions? Is there any pure innocence than that of a baby? I know the choice of the mother outweighs the life of a child. How dare we say any thing with what a woman can do with her body? Then, how dare we say any thing to the Jihadist who wants to kill every infidel against Allah? Isn't that his right? Please, who is innocent? According to Romans 1 and 2,"all of us are unrighteous and guilty." What do you we do with the Old Testament principles of the children of Israel going to war and killing other people to obtain the promise land? I don't think we need to have crusades, or run out all that don't believe the way you or I do, but your statements smell with hypocrisy when you make the claims of God not condoning kllling innocent human beings but yet we will kill the precious babies He created. Do you realize that the Devil himself considers and fetus at three months in the womb a human sacrifice? Hypocrisy is not what our country needs. It needs a man who will not cater to lobbyist or popular vote but his convictions. As a Christian, those convictions must come from the Scriptures which I see in no way supporting the right of a woman over the child. Tell the wife and the kids, Hello. I hope to visit soon. IF there is anyway, I can help, please me know.

Praying For you, Commander,

Kory J. Burel

"Pressing" Issues

2009-02-02T09:37:00.000-06:00

Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:19-20
One of the things I hate is laundry. I rather clean dirty diapers than do laundry. I rather get a shot than do laundry. The list could go on and on for my utter disdain for laundry. A part of the laundry chore is ironing. I must confess: "My name is Kory Burel and I cannot iron." The problem is I have to be able to iron. The wife does it a lot. I thank the Lord for that, however there are times when she is not there and I have to man up and iron my clothes. As a pastor, you have to look pressed and neat. Then there are the articles of clothing you have to iron. Pants are not a a problem. I can line up those creases and boy are they pretty when I am done. Pants are easy unless they are blue jeans. You can't have the the creases in the blue jeans. This is 2009 and not 1969. Then there are dress shirts. Sorry, this where I lose my religion and the devil devours my lunch. I have a method. I start with the shirt on the left side where the pocket is and iron. I slide to go under the arm. I slide and do the back of the shirt. I slide and get the other front panel easily sliding in between the buttons. Here comes the villain.....SLEEVES. I get ironing creases in those sleeves and they look horrible. My wife has told me to shimmy the iron as I go up and down the sleeve. It works for her but not me...I do the best and if they are bad then I wear my suit coat or roll them up.
The Bible tells us we, Christians or the church, are the bride of Christ. As Christ's bride, I want to be beautiful for Him. I want to be in white pressed clean and be some thing Christ can be proud of. I must keep my life righteously and keep my sins confessed. Here is the "pressing issue." What about every thing that Christ has called me to be? Do you go to church? Read your bible? Pray? Worship him with every thing you do? Good. I hope you said yes on all these. But what about evangelism? Statistics tells us that 90% of us have never shared our faith. Folks, that is like wearing the prettiest clothing you have and it being wrinkled. We want our churches to grow. We will use any other technique or plan than the one which worked for the church in Acts...Evangelism. We want God to be powerful, but we are not willing to talk to people about Christ. Get out your spiritual iron. Put it in your hand and iron. I think we are scared of rejection. We are scared we are going to mess up and make creases that don't belong. Just iron. The Lord takes care of wrinkles. Just share what you know about the greatest thing that every happened to you and the Lord will take care of the rest. How can we ask God to be faithful and do poweful things in the midst of churches and communities when we are unfaithful to his command to proclaim. If there is a weakness in my ministry, it is me consistently sharing my faith. It is some thing that I have to do and want to do because I LOVE JESUS and people.

Beep..........Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

2009-01-30T05:36:00.000-06:00

Dec. 29th, 2008 was starting out to be an ordinary day. The agenda for the day included a routine visit at the OB/Gyn for my 35 week pregnant wife. We drove the Birmingham trip to the hospital and did the routine stuff. You know ladies the urine test, weight, and blood pressure. Blood pressure was up. "How about ya'll go get a sonogram?' Ok,that was nothing strange. They were just seeming to be precautious. Sonogram happened. Blood pressure checked again and was higher. Red Alert. Eight hours later, we celebrated the birth of Kye Elizabeth. Immediately Kye was rushed to the Neonatal ICU. She was hooked up to a CPAP machine, an IV in her head, leads on her chest, an Oxygen sensor on her foot. The beeping monitors would drive someone insane. The nurses would hear the beeps and depending on the sound would check or not check the babies. Monitors would beep for the oxygen level below 90 and heart rates below 100 or above 200. Parents would get concern when monitors would beep. Trained nurses would not. Even if there was a problem, nurses would approach the situation with confidence and not panic.

1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, buttest the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets( have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

I think about my spiritual life. Do I have the discernment to sense when the "beeps" go off my discernment radar? As pastor, I hear crazy things churches are doing and wonder why people are buying this stuff as the Gospel when it is contrary to the Bible. It seems we, Christians, can't agree on what is right and what is wrong. I thank the Lord the nurses in the NICU all knew what was an emergency and what was not. The passage above tells us to test every thing. All spirits must be tested to understand if they are truly of God. We will so many people take a bite to every new program or church fad hook line and sinker. Folks, we have to become the people of prayer. We have to tune out the things WE want and tune in the desires of God's heart.
Thinking about this in a different way. I wonder if God has us hooked up to a spiritual monitor. Checking our vitals. Pushing medicine through painful ways to get us going. Sure he does. He loves us and cares about our well being. My baby probably did not know what was happening to her and why they are probing her with needles and wires. She doesn't care now because the doctors got her well. Many times we don't understand why God does what He does, but He will get you "well."

Security Blanket

2009-01-29T15:15:00.003-06:00

Being the father of a two year old leaves me with never a dull moment or the ability to spout spiritual truths with the best illustrations. Jackson, my 2 son to be 3 year old, has a security blanket. You know like Linus of Peanuts who toted around his blanket. However, his "Security blanket" is not a blanket. Ordinary kids have blankets, stuffed animals, or a teddy bear except my youngin. No, He has pamphlets. Yes, Pamphlets. The pamphletsare the piece of advertisement that comes in Thomas Train Stuff. It is in color and goes through all the pieces offered and all the trains and vehicles offered. The first couple of days Jackson would want you to read the pamphlets to him. He still does want you to read them now but not as frequent. Jackson carries the pamphlets around the house. He carries them to bed and sleeps with them. When he wakes up the first thing he finds is his pamphlets. He eats his breakfast and drinks his morning milk with pamphlets in hand. He takes them to "School." When it is nap time, he wants his pamphlets. He calls them "Directions." He needs his "directions" to go to sleep.
What about us? Our "security blanket " will be a lot of different things. Maybe it is family or a seat or being home with all locks bolted. Shouldn't our security be the word of God? In Deuteronomy 6, God told the children of Israel to labor, meditate, teach, eat, live the Word of God. Do you wake up wanting coffee or the Lord? Do we look for someone or some thing else in time of need? I am convinced that the Lord has answers for all of life's quest. A lot of time they are not solutions, but promises to hold on til the end and He will get you through. If you see a kid holding pamphlets, he is mine. If you buy any Thomas the Train toys, please could you mail us the pamphlets. The ones we have are getting ragged.
Love ya,
Kory

"Daddy, You are stronger than a giraffe!'

2008-12-09T10:47:00.004-06:00

This morning I was fixing my hair and Jackson was laying on our bed watching cartoons. I turned my attention toward him. I began removing his pajamas and pull up. I put another pull up on with a two year helping but very glued to the cartoon of the morning. I put his pants on. Well, I got them mid-thigh. I grabbed his arms and raised him up to his feet like I do every morning. Then it happened. There was a noise made. It was a concoction of a "woo-hoo and a "yee-haw." Then my strange and intuitive two year old made the statement, "Wow daddy, You are stronger than a giraffe."
In the midst of my laughter, I did thank my son for the unique compliment. A giraffe? Should I take this as a compliment? Of course. Why not a lion or a tiger? Shoot, I would even take an elephant., but a giraffe? Did I lift Jackson up too high that he thinks he was on a giraffee? No, his foot never left the bed. Was there a giraffe on the cartoon? No. He was watching Franklin, who is a turtle.
Could God be giving an inkling of the overwhelming experience of the writers of the Bible who were inspired by God? Think about the Psalms when it almost seems as David and Solomon are just trying to find the words big enough to explain God? How about the writers of the Gospel who record the Transfiguration experience and the words seem not to be limited in recording their experience? In the mind of my two year old, maybe the giraffe is bigger and stronger than the tiger, lion, or elephant. What about you? How would you really describe God in your life? No, I don't want the Sunday School answers. Really? How has God impressed your life? Could those "strange" creatures of the Second Coming be so overwhelming powerful that there is no way to describe them? Maybe Daniel and Ezekiel and John the Revelator did the best they could in describing "GOD"? We know and describe God by what we "see"? Do you see God in your time with Him and in your healthy perspective of God moving in your life situations? Adjust your "eyes."
Watch out God might become strong as a "giraffe."

Christmas...Time to celebrate and decorate.

2008-12-02T09:51:00.002-06:00

I have to say I love Christmas and I love to decorate for Christmas. Matter of fact, I would absolutely cover the yard with Christmas decorations. I would rent a cherry picker to string lights from our fifty foot Oak trees. I would love it. So why don't I do it? Well, I don't have the time or should I say it is not a top priority in my life. Secondly, I don't feel it would be a good steward of my time to pay for the electricity to fuel my jolly. Thirdly, I don't know if the wife feels the same and with her being pregnant. Enough said on that point.
We did do some decorations outside. We decorated our front doorway. We placed garland and wreaths. We put spotlights...er..yeah...floodlights. We need another flood light and I went to the store to get one. Well they had a halogen work light for $8, so I bought. We got another one. 1000 watts of halogen light illuminating our wreaths and doorway. Can we say airplanes were buzzing our house thinking it was a runway? It is pretty but bright. The light is so bright that it reflects off the door and shines on the trees and neighbors house. If we left our lights on, nobody would sleep.
I reminded this morning about what Jesus told us in Matthew 5..." You are the light of the world. Then he says in verse 16, "Let your shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." How bright are your works? Do they reflect the glory of God? WE ARE NOT SAVED BY WORKS, but they surely do show God's glory in you. So when you see the Christmas lights this year, think about the shine of your works.

Greatest Christmas Song Eever

2008-11-30T08:13:00.001-06:00

This is the greatest Christmas song ever. It is called "How Many Kings?" by Downhere.

Peace,

Kory

My resolutions for ministry

2008-11-15T06:42:00.003-06:00

It is early Saturday morning. I tossed and turn most of the night. I sit in the living room and see our decorated Christmas tree. There are Singing Christmas toys arranged in the peculiar way my son wanted to arrange them. I sit down and type. I ponder the question this morning of when wanting to be the best and goal setting becomes sinful. Or does it become sinful?I am going to say some statements that I know is the role of the holy Spirit to perform but just give me time to be a little carnal or daydreamer. I want to be the best. I want to the be the best pastor possible. I want to have the most dynamic church in Alabama. I want to preach sermons and have worship services where people repent, change, or have been blown away by seeing the face of God. I want to have the greatest Sunday School there is. I want to touch real needs and stop pitty pattying with prayer request that seem to go no further than the ceiling tiles. Stop it..I am not saying praying for sick people is wrong, but can't I want some thing meaningful and powerful to happen? I don't want to sit at a special place beside Jesus. I want to make an impact on a town full of discourse between white and black. A place which is not integrated but is basically non-segregated. I want to be successful in that way. Why does it seem as a pastor this is a legitimate request for every occupation but pastoring? It seems like we are wrong to want lots of people, and lives changed, and writing books, and preaching in places from Bangor, Maine to San Diego, CA. Why do some people receive the calling that looks successful and others are called to pastor small struggling churches? In small churches, where it seems you take one step forward and then you take two back. Where the arguments are over petty "STUFF" than discussing the heart of the Lord. Yeah, I know every church has problems, but it seems those "successful" churches silence their problem sheep. Could it be because it is a bigger herd? This is a spiritual funk. This the devil deviating me from the purpose of God. I know that, however I am 36 and want to make a great impact for the Lord. I resolve these things and want you to hold me accountable:

1. I will seek the Lord's face in prayer and fasting for three days.

2. I will personally share my faith with 3 people every week.

3. I will spend at least 10 hours on every sermon.

4. I will arise at 5:30 am to seek the Scriptures and pray.

5. I will make a priority to finish my counseling education.

6. I will pray :
- to becoming a better communicator of the gospel personally and preaching.

- to be a better father and husband. (without this I am not qualified to shepherd a flock.)

- for revival and start with me.

7. I resolve to spend an hour every day in the original languages of Greek and Hebrew.

8. I resolve to eat healthy and exercise every day. (Too many pastors are fat, white pasty guys)

I ask for you prayers. A slogan in an elementary school haunts my mind: "If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten." I am tired what I am getting, so I need to change what I am doing.

The Only Solution

2008-11-10T14:01:00.005-06:00

I don't know whether to say I was wrong or convicted or a little bit of both. Maybe this blog and issues of dabbling in politics and being a pastor has drawn me to a deeper conclusion of what the chief responsibility of any person who calls themselves a "Christian." In the midst of getting ready to herald in a new president and one I did not vote for, God has a plan far bigger than me (of course), but the plan seems to have hit his mark on my heart. I have made known my stance and those differences between mine and Barack's stance and policies. What is the answer to combat these differences? What is the plan to combat ideologies that are so foreign to the absolute truths that I hold dear? Pray for Barack's falling? Picket against him? No, none of these will work and according to Scriptures (Romans 13, 1 Peter 2) is wrong. It is the gospel. Stop rolling your eyes. A statement such as "Here we go again" needs to be buffeted until I finish this blog entry. It is the gospel. The gospel is not temporal solution to a temporal problem, but it is an eternal solution to a heart problem. My marching orders as a soldier in the army of God is to further the kingdom of God by spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. If you believe in any other solution to the problems that America faces then rethink your Christianity. We have been battling the symptoms too long. Let us attack the illness (heart illness) with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Barack, I am coming after you. Not with weapons or words of hate but with prayer and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Obama,50/50, Chicken Soup

2008-11-05T20:53:00.003-06:00

By now, you know that Barack Hussein Obama will be the 43rd President of the United States of America. Does it scare me? No, if I remain faithful to the Lord, then He will remain faithful to me. Is it surprise? Not really. Christians friends, let me suggest you read Romans 13. God gives the authority to whom he will give authority. Read it aloud for the next couple of weeks. What does scare me and surprises me is a divided nation. No one is talking about that. You can say it is divided republican and democrat and make it political, however it is divided ideological and morally also. That is scary. The Bible tells us a "house divided will fall." I can't walk hand and hand as Americans with others who murder unborn children. That is hypocrisy folks. Call me "simple, bible thumper, but the only thing that will get this country together is the gospel of Jesus Christ and not Barack Hussein Obama. The burden is on the churches and believers of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring a revolution by living out the Great Commission. Jesus Christ has crossed all racial, socioeconomic lines. This country will not survive when the innocence and life of unborn children are killed at the sake of choice. It will not survive when so called believers deny that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and salvation. Strap up, suit up, arm up and be what God has called us to be a Christian army. The only solution for America is not Barack or even a republican president but it is the Gospel.

9 million, 1500 acres, and faith.

2008-10-15T11:22:00.004-05:00

I have a vision. Okay, dream. I like to dream. For one thing it's free. I have dream to make a haven for pastor. A retreat for pastor's to come and relax and do any thing morally they want to do. If they need a quiet place, then it will be a quiet place. If they want to shoot some guns, play golf, go fishing, or sit, then they can do that. I have a place in mind. There is 1500 acres near Sylacauga, AL on Hwy 21. I called the real estate agent just to see what the price on the property is. Land is pretty cheap here in Alabama. However, my mouth dropped at the $6500 per acre price. Yeah, that comes out to $9 million and some change. The people who own it don't want to split it. I am thinking they might take 5 million for it. Oh, that's right. I don't have $5 million dollars. I am dreaming it would take about 20 million to get the property started and buildings up. So if you got 20 million dollars, let's talk. I will even name buildings after you and your grandmother.
Why does God do this or why do I allow myself to dream big like this? My wife response was probably like some of yours, "Honey, why don't you look for a smaller piece of property?" I responded, "Because I serve a big God." Yeah, that was a very cliche answer and shot off from the hip. But here is the question, How far do we go with faith? We live by faith. We are supposed to anyway, but when does faith and insanity cross paths and my faith becomes insane dreams of a religious mad man? I pastor a small church. We need a new parking lot. We have pot holes, but the cost is $45,000 dollars. We need a van to enhance our youth, children, and adult ministries. That is another 45,000. See, those seem like small steps of faith, but some members of my church will see it as their young pastor losing his marbles and going totally insane. Well, this is what I have concocted with knowing how to live by faith.

1. Faith has to be in the midst of God's will. Romans 12:1-2-" 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. "
My faith has to be aligned with God's will. Is it God's will?

2.Faith is right when it does not neglect or break any other of God's principles.
I can't say I am acting on faith and go gamble my money in Vegas. God never calls us in to any thing that causes us to break any other commandments. You can't divorce your wife, because God has told you too. Beep. That is the wrong answer.

3. Faith is walking and living. "For we walk by faith, and not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:17
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 Our faith deals with our every day walking and living. It is in the midst of who we are and what we do. You live by faith as a mom, dad, teacher, firefighter,preacher, student, real estate agent, nuclear physicist and florist.

I hope you live by faith and dream big for God.

Peace,

Kory

One Body

2008-10-08T22:13:00.003-05:00

Today was a long day. I have been busy at work trying to wrap us some loose ends. The worst part of the day is that my baby is sick. No, not jackson. Julie has a horrible sinus infection, drainage, or whatever you call it. She has been miserable. She went to the doctor yesterday and got a shot and some medicine, but being pregnant and Myasthenia Gravis there is a selection of medications she can take. She hasn't felt well and I had to do stuff I ordinarily wouldn't do. Take care of Jackson. Take care of her and other responsibilities. I am not complaining but I have fournd a great spiritual lesson.
When Julie I got married, we vowed to become ONE in the flesh. What about the body of Christ? The church is several people coming to be one. One in Christ corporately happens when we are one in Christ personally. We vow to do that when we become Christians. We become part of the body.

^"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.For the body is not one member, but many. " 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

If we are to be one in Jesus Christ, then when one of us gets sick it affects all of us. Unity isn't some thing that church has or gets and then loses. It is the church. What would happen if my body is not united in the form of organs and tissues? I die. Unity is fundamental to the structure. Without unity, the church ceases to exist. The church has to be a body that is there when parts hurt. It is there to rejoice and to mourn just if it is happening to us personally. Be the part God has you to be and be a church united.

Waxing Floors

2008-10-06T22:16:00.003-05:00

We, Bemiston Baptist Church, purchased a buffer about six months ago. We don't know how to use it. One day I was walking through the halls of the local hospital and found a gentleman buffing a patient room. The floors were beautiful. I interrupted what seem to be a choregraphed dance between him and the buffer. This is where I met Miller Pearson. Miller Pearson is one of those gentlemen who is about 6-5 and wears a size 15 shoe, but he is nice and quiet as a mouse. I told him of the church's dilemma and asked if he would be interested in teaching myself and our custodian how to use the buffer. He agreed to teach us how to strip and wax a floor using our buffer. Tonight it began. Miller pulled up about 3:45 and we did not leave til about 9 pm. Let me give you a brief description on how to strip and rewax a floor:
1. You mop on your stripper very liberally.
2. You use the buffer with a scrubber pad and scrub where you placed the stripper.
3. You wet dry vac the spot you just scrubbed.
4. Mop with clean water twice.
5. Wax and let dry and reapply at least 2 more times.

Thats what we did tonight. It was about 1000 sq foot. We did it in section because you can't let the stripper dry. Miller kept telling us the key is not let the stripper dry and stay on the floor. You got to vaccum it up and rinse twice or ever how many times it takes.

This got me thinking spiritually. Is it God constantly refining us and sanctifying us? Could we say that God is trying to keep us wet so the sinful nature won't dry so he can keep on working it off by rinsing with clean water and spirtual stripper:

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 1:6

Could we be just like waxed floors where God has to strip us bare every now and then to get us back so we shine and reflect the glory of God back at him?

Pray that God will strip you of your spiritual "dullness" and will bring back the luster of his glory.

Ready to be stripped of everything that is not of God,

Kory

Kory Burel For President

2008-10-02T10:09:00.005-05:00

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am hereby announcing my candidacy for president. I know there are various responses going through your heads and I am thanking that this is a blog and not live or visual where I can see your face. Why? I feel the need to lead this country back to God and Jesus Christ. Our country has been divided and is still divided between liberals and so called conservatives. I plan to use the tactics of standing on the word of God and make them all mad. It worked when I was a youth minister between opposing teenage groups. You stand for some thing that makes the enemies to join forces. Even though there are those who say they believe in Jesus Christ, when they get to Washington and open their minds, their Jesus brain falls out. So here my stance to the issues:

Foreign policy: It kind of goes with my mission policy. If there are viable individuals who can do it good in taking care of the countries than let them. If not, then help them. No country will be given over $10 million dollars. Committees of Senators and Congressman will visit these countries to make sure the monies are being used appropriately. Why Senators and Congressman? They are supposed to be servants and it is time for them to work.
We will take care of ourselves and defend ourselves with no holds barred. I will live under the conviction that we need to take care of home before we worry about the neighbor's yard.

Healthcare: No more employee healthcare. You will not be getting healthcare from your employer. Insurance companies are feeding off of big companies. You will buy your privatize insurance from private companies. Watch insurance companies grovel for your business when contracts from big companies are pulled.

Welfare: No Government welfare. If you can work, then you better. If you are in desperate need of help, then go to a church. It is time God's people do what they are supposed to do and that is minister.

Social Security: Sorry folks...We are going to have to kill this lame horse...If you are 45 and above, we will give you the chance to invest your money in oil...It is making fat cats money quick and so it will you. Social Security is a flawed economic system. I am sorry folks, but churches and families will have to take care of your needs. Anyway, why is 65 retirement age? To me, that is when we finally figure life out and are the most productive.

Taxes: The tax rate will be 12.444455 %. Why such a crazy number? People like big numbers, and it is still shorter than our tax code now. Everybody pays this percentage off of their wages. There is no hiding wages and no deductibles. That means you give to your church without expecting a tax break...Let's see what kind of heart you have.

Budget: Based on the amount of money coming in from taxes is what we will spend. First priority is defense. Second is infrastructure. Lastly salaries will be paid to government employees with Senators and Congressman being paid last. (Your servants, remember.)

Education: Abolish the Department of Education. Education will privatized. Previous lobbyist can now use the monies to wrangle in politicians to pay for education.Corporations can use monies to educate children in charter school. Each family will have to pay for its own education. You are getting a major tax break. Education is not a right. It is a privilege. If behavior does not suffice, then out you go. You better study hard to gain a profession. Remember: there is no welfare. Prayer to Jesus Christ will be reinstated.

Non-Profit Status: No Non Profit Status...Remember taxes are 12.445%. ACLU can move back to Morocco where they belong.. This America and we are free to pray and read the Bible in public just not have a state mandated denomination.

Abortion: I am against abortion. I oppose abortion. However, God's people have to step up and adopt unwanted kids. If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
Is this a women's right to her body? Yeah, it's the right of the men and women that you are killing in the womb.

Defense: If you mess with us any where, any place, any Americans, or American entities, you will face harsh consequences.

United Nations: Kick out the United Nations with their anti-American and anti-Christian agenda. Take the buildings where the United Nations is housed and make it a drug rehab, counseling center. Every drug addict in America has 6 months to clean up.

Immigration: If you came here illegally, then go home. You have 2 weeks to go home. If not gone, we take you back home and the home country pays for it. If you want to come here, then we will use the laws that are established to welcome you with open arms. It takes 7 years. If you serve in the armed services for 2 years, then you will gain full fledged citizenship.

There is my stands...I am rough and not refined, but I am transparent....Remember.
2012: Kory for God's Glory..

Bail Out!

2008-10-01T07:08:00.004-05:00

If you don't live under a rock, then you definitely have heard about the "bailout." I am not a political guru or an economic one, but let me give you basic idea how I understand it. In 1977, President Carter came up with this "Revitalizing the Community" Bill. It was a bill that forced banks and lenders to give home loans to people who could not afford them. Well, Reno, Albright, and Clinton decided to impress the issue further and forced banks and lenders to lend money to people who couldn't afford it again. So, we have a lot of defaulting loans and people are not getting paid. So here they come to save the day.....The government has come to bail out people in which they caused the problem for anyway. Now, I know there is a little more to it, but in principle that is the problem. What caused it? Greed. When did home ownership become a right for everyone? I have rented before. Why? Because I could not afford a house. Well, this blog is not about economic issues. I rather talk about deeper things.
First, Jesus is the ultimate bailoutter. He bailed us out of sin and the payment of that sin. We were sinful. We were dying. We were haters of God. We were haters of the things of God. Some people go as far to say there is no God, however Jesus bailed us out. He bailed you out even before you realized you needed bailing out. He paid for our sins by his death and conquered death with his resurrection. Jesus paid it because I couldn't.
Secondly, there will be people who will preach doomsday economics especially if the bail out bill does not pass. Folks, God is still on his throne. I am hoping for tough times in some sense. When tough times come, nominal Christians (Christians by name only) will get out of the way and show themselves for what they truly are-lost. Real sanctified God fearing Christians will get a wake up call and press harder to do what God has called us to do- prayer, evangelism, and serious discipleship. Through all this economic failure, God still reigns and in control. Chinese Christians survive in a Communist country. It might not be with ease and perks we have, but we will survive and THRIVE.
Thirdly, Store your treasures in heaven. Where does your money go? Where is your heart? They are tied together. What you spend your money on shows where your heart is. Colossians 3, Matthew 6 tells to "set our hearts on things above" and to "store our treasures in heaven". As believers, we have placed to much trust in man's system. Let me be honest, I fully don't understand what it means to store treasures in heaven, but I have an idea. We store treasures in heaven by not letting our focus and our energies get caught with having things here but sowing seeds into people and impacting lives for eternity. Now, don't go cash your 401 K today. That is not what I am saying, but is your energies set to have things or to do God's will?
Remember, GOD IS IN CONTROL. When things are good is when we need to establish our convictions that will get us through tough times. Tough times are not the times to make brash decisions but to hold on to the convictions God gave you before the tough times.

Love and Ministry Go to Gather Like a Horse and Carriage

2008-09-24T22:07:00.003-05:00

I could type the whole passage, but it would fill up the entire space on my page. 1 Corinthians 13 is a passage that has been used at weddings, funerals, and dates. Is that the real context of the passage? If we were to look at the passage with what comes before and after, then I think we see a different interpretation. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about the spiritual gifts. he mentions several spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given to the believer on the day of their salvation journey begins. Spiritual gif are not used for personal use, but to exhort the body of Jesus Christ- the church. Is it just me or do we begin to see how powerful Chapter 13 becomes in the realm of ministry? Ministry, you know, is the area we SERVE the church, the body, the community. Ministry is not created for the pastor only but for all believers. Think about how love is described: patient, keeps no records of wrong. Whoa! No records of wrongs? That's easy for me to do with my wife, but that is not easy for the gossiper in your congregation who can't be pleased with any thing that anybody does. She complains and gripes about every thing. The pastor can preach a message with her in mind and she thinks the preacher is talking to other people. Yeah, her. Are you telling me it is easy to love and minister to her with your spiritual gift of encouragement? 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, becomes a challenge and not just a characteristic list about love. Maybe, just maybe we can understand why the ministries at our churches are dead. Could it be true we are only living out the first part of the Chapter 13-a clanging symbol in verse 1 and nothing in verse 2. Maybe our Sunday School teachers are gifted but they don't love.
WE have got to love folks inside and outside of the church. We can plan all we want to plan and spend money and have the best, but if we don't love, then we sound like a 2 year old banging on pans. I have a two year old and that noise does not take long to wear on your nerves. Love people. Love folks with your spiritual gifts. Love lavishly. When the lady broke the alabaster jar on Jesus to "anoint" him with perfume, the excuses came about its expense. It was her love that Jesus saw and it will only be our love that Jesus, the old gossip lady, your neighbor, your Sunday School teacher will see....and by the way....I LOVE YOU.

Vain or Pure ?

2008-09-23T06:16:00.004-05:00

"Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me, but in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' Neglecting the commandment of God you hold to the tradition of men." Mark 7:6-8

And with that verse I say "Good morning." Here we go with some condemning words of Jesus. There are several things I believe that tie together in this passage, but first let me give you some basis to began with. The Pharisees were upset that Jesus' disciples were eating without washing their hands. (Mom, are you reading this?) No, it was a ceremoniously washing so they would not be considered unclean. It seemed to be an important ritual in the Jewish customs. Jesus' response is the verses above.
What does this have to do with us in the 21st century? Well here is the point where every thing is tied together. Worshipping without heart is vain. Vain means that you come first. Vanity can be best analogized as the condition of looking at one's self in the mirror. If your worship is vain, you are going to teach, savor, love the precepts of men. (Before I go any further, let me stand up on my soap box.) I will take on one subject and try to exhaustively cover it from right stance to a vain stance. The subject is WORSHIP. Why worship again? It seems every week I get into the debate of worship. Contemporary v. Traditional. Choruses v. Hymns. Organ v. Guitars. Music Minister v. Worship Leader. Is God sitting in heaven thumping our heads? He has gotten written in the Book. Read the Book. I don't care if you sing choruses. I love choruses. I don't care if you sing hymns. I love hymns. Many will say "you will not reach the younger generations unless you sing choruses." Let me label that as a PRECEPT OF MEN. On the other side, "If you don't sing hymns, then it is not Godly." Let me label that as a PRECEPT OF MEN. Worship comes when we worship God in spirit and truth (John 4). Worship has nothing to do with the type of music, but with the condition of your heart. Worship happens when we obey the commandments of God instead of our "mirrored" desires. Worship happens when we are real. Many will say you got to get people excited. Maybe not. Maybe we need to be honest and show our people that they are on life support and dying, and if their heart does not get into worship, then they will die. Hyping people up will only last for a little bit. Revival will fuel people for a lifetime. God does not want us to be excited in a fake atmosphere. He wants my heart in a holy gratitude to pour out praise to Him.

peace.

Are you insane?

2008-09-18T22:38:00.004-05:00

Today, I drove 3 hours to the town of Florence, Alabama. I went there to get trained on teaching an evangelism method. It was a good time. I enjoyed the fellowship and the speaker. My mind seems to pick up on little things that are said. My wife tells me at times that I am filled with useless information. For example, did you know there is a star named Beetlejuice that is twice the size of the earth's orbit around the sun? Well, the useless info that I picked up on today is a definition for insanity. Are you ready for this earth shattering revelation? Insanity is doing the same thing you have always done and expect a different result. No, it's not Webster's, but it has some merit. If this definition is true, then aren't we all insane about some thing? This definition applies to many things. Do I expect to lose weight if I keep eating McDonald's? Do you expect your kids to behave if you keep doing or Not doing the same thing you have done? Let me hit closer to the heart. Do you really expect Jesus to move and speak to your heart if your quiet time has become more a chore than an encounter or if you don't have a quiet time? Do we expect our prayer meetings at church to become powerful if it is nothing but a gossip session? Here is the funny thing. We like being insane on one hand and get frustrated on the other. We like it because we are creatures of habit. We like our habits, However we get frustrated because we don't see the change we desperately want. Jesus said, "If any man follow after me..." When you get to heaven ask the disciples how routine and monotonous it was following him. Ask them if they did they same things they did before Jesus. The answer will be a BIG FAT NO. The disciples left their lives and their careers and they saw change, Great change. Come out of the insanity and Change what you do to see God change your life.

I love you.

Bruised, Bleeding, Fightin Pastors

2008-09-16T10:55:00.005-05:00

I love pastoring and doing what God has called me to do right now. There are several things I don't like about it. I think the major is the high esteem people put you in. Others pastors and I have been enshrined in this bubble where people think that nothing can touch us. Can I be an honest preacher? That is so far from the truth. Matter of fact, I think the strongest of Christians battle the most and fiercest. If I don't battle the temptations of the flesh (encompassing lust, power, greed and any thing else you want to add), then I have been put into the cross hairs of the enemy. If I don't battle because I think I have every thing figured out, then I am some mere deception. 1 John 1:8 says "If we say we have no sins (battles), we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us." Also, if I don't battle the temptations because of apathy (don't care), then my faith is very shallow or might be no faith at all.
We, as Christians, will always battle. Battle brings bruises, makes you tired, and can be lonely. I used to think if I could get married, then some of these temptations would not be issues. Nope, there are others. I got an email from a friend of mine. He is studying to get his Doctorate in Philosophy. He stated in the classes that he has taught there are always professing Christians. They profess a faith, but there is NO transformation. I guarantee some of these professing students have justified succumbing to their temptations and quit battling. They have appeased the enemy and now call him "friend." There is a statement in a book I read several months ago that I have used to remind me of the task of battling. "If any thing matters, then every thing matters." In other words, if you going to heaven matters, then your discipleship matters. If your worship matters, then your witness matters.
With upcoming pastor appreciation month, maybe your pastor needs a hand to come off the pedestal you have placed him on. He needs his battling bruises tended to. He needs spiritual nourishment. He needs prayer. He needs you to battle with him. Pastors become easier targets for the enemy when they are on pedestals they have created or you have created. Fight the Good Fight and I love you.

Kory

Do You Know the Muffin Man?

2008-09-12T07:18:00.005-05:00

Hey, do you know the muffin man? No, not the one who lives on Drury Lane. I am talking about the real muffin man. The muffin man who makes the muffins that come in the bag or pouch which you add water and pop them in the oven. Whether with Betty Crocker or Martha White, you tell the muffin man I am looking for him. I have a bone to pick with him. They give you this wonderful package of muffin mix. I read the package. I follow directions of how to mix and filling each part of the muffin pan half full. Then it happens. I only have enough batter for 5 of the 6 muffin holes. The agony. What is a man to do! I have a family of three and it works out perfectly with 6 muffins. That is 2 a person, but nooooooooo I can only get five. ARGGGHHH!

So why would I bother you to read a blog about muffins? Well, there is a spiritual lesson behind it.
God says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23

For those who have lived in the South, there is an unwritten law of order. It is called 'THE GOOD OL' BOY SYSTEM." The name seems to be an oxymoron in nature, because I do not know anybody who has had run ins with the good ol' boy system that thought they were "good ol' boys." We might know people who are morally strong and are good but are headed for hell. God's standard is perfection, because He is holy. It has to be. If His standard wasn't perfect, then he would not be holy and we would all be in trouble. The passage says we have all fallen to meet God's standard. In other words, God wants six muffins and we can only give him five. It does not matter how morally right we may be or if we are in the good ol' boy system. We still all fall short of what God desires. It doesn't matter that you have 5 or 4 muffins. God wants six. The only way God gets "six muffins from us" is when Jesus comes and brings us some more batter. That's what the Bible means when it says Christ has "imputed" his righteousness on us. We through Calvary's Cross are able to meet the holy desires of God.

Peace.

Note: The illustration of the muffins is not intended by the author that he is the same as God. It is used as an illustration only, which happened to the author this morning.

Awed by the Alpha and the Omega

2008-09-10T10:04:00.002-05:00

⁶Then He said to me, "It is done I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. Rev. 21:6

¹³"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Rev. 22:13

We have that Jesus has called himself "Alpha and Omega." It is interesting to note the first verse is from the God the Father and the second one is from Jesus. This definitely shows Jesus claims to be deity to be true or either downright blasphemous, and I will pick that He is deity. Have you have ever had an overwhelming sense of awe? This summer we visited South Dakota. I saw and fed a buffalo. I went and stood at the foot of Mount Rushmore. These experiences awed me. I remember and will never forget the beauty of the Great Tetons in Wyoming. Wow! Those experiences were overwhelming, however I don't think they will show up on the scale compared to when this earth is finished and the New Earth and New Heavens are created and we stand in the presence of God. How will be awed? I think it will be different than what we think. I think it will be different from being awed with the presence of a famous person, great athlete, the president of the United States or Sarah Palin. Are the people who are good friends with these people awed by them? If you are good friends with Tiger Woods, then are you awed with him like his fans? If we have the right relationship with Jesus Christ, we walk with Him and talk with Him. How will we be awed by Him? I know I will. I will be awed by the overall presence of meeting the one who can claim to begin history and finish history. Think about it. Tiger Woods is a great golfer, but on history's scale he is a blip. Think about historical events and people. Jesus was there. He was there in the Garden. He was there in Moses' Day. He was there in the day of the prophets. He was there in the Renaissance. He was there in World War I and II. He was there in Vietnam. He was here in the founding of this country and all the presidents after. Jesus is here now and will be here til the end. That is awing. An athlete might play ten years. Jesus has been the center of all that is even before time began. He is the Alpha and Omega. Praise the Lord. This mere statement is so big and huge that it leaves no room for us to stand but only fall on our knees and worship.

Peace.

Legitimate or Illegitmate way of evangelism

2008-09-09T10:25:00.006-05:00

"IF you Died today, would you go to heaven or hell?" Every time I hear that question I envision a large white man with dark hair asking that question to a person they don't know. I don't know if this is the tactic you use to evangelize, but I would ask we take an honest look at this question.
First let me say that God can use this question to win people to the Lord and has, but is it the best and the most biblical?

The question first places many assumptions on person X (one being evangelized) believing there is a heaven and hell. Person X must believe that there is an afterlife. It assumes on some standard that person X has some moral clarification of their destination based upon lifestyle. Can we say there a lot of assumption that person X must have for this question to work?
Secondly, by the using the question, are we saying that Jesus and the gospel is only to save people from hell? IF you tell me that I accept Jesus or I will go to hell, sure I am going to buy it. There are some people that want to go to hell, then there are several who do not want to go to hell. Are we really selling fire insurance and not a relationship with Jesus Christ? Many will say "that comes later as you dialogue further about the gospel." Maybe. However, does this question set in the mind of the person X a premise that if they submit to the gospel that the a relationship is secondary compared to keeping them from hell?
Thirdly, this question seems to be very intimidating. It is intimidating to the evangelist and person X. The gripes of many critics to the Christian faith is that we proclaim a loving God but they never see it. If we evangelize people with a desire to know them and not putting them on our annual baptism records, they will see the Loving God. Also, I find this question to be an implementation for people of a busy society. There are so many times where Paul and the Apostles invested their lives to build relationships with people. When we think of the lost, we think of the stranger down the street and you have to knock on the door and give them your spill. Could God first and foremost want us to witness to individuals we know at work or family members? The great commission says, "As you go, teach into all places those things I have commanded you and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. THAT TAKES TIME AND IT IS NOT A ONE QUESTION CANNED APPROACH.
Have we created the fear and the failure of evangelism by canned approaches of the Gospel? Is the "IF you died" approach biblical? May will say as long as you do evangelism, then it doesnt matter. That is scary. Paul built relationships, Jesus built relationships, the Apostles built relationships. Our evangelism has to be relational, real, and will take time to reach people for the Lord.

Peace,

Plans....Biblical or Not?

2008-09-08T14:32:00.003-05:00

We make plans. Julie and I have plans made out. I have to make plans or my wife would go crazy. She is the daughter of Roger Boehm, the most organized and detailed individual I have ever met. I always debate whether we should make plans and if there is any biblical implications to making them or not making them. We have plans for January when the new baby comes. We have plans for a mission trip in January. We have several plans. She has plans for work. She has to got to a 2 week class in June of 2009. We have plans. Is it biblical? Well, I think we have to ask another question. Are we willing to let God change our plans?

9For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
10The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Psalm 33:9-11

I know I am talking about personal plans and this might be talking about God's plan, but don't the two intersect at times. Can God use me on vacation? Can he use Julie at the class she is scheduled to attend? Yes. Here is the painful part. God changes our plans. Some times the biggest test of faith are not those of temptations and "walks thorough the valley of death", but it is when we allow God to take over and "revolutionize" our plans. Ruth Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, was ready to be a foreign missionary. Then it happened, she hooked up with this young preacher boy. God changed her plans. God wants every thing in our lives, including our dreams, goals, and "plans." Is it ok to make plans? Yeah, give God the chance to change, shape and bless them.

Peace,

kory

A Beard Tax

2008-09-05T11:42:00.004-05:00

Out of all the poltical news, we hear a lot about taxes. Out of all the politicians Peter the Great wins the prize for his tax on beards. Yeah, you read that right. On September 5, 1698, Peter the Great imposed a tax for beards. I have a lot of funny questions to ask: Did a goatee cause for a half of the tax? Did women have to pay for their beards or did they receive a reward for having a beard? Did moustaches cause for a percentage of the tax to be paid? My limited research on the beard tax says people were given a token (znak) when they paid the tax.
Well,that is enough of the facial hair chatter. Isn't it great that God loves unconditional? Beard or no beard? Many skeptics say "that God does not love unconditional. God has conditions."They will continue their discourse with "you have to surrender every thing to God to be with Him. That is not unconditional."

Romans 5:8- God demonstrated His love, yet while we still sinners Christ died for us.
1 John 4:19- We love him, because he first loved us.

It is not that God has condtions, but it is the element of what love is that makes the conditions. When I got married, there were conditions I surrender to. I don't date anymore, I don't kiss other women except my wife (and occasionally my mother) and I don't do things that I normally would do if I was single. Is it conditional? No, It's love.
If you love God or more specifically Jesus Christ, your surrendering to Him is love. You are faithful to His cause because you love Him. In Matthew 6, Jesus says you can't serve two masters...Pick one. Why? Because if you love one then the purity of the love for the other is tainted. If I love my wife as Christ loved the church, then my attention is focused on her. I don't have enough attention to focus on another woman.(I don't know how the polygamist of the Old Testament did it, so don't ask.)So, does God ask me to love Him with conditions? No, He just asked me to love Him.

I hate this commercial!

2008-09-04T10:58:00.008-05:00

I hate this commercial. It is from a prescription program to help people afford their prescriptions. The last little chef girl is the one who irks me the most. She has qualified for this program and she is saving money, so "she can buy more shoes." What?! She qualified for discount medicines and now she is going to buy more shoes? What makes her entitled to more shoes? I am sorry that is not right. Here is the sad thing. This "entitlement" attitude is becoming the normal attitude in America. It crosses all barriers of race, sex, and even religion. Yes, Christians act like this. You don't think so? Go to the book of Ezra and Nehemiah and use that service where they read Scriptures for 6 hours and the people fell on their faces (no, not in boredom) in holy reverence to God.
No, that would be boring, because we don't long for the pure milk of the word. No, we are like babes and want someone to chew it up. Chew it up with great music and rock it out. Chew it up with inspirational talks. Chew it up with funny jokes. "And preacher boy, if you don't chew up so it is easy for me to swallow and I don't have to do anything else, then I am leaving for someone who will." I am no longer a man called by God to admonish, reprove, correct and exhort but one who is to entertain his congregation.. We are so blessed but we take our blessings for granted and we want more and don't want God to ask US for more.. I pray that God will heal our land and the real issues of our faith will become the mainstay of our cries and prayers.

No More Shoes,

Kory

2008-09-02T18:54:00.005-05:00

I try to tiptoe around political talk and conversation. I especially try to stay away from it when at church and behind the pulpit. However, this presidential election is very intriguing. No, I am not talking about electing the first black president or elect a woman vice president. What I would like to discuss is that God is sovereign no matter who gets elected. Yes, you will go vote on that first Tuesday in November just like millions of Americans will. We will pick our candidate however Romans 13 has a different take:

¹Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. ²Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ³For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Romans 13:1-4

All authority is given by God. You vote but God has a greater plan. If Barack Obama becomes president, it is by God's plan and design. If John McCain becomes president, it is given to him by God. We, as believers are to be the salt and the light upon the earth that God has called us to be. I have my personal favorite and I will vote for my candidate. Hard times may come with each candidate. Could Barack Obama with his mystical history of faith lead us into a judgment that this country desperately needs? Judgment, even though lasting years at times, led the people back to the Lord. Are we willing for God to purge us and chastise us to be that nation under God again? Just some thing to think about.
Peace.

Labor Day?

2008-09-01T08:21:00.009-05:00

Does anybody besides myself find it humorous that on a day we take off from work and vacate and relax is called "Labor Day?" Who works besides the lil' teenage girl at the local Chick-fil-A or any other generic fast food restaurant? Banks are not at work...Well, banks get every holiday and even event their own holidays. What about Valentine's Day? Now, I don't know much about the saint himself, and I bet the majority doesn't either. So, I suggest a name change. How about lover's day or Support Your Local Florist Day? My favorite would be Wife's Day. We know the true meaning of this holiday is to get your wife some thing. Women are the majority of the gift recepients on Valentine's Day.
Well, this blog is not about renaming holidays but how about renaming our services? I suggest we be honest and rename our worship services some thing else, because the MAJORITY of the people present at these services do not have worshipping in mind. So here are my top ten suggestions in no specific order:
1. Status Day-for those who come to show off themselves and belong to uppity social status. Yes, our churches have become social clubs.

2. Fashion Day- these are the people who come to church to show off their clothes. They also make the excuse that they can't come to church at times because they have nothing to wear.
3. Spiritual Duty Day-has nothing to do with worship but a way to get rid of superficial guilt from the week's sin.

4. Great Kid's Program Day- these are the people who seek a church out by the programs they have and not by leading of the Holy Spirit. These people have lead to death of many small churches because they went to bigger churches for the use of their programs and Family Life Center (other name for glorified gym).

5. Infatuation with Preacher Day- they are not there to worship but love to hear the man speak the Bible, however they never allow his messages to move them to a deeper walk with Christ and seek worship.

6. Free Jesus Rock Concert Day- It's all about the music. They will say they can't worship in other places because of the music, but I must ask: Are they worshipping the music or the Lord? These are usually the same people who listen to foul secular music and will tell you it's not about the words but the music.

7. Golden Sacred Cow Day- These people are in a spiritual rut and worship is not their focus but the routine is. If Jesus were to show up at church, they would get upset because he messed up their routine. Dear Lord, the pastor dare not change the service or move any furniture in the church with these people.

8. Performance Day- similar to Status Day but they are more "spiritual" because they come to church and use a talent. However, they use their talent to show off and are very prideful and what seems like worship is very vain.

9. Digest Time Day- it is not about worship but enough time for their food to digest from breakfast so they can eat lunch. They usually sit in church thinking about where they are going to eat for lunch and looking at their watch to see if they will beat the line at the restaurant.

10. Sanhedrin Worship Day- The most deadly to have. They think they are worshipping but their hearts are truly far away.

Worship means bended knee. The Bible tells us to For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24...Let's stick to the spirit and the truth.

Peace

Tomorrow is Sunday

2008-08-30T12:31:00.003-05:00

Today is Saturday August 30, 2008. Tomorrow is Sunday and I will get up and go to church. I will teach a Sunday School class, then I will preach the message. Tomorrow's message is Romans 1:16-17. I will go eat lunch with friends and come home and take a nap. I will finish up the work on my sermon for Sunday night. I will attend a 4:30PM Christmas Cantata kick off practice. I will preach my Sunday night message. Then we will head to my mother's house for the Labor Day weekend. That's it. There is my day tomorrow...Are you bored yet? Good. I will ask the question that all of you want to ask: Why the details about your day tomorrow? Our Sundays can become so routine that we forget of the pleasure of cooperate worship. We will forget the enjoyment of being with God's people.

Enter His gates with thanksgivingAnd His courts with praise Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Psalm 110:4

Routine is good. To have a plan is definitely needed, especially if you have younger children. However, don't let the routine kill your worship. Do you come to church with thanksgiving and praise in your heart? Or are you concerned with other things? Maybe what you are going to do for Labor Day weekend is preoccupying your minds? Could God be speaking to us and though our minds are filled with other things we cannot see it or hear it? Try it tomorrow. Don't focus on your routine but on your Lord and Savior.

Enjoy

Too Many Pieces

2008-08-28T06:10:00.001-05:00

"For I am confident of this, that He began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6

My two year old son, Jackson, is in love with trains. Through my mother and myself, we bought him a Thomas the Train with plastic track pieces. My wife seems to think that I enjoy the train just as much as Jackson does. Ok, I do. Some evenings we will get down on the floor and put the tracks together and make a loop for the train to go on. We play with the train for about 15 minutes or so and then Jackson picks up the tracks and breaks them into pieces again. Like every two year old, he wants to do build a track "by himself." He begins to put pieces together and makes it go across the floor of the living room and into other rooms. Then it happens. He tries the best He can, but the frustration grows in his eyes. "Daddy, I can't make a circle." Like most of us, Jackson tries to use all the pieces. You can't use all the track pieces to make a circle. There are various curves that turn left and right. There are straight pieces but not many. There are pictures of what you can build and none of them uses all the pieces.
Aren't we at times just like Jackson? Maybe we wonder why God is not using all the pieces? Maybe we wonder why God has given a certain spiritual gift to someone and not us. How about God builds a track and make into a "circle", but so many times we tear it up and "want to do it ourselves." From the passage above, God will create a good work in us. He continues to work in us. He desires to work in us. You may see spiritual "pieces" around you. Don't fret God will complete it on the day He returns or when you take or last breath. So sit down and enjoy the time of watching the Father build a good work out of your life.

Peace,
Kory

To be right or to be Godly?...that is the question.

2008-08-26T14:11:00.000-05:00

Is it always Godly to be right? Or is it always God 's way for you to be proven right? Many of you will know you the situation I am about to discuss...so the names will change to protect the innocent. I was working at a church several years ago where several situations arose that needed to be addressed. I felt like since I was the only staff member at the time that I would address. I am convinced to the fact that in my line of thought that I was correct with my interpretation of the Scripture used, correct in discerning the antagonist and protagonist of the situation, and correct in speaking the truth in love. Let's just say the repercussions led me to be "cordially" let go from my position. So was it right for me to address the issue? I think so or I thought so. There are scriptures that can cause me to waiver in my judgement of the correctness. Do we allow people of high positions in the church contrary to Scriptures?

"Therefore I, The prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner of worth of the calling which you have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to perserve the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:1-3
See what I mean? It is always necessary for me to be right? The foremost is for me to be Godly, Godly with my own actions. It may be right for us to the speck out of our friends, but go to the heavenly eye doctor and get the plank out of yours first. I am not saying that you can't be right and Godly at the same time, however God calls us to be Godly all the time. I have learned the past year and half of being pastor that you some time have to walk with people (sheep) at their pace and take things slow. I believe in elders. I can't implement elder rule in my church? They have to be taught and convicted of why we need it.
Was I Godly in solving the problems above? Probably not. Why? As I looked back, I can't say that all my motives were pure in speaking. I spoke the truth, yet my heart had motives of setting people straight and getting things right and showing them their weakness. That isn't my job. Conviction is the job of the Holy Spirit. Concluding, Don't be right, BE Godly. If you are Godly, you always be right, but you just might not spout off truth the way you want it.

Confusing YOu,
Kory

2008-08-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

Is every thing God gives a blessing? I ask that question because I am teaching my folks at church the book of Romans. In the next couple of weeks, I will be preaching the last parts of chapter 1 and perusing through those verses again I just found it interesting that these Scriptures say "God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity"(v. 24) or "God gave them over to their degrading passions"(v. 25) or v. 28," God gave them over to a depraved mind. I think we can find several interesting principles to live by from these words:

1. Folks we all were here at one point and time. We all were depraved, and sought after depraved passions, and gave our hearts to impure lust. With that understanding, how precious is the grace of God to save us from all this mess?How gracious God is? How much he has loved us to die and to forgive and to impute his righteousness upon us. WOOOOOOOOO! That gives me chills. God is so gracious and his lovingkindness is overwhelming.

2. Why do we expect non-Christian people to act any differently than the way they do? They are depraved, they are impure, and they have ill passions. When you see a clip of Madonna parading her old saggy body around, remember she is acting out on the passions that she wants and that God has given her over. It goes back to our battle. My battle is not with the skankiness of Madonna, but the demons and the devils that she allows to torment her soul. That battle is not fought necessarily on the banning of air waves, but at the prayer altar. Why does Paris Hilton act like she created the moon, because God has given her the exact god she asked for. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying give up hope on these folks, but wholeheartedly pray for them. There was no greater persecutor of the church than Saul which became Paul and God did a mighty work.

3. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you and live your life so God CAN bless you. God has never GIVEN blessings upon disobedient people. Read the stories of the Old Testament. Yeah, there are some of you who say we live under the realm of grace. Grace encourages obedience. Grace allows an access for me to be obedient. God still blesses obedience. Imagine 6 billion people and some how and some way God blesses you and wants to bless you....WOOOOOO....Sorry, more chills. Pray, Preach and Proclaim the Good News.

KORY

Speedo for Jesus

2008-08-25T11:06:00.000-05:00

Desperate times cause for desperate measures, right? Here is my new evangelism and church growth strategy. We, as pastors ( in which many are overweight and pasty white) should wear speedos and leave them on until people either repent or come to church regularly. What do you think? Speedoes for Jesus. We could market speedoes with the plan of salvation on the rear end. Why not? It works for the majority of the teenage girls that go to our churches. They have writing on their rear ends. No, I have not lost my marbles, but have others? We have fallen into the trap of pragmatism. Pragmatism is the belief if it works then it must be right so do it. Okay, that's a rough definition, however it will work for the context of this blog. We have become pragmatic Christians. Plan A and Program B worked at church C so that means Church D, Church E, and Church F need to use it. I am not here to dog plan A or program B, but maybe it worked for Church C because they bathed it in prayer, or God's plan for church C were pursued through the plan A and Program B.
Why are we pragmatic? First, we want a quick fix to the problems or the needs at hand. I am not going to lie. I wish my church was slammed pack and running three services and people were getting saved and joining left and right. Is that God's plan for my church? Did you know a pine cone takes about three years to be ready to fall and get readyto spread its seeds? Maybe God wants me to reach pine cone converts. I know of big name Southern Baptist pastors who want to lead in baptisms. They have locked the doors of their sanctuaries during youth revivals until every teenager has made a decision. Another church baptizes kids in a fire truck which shoots confetti when kids are baptized. If I was kid, then I would get baptized ten times to see confetti shoot out. If I was a teen I would pray and sign a paper to get out of church? Is this any less ridiculous than my speedo tactic? I don't think so.
Secondly, Pragmatism breeds laziness. Where does God receive the glory? Again, I am not here to ridicule every plan and program. Where is the praying of the congregation to seek God's face on his will and where they should go? Jesus did it. He prayed to the Father before going. How do I know that God might be leading my church through a wilderness time and waiting for a generation to die off before we seek his blessings? I might be the leader of year 28.
Most pragmatist will use this line: It is not the message we are changing, but the method. Jesus healed blind people several ways. However, your method if ungodly and not the will of God, then it can change the message. You will have to change the message to use ungodly methods.
Here is the solution: Our programs should not be found out at the bookstore or a great book by a great pastor. It should be found on our knees in prayer. That is definitely a new and radical method for a dying Christianity in America.
Peace.

More OF GOD? Safe or not safe?

2008-08-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Maybe I am just arguing a matter of semantics. I don't know what people are asking for. Again, I might be splitting hairs. I was talking to someone today and they kept on saying, " I want more of God" or "I want God to show himself in a unique way." This can be a blessed statement or a cursed statement. It is a blessed statement if they are seeking to know God by His revelation in all of Scripture. There is so much that we can find in the simplest verses of God's character and being. I have no problem with that, however when we seek God outside the realms of Scripture and the Bible we are opening ourselves for attack. David Koresh sought some thing outside the confines of Scriptures. Here is my illustration: If I want to experience a deeper relationship with my wife, then I should do it in the confines of my marriage. If I seek a deeper relationship by doing things outside the vows of my marriage, then I am setting myself up for trouble. Please be careful. God has revealed more than we can comprehend in the confines of Scripture..
Peace.

Deeper than the surface

2008-08-21T09:18:00.000-05:00

"But God demonstrated his love, even while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

There are many verses in the Bible that talk about Christ death as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. This morning I was pondering the gospel message. The gospel message is that Christ died for our sins so that we can have life and a relationship with Him. What does it mean for somebody to die? The sanctity of life issue is more than just the battle for abortion. If the world can convince people, that life is just a myriad of electrical pulses running through your body. If they can use evolutionary thought to show that it is all matter of evolving and that only the fittest will survive, then what power of love does Christ's death? SO what Christ died? Maybe it was his time? Maybe he was predisposition to have insane elapse of judgement and die for a rdiculous cause. NO, Life is precious. For Jesus to lay down his perfect, sinless life and bear my sins is a powerful convicting reason on the soul of man to seek salvation. Creationism v. Evolution is not a battle in the lab and the classroom. It is a battle against God. If they can try to disprove Genesis, then the wall crumbles down as the Bible being God's infallible truth. Remember the war is not against flesh and blood, it's against darkness and evil. There are not many people who would declare some thing "great" that is hideously evil. The devil has to take his plan through the back door and has called it "pro-choice", "euthanasia", or "science" to get people to grasp it. There is a deeper evil than what appears to be on the surface. Our sin has greatest impact than what we see on the surface. Those sins we hide and don't want anybody to know about can destroy your life like termites destroy a house. If you dig deep into Scripture, you will counter attack evil's offense from coming in the front door or the back.

Spafford's Fourth Verse

2008-08-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

Fourth Verse of It Is Well With My Soul:

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so " it is well with my soul.

My eschatology (the theology of the end times) is probably the weakest link in my theology. It can become very confusing when the discussion of the millienial reign happening and add to that the evacuation of the believers with the upcoming tribulation. I have my viewpoints and there are several educated Godly men who agree with me and some who don't agree with me, but that shall not be the discussion of this blog today. I am heavily impressed that whoever is right or wrong really won't care very much. The limelight will go to Jesus coming to get his people. I love this verse. Whatever was faith will now be seen in the fullness of all it is. Jesus will be real and will He ever be real. What puzzles me is when I talk with believers and they cringe or get scared of the end times. This life is just a spot on eternity's timeline. In the midst of time, enjoyment, fellowship, worship, it is a speck, an evil speck. Don't get me wrong. I love life. However, you can take the sinfulness and evil and make fertilizer out of it. I am ready to go home.

My Sin.....OH the bliss.....

2008-08-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

For those who know me I may be borderline ADD, however one thing that keeps my attention is music- good music. I don't want to get into a discussion on contemporary versus hymns, because that brings out my ADD and bores me. All of it is to the glory, so why am I the deciding factor of what is to be used or not? However, I get on kicks with certain songs and just love to hear them over and over again. Right now, it is Horatio Spafford's "It Is Well With My Soul." I have heard this song so many times and know the story behind it, but folks have you ever looked at the third and last verses of this amazing song?:

Third verse

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in part, but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

I have visions of Spafford, penning those words. Can't you see him with an ink well and quill and oil lamp giving just enough light to write on the Breevort House stationary. HE writes, "My sin". He is overcomed not with guilt but to know how sinful He was and the enslavement. He had to weep. He writes "oh the bliss of this glorious thought." The forgiveness of God has so overwhelmed him that he can't continue with the sin and interrupts. He chuckles and smiles. He probably never thought he would laugh again after losing family members in the ship wreck. He smiles. Sinhas not won. It has been totally defeated.
He writes "my sin not in part, but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more." All of our sin has been relinquished of its grip from us. All sin, past, present, and confessed future sin has been paid in full. "Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O My Soul!" Oh, you want worship? Pure worship? Submit yourselves to understand your sinfulness again and know the sweet aroma and embrace of God's grace and forgiveness.
The Bible says "He (God the Father) made Him who had know sin, to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus)." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Let me show my southern upbringing bysharing a phrase: IF that doesn't get you fired up, then your wood is wet.
Good day. Ill save fourth verse tomorrow.

My Heart Aches

2008-08-18T06:14:00.000-05:00

My heart aches. I try to keep up with some of my former youth through the computer. One of the ways I do that is facebook. Facebook is a place where people make their own webpages and intereact with friends. I know what I am about to say is going to get me in trouble with people, however maybe the positive will outweigh the negative. My heart aches because I read the comments made and left on the websites of former youth. I see messages sent to friends and videos sent to me (discussed in a previous blog). And I have to ask the question, what happened to their witness and their love for Christ? They have the verses and Scriptures placed all over their sites. They even label their religious view as Christians, however the words (cussing) they type and conversations of having sex with people breaks my heart. I know people are going to say I am judging and maybe I am. I have weighed the odds and I would rather they be mad at me, then God to judge them. Christianity is dying in North America. Is it because we are flippant with our Christianity and love the desires of this world instead the ways of the Lord? I will take the blame. I probably did not teach enough on the things of the Lord. I tried. These youth are to blame. We have to take responsibility for our actions. We truly have forgotten the power and the authority and how big God is. If God will strike down Achan's family for stealing a piece of gold from the enemy, what is HE going to do to us? May GOD HAVE MERCY.

My phone rang yesterday...

2008-08-17T20:45:00.001-05:00

I got a phone call yesterday about 12:30 PM. It was an unusual number that I did not recognize. It was the principal from the elementary school across the street from the church. She sounded horribly depressed and upset. No, Jackson is only 2, so it wasn't his principal. Vandals had struck the school breaking windows and pulling up benches. These benches were concreted in the ground. It took some work. We have been having other trouble with kids doing damage and being down right mean in the community I live. It is just a couple of kids who parents don't care that are causing the problem. Why do I write a blog about vandals? Folks, I am dumb enough and naive enough to believe this is spiritual warfare and evil. I don't care how mischevious a child can be or whether we pronounce it as innocent or "kids just being kids." I am asking for prayer for warfare strength. Ephesians 6 tells us that our war is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities of darkness. Moses faced Pharaoh's magicians, Jesus faced the devil, Paul faced demons. Have we become so posh and comfortable that we don't think it happens to us anymore? WRONG ANSWER. The vandals need the gospel. Pray that God will open doors and my church will be willing to walk through these open doors...I pray for your war against the devil and God would empower you. God Bless.

Mean Ol' Kory

2008-08-15T21:37:00.001-05:00

I did 12 plus years of youth ministry and have lots of contacts with younger people. Some are getting older and are experiencing college and graduation from high school. I receive emails and messages on various websites from these former youth of mine. Several weeks ago, I received an attached video from one of the kids. The video was a video of a guy doing some thing that I would consider distasteful. I wrote this former youth and said the following: Please pray and think before you send me any emails like this one." That's when it started. I was called Mr. Self Righteous and that I was judging. In other words, he got mad that I questioned him.
This situation is not an isolated event. It doesn't occur just with youth. It occurs with all age groups. People pull the verse about judge not, lest ye be judged. Before I go any further, I am a proponent of living by grace and an opponent of legalism. However, we have to discern. We have to say by the guidelines of Scripture this is what is right and appropriate and this is what is wrong and evil. The judging passage goes on to say..."Lest ye be judged by the same standard." If I sent you a raunchy video, I hope you would love me enough to question my motive. We have allowed the world to creep into the church. In the world society,you can't question anybody's motives. We choose relativity as an excuse. We use the old "what is right for you is not right for me" line. I don't think this is an issue we can take lightly. Is this what Paul meant when he told Timothy that people's love will grow cold in the last day? Oh well, I guess I will have to be mean ol' Kory.

Grace to you

2008-08-15T09:58:00.000-05:00

I am taking a major challenge by preaching through the book of Romans. There have been many times when reading through Romans or other books of the Bible we skip the introduction. I want to encourage you not to do that. If I was to write a letter filled with mushy sloppy romantic things and it was addressed to someone other than my wife, I would be labeled a pig. It is same with Paul's letters. We must understand the authorial intent and the audience being addressed helps us understand that intent. This simple exercise will keep you from misunderstanding and misinterpreting Scripture.
I have found some thing a little more specific to the book of Romans in this open salutation. Paul in Romans 1:7 addresses the believers of Rome with this phrase: "Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. " Do you understand the impact of that statement? Look I have tried to buffet myself from digging to deep on this verse, but some thing has to mentioned about a phrase that Paul uses in everyone of his letters. What's grace? The Sunday School answer would be unmerited favor. Okay, that is correct. But what do you mean? What does it mean that I have found favor with God that I don't deserve. Well, we were given some thing, a gift. How about this? God has found favor to forgive you of every sin AND he is continually working in you. BAM! That is awesome. It goes on. Only those who have this grace and peace (absent of wrath) can address and know God as father and Christ as Savior. I don't know if I can really type and express the impact of that. Maybe it is a Spirit thing (Rom. 8), but that just blessed my life to hear that and see it. Have a great day.

Haiti and Mad Missionary Disease

2008-08-14T09:01:00.000-05:00

For those who do not know, I have recently returned from Haiti on a mission trip. It was a medical mission trip. No, I am not a doctor now and not even Haiti. I was there to help the doctors and nurses, and I preached revival services at night. I do not want to blog about Haiti. It will be dispersed through out future blogs. I do want to blog about Mad Missionary Disease or MMD. The proverbial question that people seems to ask is, "How's your trip?" Some people do sincerely care. Others are just asking to be nice. Some want the one word answer of "great" or whatever one word. Mad Missionary Disease will cause you to unload on a poor soul. When you have been to a third world country and see the culture and the poverty and come back home, you feel disgusting. We have so much, we are blessed with so much, life is easy, but we take it for granted. We waste a lot of stuff. Don't get me wrong. I love America and where God has put me. It drives me up the wall to see people who have so much complain about the smallest things. You want to take these people and slap them, but I can't. Right now, I have been really quiet since I have been back. I have been drained mentally. I want to take the things my eyes (spiritually and physically) and pray and process it to get the best for me and for those around me, so that we may all grow closer to the Lord. I am trying to prevent MMD.

Will Die for the only way

2008-06-25T13:12:00.001-05:00

He was standing in front of me at the Hertz counter at the Sioux Falls airport. He was a very large man with long brown hair and a scraggly beard to go along with the hair. Even though the size of the individual was rather impressive, the writing on his shirt spurred more of my attention. His shirt was purple and had white lettering which said, " I would never die for my beliefs, because I might be wrong." I don't know why those words shocked me. We live in a society where truth is whatever it is to you. A USA Today poll surveyed people who are religious with a devout belief in God. 70% of those surveyed said there is more than one way to heaven.
I have to think a lot of those are Christians. And my response is WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?!!! John 14:6- Jesus is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE and NO ONE GETS TO GOD BUT BY HIM. Hello? There is no other interpretation. Please will some body have the guts to proclaim Jesus as the only Messiah and in reference of fat boy's shirt in the airport...I will die for it.
If I'm wrong about Jesus what have lost? Let see...getting drunk....sleeping around and picking up diseases? I like my odds of being right and if I were wrong, Life has still been good. I have met the best people, places and family on this Jesus belief system. Pick up your sword, you cross, your shield, your helmet of salvation and proclaim Jesus as the only way.

What Do I Want to Be?

2008-04-22T09:43:00.000-05:00

One of my ventures in making contact with the community is to be a volunteer chaplain at the hospital. I went to our monthly meeting last week. We watched a video of how to be compassionate in caring for patients. After editing through some mere new age stuff and liberal ministers speaking and telling us what we should not do, it was good. However, the item that caught my attention was a handout we were given. The last page of the handout was entitled "Five Questions Self-Evaluation Tool." I read it and it got a hold of me. I ask myself the first question, What do I want? or What do I want to be, do or have? I had to ask myself that question again. Kory, what do you want to be? My response was to be the greatest preacher ever to live. No, that is selfish. That brings no glory to God. Then I was stuck. What do I want to be? I remembered my own preaching in Philippians where Paul said his greatest value of life was to know Christ. Well, could it be that simple? What do I want to be? I want to know God.

My question is: What do you want (to be, to do, to have)?

The other four questions are:
What am I currently doing to get what I want?
How effective is it in getting what I want?
What else could I do?
What I do?
Ill answer those tomorrow.

My Response to Southern Baptist Climate Change Resolution

2008-03-17T09:39:00.000-05:00

I have to be honest to myself and who I am. I have been told that I have read things incorrectly. Thank you Jack Graham. I have been told I will be blackballed indirectly in Southern Baptist Circles if I post a disagreeing opinion. Oh well. I must speak clearly and effectively on the issue of the resolution for climate change written by Jonathan Merritt.
First and foremost, how is a seminary student able to get a resolution to reach such high prominence? Maybe, it is because his daddy is a former SBC president and a pastor of a large church in the convention. Yep, I said it. You're telling me some of those wonderful papers I wrote in seminary would just be thralled to the higher echelon of the Southern Baptist "hierarchy"? Probably not. My dad is a pharmacist. Also, I don't hold Jonathan's relating his "revelation" of the climate change and being good stewards to the planet to the scales falling off of Saul's (Paul) eyes in high regard. You're telling me that the conversion of the most profound missionary in New Testament history is the same as a resolution for climate change? Hog wash. In this blog, I will take each statement in the resolution and respond. If you like to read the entire resolution I have set up a link.

Statement 1

Humans Must Care for Creation and Take Responsibility for Our Contributions to Environmental Degradation.

There is undeniable evidence that the earth—wildlife, water, land and air—can be damaged by human activity, and that people suffer as a result. When this happens, it is especially egregious because creation serves as revelation of God’s presence, majesty and provision. Though not every person will physically hear God’s revelation found in Scripture, all people have access to God’s cosmic revelation: the heavens, the waters, natural order, the beauty of nature (Psalm 19; Romans 1). We believe that human activity is mixed in its impact on creation—sometimes productive and caring, but often reckless, preventable and sinful.

God’s command to tend and keep the earth (Genesis 2) did not pass away with the fall of man; we are still responsible. Lack of concern and failure to act prudently on the part of Christ-followers reflects poorly to the rest of the world. Therefore, we humbly take responsibility for the damage that we have done to God’s cosmic revelation and pledge to take an unwavering stand to preserve and protect the creation over which we have been given responsibility by Almighty God Himself.

My first response to this is to let you know that according to the dictionary egregious means distinguished or flagrant. I do believe that God uses creation as a general revelation. Romans 1 teaches us that. I believe that we should help take care of the environment that I am responsible for. However, I am not taking the blame for the horrible impact upon the environment. What have I done? You have to prove to me that first of global warming, no wait, climate change (You noticed terms have changed since the wonderful winter we have had all over this globe.) is caused by me. Yes, I am for cleaning up trash in the oceans and pulling tires out of lakes and dumping where things should not be dumped. I will not say that what the media is calling climate change is caused by me or man. Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant gas. My plants, which God created, love it.

Statement 2

It Is Prudent to Address Global Climate Change.

We recognize that we do not have any special revelation to guide us about whether global warming is occurring and, if it is occurring, whether people are causing it. We are looking at the same evidence unfolding over time that other people are seeing.

We recognize that we do not have special training as scientists to allow us to assess the validity of climate science. We understand that all human enterprises are fraught with pride, bias, ignorance and uncertainty.

We recognize that if consensus means unanimity, there is not a consensus regarding the anthropogenic nature of climate change or the severity of the problem. There is general agreement among those engaged with this issue in the scientific community. A minority of sincere and respected scientists offer alternate causes for global climate change other than deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.

We recognize that Christians are not united around either the scientific explanations for global warming or policies designed to slow it down. Unlike abortion and respect for the biblical definition of marriage, this is an issue where Christians may find themselves in justified disagreement about both the problem and its solutions.

Yet, even in the absence of perfect knowledge or unanimity, we have to make informed decisions about the future. This will mean we have to take a position of prudence based partly on science that is inevitably changing. We do not believe unanimity is necessary for prudent action. We can make wise decisions even in the absence of infallible evidence.

Though the claims of science are neither infallible nor unanimous, they are substantial and cannot be dismissed out of hand on either scientific or theological grounds. Therefore, in the face of intense concern and guided by the biblical principle of creation stewardship, we resolve to engage this issue without any further lingering over the basic reality of the problem or our responsibility to address it. Humans must be proactive and take responsibility for our contributions to climate change—however great or small.

I am sorry I have read this several times and find it very confusing. It seems to start off saying that we recognize the fact that we don't have the evidence and we don't the know cause, but there are some who think they do know and we need to take a stand. Wasn't that our decision made last year at the convention? We proposed to take it cautiously. Shall we take a stand with Chicken Little that the sky is falling? Why does Frank Page get a different perspective from meteorologist like James Spann in Birmingham who has contacted him but receives automatic emails?

Statement 3

Christian Moral Convictions and Our Southern Baptist Doctrines Demand Our Environmental Stewardship.

While we cannot here review the full range of relevant Christian convictions and Baptist doctrines related to care of the creation, we emphasize the following points:

We must care about environmental and climate issues because of our love for God—“the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe” (BFM 2000)—through whom and for whom the creation was made. This is not our world, it is God’s. Therefore, any damage we do to this world is an offense against God Himself (Gen. 1; Ps. 24; Col. 1:16). We share God’s concern for the abuse of His creation.

We must care about environmental issues because of our commitment to God’s Holy and inerrant Word, which is “the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and religious opinions should be tried” (BFM 2000). Within these Scriptures we are reminded that when God made mankind, He commissioned us to exercise stewardship over the earth and its creatures (Gen. 1:26-28). Therefore, our motivation for facing failures to exercise proper stewardship is not primarily political, social or economic—it is primarily biblical.

We must care about environmental and climate issues because we are called to love our neighbors, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us and to protect and care for the “least of these” (Mt. 22:34-40; Mt. 7:12; Mt. 25:31-46). The consequences of these problems will most likely hit the poor the hardest, in part because those areas likely to be significantly affected are in the world’s poorest regions. Poor nations and individuals have fewer resources available to cope with major challenges and threats. Therefore, “we should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy … [and] the helpless” (BFM 2000) through proper stewardship.

Love of God, love of neighbor and Scripture’s stewardship demands provide enough reason for Southern Baptists and Christians everywhere to respond to these problems with moral passion and concrete action.

My rebuttal is that it is a sin to support or to fight for some thing that we do not know is true.. Do not line up abortion with this cause of climate change. I know that abortion is killing a child. However, we do not know that climate change is man centered. There has been massive solar flares and storms. I will not stand and sign with some thing that could be false. The scientific research is flawed on man created global research. For instance, we hear that the temperature has increased 1 degree and this is the hottest period since 1850. What kind of instruments did they have for recording temperature in the 1850's? I live in the South. I cannot tell you the difference between 90 and 100 degrees in the summer. We are saying that one degree is causing all this catastrophe. Please, help me understand the chaos. How do we not know that we might be in 300 year weather cycle? I am ask to take a stand on an issue in which the author himself says there is not conclusive evidence.. He even use Matthew passages about "what we do for the least of these." How about we do what God told us to do with loving our neighbor....feeding, clothing (your nice clothes not salvation army hand me downs), and visit in prison. Not only that bring them the gospel. Climate change is not a moral issue. Greed is a moral issue. Lets deal with six figures salaries with people in NAMB and IMB, while Home and Abroad missionary live in or at poverty level.

Statement 4

It Is Time for Individuals, Churches, Communities and Governments to Act.

We affirm that “every Christian should seek to bring industry, government and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth and brotherly love” (BFM 2000).

We realize that we cannot support some environmental issues as we offer a distinctively Christian voice in these arenas. For instance, we realize that what some call population control leads to evils like abortion. We now call on these environmentalists to reject these evils and accept the sanctity of every human person, both born and unborn.

We realize that simply affirming our God-given responsibility to care for the earth will likely produce no tangible or effective results. Therefore, we pledge to find ways to curb ecological degradation through promoting biblical stewardship habits and increasing awareness in our homes, businesses where we find influence, relationships with others and in our local churches. Many of our churches do not actively preach, promote or practice biblical creation care. We urge churches to begin doing so.

We realize that the primary impetus for prudent action must come from the will of the people, families and those in the private sector. Held to this standard of common good, action by government is often needed to assure the health and well-being of all people. We pledge, therefore, to give serious consideration to responsible policies that acceptably address the conditions set forth in this declaration.

Wow...I actually agree with most of this. However, it is like a finger attached to a hideous beast. It is still in lines with every thing else in this resolution I do disagree with. It is interesting to note that we must stay on our convictions against abortion and population control, but where do we stop? What about carbon credits and taxes that will harbor on fixed income and poor families? What about the oil man that is a member of your church that makes profits from those nasty fossil fuels or pastors IRA's who are supported by oil companies? What about fertilizers that we use on our lawn to make it green? Is that evil? Let's make a stand for that.

My conclusion is this. I think there are larger and more tastier fish to go after. Lets share our faith. Let us resolute to support national pastors in foreign countries that can't feed their families to do the work of God. The resolution says to help the poor. Let's help poor pastor in foreign countries. No, we are going to fight climate change. It is seeing things in the flesh and not by faith. There is a deeper problem than climate change. It is heart change. This resolution brings the same mentality of bombing abortion clinics if you are against abortion. Matter of fact, it goes beyond that because we know abortion is murder. We DO NOT know that climate change is man made. Lets take the word of God and cut to the heart. It worked during the Great Awakening and still works. Stop jumping on hot button cultural issues to make us seem relevant. I am not relevant to the world. Not matter what I do they will hate me (John 17). Let's do the great comission and see what happens.

Don't Seek Righteous or Holiness!

2008-03-06T10:47:00.000-06:00

Pray for my congregation. I am still preaching in Philippians. I have enjoyed it whether they have or not. I want to journey to some thing Paul is saying in the book of Philippians. It is comes in Phil. 3:4-8...Paul finished up how we should not put confidence in the flesh. He writes this:

⁴although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:⁵circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; ⁶as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.⁷But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.⁸More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

You want to show off accolades and degrees and spiritual retreat certificates then look at mine. How about them apples? He is born a Hebrew, circumcised Hebrew, best schooling, very disciplined, very intelligent, put to a high status of persecuting the church. He has got it all. But what does it get him? A reputation? Money? How does that help him (Paul) during the deepest darkest times of his life? It can't. The old saying," You spend your health to get your wealth then spend your wealth to get your health" goes well with this passage.
Now insight into the title of this blog. Don't seek after righteousness and holiness, seek Jesus is what Paul is saying. Jesus told us to be holy as I am Holy. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We will wiggle our way back into a bondage of legalism and the law if we continue to seek the characteristics of the savior and not the savior. We will be duped back to a DEAD religion and not a lively relationship. Folks, it is easier to do it the religious way and not the relationship way. Relationships take time to cultivate. How far more better would we be to seek the savior!

Does Anybody Else Care?

2008-03-05T10:43:00.000-06:00

As a preacher, I have to qualify myself not to be political. Hillary Clinton (UGH!) spoke in Ohio and had a story in her speech. The story was a young teenage girl who worked at a pizza parlor. The girl is pregnant and had some complications. She had to go to the doctor and it cost over $100. She was unable to pay. Hillary Clinton said that this is morally wrong. What? It is morally wrong for this girl not to have health coverage. What? Isn't it morally wrong to have a girl knocked up with a kid that she can't afford...That is morally wrong and irresponsible! But, NO. We can't talk about that because it won't get you votes. You can't tell people to be responsible for their actions because we have become a bunch of whiny babies! Come on, folks. WE have got to preach this gospel and stop worrying about petty stuff. If there was a revival going on, I guarantee the chameleon politicians would change their tones. I even heard Christians say that Mike Huckabee (forget policies, you don't agree with) is not electable because he is evangelical Christian. Wow! We wander how much the society has deceived the church. Why don't we say...."Christianity is good on Sundays and getting to heaven and out of hell and that is it. Does Anybody Care Anymore? Let me leave you with this: IF you are stale and stagnant in your walk, do some thing different...Turn off the TV, pray, read your Bible, Pray.....There is a saying: IF you do what you have always done, then you will get what you have always gotten.

Fear and Trembling

2008-02-08T10:12:00.000-06:00

"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;"
Philippians 2:12
Please amuse me by allowing me to write out my point for my sermon. Paul has just laid out that Jesus Christ laid down his life and God has highly exalted. We come to this verse to give us PRACTICAL application.
1. Be obedient, even when the preacher is looking and when he is not. I heard a saying the other day that the worst kids in school are normally christian kids. Why is that? Well, there are many factors that would take several blogs. Let me leave you with this one: I have a two year old that models every thing that I do. He has picked up some words that are bad because he has heard me or other adults say them ("Gosh" and "Crap", just in case you were wondering). Why are we being laughed at and people are not coming to the church because there is no difference between Christians and non-Christians. It starts with obedience. Bonhoeffer called it "cheap grace." You have cheapened every thing that previous verses have talked about: his humility, the Father's exaltation.
2. Work out your salvation who you are with fear and trembling. Salvation is an interesting topic. I wrote several days ago about a relationship with God is the most important. Obedience is found in all relationships? Marriage. Best friends. Parental. All relationship have a realm of obedience. Here is some thing that is foreign to our relationship with God these days. It is to come in and work out your salvation fear and trembling. We are going through this pendulum swing we love to sing songs that are friends with God. I have heralded the cause that I am a child of God. The difference between other relationships and mine and God's relationship is that HE IS GOD. He is HOLY and absolutely perfect. Fear and trembling: Be obedient to God in every way possible. God loves you and wants the best for us. Don't forget that. But don't cheapen that love with disobedience.

4 year mission Trip? Anyone?

2008-02-07T09:40:00.000-06:00

I am making arrangements to begin plans for a church wide four year mission trip. It will begin when the Socialist president (McCain, Obama, or Hillary) is sworn in on Jan. 2009. Where will we go? I am thinking to a nice warm country in the southern hemisphere....Australia or an island country in the caribbean. Please understand I write that with some bit of humor and seriousness. I think we are headed for tough days in America. I think the church in America is getting to be evacuated and remnant left for a major revival. Why do I say this? We, yes, that is we tend to forget God when things are prosperous. We pull out our golden calves (sports, KIDS IN SPORTS, money, food, cars, homes and etc) and rely and relish and love them. But what happens when God pulls all of that out from under our feet? It seems it happens many times to the nation of Israel. God chastised and they sooner or later repented. No, I am not going any where, even though it would be neat. I am standing here waiting to see God move in judgment and making sure that I stand with faithfulness like Joshua and Caleb. I stand in my convictions and proclaim the word of God like the prophets of old. It is going to be hard but joyous occasion to see people turn back to God.

My apologies

2008-02-06T10:09:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been in the situation where it seems God was telling you some thing? It is every where. It is a conviction, a book your reading, Scripture, sermons you hear. Well I am there. I want to know all that I can possibly know about the Bible, God, and Christ. My only complaint is it is not occurring fast enough. I love reading the about the patriarchs in the Old Testament. I love dissecting Scripture to get ready for preaching. I love reading great authors of the faith. But for what? I hope to minister as a pastor and preacher better, to not be deceived by false doctrine and to be obedient. But I have failed to pursue it with the main focus. That is to deepen my relationship with Christ. John Piper said we know we are truly saved when savor, delight, moan to be with, excited to be with Christ. It is not about fire insurance and going to hell. That so cheapens salvation and the cross of Calvary. I apologize and have confessed for pursuing the things of God without the intent of what Paul said in Philippians.....I want to KNOW HIM. Now, every thing I read, study, pray goes through the relationship filter. That is not as easy as it sounds. Is it enough just to serve and be obedient? Is it possible to be obedient and not have a relationship with Christ? Relationships are hard. It is easy to obey the rules and get a list and be cold and sterile about God. In a relationship, God causes me to change and to realign myself with Him. I must realign and not Him, because He is God and is perfect and Holy. I have been married for almost four years. My marriage has changed. I have changed. Julie has changed. That happens when you get in a relationship. If it is not about a relationship with Christ, then it is (like the cliche) a dead religion. I love you Jesus.

Obedience without humility

2008-02-01T10:21:00.000-06:00

Let's journey to the scary territory of inside my brain. I am preaching through the book of Philippians. It has been interesting in seeing that the things we desire to savor in our Christian walk (joy, peace, unity, power, and a delightfulness in the Lord). However, it comes with a price. A price of surrendering of who we are. It is not God's will our way. It is not God's way and my will. It is God's will God's way. Yeah, really profound I know. This Sunday I find myself preaching Phil. 2:9-11. God exalted Christ and bestowed upon Him the name that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. Why did God exalt Him? It seems to me because of humility and obedience. Here we go to the deep chasm of my brain? Don't worry, I took my secretary there with the same discussion. Can you be obedient without being humble? A resounding NO would be my answer. If we went even deeper, can you be faithful without obedience? No. So if we used empirical reasoning, can I be faithful without being humble? No. It seems that the Christian world has marked humility as a characteristic that only given to a few. Nuns are humble. The Bible tells us that we are given not a spirit of timidity but of power. Humility is powerful. The lack of humility is why the Pharisees and Sadducees missed every thing that Jesus had to offer. Aren't we all called to be lowly and to put others better than ourselves? If we aren't humbled how can I "love my neighbor as myself "and love God with ever bit of my being? Don't misunderstand me. I don't want you to think that I am recommending a salvation by works?Humility puts into the realm where God can speak to us and we can hear. Humility is not weak. It is an inner confidence. It is a person who knows what truly is important instead of majoring in the pettiness of worldly desires. Humble yourselves to the Lord.

Peace,

Gift or a Blessing?

2008-01-24T11:42:00.000-06:00

In the previous blog, I wrote about a child who drowned in a swimming pool. People will tell us that "children are a gift from God." Others will say "children are the Lord's and do not belong to us " and if allowed God will take them back. Look folks, I would appreciate your comments on this one. I know there are some topics that are mere discussion of semantics. I am writing to search for an answer so I can understand God better. Are children a gift from God? I briefly took a dive in the Hebrew and Greek words for "gift" and cannot seem to find a verse that say children are a gift of God. If I was to give you a gift and then a couple of days come to you and take my gift back, then you would call me an "Indian giver." God is not an "indian giver". Salvation is a gift (Romans 6:23), but God does not take it back. Holy Spirit living inside of you and the spiritual gifts are a gift. But the Holy Spirit does not leave or is taken away from us. I think the better word is blessing. Children are a blessing to you. Jackson is a blessing and joy to me. If God were to take him away from me and take him home to heaven, then God is pulling back the blessing to draw me closer to Him or to chastise me. He could be even to test me. The Bible tells us Satan says the reason Job does not curse God because God blessed him with all he had. (Job 1:9) God can pull away a blessing to give me a bigger blessing. Maybe my cup is not big enough for what God wants to bless me with. I spiritually could be holding onto a dixie cup. God sometimes gets rid of the Dixie Cup to give me a 3 liter bottle.
Paul grasped the idea in Philippians when he said: "I count it all garbage to know Christ."
Just a thought. Think about it.

BLESSED BY GOD.

Bronner Burgess and God's Plan

2008-01-21T09:50:00.001-06:00

For those who do not live in Alabama, let me give you some background. Rick and Bubba is a radio morning show that I have religiously listened to. Rick and Bubba are funny and they are devout believers in Jesus Christ. On Saturday night, Rick's two year old son, Bronner, made his way to the back yard swimming pool and drowned. My first thing is to tell you to pray. I come from a family who has lost two children and it is not easy. Grieving is hard and I believe you never stop. How are we to make sense with this horrible tragic event? How can a loving God do some thing so outrageous and horrible? Do we need to make sense of this? Why an innocent two year old?
What does Scripture say? Lots:

"And we know that ^[a]God causes ^(A)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are ^(B)called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

^"Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood ^(A)Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

²And Jesus said to them, "^(B)Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?

³"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

⁴"Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in ^(C)Siloam fell and killed them were worse ^(D)culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

⁵"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Luke 13:1-5

First of all, let me blunt. WE ARE NOT PROMISED TOMORROW. None of us. Kids, grandkids, meemaws, pawpaws, moms, dads, husbands and wives. For any of us this could be the last day we live. However, just as Jesus tells us in the passage above. Repent and call on the name of the wonderful perfect and securest name of Jesus. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but whether I live or die, God will be there. He will be loving, holding, pushing. Secondly, on that note, don't be looking for tomorrow.Savor and suck out the sweetness of each moment. Every day is precious with my wife (Julie),my 2 year old son (Jackson), my church and my friends.
Secondly, Are we to understand why? Some times yes and some times no. I don't understand why God does every thing He does or does not do. Do I really want to serve a God I can figure out? I mean, I preached hard yesterday, but nobody made a public decision. However, I don't know what God is doing privately. How can a drowning of a 2 year old be good (Romans 8:28)? Is it worth God bringing Bronner home if people come to know the Lord? Yes. Bronner is home. He went home. By his going home, he is going to bring others into the family and home. Do I understand it? Not the whole thing. I do know that God loves you and His name will be glorified. To HIM BE THE GLORY AND HONOR.

Peace,

Kory B.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Seek and Find

2008-01-15T10:41:00.000-06:00

We need a minister of music at our church. Sunday, I have asked my people (congregation) at Bemiston Baptist Church to pray for specifically for this man to lead us in our music ministry. I could tell you more in what I would like for this person to be like but that would be more of personal taste, and it could cloud discernment of what God wants to give. I have asked our people to put that on the front line of what they are praying for this week. Now here is the lesson:

I believe and have come to a new understanding that some times request such as these and others (i.e. a person's salvation, career move.) can lead us to God. God says seek my face, seek my kingdom, seek the things of God, dwell in the presence of the Lord. Praying for a need does that. It puts us in the seeking mode. Here is what God does: Blesses us beyond our little request. It happened at Pentecost. They were seeking Judas's replacement and ended up empowered. Have you ever heard people say " I went to minister but was minister to" or "I went to bless but received a blessing." Yep. That's a God seeking moment. Keep on seeking and searching. I think Prayer is so Powerful because God blesses us beyond what we ask and blesses us with what we need.

Peace

Are you seasoned?

2008-01-14T10:26:00.000-06:00

We live in a beautiful church parsonage. It has the best fireplace and I love fires in fireplaces. I could think of nothing better than just sitting around a fire and just meditating and thinking. Saturday, a friend of mine named Travis brought me some more firewood. It was from a tree that the church had cut down about 2 or 3 years ago. I can't wait for it to get cold enough for me to throw some of those logs and start burning. They will burn good. Why? The wood is seasoned or dry. Green wood does not burn well. It still has water and sap in it and does not burn.
Philippians 2:1-4:

¹Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ²make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Are you green? God wants to build a fire. Are you allowing God to season you to light a fire to? When we're green, God can't use us. He can kindle a fire but if the wood is wet, it will not burn. Let God kindle a fire by living by Jesus's example: to pour ourselves into others. To be ready to be used by God.

A Lesson in the Midst of the Mess

2008-01-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

We have a weakness in our marriage. The arguments will flow when it comes to cleaning the house. We have a church council meeting coming up this weekend and we needed to dust and clean the house. We (Julie and I) have done good this week. We have not argued any while cleaning this week. That deserves a round of applause. However, the devil has his ways. I had cleaned up the kitchen. I rearranged pots and pans and cleaned up underneath the sink. Well, I must have bumped a drain pipe. We were wrapping up and Julie stepped on the rug at the sink and it was soaked. I opened the cabinet door and every thing was soaked. I had to pull all the nicely arranged cutting boards. Pull out the shelf paper. Let's just say I was ready to chew nails and spit them out as hot rivets. The verse:
"Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

Well that sounds simple enough. All I have to do is submit myself to God and resist the devil and he will leave. My journey seems to be conquering obstacles and then facing new obstacles. I wish the obstacles would just go away. It has to be a daily submission and only a true believer will battle against the enemy. I visualize this verse as not punching and beating up on the devil but we fight the devil by clinging or hugging the Lord. Again, it sets Christianity as a relationship than a religion. Fight the fight by hugging the Lord.

Peace.

Fuel Caps Woes

2008-01-09T09:48:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Julie called me and told me her "Check Fuel Cap" Light was on. After trying to make sure it was on tight, the light still will not go off. Julie read the manual and realized the problem could cause issues with the fuel injection system. I drove up to the Advance Auto Parts store and bought a new gas cap. I started the car and the light was still on.
This morning, I went to the the Ford Dealership. The service guy said I needed to get a Ford gas cap and then they will have to hook up the computer to turn the light off. In other words, If you put a new cap on there, the light does not come off. All that will cost me $43.00. I have also learned that a gas cap has to hold in 4, yes four p.s.i.
Is it me or does this sound like a small problem that Ford has made a little larger than what it is?
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments depend the whole Law and Prophets."
Matthew 22:36-40

Ford ain't the only one who makes simple things complicated. I can preach and use Greek and talk about other verses but if I don't bring it back to the Love of God. Where have I taken my congregation? Another religion? Jesus sums up 37 books of the Old Testament. He will give believers a path to follow after He has paid the ultimate price on Calvary's cross. The New Testament authors guided us into a discipleship of Love. It is simple- "Love the Lord Your God." However, it's brevity does not mean it is shallow. It is ALMOST a direct quote from Deuteronomy 6:5. He changes "might" to "mind". Some theologians have suggested it was to incorporate the Greek culture. The verse is deepened by the subject God and by the action verb Love. Who knows God? Even those closest to God were and are still in shallow waters compare to the phathoms of who God is. Love- The greatest poets and authors still can't grasp the simple complexity of human love. How greater a journey it is to love God? If I preach on the prophets? It should always come back to love. If I preach on the law? It comes back to love. Those "thou shall not..." has a reason and it is LOVE. Folks, If we want a greater relationship with Jesus Christ, it is not in the knowledge we gain, but in Loving the one who we gain knowledge about. Jesus loves you.

Ants in the gutters

2008-01-08T10:05:00.000-06:00

Romans 8:28- "And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."

I went to our weekly pastor associational breakfast. This verse came up during our discussion on the book of Romans. A wonderful verse of promise but do we have faith in it? We have all been in those situations (death of loved one, personal sickness, etc.) where we can't see "the good in it or coming out of it." Isaiah tells us that God's way are higher than our ways. Genesis 50, Joseph tells his brother what you meant for evil, God used for good. Every thing that happens to us is NOT good. There is an enemy who is out to kill, steal and destroy. Churches splitting is not God ordained. But God takes all that and uses it for good. The Lord and the devil are not the same in power. The book of Job- Satan had to ask for permission to test Job. Here is my illustration:

I clean out my gutters on the house. I pull out leaves and twigs. Some of its wet. There is a section of debris in the gutters that has ants. What do I do? I clean it out. I get rid of it. My purpose is to have clean gutters. But here is where God is different? God is about cleaning gutters but he also about loving ants. He still cleans the gutters out. It is not good to the ants. Their home has been destroyed. Maybe some ants died. However what if a big storm produces lots of rain comes the next week and obliterates the gutters and the ants. Then it was good.
If we are ants, we never know when the storms are coming. We never know what is up next. God does. Here is two things that have helped me understand this passage as much as I possibly can with my fallible, finite mental capabilities:

1. God is God and is going to do what he wants.
A.W. Tozer asked the question, "IF God was going to bring revival to your community and he did not use you, would you be OK? Yes. God has a plan and will that is perfect for me. With that in mind:
2. God is a bigger force that works beyond you.
Back to the ants analogy. I don't know how much ants think. Do they know that their is someting bigger cleaning them out of the gutters or do they just see their house being demolished? I think we miss the blessings of the verse of Romans 8:28, because we are so focused on what we see instead of realizing there is a force bigger than all of us. I think this is the point God makes when he defines that he causes good for the person who LOVES HIM and is called according to HIS PURPOSE. That is when we stop seeing with our eyes but with faith.

Praise the Lord...AMEN!

Unbelievable scary being me!

2008-01-07T12:21:00.000-06:00

Last night, my brother in law Eric Trawick was ordained. I had the honor and privilege of preaching the ordination charge. I was terrified. Why? It is my home church where I grew up. It is the church where I had my first taste of ministry before seminary. I haven't preached there since after seminary. Now, there is a new pastor. He is very refined. Those who know me....know that I am unrefined. I mean, I use slang when I speak. I use euphemisms like "kick his tail." Hang with me, this does have a point. I am not saying there are things I don't need to work on. However, I am me. I love John MacArthur. I think John MacArthur can suck the life and wisdom out of every piece of Scripture and teach it. I've tried to preach like John MacArthur and it bombed.
Here is the point: God has called us all. Different shapes,sizes, experiences and backgrounds. There were several writers to the Bible. God used through the power of the Holy Spirit, there personalities in portraying the Gospel Message.
Person X needs Jesus. Person X might not want to hear the Gospel preached by refined preacher. Person X hears the Gospel from unrefined pastor and makes a decision. Refined pastor may preach and teach to persons L, M, N, O, P. Jesus stated that we have all be given different gifts to create the body (1 Cor. 12). I think we oppose our differences instead of embracing them. I can't preach like John MacArthur because I am Kory Burel- wonderfully uniquelly made and gifted by God. There is a ministry and position for us all refined or unrefined- give God the glory.

Stop organ prayer meetings!

2007-12-06T11:19:00.000-06:00

I write this as a matter of exposition and prayer because this change will take me out of my comfort zone. Let me preface saying I will be asking more questions than coming to conclusions. I have been reading an excellent book about corporate prayer and how to revitalize our prayer meetings. I am torn between what to do. I pastor a church who has mighty prayer warriors in it. When prayer request are mentioned they are prayed for and God works. The firstissue is are we praying for the right things? At an average Wednesday night prayer meeting ( if your church still has one),we pray for people with cancer, heart trouble, car wrecks, deaths in the family, dialysis, doctor appointments, cold, flu, pneumonia, the plague, and soldiers. That's an "organ" prayer meeting. These are important things to pray for and I believe God wants us to intercede. I believe Scripture shows us the Spirit spurns us on to intercede. My question is: Are these prayers the "main thing" of what we should be important? For example, if Uncle Joe has to go to dialysis and is not doing well and Uncle Joe does not know Jesus, should I be praying for his healing or should I be praying for the Holy Spirit conviction to prick his heart for salvation. If I pray for Uncle Joe's dialysis and his health and he dies, did my prayers fail? Now, Scripture:

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."
Matt. 6:33

OK. We know this verse. It is a well known passage. Look God wants to seek after the kingdom FIRST. In the first part of the chapter, Jesus shows the disciples how to pray. The first principle He teaches is praise and God's will to be done on earth and for us to confess our sins and offer forgiveness ( forgiveness: that's another whole blog.) It is so different than what we pray. Now back to Matt 6:33, The latter part of the passage is the kicker. God says these things. Well if we look it tells us they are food, shelter, and drink. God is going to take care of us if we seek His kingdom. It is amazing to hear stories across the globe of people who are praying for God's will, His kingdom, His power, His vision and they see God heal cancer and diseases because they have sought the main thing first. Stop the organ list and pray for God's power and Him to work through us and convict us so His will be done. Did you know where Jesus talks about praying and asking the word YOU is plural in the Greek 33 out 37 times? We have to start praying for the Lord's power to revive us and empower us. I am not talking charismatic but maybe pentecostal. In Acts, the day when the Holy Spirit was given to them they were not praying for the power of God, they were praying for wisdom on who to replace Judas and God shook them up and empowered. I might be off my rocker but some thing has to change. We are losing people to hell that were on our prayer list for cancer or other things. We are losing 80% of our teens to the world when they go to college? Is it that we are not praying or know how? Or is it because we are powerless? Thanks for reading this. I appreciate any insight.

Peace,

Kory

Sorry...I goofed.

2007-12-06T11:16:00.000-06:00

Well, after a dear friend corrected me on Max Lucado. I apologize for my statements. It seems like Max does not follow the lines of the traditional Church of Christ. Hmm...Does he hold to no instruments? I am not going there. Anyway, thank you Chad Bean for sending me good invitation. I am man enough or maybe child enough to admit when I am wrong.

No More Lucado!

2007-11-29T08:33:00.000-06:00

I journeyed to Mobile several weeks ago for the Alabama Baptist Convention. It was a good time. The thing that bugged me the most was a piece of paper passed out from Lifeway about a new book...The book was Max Lucado's Lucado 3:16. One of the largest book companies funding and promoting Max Lucado...Why? Why Max Lucado? I have problems with Lucado. He is Church of Christ and probably believes that the Church of Christ Christians are the only ones going to heaven and they are the only church. I have come in contact with this personally. I have members who family members think that she is not saved because she does not go to the church of Christ. The Church of Christ which again Max Lucado is a apart believes that salvation comes after one is baptized. That is salvation by works. This does not line up with my theology. I am not saying that Baptist should be isolationist,but why are we selling and promoting and buying his books? Wake up. Wake up church, denomination, and Lifeway.

Peace

Able To Do

2007-11-19T10:47:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had one of those verses from the Bible just to hit you over the head. You read it before but it just did not stick or you did not see it. Ephesians 3:20-21 was the verse that nailed me:

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to his power that works within us. To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Wow! The question is why God does not do these things? I would encourage you to read the previous verses before from verse 14 to this passage. I think there are reasons we don't see God show up. It's us. Is their disobedience?Are you not allowing the power that is within you to do what it is supposed to do? Illustration: I have a push mower and I have maple trees. Roots of the maple tree seem to like growing on the top of ground. Lawn mower is not made to cut through maple tree roots. It will tear it up. Easily. Could we be tired because we have not surrendered every thing to God and allow him to use the power that is within us? Number 2, we haven't asked. How many lost people has your churched prayed for? How many sick people has your churched prayed for? It seems when we seek the kingdom of God. He takes care of the rest- health, clothing, food and shelter. Are you seeking the kingdom first? Read this passage and ask God why He isn't doing it?
Have a great thanksgiving.

P.S. Pray for Julie- she is having some neuro stuff, so we go to the doctor next week.

2007-11-07T12:07:00.000-06:00

Okay....I got it limited to four things that I want to do or accomplish in the next year. I think these four will greatly effect my ministry or accentuate would be a better word.
Here we go:

1. Play the guitar. That's right. I have heard people like Voddie Baucham speak and say he learned how to play the piano to be able to play for his family in their family worship. So, I am taking guitar lessons. I had my first one yesterday and my fingers hurt. NO PAIN. NO Gain. Musical instruments can help ministry because just in case I need a musician I got one - ME.

2. Learn to speak fluent Spanish. Why not? There is such a vast influx of Spanish speaking people coming into the country. Could they be part of the harvest white that we don't know about? Remember this : Our churches minister to people who are like us. Some how, some where, I plan to break that mold. My mom keeps reminding me of my Spanish minor and how I should be able to speak it....Well, I don't. If I was in Mexico. I could find a bathroom and that would be about it.

3. Get counseling degree or certification. Pastors are taught how not to mess up when counseling. I want to know how to use Scriptures, prayer, and counseling to better people. Thank my father-in-law for this one. He is one amazing individual and Christian counselor. His says the job of Christian counselor is easy.....He just sits back and lets God work.

4. I did not want to share this one, but I have to share as a matter of accountability. LOSE WEIGHT. I am husband and father and need to be healthy. I am a pastor and need to display self control and not lack of. This one I do not look forward to the journey. It is a task I must take on. We live in a society who lives off of body language. What does my body say? Does it proclaim Christ? It is my first impression before I say any thing. It must represent every thing that I say I stand for.

Prayers would be good on me reaching these task. I love you all and hope you have a blessed day.

Peace.

GOD

2007-10-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

We've tried to be very intentional in having a prayer time as a family and reading the Bible together. This usually takes place in Jackson's bedroom. We join together all huddle together all quiet and reverent...YEAH RIGHT. I am reading the Bible and Jackson is flipping over me. We settle him down again. Before we pray, we discuss what we have read. Look, I know the boy is only 21 months old. I know some of you who haven't seen him in awhile he probably wouldn't know you. However, he knows some people that he has seen many times and does not see often. He knows Isaac, his 2.5 year old cousin, who Jackson thinks hung the moon. The key is repetition and consistency. I don't want my child seeing his daddy be one thing at church and another thing at home. I don't want him to hear me talk about God every where else except at home. When we discuss what has been read, every answer is GOD. "Do you know where you get your clothes and pappy ( term used for pacifier)? GOD. "DO you know why you should be a good boy?" God ( and your daddy will beat you rear end and give you timeout) Those are legitimate answers to Deuteronomy 6. "Do you know who we should thank we times are bad and good?" GOD. Do you know who loves you more than mommy or daddy? All together- GOD.

Peace

Move over Harry Potter and Welcome Philip Pullman

2007-10-25T11:07:00.000-05:00

We know who Harry Potter is but do you know Philip Pullman? Beware and on alert. Philip Pullman is a British author who has penned numerous adult and children books. His trilogy called the Dark Material (no I am not making it up) is coming to big screen. The movie is called The Golden Compass. The movie, starring Nicole Kidman, is where a young girl with the power of a golden compass can overpower and conquer the Kingdom of Heaven in the last movie of the trilogy. Pullman has said, "Lucifer and the fallen angels were probably the right ones but because history is written by victors, they were made to appear evil. "Pullman has called The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis racist and a story that bashed women. The scary part is this movie is directed toward kids. Here are some links for your own eyes:

http://www.philip-pullman.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=12

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Folks, I know there are a lot of opinions about whether movies such as this or Harry Potter are bad? I have pastor friends who see no problem with Potter and his wizardry. Can I give you my opinion from Scripture?

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." 1 Corinthians 10:14

Why dabble in this stuff? Satan and the powers of darkness are a power. I know they are not as powerful as God, but why even taste evil? Why not partake in some thing wholesome? What about Paul in Philippians 4? He tells us to dwell on things excellent and righteous.

Keep away from it. Pullman is an atheist and wants to obliterate God from the minds of the generations that we are to shepherd. Guard your lambs, parents. Don't let lions and bears devour your flock." Hey Pullman, Keep your Harry and Keep the Golden Compass. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

I LOVE YOU DADDY!

2007-10-24T09:44:00.000-05:00

I make no apologies writing about Jackson. It is still a new position I hold as father. This new father/son relationship has shed great light on my spiritual walk with the Lord. The patience necessary to raise a child. Disicipline is never fun. I reminded of that proverbial statement of how a whipping "is going to hurt me more than you." How true? I hate spanking hands and sitting him in timeout and watching the pouting lip come out. Through being told "No" and dumping another bag of pretzels on the floor, there is nothing that He could do that could make me not love him. Romans 8 is one of the most wonderful passages. I LOVE ( pun intended) what the last part says:
³⁶Just as it is written,
"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

³⁷But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

³⁸For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

³⁹nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Oh, how God loves us! He hungers to be with us. He loves us. He gave His Son who died for us. That's powerful, but there is more. He wants to be with me every day, every moment. My love for Jackson is tarnished because of sin and other task. God's desire is to love us more than ever I could love Jackson. How much more great of gifts will you heavenly father give you? We love him, because HE first loved us. Mmm....That's overwhelming.

Peace from Your Daddy Above.

A Passion Gift

2007-10-22T10:26:00.000-05:00

A styrofoam cup? She loves styrofoam cups. Julie, my wife, loves to drink out of styrofoam cups. One Valentine's Day, I bought her a case of styrofoam cups and lids. Ladies, she loved it. I am a practical gift giver and I have a wife who loves practical gifts. I remember one lady who worked with Julie at the time of this practical gift that chastised me for my insensitivity. However, I was right and my wife loved them. What do YOU want me to get my wife? Roses? (Which I have done).What would be insensitive is for someone to tell me what to get for my wife. I don't know if she was overjoyed so much by the styrofoam cups or that I paid attention to hear her passion for styrofoam cups.
As a pastor, I strive and hope that what I preach would spur the congregation in their relationship with Jesus and to praise Him biblically but uniquely. How much would I cheapen their walk if I so berated them to worship this way and only this way? Our temperaments even affect the way we worship. I have a lady who thinks in songs as I preach. She will come to me singing songs that went with my sermons. I hope you noted that I did say BIBLICALLY. That gives a lot more liberties in worship than we think. Don't think so? Read 1 Corinthians 8-11. Wow. Paul talks about worshipping in eating and drinking. He talks about worship in the market place. Worship? A gift of love to God. Do you hear His passions? Is it spiritual styrofoam cups he wants? Is it roses? He knows you. Do you know him enough to worship His passions? God has a passion for lost people. Could evangelism be an act of worship? Whatever you do today, worship HIM. Give him a gift.

Battles

2007-10-19T10:46:00.000-05:00

Henry Blackaby calls it "Crisis of Belief." It's where the Bible hits you square in the face with a mandate you are not doing that it mandates you to do. I am going through one of those times. I don't think it is a once in a while battle. It is an every day battle. An every day battle to surrender every thing that I am for the cause of Jesus Christ. Luke 9:23- Jesus tells us to deny ourselves "daily" and pick up our cross and follow Him. Is it me who just sees myself as the most selfish human being on the face of the earth? It's battle to surrender to God away from TV. It's a battle to surrender to God and being made fun on blogs or when approach people face to face with their sinfulness and the need for God. It's a battle to preach what God wants and give Him the credit. It's a battle to be the head of the household that God calls me to be. I shall battle or I will fall by the wayside being nothing but a body who took precious breaths and did nothing. I shall battle to leave a faithful legacy for the generations to come. Oh, the battle we fight now has impact on eternity for not just now but for generations to come. Battle and Hold the Line.