Have you ever received an anonymous letter?  The one that has no return address.  The one that is typed so know one would be able to perform the most recent handwriting identification techniques.  The one that has no signature.  Have you received one of these?  Often times we read in newspapers where someone has sent an open letter (here’s a great post on how to write an open letter).  But we are talking about anonymous ones.

I understand most professions do not generate anonymous letters.  They are reserved for politicians, city officials, attorneys, anyone who has a somewhat public occupation… oh, and pastors.  For whatever reason, I keep a file folder in my office labeled, you guessed it, anonymous letters.  It seems as over the course of the past year, I have acquired several of these.  Why keep them?  I keep them as a constant reminder to remain humble – I am not a perfect pastor.  I keep them as a constant reminder of that the flesh often times overrules the Spirit – myself included.  I keep them as a constant reminder that most Christians do not know how to handle conflict or disagreement Biblically (hint: I don’t think an anonymous letter is it).

Why this post?  Yes, I received another one yesterday by mail.  I actually agreed with almost everything in the letter, however, it was not original.  It was an excerpt from an article (probably an email) that had been cut and pasted into a letter.  First time for that.  So I remain confused as to whether the letter was an affirmation, an evaluation, or a condemnation of our church family or me personally.

As I share often, if there is a problem (especially within a church family) let us sit down one-on-one and discuss it.  Let us exchange what God has impressed upon each of our hearts.  It might be that we are simply approaching an issue from two very different perspectives.  It might be that either of us are being blinded by something in our past and it is causing us to have a skewed view of the current situation.  It might be that we will disagree on a secondary issue but that does not mean that we do not care for one another and continue to encourage one another.

Let us strive to live out Matthew 18:15-20 as followers of Christ!  And maybe one day we will not have a need for anonymous letters.  We must aggressively guard the unity of our churches and become comfortable with dealing with conflict Biblically.

• Relative to size, the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body.
• Japan is the world’s leading importer of iron ore.
• One quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet.
• The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.
• Approximately one-third of the population can’t snap their fingers.
• In Kentucky, 50% of the people who get married for the first time are teenagers.
• A can of SPAM is opened every four seconds.
• The music for The Star Spangled Banner comes from a British drinking song named Anacreon.
• Cats can hear ultrasound.
• Penguins can jump as high as six feet in the air.

I am ready for some college football!  My Longhorn gear is ironed and ready for the weekend.  Literally millions of dollars will be spent this Fall on game tickets, travel, hotels, etc. as with any college football season.  So what does football have to do with faith?

Simple thought really.  Less than 5 months from now, all the money and time that has been invested toward this season’s games what will be the return on the investment?  Maybe a fleeting memory will remain, but for the most part that’s it.

Today, God reminded me of the implications regarding the investment of my faith.  By faith, am I investing in what will last eternally (the Word of God and the souls of people) or is my faith simply wrapped up in that which is temporary?  I’m ready for college football but more importantly I’m ready to invest my faith like never before!

Hook’em Horns!  But MOST importantly, keep the faith!

Family Wednesdays resume tonight at West Bradenton!  I will be launching a new Bible Study series on The Gospel and articulating how the New Testament describes the Good News.
Here’s the Schedule:

5:00pm – 6:00pm • Family Meal
6:00pm • Awana (3yrs – 5th gr) Registration Begins, DIVE Room opens for students (gr 6-12)
6:15pm • Awana begins
6:30pm • DIVE begins, Midweek Connection for adults (sanctuary)
7:00pm • Worship Choir Rehearsal
7:30pm • Worship Orchestra

Can’t wait to connect with our church family tonight!

Let’s face it.  We are all tempted by the enemy!  Even though we are all tempted in different ways but the essence of the struggle is the same.  The reality of my struggle is that far too often, I throw in the towel.

I find it interesting how the ESV translates 1 Corinthians 10:13.  “No temptation has overtaken you…”  Paul is not referring to future tense, he is referring to past patterns.  I find the enemy bombards me with the same temptations repetitiously.  There is comfort in knowing that my struggle is not uncommon.  The enemy is crafty though, isn’t he?  First, he deceives us and lures us into temptation.  Then the Deceiver changes roles and becomes the Accuser.

“Look at what you’ve done!”

“How could you?”

“Who do you think you are, you can’t just walk back into church like nothing has happened!”

“You are such a hypocrite!”

It doesn’t take many accusations like this and I begin to feel defeated before the battle even begins.  God ALWAYS provides a way of escape!

Here are a few reminders…

• Stay in the Word!  God speaks powerfully through His Word.  This step helps us stay close to the Father.
• Confession is good for the soul!  I know that’s cliche.  But seriously, we must confess our sin immediately so that our intimacy with the Father can be restored.
• Find a friend!  Find someone with whom you can be vulnerable.  Share your struggles and ask them to pray for you and to challenge you to live righteously and seek out God’s way of escape in the midst of temptation.

• God continues to challenge me through the Sermon on the Mount almost 9 months after we began our journey.  May we beware of false prophecy in our midst (Matthew 7:15-20).
• I received a text message from a great friend and encourager late Saturday evening.  Here is what it said, “Praying for you as you rest and prepare to deliver the message God has burned into your heart.”  I am grateful for Godly influences in my life!
• Remember the fruit reflects the root – a healthy tree bears good fruit and cannot bear bad fruit!
• I am very excited about what God is doing within the life of our student ministry.  It was PACKED Sunday morning.  It’s not about the numbers, but clearly God is drawing more and more students into the life of our church family.  What a tremendous responsibility!
• The Florida Baptist Children’s Home is being used by the Lord to impact children in amazing ways throughout our state.  We were blessed to host this organization this weekend.  I continue to praise the Lord for many who responded to meet the needs of abused, neglected, and orphaned children in Bradenton and beyond.
• I love when someone from our church family shares the gospel and someone is born again.  It never gets old!
• These are exciting days in the life of our church.  Let us continue to stay prayerful and faithful to the Scriptures!

Have you ever been in an environment and realize you are not on the inside?  It can happen in the office, in a group, even in a church.  Well, this week it happened to me.  In many ways it was comical.  In many ways it was saddening.  No, I didn’t get upset or demand someone include me.  Actually, it was a moment where I thought, “So this is what it’s like?”

The Scenario:  I was meeting a friend for coffee at a local restaurant.  As I approached the counter to place my order, there was one person already at the counter.  As I surveyed the menu items (this is not a place I frequent often) I wanted to make sure I was prepared for to place my order.  The cashier and I had made eye contact previously, so I know there was an awareness of my presence.  As she was finishing up the preceding order a group entered and approached the line.  It was clear that they were a standard part of the decor as almost everyone knew their names.  They began to make jovial small-talk with the cashier and as she finished the preceding order it happened.  She completely ignored the fact that I was in line.  As she called them by name, I stood there in amazement!  I didn’t say anything I just observed.  Upon the completion of there order it was as if a different cashier emerged from the same person.  As she took my order, she didn’t even make eye contact again.

It really was funny and sad all at the same time.

As I sat waiting for my friend and reflecting upon what just happened, I couldn’t help but think that there are churches who must appear this same way to outsiders.  Here are a few observations I made to help our churches care for the needs of guests.

• Take notice of guests & newcomers.  Let us not be so consumed with our common circle of friends that we loose sight of why the church exists – to reach people.
• Make eye contact and offer a smile.  Guests and newcomers often arrive at a church not knowing anyone.  A warm smile goes a long way.
• Introduce yourself.  Even if you are not an extrovert, be bold enough to approach a guest/newcomer simply say, “Hi, my name is…”
• Invite them to sit with you.  One of the most encouraging things we can do for guests/newcomers is invite them into the family.  One of the easiest ways this happens is through an invitation for them to sit with you.
• Invite them to join your small group.  People may first attend a church because of the music or the preaching or the location, et al.  However, people get involved in the family because they make a connection.

Check out Hebrews 13:2 for an encouragement on this topic.

• Australia is the only country that is also a continent.
• Hair is made from the same substance as fingernails.
• The state with the longest coastline in the Continental U.S. is Michigan.
• An ostrich egg would take 4 hours to hard boil.
• All mammals have tongues.
• Most Eskimos don’t gamble.
• Feeling down?  Bananas contain a natural chemical which can make a person happy.  Interesting, this same chemical is also found in Prozac.
• Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously.
• A warning for my Texas friends… Armadillos can get leprosy.
• Each year Americans waste approximately 96 billion pounds of food.