Read The Bible

Today, I finished the last pages of my Bible reading plan for 2009. That puts me far above most statistically. Most people in the US have a Bible, and very few have actually read the entire thing. One stat I saw said that only %10 of "christians" have read the entire Bible. Whoa!

A few thoughts, in no particular order.

- Some days were hard, some were easy. It wasn't always like reading a comic book, and shouldn't be. There were times that I felt like I was just reading to just be reading. I did it anyway. I figure that to read and not be completely into it is better than not reading at all. I pray that the Lord will forgive me for those times and help me to have fewer of them this year.

- I learned, a lot. This wasn't my first time to read through the Bible. I have done it many times. I learned a lot about scripture and, consequently, God. That is a blessing beyond measure.

- Did I stay on track with the plan? For the most part, yes. I was surprised at how the daily readings seemed so short. It took maybe 15 minutes, max. I did get behind a bit this summer. But, I used my vacation to do some catch up reading, and really enjoyed it. Staying on track is not as difficult as it seems.

- You can do it. Say it with me, "I can do it." You can read the Bible. If it is important enough to you, make it a priority and read the Word of God.

- Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for Your Word that leads me to You, that instructs, corrects, trains, reproves, encourages and so much more. Thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. I pray that you would continue to grow me in my knowledge and passion for You and Your Word.

Christmas Eve Worship

You are invited to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service

Dec. 24th 5:30 p.m.

Hannah's Kindness

Galatians 5:22 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is...kindness..." among the others.

I went to have lunch with my 5th grader, Hannah, at her school. Each class is supposed to sit at a certain table but then the kids can choose to sit by whomever they choose.

As the kids are coming in, I greeted Hannah and asked where she wanted me to sit while she went through the line to get her lunch. She showed me where she normally sits, gave me a seat to the right, because she saved the seat to the left for another kid in her class.

It turns out that she has chosen to sit by a boy in her class named Josh. Josh is just a friend, but he is a special friend. Hannah told me that Josh is pretty quiet with everyone but he normally talks to her a lot at lunch.

It took me a while to figure out what was going on. I asked Hannah and she said that she sits by him almost everyday.

I was really impressed by the kindness I saw in Hannah's life. I know that it is the Lord at work in her. Her kindness to this boy was not at my instruction, or because I told her to. It was all on her initiative.

What is so impressive is how special this boy is. Josh has downs syndrome. Hannah has gone out of her way to show kindness to someone whom others might shy away from. She doesn't condescend or patronize him, she is just his friend.

I hope she does this because she realizes that Jesus did the same kind of thing.

Christmas Worship Services

You are invited to our Christmas Worship Services at First Baptist of Southlake

Sunday December 20th

We have Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.
Service is at 10:45 a.m.

I will be preaching from Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Eve - Dec. 24th
Special Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service
Bring the whole family as we read from the gospel accounts of Christ's birth, worship with some great Christmas music and hear a message about the meaning of Christ's birth.

Aggie Christmas Tree

Entertained To Death

When the Titanic hit the iceberg and began to sink, there was a group of musicians that came on the deck to play some music. If you have seen the movie, that was a true depiction of actual events.

I am sure that those musicians were doing something noble, but allow me a little creative latitude with the story.

Those musicians were hired to entertain. They used their musical abilities to add to the enjoyment of the passengers. The ship is sinking, people are about to die but let's do some entertaining.

They should have put down their instruments and help save people. They could have gotten more people into the boats. They could have handed out life jackets. They could have tried to make alternative life rafts out of mattresses, or anything else that might float. Instead, they entertain the masses of people. At least the dying masses got to hear some good music before the drowned in the icy waters.

I think too many believers today are concerned with entertaining people. Church is a place to be enjoyed. The serious requirements of the gospel need to be toned down because it is not enjoyable to most. Our church needs to be more entertaining.

No! The church is not a comedy club. The gospel is not for your entertainment. It is to save you from perishing for all eternity because of your sin.

The job of Christ followers is to share the life saving message of Jesus Christ. The ship is going down for the lost world. They will die, and we don't know when. Christ followers have been commissioned not to entertain the dying masses but to show them where the seat in the lifeboat is.

Tiger Trouble

I have been a long time fan of Tiger Woods. He is an amazing competitor and arguably the best golfer ever.

He is also an adulterer. What started out as tabloid fodder has turned into a fact corroborated by Tiger's admission of "transgressions" today. Tabloids are just that, and not the banner for journalistic integrity, but Tiger's confession confirms the truth of his adultery.

Here are some stats about Tiger.

Forbes lists Tiger as the first Billion dollar athlete.
Last year he won over 10.5 million dollars on the PGA Tour alone.
He has won 71 PGA events and 14 Majors.
He is 33 years old.
He has been married for 5 years.
He has two children.
He is an adulterer.

"“You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14, ESV)

"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." (Proverbs 6:32, ESV)

" “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28, ESV)

Tiger is not, as has never been, the paragon of virtue and morality. Why should he be? He has everything!

I know what Tiger needs. He doesn't need me to cast stones. Measured by God's standards I am a sinner too. So is everyone else. What I needed, is the same thing Tiger needs. A Savior.

What Tiger needs is to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is more valuable than billions of dollars and you can't win Him in a golf tournament. By repenting and trusting in Him as Lord, your sins can be forgiven and your soul spared. That is priceless!

I pray for Tiger's salvation.

Thanksgiving in Texas

I hope everyone had a blessed thanksgiving break.

This year the Berry clan did the Texas two-step. My family lives in Austin and Michelle's lives in Palestine. We went to both.

On Turkey day we were in Austin at my parents house. My brother, his wife, my niece and nephew came over. All the kids had a great time playing with one another and doing things with grammy.

We ate a lot, watched some football, and had a great time hanging out with family.

The Friday after, we packed up and drove from Austin to East Texas to be with Michelle's family. More turkey and more fun.

Uncle Chuck had set up Guitar Hero on papa's new big screen t.v. We all died laughing while playing that game. To see grandma singing a rock song, and papa playing guitar was worth the price of admission.

Then Saturday, we visited the dentist office(papa is the dentist), had our teeth cleaned and headed back to Southlake.

Overall, it was a good time and now we can focus on the stretch run to Christmas!