A look from the back pew

I have recently become a big fan of Jeff Larson.

Here are some of my favorite ministry messages.

New Teaching Series begins this Sunday

It is late Saturday evening and I am preparing for a great day tomorrow at NRN. I thought it time to check the progress on the

First Photo Caption Contest for 2010.

It is a bust! No comments - No contest winner. So sad.

On Sunday - February 28th I begin a new teaching series in preparation for Easter 2010. The series is called Jesus: Liar, Lunatic or Lord!

Here is the sermon bumper:

Journey into a Global Perspective

At the most recent meeting of the church board at NRN a unanimous decision led to the appointment of Dr. Page Wages as the Director of Global Perspectives. This is the first step in developing our missions ministry with a global perspective.

YOU ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL EVENT

THIS WEEKEND AT NRN!

As part of our refocus and revitalization process we have prayerfully evaluated the effect of our church in world missions. In harmony with the manual of the Church of the Nazarene we are launching a process to establish a foundation of global perspectives for the future development of our global outreach effort as a local church.

You are invited to join us for a weekend of special insights February 26-27th. This event is Friday night 6:30-9:30 pm and Saturday afternoon 2:00-6:00 pm. If you are interested in helping to establish the foundation for future global ministries of NRN – join us for this weekend.

If you are ready to step "outside the box" and see God in a BIG perspective - join us on Friday and Saturday. This weekend will launch a new day of missions with a global perspective at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene. If you have a longing to be part of a global outreach and have a heart for missions - you will want to be here for this event!

Take a moment and watch this clip as you consider becoming involved in this new ministry. This weekend is the launch of a series of classes to begin soon.

COME JOIN US THIS WEEKEND AT NRN!

First Photo Caption Contest for 2010

Here is the first Photo Caption Contest for 2010.

Photo Caption Contest Rules:

1. Add a caption as a comment.

2. It can be a "title" for the photo, or a "comment" made my someone or something in the photo.

3. The winner is selected by me.

4. The prize for winning is our gratitude for your wit. Winners announced on this coming Saturday.

And now ~ the first photo:

I look forward to reading your comments.

My soul finds rest

I have recently been praying for a number of individuals facing difficult times. Here is a simple post of encouragement:

Psalm 62:5-8 says: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

My soul finds rest in You

My fortress and my rock

My hope for life my hiding place

My refuge and my God

In You I've found my home

My shelter from the storm

And I'll pour out my heart to You

And lean upon Your throne

I will put my trust in You

I will put my hope there, too

I will stand upon Your word

And I will not be shaken

I will let my praises show

Holding on to what I know

Because I know You're always there

And I will not be shakenI will not be shaken

(Repeat)

I will not be moved

I'm leaning on the throne

Because You died for me

And called me to Your own

And even when the strongest winds begin to blow

I will stand my ground

I will not be moved

I will not be shaken

My soul finds rest in You

My fortress and my rock

My hope for life my hiding place

My refuge and my God

I will put my trust in You

I will put my hope there, too

I will stand upon Your word

And I will not be shaken

I will let my praises show

Holding on to what I know

Because I know You're always there

And I will not be shaken

I will put my trust in You

I will put my hope there, too

I will stand upon Your word

And I will not be shaken

I will let my praises show

Holding on to what I know

Because I know You're always there

And I will not be shaken

I will not be shaken

55 and still smiling

THANK YOU to so many people today that posted on FACEBOOK the Happy Birthday to PR remarks! I was taken back by so many comments and e-cards to me today. It is hard to believe that I was born on February 13, 1955 - and now I have reached the age of 55.

When I was very young I was smiling as a boy scout:

Now you can see - I have smiled most of my life. I am still smiling:

I am a blessed man. I have so much to be thankful for. As I sit alone in my office I have just finished by time of prayer at the church. It is a moving time for me as I walk throughout the worship center and place my hand on every chair and pray for the person God will send to sit there tomorrow. I sing the songs in preparation for worship. The message is prepared - the notes are printed - now I spend a quality time alone with God to prepare myself to bring the message tomorrow.

Tomorrow I conclude the teaching series:

Here is the clip I plan to use to conclude the message:

NRN Showing of The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

A unique and special opportunity has come our way. Here is the story:

Last Sunday at NRN a member of our church (Patty Benzie) gave me a clipping from her local newspaper about a new Christian film coming to the Garner Towne Square 10 on Friday February 19th. The film is called "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry." I am a big fan of Gavin MacLeod in Christian films since I saw him in the movie "The Time Changer". (I have this movie on DVD)

I decided to investigate the film to see if I could preview it and consider recommending it to our family at NRN. When I used the contact information on the website for the film I was contacted by a representative that lives in the area. Here came the special opportunity.

They had been working and praying about a location for a showing for pastors and lay leaders in the North Raleigh area. That preview showing in going to take place at NRN this coming Sunday - Sunday - February 14th - at 6:00pm.

This is a FREE showing for the church family of NRN and local pastors and leaders from across the area. The Connection Cafe will open at 5:30pm with free refreshments. Childcare for children seven years and younger will also be provided.

We will be promoting the viewing on Sunday morning and encouraging people to come and see for themselves the impact a Christian film can have. We will then encourage individuals to invite friends to join them in the opening weekend of the film on Friday February 19th. The film was released earlier (September 18, 2009) with great reviews and endorsements. Now, the film is set for re-release. This is truly a unique opportunity to preview this heart moving family film.


The movie is about twelve year olds Dustin (Jansen Panettiere), Albert (Frankie Ryan Manriquez), and Mark (Allen Isaacson) are best buddies looking forward to a summer of fun in 1970.Dustin has a crush on Tanya (Bailey Garno) and wants to ask her out on a date, something he has never done before. His main obstacle though is Nick (Taylor Boggan), the town bully, because Nick likes Tanya too. When Dustin mows the lawn of Jonathan Sperry (Gavin MacLeod), an elderly man he has seen at his church, a new friendship develops.

What happens the rest of this summer is something Dustin and his friends...will never forget.

Make plans now to join us on Sunday evening at 6:00pm

for the FREE preview screening of

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.

Farewell to our beloved Zeke

On Sunday - February 7, 2010 - Sharron and I were faced with a big decision. Over the previous week Sharron returned from a short visit to Charlotte to visit family. She returned with Stephanie and Alyse - and the family pet - Zeke. His true name is Ezekiel. When he came to our home we had another dog - Gideon. I remember Sharron asking if we could keep him. She commented about how small he was. I remember saying to her, "But look at those paws - he will grow into them." And he did.

Zeke has been our family dog since 1997. It was very apparent that he was suffering from age and possible disease. Sharron and Stephanie took him to our trusted friend and great veterinarian - Dr. Page Wages. The report following extensive testing was heart breaking. Zeke was diagnosed with cancer throughout his body and several infected areas. The difficult decision was made that it was time to place Zeke into his final sleep.

Immediately tears swelled in my eyes. Zeke has been a loved member of our family since our girls were in high school. He was rescued by Sharron when he was only a few days old. He was so small I could hold him in my hand. Here is an early picture of Zeke as he slept in the window sill at the house of a friend, Jana Blankers [now Ward] in Marion, Indiana.



Stephanie and Alyse took time to say their farewells to Zeke before they departed back to Charlotte. You can read Stephanie's tribute to Zeke and see her pictures on her BLOG. We knew it would be difficult for Danielle to say goodbye. She drove from Charlotte on Saturday afternoon and said her farewell to Zeke on Sunday morning before we departed for church.

Sharron contacted Dr. Wages following church yesterday and she was in the office due to another call and invited us to come over. It was with such a gentle spirit and professionalism that Dr. Wage injected Zeke with a simple shot and Zeke simply closed his eyes and went to sleep forever. Sharron cried and wiped away the tears. I wept on the inside and silently thanked God for bringing Zeke into our lives.

On Star adventure

As the snow and freezing rain came last week end in Raleigh - it seems all things were shut down. The stores experienced the rush of people to get milk and bread. The roads were covered in ice and church was cancelled due to the bad weather.

On Sunday afternoon I ventured out to see the road conditions near the church. As I drove down Six Fork Road I was sure the right decision had been made to cancel church. I drove into the unplowed parking lot at the church - and there was Bob Floyd completing the job of clearing the main area near the entrances to the facility. Bob is truly a blessing as he came by the church to give his time and energy to clean the area. Thanks Bob for your servant spirit and labor of love to the Lord!

I then drove to Durham to visit with friends from the church who had plenty of white chicken chili prepared for the chili cool-off that was cancelled. As I attempted to back into the driveway - I felt my vehicle begin to slip. Soon I found myself in the ditch in front of their house.

I am so glad for the On Star service I have in my Saturn vehicle. With the push of a blue button - a tow truck was dispatched and soon the vehicle was pulled from the ditch onto the driveway. My adventure in the snow had ended.

NOTE: I have ON STAR - not Blonde Star. Here is an example of Blonde Star :)

On Sunday - February 7th we are planning for a covered-dish lunch at the church. The ministry staff feels that people would like to get over the "cabin fever" and enjoy a time of fun and conversation following church. The Super Bowl party is planned for late afternoon. I am looking forward to a great day at NRN on Sunday!

Here is one of the songs planned for tomorrow and I continue in the teaching series: How BIG is God.