The Sunshine Skyway Bridge & Tampa Bay

I was in St. Pete this afternoon for a graveside service and arrived a little early. I went a few miles south of the cemetery and took some pictures. Enjoy!



I took this picture of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from about 2 miles
away. It doesn't look too big from here. Yet, it's 431 feet high!



I like how this picture turned out!



I parked my car in the rest area parking lot near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
I enjoyed a book by Adrian Rogers with this view of Tampa Bay out my window.

Brooksville Raid 2013

Here are some pictures I took at today's Brooksville Raid. There was no Civil War battle fought in Brooksville but our "battle" draws the largest crowd of any other reenactments in Florida and has more than 1,500 reenactors.

 

  

 

 

 

  

To end the Raid, each reenactor stands in a line and fires off their weapons at the same time ... at least that's the way it is supposed to happen. However, this year, the one saying "Ready, Aim, Fire!" wasn't speaking loud enough. Yet, I think it ended up being pretty impressive. To watch the clip of the final emptying of the weapons, click here.

Sermon (video): The Best Kept Secret to Spiritual Success (Matthew 6:16-18)

There is one biblical discipline in Scriptures that has incredible power to help us on our spiritual journey. However, few do it because it's a little uncomfortable and is rarely talked about in Christian circles or sermons.

The spiritual discipline is fasting. In this sermon, I seek to explain: 1) what fasting is, 2) the many reasons why we should fast and 3) the two basic, biblical instructions Jesus gives us on how to fast.

To view the sermon, click here.

Be careful how you bait the Gospel hook

Winter Jam 2013
Tampa Bay Times Forum

I went with two of my boys, our church's youth director and some church youth to Winter Jam 2013 a couple of days ago. For the most part, I enjoyed it. I say "for the most part" because there were a few occasions in which I cringed. One particular time, I shook my head in disbelief. It happened to be when the Gospel was being presented. Let me tell you about it.

I'm unsure who the gentleman was who took the stage about 2 hours into the show but I don't at all doubt his sincerity or intentions. With the spotlight aimed at him, he held a Bible in his hand and called people to fully submit to it's authority over their lives in matters of belief and practice.

But, as he continued, I noticed that he was going to bait the Gospel hook in the wrong way. He pointed out that people were on a pursuit of happiness and that the world couldn't give the happiness God could give.

Then, he wanted us to watch about 30 seconds of video on the screen regarding what the world offers as a means to happiness. A bunch of short clips of secular music videos ensued. I recognized Justin Bieber as he flaunted the fact that he was surrounded by girls who were crazy about him. I believe I recognized Lady Gaga in one of the clips. I didn't have a clue who the rest were. Some of the clips showed scantily clad women in some provocative positions ... at a Christian concert! What bothered me so much during that video was not only what was being shown but that the crowd was going wild each time they recognized one of the popular singers. What the speaker had qualified as worldly ways to happiness was precipitating in thunderous cheers from the crowd.

After the video, the speaker continued to point out that Jesus was the way to fulfillment and happiness. My cringing continued because I thought it humorous that what he was saying was a wrong way to happiness (in the video) had sure made the crowd happy!

To begin with, there is no precedent in Scripture where Jesus or any of His disciples lured someone into following Christ by the happiness they could obtain. Why? Because it would have been stupid to do so. Why? Because they lived in a culture that was going to kill Jesus and try to do the same to his followers.

In fact, the man who God chose to write most of the books of the New Testament was a passionate persecutor of believers before his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. To promise happiness to folks who almost certainly were going to be persecuted is a lie and would lead them to experience the truth of Matthew 13:20-21...

Jesus: "As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away."

Apparently, the person in Jesus' parable thought that salvation would enhance their life; it would make them happier and more fulfilled. So, they "received it with joy." Yet, when life got tough and they realized the Gospel didn't do for them what they thought it would do, they rejected it. They showed that they were never saved in the first place ... because they received it for the wrong reasons.

What is the most pure biblical reason for receiving the Gospel? Here are some of it's key components:

• That we have all sinned against a holy God by breaking His laws found in the Bible (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
• A recognition that God will one day judge the world in righteous (Acts 17:31).
• God will have a holy wrath for all unbelievers/sinners (Matthew 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
• All unbelievers/sinners will be sent to a place of torment called Hell forever and ever (Matthew 25:41).
• Yet, God's heart of compassion is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).
• God has glorified Himself by showing us how gracious and forgiving He is by providing Jesus as the payment for our sin debt (Romans 5:8).
• This gift is received by turning from our sin as a way of life once and for all - called repentance (Matthew 3:2; 4:17) and trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life (John 3:16).
• The expectation is that we will then begin thinking and acting like a follower of Christ (Matthew 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-10).

Why is it so important to receive the Gospel for the right reasons? Because if someone receives it to make them happy, they'll reject it when it doesn't do what they thought it would do. They'll also be inoculated to the Gospel and from that point on, they will believe it to be a farce.

However, if someone receives it with gladness because it brings them into the family of God and equips them for the Day of Judgment, the ups and downs of life won't really matter. Whether or not their life is one of ease or they experience severe persecution, they'll continue to cling to the Gospel because they received it to prepare for the Day of Judgment, not to simply, selfishly enhance their life.

(Video): "Arise My Love" by Newsong @ Winter Jam 2013

Newsong performing at the Tampa Bay Times Forum
during Winter Jam 2013

I went with our church's Youth Director, my sons and some youth from our church to the Tampa Bay Times Forum last night. We got to enjoy a lot of LOUD music from musical artists like Sidewalk Prophets, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, TobyMac and Newsong to name a few.

Personally, I would have enjoyed it much more: 1) if Matthew West had been given more time, 2) if the rock band named "Red" had not been invited, and 3) if the music had been turned down a few hundred decibels. (Does that mean I'm getting old?)

One of the highlights of the evening (in my personal estimation) was when Newsong took the stage and sang "Arise My Love." It's a song they began singing in 1987 but will be a favorite among many for years to come. It lit last night's crowd up!

"Arise My Love" is a song that speaks of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. With it's picturesque words, it's beautiful melody and the powerful vocals of Newsong's lead singers, it was my favorite song of the night, hands down!

To view a video I took of the second part of the song from last night (I didn't get the first verse), just click here.

Watered down "Christianity" ... if we can call it that

There is a glaring flaw in the way that so many Christians understand what it means to be a Christian (a follower of Christ). To get right to the point, here's the flaw as I see it: It is the notion that to get someone saved, all that is required is for someone to say a prayer and "really mean it in their heart." They may even sign a "spiritual birth certificate" so that they can look on that piece of paper for assurance whenever they have times in their life when they doubt their standing with Jesus. After the initial prayer, they can stray away from church, they can have no craving to read God's Word, they can hardly spend any time in prayer and rarely, if ever, share their faith. As long as they've "said the prayer," they're OK ... at least that's how many American Christians think.

But, this isn't true biblical Christianity. It's not even close. Let me show you why it's not:

In Matthew 7, we have the classic text where Jesus encouraged His listeners to be sure that they knew they were headed to Heaven. Listen to Him speak:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14).

Now, if those instructions were in a vacuum, if Jesus had said nothing further to qualify His statement, maybe there would be room for various interpretations of what it actually means to be saved. But, He didn't stop there. He continued...

In the next verses (Matthew 7:15-20), Jesus encouraged His listeners to watch out for false prophets. These are folks who are not headed for Heaven and will strive to keep others from going as well.

The question arises: "How can we know if someone is a false prophet? How can we know whether they are true followers of Christ or not?" Do we ask if they've said a prayer? Of course not. Twice, Jesus made it clear how we could determine someone's allegiance to Him. Jesus said, "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16, 20). In short, Jesus said that you can know whether a "spokesman for God" is saved or lost based upon how they act (not whether or not they've said a prayer.)

Let's continue...

In the next verses (Matthew 7:21-23), Jesus warns about the approaching Day of Judgment. The concern is that there are those who think they are headed for Heaven who, to their shock, will hear Him say, "Depart from me, I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23).

The question arises: "How can we know whether we will hear Him say 'Well done!' or 'Depart from me'? How can we know whether we are headed for Hell or Heaven? Is it based upon whether we've said a prayer and really meant it in our hearts or is there another tell-tell sign?" Jesus answers that question in the text: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21). (underline mine)

Did you catch that? It's not based upon words said but actions performed. Not whether we've said, "Lord, Lord" but whether we've done what God desires.

Let's continue...

In the next verses (Matthew 7:24-27), Jesus tells the story about the wise man who built upon the rock and the foolish man who built upon the sand. I believe this passages is often misinterpreted. Some believe it is talking about whether or not people can weather the storms of life. That's not at all the point that Jesus was making.

If we simply look at the context, we realize that Jesus has been stating that true followers of Christ are identified by what they do. It is their actions that give testimony to their true spiritual condition and their eternal destination.

In Matthew 7:24-27, the storm represents the Day of Judgment. It represents the Day on which each individual will hear whether the life he has lived will survive (eternal life in Heaven) or whether it will be destroyed (Hell).

The question arises: "How can we know whether we are wise or foolish ... whether we are building on the rock or sand ... whether we are headed for Heaven or Hell?" The answer is found in Matthew 7:24 - "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Listen to what Jesus said about the foolish man in Matthew 7:26 - "And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand."

Did you catch that? What we do testifies to who we really are!

To be sure, we don't get to Heaven by our actions. That much is clear in Scripture. We are saved by God's grace, by trusting in Jesus alone for eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9). But our actions give a clear picture of our true spiritual condition (Ephesians 2:10 is what we were saved for. We were saved to do good works.).

It is wonderful beyond words when someone prays to give their life to Jesus. But, just as important is the life they live after that. Their actions will either validate the claim that they are saved or their actions will testify that their prayer was just so many empty, impotent words.

So, what must change in our presentation of the Gospel? Simply this: Don't tell others that all they need to do to be saved is say a prayer. Make it clear that it is an act of faith, trusting Jesus to forgive them and save them. But, it is also acknowledging Jesus as Lord which means they are giving up control of their life. They are surrendering the rest of their lives to Jesus as their Lord, their Master (Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:11). And that requires obedience. It requires action. It requires doing God's will.

Then, and only then will they bear the fruit of a believer and have a basis for being absolutely certain that they are truly saved and headed for Heaven when they walk through death's door.

THAT is biblical Christianity!

Family time in Tennessee's countryside

On our recent trip to visit with my Dad and Mom, we spent some time walking down memory lane. We visited the property my Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma lived on in the hills of Vanleer, Tennessee. I have many, many fond memories of that place that date back to the 70's and 80's.

While there, we took some family pics and my Mom took a video. Here's the video: Joseph's great shot!



Sean took his airsoft gun and the boys enjoyed some target practice!
Here's Joseph taking aim at an unsuspecting tree.

The boys had been enjoying some sword fighting. They turned this into a silly
picture when Kim raised the camera to her eye.

If I'd realized the sun would highlight my receding hair line, I would have
scooted over into the shade!

This is my sweetheart! I still can't get over the fact that
God smiled on me over 15 years ago when He gave her to me!