getting involved in the community

I attended a Pastor’s Luncheon today to learn about different areas of ministry in Manatee County, Fl. I’ve talked with Dan over at Jesus and Java about how churches should be focused more on the community around them than the inreaching that always occurs within the body of believers. To make a long story short…I signed up to pray the invocation for our City Council Meeting in March! What a great opportunity to really get involved and make a name for the church in the governing body of this town! Churches should be involved in what their government is doing. I preached a sermon once that raised the question that if our church had to close it doors…would the community around it mourn the loss of the church as being a vital part of their city? county? state?

The "True" Side Of Our Forefathers Not Being Taught

One thing that was addressed in the FRPC this week was the fact that the educational system has deleted any remarks, speeches, writings, etc. that mention anything about God made from our Forefathers. Students are being taught to only remember Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson who they (Secular Humanist) claim were deist anyways. How can American history be really taught without studying the inaugural addresses from Lincoln, Washington, and others? How can they not teach about the Declaration of Independence which refers to the Truth in God and our inalienable right from our Creator?

I realized how this impacted my studies in public schools when a quote from James Garfield (President # 20) was said:

James Garfield

Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . If the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
[James A. Garfield, The Works of James Abram Garfield, Burke Hinsdale, editor (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1883), Vol. II, pp. 486, 489,A Century of Congress, July, 1877.]

We Christians have been responsible for the corruptness of the educational system, Congress, and the overall morality of America by not voting the right people into office. This quote and biography of James Garfield shocked me because I was required to do a report on him in school and the sources given to me to use had no mention of him actually being a minister! He wrote a letter in 1858 stating he had just finished a revival in which there were 34 converts and 31 baptisms. The secular humanist omit these writings because they ultimately know that they would give God and Christianity a stronghold in the young, shapeable minds of today’s youth and children. Pray for our children in school…Teach them the truth about religion in America. For an awesome website to get info on our Forefathers…click here.

God and Politics

Now that I am back from Orlando I have much to share with you readers in the next few days about The Florida Renewal Project Conference I attended. Let me start off by saying that this was an eye-opening, jaw-dropping experience for me as the Christian morality of this country in the realms of politics has been steeply decreasing. It seems that most Christians feel that they should leave politics out of the church and their lives. Wrong! It is our God-given duty to elect the right leaders for our government. To not care (not vote) in my opinion is an absolute sin in God’s eyes! We must vote based on our Christian values, not on a party preference or getting one candidate in over another one.

Also, the Florida Marriage Amendment is falling short of petitions due to and audit (I feel it was corrupted by the ACLU) and If you have not signed it, are registered to vote in Florida, and feel that marriage is between one man and one woman, then click here…sign the form and mail it now. It must be in by Tuesday the 29th in Orlando. Get as many as you can and sign it now!

Looking forward to sharing with you some thoughts from the speakers like David Barton, Newt Gingrich, Tim Lahaye, John Hagee, Bob Mcewen, Mike Huckabee, and others. Do not forget to vote on Tuesday!

Rediscovering God in America Tour

I am looking forward to Monday and Tuesday the 21st-22nd as I am going to be in Orlando, Fl. with about 600 other pastors meeting with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich about the current status of America and its losing faith of God. There will be other guest politicians and speakers like Tim Lahaye, Charles Stanley, and David Burton there as well. They are paying for our hotel and meals too which makes it more enjoyable to me also! I look forward to sharing with all of you about this time upon my return.

This Sunday morning’s worship service was centered around the theme of Holiness. The music emphasized the holiness and purity in God and the message by pastor Ron dealt with being holy and pure because God is Holy. I’m convinced that the lack of understanding on what being holy is has been causing the church in whole to decline in morals, relevance, status among the community, and even attendance.

Today Jessica and I will be bringing home a new addition to the family! Penny, a beagle-mix was rescued from an abusive home and we are going to be its new LOVING family. Look for pictures of her shortly. Have a great week everyone!

Some Random Thoughts

Here are some random thoughts about the year in review, New Year’s resolutions and goals.

This year was a year of transitions. I moved from my job at the funeral home to being back in full-time ministry at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, Fl. I am now the Youth and Music Minister here. Check out what FUSION is all about by clicking here.

I am now 26!

I enjoy life a lot more than before!

during this past year I have become more inquisitive on politics and society due to the fact that I had a 3000 dollar tax bill this year and got curious as to how government spends money. now I’m addicted to talk radio especially the Schnitt Show.

I began writing my book about Death this year but have put it off for some time now. I need to finish it before I die.

Jessica and I had to put our beloved cat Lucy to sleep due to the fact that she couldn’t fight her infections and she was starving herself to death. (Lucy lost her immune system due to a herpes infection at birth)

We were given a cute little cat named Millie and we are growing to love her just as we did Lucy

Well, that’s about all I can say about that…Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!