Grits are good for you

Pastor Kurt — admin on June 8, 2009 at 8:31 pm

So says a restaurant in Charleston (SC). Marla and I celebrated our
11th wedding anniversary there over the weekend. It was really nice
to leave behind all the responsibilities of planting a church to just
enjoy each other…. and eat. Man, did we eat well. If you want any
recommendations, shoot me an email.

Inheritance from our forefathers

Christianity,Pastor Kurt — admin on May 20, 2009 at 7:32 pm

I love reading the books of great Christian men and women from many years ago.   There’s good stuff being written today, of course, too.  But I benefit from the wisdom and experience of the giants of the faith from 50, 100, even 200 years ago.   CS Lewis, Charles Finney, Andrew Murray, John G. Lake, Charles Spurgeon, Smith Wigglesworth, A.W. Tozer, just to name a few.  I’d encourage you read a broad spectrum of Christian perspectives – such as the list above.  You might be surprised how God can speak to you from someone outside your usual circle of focus.

Lately, I’ve been listening to some old cassette tapes (gasp!) by Lester Sumrall.  Wow, that man was anointed.  Such a sweet, gentlemanly spirit, but such powerful faith.  He’s got a lifetime of amazing stories.  You can enjoy some of them in this book.
What have you been reading lately?  I’d love to hear what’s been inspiring you.

How ya been? Busy?

Christianity,Pastor Kurt,Uncategorized — admin on May 12, 2009 at 6:45 pm

Try out this little experiment.  The next time you chat with your friends, neighbors, or co-workers, ask them if they’ve been busy lately.  I’ll bet you almost everyone you meet, from any station of life, will confess to being “busy”.  ”Things have been crazy lately.”  ”Really busy.”  You might even notice yourself saying it.  {I’d love to hear the results of your experiment – leave a comment to this post.}

It seems like we are all busy.  I know I am.  Observing the lives of others around me, I will concur that they are busy too.  Many who are a generation or two older than me often comment that life is just so much busier than it used to be “back in the day”.
Why?  I’m not a sociologist.  But it seems we almost take pride in our busy-ness.  Imagine confessing to your neighbor, “No, I really haven’t been very busy lately.”  Do you feel a twinge of guilt?  Like you don’t quite measure up to the rest of us very busy people?
But we pay a price for living this way.  I’ve noticed that we’re not just busy, we’re too busy.
Too busy to spend enough time with our loved ones.
Too busy to really get to know our neighbors.
Too busy to stop and visit with that person at the grocery store who really looks like they need a kind word.
Too busy to pray.
Too busy for real fellowship.
Too busy for the things that really matter.
Too busy.
Many have commented that our society is causing all of this.  The speed of the river of life has increased, and we’re all being swept away by its current.  But I don’t think that’s a complete explanation.  Such a view makes us victims.  But the truth is, we have a choice.  The current is strong, but we can always choose to fight it.
Jesus always had time for the person that needed a personal touch.  Despite the crushing demands on His time, He somehow managed it all – time with His Father, time with His disciples, time with the crowds, time to rest.  I think if Jesus walked among us today, He would head straight for the river bank.  There, He could live life at His pace, directed by the “rhythms of grace” of His own heart and the Holy Spirit. 
I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Faith like a child

Children,Christianity,Outreach,Pastor Kurt,Prayer — admin on May 8, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Isn’t this a great picture? My boys are interceding over a shower curtain. Well it IS a shower curtain, but it’s got a map of the world on it. My boys have a heart for the nations of the world, and they pray for them daily.
Over a year ago, Bryan adopted Brazil as “his” country. He kept talking about wanting to go preach in Brazil. As parents, Marla and I thought it was just a passing interest. But he wouldn’t let it go. He had to preach in Brazil.
We tested his sincerity by arranging for Portuguese lessons. He loved them. He worked hard towards his goal of being able to stand on a stage (“there has to be a stage, daddy!”) and tell people in Brazil about Jesus. There was only one problem – we didn’t know a soul in Brazil. But this was clearly God, so we figured He would make a way.
And He did. Doors opened, and last summer we went to Brazil. Bryan and Steven both preached about Jesus in some short Portuguese phrases – from the stage. And, wow, did God move!
If you want to see the report from our trip in pdf form, click here.

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