This is pretty interesting stuff. Have you ever wondered how they make duct tape? Since we’re using duct tape as an illustration Sunday, I thought you might be interested. This universal product is manufactured with just a few ingredients yet has so many different uses.  Sunday we’ll elaborate on the reparative nature of the product as we add it to our survival kit. Think about all the repair work you can do with a roll of duct tape! We’ll talk about some key truths and their application regarding a reparative process for life. Join us at North Campus at 9:30 a.m. or the Sterling Campus at 10:45. 

God created man with relational capacity. Man was made for relationship with God. He made a partner for Adam named Eve. “It was not good for man to be alone,” He said. Within each of us is the need for significant and meaningful relationships. We have the need to be known and we need to know others. There is encouragement, accountability, grace, and love expressed in relationships. We need these emotional fillers and so many others in order to thrive in life.

We need the church. The church by its very nature is a relational community. Can you grow in the Christian faith and not attend church? Can you worship God just as meaningfully fishing on a lake as you can seated in a church sanctuary?  Maybe, but it’s not the optimum arrangement. Without the fellowship of other believers, you severely impeded your ability for spiritually growth. In fact, in many cases, I think there’s probably a correlation between church attendance and meaningful spiritual growth, but that’s fodder for another post.

The church is the Body of Christ, each part working together in community. We need each other to accurately and authentically demonstrate hope and grace. While we may survive individually, collectively we can fulfill our mission. The early church was a composite of small communities meeting together in homes and public venues. They ate, prayed, studied, learned, and served together. These communities were intentional and highly relational. We need the relationships that only the church offers. You need the fellowship of other believers in your life. We meet not for the sake of meeting, but to grow in relationship with one another and with our LORD.

Haven’t been in church in a while? Haven’t been to a small group like a Sunday School class or LIFEgroup in a while? Do you feel like something is missing, but can’t seem to put a finger on it? You’re missing the relationships. Be in fellowship this Sunday. Encourage someone by your presence and allow them to encourage you by theirs.

You’ve heard it said that Jesus saves. Christians understand this statement to be true. What does this statement actually mean? It represents a relationship with present tense as well as future implications. Our salvation is both present and future. Our relationship is realized now and will be fully realized in eternity. In this present tense know that Jesus saves us from and Jesus saves us to.

Jesus saves us from situations we do not need to know. He saves us from having to walk this life alone. As we live in Him, Jesus guides, directs, empowers, strengthens, protects, and cares for us. This relationship saves us from paths we might have otherwise taken. The relationship having a significant influence on the direction we’ve taken in life and will take in the days ahead.

Jesus saves us to Himself. It is not our striving, but his action on the cross that saved us to Himself.  It is because of what Christ did that we are reconciled to the Father. Therefore, we are God’s children. Then why in the world do we worry so much?  Why do we fret, fuss, worry, and fear?  Why do we allow circumstance or situation to dictate our emotions, behavior, and demeanor? If we’ve been saved to Him, will God not care for us? If He went to great lengths to secure our future, don’t you think He’ll care for our present? Jesus told us not to worry because God cares for us.

Think about the implications of your relationship with Christ. Ponder the depth of the phrase, “Jesus saves” and believe it!

I know, I know, I know. I’ve been lax in my posting. Actually, I’ve been out of town for a couple of days earlier in the week and have been diligently trying to get caught up. Jolanta and I attended the Baptist General Convention of Texas Annual Meeting in Fort Worth. We observed and participated in the work of the convention. Also, I had the opportunity to teach a couple of workshops.

Anyway, I want you to watch this clip. Great wisdom here! Don’t miss the last couple of lines.  Here’s the wisdom, “See a need, fill a need.”  That ought to be our motto! What do you think?  See a need; then fill a need. Seeing necessitates observation while observation involves looking beyond self. Put yourself in a place where God can reveal a need. The observation is only half of the equation while the other part calls for action. Ask God to give you ideas on how to meet that need. See it; then meet it. How can I meet an observed need? Ask God how to address it and then do something about it. Ask someone to help you and do ministry together. If we observe a need, we’re compelled to address the need. It’s kind of a biblical thought.

Memorial Baptist is One Dynamic Church with Two Diverse Locations.  It is amazing to contemplate all that God has done in bringing this vision to reality. Just about a year ago, we were still in discussion with Trinity Baptist Church about their potential merger with Memorial Baptist Church. In December 2007, the decision was made by both churches. In January 2007, we're slinging the first hammer in the renovation at North Campus. I'm still amazed at how God provided 6.5 acres and facility in a high growth - traffic area of Baytown to Memorial. He gave us a gift with a market value of over 2.5 million dollars with no-stings attached. It was truly a God thing!

What makes Memorial Baptist Church unique in Baytown? It is the willingness to do "whatever it takes" to reach people with the message of Christ. This multi-site concept of ministry is new, exciting, challenging, and different. Conducting ministry at two campuses is unique among other congregations in Baytown. Operating two distinct models of ministry is also unique in our community. Each model is working to meet the varied needs of a diverse culture and community.

Even though we operate two campuses, we're still one church - One Dynamic Church. With our objective to reach people for Christ, we've created varied entry points for people to involve themselves in a local congregation. I'm excited at what is happening at Sterling. I'm excited at what's happen at North. God is at work in the Church and in our future. The vision remains: 5 in 10 - Five Locations in Ten Years.

I think I'm going to write a book about regrets some day. I've had my fair share as I'm sure you have too. We learn so many lessons by personal experience and by the observation of others. As a pastor, I've seen a lot of stuff over the years. I've heard many stories of regret. I often hear from empty nesters (or nearly empty nesters) the regret of children who don't attend church. I know a number of median and older adults who lament the fact their children do not attend and participate in a local church. While the reasons may be difficult to ascertain or complex to explain, in some cases it is rather obvious. Here's one that stands out among the several. I believe "well meaning" parents make bad choices for their children. Parents who choose extra-curricular activities over church attendance are more likely to experience this regret and guilt than those who choose church participation over extra-curricular activities.

Here's what happens. We want our children to be engaged and we enlist them in extracurricular activities. It's all good stuff. Over the childhood and adolescent years, these activities become priority and subsequently church becomes less and less a priority. We prioritize physical training over spiritual training by our action and attendance. When our children finally move out of the house, there is a tendency for parents to gravitate back towards church while faith seems to regain a renewed importance in life. As we become more systematic and regular in our church attendance, we wonder why our children aren't involved.    

Here's the problem. When you choose baseball, football, swimming, golf, soccer, or any other sport or activity over church attendance, you're telling your child by action that these are more important than spiritual matters. Spiritual formation is more important than any other extracurricular involvement. The ability and agility to play sports lasts a short while; tools and instruction about spiritual things last a lifetime and eternity. If you're out of church, you're out of the will of God. Scripture instructs us to value the gathering of believers for worship.

Why do I tell you this? Am I trying to be harsh or mean spirited?  Absolutely NOT!  I just don’t want you to live with this regret or guilt. I want to spare you this disappointment, anguish, and regret. You can't fault your children for not going to church as adults; your child is merely living out the priority you instilled into their life. Don't live with this regret. Have your family in church this Sunday. Attending a church today ingrains a habit of prioritizing church for a lifetime. Get your children involved in faith based activities. Remember spiritual formation lasts a lifetime and not just a season.

Regardless of your political persuasion or how you voted, the United States of America remains the greatest country on the globe. There is no other nation which carries the banner for freedom higher or has paid a greater cost than America. We have been and still continue to be an example and hope to the world. It is a privilege to live within her borders and to be called an American. I love my country and I pray for her, too.

It is my prayer that the events of these past months will drive people to a closer relationship with Christ. Perhaps, we’ll quit depending so much on self and truly depend upon Him. He is the only trustworthy, faithful, and true one. I pray these events drive us to a greater dependence. Perhaps, this could be the beginning of a great revival in the church. Maybe, believers will move from self-sufficiency to a greater God-sufficiency. He is the only one who’ll not disappoint you or forsake you.

We must not trust in men or their ideas; we must trust the true and only sovereign one. God is looking for those who will trust Him; a people that will be called His own. I don’t trust in men or women for that matter, I trust in God. Come back to Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” May this be our motto, may this be our confession. I choose to trust God!

Go ahead and listen to this rendition of our National Anthem, it’ll move you.

You need to watch this video. Please, view the whole thing. It's less than three minutes. I've not verified all the statistics presented, though I've heard several of them before. Even if only half the of the statistics give an accurate portrayal of this emerging generation, it's a startling revelation.

You might watch this and discount it, please don't. You may watch this and become disturbed by the images and the current cultural conditions; that's probably good. You may wonder how you can make a difference. It's more than something you can do on your own. You can't accomplish it on sole strength, but on soul strength. It's something God must do as He works through His people. 

Ask God to reveal how you can make a difference! Join us Wednesday night at Prayer Meeting (6:15 p.m. in the Chapel). Let's join our hearts together as we seek Christ, His will, and His way.

The Chapel at the Sterling Campus will be open for prayer during business hours (8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 (Election Day). You're invited to stop by and pray for our nation, the election, and the future of our country. The Chapel offers a wonderful environment which is conducive to prayer.

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year!  Why, you ask, because I get an extra hour! I love the time change in the fall. It’s not that I like it getting dark early; it’s just the extra hour. There were days among the other 364 I wished for more time. What if we all had 25 hours instead of 24 every day?  Do you think we’d accomplish more? It is worth the question, but I think I already know the answer. So, what are you going to do with your extra hour on Saturday? Will you sleep an extra hour?  Will you stay out an hour later on Saturday?  Jo and I are going to the Rockets vs. OKC Thunder game, so I’m going to split it between staying out a little later and then sleeping a little extra.

Here’s a thought – a preacher thought no less – it’s still a thought. Have you already made up your mind about being in church on Sunday?  Are you waiting until Sunday morning to decide whether to attend? This is really a great weekend to commit to being in church. Let me share with you why. You shouldn’t be too tired this Sunday, because you will have an extra hour for sleep. And, you shouldn’t have too much to do, because you have an extra hour in the day. See my point? It’s almost like God gave you that hour for church to get back into the habit of attending. Sunday mornings are for church, I really hope to see you there – rested up and even early! 

Did you vote yet? I did on Thursday morning around 7:30 a.m. and there wasn’t even a line! You need to be sure and vote if you didn’t vote early. Even if the lines are long, be sure and vote on Tuesday. Every voice and every vote counts. Voting is a right and a responsibility for all Americans. It is the role of the Christian to participate in government and every American Christian can do that by voting.  It is incumbent upon the electorate to be educated about each candidate, their values and stance.

The Chapel at Memorial Baptist Church will be open all day on Tuesday, November 4^th for prayer. If you’d like to stop by and pray for our nation, the election, and our future, I invite you to stop by the Chapel during business hours on Tuesday. It’s a perfect setting for prayer.

What’s the essential “stuff” of life?  Many struggle to answer that question. Life gets really complicated and hectic with projects, deadlines, and schedules. These get a lot of attention, often too much. The significant gets squeezed out of the calendar. We live with momentary regret, trapped, busy, and disappointed. There’s tomorrow, a better day, or greener pastures we think. We miss what’s right under our nose in the demanding routine. How are you living? Is it really living or just existing?  Are you so busy working for tomorrow that the discoverable joy of your current moment eludes attention? Consider living each day as if it were your last. Your attitude, your thoughts, and your actions – you own these. You have the choice and responsibility, now what will you do with it?  Make the most of every moment. Plan now to live without regrets. Laugh, smile, play, love, care, enjoy, and celebrate what God has given you. Enjoy life through the troubles and good times. God’s in all of it. No regrets – it’s a fine way to live. The video puts it into perspective (listen to the words); well worth the watch.

Have you thought about Jesus today?  I mean – really thought.  Have you contemplated, meditated, or pondered His character? Who is this Jesus you follow? He is Savior, Messiah, and our Salvation. You didn’t live today on your own. Maybe you felt like it, maybe you wondered, or you sensed your loneliness. You were never alone, abandoned, or outside of His grip.  Watch and listen to this short video. Hear the names of God, listen and allow their meaning to soften and warm your heart, observe the imagery and remember who Jesus is. Sometimes it’s good to remember the character of our Lord.  

There’s a special Prayer Meeting of sorts this Wednesday. In response to all that is happening around us, our church has been called to a special time of prayer about the election, economy, the spiritual brokenness of our community, and our national security. I hope you’ll join us Wednesday evening in the Chapel beginning at 6:15 p.m. I ran across this video of Max Lucado; open and transparent about the current state of affairs. We must come Wednesday night ready to confess, intercede, petition, adore, and listen.

I think you need to watch both of these – one right after the other. The first clip is of a conversation between William Wilberforce and John Newton – the author of Amazing Grace. The first clip is a moving and passionate conversation between Wilberforce and Newton. Before Newton became an Anglican clergyman, he was a captain of slave ship. The second clip is of Wintley Phipps and his rendition of Amazing Grace. It is moving, too. Watch them both and be reminded of God’s amazing, astonishing, astounding, remarkable, wonderful, incredible, marvelous, and miraculous grace!  

We’re going to distribute nearly 5,000 door hangers all over Baytown on Sunday, October 26^th.  The distribution happens in two shifts.  The first shift will take place following the North Campus Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.  If you attend North Campus, please meet in the foyer after the service to get secure your map and door hangers. You’ll be distributing in the neighborhoods off the 146 corridor.

The second shift will commence immediately following the Quarterly Church Conference at the Sterling Campus. At approximately 6:00 p.m., we’ll meet in the foyer of the church to secure maps and door hangers. You’ll be distributing in the Country Club neighborhoods. 

These door hangers advertise both the Family Fall Festival (Friday, October 31^st) and Memorial. Come help spread the word about the Family Fall Festival and Memorial Baptist Church.

Why door hangers?  We’ve discovered door hangers to be a highly effective and cost efficient way to advertise and get the word out about the church. In our discussion with people who attended the Easter Egg Hunt and first service at Memorial North, the door hanger was referred to more often than other methods of advertising.

Come help us out on Sunday, October 26^th with the Door Hanger Distribution.

When is it a good time to invite someone to church?  Today!  Today is the best time to invite someone to come to church. Why is today the best day?  Just look around, view the headlines, and observe the anxiousness in people’s eyes and actions. The headlines today – election and politics, another hurricane (this time heading towards Puerto Rico), the bailout (disagreements and blame), the wars and international unrest, an airplane crash, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup are in the red for billions, the market fell 733 points yesterday, and that’s just the “tip of the iceberg” on the bad news.

While we live in a world full of uncertainty; there is one who is certain. There is one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While our culture grasps for assurance, we know the one who gives peace and confidence – Jesus. We know the one to trust. We have something the world desperately needs. Invite some you know that doesn’t regularly attend church to attend with you this Sunday. They might just show up and they’ll definitely have an opportunity to find what they’re looking for – hope, confidence, and peace – that is Christ.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust – confidence in, place your faith in, rely upon completely – in the Lord – Jehovah, God, Creator, Sustainer, Victor – with all – everything, total, complete, entire – heart – will, emotions, feelings, center, your affections – and lean – rely, depend, prop, uphold – not on your – me, myself, and I – own understanding – wisdom, knowledge, skill, strength, energy, or ability – in all – everything, total, complete, entire – your ways – actions, attitudes, deeds, reactions , deals – acknowledge – know, make Him know, give glory, live His will  – Him – God, Provider, Redeemer, Lord, Jesus – and He – Savior, Healer, Conqueror – will make – create, reveal, show, lead – your paths – direction, will, walk, journey – straight – smooth, evident, absolute, protected, right.

It is heating up and is sure to become one of the most controversial elections in recent history. There are accusations of voter registration fraud.  Two very different candidates are vying for your support and more importantly your vote. We are spectators and in some case participants in what's sure to be a fight until the end. I am convinced of the need to discuss the topic of this election in light of Scripture.  The Bible provides us with insightful instruction regarding how Christians ought to participate in the government affairs. These biblical principles need to be explored.

For some reason, politics unsettles the churchgoer and I'm not sure why. Recent pollsters suggest a growing belief in a separation between church and state. Politics, elections, and voting are a part of life - we need to know how to function well in these arenas. Part one of the iVote Series begins this Sunday. I will spend most of my time teaching about a Christian's role and responsibility in living out Paul's mandate in one's relationship to government. Part two of the iVote Series will focus on the application of values based voting. Here again, Scripture teaches values we should believe, promote, and advocate.

I really hope you'll join me these next two Sundays for iVote.  These may be the two most important messages you'll hear all year. 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Guarantees are hard to come by today.  We've been told to invest in real estate - you can't go wrong with land.  All across this nation, people are holding upside down mortgages on property they'll never sell and break even on - at least for a long time. Land isn't all that it's cracked up to be.  People spend a lifetime saving and investing through 401s, 403s, stocks, and commodities.  We were told to invest now and reap the results of systematic savings. This week, I know people that have lost up to 40% of their retirement account value.  A few bad weeks in the market can wipeout anticipated future income. We were told our banking institutions were solvent and backed by the federal government. Over the past couple of weeks we've seen some of our largest financial institutions fail or get gobbled up in a fire sale. So many "things" we thought were secure; we've found out they're not. To be honest, that's not a good feeling. You feel duped and even cheated; like somebody didn't do their job. We've trusted institutions, markets, securities, brokers, bankers, and the economists. Overtime our allegiance of trust has drifted; we've been trusting in stuff. 

It's time again to renew our trust in our Lord. Things decline, disappear, and disintegrate. Life has the tendency to take you for a ride, at times a very unpleasant ride. And then we learn the hard way that this stuff isn't worthy of our trust; it'll let us down. That is a tough, but extremely beneficial realization. I know many are concerned and anxious about the state of our economy.  You need to know that everything will be alright. Now when I say alright, the result may not look like you want it to look.  But, it will be alright, because God will take care of you.  Maybe this market correction isn't about the economy so much as it is about who and what we trust. It's a painful and real reminder to trust Him. Contemplate Psalm 20:7. Some will trust in stuff, but we'll trust in the name of our Lord!