Beans and Cornbread

Meal time at our house growing up was probably like most people; mom was a good cook, dad was a man of simple taste.
Most of our meals consisted of steak and potatoes, green beans, spinach, beans and cornbread; you know good solid meals.
But every once in a while dad would come home and bring something from Sonic or announce we're going out for pizza.
Those were the nights we loved; we didn't have to load the dishwasher, or gather the trash or clean off the table or consume more beans and cornbread!
Those meals out were special. They didn't happen often, but when they did they were great.

You know, I've come to believe church services are the same way.
No matter what side of the pulpit you're on, we all want to experience an awesome worship service. We can tell when a service wasn't quite up to par, or when "God really showed up."

Clearly there is the supernatural element that contributes to our church services that are desperately needed; AND with that I'd like to encourage you that it's your faithfulness in the daily "taking out the trash", "washing the dishes" or better yet said, ---its the weekly beans and cornbread services that makes those special times that much more important.


Galations 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

So don't despise the normal, average services; it takes them to make the really great services that much valued and pleasing.

The Power of One

When I was in the ninth grade, I heard a message called "The Power of One."
It focused on the contrast between two men. Adam and Jesus; found in Romans 5:12-17
The phrase "by one man" has stuck with me to this day.

By one man, sin entered the world.
By one man, salvation has come.
The power of one.

I had a most wonderful experience brought to me through the use of Facebook.
A young lady who was a year behind me in school took the time to find me on Facebook and send me a message. I'm deeply honored that she would do this, and I want to share it to encourage you in the same power that it encouraged me. The Power of One.

I have changed the name out of respect, it reads:
Hey, my name is Meg and we were at Southside together. You are a year above my graduating year...anyway. I just wanted to let you know that you made a huge impact in my life your Sr year. I accepted Christ at a See You At The Pole meeting that you were leading. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for being so on fire for God back then. I have now been faithfully serving God for about 14 years. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of those around you. God Bless.

To those who wonder is it worth it, to those who can't see past today. For those of you that were in one of the two youth ministries I had the privilege of pastoring, to those who heard me say time and time again, "if you fall, get back up and dust the dirt off and keep going. It's true.

Don't give up.
See past today.
Display grace in your actions.
Don't hold grudges.
Forgive.
Reach out.
Don't gossip.
Help others.
Encourage those who need it.
Love without expecting anything in return.

The power of one.
By one man sin entered the world.
By one man salvation came.
What type of person will you be?

You be the type of person who makes a difference.
To make a difference, you have to do things differently. Christianity today needs to look different than it does right now. For me, I'm going to be known for "what things I'm for" rather than "what things I'm against."

The power of one.
Will you join me?