Moving

Moving is a headache even under the best circumstances. The Holmes-Rahe Stress scale gives change in residence only 20 out of a possible 100 stress points, but change in responsibilities at work gets a 29! A child leaving home also rates 29. Now, Tara isn't leaving us, but we are leaving her. Then we got to add Christa, Laura, Dewayne, John, Haydn, Louise, and Ava. At 29 each! A major mortgage rates 32! I didn't see what selling a house rates, but it's got to be just as stressful.

Let's see: 20+29+232+32+32= 345!! You'll probably find Jackie and me in the looney bin or the hospital before this is over! ;-)

Saying goodbye to our church family isn't listed. Oh well, the Lord is with us (1 Pet. 5:8).

phil

House for Sale

We have put our home up for sale at 224 Kensington Pl. in Franklin. If you would like to know more about our home or someone moving to Franklin, here are the facts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgxMDUlvzrA

Jackie and I have really worked hard. Please pray a motivated buyer will come and want our house. It has a great location in a quiet neighborhood.

phil

A New Beginning

Mack Lyon and the wonderful television ministry "In Search of the Lord's Way" has invited me to come and work with them in Edmond, OK. Beginning in January 1, 2009 I will be working full-time with Search TV. You might occasionally see me in front of the camera. My new email address will be phil@searchtv.org.

I will continue to work with Amridge University and the Theological University of America. I will continue to write for Gospel Advocate, Spiritual Sword, and Think magazine.

While I will greatly miss my loved ones at Concord Rd. in Brentwood, TN, I am very excited about the opportunity to take the gospel to millions by means of television, internet, and radio. I covet your prayers, because I know I can do nothing without God's strength and guidance.

The Real Change America Needs

No greater moral change ever passed over a nation than passed over England during the years which parted the middle of the reign of Elizabeth from the Long Parliament. England became a people of the book, and that book was the Bible. It was read at churches and read at home, and everywhere its words, as they fell on ears which custom had not deadened, kindled a startling enthusiasm. As a mere literary monument, the English version of the Bible remains the noblest example of the English tongue. But far greater was the effect of the Bible on the character of the people. Elizabeth might silence or tune the pulpits, but it was impossible for her to silence or tune the great preachers of justice and mercy and truth who spoke from the Book. The whole temper of the nation felt the change. A new conception of life and of man superseded the old. A new moral and religious impulse spread through every class. (John Richard Green, A Short History of the English People)


There is a greater need today for the Word of God to permeate the lives of people in America than at any time in the history of this country. We need the guidance, the assurance, and the wisdom only God’s Word can give.

Let us read our Bibles, meditate upon its words, and fill our hearts with its messages. The word strengthens (Rom. 16:26-27), nourishes (1 Peter 2:2), purifies our souls (1 Pet. 1:22), gives us life (Jn. 6:63), and is the means of our new birth (1 Pet. 1:23).

The word of God makes the naïve wise (Ps. 19:7-11), brings light to a darkened world (Ps. 119:104), and gives us a never failing measure for truth (Jn. 8:31-32; 17:17).

Pick up your Bible and let God into your heart and your life.

Rise Up, O Men of God

Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

William Merrill wrote these stirring words in 1911, and they still call us to a nobler life of service to our great God.

Before we rise up, we must wake up. Let us wake from the slumber which dulls our senses to a lost and dying world. Heaven is calling through the gospel, and hell is real for those who refuse. This hasn't changed.

Let us wake up to the gospel message of love--which is kind and gracious because it tells the truth and gives hope. The gospel is the way out of immorality, the way out of guilt and hopelessness, and the way out of deception. Jesus is still the way, the truth, and the life. Let us wake up to what we have in Christ and who we are in Christ. Let us wake up and remember that we are nearer salvation than when we first believed.

Let us pray before we rise up. Pray for wisdom to know how to live in a world that doesn't understand or appreciate your commitment to God. Pray for strength and courage to do what is right each day. Pray for comfort; God's grace is sufficient for us. Let us ask God to forgive our weaknesses and give us a new heart full of determination to love Him.

Let us rise and take up our crosses; let walk where He walked and as He walked. Let us renew our zeal and build our fervor for the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our true leader, and only He can take us to Heaven. Only Jesus. There is no other Lord. Let us serve from our hearts to please Him. Die to yourself and grasp His will.

Let your light shine. Speak a good word for Jesus. Refuse to be angry. Rejoice in the Lord. See your friends' burdens and help them. Never give up.

God is not unfair. He recalls the good you do (Heb. 6:7-9). Your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). It is never in vain. The world is lost in vain pursuits (Eph. 4:17-24); its works are vanishing away (1 Jn. 2:17). But your labor in the Lord is productive of an everlasting good. Get busy.

Phil

Take a Breath

Last Wednesday night several came into midweek worship and Bible classes with the overwhelming disappointment over the election. Those of us who believe partial-birth abortion is infanticide and same-sex marriage is wrong felt deserted by a blind country who would allow such an advocate of evil rule over them.

Some friends have suggested that the America we have known and loved will disappear in days to come. No doubt, the election will make advocates of evil who love to silence the truth even more bold. I admit it... I too am heartsick and a bit angry.

Take a breath.... this too shall pass.

History is a wonderful reminder that evil doesn't last forever, no matter how powerful. Good will win out in the end, even if the devil deceives the nations and enslaves them for his evil agenda. The Lord of lords and the King of kings sees and knows it all. He will destroy evil with the sword of his mouth.

This is not a time to hide in caves; it is a time to stand strong. God has equipped us with a panoply (a suit of full armor). Read about it in Ephesians 6:10-20. Having done everything in this battle with the devil, we are to stand firm. This is not a time for retreat; it is a time to go to war for our souls!

Instead of throwing our hands up in failure, let us redouble our efforts! We have the weapons to win EVERY time! God has given us faith! God has given us love! God has given us TRUTH! God has given us the hope the world needs so badly. We are not puny and poor; we are God's heirs, God's holy nation, God's royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession! In God's eyes we are holy, beloved, and chosen! For us God is preparing an eternal home.

Let us not be surprised that the world is worldly; it always has been. The whole world, after all, lies in the power of the evil one; but we are not of the world. The LORD watches over us. Take a breath, say a prayer, recall the promises, and get to work.

God gave us the Word, a powerful and unstoppable weapon. The world can't burn it up, delete it, or resist it. It stands written! Preach it! Proclaim it to a lost and dying world with love and conviction. The world may hate us for it, but they will not shut us up. The Bible has survived as the seed of the kingdom. Hide it in your heart, and it will produce life eternal for you and for those who will hear you.

Don't quit! Don't give up! Don't give out! We have not yet begun to do all that we can do to light a dark and dreary world with the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ.

Redouble your efforts, love the Lord, love people, let your light shine, and give thanks. Throw aside discouragement and be men. We not only can win souls, we can change lives and lands with the power of love and the word. Preach, love, and stay the course! The Kingdom of heaven needs you!

phil