Psalm 15 asks a very personal question, O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill? He was concerned with the nature and character of the person who desires to enter God's presence. Throughout Christian history we've been tempted to go to one extreme or the other. One is where the holiness of God has been stressed so powerfully that the ordinary mortal has felt it impossible to approach God in worship or prayer. The other overly stressed the open access to God's presence so much that worship or prayer became so ordinary, so thoughtless and casual. 

We need to celebrate, and take advantage, of the open access to God in worship and prayer. We also need to take seriously our time with Him. Take time to make time for time with the Lord. 

Just a Wednesday thought.

Psalm 14 thoughts

 Psalm 14 declares, The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." Just who qualifies for the title of "fool?"  Is it merely the one lacking in mental powers? Not really. Indeed, the fool may be a highly intelligent person. The fool is one whose life is lived without the direction or acknowledgment of God. Therefore, this verse could be stated this way,  The fool has said in his heart, "No, God." This would include so many of us who say there is a God and we love Him but then refuse to obey His commands. It is foolish to tell God no.

I've witnessed so many people who begin a statement with, "I know what the Bible says..." and then add "...but...." Their "but" will be followed with a statement that declares they are saying "no" to God. 

I know I'm just a simple minded man, but it seems to me anyone who declares they are a person of faith but supports the killing of the innocent preborn are turning their backs on God's word. In Jeremiah 1:5 we find the words of the Lord to Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. And Doctor Luke wrote in Luke 1:41, describing Mary, the mother of Jesus who was pregnant with Jesus, visiting her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, that this happened, And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb....

Psalm 14 also declares, beginning in verse 4, Do all the workers of wickedness not know, Who eat up My people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? There they are in great dread....

Oh, that our churches would experience a revival and that our nation would experience a spiritual awakening. May it be so. 

Construction News and my Ramblings

BUILDING UPDATE: Yes, work is being done to get us ready to build. Over the past two months we’ve had numerous teams from Parkhill, Smith and Cooper (aka: PSC) in our building checking on things. We’ve had electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, structural engineers and interior designers walking through our facility. They are “getting the lay of the land,” so to speak. What we learned in the last construction project is that a set of plans labeled “as built” doesn’t really mean much. We uncovered a large number of surprises as we did the demolition before construction last time. This time we hope to prevent, or at least minimalize, any surprises that come with construction. My analogy for where we are in the construction process is like a woman during the first couple of months of pregnancy: a lot is happening but nothing is showing—yet. (This is Wednesday afternoon and the PSC engineers are back.)

IT SEEMS TO ME: During my Bible study today I read Romans 12 in the God’s Word translation. Verse 2 reads: “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing and perfect.”  Then in the last half of verse 3 Paul writes, “…your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers.”  IT SEEMS TO ME we’ve allowed our culture to influence our thinking more than we have influenced our culture. There appears to be little difference in the way people inside the church think from those outside the church. If we will do what God instructed (change the way you think) we will have more influence because we will be doing what God wants. We can become change makers in this disturbing day and age. 

Work Day

For the past 10 weeks and 3 days (as of March 9) Judy and I have been remodeling our house. We've lived in this location for 22 years without doing much to it during that time. An amazing thing happens to dwellings over time, and it's not good. Without constant attention a house will begin to deteriorate and show wear. Our house was showing signs of wear.

Such is the case with our church house. We've done some major work at times and are preparing for another major construction project, pending church final approval. But this project will add more space but not deal with most of the existing structure.

Jon Kjosa, our Facilities Manager, is a gifted individual who does so many different things around here. However, he's only one man and this is a large facility. Over time small "blemishes" appear on the building. If ignored long enough, they become major. Many of these small blemishes can be taken care of by folks like you and me.

We also know that Easter is a time when unchurched people are most open to visiting a church. We want them to come and have a good experience when they come. WE'VE GOT COMPANY COMING FOR EASTER.

At my house we get ready for company, even if the "company" is family. Judy insists the house be as neat and tidy as we can make it (and it sure will look better once the remodel job is completed).

Bacon Heights has company coming for Easter. Therefore, we are planning a workday on Saturday, March 26, at 9:30 in the morning to get our (church) house ready for company. Come help us, even if it's only for 30 minutes. We'll have a list of projects that need completing and you can work as long, or as short, as you are able. Even a small amount of help will still be help.

Reality Check!

During my Bible study today I read from Acts 12 where the angel freed Peter from prison. Herod had placed him in prison with sixteen soldiers in squads of four to guard him. Here’s the narrative: The night before Herod was going to bring Peter to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. His hands were bound with two chains, and guards were in front of the door. They were watching the prison.

Get the picture? Herod was intent upon holding Peter in prison. His ultimate goal was to bring Peter to trial in front of the people before Passover.   But God had other plans. Back to the narrative: Suddenly, an angel from the Lord stood near Peter, and his cell was filled with light. The angel nudged Peter’s side, woke him up, and said, “Hurry! Get up!” At that moment the chains fell from Peter’s hands.  I’m not sure how soundly Peter was sleeping when the angel awakened him. How soundly could one sleep on a prison bunk, hands bound and between two soldiers? But he was asleep, an indication of either his fatigue or his peace with the Lord or perhaps some of both.

The angel told him, “Put your coat on, and follow me.” Peter followed the angel out of the cell. He didn’t realize that what the angel was doing was actually happening. He thought he was seeing a vision.  So maybe he had been sleeping more soundly than I first thought. Even though in a “trance,” Peter obeyed. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate that led into the city. This gate opened by itself for them, so they went outside and up the street. The angel suddenly left Peter.

A couple of observations:

1.       Our perception does not always/seldom match God’s reality. Peter thought he was in a trance but God had actually sent an angel. Peter could only see the guards and bindings and cell; God saw release. How many times have my perceptions been totally different from God’s reality?  I believe it is vital for us to remember things are not always as they appear, especially in these days of terrorist attacks and ISIS victories. God is still in control.

2.       The angel didn’t leave Peter UNTIL he was safely outside the prison. The angel didn’t stay a moment longer than he was needed. God won’t short-change us when He begins a work in our lives.

3.       The more difficult the circumstance, the more God seems to delight in proving us wrong. Herod thought he had secured Peter in such a way he could not possible escape. He was wrong.

Today I’ve been considering how many times my perceptions have been wrong; how many times I’ve worried when God was trying to tell me, “I’ve got this.” I’m trying to grow—hope I’m spiritually mature by the time I die. 

Need a handy man?

Bacon Heights Baptist Church is blessed to have a number of “seasoned saints.” These are folks who have invested years and years of service to our Lord through our church. Now they are in a position to benefit from ministry to them.

The deacons of BHBC are committed to following the biblical pattern established in Acts 6 by providing care to those who are no longer able to do what they previously could. Our deacons are divided into CARE Groups and each has a staff liaison to work with them. I’m privileged to work with the Repair/Respond group.

If you have some light repairs that are beyond your ability, please contact me or one of the members of our Repair/Respond group:

            Wes Creacy, Team Leader

            Ray Duncan

            Marc Applewhite

            Mike Harendt

            Larry Viaille

            Paxton Rautis

            Keno Martin

Little things, such as changing light bulbs or replacing batteries in clocks or smoke detectors, can become the cause of a major disaster if one of our “seasoned saints” falls off a chair and breaks a hip. Please allow our deacons the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much for so long.

Parkridge Anniversary

We recently received this note from Holly Duncan, CEO of Parkridge Medical Pregnancy Center. '

     Thank you so much for being such an important part of the history of Parkridge, and such an integral part of our present opportunities for ministry. Even after 22 years, we continue to see the Lord work in mighty ways. Your long-term partnership allows us to have a significant impact in the lives of those we serve.
     With Much Gratitude,
     Holly


Bacon Heights has a history of starting, and supporting, significant ministries. This is one of our best ministry efforts ever.

We also extend congratulations and best wishes on Parkridge's 22nd anniversary, and look forward to many, many more years of Christ-center ministry to people in need.