Cason Beach Pictures

I just got this new wireless broadband card and it rocks! So here is a link to some pictures you can check out. Here is Cason this summer enjoying the beach!

African-American Genocide: Who Abortion Kills The Most...

One of my favorite magazines is World Magazine. It covers all areas of news from a clear cut Christian perspective. I am going to recommend you read two well written articles from World Magazine concerning abortion.( Black Genocide and Abotion By Race) I was appalled when presidential candidate Barack Obama was asked by Rick Warren when life begin last week. Obama replied that "that is above my pay grade." Barack is one of the most pro-choice and anti-life senators in the US Senate (Read The Article to see how cold blooded he is). He even went so far as to refuse to protect babies who survived late-term abortions because he did not want to concede as he explained in a cold-blooded speech on the Illinois Senate floor -- that these babies, fully outside their mothers' wombs, with their hearts beating and lungs heaving, were in fact "persons.""Persons," of course, are guaranteed equal protection of the law under the 14th Amendment. I find this odd, that he and many African-Americans are so staunchly democratic and support the anti-life agenda of that party. So, look at these numbers on who abortion truly affect the most!

• If someone wiped out the entire African-American population in Oakland, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., the number still wouldn't equal the number of black babies lost to abortion in one year: 683,294.
  
• According to the Allan Guttmacher Institute, African-American women are nearly five times more likely than non-Hispanic white women to have an abortion.
  
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost one in every two African-American pregnancies ends in abortion.
• Black women account for 6 percent of the population, but 56 percent of abortions.
  
• Blacks and Hispanics together account for 88 percent of abortions
• American history books frequently mention the lynching of African-Americans; one count from 1882 to the 1960s records 3,445 blacks dying that way.
  
• Other facts, though, go generally unrecorded: Since 1973 the number of aborted African-American babies totals 12 million, and every day in the United States some 1,500 die through abortion.
• The abortion industry began with a focus on African-Americans in 1939 with Margaret Sanger’s involvement with the Negro Project. Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, supported the project’s mission of promoting sterilization and birth control among African-Americans because she believed that “the procreation of this group should be stopped.”
• Sanger believed in to embrace eugenics, the pseudo-science that seeks to improve races through the control of hereditary factors by eliminating bad genes from reproductive populations. Sanger wanted to help the African-American community by ridding society of “increasing numbers of defectives, delinquents, and dependents.

Praying For Our Nation & An End To Wholesale Slaughter Of Children, Pastor Phillip

Book of The Week

One of my best friends and former college roommate is an awesome guy by the name of Travis Agnew. He is worship pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Greenwood. He also maintains an awesome blog and I pretty got my idea for this blog from him. So, I am going to further rip him off and start a book of the week section of my blog as well.

So, I read Stop Dating The Church by Josh Harris. The book is short (140 small pages, good sized font) and you can read it a few hours, which is a plus. But, Harris makes the point that people today have a fear of fully committing themselves to a church. Instead they want to "date" the church and take whatever they can from the church, all the while having their eyes on the look out for something better to come along. He admits that when you commit to a church, you open yourself to be hurt by the church and how many people are hurt deeply by churches. He also acknowledges the many problems the church can posses. But, he makes the point that we have to learn to see church as God sees the church and that is as a beautiful bride.

As I read that part of the book I remembered seeing Rebecca on our wedding day come through the doors of the church. She was amazing! I had a sense joyful anticipation of our life together. I had overcoming sense of pure love, and I would have done anything in the world for her. There was a hope that she and I would do amazing things for God . I could only wonder at the mom and the wife that she was going to be and she has never let me down yet! These feelings sum up the reason why God’s most powerful metaphor for the church is as his bride.

You see God sees our imperfections but God is exited at all that we stand to accomplish (Phil 1:6). You see God loves us (the church) with a true and real deep love. God sees us made in His image and He see us as beautiful. I believe that God in this relationship, like a good marriage can become frustrated, but he will never leave us or divorce himself from us. This is the reason Harris argues that we should love be fully committed to the church, because God is.

He also includes what kind of church to look for, when to leave a church, how to participate in church, and a great section on how to listen to a sermon and get the most of it. I loved to book and it is valuable for committed church goers, church daters, and those who are wondering if church is for them.

Happy For All The Committed Christians At Antioch Baptist Church!! Pastor Phillip

Martin Luther Quote 3

Here is the third Martin Luther quote. “The fewer the words, the better the prayer.”I am not good at prayer. I read my Bible and study a ton, but I find it hard to stop and be meditative, and speak my thoughts to God for a protracted period of time. I know people who pray all the time and they make it sound so easy. So, I like this quote by Luther and I also found it fully supported in Scripture.

The Psalms are the personal, private, and public prayers and thoughts of the people of God. They are mostly short, honest,and to the point. Like Psalm 12:7 "O LORD, you will keep us safe"and Psalms 120:2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and deceitful tongues. Then Psa 69:29 But as for me--poor and in pain--let Your salvation protect me, God. You get the point, honest speech to God.

Then Jesus was asked by his followers how to pray (Luke 11:1) and He gave them Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:9-13) . I just prayed that prayer it and took 25 seconds. Now, yes stopping and thinking on each part would take longer, but my point is that prayer does not have to long, eloquent, and complicated, just communication of all our various emotions to our creator and sustainer. Remeber Paul told us to in 1 The 5:17 "Pray Constantly"

Make it a goal to try that today, be mindful of God in everything that you do.

Pastor Phillip

It Is A Sad Day...

The Anglican Church is also known as the church of England. They are the same as Episcopalians in the US. I have much respect for their tradition, their history, their role in protestant reformation, and many of their Biblical Scholars, but I have no respect for this. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of their church for your information.

LONDON - In newly disclosed letters, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams wrote that the Bible doesn't forbid same-sex relationships when there is a commitment similar to traditional marriages, a British newspaper reported Thursday.

The report by the Times of London was the latest development in the controversial issue of how the Anglican Church should view homosexuality. Williams has come under intense scrutiny as differing views over whether to accept changes in traditional biblical understanding of same-sex relationships have threatened to split the 77 million-member Anglican Communion. The archbishop's office declined to comment on the issue on Thursday.

The newspaper reported that Williams outlined his views on the controversial subject in letters written between 2000 and 2001 to Deborah Pitt, a psychiatrist and evangelical Christian who asked for his opinion. "I concluded that an active sexual relationship between two people of the same sex might therefore reflect the love of God in a way comparable to marriage, if and only if it had about it the same character of absolute covenanted faithfulness," the newspaper quoted Williams as writing.

The Anglican uproar over homosexuality erupted in 2003, when the Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States, consecrated the first openly homosexaul bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

All I Can Say Is Come Lord Jesus Come, Pastor Phillip

What Do You Do?

I found this story to other day and was wondering what would do if you were pastor of this church?

ORANGE PARK, FL -- After Robert Powell hit the Florida Lottery jackpot last month and took home more than $6 million, he thought of his church.

And he offered to drop his tithe, around $600,000, in the collection plate of First Baptist Orange Park.

But the church and Pastor David Tarkington politely declined and told Powell they will not accept the lottery winnings.

Many churches do not approve of the lottery and gambling but on the other hand Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall of the El-Beth-El Divine Holiness Church says $600,000 can do a lot of good.

"I'm against the lottery, but if one of my members won the lottery, I wish and I hope he would give 10% to the church, we could do a lot of things with that money," says Hall.

As a Holiness minister, Dr. Hall says he does not ask where members get the money they decide to donate.

He said he would welcome Powell's donation to his inner city church anytime.

"We are in the process now of building a youth center, and you would be surprised at the people that can be helped with $600,000," says Hall.

Bethel Baptist Church member Lottie Walker says if she won, the first thing she would do is give lottery money to her church.

"Anything extra is bonus so that would be an extra blessing of offering after that, so if I did win lotto, sweepstakes I would tithe to my church," says Walker.

First Baptist Orange Park Pastor David Tarkington would not say exactly why the church refused the money, saying only he didn't want to talk about members' gifts.

Let me know your thoughts first and then I will give mine in a few days!

Pastor Phillip

Have A Laugh!

I just found a bunch of good comics at Baptist Press. This is a great website for news and current events from a Christian perspective. Be sure to check it out! Remember Martin Luther said "If I can't laugh in heaven I shall not go!" I would not go that far, but enjoy! Pastor Phillip

Weekend Survey?

Hey tell us what translation, and what type of Bible do you use? Why?
Also, how many bible do you have in your house?

I look forward to seeing the results.

Me, I have probably 15 or more Bibles in my house of office. I switched a little over a year ago from the New American Standard Bible, (a very literal rendering of the Greek and Hebrew) to the Holman Christian Standard Bible (a accurate, but easier to read and understand Bible). The is my favorite translation as well, and what i preach and read out oof.

So how about you? Pastor Phillip

Getting What You Have Not Worked For!

I have worked a tons of different jobs in life. Many of them were related to food service, serving, cooking, and washing dishes. I have also worked for a week as color blind electrician (you can figure out how well that worked). I was also involved in high fashion working at "The Fashion Shack" and "Oops" (both sold over runs and damaged clothes). Let's see, I worked at Fuji Film, Velux, and as a carpet and upholstery cleaner (you don't want to know how nasty your sofa is). All these jobs had one thing in common, I got paid. I earned a check. I did my job and received what I deserved. Now, we have this mentality about much in life. We always want what we think we deserve, of course many people in our nation think they deserve the world, while doing nothing to earn anything , but I will digress .

You see the beauty of God is that He runs contra to what we think an expect. We think we have to work, do right, come to church, all in an effort to be saved. But, remember the folks that fussed at the most were those who thought and tried to live this way, the Pharisee's. I was reading Romans 4 as a part of my daily reading plan this morning and I read this in Romans 4:2-3 If Abraham was justified by works, then he has something to brag about--but not before God. (3) For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.

See Abraham was not saved, because he was a good man, he was saved because he believed God. God spoke and Abraham believed. Now we know for more than Abraham did; God has spoken to us as well. The of Hebrews tells us in 1:1-2 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. (2) In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son... Jesus speaks to us, calls us to see our inability to please God or live perfectly as to merit heaven, so Jesus says what you can't do, I did for you. Jesus says accept that and believe that and it will "credited" to you. That word credited, this is a financial term, and means "put to your account." The righteousness and holiness of Jesus is placed in your account freely when you believe. We don't have to live our life as debtors to God (as if God holds our salvation as tool to extract good behavior, like a carrot in front of a mule) , but we should live our lives in radical thanks and gratitude to God for the gift He gives to all who believe. Should this lead to a changed life, yes, morals, church attendance, yes, but if all flows from a deep seated and not a fear of failure. Walk in that grace and in the richness of God's credit you your account!

Enjoying The Fact I Don't Have To Get Puke Out Carpet Anymore For A Living, Pastor Phillip

The Pleasure Of Loving My Wife!

You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psa 16:11

I have a ball with my wife, she is truly amazing. She is my best freind, a source good guidance, great looking, wonderful mother, serves her church, and she is great looking! (BTW, no we did not have a fight last night!) I say all that to make the point, that our time spent with God with God should elicit even greater feelings or respect, joy, and wonder. I mean Rebecca is great, but she did not create the world (if she had there would no spiders and things would be a lot pinker), she did not die for my sins (but she will get sideways on you, if you mess with either of her two men), she can't run the universe (but she keeps a tight home). You get my point, as David wrote above, we should love and long after God's guidance, God's presence (which is everywhere) should make us smile, and eternal joy and true pleasure comes from Him.

Why do we not see and experience this fully? I have had only a handful of times in my life where this has been true. First, our sin as Isaiah says in 59:2 There's nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that he doesn't hear. Second, our desires are to small. We enjoy the petty material things more that deep fellowship with God. Third, we don't expect enough. You have to expect more. Don't be content with a mediocre Christian life, demand, work, pray, ask, seek, expect , more from God. He will make it happen he promises in Jer 29:13-14 "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

Trying To Make Psalm 16:11 A Reality In My Life & Our Church, Pastor Phillip

Martin Luther Quote 3

Here is the third Martin Luther quote. “The fewer the words, the better the prayer.”I am not good at prayer. I read my Bible and study a ton, but I find it hard to stop and be meditative, and speak my thoughts to God for a protracted period of time. I know people who pray all the time and they make it sound so easy. So, I like this quote by Luther and I also found it fully supported in Scripture.

The Psalms are the personal, private, and public prayers and thoughts of the people of God. They are mostly short, honest,and to the point. Like Psalm 12:7 "O LORD, you will keep us safe"and Psalms 120:2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and deceitful tongues. Then Psa 69:29 But as for me--poor and in pain--let Your salvation protect me, God. You get the point, honest speech to God.

Then Jesus was asked by his followers how to pray (Luke 11:1) and He gave them Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:9-13) . I just prayed that prayer it and took 25 seconds. Now, yes stopping and thinking on each part would take longer, but my point is that prayer does not have to long, eloquent, and complicated, just communication of all our various emotions to our creator and sustainer. Remeber Paul told us to in 1 The 5:17 "Pray Constantly"

Make it a goal to try that today, be mindful of God in everything that you do.

Pastor Phillip

Martin Luther Quote 2

Here is a challenging quote from Martin Luther (one of my favorite figures in Church History) that I think about often and I encourage you to do as well.

“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God”

Remember the first two of the big ten Exo 20:3-4 Do not have other gods besides Me. (4) Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You see in the days of ancient Israel, there was great temptation to worship the gods of materialism (Baal, the god of weather and financial success) and sex (Ashtoreth, the goddess of sex, romance, and reproduction), or any number of other local deities. We are tempted to worship the same gods today, but without the old-fashioned names and images. What is your god, I hope for all of us we find the one True God, who is described in Exo 20:5 for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God...

One theologian said of God's jealous "God's jealousy is love in action. He refuses to share the human heart with any rival, not because He is selfish and wants us all for Himself, but because He knows that upon that loyalty to Him depends our very moral life . . . God is not jealous of us: He is jealous for us."

Making Sure I Keep Idols Out Of My Life, Pastor Phillip

Martin Luther Quote

Think about this today and try to apply this to your life.

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess”

Godly Servanthood

"You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. (14) "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. (15) "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (16) "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. John 13:13-16

When you hear the word "servant," who comes to mind? My dad does. He is a quite guy, and very unassuming, but he does whatever his church needs, and pretty much whatever anyone else needs. He does not get recognized for it and many folks never notice. But, he serves people. He ain't prefect, but he tries. Now, also countless other servants of God come to mind as well. I am blessed to have in my life lots of people who serve and give their all to Antioch Baptist Church as well.

Godly servants are all around us, but sadly, we frequently take them for granted. I have been guilty of taking my dad for granted, because he is not loud and overly talkative like my mom and I. But, it is good for us to be around people whose gift is serving. You see, I believe that the faithful service of righteous men and women will bring untold blessings to those whom they serve.

For instance, Joseph's story story in Genesis shows us something. Wherever he was, the people he served prospered. Potiphar was certainly not a God-fearing man, yet even he recognized that prosperity came to him because of his slave, Joseph. A second Old Testament example is Daniel, whose service to Babylonian kings included interpreting visions (Dan. 2, 4, 5).

In both examples, the leaders were blessed by their servants' actions. More than that, they came away with an awareness of the living God. And they also participated in the young men's success by offering them increased responsibilities and greater opportunities to serve (Gen. 39:1-6; Dan. 2:46-48; 5:29).

Not all of us have the gift and heart to serve others. Some us spend most of our time serving ourselves. But, as Jesus showed us above, it is not meant to be this way. We should seek to spend time with them, serving and working together for God's glory. We get to see in a small way the in the everyday lives of people, a small example of Jesus, who said in Mark 10:45 "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Thanks to all the servants in my life and the example you all challenge me to follow! Pastor Phillip

God Is Not Throgh With Me Yet

Do you like taking on big tasks and projects? I do sometimes, I always enjoyed writing really long papers in seminary (I know kind of perverse). But, I liked the planning and seeing each step completed and the final result which was usually pretty good, (thanks to the extensive proof reading of my wonderful wife). But a freind of mine said he could not imagine a larger task that God could ever undertake as trying to help you and me become conformed to the image of His Son! But, he has promised to do this. In Rom 8:29 which we read this morning the passage told us that "(29) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son..." This is a promise and guarantee! But, think of the work it will take for God to get us conformed to the image of His Son. All the work it will take, all the time, but God loves us and evidently He thinks we are worth it. So, we should remember that we are works in progress and give each other grace, understanding that if God can deal with us, the we should be able to love and deal with one another. This week, don't become discouraged, but try and remember the truth of what Philippians 1:6 says "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

So none of us are there, but God promises we will be. I look forward to the day when we all are!

Trying to Not to Get In God's Way of His Work On Me! Pastor Phillip