Praying them Into His Arms

Today would have been my dad’s 79th birthday. He died in October of 2007 due to a long battle with COPD.  I miss him dearly. I have an urge to call him up and wish him a happy birthday. But he is in heaven with His Creator.

I have often wondered how much longer he could have lived if he could have shaken his smoking habit sooner. He struggled with it for many years. Some twenty or so years earlier doctors strongly encouraged him to quit. He tried the patch thingy, and any other thing  that came along to quit. He told me once that the addiction to the nicotine was too strong to battle against it.

There are people out there who are in the a similar situation as my dad, only they are addicted to sin. There is a “cure” that was made some 2000 years ago, by a man who hung on a cross for our delivery from sin.  And we as Brothers and Sisters in Christ hold the “cure” for the addiction in our hearts. We must not wait a day longer, how long will they continue to suffer while many rest in Zion?

Texas Hope 2010, may just be the “vehicle” that encourages many churches to rethink how they reach the hurting around us. As I read the reports from churches all across the state, I am encouraged and motivated to pray, care and share.

Our church committed this past Sunday to Texas Hope 2010. The response has been slow but is picking up steam as the week goes by. I am deeply encouraged that we will see some marvelous things happen in the months and years to come.

I personally am committed to pray for all of the kids on my bus route. I recently was hired on as one of the school bus drivers. The very route I have inherited is in the very area that we as a church have been praying for and reaching out to! Aint God good.

So each morning and afternoon, I will be “prayer driving” for all the families on my route. What an awesome opportunity for God to go to work!

As we put into practice, prayer for lost souls,we are praying them into the arms of the Savior!

Count Us In!

Have been reading of the excitement going on with the Texas Hope 2010. I have to admit I have been somewhat skeptical of “programs” of evangelism. In the past they become nothing more than hot air.

But then I am reminded that if you plan to do nothing, you will get nothing. I pastor a small congregation that has been in existence for 105 years. Over the last 20 or so years, it is has been in decline. When I arrived here three years ago, it was down to about 30 or so in worship attendance. It was at rock bottom. Had it stayed the course it may have closed it’s doors by now.

Attendance is now in the 50’s-60’s range. On a good Sunday and most show up, it hits around 65-70. We have gone up but are not out of the woods yet. Most of the attendees are 70 and above in age. In the last year or so we have gained some younger families but not enough to make up the loss to come.

So with that in mind Iwill launch the Texas Hope 2010, this Sunday. Will do a series of messages leading all the way up to our revival in late March early April. I am on board with the “campaign” if you will.

I like the idea of setting some goals, will pray about that. I have always been a goal setter, a frustrated goal setter at that. But aim at nothing ya get nothing.

Pray for our congregation. I have been here long enough that I am starting to issue  bolder and bolder challenges.  The future of this congregation depends upon its willingness to evangelize.  With  many newer people, they can lead out in this campaign.

I salute Dr. Everett for the braintrust behind the Texas Hope 2010 evangelistic ”program”. My sincere prayer is that churches will geniunely see growth in new believers coming to Christ.  May His Name be praised!!