We're Debt Free!

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This is a celebration video that we are sending to Dave Ramsey - it is not edited, but it is a good reminder what God did through us. $1 Million dollars is no small amount and some said it could not be done in Clarkson, Ky. We give God the glory and want to let everyone know.

If you would like more information about Clarkson Baptist there is a link below to the website for some family resources and recent sermons. Clarkson Baptist is a great body of believers. They are loving and accepting, and we have a place for you too. If you are interested in our church I would urge you to come visit, and get ready for God to challenge to more than you can imagine. Until then, the website is a low-key, no pressure way to get an idea of what our church is like.

Clarkson Baptist Church

Long Time...

Here it is March 2014 - the end of March and Kentucky Basketball is still in the thick of the tournament. The Cats just advanced to the Final Four tonight, beating Michigan in ANOTHER thriller. Storybook tournament thus far, beating undefeated Wichita State, then Louisville in last second fashion, and then this evening Michigan in yet another tight game.

I guess the purpose of this post is to say that there are other things besides basketball right now. God is moving around us and people are being drawn to Him - through us, and that's exciting. By us I mean believers, Clarkson Baptist and other churches in the county. God is good and He wants to use us for His glory. It takes strength and courage, yes, but He fights for us if we are willing to be used.

In other news, Clarkson Baptist paid off it's 1 million dollar building debt in December and we finally celebrated to commemorate the event. We had the program scheduled once, in February, and the crazy winter weather forced us to postpone for safety. We ended up doing it March 23rd to great success. We had over 263 people there, we burned the note, filled the sanctuary with smoke, one of the long tenured pastor families came back and spoke, we had a catered meal afterward and all of us enjoyed great fellowship.  It was a good day to be in the Lord's house.

This week, count your blessings for there is much to be thankful for. Be strong and courageous. Look closely for ways that God can use you in the madness of the world around us. God is moving, will you step out in faith?

The Most Active Chicken In The Yard

I went to a Pastor's conference this week and got preached to. No, wait that's a good thing. I am doing the preaching now and don't get to hear God's Word over me for me as much now.

One of the best quotes of the day was from Dr. Charles Carter of Alabama. Regarding busyness of people, specifically ministers, He said "Have you ever noticed that the most active chicken in the yard is the one that just got their neck wrung?"

That quote is hilarious and true. [In 7th Grade, I cooked a chicken start to finish, feathers to plate.We started with the sacrificial run, (ours actually clucked twice without a head)]

I saw this post today by John Acuff, and wanted to repost it about church staff burnout. Funny in parts, but also sadly true in many ways. He grew up a pastor's son as I did and much of what he said I have lived. The post is good, but the comments are written by people who are clearly on the edge of burnout - a dangerous place to be. My addition to this is that we need to be able to gently find No in our vocabulary and use it - for our family, and our spiritual growth. One of my goals as a pastor is to raise my children with a love for Jesus AND His church. That cannot happen if we are not allowed to say no, and if they are not allowed to be church members.

I accept life under the microscope, but I intentionally try to practice flexibility and rest for all five of us. My wife and kids are should have to be in focus all the time.

Watch Me!

1 Corinthians 11:1 is a fascinating verse that I used to think of as arrogance. How wrong i was! Paul says, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

If we are following the Savior the way we should - clearly, wholeheartedly and with pure intent to disciple - it is not arrogance to demonstrate that before someone. After all, we are demonstrating something to someone all the time. The question we need to continually ask is "What am I demonstrating?"

I linked a video to help demonstrate Paul's intent and show how we can do something similar.

Watch Me! Video - Special thanks to Don Carson and AgainstTheFlow Media

A Convicting Window...

It used to be said that you could get a picture of a person's life by looking in their garage or their room and what was contained within and on the walls. I also heard one time that you could look inside one's refrigerator and open a similar window.

Today, when you look at the playlists on an iPod or iPhone or other device you get a picture of a person's soul. Music and media defines us, imprints us. What we choose to watch is a giveaway about what goes on inside.

The below media is a picture of the soul of our country - at least the younger set. Parents, we need to choose carefully what we allow as media choices for our children - for in time it will define them.
Below are the Top 10 videos in October, 2013. Look up some of the lyrics - you don't even have to watch the video. This is vicious and lascivious stuff. No matter what anyone says, lyrics do make the song. It matters what we take in, it really does. Choose well.

Always intriguing to glance at the top 10 iTunes videos at any time just a click away on our kids' phones #uthculture pic.twitter.com/TqHhTcZzZs
— Jonathan McKee (@InJonathansHead) October 3, 2013

High Water...

South Fork of the Kentucky River

Back in the Spring of 2013, I went to a place where God is honored and depended on - Oneida Baptist Institute.

"Oneida Baptist Institute is a Christian boarding and day school for students, Christian and non-Christian, in grades 6-12 with a mission to provide structured living, learning and working environment in which each students is challenged to grow mentally, physically, socially spiritually in order to acquire an Education for Time and Eternity."

I experienced part of the flood of God's Grace on the school through the donations they receive but we also witnessed a flood of water due to several inches of rain that week.

Devotional Thoughts I had at the time:
1. Water took lots of garbage out of it hiding places - Jesus, the Living Water floods our souls and washes out the garbage that He finds there. 

2. The River of Life overwhelms us - and we see and feel its power in our lives. Eternal life will engulf us one day and all  - I wonder if some of the "garbage" will be missed opportunities.

3. This little snake was harmless but was a good reminder that God and his creation are alive and well at Oneida Baptist Institute. Pray for them as they make God's will known to the students and through the ministry that goes on there.

Black Rat Snake

Web Update...

Just an update to our Ministry Site. If you have a minute to surf around - we have updated our site at www.clarksonbaptist.org and would enjoy you being there and even commenting if you feel led.

Thanks. Have a great day today. Jesus Love You!