The Cross Is Offensive!

Williamsburg, Virginia – Once again the most liberating symbol known (and even unknown) to man has become an obstacle and an offense. An 18 inch brass cross that has graced the altar in historic Wren Chapel on the campus of the College of William and Mary since about 1940 has been ordered removed to make the chapel more welcoming to students of all faiths.

Can you believe it? You probably can!

Although offensive, there is nothing more welcoming than the cross. The Bible says that “(God) is not willing that any perish, but all come to repentance.”

The cross beckons all to come. As a matter of fact if one is ever to be free they must come by the way of the cross or not at all.

Paul writes, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18)

The Cross is Offensive. It is offensive today. It was offensive in Jesus' day. It was an instrument of execution. It was the equivilent of our electric chair.

I love the gospel song, "It’s Still the Cross."

It's not conservative or liberal, however they're defined;
It's not about interpretation, Or the judgment of the mind;
It's the opposite of politics, power or prestige;
It's about a simple message, and whether we believe.
It's still the cross, It's still the blood of Calvary;
That cleanses sins, and sets the captives free.
It's still the name, The name of Jesus, That has power to save the lost;
It's still the cross.

We can water down theology, and preach a word to suit our needs;
We can justify sweet subtle lies, That are wrapped in noble deeds;
We can alter our convictions, To adapt to social whims;
But we cannot change the gospel, Or the truth contained within.
It's still the cross, It's still the blood of Calvary;
That cleanses sins, and sets the captives free.
It's still the name, the name of Jesus,That has power to save the lost;
It's still the cross.

Though some may say it's man's religion,Or ancient history;
The cross of Jesus still remains,The price for sin that sets us free.
It's still the cross, it's still the blood of Calvary;
That cleanses sins, and sets the captives free.
It's still the name, the name of Jesus,That has power to save the lost;
It's still the cross.It's still the cross it's still the cross.

Amen!!!

The cross made the difference for me and you.

C.H. SPURGEON wrote, "If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel , insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness."


Here are some related scripture and links to research.

Acts 17:16-32; 1 Cor. 1:17-25

http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/2594.htm

http://www.unionchurch.com/archive/maundy98.html

http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2007/01/removing-offense-of-crossthe.html

The Christian Index: A Must Read For Every Georgia Baptist

Every Georgia Baptist needs the Christian Index. If you want to know what's going on in Georgia Baptist life read the most recent issue, find a back issue or go online to www.christianindex.org. Dr. Gerald Harris and his investigative reporting staff keep us informed and abreast of the life and times of Georgia Baptists. Stay abreast of the mission field, colleges and universities as well as our seminaries. Read interesting articles by James Dobson, Gerald Harris and J. Robert White.

What's more it's a bargain. Subscriptions are available individually and through the church subscription plan. In addition, churches can have editions delivered in bulk right to the church to distribute as desired. For instance, 50 issues (delivered every two weeks) at a cost of $300 a year; or 100 issues (delivered every two weeks) at a cost of $600 a year. We could go on in multiples of 50 and you can do the math. Place them in Sunday School classes, new member /visitor packets or use on visitation. Bottom line make sure the Georgia Baptists that make up your particular flock know what's going on in our churches, our denomination and the world at large.

You need the Christian Index. Call Kim Griffin at 770-936-5590. Hey you can even advertise your business in the Christian Index. But on thing you can count on is that the Christian Index will adverstise the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Legislative Prayer Breakfast

The 5th Annual Legislative Prayer Breakfast was held on Wednesday, January 24th in the Empire Room of the Sloppy Floyd Building in downtown Atlanta, GA. Sponsored by the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Ethics and Public Affairs Committee it was a time to pray for our State Legislators as they begin a new term.

Following breakfast Dr. Mark Sterling, Consultant for Prayer and Spiritual Awakening for the GBC, Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Director brought a challenging message from God's Word. In summation he referred to Micah 6:8,"He has told you O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God."

Dr. Ray Newman, Specialist for Ethics and Public Affairs, recognized the Legislators. Dr. Jon Duncan led a period of worship and provided special music. Rep. Terry England of Barrow County closed in prayer.

Remember our state leaders. The Word of God admonishes,"First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we might lead a quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Reception in Southwest Georgia

On Thursday, January 25, Phyllis and I were treated to a reception at our office in Albany. Dr. Bobby Boswell, Assistant Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention was in attendance along with his wife Mattie, Tom and Martha Hocutt, Paul and Lucille Day, Ken and Brenda Cloud, David Cook, Craig Nalls, Ann Tomlinson and Lindsey Hopkins.

Ann and Lindsey coordinated a delicious and very elegant meal. These ladies are tops. We appreciate them very much for all they do for the kingdom.

Because of the graciousness of the Mallary Baptist Association and DOM Tom Hocutt we have great offices to work out of. Ann Tomlinson, Administrative Secretary/Ministry Assistant keeps the office running smooth and efficient.

We look forward to serving the churches of Southwest Georgia and seeing God's kingdom move forward.

New Office

As of January 8 I am now the Georgia Baptist Convention Ministry Resource Consultant for Southwest Georgia. My office is in Albany, Georgia where we plan to move in the next few months. The Southwest Region consists of 11 Associations and 358 churches. It is my job to serve as a resource liason between the missionaries, associations, pastors and churches to the Georgia Baptist Convention.

I will be on the road most of the time visiting with pastors, associational missionaries and churches. My calendar is already filling up. I have included some pictures of the office.

A LOOK BACK

2006 was a year that began with change. 2oo5 closed with three big events. Our second grandchild, Samuel, was born the day after Thanksgiving. Shauna and Ben Pilgreen live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where Ben is College Minister at Calvary Baptist Church. Their oldest Elijah is three.

In December, Natalie returned from Russia where she served the International Mission Board as a Journeyman doing Sports Evangelism. She now lives in Louisville, KY where she is in her first year at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary studying missiology.

Katie, our youngest, married Matthew Srickland on New Years Eve of 2005. They live in Gainesville, GA where she teaches 2nd grade at Lyman Hall Elementary School. Matthew is a computer programmer for a company in Duluth, GA

After 26 years in the pastorate I resigned as Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church in Americus on January 7. I have accepted the position of Ministry Resource Consultant with the Georgia Baptist Convention. My office is in Albany and we will be moving to the area in the near future.

God is good. He is forever faithful. Praise be to God for His goodness.

Lottie Has a Blog

Can you believe it? Lottie Moon has a blog. Yep, you can log on to "lottielives.blogspot.com." Check it out and learn more about the life and heart of one of Southern Baptists greatest heroes.

Thankful To Be A Southern Baptist

I have always belonged to a Southern Baptist Church. There has never been a time when I have wanted to be anything else. We are not a perfect people by any stretch of the imagination. However, like all believers we are being perfected.

We are at that time of year when we are receiving our mission offering for International Missions. We do the same in the spring for North American Missions and in the fall for State Missions.

The offering we are taking during this season was named after one of our most storied missionaries Charlotte Diggs "Lottie" Moon. Miss Moon served in China for over 39 years. She didn't just serve as a missionary, she identified with the people and gave her life in service to her Lord. She only came home when her health prevented her from staying and died on Christmas Eve on board ship bound for the states.

She has become something of a legend to us. But in her time Lottie was anything but an untouchable hero. In fact, she was like today's missionaries. She was a hard-working, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so her people group could know Jesus.

Over the next weeks children will give their pennies and adults their dollars. Some churches will reach toward a goal of several hundreds of dollars while larger ones will set goals well into the thousands. Last year almost 138 million dollars was given toward a goal of 150 million.

A long time ago before I was even a thought in my parent's mind God gave Southern Baptist leaders a vision for a vehicle through which we could do missions and evangelism around the world and at home. They were convicted that we could do so much more together than we could do on our own.

In 1925 the Cooperative Program was born. Through this cooperative stewardship vehicle, Southern Baptists pool their monies in order to fund mission and evangelistic causes.

I have never been a part of a church that did not give to the Cooperative program. I never interd to be a part of one either. It is not the only way, it may not be the best way, but it is the best I have seen and until someone comes up with a better plan it's the one for me. Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Georgia Baptist Convention says, "If there were no Cooperative Program we would have to invent something just like it in order to accomplish our mission."

Notherbeau

Notherbeau is a name that I gave to my grandmother years ago because I could not say "mother." I am told that one day I was calling out "beau" (mother) and my mother responded. I was really trying to get my grandmother's attention so I said "notherbeau" (or my other mother).

In those days daycare was at our grandparents house. Those were cool times. Whether playing catch with my granddaddy or going to Mr. Roper's store or fishing, it was a trip. Those were the days my friend.

Notherbeau went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 13, 2006. She was ready. She had been emotionally ready for about 4 years. She had been spiritually ready ever since she was saved.

Most of the family was there as we watched her slip into glory. The Bible says, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." (Rev. 14:13)

She never learned to drive. My dad was the only one that would even venture to teach her. He said that she put the car in the ditch one time to many and he said he had had enough. I don't exactly know how we will get around in heaven, but I feel pretty confident that she will have no trouble now.

She was a Sunday School teacher that loved the Lord, loved the Bible and loved her class. She visited, called and served faithfully at Walker Baptist Church in Monroe, Georgia as long as her body would allow.

She was a prayer warrior. Many times we would visit her and as we walked into the room we would catch her praying. Such was the case in mid-October when Phyllis and I took our youngest grandson Samuel to see her. She held him and talked to him.

Good-bye Notherbeau. Our loss is heaven's gain.

The Greatest Need For the Church Today

When you ask people what they think is the greatest need of the church of the 21st century you get a variety of answers. Some will say "relevance." The church needs to be relevant. No doubt that is a need and no doubt we need to be answering the questions that are being ask, but I do not believe that is the GREATEST NEED. Others will say "compassion" and even a great burden for the lost.

The GREATEST need of the church today is REVIVAL. We will never be as relevant as we need to be until real Holy Ghost Revival stirs the church. We will never have the compassion that the world needs until the Spirit of the Holy One moves in our midst convicting us of sin. We will never have the burden for the lost until we are reminded that we were once lost, undone and dead in our trespasses and sin.

Oh, Lord of Glory, please send REVIVAL.

Two-wheel upgrade

I recently purchased a new bike. Not a Harley, but a Schwinn. This is my second Schwinn in 41 years. As a matter of fact I am in the process of rebuilding that 41 year old bike and hope to have it finished by next summer. I doubt I do alot of riding on it, because quite frankly it will be more "relic" than "ride".

I have to credit my brother-in-law Doug for getting me started back to biking. Now I try to ride at least three to four times a week. By next summer I plan to "Do Jekyll on Two Wheels."

Here's the old and the new.

We Will Never Forget!

Stuart Margel writes:
"Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

"No!", he responded.

"Heading out?" I asked?

"No. I'm escorting a soldier home."

"Going to pick him up? "

"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family."

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."

-- Ronald Reagan

[There is an external link with this story. Click on the title "Wearing Red". When the link opens scroll to the picture of the marine and click to open and watch the "audio slide show."]

Life Under the Sun

Do you ever feel like you are running in circles? Is life a drag? Does it seem to have no purpose? If you feel that way, you are probably not alone. A very famous king felt the same way.

I was reading in the Book of Ecclesiastes the other day. To read the book of Ecclesiastes at face value can be depressing. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, was in one of life's biggest funks. "Life Under the Sun" as he described it can be boring, fleeting, repetitive and empty. Look around you. Observe the lives of others. Watch the cycles of life. If you take a quick glance you will probably agree with Solomon.

However life "under the sun" will never have meaning and purpose until we know the ONE who is above the sun. We will never understand life apart from the ONE who gives it. It is really simple when you think about it. God is not only the creator of life; He is the giver, sustainer and hope of life. He is the only one that can make sense out of it.

Life "under the sun" will never mean much until we know and are in the SON of the ONE. God longs for and has provided a way for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The man known for his wisdom writes, "There is an appointed time for everything...He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1,11).

When you know the SON of the ONE, then life "under the sun" will begin to make sense. "He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life" (1 John 5:12 NASB).

This is the only way life will be FULL and not futile.

GOT LIFE? GET (to know)JESUS!

A New Day For Georgia Baptists

Duluth--The Georgia Baptist Convention formally opened its new headquarters in Duluth on Tuesday, September 12. Duluth mayor Shirley Lasseter, Executive Committee members from across the state, other Georgia Baptist leaders, and the Honorable Sonny Purdue, governor of the state of Georgia, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center campus features a 55-foot cross rising out of a lake and a stone replica of the Ten Commandments in the building lobby. The center will be the new home for the convention offices.

The convention moved into the new headquarters in May after spending 31 years at its previous location near Mercer University's Atlanta campus.

"We have a great heritage, but our greatest days are ahead and the most efficient facility possible is needed for these future years," said Dr. J. Robert White, the convention's executive director.

The new headquarters is located on a 43-acre tract at 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Over 200 convention employees work in the building.

The Georgia Baptist Convention represents 1,401,525 Georgia Baptists and 3,621 churches.
[The Christian Index]

BAMA BOYS

I heard someone say that, "Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your children." Although there were times that our girls had their moments all in all they were fairly obedient and cooperative. They were a blessing and still are. Yet, grandchildren are great. God has blessed us with two precious grandsons and we hope to have more (hint, hint). Elijah and Samuel live in Tuscaloosa, AL with their parents Ben and Shauna Pilgreen. The only problem I have with that is the distance and the Tide influence. As you can see in the picture the shade of red is wrong. But as long as they love their Mimi and Pops I will try to live with it.