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God is doing something pretty amazing at ADBC.  Let me explain - usually, this time of year, spring fever hits, attendance drops, energy in church wanes, and everybody slips into a pre-summer coma.  But not this year!

We topped 1100 in worship for the second Sunday in a row.  We baptized three folks - and I loved what David said to me in the third service.  He said that even though he had grown up in a church, he was really just putting an “x” in the box.  But when he and his wife came to ADBC, something clicked and he had a real encounter with Christ.  That’s what it’s all about!

Travis Pruden did a great job helping us remember what Build on the Rock is all about - Raising Leaders, Offering Offerings, Creating Community, and Kneeling before God.

And we wound up our series on Beyond - what a great series, thinking about life and death and what really counts.

As I shared with you Sunday, and I am so thankful to be part of a church like ADBC - a people where God is at work!

Judges 6 - Gideon, the reluctant leader - He can’t believe God has chosen him.  But honestly, don’t many of us have the same problem?  We disqualify ourselves when God is calling us!  Notice it is not until the Spirit takes possession of him that he gains confidence to call the people to battle.

Judges 7 - God devises a battle plan where he alone can gain create for the victory. 

Pslam 84 - It is better to be near where God is at work than anywhere else

Mark 6:1-13 - the hometown dilemma hits even Jesus - they wouldn’t accept him for anything other than what they thought he could be.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13.  Pay speciall attention to verse 12 and 13.  When things are going well, remember to watch out - that is a vulnerable time and you will be subject to testing.  Testing will come.  God is faithful - he will provide a way out - look for the exit sign!  You still may have to endure - grit your teeth to get through it - but God will get you through!  A great promise!

I admit a year ago, I was discouraged.  Our church had just finished the preparation and commitment stage of Build on the Rock (BOTR) and the results were not what we wanted.  We had four goals:  Raise up leaders; Offer Offerings; Create Community; and Kneel before God.   It was the offering part that was the disappointment.  We had set a goal of $4 million dollars and received estimates of giving only $1.9 million – a little short of half-way.  In the midst of my discouragement, I knew two things:  we couldn’t quit and God still had a plan for this church.
As the leadership of our church tried to dissect what had happened, a consensus emerged that we as a church were not ready to take this step.  We wanted to be ready – but wanting to be ready and being ready are two different things.  So we decided to move ahead with what we could do and to see what God would do.
One year later, this is what has happened.  God has indeed begun to raise up leaders.  People are stepping forward to volunteer and take more responsibility for our church.  More people have gotten involved in leadership in Bible Community Groups than ever before. 
The offering part of BOTR has stayed on track – which is a true testimony to the people of ADBC.  To date we have received almost $750,000 – 39% of what was originally pledged.  These funds received are enabling us to renovate and add classrooms to the student building (The Studio), construct additional parking, and build a covered drop off (work on these projects should begin in the next couple of weeks).  If we continue on pace, we will be able to have in hand over $1.5 million for our new building.
God has knitted our hearts together – so that we are creating community.  One “expert” I spoke to told me that the results of BOTR indicated deep division in our church.  Not so.  I’ve never seen our church more united and committed to being a place of grace.
The biggest win one year into BOTR has to be our increased prayer life as a church.  PrayerForce has become a force!  Since we began this time of prayer on Mondays at noon, our baptisms have dramatically increased, as have our offerings and volunteers.  We know that without God, we cannot achieve our purpose.
The Big Lesson of BOTR?  Never let the first set back keep you from the work of God.  God is in control, so keep walking by faith.  This Sunday, that’s what we are going to celebrate – this church built on the rock of Jesus – so nothing keeps us down!

Judges 1-3- God gave His people a test - He left a job unfinished.  Presumably, God wanted them to keep relying on Him.  They failed the test, and were enticed by the gods of the people they had conquered.  How stupid is that?  But we are like this too.  Even when we know stuff doesn’t work, we still turn to it, seeking answers and living frustrated lives.  Don’t fail the test

Psalm 82 - Don’t follow people who have no knowledge or understanding.

Mark 5:1-20 - One of my favorite stories about Jesus and one of the funniest moments in the gospel.  Highlights:  Legion is what evil looks like when it runs amuck.  You are out of control and out of your mind.  Jesus can order evil around - and out of your life.  Evil is always looking for a place to go.  This is the funny part - Pigs would rather die than have evil inhabit them (Is this a different version of “If your right eye leads you to sin, pluck it out…?).  And when Jesus delivers you, tell people.

1 Corithians 9:1-12:  The servants of God - ministers - have some rights - the right to be paid, the right to have a family, the right to be respected.  But, like Paul, they should never insist on these rights, but have the mind of servant.

Great to be back at ADBC!  And what a day.  First, any day you get to baptize 6 people is a good day!  There are so many churches that never get to baptize this many in one year.  I am humbled and grateful that God is using us to reach people for Him.

Strong attendance.  Over 1120 in the three services.  Best of all, about 730 or so in the Bible Community Groups.  Normally we’d be dipping this time of year - but I’m grateful we’re moving forward.

Our Personnel Team did a great job in meeting Sunday night.  They helped us take a step of faith and upgraded our Preschool position to full-time.  Why is this important?  According the research done by the Barna group, a child forms their world view - their understanding of right and wrong by the time they are 9.  As early as 2, children are learning concepts of right and wrong.  Our budget will have to stretch up some to take care of this position, but I believe we can do it!

Mark 3:20-35 - this is what scholars call an inclusio - meaning a story within a story.

The story that is the outside bracket is how Jesus’ family thought he was crazy.  Sometimes even those closest to you don’t understand you, especially when it comes to doing God’s will.  Jesus then re-defines the family for us - closer than blood kin are the ones who do God’s will.  Bottow line, never let your family or your fear of your family’s disapproval keep you from doing God’s will.

The inner story is Jesus telling us that it is ridiculous to think he is on Satan’s team. But he gives us an important principle - if you want to defeat evil in your life - greed, gluttony, lust, anger, pride, envy, and sloth - you need to tie up evil. 

                                                                                                                     How do you tie up evil? Be strong in Christ.  Eliminate temptation.  Throw it out of your life.  Don’t be afraid.  Think through your decisions and their consequences.  Claim the victory God wants you to have.

I Corintians 7:1-16 - great teaching about sex, marriage and divorce.  Bottom lines:  Healthy sex is part of God’s design for marriage.  Headaches are no excuse - only prayer.  If we lived by this passage what would it to for intimacy in our marriages?  Not to menion what it would do for our prayer lives!

It is better to marry than to burn with passion - but if you have the gift of being able to be unmarried, stay that way.  If your spouse is not a believer, then be a holy influence on them!

During my visit home, my Uncle Pete came to hear me preach and eat some of my sister’s good cooking.  Now Uncle Pete gives me great hope – he’s 81 and could pass for 60.  He still works everyday, holding up a load that would kill a lesser man.

Uncle Pete is a cattleman.  He’s been working cows since he was old enough to stay on the back of horse.  When school ended for the day, he and my mother would saddle up and ride out to rope and doctor screw worm calves on a swampy Florida ranch.  As a man, Pete entered rodeos on the weekend and worked cows and managed the biggest livestock market in Florida during the week.

God alone knows how many cows Uncle Pete has seen during his lifetime.  There are some things you know only through experience, and when it comes to cows, Uncle Pete knows.  So after a great Sunday lunch, I asked Uncle Pete to ride with me out to our pasture and tell me what he thought.  For the next hour and a half, I got a tutorial from one of the best cattleman in the state of Florida.

He would point out a cow that looked good to me and tell me she was too muscled and wouldn’t bring much at the market.  Details that I would miss, he caught, like the cows whose bags made it hard for calves to get milk.  Keep an eye on them, he said.  We talked about grass and pasture renovation and all the intricacies of running a ranch.  I walked away with a mental list of things to do and a profound respect for the man who knows about cows.

Who tells you how to run your life?

Most Americans turn to the gospel of Oprah, or the Testament of Dr. Phil.  Check any book store and you will find shelves filled with self-help books.  How do you know if you can trust these prophets of positive thinking?

Ask these questions:  What is there is their experience?  How often are they wrong?  Are their motives self-serving – to get you to watch more often, or buy something?  Has the advice offered stood the test of adversity?

God’s counsel to us stands up to these tests.  More amazing, His guidance has proved valid for thousands of years.  So read the Bible – apply it to your life.  Pray.  Ask God for help.  Listen to the Holy Spirit – follow God’s leadings. 

If you need advice about cows or ranching, call my Uncle Pete.  If you need guidance for life, eternity, relationships, finances, life choices, or your inner world, ask God – He wants to help you, because you matter to Him.

My daily Bible reading is taking through Joshua.  I’ve always known he was a great leader, but as I have moved through the book, God has re-opened my eyes to some important leadership principles:

Joshua 7 - It doesn’t take much in your family, church, or organization to make something go wrong.  I like Joshua’s response - he prays first.  He identifies who is the problem - something leaders often don’t want to admit:  the problem is often who not what or how.  Then he deals with it.

Joshua 8 - A leader has to do strategy.  I love Joshua’s strategy here - he studies the situation, anticipates the reactions of his opponent, and devises a plan.  Great thinking!

Joshua 9 - Every leader will blow it - and Joshua does here.  He doesn’t do his homework.  The Gibeonites fool him.  But Joshua’s integrity holds - he doesn’t let the Israelites destroy them - but he keeps his promise and even goes to battle to defend them in Chapter 10.

Joshua 13 - Joshua recognizes that there is another chapter after him - there is still land to be taken.  Ever good leader leaves his successor a challenge to be conquered.

Joshua 14 - the spotlight shifts to Caleb - love his spunk!  At 85 he is asking for territory not yet conquered.  He believes he can take it!

Joshua 17 - the tribe of Ephraim whines - we need more land.  Every leader will face this - somebody needs more resources, somebody needs more space.  Joshua is brillant.  He tells them to be their own solution and positively believes they can do it!  Don’t feel like you have to be the answer to everyone’s problems!

Joshua 19 - When it comes time to divide the land - Joshua goes last.  That’s what leaders do - they go last!

God make me a leader like Joshua!

I’m preaching a revival - renamed a Simplicity Conference - at my home church, New Hope Baptist Church, in Wauchula, Florida.  These are some of the best people in the world.  When I was a child they taught the stories of the Bible, fed me kool aid and sugar cookies, and loved me.  It was one of the greatest gifts a child could receive.  The good people of New Hope taught me the value of belonging, and taught me to love church.  That’s why from my earliest memory, the call to be pastor sprouted and bloomed.  The people of New Hope had already plowed the field.

Some familiar faces are gone.  Others have aged.  I saw my first girlfriend - from first grade.  Her oldest child is engaged now.  I ran into a girl I dated in High School - she has five grand children.  My Aunt Ouida, 93, blind but strong, made both services.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

Alzheimer’s and age are slowly robbing some others of the memories.  I can see it in their eyes - I look familiar - but they can’t quite make the connectons.  But I still owe them the debt of gratitude - and recognition.

My home church is hopeful these days.  They have a new pastor, who seems to have a lot on the ball.  I’m asking God simply to help me honor these people who nurtured me, and let me be a little gasoline for their future

Been behind in sharing some thoughts.  Here are some observations as we read through the Bible.

Joshua 3 - God validates Joshua as a leader.  God will give a leader success through a gift or a win to validate him. 

Joshua 4 - They made a monument to remember what God had done.  I have in my office a shell that I picked up on the beach after a very moving retreat day.  I still remember that day - I would encourage you to write your reflections, get some spiritual sovenirs to help you remember the great things God does!

Joshua 5 - Ever wonder why God choose circumcision as a sign?  The Bible never explictly says, but here’s a thought - It is very personal. 

I love the story at the end of this chapter - the angel appearing to Joshua.  My NIV study Bible has a great quote about verse 14:  It is not that God was on their side; rahter, they must fight God’s battles!  Exactly!  That mentality is missing in the church today!

Joshua 6 - You and I would never think about fighting a battle in this way - that’s why we lose so often.  If God tells you to fight a battle, He has a plan about how you are to win it!

Joshua 7 - When they got beat, they turned to God to ask “why?”  Do you?  If it seems like a Achan and his family pay too high a price for a little thievery, remember allowing the sin of coveting into your life always has a higher price than you think.  It will effect every thing you own and every member of your family.  When your wants cause you to disobey God, there is a high price to pay.

Pslam 73 - I love this psalm!  I too almost slip - I can envy the arrogant who don’t think about their impact on the others, and those who prosper.  I can lose sight of what a great God I have that out weighs any human possession.

Psalm 74 - I wonder if churches need to pray Psalms like this against our enemies?

Mark 1:9-34 - Look how Jesus moves through these verses.  He sets an example by being baptized; he faces temptations; He boldly preaches and calls disciples; he confronts evil (interesting that Mark makes this Jesus’ first miracle - a clue that Jesus’ ultimate mission is to destroy evil); he heals.  Jesus was purposeful about his life (now I owe Rick Warren a dollar).  If we are to be like Jesus, shouldn’t we move boldly and purposefully too?

1 Corinthians 1:8ff - Never forget that being a follower of Christ, being blest by God has more to do with Him, and less to do with you.

1 Corinthians 2 - The church’s message needs to be about the power of God.  So how much of our time and energy do we spend seeking God’s power?  Do we pray for it?  Do you ask God to annoint worship and teaching and activity?  What is our ratio of prayer to preparation?