Archive for May, 2009

29
May

Precious Promises

By awhitlow 0 Comments
Categories: Enouragement

I was reminded the other morning just how wonderful the Word of God is.  It is packed with precious promises for each of us.  Often when reading it therej0435886 comes those special moments when you know God is speaking to you through a particular verse or portion of Scripture.

Wendy and I are getting ready to have number 5.  The way things are going so far it looks like it will be another girl.  The Whitlow chicks are multiplying fast.  I’m so thankful for each of our kids.

But I have to say, I have been thinking quietly to myself, “How am I going to be able to support all these girls?”  There’s clothes, braces, sports, vacations, college, and the big one….the wedding, or in my case weddingsssss.  I can’t marry them all at once and do one big reception.  My wife would kill me.

The other morning I was reading in Proverbs and I came across this verse – There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. (Prov. 27:17).

That’s my new life verse!  The goats’ milk is God’s provision.  Honestly, I have put this verse to memory and I believe for me its God’s promise of provision as we stay faithful to His call upon our lives.  There will be enough for the maintenance of my girls.

There are promises for you as well in God’s Word.  When you come across one that jumps off the page write it down, memorize it, review it, hold on to it.  It will give you reassurance and strength.  God’s promises are for you too!

26
May

Hireling or Shepherd?

By awhitlow 0 Comments
Categories: Enouragement

ADVENTtable_html_m6196dac4John 10:11-16 – 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

We find in this section the care of the Good Shepherd Jesus being compared with the hireling.  The hireling is not a shepherd.  He’s not personally connected to the sheep.  In fact when danger comes the hireling runs away and leaves the sheep to be scattered.  The hireling cares nothing for the sheep.  He’s only in it for the money.

How unfortunate that in many churches today there are hirelings.  For them it’s a job.  It’s a gig.  They come in and clock in and clock out.  The people of God are not on their minds during the week.  They don’t pray for the flock of God.  They don’t have a heart to serve, sacrifice, or protect.  They’re there until a better gig, a bigger position comes along.  And when hardship comes, when its time to stand and fight and sacrifice and defend, they run.

For those that volunteer, in our areas of service in the church, like the hireling, we can easily start thinking more of ourselves, and what we want, instead of what is best for the flock of God.  God wants to fill his church with good shepherds who like Jesus, truly care about the flock, and are willing to put the needs of the flock before themselves.

21
May

Crocodile Dock Rocks!

By awhitlow 0 Comments
Categories: Spring Ministry

buddy2_lrgCrocodile Dock is the name of our Wednesday Vacation Bible School program, and it’s been rocking!  A motivated, energetic, enthusiastic group of volunteers has come together to make this the best VBS we’ve ever had.  Kids are learning that our God is powerful and that He keeps his promises.

We only have two more Wednesdays and it’s not too late to come.  Just register your child between the ages of 3 to 12 on our website.  Check out the video below to get a glimpse of the fun.

12
May

A Life Well Lived

By awhitlow 0 Comments
Categories: Church Heroes

photoYesterday, I received a phone call I knew would one day come.  The call told me to hurry to my grandmother’s bedside.  The doctor said the body was a lot like a computer, and grandma’s was in the process of slowly shutting down.

I jumped in the car and met the rest of my family there.  We sang songs, read Scripture, told stories, laughed, and cried.  The whole time she sat there with her eyes barely open, unable to speak, but you knew she was listening and enjoying the attention.

She gave her life to God’s service.  She married a preacher and followed him faithfully in support, love, and prayer.  She was a worshipper, a prayer warrior, a friend, a listener, and a pillar of faith.

As I sat by her bed to say goodbye for what I think will be the last time, I looked in her eyes and said, “Grandma, I love you.  Thank you for staying faithful to grandpa, and playing the organ for him all those years, for listening and supporting him while he preached the gospel in good times and bad.  Thank you for the love you showed, for all the fried chicken you cooked for so many, and for the grits and bacon.  Thank you for your example and constant prayer.  I’ve been so fortunate to have you in my life.”

Here was a life well lived and now she’s going on to her greater reward.  May we remember that our lives are so short, and may we live our lives in light of our eternal home!

2 Timothy 4:6-8 – 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

06
May

Why VBS Is Still Really Cool

By awhitlow 0 Comments
Categories: Spring Ministry

Churches today are doing all they can to appear hip, cool, and mainstream.  Everything from the music, the decor, the clothes that the pastoral team wears on stage, the hair, the audio visual, all of it aims to reach a culture in tune with the main stream.  I’m OK with that.  I’ll preach with my shirt tale untucked if I have to.

But I still think Vacation Bible School is hip, and I think so for the following reasons.

1.  It gives adults, most of whom spent their day in a cubicle, staring at a computer screen, a chance to be a kid again.  Acting goofy once and a while is a healthy thing.

2. It’s an opportunity for the church to all work together.  Every volunteer has a critical role to fill.  You have to get your hands dirty and participate whole-heartedly.  Sounds like the Body of Christ at work to me.

3. VBS is a wonderful time to meet new friends, as you serve along side one another.  It brings the church closer together.

4.  VBS is a an opportunity for outreach.  New faces WILL walk through the door that have never been in church before.

5.  Kids learn that serving Jesus is the greatest thing they could do with their lives.  They’ll learn that He is the Savior.  Some will pray to receive Christ and be forever changed.

6.  Kids see that serving Jesus is a blast, while realizing the church can be a fun place that really cares for them.

7. Finally, our VBS this year I hear has some really tasty snacks for us all to enjoy.

We had a great VBS training last Wednesday night.  I’ve posted a video of that here for you to see.  Check it out.

Also, it’s not too late for you to register.  You can do that online at – www.victoryscrossing.com.