The Way I See it

Book Review: “Nearing Home”

Anthony — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:44:36 +0000

I received a copy of Billy Graham’s Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their blog review program at booksneeze.com. I have many of Billy Graham’s works in my personal library, so when the opportunity to get his latest work, I jumped on it.

Through the years, I have enjoyed Graham’s work as he has tackled many subjects of the Christian faith by writing in terms that anyone can understand. I love how he always backs his thoughts up with Scripture.

Nearing Home tackles a subject that is on many people’s mind: the latter of life. He writes from the context of approaching his 93rd birthday. He definitely writes from experience.

At first, I thought this book would be mainly for those entering the “golden years” of life. I thought that I might have to dig to find things to relate to myself as one in his early 30s. I didn’t have to dig too deep.

Nearing Home contains some wise words for the younger generations. The importance of preparing now for the “golden years” to come later is one key thing I took away from this work.

Nearing Home is a book that I would recommend to people of all ages. There is truly something for everyone in Billy Graham’s latest work.

Reflections from Worship Today

Anthony — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:08:49 +0000

I thought I’d share a little of what God spoke to me about during the worship service that we were a part of this morning at Hillcrest Baptist Church. We have been going thru a series which is the vision the church feels is what God wants them to do this year. It hinges on four words: love, lead, liberate, and launch.

In today’s message, the pastor made a statement that has been rolling in my head since it was made. He said,

“If you’re not willing to spend the time in the prayer closet, don’t expect to see God do the miracles through you.”

This statement was in response to Mark 9:14-29. A concerned father had brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples for healing. They weren’t able to cast the demon out and didn’t know why. Jesus said that these kind come out only by prayer and fasting.

There are many who want to see and experience the great things of God. There are few that are willing to do what it takes to experience the great movements of God: intense time in the prayer closet.

Be encouraged as I was this morning. God is inviting us to join Him in great things, but it starts in the prayer closet.

8 Years

Anthony — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:37 +0000

Eight years ago this day, I was driving to the church that I had grown up in and was, at that time, serving as Youth Pastor. This day was different. This day was not about going into the office. This day was not about Bible studies or crazy games with teens.

Eight years ago, this day was about a covenant. Yes, it was eight years ago today that I married the love of my life, Naomi.

As I think back to that day, I remember being more nervous than I had ever been before. I was so nervous that I left the keys to my truck in the ignition. That’s how my two best men got my truck and filled it with packing peanuts.

It’s crazy to think that this amazing woman has put up with me for 10 years (8 of marriage, 2 dating), but I’m so glad she has. I would want no one else on this journey called life with me.

John 3:16 Ad

Anthony — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:00:22 +0000

I believe that Focus on the Family did a great job with their ad that aired during the Denver Broncos / New England Patriots game last night. It’s good to see Christians breaking out into the media world with non-cheesy quality. Maybe we’ll see more believers using their gifts to get the message of the Gospel out.

Reflections of the Week

Anthony — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:15:08 +0000

This week I have been in New Orleans at NOBTS for a workshop on church leadership and administration. It has been a great class that I think every minister in a church situation (Senior Pastor, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor, etc) should take a course or workshop on this subject. I went into the workshop looking froward to the leadership part of it, but the administration part was not a thrill to me. I have never been an admin giant. After this workshop, I am still not an admin giant, but I definitely see the need for it clearly.

Another thing this week was watching some of the BCS National Championship with a local fellowship. I was very grateful for Memorial Baptist Church in Metairie, LA for being a gracious host to this Alabama fan. I was the lone Bama fan in the building, but the fellowship was sweet.

While the week was a good one… I’m glad to have these credits and class out if the way… the times fast approaching that I will be pointing the headlights towards the house where my bride and boys are waiting.

Some Tim Hawkins Fun

Anthony — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:00:49 +0000

Tim Hawkins has to be one of, if not the funniest people I’ve ever heard. The great part about him is that he uses his humor skills for the Lord.

Here is the latest clip that I came across and thought you might enjoy.

Sam’s Surgery

Anthony — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:35:40 +0000

Our little Sam will be going in to get tubes put in his ears tomorrow morning. We are supposed to be there at 7am and the procedure starts at 8am. We would appreciate the prayers of everyone at that time. Thanks!

An Amazing Teacher

Anthony — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:43:48 +0000

I have to take a moment and brag. Some think that bragging should not be done by Christians, but I have a different opinion on that. Of course, bragging can go too far and become dangerous ground. If it is kept in check, it can be a very good thing. Paul said that we should dwell on things that are true, noble, and pure (Philippians 4:8).

I would like to brag on my amazing wife, Naomi. I’ve known for some time now that she was great. I knew when I asked her to marry me that she would be an awesome mother for my children. Today, I saw how true that is.

As I was taking our oldest son to preschool, here’s a little of the conversation that took place…

Drew: “Dad, I thought we were going to my school?”
Me: “We are.”
Drew: “But Dad, WE HAVEN’T PRAYED YET!!!!
Me: (as I turned the radio off) Well, let’s do that now.

I realized that Naomi and Drew pray every morning on the way to school. This has become a MUST for our son. After dropping Drew off at school, I had to take a moment and thank God for the amazing teacher He has provided our children through Naomi.

Parents, it is our responsibility to lead and teach our children spiritually (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 20-25). It is not the “job” of pastors at the local church. Make sure that you are taking the time to pour into your greatest ministry: your family.

When Obedience Is Hard

Anthony — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:07:59 +0000

“Noah did everything that God had commanded him.” Genesis 6:22 HCSB

I don’t believe that I could even begin to count the times that I have read the account of God telling Noah about His plans to destroy the earth because of the sin that plagued it. I was reading this section of Scripture this morning for my devotion time and saw something I had never seen before.

CAUTION: Rabbit trail ahead! Isn’t it amazing how you can read the Bible many times over and each time see something new. The words haven’t changed just the way the Holy Spirit illuminates it. OK, back to what I was saying…

God had shared with Noah the plans to destroy the earth an everything in it. Sin had grown like an out-of-control cancer and tainted everything. God shows here that He cannot put up with sin.

It is interesting that God shares these plans with Noah. After all, Noah has sin in his life. But God declared Noah righteous because Noah had a relationship with God and walked with Him (Genesis 6:9).

Even more interesting is that as God was sharing these plans of destruction, you know that Noah had many images running through his mind: friends, family members who wouldn’t listen, house, possessions, etc. God was saying that anything not under the protection of God’s plan would be gone. Imagine as Noah was building the ark all the people who mocked him… friends who asked what he was thinking… the thought that all his precious possessions that he was storing up to pass along to the children… Noah would have to decide whether God or these things meant more to him.

We see from the text that Noah counted his relationship with God more valuable than anything this world could offer. That was a situation where obedience was much more difficult than most credit Noah for at first.

What have been some situations in your life where obedience was hard?

Know that even if it doesn’t make sense at the moment, obedience to God is always the best route to take.

A Few Reasons to Dive Into God’s Word in 2012

Anthony — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:50:11 +0000

As the clock strikes midnight, another year will be behind us. 2011 will be drawing to a close in a few hours. I blogged yesterday about the importance of every believer to be in the Word. Today, I’d like to share some reasons that you (and I) should get into God’s word – the Bible – more.

The Word is our provision. Deuteronomy 8:3 reminds us that man lives off every word that comes from God’s mouth.

The Word is protection against sin. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that as God’s Word has root in our hearts, then sin has a hard time taking root.

The Word is our guide.Psalm 119:105 So many are looking for direction in life. The Bible is a directional light for us pointing us toward God’s desires.

The Word is eternal. Isaiah 40:8 tells us that though everything else fades, dies, or corrupts, the Word of God stands firm and true forever.

The Word is the clearest picture we have of God. John 1:1-5, 14 shows that the Word is God and became flesh in the person of Jesus. It also shows us that the Word is personal.

The Word is alive. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is alive. It will speak to the specific needs of our lives just like a good friend.

With reasons such as these, what will keep you and me from one of the greatest treasures mankind has ever known – the Bible?