Pastor's Thots

22 days until Christmas. 28 days until 2011. This year I’ve tried to challenge you to read through the New Testament with me. Sometime in the next week you should be reading Revelation 22:20, “behold I am coming quickly.” Life is passing pretty fast. Beth said this morning that we have been caught off guard by Christmas. No decorations, only a few gifts, the house is a mess from Thanksgiving, and we are behind at work. How can you be caught off guard? Christmas is on the calendar. We’ve known it was coming for 342 days. What will happen when Christ comes? We have been warned He’s coming quickly. Will we be caught off guard? There is no excuse. He said He’s coming, I hope you’re ready.

Pastor Alan, ready or not.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

Expectations! Expectations can be harmful to your health. We all have expectations. Expectations of fellow voters, expectations of our government, of church, co-workers, church members, friends, family, and neighbors. The problem is expectations usually aren’t communicated or negotiated. Most people don’t know what your expectations of them are as a result they don’t know when they fail to meet them. As a pastor and fellow human being, I have expectations that are always met. When something is borrowed, that it gets returned in a timely fashion in the same condition. When something gets broken, it gets reported and fixed. For people to take pride in the facility they use. For everyone to share the work load. It would be hard to tell you how many times my expectations aren’t met. It might not be too difficult to tell you how many times they are met. The big questions I face daily is what will I do about un-met expectations? How can I honor Jesus as I think the thought I am thinking?

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's Thots

I’m home. It seems to me someone said one time “home at last, home at last, praise God Almighty, I’m home at last.” Well, if they didn’t say it, they should have. I arrived home Sunday afternoon at 3:00. I missed my flight in Washington DC, they took my passport in Maputo, I got sick in Quelimane. It was hot and muggy. On the other hand, 8 people accepted Christ, I helped train 60 pastors and church leaders. What an incredible experience. They were hungry to learn. We take so much for granted: Good roads, drinkable water, soft beds, smooth TP, Dr. Pepper, fluffy pillows, cool nights, local stores, language skills, and reliable electricity. God help me to be grateful. I hope to give more to missions and pray for missionaries specifically.  

Your humbled Pastor.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's thots

This has been a busy week. We’ve had all day hopsital visits, funeral in KY, worship on Sunday, buying and packing for my Africa trip, having my conservatee placed in a secure environment, dealing with an irrate spouse (not mine PTL!), talking with lawyers, social workers, and doctors. Two days filled with ministerial meetings, and much time studying. This will be my last blog until I get back from Africa. I’m a little worried about my trip. I’m not ready to teach yet, I bought half of WalMart to take with me to give to the missionaries, can I get through customs? Have I had enough shots? What about my church while I am away? Oh, 20 plus hours in a little airplane seat. On the other hand, I believe this is what God wants me to do. This could be 1910 and I would be on a ship sailing around the world for a month. We live in a great time. The opportunities to share the gospel are limitless and instentanious. Oops, spell check isn’t working. It’s still a great time to be alive and serve Jesus. please keep me in your prayers.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's thots

The old dinosaur has a few problems responding to people who respond to my blog. Life and blogs are complicated. So here are some answers to questions asked: 1) are Oneness congregations Christians? This is a great question and is debatable.  To be a Christian there are some basic beliefs that are necessary to be “saved.” Such as virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, soon return, and that Jesus is the Son of God. There may be a couple more. If Jesus is THE God, how can He be the Son of God? Second, Jesus taught us to pray “our Father,” If they deny the Father, how do they pray? If we don’t pray the way we were instructed, we are disobedient. If we are disobedient, then we aren’t children of God. Jesus talked to the Father and about His Father. These are important beliefs, so I would say they are a cult/non-Christian congregation.

The second question asked is about throwing washers. We line up children under 5, get three inch steel washers and throw them at them to see who can catch them before they get wacked. I can’t believe I put this in my blog. I’m testing to see who reads it. Actually, the game is called “washers.” It is an old man game of horseshoes. You have a five inch pipe or hole in the ground, stand back I think 15 feet, and throw a three inch steel washer at the hole. If it goes in the hole it’s three points, if it leans over the hole, it’s called a leaner and is worth two points. If it is within a washer distance (that’s three inches if you didn’t know, that is one point. Some people have too much money and buy the game in a box and you throw the washer at a pipe in the box. It’s easy and fun for people who can’t sling a horseshoe.

I am so thankful for the brain God gave us to come up with games, or is from the devil to distract us from doing our Father’s work? Food for thought.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor Alan

We believe Sunday is the Lord’s day. We had a great day yesterday. We had four missionaries visit us and share their testimonies. We had them come forward for a special prayer of dedication. We have a great future with families like these going over the ocean to tell others about Jesus. We had a high attendance of 93. PTL! After church I went to the Chinese church to preach. They are so receptive and polite. I like preaching there. After that we had our annual church picnic at the beach. This was the best ever. 1) It was hot and the water was great. 2) Three of our six congregations went with us. 3) We baptized three people. 4) The fellowship was inspiring. We played volleyball, threw washers, threw horseshoes, played in the Kayak, ate a bunch, and laughed a lot. I am glad to be part of the family of God. Plan on next year being with us, you’ll be blessed.

Tired and worn out.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

DECEPTION: I’ve deceived myself into believing I can’t get to the dictionary to look up the definition. I was looking at the church across the street this morning. The sign reads community church. I thought it was an apostolic church. well, as usual I can’t let a sleeping dog lie so I walked across the street and asked them what kind of church they are in relationship to what they were. Not that I look for fights , but they tell me they are apostolic. I tell them they don’t say that. They didn’t realize that. DECEPTION. Okay there are two kinds of Apostolic churches. There are the ones identified with a Wales revival in the early 1900’s and there is the one that denies the Trinity, they are called Oneness. They are the Oneness. They tell me they believe in one God, his name is Jesus. DECEPTION.  What they really said was that I believe in three gods. Communication is difficult. We must use the right words and we must understand the message. They used the right words but they are not clear in their message. Do we ever get  like that? How about with our bumper stickers when we drive in an ungodly manner. Or how about when we claim to be part of the family of God but live like the other family? I hate to be deceived, I don’t want to be a deceiver. I want to walk the talk and talk the walk, how about you?

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's thots

Do you ever get tired of reading the same thing over and over? I like to watch old movies. My wife will ask me often, ”How many times have you seen that?” I like watching them over and over. But I don’t like reading the same thing over again, much less writing the same thing over. But I can’t believe how fast the summer has gone and how long it’s been since I wrote my blog. I said that last time and I think the time before that. Why do I keep saying that? I guess because it’s true. You know what? I don’t mind reading the Bible over and over. Every time I read it I get something new out of it. I wish my articles were like that. I hope and pray you don’t get tired of reading God’s Word over again. I still can’t believe how long it’s been since I wrote. I will try to do better, I think I said that before.

Your repeating pastor Alan.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

Has it been three weeks. WOW! We co-sponsored an antique car show here at our facility with Set Free Clairemont church, we had maybe 500 people here and four professions of faith. Next we did VBS and had 109 in attendance and three professions of faith. PTL! During that time we had three mission teams staying in our church along with my Mom at my house. During that time we took a mission trip to Tijuana and out to Set Free Ranch. Did I mention I teach at Set Free Leadership Class every Tuesday night for my doctorate studies. That requires 14 pages of notes and about 20 hours preparation. Two days later we started our basketball camp. We had over 45 children and at least three professions of faith. It has been a great summer for us and the Kingdom of God. PTL! but as you can see, it’s been a busy one. Now we get to slow down and paint some of the education building, remove all the carpet, have the asbestos removed, get new carpet, and put ceramic tile down in the hall. In our spare time we are recycling, landscaping, and cleaning the house after the five grandkids and one mother. I hope God is pleased with all our activities. He might be more pleased if we slowed down and smelled the roses

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's Thots

Well, I couldn’t wait until I could blog. Now it’s such a burden. I know I haven’t written, I’ve been gone and too busy. Then everybody wants to remind me “you haven’t blogged in a while.”  People come up and quote something I said, and the last blog is so old I don’t remember saying it. What a pain! Do you responsibilities ever get like that? Teaching Sunday School, what an honor, what an opportunity, what a chance to shine and use your talents. Then after the second week, what a burden! I have to study every week and there are weeks I’m busy or desire some time off. I even have to be in Sunday School every week, no time for myself. Or maybe joining the choir, or the kitchen committee?  How can we keep it fresh? 1. Do what you enjoy. 2. Know who you’re doing it for. 3. Keep your walk fresh, like having a good quiet time with God. 4. Make sure you are being spiritually fed, in church or Bible study. Okay, I’m charged up again, I’m home for three weeks, let’s see it I can keep it up. Thanks for the reminders.

The blogging preacher.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's Thots

Wow! I don’t remember the last time I blogged. I had such great aspirations of writing daily so people would know my thoughts. I think it’s been three weeks since I’ve had a thought. Time is flying by so fast. Why? Well, one reason is the fact we’ve been living with five of our nine grandkids for four weeks. I haven’t had time to write. During this time, Caleb who has been deathly afraid of water got a boggy board and went in the ocean. I thought this was a major mile stone in his life. Israel learned to ride a bike in one shove down a hill. He has such great potential. Ezekiel learned to ride a bike with training wheels and a week later said take them off. Five wrecks later he takes off and hasn’t stopped yet. With five very active, competitive, jealous boys around we don’t have enough time to push the swing, Ezekiel also learned to swing by himself. It’s kind of sad when they don’t need you anymore. They are growing up and changing so fast. I wish we (myself, the church, and you) grew that fast spiritually. I wish we matured and made spiritual progress that fast. It’s been a great four weeks, I wonder if God says that about our time with Him?

Pastor Alan

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

This week has been filled with taking care of some of our mentally ill church members. This is difficult and scary. Dementia I guess can happen to anyone. I know it is time consuming and I already have a full plate, but I guess I think about what if it was my Dad or even me. On the other hand they are God’s children and I guess I have equal responsibility to provide for them. Time, talk about time, I have five very active grandsons with us for a month, that eats up a little time, like going on a bike ride Saturday. Time, did I mention I started teaching my doctoral project this week? Wow! That is a lot of study and preparation. That time disappeared fast. Time, there are about 200 other projects demanding my time this week. Maybe that’s the problem, MY TIME. As a disciple of Christ it’s His time and I willingly yield it to Him, well, I might have to define willingly.  

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's thots

I love reunions! Sitting and just looking at my sons makes me proud of how they turned out (well, some of the time). Listening to my daughter-in-laws call me Alan or Dad and asking for advice swells my head. Having my grandkids tell me they love me and asking me to play with them (it might be nice if they obeyed). And hugging my wife and hearing the family say “Dad not here.” There is nothing like it; but wait there is. Every Sunday as we gather for a family reunion. As we look up and tell our Heavenly Father we love Him. As outsiders come to visit and comment on the love of the family. As we walk intimately together with our Lord. I don’t know about you, but I love coming to church.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Pastor's thots

Okay, how’s your faith in God? Are you surprised when God answers your prayers and thing work out well? Well, I would say I flunked the test this week. I prayed about a school problem, made all the arrangement for when God didn’t work things out. I even went to face my accusers. Then God answered my prayer. I felt excited God worked things out but then felt guilty for doubting His ability. Is there a lesson to learn from this? Why am I such a slow learner? How about you? Are you believing or doubting?

Doubting Thomas or Doubting Alan  

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

God created us in His image. When God finished creating us He saw what He had done and the Bible said “it was very good.” That’s us, we were created very good. As very good created beings, we have a variety of characteristics. One of those characteristics is we are emotional beings. So our emotions are good. my doctoral professor did not give me the good news I was expecting last night so I am experiencing a lot of good emotions last right now. As these warm fussy feeling, well maybe not warm fuzzy, but as whatever they are creep over me , I wonder what should I do with them. It seems I have two choices, I can let these emotions that God created and called very good control me, which is really what I want to do, or I can control these emotions with the goal in mind to honor God in all I do. With all of life’s ups and downs, we face that same decision; do we do what seems to come natural or do we choose to honor God. Presently I am looking up a former church member who worked for “the mob,” he tells me for the right price the bad news can be changed to good news. Which way to go?

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

Does it do any good to preach? Most of the time I would have to say no. but at least it offers a venue for expressing your opinion. So I’m not sure if this is a sermon or an opinion. I readily admit I’m a dinosaur. For whatever reason, I’m a little behind in the times. I just this week got on Facebook. I don’t know how to Skype, I don’t do texting, I don’t know what

Pastor's thots

Last week I was locking the gate with my hands full. I couldn’t manage it so I laid my book down (this was a big, thick, very expensive book). After I locked the gate I went home to watch “Lost.” As I was drinking my coffee the next morning I remembered my book (big, thick, and expensive). I went outside to get it and it was gone. I checked my office to see if the custodian found it, nope, so I checked the French to see if they found it, nope, then I got worried.

Another Thot

Pastor's Thots

I don’t play golf often or well. A few weeks ago I was playing golf with three church members (that makes it church work). As I teed up and swung, the ball landed 4 inches from the whole. What a shot! I was excited and proud.

 

But to be honest, it was a blooper. I don’t play that kind of golf. If I break a hundred it is a great game for me. As I try to make spiritual applications, I think leading someone to Christ is like that. My life doesn’t always reflect Christ, I ‘m not the sharpest knife in the drawer so I don’t always have the right answer, and I don’t always take the time to share with others. But occasionally God places them right in my lap. I know it’s a God thing because I know me. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about my golf skills and focus more on my witnessing skills. What about you?

Pastor Alan

pastor's thots

Two days ago the sun was shining and it was nice and warm, not hot and not cold, just right. Today it’s gloomy and cool. As a result I feel like I’m dragging. I wonder if God had this in mind when he said He wishes we were hot or cold, if we are warm He will spit us out? Sometimes we get like the weather spiritually. One day we are hot for Jesus, then the next we are cold like an ice cube. There are times we wonder why the body (the church) drags on. What is the answer? One word, consistent. We need consistent worship. We need consistent prayer time. We need consistent Bible study. We need consistent fellowship with believers. We need consistent sharing of our faith with people who don’t know God. We need consistent serving. I guess in a couple of months the weather will be consistent (warm), but until then I will just drag on.

Pastor Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

 http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's Thots

In my spare time I was wondering why we get ourselves so busy. It seems like we want to accomplish more, get more stuff, maintain accumulated stuff, please more people, and make preparations for the future. In the meantime, we miss out in the sunshine, cool breeze, nice surf, fellowship with the family of God, and time with our Father. For 33 years I’ve been telling my wife I’m going to slow down. She totally ignores me now (she used to believe me). I’m serious this time, in 2012 I’m going to slow down and enjoy more. Really!

Pastor Alan

Pastor's Thots

Fiber optics can make beautiful spheres. Plaster can make interesting sea shells. Cement can make fascinating sidewalks. Bricks can make lovely gardens. All of these are manmade. In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful, interesting, and fascinating than God’s creation. At the same time, religions can make good people. Disciplines can make a self-controlled person. Going to church can build a confident person. In my opinion, there is nothing like a true born-again child of God. Everything else is a fake. What about you?

Pastor Alan

Pastor's Thots

I noticed the other day that a cup of coffee with some people completely changes their mood, attitude, behavior, disposition, and outlook on events. If a cup of coffee has the ability to have that affect, what would a good strong dose of the Bible do to people. Whether we take it standing up, laying down, sitting back, or on the move there is nothing like a strong, hot, nothing added shot of God’s Word to put us in the right frame of mind.

Pastor Alan

Pastor's Thots

Wow! One minute it’s raining and the next the sun is shining. I don’t know if I need an umbrella or sunglasses. You know, sometimes life is like that. Things change so fast. I wake up feeling good then wind up having a root channel in the afternoon. What’s next?

Pastor

thot for today

as i was reading Mark 6 i noticed that the religious people, people from Jesus' home town, probably people who knew Him, were offended by Him. 2000 years later i'm wondering why? He was different, yes. He taught in a different style, yes. He taught with authority, yes (we don't like authority either). People were listening to Him when they had been listening to them, yes. He was being used by God and they weren't, well, I think so. what's the bottom line? JEALOUSY! Did you know the devil is still using the same tactic today to combat the works of God?