Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land

We Need this Guy

2009-04-05T14:24:00.002-05:00

Is there anyway we can get this guy to come over to America? Please take a listen to Daniel Hannan speaking in Parliament over in England. This guy needs to give lessons to our politicians ... and really to all of us to speak with clarity, conciseness, and conviction.

Daniel Hannan speaking to Parliament

So what do you think?

impressed,
Burt

Perspective

2009-02-24T15:41:00.002-06:00

A PCA pastor friend offered a link to this comedian's appearance on Conan O'Brien. It's a humorous look at our culture's impatience, ingratitude, and pride. Enjoy it!

comedian

From a Christian perspective, think of how believers are guilty of the same thing ... failing to sense the "awe" and "wonder" of our God and His blessings to us.

laughing and repenting,
Burt

Worth a Listen

2009-02-06T15:49:00.002-06:00

We've all probably heard the stories of USAir Flight 1549 crashing into the Hudson River in NYC and been amazed at God's mercy of protecting all onboard. The audio tapes and transcript of the conversation with the pilot and air traffic controllers has been released and is fascinating to listen to.

Audio of Pilot

This is the guy I want flying my plane! My best friend from high school is a pilot and actually trains pilots with USAir. Wonder if he trained or knows Captain Sullenberger?

watching for birds at the airport next time I fly,
Burt

Congrats to Florida

2009-01-09T13:44:00.002-06:00

Yep, it sort of pains me to say that ... but they played a great game last night and have earned the right to be #1 in college football. This stuff used to matter a whole lot more to me than it does now. Don't get me wrong - I'm still a huge FSU fan, pulled for Oklahoma last night, and will always cheer for UF's opponent. But now that this season is over and Florida is the champion, I say congratulations to them for a great season and an impressive win over Oklahoma!

So now let me start my rant! And it honestly doesn't have anything to do with any dislike I have for UF. It's about the golden child, Tim Tebow. I'll start by saying he's a great athlete, strong, intelligent, passionate, leads his team effectively, and is probably a pretty good guy. However, I do get a bit weary of the "good Christian" self-righteousness that seems to be associated with the guy. Danny Wuerffel was another great quarterback who played at UF and also boldly professed Christ, but Danny was incredibly humble and didn't draw the attention to himself as does Tim Tebow. But even that isn't the main focus of my rant today. So what is it? Here it is:

What if Tim Tebow was black? What if an African-American Tim Tebow made all those gestures, ran around waving his arms, celebrating in such a manner, drawing all that attention to himself? We surely wouldn't hear that "the world would be a better place if we could all just spend 5 or 10 minutes with that young man!" Rather we would hear that he's a show-off, he's going overboard, he's thuggish, he just has "no class." We would be told he should learn to "act like he's been there before." We would be questioning his motives rather than heaping praise on his "tremendous leadership." We would doubt the sincerity of his professed faith saying, "how could a true Christian act like that?" We would categorize his bold claims and predictions as "arrogant" and "typical" rather than "inspiring." We would have nothing but personal disdain for the guy, but would tolerate him because he has his place and helps us win. (understand that when I say "we" I'm referring to our culture in general)

I firmly believe that Tim Tebow gets away with what he does because he's white - black guys just wouldn't be able to do the stuff he's been doing for 3 years and not be utterly condemned. Not only has he not been condemned, the exact opposite has happened - he's praised for that behavior. I think racism is probably more deeply embedded in our hearts than we care to realize. I'm just saying!

Anyone have thoughts on this?

finished with my rant,
Burt

Something Bigger than the Game

2008-12-29T19:03:00.002-06:00

Here's an article just too good to pass up! Amazing that it takes a football coach in Texas to teach us about grace in action. What would this look like in my life and yours?

football article

Go Tornadoes!
Burt

The Bible teaches ...

2008-12-09T14:40:00.002-06:00

Here's an example from Newsweek of what happens when you don't understand the doctrine of "sin" and affects of the "fall of man" into sin. Without "sin" there obviously is no "redemption" since there is no real need of it. Without "sin" the Bible just becomes a history book full of examples we can follow. Without "sin" we can surely find some Bible character's action or inaction that might justify pretty much anything we want to do. Without "sin" we don't even need a Savior.

Our Mutual Joy

Read the article and be angry. But don't be angry at the author or the group the article is about, rather be angry at the church in America for so watering down the Gospel over the past several years to the point where Jesus is no longer our Savior but rather just a good example. [as I said Sunday, Pelagianism was condemned as heresy more than once - Councils of Carthage (412, 416 and 418); Council of Ephesus (431); The Council of Orange (529); Council of Trent (1546) Roman Catholic; 2nd Helvetic (1561/66) 8-9. (Swiss-German Reformed); Augsburg Confession (1530) Art. 9, 18 (Lutheran); Gallican Confession (1559) Art. 10 (French Reformed); Belgic Confession (1561) Art. 15 (Lowlands, French/Dutch/German Reformed); The Anglican Articles (1571), 9. (English); Canons of Dort (1618-9), 3/4.2 (Dutch/German/French Reformed]

needing a Savior,
Burt

The Missing Books

2008-12-08T18:28:00.002-06:00

Those in worship with me this past Sunday had to listen to me complain about the missing books that I ordered from Amazon and were reported by UPS to have been delivered. My guess was that they were delivered to the wrong address ... sure enough, today a neighbor brought my box of books to the house.

The box contained 5 copies of Michael Horton's book "Christless Christianity" which I referred to yesterday. I'm not sure who, but five of you need to get this book this book from me, read it, and share it with someone else. If you're interested, just let me know ... I have the books!

I was also blessed today to hear from good friend Jawan ... she sent me an audio sample of some Christmas music she's been working on at the McGinnis' church in Columbus (Westminster PCA). She's apparently putting together some Christmas special and assembling a music team. I've always loved Jawan's singing and musical taste ... and once again she doesn't disappoint. Even though it's not her singing, listen and be blessed.

O Holy Night

with books to share,
Burt

2008-12-08T18:27:00.001-06:00

Adult Choir

2008-11-23T20:55:00.004-06:00

How many of you think we should have an adult choir at Community? This video will surely provide the inspiration needed to propel us on toward a quality music program.

Choir video

So who's ready to sign up?

inspired,
Burt

Bailouts

2008-11-19T08:26:00.002-06:00

I don't even pretend to be an economist. Sure, I had a few classes in college on the subject but I learned just enough to realize I don't understand any of it! And today's economic downturn just makes things even more complicated and frustrating.

Over the past few months and even today we're hearing about all the bailouts that the government has given, is considering to give, or "must" give if our nation is to survive. Again, I'm not an economist and surely don't sufficiently understand the big picture and all the implications of each decision, but it just seems crazy. How long can this "bailout" mentality keep going?

How about the bailout concept at work in the church? Are there times when we need to allow friends, family, fellow believers to fail? Are there times when we must step in and prevent them from failing? I believe the answer to both is "yes."

What are your thoughts on the matter? When do let someone fail and when do we bail them out?

waiting on your response,
Burt

Election Thoughts

2008-11-05T21:22:00.002-06:00

Suppose a group of us church folks went to the theater to see a movie. Suppose the movie portrayed a group of people that suffered through oppression, slavery, the denial of basic human rights, bigotry, and hatred. Suppose that as the story unfolded there were some from that oppressed group that actually became successful, even to the point that one was elected as president of the very nation that allowed, maybe at times even promoted the hatred. I contend that following the movie we would have discussions about the beautiful themes of hope, reconciliation, and redemption ... surely as thoughtful, Gospel-believing, and Christ-centered persons we would see and embrace those themes. We might even get teary-eyed reflecting on the story. Of course, we're just talking about a fictional movie! That stuff never happens in real life ... it's just fun to think about and discuss the possibilities.

Obviously it has happened in real life. Yet the tragedy is that for many Christians the conversations and discussions have centered on hopelessness, despair, fear, and division. Themes of redemption are fine as long as they are theoretical, but when it spills over into real life it can become very uncomfortable ... especially when it's not "our group" that is featured. I firmly believe that as we take a step back and look at the great big picture of what has just happened, we can see these glorious themes of hope, reconciliation, and redemption. God is surely to be glorified in this!

Now let me be very clear - I'm not an Obama supporter. I strongly disagree with his views on the sanctity of life, his economic policies, and his socialist agenda - strongly disagree. And I don't in any way mean to minimize the danger of what could happen if he were to have his way. I pray that God will change his heart. And if He doesn't then I pray that another candidate will beat him out in 2012. But there is a greater agenda than Obama's; there is a greater Kingdom than the USA; there is a greater hope and redemption than electing a black President. If this election can help this nation, the world, and the church catch a glimpse of the greater story of God's Kingdom and work of redemption then we must celebrate. I believe this is a real possibility ... but it will only happen by God's grace. Join me in praying for this.

hopeful,
Burt

A Real Reformation Day Celebration

2008-10-31T13:20:00.003-05:00

Now here's something to get you in the mood to celebrate today ... Reformation Day.

Reformation Day Polka

And for an explanation of all that:

explaining the polka

Now if that doesn't get you in the mood to enjoy Reformation Day nothing will. Hopefully you've read my other thoughts below concerning Reformation Day and my need of repentance.

tapping my toes to the beat,
Burt

Reformation Day Repentance

2008-10-30T22:12:00.002-05:00

Woo Hoo ... it's time again to celebrate Reformation Day! If you're like me you just get all tingly inside when Reformation Day rolls around again.

I'm being too sarcastic ... I really do understand and appreciate the significance of the day. As a card-carrying Reformed Presbyterian kind of guy I'm extremely grateful for what Luther as well as the many other reformers did for the church. The five solas of the Reformation continue to give substance and depth to ministry.

# 1 Sola scriptura ("Scripture alone")
# 2 Sola fide ("faith alone")
# 3 Sola gratia ("grace alone")
# 4 Solus Christus ("Christ alone")
# 5 Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")

Let me go on record as saying that I'm very pro-Reformation and am solidly committed to the theology of the Reformers and believe it to be the very best expression of Biblical theology.

But as excited as I am about my reformed theology, Reformation Day is a time for me to repent ... to repent of my reformed theology. I'm not saying the theology is wrong; my heart is what is so wrong! I truly believe Reformed theology is right ... but it is typically my "rightness" that keeps me from intimacy with my Redeemer.

I'm not going to make a doctrinal shift, but I need to start allowing Reformed theology to do what it is designed to do - point me to Jesus and Him alone; convincing me of my utter sinfulness and helplessness apart from Christ; reminding me of God's unconditional love and acceptance of me in Christ; freeing me daily to believe that Christ died for me; knowing that His Spirit has drawn me to Christ; and that by His grace and in the power of His Spirit I will persevere in Christ for eternity.

I've also made the mistake in the past in just looking at the past and thinking the Reformation took care of everything. But the battle cry of today's church must be "semper reformanda" which means "always reforming." Again, this is not calling for a change in theology, but rather is a call to constantly evaluate ones self against the standard of Scripture, daily repent and run to the cross, and believe in the sufficiency of Christ to daily transform one's life. I haven't made it yet! I need the ongoing reforming work of the Holy Spirit in my life.

How about you?

repentantly reformed and in need of continual reformation,
Burt

Thoughts from England Trip

2008-10-22T09:07:00.002-05:00

Trace and I had a great visit with our friends in Culcheth. Everything about the trip was fantastic - we had the best hosts in the country (Roy and Ruth Kunar), we ate the best food (and a lot of it), and worshiped with the best church family in England (Grace Fellowship). As I quickly reflect on our time there a few things that really stand out to me:

1. The folks at Grace Fellowship are really taking the Gospel to heart. We saw them deal with life and one another in ways that are consistent with grace. Even in their sin we noticed a quickness toward repentance and faith! Their ability to articulate the Gospel in word and deed is quite remarkable.

2. Being a believer in Christ in such a pagan culture really means something to these people. (and it really is a pagan culture - England may have a great heritage regarding the Christian faith, but a church planter told us that in the three years he has been there he has yet to randomly meet a Christian other than those he had scheduled visits with.) Christians there truly need one another and it shows in their relationships, their commitment to one another, to the church family. They can't and don't approach the church with a consumer mindset (i.e. if they get ticked off there they'll just go down the street to another church ... there is NO other Gospel-centered church anywhere near them; Gospel-centered churches are very few and far between)

3. Though Grace Fellowship Church is significantly smaller than my own, it is a church profoundly committed to church planting. They are already working on establishing a core group in the larger local city of Warrington. (in God's providence the people they are now working with include a few members from Grace Fellowship, a few non-believers, drug addicts, professed athiests, sexual deviants, and other assorted sinners - sounds like a group Jesus can really use!) Not only do they want to plant other churches, they have a vision to start a seminary in NW England to train men for ministry. (not only are Gospel-centered churches rare, Gospel-centered seminaries are extinct!)

4. Trace and Ginger will be a great fit in this place and will be a tremendous asset to the church there. Already, the family at Grace Fellowship has embraced the Donahoos and strong relationships are being established. Please be praying for them as they continue to raise support. They really need to be in England by this time next year!

As great as our time was in Culcheth, I must say it is even greater to be home - specifically to be with Anita and the boys! The trip there was a great time of refreshment and vision for me personally. I was able to think through many matters and focus a bit on things that need to be done in my own life and in our church. The Lord has much for us to do here at Community Church and I'm excited about what He has in store for us in the coming weeks and months. I believe it's time to get busy about the business of the Kingdom!

glad to be home,
Burt

A Request

2008-10-09T10:56:00.003-05:00

Trace Donahoo and I are about to head over to England for 10 days (Oct 10-20). While we're gone I have a list of requests that I'd like for all my friends to work on:

1. pray for us and our families during that time
2. fix the USA economy - we would, but we won't be here
3. settle the election stuff - I'd just as soon not have to hear about it all when I get back
4. read a book - here are a couple I just read that I'd suggest; I think you'd enjoy either or both of them
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies
Death by Love by Mark Driscoll
5. tell an unbeliever about your hope in Christ
6. contact a church member who needs to be encouraged
7. memorize a Bible verse
8. attend worship

Trace and I are planning on a busy week in Culcheth (the Donahoo's future missions home!) I'll be preaching both Sundays while we're there, Trace will be visiting with families and laying foundation for his eventual relocation there, and we'll both be finding encouragement and refreshment from our friends there who will point us to Christ and remind us of our hope in the Gospel. Check out the church's website (Grace Fellowship Church) and I think you'll see that it's very much a sister church in vision, theology, and philosophy. England's culture gives us a glimpse into what our culture will look like in another decade or so. Hopefully, I'll be challenged, refreshed, and better equipped to come back tackle ministry here at Community.

headed to visit England,
Burt

Good News

2008-10-06T13:28:00.002-05:00

Is it just me or are many folks just getting tired of the political mess leading up to the November election? I'm weary of all the political propaganda that is being spewed out daily - the conservatives demonizing Obama - the liberals belittling McCain - everybody bemoaning Bush. Elections used to be about substance, now they're all about style.

What's most troubling is that I see Christians acting and talking no differently than their pagan neighbors. Since when is the hope of the Christian rooted in the political process? When did we lose sight of the power of the Gospel and begin to put confidence in a person sitting in the White House?

Don't get me wrong ... I think the USA is the greatest country on the planet and we as Christians should be as active as possible in the affairs of the culture, including government. But that's not where our hope rests! I firmly believe that Democrats and Republicans (as well as Libertarians, Independents, etc.) are all messed up and don't hold the all the answers. I think it's fine to embrace a certain philosophy of government, I think some are more in line with Scripture than others, and we should embrace our positions with zeal. But as Christians our true convictions must be rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Political ideas are mere concepts, theories, strategies, speculation, etc. that aim toward the future. The Gospel is fact rooted in history - that's what makes it "news" - the life, death, resurrection of Jesus really happened. It's "good" news because it is the power of salvation to all who believe.

Over the next few weeks, which of the following two options will hold your interest - captivate your heart - be on your lips as you converse with others - be in your thoughts - cause you to ponder how you will live - affect your emotions - stir your passions?

option 1 - speculation about who will be our next President and what might happen in the future?
option 2 - the news about what has already happened in the person and work of Jesus Christ?

I'm planning on voting and so should you ... it's our right and responsibility as Americans. I'm pretty sure I know who I'm voting for. But as a Christian I'm seeking to put my real hope in Christ, finding greater joy that He voted for and loved me even before the foundation of the world, proving that love by sending His Son to die for me. I'm having to do so repentantly because I often fail, but that's my aim. Please join me in praying for the election and for the church (to keep our eyes on Jesus.)

realizing again there is only one Messiah,
Burt

Not a Prospect for This

2008-09-28T20:45:00.002-05:00

I've always been a sucker for ice cream. I get it from my dad - he was an ice cream lover. Even over the past few months while I've been trying harder to watch what and how much I eat, if ice cream is offered I'm probably going to indulge! But here's an ice cream option that I'm just not going to be a prospect for ... I'll gladly do without!

ice cream idea

Another brilliant idea from our PETA friends! Anybody else grossed out by this?

losing my appetite,
Burt

Painful Sight

2008-09-23T12:53:00.003-05:00

This morning as I was taking Griff to school I noticed an oncoming pickup truck and all of a sudden a dog falls out in the middle of the road - WHAM - does several rolls, I'm watching something fly out of the dog as she rolls (thinking it's guts and stuff), but the dog hops up and scurries off toward the woods. I stop, the guy driving the truck stops, he gets out of the truck and calls her but she's obviously scared and just keeps heading off to the woods - stopping several times to relieve herself ... yep, it really was scared out of her!

I say a few words to the guy, wish him luck, and drive Griff on to school. But that picture just stuck in my mind of that helpless dog slamming against the asphalt and tumbling over and over beside the truck, then running off toward the woods, maybe to die.

I decided I'd drive back to the scene of the incident (near my home back on James Taylor Road) just to see if he was still looking for his dog. He was, she still hadn't returned, and I could see the pain in his eyes. I stopped to talk to him and tell him I'd alert the neighbors to keep their eyes open for the dog. I mentioned that there was a subdivision back toward where she was last seen running - Hunter's Ridge - and that she might be back up in there. I drove up in the neighborhood and sure enough, within a few minutes there she was, still shaking in fear and a little bloody on a couple of spots but miraculously nothing seemed to be broken and there was no major bleeding from anywhere. I got out and called her; she eventually came to me (still shaking, obviously not very willing to trust her world at that moment); I just stayed and petted her a while until her owner came up the street (I knew he'd be following me in a few minutes.)

So a potentially tragic event turned out to have a happy ending! What's the moral of the story? Maybe there are several:
* that's one tough dog!
* don't trust your dog to ride in the back of your truck
* if you get a chance to help a neighbor, do it
* don't just always assume the worst when something bad happens

But here is the lesson I think God taught me this morning. I have several friends who have fallen out of the back of the truck and have slammed hard against the road, tumbled over and rolled several times, are cut up and bruised, are absolutely scared out of their mind, and are not ready at the present time to trust the world in which they live. Just like that dog wasn't going to simply come back to her master just because he called, my friends aren't just going to "come back" (into a friendship, to church, etc.) just because someone commands them to. Again, just like it was with the dog, it's requires me taking the initiative in going to them, seeking them out even when they're scared and hiding, being willing to spend whatever time and energy is necessary. I was willing to do that for a dog ... why am I not willing to do that for friends?

How about you? Do you need to go find some of your friends who are hiding, who are having a hard time trusting the world right now, who aren't simply going to come back on their own?

repenting,
Burt

Moody's Pastime

2008-09-19T06:28:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was one of Anita's 12 hour work days at Trinity. Actually, she got to work around 5:30 am and didn't get off until around 8:30 pm. Thus, I has all the carpool and other errand duty yesterday. With the recent pleasant change in weather I've noticed that more and more folks are getting outside so I had all kinds of exposure to Moody's population yesterday. I noticed a common thread among the people I encountered yesterday - everywhere from a restaurant at lunch, to the carpool line, to the walking track at the park ... people are obsessed with griping, complaining, and bitching about any and everything.

At Guadalajara I listened to folks at another table complain about something all through lunch. In the carpool line I listened to the mom in the car in front of me just rant and rave about something to someone on the phone. I took Griff to soccer practice and decided to walk on the track during that time so I got to encounter other walkers, moms gathered up around cheerleader practices, and dads gathered around the football practices. In all groups I heard the common song of complaining and grumbling, almost of epidemic proportion. But you know where I heard it the most? From my own lips and heart! The log in my eye was much bigger than the many specks of sawdust I saw in everyone else.

Is everything really that bad? I know gas prices are absurdly high, the economy is struggling, friends fail us all the time, bosses are jerks, children misbehave, etc. If we're looking we can ALWAYS find something to gripe about. (some like myself have mastered this!)

But I have to believe that as Christians we must see things from a totally different perspective. God is still on the throne, His grace is still operative, Jesus is still sufficient, the Spirit is still at work in His people, His love hasn't changed, God is always and in every way sovereign! Our speech must reflect these truths. One of the verses I quoted this past Sunday surely applies - Romans 8:18 says,

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Also, we must consider some other Biblical principles which grow out of our redeemed position in Christ.

1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be gracious

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 16:24 - Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

I'm not at all trying to minimize the pain and suffering we experience in this broken and jacked up world - we really do experience hurt. But as those who were once dead in sin yet now brought to life by God's amazing grace through Jesus Christ we now have the power, opportunity, and responsibility to speak words of grace. Let's make sure the song the world hears us sing is one of thanksgiving and joy because of the great salvation that is ours in Christ.

received grace and wanting to speak grace,
Burt

And We Wonder Why the World Laughs at Us

2008-09-16T14:56:00.002-05:00

As was suggested from a comment to my previous post, view this stellar work of contemporary Christian music (assuming the '80's junk can be considered contemporary). The comment also noted that it offers great theology to anyone needing a coach rather than a Savior.

Jesus Is My Friend

For some reason the video from the last post is no longer available. Hopefully it will come back soon ... we need to be reminded of how not to do it.

thinking about the talent show,
Burt

Church Dancing

2008-09-15T13:42:00.002-05:00

What is a good Presbyterian like me doing talking about dancing in church? I'm not saying I'm particularly fer it or agin it ... but why don't you watch this video on Justin Taylor's blog and draw your own conclusion. (warning: prior to viewing you may want to place a bucket to puke in beside you)

dancing video

So do you think we could get Stokes and Connie to do that song for us? Who'd be willing to be the third singer/dancer?

nauseous,
Burt

Personal Relationship with Jesus

2008-09-11T13:22:00.002-05:00

This morning as I was walking at the track I listened to a White Horse Inn interview with R.C. Sproul. Michael Horton was asking him about the importance of doctrine and how the American church has drifted toward a "Christ-less Christianity." R.C. commented that we've dumbed down Christianity to the point where we just refer to it as a "personal relationship with Jesus."

Many of us were brought up hearing that phrase and accepting it, believing that this personal relationship with Jesus qualified one to be a Christian. R.C.'s other comments might give us all reason to rethink our long-standing assumption about this. He rightly noted that "the devil has a personal relationship with Jesus." What really matters is what kind of relationship it is ... on what is the relationship based?

Too long have we just assumed that if someone played the "personal relationship with Jesus" card then they must be a Christian. There are so, so many different ideas of who Jesus is and what He did that we must no longer just assume we know what people are talking about. Ask your friends just exactly what they believe about the person and work of Jesus - you might be surprised by the answer. And you might be surprised by the many opportunities God will give you to proclaim the Gospel to others!

And may God free us from using such vague terminology as "personal relationship with Jesus," or that we "asked Jesus into our hearts," or that we "surrendered to Christ," or any other such stuff. Take the time and make the effort to know what you believe and why you believe it (a line from the White Horse Inn - listen to it). Don't be afraid of theology. Doctrine is your friend and will help you fall more deeply in love with Jesus. How is that so? Because you'll learn how deeply God loves you in Christ!

longing and needing to study more,
Burt

Church Visitor

2008-09-08T13:36:00.003-05:00

We used to have a "policy" at Community that when a member was gone from our church on any Sunday you had to return the next Sunday with a bulletin signed by the pastor of the church you attended that week. Of course it wasn't a real policy ... mostly just done for fun. But it is important to worship with the Lord's people on Sunday - whether you are here, on vacation, traveling, etc. - take the time to worship on the Lord's Day!

I had the opportunity to do just that this past Sunday down at the First Presbyterian Church in Dothan (a PCA church). I always enjoy visiting other churches! Of course, I'm often too critical and want to "evaluate" and "critique" everything - either to get good ideas of stuff we could do at Community or to see how poorly they do things, thus feeding my feelings of self-righteousness. I've actually done that before at the church in Dothan. They're not nearly as friendly as we are and the music isn't even close to ours. Our service is much more Gospel-centered and upbeat. So why do I keep going back there? Here's why - because I already know those things and I don't have to "critique" it when I worship there. This past Sunday the church was still rather unfriendly, the service was dry, the music was below average ... but I had a wonderful worship time there because I was able to focus on Christ, in Word and sacrament. I was able to enjoy the people there, knowing that they're some really big sinners. I was free from my normal attempt to gain some "self-righteousness" through my feelings of being a part of a better church family. Jesus was there, He was exalted, He offered Himself to sinners like me, and I enjoyed tasting of Him.

Let me encourage you to worship with God's people while traveling. No church will be as good as Community (maybe an exaggeration). But don't go to evaluate ... go to taste of Christ.

Also, take this as a challenge to make our guests' experience at Community a great one. Let's make sure our guests encounter the risen Jesus; let's welcome folks and all be signposts directing them to our Redeemer!

a fellow worshiper,
Burt

A Recovering Addict

2008-09-04T09:53:00.002-05:00

"I'm a recovering pharisee and I'm addicted to my own righteousness." These are the words on a small poster I've had in my office for several years. You'd think by now that I would have overcome those pharisaical and legalistic tendencies ... but I'm not even close. Our church staff is going through a study together in order to better ground ourselves in the simple and powerful truths of the gospel. So far it has only highlighted my deep rooted commitment to my own righteousness - in words, actions, thoughts, motives, etc. I see it in the way I relate to my wife, kids, church, friends, etc. I sense it in every thought that crosses my mind. I feel it in every emotion - self-protection, fear, anger, pride. This commitment to my self-righteousness essentially reveals my unbelief - that Jesus just didn't do quite enough for me, that I must add a bit of my own "goodness," "worth," "righteousness," and "merit."

I'm grateful to God for continuing to love me enough to remind me of this sin. I'm grateful for the various instruments He uses to do this work - His Word, His Spirit, my wife, my friends, our church staff.

recovering,
Burt

The Wisdom of Kid Rock

2008-08-27T16:48:00.002-05:00

Not really a big fan of Kid Rock ... I know he's fairly popular among a certain segment of the population ... maybe a couple of his songs have a good beat and are easy to dance to ... but he's a pretty vulgar and offensive guy in my opinion.

However, he has finally spoken some words of truth that maybe other musicians, movie stars, and celebrity types should heed. What do you think?

Kid Rock article

an emerging Kid Rock fan,
Burt

Receiving a Blessing

2008-08-27T12:57:00.002-05:00

We all probably have various ideas conjured up in our minds about what it means to "receive a blessing." Perhaps we think of a child, a new job, a call from an old friend, a passage of Scripture we remember in a difficult time, a healing, a beautiful scene in nature, etc. We receive all sorts of blessings. In fact, the Scripture tells us that in Christ we've already been blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." (see Ephesians 1:3)

So where do you go to get a blessing? Since we already have every spiritual blessing in Christ, it makes sense to me that we should run to Christ so that we can begin to really enjoy all the blessings that are already ours.

Apparently there are those in the world that think we can be blessed in ways other than in Christ.

a sacred blessing

Wow! Anybody looking for a similar blessing?

already blessed in Christ,
Burt

25th Anniversary

2008-08-21T21:30:00.005-05:00

25 years ago today Anita and I said "I do" and we are still saying it. That's a long time, isn't it? A lot has happened in 25 years - not that it's all been easy, but it sure has been fun. I wouldn't trade a day of it for anything!

And what a celebration we had today! Ate lunch at Chick-fil-a ... had hot dogs for supper ... bought new tires for Dane's car ... cleaned up around the house. Doesn't that sound like fun? Even though we didn't do anything "special" today we got to enjoy the most special gifts God has given us (other than Himself) - all our boys are at home! Indeed, it was a very, very special day!

Tell me Anita wasn't a babe! My dad was trying to warn me!

still in love,
Burt

Strange Week

2008-08-14T22:55:00.002-05:00

This has been a rather strange week for me ... just have never really gotten in full gear to get done what I need to get done. Monday was a great day in that I got to spend a good bit of time with Potts - my best friend from college and the guru of Youthworks. It was funny watching all the Youthworks staff treat him with such honor and awe - I know what a true goofball he really is! Then Tuesday found me at Evangel Presbytery all day. At least we met in B'ham and I didn't have to travel far. I tried to get things going on Wednesday, had some success, but had to cut it short to visit some with Dane who came home that afternoon. Then today was rather hectic as Anita, Dane, and Brinkley (Dane's girlfriend) left to go to Lyons, GA to visit with Anita's dad who is having a minor heart procedure tomorrow.

I've started over 3 separate times on a sermon for this Sunday. Nothing has twanged my buds during my time of study; just can't seem to get a flow going. I think I might have a good idea of what I'm gonna do but I'm planning to sleep on it now and re-examine the idea in the morning ... that'd be after I fix b'fast for all the boys and get them to school! Who knows, I may just toss it all out and start over for the 4th time.

missing my wife,
Burt

Go Ahead and Pray

2008-08-07T20:21:00.002-05:00

I know most of you have been following or at least know the story of the grandparents in Moody who were attacked by their grandson - the grandfather died and the grandmother was severely injured but will be out of the hospital this week.

recent article

It's an absolutely horrendous tragedy and breaks the hearts of us all! Well, today I got a call from the family asking me to do the funeral service this Saturday. You need to be praying for me as I prepare for this! Due to the nature of this deal it could easily turn into a circus. The family and friends have already had to fight off media coverage; I'm guessing the funeral will be open territory.

While on the surface this looks like a fluke of a deal, I can see God's hand of providence written all over it. Obviously, if they're asking me to do the funeral the family has no church home and no pastor. This will be an amazing opportunity for many, many folks to hear the Gospel - perhaps many who've not heard it before. It started with our church being willing to open our doors for the local Lions Club to host a lunch for the family after the funeral. A missional mentality and a willingness to serve opens doors for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Like I said, be praying and start right now!

coveting your prayers,
Burt

Thoughts from the track

2008-08-05T20:29:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to walk on a regular basis - needing to keep in shape, particularly as I a little older and have to be more intentional about it. I prefer walking at the park as opposed to walking here in the neighborhood. It's not the hill that bothers me so much here, but it's walking back and forth along the same path. Is it really that much different than walking around in circles at the park? No, it's just a preference thing. Here are some things I've discovered over the past few weeks:

* Some people are happy, some are sad ... and it shows on their faces. Makes me wonder what my expression communicates to others! As Christians we talk a lot about joy; too often it's just a lot of talk, not enough real joy.

* Older folks tend to walk in the morning; younger folks in the afternoon after work. I fit in better in the morning!

* Walking is much more bearable with the advent of the ipod. I do listen to some music, but the real beauty of it is being able to listen to sermons and other teachings. My favorites right now are Steve Brown Etc, the Whitehorse Inn, Tim Keller, CJ Mahaney, and Mike Campbell. It's also a great time to pray.

* You have to be careful with ipods and cell phones - they can easily take you into isolation mode and ignore the other people around you. I try to intentionally speak to all the people I meet on the track, even with my ipod going. There's one walker out there who always (literally) has the cell phone up to their ear. This person has yet to speak to me or even make eye contact. Cell phones are quickly becoming an enemy of personal relationships. There was a day when the person you were talking to face to face had your full attention and anyone or anything that interrupted that was considered rude. Now it's actually hard to speak to someone face to face because the cell phone constantly rings and for some reason the person on the phone automatically takes priority over anyone else. Some even think it's rude not to answer the cell phone, regardless of whoever they are speaking to face to face.

* Good shoes are critical. I've decided that next time I'm willing to spend a little extra to get some high quality shoes.

* The first mile is typically the hardest. It takes a while to warm up and get into a rhythm. I'm doing about 4 miles a day right now, but the first is always tough.

* It's hot!

* Exercise really does make you feel better and give you more energy. I'm not and probably never will be a high energy kind of guy, but I am feeling somewhat more energized.

washing socks for tomorrow morning,
Burt

Watch out Springville, Here We Come!

2008-08-03T22:13:00.002-05:00

We had our first Springville core group meeting tonight at the Sharp's home. I thought it went great. Most of the emphasis tonight was merely on relationship building and fellowship. If this group is going to be the group that starts a new congregation, we will have to be able to trust and love one another more than we've been accustomed to in any other group. I haven't done it before, but everyone knows that church planting is an incredibly difficult task and requires intense teamwork and relational trust.

For the first several weeks we'll be going through the Inquirer's Manual together ... we want to make sure we're all on the same page. Also, we need to be reminded that we're planting a new congregation of Community - we're not trying to reinvent the wheel!

Pray for us as we press on. We're so totally dependent on God and His grace it's not even funny! But in keeping with the motto of my old church in Atlanta (Perimeter), we are attempting something so great for God that it's doomed to failure unless He is in it.

a little nervous but excited,
Burt

Enamored with myself

2008-07-28T08:21:00.002-05:00

Driving home from lunch yesterday after worship I called Quinn Hill, our seminary man in Jackson, MS. It's always good to talk to my friend. I love him dearly ... but I also hate his guts! Quinn is taking Greek this summer and will finish up Greek 1 final exam this week. I'm probably giving you wrong numbers but they're not far off. He said he made a 96 on his mid-term and the lowest he's made on a quiz is around 93. I told him that he's the kind of guy the rest of us hate! Obviously his experience working at Community with me didn't ruin him entirely.

I was telling Quinn that this week at the Boykin home will be fairly relaxed and calm ... we only have three kids plus George at the house. Dane is in Indiana, Addison is in Colorado, Yates and Cobi are on the youth group missions trip in Texas. Only Seth, Tanner, and Griff are at home. I told Quinn, "I can ignore at least three kids a day so it'll be like there's nobody at home." Sure, I was doing it to get a laugh from Quinn; and with four kids gone it really will be much slower and more quiet around the house; and there really is only so much of me to go around on a daily basis to all the people in the Boykin home. Though all those things are accurate it's also really true that I can absolutely ignore at least three kids a day. In fact, I can ignore many, many more than that. I can even ignore you ... probably already have during critical times in your life when you needed a pastor to care for you.

But, you see, I have a large family who needs me (though I ignore them, too.) You see, there's only so much of me to go around to all the people in our church family (though it's that "going" part that just doesn't seem to get done very well.)

So what's the real reason I'm so good at ignoring everyone around me? I have a good friend and counselor who once told me, "Burt, your problem is that you're enamored with yourself." My problem isn't that I don't know how to love; I know how to love just fine. The problem is that I love myself more than Christ or others. The song I've been singing to the world is that Christians are just like everyone else - putting themselves first, caring more for their own comfort and security than for others; making self the daily priority. But Christians are to be different. Not in the old traditional sense of making sure we never dance, drink, smoke, etc; not that we have to wear Christian t-shirts and have Christian bumper stickers on our cars, etc; not that we can only listen to Christian music, etc. But our difference is to be primarily in that that we love God and others ... and that it shows in what we do and say. And not that we must love others to attain a degree of self-righteousness or worthiness for ourselves, but rather that we're free to love them because we're already confident of Christ's amazing and incredible love for us.

I'm having to confess a great deal of my own prideful, arrogant, self-centered sin today. Will you join me?

repentantly,
Burt

If you're a guy, since you're on the computer ...

2008-07-24T15:37:00.002-05:00

I know ... most of the blog world population is female, but there are us occasional guys who venture over and explore our feminine side and read a few blogs every so often.

If you're a girl, you can probably move on and check out someone else's blog for a while.

If you're a guy and reading this, then you're on the computer playing around on the internet. (I made an "A" in my logic class in college so stick with me here!) If you're on the internet then you either have been, presently are, or at some point will be tempted with some form of internet porn. Of course, simply if you're a guy ... you already have been, presently are, and constantly will be struggling with lust. So what do we do?

Today I received the July email newsletter from the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF). Practically everything I've ever read from this group has been good, helpful, Gospel-centered, and practical. It contained a link to an article by David Powlison, one of CCEF's faculty. I'd encourage you to give it a read, it's good stuff. The title of it is "Breaking Pornography Addiction." I wish he'd have named it something else ... if you're like me you're thinking, "I don't have a pornography addiction so why read this? I know some guys who probably need to read it, but I'm not there." Again, I'm convinced every guy to some degree struggles with the sin of lust and if we don't take it seriously then some serious addiction is right around the corner! So whether or not you consider yourself an "addict" or not is irrelevant; I'm suggesting you primarily consider the power and deception of sin that lies in your heart and read the article!

Powlison's article

And ladies, you need to read the article, too! NOT to try to fix your husband ... remember that is the job of the Holy Spirit. But as you'll see, he wrote the article for both sexes. The Spirit has some work to do in women, also. Funny thing, we all struggle with sin!

a fellow struggler,
Burt

Good Grace - ious

2008-07-17T14:21:00.002-05:00

Several months ago I became a fan of the book "Samson and The Pirate Monks" written by Nate Larkin. It's a book for men about dealing with our sin. Not only have I recommended it to several folks, I even had our elders at Community read the book and we had a mini-retreat to discuss it. It's really good and I'd suggest you read it if you haven't already!

Larkin is very grace-based, he knows that the Gospel is our only hope, and he presents a very Christ-centered approach to dealing with our sins and addictions. In the book he is very transparent and speaks freely of his past sins - I won't talk about them here; if you want to know them, read the book; but be assured they were offensive and vile. Larkin rightly proclaims that grace is the only power to deal with such stuff; that man's strength is inadequate; that Christ alone is our hope; that repentance and faith are the keys to enjoying this grace; that men need one another in genuine fellowship; that we must confess our sins to one another; that Jesus miraculously shows up and works in us when we gather together in these times of repentance and faith.

This past Tuesday night I had the opportunity to go meet Nate Larkin as he tours the country meeting with the many groups (Samson Society groups) that have sprung up. One such group meets out in the Cook Springs area. Trace Donahoo and David Wolfe went with me and we enjoyed a time of food and fellowship. We didn't know exactly what to expect, but came to find out that it was their regular group meeting. This group (as I suppose most other Samson Society groups must do) employ some traditional 12 step program techniques.

"I'm Burt."
"Hey, Burt."
"Tonight I'm feeling ________." (fill in the appropriate one word emotion)
"Thanks Burt."

Nate's presentation to the group was as solid as is his book - grace, faith, Christ, repentance, fellowship, hope. Another guy read a chapter of a book he has written and is getting published. It was actually very good! Another guy who had come over from the Atlanta area also spoke. (here's where it gets interesting) He was a former youth evangelist, very successful and well-known in certain circles. He shared his testimony of past sins and addictions - addictions to horrid sins as well as a self-righteous Pharisaical attitude. But he didn't have the same wisdom that just flowed out of Nate. This guy is drowning in his new found freedom in Christ. We were told that it's therapeutic to say F*#k. His testimony and challenge was littered with profanity; he really did demonstrate that he's no longer bound by what any of us thought of him!

Now I'm as big an advocate and proclaimer of grace as I can be, but is that altogether good? I guess I'm happy for the guy ... he's surely happy for himself. And he probably is doing better than he ever has. But it just left me (and Trace and David) with some thoughts as we reflected on the evening.

- just because you "can" do something doesn't mean you "should"
- grace really is the only hope, but it can be abused and idolized
- freedom isn't the thing we must long for, Christ is
- men sitting around the campfire isn't supernatural, the Gospel is
- God promises to do His work fundamentally through the church, not other groups

The whole meeting seemed to have this undercurrent of grace-abuse and an anti-church sentiment. Again, we didn't get this from Nate, but rather from some of the other guys. Let me go on record here and say that it is only by God's grace that we are saved, redeemed, transformed, are being transformed, have any hope, have any relationship with Him, have been set free from the tyranny of the self-righteous performance-orientation often associated with Christianity, and have been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. But grace doesn't equate to "licentiousness" or the right to do whatever; profanity isn't therapeutic; and our freedom in Christ is always submissive to the needs and well-being of others.

I know this is far too long of a blog post - the scary thing is that I really did cut back on most of what I had to say! Anytime you're interested in discussing grace and all its implications, come by the church office!

@*>%+&*! (funny, I don't feel any better having just cussed!)
Burt

hola amigos

2008-07-15T15:14:00.002-05:00

Yep, I just ate lunch with Pastor Miguel Barajas of the Iglesia Christo Roca de Salvacion here in Moody. Miguel is a good pastor, a great friend, and a fellow laborer in the harvest. This is the church we had a joint service with several months ago. I heard nothing but positive comments on that experience. So guess what ... we're doing it again on 31 August! And not only will we worship together, we will have lunch together after the service. So get ready for this opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the diversity of the body of Christ, the joy of worship in spirit and truth, the fellowship that is ours in Christ, and the common bond established by the Spirit of God.

I asked Miguel if they have a relationship with any other churches in the area. His answer was a firm "no." He said some other pastors and churches have said they are "loco." I said, "welcome to the club." (As Presbyterians we're often considered "loco" even by other conservative, evangelical Christians.) It's refreshing to gather with other followers of Jesus who don't have it all together, who really are "loco," who also struggle with getting it right, who remind us that our only hope is the righteousness of Christ.

We have some fundamental differences with our Hispanic brothers and their Pentecostal views of following Jesus, but we're absolutely no better off or holier than they are apart from Christ and His righteousness. As Reformed folks who really are secure in our theology, who are firm in our convictions, who trust totally in the sovereignty of God, who rest completely in the person and work of Christ, who are absolutely sure we're saved only by grace, we more than anyone else should be the ones who risk the reputation of being "loco" and must reach out to others unlike us. If our only purity, holiness, righteousness, and hope comes from Christ then a bunch of Hispanic pentecostals (who trust in Christ alone as we do) aren't going to tarnish our standing or reputation before God.

So unless you're out of town that weekend I fully expect to see all members and regular attenders of Community in worship that day for worship at 10:45. Let's worship Christ with our brothers and sisters and enjoy the beauty of His bride, the Church.

en el amor de Jesús,
Burt

Said it before ... I'll say it again

2008-07-13T21:57:00.002-05:00

Community Presbyterian Church is blessed to have the elders we have! I'm just getting home from our July Session meeting, and I'm sitting here amazed at how blessed I am to be able to work with this Session. And let me make sure I give credit where credit is due ... it's not because I'm a good pastor (not even close), it's not because these men are "better" than others (they're actually pretty sinful), and it's not because we've figured out some formula to have a great session (that formula doesn't exist). The only credit is due to the King and Head of the church, Jesus. It is His church, He has put it together as He has willed, He has gifted it as He has seen fit, and He alone is responsible for whatever good comes out of it. But having said that and putting it in the proper context, I must say that it is quite a joy and privilege to work with these guys.

I won't, but I could go down the list of other pastors I know who consistently share horror stories about battles they've had or are having with their Session. You'd be shocked at some of the things I've heard; things that we've never had to experience here at Community; things that strike at the heart of the church's peace and purity. Our history is rather boring and dull compared to many other churches. By the way, I like that kind of dull!

I'm sitting here tonight rejoicing over the meeting I just had with Community's elders. Are they the wisest group I'm aware of? No. Are they the most faithful of any group I know of? No. Are they the most theological of elders? No. Are they the always doing what they are supposed to be doing as elders? No. Are they experts in all the spiritual disciplines that we deem important? No. In fact, they really are pretty sinful - fairly prideful, not as involved as they should be, lack some commitment to "Presbyterianism" that would be helpful, struggle with personal sins, don't shepherd the flock as they should, demonstrate trends of hypocrisy, and just overall don't have it all together. But I'm telling you that this particular groups of elders is something special! Again, it's all because of God's grace - but I'm a glad recipient of that grace.

If you're a member of Community let me encourage you to pause right now and give thanks for your elders ... as sinful and feeble as they are. God is doing something very special with this group. And don't forget, they are in desperate need of grace - and God says He will grant that grace through the prayers of His people.

If you're at another church ... be jealous! You're elders aren't as good as ours! I'm just saying! Wherever you are, pray for your elders. And we must all remember that our ultimate hope isn't in a particular groups of men, but rather in the One who has called those men to His service, our King and Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.

thankful for my elders,
Burt

Some get all the breaks

2008-07-03T15:04:00.002-05:00

If you know the Boykin family you probably know Addison went down to St. Simons Island, GA at the beginning of the summer to find a job. Well, the economic downturn has effected even that little resort village ... there are just not many jobs down there. He's turned in about 30 applications and either nobody is hiring or they need someone longer term than just a couple of months.

Well, the other day Addison gets a call from his cousin (Franklin Boyer, my sister's oldest son), and he asks Addison to come out to Vail, CO for the rest of the summer to help him work in some ski resort - free lodging, good pay, and did I mention it was in Vail, CO?

How come Addison gets all this great stuff? (China, Thailand, New Zealand, going to school in Wash DC, etc.) I guess the answer isn't that hard ... he seeks it out! He sets some lofty goals and then pursues them. The same thing is true of Dane, my oldest son. He's really taking on some incredible responsibility this summer working for Youthworks up in Moline, IL. Neither of them are content just sitting around and doing the same old same old. I wish I would have been more like them as a teenager and young single. They both enjoy life and don't mind the risk of failure in attempting some great things.

What I really wish is that I was more like that spiritually speaking. I wish I was not so afraid of the risk of failure in attempting great things for God. To be honest it's rather easy being a Christian in Moody, AL ... it's just the normal and expected thing to do. Being a Christian here doesn't require much risk, nothing scary, no threat of loss, it can be just fairly routine and not much different than any and everyone else who lives here, whether Christian or not. But here's the catch ... it doesn't have to be routine, even here in Moody. There is much to risk, much to lose; following Christ is still a very radical concept in the Bible belt. We've just reduced it to something anemic and insipid. I've become one of the Pharisees who thinks I've figured it out and have settled into my self-righteous routine of Christian living, even though it is out of line with the Gospel Jesus Himself proclaimed.

May God convict my heart of spiritual lethargy; may He motivate me to risk my comfort, reputation, and self-righteousness for the sake of the Gospel; may He give me the faith to follow Him even into places, situations, relationships, conversations, etc. where I don't want to go; may God in His grace work out the implications of the Gospel in my life, words, thoughts, actions, motives, and deeds.

jealous of my kids,
Burt

Some good, some bad news

2008-06-30T22:19:00.001-05:00

First, the good news. It turns out the pool pump wasn't totally dead ... only a part inside the pump. Of course, it took 4 hours of my day/evening to figure it all out, reassemble the pump, and get it back working again. But it's all done and the pool can actually be filtered before it turned into a large science experiment.

Now the bad news. I didn't figure this out until I was trying to install the new pump motor. The store doesn't give refunds ... isn't that special! At least because we're "good customers" they did give us in-store credit of $257. I'm thinking most of our Christmas gifts will be coming from the pool store!

There was one particular part of the motor that I had to reassemble that took an inordinate amount of time. It was a very simple thing, some obvious logic was involved, but I just couldn't "get it." I took it up to Scott Clayton - he couldn't figure it out either. Of course, come to find out, I was probably giving him faulty information and assumptions to work from. I eventually got it by searching around on the internet for a picture of the part of the motor I was working on. I finally found it and afterwards quickly finished the job.

all pumped out,
Burt

When it rains ...

2008-06-28T22:25:00.002-05:00

We had a great week of vacation over in Georgia. Anita's dad had successful surgery - this won't fix his heart or make him any younger, but hopefully it will help his heart perform more efficiently, thus giving him a little more energy and stamina. But again, our vacation was wonderful. It was a treat to be in St. Simons (a beautiful place) and just basically veg for a week and escape the daily demands and problems of life.

But now that we're home we have to face "real life" again. We go through the stack of unopened letters, many of which are bills to pay (what joy that brings to our hearts!). Then we discover the air conditioner unit upstairs isn't working (glad it's not hot or anything.) Today the pump for the pool goes out. So I look at the checkbook balance and realize we have less money than we did 6 months ago ... and that even includes my $1800 gov't stimulus check. And within a couple of months we'll be sending two colleges some hefty tuition checks. This real life thing is expensive and confusing. I'm thinking about going back to the fantasy world of St. Simons! Anyone want to join me?

bummed about money,
Burt

Pa-pa's surgery

2008-06-24T12:40:00.002-05:00

This morning Pa-pa (Anita's dad) had successful surgery to replace his pacemaker/defibrillator. This new one is an upgraded model that hopefully will give him a little more energy and vitality. He's really been struggling just getting around and doing the normal stuff of life ... not to mention the 24 hour caring for his wife who suffers with full dementia. He does EVERYTHING for her, even has to remind her to open her mouth and chew as he feeds her! And this weak, 86 year old man with heart problems (he's operating on about 25% capacity of heart functioning) is relentless in his love and devotion to his wife. It practically tore him up to have to put her in a local nursing home for a couple of weeks while he has and recovers from the surgery. She'll be well taken care of, but he knows that it's his responsibility as her husband, and that's what breaks his heart.

I'm keeping the boys down in St. Simons while Anita is up in Savannah at the hospital with her dad. Assuming all goes well they should all be back down here tomorrow. Please pray with me about his physical recovery and for his emotional condition as he worries about his wife (Me-ma) in the nursing home back in Lyons, GA.

missing my wife,
Burt

What's Your IQ?

2008-06-12T07:20:00.002-05:00

I guess I'm just plain "dumb." So are many of the folks I hang out. Heck, I'm probably spending the whole week at a dunce convention. How about you ... how dumb are you? You may want to read this article and determine how smart you want to be ... or at least appear to be to the world.

Intelligence and Belief

So are you among the "intellectual elite" or just another goof ball like me?

Also, pray for our dumb friends Trace & Ginger and Steve & Laura as they're headed to the land where this article came from!

doh,
Burt

Childhood Dream

2008-06-10T15:17:00.002-05:00

I guess I was like most any other kid growing up in that I had a fascination with the idea of fame, celebrity, and success. As a boy I drifted toward sports figures ... Johnny Unitas, Brooks Robinson, Hank Aaron, etc. But I didn't particularly feel any kinship or comradery with any of these guys. I wondered which one I should really embrace and identify with. And then one day on my birthday, May 6th, I was reading the list of celebrity birthdays ... and there was his name - Willie Mays. That's was the guy; he was the one I'd now decided to emotionally adopt as "mine." So every May 6th that rolled around I'd celebrate mine and Willie's b'day.

Needless to say I was excited when Hope Vergara told me that the spokesman for Healthspring (the company she works for) was none other than Willie Mays. And Hope's particular job with publicity, marketing, etc. puts her in close contact with Willie. Hope was very gracious and actually got me an autographed baseball from Willie. I was pretty excited! What an awesome gift!

So this past Monday Steve and I are in the B'ham airport waiting and waiting for our flight to Dallas for the PCA General Assembly (our 2:30 departure ended up being 7:40!) I'm glancing over the crowd when I notice some guy sitting 5-6 seats away from us at the gate. I said to Steve, "See that guy. That's Willie Mays!" I don't know if Steve believed me at first, but I got to thinking and connected the dots - Hope had told me Willie had been in town doing some promo work. I sort of casually strolled over in that direction and noticed that this guy had some San Francisco Giants gear on. Sure enough ... this WAS really Willie Mays!

We hung out with Willie, his personal assistant, and his best friend who travels with him for 3+ hours in the B'ham airport. What a nice guy; he had a great sense of humor; loves to talk sports, especially baseball (of course); very friendly.

He was wearing a Giants cap which I thought looked pretty sharp. I told him I liked it. "Well, I have another one here in my bag. Uh oh, it must be in my checked bag!" So he reaches up, pulls the cap off his head, and gives it to me! The little boy who celebrates Willie's b'day every year was in hog heaven! I told Steve that the cap was a little small for me - he said my head was just swollen up because I got Willie Mays' cap.

How cool is it to have the very cap off of the head of Willie Mays? I will treasure that cap for years and years to come. This is the cap from one of the truly great baseball players of all time, and every real baseball fan would agree with that. Willie was so great that one of his plays in center field is commonly known as "the catch." Pretty impressive that in a game built on throwing and catching, one man is identified with THE catch - you should take a look at it.

The Catch

And I'm wearing his hat!!!!

And here's something even more amazing ... can you believe I'm also clothed in the righteousness of Christ!!!! The man is known as THE way, THE truth, and THE life. THE righteousness required of me from God was accomplished by Jesus and He has now graciously clothed me in it. Willie's cap will eventually rot - my salvation won't! And that's not a dream to hopefully come true one day; it's a reality that is certain and sure.

finely clothed,
Burt

Mo

2008-06-09T06:28:00.002-05:00

Mo Leverett once again visited Community yesterday and challenged us with the Gospel. He really didn't emphasize the poverty mandate or redemptive suffering, two themes that I will always associate with him, but rather he drove home to us the good news that Jesus Christ has redeemed us and there are implications that flow from that glorious truth. He also sang a song in both services ... a different song, just like he preached a different sermon in each service (don't get used to that idea - I don't think Steve or I will be working up two different sermons for a Sunday morning). If you were there to hear Mo I'd be interested in your thoughts about his message and music.

I had the privilege to spend some extra time with Mo on Saturday night for supper and then again for lunch on Sunday. I've known him for several years and he's always encouraging and pushing me to think beyond what I normally do. I guess he and I think very similarly about the church and the mandate to care for the weak, poor, hurting, disenfranchised, etc., only he has more guts and has taken some very real steps in that direction. I've asked him before, and even again on this visit, whether or not I should embark on some radical new ministry adventure and do something similar to what he's done. He continually reassures me that my place to do ministry is where I'm at and that we have such a unique opportunity here at Community. He wants to come back and consult with us on our church planting vision and help us think through what those congregations should look like. He wants me to start thinking about how our model of ministry at Community can be used to challenge other churches, particularly PCA churches, to embrace places of poverty and brokenness. To be honest, those places and communities don't really register on the radar of the typical PCA church planting mindset. I appreciate Mo and was blessed to have spent some time with him this weekend.

Today Steve and I head off to Dallas for the PCA General Assembly. Pray for us.

leaving on a jet plane,
Burt

Getting Adjusted

2008-06-04T07:12:00.002-05:00

So I pick up George on Sunday night, we arrive home around 10:00, stay up for just a little while, but soon all go to bed. Anita had to work Monday so she got up early and headed out at her usual 4:50 a.m. I went to work around 8:30. George wasn't up yet but nobody expected him to be ... I told everyone to just let him rest. I called before lunch to check on him - George is still asleep. I called in the afternoon - George is still asleep. I get home just before 5:00 p.m. - George has yet to make an appearance from his room in the basement. I went down and knocked on the door just to see if he was okay ... he made some noises and said something so I went back upstairs. After a bit Anita comes home and we fix supper. Around 7:15 we're ready to eat, start putting food on the table, and finally up comes George!

The look on his face was priceless! He glances at everyone with a look of greeting, looks down at the table set with salad and spaghetti, looks outside, then back at the table, then back at us. With a puzzled look on his face he says, "please tell me it's 7:00 a.m." "No, George, that'd be 7:00 p.m.!!!" My brother literally slept day. Not that anyone would blame him ... his travel here took about 24 hours. He said he woke up around 3:00 but assumed it must have been 3:00 a.m. since it was so dark in the basement!

The next morning (Tuesday) he was upstairs all dressed and ready by 7:30 a.m. We asked him how he slept and he said, "Well, I tried to go to sleep around 1:00 a.m. but gave up trying around 4:00 a.m. I didn't sleep any last night." So he just stayed up all day on Tuesday hoping that he'd sleep that night.

Having George here is already blessing our family - if nothing else he's been a source of entertainment for us! He went with Anita to the grocery store and wanted to try some of the great American treats he's seen on T.V. - Twinkies, Dr. Pepper, Reese's Cups, Milky Way - I guess that's our international image now!

craving George's candy,
Burt

Meet George

2008-06-01T23:12:00.003-05:00

George Dewar is our friend from New Zealand who will be staying with us over the next 6 months. He was one of Addison's friends during his stay down in Wellington, NZ. He is a member of the church pastored by my friend Ian Bayne (who Addison lived with there.) George is 18 years old and will fit in nicely with all the other boys roaming around our house! Hopefully you will have the opportunity to get to know him while he's here. We want him to get to get exposed to as many folks as possible here. If nothing else you'll enjoy his accent! So be on the lookout for a red headed Kiwi young man hanging out with the Boykins over the next few months.

temporary dad to George,
Burt

A New Challenge

2008-05-28T21:09:00.002-05:00

I'm taking on something I haven't done in quite a while, but am actually looking forward to it ... teaching an adult Sunday School class! I'm taking on the Seekers class at Community for this quarter. Since Quinn cut out and went to seminary we're short a teacher. I'm only doing it for the summer quarter - we need to find a regular teacher for that class so I can get back to doing the Inquirer's Class on Sunday mornings. (This summer we'll probably have a weekend type format for the Inquirers class.)

The topic for this quarter is very interesting; actually it's one of the reasons I decided to take on the class. We'll be taking a look at the Christian's responsibility to the environment ... sort of a hot topic among many folks these days. Is the Gospel "green"? Christians tend to be all over the map on this issue - those on the left and those on the right. Both sides make great points!

I don't have all the material put together yet but it'll be focused on answering a fundamental question ... "What is the biggest environmental challenge facing American Christians today?" The journey to discover this answer promises to be a fun one, probably resulting in an answer that will surprise most folks.

If you're not in a Sunday School class at Community then I invite you to join us in the Seekers class this summer as we discuss the Christian and the environment.

studying,
Burt

Summer Fun

2008-05-27T19:53:00.002-05:00

Well, it's already started ... "I'm bored - there's nothing to do!" And, of course, anything that Anita and I might suggest doesn't seem to rank very high on the "fun" scale. I'm not trying to be too hard on my boys because I was exactly the same when I was a kid. I drove my mom crazy asking her "what can I do?" over and over again.

Is it not amazing that though we live in the most affluent country in the world, with the most toys, with more to do than 95% of the world, with the freedom in which to do practically anything we desire, etc. we just can't seem to be satisfied! It's a vivid reminder to us that nothing of or in this world is designed nor capable to truly satisfy our hearts. Only Christ is sufficient! May we all pray that we would find Him to be so for us and our children this summer. Let's intentionally point one another to Christ as we have opportunity.

needing Jesus,
Burt

But by God's grace ...

2008-05-14T16:09:00.002-05:00

Here's a story of a family who left their kid in an airport. Most of you parents will probably agree that you've been within inches of practically doing the exact same thing! Only God's grace has kept us from such a thing.

parents in Vancouver airport

Actually, Anita and I left a baby at a friend's house in Tallahassee once. Fortunately we only drove a couple of blocks away before we realized it ... we turned around and went back to the house, the friends were still in the yard and asked, "did y'all forget something?" All cuddled up asleep in a chair in their home was our baby (I think it was probably Tanner). We've come close to such stunts at other times but someone or something reminds us at the last minute that we're short one person!

I'm glad my Heavenly Father never forgets me! I always tell my kids that it's their job to keep up with me. My Father is much more gracious and He says that He keeps track of me, never leaves me, never forsakes me, never forgets me!

remembered by my DAD,
Burt

Schooling - home, public, private?

2008-05-06T13:11:00.003-05:00

Community Church doesn't really have many touchy or divisive issues going on at the moment. There have been times in our past where we might get all worked up over various issues, but right now there seems to be a sense of unity and cohesiveness of vision.

Yet I do believe there remains an undercurrent of tension regarding the education of children - homeschool vs. public school vs. Christian/private school. Surely one of those groups is the holiest, most godly, most missional, and most caring (so we think ... and which group is right? = whichever group we're in!). This "how I educate my child" righteousness has occasionally raised its ugly head in and among our members, and the threat of it getting stirred up again is a reality. If this has been, is, or perhaps ever may be an issue for you (or even if you just need to be informed on the matter) then I urge you to watch the following clip and share with me your thoughts.

homeschooling, private school, public school

Josh Harris is calling us all to repentance, reconciliation, and a Gospel-centered perspective. He speaks much more eloquently than I possibly could on the matter. Most of you may already know that Josh Harris, now pastor of the Covenant Life Church in Maryland, was the poster boy of homeschoolers when he was a kid. Josh followed CJ Mahaney as pastor of this church ... a reformed, Gospel-centered, and spirit-filled congregation! His passionate appeal in this short clip is a "must see" for all those interested in or concerned about this potentially divisive issue. Again, tell me what you think.

in the "saved by grace" group,
Burt

What to do with all this money?

2008-05-01T14:42:00.002-05:00

No ... I haven't come into any big inheritance; haven't discovered buried treasure in my back yard; haven't won any lottery; haven't taken a new job. Like most of you I'll soon be getting my check from the gov't - the Economic Stimulus Payment. I have no desire to get into the politics of this deal (and we all know politics must surely be involved!). But I have asked myself the question as to what I should do with the money when I get it. Possibilities ...

- spend it on stuff (as the gov't wants us to)
- save it (as I probably need to do)
- get ready to spend it (as two boy's colleges will require me to do!)

Well, those were my only real options until I came across an interesting article today.

economic stimulus payment and Christ

I think John Piper is on to something. As believers we're getting this money for Kingdom purposes to "make Christ look great." Certainly we as followers of Christ need to think of and spend money in a different manner than does the rest of the world. What are your thoughts on Piper's position? If you agree with him and need some ideas of what to do with at least a portion of your check, please call me and I'll be happy to make a few Kingdom oriented suggestions!

thinking of new options,
Burt

Wow

2008-04-29T11:03:00.003-05:00

"Wow" is about the only word that accurately sums up my evaluation of the Robert Plant / Alison Krauss concert here in B'ham last Saturday night. Alison Krauss' voice is the closest thing to perfection that I think I've ever heard. I hate to downplay some of my other favorite singers such as Stokes and Connie Skellie, Adam Wright, Jawan McGinnis, etc., but sister Krauss is in a league by herself! When she strolled out and sang "When I Go Down to the River to Pray" with no accompaniment, it was absolutely beautiful.

Being an old Led Zeppelin fan it was a dream to hear Robert Plant sing. They even threw in a few Zeppelin tunes just to give us old folks a thrill ... and a thrill it was! I actually felt a little young - the guy in front of me asked if I was at the Led Zeppelin concert there at the BJCC in 1977. Sorry, I graduated from high school that year and was still in Florida! They performed Black Dog, When the Levee Breaks, Black Country Woman, Battle of Evermore, and Hey, Hey, What Can I Do - all in a rather bluegrass/folk/blues style, not exactly like the original recordings! But all of them sounded "right", like it was the way these songs were meant to be performed. Not surprising for two reasons: 1) the musicians were incredible and 2) much of Led Zeppelin's early influence came from old Mississippi Delta style blues; guys such as Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters.

Most of the modern world has heard of Led Zeppelin ... truly among the greatest of all rock and roll bands that has ever existed. Their song "Stairway to Heaven" is often referred to by many as the greatest rock and roll song of all time. But only a few have heard of Robert Johnson, Blind Willie, and the others who inspired so much of Led Zeppelin's music. The British rockers get all the glory and applause while the Mississippi Delta boys are buried in obscurity.

So who would you rather be ... Robert Plant or Robert Johnson? I grew up and still am a huge Robert Plant fan - and I actually think Robert Johnson would probably be okay with that. As I consider my own life, I'll never be a Robert Plant; I'll never be a part of something as big as Led Zeppelin; I'm more of a Robert Johnson kind of guy - and I think Robert Plant would be okay with that!

As a pastor and shepherd of God's people at Community Church I've had the privilege of overseeing some very special people - the list is long and impressive: Craig Childs, Scott Puckett, Tom May, Mitch McGinnis, Roger Strick, John Pond, Milton Seabolt, etc. Now Quinn and Kim Hill are about to head out to seminary, the Donahoos are going to England, and the Morgans are likely soon headed to Ireland. You have to figure that at some point two of our existing members will be widely known and respected in PCA music circles - Stokes Skellie and Adam Wright (neither of whom better go anywhere!). That's a pretty strong list of folks who will be doing great things in the Kingdom of God for years to come. Many of them will gain large followings and be well-known - and I'm going to be okay with that! What a privilege and joy it is to be in a place that sends folks on to great Kingdom works in other fields. I'm not sure I could carry the burden and responsibility of being so visible and public; but I'm really enjoying the opportunity God has and is giving me to work with, train, equip, and encourage some others who will move into those prominent places!

in the spirit of Robert Johnson,
Burt

back to Moody

2008-04-17T19:46:00.002-05:00

Mitch and I have made it home to Moody. Really not that bad of a drive to and from Louisville - about 6 1/2 hours one way.

Though this was a conference primarily designed for pastors I'm encouraging all the Community Church leaders to plan on going to this conference 2 years from now in 2010 (the conference only occurs every other year.) Husbands should take their wives ... you have 2 years to arrange for babysitting!

It should be required of everyone to click on the audio link below and listen to the R.C. Sproul and John Piper sermons. Sproul did an absolutely masterful job proclaiming the Gospel as he explained Jesus becoming a curse for us. This morning Piper absolutely kicked our rear ends by calling us as Christians to be so consumed with the supremacy of Christ that we would gladly and with joy suffer for the sake of the Gospel. I'm still reeling from the impact of both of those messages! Truly these world class speakers blessed the 5500 in attendance at this conference and thanks to Sovereign Grace Ministries you can share in that blessing ... please do. Take some time out over the next day or so and listen to these incredible messages. It's not that the others aren't worth listening to ... they are ... but the Sproul and PIper sermons are required listening!

audio link

My week of being taught continues tomorrow night as I and many of our elders are going to the Birmingham Theological Seminary sponsored elder training over at Briarwood. We'll be there Friday night and Saturday morning. By the end of this week I'll either be really smart or so absolutely mentally exhausted that I'll just fall over.

spiritually fed and physically tired,
Burt

Day 2 of T4G

2008-04-16T17:55:00.002-05:00

This is a great conference! There's nothing better than just getting the Gospel pounded into your head and heart! Here's a blog that is summarizing the events of the conference and is giving outlines of the various messages ... check it out, see what I've been enjoying, and be jealous! Not all the summaries are on the front page but you can find easily find them.

Challies blog

Also, give a listen to the message I made reference to in my previous post. It is the one by Thabiti Anyabwile. All the messages are good and worth listening to. R.C. Sproul did an incredible job today speaking about the curse motif of the atonement of Christ.

audio links

As R.C. gave his talk today we were only a couple of rows in front of a guy translating for his friend (I think it was into Spanish.) I have to admit that it was at first somewhat distracting. A guy sitting two more rows in front of Mitch and me also found it distracting and throughout the message his movements, over-the-shoulder glances, shushing, and other such protests ended up being far more distracting than the guy doing the translating. It was a reminder to me that even while we're hearing about the amazing, incredible, confounding, stunning, and lavish grace of God it is our nature to refuse to show it to others. I quickly realized that I needed to be grateful that a brother was being enabled to hear the Gospel in his own language and benefit from the message of grace. There are people all around us (friends, children, co-workers, etc) who need to receive grace from us but we too often view them as distractions to our own agendas. We need to repent!

Tomorrow morning we hear John Piper and C.J. Mahaney then load up and head home.

enjoying some grace,
Burt

Together for the Gospel

2008-04-15T20:21:00.002-05:00

Well, I just finished the first day at the Together for the Gospel Conference here in Louisville, KY. "What is it?" you ask ... follow this link and check it out.

Together for the Gospel

The first session today I heard Ligon Duncan talk of the importance of doctrine for godliness and joy - really good stuff; very convicting yet also practical. The second session (after supper) was even better! Thabiti Anyabwile spoke on the image of God in all men, the unity we have in Adam, the unity we have in Christ and the church and ultimately in heaven. He attempted to translate his name, which he said in Swahili means, "let's get the black guy to talk about race!" But he was really outstanding! He kicked us hard and challenged our socks off about race, racism, etc. and the necessity of embracing our unity in both Adam and Christ. He reminded us that Christ died for only one race ... the race of Adam. Just sitting there I just got more and more convinced that if Community Church is going to effectively reach the Moody/Leeds/Springville/Odenville area with the Gospel that we'll be doing it with ethnic diversity. Exactly what shape will that take? I have no idea but I ask that you start praying with me about it!

One of the real treats of this week is that I'm spending it with Mitch McGinnis (former staff at Community). We've had a great time so far and we're looking forward to the next couple of days. We'll be hearing Mark Dever, John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, John MacArthur, and R.C. Sproul all talk about the Gospel. As you can see - quite a line up of speakers!

So pray for us and for our families back home!

hearing the Gospel again because I need it,
Burt

We'll worship anything

2008-04-08T13:33:00.002-05:00

Not sure what to say about this freakish deal ... except that this child is NOT a god and shouldn't be worshiped. In fact, this child is created in God's image and is responsible to one day submit to the true God.

baby born in India

I suppose deep within each of us is the urge to worship the bizarre, the strange, the unusual, the extraordinary, etc. But building a new temple in India to worship a reincarnated god really isn't that much different than the many temples we erect here in the USA to our many false gods. May God be merciful to us as we ask Him to be merciful to this family and community in India.

a little creeped out,
Burt

one game - already in trouble!

2008-04-08T08:20:00.002-05:00

Moody's 11-12 year old baseball got off to its start last night as the Red Sox faced the Nationals. I'm helping coach the Red Sox - have the specific responsibilities of coaching / managing the pitchers and coaching first base. So in the first inning of the first game I, coaching first base, appeal a call of the field umpire. This guy goes off on me, starts insulting me, accuses me of drinking, etc ... he takes the appeal personally and even the next runner he called out at first he looks over at me and says, "that one's for you coach!" I asked the head umpire if I made the appeal improperly and whether or not I was out of line in my behavior. He said I was fine, that the other guy was just being overly sensitive, but still I now start the season with this label of being a trouble maker.

Good grief! I could go on and on defending my actions and telling you that I was right and that I did nothing wrong and that the whole deal was the other guy's fault and that even a coach from another team watching the game could confirm my innocence, etc. It is so incredibly frustrating to be unjustly accused, labeled, attacked, criticized, humiliated, etc.

If I get this frustrated just at a baseball game, imagine how the early disciples must have felt for being attacked for just proclaiming the Gospel. Of course, the greatest of the unjust accusations and attacks was against Jesus ... and what was His response? Silence. He was willing to suffer for the sake of His people. Me - I'm too worried about my reputation, my being right, my own righteousness, etc. to have time to silently suffer for the sake of others.

I'm not saying that Christians should never appeal a close play at first. What I am saying is that we must examine our hearts and see what's really going on inside; examine whether or not our hope is in Christ or our own righteousness; examine whether or not we're willing to be wrong or be wronged for the sake of the Gospel. I, for one, have a lot of examining to do.

in the exam room,
Burt

Sam, Meshach, and Blue

2008-03-30T15:28:00.002-05:00

These three friends of mine frequently meet up with me as I take walks in the neighborhood. Blue is actually a Boykin whereas Sam and Meshach are neighbors.

All are unique in their own way and have interesting ways of relating to one another. Blue is the loud mouth who loves to talk. Never really has anything important to say and doesn't really cause any trouble, but just loves the social interaction with friends. Meshach is the biggest of the three. When he speaks everyone perks up and listens ... don't really want to tick him off! Basically he's a nice guy but it's obvious that he'll get his way. Sam is the energetic one of the bunch. Sam is playful, inquisitive, and fun. But Sam has this confrontational streak in him ... when he's around Meshach he simply has to show out a bit. Most of the time Sam tries to avoid Meshach's territory, but every so often he'll venture over into Meshach's space and say something to get a rise. Meshach is glad to oblige ... if Sam starts something Meshach will gladly finish it! Now Blue can move toward Meshach, even say a few words, but Meshach could basically care less. There's just something confrontational and provoking about the way Sam approaches his friend that gets a certain reaction.

Obviously I'm talking about dogs in my neighborhood ... but I could be talking about folks in the church. Some just love to talk but never have much of anything to say. Some love to be the big dog and make sure everyone else knows. Some love to provoke and agitate others by the way they approach everyone. Which am I most like? Probably a combination of all three!

How about you? Are you more like a Blue, a Sam, or a Meshach?

May we all stop acting like dogs and start believing and behaving as beloved children of the King!

on behalf of Blue, Sam, and Meshach,
Burt

truth is stranger ...

2008-03-13T23:17:00.003-05:00

I know it's an old saying ... "truth is stranger than fiction," but it's often so very true. Take a look at this story and tell me who in the world could have dreamed up something so bizarre.

Kansas Woman

Hopefully no one will make a movie out of this!

stunned,
Burt

The Question

2008-03-12T13:47:00.003-05:00

Men from my generation used to be analyzed by a very simple question. The question: "Ginger or Mary Ann?" This question would reveal a great deal about a man's personality, preferences, and overall view of life.

Anyone who has ever seen Gilligan's Island immediately has an answer to the question and can readily explain why he made that choice. As for me, I have always been a "Mary Ann" kind of guy. Ginger was too high class - all the glitz and glamor of Hollywood has never appealed to me. But Mary Ann, the Kansas farm girl, was much more to my liking. She was amazing ... could cook anything, cared for everyone on the island, cute, great attitude, etc. Why would anyone prefer Ginger?

Well, now that the beloved castaways have been rescued it seems that Mary Ann (Dawn Wells in real life) has moved off the farm and is enjoying some of the fast-paced lifestyle we'd normally associate with Ginger. Mary Ann apparently likes to fire up with the ganja every so often! See this story about Dawn Wells.

What a letdown! The perfect girl ... the dream girl for a whole generation of men is now smoking the rasta weed. Mary Ann has become Mary Jane! Another indication that we really do live in a broken and fallen world!

heartbroken,
Burt

Warning

2008-03-07T06:27:00.002-06:00

This post is merely a warning to anyone with plumbing problems who might be getting ready to call for some help ... under no circumstances should you call Plumbing 911. This company came out to the church this week to examine an obvious leak in our water line (from the sanctuary to Hwy 411). Here's a list of what they did:

- dug two holes with a shovel
- put in one ball-joint cut-off valve in the line in the first hole
- cut the line in the other hole
- ran a camera through the line to determine where leaks might be
- probably 5 hours total labor

price for this work: $3100

They gave an estimate on replacing about 200 feet of the water line - $7500. They did NOT get the job!

Am I just absolutely living in the dark ages or is this charge excessive and even unconscionable? If this is a fair and normal fee, then plan on seeing "Boykin and Sons Plumbing Service" ready to go in the near future.

Our church just got stroked for $3100 by Plumbing 911. If any member calls them for service at their home, church discipline will most likely follow!

feeling nauseous,
Burt

Way to Go Dad!

2008-03-02T20:28:00.005-06:00

Those of you who came to the church's Talent Show this past Saturday night enjoyed a great time - the talent was unbelievable! I continue to be amazed that God has blessed Community Church with such gifted folks ... and how blessed we are that these folks are willing to share their amazing gifts with us!

According to custom, the Staff Infections concluded the show with our lip-synched and choreographed rendition of the old Spinners' tune, "I Keep Working My Way Back to You." And, of course, Seth had to have his time in the spotlight. Remembering last year's talent show where his singing seemed to drag on and on, I told Seth that this year he could only sing one song. He seemed to understand that and told me he was only going to sing "Amazing Grace." And sure enough, when his time came he took his spot on stage and sang his song ... then he proceeded on to sing "Be Thou My Vision ... then "When I Go Down to the River to Pray" ... then he concluded with the National Anthem! I was in the back of the room just fuming! I was really perturbed that he did that - probably because it made me look bad - but for whatever reason I was ticked. And please know Seth knew exactly what he was doing. Yates told me that when Seth sat down after his performance, he leaned over to Yates and said, "I did 4 songs!" and was most proud of that fact!

So after the show I eventually talked to Seth and looked at him as seriously as I could, spoke harshly to him and said, "Seth, what in the world were you doing? I told you to only sing one song and you sang four. You can't do that!" I was very emphatic in my tone and demeanor, knowing that Seth better take this seriously.

He took it seriously alright ... the head that he had been holding high dropped, his once proud shoulders drooped, his huge smile quickly turned into a frown, his bottom lip began to quiver, his eyes that had been sparkling with joy began to tear up, and his whole body began to just fold inward. Good job dad! Your son, who at that moment was probably more excited and proud than any American Idol winner has ever been, was absolutely devastated because of your self-centered, arrogant, harsh, rude, offensive, and insensitive comments directed at him ... comments most likely rooted in the fact that maybe you were embarrassed over something he did, not that what he did was wrong, but just because you thought it made you look bad. What a jerk!

I can't begin to describe how wretched I felt at that moment ... how I had to stand there and watch my son be stripped on his joy and dignity ... knowing that I was the one who did it to him. That scene of Seth's face turning from joy to humiliation has haunted me over the past 24 hours and probably will for quite some time. I tried to cover my tracks with him and quickly tell him I thought he did a good job and how much I enjoyed him singing, but he found me 15 minutes later and said, "Dad, next time at talent show I only sing one song." I didn't just cause his face to be downcast, I wounded his heart!

I'm not a good dad. Sometimes I deceive myself and think I'm doing okay, but far too often I get these vivid reminders that I do incredible damage to my kids by my arrogance and harshness to them. Please pray for me and for my kids before I totally ruin every one of them! The reality is that I do this same thing to all my kids. Seth just isn't sophisticated enough to hide his feelings and pretend he wasn't really wounded.

My only real hope is that my heavenly Father never treats me the way I treat my kids. He's never harsh, never condemning, never rude, never humiliates or shames me, never harmful in the way He treats me. He loves me with a perfect love and He demonstrated that love by sending His only Son, Jesus, to live the life I couldn't live and die the death I should have died.

Thank you, Father, for loving me ... and please give me the grace to begin to love my children.

needing my Dad,
Burt

A Church Full of Sinners

2008-02-28T08:01:00.003-06:00

Like most people from my generation, I grew up thinking Christians are supposed to be the "good" people, who don't mess up, who have it all together. We'd look at certain folks and complain, "and they call themselves a Christian!" Of course, a quick glance at my own life (one who also professed to be Christian) revealed the same and even greater inconsistencies! What were the options? Living in fear, guilt, shame, and doubt. Or maybe take the different route of becoming increasingly critical of others, pointing out their sins and faults, blaming everyone else for my problems, and defending my own actions due to the failure of everyone else. Neither option very effective - I've tried them both!

Where was Tim Keller back then? If only I would have been able to read his perspective on this. He writes the following in his book, The Reason for God.

Anyone involved in the life of a church will soon discover the many flaws in the character of the average professing Christian.

... A central message of the Bible is that we can only have a relationship with God by sheer grace. Our moral efforts are too feeble and falsely motivated to ever merit salvation. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, has provided salvation for us, which we receive as a gift. All churches believe this in one form or another. Growth in character and changes in behavior occur in a gradual process after a person becomes a Christian. The mistaken belief that a person must "clean up" his or her own life in order to merit God's presence is not Christianity. This means, though, that the church will be filled with immature and broken people who still have a long way to go emotionally, morally, and spiritually. As the saying has it: "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."

... Now imagine that someone with a very broken past becomes a Christian and her character improves significantly over what it was. Nevertheless, she still may be less secure and self-disciplined than someone who is so well adjusted that she feels no particular need for religious affiliation at all. Suppose you meet both of these women the same week. Unless you know the starting points and life journeys of each woman, you could easily conclude that Christianity isn't worth much, and that Christians are inconsistent with their own high standards. It is often the case that people whose lives have been harder and who are "lower on the character scale" are more likely to recognize their need for God and turn to Christianity. So we should expect that many Christians' lives would not compare well to those of the nonreligious (just as the health of people in the hospital is comparatively worse than people visiting museums).

Timothy Keller, The Reason for God (Dutton, 2008), pp.52-54

As usual, Keller does an amazing job explaining the matter and challenging our ideas which tend to be rooted in false assumptions and misinformation. If you don't already have this book, order it today!

What does this mean about Community? It means that a quick glance at our people may indicate we are a group of sick sinners, perhaps even struggling with moral, emotional, and life issues that the rest of the population seems to have already figured out. If you're one of those struggling with such matters of life ... you're welcome at Community Church! Come and join fellow strugglers who have no hope other than God's grace in Christ!

struggling even today,
Burt

2020 Vision

2008-02-25T08:08:00.002-06:00

Last night at Community's 2008 State of the Church, I revealed our plans of going forward this year to establish a "north campus" of Community Church up in the Springville area. I'm very excited about this work and believe God will grow His church up in that part of St. Clair county. But at the same time it scares the you-know-what out of me! This really is a huge undertaking and will mean significant sacrifice for our church family. A great deal of faith is required to even attempt this!

I'm not even anywhere close as to having the whole deal figured out yet! But I'm convinced that this is the time to move ahead ... our Session believes this is the time to move ahead. It may be the craziest thing we've ever attempted but it may also pay the highest dividends of any venture we've undertaken. From my involvement with Perimeter PCA in Atlanta years ago, I learned an important principle ... "attempt something so great for God that it's doomed to failure unless God is in it." This deal may fail; God may not be in it! But I tend to think that God is in church planting and will call many more to Himself through this new congregation.

Feel free to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas concerning this vision. This is something we have to do as a church family ... it's not just a pet project of a select few. Let's learn from the church in Antioch - let's send out our best in order to plant churches!

learning to trust God,
Burt

Jonathon Stephen Ray

2008-02-19T22:25:00.004-06:00

This precious little boy was born to Keith and Rebecca Monday night! After a 2 day roller coaster ride of emotions, Rebecca finally delivered her 1 pound 14 ounce baby boy. This little guy has probably already been prayed for more than most of the rest of us get in a lifetime ... and he needs even more! He only got to spend 25 weeks in his momma's womb so he has a pretty rough road ahead. But what a miracle that he's alive and kickin and all the vital "numbers" are good so far!

Jonathon was born at Brookwood, the same hospital where 6 of our babies were born. Seth was the first of the Brookwood gang (Dane was born at St. Vincents and Addison at Baptist Montclair). Being a Down's kid, Seth got to spend some time in the same NICU that Jonathon is now enjoying. The next Boykin baby at Brookwood was Ella. She, as some of you know, was born with trisomy 18 (a genetic problem involving the 18th chromosome) which is incompatible with long-term life. She was born, lived about an hour and 15 minutes, and then went to be with Jesus, leaving the rest of us behind longing for the day when we get to see Him face to face as she does now! After her came Yates, Cobi, Tanner, and Griff. The oldest 6 were all in the room shortly after Griff's birth. Dr. Mackenzie, Anita's doctor, suggested it would be good to print up t-shirts for the Boykin boys - his choice of wording for the t-shirts was "The Scrotum Squad." You'll be thankful that we never got around to having those shirts printed up!

Brookwood holds many, many memories for us. In many ways it's a place of great joy. But it's also a place of intense sadness having lost our baby girl there. Seeing Rebecca and Keith facing the possibility of losing their baby there was not an easy thing for me to endure all day Monday ... but God's grace was abundant and kept me strong even in my own weakness. It's amazing how the Gospel works that way!

I miss my daughter. I'd give anything to hold her, hug her, listen to her, get confused by her wacko female emotions, and tell the jerk of a boy at the door to go away and leave her alone! But God's plan for us is different and He has only been very, very gracious.

Maybe because I miss Ella so much I'm gonna be pretty intense in rooting for Jonathon to pull through. There's some emotional investment in it for me. Not that all babies aren't precious - they are! - but Jonathon's going to be a special guy to me for years to come. Please pray with me that he remains healthy and grows up to be a man who loves his Lord Jesus!

missing my daughter,
Burt

Yates' surgery

2008-02-14T17:48:00.004-06:00

Yates breezed through surgery in record time ... he was in and out in probably 30-40 minutes. Dr. Riley just had to make a small incision, reposition the part of the ankle bone that had broken off, put a screw in it to hold it in place, and sew him up! And after an hour or so in recovery he was back in the room in one day surgery where Anita regularly works. They took great care of him during the visit to Trinity.

I do grieve for him in that he's having to miss his soccer season this year. He was really excited about that and was even going to start as a midfielder. But God obviously had a different plan for him ... and for me.

A couple of weeks ago at a Presbytery MNA meeting I asked those guys to pray for Yates (he was particularly on my mind that day) and for my relationship with him. Well, Frank Barker, in his incredibly eloquent yet simple way, prayed for Yates and my relationship with him. And now God has given us a very unique opportunity to relate to one another in a way that nobody would have ever imagined. Don't get me wrong - I'd trade places with Yates in a heartbeat if I could ... I'd much rather have my ankle broken than for him to have to endure such a painful ordeal and miss his soccer season. But in God's providence, He has chosen this path for us to walk down. So I thank Him; I'm very grateful that God would love me in such a way that would require me to love my son, grieve for him, hurt for him, care for him, empathize with him, and serve him in many ways and for an extended time (he'll be on crutches for 6 weeks!). So though my heart aches for Yates, from a Kingdom perspective I'm grateful to God for this special time.

thankful for providence,
Burt

#16

2008-02-13T04:54:00.002-06:00

I think this makes the 16th broken bone among the Boykin boys! Many of the breaks have been rather minor - a few fingers, a few buckle fractures on arms, etc. But some have been pretty good ones, like the most recent instance.

Last Saturday at Moody High School soccer practice, the coach was scrimmaging with them and tried to slide tackle and get the ball before Yates passed it. Well, he was a split second late and instead slid into Yates' left ankle, breaking it! He goes in for surgery Weds morning to set the bone piece which broke off and probably put a pin or screw in it to hold it in place.

Pray for the surgery to go well and for Yates to have a quick recovery. And pray that #17 won't be anytime soon ... we need to recover from this one first.

looking for an ice pack,
Burt

Taking Kids to School

2008-02-08T08:28:00.000-06:00

If you're not familiar with the car pool configuration at the Elementary and Middle schools, it's really not rocket science! You drive around clockwise to the Middle School and drop off your kids at the back entrance to the school. There's a long, straight, covered area where you can pull up to the curb and allow your children to safely exit the car and walk to the door. It's actually long enough so that 5-6 (or more) cars can simultaneously allow children to exit.

It's nothing for me to eject my kids from the car while we're still the 5th or 6th car back from the exact spot in front of the door. But for many ... nnnnoooooooo. We will not make little prince/princess get out 5 cars back - nor 4 cars back - nor 3 cars back - not even 2 cars back - yep, we have to be right in front of the door to save precious one from walking an extra 15 steps. Nevermind that cars are backing up behind you, that cars from the Elementary School are now beginning to loop around and pass you, nevermind that common sense dictates something else, let's make sure we get the little scholar positioned precisely at the prime spot for disembarking the vehicle.

Here's the really amazing thing ... I can almost understand doing this with a younger child. But from the Middle School I go up to the High School drop off and many parents do the SAME THING!

Can you tell this frustrates me? I realize I have probably offended some of you parents who do the exact thing that baffles me! I guess I'll just have to mark it down in that ever-growing category of things that I just don't understand even though there's probably a very good reason for it!

confounded as usual,
Burt

8 hours in hell

2008-02-06T09:17:00.000-06:00

Monday night and into the early morning hours of Tuesday, I was as sick as I can ever remember! Anita said she'd never seen anything like it. The violence, intensity, and volume of this gut-wrenching episode was amazing.

Anita took really good care of me! She's a great wife and sacrificed much during the night to make sure I was okay. She gets my thanks and love for loving me so much! She became a picture of Jesus for me ... loving and caring for one so vile, disgusting, putrid, foul, and gross.

I also know that Scott and Clay Holmes were sick with a similar thing. Hopefully none of the rest of you have suffered with this hell bug.

better, but weak,
Burt

Hidden Riches

2008-01-31T22:17:00.000-06:00

I recently found out that the Alabama State Treasury Department has some money of mine that has gone "unclaimed" for some time. I was told to check out the website, download some forms, send them off, and wait on my check! All I know is that it is over $100 and has something to do with the Pacific Life and Annuity Company. Not a clue as to what this might be! Maybe some mysterious, super-wealthy person somewhere left me a huge sum of money in his will several years ago and I didn't know it. I guess I'll find out in due time!

How many blessings that Christ has for me have I left "unclaimed?" I'm not about to jump off into some health, wealth, prosperity mode here, but I do believe the Scripture as it tells me I'm blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (see Eph.1:3) And much of this blessing I totally ignore as I continue to live in pride and unbelief.

Check out this website and see if you have any unclaimed money. - Alabama State Treasury

Check out this resource and see if you have any unclaimed spiritual blessings. - the Bible

wealthier than I thought (monetarily and spiritually),
Burt

the Power of Petition

2008-01-29T08:24:00.000-06:00

Just a couple of days ago I came across an online petition to urge Led Zeppelin to reunite for a world tour. I was glad to sign such a petition ... this is something that has needed to happen for a long time!

So I'm listening to the radio this morning while taking kids to school, and what news do I hear? ... that Jimmy Page is saying that a reunion tour may actually happen. Unbelievable! My signing a petition actually has resulted in some action that may literally impact the world!

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580419/20080128/led_zeppelin.jhtml

I wonder what would happen if I petitioned the Creator, the Sovereign God, my Father who invites me to come to Him with my petitions? Sort of makes you wonder, doesn't it!

praying,
Burt

the blemished and scarred body

2008-01-22T06:32:00.000-06:00

Quinn inspired me to go back and reread the famous letter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. written from a Birmingham prison. Read his powerful words of love and concern for the church.

I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi and all the other southern states. On sweltering summer days and crisp autumn mornings I have looked at her beautiful churches with their lofty spires pointing heavenward. I have beheld the impressive outlay of her massive religious education buildings. Over and over again I have found myself asking: "What kind of people worship here? Who is their God? Where were their voices when the lips of Governor Barnett dripped with words of interposition and nullification? Where were they when Governor Wallace gave the clarion call for defiance and hatred? Where were their voices of support when tired, bruised and weary Negro men and women decided to rise from the dark dungeons of complacency to the bright hills of creative protest?"

Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment, I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church; I love her sacred walls. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great-grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and fear of being nonconformists.

There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period when the early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." But they went on with the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," and had to obey God rather than man. They were small in number but big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." They brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contest.

Things are different now. The contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are.

But the judgement of God is upon the church as never before. If the church of today does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authentic ring, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. I am meeting young people every day whose disappointment with the church has risen to outright disgust.

Dr. King's words are convicting and fresh today. Our call as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to proclaim the Gospel. Inextricably bound up in that commission is the prayer "thy Kingdom come ... the work of making the invisible Kingdom visible ... of promoting the Kingdom values of love, forgiveness, justice, mercy, etc. ... of making things "right" here on earth just as they are in heaven. This may come in very large venues such as systemic cultural racism or in very small arenas such as your neighbor's living room or the check out line at Food World.

May God forgive the church (me and whoever else would wish to insert his/her name) for our silence and for the blemished and scarred reputation we have earned as His bride. May God give us eyes to see the injustice and brokenness of the world around us. May God give us hearts to love the many who are suffering, weak, poor, rejected, marginalized, hated, despised, defeated, and hopeless. May God give us voices, not to rude and offensive, but to be loud and clear as we proclaim the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give us hands and feet to be the instruments of making His Kingdom visible in all areas of life.

weeping with Dr. King,
Burt

EVERY eye will see

2008-01-21T18:06:00.000-06:00

There is a family preparing to use our church facility in a few weeks to celebrate their aunt's 100th birthday. They say this aunt has never been married but has surely had a hand in raising at least 100 of her nieces and nephews and cousins and other family and friends. They are planning a celebration that "will be the biggest celebration this side of heaven!" It's quite a joy to speak to this family and hear of their love, admiration, respect, and appreciation for this special lady. They say she is a believer and loves her Lord Jesus!

We were told today that she was born legally blind and is now totally blind. She's never really seen anything clearly ... but we were told the family is glad about that because there are so many ugly things to see in this life and this precious lady has not had to see any of it.

I started thinking about that ... a lot has changed in 100 years, both for bad and for good. It's almost unfathomable to consider that she has lived that long and really hasn't "seen" anything. But a day is coming when she will see, and will see most clearly. As bad as it must be to be blind in this life, never able to see anything, can you imagine the sheer joy and eager anticipation she must have to be given new eyes that can see? How amazingly marvelous it must be to live with the knowledge and assurance that the first thing, the very first thing you will ever see after living some 100+ years will be the Lord Jesus Christ! Having that knowledge makes the wait worthwhile. Her eyes will SEE Him ... my eyes will SEE Him! If you know Him, so will you.

waiting to see,
Burt

All I Can Do is Clap!

2008-01-19T09:49:00.000-06:00

I attended the Community Church congregational meeting at Workplay last night where Adam Wright's band, Act of Congress, played. I've heard them play before but not in a venue like Workplay ... they really were phenomenal! Adam and his fellow band members have talent just dripping from every pore in their body. I'm sure they practice and get better all the time, but it's obvious they have a God-given talent to play and sing that folks like me will never have no matter how hard we try. Their playing is such a testimony to the creativity and glory of God!

And then following Act of Congress was a band from Georgia called "The Lovell Sisters." These three sisters also put on an incredible show ... unbelievable talent vocally and instrumentally. After their performance I told Anita she should ask them where in Georgia they were from (since Anita is also a Georgia girl.) The mandolin / guitar playing sister came back on stage to pick up her stuff and Anita strolled over to ask her about their hometown. "We're from Calhoun, ma'am. Thank you so much for coming; I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you ma'am." This girl was only 16 years old and had just performed on par with any professional. Her "older" sisters were 19 and 21. I read that they all started taking lessons at age 5, but what I heard last night from them and Act of Congress wasn't simply taught from a book in a classroom. They're not old enough to have had the time to learn to do what they did!

I used to literally lay awake at night dreaming of being a famous musician. I would have been in competition with groups like Led Zeppelin, the Doobie Brothers, Kool and the Gang, David Bowie, the Ohio Players, Steely Dan, and the Who, but I was fairly confident I could make it! I took piano lessons for 5 years as a kid, played trumpet in the high school band, and still play on imaginary drum kit every chance I get. But it didn't take long to realize that my primary role in the world of music was to sit (or dance as appropriate), listen, and applaud the beauty that is displayed in and through the gift of music. And that's what I did last night ... simply in awe of Adam and his band as well as the Lovell Sisters.

I also lay awake at night sometimes dreaming of being a god, in competition with the true God of Scripture. I somehow believe my worrying, anxiety, fear, strategery, attempts to manipulate, and frantic activity will profoundly affect the flow of history ... and I keep doing it so I must be pretty confident that I can compete with the only true God. But in His grace He comes again and again to remind me that my role in this world is ultimately to sit back (or dance as appropriate), listen to God, and applaud the beauty of His beautiful works of grace. I'm compelled to applaud with all areas of life, not just in "religious" duties. I was reminded last night at Workplay that my true applause was not merely for Adam or any other human, but ultimately for the music of the Gospel. I'm grateful to Adam and the others for giving me that privilege and opportunity!

still clapping,
Burt

Winter Storm

2008-01-16T21:57:00.000-06:00

I knew today when I heard the first bit of sleet and saw the first snowflake that we'd get a bunch of calls at church asking if we had canceled Wednesday night classes or not. We're not at all accustomed to wintry weather and it sort of freaks us out. I'm from Florida and just don't do well in cold weather, ice, and snow conditions. It all sort of makes me nervous ... and itchy. Cold weather makes my skin dry out and I scratch constantly - always trying to reach that place on my back that my hand won't quite get to!

Sure enough, we fielded many calls and tried to assure everyone that we were having class and that all reports indicated there would be no problems on the roads. But still, many folks stayed away and missed class tonight. And what a shame that is! We have some excellent classes going on right now.

I know it's not the case with everyone, but I wonder if some folks don't at times just look for an excuse not to come to church (whether it's Weds night class, Sunday worship, Community Group, etc.) We're good at blaming the weather, kids, and anything else in order to avoid getting together with God's people and learning from His Word. Again, I know this isn't true for everyone who wasn't there tonight, but I imagine it is for some. I say this because I know there are many times in my own life where I look for excuses to cancel a meeting, to NOT invite friends over for supper, and to avoid certain responsibilities.

I encourage us to examine our hearts right now. Have you recently made some excuse why you "can't" do something related to the church family or work of the Kingdom? I know I have and I need to repent.

Let's be a church family that doesn't look for excuses to avoid meeting together, but actually longs to get together for encouragement, teaching, and accountability.

cold,
Burt

A little bit sad, a little bit glad

2008-01-14T15:37:00.000-06:00

We had the first Session meeting of the new year last night. It was the first meeting in many years where we were missing two of our most solid, mature, and wise elders - Jesse Humphrey and Dave Wolfe. Most pastors don't get the privilege of working with such men and benefiting from their wisdom, comments, perspectives, challenges, patience, and love. I'm a little sad about this! I will miss these two men this year and hope to have them back active soon. Please pray for Dave and Jesse during their sabbatical year ... that the Lord would refresh them and give them renewed vision for the work of the church.

At the same time it was a thrill to welcome three new guys to the Session - Steve Booth, Steve Gables, and David Johnson. They bring a whole lot to the table and I'm very excited about what they'll add to the life and health of Community Church. Pray for them and their families ... they're now more strategic targets for the enemy.

I've said it for years and it continues to be true ... I am so blessed to have such an exceptional group of elders to work with! I trust you saw this demonstrated during the recent events at church. I frequently speak with other pastors and hear stories of conflict, harsh debate, difference in philosophy, power struggles, large egos, divisiveness, legalism, and anger. Even other pastors who I think are in great churches and who I would consider as mentors will mention "losing a battle" with the Session. I'm telling you, our guys just don't get into that stuff! There just isn't the atmosphere of confrontation or pride when our men meet.

Are they perfect? Heck no! They can tend to be apathetic at times, they forget to shepherd as they should, they're not very adept at doing local mission, they aren't mentoring younger men as we'd all like them to, they don't loves their wives as they should, and they can sometimes neglect to contact those under their care. But what I really admire about our elders is their willingness to admit their weakness, inability, and sin. It's very difficult to accuse them of hypocrisy because they, in fact, will be the first group to tell you about their sin; they'll initiate the conversation about their weakness and inability to adequately perform the work of elder. The only thing to really accuse them of is being too honest. I think I can honestly say I'm the most arrogant of all the elders at Community Church. I can trick myself into believing "I know my stuff" - but the other elders are quick to admit they don't.

Of the two emotions mentioned previously, I'm mostly glad. Just because men like Dave and Jesse won't be at our monthly meetings doesn't mean I can't still benefit from their wisdom - I plan to keep doing that. But prior to this year I've been missing the input of Steve, Steve, and Dave.

glad to be at CPC,
Burt

Welcome to Church

2008-01-10T06:36:00.000-06:00

In my Wednesday night class on prayer last night we went through an exercise of hypothetically going to a "prayer therapist" so that we might better understand our relationship to our father (heavenly Father - God.) Suppose we were asked, "Tell me about your father." We would surely speak in glowing terms of His character (He is strong, sufficient, caring, holy, loving, powerful, compassionate, gracious, majestic, etc.) But if we were then asked, "So describe your relationship with him; what is it like on a daily basis?", we would stumble all over ourselves trying to rationalize why we neglect the relationship with this perfect dad.

The only word to describe this relationship would be "dysfunctional." And that's absolutely what we are, this is what the church is ... a bunch of dysfunctional people coming together who know their perfect heavenly Father loves them, cares for them, provides for them, etc. but who also daily struggle to love Him and relate to Him in return. So if you're one of those dysfunctional folks, welcome to the church.

It helps us as we view one another within the church family. We're all messed up, sinners, struggling with relating to our dad. And though the temptation is always there to judge everyone else as being jacked up and thinking we've got it all figured out, we must come back and realize once again that we're just as sinful as are they. Here's the location of an article that helps give me a picture of what the church is like when we gather together.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUKL0910395120080109

Isn't that how we should probably feel when we look around at others in the church?

dysfunctionally yours,
Burt

the Table

2008-01-08T08:06:00.000-06:00

Though I didn't verbally highlight it this past Sunday at worship, there was a new significance for me in coming to the Lord's Table. It was most providential of God to work it out such that Hope's confession of betrayal was on that day. Again, I wish I could sugarcoat the sin but rather must say that it was a sin of betraying the trust, confidence, and faith we as a church family had in her.

Did you hear the words, "On the night in which He was betrayed, our Savior took bread ..." He was betrayed on the very night He instituted the Supper. We heard of our being betrayed on the day we take the Supper.

So for all of us who have betrayed Christ, He says, "take, eat, this is my body broken for you ... this is the cup of the new covenant of my blood which was shed for many for the forgiveness of sin."

Yep, we were betrayed. But the One who we betrayed continues to give Himself to us in love and grace.

forgiven,
Burt

Hard Times

2008-01-07T07:58:00.000-06:00

If you know me and know what was revealed yesterday in Community's worship service, surely you must know that the past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me. Hope has been, and still is, much more than just a fellow church member at Community ... she is essentially a member of the Boykin family. She's a big sister to all my boys and has done as much or more for them than anyone I know. She's also been like a daughter to Anita and me ... we've seen her grow up from a silly high school girl into a happily married woman successfully working in a great job. We've counseled her, loved her, discipled her, exhorted her, comforted her, defended her, and cared for her over the years. She's truly as close to our family as anyone could be without going through legal adoption! And it hurt like hell to find out that she lied to me, deceived me, and abused the trust I had in her. I wish I could sugarcoat everything and make it sound all nice and sweet, but sin really is an ugly thing. When I was first told of the suspicion of Hope's actions I was in shock, disbelief, and simply couldn't believe it. But as time went on it the evidence was compelling and she finally confessed, as was mentioned yesterday at church. It literally made me sick to my stomach. It was the worst few weeks I've ever had in ministry.

As bad as Hope abused my trust, it's really nothing compared to how violently I abuse the trust God has given me to proclaim His glory on a daily basis; it's nothing compared to how insulting I am to God's honor; it's nothing compared to how routinely and flippantly I assault God's holy character with my sin; it's nothing compared to how disrespectful I am of my heavenly Father and my brothers and sisters in Christ; it's nothing compared to my pride and unbelief. And yet my Father runs to meet me every morning, He clothes me with the righteous garment of His Son Jesus, He lavishly showers me with His grace, He sings over me His song of love, He feeds my soul with His Word and Spirit, He defends me from all His and my enemies, He cares for me as His own son.

So with all this in mind, can I be unreconciled to Hope? Of course not! As God has treated me so must I treat Hope - with mercy and grace and love. Does it make the pain go away? Of course not! Hope and I have had some conversations and we'll have many more over the next few weeks, months, and years. But we're family, bound by the blood of Christ, reconciled to God and one another by the finished work of Christ. Hope and the Boykin family are fine. We'll continue to rejoice together in God's grace, probably even more now than in the past. It's now proven and professed that we're some really bad sinners who desperately need Christ.

And I must say that I have been overwhelmed by the attitude and actions of our church elders! These men have dealt with this matter with the utmost of integrity and grace. They have shown that the Gospel is truly the highest priority at Community Church. Pray for that commitment to continue!

Will everyone in the church handle this deal with grace? Time will tell. We will see to what degree the Gospel has taken root in the lives of the people of God at Community. Yet I have every reason to believe that our people will apply the Gospel in this situation. Pray with me for this to be the case.

relieved to get past yesterday,
Burt

Thanks, Griff

2008-01-03T20:13:00.000-06:00

So Griff hops in bed with me one early morning recently and wanted to snuggle a little bit. He's a great snuggler and is very loving. He's a very cute little boy ... and his comments can make me laugh like nobody else can. As he's snuggling up next to me he reaches over and starts scratching my back. He then proclaims "you're really soft." That's what a dad likes to hear from his boys. I needed that reminder ... that I'm soft!

As I think about my family I realize that I probably am the softest to the touch of anyone named Boykin, at least in the sense that I have a healthy layer of fat beneath my skin. Obviously Anita's skin is the softest but she doesn't have enough fat to give it much cushion. Dane is solid as a rock; Addison has zero body fat; Seth is one huge muscle; Yates is strong and solid; Cobi is slender and has no fat; Tanner and Griff are both skinny with no fat. At least one of our cats, Zorak, is getting fat with me.

Maybe hearing my own kids call me "soft" will be motivation to get in a little better shape. I'll eat some ice cream and think about it.

softly speaking,
Burt

Timing is Everything

2008-01-02T21:06:00.000-06:00

I often wonder why things happen when they do. I guess it's only when really strange things happen that I'd even ask that question ... obviously for the most part there isn't a reason to question God's timing; things sort of make sense and we just press on with life. But there are those times when I sit back and wonder "what the heck?" We just had one such time at the Boykin home.

Tuesday morning a couple of the boys began to complain that it was cold in the house. I was at first just thinking they were merely in a complaining mode - didn't take them very seriously. But after a short while later Anita also mentioned it was getting colder in the house so I figured I'd check into the matter. Yep, the heat was turned on but not working. Yep, it was New Year's Day, a holiday, and not the day that got heating unit guys excited about making house calls, unless of course they could charge some exorbitant rate. Yep, it was also the coldest day of the year up to that point. Of all the days for the heat to go out - why that day? It was cold in the house that night as we all went to bed. We had a couple of space heaters, I rerouted the dryer vent and aimed it back in the house, had a fire in the fireplace, there's a gas wall heater in the basement and a couple of guys slept down there ... all in all we were fine and survived quite well.

It was fixed today and tonight (a bitterly cold night) we're all toasty and warm in our home. God is very good!

I guess sometimes God needs for us to experience the coldness of the world to know and understand the warmth He gives by His Spirit.

thawed,
Burt

God with me

2007-12-24T19:15:00.000-06:00

So I'm driving home from our Christmas Eve candlelight service and turn on the radio only to hear the Green Day song, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." And I remember how I had just a few minutes prior spoken about a world in darkness who truly needs the light of Jesus Christ. And Green Day belts out a clear reminder to me of the desperate and helpless cries of those who are lost.

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

And I realize that as I ride in the car I am not alone, that Immanuel has come and has promised to never leave me nor forsake me nor abandon me nor reject me; and I thank God for sending His Son Jesus for me ... I don't walk alone.

And I hear the cry of the lonely world, people longing for relationship, for someone out there to find them. And I repent because I've not reached out to them.

And I pray that God would use me and my church family this coming year to reach out to the lost and extend to them the same grace that God has given us. I pray that we would incarnate the good news and spread the message of Christ to all in our community.

Merry Christmas as you celebrate the coming of the Christ.

not alone,
Burt

Home, Sweet Home

2007-12-22T18:10:00.000-06:00

All the Boykins are finally back together in Moody! Anita and Addison made it home safely - a couple of hours late - but here nonetheless! All the boys are in "vacation" mode and enjoying their time off from school. Addison actually has a little bit of work to do on a paper and also study for his final exams, but that's what you get for having surgery during the last week of school.

I had scheduled a night this past week as a night to clean the house. Anita's parents were coming in the next day ... and also I wanted to get the house looking nice for Anita when she got here. I told all the boys that when I got back that night we'd have to spend some time doing some work. Well, when I got home around 5:30 or so all of them were already working. Actually they had completed most of the cleaning and were finishing up some extra chores. I was amazed and very grateful. I think the credit has to go to Dane ... sometimes big brothers can motivate their siblings to do things that parents would have to do battle over. Whatever he did, it worked, and I'm very thankful.

As amazing as it was to see the guys clean the house it's even more amazing to see how quickly we can mess it up. And we even have more folks here now to mess it up. Oh well, I wouldn't have it any other way.

loving my mess,
Burt

Free ... sort of

2007-12-19T06:36:00.000-06:00

Addison is finally out of the hospital. He and Anita are staying at our friends' home down in Mt. Vernon, VA. They'll have to head back up to the Georgetown hospital on Friday morning to see the surgeon; hopefully he will remove Addison's staples and give him the okay to fly home that afternoon. Pray that this will happen.

We're more than ready to see them! We've managed very well and have been fed like champions, but we'll be excited to see Friday come. Me-ma and Pa-pa are coming Thursday - it'll be good to see them. They'll be staying through Christmas and beyond.

Speaking of Christmas ... we need to get some shopping done!

making a list,
Burt

Good News ... Bad News

2007-12-17T08:48:00.001-06:00

The good news ... Addison should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow (Tues, 17 Dec.) The surgeon came by this morning and told him and Anita that he was progressing well and should be good to go! He's able to start eating a real diet tomorrow (tho very slowly and carefully) and will be taken off the IV antibiotics. He and Anita will be free of the confines of that hospital room.

The bad news ... the surgeon said he couldn't travel anywhere until Friday (21 Dec)! He wants to check him again Friday morning and assuming things are okay he will then release him to travel. That's the day he was planning on coming home anyway; in fact, he already had a flight booked. So no real change in his plans. But the glitch is that Anita will need to stay until then to help him with his stuff; he'll be limited to only lifting about 10 pounds for the next couple of weeks. Between Tuesday and Friday they can stay with our friends, Matt and Carol, so having a comfortable place to stay won't be a problem. The problem is that they're not home with us!

As much as I long for my wife to be home, this experience helps me realize how much I also long to see Jesus. My feelings and emotions tell me that everything will be okay when Anita gets home (even though we'll still have dishes and clothes to wash, kids to raise, bills to pay, etc.) My faith assures me that everything truly will be okay when I meet Jesus face to face. Heaven will be clean, no washing needed! I'll see how much He loves and cares for my kids, no more anxiety! No bills to pay because He's already paid the only cost necessary for my salvation! I truly miss my wife - but I need the reminder of how much I long for Jesus!

Mr. Mom for the week,
Burt

A Feast

2007-12-16T16:27:00.000-06:00

I guess when you haven't eaten any real food in the past 6 days anything would be considered good! Addison got to feast on a tray of liquids today - juice, broth, jello, etc. Actually he said the broth was too salty - apparently the hospitals in D.C. use the same recipes as do the ones in Alabama.

While he may not get to eat very much, the Boykins in Moody are truly feasting! We are not lacking for anything ... meats, veggies, salads, bread, deserts, etc. We'll probably gain a few pounds as a result but we'll do so with a smile. To all who have provided this food, thank you so much! As I've said before, it's a joy to be a part of such a wonderful church family.

We're missing mom here at the house. Not that we need her to really do anything that we can't do for ourselves, but we just sort of need her.

I must now go eat a couple of cookies!

growing bigger,
Burt

Friday Night Fun

2007-12-15T09:11:00.000-06:00

Anita was supposed to go with me but she decided to take a few days off and check out Georgetown University Hospital. So I went out last night with Jesse and Shirley Humphrey, Mike and Mary Johnson, Joe and Adria Ellis, Don and Grace Dickinson, Lee and Mona Silvey, and Dave and Shirley Wolfe ... we went to eat at the Pita Stop and then attended the Alabama Symphony's performance of Handel's "Messiah." What an incredible work of music! But an even more incredible presentation of the Gospel! It has always amazed me how non-Christian performers and audiences can be so enthralled with this oratorio yet not be spiritually impacted by it's clear message. Yet apart from the work of the Spirit none of us, no matter how many times we hear it, will be transformed. But still, what a great evening - good friends, good food, great music - the only thing missing was my wife.

Speaking of Anita ... she's still hanging out with Addison helping him recover. When I got home last night there were a couple of pictures waiting for me. Here's one I'm sure you'll enjoy. Yates' comment on the picture - "disgusting." He's continuing to improve daily. Most all his tubes have been removed and he's able to get up and walk around. Today he will even be able to sip on some juice! Sort of makes me feel guilty for that huge meal at Pita Stop last night ... sort of ... well, I think I'm over the guilt now and can live again in freedom.

humming "Messiah" tunes,
Burt

Addison says "hey"

2007-12-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

From the beautiful Georgetown University Hospital in our nation's capital city, Washington, D.C., Addison says "hey." Anita sent these pictures so we can see what's going on. He's continuing to get better and will hopefully start getting some tubes pulled out of various body parts soon. The two friends you see are Katie (the girl who sacrificially cared for him until Anita got there) and Matas (his roommate who is helping him make all the arrangements necessary to complete final exams.)

Please continue to pray - for a quick recovery, that his final exam schedule would somehow get worked out favorably, that God would sanctify Him in and through this experience, and that God would grant him the grace to proclaim Christ to his friends because of what has happened.

As for the Boykins in Moody - we're well taken care of. We've already been informed that food is on the way. It's wonderful to be a part of the family of God!

thankful,
Burt

Pray for Addison

2007-12-12T08:13:00.001-06:00

Last night while Anita, Seth, Tanner, and I were in Talledega for one of Yates' basketball games we received a call from Addison - he had been in severe pain all day, couldn't stand up straight, and had received all the help he could get at the campus clinic. They told him to check back with them in the morning, but if it got worse to go straight to the hospital there on the Georgetown campus. Before an hour passed he called again to tell us he was in the hospital waiting room. He tried to walk but didn't get very far ... his friend had to call the campus paramedics to come get him! Over the next 7-8 hours they ran several tests, scans, ultrasounds, etc. on him to try to figure out the problem. They ruled out appendicitis or gall bladder problems; finally discerned that it was probably a perforated ulcer somewhere in his stomach, intestines, etc. that was allowing air into his abdomen - that was the cause of the intense pain. Within another hour he was in surgery ... exploratory surgery to discover where the problem was. Soon they discovered it was in his stomach and they stitched it up.

He should be fine but will still have some pain. The biggest pain will be having to stay in the hospital on IV antibiotics for 6-7 days ... the very same days scheduled for final exams! I think he was doing just fine in his classes (with the exception of calculus which was kicking his rear end; yet he was looking pretty good to finish out the semester with a decent grade), but who knows what impact this will have on all that!

Actually, we're confident God knows and is carefully orchestrating this whole deal in His perfect timing according to His perfect will (which obviously doesn't always match up with our ideas!). It will be a treat to see how God works all this out for Addison. And as you pray for him ask the Lord to give Addison the opportunity to sing His song of redemption and provision in that strange land known as Georgetown University.

Already we've seen God offer His grace and provide for Addison in powerful ways. His friend Katie was with him during all during this ordeal, even up to the time of surgery around 3:00 am EST. And yes, she has finals starting, too! From what we were told, God provided perhaps the very best surgeon at the hospital to perform the procedure. Also, God has provided us with great friends up in the D.C. area - Matt and Carol Woodbery, my friend who is the Deputy Chaplain for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. He and Carol will check on Addison and treat him as their own. Also, they will take great care of Anita - she left this morning to see her baby! So, yep, us boys are here by ourselves for several days. We'll miss Anita but she's where she needs to be right now. Pray for her during this sudden and emotional trip.

As for me right now, I'm going to sleep! We got maybe about 30 minutes of sleep last night between phone calls, checking on flights, packing, and praying.

yawning as I type,
Burt

My Hometown Church

2007-12-06T20:41:00.000-06:00

While Anita and I were down in Chattahoochee we took a little time and stopped by to visit the interim pastor and his wife (Ed and Joan James) at the PCA church in town ... the church of my childhood! Back in my day it was a small congregation, maybe around 40-50. Though we were technically a PCA church we really weren't much of one at all. We didn't have a full-time pastor, but instead borrowed a chaplain from one of the local prisons. He wasn't close to being a PCA guy! Ed came to our church after I had gone off to college and really did a great job. The church grew all the way up to around 70-80 folks (revival by our standards!) What I particularly remember him for is his loving care and ministry to my mom who was wrestling with cancer during those years. Ed was a true servant and faithfully pointed my mom to Christ ... God used him very effectively during the later years of her life. My mom thought highly of him and I'll always be appreciative of his Gospel ministry to her.

It was fun to speak with Ed and catch up on his and Joan's life. They're retired now and just filling in there in Chattahoochee while they try to figure out what to do with their retirement.

So what's the status of the church back home? Weekly attendance is somewhere around 12 to 18 people. Sad, but true. Those who attend are many of the same folks who were there when I was a kid. Basically they're just waiting to die and want to do so in their own church.

What should happen to this church? Should it close? Should it stay open until the last member dies? Should an attempt be made to revitalize the church and start reaching the community (which is racially different than it was many years ago)? As more and more time, energy, resources, etc. are directed toward urban and suburban locations, small town churches like this one will continue to die a slow and painful death. It grieves me to see this happen ... this is the church where I grew up; I know that building like my own house; those people taught me about Jesus; I wouldn't be where I am today apart from that early influence. Join me in praying for my old church and the many others like it.

sad,
Burt

reunion pt.2

2007-12-04T22:44:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned before, we had a great time at my 30th high school reunion. Because those who planned it know I'm a pastor they scheduled me to pray at the Friday night gathering. I was honored to do so and really saw it as an opportunity to share with some old friends the truth of the Gospel. I don't know if I would have been voted "least likely to go into ministry" but I really don't think my high school friends would have pegged me to do what I'm doing. Hopefully they saw the selfish, reserved, arrogant Burt transformed to some degree into someone who actually cared for them.

Fortunately this reunion gave me the opportunity to meet with a number of old friends and live out the Gospel in front of them. But reunions are NOT always guaranteed; the opportunity may not present itself for us to go back to folks we've known in the past. We can't change the past, but we can live today. I urge us all to live out the Gospel each and every day as we relate to our friends, neighbors, school mates, co-workers, family, etc. We may not get to have a reunion with them later on ... this day may be the only shot we have to show them Christ. So sing loudly the Lord's song today!

warming up my singing voice,
Burt

30th High School Reunion

2007-12-03T06:27:00.000-06:00

Anita and I returned last night from attending the reunion of the Chattahoochee High School class of '77. We had a blast! It was an incredible time. It was well planned, well attended, and thoroughly enjoyed by all. There are many stories to tell from this weekend ... that'll come later! But for now, just enjoy the picture of this esteemed group of graduates!

looking old,
Burt

Sign of Old Age

2007-11-26T10:05:00.000-06:00

With all the occupants and activity in the Boykin home over the Thanksgiving weekend, Anita and I were relegated upstairs to sleep in Yates' room. She slept on his bed, I was on the floor on an air mattress. Yates slept on a sofa, as did Dane. Addison slept on another air mattress on the floor beside the sofa. Me-ma and Pa-pa stayed in our bedroom because it's the only real sleeping area on the main level of the house ... they don't do too well on stairs! The college boys are gone and Anita's parents headed out this morning so everyone can get back to their normal sleeping spots!

There was a day when sleeping on the floor didn't matter to me at all (emphasis on the word "was"). I can't wait to go to bed tonight and sleep in my own bed! I used to mock my parents when they said stuff like that - thought they were just old and grumpy - maybe they were, maybe I am too!

washing sheets,
Burt

getting ready for Thanksgiving

2007-11-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

In a few days our house will be very busy. It's always busy, but this Thanksgiving will be crazy! Anita's parents are coming on Tuesday; Dane is coming home Tuesday; Addison comes in on Thursday; Anita's sister Cindy is coming sometime this week; and of course the regular 7 of us will be here. That makes for a house full of 12 folks. Come on over and join the fun - but bring your own hot water if you want to take a shower!

We have some cleaning to do before everyone arrives but if you've ever been to our house you know we don't wear ourselves out with that task! It'll be hectic, disorganized, chaotic, and messy, but we wouldn't want it any other way. Family is such a gift and we're grateful for the opportunity to enjoy it. As kids continue to grow and move on with their lives we realize the times where the whole family gathers together will become less and less. These are times to be cherished and we trust God will give us a great Thanksgiving together.

starting to clean,
Burt

A Witness to History

2007-11-16T15:29:00.000-06:00

Last night I had supper over in the Atlanta area with the following folks:

Alan Waldecker (Director of Church Planting for the International Presbyterian Church in Europe)
Tom Courtney (Regional Director for MTW in Europe - MTW is the world missions arm of the Presbyterian Church in America)
Bill Goodman (MTW Coordinator for Europe)
Craig Sheppard (MTW Regional Director for Eastern Europe)
Al Barth (the coordinator for Redeemer Presbyterian's church planting work in Europe and Africa - yes, Tim Keller's church)
Tom Wood (the coordinator for the PCA church planting network covering all of North Georgia)

And you're asking, "why was Burt at this gathering of important folks?" Here are some choices for you. Pick which you believe to be the right one.

a. Burt has become one of the movers and shakers in world evangelism
b. these other guys needed Burt's advice on how to impact England with the Gospel
c. Burt's car broke down in front of the host home and they were kind enough to invite him in
d. Burt happens to be good friends with Alan Waldecker who secured him an invitation

The purpose of this meeting was for these groups to gather together and see how they might partner to plant Gospel centered churches in Europe, particularly at this time in England. The International Presbyterian Church (IPC) is the denomination that will be the means of doing this and MTW, the PCA churches in North Georgia, and Redeemer PCA in NY city are all interested in coming alongside to help. The church in England where we've taken a couple of missions trip to is an IPC church; this is the very same church where Trace and Ginger Donahoo will be going to serve. In fact, Trace and Ginger are the first MTW missionaries to work in cooperation with the IPC in an official capacity. So Community Church has a relationship and history with this movement.

I really felt like I was witnessing history last night as these men, representing these powerful groups, came together in a common spirit in order to work together to impact England with the Gospel. So years from now when you hear of great things happening in and through the IPC over in England and throughout Europe, think of me as the little redneck, out-of-place pastor from Alabama sitting among some giants of the faith in a formative meeting ... and you have my permission to laugh a little because you know I was out of my league for that evening. Even so, I was thrilled to be a part of it.

praying for England and proud to be sending the Donahoos,
Burt

the key

2007-11-14T08:57:00.000-06:00

About 4:15 I get the call from Anita and the boys that the van won't crank. They were parked at the Moody Food World. "We've done everything we know to do and it just won't crank." I suggested a couple of things ... they'd already tried everything I mentioned. So I decided to run over there from the church and see if I could do anything - not that I know jack about cars or mechanical stuff but maybe I could figure something out. Nothing I tried worked either. I told Anita to put the kids in my car, go home, and I'd stay there and get some help.

It was a little chilly outside so I wanted to go over to my car and get my jacket before Anita drove off. Out of habit I took the key out of the ignition and started walking around the van toward my car and just happened to look down at the key in the my hand ... which was NOT the van key! After Anita dug the van key out of her purse it's amazing how quickly the van cranked up.

I don't know if Anita or Yates or Cobi picked out the wrong key in the first place - it doesn't matter. But the point is that only one key works.

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
And there is salvation in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given among men
by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:11,12

It's sort of humorous when we try to use the wrong key to start a car. But it's ignorant, rebellious, sinful, vile, and arrogant to try to use something other than Jesus to operate our lives. Are there any "keys" you're trying to use that just aren't going to ultimately work? I've already tried today - and none of them worked! I'm having to run back to Jesus again.

repenting,
Burt

Judd's Butt

2007-11-12T08:39:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we hosted a visitor's lunch here at the house. As of Saturday afternoon we knew of 3 visitors that planned on coming. Just after worship ended we had 10 adult visitors and 2 high school age visitors on the way to our house! Needless to say we weren't going to have enough food. The ladies involved (Anita, Angie Wilkes, Laura Morgan, and Tammy Randle) scrambled to put together extra food for the crowd. But what really saved the day was Judd's butt!

Someone recently gave Judd a large homemade cooker and on Saturday Judd cooked up a bunch of meat, including a couple of butts ... and he graciously provided for our crowd plenty of meat! And I'll say it was really good, too. We were encouraging him to maybe have a "butt off" with George Gurley. Judd said he wasn't quite willing to match up against the king yet but did believe his butt smelled better than George's.

Yes, we went through all the butt jokes and laughed a lot. But what was most fun about the day was the experience of God blessing us with such a large crowd. It's exciting to see the Kingdom come in small ways. I look forward to seeing His Kingdom continue to grow in and through Community Church.

It's fun to gather with old friends and new visitors and hear the Lord's song being sung - as the ladies sacrificially prepared the meal, as Judd graciously brought his food, as all the visitors were welcomed and engaged with our members, as the many conversations throughout the house seemed to focus on the Gospel.

cleaning the house,
Burt

Back to Rome

2007-11-09T06:20:00.000-06:00

Thursday night I returned to Rome ... this time with Griff, Tanner, and Chris Sharp. I'm so glad Chris was able to go. I had a great time with him and am blessed to have such good friends and partners in ministry.

Anyway, Dane's Covenant team played Berry College last night. Berry is sort of known as the Chick-Fil-A school. I believe Truett Cathy (founder of Chick-Fil-A) gave a ton of money to Berry. But we experienced something entirely different, totally unique, very distinct from what I'd ever seen on any other college campus. Streaking? Beautiful campus? Strange looking students? Partying? No - at Berry last night we saw a campus filled with deer roaming around like pets ... grazing, laying on the lawn, walking calmly from place to place ... there were deer everywhere! And not just precious little baby deer, a big 8 point deer was casually strolling between two dorms. It was one of the most bizarre sights I've seen in a long time. I was thinking that if Ronnie Smith had any credits left to finish up college he ought to consider Berry!

Covenant won the game! They played much better than they did Tuesday night.

still a little creeped out by the deer,
Burt

Jack and Joel

2007-11-07T06:35:00.000-06:00

Last night Jack Sullivan and a friend of his went with me over to Rome, GA to watch Dane's Covenant College basketball team get drilled by Shorter College. This was not unexpected - Shorter is NAIA Div. 1 while Covenant is Div. 2. Regardless, it was fun to see Dane and visit with him for a few minutes after the game.

At the game last night was Joel Osteen's body double. This guy definitely had the "look" going for him ... size and build, full wavy hair, charming smile, he was even wearing a suit. Jack pointed him out to me and told me to play along as he told his friend who it was. At first his friend was suspicious - but considering Osteen was just in B'ham and that Shorter College is a Baptist institution, it didn't take too long for Jack to convince him that "Joel" was sitting only 15 feet away from us. Jack never changed his story, never confessed it was a joke, never gave his friend any reason to think that guy was anyone other than Joel Osteen. His friend is probably going around today telling everyone who he saw last night!

Moral of the story?
a) be suspicious when Jack points out someone to you
b) feel sorry for Jack's friends
c) spend more time with Jack because laughter is good for you

still smiling,
Burt

btw - the answer is "c"

Have you prayed for Britney today?

2007-11-02T10:49:00.000-05:00

This morning I was listening to some reporters speculate as to why our culture is so fascinated with the train wreck known as Britney Spears. Their thought was that we (as in general population) like to know that other parents are even worse than we are, that we need this in order to feel better about ourselves, that it gives us a sense of superiority. Isn't it interesting that even the secular world acknowledges the perversion of the human heart!

Are we who call ourselves Christians any better? I don't think so. There's a part of us that enjoys seeing others fail, seeing other parents struggle with their kids, seeing other relationships go through turmoil, seeing others suffer financial hardship, seeing others suffer with ... whatever. We're so insecure in our own sense of worth and acceptance we need something, even the failure and suffering of others, to make us feel superior and worthy.

It's not the perversion of someone else's heart I'm worried about today - it's mine.

praying for Britney,
Burt

Check your Checkbook

2007-11-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Just when we thought we we're getting ahead ...

A few months ago we wrote a check for Dane's summer missions trip to China for $2400. We were grateful that the Lord provided that money and very excited that he had the opportunity for such a trip. It was a check that I was glad to write. Today I found out that the bank mistakenly recognized the check in the amount of $24. Yes, that means that we'll soon have $2376 taken out of our account. WHAM - that hurts.

So how did we not catch it in the first place? Who knows ... I knew the check cleared and just did a poor job of reconciling everything. So now the feeling of having a little extra financial cushion is gone!

But isn't that the picture of life itself? Even if I had a $24,000,000 cushion right now, that would only last another few years until I die or Jesus comes back (which is my first choice!) Scripture says we must depend solely on Christ and His benefits ... He is sufficient ... and I'm so happy He's given me this reminder of that! (pray that the Lord would actually give me the grace to say that last phrase without any sarcasm)

poorer than I was yesterday,
Burt