8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land." 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage--in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. 15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them." 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday School Lesson Exodus 1:8-21
8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land." 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage--in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. 15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them." 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Retreat Part 2
Dea. Little...Lean wit it, Roc wit it....
Sara was sleep while driving...
Tonya... I just don't know.
And me...I'm jealous of the that dude's fro...!!!
I say all of this in Good Fun. Love Ya'll
New Morning Star Youth Trip 2008 Part I
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday School Lesson 12/28
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Justin Smith - Peoria Notre Dame H. S.
I'm back....
I apologize for not updating here lately...I'm back!!! Let's get it.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Definition Please - "Civil Rights"
Sorry, this issue is separate and not equal.... not sorry, just saying it like it is.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
New Prez... Now what ???
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Governments upon His shoulder
Monday, November 3, 2008
Who Knew?
Preacher...Did you preach with purpose yesterday? Who knew?
Choir...Did you sign with purpose yesterday? Who knew?
Musician...Did you play with purpose yesterday? Who knew?
Teachers...Did you teach with purpose yesterday? Who knew?
If they knew yesterday, do they know today? If we are doing all to the purpose and glory of God and with the knowledge, wisdom, and wherewithal that God has given, I believe that there will be impact in our churches. Understandably there are barriers, but pray that they be addressed. Then preach, teach, worship, sing, play as if someone's life dependent upon it!!! It might. It does. It is time out for half-hearted service. Be a catalyst for real service that God seeks.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Who is Qualified?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A Strange Christ
How big is the schism between God and the world? Even those who understood who Christ was did not recognize Him. They have seen His power, His person, and His work first yet He became a "stranger." How is it that the most popular man in the world was a "stranger?" What blindness overcomes a sinner that knows not Christ. Our preaches must preach Christ and abandon the notion of preaching an experiential gospel based off of hurt feelings and past issues. The gospel is that causes true change is that of Jesus Christ. Shall we not preach Him? Saints shall we not testify of Him? I recently attended a service where saints had nothing to say of the goodness God. Where is our vigor or has He become a stranger?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
It is well with My Soul...Be Encouraged
Open Blindness
Monday, October 13, 2008
Largest Churches in 2008
Large in Number, but I couldn't imagine not knowing my Pastor and he knowing me. Just my vantage point. Also notice the 2008 figures versus 2007. See a trend?
Top 15 (of 100) Largest Churches in America for 2008
- Lakewood Church (Houston, TX) :: Joel Osteen
Founded 1959 :: 1 location
#1 = 43,500 (2008)
#1 = 47,000 (2007)
#1 = 45,000 (2006) - Second Baptist Church (Houston, TX) :: Ed Young Sr.
Founded 1927 :: 5 locations
#2 = 23,659 (2008)
#3 = 23,198 (2007)
#3 = 22,266 (2006) - North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) :: Andy Stanley
Founded 1995 :: 3 locations
#3 = 22,557 (2008)
#7 = 17,700 (2007)
#12 = 16,700 (2006) - Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, IL) :: Bill Hybels
Founded 1975 :: 4 locations
#4 = 22,500 (2008)
#2 = 23,500 (2007)
#5 = 21,500 (2006) - LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) :: Craig Groeschel
Founded 1996 :: 11 locations
#5 = 20,823 (2008)
#5 = 19,907 (2007)
#13 = 16,071 (2006) - West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles, CA) :: Charles Blake
Founded 1943 :: 1 location
#6 = 20,000 (2008)
#50 = 8,350 (2006) - Fellowship Church (Grapevine, TX) :: Ed Young Jr.
Founded 1989 :: 5 locations
#7 = 19,913 (2008)
#16 = 13,000 (2007)(rumored misreport)
#9 = 18,124 (2006 - Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) :: Rick Warren
Founded 1980 :: 2 locations
#8 = 19,414 (2008)
#4 = 22,000 (2007)
#6 = 20,595 (2006) - Calvary Chapel (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) :: Bob Coy
Founded 1985 :: 3 locations
#9 = 18,000 (2008)
#9 = 17,000 (2007)
#8 = 18,300 (2006) - The Potter’s House (Dallas, TX) :: T.D. Jakes
Founded 1996 :: 1 location
#10 = 17,000 (2008)
#10 = 17,000 (2007)
#20 = 14,000 (2006) - Woodlands Church (The Woodlands, TX) :: Kerry Shook
Founded 1993 :: 3 locations
#11 = 16,380 (2008)
#12 = 15,600 (2007)
#18 = 14,120 (2006) - Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY) :: Dave Stone
Founded 1962 :: 1 location
#12 = 16,264 (2008)
#6 = 18,013 (2007)
#7 = 18,520 (2006) - Hopewell Missionary Baptist (Norcross, GA) :: William Sheals
Founded 1860s :: 1 location
#13 = 16,000 (2008) - New Birth Missionary Baptist (Decatur, GA) :: Eddie Long
Founded 1984 :: 1 location
#14 = 15,000 (2008)
#13 = 15,000 (2007)
#4 = 22,000 (2006) - NorthRidge Church (Plymouth, MI) :: Brad Powell
Founded 1929 :: 1 location
#15 = 14,762 (2008)
#15 = 13,865 (2007)
#23 = 12,700 (2006)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Magic or Miracle
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Church Info
Feel free to register and drop me a line.
I will be teaching at weekend workshop along with very capable teachers in Dayton, OH on October 24-25. Place and time TBA.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Meet my cousin... Princella Smith
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Are these the Teens You Know????
75% of teens discuss matters of faith with their peers.
75% of U.S. young adults have participated in at least one psychic- or witchcraft-related activity during their teens.
33% of U.S. young people are members of Christian clubs at their high schools and colleges.
Source Barna Research
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Jamal Bryant rips McCain-Palin ticket
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Ever had a day like this...?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
When churches sin
When churches never execute accountability and restoration...
When churches follow shallow forms of worship laced with unscanctioned, unholy holidays...
When churches open the doors of the church and never disciple those who truly come to the door(1)...
When churches bore the parishoners to the point they never want to darken a church stoop again...
We're wrong in certain instance and need to seek ways to engage and grow to worshipping in Spirit and Truth. God isn't getting glory during too many portions of our worships. Sure criticize my thoughts, but there are some people at home that understand and they'd love to come church yet they're church hopping!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thomas A. Dorsey - Listen and tell me what You think
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Life, my bucket list
How many lines would have strikeouts because of life's missteps?
How many pages would be blank because of days lived without purpose?
How many chapters would be missing a punchline because of dreams unfulfilled?
How many books would end....
Fear God and Keep His Commandment for this is man's all.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13
Monday, September 1, 2008
Problem with Palin (Hockey Mom)
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Someone needs to continue this....
I didn't see this on CNN, Fox, or CNBC. Be aware of the vices employed to divide. Whether it is Jesse Jackson or Jeremiah Wright being divisive, unity is what is needed among Christians.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday School Lesson 8/10 - Impartial Disciples
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Teen STDs
Source cnn.com
CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- At least one in four teenage girls nationwide has a sexually transmitted disease, or more than 3 million teens, according to the first study of its kind in this age group.
A virus that causes cervical cancer is by far the most common sexually transmitted infection in teen girls aged 14 to 19, while the highest overall prevalence is among black girls -- nearly half the blacks studied had at least one STD. That rate compared with 20 percent among both whites and Mexican-American teens, the study from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
About half of the girls acknowledged having sex; among them, the rate was 40 percent. While some teens define sex as only intercourse, other types of intimate behavior including oral sex can spread some infections.
Church Let Your Light Shine
Daring to be a Daniel
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Sunday School Lesson 4/6
DAN. 1:8 But Dan'iel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.9 Now God had brought Dan'iel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Dan'iel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.11 Then said Dan'iel to Mel zar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Dan'iel, Han-a-ni'ah, Mish'a-el, and Az-a-ri'ah,12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.16 Thus Mel'zar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Dan'iel had understanding in all visions and dreams.18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Neb-u-chad-nez'zar.19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Dan'iel, Han-a-ni'ah, Mish'a-el, and Az-a-ri'ah: therefore stood they before the king.20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.