In so few words love

A Strange Christ

Luke 24:18 - Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass....

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?

It is well with My Soul...Be Encouraged

Be encourage. What is the state of your soul when all else seems to be disturbing?

Open Blindness

Acts 9: 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; - Have we gone through the entire day oblivious to what God has done through His grace. Daily, He provides. Daily, opportunities of His goodness are before us. Yet we miss them through the activities of this life. The most concerning question for a Christian must be, "How many people have I led to Christ?" In answering this question we see the need to do much better than we have. We know the seriousness of the hour, the lateness of time, and temporality of our life streams and fail to share the gospel. I pray for boldness and willingness to share the gospel and make disciples.

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

1. Lakewood Church (Houston, TX) :: Joel Osteen
   Founded 1959 :: 1 location
   #1 = 43,500 (2008)
   #1 = 47,000 (2007)
   #1 = 45,000 (2006)
2. Second Baptist Church (Houston, TX) :: Ed Young Sr.
   Founded 1927 :: 5 locations
   #2 = 23,659 (2008)
   #3 = 23,198 (2007)
   #3 = 22,266 (2006)
3. North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) :: Andy Stanley
   Founded 1995 :: 3 locations
   #3 = 22,557 (2008)
   #7 = 17,700 (2007)
   #12 = 16,700 (2006)
4. 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)
5. LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) :: Craig Groeschel
   Founded 1996 :: 11 locations
   #5 = 20,823 (2008)
   #5 = 19,907 (2007)
   #13 = 16,071 (2006)
6. West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles, CA) :: Charles Blake
   Founded 1943 :: 1 location
   #6 = 20,000 (2008)
   #50 = 8,350 (2006)
7. 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
8. Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) :: Rick Warren
   Founded 1980 :: 2 locations
   #8 = 19,414 (2008)
   #4 = 22,000 (2007)
   #6 = 20,595 (2006)
9. Calvary Chapel (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) :: Bob Coy
   Founded 1985 :: 3 locations
   #9 = 18,000 (2008)
   #9 = 17,000 (2007)
   #8 = 18,300 (2006)
10. 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)
11. Woodlands Church (The Woodlands, TX) :: Kerry Shook
    Founded 1993 :: 3 locations
    #11 = 16,380 (2008)
    #12 = 15,600 (2007)
    #18 = 14,120 (2006)
12. Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY) :: Dave Stone
    Founded 1962 :: 1 location
    #12 = 16,264 (2008)
    #6 = 18,013 (2007)
    #7 = 18,520 (2006)
13. Hopewell Missionary Baptist (Norcross, GA) :: William Sheals
    Founded 1860s :: 1 location
    #13 = 16,000 (2008)
14. New Birth Missionary Baptist (Decatur, GA) :: Eddie Long
    Founded 1984 :: 1 location
    #14 = 15,000 (2008)
    #13 = 15,000 (2007)
    #4 = 22,000 (2006)
15. NorthRidge Church (Plymouth, MI) :: Brad Powell
    Founded 1929 :: 1 location
    #15 = 14,762 (2008)
    #15 = 13,865 (2007)
    #23 = 12,700 (2006)

Just in case anyone wondered who I support in the Presidential election.... Here's a hint... I vote my values along with my issues.

Magic or Miracle

Is it enough to just acknowledge God? No! Christianity acknowledges and understands that Christ is the key to eternal life. Wicca acknowledges deity, but no defined God. I did not understand the danger of this cult, especially when magic seems so harmless. The illusion of magician is no substitute for power. All power belongs to God and Jesus Christ, His Son. Wicca is Whack!!! It Kicks Rocks!!!

Church Info

I got a question about myself. I have been preaching for 10 years, teaching for 26. I am currently a full-time seminary student at both Moody Bible Institute and Lincoln Christian College. I am currently prayerfully seeking a Pastoral position so please pray for me in this arena. I work full-time, study full-time, and I'm married full-time so I'm very careful with any time I get. I attend New Morning Star MB Church in Peoria, IL where I serve as a associate minister. I teach and preach at various places across the country, bless God.

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.

Meet my cousin... Princella Smith

Meet, support, and respect a powerful thinker, Princella Smith. She's my cousin. She'll be the first African-American female president of the United States. Read about her now, vote for her later. I say this not only because she's my cousin, but because of her ability to think and stand strong. I am not Republican, nor Democrat. I'm Christian. God bless Princella!