LifeChangers

Judah Smith | Greatest Sermon I've Ever Heard

2012-02-01T12:33:00.000-06:00

Judah Smith | C3 Conference 2012

Missionary Bunnells Synopsis of Our RU Mission...

2012-01-31T19:50:00.000-06:00

The RU Team did an outstanding job while here in London. 6000 homes were contacted which saved us about one year's worth of outreach and advertising. We had a high attendance of almost 60 in church, 46 of whom were locals. That beat our previous total by 15 people. We had an unprecedented number of first time visitors, four adult professions of faith, and best of all we have had 5 new adults start attending regularly since the team was here. On February 5 our first baptism in almost a half century will include a man saved on the Sunday that Richard preached. Our Catholic neighbors came specially to hear him, and they received the Lord. They have been faithful to church since the team left. They had been to church once together in the six months prior. New visitors have been to every single service since the team departed. On the RU side, the team worked closely with our church people, and provided three dynamic sessions which have already catalyzed the church. We are seeing a number of our people inspired to confess addictive struggles, and start to explore the material. The team inspired an unprecedented level of cooperation from our church people. One man spent two days out with our team distributing leaflets. Several of our people gave significant time and money to helping provide meals and transportation for the team. One of our men took an entire morning off of work to get the team's luggage out to Heathrow - over one hour away during rush hour morning traffic. Finally, the team committed almost a full day of work: painting a classroom, doing a huge cleanup at both of our buildings which allowed us to prepare for new toilets and new heating installation over the next two weeks. Our people have given many testimonies of how much of an encouragement the team was to them. Some were in tears at the love, sacrifice, and unbelievably hard work demonstrated by the Temple RU team. As a church we shared in the work, joy, and exhaustion of the team. We have taken a giant step forward since the New Year. Thank you for coming, for giving, and for caring about the lost of London. On behalf of the people of Southside Baptist Church you have an open and permanent invitation to come back any time.

Blessings,

Andrew Bunnell

RU SWAT- Part I

2011-12-06T08:30:00.004-06:00

So, my name is Richard Wallace. I'm a Pastor's kid. To be honest, as I was growing up in the church I never really found "church work" that exciting. I mean, dad's job always seemed fairly cool, but beyond that "Christian service" seemed a little dull. I remember often feeling disappointed by the men that were called to serve God. I don't just mean because some of the them were snared by the Devil... I mean, the ones who truly seemed to love God seemed "soft" (and by "soft" I don't mean effeminate... I mean... Passionless, and seemingly lacking intensity.) Then there were the men who I perceived to be intense, driven, alpha-males; but it seemed as though most of them were not too interested in spiritual things beyond men's basketball leagues, and some church attendance.

Then, I met my football coach. Coach Hale. I guess, I'd consider (if only for half of a second) calling him, "Chris", today... Men like him will always be "Coach Hale"! He was intensity personified! On and off the football field! In his Walk, in his ministry, and in his devotion to his fellas! I still remember those bear crawls... SCREAMING at the top of our lungs, "'I CAN' MAKES A GREAT MAN!!! 'I CAN' MAKES A GREAT MAN!!!". I still remember the fire in his eyes when, with his gnarled-up fingers, he'd grab both sides of my helmet- covering the ear holes- look me straight in the eyes, and say, "When I became a man... I put away childish things!" I saw him at his best, I saw him at his worst. But I NEVER saw him passionless!

And, of course, you know my dad... Passion personified!

As I got late in my high school career I began to drift. The military began to look very exciting. A lot of what I had begun to see in ministry turned me off. It seemed to be a lot of egotistical men devouring one another for a larger platform. Seemingly, personality had run over propriety. By my senior year I had all but decided I would take a path that led to Esprit de Corps, brotherhood against all odds, and intensity... I WOULD JOIN THE MARINES! And, join the Marines I did!

Fast forward ten years. I've served in, and left the Marines. I'm now surrounded by another set of alpha males... Phone salesmen! These guys are less about the Esprit de Corps and a little more like sharks, but they are passionate... ABOUT MONEY! Little does anyone know I'm drowning, at this point, in addiction. Things that once were a toehold, have become a stronghold, and are very quickly becoming a choke-hold! Once a "functioning addict" I was ceasing to function more and more each day.

Fast forward a few months. I trust Christ. By the way, no greater passionate Man, than Jesus Christ! He was intense in His teaching, intense in His living, intense in His dying, and intense in His raising! He was fearless against the patterns of religion and government. He was careless of the opinions of man about whom He associated Himself with... He was a man's man! He was the God Man!

In March of 2007 I was introduced to a red-headed fire ball! Steve Curington, to me, was the embodiment of everything I had been searching for since those days in high school. He was fiery in his preaching... But, I had seen that for twenty-seven years. He was fanatical in his ministry service... Again, I had seen that for twenty-seven years. What literally took my breath away about this man was that he was fiercely loyal. Though he was sharp in his dress I saw him more as a "special operator" in the spiritual warfare I was beginning to learn about. I heard about fallen preachers- wounded warriors- limping to Jesus through him. I began to hear tales about Steve- conference preacher- showing up on seedy sides of towns greasing the palms of people just to buy his friends back, and pay off drug debts. Literally, meeting the enemy and POWs behind enemy lines... Rescuing many a fallen comrade, and even seeing the "enemy" joining the fight against paradigms of their past. Prostitutes, and gang-bangers, and drug dealers and users are getting saved and setting fire to churches all across America. Even a few worn out Believers begin to catch the zeal that they once had, and miss so badly...

My heart began to burn as tears began to streak their way down my cheeks! I thought within myself... I may never preach on a large conference ticket. But, I can go get a fallen friend! I mean, it was bred in me! All that time in the Marine Corps. it was our mantra... You NEVER leave ANYONE behind! You carry 'em out! You risk your own life that they might live, or be laid to rest on American soil! The names we learned about and studied in Marine Corps. lore weren't the names of the highest ranking men, we didn't even learn the names of the men who served the longest! The names that were "worshiped" were the names of those men who put their brother to their right and to their left ahead of their own lives.

So, for nearly five years now I've been involved in this special team of "spiritual operators". There are more than eight hundred of these teams now across the Globe. They are groups of men and women who are specialized in their training, their tactics, their armory, and their camaraderie. In tomorrow's blog I will explain the Passages that drive us into enemy territory, time and time again. The Brotherhood that keeps us safe while we're there... The weapons and tactics that we use to gain victory once we arrive on scene... Lastly, the MASH unit and triage centers of Scripture that we use to heal our wounded warriors! Prepare yourself for "RU SWAT" indoctrination!

From a full heart after searching the under belly of Dallas for a friend...
-R

Kleenex Box in the Back Window

2011-11-30T09:40:00.003-06:00

So, my wife and I are sitting in this amazing little seafood restaurant/market in the West Village of Dallas when half way through lunch a Bentley sedan pulled up, and parked. Three stately looking gentleman exited the car while the driver remained behind. These three men were joined by another man who arrived in a sky blue Ferrari... They walked in like they owned the restaurant, seated themselves, and carried on with lunch. Now listen, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand... Hey! These guys are successful! I caught myself daydreaming, and then discussing with Michelle what we thought they might do for a living, etc.

But, it wasn't until the two of us were leaving that I was reminded of the lesson. As the valet was bringing our car around I noticed in the back window of the Bentley a crushed up Kleenex box. I thought to myself, with a chuckle, how tacky to be in the back of a "Bent"! Then I remembered, these are normal men, and to them that is just their mode of transportation. But, then I was reminded of being a kid in a Pastor's home... I would hear people say stuff like, "We saw Pastor and Paula at Wal-Mart this week. I didn't know y'all shopped at Wal-Mart?!" How quickly we put people on pedestals, and assume too much.

Too oftentimes there is a sense about those in "Christian service" that they're too spiritual to have a "box of Kleenex" in the back window... Nah! We share all of the same struggles as those we're called to lead! We're not "Spiritual Supermen"... So, when you catch a glimpse of your Pastor's weak side... Chuckle to yourself, whisper a prayer, and then be reminded that we're all made of the same stuff, battling the same enemy, and striving toward the same goal!

-R

Taking Reformers Unanimous to London, England

2011-11-29T13:07:00.001-06:00

I trust this blog finds you well. The reason for my sending this is to tell you about an opportunity that has been extended to me. For the past little while I have been involved in a discipleship program that is geared toward helping people overcome addiction, and deep-rooted sin in their lives. The miracles that have happened in my life, and in the lives of my friends are beyond description!

Reformers Unanimous is a global organization with over eight hundred chapters world-wide. The program is a faith-based, Christ-centered recover and reconciliation program. It has been an effective tool in reaching and rescuing thousands of people since it began, as a little Bible study in 1996.

God has opened the door for our local chapter- here in Flower Mound, TX- to travel to London, England to launch this program at a local church. We will be teaming with a missionary family whose church is located in a part of London that is decimated by drugs and alcohol. During our time in London we will be training and equipping the church to effectively minister to broken people. We will be involved in outreach, and spreading word in the community of the recovery group. We will also host the first two meetings in this new groups history.

With that being said, I need help to make this dream become a reality. First, I would like to ask you to pray for our team. London is a cold city to the Gospel, but we know that prayer will soften the hearts of those with whom our team will be in contact. Secondly, I would humbly ask that you would consider supporting our mission financially. We have put together a very cost-effective, high-impact trip in the "travel off-season" to maximize every dollar. Every little bit will make a HUGE difference!

Checks can be made payable to Temple Baptist Church with "RU London" in the memo line. The mailing address for the church is: Temple Baptist Church, 2501 Northshore Blvd., Flower Mound, TX 75028. All gifts will be completely tax deductible.

Thank you,
Richard

Lost In Translation

2011-10-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

Meanings are everything, aren't they?! Oftentimes we will miss out on what someone is saying to, or about us because somewhere along the way the message and meaning have been lost in translation.

This is exactly where I found myself regarding Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." For several years I had been trying to figure out what in the world this verse was exactly saying. I had preconditioned to believe that this verse was talking about Bible memorization and I was to hide (by memorizing) Scripture in the depths of my memory bank and that somehow years down the line those deep memories would keep me from sins... But, then They didn't! So, was the Bible wrong?! Are the promises of God void?! Because, you see, I had mass quantities of Scripture memorized when I willfully and woefully walked in all forms of unrighteousness!

It is not that the Bible is wrong! It's not that God's promises are not reliable. It is, however, that the true message of this verse has been lost in translation. The word, "Hide" in this verse literally means, "to take refuge". WHOA!!! That is entirely different than memorization to "stow away information"! The Bible isn't telling us to put away the Bible "for safe keeping"... It is literally telling us that the Bible IS "MY SAFE KEEPING"!

Obviously, this could go far deeper than simply one word in one verse. For surely it does. It does in my heart, in my Journal, and in the Word. This was simply the "Director's Cut" for our RU bulletin, and I felt it might be a blessing.

Lotsa' Love For Ya',

-R

Top 10 Reasons EVERY Church Should Have a Recovery and Reconciliation Ministry!

2011-10-25T14:53:00.002-05:00

Top Ten Reasons to Have an R&R Ministry

10. Addicts Are Givers Not Takers. They are just given to the wrong things!

9. Once an Addict Finds Freedom They Want to Tell Everyone Where the Well is!

8. You won’t be pressured to change all that you’re already doing in your church. They [the addicted] don’t know church can be *done* any other way!

7. Your church is ALREADY full of addicts!

6. Newly released addicts, though scary at first (think “Demoniac of the Gadarenes”), will set your church on fire!

5. There is no shame in their game! Just wait until they get a hold of Romans 1:16!!!

4. The church was never intended to be a trophy case (or a museum)! It’s a Hospital!

3. Don’t be afraid to let sinners in! It’s the Church! Jesus already said the gates of hell won’t prevail against it! Quit thinking sinners are spies sent to destroy... They’re lost sheep searching for the fold!

2. Because addicts are dying in the dark while we harbor the Light for whom we perceive to be “righteous”!

1. Jesus’ ENTIRE ministry was a ministry of Recovery and Reconciliation!

A Peek Behind the Fence...

2011-10-21T13:59:00.002-05:00

The first thing most folks notice about a prison or jail is the fence. What goes on behind that fence has been written about, filmed, sung about, etc. And, to be honest, life behind the fence is TOTALLY different than life outside the fence (or, "in the free").

This note is not written to explain the hierarchy of prison life, to explain the gang violence that goes on, to talk about the success, or lack thereof in the prison system, or any other such matter. Nor, is this note written to glorify me. This note is written so you will see the potential behind the fence.

Below you'll find a letter written to me (misspellings and errors left intentionally) by my buddy... I call him, "Big A"...

"RICHARD WALLACE! Hey wats up Richy Rich? I hope this letter finds you in the best of health God can bring us! As for me I'm doing good. I'm just here in my being bored, and i remembered you gave me your address last night. You don't know how anxious i was to tell you that i asked God into my heart. I knew you would be happy for me. I just want to say thank you for showing me the way. I can't wait for my realease so i can find me a good church to attend! My cousin is a christian rapper, and he's my age. I'm 17, and i told him about my change. And he told me that he can't wait until i get out so we can hang out. He said he don't chill with any body no more. For the fact that he don't smoke or drink any more. So im really looking foward to spending alot of time with him. I should be going home within six months. My man goal is to be home for my little sister's birthday. Wich is April ** (deleted for privacy). And that way i can be home for easter sunday! I know when ya'll come on mondays (For Life Prison Team) we don't have time to actually talk, and thats why i asked for your address so i could let you know whats going on with me. And because of that reason i want to tell you a little bit about myself. I usually don't share much with people i don't know but i think we would have a better communication if you knew me. Well to start off i want to say im not a bad kid. I just hung around the wrong crew. But i still take responsability for what i did, because i did it. I grew up with both of my parents and they have supported me all my life up until this day. I have an older brother and a younger sisters. I love my little sister with all my heart, and i would say my big bro has that same love for me. I grew up in a small town called ******** (again removed for privacy). The population is like 3-4,000. We had 2 convience stores, a dairy queen, a subway, and 1 stop light. The majority of the people i know there do nothing but smoke weed. I will only be there a short period of time after my release. Thats until we move. We will probably move to ********, TX. It's away from that small town but close eneough to where if anything happends to my grandmother, we can be there for her. I was sentenced to 5 years in T.Y.C. (Texas Youth Commission). I have a minimum of 3. And my minimum is up on March **. My case worker told me to stay out of trouble and i should be home around that time. My commiting offense is Aggrivated Robbery. I know if i wasn't drunk or high i would have never pointed that gun at that clerk. Maybe some day we can talk and ill tell you about it. Now you know a little bit about me. Why don't you write me back and let me know a little bit about you. So until next time I'll see ya. And thanks again for everything!

Sincerely,

Big A

P.S. I look forward to you guys coming every week!"

Let me close by saying, that I had VERY LITTLE to do with my buddy trusting Christ. When he arrived in our RU class he was an agnostic/borderline atheist. Our team/church/program just kept loving on him. In fact, he is in Jimmy Marta's group. Due to some schedule changes here at the church we were unable to go to the prison for 3 weeks. My buddy came to me after group time Thursday (wearing a HUGE smile) and said, "I asked God in my heart!!!". To which I replied, "TONIGHT?! AWESOME!!!" He said, "No! Last week. I was reading in John where y'all told me to read, and thinking about what I had learned in your class. I asked Jesus to come into my life, save me, and change me!"

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! Isaiah 61:1-3

"THOSE PEOPLE"

2011-10-04T09:28:00.001-05:00

When I first heard about Reformers Unanimous I thought that it was for “those people” who struggled with “big sin”. You know them. The druggies and alcoholics. You see them and think, “I’m not that bad. RU can’t be for me”.

So in a journey to test this program, I decided to check out the training session with friends. We go to training thinking we are going to help “those people” see their evil ways. Then as the founder of the program, Steve Curington, shared his testimony and began to explain the program, I finally took a look at myself. I took what he was saying and applied it to my life. I was a church kid. I had grown up in church since I was nine years old. I knew about God and I had been saved for thirteen years. I was good to go. But then he mentioned this phrase, eating disorders. Hold up!! I thought this was about drugs and alcohol? At this point no one knew that I would eat mass amounts of food and then throw it up. It was my own thing that I did. It wasn’t hurting anyone. However, I left the training session thinking I should go to RU for me, not to help with the kids. But then that would mean putting myself out there. That would mean everyone would see my “dirty laundry” and I could never show my face again. I was going to be a big fat failure. I could not and would not have it!

Chapter 520 started in May of 07. I had been seeing all the preparation and announcements made about it and every time they would say something about it I would put up this huge brick wall! No one was going to know about my sins. After a few months of the chapter being open, I found it harder and harder to fight the Holy Spirit about going. Even on one Friday night, I got ready and drove to the church. I parked my car and sat. Sat some more. Then sat some more. I never got out. I couldn’t bare the thought of people knowing what I was doing.

On October 19^th, 2007 I decided that it was time to stop fighting and I set foot into my first RU meeting. Now I didn’t come into the program as a student. I came as a helper. I started in the kitchen then worked my way through till I had the privilege of helping in Kidz Club. All the while not saying anything about my eating disorder.

After some time fighting the Lords leading, in August of 2009 I left Kidz Club and started the program as a student. I came out to everyone about my addiction and began my healing process. Or should I say, began an even bigger journey. Over the next few years I would still struggle with my eating disorders, begin abusing prescription drugs, and finally hit rock bottom as I began to cut myself and think about nothing but taking my own life. My life had shattered around me. Everything that I thought could bring me joy only brought me pain. And the ones that I thought would love me most resented me the most. I didn’t understand what God was doing to me. I didn’t understand what He wanted from me. I was at this program, I was working the book, and I was in church. What else did He want?

Then on March 12^th 2011, I decide enough was enough. I asked my friend to come with me to see our chapter director and his wife. I sat there in their home and poured out my heart to them. All my anger, shame, and guilt came pouring out in tears. As I sat there and cried I realized that this whole time I had been trying to take care of my own problems. I was flat out refusing to let God take it all from me. I was trying to fix a life that I didn’t and would never have the tools to fix. I had to give it all to God. I also realized that it wasn’t going to be just that one-day of giving it to God. It had to be a daily decision to allow God to control my life and my heart.

Has it been easy? No. I still have days that I struggle. But the difference now is that I know God is pleased with me and how I am allowing Him to truly come into my heart and rule and reign in my life. Does the program work? Absolutely. It just depends on whether or not you are going to allow God to work in your life and change it from the inside out. Was I ever a junky on the street committing the “big sins”? No. But I sure was being a God robber. Robbing God of the chance to use my life to help lead others to the Lord. I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want be a God robber anymore. That seems like a “big sin” to me. But what do I know, right? I’m just one of “those people”.

It's NOT What You Think!

2011-09-23T13:08:00.002-05:00

You probably think the Heroin junkie is disgusting. Sit down with him long enough you many find that he was abandoned by his parents, and raised in violently abusive family. His addiction to Opiate-based drugs began with painkillers meant to numb his bodies nerves. He also found out it numbed his heart! It's NOT what you think!

You think the young lady on the street corner is detesting. Listen long enough and you'll find she was raised in a home where her body was used by those who were meant to protect it. All she now knows is how to gain from what she has. It's NOT what you think!

You think the porn fiend is disturbing. Visit with him very long, and you may just find that he was raised in a home void of love, affection, and affirmation. Now he seeks to the darkness to fill his empty soul. It's NOT what you think!

You don't have words, the cutter, to define. Little do you know her life has been so full of disappointment that her heart failed to feel any longer... Long ago. Now, the only way to feel, or even know if she's still alive... Is the sensation of the razor blade slicing it's way into her scarred skin. It's NOT what you think!

Believe you don't have deliverance? Look long enough and you just may realize that if you hold love in your heart... You have EVERYTHING all of these folks need and more! Absence of love drove them to where they are... The presence of Love will deliver them from the prison of self they now find themselves in.

Twelve steps aren't the answer! It's NOT what you think!
Ten principle aren't the solution! It's NOT what you think!
Counselors don't solve a thing! It's NOT what you think!
Self-help has led to disappointment! It's NOT what you think!
Indulging addiction has only led to worsening pain! It's NOT what you think!
Jail and rehab only offer false freedom! It's NOT what you think!

The ANSWER... IS... JESUS!!!!

I told you!!! It's NOT what you think!

Hello, My Name Was: "Prodigal"... Part III

2011-09-21T12:48:00.002-05:00

Continuing...

The "Third Progression of a Prodigal" is always that he will be "Forsaken By His Counterparts"! It ALWAYS happens this way! Sadly, now four years and seven months away from my own addictions I continue to see this happen time and time again in broken people's lives.

For me, I realized this step for the first time when my girlfriend called me crying hysterically and telling me that the Sheriff had come to her house and was looking for me. In that moment terror struck my soul! I began to reach out to "friends" for a place to stay, and help looking for potential bail money only to find out I would be forsaken when I needed my people most. Then, my addictions took me deeper, and to substances others were unwilling to continue in. I was forsaken!

And, this is what we see happen over and over and over again! We see it in our prison ministry. I see it in youth ministry, it bears itself out in our recovery program. The people who we KNEW would go to the mat with us... WON'T! And, the folk we were sure would disown us in our sin long to run to us with arms wide open!

Come to yourself (as the Prodigal did), and return to those you know love you, and want God's best for you!

-R

Hello, My Name Was: "Prodigal"... Part II

2011-07-21T13:25:00.002-05:00

No matter what the reasoning one uses to begin to become "full of self" it is never long until that individual begins to slip into the "second progression" of the Prodigal. That is to say, they will begin to "Fulfill Their Lusts". The book of Jeremiah tells us that, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?". Once we begin to feast upon our wicked meditations, and become full of self the Bible tells us that our pride will bring us low.

This is exactly what happened in the life of the Prodigal, and so it went in my life as well. Selfish, prideful, arrogant thoughts that are not cast down will soon become lusts that will lead to sin and destruction.

My bitterness and anger turned from internal rebellion to outward unrighteousness when I got out from underneath the rules and regulations of my father's home. I am NOT coming out against all rules! For surely God is a God of rules and standards. However, "Rules without relationship breed rebellion. (Steve Curington)"...

I was sitting on the motor pool floor when my section chief came to me and asked me what I did for fun. I was reading my Bible... Arrogantly I looked at him and said, "You're lookin' at it, Sergeant!"... He threw me a pack of smokes, and I was off! I would go on to smoke the cigs, and within just a few weeks become a Bible college drop-out, and complete alcoholic. I would soon move home from Indiana and become a partying, skirt-chasing, drug and booze crazed drain on society. I had no job, and was living for the next high.

I nearly lost my Marine Corps. career to the drugs, and partying... My lifestyle had decimated my friends and family. I was completely engrossed in "Fulfilling My Lusts".

Hello, My Name Was: "Prodigal"... Part I

2011-07-11T08:23:00.005-05:00

I have been asked... REPEATEDLY! By my life-long buddy, Jake Potter, to record "on paper" (I guess "this" is paper in 2011) my life story... My testimony, if you will. It's a sermon I preach. It's a story that I tell... More than all that, It's a nightmare that God has turned into a dream that became reality that I've lived. To you... It's words. For my family and I it's: hopes, heartbreaks, disappointments, and Divine providence. It's my life.

My story runs eerily parallel with another story. One the Master Storyteller, Jesus, communicated probably on a hillside somewhere near Jerusalem to a gangload of people. He started like this, "A certain man had two sons..." Most people dive right over this verse into the meat of the text. Not me! The story, of course, begins and ends with the father. The entire point of Jesus' story that day was to display the love of the father. We can't properly understand the love of the father until we see the son(s)! Unless you are a parent there is no way to fully grasp the hopes, dreams, goals, aspirations, love, and desires that a parent has for their child. The boys would carry the "family name", they are the embodiment of everything this father ever hoped and prayed for.

In a series of seven steps we will see how a father's love is crushed, hope is restored, and family is reconciled.

I. Son Full of Self:
To assume or say that the Father of Luke 15 was to blame for the prodigals' rebellion would be a massive dismantling of the text. The father in this parable is perfect! He is representative of our perfect Father God. To say that the son's rebellion is acceptable is also wrong... However, we live in a world whose shalom was fractured and broken in Genesis 3 with the fall of man, and Romans 8 tells us that the whole world groans because of sin. So this is where I separate from the text some to say, "Let's step away into '2011' and at least glance at what may be leading kids to rebellion..."

For me, life as a "PK" was GREAT! I loved ministry! I loved chillin' at the church as a kid! I loved Christian education! I was a happy-go-lucky kid! I remember like it happened last night. I must have been 11, or 12 at the oldest. It was a Friday night of our annual TCA basketball tournament. My body was changing, and no adult leadership was talkin' to me about it... I mean, we're to be "simple concerning evil", right?! A boy, over 3 years older than me began to talk to me about girls, body parts, and sex... The pleasure centers of my body, and brain were exploding. My imagination running wild! He was a family friend we had known all of our lives, he invited me to spend the night. My shalom was shattered in a night! Raped, abused, molested, sodomized all night long... And, this continued for a year or more. The light switch was thrown! My soul became a black hole of anger, bitterness, disappointment, SHAME! I wouldn't whisper what happened for over 16 years.

We know the prodigal son was rebellious! We know that in essence he was saying that he wished this perfectly loving father would, "drop dead". When we see people in rebellion do we ever stop to consider what led them to that place? With abuse on the rise, divorce at astronomical levels, and increased pressure on kids, especially Christian kids, to be adult-like in their living and decision making I'm never surprised anymore to see kids becoming more and more... Full of self!

Excuse me! Pardon me! I'm... SO SORRY! OOPS! Sorry!

2011-05-17T11:43:00.002-05:00

Excuse me! Pardon me! I'm... SO SORRY! OOPS! Sorry!

This seems to be the mantra of every "regular traveler" who boards a plane these days! With one carry on, and a personal bag banging, falling, dropping, and rolling down already too narrow aisles. If there were no one else on the planet this feat would still be difficult... But, then you throw the "First Class Travelers" in the mix, and you have a recipe for destruction!

As soon as you round the corner off the jet way you see them... The ones who from all appearance have it all together. There they are pecking away on their laptops, noise cancelling headphones on their heads, and that look in their eye... That says... Or, we (the commoners) perceive to say, "I'm better than you!" It's as if they know they're about to get battered by the baggage of the less fortunate, and they're none too happy about it!

So, my eyes drop as I try to get my six foot, two hundred and twenty-five pound frame with my two small bags as small as I can possible make it. No matter how hard I try... I end-up apologizing all the way through the cabin as my backpack slaps people in the nose, and my nifty, cheap rolling bag rolls over toes, and freshly shined designer shoes.

As I take my seat in the back of the bus I begin to think about what just went on, and how it may relate to those entering, or too afraid to enter our churches. I mean, let's face it... Believers who have been saved for decades, or even years can certainly display that aire of confidence that they have it all together.

But, for the individual who doesn't have it all together, and knows that they don't... They often feel as though they have to enter the church waddling through a door to narrow, sensing they're being stared upon, and apologizing as their "baggage" seems to make people uncomfortable as they make their way to their seats. And about that, It's not like the "common traveler" doesn't belong! They paid for a ticket! They have as much right as everyone else! Yet, those emotions are there! They're real!

I mean, for a minute, put yourself in the weary travelers heart and mind... Maybe it's the single mom whose "baggage" is children who have never attended worship before. She may struggle to make ends meet. Her (and her kids') wardrobes are anything but designer! The kids are rowdy, and rambunctious... She almost apologizes for attending at all. Or, the man who has lived a life of selfish pleasure. He comes in alone, and all his eyes gather are happy smiles, couples together, family units, friends traveling through chairs and across aisles to welcome one another... He apologetically asks if there is a seat for him, and slides down battling loneliness that no one sees.

You know we could march on and on through people groups, and scenarios... But the hallmark of every church should be that it has Christ at its center... Since He is supposed to be our head! And, wasn't it He Who said, "Come unto Me all ye who are weary, and heavy laden (that's those with baggage), and I will give you rest."?!

Next time you're in THE HOUSE, and you see someone whose eyes just won't meet others, and their demeanor is almost one of apology for attending... Run to them! That unruly child may step on the freshly polished shoe, sir, but who cares! Your love may be the bridge that welcomes a weary soul into rest!

From my heart,
-R

BLOWING THE LID OFF... Taboo!

2011-04-15T13:23:00.003-05:00

Yeah, So-and-So (Name removed for confidentiality sake)! Excellent questions! And, every time I share the deep wounds of my soul... I do so praying that God will change a life through it. David said in Psalm 119, "It is good that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes."... With that said, I can now look back on the darkest days of my life, and see that Romans 8:28 is right... And He IS working ALL things for His glory!

Let me preface this discussion by saying. I was not necessarily looking to forgive my perpetrator. The man who molested, sodomized, and raped me continually for over a year was a family friend. I was 11 and he was 15. He has been in prison numerous times in three states. He was a family friend. He was large 6' 3" at 15 years old... And as a boy beginning to enter puberty he knew just what to say to interest me sexually. I have done much study on this type of assault. He then used "blackmail" to keep me quiet... Saying things like, "I'll tell people you're a fag if you tell anyone!" or "No one will believe you!", etc., etc., etc.

Several things added to the condemnation that came with this type of assault. First, it was sexually pleasurable. Second, because of the manipulation I did not combat his advances. Third, I never spoke-up, or said anything. After me... Many more of my friends were assaulted by this man, many young men in other states, and other assaults happened as well... This also made me feel responsible for the damage that was brought into these men's lives.

As a result, I battled with fear that I was a homosexual. So, I turned to sexual relationships with females... Further adding to the shame and feelings of "dirtiness"... Then, as I mentioned, I was ANGRY, hurt, embarrassed, always fearful that he would tell, or someone would find out. I would later find out that as he began to assault younger friends of mine he would tell them, "There's nothing wrong with this! Richard and I do it all the time!".

I was filled with rage! I knew God highly favored me! I knew God had something special for me, but how could a loving God allow this to happen to me?! So, I got ticked at Him too! Ran away from home at 17, and then joined the Marine Corps. three days after I graduated high school. I was looking for a legal way to do bodily damage to anyone!

Consciously, I would never admit that this man was continuing to destroy my life... See, at 15 I got big into weightlifting, and sports... Swearing that he would never hurt me again. But, his actions continued to kill me everyday!

Subconsciously, this abuse was the "excuse"/"reason" that I would use to justify my poor, sinful, and destructive choices. I'm sure I don't have to elaborate...

So, fast forward nearly a decade. I've had sexual relationship with many women, I've delved into every form of addictive behavior one can fathom, I've made money, had cars, trucks, toys more than the mind could imagine... But my soul was EMPTY! There was NO SATISFACTION!

My beautiful wife found my stash of Crystal Meth on a Saturday morning. The next day God's grace gripped my heart... I can't explain it! It was supernatural! I still don't know if I got saved, or yielded completely... It was just absolute brokenness with NOTHING held in reserve! I gave up my lucrative mortgage career to come to work at the church...

Anyway, not long after that I was introduced to RU. Through God's providence... The first principle that I ever saw was principle #10. It states, "God balances guilt with blame. If you'll accept the blame for your actions God will remove the guilt.". That night I did! I told God that I didn't understand what happened, why it happened, or anything else for that matter, but I was no longer going to use my rape as a scapegoat for MY sin.

About a month later... My wife and I are lying in bed. (I had STILL never told ANYONE about the sexual abuse)... And, I don't want to sound weird, but I kinda' had like an out of body experience. Again, it was totally supernatural! I went into the fetal position in my bed (all the while it was like I was looking down on what was happening) and I began to weep, sob, and scream. My wife thought I had turned back to drugs so she called my dad. After communicating to him the things I was saying, and through God's intervention they realized that in a child-like manner I was begging for their parental help... The help I had been scared to ask for for 16 years. THEY CAME RUNNING! In the middle of the night, my dad held my hot, sweaty, shaking body as though I was that little boy. Once I "came back to"... I shared what had happened, how it happened, etc. They told me it was alright, that it wasn't my fault, etc. Hearing those things helped, but God had already lifted the burden!

I WAS FREE!

The thing, I think, that has helped the most is talking about it. I find that sexual abuse is so taboo. And that only levies more guilt, shame, and dirtiness. So, I tell people... A LOT! And, I find that it has helped some people deal with what they have experienced. That has re-affirmed to me that... Well... At least it didn't happen in vain! If that makes sense?! God has brought me now to the place where, literally, I praise Him for counting me worthy to suffer in that fashion. And, I sense that He allowed it because He knew I would face it, discuss it, and illuminate it. But, I certainly didn't get to this place overnight! Be patient with yourself, and with God! Let Him perform the miracle in your heart.

Sexually victimized people are wounded, blackened souls... NO DOUBT! But God is the Healer, and the Light! Just open that wound to Him, and you'll hear Him say, "It's okay! It's not your fault!" And, I believe you'll be made free too!

Hope this helps,
-R

Saturday is... THEE DAY!

2011-04-13T09:05:00.003-05:00

Saturday, April 16th at 8AM... Reformers Unanimous Chapter #520 will run its fourth annual Danny Downes' Memorial 5K, and kid's one mile fun run. Several important changes have been made to this year's event to make it less intrusive on our participant's schedules. There will be no award ceremony, and testimony service as there has been the past three years. RU is a dynamic, high-impact ministry that touches lives at the deepest levels. We love, nothing more, than to share our stories of how God has performed His work of grace in our lives through Jesus Christ. However, we were finding that community members who are unaware what RU is were not staying... Therefore, every participant's bag will share a written story of a real life changed through RU. Awards will then be mailed to winners.

Please come out and help us RUn Over Addiction!
-R

I Quit! The POWER in Surrender...

2011-04-07T13:45:00.001-05:00

Changing Lives Costs Money...

2011-03-31T12:06:00.003-05:00

It's a sad reality, but also a worthwhile investment. Many in the church today would rather "pay" than "play"... Throw some cash at the people and problems, and be done with it altogether. However, that is not God's plan! Nor, is it the most rewarding way! Oh! And by the way... When it come to lives, and destinies... We're NOT at "play"!

I like to tell our folks (in RU) this... "God doesn't need your cash! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills... The hills beneath the cattle... AND! The mineral rights beneath the hills! IT'S ALL HIS!" You see unsaved, and newly birthed believers still have the Devil's misgivings about the church, and her people. In the same breath though I will tell our folk who are battling addiction what God does demand is your love. And when you love something you will give toward it... Out of that heart of love and sacrifice. With these thoughts in mind, I would like to challenge you to give- in the next few months- to change lives. Not just yo' ca$h, Homie! LOL! But, I'd like you to consider giving yourself as well.

With that said. Our ministry has some needs. We need some capital to be held in reserve to make sure that the boys in our "For Life Prison Ministry", and the students of our Reformers Unanimous class have access to our complete lines of curriculum. In addition to this need. Our meeting room is in dire need of a mounted projector, and projector screen. We are currently using a dry erase board hanging from the ceiling, and an antiquated projector on a rolling cart. Padded chairs would also be on the needs list.

These fund-raising events will begin on Saturday, April 16 at 8AM with the 4th Annual RU Run: 5K and Kid's 1 Mile Fun Run. Adult registration fee is $25 and includes a chance at cash prizes, a t-shirt, and a bag of coupons and freebies.

Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7 will be our ministry rummage sale. If you have any items that you would like to donate please call the office at (972) 874-8700.

From my heart,
-R

Now You Know... Where I Get My Preaching Style! LOL!

2011-03-25T15:22:00.000-05:00

Meds

2011-03-23T10:19:00.003-05:00

So, yesterday's reading was from I Samuel. In the fifth chapter we read of the Ark of God being carried into Dagon's (the Philistine's god) temple.

Of course, the Philistine's capture of the Ark was as a result of the Hebrew's fear, and disobedience concerning the Ark...

Nonetheless, the Philistines have it. Place it in with their god, and the presence of Jehovah knocks Dagon over, and their god breaks. The same would happen to your idols if you'd allow Jehovah access to your heart!

Danny Downes Memorial 5K

2011-03-22T11:33:00.003-05:00

On Saturday morning, April 16 we will have the fourth running of the "RU RUn: RUnning Over Addiction" for the second year in a row we will run it in memory of my good buddy, and our fellow student, Danny Downes. Danny lost his life in his fight against addiction, but suffered well so that other might live!

To know Danny was to be loved.

Our area continues to be racked by all forms of addictions, and this run has helped our addiction abstinence program, Reformers Unanimous, gain necessary funds to continue to help change our community. In addition, it has been a great way for us to raise community awareness to the growing dangers of addiction.

This a family fun 5K and kids' 1 mile fun run. If you can walk, stroll, run, jog, bike, or simply enjoy community events this is the place for you.

For registration information please call the church office at 972-874-8700, or e-mail me at ruman.wallace@gmail.com.

Matt Chandler - Jesus Wants the Rose

2011-01-24T20:24:00.000-06:00

What Marlin Means...

2010-11-23T08:53:00.002-06:00

Any human life is a priceless gift, and to try to determine his value is futile. However, there are some individual people whom everyone who knows them considers them invaluable. Such is the case in the life of our friend, Marlin Yoder. As I considered recording my thoughts regarding Marlin I asked, in an open format, for people to share their feelings, and opinions about this man. Of course, everyone said it a little bit differently, but the one word that would be ascribed to this man is... "Life-changer"!

Marlin Yoder is a life-changer! As a husband. Marlin has been the epitome of what a man should be. Not only has Marlin been a faithful husband to Penny... He has been a doting, loving husband to her. They are together in everything! Some of my earliest memories of the Yoders are of them singing together on the platform hand-in-hand. Not surprisingly though because Marlin's entire life has been a lesson in faithfulness!

Marlin is a life-changer when it comes to his three precious daughters. Alyssa (16), Emily (14), and Kira (12) are three of the most beautiful, godly, and respectful young ladies that you would ever want to meet. They are all actively involved at their school and church in athletics, cheer, drama, missions, music, and a plethora of other things far to long to list. To them Marlin is... Well, dad! We all know that he is so much more though! Consummate cheerleader, taxi driver, shoulder to cry on, ear to listen, provider financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Marlin is a life-changer!

Then there is the realm where the rest of us dwell; but to be honest, the love and compassion that you feel from this man is not much different than what his family experiences. Because Mr. Yoder is the embodiment of love! He is an unashamed Christian man, and the love of God pours through him onto all of those who know him. He serves his employer, Temple Christian Academy, faithfully, with a smile (AND A WHISTLE) on his lips... AT THE SAME TIME!

To the teachers that serve with Marlin he is the ideal teacher. He embodies the care and compassion that makes someone extra-ordinary in any trade. As a teacher, that care and compassion turns an individual into a life-changer! Many teachers have lesson plans; Mr. Yoder's life is a lesson! His job is not a job! It is who he is. He is around the clock! Nothing too big! Nothing too small! From standing in front of full classrooms to emptying trash in vacated hallways.

To the students, Marlin's impact has been felt for years! He's frugal, yet professional! He's sharp, but passes on trying to be "hip" just so that he can be "REAL"! And he is! Real love! Real care! Real concern! Real compassion! Marlin, to his students, friends, youth department teens and all the rest who know him is REAL! In today's world that trait is invaluable! To many students he's the favorite teacher, which is saying something because it's kids of all different types... Athletes, scholars, technology types, and all others. It's this way because he goes a step farther in all that he does. Simply put, he loves and labors a little bit more! As the old saying goes, "A little bit goes a long way".

Marlin is a life-changer whose life is in danger! He has been deemed worthy by his Creator to be smitten with an aggressive form of cancer that has already claimed one kidney, and gained ground in the other, his lungs, and other organs; but Marlin's spirit and faith remain strong! The doctors have said it's incurable; yet, Marlin, Penny, his three girls, the rest of his family, and those who call him "friend" believe that God has power to heal in a miraculous way.

Thank you for taking the time to hear what our friend, Marlin Yoder, has meant to us!

"Mr. Yoder is a teacher who always took time..." -Vannessa
"Marlin is a man of God..." -Karen
"He would leave me notes of encouragement..." -Elyse
"I learned more about life by watching Mr. Yoder than I ever learned in a classroom..." -Chris
"Mr. Yoder taught me the power of prayer..." -Marianne
"Marlin is an investor... Of his life into things that cannot be counted..." -Jimmy
"Marlin is a servant..." -Frances
"Mr. Yoder is someone that I will always look up to." -Claudio
"Diligent worker who loves his wife and family..." -Rachel
"My family and I are fortunate that he followed God's call and chose to invest in people..." -Tom
"I am thankful for the example he and his family have been to my family..." -Mandi
"A teacher that teaches by example and a inspiratiion to everyone who knows him..." -Becky
"Mr. Yoder has touched the lives of many students and loves each and every one of them..." -William
"Mr. Yoder is the human definition of integrity..." -Dylan
"A model citizen and one of the most hard working men I've ever known!" -Carla
"Marlin is by far one of the greatest servants of the Lord I know!" -Jackie

Director's Daily Dose 11-17-10

2010-11-17T15:27:00.002-06:00

Girls Scouts and Reformers Team Up!

2010-11-17T10:27:00.001-06:00

For the fourth year in a row the addiction recovery group, Reformers Unanimous, from Flower Mound will seek to serve the homeless, and less fortunate during the Thanksgiving week-end. Most charitable organizations provide great meals on Thanksgiving Day, but for the homeless hunger revives shortly thereafter. Black Friday takes on an all new meaning as desperation again sets in to already weary souls.

Enter Girls Scout Troop 218 from Lantana and Reformers Unanimous from Flower Mound. These two groups are teaming up this year to provide the light of love on Black Friday. Troop 218 has been gathering shoe boxes filled with toiletry, and care items from their neighbors in Lantana. While Reformers Unanimous has been gearing up food and rides to bring the less fortunate to a safe warm environment to be loved and served.

This blessed event will take place at Reformers Unanimous' normal meeting place, the facilities of Temple Baptist Church, 2501 Northshore Blvd., Flower Mound, TX 75028. The meal will begin at 5:30PM. Volunteers are encouraged to call (972) 874-8700 if you desire to serve.

As the Joke Goes...

2010-11-16T15:34:00.002-06:00

I can hardly ask anyone this question without laughing out loud. The question has become so cliche' with the joke that I even consider flexing for myself as I sit here typing. The question is this, "Have you got your tickets yet?!"... No, smart alec! There is NO GUN SHOW, and if there were your arms would not suffice to merit ticket sales!

HOWEVER! There is an opportunity for you, by purchasing a ticket to an all you can eat pancake breakfast to make a difference in a child's Christmas... So, have you got your tickets yet?! The tickets which are really just a donation voucher are priced at $5 a piece. You can purchase as many as you would like...

The breakfast is on December 4th from 8AM until 11AM. The location is 2501 Northshore Blvd., Flower Mound, TX 75028. Maybe you are from out of town, or your not a breakfast eater, or you have a prior engagement on that day. You can still make a tax deductible contribution by mailing cash, or checks to the address listed here. Or you can donate by credit card by calling (972) 436-3480.

One hundred percent of monetary or toy donations made to this event will go toward a child whose family has been ravaged by: addiction, incarceration, divorce, or illness. This year we will also be providing for a small number of orphan children in Uganda, Africa and Cambodia. Would you consider...

Getting your tickets?!

-R

Director's Daily Dose 11-12-10

2010-11-12T12:39:00.002-06:00

As An Addict...

2010-11-12T07:58:00.004-06:00

As an addict there were three things that I knew about the church. They are as follows: it was full of hypocrites, Pastor's were running money-hungry organizations that were only out to get my cash, and the church was trying to "brain wash" me. As a result of these beliefs in my life I stayed clear of the church.

That is, until I found that nothing had worked to liberate me from the stranglehold of addiction. It was my last straw! I had to give it a try. Once I did this is what I found about my original set of beliefs...

The church IS FULL of hypocrites... AND so is Wal-Mart! Hypocrites are everywhere! Everyone everywhere is struggling with something that they hope no one ever knows or finds out about. However, through the avenue in which I entered the church, Reformers Unanimous, I found out that there are flawed people just like me looking to Jesus to help them to become more like Him.

Then there was the issue of the money-hungry organization... As God began to do something inexplicable in my heart and life, and my eyes became enlightened to His Truth I realized that God, OR His church, doesn't need my money! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the hills under the cattle, and the mineral rights underneath the hills!!! However, I began to love my Savior, and His body so much that I couldn't wait to give to see it reach others... Who were "just like me"!

Ah, and then there was "the brain washing"... It didn't take me long to recognize that this was EXACTLY what I needed! I had been led, and taught to think and believe improperly which had led to the path of destruction that I was on when Jesus stepped in, washed and cleansed me from my sin, and regenerated my heart. I needed to, "...Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." just as Romans 12:1,2 taught!

So, it's not that what I believed about church was wrong! In fact, I found all three to be exactly true! But, rather, it was my perspective of these three truths that had to change, and that change came through the matchless love and mercy of the man, Jesus Christ!

Testimony of Joe Livingstone
Asst. RU Director in Rockford, IL

Director's Daily Dose 11-11-10

2010-11-11T15:00:00.002-06:00

Director's Daily Dose

2010-11-10T13:45:00.002-06:00

Joys For Toys '11

2010-11-10T10:12:00.002-06:00

Joys For Toys is in full effect! This year's drive is as exciting as the three previous years, and then some! We have taken on two new avenues to gain children to provide for that I am EXTREMELY excited about!

Of course, we will continue to provide Christmas joys by providing toys to the children of addicted, single, and ill parents. In addition, this year, we will be providing toys to the children of the incarcerated boys that the "For Life" ministry ministers to at the Gainesville State School, and we will be giving school supplies and "Gospel" soccer and volleyballs to orphans in Cambodia and Uganda.

When you consider your Christmas charitable giving would you consider "Joys For Toys"? In doing so you would not only impact a child's days here on Earth, but you would also be providing them the opportunity to know the real reason for the season... Jesus Christ!

From my heart,
-R

Time To Celebrate!

2010-10-27T13:26:00.002-05:00

Temple Baptist Church was founded by Dr. Richard Wallace, Sr. when he was a twenty-six year old man. Dr. Wallace laughs about those days by saying, "Back then I had all the answers, but nobody was asking any questions!". Of course, that was a long time ago and this is now! Dr. Wallace, and his wife Paula's ministry has had a profound impact on many lives, and this has no signs of stopping!

What started out as a store-front in Lakeland Plaza with eleven people and a twelve dollar offering has been blessed by God with millions of dollars in property, and hundreds in weekly attendance. The ministries include: a kindergarten to graduation Christian school, a day care, youth ministries, addiction recovery, ministry to incarcerated teens, and others.

If you would like to join the celebration with us our services are Sunday morning at nine, and then again at eleven. Our address is 2501 Northshore Blvd., Flower Mound, TX 75028. We pray that we will have an opportunity to meet you there.

"HAPPY ALL THE TIME!"

2010-08-19T09:05:00.001-05:00

There is so much that is said these days about the Church. So many people trying to cast their two cents about music, ministry style, age demographic, building styles, etc., etc., etc. Honestly, it goes on adnosium! EVERYBODY has an opinion about EVERYTHING! Trends flare, fire, flicker, and often fade. The average stay of a church member in today's churches is about two years. Which isn't all that surprising because the average length of a Pasor's pastorate is three to five years. It seems as though we have become as addicted to finding "satisfaction" in church as we are addicted to finding "satisfaction" outside of church.

Here is a simple truth that was revealed to me right at a year ago... At that point in time it did little for me. But, as I have been meditating on this truth over the last number of days it has become alive to me! I pray that it will bless you as it has blessed me!

The old Sunday School song... "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'mmmmmmmm IN right! OUTRIGHT! UPRIGHT! DOWNRIGHT! Happy all the time..." You remember the song?! If you do... I apologize for sticking it in your head for the rest of today! LOL! However, this is the formula to be sure that you are "Happy (term used VERY LOOSELY!) all the time" in YOUR Church!

This must be prefaced with the truth that, "We ARE selfish people"! Unfortunately, the Church, to too many of us; has become all about me. I don't like the music! I don't like the style! I don't like the standards! I don't like! Etc. Of course, it is necessary for all of us to find a House of Worship that is Scripturally right, AND where we can feel at home. Once that has happened enact that little Sunday School formula! Here's how to do it!

The Church is God's living organism to fulfill the Great Commission, and storm the gates of Hell. As a result, EVERY church's PRIMARY focus should be OUTREACH and DOWNREACH! We are the Body of Christ! We are His hands and feet! The "outreach" and the "downreach" are ministries, or programs of the church that are constantly reaching out to those in "Jerusalem, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world". We should be touching our communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, "outreach" alone isn't enough! There are MANY in our communities and our world who are so far away from God and His Church, and bound by the Devil that they require a "special reach"... They require a "downreach" or it could be put another way... "A hand up!". I could expound for hours on these two "reaches" alone, and at some point I may. BUT, if you long to be "HAPPY ALL THE TIME" at your place of worship you MUST reach "out" and "down"!

The next "reach" of the church should be the "inreach". Let me also stop right here to say, that God loves a good balance. He is a "balanced" God! The "inreach" of the church are those ministries or programs meant to strenghten the people who are "in". This includes services, activites, classes, Sunday School, Life Groups, Teen Departments, and a plethera of other programs. This is "The Body" caring for "The Body". And, the "inreach" is just as important as the "outreach" and "downreach"!

We've had whole "groups" of churches who are known by or for promoting one "reach" above other "reaches". This behavior exalts one strength and shadows many weaknesses. We MUST have a healthy balance in reaching!

Then, there is the "upreach". This is where everything goes vertically! Without a proper "upreach" as a church member, and as a church eventually you'll stop reaching down, then you'll stop reaching out, and eventually you'll stop reaching in. Eventually, leading to a complete falling away as a Believer, or the impending closing of another church. This "upreach" IS done corporately through the worship of music, sacrificial giving, and the Spoken Word. However, MANY Believers fall into the trap that Sunday morning, sometimes Sunday evening, and the occasional mid-week "upreach' is enough to maintain their upkeep, and output... It's not! And, tragically, what ends-up happening is either: church-hopping, falling away, or maybe even the worst of all... Self-righteous, critical "reaching". Still "reaching" in the Church, but reaching critically and in our own power! The majority of the Church member's "upreach" MUST BE DONE personally, and privatly through a personal, dynamic, love relationship with Christ... Who loved us so much that He "REACHED WAAAAAAY DOWN" for you and for me!

Struggling where you are currently attending? Seeing more negatives than positives? More labor than reaping? Take, as I have, an honest look at YOUR PERSONAL, "INREACH! OUTREACH! UPREACH! DOWNREACH!"... And, when you get involved with ALL FOUR in a healthy balance you will find that you will, for the most part, be... "HAPPY ALL THE TIME!"

From my heart,

-Richard Wallace

PS: Truth given by Steven Curington during lecture entitled "A Healthy RU Chapter"

Fellowship

2010-07-28T14:12:00.002-05:00

My Angel My Baby...

2010-07-26T20:48:00.001-05:00

This poem was revealed to me by a preacher-friend of mine... However, it sums up my marriage relationship with my GORGEOUS wife, Michelle! Without her... I don't know where I'd be!

ENJOY!

Our journey has taken us throughout the earth
From pain and suffering our love did birth
Yet love did flourish from the shame and tears
Our love remained true all through the years!
What pain can hold back such a love as ours
Not shame, not fear, not even wounded hearts
For our love has conquered every wall
It has fought and grasped for passion’s call!
It was your love that brought to me a rest
A love that my pain has put to the test
Yet you endured and gave of your best
Today it is the reason I feel so blessed!
What kind of woman could love as you do?
One who is beautiful, faithful, and true.
It takes one whose heart is made of pure gold
One whose life will be as a tale that is told!
Your love will be spoke of for ages to come
For it is the kind which lights up the sun
It is full of fire, passion, and zeal
A love that is not false but open and heals!
Your love fills my heart with visions and dreams
Faith, hope, and love my heart has finally seen
Your love has given me reason to live
Your love has caused my heart to want to give!
How could your love be so rich and free?
How could you love such a man as me?
How could your heart be filled with such desire?
How could you cause me to burn with such fire?
Certainly your love must come from above
How else could you know such a wondrous love
I long to return that love to you one day
With such desire and self sacrifice may I love, I pray!
Oh God, I could never repay what you have done for me
When you gave me her love, so beautiful, so free
Forgive me for all the years that I did blame
As an excuse not to love, because of my pain!
Unmerited favor I received when I first saw her face
Your love, through her, has revealed to me grace
Now I am honored to call her my wife
I will cherish and care for her all of my life!
I would go through the pain again and again
To experience her love that covered my shame
I would give my life, my wealth, and my fame
To love her and cherish her and give her my name!

"Where Are They Now..."

2010-07-22T09:10:00.001-05:00

Have you ever seen these magazine articles?! They show pictures of your favorite stars, or entertainers as you remember them, and then do a "fine piece" of journalism (laden with sarcasm!)... Usually, finding the worst "fall from grace stories", and reporting the grisly tale.

Last night during the mid-week service at TBC Pastor Collier, from Parkview Baptist Church, was talking about Crucifixion Day. The message was regarding John, and Christ's command for him to care for Mary Jesus' mother.

In a passing note the preacher mentioned the masses who had been hungry, and fed by the Bread of Life. He highlighted the ones devastated and outcast by leprosy, but touched by the Healer. The adultress, moments from death by stoning, yet pardoned by the Forgiver. The demon-posessed, deaf, dumb, mute, and blind all liberated by the Lord.

I thought to myself... If I had been a tabloid writer in the First Century... WHAT A JUICY STORY! As Christ hung on the Cross He had no question as to where they were! He had even prophesied to inner-circle that they would forsake, flee, and even betray Him. But imagine, how the skeptics, and the faithless, or the doubting felt, questioned, and wondered... When this Miracle-Worker, Healer, and Forgiver died alone, forsaken, and betrayed by those who had pledged allegiance, and pronounced His ministry. I'm sure the "Where Are They Now" edition would be swept off the shelves at a record-setting pace! Publishers would be unable to meet the demand!

Then, the Spirit took me to my own life, and then the lives of others that I have seen Christ liberate from the death of "incurable" illness, or the bondage of sin and addiction, or the healing of a shattered home, or broken heart.

I shuttered at how many times I had shrunk down instead of standing boldly for His name... ASHAMED! I saw my picture on a newspaper cover facing the masses with this headline, "FORMER JUNKIE... LIBERATED BY GRACE... ASHAMED!"

I prayed for a fresh anointing for myself, new Holy Spirit boldness to stand for the God who loved me and gave Himself for me! I then prayed for many of our students who have slid away to the same place. Their "freedom" has become their new "bondage". I asked God to bring them back to Him again as He had done for me.

My prayer for myself, and for you is... That you will not forsake the Truth Who made you free after He's given to you your liberty!

From my heart,
-R

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"Otter Box" Your Life...

2010-07-20T12:01:00.002-05:00

Recently I went through a rash of broken screens on my iPhone. Life just kept happening, ya' know?! I mean, I knew the value of the phone. It was always in the back of my mind, but from time to time I would get caught up in various activities and before I knew it I would be holding my breath *GASP* hoping against hope that the inevitable wouldn't happen! But, of course! Gravity, concrete, and gentle electronics have NEVER made good partners! And there I would be holding and expensive, shattered, and once highly valued item in disbelief...

As a director of a Reformers Unanimous chapter, former addict, and a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I see this FAR too often with something of much greater value... In fact, I see it happen with the priceless items of lives FAR TOO FREQUENTLY!

If we would be honest, we ALL know the value of our life, our testimony, our marriage, our sobriety, our career, our family, our home, our vehicle... And the list could go on... and on... and on... and on... Yet, so often we get caught in the daily living of life, and end up holding on far to loosely to the things of greatest value. And then, after temptation comes, sin follow, and death ensues we stand holding the shattered fragments with the same disbelief.

There's great news!!! Shortly after my last iPhone "incident" I was introduced to this case to end all cases... It's called an "Otterbox". The makers of the "Otterbox" claim that your phone is nigh indestructible when it is carried in their case... In fact, they are so sure of their product that if your phone breaks while being protected by an "Otterbox" that they will pay to replace your equipment.

Did you know that in a sense... You and I can "Otterbox" our lives? The Bible says, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." -Psalm 119:11. In other words, Scripture is literally saying that if you will read, memorize, meditate, and obey the Word of God you will NOT sin against God!

May I encourage you today... "OTTERBOX" your life by encasing yourself in the Word of God!!!

From my heart,
-R

It's all about Trust and....

2010-06-19T09:05:00.002-05:00

As we were winding down RUAwake this last Thursday morning I wanted to go over to Psalm 31 to round out the morning, but we had had such a great time discussing the Proverb of the day, that the clock had run out on us!! I actually love it when that happens as I know the Spirit has been moving. So we are picking up next week with this Psalm but I thought I would get a head start and simply blog my thoughts down about why this particular Psalm opened up to me as I was reading through the Psalms last week.

I am so thankful that the writings of David have been left behind as a trailblazer for those of us still walking the path of life because I am always reminded that even a King in a foreign land, during the time when Kings were thought to be God, would share his human frailty with us. When you start reading this Psalm you would think all is well in the life of the King. He is simply praying out to his Father. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed :deliver me in thy righteousness....For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me." (vs.1,3) The first 8 verses are a prayer to his Father letting him know that he has followed him and hates those the Lord hates.

It is in verse 9 that we see the condition he has come to God with. That is another thing I love about David. I have the tendancy to holler first and then let the Lord know I have full trust, David did it the right way. In verse 9 he lets the Lord know he "is in trouble." and in verse 12 he lets the whole truth be known, "I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel." Wow!! The King??!! as a dead man? A broken vessel?? I know how he feels I certainly have felt that way, no matter where I went, no matter who I spoke with I felt totally and utterly alone. I also have cried out to the Lord and thinking I was just having my prayers bounced off the ceiling. Of course it was at that very time when the mighty and AWESOME POWER of God shined through in my life.

Verses 21-24 really spoke to me when I was reading this Psalm last week and it is still speaking as I type these words.

"Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall stengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Haven't we all been there before? I know I have, thinking I was totally abandoned only to find He was holding me up and pushing me forward with His strong right arm. David knew that, but just like all of us, King or no King, his frailty took over and he said, "I am cut off." I also love the fact with this Psalm that he wants to share with others a word of encouragement for that particular moment when the bottom falls out, we get punched in the gut and cannot breathe let alone pray!

So I am happy to share that it is all about trust, and courage, and hope and faith. Praise God that we can "be of good courage," and know that "He shall strengthen," our hearts.. Simply have Hope in the Lord.

Blessings
The Journeyman (Mike Z)

Do you ever ride in the rain?

2010-06-14T15:46:00.003-05:00

You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and He rescued you. By the power of His own word, He healed you and saved you from destruction. Psalm 107:19-20

The other day, I was riding my bike, on my way to a Addiction Recovery event, put on by my Church. The sun was shining but there were small patches of dark clouds everywhere. I guess I timed it just right, because even with the sun shining it started raining on me. As I looked around me I noticed a family riding beside me in a car. The passengers were looking at me as if they felt sorry for me. I felt like they were thinking “That poor man”. God immediately started working on my heart about those lost in this world. How many of us in our lives ride in the rain. How many of us have no cover, no protection from the storms life has.

God was gracious enough to save my life from a thirteen year addiction to Crystal Meth, Cocaine, Ecstasy, and a various amount of other substances. My life seemed to be on huge storm, and I had no intention to stop. I was a man destined for hell, a man that had no love for anybody, including himself. I knew about God and what Jesus did by dying on the cross. But I never thought that God could ever love me or forgive me for the things I did. By the end of my addiction, I had completely given up, I had accepted my life for what it was and was ready to die at the hands of my addiction. After overdosing on Meth and Cocaine, it seemed like my sins had caught up with me and it was time to pay for them. God had other plans for my life though. Because of my addiction, my family in Texas had nothing to do with me. I was living in a motel, no car, no money, no drugs, and no strength left in me. A very close and dear friend of mine, contacted my mother in Texas and told her that I had hit bottom and needed help. I had a bus ticket the next day to come home. I was nothing but a shattered man, begging for someone to love and save me. My mom put me in a treatment center to help me with the detoxed, when I got out she kept me secluded from the world while I went through an emotional roller coaster ride. She had always tried to show me the word of God, but I was to ashamed to even think of God’s love in my life.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Two weeks ago through a faith based addiction program called Reformers Unanimous, I gave my life over to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we ride in the Rain, we now have a way to shelter us from that storm. Were always going to have trials in our life, we are always going to be human and sinners. But God did something amazing for us. He sent his only Son to die on the cross, so that we can be forgiven for our sins.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God’s love knows no bounds, it is a perfect love, all he wants you to do is believe in him, and accept the gift he is so desperately trying to give you. SALVATION!!!

Abandon the Absurd

2010-06-10T08:14:00.002-05:00

I will start out this post with a warning, this may simply be for just me and God is simply handing a message to me and me alone, and everyone else reading this may simply scratch their head and move on!! I am not sure, but I had to share this with you all.
In reading my daily Proverb yesterday I took the time to break out the dictionary and look at the various meanings for the words in the Scripture that stood out to me or captured my eye.

One such verse was verse 6 in Proverbs 9. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
When I got my Websters focused on the words for this verse it laid out this way "Abandon the Absurd and carry out and harmonize in the course of life of intelligence." I was blown away.

When I read the Scripture "Forsake the foolish," my brain took it in and said, "I get it." Turn away from doing stupid or silly things. That is the way those words translate to me. However when I put the Websters to use and saw other word meanings for the passage, Abandon and Absurd resonated with me at a much deeper level than Forsake and Foolish.
To me abandoning something is totally walking away from something without ever looking back (think job abandoment or child abandoment) where "Forsake" should mean that but I have always translated that in my mind as putting something away for a time. The same thing with the word "foolish," I have always thought of that as someone being silly or stupid but not totally being out of line, just doing something childish. So when I reframed forsake the foolish into abandon the absurd, it was Epiphany time!!!!

I got it!!! This is how I have been dealing with my addiction to alcohol, Since coming to RU I have realized that although I was not drinking non-stop, even the few times I hoisted an alcoholic beverage to my lips I was allowing Satan and my self will to chalk up a victory, but when I quit drinking any alcoholic beverage now 18 months ago (PRAISE GOD!!!) I Abandoned the Absurd. I put that addiction into the Absurd category, not only does that mean ridiculous, but it also means doing something out of the realm of logical thinking. To me someone who is being absurd is someone who has put all reason behind them and is totally off base.

So now this has become my saying in my head everytime I am tempted to walk away from the leadings of the Holy Spirit, the voice of my Lord or the still small voice of God... When such leadings start wafting their direction into my Spirit I am saying, ABANDON THE ABSURD!!!!
Not only that, but I will continue to carry out and harmonize in the course of life of intelligence, because following my Lord where ever He leads me is to me the only direction I need travel.

As I said at the beginning I will repeat at the close, this post may only be for me, but I share it with whomever reads this and say ABANDON the ABSURD and totally follow God and your life will be continually blessed!!!!

Blessings
Journeyman (Mike Z)

Worthy Is The Lamb

2010-06-09T14:32:00.002-05:00

First things first

2010-06-05T10:43:00.002-05:00

When I was growing up a couple of things I remember my parents drilling into me was "first impressions are the most important," and "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today." My folks were from the midwest (Nebraska and Missouri) and they were all about getting things prioritized!!

As we were diving into God's Word at RU Awake on this past Thursday Morning at 6AM in Flower Mound Texas at the Starbucks at 3040 and Morris Rd (subliminal plug) I was reminded that my Heavenly Father also likes things in order.

We had been discussing how we are never to lean or put part of our weight on our own understanding but rather trust in the Lord with all of our heart. We had also been looking at how such trust gathers the benefits of not only a long life but adding time to our days because of our spending time with our Lord rather than with our addiction or following our own path.

I asked if anyone else saw anything and Monte a friend of mine that has been attending these sessions pointed out Proverbs 3: 9 "Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." He said to him what that verse said was not to give away something that can be easily gotten rid of, but rather give the very thing that is at a sacrificial level; Give of your best rather than your least. That began a whole new discussion tread and it blessed my heart.

That verse says to Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits. of all thine increase... As we break that verse out a little bit Honor (give high regard or respect, stick to principles I consider right) the Lord with thy substance(the real or essential part of anything, the essence) and the firstfruits of all(every bit and part) thine increase (making greater in size).

No holding back is what this tells me and it also spoke to my heart in saying give to the Lord those firstfruits, or the first of what I am able to produce and not to skimp or substitute when I have the ability to give my all (every bit and part). This led to pointing out what Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount about first things first. "(but) seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (our needs) shall be added unto you."
By always seeking the Lord first, by going all out and providing the very best of ourselves and our substance (the real or essential part) to him first before anything else takes place in our lives, then I know that all of us can throw off that sin which so easily entangles and run with paitence the race that is ours to run (Hebrews 12:1b)

Blessings to you on this glorious day our Lord had given!!

Journeyman (Mike Z.)

TESTIMONY!!!

2010-05-29T18:33:00.003-05:00

Actually there is really no other title for this. I suppose I could have cut to the chase and said "PRAISE GOD!!!" That also would work for a title. First of all before I get to that, I just want to say that I love being a part of RU Chapter 520 in Flower Mound, Tx and I love the founder and his family, Richard Wallace Jr. RW is a true man of God and has been a Spiritual mentor of mine for some time (he may be unaware of this, but he has been). If anyone reading this can get to the Temple Baptist Church in Flower Mound and experience first hand the love and care of the staff and the students that come every Friday night, or show up on the doorstep Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night to experience not only RU staff and students love and care, but all of the church family at TBC, I would highly recommend you doing so, it will change your life, no matter where you find yourself in your Spiritual walk.

Now to God's Glory and Grace in my life. Some reading this may know my wife Kathy lost 250+ lbs a couple of years ago, and because of this tremendous loss of weight had some skin issues that necessitated skin removal surgery. This began in the Spring of last year and was supposed to only last for about four months. She just got the last stitches out from her last surgery yesterday! When we started this procedure we did not know there were going to be some unexpected twists and turns with her surgery process and what started out four months turned out to be a little over a year.

Along with this process she also experienced several changes in her job situation with some struggles along that front, and the double whammy of Job and health began to drain the lovely child of God Kathy had always been. We prayed, we stayed the course and there were several times I must admit I questioned God on the seeming lack of an answer, but He is God and I am not and so we would simply go back to straight prayer and waiting for the answer we knew would come.

Yesterday in one fell swoop God blessed our lives in two dramatic events. Kathy went to her doctor to get the stitches out, and the Dr. after seeing her realized that her work was causing the process of healing to be slowed down past an acceptable point, so he released her from the remainder of the school year. Kathy called me and said that was a real praise as now she would be able to have the summer to figure out where God wanted her to be. A couple of hours later, she called me again and said God had just answered another prayer. Her principal came to her and told her she had been transferred out of the job she had at a high school, and beginning next school year she would be working over at the elementary school. In just a couple of hours God had taken months of pain, anguish, stress and given us both a glorious answer to prayer.

As I thought about this turn of events I was reminded of Psalm 139:

"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought from afar off. Thou comassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it althogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before and laid thine hand upon me." (Psalm 139:1-5)

The many months that had passed and the many times both Kathy and I grew tired, God was walking right beside us, He was walking before us and behind us. This is something that sometimes we forgot or lost sight of, but it came back with crystal clarity yesterday.

Then last night going to RU and hearing the testamonies of those brothers and sisters around me I realized God was walking beside them, God was walking in front of them and God was walking behind them as well. In Richard's message from God's Word last night he pointed to Psalm 68:19
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation!!!"

My eyes were opened, the scales totally fell away. Another lighting bolt that God gave Richard to give to us at RU was, we must always ABIDE with God, and not simply RESIDE with him. That small time at RU last night and the events of yesterday once again brought me to the already true realization that God is truly great and that no matter the struggle, my family, the RU family, The Temple Baptist family and any true follower of Jesus Christ has been and will always be daily loaded with benefits throught the God of Our Salvation!!!

Blessings to all

Journeyman (Mike Z.)

The Shadow People...

2010-05-28T08:56:00.003-05:00

"The wicked [those who engage in evil, harmful, destructive behavior] flee [run away from; vanish] when no man pursueth [follows in an effort to capture]: but the righteous [Spirit-led] are bold [courageous] as a lion." -Proverbs 28:1 Dissected and Defined

As a formers Crystal Meth addict I was haunted by "shadow people" which were delusions of the mind do to lack of sleep and effect of the drugs on the mind. It seemed as though I was being pursued everywhere that I went! In my sleep, at work, in the car... EVERYWHERE! I was literally losing my mind! The addict who suffers from these delusions is SURE that someone is after him. However, the reality is that no one is after him. No one is seeking to arrest him, kill him, kidnap him, or anything else. It is a trick of the mind.

The same is true of the conscience of the man who is involved in any type of evil, harmful, or destructive behavior! Whether it be to himself, his loved ones, or the general population. The conscience of that man allows him no rest. Think with me about this... When you were a kid, and you had done something wrong and knew you had done it... Did your mom or dad ever call your name from the other room? What was your immediate thought, and your reaction?! "I'M BUSTED!!!"?! I know that's how it went down with me! Usually, my parents still had no idea what I had done, but rather were simply needing me for a household chore, etc.

It is SOOOOOOO wearying living in sin! Constantly "tweaking" on your e-mail account, cell phone call log, and text messages, running to the mailbox, quenching the shame and driving yourself mad trying to shut-up that gnawing in your heart and the back of your head. You know what I mean?! Is ANYBODY tracking with me?! This is EXACTLY what Solomon meant when he said, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth..."!!! SOOO much energy is expelled in one sinful act, and the cover-up... It's EXHAUSTING! Isn't it?!

When I found this verse, just a month and three days after I had decided to leave my addictive behavior, I latched onto it's truths... Not only about how I had felt in the past, but also how the Lord had made me to feel in those moments... "...But the righteous are bold as a lion." I knew I wasn't perfect, and this verse isn't implying that you have to be! It's simply saying that the person who lives in surrender to the Spirit of God will be bold in his inner-man. You can have rest in your heart!

So, no more "Shadow People" of the sin-laden conscience; rather, great peace of heart, and boldness in living!

PEACE!

-R

A Tongue-in-cheek Blog...

2010-05-19T08:47:00.002-05:00

The self-proclaimed, "Most Interesting Man on Earth" truly gives, what I believe, to be some GREAT advice! At the end of each commercial the man that you see to your left signs off with this quote, "STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!".

Interesting to me when the "Most Interesting Man on Earth" says it in relation to a particular brew everyone is ready to obey, and to quench their thirst. May I introduce you to a similar quote from "The Greatest Man Who Sits Above Heaven and Earth"?! His name is, Jesus! In His first sermon to His followers He instructed them to "Hunger and thirst after righteousness." In essence Jesus was reminding His disciples to, "Stay thirsty, my friends!"

I see this, as an RU director, time and time and time again! A student, a couple, or a family show up. Their lives, finances, emotions, spirits, careers, and everything else are devastated by sin. They are, for lack of a better term, "THIRSTY"! Their souls are parched! The things that promised to satisfy have only left them wanton and craving a drink of life-giving water. Jesus, the "Fountain of Life" gives them water to drink from which their soul will never thirst again. They begin to live in accordance with His Word, His will, His work, and His way. Though their soul never thirsts again their Spirit must continually draw from the Bread of Life and The Wellspring of Wisdom. They begin to be blessed. Their life flourishes by the River of Life, and they become satisfied. They do not "have" to crave God anymore for their outward struggles have been mended. They have now entered into a life of "self-righteousness" where they do "good"; only in their own power! As a result, their Spirit and their worship are as dry and frail as a desert tumbleweed.

So, might I encourage you to, "STAY THIRSTY, MY FRIENDS!"

Or, better put! "...THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Portraits of Grace... Meet Our Students...

2010-05-13T14:47:00.000-05:00

When I first came into the program, I thought it was just going to be about getting over my 8 year struggle with bulimia and a year struggle with abusing prescription drugs. I soon found out that that was just the beginning. I found that this journey was going to take me to the deepest and darkest corners of my life that I tried so hard just to forget. But events of my childhood were the roots to my addictions. It was by my own selfishness, pride, and embarrassment that took me down the road of addiction. God was always there ready to help me through and make these events bring glory to Him. But I decided to take control and do it myself. But through this program, God has worked in my heart and I only want to give Him praise for the things He has done. Being set free from the things that held me bound is a feeling that is almost indescribable. I am now praising God for things I once hated Him for. Things I would never speak of, I am speaking so that I can work through them. While there is still a long way to go, I know God is seeing me through it each moment and that I have to walk with Him everyday and give it to Him everyday. If it were not for His love and the love of my RU family I would not be where I am today. I serve an amazing God and all glory goes to Him!

This testimony is from Amy Beal. Amy, thanks for the courage to share what God has done for you so that others may be helped!

New Tool at Our Disposal

2010-05-04T15:59:00.002-05:00

The non-confrintational way to approach someone who you know or think may struggle with addiction, or knows someone who does.

Simply forward along a message via text or e-mail to text the word "Reform" to 77513 for information about our meeting times and places. Your simple actions very easily could save someone's life!

Thanks,

-R

Let The Laughter Begin...

2010-04-30T11:48:00.001-05:00

I'm going to risk seeming foolish to prove a really powerful point...

Yesterday morning as I was getting my early morning work-out in I had a funny, but scary thing happen to me. It's only funny because everything turned out alright. I was lying underneath of the decline bench press doing a set when I decided to put the weight back on the rack. I did this somewhat carelessly because it was a weight I was used to lifting, and a number of repetitions I was accustomed to lifting. So, basically, I had grown complacent with what I was doing. It was in that moment that something so routine turned quickly dangerous and life-threatening. As a fully loaded barbell descended across my chin with weights and a bar crashing all around. Of course, people routinely die in weight lifting accidents, and we've all recently heard of the USC stand-out whose voice box was crushed in such an incident.

Immediately- once I realized I was okay- my heart raced to the spiritual application of such a "dumb mistake"... I considered how accustomed we grow to lifting our sin thinking that because we've juggled it for so long there is no way it could ever "get" us. We are so used to how we sin that we sense the Devil could never "really" ever destroy us with it. Yet, too often times we see (and hear) the public demise of people all around us who thought that they too could continually lift the weight of their sin. Until one day, they don't "set it down" properly, or the try "lifting it" one more time, etc. But, this time God says it's enough. Not only do we end up bruised, and broken, but we end up embarrassed, and shamed. If we also claim the name of Christ His name too can be shamed.

My prayer for myself is that I will find an altar of forgiveness for my failures, and that I will allow the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to give me the strength I need to set my sin aside as opposed to continually trying to lift it.

Hope this helps,

-R

It Used to Be Hard... To Buy Drugs...

2010-04-21T07:31:00.003-05:00

The Holy Spirit laid this on my heart this morning on the way into the office... I am praying that someone may glean something from the truths contained within. Again, a frank, difficult, open post about life as it once was...

Once I began to embark into the dark world of illegal narcotics I found it very difficult to get what my flesh desired in that way... And here's the reason why... "Man! You sure you ain't a COP?!" This is the phrase that I would hear over and over and over again! And, YES, I was sure I wasn't an officer of the law! However, men have no other option than to look at the outward appearance of other men. In so doing, we make judgements on people's character, habits, ambition, and heart all on the length of hair, complexion, dress, ink, and or jewelry. Plainly put most drug dealers I came across were simply not used to selling narcotics to a preacher's kid, called to ministry, raised in private education, with loving/doting parents, former military, and successful in a white-collar career.

We suffer from the same questions when people we perceived to be spiritual end-up cast down by sin and its destructive forces. Utter shock rocks us to the core! Simply because of perceptions that we once held based on the outward appearance of a man.

We have schools, youth groups, colleges, and sadly, many churches so trying to micro-manage the outward appearance of man that we have NO time to focus on the heart of the matter... WHICH IS THE HEART! We have school districts trying to destroy gangs by forcing uniforms, Christian schools trying to curb sex appeal by ridiculous regulations, and Christian colleges trying to stamp out rebellion by removing all freedom of choice... Even God gives His children the right to choose... Rightly or wrongly! In theses instances folk either grow so tired of trying to outwardly conform that they quit, drop-out, or get forced out. Or, they find outward conformity, but seethe with inward rebellion which eventually festers into outward revolution. Or, they continue to perform in their own power, but remain un-conformed in the inner-man. As a result, gangs continue to be a problem, teenage pregnancy continues to rise, kids fall away from ministry callings, and we have the most frustrated group of Believers maybe to have ever served God.

WHY IS THIS?! Well, for the same reason that I found it sometimes nearly impossible to score dope! We are so wrapped up in the "...Be not conformed to this world..." that we have failed to reach the heart by "...The renewing of your mind..."!

Hair can't be short (or long) enough! Skirts can't be long, or flowing enough! Skin can't be un-tatted, or not-pierced enough! Clothes can't be old-fashioned enough! Speech can't be flowery enough! Life can't be controlled enough to make a pure heart!

My heart's desire is for God to create in me a clean heart. That I would keep my heart with all diligence... Realizing, that out of it are the issues of life. I yearn to live soberly, believing, that my heart is desperately wicked! So much so, that I can't even know the depths of its depravity! AND! I'm not alone! We are all that way! So, may all that we do and say be to the reaching of the heart and nothing else!

-R

MONSTER WEEK FOR RU!

2010-04-18T17:05:00.002-05:00

It has been too long since I've been able to post. However, it has been for good reason! In the past ten days God has been doing some BIG TIME things in our midst... Things that have me as excited about the ministry of Reformers Unanimous as the first time we ever opened our doors to the addicted. (And, by the way, that is EXCITED!)

God has brought into our group in the last couple of weeks a stable of men whose hearts are set ablaze for the addicted of our community and they have yoked up underneath the burden with me and God has allowed us to carry this "plow" into some really great fields of harvest. Places one man simply couldn't (or shouldn't) go alone!

This past week RU was highlighted in our mid-week service by our ladies' ensemble singing, RU bulletin inserts with student testimonies, and God allowing me to preach a truth relative to our needing to see Christ formed in the lives of the folk of our community. Then on Thursday we had a MONSTER bulletin blitz with many of our students taking "RU Propaganda" (HAHA!) into our town. Friday allowed the opportunity for many of our students who are seeing victory in Christ to share their testimonies with the Christian school kids at Temple Christian. It was an anointed chapel to say the least with many decisions for Christ! Class was a HUGE blessing! We were allowed by God to launch our new teen RU ministry, "Transform", with God giving immediate success as we saw 13 teenagers attend our very first meeting! GLORY! And we followed that up with a very successful 3rd Annual RU RUn: "RUnning Over Addiction" on Saturday morning!!!

I highly anticipate the week that is ahead. We already have lunch appointments with some of our new teens in their junior high, and high schools so that they may introduce us to their friends and class mates. I am planning to again this week pass out some 6,000 pieces of RU literature all over our metroplex.

Would you pray with us that God would continue to pour out His Spirit upon our efforts and our endeavors to the saving of souls and the glory of His name?!

-R

Teen Transform Coming Soon...

2010-04-06T08:40:00.002-05:00

The majority of addicts fall into addiction in their teenage years. With this truth in mind Reformers Unanimous is picking up the gauntlet that has been thrown down by Satan to destroy the lives of our youth. Youth work is difficult work. However, we are committed to make a difference in our community, and for our generation.

In the last ten days I am aware of two 18 year old men in our town who have passed away from Heroin overdoses. I have spoken to several graduates from Flower Mound schools over the past week who have continually repeated the fact that NO ONE understands or cares how bad the drug problem is in this upper middle class area.

The Lord has brought us a great young couple, Kyle and Savannah Morgan... They have a heart and a passion for teenagers, and are committed to the difficult work of the addicted. This will take work, commitment, and dedication; but that is the fiber of the being of Reformers Unanimous Chapter #520 and we are expecting God to do great and mighty works in our midst!

Join us in prayer as we are set to launch "Teen Transform" on April 16th at 7PM...

-R

2010-03-26T17:12:00.002-05:00

Each year since we began the ministry of Reformers Unanimous we have held a 5K and kid's 1 mile fun run to raise community awareness about our program, about addiction, and to raise necessary funds to continue to change lives in the DFW Metroplex.

This year, however, the "RU Run" has taken on a whole new level. This year's run will be named and held in remembrance of our dear friend, and RU Family member - Daniel A. Downes. Danny, as we affectionately new him, left our presence to stand in Jesus' on Sunday, November 22, 2010. Danny's wearied soul has now found perfect rest in Heaven's glory.

Danny's life was consumed with only one thought, and one theme in the days and weeks that I spent with him... That was, "To help the next SUFFERING addict." Danny touched SO MANY lives in the short period of time that we new him, and we have decided that his life, memory, and theme must carry on.

Danny was a life-long resident of Flower Mound. He left behind a loving family that has questions that won't be answered until we all step foot into God's presence.

Would you help us as we answer our call to help other like Danny? Could you give a couple hours on Saturday, April 17 beginning at 7AM to run to raise? If not, could you give to Danny's memory, and to support Danny's mission? Above all, we covet your prayers as we continue to... "HELP THE NEXT SUFFERING ADDICT"!

-R

The Teaching That Turned Me "On My Head"...

2010-03-25T12:38:00.002-05:00

Not but about 25-30 days after I got clean off of Crystal Meth (and many other crippling sins) I was introduced to the ministry of Reformers Unanimous directly through a large pastor's conference. It was in those sessions that I heard teachings that, to be honest, when they were first spoken I thought they could possibly be heresy... I mean, seriously, I was a pastor's kid, and a former Bible college student and I was hearing lectures from Mr. Steven Curington that I had never heard before! I literally sat there and shook with excitement. I felt ALL the pressure of "staying clean" ebbed away.

I can't honestly remember if Mr. Curington said it or the Holy Spirit laid it on my heart, and it really doesn't matter but here it is... "Stop 'STOPPING' and start 'YIELDING'!" It was during that week that I came in touch with Psalm 46:10a "Be still and know that I am God..." That was it! How thrilling! God didn't need (or want) for me to be "god" of my life! He wanted me to DIE so that He might live in me, out of me, and through me.

It was the teachings of the "Crucified Life" that saved my life while daily ending "my" life. Make sense?! Nah! Not to me either! And rarely will God's ways "compute" with our human logic, and humanistic philosophies. However, once grasped you can quit being frustrated with rules, "thou shalt nots", and trying hard to do better; and simply allow the "Resurrection Power of Christ" (the Holy Ghost) to lead you into all righteousness!

So, search it out! Try it out! And I believe you too will see that the best way to live is... AS A DEAD MAN!

-R

The Greenhouse

2010-03-22T07:59:00.002-05:00

I am sitting in the DFW airport about to board a plane to go to Rockford, Illinois to spend time at the Reformers Unanimous headquarters and facilities. I love this place because it truly is a "greenhouse" for many individuals.

It was during my first introduction to Reformers Unanimous that I heard Mr. Curington refer to the men and women's schools of discipleship in Rockford as a "greenhouse" where struggling people can come in from outside, get out of the "elements", and receive the "nutrients" that they require to grow in their spirits.

That was at Pastor's School in Hammond, IN 2007. I had been clean for about 30 days... I determined in that moment that I needed the "Greenhouse Effect" in my life. I purchased the "It's Personal Daily Journal", and every day I would be confined to a small office in the church where I was protected from the elements, and armed with my Bible and Journal God was giving me all the nutrients that I needed to grow in my Spirit.

Again, this is simply how it went for me in the early days and weeks following my decision to break from the demons of addiction. I determined early that I COULD NOT! I WOULD NOT lean on my own understanding. I would surrender to God's authority in my life.

I pray that someone reading this post might determine to do the same! I promise you will LOVE His glorious sunlight, the Water of His Word, the strengthening of His Spirit as you too find solice in God's "greenhouse"!

-R

God, "WHY!?"

2010-03-18T15:30:00.002-05:00

Following this recent vein of, "how it all went down" three years ago I am going to try to tackle the toughest blog the Spirit has asked me to share yet. It is toughest because it is so taboo that NO ONE is talking about it; yet, record numbers of people are battling in its dark shadows.

At Reformers Unanimous we have a saying, "Addiction is rotten fruit from a bitter root." Many people go into programs seeking to "cure" their addiction by cutting off one act or habit while the rest of their life is in utter dismay, or they end up transitioning from one bad behavior to another all the while claiming victory. The truth is they have never allowed the Truth to permeate to the heart of the matter... And that is the darkness of their heart.

I am no psychologist nor do I claim to be. However, I know do know what it WAS to be a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and molestation. Alright, it's out so we're good! WHEW! I can only speak from my experience and hope and pray that someone can glean from what I suffered, and eventually severed.

As previously noted, I foraged in all forms of addiction from age 18 as a Bible college freshman studying to serve the Lord in full-time ministry until I was a "successful" 27 year old branch manager of a mortgage company. But this just didn't all of the sudden start one day in my late teens! No! Quite the contrary, it all began in my pre-pubescent years when a trusted family friend sexually molested, and forcibly raped me many times over a couple year period. I could blog all day explaining the psychology (from what I've read) behind why I never revealed the atrocities, but I'll boil it down for you into one word, "SHAME"! Then after the acts the threats, and blackmailing that he would tell others that I was gay, etc. As a boy I was left to suffer... ALONE! Great family? YES! Great network of support? YES! Great church family? YES! YES! YES! In spite of all that I was alone, suffering, shamed, angry, and getting more bitter with every passing day.

It is essential that you stay with me throughout this entire post less you begin to think that I am going to offer even one justification for the poor choices, and decisions that I made that led to my "dance with the Devil, and my dabbling in destruction"!

As I began to grow into my teenage years rumors were beginning to swirl as to the fact that these things had happened. People began to question my sexual orientation... Remember, it's a Christian school where rumors are hushed, and whispering is intensified. I began to overcompensate in many areas of my life. I became obsessed with sports, physical fitness, and many other demonstrations that I thought would prove the rumors to be false... Finally, as a sophomore this individual moved on and out of my life. Yet, for me the anger was only growing... And the question, "God, 'WHY'?!"

Let me stop and address the question that I was, supposedly, asking God. I wasn't really asking the question with a heart to understand the will and providence of God. In fact, I was really using it as a "verbal finger" to shake in His face to express my outrage as why this adversity could come into my life. As an RU director, and assistant pastor I hear this question over and over, and the majority of the time this is the spirit behind the question. A statement of anger over "my rights" being violated, and my selfish desire to hold a holy, omniscient God accountable for the wrong that has been done to "me"... I often run - myself and direct others - to Isaiah 55:8,9 and to Romans 8:28. Then I tell them, "It's not about 'ME' it's about 'THEE'!!!"

Fast forward to March 2007. The providence of God is amazing! About 20 or so days into my recovery I finally decide that "I JUST might need a little help" in remaining on the path to sobriety. So, I Google search "Faith-based addiction recovery" fully expecting to find Celebrate Recovery. I knew a little bit of them from a book that I had read... But I came across this red-headed, wild-man that preached and taught just the way I had grown-up. We shared a similar story, and as I watched Mr. Curington on-line explain "Talk! Talk! Talk!" my heart lept and tears flowed! I wasn't alone! I wasn't the only Christian to ever flub the dub! The Devil had led me to believe that I was an ABSOLUTE failure. I saw on that YouTube video that God could do something with "someone like me"! I ran from the back office to the reception office where my mom was answering phones, I brought up the video on her screen... I wept as I watched again, and again, and again! Anyone who walked into the church office that day was introduced to my new passion, a thing called Reformers Unanimous! I phoned my dad... Sure that he had NEVER heard of something like this, but to my surprise he told me, "Bubbs, I have been praying for three years for God to send the man that could lead this ministry! I am very familiar with 'RU'!"

To make a long story short, within a week he and I were in Rockford, Ill. on a Friday night to see Reformers Unanimous unfold. I remember like it was yesterday... The lights went down promptly at 7PM and Mr. Curington came on and for 16 solid minutes pounded Principle #10 which says, "God Balances Guilt With Blame. Accept The Blame For Your Actions and God Will Remove The Guilt." I didn't even realize that subconsciously I had been blaming my sin on the sin that had been committed against me so many years ago. It was how I justified the sin in my life. That night, with tears streaking down my cheeks, I readily and happily accepted the blame for "MY sin"!

What God did next came in two installments. The immediate one being that that night God removed ALL of the guilt for my sinful, dark past. In that moment I felt the I John 1:8,9 cleansing. I truly felt "White as snow"! And I could only thank "The Crimson Flow"!

What happened a few weeks later though is so bizarre that I'm not even sure how it's going to come across on type and computer screen. If my wife, and parents had not witnessed it I too would even doubt the story that I'm typing right now. I'm not sure even what to call it! An "out of body experience" maybe?! I don't know! What I do know is that it was a supernatural healing and cleansing that God did in me. I was lying in bed, Michelle and I were visiting, and all of a sudden I'm facing away from Michelle, curled up in the fetal position. I began to cry, and scream repeating one statement over and over again. Which I will not share do to respect for the family of those involved. My wife, freaked out of course, called my parents sometime around midnight. Of course, they promptly came. Essentially, what happened that night is that I moved from a place of accepting the blame for my own actions, to granting forgiveness to this man for his actions against me. God did it! It wasn't something that I had consciously considered doing, but rather it was the natural course of God's plan; but it took Supernatural help to get me there.

Sure, I have asked God, "Why?" Since then in a humble heart, truly seeking His understanding, and His good to result from those things which have fallen out to me. And I hope that my openness today is part of His answer to me... "So that My name might be glorified!" Please understand, I don't even have the power to whisper the things that happened to me in my youth, but I promised God that if His Spirit would empower... I would proclaim that healing is found in forgiveness and in His name!

Please pass this along to someone you might know who may have experienced sexual abuse.

-R

Without Her... None of This is Possible...

2010-03-11T16:27:00.002-06:00

In the midst of all of the turmoil that was going on in my home caused by me rebellion, sin, and addiction I was still surrounded by something unfathomable... The enduring love of "My Angel" wife, Michelle. I mean, unless you have ever known, been, or experienced a Crystal Meth addict you cannot possibly fathom the circumstances in which my wife exemplified Christ! I would not want to tell you all that I put her through while I was in the throws of my sin. The least of which was the daily lying about, and stealing of -at least- $75 per day to feed my insatiable appetite for the "Devil's Dandruff". I was mean, short-fused, and entirely selfish, and self-consumed.

Never once did I question the love, or dedication of my wife to me, our beautiful children, our church, or our Savior. Michelle was enduring a private "hell", and living like an angel. She worked at the church, often went to services alone (getting the kids ready by herself and seeing to it that they were in church), and loving Jesus with all of her being. She projected to MOST people that our home was okay, and confided to trusted, spiritual counsel the desperation of the hour.

This blog could go on and on endlessly praising the girl who (by God's grace) held it all together. Time and time again she offered me chance after chance to repent and be right. Time and time again I would disappoint caring only about myself. But, every time that happened I caught of glimpse of Jesus in the flesh!

Of course, there were rocky days, and difficult times... She had questions, fears, and concerns but those were overcome... Not by her faith in me; but because of her amazing faith in God. She had truly placed the healing of her heart, my sin, and our home in the hands of the only Man who could fix it... Jesus Christ!

Michelle was the perfect portrait of the I Peter 3:1-4 and without that none of what God has used us to do together would have ever been possible!

I love you, Baby!

-R

2010-03-10T15:31:00.000-06:00

...Then "Utopia" Ended

2010-03-10T11:37:00.002-06:00

The first two weeks of my "recovery" were such a whirlwind. As I posted before the first week was absolutely nothing short of "hell on earth"! I had the Spirit of God living in me, but I had no idea how to exercise Him. I hadn't known how to capitalize on His strength. Therefore, week one was won only by His grace, and A LOT of frustrating trying on my part. Week two was like a utopia. I was surrounded by God's people (who actually acted like God's people), subjected to the spoken Word, and edified at every turn.

Unfortunately, as many Christians have experienced in their lives, at some point, the conference "utopia" couldn't last forever. I found shelter in God's green house for just as long as He needed me to. I had a loving wife, and two precious children back at home who needed the "new man" back.

To say the excitement of my conversion, and dedication was gone would not be an accurate statement... However, it was a sense of, "Put up or shut up!" In other words, it was time to put action to the faith that I claimed. I often chuckle at the verse in Proverbs that says, "The talk of the lips tendeth to penury..." Or, in other words, "Talk is CHEAP!"

I came home to difficult questions, tense times, A LOT of uncertainty, and swirling doubt. I had seen the stats, "96% of Americans who use Crystal Meth JUST ONE TIME NEVER QUIT!" I had heard the statements, "Once an addict ALWAYS an addict!" Somehow, though I sensed in my heart that I had found something (Someone) different!

At this point I'm working on getting to my third week COMPLETELY clean! I can't remember a time when I was three weeks. I still had no aim in my Bible reading/study, or prayer. I was basically living from service to service, but I felt hope... And a strange feeling I thought I had no business felling... A little flame sparking that I thought surely could never burn... A dream that I thought had died at the altar of sin...

Compassion is ALWAYS "Cool"!!!

2010-03-09T10:01:00.002-06:00

I've wrestled for about ten days how to title this blog and I settled on this because I feel like many times we travel down a slippery slope in ministry and church-work. Might I say, as I get started, that I love technology, I love for things to look sharp, run on time, and be the best that they can be for the honor and glory of God!

With that, there seems to be a tendency to depart or leave behind some of the seasoned saints and warriors of God's work. We label them "fossils", "dinosaurs", or "irrelevant to today's culture"...

But I'd like to introduce you to a man by the name of Dr. Don Smith. This picture was taken at this year's "Enrichment Conference" at Pensacola Christian College. This was my third year in a row to attend this conference and I have been blessed more and more each year. But today I want to share with you the story of how and older saint of God... Not trendy in dress, or "hip in his lingo" touched my life, and proved that "Compassion is ALWAYS Cool"!

As I posted before I was a brand new baby Christian showing up onto the campus of a huge Bible college. I somewhat knew how to act as a Christian because I grew-up playing the Christian game, but denying the Power thereof. So, it wasn't like I was walking around dropping "F-Bombs", or talking crazy, or anything of that nature. However, anyone with a thimble-full of spiritual discernment would know that things were going on in my life. I'm sure Dr. Smith wasn't the only one to realize it, but he did what NO ONE else has EVER done to me in all of my pastor's kid livin', Bible college attending, conference hopping days... He walked up to me on the Wednesday morning of that first day of meetings and said this... Now, bear in mind, I had NO idea who this man was... "Son, I don't know who you are, or what's going on in your life, but I can tell you are broken. I am praying for you, and this week it is my job to edify you." Immediately, the flood gates opened! I began to sob! Jesus had just shown-up in my life in the form of a man! There was NO condemnation! Only a heart full of compassion, and a mouth of edification, and a life of communication with God. Dr. Smith was good on his word. EVERY SINGLE break he would come and find me, edify me, pray with me, and talk to me. Oh yeah, compassion is ALWAYS cool! It's always hip! It's always trendy! It's always relevant!

"The mouth of the righteous man is a well of life..." -Proverbs 10:11a (KJV) I can not begin to properly describe how the the mouth of this righteous life brought life to a struggling addict, and new-born Believer. Do you know someone that you could speak words of life to?!

Surprised By What I Found...

2010-03-05T09:42:00.002-06:00

Following up on the last few posts... We'll recap. My addiction was uncovered on Saturday, February 25, 2007. I trusted Christ as Savior and surrendered to His Lordship of my life on February 25. Battled between life and death for five solid days the next week... It was at the end of this week that my dad came to me and said, "Hey, Bubs, I'm going to this preacher's conference and I'd like for you to come..." You must understand! I grew up in a preacher's home, I had been to Youth Conferences, chapel services, revival meetings, camp meetings, camps, church, and every other Christian venue you could imagine. The one thing that I knew more than anything was the facade of fundamentalism. The self-righteousness of congregants, and the over-piousness that inhabits most "preachers meetings". This isn't the scorned kids opinion this is what I had grown-up watching and witnessing. To say that I wanted NO part of having my "face ripped off" or my "toes danced on" was a MASSIVE understatement! The Devil had done more of that than I could stand! I didn't, at this point, need so much truth... I was dying for mercy!!!

At any rate, he was my dad (and now my boss) so I thought it best that I bite my tongue and go. So, we loaded up in the car and travelled 12 hours east to Pensacola, Florida to go to a conference called "Enrichment"... If I needed ANYTHING it was enrichment! Dad and I had a wonderful time I the road. I slept! AND SLEPT! AND SLEPT! We talked, sang, cried, and shared. But I was reluctant about what I would find at "the meeting"!

When I walked into the first session on that Tuesday evening I was absolutely surprised at what I found! There was a small play that was done by a handful of students about Jesus - The Master Potter - working and re-working His clay. Lovingly. Patiently. I couldn't restrain the tears, as I cannot now with just the memory of those moments. The preacher was Raymond Barber, a loving, grand-father type Bible preacher. The message was laden with the Word and it pounded the anvil of my heart. My bankrupt heart and life was becoming... ENRICHED with every passing moment, message, play, and song.

As I began to share my testimony with pastors, preacher, educators, students, and others there was no condemnation. Only unconditional love and acceptance. I was surprised, yea, even shocked! God was beginning to reveal to me that there was a different, real type of Christianity that was marked by love and not meanness.

Lord knows that what I needed! Lord knows that what you need!

To be continued...

-R

Flesh vs. Spirit...

2010-03-04T21:24:00.003-06:00

So, I just landed some wi-fi...

Following my conversion on Sunday, February 25, 2007 our family decided that I needed to return the following day to complete a two week notice at my former mortgage employer so that I could maintain some benefits that my boss graciously made available to me.

You could easily say that I was going back into the mouth of the lion. It was at that job that I had sunk into my deepest drug use. My dealer knew my employer. The one person that I used with was still officed there... And, let's be honest... None of them received Christ as Savior and surrendered to Him as Lord that week-end! Nor, were they rejoicing that I had!

I went back to the office that Monday morning resolute. I was determined that I was going to be clean. I had made my family suffer enough. The gig was up. I had "turned over a new leaf" so to speak. The Devil's attack was nothing short of ferocious! Every moment of that week was a battle of the will. Each moment was difficult but each day became more and more impossible. By the end of the week I was driving around nearly surrendering to the Devil's voice to return to the sin Christ had redeemed me from.

I am convinced that if I would have had to stand in my own power and strength I would not have lasted one more twenty-four hour period.

I will delve much more deeply into this in later posts, but I realized VERY quickly that there was NO WAY for Richard to get sober. If it were up to me... I would always be an addict! I needed something (Someone) stronger than me; and more importantly stronger than Meth and Satan.

AND, I found it (I mean Him)!

Liberation Found in Admission...

2010-02-26T09:38:00.003-06:00

Over the next several posts I am going to walk down the dark hallways of my past in a raw, no-holds-barred fashion to try to help those struggling to win the fight over addiction, or to give some understanding to those who may be trying to support someone in the fight for their life. With that said, may I say that this is difficult. It is hard on me, my wife, and my family, but we will endure the difficulty if it will strengthen just one.

As alluded to in yesterday's post God ripped the cover off of my "secret sin" on February 24, 2007. I had been "hiding" (it really wasn't all that hidden!) an all-consuming Crystal Meth addiction for about nine months. On this particular Saturday morning my wife (My Angel), Michelle, was going to take our two kids to a church-friends daughters' birthday party. When she went to get something out of my car she found Crystal Meth paraphernalia. She went on with the kids to the party as though nothing was wrong... On the way to the party she called my dad, my Pastor.

As soon as I knew her to be gone I began using and working to score more dope... Not long after I heard my front door nearly come crashing down... It was my dad! Imagine my surprise, my fear, my rage... I hadn't slept at that point in six days... I was SOOO high!

For the first time in all my wandering when I stepped in front of my dad there was no condemnation, no anger, no malice, no shame... Only heartbreak and compassion. Let me stop here to say, the Devil provides more condemnation on the addict than he (or she) can bear. It's half of what keeps the addicted addicted! This time with dad was different! I remember him saying, "We just want to help!" Tears began to stream down my loving father's cheeks. He got me into the car... I was sweating, shaking, angry; and every raging demon was screaming expletives in my mind. It's difficult to understand unless you've been under the influence of the "Devil's Dandruff"... I blamed EVERYone! I played the shame game, the blame game, and the manipulation game... My man of God stood firm! He quoted Scripture, told me he loved me unconditionally, and I couldn't fight that love (the truth is... I didn't want to!). I remember it being like waves: the high would come and go... I just stared out the passenger window with my chocolate shake between my legs. "Tina" (One of many street names for Crystal Meth) was SCREAMING, "'Blank' them! You'll be fine! You don't need anyone!". But God was stronger and I wasn't even asking Him to be.... He kept filling my mind with visions of Gunner, Ember, and Michelle with tear-stained cheeks. G&E would say, "Are you going to pick me, Daddy?!" In a fit of rage I screamed out, "I don't want this anymore, but I can't......" I broke down into tears... When I regained my composure I told dad that I couldn't get clean and work in that environment.

So, you wanna' know what he told me?! It's insane! I'm still not sure if it was faith, or a dad's last ditch effort to save his kid. He says, "Well quit! And come work for me at the church!" It was like all in stride... As if I were a godly man who was contemplating the "secular" job, or full-time service. I still think it was half nuts! Anyway, I agreed. He drove me to Frisco - to the corner office - to clean it out...

However, I still didn't know if I was going to have a family, a wife, or a home! For four years I had been the WORST husband any lady could EVER imagine being married to... Rightfully so Michelle had questions I had no answers for... I remember we drove around Lewisville, just the two of us, and were accomplishing NOTHING other than me making things A LOT WORSE for myself...

I said all that to type this one paragraph. Things went from bad to worse on the marriage front and our Pastor saw our home slipping into Satan's grasp. We met him in his office, and they both demanded a promise from me. "We want you to promise that you will NEVER use drugs, or alcohol again!" The honesty and sincerity (which I was neither of) was shocking to everyone in the room when I exclaimed, "I cannot promise you that! I made that promise a year ago and hear we sit again! I AM AN ADDICT! But, I will promise that I will live every day in pursuit of being clean." I had never admitted that I was an "addict". Especially publicly! Now it was ME who had the problem, was the problem! Things were anything but easy after that moment, but the beginning of my liberation was found in my admission.

Have you admitted your sin problem yet?!

The Dark Corner of One of The Darkest Corners of My Life...

2010-02-25T20:38:00.003-06:00

I am sitting at my computer tonight kinda' blank... The whole week has sorta' been like this. I don't know like maybe I expected more from this moment, or I thought... I'm at a loss!

Anyway, this morning I drove over to Frisco to look for some shoes, and decided to pull off of 121 at Legacy and swing through my old parking garage of my old mortgage office. Ah, that office! That was where all of the dreams were supposed to come true! Office in the corner, golf course for a view, REALLY nice paychecks, sweet ride, designer clothes, painted-on happiness, and an ALL-CONSUMING Crystal Meth addiction. It was so bad that just about every 30 minutes I would sneak down into the parking garage. In the very back corner where there was no lighting and slide down into the seat of my luxury car to smoke bowl after bowl of the Devil's concoction. That corner of that parking garage was representative

of the dark corners that lurked in my life and heart. It literally was "The Dark Corner of One of The Darkest Corners of My Life"!

It's not like this was my first foray into addiction... I had been addicted to everything under the sun prior to this point, but this is where it began to spiral beyond anyone's ability to control... I was losing friends, losing weight, losing my career, losing my family, losing blood... I was dying! It is impossible for me to paint a more despairing pictur

e! Adjectives cannot describe the depth or depravity of my addiction and sin... Other than to say, "It was dark"! Even sitting, typing, sharing this testimony I find it frighting to consider how desolate my life was. No one will ever know how deep; save me and God, my life had sunk toward hell.

Certainly no one was aware when I walked into that beautiful mustard colored church building on Sunday morning, February 25th, 2007 that just twenty-four short hours prior my wife had uncovered a stash of drug paraphernalia, or that I had spent the night separated from by beautiful wife and gorgeous children. No one was aware of the secrets that I had to hide or the demons that raged inside. Who could know that Crystal Meth was still SCREAMING for me to return to her demonic siege?! No one was aware that my body shuttered because of lack of sleep, and my body's dependence on "Tina".

The whole morning God's providence had pretty much orchestrated a Heavenly symphony. It seems as though - in a time of my life that I can't remember much - I remember EVERY vivid detail of that morning. Leaving mom and dad's early so that I could pick-up breakfast for my family... Listening to two southern Gospel songs over and over and over and over.... The morning seemed crisp... Then I got to the church (EARLY) and my family came just as Sunday school was beginning... People were filing in and my kids are running down the parking lot screaming, "DADDY! DADDY! WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT?! WHY DIDN'T YOU STAY AT HOME?!" I remember trying to hush them - to no avail. God was stripping me! We went to our small group - The Homebuilders - Todd Parks was teaching and he had us write on a card that we were praying for someone and then give them the card... I remember Chris LaRue coming to me with his arm outstretched saying, "God laid you on my heart this morning..." God was revealing Himself to me! Allen and Sally Stevens gave a testimony, and every word of Allen's testimony was a hammer-blow to my heart. But then! AH BUT THEN the choir sang this song Child of God... I've blogged about it before so I'll spare the details other than to say that the love of the Father rushed in like a roaring river pushing the sin into the Son's Glorious Light! I became His child in that moment...

And His Light shone on the dark corners of my life...

Thanks for listening.

Input/Output

2010-02-23T12:40:00.002-06:00

I was sitting considering moments and seasons in my own life; as well as considering some students that I have seen come through our addiction ministry here and the Holy Spirit put this on my heart.

"If your 'output' is more than your 'input' you'll eventually find yourself sputtering." Do you ever feel like your "Out of gas"? Your emotionally, physically, and spiritually dry? I mean, the "motor" hasn't locked-up yet, but your beginning to "sputter"... You know what I mean?! Ever been there?! I have! And it's a TERRIBLE place to be! I mean there are responsibilities and demands "pulling over" for "fuel" is just so inconvenient so we decide to press on just a little bit further... Am I making sense here?!

I don't know about you but it seems for me that everytime I have an important meeting, or a trip, or something and I climb into the car -with my schedule timed out perfectly- only to look down and see that I am low on fuel...

This happens SO OFTEN! Especially in our spiritual lives... We have so many things that we "HAVE" to do FOR God that we fail to realize if we don't stay connected TO God it won't be long that we will be doing neither - doing things for Him or connecting with Him.

As I encourage myself to this... I hope you'll take the encouragement too... Where every you are on your journey RIGHT NOW... STOP! PULL OVER! CONNECT WITH GOD! Then, and only then, pull back onto the freeway of service and ministry.

From my heart,

-R

I'm All In

2010-02-21T18:28:00.002-06:00

One of the blessings I get in attending Reformers Unanimous in Flower Mound Texas is the RU Awake Bible Study I lead on Thursday Mornings at 6AM (hence the name "RU Awake.") A small group of folk share prayer requests, the Proverb of the day, and whatever has been laid on my heart that particular Thursday. God is Awesome in that each Thursday no matter what I bring to teach it somehow becomes so much more, certainly not by anything I bring, simply by the power of God's Word in dealing with our lives.
This past Thursday I brought forth the event in the Old Testament we are all very familiar where the Children of Israel are just about to cross the Jordan after wandering in the Wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience before the Lord. The people had been here once before 40 years before but because of a scary report given by ten of the twelve people sent to spy out the new country, the promised land, the people became terrified and did not want to go any futher. You can see that account in Numbers 13 and 14. Now here they are again under new leadership with the death of Moses and Joshua the son of Nun is about to take them into the land.
We pick up the account in Joshua 1:2 where Joshua is being spoken to by the Lord and he says

"Moses my servant is dead; now therfore arise, go over this Jordan thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel... Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ONLY BE THOU STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS, (my emphasis) that thou mays observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therin day and night, that thou mayes observe to do according to all that is written therein: FOR THEN THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAY PROSPEROUS, AND THEN THOU SHALT HAVE GOOD SUCCESS.(my emphasis) Joshua 1:2,3,6-8

Here Joshua is where he has been 40 years before and once again God is giving them the land but notice. He is telling him to be strong and courageous.... Why? He has given him and the Children of Israel the land?! We know the answer. The same walled cities, the same large people, the same giants in the land that were there 40 years before are still there and Joshua and the Children of Israel will still have to fight them to get the Land and claim it.
Along with his commanding him to be strong and courageous though God also is giving him a checklist to make sure he and the people are walking in the right direction. By keeping the book of the law always before him by meditating on it day and night and doing everything it says... THEN they shall be prosperous. THEN they shall be successful.

When people are playing cards and gambling with money there is a phrase I have heard when they are about to make their big move. "I'm all in." They say this to signify they have nothing left and they are betting that they have the best hand in the crowd. I submit to you that the Children of Israel were about to be in that position. They had been given an opportunity to cash in their chips 40 years before but because of their fear they had not. Now 40 years later they had come to the end of all of that, they had come to the end of all the games, they had come to the end of themselves and they were telling God, "I'm all in."
That is where we need to be every day with our Lord. We need to show we have nothing left we have to cash our humanity in every day, every moment and push our sins across the table and say to our Hevenly Father, "I'm All In!!" By doing so we will be different from those gambling on the luck of the draw, we will be different by hoping we have the winning hand.

We do have the winning hand... We have the winning hand because of what God did for us. Romans 5:8 tells us,
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
We have the best and winning hand not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ did for us. I'm all in and I lay my body down in front of my Savior and Praise his Name for that moment when my Life became real!!

Isn't That Why I Have Him Around?!

2010-02-18T15:32:00.002-06:00

I want to start with an admission... I had an "epic fail" yesterday on my diet. See here's the deal. A week-and-a-half ago my work-out partner, John, approached me about an intense diet, work-out regimen and I agreed. Of course, as all diets go, the first week went REALLY well. And the second week was going great too... That is, until I invited a young man from our Christian day school to go to lunch with me so that I could get to know him, and try to encourage his Walk with God... Of all the places this young man could choose to eat... He chose my favorite pizza buffet.... And THAT is where the "EPIC FAIL" happened!

So, when I get to the gym this morning I have to be honest about my poor dietary decision. And, I mean to tell you... John, GOT TICKED! Seriously, the dude was irate! He went off on me, guilt tripped me, and then proceeded to thrash me in the work-out.

And I gotta tell ya... At first, I was a little ticked. Like, who is this guy to tell me! Or, seriously it was one meal! You know what I mean?! Then came the justifications... It was a good cause. Etc.

But then I stopped and thought. Hey, I agreed to this. He purchased the material to pursue this. We have been working hard at this and he has been pushing me to be better...

See where I'm headed?! "Iron sharpeneth iron so a friend sharpenth the countenance of his friend." - Proverbs 27:17 What is your reaction to the people in your life who are pressuring you to be better in life? How do you react when someone "cuts across your grain" with truth? What do you do when "the fur is rubbed the wrong way"?!

Hopefully, you'll consider - as I did - Isn't this why I have this guy around?!

-R

One Touch From The Master IS Enough...

2010-02-17T13:40:00.002-06:00

I am going to attach an e-mail that I received early Monday morning to this blog post in hopes that someone who is currently serving the Lord might glean some strength from the story that lies within its wording.

(Some minor and personal details of this e-mail have been edited.)

Please remember that just one touch of the Master's hand is ALL that we need!

There really is no easy way to start this letter, so... hi.

I don't know if you'll remember me but almost 2 years ago I was Baptized at your church. I was young, and scared, homeless, and let's face it very pregnant. I attended the church with my best friend at the time. Anyways that really has nothing to do with what I’m trying to say... if it had not been for you and your wife, and everyone else at the church- I would not be where I am today, quoting a song may be ridiculous but it says my point- "god bless the broken road". You paid for the gas to get me to an emergency shelter where I started again with the help I needed. I did have my daughter at JPS in downtown Ft. Worth on August 18th; she was premature and due to undeveloped lungs died a month and a half after she was born from pneumonia. Her name was Jude Anne Renee. Although it broke my heart to yet again lose another child I pushed forward. I got a job and worked my way through school and received my CNA certification and license. I got a wonderful job, and soon I moved to where I am now. I live in Granbury with someone I truly know cares and loves me. It's been 2 years and I’ve been thinking about ya'll. I plan on being in town on Wednesday and would like to say hello. I would like to know when a good time is? I won't be able to stay long but at least I can thank everyone in person. Please contact me by phone, I won't have a computer available to me until next weekend.
Thank You So Much!

Adriana

I Can't Wait (For the Week-end to Begin)

2010-02-09T10:11:00.002-06:00

Music is such a POWERFUL tool!

Before I got saved (February 25, 2007) I was a HUGE fan of EVERY genre of music... One type of music that I really enjoyed was techno. This morning as I was in the locker room at the gym a techno "song" came on... The title was "I Can't Wait (For The Week-end To Begin)"... By the way, only a techno song could have a title that long!

At any rate, the context of the song is that the singer (and the listeners) endure a hard week of work with only one thought, and one driving desire... And that is for the week-end to begin. I sat listening to the song and kinda' had to chuckle inside of myself that, really, two days into the week I can't wait either! Then I thought back to the week-end that had just come to an end...

I was led by the Spirit to the stark contrast of what my life, and week-ends were, and what they are today. I thought about the overwhelming guilt and shame that accompanied my weekdays. I remembered that - honestly - I can't remember many of those week-ends...

Ah! But then I remembered the week-ends of late! Seeing many addicted begin their week-ends overcoming through Christ as opposed to losing to Satan's wiles. Then continuing the joy on Saturday as I rush to Karate and Ballet, and stores, and fun with the blessed family God has given me. Rushing to guy's night with Christian brothers for REAL fun! Then watching my week-end culminate (NOT END) on Sunday in God's house. Seeing sinners find repentance, feeling my heart stir, singing the songs of faith, and hearing the Word of God proclaimed. Being blessed enough to teach The Word, and encourage the saints...

So, I also say... "I CAN'T WAIT (FOR THE WEEK-END TO BEGIN!)" In fact, I CANNOT WAIT!!!

-R

RE-Focus Week at the 520

2010-02-04T16:24:00.002-06:00

Every first Friday of the month we will be having a "Re-Focus Friday"... This will entail a free pizza dinner following our meeting and several other things that are intended to keep our focus finely tuned on our students, our recovery, and our King.

"Killswitch" Message 4... "God WILL Throw the Killswitch on You!"

2010-02-04T10:22:00.003-06:00

You know in today's society and even in today's churches we don't like to talk about the judgement of God! Oh, we'll talk, preach, philosophy, and discuss - for hours - the love of God... And, well we should! However, infinitely less popular to discuss is the looming, coming, falling judgement of God on both un-believers, and Believers alike.

Well Friday night I'm going to break the silence regarding these very topics. It is with a heavy heart that I bear the realities of judgement, death, and even hell. But I must! We are commanded by God to teach the entire Truth of God. Besides, the Bible teaches us that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." And I know... Everybody says the word "fear" there means "awe, respect, etc." But let me tell you something, "We need to get back to a place of having a healthy 'FEAR' (and when I say 'FEAR'... I mean 'FEAR'!) of Creator, Thrice Holy, Omnipotent, Righteous God!"

I can't honestly say that I CANNOT WAIT to deliver this message, but the Spirit of God has laid it on my heart as necessary for this time and this hour.

-R

"Killswitch" Message 3... "DO NOT RESUSCITATE!!!" This Friday!

2010-01-27T15:10:00.003-06:00

Over the last two weeks we have had some very stark, and raw confrontation from the Scriptures regarding our sin, the Cross, the death of us, and the death of our sin... Now it is time for us to take those "deeds of the flesh" that we have killed by throwing the "killswitch" of the Cross and leave them in that condition... FOR GOOD!!!

It is time to fill out a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Order!

BE IN YOUR PLACE ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7 O'CLOCK FOR... "DO NOT RESUSCITATE!!!"

-R

"Killswitch" Message 2... This Friday!

2010-01-19T10:35:00.003-06:00

Be in your place on Friday night as we continue in our series of messages from the book of Colossians- "KILLSWITCH".

Two weeks ago we experienced the first of these three messages as we talked about "Sin a Killswitch... The Cross a Killswitch..."

This week we will be discussing "Killing Your Sin". By the way our sin nature does not die easily. However, it is necessary that you and I die daily to self...

I CANNOT WAIT!!! I CANNOT WAIT until Friday night at 7PM!

-R

What's in Your Heart???

2010-01-12T12:09:00.004-06:00

Most everyone has seen these ridiculous Capital One commercials with the "barbarians" of ridiculous credit card fees, and interest rates getting ready to pillage the customer as he reaches into his wallet to pay for whatever fair has been purchased, consumed, etc. Only to have the galloping warriors halted upon their steeds by the production of a Capital One credit card, which the commercials claim, have no hidden fees, etc., etc., etc. Then comes that all to familiar question, "What's in your wallet?!"

While meditating on the words of Christ and reading the Gospel of Matthew this thought permeated my meditations... "What's in your heart?" The Bible tells us, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he..." Jesus also taught that, "From the abundance of the heart man speaketh..."

So, our lives may not be so much different than those ridiculous credit card commercials... We all have the very forces of hell galloping in to destroy and pillage the "precious substance" of our lives! The question is whether you will have within your heart what is necessary to stop the galloping forces of evil from running over your life.

Will you ask yourself the question, "What's in Your Heart?!"

-R

Second Week of New Series... "The Blessed Life".

2010-01-07T13:42:00.001-06:00

Re-launch of RU

2010-01-06T10:15:00.002-06:00

I am asking EVERYONE to be back in their place this Friday night, January 08, 2010 as we re-launch Reformers Unanimous Chapter #520, and launch into another year of ministry. We are going to have an action packed evening of testimonies, fellowship, and red-hot preaching all in an effort to overcome to the power of sin, Satan, and addiction.

Our evening will begin PROMPTLY at 7 o'clock so be EARLY! The meeting will be over by 8:45. We will have a pizza dinner that will follow our meeting which will offer further opportunity for fellowship, and relationship building.

DO NOT COME ALONE! EVERYONE knows someone who struggles with a stubborn habit, crippling addiction, or battles apathy. I believe (and many others would support this) that Jesus through the vehicle of Reformers Unanimous IS the CURE for ALL of the above!

You guessed it!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!! I CANNOT WAIT until Friday night at 7 o'clock!

-R

RU in 2010...

2010-01-05T18:08:00.003-06:00

The holidays are over and it is time for new beginnings. Many students have fallen away. Many students have returned to old friends and old habits. Many leaders have lost the love and passion for RU as they once experienced it. There is nothing we can do to change those things except to begin again in 2010!!!

I have off-loaded some ministry responsibility to capable laymen so that I may now delegate and administrate the furtherance of these ministries while turning the majority of my ministry focus and attention back to the ministry of Reformers Unanimous. These responsibilities were necessary in 2009 to see church growth and strengthening. However, with the on-set of 2010 I CANNOT WAIT to see RU reach the souls of men!!!

From my heart,

-R

Livestong!

2009-12-08T10:20:00.003-06:00

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." If you might allow me to paraphrase... Paul was simply saying, "LIVESTRONG!" Livestrong against sin! Livestrong against temptation! Livestrong against the Devil! Livestrong against addiction! JUST LIVESTRONG! The only way to do that though is through the omnipotent power of Christ!

Later in this chapter Paul gives us the armor necessary to join the fight against Satan and his demonic forces...

LIVESTRONG and Join the fight.

-R

That Time of Year Again... Joys For Toys!

2009-12-04T11:33:00.003-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS, RU FAMILY!

You know, for many of us there is NOTHING more merry than this time of year! We celebrate the birth of our humble servant King, family, friends, lights, trees, and gifts... Smiles abound, laughter and giggles fill the chilled December air. Aromas of pine, and fireplaces, are mingled with Christmas dinner. What a happy, joyous Season!

That is, of course, unless you are the child of a parent whose life is ravaged by some form of crippling, and debilitating addiction. If you were that child your Christmas would be starkly different! Instead of constant loved ones filing into your living room you might witness lust-filled men filing into your mother's bedroom so that she can feed her insatiable addictions. Joy and smiles replaced by longing. You might not see a tree, but rather empty bottles and prescription cases strewn about. No, sweetness of pine, but rather the dank stench of stale cigarettes, and burned up crack, crank, and smack... No Jesus! Only demons in this house! The only thing you would share this time of year with the rest of the world is the chill that's in the air; but for you that chill is a deep freeze...

These scenes are best not thought about by those of us who will enjoy the splendor of the Season... For if we think about them we MUST do something about them! We MUST do what little we can to bring some joy to some suffering child this Christmas! It is not the child's fault for the choices and mistakes of the addicted parents, yet all suffer!!! There truly are some "innocent victims"!

Please consider what YOU might do to bring joy by providing a toy or a monetary gift this Season to Reformers Unanimous Chapter #520. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of proceeds collected will be handed out to needy families during this most joyous of seasons!

Merry Christmas,

-Richard

During This Morning's Work-out...

2009-11-17T16:34:00.002-06:00

As I continue meditating upon the fact that everything that we do is "spiritual" and for the glory of God I thought about this.

You know we ALL have these sins, fronts, and junk that make-up our "outer man". However, if you've trusted Christ, as I have, we also have an "inner man" which is the Spirit of God... One-third of the God-head resides inside of me. As I was lifting this morning the Lord laid on my heart that if we could do spiritually the things that we do physically to look better we would be a whole lot more loving, joyous, and peaceable.

Seriously, I know that below my physical body are muscle groups that when exercised, coupled with sacrifices being made in calorie intake, and fatty food consumption begin to gain strength and what was once hidden away begins to gain strength and becomes evidenced on the outside of the physical body.

The same is true spiritually. We have this amazing all-powerful "inner man" that resides just below the surface of the "outer man". When we begin to exercise (as Paul exhorts us to) the "inner man" in prayer, Bible reading, memorization, meditation, self-sacrifice, and God's instruction those things that were once hidden by years of bad habits, addictions, and sins are now becoming more evident and are being seen where once sin was all that could be viewed.

Continue to exercise your entire life in holiness... Remembering that ALL things are "spiritual" and that we are commanded by God to be Holy as He is holy. And my friends... THAT'S HOLY!

From my heart,

-R

Hey, Guys, Tonight Is Our Night...

2009-11-03T11:52:00.000-06:00

Fellas, do not forget that tonight at 6:30 we will be meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3) in Lewisville for a night of wings, fun, and fellowship.

I would love to see a good turn-out tonight! I have been standing idly by as Satan is picking off some of our friends, and church-members. Whether it is through addiction, sexual sin, improper priorities, job loss, or a host of other issues the Body of Christ is hurting. The truth is, as men we often want help, and friendships but find ourselves either to proud or to shamed to asked for it.

Well, I am standing by no more! I am not waiting for men to admit what I already know, and I am certainly not waiting for the Devil to claim one more life, marriage, family, or career!

So, tonight we begin... Meeting. Sharing. Caring. Bearing. Daring to be the men that God has called each of us to be!

Avail Yourself This Week...

2009-10-20T16:14:00.002-05:00

The power of the Reformers Unanimous program and the Lifechangers Group is the God of the curriculum of Reformers Unanimous. The only great thing about either one of these great entities is the fact that they both point to the supernatural power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The RU curriculum does such a great job of getting our eyes off of ourselves and our problems and putting them on the Lord Jesus Christ. This week let me encourage you to avail yourself to these great tools!

During this Friday's "Third Talk" we will continue our teaching from chapter number 6 in our text book, "Nevertheless I Live: Living Freely In A Bound World". May I ask and encourage you to read this chapter in its entirety this week so that you will come with a prepared heart to receive what God would have for you to get.

Blessings,

-R

RU Awake...

2009-10-15T10:27:00.003-05:00

RU Awake is something that due to my schedule and travel I have gotten away from promoting, pushing, and even attending this great morning Bible study and fellowship opportunity. Well, beginning this Thursday morning at 6 a.m. that will all change! I am re-committing myself to attend these meetings and I would ask that you do the same!

There is nothing better to start your day than fellowship, the Word, and good Starbucks coffee!

We meet every Thursday morning at the Starbucks location on FM3040 at the intersection of Morriss and Gerault.

Mike Z. (the Journeyman) leads this group and he is phenomenal... Let's get out and support him!

Another Lesson From the Gym...

2009-10-14T07:50:00.001-05:00

I have been several months in the gym now... I am an observer of people, and I have been noticing something in others that I hate! And the reason that I hate it is because I absolutely see it in myself.

Here it is... People come to the gym (and to God) wanting to better themselves, but being fairly good in some aspects, and completely weak in others... Instead of strenthening our weaknesses we do the less difficult thing which is to accentuate our positives...

Let me illustrate... I am weak in my legs, and don't enjoy cardio, but truly enjoy a good upper bash workout. Always have!

The point here is this... So many of us have gotten "good" in one facet of our "spirituality" and we are anemic in all other areas... Some folk are great "church attenders" but lousy Christians... Others are prayer warriors, but fail to open the Scriptures... Know what I mean?!

I won't tell you where I stand and where I fall, but this much I know... Today I am asking God to reveal to me my weaknesses so that I may exercise them unto godliness.

I'm just sayin',

-R

Lesson From Time Away From The Gym...

2009-10-13T07:33:00.000-05:00

In my defense... I have had to spend time away for good reasons... Nonetheless I have been away. While getting back in the groove this morning the Lord gave me this thought..,

It is easier maintain a proper regimen than it is to re-establish one... Sounds a lot like RU principle #3 doesn't it?!

'Nuff said! I'm out!

Heading Out

2009-10-08T09:46:00.000-05:00

I am about to jump a flight out to the Eastern Seaboard, Baltimore to be exact, to preach a couple of times over the week-end.

This is a huge miracle in and of itself! The thought that God would allow me to represent Him still awes me!!! Let alone being allowed by Him to travel outside my "Jerusalem"... Just AWESOME!

My flesh asks... Does God know who He's got here???!!! I mean seriously! I have NO business doing this, but I am so thankful for God's grace that has allowed it!

In all of this the thing that thrills my heart most is that the ministries that God has seen fit to place me in are being handled this week-end by fruit of those very ministries...

See ya' on the flip side,
-R

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Same road, new day

2009-10-03T19:44:00.004-05:00

I have just gotten back from attending the annual RUI conference in Rockford, Il. I now have a sense of how the early pioneers felt going across the land in their Conastoga wagons!! Myself and four other Christian brothers and sister bonded as we drove from Flower Mound, Texas out to Rockford. Along the way everywhere we stopped we left RUI brochures and talked to various people at gas stations, restaurants and rest stops. One thing became quite obvious as we clocked up the miles, everyone is in need of a relationship with Jesus! Some people were skeptical, but most were respectful and listening to what we had to say. While I am sure some of the seed fell on rocky ground, I really do believe that some fell into soil where the seed will grow and one day come to full bloom in the person's life.

The conference was fabulous and energizing. There really are no good words to describe what the RUI leadership and the staff did for the 1400 people who showed up to attend sessions and classes. All lives were blessed by God.

While I was at the conference, it became a new month as as is my habit, I started over with Proverbs. For those of you reading this post, if you do not practice reading a Proverb of the day, I would highly recommend that practice as it will be a direct blessing from God. I began reading the 1st Proverb and as I read these familiar words, the Holy Spirit touched my eyes and my heart with a new look at verses 2-4.

"To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgement, and equity: To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion."

I love a progression of verbs any time they crop up in God's word. Here were four; To know, To perceive, To receive, and to give. The progression of these four verbs lept off the page to me that day. What I saw is the progression of everyone's Christian walk. First we Know God, when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior we are given that saving knowledge of who God is. To perceive. As we grow in our faith, we are given a deeper perception of just what it means to know God and why that relationship is so special. To receive. After we have been walking with Christ and we have begun to obey his directions for our path, he then gives us a deeper walk as we get closer and closer to him, so we indeed recieve the instruction of wisdom, justice and judgement and equity. As all of this process goes on, we have the opportunity to give... To share the Gospel, the Good News with the simple with the "young man," with those individuals who have not yet seen the light or been shown the way.

This is why I re-read the Proverbs, because no matter how many times I go through the chapters, each time I read I am blessed. To see how I came to this place, this moment in time with my own personal relationship with Jesus, and how I could give everyone I come into contact with that same opportunity, it totally blew me away and I knew I was now beginning a new chapter in my life.

So now I am back in Shady Shores Texas and Rockford Il is now once again thousands of miles from where I sit. But Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, is still beside me and the Holy Spirit is in me and my heart burns anew for the lost and the disillusioned of this world. The fire that was burning in Rockford as we all attended those blessed sessions, will continue to burn in my daily walk in Texas.

I hope as you read this you are having a Blessed Day!!!

NOW is the time!!!!!

2009-08-28T23:18:00.002-05:00

I love it when God convicts me enough to get my attention. He also does it at the times when I least expect it. Tonight I was listening to the third talk being brought by Richard Wallace Jr. and he was BRINGING it!!! He was preaching an outline using the Nevertheless I Live Workbook and we were continuing a discussion on the 5 Forms for a Firm Foundation. I had read the chapter earlier today in the textbook, and I knew the material and I was listening as you do when you know the material, listening but letting thoughts drift. So drifting and listening and paying attention but not lasered focused was when Richard told us to turn to John 15 and that is when it happened!!! (This is what I really love about God) He snapped me back to the laser focus level as we read John 15:3 "Now Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." Jesus was telling his disciples that he was the true vine and his Father was the husbandman (v. 1) and every branch that does not bear fruit gets taken away and every branch that bears fruit it gets purged(pruned) so it can bear more fruit(v.2)

That was then that the Lord thumped me on the back of the head and said "Pay attention!" As Richard was reading the verse, the word "Now" leaped out at me. NOW it screamed, NOW it was showing me that it meant exactly that.....NOW, not five days from today, or even thirty seconds from the present, but NOW as I was reading the words, NOW in the very present time, the Lord was saying, and as I was pondering that the Lord was talking to me about the present moment in my life, the rest of the verse began pouring into my Soul. NOW Ye ARE CLEAN (how am I clean)... THROUGH THE WORD (what word)... that I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU!!!!

I should have lept out of the chair and starting shouting praises, but I did not, so consider this blog my shouting time. Here is what it is saying to me and I hope that in my words I can get this truth across to everyone reading this. Because even though I was soaking the words up as though the Lord was speaking only to me, Brothers and Sisters this is a truth that is for you as well tonight or early morning on Saturday August 29th!!! NOW IS THE TIME WHEN YOU ARE CLEANSED!!!! You do not have to wait for the next drink, the next hit, the next link on the internet, the next bite of whatever your fleshly indulgence is, the time when you can be freed from the darkest sin is...... wait for it..... NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not another milisecond need be given over to Satan, why because God has cleansed us through his word NOW, all we have to do is Abide in him (Remain, Conform) He says that in verse 4 and makes it very plain in verse 5 the relationship that is in play. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me YOU CAN DO NOTHING!!!!

No matter what your addiction is, it is not about you. You no longer have to try to handle the dark secret alone. Your God knows and he is simply waiting for you to Abide!!! NOW!!!!

Satan loves to get our minds wrapped up in the fact that Heaven is a place that some day we will get to and until then all we have to do is wait on the Lord. While Heaven is our eternal reward if we have given our lives to Him, We do not have to wait to conquer, we do not have to wait to be cleansed, As we Abide in Jesus Christ, as we Abide in the Word that he gives to us we can be cleansed from that sin (you know yours and I know mine) that is keeping us separated from the Father!!

So as you read these words I just pray that the next time you get the itch to walk away from the light and towards the darker part of the street, just remember John 15:3 "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." Now really is now and yes you really are clean if you simply will abide in Him!!! When you are abiding in Jesus, there is no way you will fall. The promise is right there. So I am perscribing John 15:3 to you. The next time you are tempted Read John 15:3 and LET THE CLEANSING BEGIN!!!!! Praise God for his Goodness!!!!

Today's Meditation - August 28, 2009

2009-08-28T10:31:00.001-05:00

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." -Proverbs 28:13

Because you and I live in the realm of the human, and finite we believe what our human, finite world has taught us to believe... Sin and wrong-doing brings punishment, justice, condemnation, and harshness. Therefore, our nature is to cover, conceal, and hide all wrong-doing lest we receive these punishments. Conversely this is how we begin to deal in the spiritual realm as well. We see God through humanistic eyes. Many people wrongly see God as an "Old Man Upstairs" with lightning bolts eagerly waiting to catch man sinning so that He can strike them down in anger and vengeance. However, nothing could be farther from the truth! In fact, the Bible says, "God is love." which means that the very nature of God is love. In the verse above the Lord communicates through Solomon to us that the covering and hiding of sin so weighs us down that no facet of our life will prosper with sin in tow. Then God goes a step farther to tell us that our views of God and sin are wrong! He doesn't want to strike us down, and the natural course to hide and cover is wrong! In fact, He then goes a step further to say that instead of revenge we will find mercy and the implication is that with mercy we also can find God's prosperity! POWERFUL STUFF! But it's only is powerful if you and I enact it in our lives! CONFESS!!!

From my heart,

-R

From Last Night's "For Life" Prison Ministry Meeting...

2009-08-28T09:42:00.002-05:00

Thank you for the mentor... the youth has not had a VC in over a year and he could not wait to tell me how his visit went.

Above is a "copy and pasted" e-mail from my inbox this morning. One of our mentors, David, was assigned a new youth because his first youth graduated out of the program and was released. David's youth was so excited that someone wanted to visit him he could not control his enthusiasm. As you can see from the e-mail above he had not had a visitor in over a year. This a 16 or 17 year old boy who simply needs someone who will love him. Thank you, David, for being that "someone" in this young man's life.

If you would be interested in being that "someone" in the life of another youth currently incarcerated in the Gainesville State School please e-mail me at ruman.wallace@gmail.com.

New Ministry Coming to TBC

2009-08-27T16:21:00.000-05:00

Check out a short bio at www.tbcrelevant.blogspot.com...

Daily Dose 08-21-09

2009-08-21T16:29:00.001-05:00

Recruitment/Training Meeting For Reformers Unanimous...

2009-08-18T16:04:00.003-05:00

The ministry of Reformers Unanimous will be hosting a recruiting/training meeting on Tuesday, August 25 from 6:45 until 8:45 p.m. at the home of Michael and Patty Stovall. We will have food at the meeting, and child care will be provided at the church beginning at 6:30 p.m.

God has done MANY miracles since Reformers Unanimous Chapter 520 opened its doors on May 25, 2007. However, God has called us to so much more! I am excited to see this wonderful faith-based addiction ministry stretch itself beyond what we have ever done, or even think possible.

However, to accomplish something of this nature there must be sacrifice. We would ask that your first sacrifice be two hours on a Tuesday night where you can come, commitment free, and see if this is a ministry that God may be calling you to help with. I would ask that you just inquire if God might be leading you to touch the lives of the addicted in our community. Would you pray what God might have you do?

This Week in Vintage Sunday School...

2009-08-13T10:25:00.003-05:00

"Do As I Say Not As I Do..." Ever heard this? Maybe no more frustrating life lesson than to be given this instruction. Face it, everyone wants someone they can look to that is not only instructing rightly, but also living rightly. Instruction is so much more palatable from an individual who lives out that which he teaches.

Allow me to illustrate. When I was in junior high school we had a principal that everyone loved. He was charismatic, involved, preached well, and seemed to love God. He preached wonderful truths that all teenagers needed to hear regarding moral and holy living, but we were all heartbroken to find that he was not living according to the very truths that he taught. Rather, he was living contrary to them in absolute moral failure. I remember my dad coming in (my heart was TORN!) and telling me that, "Truth is truth no matter whose lips it falls from..." Then, with my dad's reassuring chuckle he said, "But it sure does settle a lot better when it rings true in the life of the person." I think we all have been through some instance such as this.

Think with me about the first family. As we have discussed God game them a beautiful, functional world in which to live and worship their God. He also gave them one commandment, and the penalty for breaking that command. When Adam just couldn't say, "No!" to sin the "First Family" became like many of our families and experienced the "Fallout" of dysfunction. They were cast out of God's garden, and cursed. It is no wonder then that Adam and Eve had a hard time convincing Cain that God was one that should be obeyed.

This week will focus on Cain and Abel while realizing that we certainly simplify our positive impact on those who follow us when we "Do As We Say"!

I hope you will be with us as we continue in this great series!

From my heart,

-R

Daily Dose 08-07-09

2009-08-07T15:56:00.001-05:00

More Lessons From the Gym...

2009-08-07T13:58:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure if there are really this many ties to spiritual things from the physical, or that my mind just jumps to hyper-speed during the exercise process. Either way, I came up with a couple of more thoughts while at the gym this week.

1. Working out is more easily done by one's self, however, more is accomplished when accompanied by another. This point was driven home to me today... HARD! See Jordan had been busy all week setting up his new office. So, I decided to continue on my own. I did the work. I mean, I didn't miss a day, I stuck to the routine, etc. What I found today was that more benefit can be found when there is an accountability partner, and someone pushing you farther than you want to go... I think this is illustrated in Proverbs 27:17. During the other days this past week I noticed other guys in the gym who weren't lifting quite as much as me, etc. I began to feel pretty good about myself... Isn't that what we, as Believers, do so very often? We come into the church-house on Sunday looking at anything or anyone except our Example, Jesus Christ! We seem to be doing okay, but wait until He steps back into your life and snaps you back to His reality (Holiness)... Just as Jordan stepped back in today and snapped me back to his reality (pain)!

2. A small mistake leaves one feeling very badly. Last night on the way home from "For Life" Ember sweetly asks from the back seat, "Daddy (she had me RIGHT there), can we have some pizza (of course, "pizza" was said with the cutest little lisp)?!" What could I say, "No"? Of course not! I had to get my hungry daughter something to eat, right!? Well, probably so, but I certainly didn't have to order a large pizza for myself! One little mistake... that left me feeling oh so badly! This morning the extra cardio that had to be done because I couldn't tell myself no last night! Isn't that the way our lives are? Something that looks so good on the front end, tastes so good on the tip of the tongue, or seems so harmless ends up costing so much. We know this to be illustrated so well in RU Principle #3 that states, "It is easier to keep the heart and mind clean than it is to clean it after it has been defiled." Lat night and this morning I became living proof of the truth in this principle!!! Wish I hadn't have, but I did!

Just some thoughts,

-R

This Week in Vintage Sunday School...

2009-08-05T13:36:00.004-05:00

Have I mentioned yet that I am so excited about this series of lessons? I don't think I have so let me tell you that I have been amped to begin going cover-to-cover in God's Word and pulling out the great stories, and applying them relevantly to our lives in 2009.

We began, of course, with creation in the lesson "And God Said". From that we understand God is still speaking today, but it is up to our submission to allow things in our life to become "And It Was So".

Then we picked-up with "The First Family: Lessons In Dysfunction". It is part of this "sub-series", if you will, that we will be discussing "Fallout". We are still suffering the consequences for the sin of just one man. Before you get to angry with Adam... There are still people suffering consequences for your sin. Of course, there are still those suffering for mine as well.

I hope you will be in your place on Sunday to learn about the "Fallout" that sin brings... The catch phrase in our society is dysfunction. It's more politically correct to say things like, "We have a dysfunctional family" than to say, "Our family has a big sin and consequence problem!"; but really that is what we are saying.

Not only will we learn about the "Fallout" for Adam and Eve that came in Genesis 3, but we will also learn of God's "Fallout Shelter" that protects us from sin. If you know someone who is without Christ... You WILL WANT TO HAVE THEM HERE!

Sincerely,

-R

More Lessons From Week 1 Back to the Gym...

2009-07-30T18:02:00.003-05:00

As I have continued at the gym I see more and semblance to every other facet of my life. I thought I would just jot a few down as they have helped me as I ponder them. They help me to not only gauge where I am currently at, but what changes I must make, or things I must maintain to stay on a productive path. Think about these with me.

1. Just because I do not see the immediate results that I am looking for does not mean the exercise isn't benefiting me. In today's society we are "instant people"! Uncle Ben's INSTANT rice, we have stores with INSTANT credit, we all want INSTANT internet access, and the list is infinitely long, isn't it?! So, often times we quit right before we see the benefit that we were looking for, praying for, reading for, etc. Have you ever been there?! I know I have, and if I'm not careful when I don't lose 60 pounds during my second week of eating healthy and working out I may be there again. Growth, in every arena, is a process. Solomon spoke of this, didn't he?When he said everything is beautiful in God's time.

2. The things that at the beginning were "sacrifices" to let go... Such as: fatty foods, greasy foods, Dr. Peppers, etc. have now become to "delights". I mean think about it... We were that way about our Bible reading and prayer time when we first started! The sacrifice of an hour for God seemed a HUGE sacrifice, but the longer you spent with your friend the more your sacrifice became a delight. The first couple of days to the gym were tough. Those first few meals of saying no to self were difficult, but as I see and feel the benefits of a healthy lifestyle those things are now delightful to pass on. At first, God asked for your old friends, addictions, music, etc. and it was a sacrifice, but now after seeing the benefits in obedience it is a delight to give to Him!

3. Pain is not always a bad thing! We had a saying in the Marine Corps., "Pain is weakness leaving the body!" and did those Drill Instructors ever believe that statement to be true! Though I didn't buy into the propaganda at the time they were absolutely right! There is also another old adage that says, "If it doesn't kill ya' it makes ya' stronger." Adversity is where we do the majority of our growing. So many people fall out, in every arena of life, because they are not willing to suffer "momentary" pain to reap the reward of faithfulness. No one wants to be overweight (again, in any area of life), but few are willing to endure the present suffering that IS NOT joyous, but later bears the peacable fruits of righteousness. We have a lot of "overweight" Christians, and employees... Though they may not be physically overweight they suffer from laziness and slothfulness in these arenas of their life... Unwilling to pay any real price, or experience any real discomfort to become all that God has called us to become!

Just some thoughts,

-R

So, I'm sitting there... And, I hear Gunner say to Ember...

2009-07-29T12:18:00.004-05:00

So, I'm sitting there... And, I hear Gunner say to Ember, "HEY, I SAID FOLLOW ME!!!" My neck quickly snapped around to see Gunner going back to strongly encourage his lil' sis to follow him in the game in which they were playing. This brief little encounter set my heart to meditating about a little verse found in I Corinthians 11:1 (KJV). That verse says this, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

It is no surprise that Paul used these words! He was one of the greatest Christ-followers to ever live. It is not surprising for another reason, as well. Christ's "calling card" was to call men to follow Him. In today's society following doesn't set well! Economy and industry call for us to lead or get out of the way! I am sure, because of the nature that is in all of us, it wasn't much different for men and women two thousand years ago... There still would have been that demand and desire to lead.

The simple truth is that we are ALL following somebody! Whether it is a trend-setter, an athlete, an entertainer, a pastor or preacher, a car enthusiast, an A-lister, a real estate mogul, etc. We are ALL following somebody! I mean think about it! The social networking site, "Twitter", has us following and begging to be followed! With this truth in mind, who am I following (not on Twitter), and who are you following?! More importantly, where are you following them to?

Jesus said that if we are following Him we will be following Him to two distinct locations... Can you think of them? One we love, and the other is our greatest fear! Have you thought of them yet?

The first is fishing... For men! Jesus said, "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Almost everybody loves to follow a fishin' guide to a great fishin' hole! Let me ask you a question (the same question I had to ask myself), "Who is your guide and where is he leading you?" If Jesus is your guide and you're following you should be being led to great outreach opportunities.

Secondly, if we are following Jesus we will be led to our death. As evidenced by Mark 8:34, I Corinthians 15:31, and Galatians 2:20. In these verses we see that following Christ leads us to a daily dying of self. Our being led by Christ should be evidenced by our death to self and sin!

I think it would be safe to say that if we're not, "Fishin' and dyin' then we certainly ain't followin'!"

From my heart,

-R

Lessons From Week 1 Back to the Gym...

2009-07-28T16:29:00.002-05:00

As I have been back to the gym this week I have made several observations. I don't believe any are profound, revolutionary, or earth shattering.

1. We will sacrifice for what is important in our lives at that moment in time. This has been evidenced by me in my own life over the last week. Right now, my health has become VERY important to me, and I seem easily willing to lay aside (or sacrifice) anything that is not healthy. Not only that, but I am also making sacrifices to do those things which are healthy.

2. Time spent in a place does not necessarily mean I will gain the benefit of the place. I used to go to the gym and spend nearly two hours... However, most of that time was spent in idle conversation, or being sidetracked by the sights and sounds of the gym. Now I have been spending one hour of intense exertion and gaining far more benefit! Have you ever fallen into this trap spiritually? I know I have! Hours at church, hours in outreach, hours in prayer and the Word (or seemingly), but really gaining nothing from any of the time spent... Just a thought!

3. Music is a POWERFUL motivator! As I watch the hulking beasts that surround me in the gym I make it a point to watch them before their acts of "super-human" strength. They all seem to direct their minds into the headphones that fill their ears. Hmmmm. I wonder if my music - in and out of the gym - is properly motivating me... Again, just a thought!

4. Conversation comes easy when things are close to our hearts. It seems like everyone in the gym has no problem creating conversation. This is because fitness is what is on their hearts. What would happen if Christ were truly on our hearts? You guessed it... Just a question!

Make Christ the center of your being! I know I am working toward that end! Not there, but working!

This Week in Vintage Sunday School...

2009-07-27T18:07:00.004-05:00

This week in "Vintage Sunday School" we continued our look into "The First Family... One of Dysfunction". After last week's lesson on God creating a creation of "Function" this week we looked at, "The Origin of Dysfunction". We looked at ALOT of scripture relating to the "Instigator of Dysfunction". By studying the enemy we now see the weapons that he uses to bring dysfunction and destruction into our lives, families, churches, homes, marriages, and careers. We noticed four very important things Sunday about Lucifer:

1. He is a Created Being

2. He is a Cunning Being

3. He is a Controlled Being

4. He is a Condemned Being

I have really enjoyed studying for this series of lessons, and I am VERY excited about the stories that will make up this series, and more importantly the application that we can take from these stories that are thousands of years old, yet, still relevant today!

If you've been away, for any reason, we've missed you and long to see you back!

Sincerely,

-R