The Race…from Pit Row to Victory Lane by Rick Lemons, Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Forney, Texas, is the first book even remotely relating to NASCAR that I’ve ever read, much less enjoyed. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the… “sport.” What I am a fan of is the way Rick uses the details of a race to illustrate what basic Christian living is all about.
Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership by Tim Irwin is one of the most frightening books I’ve ever read… and if you’re in leadership, you should buy it and be frightened by it as well!
Irwin does a masterful job of presenting a comprehensive take on the subject of failure. Irwin lays the groundwork by speaking of the qualities that prevent derailment that should be a part of every leader’s life. Thomas Nelson’s description of the book puts it this way…
There was a recent study that suggested that power increases “moral hypocrisy.” That giving a person power makes that person feel entitled and causes a disconnect in their judgment. It also says that those in high-power positions tend to judge morality of others while not practicing what they preach.
As if everyone NOT in power practices what they preach.
Though I don’t agree completely with the study I will say this: character is a necessity in leadership.
There are Baptist churches today in America who don’t want African-Americans attending, much less joining. It’s been said that Sunday morning at 11:00 is the most segregated hour in America. I was once confronted by a Deacon who was upset that I had chosen a bulletin cover that featured a group of African children on the cover… for “World Missions Sunday.” This is a problem.
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This article is adapted from a sermon on 1 Samuel, chapter 1
I’ve read a lot this week about the earthquake and ensuing tragic situation in Haiti, the country we’ve forgotten about as long as possible. But the most powerful thing I’ve read was written by James MacDonald…
This may sound like the question of a child, but it’s a question that is on the hearts of millions of adults. I don’t understand God’s ways – they are above mine, so I don’t presume to have all the answers. But thankfully Jesus once addressed a group of people who had a similar accusation, so I wanted to record my thoughts about this big question.
Here’s a YouTube Link to Did An Earthquake Happen Because God Was Mad?
Many are likely to disagree with me one way or another. Please feel free to do so in the comments, but I would ask that you remain particularly sensitive as so many have lost loved ones in this terrible disaster.
And while we’re at it, you must read Al Mohler’s post from last night, Does God Hate Haiti? as well as Brad Harmon’s post, Where Was God When Haiti Shook?
I wanted to wait to post about this tragedy until I had two big pieces of information to pass along. One is that a Pastor we know well named Francois Norcilus was in Port-au-Prince to attend a funeral when the earthquake hit. We have finally gotten word from his son that he is alright, but tells us the situation there worsens by the hour.
I also wanted to pass along some information from a relief organization we work with called Aid for Developing Countries. I just got this email from Bill Moore…
Brandon,
I am sending out a call for help. We are putting a team together to go to Haiti as soon as we can. This event is changing (for the worse) by the hour. Many people are asking me what can be done. So many that I am no longer tracking the number of calls we are handling but it is heavy. What I can tell you now will be different soon. However, we have heard from some of our partners and we have offers of everything from satellite phones to medical clinics. Water and food will be the most important resource that we can provide. Renita, and I should have a team of people put together by Thursday to go to Port Au Prince. The most important resource that we can have now is money. I do not say this to be crass, but we may have to purchase items where we can when needed. We will have to make these decisions on the fly.
From our previous mission trips, we have a lot of friends in country that we will rely upon as we arrive. I have had limited contact, but as they get more communications we will be able to check on our associates. Please be in prayer for Bro. Francois Norcilus, our local missionary.
He has not been located yet.(note above) Jean Claude, his family, Emanuell Samuel, Theodore Trusaunt, and many others that we have not heard from. Right now search and rescue is paramount, but we will soon have to deal with the dead and living. PLEASE keep these in your prayers. I will try to keep you informed as often as I can. Please feel free to pass this along to as many people that you know.May God give strength to those in the field.
Bill Moore, President,
Aid for Developing Countries
A 501 (c) (3) Public Charity
EIN # 26-0483101Send donations to:
502 Northeast A St
Bentonville, AR 72712Contact AFDC
Phone:479-426-3029
Fax: 479-927-2459
Email: wdmcel@msn.com or
Bill@afdc-haiti.org
Bill has led at least a dozen mission trips there and his relief organization currently works toward providing cleaner water in some of the more remote areas. I know Bill – he’s a member of my church and I’m on the Board of this organization, so I tell you without a doubt that it’s a trustworthy way to support people who are going there to meet huge needs head on.
Pray for their team as they try to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Give if you can by sending donations to the address above. And help spread the word!
Just a quick note of thanks to OnlineChristianColleges.net for mentioning my blog in their post on the top 55 Pastor bloggers. I have a few other friends on the list and they’ve collected some great blogs together. Definitely worth checking out!
The following are affiliate links to books I recommend:
This is the second Sunday in a row that we’ve cancelled services at Bethel. Last week the choice to do so was obvious – everybody in town cancelled. This week, we cancelled because our parking lot was a solid sheet of ice. Canceling the second week in a row was a tougher choice – one that has bummed me out today.
I really miss my church family, and being away from everybody two weeks in a row feels like six months. I also really miss preaching. I’m beginning 1 Samuel in our journey through the Bible and have been anxious to preach this first message about how God remembered Hannah in giving Samuel to her. There’s an amazing meaning behind that word “remembered” and it pops up multiple times in Scripture.
Study that word to see how God purposely involves Himself in our affairs, and stay tuned – I’ll write about it as soon as I preach the message next week. The sermon may be three times as long – I feel like I’m on fire in a pressure cooker – ready to explode! I can’t wait till next Sunday!
Brandon is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. He's a husband to Angie and a Dad to Ella Grace and Samuel David. He's a Pastor to Bethel Baptist Church, Editor of Fuel Your Blogging and also a logo and web designer.
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