Tommy Mitchell / The Rurban Church Blog

Primal is here!

A few minutes ago I went to the mailbox.  There it was. My advance copy of Primal by Mark Batterson.  I have to read it this week and post a review about it next week along with a couple of other things. 

Looking forward to doing this. I'm grateful for the opportunity Multnomah Books has given me by choosing my blog to be a part of the blog tour next week.

Stay tuned.  

In February - It will be Three Years!

It does not seem like it has been this long - but in February I will have been blogging for 3 years! I thought I would share links to some of the most memorable posts - memorable mostly because they generated some of the largest visitor counts ever on the blog!

1. Isolationism vs. Engagement  This one really stirred up some people across the country. This is the post that forced me to moderate comments! I had a dozen or more that I could not post due to the vulgarities hurled. It was fascinating that they were being hurled by the people defending home schooling.  They were not like any of the people I know who home school!

2. Transitioning a Church    Transitioning a Church Part 2   These two posts got picked up in several other blogs. There were very high visitor counts for these.

3. WARNING! If I am truly going to share the most viewed posts, I need to be honest about them. The next two posts were shared right after a failed building vote in August of 2007.  I still go and back and forth over whether or not I should have posted them back then. However, where the first post shows my own obvious discouragement with that vote, the second one showed what a few days of reflection will do for you.  These two posts received the highest visitor counts ever!

ONE DOWN - AND OUT!!! BUT LOOK OUT!!!!

Take Heart, Folks

4. What's the Difference?  PART TWO  PART THREE      FINAL PART 

These four posts generated lots of visitors.

5. How to Stay Married  Parts 1 - 7.    Part 4 was among the highest visitor counts in the history of the blog.

How to Stay Married Part 7

 How to Stay Married  Part 6

                         How to Stay Married Part 5

                         How to Stay Married Part 4

                         How to Stay Married Part 3

                         How to Stay Married Part 2

                         How to Stay Married Part 1

There are many more that received quite a number of hits and comments - but these were among the more memorable - for good or bad!  These posts were not necessarily the most riveting in content. I have posted many others that were more thought provoking than these.

Lessons from Tiger Woods!

It is sad to watch the disintegration of character right in front of your eyes! We have seen that with Tiger Woods over the last few days.  It is certainly my hope that he and his wife can reconcile and that the harm of all this to his children can be minimized.  There are lessons to be learned here:

1. Integrity always trumps accomplishments!   We live in an age where people constantly say that our work can be separated from our personal life.  But integrity in our personal lives, or the lack thereof, will be remembered far more than our accomplishments.

2. Success does not guarantee integrity!  Sometimes we believe  that if we are as successful as a Tiger Woods, then we would not "have" to cut any corners.  Tiger has lived the dream - and still chosen to cut a relationship corner.

3. Envy is a wasted desire!  Many people go through life wishing they were like someone else. I'm sure a lot of golfers wish they could golf like Tiger.  But some go further, wishing they had his home, his beautiful wife, and his wealth!  It turns out that he, like all of us, is prone to doing the wrong thing. Who really wants his troubles today?

4. But for the grace of God.....goes the rest of us! None of us are without the ability to fail in a variety of ways, including morally!  We all must be careful, lest we fall into sin and damage our own reputation.

5. The world is watching! The idea that someone is watching you is true! We must always take care to protect our integrity, and the integrity of the body of Christ. That is the responsibility of every believer.  You really don't want to find out how many are watching by blowing up morally.

Keep Tiger Woods and his family in your prayers - and don't throw stones!!!!

Sorry – this is a test!

Sorry – just a test!

The Authentic Sermon!

Preaching is many things - first and foremost the accurate transmission of the Word of God to hearers. Detached from the Word preaching just becomes a speech, however passionate and well intended it may be.

Preaching is also art! It is a form of communication that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, guided by Scripture, led by God, and inclusive of the personality of the preacher. To me, that is art at it's best, in action.

Preaching is also in constant evolution.  I did something new in preaching Sunday night. Near the end of the message on service, I called up on the platform, without warning, some people that I know have done acts of service and ministry over the last few weeks. I just asked them to share a bit about what they did, why they did it, and the blessing involved.  It was real-time, real-life, in person application of the message on service.

It is attributed to Abraham Lincoln that he said, "I would rather see a sermon than hear one anytime."  No reason not to do both!

After seeing the impact on the congregation, this will become a more frequent element in my preaching when possible. 

A Great Way to Come to Worship!

1. Come with Preparation!  Confess sin, let the heart be stirred by scripture, focus on praising God - all before you gather to worship with others.

2. Come without a Personal Agenda! Don't allow personal matters to become the driving force behind gathering for worship - things like returning a dish to a member, checking to see if that cobweb is down, or that  light bulb has been changed - or seeing if that guy is there with the car for sale. (I looked for him through the whole service and never saw him!)  Those types of things do not allow us to worship freely.

3. Come without Animosity! This one kills worship. When we come with a score to settle, a point to make, etc., we forget the ONE we are supposed to worship, God! 

4. Come with a heart for God!  Our primary reason for coming should be to commune with others in the worship of God!

5.Come with Expectation! Come to worship expecting God to work in your heart. Pray for that! Come expecting to see Him work in the heart of others. Pray for that!

Friends - That's Progress!

Here are four building pics! Two of them were taken this morning on 11/25/09.

Coming Soon! Primal!

Got an email yesterday from Random House publishing that my blog had been selected to participate in a blog tour for Mark Batterson's new book, Primal. I will receive an advanced copy next week. I will be blogging about it between December 15 and December 22nd.  Also I will be writing a review of the book.

When I applied to get to do this, I really did not think it would happen. Figured there were too many blogs for me to get my foot in the door.  So, I am excited to be one of the blogs on the blog tour.

Monday Musings!

Creativity!  Turning a roomy restaurant into a fellowship hall for church!  That is what we did last night for the ABC Family Feast!   We just added all our tables and chairs to all their tables and chairs and we ended up with a pile of people! We made sure there would be plenty of turkey and ham and the people brought the rest! And there is something cool about eating that much food and walking out without paying for it!!!!!!

Funny! In a Sunday School class at ABC yesterday, some children were asked what Baptists do? The first answer out a child's mouth - EAT!

Minister! The word can be a verb or a noun - but it is not a true noun without the verbal use!  Sometimes I hear people say that the church doesn't do enough ministry!  That may be true! However, each person is genuinely called to minister.  As they do, the church ministers.  Right now I know of numerous acts of ministry that various persons are carrying out because they feel God has instructed them to do so.  Feeding people, clothing people, taking food to busy working moms, helping people with bills, providing thanksgiving meals, providing Christmas gifts for families, seeing after families who have had medical problems.  And I am trying to get my arms around the idea of the church finishing out a house for someone!  MINISTER!

Love! Drew and Tabitha and our grandbaby Riley came to the Feast last night! Afterwards, we played with Riley a while at the house before they left.  That is pure love - both ways - from us to Riley and from Riley to us!  Nothing melts your heart like a grandchild!

Green Grass! I now have proof! The grass really is greener over the septic tank!

Sunday Morning Thoughts.......

• The number one thought coming to me from the message this morning is the impact of "offering thanksgiving!"  It keeps us from becoming centered on ourselves. Giving thanks helps us recognize the work and effort of others!  It keeps us from becoming "lone rangers!"
• There is a light mist outside, but it will give way to sunshine today! Everyone needs to come on out and enjoy a day of worship!
• We are preparing turkey and dressing for tonight's feast!
• Much ministry is going on right now! We have a group of men who are supplying a Thanksgiving meal to somewhere over 20 families. I am proud of them.
• We are providing Angel Tree ministry to over 90 families this year, mostly in our community. Praise God for a giving church.
• A side note: I finally decided to go with the new laptop! Now I am trying to figure out what to do with the old one!  I wish laptops had room for two drives!
• Our Haven ministry ladies are taking Christmas Cards and postage to the ladies at the Haven so they will be able to send cards to loved ones! Thoughtful!
• The house is quiet this morning! Peaceful and relaxing!
• Looking forward to the house being filled with USM kids, some of my family, AND THE GRANDBABY - this afternoon!
• It should be a great day - since the Lord made it!

Ed Stetzer on the Gospel!

The gospel is the good news that God, who is more holy than we can imagine, looked upon with compassion, people, who are more sinful than we would possibly admit, and sent Jesus into history to establish His Kingdom and reconcile people and the world to himself. Jesus, whose love is more extravagant than we can measure, came to sacrificially die for us so that, by His death and resurrection, we might gain through His grace what the Bible defines as new and eternal life.

via blogs.lifeway.com

I am Thankful For......

Since we will be following something of "thanksgiving" theme at church tomorrow, I have been thinking about things for which I am thankful.  The old hymn says "count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!"  

So - comment if you will - I am thank for..........

When Trouble Comes!

What do you do when trouble comes?

1. Don't make it bigger!  This is the ink toner syndrome!  If you get printer toner on you, it will vacuum right off. If you rub it with a towel, especially a damp towel, the toner will grow, smear, and stain exponentially!  Be careful that you do not respond to trouble in such a way as to make it bigger.

2. Don't make it smaller! This is the "ignore the check engine light" syndrome.  Ignore trouble, don't pay attention to what is going on, procrastinate, and you may find that your troubles have multilplied. 

3. Don't "waller" in it!  This is the "getting pitiful" syndrome.  In Mississippi we have a word - "waller" that means rolling around in something.  Don't "waller" in your trouble! You will only make everyone and yourself more miserable.

4. Don't ignore the Lord!  This is "the obvious" syndrome. Take your troubles to the Lord! Follow His direction in handling difficulty.  The word of God is full of ready answers to many troubles.  Soft answers, mercy, forgiveness, love, compassion, and understanding are all biblical solutions to many of our troubles. And don't forget wisdom!

A Loss Close to My Heart!

Tonight at 10:00 pm I sat down to look at my Facebook before going to bed. Unbelievably, a friend of mine in Pearl MS had posted about the death earlier this evening of one of my best friends in Pearl.  His name is George Burgess.  George was known to me more closely as Captain Burgess. When I lived in Pearl he was the Captain of the Pearl Police Department. 

George was a very good friend, a member of the church I served, and a constant source of help and resources to me in my role as Chaplain for the Police Department.  It was my privilege to perform the wedding for George and Gwen, his wife.  Gwen and I had known each other in college.

Pray for their family! I am heading that way later in the week with a heavy heart.  Many people will be present, including many in law enforcement.  Gwen has many wonderful friends who will be present too.   I am praying much for her.

Frankly, I would appreciate your prayers as well.

Two Good "Tweets" From Ed Stetzer!

* In church life, the people that are rocking the boat are hardly ever the ones rowing it. -7:13 AM Oct 20th

* We've jazzed up the music, spiced up the sermons, and spruced up the buildings but the wheat still isn't harvesting itself. -1:53 PM Sep 30th

It's Official!

ABC has a new worship leader. The church voted unanimously to call Nick Wolfe as our next Worship Pastor. We had a great weekend together.  A special treat for Andrea and I was having the Wolfe family stay with us in our home.

Their four children are absolutely precious!  Things I was reminded of:

1) Young girls know more "knock knock" jokes than I do!

2) Coloring never goes out of style!

3) A little foot can't walk out of a "sticky trap!"

4) Kids love flowers!

5) Every kid loves to throw rocks!

6) Kids announce their lives to the world! I thank that is great because it is real!

7) A little boy waiting on breakfast at 6:00 am is a cuddly kid!

8) Kids adapt on the fly!

We had a great weekend!

We are Excited about the Wolfe Family!

This weekend ABC will have the opportunity to meet Nick Wolf and his wife, Cristi, and their four children, Emmaline, Merrit, Bram and Karr.  Nick is currently serving at Lemoyne Boulevard Baptist Church in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Our Music Search Team is recommending him to serve as our next Worship Pastor.

For ABC folks, remember that we have the following opportunities on Saturday, November 14th

2:00 - 3:30 pm  Meet and Greet in Fellowship Hall

6:00 pm           Fellowship Meal with Deacons and Choir Members (due to the number of choir members
                       and Deacons, spouses are not invited to this dinner, unless of course, your spouse is in
                       the choir)

7:30 pm          Choir Rehearsal

ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15th

Nick will lead us in worship, share his heart, and the church will vote on him following the service.

Keep Bro. Nick and his family in your prayers - see their photo below

The Beautiful Thing....

....about going to a church service is:

...going makes you obedient to Christ!

...going may give you something that you desperately needed!

...your going may give someone else something they desperately needed!

...going will honor God!

...going is a way to share in the joy of what God is doing in the lives of everyone else.

...going gives you the opportunity to participate.

...going gives you the opportunity to serve!

...going can bring such sweet fellowship!

...going today means you will be blessed by five of our men!

...going today means you will be blessed by our Music Search Team!

...going could mean that you desire to glorify God and make Him known when you leave!

BUT...

...staying home will not bring any of the above today!

Camo Day! What?

Tomorrow will be Camo Day at church! It is interesting to hear about it out in the community!  One Dad told me his son was extremely excited about coming to church on Camo Day! He has his Camo picked out and can hardly wait.  Another told me that they think it is wonderful that we are willing to have an event designed to draw men to church!

Right on!  Church is not made reverent by whether you have on a suit or camo! It is made holy by what is in your heart!  The goal tomorrow is to see hearts changed! To see people at church who might not otherwise come!  To have our men share their hearts in worship! 

I can hardly wait! Looking forward to posting pics tomorrow night!

But If Not.....

From the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego:

Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not , let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

What are the BUT IF NOT'S of your life?  These three men had been told that they would be burned alive if they did serve false gods and bow down to a golden image.  They were absolutely confident in God's power to deliver them.  However, their faithfulness to God was on full display in verse 18 - BUT IF NOT - if God's plan is to let us perish in the fire - then so be it - we will not bow down to idolatry!

What are your spiritual BUT IF NOT'S??

Are there spiritual non-negotiables for you! No matter what happens! Think about it! There should be many! The world is constantly pressing in on the church.  If you don't know your BUT IF NOT'S before the world presses in on you - you may be devoured by compromise and sin!  Think about it!