Tommy Mitchell / The Rurban Church Blog

Can't Help It - It is My Favorite!

When I listen to my IPOD at night - (usually as a sleep aid) I listen to a wide variety of music.  I appreciate nearly all kinds of music - and when it comes to Christian music, I love it all!  I soar with some Michael W. Smith and Travis Cottrell!  I also enjoy great hymns  - and Christian instrumentalists. 

But I have to tell you - I can sit and listen to a combination of Southern Gospel with some Gaither style thrown in all day!  For the last hour I have been listening to a variety of Southern Gospel!  It has been fast, slow, some old style Southern Gospel, some new style Southern Gospel - and I just love it!  Love the harmony! Love the lyrics!  Enjoy the beat! 

I'm amazed at how many folks I meet who seem to detest Southern Gospel! I find that many of those folks have never really listened to it!  I guess I am a product of my raising, but Southern Gospel has really led the church in much innovation musically.  At one time, they were the "contemporary" bunch when compared to strict hymn singing churches!  

Try it - you'll like it!!!!!!!!!

If You Miss Church - You Just Miss Out!

This morning I began preaching at FBC Leakesville for a revival meeting. We had a great morning.  It made me think about how folks miss so much when they miss their worship services.  This morning we were having a great time of praise and worship.  The minister leading music this week is Joel McGill.  He was doing such a great job and led the congregation in wonderful, lively praise!

His wife, Pam, sang an opening song that was wonderful.  She has a powerful and well controlled voice.  Well, she also sang right before the message!  When I heard the opening music for the song, I knew she was about to sing the Sandi Patty arrangement of "How Great Thou Art!"  That arrangement is a HUGE, POWERFUL, DIFFICULT and HIGH vocal rendition.   I leaned over to her daughter who was sitting next to me and I asked her if her mother was going to hit that HIGH note!  She grinned at me  and said, "She will!"   

Well, through the years I have heard several people try to sing that arrangment - some would have done better to not make the attempt.  I've only heard one person other than Sandi Patty ever sing it well up to now.  This morning, I heard it sung, to the Lord, in marvelous fashion.  No high notes were avoided.  And the vocal control was excellent.  From a worship perspective - it was just an absolutely glorious worship experience, bringing great attention to the glory of God!  It was a moment of highest praise!    From a vocal perspective, it was practically flawless. 

Then it occurred to me!  What a good thing that we came to the house of the Lord this morning! Otherwise, we would have missed this great moment and blessing from the Lord!   I really believe I could have just extended an invitation at the moment related to the greatness of God!   I'm glad I was there!  And remember, any time you miss a worship gathering, there are blessings you will miss as well.  God does what He does with the folks who show up!!! Praise the Lord!

 

I Had A Dream!

I had a dream last night! It was interesting! I had a dream that I was leading worship at the USM BSU!  My topic was "What is TRUE Worship?"  This was one of those "detailed" dreams!  And, I remember every bit of it!  They had just sung some songs that I had never heard before - and one that I had heard - "In the Presence of Jehovah!"  I ended up having them vote on the songs - which ones would they changed if they could?  They all chose the one I knew to change!

We did more questions and found out that more of the girls would have chosen to keep it - but they were outnumbered by the guys who voted to get rid of it!  We determined that they were choosing songs that they liked based on emotional and sentimental needs!  Then, we made the point that TRUE worship is about OBEYING Jesus - and has little to do with song choices.

At any rate - it was a great worship time - and I had a blast leading the BSU in worship - and teaching the scripture that God is a Spirit and must be worshiped in Spirit and Truth!  Yet, it was all a dream!

Funny what a trip to the BSU on Tuesday evening will do for your sleep!

Life on the Edge!

Last evening I experienced what I would call "life on the edge."  Our ABC choir and the Lemoyne Boulevard Choir joined together to present "Ascend to Heaven" at the Home of Grace in Vancleave, MS.  My preaching was interwoven with the songs. At the invitation, we had quite a number of men come to pray and be prayed for. It was my privilege to lead one of them to the Lord.  He was quite sincere - and in desperate need for the Lord to intervene in the "mess" that had become his life. He needed the forgiveness of God, the cleansing of addiction from his body, and the restoration of fellowship with his family.  He needed the Lord! He had been living life on the edge - and needed to live on the cutting edge for Jesus!  It was refreshing to see people who were willing to admit their difficulties before God - and seek God's help! It was life on the edge - a bit raw and desperate - a perfect place for God's work!

When we left there, Andrea and I went by our son and daughter-in-law's home to see our grandbaby! Now there is life on the edge! She is almost one year of age - just in a couple of weeks! It is so fun to see how her personality is developing! She lives life on the edge! From demanding that the baby food be fed more quickly, to grabbing your face to make you look at her - she commands attention.  She has discovered mobility and ability all at the same time! She has completely figured out how to grab earrings, necklaces, watches, hair, ear lobes - it is a fabulous world of discovery and pure joy!  I honestly believe her innocent traits are a true picture of how we adults should be living the Christian life - in a life of great discovery and fresh joys every day!  She is living life on the edge!

We got a phone call while we were there about one of our members who is in the hospital in Mobile. I called his wife and she confirmed he was not doing well at all. We traveled on to the hospital and upon arriving we found a room filled with family confirming all we had heard. Unless the Lord intervenes, it appears that he is only a short few days or even hours from being with the Lord.  This man has loved living - and loved working! He loved being in his place of business! He is living life - on the edge of eternity!

The reality - all of life should be lived on the "edge!"  We should never lose our sense of "desperation" for God to move and act and empower and sustain our lives here - like many of the men at Home of Grace expressed last night.  We should never lose our joy and wonder and discovery  of life like my granddaughter! And we should always live in view of the eternity that can come any moment - like my friend in the hospital! 

Life on the edge! God grant us wisdom to live it!

The Privilege of Worshiping Together!

Listening to it rain this morning eventually brought a smile to my face - especially in light of my sermon topic this morning - "Questioning God!"  Throughout 31 years of serving as a pastor, I cannot tell you how many times I have asked the Lord this question - "Lord, why did you let it rain today? You know people will stay home!" 

While in the hospital, God gave me this message about questioning Him!  When I heard the rain this morning, I almost laughed! No, I did not ask the question this morning - and after my encounter with God on this topic of questioning Him - I don't think I will ever ask Him that particular question again.  You see, God's work is not built on nor is it hindered by those who stay home!  God's work is always a blessing to and is blessed by those who show up! Rain is just a "weeding" agent to separate the sincere from the easily distracted! (except for a few health issues). 

Anyway, I am looking forward to being together with those "who show up" this morning.  It is such a privilege to......

.... share and multiply wonderful blessing!
.....divide the weight of heavy burdens!
.....to hear the blessed words of the Lord in scripture!
.....to sing wonderful song to and about God!
.....to bring an offering and watch God multiply beyond belief our gifts!
.....to hear an unexpected testimony!
.....to see brothers and sisters and enjoy their presence!
.....to love and be loved!
.....to hear the laughter of children!
.....to see the excitement and unhindered worship of children!
.....to pray with one another!

What a Blessed Day!

Today would be a blessed day by any account because it is a day that the Lord has made - and in all of those days, we are to rejoice and be glad in them!!!!!!!

Today is a blessed day because it truly is "the Lord's day!"   The day we give praise to Him as the body of Christ. The day we bring ourselves to some location (like ABC) and open our mouths in praise and song, rejoicing that we have lived through the night!  Rejoicing that He has reached out to us and given unto us such a great salvation! Rejoicing that God has been leading us and providing for us and teaching us throughout the week!  

Oh, today is the Lord's Day! It is "GAME DAY" for the church! Not just for her ministers - but the church! The spirit of God that lives within us should be in unity with our spirit that we are the children of God and that we have an opportunity to let the whole world know today that we LOVE OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

My heart soars and breaks today!  My heart soars because I am part of this body at ABC!  I will be worshiping and rejoicing - reviewing my tv choices of worship (there are a few good ones on this morning) and being thankful that I am alive - literally!  I will be rejoicing that God has taken a diseased heart and given it a new opportunity.  I will be rejoicing that I will get to see my family for a few more years, Lord willing! 

But my heart breaks - because today is the day that I am not allowed to come to the body! It strikes me how easy it is for some of God's flock to blow off a Sunday of worship! Oh, we had company - we stayed up too late - I have a test to study for - I have a little project to work on!   With the love of Jesus in my heart  I must say - Phoooeeeeyyy!  It is is killing me not  to be at worship - and not because I am the preacher.  To feel the warmth of love from God and His people in a gathering of worship has healing properties.  To feel the touch, the prayers, the expressions of love are beyond description.  To be able to rejoice in the spiritual happenings taking place in the lives of others - to be able to come place and offering in the hands of God and watch Him extend the Kingdom with it - to be able to laugh, cry, love, embrace, and worship with one another - there is nothing like it anywhere on earth except in a house of worship.   

Last week I made a cameo appearance - primarily to let you see I was still alive - and to feel the presence of God behind that pulpit that I always feel when I stand there to preach.  My docs weren't happy about it - risk of sickness etc.. Today I have promised to be a good patient and continue to be strengthened for what I hope will be a return to at least morning preaching next Sunday!   God be praised!

Please let God have this day - and let part of that devotion be with your body sitting, standing, and rejoicing at Agricola Baptist Church!

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

At The Top!

Some of my top prayer items this morning! (numbered, but not by importance)

1. That Mark Batterson and National Community Church will find an open door soon to a new / or the old location.

2. That we (ABC) will get everything done to make an excellent presentation of our prospective Minister of Worship this Sunday!

3. That we will have a meaningful, powerful, and DECISION FILLED service this Sunday!

4. That the work will continue to progress on the Preschool / Children's building in spite of the weather.

5. That I will get to lead at least one person to Christ before Sunday!

Soon and Very Soon!

It will not be long - NEXT SUNDAY as a matter of fact - until we introduce the man and the family the Music Search Team is recommending as our next Minister of Worship!   WOW! It is going to be so nice to have this vital ministry in our church filled again with leadership!

This week many of the nuts and bolts details were worked out in various committees. The spirit and mood was great in the meetings! Everyone is excited!  Next Sunday will be a great day and then on November 14 and 15 our members will get to meet him and his family!

PRAISE THE LORD!