The Difference a week makes

This time last week Pastor Fred Winters was perhaps putting the finishing touches on his sermon for Sunday. Watching a basketball game or two and spending time with his family. In a matter of hours Fred would be shot and killed in the pulpit of First Baptist Maryville, Illinois. His funeral was this past Friday and his family and church are preparing for a Sunday without him.
Fred was a man of passion and aggessively sought to share Christ with the world. He was a faithful father and husband. He was a pastor who deeply loved his church and desired to invest in them
in all of the right ways.
I am thankful to have had him as a friend. He could dish out one liners and was good about taking them as well. He was a leader in his state and a model for young pastors to follow. Fred Winters will be greatly missed. I thankful and proud to have called him my friend.

 

Proud of Our People

I am so thankful and proud to be the pastor of Highview. Our people continue to amaze me at the way they love each other and reach out to those they do not know.

This past week we have had hundreds of our families encouraging one another through the death of a daughter, mom, grandparents and co-workers. Others have come alongside those who have experienced a job loss. We have young adult men who are mentoring teenagers, and we have older men discipling young husbands over breakfast. In Mom to Mom, young moms learn from one another and share some of the challenges that come with parenting. Student leaders are attending the ballgames of kids in their class, and families are taking care of the children of other families as they walk through physical difficulties.

God is so good. We are not a perfect church. Merely imperfect people who love each other and our Savior. What a privilege to be apart of such an extended family.

Highview, I’m proud of you and thankful to be one of the family.

 

GREAT SUNDAY

We had a great weekend at Highview.  On Sunday, we had 3,500 in attendance and several baptisms.  A special baptism was in the 9:15 service at Fegenbush Campus.  A 37 year old mother of two checked out of the hospital to see her son follow the Lord in baptism.  She is battling cancer and is a picture of faith and courage.

Our quarterly Combined Worship on Sunday evening was spectacular. Our 7th campus had 120 at it’s first of three soft launches. We have been blessed with some of the finest leaders, lead pastors and staff anywhere. What a blessing to serve with so many great men and women of God.

Fegenbush Campus worship times change on April 19th to 9a.m., 10:15a.m. and 11:30a.m. Can’t wait to see what God is doing to do next.

 

TAKE THE DARE to IMPROVE YOUR PARENTING

We are continuing to focus on Taking the Dare at Highview.  Over 1,000 of our adults are going through the “The Love Dare” book for 40 days.  We are encouraging them to Improve their finances and, for the next two weeks, to Improve their parenting.  Below are some resources we are using today that might be helpful.

Jay Kessler, in his book Ten Mistakes Parents Make with Teenagers, lists the following common missteps parents make:

• Mistake #1 – Failure to be a consistent model.
  “Do as I say, not as I do.”
• Mistake #2 – Failure to admit when you’re wrong.
  “I’m the adult, I am right.”
• Mistake #3 – Failure to give honest answers to honest questions.
  “Because I said so, that’s why.”
• Mistake #4 – Failure to let your teenager develop a personal identity.
  “You want to be what?”
• Mistake #5 – Failure to major on the majors and minor on the minors.
  “This room is a pigsty?”
• Mistake #6 – Failure to communicate approval and acceptance.
  “Can’t you do anything right?”
• Mistake #7 – Failure to approve your teenager friends without making any attempt to get to know them.
  “Where did you find him?”
• Mistake #8 – Failure to give your teenager the right to fail.
  “You did what?”
• Mistake #9 – Failure to discuss the uncomfortable.
  “Can we talk about something else?”
• Mistake #10 – Failure to take time.
  “I’m kind of busy right now, could you come back later?”

And a prayer for parents we found:

Oh Heavenly Father, make me a better parent.
Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting them or criticizing them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.

Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me.

May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.

Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal, but guide me, hour by hour, that I might demonstrate in everything that I say or do, that honesty produces happiness.

May I ever be mindful that my children are children, and that I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.

Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.

Bless me with the bigness to grant them their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them the privileges I know could do them harm.

Make me fair, just and kind, and fit me, O Lord, to be loved, respected, and imitated by my children, and help me always remember that better parents raise better children.

I hope these are helpful as we DARE to Improve all these ares our life.

 

What a Week

On Sunday, Dr. Moore and Dr. Mohler did an incredible job preaching for Sanctity of Life Sunday.  What a blessing it is for our church to have such great men of God as members.  I’m thankful to pastor a church that takes such a bold stand on ethical issues. We have received several emails this from people who viewed our services and did not appreciate our stand on a abortion. I’m thankful they were watching, and I’m thankful we were able to communicate truth even when it is not welcomed.

Monday was a great day, spending time with the best church staff anywhere. Our deacons meeting on Monday was such a blessing.  To have a group that is like-minded and focused on what is most important is a special gift for any pastor.

This Tuesday was spent studying for the sermon on “MONEY” this Sunday.

On Wednesday, we received a $1,300 car repair bill.  So, we have less money now as I study for my sermon on “MONEY”.  And, Whitefield won it’s first game in that state “A” tournament!

Thursday included more study about “MONEY” and getting to see my sons basketball game.

Continuing our TAKE THE DARE reading through the LOVE DARE book.  Over 500 couples and 1,000 people are going through the book together.

 

Great Trip to Guatemala

We had a great trip to Guatemala. Houses repaired, children hugged, fed and loved. Seventy single moms ministered to and many, many attended to by our medical team. I am so proud of each of those who went, the way they got along with one another and the way they stay focused on being a blessing to those people. These trips always seem to make the biggest difference in our hearts.

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow in worship.  Dr. Albert Mohler will be preaching at East Campus at 10:15 on abortion, followed by a question and answer time.  Dr. Russell Moore will be preaching on the same subject at Fegenbush in all the morning services, 8a.m., 9:15a.m., and 10:30a.m.

 

Guatemala Couples Trip, Day 3

The trip could not be going any better. Our team is really that, a team. Our construction crew is repairing roofs on homes beside the dump. Our medical crew saw many children and women today and worked tirelessly. Our childrens crew did crafts and games with over 80 children.  I preached to 60 battered women and one of our ladies gave her testimony of walking through the death of a spouse.  She did a spectacular job. Creed Fowler is now known as “princess”. I have never known a male to spend as much time doing his hair, etc.  Having a blast and can’t wait for you to go on the next trip.

 

Guatemala Couples Trip, Day 2

We had a great day gathering food to distribute and materials to repair houses. We ministered to the workers at the preschool located at the dump. We have a great group, they are enjoying one another and being blessed by being used to touch so many lives.

 

Guatemala Couples Trip, Day 1

Just arrived in Guatemala for a week long mission trip.  Our flight went great, especially with the entertainment of an extremely drunk Canadian in front of us.  If he would only fly on every trip we go on, it really helps pass the time.

We are going to be ministering to 60 battered women and approximately 50 children.  Delivering food boxes by morning and fixing up their homes in the afternoon.  We have a doctor and a nurse and will be setting up a medical clinic for Wednesday and Thursday.

I have a new best friend.  I just tipped a guy a dollar and he practically hugged my neck.  I took a second look and I had given him a $10.  Too late to ask for change, but I have got to learn more spanish.

What a blessing to pastor a church that loves missions and reaching people like Highview Baptist does.  Pleae pray that God will use us in a great way.

 

Throw Out the 8-Tracks

President Elect Obama says it’s time for change, well, maybe he’s right. For me it’s good bye 8 track and hello CD’s.  Good bye VCR and hello DVD. Good bye stamps and hello blogging world.

We are now One Church…..Multiple bloggers.  I am perhaps the last hold out on our staff, but I’m ready to take the plunge.  I may even get me one of those headbooks, I mean facebooks.

I checked at Barnes and Nobles and they didn’t have any.

I look forward to occasionally provide updates of our family, church and some good old fashion Southern Baptist Convention venting.

Until next time, you and your family have a great Christmas.