Poor Timing

It's going to be hot this week.
Of course, it's what one should expect for the Dog Days of summer in Southwest MO.
It's also when perennial plants are half off at Lowes.

Yesterday afternoon as I was walking around the garden center with a cart full of plants, a woman walked by, glanced at the cart, and said, "That looks like work."
sigh

We (Chris and I) tried to beat the heat today by starting the day with a morning walk. It wasn't too early, but earlier than I am usually active. I hadn't even had my coffee yet!
When we got back, I decided that it was a good day to make a large jar (1/2 gallon) of iced coffee. I'll be sipping (or chugging) that while I'm digging up some plants, temporarily repotting them, and tilling up some soil where they (and the new plants) will be going. This will be a multi-day project and will involve several trips to the garden center for various items before its completion because that's how I roll.
Eventually the place will be well landscaped and a beautiful setting for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Oh yeah, and us too!

It would be nice to hire professionals to do our landscaping, but I'm too cheap for that and I really don't mind digging in the dirt. It is a good thing that I can work at it as I feel like it and take breaks as needed. It has been a lot of years since I had to do manual labor in the heat. I am so thankful for the climate controlled environment and the comfort of the ATC world where I was able to spend most of my working years.

Now it's time to sweat.

John

My Favorite Bible Story

Well, ...one of my favorites.
It's the one I think of whenever someone asks the question, "What's your favorite Bible story?"
The first time that happened to me was at an evangelism conference in Southeast Missouri. I was the new guy on the circuit and I was at breakfast with two of the oldest and most experienced of the group. One of then asked, "Hey guys, what's your favorite story from the Bible?"

I jumped on it! I said, "I've got this. At the end of The Sermon on the Mount, chapter 8 begins with the story of a leper that encounters Jesus. He says, 'Lord, if you will it, you can make me clean.' Then the Bible says that Jesus reached out and touched him and said, 'I will it. Be clean,' and immediately he was healed." 

Okay, it isn't that spectacular of a story when you consider all of the other miracles that are laced throughout the gospels. Big deal, right? Jesus heals a leper. So what?
What strikes me about this story is that the Bible says that Jesus touched him and then he healed him.
Jesus touched him while he was still unclean!
I wonder how long it had been since he had been touched by another human being? From the moment he had been diagnosed with a disease determined to be leprosy, he was unclean and shunned by everyone. People wouldn't even sit where he had been sitting until that place had been cleansed.

Look, I know that preachers fit the lessons they want to teach into the stories of the Bible all of the time. Maybe that's what I'm doing here, but I don't think so. I often try to read the Bible like I'm reading it for the first time; like I don't know what's coming. I had read and heard this story so many times before, and then one day--it hit me! Jesus touched him before he healed him! Why would he do that, and is it important? Or was this just the way Matthew wrote the story and it all happened in the same moment?

It think Jesus did it on purpose and even though the moment may have been lost to the disciples, the leper knew. He had been stripped of his value, his humanity. He had been condemned to live out his life alone or with other outcasts. He was nothing -- until that moment. While he was still unclean, Jesus touched him. I imagine that touch conveyed so much love. Jesus, looking into his eyes and saying, "I feel you, man. Be clean."
Actually, until he completed the rites of purification and presented the required offering he was still technically unclean, so I guess Jesus was, too(?). I don't know how that part works, probably some divine exemption or something.
Anyway, I think the dude got way more than he asked for, way more than he was expecting.

And so did we.
Maybe we can takeaway a lesson that even when the rest of the world thinks that you are unworthy of love; even when your own people, your own family, your own church have cast you aside, Jesus is there to tell you that you are worthy of love, that you are valuable--just as you are!

One of those two men at breakfast that day has been blessed with the most incredible memory and has memorized the entire New Testament of the Bible. He said, "I know you know this already, John, but I'm going to give it to you anyway," and he reached into his memory and recited the story verbatim from the Bible.

John

On the road again...

Just a quick post as I get ready to head out for a quick little trip to Central Illinois. Today will be a relatively cool ride. Although the temperature in the Ozarks is forecast to reach 70f (21c) by mid afternoon, it'll be more like 50 (10c) where I'll be on the ride. Looking at the forecast for the route, I may see some 60s (15c) around St Louis, but will plan for a cool day and dress accordingly. I plan on taking my time this morning and starting a little later to take advantage of slightly warmer hours.

I'll be heading back home on Thursday and am thinking about an alternate route that will take me off of the interstate highway for most of the trip. It will add a few miles and about an hour of time, but the variety might be nice.

Hours of highway time is nice for clearing the head of all the junk that seems to accumulate there. If it's not too windy, I can listen to my headset radio or some tunes from my phone via bluetooth. Most of the time, I just listen to the wind and enjoy the quiet.

I spent the past week+ at an evangelism conference and a revival in the Waynesville/St Robert area. I need to share some thoughts on that but it will have to wait until I get back. We recently changed our cell carrier and I no longer have tethering or hotspot capability without paying extra. Creating a wifi hotspot was generally how I connected my laptop when traveling.
Fwiw, we switched from AT&T to Cricket Mobile. Cricket is owned by AT&T and uses their towers. Our coverage is the same and our cost is about 2/3 of what it was. I could add the hotspot feature and still be way under what we were paying, but I don't really use it that often. I kept my old phone and Chris upgraded to a new one.

I know it's still pretty cool and there aren't a lot of motorcycles on the road just yet, but do keep an eye out for old guys on bikes. Some of us aren't smart enough to wait for warmer weather!

John <><

Following Jesus is more difficult than you'd think...

It's been several nights since I've been at home and able to sleep in my own bed.
Whew! It was nice.

Last weekend was the annual Pulaski Association Evangelism Conference in St Robert, MO. I was unable to attend last year due to Chris' chemo treatments, so it was good to be back this year.
I really think that this was the best year!

I've been in a bit of a spiritual funk lately and having to work on messages to preach and lessons to teach with magic has helped me to get focused on how I am to be serving in God's kingdom. Listening to others preach about kingdom work has also helped me to get some good direction.

For the next several days I'll be preaching at Faith Baptist Church in Waynesville, MO and sharing some of what I've learned. Services are at 7 each night (Thu, Fri, Sat) and on Sunday morning (I should probably find out the time!).
Tonight we will be addressing what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

In Baptist church language, we're having a Revival.
The purpose of a revival is pretty much what you would expect -- to revive a body of believers, to bring them back to life (or at least back to being active in the kingdom). The Bible teaches that it is the Holy Spirit of God that gives us our spiritual life. It is also the Holy Spirit that will inspire and equip us to continue in the work of the church to make known the simple truths that I always preach: God loves you and Jesus died for you!

Once again, I've made the challenge to the church to share this message with somebody.
And once again, I've included myself in the challenge.
And once again, I'm going to have to get out of my house and interact with somebody if I am going to fulfill my part of the challenge.

I'm also going to give the graduate course part of the challenge.
In the letter of James (the brother of Jesus), James says that if someone is in need of food or clothes and you tell them to go in peace and be blessed, but you haven't provided for their needs, what good is that?
The next challenge is to go back to the person that you told "God loves you," and actually show them the love of God!

Hmmm...
This following Jesus thing is harder than you'd think.
Maybe that's why so few actually do...

John <><

Miscellaneous thoughts

It's a rainy Saturday morning in the Ozarks.
Hopefully, it will stop long enough for me to get my walk in at some point.

If you read my other blog, you already know that I'm trying to get back to regular walking and a better diet. The struggle is real for this under energized, over eating, middle aged, fat boy. I just take it one day at a time.

*****

Tonight I get to perform a wedding ceremony for a friend's kids. Last night was the rehearsal dinner.
It is a large wedding party and I'm sure that it will be a fun time.
Since I don't do too many weddings, it really is an honor to be asked to serve in this way.
Although my ministry licence allows me this privilege, since I don't pastor a church nor advertise for weddings, I generally only serve for family and friends. I've only done one wedding for people that I didn't know.

A couple of years ago, we were eating out when a young woman approached our table and asked if I was John Hill. It was the bride of that young couple and they were also having dinner at the Keeter Center on that night. I was surprised that she remembered me and happy that she came to our table to say hi. I received a friend request from her on Facebook and so I get to keep up with the young couple and their beautiful little girl.

*****

Tonight is the beginning of the Pulaski Association Annual Evangelism Conference.
I've been to it for all but one of the years they have had it. I will miss this year's event as well. Although I had been scheduled to go, I decided that I should be here at home since this is the weekend after Chris' chemo treatment and is generally a pretty crappy weekend. I'm hoping to get to attend a session on Tuesday. I have received a number of calls, messages and cards from the evangelists that are attending. They are all keeping Chris in their prayers.
That's pretty cool.

*****

Political action and inaction in our nation's capitol has become entertaining ... in a B-rated horror movie kind of way. Not everybody really likes horror movies.  Sometimes they are just scary and have lots of people getting hurt or killed with no well developed plot.
Just a thought...

*****

I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.
Do something nice for somebody.
Do something nice for yourself, too.

Be well,
John <><

Tri-county Baptist Association Evangelism Conference

I'm sitting in Starbucks, sipping on my regular drink (any guesses?) and getting ready for the morning session of the evangelism conference. Yesterday we heard some really great messages as eight of our evangelists shared from The Word and from their hearts.
The day and evening sessions were also filled with songs of praise from our music evangelists.

Today will be eight more messages (4 in the morning session and 4 in the evening session) and more music. Tonight will be my turn at preaching to the preachers. I am glad that I drew an evening session as there will more of the laity in attendance than at the day sessions. I feel like they (the lay people of the churches) are more my people.
It seems weird to say that, but it is the way it is.

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but these conferences always make me feel bad about the little work that I am doing for the advancement of the kingdom.

I'm going to head over to the church and mingle a little bit.
(I know, but it is expected.)
If you are the praying type and you are of a mind to lift up a brother, I'd appreciate your prayers before I take the pulpit tonight. I'll be on at around 6:45.

Blessings,
John <><

Give 'em Heaven!

It's Sunday morning and we are heading to Galena MO to be with my friend Jimmy Harriss and his church. All of the evangelists will be in different Tricounty Baptist Association churches this morning. We got to hear from the music folks last night at the conference opening session and will hear from the preaching evangelists over the next two days.

But today is Sunday and we are dispersed to the churches. I know that many of the churches will be blessed to hear these guys as they share from God's word.
There are a few new guys in our group that I haven't had the opportunity to hear and I am looking forward to it. My time to preach at the conference isn't until the final session on Tuesday night. I wish I could say I was looking forward to that.

As encouragement goes, there were several people that did tell me how much they enjoy my preaching and style of sharing the Word, so I do feel good about that. And maybe that's really the key -- my style isn't to be preachy, just to share the Word with a little background and cultural application.

In any case, it's quiet time before today's church and prep time this afternoon for Tuesday's message.

To my preaching brother's, "Preach hard. Heaven hangs in the balance!"

Blessings,
John <><

Preaching to preachers

This weekend our Tricounty Baptist Association is hosting an evangelism conference. It begins on Saturday evening with a night of music and praise from our music evangelists.
On Sunday, the evangelists will disperse to different churches throughout the association to share in their Sunday services. Monday and Tuesday will have morning and evening sessions of music and preaching at the host church, which just happens to be my home church of Hopedale.

The morning sessions largely consist of preaching to preachers.
The evening sessions should have more people from the churches in the association, and should also have a good number of preachers and church staff in attendance.
I'll be at Galena Baptist Church on Sunday morning and preaching at the conference on Tuesday evening.

It may seem a little weird to be preaching to preachers (it used feel weird, too), but the truth is that preachers need encouragement from God's word, too! It's good for all of us to be able to step back and look at what we are doing through distant eyes. We often get so focused on what we are doing that we lose the big picture of what is going on around us and we fail to adapt accordingly.
Not only do these types of conferences serve to encourage pastors in their own work, but they offer pastors an opportunity to hear some of the available evangelists and encourage them to use vocational evangelists in their local churches.

Maybe it's just the introvert in me that doesn't really look forward to these conferences.
In the end, I generally enjoy getting together with the other evangelists and hearing their encouragement. I always look forward to sharing the gospel. But...

I don't know...
It just feels funny to be marketing to get bookings to go to churches at a later date.
I do see the conferences as a good opportunity for pastors to hear the people that they would invite to come speak in their churches. I believe that pastors need to guard their pulpits with great care and surrender them to others only rarely.
But I've never been good at marketing myself in this situation. I don't want to feel like a snake oil peddler when it comes to the gospel and I often think that's what we sometimes appear to be.

In any case, I'll be preparing for this conference in the coming days, as well as preparing for a wedding in two weeks and another conference at the end of the month. In between all of that, I'll just be taking it easy, planting a garden, and living the retired life in southwest Missouri.

Give 'em heaven, brothers!

John <><

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Perhaps it has been far too long since I've posted about sharing my faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Last week was the Missouri Baptist State Evangelism conference and there will be two local conferences in the coming weeks.

Beginning March 11th, the Tricounty Baptist Association will host a number of evangelists for a Saturday through Tuesday conference. This will be the first time in a number of years that we (it's my home Association) have hosted such an event.
At the end of the month, March 25th-28th, I'll be back at the Pulaski Association Conference.

One of our local evangelist teams (husband and wife) writes and performs most of their own music.
The lyrics for one of their songs is "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

In Christianity, the main thing should be sharing the teaching of Jesus.
We proclaim Jesus' command at the end of Matthew's gospel as the Great Commission and its instruction is that we make disciples; that we baptize them in the name of The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit; that we teach them to observe everything He has commanded.

He didn't command that we build bigger buildings, or have greater programs.
He didn't command that we hijack a political party or overtake a government.
He didn't command that we judge others or condemn them for their unbelief.
He simply commanded that we observe his commands and teach others to do the same.

Going to these conferences always has a way or reminding me of how poorly I am doing in fulfilling his commands. Like most followers, I tend to get caught up in living my life as if it were my life and often forget that I have given that over to Him.

So it is time to renew my commitment and refocus on what I need to be doing in Kingdom work. I'd like it if people would know that I am a follower of Jesus by how I act rather than because I've told them so.
Yikes! I've got a lot of work to do!

John <><

Coffee Cake and Islam

Today was an interesting day.
For the past two days I have been at a conference sponsored by the Missouri Baptist Convention that focused on the Great Commission  -- to go and make disciples.

Today, Chris and I joined a couple of our friends and about a hundred other non-Muslim members of our community visiting the Islamic Center of Springfield to participate in their Coffee Cake and Islam event. The event was to introduce members of our community to Islam and to answer questions that people might have.

The initial part was a type of social mixer with guests helping themselves to coffee, tea and a number of pastries and desserts, while visiting with each other and a few of the members of the Muslim community. I was a little disappointed that more members of the community were not there to participate and converse with the many guests that came. In fact, it appeared the the event was a far greater success than they expected it to be.

The second part was a brief description of Islam and a little bit about living in the Springfield area as a follower of Islam. The presentations were given by an M.D. and a PhD that live and work in the area. Their presentations were followed by a question and answer period.

I enjoyed the event, was encouraged by the attendance and hope to continue to find strength in the diversity of our community and our country.
I spoke with a young Muslim man that arrived in the US in the fall of 2001, from Afghanistan. He had spent many months in preparing to come here and was scheduled to arrive in September of that fateful year. After 9/11, everything was paused for a number of weeks before he was able to enter the USA. He is now a US citizen and considers this to be his country.
Another young man arrived with his family as a young child.
A third is from Pakistan and is a student at MSU.

Overall, I'd say that more events like this are needed.
One of the messages of the evangelism conference was to build relationships with our neighbors and the the people that we meet. Participating in today's Islamic event was a beginning of building those relationships. I would love to find a 50 something year old Muslim man to build a relationship with so that I can learn about him and his beliefs. While I would not hesitate to share my beliefs, I would not do so unless he asked. I don't want the motives of my relationship to be proselytizing in nature, but rather to learn about the faith of my fellow countryman.
Perhaps I will find such a person.

We ended the day by having dinner and dessert with our friends and a great time of visiting.
I hope that you also had a wonderful Saturday.

I managed a short ride this morning (at 27f, -2.7c) and baseball is under way.
Life is good!

John <><

Evangelism Conferences 2017

I'm going to a conference today -- The Missouri Baptist Great Commission Conference (formerly the Evangelism Conference).
The truth is -- I'd rather go riding!

I'll do a little of both in that I'll ride to the conference (which is only about 20 miles) and since Chris has dinner plans with friends, I'll get a little evening ride in before coming home. But 70 and sunny is going to make hanging around with a bunch of preachers pretty tough for this rebel. I have extreme doubts that I'll make it the full three days!

I have two local conferences in the next few weeks. One is in my home association so I get to sleep in my own bed every night. The other is about 90 miles away. If the weather is forecast to be nice, I'll ride again. Last year, I rode home from that conference in the rain. No biggie.

I'm not really sure why I go to these things. It's primarily for exposure, but so few churches still use evangelists for revivals and teaching that I'm not sure it's worth it. I guess that I could be better at marketing myself and get more bookings. Many of the full-time evangelists have regular bookings and are hard at it to fill their open weekends. I've been pretty passive in this area.

I've never had any real training on how to be a successful evangelist.
Heck, I've never had any training on how to be a preacher of any kind. I just preach the gospel as it is written.
I don't preach a lot about hell or judgement.
I don't preach doom and destruction.
I don't preach to make people afraid of a God of wrath.
I don't preach to make people afraid of God (period)
Maybe I don't get as many bookings because I'm boring.

Maybe I'll just spend more time on my motorcycle this year.
I do have several New Testament bibles in my saddlebags at all times and don't mind sharing the gospel on an individual basis, but I rarely stop riding long enough to converse with others. Maybe I just need to work on that part. It's not like I need the pay from going to meetings. God has already blessed us in the way of provisions.

Ugh!
Time to gear up for being with a bunch of people...

John <><

One Man's Trash ...

It is often said that one man's trash is another man's treasure. That saying comes to mind as I contemplate this morning's post.

Conferences like last week's often make me wonder about my calling to share God's Word as an evangelist. I know that all Christians are commanded to tell of God's redemptive love through His son, Jesus; but to be called as an evangelist and stand in the pulpits of His churches around the state -- that is often as much of a burden as it is a privilege.

"Why me?" often comes to mind.
It isn't about ability -- I realize that God has blessed me with being comfortable when standing before people. Stage fright about public speaking has never been an issue.
And it isn't about being unable to communicate effectively -- I seem to be able to connect with people of all ages (with or without the use of magic).

It's just that I often feel like God should have a better plan than to leave the spreading of His love and His story in the hands of somebody like me.

Maybe that's why I like the story of the woman at the well found in John's gospel.
You can read the story here.

Jesus and his disciples are traveling through the land of Samaria and find themselves at the well of a city of Samaria around midday. While the others go to look for food, Jesus hangs out by the well and meets with a woman of the town.
She has come to the well at midday to avoid the scorn of the other women that come earlier in the morning.
After a brief encounter with this woman of poor reputation, Jesus reveals that HE is the Messiah!

The woman tells the people of the town, "Come and see a man that told me all about myself. Could this be the messiah?"

The people come and later tell the woman, "We believe! But now we believe, not because of what you've said, but because we have seen and heard for ourselves!"

Jesus used a...
Samaritan (considered to be unclean and unworthy by the Jews)
woman (a second class citizen that other men would pay little attention to)
of poor reputation (even in her own town she was despised by men and women)
...to bring an entire community to the saving knowledge that He is the Messiah!

I guess when it comes to using the lowly people of the world, God has been doing it for quite some time.

Low status among other humans is kind of a human thing.
We all seem to have a higher status in the eyes of our Maker.
We may have a low standing in the eyes of others (or even in our own eyes), but we are a treasure in the eyes of God.

If He would choose to use a sinful woman of an unclean people, why wouldn't He choose to use us?
Even if you have been discarded by society or disowned by family and shunned by friends, you are His treasure.

Life is short.
Eternity is long.
Be faithful.

John <><

God Loves You. Jesus Died for You.

I've spent the last few days at the annual Pulaski Baptist Association Evangelism Conference.
As always, there is some great worship and exceptional preaching. The best part though (at least for me) is getting to visit with the other evangelists that are there.

The Pulaski Association is one of a very few associations that really promotes the use of evangelists in its churches.
With so few churches still having revivals or crusades, the role of the evangelist is changing ... or just fading out. Many small churches feel that they cannot afford to have an evangelist come and most large churches don't seem to feel that they want or need one.

I know that times have changed and that the methods of sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus have also changed.
I know that there are many that wield their Bibles as swords to slay the wicked rather than to share the grace and mercy of God.
I know that some Christians can be judgmental and harsh -- none of us is perfect.
And I know that many Christians are frustrated and feel guilty about how little we have been doing to glorify God...

...But we still have to share the message of salvation.

Vocational evangelists are gifted in different ways to help churches and church members spread the word. Sometimes a word of encouragement or sharing a simple method is all a church needs to get busy ministering to their community. Sometimes it's something more that is needed. I really believe that God has gifted us to be able to serve His people and to equip them to serve others.

Telling people what you believe about eternity isn't supposed to be hard. If you believe that everyone will stand before God in judgment, and if you believe that there is no other way to heaven than by belief in Jesus, then don't you owe it to people to share that with them?

I know that not every situation or conversation will be the right time to engage in a discussion about things as deep as life and life after death. But for people that we care about, shouldn't we find a way to make time to share the simple message that God loves you and Jesus died for you?
Shouldn't we feel good about inviting them to church or a church event?
What's so hard about a simple invitation?
Sure -- they may say "no" but so what? Invite anyway.
We are not tasked with making believers. We are only tasked with sharing the story.
So find a way to share the story -- God loves you. Jesus died for you.

Have a grand week!

John <><

Riding Naked -- and I Like It!

Yes, dear friends, I've decided to go "naked."

For non-riders, that means riding my motorcycle without the windscreen.

I really like the looks of a motorcycle without a windscreen. I didn't know how I would feel about riding without one. I expected to feel a lot of push against my body but wasn't expecting as much against my head. Missouri is a helmet law state and I have a full face helmet. Turning to the side to check for traffic was a little bit of a surprise. There is no aerodynamic design from the side of the helmet!

Chances are good that I'll stay with a full face helmet or at least one that offers some facial protection from the wind and bugs as summer approaches. I also like the full face for cold weather riding. I've been looking at some modular helmets and expect that is where I'll end up.

But back to riding naked...

I can see where a long ride might take some getting used to. I remember reading one biker's comments that his forearms got tired for his first couple of long rides each season. I don't think that will be a problem, but can see how it might. I can also see a bit of a challenge to basic core muscles as you do catch a lot of wind. I don't know how tiring that will be and only know of one way to find out.

The good news is that as long as I leave the mounting bracket on, it only takes a few minutes (four bolts) to add or remove the windscreen, so I can always put it back on before a long trip if I decide that I want to and then take it off easily when I return.

For now, it is all an experiment and so far -- I Am Lovin' It!

Even though it will take some getting used to, I imagine that I'll ride without it most of the time. I'll start with shorter rides and build up and see how I feel after a few hundred miles. I plan on riding it to the Pulaski Baptist Association Evangelism Conference next week (about 100 miles) and will have it handy for some afternoon riding. Chris is planning on coming to the Saturday night music worship and can bring my magic for that night in her car. We'll have to drive separately because she won't be staying for the conference.
I think I can handle most of my stuff in the saddlebags and strapped to the sissy bar.
I am looking forward to it.

The weather is supposed to be decent. I'll have to check again as the weekend approaches.

Yeah, I know...
It's a pretty rough life I live!

John <><

Quiet time thoughts...

I'm enjoying our afternoon down time on the Monday of the Pulaski Association Evangelism Conference. The typical schedule for this conference is to begin on a Saturday night with an evening of music and worship led by the music evangelists that are in attendance. On Sunday, we are all in different churches within the host Association for both AM and PM services.

Then we meet on Monday and Tuesday mornings from 9:20 - noon, and on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6:15 - 9.

There is some really good preaching and it is always a grand time of worship led by our music people. Associational conferences like this one are quite rare. In Missouri, it is one of only two such conferences (that I am aware of) that still take place each year. I feel extremely blessed to be invited to participate, year after year.

Churches that hold revivals or crusades are also in decline. In many cases, larger churches feel they have outgrown the need for revivals, newer churches feel that revivals are too old fashioned and smaller churches feel like they can't afford to bring an evangelist in for a revival. While it is hard for me to say if any of these are true or not, I can say that most of us will come if our expenses are covered and for whatever offering is received. We are located throughout the state and many times are close enough that no lodging expenses are needed or can make some arrangements to help cover that.

I really do wish that more pastors would utilize the gifts that are given to those that are called to serve as full-time (or part-time) evangelists. Even if your event isn't a traditional revival or crusade, there are many ways that we can serve your churches.

I am so excited about what will be taking place in the coming year for me. I have already scheduled events for the spring, summer and fall. I have been asked to preach for several revivals and also to provide the message in magic for other church or community events. With the air traffic gig behind me, there is little to get in the way of scheduling events.

In the past, I have not done too many revivals. There may be a number of reasons for this, but one of the evangelists shared some thing in his morning message that I really needed to hear. He was speaking of himself, but what he said fit for me, too.

This is what he said:
"Maybe if people could see more of Jesus when they see me, I'd book more revivals."

Wow!
I think I have some work to do.

John <><

Pulaski Association Evangelism Conference

This coming weekend is the beginning of the 2015 Pulaski Association Evangelism Conference.

I don't know how many years this makes for the conference, but I believe I've been able to attend all but one year of the ten or so they've had.
Saturday night is a dinner and then a night of musical worship led by all of our attending music evangelists. Somewhere around the middle of the program I'll have a few minutes to share a message using some kind of visual illustration. Although I hesitate to use an illustration that does not use an illusion of some sort, once again, this year's Saturday night message will not.

Sunday morning and Sunday evening will find all of the evangelists preaching and singing in different churches throughout the association. We will gather together again on Monday and Tuesday mornings and evenings to hear some pretty good messages and worship together with some good music.

I'll do a little magic on Monday and Tuesday evenings and I get an usual opportunity to preach in the Monday morning session. I am really looking forward to the conference this year. I already have several revivals and events scheduled for the coming year and hope to be able to work with churches from the Pulaski Association, too.

I would encourage other pastors and church staff to consider calling your evangelists for this year's events as soon as possible. Many churches are already booking fall events while others have not yet scheduled spring or summer events. If you have the events on your calendars, you should consider scheduling your speakers at the earliest opportunity.

#GiveEmHeaven

John <><

Going with the Flow

It's another beautiful day in the Ozarks -- a sunny, but cool winter morning. There is a light dusting of snow and frost on the street in front of my house that will melt off pretty quickly today. It is not supposed to get too warm today, but the weekend is supposed to be very springlike in its temperatures.

In keeping with my introverted tendencies and my retirement isolation, yesterday's personal interactions total (other than Chris) was 1. That was the guy that came to do the appraisal for our re-fi.

Today will be different as the Missouri Baptist State Evangelism Conference begins in Springfield. This afternoon and tomorrow will find me greeting old friends and talking about evangelistic events and revivals that will be taking place throughout the state this year. It would be a tremendous blessing to book a couple of events.

One of the things that I've noticed in my mini-isolation period is that I don't keep up on the news very well. There is plenty of unreliable news available on Facebook and there are good news sources in my Twitter feed, but I tend to ignore most Facebook links and just haven't felt the need to follow up on many of those Twitter links. Right now, my little corner of the world is a peaceful place and I like it that way.

I managed to get somethings done yesterday without interacting with anyone else. I didn't have the radio on for news or music. The house was ... quiet. It was wonderful!

Today will be different, but that's okay. I'll stop for coffee on the way to the conference and I will enjoy my time talking with old friends. If I feel like I need to get away, I can. I'm sure that it will be a good day. There has been no real stress in my life this week and I don't expect any today. Plans have been pretty loose and I am just going with the flow.

So far, it's been a pretty smooth ride.

John <><

It's February!

While much of the country is getting snow this weekend, the Ozarks managed to get rain (when it was above freezing) and wind (now that the temperature has dropped).
On the one hand, that's good since you don't have to shovel rain or wind! On the other hand, I was kind of hoping for some wintry weather just because I don't have to get out in it!

We have had a pretty mild winter so far, but there are still plenty of days ahead and I doubt that we'll escape unscathed.

But it is February!

February is the month that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training Camp!
February is the month that baseball gets underway.
February is the month that baseball fans across the country realize that if baseball is starting in Arizona and Florida, then spring is just around the corner! I can already taste that ball park hotdog!

I know, I know. February is more than just baseball.

For me, it will also be a time for me to plan much of my ministry calendar.
With two evangelism conferences (one at the beginning of the month and one at the end) I hope to make a few contacts and secure a few dates for camps, revivals, special events, etc. The year is already shaping up nicely.

I hope that you enjoy your February!

John <><

Planning Ahead for Churches and Pastors

Working my ministry calendar has never been a real priority. My work calendar has always dictated just how much I could put into ministry. I have often been amazed at how I could make it to the end of August with few dates for the fall and then have one of the busiest seasons ever!

Because income has never been an issue for me (God has provided me a great career), I have never worked to get bookings for revivals, shows or special events. And I have never worried about not having anything on my schedule. Income still won't be the issue in the future, but I feel that I need to make the most of my available time by planning for working in ministry.

Here's where I'm going with this--

You have your church calendar planned out for next year. When are you planning to fill in the blanks on who to invite as your guest preacher, entertainer, camp pastor, etc.?
Sometimes I get calls for events that are annual events (like Upwards Basketball or VBS), but I don't get the call until a month (or week) before the event takes place!

I still don't plan on being the guy with calendar in hand, looking for bookings at conventions or conferences, but I do plan on being a little more proactive when it comes to looking for ministry opportunities.

For all of the evangelists, entertainers and missionaries I am urging all of the pastors, planners and committees to book your events as early in the year as possible--like January! If you plan on spring revivals, I hope that you have already booked a speaker! You can be a blessing to those that count on meetings and calendar dates by allowing them to plan ahead for your event and giving them a little peace of mind that they have work ahead of them.

I am so exited to have a couple of spring events already on the calendar! I am hoping to have some camps (kids/youth/families) for the summer as well as a VBS event or two.

Let's plan on a grand 2015!

John <><

Easy Transition

I really don't think I'll have any problems transitioning into retirement.

I know that taking a few days off is nothing compared to being retired, but still -- I think I'll manage the change quite nicely.

I took last Friday off and had a nice long walk at the Springfield Nature Center with Chris.
Saturday was an easy day with Chris working and me doing very little.
Sunday night I had the opportunity to preach for a group at the Laclede Baptist Camp.
I also took a couple of days off (Mon/Tue) to hang out at the Fellowship of Missouri Baptist Evangelists' booth at the Missouri Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. I was excited to be able to share about my winter retirement plans and how that meant an open schedule for 2015. I was able to talk to several pastors about possible dates and events for the spring!

I have a magic show to prepare, lesson plans to write (apologetics), a book to work on (writing, not reading) and plenty of household projects. I seriously doubt that I'll ever be pacing in my living room and saying I'm bored as I often do in the tracon.

I'm sure that there will be plenty of adjustments to make, but I'm looking forward to them.

I expect that I'll be cooking more and we'll be eating out a little less often. I'm not sure how Chris feels about that but we'll be eating better (than eating out). I'm not too big on salad prep. I love eating them, but Chris is the salad chef in the house, not me.

In any case, the days off have really helped me to feel like it is time!

They very first week of retirement is the Missouri Baptist State Evangelism Conference, here in Springfield. They end of February is the Pulaski Association Evangelism Conference. I need to work on a March trip to Florida for a little spring baseball. April is Easter and my first tentative spring revival.

I don't think I would have time to go to work...or to be bored!

I am a happy boy!

John <><