Three scenarios women never refer to as gossip..

I am the daughter of Dave and Joyce Hoke...the Granddaughter of Pearl and Bud...the sister of Cindy and Judy...and more aunts and uncles and cousins than I can name. That is the family I was born into by birth. And I thank God for every single part of them...the good and bad. But in my lifetime I have been blessed to be born into another family...the family of God. What has that meant in my life? Let me break it down in practical ways.

I have three daughters...amazing women given to me by God through natural birth...woohoo i cherish them! Along with those precious natural born daughters are a slew of daughters I have gained in Christ. My precious Eve, Natalie, Leah, Tiffany, Lindsie, Nicole, Brandy. These women are as precious to me as my own. I disciple them. I love their children. I laugh with them. I cry with them. God has blessed me.

But listen to this amazing other list of women: Janie Mauck (Leah's birth momma), Laura Savely (Natalies birth mother), Jeanette King (Nicole's momma), Paula Goins (the momma of Brandy Goins). These women have graciously shared their daughters with me and their grandbabies. We have prayed for our daughters, cried and rejoiced together over them, pulled our hair out together and learned to trust God together.

Another group of women....the women who have mothered me in the absence of my precious momma: Sue Bullington who scolds me and trains me like she does her own; Juanita Parkhill who taught me how to wife and mother; Leola Nichols who takes care of her Sunday school books while also keeping me in check; Ellen Brooks who reminds me daily of the unconditional love of Jesus by the way she loves me.

Women like Eve Hullette, Lisa King, Kathy Ward, I could go on and on.

Who would I be today without the investment of this "family" given by God? I am blessed. I have known true richness. I have known unconditional love and grace. Who am I, God, to be blessed with such unmerited favor?

Praise GOD!

I remember the very first Pinewood Derby I ever saw.

I returned from that event excited about the prospects of becoming a Cub Scout, and eventually a Boy Scout.  When I asked Dad if I could be in the Boy Scouts, he said, "They won't teach you anything that I can't teach you."  And he was right, mostly!

Dad taught me to shoot rifles and shotguns, and he taught me to do it well and safely.

Dad taught me how to raise a garden, including how to use an old-school push plow.

Dad taught me how to build a fire, even when it had been or was raining (knowing how to identify "jack" pine in the woods is the key).

Dad taught me how to load and handle and shoot old fashioned, patch and ball muzzle-loading rifles, with my saliva providing the lube for the patch!

Dad taught me how to skin, dress and cook just about every legal game animal in the Southeast.  We would even take combination camping and hunting trips where we would wash whatever we killed in the mountain creeks and cook them over an open fire and a hand-made "spit."  I've still never tasted meat as good as a fresh-killed squirrel cooked whole over a smokey campfire.

Dad taught me how to use all shapes and sizes of knives.

Dad taught me how to throw a tomahawk and use an ax.

Dad taught me how to hunt (and his Dad, my Granddaddy, taught me how to fish).

Dad taught me how to identify certain trees and plants in the woods, especially those animals use for food sources.

Dad taught me how to shoot a basketball, how to throw and catch a baseball, and how to swing a bat.

Dad taught me it was more than manly and OK to give a hug and kiss on the cheek and say "I love you" to those closest to you in life.

Dad taught me what a man looked like, walked like, spoke like, and thought like.

Dad taught me integrity, respect and dignity, and how to treat others.

Dad taught me pride in our family name, and the value of family loyalty.

Dad taught me the habit of gathering with the church several times a week, every week, without fail.

I'm sure Dad taught me far more than this short list.  But of all the things Dad taught me, without a doubt the most valuable lesson was the constant reminder Dad gave me of my absolute need as a sinner of Jesus, the One and Only Savior.

Thanks, Dad.  You were right . . . I didn't need the Boy Scouts!

Well, maybe I needed them to learn how to build a pinewood derby car, but in the overall scope of things, that seems so insignificant now.

I love you, Dad.  I praise God for choosing you to be my Dad.  Thanks for being my teacher, and for pointing me to the Master Teacher and Lord.

James 3:10 My brother out of the same mouth pour blessing and cursing. This should not be so. 

Well, I guess it's official.  According to an article in the Baptist Press paper by Tom Strode, "Human cloning apparently has arrived."  Some scientists in Oregon (big surprise, right?) report that they cloned human embryos.  Their purpose was to produce stem cells.  So, after only a few days of life, these scientists-turned-murderers "extracted" the stem cells.

In other words, they killed those human babies they had just made.

Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde are alive and well among us!  It sounds so innocent to say we want to "clone" human "embryos" to "harvest" their stem cells in order to maybe (and as of now it's a BIG maybe) preserve the lives of older humans.  Dr. Richard Land, however, sheds light on what really happened in Oregon:

"What these researchers are doing is creating a cloned human being in order to destroy that human being to harvest its stem cells for the benefit of older and bigger human beings.  There are words for such activity - barbaric and uncivilized."

Amen.  That's clear thinking and straight talk.  Wonder if the media will now embark on a nationwide anti-bullying campaign to protect the most innocent victims of this crime - human embryos?  I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you.

And do we really think this is where it will all end?  Just cloning to harvest stem cells?  Give depraved humanity an inch, and depraved humanity will take the proverbial mile every time!  And you professors want me to believe we are evolving and getting better as a human race?  LOL

Friends, this is playing God to the nth degree.  But you see, that's all we humans will ever really be able to do - just "play" God.  We shall never be God, no matter how highly we may think of our over-educated, enlightened, politically correct, tolerant selves.  We cannot speak something out of nothing.  We can only play with the materials God created in the beginning.

"God, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence that which does not exist" (Romans 4:17).

Our only hope has always been and shall ever be to be given the life of God.  The hope of these scientists is not in further research advancements.  Their research celebrates death because that's how dead people behave.  Their hope is for their dead souls to be given life by God's sovereign grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Pray for them, O Christian.  Preach to them, O Christian.  Weep for them, O Christian.  O Church Arise! 

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) signed its own death warrant at their national convention last week.  Granted, they did not go all the way down the path of destruction.  They now accept boys who are active homosexuals, but do not allow adult leaders who are active homosexuals to serve.  But, if we have learned anything from our US Military, we know where this journey is going to end.

And this is how sin works.  One little step away from God's Word, then another little step.  I give it no more than two years before the BSA fully embraces and endorses Adult Leaders who are openly living as homosexuals.

Sin is deceptive and masquerades as "logical."  But a closer look reveals its insanity.  The BSA, for example, thinks our 9 year old boys are safer in a tent at night with a 16 year old homosexual man than they are in a tent at night with a 40 year old homosexual man.

INSANITY!  Teens have NEVER been able to control their raging hormones, regardless of what types of sexual attractions they possess.  Boys are surely more likely to be abused under this arrangement!

And doesn't this also say something about our culture's infatuation with giving children all the authority while parents and adults are being stripped bare?  Apparently the worst thing any adult could ever do to a child is tell him or her "NO!"  Let parents forbid a child to become a practicing homosexual while living under their roofs and those parents will be branded as the worst kind of bigots.  We are becoming a society run by children!  They must get whatever they want.  They know best.  We adults are all the idiots, especially us Bible-believing ones.  Gone are the days of "Father Knows Best."

Well, given the recent actions and decisions of the Boy Scouts of America, the prayer of the Prophet Daniel came to mind:

Alas O Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.  Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.  Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame (Daniel 9:4-7).

The Prophet continued his prayer, begging God: "let now Your anger and wrath turn away . . . O God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.  O my God, incline Your ear and hear!  Open Your eyes and see our desolations . . . for we are not presenting our supplications to You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.  O Lord hear!  O Lord forgive!  O Lord listen and take action!  For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay" (Dan 9:16-19).

Amen, Brother Daniel.  Amen!  

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 18:22).

18 Years ago today, God gave me my "good thing!"  And He has so favored me, just as the Proverb says, by and through her Christ-like love.  

Michele is the Queen of my Heart.  She has loved me when I was unlovable.  She has tolerated tantrums and other ridiculous, selfish sins on my part.  She has been a sanctifying instrument in the Lord's hands, sharpening me as a man, as a friend, as a husband, as a Dad, and as a Pastor.

Michele - I am still your man!  May God give me grace to love you more and more like our precious Savior.  You amaze me and I am more enthralled with you now than ever before.  Keep pointing me to Jesus, and let's enjoy this amazing pursuit of Him, hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart.   

Soli Deo Gloria!

A few weeks ago, God graced me with the honor of baptizing an 80+ year old mother and saint of King Jesus.  Ms. Mildred, as we affectionately know her, cooks one of the best breakfasts I've ever had.  It was during one of those breakfasts that she had prepared for me and my family that she asked to speak to me about something.

Her tone was serious.  I was eager to hear from her.  She asked if I would baptize her and I immediately asked her to tell me why she wanted to be baptized (after all, she has been a member of our local congregation for many years).

Her reason was biblical, and one I am hearing more and more frequently as a Pastor.  She had been baptized as a younger girl, mostly because it seemed like a good idea.  Yet, God had not regenerated her heart and therefore all she was for years was a person who went to church services, had gotten dunked, and lived life like she wanted to.  But all that changed in the years thereafter.  At some point Ms. Mildred did indeed have a life-changing encounter with the Risen Savior, and she has loved and served Him ever since!

And as the years passed by, the Holy Spirit began to convict this dear old saint that she had not been obedient to biblical believer's baptism.  So, though her body surely did not enjoy the long flight of stairs to get into and out of our baptistry, and though her breathing condition made her labor all the more, Mildred honored God.  And the joy of Jesus was on her face as she came up out of those waters!  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

What a wonderful picture of what God's saving and sanctifying grace really does in our lives.  God's Spirit convicts and then encourages and enables our obedience.  We are compelled to obey even if it hurts us or demands sacrifice from us.  Thank you, Sister Mildred, for the reminder that "Jesus Paid it all, All to Him We Owe."

May Ms. Mildred's example inspire others to follow hard after Christ, regardless of the cost.  May her family members and friends who have not yet had their lives changed from the inside out by Jesus humbly seek the grace and mercy of God.  May God increase her tribe for His glory!

We have a Wii and we have a program called Wii fit. It is an exercise dealie . . . how in the world exercise could ever be thought of as fun is beyond me, but, anyway, one of the goals of this program is to create good posture and balance.  Anyone who knows me knows that balance and me are, well, not well acquainted.  I am the reason weebles wobble and do fall down.  So, it is a hoot for my family to watch me "balance" on the Wii.  There is one game in particular called soccer head.  In soccer head you are supposed to stand on the Wii board and move your upper body to hit the soccer balls with your head.  Now, this is a hard enough challenge but you also have to miss the stinking panda bears and dirty tennis shoes they throw at you.  Well, I have consistently scored under 10.  I see one coming to the left and jerk all the way left to get it, then to the right and jerk all the way to get it and then they throw one through the middle.  I inevitably cannot get my body back to the middle.  I cannot get it to stop swinging from one side to the other.  The ones in the middle always get away, and the pandas and tennis shoes on the outside always kill me.  No balance whatsoever!

According to a recent Family Research Council report, 45% of children ages 15-17 in America have been raised in intact families (a Dad and Mom in the home).  That's a surprising statistic, and if accurate is higher than I would expect!

Sad, though, isn't it, that 45% seems to be "high."  Essentially 6 of 10 children aged 15-17 have not been raised in an intact family.  Sounds worse when said that way, huh?

Before I go any further, I want to pause and make clear the mandate of the Gospel of Christ to His Church is to "make disciples of all the peoples."  This means we can and should be reaching out with gospel love and grace to single moms, drunkard runaway Dads, divorcees, never-marrieds, and yes, even the good old intact families of America.  We all need Jesus, and I desire the church I pastor to continue to be a place that loves and evangelizes and disciples all peoples from all walks of life.

That said, the biblical ideal is either single-hood for the purpose of fully serving God, or marriage between one man and one woman for life that seeks to raise godly offspring (Gen 2:24; Mal 2:15; Matt 19:3-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35).  This we cannot compromise; for God has spoken.

What struck me as a bit odd, perhaps troubling, about the Family Research Council report was how many supposedly "conservative, church-going" states `rank`ed poorly in the intact family percentages.  The 20 States with the lowest percentages of children ages 15-17 raised in an intact family included:

• My State of Residence, Indiana.
• My home State of KY.
• West Virginia, Missouri.
• North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia.

The four bottom states were: Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Friends, if the South is ever going to rise again she must renounce this ungodly trend and run back to God's way of doing home and family!  I cannot help but wonder, "What are all the churches in the south doing, anyway?"  Good grief, there is a church on every corner of nearly every Southern town!

The Family Research Council report noted that children raised in intact families will grow up to be less dependent on government welfare programs, and are less likely to need government assistance.  So, the government clearly has an interest in promoting intact families, or at least it should!

But far greater and weightier than that, the Church of the Risen Savior has an immense interest in promoting and equipping people to pursue biblical godliness in the home!  Or, at least she should have an immense interest.  Apparently many churches in the South still have not gotten God's memo on the home and family, or more truthfully, they are merely neglecting it.

God help us in the Church, however, to never be satisfied with large percentages of intact families.  That is only a very basic starting place.  God's ideal is a Dad who leads out like Christ, loves sacrificially like Christ, and teaches the Word to His family ever bit as consistently as he puts physical bread on their tables!  God's ideal is a Mom who submits like Christ, who pours herself into her home day-in-day-out, who rejects slothfulness, and who nurtures her children like Father God.  God's ideal is children joyfully submitting to parental authority, even as they look to God as the Highest Law in the Land.

Doing home God's way is a high calling!  Who is sufficient for these things?  Nobody, apart from Christ.

"Apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13).