Why do bad things happen to good people? This question is one I often hear asked after the tragic death of a loved one, especially when it is a person that is such a good person. There is a wrong premise though. We are not good people. Scripture tells us that there is "no one who does good, not even one." The reality is that we live in a sinful world. We all play a part in why bad things happen. We are all guilty to some degree. My prayer is that God forgive me for my part in causing the misery of others.

Death does not respect anyone. Death does not respect age, race, or sex. Death is part of life. When one is born, he or she is born with a disease called death. Death is an enemy of God; but God has defeated death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is my hope, a certain and for sure hope! It is a hope that I pray you have too, if you are reading this. I pray that no other parent ever goes through what we are going through. The pain is the deepest of pains and yet I can also say that God's grace is as deep as the pain.

Someone who comes from a different background than I-- a person who has been raised in the projects and the only family he has ever experienced is gang life-- realized something through this. As he looked at all the cars at my mom's house where we are staying and as he has seen so many people come by, stay for hours, sleep at our house with us, he made this comment: "I have never seen anything like this. So many people, so much family. I have never experienced anything like it." My response was simple. "His name is Jesus and what you see in all these people are the hands and feet of Christ walking us through this pain." God was faithful before the death of my son and He is faithful today. There are times I ask why. I don't ever get an answer, but as in the words of Job, I can say this:

"I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
and repent"

God, forgive my part in the misery of others and may Your Glory shine! No Regrets!

Finished up Hosea series today. Here are some thoughts from today's service.
-Started service by confessing my own sin of failing to believe in the miraculous every time God's word is opened and preached. This came in response to a sermon by Johnny Hunt at Southern Baptist Convention Pastor's Conference this past week.

-Final message from Hosea is this: Return to the Lord and find healing and renewal!

-Stumbling is a result of sin. When you sin, expect to stumble.

-In order to return to God, one needs to confess the sins that have resulted in breaking fellowship with God.

-One must repent to experience the forgiveness of God. You cannot continue to dabble in sin. You must want God more than you want your sin.

-Thank God that He shows the orphan mercy!

-For those that return to God, they can expect healing and renewal.

-It is time for the church to be the church in our society! We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

-The church in America needs to repent because the church looks too much like the world. For those at RSC, it starts with us!

-Hosea 14:9 simply explains that if we read the word correctly, then we will understand what is taught, apply it in our life and walk in His ways. If we don't, we can expect to stumble.

-God is the only One worthy of your worship, your honor, your glory.

I believe there is no greater thing than the glory of God. When all is said and done and my life is over, I pray that it could be said that I brought glory to God! This is no easy task. In fact, it is an impossible one--apart from the work of Christ in one's life. 20 years ago this year, I tried to take my life. I should have died, but were it not for Jesus Christ who quickened my heart and saved my life. I was blind, but then I could see and I have never gotten over it! I don't want to. There have been times that I have lost sight of it, but again the Holy Spirit would remind me that I am a child of God. Giving glory to God is not the easist thing to do either. In fact, it is usually the hardest to do. There is always the temptation to steal His glory. Then there is the temptation to please others. There is the temptation to follow my heart even though I know it is deceptive above all things. But, when you understand that there is no greater thing than the glory of God, you strive to do what brings Him glory. Bringing God glory is always the right thing to do. And so I pray. I pray that when my life is over, and if there is anything that is said of me, let it only be this: He gave glory to God!

My dad passed away on April 24 of this year. Before his passing, while in the hospital, we talked about how he wanted to help clear some of the church land with his dozer. My dad talked about wanting to do everything he could to help the vision of RSC become a reality. He explained how he knew the building was not the vision, but it was certainly part of accomplishing the vision.

Well, it has been nearly 20 years since I last ran his dozer. I wanted to honor my dad and one way I could honor him was to show up on the RSC work day, on his dozer, and help clear the land. I had a blast! I was asked if it was sad for me to run his dozer. Absolutely not! It was one more way I could honor my father, and what a great weekend to do it. Tomorrow is, of course, Father's Day.

I believe that by honoring my Father, I was able to honor my heavenly Father too. It was great to see so many people show up and help. I praise God for today! Certainly, I hope that all of you will honor your Father for Father's Day. More importantly, I hope you remember to honor our heavenly Father too! Every day should be His day, so look for ways to honor Him everyday. Honor your Father and Happy Father's Day!

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary of our Toward Tomorrow Together-The Journey Begins campaign. Below are a few reflections from our celebration service as well as from our church picnic yesterday evening.

-Many people loved the video we shot out on our church land. Check it out: Toward Tomorrow Together Skit

-We have to be clear about what God has called us to do. It is more than a building. It is more than just filling seats. It is more than just having a good Sunday service. It is about changing lives with the gospel of Jesus Christ, one life at a time!

-You must be willing to share Christ and live Christ 24/7. If you are willing to do that, it must start with a reckless abandonment of self and a furious focus on Christ!

-Paul sets a great example of this kind of reckless abandonment and furious focus as seen in Romans 9:1-3

Reflections from the church picnic
-Thanks to Arlene Matthai, Bert Crye, Kayla Crawford, Gary and Dorothy Cross for helping setup for the picnic! It was a great success!

-Great turnout of folks and loved getting to know new people and just hanging out with everyone.

-If you missed out, make sure you plan to attend our next picnic event on July 12

Here are a few reflections from this past Sunday...
-Continuing through Hosea, focusing on chapters 8-10
-Israel continues to maintian its arrogant attitude of knowing God. Israel, however, has compromised their faith and they are blind to it. (Hosea 8:2-3)
-Just as Gomer loved prositution, Israel has a love for false gods.
-What sin do you love so much that you keep returning to it?
-Hosea's instruction to Israel: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you" (Hosea 10:12).
-Even after all of Israel's sin, compromise, and worship of false gods, God was willing to show them grace.
-Tough message to preach, but you will never understand the love, grace and mercy of God apart from understanding His holiness, righteousness, discipline, and judgment.
-It is time to seek the Lord!
-Your confessions of faith must be supported by your daily life of faith!

At RSC this past week, we looked at Hosea 4:1-7:16. It is hard to elaborate fully on this passage, so I want to blog about some specific verses in this passage this week. Today, I want to look at Hosea 4:16, "Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; can the Lord now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture?"

The problem with being stubborn is that the moment I think I am not being stubborn, I am most likely being stubborn. People who are stubborn are blind to being stubborn. If you don't believe me, just ask my wife.

As you reflect on your spiritual journey, are you more like the stubborn heifer or are you more like the submissive lamb? The submissive lamb accepts what God has for him or her, rather than going its own way. When we choose to do what we want and justify it for whatever reason, we are the stubborn heifer.

Where are you being the stubborn heifer in your life right now? Stop what you are doing, ask God for forgiveness for being stubborn and start being submissive to what God wants to do in your life. It might not be easy, but it is certainly best!