It's Almost A New Year

Hi everyone,

I hope you have had a good Christmas and will have a blessed New Year. Can you believe it? 2007 is just around the corner. And it seems like just a short time ago we were worrying that all the computers would stop working when 2000 got here.

A lot of changes will take place next year. New technology, new medicines, other discoveries, perhaps a new country will go to war. Only God knows what will take place. As you get ready to enter 2007, what are your thoughts concerning eternity? Everyone of us is going to spend eternity somewhere. The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to the earth soon and take all the Christians to heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ). But what about those who are not Christians (those who have not asked Christ into their heart)? What will happen to them? The Bible says they will be left behind and go through the great tribulation. A time when the antichrist will rule the world and people will get a taste of hell.

What are your plans for eternity? Are you ready to die? If this was your last day on earth, would you be ready to die? Some tough questions to consider.

I am not into religion. Religion will not do much for you. It's knowing Christ as your personal Savior that I am into. It's not Buddah, Mohammad, or anyone else that will take you to heaven. It's Jesus and Him only. Read Romans 10:9-10 for directions on how to ask Christ into your life.

God's blessings on you.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Don't Let Your Imaginations Run Away

Thousands of people have made plans to escape from the realities of life. A word that is fairly common is "escapism." The dictionary defines it as "a retreat from reality into an imaginary world." For me, my imagination takes me to Mayberry. If every problem and stressful situation was as simple as Andy's, Barney's and Opie's. There's nothing wrong with using your imagination. But Solomon spoke of the unregenerate heart as one which is inclined to excessive fantasy. The dream world Satan promotes always ends with disillusionment. Thousands of people live in an unreal dream world, while shirking their responsibilities toward their families and toward God. The Bible teaches that with Christ in your heart, you can face the realities of life. Even though they are hard, the grace of God will give you greater joy and pleasure than any dream world to which you try to escape.
"Casting down imaginations...and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

2 Corinthians 10:5


Much of the information contained in the above blog is from Rev. Billy Graham's book, "Day by Day."

There's A Lot Going On

Hi everyone,

The world is sitting on a powder keg not knowing what's going to happen next. Israel and Lebanon, the near disaster in the United Kingdom, Iraq & Afghanistan and the United States. What is North Korea and Iran going to do? And how about the sleeping giant China? You know, if my confidence was in these countries and others working out the world's problems I'd be very concerned. But, my hope is not there, it's in God and Him alone.

We are going into the weekend not knowing what is going to happen. However, God does and if you put your trust in Him (and if you are not saved, get your heart right with Him), your concerns become His and your hope becomes His certainty. He can handle anything the world throws at Him.

Have a blessed weekend and Go Tigers!

Pastor Gary

How To Stay Alert In Church

From the book, "The Christian Handbook", Augsburg Books, comes suggestions on how to stay alert (awake?) in church.

1. Get enough sleep. Try your best to turn in early on Saturday nights.

2. Drink plenty of water, though not too much. It is easier to remain alert when you are well hydrated.

3. Eat a high protein breakfast. If your diet allows it, eat foods high in protein. Eating a breakfast with high sugar intake can make you drowsy.

4. Focus on your posture. Sit up straight. Avoid slouching as this encourges sleepiness.

5. If all else fails, consider pinching yourself. Dig your nails into the fleshy part of your arm or leg and pinch yourself.

If these steps don't work or they cause problems, you didn't hear it from me.


'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

How Precious the Word

I recently read in the August issue of Pulpit Helps, published by AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 37422, the following from John Meador, Senior Pastor of Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN ...

"Believers cannot handle the serious stuff of life, because they aren't hearing the serious stuff of the Scripture." He further states, "His (God) Word does what only the Word can do. The Word builds faith, it increases one's knowledge of God, it builds endurance in times of temptation, it gives direction and guidance for everyday living. It convicts of sin and corrects into the right way of living. In a word, it transforms."

2 Timothy 2: 15 re-enforces the need to live by God's Word. How are we going to win our families and friends to Jesus if we live by worldly standards? It's God's Word that changes our lives and will give lasting change to others.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Who Do You Stand For?

Relationships are wonderful if they are the right kind. In my message today I preached about the friendship that Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego had. There relationship was tested different times but maybe none so much as the firery furnace incident. They, along with the rest of the city, were told to bow and worship the false god that the king had made. They refused and were thrown in the furnace.

If you and I were close friends and were faced with a similar situation, I wonder what our stance would be? Would we say as the Hebrew children did that they would not bow and worship the false god or would we maybe compromise a little bit and pretend to worship the false god just to keep from having problems? It's something to consider. Chances are that we will not be threatened by a fiery furnace but we will face some big tests that will force us to make a decision. Do we stand firm in our devotion to God or do we compromise (no one will ever know) and keep on worshiping God to the best of our ability?

That that held Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego's relationship as friends together was not fear of the king but their love for God. He was the twine that kept them strong. Let me ask you a question. Is there anything in this life worth breaking your devotion to God? Isn't it time we stood firm in our godly convictions? Isn't it time we let people know by how we live who is the Lord and Master of our life?

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Where Is Your Faith?

Everyone has a measure of faith. We have faith that we we sit down the chair will hold us, etc. That's one kind of faith. But where is your faith when it comes to God? Do you believe His Word? Do you believe He gave His Son to die on the cross for you? Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead?

You may believe that God is good but is He so good that He would give His Son to die for me? The answer is yes, and it's not that God is just good, it's that He loves you more than you can comprehend. Now comes the part of acting on your faith. You must believe more than that God loves you. You need to believe the rest (His Word, that He gave Jesus to die and that He raised Him from the dead). Impossible stuff? Yes, for mankind, but not for God.

Exercise your faith today if you have not already done so and believe what I have just shared with you. It's in the Bible (Romans 10: 1-10). Ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of all your sins (Romans 3: 23). Then, start reading the Bible (an easy to read version is the New Living Translation (NLT) and watch your faith take off.

With faith in God and His Word, you've got an eternal world to learn about.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

The Truth or Not the Truth

I recently read about a pastor who had a friend who was an actor. The actor was drawing large crowds while the pastor was preaching to just a few. The pastor asked his friend why his crowds were so much larger. His friend replied, "I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."

Often we Christians give the impression that the truth is fiction by the way we live and by the lack of commitment to the teachings of our Lord.

Psalm 145: 12 "They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign."

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

What Do You Think Is Going On?

Hi everyone,

Years ago I heard someone say that the Middle East was a powder keg ready to blow. Well, it might be blowing as we speak. Israel is blasting away at a terriost group in Lebanon as the world watches. But someone out of this world is watching as well.

I don't know about you but it gets my heart jumping a little bit more when I think that Christ could be ready to come and get us. I've always wanted to leave this life in the rapture. Do you think we are close to the rapture of the church? Let me know what you think and I will share it with others.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

What A Week!

This is Monday, July 17 and what a week this past week was. Kathy and I were priviliged to have 12 ladies from Urban Harvest Ministries in the South Bronx in NYC in our home. They were here to minister in downtown Detroit and South Dearborn. Several souls were saved in Detroit and seed planted in South Dearborn in the Muslim community.

I admire these faithful ladies who took 8 days out of their lives and came to Detroit to show the love of Christ. While in our home I saw them pray, study the Word, and show Christ through their everyday lives. Kathy and I are proud to know them.

Please pray for UHM as they continue to work for the Lord in Urban areas of America. And, pray for those they won to the Lord and witnessed too this past week.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Going Home

A dear saint went home to be with the Lord this morning. She was looking forward to it for some time. I'm sure we will refer to it as a "Homegoing Celebration" (she would like that). This woman had such faith that she would praise the Lord through song while in the hospital even though she knew that she probably would be leaving this life soon. The grace of God will do that for a person.

Jesus had gone away to prepare a place for her and now it is finished. One of my most special memories of her is her shouting. She'd get happy in the Lord at church and would shout. Some would look at this strangely but I look at it as precious. You see, she had something to shout about.

It truly is a "Homegoing Celebration."

Way to go Sis. Stanley!

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Youth Group

Hi everyone,

I am very sorry I haven't kept my blog up to date (no excuse). I want to invite you to check out our new youth website. Youth Pastor Roger Gurganus is doing a great job with our youth and if you don't have a church to go to we would love for you to bring your youth to be a part of our youth group (7th grade through 12th).

Have a blessed day.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Be The Man You Were Created To Be

Let me share with you a portion of an article from Kenny Luck, Men's Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. Kenny talks about our need as men for accountability. He says in New Man Magazine, May/June 2006 issue,: The more accountable we are as God's men, the healthier we are as individuals and, consequently, the healthier our body of believers becomes. That's why more of God's men need to have a Jonathan and David moment. One God's man simple commits the following to the other: "The Lord is witness between you and me" (1 Samuel 20: 42, NIV). In other words, we are each other's spiritual space invaders, and we won't let each other fail spiritually.

Not only are we accountable to God, in Christ we are accountable to each other.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Healing Broken Hearts

Many people experience broken hearts. I will confess that mine has been broken different times. And a broken heart hurts awfully bad.

Healing takes a long time and even after the healing, we still remember the hurt. God is an expert in healing broken hearts and other hurts. The secret is to give the hurt to Him. Sometimes it's hard to let go. In the movie "Father of the Bride," Steve Martin got it right when he said to the dogs that were chasing him, "Release." Release and let the hurt sail up to God.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Taking Time

One of the things I have recently changed is taking time for myself. That includes alone time, Kathy and me time, me and the family time. The point is, I am rejuvenated by spending time with my family and also being alone.

This is a type of "weekly" healing. Six days of work, one day of repair. If we don't apply some of the advice we give to others, they well be repaired and we will remain broken.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

This Too Shall Pass

Many times I have been in situations that I did not want to be in. Some were my own doing and some were not. Depending on my spiritual "condition" at the time, I learned some valuable things:

1. Bad things are going to happen.
2. It's frightening.
3. It hurts.
4. It tests me.
5. It grows me.
6. It strengthens me.
7. It helps me appreciate my life more.
8. It's "normal."

We all face trying times, but they shall pass, even if it means "passing" us into eternity. For the Christian, that is everlasting life with God. A place of joy, peace, perfect health, etc. But for the non-Christian, eternity means a very real place called hell. A place of torment, total sorrow, loneliness, separation from God.

Have you made your choice? (Romans 10: 9,10)

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Ten Guidelines From God

My son recently me a list of Ten Guidelines from God. I thought they were worth sharing...

1. Quit Worrying. I am here to take all our burdens and carry them for you.
2. Put It On the List. Tell me and I'll put it on my to-do list. I can handle it. After all, I'm God.
3. Trust Me. Once you've shared with me, trust me to get involved.
4. Leave It Alone. Don't wake up one moring and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think i can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple, kyou gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them.
5. Talk to Me. You may forget about a lot of things, but don't forget to talk with Me. I want to hear from you every day, maybe even several times a day.
6. Have Faith. Have faith in me that I know what I am doing.
7. Share. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy, laughter, tears for those who have forgotten how to cry, your possessions, your faith.
8. Be Patient.
9. Be Kind.
10.Love others as you love yourself.

'Til the storm passes.

Pastor Gary

Do You Know What Slop Is?

When I was a boy on the farm in Alabama we used to feed the pigs left over scrapes, etc. We called it "slopping the hogs." It wasn't the most pleasant looking food but the hogs didn't seem to mind. But for me, slop was nasty. Can you imagine eating something like that?

In Luke 15: 11-24 we have the story of the prodigal son. This was a young man that left home to "find himself." He asked his dad for his inheritance and took off for new adventures. Well, his adventures led him to the pig pen. He spent all of his inheritance and got to the point that he had to take a job "slopping" the hogs. From riches to the pig pen. Things got so bad that he was thinking about eating some of the slop. This young man had sunk to the bottom.

Sometimes it is when we are at the bottom of our life that we come to our senses as the prodigal son did. He said I'll go back home and see if my dad will hire me as one of his servants. He was willing to now serve, instead of receive. When his dad saw him coming he ran to him and gave him a big hug, a robe to wear, and threw him a big party.

Have you ever been in the pig pen? Has your life sunk so low that you felt like there was no hope, that you had made such a mess of things that you might as well end it all? Well, I've got good news for you. God wants to give you a big hug, clean you up, put a new robe on you, and throw you a party. All you have to do is confess your pig pen ways, believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, and you shall be saved.

What are you willing to do? The Father is looking down the road for you to come home.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Peace At Last

In his book, Day by Day, Billy Graham shares this insight into peace...

"The sea was beating against the rocks in huge, dashing waves. The lightning was flashing, the thunder was roaring, the wind was blowing; but the little bird wsas asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head serenely under its wing, sound asleep. That is peace -- to be able to sleep in the storm! In Christ, we are relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusion, bewilderments, and perplexities of life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. We have found peace -- at last!" (Romans 14: 19)

In Christ, there is peace. Not only peace, but lasting peace. Peace that is there when I hurt, am lonely, struggling. He is my hope and my peace.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Not My Strength

There is a verse in Zechariah 4 that offers encouragement to God's children. It says, "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (v.6).

Sometimes we struggle with waiting. We live in a microwave society that wants things to happen right away. We want answers, solutions, resolutions, etc. now. I think we have been so accustomed to having so much readily available to us that when it's necessary to "wait upon the Lord" we have a hard time. One of the things we need to understand is that God does things in His time, not ours.

I like what Paul the apostle said. "When I am weak, then I am strong." Our strength is not in our capabilities, but in God's. If we can learn to wait on God, we will find that it was worth the wait.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary