Mid-Week Check In

Hello all. Been a busy week. Now that baseball has begun both at the park and on my tube, I find my time and attention diverted often. The weather the last few weeks has been awesome except for the pollen.

• The crowd was a little lower this past Sunday than in past weeks. I am not sure why, but I hope Spring Fever and Lake Martin are not affecting us too bad. God has given us some great blessings to enjoy and wired us to need a Sabbath regularly. However, I caution us to make sure that we keep our priority on honoring Christ and his bride on Sundays and pursue our recreational opportunities around that.
• Although the crowd was smaller, the atmosphere was still great. I saw some more guests with us this week. It appears that most every week we are having some new people on the campus. I am thankful for our Guest Services teams that are stepping up to help people feel welcome.
• We were also blessed to have Baylie Kizzah share with us in song Sunday morning. She is a very talented young lady with an awesome voice and a heart for God.
• On Monday and Tuesday, Miles Ward, Bill Young, and I went to McDowell, Kentucky to scout out our mission trip this summer. We are working with God's Appalachian Partnership there. We have selected a couple of homes to do some construction work on. We also have some interesting ministry opportunities at the Distribution Center. Be in prayer for us. We have about 8 spots left that we can fill if you feel led to go.
• I read a great book this week by John Maxwell that I will post a review on for my blog. I am about to start a book recommended to me by my friend Jason Seales called "The Trellis and the Vine". It's about how pastors approach ministry and creating a culture that truly helps us to make disciples. I am excited about it!
• I have graciously received an offer to preach for the upcoming City-Wide Evangelistic Services sponsored by the Alexander City Ministerial Association. I am humbled by the offer and look forward to preaching to many in our city on Wednesday, May 19. Please be in prayer for me as I prepare for this opportunity.
• We will be working hard in the next couple of weeks to fill the Children's Ministry Associate and Receptionist position. Pray for wisdom for the Personnel team as we evaluate the applications.

Verse of the week - "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

Post-Easter Check-In

I have been extremely convicted lately about my lack of writing to my blog. It has been a very busy set of weeks lately with lots going on. I've been having some great lunches with church members, trying to get us some exciting programs and events, and still trying to find time for sermon planning. Here is a check-in for the past few weeks:

• Easter Sunday. WOW! What a great day! Besides being the most important day all year for the church, it was special all the way around. I was praying for an attendance of 350 but secretly hoping for more. Our final Sunday AM attendance figure was 387! While I am not always big on numbers, I am thankful that God rewarded the faithfulness of Sixth Street members to pray and invite.
• Guest Services on Easter Sunday. WOW! Robert Forbus has taken the ball and done an awesome job of leading our efforts out front. With all the additional people, there were still lots of parking spaces available. The guys in the lot with the vests looked great. The ushers and other personnel with their new nametags and lanyards looked awesome. People were taken to seats. All in all it created a great environment from the parking lot to the pew.
• Easter Egg Hunt. WOW! We had a great attendance at our Easter Egg Hunt. The kids had lots of games to play and everyone left with a basket full of eggs. It was a blessing to be able to have another event out on our Airport Drive property. Thanks to Eric Miller and the Children's Ministry Team for pulling this event off.
• I am really enjoying the new series "Unveiling Easter". It has been a real blessing to dig into the events surrounding the Passion Week and see Christ's sovereignty and steadfastness to the cross.
• We have been blessed to have a lot of visitors the past couple of weeks. We have to do a better job of getting info and follow-up. However, it is nice to hear our church members say, "There were a lot of people there I didn't know." Keep doing it Lord!
• Baseball has started in our family. We have two playing and we are loving it! I was blessed to be asked to say the prayer at the Opening Day ceremony. Thanks to Sonny Wilson for the invitation.
• I will be traveling to Kentucky next week with Miles Ward and Bill Young for a scouting trip for our summer mission trip there. Looking forward to seeing what types of ministry opportunities we will have there.
• Plan to be at our Family Life Meeting Sunday night. I have a vision to introduce for adoption that will clarify our core values and our mission statement. I will have copies available for you to pick up Sunday morning.
• I am convinced and convicted that the two most vital areas we need to address soon is developing Community Groups and increasing the quantity and quality of our Children's Ministry programming. For us to become better at reaching our children will require all of us to stack hands and be a part. Please be in prayer for our leadership as we make decisions that will help us out in these vital areas.
• Finally, Spring is here. Baseball has started. The boats are out on the lake. However, don't let Spring Fever keep you from your church attendance. Remember to keep your relationship with Christ and his Bride a high priority and set an example for your children.

See You Sunday!

Worthy is the Lamb!

The Gift of Death

One year ago yesterday, my grandmother and the matriarch of our family, Alice McGahey, went home to heaven. I don't say that she went to heaven flippantly. I do not say she went to heaven just because she was a good person, which she was. Most everyone I know believes that the people that they loved so much on earth are in heaven. Most of the time this is based on the goodness they saw in the person. However, goodness does not get you into heaven, grace does. I know my grandmother is in heaven because she lived a life of grace. She loved the Lord Jesus. She loved to read about him in the Bible. She loved to hear good preaching about him. She loved to sing about him when she played her organ. My grandmother was the closest thing to a saint I have ever met this side of heaven.

However, my grandmother, just like everyone else on earth, had a sickness. She inherited a deadly virus at birth that affected her for many years. It came through the bloodline to her ancestors Adam and Eve. That virus is called sin. I don't know when my grandmother first became fully aware of her sin virus. However, like everyone else, her only cure was the grace poured out on Calvary by Jesus. My grandmother embraced that cross and received forgiveness for her sin.

We called her Mama Alice. My grandfather was Daddy Bert. They were two of the biggest influences on my life. Daddy Bert was a pilot in WWII and loved to fly. He took me to play golf the first time. He was a quiet man, but loved his grandsons. Mama Alice was a hard worker. For many years she sold Amway. Dozens of people knew her from that. Later on, she went to work at a jewelry store in the mall. She worked many nights until 9:00 PM and didn't get home till late. She was the best cook I have ever known. She first taught me that scrambled eggs taste better with cheese. She made a Chicken Casserole that tasted like manna from heaven. She knew how to make the most tender roast beef I ever tasted. And Thanksgiving was a celebration and feast like none other. Nothing in the world could compare to her cornbread dressing.

My grandfather died almost 20 years ago. After that, my grandmother continued to be the centerpiece of our family although she lost her soul-mate. Mama Alice had always been a frail lady, prone to bruising easily. The fingers on her hands began to twist up from arthritis. In her later years, she had to go on a full-time oxygen tube and her mobility was much more limited. She had a hard time keeping her weight up. She became dependent on others to bathe her and help her get dressed. Eventually, we had to make the difficult decision to put her in a nursing home. However, she never lost her sass or her determination to live. She continued to give it to me when I would come home and I continued to give it right back to her. As she lay in the hospital in her last days, she said to me "Don't stand over me." I replied, "I drove here from Birmingham and I will stand wherever I want." She didn't want people to fuss over her until the end.

On March 29, 2009, God gave my Mama Alice and our family a great gift when in his mercy he healed her suffering by taking her to her heavenly home. Death was a welcome gift for us. It was great comfort to see her no longer suffering in the fleshy tent that she occupied. There was no doubt in any of us that her body had been deserted and she was home with her Savior. The Bible says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116:15) God has given us a gracious doorway from the sin and stain of this world. God has given us a pathway that is free from cancer, oxygen tubes, disease, and suffering. However, that path is not on this side of eternity.

The doorway of death has two destinations. One is eternally free from suffering and sin and leads to the presence of the father. The other destination is infinite increase in suffering and torment. Both are eternal destinies from which there is no going back. Once you step through the doorway of death, your ticket is punched and there is no turning back. The question is, which destiny will your door lead? Good intentions, good works, really liking Jesus will not suffice. One day many years ago Alice McGahey looked upon a blood-soaked, sin-bearing, carpenter from Galilee and placed her complete faith in him to pay her sin ransom. Have you?

The Man Behind Easter

In preparation for Easter and Passion Week, here is a great video produced by Granger Community Church and featuring video clips from Passion of the Christ. The audio is from a famous sermon by S.M. Lockridge. Enjoy!

Coming Good Friday

Mark Driscoll and the guys at Mars Hill have produced a special film to show on Good Friday at their church. I have been a big fan of Driscoll for a while now. The guy is rock solid biblically and theologically and a challenge to me and my preaching. He is controversial, but he's also in a chiefly pagan city and culture in the Northwest. Here is a trailer for the film. You can watch online on Good Friday at 8PM here.

Mid-Week Check In

It's been a couple of weeks since I did a "Mid-Week Check In". Lots of stuff going on in my world and I find it challenging to make time to write or blog. Kids have started baseball and are on Spring Break this week. However, the main reason for lack of writing has been preoccupied with other church things and catching up on some reading. Here are some observations from the last couple of weeks.

• We've finished up our "Going Public" series. I hope it was encouraging and practical for our people. I heard some great comments about the "bridge illustration" where you can share the gospel using a piece of paper and two verses. I also have had several church members tell me that some doors have opened for them the past few weeks. It's amazing when our hearts and minds get focused on witnessing how many doors we see that God opens.
• Spring Break hit our attendance hard this last Sunday. I knew it would. I hope if you were on vacation that you didn't vacate from attending a house of worship. Our worship of God should never take a vacation. Whenever possible, my family and I try to attend a house of worship when we take a vacation. It's not always possible, but I think it helps keep my kids focused on Sunday as a day for God.
• Although the crowd was low, we were blessed to have my friends Shawn and Katie Sandlin lead worship in Kevin's absence this last week. This couple has a unique and anointed way of leading worship together. They were very encouraged by the conversations they had with several of our Sixth Street members. We will have them back again soon.
• In case you heard the rumor, I will verify it. Yes, the boys and I did go "sucker fishing" with Wade Davis and Harry Ward. We had a good time. It was fun watching Nathan and Drew get in that creek with nets and pull out those fish. Thanks Wade and Harry!
• I'm really digging into our new series this week. We are doing a new series called "Unveiling Easter: A Glimpse Behind the Greatest Story Ever". We are going to try to look at the different events surround the last week of Christ. It is fascinating stuff and gives me a greater appreciation for the sovereignty of God and the suffering of Christ.
• We have scheduled our Easter Egg Hunt for 4:00 on Easter Sunday afternoon. This will give our families time to go eat with extended family and then come back to the Airport Drive property for a fun time together. We will have some games and hot dogs for the kids. We need church members to donate plastic eggs and candy. We'll also need you to bring some drinks for the event if you can attend. Even if you don't have kids participating, plan to be there to fellowship and enjoy the afternoon.
• Please make plans to be a part of our prayer-walk this Saturday at 10:00 AM. If you haven't signed up or been assigned to a team yet, just show up and we'll take care of you. It's going to be a blessed time as we walk our community and pray for spiritual strongholds to be broken and for the gospel to penetrate homes.
• Congrats to Eric and Whitney on their wedding! It was a beautiful ceremony! Pray for Eric and Whitney as well as Kevin and Chery as they are all traveling this week.

Verse of the week - "I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I receive from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

Latest Matt Chandler Update

Matt had an MRI on March 16 and meeting with the doctors to discuss the next step. Here was the video blog posted after that meeting. Continue to pray God's sufficient grace and healing on his servant.

I have absolutely nothing to say about this

Woman, 101, grows horn

A 101-year-old woman has grown a horn on her head - and now fears she's growing another one.

Zhang Ruifang, of Linlou village, in central China's Henan province, noticed a small lump on her forehead last year.

But it is now six centimetres long - and a small lump has now appeared on the other side of her forehead.

Her youngest son, Zhang Guozheng, 60, said the horn started as a patch of thick, rough skin on the left side of her forehead.

"We didn't pay too much attention to it at first," he said. "But as time went on it just grew and grew.

"And now there is something growing on the right side of her forehead and it seems quite possible that it's another horn."

Zhang has seven children - six boys and a girl - and many grandchildren. Her eldest son is 82-years-old.

The family live in a rural area and don't have the money to send her to hospital - but they say she is in no pain and enjoys a peaceful life.

From Orange News website

Mid-Week Check In

It's been a busy, crazy week so far, but also a great time to be in ministry.

• Sunday's crowd appeared to be radically affected by sickness and sinus crud this past week. The running theme appeared to be "Pray for ____, she's really sick this morning." It also appears that the stomach virus is making rounds too.
• We started a new series called "Going Public" Sunday. We talked about having the faith and boldness to launch out into your relationships as a missionary. We want to have people with the boldness to say as Peter did in Acts 4 - "we cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard."
• This week we are going to give you simple, practical way to share your faith wherever you are with a piece of paper. Don't miss it.
• It was awesome to see Landon Daniels make a public profession of Christ Sunday morning. We have been blessed to see several children ask Christ to be Savior and several other parents have talked to me about questions that their kids are asking. Praise God for changed lives! We have a tremendous responsibility now to shepherd and surround these young hearts with the gospel so that their faith is not just based on a "decision" they made as a little kid.
• On that note, I am becoming increasingly burdened by our ministry to families. We need a team of volunteers to creatively brainstorm how we can build a first-class ministry to children and families. Right now, because of financial and staffing limitations, we are going to have to be volunteer led. However, I think we have a pioneering spirit developing here. Pray for me as we begin to research and work towards building a strong children's program.
• Yesterday, we had a great moment. Gerard Bowles went in for a heart cath for a blockage and when they did the cath the blockage was gone! It was an amazing moment where I believe that God showed his healing power. Pray for Genie and Gerard as they continue on their pilgrimage to Russia.
• If you haven't signed up to be a part of "Across Alabama" here, do so this week. It's going to be a great time praying for our community. Sign up also for our 24-hour prayer vigil.
• Many of you have collected "Buckets of Hope" to feed a family in Haiti. I will be delivering them tomorrow to the Birmingham Baptist Association. Thank you for being the church.

See you Sunday!

John Piper on Mark Driscoll and John MacArthur

For any of you who are like me and have a great deal of appreciation for John Piper and John MacArthur while at the same time having a lot of excitement about new evangelicals like Mark Driscoll, here is a great answer from John Piper to a question posed about MacArthur's criticism of some of Driscoll's methods. This was a great answer and incredible insight from a guy who is close to both of these men that God is using. It's a reminder to me that we don't always have to choose sides when two people we know are having differences.

Piper on Driscoll and MacArthur - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Mid-Week Check-In

Ok. It's become apparent that being able to provide a weekly review of the weekend on Monday morning is just not possible for me. I think it's mostly because by Monday morning, I am pretty tired from the events of the weekend. I am usually spending some time in the morning winding down and also catching up on things that set up the week ahead. So, I am changing the "Monday Morning Clarity" to a "Mid-Week Check-In". I will use this to review some of the highlights of the weekend and announce some things that are coming.

• We had another great crowd at Sixth Street with a tangible, thick presence of the Holy Spirit. I was very thankful to have my mom with us for the weekend. She had a great time meeting the people of the church and getting to see me preach.
• We had a powerful start to the services by seeing two new Christians get baptized! I believe that baptism and celebrating life-change are the best way to start worship together and provides a tangible excitement to the crowd. Let's get active church in sharing the gospel so we can continue to see changed lives.
• We finished the "EKKLESIA" series this past week. This Sunday, we are starting a three week series called "Going Public" about sharing your faith. This is part of preparing us for the "Across Alabama" campaign to prayerwalk and distribute invitations to attend church on Easter. My hope is that we can overcome our natural fear of witnessing and be able to comfortably share the gospel with our family, friends, and neighbors.
• If you missed Sunday night, you missed a treat. We were blessed to have two couples that are very dear to me share about their upcoming journey to Swaziland, Africa. The Clyburns and McAdams are friends that Alison and I got to know in Alabaster. They are leaving the states possibly in June for at least a two-year ministry to orphans in Swaziland. They shared stats and photos of the dire situation in Swaziland. Please continue to pray for them as they seek to get financial support.
• The Across Alabama stuff is really beginning to develop. We will have a 24-hour prayer vigil on March 12-13 and a community prayerwalk on Saturday, March 20th. Please sign up at the info desk or see Gary Hines to be a part of this event.
• On a selfish, personal sports moment - congrats to Kendall Graveman who made his first two appearances for the Mississippi State Bulldog baseball team this last week. I am proud to have Kendall as part of the Bulldog family. He has looked pretty good in his first two relief appearances! Go Kendall and Go Dawgs!
• Buckets of Hope - several of you have taken the flyers to get stuff together to send to Haiti. I have heard that because of the response from area churches that getting buckets and lids is hard to do. Keep trying. If you are going to do a bucket, please have it here by March 4th so we can deliver it.

Hope you are having a great week and see you Sunday!

SWAT!

Congratulations Jarvis "Swat" Varnado! You have made the Bulldog Nation proud!

Matt Chandler Update

A Century Turns - A Book Review

I was eager to read the latest book I received to review for my blog. A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears by William Bennett is a fair, informative, and sometimes encouraging look at the political and global events of the years 1998-2008. This book was a far departure from my usual literary palette. Aside from a couple of non-fiction writers, most of my reading time is spent on books about theology, church work, and leadership. However, I have long been an admirer of Bill Bennett and both his writings as well as his political stances. Bennett is a strong conservative and has been heavily aligned with Republican leaders and causes for many years. However, his political ties have never hindered him from both offering strong opinions as well as voicing strong opposition to policies he disagrees with. This has made him a well-respected figure in Washington on both sides of the aisle.

A Century Turns is a follow-up to Bennett's previous works, America: The Last Best Hope volumes 1 and 2. I have not read those books. Bennett explains that after their publication and embrace by many, he was encouraged to write a book about the events leading up to the turn of the century. I am a product of most of the events that he writes about. In 1998, I was a 20-year old, not well-informed, college student who was being asked to vote in his first significant presidential election. The list of events over the last 20 years described by Bennett are staggering: the fall of communism, the quick war to free Kuwait from Iraq, the bombing of the World Trade Center, the election of two liberal presidents - Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the election of a father and a son - George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, 9/11, the war in Afghanistan, the controversy of the 2000 presidential election, "hanging chads", the war and fall of Iraq, the arrest and execution of Saddam Hussein. These events, and dozens more, have all occurred and radically shaped our world in the last 20 years.

Bill Bennett does an excellent job of walking through the events that have occurred over this 20-year time span and their political implications. While not backing away from his strong conservatism, he does a fair job of giving the good and the bad of both the Democratic and Republican parties. He is not afraid to open up the issues and reveal much of what the "mainstream media" has under or mis-reported over the last few years. In his asterisk notes he usually adds his commentary on how he advised a certain president or how he debated liberals on television about these events. Bennett primary purpose is not to get the reader to agree with him politically. His primary purpose is to show how America has long been a light and beacon of freedom and how this has been shown or hidden in the last 20 years. Bennett is first and foremost an American and a patriot. He has a huge grasp on American history and the constitution.

If you like history, especially the kind that hasn't been revised by today's liberal press, this is a great book. If you are like me, you will read this and find yourself reminiscing as you think about where you were when these moments were taking place. I didn't realize at the time how significant the election of a charming Southern Governor with a checkered moral past would be at the time. It didn't seem imaginable after Bush's soaring popularity in the post 9/11 events would diminish and have him leave office as one of the most unpopular presidents (according to so-called "approval ratings" and because of the heavily biased attacks of the media). It was unthinkable when Jesse Jackson ran for president in 1998 that 20 years later, a man with African-American background would be elected and sworn in. Reading through the pages of A Century Turns is a gentle reminder that while history is prologue, the making of it occurs in everyday events that are never insignificant.

This book was graciously provided for review by Thomas Nelson books as part of their Booksneeze.com program.

Stunned by Grace

I've been preparing for my message at Sixth Street tomorrow on Ephesians 3. The sermon is titled "The Love of God and the Mystery of the Gospel". I have been so refreshed by immersing myself in these truths this week. Ephesians is such an affirming and doctrinally deep book. I have been especially encouraged by Paul's prayer.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph 3:14-19

What a beautiful imagery that "Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." What a stunning reminder that God's love is four-dimensional! May your heart be encouraged today by these gospel truths.

What Should Tiger Say?

I have been quiet for the most part on the Tiger Woods issue since it came out several weeks ago about his adultery and it's resultant disaster upon his family and his credibility. I, like most people, formed an opinion quickly. However, I have learned from the past that most of the time when a story like this comes out, whether a celebrity or average Joe, that we don't hear all the story up front and the longer we go, the more info that comes out. I tried to reserve my public opinion until more info came out. I despise organizations like TMZ that tend to sensationalize events and create publicity for themselves at others expenses. The early media frenzy regarding Tiger was disgusting, in my opinion.

Tiger Woods is a human being, created in the image of God. God loves Tiger very much and desires that he would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God has given Tiger an incredible talent and desires that Tiger would use his talent as a platform for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). Tiger is not guilty of any sin that any other man is not capable of. Tiger has lived a life that has placed him at the center and has reaped the results of that. I heartily agree with Brit Hume and his brave comments about what Tiger must do in order to find peace with God. (previous post)

Tiger has now announced that he is going to have a "press conference" tomorrow to talk for the first time. This has created a lot of buzz about what Tiger will say and what he should say. This morning I heard Mike Greenberg on Mike and Mike in the Morning ask this question, "What does Tiger Woods need to apologize for?" Greenberg's point was that he agreed that what Tiger did was wrong, but does he really need to publicly apologize. In Greenberg's opinion, what Tiger did was between him and his family and doesn't affect the rest of us. Interesting opinion and one that I don't totally agree with. I don't think that as a 42-year old guy from rural Alabama that Tiger owes me an apology for anything. His sin, while disgusting and egregious, was not personally against me or my family. I have not been adversely affected at all by Tiger's transgressions. I actually have a forum because of his sin to talk to my sons about the humanity of all public figures, no matter how talented, and the impact of sin.

However, the question still remains, "Should Tiger apologize?" Some say that he is a role model and that he has destroyed his credibility. I think any sports figure, whether they like it or not, serves as somewhat of a "hero figure" to the younger generation. Talent and success carry the price of responsibility and those who are blessed with them must have a sense of accountability and stewardship. This is something that those who cheated at baseball with performance enhancing drugs forgot or neglected. However, I don't think Tiger should apologize just because he is a role model.

I think Tiger should apologize because that is the first step towards true confession and repentance. Tiger's actions have destroyed his credibility. He is, at the present time, not an acceptable role model for my three boys. He is a liar and and adulterer. He lied to his wife about his wedding vows and gave his heart and body to other women to feed his sinful flesh. He has violated the most basic God-ordained unit - the family. He doesn't have to answer to me or you for that. He must answer to his family and the Lord Jesus. However, Tiger is not the first or most prominent figure historically to commit adultery. The King of Israel, David, not only committed the same sin, he also had her husband killed making him an accessory to murder. David's sin was just as disgusting as Tiger's. However, David was known as a "man after God's own heart." The difference? When David's sin was found out, he publicly confessed and repented. He wrote of his agony over his sin and issued a public statement in Psalm 51.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:1-12

While I do not think this will be what Tiger says, ultimately, this is what I hope happens to him. This is what I hope happens to all of us that are guilty of the filth and disgust of sin. I hope and pray that the story of Tiger turns out to be one of redemption and forgiveness and not just one of admission and eventual forgetting, like the Kobe Bryant incident. Make no mistake. I believe that Tiger will recover in the "public eye" eventually. He will return to golf. He will win tournaments. He will get his endorsement offers because businesses want to make money and will attach themselves to success over character. The story of Kobe reminds me of these facts. I am more concerned that Tiger can recover in the sight of God than in public opinion. That is why what Tiger has to say tomorrow is of interest to me. King David or Kobe Bryant? Which fate will Tiger choose?

Matt Chandler Update

Haven't posted a video update on Matt recently. Had a lot going on. Good news is that Matt has finished round 1 of his chemo and radiation. This was his video update from last weekend.

A Late Monday Morning Clarity

Great weekend! The snow on the ground late last week was beautiful and made for a refreshing change of scenery all weekend. It was cool to see some of it still on the ground pulling up to the church Sunday morning.

• Great crowd again Sunday morning. The new year has seen an increase to our weekly attendance. We are looking at the possibility of having to go to 2 services later on this year to accommodate future growth.
• Pray for the "Feasibility Team". We are having regular meetings to go over plans and opportunities to reignite the vision to move "Forward in Faith". These godly men need your prayer for wisdom and insight.
• The Valentine's Banquet Saturday night was amazing. Thanks to Debra Perry and her team for all the work they put into it. Over 200 people were there. Great food! Much thanks to the guys who stood out in the cold and cooked so many steaks.
• I have heard a lot of funny comments about the "Not So Newlywed Game" at the banquet. It was a lot of fun to hear some of the answers to the questions. Who knew that Claude Thomas was a "Hot Tamale"?
• I spent this past Tuesday in Birmingham at an event sponsored by ALCAP about the proposed legislation to legalize gambling. I was privileged to hear Dr. Richard Land from the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission speak. We are blessed as Southern Baptists to have this man represent us in Washington. This is an issue that as Christ-followers we need to be writing our congressional representatives to let them know our feelings. There is also a rally at the State Capitol next Tuesday, March 23. If you want to go, call the church office and let us know.
• Don't forget we have a lot of stuff coming up that you can partner in to spread the gospel. Sign up for our Across Alabama Prayerwalk of the community on March 20th. We'll also go the next week to give invitations to attend church on Easter. Also, remember our Mission Trip to Kentucky June 20-25. There are only 26 spots available.

We have some baptisms coming up this Sunday! That always makes for a great day! See you Sunday!

Monday Morning Clarity

Wrapping up another great weekend at Sixth Street yesterday.

• The weather was cold, but there was a great spirit of anticipation yesterday. It manifested itself in our music and prayer time. I am thankful for such a sensitive church family that deeply desires to see God move in our midst.
• We took a group of 21 men to the Johnny Hunt Men's Conference at Woodstock on Friday and Saturday. We had an awesome time on the vans together. The teaching was great and the music was incredible. It's always a blessing to see men band together to worship God and surrender to His purposes. I told the men before we left that I was praying God would "ruin them." I heard many great comments from the guys and the energy was transferred to Sunday morning.
• I honestly believe that the key to seeing God move in our church lies in our ability to reach, challenge, and equip men to be godly, spiritual leaders. We've got lots of room to improve in this area, but God is moving.
• I enjoyed preaching on worship yesterday. I have a deep passion to see God's people worship God with freedom and transparency. I agree with Bob Russell that the most magnetic evangelistic tool we have is the power of a church that worships God in "spirit and truth."
• Awesome time last night at our "Big Game Fellowship." We had a ton of food and it was all awesome. It was great to see the Saints win, but honestly, the best part was seeing people spend time together. Most people sat around tables and played games or talked with very little attention to the game. That's "koinoinia"! I also had the opportunity to talk with a young man who has spent years in addiction and self-destruction and see him now embrace the grace and forgiveness of the gospel. Pray for Michael. God has given us stewardship over him. He needs much prayer and discipling in the days ahead.
• We have a Valentine's Banquet coming up this weekend. Hope you bought your tickets!