Most folks reading this blog are probably well aware that I am a big University of North Carolina fan and have been since I was just a lad. I can still remember watching the Duke vs. Carolina game on the old, black and white television at my grand-mother's house. My allegiance was formed early on and I've bled "Carolina blue" ever since. I also happen to be a big fan of Coach Roy Williams.
Last week at Florida State University my beloved Tar Heels received a good, old-fashioned "whippin" at the hands of the Seminoles. With only 14 seconds remaining and FSU up be more than thirty points, the two head coaches met at half-court and Coach Roy Williams decided to leave the floor with all of his players and coaches "in tow", other than five reserves who were on the court and a couple of assistant coaches. That move has been the subject of many radio talk shows, news articles and water cooler discussions. I don't know why Coach Williams did what he did. Many of us can question whether or not it was a good move. On Monday of this week he offered a defense of his decision by stating that he thought all the players and staff had left the floor with him. It's not for me to say whether he was right or wrong. I'll leave that up to the "recliner coaches" who've never led anyone to do anything, much less coached a major college basketball team.
I can't say that I haven't given this some serious consideration. As a matter of fact, I've asked myself several times, "Who have I left on the floor?" in my lifetime. His critics say that Coach Williams was too concerned with his own safety and careless with the safety of those reserves. I wonder how many times have I neglected to witness because it wasn't convenient for me? How many times have others suffered because I was pre-occupied with my own problems or circumstances? Sunday school teacher, how many times have you left your students "on the floor" because you just didn't feel like showing up that Sunday? Bus worker, what about those Saturday's when you had more important things to do with your time so you left your bus kids "on the floor?" Church member, how many times in 2011 did you leave your pastor and fellow church members "on the floor?" because you didn't feel like coming back on a dreary Sunday night or you were just too exhausted to make it for the mid-week service on Wednesday?
God has entrusted each of us with people who look to us for protection and guidance. We are "Coach" to someone. Let's be careful that we do not become so pre-occupied with our own needs, our own problems or our own circumstances that we leave others "on the floor." Fortunately, no one was injured when hundreds of FSU fans rushed the court to celebrate a big win over a conference favorite. I wish it could be said that no one has been hurt by our negligence or poor decisions. Think about it.
Pastor Rick Finley's Blog
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
A Dying Breed
For the past few weeks the FBC family has been praying for one of the pillars of our church, Jerry Frazier. For many years Brother Jerry has battled C.O.P.D. and the past few weeks have been spent in hospitals, intensive care units and now, the hospice center. It is very obvious that he has Heaven in view. He is a very sick man.
Not only is Jerry Frazier a dying man, men like him are a dying breed. Today is his 73rd birthday. He is a part of that "greatest generation" we've heard so much about. He is a man who loves his wife, cares for his children, is devoted to his church and serves his Lord. When I left the hospice center a while ago he was surrounded by a family that obviously loves him deeply. You might say he is a part of "middle class America." He doesn't have alot of worldly goods, but what he has, he worked for. No one gave him anything. The disease that will eventually take his life is a result of his career. He installed insulation.
For thirty-five years Jerry and his wife, Pam, worked a bus route at Fellowship Baptist Church. Every Saturday they would go visit children in the Braggtown community of Durham and every Sunday they would load those children on the bus and bring them to church. Did you catch that? I said, "Thirty-five years!" Thirty-five years on the same bus route, in the same community at the same church.
I have been his pastor for almost twenty-four years, and it bothers me greatly that Jerry Frazier is dying. What bothers me more is that his "breed" is also dying. Today, it's hard to get people to serve in the ministry. It's almost impossible to get them to do so for the long haul. Very few men are willing to just keep on going. Too many fall by the wayside due to disappointments, hurt feelings, fatigue, weariness or unfulfilled expectations.
Churches like ours are built on men like Jerry Frazier. Unfortunately, those men are quickly passing off the scene. Who will stand in the gap? Who will take up the torch? Where are the young men who will lead our churches for the next 35 years? If that breed of men dies and others don't step up to take their places, our churches die also. I am bothered that Bro. Jerry will soon leave us, I am afraid of what will happen to us if others don't follow in his steps.
Not only is Jerry Frazier a dying man, men like him are a dying breed. Today is his 73rd birthday. He is a part of that "greatest generation" we've heard so much about. He is a man who loves his wife, cares for his children, is devoted to his church and serves his Lord. When I left the hospice center a while ago he was surrounded by a family that obviously loves him deeply. You might say he is a part of "middle class America." He doesn't have alot of worldly goods, but what he has, he worked for. No one gave him anything. The disease that will eventually take his life is a result of his career. He installed insulation.
For thirty-five years Jerry and his wife, Pam, worked a bus route at Fellowship Baptist Church. Every Saturday they would go visit children in the Braggtown community of Durham and every Sunday they would load those children on the bus and bring them to church. Did you catch that? I said, "Thirty-five years!" Thirty-five years on the same bus route, in the same community at the same church.
I have been his pastor for almost twenty-four years, and it bothers me greatly that Jerry Frazier is dying. What bothers me more is that his "breed" is also dying. Today, it's hard to get people to serve in the ministry. It's almost impossible to get them to do so for the long haul. Very few men are willing to just keep on going. Too many fall by the wayside due to disappointments, hurt feelings, fatigue, weariness or unfulfilled expectations.
Churches like ours are built on men like Jerry Frazier. Unfortunately, those men are quickly passing off the scene. Who will stand in the gap? Who will take up the torch? Where are the young men who will lead our churches for the next 35 years? If that breed of men dies and others don't step up to take their places, our churches die also. I am bothered that Bro. Jerry will soon leave us, I am afraid of what will happen to us if others don't follow in his steps.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Busybodies
Recently while preparing a message for my people on the subject of weariness, I read II Thessalonians 3:11. "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." What an insult it would be to be identified as a busybody. The very definition of the word makes me want to turn and run the other way! It means, "To bustle about uselessly, to busy one's self about trifling, needless, useless matters. It most often refers to one who is officiously inquisitive about other's affairs."
It is no surprise that when Paul clarifies who the busybody is he states, "...working not at all..." I've found that when I'm busy working, I have very little time to be busy in other men's matters. Especially is that true when it comes to matters outside my own church. I'm amazed how much time some folks seem to have to "bustle about uselessly in needless matters" that don't pertain to them.
I hesitate to use this blog to correct erroneous gossip, but it is one of the very few venues that I have at my access. This is not a defense of myself, it is simply an effort to clarify any confusion surrounding a situation that involves me and my ministry.
For the past several years, Dr. Jack Schaap has preached for us here at Fellowship Baptist Church the first week of October. He was scheduled to be with us again this year. There was some confusion about the dates, and there were some complications in communicating between my office and the offices at First Baptist Church. By the time everything had been confirmed and approved, the dates for the meeting were about a month away. I spoke with Dr. Schaap during a visit to Hammond last month, and he and I agreed to postpone the conference. Although he was more than willing to come, I didn't want to have the meeting without having properly promoted and advertised.
Today someone told me that the word "around the country" is that I had cancelled Bro. Schaap and that I was telling all of my college students who attend Hyles-Anderson College to come home. Undoubtedly, that false rumor is being spread by "busybodies". Suprisingly enough, no one called and asked me any questions about our conference or our college kids. We have 18 students at HAC with two more returning to campus in January. We also have students in five other Bible colleges and several state colleges. I marvel at why, "where Fellowship Baptist young people attend college" would be the topic of anyone's discussion outside the walls of Fellowship Baptist Church!
It seems to me that the "word around the country" ought to be that Heaven is sweet, Hell is hot and Jesus is coming soon! Rather than "bustling about uselessly in trifling matters", our time could be better spent loving people, glorifying Christ and honoring God with our lives and in our ministries. In II Thessalonians 3:13 Paul admonished the believers who were exposed to those who were walking disorderly, "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." Our task is monumental. We cannot afford to become wearied. Just keep doing well and keep on praying for those are distracted by matters of lesser importance.
It is no surprise that when Paul clarifies who the busybody is he states, "...working not at all..." I've found that when I'm busy working, I have very little time to be busy in other men's matters. Especially is that true when it comes to matters outside my own church. I'm amazed how much time some folks seem to have to "bustle about uselessly in needless matters" that don't pertain to them.
I hesitate to use this blog to correct erroneous gossip, but it is one of the very few venues that I have at my access. This is not a defense of myself, it is simply an effort to clarify any confusion surrounding a situation that involves me and my ministry.
For the past several years, Dr. Jack Schaap has preached for us here at Fellowship Baptist Church the first week of October. He was scheduled to be with us again this year. There was some confusion about the dates, and there were some complications in communicating between my office and the offices at First Baptist Church. By the time everything had been confirmed and approved, the dates for the meeting were about a month away. I spoke with Dr. Schaap during a visit to Hammond last month, and he and I agreed to postpone the conference. Although he was more than willing to come, I didn't want to have the meeting without having properly promoted and advertised.
Today someone told me that the word "around the country" is that I had cancelled Bro. Schaap and that I was telling all of my college students who attend Hyles-Anderson College to come home. Undoubtedly, that false rumor is being spread by "busybodies". Suprisingly enough, no one called and asked me any questions about our conference or our college kids. We have 18 students at HAC with two more returning to campus in January. We also have students in five other Bible colleges and several state colleges. I marvel at why, "where Fellowship Baptist young people attend college" would be the topic of anyone's discussion outside the walls of Fellowship Baptist Church!
It seems to me that the "word around the country" ought to be that Heaven is sweet, Hell is hot and Jesus is coming soon! Rather than "bustling about uselessly in trifling matters", our time could be better spent loving people, glorifying Christ and honoring God with our lives and in our ministries. In II Thessalonians 3:13 Paul admonished the believers who were exposed to those who were walking disorderly, "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." Our task is monumental. We cannot afford to become wearied. Just keep doing well and keep on praying for those are distracted by matters of lesser importance.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Rough Air
My wife and I were recently flying home from a meeting in Memphis, TN when the captain announced, "We are encountering a bit of rough air. Flight attendants will need to take their seats, the seatbelt sign has been turned on and no one should be moving around the aircraft." Those turbulents changed everything that could be considered normal and routine about our flight.
In recent weeks, many of our folks here at FBC-Durham have encountered "rough air". Four of our men have been diagnosed with cancer. Several of our people have been faced with non-cancerous diseases, surgeries and procedures. The economy continues to take a toll on our church families. Just like our recent flight, things have been anything but "normal" lately.
Recently I was reading in I Peter what God wrote to some folks who were going through some suffering of their own, and I preached to our folks from this passage. I'd like to share a few of those thoughts with our readers.
1. Your Suffering Has No Bearing On Your Salvation
In verses 4-6 of I Peter 1 we read about an eternal salvation that is "kept by the power of God." If you're a believer, no matter what you might be enduring "for a season", you cannot lose your salvation. The child of God can rest assured that salvation is "reserved in heaven for you."
2. Find Your Joy In Knowing That
Our temptation is to look for happiness in our circumstances. We look for eternal happiness in temporary conditions. We are happy if our job is secure, our health is preserved, our marriage is strong or our kids are obedient. God says in I Peter 1:6 that our joy should be found in knowing that our salvation is secure.
3. Learn To See Beyond Your Suffering
It is true, we do go through seasons of suffering. The scripture clearly states, "...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold tempations..." A season is a period of time that has a beginning and an ending. Your suffering is not going to last forever. It is very important that you learn to see beyond your suffering.
4. Determine To Tough It Out
In I Peter 1:13 Peter writes that we are to "...to gird up the loins of your mind..." In todays vernacular we might suggest, "roll up your sleeves." That means that we're getting ready to go to work. When suffering comes, it is important that we dedicate ourselves to endurance. Grace doesn't come because we sit back and do nothing. Grace comes when we do all that we can.
5. Be Holy
Peter addresses holiness in I Peter 1:14-16. Many times we refer to these verses when challenging God's people about their behavior in the world. I certainly believe in old-fashioned holiness, but in it's context, the challenge is to be holy in the midst of suffering. Don't get mad at God! Don't gripe and complain! Don't allow yourself to become bitter! Be holy "...as he which hath called you is holy..."
6. Allow Your Suffering To Bring You To Christ
Suffering shouldn't separate us from Christ, it should draw us to Christ. In I Peter 2:25 Peter alludes to this when he writes, "...but now are ye returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." I recently read that if a sheep sees green grass on a levee, he will jump down onto that levee and eat until the grass is gone. The sheep then realizes that it cannot get back up. The shepherd must wait until the sheep is so weak that it cannot walk before he attempts a rescue. As long as that sheep has energy, he will try to save himself. Many times that provokes him to jump to his death. As suffering sheep, we must allow our struggles to bring us to our Saviour.
"Rough air" on a flight changes everything. You can't get up and walk around to get comfortable. The flight attendant can't bring you a snack and a beverage. Your heart may race and you may wonder if you're going to make it. The only thing one can do at that particular moment is to trust the captain. He can see things from his vantage point that you can't see. His radar tells him where he should go for things to get smoother and how long it will take him to get there. Thank God that our "captain" knows exactly what we need when "rough air" invades our lives.
In recent weeks, many of our folks here at FBC-Durham have encountered "rough air". Four of our men have been diagnosed with cancer. Several of our people have been faced with non-cancerous diseases, surgeries and procedures. The economy continues to take a toll on our church families. Just like our recent flight, things have been anything but "normal" lately.
Recently I was reading in I Peter what God wrote to some folks who were going through some suffering of their own, and I preached to our folks from this passage. I'd like to share a few of those thoughts with our readers.
1. Your Suffering Has No Bearing On Your Salvation
In verses 4-6 of I Peter 1 we read about an eternal salvation that is "kept by the power of God." If you're a believer, no matter what you might be enduring "for a season", you cannot lose your salvation. The child of God can rest assured that salvation is "reserved in heaven for you."
2. Find Your Joy In Knowing That
Our temptation is to look for happiness in our circumstances. We look for eternal happiness in temporary conditions. We are happy if our job is secure, our health is preserved, our marriage is strong or our kids are obedient. God says in I Peter 1:6 that our joy should be found in knowing that our salvation is secure.
3. Learn To See Beyond Your Suffering
It is true, we do go through seasons of suffering. The scripture clearly states, "...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold tempations..." A season is a period of time that has a beginning and an ending. Your suffering is not going to last forever. It is very important that you learn to see beyond your suffering.
4. Determine To Tough It Out
In I Peter 1:13 Peter writes that we are to "...to gird up the loins of your mind..." In todays vernacular we might suggest, "roll up your sleeves." That means that we're getting ready to go to work. When suffering comes, it is important that we dedicate ourselves to endurance. Grace doesn't come because we sit back and do nothing. Grace comes when we do all that we can.
5. Be Holy
Peter addresses holiness in I Peter 1:14-16. Many times we refer to these verses when challenging God's people about their behavior in the world. I certainly believe in old-fashioned holiness, but in it's context, the challenge is to be holy in the midst of suffering. Don't get mad at God! Don't gripe and complain! Don't allow yourself to become bitter! Be holy "...as he which hath called you is holy..."
6. Allow Your Suffering To Bring You To Christ
Suffering shouldn't separate us from Christ, it should draw us to Christ. In I Peter 2:25 Peter alludes to this when he writes, "...but now are ye returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." I recently read that if a sheep sees green grass on a levee, he will jump down onto that levee and eat until the grass is gone. The sheep then realizes that it cannot get back up. The shepherd must wait until the sheep is so weak that it cannot walk before he attempts a rescue. As long as that sheep has energy, he will try to save himself. Many times that provokes him to jump to his death. As suffering sheep, we must allow our struggles to bring us to our Saviour.
"Rough air" on a flight changes everything. You can't get up and walk around to get comfortable. The flight attendant can't bring you a snack and a beverage. Your heart may race and you may wonder if you're going to make it. The only thing one can do at that particular moment is to trust the captain. He can see things from his vantage point that you can't see. His radar tells him where he should go for things to get smoother and how long it will take him to get there. Thank God that our "captain" knows exactly what we need when "rough air" invades our lives.
Monday, September 19, 2011
A Place For Grace
The theme of our Fall Program is "What's So Amazing About Grace?" We have enjoyed four wonderful Sunday's and we are very excited about what the Lord is going to do in the next two weeks.
This past weekend, the grace of God was revealed to our church family in a myriad of ways. Evangelist Otis Duhart was our guest speaker. Bro. Duhart's life is an great testimony of God's grace. As a former Florida State University football player, his life "from football to faith" could only be directed by a loving, gracious, Heavenly Father. On Friday night Bro. Otis preached at a Youth Rally held at our church and fifteen young people experienced God's grace when they accepted Christ as their personal Saviour. In yesterday morning's service five precious people walked the aisle to receive Christ, and once again, the grace of God was abundant.
During the morning service my in-laws, Reub & Evelyn Ewert, gave a testimony about what God's grace means to them. Mrs. Ewert is battling Alzheimer's Disease, and our church family has witnessed God's grace in a very real way in their lives and in their marriage.
Last night Tommy & Sara Dennis lost their baby. Space will not permit me to share how God's grace was manifested in their family in the past several days. It has been amazing to watch.
I'm glad that God's grace is at work in my life and I'm thankful that I'm in a place where His grace is revealed on a regular basis. I don't want to take that for granted.
This past weekend, the grace of God was revealed to our church family in a myriad of ways. Evangelist Otis Duhart was our guest speaker. Bro. Duhart's life is an great testimony of God's grace. As a former Florida State University football player, his life "from football to faith" could only be directed by a loving, gracious, Heavenly Father. On Friday night Bro. Otis preached at a Youth Rally held at our church and fifteen young people experienced God's grace when they accepted Christ as their personal Saviour. In yesterday morning's service five precious people walked the aisle to receive Christ, and once again, the grace of God was abundant.
During the morning service my in-laws, Reub & Evelyn Ewert, gave a testimony about what God's grace means to them. Mrs. Ewert is battling Alzheimer's Disease, and our church family has witnessed God's grace in a very real way in their lives and in their marriage.
Last night Tommy & Sara Dennis lost their baby. Space will not permit me to share how God's grace was manifested in their family in the past several days. It has been amazing to watch.
I'm glad that God's grace is at work in my life and I'm thankful that I'm in a place where His grace is revealed on a regular basis. I don't want to take that for granted.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Power of Words
This morning I was reading in Proverbs 6 and I was captivated by what I read in verse 2. "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth..." For someone who makes their living talking, that's a pretty scary thought! It is critical that we realize the power of our words. Scripture has much to say about our mouth, our lips and the words that come from them. Here are just a few thoughts I shared with our staff this morning concerning our words.
1. Be careful WHAT you say.
It is important that we understand, some things are better left unsaid. I learned a long time ago that if it doesn't need to be said, don't say it. We should thoughtfully and prayerfully weigh the words that we speak. Once a word is spoken, it can never be retracted.
2. Be careful HOW you say it.
It is quite possible to say the right thing, but to say it in the wrong way. Our tone of voice, facial expression and body language can cause the right words to be received in the wrong way. I oftentimes tell preachers, "You can preach hard without being hard." Learn to temper your words with grace.
3. Be careful WHO you say it to.
When speaking, we should consider our audience. If it is something that we want held in confidence, that will greatly limit the number of people to whom we will be able to speak. If we are going to speak correctively, we should make sure that the person to whom we are speaking is within our area of judgment.
4. Be careful WHEN you say it.
It is possible to say the right thing, to the right person, at the wrong time. I oftentimes warn husbands and wives about the timing of their speech. I believe that our speech should be calculated. Is my heart in the right condition for me to say this? What is the spirit of the person to whom I am about to speak? These are questions that we should consider before we open our mouths.
These are just a few thoughts concerning our speech. Scripture tells us that the power of death and life are in the tongue. Be mindful of how you use your words in the lives of other people. One day you and I will give an account to God for the words that we speak. It's a sobering thought.
1. Be careful WHAT you say.
It is important that we understand, some things are better left unsaid. I learned a long time ago that if it doesn't need to be said, don't say it. We should thoughtfully and prayerfully weigh the words that we speak. Once a word is spoken, it can never be retracted.
2. Be careful HOW you say it.
It is quite possible to say the right thing, but to say it in the wrong way. Our tone of voice, facial expression and body language can cause the right words to be received in the wrong way. I oftentimes tell preachers, "You can preach hard without being hard." Learn to temper your words with grace.
3. Be careful WHO you say it to.
When speaking, we should consider our audience. If it is something that we want held in confidence, that will greatly limit the number of people to whom we will be able to speak. If we are going to speak correctively, we should make sure that the person to whom we are speaking is within our area of judgment.
4. Be careful WHEN you say it.
It is possible to say the right thing, to the right person, at the wrong time. I oftentimes warn husbands and wives about the timing of their speech. I believe that our speech should be calculated. Is my heart in the right condition for me to say this? What is the spirit of the person to whom I am about to speak? These are questions that we should consider before we open our mouths.
These are just a few thoughts concerning our speech. Scripture tells us that the power of death and life are in the tongue. Be mindful of how you use your words in the lives of other people. One day you and I will give an account to God for the words that we speak. It's a sobering thought.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
What Is Your Maintenance Plan?
A couple of months ago our church voted to purchase a new car for me to drive. Up until then I was driving my 2000 Chevy truck with 250,000 miles on it. I am very blessed to pastor a church where the folks attempt to express their love for their pastor in tangible ways. I don't ever want to take that for granted.
Today I took our 2010 Taurus to the dealership for service. I've already driven 7,500 miles and according to the owner's manual, the car was due for service. As I looked at the manual, I found that Ford has a very detailed maintenance plan. It covers everything. Simply put, regular maintenance will extend the life of the automobile and enhance it's operation. The service manager recommended, "the works."
As I left the Ford dealership I thought about my spiritual maintenance plan. My "owner's manual", the Bible, gives detailed instructions as to how I can extend my spiritual life and enhance my spiritual performance. Reading the Word, praying, confessing my sins, attending church on a consistent basis, etc. are all things that are needed if I'm going to optimize the new life that God put in me almost 33 years ago. I hope you have a scheduled maintenance plan for your spiritual life. It may not be convenient, but it certainly is necessary.
Today I took our 2010 Taurus to the dealership for service. I've already driven 7,500 miles and according to the owner's manual, the car was due for service. As I looked at the manual, I found that Ford has a very detailed maintenance plan. It covers everything. Simply put, regular maintenance will extend the life of the automobile and enhance it's operation. The service manager recommended, "the works."
As I left the Ford dealership I thought about my spiritual maintenance plan. My "owner's manual", the Bible, gives detailed instructions as to how I can extend my spiritual life and enhance my spiritual performance. Reading the Word, praying, confessing my sins, attending church on a consistent basis, etc. are all things that are needed if I'm going to optimize the new life that God put in me almost 33 years ago. I hope you have a scheduled maintenance plan for your spiritual life. It may not be convenient, but it certainly is necessary.
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