Tuesday May 15th

So, here I am in Dallas, Texas home of the 5 Time Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys. Ever heard of them? You know, America's Team (just picking on sister Adeline). You know that your in Dallas because you can "smell" victory in the air! I can turn on any local sports station and hear about the Cowboys 24 hours a day. So much so, that if brother Richard were here, he would put away his Steelers attire and put on some Silver and Blue! Anyway, I began the day with a study in the book of Philippians which by the way, I will hopefully begin the series when I get back. I then turn on the television to hear the latest news on the "Boys" and instead hear about the death of Rev. Jerry Falwell, Senior Pastor of the famous Thomas Road Baptist Church in Virginia. Dr. Falwell was one of the biggest voices of the great conservative movement as well as the founder of Liberty University. Some of you may know about him and some of you may not, however, despite what you know or even feel about him, may our prayers and thoughts be with our brothers at Thomas Road. Ironically this morning I read Philippians 1 as it talks about Paul and his imprisonment. He states in vs. 14 "and that most of the brethren, because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear." It reminded me of Dr. Falwell. He was a strong voice for the "Moral Majority", and what he would say often "rubbed" people the wrong way. However, he was a bold man. A news anchor from Fox News asked a church leader at Thomas Road Baptist Church if the death of Dr. Falwell hurts the "Biblically Conservative Base", he responded, "No! It only becomes louder." I thought about that for a little while and agreed with his statement. You see, Paul was telling the people of Philippi that his imprisonment gave others more courage to speak the word of God without fear. When trend setters like Dr. Falwell pass away, God raises up others who will be even more courageous than him! Moses was a man that loved the Lord and was used to take the people of God out of the grip of Egypt, yet God told Joshua to be even more courageous (Joshua 1:6-9). My prayer is that the Lord would raise up some men and women who are not afraid to stand for the Word of God! You see, when a person stands for what is truth, whatever is false can not stand! Stand for what is true so that those who come preaching a false Christ will crumble under the pressure of truth! Stand for what is true so that he/she that comes with a "gossiping" tongue and a vile heart will be crushed under the power of truth! Stand for what is true so that the "father of lies" when he comes to you with tempting lies will bow to the Voice of Truth! Pray for your brothers and your sister so that truth may avail in their lives. One last thing, please pray for my family this week as we come to your mind. My mom took my grandmother to the doctor this afternoon and we received some disturbing news. The doctor said that my grandmother's health is declining and gave her only 6 months to live. Please pray that the Lord of peace may fall upon our family. Thank you church! Forever in His Grip- Pastor Sammy