WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD MEN GONE?

Acts 11:24 a

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.

Where have all the good men, like Barnabas gone? 

When I think about good men, I can't help but think about my dad, Kermit Cleveland Brackett (Babe) he was a good man. We lost dad on this day, April 10, 2007 (17 years ago) yet it seems like only yesterday. I was thinking about him on my way to the office this morning and figured it was a good time to write something about him on my blog.

I always remember Dad as a humble and quiet man who went out of his way to help others. He repaired lawnmowers and when someone came to pick it up they would ask dad how much they owed him and he would often say five dollars. Keep in mind that dad never had much but I've never seen him try to take advantage of anyone.

When I look back, I have a hard time understanding how he was able to do all that he did with so little. There are little vignettes embedded in my memory of so many different times in my life where he manged to glue, staple, or tape things together just so they would last a little longer. He was a hard worker and lived by meager means yet somehow, he always managed to provide for us. 

He followed the advice of President Theodore Roosevelt - “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” 

Being a good man was just dad's nature, I can't remember him being any other way. He set a great example for me in how he treated others, especially mom. We lost a good man when dad passed and I sure do miss him. I can't hardly wait to see him again!

DON'T LET THE DEVIL STEAL YOUR WORSHIP

Worship is to the soul what rain is to the parched land. When we worship, it’s like rain on the dry ground and water to the thirsty. Worship makes us spiritually strong and without it we become weak and anemic. It’s no wonder Satan tries to steal our worship away from God. We sing the little chorus: “We have come into His house and gathered in His name to worship Him”.  That’s the way it should be but often it’s not. Worship doesn’t just happen; we can’t just show up for church and think that worship will take place while our minds are somewhere else. We have an adversary that will do everything that he can to steal our worship to God. 

 John Wesley conducted an open-air meeting in a little village in Cornwall two hundred years ago. He said, "I preached Christ our 'wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' I could not conclude till it was so dark that we could scarce see one another. And there was on all sides the deepest attention: none speaking, stirring, or scarce looking aside. Surely here, though in a temple not made with hands, was God worshiped in the beauty of holiness." 

 On the day of Pentecost, they were all in ONE PLACE and in one accord. We have a hard time getting everyone in one place because people are all over the place! Pastors are trying everything to get people to church... Drive-by, drive thru and drive in churches where you don't have to get out of your car. Drive-by prayers and blessings, a "fast-food" service. Early services for those who want to hurry and get it over with and then go on about their business. Later services for those that want to sleep late. Contemporary services for the young and traditional services for the old. Fluff Services, an hour of singing a ten-minute devotional. Media Church, which is great for shut-ins, but it will never take the place of assembling in the house of God if you are able. When you are in need of a pastor, those you watch on TV aren’t going to help you. 

 There is no substitute for church! There’s healing in the house of God; there’s balm in Gilead. God has given you the local assembly and there's no substitute for it! Some claim that they can get close to God on a deer stand, on the golf course or at the lake fishing, but don't kid yourself! Get yourself to the house of God and worship with fellow believers because it's not just about you. 

 Shortly after Scott Hamilton won the gold metal as an Olympic skater, he said, “Someone asked me why I was looking at the metal so intently. What I was doing was looking at 16 years of my life.” 

 We’ve got too much invested in this race to quit now! Too many years and too many miles behind us to give up now! Don’t let Satan steal your worship or your crown.

IT'S DARK, BUT MORNING'S COMING!

In less than a week, the cry of “Hosanna” turned to “Crucify Him”, and less than a week the people chose Barabbas, a murderer and thief over Jesus Christ.

There was darkness settling over the land just as there’s darkness today with:

• Babies Sadistically Aborted
• Widespread Suicide 
• Murder Commonplace 
• Divorce Prevalent 
• Disease Worldwide 
• Perversion Applauded

Many today are dealing with the aftereffects of abuse, divorce, a life-threatening disease, or depression. Some are suffering from the grief of recently losing a family member. 

This is a very dark hour, not only in our nation but in the world. The hatred toward Christianity is unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times. 

1 John 3:13 

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 

That hatred is coming out of the darkness and out of the pits of hell as Jesus warned… 

John 15:18 

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 

The world hates a child of God because the Christian message is not a message of inclusivism; it is not a message of relativity. It is an exclusive and absolute message. It is not a broad message but a narrow message. It is not a broad way but a narrow way! And that makes people angry; especially in a day when there is a cry for tolerance and acceptance. 

The Bible does not offer an alternate lifestyle or another way; Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY! 

It’s not so much a "war on Christianity" as it is rebellion against God. It is a hatred toward anything that points to God or His Son Jesus and that includes Christians. 

The world is dark, and politicians and terrorists have become ambassadors of evil. It is dark and getting darker every day. Jesus warned in John 9:4 “Night is coming!” 

Psalm 30:5 b 5 Weeping may endure for a night. 

And what a night it is! A night of darkness represents weeping and there is so much weeping as the shadows of darkness covers the globe. 

Isaiah 21:11 

11 Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 

We ask when will this long night be over? 

I’ve seen families sitting under a tent at the graveyard who looked like they had just lost everything. That’s pretty much how the disciples felt when Jesus was crucified, death is such a dark valley. 

But the Gospel is Good News, and the good news is that “It’s dark, but morning’s coming!” 

The darkest hour in human history happened almost 2000 years ago. An angry mob led by Judas Iscariot, came in the darkness with swords, spears, sticks and torches to arrest Jesus. It was in the darkness of midnight when Jesus was bound and taken into custody like a common criminal. But He had committed no crimes, in fact He had just finished praying. He prayed so earnestly and so fervently until His sweat became as great drops of blood. 

They held a “mock” trial at night for Jesus, which was illegal. He suffered abuse at the hands of the soldiers; when Jesus wouldn’t answer their questions, they hit Him in the mouth. They blindfolded Him and slapped Him in the face as they cursed and swore at Him. 

Psalm 35:15 b 

15 The abjects gathered themselves together against me…they did tear me, and ceased not. 

They spit in His face, showing their disrespect and contempt for Him. The spittle ran down His face and beard. They mocked Him, beat Him, and plucked out His beard. 

Isaiah 50:6 

6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 

They stripped Him of His clothes and tied Him to a whipping post where a soldier beat Jesus within an inch of his life. Every time the whip cracked; pieces of flesh, some the size of the palms of your hands, tore from His body. His precious blood splattered on the stone walls and on the pavement. 

Josephus said He was beaten so badly until His eyes lay in the cup of His cheekbones. 

Psalm 129:3 

3 The plowers plowed upon my back, they made long their furrows. 

Isaiah 53:5 

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

They beat Him until He was hardly recognizable. His bones were out of joint, and He was poured out like water. His heart was like wax melted in the midst of His bowels. His strength was dried up like a potsherd. His tongue clave to His jaws. The bulls of Bashan gaped upon Him and surrounded Him.

They wrapped a purple robe around His bloody body. A crown of thorns was pressed down on His head until blood poured down into His ears, eyes, and face. They hit Him over and over again with a reed fulfilling prophecy of… 

Micah 5:1 

1 They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 

The soldiers tore off the robe that had become glued to his back where the blood had coagulated. Calvary was a place of execution; called the skull. It was where criminals, slaves, felons, insurgents were executed. Death by crucifixion was a horrible way to die. It was invented by the Persians and perfected by Romans. Crucifixion was the greatest shame, humiliation, and disgrace anyone could experience. 

Galatians 3:13 

13 Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. 

Jewish historian Josephus had witnessed many crucifixions, he called it: "The most wretched of deaths." It was a lingering death; some suffered on a cross for days before they died. 

Philippians 2:8 8 Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

They stretched Jesus out on the cross and nailed His hands and feet with nails that resembled railroad spikes but much sharper. Those hands that touched blind eyes, and those feet that had walked upon the water. 

Psalm 22:16 

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 

Jesus hung on the cross for six hours. He endured the jeers and taunts of the people who were wagging their heads. 

Luke 23:44-45

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 

45 And the sun was darkened. 

It was the darkest day in the history of mankind. The sun pulled a veil over her face and the moon, and the stars could not shine. The One who had hung the sun, moon and stars was dying and it became as dark as midnight. 

Something horrible was happening! 

• So horrible that noonday became as midnight. 
• So horrible until all the disciples ran and hid.
• So horrible that the Father had to look away. 
• So horrible that Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” 

It was the darkest day in the history of the world! 

It’s dark, but morning’s coming! 

The body of Jesus was removed from the cross, prepared for burial, and placed in a dark tomb that was sealed shut with a large stone. The tomb was completely dark. The first Easter started out dark and gloomy as the Lord Jesus lay dead in a dark tomb. 

It’s dark, but morning’s coming!

It was early Sunday morning; so early it was still dark! The women went to the tomb with heavy hearts and was surprised to find the stone rolled away. Not only that but the tomb was empty, the dead body of Jesus was not there!

The tomb was empty but two men in shining garments, which were angels, said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 

6 He is not here, but is risen: 

They were not expecting to find an empty tomb! They were not expecting to see angels! They were not expecting to see Jesus alive! BUT that’s what Easter is all about! Easter brings hope! Easter morning gives us the courage and hope to endure the darkness.  

It’s dark, but morning’s coming! 

It was in the early morning when the Son of God rose from the grave. Jesus made Easter morning a time of total victory over the darkness. 

Psalm 30:5 b 

5 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

It’s dark, but morning’s coming! 

It will be Easter morning for all eternity! Easter is not just about victory in death, it is about victory in life. The tomb is still empty!

IT'S A NEW YEAR!

Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,


It doesn’t matter what has happened in the past and it doesn’t matter that you have weaknesses or even that you have failed!

It is only when you begin to recognize your weaknesses that you begin to get stronger.

God is not finished with you yet!

When Paul was despairing for his life he realized that God still had work for him to do; there were more sermons to preach, more books to write and much more ministry to perform.

Sometimes our weaknesses can be our greatest assets!

A man walked into the First Christian Church and told them that he was not a beggar but that he didn’t have a job but needed some money and that he was willing to work.
They put him to work mowing the grass along with a few other things.
They decided to hire him as a janitor and asked him to fill out some papers. He said that he couldn’t read or write; so they didn’t hire him but they paid him for his work.

He didn’t give up; he took the money, bought some fruit and set up a fruit stand on the side of the road.
With his profit he bought more fruit until his business became very profitable.
After several years he had made a million dollars.
He went to the bank to open an account and the banker told him to fill out some forms.
He said that he couldn’t read or write.
The banker said, “Do you realize what you could be today if you were literate?

The man said, “Yes, I would be the janitor of the First Christian Church.”

You might feel inadequate but you are just the candidate that God is looking for!
God loves to take the foolish and confound the wise!
He loves to take that which is ordinary and turn into something extraordinary.

When you feel like giving up or throwing in the towel and when you feel like what’s the use; then remember that Jesus didn’t give up!
He didn’t throw in the towel!
He didn’t feel like His work was in vain!

We have been given a window of opportunity and we need to take advantage of it.
Forget those things that are behind and press on.
Reach, take hold of, and pursue the things of God.
Let’s give God our best and our all in 2016!

"THINK & THANK"

It has become rather easy for us to pass through Thanksgiving to focus our attention on Christmas rather than to grasp the real significance of it. Real Thanksgiving is a declaration of faith as we recognize the greatness of God. It is very clear in the Word of God that gratitude is at the very heartbeat of the life of the child of God. It doesn’t matter if you are reading the Old Testament or the New, we are constantly confronted with words of gratitude and praise.

When Mark Twain was at the peak of his writing career, it is said that his magazine and journal articles were worth $ 5 a word, which was a great sum of money in those days. A young Harvard graduate student sent Mark Twain a letter:

“Dear Mr. Twain: Enclosed please find $ 5. Please send me your best word”
A few days later, the student received a telegram with this single word response: “Thanks!”

It might be that “thanks” is the most valuable word in any language.

It is so easy to complain! If we get a little frustrated or irritated then we start to complain.I would say that the average person spends more time complaining than being thankful.
Complaining is counter-productive! Complaining will raise your blood pressure, make you look bad in front of others and for the most part is a waste of energy. Complaining is a lot like worry, it is a waste of time.

A famous stress researcher claims that two attitudes more than any other influences the quality of everyday life. The two emotions determine your peace of mind, feelings of insecurity, frustration and whether or not we will be a success in life. He says that the most destructive emotion is “revenge” but the one emotion that affects us more than any other in the reduction of stress is the feeling of gratitude.

Thanksgiving is so productive because it makes us forget our problems. It causes us to focus on the good things and positive things instead of negative things.

The word think and thank comes from the same root word. If we would spend more time thinking about the goodness of God then we would be more thankful. It’s impossible to be anxious and thankful at the same time.

I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”

NARCISSUS SYNDROME

2 Timothy 3:1-2

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves...

These are the last days in which the Apostle Paul warned of danger; one of the greatest dangers that he lists in 2 Timothy 3 is the fact that men/women will be lovers of their own selves.

Benjamin Franklin said, "He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals." It is also called narcissism from Greek mythology. A young man named "Narcissus" fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a spring and pined away.

Narcissism is an egotistical preoccupation with self, personal preferences, aspirations, needs, success, and how he/she is perceived by others. It is a person that is totally absorbed in self and the center of his/her own universe.

Someone with the narcissus personality will be your friend and keep you close as long as you are useful. Once you do not have anything more to offer and they have taken all they want from you, you are history. You are no longer desired, wanted, or sought.

Self-love is the dominant characteristic of the last days and is evident by greedy, covetous and arrogant attitudes that are so prevalent in society today.

What has happened to true affection? Unnatural affection and perversion are embraced and even applauded by the world today.

These last days have brought times of great stress and duress; days of difficulty. It gives us an idea of the kind of seasons that the church can expect in the days ahead; they will be painful, perilous, hard to endure and hard to cope with.

We need to be prepared for the change in behavior we will encounter; friends and even family members will betray one another. People that you think are your friends today will be your enemies tomorrow!

Paul says to begin with; the reason why, is because men/women will be lovers of their own selves.

It is men/women who are responsible for the frightening times that the church has to face. Evil men/women who are under Satan's influence and deception; men/women whose behavior is self-centered, immoral and hostile toward God.

Self-centered, selfish and proud individuals who will spread evil and heresy throughout the church bringing division and strife. Jude warned that they have crept in unawares into the church in these last days.

In order to counteract the spirit of this age; we must fall totally in love with Jesus Christ! That's the cure and the antidote for the "Narcissus Syndrome". We must love God more than life itself:

Mark 12:30

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

Let me challenge you to go after God and to love Him with all that is in you. Give Him your best and give Him your all!

BETRAYAL!

"Et tu Brute, then fall Caesar"; a Latin phrase meaning "Even you, Brutus?".
These most famous words in English literature speak of the betrayal of a friend. Julius Caesar lamented that his close friend Brutus was stabbing him leaving him without hope.

We expect our friends and family to stand by us through thick and thin. If we can't count on our friends and family to pull us through hard times then who can we count on?

Do you realize that the only people that can betray us are those who are close to us? Jesus said in:

Luke 21:16 "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death."

Notice that He doesn't say anything about enemies; it's family and friends, the ones closest to us. It's people that have inside information and knowledge. It's people that we have let down our guard with and been vulnerable to. People with whom we have shared our life's stories, secrets and sorrows.

That's what makes betrayal so painful; you never see it coming! But even if you could see it coming it would be no less painful.

Don't forget that Jesus experienced betrayal by one of His chosen disciples. During the ministry of Jesus, Judas Iscariot was working behind His back to betray Him. Judas was an eyewitness to the miracles that Jesus performed and he not only partook of communion but allowed Jesus to wash his feet.

The betrayer has the ability to smile in your face while stabbing you in the back; without blinking an eye.

I have learned that when someone tells you that they've got your back they may possibly mean that they have put a bull eyes on your back. They've got your back ready for target practice.

How is that possible? How can we get to such a place to where we will betray someone even to death?

Psalm 55:12-14

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

One of the greatest trials we can go through and one of the greatest hurts is when someone you really love, a friend or a family member betrays you.

Psalm 41:9 "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."

Sometimes our friends can hurt us very deeply. David said, "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords".

A betrayer is often the same person you go to church with; how sad and disappointing it is when church members, people we fellowship with in the house of God, turn against us and hurt us.

David prayed and said, "Lord, you are the only One who can take care of this. I don't understand it. I'm not going to return evil for evil. I'm just going to leave it with You."

If we really want to be like Jesus we will be a friend who blesses instead of betrays. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Betrayal hurts deeply; its never justified and you never feel exonerated. How we respond to betrayal is a true test of our faith. When others do their worst towards us then the only righteous recourse we have is to leave it with God.

Matthew 24:10 "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."

Matthew 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

UNBEARABLE?

People are surprised to find that a lot of things that are said as scripture are not scripture such as:

• “This, too, shall pass”
• “God helps those who help themselves”
• “Spare the rod, spoil the child”
• “God works in mysterious ways”
• “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”
• “Rob Peter to pay Paul”

It really bothers me when I hear someone tell those who are going through a great difficulty that the Bible says: “God will never put more on you than you can bear.”

I lost my dad on April 10, 2007 and six days later I lost my brother on August 16; two family members in less than a week’s time.
Well meaning people said to me and my family: “God will never put more on you than you can bear.”
Let me tell you, there is no comfort in that saying!

It is like so many other things that people hear and retell as the gospel when it isn’t. It is simply not in the Bible!

It is something that has been taking out of context that does not apply to human suffering and tragedy.

1 Corinthians 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God will not allow temptation to be so great that we cannot resist it. So out the window goes the argument: “The devil made me do it” or “I just can’t help it”.

He’s talking about TEMPTATION which is totally different from burdens that are unbearable.
Even the great apostle Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NLT)
8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.

The Psalmist felt the heavy burden of sin as overwhelming in:

Psalm 38:4
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

I am not so super spiritual that I can handle everything that comes my way in life. When death, sickness and disease come it is more than we can bear. When there is financial reversal, marital difficulties and trouble in the home; it is more than we can bear.

How can you tell a couple who are convulsing before the lifeless body of their newborn baby that “God will not allow more to come on you than you can bear”, and expect that to give them some kind of solace.

How can you tell that to a grieving widow who has just experienced the sudden passing of her husband in the prime of his life?

There have been many things that I have gone through personally that were more than I could bear.
When you stop to think about it; if we could bear everything that comes our way then we wouldn’t need the Lord to help us.

It is cruel and unjust to tell people that they can handle whatever they are going through because God will not allow more to come on them than they can bear.

It is not about what we can bear; it’s about what God can bear!

1 Peter 5:7
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Isaiah 9:6
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

He can handle all of our cares; He can carry the weight of the government and the world on His shoulders.

We cannot handle everything but God can!

There are things beyond our strength but not beyond the strength of God.

When we look to the cross we are reminded of this broken and sin cursed world that we live in but it also reminds us that we are not alone.

God understands what we are facing and what we are going through at all times. It is through faith in God that we understand that He is there to help us in times of trouble and to bear our burdens.

Psalm 121:1-2
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

God loves us and He understands about the burdens of life and that is one of the reasons He has given us the church.
The church is of great value when we are facing the heartaches and burdens of life.

Galatians 6:2 a
“Bear ye one another's burdens”

In the church we have one another to help us through difficult times. We are surrounded by those in the household of faith who can sympathize and empathize with us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

It offers no comfort to tell those who are hurting that God will not allow more to come on them than they can bear; in fact it hurts them deeply.

Just remember, what is unbearable for you is not unbearable for God. What you can't handle; He can!

SHEDDING TEARS FOR THE CHURCH!

What's on my mind and heart today?

Well, here goes...

I am deeply troubled and burdened about the direction of the church as a whole. It seems that with each generation we are losing something very valuable and precious.

I think about the people of Ezra's day and how they reacted to the temple being built.

Ezra 3:12-13

12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

The older people remembered what it used to be like and the new could not compare to the old. But for the young people who had not experienced anything else it was a time of celebration.

Judges 2:10 b

"There arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."

These are the days when "another" generation has come to the forefront and introduced a new way and new doctrines such as:

* Word of Faith
* Manifest Sons of God
* Kingdom Now
* Apostolic Movement
* Third Wave
* New Breed

Churches have changed their names in an effort to sound hip, cool and relevant. Preachers have gone from clerical to casual and the church has traded the spiritual for the superficial.

Catchy sounding phrases have been introduced to the church and made into doctrines.

* Favor
* Head and not the tail
* Have faith in your faith
* Wealth and divine health
* Name it and claim it

Supposedly if you "speak it" then you can have it! Claim cars, houses, jobs and even a future wife or husband. But if it's something negative such as sickness or disease then don't speak it and it won't happen!

There are people running all over the place chasing gold dust and angel feathers. People are chanting and swaying trying to have some sort of ecstatic or euphoric experience.

Matthew 12:39 a

“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign”

There are false spirits invading the church! The church has been infected with false doctrine and false anointing.

Gullible people will follow emotional experiences and seducing spirits; they will follow wild fire and bizarre manifestations.

How can we be so shallow and fickle to embrace an unholy spirit and endorse it.
There’s an unholy spirit that has seized many of our churches.
You can tell it by:

• Hypnotic and rock music
• Chanting just like they do in Hinduism, Buddhism and the New Age Movements
• Laughing and jerking uncontrollably
• Crying, screaming and dancing

Where’s the soberness, sobriety, alertness, watchfulness; if possible the very elect will be deceived.

We need to beware of this unholy spirit that is nothing more than a counterfeit from the devil.

All of these things make an individual sound "super spiritual" and yet often these same people are some of the most vicious people you will ever meet. They have left a trail of hurt, disillusionment and despair everywhere they have been. The bible warns of wolves disguised as sheep.

Matthew 7:16 a

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

Backslidden Israel shouted so loud that the earth quaked, but by the end of the day the Philistines had plundered them.

The anointing is not worked up and manufactured manifestations.
If we had the fear of God we would never pretend to have the anointing.

Staying Focused!

Staying focused is a real challenge these days! There are so many things that are working against us and that seek to draw us away from our goal.

When Nehemiah was working on the wall he had to stay focused. He received an invitation to come down from the wall but he refused. He said;

"I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

But the distracters were persistent; four times they sent a message urging Nehemiah to come down and meet with them and each time they received the same answer. Nehemiah said "NO" to their request to meet at Ono!

Distractions can come from any direction at any given time but we must stay focused.

We have to make up our minds what our top priority is; we must be determined!

The work of God is a great work! It is a great work to set the captives free, to heal the sick and to minister to the poor.

It is a great work to preach the gospel and to see the lives of men and women changed by the power of God and His Word.

There is opposition to the work of God that He has called us to do.

1 Corinthians 16:9
“A great and effectual door of ministry is opened to me, but there are many adversaries.”

We have an enemy who wants to stop the work of God so he works to hinder us and to discourage us. He wants to prevent us from fulfilling the call of God.

Many times where there is a great door of opportunity in ministry, there is also great opposition.

If Nehemiah had come down from the wall and stopped God’s work he would have never finished; that is the enemy’s goal, to hinder and distort the truth.

We have to stay focused!

Church Life!

Church life is actually the only life I've ever known; I can't imagine living without the church. The church family is special and it is a privilege and an honor to be involved in the lives of those in the church family.

There is a kindred spirit and fellowship developed in the church over the years that the world can't understand or comprehend. The very fact that we are indeed "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ creates a wonderful bond.

We laugh together and we cry together because we are of the same spirit and body.

2 Corinthians 4:13 a

"We having the same spirit of faith"

Romans 12:5

"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

The burden of ministry never goes away and you never feel adequate in helping others.

Numbers 4:47 b

"The service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation"

We face many challenges in the church today because people are facing things that they never dreamed they would ever face. Divorce, sickness, disease, job loss, relationship problems and caring for aging parents are all issues facing everyone from the pulpit to the pew.

The responsibility to care for the flock and protect the flock as a pastor is overwhelming to say the least. We face attacks from within and from without!

The enemy is always on the prowl and he will use whatever means to get at the shepherd and the flock, especially in times of such great vulnerability.

I am encouraged from the Word of God that Jesus is coming soon; yes I'm still a believer in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church! I believe that the demonic attacks are increasing just as the turmoil in nature represents birth-pains. The closer we get to the coming of the Lord the more intense the pains are going to be.

Fasten your seat-belts and get a good grip on your faith because we are living in perilous times. Don't be shocked or surprised by what you see or hear. Don't be caught off guard by the attacks of the enemy.

1 Peter 4:12 (CEV)

"Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire."

Jesus warned that because of the spread of iniquity that the love of many would grow cold. People will hate you without a cause even those of your own family; brothers against brothers, parents against children and children against parents.

There are seducing spirits, doctrines of devils and a departure from the faith. While some are forsaking the ancient landmarks others are embracing the attitudes and lifestyles of the world.

Needless to say, the one thing that we need to know is that everything is alright between us and God.

2 Peter 1:10

"Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall"

Time Flies!

I didn't realize that it had been so long since I had last written; boy, time really does fly!

God has been so good to me and my family; I stand amazed at His incredible mercy, love and grace. The Psalmist rejoiced that God loaded him up with benefits everyday. David couldn't write the songs fast enough to praise God for all His blessings.

We rejoiced in the fact that God blessed us with our very first grandson in Alex. Then along came a second in Logan; I must tell you it is great having a couple of boys around after living with three females for all these years. But there's always room for another female and God blessed us with Skylar; she is adorable with double dimples. Our family has grown and I pray that it doesn't stop growing; grand-kids are truly grand!

I'm so very proud of my girls; they have turned into wonderful wives and mothers. They have had a great role model in their mother, to teach and train them to be that way.

There have been many things said about preacher's kids (PK'S) in a negative way but I want to set the record straight. Not all preacher's kids have gone astray because of what they have experienced through church life. Some of the greatest hurts you will ever experience is in the church. The church is usually where you let your guard down and become more vulnerable because of the love that exists between church families. Our family has not been immune to attacks; as the Apostle Paul said, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Although our marks and scars are not physical they are still very real. There are not many pastors that have their children involved in ministry especially after they leave home. Abby and Beth are still in the church working for the Lord. Abby loves kids and who knew that God would place here in the children's ministry to use that gift of love for children. Beth has a magnetic personality and people seem drawn to her; especially young people. She serves as a great mentor and communicator leading the youth.

I love my wife Gayle; I don't know where I would be today without her! She can juggle so many different things at one time and I don't know how she does it.

Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward."

Proverbs 17:6 (ESV)

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers."

Proverbs 18:22 (ESV)

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD."

SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!

The storks have been flying around our family lately; that's for sure!

January 2009 brought us a precious little boy by the name of Alex; he is all boy and our first grandchild! Alex is such a delight and we have learned that grand-parenting can be very tiring. It is so exciting to see him discovering everything for the first time.



December 2009 brought us another delightful little boy by the name of Logan; Alex is going to be an adventurer but Logan is going to be a philosopher. Logan is very observant and laid back and it is not difficult to get a smile out of him; that's the Brackett in him!

Well, now we are waiting on stork # 3! Logan is about to get a little sister named Skylar sometime around the end of October. I can't begin to imagine what it is going to be like around the Brackett house come Christmas time; well for that matter, any time!

We are so blessed!

I am so proud of my daughters; they have become great mothers. I never had to worry about that because they have had a great role model in their own mother; she's the best!

It's one of the many blessings that God has given to us.

Proverbs 17:6

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE!

December 4, 2009 at 4:41 pm little Logan Cleveland Salsedo was born. Logan is our second grand-baby and the second grand-baby born this year; talk about doubling your pleasure! Logan has a full head of hair and weighs 8.2 lbs and is 20 inches long. He is the son of our oldest daughter Abigail and her husband Troy.

This has been a very, very busy year! Our first grand-baby, Alex, was born a month early on January 5th and boy did he bring a rapid change into our lives.
We finally completed our new sanctuary after four years of planning and dealing with all the aggravations that go along with building these days. We had our first service on May 10th which was Mother's Day. It was so exciting and emotionally overwhelming to finally get into our building. We had the dedication of our new building on August 9th, which was the anniversary of the Matthews Church of God celebrating 55 years of ministry. The church was packed with members, friends, and former pastors. Our State Administrative Bishop, Jerry Chitwood, preached the morning service. We were able to have dinner in our newly renovated fellowship hall; formerly our sanctuary.

I must confess that I am having a hard time trying to relax; I feel that I have aged a great deal in the last two years. I lost a father and brother and gained two grandsons. I've had to deal with burials, births, buildings and budgets. We have had a number of church members that have had their own crises to deal with from the death of family members to surgery. The weekly toll of sermon preparation, visitation, counseling along with family responsibilities is a heavy load to bear.
But I am so thankful to have the Matthews Church of God as my church family! I don't know of another congregation that I would want to be sharing my life with during these momentous times. I can't say enough about the love, care and support that our church provides.

I am thankful that I serve a God who is all knowing and before we ever face anything He has already prepared a place and a people for us.

Two grandsons have doubled our pleasure but when I think about it our pleasure is multiplied with all the wonderful friends we have. God just keeps blessing and blessing!

Psalm 68:19

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

REFRESHING!

Incredible; I guess that's the word that first comes to mind. It has been awhile since my last blog.So much has happened and is happening and it finally seems like things are slowing down somewhat. How refreshing!

First of all Gayle and I are brand new grandparents and boy is it fun! Alexander Edward Baker was born January 5, 2009 and he has had our undivided attention ever since. Alex is now almost eight months old and it is such a joy to see him smile. He loves to eat and you don't have to wonder when that is; he will definitely let you know.
It has been a long time since we've had a little one. I had my first experience in changing a pamper; I didn't have a clue whether big bird was supposed to be on the front or back; well, which ever way it was supposed to be I didn't get it right. They make them that way for a reason as I found out the hard way. We love Alex!

Then...we learned that our oldest daughter Abby is expecting in December; another boy! It looks like the empty nest didn't stay empty for long! What a great Christmas this will be; in fact I've already starting celebrating Christmas!

Finally...our new sanctuary is complete and we moved in on Mother's Day. I can't tell you how that feels because words can't describe it. We had our big dedication day on August 9, 2009 and the house was filled to capacity.
I am still in awe at what God has done; it doesn't seem real. I know I am somewhat biased but it has to be one of the most beautiful sanctuaries around. Even though the building is beautiful; nothing compares to our wonderful congregation. The members and friends of the Matthews Church of God are by far the best group of people that any pastor could ask for. I love our people!!!

"I'M SO DIZZY!"

"WOW!" That's one word that I've been using a lot lately. It is a word that is used to express surprise, admiration, wonder, or pleasure.

Life is filled with a lot of 'WOWS'.
When I watch the progress of our new sanctuary being built I continually find myself saying, "Wow". When I see our congregation working so well together I say, "Wow". When people are hurting and in need of help and I see our church rally behind them, I say, "Wow". When the Spirit of God moves in our services and people start coming to the altar out of their own volition, I say, "Wow". When Beth, our daughter, informed us that she was pregnant, I said, "Wow", I'm going to be a "Grandpa". Everyday there seems to be another "Wow".

In the midst of all the "wows" of life do you ever get the feeling that you are like the guy that missed his stop and jumped off a moving bus? You are doing everything in your power to keep from falling down, but your legs can't keep up. The centrifugal force is too overwhelming for you keep your balance.

"BALANCE", now that's another great word; it means: EQUILIBRIUM, POISE, STEADINESS, STABILITY. It would be wonderful to be able to get our balance and stop reeling to and fro.

Do you ever have trouble keeping your balance? We often talk about the "Good Old Days" when life was much simpler, or at least much slower.
We are definitely in the "jet-age" and the "space-age" when everything comes zooming right at us! Our day is described with words such as: Multi-tasking, Headline News, Instant or Text Messaging, Cell Phones, Voice Mail, Broadband Internet for Instant Information, Fast Cars and Fast Food.

We are running so fast until we've lost sight of things that really matter. Our bodies are at risk from all the stress. Our frazzled minds have lost the ability to think at all.

A psychologist in Las Vegas recently did an experiment in which he gave 2,000 people bleepers and told them to write down exactly what was in their heads when the bleepers went off.

One woman thought about Christmas tree decorations. Another spent the whole day silently repeating to herself the names of two snacks - Twinkies and Granola.

It is so easy to lose our balance in such hectic times. "We" need to do more than just slow down; we need to stop and reassess our priorities.
There are so many things clamoring for our attention and we can get caught up in all the activities of life until we miss out on what is really important. We can be just as sincere and busy as Martha was when she was laboring in the kitchen. Yet how insignificant was that in comparison to being able to sit at the feet of Jesus.

"We" don't sit enough at the feet of Jesus! Sitting at the feet of Jesus will help us to keep balance in our lives. We will be able to say, "WOW" as we stand in awe of His presence.

LIFE GOES ON!

LIFE - There it is, do you see it? Right in the middle of life is a big "IF". I am not a philosopher and I don't profess to have all the answers. I know that I'm not the only one who has ever faced heartache and disappointment. I notice things differently now and as I look over my shoulder I see a lot of "ifs" in life. I suppose that everyone goes through life wondering about the "ifs". But it's like the old saying, "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a Merry Christmas" The what ifs of life can't change a thing. We live our lives learning from mistakes and learning to appreciate all things we took for granted.

I am 53 years old and on this date, thirty six years ago, I felt the call on my life to preach the gospel. I preached my very first sermon the next night on August 8, 1971 at the young age of seventeen. I remember it like it was yesterday and I even remember the text and the sermon title. I also remember that my brother Bob, who recently passed away, along with his wife Joyce went with me to the church and heard me preach my first sermon.

I find it incredible how quickly life on this earth is passing by and how before you know it the biggest part of it is over. Like a race horse out of the gate we take off with a blast and it seems the finish line is so far down the road. Yet we suddenly find ourselves going down the stretch the last leg of the mile.

One thing it does for you is to make you slow down and smell the roses. You learn not to take anything for granted. You learn who your friends truly are. You learn that a lot of things are not worth the time or effort to worry about or to lose sleep over.

Someone recently sent me an email that I thought summed things up so well.


"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You’ll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You’ll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin."

DEVASTATED!

Today is April 19, 2007 and we just buried my oldest brother. I cannot describe the emotional roller coaster our family has been on this past week. This has been the most heart wrenching and devastating experience that I have ever had in my life. The hurt is beyond description and the emptiness cannot be explained.

Bishop Bobby Stephen Brackett age 61 went home to be with the Lord this past Monday morning. It was just last Tuesday (10th) that my dad passed away and to have Bob die in less than a week's time is like a nightmare. My heart is like wax after being broken and crushed. Just when I think I'm getting a handle on everything it hits me again and I cannot hold back the tears. It's unexplainable and unimaginable.

I was with Bob when he died and it will be forever embedded in my mind. I wanted so much to help him but there was nothing that I, my brother David, my sister Darlene or the paramedics could do; he was gone. I cried out to God and I said, "God I don't understand, how can this be happening? We just lost dad, please don't take Bob" I don't have any answers or any explanation for why this has happened. But I do know that God is God and He always will be God! I went back to the church and got on my face before God and I prayed. I said, "God you don't owe me an explanation and you don't have to answer to me. I know that you are sovereign and your ways are above my ways. I will praise you in the midst of my grief and my sorrow" I've never felt God anymore powerful than during this time when I have been crushed and broken.

I will miss Bob because we labored together in the ministry. I'll miss calling him on Monday morning and asking him how he is doing and hearing him say, "I'm a clicking!" He was my golfing partner and I will miss playing golf with him and talking shop.

My heart goes out to his wife Joyce, daughters Karen & Madessa. I cannot imagine how it will be when they realize that he is never coming home again. The East Belmont Church of God has lost a great pastor and they will be hard pressed to find a better man than Bob Brackett. My dear 81 year old mother has lost a husband and a son in less than a week's time.

So, what do you do? How do you respond and react to such devastating events in life? What do you do; you keep holding on to the faith! You keep trusting God to see you through. You keep looking up because you know that they cannot come home but we will soon be going home.

HEARTBROKEN!

Today is April 13, 2007 and we just buried my dad;it hurts so bad! I have been in the ministry for almost 36 years and I've preached many funerals but today more than ever I felt death as never before. It hurts so bad to feel the loss and finality of death. I keep saying over and over to myself, "My dad is gone", and each time tears well up in my eyes. It's amazing at how many memories come rushing back to me, even little things. I remember "moments" and in my mind there are these little vignettes playing over and over again.

Kermit Cleveland Brackett, known as "Babe", was a great man! I've never heard anyone ever say an unkind word about my dad. He worked hard all of his life; with great ingenuity he could tape, glue, strap, fix or repair just about anything. We never had much but he always found a way to stretch things or to make them work. He was a quiet man and "gentle man". He loved God and the church and would do just about anything that was asked of him.

Dad had such a great sense of humor and loved to tease. He enjoyed life and God blessed him with 82 years. It came as a great shock this past Tuesday when I received the call that things didn't look good for him. When we arrived at the hospital and we went back to the room to where they had taken his body it didn't seem real. He looked like he was sleeping and at anytime he would wake up and say, "how's it going?" I'm going to miss calling home on Sunday afternoon and hearing mom say, "Babe, Rick's on the phone" and hearing him say, "how's it going?" or "did you have a good one today?", because he always wanted to know about the church.

Dad and Mom have been married for 64 years and I know it's going to be tough on all of us but especially her. Yet we all know that this is temporary and we will have a glad reunion day.

It's spring time and we just celebrated Easter. Easter means "RESURRECTION" and I know that dad will be getting up real soon and we will be together again. I am so thankful for all he taught me but especially about the Lord.

Dad had grown tired but now he is resting in peace; he is with the Lord! I am heartbroken yet I rejoice in knowing that he is now in the presence of the Lord.

FEELING SO MUCH BETTER!

Well, I just had my first ever experience with kidney stones, ouch! It is not an experience that I will soon forget. I got up Thursday morning and my back was hurting and I thought that maybe I had pulled a muscle or something - wrong! It wasn't long before I was very uncomfortable. When you have a kidney stone (s) it doesn't matter what position you get into it doesn't help. I tried standing, sitting and lying down but the pain continued to get worse. I don't like to go to the doctor and it was something that I put off as long as I could and only after the insistence of my precious wife did I agree to go to Urgent Care. The doctor gave me a shot to ease the pain and told me that I had blood in my urine that was plus 3. He sent me to the hospital for a sonogram and there I was told that I had one kidney stone in my left ureter that was 6 mm and that I had two in my right kidney that were 1 to 2 mm. They also discovered some gallstones - WOW! I was prescribed some medication and sent home. It was a rough couple of nights but I survived.

Now the good news! I went to the urologist on Monday and told him there was no more pain. He couldn't understand how I had passed a 6 mm stone and sent me back to the hospital for an additional ex-ray. Yesterday he called and said there was no sign of kidney stones! HALLELUJAH!

Thank God for touching me and for a praying church!

"I'm feeling so much better talking about this good old way. Feeling so much better talking about the Lord!"