I read something this morning that caught my attention, particularly one little phrase that, honestly, sounds a bit harsh. "All the nations surround me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They surround me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quick as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off."  Psalm 1118:10-12 Initially this bothered me simply by the use of the phrase "cut them off."  This is not a good thing to say, at least not in our … read more

BIG EVENT EVANGELISM - Irreplaceable or Irrelevant?   Bob Dylan, famous for many things, coined the often used phrase, “The times, they are a changing.”  What was true over 40 years ago when he sang those lyrics is just as true today and anyone who takes issue with the rapid pace at which our culture is shifting in it’s values, definitions, and convictions is simply not paying attention.  One needs to look no further than their phone.  My Droid X now has more power, intelligence, and functions than the first spaceship to land on the … read more

I grew up in Christian sub-culture that was known for admonishing people to "take a stand" for things.  This usually meant opposing abortion, secular music, theological liberalism, legalized gambling, or Disney.  "Taking a stand" for or against something was often an easy way for other Christians to guage your spirituality or your dedication to God. The older I get, the more I see that "standing" has more to do with abiding in my relationship with Jesus than it does with opposing certain vices.  While there are certainly times and … read more

News & Events 'Church on Facebook' unites students around the world November 3, 2011 : Bethany Pico/Liberty University News Service   Liberty University held its first-ever “Church on Facebook” Wednesday night with an estimated 40,000 viewers worldwide, including a soldier in Afghanistan and missionaries in Uganda. Students watch Campus Church at the East Campus Clubhouse on Wednesday night. The service, which was also viewed by Liberty University Online students across the country, allowed online … read more

October is "Pastor Appreciation Month."  This is kind of like a wedding anniversary.  We are supposed to love and appreciate our husbands and wives everyday, but the anniversary is just a solid reminder that we sometimes forget, and it affords us a chance to do something special for them on a special day.  With just a few days left in October, here are some easy ways for you to let your pastor know how much you appreciate his hard work, sacrifice, and service to you and your church. 1.  Pray for him - I don't mean throwing up a quickie to … read more

As a follow up to my previous blog, I wanted to make Sunday's message available to you free of charge, compliments of NewSpring Church.  This is the message in it's entirety.  Enjoy and feel free to pass this on to your friends.  Just click on the following link. http://tinyurl.com/3j3ds3z … read more

This weekend I am preaching at Newspring about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; not just the event, but the meaning behind it.  The cross of Christ stands at the center of human history and is the pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and the story of the gospel.  It was God's intent that Jesus die and be raised from the dead.  It happened on purpose. The cross is also what sets apart Christianity from all other religious systems.  Here are a few of the bullet points from my message this weekend. -Religion says "Do Something."  The … read more

There is something extremely powerful about a word spoken out loud.  Often times we think things in our heads, then forget about them because we did not write them down or we did not speak them. Proverbs 18 tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue.  The spoken word.  The meaning and resolve behind saying a thing out loud is never fully understood or felt until the thought takes shape, the vocal chords work in harmony with the mouth, and a phrase or a statement is uttered into reality. Here is my magic phrase that I have to say out loud when … read more

Occasionally I will read something so important that I feel compelled to share it with everyone I know, and this post from Perry Noble really caught my attention.  To read the entire blog, visit his sight here   Here are ten signs that you are near a burnout and/or meltdown… #1 – You are beginning to despise people and your compassion for them is continually decreasing rather than increasing. #2 – You OFTEN think about doing something other than ministry…and your biggest desire isn’t to honor God and reach people but to simply … read more

This past Sunday a very good friend approached me after my sermon and said something so honest and revealing that I have been thinking about it for 2 days.  She said, "Clayton, that was a good message this morning, but I don't really know how to say it, because I always feel weird about telling a preacher when they do a good job."  I understand her quandary.  But I want to say with absolute conviction that we all need encouragement!  Preachers, moms and dads, kids and coaches, all of us benefit from the kind words spoken to us by others. Yet … read more