Thank God for Kids!!

Back in the 70’s the Oak Ridge Boys made the title of this weekend’s message famous. Kenny Chesney also re-recorded this great country song; yet I can hear William Lee Golden now with that sweet baritone voice singing those precious words which read:

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
Or look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids

And we'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or Mickey Mouse
And kool-aid on the couch
Thank God for kids

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child

Daddy, how does this thing fly?
And a hundred other where's and whys
I really don't know but I try
Thank God for kids

And when I look down in those trusting eyes
That look to me, I realize
There's a love that I can't buy
Thank God for kids

Thank God for kids, there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child

And when you get down on your knees tonight
Thank the Lord for His guiding light
And pray they turn out right
Thank God for kids.

When you stop and think about it… I am firmly convinced that some of the best young people anywhere are at Daniels Chapel Church!!! I know there are great kids in other places for I have been blessed in my life to encounter a lot of great young people here in the States and abroad. But, I am so thankful and proud of our young people at DCC. I LOVE OUR KIDS and THANK JESUS CHRIST FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!!!

Our KIDS at DCC have made a difference in my life. I have been around most of our KIDS at the Church in the first few hours of their life as they were born and came into the world. For years I have seen the youth bring a ray of sunshine and life to our Church on numerous occasions. For example, I have watched them “Sing to the Glory of God” and “Serve the Lord with gladness.” I have been blessed to be with them in great times of fellowship and missions work all over this country as well as watching them in different activities representing Jesus Christ and His Church right here at home. I have watched our KIDS work very, very hard at something and reach goals that many thought were impossible. The greatest blessing though has been when I have been given the privilege of leading one of the KIDS to Jesus Christ or praying with them as they asked Jesus into their heart. As well, assisting them as they follow the Lord in Baptism is also a precious time of wonderful memories that will forever be in my heart.

Through the years I have watched many of the “KIDS” become adults who now have “KIDS!” These individuals are now parents who are serving in leadership positions and sharing their faith and love for Jesus Christ at Daniels Chapel Church. To those who were younger KIDS years ago and now you are an older KID; just know that I am extremely proud of you for your desire to serve the Lord, share His Gospel and use your great talents and abilities for Christ at Daniels Chapel Church!!! I am extremely proud of you “OLDER KIDS” for your witness and testimony. I am proud of you for taking the lessons learned and using them now to teach and help others. My challenge to you is this… KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK and spiritually help the next generation!!!!

On the horizon is another group of Christian leaders and advocates for the cause of Jesus Christ. These young people are walking in our footsteps each week. Some of these “KIDS” are in pre-school while others are more mature and heading toward a great adventure in the faith if they remain true to the cause and loyal to Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that in our presence are KIDS who are going to make a big difference for Jesus in this world because they are doing this right now. Before our very eyes is a group of Christian servants who is taking the baton of faith to “Run the Race” for His greatness.

Love ones and friends, let us “Thank God for Kids.” Let us do everything within our power as a Church to assist them and provide every spiritual opportunity we can for them to grow closer to Jesus and learn more about Him. Let us also be dedicated to provide the resources and funding to support the programs and development necessary that they get the best spiritual education possible at DCC along with great times of activity and fun. That means my friends we must support the Church financially and “Give our very best to the Master!!” Let us older KIDS give of ourselves through the utilization of our gifts and resources to help equip the younger KIDS for greater Christian service. Our community and world need Jesus. Our KIDS can lead the way!!

The Bible says:

(James 1:17)  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

(Mark 10:14) “Jesus said to them, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God.”

(Proverbs 22:6)  “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

(Jeremiah 22:11) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for you to prosper and not do evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

When you pray today, THANK GOD FOR KIDS!! Thank Jesus for all the little children in the world, but daily thank God for our youth at Daniels Chapel Church. Make a promise to God to do YOUR PART so that every KID comes to know Jesus as Savior and Lord; so that they become Christians and grow as His Disciples in the faith.

Let us pray: Dear God, thank You for every blessing we enjoy. Thank You for the forgiveness of sin we have experienced because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You dear God for KIDS!! Thank You for every child everywhere oh Lord. Thank You for the Youth at Daniels Chapel and may You continually bless, lead and guide their life first to the saving grace of Your Cross but also to Christian witness and service. Instill in our congregation the willingness and desire to do everything within our means to sacrifice and give unconditionally that the Youth have what they need to become more like You. Bless all the KIDS and rise up before us more individuals to make a positive difference for Jesus Christ… In Your Name we pray… AMEN

Don’t forget…. THIS SUNDAY IS YOUTH SUNDAY!!! Come join us for a great day as our KIDS lead the service and bless our hearts.

Also, do not forget the schedule for Sunday, September 30.

8am    Fifth Sunday Breakfast

9am    Sunday school for all ages

10am  Youth Sunday Service

Come join us for this special day and invite someone with you.

Finally, be sure to pass along to everyone these times for Worship on Sunday morning that is different from our standard Sunday morning schedule.

Always know that I LOVE YOU and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for everything!! Have a great weekend!!

In His Service,

Pastor Johnny

Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover

Donna and I went over to Wilson Monday night to see our friends, Don and Vickie Coleman who were in town from Baltimore, Maryland. They were here because Vickie's mom, Ms. "Ray" Johnson had passed away and is now in heaven. Seeing that we had visited with them in Maryland on numerous occasions through the years and they also with us we wanted to go over and visit with them and offer our condolences. Don and Vickie have also visited with us at DCC and for those of you that do not know this story, our friendship began over 30 years ago. Let me share with you briefly about this which leads to my thoughts for the middle of this week.   

Years ago this all started as a Baltimore Oriole fan going to the MLB games with my mom and dad. Honestly, my first game with Dad was in 1969 but we eventually met Mr. Don a few years later; for he worked in the Ticket office part-time with the Orioles. His full time career as well as Mrs. Vickie was as a professional educator/counselor/coach in the Baltimore school system. What was so strange when we went to the Oriole games was that Dad would always go into Mr. Don's ticket line year after year for seats. To be honest, we would head north to the games at Memorial Stadium on 33rd Street and later Camden Yards and never had a ticket; yet Mr. Don always made sure that we were sitting at or near the field. In fact, he blessed my dad and me with the opportunity to witness one of the greatest sporting events of all time, "Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played" back in 1995. To be sure... we had those seats before we ever left Wilson County!!!

Well back to the story....

One day we were in line in Baltimore for an Orioles game and I happened to be wearing an EB Sports T-shirt. It so happened that under the store logo it said, "Wilson, NC." I was working for EB Sports during my Senior year at Atlantic Christian College in 1985 and that particular day I had worn one of our store t-shirts. Well, Mr. Don noticed the shirt and said, "Are you guys from Wilson, NC?" And we replied, "We sure are." Who would have ever dreamed that the man who had helped us with tickets all these years would reply, "Isn't this a strange world... my wife Vickie is from there- WIlson, NC!!"

Now over 30 years later, our friendship has grown from baseball to the best things in life which is our relationship with Jesus Christ, His Church, our faith, family and friends!!! I give God the glory for the happiness and joy he has brought into our lives with the wonderful times of fellowship that we have enjoyed. When our families think about this story we are sure of a few things: this would have never happened if not for divine intervention, a Godly attitude, a love for baseball and yes--- that EB Sports T-shirt!!

Here is what I want to say today to each of you.

Mr. Don and Mrs. Vickie are African American people, yet they are some of my dearest and closest friends. I love these people and my heart goes out to Vickie during this time. We have had many meals in their home and they in ours. If you go in their living room of their home, Matthew and Morgan's pictures are there. Why? Because we love and care for one another and they love us too. The Coleman's are my brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for my family and me, for my ministry and for Daniels Chapel Church. They have a genuine interest in Cragmont; seeing that part of their ministry in their home church was in a camp in Maryland similar to ours in Black Mountain. As they have visited in our Church, I have been in Baltimore to theirs. The list of things we have experienced through the years is endless, yet to our home very priceless times and with many, many precious memories.  

Too many times in our world people form opinions and thoughts about others based on race, color, creed and educational background. People look at how much or how little hair they have or if they have tattoos or not. Others label people based on what they drive, where they live, where they work and even where they attend school. Others judge based on economic status, the lack of or abundance of designer clothes as well as where one goes out to eat. Have you ever thought, "How does God feel about all of this?"

The Bible says in:

1 Samuel 16: 7 "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

My message today is simple my friends... Never judge a book beloved by its cover.

May God help all of us look at the heart of people and forget about what may be on the outside. If I would have had a negative or wrong attitude years ago I would have missed out on some of the greatest friends in the world. If my parents had been individuals that judged based on color we would have missed out on important prayer partners in our life. If my heart had not been in the right place I would have missed a blessing. If my attitude were not on Jesus I would have missed out on much joy and laughter as well as a lot of wisdom and guidance for the Church and His Work. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ for helping our family look on the inside; for when we did we met and encountered two of the greatest folks in the world who characterize and imitate the Lord Jesus Christ. This friendship that developed decades ago will now last into all of eternity because of the love of Jesus Christ and the attitudes and dispositions of those involved.

You do not know who you are around right now that may impact or change your life. Don't judge others as the world does. Look inside the hearts of people and let their lives touch yours. If you do, those you come in contact with can alter your life and change things for the better.

LET US PRAY: Dear Lord, Help us to look for the positives in other people and not judge others from outward appearance. Help us to be like Jesus Christ who loves all people. Bless Daniels Chapel Church and its people this day. Heal the circumstances of life which trouble us and bind us together in a spirit of love and peace. Give us a great day in worship on Wednesday as we gather to study Your Word and for the other activities of the day that will take place. Continue to lead Your Church that we truly will strive to be "A Light into the Community for Jesus Christ." Help us to LOVE ALL PEOPLE and to be more like Jesus everyday!! For these and all blessings, we give You thanks and praise... AMEN.

Have a wonderful day!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Pastor Johnny  
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 10pm