This coming Sunday, our church will celebrate with us 20 years of ministry in Northwest Arkansas as Senior Pastor of this incredible church. In our 136 years of history and existence, I am the longest tenured pastor. I am the 31st pastor of this fellowship. It is amazing how it has changed in just the 20 years I have been here.

This people and place provided for us a wonderful environment from which to launch into accomplishing the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. This church has and will forever have the world on its heart. We are committed to seeing “the called” be called out and sent out into all the world from this ministry. We are committed to planting and launching new churches on every continent of the world. We are committed to ministry here, across America, and the world, to insure every person and people group has a chance to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This people and place serves as a great place in which we have raised our children.My children grew up in dynamic student ministries, received an excellent education from our Christian school, got to play in four state championship football games between them, with Josh having one state championship ring and Nick having three state championship rings. And both of them grew up in a Bible-believing, Christ-centered, ministry-driven, evangelistic church. Now, one of our grandchildren will do the same unless God leads them to another place one day.

This people and place now serve as my place of refuge and hope during all times in my life. They have walked with me through a wife stricken with cancer, challenges of family life, church disappointments, public attacks, and denominational affairs. You know, this people are family. They are not family because time dictated it, but because we have lived life together.

Today, I salute and thank the First Baptist Church of Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills for loving and nurturing us for these 20 years. Words cannot describe and feelings cannot express what we believe and know you are to us and for us.

We Love You …

Peyton went to a new level in his engagement in Razorback Football last Saturday! As you can tell from the picture, this is pre-game and he is still studying the situation. The more the game went on, the more he engaged into all of the action.

Peyton even made the big screen at Razorback Stadium with his Mom for about 15 seconds just prior to Kick-off.  Sporting his newest jersey, purchased by “Pops,” (that is me) – he wore Mitch Mustain’s number! He looked deluxe. Besides that, Peyton even made the news on Saturday night on NBC Sports! So Mitch and Peyton and all of the Razorbacks had a good day overcoming Ole Miss.

The Cowboys’ luck was not as good last night against the Giants. We had a great time going to the game, returning about 1:15 a.m. today. However, the game was all about the Giants. I was on the sideline prior to kick-off and talked with our own Chris Mortenson of ESPN an active member at our Pinnacle Hills location; David Lee, Cowboy’s assistant coach, who was a very active member of our Springdale location; and then wrapped it up and had a conversation with Michael Irvin, former Cowboy phenom, now with ESPN. I also spent some time talking with him and Chris on the sideline in the pregame. I had a good night, but the Cowboys did not. Oh well, it is a long season.

Pray for us today…many decisions about so many things hang in the balance.

One of the great blessings of my countdown to my 20-year celebration as pastor of this church is that a group of guys are taking me down to the Cowboy game tonight. We will leave mid-afternoon, fly to Dallas, and arrive back into Northwest Arkansas late tonight. This will be my first game to attend in a couple of years in Dallas, so I am grateful and look forward to the fellowship and fun.

People usually ask me on Sunday nights, “What did you think of the Cowboys game today?” Yes, I am a long-time fan, but with my schedule right now, many Sunday afternoons by the time I get home mid-afternoon, rest and getting ready to return for Sunday evening keep me from being able to watch the game. Therefore, it will be refreshing to be a part of tonight’s game in Dallas against the New York Giants. Nick and Meredith will join me and the others from our church who will be going. I am so grateful for this blessing provided by some of our guys who attend our Springdale location.

I have received so many cards and notes as well as some wonderful gifts from our people. The time of fellowship with many of them has also been a refreshment to Jeana and me. We are more than blessed by being able to serve here and we know it. Thanks to all of you thus far who have participated in this countdown to 20 years. You have made it more than special.

Our beloved Razorbacks continue to roll – surprising America by being 6-1. The huge upset against Auburn has changed everything in Razorback land. We should defeat our non-conference foe on Saturday, putting us 7-1. I believe one of the scariest games on the schedule is against South Carolina in Gamecock Land! Steve Spurrier is a great coach, and they are radical fans “win or lose” filling that stadium and rocking strong doing it. If we can land the plane on victory runway in South Carolina, we may surprise everyone and run the table! You say, “you are crazy Pastor!” Our schedule is very Razorback-friendly. We will not be favored against Tennessee or LSU, but both games are here! It will get crazier and more intense by the week, and our entire state is ecstatic and most shocked about where we sit today.

We need to remember, football is just like life many times. It is one game or one day at a time. Can we lose again? Absolutely! This is SEC football and we cannot take anyone lightly, including Mississippi State who seems to be moving towards improvement.

Regardless of where we end up in potential and reality, we are now eligible for a bowl game … and this has Razorback fans, as a whole, in a much better mood! Thank God! Life is just better in Arkansas for everyone when the Razorbacks are winning.

Wherever we end up, just rejoice … we are one really good football team!

I gave yesterday morning to the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. Our President there is Dr. Phil Roberts, a scholar, apologist, and evangelist. God is using him to make a difference in the lives of ministers and in that segment of the nation. They just secured much of the original library of the great preacher of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. This is a remarkable and miraculous acquisition for them and will open up numerous doors of opportunity for them in their future. They were able to secure over 6,000 volumes. Spurgeon preached to over 10,000 people a week in London in the 1800′s. At age 20, he was known for being the preacher of his day. Again, I am proud of Phil, love him, and rejoice with this new acquisition which is huge for their future.

Speaking of preaching, I conclude the series on the book of Job this week. The entire series will be available by CD at the conclusion of the worship services at both campuses. It can be secured by DVD soon. Share it with friends.

Do not forget to pray for us and our church in these days. In this 50 day prayer journey, the Lord is bringing down walls in the lives of people and doing great things.

This coming Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. at our Springdale Campus: Do not miss it! I will be journeying with you through something in Scripture, and I believe your life will be enhanced supernaturally by attending. God is going to do great things on this Sunday night.

See you Sunday. Bring someone with you. Pray daily. And of course, Go Hogs! Beat Ole Miss!

This coming Sunday I will be doing my final message in our seven-message series on the book of Job, “When My Pain is Real.” I have been refreshed and amazed along the way as I have studied and recounted Job’s story. We began the series learning how “life took Job down,” and then observed the stages he went through in the process– wondering why innocent people suffer pain and loss, questioning God, dealing with unbelievable hurt, and enduring deafening silence from God.

Job’s life tells the “inside story” of real pain when it collides with hope. From the depths of Job’s personal pain, I hope you have learned lessons that will help you in your life. Job was a real person who engaged real people, but most importantly– walked through it all with a real God. Job came to the ultimate conclusion that God is all powerful, He is in charge, He has a plan, and He can do anything.

Please join us this Sunday as we finish this series with a message entitled, “Purpose Returns to Me.” I am going to share some personal words with you about my journey here through these 20 years as your pastor. At times, each of us has lost purpose in our lives, but God’s Word is practical – the lessons are powerful, and it gives us instruction on regaining our purpose. Don’t miss this Sunday as we learn how to seize the greatest future possible for each of our lives and our church.

Praying for you …

Peyton with the Shiloh Saints Football Seniors at Josh and Kate’s house. Taken October 16, 2006.

What a great and mighty God we serve.  My heart is overflowing from the wonders and blessings He gave to our fellowship this past week.  Great vision demonstrated, people responding enthusiastically, and lives changed by God’s grace.  Yes, all because of a great God.  We have learned some marvelous insights on God from the book of Job and with only one more week to go, we will even learn more.  Never have I been so overwhelmed with the blessings from His Word that leads us to share insights on God and His character and how all of that relates to our lives.

What a great church you are. The Lord’s people are praying, and God’s power is being demonstrated. These are exciting days. Be sure and camp out on our websites to learn about both campuses. Jeana and I are being so blessed daily by notes and even some gifts being given to us by so many of our people. In the midst of this 20 day countdown to our 20th anniversary, we are being blessed with love. There is nothing like the people of God. Thanks so much to all of you. BY THE WAY:  DO NOT MISS OCTOBER 29! IT WILL BE ONE FABULOUS DAY AS PREPARATIONS ARE BEING MADE FOR THOUSANDS TO BE IN ATTENDANCE … they are making room and making it easy for all of you. Celebrating 20 years of serving here is more about you than me. We will all be blessed and challenged by the superior preaching of Dr. Jerry Vines, former pastor of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida.  Dear friend, you will love him and love his preaching. Do not miss hearing him on this day of celebration.

What an opportunity awaits us on November 12 and beyond. Both campuses will experience significant and powerful days … really powerful days. November 12 itself will be superior, powerful, and meaningful for all of us.

Yes, what a God, what a Church, and what an Opportunity … let’s seize it for His glory!  

Northwest Arkansas in the fall is awesome! The weather is beginning to feel very cool, the leaves are beginning to slowly change into their traditional blanket of orange and of course the referees’ whistle can be heard on the football fields throughout the region.

In addition to these great events, God always allows me additional joys for my life. Last night I had the privilege of speaking to our entire student ministry from our Pinnacle Hills campus. Just over 200 students filled the room with all the excitement and expectation that comes with teenage years. And, I am NOT so old that I cannot remember all the anticipation and struggle those early years carry. In a word, we had a blast! God is truly at work in that ministry and we will all continue to pray for His presence and power to be known in their group.

Besides all of that I was given two very special gifts: football helmets! I received a helmet both from the Rogers and Bentonville football teams. And, I am NOT so old that I can’t remember my own gridiron glory days back in Yoakum, Texas!

Do you see these crosses which rise as a testimony at our Pinnacle Hills location? The message of the cross is our testimony at both of our campuses. At our Pinnacle Hills location, they will serve as a daily testimony to almost 100,000 vehicles a day that will drive by them each day. These pictures are two new shots Joey Licklider took and sent to me.

The message of the cross is the message of our lives. People will just notice the crosses beside a church campus, the one that you hang around your neck serving as a necklace, the one that you have on a jacket, or one that serves as a part of a logo. The testimony of a cross is always stirring. It is a testimony of death, but also reminds us of life.

The only testimony that will bring life change from others will be the message of the cross that is lived through our lives. Pictures or necklaces or monuments go only so far. Yes, they are good reminders, but are not as influential as a man or a woman who lives the life of the cross.

Are you living the life of the cross? A life that is dead to yourself, but one that is filled with life from God. A life that is filled with hope for today and for the future. This is the message of the cross.

Live the message of the cross … if you do not, the testimony is limited or even forfeited in the minds of others.

I am so consumed with the book of Job in my study time that blogging has become a challenge to me. I apologize I am later today, but oh my, this book is awesome! I regret that I have neglected teaching it for so long.

This book makes me love the Word of God even more. Its content and its powerful words recorded from God Himself stirs me up greatly….what a book!

I finished reading the entire Bible in 2006 as of early this morning, but I will continue to read it daily. Each year since 1990, I have read through the Bible at least once. It is one of the great blessings God has afforded me. Each time I complete it, I am amazed at all God has said to me . . . this time, I saw new things I have not seen before. Oh my friend, God’s book is awesome, just like He is!

Read the Bible today . . . what a book!