We must pause today in commemoration and prayer for our nation, especially for those families who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. It is hard to believe it has been seven years since this tragic event. I am confident that most of us can remember where we were that day and where we ended up that night, in front of the television or even at a prayer meeting. Our nation was unsettled for months. People were concerned for our nation. Friends, we still need to be concerned for our nation.

We must understand that national security is still a major issue in our nation. Yes, the economy concerns us all; however, we should be equally concerned with the issue of national security. Our nation is at risk and we cannot just disregard that risk. We live in a very mean and cruel world, wrecked by sin. I want to really appeal to you to pray for the security of our nation, the leaders of our nation and the leaders of the state of Arkansas.

We must also understand today, that 9-11 should call us to prayer in a special way. We need to pray for revival in our nation, revival in the church, and revival in our personal lives. Perhaps if we Christ-followers would get more serious about our faith, our faith can help be a shield around this nation. Additionally, we must pray for our armed forces who today are in harm’s way all across the world, including right here in America.

I love America. I want to see this nation be at its best in every way. Join me in this effort.

Today, pray for America.

We begin our new semester of the Northwest Arkansas Business Persons Summit this Thursday, September 11. You can begin going through the line at 11:45 a.m. and the program begins at 12:10 p.m. We will wrap up by 12:50 p.m. The line stays open the entire time to work with your schedule.

On September 11, we begin with ASA HUTCHINSON, who was the second in charge of the Homeland Security Department following the events of 9-11. What an appropriate day it is to have him–the anniversary of the attacks of 9/11. Each American needs to hallow this day in some way and attending the Summit will do just that. Do not miss it.

The following are dates and pictures of those who will help us in these initial weeks.

This past Sunday morning, I spoke on the subject of how to worship. I want to recap these truths from the sixth chapter of Isaiah, verses 1-8.

Worship is an encounter with Christ that results in lifestyle change. It is important to understand this definition, that I have held to since 1995 as a result of a personal journey with God. If we do not encounter Christ in His Word and see an alteration in our lifestyle, then we have not worshipped. Worship results in a lifestyle change.

You see these three components of worship in Isaiah 6:1-8:

1. Worship begins by looking upward.
When we look upward, we will see that:

1. God is sovereign.
2. God is majestic.
3. God is holy.
4. God is powerful.

2. Worship continues by looking inward.

3. Worship leads to looking outward.
Key Attitudes: availability, willingness, surrender (volunteering)

When we encounter Christ in worship, privately or publicly, we will see our lives looking outward. When we see Jesus in His Word, we will see ourselves in a desperate need, but yet ultimately forgiven. When all of that comes together, we will have the attitude, “Here am I, send me.”

Meditate on these words today. Read Isaiah 6:1-8.

We live in the world of instantaneous information. This new day has transformed the entire media, political, business, and religious worlds. No longer does it take an extended amount of time to learn something. A situation, from something good to tragic, can be known across the world in seconds. I was informed, by an authoritative figure years ago, that when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963, it took only eight minutes for that to be known worldwide. The difference today would be dramatic. Something that tragic (God forbid, we pray) would probably be known in less than a minute worldwide.

The world of the blogosphere has contributed to this so much, many times in an unfortunate way. A person can sit down in front of a computer screen, write what they want, with no accountability at all, truth or untruth, push send, and the world is filled with their words. Of course, finally, more people are understanding that a blog does not mean truth and much of that world is becoming unappreciated. Politically, this entire issue is transforming the present Presidential election. With so much information being shared globally, political candidates and their campaigns are having to pay employees to fill the blogosphere with their message and their truth or else whatever written is seen as truth, if not countered. Oh my, what a different world. Quite honestly, much of it is just not reliable or good for anyone.

Somehow someone in some way needs to figure out a way for accountability to be created. If this is not discovered, then “truth becomes hidden” in the world of “anything goes.”

If born-again Christians would practice godly communicative principles, as God’s Word discusses, then we could at least set some sort of standard for the rest of the world. Let’s all watch how we handle matters we want to communicate via technology. Let’s be Christian, biblical, and ethical in every way.

Instantaneous information is great, but only if it is accurate truth. Let’s be committed to truth and truth alone, sharing it only in the highest Christian manner, as God’s Word has called us to do.

Let’s set the standard as born-again Christians.

We have had great news coming to us from our Malawai, Southeast Central Africa missionary journey. We just got reports last night that our group has seen 569 people come to Christ, baptized 60 people, and planted one church. Work on our orphanage is also coming along nicely. This is a major “praise God” and answered prayer. We must pray for the team as they move toward wrapping up their trip and return on Sunday. Pray for Doug Sarver as he continues to lead. God is good and we must continue to pray for God to move greatly in these final days.

We have seen two of our Springdale Ministry Staff members lose parents within the past week. Shawn Smith lost his father last week. Shawn conducted his Memorial Service on Saturday. Ashley Smith, wife of Clint, lost her Mom last Sunday morning. Ashley’s Dad is Dick Hill, who led our worship ministries last August. He is still at the Champion Forest Church in Houston. The memorial service for Dot Hill will be this afternoon. We need to pray for both of these families. Do what you can to encourage these two staff families in their loss. They are real people who hurt, experience pain and feel loss just like you do. Then they have to pull themselves up and minister to others in the midst of their grief.

Gigi Graham, daughter of Billy Graham, will be here for the movie premiere of Billy, which is about her father. We are showing that film in our Springdale Worship Center on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. Gigi will then answer questions at the conclusion of the movie. What an honor to have her present. This is a great opportunity for you. Dear friends, invite people to come and let’s pray the Lord will work in the lives of others. Do not miss this movie premiere, which will be in theaters later in the fall.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS is a new 13-week series from the book of Isaiah that I am beginning this Sunday morning. My dear friends, this is a huge opportunity to learn, grow, and invite others as we learn answers to some of the questions of life. Do not miss Sunday morning as we kick off this series.

Secure your CD of Come, Celebrate The Cross. They are available for $13 each. Share this with the world. Purchase them for family and friends and let’s invade the world with worship. This is original music written and performed by our entire Worship Ministry. It is fabulous!

God is doing some great things. We must pray diligently and earnestly.

You must get a copy of our new worship CD called, “Come, Celebrate The Cross.” My friends, this is powerful and is a blessing to listen to.  I want to challenge you to get your own copy of this worship CD.  All of the music is original and will bless your life.  Sunday’s experience of 300 choir and orchestra members on the same stage made it one of those SPIRITUAL HALL OF FAME DAYS!  In the next week or so, the DVD will also be available for purchase.

Just think, for another $13 investment, you can get a copy of this CD and share it with others. There are Christians who would love this music and many religious, yet lost people, who would love the worship as well.  Let’s make a major difference and investment into the lives of others. There is no telling what God may choose to do through us as we share it with others.

My extreme gratitude to Kim Noblitt, Josh Stanbery, Chris Emert, and Jonathan Walker for their incredible creativity and contributions to this Cross Project. What a super investment
of time as they have handed us a worship tool that can be used to share with so many other people.

You can purchase a copy of this CD by clicking here.

Speaking of “on the edge,” how about those Hogs? My soul, here we are playing a team that we thought would be finished by halftime, and the team takes us to the finish line before we win it. But what a game! A little on the edge for me with that kind of team. Against Alabama or Texas, yes. We understand and we would take it with joy. However, this “edge” was a little close. But it was fun! Watching Casey Dick come alive in an offense friendly to his ability, plus all those young players, that’s a wow! What a future!

There are times in our lives when we are on the edge and should not be. We find ourselves, in the crucible of decision making, living a little on the edge, perhaps more than we should. The “edge” may be a moral or ethical dilemma, or even a spiritual one. The secret, do not get too close to the edge. If you do, you can count on it, Satan will insure you will be greased for a major slide.

So my friend, this week, do not go too close to the edge. It might take you further than you want to go. You might look back and notice that you have just been too close to the edge for your own good. That kind of choice is not worth losing your personal integrity, your family, or even your career over.

Just think, while it takes a great deal of your life to gain something, you can lose it in one small “edgy choice” that pushes you over the line. End result–loss! You can work your whole life gaining a reputation of being a man or woman of high integrity, only to lose it on the edge. Talk to anyone who has had it and lost it. They make one observation: It was not worth it! Rather than get close to the edge, run from it. That is the safest place to be–no where near the edge.

My point, be wise this week in ALL of your choices.