The Blame Game

Sometimes one of the most difficult things to do is to look into the mirror. It is so easy to find fault in those around you and blame everything that's going wrong in your life on those around you. Why is that? That is a question I've been pondering for years. If you are unhappy, unsatisfied and unfilled is that caused by others, the result of others or does the fault lie with the person sitting where you are sitting. Is our condition and position really as tied to other as we tend to act or are we just afraid or unwilling to look in the mirror and own up to some things that are long over due?

Is it really the fault of the all the other members of the church that you feel alone?

Is it really your parent's fault that you are where you are in life?

Is it really the fault of every friend you ever had that you're no longer as close or no longer friend at all?

Is the real reason you can't maintain a relationship with the opposite sex really because you've not found the right person?

Is it really the fault of your mate that you're not happy, whole and healthy?

Do your really have a money and/or weight issues or do you have a discipline problem?

Is the real reason you can't keep a job that you keep getting hired by cruel and sinter people who get a kick out of hiring and firing people?

Tell me the real deal! Was there really no other options? Had you exhuasted ALL other avenues? Did the Spirit of GOD really move/show/tell you that? No! This is not the time to log off the computer or look up another site. Really though! You might be stealing time off your job right now [now that's funny]. We feel better if we can blame someone or something else rather than pointing the finger in the right direction. We'll even blame God for allowing certain things to happen. I have just one thing to say..."STOP IT...STOP THE MADNESS!"

Here's my point do yourself a favor and take a cold hard honest look at yourself and it will cause you to understand others around you. It's Christmas, so let me offer you a little advise. You ready for this? Here we do...You really want to do the people around you a favor?

1. Take a cold hard honest look in the mirror and see yourself the way you are.

2. Then have that same cold hard honest conversation with God [in prayer].

3. Finally sit back and listen to what God will say back to you (I believe as teachers we need to teach God's people not only how to pray but how to listen to to God).

As we move into the new year it would be a shame to pack the old baggage of the past in. Sit down with yourself and help yourself. We've all heared that maturity takes time but that's not the only thing. Maturity also take honesty and commitment. Old wound, attitude, emotion and mentalties will turn a new year fill of new opprotunities, possibilities and (you fill-in the blank) into more of the same. Quit making excuses and make this New Your Best Year!

Here's to stopping the blame game!

Happy Bithday Jesus

As we celebrate Jesus' Birthday, let me thank you so much for your support of the blog and your encouraging word. Christmas is such a special time for family, friends, fellowship, food and fantastic fun. Enjoy them all and be safe.

Didn't share my outline from this past weekend, but today seem like a great day.

Title "The Jesus Story"

Scripture Philippians 2: 5-11

Introduction to the life of Jesus...The Cradle

Body to the life of Jesus...The Cross

Conclusion to the life of Jesus...The Crown

Christmas is much bigger than a babe in Bethlehem. The cradle is useless without the cross and the cross is meaningless without the crown.

As I sit around with my children and grandchildren be certain that the story will be shared. Take advantage of this grand opportunity to began a tradition with deepen the meaning of Christmas with the Christmas story. It not just about a Son being conceived. It moves to a Savior being crucified. To ultimately a Sovereign being crowned.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Get Some Rest For The Journey

“Come to me all you that are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

In the Bible, people came to Jesus for many different reasons. Some people came for forgiveness. Some came for answers. Others came for healing. Still others came to Jesus for eternal life. But in Matthew 11: 28, Jesus says you can come to him for rest. That means release from stress, release from overload.

Monday, I took off and headed for some much needed rest. We’re to take one day off every week. While the Bible say that we should rest on Sunday, for me Sunday is a far cry from rest. Sunday for me is full of preaching, meeting with people, and overseeing the worship experience, just to name a few – trust me I’m not resting. I really don’t think that it matter what day, but even Pastor’s need a day off.

I’ve notice over the last few years that when I’m tired emotionally, spiritually and physcially I became more irritated with the people around me. I don’t get as much done and to put it bluntly I’m not much fun to be around either. There a story of a pastor who’s members got mad at him because they couldn’t reach him on his day off. The pastor said, “Sorry, but that was my day off.” A member shouted back, “The devil doesn’t take a day off.” To which the pastor replied, “You’re right. And if I don’t, I’d be just like the devil.” Enough said about what happens to me when I don’t take the time to get some rest.

The last 48 hours has afforded me some time to really refresh and reflect. It’s amazing how cloudy your thoughts and emotions become when you become tired and wired. Well the long and the short of it is that I’ve learned a valuable lesson: when you get to busy to find time to steal way and get some rest, you’re just to darn busy.

One of the things that I’ve notice is that when I steal away, whether its a short ride, a long drive, a early morning workout or a day trip my thoughts become clearer. At the close of every year I make a conscience effort to be a better person than the year before by writing down some steps or a game plan. I really don’t believe in New Years resolutions but I do think that a person should simply find an area in their life that could use a little improvement and figure out how to deepen their life experience.

Well, I started writing my game plan for ’09 today. I haven’t completed my list but one of the things on my list is to deepen my relationships. I then asked myself what can I do to deepen my relationships? Here’s what I’m thinking give support, stability, self-expression and significance.

People need to know you’re with them, no matter what. That’s Support.
People need to know you got their back, no matter what. That’s Stability.
People need to know you will allow them to be who God made them, no matter what. That’s Self-expression.
People need to know they are important to you, no matter what. That’s Significance.

Take the next 7 or 8 days and challenge yourself to be better. I’ll be praying for you and get some rest for the journey.

Christmas time is coming

Christmas time is such a busy time seem like everybody is in a hurry. Busy shopping, decorating, family gathering, and Christmas parties. Its amazing the amount of time is spend preparing for Christmas and celebrating Christmas. At the Gaddis household we have always taken thing slow. It seems like the holidays seems to slow us down. As the old year comes to a close and the new year approaches we actually coast. Christmas is more about Christ there has never been a whole lot of gifts under the tree early. While we believe in exchanging gifts we simply go out a few days before and pick up a few gifts for our children and now grandchildren. Christmas is Thursday and Zachary, the sugababies and I just put the tree up at 2am because I had to catch an early flight this morning. Janice hasn't even began to shop, now somewhere in the next few hour she will pick up a few things. I'm thankful that we've tried over the years to not be guilty of falling in to the commercialism of Christmas. Amazing enough its not because we fought it, we just kinda fell into it.

Yesterday, was 28 years to-the-date when Janice and I started dating (now that's GRACE)! Let me quickly say that says much more about her than it does about me. It takes a special person to maintain a relationship with a head-strong, stubborn (and a whole lot of other stuff I probably shouldn't say) man like me. Janice is the one of the sweetest and loving people I know. She has one of the BIGGEST heart, love children and identifies with those who are hurting. She is an amazing woman! She has raise our children, maintain and managed our home and keeps up with me.

You probably would never have imaged it but for some reason we didn't like each other in the beginning (she really hated me...you know what the Pretenders sang "it's a thin line between love and hate"). We first met when I entered junior high school, I was in the 7th grade and she was in the 8th grade. Janice was very outspoken and a bully, that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

So here's how this went down...it was lunch time and I was about to take my current girlfriend to lunch. Janice walked over to my car ask to ride with us and got in the front seat causing my friend to ride in the back. The way she tells it is that she didn't know that she was my girlfriend [everybody knows who the star of the basketball and football team is dating...sorry for the shamless plug]. Later I was visiting a friend and lo and behold Janice and her friend was walking home from the store. After a bit of flirting I asked her if I could walk her to her house. After a few blocks I had convicted her to give me her phone number. We spent the next few week talking on the phone all night long and deal with the current girlfriend issue.

After a date to Godfather's pizza (where she ate all the pizza) I pop the question...and she said yes. And has been saying yes every since. 28 years ago was our first Christmas, you talking about a tough gift to buy. New relationship, new Girlfriend and 5 days till Christmas. I went with the scarf, gloves set and $5 (always was a baller). Janice bought a terry-cloth shirt...I think I wore that shirt every week.

Now 28 years later here it is Christmas again but this time we have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. Funny how God does what He does. I often say in marriage counseling that had God given me anyone eles I would be on wife 5 by now. I have had a front row seat as God has shaped and fashioned her into the beautiful, caring and supportive women and wife she is today. Happy Anniversary Jan!

The Preacher's Struggle

Been working my behind off trying to get everything in before the holidays. Preparing Christmas message for this weekend. What a challenge each and ever holiday to trying to tell the same story from a different and unique and attractive angle. It's been interesting to talk to other Pastor and Preacher of the Gospel to see how God is leading them in their presentation. The Christmas story is still the second greatest story next to the Easter story but at the same time they really go hand-n-hand. Guess by now you've noticed my spiritual struggle or challenge. I'm done with my message but not feeling to comfortable with it. This happens more than I would like to admit. Two things happen with me when I'm writing or preparing 1. I get it [I understand clearly why He has me writing down that vein.] 2. I don't get it [this is when I'm struggling every step of the way, cause I just simply don't get it]. Here's the picture you ever been in WalMart and was amusingly entertained by the little kid who have been arrested by the toys and who mother is ready to go. The mother ends up dragging the child down the well polished tile kicking and streaming. Well that me sometime - I have to get it [not really but it feels much better when I do]. Pray for the message and messenger this weekend.

Young Zachary made it home from school safe for the holidays. The basketball schedule keeps him away, so its always good to have him home. Attached are two picture one of Zachary with two of the grandbabies. The other is embarrassingly a picture of the church but because they have worked so hard it's several week old. Promise to get updated ones soon. Keep the entire building process in your prayers as well.

Pastor's Aid Ministry

This past weekend the Greater Bethel Church was blessed to have as her guest Rev. Ray Owens pastor of the wonderful Macedonia Church family South Bend, Indiana. Rev. Owens has been our guest preacher for 8 years now…while as assistant at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church and now as pastor-teacher of his own church. We have a unique relationship while I’m a few years older, our lives parallel. I first notice Ray as a young kid growing up at the Mount…he just had this air about him. He started out directing the youth choir, later answered his call to the ministry, started preaching youth annual days around town and enrolled in school at Oklahoma Baptist University. All of which I has done several years earlier. Ray is an outstanding preacher he stirred our hearts as he taught on “Real Worship” from John 12: 1-3 (ESV). God is going to do an amazing thing in South Bend through the preaching ministry of Rev. Owens.

Sunday was the annual Pastor’s Appreciation Ministry Day. This day was simply the old-school “Pastor’s Aid Day.” The Pastor’s Aid Ministry had been in African American Baptist Churches for a long time. What the ministry does exactly is up to each local church. Here’s at Bethel there are many who simply have the gift and passion for caring, supporting and praying for their pastor. This particular ministry has continue to evolve the old-school Pastor’s Aid would maintain the pastor’s robes, handkerchiefs, suites and other miscellaneous things. Now it has moved into a holistic approach the ministry now seeks to support its pastor spiritually, physically, financially, and congregationally needs.

For many you hear that age old cliché “it doesn’t take all that,” sad but true. The support of the pastor is vital to the health of the church. The President of the United States has his aids, staff, counsel, secret service, advisors and his presidential cabinet (just to name a few) in order to assure his success and the success of the country. Many pastor simply go to battle week in and week out, they are beaten, bruised and drained from the lack of support. Giving so much but receiving so little. Thus creating a spiritually, emotionally, physically bankrupted preacher that finally leads to an ineffective leader that leads an ineffective church.

An effective powerful church only happens when people and pastor, pew and pulpit are joined together in spiritual partnership. Churches are good at holding the pastor responsible and accountable to his end of the partnership. It’s time now that the church holds itself to the same. If a church wants a caring, loving, supportive, innovative, and cutting-edge pastor then the church has to be caring, loving supportive, innovative, and cutting-edge. Churches have been consuming pastors, leaders and ministry head for years because they have consumed much and contributed little [if any], have required much and given little. The spiritual covenant should be that we [church/pastor] commit to always sow more than we reap.

Please remember the Greater Bethel Church in your prayers today that the Lord will continue to do in us and bring through us that which will bring Glory and Honor to Him!

10 Days to Christmas

Christmas is 10 days away, does anyone other than me feel the pressure? The pressure of purchasing the perfect gift! If you do then I know that those that you are seeking to satisfy haven't been any help. The funny thing is that the very ones who are the most difficult to purchase a gift for are often the most critical. We've all been there when the gift critic begins about another gift. So to be thoughtful we ask "what would you like for Christmas?" to which they answer "nothing" or "I'm not sure" or the worst of all "WHATEVER!"

We are then trapped not knowing what that prefect gift is. Well this year everyone is getting a Visa Gift Card and we're going to be done with it. If they don't have any suggestion then surely you can't miss with a gift card.

I really don't like gift cards but they come in handy. Personally I believe that gift given should be thoughtful. The same way as cards (i.e. birthday, anniversary) when a person opens the card it should say something imitate and meaningful.

So to all who are under pressure to find that prefect gift...I praying for you. To all you gift critic don't be so hard, Christmas is really about Christ not you.

Gift Card for Everyone!

Today, Friday, December 5th

Today, I will be ministering the closing message in revival at my home church as they celebrate their 99th Homecoming Celebration. What a joy it has been to go home and share the word with many of the people who knew me when. Many who have made personal deposits into my life and ministry over these 44 years. I thank God for my childhood pastor Dr. J. A. Reed – he has continued to support, shape and push my ministry forward. I am share preaching responsibilities with Dr. Clarence Morton of Baltimore, MD, who is a full-time evangelist. Dr. Morton is a gifted, mature minister who I’ve learns much from over the past two years. He is very knowledgeable in cult and teaches with power and clarity each time he stands.

The Greater Bethel Church has just made me so proud and I know God smile by their support and attendance of the revival. What an amazing people God has given me the privilege to simple love and to care for…I love you Greater Bethel.

The new church is coming along well will be posting some new pictures soon!

I was presented with an award in honor of our former State Rep the honorable Kevin Cox base on his motto while in office "a workhorse not a showhorse" award. For outstand service to the community at a banquet hosted by the Metropolitan Better Living Center. Thank you to the board, director and staff for the honor.