Remember playing Simon Says..??

     There are all kinds of games we played when we were growing up. We would play the usual sports games of basketball, football, baseball, and softball. We would also play games like follow the leader and tag. We would get our jars out and see who could catch the most lightning bugs. The game I want to spend our time talking about is Simon Says. You remember that you would do or say whatever Simon said if the person told to do something without saying Simon Says and you did it, you were out of the game. The last one standing would win the game.
     Far more important is the reality of Jesus Says.... For so long, we have taken God's word as something to be memorized or internalized. God's Word should be memorized, but if you memorize just for the sake of just that, we miss the point. God's Word should move us into action.
     What if we did everything else in this world like we do God's Word? As an example, tell your child, "go and clean up your room". What would your reaction be if they came back to you in about an hour or two and said hey, I memorized what you told me. You said, "go and clean your room". I am sure it would not be pleasant. What if they told you, I studied it real hard and I can even tell you what it means in Greek. Your child looks at you and says, "I am even going to have some of my friends come over and study about what you said and we are going to talk about what the room would like if it was clean". Yea, I know the blood would be boiling if that happened.
     How do you think God feels? He has told us to take the gospel into the world but we don't. We stand around with our hands in our pockets offering up excuses why we don't. They range from "I have a hard time talking to people" to " that's what we pay the preacher for". Both of which I have really heard with my own two ears. There is no excuse that is justified or excusable. We try to make it right in our own heads. Jesus told us to go into the whole world. If we wouldn't won't our kids to talk to us and treat us that way, why do we do it to God? We live by a double-standard.
     When Jesus left and ascended, He said He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit comes, we are to be witnesses of these things. The Holy Spirit is here. He knew that sometimes the situation would be uncomfortable to some. This is why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. We would not need Him if it was not uncomfortable. Let's do what God has told us to do in the power of the Holy Spirit. It will be amazing what we could accomplish. We would reap the benefits of making our Father happy.

I am John Sowders and I have been to The Well..!!!

The Church,,,, A Place for Fond Memories....

     I was a young boy when I realized I was a sinner and needed Jesus as my Savior. My Dad had just gotten saved and I had seen the awesome change that took place in his life and I knew, even though I hadn't lived a long life, I needed a Savior. After all, we all do. We are born with a sin nature that has to be dealt with. Ever since the age of 9, I have been in church. The church that Christ died for has been a part of almost my entire life.
     I have been a part of some really good churches and I have been around a few that were merely a social institution. Concord Baptist Church in Flat Lick, Ky will always hold a dear place in my heart. Almost my whole family accepted Christ as Savior in that church. I remember growing up in the youth department there playing basketball and volleyball constantly. A church needs to have things going on for the children and youth. It was at Concord that I preached the charge to Larry, my brother, and his church when he was ordained into the gospel. My Dad and brother Darrell was ordained as a deacon there. At one time, my entire family served the Lord in this church. The big old cobblestone church will always be special to me.
     As I started to get older, I started attending East Barbourville Baptist Church in Barbourville, Ky. It was at this church I felt God calling me into the ministry. I began to go out and speak at youth events. Pastors would invite me to come preach for them while they were away and sometimes even just to give me an opportunity to share. There are many men in the area back home that will hold a dear place in my heart for giving me those opportunities. East Barbourville Baptist Licensed me and Ordained me into the ministry. My ordination service will always hold a dear place in my heart because my Dad got to sit on my ordaining council. My dad has been dead almost 3 years now and the other day I look at my ordination certificate and just stared at my Dad's signature. He may be gone physically but he is always with me.
     Two churches have called me pastor through the years. Both Gray Baptist and Greasy Creek Baptist experienced growth during my leadership despite that I had no clue what I was really doing. I was in my twenties. What do you really know at that age?... ha ha.... In both situations, they were running very low numbers when I went there but they witnessed many confessions of Christ as Savior and large amounts of sheep coming back into the fold. God blessed the time in those churches and I will always cherish the time that a group of people called me their pastor.
     However, I have said all that to say this. God has allowed me to be a small part of something really incredible right now. I have been a part of some good churches but Towering Oaks Baptist Church is simply awesome. I did not say perfect. Remember, I go there. That automatically disqualifies them from that status with me as a part of it. However, It is amazing to me how God is working in this place. Our staff is top notch. Tommy Pierce, Johnny Mosley, Dennis Shumate, and just coming on board, Josh Pollock are a great group to work with to bring people to a knowledge of Christ in their lives. The people of the church are welcoming and inviting. Christ is exalted in this place and I am so proud to call Towering Oaks my home.
     This coming Sunday, Christina and I will be launching The Well. The Well will be a small group that devotes itself to a greater knowledge of Christ and His call on our lives. Only God knows the impact this group will have on our community. It is my prayer that Jesus will be a matter of conversation in Greene County, Tennessee and that Towering Oaks Baptist Church will be a leader in exposing Christ to a lost community. I want my children to look back one day and reflect on the church they attended and Towering Oaks will always hold a very special place in their heart regardless of where they are living.

I am John Sowders and I have been to The Well..!!!

Windshield or Rearview.....??

     I am not recommending this but have you ever looked through the Rear-view mirror in order to drive forward? Think for a moment all the things that could possibly go wrong. The most major would obviously be if the person in front of you decided to stop. Well you know what would happen. I can still hear all the metal crashing together and flying everywhere.
     As crazy as this sounds, we live our lives like this so many times. We can't experience some of the most awesome challenges that God has for us because we are too focused on the past. We spend so much of our time dragging around the baggage of our past that we miss our incredible future. Why do we let the past haunt us? It is over. We cannot change it. If we did wrong and erred in our way, God has already forgiven us it so let it go. That is why Jesus said, "it is finished" on the cross. He dealt with sin once and for all. When I ask Him to forgive me, it is finished once and for all. Living in the past can harm you so let it go.
     Have you ever thought about the difference in size between the rear-view mirror and the windshield? The windshield is much larger indicating to us that what is ahead of us is far more important than what is behind us. I hear what some of you are saying. There have been some great things that took place in your life and you want to remember them. I didn't say the rear-view mirror was useless. There is nothing wrong with looking bad and reminiscing. Just remember not to look too long,
     It's through the windshield that I see what lies ahead. It's where we see new surroundings. We take drives and take in the scenery. It is where I see a new world unfold before me. God has a great plan for each and every one of us. He is waiting to reveal it to us on the road ahead. There is not one place in scripture where God said to look back to see where you're going. He instructed us to look back and remember and recount His presence among His people. However, He never told them to look back so they could see what lie ahead.
     "Forget those things which are behind and press forward....."

I am John Sowders and I have been to The Well.....

A lesson from Bo......

As I sit here today looking at my border collie named Bo laying under the coffee table on the rug asleep, I can't help but wonder what goes through his mind from time to time. Just a couple of weeks ago Bo was at an animal shelter with an uncertain future. His future possibly included an early death. However, Christina saw him and sought him out, paid to have him released and now his future is bright and enjoyable. He did look sad all locked up in that cage that bound him, for he was made to run on a farm.
     There is something really funny about Bo since we gave him his new life. He doesn't really want to hang out with the other dogs. He wants to be right where his master is on the inside of the home. Though he was born with a nature to run and play, he is very content to lay in the floor at his masters feet.
     I was in that cage once myself. I was bound not by wires but by sin. I was captive to it and death was my certain future. Jesus saw me in that cage and went to the cross to pay my debt. I couldn't pay it myself, just like ole Bo could not get himself out of the situation he was in.
     I find myself with a burning desire to follow in Bo's footsteps and spend my time at the master's feet. I believe Bo knows what we did for him that day and doesn't want spend his day with trivial things but would rather be close to his master. My time in the last few days have been spent doing just that, seeking out my master. My hearts desire is to follow Him wherever He may go. I know what Christ did for me and my life is an expression of my gratitude to Him.
     This isn't easy.... My mind races constantly about where God wants me and how I am supposed to use my gifts that he has given me for His Glory. So, here I am talking to you in an endeavor to find where and how God will use me............
     Master, here I am...........

shhh.... Can you hear that??

     For those of you who have ever lived or stayed in an older home, you will understand what I am talking about. Have you ever just sat with the tv off and maybe very little light on and listened? It is amazing at the noises you hear in an older house when you are listening for it. Your concentration on quietness allows you to hear things that you normally pay no attention to.
     What about sitting on the porch or deck late at night when the rest of the world has seemingly gone to bed. Nature speaks to you on a whole new level. You hear the creation of God so vividly. There is noone talking. Its just you out there listening to what the world has to say. You can hear things from miles away. You can hear a train off in the distance and you don't even live near the railroad tracks. You just sit attentive to the sounds around you.
     It is amazing what you can hear when you're not talking. I heard it said one time that the reason God put our ears on the outside of our head was so that we could listen to Him and not ourselves. That is a little funny but it is so true on so many levels.
     I want you to pause for a just a second and think about your prayer time...... What does your prayer time sound like?..... What are some of the words you use?...... What is the usual purpose of the prayer?.... Okay now I have you sorta thinking about your prayer, let me ask you a deeper question. Is your prayer conversational?...... hmmmm Yes, is it conversational? Are you the one doing all the talking or do you actually take the time to wait and listen for God to talk?.....
     How many times are our prayers filled with situations or people that we are talking to God about? We take the time, though at times briefly, to talk to Him about our needs and wants, but spend very little time waiting to hear what He has to say about it all. By nature, we are poor listeners. Think about the conversations we have with our friends. We say something and then our friend speaks back, but we don't listen to them half the time. While they are talking, we are truly listening. We are thinking about our response. We can't really focus on what they are saying due to the fact that we are occupying our mind with thoughts of rebuttal.
     Our conversations with God aren't even that elaborate. We don't even give Him the time to talk. We say what we gotta say or ask and then we are gone. How much would our lives change if we actually took the time to listen to God. I mean nothing else on your mind meditation. God, you speak for your servants listens..........

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!!

And the Two shall become One....with Christ

     I have spoken on here about many topics of interest. I have shared my heart and passion for Christ. I have dealt with our relationship with Christ on many levels. Today I want to thank God for His providence and foresight. I do not want to take up this space today to discuss the theological aspects of the foreknowledge of God. I am simply going to discuss it on the basis of its truth.
     I want to focus my attention today on one particular area that God knew exactly what I would need and moved in a mighty way to make it come to pass. The area I am speaking of is when God allowed mine and Christina's path to cross. When I think about alot of the things that had to have happened in order for us to be around each other, it is amazing. There were moments in our life where people said yes to things that brought it along. There were times when we were told no that caused a shift or move that brought about other things that put us in the same place. Remember that a no that comes your way may not be a bad thing.
     By her own admission, she will tell you that she pursued me.... Although funny and unbelievable, it is true. We were at a high school basketball game and she walked right up to me in the lobby and struck up a conversation that was very purposeful. I knew when she walked away that we would end up together. I was so convinced that when I went back in and sat down after halftime she stopped and talked to someone else enrout to her seat, I didn't like it. I knew right then I was in love.
     God knew exactly the woman I would need to walk into my life and give me reason for existing again. He knew I would need someone to be patient with me while He was working on me because I would rebel. He created her just for me. When I gave in and surrendered my life and heart to God, He had already prepared her and she was more than ready to devote her life to Christ. I just love her with all my heart. She amazes me everyday with her faith. She is a remarkable woman and I am one very fortunate man.
     Life is full of challenges. Saying yes to God doesn't mean that trouble will not find its way into your life no matter how many times you hear Joel Osteen tell you it won't. Joel Osteen, there is a topic for another day. Anyway I digress, Christina is the love of my life and I couldn't imagine taking one step in this world without her. We grow deeper in our relationship each day due to our relationship with Christ growing deeper each day.
     The two shall become one,,, with Christ.....

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!

Are we suppose to lay it all down and follow Him?

     Many years ago, My father-in-law decided we needed to fence the mountain off in case we wanted to just turn some of the rougher stock up on the hill. Just so you know, when I said we, it meant me. When Christina and I first got together, he wouldn't let me help him do anything, but it didn't take him too long to out grow that feeling. He and I were going to walk up on the hill and he was going to show me where to fence. I carried some fence and posts up the hill while we were going. After a little while, the hill was getting steep and I wouldn't be able to stay with him cause the load I was carrying was slowing me down. John couldn't speak cause he lost his voicebox to cancer but he wrote me a note and told me to lay that stuff down and come on. I was able to stay with him stride for stride now because I didn't have anything with me to slow me down. You know how it is too, you are constantly stopping and having to readjust.
     It was amazing how much more focused I was on the mountains and the scenery as we traveled up the steep hill. Before I laid down the fencing and posts, I was concerned with my load and was constantly thinking how much farther until we get there. I was just enjoying the walk with John now because that's all I had to think about.
     I wonder how much of our life is like that with God. We go through life and it seems that we use to have or place importance upon has disappeared. Some of the things we lose is welcomed while there some things we have to give up that we question. We worked hard for that now its gone. I use to be able to do that but money is tight now so I have limit some activities. However, what if it was going to be a burden to us while we are following God to where He is taking us. Was it something I was going to constantly have to readjust? Was it going to be something that would take my eye off the journey?
     I wonder if God sometimes treats us just like John did me that day. Lay it down and come on with me. I hate to lose things. I hate to feel like I am losing some things that I really enjoy, but Jesus said take up your cross and follow me. Does following Jesus mean that I have to give some things up. Most certainly it does. We are told to lay aside the sin that does so easily beset us in Hebrews so that we may run the race with endurance. I know when I laid down the fencing and posts, my endurance went up tremendously.
     I know it may be difficult when your world may seem to be crumbling all around you, but just remember that God may be getting rid of some things that will keep you from seeing His glory. I know when John and I made it to the top of the mountain, it was the most beautiful view in all the world. Just think about the view that God wants to show us when we get there.......

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

The Wonder of Wonders........

     This world is definitely filled with many beautiful things. God certainly created many things for our eyes to be amazed by. Back near my hometown is Corbin, Kentucky. Tucked away just outside of Corbin is a placed called Cumberland Falls. It is a place were the Cumberland River drops around 120 feet. The Falls claims to have the ability to see a moonbow. There are only two in the whole world. The Cumberland Falls is an awesome sight nestled in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Placed there by the hand of an awesome God.
     I will never forget the tremendous feeling I had the first time I went on a cruise to the Bahamas. The islands and the sites meant nothing to me in comparison to the idea of standing on the ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and not seeing land. Its one thing to see the ocean from the beach, its another to be in that ocean and not be able to see land. It leaves you with a feeling of awe.
     However, none of these sights compares to Jesus. Jesus is the Wonder of Wonders. The very Son of God. God taking on flesh and walking among us. Leaving the portals of glory to visit us where we live. He came to our communities and visited our people. What an amazing reality.....
     Here is a group that I grew up listening to reminding us of The Wonder of Wonders....... The Inspiration Quartet from Bryson City, North Carolina..

Whatever it takes....... do you believe that??

     Years ago I was fortunate to be the basketball coach to a very good group of young men. We experienced a lot of great times together. We went on many trips around the state playing basketball. We enjoyed success together as a unit. We set goals at the beginning of the year and worked hard to accomplish those goals. The last I coached we set high goals. We wanted to go undefeated in our conference. We adopted a motto for the year which was "whatever it takes". We had to play hard and practice harder in order to achieve this goal. The team was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish this goal. We played more games and played in more tournaments than we had ever played in that year. The team went undefeated in conference play. When we entered the year-end conference tournament, we printed shirts that claimed us as champions before we ever played a game. We took the chance and paid the price for the goal we wanted to accomplish. Some saw this as arrogance, I saw it as motivation. We began with the end in mind. If we are champions, we will play like champions. The boys went out in style winning the conference and tournament title going undefeated in our conference. The team bought into the system of "whatever it takes".
     In the Gospel of Mark, we run into four people who understood the concept of "whatever it takes". They come across a paralyzed man who needed healing so they decided to carry him to Jesus. When they get to where Jesus was at, there was a huge crowd. Had that been us, we may have given up or decided to come back for the evening service cause we know there is a smaller crowd in the evening service. However, these men saw the need to get this man to Jesus whatever it took. They take him up on the roof and tear a portion of the roof off and lower him down to Jesus. Consequently, Jesus touched him and healed. The man was never the same due to his encounter with the Son of God.
     What about us? Is "whatever it takes" our motto for bringing people to Jesus? Maybe you are lost in calculating the cost. Maybe the thoughts of tearing off the roof seems too extreme. Can we really reach the lost for Christ with hesitations and limits. Some people have for years put limitations on the call to reach out to the community the church is sitting in. That church is there for a reason. The reason is to equip the saints and evangelize the lost. That is where it starts and stops. Many people in our churches today feels that their spiritual gift is to explain all the reasons why we can't afford to do something. What they don't understand is that their spiritual gift must be tying the hands of God. In Mark chapter 6, Mark tells of Jesus' trip to Nazareth. The majority of the people tied the hand of God. They said is this not the son of Mary which was a slur toward Jesus while a minority said It healed others maybe He can do the same for me.
     Which group do you fall? Don't tie the hands of God with doubt and unbelief. We serve the true and awesome God of this universe not the God of limitations. That would be Satan's title.

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

What is your Preference??

     We all have preferences in our lives. When we are car shopping, there are so many choices out there for us to choose from it gets overwhelming. We have our preferences though that the car must have or not have. When we plan for our vacation time, we have preferences. Some peoples idea of a vacation is being at home relaxing because their job always has them on the road while others don't feel they have been on vacation if they don't see lots and lots of water. We always demonstrate our preferences in our daily life. The music we listen to and the places we eat are all chosen from our preferences.
     God has placed within us free will. He gave us the ability to make choices. He doesn't dictate to us like a grumpy tyrant. He allows us the freedom to make choices about all things. It's the way we are created. With this in mind, I believe there are so many people today that takes the decision about eternal life very lightly. There are some who choose not to accept Christ as their Savior because they do not see the need for it. Then there is the group who says they have accepted Christ as Savior but their daily preferences does raise questions . When you look at someones preferences, you get to the heart of that individual. If you take a glance at a person's daily choices, you know what is important to them. I want to speak to us who claim Christ as our Savior. Think about your daily routine...... What does it involve? Who does it involve? What do you prefer to use up your time with? One does have to wonder the level of priority we place on our relationship with Jesus.  Most people who claim Christ as their Savior only touches their Bible to carry it to church. Prayer is a crutch that used only in the time of need, rarely ever used as a moment of praise. Prayer is not a cute little reference for someone on Facebook. We are talking to the God of this universe. Going out visiting or witnessing is out of the question. After all, God didn't call me to do that nor did he give me the gift of gab. Isn't that what we pay the preacher for? oh and by the way, I really don't think God is impressed with our every once in a while reference to Him on Facebook either. He knows our hearts.
     What is your preference? In Matthew 13:44, Jesus tells us a parable about the man who found a treasure. He hid the treasure and went into town and sold all his belongings in order to buy the land that has the treasure. Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like that treasure. We should be willing to give up everything to pursue the treasure. Let's not even get to the point of everything. Let's discuss the idea of what is one thing you have given up in order to follow Christ more closely. We should desire God just like this man desired the treasure. Its not so much that you have to give it up as much as it doesn't mean that much to you as compared to your relationship with Christ.
     In the movie, "Oh brother where art thou" there is a seen that one instructs another to "do not seek the treasure" well I am challenging you to seek the treasure. We should want it so bad that nothing else matters.

I am John Sowders and I am Second

Do you believe......??

     I was taught in college, a few days ago, LOL, about all the things that the christian church had wrong in its interpretation of scripture. All myths and religions in the world has a global destruction. The story of the flood is no exception. It is merely a myth like all the others. God parting the Red Sea is ridiculous. The Israelites came through the Reed Sea which was a shallow swamp. As others have, I have always asked, either way which one is the greater miracle? That the Israelites came across dry ground through the Red Sea or that the Egyptian Army drown in a shallow swamp. When I was in the class, I use to want to talk to him about coming to know Jesus as his savior. I use to always wonder who did him so wrong that he is that sour on God but yet teach an Old Testament class. However, as the years have come and gone, I have thought many times about the man who challenged everything I was taught in Sunday School. I use to get so mad at him but he challenged me and I able today to know what I believe because of what the Bible says not merely what a person taught me.
     Christina was watching a video tweet from John Piper. Piper was asked in the video why he believed that the Bible was completely true. His response was very simple. Piper said he believed it all because that is what his mamma said. I found that funny. Although I do not side with Piper on all Biblical issues, I do find his writings important to anyone who seeks to serve the Lord.
     Pause for a second and think about the stories we use to teach our children about the importance of having a solid foundation in a life lived with Christ. The easy one is the song we sing about building our house upon the rock instead of sinking sand. Our two year daughter, Reese, has been singing that song to her mommy. In addition to that song, we use another story to teach the same truth but we don't realize it. What about the story of the three little pigs. First one builds his house out of straw and the big bad wolf blows it down. The second pig builds his house out of sticks and the wolf blows it down, but the third pig built his house out of solid rock. When the big bad wolf blew against it, it stood firm and made the wolf mad. Our lives built upon the truth of Jesus cannot be taken away or devoured by Satan.
      Do you know what you believe? I pray that you believe in Jesus and accept him as Savior and Lord.
listen to Mac Powell of Third Day and Brandon Heath sing, "The Creed"....

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!
   

Great Reminders.....

     Maybe you are like me and no matter how hard you try, you forget somethings from time to time. Remember when people use to tie a string around their wrist or finger to remind them that they need to remember something. Well that didn't work for me I would forget why I tied it there. You may have had moments like when you leave one room to go to another to do something. Somebody asks you a question while you're walking and the next thing you know, you're standing in the middle of a room with no clue why you're there. just think how much money Post It has made off of those cute little sticky notes. A simple piece of paper with a sticky edge to place on anything, anywhere to remind us of almost anything.
     Well my sticky note yesterday came in the form of my beautiful wife. She reminded me of the awesomeness of God's Word. She shared with me how reading books are great but there is nothing compared to opening up the scripture and reading it. She shared with me how she had thrown her highlighter in her Bible and when she went back to open the Bible up, it was in Hebrews. A conversation ensued about Abraham and Isaac. We shared and talked for a while about what really took place on that mountain. We got to talk about the intention of the heart and God's faithfulness to the faithful.
     I continued my reading in the book of Hebrews this morning. God reminded of a verse that I had marked in my Bible from years ago. Hebrews 13:6, "We can confidently say, The Lord is my helper and I will NOT be afraid". Isn't God's word awesome!!!! He is our great helper. He is a very present help in time of trouble. Our God is an awesome God, He reigns.......
     What to do with this sticky note reminder:
1. Don't get so busy reading about God that you don't read from God
2. Don't forget how awesome it is to share and discuss scripture with you spouse.
3. Don't forget God is with you today,,, take Him along

I am John Sowders and I Second,,!!!!

The Race..........

     So much work has gone into it. The time spent in the preparation. The purchasing of equipment. Have you ever been to a barrel race? Three barrels set up in an arena so that a horse and rider can make a clover leaf pattern. They have a laser timer set up to clock each run so we can determine the fastest time around the pattern. Do you have the right horse? Can the rider get with the horse? There are so many questions and so many variables. However, the right rider and the right horse will work very diligently to be ready for that moment, The Race. There is nothing no more disappointing than to go through all that hard work and not be ready for the race.
     What about you? Are you ready for the race? In the book of Hebrews, we are challenged to run the race without hindrances. We are to lay aside those items that encumber us. Wait a minute you say. Hold the farm. What race are you talking about? The Race of all races. The race for the cause of Christ. The race to take the gospel to our neighborhood, to our world. Have you been preparing? If not, what is the thing that sin that easily besets you? What is it that has such a grip on you that it hinders you from even joining in on the race much less running it with success.
     Oh that race, I have ran in that race before. I tried to run in it but my legs got tired. I gave it my best shot but I lost my breath and I just couldn't keep going. I was in a crowd and my shoe came untied. I was trying to run along side some people I thought were good and we bumped elbows so I just gave up. May I suggest it was not the legs, the shoe strings, nor even the knocking of elbows that caused you to get out of the race. It was your heart. When your heart isn't in it, you look for reasons to quit or to get out. You didn't have the passion for it.
     I want to encourage you to allow your heart to regain its vigor toward what it the most important race you will ever run in. In order to do so, you have to get prepared. It takes time to be ready. You don't just walk out of the house one day and take off running. You have to prepare. You must spend time in God's word. You must be in a spirit of prayer and communicate with the very God of this universe. You must be consumed with His mission of reaching the lost for Christ. It doesn't take long at a barrel race to know who has spent time during the week with their horse. You find out who has practiced and had worked on that moment when their name is called. The Christian race is the same. You can tell who has spent time with God or to whom it is only a passing phase.
     Some people run as a hobby while others run for a race. They run so they can win a race. Is your run for Christ a hobby or is it truly a race? The shoes are different. The clothes are different. You can tell who just wants to run for themselves or who is running for a greater cause or purpose. Hobby or Race? Hebrews 12:1, " Let us run the Race with endurance the rest that has been set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and the perfecter of our faith"

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!

Don't hide it,,,, get rid of it..

     While we lived in Kentucky, we went many times to the fairgrounds in Louisville, KY. The fairgrounds in Louisville was the home of two arenas, Freedom Hall and Broadbent Arena. Freedom Hall was obviously home of the Louisville Cardinals basketball team for many years. Anyway, we used those two location arenas for Quarter Horse barrel racing. While we were there, I would drive by Churchill Downs many times. Although Christina has always wanted to go, we have never made the trip to Louisville for The Kentucky Derby.
     As many of you may have watched this past weekend, the Derby ran and the splendor of it all was captured on video and broadcast to millions of people. The beautiful twin spires standing in the sun. All the women dressed and adorned in their hats. The men in their finely tailored suits. The infield buzzing with excitement waiting for that moment when the call come from Coach Calipari for the jockey's to mount their horse.
     However, if you have actually ever been to Churchill Downs, you know there is a part of it that no one mentions in polite society. Its the back street of The Downs. This street is covered with broken down old homes and shacks. It also has Jockey quarters along the back street. This isn't a place of splendor or glory. There is no majestic feel as you drive down this street. Its the side of Churchill Downs that no one wants you to see or even know about. While its pretty and easy on the eyes on the front, it is despicable and ugly on the back.
     How about us? Do we go through this life like we are the Churchill Downs of living? We put forth this persona that everything okay. We put make-up on and dress our hair as we walk out into the world to demonstrate to them how together we are. Yet, on the inside we know we are falling apart. We take that last minute look at our hair and straighten our jacket as we exit our home to go into this world that we are trying to make better, but on the inside, we actually need the help ourselves.
     There is only one place we can find help for the inside and that is with Jesus Christ. I have to come to grips with the need for change. I have to realize that I need some fixing up on the inside. I have to swallow pride and recognize that I can never fix it myself. I know what you're saying. You have always been able to solve your own problems. You have lived on your own since you were three and you walked to school up hill both ways in a foot of snow with no shoes. I get you're tough, but you don't have what it takes to solve this. This is a sin problem. Jesus is the ONLY one who can deal with your sin problem. It's okay, you're not alone. We have all been there. I was a mess on the inside, but Jesus took all of that away.

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!

Just how busy can we keep Him?

     I have always heard the saying growing up that "idleness is the work of the devil". I am sure you have heard that too. I know from growing up and then from raising kids of my own that if you don't have something to do you will make up something to occupy your time. It is during these trivial moments that we have gotten into the most trouble. Idle time does do something to us. I can see now why dad was always coming up with things for me to do.
     Think about our spiritual life and how we have become so passive about our commitment to Christ. We sit by and allow other things to preoccupy our thoughts and actions. This idle time is the work of the devil. Satan is so good at bringing us to a point of comfort and contentment. Some of you may say, I am not idle, I go to church every time the doors are open. You fill your life with activity. This good activity but is it the best activity. However, for most it is "not doing anything" that has consumed your time.
     Lets pause for a moment and think about the difference we could make if we made a commitment to consume ourselves with the movement of God. We say with words we would like to have revival at our church. We utter the words that we are concerned about the world dying lost, but does it consume us. Is it something so important us that we can't get up off our knees. We are constantly talking to God about someone or about Him moving in a mighty way in the church you attend. We set intentional times in our week or month that we fast before God. We make a commitment to meet with others just to pray and fast. We join with them to hold each other accountable to each other and God.
     God is waiting....... If we don't find something for Him to do, He will go and work somewhere else.
Isaiah said, "You who call on the Lord,give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest til He establishes Jerusalem"... Wow!!! May it be our attitude that we are not going to allow God to rest. May our prayers and fasting keeps God so busy moving on the hearts of the lost people around us. We will be able to accomplish what God has called us to do, make disciples.
     Just how busy can we keep him?

I am John Sowders and I am Secod..!!!

Come to the Well......

     When I was in school, I played football. I can remember those hot summer days when we would practice twice a day. You would get so hot and thirsty. When the coach would half way show a heart and let you get a drink of water, it helped but made it worse all at the same time. The water was the greatest thing in the world but once you got that first drink, you wanted another drink in 5 minutes. I was thirsty and the water just didn't satisfy I thirst. Perhaps you didn't play ball and don't really know how that feels, but you have drank a glass of orange juice and the juice made you thirsty so you had to drink something else. Okay, okay,,, I get it none of this applies to you so I will pull out the big gun. When I go to Long John Silvers, I cannot get enough to drink. I mean I need it in a tube just shooting straight into me. There is something about the grease they use or something. Especially if you eat some of the crumbs, you will die of thirst all day and no matter what you drink, nothing satisfies or quenches your thirst.
     Our lives in the middle of this world is just like that. Even when you think you have found something to satisfy, you eventually find out that it left a void. You search and search but you still feel empty on the inside. We chase dreams and have ambitions and there is nothing wrong with having dreams, but the dream itself will leave you empty and hollow. This world will leave you high and dry in a moments notice.
     This is where I invite you to come to The Well. The Well that will never run dry or leave you standing alone and thirsty. Jesus came to a woman near Sychar at Jacob's Well. He discussed with her about her past and then talked with her about her future. He told her if she drank from the water from this well she was at, she would thirst again, but if she drank from Him, she would never thirst again. Jesus knew her whole story but yet He met her where she was and how she was. You don't have to fix things before you come to Jesus. Just simply come as you are to The Well.

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

Its the Gospel.....

This morning I have overwhelming burden for a friend of mine who has a sister that needs to know Jesus as Savior. What do you do with your family member that does not know Jesus as Savior? It is the most difficult thing in the world to witness to your own family. However, we are called and commanded to do it. It comes with challenges beyond our comprehension sometimes. Many times you were brought up in the same household. How could some of us accept but one not. This one area of my life I am blessed beyond measure. My mom and dad raised us in church. They taught us to serve Jesus. They showed us it was important to offer the love of Jesus through his church. Today, all five of us are committed christian's and attend church and its activities regulary. My oldest brother pastor's Mill Creek Baptist Church in Bell County Ky. As I have said, I am blessed that my family calls Jesus Savior.
     However, not all of you are so lucky and witnessing to them can be a challenge. This where the community around you comes into play. You may be like me on this day were you don't have to worry about your siblings. You may not even have a brother or sister, but someone else does. That someone else's sister needs to know Jesus and we may very well be the one that extends Jesus to them and they accept. 94% of confessing Christians has never led a single person to knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior. This information tells me one of two things; people who are Christians are not taking the Great Commandment seriously or people have deceived themselves into thinking they are Christians when they are not.
     There are people in this world that is lost without Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to share with them the gospel. We are commanded to share with them the good news found in Jesus Christ. This call should cause us to lose sleep at times. Their lostness should be on the forefront of our mind. I am not talking about inviting people to church. Although inviting someone to church is important. The most important thing for me to do first is to point them to Jesus as Savior. When was the last time you couldn't eat a meal because you had someone on your mind that was lost?
     Today I leave convicted....... I hope that I have the courage to speak to your brother or sister today...

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

Approval rating is overrated........

     A long time ago when my nephew was young and hopefully didn't know any better. He had a boy that lived beside him they called JW. JW wanted my nephew's attention so bad he would do anything for him. One day Jamie took advantage of this. They were standing near the neighborhood creek when Jamie said to JW, I bet you can't jump over this creek. The most infamous words then ensued. I bet you I can Jamie Sowders. That boy tried to jump that creek I don't know how many times, but each time he would land right in the middle of the water. His soaked clothes was a reminder of just how far people will go to win your approval.
     Peter was someone who was always trying to get the attention and approval of Jesus. There have been many critics of Peter. However, Peter redeemed himself in being a faithful follower of Jesus. He may have gotten his mouth out in front of his brain a few times, but his heart was right. He simply wanted the approval of Jesus.
     A remarkable story of approval comes in the book Acts when a man named Stephen was preaching about Jesus. As usual, this was upsetting to the Jews. When they began to get angry with Stephen, He looked up into Heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand side God. This is the only time in the Bible were it describes Jesus Standing. Everywhere else depicts Him as seated at the right hand of the Father. However, he must have been so pleased with Stephen that He stood up.
     We seek the approval of so many people in life for various reasons but wouldn't it make more sense to seek out the approval of God. Max Lucado, many years ago, wrote a book entitled "The Applause from Heaven". The book about is us seeking out to please God so much that it would warrant the applause of Heaven. What could we do today that gain the applause of heaven? Moreover, What could we do to cause Jesus to stand up?

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!

Look what I did.......

     One afternoon I was over in Kentucky visiting my mom. Reese decided she wanted to work on a puzzle. This was not just some ordinary puzzle. This was one of those that takes up the entire living room floor. Reese was dead set on working on this puzzle though. I started out in the floor with her but I soon had just about all the puzzle I could take for one day. Rhegan started helping her with some advice from on lookers. Her cousin Delaney came by just in time to offer some assistance as well her oldest brother Bradley. The rest of the room would periodically offer some advice. The moment finally arrived. The puzzle was complete. Reese stands up with a great shout of pride and said I did it. You heard me correct. Amidst all of the help and assistance Reese had received, she stood up and said "I" did it. This brought a laugh from the on lookers and the helpful participants.
     Life so often has this same appearance. Life brings about so many challenges and obstacles. You move through it but you never do it alone. There is always help all around you even some times when you don't even know it. However, we are very quick to point out that we did alone. Look what "I" did.... Take a moment and reflect on all the people who have had an influence on your life............... If you really took the time to think about it, it can actually blow your mind the number of people that have helped you along the way. Oh and don't forget the people who were simply cheering you on.
     No matter how much all of these people has helped us, None has helped us like Jesus. We have no idea some of the things he has kept us from. The times He has gone ahead and worked something out. It's like working that puzzle when you reach a point where you have to find that one piece. The piece that the rest of the puzzle hinges on. You search and search. You try many pieces thinking it is the fit, but you find out it isn't. Our life is like that without Jesus. We may try many other things from this world but the decision to place Christ in your life. Well, everything else hinges on that one decision.
     Jesus says to us from the cross........ Look at what I did...

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!   

Has Jesus Wrecked Your Life?

     I have a good friend who was going along her peaceful little life. She seemed to have it all together. As I am I sure with everyone, a few bumps along the way, but everything kind of the way she had hoped and dreamed of. Then it happened. In her own words, Jesus wrecked her life. Don't take this wrong she means it in a good way. Jesus took her little world that she was perfectly content with and turned it upside down. Jesus made a wreck of her lifelong dreams and showed her and her husband the plan He had. All it took for God to show them His plan was one trip to Haiti then it was all she wrote. That trip opened their eyes to a whole new way of seeing things. God used that trip to show them He would use them there. They are serving an orphanage as missionaries and also started a ministry to help those orphan children. I am so glad that God offered me the opportunity to become a child of God. Thank you Bruce and Dee Wilson for hearing and following the call to be followers of Him.
     Isn't it amazing how we get out ahead of God and start making our plans then we sit back and pray for God to bless it. In case you haven't noticed, He is God and He knows what he is doing. We should ask Him where it is that He would have us go. If we go His direction and follow His plan, He is sure to bless it.
     Think about the woman at Sychar who was at the well when Jesus came by and told her everything about her. Jesus wrecked her world and she was never the same. What about Matthew the tax collector? He had an encounter with Jesus and he was never the same. Jesus wrecked his world. What about John? He was a fisherman trying his best to earn a living for his family. Then it happened. Jesus wrecked his world and turned it upside down.
     May this be our prayer that Jesus wrecks our lives. He comes in and alters everything. I know some of you will say slow down just a little. I mean I go to church two and three times a week. I am doing just about all I can do. Really? All you can do? We accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. You cannot divide those two offices. There is no such thing as partial obedience. Partial disobedience is complete disobedience. If you go to church that often, I know you have stood in the church and sang, "I surrender all" and "have thine own way Lord". Take that step of faith and mean it.
     Let Jesus wreck your life. Go ahead I dare you........

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!

This doesn't look like the picture........

     I am finished.... thank goodness. What do I do with these? You know the "these" I am talking about. The left over screws and bolts and odd pieces. I just finished putting this together and I am pretty sure I followed the directions correctly. However, I am a little concerned that I have pieces left that should have probably been attached somewhere. Have you been there? Makes you wish you had someone standing with that had put one these together before. We could all use a little wisdom and experience completing a task from time to time.
     I have also sent my kids to complete a task only for them to come back disgusted and frustrated. Complaining to me that what they were doing was not working out. I would ask them have you tried everything. Yes, they would say. I have tried everything and every way I know and I just can't get it together. It is always at that moment I would remind them that they hadn't done everything possible to finish their task. They had not ask me to help them. They would always look at me and shake their head.
     Working on something in your life that just simply not working out the way you think it should. Quit trying to figure it out yourself and ask your Father to help. After all, He does have the answers and the ability to resolve the situation. Take it to God in prayer. I am not talking about passive discussion. I am talking about finding a quite place and getting on your knees before the very God of this Universe. He is your Father and He loves you. He wants the best for you. Go ahead, let Him help you on this one.

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

The Point.........

     You know we have all gone through life with certain sayings that have always garnered our attention. I want to throw some at you that I am sure you have heard people say at some POINT in your life.
     1. I just don't get the Point
     2. Just what is the Point anyway
     3. I am about at the Point of my wits end
     4. Can you Point me in the right direction?
     5. I have come to the Point of no return
     6. What's the Point of Algebra?
     7. What kind of Point was she trying to make with that outfit?
As you have noticed, I referred to many statements or sayings that has the word "point" in them. There is something about that word that has intrigued me the last few days as I have sought God in prayer about direction in my life.
     It is at a point that two pieces of wood join together to form the Cross. That Point shows a change in direction in the wood. One piece is vertical while the other is horizontal. The vertical piece of wood demonstrates to us the importance of having a relationship with God while the horizontal piece instructs us to have relationships with others. Those two pieces of wood meet at a point.
     Just as those two pieces of wood meet at a point, my life has came to many different points. There is one point though I want to draw special attention. It was the point in my life that I came face to face with Jesus. Was I ready for that moment? I don't believe I was. Are we ever ready for that moment? However, the Point was before me. Here He is with His arms stretched out offering Himself to me as savior and Lord. At that Point, I was going to make a decision one way or another. I would walk away with a Savior or walk away lost.
     Maybe today you are dealing with something that has brought about much frustration. Your hands have been thrown up into the air in disgust on more than one occasion. You may have even questioned why you bother to care so much about it. After all, it doesn't seem to bother anybody else. So what's the point?
     I was on a mission today trying to locate something. I gave up my manly pride and stopped and asked a gentlemen for some guidance. I asked the gentlemen if he could point me in the right direction. He sure could. He told me precisely how to find what I was looking for. How many of you are pulling up to someone right now in your life and rolling down the window with a great need to ask them, can you point me in the right direction? We all come to crossroads in our lives where we must make a decision. We want to make the right one. After all, we may never get that chance again.
     It is our, Christina and myself, prayer that we would be able to point you to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. The amazing part about God is that he has already seen my death. He knows the direction I need to go to fulfill what He has called me to do. I am so thankful for the POINTS in my life. Please take advantage of yours,,,,,,

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!

Isn't that what we do?.....Ok, maybe not.

     I am continuing my thought from yesterday. God will not let go of me on this subject. In his book entitled, Radical Together, David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, tells a story about a pastor coming to him and talking to him about how their church operates. The pastor said they tell their people to invite as many people as possible to church. When the people come, leave the rest to the staff to create an environment that they will find appealing and want to come back. As I read this, I speculated that many of our churches operate under this pretense. This is the basis of the seeker sensitive movement that many churches have bought into.
     When the pastor asked David if that was the way his church did things. He was honest with him and told him no. The church where he pastors does the exact opposite. He told him that church was for the believers, it was not geared toward the lost. Salvation is extended to the lost through the week as our people encounter them at work or in the market. As they accept Christ as Savior then we plug them into small groups to learn how to reach other for Christ. Would you have a clue as to what the pastor's response was to what David said? The pastor said, " Man that's a new idea"
     Oh it is??? I don't think so. Christ commanded His church to go into all the world and make disciples. He did not tell us to come up with just the right church service with the most awesome music and super relevant speaker and then sit back and wait on people to come in for salvation. Don't get me wrong, there are times when people get saved during a church service, but the church is compelled to go after the lost not wait on them.
     There is a church near my hometown that is experiencing growth, but one of the things they do that puzzles me is they have a baptism service planned without anyone necessarily scheduled to be baptized. They ask people to come to the church and get saved. I don't know about you but this seems a little backward to the way we are taught to go after the lost in the Bible.
     Will we sit back and wait on the lost come to church on our terms? Maybe we will keep changing our church services until it is finally just the way the world wants it? Jesus commanded us to take the Church into the world, but we have allowed the world into the church........

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!

Environment: Who creates it?

     I have had the privilege of being in a lot of people's homes. It doesn't take long in someones home, to find out what is very important to them. Some homes are built for entertainment with wide open spaces in the common areas. Some homes demonstrate a lot of history and memories with all the pictures on display. I have been in homes were musical instruments were out in the open for all to see so it was obvious that the family was musically inclined.
     The homeowner creates the environment. If you look around and see a lot of religious pictures or statues, one would get the idea that they follow God in some way or another. The person who lives there dictates the conversation. You never walk in someones home and take over the conversation. The person who dwells there guides the visit. The homeowner sets the stage and controls the flow of the visit. It would be rude on our part to try to take that from them. We are a guest in this dwelling. It belongs to someone else so we do not create the environment.
     We understand this principal with no problem, but why do we go in the complete and opposite direction when we walk into God's house. After all, it is His house. It's His environment to create. Why do we work so hard on trying to make His dwelling more appealing. Should this task not be left up to Him. Why do we even feel compelled to make Him appear more appealing. He is God. He has a certain attraction about Him that no one seems to possess.
     I believe that in our plot to try to make the church relevant, we forget a basic and important eternal truth. God is relevant. We don't have to dress Him up to take Him to town. You may think that I am off base and not sure if you believe what I am saying. Watch this video and see what you think. WARNING!!!! There is the possibility that this looks like the church you attend. If so, ponder on the thoughts I have presented to you. Remember one truth about God that God said about Himself when speaking to Moses, God said,
" I am that I am"....... God is....... not was..... we fon't have to make Him relevant, He is.....

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!

To be treasured.........

     Many years ago, my grandmother Sowders made all her grandchildren a quilt. There are several of us so this was a remarkable task. Mom held onto to our quilts until we were married. The quilts were all store in plastic bags and were never used. My two older brothers and Sister had gotten theirs exactly the way I described. My younger brother got his as well. However, when I got married my mom and dad had just bought a new house and we were in the process of moving and everything was packed up. Mom told me when she got everything sorted out she would find my quilt and give it to me.
     Time marched on and we both actually forgot about the quilt. Mom forgot about it so much that she actually thought she had given it to me one night when she pulled a quilt out of a bag on a cold night and used it. She left the quilt on her bed for a long time. One day I was talking to her about the fact that I had never gotten my quilt. She told me she would look for it. It was during her looking that she realized she had used my quilt made by Granny Sowders on her bed.
     Being the mother that she is, she apologized like 400 times. As I have told my mom several times, I have the best quilt of all of the quilts my granny made. My siblings got a quilt my granny made, but I got one that she made and my mother used. I will go on record and say I am a momma's boy. I don't know many sons who aren't if they would own up to the truth. The quilt in my possession will always be something that I treasure. It is kept in a plastic and placed in a place of importance. I look at it often. I still am very blessed to have my mother with me right now. However, this will not always be the case, but this quilt will be a reminder of who she was in my life. This quilt means something to me that is unexplainable and indescribable.
     Although that quilt means everything to me, It cannot compare to what Christ means in my life. He gave his all for me. He came when he didn't have to because he loved me too much to leave me the way I was. I am sure you have items in your life you treasure, but allow yourself to treasure your savior on this day, the day of worship.
     May today be a day you lay everything else aside and focus on Him. For when we worship, we show its worth-ship. What is he truly worth to you?

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!

Well this is empty,,, throw it away?

     You have just finished the last drink of the bottle of soft drink. The bottle is empty so you toss it in the trash. Maybe it was a bottle of water for you but the bottle is empty now so you throw it away. Would the bottle serve another purpose? Obviously, the bottle had no more meaning of existence for you. After all, it is empty. If I acquired a thirst, there is nothing left in the this bottle to satisfy that thirst.
     The one thing that we hate the most is to open the fridge to get the milk only to find out the last person who got milk finished the jug but put the jug back into the fridge empty. Oh the emotion that goes through your veins when that happens. You don't want that to happen to someone else so you get the jug out and toss it in the trash. It's empty. It is any good now.
     Is the emptiness of something that cause it to have no value? Before you answer, lets ponder for a moment about the Cloths dryer. When is it the most useful to me? It is the most useful to me when it is empty. After a load from the washer, I want to find the dryer empty and ready for use. Likewise, when the load is completely dried, I don't toss the dryer to the trash. The dryer is waiting on me to place another load of clothes to be dried inside of it.
     I know you are going to enjoy this one. what about a baby diaper? When is it the most useful and purposeful? It is of most value to us when it is empty. It is in its emptiness that it performs for me. I wouldn't put a full or used diaper on a baby or child. I want to place an empty, clean diaper on them.
     In Philippians 2, Paul writes to us about the humility of Christ. In verses 6-7 of that chapter, Paul tells us that Jesus, "who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men." The Greek word, Kenos is used here to imply that Jesus emptied himself. At that very moment, Jesus was already fully God, but he became fully man. Jesus emptied himself. There is great debate as to what Jesus emptied himself of but that is not my intent at this moment to discuss the theological aspects of that debate.
     I was us to discuss the reality that whatever he emptied. He did it for us. He left the portals of glory to come visit us and to die for us. In verse 8, Paul tells us "he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross". The most vile and despicable of all forms of death. In Jesus' emptiness, He fulfilled the awesome plan of God.
     You may feel lonely and defeated today. You may just like there is nothing on the inside of you right now. You just have this empty feeling of worthlessness. Don't forget Jesus experienced moments of loneliness and emptiness. He wants to be there for you today. If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, that is the empty feeling. Ask him into your heart today and follow him. If you know him, maybe you have been following at a distance, come closer, He is waiting on you.

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!

Shouldn't this go away?

     Remember the day you realized you were madly in love with that special person. You were just crazy about that person. Your mind is consumed by them. However, no matter how much you fell madly in love with them, it did not really change your situation nor your circumstance. When you dropped them off at their house and went on your way, there were still things in your life that you had to deal with. No matter how much you loved that person, some of the bad in your life that was bringing you down was still right there looking you in the face.
     Many times we have forgotten this simple truth when it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ. How many times have you dealt with a situation and you said well I know what I must do, I must get closer to God. I have to spend more time with my Savior. Consequently, the problem doesn't go away and in some cases it may have even have gotten worse. Contrary to some false teachers out there, following Jesus does not make all your troubles go away. It doesn't instantly make you a millionaire and your sickness immediately disappears.
     Following Jesus closely may even get you into trouble. Just ask Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Submitting to the God and His supreme will put them into a Firey Furnace, but it was in that furnace they saw God remarkably go through it with them. God didn't take them out but He went through it with them. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions and came out unarmed. Paul found himself in prison many times. Peter was crucified upside down.
     Falling in love with Jesus and turning your life over to him may not bring the results you are looking for if you are looking for an escape from trouble and pain. I know many people today may be going through many different situations. Maybe someone is close to losing a job and the hope of finding another one appears dim. Someone may have a child that is in rebellion and there is no explanation why. Possibly you have lost a loved one and no matter when it was, this week has been difficult thinking about them being gone. Death is a natural part of this world and there is no escaping its ugly grip. However, there is the hope of seeing them again one day in the presence of a loving God.
     Trials and troubles may be a total disruption from the devil. This week has been one of those moments for me. God is opening so many doors for Christina and I to minister and the more doors are opened the harder Satan has tried to disrupt our focus. Satan I am so sorry for your loss today..... Na na na boo boo...... LOL...sorry about that but I love rubbing it in his face. Allow God to be present in your trials and understand it may also be coming from Satan. Use these moments to glory in God and His son Jesus.
   
I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!

Follow: what does this mean?

     Like so many people when something new comes along, I tend to fight it. The new trend seems so unorthodox even if it is a good trend. We are by nature creatures of habit. I have heard it said and read where one has to do something for 6 weeks before it becomes a habit. Habit is not a bad word. However, it does imply motivation. If and only if the reason you do something is merely from habit, does it make it right?
     I want to discuss three major avenues that people use a very powerful word to demonstrate what they do. The avenues are Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. When we talk of any of these three, we say we follow so and so on them. Follow is an interesting choice of words. If I follow you on one of these, I tend to watch what you're doing from day to day. I am able to see things of interest to you on a daily basis. I am able to take a look into a person's brain as I hear what they have to say each day that may gleam some insight into who they really are. If I follow you everyday for a said period of time, I begin to know you very well and even the more so as time goes on. I make a conscience decision to follow them everyday. Their life seems to be as much a part of me as it is the author of the information.
     Consequently, we use the same word to describe our relationship with Christ. We say we are followers of Jesus. Lets take a quick look and examine ourselves. If we use the same word interchangeably with the different subjects, then we are to believe that the actions and thought processes are the same. Follower: one who spends each and every day examining and reading about Jesus. One who wants to know every move and action of the Savior. One who will decide to put off that cup of coffee for the opportunity to read something new from God's Word. Follower: One who will not only take the authors word for it but will search some of His friends and fellow followers for more insight and information.
     So are you a follower? Even if you proclaim yourself as a follower, is it out of habit or out of desire? May the gaining of information about God and the closeness to Him be the most important part of our day. The people we follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest may very well be important, but none as important as the God of this universe......

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!

Have the price tags been exchanged?

     I read a book many years ago by Max Lucado entitled, "No wonder they call Him Savior". In this book, Lucado tells the story of a department store that was obviously having a really wild sale. People were finding  what was normally expensive was very cheap and that which was normally really cheap was very expensive. You could buy a $1400 lawnmower for $1.25. I can hear you from here, you would have loved to been in on that sale. However, the store also had $200 on a pack of chewing gum. Sorry kids, no gum for you today. 

     The store had something obviously going wrong. The people that worked in the store didn't know what to do about the situation. They were definitely at a loss for words. The only explanation they could come up with was that while the store was closed someone must have came in and exchanged the price tags, While they were  sleeping, someone came in and exchanged the value of certain items.

     Is your bell going off? well, it should be ringing off the hook. We are living in a society where we have exchanged the value of things in this world. Those things that use to be priceless are now seemingly worth very little. Those things that we placed no value at all now are very important. What has happened? It is the largest demonic phrase that has ever came from the pits of Hell. It is called, "politically correct". Correct for who? It has been amazing what the immoral minority has done to this country. We as followers of Christ has sat back and allowed some of the most prized items to be disregarded.

     When I was in Elementary school, Mrs. Wahlstedt came by and would tell us Bible stories with a felt board, I would love for my kids to hear bible stories while they are at school. Our kids needs to hear the Bible constantly. We need to feed them God's Word. When Mrs. Wahlstedt told her story, anyone who didn't want to listen was taken out. Guess how many there were that went out, you're correct, none! However, today we don't want to offend anyone so we can't do it. I am sorry but the gospel is offensive. Jesus dying on the cross is ugly and offensive. I am so glad that the cross offended my sin and offered me salvation. It is not about what is polite, it is about what is right! I want you to think about how easily this was taken from us. While that was going on, were we telling our own children bible stories at home and teaching them about Jesus. In truth, just how important was it to us?

     What in the world happened to prayer in school? We sat back again and let them take prayer out of school. We have also been mad because they have also taken prayer out of the public arena: ballgames and public events. However, I could see how this was so easy for them to take from us. When does the moral majority pray, they pray in church. They very seldom pray in public whether by themselves or with their family. Why fight for something you really don't participate in? 

     We have allowed the value of things in our world to be exchanged but were they of real value to us or just ideals passed down from the former generation. May we as followers of Christ, engage the truths found in His Word. May we live them out in our daily lives so that it becomes the norm that will be too prevalent to take away or exchange. Think about your family heirlooms, would you let just anybody come in and take them away? They are too important to you. Let the things of God be that important to you.

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

Can we do it?..... Well is the Power on?

     Some years ago, I heard a message from Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III. Freddy has been the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas for many years. In this message, Freddy, who is a great story teller, tells a story about going into Popeye's Chicken one time and asked for a certain meal. They told him they could get him a drink and some fries but they did not have any chicken. He could not believe his ears. He asked the clerk are you sure you don't have any chicken. She said we do not have any chicken. He told us you know that sign did not say Popeye's Soda Drinks. It did not say Popeye's French Fries. The sign plainly read Popeye's Chicken. Finally after his confused state, the clerk said sir the reason we don't have any chicken is that up until 15 minutes ago, we didn't have any power. The electricity had been turned off.
     Many times in our lives, We have been in the same situation. God has called us to promote and offer Jesus to a lost and dying world, but we haven't been able to do that which God has called us to do because we don't have any power. We haven't allowed God to take control of us. We haven't given him all of us.
     We haven't been called to give them some music although it complements the process. We haven't been called to offer them great children's programs although that complements the process. We have been called to off them Jesus through the power of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told us himself, we shall have power after the Holy Ghost is come upon us and we shall be witnesses of Him to the utermost parts of the world. The utermost means anywhere and everywhere, anytime and every time.
     It is my prayer that we allow God's power to work through us as we give ourselves away to Him for his glory and manifestation to a lost and dying world.
     So today, we will be serving chicken or does all we have to offer is some fries?

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!

Are you going to die,,,,, I guess not..

     Christina and I have a plant that sits in the floor in the corner by our dining table. I will admit that we will get preoccupied from time to time and we will forget to water it. You may have one of these plants in your home. After a few days without water, it looks like it is on the brink of death. The leaves are all folding over and drooping down. Some of them are even laying on the floor. I go get a pitcher of water and soak it. You know what happens. After about 2 days of watering, the plant looks vibrant again. The stems are strong and holding up those leaves like it is proud of each and every one. The plant looks like it is suppose to look. It fills the room with beauty. It occupies its corner with dignity and purpose.
     This plant reminds me of us sometimes. What happens to us when we neglect to spend time in God's word. We grow dull and lifeless. We seem to be a drooping existence of ourselves, But if we spend time in His word, we become what He wants us to become. We become proud of who we are and demonstrate our strength we find in Him and His Word.
     When Jesus was speaking to the woman at the well in John chapter 4, She came seeking ordinary water, but what she found was living water. Jesus told her that if she drank water from this well, she would thirst again. However, if she drank from Him, she would drink from the well that would never run dry. If she drank from Him, she would never thirst again. That's the water that we need today.
     That plant is very dependent upon me for its existence. I am very dependent upon Jesus and His Word for my existence. I must trust Him and allow Him to work on me so I can stand proud of who I am in Him.

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!

Going to the Father.....

     Have you ever felt that you were at a distance with God. You know things just aren't quite where they need to be, but you don't really know what to do about it. You know you have reached a point in your life that you want to get close to God but He seems so far away. I don't know about you but when I have been in that situation I knew it was my fault because God never moves nor does He pull himself away from me. What did I do to cause this? For me anyway, It came about through selfish decisions. I wanted what I wanted and nothing was going to change my mind until I found out what I wanted wasn't what I wanted at all. Does that sound familiar?
     Well if you feel that way, you are not alone. Many have been in your shoes. I believe if we were honest with ourselves and each other, we have all been there at one point or another. We can also look in the scripture and find a very familiar story in Luke 15 about a son that wanted it his way so bad that he pretty much told his dad he wished he was dead and asked him for his inheritance. The father gave his son what he requested and the son left the comfort of his father's house and went into the world. Scripture tells us that he wasted it all away until one day he looked up and he had nothing left. When he woke up with the pigs, he knew that he had done wrong and wanted to return to his father.
     I want you to notice something very important in this story that I think we overlook because of its familiarity. In Luke 15:18, the son says, "I will arise and go to my father". He did not say he would go to his fathers house. He said he would arise and go to his father. I want us to realize that it is about a relationship and not a residence. Our encounter is with the Father not the church, not His house. I truly believe this is why you find many people in and out of church. They attendance is based on their relationship to that church and its people. The relationship should be focused on God and Him alone. My relationship with others stem from my relationship with God. As my relationship with God grows so does my faithfulness to and concern for His church.
     May we arise today and go to the Father........ May we fall in love with the person of God and who He is.
I am so thankful for the relationship that I have with God that was made possible by My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died for my sins and arose from the grave and is seated at the right hand of the Father.....Praise Him, Praise HIM....... Listen to this song presented by the Prestonwood Baptist Church Choir in Plano, Texas.... AWESOME!!!!!!!......

All I can say is WOW!!! I simply love this song and this church pastored by Dr. Jack Graham is solid,,,
I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!

Where do I go from here.......

     I was watching a cartoon pirate show the other day with Reese. They were trying to find Captain Hook who had taken something that belonged to them. They were following him then they lost sight of him just about the time that the road broke into three separate paths. They stood there for a minute then they started listening down each path trying to hear Captain Hook so they would know which path to go down. When they heard his voice they went down that path.
     I have been like those young pirates trying to decide which path I am suppose to go down. However, I am pointing my ears down the different paths trying to hear from God. I don't know about you but I have never been able to get it all resolved in 30 minutes. I have been listening down those different paths for months waiting patiently to hear from God.
     Have you been in the same situation? Maybe you are in one right now. Just know that God is faithful and He will tell you what you need to know. Stay in His word and take counsel from wise friends. I have also found myself many times listening to a song by Third Day, "Revelation". It gives me comfort as I seek out what God would have me do.

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!

We must make the first move.....

     How many times have we been in a situation where we needed something from God? Not just something, we needed something supernatural. You know one of those moments where if it was going to happen, it was going to come from God. What did you do? Did you just wait patiently on God to answer that prayer or did you try to figure it all out by yourself? I believe there are a couple of events in scripture that teaches us what to do. I find in scripture where God is waiting on us to demonstrate true faith in Him and then He will move in a mighty way. In both examples I am going to share, God could have done it all but He gave man the opportunity to demonstrate their faith.
     Moses had died and Joshua was now leading God's people toward the promised land. They are standing on the banks of the Jordan River and they are needing to go over but how will they do it. God instructed them to carry the Ark of the Covenant into the water first and then He would part the river so they could walk across. Could you imagine looking at that moving water and then having the faith to step in, but when they did what they could do, God did what what only He could do and moved the water back so they could cross. God could have parted the water without them but He wanted to see their faith.
     Martha had sent word to Jesus that her brother Lazarus was sick and she wanted Him to come heal him. By the time Jesus got there, Lazarus had already died and they had buried him. Martha cried to Jesus and told Him that He was too late. Jesus knew better than that. He told His disciples to roll the stone away from Lazarus' tomb. When they had removed the stone, Jesus called for Lazarus to come forth and he did. Lazarus walked out of the tomb alive and well. We must understand this important truth. If Jesus could call a dead man to life, He could definitely move a stone out of the way. Jesus could have suspended the stone in mid air if He wanted to but He chose to let the disciples do what they could do and then He would do what only He could do.
     Don't forget we serve a supernatural God with supernatural powers, but He may be waiting on us to make the first move. Go ahead, make that first move of faith. It may unleash a supernatural movement of God. The Israelites carrying the Ark didn't want to step into the moving water. Martha wanted Jesus to come while Lazarus was just sick and heal him. However, God had a different plan, but in both circumstances, what God did was far greater than what they could have imagined. Your movement may not come the way you want it but just step aside and watch God use your faith to do something awesome!!!

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!

Cleaning from the inside out......

     King Hezekiah was chomping at the bit just waiting on his day to become King Of Judah. When the day finally arrived he made no apologizes for the changes he was to bring to Judah. Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, had made a mockery of the Temple and the God of Judah. Hezekiah was going to change this. In 2 Chronicles chapter 29, you can read of the story of the cleansing of the temple to restore the worship of the one true God, the God of Israel and Judah.
     The part in the story that I want to draw attention to today is how they went about cleansing the temple. If you and I were cleaning a room or the garage, we would start at the door and work our way across the floor. This was not the way they cleaned the temple. They went into the inner most part of the temple and worked their way out. The cleansing took place from the inside out.
     This is a beautiful picture of how Christ cleanses us. He cleans us from the inside out. Our outside appearance doesn't change nor do even some of our bad habits. It is a work in progress. I am sure on the first few days of cleansing the temple, noone standing on the outside could even tell the difference they had made, but on the inside an incredible work was taking place. The Levites who were cleaning the temple did make it out to the porch of the temple and there was a definite noticeable change.
     As Christ works on us and in us, the change begins to work its way to the outside but the temple structure is still the same. My outside appearance doesn't change though sometimes we would like a new makeover. We are who God created us. Our body, His temple, may even bare some wounds and scars from sin, but the inside is what is gloriously saved and changed. However, the change is noticeable and obvious to all around us.
     I want to share a video for you today of Brian Welch, former guitarist for the hard rocking band Korn. As you will notice, the outside hasn't changed, but listen to his story and you will learn very quickly God made a change on the inside.

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!

A New Baby.... A New Boy.... A New Beginning...

     I want to apologize to all my blog followers. I have not posted a blog in the last few days due to being away from my computer while my wife was giving birth to our son, John William Riley Sowders.

     John- John is obviously my name but the name in my sons name comes from Christina's dad. My Father-in-Laws name was John. We wanted to honor the memory of John by naming his grandson after him.

     William- This was my Fathers name. Dad would probably be mad at me for naming my son after him because Dad never the like the idea of naming kids a Jr, I will wait for my whipping when I get to Heaven. We wanted to honor the memory of Dad by naming his grandson after him.

     Riley- I am not quite sure where this name came from but Christina was set on the naming the baby Riley whether it was a girl or boy.

John and Dad, neither of you will get to set your eyes on your grandson Riley this side of Heaven, But Christina and I will work hard to raise a grandson you will both be proud of. Don't worry we will raise him in the knowledge of the Lord and he will know him as savior. You will get to see him one day......

We miss you and Love you both.......
We also give God our Father, Jesus our Savior, and Holy Spirit our sustainer all the praise for allowing us the opportunity to have such a blessing in our home............

I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!!!!

Are you there?..... Hello?......

      I don't know how many of you are fans of texting, but I must admit I have turned into a huge fan of texting. Texting gives you the opportunity to talk to someone when we actually cannot audibly converse with them. It also allows to talk to many different people at the same time. Texting is a great invention. I know that when my father-in-law was alive it gave him the vehicle to talk since he was not able to speak audibly due to his cancer. We no longer had to use the one beep for no and two beeps for yes communication.
     However, have you ever sent someone a text and you didn't get the immediate response that you were looking for?  You wait but no reply. Do you do what I do and send another text that says, "hello?"? I also send the "are you there?" request. We never know why they are not responding. We just know that we need a reply and we were hoping that it was going to come soon. When they finally reply, we get the usual answers and explanations as to why they are just now getting back to us: my phone was dead and on charge, I left the phone laying in the other room and forgot about it, or I left the phone in the vehicle while I was in Walmart. All of which are legitimate reasons for them not replying to your text, but you don't really care about the reason. You simply want a reply to your question or thought.
     Have you felt this way with God? You keep talking to Him and asking Him questions, but you do not feel He is replying to your request. Have you ever looked up and said "God, are you there"? I know I have looked up and said in dismay "hello?". There are times that God does seem at a distance or seem that he is not listening to us. Who knows why he isn't answering at that moment. I know its not because he is on charge or He is busy in Walmart, but He is God and sometimes He chooses not to answer. He may be teaching me that I need to learn patience more than I need an immediate answer.
     I do not know why God reserves the right to not answer us sometimes right away, but I do know this one eternal truth. Silence from God does not mean that He is not at work in and through our lives. Let's remind ourselves of an event in the life of Jesus Christ, the very Son of God. When He was on the cross with His hands outstretched dying for our sins. He felt like His Father had deserted him. He cried out to God and said, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". Had God left Him alone? Of course not, while God was silent, He was working on the salvation plan for the human race. God's silence does not mean He isn't at work. Just be patient, God may be working on an awesome plan that involves you that will impact the entire human race...or at least your community or family...

I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!!