New life,,,, what joy it brings!!

     There is one time in life when there is no such thing as a stranger. That one moment when you talk to everyone around you and the amazing part about it is they want to talk back. The birth of a baby brings up emotions in people that we didn't know existed. When we get around a baby, there is a side of us that just takes over and we get all soft and fuzzy. I remember when my first child was born, I acted like that was the first time in history that this had ever happened. I think I talked to everybody in the hospital.
     The anticipation builds as we await this new life to come into the world. Consequently, I am waiting on a son that may be born today or tomorrow or the next day or sometime next week, well you get the picture. All the people involved and all the work by the mother brings about this awesome moment of the birth of this new child. There is preparation involved because you know it's coming. That moment still puts me at a moment of awe. The gift of life is amazing.
     Lets think about this new life: 1. It brings excitement. 2. People respond to it. 3. It is natural.
     First, It does bring excitement to all around it. It cause something inside you to bubble up. That's what happens in the church. When someone comes to know Christ as Savior and He breaths new life into them, there is something that bubbles up, not only in the person receiving new life but to everyone around them.
     Second, People respond to it. As a father of many children, there is one thing I know. When you go out in public with a baby, expect to be stopped many times. People love to look at and play with babies. There is some kind of energy that a baby gives off that people just want to be near. A person who has just accepted Christ does the same thing. They create this energy around them that people are drawn to. People want to be close to this person.
     Third, It is natural. Childbirth is a natural part of life. It is how God designed this world to continue on. It is how this world continues to move on, generation after generation. When we look at the church, people experiencing new birth should be natural. Not that we get use to it, but it should be something that is common in the church. It should not be something that happens once in a blue moon.
     My prayer today is two-fold. First, I pray that I would take personal responsibility to bring people to a new life only found in Jesus Christ, the son of the Living God. Second, I pray that I never get over my new birth that Jesus gave me. I want there to be continued excitement around me as I display my new experience and that people is drawn to it. After all, it should be natural...........

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

Now that's a song,,, or is it?

     There is much debate on worship styles and worship music in today's church. Many churches have gone to very contemporary/modern music in their church, while others have held on to the good ole traditional hymns. The church where my family attends does what the vast majority of the churches are doing and that is to try to blend a little of both into the worship service.
     I don't want to get into a long discussion in this blog so what I felt impressed to do was to pick one argument from one side of the fence and discuss it today. There are many different discussions and viewpoints that you could look at when you open up this discussion.
     Regardless of the style a song falls within, the most important thing it to discern if the song is theologically accurate. If it is not Biblical, then the song should not be sang..... Period!!!! How many of you reading this right now just said a big amen? I understand it is really hard to debate that statement. If a song goes against God's word, it should not be sang in God's house of worship. It would be like telling someone a story about them and them looking at you like, that isn't right. That wasn't the way it happened at all.
     Anyway, I am so glad you agree with me on this cause this is one of the biggest arguments for singing traditional hymns in the church. People say these hymns are tried and true and are biblically sound. Are they? Let's take a look at one of the most cherished hymns of the church. I am going to start with second stanza first cause it is great.
                         Grace Great than our sin
          Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
         Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
          Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
          Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.                                                                                         I am okay with this,,, Let's look at the third stanza and chorus
         Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
        What can avail to wash it away?
         Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
        Brighter than snow you may be today.
          Grace, grace, God’s grace,
          Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
         Grace, grace, God’s grace,
         Grace that is greater than all our sin

All of this part of the song is awesome, but lets look at the beginning of the song......

         Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

        Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
        Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

        There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Did you catch the theological problem with this age old song written in 1911?

It is with the word, spilt..... If you spill something, it indicates an accident. Jesus dying on the cross for my sin was no accident. It was God's eternal plan. He had it planned out to the letter. Jesus didn't spill His blood. He gave His life a ransom for my sin. He knew exactly what he was doing. He poured his blood over my sin to cover it up. He didn't spill it and the blood accidentally covered my sin......

     I didn't necessarily set out to bring a song down, but if this song is theologically incorrect, should we sing it? Think about this the next time you question the purpose or meaning behind a modern song. The time it was written does not decide its correctness.

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

If it was a snake...........

     This past Sunday morning was going as planned and right on time. We were going through the normal routine of a Sunday. Everyone is dressed and ready to go. I have my Bible and Reese's bag. Okay, let's go. It was raining a little bit on this particular Sunday morning so I had went out earlier and pulled the car in the garage so the kids wouldn't get wet. Yea, you guessed it somehow in that process the keys got locked up in the car. Have you been there? I honestly think you lose every bit of common sense in you at that moment. I know I did. I was still okay on time but you would have thought I was given the 30 seconds to find the spare key or die command. You know that feeling. I looked everywhere we would have put the spare key but I couldn't find it. I was running like a wild man around the house. After all, I only have 13 seconds on the clock left to find the spare key.
     I finally gave up and had Chase take us in the truck so he could come back and get his mother. A feeling of defeat and a feeling of running behind flying through my body. We made it to church in plenty of time. Once there, it was no big deal and noone was the wiser about my near death experience. At least, that was the way I was acting.
     After church, we are walking out and I notice the car is in the parking lot instead of the truck. Where did you find the keys? Christina told me it took Chase 30 seconds to find them. He found them, you guessed it, right where I had looked. How could I have not seen them? You question the person who tells you where they found it. One of our replies is, " there is no way I didn't see it if it was there".
     However, this happens in our life everyday. We are so caught up in the things that create a busy life that we can't and don't see things that are right in front of our eyes. A friend who needs a helping hand or someone in the doctor's office who needs a word of encouragement. It could be the new guy that your company just hired that needs to know Jesus as his Savior.
     It is my prayer that we relax and not let the things of the world to preoccupy us or stir emotions in us that causes us to be detoured from our task at hand.

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

Hey God, what do you want me to do?

     When I was growing up as I have mentioned before, My dad was always doing jobs on Saturday's for people away from his regular job. Growing up, I became accustomed to the fact that my Saturday mornings were tied helping my dad. I can remember learning tools by walking back and forth guessing with dad trying to tell me what it looked like and what he would do with it. Looking back now on those days, I never had to ask my dad what my job was that day. I never remember him telling me the job was going to be that day. He would wake me up and off we went. As I got older and more mature, I would follow him in my truck so I could leave when the job was complete. My dad could socialize with the best of them. I didn't want to hang around for that.
     He would tell me where we were going and I would meet him there. Once at the place we were going, I never had to ask my job or duty, it was always obvious. My brother and I would always know each others responsibilities. Therefore, the night before was never spent talking about what he wanted me to do. He simply wanted wanted me to show and work.
     Has the Holy Spirit spoke to you yet?...........
     How much time do we spend on asking God what He wants us to do verses the time we spend doing? God is always at work. He is working right now. We keep asking God, what is your will my life, when we should simply look where God is working and go join ourselves to it. That is God's will. I just need to simply know what is God's will period. He said it is not His will that any should perish. God's will for my life is share His love to those who are perishing.
     Don't worry about the tools, just back and forth and ask the Father, He will help you.

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

Are we real?

     Years ago, Christina and I were moving out of our home in a subdivision to be able to be out on the farm. We also wanted to be closer to her dad. We decided to look into buying a modular home since it wouldn't take as long and have you seen them these days. While we were shopping for one, I asked one of the salesman which kind he he lived in and he told me he didn't that he lived in a two story brick home. Do you not believe in the product you're selling was my thought.
     What about the guy who sells Ford trucks for a living but drives a GMC truck to work. What if you had a friend that works for Pepsi and you are at his house one evening and he offers you something to drink and his choices include Coke and Sprite. Wouldn't that seem a little odd you?
     Think about it for a second.... Would it seem a little deceiving? I mean after all how can you really sell one thing but use something else? Would this borderline on lying?
     Hmmmmmmmmm, interesting thought.... Think about us sometimes..... We walk into church and we put on this stigma, this character, but then what people saw on Sunday and what they see on Tuesday is completely different. This causes the consumer to be confused. The world shakes it's head at us and wonders what is real. Which is the most real, Sunday or Tuesday? For far too many of us, Tuesday is what is real. There is no put on or show. This is us......... How can we change this if we are to reach a lost and dying world?
     I feel you got to want to change. You got to want to be real and genuine.
     Let me leave you with a thought to ponder today. Remember the church at Laodicea in the Revelation. God said they were neither cold nor hot. That church made God sick and He said he would spew them out of His mouth. If we believe in the eternal security of the believer and I do, then one must ask the question, is this church a genuine church or an imposter, a pretender of sorts. Are they really a part of God's family of believers?
     If we have no real desire to live out the christian faith and Sunday church is merely a habit or obligation, are we really a part of the family of God or merely an imposter, a pretender of sorts. Let us challenge ourselves to day to seek out where our heart really lies. Are we real?

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

Surprise!!!!!!

     I don't know if there is anything quite like a pleasant surprise. We go to the door and there stands a friend we haven't seen in a while that has come to see us. We get a card in the mail that brings some good news. You may even have some unexpected money come your way. There are all kinds of surprises that will lift your day and your spirits.
     God is full of surprises. Remember the trip that Abraham took knowing that he was going to sacrifice his son Isaac before the Lord. Right about the time Abraham drew the knife back God said surprise I got a ram in the bush. God provided right on time, but we must be mindful of the obedience of Abraham. It was his obedience that moved God.
     Looking for a surprise? Move God with your obedience........

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

A friend in need is a friend indeed??

     When I was growing up and my dad was alive, I remember going with him in the evenings or Saturdays when he wasn't on his regular job, which he worked for the same company for 46 years, You don't hear of that much these days. Anyway, we would go to peoples homes and install a gas stove or install a hot water tank. Sometimes we would have to run a new gas line into somewhere, but I always remember one thing my dad, he never would take the money he should have gotten. I have stood and watched my dad turn down money from widows and other people. I was young and I was thinking just give it to me. I can find somewhere for it to go. My dad made good money at his job and if he would have taken the money that was rightfully due him, I thought many times my dad could have been wealthy, but as I have gotten older and I look back on those times. I think my dad was the richest man alive during those days, and for me to be his son, I was pretty rich myself. Not to brag, but I had an awesome dad.
     I know for me, it goes without saying that I have had my Mom, my Sister, and my Brothers who have always stuck beside come what may. Their love and friendship is unconditional. Everyone needs a family member to lean on from time to time. Not to brag, but I have an awesome family.
     Later on life, God gave me something I had never enjoyed, a great father-in-law. By the time he and I met, cancer had taken its toll on his body and he wasn't able to speak. Boy did I ever long to hear his voice, one day I will. It didn't matter to John how he was feeling, he always had time to help someone. John also had the patience of Job. In all the time around him, I never saw him upset or mad. For some reason, I thought I was his protector sometimes when I felt people were taking advantage of him, but he would just treat it as typical day here on this earth. He was friend to many and befriended by more. Not to Brag, but I had an awesome Father-in-Law.
     As time passed, I was able to get to know people at Towering Oaks Baptist Church in Greeneville, TN. How I have been blessed since this encounter. As many of you know, Christina is pregnant and due anytime but she is on bed rest. People from within the church and our small groups class have been bringing our dinner almost every night. We are talking about ladies who are already having to decide what to cook for their own families, but they take the time to cook two meals that night. I could go on for days about the Pastor and his wife, None better!!! My heart trembles inside when I think about the generosity of God's people. Not to brag, but I belong to an awesome Church.
     As I truly look back over my life, some people have hurt me and disappointed me, but when I look at the big picture, many people have walked through my life and helped me. They have been a friend. The Bible says, "to him whom much is given, much is required". Today, I am going to set out to be a friend. It may very well be you that needs a friend. You possibly could be a friend to someone today, go ahead, it will be worth it.
     Even greater, the Bible says that Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than any brother...... Wow!!! Not to brag, but I have an awesome Savior in Jesus Christ.

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

The Symbol of our Faith.....

     When early Christians set out to choose a symbol that would represent our faith, they had before them spectrum of choices. They all could have been a great choice. They could have chosen a boat because many of Jesus' encounters were on the water with a boat. He pushed away from the shore and stood on a boat to teach the multitudes so the water would amplify His voice. They could have used a round stone to symbolize our faith. The stone that was rolled away from Lazarus' tomb and Christ called him forth from the grave. Jesus arose from the grave and rolled the stone away. They could have chosen a shepherds staff for Jesus is our good shepherd who watches over and cares for His flock.
     However, they did not choose a boat, a stone, nor a staff. They chose the cross. That picture of two wooden post put together at a 90 degree angle. The cross where Jesus stretched forth His hands and feet and allowed them to nail Him to it. The cross was the most cruel form of punishment. Crucifixion was borrowed from the Persians and perfected by the Romans. Only the cruelest of prisoners were crucified, but out between two ardent criminals Jesus died for our sin. Wow............The cross
     When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth he said this about the cross, " For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Many people scoff at the cross. You mean to tell me amidst all the modern day technology and explorations the most significant thing to happen in history is a Jew being put to death outside the ancient walls of Jerusalem. Foolishness is what they say. The Greek word used here for foolish is Moriah were we get the word Moronic. They actually believe we are a moron for believing in the cross, but remember what Paul also said in the same passage, " the foolishness of God is wiser than Man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man".
     People may look at the cross and see weakness, but I look at cross and see POWER!!!!!!!! Aren't you glad that they chose for our symbol of Faith, the cross.....

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

The Faithfulness of God...

     Have you ever made a promise that you didn't keep? I think we all have at one time or another. A broken promise brings about all kinds of emotions from both parties. I live with the guilt of knowing I let somebody down. The person I made the promise to feels let down and devalued. No matter what the reason or cause, it is very disappointing.
     Aren't you glad for the faithfulness of God? God keeps His promises. There are probably some promises He will keep we probably wished He wouldn't if we were honest.
     I haven't been anywhere that God wasn't already there waiting on me......

Today is short,,,,, Somebody needs to hear this word today and you know who you are....

God is there waiting on you, He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Don't be afraid to keep walking, He is there.

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

Good Enough?

     You have given it your best shot and now you sit on the bench to see if the coach calls out your name to tell you whether you made the team or not. It wouldn't be so tough if you hadn't been here before and tried and didn't make the team. All of the girls are standing in a hallway waiting for the cheerleading sponsor to bring the list and post it on the wall. The nervous excitement that comes from waiting can be overwhelming. You're at home and the phone rings and your heart skips a beat because you felt you did good in the interview but there were alot of people that put in for the same job. Will the person on the other end of the line tell me I got the job?
     We have spent many days in our lives waiting on someone to tell us if we were good enough. Good enough to make the basketball team. Good enough to make the cheerleading squad. Good enough to get the job you desperately need. We are constantly seeking man's approval. Sometimes it comes and we are overjoyed with appreciation, but then there are times when it doesn't go our way. How do we handle that? Do we ever get over being told we aren't good enough?
     Many people take this emotion with them everywhere. They take it to church with them. They take it into the presence of God with them. When you have been told so many times that you are not good enough, you begin to actually believe it. You actually begin to believe you're not good enough for God. After all, He is the Holy One, the creator and sustainer of this Universe.
     Am I really good enough for Christ to come into my life? Many people has this idea that you have to clean up first to come to Christ. After I quit kicking the dog and cussing the wife, I will come to Christ. It doesn't work that way. I could never ever do enough to earn God's favor. He gives it to me for free, just the way I am. My vehicle was so dirty one time that I was going to let a local boy clean it up for me, but I was so embarrassed by how dirty it was I took it and sprayed it off before I took it to be cleaned up. As you read that, you say to yourself, well that doesn't make sense and you're right, it doesn't. Neither does trying to clean myself up before I come to Christ.
     We come to Christ and He does the cleaning up. He does the straightening. The awesome news,,,,,, one day as we wait here on earth, we will hear Christ say our name. God placed me on His team not because of myself but because of what Christ did for me. He made me good enough..........

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

I want a second glance.....

     Many years ago when my nephew was young, my brother and his family were taking a trip to Myrtle beach, SC. My family was going there also but at a different time. My nephew thought it would be cool if he placed something somewhere and I look for it and bring it back home. He put a mark on a rock and hid it. I looked very intently with the directions I was given and found it. He just thought that was the greatest thing since sliced cheese.
     However, there are some places you go that other people have gone that when you compare notes you find there were some things that you missed. What is that we say when this happens? I will look for that next time I go there. We will definitely eat there when we go back. Have you ever said that only to go back and that great BBQ place you were told about now is a pizza place? You could almost taste those ribs in your mouth. Oh the disappointment that flows through your body at that moment. You know the feeling and the question of what now surges through your system like crazy. You don't really want to eat anything now. Disappointment has left a bad taste in your mouth.
     Consequently, life is full of missed opportunities. moments when it was right there and we blew it. Our relationship with God is that way. He spends years orchestrating a meeting between you and someone else and at that very moment, we get distracted. Distracted by a phone call that comes in, a song on the Ipod, or possibly another person we are already with. It may even be the hardcore reason, we have simply lost our ability to care. Lets pause for just a second and reflect on last week. Did I miss something? Did a meeting with someone go by? Did I blow it?.........................................
     Word of encouragement..... We are not alone. Peter did many great things for God but there was this moment in history that Peter messed up. He denied even knowing Christ and many of Peter's great acts slides to the back of the room because of that moment. It happened to Benedict Arnold. He was a great revolutionary. He accomplished many great things to better our humble beginnings but one bad decision, one moment in the wrong decision. How do we know Benedict Arnold? That's right, a traitor...... For Peter, there is a great story. On the day of the resurrection, Jesus told Mary to go tell His disciples and Peter to meet Him in Galilee. Peter was getting a second chance. Could he go back to the same spot and do it all over again? Of course not, but he could realize his mistake and seize the next moment to declare he was a follower of Christ. Do you think Benedict Arnold would go back and fix his mistake? Of course he would.
     I want a second glance so give me a second chance...!!!!!!!
God give us three things:
     1. Your eyes so I can see everything that I was meant to see
     2. Your arms so I can wrap them around people who needs protected and encouraged
     3. Your heart for the broken hearted and the hurting
Keep your eyes open, you never know who God has been working on to bring right in front of us....

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

Serving Christ regardless.....

     When Christina and I said our vows to each other in marriage, we both said for better or worse. for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. It was a commitment we made to each other. Regardless of what comes, we face it together. Sounds easy enough one would think, but there has to be a catch or a hidden secret. Well I suppose there really is something that enables you to do this. After all, when the promise is made neither of us knew what that would entail. How do you keep a promise for something you don't even know? Are you ready for this big secret? Fall in Love.....
     I loved Christina the day we got married, but nothing compared to today. I have fallen head over heels in love with her. I don't just love her, I am in love with her. I desire to be in her presence and soak up the love she has for me as I extend to her my love and appreciation. When everyday life comes our way, we take it on, not with knowledge or understanding but with love.
     Regardless........... powerful word...
     When Christ was carrying out the plan to extend Gods love through the redemption story, it would have been easy to have gotten detoured. Maybe if  it was us, it might have been. After all, they wanted to make Jesus King. That sounds awesome to us. Wouldn't you want to be king? The only problem with the people's plan was Jesus was already King. Regardless of what Jesus was faced with, He showed us how much he loved us by dying on the cross for my sins. Regardless of the pain and the agony, he carried out His plan.
     Regardless..........Determined word...
     In Psalms 103:12, we are told that God throws our sin as far as the east is from the west. Wow, As long as you're going east, you never go west and as long as you're going west, you never go east. He has thrown it away. My response to Him should be nothing but love and service. I know what you're saying, "I love Jesus", didn't you see my bumper sticker. Its more than that, it is a deep love. I want to fall in love with Him. The "I want to curl up on the couch with Him" love. I want to embrace Him. After all, he kind of expects it. I am His bride. Not His wife, but I am his bride. He still opens the door for me. He wants to hold my hand at the dinner table. It is easy for Christina to love me when I do those things for her. She loves me regardless.
     Regardless.........Only word...

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

How important is a day??

     I know this goes without saying, but let's pause for a moment and realize what a difference a day can make. There was a day that our mother brought us into the world. The day we graduated High School and College, maybe even Graduate School. The day we married our spouse was a big day. What about the birth of our children? These are all very important days in our lives. They were momentous milestones that changed our lives forever.
     Could there possibly be any day that is more important than these days that I mentioned?............. What about THE day? You know the day I am talking about. The day that you stood face to face with an encounter with Jesus. Maybe you were sitting in a church somewhere and you were expecting it. After all, this is His house so you know he is here. Perhaps your encounter caught you off guard. You were at work minding your own business and a colleague started talking about their encounter with Jesus and consequently began asking you about your relationship with Jesus. You may have even been in the supermarket checking out the eggs and someone strikes up a conversation about life and what it means and who brought it to us.
     Wherever it was, you remember the day. What did you say to Him? Hopefully, you said yes to his bidding and became a follower of Christ. I remember an old song we use to sing in church, " I remember the time" Its a wonderful song about us knowing where and when the Lord saved us, but I cannot tell you how or why, but I can tell you now the time and I can show you the place where the Lord saved me by His wonderful grace. What a day that was?
     When we read of people who encountered Jesus on their day, they were never ever the same. Remember the man who was possessed by demons locked in chains? When Jesus set him free, he was never the same. The blind man who came to Jesus and Jesus put mud in his eyes and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam, which was a nice little walk down hill from where he was. Could you imagine as the mud began to clear from his eyes how he must have felt. He was never the same.
     How about us? Are we different? Did our encounter with Jesus forever change us? Many of us suffer from what was described in the BrylCreem commercial that said years ago, "just a little dab will do ya". We have a tendency to want to follow from a distance instead of being right at His feet.
     I challenge us to have two days that describe our walk with Christ. First, the day we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Second, the day we allow Him to transform our life so that we are never the same. We desire His presence in our everyday life and everyday thoughts.
I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!

Do demons know your name?

     I think if we were honest with ourselves we would admit that mush of our lives are spent trying to get someone to notice us. When we were kids, we wanted our parents to watch us and be proud of us. Madison can hardly ride her horse sometimes for watching to see if we are watching. As we grow older, we try real hard to get someone of the opposite sex to notice us. When we entered into the job force, we strived to get the person in command to notice us so we could possible get a raise or a promotion. We want people to notice us. We want people to know who we are and what we are doing. You may say well that all sounds good but I don't know if I buy into that theory. One word,,, Facebook....
     Do the right people know us? What kind of name are we really making known for ourselves? I want to share with you story from Scripture that few people ever talk about but I find the incident very intriguing. Its found in Acts 19:11-16. Paul had just finished healing some of the sick and casting out some demons. Some Jewish witch doctors thought that was cool and they would like to do that so they went up to man who was possessed by a demon. They spoke to the man and they commanded the demon to come in the name of Jesus that Paul talked about. That is the way they said it, the name of Jesus that Paul talked about. The demon talks back to the Jews and says, " We know Jesus, and we know Paul, but who are you?"
     What happens next is sad but you can't help but laugh. The demon took over the mans body and whipped the Jews real bad. The Bible says they left wounded and naked. Anytime you leave a fight naked, you know that couldn't have been good for you. "Well I almost had him, no you didn't, you're naked" I can't help but laugh a little on the inside about that. Let's talk briefly about the sad part. These men didn't want to know Jesus really. They were mere pretenders and even the demons in Hell knew they were pretenders. Do we have modern day pretenders today? Absolutely, we do.
Lets ponder for just a moment on some of the requirements to get someone to church these days. Lets look at some of the things we do to cater to people trying to get them to come.
     1. Easy to join                                                  5. maybe a little fog
     2. I want my Latte or Mocha please                  6. Sermon-20-22 minutes tops
     3. The seats better be comfy                          
     4. I want the music poppy, have some bounce
          The biggest thing now, don't talk about Jesus, just talk about an issue.
     I was on a website recently of a church back in my hometown and I looked at their bulletin. They used a huge paragraph talking about how they hoped it was okay with the congregation that they moved the fellowship time. Are you serious? Does it really matter for time and eternity when we shake hands or when we take up the offering? Churches suffer from the mile wide, inch deep syndrome. If you find yourself being someone who has to have these requirements before you will go to church or you are one who raises a fuss about the order of service, what truly is your purpose?
     The sad part in all this we are losing sight of our mission. We are to make a difference in the world. We are leave a mark on society. We are to be changers. Noone should be the same leaving our presence. Does the demons in Hell know your name? Do they keep an eye on what we are doing or are we like the Jewish witch doctors who pretend and just throw around Jesus' name to get what we want? They know Jesus. They knew Paul. Do they know you or have you been whipped and left wounded and naked before God.
I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!!

Nothing is stronger than the power of Love...

     I read a story a while back that I honestly could not believe. The story told of this well known preacher that set out to choose a wife. Many speculations were raised as to who he may choose to be his bride, but when the day arrived his choice was a bit unorthodox to say the least. The preacher announced to the public that he felt God leading him to marry the town prostitute. What? Why? God lead you to marry a prostitute? Are you serious? The town prostitute is going to be the preachers wife? Will she have to lead the ladies weekly luncheon? Can you get into your head the gossip and whispering that went on in that town?
     This is the story of the Prophet Hosea. He was walking along one day minding his own business when God spoke to him about getting for himself a wife. Hosea may have talked to God and told Him how glad He brought that cause he was thinking he needed a wife and had a few picked out. God told Hosea that none of the ones that he had picked out was going to work. God told Hosea the one He chosen was a prostitute named Gomer, Gomer? Who wants to marry a woman named Gomer? God wanted to use this marriage between the devilish and the divine to show His love for Israel.
     Hosea reluctantly agreed and took her home. Hosea's communication with her was half hearted at best. He didn't pour himself into the life of his new bride. He didn't woo her and show her attention. He was married in his head, but he wasn't loving her in his heart. His actions were superficial. As time passed, the push and the pull from and to the old life was stronger than Gomer could take so she walked off and left Hosea standing and watching. Watching her go off to her old lifestyle. Watching her walk into the arms of her lovers. She went back to her former passion. Before we jump and say well that didn't take long, Hosea saved her from this lifestyle and this is how she repays him, did he attempt to help her fit into her new life?
     However, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Hosea missed Gomer and realized he really did love her and went after her. She had found herself in trouble and had become a slave but Hosea paid the price to free her and bring her back to his house again to love her.
     I want us to think about what kind of love it took for Hosea to go back after Gomer.
Hosea loved Gomer:
     1. His love was Focused- He poured his heart and soul into her.
                                         - He didn't care about what was said.
     2. His love was Unexpected- Gomer was not expecting to see Hosea show up for her.
                                                - also, Hosea's love did not expect anything in return.
     3. His love was Unconditional- No matter where Gomer had been, Hosea loved her.
                                                - No matter what she had done, Hosea loved her.
     4. His love was Sacrificial- It cost Hosea to get her back.
                                           - 15 pieces of silver and about 10 bushels of barley
                                           -more importantly he sacrificed his life for her.
     This is a powerful story of grace, mercy, and love. There is nothing stronger than love. What about us? Is this the kind of love that we extend toward others?
     This is also a powerful story in relation to church discipleship. If we do not love the people who come into our church and even make professions of faith and join our family, the push and the pull from their past will become stronger than our love to them. Then one day like Gomer, we look up and they are gone. May we offer to these people our sustaining love that is focused, unexpected, unconditional, and sacrificial.
I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!



   

Is Second place First place Loser?

     As March Madness begins, we know that each team will not accept anything less than the National Championship, first place. Nobody is going to discuss in the locker rooms the fact that they want to work real hard to get to the championship game then want to lose. After all, isn't second place the first place loser?
     When I taught school,  I coached the boys basketball team. I must admit that I was very fortunate to have some very good boys who played for me. I pushed them to win because nobody wants to be second, right? We were despised. Everybody brought their "A" game when they played us. As a coach, I was even boo'd one time when I walked into a gym during a tournament. Winning wasn't optional, it was the necessity.
     Is life like that? Aren't we seemingly seeking to please ourselves? Its my life I should be able to do with it what I want. Look at how hard I worked to get this promotion. I am the one that made it possible to be a part of this team. me, me ,me ,me....... It can become all about me and nothing else. However, as a believer in Christ, I am suppose to take a different road. I take the road of giver, not a taker. I take the road as lover, not a fighter. I take the road as server, not one being served. Most importantly with respect to Jesus, I take the road of second place, not the road of first. Jesus Christ should take first place in our life. This choice is more than a mere cliche. It is a lifestyle. I give myself away. My name is John Sowders and I am Second.... Declare it, Live it..!!!!!!
     Watch this video and then I will have some closing thoughts...

     Wow was my first words after I saw this. After what Christ did for me, I should have two desires that push to the forefront of my life. First, Place Christ first in my daily life. Second, bring others to Jesus. Could you imagine how the people felt there that day when they saw Jesus' crimson touch the sand. What a picture that brings to me. I am reminded of the story in the book of Mark where four men carry a paralytic to Jesus but they could not get him to Jesus for the crowd at the door so they tear the roof off and lower him to Jesus. They would not be detoured, they were going to get him to Jesus whatever it takes. Will we do that? Place Christ first then get people to Jesus whatever it takes.....
I am John Sowders and I am Second

Is this the way its suppose to be.....???

     Have you ever felt like God was asking you to do something? You're trying to do what he asked but things aren't going the way you had it pictured in your head. Maybe you felt the call into full time ministry or maybe you simply felt God bidding you to talk to someone about Christ. He could have been asking you to extend a helping hand to a friend. He asked you to do something good, even Godly, but even in the midst of doing the right thing, we put our own spin on how this is all going to go down. When it doesn't work out the way we had planned in our head, We raise questions.......
     Have you felt like God left you somewhere all alone? God you brought me here, what is going on? The moment in ones life that no matter how many people are around you, you feel by yourself. I don't think there isn't a person alive who hasn't felt like this a time or two. We raise questions....
     Have you ever felt like the world was turning against you? There are two ways of looking at this, two sides to a coin if you will. On one side, there are people we don't necessarily know that may rise up in opposition to us. Their purpose and reasoning is beyond us. We simply cannot fathom why this is happening. However, its the other side of the coin that haunts us. When people who are suppose to be our dearest friends opposes us or mocks what we are trying to do. Stepping out in faith to follow God does bring a wide range wall of opposition. We raise questions......
     Have you felt like any of these things were only happening to you and nobody understood how you were feeling? Consequently, You hibernate. You go into some deep shell. However, the truth is you are not alone and many people before you has felt this way. The thing we must never forget is to communicate with God no matter what is on our mind. He is God. Nothing you're going to say is going to knock Him off His throne or astonish Him.
     The Prophet Jeremiah had a day like this. In Jeremiah chapter 20  verse 7 and following, he gets real with God about his situation. God had called him to witness and declare sin,,, Judgement is coming, judgement is coming, but judgement never came. He tells God about everyone mocking him even his familiars mocked him. He even told God he was never going to speak about Him again. He cursed his birthday. He cried out that he wished he had never been born and that his mom should have killed him in the womb. Jeremiah even cursed the man who came to his father to tell him the good news that he was going to have a son. Wow, now Jeremiah was having a day.
     However, God had not left him or deserted him. God was right there listening. Jeremiah realized this and said he couldn't go without speaking about God. It was in him like fire shut up in his bones. God heard Jeremiah's cry and blessed him.
     Don't be afraid to cry out to God and share your real feelings..... He is listening!!!!!!
I am John Sowders and I am Second!!!!!

The Real Purpose: Do some Churches miss it?

     Who or what is the church? Regardless of the name on the outside of a building, the church is the people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Francis Chan, former pastor and founder of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA, goes as far as to say that the church is communities. These communities exist in all of our lives. Some communities are where we live, called neighborhoods, while other communities may be where we gain an education, school. Consequently, if you hold to this truth, the church is wherever we as believers are.        Let's pause for a second and think about that..........
     So what is the purpose of the church? Honestly the answer to this question is very, very simple. Our only purpose is to go into the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Can anyone argue with that point?
     If this is true, then why do so many churches (body of believers) start new churches in areas they feel led to start a church and its end result is merely pulling other believers from one church (edifice or building) to another church (edifice or building). The start of a church (body of believers) is to go after the lost. If they are not going after the lost, they are merely attempting to win a popularity contest.
     Popularity contest? Did I hear you say churches (body of believers) doesn't do that? Let me pose some questions from an observation from a long time church (body of believers) goer. What happened to Church missions? Oh they call them campuses now... Why did we change the name?
     Let me share with you my concern. I think churches (body of believers) these days likes the idea of how big their church (edifice or building) is. Moreover, I think they really like the numbers connected with their churches name. Churches (body of believers) use to feel led to start a church in an area that needed reached but may have been outside the physical capabilities of the church so they started a mission church. They would seek a pastor for the mission and would support it financially until it would get up off the ground. Once it could support itself, it would come out from under the wing of the mother church. Did I mention that its name was connected with group at that location and did not have the same name the mother church. Churches (body of believers) today wants to call these campuses and attach their name to this location so they can run their numbers up. The pastor is shown to them on a big screen via internet or the mother church doesn't have Sunday night church so the pastor can go to the other location and preach.
     I feel ego and pride gets in the way. I read all the time churches who say they run large numbers for worship only to find out that is counting the people from 4 different locations across the state and in some cases across the country. Is the leadership of the mother church so confident in their abilities that they honestly believe that God could not call someone else to lead that body of believers.
     Our purpose has become an attempt to grow the church (edifice or building). Our one and only purpose to go into the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ to them in hopes that they will accept His offer for eternal life and become a part of the church (body of believers) and go after the lost. Yes it is a cycle. It is the cycle we have been called into.........
I am John Sowders and I am Second..!!!!!
   

Who is going with us?

     Let's be honest for a second..... Have you ever been part of a trip where different people outside your family were going together? You get to the meeting point and you're all excited about where you're going. You can't wait to get on the road and enjoy the time you have with friends. Then, it happens. You have the one person that is kind of the odd person out, the one that is just a little different, has to ride with you because your family were the ones crazy enough to buy the bigger vehicle.
     What does this do to you? In that one second, you place in your mind that your trip is now ruined. You contemplate even getting really sick really quick to get out of task of taking this person. After all, you didn't invite this person on the trip. Why should I haul this person? One reason, this person is part of the group. Maybe I didn't invite them, but somebody I really care about did.
     Casting Crowns sings a song " If we are the Body". In that song, there is a line that says " who are we that we get to pick and choose who should get to come?". I came glad that when I was a young boy somebody felt the need to take me along on the trip. The trip to Heaven to be with Jesus eternally.
     It doesn't matter whats on the outside of man, they all need Jesus and we should want to take them along on the trip. May it be our desire to go after the lost with zeal no matter where they are, no matter who they are.

I am John Sowders and I am Second

There is nothing like a Loyal Friend....

     Through my life I have had many people that has walked into my life that I called friend, but only to find out, they were merely people passing through. It always seems that good times and bad times causes some to stay and some to leave. However, there is a very small number in your life that stands with you no matter what life throws your way. This is a friend, a true friend. I am very thankful for my small number of close friends. What do you look for in a friend? Common interest, loyalty, forgiving spirit, a good ear, and a willingness to always be there are a few characteristics that we all look for in our friends.
     Do you think it was those qualities that brought Shradrach, Meshach, and Abednego together? I really don't know what brought those three together but whatever it was, they had something really special. I would like to take a quick look at one of the episodes in these three friends lives.
     King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 3 had a huge golden image of a man erected for the people to worship. He told the people when they heard the music playing, they were suppose to bow down and worship the image. Well as you may know, these said not a chance, we will not bow down because we serve a living God not one made of wood and covered in gold.
     They had:
  I. Confidence rooted in their Theology
         A) Whose you are defines Who you are
                      - all three were servants of God
 II. Convictions
         A) Their Convictions were not Conditional
                      - with a huge crowd looking on, they said No to this world and Yes to God
                      - We will not bow down to the golden image
III. Confession
         A) Our God Is Able to deliver us, but if He doesn't we still won't bow down
                       -Daniel 3:24-25-King Nebuchadnezzar, "did not we not cast three bound into the burning firey  furnace and they said true oh King, He said lo I see four loose walking in the fire and the fourth looks like the Son of God."
                       -they had Fellowship with the Father in the Flames
                       -to have Fellowship IN the Flames, you have to have Fellowship BEFORE the Flames
 IV. Communion
          A) They did it together
                       -have you ever wondered what would have happened if one of them refused

Do you think you have any friends like Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego? I can honestly say I know I do, and I thank God for them everyday. The important thing we all must remember is one important truth. To have a true friend, I must be a true friend.
I am John Sowders and I am Second...!!!!!!!

Remembering the main thing,,,,,

     I was on my way home from work one evening and as a normal routine my wife calls to ask me to stop and get some diapers for Reese, my beautiful daughter. I pull into the grocery store lot with expectations of a quick trip very grateful I only have to get one thing. As I walk into the store, I grab a cart because I thought I might as well get some soft drinks while I am here. That's something you can never have too much of in our home. As I am loading the soft drinks in the cart, I decide to go ahead and get some chips. I exit this isle and notice the milk, better get a gallon of that. What goes good with milk? cookies that is right so I went got some of those. Oh, I thought, I better get some chicken nuggets. I should have bought stock in Tyson chicken nuggets.
     My buggy that I was just going to use for soft drinks is now piling up so I believe it is time to head to the register. Don't you love it when these stores put everything you shouldn't have but crave on your left and to the right all the magazines that tells you how to lose to weight. Anyway, I paid for my groceries and left the building. I loaded the groceries in my truck and drove toward the bliss that we call home.
     I know what you're thinking. You have been trying to get my attention while I walked up and down some of those isles. You're right I didn't go down the most important isle, the baby supply isle. I remember that I am an idiot when Christina said this is all good but where are the diapers I asked you to get?
     She was right. All the things I bought were good things and we would use them eventually. I kept telling myself that anyway. The abiding truth still remained. If we didn't diapers, she wouldn't have asked me to stop and get them. Although it isn't far to the grocery store from my house, it still felt like a long drive back.
     Have you forgotten the main thing? What is the main thing?
     The main thing in all of our lives is our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the position that we place Him in our daily lives. It sounds so easy coming out of our mouth to place Christ first but there are so many distractions. There are so many things and people that catches our eye and draws our attention away. They are good things: good causes, good people, but in the midst of those good causes and good people is Christ who desires to be first place in the way we operate around those good causes and good people.
     My hearts desire is to place Christ first in everything I do and say!!!!

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

My dog Bo and I have the same feelings.....

     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...........