Dr. Michael Brumley, a Brother-in-Christ, My Friend

The phone rang at the church building Wednesday–just like it always does. But when I looked up and caught the caller-id, I did not want to answer.

I knew it would be Liz on the other end and I knew what she was going to tell me.

I wish I had been wrong but I wasn’t.

After a four year war with cancer, Michael was gone.

Michael & Liz Brumley along with their three wonderful kids, Brandon, Will, and Bonnie moved to Laurel, MS not long after I began my first full time preaching job there.

Michael had been looking for a place to practice cardiology and he claimed that we were the reason they chose to live in Laurel. 

Michael was extremely busy and we didn’t get to spend much time together, but he loved us and we loved him.

When our third child was born, he spent some time in ICU and Michael kept a constant check on us.

Almost a year later we moved away. We didn’t stay in touch as well as we could have and my life is less-the-richer for it.

Today we went back to Laurel for a funeral I didn’t want to do–I did not want to say goodbye, but that is the way of life on this side of the veil.

Michael would have been 51 in a few short weeks.

Liz, Brandon, Will, and Bonnie–you will be in our prayers.

We love you and mourn with you.

And God… this this is my plea: Please hasten the day when families will no longer be ripped apart by disease and death.

Les, Jr.

My Friday (it's really mine!)

Today is my day even if the rest of the world does not know it.

It’s not my birthday–although pre-May birthday donations are acceptable at this time.

It’s just a day–a Friday–but I am claiming it.

I walked and ran three miles this morning (more walking than running) and it was a gloriously beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast morning.

I am getting ready to wash my car and I may work on my thesis for grad school.

But don’t tell anybody, because this Friday belongs to me!

May God bless your day as well!

Les, Jr.

My Friday (it’s really mine!)

Today is my day even if the rest of the world does not know it.

It’s not my birthday–although pre-May birthday donations are acceptable at this time.

It’s just a day–a Friday–but I am claiming it.

I walked and ran three miles this morning (more walking than running) and it was a gloriously beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast morning.

I am getting ready to wash my car and I may work on my thesis for grad school.

But don’t tell anybody, because this Friday belongs to me!

May God bless your day as well!

Les, Jr.

Sold Out or Bought Out?

Everywhere you turn in theological and church circles questions are being asked about growth and purpose and vitality–if not the viability of the church itself. I wish I could say these questions where coming from a very narrow cross section of Christianity, but they don’t. These questions and ponderings and even fears run across the Christian spectrum of believers and beliefs.

Frankly, I see the validity of some of the questions and even some of the answers.

What follows is a couple of short pieces from Michael Duduit, editor of Preaching Now. These are dated from last week and this week. Take a view minutes to read and think and then let’s talk…

In a recent posting at his TonyMorganLive.com site, Tony shared this story: “Last Sunday at our Greenville campus, we had an older couple, probably in their 60s, accept Christ. That’s worth celebrating. I love to watch life change happen.

“Here’s what’s amazing about stories like that. Our services in Greenville aren’t designed for people in their 60s. Our services are designed for a much younger audience. It’s an audience that loves loud music. They are comfortable with video teaching, because video is already a huge part of their lives. They love the coffeehouse atmosphere.

“Here’s what we’ve learned. If we design our service experiences for a younger audience, we’re more likely to reach that younger person, and we’ll reach older folks. The reverse is not true. If we designed our service experience for an older audience, the younger crowd would not show up.

“Now, here’s the reality. Most churches in America are designed for an older audience. In fact, the more-seasoned folks in those churches are sitting on committees telling the students and young adults how they can and can’t do ministry. The result? Younger people are leaving in droves.

“Here’s what I know to be true. If the church is going to continue to reach the next generations:

·         I have to be willing to give leadership to people younger than me … and let them make mistakes.

·         I have to be willing to let younger folks lead me in worship … even when it’s not my favorite style of music.

·         I need to embrace new methods of ministry … even though it makes me uncomfortable.

·         I need to pray and encourage and finance the next generation church … and stop trying to make church a place that I like to attend.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the people who desperately need to know the hope, love and forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ. For the ministry of the local church to remain effective, I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

And then, 

Flowing Streams (Zondervan) is a wonderful new memoir by Stuart Briscoe, a gifted preacher and long-time contributing editor of Preaching magazine. One of the stories that particularly touched me was from the days when Stuart and Jill were still in Manchester (in their native Britain) and he decided to venture into the local coffee house to engage some young people.

He opened a conversation with one young man who allowed him to share the gospel. When the man had to go, he told Stuart, “You don’t believe a word of all this stuff you’ve been telling us about God.”

Stuart said, “I was stunned but managed to stammer, ‘Why would you say that?’”

He replied, “That’s easy. Because all you have told us here tonight is so wonderful that if you and people like you really believed it, you would have been down here long before tonight to tell us kids about it.”

Are there people in your community who could say the same thing? Do we believe this gospel enough to take it to those who most need to hear it?

 The title of this blog is Sold Out or Bought Out and I wonder which we are.

If we are more worried about worship and getting our wants met–notice I didn’t say needs–if church is about coming to be fed once a week and that’s it, we have been bought out–owned by a culture that has robbed us of our zeal and left us with a religion.

On the other hand, if you crave a relationship and not a religion or a one hour a week assembly designed to your liking, if you have a story you are eager to share, then you have sold out–it’s not about you, but Jesus–and when Jesus owns you, amazing things happen. 

Talk to me. Tell me what you think. How can we become a culture of people sold out to Jesus?

Or, as the last story illustrates, do you really believe?

Les, Jr.

Politics and Religion

Politics

Politics

Politics

There is a part of me that is extremely intrigued.

There is another part of me that is sick of all of it and doesn’t have high expectations from either party or candidate.

To some I am probably overly simplistic or ignorant or maybe even dangerous in my political views.

And that’s okay.

I am generally a one issue voter. I will listen to what you have to say or not depending on your stance on abortion.

Yep, a one issue voter who stakes his political stance on the sanctity of life.

But here’s the deal and where I really want to go: you can debate and argue all you want–you can agree or disagree, like, love, or despise my views–but whether I am right or wrong, whether your candidate or mine happens to win, God is still large and in charge!

After every election cycle there is hand wringing and worrying and fear.

But as Christians, our ultimate allegiance is not to a country, but to a King and His Kingdom!

Be a part of the political process.

Use your freedoms responsibly.

But when all is said and done, trust God and give Him all the glory!

Be a blessing,

Les, Jr.

Go God, Go!

We cheer our favorite athletes and sports teams–sometimes quite loudly  and obnoxiously!

Personally, I love football and have been known to roar at the TV. A couple of years ago, I “woke” up to find myself standing in front of the TV trying to trip a fellow as he was running a punt back for a score against my team.

Sports can cause us at times to be silly, stupid, or both.

Did I mention that I really like to watch football?

I like Mississippi State and Southern Miss and whomever is playing Alabama or Auburn (I really hate the Iron Bowl cause one of them is going to win and I can’t stand it when either wins a game).

I like the Saints, the Redskins, the Packers, and thanks to Brett Farve, I now like the Jets–and to satisfy my support for all things Manning (Archie was a childhood hero) I also like the Colts and the Giants.

Did I mention I like football?

While we are cheering our teams on, why not take a breath and remember whom we should really cheer?

Go God, Go!

I am seeing amazing things in my life and in the life of the church that are simply the power, might, and grace of God alone. Period. End of story.

Go God, Go!

If you count the kids we saw come to Christ in the session of Guf Coast Bible Camp we are blessed to be a part of (we can count 20) and add all the folks who have come to God here at Orange Grove during 2008, we have witnessed/ participated in 46 baptisms.

It’s certainly not like the Day of Pentecost, but God is most assuredly at work and that excites me more than any football game could ever dare to compare–and if you’ll forgive me for boasting in the Lord, we have seen six precious souls immersed into Christ this week alone (and it’s only Thursday)!

Go God, Go!

Bye Bye Ike

I truly hope those are not famous last words in the title of this blog post!

Bye Bye Ike–we are very pleased not to meet you!

Please keep those who may be impacted by Ike in your prayers.

I have never been more eager for the end of November and the end of hurricane season. We hear a lot of talk about hurricane fatigue down here in South Mississippi and it is a real deal.

People spend lots of money in hurricane preparation–often money that needs to go somewhere else–eventually the piper has to be paid. As for me, I am looking forward to pouring 26 gallons of stored gas into our minivan and car.

Anybody wanna come share a few cans of vienna sausages with me? Bring the crackers–I think they are already missing from our hurricane preparation stash…

Les, Jr.

I Don't Like Ike

Stay away Ike!

Spin out to sea!

Leave us lone!

I Don’t Like Ike

Stay away Ike!

Spin out to sea!

Leave us lone!

So Far So Good!

Windy, rainy, and a little bit boring being stuck in the house watching weather reports all day–but this beats hurricane Katrina by several country miles.

My windows are boarded up and while I dread the work that goes into taking it all down and storing all the plywood again, I will be glad to see sunshine streaming into the house once more.

God is so good. All the time, God is good!

Blessings!

Les, Jr.