New Ministry for Me

Someone once said if you want to make God laugh show him your five-year plan. Life is not always what we expect but as we follow Him it is always blessed. As many of you know this year has been a time of unexpected changes in my ministry life. I concluded my 2+ years of ministry in the pulpit of Bible Center Church in April. In August, I completed my 12 years of ministry at BCC. I have spent the last months traveling, (including a wonderful time serving missionaries in South America) and accelerating work on my Doctorate Degree.

Now the Lord has revealed what the next step in my ministry is to be. Through a remarkable set of God-controlled events I will begin serving as Interim Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Charleston beginning in January. Pastor David Mitchell has served there wonderfully and faithfully for the past 24 years and is retiring the last Sunday of 2010. Mount Calvary Baptist has served in the Kanawha Valley for more than 100 years. The Church is blessed with a wonderful staff and excellent facilities located just off the Westmoreland Exit of I77 (one exit north of the 77 - 64 split). I will begin filling the pulpit on Sunday January 2nd and after the service on Jan. 9 the congregation will vote on the recommendation of the Deacons to approve this. I am looking forward to getting to know and serve the people who worship at Mount Calvary.

Another development is that Mount Calvary Baptist will also launch a Sunday morning broadcast on AM58 WCHS on January 2nd from 7:30-8:00 a.m. This spot has been served by Pastor Bobby Sizemore as a ministry of Elkview Baptist Church for many years, and I will do my best to continue to serve the listeners with quality Bible teaching in that location and time. Listen in if you get the chance.

While I wait for the Lord to direct to an opportunity for a full-time and permanent ministry I am excited to tackle this next task. I would appreciate your prayers in these next days. Thank you so much for all of the love and encouragement so many of you have shown over the past months.

Blessings,
Pastor Jesse Waggoner

Listen, It's Christmas

I have recently been involved in an online conversation about why God would choose Shepherds to be the first ones to hear about the birth of His Son. The comments generally revolved around the connection to Jesus being the Good Shepherd, the Son of David who was a Shepherd or the fact that they were low and humble. While thinking about this I come to an even more fundamental and I believe, profound conclusion: God wanted to deliver a message. That night He chose the extraordinary means of a multitude of angels filling the sky, but He got the message across; a message of peace and goodwill and a Savior born. He directed them via the angelic announcement to find Jesus wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.

God does not often use such extreme measures to deliver news to us. He usually speaks through His all-time best seller and the only book He has written; the Bible. Our responsibility? To listen! In this case you have access to the source documents, to firsthand accounts of what God had determined for you to know. What a blessing to know that God wants to speak to you.

This Christmas please plan to invest some time digging into God’s Word, privately and with others. He has delivered on His part, are you delivering on yours?

Jesse

Video Version of this teaching

That thing is huge!

Recently I needed to move a large bookcase my father had built for me (see picture below) it is beautiful, and has a built-in 55 gal. aquarium. It is huge and it is heavy. It is way beyond my ability to move. I remember that someone once said that the one thing better than having a truck, is having a friend that has one! So I called a dear friend who showed up with a huge truck complete with hydraulic life and couple of other well-muscled men. I still had to shoulder my corner of the bookcase but the gracious help of these friends got the job done.

Peter describes our Lord as “the God of all grace.” Earlier we looked at the “God” part and the “All” part, so now we want to think about the “Grace” part. Grace can be defined as God’s help in our need. That is why the bookcase story is a great example of this. The gracious act of these made a job that was too big for me possible. His grace can move even impossible things that maybe staring at you. Those things that keep you up and night and steal your joy in the day. He can move it!

So what is that huge – immovable thing in your life? That one thing that is way too big for you to budge? Maybe it is time to trust in the God of all grace. Count on His help to be there for you in your need. Renew your confidence in His showing up when you need strength beyond yourself. He won’t let you down.

Jesse

Veiw Video version of this teaching

More research

Would you take three minutes and help a seminary student out? I have added three quick questions to my ongoing poll which is part of my research for my Doctoral Dissertation. I need as many responses as I can get, I so appreciate your taking the time to answer these three questions. NOTE: You will have to use your browsers "Back" button to get back to the questions page to answer the next question. Thanks so much for your help!

To take the poll go here

Running out of time (The God of All Grace part 2)

"But may the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you." (1 Pet. 5:10)

I have a limited amount of time to write this before getting to my next scheduled thing. In fact I always have a limited amount of time. In reality I have a limited amount of everything – time, energy, opportunity, money, etc. and if you want to know the truth, so do you! We are finite every day and in every way.

As we think on the second part of the description of God as being “the God of all grace” I want to dwell on the “all” part. He is not limited in His grace. It never is in short supply, the transportation system to bring grace from the throne to you is never disrupted, it never runs out no matter how much you need. He is a God of unlimited grace. He is infinite every day and in every way.

So the next time you feel like your needs exceed God’s ability, or the reach of His compassionate grace – let this verse stop you and redirect you. He has not used up His allotment of grace on all the other needy people and left you without – He is the God of all grace. Thank Him for that today and live like that today – you had better get started time is short.

Jesse

Video version of this teaching

Here are some recent family pictures - enjoy!

The God of All Grace (1 Pet. 5:10) part 1

"But may the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you." (1 Pet. 5:10)

For some reason a phrase from this verse had lodged itself in my mind over the past few days. Did you notice how Peter addresses God? He calls Him "the God of all grace." Stop what you are doing for a few moments and think about that. We have in our lives, caring for us the God of all grace. I will address the last two thirds of that phrase later but think for a moment about the fact that He is the GOD of all grace. If he were gracious and not God, He at best would be a benevolent person but not have the ability for that good will to do anything in our lives. No the "all grace" is empowered by the omnipotent God!

God has never seen a tight spot He could not get us out of. He has never faced a dilemma that did not have a third option. He had never faced a disease He could not heal. He has never encountered an obstacle he could not overcome or a roadblock He could not remove. He is able to deliver grace to you.

Are you in need of some encouragement today? If so, remember this; the God of all grace is on your side and He delights when His children turn to Him in faith and seek His help. So...what are you waiting for?

Jesse

Video Version of this teaching

A (non) Drive Time Video on Gratefulness

As many of you know it has been sometime since I have made any new Drive Time Videos - I will spare you the details for the absence but I am make a new series of videos that while not from the road are from the heart and more importantly from God's Word. As always I appreciate your support and feed back. Just click the play button on the video below or if that is showing click the link to go to a webpage where you can view it.

Blessings,
Jesse


Click here to go to video page

Know your preacher?

I need your help. Usually I try to write items on this blog to inform, entertain or inspire you but this offering is a little different. As most of you know I am working on my Doctoral Dissertation and as part of that project I am doing some original research. My subject is the role of the hearer in the preaching process. What I need is your opinion. Since I spend most of my time behind the pulpit I need to know what the person in the pew is thinking. I will do these polls over a period of time in three question segments. It should only take a minute or two of your time but your input will be a great help to this seminary student.

Just click the link below to get started and let me thank you in advance for your participation, Also, please feel free to pass this on to anyone you may like, I could use all the opinions I can get. All responses are anonymous; so tell me what you think of preaching, listening and preachers like me.

Jesse

Please note that after you click "VOTE" after each set of answers, you will be taken to a results page, use your browser's "Back" button to return to the page to answer the following queston.
TAKE THE POLL

Who is in Charge?

So who really is in control on the field during an NFL game? The picture above that I took last Sunday in Dallas may give you a hint (you can click on the picture for a bigger version – you may have to use your browsers “back” button to back to the blog). In the picture you see players – it’s not them. You don’t see any coaches but it is not them either. How about the referees in their snazzy striped uniforms? Nope. Photogaphers? No. Cheerleaders? No again. It is really the man with the weird looking orange gloves. His title is NFL liaison or sideline coordinator. It is his job to get the word from the TV director in a control truck outside the stadium that the TV commercials are over and the game can restart after a break. The Refs cannot start until the sideline coordinator tells them to, on the field nothing happens until he says so. The orange gloves are so that the refs can easily see his hand signals to start or stop the game.

This got me to thinking about this – the person who is really in charge of something is rarely the person you see in the foreground. Perhaps in this political season a few folks would do well to remember that there is something more in play than just the acquisition of political power. Leaders in the church would do well to remember that no matter the title there is someone more unseen to who we are responsible. On an even more personal level we are each in charge of very little and all of us are persons under authority. So, we should all act like it.

Perhaps this would be a good time to express you submission to the God Who rules over all by offering your words of acknowledgment of His place and power to Him in prayer. As you practice the discipline of submission not only will He be honored and pleased, it will help you refocus to see His hand in your life, and you don’t even have to look for orange gloves!

Jesse

A few more pictures from our trip

The Sign

Matt. 27:37, Mark 15:26, Luke 23:38, John 19:19

A hand-written sign is not meant to last long – it only for a fleeting temporary event that will soon be gone like the event of which it speaks. The person who actually put the letters to a discarded plank of wood and tacked it to the cross of Jesus had no idea that what he was labeling was far from a passing event. It was penned with as much care as a “yard sale” sign stuck on a utility pole, but it was placed over the head of one who cared enough to be sacrificed on our behalf.

The inscription in full was: This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews. The Jews objected and demanded the sign be edited to include “he said, I am king of the Jews. (John 19:21-23), they were OK with it being a claim of a rebel but they did not what it to be a straight-forward declarative statement. Pilate caused it to be written in way to show contempt for the Jewish authorities – this was his view of a king that would come from the Jews a weak and dying would-be ruler. These were not words the Romans believed-- but they were absolutely true! Jesus was and is the rightful heir to the throne of Israel (cf. Luke 1:32-33) but is also King of Kings (I Tim. 6:15). These truths and Pilate's words though written in unbelief attest to Christ’s sovereignty and His divinity.

The hand-written sign was to mark a moment but it testified to a movement. Something far greater was happening, something that would alter the destiny of all who believe in the King of the Jews.

Since He is our King and we are subjects in His kingdom, our response should be obedience -- complete, unquestioning obedience. God desires and deserves our worship but worship means more than offering our words to Him; He desires compliance with His will, in this is He pleased (I Sam. 15:22).

Family Update

In addition to my Bible studies and essays I post weekly on this Blog, I have decided occasionally to update you all on the happenings of the Waggoner family. So, many of you have taken the effort to stay in touch and Julie and I appreciate that so much. First of all let me identify all in the picture above.

L to R: Julie, Eric and Jessica, Katie and Brian, Brandon and Heather and Me,

We both are doing well and are blessed beyond words and are constantly amazed at the goodness of our God. We were so thankful for a late summer get-together with our entire family; we enjoyed a relaxing weekend as well as a visit to the WV State Fair. In September I was blessed with the opportunity to speak at a Missionary Retreat in Ecuador. It was also in September that we said goodbye to the congregation of Bible Center Church. Thankfully we live in a day where even though we may be separated we can still stay in touch. We are so thankful for the 12 years of ministry that the Lord gave us.

We have been traveling a bit of late, I was in Chicago for some ministry meetings back in the summer, Julie I traveled to be with friends in North and South Carolina, We visited family in Richmond VA a couple of weeks ago and last week we went to Morgantown for the WVU – FSU game, and took a couple of days to travel through the eastern mountains of WV. In a couple of weeks we will be traveling to Dallas to see the Cowboys play – this has been a long time dream of ours and we are looking forward to seeing our favorite team play live! We also are working a mid-west trip in mid-November. Below, I have put some links to photo albums from some of the above if you want to take a look.

We have also been going through a renovation of our kitchen and a few other fix-up projects that have kept us busy and I am spending part of each working on my Doctoral Dissertation. I hope to be finished by the end of January.

We have been in contact with a few churches in need of a pastor. I can’t provide details yet but I would appreciate your prayers that the Lord will give clear direction to our next place of service. Whether we end up near or far we will always give thanks for each of you.

PHOTO ALBUMS:

Waggoner Get-Together

From the Road

WVU game

Fall in the Mountains

Jesse Waggoner

Time Warp

"Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come,” (Isa. 44:7)

The language in this verse refers to God declaring in advance what will happen in the future. This is a question that spotlights His prophetic ability, and especially His exclusive ability do so. The Bible is full of fulfilled prophecy; more than 60 Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled on the day Jesus was crucified. Time does not permit the ability to explore many of these, but I would refer you to ten chapters further in Isaiah and to read chapter 53 and reflect on how accurately it depicts the death of Jesus. In this verse, He is challenging any skeptic to show even one example that shows that anyone else has this ability, and while the skeptic is silenced the believers should be comforted to know that He is a God who can definitively proclaim the future. In this He has no rivals.

He is unrivaled in time, and He is not just existing in time but expressing His will through time. Note well the time frames in this verse. First of all…

He operates in the past

It is He that “appointed the ancient people.” Here, He is looking back to expose His sovereign control. The people of the past were appointed, literally “placed” by God. One only has to look at the historical sections of the Bible to see everywhere His hand at work. We can likewise see His had operating in our lives and we should mark well the places along our path were He has involved Himself in our lives

He operates in the present

This is seen in this line: “and the things that are coming.” God is operating in the midst of things that were then coming to pass in the present. The trends, events, movements, circumstances and happenings of their day are connected back to the same verb “appointed” as the events of the past. He alone can appoint the events that unfold in present time to be in accordance with His will. But we are not finished. Also…

He operates in the future

Lastly He appoints “the things that are coming and shall come.” This final terminology focuses our attention on the future. Just as surely as He has appointed the past and present, His appointment, His placing, His setting of the future is likewise sure and good as done. God is the only One who can operate in the future as well as the past and present

Our heavenly Father wants us to know that the One who speaks in the past and prophesies concerning the future also traces the arc of our lives through time by means of His controlling, loving, powerful hand. Based on that, how does that help us in these troubling times in which we live? Simply, He is in control at all times!

Jesse Waggoner

The First, The Last and Everything in Between

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. (Isa. 44:6)

This verse means infinitely more than just that God has always been, that He predates everything else; it references that He is the reason everything else exists. From cover to cover, the Bible does not blush to call God the Creator of all things. “In the beginning God created…” (Gen. 1:1), “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3), “all things were created by him, and for him” (Col. 1:16 KJV), "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (Revelation 4:11). When it comes to creators, remember there is only One.

Let me ask you a question: If God has the ability to create you does He have the ability to protect you in the present? Here is where we begin to see that He is the only One available for our trust and the only One worthy of our trust.

Not only is He the cause of all things, likewise…He is the culmination of all things He is the first and the last. Again, this means more than just He always will exist, He will also bring all things to a conclusion. He wrote the preface to all creation and He has already written the final chapter. Colossians 1:20 is a summary of the culminating activity of God; in this verse we see that through Christ, God will “reconcile all things to Himself.” The reconciliation is as in reconciling an account or a checkbook. When it is all said and done, all things will be as God chooses them to be; all accounts will be balanced.

May I ask you a question: If God has the ability to create you and you believe He has the ability to get you from here to heaven, does He have the ability to get you through the rest of today? If so, then let me challenge you to acknowledge His control, to obediently behave in harmony with His control. He will control you either through your worshipful obedience or in judgment, in spite of your objections…

So…give Him control

Through your will and choice, accommodate yourself to His control. Allow your trust in His control to pluck you from a sea of fear and doubt and lift you to new heights of confidence. I know this is challenging when what our eyes see lead us to fear. But we, in faith, need to reconnect with the only One who is unrivaled in control- our King and Redeemer.

Jesse Waggoner

No danger, no stress, no life!

Earlier this year Julie and spent an enjoyable day at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando. During a walk through one section of the park we came to the area containing gorillas. The one pictured above caught my attention and I spent a few minutes observing him enjoying an afternoon snack while watching the people who were watching him. Disney is quick to inform park guests as to how well the animals are cared for. This guy gets regular checks by the vet, they are supervised by primatologists, and their diet is strictly controlled for quality and nutritional value. They are protected by various means from any threat. In short for the most part they have it made. No poachers to contend with, no food shortages or lack of shelter. Just eat, sleep, repeat! Just do what you do and let folks who want to see you up close take a look without having to go to the Congo.

Sometimes we long for that kind of stress-free life -- but is that really living? No obstacles to overcome, problems to solve, no risk, no win or lose just maintain. Seems like all of that discomfort and chaos that I often complain about is part of God's plan to help me grow and become more like His Son. The struggle is necessary it is not optional in God's plan. So the next time life gets a little scary think about my hairy friend back at the zoo, is that really living?

Zoos are for animals - I prefer to live in the wild.

Blessings,
Jesse

Worship!

Last Sunday I had the joy of worshipping with the folks at the Chaupimolio, Church in Ecuador. I have posted a short video clip so you can take a look. It has been a long time since I have been with a group who worshipped so joyously and loved each other and the Lord so dearly. Being here was truely the highlight of my trip. By US standards the folks do not have alot, the church is on a dirt street, all of them walked to church.

I am reminded of this verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18 "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."


Video Clip of Worship Service

Blessings,
Jesse

Greetings from Ecuador

I want to give you all a quick update from South America. I have had a wonderful time of ministry in this beautiful country and with these beautiful people. I have enjoyed interacting with national pastors and visited two churches. I spent three days sharing the Word with a great team of missionaries in the delightful city of Banos. It sits at the foot of Tungurahua which is an active volcano. The beauty there is astounding. The work that these servants of the Lord are doing is likewise astounding. I think they have taught me more than I have taught them. I spoke on the subject of faith and I really feel that this time in God’s Word was an encouragement to us all. I then traveled to Pifo where I am staying on a missionary compound.

Today I was privileged to worship with the congregation of the Chaupimolino church. This church has seen great growth in the last months and has expanded their outreach and building. Hopefully this church will be fully led by nationals in the not too distant future as the missionaries phase out and begin a work in another city. The worship was energetic and from the heart. It was evident that these brothers and sisters love each other and the Lord. After service we traveled north of Quito to visit the monument at “The Center of the World” which sits on the Ecuador. Thank you all for your support and prayers . I will try to write more later, until then if you want to see a few pictures use the link below.

Ecuador Photo Album

Blessings,
Jesse

Passport in Hand

A quick update on my missions trip: A week from today I will be in Ecuador, I will be sharing the Word with a group of dedicated missionaries at their annual field conference in Banos. I received my renewal passport in eight days(A big praise)and I am busy preparing messages. Thanks to so many of you who have offered words of encouagment and given to make this trip possible. Thanks too to those of you who offered to help me with Spanish - I appreaciate the attempt but I think I will stick with English for now. Please pray that I will accomplish all that the Lord intends for this trip. I will try to update you while there, and give a full report on this blog when I return.

Blessings,
Jesse

Here's what's next for me

As many of you know my departure from Bible Center Church was announced last Sunday. After 12 years and growing to love the congregation of BCC it is with some sadness we make this transition but we are looking forward to the future. So what will we be doing? In the short run…

1. In mid-September I will be traveling to Ecuador to minister the word to a team of missionaries serving there. I am already working on several teaching ideas I want to share while with them. Also since the opportunity came up quickly I need to raise about $1000 right away. If you would like to help out you can use this link below I do not have a way to make these gifts tax-deductable but all money will be used for ministry purposes, if you have any questions send me an e-mail jw@waggonermedia.com.

WaggonerMedia Support page

2. A new batch of Drive Time Videos is on the way. So some encouragement from the road will soon be coming your way.

3. I will have the chance to continue my doctoral studies at an advanced pace. I may be through by early 2011.

4. We are looking for opportunities to share the Word. A few are in the planning stages, if you know of somewhere that may need a preacher for a Sunday or for an event, please let me know.

5. We continue to seek God’s leading toward a full-time pastoral ministry. Exciting possibilities are out there. I will share as I can and we do ask for your prayers in this regard.

Thank you all for your love and support, it means more than you will ever know.

Blueridge Parkway

It is on my bucket list, I want to drive the all 469 miles of the Blueridge Parkway, I have been on short sections of it, and recently on my way back from a wonderful weekend with family at a wonderful Bed & Breakfast (a converted barn) we detoured through a short section of the Parkway, and paid a delightful visit to Mabry Mill which is the most photographed location on the Parkway. But job and life called and after a peaceful hour and half it was time to reconnect with the interstate highway system and head home.

One of the reasons I like this road (in addition to the mountains, fresh air etc.) was that is is not a road that is about getting somewhere, it is all about being somewhere. The enjoyment is in the journey not the destination. The max speedlimit is 45 and it is less than that in many places so you are not going to get anywhere quickly, you must slow down and enjoy what is passing by your fenders. I confess that on most days I am not very good at that, it is all about the next appointment, meeting, lesson, sermon or video to be produced. It is what is coming that is important. The only problem is; I miss the blessings that are passing in a blur.

So why don't you join me in this exercise... for a moment slow down to 35 MPH, roll down the windows, turn off the stereo, take a deep breath and enjoy the blessings that are in this moment. You wll be amazed at what you notice and you may just reduce you stress a bit to boot.

Jesse Waggoner

Drive Time Video

The first six episodes of my current teaching series is available via Drive Time Video. If you want to view higher quality video you can visit the podcast archive page and choose the download link to download the MP4 videos.

Also feel free to follow DTV on Twitter @ twitter.com/DriveTimeVideo

See you on the road.

JW

Walk in... Living Like Jesus One Step At a Time

Here is a preview of the current study being released via Drive Time Video --In the Christian life we focus on our future and on Jesus' work to "clean up" our past but He wants us to walk with Him each day. Each step we take is to be in harmony with His character and His Word. In this study we will learn about how to take our "Walk" to the next level. We will study several New Testament passages where are commanded to walk in...love, glory, obedience etc.

I hope to see you on the road.

The Cross Beside Jesus

Here is a portion of my message at Bible Center on 4-11-2010

Easter 2010

Some new pictures taken a Bible Center on Easter Sunday 2010 have just been added to the WaggonerMedia Gallery. My thanks to Jordan Damron for taking the picture and to Steven Vanhorn for sharing them with me.

Easter 2010 Photos

Blessings,
JW

Good Friday Service

Here is a video clip from WSAZ coverage of the Bible Center Good Friday service.

The Torn Veil

This Sunday I will be sharing part 4 of the five part series entitled: "The Cross History's Supreme Moment" as we look at the forth of five miracles that occurred when Jesus died. Each of these were designed to speak in a language that the people involved in the event would understand. We must go behind the scenes into the culture, history and Old Testament text in order to uncover the power of the messages God delivered to mark the significance of the sacrifice of His Son.

Feel free to join us at Bible Center Church this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:45, or on the radio AM 580 WCHS @9:30 a.m. or online at www.WaggonerMedia.com

Blessings,
Jesse Waggoner

What a Week

What a week! There certainly could be no more momentous week than the one which stretched from the Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to the following Sunday when He left the tomb. It was the week that completed the mission of redemption. It was the week that sealed the fate of Satan and those that follow Him. It was the week that secured the destiny of all those who in faith follow Jesus.

This week I want to invite you to walk along with Jesus through that last week. Take some time to, either alone or with your family read through the accounts of this week in the Gospels. Then join us for the events we have planned to help focus our attention and stir our worship on the God who poured out His love upon us. Tonight we have our annual Easter musical presentation featuring our Sanctuary Choir. We will have a special service on Thursday night with communion as we remember the last supper; a Good Friday service will take us to the cross; a contemporary service will prepare us for the dawn of resurrection week. The capstone will be our three services next Sunday as we worship our risen Lord.

Make plans to be moved by this week-long journey and be sure to invite someone to come along with you.

Easter = Outreach

I have seen signs that the seasons are changing the last few days. There has been a little more sunshine, the temperatures are warmer and the trees are beginning to bud; all great things in my book. Churches also have seasons and the time just before Easter is harvest time. Even those who would only be slightly inclined to attend church seem to be more open at Easter time. We usually have our highest attendance of the year on Easter Sunday. Church growth experts call it “The Easter Surge.” Whatever you call it, we should all be alert to the opportunities to do some outreach. We at Bible Center will be sure to be ready to welcome our guests and make sure the Gospel is clearly presented.

As you leave services on Sunday you will be given two Easter invitation cards that list all of our upcoming activities as well as give a special invitation to our celebrations of the resurrection of our Lord. Please pass these on with a friendly encouragement to join us. If you would like more than two, please stop by the Information Desk and get some extras.

We also are providing three electronic ways to share the same invitation. If you are a subscriber to CONNECT, you will receive one via e-mail; and please forward this e-mail on to anyone you like. If you are not a subscriber, just send an e-mail to info@biblecenterchurch.com and we will send you one. If you are on Facebook, just visit the Bible Center page (www.facebook.com/BibleCenter) and “Share” the invitation on your profile. If you are a Twitter user, you can “Retweet” the invitation as well (www.Twitter.com/BibleCenter).

Let’s see what God can do through all of us in these next two weeks.

Earthquake

Theologians and biblical scholars love to argue many things and one of them is: when is a miracle a miracle? Some things are clearly miracles, such as Jesus walking on water, turning water into wine, etc. But what about an answered prayer- was that a coincidence or God’s use of ordinary means to accomplish His purpose through providence? I am not sure that most of us strive for that level of exactness; we are content to give God credit for an extraordinary intervention, even through the use of ordinary devices. In our study today, we will look at the earthquake that occurred as Jesus died. Earthquakes happen frequently; in fact, on the day I write this (3/10) the USGS has recorded 31 earthquakes in the world with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater. It is only when they are massive or in populated areas that we hear about it, such as the recent ones in Haiti and Chile.

But sometimes God so times the circumstance and the moment of the “ordinary” that there is no doubt that He is making a statement. Often the statement may be unclear, but in the context of the cross it is. The shaking of the earth was to show that His power is supreme and after a three hour absence during the darkness, He was back and in control!

In your ordinary moments, be alert that God is at work doing extraordinary things. You also are invited to join us for part 2 of "The Cross: History's Supreme Moment" this Sunday at Bible Center Church or online at WaggonerMedia.com

Blessings,
Jesse

The Cross: History's Supreme Moment

I thought you may like a little preview of my coming series of messages...We go to great lengths to mark a special day. We eat cakes, tie up balloon, decorate homes, send cards, sing songs, and a hundred other things. Sometimes the lengths we go to seem extreme. I remember one wedding at Bible Center where the wedding party left our parking lot not in a car pulling cans, but by helicopter!

There was one day like no other on God’s calendar, and He went to great lengths to “mark” this day as no other. For the next five Sunday’s we will be looking at the miracles that occurred on the day Jesus died. Each of these five supernatural events were designed to be a marker that this was the day that was at the intersection between time and eternity, between the need of sinful man and the love of Holy God. As we study these we will also find that each miracle was carefully chosen to send us a particular symbolic message as to the spiritual reality that was unfolding on Calvary. So let’s enjoy the journey back to the cross where we will find that it is the supreme moment in history!

So you are invited to partipate at Bible Center at either 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. or online at www.WaggonerMedia.com

Blessings...

The Sandwich Generation

Are you part of the “Sandwich Generation?” Nearly 25% of Americans are –no, I don’t mean those who frequent Subway or live to create culinary masterpieces on bread. The phrase “Sandwich Generation” is of recent origin; in fact Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006. The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children. Due to the extension of our life expectancy and the phenomenon of “delayed adulthood,” more and more of us are faced with being sandwiched between caring for those above and below us. There are variations on this theme-there are:

The Traditional Sandwich: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children.

The Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, OR those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents.

The Open Faced Sandwich: anyone else involved in elderly care.

If you find yourself in this stage of life or if you sometime may, let me assure you that caring for children and parents has been part of God’s plan for as long as there have been families. I have recently read again the story of Joseph as found in Genesis, I noted particularly in chapters 45-50 you find some great examples of parenting from the side of the child caring for an aging father – in this case Jacob. It also shows the attitude of the parent to his adult children, in this case Joseph and his brothers. I could summarize it in two words: Care and Cooperation. These are the essential attitudes on both sides of parenting. They are ones I want to work on and invite you to do the same. Until next time…

One Daily Question - Website

The One Daily Question Website is now open for visitors. As you perhaps know one daily question has been running on Facebook and Twitter since January but the questions are now available to those surfing the web. So feel free to point your friends to www.OneDailyQuestion.com

Here is an excerpt from the website with a little explaination:

"One Daily Question delivers One Daily Question to you via Twitter, The Web or Facebook. Let the power of a question lead you to a better understanding of yourself and others in your life, or just have some fun. The easy way to interact is to visit the Facebook Fanpage, where you can leave your answers and interact with others who enjoy One Daily Question. The easy way to have the question delivered to you is via Twitter or you can check back to this website. So use today's question to stir up some conversation around your office, dinner table or during your commute. So enjoy today's question and learn something about yourself and others @ www.OneDailyQuestion.com"

"The Fear of Man" Video

From the message entitled "The Fear of Man" from Isa. 51

"The Missed Cross Video"

Here is a video clip from the message entitled: "The Missed Cross"

Voice of the Valley - 2-14-2010

Second interview in as many weeks on Ric Cochran's radio show - voice of the valley talking about the upcoming Dennis Lee performance at Bible Center. Listen below

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Real Love

I love asking questions; recently I asked this question online via www.OneDailyQuestion.com: What is the perfect Valentine gift? I was somewhat surprised at the responses both online and in person. Most folks did not mention the usual gifts- very little talk of cards, flowers, candy, jewelry, etc. Instead it was a gift selected to match the person or dinner out or some time together. In our overly commercialized world, we can understand retailers pushing romantic trinkets our way but when it comes to love, the best gift we can give is ourselves. We sometimes fall prey to the thinking that we can substitute “things” for time. We must spend time adding value to others and nurturing relationships.

So on this Valentine’s Day, which is devoted to love, it would be a good time to devote some time and personal attention to those we are to love. So even if you have a box of candy ready or a nicely wrapped present to be delivered, don’t forget to deliver yourself. After all ,when God wanted to display his love to us He didn’t send a card, He sent His son.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Jesse

One Daily Question - Radio Interview

I enjoyed the opportunity to be on Ric Cochran's Voice of the Valley Radio Show on Sunday. We talked about social networking in general and my new project - One Daily Question in particular. For someone who wanted to be in radio when he grew up, it is always fun to be in the studio. If you want listen to it, use the link below.

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Where did you last see a cross? Was it a piece of jewelry? Embroidered into a Bible cover? Engraved on some furniture? Adorning the top of church? Or used to mark a grave? The cross has become THE symbol of our faith and for good reason. Without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have no hope. Paul referenced the cross this way:

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

I have come to believe that God really wants us to remember the events surrounding and the significance of the cross. One way He helps us remember is through a regular observance of communion. In picture form we once again show the death of our Savior. He has done so much to help us remember, so let's fully engage our hearts and minds and allow our thoughts to reconnect to the cross.

One Daily Question

As person who seeks to be a good communicator I have learned the value of asking a good question. I have been blessed with a number of friends who ask me outstanding questions and I am the better for them.

I am pleased to announce that I have started, first on Twitter and now Facebook, asking a daily question that I trust will help you stop and think, generate good conversation or just bring a smile. I hope those of you who see the question in your Twitter feed or in your Facebook news feed will appreciate the questions and will feel free to share them with others. I won't clutter your online world - just one question a day, some serious, some just for fun. Respond, submit your own questions or complain - all is welcome and encouraged.


Will you let me know what you think? (there is another question)


Blessings
Jesse Waggoner

One Daily Question on FACEBOOK

One Daily Question on TWITTER

One Daily Question on WaggonerMedia.com

Marriage Protection

When it comes to weddings I usually have the "best seat in the house." Getting to officiate at a wedding is one of the fun things a pastor gets to do and it does offer a wonderful perspective on the proceedings. For one thing, no one blocks your view; you get to really see the reactions of the bride and groom and you have no trouble hearing the vows being said (you also can't be late since they can't start without you!). One of my favorite moments is when the bride first makes her appearance; I usually glance at the grooms face and watch the "wow" expression when he first glimpses his bride in her wedding day glory.

There are more sobering moments in a wedding, especially when I say the part about..."until death do us part." This fixes in my mind the preciousness of marriage and its permanence. There are very few other things in life to which we make a life-long, sacred vow. Not every marriage makes it until death do us part, but that is certainly God's greatest ideal for every marriage and this is what we, as ministry, are committed to helping our couples accomplish. The best thing that you can do to work toward a permanent marriage is focus on your and your spouse’s spiritual development. From our growing commitment to Christ comes a growing commitment to marriage. Please pray for couples and families as we continue today to see what God has to say about the family this Sunday at Bible Center or you can catch up on the "Family Survival Kit series" at WaggonerMedia.com

Father's Love Letter

Don't miss this video - it may change your life!



Copyright 1999-2005
www.FathersLoveLetter.com

$122 will protect your family

According to the website www.quakekare.com you can purchase a family survival kit for five people for only $122.00. The kit includes: “the most effective emergency supplies for emergency preparedness including the emergency food, water, lighting, radio, first-aid, sanitation, and shelter supplies to prepare for all disasters. This deluxe kit also contains a Solar / Hand-Crank Powered Flashlight, Radio, Flashing LED Siren & Mobile Phone Charger with a universal adapter - just plug in your cell phone car charger to charge your phone using the hand-crank / Dynamo Power Generator.” And in design of creative ingenuity all of this comes packed in a large plastic pail with a hinged lid that can serve as portable toilet.

I don’t know if you have such a kit, or if you have any emergency supplies set aside for an emergency but there are those threats that come that even Quake Kare kit can’t cover. For these we need to have God’s direction, advice and involvement. I want you to plan to join us on Sunday as we continue our study called "Family Survival Kit" and if you need to catch up on the series you can find audio/video and notes from the series on the WaggonerMedia.com website. As we continue to study God's Word, will you join me in being thankful for the resource He gives to protect us spiritually?

The King Comes to Charleston

Recently the news media took note of what would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday. Also more than 30 years after the event, a previously unknown recording of Elvis' 5th and final concert in Charleston has surfaced. The concert was the 8:30 show on July 24, 1976. Toward the end of concert (you can hear the final portion here) Elvis remarks to his West Virginia fans...

"you are really a fantastic audience here... anytime you want us back here, just let us know and we will be glad to come back, until we meet you, adios."

But we now know the rest of the story, Elvis did not return to Charleston and 13 months later at the age of 42 the mega-star from Memphis was dead. Presley's last Charleston stop is interesting for other reasons, three days later Elvis's long-time girlfriend, Linda Thompson, who more than anyone kept Elvis's drug habit is check, would leave him. And in a bit of hind-sight irony the last song before the quote above was, "Ain't it Funny How Time Slips Away."

I only tell this to make this simple point - we have no promise of tomorrow. Or as James puts it...

"Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15)

Our times are in the hands of God, and it is for Him we are to live. And since our journey through this life is amazingly brief make every moment count. A final note from recording above - it ends with the now famous announcement that "Elvis has left the building." What will be left when you take your bow and make your exit?

The first law of influence

I am sharing my teaching material from my Wed. night class "The Art of Biblical Leadership" on this video podcast

Here is a a sample....

Some New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep

It is no secret that most New Year resolutions are not kept, and by this point in the new year is when most start to crumble. So to help you out here is a short list of resolutions you can keep:

1. I am going to eat more and exercise less
2. I am going to watch more TV
3. I am going to spend less time listening and more time talking
4. I am going to max out my credit card
5. I will share my opinions without worrying about facts
6. I will always assume I am right
7. I will always assume you are wrong

So what do you think? OK, I wrote those hoping you would smile, but also to prove a point. To do the right thing we must be intentional and we must apply discipline and hard work. This is true in the spiritual realm. In order to grow in Christ and influence our families for Christ, we must "roll up our sleeves and get to work." We can begin that by giving ourselves over to the study of the Word of God. I am ready, are you?

Clip from Christmas Concert

I and the other pastors of Bible Center joined the BCC praise team for this song during their Christmas concert - first time playing the drums in public in 30 years! Enjoy

Resources for - Family Survival Kit Series

I mentioned a couple of resources in session one of the "Family Survival Kit" series that will soon be available on WaggonerMedia.com. One was the book the DNA of relationships. You can get it on AMAZON.com, I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to seriously improve your relationships.

A second resource is the National Institute of Marriage which offers intensive marriage counseling in both Branson, MO and Rome, GA. The website of this organizations is www.nationalmarriage.com/


If you want more information on "Core Fears" use this link
Core Fear Test Michael Smally

More on Core Fears and Connection and Control
Core Fears

MP3 Audio on DNA of Relationships


Article on the "Fear Dance" by Dr. Robert Paul
Egypt to the Promised Land

Blessings,
Jesse Waggoner