Blog Posts - Daniel Ausbun

What I've Learned From Empty Pews

5/29/2020

Recording Sunday Evening - May 31st's Sermon

Last Sunday Broadway welcomed back people in the pews. We haven't had an "open service" since Sunday March 15 - that's 9 consecutive Sundays of preaching on Sunday mornings to a live online audience - locked doors and empty pews in the sanctuary.

Here's from I've learned from "online church:"

1). It began exciting and missional, but then it waned. I've always viewed online church as second-best. If you're sick, homebound, you're at work Sunday mornings, you're on an airplane - it's there if you physically can't come to the sanctuary. I believe COVID has changed the attitudes of worship. The doctrine of worship needs to be preached and taught among believers. Online worship shouldn't be a believer's primary worship experience.

I'm seeing many believers who want to worship on their schedules. They might tune in Sunday mornings, but if something's going on, they'll choose to worship Monday or Thursday evening and listen to the podcast. It's extremely consumer-driven and can be dangerous. In Acts 20:7, the early church met on the first day of the week, this is Sunday, the day Christ rose from the dead. Jesus didn't rise on Tuesday, He rose on Sunday. Every Sunday is an Easter celebration. You're remembering the first day of the week that Christ is alive.

2). Age-group ministries, such as children, youth & collegiate can't be tied to public school systems and universities. If churches are waiting to "return to normal" with public schools and colleges, then the school administration or state governor is setting the schedule for a church's ministry. What if the school year for 2020-2021 is 100% online?

The way to avoid this is to pivot from age-group ministries to connection, community life, family and missional living ministries. It's a model that continues to minister to all age groups, but a minister isn't stuck in one lane - and government has less influence on scheduling.

3). Telephone and snail-mail ministry is appreciated. Folks stuck at home have enjoyed a call or card. A note of encouragement carries meaning - let the mailman bring others a blessing. Our children love receiving mail and answering the landline. If you can't see people "in person" you can stay connected without being online. Ministry leaders should be taking extra time on the phone and mailing notes of encouragement.

3 Reasons 2020's National Day of Prayer is of Most Importance

5/2/2020

This Thursday, May 7 is National Day of Prayer. I believe this year's NDP is probably the most-important Day of Prayer we've ever lived through. I'm going to list three reasons why the day began by the Continental Congress in 1775 is something you'll want to make time to participate in.

1). Christians should be known for our prayer. Jesus said, "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!" (Luke 19:46). When we fail to pray, we're stealing from God. We're communicating to God and everyone else, "I can do it myself. I'm fine." If Christians don't pray, they won't experience the power of God. No healing, no change, no deliverance from sin, no revival.

2). We're amidst a national and worldwide pandemic. Uncertainty is everywhere. You should be praying that God uses the coronavirus to bring spiritual renewal to America and the nations. Government cannot fix us, politics cannot heal us. Set aside time Thursday to pray for an awakening; pray for people throughout the earth to turn to Jesus Christ.

3). Don't return to "Normal." If your prayer life was in decline or non-existent, now is the time to change your daily prayer habits. This season of isolation and quarantine should provide the time - it should be an encouragement to fall to our knees. Only God can bring change, salvation comes from the Lord (Psalm 62:1). Gather your family on Thursday and pray for your country, your president, your job, your friends, your pastor, your church, your witness, and ask God to use the coronavirus to draw people to His Son.

Set a reminder on your phone. Make Thursday's NDP a top priority.

15 Truths in 15 Years

4/17/2020

Today is 15 consecutive years as a pastor. Two churches, 15 years. I'm typing this in one of the most unique seasons - COVID-19 has created nationwide stay-at-home orders. I've become an internet preacher. The online audience is now the primary audience. This year's top 15 are in light of the coronavirus.

Here are 15 truths I believe:

1). Pastoral care continues to be important. Social media serves as an online commercial - folks still appreciate a call, email or text.

2). Online audience is just as important as the physical audience. You're speaking to those watching at home and in the pew.

3). The days of "packed in like sardines" could be over. For the next year or so, folks likely will want to sit one pew away from another worshiper. Months of social distancing will have a lasting impact.

4). Pastors are content creators. Whether it's a sermon, blog post, Facebook story, Instagram picture, or teaching handout - I'm constantly creating content.

5). TV, movies, sports, stock market, politics, video games = total waste of time. I love sports, but have realized I can live without watching Major League Baseball in April. I'll never forget when Andy Stanley was asked about how he had time to write a book. He answered, "I write them while you're watching TV."

6). Globalism is impacting the local church. Laws and events that occur in Europe and Asia, eventually impact people in Lexington, Kentucky. For example, our mission trip to Vermont this summer has been postponed because of the coronavirus. I never would have imagined in January or February, our trip in July wouldn't occur because of a virus that broke out in Wuhan, China.

7). Local missions excites people. Christians love serving their communities. Partnerships with schools, social services, sports teams, and immigrant communities - are all opportunities to meet needs and share the Gospel.

8). It could be July until churches are permitted to meet again. The reopening of the economy will likely come in stages, with churches being opened last.

9). The church's mission is not to create worship services for the lost. The presence of God is what folks find attractive.

10). Shorter becomes better. Alot of folks aren't going to listen to a 45-minute sermon on their laptop or phone. There are likely more distractions while trying to worship at home.

11). Event ministries could struggle - at least for a year or so. People will think twice about getting on a bus, sleeping in bunk beds at camp, and going out to dinner in large groups. The attractional model of church ministry, might not be as attractive.

12). Folks will find comfort in the old hymns of the Christian faith. During times of uncertainty, "How Great Thou Art," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "Blessed Assurance," and "It Is Well with My Soul" will be songs believers desire to sing.

13). Community is king. What keeps people attached to a local church are relationships. One of the ways our church is creating community - during the month of April, everyone's reading one chapter of Proverbs a day.

14). Online giving is the new offering plate. The 2020 usher doesn't pass a plate, he shares a link online to give.

15). Spiritual disciplines need to be preached and taught as priority. Bible reading, fasting and prayer - believers have more time to grow in these disciplines. Alot of believers are going to emerge stronger from this quarantine.

Related Posts

15 Truths from 15 Years of Marriage
11 Truths in 11 Years
Ten Discoveries in Ten Years
9 Truths in 9 Years

14 Days (from Sherri)

4/6/2020

The coronavirus has an incubation period of 14 days. What if we could see into our future and ascertain that we would acquire this virus and our lives would dramatically change in a 14-day time period? What would we would differently? Would we squirrel away our earthly possessions in our garage to make sure there is plenty. Would we focus inwardly on ourselves and worry about the future; or perhaps focus outwardly so that our appearances to others were pleasing? If we were given 14 days before being hit with a possibly fatal virus that would take us here from earth, what would we reflect on as being the most important matters to invest in?
This question is hard, because I have to internalize it, and look at my own life. Am I investing in what really matters here on earth? Do I spend quality time with my children, do I pray for them daily, do I ask God for discernment, direction and guidance? Do I spend daily time with the Lord and pour over the scriptures to obtain direction? Do I look outside my home at the lost and dying people over this entire nation and globe that do not know the Lord. The hard answer is: not nearly enough.

Instead, I look at what is in front of me and become a Martha. Jesus tells a story about two women He was friends with in Luke 10:38-42. Mary wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet and spend time with Him. Martha wanted to serve. She wanted to make dinner, have the house clean, and make sure everyone was satisfied. Martha became upset with her sister Mary because she felt that she was not properly helping to pull her load of work. But Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I have always struggled with this story, because I want to side with Martha. Children must always be bathed, clothes must always be washed, dinners must be cooked, dishes must be put away, crumbs are always on the floor and the list goes on and on. All of these chores must be completed, but if you were given only 14 days on earth what would be most important?

For me this question causes me to shift my focus.

If I was to contract the coronavirus and become deathly ill within a 14-day time period I would want to dive deep into my relationship with God. I would want to spend quality time with my family. I would want to live the most genuine life possible so that others could see God’s love through my actions. I would not want to be known by my children, family and friends as the person who kept a tidy house and looked good. I would want to be known as a person whose fate was sealed by the blood of Jesus with complete assurance.

God has given us a rare gift. He has given us a time period to be still in a normally chaotic and crazy world full of activities and errands. Literally the United States has shut down except for essential workers. What are we doing with this gift of time? Lamentations 3:25-28 states, “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:27 tells us, “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Instead of fretting and worrying, watching the news and getting the latest updates through the internet, lets focus on God and the peace He freely provides.

Friends, I challenge you to look at your life and see what is most important. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 3 people in the United States will contract COVID-19. Will they all be fatal, certainly not. Should would be afraid? God tell us not to fear. Mark 5:36 says, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” But should we consider how we live our lives and what is most important? I would resoundingly answer, “yes.” We are mortals, only given a short time on this earth. We are not promised tomorrow. In the end what is most important? I am challenging myself with this question. What about you?

Three Things you need to do Today

3/27/2020

Attending the Wellington Elementary Parade

You're stuck at home. Eating. Watching TV, movies, scrolling social media, and playing video games. Here are three daily coronavirus goals you can complete - so you're not sitting on the couch all day thinking the world is coming to an end.

1). Use your telephone. I've been on the phone more this week than in a long time. When you call someone ask, "What are you up to?" "Do you know of anyone sick?" "Is there anything you need or I can pray for?" Instead of thinking of yourself at home, call someone and invest in them.

2). It's now Spring - which means it's time to clean. You need to clean out the garage, clean out your closet, cut the grass, plant flowers, paint the kitchen, walk the dog - make a donation to Goodwill (they're probably closed). The garbage man still runs, he'll pick-up your trash. Whenever things return to normal, folks should have immaculate houses and yards. As I type this, it's 80 degrees here in Lexington - perfect cleaning weather.

3). Spend extended time reading your Bible. There's never been a better time to catch-up on reading. Have you ever wanted to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation - cover to cover. Why not start tonight? Beginning in April, Broadway will begin reading one chapter of Proverbs a day.

Coronavirus Goals: Call Someone, Clean Something, Cover to Cover God's Word.

4 Ways to Maximize Online Worship

3/17/2020

Sunday March 15, 2020 at 10 a.m.

Today's St. Patrick's Day. Normally, folks are wearing green and pastors are talking about Patrick, a church planter and missionary to Ireland. Not this March 17. We had our weekly staff meeting this morning - for the next several Sundays will be online worship. The coronavirus has changed the location of our worship.

Many believers will be worshiping online for the next several Sundays. Here are four tips to prepare for worship at your home:

1). If you have a smart TV, use the Facebook Live app to watch the service. It's a better worship experience if you plug your phone or tablet into the TV.

2). Get out of bed, get dressed, bring your Bible, have your offering ready, prepare to sing the songs - gather the household in the living room and participate in the service. Give your undivided attention to God.

3). Invite others to join you. How? Share the service on your Facebook profile - host a Facebook Watch Party. Let your online friends know you're inviting them to worship. Replace an in-person invitation with a digital invite. You can participate in the service by making a comment, letting others know you're excited about joining the online community.

4). Pray of the service and for the Gospel to speak to others. Bow your head, pray for the other worshipers, if someone asks for prayer, pray for that request. One of the best ways of engaging with online worship is prayer.

Don't waste this unique season of social distancing - it allows new opportunities for online worship and digital ministry.

The Coronavirus (from Sherri)

3/9/2020

An outbreak of any magnitude raises alarm, so I thought to myself, why not watch “Outbreak” the movie with Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, Cuba Gooding Jr, and Patrick Dempsey just to name a few HUGE actors. Plot line: essentially a monkey from Africa infects America with an untreatable virus that threatens to kill the majority of Americans or infect them within a 48-hour time period. Panic ensues and quarantines are held. Doomsday movies abound including, “Bird Box,” The Book of Eli,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” and “The Terminator,” just to name a few. We are intrigued, like a terrible car accident, and cannot look away.

As I write this article there are 34 states in America that have tested positive for the coronavirus. As Christians what are we to do? Stockpile toilet paper, water, masks, dried goods and isolate ourselves from society out of fear? What’s amazing is that Jesus predicted behavior such as this during His time. Matthew 24:4 states, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Matthew 24:6-8 declares, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” We know as Christians that the world will worsen before Jesus returns. Yet should we fear for our lives?

I take comfort in knowing that in Job 14:5 God tells us, “A man’s days are numbered. You know the number of his months. He cannot live longer than the time You have set.” No matter what circumstances are surrounding us, no matter what epidemic, famine or war, we do not sift through Jesus’ hands unexpectedly. Jesus knows our last days, regardless of the circumstances or chaos surrounding our lives.

As we travel down the path of life, left to our own devices, sin can become encompassing and Jesus also prophesied this behavior thousands of years ago. 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable. Slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying it’s power.” So again I ask what are we to do as Christians that follow Jesus Christ. We are surrounded on all sides with sin and doom.

Isaiah 43:1 tells us, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” Jesus knows the future, and we as Americans are not guaranteed an earthly life that is free from pain or trouble. But Jesus tell us in John 16:33 that He has overcome “these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

As Christians what are we to do in the face of fear? Isolation is trending. The cruise ship industry is suffering, air travel has plummeted and international travel has been halted by the government in too many high risk areas abroad. I feel as never before that we must have an urgency for the Gospel. During crisis times, when people feel susceptible to death and must face their own immortality, they are often extremely open to hearing the Gospel as it exudes living hope. One of Jesus’ last commands on earth to believers was the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19-20. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” If we cling to the hope of Jesus Christ, surly we should feel propelled to tell others the good news. We know of a lifeline, and even though the scare of the coronavirus will pass, will we keep the urgency to spread the gospel? Matthew 24:44 states, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Again Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:13, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” No one here on earth can predict the end of their lives, or the limitations of sickness. The one true fact is that Jesus is our hope, our salvation, and He promises to remain true and give us peace in times of trouble. Do we have the compassion Jesus displayed throughout the New Testament to share such peace. Be brave. Be courageous, and do not fear. Go next door and tell your neighbor about Jesus as we never know the time or place Jesus will choose to bring us home to heaven.

Emphases added by author

Why Student Discipleship is Priority

2/28/2020

Zach Bauer speaking to teenagers on a Wednesday evening

Today begins Broadway's annual D-Now Weekend. D-Now stand for "Discipleship Now" - a 3-day weekend of evangelistic discipleship training for teenagers. Last week, the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, shared the crisis in baptisms among middle & high schoolers. Churches aren't leading teenagers to Christ as they did in past generations.

There's no better time for churches to hold D-Now Weekends - it should be a staple church event such as VBS is for children's ministry.

Why student discipleship?

First, teenagers are at the age they'll commit their lives to Christ. I was saved when I was 15 years old. Giving your life to Christ as a youth prepares you for a lifetime of service to the Lord. Use every opportunity to direct young people to Christ - they're open to what He offers.

Second, teenagers are distracted. Discipleship will not happen by accident - it's always intentional. This will be an ongoing struggle for youth. Parents, FCA leaders, and youth pastors should be a constant encouragement of daily living for Christ. Fighting for their attention is a constant battle.

Third, revivals and Gospel movements always begin with students. Hillsong and Passion are ongoing revivals. When you hear those two words, what age demographic do you think of? Despite both founding leaders being over 60 - they're associated with youth and college-age. Young people want to experience something greater than themselves.

The Transformation of Kanye West? (from Sherri)

1/20/2020

Kanye West and the Sunday Service Choir

SO I did a thing. I attended my 1st rap concert. Granted it was a converted Christ follower, but it was AMAZING! Misconceptions are easy to make based on your spouse, your clothes, your history and your prior actions or words. To experience a concert by Kanye West at the Strength to Stand Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN this past Sunday was to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

This world renown multi-million dollar rapper/singer/song writer stood up on the stage surrounded by a gospel choir, almost eliminating his stage presence. From the moment he spoke, words of scripture emanated from his mouth. To say he has been criticized is an understatement, from Christians that doubt his sincerity to previous music followers who denounce his current beliefs.

I have heard many doubt his conversion as a public ploy. Today I can tell you that I felt the Holy Spirit come down upon the LeConte Convention Center. God was with over 12,000 students present, making it one of the largest gatherings of Christian teenagers in America to date. I cried with his sincerity, with his desperate pleas that God will strengthen his legs to stand. The conference emphasized that the messages given were meant to be taken, not just for a moment, but for eternity.

There was once another conversion who turned people’s heads, Saul, a renowned Jewish leader that actively killed, jailed and persecuted Christians. Acts 9:1-2 states, “Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” One experience with Christ on the Damascus Road turned his life in a 180-degree path in Acts 9:3-9. I would venture to say that God transforms lives with astounding circumstances today, just as He did in Paul’s time. Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today and forever” Hebrews 13:8. God often uses the most unlikely suspects to spread the gospel. Zacchaeus was a thief, Moses for a murder, and Kanye West is a rapper - but it is not about us, but God.

The world will mock, doubt and discourage, but I pray that God will strengthen Kanye West, his family (Kim Kardashian West) and his ministry. His humility, God-given talent, and immersion of the Word was surreal. Matthew 7:1 states, “Do not judge, least you be judged.” I praise God that He allowed Christ to cover my sins with His blood so that I will not be judged as I should by this sinful life. I pray that God will strengthen His chosen ones and bring the gospel to the world, despite our sin and unworthiness. After all, it is about God’s glory, not ours.

Atypical Pastor’s Wife? (from Sherri)

1/15/2020

God called me into the ministry when I was 18 years old, with bright starry eyes of traveling the world to tell the unreached about the Gospel. Fast forward 7 years, I met my husband to be, who was in seminary studying to be a pastor. Never would I have dreamed of being a preacher’s wife, but obviously this is what God had planned for me when He touched my heart and led me into the ministry.

I come from a Godly home, but it was certainly not perfect, is there such a home? As I started out in college I went down the path many young people travel. Church attendance drops and God is substituted with worldly ventures. One day I woke up in a cloud of depression with God pulling me towards Himself. As Christians, God will allow us free will, but there are always consequences. For me, I became debilitated with depression until I chose to walk in God’s ordained path for my life.

If you know me, I love hard, have a loud mouth, and often don’t sensor my thoughts. I am silly, stubborn and get anxious when events don’t go the way I imagined. I seek approval of others and want everyone around me to be happy. I often get told that I am not a typical pastor’s wife. But what does that mean? I would venture to say that there is no such thing as a typical pastor’s wife. We are all called to serve the Lord and the church. God knows our faults, our sins, our struggles, we are all sinners that God has selected to use to spread the Gospel on earth. What a daunting honor.

With all my imperfections how can I serve our amazing, living God in such a way that will glorify Him? I do my best with God’s strength. I try to share the joy I feel from the Lord in a genuine way. Do people read my intentions wrong? Do I come across as insincere? I honestly don’t know. I struggle with my self worth and my ability. Yet God constantly brings people across my path to share His love and encourage them in their walk with Christ.

I am not a perfect example of anything. But are any of us really? Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And because of this mercy the Lord tells us to, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11

I would venture to say that I am more like the regular church attender than others realize. God has just happened to call our family into a leadership role. My children whine, fight, complain, and I grumble. Some mornings, I am so tired I could absolutely sleep through church. I worry about what other church members think about me and if I am even an effective tool of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:1-3 states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

My friends, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 Don’t let fear, discouragement or lack of self-confidence influence your ability to speak truth into other’s lives. Be the preacher’s wife in someone else’s life. An imperfect, saved by grace (flamboyant) person who wants others to know about Jesus’ saving love. Be bold in your faith and see how God will use your gifts and abilities that are unique to yourself. Do not let Satan discredit your effectiveness but claim Christ in victory.

3 Commitments You Need to Make in 2020

1/4/2020

New Year's Eve at the Magic Kingdom

This past New Year we celebrated by joining thousands of other families by going to Disney World. The Magic Kingdom was so crowded on December 31 - Disney closed the park. One of the workers told me when it reaches capacity of 100,000 - it has to close for safety.

The line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was 210 minutes. I took a picture - see below. That's 3 hours and 30 minutes for one ride!

Disney does one thing exceptionally well - they're committed to making memorable experiences. They want to please you, the consumer. They're prepared to accommodate anyone. The girls' hair appointments took longer than expected; they gave Sherri free fastpasses. You leave their four parks not thinking about how hot and humid it was, or how much everything cost, or how you spent nearly the whole day standing in line - rather how much you enjoyed everything. Disney's focus is on you.

God wants us to do the same for Him. Disney's commitment is to you; God wants our commitment to Him.

Here are three commitments you need to make in 2020:

First, you need to commit to the church. God created and established the local church. We worship Him weekly by supporting what He established. You will not grow closer to Christ if you rarely or half-hearted attend a local church. Christians gather at church.

Second, you need to commit to God's Word. Same principle as the church, if you aren't reading Scripture, you're not growing in your relationship with God. We know God through the Bible.

Third, you need to commit to keeping your word. Jesus said let your "yes" mean "yes" and your "no" mean "no" (Matthew 5:37). If you tell someone on Facebook you're praying for them, stop everything you're doing and pray for them. If you tell someone you'll see them at Sunday School, knowing you'll likely not attend, you're lying. Spiritual growth comes from doing what you say you're going to do. If you made a New Year's resolution on Wednesday, keep it until December 31, 2020

The Importance of Christmas Eve

12/25/2019

Today's Christmas. Last night was Broadway's Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Nearly every church in our city held a candlelight service - several churches held multiple candlelight services - even on the Sunday beforehand.

Non-believers attend candlelight services - this provides a great opportunity to explain the Gospel. Christmas Eve is important because of the anticipation of Christmas - only one night away.

If you have family members who don't know Christ, use your church's Candlelight, Easter, New Year's, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Veteran's Day, Fourth of July - special holidays throughout the year can be springboards to sharing the Gospel. Folks enjoy coming to something special - Jesus came today in Bethlehem for lost people to know God.

Last month I was in at the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Crossover evangelism training, and the executive director, Todd Gray, shared an important conversation principle - "As long as someone's listening, you continue talking with them about Jesus." What he means, our best conversations are those about Christ, we want to continue sharing and allow God to speak to listeners - you never know what God is doing in someone's life.

Related Post:
How to Share Christ with your Family this Christmas

Living in a SEC College Town

8/23/2019

Wednesday Night Youth Group!

This week is K-Week for the University of Kentucky - this means college students are moving in. Tonight begins high school football. Tomorrow begins SEC football, at least for Florida.

Lexington is a college-town - a young city with a rotating number of students passing through. This year's incoming freshman class at UK is the largest in history. The school is growing in numbers and influence.

I still believe the decisions people make between ages 18-24 shape the rest of their lives. It's critical that believers and churches are having influence on young adults in their late teens and early twenties.

Here are some facts I've observed about young people in a college town:

1). There's too much going on. There's an event somewhere everyday. It's a fight for attention. Don't take "no" as a personal rejection. For every "yes," that young adult said "no" to 20 other things, people and events.

2). These 7 years can be the best times spiritually for young adults. Single, no children, little responsibility - what an opportunity to spend time with God, be committed to missions, and experience personal revival!

I was at UK's BCM two nights ago and met some outstanding young disciples. An excited, young believer has a lifetime ahead of him to devote to the Lord. John Piper wrote a book about this, Don't Waste Your Life.

3). You have to begin the friendship. If you're waiting for teens to come to you, you'll be waiting and waiting. Discover their interests, passions, and step into their lives. This ministry won't fall into your lap. Children's ministry falls into your lap, not student or college ministry.

When I was 18, I was discipled by my youth pastor in the basement of his church-owned home. When I was 23, a man from Campus Outreach met with me weekly at a Mediterranean restaurant.

Today's college students are tomorrow's influencers. College towns are exciting because of the potential impact of who's there. What a blessing for someone to come to Lexington, Tuscaloosa or Auburn and say, "I came to college to learn, but most importantly, I found Christ!"

UK's Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) at Death by Chocolate

Christianity + Pride Festivals

6/29/2019

Lexington, Kentucky

Downtown Lexington

This weekend is Lexington's Pride Festival. A two-day downtown event that was attended by 32,000 people last year. This June, the city has been promoting it and is expecting larger crowds. This year, the Fayette County Public Schools will have their first-ever booth at PrideFest.

The University of Kentucky and Kroger (where I shop) are two of many sponsors of this festival. This year's festival also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City (this was the beginning of the gay rights movement).

Today's #LexPride headline entertainer, Shadina, who is a R&B singer, known as "the Queen of Pride," said, "There's too many other things going on in the world to be worried about people's sexuality. Pride means love is love, and God loves us all."

All of this poses a crash course collision for Bible-believing Christians. How should a Christian respond with rainbow flags all around?

I believe the Bible, and don't consider myself to be a bigot or prejudice. But...I live in a city, shop at a grocery store, cheer for a SEC team, and send our children to a public school system that believes differently than I.

How do I hold to historic biblical Christianity, yet live among promotion of LGBT values?

First, the Bible is crystal clear about homosexuality. It is condemned in both the Old & New Testaments (Leviticus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

The word, "Sodomy" comes from Genesis 19:1-13 when the men of Sodom were trying to have sex with two male angels who were visiting Lot. God rained burning sulfur on Sodom, because their sin was so great.

Jesus affirmed marriage between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:5). Nowhere in the Bible, is there anything positive about homosexuality.

Second, all people (including Christians) will stand before and give an account to God (Hebrews 9:27). God does not care what our culture thinks about progressive sexual ethics. Even if all 7.5 billion people on earth voted to approve of homosexuality, it would still be wrong.

Our lives must line-up with God, He doesn't follow our changing culture. God doesn't change (Psalm 119:89).

Third, Jesus died for everyone, including the adulterer and homosexual offender. Jesus loves all sinners (Luke 19:10).

A Christian should never approve of any sin, salvation is turning from sin and towards Christ. Shadina is correct when she says, "God loves us all."

In response to God's love, we're called to repent and believe in Christ.

Should Christians participate in today's Pride Festival? No.

God wants you and I to tell our homosexual co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors about His Son. Jesus loves and died for the LGBT community. Anyone can be saved.

We must choose sides. Whom will we serve? A believer cannot serve God and endorse sin. You can't "go along to get along."

Christians must boldly stand for biblical truth, even if homosexuality is normalized, the Gospel demands repentance.

15 Truths from 15 Years of Marriage

5/22/2019

Daniel & Sherri in Nazareth, Israel - January 2019

Today is Sherri and I's 15-year anniversary. We were married by Dr. Bryan Gunn, Director of Operations of EBS, on May 22, 2004 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. At the time, Dr. Gunn was the administrative pastor at Shades Mountain Baptist - we were his first wedding. I was in the Ph.D. program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Sherri was the state trainer of Alabama for Progressive Insurance.

Here are 15 truths from 15 years of marriage:

1). Be prepared to move. In 15 years, we've moved three times. Our first home was seminary housing in New Orleans. In April 2005 we moved to Moreland, Georgia, and in December 2016, we moved to Lexington, Kentucky.

2). Children change your life. Our first year of marriage was childless - we did whatever and whenever we wanted. Those days are long gone.

3). Your marriage is more important than your children. After Jesus, the best thing you can give your children is a Christ-centered marriage they can model when they're married.

4). Married couples should worship and serve the Lord through their church. God only created three institutions: Marriage, Family, and the Church. You've given your life to Jesus, you've married your spouse, you raise children, and everyone in your house worships and serves the Lord through your local church. This is God's plan for you.

5). Discuss money daily. You and your spouse must know how much money is being spent. Nightly questions: What did I buy today? What do we need to purchase tomorrow? What bills need to be paid? Financial communication is your friend.

6). Your marriage rests on trust. You must believe what your spouse says and encourage transparency. The truth matters - your marriage can't be built on deceit.

7). Critical words don't promote positive actions. Criticizing, insulting, hollering, yelling - negatives don't create positives.

8). God speaks to you through your spouse. Your spouse is able to speak wisdom into you because they know you best. Sherri has told me things I need to do, things I need to change.

9). Premarital counseling can be blueprint for the future. Sherri and I had realistic expectations. Too much emphasis is placed on the wedding, once the 30-minute wedding is over, real life begins.

10). Your spouse's problems become your problems. Their past, friends, family - become yours.

11). Your spouse and your children will follow more of what you do than what you say. Empty promises, threats, and plans fall on deaf ears. Your family follows your actions - they know the real you. The phrase, "Talk is cheap," has some truth to it.

12). It's hard to get away from younger children. "Date Nights" and "Get Away Weekends" sound great, but aren't always possible. Sherri and I have joked, "When someone has a new baby, they go missing in action from church for two years." The more children, the more anchored.

13). The more you do together, the better. Think we, not me. You're not single anymore, your plans should be their plans.

14). Marriage mirrors God's covenant relationship with His people. God never promised: "perfect happiness" or "conflict-free living." If happiness is the goal of marriage, you'll get divorced as soon as the happiness wanes.

15). A Christ-centered relationship and an other-centered attitude along with a commitment to making your marriage flourish - this attitude shows your marriage isn't about you. God desires you to be an encourager to your spouse, not a critic. Build up rather than tear down.

Related Post:
5 Lessons Learned in 10 Years of Marriage

The Ausbuns at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in November 2017