Revitalize Your Church

Today Cathy, Hannah and I visited the grave of Furman Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient (U.S. military's highest decoration) from the state of South Carolina. Smith, a 19-year-old farm boy from Six Mile, was in Lanuvio, Italy with Company L, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division in a mission to liberate Rome, when his unit came under heavy Nazi fire, wounding his commander and another soldier. Instead of retreating with the rest of the company, Furman Smith stayed with his fallen comrades in an attempt to protect them. Smith fought valiantly but eventually lost his life after being swarmed by a force of 80 German soldiers. Today, his name graces a highway about a mile from our home, and his body lies at rest in the Pleasant Hill cemetery between his parents and his younger brother, Mit, who died the following year at the tender age of 17. Researching Furman's story today, I discovered a sister born earlier died of the plague in 1918.  It it is sad to imagine ...

Here is the account from John Wesley's journal: Wednesday, May 24, 1738 In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested, “This cannot be faith; for where is thy joy?” Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation; but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the b...

Sometimes people avoid reality by praying for painless miracles when they should be dealing honestly with their situation.   " Watch and pray," Jesus said (Matthew 26:41).  To illustrate this point, Anthony de Mello relates the following tale in The Song of the Bird : The old man dearly loved his after-dinner pipe. One night his wife smelled something burning and shouted, "For heaven's sake, Pa!  You've set your whiskers on fire!" "I know it," answered the old man angrily. "Can't you see I'm praying for rain?" Image credit: Old Man Praying , artist Julian Falat

“We live by encouragement,” said actress Celeste Holm, “and we die without it – slowly, sadly, angrily.” Every person you meet needs encouragement.  It’s part of what it means to be human.  All of us need a boost from time to time, and nobody lives constantly on the mountaintop.  We need each other for regular upliftings. Most of us recognize this responsibility, and have a desire to encourage others, but often our attempts misfire.  Perhaps this is because personalities differ, and what encourages one person may not encourage another. Authors such as Joyce Littauer, Gary Smalley and Tim LaHaye, have identified four basic temperament types: Sanguine – “Let’s have fun.” Melancholy --  “Let’s go deep.” Choleric --  “Let’s get moving.” Phlegmatic – “Let’s get along.” Personally, as a sanguine, I’m inspired by inspiration. Just give me an uplifting quote or idea, and that will pump me up.  Positive thoughts help me combat a sagging spirit.  I peruse b...

George had problems -- lots of problems. George had problems with his wife.  She was too demanding. George had problems with his daughter.  She was too whiny. George had problems with his teenage son.  He was too irresponsible. George had problems with his boss.  He was too controlling. George had problems with his co-workers.  They were too opinionated. George had problems with his next door neighbor.  He as too chatty. George had problems with his mother-in-law.  She was too nosy. George had problems with people at church.  They were too hypocritical. George had problems with the grocery store cashier.  She was too slow. George had problems with the barber.  He cut it too close. George had problems with his children's teachers.  They were too strict. Problems, problems problems.  Poor George wondered why he had so many. Too bad he never did figure out what everybody else kn...

This month, Fred and Sondra Andrews retired from vocational ministry after serving Alive Wesleyan Church (Central, SC) since 1977. Before this, they were Wesleyan missionaries in Sierra Leone, Africa.  For the first 30 years at Alive (formerly known as First Wesleyan Church), Fred was the senior pastor -- and then, in a gesture of tremendous grace and humility, stepped aside, handing the reigns of leadership to a younger visionary, Tom Harding.  Since then, Pastor Fred and Sonnie have provided exceptional pastoral care for the congregation, shepherding the flock (especially the traditional service and long tenured members) in manner that looks much like Jesus.  The explosive and exponential attendance growth Alive Wesleyan Church experienced would never have occurred without the wholehearted support of this beautiful couple. They have demonstrated a Christlike spirit through difficult transitions and joyful hope that believes the best.  Fred and Sonnie stand as...