The Church around the world has been filled with lots of questions that seem to have no answer. People are always wanting to “tap-in” to the power that is portrayed in the gospels but rarely come up with any resemblence of it. I believe the “parables” that Jesus taught His followers has the answers to those questions. I believe the parables are filled with God’s Power, Potential, Value, and Wisdom for the church to obtain. All the answers we seek can be extracted from the parables and infused into our faith to give us the opportunity to reach those promised victories that the Bible proclaims! As I meditated on some of these difficult questions I came up with this little story that I read in church on Sunday, I hope it will encourage you. It goes like this…
The church has been standing in their sorrows with their disappointments and broken dreams, wearing yesterday’s misfortunes like a smile. Once our hearts were full of future, filled with all our hopes and dreams, which have been abandoned as they’re going out of style. Yet we keep right on changing for the better or the worse, searching for a shrine we’ve built but never found. Never knowing if believing is a blessing or a curse, or if showing up is worth the letting down.
We have poets, who are prideful, and some prophets who should hide. With many preachers leading pilgrims all astray. Looking more and more pathetic as they journey on life’s way, while the problems never seem to go away. She’s a walking contradiction, partly truth but mostly fiction, taking every wrong direction on the lonely path back home.
We have tasted good and evil in the knowledge we’ve obtained. And we’ve traded in tommorow for yesterday. Running from the devils and yet reaching for the stars while losing all we’ve loved along the way. As this world keeps on a turning for the better or the worse, and all we ever get to view is peoples frowns. But from the rocking of the cradle to the rolling of the Hurst, there’s a chance to make a difference by His Crowns!
But we’ll have to find His Kingdom like the treasure hid in a field, for it holds the hopes of all that faith can yeild. We can overcome misfortunes and restore the Truth that heals, if by faith we sell all else and buy that field! Let’s not listen to false prophets, nor the poets who will not pray. Let’s get on the road to freedom right away! For His field is full of fortunes we call the treasure of the way, waiting for the faithful who refuse to stray!
Blessings,
RB
Last Updated: September 29th, 2009 |
Our Band of Brothers men’s conference was a huge success! The theme was “No Matter the Cost” and the message was on time. Our topics were , “No Matter the Cost,” “Unity,” “Courage,” and “Humility.” We see men “stepping up” to their rightful place in the home, on the job, and in society and it’s getting really exciting. The fellowship and meals were fantastic, so I can’t wait for our next conference…
RB
Last Updated: May 14th, 2009 |
What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
What is a Christian?
What is the Church?
What is the Church supposed to do?
The Kingdom of Heaven is the “government” of heaven under the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to establish this Kingdom in the earth and His Kingdom has rules, or guidelines for those who become citizens. A Christian is simply a “follower of Christ” and a student of His teachings. The Church is the “body of Christ” in the earth today. The Kingdom of Heaven is not seen by the natural eye, but the Church is to be the “visible” expression of that Kingdom. That leads me to the last question, and I believe the Church is supposed to “do the works” that Jesus began both to do and teach!
RB
Last Updated: March 30th, 2009 |
Kassidy, who is our youngest child, is in the 8th grade at Central Middle School. She wrote a poem last month and the teacher asked her to read it to the whole student body of the Middle School. It was her first poem to ever write, and her first public presentation of any kind but it went great for her and once again we count our blessings! We love you Kassidy!
Proud parents,
Mom & Dad
Last Updated: March 2nd, 2009 |
We’re so proud to see Lance, our son, doing such a great job in accounting work for the ministry. Lance took on this responsiblity around October of 2008 and has been doing a tremendous job working with our CPA and our accounting department while getting his training in that field. This is a perfect fit for Lance and Jodi and I are thrilled to see his growth by leaps and bounds in fulfilling this calling!
We love ya Son,
Mom & Dad
Last Updated: March 2nd, 2009 |
In WWII Colonel Doolittle and a group of volunteer airmen were selected to launch an attack against Japan. This was a very stategic move that marked the beginning of the end of WWII. The men called themselves “The Tip of the Sword” signifying the first strike team leading the way into the final battles. Their mission was accomplished and it breathed new life into our fighting forces and turned the war around.
The Tip of the Sword is what I relate to the Sword of the Spirit for spiritual warfare. The “first strike” against the enemy’s temptations that invade our lives through thought and suggestion. To learn how to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, is going to determine the outcome of your faith battles! Your first response of “it is written” is so important when temptations come, and they will come to all! I’ll update this as the Lord graciously pours this message into our hearts at The Rock Church. This is the first message that was given on March 1, 2009 so if you are interested stay tuned… “The Best is Yet to Come!”
Keep believing!
RB
Last Updated: March 2nd, 2009 |
We are so proud to announce that Lauren, the oldest of our three kids, graduated from LSU on December 19, 2008. She has worked really hard and very dilligently for the past 5 years to accomplish her degree in Health and Nutrition. Lauren went with me on my recent trip to Israel as a part of our graduation present to her for all of her hard work. Lauren congratulations and we believe your best is yet to come!
We love ya!
Mom & Dad
Last Updated: March 2nd, 2009 |
We had a wonderful trip on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I and my daughter, Lauren, went to Israel on Jan 12 and returned home on the 23rd. We were with a great group from Word of Life Church of St. Joseph, Mo. Pastors Brian & Peri Zahnd really made our trip an unforgettable experience. There is so much to see and do in Israel that you can hardly absorb it all in one trip so I can’t wait for our next one! I will post some of our pics on the website as soon as we can sort through them.
God bless,
RB
Last Updated: January 29th, 2009 |
We brought in the new year in one of our favorite places… Destin, Fla.! We enjoyed spending quality family time together laughing about things that happened in 2008, and sharing hopes and dreams for 2009. I had time to write on my new book, (that I feel in my heart is a tremendous revelation – at least for me), and also preparing for our Vision for this new year. It’s so awesome to experience God’s grace and encouragement especially when you turn on the news and find nothing to be excited about. I believe with all my heart that if we’ll obey Christ in this new year, and focus on His Wisdom for our lives, then we are going to reflect more of His Glory than we’ve ever imagined possible! Jodi and I with our wonderful children are filled with anticipation and expectation for Christ to show himself strong on our behalf! We hope you are sensing what we are because we believe with you that “THE BEST IS YET TO COME.” And it has nothing to do with the political changes, or any other reason except that Jesus is moving in His Church!
God’s richest blessing,
RB
Last Updated: January 5th, 2009 |
2008 is history, 2009 has come to us in a grand entry. Extreme is how man will make a name for himself, just like the two stuntmen who brought the new year in with extremes by jumping a motorcycle 100 feet into the air, and doing a “backflip” in a truck! (Never been done before!) Unless you live in the realm of extreme the world isn’t watching and its because they aren’t fulfilled unless it’s on the edge of death defiance. Man is quickly running out of extreme ideas so what’s next? We already have modern “gladiators” in the octagon of Ultimate Fighting. Sports arena’s are the future so it seems. There is a distinct line of separation between the rich and poor. Whatever can be done to make a fortune is being layed on the line no matter what the cost to human existance.
So what’s in store for those who cannot “compete” with the entertainment and extreme competition of our culture? I want to inject right now that I an not cynical, nor am I skeptical, but just seeking something that can be fulfilling for all who want to live the fulfilled life. I know that when men strive to compete in the extreme world, the margin for error grows increasingly smaller by the event! If its not life threatening its almost not worth watching. It didn’t take much to send the nation of America into a financial crisis because of the extreme mentality to stand out in the world as a “superpower.’
Now more than ever we need revival in this country. We need uncompromised truth as a line of distinction that manifests the covenant relationship with God in Christ. I believe our best is truly yet to come, because when man runs out of idea’s and runs head on into the impossible it is then that he will look for what’s really necessary to satisfy and be fulfilled in life, or he’ll self-destruct in the process. As we press into 2009 lets do so with understanding of our times, and a willingness to yeild to a move of God. The uncertainty felt in the world is the platform for the extreme believer to be thrust into the “viewfinder” of what man is longing for. It could begin to empty out hospitals, and bring about the financial deliverance that can bring the stability back to our nation. Marriages could become beacon’s of light to the world as God’s plan for man. Our homes can be the peace that appeals to the longing soul of man.
I believe 2009 is going to bring that “turning point” we’ve been longing for as Christians. People are going to look for answers and I believe we know the answer! There’s an outpouring waiting to happen in our generation, a rebuilding the old waste places, and a raising up the foundations of generations who ushered in God’s Presence for their time. The flag is no longer a respected symbol of freedom, the ten commandments are banished from public places, homosexuals are being given rights, prayer is long gone from school, the line of right and wrong is slowly being erased and overshadowed by what appeals to the satifying of the flesh. Literally a generation is shaking its fists in the face of God and declaring “we don’t need you.” That could very well change in 2009 so get ready…
You can start expecting 2009 to bring great things for God’s people,
RB
Last Updated: January 1st, 2009 |
