"Begin, the Rest is Easy"

So goes the cliche signboard in several locations around my place of secular employment.
The quote is attributed to George Jenkins, founder of the Publix chain of grocery stores. It might work for your basic grocery store employee, but this Jesus thing is a whole new ballgame. Persistance is the key to the Christian life. Beginning means nothing without persistance. In an effort to keep myself consistant, I want to give a few posts about my theology, how that theology is applied, and what my theology implies. Ultimately, I will give my philosophy of ministry.
To Begin:

I believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and the Son of God.

There's a lot of things that are packed into that one statement, and because it is so meaningful it is the only thing that I confess that could possibly be construed as a Creed. Think about what "Christ" implies: He is annointed of God, the One spoken of in the Old Testament, the "Crusher" of Genesis 3, the "Healer" of Isaiah 53, the "Forsaken" of Psalm 22, the "root" the "vine" the "branch" of all the prophets, a prophet like Moses (who saw God and revealed Him to us). The list goes on and on. I think to confess that Jesus is Christ makes the Nicene Creed redundant. So does the confession that He is the Son of God.
What a scandal!
As a church, few things should impact us as much as the fact that Jesus is God's only Begotten Son. Think about how that impacts the relationship between God and man.
It drives me crazy just to think about it.
So I've begun.
I don't think it can stop...
GB HOYT

Thoughts on Restoration...

In 1906 a curious division occured between two groups that claimed to be devoted to restoring unity and the teaching of the "New Testament". The two groups were labeled as "Christian Churches" and "Churches of Christ". The Churches of Christ are most distinguishable in their a cappella church worship services. Christian Churches not only had musical instruments, but some even joined in community efforts at evangelism under various missionary societies.
Today there are relics from this split. While there are some instrumental Churches of Christ most are southern, and still a cappella. The "Christian Church" split again after world war two to formally form the so called "independent" churches and the "Disciples of Christ".
Me, I'm into restoration of the personal kind...
That's what B.A.S.I.C. is ultimately all about, restoring people to God through Christ.
How has your life been restored?
Let's hear your testimony!
GB HOYT

Some second Sunday Sermonizing....

Keep Praying, things are working.
I thought I was going to spend the weekend in GA, promoting the mission, but that didn't work. It seems like sometimes God thinks that doing ministry is more important than fundraising. I guess that's because People want results, and tonite I got some.
There's this dude named Mike I used to see downtown, sometime about 9-10 months ago he disappeared after we prayed downtown. He was having a rough time, his ex-wife had died, and he was feeding a nasty drug habit. We prayed together, and I didn't see him again until tonite. Turns out, the next day he had a heart attack. dropped right next to lake E. Bola (eola for you non locals in the know), and a nurse who was jogging through the park rescued him. After he got out of the hospital, he got into a treatment program, and now works at a oil change place in Hunter's creek. He seems to be doing well. Now we need to get him plugged into a church. Something to keep praying about.
We served 31 People tonite. We need shoes bad. I don't know who I will see each week, but it's something that I consistently see we need.

Here's the prayer requests:

James A Ken : Job Security
Yvette G. Murray : Jesus bless your ministry. Prayer for obedience in Christ's ways! Amen!
Redfeather Stands : Pray for me so I can overcome my addictions.
Kelvin Dickey : Help in my situation
Jean Yates : Pray for my fiance Lawrence
Anthony Johnson : A job and a place to stay.

Thanks for your prayers, they are making a diffence, and don't forget about Mike!!!!!