The Man In My Mirror

As some of you know I have been preaching an expository series on Romans doing verse by verse. I try to take each passage from Romans and break it down. I try to take myself and the church on a journey in the Spirit that brings us closer to the Lord. Because I know that Holy Spirit has a special message us. Something that builds us up as Christians, as a body of believes, and keeps us in line with teaches of the Holy Spirit.
For those who are not acquainted with expository preach, simply put it is just explaining what a verse or word means. The advantage of expository preaching is that it keeps me from getting stale in my preaching by preaching on the same topics over and over again.
As you know Romans is written by the Apostle Paul who is being lead by the Holy Spirit. Paul pushes all the buttons as he makes one look in every dark closet of one’s life. So the pastor who preaches Romans verse by verse is forced to preach messages that are just a little harder and a little closer to home than many people might like, but I have never been one to run from anything.
Every day, I have to look at the man in my mirror and answer the same old question. Lord, how did I measure up! There are times when I have to ask the Lord for forgiveness and seek to do better today. Looking at the man in our mirror is really about soul searching. I think we could call it the hypocrite check. It is not fun or even pleasant, but it is something men and women do to see who and where they stand as a person, or in my place as a Christian. May be Jesus said it best in Matthew 23: 23-36. As once a year, the tombs (graves) in Jerusalem were repainted. They were made to look new and polished so they would be attractive as people walked by. But they may be clean and attractive on the outside. But that did not change what was on the inside. They were still tombs (graves) and inside the still stunk as they still held the bones of the dead. Remember the “Law” stated that anything dead was unclean. If a Jew touched a dead person or their bones, then they would be considered just as unclean until they go to the priest and was cleansed; Jesus called them “whitewashed tombs.” Jesus was pointing out to them that they were not only ceremonially unclean; but they were unclean in the eyes of Almighty God. Yes, they talked the talk, but they could not and did not walk the walk. At the end of the day; it is not about what others think. It comes down to the man in our mirror. Seeking forgiveness and asking for forgiveness daily. Everyone lives in a glass house.

As For Me and My House We Celebrate Christmas

I Celebrate Christmas

I celebrate at Christmas because Jesus really came.

And I believe the message that the angels sang.

I believe the story that the shepherds told.

And I believe the Wise Men brought their gifts of gold.

I celebrate because I believe.

The world could be a “Christmas Time” of peace and joy,

If each of us would take as King God’s baby Boy.

I believe we all can know forgiving love,

When we receive the Savior sent down from above.

Yes, I celebrate because I believe.

Christmas is about eternal hope and cheer.

About the gift of life and light to those who’ll hear.

To the Christ of Bethlehem be true and bold,

And help me tell the greatest story ever told.

To the Christ of Bethlehem be true and bold,

And help me tell this greatest story every told.

Yes, I celebrate because I believe.

May you too believe and have a Merry Christmas...

Key Peninsula Baptist Church

Scripture: Matthew 16: 13-18 Looking at Simon Peter and seeing the Rock
Only the Lord Jesus Christ could see a Rock in that miry hunk of clay.

Scripture in a nutshell: Going from diapers to training pants is always trial and error!

Sunday Praise and Worship Service is at 10am come and be a blessing and be blessed.

At Large and In Charge

See You Later Oki-chan

On May 20th 2009, Regina and I said “see you later Oki-chan” for the last time this side of glory. He was our pug of almost 13 years! What a stoic, cobby, compact tank of a dog. At time you would swear that he was all head with big beautiful eyes. (By the way Oki only had eyes for his Mommy, Regina!!!) He had a fawn coat that shed like a dog ten times his size. He had a lazy uncurled tail, and he was in no way show quality. You have heard of a heat seeking missile, well he was a “comfort seeking” dog; always looking for a lap to get on or someone to nap with.
Oki-chan was a lot of dog in a small package. I never said we owned a pug, no one owned him as he was loyal to himself. He was originally from Okinawa, Japan. When he wanted, he was playful, mischievous (not hateful or mean), easy going, highly intelligent, and again, I must say stoic. We never had to punish him, but he was often distant or charming in a sneaky kind of way. His motto seemed to be “I am at large and in charge”! Children loved him, but he was aloof with them, unless they were eating, and then he wanted them to share with him.
We took a number of pictures of Oki, but my favorite was one of him wearing my old Green Beret from Vietnam (which I still have). He looked so cool! This is the last picture we took of him with Regina and me. The old guy was stoic as always.
I guess I said all this to answer the question I as a Pastor have been asked many times. My answer to it is always the same. “Do dogs go to heaven?” The Bible does not speak of dog or cats in heaven, but it does speak of horses and other animals. So I believe, yes our beloved pet will be with us in heaven. I also believe that there will be animals, fishes, and birds of all types. I believe our Creator God has a plan for all His creation and created beings. I pray that you will someday have the joy of being owned and loved by a pug. God’s Blessings Always, Pastor Butch
PS… Yes there are tears in my eyes and on my keyboard
The American Kennel Club: “The Pug is well described by the phrase "multum in parvo" which means "a lot of dog in a small space." They are recognized for their even-tempers, playful personalities, and their outgoing, loving dispositions. This square and cobby breed comes in fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn or black, with a well-defined "mask" on his muzzle. A popular companion dog, the pug also excels in the show ring”.

Key Peninsula Baptist Church

Key Peninsula Baptist Church
By Pastor Butch Hall Sermon OL May 17, 2009

I AM UNASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL Romans 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the Righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.”

The Apostle Paul took great pride in the Gospel of Christ:

· Because of the PERSON the Gospel of Christ ADVOCATES
Jesus Christ is God made visible, audible, and in a tangible form.
· Because of the POWER the Gospel of Christ REVEALS
It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
· Because of the PURPOSE the Gospel of Christ PROVIDES
Salvation of all mankind is the Purpose, the Provision, and the Product of the Gospel.

The Apologetics Study Bible

The reason I enjoy studying The Apologetics Study Bible is basically; if ever there was ever a time in which we needed to study apologetics it is now. The facts are over whelming as see Christianity being under attack not only by the world, but also many denomination, and so called Christian churches.
There are far too many Christians who know little about fighting the good fight of the faith. To many Christians and churches had rather switch than fight! It is only through a sound study of apologetics that we will have rational, intelligent, and relevant explanations of their faith in Jesus Christ and have the ability to stand up to the critics of Christian and the prejudiced of nonbelievers. I hope you will join me in the study of God's word and use Ephesians 6:10-20 to see just how strong you are in your walk with the Lord. Love and Blessings Always, PB