The King is Coming...

ARE YOU READY?

We just finished the "Face of the Future" series yesterday and the End is now 5 Sunday's closer than it was at the start. Jesus is coming!

However...we should always refrain from the foolishness of suggesting exact times and dates. Jesus said that "the Son of Man does not even know". If He didn't know for sure when He was coming, but knew He was coming soon - I think it's safe to assume that we will not know exactly when He is coming, but we can know that His coming is closer than ever before.

My favorite word to describe the nearness of His coming is "imminence". And that's why we must live and love and serve with such a sense of urgency. Because the days are short until the Day. So our missional journey is not only driven by compassion and concern for the lost and the least. It is driven by our view of eschatology (study of last things), which says that if we want to show the world that Jesus loves them - we'd better do it now.

This past Sunday, Brian and the worship team introduced us to a great new song called "God of this City". The phrase "greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city" keeps running through my head. This is what God has called us to...not someday somewhere but here and now, for the Day of His appearing is now nearer than ever before.

We're on a mission from God...
Frank

Maranatha Ya'll!

Luke 21:28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

It seems like folks are coming to Rolling Hills these days with a sense of anticipation. There is a sense that God is at work...that His love is running rampant...that we are on the verge of a breakthrough. It's very exciting!

I try to say it often, but I'm sure I don't say it often enough, I appreciate our worship team (the band, the vocalists, the lead worshippers, the techies). You guys do a great job in creating an environment that is conducive to worship. Thanks for all you do! I'm a better, deeper, more consistent worshipper because of you. We worshipped with all our hearts on Sunday...and you led the way.

So, as I'm preaching Sunday it really begins to settle in that we should not feel anxious or afraid about the age we live in. When we are tempted to give in or give up we should remember that Jesus said to "stand up, lift up your hands for your redemption is drawing near". As we watch the news, it seems like one depressing story after another. As we watch the stock market, it seems like we're in an economic freefall. You may be struggling in your marriage or in your job.

You may be sick. You may be scared. You may be sad.

But take heart. Stand up! Lift your head! Lift your hands! Lift your voice! Why?

Because Jesus is coming! Our redemption is nearer today than ever before. That means our Redeemer is nearer today than ever before.

Maranatha! The Lord is coming! Maranatha ya'll!

Frank

P.S. Check out the new video.

The Big Game...

Sometime this Sunday evening, someone at your household will probably roll her eyes and mutter the words, "it's only a game". But we know it's more than that. It's an event that will be watched by an estimated one billion people, on television and over the internet, worldwide. It's an opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy large quantities of chicken wings, nachos and other healthy snacks. And next Monday, we'll all be talking about it. But we won't just talk about the game, we'll be talking about the fun we had together...our favorite commercials... and the Springsteen show at halftime.

It's not just a game. It's also an incredible platform for Christian athletes to share their faith. From Tom Landry to Roger Staubach, Shawn Alexander, Tony Dungy and last year's Super Bowl hero, David Tyree...Christ-followers, who, in this moment in time, have the eyes and ears of the world have not been shy about proclaiming their devotion to something or Someone bigger than football.

This year, Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals and Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, lead their respective teams into the League Championship game. But they have something else in common...it's faith in Jesus.

Who did Warner thank when the Cardinals defeated the Eagles in the NFC Championship game 2 weeks ago? God. In fact, Kurt Warner's faith is well documented as he has routinely expressed it throughout his career. Both He and his wife are known publicly as born-again Christians.

You may know less about Roethlisberger's faith. Or you may remember the "cleat controversy" of 2006. Big Ben has worn the initials PJF on his cleats since he was a high school sophomore in Findlay, Ohio. But in 2006, the NFL uniform police cracked down on Big Ben (who claims he's still wearing the message somewhere - "let's see if they can find it now" he's quoted as saying).

For me, it's always exciting to hear another believer boldly proclaim their faith in Jesus. And it's also a challenge. If the microphone were in my face (or yours), would we be so bold as to give God the glory for our successes? Would we be so bold in "naming the Name of Jesus"? I'd like to think so. But the truth is, if we shy away from boldly proclaiming our faith on the small stage that most of us live on - then we shouldn't imagine that a larger stage would make us more courageous in our witness for Him.

Time Flies...

Recognize the guy on top of the pyramid? It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But it seems like yesterday...time flies.

I know, it's been a long time since the last blog. How long has it been?

It was in 2008.
I was still 42.
George W. Bush was still President.
John Smoltz was still a Brave.
It's literally been a month of Sundays.
Time flies.
So sorry.

These days I'm teaching through the book of Daniel (at least the prophetic parts). Much of what we're learning compels us to live our lives with a sense of urgency. The end is near (or at least nearer). Jesus is coming soon (or at least sooner). And our time is like a vapor. Each day comes and goes so quickly. So, if we're going to live like Jesus lived, love how Jesus loved and serve how Jesus served...we can't afford to wait until the season change. We must act now!

Start by praying with me...Lord Jesus, our days are short and the times are wicked. Please come quickly and rescue us from the kingdom of this world. But please, Lord Jesus, give us at least one more day to be faithful and fruitful. One more day to "kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight". One more day to seize the day for Your Kingdom and Your Cause.

Carpe Diem...
Frank

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Holy Huddles Batman!

I love our Holy Huddles. Those times when we gather to worship, to pray, to sing, to give, to serve and we gain instruction, inspiration, encouragement, help, hope and dramatic lifechange, as we experience His Presence together. The gatherings tend to happen on Sunday mornings at Rolling Hills. And the result of these meetings is that we are holier, stronger, more courageous, and better equipped to serve Jesus by serving others throughout the week.

This past Huddle was like that. Dileep blessed us by leading worship for the last time before his upcoming trip to Australia. (He hasn't been home in 4 years, so please pray for a happy reunion with his family and for time to unwind and relax with May.) Leanne offered us a beautiful rendition of "O Come, O Come Immanuel". That's one of my favorites, because it's a yearning for the arrival of Messiah. It's not about what we have...it's about what we long for and why. And it was just beautiful! Thanks to everybody who helps shape the wonderful worship experience at Rolling Hills. You've blessed me over and over and over again!

So...whaddaya think? Can Martha have a Mary Christmas? Can she sit quietly at the feet of the Savior and enjoy His presence? Can she take time for "being" before all the "doing" consumes her soul? Can she? Can you? How's it working out for you? Have you taken time to sit at His feet since our last Huddle?

This is especially important in a church like ours that wants so desperately to "do". We want to serve, to clothe, to feed, to house, to give, to build, to reconcile, to rescue, to do...and it would be so easy for us to forget to "be". But remember, "neighbor-love" is fueled by "Jesus-love". If we fail to take the time to "be"...we will eventually fail to "do". Perhaps when we are needed most.

In other words, if you want to Extend His Presence to others...you've got to personally Experience His Presence, a lot and often. So in between Huddles, don't forget to "be still and know".

Wishing you Christmas Presence...
Frank

One last thing I need to mention, I had a life-changing experience 20 years ago today. I married the most beautiful woman on earth. She loves me deeply and makes everyday together a blessing. So, Happy Anniversary Pam...I love you and look forward to the next 20 and beyond!

Crazy Like Pop Tarts...

December 7th, "a day that will live in infamy", was a wonderful day for worship day at Rolling Hills!

Meaghan and the rest of the worship team set the tone for the rest of us yesterday. There was a very special sense of God's presence. Also enjoyed learning a new song, "No Sweeter Name". Great job everybody! Meaghan will be leading worship for our Christmas Eve service at 5pm on December 24th. I can't wait!!

About the message...is Christmas a bad time to mention that our spiritual health relies on "ruthlessly eliminating hurry from our lives"? It's easy to tell ourselves we'll start eliminating hurry on December 26th...or January 1...or January 2...but why waste another Christmas by our refusal to be still and know Him? Be still. Don't be like the innkeeper. Create vacancy where there is none. Don't miss His Presence this Christmas.

Hey...don't miss the Christmas Fellowship Dinner at the Hollingsworth House this Wednesday at 6pm. Bring a side dish or a dessert. Check out this link for more information and directions to Hollingsworth: http://www.hollingsworthhouse.com/. It will be a wonderful evening of fun, food and fellowship - it's every Baptists' idea of heaven. Plus, we are exploring the feasibility of using this beautiful special events facility as a temporary location for worship (should our property sell sooner than later). So come check it out!

Okay, the Christian Index article finally came out and we're all pretty excited about it. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is...http://www.christianindex.org/5010.article. There's been a lot of feedback so far, from all over:

Leanne has a friend in Waycross who call to tell her that she was in her car listening to a local preacher on the radio and that he referenced Rolling Hills and the article (in a good way).

My friend Richard is the pastor at Tapestry church in Cartersville. He writes a blog at http://richardsims.typepad.com/richards_blog/. We were featured in his blog late last week as he wrote..."Check out this story about Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. This church is stepping out in faith and doing something that a lot of folks think is crazy. I think it's crazy too, like Pop Tarts, "crazy good!" In fact I think it's absolutely awesome!"

And my email has been going crazy. Here are just a few of the encouraging words from non-Rolling Hillers about our missional journey:

• Wow Frank! What an incredible story. I commend you and the church for taking such a bold step for God. - Leah



• I am so impressed by what God is doing through you all. I know that God is honored by this HUGE step of faith. - Pastor Tom (yes...that Pastor Tom)



• Wow! I read the article in the Christian Index last night and was absolutely blown away! I pray God uses you and RHBC to lead the "movement" of putting down the bricks! - Jeff



• What a wonderful example Rolling Hills Baptist Church is when it comes to serving others. - Jay



• I'm in AWE Frank. What a great thing God is doing. I look forward to seeing what He does next. - Christine



• I pray that God blesses your church big time! Exciting, scary, humbling, satisfying love for God and His people...wow! Way to GO. - Rob



• Good going both for the decision and for going against the current. Your mission is the "real" message of Christ's work on earth. - Jean

I'm telling you...this is not a moment...this is a movement that God has invited us into. I love your courage, your faith, your humility and your sweet serving spirit. It is an honor to be your pastor!

Oooooooooooo...one more really important thing. I want to wish a very Happy Anniversary to our friends Dileep and May! Thank you for showing us what it looks like to live a life of love for Jesus and for others. You guys rock! Every single day I am grateful and glad to be sharing the journey with friends like you.

Presence with a "c"...

This past Sunday at Rolling Hills rocked! The band was great. Worship was intense. Elwin made "Pakistani Hush Puppies" and they were yummy. We started a new series..."The Christmas Presence". And I couldn't help but notice that you've lost weight since Thanksgiving Day. Good for you!

So...was anybody else shocked by the fact that Americans spend $450,000,000,000 every year on Christmas gifts? I was. Is anybody else considering ways to spend less and give more? I am. This Christmas, I'd like to exchange Christmas presents with a "t" for Christmas Presence with a "c". In short, I'd like to reclaim Christmas.

The first Christmas changed the world. Why? Because of His Presence in Bethlehem. This Christmas could change the world? Why? Because of His Presence in you and me. Is God nudging you, the same way He's nudging me? For starters, would you check out a website? It's www.adventconspiracy.org. Advent Conspiracy is a movement that encourages Christians to "spend less, give more, love all, and worship fully the ultimate gift of Christ".

Together, let's join the conspiracy and reclaim Christmas!