GUEST BLOGS: BIRTHDAY WISHES

TEACHING PASTOR JARRETT STEPHENS

60 years! Congratulations, Pastor. When I think about Jack Graham, I believe one word encapsulates your life and ministry: FAITHFUL. It truly is the testimony of your life. From receiving Christ as a small child in Arkansas to surrendering to the call of ministry as a teenager in Fort Worth, you have been an example of faithfulness to Christ all these years.

I’ve had the opportunity to watch you as a husband, father and now as a grandfather. You have always been so faithful to your family. Never have you allowed ministry responsibilities, speaking engagements or other outside opportunities sidetrack you from those who are most important to you. You made and kept them a priority in your life.

Finally, as I think about you as I know you best—the Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church—I can say you are a faithful pastor. From your constency in the pulpit to your leadership in staff meetings behind closed doors to observing you place phone calls and minister to hurting members of our congregation, if I had to narrow down what I have witnessed and learned from you in my tenure here, it would be this value of faithfulness.

You have lived out the truth of 1 Peter 5:2-4: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Congratulations, Pastor, on this, your 60th birthday. I pray that you have many, many more years to continue walking in faithfulness!

PRESTONWOOD NORTH CAMPUS PASTOR MARC RYLANDER

Today is an overly exciting day in the life of Prestonwood. Of course, we are in the heat of another PBC summer which means tons of life and activity for our church family. Life-changing reports are coming in from high school and junior high camps, buses of children are in Oklahoma at Camp WOW, summer Bible studies are in full swing, and this goes on an on. A red-shoe-wearing girl from Kansas said, “There’s no place like home.” And around here, there’s no place like Prestonwood.

However, today is not a special day because of the activities and opportunities we are experiencing as a church. Today is an exciting day because of the one whom God has so graciously called to orchestrate all of this holy chaos, our Pastor. Sixty years ago today, Tom and Emogene Graham and big brother, Bob, welcomed Jack Norman to their family, to Conway, Ark., and to the world. And over these 60 years, what a remarkable man this boy would become; what an amazing legacy he would live!

I’m especially grateful to join the countless many who will send birthday wishes to Jack Graham today. From the very first time I heard him preach—when I was a student home from Baylor visiting Prestonwood—through this past Sunday, I have heard a man committed to the Word of God and filled with the Spirit of God leading the people of God to a real relationship with the Son of God. Over many of those same years, I have had the sweet opportunity to see, privately and publically, the strong character of this man of God. My pastor, my mentor, and my friend is a gifted man with a hilarious sense of humor, a tender, tender heart (despite that tough exterior), and passion for life that is even bigger than his passion for the Texas Rangers. He is a strong husband and daddy, a lovingly pushover granddaddy, forever faithful pastor, and fiercely loyal friend.

My prayer for Pastor as he begins a new decade is from Haggai 2:9, “This temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish.” (The Message) I believe with all my heart that his greatest days are before him, and I thank God that I have the joy of seeing this Word of God lived out as we journey together toward that promise.

60th SURPRISES

I got flocked today! So, today is my 60th birthday (and, you know what they say, 60 is the new 40, so that’s what I’m sticking with) ... Anyway, I drove up to work this morning to find a flock of bright pink flamingos on the lawn near my parking space, courtesy of my good friends the Bradys and the Murffs. I could have sworn I was back in South Florida! It was greatness ...

Then I walk into my office and there’s a huge balloon bouquet with a big shiny, silver “6-0” and a baseball theme going on complete with Baby Ruths. (I just had a great checkup with my friend and physician Dr. Kenneth Cooper yesterday, so I think I might be able to sneak one of those candy bars.)

Can’t wait to see what’s in store the rest of the day!

Life Message Series Begins

We all have a story to tell. We all have a life message—the message that defines us, that speaks to who we are and what we’re about. So the Preaching Team and I wanted to share those messages through this new, summer series that we begin this weekend. (Click here for my tweet.) We have invited guest speakers with powerful stories to come and share with us.Our guest speakers include some of our own members such as Dr. O.S. Hawkins and Scott Turner and Mike Fechner. We’ll welcome back some of our church favorites such as Dr. Gary Frazier and Dr. Charles Lowery and Dr. Robert Sloan. And we’ll hear amazing stories from two men new to our pulpit, Dr. Steven Smith and Tim Lee.

I am excited about this series because no matter what our story is, no matter how vastly different our stories are, as believers, we all share the same message because as Hebrews 13:8 says: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And in Ephesians 2, we have the spiritual biography of every believer. It’s all there ... our past, our future. It speaks of what and who we were B.C.—“Before Christ.” And it speaks to what and who we are now that we belong to Jesus Christ. Maybe you don’t yet understand your own spiritual biography. Maybe you don’t know who you are in Jesus Christ. Maybe you don’t yet know the wonderful joy of Christ in your life.

I know these next few weeks will be days of salvation for many. I know this series will resonate in the hearts of every one of our members and those viewing our services through PowerPoint locally, nationally and internationally. I know that our life message is intended to be shared because the heart of the matter is “Jesus Saves.”

Join us for Saturday Nights at Prestonwood, or Sunday at our Plano Campus, or at Prestonwood North. If you’re not in the area, you can live stream the Sunday message at 11:00 a.m. on powerpoint.org. And be sure to check out my tweets for updates.

Life-Change at Student Camp

I’m at High School Beach Camp with 500 students and sponsors in Florida. And I can’t tell you how amazing it has been to witness our ministers and volunteers pouring into the students and to experience the incredible worship time with this next generation ... the future of our church.

I’ve often talked about my life-changing experiences at high school camp. I was blessed to attend Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth, a church well known for its youth ministry and summer camp at Latham Springs near Waco.

As a 15-year-old in 1965, my life was changed as I surrendered to Christ unconditionally and not long afterward I heard God’s call to preach.

Because of my own experiences, I’ve always had a heart and a burden for students. I can’t think of anything more critical right now than reaching this generation of students and preparing them for life and teaching them God’s Word.

That is exactly what is happening here in Panama City Beach. We’ve witnessed as 24 students have made decisions for Christ! I pray that many more will join them in the coming days.

Pray of our students ... the future of our church.

Happy Father's Day!

I pray you experience the great joy that comes with being a father on this special day and every day! As I thought about Father’s Day, I recalled an excerpt from my book A Man of God that I think really spells out what’s most important for us as fathers. I hope you’ll pass this along to every father you know...

Make the Decisions Today That You’ll Be Glad for Tomorrow

If you’re a young father, I believe you really want to be there to push your little boy on the swing at night. I am convinced you want to keep the daily demands and details of life in focus instead of letting them weigh you down and limit your effectiveness for Christ. I believe you want to live to the full for the Lord Jesus Christ without limits, and to teach your children to do the same....

I don’t know what it would take for you to take off the weights that bog so many guys down and keep them in a rut. But I urge you to do whatever it takes to shed that baggage. You can make a life while you’re making a living.

One of the best commitments you can make is simply to lead your family in faithful worship and service in a church where Jesus Christ is exalted and the Bible is believed and taught.

I read a survey not long ago that said when both Dad and Mom take their children to church, 76 percent of those children become active in their faith. When Dad alone takes the children to church, that percentage drops to 55 percent. But when Dad drops out and leaves Mom to take the children to church alone, only 15 percent of those children remain active in their faith. And if neither parent goes to church with the kids, only 9 percent of those kids become active Christians in their church....

But how many fathers can’t even disentangle themselves from life or get up enough passion even to take their children to church consistently? Their numbers are legion. Don’t let the world limit your focus and your passion to the forty or more hours you put in at the office each week, your favorite hobby, the manicured lawn, or the car in the garage.

Someone has said that we Americans worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. What we need is a generation of Christian fathers who will say, starting today, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

DAY 168--Trust God To Meet Your Needs

This is from my Power For Daily Living devotional. I pray that it will bless you today.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19

Too many of us today are missing out on God’s blessings because our life is absorbed in trying to meet our own needs.

Rather than trusting God to meet our needs, too often we go out and buy what we think we need...only to go into debt doing it! Then, saddled with that debt, we can’t be a blessing to others.

Can you relate? Are you missing out on being a blessing?

Well, you can change that! Begin trusting God, wait on Him, and just see how He will supply what you need!

You’ll never experience the power of God to meet your needs if you don’t trust Him for what He can do. God’s strength, grace, and power are available to you. Like Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Remember, God knows what you need even before you ask for it. When you pray, asking for God’s provision, you put yourself in the position to receive from God all He wants to give you. When you pray expectantly, you can pray confidently that you will receive from God what He desires to give you!

Today, I want to challenge you to elevate your expectations of God. Begin each day in worship and ask for God’s provision. Believe Him for great things in your life. When you do, you will begin to see how your life can indeed become a blessing to others.

Trust God to meet your needs...and see what He will do.

VBS: “Let the Little Children Come to Me”

One of my favorite weeks of the year is in early June when we open our doors to thousands of children coming to enjoy Vacation Bible School. I tell you, it’s such a rush to see kids pouring into the church for those five days...It’s loud, but awesome...

Today, our Children’s Minister Sondra Saunders (and the best Children’s Ministry staff team in the country) are welcoming more than 4,000 children (including my grandson, Ian) between the ages of 3 and through 6th grade for Treasure iLand. This will be our 32nd VBS!

The kids have a great time, no doubt, with a petting zoo and inflatables for the little ones and fun games and great worship for the older kids ... and at the heart of it all is the Word. Many of these kids are unchurched and are hearing the Gospel message for the very first time. They learn every day while here that we love them and Jesus loves them.

Outside the Saunders Children’s Building, we have a bronze of Jesus and small children with Matthew 19:14: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

That’s what VBS is all about ...

When Does Life Begin?

This weekend, Jarrett Stephens and I will tackle one of the most divisive issues facing our country and one that I believe the Church has not sufficiently done enough about—the sanctity of life. We’ll be answering the question “When Does Life Begin?”

We’ve addressed some critical issues throughout this Straight Up message series but this is one that is a litmus test for every believer. What do you believe?

I will leave you with just one thought: Life is precious because life comes from God!

See you this Saturday and Sunday. If you don’t live in the area, I hope you’ll catch the live stream of the service at 11:00 a.m. on powerpoint.org.

Former PCA Lions Drafted by Phillies & Cards

Congratulations, Cameron Rupp and Jordan Swagerty! Cameron and Jordan, two of our outstanding former baseball players here at PCA, were among the top baseball players in the MLB draft. Jordan, a sophomore closer at Arizona State University, was the 75th pick in the draft (second round) by the St. Louis Cardinals. Cameron, a junior, is catcher at the University of Texas. He was taken in the third round (108th pick) by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Today, the guys talked to Ty Robinson, our Sports Information Director at PCA, and had this to say:

Cameron: “I’ve been smiling ever since I found out. I’m really happy. (Coach Mike Maack and PCA) taught me to never give up and never stop pursuing my goal. I’ve learned that God’s in control and will guide me through it all.”

Jordan: “This has been an exciting day. Coach Maack and PCA molded me into the person I’ve become and helped me get to this point.”

I’m glad to see the boys going to these great organizations (if everything works out with the negotiations) and I look forward to seeing them rise up through the minors.

These are good times for Cameron and Jordan, who not only can look ahead to playing pro ball, but their current teams could meet up once again in the College World Series. I’m hoping to make my way to Omaha to watch them play at the famed Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium.

Only one thing could have made this sweeter ... if the beloved Rangers had drafted them!

Why I Support the GCRTF Report and Recommendations and Pray for Its Passing at the Orlando Convention

Like many Southern Baptists, I have followed with great interest the work of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force that was appointed by Johnny Hunt, the President of our Convention. I have prayed for the Task Force knowing that their assignment was impossible to fulfill apart from God’s enablement and the prayers of God’s people. I have followed their progress and read carefully their final report which was released on April 26. I must say, I am thrilled with the report and joyfully give it my full and unqualified affirmation. Why? Let me note just a few of the reasons.

First, the missional vision calling us “to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations” is biblically accurate. It is also a statement that reflects who Southern Baptists have been and what we hope will be our main focus as a convention of churches until Jesus comes again.

Second, the eight core values reflect well the kind of culture we must build in our personal lives, our local churches, and our denominational entities. We need a new day of radical commitment to the things of God, and these core values get to the heart of the matter.

Third, celebrating and empowering Great Commission giving rightly elevates the genius of the Cooperative Program, and at the same time, celebrates all financial gifts to the work Southern Baptists are engaged in. The challenge to increase Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong, I am convinced will happen with an enthusiastic passing of the Task Force Report on June 15. I will certainly lead Prestonwood in this direction.

Fourth, unleashing NAMB for a new era of penetrating lostness in North America is exactly the shot in the arm we need at this particular time. NAMB has done much good in the past. I am convinced this recommendation will set the stage for even greater days in the future. Contrary to what some may think, I believe the unreached and underserved areas of North America will receive greater attention, personal and through resources. Small state works and small churches will be the great beneficiaries with the passing of this component.

There is more I could write, but these items alone cause my heart to contemplate with enthusiasm what God might do in the future through our people and churches.

I believe Southern Baptists are at a critical stage in our history. I believe we will make a crucial and significant decision when we gather in Orlando. I believe the report of the GCRTF provides a hopeful and helpful course of action for our future. I believe it provides a better way for us to work together in the ministry of the Gospel. It has my full and complete support. I pray you will be led by our Lord to support it as well. The nations and our nation call out for us to bring them the Good News of Jesus. We must not miss this golden opportunity.

THE BEST IS YET...

21 years! It is really true—time passes quickly when you are having fun. Deb and I and our family are so very grateful for every day God has given us to serve Him through this wonderful, glorious church.

We have seen God do incredible things as together we have moved forward in faith. No pastor could be more blessed than I. Prestonwood is among the greatest churches on the planet. As always, we stand on Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

But let’s not think so much about the past, but of the present and future. It is my firm belief that the best is yet. God has given me three, all-consuming, holy ambitions for the next 10 years. You might call it “Vision 2020.”

1. Continuing to expand the local, national and global influence of Christ and the Church. This includes a greater and growing commitment to personal evangelism, reaching our neighbors with the Gospel and a determination to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation through mission partnerships, church planting and PowerPoint Ministries. We will proclaim the Message to the nations.

2. Growing and building the North Campus and strengthening the Plano Campus. We are already planning and preparing to build Phase II on our 120 acres at the 380 Corridor. The fields are white unto harvest. It is clear that God is going to do at our North Campus what He has been doing and is doing in Plano. Believe it—it is happening. Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.—Isaiah 54:2

3. Developing a new generation of 21st-century leaders for the Church. This includes Prestonwood Christian Academy, our Children’s and Student Ministries, and our Pastoral Intern Program and a determination to equip young pastors and church leaders for the coming generation. We will prepare young men and women to deliver the Truth of Jesus Christ long after we are gone.

Jesus said: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. —Matthew 16:18

This is His Church. He is building it. To God be all the glory!

Tweeting & Posting

Hard to believe how technology and social media allow us to connect ... reconnect ... and stay connected ... 24-7. With my iPhone and iPad, I can do just about anything from just about anywhere. And I have to say, I’m really enjoying it. I having a good time Tweeting (@jackngraham) and there are a great number of friends I like following. There’s some incredible information out there (and some...not so much).

But one of my favorite things is the power of social media and how we can use it to expand the Kingdom of God. Our Facebook pages, facebook.com/prestonwoodbc and facebook.com/pptministries are great tools in sharing the Gospel and what’s happening at Prestonwood and PowerPoint Ministries.

Check out this new TV spot about our PowerPoint Facebook.

DAY 153

During my quiet time in the Word each morning, I also read devotionals by various authors. I hope you are reading a devotional as well.... Here’s DAY 153 from my most recent devo A Daily Encounter with God.

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.—Isaiah 64:8

According to today’s Scripture, you and I are like clay vessels made by God, the Master Potter.

And there are four kinds of people, or vessels. Which category do you fall into?

A vessel being formed. God is making and developing you. He’s creating something beautiful, according to His plan and purpose for your life. And as you cooperate and yield to His hands, you are being formed into a beautiful, purposeful creation.

A vessel fractured. Maybe your life seems to be out of control. Has your heart been broken? If you are a fractured, broken vessel, God can put the pieces back together. If you turn your life and struggles over to Him, He will put you back on the potter’s wheel and put your life back together again.

A vessel fixed. If you’ve experienced pain, but God has brought you through and restored your life, then you are a vessel fixed. You know the power of the Master Potter to restore, refresh, and renew because He’s done it for you!

A vessel finished. This is the most frightening condition. If you and I say no to God’s grace too many times, we can become hardened. Don’t let that happen to you! Accept God’s love and grace. Ask for His forgiveness!

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LIFE. WHAT KIND OF VESSEL ARE YOU?