Part 2 of 3 - Journal Entry from Revival at Smith's

This morning, I suited up (literally), and went to Philadelphia Baptist Church to preach. I met with Brother John, the pastor, and he turned out to be a really sweet guy. I took my earrings out this morning and by the time this morning had passed, the holes had kind of closed up (sidenote - William Hung is not a fatty; just saw him briefly on Larry King as Tim was flipping the tv in the hotel), so I put them back in and resolved that folks would have to deal with it. haha.

Thank you for praying for today - it was tremendous. I'm definitely not a fan of the Sunday morning crowd, in most any church. I just am not a fan of the "Sunday morning mentality". I can't even describe the mentality, but I kind of figure that anyone who preaches or leads worships knows what I'm talking about. I preached on the Wheat and Tares this morning, and saw a few students born again. I got to pray with Alex, and it was really cool to see him receive Christ. Tommy also was born again this morning. Nikki did not show up today, but I hold out hope that I'll see her through the week, perhaps. Continue to pray.

Tonight was very thick, and the Lord was present. I preached on Repentance and Revival out of 2 Chronicles 7:14, and it was one of those nights when nothing that you say is wrong. I can only assume that you guys are lifting me up, and I am so grateful. Tim continues to be used - his spirit is great to have her, and everyone (as has been the case since he's been alive) loves and flocks to him. I also believe that the Lord is dealing with him, and we are having a great time together. I can't express what a different trip it would be without him here.

The youth group at Philadelphia Baptist did a drama tonight to a song that I didn't know, but the theme centered on what appeared to be lost people being accepted and reached out to as they came to church. It so gripped my heart as I was watching it that I began to grow weary within my spirit of how untrue and inaccurate a picture it was of what really goes down in church. I opened up the sermon talking about what would really happen if someone came in the church drunk, or reeking of alcohal. We would shun them, look down at them, and do anything but love them. We'd say, "That's so disrespectful." Why should a lost person be respectful? Why? They're lost, undone without Jesus. Until they catch a glimpse of Him, they won't respect Him. If anything, I think, we're asking them to respect us - not Jesus. To accept our church culture and way of life. To respect our suits and ties, our corporate gathering, and our regulations.

I spent some time talking about the fact that Jesus never said, nor commissioned us to invite the world to "come"...He called us to go...and he went Himself. He told the adulterous woman, "Neither do I condemn you (grace), now go and sin no more (truth)." Most of us are either one extreme or the other...heavy on truth and lacking in grace, or heavy on grace and lacking in truth. Both are sin...both are inaccurate pictures of our Savior....both call for repentance. Jesus marrys grace and truth together - "neither do I condemn you...go and sin no more."

The Spirit was heavy, and convicting, and I beg you to continue to pray. Tomorrow, Tim and I will go to the school during lunch and have a breakfast with the students in the morning. We had a good time this afternoon at lunch with Allison, Leslie, Tommy (who was saved this morning), and Kenny from the praise band at Smith Station Baptist. Pray that God would use us to invest in the lives of the students and grant us much favor and a heart for the Gospel tomorrow. Pray that we would not be slowed by weariness.

I love you guys - tomorrow, unless something changes, I'll be preaching a message on Peter called "Don't Quit" about Peter's darkest hour. Talk to you soon.

-J