Blake Bouldin

Encouraging Words

My daughter Brianna has to be one of the most positive people in the world.  I rarely ever see her down.  When I do, I know it won't last for long.  I love that quality about her.  On my desk at the office is a framed piece of paper that she gave me several years back that happened to catch my eye today.  I see it everyday but rarely take time to read it.  Today, for some reason, I read it and thought, "these words should be put in a place where they can offer as much encouragement to other people as they have to me."  So I decided to put them on my blog.  I hope you are inspired and encouraged by reading them like I was.

Here you go:

1. Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do.  But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.

2. Triumph is just the "umph" added to try.

3. If people are kicking you in the behind, at least you are in front of them.

4. A river cuts through rock not because of its power but because of its persistence.

5. When you have come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

6. Fall 7 times, stand up 8.

7. The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.

8. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

9. If you are going through hell.....keep going.

10. God brings men into deep waters not to drown them but to cleanse them.

11. Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we do.

12. Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated.  You can't cross a chasm in 2 small jumps.

13. Where there is no vision, the people perish.  Proverbs 29:18

14. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.  Proverbs 16:3

Shout out to Dear Ol' Dad! Happy Birthday!

Hey Dad!  This blogs for you.  It was your birthday on Monday and so I thought I would write you a birthday blog.  It's hard to believe you're 70.  I was telling Bryson and Brett the other day that I can remember just like it was yesterday when you were my age.  Time really does fly.  When I was younger I wanted time to fly. But the older I get the more I wish it would slow down because more than ever I realize that there really is only a finite amount of time that we will spend with each other here on earth.  That is why I really do cherish the time we spend together.

But I don't want this blog to be sad!  I want it to be happy!  So I started thinking about all the memories I have of you like:

1. How you would walk in from work, throw your keys on the counter, walk into the den, and without fail, say "Well hello gang.'

2. How you would sit in your favorite chair with a pocket full of snickers watching something on TV.

3. How you put your shoes on before you put your pants on.  I used to try to do that until Angie told me I was stupid.

4. How you would throw baseball with me in the front yard and make Ric Flair sounds when you snapped off a curve ball.

5. Your green "BERMUDA" shorts.

6. Your athletic socks and your Adidas tennis shoes.

7. Our talks on the way home from church in the yellow Toyota.

8. Our talks at the kitchen table fighting over the sports page.

9. Our trip to Dallas to watch the Cowboys play the Eagles.

10. Hearing you preach and thinking, "my dad can lay it down!"

11. Hearing you say, "Son, how many times do we have to go over this?"  Ha...I used to think this is the first time we've gone over it, what are you talking about?

12. Hearing you say "Dad Gum It!" every time a car pulled out in front of you.  Paris was the worst!  I thought you were going to blow a gasket.

13.  What a great father and friend you were to me every day of my life!

I could go on Dad.  I have so many great memories of our times together but you know how I feel about you.  I love you more than you know. I hope you had a happy birthday.  Here's to many more.

Your Son,

Blake

I Am Gonna Miss This.....Beautiful Girl

This past Saturday night was my daughter Brianna's junior prom.  I couldn't believe my eyes when she walked down the stairs all dressed up.  I literally thought to myself, who is this beautiful young lady.  My goodness where does time go?  It seems like just yesterday that Sissy was playing with baby dolls and wearing her hair in pig tails.  Now it's prom dresses and talk about which college she will attend. 

Trace Adkins wrote a song called "You're Gonna Miss This" that Angie and I love.  I thought of the lyrics Saturday night as I watched my little girl drive away with her boyfriend to enjoy a night on the town.  I was so happy knowing that she was going to have the time of her life.  But I was also sad realizing that before I blinked an eye she would be out of the house and on her own.  A big tear is running down my cheek even as I write this.  Maybe I am an old "fuddy duddy" but I am gonna miss these days and my baby girl.

You're Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins

She was staring out the window of that SUV
Complaining, saying, "I can't wait to turn 18"
She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules"
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said, "I was just like you"

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are the good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one bed room apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her "It's a nice place"
She says "It'll do for now"
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby, just slow down"

Cause you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin, phone's ringin'
One kids cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keep apologizn'

He says they don't bother me
I've got 2 babies of my own
One's 36, one's 23.
Huh, it's hard to believe but...

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Faith in Action

Here are some valuable insights I gleaned from James on day 2. 

1. We shouldn't let public opinion influence how we live out our faith. Sounds so simple when in reality, half our battle as Christ followers is centered around trying to impress others rather than God.  In fact, one of the reasons I believe more of us don't spend more time with people who are far away from God is because we are afraid that our reputation might get tarnished. It is not public opinion that matters.  God is the one we are in the game to please.  We are playing to an audience of one.

2. God chose the world's down and outs as the kingdom's first citizens.  Wow!  What a statement James makes here.  And how many of us really understand it?  I mean let's just get real.  Our interpretation of a blessed Christ follower isn't one who lives below the poverty line and can barely spell his name.  But what James is saying very candidly here is that God operates a whole lot differently than we do.  And if and when we show favoritism to those whom on the outside seem like they have it all together, what we are really doing is sinning. Powerful stuff.

3. Merely talking about faith doesn't indicate that a person really has it. And what is faith?  Paul says that faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  In other words faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. To determine if people really have this kind of faith, look for it being demonstrated by their actions.  What James is really saying is that you can tell a person is really serious about God when they put their money where their mouth is.

4. If we refuse to act kindly, we can't expect to be treated kindly.  Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time. Dallas Willard one of the greatest theologians of all time said this, "How many people are radically and permanently repelled from the way of Christ by Christians who are unfeeling, stiff, unapproachable, boring, lifeless, obsessive and dissatisfied? Yet, such Christians are everywhere and what they are missing is the wholesome liveliness spring up from a balanced vitality within God's loving rule."  Sheldon Vanauken wrote, "The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness."  And the he asks, "Anybody want to guess what is the best argument against Christianity?  It's Christians!  When they are somber, joyless, self-righteous, smug, narrow or repressive, Christianity dies a thousand deaths."  These two quotes sum it up.  Kind mercy, compassion, joy filled lives are what attract people to Christ. Kind mercy and compassion are also what initiate kindness in return.  James says we ought to act like a person expecting to be judged by God who says, "love others as you love yourself".

Faith Under Pressure

I began studying through the book of James this morning using the paraphrase translation "The Message".  I love this translation because it provides me with a very simplistic, easily understandable text that I can understand.  Here are some of the things God spoke to me as I read:

1. It is a gift from God when test and challenges come at me from all sides. Crazy right?  My impression of tests and challenges is that they are a huge drain that I don't won't to have anything to do with, but James writes that when we are under pressure that is when what we truly believe comes to light.  It is also during the tough spots in life that God is maturing us to be more like Him.

2. When I don't know what I am doing, I can pray to the Father because He wants to help.  Talk about comforting.  This may be one of the most comforting points of the whole passage because if I am honest, it seems like half the time I don't know what I am doing.  Now I know there are some that would say you can't be a great leader if you don't know what you are doing, but I totally disagree.  Andy Stanley put it into perspective for me when he said, "My enemy is not uncertainty.  It is not even my responsibility to remove uncertainty.  It is my responsibility to bring clarity into the midst of uncertainty." How do I gain clarity?  James writes that it is our Heavenly Father who brings clarity in the midst of uncertainty.  And what's more, He loves to help.

3. Anyone who meets a challenge head on and sticks it out is fortunate.  In all of my life (42) years, there has been nothing as challenging as planting a church.  When God called me to do it over 7 years ago I literally had no idea how hard it would be.  There have been more days than I would like to admit when I have felt like throwing in the towel and asking God for a reprieve, but I haven't.  People have asked me from time to time what's kept me going?  My response has always been the same; no matter what, I will not give up until God makes it crystal clear that it is my time to begin another journey in life.  Until then, I will consider myself fortunate that I have been willing and able to meet the challenges of ministry head on and stick it out.

4. It is important that I lead with my ears, follow up with my tongue, and let anger straggle in the rear.  Sometimes my youngest son Brad will get so angry about something that he will have what my mother used to call a "Hissie Fit".  I mean he will completely lose it and say and do things that are so contrary to his character.  There have been times when he is having an episode that I have asked myself the ridiculous question, "what makes him act so crazy?"  I know what makes him crazy. It's the same thing that makes us all act out of character from time to time.  It's ANGER.  James writes that if we will listen first, and then speak, making sure that anger is removed from the equation, our conversations and relationships will be a whole lot more productive.  Brad isn't the only one who needs to hear that message. 

5. Real religion, the kind that God is looking for, is when we reach out to the homeless and loveless and guard against corruption in our world.  This point that James makes really sticks in my craw because it is so contrary to what most people think real religion is.  Most people think real religion means showing up for church on Sunday or being a part of a para church organization or listening to Christian music or reading Christian books or spending the majority of their time with other Christians. WRONG!  REAL RELIGION, according to what James writes, comes about when we move out of our comfort zones and serve those who are less fortunate, love those who aren't easy to love, and guard against those things that distort the truth that God has given us to live by.  I needed to read those words because my inclination is to allow myself to become comfortable in a false reality of what God is looking for. This point was certainly a wake up call and a challenge.

What Truly Changes People?

Yesterday as I taught on prayer I read the passage from Isaiah 56:7 where God says, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."  And I said, notice God didn't say that His house should be called a house where busyness is the order of the day.  Or where activities and programs and "the show" are what people are there for.  No, God wants His Church to be a place where people come to pray.  Why?  Because prayer is where we meet the one and only living God.  Prayer is where our spirit is refreshed.  And of course, just like I said yesterday, when we pray we place ourselves in the streams of God's power.

Jim Cymbala in his most excellent book Fresh Power writes this about prayer.  He says, "God has given us a very simple equation if only we have the faith to reach out and experience it:

1. The Holy Spirit's power is our greatest need.
2. This power and blessing is freely promised to ALL of God's people.
3. This promise can only be fully received through sincere praying in faith and through waiting on God for his blessing to come.

The unleashing of this kind of power is what happened in the New Testament and this is the only thing that will satisfy our soul's thirst.

Pastor Cymbala also says this:  "The Old Testament declaration is still 100% true today: It is "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6).  A decade of gadgets and gimmicks will never accomplish what God the Holy Spirit can do in one month as he works in the life of a church."

Here is the bottom line.  When we begin to pray, the Father provides us power through the Holy Spirit that enables us to do so much more than we could ever do on our own.  So don't stop praying!  When you get up in the morning PRAY.  When you go to bed at night PRAY.  Pray and listen for God to speak to you.  Pray and ask God to lead you into relationships where you can share your faith. Pray and ask God to move in a powerful way at WCC because PRAYER is what truly changes people.

My Oh My What A Wonderful Day!

Before I left for vacation I posted a blog that I would have some very exciting news when I returned home.  Well, when I got home I wasn't immediately able to post the good news due to some loose ends that needed to be tied up.  Today, however, I am pumped to announce that I, along with the Elders of WCC, have hired Mark Patterson to be our new Executive Pastor.  Most of you who attend WCC already know who Mark is because he has spoken for me several times when I have been away.  As Executive Pastor Mark's primary role will be to implement Weddington Community Church's "purpose" by providing the necessary leadership to: staff employees, volunteers, ministries within the church, and also by guiding the day to day operations of the church.  Mark will also spear head small groups as well as preach on a regular basis.

OK, that is the formal announcement, now a few personal words.  Mark and I met a while back as he was going through a very tenuous time of ministry.  I had no ulterior motives when I called him one day on the advice of a friend.  But it was very clear from the very day Mark and I met that there was a special affinity that he and I have.  Since that meeting he and I have spent a lot of time talking about our philosophy of church and leadership and suffice it to say, I have met very few people who think so much like I do.

Mark is a very talented speaker and leader who, I guarantee you, will be instrumental in helping WCC be a Church that honors Jesus Christ.  His servant like spirit and humble demeanor, coupled with his humor and sincerity make him a rare breed.  Since Mark has agreed to accept the role as Executive Pastor there hasn't been a day that has gone by that I haven't said thank you to the Lord for sending us such a blessing. 

Mark, welcome aboard my friend.  I am excited to serve with you.  I am thankful you have felt led to join us here at WCC.  And most of all, I am excited about doing God's work with such a great friend. 

Blake

Two Shout Outs!

I want to give 2 shout outs today!  The first goes to my friend Josh Via.  Josh and his wife Tashia and their team led us in worship on Sunday morning and did a fantastic job!  Josh and Tashia have their own ministry traveling around leading worship and we were blessed to have him lead at WCC.  If you are interested in knowing more about Josh and what he is up to visit his website at www.joshvia.com. 

I also want to give a big shout out to my friend Mark Kramer.  Mark has been at WCC for several years now and about a year ago he joined my small group.  Since then I have gotten to know Mark a whole lot better and appreciate his support and most of all his humor.  Mark you are hilarious man!  Anyway, yesterday Mark sent me some information about how Christians give or don't give back to the church.  This was prompted by my message on Sunday.  It is interesting stuff.  Check it out.

Attached is a new report issued by Barna this morning about tithing and
giving. Here are highlights:

*    In 2007, 5% of adults tithed.

    *    24% of evangelicals tithe

    *    12% of conservatives tithe

    *    12% of those who read the Bible and attended a church
service during the past week tithe

    *    11% of charismatic or Pentecostal Christians tithe

    *    10% of registered Republicans tithe

    *    Under 1% of these people tithe: "people under the age of
25, atheists and agnostics, single adults who have never been married,
liberals, and downscale adults.

    *    Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or
more of their income.

    *    Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were
Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

*    The percentage of adults who tithe has stayed constant since
2000, falling in the 5% to 7% range. The proportion of adults who tithed
was 7% in 2006 and 2005; 5% in 2004 and 2003; 6% in 2002; and 5% in
2001.

*    In 2007, 84% of all adults donated some money to churches or
non-profit organizations. That figure has also remained consistent in
recent years.

    *    The median amount of money donated during 2007 was $400;
the mean amount was $1308.

    *    The mean sum of donations per person in 2006 was $1348.

    *    34% of all adults gave away $1000 or more during 2007.

    *    18% donated $100 or less.



A Spiritual Birthday Party!

Today at around 2:47 PM I had a 20 year old young man come into my office and ask me how he could know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  I knew this day would come as I have watched this young man for some time absorbing the word of God and being moved by the Holy Spirit.  I told him today as we talked, that God has been knocking on the door of his life for some time and this afternoon he finally decided to answer. I am So Excited!!

With all the things that ministers have to deal with, the aspect of our jobs that make them worthwhile are experiences like today.  Knowing that I have the opportunity to share with others the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers is better than anything I could ask for.  Seeing people respond to that love and forgiveness is amazing.

God thank you for the decision Ben made today.  Thank you that your Holy Spirit is alive and working.  Finally, thank you for the privilege of being able to minister.

God Bless.

I Am Proud of Myself

Check out these statistics.  The average minister works 10.5 hours a day, 6 days a week equaling a total of 63 hours per week.  Crazy right?  Especially since so many people think that all we do is show up on Sunday and "do our thing".  I have had countless numbers of people say to me, "I would love it if all I had to do was work on Sunday."  Little do they know.

The truth is, the task of ministry can be overwhelming and ever-consuming which isn't healthy.  My personality lends itself to this unhealthy lifestyle.  My wife is constantly telling me to slow down and take a break.  I hate it when she does that and generally offer one of the following excuses.  "Honey, I just don't have enough time!" or "I have some really important things to do" or "People expect me to be available" or "I don't feel like I need a break."  Whatever I use as my excuse she always laughs and reminds me that I am not as important as I think and that the work will be there when I get back.  She is so right.

Anyway, last week was a crazy week for me.  My general inclination was to dive in head first and not come up for air until I knew everything that I thought needed to be taken care of was done.  On the advice of my wife I changed my strategy.  Here are some of the things I did.

1. I didn't blog. Angie isn't a blogger nor does she read blogs.  In fact, and this may fly in the face of some who blog, but she thinks that they are a huge waste of time.  On several occasions she has made the comment, as I diligently typed out my blog or read someone else's, "Don't you have something more important to do than read or write a stupid blog."  At times that has offended me, but lately I have come to realize that if I am being honest with myself, many times I do have more productive, important things that I could and should be doing.  So, last week I only did those things that were of supreme importance.  Blogging wasn't one of them.

2. I spent time with positive people.  Whenever my life gets stressful I have to guard who I spend time with real closely.  I mean, let me be frank, there are some people who will suck every bit of emotional energy out of your life if you let them.  No need to describe the characteristics of these type of people because everyone knows the type of individual I am describing.  During stressful times, if I allow myself to spend time with these type of individuals, it doesn't take long before I become hyper negative and critical and downright miserable.  I did not let that happen last week.  I carefully and strategically positioned myself around some of the most positive people I know and the result was incredible.

3. I prayed more. Praying is such an awesome privilege. There are moments in my life when I don't see it that way, but when stress mounts, having the ability and freedom to go to God about what is going on in my life is so refreshing.  Recently there have been so many moments that I have poured out my heart to God in a painfully honest prayer only to have Him reassure me that He is with me and that He will never leave me.  Saying that sounds so fake I know.  In fact I debated whether to even write it because I, in no way, want to insinuate that I am one of these people that God talks to all the time.  But lately...it just seems like He has been speaking to me on a frequent and consistent basis.  Last week's prayer times were some of the best I have ever had.

4. I spent time with my wife. Angie isn't a needy wife at all.  She never begs me to spend time with her and she is so understanding when other things take precedence over our relationship even when they shouldn't. I didn't want that to happen last week, so I made sure I made time for her.  For example, on Friday we spent the day shopping for furniture.  Now, I hate to shop and so I thought I was making a huge sacrifice.  As it turns out, it was the best day of the week for me.  Not only is my wife fun to be with, she is my best friend.  I am so glad that I have her and that I prioritized being with her in the midst of a stressful week.

I don't say this very often because I am one who recognizes how much work I need in my life, but last week I made some great decisions in dealing with my stress and I am proud of myself!  I hope I can continue to do what I know helps me be the kind of husband, father and leader God wants me to be.