Thursday, February 19, 2009

Monkey Business

Hey Folks,
My mother had so many sayings, I can't remember them all. But every now and then something will happen that will bring to mind one of her unusual sayings. Like just this week with the shooting of a chimpanzee gone wild I remembered something mother said. For instance, if she hit her thumb or stumbled or burnt her finger on the iron, instead of using some by-word, she'd say, "shoot a monkey." I don't know why.

Well, this week someone shot a monkey. Not only did someone shoot a monkey, the New York Post printed a cartoon depicting the shot monkey. Referencing Obama's stimulus package which was passed this week, the caption beneath the shot monkey cartoon read something like, "We'll have to get someone else to write the next stimulus bill." Now everybody's mad in Washington. Al Sharpton even came out of retirement to protest the cartoon. "Someone's got some explaining to do," he said. Someone shot a monkey and now the offended parties want to shoot the New York Post.

I'm not all that offended with the cartoon. First of all I don't own a monkey. Second of all, I have been offended before, and I've learned to deal with it. As a Christian, everything I hold dear has been not only questioned but also ridiculed. The Bible I believe has been referred to as fallacy. Jesus, the say, was simply an ordinary man. His sinless life was a dreamed up after-thought. His second coming is nothing more than a good ending to a made up story. I am offended every Christmas when nativities are made illegal. I'm offended when the cross is called divisive and hateful. I'm offended when God-fearing people are reduced by comedians and politicians as being mindless and indoctrinated.

So, a cartoon about a shot monkey and it's connection to Obama are the least of my concerns. Jesus was cruicified and buried 2000 years ago. People still mock his death. People still reject his message. They still attempt to ignore his impact. However, even though I know not everyone will appreciate it, I will still preach and cling to the message of the old rugged Cross. Jesus, who died there, is the only hope for all the world. I wonder if that offends anyone?

If mother were still with us today, she'd say, "shoot a monkey." MM

Monday, February 16, 2009

TriPod

Friends and Church Family -
In case any of you are interested, we have our podcast working again at the Trinity Baptist website, tbctrinity.org. I had a great idea for the name of our podcast but it was voted down by the rest of the staff. Here's my suggestion: TriPod...Tri for Trinity and Pod for Podcast. Tripod. They laughed at me.

In two weeks we will be voting at Trinity Baptist to bring on staff Richie and Holly Thompson. If approved, they will serve as our Student and Children's Ministers. I believe some great days are ahead for our church. Pray that all goes well in the coming days.

By the way, these are great days as well. I talk alot about great days ahead, but these days are not so bad. Think about how blessed we are. In spite of the economy and a stimulus package that's not very stimulating, these are good days.

I begin revival this coming Sunday night-Wednesday night at the Fairview Church Of God. For all my Baptist brethren....I'm not jumping ship. You should visit this church sometime. No denominational label really fits. It is simply a good church with a real passion for making a difference in people's lives. Located just outside Harstelle.

Wow. God is good. I'll talk to you again next week. Michael

Michael Mason Ministries:
February 22-25 PM only - Fairview Church of God, Hartselle. Al.
March 8 PM - Walker Associational Evangelism Conference, Jasper, Al.
March 30-Apr. 1st - New Center Baptist, Moulton, Al.
April 3-4 - First Baptist Bay Miniette, Al. Weekend Marriage Retreat

Monday, February 9, 2009

I'm a Blogger

Friends,
I'm a blogger. I feel kind of funny even saying that. I've heard of pastors who've been fired from their churchs for doing things that didn't sound near as bad as "blogging." It's kind of like the first time I heard a friend say he had "googled" someone. I wasn't sure what that meant at the time....All I knew was that it sounded wrong. But since then, I must admit, I have googled more people than I can count. So, I am a blogger and a googler. What's this world coming to?

Life as a pastor is new every day. New challenges, new opportunities. Honestly, I am glad to be right in the middle of it all. I have been the pastor of Trinity Baptist in Trinity, Alabama for a whole 13 months. To tell you the truth, the past few months have been a blur. But life is good and all is well.



We are in the midst of a wonderful month at Trinity Baptist. On February 1st, we had my hero in the ministry, Junior Hill, to preach for us. What a great day we had. There were four people saved, three rededications, and ten came for baptism. On Sunday the 8th I baptized many of those who responded to God's word. On that Sunday we had 698 in worship. That's a crowd for us. God is doing great and mighty works in our church.



In my personal life, my daughter and son keep us all busy. Alyssa is a 14 year old with more energy than any one person ought to have. Garrett is 10 and is a Guitar Hero professional. They make life worth living. Crystal is a busy lady as well. This year we will celebrate 20 years of marriage. She teaches computer at Danville Neel Elementary, plays keyboard and helps direct the Children's Choir at church.

Thanks for dropping in. I'll update next week. Michael


This blog is a space for me to post news and information...a place where I can advertise other preaching engagements which God brings my way. Below are opportunities I have coming up in the next few weeks:

Michael Mason Ministries, Inc.


February 11 - FCA at West Morgan High School in Trinity, Al.


February 22-25(pm) Fairview Church of God in Hartselle, Al.


March 8 (pm) Walker Associational Evangelism Conference, Jasper, Al.


March 30-Apr 1st New Center Baptist, Trinity, Al.