2015 Preaching Schedule

January

11 Neel Methodist Church, Neel, Al. (1st church I pastored)

18 Men's Fellowship, Motes Cabin, Florette, AL.

24 Pastors Conference Soul Harbor Baptist, Somerville, AL. (AM)

24 Pastors Conference No Fences Cowboy Church, Falkville, Al. (PM)

25 Revival Day 19th Ave Baptist, Hattiesburg, Miss.

30-31 TRUE Couples Wknd, Grace Place, Hartselle, Al.

February

1-4 Belmore Baptist, Belmore, Al.

5-12 Guatemala

15-18 Mt Pleasant Baptist, Lexington, Al.

22 Revival Day East Highland Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

Wrestling With God

In my personal experience, wrestling with God has usually been about three things:  Something He wants me to do.  Something He wants me to say.  Somewhere He wants me to go.  For instance, God says, “Go” and I say, “No.”  God says, “Stay” and I say, “No way.”  God says, “Forgive” and I say, “Never.”  It becomes a constant battle between the flesh and the spirit described in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

Years ago while a student at New Orleans Baptist Seminary I heard an illustration that I will never forget.  It was one of those mornings when I was half awake, half asleep, half dead.  I was always at the chapel service.  It wasn’t required, but I was there just in case the preacher delivered a message that I could borrow for the next Sunday, or in case either of my favorite professors was preaching.    Occasionally there was a guest preacher.  That was the case on the morning I heard the illustration I’ll never forget.  I hate to admit, I don’t even remember his name.  This is what he said; Inside each of us are two dogs.  Every day that we live these two dogs are constantly in a fight.  One dog is black and the other is white.  The black dog represents the flesh.  The white dog represents the Spirit.  Because we are constantly making decisions dealing with right and wrong, the two dogs are constantly fighting.  Then he said he could tell which dog was going to win the fight.  He said, “The dog you’re feeding will win the fight every time.”  “Whichever dog you’re starving will always lose.”  Then he asked, “Which dog are you feeding?”

The wrestling I am doing with God is about feeding the wrong desires and fooling myself that the end result will reveal I knew better than God.  Not only is there denial in these wrestling matches with God, there is also pride.  Prideful feelings that, even though I am struggling with God, I will eventually win. 

That simple story about the two dogs opened my eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare.  I remember beginning to be aware of the wrestling that was going on inside of me.  I began to be aware of what I was feeding my mind and heart.  I began to be careful what I was feeding the dogs, and in particular, which dog I was starving.  I have continued to wrestle with God and often against God since those days in New Orleans.  I imagine I always will.  If you’re wrestling with God or against God, don’t try to win.  Just surrender.

Finishing Strong

One of my favorite books is Finishing Strong, written by Steve Farrar.  The audience he addresses is men - husbands and fathers.  The gist of the book is found on the back cover.  Farrar writes, “When you look around, you realize very few husbands and fathers are finishing strong.  The man who hangs in there for the long haul with his wife, his kids, and his Lord is an exception these days.” 

I agree.  Just look around as Farrar said.  Look at our world and the men who lead it.  Better yet, look around your church, your family, and among your friends.  Look at yourself.  How many of us are striving to finish strong, to finish well?  How many of us are flirting with disaster, living too close to the edge?  How many are neglecting their family?  We see wives and husbands who are pursuing their own interests as if they’re not even married.  Homes have become nothing more than roadside rest areas where we eat, sleep, and shower. 

While I don’t want to get too sentimental, I feel compelled to remind us of the marriages that have gone before us.  I think of men and women who struggled together and stayed together when it would have been much easier to give up and search for greener pastures.  For me, I have such pleasant memories of couples that stayed married for life.  Couples like Rudolph and Arlene, Huel and Gladys, Jimmy and Zella, Robert and Mildred, Lester and Ethel, and the list goes on.  These are some of the couples who, when I was a kid growing up, were the “old people.”  They were old and they had old values.  Values that never changed because they were based on God and His will.  These couples finished strong.  God help us do the same.  How?  Farrar tells us how to finish strong.  He believes there are four things that will help any of us, who want to, finish strong.  He suggests:

Stay in.

Stay close.

Stay away.

Stay alert.

 First of all, stay in the scriptures.  Second, Farrar suggests, stay close to a friend.  Third, if you want to finish strong, you must stay away from people who pull you down and away from your values. Finally, according to Farrar, if you want to finish strong, stay alert to the tactics of the Enemy.  Let's pray for one another.  God help us Finish Strong.  M

Busy and Blessed 2014

Michael Mason Preaching Schedule 2014

February

2 First Baptist Austinville, Decatur, Al.

6-13 Guatemala Mission

16 19th Ave Baptist, Hattiesburg, Miss.

23 Danville Baptist, Danville, Al.

24-27 Lonesome Dove Church, Holly Pond, Al.

March

1 Belmore Baptist, Belmore, Al.

2-5 Southside Baptist, Albertville, Al.

9-12 Solitude Baptist, Albertville, Al.

16-19 Harmony Baptist, Moulton, Al.

30-Apr 2 Family Baptist, Moulton, Al.

April

6 Parkview Baptist, Decatur, Al.

7 Bethel Baptist, Dora, AL.

9 Redan Baptist, Redan, Al.

13-16 New Center Baptist, Hartselle. Al.

20 Friendship Baptist, Grand Bay, Al.

27-30 Sardis Springs Bap., Athens, Al.

May

2-4 Wilsonville Baptist, Wilsonville, Al.

5,7 Blue Springs Bap., Somerville, Al.

6 Sweet Home Bap., Guntersville, Al.

18-21 Union Hill Baptist, Moulton, Al.

June

1 First Baptist, Holly Pond, AL.

6 Okalona Comm. Revival, Hatton, Al.

8 New Canaan Baptist, Union Hill, Al.

15 First Baptist, Milan, Tenn.

22 Bethlehem Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

July

6 Lindsay Lane Baptist, Athens, Al.

7-11 Old Brashiers Chapel, Arab, Al.

13-16 New Life Church, Falkville, Al.

20-23 Grace Community Church, Cullman, Al.

27-30 Gum Springs Bap., Hartselle, Al.

August

3-6 Tunsel Road Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

10-13 Lebanon Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

15-16 Caddo Cong. Church, Caddo, Al.

17 Florence First Assem., Florence, Al.

23-24 Creek Path BC, Guntersville,  Al.

25 First Baptist, Meridianville, Al.

September

7-10 First Baptist, Red Bay, Al.

14-17 Irwinton Baptist, Irwinton, Ga.

21 Victory Baptist, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

22-23 New Salem Bap., Somerville, Al.

28 Pine Ridge Baptist, Union Hill, Al.

29- Oct.1 Ryan Baptist, Ryan, Al.

October

5-8 Pineview Baptist, Thomasville, Al.

12 Kennedy Baptist, Kennedy, Al.

14-17 Guatemala Pastor’s Conference

19-22 First Baptist, Winchester, Tenn.

26-29 First Baptist, Troy, Tenn.

November

2-5 Gloreitta Bap., Oklahoma City, Ok.

9-11 Edgemont Bap, Shelbyville, Tenn.

16-19 Mt. Carmel Baptist, Eva, AL.

30- Dec.2 Belmore Bap., Belmore, Al.

December

28 Danville Baptist, Danville, Al.

Friends, I am having a busy year.  I’m thankful for your prayers for my safety as I travel…Thankful for the support of my family at home…And thankful to God for the opportunities to preach. 

Would you consider supporting me in this ministry?  I rely completely on love offerings and the gifts of individuals. Would you pray about supporting me on a monthly basis or occasionally as the Lord leads?

I also participate in two missions to Guatemala each year.  Would you consider helping pay my expenses to go?

God is faithful.  Where He guides He always provides.  You can be a part of His provision by sending any gift to the address below.  And, soon, you can donate online at my website, michaelmasonministries.com.  

I look forward to hearing from you…and seeing you when I’m in your area preaching.  Come when you can…pray for me when you can’t.  Thanks.  MM

Michael Mason Ministries

606 Birdsprings Road

Hartselle, Al. 35640

256.306.6645

michael-mason@charter.net

michaelmasonministries.com

NO Coffee and Doughnuts

I was in a church recently where the announcement was made, “Prayer meeting Monday morning at 7.  No coffee and doughnuts.  Just prayer.”  I thought that was interesting…and a little humorous.  Think about it…how often do we use food to draw a crowd?  Whether we’re trying to attract children, teens, or adults, it seems providing something to eat will help increase attendance.

With children it’s cookies, cupcakes, chick-fila, etc.  With teens it’s pizza, pepsi, and putt-putt. (I know putt putt isn’t a food but it just felt right to include it.)  With young couples it’s anything in a box or bag that can be bought and delivered in less than ten minutes.  With adults it’s big food like casseroles, fried chicken, mac and cheese, corn, okra, squash, dumplings, cakes and puddings.   These foods will generally increase attendance by at least 25%.  Well, that’s what we think anyway.

But a Monday morning prayer meeting with NO coffee or doughnuts…you’ve got to be kidding me.  I understand what these folks are doing.  They’re not against coffee and doughnuts – they’re just serious about praying.  I mean, God forbid, what if someone came for the coffee and doughnuts, but weren’t serious about praying?  Would that ever happen?  You bet your cream-puff it would.   By removing the coffee and doughnuts from the prayer meeting all you have left to do is pray.  Imagine that. 

Don’t get me wrong.  If you offer a free Zaxbys and fries buffet before church I’ll be there.  But I like the idea of a prayer meeting that focuses on praying.  Because if you have coffee and doughnuts someone has to make the coffee, make sure there’s creamer and sweetner…and someone has to make sure there’s enough doughnuts for everyone.  But if there’s no coffee and doughnuts all you have to think about is praying.  Not a bad idea.

I wonder what would happen if we came to the worship service to Worship.  I wonder what would happen if we came to Bible study to study the Bible.  Probably the same thing that would happen if we came to a prayer meeting to pray.   Something to think about.  Hmmmm…

Ok, honestly, right now I’m craving coffee and a doughnut.  M

Waiting On The Fireworks

My wife and I were at a Christian concert this past weekend.  The house was packed.  The church had spent the day celebrating our freedoms as Christians and as Americans.  The day ended with a spectacular fireworks show.  We enjoyed the evening.  

During a break in the music while the singer was talking for a few minutes, a small boy was talking to his mother, loud enough where those of us a couple of rows back could hear him.  He asked, “Momma, when this is over are we gonna get to see the fireworks?”  Mom was trying to get him to talk a little quieter but it wasn’t working.  He couldn’t have cared less about the singer on stage, he was there for the fireworks. 

I think most of us are waiting for the fireworks.  We’re wanting for whatever it is we are going through to hurry up and be over so the fireworks can begin.  We’re thinking, “When this is over… when we get through this…when I have more time…when the kids are older…when I can finally retire…when we have more money…..”  You get the idea.  

Could it be I am experiencing the fireworks right now and done’t even realize it?  I’ve been married to a beautiful lady for twenty five years this coming September.  I have the blond-haired-blue-eyed daughter I prayed for.  She’ll be twenty this August.  I am the proud father of a curley-haired-brown-eyed boy who is all a dad could ask for.  He’ll be sixteen in August.  I still have my father.  He turned eighty-three this spring.  And I am blessed with a sister who is one of the best people I know.  I have more friends than I can count.  I get to travel all over the country preaching in a different church each week.  I’m not wealthy, but I’m comfortable.  My car isn’t new, but it’s nice.  My home isn’t a mansion, but it’s the one place I long for when I’m away.  

God help me to not wait for the fireworks.  This is it.  I am in the midst of the best life a man could ask for.  I have peace of mind and peace with God.  If it all ends today, I am richer than a millionaire.  Rich in blessings.  Rich in all that my mother dad invested in me.  Rich in family values.  Rich as an American and rich as a Christian.

I have a friend who told me he used to complain all the time about toys left on the floor…Until he spent a year with his daughter in and out of Children’s Hospital.  He told me, after that, he’d never complain again about toys on the floor.  ….Friends, enjoy what you have. It could all be gone tomorrow.  Don’t wait on the fireworks.  M

Overalls

My dad came to hear me preach recently.  He’s 83 and doesn’t drive much at night, but I was preaching just a few miles from where he lives…so he came.  And he wore his overalls.  Liberty overalls.  And tennis shoes.  Not that I thought he should wear something else, but he told me, “I ain’t trying to impress nobody.”  He went on to say he thought he looked as good in his overalls as a lot of men do in a suit and tie.  

It was so good to see him out in the congregation.  It reminded me of the days when he and my mother traveled far and wide to hear me preach.  They were always there at the revival meetings that were local.  But they even traveled as far west as Oklahoma City and as far south as New Orleans.  They were good to me…and good together.  Daddy made the living while Mother made the home.  

He never got rich painting houses and doing remodeling jobs.  But we had a nice home, clean clothes, plenty to eat, and a decent car to drive.  When I was in high school, the housing industry was hit hard by the economy.  My dad took a job at a cabinet shop making $5 an hour.  At that time minimum wage would have been around $3 an hour.  I remember he and Mother talking about signing up for “welfare” as they called it.  I heard him say, “As long as I can work I’m not gonna get on welfare.”  

Daddy believed in minding his own business and he thought other people should mind their’s.  We had some “church-folks” come to visit us one day to talk about their dissatisfaction with the preacher.  They were good people but they never made it past the front steps.  He told them if that’s what they came to talk about they needed to get back in their car and go somewhere else.  He also told them if they wanted to visit and talk about something else they were welcome to stay.  They didn’t stay long.

He worked hard and thought he ought to get paid for his work.  There was an instance when he had painted a house and the owner owed him a small amount of money.  Daddy dropped by a few times and the fella was never at home.  So, one morning he dropped by before 6, woke the man and his wife up, and when the she answered the door daddy said, “I’m here to get my money.”  He got paid.  He said, “That woman sure looks different early in the morning - I almost didn’t recognize her.”

Two of his most famous sayings were: “I feel like I just got back.”  He would say that whenever I asked him if we could go somewhere.  They other was, “Bring me the scissors and I’ll cut it out.”  He said that after I showed him a picture in the Sears catalog of something I wanted for Christmas or a birthday.  

There’s more to Lewis Mason than an old guy in a pair of overalls.  He loved my mother till “death do us part”…  He has oved my sister and I for all of our lives.  He has worked hard, believed the BIble, and believed God for going on 84 years.  

I agree with him.  He does look good in overalls.  M