Brad Wilkerson // COC Metro

A Memory of a Lifetime....Thank You COC

If you are not already aware, COC Metro, surprised me with two tickets to the World Series for Pastor's Appreciation month at the conclusion of this past Sundays worship service.  The tickets were actually given to my 12 year old son, Ryder, and then he was asked who he wanted to take with him:  Dane or his Dad? Thank you Lord that he picked his Dad.  I cannot say, "Thank You", enough for making a lifetime dream for me and my son come true.  We had the time of our lives.  During batting practice, Ryder, looked up at me and said, "Hey Dad, we are at the World Series...this is crazy!"  Ryder even caught a ball during the Cardinal's batting practice time out in left field.  Actually, the ball didn't make it out of the park but injured Cardinal pitcher, Adam Wainwright, (STUD PITCHER) tossed it up to Ryder because he was the only kid out of the 100's screaming for the ball that was wearing his Cardinal wear.  As all of you in the sports world know, the Rangers won game four and we got to see Derek Holland pitch the game of his career.  It was a great game and a great time.

It was so funny yet hard for me wanting to cheer on Hamilton, Cruz and Napoli yet being in my Cardinal gear taking me back to my childhood heritage and childhood team.  However, for Ryder, it was no issue. He would not...refused....to cheer for the Rangers after cheering for them all year to win the AL pennant.  He's a funny kid.  He said he just couldn't do that to his favorite player, Albert Pujols.  I guess he actually thinks Pujols would know if he was disloyal to the Red Birds.  Gotta give it to the kid....he's loyal and committed....thats pretty cool.

Anyway, we are licking our wounds after game 5.  We still believe that St. Louis can go home and win two games to take the World Series but it's not looking real good.  Either way....I will be happy.  

Why?

Because Texas is a great team and we follow them as our American League team.  Because we LOVE the Cardinals from our Missouri heritage and since I loved them since I was a boy. Because both teams are filled with some real quality guys who are great role models for kids just like Ryder....(Chris Carpenter, well he might not be)  Because both managers are great baseball guys...even though Tony LaRussa is confusing me right about now. Because we could get to follow the WS champions all next year right here in Texas.  

But most of all....Because:

We got to actually go to a WS game as a father / son.....a dream come true and a memory of a lifetime.

That memory that moment was made available by the generous people of COC....Thank you....Ryder and I love you and appreciate your kindness to think of such a wonderful gift.

Have a great week...And I pray the WS goes 7 games....if you know what I mean.

Jeremiah 29:11...A Verse for Today!

Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet because he is in constant grief…tears….for the nation of Israel….God’s people.

To say their situation was tough is an understatement. 

The nation of Israel had been taken captive and exiled to a place called Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

Understand, Babylon, is not like a little trip down to South Padre or to Destin, Fl…or even some tropical paradise in the Caribbean.

Babylon….Sucks….

In Revelation, Babylon is called… “the great whore that sitteth upon many waters”

Babylon is the “. . . MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

In the Bible a harlot is a symbol of a false religious or philosophical system.

So, Babylon is not just a great city but it is also a false religious system.

In Babylon God is mocked…and there, persecution for the followers of God.

Yet in the midst of this great oppression / opposition Jeremiah writes my favorite verse in the entire BIBLE:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Are you for real Jeremiah?  Have you seen our situation….have you seen what’s going on….kind of hard to see any PLAN let alone any good or hope….Dude….WE ARE IN BABYLON!!!

So, what’s the application today….What’s in this for you today…..October 20, 2011?

How does this apply to the the 21^st century?

Well, to some degree I think you and I live in an culture / a time of Babylon…..Oh, it could be worse, and probably will someday be…..but look at the culture you live in.

It seems everyday it gets harder and harder to see & trust Jeremiah 29:11.

But be of good cheer my God, your God is still on the throne and just like Jeremiah wrote....in the midst of what seems to be a lot of confusion in our Nation.....Jeremiah 29:11 is for today:

1.  God Knows…. “For I Know” says the Lord

Ultimate truth….ultimate knowledge….Isn’t it good to know that someone KNOWS what in the world is going on and what in the world you are going through?

There were times growing up….I thought nobody knew what I was going through…..nobody knew how much I wanted to do right…..but found myself giving in.

HE KNOWS….HE KNOWS YOU….HE KNOW ME!!!

The ME....The YOU…..who we are when no one is looking….and HE loves that ME....that YOU!!!!

2.  What does He know?…..THE PLAN for your life!

You got any plans for your life?

You got anyone in your life that has a plan for your life?

Ever been asked, “What YOU want to be when you grow up?

Have you ever asked, What’s GOD’s plan for my life?

He's got a plan...even when it seems all HELL is breaking loose....All hell breaking loose could be part of the plan.

3.  His plan ROCKS….Best PLAN ever!

*Plan #1:  Good not Disaster

Ever feel like the cards are stacked against you?

Ever feel captive in Babylon? 

Maybe your own home / life / mind / town.

Ever feel captive because of something you did that you just seem to get over?

Can I tell you something great today:

GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU….HE IS MADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!

Let me say that one again:

GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU….HE IS MADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!

The Devil is strong….His lies are believable…But God’s Plan for you is for GOOD…..NOT DISASTER

*Plan #2:  Future & Hope

Kind of hard to see any future or hope when you are captive in Babylon.

Kind of hard to see any future or hope when your captive in a Babylon of your own making too!

Hard to see future and hope when you can’t get past those things in your life that rocks your spiritual world everyday.

Maybe it’s

*A relationship with the opposite sex that has gone to far.

*Maybe it’s a relationship with someone at school or in your family that’s kicking your tail.

*Maybe it’s you and your computer screen after everyone goes to bed at night.

*Maybe it’s that recreational drug / alcohol usage.

*Whatever it is that doesn’t honor / worship God….you fill in the blank….

Every bit of that is your BABYLON.  It has you CAPTIVE.

Yet in your captivity God says, “I have a plan for you….a plan for good….a future….a hope.”

Wow…what a God.....what a SAVIOR!!!

Why in the world would you want anything or anyone else.

I’m voting for JESUS….He’s the only one that’s got my back in spite of me and all my captivities

Jeremiah 29:11 a verse for TODAY!

A Heart Divided

Wow this MLB playoff year has caused some serious Anxiety / Emotion in the Wilkerson household.  

We'll let me back up, anxiety & emotion in the lives of Brad, Haley and Ryder.  If you know my wife, Sarah, you know she could care less about the MLB or any other sport; Dancing With the Stars....now thats a whole other issue.

Unless you have been like living on another planet or something you know that the Texas Rangers are in the World Series for the second year in a row.  Of course all of North Texas is jacked up because this is like the, oh yea, 2nd time in team history that the Rangers have made it this far but it is also back to back years.  This area is also Rangers crazy because of the belief that this could be their year since they lost last year's WS and oh yea, also because Nellie Cruz is hitting the ball off the planet.

Now don't get me wrong, I love me some Rangers.  

When it comes to the American League...they are my team....they have been since I moved to Texas....you know, as soon as I could get here!!!

However, from the time I was a small lad and picked up a ball and a glove for the very first time my heart has bled St. Louis Cardinal Red!!!!  Have I mentioned St. Louis has won 18 National League pennants and are going for their 11th WS Championship?  If I didn't, well then, there it is.  I was 12 when Bruce Sutter shut down the Brewers in 82 for the championship and I grieved through WS defeats in 85, 87 (the Ozzie Smith years) and 2004.  Of course any true Red Bird fan knows we were shafted in the 85 series against the Royals with a blown safe/out call at first base and that the 87 series was a conspiracy as the Twins turned on huge air vents to help blow their fly balls over the fence when they were up to bat in what they called the, "Homer Dome"....but I'm not bitter.  2004....well it was just the Red Sox year.....I think they were like way over due or something!!!!  

BUT in 06 we put it on the Tigers of Detroit taking the series easily.

So as you can see, my heart is divided.  My kids and I love the Rangers but I LOVE the St. Louis Cardinals. And since I am a man who believes in training up a child in the way they should go:  my kids love the Cardinals too....and they really love Albert Pujols.  Jesus loves Albert Pujols....yea, I know he loves Josh Hamilton, CJ Wilson and David Murphy too.  Truth be known, Jesus loves the Yankees and their fans too...one of which is my little sister....I know she hasn't been right for years.  A little worried about her.

I have trained my kiddos right....just as the Bible says....train them up right....

Love the Dallas Cowboys

Love the Dallas Mavericks

Love the Texas Rangers

Love the Texas Longhorns

Love Payne Stewart & Phil Mickelson

and of course.....LOVE THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS!

So as the WS starts we may be divided in our Hearts....but one way of looking at it....we can't lose!

But our allegiance lies with the St. Louis Cardinals....and it's time for #11 in 2011!

Close with this:  "Why, Brad, are you a St Louis Cardinal fan?"

Because I am a Missouri boy.  Born there and raised their in my childhood years.  If you are from big MO you are a Cardinal fan!!!  

The Kansas City Royals....who are they?

Have a great week and enjoy the series...should be fun and a lot of runs!

October is Planning Month

When fall so anxiously arrives and October activities kick into full gear, I actually begin kicking into gear for the next year.  October / November are planning months for me as I take time away from the normal daily routine of ministry to get alone with the Lord and seek His face as to where He would have us go during the next 12 months.  So over the next couple of weeks I along with our staff will be doing a lot of 2012 planning.  From calendar events, to sermon series ideas, to possible yearly theme and possible new ministry start ups we try to leave no stone unturned.

Here's a sneak peak and some things God is already orchestrating for next year:

1.  Possible Theme:  "God is Able"

2.  Possible Sermon Series (Topics)

    * "4G Challenge" ~ Vision Series

    * "Bringing Sexy Back" ~ Obviously Sex

    * "Lord of the Rings" ~ Marriage

    * "Down on the Farm" ~ Vision Series

    * "I Love The 80's" ~ Could be about a lot of topics....Still working on it!

3.  Possible Easter / Christmas Themes

4.  Budget Preparation & Presentations by our Staff for their ministries for 2012

So there you go.  A sneak peak into what October and November holds for me.

In closing, Pastor Dane is doing a great job with our current series, Treatment.  He has one more week this coming Sunday as he shares on the topic of Insecurities.  This one is going to ROCK.

I will begin my next message series, "Pirates" on Sunday, October 23rd.  This one is going to be fun!

Have a great week.