Catching Up

I was able to catch up with an "old friend" today. What an honor it was to renew our friendship and reminisce about old times. Adam Greenway and I served together on staff in Texas a few years back. He is now teaching at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is one of the sharpest young minds of our generation and I'm thrilled to hear that he is sharing some of that knowledge and wisdom with other pastors and church leaders.

Talking with him made me think about the name of this blog. I explained it in brief detail back in April when we redesigned the site layout, but feel that it would be good to explain it in greater detail. It always helps to hear the reasoning behind something. Although, it was no surprise that I didn't have to explain it to Adam. he knew exactly where I was coming from (as an apologetics guru).

The name came from my study of the Westminster Confessions. Within the confession two scriptures are used as a basis for our purpose as worshipers. Rom 11:36 says "for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." It goes on to say:

We have read two scriptures, which speak to the ultimate and chief end of man, which is the glorifying of God by all our actions and words and thoughts. In which we have these things of importance: 1. That God’s glory is the end of our being. 2. That God’s glory should be the end of our doing. And, 3. The ground of both these; because both being and doing are from him, therefore they ought to be both for him. He is the first cause of both, and therefore he ought to be the last end of both. ‘Of him, and through him, are all things;’ and therefore all things are also for him, and therefore all things should be done unto him.


In all that we do. In all that we think. In all that we are. Our purpose in creation is to glorify God. To bring God glory is why we were created. It comes out of our relationship with Him. When we sin, when we are lazy, when we get so busy with our plans that we cease to be about His plan we are actually doing something we were not created for. When a tree no longer bears fruit it is useless, for it was created to bear fruit. When a car no longer works properly it is useless, for it was created to get us from one place to the other. When a man is not worshiping and bringing glory to God he ceases to do what he was created to do. Understand your purpose. Understand why God chose to create you. Grasp your reason for living and bring glory to God in every situation. Only then will you achieve the chief end of God's plan for your life.

Stay Focused!

Welcome Immanuel Choir and Orchestra

We are in the process of revamping my blog. That's right...even some of the things you see now will change soon. I love change. Not simply for the sake of change, but for progression. I am one that if I find something that works better than what I have, I will go for the change. Why keep doing what you're doing when something else will work much better and more efficiently? I approach my marriage, parenting, technology, and my ministry the same way. In ministry, if there is a better means of reaching the lost and encouraging the saved, then I'm all about it.

Along those same lines, I discovered blogging...and I love it. Blogging has enabled me to get to know more people below the surface. More importantly, it has allowed many people within my ministry to hear my heart, see the real me, and get a "behind the scenes" glimpse at my life. By letting down that guard and being real with your people, I have found you create a stronger bond and team approach to ministry. People will get behind someone they believe in. I believe in my people, and I want them to know the real me, not the facade.

Tonight, we will be unveiling (if you will) thechiefend.com in choir rehearsal. Many of you reading now may be visiting the site for the first time. Welcome. I'm so glad you're here. Feel free to look around the site. Please check back often. You never know what you might find in here. To our Immanuel Choir and Orchestra: I love being your Minister of Worship. Nothing thrills me more than helping to prepare God's people for leading in worship and worshiping with them. Every choir rehearsal we make sure there is a point in which we turn our focus solely to Him and worship. We need that time. How can you prepare yourself to lead others in worship without truly worshiping. The chief end of God is to be glorified. In every situation, circumstance, problem, etc. He wants the glory. He created us for the purpose of worship, which is glorifying God through a relationship with Him. Sell out all that you are and all that you have to meet this "chief end" that He created you for.

My post won't usually be this long, but since we have so many new readers I wanted to give you a view of what this blog is all about. Feel free to leave comments by clicking on the comments tab following this blog. You will have the option of leaving a comment as anonymous or registering your name. If you don't register, please sign your name so that I can address you personally. Thanks again for reading and I hope to hear from you soon.

West Coast Peaches

I began blogging last October and immediately got the blogging bug. I love it. So, I have been encouraging my wife, Jody, to start blogging. It gives you a personal ministry to people you might otherwise never had much contact with. She finally caved, and the result is West Coast Peaches. The name came from our home state, Georgia. Now that we're living in California...well, I'm sure you can figure it out. Save this address in your favorites or subscribe to it. It is worth the read, especially for you ladies. She will be featuring recipes sent in by her readers, personal news on the family, and cooking techniques. Knowing her she'll probably be letting you know where the best sales are, as well. So go check it out. She just put one of my favorite recipes on today. You've got to try it.

Post 100

It is official. This is my 100th post. It is kinda crazy. I never imagined I would have enough to say to get me to post 25, nor that people would care to read it. But, here we are. We had over 600 hits on the site last month, so hopefully we're impacting people in a positive way. So, I've decided to use POST #100 to let you in on some things we're going to be doing with the blog in the upcoming weeks.

Next week, we will begin promoting the blog among our people at Immanuel. Some are already aware of it, but others are not. So, we should start seeing an increase of traffic, as well as comments (so start leaving more comments people!) I'll do my best to respond. Also, let me know what you think about the new site. Tell me about some things you want to hear about. I'll address certain issues as well as give updates. I love this online family.

Keep logging on. We are going to be featuring comments that readers leave from time to time, as well as featuring people within the ministry. Below this article you will see a number and the word comments. To leave a comment, simply click on that link. You will have the option to make a comment as anonymous, or you can register a name and leave a comment. If you register a name you will be able to sign onto future blogs and post comments as that name. If you have questions, email me. Stay focused and keep striving to make an impact for the Kingdom.

thechiefend.com

I told you so! I know it has been a long time coming, but the new layout is finally up. There are still several "tweaks" we are making to the site, but the new design is complete. I am currently setting up hosting and working links and things.

Okay, now about that name. I wanted to name the site something that relates to what I do and teach. After going through several "worship" related names (all of which were taken) I decided to go with something that I often say. When teaching on worship I will regularly make the point that "the chief end of man is to glorify God is every situation." No matter what we are facing, God wants to receive the glory. Therefore, our goal should be to glorify Him in all that we do.

Thus, thechiefend.com was born. Check back often to see the added features that will be going up in the next few days. Thanks to Terry and Don for all your work. I love and appreciate both of you. You are awesome!

New Blog Design

Alright, alright...I knew I should have never said anything. Now, several of you have been asking about when the new blog layout is going to be ready. Well, I don't have that answer...yet. I have run into a snag with design, which has caused that time table to be pushed back a bit. It is a process that has been crazy, at best. I didn't imagine it would be this involved or take this long, but it has. So, thanks for your patience. Thanks, also, for continuing to check things out here. I will, Lord willing, have that new concept in place soon. Really. No, seriously. Well....I hope. It will be cool once it's ready. (I hope)

Coming Soon

Okay, Okay...I know that I've been telling you for weeks now that a new blog is on the way, but it is really true. We're still in the building stages, but it looks like we are about 2 weeks out. I can't wait to get it up and running. I'm hoping to be able to minister through the blog to those at Immanuel, giving news, upcoming events info, encouragement and spiritual challenges...while at the same time updating those who are regular readers of this blog, who are part of Immanuel, updates on our ministry and family, as well as insight to creative elements of the ministry. You'll still have the opportunity to comment on blogs, however, you'll need to login to the new site and create a user ID and password. BUT, don't worry about that right now. I'll give you the heads-up on what's needed when we get there. For now, just keep checking back often for "breaking news" and we'll get that new site up as soon as possible.