Opening a Window -- It's Harder Than You Think

A little over a year ago the Lord began to deal with me regarding a live prayer program. WVLR in Knoxville was doing one with great success. I knew I wanted the revival they were experiencing but I also knew that I did not just want to copycat what they did. I wanted God to do it for WGNM the way He wanted to do it for WGNM and I set myself to pursue His direction.

Unity & the Place of Commanded Blessing

Psalm 133 is a special passage for my family, especially the first verse. “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

My Mom made me and my brother write this verse multiple times when we weren't getting along. Go figure! I’m not sure what we did to deserve such punishment but I’m pretty sure it was his fault.

Aside from getting two boys to live in peace, there is truth in this whole chapter that is powerful for the Body of Christ, especially the Church of Middle Georgia. This chapter is only three short verses but contains a powerful word for us as we pursue unity in the Body.

Going Gideon on a Telethon

As a ministry, we are here for others.  We pray with people through our Prayer Request Line. We give to those in need through our "Love Basket". We teach and preach the Word of God and help those ministries who want to do the same. We exist to help meet the needs of others.

And maybe that is the problem.

Know the Sheep You Are Counting

“We stream our services. Why would we want to be on TV?”

I hear this from pastors and church media types quite a bit and, on the surface, I understand. My answer, though, is not easy to hear.

Fear the Purse, not Abortion!

Most men may not admit it, but women scare us. Think about it; name a guy who will look into his wife’s purse without permission? When my wife asks me to get something from her purse, I just take it to her. I hate looking in there. It seems so disorganized. Which one is the “front” pocket? Exactly which prison will she need to escape from that she thinks she has to carry a file THAT big?

Slavery vs. Partnership

Back in college, when I still knew everything, I got blindsided with a truth that has stuck with me all these years.

One of my broadcasting classes was visited by the owner of a local radio station. During our discussion he asked the question, “What do radio/TV stations sell?”

I immediately began to channel my inner-Arnold Horshack, “Ooh, ooh, I know the answer, they sell TIME!” I rested back in my chair with a smug grin on my face. I just knew that he would be so impressed with my knowledge and rapid hand-raising skills that he would give me a job. Boy, was I wrong.

Not a Day, a Discipline

Rev. James Moore of Strong Tower Fellowship brings a word of encouragement on prayer.

A little over a week ago, we participated in the National Day of Prayer observance here in Macon, GA. Truly a great time was had by all.

As a member of the committee that puts all of the day's events together, I can safely say that we are always relieved at the great turnout of people that show up for both the breakfast and the noon rally. We like to remind people that, regarding prayer, it is not about a day, it is about a discipline. How very true that is. But something else I noticed will take longer than a day, much prayer, and great discipline to accomplish.

As I looked around the room I saw something that, a few decades ago, was not commonplace (and in some circles banned). People with different shades of skin tone were eating, fellowshiping, and worshiping together. Probably much more so than they would be the following Sunday, or this coming Sunday. This bothers me. It disturbs my spirit and I think it pains the heart of God.

Past attempts at "coming together" or unity or some sort of racial reconciliation forced from the top down have never gotten us anywhere. What we need is a spirit-led grass roots effort to tear down the walls of distrust that we have allowed to be built up.

We are guilty of letting "Us vs. Them" politics creep into "Us vs. Them" religion. This blog, this man, this station does not purport to know all the answers or, for that matter, even all of the questions. But I do know a couple of things:

1. We need to pray. The start of any endeavor requires prayer. And as much as we ask, we need to listen to our Father in Heaven.
2. We need an understanding that if we, as the Body of Christ, cannot get it right on the subject of race then NO ONE can get it right.
3. We need leaders. Not showboating, grandstanding, hate-bearing "wannabe's".
4. We need a heart change in Middle Georgia. Memorize Ezekiel 36:26 "...and I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." and keep it in our minds and on our tongues at all times.

 My solemn prayer is "Lord, show me what to do. Give me the strength, courage, and power to see it through."

Open to the New,
Rip Kenley