Category: Announcements and Events

The green grass – leaves on the trees – flowers in bloom – warmer temperatures – reminds me that we have turned the page. Winter is now behind us. It’s springtime. We made it. Old winter is in the history books. It’s time to move on.

Of course, we know that our battle the last four or five months was more than cold temperatures, ice, and snow.

How did we make it? The answer “We didn’t give up!” We lived with the hope of a better tomorrow. Yes, it would have been easier to just throw in the towel – throw our hands in the air and say, “I surrender.” But we didn’t.

Good for you. Good for you.

In some way, we can say that we have persevered over the last several months. So, what about the future? What’s in store for us? So many unanswered questions. So many unknowns!

Does God have anything to say about all of this? He sure does! Read on pilgrim. He says, “We live by faith, not by sight,” (2 Cor. 5:16).

In other words, we are to trust God and His ability to take care of us. This doesn’t mean that we will not have more trials and troubles. It simply means that when trials and troubles come our way, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and know that He is committed to taking care of us.

To Live is Christ
Bro. Danny

What’s up? How are you doing? Killed any giants lately? Are you rolling with the punches (hail stones)? Started building your ark? Okay, that’s enough. I think I made my point.

Remember that song we sang when we were kids? “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.” If you are fifty years old or older, you probably sang it. I did. It was an ok song. You know, one of those feel-good songs.

But I’ve come to realize that that song is somewhat misleading. The lyrics say, “Life is but a dream.” Really? The song implies that one will only experience blue skies sunshine, and calm waters.

Reality says that life can be a nightmare. Floods, hailstorms, tornadoes, train wrecks and car wrecks, disease and disaster, loneliness and emptiness.

I hope your little boat (your life) is gently floating down the stream. If it is, that’s wonderful. Enjoy it. Be grateful. Don’t take it for granted. Ride it out as long as it lasts.

But there is a good chance it won’t last forever. It didn’t for Job. Remember poor Job? The Bible said he was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). Everything was going his way. His family was great. He had oxen, donkeys, sheep, and servants. It was said that Job was the greatest man among all the people in the East.

Then the bottom fell out. He lost everything – children, livestock, health.

How did Job respond to his tragedy? He said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord,” (Job 1:21).

Let me close by saying: Yes, life is full of storms. Few if any will be able to avoid them. But here’s the good news. God’s children win in the end. Don’t take my word for it, take God’s word for it!

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

I have a friend that lives not too far from Oklahoma City. We have known each other for several years. We don’t talk much anymore, but when we do, it’s as if we talk to each other every day.

In our last conversation, he shared with me about a recent road trip. On his way home, he decided to turn off his radio, silence his phone, and eliminate all distractions. He asked God to speak to him. He wanted to hear the voice of God. He asked God what He wanted him to do as he went forward n his life. Mile after mile, he listened.

He told me how refreshing it was to close out the world and let God have all of him. It was a road trip that he will not soon forget.

Let me ask you a personal question. When was the last time you heard the voice of God? And if you can’t say for sure when the last time you heard God’s voice, why not? I think you know the answer. Me too.

Luke tells us in Luke 5:16 that Jesus often made His way to an out-of-the-way place and spent time praying, listening, and allowing God to have all of Him. No interruptions; no outside noise.

I want to encourage you to carve out some time in the near future and give God your full attention. Simply say, “God speak; your child is listening.”

To Live is Christ
Bro. Danny

The clock keeps ticking. Don’t you hear it? Tick-tock-tick-tock. Yes, time marches on.

I believe you will agree with me when I say that the most important, the most precious gift we have is the gift of time. And once a second is gone, it’s gone. There is no retrieving it. The same goes for a minute, an hour, a day, a month, and a year.

The question I’m asking myself is how did I do this past year? You know, dealing with the coronavirus, and all that comes with it. My greatest concern is that I didn’t waste a year because of Covid 19.

Paul writes: “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Paul is encouraging us to be a testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. Even during a pandemic. Of course, the easy thing to do when the going gets tough is to quit – give up – throw in the towel.

It appears that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. In many ways, we see things getting back to normal. Not to say that the coast is clear, but things are heading in the right direction. PTL.

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

O Glorious Day! What a celebration! This past Sunday, Easter, was a great day at Southmoore. The music was wonderful. Thank you, Bro. Doug, choir, and special music. The attendance was fantastic. There were 111 in the first service and 84 in the second. We all left encouraged and full of faith. The best is yet to come. So, the question needs to be asked, “Where do we go from here?” The Apostle Paul answers that question. He says that we are to “shine” like stars (Phil. 2:15).

We came together last Sunday and shouted, “The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen. He is alive!” Now it is our responsibility to practice what we preach. Yes, we are to be witnesses telling all those who are in darkness that Jesus is alive and that He wants to have a personal relationship with them.

Shine, Southmoore, Shine! You can make a difference. There are people all around us who need a friend, who need encouragement, who need Jesus.

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

A family was watching the Easter Story on TV. The young daughter was deeply moved as Jesus was being beaten, tortured, and killed. She sat in silence and tears ran down her cheeks. Finally, Jesus was taken down from the cross. The daughter wiped her tears, and a big grin came over her face. Then she shouted, “Now comes the good stuff!”

This is Passion Week. As believers, we can’t keep from thinking about what Jesus went through for us on the cross. Friday, crucifixion day, was a horrible day. The Innocent, Jesus, died for the guilty. Peter, speaking to the crowd, declared, “and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to a cross. But God raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 2:23-24).

The cross was no accident. The death of, and crucifixion of, Jesus was a part of God’s incredible plan. Jesus knew that from the very beginning of time. “The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of My own accord.” (John 10:17-18).

Easter is a reminder that Jesus loves you and me so much that He was willing to pay a debt He did not owe, because He knew we owed a debt we could not pay. And now we are invited to see for ourselves that the tomb is empty. He is Risen! Death, hell, and the grave could not hold Him down! Can I get an Amen? Happy Easter!

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

The question we are all asking is, “What do I do now?” As the coronavirus is losing its grip on our lives, we want to know what we can or should do. The virus is still very dangerous. But, with many getting vaccinated, people are getting out and about more.

When asked, what are you going to do now, the answer seems to fall into these responses: yes, no, maybe so, positively I don’t know.

Please let me be very clear. I believe every individual has a right to do what they believe is best for them. And no one should be judged by their decision. Can I get an Amen?

I am sure of this. God loves His children. He is a Shepherd God that leads His sheep. In Luke 15, we have a picture of what God is like.

First, God is like a shepherd who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. What does He do? He leaves the 99 and goes out into the country to find the one lost sheep. He doesn’t return until he finds it.
Secondly, God is like a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. What does she do? She turns the house upside down and doesn’t stop looking until she finds it.

Last of all, Luke tells us that there was a father who had two sons. One of his sons left home and went out into the world and broke his dad’s heart. The young man, after coming to his sense, decided to go back home. How did his Father receive him? With open arms! He never stopped loving his son.

And God will never stop loving us. Does He know we had a tough year? Sure He does. Remember when God told Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? He wasn’t doing cartwheels about this assignment because he didn’t think he had what it took to accomplish it. That’s when God told him, “I will certainly be with you.” (Exodus 3:12)

We all need that reminder when we are facing difficult days. Was Moses filled with doubt and fear? I think so. Has there been times this past year that we too found ourselves afraid and anxious? Sure we have.
So, what are going to do now? I’m glad you asked. “But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and see how God will meet your every need,” (Matthew 6:33, emphasis mine).

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

Let me start by saying “Happy Anniversary.” You might be asking, “Preacher, what are you writing about?” I’m referring to the one-year anniversary of Covid 19.

Some of us remember where we were when we first heard about the seriousness of the virus. I do. I was driving home from church, listening to my radio. The Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team was scheduled to play the Utah Jazz that night. The game was cancelled, and the fans were sent home.
From that night on until now, life began to change as we know it. The year 20202 was most definitely a difficult year. Someone has rightly said, “Most people create their own crisis. But the Covid 19 was forced upon us.”

The good news is that we are seeing signs of things getting better. We most definitely are moving in the right direction. I’m not saying the storm is over, but I’m saying I do see the clouds breaking up, and I do see a glimmer of sunlight. Praise God!

As for Southmoore, our attendance is going up, week to week. We hade 92 in worship last Sunday. God’s people not only are attending services, but they continue to support the church through their tithes and offerings. Your giving truly is a testimony of your love for the Lord and this church. Southmoore is the best! I’m humbled to be your Pastor.

Please continue to pray for me and my battle with bladder cancer. I completed my 6 treatments a couple of weeks ago and will be having a scope to see if there are any signs of cancer cells or new tumors on March 24^th. I believe I am cancer free! I’ll keep you posted.

As far as the water damage in the church, the carpet in the sanctuary will be replaced. It does appear that the tile in the foyer and in the hallways will be replaced also. That has not been confirmed, but we should know in a few weeks. The best news is that we are blessed that the damage is not any worse than what it was, PTL.

The signs of spring are all around us. We can already see the transformation. What about you? Would you be open for God to give you a new beginning? If not – why not?

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny