Boyd Bettis | Gospel Preacher

Family Shots

 
 
  

Yesterday, we took a few minutes to search for some treasures at a local junk yard. We snapped a couple photos. 

Twice a month, Non-negotiable

I'm a very young pastor. In fact, I get a very awkward stare when I tell people I'm a pastor. Partly because of my age and partly because I don't look like a normal pastor. I've also, got some very good friends my age who are starting out in their ministries. The greatest part about these guys is that they are serious about the gospel and want to finish well. 

I recently setup a twice a month non-negotiable meeting with a good friend of mine. We setup these meetings to help push each other to live out as closely as we can the requirements for a pastor according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. We want to do everything we can to make sure we are daily being the best husbands, fathers, and pastors we can be. 

We get into some of the painful areas of sin in our lives, ask the hard questions, and encourage each other to keep pushing along. This makes for some in your face punches and uncomfortable conversations, but we believe that what's at stake is worth it. We don't want to end up somewhere that could have been avoided. 

Who do you have in life that you sit with and have the open and hard conversations? Please realize what is at stake and have the conversations you need to have in order that you don't end up forfeiting your family, ministry, and life because you didn't setup some strategic meetings. 

His mercies are new every day

I've recently entered into a new season of life. Transitioning into fatherhood has been a great experience. But, it's also been tough at times. 

My priorities, my time, my family, and ministry are all beginning to take new shapes. 

This hasn't been the smoothest transition and I haven't taken it the best. But, I was reminded this week of the mercy and grace of God. 

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.24 The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. :: Lamentations 3:22-24 :: 

I tell you, I've needed every word of this text to be pressed on my heart and mind every morning! God has been so good to me in my weakness and growing pains. Be reminded today that his mercies, faithfulness, and grace are poured out on you today. 

I don't want to lead off talent

One fear I have is that I'll be able to develop a talent and platform that tricks everyone but doesn't fool God. I can spend a lot of time developing myself to make a great leader, but not a great man of God. 

You see, we can learn some great tricks on how to develop teams that follow our leadership, learn how to cast a compelling vision, and woo people with our eloquence. 

I don't want to become a leader one day that is running off of talent, but one who has devoted his time to become a great man of God.  

I want to be able to lead people because God has molded and shaped me to be a man after his own heart. It's scary to me that I can end up become a leader by talent, not because I am a man of God. 

You got to help them grow up

Being a new father, I've been learning so much in a short time about our relationship to God and others. 

As I watch and observe my new son I realize that without me intervening in his life he is completely hopeless and will die. Why? Because he is a baby. He can't feed himself, take care himself, or do anything without my help. 

When I observe new Christians I realize they are in the same boat. Without someone mature intervening in their life their spiritual life is completely hopeless and will die. Not all, but some. 

As believers we have an opportunity to take new believers under our influence and help them grow up in Christ. We can teach them how to feed themselves, walk with God, and grow up in Christ on their own. But, sadly we don't want to take the time to do this. We want to see new believers immediately feed themselves, mature to our level, and do it on their own. 

Who around you can you take them time and disciple them, so that they'll make it as a follower of Jesus? 

Friday Five

1. Welcome Boyd Whittaker Bettis, it's been an amazing time welcoming Whittaker into the Bettis family. 

:: 10.07.09 - 5:42 pm - 7.6 pounds - 21 inches :: 
  

2. I'm in Catersville, GA right now kicking with my coaching network, pretty excited to see what I'm going to learn and connect some with the other guys. 

3. In a couple weeks Scott Magdalein and I will head to North Carolina for a day. We'll be hanging out at Impart. I can't wait to listen to Pastor Steven preach! 

4. Also, the first weekend of November I'll be officaiting a wedding. I'm so excited about this! The couple has been at our church for a while and have become some of our greatest volunteers and good friends. 

5. Next week I'll be jumping back into working full time again. It's been nice having the time to stay home with my family and help my wife out. I'll be looking forward to staying up all night and then head into the coffee shop at 6:00 am to open...well. 

I apologize for my absence...birth of a son can cause that!

My son was born last Wednesday and has had me pretty busy. I apologize for my absence, I'll be blogging more in the next week or so. 

In other great news,

Welcome Boyd Whittaker Bettis. Born October 7th at 5:42 PM, weighing in at 7.6 pounds and 21 inches tall. I'm so proud of my wife she did a wonderful job during labor. She was a trooper! 

I have also, experienced one of the highest joys ever in my life welcoming my new son. But, it has equally been one of the scariest and most overwhelming experiences ever. We are so thankful for the grace of Jesus to become parents and for the wonderful support of our families helping us transition into parenthood. 

I'll post some photos soon...because I know you are anxiously awaiting to have your hearts melted by his cuteness. 

What is God great for in your life today?

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!" - Psalm 70:4

Way too often we get caught up in sharing all the issues our churches, families, and individuals have. And we miss out on all the great things God is doing in our churches, families, and lives.

This Monday morning I want us to share with each other the great things God is doing. Leave a quick comment of what God is doing where ever you are this morning. Let's start this week off together praising God for what he has done. 

What should you be saying 'God is great' for in your life right now? I'll start...

This time next week...

My wife has been a champion for the last 9 months. She has done very well during her pregnancy, I'm very proud of her. For the last three weeks now, we've been waiting anxiously for the arrival of Whittaker but he hasn't shown up yet.  

But, today we know that we have no longer than a week before we see him for the first time. The doctors have told us they won't let her go beyond 42 weeks of pregnancy, so this means if he doesn't come by next Friday that doctors will intervene. 

So, this means this time next week I'll be holding my son. Praise the Lord! I wish I could describe for you the emotions, but it I can't. Anyone who has children can relate. 

Please continue to pray for my wife and child. They are both doing excellent right now and we are beyond grateful and blessed because of it. Thank you. 

People who follow will become like you

The people closest to me take on what I do and how I do it. I've realized that as a leader people will become like you. 

My imperfections become theirs.
My hopes become theirs.
My thinking becomes theirs. 
My way of talking becomes theirs. 

As leaders we've got to be strategic to think about the way we live our lives. Whatever we do or say give liberty for those around us to do the same. We've got to make sure we are continually seeking to live lives that brings glory to God. And ensure that we are modeling the life of Jesus for those to take on his way of life. 

The people around us will become like us. That's a scary thing...