Interesting Thoughts, Volume 3

• I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
• I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
• Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
• The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
• Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
• Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
• Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
• Procrastinate Now!
• He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless dead.
  
• A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
• The original point and click interface was a Smith and Wesson Revolver.
• Being "Over The Hill" is much better than being under it!

Mark 5:1-19

Shiloh Baptist This Sunday

I will be preaching the morning (11am) & evening (7pm) services at Shiloh Baptist Church this Sunday, April 2nd. The church is now in a brand new sanctuary and this will be my first time to see how it looks. I've heard it is very nice!

Shiloh Baptist Church is located at 173 SW Shiloh Way between Fort White and High Springs, Florida.

Bad Hair Day?

Check out 2 Samuel 18:9 for details.

Anniversary for Palm

My friends all know that I am an enthusiastic user of a Palm PDA. They often joke that I carry my "brain" on my belt. Well, Palm (the brand that I use) is celebrating an anniversary. Read more about it by clicking here.

Just in case you're interested, I use the Palm TX. I use it for everything; from schedules, addresses, photos, databases (to track mileage, etc.), documents, expenses & donations, and I even have several translations of the Bible and Bible reference books on my TX.

Since it has a bright screen, I even used it to read Scripture in some school classrooms in Ghana (West Africa) that were not well lit.

My PDA is a valuable tool in my ministry!

Spin Talk Interview Now Online

The interview on Dublin, Ireland's Spin 103.8 Radio aired this morning (Tuesday, March 28th) around 8am EST. The interview was part of the program "Spin Talk with Jack & Ali". To hear the interview click here.

The interview will also be used in the upcoming edition of "Walking with the Giant" due out the end of this week.

Mt. Horeb Revival Photos

I had a wonderful time at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church a couple of weeks ago preaching revival services. One of the members, Rodney Maney, took quite a few photos and e-mailed me a few. Here are some of them for you to check out.

They're pretty good photos, in spite of the subject. 8-)

Interview May Air Tomorrow

The recorded interview for a radio program called Spin Talk with Jack & Ali is tentatively scheduled to air tomorrow (Tuesday, March 28th) at 8:45am EST. The program airs on a radio station in Dublin, Ireland, Spin 103.8 Radio. The interview is about my new Podcast Ministry. You can hear it by going to this link.

I will be attempting to record the interview portion of the program and will then make it available on my website and possibly in an upcoming edition of "Walking with the Giant".

"Wondering" in the Wilderness?

(Scripture reference: Numbers 14)

The Stranger

Here's an interesting story.

A few months before I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small Tennessee town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later.

As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me the word of God, and Dad taught me to obey it. But the stranger? He was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.

If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind.

Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to her room and read her books (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave). Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them.

Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home... not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our longtime visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.

My Dad was a teetotaler who didn't permit alcohol in the home, not even for cooking. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis.

He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex.

His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing. I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked... and NEVER asked to leave.

More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you were to walk into my parent's den today you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.

His name?

We just call him, "TV."

Butterflies Are Free

This is a nice poem with a great message. Click here to check it out.

Another Change, Now on Tuesday

The time of the interview on Dublin, Ireland's Spin 103.8 has changed again. It is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 28th at 8:45am EST. I just received this notice:

Hi James,

Just want to change the time of broadcast for the pre record. Sorry for the toing and froing but just thought I'd email so you can keep your blog up dated. It is now going to air 8.45am EST on Tuesday 28th March.

Aideen
producer - spin talk

Noah's Ark Game

This is a cool little game to test your memory and speed. Let me know how you do.

Noah's Ark Game

Not Tomorrow, but on Monday

I have learned that the Interview on Dublin, Ireland's Spin 103.8 is scheduled to air next Monday, March 27th at 9:30am EST (2:30pm Ireland time). I'll repost the links that morning in case you would like to tune in to the web and listen. See previous posts below for more details.

Revival Services in Brooker Added to Schedule

I just received a call from Pastor Jason Reid of New River Baptist Church to schedule revival services during the month of May 2006. The services will begin with the morning worship service (11am) on Sunday, May 7th. The services continue that night at 6pm and Monday through Wednesday (May 10th) at 7pm. For more information call Brother Jason at (352) 485-1246. New River Baptist Church is located at 16703 SW 144th Ave. in Brooker, Florida.

Maybe Tomorrow?

Well, it appears our interview on Spin 103.8 in Dublin, Ireland did not air today unless it aired before 8:30am EST when I started listening. One of the co-hosts, Ali of Spin Talk with Jack & Ali, was absent today. This could have been the reason the recorded interview did not air since she conducted part of the interview.

If I hear any word I'll post it here.

Interview May Air Today in Ireland

I was interviewed yesterday for a radio program called Spin Talk with Jack & Ali and it is tentatively scheduled to air today at 9:15am EST. The program airs on a radio station in Dublin, Ireland, Spin 103.8 Radio. The interview is about my new Podcast Ministry. You can hear it by going to this link.

I will be attempting to record the interview portion of the program and will then make it available on my website and possibly in an upcoming edition of "Walking with the Giant".

Please be in prayer for this opportunity.

Featured Podcast

"Walking with the Giant", a podcast for the James Croft Evangelistic Association, is one of the "Featured Podcasts" for March 2006 at iTunes Links.

If you do not have a high-speed internet connection or are unable to download the Podcast, the program can be received each month on an audio CD. E-mail me for more information at evangelist@jamescroft.org.

"Bumped" in Ireland

We were "bumped" this morning on Spin 103.8 in Dublin, Ireland, but the interview was recorded and will hopefully air tomorrow (Thursday, March 23rd) around 9:15am EST. For more details listen here.

I'll re-post the links tomorrow morning for the website if you would like to listen. We are going to try to record it as it plays and then post it on the ministry website. It may also be used on the next "Walking with the Giant" podcast.

Interview on Ireland Radio Station

I will be interviewed tomorrow (Wednesday, March 22nd) by a radio station in Dublin, Ireland. The interview, about our new Podcast Ministry, will be on Spin Talk with Jack & Ali on Spin 103.8 Radio. I believe you can hear it live by going to this link. The interview will begin around 9:30am EST (2:30pm Ireland time).

Please be in prayer for this opportunity.

JCEA Now Incorporated

I'm proud to announce that my ministry has now been incorporated in the state of Florida. March 14, 2006 is the official "date of birth" of the James Croft Evangelistic Association, Inc. Over the next few weeks my website will be updated with official documents and information on board of directors members. There is a link for James Croft Evangelistic Association at the bottom of the front page.

Interviewed by a National News Service

I was interviewed today by Wireless Flash News for an upcoming story. They are a news service that provides information to clients around the world. Their website states:

"Wireless Flash News, Inc. is an independent news agency that provides exclusive feature and entertainment news to radio and TV stations, newspapers, and magazines across the United States and around the world."

The story, which will be very short (no pun intended), will be about our podcast ministry "Walking with the Giant". The reporter, Brook Fischer, said the story should be released to their clients in the next few days.

Their website also states that some of their clients include:

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and "Good Morning America." Major print media outlets include New York Daily News, Las Vegas Review-Journal, National Enquirer, National Examiner, and men's lifestyle magazines Men's Journal and Stuff. We also serve major media outlets around the globe from the BBC in London to The Nation in Bangkok."

Let's get the Gospel out to the people by any means the Lord makes available!

Interesting Thoughts, Volume 2

• Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
• If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the "terminal"?
• I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore I am perfect.
• If carrots are so good for the eyes, how come I see so many dead rabbits on the highway?
• Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've stayed alive.

Do I hear a woodpecker?

Do you think Woodpeckers could have created a problem aboard the Ark?
Just a thought...

"Jesus Loves Me" for Seniors?

I received this in an e-mail.

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go.
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,
I have much which He's begun.
Let me serve Christ with a smile,
Go with others the extra mile.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does he know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

Athens Baptist on Sunday

I will be preaching the evening worship service for Interim Pastor Tommy Bankston at Athens Baptist Church on Sunday. The service will begin at 6pm and the church is located at 9090 SW CR240 near Columbia City, Florida.

The revival services at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church will end tonight. The service begins at 7:30pm at 3449 NE CR340 near High Springs, Florida.

Please be in prayer for these services.

Got Excitement?

Computer Desktop War?

What does your computer do when no one is looking? Could this link hold the answer? Click Here

iTunes Links Featured Podcast for March

"Walking with the Giant", a podcast for the James Croft Evangelistic Association, is one of the "Featured Podcasts" for March 2006 at iTunes Links.

If you do not have a high-speed internet connection or are unable to download the Podcast, the program can be received each month on an audio CD. E-mail me for more information at evangelist@jamescroft.org.

New Web Addresses for Ministry

I have acquired three new domain names for our ministries that are online. The new domains will be easier to remember. The new names are:

www.walkingwiththegiant.org will take you to information about the Podcast.

www.jceaministry.org will take you to information about James Croft Evangelistic Association (this site is under construction).

www.walkingwiththegiantblog.org will bring you to this blogsite.

The main ministry website can still be found at www.jamescroft.org.

Mt. Horeb Revival Begins Tonight

I will be preaching revival services this week at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church located at 3449 NE CR340 near High Springs, Florida. The services will begin at 7:30pm starting tonight and ending Friday night. Please be in prayer for these services.

That's God

This is a long read but it's a good story and I hope you enjoy it. Click here to read it.

Changing E-mail Font Size

Did you know this? If you hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and then turn the small wheel in the middle of your mouse, away from you or towards you, the print size will change - it will either get larger or smaller - depending on which way you turn the wheel. I think it will only work with e-mail that is sent as "Plain Text".

Columbia City & White Springs Dates Added

I have added two new supply preaching dates to my calendar.

On Sunday, March 19th I will be preaching at Athens Baptist Church, 9090 SW CR240, Columbia City, Florida, for Interim Pastor Tommy Bankston. The service will begin at 6pm.

I will be preaching for Pastor Ron Thompson at First Baptist Church of White Springs on Sunday night March 26th at 6pm. The church is located on Camp Street in White Springs, Florida.

Completed Cardiac Rehab

Yesterday (Wednesday) I completed the Cardiac Rehab Program at Shands at Alachual General Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. I had been going three days a week since December. The program is designed to help increase your stamina and recovery after open-heart surgery. I had triple bypass heart surgery on November 3, 2005.

I must say that this program is great! I believe that I feel better than I have in years! The staff and interns that help you each session are very professional and they know their stuff. I thank God that there is this type of assistance available. I also thank you for all of your prayers during these months following my surgery.

The Name Game

Today, March 8th, is "Learn What Your Name Means Day". Do you have any idea what your name means? I found this site, "Behind The Name", where you can look up origins and meanings of names. When I looked up my first name "James" this is what it displayed:

JAMES

Gender: Masculine Usage: English, Biblical Pronounced: JAYMZ [key]

English form of the Late Latin Jacomus which was derived from Iakobos, the New Testament Greek form of Ya'aqov (see JACOB). This is the name of two apostles in the New Testament. The first was Saint James the Greater, the apostle John's brother, who was beheaded by Herod Agrippa in the Book of Acts. The second was James the Lesser, son of Alphaeus. Another James (known as James the Just) is also mentioned in the Bible as being the brother of Jesus. Kings of England and Scotland have borne this name. Other famous bearers include the inventor of the steam engine James Watt, the explorer Captain James Cook, and the novelist and poet James Joyce.

Monopoly Anniversary

Today, March 7th is the anniversary of the game called "Monopoly". Read some of the history of the game here.

Independence Day in Ghana

Today, March 6th is Independence Day in Ghana, West Africa. You can read a little about this country at this link.

The James Croft Evangelistic Association has conducted crusades, Bible Schools and training sessions in Ghana and still maintains a ministry in this West Africa country. You can read about this work at this link.

Revival Added Near Worthington Springs

I have added the first fall revival to my preaching schedule for 2006. The meeting will be held at Grace Christian Fellowship Baptist Church located at 4948 SW 107th Ave. near Worthington Springs, Florida. The services will begin on Sunday, October 1, 2006 at 11am & 6pm and continue each night at 7pm through Wednesday, October 4th. For more information call Pastor Terry Elixson, Sr. at (386) 496-3583.

Interesting Thoughts?

I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place!

Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctr Alt Delete' and start all over?

Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.

If raising children was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!

Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

New River Baptist Sunday

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Jason Reid this Sunday at New River Baptist Church. The services begin at 11am & 6pm. New River Baptist Church is located at 16703 SW 144th Ave. in Brooker, Florida.

Revival at Mt. Horeb Baptist Added to Schedule

I will be preaching revival services at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Monday-Friday, March 13-17, 2006. The services will begin at 7:30pm each night. For more information call Pastor James West at (386) 454-5238. Mt. Horeb Baptist Church is located at 3449 NE CR340 near High Springs, Florida.

The Map

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.

Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to her, & said, "Go into the other room & see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today."

After a few minutes, she returned & handed him the map correctly fitted together. The father was surprised & asked how she had finished so quickly.

"Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

WWTG Featured Podcast for March

"Walking with the Giant", a podcast for the James Croft Evangelistic Association, is one of the "Featured Podcasts" for March 2006 at iTunes Links.

The second episode of the program was released yesterday (see previous post on this site).

If you do not have a high-speed internet connection or are unable to download the Podcast, the program can be received each month on an audio CD. E-mail me for more information at evangelist@jamescroft.org.

WWTG for Feb./March Now Online

After a series of technical problems the next edition of "Walking with the Giant" is now available online. Those who have contributed to this ministry will receive their CD version in the next few days.

Due to the extreme delays, this edition will actually be for February & March 2006. I hope that the April edition will be back on schedule with release in the last week of March.

The new edition includes an interview with Dr. Harold Hudson (pictured above) that focuses on his ministry during January's tragedy in Union County (Florida) where seven children from one family were killed in an accident involving a car, school bus and semi truck. The children attended Dr. Hudson's church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Raiford, Florida.

Also featured on the program is an interview with Evangelist Raphael Adjei Kingbi (JCEA Ghana Ministry Coordinator) and the second part of the message entitled "The Rock".

To subscribe to the RSS Feed for the program follow this link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/jamescroft/opEf.

For more information about "Walking with the Giant" or financial contributions "Click Here".

To download the program follow this link: "Click Here"

(Photo by Jon M. Fletcher)

Shine On

The devotion in “Our Daily Bread” for Sunday, February 26, 2006 is good and I wanted to share it with you. You can read it at: http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml.

Brotherhood Saturday

I will be speaking on "Missions" tomorrow during a Brotherhood Breakfast at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Florida. I will also be sharing a video from our 2004 Ghana, West Africa mission trip.

Television Interview Video

On Sunday, February 19, 2006 I was interviewed for a news story on WAWS FOX 30 & WTEV CBS 47 News (Jacksonville, Florida). The story aired that evening. If you would like to view the full video story, please click this link: http://www.jamescroft.org/Video/Croft%20medium.wmv.

You can also find the link on the "Bio" page of my website.

More Blog posts about the story can be read at these links:

Television Interview

Television Interview Links

News Crew was Professional

The Other Side

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is
enough."

News Crew was Professional

I want to thank Jeff Butera (News Reporter) and Matt Trees (Video Photographer) from WTEV CBS 47 and WAWS FOX 30 News in Jacksonville, Florida for their professionalism yesterday. Their presence was very unobtrusive while taping during our morning worship service at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. They made every attempt not to disturb the congregation or the service while preparing their story about my ministry.

I also want to thank them for a story filled with accuracy. I know many times the media takes a lot of heat for inaccuracy in reporting especially where Christians and the Gospel message is concerned, but the story yesterday was an accurate report of our time together.

The idea to do a story on my ministry actually began on Thursday, January 26th, one day after the tragic, fatal accident in Union County that claimed the lives of seven children. The reporter, Jeff Butera, was in Lake Butler covering the accident when he passed FBC of Lake Butler and observed Celeste Saunders changing the message on the church sign. He stopped and interviewed her about the message she had displayed. During the conversation she told him about our service the night of the accident (which I was leading). From that conversation came the idea to do another story on "James the Giant".

It never ceases to amaze me how God bring good, positive news out of a tragedy! We serve a wonderful, awesome God!!! I certainly want to praise God for the blessing that this story is to me and I pray that He uses it to His honor and glory!

Film at 11:00 (or maybe by the weekend)

Due to a technical problem the FOX 30 News website will be unable to link to yesterday's television interview about my ministry. I hope that with the help of a friend to have it available on my website by this weekend. I'll post the link here also.

Television Interview Links

Here are the links that I have thus far about the television interview that aired last night about my ministry.

This is an abbreviated video of the story:

http://www.cbs47.com/mediacenter/default.aspx?videoId=3535@video.cbs47.com.

These are printed versions of the story:

http://www.fox30online.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=642FF538-004E-45D4-A2A9-9E7E243EE6AD

http://www.cbs47.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=642FF538-004E-45D4-A2A9-9E7E243EE6AD

The full length video of the story may be added later on the FOX 30 site, if not, I will upload it to my website later this week and post a link here.

Television Interview

CBS 47 (WTEV) News from Jacksonville, Florida is scheduled to interview me about my ministry tomorrow (Sunday). The reporter, Jeff Butera, and a camera "person" will be at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Florida for the morning worship service. I will be interviewed prior to the service and they will shoot video during the service.

The story is tentatively schedule to air Sunday evening as follows:

CBS Channel 47 News (Jacksonville) at 6:30pm
CBS Channel 4 News (Gainesville) at 6:30pm
FOX Channel 30 News (Jacksonville) at 10pm

I will update this post tomorrow with any additional information. On Monday I will post a link to the video that can be viewed online.

Please be in prayer for the services tomorrow and the interview too!

FBC Lake Butler Sunday

I'll be preaching the morning (11am) & evening (6pm) worship services this Sunday at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.

How To Get To Heaven

A Sunday School teacher was testing the children one Sunday in class to see if they understood the concept of getting to heaven.

She asked them, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven?"

"NO!" the children answered.

"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?" she asked.

Again, the answer was, "NO!"

By now she was starting to smile and asked the children, "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?"

Again, they all answered, "NO!"

She was just bursting with pride for them. "Well," she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?"

A five-year-old boy shouted out, "YOU GOTTA BE DEAD."

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 10:13 (NKJV)
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Animated Jigsaw Puzzle

Do you like jigsaw puzzles? How about one that has a "moving" picture? Try it out at: http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/fly.swf. It's challenging & fun.

Happy Valentines Day!

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NKJV)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body £to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Hudson Interviewed for Podcast

I interviewed Dr. Harold Hudson (pictured at left) on Saturday for the February edition of "Walking with the Giant". The interview focuses on his ministry during last month's tragedy in Union County where seven children from one family were killed in an accident involving a car, school bus and semi truck. The children attended Dr. Hudson's church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Raiford, Florida.

The February edition of the Podcast should be available by the end of this week.

(Photo by Jon M. Fletcher)

Barber Shop Illustration

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said, "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things," said the barber.

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber, "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that," asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just
worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me," the barber replied.

"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point, God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Weekend Services

Tomorrow (Saturday) night I will be speaking at a youth Valentine banquet at Friendship Baptist Church in Live Oak, Florida.

On Sunday morning (11am) I will be preaching at Lake Forest Baptist Church, 5121 East University Ave., Gainesville, Florida. A luncheon will follow the morning worship service. I will also speak during the luncheon and share a brief video from our 2004 Ghana, West Africa mission trip.

Please be in prayer for these services.

New River Baptist Added to Schedule

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Jason Reid at New River Baptist Church on Sunday, March 5, 2006. The services will begin at 11am & 6pm. New River Baptist Church is located at 16703 SW 144th Ave. in Brooker, Florida.

Raisin' the Dead

A funeral service is being held for a woman who has just passed away. At the end of the service, the pall bearers are carrying the casket out when they accidentally bump into a wall, jarring the casket. They hear a faint moan. They open the casket and find that the woman is actually alive! She lives for ten more years, and then dies.

Once again, a ceremony is held, and at the end of it, the pall bearers are again carrying out the casket. As they carry the casket towards the door, the husband cries out, "Watch that wall!"

Miscellaneous Ponderings?

• How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
• How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?
• Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
• Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
• Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
• Is Disney World the only people trap operated by a mouse?

Behavioral Ponderings?

• Can you cry under water?
• Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
• Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
• Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
• When your photo is taken for your driver's license, why do they tell you to smile? If you are stopped by the police and asked for you license, are you going to be smiling?
• Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head out the window?

"Super" Party

My home church, First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, will hold a Super Bowl Party tomorrow night (Sunday, February 5th). We "kick-off" at 6pm in the sanctuary, we then move down the "field" (hallway) to our fellowship hall for "tail-gating", there will be plenty of food! Everyone will have a great seat for the big game with a big screen TV.

Our half-time show will feature Head Coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts sharing his testimony via video.

Come join the fun and excitement!!!


First Baptist Church of Lake Butler is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.

Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Colts website.

I Dare You!

The devotion for today (February 3, 2006) in "Our Daily Bread" features a great illustration. You can view it at: http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml.

Musical/Theatrical Ponderings?

• Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
• If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
• What do you call male ballerinas?
• Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
• Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

It Is No Secret

What do Carl Stuart Hamblen, Billy Graham & John Wayne have in common?

Click here http://www.snopes.com/religion/hamblen.htm and then it will no longer be a secret to you.

Praise the Lord

There was a little old lady, who every morning. Stepped onto her front porch, raised her arms to the sky, and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD!"

One day an atheist moved into the House next door. He became irritated at the little old lady.

Every morning he'd step onto his Front porch after her and yell: "THERE IS NO LORD!"

Time passed with the two of them Carrying on this way every day.

One morning, in the middle of Winter, the little old lady stepped onto her front porch and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD! Please Lord, I have no food and I am starving, provide For me, oh Lord!

The next mo rning she stepped onto Her porch and there were two huge bags of groceries sitting there.

"PRAISE THE LORD!" she Cried out. "HE HAS PROVIDED GROCERIES FOR ME!"

The atheist neighbor jumped out Of the hedges and shouted: "THERE IS NO LORD. I BOUGHT THOSE GROCERIES!!"

The little old lady threw her Arms into the air and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD! HE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH GROCERIES AND MADE THE DEVIL PAY FOR THEM!

What's In A Name?

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards.

One day they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me....I know we've been friends for a long time.....but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is."

Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her. Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?"

Food Related Ponderings?

• Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?
• Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
• What disease did cured ham actually have?
• Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?
• Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
• If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
• Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out!"
• Better yet, who was the first person to watch a white thing come out a chicken behind and think, "that ought to taste good."

FBC Lake Butler Added to Schedule

I will be preaching at my home church, First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, on Sunday, February 19, 2006. I will be preaching the 11am and 6pm worship services.

First Baptist Church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. For more info call the church office at (386) 496-3704.

Green Cove Springs Tomorrow

I'll be preaching the special 5th Sunday Service tomorrow (January 29th) at Sharon Baptist Church. There will be a Gospel Sing featuring Kevin Owen & Cheryl Kent at 1oam. The morning worhip service will begin at 11am and a covered-dish lunch will follow.

Sharon Baptist Church is located at 5584 Sharon Rd. near Green Cove Springs, Florida.

Podcast Now On iTunes

My new ministry project, a Podcast called "Walking with the Giant" is now available on iTunes. The program is a free download.

The program is also listed on Podcasting News, Podcast Alley, Podcast Pickle and other podcasting directories.

Technological Ponderings?

• How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
• Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
• If the professor on Gilligan's island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
• If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Union County Tragedy

God has certainly used me in many ways since my entering the ministry in 1994. Last night was another “first” in that I was scheduled to preach at my home church, First Baptist of Lake Butler, Florida, and then I learned of the tragic accident that occurred earlier in the afternoon. A Union County school bus, semi-truck and a car were involved in a crash on SR121. Seven children were killed and several others were taken to area hospitals, some by helicopter. I was told that none of the people involved are members of our church; however, with this being a small, close-knit community, the impact is still great.

Our service last night consisted of a lot of prayer and a message of “hope” from God’s Word. I have never led a service in the wake of such a tragedy that has hit so close to home. A reporter and photographer from the Gainesville Sun newspaper were also present preparing a story about local churches dealing with the tragedy. You can read the story at: http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060126/LOCAL/201260355/1078.

I praise the Lord for giving me the words needed for this service. We serve an awesome God!

I ask that you please be in prayer for everyone involved in this accident and for the healing, physically, emotionally & spiritually, that is needed.

Escape!

Here's another one of those online games that will drive you crazy! It is called "Escape" and can be played (or since adults don't play games, I should have said it can be "studied") at: http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html.

The object of the game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls. If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal.

Note: I have made it to just over 12 seconds at the time of this post.

RSS Feed for WWTG

If you use an RSS type newsreader to subscribe to news and podcasts feel free to add this one to your reader: http://feeds.feedburner.com/jamescroft/opEf. This is the feed for the new program "Walking with the Giant" (see yesterday's post for info or click the link).

This blogsite also has an RSS feed, it is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/WalkingWithTheGiant.

Should you need these feeds in the future just click on the two icons to the left, "xml" button for the blog feed and the "sound" button for the podcast.

Audio Newsletter Now Available!!!

I have a new ministry project that I would like to share with you. It is “Walking with the Giant”. This is a monthly 30-minute audio newsletter for this ministry and can be downloaded (free) from the web or delivered to you on an audio CD for a small monthly donation. Click the link below for more information:

"Walking with the Giant"

I will use this site to announce when a new edition of the program is available each month.

Also, please feel free to forward this info to anyone you think might be interested.

I look forward to hearing what you think about this new ministry. You can e-mail me at evangelist@jamescroft.org.

For more info about my ministry you can visit www.jamescroft.org.

Praise Christian Church

I have been asked by Pastor Cecil Hysmith to preach this Sunday morning (11am) at Praise Christian Church. The church is located between Cross City and Old Town.

Financial Ponderings?

• If Wyle E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME stuff, why didn't he just buy dinner?
• Why do you have to "put your two cents in"...but it's only a "penny for your thoughts?" Where's that extra penny going to?
• If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Predictions for 2006

THE TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2006:

10. The Bible will still have the answers.
9. Prayer will still work.
8. The Holy Spirit will still move.
7. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
6. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
5. There will still be singing of praise.
4. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
3. There will still be room at the Cross.
2. Jesus will still love you.
1. Jesus will still save the lost.

Author Unknown

FBC Lake Butler Tonight

I will be leading the Bible Study tonight at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The service begins at 6:30pm and the church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.

Good Morning

"Somebody has well said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

Interview with an Honest Boss

I've never seen this one before and I must admit it is cute. Check out "Interview with an Honest Boss" at: http://www.hallmark.com/wcsstore/HallmarkStore/images/products/ecards/nfg1969.swf.

The Senility Prayer

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Not exactly Biblical, but funny.

"Art" Work

A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?"

A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy.

"Really? How do you! know?" the teacher asked.

"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "

Triskadekaphobic?

Do you have a fear of the number "13"?

Even though it is Friday the 13th, this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!

How about you?

Shiloh Baptist Added to Schedule

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Mark Driskell this Sunday night at Shiloh Baptist Church. The evening worship service begins at 7pm. Shiloh Baptist Church is located at 173 SW Shiloh Way near Fort White, Florida.

Red Skelton's Pledge

This site was sent to me and I want to share it with you. It contains a story by Red Skelton concerning the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. You can hear it at: http://www.patriotfilesannex.org/Pledge.htm.

Orange Heights on Sunday

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Lonnie Broome this Sunday morning, January 15th at Orange Heights Baptist Church. The service will begin at 11am.

Orange Heights Baptist Church is located at 16700 NE SR 26 in Orange Heights, Florida.

Small Crowd Big Miracle

I preached the morning & evening services at Gadara Baptist Church in Keystone Heights, Florida yesterday. The morning service was well attended and there was a good Spirit during the service. The night service was much less attended (could be the preacher?) but what a miracle we experienced! Let me start during the afternoon...

After having lunch with a family from the church I returned to spend the afternoon in the pastor's study to save driving over an hour back home and then back to the church again. While studying, the church's telephone rang and I answered the call. It was someone wanting to know the time of the evening service. There was no other conversation and I didn't give the call much thought at that time.

Again, as in the morning service, there was a good Spirit, just a much smaller crowd. During the Invitation we learned of a man whose wife is suffering from cancer. We gathered around him and had prayer for his wife and him. God was certainly present!

After the service had concluded one of the men of the church came to the front row with a couple and motioned for me. I learned that they had called about the service time. Before we left, the gentleman had accepted Christ as Savior and his wife rededicated her life to the Lord!

There is no greater miracle than someone passing from death to life by repenting of their sin and asking Jesus to save them! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Who says nothing much happens in night services? When Jesus is in the house... anything can happen!!!

What if I had chose NOT to answer the telephone?

If A Dog Were Your Teacher

You would learn stuff like.....

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• When it's in your best interest-practice obedience.
• Take naps and stretch before rising.
• Thrive on attention and let others touch you.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• On hot days, lay down and rest.
• No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout... run right back and make friends.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you're not.
• When someone is having a bad day just jump in their arms and bring a happy smile.

Parking Problem

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

When You're Caught

Please, remember this is only a joke and should not be tried in your office!

Top 10 things to say when you're caught sleeping at your desk:

10. "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen.."
9. "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time management course I just took!"
8. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the Whiteout. You probably got here just in time."
7. "I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the company's mission statement and envisioning a new business strategy."
6. "I was testing my keyboard for drool resistance."
5. "I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work-related stress. Are you discriminatory toward people who practice Yoga?"
4. "Darn! Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out how to handle that big problem."
3. "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"
2. "Who put decaf in the coffee pot?!?"

AND THE NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk........

1. Raise your head slowly and say, "...in Jesus name, Amen."

FBC Lake Butler Tonight

I will be leading the Prayer Meeting/Bible Study tonight at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The service will begin at 6:30pm. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. Please be in prayer for this service.

Chicken and Eggs Game

Have you ever tried to catch fresh layed eggs in a basket? Well, now's your chance! You can give it a try at this link: http://www.downloadlab.com/chickenandeggs.html.

If you miss one, then I guess the "yoke's" on you!!! (An oldie, but still a goodie.)

Youth Valentine Banquet

I have added a youth Valentine banquet to my schedule for Saturday, February 4, 2006. This will be for the youth of First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Florida, my home church.

Happy New Year Card

This is a cute animated New Year's card that also has sound: http://www.icq.com/img/friendship/static/card_16961_rs.swf.

FBC Lake Butler Added to Schedule

I will be leading the prayer meeting & Bible study services on Wednesday nights in January at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The services on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th all begin at 6:30pm.

First Baptist Church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. For more info call the church office at (386) 496-3704.

FBC is currently seeking a pastor, so please be in prayer for the church and the Pastor Search Committee.