May 2004 Blog Archives

An Open Letter To The Kingdom Of God
5/3/2004 12:48:08 PM
Dear Kingdom of God:

On April 26, at approximately 1:30 P.M., The Louisiana District of the Assemblies of God paid an ultimate sacrifice for you. As tears stained the cheeks of hardened, experienced warriors of the battle against darkness in this world, we, the Louisiana regiment of the Kingdom, surrendered the services of Gary and Dee Sapp to the greater good of the Kingdom as the couple stood before the brethren and, with trembling voice, informed us that God had re-assigned them to the cause of missions internationally. Grudgingly at first, we gave a handclap of praise for what the Kingdom had gained—and what we had lost—in this promotion for the Sapps. Suddenly, the applause turned thunderous as this mighty group of ministers collectively recounted in their hearts what impact Gary and Dee Sapp have had upon them all. As we stood to our feet and the ovation rang out from Shreveport, the ovation in the Kingdom pierced the spiritual world from Shreveport to New Orleans, from Lafayette to Monroe, and beyond. The realization hit us that this couple had already been walking in the anointing and grace to accomplish their new call, as the spiritual ovation could be heard in countries all around the world where missionaries execute the front lines of battle through the money raised from Speed-The-Light funds.

The Kingdom of God in Louisiana will re-group from this loss. God will help us to find our way because He loves his children and will not abandon us. However, make no mistake about it: warriors like Gary and Dee Sapp are not replaced. Success like the Louisiana Youth Department enjoys is rare…preciously rare. While religious organizations in the United States have been floundering, at best, to move forward in battle, the Louisiana Youth, under the leadership of the Sapps, have consistently been near the top in per capita giving to missions. No Assembly of God Youth Convention in the country is bigger or better than ours. A generation of pastors, teachers, musicians, and leaders has been inspired at our Youth Camps over the years, maintaining relationships with the Sapps that have institutionalized the focus on youth throughout our churches. Countless ministers of the Gospel have been mentored by this selfless couple.

A synergy of spiritual wisdom and common sense merge in Gary Sapp to make youth ministry work in Louisiana. He gives the enemy no quarter when it comes to fighting for the kids of our District. If Gary is a sledge-hammer in the hand of God, Dee is His finishing tool. Her attention to detail and specifics demonstrates to young people that they really do matter, too. The Sapps teach this axiom to those they mentor: To reach youth, it’s not so much what you say but that you are willing to listen to them. This sort of love and concern impacts their lives more than words ever will.

The Louisiana regiment of the Assemblies of God presents arms this day for Gary and Dee Sapp. We understand the greater need around this world and are willing to absorb this spiritual blow. Make good use of our captain. Trust him and listen to his wisdom. The path to their new post for missions is littered with the carcasses of enemies who tried to hold back the rising tide of the Kingdom of God. We give you the Sapps with this one condition: that you let them accomplish on a grander scale what they accomplished here in Louisiana. We expect God to lead us into this new era with valor and distinction as well. But we pause for a moment today and reflect from the mountaintop upon which our fearless Youth Leaders have guided us. Our ovation reverberates even still!

In Christ,
Eddie Thompson
A Voice From The “Sapp Generation”

Is It Too Late?
5/13/2004 6:54:03 AM
I'm very sad today. The parade of images coming across my television screen is just overwhelming. American soldiers abusing prisoners in Iraq. Terrorists decapitating a man on video, shouting "God is great...God is great" over and over while the suffering man screams in pain. Palestinians taking a pregnant woman and her three daughters out of her car and executing them. When the Israeli soldiers hunted them down and killed them, the Palestinian leadership called them "heroes and martyrs." Just how dark can the human heart become? It seems our better angels are falling behind these days. Instead, we are feeding the demons of hatred, wickedness, and cruelty. God, have mercy on us! Change us! Please, help us overcome our wicked hearts before it’s too late.

Chicken Or The Egg?
5/18/2004 12:11:03 PM
I keep hearing people say that the world is infiltrating the church. I think they've got it backwards. I believe that it’s the church that influences the world, especially in a “Christian country.” What we see in the streets is a direct result of what we see in our pews. The lack of morality in this generation mirrors the lack of character in our members. The ills of society are present in our church in percentages whose differences are negligible. The church turned the reaping and sowing principle of God into a moneymaking scheme, and the world learned to do the same. The church has always influenced its surrounding society. Don’t think we will ever change the morality of America until we change the moral failures in the church. Don’t think we will ever get prayer back into schools until we get prayer back into our churches. The latest evolution of my theory: Some mainline religions have not only accepted homo-sexuality in its membership but have ordained homosexuals into its ministries. This week, the first state sponsored gay marriages are sprouting up in our nation. This country will be judged for its ills, but judgment will first come to the church.

Magnificent New Creatures
5/26/2004 7:40:51 AM
Ever feel like you just aren't worth much? Everyone must experience the pains of doubt, confusion, and lack of confidence. People have expectations for us. We have them for ourselves. When we fail to dazzle people with our brilliance the temptation is to think we just don't have what it takes. Many allow their unpleasant experiences and failing moments to steal from them the hope that tomorrow is another day. We let ourselves become prisoners of doubt. Trapped by our fear of failure. Frozen in fear's unkind grip, unable to allow creativity and wonder to drive us to accomplishments. When training an elephant, the trainers first put a huge link chain around its leg to keep it from wandering off. The elephant tries to escape, but the chain is too strong. After several attempts, his expectation for escape dwindles. Eventually, he doesn't even attempt to escape anymore. His failures have taught him that trying only hurts and never brings positive results. After breaking the spirit of that elephant, the trainer can use any rope or string to keep the elephant tied down because the hope of freedom in that magnificent creature is gone. Do not let the devil tie you down with his trickery. Perhaps you've been bound by some pretty strong chains in the past, but give God another try. Let your faith build in Him. Realize now that what once seemed so difficult to do is now simple because you've grown in God and in the power of His might. The process of maturing in Him will lead you to victories you never imagined you'd accomplish. Don't give up. You are far too magnificent a new creature to be imprisoned by strings.

The Greatest Generation
5/31/2004 3:18:07 PM
On this day of memory, I would like to add my thanks to the members of "the greatest generation" who brought a world back from the brink of disaster at the hands of a few tyrannical madmen. We owe a debt of gratitude to these unique men and women who rose to the moment when it counted most. Not only did they survive a World War but they survived a world wide depression like none before or since. Now, if they can only survive the ignorance and apathy of their children, who have created an enemy as bad as or worse than the tyrants of the past. If there is any criticism due The Greatest Generation, it is in how they raised their children. Perhaps due to their own difficulties, they coddled their children to spare them suffering. They excused the rebellious actions and blatant idiocy of thought produced by their offspring. You can’t really blame them for spoiling their grandchildren, however. It is a grandparent’s God-given right. Yet, here we are, facing the scourge of terrorism in the twilight of life for “The Greatest Generation.” Too bad we couldn’t have let them have a moment’s peace for what they sacrificed to keep us free.