A few days ago, I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremony for the Antelope Valley Sherriff’s Academy. It was a thrill to see dozens of young men finish the rigorous course requirements and become official deputy sheriff’s for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

I was especially proud of two young men who are members of Lancaster Baptist Church. Justin Ruppert and Robert May were among the 31 graduates that day. They each have exemplified a tremendous testimony for the Lord during their training, and they have a desire to glorify Him through their careers.

Justin’s dad, Sergeant Kim Ruppert, came to LBC on an Open House Sunday a number of years ago. It has been a delight to be his pastor and to see him raise up his family according to the principles of God’s Word.

May we strive to support and encourage those in law enforcement who dedicate their lives, so we can enjoy the blessings and privileges of our country!

(picture taken from the Antelope Valley Press)

During my teenage years, my father was called to the mission field of Korea. At first, it was a difficult time of transition, but God taught me many lessons, gave me new friends, and blessed me with some incredible memories.

Since that time, the Lord has given me a special love for the Korean people and especially their food! This past Thursday, Terrie and I joined many of the Korean students from West Coast Baptist College for a wonderful Korean dinner in downtown Los Angeles. Following the Korean BBQ, we took a drive to the southern California coast. It was a beautiful evening.

I’m proud of these students and for the great attitudes they have. I’m excited to see how the Lord will use each of these young people in their future ministries. Pray for them as they endeavor to finish strong for the Lord.

In these times of rampant, flagrant wickedness in today’s youth, I am thankful for teens who have decided to take a stand for God no matter the cost.

This past week, teens from across the country gathered together for the annual West Coast Baptist College Youth Conference. During these three days, these teens were challenged to live their lives in a way that is pleasing to God.

As a part of the conference, these teens enjoyed hilarious skit videos, a biblical drama, a day at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and most importantly, the preaching of the Word of God.

For the final message, the Lord impressed upon my heart to bring a message entitled “Three Days Journey” based out of Exodus 5:1-4. In this passage we see that just as God wanted His people to go and separate from Egypt, God desires for us to hear and obey His call upon our lives.

I. The Call of the Lord vs. 5:1-3
A. A Call to Separation
B. A Call to Service

II. The Compromises of the World
A. Compromise One: Stay in the World Ex 5:2
B. Compromise Two: It’s Your Parent’s Religion Ex 10:8-11
C. Compromise Three: Don’t Sell Out Ex 10:24

III. The Courage of Moses
A. Courage to Believe
1. God’s Commandments Ex 10:24-25
2. God’s Protection Ex 14:13-14
B. Courage to Trust Ex 14:21-28

At the end of the final message, hundreds came to surrender their lives to the Lord, and many others were saved. Pray for these teens. In the next few weeks, I am sure that the devil will fight them and the decisions they made for the Lord.

On March 27, 2008, the New York Post reported that Abercrombie & Fitch is releasing a new catalog by Bruce Weber full of even sexier shots of scantily clad teen models-but this time, it will be sold only in London and priced at close to $200, “like an art book,” said an insider. The last A&F catalog in 2003, which sold for just $6 in the US, caused such an outcry the company stopped making them. But the A&F stores still love the scandalous pictures.

In February of 2008, the Associated Press reported that police removed two ads with Abercrombie & Fitch images from a Virginia Beach store and charged the manager on a misdemeanor obscenity charge. Abercrombie & Fitch said Monday that city police overreacted by confiscating two display photos of scantily clad men and a woman.

“Police issued the summons Saturday after Abercrombie management did not heed warnings to remove the images from the Lynnhaven Mall store after some customers complained,” police spokesman Adam Bernstein said.

“The marketing images in question show less skin than you see any summer day at the beach. And certainly less than the plumber working on your kitchen sink,” Abercrombie & Fitch said in a statement.

City code bars the display of “obscene materials in a business that is open to juveniles,” Bernstein said.

Abercrombie & Fitch has earned a reputation for its risque catalogs and promotional photography featuring scantily clothed models.
In 2003, the company halted publication of its A&F quarterly catalog after seven years. There had been complaints about sexually suggestive photographs, though Abercrombie spokesman Tom Lennox would not concede that was the reason the catalog’s US run ended. “The Quarterly just ran its course, and it was time for a new direction,” Lennox said.

WorldNetDaily.com reported that the 2003 Abercrombie & Fitch catalog contained forty-five specific portrayals of sexual imagery in the first 120 pages targeting ten to thirteen year olds. Actual clothing did not begin being advertised until page 120.

In 2005, the Associated Press reported two-dozen teenage girls in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, said that some of the company’s T-shirts degrade women by printing illicit sayings on the front of shirts pointing to provocative places.

Some call them innocent and flirty, but American Family Association chairman Don Wildmon says the messages imply the wrong message. “It implies teens are loose and carefree with their bodies. It just isn’t true. Millions of young people are choosing to remain pure until marriage.”

A writer for Baptist Press said, ” Would you let your kids wear clothing emblazoned with the Playboy or Penthouse logo? Then why Abercrombie & Fitch? Christian parents, like all parents, want their kids to be happy and popular. Many will argue that this is just no big deal. It’s just clothing. No, it’s not just clothing, just advertising or just publicity. It’s buying into a lifestyle, rewarding pornography, and advertising sexual promiscuity.”

I love this time of year. Around the campus of Lancaster Baptist, the trees are blossoming, the weather is warming, and another great year of ministry is well under way.

Of course, with springtime comes the March Madness college basketball games leading to the Final Four and to the National Championship. I’ve always enjoyed watching the NCAA final playoffs. Game after game, each team takes the court with one goal in mind–to win the game.

No one desire to be on a losing team. This is true not only is sports, but also in life! Here are a few thoughts on how we can be on a “winning team” in our Christian life.

Title: Characteristics of a Winning Team
Text: Philippians 1:27

I. Consider your Calling Romans 1:1
“Great leaders display courage based on passion, not position.”

A. A Spiritual Conviction

B. An Emotional Investment

II. Maintain a Proper Attitude
“Attitude determines altitude.”
“Discernment is not for criticism but for intercession.”

A. Faith

B. Forward Motion
“I’m looking for a lot of men with an infinite capacity for not knowing what can’t be done.” –Henry Ford

III. Understanding of Spiritual Gifts Romans 12:6

A. The Gift Mix Concept (synergy)

B. Contentment
“There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” –Ronald Reagan

C. Deflect Praise

IV. Character 2 Timothy 3:10

A. Integrity
“A victory won at the expense of our integrity is no victory at all.”

B. Work
“The way to the top is to get off your bottom.”

V. Compassion Matthew 9:36
“The ministry is people work not paper work.”

A. To Care for the Lost

B. To Forgive one Another

VI. Connectedness

A. Fellowship

B. Accountability

C. Acceptance (the optimal environment for change)

VII. Respect

A. Affirmation

B. Gratitude
“The foundation of gratitude is the expectation of nothing.”

C. Loving Correction
“Good leaders can step on your toes without messing up the shine.”

VIII. Loyalty Philippians 2:20-21

3 Kinds of Loyalty:

1. Disloyalty–presence of a negative

2. A-loyalty–absence of a positive

3. Loyalty–presence of a positive

IX. Commitment Philippians 3:14

A. To the Vision of Leadership

B. To Growing in Leadership
“Activity is not the mark of accomplishment.”

C. To Equipping Others

X. Endurance 2 Timothy 2:1-3

A. During Trials
“Failure is not final. Character is not made in a crisis – it is only revealed…”

B. Through the Years

XI. Discipleship 2 Timothy 2:2

A. Mentoring
“It is only as we develop others around us that we permanently succeed.”

B. Shepherding

C. Encouraging