The past weekend was busy to say the least but its an honor to share God’s Word and love on people. Last week, on Wednesday, August 26, I preached at First Baptist Church of Accokeek in Maryland www.FBCOA.org and on Thursday morning, I was a guest on air LIVE on WWGB 1030 AM Radio in Washington, DC. On Friday, August 28, I spoke to nearly 1,000 people at a Prayer Conference in Alexandria, Virginia at 8 PM. The place came unglued and gave God a standing ovation! It is always a treat when the Lord shows up and shows off! Go God!
The very next morning, I had a 9 AM flight out of Baltimore to Houston, Texas where I had the high honor to preach two services at Harvest Point Church in Nacogdoches, TX. Dr. Rick Scarborough is the senior pastor and also founder of “VISION AMERICA.” Pastor Rick is a powerful preacher and patriot. He loves God & Country almost as much as anyone I know. It was my honor to meet Dr Scarborough back in March at Bailey Smith’s Evangelism Conference in North Carolina and he was one of the speakers along with SBC President - Dr Johnny Hunt, Evangelist Junior Hill and Bob Smith. Pastor Rick is a nationally known preacher and he flies to CO this week to be a guest on Dr James Dobson’s “FOCUS ON THE FAMILY.”
Please pray for me this weekend as I drive four hours on Friday, September 4 and speak four times in three days at a Christian Singles Retreat in beautiful Jummonville, Pennsylvania. My prayer is to exalt Christ, encourage Christians and remind singles the key is to not “find Mr or Miss Right” but becoming the “right” person in the process.
The following weekend, Sat September 12, I will catch a plane and fly to Greenville, SC and preach a three service, two day revival at Double Springs Baptist Church in Townville, SC. On Monday, September 14, I have been invited to be a guest for an hour on NITELINE TV in Greenville, SC and we will tape Monday afternoon. I am tentatively invited to leave from there and drive 2.5 hours to Atlanta, GA that same evening and be a guest on “ATLANTA LIVE” - WATC 57. This would be my second time on ATLANTA LIVE and the guest confirmed that same night already is Will Graham (Dr. Billy Graham’s grandson). How cool would that be. Only to drive back to Greenville, SC that night at midnight and fly back to Washington, DC first thing in the morning. I was invited to preach at a Pastors Conference in St Louis, MO on Friday, September 18-19 but that got cancelled. Rest is good.
Will post another blog soon but in the interim, please pray for strength and stamina as I study the Scriptures this week and desire to be a blessing while on the mountain in PA this weekend. If you are anywhere in the area we would love to see you and remember God doesn’t just use the blessed but broken. How do I know? I am both. Remember, Jesus loves you! God bless you and go with God.
Frank w/ Dr & Mrs Rick Scarborough
COWBOYS STADIUM - $1.1 Billion
It is always fun to visit Dallas, TX
. We just got home at midnight (last night) and I am feeling this morning like a muffler - EXHAUSTED. It was a wonderful trip and it was great reuniting with family and friends. Ruth’s brothers and sisters live in Irving (just outside of the old COWBOYS Stadium). Baby Andrew was a hit with everyone and he didn’t even cry on his first airplane flight - PRAISE THE LORD!While in town, we were blessed to attend the Inaugural event held at the brand new $1.1 Billion dollar COWBOYS STADIUM that Jerry Jones built. Over 100,000 folks showed up to attend the George Strait, Reba, Blake Shelton & Lee Ann Womack Concert! It was AWESOME and half way through George’s set he had Jerry Jones open the retractable roof and we enjoyed the rest of the show under the Texas stars. It was impressive to say the least.
Two things really hit me during the concert this past Saturday, in Texas while at the new stadium with my bride, Ruth. The TWO themes that kept coming to my mind were both SALVATION and SIMPLICITY. For those that know me, you realize I am not a “hater” but a helper. I try to celebrate other’s success as much as humanly possible. It has been said: “It is a small person who cannot celebrate the success of others without feeling threatened.” Sadly, many in ministry fail this test. Yes, the new COWBOYS STADIUM literally could be tapped the Ninth “Wonder of the World.” For brevity sake, I will talk about SALVATION on this post and “Simplicity” the next.
On one hand, my heart was happy for Jerry Jones to see his “baby” and dream become a reality. Hands down (even as a Redskins fan) I can attest that the new stadium is not only the nicest stadium in the NFL but arguably anywhere in the world. It boasts the largest HD TV in the world, largest roof in the world, largest square footage of any stadium in the world with now the most expensive price tag in the whole wide world. They always do things “BIG” in Texas. Very few human beings can enjoy the type of “success” that Jerry Jones has enjoyed personally and the Dallas Cowboys as an entity professionally. It has been said that the “STAR” in the middle of the field of that legendary team is now worth more than the New York Yankees.
In closing, the reason my heart was both happy and burdened is during the concert all I could think of was that verse: “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” This post is not to be harsh, jealous or even envious at another’s accomplishments. Quite the contrary (during the concert) and it was an indeed an honor to be present at this historic venue and incredible concert. However, as they would often show Jerry Jones on the massive jumbo tron (biggest in the world) I just kept praying privately to God that even Jerry would know Jesus as Savior (if he already doesn’t).
In life, one can be a “success in the world” and still a failure with the Lord. Success begins and ends with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Apparently, Cowboys QB Tony Romo, favorite line is “at the end of the day” during all of his press conferences. He repeats it so frequently that it has become a staple in his interviews and almost laughable by journalists because they mimmick him as he says it so often. However, if I may borrow his quote: “At the end of the day” the fact is we can have success, wealth and prestige and even, technological power but we are still bankrupt and skating on thin ice for those whom don’t know Jesus as Lord & Savior.
This Redskin fan would love to CHEER like never before for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the entire Dallas Cowboys to get “saved” before its eternally too late. Then and only then, will they really have “home field advantage” with God at the helm. Their logo of the Texas “Star” is known world-wide. Talk about “branding.” However, the answer in life is not found in their big, blue Star but the Son of God (Jesus) who bled red.
Go Cowboys and go God!
Frank & Ruth @ Texas Stadium
In 2007, I had the pleasure to host Celebrate Jesus! Texas Crusade and we rented out the Arlington Convention Center. Musical guests invited were: “Grammy Winner and friends MICHAEL ENGLISH, Dove Winner AYIESHA WOODS and 1992 Miss USA and I preached.” What a time that was and while in town (despite being a life long Washington Redskins fan) we were invited to tour and play 20 minutes of “touch football” on the legendary field of TEXAS STADIUM (Home of the Dallas Cowboys). Arguably, the most recognized stadium in the entire National Football League. However, the Willie Nelson song is still true: “Momma’s, Don’t Let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys.”
Recently, I preached a new sermon on learning to “WIN in the RACE of LIFE.” First of all we must be DEAF to our Critics. Secondly, we must be DUMB to Doubt. Third, we must DISTANCE ourselves from Deadbeats. Fourth, be DEDICATED to the Task at Hand. Lastly, never forget our DELIVERANCE comes from Deity (not humanity). That service, I opened up with this classic story that is both applicable in both secular and spiritual arenas. ENJOY -
A summer camp in the mountains for over two decades featured an obstacle course that was never won by any of the contestants. The hill was dirt, the race was long and the elevation was so high that it seemed to suck the air out of the participants. What was even more grueling than the race was the rants from the crowd.
Have you ever noticed that those in the sidelines are often guilty of mocking the contestants in a race, election or competition. The word “Critic” comes from an individual who wanted to be an actor or actress in Hollywood and didn’t make the “cut” but has made a healthy living criticizing those that did. Does that make sense?
Back to the race. For over 20 years folks would line up on the sides of the dirt track and scream at the top of their lungs: “It’s TOO high, no one has ever completed it, you can’t win, STOP and the insults and excuses were almost endless.” One by one, like flies the runners over the years dropped out. One year, this 15 year old seemed to run faster as the crowds screamed louder. When everyone else quit and kept on rolling. For the first time in all the years of running he won. How? Why?
Drum roll please…………………………………unbeknownst to the crowd and other contestants the one that won was born deaf. The morale of the story is he couldn’t hear the critics or their cheap criticism. In order, to win your race in life you need to stay in your lane, run your race, keep your eyes on the Goal and always, always turn a deaf ear to the wannabees when you are destined to win!
Friends, just returned from preaching last weekend in the Peach State and its always a treat to return to the Great State of Georgia. While in town, I spoke at Lighthouse Community Baptist Church in the morning and then preached the Sunday evening service at Wings of Faith Revival Center in Summerville, GA. God showed up and showed off! We had a time. LISTEN UP - this month on my radio show “FRANKLY SPEAKING” my guests are Dove Award Winner - MATTHEW WEST, “Authority on Attitude” - SAM GLENN and Five Time World Wrestling Champ - NIKITA KOLOFF - “The Russian Nightmare” now evangelist will be calling in to share about Life, Love and Living for the Lord.
We are now accepting bookings for Summer 09- Winter 2010. If you know of a church or group that could use me to come speak please feel free to visit the BOOKING info link. Love to grow as friends with you or e-mail me Frankmotiv8s@aol.com God bless you and go with God.