Royalwood Welcomes The Parkers

Royalwood is excited to have Chad & Angela Parker as the Anthem Student Ministers!

Chad and Angela are both from East Texas. Chad has a Bachelor of Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University and Master of Science in Social Work with a clinical focus from the University of Tennessee. He also currently holds a Texas license as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Angela is currently pursuing Business degree and is looking forward to the completion of that goal in the future.

The Parkers served several years as the Christian Education Directors for Pastor Nathan Scoggins at Cornerstone UPC in Lufkin, TX, then moved to Tupelo, MS to begin their tenure at Tupelo Children’s Mansion. While at TCM, God blessed the Parker’s with 3 boys. Their oldest son, Chris (21), currently lives in Arkansas; Ben (20) is a member of the Mississippi National Guard and currently lives in Mississippi; and Kaedon (7) is busy being the “cutest kid ever”.

The Parkers are more than excited about their new roles with The Pentecostals at Royalwood, and are already convinced that they serve the greatest students on earth.

Get to know the Parkers more! Click here to follow Chad on Twitter and here to follow Angela. Visit Anthem Student Ministries to learn more about the great things we have going on!

www.royalwood.cc

The Snare of Shallowness

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand

                                                                                     Mathew 7:26

When you hear the sayings of the Lord and you “do” them, you are like a man who built his house on the rock.

The reason people build their life on the sand instead of the rock is because they “consult appearance instead of reality.”  A house on the sand looks like a house on the rock, but it’s not the same.  The house on the sand will not stand in a storm.

There are those who seek the heights of godliness but shun the depths of self-denial.  Whatever is not built upon God and His foundation will not stand the test of time.  Don’t be satisfied with appearing to be right…..you must be right!

The second reason why some build on the sand instead of the rock is ”a focus on speed instead of thoroughness.”  A sower of seed can lose his crop if he fails at planting at the right depth.  Anything worth having will require a digging down for a sure foundation.

In 2013, we must make sure that we are building on a firm foundation.  Don’t be led away by quick success and easy beliefism - you must be born again.

Let’s dig to bedrock during our sunshine days so that we “might make our calling and elections sure.”

www.royalwood.cc

Pastor Ron Macey has served as Pastor of Royalwood Pentecostal Church for 29 years. He has served in various capacities such as Sectional Youth Director of the United Pentecostal Church, Bible college instructor, and as a member on the Board of Directors for Texas Bible College. Pastor Macey is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Pentecom, a world-wide radio evangelism commission and  as Presbyter of Houston Metro East South Texas District. Pastor Macey has applied himself to in-depth Biblical study, committing 1600 scriptures to memory.

A Strong Man

As men, from the early days of boyhood we have been fascinated, some even obsessed, with a singular achievement: strength. We will work all of our lives be strong. Whether it’s mentally, intellectually, physically, on the court or on the job, we want to be the best. The truth of the matter is, we can’t help it. It’s in our DNA. It’s the way God fashioned us. It’s why we like to wrestle and why we played games like “King of the Mountain”, “Cowboys and Indians” and “Cops & Robbers.” All of these are geared toward showing off our strengths, agility and ultimately our prowess.  It helps us measure and prove ourselves as men.

So the question is, do these traits of manhood translate to the spiritual man? Or better yet, should they?

I believe the answer is a resounding yes! Luke 11:21 says, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:” Verse 22 says “But when a stronger man than he attacks and defeats him, the stronger man strips off that man's armor in which he trusted and then divides his plunder. So as men, we naturally are aware that we need to be as strong as possible, on guard at all times, so that one stronger does not defeat us. God in all of His wisdom made us perfect and in His own image. He designed us to strive to be the best, to naturally assume the role of Protector, Defender, Provider, and Hunter….ultimately a Leader. It’s why some of our favorite bible stories are of David, Sampson and even Goliath.

Up to this point, it all sounds good doesn't it? “Strong, mighty, protector and defender.”  It has a certain ring that appeals to us men. However, there is a stark reality that we all know and face. None of us are truly, completely and perfectly strong. Just like David, Sampson and Goliath we all have weaknesses. Areas in our lives we know we need to strengthen or work on. Inwardly, this knowledge constantly frustrates and hinders us in our walk with God. Outwardly, we just deny it or refuse to acknowledge it. We pretend we are strong and work hard to maintain the façade that all is okay simply because we don’t know how to handle our weakness.

We’ve been taught, straight out of the Handbook for Men, that you never show or admit weakness…right? WRONG! Paul said “for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. Knowing and acknowledging where we need help is the first step towards a perfect strength. A physically strong man is a person who knows where he is weak and compensates for that weakness.

The best athletes in the world constantly work on and adjust their game, their approach. They’re not content or fooled by their own abilities. You’ll see it in the football player taping a bad ankle, a basketball player staying after practice to shoot free throws or a boxer working on his footwork in preparation for an opponent with a longer reach. Strong men do this every day. It’s what makes them champions.

A spiritually strong man does no less! He never ceases to work and challenge himself in the areas that he struggles in. He tells someone of his weakness and is accountable in those areas. He is wise enough to know that he needs help and humble enough to ask for it. He knows that if he falls, “the stronger man will strip off his armor”. The cost of losing is too great, too tragic for him to let pride get in the way or to worry about what someone may think. He understands the words of Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.” Another interpretation says this - For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

 A very wise man once told me “true accountability strips the enemy of all his power.” This does not line up to our manly vision of victory that would show us standing on the battlefield, the enemy at our feet, with our sword raised for all the world to see. The reality is this only applies to books or daydreams. True victory over sin, over weakness, over darkness, is won together.

I’ll leave you with a favorite passage of mine, Hebrews 11:32-3:

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

These all were strong men, faithful men, whose weakness was turned to strength. My favorite part: "they became powerful IN the battle."  Not before the battle, not as a result of the battle but during the battle God gave them power. Keep fighting!

www.royalwood.cc

PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.

A New Year's Promise For You

There are many people are making resolutions today. It seems as though it is what we do this time of year. A chance to examine the past year and plan to make positive changes in the new year. 

Unfortunately, we usually find that these resolutions don't last. Whether it's a broken promise to exercise more, be more positive, live better or pray more, we oftentimes find ourselves lacking and filled with disappointment.

We are  definitely not a perfect people and will always have struggles. But here's the good news: in 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says if we are in Christ, we are a new creature! And get this, all of the old things are passed away, forgotten, and gone because in Christ, "all things are new." That includes you. Now that is a New Year's Promise we can hold on to!

If you have endured disappointments and trials in 2012 and are anxious about what lies ahead, remember that God makes all things new!  Trust in Him and His promises for you. Not sure where to begin?  We want to invite you to Royalwood where you will find a church people who await to welcome you with love. May 2013 be filled with God's blessings!

A Christmas Victory to Remember!

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

                                                     Luke  2:14  

This was spoken the night Jesus was born and it still rings true today. Nothing has changed – we still give glory to God in the highest and we still receive His peace on earth and goodwill to men! God has not changed and His plan for peace and His good will has not changed.

It would appear that evil and disease increases daily since the peace and goodwill proclaimed over earth appears to be overshadowed, causing many to lose sight of the hope and victory found in glorifying God. But it isn't as real as people think.

For a moment, let us imagine the events surrounding the birth of our Savior. Joseph and Mary made the long trek to be counted in the census while she was “very” pregnant and her time was near to deliver her child.

Once Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem she went into labor, delivered her baby, wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a feeding trough.

While this was happening, shepherds were living out in the fields protecting their sheep from predators during the nighttime hours when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and stood before them. The shepherds were wide awake, fully alert, and knew this was not a dream but was very real! They were watching for wild animals, not angels, so imagine their surprised faces and thoughts when the angel appeared with the glory of the Lord shining around them.

So great was the glory and the shock of seeing an angel the shepherds were “greatly afraid”.

Just as assuredly as predators, sin, and disease come, so comes the Lord! Just as God arrives to surprise the shepherds, He arrives to surprise us when we need it the most. While we are here, like the shepherds, we need to be about our Father’s business, fulfilling our calling, and staying ready and alert for His divine visits.

If an angel appearing were not enough, now “suddenly ” a multitude of the heavenly host shows up to praise God.

We must be ready for the “suddenlies” in life! Sometimes we can be so busy “with” life, enduring and persevering, far too absorbed with the evil and disease in the world that we are void of the joy, peace, faith, and hope that God will show up “suddenly”! If we “know” God is into “suddenlies”.

This was a life-changing, mountain-moving experience that changed the shepherd’s lives, and can change ours as well. This truth (His Truth) overcomes all sin and disease because when we give Him glory, believe this declaration of peace on earth and good will toward men, we will not magnify evil, sin, and disease in this world knowing it pales in comparison to His glory!

Perhaps you are struggling in the midst of evil, persecuted or suffering with disease. Perhaps you are one who is watching a loved one suffer. Maybe all things are calm and right in your world and you can only sense the turmoil around but feel untouched by it yourself.

Whatever your situation, join the angelic chorus and proclaim, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to men!" Believe God is going to show up “suddenly” in your life. See God for who He is, not what we have made Him to be! This Christmas – Let’s declare, believe, and proclaim to our world “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men!”

Dan Castleberry is on the Pastoral ministry team and leads various ministries at Royalwood. He is married to Robyn and has three beautiful daughters.  You can  follow Dan on Twitter, 

Make It Or Break It

Why was I born?

This is a loaded question that we often times ask ourselves. Super loaded - like a baked potato with cheese, sour cream, onions, bacon, and LOTS of butter! It seems like this question could never be answered specifically. Of course, as believers we know we were created to worship, to reach others, and to one day be with our Savior in Heaven but, how do we answer it specifically for our lives? What am I here to achieve, specifically?

I am studying the book of Esther right now and I was totally inspired by the fact that even Esther had to ask herself these questions. You probably know the general story of Esther and how she became the queen of Persia. Can you imagine that happening to you? She probably wondered what in the world she was doing there? What purpose was she serving as queen? There were times where the King wouldn't call on her for months at a time! She probably felt totally useless. Knowing she was called but her life was at a total standstill. I know... I've been there. 

But, she is soon approached with a crisis. Her people, the Jews, are to be annihilated! It is now all up to her. She has to decide if she will put her life in jeopardy to save her people. She still didn't realize her calling at the time. Her uncle, Mordecai, had to put it in perspective for her. He asked her, “What if you were brought here for such a time as this?”. Think about it. She was a Jewish girl, chosen from among thousands of other women to be the queen! She didn't get there on accident. She was purposed to be there. At some point it clicked with her and she realized that she was born for this moment. Esther had to step out and do what she was called to do. And she did. She saved her people from extinction.

Now, many of us will look at this and not be able to relate it to our own lives. We also can’t see ourselves doing something this significant. You may be sitting in your boring cubicle at work wondering what eternal value this monotonous job has but, THERE IS A PURPOSE. You may feel like your ministry or calling is at a standstill, but it’s all leading you to the moment for which you were created. We are not queens most likely, but we ARE royalty. The Bible says we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood”. We have a specific purpose. YOU are chosen. 

So what are you doing with what God gave you and where God placed you? What are you doing with your job to help influence those around you? How are you demonstrating God’s love with every conversation that you take part in? You were brought into the kingdom for THIS time. So, don’t be afraid to take chances or to look foolish. This is YOUR time. It’s a “make it or break it” situation. Every decision counts, no matter how small it or insignificant it seems. You were born for this.

Lorna Brittany Wells leads worship at Royalwood and is also a youth leader in Anthem Student Ministries.  She is married to Tauren Wells and is expecting their first child in 2013..

What If You Discovered Justin Bieber?

What if you discovered Justin Bieber?  

The YouTube sensation turned teen pop star was discovered singing love songs on YouTube as just a boy.  But no one would have ever heard of him, had he not been discovered.  It’s easy to find talent these days with all of the social media present in culture but what about the people who don’t post what their capable of all over the internet.  The reality is that not all talent is discovered, more often, it has to be detected.

It has been said that a prodigy resides in us all.  Perhaps it isn't the musical ability of a young Mozart or modern day vocal ability of a young Justin Bieber, but I do ascribe to the belief that there is tremendous potential in us all.  Before you jump to the conclusion that this post is a 3 step plan to discover your inner prodigy, let me tell you straight up, it’s not.  Sorry, maybe another time.  No, these next few sentences are being written out of a sincere passion for awakening. Fathers, Husbands, Mothers, Wives, Students, Leaders, well, you can name the category must realize the opportunity to pull out the potential that resides in those around us.

We have all heard the phrase, “ You bring out the best in me” or “You bring out the worst  in me.”  Fortunately and unfortunately we all have people in our lives that effect us one way or the other.  The question I've been wrestling with within myself is which one am I?  Do I truly bring out the best in others?  In my relationship with my wife, as a friend and leader, am I pulling out the prodigy or stifling the potential?  The truth is we are all doing one or the other.  In every relationship or in whatever role in your home, business, school etc. we have to be intentional about doing three things: 

Detect.  Project.  Protect.

We have to detect passion and potential, project a vision for seeing that potential realized, and do our part to protect that person and their potential.

Whether it be a fellow employee, a child, a spouse, or someone you mentor, one of your high calling’s is to detect the potential resident in whoever that person may be. 

Many people don’t do great things simply because no one is telling them that they can. 

We must take it upon ourselves to probe for possibility inside of people.  We must become keen to detect talent and gifting. 

Next, we must project a vision for that potential to be realized and utilized!  A lot of people cannot see beyond insecurity, past failures, or disbelief, the many possibilities that exist within themselves to make a difference or pursue a new endeavor.  We must speak life, affirm, and incite an awakening within them.  Of course, we cannot force them into doing something great but we must allow them to realize that doing something great with their lives is indeed possible.  

Lastly, we must protect those we detect ability in and project vision for.  If someone very gifted suddenly rises up as a leader in an organizational context get ready for stones to be thrown.  Obviously, we cannot stop this natural process from happening.  Success comes with both celebration and criticism, but we can build walls with our support, love, and words that help shield them from the blow.  Additionally, with success comes more and more opportunities.  We must be sure to keep those we care about balanced and also aware of the new challenges that await us at every new level.

Instead of waiting for the next big thing to be discovered on YouTube, look around your house, the office, or your campus...because a prodigy resides in us all.

Tauren Wells is the lead singer of the band, Royal Tailor. He serves as the Creative Director for Royalwood and is also on the youth staff. He loves interacting with students and building relationships. Follow Tauren on Twitter.