This is Jason Goldtrap a resident of Polk County, Florida and member of the grand and beloved Central Church of Christ in Haines City.

Do you know why websites exists? They exists so you can receive my thoughts and understand them in a cohesive manner. They requires action on your part to either ingest my words which will bring you happiness or to ignore me and my words.

It is a tool created by men who had vision and brains given to them by their Creator. This is why we have airplanes and medicine and America and even Bibles.

So anyway, I am going to ramble awhile. Tropical Storm Ernesto fizzled and we were able to watch it live and in color, as a matter of fact so could literally anyone anywhere in the world view the storm. That's cool!

I have been a resident on Earth for 14,016 days. I like it so far. I want to stay a wee bit longer while at the same time I have a burning desire to be with God in Heaven, or should I say a desire to be non-burning. I think we often lose sight of the pain of hell because we have been hypnotized by hyper media saturation into the nonsensical belief that if you are a good person, meaning you work hard, pay your taxes, love your family and salute the flag, then you will be received by Jesus in the hereafter no matter your theology.

Owning that concept, that Great Commission, is a heavy load because it means that many people you love are damned, doomed and spending endless moments being burned, tortured, beaten in the most excruciating pain. That is something we don’t like to think about yet that is reality. If that is not reality then why believe anything at all? If that is reality then that is God’s plan and, since God is love, that is an aspect of His Divine order, thus there is an obligation to everyone who knows the truth to tell everyone who knows the lie. This is an extremely uncomfortable conclusion yet it is the only one I can reach using basic logic.

By now you are thinking, "That's nice but I already know that, as a matter of fact, I tell people that on twice on Sunday, Wednesday night and a number of times during the week." Well, I know you know and you know that I know. That point is this reality is lost on too many people. Folks fill their lives up with so many activities that appear to be obligations. Work especially; imagine how much mental energy is given away each day to inanimate corporate machines and bureaucracies. So much creativity wasted. So many hours away from home to be able to purchase the goods that make a house operate comfortably. It is not surprising that children show up late for Sunday School classes. Too many parents do not place a mantle of obligation on their soft shoulders instead they lose those few holy hours in the context of a weekend which is often a period of intense often pseudo-pagan revelry. "Everybody’s working for the weekend" as the pop group Loverboy sang many years ago. How utterly stupid!

The result of all this muddled priorities is a weakening of the heart because of a lack of emotional fulfillment via the accomplishments of tangible obligations; a weakening of the soul because “good guy religion” makes all churches seem the same; a weakening of the strength of individuals who are so plugged into the matrix that they cannot actualize the concept of obligation beyond the pocketbook, where they pay a preacher to evangelize, to themselves whereby they are the one responsible for evangelism; a weakening of the mind occurs because the agents of despair have crept in the house of God and cobwebs are growing in the rafters. The conclusion of this four pronged appearance of previously invisible, mischief making sprites is to care less and less about your neighbor because you care less and less about yourself. Or to put it another way, the least command proclaimed by the anti-Christ, also known as the Prince of the Power of the Air, which I have previously proffered may be seen as the power of communication via the Ethernet.

Such power from the anti-Christ is tremendous but it is not stupendous. Satan can take life, God can restore the soul! I know this to be a fact because I sing about it every Sunday before witnesses and I am not a liar.

So what does this have to do with me? In May, I was laid off from my job. I was not in love with that job; it was something to do to pay the bills. That is how I have seen every job I have ever had. I have never had a career goal. I went to David Lipscomb University to find one. I left with a Bachelor of Arts in History but, alas, no career goal.

My listlessness has manifested itself in other ways. I am married but I have no children. I am essentially living off of my wife’s income. I do try in my own small way to reach people with the Gospel. I produce a daily email titled Cat Scriptures. Between the forums on which I post them and the email list I estimate that about 300 people see it daily. I deeply appreciate each opportunity I have to teach a class on Wednesday night. I do more than many but always less than what I should do. One of the reasons why I do not do more is because, essentially, I have not been properly guided and encouraged to do more.

A five dollar church word for this concept is edification. We define and typically apply this word in church as sending cards to shut-ins, visiting hospitals, all well and good, but I believe the word might hold more meaning. One of the roots of this word is the Latin word facere- to make. Forgive me if I am misappropriating the original Greek but let us make one another to reach our obligation so as to become what we need to be, no longer content to be miserable, bloated and impaled by the daggers of this world with its addictions, debts and loose emotions. Read Romans 15:2, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10 with this new/old meaning. Let us make each other by first humbling ourselves before God so He can make us what He wants us to be. As someone once penned, "Lord, my desire is to be like you, say the things you say and do the things you do. Let me hear your still voice through all the other noise, so that I can be just what you want me to be."

This making, molding, creating must be from the top down. It must begin with the older Christians. They must lead the charge. This is their obligation. Many decades ago they answered another obligation and in four years they defeated two world empires while successfully protecting their homeland which was flanked on both sides by the foes. There is one last mission for the Greatest Generation: that mission is to make the Greater Generation.

The Greater Generation will defeat a greater foe in more than two theatres of conflict because they will make the enemy of God a ridiculed spectacle on every continent. In every land, today’s boys and girls will proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. They will preach on the mountains of Iran. They will comfort the widows and orphans in North Korea. They will proclaim liberty to the prisoners in Ecuador. They will offer the Balm of Gilead to those suffering from AIDS in Uganda. They will lock the door on the last casino in Las Vegas. They will find a home for the last heroin addicted teen in Chicago. Those in Manhattan will see a sweeter meaning for their accumulation of capital. The Greater Generation will accomplish this via the efforts of 12 men.

What we need is a sense of obligation. Currently, my generation and the one after mine, essentially, from my perspective has none. The only obligations we maintain are so temporary as to be mostly futile. Our obligations are to get a job, be on time, pay our taxes and all of those obligations have loop holes. Marriage is becoming less of obligation because it is being replace by an adopted worldly sense of obligation to self to maintain happiness, thus, there is essentially no difference in the divorce rate between Christians and non-Christians. In the minds of many of our teenaged girls there is no obligation to remain pure but simply good. Teenaged boys have no obligation to behave more and more each day like a man of God. Instead too many feel they have an obligation to stay out of trouble. Too many parents have an obligation to keep the family together, to not make waves, to make good grades, to play nice and do the bare minimum when it comes to God.

The result is a dwindling of the productive populace and an explosion in the non-productive populace. This scenario is demonstrated most vividly in our current collapsing social structure in America. Fewer productive citizens are handing over more of their income to the government which will dole it out to the non-productive citizenry.

Someone needs to step up and shout "no more." They in turn need to encourage others to shout "no more." Not say, not whisper, not plan through a committee a statement of values, not wait until the Invitation is delivered, but to shout “no more” when the time is right. All of this must be done with prayer, with God nothing is impossible. It must begin with men whom God designates as the leaders. It must begin with a difficult challenge.

We are called to do difficult things: renounce sin, die to self, etc., thus it seems fitting to take on a difficult challenge. Take the average attendance for a particular month, like September, and have 12 men come before the congregation and proclaim publicly, in the ears of many witnesses that 1 year from now that average monthly attendance will double. They should each say it with passion, with tears and state why they unequivocally believe in this goal and the power of God. Each one should be allotted 3 or 5 minutes to say why they stand in faith not on sight. Also, these men should not be elders because elders already have this charge. It must be said loudly. If men pay serious attention to a strong bass voice then it goes to reason that angels and demons do the same. Spiritual praise and trembling occurs unseen but the wakes created can ripple through the decades. Also, the preacher and any other commonly recognizable officer affectively carries this same proclamation to preach the Word. Remember, we must get it out from behind the pulpit and into the pew.

Why an average monthly attendance? Because if we pick a one time mark we can get there by less than productive means. If there is 100 people in the auditorium normally and we say that one year from now there will be 200 we can accomplish this, in many cases, by merely inviting folks from other congregations to join us to meet a one time goal. This may have some merit, I always enjoy gathering with friends from nearby churches, but it is not in tune with the spirit of the challenge. If we declare publicly that we will double an average monthly attendance then there is greater obligation to do more than fill pews but gather sheaves.

In support of these 12 men will be the older women, especially the widows, who will pray for this effort. God has a tender spot on his heart for their pleas; I say we take full advantage of this placement. After the 12 have sat, invite the older women up front. Pray for them to remain steadfast, to remain healthy, to never give in to hopelessness.

The remaining men who were not one of the 12 chosen to proclaim this challenge should ask themselves "why wasn’t I called?" The answer may be practical or it may be a deeper, spiritual reflection on your estate. Why choose 12? That is a Biblical number. 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 11 or 13 would be just as well but 12 seems to work best.

Next the heads of families must be challenged. Publicly identify the fathers with children still in their household. Ask them to come forward and have the elders place their hands on their shoulders and pray that they will be spiritual leaders, loving husbands, stout fathers, strong men and providers. Ask the Father to help them get rid of anything that might hinder them from achieving this goal. Some of the men will have issues involving pornography or other problems, the elders should pray for them to be healed from their illness so they can go about the business of the Kingdom. They might want to confess such hindrances openly and they should be encouraged to do so.

The men who were not called should ask themselves, "Why wasn’t I called?" Perhaps they were not Christians or perhaps no one could tell they were Christians on Monday morning. Is this harsh? Maybe. Convicting? Yes! We are not commanded to make friends; we are commanded to make disciples.

The women with children in their home who are heads of families through divorce or widowhood or spiritual abdication by their husband should be called next. They really need the Master’s touch via the elders’ hands. They need to do their part, to feel that same obligation. They need power to not give in to petty differences, jealousy or gossip that might create barriers between women of Good Will.

The men who are in a similar position should follow the ladies. Each group should respond to its particular call.

The married women, the wives of those men should go after the other group. This is not a matter of priority; rather, it is a public testament that some have a more difficult burden than others due to the nature of human relationships. I am extremely blessed to have a Christian wife. I could not be as reliable, as determined, as committed without her support. Any man worth his salt will agree with me. Godly wives should go next because they are first connected to their Godly husbands thus; they already have that most important bond of support. This movement of prayer will be to encourage them to be loving and not give in to pettiness.

Single women, college age and up, without children, should be next and given a similar charge and comfort as those women who had no husband or no Christian husbands.

Single men, similar demographics, should follow with the same charge.

By separating each group we identify the unique challenges and opportunities of each. All have gifts to bring, some small, some large. All have a song to sing, and an instrument to embrace in this grand orchestra. The timpani and the flute are each needed and contribute equally to the score.

The last two groups are boys 13 years old and over and girls 11 years old and over. Why the dichotomy? Because boys, beginning at this age tend to be closer to an understanding of God’s Will. That may be very hard to see at time but the seed of mortality begin germination at this age. Many girls by the age of 11 years old have begun their menstrual cycles. Their bodies have communicated that they are now capable of carrying a baby thus they too have a deeper connection to the Creator. Once again, it may not seem that way at the time, but it is there none the less.

The girls should be encouraged to pray for a Christian mate. I know many who became Children of God through the influence of their husbands and wives, but common sense dictates, that it is best to have Christian mate. They should be publicly encouraged to remain chaste. They should be encouraged to not give in to the pressures their boyfriend may use when he desires heavy petting. This will be embarrassing, but unfortunately, it is a necessity. They should be encouraged to keep close to their mother for advice; to their father for protection and their church family, especially their peer group, for support. This acknowledgement of their struggle, their opportunity and their beauty will go along way. Write your own message to the teen girls. Tell them that God loves them, has a purpose for their lives and encourage to marry and have children. This is the primary group to whom my novel, Sarah Conrad of Eagle Creek is written.

The teenaged boys should be encouraged to remain chaste, but more so, to not be an influence of wickedness on their dates. I have never been a teenaged girl however, I was a teenaged boy many years ago. The lines may have changed but the theme is the same: “If I can’t have sex with you at least let me touch your breasts.” Such shameful manipulation and lusts if far too common in high schools and it only gets worse in college when the hormones kick in to overdrive. Once again, this will be embarrassing but it should be said publicly. Each boy should know what is expected in terms of his behavior. They should also know that every man with a teenaged daughter in that audience knows how he is supposed to behave. Intimidation is a fair tool to use at times in certain avenues of life; church should be no different.

The final group, children and those who have a childlike mental function, should remain seated. Father and Mother should be the ones to explain to them the charge and the importance of our spiritual obligations on a level best suited for the individual. Having children on stage is simply asking for trouble. It may seem cute but, in my opinion, it is not a wise thing to do. You might have crying, hitting, nose picking all on stage. And then when you invite the kids up there it only gets worse.

I do not need to remind you of the unique dangers facing children today. Child pornography via the internet is a terrible curse. Sexual predators are in every neighborhood. We must increasingly bring the case for their protection before God. I am reminded of a photographed many years ago in California. A man, his wife and 3 year old girl were at a national park. The mother and daughter posed for a picture in a serene spot just after lunch. When the film was developed a large mountain lion could be seen in the brush about 5 feet behind the girl. That same lion attacked a jogger later that day. This is what we face today; Satan often waits in the brush before he strikes. We must remain vigilant.

When should you do this special service? Pick out a Sunday in the coming month and arrange for teachers who can keep the children in classes and busy for two hours. Make sure there are adequate people to attend to babies during the time allotted so as to allow new mothers plenty of time for reflection without disturbances and distractions. Skip the normal adult and teen classes for that day and have the entire two hours be a time for prayer and addressing the various groups.

Remember, each group, male and female should be brought up separately. Encourage them to ask the elders for prayer but not to address the audience so as to avoid any misperception about women taking authority over men. The purpose of the exercise is to accomplish the opposite. By doing this, I want more men to act with spiritual authority over their wives. If more men do this, my guess is, more women will gladly learn in submission because they will have the spiritual leader they crave in the form of their own mate.

The purpose and an outline of the event should be released to the congregation two weeks in advance. This will give opportunity for people to adjust their schedules, if necessary, or point out any potential hazzards with the concept. Those who are unable to attend the morning service should have the same opportunity for blessing in the evening. Also, many of the activities associated with the customary worship time should be observed in their normal course. The church will undoubtedly have visitors, as any Sunday, and they should have the common opportunities for corporate worship including the Lord’s Supper. Simply explain in detail the purpose of this gathering so as to avoid confusion and increase edification.

There is a special power in calling people forth to receive a particular blessing. It is the difference between praying "Lord, help the sick" and having Jan Smith come forward and have the elders pray for her cancer treatments.

The point of the idea is to create a more evangelistic congregation. To make a more evangelistic congregation, I believe, we must first clean house, strengthen our own bulwarks and bring to remembrance the importance and function of the Great Commission.

The evangelism should begin with those who are no longer attending services out of careless disregard for their soul. If they are contacted, in a loving fashion, they might return to the fold. Sometimes people disappear simply to discover if anyone will notice their absence. I have recently witnessed the power of a firm and encouraging letter to a lost lamb.

Next we should go after the new arrivals to our community. Everyone should be keep an eye out for newly occupied houses. Make gift baskets, bake brownies, create home spun objects to demonstrate your attention to them as an individual. In a world with increasingly faster paces and changing faces, it is reassuring to know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and that His people are in your neighborhood.

The third category should be foreign missions. Studies show that churches that grow the fastest locally are those which are spreading themselves overseas. We live in a era of instant communication between continents. We must avail ourselves of all the expanding technology and methodology in the internet age to reach more and more for Christ.

If we take these simple steps which, to my knowledge, are in sync with doctrine and our operational at a minimal cost we can double the size of Central Church of Christ in Haines City, Florida in one year. Additionally, I am convinced that all churches can do the same.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to send a man to the moon, have him land and return safely to Earth by the end of the decade. Now that was a difficult task. Thousands of men with nominally cooperative computers and no experience or text book worked hard and they did it 7 years later. Within 4 years they landed 12 men on the surface of the moon and returned them safely home. They did it because they decided that it would be done. No obstacle was too great because the prize was always above them, within view.

Our task is much, much easier. We have a similar mandate from our Commander In Chief but we have the edge! We already possess the needed tools. We have 66 text books to explain how to do it. We have experience in our own testimony of how each of us went from dry sinner to wet saint.

All we lack is the decision. Will we fulfill our obligation? What will our decision be?

I see a bright tomorrow
More striking than the dawn
The radiant home of our Father
Where so many before have gone
And just outside the city
Breaks the waves of a crystal sea
And a voice travels over those waters
"Come, come unto me."

P.S. Feel free to take all of these words and do not feel any obligation to give me credit. I am saying nothing new, just expressing it in a different fashion.

Thank you for your time and prayerful consideration,

Jason Goldtrap