Richard M. Cagle at work and in Ministry

http://www.biblestudytools.com/pastor-resources/11601772.html

2010-02-27T21:35:00.001-06:00

http://www.biblestudytools.com/pastor-resources/11601772.html

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What is wrong with the Healthcare debate

2010-02-27T20:01:00.000-06:00

What is wrong with the Healthcare debate is a reflection of what is wrong with the economic philosophy of our nation. Our grandparents chose their lifestyle by using the words, "can we afford this?" The society today decides what lifestyle they will live and are entitled to and then hunts a way in which to fund it. Whether it be credit cards, loans, second mortgages, or whatever, I have a right to live a certain lifestyle. This philosophy has translated to the government. We are now facing the onslaught of those who demand all the trappings of a certain level of lifestyle and then we will figure out how to fund it later.

There are two fundamental issues in dead collision; 1) the belief that every American has a right to health care, insurance, etc as good as anyone else has; 2) the financially limited resources of our nation. We are in debt up to our eyeballs. The question here is not is it a good thing for all to have health care but can we afford to pay for it for those who can't? I'm ok with the concept of universal healthcare. I just don't know how we pay for it?

Responsible government says that somewhere we have to cut enough to make up the cost if we intend to do this. Just like normal people do every month with their own personal budgets. We didn't take a trip this year we had planned because we had a few unexpected expenses to arise. Something had to give, it was the trip.

With this government we don't seem to have the same level of personal responsibility as most of us practice. If you don't have it, you can't spend it. If you are struggling financially, then you throw stuff off the boat until it quits sinking.

I can fix this, they just wouldn't let me.

Work in Progress

2010-01-24T21:47:00.000-06:00

I'm almost a month into my renewal of my life, business, ministry, etc. Here's what I have found.

1. It is true that God helps those who help themselves. I always hated that statement but there is truth in it. I am working like it all depends on me and praying like it all depends on God. You know what? God is abundantly gracious and kind and somehow it is all in motion and appears to be working. I am still up to my ears in alligators but I am fighting my way through it.

2. It seems to get straightened and "get my act together", I am forever destined to make people mad. It is like feeding the bears. When you quit feeding, (doing what benefits them), they get really testy.

3. It is alot easier to get into committments than get out.

4. My daily walk with God is the conduit for my strength which comes from Him.

5. My family continues to be the source of much joy. Hunting with the guys, playing with the gkids, hanging around the house with my wife, those moments are what keeps you going.

6. Get a plan, work the plan, adjust the plan, then work it some more.

New Year Here I come

2010-01-02T23:01:00.002-06:00

I am officially pumped up about the coming New Year. For one thing, it is going to be better. I just know it. Not that I am in that much control, mind you, but it has to be. 2009 was a tough year for me. The economy hurt me a good bit in my particular business. But the killer was that I bought into some really bad information in my life and business that I bit on like a big bass hitting a lure. I don't really know what made me so gullible except maybe that it was so much of what I wanted to hear.

I realized through that some valuable lessons that I will now proceed to pass on.

1. You are never a bigger sucker than when someone is saying what you really hoped to hear. When it seems to good to be true, it probably is.
2. NEVER act on what you hope is so, make sure it is so before jumping in with all you have. I know faith is there somewhere, but when we get the smell of a big kill financially or career wise, we can loose all sense. We behave much like a big buck in hunting season when the rut comes in. A normally cautious animal will come trotting out accross a wide open field like he is bullet proof. He is not and neither are you.
3. Listen carefully to the arguement going on between your heart and head. I know you have those, so do I. Your head is saying, there is something not right here, your heart is saying, but it sounds soooo good.
4. Go listen to the old song by Kenny Rogers, the gambler. "you got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away and know when to run...". good advice. You don't have to make your money where you lost it. If the horse is dead, get off and seek another ride. Don't waste time trying to resurrect a dead horse.
5. Realize that sometimes the greatest damage is what is done to your mind and heart in these things. You get your thinking fuzzy because you keep saying, but what if...; then comes the anger and resentment and they should make this right stuff. Both of those will derail your thinking, etc.
6. Pull aside, refocus, and get a plan that does not involve relying on this whatever. Get a plan, work the plan and work with purpose and determination.

This is what I am going to do in 2010. What about you?

Welcome to the New Economy

2009-12-07T21:52:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the new economy, and I don't think I like it. I mean here I am, about to be 56 and having to reinvent my company, ministry and alot else. My business has changed, the situations of the people in my church have radically changed, and you ought to try and raise money for a non-profit right now. It is really something out there.

Maybe I am more sensitive to it than mose because I have by necessity lived in the world of the entrepeneur in the last several years. Deals are tough now because there is no money. People are scared, business is in full retreat for the most part.

So what are we to do? God's people have faced many such times in the past and will do so again. The scripture that spoke to me regarding that lately was Psalm 37. I heard Dr. Charles Stanley mention it so I went and studied it again. It was right on target. Trust in the Lord, Dwell in the Land, be faithful, stay away from anger and frustration and yes seek Him with a while heart.

Toward the end of the Psalm he states, I have been young and now am old, and I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread.

You just can't improve on that. So hang in there, do what you must, make the changes necessary to insure your continuing financial survival, and walk with God daily.

I'm feeling better already.

you've got to be kidding

2009-07-15T22:05:00.002-05:00

I got one of those posts on facebook the other day from a friend from the past who has now come "out of the closet". He sends out a steamy video of two men kissing. My response to him was, "you've got to be kidding". This guy was a pastor in his other life. I took his posts off my facebook.

Here is the bottom line, you can walk with the God of the Bible or invent your own god who sanctions whatever lifestyle you care to indulge in. You can do that but don't call it Christianity, it's not.

We are in trouble

2009-07-14T21:47:00.002-05:00

The current leadership of our country seems intent on moving us to a socialist-government run state. What are people thinking in voting for these morons? Our political system has degenerated into a group of elected officials who's prime directive is their own re-election. This is done by buying votes from whatever special interest group that can be cultivated. The problem here is a lack of personal maturity and integrity on the part of us, the people. We the people are electing those who will benefit us not lead us. We want benefits not the blessings of Almighty God for Godly living and sacrifice. We don't principaled leadership, we want deliverers of pork, to our tables.

Until we change we will continue to elect more of the same. Where is the sacrifical spirit of the founders? Where is the puritan work ethic? Where is the concept of being caught up in a cause that is greater than ourseves?

We are in trouble unless we rediscover these and other related values.

insights from a car wreck

2009-04-10T21:14:00.003-05:00

We had just finished a trip to Bass Pro shop with a couple of the grandkids when we saw it, a car violently rolling over and over down interstate. We pulled over and I got out running to help. Others were stopping and we were all working as fast as possible to check on the people involved and helping those upside down in the car to get out. Thankfully, no one was severely hurt.

As I left I realized what I had just witnessed. First of all how deliciate the line seperating life and death, health and injury. Second, at the scene we were not white people or black people or hispanic or oriental. All of those were there, but we were just people, helping one another in a dire circumstance. I saw a black man and a white man helping a white lady to the median, a hispanic lady helping a white man. I saw whites, hispanics and orientals all helping blacks, whites, you name it. In other words, race had absolutely nothing to do with anything. No one asked if they were democrat or republican, conservative or liberal. None of that mattered.

In our fractured society, perhaps we need a dose of the reality that a real crisis brings. When life and death are both within reach and in our face. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be more of just good folks and less divisive? I get so tired of the constant conflict that is ours today.

We have seemingly lost our civility, our manners and our willingness to work together accross the lines for the common good. Every group seemingly has their agenda and that is all that seems to matter. Now don't get me wrong, I hate what is happening to our nation right now. I am a conservative and a devout believer. But I hope I don't forget the lesson of the car wreck, sometimes we just need to be good people and help one another.

rick ang bubba show

2009-04-03T11:56:00.003-05:00

I had fun this past week on the Rick and Bubba show. I did Rick's wedding years ago and he wrote about me in his first book. He claims that I was instrumental in helping him to come to a new beginning spiritually. I don't take credit for that, it was a God thing, but I do count it an honor to know him. God has his hand on Rick and Bubba and I am so thankful for their friendship and I am very proud of what they are doing in the Kingdom.

We moved our meeting place for Crosspoint Church to the Cody Road 7th Day adventist church. It was so nice this week. We seem to be entering a new phase of growth and development. I love our church.

I am thinking about getting back into TV. I did it for years and miss it. Whatever it takes to further the Kingdom of God.

Family

2009-03-21T22:30:00.002-05:00

Friday night the Cagle clan in Mobile held an impromtu and non planned family gathering at The Original Oyster House on the Causeway. It was one of those things that just happend because of cell phones, the life on the move of the family of today and the fact that the Cagle's love to eat. It was just fun. The food was good but it took awhile. The main ingredient was the family being together. As I sat in my place at the end of the table observing the mass confusion that comes from our gatherings, I realized how blessed we really were. We love the Lord, each other and acutally get along. Amazing in this day and time. We would make lousy guests on Dr. Phil or Ophra, because we are happy, well balanced, fun loving and conservative. Thank you Lord!

Some of us even went fishing in the Gulf today and had a blast. You see there is nothing more important than family and spending time together. Every one of my kids are different but all important and special to me.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I will be preaching at Crosspoint in the morning and in the evening at Fairhaven Baptist in Demopolis. God is good.

Evergreen/Rick Cagle Ministries

2009-03-15T19:58:00.002-05:00

Rick Cagle Ministries: We are still running our radio shows daily on WBHY 840 am. They air every day 9:45 am and 5:15 pm . We get alot of feedback from these and our prayer is that we are making a difference in the kindgom of God through this ministry. I give thanks continually for the opportunity to serve in this manner.

Evergreen: We still do the foodbank through Evergreen as we are able. We have slowed lately because it is expensive. I intend to get back to it asap. I am coming to the conclusion that as much as I hate doing it, we may have to begin some kind of fund raising to continue much of this ministry. I did most of it myself until now, but it really limits us.

There are several really good ministries that we continue to assist through our ministry. Bobby and Mary Morton do Evergreen Missions. They have now started a church and Bobby continues to do mission work in Brazil. He does the "People Sharing Jesus" program written by Darrell Robinson, one of the finest Pastors I have ever known. I am thankful for faithful servants like Bobby and Mary Morton. By the way, Mary makes perhaps the best potatoe salad in the world.

Dr. Aies DeSouza is doing a ministry with hispanics out of the Big Lake Baptist Church in Wilmer. I serve on his board for I M Hope and we also have a division of Evergreen for his work as well. God is using him in a great way. He selflessly helps these people on a continual basis. He is also active in doing several mission trips to Brazil and Mexico. I hear great things from their impact.

March 15 at Crosspoint

2009-03-15T19:35:00.002-05:00

Today was one of those Sundays that had all the makings of a rough day at church. It was raining really hard and for a pastor on a Sunday morning you just know that attendance will take a hit. You see in a church like ours where we haul in chairs and sound every Sunday, rain is not our best friend.

As I arrived in the parking lot of the grammer school where we meet noticed our folks scurrying around already working. Then as I entered I found out that some of my men had come up there on Saturday and already done the heavy lifting and moving. That about sums up the spirit of our church. Servanthood, selfless, working together for a cause greater than themselves. So goes some of the finest people I have ever been associated with. If every church had this kind of people, who knows what a difference there would be.

I arrived at church this morning somewhat dreading what I believed was to lie ahead. I left encouraged, inspired, and excited about tomorrow. None of that came from the preaching. It was the people. It was the presence of the Lord in our midst. It was being with family.

Later some of us went to eat mexican food at one of our favorite restaurants and life was good.

RMC Management/Proactive Management

2009-03-14T20:17:00.003-05:00

Our corporate structure is 2 fold, we have RMC Management and Proactive Management. RMC is the company we use to own and operate Assisted Living Homes and Proactive Management is the company we use to manage Assisted Living Homes for other owners. We now have 5 homes in RMC and 3 in Proactive.

RMC Homes: Southern Oaks on Cody Rd; Southern Oaks in Demopolis; Southern Oaks Speciality Care in Demopolis; Southern Oaks in Bay Minette.

Proactive Homes: Woodhaven Place in Southside, Al; Pine Place in Arley, Al; Our Southern Home in Midtown Mobile, Al.

We have grown very fast and we are having fun. With over 100 employees, we are very priviledged to serve our Lord by taking care of special older residents.