The More Bug!

The More Bug! I have the “more” bug! We have a children’s book titled “The More Bug!” at our house. It is a great book about finding contentment in the Lord! It is based on the 23rd Psalm. There is a refrain throughout the book that says, “The Lord is my Shepherd I have everything I need.” It is true the Lord is my Shepherd. However, I find myself as a church leader wanting more the Lord, not from the Lord, so here’s my list: I. I want. I want more. I want more disciples! I want more servants for Jesus! I want more people being baptized! I want a church to be on fire for Jesus! I want more people winning others to the Lord! I want more people taking serious their call as Christians. I want more Committed, Connected and Caring people set on making FC3! I want the church finances to reflect 10% of FC3 partners income so we stop robbing God . I. I want. I want more. What do you want?

God's Word is fresh!

As I am currently reading the Bible chronologically I am seeing many new things jump out at me off of the pages of Scripture. The freshness of HIS Word is amazing, but more amazing still is the fact that HE has entrusted me with its message to pass on. This morning I was reading from Matthew 9 and the chapter opens up with the story of a man who was a paralytic. I have taught this section of Scripture, I have read this over and over - yet this morning I was tripped up by one little phrase - the first sentence in that story from Matthew. "Jesus...came to his own town"! I look up Mark's account (Mark 2:1) and it says that this event took place in Capernaum! My thoughts quickly went to THE FACT that Jesus was a Nazarene which fulfilled prophecy. So I was trying to reconcile this silly fact in my mind. Then I looked back through Matthew to see where Jesus had just come from to see if 'Gallilee' was HIS home. This would reconcile it for me! When all of a sudden (as I was talking this through with Bettina) I was looking at chapter 4 of Matthew and Bettina quickly spotted Matthew 4:13-14 "13 Leaving Nazareth, HE went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali - 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:" Right there was my answer! Now this was not going to change my salvation whether I found the answer of not, but it did solidify the fact that the bible does not contradict itself. God's fresh reminder to me this morning was a simple one - "You can trust MY Word!" - God. Thank you LORD for being the God who never leaves me nor forsakes me. Read on (the Scriptures) my friends, read on...

Hoedown Hallelujah's!

God is truly amazing!!! HE continues to amaze me time and again. This year's Hoedown was very successful on many accounts. First, we added many new games. We had about twice as many games in the gym then normal. We also had a petting zoo brought in - a zebra! Hilarious. Second, we had many people come that we have never seen before at our Hoedown. We had great food, great fellowship and great servants of the Most High God. Without the servants there is no way that we could have pulled the Hoedown off this year. A BIG thanks to those who gave and gave and gave. Truly we honored one of our Core Values - Giving our best for it is the least that HE deserves! I am proud to be an FC3 partner. YEEHAW!!!

Harvest Hoedown

I could start this article out like others and talk about how fast the time is flying by, but I won't! ;) I have read twice now (each from different authors) about the word time in the bible. There are really two words that Greek writers used when speaking of time. One is Chronos which basically speaks of time as we think of it. minute, hour, day, week, month, etc. This type of time dictates our lives. But there is the second word translated as time that was often in the mindset of Jesus' ministry - Karios which better translated is opportunity. Paul tells us to make the most of this 'time'. I feel like too often I let 'chronos' get the best of me, but I long for 'Karios' to knock. It doesn't knock, though! I must seek it - I need it and so do you! With our annual Harvest Hoedown being a few days away we must take the 'karios' to pray and pray with seriousness of mind. Would you do just that? Would you please pray for the karios moments we will have at this event? For the FC3, we will have over 1000 people walk - willingly onto our campus. How prepared are we? Well, time will tell! :) If you need a pick me up, watch the Hoedown Video Promo for 2012!

Really, we are you?

I know in our Wednesday night class we studied the Kyle Idleman's book/video small group series "Not a Fan". But I don't think we can leave it alone, I don't think we can live with a mindset of 'been there, done that' with this thought. Or taken from a different book we have studied: "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, the fourth chapter was about "Lukewarm Christianity" and it rocked our world in thought and discussion. But did it change us. To be cut to the heart about something is NOT enough. Maybe God is giving us a warning signs from different authors/speakers. Maybe we need to wake up and rise up. Something is really wrong! But does anyone really care to change because of the problem. It will continue on until we do something about it. If we choose not to do anything, it will just get worse until God really gets our attention! Check this video out if you are familiar with 'Not A Fan'.

Disciple makers...

I wonder what God really thinks of our churches today! Is HE pleased or disgusted? Our flesh wants to say - HE is pleased! But I believe in our hearts we know something is desperately, deeply, disturbed. Will anything be done about it? Will we surrender and submit? Or will we continue in the lies that we live and call it Christianity? Lord, forgive us for making your idea of church a lost business and made 'church' into our comfort-receiving places! May Your Spirit stir in our hearts until we can NOT rest until we change, repent, turn back to you. (Watch this video) What are we doing?

Pictures are worth a thousand words...

Mom's place Before...

After!

many words...

AAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Oh my word, it cannot be October already. The bad news is that time is rushing rapidly by. The good news is that 1.) Cooler weather is arriving! 2.) It is Harvest Hoedown month. 3.) Jesus is still on the throne (and always will be) :) Every year, we have the privilege of opening up our campus for 1000+ people to come and let us love on them and show them Jesus! As we gear up for this year's Hoedown, we NEED prayer and lots of it!!! Would you be praying specifically for these things: 1.) That we will be preparing our hearts to be the best servants to of Jesus representing HIM. 2.) That we will do our best to get things ready for people to have a paved way to see the King of Kings while on the FC3 campus! 3.) That you will ask God what your role will be this year in our great time of ministering to the Cleveland folks! I am truly excited about what God is doing among us at FC3. I pray that together we will unite to allow HIM greater effectiveness through us. To HIM be the glory - AMEN.

Thus we begin...

We begin a new journey here at FC3! 44 people signed up today to be a part of surrendering to the direction of our New Vision, Mission & Core Values! The morning was great. 2 baptisms and the worhsip of the King of Kings - it doesn't get any better than this! Thanks FC3 partners. Forward march!

FC3 - Committing, Connecting & Caring

Everytime I think of our Vision, Mission and Core Values, I get excited! I feel like for us at First Christian Church of Cleveland (FC3), we have a direction to point others in the direction that we are going and invite them along for the ride. I see us clarifying everything we do with God's Word better, because it will be on purpose. We can just aimlessly keep going and moving, but without direction we are wasting our time, the time of those we desire to come to HIM and we waste God's time. I hope and pray that each of you have been praying about your part in our new view on life as a church. Won't you join us? Will you be sold out for God' way as described in HIS Word? Don't for get our Core Values: 1. The Bible is our authority and guide. 2. Our methods will not compromise God's Message. 3. We will point to Jesus as Lord in everything we do. 4. We love everyone because they are God's children. 5 We will do our best for it is the least that HE deserves. Let these values becaome a way of life for you. I would be willing to bet that if you do - those around you will take notice. And maybe, just maybe, they will ask about your Lord who sits on the throne! May God bless our journey and help us to see HIM in the clutter of life because we seek to live with GREAT purpose!!!

Exciting times...

God is truly moving in incredible ways! I love our new vision, mission and core values! I am excited to have them keep us focused on our task at hand at FC3. If you missed it at church during the first three weeks of September, or maybe even forgot - here's a review: Vision: To be a Faithful Christ-Centered Church changing lives at every corner for the glory of God. Mision: Faithfully... ...Committing to God. ...Connecting to one another. ...Caring about others. Core Values: The Bible is our authority and guide. Our methods will not compromise God's message. We will point to Jesus as Lord in everything we do. We will love everyone because they are God's children. We will give our best for it is the least that HE deserves. This gives us greater purpose in everything we do. Man, this is exciting. I am truly pumped up and I hope you are too! May God use us in HIS way and in HIS time!

September's Stuff!!!

September is coming upon us quickly!!! I am excited about what is in store for us as we begin the Fall. First we are revealing our Vision, Mission and core Values for FC3 (First Christian Church of Cleveland!) A group of men have been praying and looking at the Bible and also the characteristics of FC3. We seek to honor God in everything we do and we want to place it before our congregation to hold up as a standard for the specific ministry of FC3. I hope that all of you will make it a priority to be in our worship service the frist 3 weeks of September as we share what God has laid upon our hearts. The fourth week of September we will be begining "The Story" which is a 31 week look at the Bible - Genesis through Revelation - to give us a big picture of God's Story! I hope you will desire to be a part of everything we have coming up. To God be the glory!

Revelation lessons...

Preaching through the Book of Revelation has stretched me, greatly. It has pushed my study and trust in the Spirit of God more than before. I love the fact that it has also caused many of FC3 people to jump in and study the Bible more. I guess the biggest lesson for me in all of this has been the necessity to seek to 'snatch others from the fire' (Jude 23) more than ever before. While I am very thankful that the Bible teaches me about my eternal reward for surrendering my life to Jesus, it also teaches me the destiny of the damned! Oh, dear God forgive us for our complacency and apathetic lifestyles that have little or no impact on those who do not know Jesus as Lord. While I do not enjoy preaching about Hell, I do appreciate the fact that God given us HIS book to teach us just how serious this life really is. I have a deeper ache inside of me for my friends who have not yet made a decision for Jesus! I desire to make it for them, but I cannot! My only hope in all of this for their sake is to trust that Jesus will live powerfully through me to draw them to HIS side. Therefore there is a greater need each and every day to give up my desires for HIS desires. 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." The more I grow, the more I think about that patience with me that God talks about. In the past, I have often read that to mean patient with those outside of Christ Jesus. But lately, I feel as though it means God is patient with me as a believer who is not living life completely for HIM which keeps others from finding true freedom and peace that is only found in HIM. May we all learn this lesson for the glory of God and the salvation of those who are not yet HIS. All to the praise and honor and glory of God my Father and yours!

New England Trip!!!

What an incredible trip Bettina and I had visiting the New England area. Specifically, we went to stay at Restoration House Ministries in Manchester, New Hampshire. The R.H.M. housing was an awesome incredible experience. Up north is a very beautiful part of our country with such rich history! We got the grand tour (thanks to our friends Bob & Carol Miller and Ed and Sheri Plumier and Dan and Linda Clymer!) We toured five states in five days. We had the privilege of eating lunch with 81 church planters and their families (including a long time friend from my Ozark days - Jeff Oakes). They get together once a quarter to keep in touch and minister to one another and be fed physically and spiritually. We also had the opportunity to visit 6 or 7 different locations of Christian churches in the New England area. On Sunday, we were priviledged to attend two different churches (North Pointe & South Pointe) in Rhode Island. Our church sent funds to help in the launch of both of these church both of which meet in Movie Theaters. It was refreshing to see the hand of God at work over 3000 miles from home. I am excited about the ministries that are moving back into the nations first colonies. Bettina and I will never forget our time spent there nor will we forget the many new friends we now have because of Jesus Christ. I can't wait to go back and visit soon!!!

Obedience

I have a quick question for you. Are you an obedient disciple of Jesus? (Does that sound like a loaded question?) I am assuming that you said “Yes”, or “most of the time”, or “sometimes”. I would consider myself an obedient person probably just like most people would define themselves as “a good person”! I’m obedient compared to most of the world. [Insert any justification story here!] I have been reading a book with my son at nights about another teenage boy. It’s a true story. This kid is an incredible follower of God – in the literal sense. This young teenage boy at an early age goes on mission trips and seeks to “win the world” to Jesus. His name is B.J. B.J. is bold when it comes to his faith. B. J. journals what God is teaching him. One day when speaking of what God is saying to him, B.J. says, God is teaching me immediate obedience (emphasis added). He mentions that the winds and the waves obey Jesus in an instant. Then he questions himself and us. Shouldn’t we obey better than the winds and the waves? Shouldn’t we obey immediately? This question has been probing my mind a lot – I can’t seem to shake it! Too many times I find myself obeying Jesus, but only after much debate in my mental dialog and inadequacies of finding a loop-hole or escape clause! Why don’t I do immediately what I know I ought to do? What I need to do? What good followers of Jesus do? Probably because my obedience is not grounded deep enough in love, but rather out of too much effort! I believe grace saved me, but I find myself living as if I can earn part of it to be the “good” guy! My goal is to obey – instantly! It will be a tough journey – wanna join me? I pray so!

Adopted - Ephesians 1:5!

Do you know anyone who was adopted? Maybe you are adopted and you know better than anyone else what adoption is all about? Or maybe you have adopted a child and so you understand the process? However, the biblical idea of adoption does not necessarily fit into an exact representation of our adoption process of today. Truth be told the Old Testament doesn't talk about adoption perse. Of course, adoption today has many positive and negative thoughts that surround it. Romans 8:23 points to a fact that adoption is something we as God's children should wait eagerly for as we groan inwardly. We groan because we recognize our desperate need to be adopted. But the interesting thing about our adoption is that we have a say in whether or not we will be adopted! Instead of the power of adoption being with the parents and/or the law of the state is lies in the hands of the kid being adopted - specifically, you and I! We have to surrender to the adoption! Sadly, some choose to remain an orphan! but what about you? Do you eagerly await the adoption into God's family? Aren't you glad that we have the privilege of being adopted into God's family? Let's live in eager anticipation of the day our adoption is finalized when HE takes us to be with HIM forever.

Chosen!!!

Do you remember the horrors of elementary playgroud team selections? As team captains were chosen by the majority vote, you prayed silently that the captain was a friend of yours. You also prayed that the captian thought highly of you, so that you were not picked last! John 15:16 Jesus tells us that we did not chose HIM, but in fact HE chose us! In Ephesians 1:4, Paul shows us that God 'chose' us before the creation of the world - before the foundations of the earth were set in place. Church, this is a chosing before our lives began and He chose you and I knowing we would sin against HIM! We weren't chosen last, but first! He wants us on HIS team. Paul goes on to say that HE chose us for a purpose. Check it out. Ephesians 1:4 NIV "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." HE didn't choose us because it would make him look good or because we could help him win. He chose us because he loved us! It had everything to do with love and nothing to do with our abilities or what we would bring to his team. Isaiah (64:6) tells us that our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Even our best efforts fall short - HE didn't choose you with any hope that you could somehow earn being chosen! HE chose you because HE wanted you - period. Now that's refreshing. Be blessed!

"Bednight Snack"

I love being a mom. I learn so much from my kids - even though, I guess I'm supposed to be the one that's teaching. So many times, God reminds me that I am just like a child and He is the patient parent - always teaching me. Bella has this saying at night when she is hungry. Funny how she doesn't realize she's hungry until it's time for bed....Anyway, she asks me, "Mom, can I have a bed-night snack?" I don't know where she came up with that term. Somewhere along the way she heard someone say bed-time snack and midnight snack maybe and mixed the two. I love it. She just needs a little comfort food before she goes to sleep. I won't deny it, I like comfort food before bed too. Often it's because I just love to eat and a little mouthful of chocolate or something sweet just hits the spot and I can crawl in bed satisfied. Sometimes, though, it's because I'm starving. I have had one of those days where my hectic schedule allowed me time to get the kiddos or hubby something quick to eat but my own meal was skipped in order to accomplish something I thought was more important at the time, you know, vital stuff, like folding laundry or washing the mile-high stack of dishes, checking homework papers, paying bills, picking up toys for the 137th time... stuff like that. So by the time I drag my backside into bed and hunker down under the covers, my stomach is protesting...loudly. David will look at me and raise his eyebrows. "Was that your stomach?" Tiredly thinking back, I try to remember..."What did I eat today? Oh yeah, I think I skipped lunch. Or was it dinner? I really can't recall if I ate breakfast...hmmm did I eat cheerios yesterday?" Bella's words of wisdom float into my mind...I need a bednight snack. God usually speaks the clearest in those times when I've made foolish choices. There have been times that I've neglected to feast on His Word in order to do something I guess I thought was more important at the time... you know, vital stuff, like folding laundry, dishes, etc. etc....and I crawl into bed and I'm hungry. I haven't fed my soul and it's protesting...loudly. God is looking at me, I know, with eyebrows raised, asking, "was that your soul?" Tiredly I think back and remember...I need a bednight snack. It's not recommended to get your total spiritual or physical nutrition from small, snack-sized portions...obviously. If I only let Bella eat a bednight snack and she never got healthy, nourishing meals, she would never grow and mature and develop the way little girls should. If I only snack occasionally on God's Word, I will never grow spiritually either. Bednight snacks are great but regular, full-size, healthy servings are needed, not only to survive, but to thrive. BJL

Praise (Blessed) God - Ephsians 1:3

"Praise the LORD!" How many times have you heard that in church? How many times has that word been on your lips? I think it is interesting that we probably often read over that word so quickly we miss it. (At least, I do at times, you?) The word here most often is translated as 'blessed" in other English translations of the Bible (King James Version, The Message, New American Standard Bible, etc.) When we typically here the word 'blessed' we tend to think of the Beattitudes (Matthew 5:1-12 - i.e. 'Blessed are the...') But this is a different word! While the Beattitude's 'blessed' is about character, this 'blessed' is about repute or 'to be well spoken of'. In the New Testament it is used only of God. I think a proper setting for this study on the book of Ephesians is beginning with this word 'Praise' (NIV), or 'Blessed' (The Message). It brings a couple of questions to my mind: How often do you approach God as 'the one to be praised' compared to approaching HIM in haste as 'the one to be ordered' to your list of wants? Wow, that hurt! Let's not leave with pain. How about this question? How should you approach God, the one who Paul addresses in verse 1 as 'the God who has willed Paul's life (and yours and mine?) Take courage, HE wants you to come in an attitude of praise, recognizing HIM for who HE really is. May I invite you to do just that, right now? Spend 15 seconds in prayer right now. Reminding yourself, just how wonderful this God is and how much HE deserves our praise! This approach to God implies a real sense of grace experienced, just as Paul did! Experience HIS grace today, this week, forever - "Praise the LORD!" Amen? Amen! (Thanks to Marvins Vincent's 'Word Study in the New Testament' book and to Jamieson, Faucet & Brown's 'Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible' for help on that!)

Eat this!!!

I saw a church website that had the title "Eat This!" on it. Of course it was wanting to get their people into the word (the Bible) more. I absolutely love the Word of God. I love reading it, studying it, and sharing it. I love teaching the Word of God. I love preaching the Word of God. Have I said that I love the Word. It should be no surprise that my favorite bible verse is Joshua 1:8 "Do not let this book of law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." A close second favorite verse Philippians 3:10-11 "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead." And finally, to finish off my top three. Psalm 1:2-3 "...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Oh how I love the Word of God. So I want to grow and ask you to come on the journey with me! Will you? My goal is to write every week or two and base each post on some Scriptural thought. I am going to start with Ephesians. May God bless our journey and may HE be our guide. I look forward to our journey together and invite you to comment. My wife, Bettina, will be joining us on the adventure by blogging her responses here also. She had great wisdom and is an incredible asset to my ministry. She always adds great thoughts to help fill the gaps where I sometimes leave major holes. :) So the journey begins...