Victorious

I just spent an incredible week in Louisville, Kentucky at the N.A.C.C. (North American Christian Convention). We studied the Message of Revelation, but I have to be honest – that was not the cause of the incredible week. The messages were right on and very powerful, but the overall unity of the worship service was out of this world, extraordinary and truly awesome. I am not sure how many were there, but the numbers were in the thousands. In each main session, you could feel the presence of God and hear each voice in unison singing praises to the King of kings who reigns on high. I wish everyone from Cleveland could have been there. It was a great thing to hear each night that because of Jesus, we are victorious NOW! We also heard testimonies at each main session from missionaries who are enduring suffering. It was humbling and a gentle reminder to keep my eyes off of myself and on HIS mission for us in life. To top that off, as a church family we just finished studying “gods at war” (idol worship). We learned that we (the god of me) get in the way of ourselves and that ends up holding us back from experiencing God’s incredible daily life. We are On Mission! August 11, 18 & 25 we will look at Matthew’s gospel specifically focusing in on “Being ready/Getting ready!” It is time to live out our victorious lives God has blessed us with. Come and worship with us and grow in Christ with us. Sunday mornings 10:30!

Why on earth do we live this way?

For the most of the month of July, we are learning about idol worship! It is probably something with which we believe we do not struggle. But an idol is anything that gets in the way of fully worshipping the Lord God Almighty! So as I have been studying for this I have seen in Scripture so many times how often we are warned about idol worship. I found an example of this in Luke 12 during my devotional time with the Lord! Jesus tells us to fear ONLY THE GOD. You might say - "I do", but you spend your time worrying about money and the lack of it for the bills you have. Then Jesus tells a parable about a man who stores up for himself (retirement? storage buildings? etc.) The destiny of the life of the man in the parable is death - his very life was taken from him that night. Jesus then says, (verse 21) "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God." Let me ask you a question...does you retirement look bigger than your giving to the Lord. (Why do I hear too many of you explaining how much of a good steward you are for saving for when you are old!? And many will back you up on this!) On a typical Sunday, we have very few regular giving/tithing people, the rest are crooks! Yes you heard me right, most of the people in the auditorium on a typical Sunday are thieves (see Malachi 3:8) and they don't care about it at all. But they are most likely to complain about their comfort while at 'church' (I say "at church" since they are not "being the church!") Their comfort has become their idol. And they never get enough! Why on earth do we live this way? Lord Jesus open our eyes to your Truth quickly lest we get further away from your love and truth. P.S. If you are not wanting to grow in your walk with Jesus, you probably better skip church until August! P.S.S. If you are willing and ready to let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16), then I hope to see you Sunday!

Relief from the Storm!

It is the day after the tornado in Moore. Lives have been shattered. God has been questioned – again. We want answers, we want relief, but little is found. When we look at the storm (this just one of many in years past), we see the three D’s: Devastation, Destruction and Death. We zero in on our lives and can easily be tempted to think poor us, but every generation has seen the three D’s. The three D’s call us to question God’s existence when it should call us to stand in awe of the One who can stop the storm. God aches when HE sees HIS children, HIS little children, suffer. HE is not a killjoy. HE doesn’t delight in the three D’s. HE isn’t like an angry kid with a magnifying glass seeking to burn ants. The Bible describes God as All-Powerful, All-knowing, All-Places. It describes HIM as Compassionate, Slow to Anger, and Abounding in love. The Bible teaching that God is Our Comfort, Our Peace, and Our Deliverer. We are shown that God is a god that weeps with us, desires to encourage us, and longs to rescue us. This is the message that the Church holds in its hands, not to keep to our selves but to share with those who hurt. Relief from the Storm comes in the form of a body described as the body of Christ: Hands, Feet, Toes and Fingers – all help brings a little bit of relief even in the grandest of storms. Live on church! Live on. Be the difference.

Making disicples - the way of the chainsaw!

A few years ago for Father's day, Bettina bought me my very own chainsaw! What a woman of God! She really knows what her man needs. :) The good thing is I knew how to run a chainsaw because a year or so earlier I was at my father-in-laws farm helping out and he, David, showed me everything about running a chainsaw: The best way to start it, how to hold it properly, how to stand, where to be when cutting a tree and how to properly fell a tree. (I gotta tell you - I get excited just typing the phrase "fell a tree" [insert "Tim the Toolman Tailor grunt" here] All of this leads up to our family devotion after breakfast this morning at my house with my wife and kids. We had just started going through 1 Timothy 1. I was talking about how Paul told Timothy - I left you in Ephesus to command people to not teach false doctrines. In verse 5, Paul says the goal of this command in "love"! Love comes from a pure heart (motive) and a good conscience (choosing what is morally right.) I talked about how we need to approach everything in love - the goal! Then in verse 8, Paul says, "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly." So I asked my children how does one use the word of God properly? Then came the chainsaw! Before they could answer, I said, 'if you had a chainsaw, how would you know how to use it?' Brenna quipped back, "I don't know how to use a chainsaw!" To which I said, then how would you use it. She said, "I guess, read the instructions." Good point, but not what I was thinking. I said, I have never read the instructions on how to run chainsaw. Then I said to Jalen, "Have you ever read the instructions on how to run a chainsaw?" He said, "No" (He grandpa, David, taught him this summer!) I said, "Grandpa taught Jalen and I how to properly do it." I think Paul's point is for Timothy to help others handle the word properly by showing them. And that is what we are supposed to do as well. We make disciples the same way, by showing people how to follow - leading them in love along the way! And that is how you make disciples - the way of the chainsaw!

The Way: Jesus' or mine?

I am working on my lesson for tonight's class (Wednesday) and I found another gold nugget in Scripture! We will be studying the familiar story of Peter confessing Jesus as the Christ (you know the one that we have methodically had people repeat for years when they accept Jesus, 'Repeat after me, I believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God...'). Interestingly enough, the beginning of this section, this event (Mark 8:27) "Jesus and his disicples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the Way he asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" This little phrase "on the way" repeats 5 more times as Jesus begins his direct focus to going to Jerusalem to die. (Luke says [9:51] that as he "resolutley set out for Jerusalem." Mark's gospel show a differing tone in Jesus' ministry from here on out. It is all about the Cross! This word 'way' is seen 10X in Mark's account. Three of them are pictures of people going 'their way' which was contrary to Jesus' way. 1X is the first occurence of 'way' being used - John the Baptist prophecy - "Prepare the way". The other six (the first in Mark 8:27) are focused on Jesus' way. All that leads me to a question for myself (and maybe for you too!) Whose way am I on: Jesus' or mine!? HIS is about denying self, taking up a cross and following while I loose myself in HIM every day while gaining my soul for eternity. Mine is about me, taking up the easy chair (spiritually speaking), following my desires, living for self and gaining this world. Mine looks attractive from an earthly perspective. HIS looks wonderful from a heavenly perspective. Will I allow my life to be about HIM or me? Continuing the journey (way) for HIM...

The dynamite power of the Holy Spirit!

The book of Acts - wow! The more I read and study it, the more I am amazed at all that God did through the power of the Holy Spirit. Equally amazed I see a terrible difference in the First Church compared to the church of today. I hear different answers for the reason why. One, that frustrates me most, is that the church of today can't be like the first church! Another reason I hear is that I want too much for the church today. I can't help it, I get excited about the church when I read the book of Acts! I do want more for the church. I believe that the church today can be like the first church, but along with this belief I also believe that we don't want to really live like that. We don't want to give up this life! That is a very very sad statement. I believe churches are full of people today who would be content if Jesus DIDN'T come back until we all die of natural causes. How sad is this to see a longing for here more than a longing for eternity! I want to live different. I am not satisfied with where I am nor am I satisfied with where the church is today...something has to change. Maybe I am the something!

there are no words...

Easter celebration has come and the eggs are now gone...(hopefully, they are not lost indoors! If so, the smell will get our attnetion soon!) But the celebration of Resurrection continues on - Praise the Lord! For FC3, our Celebration definitely continues on. We have an incredible service (and that is not a comment about the sermon. I don't rate my sermons outloud!) Every pew was full which is always wonderful to see, but greater things than that occurred! Several times during the worship through song time, I heard hundreds of voices being lifted up to the KING of KINGS - an awesome sound. (That truly makes me wonder what John heard when he heard thousands upon thousands of angels singing to the Lamb!) We had a young crowd which is exciting. We took up our "Special offerring" (1 of 2 each year - the other being Thanksgiving.) Our goal was $28,400. This was our biggest goal since I have been here. We brought in almost $41,000 and it is still growing! Hallelujah!!! God was praised, honored and glorified. When God's people really worship the Almighty, incredible things take place, lives are changed and HE is left on the throne where HE belongs! All glory to HIM who sits on the throne, to HIM be glory and power - forever! Again, as the title says, there are no words...

What is God up to in your life?

I am so thankful for a God that desires and delights in being involved in my life! I have seen HIM work time and time again in ways that I don't always understand, but very much appreciate. God is a communicating God. In light of this a good question for me to ask is: "Am I listening to what HE is saying?" I know that life is very very distracting from the God I pursue! So my duty as a Jesus-follower is pay attention to HIS activity around me, in me and through me. For me to see this and know this is taking place I have to make time to listen and I have to make time to notice what God is up to. Once I perceive what it is that God is doing, I MUST celebrate and share the wonders of God. Let me ask you this, do you want a spiritual leader to lead you without God's involvement? Neither do I? And I don't want to be a spiritual leader that does not have God's involvement in my life and leadership. The same is true for you, those you influence do not need someone seeking to influence them, lead them and show them Jesus without God's involvement. So together we need to recognize what God is up to in our lives. I invite you to share with your FC3 family, what exactly God is doing in your life. If you are a partner, I encourage you to get involved in a Connect Group so as to share this and share life together with other Jesus-followers. If you are reading this and are not a FC3 partner, I encourage you to get involved in your church. If you don't have a church, then I encourage you to get involved in a church - why not give FC3 a visit? a simple Jesus-follower, following my Master, JESUS!

Discipleship (again)

God is really weighing heavily on my heart about our lives as followers of the Way, disciples of Jesus, imitators of the Creator. I have been on quite a ride spiritually since this past Sunday. I preached about the Kingdom and then we discussed it in Connect Groups. I ended up leading two groups combined into one. It was a small gathering that ultimately lead me to do things differently as I beleive God guided me (more for me than anything - I believe!) We had a great group time. It opened my eyes to see that we HAVE TO GET more intentional in our living. I believe the church of today has gotten to lax in our living for the KING. Just this morning, God has placed sevearal things in my path to continue this learning. I just want to soak up more of what HE wants to teach me and then my desire is to live in obedience to what I hear. If you would, say a prayer for me today! Pray for wisdom and guidance from HIS Spirit and nothing else. To God be the glory!

Everything!

Everything I do matters to God! I woke this morning around 3:14 a.m. (I know who does that right?) I made a decision to get up if God wakes me in the night. I wanted to spend more time listening. In fact, I have just shared this with my small groups last night. As I got up and grabbed my bible and notebook, I picked up one of my older bibles. I had taped in the inside front cover a sheet that talked about God caring about every little thing I do and sometimes think is insignificant. Every activity we are involved in God is very much involved in as well. Every mundane thinkg I do, God sees as important. Every conversation I have, God wants to be known and revealed in. Every encounter we have God is there watching, waiting, longing to be acknowledged. [read Psalm 128:1, Psalm 127:1-2, Psalm 139:1-3, 23-24. Everything I do matters for God! May this refresh our perspectives and thoughts and actions in everything I do today! May God bless you adventure today! Live for HIS glory and revealing...

Spiritual Leadership

Last night in my Wednesday class we wrapped up a series titled, "A Journey of Faith" We spent the bulk of our time in 1 Peter during this 7 week series (5 weeks in 1 Peter). Specifically, in Peter's letter we looked at the five times Peter tells his readers, "You have been 'called to'..._______" As we looked at being called to "Eternal glory in Christ" last night, we also looked at spiritual leadership and the lack of it in today's society, the homes and even in the church. While our currently leaders are getting older, there have not been any to replace or join and learn from the current spiritual leadership to take the baton further for the Kingdom's sake. We saw in 1 Peter 5 that there are 5 things Peter points out that consists of healthy spiritual leadership. The list in not a complete list to check off but a list to look for and long to be if I (you) am (are) a leader spiritually. Healthy spiritual leaders are: 1. Willing [v. 2] 2. Eager to serve [v. 3] 3. Examples (of holiness) [v. 3] 4. Humble [vs. 5-6]< 5. Self-Contolled [v. 8] 6. Alert [v. 8] 7. Resisting evil (and the devil) [v. 9] and last but not least 8. Stand firm in the faith. [v. 9]. The churches need to place signs outside our buildings that call for spiritual leaders to come in and lead. Tagged to this sign needs to be a warning post as well: Very dangerous to your overall health: mind, body and soul! Do you see a lack in spiritual leadership? What do you think you should do about it? NOTE: Spiritual leadership is not about a title, but a lifestyle. Maybe that is part of the problem - too many people want a title in order to be exempt from true leadership - servanthood! Any thoughts?

Daniel Fast Break!!!

For 21 days I have eaten nothing but vegetable, fruit, nuts and whole grain wheat and adding nothing but water to drink. I am honestly amazed at how much has changed. Now I am not talking about my physical body, though I have lost 10 lbs. I am talking about the perspective on life, food and God! Last night here at FC3, we had a celebration which included: a time of worship, several testimonies and fellowship with our favorite Daniel Fast Food. I think a first meal where the desert consisted of the same as the meal - no sugar. LOL. I was generously blessed by the stories of FC3 parnters who shared their experience and lessons from God with us all. Some healings took place, and definitely some changes in all who participated. Relationships healed. Many for the first time or first in a long time - heard from God on specific areas of struggle. God is so good, too often we don't notice because we fail to stop and listen and spend time with HIM. I said this last night, I will say it again, I am so very thankful for my FC# brothers and sisters. God has allowed us to grow together, love together and live together. May we all continue to press on towards the goal, our prize, eternity with the Father while we wait and live in HIS presence moment by moment. May God bless you all, all for HIS glory!

Day 18 of 21

Happy Valentines Day! It has come down to 3 days left (after today that is)! I am very thankful for the opportunity that I have had to participate in the fast. I know I won't be able to blog again until day 22 - the day of breaking the fast! I do think that this has shown me how much I really don't need when it comes to food. As far as coffee is concerned, I will drink again but most likely will drink decaffeinated. I am not going to be legalistic with it and avoid caffeine, but definitely drink it in moderation. I think my choices of food will have more options now as well. Who would have ever thought that I would be one to eat more healthy. I recognize very much how junk fills my life on the inside. I want to honor HIM with my body - better. I am very thankful for my older two kids and their going through this with Bettina and I. I am very very proud of them. I know that the journey was not an easy one, but sacrifice was never meant to be easy. They continue to amaze me at how far they are in their maturity than I was at their age. Praise the Lord, for HE is good, HIS love endures forever!!! God Bless.

Day 17 of 21! Almost there...

Wow! That is such a cheap way to explain how I feel. But words escape me. I feel as though God is teaching me so much during this fast. I really recongize little time I truly take to listen to HIM. God is a VERY communicating God, so why do I so often forget to stop and listen. A few big things that have come to me through listening and reading HIS Word. One came last week as I prepared for my Wednesday night class. We are currently studying the five times the word "called" appears in the letter of 1 Peter. We specifically looked at "Called to suffer" from 1 Peter 2:20-21. I saw three things in this text that we powerful for me! Of course those of you who know me know I teach from what God speaks to my heart, thinkgs I need to hear and areas I need to grow in. The three things were what I think every new disciple should be challenged with. They are brilliant. They are needed. First, I need to love everyone WITHOUT JUDGING THEM. Second, I need to DO GOOD EVERYWHERE I GO. ("do good" appears 7 times in 1 Peter and 6 times in Titus!) Last but not least I need to SUBMIT WHERE IT IS EXPECTED AND WANTED. This is what I think the beginning process of becoming a holy disicple looks like. Think about it. How does the church treat peope who struggle with sins such as these: homosexuality, pornography, pedophilia, adultery, etx. Often we treat them as leper of today. How would Jesus was HIS followers to treat them? Just as HE did. Peter calls us to "follow in HIS steps". W.W.J.D.! Jesus wants us to love without judging, do good everywhere in everything, and submit where needed an expected. You know what I think? That'll preach! May God continue to bless all disciples of Jesus.

Day 15 of 21 - The Home Stretch!

Well, another weekend has passed and we are in the final stretch of this Daniel Fast. I must say, it is very tempting to just think about the food. But some incredible things have happened along the way. FC3 partners are experincing great things. I hope to hear about many more this coming Sunday night. We are having a Daniel Fast Celebration. All those in the Fast are bringing their favorite Daniel Fast Dish to share. We will have celebration and worship and testimonies about what we have seen God do and what we have heard from HIM. I am thankful to HIm for the endurance for my kids, my wife and myself. HE continues to prove that HE is a provider even when things look dreary! Thank you Father, for the many good things you have done in my life both in the past and in the recent past and present. I am confident that you love me and will continue to do good thingks for me in the future!

Day 11 of 21!

Wow! We are over half way there. What a journey this has been! The difficult times still arise. For example, yesterday and today I was at the hospital and was surrounded by people eating while I was hungry. Then I had to drive 45 minutes home to get lunch. The smell of good food is a killer at times. When I got home today at 1:00, Bettina had just finished making brownies for the basketball refs at tonight tournament. I had the great privilege of delievering them. God is good and I stuck to the Daniel Fast. Great things are happening all over FC3 partners. We are hearing and seeing God do amazing things. All praise to HIM. Thank you Lord for you great mercy and grace!

Day 8 of 21!

What a great weekend! The Daniel Fast is going pretty good. There have been a few hiccups though. For example, last night I was at a Superbowl party - and I GOT to eat fruits and drink water when normally I would have been pigging out! :) But what is refreshing about it is I was not going it alone. I am thankful for my many friends in Christ who are on this journey with me. It would be much harder to do otherwise. Our Worship time yesterday was awesome. I could really sense God's presence. Being off of coffee, I was worried about having enought energy to preach, but how quickly I had forgotten who my provider was. HE was faithful once again. Praise the God of energy! Praise HIM for HIS love endures forever! I march on because of Jesus. I am excited about each new day along this journey.

Day 4 of 21 of the Daniel Fast

I really am doing good. Although my sugar habits are still around. I am bored with eating! Funny how that has happened. I don't overeat at meals right now. Of course, if I am honest I am not that thrilled about what I am eating. But I find it very interesting that my body doesn't think it needs as much when I eat the 'real' stuff. I do believe this is an eye opening moment for me. Who know what will happen by day 21! God is good and HE has gifted us with incredible amounts of food. I think I am finding that I over indulge way way way too much. :(

Day 3 of 21

I must say, I miss my coffee! But the good thing is I really don't feel too bad. I have not been hungry, in fact I often feel full most of the day. The habit of eating snacks it continually there. I think it is just as a reminder of my temptation to fill my time with them. As far as the spiritual side of things, I do feel a closer connection to my true Sustainer! I recognize the need to rely on HIM for strength and perseverance. Yesterday, I didn't have the headache I had the first day. Thank the Lord! Last night I played basketball and had plenty of energy. The backs of my thighs have been aching like I am dehydrated, but I am drinking water constantly. I guess I need to see how to get electrolites into my system. What impresses me the most through all of this is my two older kids: Jalen and Brenna. They are troopers! They have not complained once, but they have been completely strong. This is very encouraging to me. I praise God for my children. The younger two: Bella and Josiah are not participating. We decided for them it was too much of a challenge for them, but we have taken away much of the sugar intake for both of them. They have held on courageously as well. Thank you Lord for your teachable moments. May this Fast continue on for your glory and your revealing. Speak as we listen...

Day 2 of 21 in the Daniel Fast!

Ok, I think I commented too quickly yesterday! I ended up having a tremendously big headache that began about 3:00. I finally went to bed around 9:30. The good thing is that I woke up this morning without a headache - yet! While I will admit that I am totally addicted to caffeine, I also realized how much I like bad foods - a lot. I don't mind eating healthy, I just mind eating healthy for more than one meal a day. :) Of course, I also admit that I like the cheap fattening foods better than the healthy alternative. But the bigger part of all of this is WHY I am in this to begin with. I must remind myself that when I want something that I cannot have - I need to run to HIM. I need HIS strength. I need HIS direction. I need HIS presence. I need HIM and nothing else. I need HIS nourishment, not a piece of chocolate. I need HIM and nothing else. I need HIS companionship, not the comfort of coffee. I need HIM and nothing else. I need HIS life for me, not the shallow life of the things of this world. I need HIM and nothing else. Lord Jesus, may I find comfort and contentment in YOU and YOU alone! Praise HIM and nothing else.

Day One of Twenty-One - Daniel Fast!

Okay, so today didn't start out too bad. However, I did miss the wonderful aroma of coffee waiting for me. I did have a great morning with God! but my reading was a little difficult having a feeling of sluggishness. But Breakfast wasn't bad. Lunch was great - hummus and salsa plus wheat grain tortilla will with beans, rice and stuff! (ha ha) I think my fear has been overcome and it is the only the first day. (I wonder if I will be thinking this about day 5!) I have had a slight headache, most likely from the lack of caffeine. But very manageable. The good thing is that I have a lot to do this week, so plenty of distractions from my selfish, habitual lifestyle. I am really excited about my learning from God during this 21 days. I really think in a few days the food side will be much easier. Day one 1/2 way over!

“The Daniel Fast!”

What have you done lately to stretch yourself spiritually, physically and mentally? For some of us, it is the ‘Daniel Fast’! We are going on a bold journey to deny ourselves of some luxuries in this life, dedicating to God so that we may hear HIM a little clearer. In the first chapter of Daniel, we see the words… “Daniel resolved.” He determined to do something that was unheard of by the Babylonian people. Daniel was determined not to live like what was deemed as the rich lifestyle. In a conversation with the guard, Daniel persuaded him to give it a ten day trial. At the end of the tens days, these men who resolved to be different were noticeably “healthier looking and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal rood.” (Daniel 1:15) After this the guard took away the “choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.” So for the next three years as they continued their training, they ate only vegetables and drank water. WOW. So for 21 days we challenged FC3 partners to join us in this adventure of resolving to eat healthier, according to a book titled “The Daniel fast: Feed your soul, strengthen your spirit, and renew your body.” By Susan Gregory. A few things we are confident in with the 21 days. It takes 21 days to form a habit (and I assume to break bad habits  ) Our desire in doing this is threefold: 1. To open the eyes to each of us just how much food – specifically bad food – has a hold on us. Also in this eye opening experience that we will see how much better we feel physically by abstaining from sugary and fatty foods. 2. To have a detox of body and soul. During this fast we are providing a 21 day devotional time to help us better focus on HIM. We know this is not the only way to focus on HIM, but it is most likely a way most have not done! 3. We know that Paul advised the church to honor God with our bodies. Unconsciously, we often just eat and fill our bodies with any and every thing. So to deny ourselves for a little while to better our lifestyles is, I believe, God honoring and for HIS glory. So what do you say? Are you willing to jump in? We are doing the fast from January 28 – February 17th. This means that our eating at the church will be affected as well. We are offering healthier options to eat. Even if you aren’t jumping in on the “Daniel Fast”, we want to go healthy, so we will have options for you to eat better while worshipping with us. Daring to do the crazy for HIM who loves me,