Weekly Words

What's in a Name?

2012-02-15T14:29:00.001-05:00

What's in a Name?

What does the name "Christian" mean to you? Some people say "I'm a Christian", but it's simply based on they are not catholic, jewish, muslim, mormon, or buddhist, so they must be a "Christian". However, Christian is not a race or it's own religion, it's a term first used in the bible in the New Testament to describe people of "The Way" or followers of Jesus Christ. First, they were called people of "the way" and eventually the term "christian" was coined, basically meaning a follower of Christ.

So, you are not a "Christian" unless you are literally a "follower of Jesus Christ" meaning it requires you to do something, not just wear a name. It means people responsed to the gospel/good news of Jesus Christ, and accepted Him as their Savior, was obedient to Him, was baptized, and begin following Him. That's the name Christian.

I have met people my whole life who claim the name "Christian" yet they do not claim any faith in God, some simply believe in God, or went to church when they were little, or know they aren't some other religion, but they are simply misunderstanding the meaning of being a Christian. They aren't serving God, praying to God, reading His word, or serving in His church. They have no relationship and have made no commitment to God through Jesus Christ, therefore they are mis-using the name Christian

I can go around calling myself Doctor, but unless I go to medical school and pass and fulfill the commitments of being a Doctor with the state to get my license, then I am no Doctor. It requires a process and commitment and steps to become a Doctor, and christianity is the same, it's more than a name.

We need to be educated and informed. Do not call yourself a Christian if you have not made a commitment to Jesus Christ and are not actively in a relationship with God serving Him and being a part of His body the church. In order to wear the name, it bears with it a great responsibility and calling.

I am not trying to be legalistic or judgemental, I am trying to be realistic and clarify what the name Christian means and doesn't mean and what wearing the name brings with it. If your aren't another religion, then you simply are no name. You are not a religious person. If you were raised in church when you were a child, but never made a commitment to Christ or stopped going, then you aren't a Christian, you are simply you. A non-christian, or whatever you want to call yourself. I could say you are a sinner, but we are all sinners whether we are christian or not, the only difference is when you become a christian you have forgiveness of your sins those who aren't are still living in their sins.

If we have graduated from a certain school or with a certain degree or training then we take pride in being called an engineer, a soldier, a doctor, a mechanic, a teacher, a certified welder, or licensed social worker. Our names mean something because we did something to earn to wear the name, and we would take exception to anyone who called themselves our name without earning it or going through the steps to be able to wear it. Christianity is the same way.

Anyone can become a christian and everyone has a right to be called a christian, but they must first choose Christ, choose to accept Him in their lives, repent of their sins, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and be committed to living and growing in a personal committed relationship wi.th God. But, we can't wear the name or call ourselves a christian if we aren't willing to commit to Christ and wear His name in service and commitment.

Acts 11:26b(niv)
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 2:21 (niv)
And everyone who callson the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Weekend Getaway

2012-02-13T15:23:00.000-05:00

I had an opportunity to get away with my wife this past weekend and head to Lynchburg, VA and spend the weekend enjoying some quiet time, alone time, quality time, and spend saturday going to the one day Marriage conference "Love for Life" sponsored by AACC(American Assocation of Christian Counselors) and it was held at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

I think it has been since our honeymoon that we had the chance as a couple to be alone and just enjoy being together with no distractions, problems, kids, worries, jobs, or stresses. As one of the speakers said it is very important for married couples to have a "daily delay"-take 15-20 minutes out of your day just to talk and visit as a couple. A "weekly withdrawal" meaning make time for a date night and then a "annual abandon" meaning take one weekend a year and go somewhere for the weekend just the two of you alone and enjoy each other and time together.

So I guess this was our "annual abandon". The conference was great, Tim Clinton Spoke(founder of AACC), Ted Cunningham, Pastor of Woodland Hills church in Branson, MO, Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar (of 19 kids and counting) and a guy named Joe White. (Duggars to the right and Ted Cunningham below) they were my two favorite speakers. The Duggars shared their story and how they kept God at the center of their marriage and family. And Ted shared 3 journeys we are on, our own spiritual journey, our spouses spiritual journey, and our marriage journey. He was very funny too.

All and all, all 4 speakers did a good job sharing with all us married folks. We had a little contemporary worship with was nice and we also were able to pick up a couple books to read. I think Cheryl and I both got alot out of the conference and we needed it. Sometimes people need that help, and though some couples go to a marriage conference on the brink of divorce, others might go to get recharged, and I think you'll agree no matter how strong or weak your marriage relationship we always can learn, grow, and become a better spouse.

I think we enjoyed just taking our time driving there and stopping for lunch and a little shopping. We ate at some good restaurants during the weekend, found a place called Nancy's chocolates which had truffles from heaven, they were awesome! We also enjoyed just lounging around our hotel and not having to be or go anywhere in particular. We visited Lynchburg Church of Christ(christian) on Sunday morning before heading home.

It was a great great time. I love my wife so much and realize we need to be proactive in making time for each other, that I have lots of things I need to be working on to improve myself as a husband, father, man, minister, and christian. That my wife and I need time away and to enjoy being together and make time for it more often. We also need to better communicate, it's so easy to fall into ruts, or miscommunicate, or blame your spouse, or let outside distractions come between you.

I want to encourage all my married friends to work on your marriage every day. Go to an marriage conference every year. Take a few minutes each day to visit, make a weekly date night, and take a weekend a year to get away together. But always work on yourself and strive to put God first in your marriage and in your own life. Marriage is a journey and a commitment and it takes lots of work and it's worth it! I love my wife and thankful even though we have been faced with some tough times in our short marriage that we've not given up on each other and our love for God and one another!

Huh?

2012-02-08T16:11:00.000-05:00

Huh?
Is this your first response when someone is talking to you or telling you something? Because you either can't hear, or have selective hearing, or are ignoring them. Well what about God?

God speaks to us. No it may not be audibly like He did during times we read about in the Bible, but I'm not sure that would matter. God talked to many people in the Bible directly or through dreams and angels, etc...and still they didn't listen to Him.

God does speak to us in a variety of ways today, through His Word, other people, nature, circumstances, through music, through reading christian books, emails, and blog(like this wonderful gem). Most of all He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. Yes, God Himself comes and dwells in us when we accept Him and our Savior and are baptized, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit and among the many roles the Spirit has, one is to speak to us, but the great question is are we listening?

Maybe God is trying to speak to you about your lifestyle or behavior? Maybe God is trying to get through to you about you about your attitude or rebellion? Maybe God is trying to talk to you about serving more or getting more involved in your church? God is speaking to us everday in a variety of ways about a variety of topics depending on each of our invidivual needs and place where we are in our relationship with God.

Some of us God is speaking loud and clear that we need to get in church, or get saved, or God is calling you to ministry, or convicting you of a sin, or trying to help you make better decisions or act with honesty in integrity? I am not sure, I can't tell you what God is saying to you, but I can tell you to open your ears and listen all around you.

Don't get confused there are other voices speaking for your attention. Satan speaks to us and our own voice speaks to us, I find it eery that satan's voice and our own voice sound just alike, but when God speaks it sounds nothing like our own voice??? Maybe that should be a clue to us who is speaking to us, who we are listening to, and who's advice we are following??

Take time to listen to God. Read His Bible, do a devotion, Pray, worship, look around you, whatever ways you communicate to God, always leave time to be quiet and still and listen to God. Don't do all the talkin, give God time to speak to you, but most of all take time to Listen and Hear Him, it could change your life, the direction you are headed, and could be a huge blessing!

James 1:22-24(NIV)
²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Serve

2012-02-01T14:03:00.000-05:00

Serve

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Serving is not an option, it's a command. You would think by looking around many of our churches today that serving was optional, as our churches are filled with people who simply "attend" and do not "participate" and who warm pews instead of warming up their gifts God has given them.

One of the biggest problems facing the church besides satan and the world, is I think apathy from church members, I hate to even call them members, because they really are more attenders than members, being called a member implies you are an "active" part of the organization, or in christians terms, part/member of the body of Christ.

The problem is church is we got a body that only a few of the parts are working and moving, and the rest leave the body crippled or lame because they are not doing their part or fuction in the body. We need ALL parts/members of the body to be working, serving, and moving together with the rest of the body, so that the whole body is working properly and truly giving glory to the head of the body, Jesus Christ!

If you confess christianity, attending church is not an option, you need to be a part of the body. If you are a christian, then participating and serving in the body is not an option, you need to do your part. We are all gifted by God in different ways and with different talents, but talent un-used is talent wasted, and servants that are not serving are hurting the body and holding the body back.

The question is not whether you serve or not, but where you serve and how! Serving is not an option for the Christian. We cannot just only attend services and bible studies, we need teachers, nursery workers, greeters, children and youth workers, administrators, leaders, singers, custodians, prayers, encouragers, and the list of serving positions and places to serve are endless in a church.

Here is what happens, when you don't serve. You got a hand trying to do the job of a foot, or an ear trying to do the job of a toe. Or better yet, you got a foot trying to do 10 other jobs in the body, when they are only gifted to be a foot.

You have one person in many churches doing the work of 5 or 10 people because no one will get up, step up, and serve. I got news for you, God is not honored by attenders, pew sitters, and do-lessness. He is honored by sincere service, workers, and people using the talents He gave you for the sole purpose of using for His kingdom and His glory.

My challenge for you today is SERVE! Get to work! Take the burden off the few in your church who is doing all the work, and do your part in the body of Christ!

1 Corinthians 12:27(NIV)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Sickly

2012-01-27T11:42:00.000-05:00

Sickly

Matthew 9:12(NIV)
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick"

This has been the worst month for me as far as sickness goes. I am typically pretty healthy other than an occasional cold, but this month I have been sick most of January it seems, a bad chest cold and a stomach virus and in between of tired, achy, and weak feeling. Not sure what the reason? I'm getting old? Different climate? I'm a wuss? I don't know, but I'm hoping next month is better.

I was thinking about all the sickness, even if our small church we'd had some sickness going around, we even had to cancel a wed. night service about a month ago due to several being sick. Seems many illnesses and viruses can be contagious and spread around. Your kids go to school and daycare and pass them around and then they come home, to church, to a restaurant or store and keep passing on the joy.

It's really how sin is. Sin is an illness and a sickness that spreads around and keeps many people sick. Some people are even terminal with it, it seems because they refuse to get help and go to the Healer/Great Physician. There is a cure to sin, but we've got to seek out the help.

Sin does make us sickly doesn't it? It's hard to recover sometimes from that secret sin or bad habitual sin or lifestyle that is causing us to sin. Sin has been compared to a cancer because it comes into our lives starts out small and slowly(or quickly) spreads throughout our lives until it destroys us and even kills us(both physically and spiritually).

If sin compares to the sickness I've had this month in a spiritual sense that isn't good. Because sin does weigh us down, wear us out, keep us sick, and makes it hard for us to recover and get healthy again. If we aren't careful and do not take care of ourselves or find ways to recover for our sin sickness then we are just going to stay sick.

Like we take antibiotics, medicines, and all sorts of remedies to feel better from physical sickness and ailments, we also need to seek out treatment for our sickly sin nature. Our medicine is not in a pill or a bottle, but our medicine is sought out through prayer(talking to the doctor) and through reading His word(prescription) and or through His Holy Spirit and the prayers and support of others.

Sometimes in order to get sin out of our lives when it's keepin us sick, we've got to make some drastic changes, maybe end some bad relationships, or change places we go or visit or hang out, or maybe it's more suttle and we just need to change our attitude and outlook,but either way, I can promise you there is only ONE cure for SIN and it's through Jesus Christ and only He can heal you from your sickly state.

Seek Him, go to Him, allow God to heal you and help you so that you are healthy and vibrate in your relationship with Him. Yes, we all will still get colds, the flu, and viruses on earth, but regardless of our physical nature, we can be healthy, vibrate, and thriving in our faith by overcoming our struggles with sin.
1 Peter 2:24(NIV)
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Gossip

2012-01-20T13:55:00.001-05:00

Gossip

2 Corinthians 12:20(NIV)
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

It's a pretty simple term, but has very huge consequences. It's spreading rumors, whether true or lies, It's hard to tell sometimes, but it typically involves people talking about people and situations that they aren't involved in, do not know all the facts or details, and don't seem to care. Webster's defined it as "idle, often malicious talk". That's what it is, idle, people who have too much time on their hands, and malicious, meaning it hurts people.

We all may form opinions of people based on meeting them or being around them, we may think they are a jerk, or friendly, or quiet, or whatever, and we may joke and talk about people for humor, but when we get to the place where we start "talking about" people to other people, to spread gossip, it's plain wrong, no way to justify it.   We are spreading half-truth, hear-say, and garbage to other people without first hand knowledge, accurate facts, or most of the time not even knowing the person, situation, and basing it on our biased opinion of the person or because it makes us feel important to tell others about "people". Not Cool.

Sad thing is it's everywhere, on the internet or social pages, message boards, websites, etc...and it's at work, in our family, at our schools, and sadly of all in our churches! Yes Church! We have people who go to church who love to talk about people and get and give the "scoop" on people. We do not think of the consequences, how it makes us look, how it makes God or the church look, or what affect it has on others.

Let me give you some examples. Just because a person has money, doesn't mean they got it illegally. Just because a person loves working with kids doesn 't mean they are a perv or pedofile. Just because a person is not married by a certain age doesn't mean they are gay. Just because a husband is friendly doesn't mean he's cheating on his wife. Just because a wife is outgoing doesn't mean she's a whore or a tease. Just because a person dresses a certain way doesnt' make them in a gang, a druggy, or a drunk? Just because a person is related to someone who is bad, doesn't mean they are. Skin color or nationality doesn't make a person a terrorist, a murderer, or a thief.

Do you see how we label people? Start rumors? Or spread lies? Just because we see something or hear something? It's sad, it's wrong, it's sinful! Stop it! If someone comes to you with gossip, let it end with you, and if you know this person is a gossip, stand up to them and tell them to stop spreading it.
If you want to know whether something is true about someone, go directly to the person and ask them or tell them what you heard so they can deal with it. If you hear people talking badly and unfairly about someone, defend that person if you know it's not true and stand up FOR them. We are just as guilty of gossip, if we don't end it, stop it, or stand up to it!

There is not one good quality about gossip. There is not one level of it that is ok or acceptable. The only way gossip is going to stop is if we stop being a party to it, do not have relationships with people who are gossips, and confront people when they are gossiping.

Gossip destroys communities, schools, work places, homes, churches, and lives. Sometimes it doesn't matter whether it's even true or not, enough people spread something around a person is guilty whether it's a false or not.   We need to spread less gossip and spread more love. We need to put an end to godless chatter and start doing more good for others. Encourage and pray for people with your words. Help others, don't tear them down, talk about them behind their back, or run your mouth about them, especially when you know it's garbage.

Things are even worse now with technology, between texting, facebook, and the internet gossip spreads faster than ever before. Gossip doesn't honor God.   It's still gossip even if it's true or even if you type it and you are still responsible for your actions and be judged by God for it.

Do you want to honor God with your lives? With your words? With your actions? Put an end to gossip! Stop slandering and spreading rumors about people. Let it end with you. Don't put up with it in your home, your church, or your lives! Gossip will stop when it has no where to go.

Proverbs 26:21-23
²¹ As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
²² The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
²³ Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent^[a] lips with an evil heart.

Prayer vs. Prayer

2012-01-13T13:58:00.001-05:00

Prayer vs. Prayer

Romans 12:12(NIV)
¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
I often wonder about my prayer life? Or lack there of? I pray daily, but like many I'm not as consistent as I should be. Or better yet, it's not that i don't pray enough, but maybe I don't pray in the right way or with the right attitude. Can you relate?

What I mean is we can pray regulary, religously, and set aside a time to pray, but if we are praying with a bad attitude or selfish motives, or only because we want something, I think it sort of defeats the purpose of prayer.

Prayer is communication with God and we can communicate with God anytime we want. His ears are always available, but one thing we need to understand about prayer is that it's not request hour. And just because we ask, or ask repeatedly doesn't mean God is going to answer our prayer in our way or in our time. Praying is giving something to God and trusting Him to do what is best according to His will and sometimes His will involves us not getting what we want, our way, or when we want something.

Secondly, prayer is not only our opportunity to communicate with God it's our opportunity to offer Him praise/worship. We don't like it when we have a friend or family member who only calls us when they want something. I can imagine God kind of feels the same way. Now God wants to help us, He wants to talk to us, and He wants to bless us, however, as part of having a relationship with Goid we must spent time daily praising Him, worshipping Him, thanking Him, and just talking to Him because we enjoy His presence. I am guilty of going to God with all "my junk" or "to do list" but not taking the time to just enjoy Him or spend some time gloating on Him. God doesn't have an ego or insecure like we are, but God is creator and sustainer of life and giver of salvation, He does deserve and demand praise. If anyone deserves to be praised it's Him, He's God, only one who is perfect!

Thirdly, we need to learn God isn't Santa Claus, an ATM, or a Jeanie. We can go to Him anytime, but we can't never go to church, never read our Bibles, not have a relationship with Him and think we can just go to Him and expect instant results. I see so many times, people do not go to church or claim any relationship with Jesus, yet they think they are Christians (I guess because they aren't Jewish or Catholic?), but Christianity is just a name, it has to be given to us by accepting Jesus, only when you follow the salvation process are you then a "christian". People nevre pray or seek God until they are in a bind, then they go to God and pray and don't get their way and they just confirm in their minds God doesn't care? But, let's be honest, if someone treated you like crap, used you, and talked bad about you, then came to you for a favor, would you want to help them?

I don't think God answers our prayers according to our goodness, but I do think He considers our faithfulness. You can't go to God with your christmas wish, or like running to the atm to get a withdrawal, or rub a lamp and get all your wishes. God desires a relationship with you and once we realize that and learn to talk/communicate/pray to God on a regular basis, not based on what we want or will get, but because we love God and want to praise Him and trust Him with all our lives, then we are starting to get what real prayer is about.

I encourage all of us to pray to God daily, multiple times daily, but strive to learn to talk to God just because, take moments just to praise Him, or thank Him. Take time to ask God for things you want or need, but let God know ahead of time regardless of how or when He answers our prayers, we trust Him and know He will do what is best for us.

How is your prayer life? How often do you pray? How do you pray? Some things for us all to think about, maybe we've been going about it wrong?
Ephesians 6:18NIV
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Together

2012-01-04T15:27:00.001-05:00

Together

Ecclesiastes 4:10-12(NIV)

¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

We are not the only church, we are not the only christians, and we do not have all the answers. We are not alone. I'm talking about the church. The body of Christ.

Though there are many church denominations out there, God never designed the church to be so many different bodies. God designed "one" church. ONE body of Christ. God wants us to be together.

There are many christians, preachers, churches, etc...that seem to have their sole focus in proving other churches or christians wrong, pushing their opinions or relgious views, and that is not promoting togetherness. That does not promote unity, one, or being together. It isolates, separates, and divides. I know sometimes we are wrong, or get it wrong, and there are some people or churches teaching things we may not agree with, but we always have to ask ourselves is this a salvation issues? Does heaven and hell hang on this issue?

With all the people in the world and all the christian views and ideals, we are not going to agree on every topic, every situation, or every view. However, I think if we'd stop being so dogmatic, egotistic, fearful, or insecure, I think we could agree on alot more and be alot more together than we are a part.

Imagine how powerful and what an impact THE church could have if our only agenda was God. We only preached Jesus, we were only guided by the Holy Spirit, and we'd stop making every issue an issue of division, fellowship, or faith? We would actually BE the ONE true church. We'd be TOGETHER! Even with our faults, sins, and differences, we could still be ONE!

So many different churches and individuals spend so much time worrying about being "spiritually" correct, or offending someone, or proving themselves right, or worry going to hell over every decisions, or being wrong, or Lord knows what else we worry about? In the mean time, when we are focused on things like that or our individual church denominations or personal agenda's or "passions"(I use that term loosely), people are dying and going to hell, people are leaving the church, or people are missing Jesus.

It's hard to be the Body of Christ when we pulling the body in different directions or even more creating more than one body. We need to use common sense, prayer, study, and lots of love, grace, and patience with one another.

I'm not saying every "church" out there has it right or got it all together, but I also realize no matter what "church" you attend or are a part of, they all are full of good and bad people, people who are serious and people who are lazy in their faith. People who go to church for the wrong reasons and people who are there for the right reasons. No church has cornered the market on every single verse in the bible, every doctrine, or has every command down. I'm being honest here, it's the truth.

The baptists, the methodists, the churches of Christ, the Catholics, the Lutherans, Episcipals, the chrisitan churches, the Presbyterians, the penocostals, the evangelicals, the charismtatic, the liturgical, and many of these groups have several splits or divisions, and that's just the main stream protestant and catholic churches, this isn't even considering many other denominations, or those that are way out in left field in the name of Jesus or other cults or religions.

My point is, most bible believing mainstream churches have their good and bad. We need to get it together an be together. While we stand around worrying about if someone is a member of our denomination, using our version of the bible, believes the same as I do about speaking in tongues or the end of times, or using music, or sings contemporary or hymns in worship, or calls their preacher pastor or minister, or takes communion every week or month, or pushes women's role in churches, or whatever the topic, while us church body parts sit around bickering about many questionable topics that God never meant to be divisive, people are simply dying and going to hell, communities aren't being impacted, the good news is not spreading, and the great commision is not being fulfilled.

Let's get it Together Folks! Let's be the One church! The Body of Christ! Do you part in the boyd and work with the body! Let's work together to reach the lost, make disciples, overcome satan, and bring glory and honor to God. Heaven is waiting!

Philippians 1:27 NIV[ Life Worthy of the Gospel ] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Narrow

2011-12-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

NARROW

Matthew 7:13-14(NIV)
    ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Narrow. It can be a good thing or a bad thing.   Good when talking about your waist line and bad when talking about your mind. Good when talking about the way to Jesus and bad when talking about attitude.

I remember an old saying that say's, "Your mind is so narrow you can see through a key hole", which is pretty narrow! Meaning that a person isn't willing to think outside their own box, or willing to be open to others opinions only their own. Not a good way to live or make or keep friends in my opinion.

In church circles we like to throw around titles like "Liberal" or "Conservative" or "progressive" or "legalstic", and I don't like labels and don't think God does either. Those labels are man made and not always accurate.

A narrow-mind is never a good thing, because you are limiting yourself and isolating yourself from common sense, reality, or even actual truth, whether it's in christian circles, politics, careers, even relationships.

God gave us a pretty big mind and the freedom to use it and exercise it, why we limit it I'll never understand? We get hung up on things that don't matter and make them matter. We get focused in on our own opinions and try and make them everyone's. We can manipulate the Bible or other's words to make them say or mean what we want so they agree with us. Which is not healthy or right.

When it comes to God, we need to take Him and His word and mold ourselves around Him, not vice versa. When it comes to others, we need to learn to agree to disagree, be big enough to accept the fact that sometimes we are wrong, don't know, or someone else knows more than us. We need to open up our minds and realize we don't have all the answers and we can't always be right.

When I talk about moving from a narrow-mind to being more open-minded, please use common sense. I am not talking about anything goes, accept and agree with everyone, and not have your own opinions, but we need to stop living in fear or dominating and trying to control others who don't agree with us because we are insecure. We put God in a box and make being a christian so difficult that it becomes a list of do's and don't instead of an actual relationship.

We can also be so narrow-minded when it comes to politics, our area of expertise, our intersts, etc...that we make it hard for people to want to talk to us or be around us.

My advice? Take a chill pill. Loosen up. Stop making your mind, your life, your opinions, and your thinking so small and narrow, that's a small place to live when we have to control or worry about every little thing.

Following God is serious business. His Word is no joke, but sometimes we make things so complicated when we care more about keeping our opinions, our traditions, our ways, or things so narrow, that being a christian becomes so rigid and narrow, that it becomes an obligation and not a relationship, like Jesus intended it to be.   The way to Jesus is narrow, only through Him, however the methods people worship Him, relate to Him, and serve Him are not to be narrow or rigid. Jesus gives us freedom and freed us from slavery and a narrow-mind is a form of slavery. The way is narrow, He didn't mean our minds.

Whether it's your faith, relationships, hobbies, politics, or whatever, learn to open your mind God gave you and think with common sense, truth, and being realistic.

Luke 24:45(NIV)
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Always someone else

2011-12-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

Always Someone Else

No matter how bad we seem to have it, feel like our life is, or how awful we feel our circumstances are, we have to remind ourselves someone else out there always has it as bad or worse. We are not alone.

Just like with the holidays, though many are excited and looking forward to the holidays, many more dread the holiday season because maybe it reminds them of loss? regret? loneliness? You know what it's like when you are sad or depressed or angry and people all around you are happy, makes you wanna punch 'em in the gut lol.

Anyway, I'm not trying to ruin anyone's holiday cheer, I just want you to think about somone else besides yourself. If you are happy consider those who are not and reach out to them or pray for them.. If you aren't happy, keep in mind others are worse off than you and maybe that will make you focus and appreciate the things you do have to be happy about. Either way, the focus needs to be taken off oursleves so much.

Really if you think about it, Christmas is really about the most unselfish person ever, Jesus. He willingly gave up His home in Heaven, perfection, holiness, and turned it in, to be born a human in an old stable, knowing that His future was to be one of torture, death, and hell. Jesus wasn't thinking of Himself when he was born, and definitely not of Himself, when He went to the cross. He wasn't being arrogant and saying I'm the son of God I have a right to boast, nor was He feeling sorry for all the pain He was going to endure for you and me.

Jesus really is the ultimate example of thing about others and how important it is for us to have an unselfish attitude, especially around the holidays. We need to care about ourselves, take care of ourselves, and spend some time working on ourselves, but our attitude should be one of gratitude, appreciation, and adoration to God for all His blessings, even despite whatever circumstances we may be facing. But, also our attitude must still be one of thankfulness especially if we are suffering or going through a hard time, because we will need God to get through it no matter the circumstance.

I just hope we all can think about someone else this Christmas. First, Jesus, and secondly those less fortunate or those we know have a hard time during the holidays or have needs.

Merry Christmas!

Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves

Shepherds

2011-12-14T15:20:00.000-05:00

Shepherds

I don't think it was a coincidence that God chose Shepherds to come and find newborn baby Jesus the Messiah in a manger. Afterall, He is the good Shepherd and Jesus was the lamb that was sent to be sacrificed for our sins.

These common, hard-working people had a thankless job of tending the sheep, leading them, guiding them, protecting them, and caring for them. It's sort of what God does for us.   I've been told sheep are some of the dumbest animals in the world, they are hard-headed and stubborn, well I think it's a good comparison, because I know I at times, we are all dumb, stubborn, and hard-headed. We are also easily led astray, vulnerable to attacks (sheep wolves and other predators, us satan, though he is also compared to a wolf in sheep's clothing as well).

The point is we need guidance.  We need accountability and leadership in our lives. If not, we are prone to get lost, fall and get hurt, or even put ourselves in danger from temptations, addictions, struggles, and problems.   As churches, we need leaders to lead our churches. Most churches have problems because they do no have adequate Shepherds(also called Elders, Overseers, and Pastors) to lead and guide the flock(God's church). When you have no leadership you have chaos, one or two trying to dominate or be controlling, and you certainly have many different individual groups trying to "run" the church, but they are just "running" it in the ground" and "running" members and potential members away.

We need a Shepherd. We need a God to guide us, lead us, and protect us. If we accept this lamb of God(Jesus), He gives us His Spirit to dwell in us and act as a guide.  We can call on the Good Shepherd anytime in prayer for help, comfort, strength, wisdom, courage, power, and direction.

You cannot go through life with no leadership? You will spend 40 years doing circles in the desert like the Israelites did in the Old Testament because they refused to follow God.

As the Christmas season and story is around you and you hear about Shepherds. I want you to think about the importance of having a Shepherd in your life, maybe that's what's missing? As a church member or a Christian I want you to think about the Shepherds in your church. I want to encourage you to support them, pray for them, follow them, and allow them to lead. If you church doesn't have Shepherds like the situation I am in, turn to the Bible and see what the Bible says about leadership and get some Shepherds in your church so that your church will be biblical, healthy, and function as it should with God as the ultimate shepherd.

We all need leadership in our lives:

As Individuals we need God:
John 10:11(NIV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep

As a church we need Godly men to lead us:
1 Peter 5:2(NIV)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

The Bible

2011-12-07T15:43:00.000-05:00

The Bible

Psalm 119:8(NIV)
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sing against you."

Psalm 119:133(NIV)
"Diret my footsteps according to your word."

The Bible is the WORD of God. (John 1) in John He tells us that Jesus is the WORD and the Word became flesh. The Bible is holy scripture. For the Christian it should be a map, a guide, a GPS, and an instruction or lesson book.. The Bible is all sorts of things.

Though many want to argue about verions/translations of the Bible, they end up missing the point or the intent of Holy scriptures. Though I don't agree all translations/versions are good or accurate, I also from in depth study on my own conclude that not all are bad and certainly not trying to point people away from God or mislead people from God's truth. I think most scholars wanted to make the bible as accurate as possible and as close to the original manuscripts as possible, but that's another subject. Either way, we must use common sense and wisdom to understand the point of the Bible is to help us know God and His plan for us. Use a tranlation that you are comfortable with or your church uses.

However, the point being today is that as a Christian you cannot grow without actively reading and studying the Bible. You cannot claim to know God or have a healthy relationship with Him if you are never spending anytime with Him in His Word. It's like people who try to bake without a recipe or people who try to put together equipment and furniture without reading the instructions. It's like saying you are best friends with someone, but never talking to them or getting to know them.

We need God's word. The Bible teaches us about the gospel message of Jesus. It teaches us about the character and person of God. It serves to guide, equip, instruct, teach, edify, encourage, convict, challenge, motivate, etc...pick an adjective, the Bible is there to reveal many things to us.

No matter how old you are, how long you've been a christian, and even those of us who are leaders, pastors, teachers, etc..in church, no one has arrived when it comes to reading and studying the Bible. There is always something to learn, and some insight, understanding, or wisdom we can gain. We will always need instruction, correction, and growth as long as we live on this earth. We need God's word.

We need to develop a reading plan, get a study Bible or devotional t helps us read and study the Bible. We need to get involved in a Bible study at work, home, at church, or a small group. No one can ever say I get too much Bible.

God did not inspire this Book of His Word to go to waste, lay on a coffee table, book shelf, or in night stand. It is meant to be read, studied, appreciated, and shared. Take time to read your Bible. Find ways to be creative and manage your time better and make room for reading and study of God's Word. It could change your life.

Mouth

2011-11-30T14:46:00.000-05:00

Mouth
James 3:1-8(NIV)
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

When some people get angry, the curse, others blame others. When some people get mad they run and hide or walk away. Others rant and rave and run their mouths and spill out a vomit of angry words. People react to anger or being upset in different ways. Some bottle it in until they explode, while others are set off by the slightest things.

I struggle with my tongue. What about you? I'm not talking about cursing, though some of you may struggle with that, even if you are a Christian or even in ministry. Some struggle with cussing when they become angry. Some don't struggle with cursing at all, it's part of their vocabulary and normal to them. They curse in front of their kids, in public, at work, it doesn't matter, and they don't even have to be angry. But, some do lose their temper and curse.

I don't struggle with cursing as much as I struggle with angry words. You don't need to curse to be mean, ugly, harmful, or cause pain. Growing up I was a people pleaser, but as I got older, especially into my adult life and the military, I left my people pleasing ways and began to speak up and speak out when I didn't like something, didn't approve, or had an opinion. I pride myself today on being very vocal, direct, and saying and meaning what I think.

Though I believe being blunt and direct is a good thing and people need to have more backbone and self-respect and speak up when it's appropriate, bring direct is just like anything else in life, if not done in balance it can be a negative. Some people say things and do not think about how it makes others feel, have no filter, and say things that can be mean and hurtful and out of place and yet they think they are doing the world a service. I unfortuneatly can fall under this category. There are times my emotions and feelings get out of balance and I say things I regret later, or spew things out of my mouth like hot lava and though it is not my intent to hurt feelings or upset people, it doesn't prevent it from happening.

The tongue is a hard thing to tame. Whether it's gossip, talking bad about others, complaining, being a foul mouth, or saying whatever you want when you feel like it or get mad. As James writes about a horse or a boat, such a small thing controls such a big animal or ship and the human tongue is the same way. The tongue is hard to tame.

I want to encourage you today that you are not alone. I too struggle with my big mouth. Even at appropriate times like yelling at the kids for bad behavior, or standing up for a worthy cause, or disagreeing over something important, we still must all learn to control the words that come out of our mouths.

Paul Reminds us in scripture (Eph 4:26) in our anger do not sin, implying we are going to get angry, but in that anger, we must not allow it to separate us from God.

Our mouths gets us in trouble alot don't they? At work? At home? With parents? With children? With Siblings? With spouses? With Churches? I don't know, but if you are constantly getting in trouble or having drama or issues because of your mouth, then work on changing the pattern. I can tell you from personal experience as soon as I think I am making progress or doing better, I slip. We must keep our focus on God and His Holy Spirit. He is our guide, our strength, our wisdom, and our overcomer!

Being Thankful

2011-11-23T12:11:00.000-05:00

Being Thankful

Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Being thankful is not and sholud not be just for one week or one day a year at Thanksgiving. Now having a holiday to celerate "Thanksgiving" is a great idea and tradition, but being thankful is really more of an attitude or lifestyle.

People who have a thankful attitude and are thankful on a daily basis as part of their daily lives are less negative and more positive. They're more optimistic and less pessimistic. They're more content and less complaining people. They're practice great good instead of griping about everything. Thankful people have a tendency to be peacemakers and get along with people as opposed to always "having drama" or not getting along with others. They're more accepting of people and open-minded to change, instead of being a gossip, or trouble-maker, or always making issues about something they don't agree with.

Most of all being thankful is having a heart for God and an attitude that shows Him glory. When we are thankful and appreciative of WHO God is and WHAT He as done for us, it seems to make other areas of our lives make more sense and give us more thankful attitude.

God wants us to be thankful. He wants us to appreciate Him, our blessings, our gifts, and our relationships. We are blessed people. Whether poor or rich, popular or unknown by the world's standards, we are rich in God's love and popular because the creator of this world knows us by name.

Start looking around your lives. Don't focus on what you don't have, take inventory of what you do have. Don't focus on how your life would be different if circumstances would change, focus on how your circumstances might change if you were different?

We all have bad days, we don't always agree with others, changes, or have control of things that happen in our lives, but no matter our circumstances, problems, even tragedies, God is still God and is in control. Even at facing anger, hurt, pain, suffering, and death we have so much to be thankful for.

When you have a thankful heart and attitude you can't help but have joy, and want to share it with others. Take time to Thank God everyday for everything. Ask Him to give you a thankful heart and attitude if you struggle with being thankful.

Also, take time to show others your thankful.. Thank those who care for you, provide for you, who are a blessing to you, or who you appreciate in your lives. Spouses, childern, parents, employers, friends, those you date, teachers, pastors, even those who wait on you at a restaurant or check-out at the store. Being thankful is contagious, pass it on and pay it forward.

Be Thankful!

Hardest Person to Forgive

2011-11-17T12:13:00.000-05:00

Hardest Person to Forgive

Yourself! That's right, I think the hardest person to forgive in any situation is yourself, when we screw up, mess up, or do or say something we regret. Most of us tend to be harder on ourselves than we do others, so when it comes to forgiveness, it's very difficult for many to forgive themselves and move on and heal.

I look back on my past; things I have said, did, and thoughts I regret. I wish I could take them back. I know I have did things to hurt people, disappoint people, and change their opinion of me in my lifetime. I know there have been people in my life who have hurt me, disappointed me, and my opinion of them changed, but I have found it easier to forgive them (though sometimes it took some time), but again even when it takes time to forgive others, its usually because we are stubborn or holding on to something.

We have to live with ourselves. We have to think, rethink, ponder, dwell, and live with the choices, decisions, and mistakes we've made, and because of that we sometimes have a hard time letting go of the past, the shame, the pain, regret, or other emotions.

The key to forgiveness as a whole has always been the concept that forgiveness is not about the person that offended you, as much as it is about you, releasing them from the offense. But, the struggle with forgiving others is the releasing part, we feel if we forgive them, we are letting them off the hook or letting them get away with the hurt/anger they caused us, but that is only part of the issue, you may be releasing them, but they are still on the hook to God, especially if they won't admit their wrong or mistake, and sadly some never own up or accept responsiblity for their actions. Not our problem, it's God's.

However, when forgiving ourselves, it's another level, because we have to look at ourselves in the mirror everyday unless you avoid it. You cannot shut of your mind/memory of the things you are angry at yourself about. The key is learning to overcome your thoughts, which is the hard part.

Satan is the king of reminders. He loves to remind us of our sin, our shame, our mistakes, and our wrong doings. He wants us to dwell, stay, and wallow if our pity and sorrow. As long as we do that, we don't allow God to work or have power in our lives.

I don't care what you've said or done or thought you've done, we all must learn to allow God to forgive us and forgive ourselves. If we do not forgive ourselves, are you really allowing God to forgive you? When you keep asking God to forgive you over and over about the same thing, are you forgetting Jesus died ONCE and for ALL for our sins, and asking for forgiveness once is enough? By repeating our request to God, we are acting as if He's not forgave us, doesn't have the power to forgive us, and that if we keep asking, it will make us feel better, which is what it's all about anyway. We are being selfish to keep asking God to forgive us over and over.

We need to ask for forgiveness once and accept it. Leave it there with God. Sure we may be tempted to dwell on it, but the more we focus on God the less we will focus on our sin or mistake. We may never forget what happened or what we done, but we can give it less attention over time. Though sometimes we may be reminded of our past sins, mistakes, or things we'd soon forget, those reminders in some ways are a good thing. They remind us of where we were one time and where we are now. They also remind us that we serve a God who loves us unconditionally and that He wiped away our sins and whatever we do wrong, if we ask sincerely and accept responsibilty for our actions, He forgives us and even though there may be consequences, we accept them, deal with it, heal, and move on. No matter the offense.

I often wonder if could do anything what i'd do? My first thought is to go back into my past and correct some mistakes, but reality is I can't. I wish I could. I'd do anything to change some circumstnces, avoid some hurt, and keep from hurting or dissapointing others, but I can't. What I can do is learn from my past so i don't repeat the same mistakes. I can allow God to forgive and discipline me, so I am stronger and better off. And I can keep growing in my walk with God so that I He can use me for His glory and so I can continue to honor Him.

Forgive yourself today. Allow God to forgive you once and for all. Deal. Heal, Move on.

Philippians 3:13b(NIV) "But one thing I do know: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

Psalm 19:12b(NIV) "Forgive my hidden faults."

EGO

2011-11-09T16:54:00.002-05:00

EGO"Letgo my eggo!" we've heard that commercial about eggo waffles, but really we need to "letgo ourego!"
We all have ego's, check your pulse, if you got one, you got an ego, but just like anything else, if you let your ego get out of control it's going to control you and guide you and not in a positive way.

Dictionary.com defines ego as: the “I” or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.

I know there are those out there that have little ego's, or low self-esteem, yet ego, is something we all must deal with, especially if we want to grow and be effective in our christian faith. There is no room for ego in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches us (Gal. 6:14) that the only boasting we are to do is in Jesus Christ.

Church is just like any other organization(school, work, sports teams, social groups, etc...) people want to be in the limelight, get the credit, and have there ego's stroked! That's not saying there aren't people serving in sincerity, there are, but yes, even in churches, yes even preachers, leaders, etc...some are doing it for the wrong reasons to get glory, to be seen, to feel important, and though it's in the church, everything we say, do, and whatever capacity we serve in, it HAS TO BE for God's Glory, to in worship Him, and to honor Him or it's in vain and we've missed the point of serving/leading.

We all need encouragement, we all need someone to notice us from time to time, and we all need the human touch factor. We are relational beings and were created for relationships. However, whether we are preaching, singing, teacher, serving, leading, or whatever the capacity we are serving in, our ultimate motive should be to please God, be used by Him, and Him to get the credit, & the glory.

If you do something for God and you get mad no one notices, or you have to go around constantly remiding people what you did or are doing, chances are great your doing it for you and not Him. If you get a high from singing or preaching on the stage and like the attention to the ponit where your head is bigger than the door you entered through chances are your using your gifts for your ego and not His kingdom!

There is a fine line between humility and pride. We must always pay attention to our motives, our attitude, and or intentions, or Satan can easily convince us its about us and not Him. If you know the story of Satan, you know He felt the same way. He got tired of God getting the praise and glory and He wanted it for himself, so then Lucifer the angel rebelled and was kicked out of heaven along with many angels because their ego took on a life of it's own.

God gifts us in many ways. Some of us it's singing, some it's preaching, some it's teaching, some it's leading, and others it's serving or encouraging. No matter the gifts, God gave us those gifts to use for Him, not ourselves.

You may get pats on the back, you may get the praise of men, even make a good living in the service of God, but if He is not the motivation, the reason, and the one who you seek to give the credit, then you have recieved your reward in full.

If God gifted you to preach, then preach, but don't preach because you are insecure, selfish, or power hungry. Preach because people need to hear the Word and God called you. If you have the talent of singing, then sing your heart out for Jesus, don't sing to hear your own voice, or because you like the stage, the lights, and the attention music brings. If you are gifted to lead, lead because God called you to lead, not because you like the title or power or control. If you teach or work with the kids/youth, do it because God desires you to teach people and influence them for you, not because you like feeling important to those listening!

Ego is tempting, but like the bible says, we can overcome any temptation with God. Don't let you ego get the best of you. Do it for God or not at all. Keep yourslelf in check, help people keep you accountable, and do Let go of your Ego!

Philippians 2:3-4(NIV)
³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Essentials vs. Non-essentials

2011-11-03T14:19:00.002-04:00

Essentials vs. non-essentials

Essential: Necessary; indispensable; vital; critical; required

Non-essential: Not necessary, despensable; not vital; not critical; .not required.

Pretty basic defintions of the word essential and non-essential. However, when it comes to christianity, our faith, God, the Bible, basic beliefs and doctrines of our faith, etc...those words get clouded, confused, and boundaries are crossed. I want to keep this simple today. The problem we make God, salvation, and being a Christian so complicated because we are worried we'll go to hell, sin, or not look smart or something, I don't know?

What I do know is that we make being a Christian, going to church, and serving the Lord a lot more complicated than it has to be and I believe not at all what God desired or intended for His people or His church.

The simpliest of examples is for us to go back in the Bible to Acts 2:42-47, the church in it's infancy gives a basic example of what the church is supposed to look likeand how Christians are supposed to be.   Devotion to teaching, devotion to fellowship, breaking of bread(eating together), praying, filled with awe, miraculous signs and wonders being done. Everyone(i.e. the church/christians) had everything in common. They were generous selling things and giving to everyone who had a need. They met daily and had each other in their homes to fellowship/eat, they were glad and sincere, they praised God and enjoyed each other. The Lord blessed them and people were saved daily!

Does that sound like a church you'd like to be in? I sure would! Does that sound like the type of Christian you'd like to be? I sure would too. But, through the years we have allowed Satan into our lives, and our churches and he has manipulated us, tricked us, and led us astray. We think we are doing God a favor by being so dogmatic and harsh,but really we are helping satan. Satan is the enemey and He's using you who act this way, not the things we think are the enemy.(Get out our list, bible versions, church music, salvation process, eternity beliefs, spiritual gifts, etc). Not even drugs, or alcohol abuse, or sexual sins hurt the church as much as legalisitic/narrow-minded bigoted christians. We preach, protest, holler, and condemn everything that isn't the old ways, old paths, the old time religions, like papaw used to say, or not the way I was taught or raised, yet satan thrives on this division I believe in all my heart. Nothing hurts the church or spreading of the gospel or people staying in church more than this type of attitude, the narrow-minded, legalistic, and hateful spewing that tryies to make non-essentials into essentials.

Think about it. Some preachers preach the same things every weeks, they say it 100 different ways, but it's the same message with their personal agenda or issue they are "passionate" about. How many churches spend most of their time against something or tearing down other christians or churches with their personal crusades and messages, instead of sharing the love of God through Jesus in the Bible or other biblical topics? How many christians and churches are more known for WHAT THEY ARE AGAINST INSTEAD OF WHAT THEY ARE FOR?

Whether it's ignorance, the way we were taugh, raised or mentored, or whether its something personal to us, we cannot truly reach a lost and dying world with the message of Jesus with hate, pride, arrrogance, ignorance, hypocracy, manipulation, or stupidity. Too many preachers, churches, christians, publications, etc.. are doing this in the name of God and they are hurting more than helping! (again I am promoting common sense and spiritual guidance, not anything goes and is ok!)

These people promote with pride their "essentials" to salvation, but they decided what were essentials, not God. Take whatever issue you like there are many. Some say you can only use ONE version of the bible and all other translations are not-inspired and even some go as far to say they are a sin or won't accept you as a Christian if you don't agree with them. Some say you can only sing one type of worship music. If you use any other music, it's a sing, it's of the devil. Some say you can't use any music at all, one can only use an organ or a piano, no drums or guitars, those are an abomination. Other say only a few are predestined to be saved, or others once your saved your always saved While others say you gotta speak in tongues, or others you don't have to be baptized and others baptism is all that matters. We are picking and choosing what we want and screwing it all up with all these different beliefs, but we cross a line when we make certain things essential that the Bible does not back up.

The Bible and guidance of God's Holy Spirit is what helps us interpret Scripture and God's will for us as to what is essential or non-essential to our salvation and that is the biggest question. Is this topic, issue, or believe essentail to me being saved, or is it a non-essentail item?   I think where God speaks in scripture directly and with clarity, we obey whether we like it or agree with it or not. However, we must be careful to pull out certain scriptures and take them out of context or misuse them in order to get them to say what we believe. Christianity is the opposite, we shoud read scripture and mold our lives around it and do what it says. It's hard for some people to accept, but not all things are wrong or sinful. I think scripture is very clear on that(READ Romans). We want to make issues out of things God never intended to be divisive issues and certainly not us going around saying we are christians and others are not because they don't worship or teach or believe everything we do.

I think for some it comes down to fear. Some are afraid if you change anything, you might end up compromisng God's word or truth. For some it's simply comfort and enjoyment. Others its just spiritual habit, some it was way they were raised and I'm sure reasons are as many as the issues/topics we can choose to divide/aruge over.

My point today is there are essentials to our salvation. Jesus is the ONLY way to God (John 14:6), no other person, religion, denomination, or doctrine is going to save you or get you to heaven, only through the blood of Jesus. Another essenatial, Jesus was born of a virgin, lived, died, and raised from the dead to be our sacrifice for sin, death, and hell.   Another essential, the bible is the inspired word of God.   Essentials. These are just a few, but wanted to give you some examples of what is essential beliefs to your salvation.

Non-essentials: translation of the Bible. Sure not all translations/versions are good, but use some common sense, but I believe most scholars who translated the Bible from original manuscripts were trying to make studying/reading the bible better, and if we believe the Bible is our guide, scriptuer does not tell us there is only one translation we have to use. saying all but one is "inspired" is ignorance. It's Non-essential. Worship music. Music is styles, genre's, and in taste of the listenter. The key in worship music is to be sincere and worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Jesus looks at our heart, not our voice, not the instruments, and certainly not the style/genre of our choosing.

Non-essentail, church denominations. These should have never been started, God established THE CHURCH(Acts 2) not denominations, that mostly started because people can't get along, have different views, can't agree to disagree, have agendas, etc...God never intended the 30K plus denominations out there. What is essentials is Love God, Love your neighbor(everyone).

We need to stop putting God in a box and making our christianity a religion and making our faith a narrow legalistic set of rigid rules that people have to agree with or be shunned. Many churches and christians today have become modern day Pharisees and teachers of the law, they worship rules/laws over truth. They like the comfort of religion and not the freedom of relationship.

Jesus is relationship not religion. He wants us to stand for truth, but enjoy the freedom we have in Him. Not everything we say or do is going to send us to hell or is committing a sin. We have got to start using some common sense and realize that we have the scriptures for a reason to guide us, to teach us, and to help us. We are to be the church, christians, worship God, serve God, and spread the gospel. We need to realize that every church and christian doesn't have to look alike. We can be ONE as HE is ONE without making everything a sin or wrong. We can get out of our boxes, we can open our narrow minds up, we can share the truth of ONE way to Jesus in MANY ways. We can preach and teach the SAME message in a variety of methods and forms to reach various audiences, cultures, and peoples.

We all need to spend some time with God in prayer and studying His word and decide before we argue, condemn others, or die on that hill, is this really essential or is this a non-essential i've been making an essential. The easiest way I can say it is we can sit around and worry about when to pass the offerings in church services, whether someone dresses up for church, or sings an upbeat song, or we can be more concerned about lost souls and people dying everyday going to hell. I think when we compare unsaved people to our agendas, it's no contest, our opionions/beliefs/agendas pail in comparison to what's really important, people knowing Jesus and growing in Jesus. That is essential!

I leave you with the words of Titus, you may want to go read Titus 3, but his advice is good reminder to us about being divisive and wasting our time on things that don't matter!

Titus 3:5b-11(NIV)

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

No Thanks!

2011-10-26T11:29:00.000-04:00

No Thanks!

Have you ever been somewhere to buy something and the salesperson was grouchy or unfriendly? What about rude and obnoxious? What about arrogant and a know-it-all? Makes you want to rush to buy something from them doesn't it? NOT! No Thanks! I am not going to buy something from someone who acts like any of these traits, but the funny thing is many preachers, churches,and christians act like this and then wonder why no one wants what they offering?

You can't share Christ or influence people they need Jesus if you are constantly grouchy and unfriendly. You aren't going to win people to Christ or get them to become a Christian if you are rude or obnoxious about it. And you aren't going to lead people to Jesus or get people to come to church(or come back if you do get them there) if you are arrogant and have a know-it-all atttitude.

This doesn't work selling cars, appliances, or houses, and it definately isn't going to work trying to share the good news of Jesus with people. I'm not making excuses for people. There are people out there who do not go to church or will not become Christians and they have no good reasons, only selfish excuses, "church is boring", "it's full of hypocrits", "and I've done too much wrong", etc....excuses are endless, but at the same time there is NO EXCUSE for pastors, church leaders, church members, or christians to hurt the church or the cause of Christ, because they have a personal agenda, a narrow-mind, a legalistic attitude, or won't deal with their hard heads or hearts.

Everyone can be grouchy or unfriendly sometimes or be moody, but when you are that way more than you are friendly or nice, you obviously have issues you are not dealing with or being convicted of in your life. There is also NEVER a good reason to be rude or obnoxious when talking about God, but many christians and sadly pastors, thrive on this! They think they are smarter, and doing God a favor, but really they are scared or insecure, they are so afraid they are going to be proven wrong or not be right, that they'd rather put you down, be judgemental,and argue than listen to you, think things through, and act like Jesus. Jesus was Never rude or obnoxious, he was firm when he needed to be, appropriate with his anger, and kept his emotions in check.

Also, being arrogant or cocky is the opposite of Christ, yet many christians and preachers act this way. They almost gloat that they are smarter, know more, and "are saved" and you're not. And I don't care how much you know or think you know, NO ONE "knows-it-all" except God! Nothing to me is a bigger turn off than a christian, a preacher, or a church where everyone is pushy, arrogant, and you can't talk to them or discuss anything, because they "already know", sad.   (I don't know it all or my blogs would be a lot better, ha!) No thanks. I don't want what they are selling.

We have to keep in mind, that some people have learned the wrong way how to invite people to church or to evangelize the lost. We have to keep in mind some preachers, were trained in ignornance and are simply mimicing the way they have been taught, and therefore they aren't afforded an open-mind, to think for themselves, and realize that though there are many commands in the Bible, there is also freedom and not everything is a sin, wrong, abominination, or sending you to Hell. Yes, only one way to God through Jesus and only one Message(gospel), but many ways and methods to get to Jesus or grow in your faith. This type of behavior is not conservative or keeping on the "old" ways or "old" path, it's serving and speaking out of fear or ignorance. When all you say, or preach, or talk about is what is negative, wrong, a sin, or people have to agree with you or everything has to be a certain way for you to accept someone, then to me that's a sign you are on the wrong path, being legalistic, and sort of like the pharisees in Jesus day, they missed Jesus because they were too busy with their own agenda.

People, we need to realize when we preach, wear the name Christian, or call ourselves a member of a church, that WE represent Jesus. Whether its' fair on not, when people see us, they should see Jesus and if they see a grouch, a gossip, a punk, a jerk, arrogance, judgemental, ignorant, and conceited, that is how they are going to view God, because they don't know Him yet.   I'm not saying we have to be perfect, but what I'm saying is we need to be sincere, honest, and transparent. We need to strive and pursue a right relationship with God, which includes constantly evaluating our actions and attitudes.

Take a good look at yourself, would you want to go to church or become a christian if someone just like you acted came and invited you to church or tried to tell you what you needed to do to become a Christian? Would you make sell for Jesus or would you say "no Thanks", I don't want what they are selling look at how they act? Something for us all to think about! We want to be like Christ and we want to share Christ!

2 Corinthians 12:20(NIV)

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

(here it is in KJV incase you don't accept the NIV)
20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Love people the way God loves us all, and share Jesus with Love, people will want that!

It's all about Team

2011-10-18T10:37:00.000-04:00

It's All About Team

The old saying goes "There's no I in Team", which is true, but there is a M and an E, which is Me, which is the same thing. A successful and great team, can't be about one individual, about one person getting all the credit, the limelight, and accolades. Truly successful and great teams, though they may have some great individual performances or players, still trace their success back to teamwork, unity, good chemistry, and not caring who gets the credit as long as they win.

Teams work to win championships, titles, and trophies. Teams are no different than businesses or churches. They are a group of people working toward a common goal. In a business it may be to make money, expand or grow the company. In churches our goal (should be anyway) to Glorify, Honor, and Worship God.   Church is a body of people who make up members of that body with Christ as the head, and the church does not exist for one person to get all the credit, accolades, attention, or glory, only Christ.

If Christ is not the center of attention, then you have the wrong motives, the wront attitude, and have a personal agenda other than that of Christ. Sure, people say and do things "in the name of Jesus",but we forget that God "knows all" and He knows our heart, our motives and our agenda. Some Preachers Preach because if they were brutallty honest, they like the attention, credit, and strokes to their ego. Some people serve in church in leadership, leading the worship, or heading up a committee because they like feeling important, being in charge, or control.

None of those things benefit God or help the body or glorify Christ. Just like we've seen in sports over and over, when you got one person who cares more about self than the team, the team is seldom successful, can't win, and ends up causeing alot of turmoil in the locker room and slowly unravels the team.

We cannot preach, lead, serve, sing, or use our gifts for God if He's not the center, core, or sole motivation for doing so. Many people are indeed "called", but they eventually stopped listening to God or doing it for God for various reasons and started marching to the beat of their own drum or sound of their own horn.

How many athletes became stars and in the process got lost in the lights, glitz, greed, money, and glamour. They started playing as kids for fun and being a part of a team with their friends and over time, their attitude, motives, and ego become corrupt and pretty soon, attitudes shift to "what about me", "I deserve more", and "I'm special", and "It's all about me".

Happens in pulpits, in sanctuaries, in ministry, and in churches. We like the limelight, the attention, the pats on the back, and the credit, and pretty soon we start feeling like we deserve it, we are owed it, and we want more. There is no glory for God in that. If you don't sing, serve, preach , teach, lead, and worship for God's glory and credit, than it's empty words, wasted time, and hurts the body(team) of Christ. I don't care what your motive or agenda is, if it's not Christ, it's wrong period.

We need to check our ego's at the door. We need to constantly be evaluating our attitudes and motives with prayer, God's word, and even accountability by trusted peers/mentors.   Why do you preach? Why do you serve? Why do you lead? Why do you do what you do? Is it for God or for you? Are you worried more about getting credit or giving God credit? Do you want to build the church, reach the lost, or help people for your own selfish agenda, or do you truly do it for the cause of Christ?

We are the last ones to notice our faults usually because we are in denial or unwilling to be honest with ourselves, but if you don't the team(church) is going to suffer. Most of all at some point it will backfire and blow up in your face. Just like athletes who are selfish and greedy with big ego's, they lose contracts, friends, fans, and teams no longer want them, even though they are talented, because not worth the hassle or drama that accompanies them. The greatest athletes are those that give their teamates the credit.

A preacher can be the most gifted speaker or evangelist, yet His ego holds him back. You can be the most gifted teacher/singer, but your motivation is you, and your talent is wasted, you can be the greatest leader, but you're selfish agenda causes constant turmoil and problems(and you think everyone else has the problem).

Let's all be a team player, let's all contibute and do our part for the good of the team.   Even though I Pastor a church, this church is not about it, nor will it be successful solely based on me. I am just one person and my role is to pastor, but everyone here who serves and gives is just as important as me. Sure we all like a kind word, encouragement, and a someone to notice our hard work, but if that is your motivation, then you've missed the point. The church is God's body not ours, the credit is His not ours, and the glory is for Him not us. It's all about God and we are on His team.

James 4:3(NIV)

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Not Me!

2011-10-12T11:06:00.000-04:00

Not Me!

"Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Exodus 4:10 (NIV)

Do you know what this sounds like to me? An Excuse. God was calling Moses to go to Egypt and be the instrument He was going to use to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, but Moses gave God excuses as to why He shouldn't go, I'm not a good speaker now or in the past, I'm slow, yada yada yada. Excuses.

Maybe Moses was scared? Maybe He was still ashamed of fleein Egypt years earlier for killing a man? I don't know, maybe He had no self-confidence, or maybe he was simply comfortable in tending flocks for his father-in-law? But, the bottom line is when God calls you to do something, He already knows you can do it, or He wouldn't have called you to do it. God unlike us, doesn't make mistakes.

I believe every individual created by God was created for a purpose and has value, and is called. Many people never realize it, ignore it, or reject it, many make excuses. Some people try to find purpose and value in earthly relationships, power, sex, drugs, jobs, money, and hobbies and can't understand why they are never fulfilled, complete, or why enough is never enough? It's because God created you and me for a reason.

No we are not all called to be preachers, missionaries, or church leaders, but regardless you are still called to do something for God. The talents and gifts you have, maybe in sports, music, speaking, or computers? Maybe God wants you to use them for Him. Maybe God wants you to be an influence at your school, at your job, with your friends, in your family?

But, what do we do? We make excuses why we can't, won't, or aren't willing. I remember several years ago I left full-time ministry and struggled spiritually, I wasn't a very good Christian, and for a period of time I still felt God's calling, but ignored it because I was ashamed and felt unworthry like God could never used me again, yet here I am again serving in ministry, because I couldn't stand the constant calling as opposed to ignoring it and running out or excuses why God couldn't use me.

No matter your past, God can use you. No matter your mistakes, God can still use you. No matter your self-esteem or self-worth, God can use you. When you find your value and worth in God you can't help but feel better about yourselves.

So what you have a speech problem? So what you have a physical disability? So what your divorced? So what your an alcoholic? So what you take anti-depressants(who doesn't these days?) So what your busy? So what you have a past? So what you've been a dishonest person? So what you have did and said things you are ashamed of? So what you are shy? It doesn't matter, all are excuses to not be used by God and He's waiting to you use. He belives in you or He would not have created you, and called you to do something for Him, or be used by Him.

God wants to use you in big and small ways, so stop finding reasons to NOT serve or be used and START seeking God. Stop making excuses why you CAN'T and start finding ways you CAN. Again, if God

made you and gave you gifts, He will supply the strength, wisdom, and means to use them, you will fail with your own strength, but with God, you are limitless.

I leave you today with YES you! God made you, God wants to use you, what is your excuse? and BTW Moses finally obeyed and as we say the rest is history!

If you have time, watch this video about a guy name Christopher and ask yourself, what is my excuse for not letting God use me?
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FFCC2JNU

LIFE

2011-10-03T11:12:00.001-04:00

LIFE

James 4:14(NIV)

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Life. What is it? What is it to you? For some it's a sentence because they make poor choices, live selfishly, and have no purpose or meaning. For others, it's all they have, because this life is all they live for and look forward to. For still others, it's a blessing, too short, and not be taken for granted.

We have no promise of tomorrow, everyday of life is a gift. Some spend their life trying to disprove that we were created and coming up with all sorts of reasons why there is not creator, though I beleive it takes alot more faith to be a true agnostic or atheist, than it does to believe in a creator.

Life. It's fragile, yet human beings can be some of the most resilient people. Life is short, but some people it drags out because they seek no divine calling or purpose to their lives. Life is unpredictable, but yet predictably many people seek bitterness instead of healing, negativity instead of hope, and revenge instead of forgiveness. Life means living, yet many people choose not to truly live. They have unhealthy habits, relationships, life styles that are slowly killing them and molding and shaping them for a life of regret.

People waste life. They waste talent, money, resources, relationships, and opportunity to love, to be honest, to do the right thing, and make a positive difference. Intstead of making the world a better place, they add to the problems of the world. Instead of overcoming their past, a problem, or an addiction, they continue to live out the wreckless, destroying cycle of pain.

We need to enjoy life. We need to embrace life. We need to take advantage of our life. Whether we live 10 years or 100, every day is a chance to do good, enjoy life, and make the world a better place. No matter who we are, even if we were born or raised in bad circumstances, we should not let those things define us. Maybe you were raised poor, but you can be rich in kindeness. Maybe you were born into abuse? You can live as an example of healing and forgiveness. Maybe you've experienced a great loss of a loved one and you've stopped living? You can start living a life that honors their memory and still be there for those still living.

There are many reasons and excuses people waste life, ruin lives, and and don't enjoy life. Probably a many reasons/excuses as there are people in the world.   But, my point today is God created LIFE. God created life for a purpose. A reason.   God created us in His image, for His purpose, and for His glory. Did you know you were created to bring pleasure and enjoyment to the creator? Just like a painting, a drawing, or a sculpture our creator shape and molded us for His pleasure. He gave us life, breathed it into our nostrils so that we would have life. He sent Jesus to die for our sins, because we are all sinful by human nature and can't be perfect on our own. Jesus came to give us live and life to the fullest(Jn 10:10).

You are not a mistake, a mishap, and you werent created randomly. You aren't a big bang, a monkey, or some other cosmic or weird fantasy creation.   You and I were created by a creator. THE God, not just any random person or thing, but THE God.    Your life is precious, valuable, and purposeful to God and it should be to you. The thing is even though God gave us life and life on this earth, this life and this place is only temporary.

We do not life this life for this world, for our own pleasures or agenda, God created us in this life to prepare us for eternity. He wants us to enjoy this life, it's pleasures, relationships, etc..but if your life is only about this life alone, or you are wasting it with only pain and suffering, you are missing the point of life. Live your life.   Live your life with God in mind.

Ecclesiastes 8:15(NIV)

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.

Core Values

2011-09-26T15:55:00.000-04:00

Core Values

I recently developed a set of CORE VALUES at Bozoo Christian Church where I now preach. I am currently going through a series with the same title and preaching on each core value. The core values come from Acts 2:42-47 (when the New Testament church was established). Rick Warren through his Purpose Driven Church book and this scripture says a church should have these 5 core values to make up a healthy church with purpose (ministry, mission, worship, fellowship, & discipleship).

I took the word "BOZOO" to come up with 5 statements to share our core values(yes, I know I'm creative, haha). Core Values defined are "basic principles that guide us". I'm sharing these with my church,but it got me thinking about me as an individual what are my core values? What about you? What principles,morals,or beliefs guide you?

Even though we may not have a written down list of Core Values, we all have them, whether we know them or not. The problem is not all our values are healthy, good for us, or realistic. Think about it, some people have no values or morals. They lie, they cheat, steal, or manipulate. They are sneaky, arrogant, selfish, or prideful. They are motivated by lust, greed, power, or control. These basic principles guide them. It's what motivates them, and even defines them and who they are and how they treat people and what they live for.

What about me? What about you? Are our values healthy? Do we have a set of principles we live by that are hurting us? Hurting others? Destroying us? Leaving a trail of destruction everywhere we go? If we live out life without purpose, meaning, or value, then we are going to naturally gravitate toward things,people, places, and habits that are not good for us or healthy for us.

That is why it's VITAL that you and me have some standards in our lives. Some values and principles that guide us. Our decision making, our choices, who we react to problems, and respond to issues. How we treat people and how we work, play, and live.

There is not a set list, because there may be some things that are important to me, that aren't important to you, or vice versa, but there are basic principles I think we all need.   Honesty. Integrity. Faith. Unconditional Love. Grace & forgivness. I think we need first and formost to have faith in God and because of that, our relationship with God will help us mold and shape our values and principles we live by.

We will learn to be honest and practice honesty. We will know the difference between right and wrong and strive to always live and do right. I think we will know the difference and consequences of truth and lies and strive to be honest at all times no matter what we think the outcome.   We will work toward having morals that we won't compromise with greed, selfish behavior, or lust. We will strive to live a pure and not taint our lives with drugs, abusing of alcohol, or negative things such bad sexual issues, vulgar language, or treating people like they are less than you. We will value honesty, truth, acceptance, standards, morals, and love.

What words define you? What words describe your personal core values. Truth is, what we think we are. We we do we become, and how we live everyday determines our eternal destiny. What do people think of you? Do they think you are nice or a pervert? Do they think you are compassionate or heartless? Do they know you are liar or sincere? Do people think you are easy or know you to be a stand up person. This isn' worrying about what others think about you, it's not about perception. It's about reality. What type of values do you have and display in your life everyday? If you have bad values, you can change them. You can develop better, healthier, spiritual, and meaningful core values to guide your faith, relationships,and life.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17(NIV)

"Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;" I Peter 1:13-15

Backbone

2011-09-20T10:41:00.001-04:00

BACKBONE

Proverbs 31:9(NIV)
"Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Not only is this a physical attribute all of us have (a backbone), but it's sometimes a term we use to describe someone who stands up to what is right, or sometimes we use it negatively to describe someone who "has no backbone" and will not stand up or address conflict or problems or who acts cowardly.

Your backbone sort of keeps your body together, slangily speaking the dictionary defines one who has backbone as "strength or character; being resolute". It shouldn't surprise me, but we live in a society today where many people don't have much of a "backbone". They look the other way when someone does something wrong, they enable and allow friends and family to destroy their lives without stepping in or trying to intervene. We won't stand up to bullies or people who try to push us around or others for that matter.

I've always felt like people who had "no spine or backbone" had no self-respect or low self-esteem. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Truth is truth and lies are lies. When it comes to truth and the right thing, we should never cower, avoid, live in denial, or pretend everything is ok when it's not. Just creates an endless cycle of more problems and damage.

I am convinced that is why many of our marriages, family situations, relationships in general, work environments, and even many of our churches have major issues because leaders won't lead, people who are being taken advantage of, hurt, mistreated, abused, harassed, or walked on won't stand up. Of if someone can't stand up for themselves, then those of us who are aware of it, need to stand up for those who are helpless, but many times don't. Instead we make excuses, feel sorry, or simple pretend it's not there.

Many times we make excuses and feel sorry for people, so we "tolerate" their behavior or treatment, if they are sick or ill, they need help not sympathy. Tough love is helping them, sympathy is hurting them. Sometimes we don't want to get involved, but if you don't who will? If others can't or won't do the right thing, how about you? If you are in a position of leadership in the home, work, or even church you were put there for a reason, to lead. You cannot lead effectively if you aren't willing to make tough decisions, deal with problems, and confront wrong.

Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean being weak, timid, or blind. Even those who do not follow Jesus have to have some sort of moral compass. We cannot look the other way while people do wrong, hurt othters, or spin out of control. We cannot look the other way while people are hurt, suffer, and are pushed around.

Jesus stood up to sin, bullies, and He stood for those who were hurting and in need. I think we are called to do the same thing. It's time that we get a spine, get a backbone, and stop avoiding things because they make us uncomfortable or we are scared. I think it's time to stop running away because we don't want to get involved. I think it's time that we stop ignoring things because we feel sorry for someone or don't want to make them mad or cause a riff. Courage is not the absence of fear, it's responding through fear. Real Character is standing up for what is right, even against oppostion or risk of making someone mad or even if you have to do it alone.

I want to encourage us all no matter the situation in life, if we are faced with an opporunity to confront a problem, deal with a tough issue, or right a wrong or help someone in need, stop a bully, help a loved one or freind who is hurting themselves, or stop a conflict at work or church, we need to stand up!

Deuteronomy 31:6(NIV)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

No leaders to follow

2011-09-13T14:25:00.001-04:00

No Leaders to Follow
I've wrote on leadership before, but until now I haven't truly experienced my first leadership crisis. I've been on staff at churches and been a part of churches in the past that lacked leadership, or had people in leadership who wouldn't lead effectively (or couldn't), I think part of the reason churches have habitual problems or do not grow is because they lack real, spiritual leadership or they have people in leadership who aren't good leader (they like the title or the attention leadership brings), but leader is not just a title, it's a position that requires you to lead.

I also understand not everyone is a leader, but still there are many people who have ability to lead, but do not. I am at a new church that is small, I'm the only staff now and have no elders. The church has been dwindling and on a downward spiral for sometime.. I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic. People have left and went to other churches, stopped going to church, or died off. This church like others have had it's past successes and wonderful moments of blessing, but at the same time, if a church doesn't have quality, effecitve, and spiritual leaders the chuch is going to do any number of things: 1) divide 2) waffle 3) be stagnant 4) go in circles 5) be unproductive 6) quench the spirit 7) left hand not knowing what the right is doing 8) nothing will ever get done 9) dissension 10) dwindle and die. I am sure you can think of some other things, but this was some of the things i've seen or had others share with me about their church.

One of the biggest complaints I hear from other Minister's is they have no leadership in their church. They have to end up doing everything themselves and either get burned out or frustrated or they do it all and get blamed for being a "dictator" or a "one man show", but the truth is, when you are the only one willing to lead, then it becomes those out of necessity and people have no right to complain if they aren't willing to serve or lead.

As I look back and learn about the church where I at now, the biggest thing that has been missing or is missing now is leadership. People to lead. People willing to lead. People wanting to lead. People committed to using their leadership skills for God. We will lead the boosters,PTA, girl/boy scouts, the committee at work, be a supervisor or boss for a company, or coach a team, but when asked to serve in leadership at church people won't? What happens, is churches settle and end up letting people lead who shouldn't because they aren't gifted or they want to be a "leader" for the wrong reasons(power, position, control, ego, pride, etc...).

I was called to lead and I'm going to lead. I'm also going to push for leadership and I'm going to try and call out people to lead. We need leaders in our church, not just preachers, Elders or Deacons/Ministry leaders, but we need people leading in our nursery, with our children, in our worship, our buildings/grounds, fellowships, meals, benevolence, outreach, evangelism, the lists of plenty of areas of our churches that need quality leadership to take these ministries, programs, and positions to the next level or begin these much needed ministries. We need people to step up, step out, and step into leadershp in ALL churches.

I don't care your past, your concerns, or excuses, if God gifted you with leadership abilities you need to be leading. If God didn't equip you to be a leader, you need to be honest enough to accept it and find other ways to serve besides leadership.

People cannot follow if they do not have a leader. People will not come to know Jesus if we do not have leaders in our churches or if churches aren't calling out and raising up and training leaders. I'm a leader and I'm going to lead and I am leading, are you? If you are gifted, called, and able to lead, then lead. Ask God to give you a desire and willingness to lead, and then lead. Don't worry about criticism, complaints, or people who try to bully you. Lead! No Preacher will be successful if he doesn't have people in the church willing to lead and no church will grow if it doesn't have people willing to lead. Let's lead so people can follow.

Hebrews 13:7(NIV)

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Always Forget, Never Remember?

2011-09-08T11:42:00.001-04:00

Always Forget, Never Remember?

This will be one of many articles I am sure you will read or come across talking about the 10 year annv. of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. It falls on a Sunday, so a great opportunity for churches and preachers to use this time, as a great outreach, support, and reminder to all their church members and communities.

One thing you can be sure of, we forget, and we don't remember. There are plenty of posters, clip art, and sign sayings, "Never Forget", and "Always Remember" and things like that about 9/11/01, but truth is we are a human race that forgets. Go back and read the Old Testament of the Bible, how many times did the children of Israel turn to God, seek God, and get rescued and forgiven by God, only to forget, rebel, and follow their own ways or after other Gods? Plenty! They forgot. They didn't remember.

Look at the New Testament, the jews were promised a Messiah and what happened when He finally came? They rejected Him, because they forgot or didn't remember the promises of God. Look at churches today, How many people go to church, get on fire for Jesus, get saved, etc...only in time to stop going to church or stop serving God. Why? We forget, we stop remembering.

How about your life or mine? How many times have we sinned, continued to sin, fell away, rebelled, or chose poorly? Why? We forget. We don't remember. We forget the kindnesss, unconditional love, grace, mercy, and salvation of God. We don't remember the healing He gave us at one time, the forgiveness, and gift He gave us.

We are forgetful people. I know people are thinking about 9/11 because it's a 10 year annv., but I remember 10 years ago, how many people were scared the world was going to end, or we were all going to die, and people flocked to churches and God. Where are they today? Many of them back to their old lives and back to no change. Over time, the feelings of fear and the emotions of mortality faded, and they slowly went back to their old lives, old vices, old habits, old routines, and slowly but surely,they forgot about church, God, and faith. Now, I am sure there were some people who came to God because of the 9/11 events, God always uses bad for good, but if I were a betting man, I'd bet more people forgot and faded than those who got saved(though we still rejoice for everyone who gets saved).

My thought for you this morming, is to develop better memory habits. We need reminders, or we forget. That is why it's so important to talk (pray) to God daily, even though life may be busy. It's important to block off time daily or regularly to read/study the Bible even though you got distractions or obligations. It's important to attend church and be involved serving in church regularly, not just sunday mornings only or hit and miss, but committed faithfully to attending, but not just attending, serving, giving, and being an active part of the church body.

In doing so, this will help you to remember and stay focused, if not the busyiness, hobbies, distractions, temptations,and life will get in the way and you will forget to serve, read, pray, attend, and grow your relationship with God. Stay focused, stay involved, stay connected, so that you will not forget and will remember the goodness of God.

Proverbs 4:5(NIV)

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them."

Nehemiah 9:16-18(NIV)

16 “But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. 17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, 18 even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies.

What are you doing?

2011-08-30T10:15:00.000-04:00

What Are You Doing?

Romans 12:6-8(NIV)
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully

We want God to do all sorts of things for us don't we? We want Him to answer all our prayers exactly the way we want them answered and quickly. We want God to bless us and give us all the things we want, need, and "think" we need. We can even want church to be exactly how we think it should be, sing the songs we want, spend money the way we want, have the traditions and programs I like, and the list is endless of things we want from God or want God to do.

However, the better question is: What are YOU doing for God? If being a Christian was just about us giving our opinions and/or coming and sitting on a church pew on Sunday mornings and attending church, we'd all be super-christians. But, being a Christian or being the church, is not about attending a church service or getting our way. As a matter of fact, being a christian really is the opposite. It's about "being" the church and not attending a church service, and it's about "giving" ourselves to God in worship and service and not just giving an opinion.

So, What are you doing? Where are you serving? How are you giving? Are you truly committed to God and His church? We give tons of cash to a house payment, car payment, or our hobbies of golf, boating, or camping, but what do we give God? We spend countless hours scrapbooking, fishing, going to little league, or cheer competitions, or yard sales, but how much time a week do we devote to serving God? We use our abilities to help with school athletic boosters, PTO, little league officer, Kiwanis or Lion's club, or countless other causes(most are good), but if we are asked to volunteer, serve, lead, or teach at church, we don't have time.

So, What are you doing? Do you spend time each day in prayer talking to God? Are you spending regular amounts of time reading or studying the Bible or involved in a weekly Bible study or SS class? Are you doing your part in the church and volunteering and serving in some way in one of it's programs or ministries? Are you committed to giving financially to God. Remember you are giving to God through His church, not just giving money to "your" church.

So, What are you doing? Are you serving? Are you giving? Are you leading? Are you committed? Are you doing your part? Are you giving your best to God? Are you

Be careful what you ask for

2011-08-23T09:18:00.001-04:00

*sorry it's been a few weeks since my last blog. We have been in process of moving and getting internet and getting settled.

Be Careful What you Ask for

How many times have you wished for something or asked for something or prayed to God for something you wanted or wanted to do? You finally get what you thought you wanted and you now have regret? dissapointment? frustration? Because what you thought you "wanted" or "needed" was not what you wanted, needed, or what was best for you? It may not even be what God intended for you? Or it may be something God wanted you to have or do and you fight against it, even though you asked for it.

I'm not sure what your situation, problem, or what it is that your life doesn't have or you think you want, need, or have to change? However, I do know that sometimes we ask for things we don't need, we want things that are not healthy for us, and we can even pray to God for things we know aren't in His will.

How can we avoid this? I think 1.) You pray, but pray unbiased to God, and truly be open to His will, not yours. Not what you want or think you want or need, but pray for God to give you or do or show you what HE wants for your life. 2.) Weigh the options. You have to look at the pro's and con's and the positive and negatives of what you think you want or need or are asking for. Take time to truly evaluate and see if what you want or asking for is because you are being selfish, might be being negatively influenced by someone or something, or just havent researched the consequences of if you actually got your wish. 3.) Seek Godly counsel. Sometimes we go around and ask for advice from people until we find one that tells us what we want to hear, so we think we got affirmation or justification to what we want. However, this is wrong. We need to talk to people we trust, know will tell be completely honest with us, and tell us like it is, and then we need to respect their honesty and thank them for being a real friend and consider highly their honest counsel.
4.) Change your mindset. Stop being guided by emotions, feelings, pleasure, selfishness, fantasy, or lies. Be realistic when you think you want something. Ask why do I really want this? What is it I really hope to get out of this? Is it truly worth it? How am I going to feel once I get what I think I want? We've got to think, evaluate, view, and pray with a right mindset that is open to the option of maybe what i'm asking for I don't need, don't really want, is not best for me, or will cause more problems.

These are just my suggestions from my experiences and the experiences I've seen in others, but I pray they help you. We need to be very very careful what we ask for, what we pray for, and what we think we "want" or "need". From a christian standpoint, we especially need to involve God in all things and seek His will and strive to live our lives with Him as our guide and helping us make our decisions and choices in daily life so that we don't do things or get things that will hurt us, cause us pain, or leave us with regret.

Sometimes God will give us what we want, even though it's not His will because He's tired of our rebellious heart.

Psalm 81:12(NIV)

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

But, God truly wants us to use wisdom, discernment, and grow to what we ask for

Proverbs 4:26(NIV)Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways

Ask for God's will when we ask for anything, not "our" will, but God's!
1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Bozoo Bound

2011-07-29T13:01:00.001-04:00

Bozoo Bound

Why Bozoo? I say Why not? I've gotten different comments about going to Bozoo Christian Church, all are positive. The biggest question is how is it pronounced, it's Bo-Zoo, not Bozo not Bazoo, it's Bo-zoo. The next question is where is it. It's in Monoroe county in southern West Virginia near the Virginia border(for those of you in the midwest or southwest or west, West Virginia and Virginia are 2 different states, WV was 35th state in the union, c'mon pay attention in geography or look at a map).

Bozoo is in Monroe county just about 5 miles outside the city limits of Peterstown WV. Now where is Peterstown? it is about 15 minutes EAST of Princeton, WV off of Highway 460 (on rt. 219 out of Rich Creek, VA) or it's about 15 minutes WEST of Pearisburg, VA or 45 minutes WEST of Blacksburg, VA, home of the VA Tech Chokies, I mean Hokies.

Bozoo is a small rural farming community and is nestled beautifully in the moutains of southern WV and within 30-60 minutes of many places including Bluestone Lake, Pipestem, Winterplace Ski Resort, Lewisburg, the Greenbriar, New River, etc...so many places to camp, fish, sightsee, and enjoy the outdoors.

Bozoo Christian Church is where I will be preaching. It's a small church that has it's roots back to 1896. The church used to be a larger and more active, but in recent years has dwindled down to over half of what they used to be to about 40 faithful people, due to either lack of leadership, no minister, or various other circumstances. However, those that are left desire to see the church grow, get the church moving again, and see God work in their community again. They realize if they do not try and get a full-time Minsiter now, that in the near future they would be in danger of even exisiting or still having services.

Many people my age and situation may want a larger church, or many people seem to be in the movement of going and starting new churches and doing church plants. I've read it's easier to go into a community and start a new church, than it is to go into an old church and try and change it. While this is probably true, I am not going in with the mindset of trying to change the church. I am going in with the mindset and attitude of being faithful with the small things. Helping this church get organized and structured, and provide leadership. I also know with this ministry there will be no quick fixes. It will take much time, prayer, effort, and most of all relying fully on the power of the Holy Spirit and trusting in God to work. As long as people are willing to follow me and we work together, we can change and can grow all under God's blessings.

I like a challenge. I like the thought of going into a church and helping them. I told my wife we are really going to be missionaries to Bozoo. We will not have the resources and things we need at first, and that is why i've asked some of my ministry friends and friends at churches (and I'm asking you) if you want to motivate your church, SS class or small group, or youth group to give a one time donation to the church at BCC there are lots of projects where there is great need and will cost money, which as you know in smaller churches is not in great supply. (if you do want to help, email me jbthomas72@hotmail.com ). They are going out on a limb to hire me and have spent much money fixing up the parsonage, but there is much more to do.

However, though we may have some resources we will be lacking, we will build toward those things and strive to make the church in all areas better and healthier and it will take time as i grow in relationship and trust with the current members and as wel begin to reach out to that community. We may not have all the high-tech stuff, modern contemporary worship I enjoy, but there are some things in smaller country churches that are nice too. Like great home cooking, friendliness, loyalty, and a giving spirit.

I joked with a freind I am not exactly in high demand, I've moved around too much the past few years, I don't have the typical bible degree from college, and my wife has been married before, so many churches look over me, but I like to think I'm a diamond in the rough. That God isn't finished with me yet, and that if I am faithful and obedient, He will bless me and my family and the church I serve Him in. It's His church and His will be done.

We are looking forward to going to Bozoo, even with the challenges and things ahead, I am confident in God and my ability to serve Him, and with the core group of people there that Bozoo Christian Church can be effective and relevant to that community again. There are not shortage of lost people or unchurched people out there, and there is no shortage of casual christians, church hoppers, and non-committal christians out there. There is plenty of work to do, no matter where you go or serve.

You say why Bozoo? I say why not? I desire to serve God and He desires to use me. Bozoo has a great need and I desire to fill that need for God. I do not know what the future will hold, I do not know how we will accomplish some of the things that need to happen, and I do not know how everything will get done, but I do not God can do ANYTHING and it's He that I hope guides us. I just want to be obedient and available to Him and continue to grow in wisdom, patience, faith, and knowledge as I try to go as a Christian and as a Minister.

I ask for your prayers. Come and visit us sometime. Come and stay with us(we will have guest room and plenty of room), if you come and camp or ski or travel near us, give us a shout. You can find Bozoo Christian church on Facebook and you can google us. I hope within the year to have a website up and running. Looking forward to seeing what God is going to do at Bozoo Christian Church.

Blessings and love,

Jason

Talk to ME

2011-07-25T12:30:00.000-04:00

Talk to Me

I think the biggest issue in relationships, businesses, and even church leadership is communication. People have trouble expressing their feelings or putting them into words, and being honest and straight about what they want, how they feel, or in making decisions.

How many conflicts, problems, or issues could be resolved if people would only speak up? We have people in leadership in companies and especially churches who will not communicate with people. They are in a position of leadership, but will not lead. They don't want to cause a wave, hurt feelings, make anyone mad, make themselves uncomofortable, or deal with whatever the issue at hand is.   The problem is however, you created more and bigger issues by not communicating directly, honestly, promptly, and effectively.

I think in our relationships whether dating, marriage, parenting, or friendships could be alot better if we'd express our feelings, desires, wants, or needs into words. So many times we want to avoid conflict so we remain silent, we don't want to cause problems so we stay quiet, or we don't want to share our true feelings out of discomfort or awkwardness. Once again, you create more problems by not communicating how you really feel.

If I was being completely honest with you, i am direct, blunt, and say how I feel. I usually don't hold back. I agree at times I may need to have more tact or I don't have to say everything I feel or that pops into my head(I'm a work in progress), however, it makes no sense to me why people won't stand up, speak out, or say how they are feeling, what they want, or what needs to happen or change.   We live with a constant "elephant in the room" in our board meetings, leadership meetings, or in our conversations with loved ones.

We cannot have healthy relationships, lead effectively, or run a company, business, organization, or church without learning to speak up, communicate clearly and effectively, and without confronting pressing issues head on.

For example, I heard recently from some people from a church about being upset about a change in service times. It wasn't that they were upset that the times changed, they were upset the Elders of the church didn't communicate the changes, or seek feedback from the church. Another example, would be having an issue at work with an employeed always coming in late or not doing their job, but refusing to address the issue because you don't want to cause a problem(hello! You're in charge, it is your problem!). Or in relationship if your husband says something to hurt your feelings, or your brother treats you bad, or a friend throws you under the bus, and you avoid telling them how it made you feel, well you are the only one who can say how you feel, or what you want.

I know not everyone is talkative, some more more introverted and quiet, but even if that is your personality, you still have to speak up and communicate with people, especially if you are in relationships or in positions of authority. If you are a leader or boss and you don't like commmunicating, making decisions, or dealing with problems head on, then maybe it's time for you to resign or find a job or role where you don't have to deal with those things.

Sometimes we want the title, the glory, or the pay but then don't want to do the job or role. Sometimes we want the relationship or friendship but at the expense of our integrity or character. We've gotta learn to talk, communicate, and share our feelings, expectations, wants, desires, needs, and even our authority(if we are in a position to have the right to excerise it).

Maybe you are with people who talk to much, or dominate conversataions, they maybe that way because they are allowed to be, or because no one else ever steps in and speaks up. Don't be afraid to cut them off and be heard, or keep them on task, or gain the respect to be heard yourself!

Jesus was the ultimate communicater. He was open, honest, and direct. I think all our relationships whether personal, professional, or spiritual could be so much better if we'd all learn to talk to each other and not waste time, worry, or avoid subjects or conversations that need to happen.

Ephesians 4:25(NIV)

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

You of little faith

2011-07-19T14:07:00.001-04:00

You of little Faith?

Jesus used that statement five(5) times in book of Matthew. Once He talked about worry(matt 6:30), once when He calmed the storm (matt 8:26), once when Peter joined him walking on water and he tooks His eyes of Jesus and begin to sink(matt 14:31), once when He was dealing with the disciples in teaching them to beware of the teachings of the pharisees and sadducees(matt 16:8), and once when the disciples couldn't drive out a demon and He told them they only needed faith the size of a mustard seed and they could move a mountain (matt 17:20).

Whether it was worry, fear, focus, education, or doubt Jesus expects those of us who follow Him or claim to be His to have FAITH. Big faith, not little faith. Faith is belief in action. We can't say we truly have faith in God if we are constantly worrying about every little thing or afraid of what will happen if we take a risk or make a decision. We can't say we have faith, if we are easily influenced by the world, false teaching, or religion based on traditions, or if we doubt the power of God to do whatever He wants through us. We can't say we have faith, if we doubt that God can do what He wants to do, anytime He wants to do it, and anyway He wants to do it.

Do you see? Faith is not just a word to say I'm a christian or go to church? People ask what faith are you? We say Christian, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, etc...Faith is not a religion or denomination. Faith is built on our belief and relationship in God.

The biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1(NIV)
¹ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

FAITH means being SURE, having HOPE, being CERTAIN, even though we do not see God right in front of us physical.

This sure, hopeful, certain faith should motivate us to overcome fears, doubts, anxieties, worries, and act upon our belief in our relationship with God. It should help us keep our focus and attention on God. To read and study His Holy Word so we are educated and not easily led astray or influenced by bad teaching, leagalism, sin, tradition, or false hope. It should give us confidence that we have the power of God(His Spirit) living and working in us, that we can do anything God wants us to do, and that we trust wholly and completely in God that we can do anything God wants us to do, yes even moving a mountain with the faith small as a mustard seed.

Yet, many Christians live like they have no faith. They live in constant worry or fear. They are afraid to fail so they do not try. They worry about the future, so they do not trust in God's outcome. They don't have faith in prayer to God or in learning His word, so they are constantly confused by things we read or religous talk. We don't tap into the power of the Holy Spirit in us and we neglect it and thus we don't use our talents, gifts, or abilities for God. In reality we limit God.

Churches are no different. Churches never plan what they can't pay for or do in their own power. Churches won't step out in faith and hire additional staff, or build a better facility, or deal with difficult people who are holding their church back. The church(it's leaders, shepherds, pastors, and preachers, even members) need to start practicing what they preach, or as the old saying goes "put your money where your mouth is", in translation, we need to not just talk, we need to walk the walk. We need to be people who are christians, who are church members, and church leaders to have BIG faith, not little faith, or no faith.

I don't care what it is? Relationships? Finance? Decisions? Problems? We need to put our faith in God. We need to Trust God by exercising our faith. I don't want Jesus to say about me what He said about others, "OH you of little faith.".

I'm not worthy

2011-07-12T15:55:00.000-04:00

I'm Not Worthy

You remember that from the movie "Wayne's World", when Wayne and Garth would meet one of their heroes? However, sometimes the opposite of that happens when people expect you to bow down to them, like they are special, better than you, or above others and they are not deserving.

You may know the Bible speaks of "Pride comes before the fall" (Proverbs 16:18), but why is it that some people take their faith, "calling", or religion so serious, that they become arrogant, haughty, or stuck-up, when those things are the opposite of what it means to be a christian, pastor, or preacher. We must be humble, sincere, and seek out the good of others and most of all God's glory before ourselves.

We live in a world of mega-churches Pastors and televangelists that demand their own parking space, want treated like a celebrity or apostle, and love the attention the comes with being a "Preacher". Or they are so puffed up with what they think is their own knowledge, gifts, and "know it all" you can hardly be around them. You can't talk to them, because they are never wrong, you can't debate them because they don't listen except to their own voice, and you can't reason with them, because are more righteous than you. This isn't just preacher's, this goes for some christians as well.

I got news for all of us out there(yes, me too!), we are not better than anyone else. It doesn't matter your last name, your position in society, your title, your education, how much money you make, or how many books you've read. Not one person is better than the other. I don't care if you've been to church your whole life, been a christian most of your life, or been to seminary, bible college, or ordained a minister, elder, deacon, or duke of Earl, as the saying goes, "All ground is level at the foot of the cross."

We all need Jesus. We all need a Savior. We all fall short and sin every day(Romans 8:28), none of us know it all, and no one is better than the other. No color of skin, no amount of income, and no job title will get you any closer to God.

If we want to grow in our knowledge, faith, and wisdom of God, then we need to be humble and teachable. If we want God to use our abilities and talents for His purpose, we need be be humble and willing. If we want to make a difference in this world then we must be humble and serve like Christ.

I may know more about the Bible than you, but you may pray more often than I do. You may be a more mature Christian than I am, but I do a better job of sharing my faith with others. I may preach and teach, but you may encourage, give lavishly, and pray earnestly more often for others needs than I do. The point is,we all have our strengths, we alll have our weaknesses, and we all are equal in God's eyes. He died for each of us, He loves us all the same, and He offers us all the same opportunities to be be saved, to grow in our faith, to serve, to give, and to love as He does.

We should have confidence in our God, but not arrogance. We should be secure in our relationship with God, but not be judgemental and look down on those who aren't. We should feel good to know that we are God's and loved by Him unconditionally, but we should not think we are better than anyone, only better off that some because we are God's and they have not yet chose Him.

Love God, Love others! Be the church! Let your light Shine! Be Humble! Be available! Let God use you! Lead others to Him! Share your faith in Love! Be sincere! Be sincere! Be the you God created you to be! We are only worthy because of God. He is the one who is truly Worthy of all praise, all glory, and all credit!

Philippians 2:3(NIV)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

Ignore

2011-07-05T09:48:00.000-04:00

Ignore

That's what we like to do sometimes isn't it? Ignore. Ignore it and it will go away? Well I've not learned everything, but I've learned most things in life just don't go away. Can't ignore the fly or the mosquito it's not just going to get bored and go away. You can't ignore your whining kid, they won't go away. You also can't ignore the problem in your life with drugs or alcohol that's turning into a dependence or an addiction. It's not going to fix itself. You can't ignore the warning signs and flashing lights of bad relationships whether friendship, dating, or marriage, they aren't going to just resolve on their own.

Yes, we can ignore the messy bedroom or the leaky sink or the tight jeans, but guess what, they aren't going to clean themselves, fix themselves, or get loose on their own. No matter how big or how small the problem, issue, or trouble, things aren't going to be resolved, fixed, or overcome by ignoring them.

We have church leaders who want the title as "Pastor" or "Elder" or "Leader", but when it comes to dealing with problems or preventing problems or "leading", they would rather "Ignore" than lead. When it comes to having a struggle with a sin, or bad habit, or something, we want to just ignore it and live in denial, but problem is it doesn't go away it gets worse, creates more problems, and affect others.

Several years ago, I left full-time ministry and during that time out of ministry I started turning to alcohol and away from Jesus. I knew it wasn't ok or right to abuse alcohol or ignore Jesus, but I didn't care, my heart had become hard. I tried ignoring my problems for awhile. When I was sad, depressed, lonely, or upset I'd turn to alcohol. It created more problems that it solved. I made poor decisions, I was a bad example, I let people down, and I just created more problems for myself by abusing and mis-using alcohol. I couldn't ignore the problem anymore or it would have turned into a bigger problem and could have ruined my life, or even any opportunity I had to minister in the future.

Praise God, I stopped ignoring and started dealing. I turned back to God, He healed me and eventually was able to use me again in full-time ministry. Sadly, many people don't recover because they continue to ignore the problems.

When you have to have it, have to do it, or your life revolves around it, it's no longer healthy. Whether it's abusing Alcohol, doing drugs, using people for sex, hanging with the wrong crowd, or dating people who treat you bad, or hanging out with friends who use you, or something less noticeable like having a negative attitude, or being moody, or being judgemental and criticical of others. Anything, that is ignored long enough becomes a problem, but eventually not just a problem for you, but for those you come into contact with.

You think a drug user is only one to deal with his demons? You think the gossip, the negative, or the angry are the only ones effected by their behavior? Everyone pays the price when we ignore stuff.

You refuse to lead and ignore problems in your church, your marriage, or your children, there are consequences. You refuse to deal with your addiction, it will eventually kill you or land you in prison and definitly alone. You keep ignoring your behaviors or attitudes or feelings and you will push people away, isolate yourself, and be miserable and make others miserable.

Don't ignore things in your life any longer. Deal with them. Get help if you need it. Seek help if you need it. Change what you can. Address what you can. Deal with what you can. Most of all seek God. Allow God to help you change, grow, mature, and deal with issues, problems, etc..in your life. Ask God for wisdom to make better choices or decisions. Surround yourself with people, family, church, whoever that truly loves you, and will be a positive help in your life.

Don't go through life ignoring things, or it will be a constant reminder of regret, pain, problems, and troubles. Don't make excuses, blame others, or IGNORE it all thinking it will go away. It will not. Not only will it not go away, it will come back on you a lot bigger and a lot worse. Most of all don't ignore God and His helping Hand. God can help you, heal you, and hold you.

Proverbs 8:33(NIV)

"Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it."

PURE

2011-06-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

PURE

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Look at these sheep. They really stand out against the back drop of green grass. They are white, fluffy, and pure. White is the color of purity. Purity is a good thing. Let's look at the next picture below.

Now? Not so much. They look nice and white when they are compared to green grass, but once you place them up against sometime a lot whiter and more pure like fresh snow, the flaws and dirt become obvious.

That's sort of what Jesus does. Jesus is Pure. He is Holy. He is perfect. He is without defect. We are not. Sometimes we'd like to think we or someone we love is like the pretty white sheep standing in a lush green pasture, but truth is we are all are or were like the dirty white sheep standing in the snow. We need Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can make us pure and clean us up to be like Him.

It's very easy to get caught up in I'm a good person, I do good things, and I don't know why I need this Jesus. It's also easy to be very critical of others faults or presumed faults while ignoring the much worse ones you have.

Which sheep are you? Are you the one hiding in the green grass pretending to be pure? It's like putting yourself around fat people so that you look skinny, or hanging out with people uglier than you so you look pretty. It's like being hurtful or tearing someone else down so that you look smart. All you are doing is trying to cover up your impurities and hide your faults.

If we hold oursleves up to a higher standard which is God, we realize we aren't as pure. We have faults, blemishes, and defects. But, don't get depressed or low self-esteem. There is good news. What we all really need to do(yes, this means me too) is look at Jesus who is PURE and compare ourselves to Him. We need to realize we need Him and we cannot be pure without Him. God makes us pure. Its the reason Jesus came to earth, lived as a human, died a cruel death on the cross, and become our sin, took our hell, and defeated them all in order to make us pure. He became our sacrificial lamb. Jesus is the pure white sheep.

We can become pure, only because of Jesus. Not anything we did, can do, or ever will do. Purity comes from Him. It is our goal to strive to live pure lives. We us purity alot of times talking about sex, but purity is really for all areas of our lives. Anytime we sin, pick up bad habits, or do wrong, we become impure.

Dictionary defines Pure as : "free from tainting or polluting matter; clean; wholesome" This is what God does for us through Jesus. We get "tainted" or "polluted" with sin, problems, negative attitudes, bitterness, envy, hatred, addictions, etc....and Jesus comes in and makes us "clean" and "whole".

All of us are born human, therefore we are born into a sinful world and over time, we ourselves become sinful and dirty, and impure. I know I was dirty once and there was a time I gave up the purity to be dirty again. Thank God He doesn't give up on us!

Many times we don't realize it because we surround ourselves around things and people and places that mask or camoflauge our imperfections and impurities, we sometimes hide behind them in order to make ourselves look good. However, when we compare ourselves to the Purity of Jesus, we realize we need to be like Him, we need Him, and He is the only one who can truly clean us. Then we can share with others how they can become pure no matter what they've said or done in the past or present. God is Pure.

Titus 1:15

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Psalm 51:7

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Holiday Inn Express Religion

2011-06-24T13:29:00.002-04:00

Holiday Inn Express Religion

You remember those cool commercials back a few years ago don't you? Where someone is an "expert" in something and come to find out they really weren't a Doctor, or a Animal Trainer, but they did stay in a Holiday Inn Express the night before. It went with their marketing campaign "Stay Smart". I for one enjoyed these commercials, because it showed these people who were just average people trying to do things they were not educated, experienced, or skilled to do, yet they thought they could because they stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. (btw picture of Sarah Palin has nothing to do with article, but only funny one I could find)

Sad thing is we got people who live this way in real life, not that they stayed at a hotel, but they they think they are experts or know about things they don't. Whether they have grandiose thoughts or are narcissistic or simple delusional by their own thoughts, there are people out there who don't go to church, yet they seem to be experts on the church. They don't claim christianity, yet they seem to know everything about being a christian and how you should be living and acting. They don't read the Bible or study it daily or regularly (and some don't even claim belief in God), yet they seem to want to quote the bible.

What's up with that? Now to be fair, I will say there are some churches out there and some "christians" who do bring on trouble themselves and who do hurt the cause of Christ and give church and christians a bad name, but it's like just anything, they are mostly the exception and not the rule. However, that being said, I also think alot of people who for whatever reasons have issues with God, the church, or Christians like have this idea they know all about the Bible, God, Christianity, Jesus, and the Church yet don't. I call this "Holiday Inn Express Religion", thank you I just made that up.

I've had people question my faith, my calling, or my christianity in the past because they didn't agree with something I said, or think I said or meant, or did, or God only knows why? But, my conclusion is it's because people for various reasons (doubt God, confused, been hurt by the church, judged unfairly by a christian, etc...) have some sort of underlying issue with God, the church, or christianity, so because of that they try to make the church look bad, look for reasons to discredit the bible, judge christains harshly, or try to use the bible against you by taking bible verses out of context, misquoting it, or saying things not even in the bible(of course even chrisitans/churches do that sometimes defending their legalistic ways).

My point being if you don't believe in God, then you should have no worries, shouldn't have to defend yourself or put down others. I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I don't go around telling little kids she's fake or they are hypocrites for trying to push santa on me. I don't believe in psychics, but I don't go around condemning and telling them how to read tarot cards or palms or quote out of their mystical books to them. You see my point? If you don't believe in something, then live like it. There very few true atheists or agnostics out there. They claim it, but if you are trying to prove christianity false or make religion look bad or looking for reasons to discredit it or those who believe that's real hypocracy. I agree some religion is bad, but believing in God and having a relationship with Him is not. Also, there are people who have distorted views of God for whatever reasons? They are spiritual, but not religious; or they are religous, but not spiritual; or into other gods or religions or something? I think the biggest issue is people are trying to figure out God and fit Him into their mold, belief system and lives, when true christian faith in God is fitting ourselves into God's mold and His life and allowing Him to work in us.

People fight and argue, condemn christians, churches, preachers, and faith because of their own demons, ignorance, agenda, or confusion. They try to use the things of faith (bible, church, etc) against christians, that is why its so imporant for christians to know their bibles, and know why we believe what we believe, and to be mindful of satanic attacks. Also, we must realize no matter what we say or do, we are going to sometimes be attacked unfairly regardless. That is the problem of the attacker and not you. If you are striving to live like Christ, grow in your faith, and be an example, there is nothing you can do with these so called "experts". Nothing you say or do is going to change their mind, because they aren't willing to listen, because "they already know". They think they know more about church, religion, christianity, and the bible than you and you can and will never live up to their expectations, but funny thing is they are trying to make people live up to a standard they themselves don't practice or believe in.

Truth is, I'm a christain, but I still don't know everything, I am a preacher by calling, but I still sin and make mistakes(and have a past). I go to church, read and study my bible regularly, and pray constantly, but do I know everything about God, the bible or christianity? No! But, I do know I don't know everything and don't pretend. I've stayed at a Holiday Inn Express and I don't know everything about God. I'm even a Priority Rewards card carrying member of their hotel rewards points and Im still not an expert. Truth is, if you reject God, choose to not believe, or don't accept christianity, then don't pretend you know everything about something you refuse to accept, follow, or receive and don't worry about those "christians". In the same token, us confessing christians, do need to work daily to know what we believe and why. If we are going to stay a christian, we need to "Stay Smart" , learn, and grow from our relationship with God.

I Peter 3:15-16(NIV)

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Things I've learned my first year of marriage

2011-06-16T09:56:00.001-04:00

1st Year Anniversary
Saturday, June 18th will mark the One (1) year marriage anniversary for Cheryl and I. Though many thought Jesus would come back or pigs would fly before I ever got married, it did finally happen. Cheryl has been a childhood friend whom I grew up with, graduated High school with, and we shared many mutual friends. She was also my sister's best friend. After High School our lives went different directions, probably as far different as you can be. A couple years ago, our paths crossed again, of all places on Facebook. After we renewed our friendship and catching up on our lives and even visiting over dinner with my sister and her family, eventually Cheryl asked me out on date and shared her feelings with me, that were mutual and I came back to WV for a date and we started dating. I was still living in Indiana at the time, so we did the long distance thing for a few months before I decided to move back to WV. We dated for 6 more months and were married on Friday, June 18, 2010 in a small ceremony with family in the front yard of her parents house.

I would like to say that our first year of marriage was easy, filled with fairytales, rainbows, and bliss, but it wasn't if I was being honest. We love each other deeply, we are glad we are married, and people make fun of us for expressing our love on facebook so much, but with any relationship, especially the first year is learning to live with someone new, getting to know each others habits, personalites, quirks, strengths & weaknesses, and everything else in between takes adjusting. Our first year of marriage not only brought those challenges and blessings, but also the mix of a 37 year old bachelor never married, a person coming out of a abusive married and nasty divorce, two children(one with mental illness), and also dealing with the recent death of Cheryl's dad about 6-7weeks before our wedding, and some family issues. Can you say it, reality TV?
I'm an analytical person, so I like to evalute, analyze, and look at things (sometimes too much), but I think it's healthy for all couples married or not to regulalry communicate and evaluate their relationship, what's working,what's not?  What can I do better? what am I doing right? What am I doing wrong? what do I need to change? What successes are we having, what failures? What issues are contributing to our troubles or making our marriage healthy? These type of questions should be asked and communicated in the relationship as well as, personal self-evaluation and constructive criticism from your partner.

After coming out of a unhealthy and nasty relationship I wasn't for sure I wanted to be in another, and Cheryl after being in her long abusive, negative, unhelathy marriage, wasn't for sure she wanted to ever get married again, probably let alone date. But, we believe it was no mistake that God brought us together and crossed our paths.    I am sure Cheryl has her own list of things she's learning or has learned from being togehter, because each of us view things different and based on our life experiences, personalities, and relationship with God view or see the world and people and things differently. But, these are the things I've learned my first year of marriage (and yes I had Cheryl approve this before posting it for the world to see, I'm not totally stupid.) Anyway, this list isn't in any type of order, but hopefully it can help others, so here goes things I've learned my first year of marriage.

1. Moving beside your In-Laws not a great idea starting out your marriage. While this may work for some, it also can cause conflict and with our circumstances was a bad idea. as Forest Gump says, "that's all i got to say about that."
2. Blended families take a lot of work. Cheryl has 2 children and one who has Asperger's Syndrome(high functioning Autism) and other issues. Both have issues do the experiences that have face with being children of divorce, especially a nasty one, and dealing with unstable family members. It has been rough on them. Having a new step-dad come in the picture is also complicating. It has been an adjustment for all of us, we are still working on.
3. Talk about things before they happen.   Cheryl and I sat down before getting married and decided what my role would be as a parent and how we wanted to run our home and raise children. Whether you have no kids yet or both bring in kids from a previous marriage, its' important to decide how you are going to do things before you are faced with them, even then, it still wasn't and isn't easy. Have to be supportive and consistent.
4. Center on God. No relationship is going to have balance if both people aren't seeking to put God at the center of their lives and especially in their marriage. Cheryl and I both love God and want to please Him and have him in our marriage, but there are times we both fail as individuals and in our marriage. We are trying to learn to put God first in our personal lives, so we will be the best partner for each other. It's a struggle because there are many distractions.
5. Learn to Apologize. Sorry doesn't always cut it, sometimes we like to say sorry or we say it so much it loses it's meaning, but I find when you live with someone every day and depend on each other, you at times misunderstand each other's feelings, intentions, or motives. We end up offending, hurting feelings, or frustrating each other unintentional and you have to learn to apologize often.
6. I'm not the only one. At least for me being single for so long, i was the only one I had to worry about or be concerned about. Now I have a wife and 2 kids to think about. It's easy for me to be impatient or get angry easy waiting on them to get ready or them to slow me down, because I am so used to only me. I'm having to learn that more people require more patience and more time to do things.
7.Both have Baggage. Even though I haven't been married/divorced and Cheryl has, we still both bring in baggage to the relationship, just different. The older you are, the more baggage you can accumalate if you don't deal with it. Even though I was single I still dated and had failed relationships and still have my own "set in my ways" type mentality, though I always strive to not become that way, we still do. Also, having to deal with an ex-spouse is stressful and also depending on circumstances bringing in past abuses and problems, can complicate new relationships.
8. Ex-spouses stink. I told Cheryl she might win the award for the worst Ex-husband ever. He's a treat. I've met many an ex-spouse whether it was people I dated or during my years of ministry to students and people, but no matter how you cut it, dealing with an ex-spouse, especially one that is uncooperative and when dealing with children and custody issues is difficult. It's a constant reminder of the past, and regret you have, and it's constant interference in your current marriage, whether you want it to or not, especially if you have an ex-who is difficult. If you are reading this and have an ex or are an ex and you have custody and children together, don't be a jerk. It's no longer about you, it's about the kids. Cooperate, do what is best for the kids. Our kids are used and manipulated and used as pawns and for personal selfish reasons. Makes me mad and sad and nothing I can do about it.   But, marrying someone who is divorced and has kids is sometimes part of the deal.
9. Don't get sucked in. It's easy for me to get sucked in to the trappings of dealing with Cheryl's ex-spouse.  Which only causes trouble in your current marriage. As difficult as it is, you have to stay out of it, unless it is a safety issue for them. Sometimes you need to step it and sometimes, I've had to help Cheryl make a decision, but overall it's best to try and let your current spouse handle their ex spouse.
10. Get rid of Distractions. For some it's a job, for others it's friends, some it's hobbies, or whatever. We can have people or things in our lives that come between you and your spouse. A negative friend or relative who is unhappy in their marriage so they constantly interfere or give you bad advice on your marriage. Spending too much time at your job, or your hobby. I'm having to learn to prioritize and have balance in my time so that my wife and kids get their fair share of me.
11. Communication, Compromise, Change. 3 C's easy to remember hard to do. You have to communicate, over communicate if you have to, regardless of your personality. I've got to compromise on some of my ideas, wants, opinions, and feelings. And I've got to be willing to change the way I handle things, think about things, and even deal with things.
12. I've got a lot to learn. My whole life I've tried to prepare myself for marriage. Learn to not do things the way my parents or others have did, but in the end, I know less than I thought. I've got a lot to learn in how to be a good husband, good father, and good partner.
13. Your spouse is your best friend. I have been lots of friends and lots of male friends, but your spouse should be your best friend.

14. Same Team. A healthy marriage is where both realize they are on the same team. You support, endorse, and have each others best interest in mind. It's easier to say than do, I'm still trying to learn it.

15. I affect others. My moods, my word, my ways, etc...effect my wife and my step-kids. I tell it like it is, I don't hold back, and I can be blunt, stubborn, hard-headed, and "as matter of fact", most times that's a good thing, but sometimes. I have to learn to be sensitive, understand anothers feelings, or consider how they feel or view me and my behavior, attitude or actions.

I am sure there are other things I've learn and so much to learn, this marriage is a journey and each day should be an adventure to learn. I probably say I'm sorry as much as I love you, but I'm learning and hope to always be learning how to be the best spouse I can be. I want to grow closer to my wife day by day, year by year, and enjoy the time the Lord has given us together and spend the rest of my life with my bride Cheryl. I want to be just as happy on my wedding day a year ago as I will be if I live another 30,40, or 50 years. I also want to love her kids as my own and be the best dad I can be. Above all I want to honor God!

I love you Cheryl, thank you for loving me, accepting me, tolerating me, and putting up with me. I pray my experiences and mistakes can help others in their relationships both now and in the future! I hope to learn alot more this next year! I leave you with the words of I Corinthians 13 that is our model for how we should love each other, especially in marriage.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Conditioned

2011-06-10T09:20:00.003-04:00

(I'll be away from the computer monday so you're getting my blog on friday instead of monday)

Conditioned

Hebrews 12:1(NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

My air conditioner is broke in my car. It's getting hot. You know for years people lived without a/c in their houses and cars and got along just fine. You know why? They were conditioned. They got used it, and before A/C they didn't know what they were missing anyway. However, we live in a society today where people are conditioned to have a/c, so when it's hot and humid(for you that live out west look up humid), people can't handle the heat, but really it's they think they can't handle the heat.

Now I'm not martyr, and i'm with the rest of you, I got a/c in my house still and there is no way I'd want to live without it, but I've decided to hold off on getting my a/c fixed in my car because #1 it's going to cost several hundred dollars, and #2 we need the money for other things, so I decided I will go this summer and just suck it up and suffer. (I bet people will not want to ride in my car).

Conditioned. That is what I want to talk about today. We get conditioned(get used to something). and it becomes acceptable or ok. That is what happens with sin or bad habits. The more you expose yourself to something though at first it may be uncomfortable or make you feel guilty, the more you do it or expose yourself too it the less those feelings reside and the more comfortable you get, til pretty soon you are conditioned.

Let me give you an example in my own life. Television/movies. There are things we see on tv now even on network TV that a few years ago, bothered me, offended me, and made me uncomfortable (foul language, content, etc) and now i hardly blink when I hear or see something on my favorite tv show or a movie, why? It's because I've become conditionied by it. Hollywood slowly pushed the envelope and society has slowly caved in, to where what once was awful is now acceptable.

I remember 20 years ago Ellen "coming out" on her tv show and everyone being in shock and it making news, you can't hardly watch a tv show or movie now without gay characters and honestly we don't even think about it too much, I know I don't. I've become conditioned.

I'm tired of being conditioned by the world. I want to exercise my freedom to change the radio station if I don't like the song, to change the channel if something in a show offends me, to walk about of situation if it makes me uncomfortable. Our being conditioned goes alot farther than just tv or music. It goes into hanging with the wrong crowd, dating and marrying the wrong people, and putting up with dishonesty and backstabbing at work. We can get conditioned to anything if we put up with it or tolerate it long enough.

How many of us said we would never say something or do something, yet later down the road we find ourselves doing that very behavior or having that attitude we said we'd never have? Conditioned. We've allowed ourselves to be conditioned. The thing is, it's different for all of us, I might take a strong stand on what music I listen to, but ignore what friends I associate with. I may take a strong stand on what tv shows I watch, but have little thought for how I choose a person to date/marry. I may take a stand for abortion or equal rights, but then I steal from work or look the other way why someone else cheats. You see how we can easily we can give in? not think things through? allow things into our lives? accept things?

God wants us to be accepting of others, but that doesn't mean accepting their behavior, lifestyles, or even becoming a part of their lives if it doesn't honor God. God wants us to live in the world, and not be "of the world. Meaning, we live in this world, we interact and be part of the world, but we don't do so until we become "just like" the world.

I may have to suffer without a/c in my car this summer, but i've already started getting used to it, to be honest, the extra sweating probably don't hurt me any, I need to lose back a few pounds anyway, but it made me realize, I dont need a/c, I want a/c. And you'll find there are lots of things in this world we think we need we don't. And lots more things we've made ok, but they are not ok in God's eyes, and alot more things we accept, that we shouldn't. I can't tell you what those things are for you, because we are all different, but I'd take inventory of your life on a regular basis and see what's sneaking in and what you need to get rid of and what you've become conditioned to that's not healthy and get rid of it, avoid it, or pray about it.

Open Your Eyes

2011-06-06T14:33:00.003-04:00

Open Your Eyes

Well the picture speaks for itself, but have you ever had something right in front of you and you couldn't see it?

Everyone else could see it except you? Your husband is cheating, your girlfriend is 2 timing you, your best friend is lying about you behind your back. Your co-worker is throwing you under the table and blaming you for their mistake.

These types of events happen everyday, but some of us, choose to look the other way and not see what is obvious. I wish I had answer, but I don't? People would rather live in a fantasy world or living a lie, than face the truth sometimes.

Truth is, some people aren't very good to us sometimes. People who are supposed to be. People that we were supposed to trust. They lie, cheat, steal, gossip, betray, mock, and hurt us. Why? Different reasons. Sometimes selishness, sometimes jealousy, envy, or unhealthy desires. Sometimes greed, to get ahead, because they think it makes them popular or in control, or because they refuse to deal with their own personal struggles. Or sometimes not sure they even know.

I'm not saying all people are bad or evil, they are not, sometimes those we love dissapoint us or hurt us and it's not intentional, they just mess up or accidently hurt us. I'm not talking about these type of events or circumstances. I'm talking about people who aren't very good people, and we need to avoid them.

We need open our EYES and choose our friends, who we date, and especially who we marry very carefully. We need to surround ourself with people who encourage us, build us us, and are trustworthy. We need to avoid people who are only in it for what they can get out of it, and users, and people that will hurt you and not even feel bad about it, let alone admit they did anytnhing wrong.

People abuse their kids, cheat on their spouse, betray their friends, lie to their bosses, and use people to get what they want and don't blink an eye. These are the type of people we need to avoid. They are life suckers. They are energy zappers, and they are heart-breakers.

We don't want to believe our parent would do that, or our spouse would say that, or our best friend could be that way, but yes, even those we love and trust or should be able to trust, can turn out to be rotten people.

God loves everyone, and everyone is capable of change, but problem is people like this see no need to change, so the danger is they may never, and besides, it's not up to me or you to change them. We can only help people who want help and can help themselves and the rest of them will drag us down to their level, if not step on us as they go by, so open your eyes.

I'm not saying be skeptical or don't trust anyone, I'm saying be wise whom you let in your life and whom you trust. Don't be so naive. Don't be so engrossed with good looks, you can't see the person you want to date is a selfish jerk even though they are hot, or don't be so desperate to not be alone you settle. Don't date people for wrong reasons, let alone marry them and have children. Don't be so obsessed with being popular and having friends, that you will be friends with anyone no matter that they use you, talk bad about you behind their back, or take advantage of you.

I'm not trying to be negative today, I'm trying to be realistic. We have too many of us going through life destroying our lives and collecting baggage because we won't open our eyes and make better choices when it comes to our relationships with others.

We must learn to be objective, look at the facts, and not base our relationships(friendships, working, church, dating, romantic, marriages, etc...) on wrong motives, wrong choices, or compromising right/wrong. If not the cycle of bad relationships will continue in our lives and these relationships end up affecting others as well.

That is why we need to surround ourselves with Godly, christian influences and people. People who are honest, trustworhty, care about others, who are sincere, unselfish, respectful, and treat others with mutal respect. People who protect others and are loyal and are self-less. These are the types of friends, dates, spouses, family, and co-workers we need and need to be. So, open your eyes and get to being that type of person and avoid those who are not!

I'll close with the words of Paul who reminds us the type of people to avoid in:

Romans 1: 28-30

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

Defend

2011-05-27T09:56:00.004-04:00

Defend

The dictionary defines Defend as "to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury".

In Luke 10:25-37 (go read), we have the story of the "Good Samaritan". A Jew was beaten, robbed, and left for dead in a ditch. A priest (preacher) came by and saw him and went on other side of the road. A Levite(religious servant) came by too and saw him and went on the other side of the road. Finally, a Samaritan (an emeny of the jews, jews looked down on them) came along, saw him, had compassion on him, helped him, and took care of Him.

Now the parable Jesus told was about "who is my neighbor?" and Jesus was saying everyone is our neighbor. We are to love everyone. God first, then others. However, I want to go a step farther. I think we as Christians have an obligation to stand up for those who are helpless, hurting, in need, and have been wronged. We should not only be "Defenders" of the faith", but "defenders" of those who are wronged.

Love this scripture in Proverbs:

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)

8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Unfortunately, we live in a society today that "doesn't want to cause a scene", or "doesn't want to get involved". We love to look the other way, or think it will just go away eventually. People don't want to stand up for what is right or for people who have been wronged because it's "Uncomfortable" sometimes it involves someone they care about, so, It's easier to ignore the problem, or let it go, or pretend nothing happened, or how it all works out on it's own.

My wife and I both in our pasts have been hurt at the hands of other people. I am sure some of you reading this have to, we all probably have in different times and ways been hurt or wronged by people. It seems the people who should care the most to defend you or come to your aid don't. People will tell you to your face how awful it is what you endured or went through and how wrong it was, but when they are faced with the problem or the person that hurt you, 99.9% of the time, they do or say nothing. I'm not sure what hurts worse? You may also think, well if you've been hurt, you just need to get over it and move on, sometimes it's not that easy, especially when you don't have the proper support.

Now, I'm not suggesting we take matters into our own hands or seek revenge because justice and vengence is for the Lord(Romans 12:19). I'm not saying if someone hurts your kid to go hurt them back, or someone is mean to your sister to go beat them up. What I am suggesting is that we defend those who cannot defend themselves. What I'm saying is that we don't look the other way, pretend nothing is wrong, or allow the person who is wrong to go around pretending they did nothing wrong or contribute to their delusion.

Many times, people who do wrong, won't accept or admit their wrong, and they go around acting as if they did nothing wrong, and the problem is when we see them and we allow them to act that way, by being nice or acting like nothing is wrong. This just encourges them to keep living this lie or justifies their actions even more. Does that make sense?

There are too many people walking around free in this world living their lives of lies. They are evil, mean, wrong, or need help and either in deep denial or simply don't care how they treat others. They bully, abuse, betray, treat others wrong or bad, and if people don't stand up to them, or defend those they are hurting, how does the cycle ever break?

We can pray for God to convict them, and we can pray for God to deal with them and bring justice and avenge the wrongs, but I also think as Christians we have an obligation to defend our own. Not with physical violence or revenge, but with simple standing up, taking notice, not looking the other way, and not being "fake" nice. Jesus didn't mince words with the pharisee's when they were being hypocrites and Apostle Paul didn't sugar-coat His words when dealing with sinful people in the church.

People want to think being a Christian means being nice all the time. We are in spiritual warfare. Satan is on constant attack, we have to be on constant alert. Satan uses people to hurt people. We have the power of God within us at our disposal. God wants to use us to defend His church, His people, and ourselves with His power at work in us. Sometimes that means being uncomfortable, having uncomfortable conversations, confronting someone, or standing up to defend someone. Being a Christian isn't always nice ,cozy, & sunday morning smiles. Sometimes it's confronting sin, standing up for right, and defending wrongs.

If you have family members or friends or church members who have been wronged or hurt by others, then support them, care about them, and do so by defending and not allowing the hurt to continue or to be made worse. Nothing worse than salt in a wound. If you are confronted with the person who hurt your loved one or friend, you don't have to punch them, or kick them, or cause a scene, but you can avoid them, and if you can't avoid them, you can let them know with body language or words, that you know what they did, you don't appreciate it, and you aren't just going to act like everything is ok or let them get by with pretending they didn't hurt someone. I hope that makes sense? I'm not promoting conflict, or revenge, but I am promoting standing up for what is right, defending those wronged, and ending the cycle of silent approval.

Most of all if you have been wronged, you can forgive the person even if they don't admit doing anything wrong, and you can pray for them to repent, but also for God to bring justice. Prayer is the best thing we all can do.

SHOCKER

2011-05-23T09:02:00.006-04:00

SHOCKER!?

That's what I always say, in a sarcastic voice when something happens when people are surpised by something that is so obvious is going to happen.

We live in a society that is "Master of the Obvious", it's not shocking that if you play with fire, you can get burned; if you don't look when you cross the street, you could get hit by a car; if you don't study, you won't pass the test; there are countless examples in life of "natural" consequences for not making the right choices or doing the right things, yet when they happen, people are shocked? Caught off guard? Didn't see it coming?

Why is that? Stupidity? Igrnorance? Apathy? low expectations? all the above? I don't know for sure, but we should know that life has natural consequences and that when we make certain choices or decisions, things in life are going to happen, regardless of what we want or wish.

You keep giving in to temptations, you are going to fall. You keep cheating, you will eventually get caught; you keep lying, it will eventually catch up with you; you keep drinking too much and too often, you are going to have multiple issues; you hang out with the wrong people and for the wrong reasons, you are going to get hurt.

Yet, we date the loser and are "shocked" when they cheat on us or hurt us? We hang out with the wrong crowd to fit in and are "shocked" when they throw us under the bus? We don't take God serious and we are "shocked" why we struggle in our faith? We don't read our bible or pray to God and we are "shocked" we don't know God's will?

People there are natural consequences. Then there are good consequences for good choices and bad consequences for bad choices. Then there are warnings signs, warning signals, and things that show us "not to go there, or not to do that, yet we ignore them, then we are shocked when things bad happen for us.

If I get in my car and drive to New York City, I'm not going to end up in Los Angeles. As Andy Stanley says, "direction not intention, determines destination". In other words, you are going to end up in what direction you are headed.

You lie, cheat, act lazy, have a bad attitude, cheat, be dishonest, don't care, etc..whatever your attitude is is where you will end up. You do drugs, abuse alcohol, use people for sex, gamble away your money, and you're going to end up addicted, alone, desperate, isolating those you love, and could end up in rehab, the hospital, or dead.

People the warning signs are there for a reason. Don't be shocked when your decisions and choices lead you exactly to where they are supposed to. Also, don't think because you are a Christian or become a Christian that your life is going to be easy, or you're going to coast. Though becoming a Christian is the BEST choice you will ever make, becoming a Christian puts target on your back. The closer you get to God the more the devil may tempt you, persuade you, and pursue you. When the devil doesn't bother you is when I'd be concerned. It means you aren't doing anything that is a threat to Him.

Heed the warnings friends. Don't go down roads you don't want to go, they lead to sin, pain, struggle, and destruction. Don't be shocked when you choose selfishly and end up hurt. Don't be shocked either that when you strive to live for God, that Satan is right there fightin you every step of the way.

I Peter 4:12-13(NIV)12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Rely

2011-05-16T10:34:00.004-04:00

Rely

2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

"Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."

Do you really rely on God? I mean lets be honest, most of us do only what is within our power to do and most churches really only do what is within their power to do. Many of us don't really live by faith, which is the call of the Christian.

God did not create us to rely on ourselves and certainly God didn't send Jesus to die on the cross and go through hell on our behalf for us to rely on our own wisdom, strength, or power.

First, God is God, He created us, therefore He is to be sought out. Secondly, God sent Jesus, so that through Him we may not only have forgiveness of sins, but also so we can have a relationship with God on a personal level. Thirdly, God promises and gives us His Spirit when we are baptized into Him to help guide us. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, these 3, are 3 in 1, and because of that, we don't need to rely on anyone, anything, especially ourselves without Him.

Look at how many decisions and choices we make everyday and do not consider or consult God. We take jobs, buy houses, enter dating relationships, make business deals, financial decisions, pick places to worship, we get married, we make friends, and make all sorts of choices without fully relying on God's guidance, wisdom, discernment, and approval. I am guilty, we all are and can be.

God cares about us. He loves us uncondtionally. He would not have created us, send us His Son, or give us the gift of His Spirit if we are not valuable to Him. However, God is a God of freedom and will not force us to Love Him, choose Him, obey Him, or listen to Him. All He can do is offer and be there for us.

We must choose God. Choose to seek, listen, decide, and choose. It is up to us whether we read His word, pray, grow, attend church, serve, or use our gifts God has given us. If we do not choose God or learn to rely on Him, then our life will be riddled with regret, pain, sorrow, and grief. If we don't rely on God, we may make choices or decisions that could have been prevented had we relied on God.

Relying on God isn't going to keep our lives free from mistakes, problems, or even temptations. But, learning to Rely on God will help us make better decisions and choices. It will help us have strength, endurance, and hope when we are faced with troubles, trials, problems, and things that grieve us that are out of our control.

Rely on God. Put your faith into practice. You will not grow or mature in your faith until you learn to rely on God and learn to fully surrender your will, your ways, and your life to Him. It's a process, it takes time, but slowly we all can learn to RELY on God in ALL areas of our lives and how different will our lives and churches look if we've got people relying on God to do things only God can do?

Learning Lessons

2011-05-09T09:19:00.004-04:00

Learning Lessons

I find myself sometimes in church or listening to a sermon/message on the radio and thinking "I wish __________(fill in the name) could hear this." Are you with me? It's very easy for us to want "others" to be taught a lesson and wish they'd hear a good sermon and get convicted for their actions that have hurt us or others.

Truth is we are not God. God is God. It's up to Him who,when,where, what is being taught. Our job is to worry about our own self. There are lessons we need to learn. Believe me, God will keep teaching us the same lessons until we realize He's talking to us, and WE need to hear it.

I am very guilty of this, when I am wronged or see someone else wronged, I want the offender to be convicted, accept responsibility, and for God to teach them a lesson. The fact is, I got my own lessons to learn, and secondly, we have no idea how or what God might be doing to teach that person.

Also, if we do not learn the lessons God is trying to teach us, He will keep providing opportunities until we do "get it" or we will continue to suffer consequences. I think the real issus is that we need to focus more attention on our own behaviors, attitudes, and things God is trying to teach us, and allow God to do His job and not try to do it for Him.

Believe me in the big scheme of things, those of us who are committed Christians don't get what we deserve ,but by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, we are saved and secure. However, there are those out there who reject God and will never surrender to Him and then there are those who claim christianity, but still refuse to follow God's will.

But, the point is today, it's not our job to teach others lessons. It's our job to learn the lessons we need to learn. We all have areas of in our lives where we need to work, focus, and learn things God is teaching us. We also need to allow God to work in the lives of others. If someone has wronged you, trust God that He will bring you justice, and that He will take care of the wrongs in this world people do, one way or the other.

There are happy endings sometimes when people wrong us, know it, admit it, accept responsibility, and seek to make ammends. Nothing wrong with praying for these outcomes, sometimes we cannot have those outcomes and sometimes those outcomes, we are better off without that person in our lives. Either way, we need to let God do His job. He's the ultimate teacher. He will convict those who need convicted, teach people the lessons they need to learn, punish those who do wrong, forgive those who confess their wrongs, but even then we will have to accept the natural consequences.

Learn the lessons God wants to teach you. He taught me a valuable lesson this morning, worry about myself and the lessons I need to learn, and let Him handle others. He don't need my help. God will take care of everyone in His Time, His Way, and according to His will.

Psalm 103:6(NIV)

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed

Blame Shift

2011-05-02T11:21:00.004-04:00

Blame Shift

In Exodus 32 in the Old Testament of the Bible, while Moses went to talk to God up on the Mountain, we have the story of the Golden Calf. Moses was gone awhile, and the people got restless and came to Aaron and wanted to make them a God. So Aaron told them to bring all their gold to him and He fashioned a Golden Calf out of all the gold they brought.

God knew what was happening so He sent Moses down off the mountain to deal with it. He was furious at what the people were doing, Dancing and partying around this Idol God. The Bible said he burned with Anger and he want to Aaron and this is what Aaron said:

22 “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. 23 They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ 24 So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” (Ex 32:22-24)

Do you see what Aaron did? He shifted blame on the people and did not accept responsibility for his actions. He could have told the people to wait on the Lord and corrected them, but instead He gave into their wishes and then when confronted blamed them.

Sounds familiar doesn't it. Not many people want to accept responsibility for their actions these days. It's so much easier to blame others for our mistakes, problems, and decisions. We blame our parents, our friends, our children, our spouse. We blame the government, our employer, our school. We blame God.

Truth is truth. When we make mistakes, poor choices, bad decisions, lie, treat people bad, steal, swear, use people, are selfish, and do wrong, it's OUR FAULT. We all have ultimate control over our feelings, choices, decisions, and life.

People may die, we may grow up poor, we might have been abused, we maybe have been wronged, or missed a break or two, but ultimately, our attitude, mindset, feelings, and emotions dicate what we do, how we act, and how we treat others. One WE can be accountable for our own actions, no other person, place, or event.

Bad things happening to us is no excuse to give up, throw in the towel, fall apart, become bitter, resentful, or horrible to be around. If that was the case, we'd all have an excuse to be and do evil.

As long as you constantly blame others for your behavior, faults, problems, and attitude you will never overcome anything. You especially will not allow God to work in your life if you always blame shift and never own up.

None of us is exempt from mistakes, bad choices, or problems, but being human some of those things are our own fault. We screw up, we err, we have a bad day, we sin, we fall short, or we let the situation get the best of us. Best thing to do is own up, accept responsibility, be honest, and learn from it and move on. Most of all allow God to work in your life in whatever situation it might be.

Do not be like Aaron and join in on the wrong and then blame shift.

Proverbs 19:1(NIV)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse

One Hit Wonder

2011-04-25T09:17:00.005-04:00

One Hit Wonder

VH1 has tv show's dedicated to them, there are cd's dedicated to them, even in different decades. They are artists/bands that only had one good song, and were never heard of again?

"Oh Micky, your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind, Hey Mickey?" Remember who sung that song? Me either? Or anything else they ever sung. Did Vanilla Ice every have another Hit besides Ice Ice Baby? I don't know either?

I don't know the reasons, but for whatever reason, these musical artists didn't last or make it past their hit song? Well it reminds me of Easter. People come to church once for Easter(or insert Christmas here too) and you never see them again? Maybe they go because their mom or wife or in-laws guilted them to go, or they are in town visiting family and had to go out of respect for them.

My bigger issue is that there are people out there, that are totally content in going to church once or twice a year. Like christianity or God is an annual event that you go watch once a year like the superbowl or Grammy's?

God is not a God who wants our church attendance. We are not doing God a favor by coming to church once a year, or even once a week. Yet many have this attitude about God. We go to church to GIVE God worship, not get props for being there. Going to church is about something bigger, being a part of God's body as a whole. We go there to worship God, serve Him, and join with others in worship.

Sure, we can go and worship God in song, we can take communion to remember His death on the cross for our sins, hopefully we can hear a sermon that teaches us, challenges us, equips us, and convicts us depending on what we need that day, but the bigger picture is that we are part of something bigger. We go to church to worship God in various ways and to be a part of His Body. His church.

I think it's great that churches invest so much energy in Easter Sunday. it's a great opportunity to share Jesus with people who normally don't hear the message. Maybe that one Sunday there, may open up a door for them to hear or see something that makes them think, challenges their heart, or makes them wonder maybe life was meant for something more? I think churches need to make a big deal every week myself! Every Sunday is important, let alone every day of our lives!

I don't want to be a one hit wonder. There is more to this life than just attending church on Easter or Christmas. There is more to God than just putting on nice clothes and enjoying a choir special. God created you with purpose. He created you for a relationship with Him.

God did not create us to just attend a church service once a year or once a week. He created us to have a relationship with us. In having a relationship we become a part of His body or family that is the church. God did not create us to be there once and disappear and never be heard from again. God created us to thrive, to grow, to serve, with purpose, with value, and most of all for eternity.

We spend so much time trying to find purpose and value in earthly relationships, partying, hobbies, happiness, success, and you name it, but the bottom line is, you will never have peace, never be fulfilled, and never know true relationship and purpose until you get serious about seeking God.

Do not be a one Hit wonder, God has so much more to offer you and your family, than just one church service a year. Give Him a chance,you won't regret it. Let your life matter.

Do not be a person who just goes to church once a week out of duty or obligation. Enjoy being a Christian and worshipping God. If you're not happy at church, maybe you're the problem? Or maybe you need to start letting God use you to help the church? Or maybe you need to find a new church? I don't know, but I know God created us to worship Him and be a part of His church. Make a difference for God.

No one remembers one Hit wonders, but they do remember those that last. Like Elvis, The Beatles, George Straight, Stevie Wonder, or Johnny Cash. Artists that have had hits for decades, and some that have died, and their music has outlived them.

That's the type of christians and people we should want to be: our lives, our service, and our love for God outlives us, though we will go and live for eternity in Heaven.

Go to church, Be the church, Worship God, Serve God, and let God of Wonders be the One.

3 John 1:3 (NIV)

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.

Stereotypes

2011-04-18T09:10:00.003-04:00

Stereotypes

It's very easy for people to come up with stereotypes for church or christianity isn't it? Think about it. You get treated bad by a christian, and you say all christians are bad. You went to church with your grandma when you were little and it was all old people, boring, and was the white church with the big steeple, and you say all churches are for old people. boring, and the same. It's very easy for us to stereotype things and in doing that we dismiss them.

While some stereotypes may be true in life, most are not. It's not fair to do that to people, places, and especially a faith. I mean, I could go out and be rude to someone and treat them bad and would be it be fair for a person to say all men are rude, all white guys are rude, all guys name Jason are rude, all guys from WV are rude, and all guys that are good looking are rude? Ok, maybe not the good looking, but you can see how stereotyping something or someone based on one experience is not only not fair it's not accurate.

True, there are some people out there that call themselves christians, but do not act like it, just surf the web and check out those whacko's from Westboro Baptist in Kansas(http://www.godhatesfags.com/) who hate gays and protest soldiers funerals. Do you think they give the church and christianity a bad name? YES! But, they do not represent Christianity or the God I know, love, and serve? NO! It's not fair to God and the church to judge them based on people and places like this group of delusional people, doing wrong in God's name and abusing the church.

True, there are churches out there that are dying, out of touch, legalistic, self-centered, and doing the same things the same way for 100 years and they are dying because they refuse to change. They are not relevent, they are not reaching lost people, or discipling members. However, there are thousands of churches out there that are reaching lost people, growing, and discipling it's members. There is a church out there somewhere than can and will meet your needs and help you grow in your faith!

I want to challenge you this morning. If you do not go to church because you had a bad experience with a church or a christian in the past, stop using that as an excuse not to go to church or become a christian. We all have bad experiences in life, but we can't let those stop us. If I have a bad experience at a restaurant, I may stop eating at that particular restaurant, but I'm not going to boycott all restaurants based on that one bad experience at that particular store. That would be stupid. Do not do that with God or His church.

I promise you, if you look with sincerity, you will meet great christian people and you can find a church that isn't boring, fake, dull, or full of hypocrites. Yes, they are some bad churches and bad christians, but not all of them. It's like anything, there is always a few bad, but there are way more good, if you will only look for them and not let your bad experience judge your search.

I know that you or I would not want to be lumped into a negative, false, or bad stereotype that wasn't true about us, and I don't believe God nor His true church wants that stereoytpe either. Unfortunately, because we are human, we live in a world where some people who proclaim Christianity, don't live up to the name, and we live in world, where some churches, stopped being the true church a long time ago for various reasons? I can't always live up to my christian faith, and if we were honest with ourselves, we know no matter how hard we try, we sometimes make mistakes and fall short.

The important thing is that each of us know God in a personal way and make a commitment to Him and that we serve Him through His church. We need God and we need His church. People think you can have a relationship wtih God without His church and you cannot. But, we also need to understand not every church out there that claims to be a church is being the church. Therefore, we must search for where God want us and use wisdom and discernment.

Do not label all christians bad and do not label all churches bad. Stereotypes are bad. Seek the truth, don't let bad experiences keep you from knowing God and serving Him through His church!

John 7:24(NIV)

Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

Mold

2011-04-11T09:05:00.004-04:00

MOLD

I know your first thought is gross, lol. I'm not talking about mold on leftovers forgotten about in the fridge or mold on the loaf of bread in your cabinet. I'm talking about molding and shaping.

What is your life molded from? How are you shaped? You've heard it said, when they made "fill in the blank" they broke the mold. Or that person is from the same mold as His father or mother.

Things in life mold us and shape up. Our families, our surroundings, our experiences, and our choices, all mold and shape us.

However, what we really need to be molded after is Jesus. Our goal should be to be like Jesus. I'm not saying, we can't pick up positive traits from our parents or others, but ultimately, our life should reflect Christ, if we are serious about our faith. Unfortanutely, we also can pick up negative and bad traits from others and life choices and experiences.

Some christian people they mold and shape their faith after their church, after their religious practices, or their traditions. Those things are not Jesus. Some people are so proud to be baptist, or legalistic, or traditional, or set in their ways. They boast and brag. These things aren't molds God wants for us. Jesus came to give us freedom, to liberate us, and to give us a model. He wanted to destroy religion and traditions that people make of God. Our mold should be after God and God alone.

Also, in the world, we mold ourself in so many negative ways. We are over-opinionated, pushy, moody, domineering, selfish, like our way, etc...we are all guilty of this, including me. These practices are not good ways to mold and shape our lives. All they do is cause us conflict, drama, and push people away from us and make it hard to have healthy relationships with anyone, including God.

We need to ALLOW God personal access to our lives from the inside out. Then slowly over time, God molds and shapes our lives. We are like Clay in His hands and He begins to change us. He can change our attitudes, our habits, our personalities, our motives, and most of all our lives. God can do anything He wants to do, but He can only work in our lives if we allow Him. God will never force himself, but if we allow Him, he can mold and shape us into the person He created us to be.

If you are an artist and create something, you understand it takes time. It takes time to paint a portait, create a sculpture, write a song, or make something by hand. God is our artist. He is our creator. He wants to take us in His hands and mold us. shape us.

My prayer for you and me, is that whatever areas of our lives, we are not giving to God, maybe all? We will hand over to God and allow Him to mold us. We need His handy work in our lives if we are going to grow in our faith and do great things for Him. Give yourself to God, allow Him to work in ALL areas of your life and grow you, change you, shape you, and mold you.

Isaiah 64:8(NIV)

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Do Not Assume

2011-04-04T09:20:00.003-04:00

Do Not Assume

I don't have to tell you what assuming does to you and me. It is very easy to make assumptions about circumstances and people without really knowing the truth, facts, or what's really going on. I have been guilty of it we all have did it I am sure.

So many times we look at someone's situation or lives and we think we know what the are going through or their situation and we judge them unfairly. We look at how a kid acts and we assume their parents aren't good parents, when you don't live with or raise the kid on a daily basis. You might not know they have some issues and the parents have tried everything to control them. Or you look at a woman married to a man and you don't understand why she stays with him, he's a cheat, a perv, and mean. Yet, maybe the woman is afraid,or feels trapped, or is threatened if she leaves?

We don't know people's circumstances. When gossip and rumors get out in town or at church about someone, it's very easy to think we know it all, because of what we heard, but many times, what actual reality and truth is, is very different than what we hear or think we know.

You don't know whta it's like to live in someone else's house, walk in their shoes, or be in their circumstance, so it's not fair or right of us to assume, judge, or condemn them. We have no idea how we would handle, react, or respond if we were in that given situation or dealing with those issues. It's very easy to talk about how we'd handle something, as long as we are not in it. It's totally different when you are living it.

My encouragement this morning is this. Stop assuming you know every situation. Don't judge someone because you think you know their situation or problem. If you haven't lived it or experienced it, you don't know it. And in most cases we never truly have all the facts.

I have been very guilty of making assumptions and judgements of people and their problems or circumstances based on my thinking I know, but not really knowing, and I want to change that.

If you don't know about a person or their situation, then don't say anything or act like you know. If a friend or family member comes to you with issues, then listen, give advice or counsel when asked, and don't assume or judge if you don't know. If required be supportive, if required be honest and truthful if they need to hear it, but only about facts and reality, not assumptions.

We all have opinions, some of us more than others. We think we know it all, but let's be real honest, if we haven't lived it, experienced it, or been through it, kind of hard to know it. And if we got stuff in our lives we aren't dealing with, kind or hard to tell someone what they need to do in their lives.

It reminds me of the simple lesson Jesus tried to teach in Matthew 7. We need to worry about ourselves and get ourselves together, then we can worry about someone else.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5(NIV)

Let's get the plank ourt of our eyes, then we can help others with their speck, but if you don't know the speck, don't assume you do.

Childish

2011-03-28T09:44:00.004-04:00

Childish

There are two types of childish behavior at work here in our lives. One is positive and the other negative.

When we are children, we learn and grow, physically and mentally. However, some children learn good behavior and habits, while others learn bad behavior and habits. Some grow and mature, while some grow more immature.

When it comes to our personal faith. God wants us to have the attitude and purity of a child, while at the same time not being childish? Does that make sense?

Read these two verses below and see if that helps?

1 Corinthians 14:20 "Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults."

Matthew 18:3"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Some people grow into adults but never fully mature. They are immature, act childish, behave childish, and because of their behaviors and atttitudes they seem to stay in trouble, cause conflict, and hurt others. You know anyone like that? Got them in your family?

However, on the flip side of that, though God wants us to mature in our faith, he wants us to maintain a child-like faith, which is of innocence, purity, and unconditional love.

There are people out there that will never grow in their faith because they refuse to mature and grow and act like an adult. Then there are those who grow and mature deeply because they work on staying pure at heart and keeping themselves innocent of sinful behaviors and surroundings.

Being mature means treating people with respect, not retaliating when someone hurts you, treating others how you want to be treated, and not accusing people falsely, and accepting responsibility for yourself and your actions. Being immature means being disrespectful, causing drama, trying to hurt others even if you don't have all the fact, and treating others badly out of your own selfishness.

Being Child-like faith is striving to have a pure heart. Doing things like praying daily and reading your bible regularly and being involved in bible studies and serving God and reading christian books and listening to christian music and things like this that will help you meditate and stay pure. It's protecting your innocence by avoiding things that cause you to be tempted, to lust, to cheat, and to hurt others.

We must grow and mature in our faith as we physically age and grow older. And the older we become the more we should grow in our faith. Which means we become more knowledgeable of God's word and will, we improve in areas of our lives where we are weak, we hone our spiritual talents and gifts and use them for God's kingdom. Our life becomes less about us and our wants and more about God and His needs. The more we grow in our faith the less judgemental we should be, the more wisdom and discernment we should have, and the more we make a positive difference in the world for God.

At the same time we are aging and hopefully maturing and growing in our faith we become more child-like in our faith. That simply means that God wants us to keep an attitude of purity and innocence like a child. Seeing the good in others, learning to share, avoiding things that corrupt our hearts and minds.

God is our spiritual father, we are His children. I hope we all can learn to have child-like faith, while the same time learning to grow and mature in our faith.

Realistic VS Legalistic

2011-03-18T14:42:00.009-04:00

Realistic VS Legalistic

Are you being realistic in your faith or legalistic? Legalistic is defined as: the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.

Realistic is defined as: interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical. So again, I ask how you in your personal faith in God?

I want you to Look at 3 scenario's and be objective:

1. Which christian does more harm, one who drinks alcohol(wine/beer) socially, in moderdation, or rare occasions (not getting drunk) or a christian who gossips regularly and often?

2. Which christian does more harm, one who was led to Christ by reading the (NLT) New Living translation of the Bible or one who condenms every translation except one or condemns anyone who reads any other translation other than the one they think is the only one?(typically the King James Version).

3. Which christian does more harm, one who fellowships and accepts other christians of other denominations or those who believe different than them on certains biblical issues or the one who thinks their church is the only church going to heaven and you are only a christian if you got to "their" church?

These are only 3 scenario's, I could write several others but for space/time reasons I won't. My point today is, there are many judgemental, narrow-minded, ignorant, set in their ways, and uneducated, maybe even some well-meaning christians out there, who are doing more harm than good. They condemn certain behaviors or people or groups, while their own behavior or attitude is really more harmful to themselves, others, and God. PLEASE UNDERSTAND I am not endorsing or promoting drinking, every bible translation, or even every group that calls themselves a church, but we need to be realistic and objective, that sometimes we fight the wrong battles, focus on the wrong things, and many people do more harm than good. Also, we need to keep in mind that we all have indiviual freedom, convictions, and preferences in certain areas of our faith.

Let's look closely at these 3 scenarios:
First, scripture is clear on getting drunk and drunkeness being a sin (Luke 21:34, Romans 13:13, I Cor. 6:10, Prov. 20:1 & 23:20-their are several other scriptures as well), however, scripture also teaches us (whether we like it or not), that Jesus did indeed drink wine (Luke 7:33-35 and John 2-water into wine-he accepted others drinking wine) and Jesus clearly didn't condemn alcohol use, but scipture does condemn mis-use, abuse, and lack of self-control of alcohol. Alcohol isn't the bad guy, it's the people who use it excess or abuse it. Sort of like people who abuse authority, food, or other things out of their intended boundaries. However, gossip is always wrong. There is not place in the bible where gossip is ok in moderation, on occasion, or in social settings. Gossip is ALWAYS wrong. (prov 11:13, 16:28, 18:8, Romans 1:29, 2 Cor. 12:20) However, many churches are full of "christians" who gossip on a daily basis and nothing is said, but you hear or see a "christian" drinking a beer at a restaurant or see a picture on facebook of someone having a glass of wine at a social gathering and we automatically condemn them as being a hypocrite, sinner, or evil? But we look the other way at our church full of gossips, dividers, and slanderers?

I think it's honorable if people choose to abstain from alcohol, certain foods, or certain hobbies, or practices, but we must be very very careful to not bind our own personal convictions on everyone else(Go Read Romans 14, esp 14:22) especially when scripture doesn't back it up, and again I'm just using alcohol and gossip as examples. Don't miss the forest for the trees.

Secondly, the word version or translations is pretty self-explanitory to me. It means it's a version of the original or a translation of the original text. Not every tranlation or version is a good one, but not everyone is a bad one. Many people have come to Christ and have grown in their faith and even preached and taught others with the King James, New King James, New International Version, New Living Translation, American Standard, Revised Standard, and the Message to name a few. Who is more Christ-like? One who shares the word of God and reads it and does what it says or one who is dogmatic, negative, judgemental in saying there is only ONE translation and the rest are uninspired, evil, perverted, or wrong? Heaven will be a small place if only people who read one version go there. (Eph 5:6-empty words, 2 Tim 2:24 false teachers, Hebrews 4:12-God's word). Sometimes translations improve the original texts, and changing words, doesn't always mean changed meanings. Wy is translating the orignial texts into today's language so evil? If we found another ancient writing today, would we not translate it in today's language or would be go back to 1600 Shakespeare old english? Jesus did not speak old english folks. Which is realistic and which is legalistic?

Thirdly, there are many denominations, non-denominational, established, and independent churches out there, there are many branches of different movements. I agree there is only ONE church, but that church is GOD's church, not a certain denomination or non-denominational group. The church is the BODY of Christ. HE is the head and we are all a part in that body.

We may attend the Baptist, methodist, church of Christ, Presbyterian, or community churches, but we all can be a part of HIS church. Are there churches or certain religous groups out there that aren't teaching the bible correctly? Yes. Are there churches out there that started for the wrong reasons? Yes. Is there a church (group) out there that's doing everything correctly? No. No church whether denomination or not, is doing everything correctly, or has all the answers. If there was, then Jesus died in vain. Do we all have to agree with every topic, issue, or doctrine out there? No. Do I have to have the same belief about speaking in tongues, the end of times, baptism, or grace to consider you my brother or sister? I shouldn't, but many people do. They judge someone a christian or not based on whether they agree with them and where they go to church.

I don't agree with a lot of peoples views and I certainly don't agree with every denomination or doctrine out there, and many wont' agree with me today, but that doesn't give me a right or authority to condemn every christian who doesn't agree with me or doesn't go to the same church I do. When we do that, we limit God, put Him in a Box, and make salvation about being in the right group or right set or rules and not about what Jesus did. Jesus condemned this type of behavior (read the Matt, Mark, Luke, & John and Jesus words to the Religous leaders and Pharisees. Paul fought legalism too, read Acts). Jesus came to FREE us from religion, rules, and legalism, by enabling us to have a relationship with him. Why do we want to make being a christian, going to church, and being saved so hard for people?

Are there some churches and christians out there mis-informed? Yes. Are there some things I believe that are probably wrong? Yes. That is why it's important for us to talk to God daily, read and study our bibles, and contine to grow in our faith. Many churches are known for what they are against instead of what they are for. Many christians push people away and turn people off from God and the church because they are arrogant, argumentative, pushy, and judgemental. You are not going to lead too many people to Christ with those types of attitudes. Does that mean you have to agree with everyone or be comfortable in every type of church? No. Go to church and serve where you feel led, but don't condemn another church, worship style, preference, or christian just because it doesn't match up with the way you were raised, taught, or even feel. (Romans 14:1, John 3:17, Romans 15:7, Gal 2:21, Eph 2:8-there are many other scriptures)

We need to be REAListic not LEGAListic. Our salvation comes from God, not our own smarts.

Our relationship of faith in God is up to us, not others. We will answer to God, not someone else and not our church group or personal opinions. I believe in absolutes, I believe in boundaries, right and wrong, and sin. But, I also believe in personal freedom/choice, grace, preferences, and common sense. What is wrong for you, might not be wrong for me, but I am also to exercise wisdom and discernment. Sometimes things are better for us not to do or say, not because they are a sin or wrong, but because it may offend or hurt someone else or even hurt the church.

Sometimes we might not agree with someone over bible translations, worship music, or even doctrinal issues, or personal choicies, but we can agree that Jesus died for us, he loves us, and His grace covers our sins if we repent. We make things issues that I believe God never intended for them to be issues, but when you mix human beings that are sinful by nature an not perfect, things get complicated.

God wants us to have freedom in Him, that's realistic. God doesnt want us being legalistic and limiting His love, power, and grace. No matter your views, opinions, preferences, or even beliefs, be careful to get the plank(Matt 7:3-5) out of our eyes first.

We may never drink alcohol, but we gossip constantly. We may only use the King James, but we never use it like the person who uses their NIV everyday and shares their faith. Or what about ther person who prays and fellowships with people of other denominations, while one person has nothing to do with anyone other than "their own" churches. Who is making a bigger difference?

I don't have all the answers, you may not agree with some of the things I said today, well good news, you don't have to. I'm at a place in my walk with God where I'm not going to let people, churches, or anything dictate how I live, believe, feel, or serve.

I want my life to reflect my relationship with God and that's as REAL as it gets. I want God to use me to give others FREEDOM in Him. WE need to stop being so legalistic in our religion and start being more realistic in our faith. I encourage you to search the scriptures, pray, and study on your own, don't take my word for it, take God's.

John 8:36

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Give Up

2011-03-14T09:02:00.003-04:00

GIVE UP

It's easy to give up isn't it? It's alot easier to throw in the towel, stop trying, and not make any effort. Why do you think so many people don't change their lifestyle, habits, or situations? Because they give up. People don't stop smoking, lose weight, fix their marriage, or better parent their children because it's easier to ignore, look the other way, live in denial, or just simply give up.

However when you give up that way, your problems never give up, they continue and continue and they get worse, deteriorate, and pile up.

I've been there, I am there. It's easy to give up on ourselves and our problems. Well I am telling you today to GIVE UP, but I am not talking about this kind of giving up, I am telling you to GIVE UP your problems to God.

That's a totally different type of giving up. When you GIVE UP your problems to God, you are saying my problems or issue or struggle is too big for me to handle on my own, I need help, I can't do it alone. Until you get to this point, then things aren't going to change. Well they will change, but only for the worse.

God wants us to give up control of our lives and situations to Him. God alone is the answer. Now, I am not saying God wants us to just dump our stuff in His lap and we are done. We have t0 accept responsibility for our actions if we've caused the problem(s) in our lives. And God also expects us to take ownership of our lives. Also, when we give up things to God, we are giving Him permission to come and work in our lives and our situation, whatever it is. We give up control of trying to fix it, however, God really wants us to partner with Him. He desires us to make an effort to learn, grow, mature, and deepen our faith in Him as He works in our lives and situation.

The more we GIVE UP to God the more He is in control. The more control He has in our lives, the more He can and will do. Giving Up to God is totall surrender of our will, but it also requires us to do our part. To pray, to study, to be obedient, and depending on the situation it will require us to do part of the work. It may mean God requiring us to confront someone, it may mean us changing habits, or friends, or jobs? It may mean we develop new attitudes, or attributes? I don't know what it means for you or me,it depends on our situation, problem, or issue. Whatever it means, we must totally surrender ourselves to God and then ALLOW Him to work in our lives.

Surrending to God is giving Him control, but it's not giving up on ourselves or our responsibility to respond to God's leading. If we GIVE UP things to God it still will require us to work, obey, make effort, and change. The more we GIVE UP to God the more He is able to work in our lives and our situations, but GIVING UP to God is not GIVING UP as stop trying or being defeated.

Giving UP to God is actively realizing we can't do it alone and we NEED God in ALL things, not just the good times and not just for our wishes and wants. God is a God of TOTAL relationship.

He wants to be in our ENTIRE lives, but will only be in our lives when INVITED.

GIVE UP yourself and your problems, struggles, issues, and situations to God today and let Him lead and guide you through them and see how they change or maybe how you change. When you can't do it, and when things seem hopeless, God ALWAYS can according to His Will and His time and through it, as we give up to God, He will grow us, heal us, mature us, and help us. He always knows what we need and what is best for us, and though it may not always be popular, comfortable, or what we want or how we want it, we can have peace, when we GIVE UP to God we are doing what is best.

Psalm 79:9Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

Know it All

2011-03-07T08:59:00.004-05:00

Know It All

We know there is no shortage of people with opinions about our lives, how we should live, what we should do, how we should handle situations. The problem is however, that it's very easy to give advice or know how to respond to a situation when you are not the one living it.

It also very easy to have an opinion when you don't know all the facts or haven't experienced what the person is going through. For instance, It's easy for me to tell someone to stay married to an abusive spouse, when I don't know what that is like. It's easy for someone to tell you to get a divorce when they've been divorced 5 times. I can't tell you I know how you feel when your dad dies, when my dad is still living. You can't give me good advice on my job when you've not worked there or had to deal with the things I've dealt with there.

However, we live in a society where people are heavy on advice and short on wisdom. I've been just as guilty. Someone will start sharing a problem with us, and before you know it we are pouring our advice on them, without taking the time to listen, maybe pray with them, or just pu ourselves in their shoes.

I've had people come to me with a relationship situation and I've been quick to say dump them, or get over it, well it's easy to say when you're not in it, but when you're in it, it's not so easy to just end a relatioship or even "get over it" so easy.

I think especially as those of us who call ourselves "Christians", we need to be quick to listen, and slow to speak (James 1:19). If we don't have an experience or know what someone is going through, we should be more careful about spewing out advice. We also need to gather facts before we form an opinion about someone or something.

Many times we are biased about our opinions because of our relationship with a person or our own past experiences as well. We must be careful not to taint our words because of our own mistakes or past hurts.

The truth is I don't know it all, you don't know it all, and only God knows it all. When we have issues or problems, we need to take them to God, but it's also a good idea for us to take our problems to trusted friends for Godly counsel, prayer, and advice, so we must choose wisely whom we share our problems with.

Or, if someone comes to you with a problem, then listen, pay attention, and only give advice when asked. Don't force your opinion on someone, especially if you don't know. We must be careful not to give bad advice, or better yet become judgemental or someone's situation that we do not know all the facts or the entire experience.

I do not know it all, you do not know it all. Let's be slower and wiser to start dishing out opinions and advice, and help others by listening and praying, and let's choose wisely who we go to for advice.

1 Peter 2:15(NIV)

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Ask

2011-02-28T09:59:00.003-05:00

ASK

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

It's hard to get help if you don't ask for it. Many people go through life battling addictions, struggles, problems, issues, and don't get help, because they don't ask.

Why? Well sometimes we are afraid. We don't want people to look down on us or judge us. Sometimes we are ashamed, because we feel like know one would understand. Sometimes we are embarrassed, other times it could be pride. We don't want to admit we need help or don't have the answers? There are many reasons people don't ask, but none of them are good.

We cannot get help with anything, if we aren't willing to ask. We have to remove the anxiety, fear, pride, or denial out of the way if we are ever going to overcome any challenge in our lives. Whether we have a personal struggle, addiction, problem, or issues because of someone else, we have to be willing to ask for help.

It may be asking a friend to pray for us, it may be asking a trusted friend for advice or counsel. It may be going and talking to a pastor, therapist, or counselor. It depends on your need and issue, but regardless, you can't get help until you ask. Most of all we need to ask God for direction and help. God is our ultimate source of help.

If we do not get help, many of us will become bitter, resentful, paranoid, judgemental, angry, depressed, jump to conclusions, defensive, isolate ourselves, push people away, and many other types of emotion, feelings, and actions if we do not seek the appropriate help at the right time.

ASK, SEEK, KNOCK. Go to God. Let God help you. Let Him lead you to other resources that you might need. Whether it's relationships, jobs, family, divorce, or death issues, or addictions such as, drugs, sex, or alcoholism, or anything in between that you cannot handle alone.

Get Help. Ask for Help. Half the battle is admitting you need help, the other half is asking for it.

Troubles

2011-02-21T09:16:00.003-05:00

TROUBLES

2 Corinthians 4:17(NIV)

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

It seems like life has no shortage of troubles, in my case, it seems like we have had more than our share of troubles the past year. The thing is we live in a world that's in trouble. We live in a world with troubled people, and therefore troubled people cause trouble.

Unfortunately, for us, we have to live with the troubles of others. At times, people may have to live with our troubles.

We can control some of the troubles in our lives, stop getting into trouble, stop being trouble, and stop causing trouble, and if we do our part, there will be less trouble. But, regardless of our part, we are still at times going to suffer at the hands of other people.

You are there with me aren't you? You have suffered because of a parent, a child, an ex-spouse, a co-worker, a sibling, a trusted friend? We've all been there in some form or fashion.

The key is not whether we are going to have trouble, but more when? We need to expect it, and prepare for it, but most of all we have to endure and overcome it. We can't control how other people act.

We can however, take our troubles to the Lord. God is bigger than any troubles we ever face, whether they are our own mess or something someone else has created. I understand it's very easy to get stressed, feel overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, wronged, and all those different feelings and emotions.

The key for me and you is to give those things to the Lord. To trust in His justice and care. God will protect, provide, and defend us in His time, His way, and according to His will. If our troubles are self-inflicted then our first step should be to accept ownership and repent. If it's at the hands of others, we mus t turn to God and allow Him to work in our lives.

No matter your troubles, give it to God. Trust Him. Wait for Him. And allow Him to work in the situation and during that time, we pray, we trust, we have faith, and we wait on the Lord.

Distractions

2011-02-14T10:10:00.003-05:00

Distractions

Psalm 41:6(NIV)

When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.

It's very easy in this world to be distracted by all the negative people in our lives. There are no shortage of people who are so hurt, angry, bitter, resentful, or selfish and they seem to want to take out their poison on others even those they are supposed to love and care about.

First, we need to avoid these types of people whether they are co-workers, related, or whatever. It's one thing for someone to have a bad day or weak moment, but it's another when people have a lifestyle of this negative behavior. If we are not careful it will be toxic in our lives and causes us damage.

We do not need these types of disctractions in our lives. They bring us down, keep us upset, cause constant turmoil and chaos, and is really unhealthy long term on our lives.

We can't always avoid distractions, but it's important that we are pro-active in allowing things in our lives to distract us from our spouses, our children, our careers, and especially our walk with God.

Satan is working 24/7 to create distractions in our lives so that we will take our eyes of God, disobey God, and become so busy or focused on anything other than god. Truth is however, that if we keep our focus on God, we will never be distractetd by negative people or things.

Life is too short, to waste our lives on distractions, especially those that are unhealthy. You cannot change anyone, they must change themselves. You cannot help those that aren't willing to help themselves. We must use wisdom in discerning when it's time to help and when it's time to avoid. When it's time to show patience and when it's time to walk away.

No matter what the distraction, we must strive to keep our eyes on God and allow God to work through us and to get us through whatever it is we face.

Don't be misled by Satan. He uses things, places, events, and especially people to distract us from the truth and what's right, and most of all God. Don't be fooled and don't be led astray. Most of all we've got to rid ourselves of distractions, so that we can focus on the life God wants us to live and the life He wants to give us.

Playing Games

2011-02-07T10:44:00.004-05:00

Playing Games

I recently preached on this theme at a youth service. The idea that we live in a world of entertainment and we play, participate, and watch a lot of games. Whether it's video games, board games, computer games, or athletics we play, watch, or watch on TV.

We love to be entertained. However, the problem is life isn't a game. There is no secret code to get extra lives, there is no do-overs, no reset button. This life is all we got. 1 life, 1 opportunity, 1 chance, and 1 lifetime to live.

Many people live their lives treating it as if it's a game. Living for nothing but self. Self-seeking, self-pleasure, self-medicating, and self-centered. Others live their lives not taking anything serious and treating life like it's a joke. While others who have entered a relationship with God realize that this life is only temporary and that we are preparing for an eternity. With that in mind it should motivate us to treat this life different.

It's very easy to go through life non-stop a 1oo miles an hour, work way too many hours, stay way too busy, and miss so much of life. People ruin marriages, ignore kids, and never relax chasing the almighty dollar. Others refuse to work, are lazy, expect handouts, and never do anything with their lives. Others, take, take, take, and never give. Some, go through life trying to find meaning in sex, drugs, alcohol, thrills, etc..and missing the purpose and meaning of why we were created. Some only live for now, never preparing for tomorrow.

I'm not sure what category you fit in, I'm sure there are more. No one enjoys laughter more than me. God wants us to enjoy our lives, but God never created us or this world for this to be our only joy. God wants us to enjoy a relationship with Him and He wants us to prepare and look forward to an enternity of Joy with Him in Heaven. We need to take our soul serious!

I pray that you won't play games with your soul. Don't risk eternity for temporary pleasures and gains. There is nothing in this world, that is worth that. No high, No amount of money, no pleasure, and no success in this world, is worth throwing away your soul and eternity.

Don't play games with your life. Use it wisely. Make the most of your time on this earth. Love others. Serve God. Learn, grow, and seek God. You can still enjoy this life and have fun, but include God. Center your life around Him, dont' try to fit him into your life or schedule. Fit your life and schedule around Him. Don't play games with your life. Find life in God.

Psalm 16:11

(NIV)You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Crippled

2011-01-31T08:58:00.004-05:00

Crippled

How many of us parents or grandparents would think of going to our kids or grandkids and breaking their legs causing them to become crippled? That's absurd, no one in their right mind who loves their children or grandchildren would ever think of doing such a horrible act.

Well, stick with me...We may not physically cripple our children, but if we are not careful we cripple them in many other ways. Here are some ways, that parents and grand-parents cripple their kids:
-Never Saying "NO"
-never allowing them to accept Responsibility for their actions/behavior
-letting them get by with disrespect, backtalk, etc....
-bailing them out when they get in trouble
-blaming others for things your kids do
-not teaching responsibility
-letting kids get by with lying, cheating, and dishonest behaviors
-Not being consistent in discipline
-punishments not fitting the crime(i.e.-small punishment for major wrong)
-never letting them fail
-giving them whatever they want
-enabling negative and bad behaviors

This is not an extensive list, I am sure we could add several more areas to this list. The point is, if we love our kids we will not purposely cripple them in life. No, we're not breaking their legs, but we are preparing them for a life of dissapointment. Because reality is when they get in the real world, they won't be able to function, because they won't be able to make it on their own. They won't have healthy relationships, because their expectations of others will be unrealistic.

When a child is raised spoiled, they enter into life expecting others to be at their beckon call. When children are raised with no discipline or boundaries they struggle in society because they lack structure. Why do you think there are so many dysfunctional people and so many ruined relationships out there?

If we love our kids, we will discipline them. If we love our kids we will tell them No. We will give them consequences, and we will do our best to be consistent, whether it's our children or grand-children. Children are a gift from God, and it's a big responsibility that God has given us. I also believe being a parent and a grandparent is a privilege not a right.

God disciplines those He loves(Hebrews 12:6) and He expects us to do the same with the children we are responsible for. We can make all the excuses in the world; we hate to see them upset, we hate to hurt their feelings, I want to be their best friend, or it's easier to just let things go. But, this is a life we are talking about. You only get one chance to raise a kid or grandkid.

God has high expectations for us. We should follow His model for how we parent. Do not cripple your children. Love them. Love them by telling them no, making them accept responsibility, by giving them consequences, by not tolerating negative or bad behavor, by not enabling them, and even when it's tough or inconvenient sticking with your guns. They will get over being mad, angry, and thinking your evil. Believe me at the time, I didn't like when my parents got onto me, but I am thankful they gave me guidance, rules, structure, consequences, and loved me enough to not cripple me for life.

Proverbs 19:18 (NIV)
"Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death."

GREEDY

2011-01-24T09:08:00.004-05:00

GREEDY

When I hear this word, maybe you think of Ebeneezer Scrooge? I tend to think of a spoiled child, because children are greedy by nature. They don't like to share. Children aren't born with the nature to share, they have to be taught to share. You ever wonder why your kid just won't willingly share as a toddler? But you have to start young teaching them to share.

Our sinful nature is GREEDY. We want it all. We want what is ours and we really want what is yours too. The sinful human nature is in direct conflict with the nature that God desires for us.

God wants His children to share. Share their gifts, their time, they resources, including finances for His glory, not ours. That's a tough concept for many of us to grasp, even those of us who maybe have been raised in church or even been a christian for awhile.

It is not that God wants us to be poor or not have anything, or God is selfish and wants to have everything. It's that God is trying to teach us and establish in us the gift of giving. That we are more blessed when we give, and that giving really has to do with attitude more than it does anything. And most of all God DESIRES to use us for His Glory!

God wants to create in us a spirit of unselishness and a heart for giving to others. God wants us to enjoy our gifts and things in this life, but He doesn't want our life to consist of what we have and what we can obtain as much as He wants our life to consist or enjoying the things we have and sharing them.

If you look at it, ALL we have is from God. Whatever materials blessings we have in this world, are directly from God, He is simply letting us use them. Just like any good parent who gets their child a gift, God wants us to not be selfish, but to share that gift with others.

You may be wealthy and have lots of money, God wants you to enjoy that blessing, but share it with others. You may have the gift of music or singing, God wants you to enjoy that gift, but use it for His glory as well. You may have the gift of compassion, or serving, or teaching, or whatever, no matter the gifts or blessings you have, do not keep them to yourself. Use them, enjoy them, but more importantly share them.

There is no room in Heaven for selfish people. Like most children who are stingy, greedy, and selfish, what happens? A good parent takes away the toy, disciplines the child, until they can learn to share. I think God works the same way, if we don't use our gifts for God and are selfish with them, I think God will take them.

Don't be a greedy, selfish, spoiled child with the gifts, talents, and resources God has blessed you with. Enjoy them, be thankful for them, but most of all share them!

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7(NIV)

Ignoramus

2011-01-14T13:14:00.003-05:00

Ignoramus

"An Ignorant person." Pretty self-explanatory. All these years, I thought that was a West Virginia word, turns out, it's real, or at least slang, to explain someone who is Igrorant.

Ignorant isn't always a negative word. I'm ignorant when it comes to rebuilding engines or doing plastic surgery, or any surgery for that matter, but sometimes Ignorance isn't so bliss.

Many times people should have no excuse for being an ignormaus, but for whatever reasons they refuse to change, learn, grow, or get educated.

Ignorance by defition is someone who is uninformed or has a lack of knowledge. But it's also someone who is uneducated. And sometimes our being uneducated or uniformed or not having knowledge is our own fault. Churches are dying, people are turned off to church, and God gets a bad rap because of people being christian and an ignoramus.

People preach, teach, and lead not out of wisdom, or maturity, or discernment, but ignorance. Instead of studying, investigating, researching, reading, and being open to the Holy Spirit, they base their faith and decisions on the way they were raised, the denomination they grew up in, the influences of other ignorant people, etc...I know that may sound harsh, but it's reality.

In my past I have been an ignoramus about certain issues and doctrines and beliefs because instead of learning, I believed what other people told me. Sometimes people are really good people, they are just misinformed themselves, and you can see how ignorance breeds ignorance.

However, if we seek the truth, God's will, and guidance from His holy spirit with effort on our parts, wisdom can breed wisdom, truth can breed truth, and common sense can breed common sense.

Being an ignoramus cannot be an excuse. We are responsible for our own faith and our own salvation. It's time we accept responsibility. In a world, where everyone blames others, or believes what they want to believe, or continues to breed ignorance. It's time for us to take responsibility for ourselves and learn, grow, read, study, pray, and seek, disover, and find real truth. Not legalism, not tradition, not the way i was raised, or what I like, or my preferences.

It's time we become educated, informed, knowledgeable, mature, wise, discerning, and truthful when it comes to God's word, His church, His will, and His plan and purpose for our lives. God can't use us, and we can't serve Him wholly when we are doing so out of ignorance. God deserves our best.

"Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. "

I Corinthians 15:34(NIV)

SIMPLE

2011-01-10T09:05:00.005-05:00

SIMPLE

"You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it."

Proverbs 8:5(NIV)

We try to complicate things in life sometimes. Make them harder than they have to be. Christian faith is no different. People try to complicate things. Maybe it's pride? ignorance? I don't know the reason, but many christians, churches, and pastors try to make becoming a Christian and being a Christian a lot more difficult than it has to be.

Living and growing a Christian life is not easy. It takes effort, time, discipline, study,etc...to grow your faith. I'm not trying to suggest being faithful is easy, but what I am suggesting is that we make coming to Christ, and being a Christian alot harder than it has to be, do to our human ego, error, or agendas.

Jesus is the son of God. God sent Jesus to be sin for us. To be the sacrifice for our sins. Only through Jesus can we be saved. The salvation process and knowing what God did for us is not that complicated. God gives us His word to explain to us how much He loves us, why He created us, and what He has to offer us. It is up to us to accept or reject. That is simple.

However, satan has used many a person and church to make being a christian too complicated. When churches and christians are constantly bickering, fighting, gossiping, and pushing issues they make salvation and christianity complicated. Christianity becomes about a cause, an issue, an agenda and not about a relationship with Jesus.

Human beings with the devil's help complicates faith. We begin making christianity about other things. You musts listen to this type of music in this way, you must read this bible version only, you must have this spiritual gift, you must believe in this end of times way, you must not believe in this, you gotta do this, can't do that....yadayadayada.....Do you see why we have so many denominations and churches and beliefs? Do you see why so many are turned off by the church and christianity? it's not God, it's us.

We need to ask ourselves before any issue. Is this a salvation issue? What that means is if I do this or don't do that or if I believe this or practice that is it going to change my salvation? Or the better question to ask ourselves is, Is this kingdom bearing? Which means, does this issue really matter in the big scheme of things? The most important thing we can know is God and Jesus and be saved by His blood. We must believe the Bible is inspired Word of God. We make A LOT of issues salvation issues and they are not, or we make them Kingdom bearing and they are not!

Whether you sing new songs or old songs, use a KJV or NKJV, whether you believe in the rapture or none, whether you beleive in singing with music or without, whether you think we are predestined or not, whether you believe in the gift of tongues or not, there are lots and lots of issues we can debate and debate til Jesus comes back, but then again some faith's don't believe He's coming back, because he's just a profit.

My point is, we've got to stop complicating what God intended to be simple. When we complicate things with all our beliefs, practices, opinions, and preferences, and make them law or doctrine, we make God and salvation out to be complicated. I believe this is what the Pharisees did in the bible, which is what Jesus and Paul and others fought against them for. They tried making serving God complicated with legalistic rules, rituals, and laws. Sound familiar? We do it today with all our little agendas.

We spend our whole faith trying to prove others wrong, or pushing our beliefs on people, or carrying on and arguing about stuff that is only hurting the church. Stop it. We need to get back to basics, to simple truth. God loves us. God sent Jesus for us. He wants a relationship with us. He wants to give us freedom. Stop complicating christianity. Stop worrying what everyone else is doing that's not what you like or prefer or think is wrong. Start focusing on what is right, what God is doing, and what God has to offer.

How different would our churches be, our ministries be, our witness be, if we'd stop complicating things and just stop and enjoy God and keep it simple.

Changes?

2011-01-03T09:57:00.003-05:00

Changes?

Or more of the same? Do we really want change or do we just like the idea of change? Churches claim they want to change and grow, yet when they hire a new Pastor, they seem to fight all the changes He wants to make, yet they hired Him to come in and help them grow and change.

We want changes in our physically, spirital, and mental lives, yet we are hardly willing to do what it takes to change. You can't just want to lose weight, you have to DO what it takes, exercise, lifestyle changes, better eating habits, etc...You can't just become a maturing growing christian, you have to DO what it takes, studying and reading God's word regularly, praying daily, attending church faithfully, and being involved in a sunday school, bible study, or small group where you can grow, and you have to serve.

Change is an action word, but it's just a word period if we don't allow it to do what it was born to do or we do not back up the word with OUR action. We must act if we truly want change. If you want change in your life, then do whatever it takes to bring it about. If you want to be a better parent, husband, child, father, mother, wife, student, christian, employee, man, woman, pastor, or boss then start coming up with areas you need to work on and then work on them so that you can CHANGE.

You've heard it said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It's also been said that "nothing changes when nothing changes". If you want your church to change, you gotta let leaders lead and if you're a leader you got to be willing to lead, even when change is difficult. If you want change in your marriage, you can't wait for other partner to do all the work, you want your kids to change, then you gotta change as a parent. You want your work to change, then you change, or change jobs. Maybe you need to change jobs, change friends, or change your attitude in 2011?

I don't know what your life needs, but don't talk about change, unless you are willing to do what it takes to change, no matter what area of your life you are talking about. Change begins with you.

2 Corinthians 5:17(NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Prince of Peace

2010-12-27T14:57:00.004-05:00

Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6(NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I like Isaiah's description of the upcoming Messiah that would be coming. He gives many names, but one stands out to me: Prince of Peace!

Peace is for more than just hippies and anti-war protestors. I would think most people in their sane mind, would like to have peace. There is a peace that only God can bring to our lives. It cannot be found anywhere else. Only God!

The peace of God came in the form of Jesus Christ. The bible describes this as a peace that passes(KJV) or transcends(NIV) all understanding. Peace is one of the fruits of the spirit as well.

Jesus brought peace into the lives off all mankind by becoming our sin and providing a way for us to have HOPE that we can only get through Him. That hope of salvation gives us a peace that only be felt through a relationship with God.

There is nothing in this world, no substance, no relationship, no hobby, form of entertainment, drug, drink, or pleasure that can give you the peace that only comes from the Prince of Peace.

Peace of Mind, Peace of conscience, peace of spirit, peace. God can bring peace to your relationships, your job, your feelings, emotionals, and even your baggage, struggles, and problems.

Would you seek His peace today? Maybe you need to be reminded of it today? You can enjoy His peace everyday. Find rest in Him.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-21T14:12:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Well a lot has happened in my life since last Christmas. This time last year, I was ending my ministry in Huntingburg, Indiana at Central Christian Church and packing up to move back to West Virginia at the end of 2009. Well I got moved back and here I am a year later.

I left full-time ministry, but never leaving ministry and always open to returning to full-time ministry. I have been able to do some fill-in preaching and youth speaking periodically to keep from being totally rusty. I have been able to speak to a variety of churches in West Virginia.

Ofcourse, I was dating Cheryl last year and we got engaged in April and got married on June 18th. I just passed my 6 month anniversary and she hasn't left me yet, so, so far so good, haha. It has had its challenges for both of us, and we are still in transitation with all the things going on, but there is no doubt God brought us together and has blessed us.

We are still looking for a church home and trying to decide where we want to eventually reside. Please be in prayer for us in that. Currently we are living in Glenwood, in Cheryl's parents old house. The kids are liking their new schools. Lindsey turned 10 this fall and is in 4th grade at Ashton Elementary and is cheering for Ashton in little league basketball.
Josh is 14 and is in 9th grade at Hannan.

Josh was diganosed this summer with Asperger's syndrome ( a high functioning form of Autism) and we are currently looking into resources to best help Josh, because He is also ADHD along with some other issues, so please be in prayer for Josh as we try to best Help him.Josh killed his first "buck" deer this year, a 3 pointer on the first day of deer season, I wasn't as lucky, I harvested a doe, but we are enjoying eating our kill.

Cheryl quit her job at the accounting firm last month in hopes of finding a new job, so currently she is collecting unemployment and job hunting and being full-time mother and housewife until she finds employment. Please pray for her to find a job and if you know of anyone hiring accounting/office manager type people, please let me know. Cheryl also has been going to school online/part-time to try and work toward a CPA. I've been volunteering with the Hannan athletic boosters and doing some announcing for jr high basketball games at Hannan this winter.

This past May Cheryl's dad Johnny lost his 2 year battle with cancer. Also, her grandfather John, Sr. passed away in November, so the Barnett family has experienced alot of loss in 2010. Please continue to pray for their family, as some have had a difficult time dealing with the loss.

I know it seems there has been a lot of bad news this year, but there has been lots of good news. My dad retired the end of July, I got married, and I have been working at Jenkins Fenstermaker Law firm in Huntington, WV as a Courier.
My brother-in-law Tom got back in church. The Reds won their division and made the play-offs, so it's not all been bad, haha.

We are blessed and we are thankful this Christmas! Thank you for being our family and friends. I pray you all have a most blessed Christmas and a Great New Year in 2011.

Love to All,

Jason, Cheryl, Josh, and Lindsey

Agenda

2010-12-21T09:20:00.002-05:00

Agenda

Agenda by nature is typically what people use in meeting, as to go over different topics and issues to make sure they are covered. However, agenda is also what some people have which is an underlying plan.

I know it's hard to believe but not ever person out there in this world has pure, honest, and sincere motives, many of them have a hidden, personal, or selfish agenda. And even bigger heartache is that many people in church and church leadership have these hidden agendas.

Let me explain, some are well meaning, but they are still incorrect in their motives or plans. Many preacher's spend have their sermon's complaining about other pastors and churches, yet I'd bet most of them haven't even talked to them or stepped foot in their churches. There agenda is to tear down other churches and pastor's. It's one thing to condemn sin, but it's another to judge another pastor or churches methods because you don't agree with them.

Some churches and it's members spend their entire ministry trying to prove other churches wrong, claiming they are liberal, letting the world in, using instruments, using "rock n roll" music as they call it, or using a different version of the bible, or having programs or things that aren't old fashion enough.

Too many preachers and churches spend way too much time talking about others and not enough time talking about the love of God. Preach Jesus. Jesus confronted sin while He was on earth when it was appropriate, but most of Jesus ministry was healing, helping, and teaching.

We need to put our personal agendas aside. You can believe what you want about worship music, bible versions, church programs, and doctrinal opinions, but more people are known for what they are against than what they stand for.

Some churches or pastor's are only known for their views on homosexuality, government, eternal security, end of times, pre-destination, music, bible translations, and the list is endless of the topics and soap boxes we get on. I would rather be known for just simply preaching Jesus, loving people, and teaching people to know Jesus or grow in their faith.

I am not talking about having no standards, ignoring sin, or anything goes mentality, but I am also saying, we need to chill out and stop being so dogmatic, judgemental, and stop trying to hate, pressure, guilt, and dumb people into Heaven.

There is a reasons churches don't grow and people seem to always have animosity, turmoil, and drama in their ministries or churches, it's because they are focusing on the wrong things and many times with wrong motives.

We need church leaders to step up and stop these members in their churches with hidden agendas. We need our pulpits in our churches to stop beng platforms for our own personal agenda's on our favorite subject we are passionate about. Church members need to be trained, taught, led, and fed. They don't need to hear the same old same old every week about the same old soap box you are harping on because people don't preach and teach and agree with you.

Our agenda should be Jesus. Our goal should be to reach lost people, and disciple and help thosse who become and are christians mature and grow in their faith. We need to build up the church. We need Christians who read and study their bible, who pray daily, and who serve in the church using their gifts.

We cannot agree on every subject or topic. Not everyone is going to agree with our views, and not every church and pastor is going to teach, practice, or be how we think they should be, that doesn't always make them wrong, sinful, or an abomination. We can serve One God and still have one way to God through Jesus, He is the only way, however, our methods, programs, and even preferences and opinions can be different.

I don't always agree with my parents, my wife, or my kids, but they don't stop being my family and I don't stop loving them, and vice versa. I don't agree with many of the things in every church I visit, or every christian I am friends with, or every preacher I hear, but that doesn't keep me from calling them christian, fellowshipping with them, or getting something positive from them.

I know the road to God is narrow, but that doesn't mean our minds and beliefs have to be so narrow, that only people who agree with us can get to heaven. Drop your agenda and start preaching the love of Christ and see how you and your church may change.

Proverbs 16:2(NIV)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

Change your mind

2010-12-13T09:19:00.003-05:00

Change Your Mind

"There is never anything to change but our own perspective." Karen Casey

Karen Casey wrote a great little book called "Change your mind and your life will follow". It was a great read, I read it 3 times, but I really like the title of the book.

Really if you think about it, if you are going to make any change in your life it begins in your mind. You have to have an attitude to change, or you never will change a thing.

If you can't change your attitude, perception, mindset, or viewpoint, it's very difficult to make any changes, whether it's personal, spiritual, relational, or anything for that matter.

It's true, admitting you need to change it's half the battle. We get so stuck in a rut, a mindset, an attitude, that we have a hard time seeing that we need to change or that nothing is going to change until we do.

Churches are dying because people refuse to change. Relationships end because people refuse to change. Businesses close down because they refuse to change. People don't change for many reasons.

First, they don't see they need to change or a need for change? You know the old mentality if it's not broke don't fix it? Secondly, some don't change because they blameshift and say others need to change. Thirdly, some don't change because they are very self-unaware. Fourthly, some don't change out of fear or anxiety. I'm sure their are other reasons, but if we aren't willing to change, we can guarantee ourselves alot of heartache, problems, and unresolved battles and issues.

I think God expects us to change. Maturity is changing, progress is changing, growth is changing, healthy relationships is changing, grace is changing. God wants His church to constantly change in order to reach a rapidly changing world with his unchanging message. God wants His people to change so that we are better children, spouses, siblings, employees, and servants.

It's hard work, it's difficult to make changes when we are stubborn, set in our ways, narrow-minded, won't listen, live in denial, are comfortable, unaware, angry, scared, or have a bad attitude. But, we can overcome all these things with God's help. And God's help sometimes means asking others for help.

We can make changes, but we first have to change our minds. When we change our minds, our lives will follow.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Do you Hear what I Hear?

2010-12-06T09:43:00.004-05:00

Do you Hear what I Hear?

James 1:22-24 (NIV)
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

We like God to listen to us don't we? We go to God with your complaints, gripes, wants, desires, etc...and of course God's word tells us to ask, seek, and knock(Matt. 7:7-8) and we do. Nothing wrong with asking God for things, but my question is are we doing all the talking?

Do we take time to listen to God speak? Or are we doing all the talking? Do we take time to listen to what God has to say through prayer? His word? Worship? Others? God is constantly speaking to us. We may not hear an audible voice, but God is not always silent. There are times where God is silent, but that doesn't mean He never speaks to us, most cases it's because we fail to listen, or hear Him.

I am guilty of this, obviously, that's why I am writing about this subject today. Learning to listen is a skill we have to learn. Not only do we have to learn it, we have to discipline ourselves to listen, especially when there is distractions, noises etc...like stress, trauma, sin, tragedy, trials, problems, etc...

It's easy to not hear God when we instead listen to things that keep us from hearing God. It's easy to not hear God when we are busy doing all the talking. Take time to reflect, take time to ponder, take time to be quiet, and listen to God. Read His word and listen. Pray for a time and then stop and just listen.

God is speaking all around you and me. God has something to tell us. Maybe He wants to encourage you? Maybe He wants to comfort you? Maybe He wants to discipline you? Maybe He wants to give you some direction? Stop. Listen. Hear.

Takers

2010-11-29T09:42:00.003-05:00

Takers

You know these people? They take, take, take, and never give. They are spoiled children who take advantage of grandparents, use parents, and manipulate people to get what they want. They are employees, who dump off their responsiblities on other workers, or who work harder getting out of work than they do actually doing their job. They are spouses who marry people only to use them as a maid, a cook, and to wait on them hand and foot, and never give anything in return.

Takers are not good people. They use people, take advantage of people, manipulate people, and only care about themselves. What they want, how they feel, and what they can get out of it. They have an agenda, and the agenda is ME! They are people who use their kids for pawns in divorce, they fight over dead relatives belongings, and they use people who what they can get from them or what that person can do for them.

Takers are in the church as well. They go to church with the attitutude of getting not giving. They have an agenda, and want things the way they want them. They don't realize church is about GIVING God our worship and our service, not what we can get out of the church. Church is about giving, not getting, and being a christian is about giving, not getting.

We need to treat our spouse with mutual respect, not take, take, take, and never give. We need to teach our children and grandchildren that life is not always about our way, getting what we want, or always getting to do what we want, but that it's about giving as well. Being considerate, thoughtful, sharing, and having balance in our lives.

I'm not saying we should not give people stuff like gifts, or our time, or things, but what I am suggesting is we stop being selfish and stop allowing selfish behavior in others. Set boundaries, with people like this, or better yet, if all possible avoid relationships with people who are takers.

God is a giver, and wants us to be givers. He wants us to appreciate and respect others. Whether it's our parents, grandparents, children, co-workers, spouse, siblings, or friends. We cannot always take, take, take, and never expect to give. It's really about out attitude. We must develop or change our attitude to be more thoughtful of others feelings, resources, and position.

Stop using people, and start thinking about how you make others feel once in awhile. Stop being a taker and start giving something to this world for a change. Set some boundaries in your life with people, and do not enable them to be takers. Most importantly, give something to God. Allow God to work in your life and change your attitude so that you will be more of a giver and less of a taker. Or allow God to work in your life so you don't let people use you or take advantage of you.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.(NIV)

Righteousness

2010-11-23T10:32:00.002-05:00

Rightouesness

Psalm 9:8

"He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity."(NIV)

The word is interpreted from orignial greek and hebrew words meaning "rightways" or "rightwise". It's a word we don't use alot in today's society, but it's a word that holds great meaning for those of us who are not only believer's, but committed to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

God makes us right with Him. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, and only through Jesus' blood are our sins covered, and only through Jesus can we get to God, and only by Jesus are we saved.

There is no other way, no other religion or faith, no other means, for us to ever be right in God's eyes, except through HIS way, and that WAY is JESUS.

Today's world is full of confusion and dilusion. The world says, pick a religion. Any belief in God is safe. The world says I don't need to go to church to be a Christian, or all I have to do is go to church on Sunday mornings. People can say what they want, believe what they want, print what they want, and preach what the went, but the bottom line is it's God's way or No way.

God is RIGHT and He is RIGHTEOUSS and the only way me and you can be right is through Jesus Christ! But, that is a good thing! WE cannot serve enough, give enough, or be good enough to ever deserve God's mercy and grace. We only can receive it because God gives it freely.

Though it cost a greater price than we could ever pay, salvation is a free gift for you and me. You cannot earn you way to Heaven and you certainly can't plead igrnorance. God made a way for you to be right and we must either accept it or reject it.

Don't buy the lies that Satan plants in the world through media, through negative people, through confused or selfish people. You need Jesus! You need to develop and grow a committed relationship with Him. You need His church. You need His blood! You need His forgiveness! You need Him to make you right!

It is my prayer for you and me that we realize the great need we have and that is Jesus! I pray that we realize there is nothing we can do on our own to make us right with God. There is not enough money, not enough talent, and not enough resources for us to think we can make it on our own wisdom, wealth, or power. Do you know Jesus today?

Anger Management

2010-11-15T12:50:00.004-05:00

Anger Management

I need it, how about you? It's taken me a long time to realize I have anger issues. I don't hit and throw stuff, so I thought I'm not an angry person, but yet I've realized when you don't have control of your anger or angry emotions and you let it control you or how you talk or behave, then you do have a problem.

I get upset, raise my voice, and "vent" or "gripe", but really I'm taking out my anger vocally instead of hitting or throwing stuff. Everyone gets angry, nothing wrong with getting angry, at times we should be angry or get angry. If someone does you wrong, your children disrespect you, or you see someone mistreated, you should get angry. It's not a sin to get upset. However, the sin comes when the anger turns into something else. When it turns negative, unhealthy, or out of proportion to the cause, you might have a problem and you react in bad ways.

Mine went untreated for years and instead of having balance and dealing with things appropriately I let it continue unchecked and when you leave something unchecked, it doesn't get better or fix itself, it progresses and get's worse. Hence, my denial for so long that I had an anger problem. And because of that, I hurt people, or offend people, and people I care about.

Now, I don't write this blog a cured man today, but I write as someone who finally recognizes an area of my life where I struggle and am weak. I now have taken steps to work on my anger, no matter the cause of the anger. Sometimes I fall into old habits, some days i fall short, some days I battle, but now I am prepared because I first realize and accept I have an issue and secondly, I am reading, studying, and praying through it to help overcome it in my life.

An issue seldom just affects you, it affects everyone around you, spouse, siblings, children, parents, co-workers, church family, etc....no matter whether the issue is anger, lying, gossip, whatever.

Maybe you are like me today, you struggle with those ugly angry emotions. You want to vent, speak your mind, be blunt, maybe you want to cuss, throw things, or hit somebody. It's very easy to lose control, especially if you don't know or won't admit you struggle with it. Maybe today is the day, to admit you have a struggle and start taking steps in the right direction, whether it's anger, greed, dishonesty, worry, or whatever your struggle. Take it to God, get professional help if you need it, search the net, buy a book, or talk to a trusted freind.

Ephesians 4:26“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry"(NIV)

Gung Ho

2010-11-09T09:07:00.003-05:00

Gung Ho

Does those words get you excited? Are you pumped? Psyched? We use this term when we or someone is enthusiastic about something. Some people are lame until you mention something they enjoy and then all the sudden they transform and are all "gung ho" about it.

Or maybe you know people who go in phases with something. One week they are "gung ho" about learning to play an instrument and then next week they are "gung ho" about motorcycles.

Enthusiasm is a good thing, but it like anything else must have balance and boundaries or it will be out of control in an unhealthy way. People unfortunately get all "gung ho" about Jesus and the problem with being "gung ho" is it's temporary and doesn't last.

People start out all hot and heavy and want to do and learn and serve as much as they can in as short amount of time as they can, but the christian faith is a marathon not a sprint. When you approach this attitude with God or with anything, it usually leads to burn-out, giving up, or fading out, because things don't happen fast enough for you, or you can't hold your attention long enough and then you are on to your next big fad.

It's ok to be excited and enthusiastic about hobbies and relationships and especially your christian faith, but make sure your enthusiasm and excited is in balance and in check. It's easy to get excited about dating relationship and start off hot and heavy and once the newness wears off, the relationship dissolves because you or they lost their "gung ho", same thing with exercise or dieting, people want to lose weight and try to lose it in a week and they burn themselves out, you got to pace yourself and build up discipline and stamina, that is why so many give up after a few weeks on getting healthy.

What about church? What about your faith? People get saved and get all on fire for God, but they get frustrated because they seldom realize becoming a christian is only the beginning and it takes time to overcome bad habits, old lifestyles, and form new habits and adapt to a new lifestyle. It also takes a life time of commitment to learn and grow in God's Word and in your service to Him through the local church. People get frustrated or confused when the "warm and fuzzy" wears off and they are tempted or sin or fall short, and they start missing church and stop praying and stop reading the bible.

Check your enthusiasm at the door. Maintain balance and realistic perspective in all areas, especially your faith. Don't try to become Jesus in a day. One day at a time, one moment at a time. Learn, grow, mature, overcome, and endure.

I'll leave you with the words of Paul to the chruch in Corinth about fellow preacher Titus who was coming soon to visit them and take up a collection. He was excited about His work for God and for the church in Corinth. I hope you'll be "gung ho" about your faith, but make it last.

2 Corinthians 8:17 (NIV)

For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative

Opinins, Opinions

2010-11-01T08:45:00.003-04:00

Opinions

I don't have to repeat the saying about opinions for us all to know that we all have opinions. However, some of us are more opinionated than others, and yet even a few more are opinionated when not even asked for their opionion or advice.

I have to admit I am an opinionated person (i know your surprised!) and people are opinionated and like to give their advice on all sorts of things: religion, relationships, politics, jobs, life, etc....As human beings, we all have a right to our opinions, however opinions must not replace common sense, overstep boundaries, or become gospel truth if not backed by realistic facts.

The dictionary defines Opinion as a personal view, attitude, or apprasial. Or also, a belief or judgement that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. Opinions can be good. There are people I go to for their opinion and there are people who come to me for my opinion, but we must be careful that we don't push our advice on people, and I am guilty of that.

Opinions should be take them or leave them. Whether it is advice about dating, marriage, career, faith, hobbies, or anything, we must give our opinion and leave it up to the person to do with it as they please. We can't get upset or offended if someone doesn't agree with our opinion or see it our way. I've been guilty of this. (I know another shock!)

Honestly, sometimes the other person will need to learn the hard way if our opinions are correct, and then again sometimes they are better off not to take our advice because our opinion is wrong or tainted by our own bad experience. Think about it, most of our opinions we have in life are based on our past experiences.

For example, if someone in a church hurt you, then it's more than likely you are going to have a bad opinion or all churches and christians. If you were hurt by an ex-lover, you may think all men or women are evil. If you were raised a democrat, you will think all republicans are bad.

However, on the flip side of it, there is great joy in being able to have an opinion. If feels good to contribute something to a discussion if it's positive, or help someone who is need. The key to opinions just like anything is balance. We must maintain a healthy balance and perspective in our lives, or our opinions will be overbearing, unrealistic, false, or even can put a strain on our relationships with others.

I've learned this from personal experience. I'm striving to learn and grow and work on myself so that my opinions are realistic, healthy, and I'm not trying to push them on other people. We all have to learn to agree to disagree at some points in our lives, and also realize our opinions aren't always accurate, realistic, or true, they are simply just our view of things, sometimes that's good and sometimes that's bad.

I also want to strive to base my opinions from a Godly perspective and have my feelings and advice reflect that of God. I also want to be able to repent when I over-step boundaries or cross the line with my opinions with other people. Saying your wrong, or sorry, or admitting fault goes along way for people to respect you and your opinions. I hope it's a lesson we all can learn, and that's just my opinion.

Proverbs 18:2

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." (NIV)