Campin'

I got a chance to take my Sr. High students on a camping trip this past weekend to Patoka Lake State Park in Southern Indiana along with some other adults and it was a great time. It was hotter than the bottom of a active volcano, but despite the heat and humidity I think it was a great weekend.

We got to enjoy the outdoors, build relationships, go to the beach part of the lake and swim, and then go out on a pontoon boat and enjoy the lake and anchor out and do some swimming and floating.

I think everyone should get away from time to time and enjoy the outdoors with people you care about. I'm thankful for my time I had on the lake this weekend.

Death is for everyone

Michael Jackson

Farrah Fawcett

Ed McMahon

Billy Mays

Death is for Everyone

Within the past week we have seen a lot of news online, papers, and tv about the deaths of these celebrities. Billy Mays died yesterday of an apparent head injury from a plane ride. The most notable were Michael and Farrah both dying on the same day last Thursday and then this past Tuesday Ed McMahon died, which he was 86 and had serious health issues.

It seems Americans are very attracted and interested in Celebrity news, that is why there are so many entertainment websites, magazines, and tv shows, but especially when celebrities die, we cannot get enough of it. I have even caught myself being interested when certain people died like Tim Russert and Heath Ledger. I’m not sure why we are so attracted or interested when these celebrities die. We can call it a tragedy, a life cut short, sad, or whatever and every celebrity and their lifestyle and situations were different, but for whatever reasons we are drawn to their deaths.

The reality is that death is not a respecter or persons. In Acts 10:34 Peter reminds us that “God does not show favoritism” or as the King James puts it, “that God is no respecter of persons.” Being famous, rich, popular, or a celebrity does not keep you from facing your death whether timely or not. I’m not sure death is every timely for any of us, whether it’s expected or not. Research has shown 1 out of 1 dies. It’s a fact, reality. We are all going to die. The only exception is if we live long enough for Jesus’ return.

People die every day and it may not get the headlines of Farrah or the publicity of Michael Jackson, but one stat I came across today said that every minute 108 people die in the world. Regardless of how often or how many die, the point is death is not avoidable. We can eat healthy, avoid germs, get face lifts, and tummy tucks, and exercise, and we’re still going to die. Happy Monday, haha. God wants us to take care of ourselves and not hurry our deaths, but my point is, death is something that is coming whether by accident, disease, unexpected, fat or thin, young or old.

The most important question for us to really be asking ourselves is are we ready to die? Are we preparing for what is to come? I’ve heard it said and I say it often , how we live everyday determines our destiny. If we believe in God and believe there is a heaven and a hell. Believing in them are not enough, we must act upon what we know to be true. If we believe in God and believe in eternity, we must choose to act on our belief in God and not only seek Him, but allow Him to come into our lives, and follow His plan for salvation and take that commitment serious. Then everyday of our lives we must learn, grow, develop, make an effort, and mature in our faith. Our goal shouldn’t be to not go to hell, but to get to heaven to be in the presence of God. Sometimes I think people think just believing is enough and it’s not. Sometimes I think people go to church or become Christians because they don’t want to go to hell. No one wants to go to hell, but that shouldn’t be our motivation. Our motivation should be our love and commitment to God.

God has defeated death, hell, and sin through His son Jesus. The victory has been won. The price has been paid. The offer is still standing. Accept Jesus and be faithful and live beyond physical death. Die to the world, but live forever with God. Or live your life only for yourself and this world and die twice. Die physically and spiritually because hell is the absence of God and the absence of life. Choose life. Don’t focus on dying, but focus your days on living and living with God and for God. Now that’s some news we should spend time spreading.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23(NIV)

CHANGE

CHANGE

Most of us have a pocket, jar, or car ashtray full of loose pocket change. We collect it from our daily routines of life and we use it as needed or save it for Christmas, vacation, or rainy day fund. Change is also what politicians promise, and the weather man tells us is coming in the 5-day forecast. Change is a part of our lives on a regular basis.
Our bodies change, our circumstances change, and technology and progress change at a rapid place at our jobs, schools, and even in our homes. We gladly accept the new technology and change of tv’s, computers, cell phones, and appliances. We embrace the changes in culture as our fashion tastes change in clothing styles. We love the newer model vehicles we drive and the conveniences that change brings our lives.

One place we avoid change, dislike change, or get defensive about change is the one place that should set the standard for change and should change constantly: THE CHURCH.
Maybe because so much in the world changes, people want the church to stay the same? Or maybe people get so comfortable, nostalgic, or complacent in the church that when leadership brings about change because of the times, the culture, the need, or the circumstances people flip out, complain, get negative, or even extremes divide the church?

God never changes, He promises us that in His word (Hebrews 13:8), but His intent was never to keep the church the same. If you go back and read through the gospels of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) or through the book of Acts as the church is established and spread, then you see that Jesus is all about freedom and change. If God wanted things to stay the same we would still be under the Law of Moses, Jesus never would have came to this earth, and the church as we know it never would have been established.

It is so easy for us as human beings to worship tradition, comfort, and “same ole, same ole” and over time it becomes doctrine, gospel, and the way it has to be. When in reality, it is the opposite of what God really wants for His church. He want His church to be relevant to its culture and surroundings. He wants the local church to impact its’ community with whatever programs, activities, events, and services will reach the most people, disciple the most members, and be the most effective. The goal of church is simple: reach lost people and make disciples while worshiping God and giving Him the glory. It’s hard to do that when you care more about what people are wearing to church, what type of songs we are singing, what times we are having church services, if we are keeping things the way they were when grandma when to church there, or if we are focused on things that simply are preferences or opinions and not essential to salvation or spiritual growth or health of the church.

Change isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. Change begins within, in our hearts. If we focus on the wrong things with the wrong attitudes then change will be difficult for you.
But the fact is, from the time we are born into this world, we begin to change until the day we die. We will always be ourselves, but our lives, bodies, attitudes, interests, and circumstances will be constantly changing. God will always be God, but His church will need to change its methods (not the message of God) on a regular basis if it’s going to make an impact or difference in this world for Him. If churches do not change, if they stay the same they become stale, lazy, self-centered, inward focused, irrelevant, ineffective, set in their ways, worshipping tradition instead of God, and slowly dying. They will have no vision, no mission, and no purpose, only to keep the doors open as long as they can. They are dead long before they stop having services. Is that the type of church God wanted to establish? I don’t think so. It’s time that we embrace change, accept change, encourage change, and support change, even when it makes us uncomfortable or we don’t understand it all. We should not let a person(s) willingness to not change hold us hostage from spreading the good news about Jesus and moving His church forward. Change is exactly what we need.

“Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

II Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Diamondback

2 Weeks ago I took my Sr. High students and some adults to King's Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati, OH. My friend Stacey from WV was up there with his family. So, He, myself, and 2 of my friends and chaperone's from Indiana jumped on the new coaster "Diamondback".

Diamonback stands about 230 feet high, the first drop where the picture below was taken is 215 feet and it was a-w-e-s-o-m-e. You go about 80mph and the track is a mile long and it was the smoothest riding coaster I think I've ever been on. My props go out to the KI and their new coaster. I give it to arms up and a scream!

Breaking Free

Breaking Free

You ever feel this way? Trapped in a rut, a cycle, a pattern? You keep doing the same things the same ways and expecting different results? They say the definition of Insanity is exactly that, but not sure that’s what Webster says, but it is insane literally to think we can continue to behave, act, or feel the same way and expect things to be different or change.

I wonder how many people we have to hurt, upset, or push away before we get that? Some of us never really do get it. We blame it on others, or we justify ourselves by saying that’s just the way I am, or people don’t get me, or we make excuses and reason within our own minds that we are not to blame or we don’t have a problem. I have to admit, I have a problem. That’s half the battle we face, admitting the problem is us. Once we do that, we can begin to take steps to change our attitude, feelings, or actions.

It doesn’t matter if it’s relationships, marriage, parenting, dating, workplace, leadership, or whatever. We are never going to have healthy feelings, relationships, or overcome our problems, until we change and think different, act different, and have a different approach or attitude and if we do that, we will begin to feel different, look at things differently, and probably act different and handle situations, problems, and things differently than continuing the downward spiral of doing the same things the same ways and never changing anything, but making things worse.

I know this is a broad subject and each of us may have different problems or issues, but if we continue to hit the repeat button in our lives and never change our habits, behaviors, attitudes, or actions then we are all pretty much stuck on the same ride, going round and round and never getting off. If we are going to break free, stop hurting others, stop pushing others away, and stop hurting ourselves, we are going to have to take the same issues, problems, habits, and feelings and handle them differently that we normally do.

I wish I was writing today about something I’ve already accomplished or overcome, but truth be told, I am writing about this today because I am struggling with it myself. I want to change my attitude, behaviors, and habits. I want to break free of doing the same things the same way and expecting different results. The only way me or you are going to have different results is if we actually start doing things differently. Change is difficult. But it begins with us, one issue at a time, one step at a time, one day at a time.

I encourage you to see God and His word. Pray daily about the issues you struggle with. Seek wisdom and guidance from God and His spirit. Enlist the help of a trusted friend who will keep you accountable and encourage you, yet push you to do the right thing. If it’s serious, don’t be ashamed or afraid to seek counseling from a Pastor or Counselor who can help you begin the process of overcoming your issues, problems, and struggles. Break free, I know I don’t want to be a slave or prisoner to my bad habits, negative attitudes, or repetitive poor decisions anymore. I need to change for my own sanity, health, relationships, and spirituality. I hope we all can do just that.

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”

Romans 7:21(NIV)

Church Camp

Picture of myself and some of the kids from my church in our cabin at Junior week (4th-6th grades) at Camp Illiana in Washington, IN last week.

CHURCH CAMP


I’m not sure if you’ve ever got the chance to go and spend a week at church camp or not? Whether as a camper or a counselor/faculty person, it’s a great experience.
I was first exposed to summer church camp at the age of 12 after going with my aunt and uncle to visit my cousin at church camp, I decided to go back up the next day and spend the rest of the week and I’ve been hooked on church camp ever since. As a matter of fact church camp is the reason I’m in ministry, because it was through my camp experiences I first felt the call of God to go into ministry.

After spending about 7 years as a camper I started working at camp as part of the faculty and even became a asst. dean when I was 19 and a dean when I was 20. I missed a few years of camp during my navy days, but soon was able to go back to camp when I got into full-time ministry. I was able to serve as a dorm parent, speaker, teacher, dean of men, and even was blessed to serve a few years as a Sr. high dean and pretty much everything in between during all my years of serving at summer church camp at 4 different camps over my lifetime.

Kids need experiences like Christian service camp in the summer to possibly alter their lives in a positive way for the kingdom of God. How many children or teens have become Christians or felt the call to go into ministry or mission work because of the influence of their local church camp? How many volunteers, jr. faculty, deacons, elders, children’s minister’s, youth minister’s, adult youth sponsors, and preacher’s have had their lives touched or ministries blessed because of the impact of church camp?

Kids are so busy these days, it’s getting harder and harder for church camp to compete with summer ball games, summer sports camps, summer jobs, and even other events, but the fact is, there is no ministry quite like what takes place at a summer Christian church camp. To be able to get away from your normal, typical schedule for a week to connect or reconnect with God and with others that get to know or get to know better can be life changing. I count the people I’ve met at church camp over the years some of my dearest friends.

Most of all the challenge, conviction, encouragement, and uplifting I’ve received because of my church camp experiences both as a camper and an adult have been so life changing. Camp is tiring, sometimes kids push your patience boundaries, and even the food can be rough, but there is nothing quite like a summer week at church camp to help you build relationships with others and with Jesus.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
I John 3:1a(NIV)

Vacate

I apologize for getting this out to you a little late this week, but I’ve been on vacation the past week. Vacation, that’s a nice word isn’t it. It implies vacating (empty or not occupied) somewhere like our homes or jobs for a time to get away. As a matter of fact, Webster’s dictionary defines vacation as “a period of time away from work for pleasure, relaxation, or rest.” Sounds good doesn’t it. At least if we would use the word for what it means.

Some people never take a vacation and some that do have their schedule so packed they leave little time for relaxation or rest. But our bodies, minds, and souls need to relax and rest on occasion. Vacation is not necessarily about location as much as it is about relaxation. I couldn’t afford to go anywhere like the mountains or beach this year and my summer is packed with church activities and events, so I decided to head back home to West Virginia to just get away for a week and spent my time doing nothing in particular, except not think about work and normal routine for a few days and spend my time enjoying family and friends and doing nothing. Nothing is nice. We should incorporate “nothing” in our weekly schedule and have little mini-vacations often.

Take and enjoy your day(s) off weekly. I know we all got projects and “to-do” lists, and sometimes church, family, and children obligations, but ultimately you have control over your own schedule, so if it’s filled up, it’s because you didn’t, couldn’t, or wouldn’t’ say NO!!!! If you are not giving your body and mind rest your slowly killing yourself soon than later. You’re also probably making it difficult for others to enjoy your company because your grouchy, moody, or always tired. We need rest. We need to learn to relax regularly. Whether it’s watching tv or a movie, going fishing, scrapbooking, sewing, or playing golf. Take and make time to vacate from busyness and work to do something you enjoy that is relaxing and restful to you.

Not only take time on a weekly basis, but take time 2-3 times a year (depending on how much vacation you get), even if you can’t take a vacation use a 3-day weekend, for yourself, marriage, or family to enjoy nothing in particular. If you can’t afford that trip to the beach, mountains, Graceland, or Disneyworld take a trip to the zoo, a state park, a city park, a museum, or sleep in, watch all the star wars movies, or something that takes your mind away from work, strife, struggles, bills, and stress for a day or two or a week.

God did not create us to go, go, go and not rest. Even God took a day as an example to us to rest and relax. Our bodies are designed in a way that they need regular rest and sleep. Our minds are created in such a way where it needs time to recharge, refocus, and refresh. We greatly damage our bodies, minds, and soul when we abuse them with little or no time for rest or relaxation. It will catch up with us and it will leave a trail of damage in our lives and possibly others if we do not take care of this one life God has blessed us with. I challenge you today to vacate these premises and find time weekly, monthly, and annually to find pleasure in the simple things in life and rest and relax.

“ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jeremiah 6:16(NIV)

Passive Aggressive Faith

According to dictionary.com the definition of passive-aggressive behavior is:

“Of, relating to, or having a personality disorder characterized by habitual passive resistance to demands for adequate performance in occupational or social situations, as by procrastination, stubbornness, sullenness, and inefficiency.”

It is a behavior that some people use as a defense mechanism and is diagnosed in people as a personality disorder, but really is a behavior. People have this behavior for many reasons, but they can use this behavior to avoid tasks or chores they don’t want to do by making excuses for why it wasn’t done and they also use it to avoid conflict and unpleasant confrontations. Maybe you are like this or maybe you know, live, or work with someone like this with this type of personality or behavior? It can come in many forms.

The book Living with the Passive-Aggressive Man lists several responses that may help identify passive-aggressive behavior such as being ambiguous(speaking cryptically), chronically being late or forgetting things, fear of competition, fear of dependency, fear of intimacy, making chaotic situations, making excuses for not performing well, obstructing others from doing well, sulking, or playing victim, and there may be other behaviors.

I’m not trying to play psychologist, but I wanted to give some background on passive-aggressive behavior so we can understand it, so that I can apply it to a spiritual situation. Many times we are passive aggressive when it comes to God. People won’t change their lifestyles to surrender control to God to become a Christian, or many Christians won’t deal with problems in their lives to overcome negative behaviors or habits that are keeping them from growing or maturing in their faith. Many Christian leaders avoid confrontations or tasks in their roles because they are uncomfortable or unpleasant.

We all have chores at home that we don’t like to do and it’s easy to make excuses and procrastinate. We all have responsibilities in our jobs/schooling that we don’t look forward to and it’s easy to put them off last or try and get out of them. But, when it comes to our soul and our faith, we cannot afford to be passive-aggressive. The opposite of passive is active. We need to be actively aggressive when it comes to pursuing God. We need to be active in serving God with our gifts, time, and resources. We need to be active and aggressive in overcoming obstacles in the way of our faith, baggage that holds us back, and mental and emotional issues that are hindering us from giving things over to God.

Now, being active instead of passive is not easy. It takes effort, growth, motivation, and trust, but if we are passive aggressive in our faith we are going to suffer. Just as people who are passive-aggressive effect those they work and live with, in a negative way, being passive-aggressive in our faith effects people in our same way. Our families, our friends, our churches, our example, and our influence. Be active, be aggressive, and do whatever it takes to discover, develop, or deepen your faith in God.

“Each one should test his own actions.”

Galatians 6:4A(NIV)

Patterns

PATTERNS

What helps our lives or hurts our lives? Patterns. If we get in a pattern of eating healthy, exercise, and making better choices we feel better, maybe lose weight, better moods, live longer, etc… We develop a pattern of losing our temper, abusing alcohol, using drugs, being lazy, not exercising, and being resentful we will develop addictions, hurt others, isolate ourselves, become bitter, etc… you get the idea of what I’m trying to say. It’s all about patterns.

We have to develop positive, healthy, productive, and good patterns in our lives, personality, relationships, and lifestyle or our lives are going to suffer. Whether it’s in our careers, education, relationships, or our spiritual life if we don’t develop good habits of healthy patterns in our lives and break the cycle of unhealthy, destructive, or negative patterns in our lives we are going to slowly destroy our lives and hurt ourselves and others with our actions, attitude, and patterns.

I’ve had to take a hard honest look at myself lately and realize I have to make some changes because I have some unhealthy and unproductive patterns in my life. I’ve also tried in the past month or two to develop some healthy and positive patterns by starting to exercise and eat smarter. It can be done. Feel your pulse on your wrist or neck. If you still have one, you’ve still got time to make changes. As long as we are alive we have a chance to break harmful patterns in our lives and create helpful patterns.

Maybe your friendships and relationships keep failing or falling apart because you need to change some destructive patterns. Maybe your job or education is suffering because you have negative study or work habits? Maybe your body and health are failing because you have harmful eating or lifestyle patterns? Maybe your faith is crumbling or non-existent because you have unhealthy patterns of not reading God’s word, never talking to God, not committed to church attendance and service, or making lifestyle changes to mature in your faith. You can change. You can break the cycle. You can make a choice to change the patterns in your life.

There are things you can do immediately. There are things that may take time to overcome. Any bad habit takes time to create so sometimes it takes time to overcome it. Maybe you’ll need the accountability of a friend or loved one. Maybe you’ll need spiritual or professional help? All help that is positive is will help you overcome bad patterns and develop good patterns. Remember take one day at a time, change bad habits to good habits one at a time, be brutally honest with yourself and start today to change the negative patterns in your life. It can and will change your life. I know I’m trying myself. I know I can change. I know I need to change. I know with faith in God I can do anything. Start today.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2A(NIV)

Christianity Optional?

Christianity Optional?


“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:12(NIV)

I love this verse in the OT book of Joshua. The prophet lays it out directly for the Israelites. You have an option. Make a choice. If you want to serve the false gods your ancestors served, then choose them. If you want to choose the false Gods of the country we are currently living in, choose them. But, if you want to choose THE God, then choose Him. No matter what your choice, me and my family are choosing God.

We do have a choice in who or what God we serve. THE God created us, but despite us being His creation He allows us the choice of whether we want to live for Him or not and serve Him or not. What makes that more difficult is that our churches are full of part-time Christians. They choose to follow God when it’s convenient, when they have time, when it fits into their schedules, or they have nowhere else to turn. The problem with that type of Christianity, is it’s really not Christianity. Christianity is about commitment, service, faithfulness, and relationship. Those type of things take priority. Christianity is not about convenience, comfort, preferences, or adapting to our schedule. Christianity is not fitting God into our lives, schedules, or lifestyle, it’s about us fitting into God.

We teach our kids to never miss practices, games, or performances and how they need to be committed to the team, their sport, or their hobbies, but then teach them church attendance or involvement is optional. We choose playing golf, going fishing, shopping, or traveling, over our service and commitment to God. I think we are trying to have the best of both worlds. We want the benefits of Christianity (salvation, heaven, etc…) without the commitment. No relationship will last, thrive, or work, if we only take and never give.
Would you treat your relationship with your spouse or kids the way you do with God?

The truth is we do have a choice, but we are choosing the wrong thing when we try to put other things in front of our faith, yet still try to have some of our faith.
Our date book, planners, and calendars will show us what we really choose. That’s scary isn’t it? I’m not advocating giving up our hobbies, quitting our jobs, or taking our children out of extra-curricular activities or never having a social life. I’m suggesting we stop choosing those things over our faith or the faith of our family.

Joshua was simply saying to the Israelites back then, you have a choice, so make a choice! Stop trying to serve them all, you can’t. You have a choice. You can’t serve them all and you can’t have the best of both worlds. Let’s put God first where He belongs and let’s model that to our families, our co-workers, our friends, and those yet to know God, but may because of our choice. Choose the Lord.

Follow Through

FOLLOW THROUGH

If you play golf, a good follow through on your shot is important for the distance and accuracy of the ball. Other sports, like baseball follow through is important for pitchers and hitters. In basketball, follow through is important in your shot. In the business world follow through is important with customers and clients. In leadership follow through is necessary in decision making, organizing, training, policies, and structure. As a volunteer, follow through is essential so that we are dependable, trustworthy, and reliable.

Unless you are a professional athlete then follow through in your game does not end the world. But, as individuals in our daily lives, I think we can see the need, value, and importance of follow through in our daily lives. If we don’t follow through in our relationships, jobs, responsibilities, and lives we can become failures, settle for less, lose respect, be undependable, unreliable, and can really screw up our lives and impact others lives. It’s a downward spiral of chaos, confusion, frustration, and division when we don’t become people of our word, value others time, or accept the challenges of the position we may be in.

Our children need a parent to follow through with parenting not friendship. Our significant others need someone to follow through with their part in the relationship. Our co-workers need you do your job so that they can do their job well. Our supervisors, bosses, and leaders need to set the example of quality, efficiency, and example on how they handle situations and decisions that come up and affect our lives on a daily basis. If we volunteer with little league, the scouts, or in our local church we need to follow through with our commitments and do so with effort or don’t volunteer or don’t volunteer if we can’t do it in the time or way that is required.

Our lives, relationships, jobs, churches, activities, and businesses would be so different if people would follow through with their responsibilities, decisions, and word. We would have less stress, less conflict, less confusion, less frustration, and less work. Who cares if you have a good golf swing or jump shot if you can’t manage your home, business, or life?

I think we need to do less better in our lives. We should focus on the important things more and less on the things that don’t matter as much. We should follow through if we are a leader or not lead. I think we should follow through with our service or not volunteer. I think we need to carry our weight in our relationships, jobs, or activities or they are going to fail, be limited, or suffer. I think we can do better and it begins with us. We got to follow through well.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23(NIV)

Discouragement

Discouragement

You ever feel that way? I feel that way today. I don’t care how positive you are, how good of a mood you are in most days, or if you are chipper as a bird singing in the morning of a sunny day, we all experience days or moments of discouragement.

Our car breaks down, our proposal gets rejected, our meeting gets cancelled, someone gets upset with us, or we seem to be able to do no right or things in our life all seem to go wrong at the same time. Maybe we are worried about losing our job, we are stuck in a rut in our faith, or our life is not going in the direction we are wanting? Life can be discouraging, relationships can cause us discouragement, and problems and struggles can at times overwhelm us.

I think it’s natural to get discouraged if you are human. I think every single human ever alive has faced or will face discouragement at certain times in their lives. We are imperfect people in an imperfect world with imperfect actions, imperfect attitudes, and imperfect relationships with imperfect people. (is my article discouraging you yet?)

However, we were created by a Holy God and we have a perfect Savior in Jesus Christ. He is holy when we are not. His perfection wipes away our imperfection if we are one of His. We always have somewhere to go and somewhere to turn when we face discouragement.

No matter the news we get from the doctor, the flat tire, financial troubles, confusion, or broken relationships, God is still God and there is still hope to get through anything, overcome, and see daylight on the other side. When we face moments and times of discouragement instead of looking in the mirror or focusing on our problems, we must turn our eyes and heart to God. We must seek Him, trust Him, ask for His guidance, and His help. His grace, mercy, strength, and unconditional love and support will sustain us, encourage us, and keep us going.

Hang in there is not just a nice gesture to say to someone when they are discouraged, it’s great advice. If we hang in there, God will work through us and get us through any discouragement we might face in this world.

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.”
Joshua 10:25(NIV)

My Easter Peeps

My Easter Peeps

It always amazes me and excites me to see so many people come out to church on an Easter weekend. The peeps come out of the woodwork to make it for Easter services. The exciting part is to see so many people at church and many of those people do get inspired to come back or keep checking things out. The part that is amazing to me, is those who don't see the need to come anymore than a special Holiday. God wants His "peeps" to see the need for him on a dailly basis in their lives.

I really think we should celebrate Easter every Sunday as a church, because each week we have an opportunity and freedom to gather together and worship, serve, and celebrate the God who defeated death, sin, & hell and who lives and reigns forever. I also think everyday as a follower of Jesus we should celebrate His victory in our lives.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with setting aside one day of year to celebrate "Easter" as a holiday, but I think if christians would live out that easter spirit and attitude in their lives dailyl it could change the world. If churches would celebrate that easter spirit at services each week, i think it could the way we worship, think, serve, and even take communion.

I think God is blessed when churches put on great Easter programs and services and when He sees churches that are crowded, but I think His intent for the church was to be that way every day and every week and His intent for followers was to pick up "our cross" daily and follow Him.

Everyday can be Easter in our hearts and attitudes. Every week can be a Celebration of Easter as we proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the reason we have hope, purpose, and a reason to assemble togther each week as a church. Those are some peeps that God would love.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Wrestlemania

WRESTLEMANIA

Last night a myself and 3 other guys watched Wrestlemania 25, the silver anniversary of this once a year event. I have to admit, it didn't quite live up to my expectation of having surprises and unexpected events, but we did get to see a couple good matches. (ok, I know it's fake and it's not real, but stick with me).

When I was a kid I thought professional wrestling was real and for years the industry tried to hide the fact, but eventually they realized that didn't matter, because wrestling was about entertainment and story lines. The outcomes may already be decided and certain things may be rehearsed, the action and the pounding these guys put on their bodies is real to entertain the fans and put on a great show.

Jacob wrestled with God in the Old testament book of Genesis(32:22-32), but it wasn't about putting on a show or entertaining an audience, it was about God teaching Jacob. It wasn't rehearsed, fixed, or to make money. It was an encounter with God on a personal level. God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means "he struggles with God" and Jacob named the place where they wrestled "Peniel", which means "face of God".

I think there are times we all wrestle with God, maybe not physically like Jacob, but spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. We question our faith? We wonder where God is during our suffering? We don't understand why God doesn't defend us when we've been wronged? We get upset when God doesn't give us what we want? Do you see the struggle? Do you see the wrestling match that goes one? You mix in satan giving us doubt, attacking our fears, and manipulating our emotions, reminding us of our sin, and we wrestle on.

Sometimes wrestling can be good, if we choose to have a hopeful attitude, an optimistic trust, and refuse to quit until we see what God is trying to teach us, where He's trying to lead us, or what He requires of us. We may not have the glitz and glamour of Wrestlemania, but our wrestling with God can give us hope, strength, wisdom, and understanding so that we can deal with our emotions, overcome our struggles, learn truth, and gain patience to wait on God to work.

"It's because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."
Genesis 32:30b(NIV)

"Wooooooooooooo!"

Ric Flair

The Cross

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing ,but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

I Corinthians 1:18(NIV)

The Cross. What does it mean to you? For some it's nothing more than a piece of jewelry they adorn on their ear or neck. For some it is a symbol they associate with religion, or God, or people of faith. For others it might be a symbol of their faith or beliefs. Others it could be something to mark a grave or a memorial of a lost loved one. What about you?

I think the cross is a symbol that defines the follower of Jesus. That cross represents the place our sins met a Savior of sins. It represents an ugly painful death that defeated power over death. It represents the hell Jesus went through in order give us the hope of eternal life with God instead of an eternity of God's absence(hell).

I am not suggesting we worship the cross, I am suggesting that we take it seriously. If it were not for what God did through Jesus on that cross we would be lost, hopeless, and still without answers.

I think our society and world minimizes the power of the cross, but Paul reminds us in scripture that the message of the cross is the power of God. Paul said the jews wanted miraculous signs from God and the gentiles wanted wisdom, and today people haven't changed much. People want physical proof of God or they think and analyze God so much they miss Him altogether. People back in the bible saw the miracles and gained wisdom from the teachings and they still didn't believe. To many the cross of christianity is foolishness because they don't believe, don't understand, or don't accept it.

The power of God is in the message of the cross, not the cross itself. Jesus Christ. Our Savior. Our sacrifice. Our forgiveness. Our Hope. Our Salvation. Grace. Mercy. Unconditional love. Hope. Eternal Life.

For those of us who believe, we see the power of God working in our lives. It is because of that power our lives are transformed. It's because of the power of the message of the cross that we have an obligation to share that message with a world that thinks it's foolish.

People or Steeple?

People or Steeple?

Is church people or a place? According to the dictionary, it's both.
a. A building for public christian worship
b. The whole body of christian believers
c. A body of christian believers worshipping in a particular building.

That sounds politically correct doesn't it? Let's cover the bases, it's the building, it's the people, or it's both.According to the Bible, the church is the people. period. end of story, no confusion. The church is the body of Christ"After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body." Ephesians 5:29-30(NIV)-Jesus comparing the church to a marriage.

There are other scriptures that back up the church being people and being the body of Christ.My point is the church is people. It's not a facility, it's a family. It's not a location, it's loved ones. It's not a place, it's a people. I think some people have this mindset that church is a place we attend, instead of a body we are a part of. Many feel that if they attend a church service once a week, they are participating, but they are only attending.We treat church like we are going out to a movie or a ball game. We go, we sit, we watch, we observe, and we go home.

Some treat church like a social club or group. We are members, we pay our dues, we attend meetings, and we are "members" of that church.Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Christianity is just ritual and religion. Without actively participating in the body of Christ(the church not the place), we are simply going through motions, paying dues, and physically attending, but not spiritually connecting.When you become a member of the body of Christ, just like any part of a body, we have a function, a part, and a role.

If we are not functioning and being used, we will wither,die, or become obsolete. If you view church as a place you go on sundays and not a body you are a part of on a daily basis, you are missing God's purpose for His church.We are all part of God's church, His body, His family. Churches own buildings, have programs, and develop ministries, but the church from it's creation is the people.

Jesus died for the church, not the building. Jesus want a relationship with His people, not just weekly attendance to a public worship service at a church building. We are the church. We are His church.

Loyalty

Loyalty
That is someone serious about loyalty to get it tattooed permanentely on their wrist. They must take that word very serious. I take that word very serious too(but I probably have enough tattoo's, haha).What does loyalty mean to you? Is it a spouse that takes care of you during an illness? Is it a company that rewards you a job promotion or raise? Is it a friend that stands by you when no one else does? Maybe you don't know what I'm talking about? Maybe you've been thrown under the bus by people you trusted or respected?

Loyalty is being faithful or devoted to a person, place, or cause. When I think of loyalty I think about people I've had in my life over the years who have been faithful friends to me, probably when I didn't deserve it. People who have stood by me, even despite my mistakes and failures.

I think of my friend Russ who always tells me what I need to hear and I can always go to for Godly counsel and advice who's been my friend since high school. I think of my friend TJ who always has encouraged me and complimented me in my calling as a Minister. I think of my friend Bryan who i've shared in joy and sorrow with together and we've kept that bond of friendship. I think about my dad who is always positive about my life, even when I make stupid choices. I think about my friend Reece who has never judged me or questioned my faith. I think about my friend Wade (who's my boss now) and how supports me and the challenges we face in ministry.

I could mention more (so don't feel left out), but the point it's so important to surround ourselves with people in our lives who are loyal. People who will support you even when you make mistakes, and who will let you know you made mistakes, but they still love you anyway. People who will not leave you hanging, avoid you, forget you, or betray you. We need friendships like this. We need loved ones like this, we need relationships like this in our lives.

We also need to be that type of person to others.Years ago I interviewed at a church and got the job and they told me my references all said the same one thing about me, I was loyal. That made me feel so good and i've never forgot that. I don't want to be remembered for my mistakes, poor choices, or bad decisions. I want to be remembered as loyal. A loyal friend. A loyal follower of Christ. We need to be people who are loyal to their significant others, children, and friends. We need people who are loyal employees, bosses, and business owners.

We need people who are loyal to Christ, His church, and the mission and vision of the local church. How's your loyalty?

"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

I Corinthians 4:2(NIV)

Calling

Calling

"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

Ephesians 4:1(NIV)

Calling. An often misunderstood word. We are all called. God does call people into ministry full-time to be preachers, youth ministers, children's ministers, worship ministers, missionaries, and serve in other capacities.

However, I believe we are all called by God. God has called all of us to live for Him. God has called all of us to live for His purpose and His will. The issue is not about God not calling us, as much as it is about us hearing, seeing, or knowing that we are being called by God. I don't want to paint a negative picture of being calling into full-time ministry, but at times it gets very frustrating serving in a ministry capacity. I've had the opportunity to both attend church and serve in the local church and the stresses and frustrations of serving the local church and it's people can take a lot out of you.

Many people leave the ministry or have issues because of how they are treated or how they handle the stresses of working in the church, it's not an easy task as many who do not know think it might be. However, on the flip side of that, it is also one of the most rewarding and exciting ways to live out your life in the service of God. Though many give up and get out of ministry, some even leaving the church, our calling into ministry is what motivates us and sustains us through the valleys and the mountain tops.Just like some are called into full-time christian service, all are called to live to God and sometimes even as a christian or a one seeking God, we can get frustrated, aggravated, overwhelmed by life, the church, even other christians and it makes us want to give up. Don't!Many people have been turned off of church by the church.

Many people have been turned off of christianity by christians, and many people have missed their calling by focusing on distractions and not God. Despite it's people, the church is still the body of Christ and the greatest thing going. Despite many human imperfections, christianity is still the only path through Jesus to God. We cannot give up on our calling, throw in the towel, or ignore God's voice because of how others act, our own struggles, or the world's distractions.I want to encourage you today that you are called by God.

Specifically and individually God has called you to live for Him, serve Him, and He has a plan and purpose for your life. He wants to use you and your time, talents, and testimony for His glory. He may not be calling you into full-time ministry, but you are still called. But, then again, maybe one of you reading this today is being called into full-time ministry by God, are you listening

One Hour

One Hour

One Hour. That is what some photo labs give you to get your pictures developed or some eye glass companies claim to have your lenses ready. For some cities it's a limit in certain areas to park your vehicle. Most television drama's run an hour. What is one hour to you?

There are 24 hours in a day or 168 hours in a week or 8,736 hours in a year. If you want to look at it different consider there are 1,440 minutes in a day or 10,080 minutes in a week or 524,160 minutes in a year. My point is, one hour isn't very much. Even if you work 8 hours a day in a 40 hour work week, you still have 128 hours left. If you sleep 8 hours a day in a week(56 hours) that leaves you with 72 hours left in your week. Or 8 hours a day.

Now I know some of us may work more than 40 hours and may sleep less than 8 hours a day, but, my point is, when you look at our time, what is one hour? One hour is what many people give God a week and that's it. Out of 168 hours in a week, some people come to church for one hour a week on Sunday morning and think that is enough to help them grow and mature in their faith or personal relationship with God.

What if you only got one hour a week to spend with your kids? What if you only got one hour a week to spend with your spouse/significant other? What if you only got one hour a week to watch tv or spend doing your favorite hobby? Would we really have a good relationship with the people we love if we only got one hour a week? Could we really enjoy our favorite tv shows or hobbies if we only have one hour a week to fit it all in?

We make time for what's important in our lives. We cannot expect to truly know God and learn from Him if we are only attending a church service at a local church one hour a week. We have to spend time reading and learning the Bible on our own and developing devotional time. We have to spend time talking to God and communicating and listening to God(prayer), and we have to spend time in study learning with others, whether in a Sunday School class, a small group, or a weekly bible study. We have to make time to serve God using our gifts and talents. We can't possibly fit all those things in our lives in one hour a week that we are spending sitting in a church service observing and not participating.

Our one hour of public worship at the local church should be a spring board to start our week off right. Sunday morning worship once a week is a time for us to come and worship God through song, prayer, communion, prayer, and fellowship as a church family, not to fill our quota or cover our faith for the week.

It shouldn't be the only thing we do during the week that is spiritual. We cannot truly expect to know God inr a real way or His will for our lives, or grow or mature in our faith by simply attending a public worship service one hour a week.

Weekly worship is important, but it cannot replace making personal time with God for study, reflection, learning, prayer, fellowship, and service. It is so vital that as individuals we eventually move past just attending church services and start actively being the church. That we go from being just an observer once a week and become a participant.

One hour a week at the local church worship service is not enough. We need to make time for our personal relationship with God in our daily schedule. Just like we have to balance everything else in our lives, we must balance our faith. We make time for what we want. I pray that we all will make more time for God than just one hour of sitting in church on Sundays. I can't tell you how much time to spend with God every week that's up to each individual, but if all me or you are giving is one hour attedning church, it's not enough. If we expect to have a life-changing relationship with God, we have to take it serious, make time for it, and that takes energy, effort, desire, discipline, availability, and time. Let's give God our best not our minimum.

Follow The Leader

Follow the Leader

When you think of leadership or being a leader, what do you think of or who do you think of? Being a leader means that you are up in front of people (in the lead) and you are supposed to be leading them because they are supposed to be following you.

There are two problems though with this situation. Sometimes the person who is supposed to be leading is not doing a very good job (they usually don't know it) and sometimes the people following aren't very good followers (they don't know it either). These are two different situations, but both cause tremendous issues in an organization (team, workplace, business, church).

First to those who lead: We must be willing to do whatever it takes to lead effectively and efficiently. We must expect opposition and deal with it. We must expect to make decisions and people to follow those decisions or respond to those who choose not to. We must not compromise our convictions, cower to opposition, or change directions when pressured. We must admit mistakes, but not give up. We must keep our focus on our mission, vision, direction, or the purpose we are hired/called to lead and not waiver when facing roadblocks, opposition, or conflicts.

We should not be surprised by these things either, if are you are a good leader you are going to challenge yourself and others and sometimes people don't like or want to be challenged. If people do understand where and why you are leading them, you will build momentum, support, and enthusiasm, you will also weed out those who aren't following. We also must admit when we are no longer capable of leading effectively or efficiently and move aside. Leaders are also good followers.

Secondly, to those who follow: We are all followers, even if we lead. Followers must have a spirit of cooperation, willingness to learn, and desire to be a part of something bigger than them. Followers must allow leaders to lead and trust their leadership and decisions. Followers should ask questions and seek answers if they do not understand where or why they are being led, but do not need to know every single detail, but should strive to see the bigger picture and trust leadership. Followers should accept decisions even if they do not agree with them,and if they cannot, they should move on to a different organization with a leadership they can follow. Do not try to lead if you are not a leader. When you are not a good follower you hold others back and destroy unity, positive momentum and atmosphere in an organization.

We need good leaders in our world, we need good followers. In our homes, in our schools, on our teams, at our jobs, and in our churches. If leaders are going to lead, they need to lead well, if followers are going to follow they need to follow well.

I've failed as a leader and had success. I've failed as a follower and had success. We must learn from our mistakes, be realistic of our abilities and influence, and strive to honor God in all we do. If you're going to lead, then do it well or move aside and let someone else lead who is more qualified or better equipped. If you are going to follow, cooperate and be supportive and if you can't move on so others can follow. God wants us to be good leaders and good followers, especially of Him no matter where it is we lead or follow (home, work, school, sports, church).

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

Hebrews 13:7(NIV)

"We instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more."

I Thessalonians 4:1(NIV)