Filed under: All things Church | Tags: disagree, faithfulness, normal, power of god, relevant, religion
I disagree with some of the thoughts that are swirling around the church today. This is not a post bashing denominations, hymnals, or tv evangelists, but mindsets that try to tell us how church should be….but don’t line up with the Word of God.
- People don’t want the supernatural in a church service…they want everything normal. Feeling the power of God can scare them and make them run from God and that we should make everything “normal.” I am finding the exact opposite..normal is watching Montel, going to the 9-5, and worrying about everything…people don’t want normal they want God.
- People don’t want an experience with God…they want inspiration. Now, inspiration is good…we all need it from time to time…but when people are really broken at the core…inspiration will not help them overcome their hurt and pain. It may help for a few days but it won’t make things better in the long run. We need to preach the Word in a manner that brings healing to the wounds of the people in our churches.
- The church will not grow unless we are doing outreaches every weekend in the park…I love this common spiritual blunder…because it speaks again to a “works” mentality. Yes, outreach is extremely important when done with a clear purpose and with the power of God. Outreach is not an event it is a purpose. The fastest way to reach our cities for Jesus is not huge events under a tent (they have their place…and we do them) but for each of us to get a burden for the lost and make it our personal goal to make outreach something we do everyday.
- Someday, when God gives me my ministry…Heh…when did we get the idea that one day, when we become professionals or have money handed to us, God gives us the keys to a ministry? God has called all of us to minister at the level we are now. But, most people are looking over the horizon waiting for their ministry to come, and they can’t see what God has called them to do right now. Don’t be one of those flaky people that refuse to be faithful to what God has called them to now.
Filed under: All things Leadership
We are continuing our study in James this week…
James 1:5 has powerful things to say…for those of you lacking insight into a decision that needs to be made…James is pretty clear. Just ask the Lord and He will give you the wisdom you need to be successful in whatever task you put your hand towards. But, every good thing that God has for us has an enemy, and that enemy is revealed in the next verse…
Then he goes on in verse 6 and says that doubt will mess you up if you are not careful. One of the definitions for doubt is being hesitant to believe. I have often wondered about those decisions God was asking me to make, but because of fear, I hesitated just long enough to talk myself out of doing whatever it was that God was telling me to do. Does anyone else know what I am talking about. 
Then in verse 7 you see the fruit of doubt. You see the character of a man or woman that doubts the voice of wisdom. If, we doubt that God can do it, then we will never receive anything from Him. He can’t pour anything out on something that is unstable. The verse goes on to say…that man is unstable in all his ways. He is unstable in all that he does…
It is pretty powerful stuff. God is waiting to pour out His wisdom into our lives…we can have it if we want it…but we have to ask for it. And, when we ask we need to believe that He can do it in our lives. He certainly is capable of doing it.
Filed under: My thoughts on current affairs
As you may have heard by now, there were two attacks yesterday in Colorado…one was at a YWAM facility and the other was at New Life Church. It is a senseless tradegy, that caused families to lose their sons and daughters, and I don’t quite understand the mentality behind people that will just blow others away with such incredible insensitivity.
I can’t do much…I feel pretty helpless, but I want you guys to know that we are praying for you. We have never had the opportunity to meet and our paths have not yet crossed, but you guys are a part of our big kingdom family….and we want you to know that we have you in our thoughts.
Filed under: All things Church
So…I’ll share the truth with you. Some recaps are easier to write than others….some weekends are just so good and so full of stuff that a recap doesn’t do it justice..
- Let me say first, I pastor the greatest church in the city hands down. CFANners are the most awesome people that a man could ever ask for…it is so awesome seeing what God is doing in the life of our congegration.
- Our volunteers are just amazing..I mean amazing.
- The kids had their sock hop today. Everyone with their crazy socks on…I heard it was a blast. Pastor Brenda, Kyle, and Jessica…you guys are doing an awesome job.
- The praise and worship team did a new song today that was just unreal. Sarah did a great job singing it.
- Congrats BETHANY…I am sooo proud of you, girl. I really do have a surprise for you.
- The church stepped up in a big way. The kids are going to be in for a special treat on Saturday. The men had a blast shopping tonight and then eating afterwards. Wal-Mart tripped out when we came rolling up with all those buggies that they opened an entire lane just for us.
- The snow was blowing good today with the wind picking up a bit. It really looked like Wonderland.
- Pastor Roy and the grinch was just too much. I loved it. I love the fact that you guys are taking it to the extreme. EPIC!
- I love how this series is shaping up. God is impacting lives and you can see it.
- We are going to try out snow globe idea with the drum booth and Josh.
- Cherie and Josh were too much. I laughed so hard at the announcements it was quite simply the funniest thing…I think I have ever seen in church. Scott is doing the finest job possible…really first class stuff.
- We have some major news to announce to the church on December 30 at our Old and New Year Extravaganza! I love it…I actually used extravaganza.
- Donnie actually thought about stealing a tent for me…uh..be careful what you say you need in front of people that are behind your vision. (of course, he was just kidding)
- If, you got hit with the Aroma today. I tried to take it easy, but of course, I got a little carried away.
- We had more re-dedications today. Every week..new people…every week more people giving it over to the Lord.
- Last but not least, I am trying to get Sarah to do Last Christmas by Jimmy Eat World, but she is not feeling it. I say that it is time to kick in some peer pressure.
Filed under: All things Family
I can’t wait because I have a date with my daughter Averee. So, I am going to run by pick her up a new outfit, shoes (of course), and we are going out for a night on the town. Ok… truth be told…a night at McDonalds if she has her way. Dad’s let me talk to you for a minute.
We need to be more involved with our kids. We need to be involved especially with our daughters. The world is working over time to tell them that sex sells, and that in order to fit in they have to “live” a certain lifestyle. We can see the role models that are out there today…Brittany, Paris, Lindsey, and Beyonce…and it is easy to tell..uh oh…we need some help.
Another reason is that I don’t want some high school dude knocking on the door and showing my daughters what a date looks like. I want to beat those jokers to the punch by 25 years. By the way, my girls can’t date until they are 40 :-). They actually need to learn from us Dads so that when a knucklehead sex crazed teenager knocks on the door…they know what is so healthy that they refuse to participate.
Powerful principle…train them up and when they get older they will not depart from it.
