What I Thought When I Thought It

VISION AND BURDEN

2011-01-05T07:05:00.001-06:00

I was blessed to spend time with Shajan and Dede yesterday morning and talk about the great work they are doing in India. Shajan mentioned that God had given him the vision and burden for the work in India. Thus began the EMFI Ministry (Evangelical Mission for India). There work is massive and meaningful ministry. Is there anything in your life that God has given you a VISION and BURDEN for. VISION is what needs to be done and BURDEN is the personal fortitude to get it done. It is my estimation that until you have the BURDEN to match the VISION the VISION will not happen. God is looking for people who will take His VISION and have a burden to get it done. We cannot do it without God and He chooses not to do it without us.

Drifting

2011-01-04T08:12:00.002-06:00

When we do not set our sail we just drift. When we are drifting we go wherever the current takes us. Many times I have went in a slough on the river and found all kind of junk in the back of the slough from logs to boats to diapers. Neither serving any purpose but just ended up as far back in the slough as they could go. Drifting is dangerous. You end up where you do not want to be and serving no purpose. Refuse passivity. Live with purpose. Here is a great song by Decemberadio entitled Drifter. Take time to listen and if you are a drifter come back home.

SET YOUR SAIL

2011-01-03T11:21:00.000-06:00

A sailboat has many parts that need to be put in place for it to go to the desired location. It is the job of the seaman to set the sail. However, when the sail it set the seaman has no control over the wind. The wind is in the hand of God. This is applicable to the Christian life. It is our job to put things in the right place and order. Proverbs say, "make the horse ready for the day of battle, but the victory is the Lord's" (Prov 21:31). It is our job to set the sail and it is His job to send the wind (wind is often used as a word picture of the Holy Spirit) to move us in the right direction. Raising our sail is an act of obedience. It is prayer. It is reading and meditating on His Word. It is service. It is being in the right place at the right time. Today, begin to set your sail and who knows where the Holy Spirit will take you.

GREAT CALL TO NEW YEAR COMMITMENT

2011-01-01T11:25:00.000-06:00

I think Oswald Chambers give us a better challenge for the New Year than I can muster. Read it and print it out and put it in a place where you will see it often. Highlight those areas that really speak to you or challenge you. Ultimately, the whole thing will be highlighted.

Let Us Keep to the Point

Jan

2011

". . . my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death" —Philippians 1:20

My Utmost for His Highest. “. . . my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed . . . .” We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus the areas of our lives He has asked us to yield to Him. It’s as if Paul were saying, “My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest— my best for His glory.” To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point— He does know. Shut out every other thought and keep yourself before God in this one thing only— my utmost for His highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone.

My Unstoppable Determination for His Holiness. “Whether it means life or death-it makes no difference!” (see Philippians 1:21). Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted. But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentler nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide— for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably.

Book Review - Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

2010-12-21T14:57:00.000-06:00

Authenticity seems to be something that people desire in themselves and others. This book is one that will spur the reader on to live a life that does make a real difference. The Bible says in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Lucado give guidance, encouragement and challenge for each person to make their life count for something greater than themselves. He deals with some of the most popular concerns that people use to justify not investing in the world and community around you. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “In the game of life, many of us who cross home plate do so because we were born on third base. Others aren’t even on a team”. For those of us who are on third based, we need to reach out and rescue, restore and redeem that which is lost. You might ask the question, “Can God use me?” Read this book and Max will point you in the right direction.

Book Review - The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

2010-12-21T14:20:00.000-06:00

I love a book that takes me to another level in my understanding and comprehension of truth especially biblical truth. Furthermore, the enjoyment increases substantially when I am challenged to enter a new place of adventure. That is exactly what I found in this book. I was able to hear Chris speak at Catalyst 2010 which further reinforced the challenging truths of this book. I would estimate this to be one of the best books I have read in 2010. The format is different that most books. Not only do you get the insights from Chris but also others sharing in a Q&A format. I promise you will walk away seeing words like "righteousness" in a new and engaging way.

Out Until Year End

2010-12-21T10:28:00.000-06:00

I will not be posting until 2011. Taking a few days off.

WHAT IT DEPENDS ON

2010-12-16T08:24:00.000-06:00

Last night an old saying came to my mind. "Prepare like everything depends on you and pray like everything depends on God". If we would all make that a practice then so much would fall in place. However, sometimes all we do is pray and don't prepare. Other times, all we do is prepare and we do not pray. God want to use us to get His will done. We cannot do it without Him. So in "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31) and "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17).

Ingrown Christians

2010-12-15T08:56:00.000-06:00

Today I address the Barna Research Megatrend of 2010 number 2 (please read the article).

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.

I agree. What I do find is that people find it easier to talk with someone they do not know about Christ and Christianity than the people they know. I do agree that the Christian community is “becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented”. It is easier to just hang out with my Christian friends, for they are cleaner. Here is what I mean. What if I go out to dinner with one of my unchurched friends (if I even have one) and they order a beer? Or a glass of wine? I have heard people say they would never let that happen. So, here is the conclusion of most Christians. If unchurched people are going to act unchurched then we just choose to skip it – it’s just too messy. I hate this about us. What are we scared of?

Here is a short story of Jesus. Read it.

Mark 2:15–17 (ESV)

¹⁵ And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

I'M 25!

2010-12-15T08:23:00.000-06:00

I am 25 years old today. It was 25 years ago today that I met Lee Hartley at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Papermill Road) and knelt at the end of the first ugly green pew on the right and asked Christ to become the Lord and Savior of my life. I was radically saved and my life radically changed. I have experienced much in these 25 years and been blessed beyond measure.

THEOLOGICALLY WEAK?

2010-12-14T08:45:00.001-06:00

I am writing in regard to the research from www.barna.org entitled Six Megathemes Emerge from Barna Research in 2010. Please take time to read the article so you know my base. I will write concerning each Megatrend and my observations from my vantage point.

Megatrend #1

1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.

My Vantage Point

I believe the points Barna Research list could easily be said of the population as a whole without a doubt but the extremes would be hard to say about the Christian Church. From my vantage point everyone in our area associate Easter with the resurrection of Christ; however, not all people in the Christian church see faith as the focal point of their life. Furthermore, there is great uncertainty concerning the Holy Spirit in the Christian Church. The last statement of Barna Research reads, “The theological free-for-all that is encroaching in Protestant churches nationwide suggests the coming decade will be a time of unparalleled theological diversity and inconsistency.” I must agree with this. I seems we are moving more toward a belief that there are many interpretations of scripture as well as applications. Which lead to many interpretations of God. This is dangerous. There is but one interpretation and many applications. In conclusion, I do feel that most people are theologically (the study and knowledge of God) weak. This is dangerous because our actions will reflect our belief. Weak belief leads to weak action.

Jesus' Voice

2010-12-13T16:01:00.000-06:00

Do you ever find yourself in a conversation with someone that you wish you weren't? I mean that person that sounds like they just swallowed a pack of cigarettes, or drank a pint of whiskey, or maybe uneducated? That person that just drives you crazy? Your biggest critic! I know everyone has some type/stereotype that they just try to get off the phone or away from. What about the person who you know they are lying because their mouth is moving? What if Jesus were talking to you through them. Would you hear them? Or do you have those you listen to and those you never give a hearing. I'm working on this and I hope you are too.

Jesus had a word or two about showing preference.

N SYNC

2010-12-08T14:32:00.000-06:00

Remember the boy band singing sensation N SYNC ? I want to take a moment to write about N SYNC. Not the boy band but a way of life. It is our call to be N SYNC with God's will. He reveals his will through His Word and His Spirit. It is amazing how God weaves a wonderful tapestry when we are N SYNC with Him. Today, ask yourself if you are N SYNC with Him - His Word - His Spirit - His Will.

THAT WAS STUPID!

2010-12-06T08:24:00.000-06:00

Sometimes something looks so good you will do something so stupid. This past Saturday I was fixing fudge and a new chocolate cookie recipe from one of my new books 300 Chocolate Recipes. I was going along and had finished up and was putting stuff in the sink and there was a knife with some cookie icing on it and it looked so good I licked the knife. Sometimes something can look so good that you do something so stupid. I cut my tongue. STUPID!! My first words were, "That was stupid!"

That is Satan's job. Take a person and put something in front of them that looks so good that they will do something so stupid.

Just realize you are just one decision away from being stupid.

CAN YOU RIDE TWO HORSES

2010-12-03T07:00:00.001-06:00

How many horses can a man ride? I have seen a man ride two but he had to stand up with a foot on each. I never have seen a man ride more than two. The amazing thing is that a man riding two is a trick show. If you want a warrior he has to be on one horse. Too many times we find ourselves trying to ride the horse of what we want and what God wants. That is a trick show. Pick a horse and ride it.

Joshua put it like this:

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."(Joshua 25:15)

GET ON A HORSE AND GIVE IT YOUR ALL. JUST DON'T TRY TO RIDE TWO.

GLOW IN THE DARK

2010-12-01T08:41:00.000-06:00

Crayola has a product that caught my attention last night as it was advertised. It is the Crayola Glow Station. The catch line is, "what is written in the light glows in the dark". That is a good statement for the Christian walk. It is the things that we learn and become when we are in the light that is revealed when we are in the dark. There are so many ways to consider what we do in the light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" John 8:12.

Take a few minutes to think about this statement.

What I do in Christ, will glow in the dark.

YOU COULD BE

2010-11-30T09:14:00.000-06:00

What is a good Christian? Is it that person who is at church every time the doors open? It could be. Is it the person who is a deacon, pastor, elder, minister? It could be. Is it the person who reads their Bible everyday and one, two or three devotions? It could be. Is it the person who is the most highly respected person in your church? It could be. Is it the person who is a missionary to one of the unreached people groups? It could be.

Jesus set the example and told others to follow.

Two Things That A "Good Christian" has settled.

Love God
Love Others

This means the death of self. I believe a "Good Christian" is a person who does what God says. Most of that is outside the church walls. But there is a balance. All Christians need to be participate in the body of Christ for discipleship but also in ministry and missions.

So Christ desires us to be God-centered, Other-centered and not self-centered. Are you a "good Christian"? You could be!

A GOOD CHRISTIAN IS ONE THAT KNOWS TO DO GOOD AND DOES IT!

CAUGHT IN WHOREDOM

2010-11-29T08:51:00.000-06:00

God led me to the book of Jeremiah in the past weeks. I have not been real faithful in reading it. It is kind of depressing. Today, I was in chapter three. There Jeremiah is declaring all that God tells him to say. In this one chapter he refers to Israel (His people) as a whore. Why? Because they were a nation who was adulterous. I am sure there were some husbands cheating on wives and wives cheating on husbands, but that is not the focus here. "Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree." (v9).

Israel had replaced God with stuff. Stuff made of wood and stone. We find ourselves doing the same thing. Here is what God wanted proclaimed.

"Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger for I am merciful declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever." (v12).

Are you caught up in your whoredom and forgotten God?

Return "for He is merciful".

Take time to read Jeremiah 3

IT'S BEEN GOOD

2010-11-27T09:39:00.000-06:00

Well it is the Saturday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday. The family is still sleeping. I think it is a parents most fulfilling moment when their grown kids are home for the holidays. We have laughed, eat, shopped, shopped and ate. We have decorated for Christmas and even wrapped a few presents. God has been good to us this year (I know He is always good) but I guess it felt right. I have much to look forward to but I mainly want to drink in this moment. I want to make sure I do not get so focused on what is next that I am not in the now. It has been a great Thanksgiving.

How has your Thanksgiving been?

Thanksgiving Reminders

2010-11-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

This is my favorite time of year. This week is the best of the best. Extended time with family is what makes it so meaningful. I just want to remind you to make the time meaningful.

Be where you are.
Listen to what others have to say.
Take pictures. Invest in others.
Ask the cook for a recipe.
Make an ornament for the tree.
Remember it all comes from God.
Remember those already home (I miss you mama).

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

I will not be back to blog until Monday. Enjoy the break.

THANKS ANDY STANLEY

2010-11-23T09:22:00.000-06:00

On Twitter this morning Andy Stanley (@AndyStanley) tweeted, "When I look at my children, I never think about their past. Only their potential." That is one great word or as Perry Noble (@perrynoble) put it, "THAT's AWESOME!!!". Johnny Hunt (@johnnymhunt) tweeted, "Thanks for a great reminder!" I'm not sure if Andy was speaking of just parenting or parenting love or God's love or ever how we can use it for good. I'm going to say their is one interpretation (What he wrote) and many applications (how it applies in other areas). I want to write concerning two applications.

Parental love - our children have made mistakes and even did exactly what they were not told to do. I watched a 2 year old stare down her dad when she was doing exactly what she was told not to do. She is a good child but we all want to find the line of authority. We are all going to blow it, BUT our parents continually see our potential. Thank God for love, grace and mercy.
Godly love - as children of God he sees our potential. Because of the gifts of repentance, mercy and grace God looks to our present. He see what we can be today. He see our potential as an obedient child. Peter was able to walk on water because he began to believe what Jesus believed about Him. God believes in your potential. He sees you as you can be.

Today, live in your potential. Do not settle for mediocrity or complacency.

$4 FOR $10

2010-11-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

I just saw a commercial that has a $2 bill on sale for $10. It has a special picture on it. Also, a great deal was offered. If I were to order NOW I could get another $2 bill free. So, I could send them $10 (plus shipping and handling) and get $4 dollars in return. There is someone out their that made the call I'm sure. They might have really gotten aggressive and sent them $100 (plus shipping and handling) and got $40 in return.

Isn't that how Satan works? He offers a "deal" and if you decide NOW he will make it even better and we get used and abused. He makes some stupid deal look good (Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba, etc.) and it is a deal (plus shipping and handling to KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY John 10:10) if you act NOW.

Why do we make such stupid purchases?

JUST SAY NO!

COST AND JUNK

2010-11-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just got a text that offed me a .243 with a scope for $450. I think I want a gun. Why? Not sure! I do not hunt. I might go once a year but I do not even own a piece of camo clothing. Here is what I think I have learned. I like the thought of owning a good gun but I just don't want to pay the cost. Now, if I could find a good one for about $250 I would probably buy it. My friend said, "I thought you wanted a good gun not a piece of junk". $250 gets me a piece of JUNK.

Here is the lesson I learned:

This is how many people approach Christianity. They want a good strong Christian life but they are not going to pay what that cost. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a great book The Cost of Discipleship that would be a great read as well as David Platt's Radical or Francis Chan's Crazy Love to inspect yourself as to the cost of discipleship.

DON'T SETTLE!
Matthew 10:37-39 (New International Version)

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Wise Words from Tiger Woods

2010-11-19T07:00:00.001-06:00

Tiger Woods wrote an op-ed for Newsweek. Can we learn anything? I think so.

He wrote, "At first, I didn’t want to look inward. Frankly, I was scared of what I would find—what I had become. But I’m grateful that I did examine my life because it has made me more grounded than I’ve ever been; I hope that with reflection will come wisdom. Golf is a self-centered game, in ways good and bad. So much depends on one’s own abilities. But for me, that self-reliance made me think I could tackle the world by myself. It made me think that if I was successful in golf, then I was invincible. Now I know that, no matter how tough or strong we are, we all need to rely on others."

LESSONS

LOOKING INWARD IS GOOD

Proverbs 27:19 (ESV) As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

SELF-RELIANCE IS BAD

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

NO ONE IS INVINCIBLE

Just as 1 Cor 10:12 says, "take heed lest he fall". The Bible is filled with people who thought they were invincible and fell. David is a great case study.

WE REALLY DO NEED EACH OTHER

Other people are there for us. Don't make your journey alone.

7 Life Principle from David

2010-11-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

Below is the lesson from Men's Fraternity this morning (Gil McKee). Great Principles to remember.

7 PRINCIPLES FROM DAVID'S LIFE

God deals with us on the basis of our PRESENT spiritual condition.

God was was removing Saul and establishing David based on their present spiritual condition.

Our failures are often causes by a failure to CONSULT God.

Every time David experienced failure it is characterized by this truth.
Remember that the Bible is sufficient for life and godliness
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

We must always fight the tendency to stop trusting God and to take matters into our own hands.

Trust God and win battles in the name of the Lord (David and Goliath)
Trust in self and failure is sure (David and Bathsheba)

Our greatest failures will often follow our greatest successes.

We must be on constant guard during times of great success and popularity.
Tiger Woods said, "Golf is a self-centered game, in ways good and bad. So much depends on one's own abilities. But for me, that self-reliance made me think I could tackle the world by myself," Woods wrote. "It made me think that if I was successful in golf, then I was invincible. Now I know that, no matter how tough or strong we are, we all need to rely on others."

Success and popularity in this life are not necessarily a measurement of spiritual maturity.

The statement "God has blessed me" is not always true in all areas of success.
How many people have you seen that were close to God and then experienced great success than drifted away?

Our greatest failures in life can destroy our credibility/integrity.

David lost credibility/integrity with his own family.
David lost credibility/integrity with his closest followers.
A bowl of soup can destroy our credibility.

Each time we acknowledge our sin and truly repent, God forgives and restores our fellowship with Him.

This is how David is called a man after God's own heart - RESTORATION/RECONCILIATION.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

PLANNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

2010-11-17T08:05:00.001-06:00

I have heard many teachers make the statement, "If you fail to plan you plan to fail!" What are your plans in the missional aspects of your life? Is it just a random stab here and there. There is this pastor in Atlanta that has a passion for Haiti. His name is Shaun King. If you follow him on twitter (@shaunking) or his blog ShaunintheCity.com you will know what his passion is. Are you aware of your missional passion? It is clear that Jesus believes that our Christian life is reflected in how we reach out to the hungry, thirsty, naked, and poor. It is clear that we are to reach out to orphans, widows and prisoners. Create a missional plan. How much money will you invest each month? How much time will you invest? If you do not have a missional plan you will fail at being missional.

What is going to be your first missional move? Let me know.

GIVE ME 7 MINUTES

2010-11-16T15:05:00.000-06:00

Please watch this and join me. IT IS TOO DARK TO SLEEP

What are you going to do?

RICK WARREN AGREES

2010-11-16T07:17:00.000-06:00

Here are the tweets from Rick Warren this morning. We are not alone in understanding that it it TOO DARK TO SLEEP.

"There are 146 million orphans in the world.. Are you OK with that?"

"Neutrality or apathy when you see evil & injustice allies you with Satan"

"Jesus saved the very people the self-righteous thought were unsavable because they refused to hang out with "sinners."

We have been learning about all the injustices in the world which we as the Christian community can no longer ignore. We must wake up from our sleep and take the message of Jesus Christ to the world.

POINTS OF LIGHT

2010-11-15T10:27:00.000-06:00

Yesterday the faith family of Harvest Church stepped up and saw the following POINTS OF LIGHT.

Provide 24 families with a Thanksgiving Meal
Provide clean water for 20 people for 20 years (www.charitywater.org).
Fight against Human Trafficking (www.thea21campaign.org)
Do home repairs for someone in need.
Another trip to Central Primary today with paper, underwear, belts, etc.
More people going to Haiti (www.nwhcm.org)
Another youth was saved last night (Dalton Smalley)

Thank you: Stay awake because IT IS TOO DARK TO SLEEP.

"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered."

Be a POINT OF LIGHT

1,000,000 PIECES

2010-11-11T09:14:00.000-06:00

This is a message that was sent to me after Sunday's Sermon. I clearly speaks to what is at risk when we do not repent. It is used by permission.

Well I’ve thought about this all day and I just cannot hold it in anymore. I wanted to stand up and scream this yesterday at church. Yesterday morning when you stood at the altar and said what if, what if you took the blood and body of Jesus as if you were pure and repentant, but you were still living in sin. What if you exploded into a million pieces as soon as you took it? That’s exactly what happened to me. God will only take so much. God will not be openly disobeyed. My God is a forgiving God and he will give you a chance to repent. He will put people in your life to help you out to try guide you back to him. But if you do not repent, he will turn away and he will replace you.

Just like in 1st Kings 11:9
9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

It’s like you explode into a thousand little pieces and all those little pieces stick into the people that you have hurt. Family, friends, acquaintances and the church body. Then the pieces of you just fester and grow and make the people around you angry at you, angry at God, angry at the whole situation. But the people that are strong slowly realize that it’s not you. It’s the sin that totally controls you.

But it’s also like with Job. And I am in no way saying that I am any type of Godly man. But God lets Satan take everything away, house, cars, family, friends, children, every worldly possession that you have. And when you are down in that hole that you have dug for yourself, you look up and see there is know where to go but up. That’s where I am right now. I will not be defeated. I will not lie down and just give up and say poor pitiful me. God has brought me so far in the past two years and the next few years are going to be some of the hardest. But I am back on my feet and I will not let Satan win again.

I appreciate everything that you and the Harvest Church family have done for me and my family. You will never know how much it means to me.

All I can say is, "Will, we repent?"

WHY REPENT?

2010-11-09T15:47:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was in a conversation about the whole forgiveness issue. It is my opinion that we have cheapened forgiveness. When I pray or ask for forgiveness, I am asking someone to forgive something I have done. Now, there might be some kind of understanding that I also mean that I will not do it again, but that goes unsaid. I think forgiveness is mostly focusing on the past mistakes with little to no focus on the future. I think that is why we are instructed to repent. The Bible does not say to ask for forgiveness. It says, repent. The word repent is both past and future focused. I desire forgiveness for my past action and I do not plan on committing the sin again. I plan to turn. Merriam-Webster defines repent as "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life". We need to be dedicated to amend our lives. Sin is serious and it affects every aspect of our lives. Let each of us Repent and Amend.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

4:25 to Conviction

2010-11-04T10:57:00.000-05:00

Watch this and decide. Be prepared for conviction.

I Can't Do Much! You Gotta Be Crazy!!!

2010-11-04T10:48:00.001-05:00

I have heard people say that they feel frustrated because they can't do much. What if you look at it from the other perspective. The perspective of the touched, the helped, the healed is different. What if you are the one who gets a meal today? It's huge! The key is that if everyone would do what they can, use what they have and start where they are we could make a huge difference. We could provide water to a whole village, food for a family, or some glue to heal a broken heart. Quit giving the excuse that you just can't do much. We do not have the choice to do nothing.

12 Hours NO WATER

2010-11-02T07:30:00.001-05:00

Try this! Carry around with you an empty water bottle this week for 12 hours. You pick the time. Don't drink any liquids. You will get the message what it is like to go without clean water. You can make a difference. go to www.mycharitywater.org/hcwater

GIVING GLORY BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

2010-11-01T14:54:00.000-05:00

Who is giving glory to God today because of what you have done?

2 Corinthians 9:13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, (ESV)

It is easy to talk the talk. Will we walk the walk?

FULLY AWARE

2010-10-27T08:53:00.000-05:00

“you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. . . But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.” 1 Thess 5:1-2, 4

It is time for the Christian community of America to wake up. It is time for the Christian community in Northport, Alabama to wake up. It is time for me and you to wake up. There is so much work of God to be done. If we all choose to do something we will be amazed at what gets done. Find your passion and wake up to the need around you. People need Jesus, but if we are not going to show them the love of Christ they do not want our Jesus.

“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” 1 Thess 5:6

TOO DARK TO SLEEP

2010-10-26T08:58:00.000-05:00

DR KEVIN ELKO NEWSLETTER. A GREAT BIBLICAL LESSON.

2010-10-22T17:37:00.000-05:00

The Difference

I am often asked what the big difference is between those who make it and those who do not. I have finally come up with the answer. In the second chapter of first Chronicles, there is a story about how the Philistines pursued King Saul and the enemy archers wounded him, but in the end, he fell upon his own sword. Here is the difference: winners think the thing that will end it for them, if it ever ends, is them; they know it will not be what somebody else does, but it is in the end, what they do to themselves; they believe in cause and effect. And the rest who don't make it believe that it is not them that causes the end but that somehow something outside of them, such as luck, the economy, the market, that outside something will dictate where they go. Remember that the archers wounded Saul, but they did not kill him; it was his own actions: he threw himself on the sword. Sail's suicide started long before the Philistines were pursuing him.

First, what if you wanted something so badly that you pursued it exclusively and you did not also desire any other compatible thing? Martin Luther King, Jr., was organizing a march, and the town authorities said, "If you do that march, we are going to beat you with clubs, turn water hoses on you, and let attack dogs lose on you." He replied, "After you are done, I am going to love you." He wanted what he wanted, peaceful coexistence, so badly that he would not allow something incompatible with peace,hate, into his mind. Along the same lines, Saul was anointed to serve the Israelites, to be their King, to do the best he could for them. But he was so concerned and intimidated by his predecessor, King David, that he could not serve, because all he wanted to do then was to find and kill David. What he did not realize is that, when you have the mission to destroy another man, you should dig two graves.

What is it that you want above all else? Is it a close family, personal health, being joy filled? Then, want it exclusively, and you will attain it. Get rid of those things that are incompatible with what you want. Most people's heads are like a big mixed salad, and then the people cannot figure out why they did not get what they wanted. But they did not want it exclusively; they wanted it with comfort or handed to them without work and had incompatible thoughts in their heads.

Second, I have watched athletes; specifically, hockey players in the NHL come in from a shift on the ice and say, “I am exhausted.” When I was working with the Pittsburgh Penguins, I watched the players come off the ice, exhausted like they could not go on, and then a player scored. At this point I watched the energy change and the team immediately scored again. I went to one of the players, Jaromir Jagr, and asked, “How are you exhausted and then no longer exhausted?” He said, “That happens all the time in hockey. It is like someone scores and you feel like the game just started.” Here is the answer: the spirit does not get tired. When the team scored, there was a transfer from one energy reserve, the physical, to another, the spiritual, and the spirit does not get tired. Likewise, I have a friend who beat cancer and was given weeks to live and he beat it. I asked him how he did it, and he said, "I could not envision telling my wife and children goodbye." He foug
ht the physical disease on the spiritual.

When the Holy Spirit anointed Saul to be King, he led, he had a great vision in mind, and it stayed on the level of the spirit because it was about others, the Israelites, and the kingdom. But when David started to gain favor, everything became about Saul and losing the Kingdom. It was his own personal agenda, not that of something higher or other than himself, the motivation left the spirit and now the motivation was on the physical plane and that point was the beginning of his end.

When I was in New York City, working with people impacted by 9/11 a short time after the attacks, nothing got to me more than going in and working with and talking to the firefighters. Here was a group of people willing to run into a building, to risk everything for people they did not even know. That thought broke me into tears. Couldn’t you and I then give and sacrifice for people we do know? How did they do this giving with all this courage? They did it because giving and risking on that level is an act of the spirit. That spirit is what left Saul; his reign became about the flesh, specifically his and not the spirit.

Quit allowing yourself to say it is the market, the economy, my teenage kids, the weather or whatever. In the end it will be what you do to you which will matter. What others do to you is really insignificant and can only wound you but not destroy you. The only one who can destroy you is you. If you believe others and outside influences can do you in, you are doomed to be done in. Do what you do on the level of the spirit, do it because you believe in what you are doing, because it helps others, because your family will be blessed by it. And remember that the spirit does not get tired.

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WHAT IS YOUR GAME PLAN?

2010-10-21T07:00:00.005-05:00

If that is your game work at it. When Tiger Woods began working on his golf game he was not Tiger. When LeBron James began working on his basketball skills he was not LeBron. You got to work on your game when no one knows who you are. You have to work on your game when no one is looking.

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

What is “your plans”? You need a game plan. How are you going to win without a plan.

I have heard it said that if you do not have a plan then you plan to fail. Put a plan together and become the best in the world at your game.

I have to have a family plan, church plan, preaching plan, and a leading plan.

If I do not, I will most likely never reach God’s desired goals for my life.

WHAT IS YOUR GAME?

2010-10-20T07:26:00.000-05:00

What is your game? What is it that dominates your thinking? What is it you wake up thinking about? What is it you go to bed thinking about? What is it that you live for?

Here are MY games:

Family – Church – Preaching – Leading

These things dominate my mind. I wake up thinking about them. I go to bed thinking about them.

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

What is your game? What is it that you know God has called you to?

Gone Out Of Business

2010-10-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

I heard a story of a buggy company that went broke after the automobile was invented because they thought they were in the buggy business instead of the transportation business. Sometimes churches get confused also. We are not in the church business. We are in the people business. We are not here to keep church people happy. We are here to bring people to Christ and disciple them to reach more for Christ. That comes by developing authentic relationships outside of our Christian circles. How long will we strive to keep the status quo happy at the expense of hurting people spending eternity without God? I also heard the story of a man who walked up to a church to read a note on the door that read: “Gone out of business because we forgot what our business was!” Let us be about God’s business.

What do you think?

10 Things Pastors Want to Say To The Church

2010-10-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

1. Just being at church is an encouragement.

2. Right before I preach don’t hit me up. I’m trying to focus.

3. Read your announcement sheet/bulletin.

4. Invite your friends to church.

5. The nursery is an important part of our ministry. Please teach our nursery children.

6. Tithe. Not so my salary can grow but so your blessings can.

7. Go to a small group. Sunday School and/or a LIFEgroup.

8. Take a meal to those who are healing from loss or health issues.

9. Do something. This is your church. Make it better.

10. Watch your tongue. Don’t gossip and/or always be negative.

BIGGER vs BETTER

2010-10-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

There are areas in our life that we want to be bigger. A BIGGER church, a BIGGER Sunday School, a BIGGER LIFEgroup, a BIGGER worship team, a BIGGER budget, a BIGGER business, a BIGGER client lists, BIGGER profits, BIGGER sales, BIGGER influence etc. Two things I would want you to know.

BIGGER is not necessarily BETTER. You can get big too quick. Sometimes we just need to be faithful in the small. Don't measure yourself by size.
BETTER leads to BIGGER. Chic-Fil-A at one point was seeking to get bigger at a rapid rate. Truett Cathy (the oldest man in the room) said "If we do what we do better, the customers will demand the bigger". So whatever you do, DO IT BETTER and BIGGER will come.

OITM

2010-10-12T08:44:00.000-05:00

The greatest part of what I do as a minister is to remind people. I do not declare new things. I remind of things already been said. So, with that said I feel that I must remind you to OITM. It is easy to try to figure out exactly what the story of our life is going to look like. If we focus on making the story work out the way we want it to we are most likely going to mess the story up. OITM and the story will be wonderful. It will be a story so big that you would not have even imagined it. You may be asking what OITM means. Obey In The Moment. Just do what God tells you to do in the moment. The story will be great.

What is it you must do right now?

Will You Join Me?

2010-10-11T09:11:00.001-05:00

I was saved in a very legalistic (many rules to keep) environment. I felt like as a Christian one had to read their bible daily, go to church every time the doors were open, etc. Now, those are good things but you can do that and be a lousy Christian or maybe not even one at all. I guess I am a recovering Pharisee. I still struggle mainly with other people’s shortcomings (Pharisees usually fail to see their own). See that is what a Pharisee does. He measures people. Usually people he does not even really know.

I now want to give GRACE & JESUS.

I will seek to lead my life toward those that are hurting. Some will not understand. I cannot help them all but I can do something.

Will you join me? Please leave a comment to let me know.

Can You Handle This?

2010-10-07T04:23:00.001-05:00

It is 4:39/3:39 central time. I have not slept. Here is why.

As I sat in the Catalyst conference yesterday God was speaking to me in diverse ways about diverse topics. Everybody at Catalyst that tweets puts the hash tag #cat10 so anyone can see tweets that reference what is happening at Catalyst 2010. As I checked Twitter, I saw a tweet where a good, strong church is beginning it's search for a new lead pastor and I was intrigued. I have not sent a resume to a church since the early 1990's so I thought about putting a resume together and sending it to see what happened. Sometimes a fresh start is appealing. Then later in the day it crossed my mind to just start a new church and as people joined we would make it clear what the expectations were.

The first day of the conference was finally over and it was time for supper, a stop at Barnes and Noble for a little reading of THE MESH, then to the hotel for some sleep. A long day lay ahead on Thursday starting at 6/5 central and going until about 9/8 central. Well, I don't think I slept a wink. Either the Pumpkin Spice Latte, some one prayed foe rocks in my bed, God or me kept me awake. I have spent this night praying for my wife, Blake, Kristine, Luke (and his future spouse), Hannah (and her future spouse) and many members of Harvest Church. I spent time forgiving people who have hurt me. I have wrestled with God. I have laid stuff at the foot of the cross and picked it back up and laid it back down again. I hope I can leave it there. But here is the deal.

God began to give me visions. Vivid visions. Visions of what could be. Visions of what should be. Visions of people taking ownership of God's call on their life. Visions of people excited about their commitment to the Body of Christ. People excited about bringing a community to Jesus. A community without financial bondage. A community without grumbling and complaints. A community where everyone plays a part. A community of believers that allows God to use them. A community that surrenders to God and His plan for their life. I wrestled with God.

The part God made clear was all of these visions were for Harvest Church. They were not for another church or for a new church start. They were for Harvest Church. I cannot pour what I have seen into your mind. I am not sure I can even articulate all God has shown me. But I can say God has a plan for Harvest Church. It is not an easy plan in our strength but it is doable in His strength. I don't see where God called people to easy in the Bible. He called them to obedience.

It is my prayer that God gets a hold on the hearts of the faith family called Harvest Church and we would become a mighty army of Jesus Christ in the church and in the streets. I pray that every member of our faith family and those who have been our guest would wrestle with God and get His vision for their life and live it. I wish you a sleepless night with God.

What do you think?

Catalyst 2010

2010-10-05T10:29:00.000-05:00

I love to learn. I have become a book addict and seek to grow in my knowledge so that I might more fully execute God's call on my life. This week I will be attending Catalyst 2010. This is a conference for young leaders. The oldest person there last year was 72 so I guess I am still young at 47. I believe our young leaders have much to teach us and I love their passion. This is always a refreshing week and a great time to soak up great leadership lessons. If you are on Twitter you can get some good quotes this week by checking out hash tag #cat10.

What Do We Have to Offer?

2010-10-04T16:37:00.000-05:00

Mary Anne and I had a refreshing time at the beach last week and are encouraged to come back to continue God’s call on our lives. As we left the beach we stopped by the donut shop at about 10:45 on Sunday. As I surveyed the people there were those who appeared to be coming by after/before church and those who did not appear to have church on the agenda. I realize there is certain risk in trying to make that distinction by how someone looks/dresses, but I did. This question crossed my mind, “What does the church have to offer that is worth all the trouble?” I think I have just three simple answers: Jesus, a faith family and eternal hope. Therefore, should we not make Jesus, our faith family and eternal hope our priorities? We have nothing to offer greater than Jesus. A faith family that really cares is always special. Hope is missing in so many lives so let us have eternity on the brain. Fall in love today with Jesus, your faith family and let us all look to our eternal prize with great hope.

2 Cor 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

2010-09-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

in my studies today i have been doing a word study on "abounding". it basically mean to show up big. show up big for God! be where you are - i mean like really be there. be there in heart, mind, soul and strength.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58

Hard Words and Encouragement

2010-09-27T13:37:00.001-05:00

There are times when I feel God leading me to share some hard words with our faith family. Yesterday, was one of those days. In our raising three children we would have family meetings. Anytime I would call a “family meeting” everyone knew it was something that I thought was serious and needed everyone’s attention. There are times when hard words are encouragement. I want to encourage our faith family to make a difference. Be what God desires for you to be. Allow Him to use you. It may never be easy but it will be worth it. The faith walk is one that is filled with challenges and opportunities, but know that the adversary will seek to get you distracted. He will set other things before your eyes that will tempt with momentary fulfillment. The Bible is true. God is God. Jesus died for you and overcame death and the grave. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. You are part of Christ body – the Church. God created you for a specific purpose. Live in it.

Converge

2010-09-24T06:34:00.000-05:00

It is my observation in my life as well as those around me that what we say we believe and how we live our lives often do not converge.

Conv-verg - \kən-ˈvərj\
1: to tend or move toward one point or one another : come together : meet <converging paths>

2: to come together and unite in a common interest or focus

I think it was Elizabeth Elliot who said, "When the will of God and the will of man meet someone has to die". So often we refuse to die. We refuse to take up our cross. The church should be so engaged in the ways and work of God that the enemy fears our waking up. However, we have backed down. This world has become more important than the next. It was Jim Elliot who said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Give what you cannot keep. You cannot keep time. It is passing. You can't stop it or slow it so give it. Jim Elliot also said, "I may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not."

I do not doubt what I say I believe, but is it really a belief if I choose not to live by it? It might be as Josh McDowell wrote, "We must move from belief to conviction" (paraphrased).

May there be a convergence in my life and yours today.

Book Review - William F. Buckley by Jeremy Lott

2010-09-16T09:44:00.000-05:00

There are people in history that have a larger impact than most people can see or comprehend. William F. Buckley was one of those people. His impact on the conservative movement across America was huge. It is really amazing that a figure that might not be familiar to the average American has influenced the public arena in which they live so much. Buckley's life as presented by Lott is compelling and revealing. This work in very enlightening and encouraging. One man can make a difference and going with the flow is not always the best direction. Anyone who is interested in history and especially the conservative movement of the last fifty years would enjoy this work.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Gray Areas

2010-09-16T09:14:00.000-05:00

Last week I took the opportunity to view The Nines. One of the speakers made an interesting observation. As a leader we find ourselves navigating the gray areas. It is in the areas that do not have quick answers or solutions that people need real leadership. It is when they do not understand God that they need leadership. It is when the right answer is hard to find. It appears that most of the time people live in the gray. It is not in the black or white. It is seeking to choose great over good, excellence over average that leadership is needed. Don't get frustrated with people in the gray because that is why we need you as a leader.

P.S. We all are in the gray sometimes!

Every Road Leads Somewhere

2010-09-14T08:18:00.000-05:00

PICK THE RIGHT ROAD

This morning on my way in to the office I heard a commercial that had the tag line, "Every road leads somewhere". That is an obviously true statement, so why do we sometimes end up in places and are surprised at where our lives have taken us? If I get on a road that I do not know where it leads I am usually lost or confused. We all pick which road we will take today and every day. Each day brings new opportunities, barriers and roadblocks. Some will even have some long straight ways. But know that the road you are on is your decision. It will lead you to a certain destination. Where are the decisions of your life taking you? Which road are you on? In His love, God is continually seeking to have you on the right road. Choose wise which path to take.

SALT

2010-09-13T07:31:00.002-05:00

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Know what you are then be what you are. Jesus makes it clear that His disciples are to be the salt of the earth.

EARTH

Earth is filled with evil, sin, then desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

SALT

Salt when the proximity is right can make a difference in the earth. Salt is no good if it loses it flavor/effect. Stay strong in the Lord by staying close to Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Demonstrate your saltiness today. Have courage, show kindness, speak boldly, speak and live truth.

When we are trampled under the feet of men we know that we have lost our saltiness.

Are you SALT or a rock?

A Lesson Worth Reading

2010-09-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

Below is the lesson that was taught at Men's Fraternity this morning. Everyone should take time to study it.

Some giant life lessons

1 Samuel 17 (read the whole chapter)

Goliath taunted the Israelites for forty days. God was setting the stage for a legendary victory.

David was just a boy and Goliath. had been in the army since he was a boy. (17:33)

Israel had become a nation dominated by fear.

LESSONS FROM GOLIATH (He felt no need to go to Men's Fraternity.)

1. Self-confidence alone is a flawed philosophy. It is the thought that you don't need anybody. You don't need Men's Fraternity, church, godly friendships, or a deeper walk with God. Everyone loses sometimes. It cost G. his life.

2. Pride will always lead to disaster. Prov 16:18 pride comes before destruction, Rom 12:3

3. False god's will fail us. Goliath. cursed David by his god. Goliath. was spiritually blind. Be careful where you put your trust.

4. Tunnel vision sets us up for deception. Goliath. only knew one way to fight and live.

LESSONS FROM DAVID

1. God's reputation must always be first. David was pissed off because the armies of the living God was being taunted. It was not his national pride but his spiritual commitment. In David's mind to attack Israel was to attack God. 1 Cor 10:31

2. Confidence in God leads to success/victory. (17:37, 45-46). Psalm 20:7 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God".

3. Balance is the key. David also brought his sling. The armor of Saul did not fit. He could not win trying to be something he was not. So he fought the fight in a shepherd boys attire instead of a warrior. BE WHO YOU ARE. remember John 15:5, "without Me you can do nothing".

4. Opportunities come when we are prepared. Be prepared for all God brings your way. David had been practicing with his sling for years. Judges 20:16 is a story of snipers who used the slingshot. David had no idea he would be in a fight that day when he got out of bed and headed on his journey, BUT HE WAS PREPARED JUST IN CASE.

Long Live Passion

2010-09-08T17:49:00.000-05:00

Passion is something that money cannot buy. You either have it or you don't. Passion is strong and in many ways unstoppable. One interesting note on passion is how other people respond to it. In worship passion can be misunderstood. Some will say that a person is putting on a show when they worship with great passion. David's wife told him he was making a fool of himself as his passion overflowed into dancing. Passion is powerful and people will either love it or hate it. Don't let the haters stop the passion. Surrender to the passionate love of God and then you will find a passionate love for God.

Expectancy

2010-09-02T08:02:00.000-05:00

Do we really expect God to do anything big? When I think of expecting a pregnant lady comes to mind. The minute she finds out she is pregnant she begins planning for delivery day. The nursery has to be prepared. She begins to buy clothes. Other people begin to have showers with many gifts. No one ever doubts there is a baby coming. Why? She is expecting. What are you expecting God to do? In your life? Your family? Your church? Your finance? Believe the promises of God.

Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Go ahead and plan for God to do His perfect will. Expect it.

I'm A Drifter

2010-09-01T10:25:00.001-05:00

Sometimes a song is more than a song. I ran across one of those this past week while listen to Rick and Bubba. They had Decemberadio in the studio and they sang the song “Drifter”. Sometimes I think we all can really identify with it. Here are the lyrics and a link to listen to it.

I used to have a home

a place I started from

a place to call my own

bright lights and late nights

the devil took me on a midnight ride

left me out in the desert on my own

Now I feel alone

I need a hand to help me find my way back home

I'm a drifter out on a dead end road

trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to you

lord I've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belong

and I've got to get back home to you

Sometimes I think about the past

the road that I was on

the one that lead me home

I'll walk on another day

I may wonder but I never stray

cause I found out the hard way sin don't pay

Now I feel alone

I need a hand to help me find my way back home

I'm a drifter out on a dead end road

trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to you

lord I've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belong

and I've got to get back home to you

and when I feel the night is closing in

and I can barely breathe the air

I just remember that I've got a friend

who really cares

oh who really cares

I'm a drifter out on a dead end road

trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to you

lord I've been gone for far too long headed to places I don't belong

and I've got to get back home to you.

Listen to the song here and weep if you need to, rejoice if you need to, mourn if you need to, but maybe today you can begin to find your way back home.

Out of My Sleep

2010-08-30T09:03:00.001-05:00

Right out of my sleep this morning God put this picture in my mind.

Then He said that is what it is like to be a child of the King.

I can crawl under His desk and have access to places that are only afforded to His children.

Enjoy your life as a child of the King this week.

Jesus Stuff

2010-08-26T07:49:00.000-05:00

I overheard a student at the University of Alabama say yesterday, “I’ve Got Enough Jesus Stuff”. Now she was at Get On Board Day and was walking down the church portion of those seeking to get the students to see that their cause was worth a student’s time. They were getting t-shirts, cups, water, drinks, biscuits, etc. There was a lot of Jesus stuff given away, but that statement just caught my attention. I think there are a few ways to think about that statement. Now, I saw her make it and I think I know what she meant, but I will get to that shortly.

Here are just a few thoughts about “I think I have enough Jesus stuff!”

Ω You can have “Jesus stuff” and not have Jesus.

Ω “Jesus stuff” can be good things like faith, hope and love.

Ω “Jesus stuff” can be religious clutter getting in your way of really experiencing Jesus.

Ω “Jesus stuff” can be just like all stuff that we have in our lives.

The students statement came off as a dig at Christians. I think she can be right at times. There are times when we are more concerned with giving away “Jesus stuff “ than we are Jesus. We want to give away our programs, events, churches, groups, opinions, denominations, etc and never tell them about Jesus. I think what many Christian organization did yesterday was one great way to reach the students at the UofA, but let us not stop there. Let us seek to give them Jesus.

Delighting to do God's Will?

2010-08-25T08:18:00.000-05:00

Where are you in relation to God’s will? The Psalmist wrote, “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (PS 40:8) Could you say, “I delight to do your will?” That is what surrender is all about. This morning the devotion from the Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest was about surrender and it make me ask myself that question. To be honest some times I delight it so much and at others is seems very difficult to find delight in God’s will. So, where does the problem lie. I think it lies within me. There is this constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17). When I loose focus of the things that really matter, I loose that delight to do His will. Where are you in relation to God’s will?

Create When Creativity Calls

2010-08-23T10:53:00.000-05:00

Create when creativity calls. Each week God has called me to create message to deliver to His people on His behalf. However, the creating part is much more Him than me. Last night sleep was not easy to come by but creativity was. As I lay awake my mind kept drifting to this Sunday’s sermon. Scripture, illustrations and pictures continued to run through my mind. So, I got up and finished this Sunday’s sermon (it might need a little refining) at 2:30 AM. It is easy to try to get God to create on our schedule, but it usually does not work quite like that. I want to encourage you to create when creativity calls. Don’t procrastinate because I promise it will not be so vivid later.

A Great Word by Seth Godin

2010-08-19T08:07:00.000-05:00

This is from Seth Godin's blog today and makes a great point.

"When using an axe to split logs, it's awfully tempting to aim at the top of the log.

After all, if you miss the log entirely, it's dangerous or at the very least, ineffective. One can argue that if you don't split the top, it's pointless—nothing else will happen.

The problem with aiming at the top is that the axe loses momentum before its work is done and you end up with a stuck axe and half a split log.

No, the best approach is to focus on splitting the bottom of the log. Split the bottom and the top takes care of itself."

So, what is it where your aim is in the right direction but not with enough determination?

Colossians 3:23–24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (ESV)

Lie Bumps and Paper Cuts

2010-08-17T09:03:00.000-05:00

I begin the day with a lie bump on my tongue and a paper cut on my index finger. So, I begin the day in much pain. How can something so little hurt so bad. I do not even remember cutting my finger and who knows what you do to cause a lie bump. Oh, that's right you tell a lie. What if our spiritual lives were so sensitive that the little things caused us great awareness? Now I know that sin is sin (James 2:10) but I think God is talking about from the judicial perspective, as in guilt not as in consequence. The Holy Spirit is the one that convicts the world of sin (John 16:8). What is your sin threshold? What does not bother you anymore? Give it some thought.

Sermon Un-Preached

2010-08-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday God moved me in a different direction concerning my message. I was a little nervous to say the least. For those who are interested here is the sermon I had planned.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

We have determined that He is God!

We have determined that He dwells within us!

We have determined He gives stronger or weaker evidence according to how we respond to Him!

We have determined He empowers us!

We have determined He purifies!

The Holy Spirit Reveals

What does He reveal? ANYTHING HE WANTS TO!

I guess anyone who has a television has seen the Verizon commercials with the tag line, “Can you hear me now?”

Henry Blackaby writes in Experiencing God, “An encounter with the Holy Spirit is an encounter with God”. Therefore, when you hear the Holy Spirit you are hearing God.

The Holy Spirit is the one that reveals to you that you are indeed saved.

Ω “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16, ESV)

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself by helping you remember.

Ω “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26, ESV)

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself when His fruit manifest Him in our life.

Ω “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)

Ω If you recall from last week we learned that He wants to break sinful patterns in our lives in order to replace them with holy patterns. We said He produces growth in holiness of life.

Ω When you see the “fruit of the Spirit” you are seeing the revelation of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself when His gifts manifest Him in our life.

Ω Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4–7, ESV)

o Varieties of gifts

o Varieties of service

o Varieties of activities

o Manifestation of the Spirit

o For the common good.

Ω The Gifts of the Spirit are to reveal Spirit of God for the common good.

The Holy Spirit reveals Himself, His purposes and His ways. We are to “walk in the Spirit”

Again, Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God puts it like this.

“God reveals Himself to increase my faith…God reveals His purposes so I will do His work…When God came to Noah He did not ask, ‘What do you want to do for me?’ He came to reveal what He was about to do…In contrast, we set about to dream our dreams of what WE want to do for God.”

His plan is to let us in on what he is about to do and we can choose either to join Him or not. The Holy Spirit wants you to be a vessel for Him.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (ESV)

Blackaby continues, “God reveals His ways so I can accomplish His purpose.” He purpose is only accomplished through His ways.

Will you join Him?

17

2010-08-15T08:10:00.001-05:00

Seventeen years ago today Lord of the Harvest Baptist Church was planted. Today, she is known as Harvest Church. The reason the church was started on this day was:

To reach the lost.

To reach the person who is laying in bed on Sundays instead of being part of a faith family.

To reach the person who had had such a bad experience in church that they had sworn never to return.

To reach the person who does no believe in God.

To reach the husband who never goes to church with his family.

To reach the wife who stayed home while her husband and children went to spend time with a faith family.

To reach the drug addict and alcoholic.

To reach the divorced who felt like they did not belong.

To reach people that the current churches were not reaching.

To be a safe place for those who felt so different.

To reach out to the ragamuffin and the downtrodden.

To reach those who never seemed to be able to measure up.

To reach those who were ready to give up.

To reach those who we have to hold up.

To reach out with hands of kindness and love.

To do it different if it needed to be.

To conform people to the image of Christ.

To live in the power of the Spirit.

To continue unto the end.

IN A FOG?

2010-08-12T08:43:00.000-05:00

Fog delayed the beginning of the PGA Championship this morning. One of the biggest golf events of the year is delayed because of very little water. Fog is just water droplets. "Fog formation requires all of the elements that normal cloud formation requires, the most important being condensation nuclei, in the form of dust, aerosols, pollutants, etc., for the water to condense upon." Sometimes there is so much dust in our life that we find ourself in a spiritual fog. We lose our sense of vision, creativity, and effectiveness due to the fog. The sun burns off the fog or actually evaporates the water. The way I burn off the fog in my life is to put it under the Word of God. Put the dust of your life under the word of God and you might just find that it is never used to create fog.

How do you burn your spiritual fog off?

Should A Church Feel Like a Coffee Shop?

2010-08-11T07:41:00.000-05:00

Last night Luke and I spent some time in a coffee shop in Nashville called Fido and I loved the environment. It was live, comfortable, engaging, public and private. It is part of Bongo Java Roasting Company. What is it about the environment that made it so enjoyable?

It was my first time. First times usually make us take in an environment. Slowing down and see what is around me instead of rush in and out. Looking to see what ALL they have to serve and what ALL is on the shelves to sell. I drank my first Naked juice last night.
It was very public - full of people, but a table could be found,but no plug :( .
It was very private - no one intruded our space.
It was live. Chatter was everywhere. Computers were everywhere. Deep conversations were going on as well as simple conversations.
It was comfortable. Not that the seats were some new kind of cushion but it just felt good to be there.

Why do people not feel that way at church? Or should we?

WATCH THIS

2010-08-10T10:32:00.004-05:00

Video worth your time.

LEARNING - Never Stop

2010-08-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

Luke and I are headed to Nashville to enjoy a day of mentoring by Stephen Brewster at Crosspoint. Pete Wilson is their lead pastor and is making a huge impact in Nashville and beyond. I desire to continue to learn from people who have not given up on church, but seek creative ways to fulfill their God given vision. I believe when we cease to learn we begin dying. Realize you are never too old to learn and create.

When I Grow Up....

2010-08-09T07:13:00.000-05:00

What do you want to be when you grow up? That is a good question for all of us. I find myself like the Toys-R-Us song sometimes. “I don’t want to grow us, I’m a toys-r-us kid”. But I think I sometimes change the song to go, “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a It’s-All-About-Us kid”. Yea it is harder to sing to the tune but it seems more accurate for most of us. What does God want you to be when you grow up? He wants you to be more like His Son every day – full of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. What do you really want to be when you grow up? How about I want to be like Christ. Sound cheesy. Try it and you will think cheesy!!

Book Review - Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

2010-08-04T08:41:00.000-05:00

Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola hit the spot. They seek to give us Jesus and not some watered down version of Him. If one could erase all their brain has stored about who they think Jesus is, and let this book guide them through the Scriptures they might end up in a different place in their belief system.

It seems like Jesus has just become some cool guy in a pair of sandals hanging out at the local coffee shop. As they present in this challenging book, Jesus is much more. He might would be that guy in the coffee shop but He would be the main guy in the coffee shop. He is not some second rate person who is around to make everyone feel good about themselves. He is the all powerful, never surprised, amazing Savior and Lord. Western society seems to have produced this Jesus that looks very little like the one seen in the word of God. Take the time to read this book and be challenged in your life as it relates to Christ.

Am I Making a Difference?

2010-08-04T08:17:00.000-05:00

Last night I was watching something on television (I don’t remember what.) and the thought came to me, “Are you making a difference even if it does not feel like it, you can’t see it or know it?” I remember several years ago a first year teacher told me her biggest disappointment was that she thought she would make a difference. In ministry I have had the same feeling at times. A policeman might have the same thought as he/she picks up the same person time after time. What about Moses as he went to Pharaoh for the 9^th time? What about Jesus as Peter said “I do not know Him”. What about Paul with and church after church that just did not understand grace? You can make a difference just doing the little things. Oswald Chambers puts it like this, “We have no idea what God’s goal may be; as we continue, His purpose becomes even more and more vague. God’s aim appears to have missed the mark, because we are too nearsighted to see the target at which He is aiming.” Below is a clip about a man who just did the little things in a town of 2000 people. What if we all lived like this?

Better Than Negative

2010-07-29T08:44:00.000-05:00

There a a little girl, Kate McRae, that Hannah has been following for some time. She is a little girl that has experienced cancer. She has inspired so many. Her parents keep people up-to-date through a caring bridge website. Here is a portion of yesterdays post that shows the amazing faith of a child.

"Tomorrow is a BIG day! A big day in a season that has had it's share of big days. Kate will have a PET scan starting at 1:30 (4:30) EST. We are hoping and praying that the test will come back negative, this would most likely indicate that there is not any cancerous tumor remaining at this point. Tonight our family was praying for Kate by her bedside as she snoozed from a long day. Olivia opened up praying that the test would be negative, and then Will proceed to agree with Olivia's prayer and I concluded. As soon as I finished Will said he wanted to pray again and this time he prayed that the results from the PET scan would be 'better than negative'. Olivia asked him how that was even possible, and Will condescendingly replied as only a 5 year old could, that 'better than negative' means that it's like there was never a tumor there. I like that, in fact I think we may appoint him our official intercessor, he has faith and he has audacity."

I pray that our lives will be "better than negative". That is, that whatever is hurting and hindering us would be like it never was there.

Don't Talk Unless You have Something to Say

2010-07-27T11:39:00.001-05:00

Right now I have nothing to say but, "I'm tired!"

Something BIG for God

2010-07-26T09:50:00.002-05:00

It seems that many Christians want to do something big for God. They want to do what Andy Stanley does, or sing like Carlo Whitaker or John Mark McMillian or Kari Jobe, or whatever. Some might want to be a Shawn Alexander and share their faith through sports and others just want it to be big. Those are great inspirations and worthy desires but most people do not find the BIG things they find them. I believe that most of the above, who I know none of personally, would say that the BIG things just found them.

I know in my Christian experience if I just stayed at it day after day and walked in the Spirit (Gal 5:16). I have found some of the things that people would say were BIG that have happened in my life happened serendipitiously. That is, I happened upon them as I sought to just “walk in the Spirit”. I think the Christian life is about taking care of the little things and you will serendipitiously find the BIG.

A tweet the other day by @prodigaljohn was very appropriate for this whole thought process. "David didn't show up to fight Goliath. He brought lunch. Stop looking for the dramatic and be great at the little things."
1:51 PM Jul 23rd via TweetDeck

Raising Children - A Look Back

2010-07-23T10:46:00.000-05:00

Life in the getting older lane speeds up. I'm with Hannah at orientation at UA today. She is going to major in Early Childhood Development. She love young kids and more importantly they love her. I do not feel old enough to have grown children but I am. What has this journey taught me?

1. Show your children love without condition and say the words "I Love You" often.
2. Confirm that you are loyal to them and truly desire the best God has for their life.
3. Be consistent in all environments - home, church, work, marketplace.
4. Keep them in church for multiple reasons, especially positive peer pressure.
5. Put your relationship with your spouse very high on your priority list.
6. Let them see you read. Bible, books, etc.
7. Let them be them instead of a little you.

Just a little help from a friend.

Maybe - TMI (a picture just did not seem appropriate)

2010-07-22T08:52:00.000-05:00

I am 47 years old or as a child might say I'm 47 1/2. I have to pee during the night and have found it easier to never turn on the lights. I have a path that I take and unless Mary Anne moves something I can make it without hitting anything but the toilet. I do not want to turn the lights on for three reasons. 1) I do not want to wake her up. 2) I do not want to wake the dog up. 3) I do not want to wake up. Well this morning at about 4:30 I make my routine to the bathroom and all is good until I get to the toilet. The rug is what tells me I am in place and can begin to pee. This morning something happened that never has happened in my 47 1/2 years. When my foot hit the rug I stepped on something and then all the rules were out the window. I had to turn on the light to see if it was what I thought it was and it was. I STEPPED ON A DOG TURD! Yea, that is exactly what I said. For some reason I could not go back to sleep and began my day hating Mary Anne's dog Marley - AGAIN. So, here is the lessonS of wisdom I have learned from this experiences.

LESSONS LEARNED

If your walking in the dark, it is only a matter of time until you will step on a turd (there will be a price to sin).
Watch where you walk (Consider your how you are living).
Lock up all dogs before you go to bed (Put the things that could lay turds in your life in a cage).
Turn on the lights so as to spot turds before stepping on them (Walk in the light of Jesus Christ).

I really wish I could have told this story to mother.

I Heard Mother's Voice

2010-07-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

Mother died in April 2008 after four months of critical sickness. Since the day before she died I have not heard her voice. It was the one thing I just could not remember. I could not hear her voice. Well, her answering machine preserved her voice for me. I have not listened to it until this past Sunday night during our LIFEgroup with Harvest Church. I have been somewhat afraid to hear it because I was afraid of the emotions it might bring out. I felt the Holy Spirit telling me last week that it was time and I was to listen to it during LIFEgroup. I said no. I cannot take the chance to have an emotional breakdown right in front of our LIFEgroup. It was hard to bring the emotions to the front for me, Mary Anne, Luke and Hannah. It did bring tears, but it was also refreshing/releasing. Grief is a weird game to play and it is played differently by most everyone. I would say this is what God taught me through it. My fear is usually greater than reality. Here last words on the machine are God Bless You.

I Think I Was Wrong - REALLY

2010-07-19T08:25:00.001-05:00

As recently as yesterday I gave an illustration that looked like this in Sunday School.

And here is what I said, God has a path for us to walk, a life to live, His will to follow and it was indicated by the straight line.

Then I added that the curvy line illustrates the path/life/will we take. Furthermore, when we get off the straight line we will hear God’s voice guiding us how to get back to where we ought to be.

^“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

I think I have been wrong in using this illustration and led others to the same conclusion. I actually think that this illustration is part of our problem in the Christian life. All straight lines look the same and they do appear the easy path. So, we all try to take the same path, live the same life and see God total will for our lives as identical. Well, they are not. So, I want to use the same illustration and change the parts. The curvy line is my life following God and the straight line is the one I think I should have or deserve. Let me illustrate it like this.

The straight line does not have any of the difficulties or successes in it. It does not indicate things in my childhood. It does not indicate my parents divorce. It does not indicate my marriage and the death of my grandmother one month later. It does not indicate having children, changing jobs, my mother's death, Mary Anne's dad's death, the start of Lord of the Harvest or Harvest Church. It does not show when God saved me and then called me to preach. My life has been curvy and God was always there to navigate the curves. My life has been far from a straight line. I have had time of deep doubt, discouragement and depression. I have also had some mountain top experiences and some great successes and yes I have had some brief times in my life when it was straight, but very few. So the illustration works but it need to be reversed. Let us quit trying to walk this straight line and just walk the path that God has for us with all the curves and His guidance.

So, today pay attention because on the curvy road you cannot put you life on cruise control it is VFR (visual flight rules) just listen to that voice - IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Where Can I Find God?

2010-07-15T09:13:00.000-05:00

It just seems that there are a couple of places that I seem closer to God than any other place. It seems like I can escape to a quiet place when I am intently in the Word of God, listening to music that reflects on God or reading a book about God. I define a quiet place as where I feel that it is just me and God (like two peas in a pod. I hate that song). So, I have to find a place and a time to make at least one of these happen everyday. Or, should I say I have to MAKE it happen. I find that the spiritual things in my life have to become a discipline. For some reason my gravity often pulls me in pursuits of good things at the expense of the best things. I have time when I struggle to keep my attention on the most important things. I can find myself leaning toward compromise too quickly. May I MAKE time today and maybe encourage you to MAKE it happen.

Book Review – Ragamuffin Gospel

2010-07-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

This is a great book. Brennan Manning has given us his best in this book. The subtitle is “Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out”. I think we all have been one or all of those. This was my second reading of this book. It came out originally in 1990 and has stood the test of time. If you are a person who sometimes feels you just are not good enough, can’t continue on, or beat up by life, this book is for you. I actually would love to make it mandatory reading for all Christians. We all seem to have people in our life that manifest the idea that we do not measure up. We have set some kind of measuring stick for those that have “made it” and those who have not. This book ministered to me so much. I highly recommend it for everyone.

Book Review - Redeeming Love

2010-07-13T06:44:00.000-05:00

Redeeming Love is one of the books I read on my recent vacation and I highly recommend it. I have had this book recommended to me a few times but I am not a big fiction reader and on top of that it appeared to be a girl book. I mean look at the cover. They need to design two covers for this book – a male and a female cover. The book is a love story that is set in what seems like the 1800’s. The story seems impossible until you consider it from its inspiration - story of Hosea in the Old Testament. It was for me a much needed reminder of God’s relentless love for us and He will pursue us even when we are not receptive to His redeeming love. I highly recommend this book to both men and women. Guys you will feel a little funny at first when setting by the pool and reading a Francis Rivers book but I promise it will not change your manhood. Read it and LEARN of how deep God’s love is for you.

LeBron James and Tom Brady

2010-07-09T09:22:00.000-05:00

Tom Brady was interviewed toward the end of the quest for the prefect season. Brady has been an interesting person in professional athletics. At the time of the interview he already had three Super Bowl Rings. Watch this YouTube clip and consider LeBron’s quest. LeBron has not done anything wrong. He is a man that makes decisions that seem best for he and his family. He probably did what most of us would do. But if he could listen to this one video clip, he might realize that his dream will elude him even if he wins a championship or three championships. You see championships do not bring fulfillment just a hunger for more of them.

LeBron, Free Agency and Life

2010-07-08T21:10:00.004-05:00

Free Agency

We live in a world of free agents. Pick the place, team, city that give you every thing you want. LeBron simply made the decision that put the "king" in the position to get him what he does not have - a championship. It was all for him. Is anyone committed to anything anymore. Is anything worth fighting for. Can a person work hard and not win the championship and still make a difference. Does everyone have to have a place that gives them everything they want. Working hard and building something is hard work that is rewarding even if it does not bring the championship. What is your Cleveland and what is your Miami? What is in your life that might never give you a championship but you will make a huge impact. You can "sacrifice" and chase the championship that is for YOU. Commit to something. Fight for it. You might not ever win the coveted ring but you will make an impact bigger than a ring. Yea, I'm disappointed in LeBron's decision to go to Miami but I'm not an NBA fan or watched a whole game since Michael Jordan. Just wish people would stick things out when it is not going their way. It's so easy to move on. It is happening in families, sports, pastorates, jobs and more. Free agency is the American way of chasing the American dream.

Tomorrow a view from the other side.

27 and Counting

2010-07-08T13:13:00.002-05:00

Well, today Mary Anne and I have been married for 27 years. It seems like I am not old enough to have been married that long. I kid with people and say we have been happily married for 25 years. Well, that might be right. There have probably been 2 years that were tough. How have we made it 27 years in marriage? Here is my take and I have lived it.

Remember marriage is a covenant relationship.
SAY the words “I LOVE YOU” and DEMONSTRATE “I LOVE YOU” as often as you get the chance.
Remember the grass “on the other side” is really over a septic tank.
Remember you get out of a marriage what you put into a marriage.
As my uncle told me upon our engagement, “Marriage is like a hot tub of water. The longer you are in it the colder it gets.” My advice on that is to keep adding hot water.
It’s popular on many signs but not in many lives but make sure you spend time living, laughing and loving.
Remember it’s worth the fight.
Go on dates (you and your kids will survive time away from each other).
Sex with one person your whole life is really good no matter what people may say.
Have sex even when you do not feel like it.
If you have kids, they need you to stay together and in love.

There is more I could say and I’m sure I missed some really important stuff but it has worked.

P.S. I love you Mary Anne Williams

What Good Is A Vacation?

2010-07-07T06:15:00.000-05:00

I'M BACK!! That came from some Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Yes, I am back from our family vacation. What good is a vacation? Let me count the ways.

POSITIVES

Uninterrupted Time with Family
Brain can defragment.
Time with God is powerful.
Refuel
Refresh
Read 3 1/2 books (reviews to come)

Redeeming Love
Ragamuffin Gospel
Signature of Jesus
Zilch (1/2)

NEGATIVES

NONE

Desiring God Obediently (short)

2010-06-28T07:58:00.000-05:00

There will more on this when I return home from vacation but these verses jumped out at me this morning during my quiet time (Ps 92:1).

Pay special attention to verse 29 and 31.

Deut 5:28-33
28 "And the LORD heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the LORD said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken.
29 Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!
30 Go and say to them, "Return to your tents."
31 But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.'
32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (REF IS 30:21)
33 You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Oil Spill and Life Truth

2010-06-27T07:50:00.002-05:00

As I look at the beach for myself this morning, I see faint signs of oil. There are small brown spots on the beach, brown suds about 100 yards off the beach, and brown blobs under the water. The brown blobs are the problem. Isn't it always what is just under the surface that kills us. Usually it is not the "minor things of the surface" but what is beneath the surface. Let us all pray with the Psalmist, "Search me, O God and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts." (Psalm 139:23)

Desiring God Directionally

2010-06-24T06:11:00.000-05:00

Desiring God Directionally has a component that is necessary for the perfect rhythm of God to be enjoyed. That is putting Christ in His place. Surrender is putting Christ in His rightful place in one’s life. He is to be the conductor of one’s life. He is to have the head seat at the table. He is to be the captain of the ship. Whatever way you choose to put it, give Him his rightful position of Lord and God, Yahweh and Elohim, Mighty Friend, Mighty Savior, Mighty God.

Do you feel it? I can feel it. I know people who feel it. I see people who feel it. What does it feel like? Love! Grace! Mercy! Hope! What is it? It is God drawing me to Himself. It is Him doing what I have tried to do myself without success. It is what happens when Christ is put in His place. When we surrender that position we cannot stop it. He draws us in. We have the right through Christ to approach God (Heb 4:16). But it is only He who can incline my heart to Him. I can incline my ear (Ps 49:4). I can ask God to incline His ear to me (Ps 17:6, 31:2). However, He alone can incline, draw, expand one’s heart to Himself (John 6:44).

When that happens God begins to give one direction. Most of us have desired God directionally. We have prayed the prayers, “God, show me what I ought to do.” “God, I want to know your will.” “God, who should I date?” “God, which is the right job?” We have all been there. Even those who do not desire God positionally will find themselves desiring God directionally. I think it was Elizabeth Elliott who said, “When God’s will (direction) and mine collide, someone has to die”. In Experiencing God Henry Blackaby says that God speaks through the Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit, the church, and circumstances. The key is that God does speak. Jesus said that He had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come (John 16:7). Well, Jesus went and the Holy Spirit came (Acts 1-2). One part of the Holy Spirits long job description is that He gives us direction (John 14:26). Jesus even said that it was better that He went and the Holy Spirit came (John 16:7). God wants to give me and you direction today. Put Christ in His place today and enjoy God inclining your heart to Him. Here is a verse on direction that I feel in love with in 2004.

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you trun to the right or when you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21

Desiring God Relationally

2010-06-23T09:19:00.001-05:00

If we could just realize that it is not us chasing after God, but God inclining us to Himself, we might find a greater peace, joy, hope and fulfillment in the Christian life. What appears to happen in many people’s life as they comes to Christ they begin trying to please Him. In an effort to warrant His blessing, one becomes tired and discourage and totally out of rhythm. Solomon realized as he dedicated the temple and encouraged the people to godliness that they needed God positionally in their lives in order for them to enjoy God relationally. Positional is putting God in His rightful place in one’s life as Lord, Master, Mighty God. That is what begins to put one’s life into perfect rhythm. I have found in my experience that it is harder to hurt someone when the relationship is personal and intimate. Solomon said on that monumental day,

“The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him” (1 Kings 8:54-55a).

John put it like this, “John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. (John 3:27, ESV)

Jesus said, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44, ESV)

John 6:65 (ESV) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

Today, just give God His rightful position in your life. Let Him be YOUR Lord, Master and Mighty God. He will incline you to Him.

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Desiring God Positionally

2010-06-22T09:15:00.000-05:00

Does your life seem out of rhythm or as some would say, “Out of sorts”? Does it seem like some areas might be in rhythm while others are out of rhythm. The rhythm that God desires in our life is when all components work together to create beautiful music that we call life. After establishing the fact that God had given His people rest/peace/rhythm, Solomon says “The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us”. It begins with, “The Yahweh our Elohim”. That is like saying “The Lord (Master) our God (Mighty Creator). That is desiring God in His rightful position. We must give God His rightful seat at the table of our life. He has to be the conductor of the music we live by if we are to ever find the rhythm He desires in our life and we desire to find. It is He and He alone that brings the music of our life into rhythm. But, if He is not Lord and Master, our lives will be out of order, out of tune, out of rhythm. Here are the words of Jesus.

Luke 14:26-27, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

We cannot be a disciple of Christ’s until we give Him his rightful position in our lives. There is no way around it. He is to be Lord and Master in order for the rhythm He created us to live by to be realized and enjoyed. It is abandonment of our life to Him. If you will lose your life to Christ you will find it. If you die to the flesh you will live in the spirit. It’s your choice. Just let God know what role He is to play.

Give God His Seat

2010-06-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

The next nine post will be based on the sermon I preached yesterday and last Wednesday. I feel God saying that this message is very critical to Christianity today. Now, I realize that I have not found something new in the Bible, but I do believe we Christians can get some thing out of place in our efforts to do something right. Today, I will post the overall message in a summary form and in the subsequent post I will deal with each beat/point/note separately.

1 Kings 8:54-61

God had given Rest (Peace, Rhythm)

· Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. NKJV

God had kept His Promise

· “Not one word has failed of all his good promise”

· Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. NIV

· Why do we think our plans are better?

Desiring God

· Positionally (v57)

o “be with us”, “may not leave us or forsake us”

o Give God His rightful seat at the table as Lord and Master.

· Relationally (v58a)

o “incline our hearts to Him”

o Incline: extend, stretch out, spread out.

o The Message, “May he keep us centered and devoted to him”.

· Directionally (v58b)

o “to walk in all his ways”

· Obediently (v58c)

o Keeping his commandments, statutes, and rules

· Continually (v59)

o “day and night”

· Effectually (v60a)

o “Maintain the cause”

· Evangelistically (v60b)

o “That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.”

· Devotedly (v61)

o 1 Kings 8:61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” (ESV)

o “as at this day”

o Solomon wanted their covenant commitment to God to never end.

Procrastination

2010-06-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

Procrastination is one of the tools used to keep us from following God's direction for our life. What is it that you were suppose to do yesterday? last week? last year? or 10 years ago? If we just do what God wants us to do when He tells us to do it or be what God wants us to be when He want us to be it, we will find that we bring Him more glory in the process. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Take time to sit at the table with God, allow Him to incline your heart to Him, get your directions from Him and then obey Him. Quit wasting your life.

Oh, here's the picture!

Spirit of God

2010-06-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

I am sure there have been times in my ministry when I felt like I did last night, but I do not remember it. As I delivered God's message last night I felt more in tune with the Spirit of God than any other time that I can remember while preaching. I told Mary Anne last night that it was kind of like an outer body experience. I know that sounds crazy, but I felt that the Spirit of God was controlling everything I was saying. If you were there, I hope you did not take the message lightly. God is up to something in many people's lives at HC and other places. There are others that have determined to walk at a safe distance is best. My prayer is the same as Paul's was for the Colossians:

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10, ESV).

May we walk together in unity seeking to be all God desires us to be.

WORDS

2010-06-16T07:27:00.000-05:00

Just doing a quick search on the internet reveals that many have studied how many words people say a day. Most of the studies end up with men speaking about 2000 words a day and women 7000 words a day (women say that is because they have to repeat everything to the men at least twice). But words are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits”. Furthermore, it says “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18, ESV). James had much to say about the tongue and concludes with “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison”. (I am guessing James had someone say something really mean before writing his letter.)

So, men have 2000 chances on average and women 7000 chances on average to bring healing and help.

Proverbs 15:4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. (The Message)

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (ESV)

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY TODAY!

I'm A Genius

2010-06-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

The first call I got on the phone Monday morning was very encouraging. The person on the other end said you are a genius. Now, those who know me best, or at all, knows that is a bit of a stretch. The caller went on to say that when I had the idea of LIFEgroups, I was a genius. Why? Because it is a place where relationships are developed, nurtured and intertwined. There is something special that happens when a group of believers, disciples, Christians, get together and eat, pray, study, laugh, and cry together. Here is the deal on my genius. If each of us would just obey Christ no matter what anyone says, He makes us look smarter than we are. He is the genius. Most of us need more than a sermon or a lesson. We need friendships without the masks.

SEX, SEX, SEX and more

2010-06-14T08:19:00.001-05:00

Every person over the age of 16, maybe younger, should have to listen to this sermon on SEX. It is 1:02 long but you will waste that much time today. I challenge you or dare you to listen. Whichever prompts you to listen. It is David Platt the pastor of The Church @ Brook Hills.

You can click here and listen or download the sermon Sex in Salvation History at itunes.
That is the SEX, SEX, SEX part.

Here is the "more" part.
Today, devotion from My Utmost for His Highest goes right along with the sermons I have preached the past two weeks. Please click here and read.

Have a great week.

What I Thought When I Thought It

VISION AND BURDEN

Drifting

SET YOUR SAIL

GREAT CALL TO NEW YEAR COMMITMENT

I think Oswald Chambers give us a better challenge for the New Year than I can muster. Read it and print it out and put it in a place where you will see it often. Highlight those areas that really speak to you or challenge you. Ultimately, the whole thing will be highlighted.

Let Us Keep to the Point

Top 5 well 6 post of 2010

Book Review - Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

Book Review - The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

Out Until Year End

WHAT IT DEPENDS ON

Ingrown Christians

I'M 25!

THEOLOGICALLY WEAK?

Jesus' Voice

N SYNC

THAT WAS STUPID!

CAN YOU RIDE TWO HORSES

GLOW IN THE DARK

YOU COULD BE

CAUGHT IN WHOREDOM

IT'S BEEN GOOD

Thanksgiving Reminders

THANKS ANDY STANLEY

$4 FOR $10

COST AND JUNK

Wise Words from Tiger Woods

7 Life Principle from David

PLANNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

GIVE ME 7 MINUTES

RICK WARREN AGREES

POINTS OF LIGHT

1,000,000 PIECES

WHY REPENT?

4:25 to Conviction

I Can't Do Much! You Gotta Be Crazy!!!

12 Hours NO WATER

GIVING GLORY BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

FULLY AWARE

TOO DARK TO SLEEP

DR KEVIN ELKO NEWSLETTER. A GREAT BIBLICAL LESSON.

WHAT IS YOUR GAME PLAN?

WHAT IS YOUR GAME?

Gone Out Of Business

10 Things Pastors Want to Say To The Church

BIGGER vs BETTER

OITM

Will You Join Me?

Can You Handle This?

Catalyst 2010

What Do We Have to Offer?

Hard Words and Encouragement

Converge

Book Review - William F. Buckley by Jeremy Lott

Gray Areas

Every Road Leads Somewhere

SALT

A Lesson Worth Reading

Long Live Passion

Expectancy

I'm A Drifter

Out of My Sleep

Jesus Stuff

Delighting to do God's Will?

Create When Creativity Calls

A Great Word by Seth Godin

Lie Bumps and Paper Cuts

Sermon Un-Preached

17

IN A FOG?

Should A Church Feel Like a Coffee Shop?

WATCH THIS

LEARNING - Never Stop

When I Grow Up....

Book Review - Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

Am I Making a Difference?

Better Than Negative

Don't Talk Unless You have Something to Say

Something BIG for God