Saturday, December 8, 2012

What is Christmas all about for you?

I struggle so much this time or year. I enjoy buying gifts for my children but of course we never have any money nor can I keep up with the Jones and what other children are getting. I am then reminded what this time of year should be about(probably should have this attitude all the time), giving thanks for what God did for us, praise his gift, and thanking him for all we have; so easy for me to see and understand, hard to teach to my young ones.
They just don't get why they aren't getting iPods, or Kindles, or Nintendo DS. They assume it is because we are poor (WHICH WE ARE NOT WE ARE SO BLESSED), not because we are choosing to not spend our money on those things. Honestly if I had the money for these things I don't need 5, what happened to sharing.
As I was working on a recent message again I was reminded and amazed by what God truly did for us not to mention the hundreds of prophecies he fulfilled by serving us. It blows me away and fills me with an attitude to serve in the same way and to share passionately what was done for me. I pray my kids see this modeled in my life. Giving gifts is not bad in fact it can be good, but why can't Christmas be about Christ and we just give gifts to our kids throughout the year as there is a need. Why do we have to take every pagan holiday and throw our Christian twist on it.
My prayer this holiday season is that Christmas will be about joy, thanksgiving, celebration, memories, times with family, and the things we will cherish forever. Not the latest toy that two months from now will either be broken or in the bottom of the toy bin.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

What does your life say about Christ

As I listen to this podcast from cornerstone I am reminded of the need to crave God. Todd poised the question what does our life say about Christ? As I reflected for a few minutes God pointed out areas in my life that need addressed. In 1 Peter 2:1-3 we are told what to get rid of and what to crave, like a infant who craves milk we must crave spiritual milk. For those who have had children you know that face where a child just wants that milk. Do you am I crave God the same way?
So many times I feel dry or I just don't want to spend time in the word, I realize in those moments it is my issue I am sick. At the end of the day I need a heart transplant, I tell my students almost every Sunday it is Heart Issue, how true this really is, the more I study the more I realize that it all comes back to our heart.
What is inside, what to we worship, where are our idols? If people look at our life would they see something different or do we look like the world?
We all need a heart transplant, we all need to be redeemed by Christ, we do this by humbling ourselves and asking for a new heart and a relationship with him. We then must drawing near to him, so today take a look inward and perhaps it is time to humble admit you can't do it on yourself and you do in fact need God. Draw near to him today. You can't do this by working harder, but instead by being a baby that craves God.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

What is your plan?

In a world of planning it can be overcoming. We have counselors, growth plans, growth sheets, and now life coaches. We have notes and checks lists and everything can be done remotely  and wirelessly. It all can become crazy. My caution to all including myself is to not lose sight of Christ. Plans are good, growth plans can be helpful, and goals are not bad. In all this we most be careful that we don't "plan God" right out of our life.

If I have learned anything in 32 years of life, that about time I have a plan God changes it. Sometimes majorly and sometime just little tweaks. So it all comes down to a heart issue are you willing to let God run and direct your plans or are you so stuck on your goals and plans that you stop listening to God.

Today resolve to let God plan your life don't let it become a crisis that slows you down enough to listen. No matter the good or bad the praise or hardship if God is directing our steps he will be glorified and it will work out for good in the bigger picture

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

sometimes there is no bow

I was reminded last night as I told the Bible story what a disney culture we really have. What do I mean by that, well that there is always a nice, clean, or happy ever after ending. As I told the story I was told it was scary, mean, and not nice. It was recommended to dumb it down. I sat there shocked. Really dumb down the Bible, that is the last thing we need to do. We have been doing that for far to long.

Instead I think we need to remember in life sometimes there is no neat ending, sometimes what happens just does not make sense. Some things we just can't complain and put a nice neat bow on it. We should not be surprised by this the Bible is full of stories that don't make sense and so is life. The one thing I do know is that God promised if we following him will not be easy. Persecution always follows kingdom proclamation. If you want an easy life do not talk about the Bible. I also Know that God promises to take care of us and that in the end no matter what if we follow him it will be worth it.
The Bible is full of amazing, unique, mind blowing stories of God showing his power to the world. Some end with great endings and some do not. In fact all but one apostle was killed for his faith, there is no bow there from a human standard, but from our spiritual nature there is nothing better.
So I think it is time to let God's word be God's word. Please stop dumbing down the stories, if there is no happy ending be okay with that, maybe there was and we just don't know the whole story. God has a plan and in the end there is a happy ever after for all of us who love him and follow him.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Who has forgotten who?

I hear a lot that God has forgotten me or won't forgive me. I have come to wonder how many times it is reversed where it is actually us who forget God. We stop believing he loves us and will always forgive us. The Lord has promised us in the old testament and reminds us in Hebrew 13:5 If we obey him he will never leave us or forsake us.
If we obey him, oh how we forget that key part. God may correct us or even punish us, as any good father should do to children he loves. We see this example several time in the life of David, but he never left David. He does this because he loves us, and his mercy and grace in this is far better than what we deserve.
I think far to many times those of us who claim God left me or doesn't love me have in fact walked away from him first. We have decided too many times that the ways of this world are better and more satisfying.  We forget God or how much he loves us, we stop obeying him and his commands, and then when things get bad and we are not rescued we instantly blame God. Instead of taking responsibility for our part in turning away from him to chase a path that leads to death. Proverbs 16:25 reminds us of this truth, there is a path that may seem right to US, but that leads to death, because it is not God's path.
1 John 2:15-17 again reminds us that the love of the world does not come from the father and those who love the world cannot have the Father's love in them. All these things will pass away, these desires will fade, but the man who does the will of the Father will live forever. Amazing how all the Bible always works together. going right back to the promise if we obey him he will never leave us or forsake us.

So I again ask the question who has forgotten who? Who has left who? Who has truly forsaken who? Is it God breaking a promise, which has yet to happen or is it us falling in love with the world and chasing things that will give us only gratification in the short term.
Lastly lets us not confuse or father correcting us as leaving us. I need me father's correction and at time rebuke. In those times as much as it may hurt I never feel abandoned if anything I feel loved and wanted instead of shame. I know my Father loves me enough to correct me. I know left to myself I will follow the path Proverbs 16:25 talks about, I will follow the path that leads to death.
So next time you get ready to say God left you do a heart check, look to see if it is you who walked away first. Own it if you have and humbly ask for forgiveness. Brokenness and humility bring us closer to God, not pride and self assurance. Again look to David how many times did he seek God's forgiveness and it was always granted and he was always loved never forsaken. Don't' let your love for anything but God and pride convince you that God left you, instead take a look inside and see if it was you who started walking away for the path God has marked out for each of us.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Dad where did you go?

I spent the better half of yesterday at the Milton High School, helping deal with the grief of a lost student. I was blow away by the brokenness of not just the situation but of life for many students. I talked with many students throughout the day. Of all these students only 2 had intact families, 2 students where has the sanctity of marriage went? I talked to numerous young women hurting and crying out for attention, love, and help. You know the common denominator in all these girls, dad was gone. He had left for another women or family. They all claimed to hate there father, but yet truly where crying out to be loved and accepted instead of the rejection they had felt and experienced.
So Fathers where are you? Where do you spend your time? When was the last time you actually spent quality time with your children or told them you loved them? I am reminded of the last scene in the movie courageous where the main character challenges the fathers to step up. So men of God if you know God I also encourage you to step up. Let us stop the question of where is daddy and set an example for the world to follow.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

leftovers

So yes I have been reading Crazy Love again and yes it rocks my world again. I have read this for various reasons and groups I have lead a total of 5 times. I never get sick of it, it stretches me and hurts ever time, but I walk away each time more in love with my Father and asking over and over, why do we think God deserves our leftovers.
God is God he decides everything and every time we try to justify ourselves and behavior we are minimizing God, and his call for our life. We are trying to make it easy. Scriptures is clear it is not easy, it was not suppose to be easy. God demands our all our very life. We need grace and God saves us from ourselves, because by ourselves we cannot do it. He forgives and love when we fall short, but why do we continue to think giving him our leftovers is okay. I don't serve him to get out of hell or because I think I have to. I serve God because I love him, because he saved me, because he is God, because I am in awe of him, and because frankly he deserves it.
God does not want our leftovers, but yet we are filled with to many excuses and we give him our leftovers all the time. As much as I am not saying fear your salvation, I do agree with two statements in the book. Do not assume your are on good soil and on the narrow road. Check your life. Has your relationship with Christ actually changed your life. Just because you are comfortable and have a good life does not mean your heart does not need a tune up. Laodica assumed they where good, and Christ let them know he wanted to spit them out. Don't fear your salvation and have confidence in his grace, but don't let your pride lead you to assuming because you have the good life that is enough. Our life for Christ will actually be marked with suffering, trials, and persecution. God will sustain us through these, but by his grace and strength not ours.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

What has changed

Has your relationship with God really changed the way you live your life? Or are we to busy chasing something to make us happy we will never find in the world. This is only a question that you can answer personally and you have to be honest with yourself to do so. So I encourage you to look at your life since you began to claim Christ and ask yourself am I any different than before I knew Christ.
If the answer is no then it is time to search deep within and find out why. In the parable of the sower how many of us assume we are the good soil. We grew up in church and have a good family, so how could we be anything else. We should never assume we are the good soil, that only leads to pride. Look at your life, what does the fruit of your spiritual life say. Be honest with yourself who do you serve? Who is number one really?
Proverbs says without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. Are we just trying to stay clean or are you serving God, obeying him, taking risks for him. When was the last time you actually either left the stable and got dirty or cleaned up the stable from things that only you and God know are there. At the end of the day do you realize who God is and why you need him? Or are you only after what you get from God. A man found a treasure in a field and went and sold all that he had and bought that field. Do we have that Joy with Christ are we willing to give up all we have to gain the thing that only matters or are we giving up our soul to gain the world? Christ is all we need, so back to the original question has your life changed since your relationship with God or is it the same. Take some time and get quiet with yourself and God and do some heart surgery to answer this questions today.
This is something I do periodically and each time God reveals stuff in me that needs chiseled away, it hurts but is worth it in the long run. We are in a marathon not a sprint, so prepare for the long run as well as the short sprints.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Help me

Lord as I read about Balaam this morning help me to never become so set on what I want that I miss your directions or word of truth. Lord help keep me humble and always listening to you and what you would have for me and my family. Lord keep me form becoming the ostrich with my head in the sand. Lord I love you and all of my life is yours, I will obey and follow whatever you ask us to do.
Lord in the same aspect if I need a donkey to get my attention, please grab my attention as you see fit.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

excited

In C4 2 years ago we read a little book called Crazy Love, wow if I would have know the impact it would have had on the student ministry at my church I would have read it sooner. We most of those high schoolers are gone it is neat to see those who took the challenge of scripture and according to culture are doing crazy things for Jesus. Well we are going to do it again with a new group of students. I realize we will have vastly different results, but am curious how this group will deal with the challenges simple laid out in scripture. I am praying that if nothing else many more C4 students will radically follow Christ whatever that will mean to their own life. Every time I go through this book I an truly overwhelmed by God.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Nothing to Fear

This week has been one of these weeks where scriptures has just come alive in my mind and heart. I wrote down 8 sermons ideas this morning alone. One thought that ran throughout all the different passages I was looking at, is we have nothing to fear.
Yesterday I was again reading Mark 5 and the account of the demon possessed man, and these points stood out to me.
- first the demons come and bow at Jesus feet
- second the demons begs Jesus not to torture them
- third the demons knew who Christ from a distance
- fourth he again begs to not be sent form the area
- fifth Jesus allows the demons to enter the pigs
- sixth the people see God and are terrified and ask him to leave
- the healed man begs to go with God
- Jesus says go tell what I did for you
- the man goes out and tells of what Christ did for him

So we have nothing to fear, but yet we live in fear. We live in fear of what people might say, do , or how they might react. Are we any different then the people that begged Christ to leave them? Christ has won. Christ has authority over demons. Christ has conquered death and restores us. So what are we afraid of? Things of this world and the flesh, then we need to shift our focus and mindset to things of heaven.

We like the man if we know Christ are healed and he asks us to go and tell people what he did for us. We have eternal life and are no longer dead. We came to the cross and got Jesus or did we? Do you have a relationship or did you just get religion and fire insurance. If you have Christ feed your soul and obey his command like this man did in Mark 5 go tell people what he did for YOU!

I know for me personally there is a desire in my soul and heart that is only quenched by time with God and obedience to God. At times it makes me do crazy things to the worlds standards, it causes me pain in the world, but man when I obey it the satisfaction I receive is out of this world. It also makes me hungry for more, we truly do not eat by bread alone.

If you and Christ have a relationship this same hunger and thrust is in you. Listen to your soul, feed your soul, go tell others what Christ did for you. Rest in the assurance that all this world can do is take your life, but not your soul. Honestly once we lose our life, it has really only begun. We have nothing to fear so be bold today.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Friends with......

Tuesday night as our college ministry dwindled down and only a few remained to chat and seek advice. Sam pointed out that todays Christians treat Christ, like the culture treats dating. What do i mean by that? Well the concept friends with benefits ring a bell. In todays culture our young people have friends they call up when they need sexually fulfilled. There is no relationship, no conversations, no real meaning. Just a a hook up for some physical pleasure.
As I though about that I realized he is exactly right. Many of us who call ourselves "Christians" treat Christ the very same. We have no relationship with him, we don't spend time with him or in the word, and we sure don't talk to him or about him to others until we need something. When the bottom falls out or we want to something the first thing we do is get on our knees. Once we have what we wanted, we either go back to ignoring him or get angry if we didn't get our way.
When you look at it this way we realize how selfish and self centered we really are and why Christ told us to pick up our cross we must deny OURSELVES. Life is full of letdowns and there is not always a bow on the ending, but life is always full of hope and promises, this is what the Cross teaches us. These two things at times can walk hand in hand.
So as you look at you relationship with Christ today. Are you working on it, cherishing it, and making it a priority or is Christ to you just another friend with benefits?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Surrendered

As I read Proverbs 9:10 today I am remind to stay humble and surrendered. Man I struggle with this at times. I get so sure of myself and my abilities. As I get stuck on myself, it usually leads to a accident. My prayer today for myself and others in the church is that we will live out this verse. Proverbs 9:10 "Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment."
Lord keep is in proper respect, awe, amazement, surrender, humility, and fear of who you are and how you lead, guide, provide, and protect us. It may not always work out the way we want, but his plan always works out better than my plan.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Reflection on Colossians 3

Paul is encouraging them and letting them know he is praying for them. He is overjoyed that they have been freed from bondage of the world and sin. A bulk of this passage is encouraging them to cast away their former selves and all that attached to that. This leads us to believe this was a struggle for this church, mixing things of this world with things of God. Wow does that not describe America. If we do not cast off the world and cloth ourselves with things of God how will we survive? We won’t. We need to let the peace of God dwell in us and we need to dwell on his words. Letting It teach us and admonish each of us and each other. He finishes off by encouraging us to sing praise to him for all he is doing. Are we casting off our old selves? Do we really believe we are a new creation in Christ? Or are we trying  to walk that fence and continue to live in the world and serve God. We can't serve to masters, who are you serving today yourself or God?

Monday, February 6, 2012

God's plan

I spent 5 years working as an electrician, I never imagined how much that would comeback later in life as a tool and hobby. I love the fact that a simple task I learned out of high school I can use today to help people, unwind, help friends, start conversations, and better understand the working man.
I love when ministry is stressful and crazy to spend a couple of quiet hours as an electrician. Who would have thought wiring can lights would be therapy some day. God send us on journeys in life, don't be afraid to jump out and start one. When following God's plan you never knowhow he might later use a gift he gave you earlier in your life.

Friday, February 3, 2012

God's funny way of slowing us down

I have been running at full speed for about a month now. Not sleeping much and running myself ragged. Yesterday my wife and 3 kids went down with the flu. At first I was frustrated, but it turned into a beautiful day. It was an amazing day of learning. I was taught patience, mercy, grace, and peace all day.  Best of all I spent a whole day with my kids and wife. It is neat what God uses to grab our attention. I am so thankful I have been in prayer and the word and realized the joys and simplicity of this day. In the past I would have been a grouch and frustrated. Lord thanks for slowing me down and letting me appreciate the joys of a storm.