Tuesday, December 16, 2008

“I have a dream for FC2 in 2009!”

What are your hopes and dreams for First Christian Church in 2009? WHAT? I can’t hear you…oh well, I guess I will share with you what I hope and pray will take place in 2009! Before we do that, can we take a quick glance at the past 3 years? In the past year (2008), we baptized 12 people, in 2007 – we baptized 13 people and in 2006 we baptized 13 people. Those numbers show we are changing lives and they are pretty consistent, but I think we are headed for greater transformation in us and in the lives around us by an extraordinarily active Holy Spirit.
So what are my hopes for FC2? What is my prayer for FC2? First, my prayer is that we never look at people as numbers! The last thing a person wants to feel is that they are a number and we don’t like being treated that way either. Secondly, my prayer is that we don’t treat people as a project. People aren’t projects! We should treat them as we have been treated by God – with unconditional love.
I believe two things are stirring in our community. (This is nothing profound, and it’s nothing new.) I believe that one (evil) is pulling people away from what is best [A HOLY GOD] and the other (Holy Spirit) is revealing a God [a compassionate, gracious and forgiving God] who is extremely in love with HIS creation specifically in this community. You can see evidences of these stirrings through many lives in our community. Tragic deaths! Teen pregnancies! Substance abuse! Marital infidelity! Divorce! All of these mentioned (and many more evil desires) are rampant in our community. Why? We also see: changed lives, people becoming more and more like Jesus, marriages strengthened, freedom from addictions, purity. All of these mentioned (and many more things that please God) need to be rampant in our community. There are definite evidences of both workings in the community.
Due to this belief, my final prayer is that we as a beacon in this community will continue to be contagious disciples that draw more and more of HIS children into the relationship in which God is calling every one of us. I am reminded of Romans 10:14 (MSG) “But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? Church, we have an obligation to this community that God has placed us in as disciples of Jesus. We CANNOT JUST PUT THE BLAME ON THE SCHOOLS. WE CANNOT JUST BLAME THE PARENTS. WE CANNOT JUST BLAME THEM ALONE! If we must put the blame somewhere we should blame sin and its destructive path! We must realize it is about a spiritual oppression on and in the community where we live. We must accept the fact that we have the answer and therefore we MUST be faithful to that answer to speak it and live it and also share it.
I believe that if we are serious about sin and serious about loving sinners, the number of baptisms will more than double! I think we can win more people for Christ this year than the ‘average’ of the last three! I believe that we CAN AND SHOULD baptize more people in the year 2009 not for the sake of accomplishing a task, but to live out our beliefs in a gracious God. But in order to do this, we have to live on purpose for HIM. This means I MUST make changes and so MUST you! Will you dream with me about 2009? Do you believe it can happen? Will you join me in 2009 and seek out our friends who need to make a decision for Jesus as their Christ and help them to discover who HE really is? I pray so! Let’s get even more serious about who we are and how we live. Let’s truly live out the disciples faith!

Monday, November 24, 2008

“Have I ever told about the time someone gave time to me?”

I am not kidding – this has to be the fastest year ever! Maybe, because our times in Memphis have been fewer and we have actually spent more time at home this year, which I have enjoyed so much! But it is soon gone! What is wrong with this picture? I don’t like it! My kids are older than they should be, my wife is still a beautiful as the day we met, yet I feel like I missed most of the year because the time went so fast! Of course, with the year being almost gone, it must mean it is close to Christmas. Christmas time has always been a favorite of mine. The only bad thing about Christmas is that it means another year is basically up. I love Christmas time because it is about family time, giving and getting time, and most importantly (saving the best for last of course) the Celebration of the birth of my KING – Jesus! But to know another year is almost gone CAN BE a bummer unless I have made the most of my time this year.
How about you? Have you made the most of your time? Maybe for you, this year has flown by more than ever too! Can I give a few suggestions in order to help you and I be wiser with our time. I pray that this will help keep us on track with our time, so that we won’t repeat this error another year. 1. Give of your time…specifically at home with your loved ones. No one dies and says – “I spent too much time with my kids and spouse…” Many have been known to say when death is knocking on their door – “I wish I would have spent more time with my kids and spouse…” 2. Give of your time at the office…specifically give without expecting something in return. Most people give their best when it benefits them. Most never give to benefit others with a no-strings-attached type mentality. Be different for Jesus sake. You never know who at work is watching your every move and attitude 3. Give of your time at the church…specifically for the sake of being who God called you to be. Many during this time of year begin thinking of resolutions to make for the coming year. Why not break the mold and be a giving person before the year ends instead of waiting for the New Year? Let’s change now instead of putting it off until tomorrow!
Christmas time is a great time of giving and giving of time is an incredible thing to give. Money can by things that won’t last. Time given can never be taken back or returned or reused, but it can be the greatest thing you can give even if it hurts a little! God has only given us so much time. What you do with your time can make an incredible gift. Will you give the gift of time for the celebration of THE BIRTH.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

A ‘Time’ To Be Thankful?

Aren’t we funny? We love to be thanked, but we often forget to thank others and most importantly thank God! Maybe it is because we have been extremely blessed, so much that we just assume things should take place. I will be the first to admit that I am terrible and writing ‘Thank-You’ notes! Bless my wife’s heart, she has been the ‘half’ of us that takes that responsibility on. I don’t necessarily think of it as ingratitude, but that is mostly because I justify my life in areas like this. (Did I actually admit that in print? Opps!) I often tell you all, that I am not the best example for many things unless your looking for – ‘how not to do it’ principles. I don’t want that to keep me from improving and changing to be better. (After all that, is the way dead people act!)
Maybe the problem is that I have had such a blessed life that I forget what it is to be in need. Sure I grew up without a father in the house, but I had an extremely giving mother who made up for the difference. Life as I knew it was normal. We weren’t rich by the world’s standards, but we didn’t know it! My mother didn’t focus on what we didn’t have, but who we did have – an incredible-loving, heavenly Father! We didn’t focus on being poor and unable to have everything we wanted, but we focused on the great gifts we received from God through HIS people – an incredible home church that centered on the incredible-loving, heavenly Father. We didn’t focus on having medical bills, and monthly bills that we couldn’t afford to pay, but we focused on Jehovah-Jireh, an incredible providing God who provided through HIS people – an incredible body of Christ who lived in light of the incredible-loving, heavenly Father! (Whew! That’s a mouth full!)
I guess the truth is that every time you read ‘we’ in the paragraph above it should really read ‘she’ - my mother. While the rest of the ‘we’ took for granted at times the incredible pursuit that the incredible God was in to show us how much HE loved us and cared for us! Wow, when you stop to pay attention to the past you begin to understand that thankfulness is really about a daily encounter with a HOLY GOD who is active year round. This same God who says in HIS word (specifically found in 2 Thessalonians 5:18) “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I know the original language doesn’t have punctuation, but we put a period at the end of that (and I agree with that.) But I think we think it needs an exclamation point because most often we only are thankful when it is something HUGE. And HUGE needs an exclamation point!
Does this possibly mean that we are living outside of God’s will? Well that is what Paul said. God’s will is that I am thankful. When I focus on God and HIS will for my life, a natural by-product is thankfulness. So let us be people who focus on God and HIS will. Thankfulness (that means me, too!) is not just a November thing, but daily duty. God says so!

Trying to figure out...

I don't know about you, but for me church has changed! I remember going to church as a kid and it being something special. I would dress up, and by that I mean putting on my three piece suit with a clip-on tie and head out the door with my mom. (My suits were always hand-me-downs! My favorite was my pink suit. :) ) I remember sitting in Sunday School and listening to stuff I didn't understand...all of it lecture based and then heading to 'big church' to sit with next to my mom. We would sing a few songs from 'the book' and then take communion. I always like to sing, but not so anyone could hear for fear of embarrassment. I really couln't tell you much about any sermon I ever heard in church. I couldn't even tell you one sermon text, or topic either...

Today, I find myself as the preacher who prepares and spends much time thinking and praying about 25-35 minutes I will share on Sunday mornings. At times I think back to those childhood days and getting nothing, and I think/pray to God..."Is there really any true impact?" I don't dress up anymore, and by that I mean no suit and tie! I feel not that I should relax in church, but that my daily/weekly life should match my Sunday mask! So I decide that my appearance has nothing to do with my relationship with God. But at the same time I don't want to be a slob, because I don't think my daily life is slob-ish!

As a preacher, I also want to create a sense of change of what church was as a kid, to what I believe should impact my life and those around me. I think the atmosphere should be about living in the reality of the presence of an incredibly HOLY GOD! (That was a mouthful! - grammatical people - give me a break, please!) Yet, I do see this problem within the church today. A problem with making my life count for Jesus' sake. It seems to me that something hasn't just gone wrong, but that believers must not fully, totally, truly believe. Obviously, if we did our commitment level would be tremendously different. But it's not. Why? Maybe, we have created too much of a 'buddy god', instead of an omniscient (all-knowing) God. Maybe we have conjured up a soft god, instead of an omnipotent (all-powerful) God. Maybe we have thought of a temporary god, instead of an omnipresent (all-present/everywhere) God. When I see these areas we have slipped from, I understand why the generation before me held or hold on so tightly to 'its church'.

However, I don't think that we should keep a system that just 'functioned' for the sake of having something functional! I believe also that what has happened in the churches isn't because we walked away from the way 'our parents did it', but I think it was set to happen because we 'did church' because it was a habit, not about a holy relational God...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Going Deeper Seminar

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!! Have you heard? On the weekend of October 10th-12th, we will be having a “Going Deeper Seminar”. I know that everyone is busy…I know that you have a million other things to do…I know your ‘honey-do’ list is just as long as mine (if not longer!)…I know, I know, I know. I also know that the things of this life pull us from what is best for us! But do you know what this weekend is about. It is about God’s best for you! I can I tell you that this will be an incredible weekend like no other. We have people praying about this for three weeks leading up to the “Going Deeper Seminar.” Why? Because I believe, and so does Dean Trune, the speaker and many FCC people, that there is POWER in PRAYER!!! We are dedicating this weekend to HIM, for the purpose of strengthening who we are as HIS dearly loved children. This weekend is about you and God! My list of to do’s will always be long and waiting on me and so will yours. Will you do me and yourself a favor? Will you put everything aside for just one weekend and see what God can do? Then you can pick right back up where you left off…if things are ‘just the same’, but my guess is that after this weekend you will never want to go back to ‘normal’ again. I believe that through this weekend great things will come. Transformation will take place, lives will be change in how they live, and God will be glorified. Don’t you want to be a part of that?
So what do you say? Can you give FCC one full weekend? What if it changes your life forever?

Praying that you will be there,


David

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Target Practice

Soon the leaves will begin to change colors and Fall will be here. During this time each year, I find myself regaining composure; I guess because of all those Youth Ministry years. It was to me – January - the beginning of the new year (school year!) I think for a lot of us it is the same way. Summer is over and we are getting back to our regular schedules - things begin to slow down (yeah, right – at least in our minds.) But it is obvious because church attendance typically picks up from where it left off in early May!
With this in mind, I want to tell you about our next Sunday morning series. We will be looking at the book of 1 Thessalonians. The title of the series is “Target Practice”. Paul’s letter is to Christians in Thessalonica, but his letter is not like the letter to the Corinthians (which we just finished.) Instead, Paul writes to encourage them to keep living like they had been. Simply put – “Stay on Target.” We want to stay on target as we seek to live as people who “Seek First HIS Kingdom.” In order to stay on target we have to keep living as a Christian…we have to keep practicing. So to do this we must have ‘target practice’! We will spend the next 6 weeks talking about how we can stay on target.
Are you ready for practice? We will ‘practice’ our ‘Aim. We will be “Sighting in the Target” [1:2-10] – (what is the target?), “Aiming for perfection” [2:1-16] - (What is the bull’s eye?), “Aim for the Goal” [2:17-3:5] – (What does encouragement looks like?), “Aim to fill what is lacking” [3:6-13] – (What do Christians do after choosing Jesus as Lord?), “Aiming for a holy life.” [4:1-12] – (What do I do with a holy life?) and the last week we will look at “Aim for the future” [4:13-5:11] – (Why spend time aiming for the target?)

On your mark, get set, AIM!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

God gave the Church!

I am over-whelmed when I think of God’s plan to make HIMSELF known through the Church on the earth. I am humbled while proud! I can not think of a greater honor in life than living for HIM every moment of everyday.
God gave the Church…to touch the world with HIMSELF. Have you ever thought about that? God gave the Church…to show HIS Love. God gave the Church…to end hunger. God gave the Church…to bring joy. God gave the Church…to heal marriages. God gave the Church…to bring order to the chaos. God gave the Church…to show us Jesus. God gave the Church…to teach us HIS Word. God gave the Church…to honor the KING. God gave the Church…to teach worship of HIM. God gave the Church…to you and to me.
WOW! So I wonder if God gave the Church…then what should I do!
God gave the Church… so I should go to church for HIM. God gave the Church… so I should learn to worship HIM. God gave the Church… so I should honor the KING. God gave the Church…so I should learn HIS Word. God gave the Church…so I should see Jesus. God gave the Church…so I should have a life of order. God gave the Church… so I should have a healthy marriage. God gave the Church…so I should have joy. God gave the Church… so I should be fed. God gave the Church…so I should love HIM. God gave the Church…to feel HIM in the world.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

In the Beginning, God created, then rested…

“In the beginning” is such a common phrase to hear when the topic of God and the world’s formation comes into conversation. Another thing we hear often is…“and on the seventh day God rested.” What comes to our minds when we hear that “…God rested.” A dangerous thing to think is that God took the day off! We must understand that if God took the day off, then we would cease to exist! “So from what did God rest,” you may ask? HE rested from creating! HE continued to work through HIS Creation. HE continued the rotation of the Sun, moon and stars (earth, too!) If the earth slowed down due to God resting, we might all get whiplash! Not really! (We’d just die – that’s better, right?) So if God rested from creating on the seventh day, was it a stop of creation all together or does HE stop just every seventh day or what? And if God just rested on the seventh day then what is HE still creating. Scripture shows us a few things that shed some light on what God is doing, realizing these things should bring us to more awe of HIS love for us.
The first thing I want to draw your attention to is found in the book of Lamentations (3:22-23) “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. For HIS compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Concerning this passage, J.F. Walvoord & R.B. Zuck in The Bible knowledge commentary writes… “God offered a fresh supply of loyal love every day to His covenant people.”
Every day God is working – working on HIS love to you and I. The picture I want to give you is not a created love every day, but a continued love, a compassionate love.
Next, look at Amos 4:13 “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth— the LORD God Almighty is his name.” Wow! Is that incredible or what? God creates the wind. Lately, we have had an abundance of rain. I have noticed that almost every day after the big rains we have had, God brings windy days to help dry up the soaked land. What an amazing God we have, who renews (recreates) HIS love for us every day along with a fresh wind (Is this a reminder of the Holy Spirit?) God is still working not resting!
One other thought about what God is doing (working, creating) for us…Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” Keith Green, gospel singer, wrote “If it only took God 6 days to make earth, and HE has been working over 6000 years on Heaven think how great it must be.” I don’t know if I totally agree with the theology of that statement, but do you see the incredible thought process of God working for you, your greater good. This place will be gone one day – I can’t wait for the finished product, my true home.
Finally, my last thought, God cares too much about you and I to sit back and rest. HIS love compels HIM to give us HIS best every day. The seventh day God rested from all HIS work, but a new week started the next day and HE went back to work for HIS creation! God is in love – powerfully in love with you! May you rest in that thought!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Once upon a time, God took vacation…

Once upon a time, God took a vacation. HE was tired of running everything, and decided it was time HE took HIS two weeks. So God planned HIS vacation all out. So, HE decided HE would go and see the Seven Wonders of the World on HIS vacation. Since, HE did create it, HE thought it would be nice to go back and visit. While HE was there HE spent a little more money than originally planned, but HE justified it and thought to HIMSELF, “I’ll just hold out my tithe a week or two!” I will understand – hope the church will too! Since God was having such a great time HE decided to stay a little longer on vacation and HE spent a little more money on things HE really didn’t need, but want’ to enjoy – after all HE did deserve it. When HE did finally get back home, it was late Saturday night, so HE thought to HIMSELF. “I am so, so tired, I think I will just skip Sunday School and Church altogether.” After all, I did go last month! So God took vacation from Church as well, this happening after missing the two weeks while on vacation. HE didn’t go to church while on vacation, because it wasn’t ‘HIS’ church and HE thought HE might feel uncomfortable going somewhere else, so HE didn’t bother. By this time, the next Sunday was going to be the end of a sermon series that the preacher had been preaching about. HE thought, ‘I missed out on most of this series already, so I will go next week.’ By this time, God had taken vacation from life and church for a month. It was only the first month of summer. The second month of summer came and by this time God kind of liked having the extra time to HIMSELF away from HIS church family. HE didn’t have to deal with messy people and their messy lives. HE didn’t have to listen to their grumblings about church and physical ailments. God said to HIMSELF again, ‘I think I will go back in the Fall, when everyone else goes back to church, too!

Aren’t you glad God doesn’t take vacation from you? Let’s remember since HE doesn’t vacate you, that you will make a commitment to not vacate HIM or HIS family!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Ministry!

I have in my office a few different quotes that help me keep my perspective in ministry. One is from Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." - the importance of prayer in minstry. The second one is a quote from Wayne Smith in a sermon titled - 'Playing Hurt': "Ministry is the calling of an inadequate man, to an impossible task for an indefinite period of time." My translation of this: In my ministry I will never be good enough, nor will I ever have 'arrived' to perfection - I must stay humble. In my ministry my job can never be done on my own ability - I must serve through the power of the Holy Spirit. In my ministry I will never be finish - completing the job - I must press on, regardless. The third and final quote I have hanging above my desk: "Make no small plans. For they have no power to stir humanity's blood." - Daniel Burnham, a 19th century architect. When I struggle - these keep me centered. God is always for me in my ministry and He never leaves me to fend for myself. My job is always for HIS honor - "the foolishness of preaching..." I need to dream big, to bring others along and see the incredible God I serve.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

God is for us!

Last Sunday, we were in 1 Peter 2:1-12. Our focus can be summed up with four words - "God is for me." When we read the words of Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, we quickly see that God has hand-picked us, he thinks were are precious, we are HIS! The difficulty in living life here sucessfully is that we forget that we aren't our own - we have been bought (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When I lose sight of who I truly am, I tend to focus on just me, my life and nothing else. This quickly turns into a pity party and/or whining! The answer for the churches today is to remember who you are and whose you are!

This week's topic is 1 Peter 3:8-17. We will look at what survival in an unfair world looks like. The summary is simply - living as if Christ is Lord over my life and circumstances that come my way. Just like the previous week this is easier said than done! But my willingness is still a major factor to it all. God isn't just for me, but HE is attentive to me (1 Peter 3:12). I am called to not fear as the world fears, but to instead set apart Christ as Lord, then be ready and willing to speak in love about the greatness of God and HIS activity in my life.

Is God for you? Most certainly. What this means depends on you!

May God Bless your journey.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Growth Hurts!

I am saddened a little as I sit here in my office. It's a Saturday...which I am hardly ever in the office on a Saturday. But that's not what saddens me. Tomorrow, I don't preach we have a guest speaker. Not preaching is not what saddens me either. We are having new visitors and I am being stretched like never before in ministry. Yet even that is not what saddens me...(Okay, I will get on with it!) I am saddened by the ups and downs of ministry. While I feel like FCC is on the brink of breaking out in to a big 'revival', I am overwhelmed by the struggle that some friends of mine are having in the minsitry; locally, close to home and far away on the other side of the states and even far away in other countries. Yet there are victories in just as many places if not more. However, for my struggling brothers - I ache. (Of course, I think we should ache for all our struggling brothers and sisters out there!) I guess my struggle for them is - being there in the past and feeling so discouraged and so ready to throw in the towel. I have felt like not even wanting to go to church during these difficult times (in the past.) But for me, at those times, I had incredible growth moments. Yet the pain was very real. As I look back on my greatest times of growth in the past, they were surrounded, but great struggles and tragedies with victories sometimes not even in sight.

So if you read this (?) Would you just take a moment to lift up those who are in ministry/missions both close and far away? We (ministers/missionaries) need you in prayer for us more today than yesterday! Please on behalf of all of us, struggling and the non-struggling, pray for us like never before - the Kingdom is at stake! To HIS glory through us all!!! Amen.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

"It Could Happen"

I am preaching out of 1 Peter right now...I am loving it. This coming Sunday we are in 1 Peter 1:13-25. I just love the way God's Word is so powerful. A big part of 'setting our hope' is mind-work. Peter tells his readers, then and now, to 'prepare your minds for action and to be totally self-disciplined.' We often don't do this (at least me). I find myself trying and struggling to find how to be holy, often falling into the trap of thinking that it is 'my efforts'. Peter shows us that this is not the truth. I need to work on my mind and preparing it for God and what HE wishes to speak to me so that I can be used by HIM to show HIS holiness, but I have to be focused or totally in control of my life for HIS sake. Happy Hoping!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Movement

God is doing some great things through the lives of HIS faithful followers! This past Sunday we began a new series - "It Could Happen!" This series is taken from the texts of 1 Peter - we are taking looking at 'HOPE'. Many have come and gone, trying to put and end to Christianity - yet none have been sucessful. I hear of statistics today about a church that is dying. While the world grows in population, the church remains the same size! There is a huge area of concern here, however, we must remember that God is still in control and HIS Bride - the Church is still moving. Sometimes the movement isn't as visible as we would like it. Sometimes the movement isn't the in a certain way we would like it, either. But you need to know...it IS moving. Just this first weekend out of 1 Peter we had the priviledge of watching God work through the service in at least one life. (At least that's all we got to see and hear about!) HIS Spirit is at work among us. This leads us to a question that must be asked: Is God moving in me? If the answer is "No", then why not!? God IS moving - don't you want to be a part of that type of movement? I do! May HE move and have HIS way in our lives as we move (grow) together! God's Blessings you all!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Resurrection Sunday

I have been thinking a lot about Simon of Cyrene and his encounter with Jesus. Mostly because that is what I am preaching on this Easter, but also in part because this encounter just strikes me to the core of my being. There are only a few verses that even mention Simon and his part in the crucifixion story. Here is what I notice...He was 'passing by'...he wasn't a guy who came to watch the freak show, but just happen to be at this place at this particular time. I wonder, did God place him there that day. Then I begin to wonder more...how often am I 'passing by' when God has placed me at a certain place at a particular time for HIS ministry work on earth. In those moments, have I just 'passed by' or have I made the most of those opportunities for HIS glory. Just a thought.

Mark's Gospel is the only gospel to add to this retelling that this Simon had two sons who most likely were men who came to the faith...quite possible because of their father leading them down that road to the cross as he relived it (I think) every day for the rest of his life. Obviously, Simon was changed because of Jesus and HIS life that was 'poured out' for us. Has it changed my life in such a way that the rest of my life I relive it, to live for it! Just a thought.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Spiritual Growth

Our Wednesday Night Class just started a series - "First Steps for New Beleivers." I felt like it was a wonderful topic and discussion; so I walked away very excited about my own personal growth spiritually. It seems to me that so many of us struggle with the correct attitude we need for our spiritual growth to take place properly. I grew up knowing I need to be a man of prayer and a man in God's Word. But so often I found myself 'dutifully' being obedient in my pursiut. Now don't get me wrong - we NEED obedience as fully devoted followers. However, what often doesn't take place is the transition from duty to love (which was my topic of my sermon 'Love's greatest acts - pt. 1)! I think we also tend to struggle with equating physical growth with spiritual. (I.e. ...since I am 45 years old - I am a greater follower than a 28 year old follower!)

We ended our lesson with John 15:7-8 - "I am the vine you are the branches..." We must remain in Christ, allow HIS Word to remain in us and bear fruit so we can reveal HIM in our life(bring HIM glory!) Our growth depends on us - God will always do HIS part - Colossians 1:6 - HE began it (good work) and will continue it to completion!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Empowered!!!

I just spent the last week (Feb 25-27) at Ozark Christian College for the Preaching and Teaching Conference. I heard some great preaching and I came back refreshed. I am excited about what God is doing through many friends and co-laborers for the Kingdom. I have to say my favorite class was a 3 part series on sermon preparation. It was taught by a Chuck Sackett. The whole theme was " 'Empowered...'standing inthe strength of God".

As for Sunday (Mar 2), we had an incredible service. We looked at the widows offering. I talked about 'duty' verses 'love'. How often do we spend time 'doing' because of 'duty' instead of 'living' out of 'love'? Jesus gave us so much to learn from HIS Word - if only we would take time to hear and obey and live! I am excited about what God is doing in ministries around the world. I am thankful that HE has allowed me to be used by HIM for HIS glory!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A "Mountain Top" experience

I have returned from a great weekend! I went to Prescott, Arizona to speak at a High School week of camp at UCYC (United Christian Youth Camp) The theme was on Identity Theft. I was refreshed. There was incredible worship led by the band "DSM" (Do Something Meaningful) You can check out their site at http://www.dsmband.com/ They are very humble guys who serve because of their obvious love of the Master. I meet a lot of teens who were very cool and in love with a Mighty God! The weather was great - 30's in a.m. and 50's in p.m. We really focused on who we are in Christ. The weekend started off with everyone tracing their bodies on butcher paper and then writing on it who they. The stories and words I read brought tears to my eyes. There is a lot of hurt in this world, but God is a healer! Praise God for that. The truth is that we as the church need to be sharing the hope and love - the world is desperately crying for it - though it does not see it's own true needs! God Bless your efforts - never give up!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Early Church Faith

My 2008 Scripture reading goal is to read the Bible from the Message translation. I have only read the Bible cover to cover in the New International Version. I use different versions to check and read up on but never from cover to cover. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Currently, I am reading the Book of Acts. Everytime I read it - I am amazed at the faith of those written about. I desire that strong, bold faith. I know that what keeps me from type of faith isn't the church, or the Holy Spirit's lack of power (there is no lack!), but the problem all lies within me. Boy I hate even typing that - let alone thinking about it. I must trust whole-heartedly that HIS Power (Holy Spirit's) lives in me. It is not just in me, but it is available to me in every moment of my day.
My favorite time of the day is the mornings at my home while I have a cup (or two) of coffee and spend time enjoying the pages of the great adventures of men and women of God. At this point in my reading - I am really blown away by Ananias' obedience (Ananias from Acts 9, not Acts 5!) It was to him a matter of physical life and death. He went inspite of the risks to obey the Father! Then very quickly in the same chapter (9), we see Barnabas going to bat for Paul and trying to get the other disciples (and Apostles) to accept Paul as a forgiven, changed-by-the-Holy Spirit man.
Can you imagine what our churches could accomplish if we were like Barnabas and Ananias? Can you imagine how welcome other sinners would feel in our churches? I believe this is a call for us all to live the gospel out - the full message of the gospel! I invite you, no I dare you to be a part of this type of adventure! Strong, bold faith living!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Identity in Christ

I know that this is the same day as the other post - don't think that I will get into a habit of this! I just wanted to state that this Thursday (Valentine's Day) I will be flying out to Chandler, Arizona. I will be speaking at a camp for High Schoolers. Their theme this year is "Identity Theft" I am really excited about the opportunity to preach. I want to make myself available to HIM always and serve HIM wherever HE sends. I will be talking a lot about 1. Satan and how he tries to steal Christ Jesus and HIS free grace away from the world. 2. How Satan tries to steal my identity away from me. 3. Who I am in Christ 4. How I fight in the battle against identity theft. Scripture tells us (John 10:10) that the "theif comes to steal, kill and destroy". His sole aim is to destroy the image of God in you and I. Let's make sure that we don't give in but stand firm in our faith in Jesus Christ - who is the only way to freedom and salvation!

Pray for me!!!

Preaching the Gospel

This is all new to me! I am trying to be more organized and professional - whatever that means! No, seriously, I want to use this site to express my ministry side. Our family has a blog that shares about Brenna and her battle. You can check it out by finding the link at the bottom of my blog...look for "logsdonsfamily.blogspot.com".

I must start off by making a declaration. This is not a page to vent on (for myself) but one I hope to share thought about my sermon series and ministry highs and lows. Enjoy!