God's Little Preacher

Forgiveness

2011-03-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness is a lovely word when you are thinking about your own forgiveness, but when it comes to forgiving those who hurt you, I t becomes a dreaded word. Why is that? Is it because we are a selfish people? Do you forgive as easily as you want forgiveness? Christianity stands out from all other religions because of it's forgiveness! Shouldn't we therefore be agents of forgiveness more than any other in the world? If we are truly HIS disciples, then it is time we shine as HIS. Let's go church!

I wonder why...

2010-12-02T05:59:00.000-08:00

Why do we struggle so much to live in community with some brothers and sisters? What is it that keeps us from loving all unconditionally? Why can't we seem to get over the obstacles of self? Why does it seem everytime we make some progress that very quickly everything falls apart? Why do we run when we get too uncomfortable? Why do we seek comfort more than anything else in the world? Why is it that when you seek the good of others, you then begin to doubt your thoughts all together? Why? Ephesians 6:10-18

Marriage Moment #7 - Temptations

2009-12-06T14:07:00.001-08:00

Temptations, they are everywhere. How in the world can I avoid them? Why in the world would I want to avoid them? And is it possible to avoid temptations or is it a worthless fight? When it comes to my marriage it is very important to know whether or not I can resist. The world around you and I, tries to convince us that the lie is true. What lie? The lie that says, I am just like an animal. The lie that says, I cannot resist temptations that come before me especially the temptations against my marriage. Basically, the lie says that I cannot resist the temptation to have an affair (After all, I am just a link in the evolutionary chain, right? No, my uncle was not a monkey.)
Maybe the temptation comes in the form of sharing. You find yourself sharing more and more with a person other than your spouse? That sharing time becomes more and more intimate also. Maybe the temptation is in the form of time. You find yourself wanting more and more time alone with someone other than your spouse. During this time alone you find enjoyment so much so that you don’t want to be with your spouse. Maybe the temptation seems to have appeared before you and you know that you did not seek it out but it is there before you. And now this temptation has become an option to you. Maybe the temptation is in the form of revenge. You find yourself wanting to get back at your spouse for not giving you what you believe you deserve. So you find that you are at a place of seeking out something that will devastate your marriage. Whatever the temptation might be, it is there and it is real.
So how do I fight and resist the temptations that wage war on my marriage. I believe there are at least two obvious things that are clearly defined in the Bible that I can do to fight off temptations. One: Resist through submission! The bible tells us in James 4:7 (NIV) to “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Two: When Jesus was tempted by Satan, the Bible tells us that Jesus quoted the Bible right back at Satan to defeat his purposes [See Matthew 4:1-11]. But the key is you have to have the Bible in your heart and mind to do this! Are you having difficulty with temptations? Why not try God’s way? Need to learn more about what the Bible says? Why not try out First Christian Church? We’d love to have you join us!

Marriage Moment #6 - Selfishness

2009-12-06T14:06:00.001-08:00

Cats just aren’t right! Have you ever really observed a cat? Cats are focused solely on themselves. The only time they come around is when they want something – typically food. Cats never show up just to be there for you. Cats think they own the world. Now I must admit I do own a cat, but the cat thinks he owns me! My cat tells me when he is hungry. In fact he doesn’t just tell me, truth is he won’t shut up until he is fed. Cats often distance themselves until they want food! I will admit cats do keep the mice away. Sometimes my cat is a pain in the neck, but I still feed and care for the cat. Why do I put up with the cat? I guess the answer is because my kids love the cat.  Okay, and because he keeps the mice and rats away!
Is your marriage similar to what I just described (take out the word ‘cat’ and replace it with ‘my spouse)? If so, you must act now! A marriage that is living out this scenario will ‘simply exist’ or ‘miserably fail’ unless something is done. CAUTION: There is a problem. The problem is that typically cats only know they exist; and they don’t realize that a problem exists. They especially don’t realize that they are the problem! Cats believe they are the only or the important ingredient in the relationship. They believe that everyone is blessed to know and be next to them!
This creates major issues. Often the only way a cat (a.k.a. – your spouse) finds out there is a problem is when a blow up occurs. The healthy thing IS NOT to blow up at your spouse, but to help them see things from a different perspective. King David was confronted with his inappropriate relationship with Bathsheba through a story told by a trusted friend, Nathan the prophet. (You can check out the story in 2 Samuel 12:1-7) Remember; don’t call your spouse a ‘selfish cat’. Don’t attack! Love your spouse through this difficult situation and couple love with patience! Most importantly run to God for guidance and support HE is after all the creator of both marriage and cats. Why not also get support from a loving church family? Why not join us this Sunday?

Marriage Moment #5 - Faithfulness

2009-12-06T14:05:00.001-08:00

Dogs are incredibly faithful! You just have to love them for their delight in you. It can’t help but bring a smile to your face. When you arrive at your home after a long day, they can’t contain their excitement. For that matter, you can be gone for only 5 minutes and the response is still the same! They are very glad to see you – no matter what. Why? All you do is pet the dog occasionally, feed the dog regularly, but other than that you don’t give the dog much more. Why do dogs still get so excited to see you? ANSWER: because they aren’t human!
In our marriages we want, we long for; we yearn to have our spouse have this same excitement because we simply show up! Basically, we expect our spouses to behave like dogs – full of excitement simply because we are who we are. But there is a problem! Our spouse doesn’t ‘wag’ his/her tail when they see us after we’ve been gone. Why doesn’t he/she wag her tail after we’ve been gone? ANSWER: because he/she is NOT a dog!
So how can I build a home where it seems like my spouse loves me as much as my dog if not more? I promise you it won’t happen if you treat your spouse like a dog and simply feed him/her and pet him/her occasionally. It requires a commitment to doing and becoming what your spouse needs you to be. Husbands, for us, it is being the one who treats our wives with an enduring unconditional love. It is the main ingredient that most wives need in order to thrive in a relationship. Wives, for all of you, it is being the ones who treat your husband with unconditional respect. This is the main ingredient that most husbands need in order to thrive in a relationship. The Bible commands that the wife respect her husband and for the husband to love the wife. (See Ephesians 5:33)
For more information on this idea check out “Love and Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs or better yet, why not come and grow in your marriage with us at First Christian Church!

Marriage Moment #4 - happily or death parting

2009-11-24T12:09:00.001-08:00

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do so many marriages fail?” We live in the greatest country the world has ever known that has everything at its fingertips, yet we can’t figure out a great recipe for a healthy successful marriage! Why? Are we not capable enough to figure it out? Could it be that a big part of the problem is our misconstrued view of marriage? We have romanticized marriage and have changed our focus in marriage. We have left the thought of ‘til death do us part’. Of course ‘til death do us part’ sounds so…‘Old Fashioned, out-dated and it sounds like something my grandparents believed in! This is the millennium age – come on’ And now we have grasped on to ‘happily ever after.’ As long as you are happy and I am happy, we will stay together. As long as you enjoy being married to the man or woman of your dreams it is worth sticking it out together. But as soon as the ‘happily ever after’ has worn off the ‘feelings’ has worn off also. So off we go to the next guy or girl to fulfill our deepest dreams. Isn’t this the real heart of the issue?
Okay, so ask yourself another question: “Where is the line in your marriage?” You know the line in the sand that if your spouse would cross it, your marriage would be over in your mind, hopeless and helpless. If you have a line, you have adopted the conditional ‘happily ever after’ view. If you answered, “there is no line in the sand when it comes to my spouse,” then you have adopted the ‘til death do us part’ view. So do you know what view your spouse has adopted? It might be a great time for you and your spouse to spend some time re-evaluating your view of marriage. Will you join the many who are seeking to make a difference in this world by bringing back the true focus of marriage? I invite you to join with us at First Christian Church where we are “Seeking First” in every area of our lives and especially in our marriages. Seeking God’s view of marriage for our best.

Marriage Moment #3 - forgiveness

2009-11-24T12:06:00.002-08:00

Marriage is a place where forgiveness is shines! That shouldn’t seem like such an odd statement, but it is, isn’t it? Why is marriage sometimes the last place forgiveness is given? Have you ever been angry with your spouse because of something they did or did not do? Well yes, who hasn’t? But maybe a better question is: Have you refused to let go of the anger and forgive your spouse no matter what he or she has done? Often we tend to believe the lie that if we are angry enough; long enough our spouse will come to their senses and earn their right back into our graces. The problem is we are seeking to forgive conditionally, saying “I will forgive you if…” The problem is this forgiveness is based on your spouse acting as you think. You cannot expect someone else to think and act like you do even if that someone is your spouse! Many times their action never takes place, so we hold on to our un-forgiveness which brings anger that eventually turns into bitterness.
We also believe that our refusing to forgive is imprisoning our spouse. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Michele Weiner-Davis, says in her (internet) article on “Forgiveness in Marriage,” “Lack of forgiveness imprisons you. It takes its toll on your physical and emotional health. It keeps you stuck in the deepest of relationship ruts. No matter how justified you feel about your point of view regarding your partner's insensitive behavior, you still are miserable. When you wake up each morning, a gray tint shadows your life. You walk around with a low-grade depression. You can't feel joy because you're too busy being angry or feeling disappointed.” Some can relate all to well to the description of misery can’t you? So what are you going to do about it?
In his book Getting rid of the Gorilla, Brian Jones defines forgiveness as ‘release’. When we ‘release’ our spouse we really release ourselves from the prison that we actually built. We build prisons when we don’t forgive and our homes become a place where our spouse (and children) doesn’t want to be. Don’t you want to be free? Don’t you want to be released from the prison you find yourself in? Step up and forgive today. Call your spouse right now and let them know you are sorry for being un-forgiving! If you are interested in the greatest forgiveness ever, why not visit us on Sunday morning?

Marriage Moment #2 - Choices

2009-11-24T12:06:00.001-08:00

There are so many choices in life. Do you realize how many choices you make in one day alone? I get to choose my cell phone plan. I get to choose which cell phone is “best for me.” I get to choose what I eat for each meal. I get to choose if I want to eat that meal at home or at a restaurant. I get to choose what I wear (whether it matches or not!) I choose whether or not I want to put a purchase on my credit card or wait until I have the money to buy it ‘the old-fashioned-way.’ I choose what time I get up in the morning. I choose what kind of coffee I want to drink or not drink. I choose if I want to go to work. I choose what I want to do for a living. I choose to be in a good mood or not each day I wake up. I choose how I will treat my kids when I see them first thing in the morning. I choose who I want to marry. And I choose if I want to stay married or not!
Marriage is a constant choice! I wake up each and every day and choose to love my wife (after all she has put up with me for all these years.) But what if I decided not to love her for part of the day, would that make a difference? You bet it would. When I choose to love my wife each day, I choose not look online at inappropriate pictures. When I choose to love my wife each day, I choose not to entertain impure thoughts. When I choose to love my wife each day, I choose to look away when things get flashed across the T.V. screen during half-time of the football game. When I choose to love my wife each day, I choose to battle the world around me. Today, I choose to love my wife – I choose go to battle! What about you? Are you ready to choose? Are you ready to battle? Marriage is at war – I am ready!
As long as we are talking about choosing, how about choosing which church to attend? How about choosing Jesus as the ultimate choice? Why not come and see what God is doing at FCC and ‘choose’ whether or not you agree with who we are and how we live? It might just be the RIGHT CHOICE to bless you marriage! God has made the ultimate choice – and HE chooses you! Why not check HIM out?

Marriage Moment #1

2009-11-24T12:05:00.001-08:00

Have you ever noticed that many people have marital problems? Is yours one? No matter what difficulties you might be facing in your marriage, you can still have success with your mate! But it does take an incredible amount determination and sweat to be not just a surviving marriage but a thriving marriage. When every one else is fighting and threatening the “D” word (divorce) you and your spouse can enjoy a marriage that lasts the rest of your lives. Want to know how to have this type of marriage?
It all starts with good communication! It seems so elementary, so why not give it a try? Good communication is the key in 90% of happily married couples (National Survey on Marital Strengths by David H. Olson & Amy K. Olson-Sigg (2000).) When you experience times in your marriage where things don’t seem to be connecting with your spouse there is a communication break-down. The simply steps are to 1.) sit down (after cooling down.) 2.) state your thoughts and feelings in a condense version. 3.) have your spouse repeat back to you EXACTLY what you said. If your spouse can do this without summarizing what they “know you really mean when you say _________” then you are on your way to healthy communication. If your spouse cannot accurately summarize what you said and meant then the communication problem has surfaced its ugly head! You might need to bring in a third party to help mediate through the steps to get you on the right track. Above all – have fun with your communication and grow in this relationship together! Look for more marriage moments soon.

Son Rock Kids Camp

2009-07-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! We just had a great week of V.B.S. I don't think I have EVER yelled that much in my life for one straight week! I was on a teaching team that was basically a drama team. I played the part of someone who yelled everyday. We repeat each skit 5 times a day. So 20x I was an idiot - all for the sake of Jesus. Many would say I have played that part everyday of my life - I'll take that - proudly. We also raised money for a sponsor child through Compassion. Our goal was $500 and we raised $750. It was a competition of boys vs. girls. Guess who was the sponsor for the boys!!! (I will try to get a picture of the pie in the face I took when on the last day the grand total was boys - $349.?? while the girls raised $400.??) The pie was not tasty since it was made of whipped cream mustard and relish (I hate relish and mustard - why relish and mustard.) But the deed is done! Praise God for opportunities to live for HIM in the most unlikely thought of ways!

Rescued!!!

2009-07-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's my question...have you ever been rescued? I have needed to be rescued 3 times in my life!
One time was back around 1998-1999? I was at a hotel in Stillwater, OK for a O.C.Y.C. (Oklahoma Christian Youth Convention). My buddy and I were about to get on the elevator when we noticed the sign read "MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY 16". When we were about number 18 & 19 we asked ourselves the question...Should we wait for the elevator to come back? Naaaauuuuggghhhh!!! So we jumped on! Full of teens and us the elevator door closed and started to slowly move (and I mean slowly!) up. It reached about half-way to the second floor and stopped while a siren went off (signaling to the manager the elevator was stuck). We needed rescued in a very humorous way!!1

The next time I needed to be rescued was in August of 2001! I was traveling through the town of Parsons, KS and we had stopped at a convenience store for a bthroom break and drink! I went to the bathroom and locked the door (it was a 'one-at-a-time' bathroom) When it was time to open the door and walk out, the door was stuck!!! I was in a panicky need of being rescued!

But the first time I needed rescued was the day I was brought in to this world. NO, there is no tragic story of how I almost died because of delivery complications. But this is the story of how I almost died and spent eternity in the wrong place had I not been rescued! The weird thing is that I was rescued before I was ever born! (Figure that out!) God knew my state before I was in it! God sent the Rescuer - Jesus Christ to reach down (from the cross) and pick me up from the sesspool I was in. The sesspool known as this 'present evil age'! (Check out Galatians 1:4!)

Praise, Glory and Honor to the King at rescuing people!

What is God doing to me?

2009-06-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

I think a common blog post beginning has to be: "I am sorry it has been so long since I posted!" So since it is probably the most common, I am not going to start that way...

I truly feel as though God has been placing in my path many things to convict and challenge my Christianity. I don't think I am headed for Hell or anything, but I do believe that I have been raised with a misconception about life with Jesus. Let me update you on what I have been reading. I have in the last two months read "Crazy Love, by Francis Chan" (a must read for everyone beleiver), and 'The Present Future" (another great read for those frustrated with Christianity as we know of it today - but caution...it is disturbing! True, but disturbing!) I am also reading "Preaching from my Feet" (a great challenge for all who preach - I recommend it as well!) Along with all of that I am reading "One Month to Live" while the church where I serve is preparing to spend 6 weeks going through this together beginning in September. All this to say, I am convinced that the church needs a over-haul, make-over, and a bath!

While I don't question my relationship with God to be genuine or not, I do question the church's misunderstanding of what the Church is to be about. We seem to have forgotten HIS purpose for the Church and have turned it into "my" church. I am so sick of hearing people complain because their comfort level is disturbed because of changes. HELLO! It was never your church to begin with. God wants it back! I challenge you to read these books mentioned and tell me your thoughts on the subject. I wonder if I am alone? Is anyone else bothered by what we call church? Is anyone else seeking to live as if Jesus did die for them too? I have resolved to live differently. I seek to no longer live as I have and I am expecting the true followers to stand up too! There is much to do and so little time. To GOD be the glory! Amen.

Crazy Love book

2009-05-21T12:02:00.001-07:00

How many blog posts start with, 'I know I haven't updated in a while...sorry...'? This is one of those blogs...

I have been reading the book 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan. I got to tell you - I love it. Why is it that we read something that should be simple truths to believers and yet we find it profound. This is the first book I have ever known to have a online video intro. to each chapter. This I believe is very cool! I guess what impresses me most is the humble attitude that comes across in his (Francis) approach to life with God. He sends a message that he is just like me - I don't know about you, but I connect to that. If you get a chance check out his book and website. www.crazylovebook.com - I think you will enjoy it immensely!

On another note, I feel like God has really been preparing me for something lately. I am not sure what it is, but I have been drawn to pray for guidance more and more in my role as a pastor/preacher/leader! Who knows what God has in store? But I am excited about the journey that's coming!

“I have a dream for FC2 in 2009!”

2008-12-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

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!

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

2008-11-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

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.

A ‘Time’ To Be Thankful?

2008-10-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

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...

2008-10-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

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...

Going Deeper Seminar

2008-09-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

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

Target Practice

2008-08-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

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!

God gave the Church!

2008-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

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.

In the Beginning, God created, then rested…

2008-06-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

“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!

Once upon a time, God took vacation…

2008-05-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

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!

Ministry!

2008-05-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

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.

God is for us!

2008-04-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Growth Hurts!

2008-04-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

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.

"It Could Happen"

2008-04-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

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!

Movement

2008-03-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

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!

Resurrection Sunday

2008-03-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Spiritual Growth

2008-03-06T09:34:00.000-08:00

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!

Empowered!!!

2008-03-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

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!

A "Mountain Top" experience

2008-02-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

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!

The Early Church Faith

2008-02-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

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!

Identity in Christ

2008-02-12T12:12:00.001-08:00

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

2008-02-12T11:54:00.000-08:00

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!