Overcoming addiction

Here's what I know:  Addictions can be difficult to overcome.

 

People don't change until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of changing.

 

Change is hard - even in the midst of self-destructive behavior.

 

Just for fun, try the following experiment:

 

Fold your hands across your chest, and then observe the position of your hands.

 

Some people fold the left hand over the right, and others do the reverse.

 

After noting how you do it, unfold your hands.  Now fold them again, but this time in the opposite way; that is, if you normally put your right hand over your left, put your left hand over your right.

 

It feels awkward, doesn't it?

 

The old way is normal and relaxing.  The new way may seem strange, and you may feel you could never relax in this position.

 

The point is - if a simple change in position of your hands is so uncomfortable,. must think how uncomfortable it is to change part of your behavior or lifestyle - especially when it comes to addictions.

 

How do I know if I am dealing with an addiction?

 

As yourself these six questions:  Is it illegal?  Do family and friends say I have a problem?  Do I continue ever though I am hurting relationships?  Do I arrange my schedule around it?  Is it leading me to isolation?  Is it becoming secret?

 

Some people are addicted to lust, spending, anger, gossip, criticism, food, slander, jealousy, the list goes on and on. 

 

What can you do? 

 

Make a commitment to change today.   Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 11:4, "If you wait for perfect conditions,  you'll never get anything done!"

 

Take responsibility.  Proverbs 19:3 tells us, "A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord."

 

Examine your own life.  Do a personal inventory.  Lamentations 3:40 states:  "Let us examine our ways and test them and return to the Lord." 

 

Don't place yourself in a position where you give in to your addiction.  If your addiction is gossip, don't hang around people who gossip.  Romans 13:14, "Don't give any chances for the flesh to have its fling." 

 

Fix your mind on Christ.  Proverbs 4:23, "Be careful how you think your life is happed by your thoughts."  When you turn your attention away from your addiction - refocus on Christ!  Fill your mind with those things that are pure and of a good report (Philippians 4:8).

 

Just some thoughts for a Thursday.

shake it off

I never thought that I would quote Taylor Swift - but here goes (verbiage from her latest hit song):

 

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off'

Whether she realizes it or not - that principle is quite biblical.

 

What do we do with the disapproval and judgment of others?  We shake it off.

 

Do we learn from it - and apply to our lives what is true?

 

Absolutely.

 

But at the end of the day, we have to shake it off.

 

(As I give to you the scriptures below - I would encourage you to look them up and do a bible study).

 

Acts 13:49-51 gives us the story of how the non-believers came against the apostles as they spread God's Word, and the apostles reached by "shaking it off."

 

Paul, in Acts 28:5, was bitten by a serpent, and he shook it off.

 

The disciples were instructed in Mark 6:11 to "shake it off."

 

Luke 10:1-11 gives us the words of Jesus in response to those who reject the faith.  He describes the act of physically shaking dust form their feet - and that was a message of:  You are not going to bother us or stop us."

 

Friends, you can shake off the snakebites of rejection, anger, unforgiveness and bitterness, jealousy, anger, discouragement, depression and offense.

 

Shake it off!

 

Make a conscious decision that, "I will no longer be bound by that thing that is oppressing me."  "I am going to shake it off - and give it to God - and let God deal with it.  I am going to walk in the Spirit.  I am going to think on things that are pure and of good report."

 

Shake it off!

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Mercy always triumphs over judgment

Pastor James writes in James 2:13, "Mercy always triumphs over judgment."

So true.

The great Scottish preacher Alexander McClaren once wrote, "Be kind to everyone you meet because everyone you meet is facing a battle."

And John Ortberg writes, "the only normal people I know are the people I don't know well."

 

Everyone is carrying a wound.

 

And here is what I know about wounds:  You can break an arm, and we know in six weeks broken bones heal.  But how many of you - as you are reading this - read this with a broken heart?

 

It is easy to see a cast on an arm, but it is difficult to read a broken heart.

 

Six weeks doesn't suffice to heal most broken hearts.  It takes years, sometimes decades.

 

You are like me in that someone can approach us and mention one name, just one name, and it can bring tears to our eyes. It opens up old wounds.

 

All someone has to do is to mention one circumstance and there's a knot still deep inside.

 

So the last thing you need is for someone to point a finger at you.

 

My encouragement to you today?  Let's all walk in love, acceptance and forgiveness - and remember that everyone is hurting to some extent.

 

Let's all continue to put grace on the front burner of our relationships with one another.

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

I was very thankful the snow held off (the little that we received) until yesterday afternoon.

As one of the pastors at our church - I am prayerfully "glued" to the weather channel from Friday evening through Sunday morning - watching as to whether the snow will prohibit people from coming to church or not.  :)  :)

I just wanted everyone to know how grateful I am to have a spouse who loves me, supports me and always encourages me.

I'll tell you what, gang, we are genuinely gaining some spiritual momentum in our church!

It is exciting!

I am thrilled!

Can I give you what is almost becoming a continual word? 

Invite someone to one of our Sunday morning services - this Sunday.

As we learned yesterday:  You are significant.  You are needed in the body of Christ!  You can, with one positive word, change someone's life!

Is it me - or is the NFL Pro Bowl a waste of time and money?

I would guess that the recognition of being recognized by their peers as being All Pro is enough.

My prediction for this coming Sunday?

Seattle 24 - New England 21. 

You read it here first.

Worship is spending time with God - recognizing Him for who He is.

Praise is spending time with God - thanking him for what he does.

We need both.

With the constant drip of negativity that comes from the world - let's all be a positive force of encouragement in a complaining world.

Can I share something with you "out of the blue"?  We here in America are following the historical pattern of Ancient Rome (an empire which fell) - and the biblical pattern of the negative domino effect found in Romans 1:18-25.   

Could it be that God's most important desire for us is to turn from our wicked ways and follow Him?

I know that you agree with me in saying, "Maranatha, Even so, come Lord Jesus."

Let me give you a life changing thought:  Prayer.  Tuesday evening, January 27.  Stone Church Chapel.  6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Love you all.......

Hanging around the right people

We've been talking a lot lately (on Sunday  mornings) about expanding our relational borders to include those who don't know Christ.

 

It is so important that we "go and tell," and not just project, "come and hear."  Both are needed, but our God-given role as followers of Christ is to be "witnesses" (Acts 1:8) for Christ.

 

At the same time, as you and I desire to grow in God, we must hang out with the right people - namely Christians who are either "on fire" for God - or are longing to grow in Him in a deeper way.

 

To put it succinctly, we are who we hang around.

 

We become like those who we spend time with.

 

If you consistently hang out with a gossip - you will become a gossip.

 

If you consistently hang out with a critic - you will become a critic.

 

If you consistently hang out with negative people - you will become negative.

 

Sometimes when I am around gossips or critics or negative people for any length of time - I just want to go home and take a shower.  The "dirt" of their attitudes just lingers.

 

But if you hang out with someone who's desire is to draw closer to the Lord, you will find yourself trying to become more intimate with God.

 

My encouragement to you today?  Find a Christian that  models intimacy with God.

 

Find someone that just walks close to God.  An Enoch so to speak in the faith.

 

Get around them.  Hang out with them.  Spend time with them.

 

To use this analogy:  It is like putting a poker into the fire (in the fireplace).  You put the poker in the fire and it gets warm, even hot.  You place the poker away from the fire in the fireplace and it grows cold.

 

Intimacy with God is more caught than taught.  And if you are around people on fire for God - you will catch that same fervor.  It begins to "rub off on you," in a very positive sense.

 

And before I go - let me add on this thought:  That also includes participating in a forum that encourages growing in God.  Allow yourself to be in a group that aids you in your search to draw closer to God:  A prayer group.  A prayer partner.  A small group. 

 

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Living in the moment

On my way to work this morning, I observed a woman behind me, driving, smoking a cigarette, looking on her phone, and talking to her young child in the back seat - all at the same time.

 

I don't think it would be a stretch for me to say that you would agree with me when I write that there is something inherently wrong with that.

 

We live in a day and age where multi-tasking is has not only become an art form - but is much admired and respected.

 

I get that.  I multi-task, and so do  you (I just had a conversation in my office and answered two emails - while I was writing this).

 

But the point of the day is that:  God calls us to live in the moment. 

 

Jesus said it this way in the sermon on the  mount (Matthew 6:34):  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."

 

In other words:  Live in the moment.

 

Do we plan?  Yes.  Do we learn from the past?  Yes.

 

But are we called by God to drain everything we can out of every moment that we live in? 

 

Absolutely.

 

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not yet here, today is all we have.

 

Let me leave you with this story.

 

In his "One minute uplift," newsletter, Rick Ezell tells this story: 

 

"A university professor tells of being invited to speak at a military base in December and their meeting an unforgettable soldier named Ralph.  Ralph had been sent to meet him at the airport; and after they had introduced themselves, they headed toward the baggage claim.  As they walked down the concourse, Ralph kept disappearing - once to help an older woman whose suitcase had fallen open, once to lift two toddlers  up to where they could see Santa Claus, and again to give directions to someone who was lost.  Each time he came back with a big smile on his face.

 

"Where did you learn to do that?"  The professor asked.

 

"Do what?"  Ralph said.

 

"To be so helpful and considerate to others."

 

"Oh," Ralph said, "during the war, I guess."

 

"Then he told the professor about his tour of duty in Vietnam, about how it was his job to clear minefields, and how he watched his friends blow up before his eyes, one after another.  "I learned to live between steps," he said.

 

"I ever knew whether the next one would be my last, so I learned to get everything I could out of the  moment between when I picked up my foot and when I put it down again.  Every step I took was a whole new world, and I guess I've just been that way ever since."

 

He finished by saying this:  "A grace-filled life is living between the steps.  It understands the remarkable gift of today."

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Is Jesus like you or are you like Jesus?

Is Jesus like you or are you like Jesus?

 

Don't answer too quickly.

 

Let me explain.

 

In his book, "With," Skye Jethani tells about a test that Scott McKnight gives every year to his incoming group of college students:  The test begins with a series of questions about what students think Jesus is like. 

 

The 24 questions are then followed by a second set - with slightly altered language - in which the students answer questions about their own personalities.

 

Do you know what they found out?  Everyone thinks Jesus is just like them!

 

Scott McKnight added,  "The test results also suggest that, even though we like to think we are becoming more like Jesus, the reverse is probably more the case:  we try to make Jesus like ourselves."

 

A.W. Tozer said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

 

What do you think about God when you think of Him?

 

I would suggest that we start with what God is like (from the Bible) and then move on to what we think God is like (from our own lives and personal experiences).

 

And......I am thankful that Jesus is not like me - but that I am trying to be more like Him.

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

 

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

 

I am very, very grateful for the people who accepted Christ yesterday.

 

God is good.

 

Prayer can move mountains. 

 

Prayer can move the vilest, most evil person to God - and if that is true - and it is - God can truly transform the life of the person you are praying for.

 

Prayer is simply having a conversation with God.

 

In prayer - I encourage you to listen to God's response.

 

It is all by God's grace.

 

Sometimes we are harder on people than God is.

 

Rejection is never fun.

 

We are called to seek the approval of one:  God.  When we receive God's approval, everything else falls into place.

 

If you get a chance this coming Saturday, come on out and catch one of our Upward Basketball games, and mingle with those who are coming.

 

We are doing everything we can to refocus our church this year - on outreach.  Looking beyond the four walls of our church.

 

Keep it simple, my dear friends:  Come on Sunday morning.  Attend a life group.  Serve in a ministry.

 

When God is all you have, God is all you need.

 

Sometimes one encouraging word will carry me for a couple of weeks.

 

Condolences to my Green Bay Packer friends. 

 

I will give my Super Bowl prediction next week.

 

Isn't it neat to see Russell Wilson give God glory and pray at the end of the game?!

 

It will be interesting to see how the Green Bay Packer player who fumbled the onside kick (toward the end of the game) responds.

 

I sincerely feel for him.  I trust he responds well.

 

Failure is never final - unless you let it be.

 

The key to failure is to pick yourself up - and try again.

 

While our culture will define someone by their one mistake - (in any area of life; not just football) -  our true significance only comes from God.

 

God is the God of the second chance (I am obviously speaking of something beyond - and far more serious than a football game).

 

I am grateful for all of our volunteers - thank you for your service at our church!

 

With much love........

 

 

power for living

Sometimes we don't know what to say.

 

You've been there and so have I.

 

Your spirit is crushed - your spirit is overwhelmed.

 

If one more thing happens.......

 

You know that you need God to touch you, you know that there is a circumstance in life that needs God, but you don't know what to say.

 

You don't know what to do.

 

All you can do is to say:  "Jesus, help me."  "I need you Lord!"

 

And God listens, and God hears and God answers.

 

But you can also tap into the anointing of God to help you as well.  You can also wait on the Holy Spirit because he knows how to pray and what to pray. 

 

Paul writes in Romans 8:26,27, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

 

The Holy Spirit will always pray in alignment with the will of God.

 

The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings power - that does not necessarily have to be equated with chills or emotional goose bumps.

 

It isn't always charged with emotion.

 

The anointing can help you make it through life - it can give you the power you need for living.

 

I encourage you to pause right now, and ask God for His anointing on your life.

 

The anointing will take authority over your situations (Read Psalms 133:3).

 

The anointing will lift burdens from you shoulder (Read Isaiah 10:27).

 

The anointing will break bondages and restore you to the calling that God has on your life.

 

Cry out to God for that anointing today!

 

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Summarizing your life in six words

If you were asked to summarize your life in six words, what would they be?

 

I was reading today of an online magazine that asked that question several years ago.

 

It was inspired by a legendary challenge posed to Ernest Hemingway to write a six-word story that resulted in the classic, "For sale:  baby shoes, never worn."

 

The magazine was flooded with so many responses that the site almost crashed, and the responses were eventually turned into a book.

 

Here are some of the more funny to ironic to inspiring responses:

 

One tooth, one cavity; life's cruel

 

Savior complex makes for many disappointments

 

Cursed with cancer - Blessed with friends  (That one was written by a 9 year old boy with cancer)

 

The psychic said I'd be richer

 

One long train to darkness  (That one is 5 words not 6)

 

Not a good Christian, but trying

 

Thought I would have more impact

 

I encourage you today to respond to this blog:  Either by Facebook or the blog itself.

 

How would you summarize your life in six words?

 

The challenge of the six word limitation is in its demand to focus on what matters most, to capture briefly something of significance.

 

How would you summarize your life, or just last year, or maybe this upcoming year in six words?

 

Here is mine:  He did the best he could.

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Let me know if you need anything

First of all, let me say, that when you and I say to anyone (in grief, dealing with an illness, out of a job), it is not sinful or illegal to say, "let me know if you need anything, " or "if there is anything I can do, let me know."

 

It is just that we need to stop saying that.

 

I think we all feel very uncomfortable to actually reach out to someone (in our time of need) who has said that to us.  We don't want to put anyone out.  We feel uneasy in asking anyone to give of their valuable time doing menial tasks for us. 

 

And on the flipside, most of the time when you and I say the phrase (I do and you do to) it makes us feel better about ourselves, as if somehow we have done our "duty" in helping that person out. 

 

But here is the challenge:  We want people to know we care, but simply caring is not enough.

 

We know they will never call us - and deep inside - we hope they never do.

 

It is just a fact of life.

 

It's a portion of this game we can "life."

 

But for a moment, look at Jesus.  Jesus was more than a man of words - he was a man of action.  He was constantly putting what he did in line with what he said.

 

Pastor James tells us to be "doers of the word."

 

If we are to be like Jesus (which we all want to be) we must do something to help someone in need.  Send a card, make a meal, drop off some groceries, make a visit or phone call - without waiting to be asked.

 

Be pro-active.  Don't wait on that phone call from that person who is hurting.

 

I challenge all of us (including myself) to obliterate this phrase from our vocabulary in 2015 - and to reach out to the hurting in their time of need.

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

 

The New Year always brings about a sense of freshness - a time to recommit (refocus) ourselves on the calling of God on our lives - both individually and corporately.

 

This is the year (in our church) of re:  Refocus.  Revive.  Refresh.  Renew.

 

God is moving!

 

It warms my heart to walk in to the gym on Saturday morning and see the gym filled with parents and kids participating in Upward Basketball - I would guess, most of whom, don't go to our church.

 

Just as important as growing deep in the faith is growing wide in seeing people come to Christ.

 

Deep and wide.

 

That's a goal to have - a God given goal. 

 

One of our strengths is that we provide opportunities for everyone to grow deep in the Lord.  Let's grow wide as well by seeing people connect to Christ!

 

Many, many thanks to all of our volunteers who help on Saturday with Upward.

 

Worship yesterday - anointed!

 

Tuesday evening prayer meeting:  6:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.

 

I encourage everyone to come "every once in a while" to our prayer meetings.  I realize that not everyone can come every Tuesday evening - I understand - but please place it on your scheduling plate to come every so often. 

 

You can I cannot give what we do not have (the life of Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit that comes through prayer).

 

Let's continue to pray for those families who lost someone in the Paris massacre.

 

Religions can never be spread (ultimately) through war.  Only through peace, love and reconciliation.

 

We can't force someone to connect to Christ.

 

Only the Holy Spirit can do so.

 

Just a word for someone:  When it doubt - leave it out.

 

Reconciliation is the most important thing in any relationship.  Resolving every issue must always comes in second place.

 

You do not have to resolve every issue to be reconciled with someone.

 

So thankful for the moving of God this past week during our "Season of renewal."

 

Truly God was present - yet at the same time we desire "MORE"!

 

Please contact the church office for prayer - we as pastors consider it a privilege to have conversations with God about your needs!

 

Love you all.....

Walking in victory

We heard a lot this week about the infilling, power and fire of the Holy Spirit.

Powerful.  Using the analogy of war, our altar area looked like a battlefield, with bodies strewn about under the power of God.

 

Many were changed, transformed and encouraged.

 

So went our "season of renewal".

 

I believe that the beginning of the year is a great time to renew ourselves in God.  To remind ourselves that it is, "not by might, nor by power but by the Spirit says the Lord of Hosts."  (Zechariah 4:6)

 

If we live in the Spirit we will find that all that is of the flesh in our lives is swallowed up.

 

If we live in the Spirit we will find that we can be free from all bondage.

 

Look at the disciples.

 

Before they received the Holy Spirit - they were living in bondage.

 

When Jesus said, "one of you shall betray me," they were doubtful of themselves and questioned, "Is it I?"  (Matthew 26:21-22)

 

They were very conscious of their own inner depravity and propensity to sin. 

 

Peter, being Peter, said, "though I should die with you, yet I will not deny you."  (verse 35).

 

The others said the same, but then all forsook Jesus and ran away.

 

But after the power of God fell upon them in the upper room, they were as bold as lions in facing the persecutions of the enemy. 

 

What made them so?  The purity and power that is by the Holy Spirit.

 

God can make you an overcomer.

 

When the Spirit of God comes into your surrendered spirit and soul he transforms you.

 

God is in you.  God is able to so transform and change you that all the "old man" has to go - before God's life in you.

 

Let me ask you this today.  Do you think that God has made you to be a failure?

 

Absolutely not.  God will never call you into anything (in our pilgrimage with him) without giving you the necessary authority and power to do what he has called you to do - especially when it comes to a daily walk with Him.

 

God made you to be a daughter or son of His.  To walk on this planet in the power of the Spirit, overcoming your flesh and defeating the devil - until nothing arises up within you except what is of the supernatural Spirit of God.

 

My word to you today?  Be an overcomer.  Once again, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Just a thought for a Thursday.

confidence

One of my favorite passages is 1 John 5:14,15, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us; and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him."  (or what we ask for)

So much treasure is those two verses!

God's Word is so powerful!

Our confidence comes from God's Word and keeping our eyes on Jesus.

Being obedient to Him.

So, conversely, what can cause you to lose your confidence in your spiritual prilgrimage?

Not reading the Word.  Keeping your eyes on your problems.  Walking outside the realm of complete obedience to God.

You see, more than anything else - you and I need to have confidence as we walk with God - and face the ups and downs of life.

Confidence can be the difference between winning and losing in life, at your job, in sports and in any endeavor we tackle.

That confidence (in God) can especially help us when we don't feel like pressing on.  When our feelings overwhelm us from the pressures, problems and people that we have.

That's why, people of faith always follow and are obedient to God, in spite of their feelings.

The just live by faith and not their feelings.

God's promises never fail - Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."  - not my feelings.

So, walk in the confidence today, my dear friends, that comes from an abiding connection with God - for He will never fail you nor forsake you.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Facebooking your problems

If there is one thing Debbie and I practice - it is vulnerability. 

 

Neither one of us are in tune with "fake" - we do our best to be as authentic as possible. 

 

And here what I know:  As Rick Warren says, "Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing."

 

Sharing our needs, trials and problems with one another is so vital in the kingdom of God.

 

I can't deal with any issue in my life unless I admit that it is there - and then be willing to share it with other believers.  Whatever I can't talk about - I am in bondage to.

 

However, let's talk about the mechanism for doing so.

 

Let me explain.

 

When Debbie and I were on vacation, we came across an eclectic store that included in their items, T-shirts that had sometimes profound thoughts on them.

 

One of the T-shirts said this:  Face your problems, don't Facebook them.

 

It's not that I have an issue with anyone "Facebooking" (Isn't it interesting how that has now become a verb?) their issues, it is just that I hope that - that venue is the third or fourth choice for doing so.

 

I would suggest that the following pattern be considered with our trials:

 

I talk with God.

 

I speak with my support circle (as with a life group).

 

I put it on Facebook (for the whole world to see).

 

I call this "limited vulnerability" where I incrementally share my needs within the confines of the concentric relational circles of my life.

 

Some things I only share with God.  Something should only be shared with God and those I trust around me.  And then - some things can be made public - asking for many to pray.

 

To put it bluntly - Facebook is not God.  My default in the midst of difficulties is to come to God - His Word - and lay it on the altar - and then share it with the public across the world.

 

One disclaimer:  Can you put your trial on Facebook and ask everyone to pray?  Absolutely.  I like that.  But I guess  my point is - let's not put something on Facebook to avoid or deny a problem, or to substitute is for spending time in conversations with our Creator.

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

If your thing is the "ABC's" of the church (attendance, building and cash), please be encouraged!

Things are on a "upswing" at our church.

But far more important than "nickels and noses" (and those two are important) is the fact that God is moving in a powerful way!

The anointing of the Holy Spirit is present.

Our goal is to offer (to our community) a supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit in a way that is culturally relevant to the age we live in.

We desire to be "supernaturally natural" to the extent that the "end game" of experiencing what we are experiencing around the altars in our services - is to grow in Christ and connect others to Him.

I would add to that - to glorify Jesus.

My encouragement to you today is to take what God is giving you in each service - and meditate on it in prayer, use it to grow in Christ in your daily walk (the way you speak, act and think) and propel you to be bold in sharing your faith.

Isn't it interesting that the continent that my grandfather went to in 1948 (Africa) as a missionary (to West Africa) - is the same continent that is now coming back to America to help us draw closer to God?

I am thankful for our brother, Bishop Murisa who is ministering the word in both the anointing and the authority of God (Bishop Murisa is from Tanzania).

Christmas break - one of our favorite Christmas vacations ever.  Great family times. 

At one point - we forgot what day of the week it was - now that - that is a vacation.

I am excited about this year - probably more than any other year.

I get to totally focus in on ministry this year - every other year that I have been at our church I have had the responsibility of dealing with contractors, architects, builders and lawyers.

Don't get me wrong - in a couple of years we will renew our vision of building a sanctuary, but it is nice to have a pause where our total focus is on ministry!

Would you consider coming this Sunday - I will be giving the theme, vision and focus for our church in 2015.

Love you all.......

A God of surprise

I am continually amazed at the way God works in our lives.  Just about the time that I think I have God “figured out” He works in my life in a way that completely surprises me!  And then I realize, if I could “figure God out” than He wouldn’t be God! 

 

The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8, “His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts.” 

 

God works in ways that we can’t completely understand. 
 

Who would have thought that the way to bring the Messiah into the world was through a 13 or 14 year old virgin girl, giving birth to Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit?  Yet the scriptures tell us in Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” 
 

Life can be full of surprises. 
 

But God is a God of surprise and loves to take ordinary people and ordinary things and make them extraordinary in our lives. 
 

I encourage you - this Christmas season - to keep your eyes open for a fresh new surprise from our awesome God.  Keep your eyes open for something unexpected, something big. 
 

Many of our church family this year have faced financial difficulties, physical sickness and spiritual attack.
 

Here’s what I know:  nothing is too hard for God.  There is no degree of difficulty with God. 
 

God never worries.  God never frets.  God never raises his hands in the air and says, “Oh, my,” “What am I going to do next?”  “What is a God to do?”  There is no panic switch in heaven.
 

Just about the time that we are ready to give up - God steps in a does a miracle!
 

Know this:  Your surprise miracle is on its way!
 

Let me leave you with this prayer:
 

“Father, encourage each family at our church with a wonderful Christmas season.  Let this month be filled with times where we reflect about you.  May you give us a holiday surprise that comes not from a gift that we receive, but from your moving in our lives.  Thanks you Jesus.  Thank you for your salvation.  We love you!”
 

Written with much love........

 

What are you looking for this Christmas?

Linus is talking to Peppermint Patty about the theological implications of Christmas and he quotes Luke 2:7, “and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” 

Linus goes on to say, “Some scholars feel that the “inn” more likely was a private home with a guest room.  Manger could also be confusing here so some scholars think that perhaps the,” -  and Peppermint Patty interrupts him by saying, “Wouldn’t be neat to have a Christmas tree completely covered with just candy canes?” 

 

Two people looking for two totally different things.
 

What are you looking for this Christmas? 
 

Are you looking for the perfect gift, (or gifts) the bargains, the right decorations or Jesus? 
 

Dr. Luke writes in Luke 2:12,15, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 
 

They found Jesus because they were searching.  They were seeking Him.  And later on another group, the wise men found Jesus because they were seeking Him. 
 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  (Matthew 2:1,2) 
 

What are you looking for this Christmas? 
 

Let me tell you this – you will find what you are looking for. 
 

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7,   "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” 
 

Jesus is the reason for the season! 
 

Let’s all covenant together to seek after Jesus this Christmas.

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Have yourself a very ordinary Christmas

I know that we all agree that Mary being pregnant as a 14 year old virgin - by the Holy Spirit of God - is an extraordinary event - a miracle from God.

 

Yet, my challenge to you today is to take this extraordinary event and limit yourself to an "ordinary" celebration of what God has done for us.

 

Let me explain.

 

Joe Queenan, a writer for the New York Times and the magazine, GQ, criticizes what he calls our culture's "inability to accept the ordinary."

 

He writes that we insist that "every experience be a watershed, every meal extraordinary, every friendship epochal, every concert superb, every sunset meta-celestial - nothing can ever again be exactly what it was in the first place - ordinary."

 

In today's world, we all feel the pressure to make the Christmas Season - that much better - than the year before.  We put pressure on ourselves and on other people to make Christmas Eve and Christmas Day utterly fantastic.  

 

Have you ever driven around your neighborhood and seen homes that are lit up like the home in the movie, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?"

 

Over the top.

 

Christmas can become a competition of "who has the best celebration," to "who gave and received the best gifts," to "how big of a celebration we can have."

 

And at the end of the season we finally collapse on the coach, exhausted.

 

Christian author, Michael Horton writes this (in response to Queenan's quote):  "Today we feel the pressure to have our weddings look like the cover of a bridal magazine or movie set.  Our marriages have to be made in heaven, even though we're very much on earth.  Our presentations at work have to dazzle.  Our kids have to make the dean's list and get into the best graduate schools - nothing short of "brilliant" and "groundbreaking" will satisfy if you want a good job.  When we do stop and smell the roses, it has to be an unforgettable package at an amazing resort.  It is not enough to enjoy recreation at a public park, but extreme sports are what really interest us."

 

Can I ask you to consider something?  Why not applaud heaven for this extraordinary birth by spending Christmas Day in a very ordinary way - thinking of Jesus - deepening your relationship with family and friends - and retaining your sanity.

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

 

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

Sometimes it is easy to run out of superlatives when you watch and connect with a Christmas production like we saw yesterday.

Didn't God move in a powerful way?

Several raised their hands for salvation!  663 people attended.

I especially enjoyed the "Stomp" - the boys pounding on the buckets in conjunction with the Christmas tune, 'Lil Drummer Boy."

From the beginning to the end, Jesus was lifted up and glorified!

I encourage you to keep the moment of exalting Christ in your own individual family times - united around our Savior and Lord.

I can't begin to list all of the names of those who participated - but let me say a huge, huge, "Thank you," to everyone who gave of their time and help.

You are appreciated!

Wasn't the "kids choir," just wonderful?

Much gratitude to Pastor Brian (whose vision it was to produce, "The Christmas Collision") and the rest of his team!

I met so many new people yesterday, I stopped counting.  Good stuff!

I applaud you for inviting friends and family - and trust that they will "keep checking us out."

Your children (and teenagers) are a priority for us at Stone Church.  We are a church that honors and respects the family!

Upward Basketball will begin in a couple of weeks.  Please pray for this incredible outreach ministry to the community!

Parents with children:  We will be starting a second Kid's Hub service (during first service as well as second service) on January 4th.

Please put on your scheduling radar:  Season of renewal.  January 4-7 (Sunday A.M. and P.M.)  Bishop Murisa from Tanzania.  Child care provided at each service.

Okay, I have to say it:  The Dallas Cowboys beat Philadelphia last evening - but must win the last two games to make the playoffs.

God is good, my friends.  Through the highs and lows of life - he is always there, always caring for us, always providing for us.

We have much to be grateful for.

Love you all......

Master of the obvious

Have you ever caught yourself saying something that is so obvious, you almost come off looking foolish for saying it?

 

I do that sometimes.  I call that being, "master of the obvious."

 

Let me give you a story that illustrates this - and then at the end of the blog apply it to the Holiday Season.

 

There is a story of a customs officer who observes a truck pulling up at the border.

 

Being suspicious, he orders the driver out and searches the vehicle.  He pulls off the panels, bumpers, and wheel cases but finds not a single scrap of contraband, whereupon, still suspicious but at a loss to know where else to search - he waves the driver through. 

 

The  next week, the same driver arrives.  Again, the official searches, and again finds nothing illicit. 

 

Over the years, the official tries full-body searches, X rays, and sonar, anything he can think of, and each week the same man drives up, but no mysterious cargo ever appears, and each time, reluctantly, the customs man waves the driver on.

 

Finally, after many years, the officers is about to retire. 

 

The driver pulls up.

 

"I know that you are a smuggler," the customs officers says.  "Don't bother denying it.  But I just can't figure out what you have been smuggling all of these  years.  I'm leaving now.  I swear to you I can do you no harm.  Won't you please tell me what you have been smuggling?"

 

The driver replies, "TRUCKS."

 

My dear friends, don't miss the obvious this month - Jesus.

 

It is all about Jesus.  More than anything else, I challenge you to draw yourself and your family closer to Jesus.

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Talking to other people

I read today that according to a study published in Scientific American, we each speak an average of 16,000 words per day.

 

(I would suspect - that for women, the number of words is higher).  :)

 

If I were to ask you, "how many different people, people outside of your circle of friends do you speak with," most folks would say that they routinely converse with a very rich and diverse variety of people very day.

 

But separate research studies show that we routinely talk to a very small group of the same people over and over again.

 

Most people converse with 7 to 15 people very day - but here's the deal - about 80% of our words are shared with a small group of about 5 trusted confidants, allies, and friends.

 

That means that close to 13,000 of our 16,000 daily words are directed at a very small group of friends and confidants.

 

These closest coworkers, team members, family members, and friends make up our true inner circle.  These are the people who think like us, care about us, and believe in us.

 

Now here is the challenge:  Perhaps, just perhaps, God is calling  you to (with intentionality) reach out to those outside of your Christian "huddles" and build relationships with people outside the church or with people who don't know Christ.

 

At any rate, I encourage you to make it a point to speak with one person (outside of your small group of friends) each day.

 

After all, don't we have the good news?  (We do!)

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

 

God is moving at Stone Church!

 

We used to sing a chorus with the words, "Wonderful, wonderful, Jesus is to me....."

 

And truly - Jesus is wonderful.

 

God is a God of the miraculous!

 

As God does a miracle in your life this week, please contact the church office with your story!

 

I received a testimony last evening of a man (after he was prayed for yesterday during the altar time).  He said that he felt his ear pop and that he was hearing better!

 

Praise God!

 

During the second service altar call, people lingered and worshipped God.  I, personally, felt God's presence in a powerful way - I long for more of God's presence in our lives.

 

In the midst of the stress of the month of December, I encourage us all to pause, and reflect - and reflect on our relationship with Christ.

 

Many, many thanks for the love offering that was given to us yesterday as a church staff.  We are very grateful for your love and thoughtfulness to us.

 

Debbie and I had a great time with my men's life group (and spouses) last evening at our home.  It is always gratifying for us to see people grow in Christ!

 

Just a reminder - the yearly theme for 2015 is coming soon!

 

All parents:  We will be having Kid's Hub in the first service (as well as the second service) beginning on Sunday, January 4, 2015.

 

If you aren't in a life group yet, please consider joining one - life groups change lives!

 

In mentioning the lack of touchdowns the Chicago Bears fans have scored recently, the second service booed me yesterday.  Booed in church!  (I love it!)

 

Love  you all.......

Making adjustments for a healthy marriage

This evening the Chicago Bears play the Dallas Cowboys.

 

Of course, I will be watching, pulling for the Cowboys to win - unlike they did last year at Soldier Field (remember - I was at the game and it was very, very cold).

 

In one way, marriage is a lot like football.

 

In a close game, each team has the responsibility to make adjustments according to what they other team is doing.

 

The ideal time for this is halftime. 

 

Good coaches makes the required adjustments during the intermission, especially if they are losing.

 

A winning marriage requires the same type adjustments - adjustments that are made proactively.

 

Each person in a marriage come into that relationship with a set of assumptions, traditions, values, habits and rules from their previous life as a single person.

 

And so:  adjustments are to be made if the marriage is to be healthy.

 

And what's wild is that it is normally in the smallest of things that can bring the greatest of frustrations.

 

Someone has said, "We are worn down less by the mountain we climb than by the grain of sand in our shoe."

 

Something as small as where the toothpaste holder is - can bring about a siege of horrific conflict between the husband and wife.  (Not picking up after yourself - even something as small as whether the toilet seat stays up or down).

 

These small things can lead a couple to ask themselves:  Why did I marry this person (with a lot of tears and anger).

 

Can I tell you something:  You did marry the right person - without a doubt.

 

So...let me give you some points to remember as you make adjustments in your marriage (from the book, "Starting your marriage out right."

 

Recognize that adjustments are inevitable. 

 

It is 100% normal to have times of frustration and conflict over different areas of relationship in marriage.  In these adjustments, focus in on changing your behavior and becoming more tolerant and accepting of your spouses behavior.

 

Understand that adjustments have a divine purpose.

 

God uses these adjustments to teach us how to love one another in a godly way - as imperfect, different human beings.

 

Ask God for wisdom on how to live with this person who is different from you.

 

Instead of working, "just" on your spouse (and changing them) - how about accepting the situation and work in adjusting yourself?

 

Be more concerned about your own rough spots than those of your spouse.

 

Jesus said it best:  take the log out of your own eye before trying to take the speck out of your spouse's eye.

 

Make a commitment to hang in there, to work through the inevitable adjustments.

 

What's a good verse to memorize for all couples?

 

Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself."

 

And finally, know this dear couples:  Your spouse is your friend, not your enemy.

 

I encourage you to say at some point today to your spouse:  "You are not my enemy.  You are my friend."

 

Just some thoughts for a Thursday.

If God says I'm Okay, then I'm okay

Here's what I know:  If God says I'm okay, then I'm okay.

 

What counts in life is gaining and receiving the approval of God.

 

You see, if God likes and approves of me - than what does it matter what others think?

 

Realize this, my friends.  You are on this planet to please an audience of one.

 

No matter who rejects you - God never will.

 

As a pastor, over the years, I come across those who have experienced rejection - especially from their parents.

 

Let me hone in on that for just a second (the thoughts apply to any relationship in life).

 

The Psalmist tells us in Psalms 27:10, "Even if my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will receive me."

 

Even those who brought you into this world, even if they reject you, God won't.

 

We are always our "parents children", and some still, are trying to win their parent's approval. 

 

You never could get it growing up.

 

Let me share this with  you:  If your parents rejected you growing up, it wasn't your problem, it was their problem.

 

It is a biblical principle:  Parents are not to reject their children.

 

So it wasn't your problem, it was their problem.

 

Perhaps, just perhaps, they were rejected and now they are just turning the rejection that they experienced on you.

 

Many of you, even as adults, are still trying to win  your parent's approval in many and varied way.

 

The truth is, if you haven't got it by now - and - you may never, ever get it.

 

Probably not.

 

Perhaps they have died and there is no way to get that approval.

 

Listen to me, please:  It doesn't matter.  You don't need it.  You don't need anyone's approval to be happy. 

 

All you and I need is for God to approve us.

 

I leave you with this:  Don't  let your happiness be dependent upon other people.

 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

 

Being a "cool" parent

I have always tried to be relevant with my kids and understanding of the culture that they live in.

 

There have been many times when they have mentioned a tune or a movie or a book, and I will go out and buy that certain "something" and read it or listen to it or watched it.

 

However, here is what I know:  your kids want you to be their parents, mom and dad, someone they can go to for advise and counsel - and not necessarily their "cool" friend.

 

A recent article in the Washington Post spoke of the growing phenomenon of "cool" parenting, complete with "selfies" and "Lol's".

 

Writer Andrews Reiner observes:

 

"Cool has been morphing from a political statement to a self-serving, at times desperate, need to simply fit in with a culture of conformity.  Nowhere is this more apparent than in the place where our children spend most of their time, the Internet.  A big part of cool today means curating a Photoshop-perfect image in social media, staying constantly looped into whatever pop culture news has gone viral and blithely dropping pithy, snarky tweets and text messages, as if this was the way we talk all of the time.  In other words, you're cool if you are relevant."

 

The writer sees "cool parenting" as an extension of Facebook "like" culture, a dumbing down of individual morality and backbone, and a pooling of "right" and relevance based on perceived popular opinion. 

 

I guess my thought to you today is this:  Maybe, just maybe, God isn't calling you to be the "cool" parent that our culture presses us into being - but the man of God or the woman of God the Scriptures consistently prompt us to be.

 

Do I want to know and understand the culture that my child is living in?  Absolutely.

 

But do I need to act, think and talk like the culture that is present in America today to be an effective parent?  Absolutely not. 

 

We are called to raise our children as "unto the Lord," and not as "unto the culture that we live in."

 

A disclaimer:  that does not mean that you ban your child from any participation in the culture we live in (that's legalism - and candidly impossible) but that you, as a follower of Christ, are explaining culture and comparing it to Scripture. 

 

Your child will not love you more if you are the "cool" parent.  But they will love and respect you as you are there to counsel them, guide them and encourage them in the ways of the Lord.

 

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

 

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

 

Wasn't it wonderful to hear the testimonies yesterday (first service) from the people from City Church in Chicago?

 

God is on the move!

 

It is our privilege to minister at their church once a month:  feeding the homeless.  Ministering of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 

Thanks for giving to their ministry on a continual basis!

 

It is encouraging when the suburbs and the inner city unite in one common cause:  Jesus Christ.

 

I enjoyed spending "foyer time" yesterday - sharing and hearing of Thanksgiving experiences with our church family.

 

Debbie and I drove to Springfield, Missouri this past Wednesday for Thanksgiving with our family.  We came back Friday - so it was a quick trip. 

 

We had a great time!

 

Of course, the Dallas Cowboys losing (and losing bad) wasn't a lot of fun - but, hey, they play the Chicago Bears this coming Thursday!

 

You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family - which is why the love for family runs deep - you are family forever.

 

I am thankful for a wonderful dad and mom - and children and grandchildren. 

 

Debbie feels the same way.

 

There are a lot of exciting events at our church this month - as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

 

Reminder:  Invite friends, families (and enemies) to our Christmas celebration on Sunday morning, December 14 (both morning services).  An appeal for salvation will be given.

 

Reminder:  I will be speaking on miracles this coming Sunday morning (in the context of the birth of Jesus).  Would encourage you to bring someone who needs a miracle in their life as we will be praying for people.

 

As a staff, we have settled on a theme for 2015.  More to come.

 

Thanks for being, you, Stone Church.  You are loved and appreciated!