Things I Wish I'd Said

Heaven!!

2011-11-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I felt so blessed to be able to preach about heaven. It's not really a subject that I might have preached about in my career more than 2 or 3 other times. I said to my congregation that when I was younger, in my 20's and 30's, I really didn't think much about heaven. Now that I'm older, 55, and both of my parents, grandparents and in-laws have passed away it's a subject that I'm thinking more about. I appreciated all the comments after church about books I should read for instance, "90 Minutes In Heaven" and "Heaven Is For Real". These are true stories from people who have actually had authentic out of the body experiences. Now I've never had an experience like this and haven't known anyone who ever has. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen or hasn't happened. I for one believe that it does happen and that there is a reason for such experiences, although I haven't been able to ascertain what that meaning might be. Perhaps it's God's way of confirming His Word to us about what heaven might be like, not for His sake but for ours. Outside of these out of body experiences we still have the promise of God that heaven exists for His children who choose to follow Him with heart, mind, soul and spirit. Another thought about heaven that I mentioned yesterday is that heaven is the reward for the hell that people have had to endure while here on earth. Sorry that isn't right thinking. Heaven is a place that has been prepared for His children as their "reward", their "prize" for having "run the race that was before them". A fellow pastor who has battled and suffered with pancreatic cancer, along with his family, for about the last 3 or so years passed away yesterday. I didn't know him well but knew him well enough to know that he had a place secured for him in that glorious place called heaven. And it really wasn't anything that he had done except say yes to Jesus as his Savior. With that simple yes, his name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life and when life in this world came to and end he was immediately transported to Heaven. How? I don't know. It's simply something that you have to take by faith. God promised it to be and so it is. I have to say, that is certainly good enough for me. Blessings on you all.

Home Sweet Home

2011-10-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon! I've been home since last saturday, October 22. The team I was traveling with arrived in Chicago at O'Hare Airport about 5:15 pm. It took about 45 minutes to an hour to gather our luggage and meet the party who would give us a ride back to Fairfield Iowa about 5 hours southwest of Chicago. Altogether including the drive home it was about 22 1/2 hours. To be honest by the time I got home to Des Moines I felt like my eyes looked and felt like two burnt out holes in a blanket. I was pretty miserable but so glad to be home and back in America. I really didn't think that I would miss home as much as I did but life often has a way of surprising us. I think I was alright for the majority of the trip but the last 2 or 3 days my heart began to ache for my wife and daughters and grandchildren. My youngest granddaughter turned one while I was in Manila and my family waited until the following sunday to celebrate her birthday. What a great celebration it was! Friends of my daughter that I hadn't seen in sometime were there with their children and famiies. As I looked over the group of people there I felt so blest to be part of such a loving group of people. Enough of that.As I was contemplating the last few days about the purpose of my trip to the Philippines I was asking God how on earth will I be able to put all these wonderful experiences into perspective for the people in my church. As I was praying it seemed like He was saying to me, relax and just tell them about the great need in this country. Tell them about how hard working they are and tell them about their love for Me and My Kingdom. He also said be sure and tell them about how they are making inroads into the hearts and lives of people who are being restored daily into a right relationship with Him. So there you go, the purpose for which God sent me there. My heart is full to overflowing with all the wonderful blessing that the pastors and pastora's were to me and to their people.I was reminded of the scripture passage where Jesus commanded the disciples to go and make disciples in all nations and places. Of course that is a Hopperism, but I believe that it is implied by what the Lord had to say to us and His disciples. That is exactly what is happening right now in the Philippine Islands through the Free Methodist Church and perhaps many others as well. I know that the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination is also doing such work. In fact they have committed to plant 500 new churches by the year 2025. Now that is quite a goal to achieve. But it isn't really about how many churches that any given group can plant, but rather about how many new souls are won to the Kingdom of God. They along with their brothers and sisters in the Free Methodist Church recognize that Satan is alive and well on planet earth and is working so very hard to take as many with him to their eternal damnation. Strong words I know but it is truth and as it is said, "The Truth Hurts"! And we here in the US need to get with it. Unfortunately it appears that in the massive growth of some churches it seems to be that many are more focused on something other than bringing souls to a place of accepting the salvation of their Savior, Jesus Christ. That is our primary goal as followers of Christ, to win others not to a church or to denomination, but to Jesus Christ. And it all starts with asking for forgiveness of sins and entering into a relationship that can last a lifetime should we so choose, and hopefully we will choose life with Christ. Don't misunderstand me, I do think that there are many churches in America are doing an outstanding job, both large and small, at reaching those who need Christ as a personal Savior. But we all need to get on board to see that all hear the message of forgiveness and salvation. Finally I want to say thank you to all who helped make my trip to the Philippines possible financially and for all your prayers lifted up for me and the team I ministered with. God certainly honored those prayers and I am a better person a better pastor and a better Christian because of them.

So Much Too Say!

2011-10-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

So we've been here in Butuan for about 8 days or so and will be going home, at least starting the trip back home in just a few days. I wanted to write about some of the unusual things that I have noticed here. First of all, alarms clocks are not needed. Why you ask? Because the roosters will wake you at the crack of dawn that's why!! And should they fail then the barking dogs will wake you at about 5 am. Even though the mission house we are staying in is in the city limits people have animals all around us. Cats, dogs, chickens, roosters, monkeys, snakes, water buffalo and the like. It's so strange to see farm animals in town but this is not Iowa for sure and we are very far from the farm. Second when you call a taxi don't think you'll get the standard run of the mill taxi like we'd have at home, you know the one I'm talking about, 4 doors, air conditioning and padded seats. Oh no, here when you grab a taxi you might be riding in what the Philippino's refer to as a tricycle. A motorcycle driven taxi with three wheels and a cab with seats. I think I saw one the other day with about 6 people in it and there's really only room for about 4. The other mode of transportation around town is what is called a "jitney" (sp.). This is more like a openair van that can comfortably hold about 8 or 10 people depending on their size. Yes we americans are a little wider in the middle than most of the folks around here. You can go just about anywhere in town for 8-10 pesos which in american dollars is about a quarter per person. Next there is no rhymne or reason to the streets here. They go anywhere a neighborhood pops us, some of the streets are paved in concrete others are gravel or mud. Most of the streets on the ourskirts of town are gravel or mud. Some are in need of a great deal of repair, but don't get in a hurry, since we've been here it has rained everyday. It is an island nation ya know. With all the rain it's hard to repair the roads once they get torn up as they continuously fill with rain water. Speaking of rain, if you plan on being out and about around 3 pm but sure and bring your umbrella, it's certain to rain.We visited a school this morning to evaluate how some of the children sponsored by ICCM were doing in school. They attend from 8am until 5pm every day except the weekend. The minimal students per class is about 32. We visited one that had room for 66 and every seat was full and another that had 52 and again nearly every seat was full. The teachers are all alone with their children, no helpers or assistants. What a challenge in a of itself. However, the children are very respectful to us. They are some of the most beautiful children besides my own that I have ever set eyes on. Black haired, brown eyed and dark complexion, so beautiful. At other schools they sang for us and quoted scripture and probably knew what it meant too. Today we also visited the Bay of Butuan. It is about 20 or so minutes from the city. Butuan was originally discovered by Magellan in the 1500's I believe and they have a neat monument to commenorate it. The beach we stopped was beautiful. It was surrounded by mountains as it flowed out to the Pacific Ocean. The water was warm and clear. I picked up a few sea shells for my older grand kids. The sand is black from two volcano's. One is now extinct and the other is active but hasn't erupted in a few years. It was a pictureqest view and very breathtaking. with the bay flowing gracefully into the pacific ocean. The surf seemed gentle and almost reserved but the tide was beginning to come in fairly quickly. The food is probably the last thing to consider. I haven't ever eaten so much rice before in my life. It is a staple as potatoes are at home. The Philippino's eat rice for every meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is explored or changed at all, just plain white rice. On our drives we have seen many rice fields just ripening or being harvested. I think if something else had been done with the rice it would have been more enjoyable. Which is probably a matter of how one culture over another looks at food. In America we look at food as something beyond nutrition. For us it is about delicious it is and how it satisfies our palate. For these people they eat to survive. If you ever sit down and watch them eat you'll know what I mean. During the latter part of last week we took a short 2 day trip to Upper Augusan Del Sur. This "short" trip took about 4-5 hours due to the roads. Not the lack of roads but the condition of the roads. Most of them were gravel, some were concrete, but nearly all were bumpy. Lots of potholes to avoid. Anyway, just before our return trip the church we visited roasted a pig for us. It was about 3 years old with more fat and bones than meat. Don't get me wrong it was delicious and we all ate from it but by the time we left about 30 or 45 minutes later there was nothing left but the bones, we had devoured that pig and everyone was full and happy, grateful to God for the pig that gave his life to feed them. They would survive another day. Another interesting food is a fruit they call durian. It grows on a tree much like a coconut and when ready to eat one must split it open with a machete. The odor that rises from it is almost unbreathable and the fruit is sweet but but bitter at the same time. I tried it but didn't eat much of it as it immediately began to have heartburn. There is mango, pineapple and coconut to eat as well and all manner of fish and chicken. All in all quite the culinary choice but not necessarily to my liking. The best part of being here is the people. They are gracious and loving. Most have a tremendous sense of humor and a hardy laugh to go with it. God willing I think I may return next year to visit my new found friends and family here. They love the Lord intensely and without reservation. To my new friends, BeBe, Tesora, Bishop Tuan, Pastora Tess and a host of others that serve and love Jesus I hope to return and renew our friendship.

The Tour!!

2011-10-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

Here I am typing the entry on Monday afternoon at about 3:40. The Philippians is 13 1/2 hours ahead of Des Moines, Iowa in time. Let me tell you that it really does matter when it comes to figuring the sleeping schedule out. It gets better each day and last night I woke up at about 5:30 in the morning. Not bad compared to the morning before when I woke up at 2 and couldn't get back to sleep. We left Sunday morning at 6 am for a tour of the churches east of Butuan City, we got back to the FM Mission house about 12-14 hours later. I took many pictures and will attach some at the end so you can see what I'm talking about. One of the interesting things is that nearly every church has a school or feeding program for the children. Without the additional aid many of the children wouldn't have a warm meal or an education. Pastor Jim and I both preached twice yesteday in different churches. I was blessed to be able to preach the same message I preached to you several weeks ago regarding Jehosaphat and that the battle belonged to God. It was well received and it got better by the time I had preached it for the third time. We traveled to church out in the jungle and it was surrounded by a road and "houses" of people who lived their. As Americans we would see their living conditions as deplorable but they have learned to accept them as normal. Conditions such as no running water, which means no indoor plumbing which means no toilet or sink to wash up in. They had a community toilet and banana leaves for toilet paper. Their houses are made of whatever lumber they could find and the roof was made of grass or palm leaves. But there was no mistaking their love for the Lord and their ability to bring others to the Kingdom of God. They love Jesus flat out and are gracious loving people who really don't need much more than that. They eike out an existence by earning about 300 or 400 pesos a month. That amounts to about 9-10 dollars a day. That's working for about 10-12 hours a day 7 days a week, maybe 6. But always have more than enough money to support the church. Why? Because they love Jesus. One of the churches we visited produced a children's program and 115 children participated. I videotaped one of their songs, it was really sweet, maybe we'll be able to show it when I get home. At all of the nine churches we visited we were fed, by the time we got home we were stuffed to the gills and couldn't drink another bottle of water. The people have treated us like royalty and have been so very gracious, it's humbling beyond description. God is so good to take such good care of us while we're away. Well I think that's it, I'm going to add pictures to this blog and a video to the church facebook page so be sure and look. Take care and we'll see you in about a week and a half.

We made it!!

2011-10-08T04:43:00.000-07:00

This morning about 9:45 we landed in Butuan City after and hour and fifteen minutes in the air. I did that standing on my head! After getting settled in the mission house we met with Bishop Jim Tuan for introductions and lunch. I will have to say that the food here isn't really all that different than what we have at home. I guess all those chinese dinners are HyVee are finally paying off. Today we have barbecue chicken with chop suey vegetables along with white rice.

After lunch we visited the local grocery/clothing store. It was huge. This store covered four floors with a huge variety of things to choose from all the way from groceries to diamonds. Food is pretty expensive here but people don't seem to mind and continue to pay the price, everybody has to eat afterall. There are extremes here from the very poor who live in shacks to those that live in very nice homes or apartment buildings. The thing that is most amazing is that houses are connected on all sides and as you'll see power lines run by the droves above the streets. To look at the neighborhood you'd think it not a safe place to live but everyone assures us that it is quite safe.

Pastor Jim and I received our preaching a

ssignment from the Bishop today and we will be preaching at two different church beginning at 6:30 in the morning which is their first service and they continue throughout the morning. We'll be busy the rest of the week at the Bible College and going to outlying villages for ministry and visiting local pastors and churches.

Please enjoy a few more pictures that I've added.

Philippine Trip

2011-10-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, good evening here from Manila, Philippine. Our journey started on Wednesday early morning. I went to Fairfield to join Jim McGaffey to drive to Chicago to catch out first flight that was scheduled to leave at 12:35 in the afternoon. Well believe it or not we were all loaded and leaving for the runway at 12:35, unbelievable as it may seem. This began our first leg of our trip that would last for 13 1/2 hours. The plane was a huge Airbus with two stories, which by the way I had never been on before. The plane was packed from stem to stern with people from all places and races. As much as I might have tried I wasn't able to sleep a wink. The night before was pretty shy on the sleep side as well and I began to experience the effects. I tried so hard to sleep but to no avail, it escaped me and I was beginning to look like someone who had been beatdown and I couldn't remember who had done it.

After arriving at Seoul, Korea we had about 3 or 4 hours of lay over and I curled up on several seats and got some shuteye. What contact I had with those at Seoul they seemed like a very gracious people full of life. They do talk fast so it's hard to follow them in conversation but they didn't mind slowing down a little for our sake.

After boarding the plane for Manila at 7:35 in the evening we finally made it about 12:30 and meet Jim Wilson and he graciously took us to our hotel, which by the way is a beautiful hotel owned by a Christian group and if you can believe it only 21.00 a night plus tax. Try to find that in the US and you'll probably be sharing it with the bugs. Anyway, we were just exhausted when we got to the hotel and went right to bed. I think we were all so tired that we just fell into bed, basically we had gone without sleep for about 48 hours and after you cross the international date line and have time changes we are actually 13 1/2 hours ahead of you. So right now it's 6:05 PM.

Tomorrow we will leave for Butuan at 7:30 in the morning and arrive about 9. We aren't fully sure what we'll be doing yet but know for sure that we will be working at the AHON Orphanage in the afternoon. This is an orphanage for boys and some of them are supported by the International Child Care Ministries through the FM Church.

Well that's it for now. I'll write more in the next day or two. Pastor Jim McGaffey and I will be preaching at two different locations on Sunday and possibly Sunday night we'll be preaching as well. Please pray for us that God would use us to preach His Word powerfully and with purpose. Below you're see some pictures of our plane, the others on our trip and the hotel where were are staying in Manila. Enjoy.

Miracles and Majesty

2011-07-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

After the message yesterday, for those who weren't able to attend, I preached on the Miracles and Majesty of the Lord Jesus. We found ourselves in Acts 9:32-43. This is the time that Peter is in the limelight, so to speak, for the next several chapters. In this specific passage, Peter finds that he is called upon to heal two people. Aeneas who is a paralytic and Tabitha/Dorcas who has fallen ill and died. In both cases without a miracle these people would have suffered like crazy. Aenea because of not being about to get around and Dorcas, well not much happens in this life after you're dead.

What I'd like to say to those of you who are reading this today is that just because you can't identify a miracle that may have happened in your life doesn't mean they haven't happened. Likewise, it doesn't mean that you won't experience a miracle for whatever the reason. It could be that without a miracle your business will fold, or without a miracle you won't be able to conceive or without a miracle you'll never find real lasting love. Not so!! God's ability to provide a miracle is not limited to what we can see, think, feel or believe. Yes we do have to exercise our faith and trust that God will make a way.

However, we shouldn't be looking around the corner for our next miracle. It will happen when we least expect it to. As I've said to each of you so many time before, God knows what is best for us and will provide it at just the right time. Trust in Him to do just that, to provide in just the right time and who knows, the next time you round that corner your miracle may be waiting their for you.

It is then that God's Majesty is displayed. It is then that we have to realize that it could only have been God who could have done whatever it was that we needed. Maybe you need a miracle because you've got some sort of addiction, or perhaps you need a miracle to be delivered from a deep dark pit of depression. Remember, God cares about you as a whole person, with all of our problems, with all our sin, with all our deceptiveness and manipulation tricks. Whatever it is, He can handle it. Nothing surprises Him. He loves all of you and me and only wants His very best for us.

Mark's idea of reaching one!

2010-09-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

In yesterday's message I talked about the importance of sowing good seed. Most of us if we are willing to admit it have sowed our fair share of bad seed. Most of us have spoken words that can't be taken back. Most of us have taken action against someone that we later regret. Most of us have even indulged in activities that we now look back on with a bad taste in our mouth and wished that we had never done it. But of course the kind of seed that Mark is referring to here is the Word of God. What are the kind of words that God would want us to share you ask? Words of love and compassion. Words that build up others instead of tearing them down. Words of invitation to church and to fellowship and to getting know some of these crazy Christian's in their environment and home. Words of encouragement and grace. These are the kind of words that should come from us. But most of all we should extend to our friends and family words of forgiveness that only Christ can offer. So just keep up the good work.

Before I go I wanted to share with you some of the books I am currently reading and some of the websites that I frequently visit.
Books:
"Bonhoeffer" Written by Eric Metaxas just this year. His work has been on the New York Times Bestselling list. And I can see why. The author takes an almost bigger than life individual, at least in the Lutheran and the Christian academia world, and gives a wonderful historical account of his life from birth to his tragic murder in 1943. It is a large volume to read but well worth it to see how he came to the theological, moral, and ethical position that guided his life.

"Essential Church? reclaiming a gneration of dropout
Thom Ranier has connected with his oldest son, Sam, in writing about an all but forgotten subject and group of people. It is full of statistical data about why and how to reclaim these lost souls. It is inspiring, but don't kid yourself, it can be a depressing book as well. Depressing in the sense that it makes you wonder what you could have done to prevent this exodus and now that it has happened is there anything that we can do to reverse it. All in all, a very good read with lots of ideas.

Websites:

Most of these websites are church websites that I watch their services on. None of them are close to Des Moines but it is great to see how others come before the Lord.
www.parksidechurch.com--This church is in Cleveland, Ohio and is pastored by Alistair Begg This is one of my favorites.
www.vineyardcincinnati.com This is a very contemporary church and they also address issues of the day on a weekly basis. They are very topical in their preaching.
www.pclive.org This church is in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of the "famous" singers and songwriters of the country music world attend this church. But I've never seen any on tape. The pastor Rick White has been their pastor for at least 20 years and for the most part his messages are expositional as opposed to topical. Good stuff here.

One final note about these websites is that generally you need to locate the media button on the webpage and this will take you to the archives and you can choose what you want to watch. The other thing is that if you don't have high speed internet access, the best way to watch these is to download them and then watch.

Have fun and let me know what you think.

How's the plan coming?

2010-08-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

After I finished my message last week I got to thinking that some of you may have wanted to throw everything I said out the window. Those of you who are retired and do just about whatever you want whenever you want maybe were thinking that this doesn't apply to me. I'm living in my golden years and my plans are beginning to wind down. Sometimes as the scripture teaches that "our thoughts are not His thoughts neither are our ways His ways." (Isa. 55:8) In other words I would encourage you to give God another chance to work in your life. Our destination may be secured but we don't always know the direction that life will take us as we move toward that destination, heaven.

For those of us middle aged folks we too need to realize that God isn't finished with us yet either. What new journey will He lead us down, what new path will He carve out for us. What new challenges will He place in our path that will spur us on to do more for the kingdom of God than we might not of done otherwise.

Finally for all you young adults just beginning your family and career I would encourage you to step out in faith to do something great for the Kingdom of God. Like what you ask? I'm glad you did. Like going on a missions trip to a place far away from what's familiar and easy and comfortable. Why you ask? Because it is there that God is doing a marvelous work among people that He has chosen from before the foundations of the earth were laid to know Him personally just like you do. The country they come from is immaterial. The color of their skin doesn't matter. The language they may speak is a language that God speaks and communicates in very well. They need His word as much as we needed God's Word at the outset of our country in the 1600's when the pilgrims first came to America. Thy need the Holy Spirit to move in revival power just as He did in the 1800's and 1900's all across this land and in Ireland and Scotland and England and all across Europe. And they need to hear the song "Just As I Am" as much as we did the day we responded to the Holy Spirit's wooing our heart to Jesus our Savior and sometimes even today we need to hear that song to remind us that He's still there for us, wooing us, pursuing us. Why? Because He has a plan for us and desires that we follow that plan for the sake of His Kingdom.

So...how goes the planning session?

2010-08-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I said alot about Stephen this morning. But his legacy stays with us to this day. It is a reminder of what kind of legacy he left for the church and what kind of legacy he has left for us. Remember I spoke about the crucible that existed in the early church? It is the crucible of life that we deal with. It is this life that we are changed by our experiences both good and bad. I often hear people in the world say, "Life Sucks"! I suppose that it depends on your point of view. There are some pretty wicked, awful things that can happen to us, things that are our fault and things that are not. Whenever life hands us lemons, do we make lemonade? We cannot, no matter how hard we try, avoid the pitfalls of life. It will suck sometimes. We lose our jobs, we offend our friends, we make stupid financial decisions, we say things that we later regret, we get mad at the people of our church, family members die. You name it and it can happen to us. How do we respond to it? How did Stephen respond to the members of the Sanhedrin? He continued to talk about the man from Nazareth, Jesus. As a matter of fact he couldn't stop talking about Him and it ultimately led to his death. But his death was not in vain. As a matter of proof that his testimony mattered and that people were listening, those so called religious leaders of the day said that he had the face of an angel. So I ask you once again, can others tell that we have been with our Heavenly Father?

Did you reach one yet?

2010-08-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is just a checkup, for my own comfort I suppose. I wanted to refresh your memory about each of us reaching one person for Christ. So, how's it going? I have meet some interesting people and have started to build a relationship with them. I'm waiting for Holy Spirit to open the door for me. I believe that he will! At first sharing our faith seems so scary and sometimes even foreign to us. It's one of the things that God saved us for, to lead others into the Kingdom of God. Don't get impatient if things don't go exactly as you planned. It may be that God has other plans, but never underestimate the Holy Spirit and what he can do through us. It is a great feeling as well as a sense of accomplishment to know that God wants to use us to introduce others to the King of Kings. It's humbling to know that a King desires to use me, just a lowly human who is seen through extraordinary eyes. So have you started that relationship yet? If so, work as if everything depends on you and pray as if everything depends on Jesus, because it does.

I love you all and know that you can do it with His help.

Giving it all up?

2010-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

For the last several weeks I have been taking us through the book of Acts. On several occassions Luke, the writer of Acts, makes mention of how many who were endowed with lands and wealth would take the time to sell their land and give the proceeds to the church so that those without could be provided for. Along this line I said that we should not allow our possessions to control us, rather we should control our possessions. Now granted we are living in a materialistic world and the temptation is great to acquire land, nice houses, newer cars and money in the bank. But at what cost? Many allow family and friend relationships to flounder or go by the wayside in order that we might be able to acheive our financial goals without considering the ultimate cost. Which is, loss of family and friend relationships, health, ability to care for others which by the way, for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ is more of a command rather than a choice. Anyway, my rambling on isn't intended to make anyone feel guilty or morose, or intended to generate any bad vibes. I simply am trying to help open our eyes and hearts to the importance of obedience when it comes to our possessions.

I stumbled across a small booklet the other day called "The Radical Question". It is really a summation of the full book by the same name. His premise is in asking the question, "What is Jesus worth to you?" Rather than me try to explain it's content I have provided you with a copy at the church free of charge. I guarantee that after reading it you will either a, think the author is full of hot air or b, allow yourself to consider what Jesus really is worth to you. Happy reading.

Are We Reaching Anyone?

2010-07-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

After I returned from Annual Conference I brought you a message about reaching others. In order for most of us be able to reach people for the cause of Christ several components have to fall into place. One of those is that to be able to effectively bring a person to Christ a relationship has to be established. It's amazing what being a friend can mean to people. The next thing that has to happen is that we must pray for them. God wants to work, wants to save, wants to bring hope and joy. I'm sure you've heard the expression, work as if everything depends on you and pray as if everything depends on God. Because it does. It all depends on God to seize the moment when it comes.

So are we following through? Are each of us doing our part to reach one person that doesn't know Christ as their personal Savior? You can do I know you can! Develop those relationships and seize those moments that come to share your faith with them. Remember you're not doing this alone, Jesus is with you all along the way. Don't give up, have faith and trust in Him.

I love you all, you're great wonderful people.

Memorial Day

2010-05-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but ever since I was a very small boy I often wondered what Memorial Day was all about. I'm sure I asked my mom and dad every year why we celebrated it and was thankful at the same time that it was a day off school and my dad was home from work, at least from his main job. I can even remember being at my grandmother's over Memorial Day and going to my grandfather's grave and seeing other family members tombstones and placing flowers on them. Not really understanding why?

As I've grown up, now passing the half-century mark, I'm beginning to remember some of the things that my dad told me about this momentus holiday. In that it wasn't really a holiday at all. A short study in history will show that many women of the south would visit the graves of their fallen men and place flowers on their graves, it was done with the intention of giving the idea that no one be forgotten for the sacrifice they had made on befalf of the south. This idea spread and before you know it people from places all over America began to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. Hence the name originally of "Decoration Day". Other things have come out of this tradition such as the red poppy flowers sold by the VFW and the proceeds going to help care for veterans. In the early years these funds were used to help care for orphans and widows of soldiers slain while serving their country.

Many wars and battles long past were fought to gain freedom for or maintain a country's freedom. For those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior many battles and wars have been fought by veteran Christians and novice Christians. We fight the battle not "...against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12) Satan works so hard with all his allies, the demons of hell, to get us to turn over our lives to him without even thinking of the consequences. And the sad thing about it is that many will do just that. Give up without a fight. Many are happy to fight for something that they can see with their own eyes, like freedom in America, but can hardly think about their spiritual freedom. Freedom that Christ gave His life for, freedom from the bondage of sin and freedom from the consuming evil passions of this world. And let me remind you that this world is ruled by Satan and he will do everything possible within his power to defeat Christ. Jesus said in John 8:31,32 that whoever follows his teachings, all of them not just the ones we like, then we will know the truth and the truth will set us free.

On Decoration Day we go to the graves of our loved ones and give them flowers and honor them for their service to the country. As Christians we are indeed thankful for those who gave their life in service to maintain our spiritual freedom, but oh so much more thankful to a Savior who died on an old wooden cross, to give me freedom not just from sin but freedom from an eternity forever separated from God in a miserable place called hell. Do you know this kind of freedom?

New Life in Christ AND the Holy Spirit

2010-05-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, after last Sunday's message I felt like I needed to do some research. As I was praying for direction about this business of receiving Christ and the Holy Spirit at the same time I knew in my spirit that there was a passage of Scripture that would "exhonorate" me. Sure enough, it was actually a passage that I had chosen to us in my message but didn't get to it. The passage is Acts 2:38. Just a side not, I'm not a big fan of text-proofing. For those of you who don't know what text-proofing is, it's the use of scripture to prove a principle or belief. You might ask yourself this question, Isn't that what reading the Bible is all about? Yes and No. The point of the Bible has nothing really to do with proving whether God is God or that anything He did whether through the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit is valid or not. The point of the Bible is let us, mankind, know what He has already done and what He desires to do and plans to do in the future. You can prove the existence of God through His Word, but that is not the primary purpose of the Word. Read II Tim. 3:16, 17 and that will in a nutshell tell you the purpose of the Scripture.

But back to my proof-texting. Luke in writing about the early days of the church recorded an event that took place with Peter. The folks he was addressing got under conviction and said "Brothers, what shall we do?" It was then that Peter said to them, "Repent, be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." There you have it. The forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit all in one fell swoop. So is that the end of it all? By no means NO! Because as we move in our journey of faith and deeper into our relationship with God we learn to surrender more and more to Him and as we surrender more of ourselves we are filled up with more of Him. We pour ourselves out and He pours Himself into our spirit. There are times where we stall out, get discouraged, perhaps even want to give up. Don't give up friend, simply reach out and take the hand of Jesus and He'll pull you closer to Himself then you and I were before. Why don't you let Him do that today? He can be trusted!

Surrender? Me? Why?

2010-04-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

Several sunday mornings ago I shared with you about the importance of being yielded and allowing the Holy Spirit to move us further along in our relationship with Him. That requires sacrifice on our part. I always ask myself the same question when it comes to sacrifice. After reading I Sam. 15:22 it makes me ask myself, why do I have to do all the sacrificing? Good question but not a necessary question is it? I have to sacrifice because God the Father already sacrificed all He had by offering His one and only Son for me. And because I must realize that it's not about me. In the spiritual realm, sacrifice has everything to do with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and secondly it becomes about us. When Abraham went up the mountain to offer a sacrifice to God, Abraham knew that he may end up sacrificing his own son and he was prepared to do that because he knew that it was not about him, it was however about his faith in God. Sacrificing takes us to deeper levels of committment and faith toward a deeper more intimate walk with God. What have you sacrificed lately for the Kingdom of God? Will you do it for Him?

Let's Do It For Loves Sake!

2010-02-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

In a world of hurt and disappointment there's always room for improvment isn't there? Sometimes we may be the source of some of that hurt and disappointment. I certainly hope that it's not intentional, but being the people we are it's inevitable. It's inevitable because we're fallen human beings. Cursed from the beginning thanks to Adam and Eve, if it hadn't been for them it probably would have been someone else. After all we can't be perfect, as hard as we try it won't happen, unless of course, we make the decision to put Jesus Christ at the center of our heart and life. Then we can be made perfect in Him, by Him, for Him, through Him. Sure it will be difficult at times, we may have to apologize for the hurt we've caused and the disappointment that's been generated because of our lack of judgment. But it can happen none the less. Jesus said we are to love those who hurt us and despitefully use us. That is a tall order but when we yield ourselves to Him it makes all the difference. When we love others the way Jesus loves we can see life and circumstances through His eyes and love him with His love instead of our own. So let's love others for love's sake.

Dreaming Big

2010-01-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

Have you even had a dream so big that you thought would never happen? A dream of going on a trip around the world or to Hawaii or Australia? That is a reality that can happen, but you have to plan don’t you? You have to save and sacrifice and scrimp. You go without now so that you can take that trip later. Nothing else matters. You do what you have to do to see that happen. In the church the same is true. We plan with the big picture in mind. The big picture being our ability to minister to the needs of others in a big way. It begins small and grows in increments. The point is, if we don’t dream, then we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we die. Of yeah, I know that is a pretty pessimistic point of view, but it is truth never the less. Fortunately for me these moments of pessimism are brief and without any permanent damage.

Back to our dream? What do you believe that your dream for the church here on 81st and Douglas is all about? Does it involve seeing the pews filled with fellow worshippers? Does it involve honoring God above all? Does it have to do with leading people into a relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Does your dream have to do with continuing to help care for people, both physically and spiritually? Does your dream have to do with seeing our sanctuary filled with the holy presence of a Holy God? A sanctuary filled with others lifting up praise to their Heavenly Father? If so, then you’re on the right track! This is what we should be dreaming about. We shouldn’t be dreaming about just the next Sunday’s service but about the next year’s worth of services and the year after that!

Don’t limit your dream based on how much money it will cost or how much time we’ll have to invest. Dream with God’s ability in mind and His limitless resources available to us. When we trust in someone and something bigger than ourselves it motivates us to either put our fears behind us or to jump in with both feet. I’m all for jumping in who else is with me? I hope you are!

Another New Year!!

2010-01-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

Something tells me that this new year is going to be an outstanding year. I am now 53 and think that some of the new year's that I've seen my fair share of not so good new year's. I'm thinking specifically of the year that my mom died, 18 years ago this October, that was a tough one. It wasn't that I thought mom would never die but that she would live way longer than she did. She was only 62 and I know it sounds selfish but I wasn't ready for her to go. But because God did take her it gave me a chance to get to know my dad better. We had always had something in common. We could always seem to find something mechanical to work on together or a project to work on that needed attention. I had 14 or 15 extra years with my dad
that gave me a new appreciation of what it meant to be a dad. I was able to glean from him what it truly meant to be a dad in ways that I might not have known had mom lived.

I love and miss them both very much. But as they say, life goes on. I can't stop living my life because their's comes to an end. And has it really ended anyway. I plan on seeing them again in heaven, not tomorrow but at God's appointed time for me I want to go to heaven and fellowship with Him and them. I look forward to it and trust that this year will be the year that we can move ahead with His joy and presence driving us deeper into a relationshiip with Him.

A SONG OF THE HEART

2009-12-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

In the Gospel of Luke, Luke recorded there an event that took place just before Mary the mother of Jesus left the company of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary's cousin. Elizabeth was pregnant with a son as well, John the Baptist. At hearing the voice of Mary the mother of Jesus, he leapt in his mother's womb. In response to the visit Mary had with Elizabeth she declared to Elizabeth and Zechariah the joy she could no longer contain in her heart. Read it for yourself Luke 1:45-56 and you can feel the jouy ozzing from every fiber of her being.

Now how full of joy is your heart? A saying became popular a few years ago, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season". But why? so many people ask. Isn't the season about giving and receiving? Isn't Christmas as much about feeling good as it is in doing good things? What about those people who don't have anything to give? Can they find joy in the season?

In response to this I would first have to say that in the whole mix of things that without Jesus there is no real meaning in the season. It's really all about him. The celebration and anticipation should all be about Him. The sooner we learn that Christmas isn't about us and our wants or needs for the matter, the sooner we will be able to place Him in the highest place. Thanks to commercialism and selfish desires we have lowered Him to a place that is unacceptable. Let's elevate Him to the place that He belongs, to a place above all places.

Ever feel like a shepherd?

2009-12-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

In the gospels of Matthew and Luke both writers give us some of the detail of what took place on the night of Jesus's birth. The shepherds, as I mentioned in my message on Sunday, were the lowest of the low in society at the time. Hopefully you and I don't feel like the lowest of the low in our society but sometimes society can turn the tables on us rather quickly and we suddenly feel like we are the lowest on the food chain. Although many counselors and therapists will go to great lengths to encourage us that the only way this can happen is if we let it, I would have to take issue with that. We are all shaped by our upbringing and by those who influence us, however, that doesn't mean that we are defined by our upbringing. That's like saying because you were born in poverty don't ever expect to get out of poverty because it just won't happen. Fortunately we live in an enlightened age. At least more enlightened than they did in the days of Jesus. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't allow life apart from the influence of Christ to determine who we are and who we desire to become. Jesus's destiny was pre-determined by His Father. He wasn't bitter about this, rather He embraced His destiny and allowed God his Father to plan his life for Him. Are you allowing God the Father through Christ to direct your life. Are you and I willing to allow God to awaken in us what He desires for us to be passionate about? I trust that you can trust Him that much with yor life. I'll be praying that you will discover that He desires for you!

The Advent

2009-12-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Sorry it's been several weeks since my last post. As I consider this time of year, I have a confession. It's not one of those earth shaking confessions fir most, but it is for me. Rita and I got married in the "good old days", 1977. She a lifelong lutheran and me a lifelong methodist. Even as short as my life had been, all of 21 years, I was not familiar with the custom and tradition of the Advent Season. Needless to say my formal education in church and church history was sorely waning. So soon after my wife and I married Christmas season came around and she suggested we buy an advent wreath or candle set to celebrate the season. Not wanting to feel foolish and let on like I had no idea what she was talking about, I said sure why not. Our first advent candle thing-a-ma-bobber was one that you light the candle weekly and as you light more candles the dealy thingy turns around until the candles burn out. The next year was a little leaner so we just bought a cardboard advent calendar and each day of advent season opens a new day for the season. At least I wasn't burning down the house! To make a long story short, we have done various things throughout the years for advent season. Some years we didn't do anything beyond the yearly christmas program at church and the annual choir christmas cantata.

What has impressed me most about the advent season is that it gets celebrated whether I participate or not. Jesus's coming to earth was impinged on whether or not I either believed or celebrated the advent season. I still as many others still, celebrate the birth of a Savior, our Savior, my Savior.

Will you do that regardless of the economy? Celebrate Jesus's birth as thought it has been a good year economically. Celebrate His birth as thought it were the first time you do so. With all the wonderment and joy or a 6 year old who still begs for the chance to sing Happy Birthday Jesus with their whole heart. For a while I was an old grinch, I thought that Christmas was only for the kids, but Jesus has taught me these many years that it's for my good that He came to, to be my Savior.

I'm a what? A sinner? I don't get it!

2009-11-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

In the gospel of Luke in at least nine different places Luke talks about being saved. Now to the people of Israel this was a new, and I mean brand new concept. They weren't accustomed to the concept of being saved once and for all. What system was in place for them was the Old Testament system of the high priest going before God during the time of the passover and offering sacrifices for the sins of the people collectively not individually. Jesus was in the process of teaching them a new way to not only begin their spiritual life anew but a whole new way of life. But because they didn't see Jesus as their Savior, their Messiah, their Redeemer they couldn't grasp the important need for them take the first step by faith. Jesus gave them plenty of examples of what He could do. He chased out a legion of demons, healed the sick from terrible debilating diseases, gave sight to the blind and gave the deaf back their hearing. He turned water into wine and forgave countless people their sins. And yet they still needed proof of his divinity, that He indeed was the Son of Man, as Luke describes Him as. And they still refused to accept Him as the Messiah.

Getting back to Luke's description of getting saved. That word in the greek language is sozo with emphasis on the two o's. It means to be rescued or delivered. This was so people could find their way back into right relationship with their Heavenly Father. What's most important about this is that the Lord never, ever rejects someone who is longing to be made whole spiritually. He is afterall, the only one who can do that. We can be assured that the Lord always responds to those who eagerly seek Him.

When was the last time you eagerly sought after Him. Yesterday as I finished my morning devotions and I was closing that time with the Lord in prayer, I sensed God's presence in a wonderful, nearly overwhelming way. I began to cry and I let the tears flow freely as I desired to receive all that God had prepared for me that morning. He spoke words of encouragement, discipline and love. As I finished my prayer time I realized that it all started so many years ago when I realized that I would need to get saved, sozo, rescued from my sins, that had condemned me to a eternity forever separated from my Heavenly Father. Thank you Lord for those moments of care and for filling me up to overflowing with your presence. Amen

A non-transformation/non-multiplying church

2009-11-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon everyone. I trust that you have all had a good week and that the Lord is bringing blessing into your life. Today I want to share with you what it is like to be a non-transformational church. Keep in mind and compare to last weeks blog what the transformational church is doing right and where the other goes off track.

1. The church is dis unified or shares a casual commonality. I'm not even sure that "dis unified" is a word but anyway, the author is trying to point out that in a church more of the obvious things to outsiders is how unified the church is and how well they are able to assimilate into the lives of their congregation.

2. The people of the church have a fondness or appreciation for each other and others. In other words they/we could do a better job of demonstrating of love for one another in the family of God.

3. When it comes to sharing their faith people find it hard to do. It's difficult to love, share or give to others.

4. A transformation church practices the one anothers of scripture. A non-transformational church practices some of the one anothers. IE., love one another, forgive one another, be kind to one another. I think you get the idea. To truly become a transformational church we need to put those one another sayings of scripture to work as quickly as is possible.

5. They/we are characterized as being a civil and/or friendly and polite community.
This alone is not anything bad, however when we can't move beyond this is when we get into trouble. The people who visit our church are looking for transparency and authenticity. Are we that?

6. The inside ministry is what looks to be the most important and is promoted as the most important. In others words, what others see as important to us is that we take care of our own first and everyone else second.

7. When we gather for prayer or pray for others we do so by "targeting" them. IE., we tell them that we will be praying for them rather than praying with them that very moment. If someone has come to you with a need that they needed prayer, more than likely they won't want to "wait" for someone to pray for them but to pray "with" them.

8. Generally we have been taught that in order to have a time of prayer it must take place in an appropriate place at an appropriate time. Prayer is planned. Often times needs cannot wait to be prayed for, they must be prayed for then.

9. I'm guilty of this, spending a lot of time with the prayer requests, gathering them, talking about them, explaining them. And then in reality little time is spent praying about those needs.

10. The leader's of the church are primarily focused on the church. I'm sure you're asking yourself what's wrong with that? Isn't that what the leader's are supposed to be doing? Well the answer is somewhat ambiguous. Yes they should be focused on the church. However, they should be more engaged in the church and bringing others into it.

11. The leaders of the church seem to be doing their own thing, individually, and working independent of the overall vision of the church.

12. For many years the church had one function, to serve as the place where people gathered together for worship. For many congregations today, their "church" building is used primarily for church and outside groups aren't necessarily allowed to use the facility for anything else.

13. In a non-transformational church Bible Study is stressed. Nothing really wrong with Bible study per say, but acquiring knowledge and information isn't the point with the Bible. The point is to put into practice what the Bible teaches.

14. Our passion is the highest for our vision or program.

15. Few people can answer the question, "Who are we reaching?"

16. In a non-transformational church "Faith" activity is rare.

17. When it comes to ministry only a few people are included in significant ministry.

18. Generally speaking, academic based training teaches the "how to think and do".

19. Obedience is a means to an end.

20. Preaching and teaching is correct but tends to be cliche, manipulative or uninspired.

Okay, there you have it. I would suggest you print off both pages and then do a comparison of what you believe that our Church is doing. Are we a transformational or non-transformational church? You may ask yourself if it makes any difference? I believe it does. You might also say that all this stuff on here is the job of the pastor. That's what we pay him to do. Oh but it isn't just the pastor's job, the church is for all of us. And the call He has placed on our life is one that can help us place our trust and faith in Him and trust His guidance. James 1:22 tells us not to be listeners only but doers as well. What do you say? I say let's do something!

Be a transformational church/Galatians 6:9

2009-11-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

First of all, I'd like apologize about not getting to this task faster. In the middle of the week after a very busy monday and tuesday I suddenly discovered or remember I should say, that I had completely neglected, you know forgotten, to enter my thoughts about last sunday. So here they are. I mentioned in my message another passage of scripture that we didn't really touch on. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The key words or phrases here in this verse are doing good and do not give up. These are two things that I believe are easier to do today perhaps even more than ever before. We are an instant microwave type society bent are being satisfied and pacified NOW! Often times in doing good we don't see the results right away. In the short of it, if we give a gift then most people respond with gratefulness and joy. However if we do good for a group of let's say a homeless shelter or people, then the gratitude doesn't flow our way quite as fast and the tendency is to give up because we weren't instantly gratified. Is that it or is it that we are prepared to go the long haul. In words, volunteer again and again and again to see the good that we are trying to accomplish.

Growing the church into a church that is transformational is much like that. We must volunteer again and again and again. I promised you 20 things that a transformational church is and 20 things that represent a non-transformational church. One note before I give these to you, I was not the original author of these and want to give credit to Bishop Matt Thomas of the Free Methodist Church of North America.
So here we go. Also, I won't be able to comment on them as that would take more time than you may be willing to read. So for the sake of time I will list them and expound on them later.

1. A transformation church is unified.
2. They have an engaging and compelling
love for one another.
3. The people of a transformation church
cannot help but be loving, giving,sharing.
4. They practice all of the one anothers.
(There are many of these listed in scripture
which is probably enouch for another day.)
5. The people of a transformation church are
enthusiastic and excited about what their
church is doing. That translates to a con-
tagious buzz.
6. Outside ministry is celebrated and promoted.
7. Typically a transformation church will pray
"with" someone right away.
8. In a transformational church prayer is spon-
taneous.
9. They spend a little time in taking prayer
requests and Much time is actually sprent in
prayer.
10. Leaders are engaged in being the church.
11. There is a team and interdependence atmosphere.
12. There are "pre-christian" groups using the
church. ie.AA, AlAnon,Medical Clinic, Language
study.
13. Bible application is stressed
14. A transformational church has the highest
passion for Jesus and people.
15. Most people can answer the question, "Who are
we reaching?"
16. Faith activity is prevalent. Do we do something
based on whether we have the burden for it or if
we have the money for it.
17. There are many people involved in significant
ministry.
18. The church has a ministry based training experience
or how to live and do the work of Christ.
19. People recognize that Obedience is an end.
20. The preaching and teaching of the church is true,
relevant, interesting, clear and applicable

In short, most of us have a long way to go, me included. I am currently learning to
pray in new and more effective ways for the building up of the church and ultimately for the Kingdom of God. I also desire to provide ways that we as a church can continue to reach out and still maintain the spiritual health and vitality of the local church. Next week I'll share with you the non-transformational issues that local churches experience. At that end will share with you where I believe we are and what we could do to improve in those areas.

Love you all,
Pastor Richard

Over the top?

2009-10-27T17:19:00.001-07:00

Ok I'll admit it, my message Sunday morning may have been a little over the top. My intent was not to necessarily divulge personal information for sympathy but rather to let you know that even pastors are human and subject to problems that everyone else experiences. Not necessarily to the extreme that I did, but people do suffer from all kinds of maladies. Mine just happened to be emotional.

Ok, with that said I wanted to review with you the importance of putting those
"tools" into practice. There was one that I actually left out. Not on purpose of course, but never the less it is important to talk about the thing I that I wished I'd said. And that is, drum roll pleaseeeeee. The one that I left out was the important roll that Scripture plays when we feel stretched to limit and beyond our limit of stress. I'm wondering if you ever have sensed the calm that comes over our heart in times of grief or bewilderment? Or when you don't feel like you can go another step or make another move and Phil. 4:13 pops into your head, "I Can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How about when you loose you way? What you've never lost your way? It's then that you remember that passage you memorized as a child in what 3rd or 4th grade? "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."(Prov. 3:5) Now that will help us get back on track! You see
when we feel like we're on our own, we're really not on our own. Scripture is what helps keep us on track and is probably the biggest tool in the toolbox. Maybe we could say that God's Word IS the toolbox and everything inside are the tools He intends for us to use. He won't mind, He doesn't even care that much if we don't always give credit where credit is due, afterall, "His word never returns to Him void".

Last Sunday/10-18-2009

2009-10-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned before that as I am speaking I am trying to think ahead to what I want to say next and sometimes my brain gets twisted 'round. That's right twisted 'round. It gets twisted 'round everything that I've already said and is sorting out the things it wants to say. For instance, last sunday I made reference to Isaiah and that he was a prophet of the Lord at the time of his experience in the temple. He was actually dreaming, at least that's what the general agreement is, and the Lord came to him in his dream. Someone following the service mentioned to me that, that moment in Isaiah 6:8 was God's calling upon him to forsake all and announce to His people the message that was to follow. I said that Isaiah was already a prophet of the Lord. I wish I'd said that this was actually prior to his calling instead of the other. This reminds me of the importance of getting my scholarship right before I open my mouth.

People often wonder I'm sure, what difference does it make. Perhaps in the long run, not a whole lot. But on the short end it does matter. It matters because as a pastor and as fellow Christians when we make statements about characters in the Bible we need to be as accurate as possible. Now we all make our far share of mistakes and misquotes. At least I do and so I strive to create the best picture I can of who God is and what He has done. Otherwise it opens too many doors and gives too much room for incorrect scholarship and storytelling.

However, when someone reads the Bible they are reading more than just a story! The Bible is a collection of accounts, which is different than a story. Often times stories are simply a fictional recollection of what someone heard or wrote. The accounts in scripture are more than that. They are accounts of what really took place. In some cases they may seem unbelieveable, but never the less are still true and contain truths for our everyday lives. And that's the place that our faith goes to work. The writer of Hebrews told us this, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1 NIV This is faith at work. Believing and confident that what God said is not only true but will come to pass.

Have you exercised your gift of faith yet this week? No matter how large or small it may be. As we exercise our faith it grows right along with us. Trust God to help you as you exercise your faith to get to know Him and the plans that He has made for you.