Monday, December 19, 2011
More Carols...Less Cowbell
Our family went carroling the other night and we had an awesome time. I am afraid it is quickly becoming a lost art in these days. As we were singing Joy to the World, I was struck at the words. Joy to the worldthe Lord is come. Let heaven and nature sing. In my studies recently have brought me back to the announcement of our Lord to the shepards. The Bible tells us that an army of angels showed up. On the night Christ was born, heaven and earth stopped to rejoice at the coming of our Lord. The universe stopped to sing praise. In a culture that seems to scream more cowbell, I was glad to sing songs of praise that celebrate that our Lord has come, and come to save.
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Gift to Be Destroyed
One of the most fun parts of Christmas is giving someone a gift they weren't expecting and seeing their face light up when they open the gift. A gift given with the right intentions and a thoughtful heart solidifies a relationship between two people. It reaffirms the bond of friendship or love that exists. More importantly it tells the receiver you have been on my mind. You matter to me.
Our Heavenly Father sent us a gift on Christmas. The first chapter of John tells us that when Christ came he was full of love and full of grace. It was God's way of reaffirming His everlasting love for us. He tells us that we matter to Him and we are on His mind. God in all his power was walking the earth with His people fully God fully man. He had one purpose for Jesus... to punish Him for our sin.
We would look in horror if the recipient of our gift destroyed it right in front of us. Everything we thought we knew about the relationship would have seemed to be false. God sent us the Give of Christ and then 33 years later, the gift was destroyed. The difference is the gift was destroyed for a gift more valuable. God himself. The separation that existed throughout the ages as a result of rebellion was no lifted through the Gift of Christ.
The gift is available to all regardless of wether it is received. This Christmas as you work to prepare for trips and parties, take time to reflect on the Gift that changed the course of human history. It pleased God to do this even though it cost Him a son.
Have a blessed holiday.
Our Heavenly Father sent us a gift on Christmas. The first chapter of John tells us that when Christ came he was full of love and full of grace. It was God's way of reaffirming His everlasting love for us. He tells us that we matter to Him and we are on His mind. God in all his power was walking the earth with His people fully God fully man. He had one purpose for Jesus... to punish Him for our sin.
We would look in horror if the recipient of our gift destroyed it right in front of us. Everything we thought we knew about the relationship would have seemed to be false. God sent us the Give of Christ and then 33 years later, the gift was destroyed. The difference is the gift was destroyed for a gift more valuable. God himself. The separation that existed throughout the ages as a result of rebellion was no lifted through the Gift of Christ.
The gift is available to all regardless of wether it is received. This Christmas as you work to prepare for trips and parties, take time to reflect on the Gift that changed the course of human history. It pleased God to do this even though it cost Him a son.
Have a blessed holiday.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Volunteer Apprecition
The volunteer appreciation dinner is now behind us and we are now looking forward to a season of spiritual renewal. The most striking thing about the dinner was being able to see the mosaic of people who attended. There were people of all ages and all walks of life gathered, and they got to see how their contribution was a part of a much bigger picture.
As a pastor, I get to see everyone working in their area of gifts. They often feel as though that one particular job is insignificant...that they don't really do much. Saturday night showed that everyone is significant. We have seen 10 young people come to Christ in the last couple of months and it is a result of this army of people passionately working at their one job. It is such a beautiful thing and it is an honor to be a part of.
I am so excited about the future potential of Grace's impact in the community.
As a pastor, I get to see everyone working in their area of gifts. They often feel as though that one particular job is insignificant...that they don't really do much. Saturday night showed that everyone is significant. We have seen 10 young people come to Christ in the last couple of months and it is a result of this army of people passionately working at their one job. It is such a beautiful thing and it is an honor to be a part of.
I am so excited about the future potential of Grace's impact in the community.
Friday, September 9, 2011
If God loves me so much, why have I gone through such hell lately? (part 1)
This last Wednesday Tony and I took a moving truck full of donations from the people of Lampasas to a lady who had set up a distribution center at her house. As we were unloading a man that was helping us told her the news station had spoken with him and she was going to be interviewed the next day. She was shocked. She never intended to be interviewed or receive publicity for her efforts. She recently had just moved back into her house after it had been rebuilt from a fire. The man helping us told her the God knew her heart and was using her and that is why she is being interviewed. Her response was,"Then why have I gone through so much hell lately!!?"
If we are completely honest with ourselves we have all thought this same question, but considered ourselves too spiritual to ask others or even approach God with it. It is a valid question and it needs to be answered. This in my opinion is the single biggest stumbling block to people walking with Christ. If God loves me so much then why is all this bad stuff happening? He either cannot do anything about it or He can and chooses not to...probably because I have done something to make him mad.
Here's my take. We are all going to go through hell at some point. Bad things happen because we have a choice to love and worship God or sin. Sometimes accidents are just accidents. Trust me if God wanted to harm us, he would have all ready. He demonstrated that he is a just and fair God by sending Christ to us. This doesn't mean this is God's perfect will for our lives. Sometimes the choice of sinful men interrupts God's perfect will and causes us sorrow.
God's promise to us is that He will not leave us or forsake us. In my experience, God redeems the hell in our lives by ministering to people who need to know there are others who have been there before. He uses us to minster to those who need a tangible representative of Himself.
We need to encourage people to ask this and other hard questions that will allow us to break down the walls of isolation that keep people from Christ. God is big enough to handle these questions and is patients and faithful with us in the meantime.
If we are completely honest with ourselves we have all thought this same question, but considered ourselves too spiritual to ask others or even approach God with it. It is a valid question and it needs to be answered. This in my opinion is the single biggest stumbling block to people walking with Christ. If God loves me so much then why is all this bad stuff happening? He either cannot do anything about it or He can and chooses not to...probably because I have done something to make him mad.
Here's my take. We are all going to go through hell at some point. Bad things happen because we have a choice to love and worship God or sin. Sometimes accidents are just accidents. Trust me if God wanted to harm us, he would have all ready. He demonstrated that he is a just and fair God by sending Christ to us. This doesn't mean this is God's perfect will for our lives. Sometimes the choice of sinful men interrupts God's perfect will and causes us sorrow.
God's promise to us is that He will not leave us or forsake us. In my experience, God redeems the hell in our lives by ministering to people who need to know there are others who have been there before. He uses us to minster to those who need a tangible representative of Himself.
We need to encourage people to ask this and other hard questions that will allow us to break down the walls of isolation that keep people from Christ. God is big enough to handle these questions and is patients and faithful with us in the meantime.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Wednesday videos
Here are the 2 videos I made for the past 2 Wednesday nights. We are looking at Social Media. 2 weeks ago the topic was centered around Facebook, and the movie is self explanatory. This weeks topic was who are you following. You are going to look like who you follow. You are going to be molded into the teaching you learn from. Today, Christ is still calling us to follow him.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Craving in the Wilderness
I was reading through Psalm 106 this morning and was struck by the one phrase in the passage. It said they (the Israelites) craved intensely in the desert. The Psalmist was remembering how God had just crushed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, and then talks of how they praised God but soon became impatient in the wilderness.
12 Then they believed his promises
and sang his praise.
and sang his praise.
13 But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
14 In the desert they gave in to their craving;
in the wilderness they put God to the test.
15 So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease among them.
and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
14 In the desert they gave in to their craving;
in the wilderness they put God to the test.
15 So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease among them.
This reminded me of my own shortcomings. God is going to lead us all through a wilderness of some sort. It is going to happen. The wilderness is going to produce a craving. For the Israelites they craved the comfort of oppression. They should have been craving the presence of God. The irony is this occurs in a special period of time when God's presence was among his people. No wonder he referred to them as being stiff-necked and obstinate. God was there he was with them. They watched him part a sea, and then close it up to destroy an army, and then they become impatient and want for a meal.
For me, the wilderness draws me to a love of junk food. I dive in to all manners of fast food and gallons of soda. The result is I pack on pounds. What I fail to realize is that this hunger for junk food is the cry of my hungry soul longing to be with God.
Food is easier. I can control it. It is tangible. I can hold it and see the satisfaction as I devour a double cheeseburger. I can feel the tingle of the soda in the back of my throat. Craving God means I must relinquish the control to something I can not see and cannot control. I have to wait. I have to face demons in the meantime. I have to trust in the goodness and provision of God. The wilderness leads to better things. I pray that God would give me my daily bread. (this is what the Israelites were unhappy with).
In Matthew chapter 4 Satan tempts Jesus. One of the things he does in the wilderness Jesus was in was to tempt him to turn rocks into bread. Here's the rub. We have to learn how to crave God in the wilderness wait for the bread of heaven He provides. In the meantime we need to understand Satan is peddling rock. Your craving may not be food. Change the word food above to your craving an see how it reads.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Life is Short...God is Good...People are People
In my last post, I came to the conclusion that life is short, and God is good. I would simply like to add, people are people. This conclusion came to me after we went to feed homeless people in Austin last weekend. You know, the people we make eye contact with while we are driving and try to avoid. I usually avoid comments like that, unless they expose my own hypocrisy. These are the people who we went to and hung out with for an afternoon.
It is one thing to write a check, donate a kit, and even bring a meal. It is another thing all together to sit and seek to understand what people are going through. After a couple hours of talking to a Lometa 2007 graduate. He said, "You guys are different. Most people just drop stuff off...even churches. You guys actually want to know what we are going through." (people will know you are my disciples by the love you show for one another.)
Here is what I learned, people are people. Red and Anthony were not made of different things. They were made like you and I...in the image of God. There is no difference between them and I except for the barriers and differences we erect. In some cases the only difference between these people, the people in the Travis County Jail, and you and I is a couple of decisions and a couple of breaks. Some were homeless through no fault of their own. The depression and isolation has moved many into addictions, but God has placed homeless people with the knowledge of the word and the desire to save the lost. One homeless man said he reads his Bible 30-45 minutes a day. He had the knowledge to back it up as well.
Here's the rub...God has not forgotten these people. When you read the Old Testament, God reveals his heart for the broken hearted, oppressed and fatherless. He is sending people to minister to them. So much so that they see every gift and kind act as a gift from God.
I was so humbled to be a part of the team of people of all ages who went to minister to God's people. It certainly was a life changer for me.
So here is the conclusion, Life is Short, God is good, People are people.
It is one thing to write a check, donate a kit, and even bring a meal. It is another thing all together to sit and seek to understand what people are going through. After a couple hours of talking to a Lometa 2007 graduate. He said, "You guys are different. Most people just drop stuff off...even churches. You guys actually want to know what we are going through." (people will know you are my disciples by the love you show for one another.)
Here is what I learned, people are people. Red and Anthony were not made of different things. They were made like you and I...in the image of God. There is no difference between them and I except for the barriers and differences we erect. In some cases the only difference between these people, the people in the Travis County Jail, and you and I is a couple of decisions and a couple of breaks. Some were homeless through no fault of their own. The depression and isolation has moved many into addictions, but God has placed homeless people with the knowledge of the word and the desire to save the lost. One homeless man said he reads his Bible 30-45 minutes a day. He had the knowledge to back it up as well.
Here's the rub...God has not forgotten these people. When you read the Old Testament, God reveals his heart for the broken hearted, oppressed and fatherless. He is sending people to minister to them. So much so that they see every gift and kind act as a gift from God.
I was so humbled to be a part of the team of people of all ages who went to minister to God's people. It certainly was a life changer for me.
So here is the conclusion, Life is Short, God is good, People are people.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Life is Short~God is Good
It seems obvious, but life is short. So often we long for our routines holding on to the idea that our routine brings us comfort. The only difference between a routine and a rut is four letters. Think about it...how are ruts created...By traveling the same path over and over and over again. If we are not careful we can let our routines drive our lives. We see our time like money and we keep packing events into the empty spots of our routines and eventually wear out. All of this leaves us empty.
In the past three weeks I have been a part of 3 funerals and seen 4 baptisms. These two things seem unrelated until you consider that the God who created the universe is still moving in our lives and that he intends for us to celebrate Him while we are here. He has shown himself to us in all o fthese events whether in tragedy or celebration. These events recenter our priorities and focus our hearts back to the God who longs for us to be in His presence. In the meantime we should be looking for the time we get to be with Him in heaven.
Stephen Hawking, arguably one of the smartest men on earth has recently declared there is no God. Physics does not need it. Since there is no God, there is no need for an afterlife and no need for a heaven. He says we must simply enjoy the grand design of the universe. A design needs a designer. Otherwise we are resigned to a hopeless existence, where there is no God to save us. Sometimes the events of our lives skew our perception of the person of God. A masterpiece behind a dirty glass is still a masterpiece. When you remove it from the glass its brilliance shows through. In the same way, His goodness and mercy is pure and good regardless of our perception. It is this goodness and mercy that brings us hope through His Son. When we let Christ clarify our perception by mending our hearts we see the majesty of our King in all of His brilliance.
We don't need to be a world renowned astrophysicist/cosmologist to answer the questions about God. He is showing Himself to us in all areas of life if we look. As school starts, be mindful of your routines, but take comfort in God.
This brings me to the same conclusion reached by the Psalmist. Life is short...God is good. Because of this my soul longs to praise Him.
In the past three weeks I have been a part of 3 funerals and seen 4 baptisms. These two things seem unrelated until you consider that the God who created the universe is still moving in our lives and that he intends for us to celebrate Him while we are here. He has shown himself to us in all o fthese events whether in tragedy or celebration. These events recenter our priorities and focus our hearts back to the God who longs for us to be in His presence. In the meantime we should be looking for the time we get to be with Him in heaven.
Stephen Hawking, arguably one of the smartest men on earth has recently declared there is no God. Physics does not need it. Since there is no God, there is no need for an afterlife and no need for a heaven. He says we must simply enjoy the grand design of the universe. A design needs a designer. Otherwise we are resigned to a hopeless existence, where there is no God to save us. Sometimes the events of our lives skew our perception of the person of God. A masterpiece behind a dirty glass is still a masterpiece. When you remove it from the glass its brilliance shows through. In the same way, His goodness and mercy is pure and good regardless of our perception. It is this goodness and mercy that brings us hope through His Son. When we let Christ clarify our perception by mending our hearts we see the majesty of our King in all of His brilliance.
We don't need to be a world renowned astrophysicist/cosmologist to answer the questions about God. He is showing Himself to us in all areas of life if we look. As school starts, be mindful of your routines, but take comfort in God.
This brings me to the same conclusion reached by the Psalmist. Life is short...God is good. Because of this my soul longs to praise Him.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Attention All Grace Parents
Parents of all ages I have prepared a newsletter as a way of getting important information to you about the ministries to youth and children. I also would like for us to be able to celebrate God's activity in the lives of our kids. I will be putting the newsletter out once a month electronically and also have a limited number of printed copies on Sunday mornings. You should be able to find it on the Grace Fellowship Student Ministry Facebook page. Thank you for allowing me the privelage fo serving your families.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Priceless
Buying the vehicle you always wanted (enough to retire on if you would invest it)...Getting the new promotion you have been shooting for...(not going to bring you the happiness you are looking for)...watching a man baptize his daughter (a priceless gift that has an impact on eternity).
One of the greatest blessings in ministry is witnessing what God is doing in people's lives. Our God is still on His throne and He is still deeply concerned with and in love with his people. Yesterday we were able to catch a glimpse of what He is up to in our church. Our service started with the baptism of two preteens. This was awesome in itself. My friend and colleague Justin was able to baptize his daugther. This brought tears to my eyes. This is the ultimate picture of love for a father and his children.
Then a grown man got on the podium and told of how he was in a sinking cycle of depression. He told of the healing power of Jesus and howhe was able to say goodbye to the son he had lost 12 years ago and goodbye to the chains of depression that had enslaved him for the past 12 years.
Our service ended with the testimony of Justin and his call to be a man of God in the school system and how God has placed this call on his heart. Finally we affirmed the call of a young man who feels led to recreational ministry.
Wow...what a picture!!! After all this time, God is still on the move and He is still concerned about His people.
This is the essence of the power of the Gospel. Surrender and celebration of new life. The celebration of a new creation set free from the bonds that enslaved them and a calling to a new purpose to bring God glory through his power.
It was truly awesome to see this powerful display of the spirit moving in and ministering to his people.
How bout you? What is going on right now that can only be explained by the mighty hand of God?
One of the greatest blessings in ministry is witnessing what God is doing in people's lives. Our God is still on His throne and He is still deeply concerned with and in love with his people. Yesterday we were able to catch a glimpse of what He is up to in our church. Our service started with the baptism of two preteens. This was awesome in itself. My friend and colleague Justin was able to baptize his daugther. This brought tears to my eyes. This is the ultimate picture of love for a father and his children.
Then a grown man got on the podium and told of how he was in a sinking cycle of depression. He told of the healing power of Jesus and howhe was able to say goodbye to the son he had lost 12 years ago and goodbye to the chains of depression that had enslaved him for the past 12 years.
Our service ended with the testimony of Justin and his call to be a man of God in the school system and how God has placed this call on his heart. Finally we affirmed the call of a young man who feels led to recreational ministry.
Wow...what a picture!!! After all this time, God is still on the move and He is still concerned about His people.
This is the essence of the power of the Gospel. Surrender and celebration of new life. The celebration of a new creation set free from the bonds that enslaved them and a calling to a new purpose to bring God glory through his power.
It was truly awesome to see this powerful display of the spirit moving in and ministering to his people.
How bout you? What is going on right now that can only be explained by the mighty hand of God?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Grace Revealed
I received this video the other day by a man who had broken free from the chains of depression after a 12 year battle. He did this through the healing power of Christ. Paul speaks of this power in 2 Corinthians 10:4.
Our God is mighty to save. The path to this power is understanding the nature of grace. This video shows us where we are in out sin before God and the sacrifice He made for us. I admit, I am more horrified by the implications of this video than I am the story of the cross. I am humbled by that admission and seek again to find the face of God to give him thanks for His son.
Understanding grace leads us into the presence of God in worship. I hope this video brings the story to you in a way that highlights the gift God so freely gave us.
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Understanding grace leads us into the presence of God in worship. I hope this video brings the story to you in a way that highlights the gift God so freely gave us.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Welcome to my easy chair.
One of my mentors recently told me the secret to seeking God's will lies in aggressive passiveness before the Lord. In other words we should be aggressive in being still before the Lord and waiting on His Spirit to teach us. It is here where he does the best work in our lives. I wish I could take credit for the blog design but it was done for me. The design struck me in how simplistically it illustrated this point. I love the empty chair because I need to spend more time there...sitting before God and seeking His will. I
We have become so busy that we have aggressively pursued peace in the wrong places. We find peace when we take time to sit and unwind. This blog will contain post for people of all ages. I want to see families strengthened through the power and Spirit of Christ. As I have sat and reflected on my life as a teacher and minister, I have learned a few things along the way. This blog will share some of the insights I have picked up after witnessing a war being waged against our families.
I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I pray the post here will be thought provoking and point you to someone way bigger than me. (smarter too). Ultimately, only God knows the answers to the hard questions of life. I do love the Lord, Jesus Christ and I think He has a plan for all of us. I dream of a community of believers who want nothing more to see Christ glorified through our families and church.
We have become so busy that we have aggressively pursued peace in the wrong places. We find peace when we take time to sit and unwind. This blog will contain post for people of all ages. I want to see families strengthened through the power and Spirit of Christ. As I have sat and reflected on my life as a teacher and minister, I have learned a few things along the way. This blog will share some of the insights I have picked up after witnessing a war being waged against our families.
I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I pray the post here will be thought provoking and point you to someone way bigger than me. (smarter too). Ultimately, only God knows the answers to the hard questions of life. I do love the Lord, Jesus Christ and I think He has a plan for all of us. I dream of a community of believers who want nothing more to see Christ glorified through our families and church.
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