We had a fun trip in Branson for a couple of days. Silver Dollar City will never be the same after Abby was finally tall enough to ride all the rides. She loved the roller coaster, teacups, big swing, and boat swing.
I'm excited to have some time with my family this Thanksgiving. We don't have real big plans. My mom is in the hospital fighting an infection and will most likely get out Thursday.
It was good to announce to our leadership about our expansion of our facilities. We have had some good meetings with the architects and are looking forward to building about 16,000 square foot of additional preschool, elementary and adult space. A new foyer, coffee shop, bookstore, a great playroom for our preschool, and game rooms for our elementary age are just some of the things to come in 2010. I'm excited.
Our Awana ministry continues to grow on Wednesday nights. Over 160 kids each Wednesday is a great thing! Our youth ministry is averaging over 100 as well. God is really bringing more and more young families to our church and we are truly grateful. Our Life Group is growing as well with 31 in attendance last time. God is truly good.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Fall Festival a great success!
We had around 4,000 people on property Sunday night for our annual Fall Festival! What a great time of meeting tons of new people.
Kylee and Abby are both ready for our AWANA Grand Prix. Here are the picture of their cars this year. An ice cream cone and a popsicle! Guess who has what.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
AWANA
This past Wednesday was the biggest night of AWANA ever at Family Church. Nearly 150kids were present. 52 workers were ready to receive kids and have lots of fun helping them become more like Christ. I can't wait till this Wednesday. I've already talked to a few more parents this week who are going to bring their kids. I pray for more kids and workers as we reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him!
Another great thing happening in our church is about 50 baptisms last month. 20 of them are youth! Way to go Revolution! Praise God!
On a personal note, I finished the playset for Abby and Kylee. I built the base a year ago and set it back in the woods. I brought it out with my father-in-law's forklift (that was fun) because Kylee said she was scared of the woods (so much for the rustic look). I added a roof, swings, and railroad ties (thanks Bro. Roy) to outline it and all I need is something to fill it with. I know its a man thing because they could never reach it (I almost couldn't to finish the roof), but I made it 15 feet tall. I was going to add a zip line but Haley had to remind me that they were 5 and 2. I told her it was for me...
Kylee is doing good on her first year of school. I take her to school and this past week was the first to drop her off at the door. I walked her to class the first week. On last Monday, I dropped her off at the door and she walked in. I circled the parking lot to make sure she went in - don't laugh, you'd do it too...maybe. Anyway, as I drove away I heard a song on the radio by Darius Rucker (anyone remember Hootie and the Blowfish?). It was called "It won't be like this for long". I almost cried on the second verse. Ok, maybe I had something in my eye... Check it out.
I'm planning a Daddy/Daughter dance at church. It's not on the calendar yet, but I think it will be a good song for that. That's it for now...
Another great thing happening in our church is about 50 baptisms last month. 20 of them are youth! Way to go Revolution! Praise God!
On a personal note, I finished the playset for Abby and Kylee. I built the base a year ago and set it back in the woods. I brought it out with my father-in-law's forklift (that was fun) because Kylee said she was scared of the woods (so much for the rustic look). I added a roof, swings, and railroad ties (thanks Bro. Roy) to outline it and all I need is something to fill it with. I know its a man thing because they could never reach it (I almost couldn't to finish the roof), but I made it 15 feet tall. I was going to add a zip line but Haley had to remind me that they were 5 and 2. I told her it was for me...
Kylee is doing good on her first year of school. I take her to school and this past week was the first to drop her off at the door. I walked her to class the first week. On last Monday, I dropped her off at the door and she walked in. I circled the parking lot to make sure she went in - don't laugh, you'd do it too...maybe. Anyway, as I drove away I heard a song on the radio by Darius Rucker (anyone remember Hootie and the Blowfish?). It was called "It won't be like this for long". I almost cried on the second verse. Ok, maybe I had something in my eye... Check it out.
I'm planning a Daddy/Daughter dance at church. It's not on the calendar yet, but I think it will be a good song for that. That's it for now...
Friday, July 31, 2009
DRY GULCH 09
Dry Gulch USA is a blast!!! 60 kids from our church are having the time of their lives.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Explaining Christ
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
— Acts 8:30-31
It was a divine appointment. All Phillip had to do was obey the instructions he received from an angel of the Lord and he would be face to face with someone whose life would be changed forever by Jesus.
In Acts 8:26-40, we are very clearly told that Philip was specifically directed to this man, and to the meeting place, in a remote location in the desert. The Bible tells says he was a very important Ethiopian man, returning home from his time of worship in Jerusalem. He was reading a scroll from Isaiah 53:7-8 while driving his chariot (which proves you can spend time with God in you car!). The only problem was he didn’t understand what he was reading. He needed someone to explain it to him.
There could be no mistaking it. God intended to save this one individual. This man was being sought by God. Here, in the midst of a Samaritan revival, and before the accounts of wide-spread evangelism of Gentiles, this Gentile was sought and saved by God, a kind of “first-fruits” of that which was to come.
“Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” That was the question the Ethiopian dignitary had for Philip. But how could Isaiah be speaking of himself? The preceding verses spoke of the death of this mysterious figure, but a substitutionary death—a death for the benefit of others:
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him (Isaiah 53:4-6).
It’s a good thing Philip knew the Bible, because if he didn’t, he would have had to say, “I don’t know. Can I get back to you?” But this was an opportunity that had to be seized. Philip was about to tell this man that the prophecies of Isaiah concerning Messiah were fulfilled in the person of Jesus.
The eunuch joyfully accepted Philip’s words and gave his life to Christ. When the Ethiopian saw water (a rare thing in this desert place) he wished to make the best use of it. He wanted to be baptized. Evidently, the Ethiopian had learned the importance of baptism for a true believer. When the chariot stopped, both got out, went down into the water and Philip immersed him in the pool of water - baptizing the newly converted Christian.
The Bible reminds us time and time again to prepare ourselves for such opportunities. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
God guides. He specifically and undeniably guides men to do that which they would not have ordinarily have done Philip had prepared himself for the opportunity that was waiting for him. And you must prepare yourself for the opportunity that might be waiting for you today, tomorrow, or the next day.
I have found that when I am sharing the Gospel, whether it’s preaching or one-on-one, the most powerful tool I have is the Word of God. Learn God’s Word. Hide it in your hearts and minds. Then, like Philip, we’ll be ready for the opportunities God sends our way.
The Ethiopian met God in a deserted place, when he came to realize that his religion was not enough, and Jesus was the Savior who died for his sins. Have you met the Savior yet? I pray that if you have not, today might be the day.
— Acts 8:30-31
It was a divine appointment. All Phillip had to do was obey the instructions he received from an angel of the Lord and he would be face to face with someone whose life would be changed forever by Jesus.
In Acts 8:26-40, we are very clearly told that Philip was specifically directed to this man, and to the meeting place, in a remote location in the desert. The Bible tells says he was a very important Ethiopian man, returning home from his time of worship in Jerusalem. He was reading a scroll from Isaiah 53:7-8 while driving his chariot (which proves you can spend time with God in you car!). The only problem was he didn’t understand what he was reading. He needed someone to explain it to him.
There could be no mistaking it. God intended to save this one individual. This man was being sought by God. Here, in the midst of a Samaritan revival, and before the accounts of wide-spread evangelism of Gentiles, this Gentile was sought and saved by God, a kind of “first-fruits” of that which was to come.
“Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” That was the question the Ethiopian dignitary had for Philip. But how could Isaiah be speaking of himself? The preceding verses spoke of the death of this mysterious figure, but a substitutionary death—a death for the benefit of others:
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him (Isaiah 53:4-6).
It’s a good thing Philip knew the Bible, because if he didn’t, he would have had to say, “I don’t know. Can I get back to you?” But this was an opportunity that had to be seized. Philip was about to tell this man that the prophecies of Isaiah concerning Messiah were fulfilled in the person of Jesus.
The eunuch joyfully accepted Philip’s words and gave his life to Christ. When the Ethiopian saw water (a rare thing in this desert place) he wished to make the best use of it. He wanted to be baptized. Evidently, the Ethiopian had learned the importance of baptism for a true believer. When the chariot stopped, both got out, went down into the water and Philip immersed him in the pool of water - baptizing the newly converted Christian.
The Bible reminds us time and time again to prepare ourselves for such opportunities. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
God guides. He specifically and undeniably guides men to do that which they would not have ordinarily have done Philip had prepared himself for the opportunity that was waiting for him. And you must prepare yourself for the opportunity that might be waiting for you today, tomorrow, or the next day.
I have found that when I am sharing the Gospel, whether it’s preaching or one-on-one, the most powerful tool I have is the Word of God. Learn God’s Word. Hide it in your hearts and minds. Then, like Philip, we’ll be ready for the opportunities God sends our way.
The Ethiopian met God in a deserted place, when he came to realize that his religion was not enough, and Jesus was the Savior who died for his sins. Have you met the Savior yet? I pray that if you have not, today might be the day.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Drawn Away
I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself.” Jesus knew that we are easily tempted, so He taught us to pray, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one . . . “ (Matthew 6:13).
Now what does this actually mean? Is this implying that God would indeed lead us into a situation in which we would be tempted? Or worse yet, that God himself would tempt us? Certainly not. God does not tempt us. As the Bible says, Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13–15)
We sin because we are drawn away by our own evil desires. We must become more like Christ and allow Him to impute righteousness to us as we study His word and pray so the evil desires of our heart are erased.
Temptation is not sin. Giving into it is. That doesn’t mean you can play around with it. James goes on to say that full-grown sin brings forth death. Sin always brings destruction, so we must flee from it.
In the petition from the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking God to guide us so we will not get out of His will and place ourselves in the way of temptation. We are essentially praying, “Lord, don’t let me be tempted above my capacity to resist. Lord, give me common sense. Help me to see the pitfalls. Help me to see the traps. Help me to see the areas in which I can be vulnerable and help me, Lord, to avoid them.” When we pray like this, God will be faithful to help us escape temptation.
Another verse that helps when dealing with temptation is Matthew 26:41. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” It is hard to fall into sin when we are in God’s Word and praying.
If we could see our own temptation as clearly as we see that of others, it wouldn’t be all that hard to identify and avoid. Yet with ourselves, we are somehow able to rationalize our giving in to temptation. We say things like, “everybody does it” or “what’s the big deal?”. Sometimes we compare our “little” sins with the “big” ones of others. We must deal with temptation by daily growth in Christ.
Let me give you a couple of little principles to apply—a litmus test, if you will, to help you know if you are being enticed to evil. You can apply these two principles when you wonder, Is this a temptation? Is this wrong?
First, pray about it and bring it into the clear presence of God. When you are about to do something that you’re unsure about, pray, “Lord, can I ask Your blessing on this? Lord, is this out of Your will?” If you can’t pray about it with a good conscience, then it probably isn’t the will of God. You are probably putting yourself unnecessarily in the way of temptation.
Second, ask yourself the question, How would this look if some other Christian gave in to it? If you saw one of your Christian friends doing the thing you are presently doing, would you think it was odd or peculiar? Would you conclude that it doesn’t look right? If it doesn’t seem like the right thing for your friends to do, then you are probably doing the wrong thing as well.
And finally, what does the Word say about it? Does it violate a certain scripture or principle from His Word? Does it appear to be evil? If so, stay away from it.
Stop and think, watch what you are doing, and stop and pray. You will save yourself from giving in to temptation. If you are presently involved in sin, repent from it, run from it and commit your ways to the Lord.
Now what does this actually mean? Is this implying that God would indeed lead us into a situation in which we would be tempted? Or worse yet, that God himself would tempt us? Certainly not. God does not tempt us. As the Bible says, Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13–15)
We sin because we are drawn away by our own evil desires. We must become more like Christ and allow Him to impute righteousness to us as we study His word and pray so the evil desires of our heart are erased.
Temptation is not sin. Giving into it is. That doesn’t mean you can play around with it. James goes on to say that full-grown sin brings forth death. Sin always brings destruction, so we must flee from it.
In the petition from the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking God to guide us so we will not get out of His will and place ourselves in the way of temptation. We are essentially praying, “Lord, don’t let me be tempted above my capacity to resist. Lord, give me common sense. Help me to see the pitfalls. Help me to see the traps. Help me to see the areas in which I can be vulnerable and help me, Lord, to avoid them.” When we pray like this, God will be faithful to help us escape temptation.
Another verse that helps when dealing with temptation is Matthew 26:41. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” It is hard to fall into sin when we are in God’s Word and praying.
If we could see our own temptation as clearly as we see that of others, it wouldn’t be all that hard to identify and avoid. Yet with ourselves, we are somehow able to rationalize our giving in to temptation. We say things like, “everybody does it” or “what’s the big deal?”. Sometimes we compare our “little” sins with the “big” ones of others. We must deal with temptation by daily growth in Christ.
Let me give you a couple of little principles to apply—a litmus test, if you will, to help you know if you are being enticed to evil. You can apply these two principles when you wonder, Is this a temptation? Is this wrong?
First, pray about it and bring it into the clear presence of God. When you are about to do something that you’re unsure about, pray, “Lord, can I ask Your blessing on this? Lord, is this out of Your will?” If you can’t pray about it with a good conscience, then it probably isn’t the will of God. You are probably putting yourself unnecessarily in the way of temptation.
Second, ask yourself the question, How would this look if some other Christian gave in to it? If you saw one of your Christian friends doing the thing you are presently doing, would you think it was odd or peculiar? Would you conclude that it doesn’t look right? If it doesn’t seem like the right thing for your friends to do, then you are probably doing the wrong thing as well.
And finally, what does the Word say about it? Does it violate a certain scripture or principle from His Word? Does it appear to be evil? If so, stay away from it.
Stop and think, watch what you are doing, and stop and pray. You will save yourself from giving in to temptation. If you are presently involved in sin, repent from it, run from it and commit your ways to the Lord.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Hold Up Their Arms
“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” -Hebrews 3:13 NIV
When I was in college, I sang in a choir that traveled around to lots of churches. On one trip in Lowell, Arkansas, we stayed the night in the homes of church members. I’ll never forget Mrs. Mary. She was an elderly widow who lived in a rural part of town. Man, could she cook! Her hospitality was wonderful. She treated me and the other three guys who stayed with her like kings. She probably prayed for us six or seven times while in her home, packed snacks for us and put mints on our pillows (that was pretty neat). Before we left, we had a new grandmother and she insisted we give her our addresses.
After a few days back at school, I received a letter from Mrs. Mary stating that she was praying for me every day. I received a letter from her every week for the next two years at college until she went on to be with the Lord. Each of the letters said how she was praying for me and lifting me up to the Lord. She said she wanted to be like Aaron and Hur and lift up my arms as I studied to be a pastor. What encouragement! Several times as I preached in other churches during college, I would think about how Mrs. Mary was lifting me up to the Lord. I learned a great deal from her letters, a few of which I still have today.
A short while after Moses and the people of Israel miraculously passed through the Red Sea, “the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites” (Exodus 17:8). The Israelites did not have the power to win this battle on their own, so Moses sent Joshua to the battlefield and then climbed to the top of a hill. Moses said, “I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands” (Exodus 17:9).
God had previously demonstrated His power as Moses raised his staff to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16). He had also told Moses to use his staff to cause water to flow out of a rock (Exodus 17:5-6). Moses was now trusting God to demonstrate His power once again as he lifted this same staff in battle.
Exodus 17:11-13 says, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Moses knew what he had to do, but he simply became worn out. Fortunately for the people of Israel, Moses had two trusted companions who stood by his side and were willing to hold up his arms until the battle was won.
Many people have committed their lives to fighting the battle for the Kingdom of God. These, who are daily on the front lines, feel greatly outnumbered and are prone to grow weary. They desperately need an Aaron and a Hur to come alongside with prayer and encouragement.
I feel very fortunate to have people who lift up my ministry and family daily. Our pastors, ministry leaders, fellow Christians, and those who continually look for ways to serve, need this same type of support. The Bible says to “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). Those who faithfully serve may appear strong and confident, but their arms are getting very tired and they need to be reassured. Sometimes those who step out with great faith are also very lonely and need to know someone still cares.
Many of our Brothers and Sisters are on the front lines of battle today. Let’s join them by becoming a continual “supply line” of encouragement and prayer. Let’s be like Aaron and Hur, and hold up their arms!
Spiritual Challenge:
Who do you need to encourage? Go and do it right now!
When I was in college, I sang in a choir that traveled around to lots of churches. On one trip in Lowell, Arkansas, we stayed the night in the homes of church members. I’ll never forget Mrs. Mary. She was an elderly widow who lived in a rural part of town. Man, could she cook! Her hospitality was wonderful. She treated me and the other three guys who stayed with her like kings. She probably prayed for us six or seven times while in her home, packed snacks for us and put mints on our pillows (that was pretty neat). Before we left, we had a new grandmother and she insisted we give her our addresses.
After a few days back at school, I received a letter from Mrs. Mary stating that she was praying for me every day. I received a letter from her every week for the next two years at college until she went on to be with the Lord. Each of the letters said how she was praying for me and lifting me up to the Lord. She said she wanted to be like Aaron and Hur and lift up my arms as I studied to be a pastor. What encouragement! Several times as I preached in other churches during college, I would think about how Mrs. Mary was lifting me up to the Lord. I learned a great deal from her letters, a few of which I still have today.
A short while after Moses and the people of Israel miraculously passed through the Red Sea, “the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites” (Exodus 17:8). The Israelites did not have the power to win this battle on their own, so Moses sent Joshua to the battlefield and then climbed to the top of a hill. Moses said, “I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands” (Exodus 17:9).
God had previously demonstrated His power as Moses raised his staff to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16). He had also told Moses to use his staff to cause water to flow out of a rock (Exodus 17:5-6). Moses was now trusting God to demonstrate His power once again as he lifted this same staff in battle.
Exodus 17:11-13 says, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Moses knew what he had to do, but he simply became worn out. Fortunately for the people of Israel, Moses had two trusted companions who stood by his side and were willing to hold up his arms until the battle was won.
Many people have committed their lives to fighting the battle for the Kingdom of God. These, who are daily on the front lines, feel greatly outnumbered and are prone to grow weary. They desperately need an Aaron and a Hur to come alongside with prayer and encouragement.
I feel very fortunate to have people who lift up my ministry and family daily. Our pastors, ministry leaders, fellow Christians, and those who continually look for ways to serve, need this same type of support. The Bible says to “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). Those who faithfully serve may appear strong and confident, but their arms are getting very tired and they need to be reassured. Sometimes those who step out with great faith are also very lonely and need to know someone still cares.
Many of our Brothers and Sisters are on the front lines of battle today. Let’s join them by becoming a continual “supply line” of encouragement and prayer. Let’s be like Aaron and Hur, and hold up their arms!
Spiritual Challenge:
Who do you need to encourage? Go and do it right now!
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