It Begins

I am so excited to start this series this weekend called the Invisible War. I know there is a lot of misunderstanding and hyperbole attached to spiritual/supernatural. We are going to share scriptural truth to debunk myths and substantiate truths. This knowledge is going to create fresh understanding and perspective. The really exciting thing is that it will change some lives. We know people are intrigued by the supernatural. This series is going to be capture their attention.

Would you pray for our church and the opportunity before us to present truth. We are in a spiritual conflict, we do have an enemy, we don't have to fear the enemy as followers of Christ. This begs the question? Are we followers of Christ? Whose side are we on? Find out more at either our Saturday night 6pm service we call "Sanctuary" or Sunday at either 9 or 11 am services.

Pastor J

Do you love correction?

One of the challenges when preaching is realizing you can't preach the whole Bible every Sunday. As ministers, we must choose a topic(as led by God's Spirit) and then focus on that particular area. Over time, we cover a breadth of issues that are all woven together and yet on any particular Sunday, you only get that one sermon.

One of the areas I don't have time to get into on Sunday is the discipline of the Lord. I still remember as a child those moments when I knew that I was going to be punished and be spanked by my parents. I can still see my mom at the kitchen counter taking that glass of water just before administering the punishment - don't know if it was to calm her down or if she believed the glass of water gave her some superpower of spanking :). But that discipline has proved effective in my moral character as an adult.

But, let's be honest - most of us don't like the idea of being chastened/disciplined by God.

However, look at these words.

Hebrews 12:5-11 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God's great primary concern for us is not our happiness, but our holiness; not our comfort but our character. In His great love, He is determined to bring us to that condition, and He uses many differing means to that end.

Food for thought, sometimes the trial and tribulation is the actual discipline of the Lord intended to refine us or draw us closer to Him.

Pastor Rich

The Encouragement Factor

What a difference one positive comment can make. It can change someone's day. It can change someones attitude. It can change someone's life. The power is in the tongue. If it can spew death, it can also speak life. Who has encouraged you? How do you feel about them? Why don't you start your own chain of encouragement and watch what happens.

We are called to make disciples and the major first step is to help the candidate believe in themselves to do that. Perhaps the most meaningful thing we will ever do is to help someone go further than ever before, fueled by our encouragement.

It's not always easy because we don't feel like it. Sometimes, we are discouraged and find ourselves needing the encouragement. Take a step of faith and place some effort to help someone out. It's in the bible...."Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" 1 Thess 5:11.

Be a blessing

Pastor J

Key to Handling Criticism

Criticism may not be criticism. Or at least we might label it constructive criticism. Coaches have to critically analyze what their "athlete" or "charge" is doing. They evaluate and guide. What does that look like to the average person? It often is met with some defense and denial. Yet, to get better scripture tells us that Iron will sharpen Iron (Prov 27:17) and that we should spur (Heb 10:24-25) each other to greater deeds.

Being on the receiving end takes some real heart work. The heart of the coached is the one that was pliable, teachable. IN a word a heart that is filled with humility. This Sunday we will talk about the truth behind hearing the correction. We are all called to coach and to be coached. The better we are at our own growth will enable us to grow others. Come grow with a heart of humility.

Pastor J

I'm Perplexed

Being perplexed is not something new for me. But this one has me baffled. Follow me on my diatribe. 92% of Americans say they believe in God - 78% say they are a Christian - 40% say they attend church regularly(each week). But in a national study it was determined that less than 20%, and maybe as low as 10% of people actually attend church on a Sunday.

You can see why I'm perplexed; somebody isn't telling the truth and to what extent does that lack of truth telling affect the other statistics. The other thing that perplexes me is that if 78% BELIEVE they are Christian but aren't; how challenging does that become in reaching them for Christ.

All of that leads me to our upcoming series - RESOLVE. We will be looking at the biblical process of disciple making through the lens of coaching. All of us need to be coached and should be coaching others. The process of discipleship should be both organic and systematic. This week, we will look at the heart of a coach. A great coach cares for their team and the bible teaches us to care for one another and to encourage one another. As a good coach, we should be recruiting(leading people to Christ) and training(helping them become better disciples). It's a tough but rewarding job and you are called to do it - so c'mon coach -see you this Sunday.

Pastor Rich

final thought of the year...Pray more

Well this is the last blog of the year. In reflection, this year sure moved quickly. I think of all the things that we experienced and faced. We truly had some marvelous moments in our service and events. We also had some trying moments as well as we faced difficulties as well.

God was faithful through it all. His mercies endure forever. What came out of this past year was a fresh stimulus to pray. It is the most important, effective thing we will ever do. That is why I Thess 5 tells us to ..."Pray without ceasing". Our human nature likes to relax when we accomplish something or overcome something. We pray while in crisis, and usually stop until the next one shows. Whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valley...we should always be praying.

We are very excited to share some of our plans and how prayer will play a part. This weekend we will be sharing on how Prayer Prepares the Way.

I encourage you to make this resolution...Pray more. After making said resolution; keep it. As we pray...we will see that anything can happen.

Merry Christmas

If you know anything about me; you know I love this time of year. I love all of the trappings of the Christmas season -the music, the movies, the decorations - the candy and food - the family time, etc.

What I love most of all is depicted in the simplicity of Linus on stage reciting the story of Christmas in the classic moves A Charlie Brown Christmas...

Charlie Brown: “Isn't there ANYONE who knows what Christmas is all about?!?!

Linus: "Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."

Linus: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ ” (Luke 2:8-14)“You see, Charlie Brown—that’s what Christmas is all about.”

In 1965, Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz was asked to create a Christmas special for CBS. When it was time to review the script, CBS executives and producers said it was “way too religious for a secular audience.” The brass advised cutting Linus’ monologue from Luke 2 and other biblical/Christian references, but Schulz insisted that they stay in. The brass said the characters should be voiced by adult actors, but Schulz insisted on actual children. The brass wanted to add a laugh track, but Schulz insisted on a simple combination of piano music and silence behind the voices. The brass eventually acquiesced and agreed to air the special as Schulz had conceived it, but CBS braced for a flop and prepared to write off their losses. What happened? America embraced A Charlie Brown Christmas. It struck a chord in the heart and soul of the nation.

That simple message of the love of God for His children still strikes a chord in my heart and it is my prayer for you this Christmas season - that you may join with me and Linus in beholding, rejoicing and comprehending the true meaning of the season.

Hope to see you at one of our 4 services this weekend -December 24th at 6pm and 8pm and December 25th at 9a and 11a(these services are at the top of my most favored moments during Christmas - receiving communion and singing Silent Night in the glow of the lit candles that remind us that the Light of the world has come in the person of Jesus)

Pastor Rich