All For You

Palm Sunday is among us. I wanted to look at the start of that journey to the cross this morning.

The Royal Welcome
1 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples 2 with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you're doing, say, 'The Master needs them!' He will send them with you." 4 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: 5 Tell Zion's daughter, "Look, your king's on his way, poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt, foal of a pack animal." 6 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. 7 They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. 8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. 9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!" "Blessed is he who comes in God's name!" "Hosanna in highest heaven!" 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?" 11 The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee."
Matt 21:1-11 (MSG)

I often wonder how He did it, and what was going through His mind. I am just looking at it from a human aspect because that is all I can do, and I know Jesus was then and is today God's son. To quote brother Kenneth Dean (pastor @ Mt Zion) "thank goodness it was the lamb and not the man". I believe the man in Jesus wanted to run as far away as possible from Jerusalem, but the lamb walked right into slaughter. He knew what the future held for Him and He walked right in anyway. Why, because of you and I. Love is the what compelled Him to leave the heavens and come here to make a way for you and I. Love reigns supreme and it is what sustains us even today. Thank Jesus today for starting this journey and for loving you almost 2000 years ago.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Where Are You Headed?

I really feel the need to address some of the comments left here yesterday. First of all I was talking in general and I am very pleased with where my church is and where it is going. I was simply confessing the need for us to be more Kingdom minded. As children of God, we need to be more concerned with the people around us who are going to Hell when they die. The people we pass on a daily basis, the person in the next cubicle, that member of the family who we call the black sheep. It is simply an awakening to the Holy Spirit. And with the Easter season upon us this should be more evident than ever. Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. I like the way Dodd said it a few months ago, God is like a big clothes washer and Jesus is the shout, He removes the stains of sin.

How many people are sharing the love of Jesus with on a daily basis? Do you listen to the Holy Spirits promptings to share your faith? I think it starts with having the faith that God can in fact use you to witness to others.

I had lunch with a new customer yesterday and the first question he asked me after our introductions, was "Do you know my friend Jesus". What a blessing to meet someone who is so secure in their faith that they are more concerned about where you are headed than what you will think of them. Did you catch that? More concerned about you than he is about himself. His coworker, who joined us, said that everywhere they go he is inviting people to church and telling them how much Jesus loves them. It was truly a blessing meeting these two gentleman and I look forward to the relationship we started building yesterday.

Rent the Passion this week or next week and be reminded through the eyes of Mel Gibson just what Jesus endured for you and yes for that person who is the least among us. He died for all people, so that we may have the gift of eternal life. Are you daily letting Jesus down or can you say that He is pleased with how you are living this life? Can you honestly say that you are making a difference? Think about it!

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Church Politics

After yesterday's post I almost feel like I’m back. It has been a while since I’ve had a post to where I felt like checking for comments all day long. I like it when you guys talk back to me. I like to know that God used me to get to someone.

Anyway, I thought a lot yesterday about what I wrote and it made me question the whole agenda thing and I immediately thought about church politics. Have I ever confessed to you that I absolutely HATE church politics and personal agendas? Well, I do and I just can’t see any room for people who feel like they have to do this and that because they have always done it that way. I realize that I am stepping way out on a limb here, but I just don’t get it.

I know that we are all made different, but in Christ we are brothers and sisters…..right! So if we are a body of believers that belong to the body of Christ, and in essence we are that body of Christ why do churches split? Why do people get mad and leave?

I’ll tell you why - it's because people start sinking just like Peter did. It is when we take our eyes off Jesus that we start to sink. Keep your eyes on Him and He will never lead you astray. And most importantly, pray for Jesus to lead always and that His will be done.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Jekyll and Hyde

I want to hit a hard subject this morning. I wrestle with what you are about to read and I just wanted to throw it out for thought. I personally believe that this is a problem that we as a human race have been faced with for years. I like to call it Jekyll and Hyde disorder, some people simply call it being human.

What I am referring to is the way that we act differently depending on who we are around. Strike a nerve yet? This is hard for me to let you guys in on, because I struggle with this daily, but not as bad as I used to. I admit that I used to be a lot different depending on who I was around. When at church I was one Michael, but as soon as I got home I turned into someone totally different. When at work I don't even think I resembled a Christian most of the times, and then I had that group of friends that knew me best that I don't even like to think about. My point is that we are all actors, that is until we meet the director. When we start listening to the director of our lives (Jesus), we begin to see the faults in our person. We see the need for consistency, and we are reminded once again that we, like Adam and Eve, can't hide from God.

The more of Jesus that we get in us the more we resemble Him. We can never be like Jesus because He was perfect, but when we realize that eternity is on the line and tomorrow is a gift, we see the need to be all we can be in Jesus. We need to let down our guards and take a stand for what is right even in the face of some criticism, or maybe the loss of a friend who may not understand. Who are we catering to? Do you care more about gaining friends or making a difference in the life of someone who needs it? Are you displaying Jesus all the time? Do those who know you best KNOW that you are a christian? Does your spouse really know you, or do they see the greatest change?

There is hope and He is called Jesus!

Have a Blessed Day!!!

A Good Night

Last night was great! We had around 200 people show up to watch the movie and around 20 volunteers. It really was a good night. Thanks be to God for all He did and all He is going to do through this movie.

A special thanks to our Sunday School class who showed up in great support for this event. You guys and gals are awesome and we could not have done it without you. Thanks for volunteering your time and talents.

Saturday night I joined our pastor and a few other people in our class as we prayed in the sanctuary. We walked in silent prayer and prayed over each pew. And I really can't explain it, but at every pew I felt the need for a specific prayer. It was truly a great experience for me. The best part was as we finished over the pews we knelt at the altar and Dale prayed the most humble prayer I have ever heard. We truly are blessed to have Dale as our pastor. Pray for him today and everyday.

Hope you guys have a great start to this week, and I'll see you here tomorrow.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

The Countdown

Good Morning. I am really getting slack and it seems the more promises I make (to do better)......the worse I do. Anyway I hope everyone is doing good and I hope whatever is going around (virus) skips you. The weekend is upon us and we are really looking for great things this Sunday night.

We will have 2 viewing areas, the sanctuary for the adults and the social hall for the youth and kids. I hope everyone, who can, will come out and see it. Facing the Giants really is a great movie with a wonderful message. We are really expecting a big crowd and I am praying that in all we do God will receive the glory.

I am really pumped about the weather this weekend. 80 in the day and 50's at night. Just right in my book. Get outside and do something, I happen to be playing golf.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Quarantine

It appears that when you sound like Barry White, no one wants you around. The office doesn't want me around and my customers are telling me to stay away until I sound better. I feel alright, but I sound pretty bad. So I simply talked to a few customers on the phone yesterday until my voice almost went, I would go from a baritone to a high soprano in a single sentence. It is kinda frustrating.

Last night Lori and I settled in on the couch for a night with a rental. We watched The Holiday which turned out to be a pretty good chick flick. Afterwards, I was flipping and came across Cheaper by the Dozen 2. I have to confess that I have always wanted a big family. I am currently praying for Lori to see the need for about 3 more children. OK, that is a dream, I am having a hard time convincing her to have 1 more. I know that a lot of you probably think I am crazy, but I just love kids and I like the thoughts of a full house. Not 12 like the movie, but 5 is a good number, its a basketball team and a prime number. Math Nerd. Anyway at the end of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 the wife says "you have to settle with the past, engage in the present, and believe in the future". Sounds a little like our christian walk doesn't it. The past is forever haunting a lot of us and I would venture to say that if we could at least get to the present how much better off we would be. God says in His word......."Do not fear", not once, but 365 times. That sounds to me like one for every day of the year. Do you think that a coincidence, I don't. Think about it.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

The Flu

I got attacked by the flu late Wednesday night and I am still not 100%. It has been few years since I've had the flu and it has really knocked me for a loop.

This is home run week with the showing of "Facing the Giants." This Sunday night at 5:30 pm we will be presenting it. We have a lot of people praying for this and we are hoping for a great turnout. We are gonna be ready for at least 800 people. Pray hard that the Lord will be glorified in whatever happens. Invest and invite someone who will be blessed by this movie, in other words do your part and God will do His.

I hope everyone has a great week and pray for the upcoming season of Easter. This is the one of the biggest days in a church. A lot of people who don't normally come will show up this Sunday, and it is imperative that they see something different. Give them a reason to keep coming back....let them see Jesus in you!

Have a Blessed Day!!!

What is an Authentic Man

After 24 weeks we completed the Men's Fraternity this morning and I definitely feel that I am better for it. We learned a lot about how we, as men, are wired. But the question has been answered "what is a man and what defines him?" This question seems very easy at first glance, but when you think about it, it really can stump you. I'm sure the women have been wondering this for years.

Through Dr. Robert Lewis and the study he has put together we learned and I would like to share it with you. It is very simple and makes perfect sense. Here you go:
A real man from a biblical mold is one who

• Rejects Passivity
• Accepts Responsibility
• Leads Courageously
• Expects the Greater Reward, God's Reward!

Those are not very hard requirements, but they do take some training and work. I am thankful for the opportunity to go through this study with some men from the church and I embrace the above challenge toward becoming an authentic man of God.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Prayer

Last night I was having devotion with Sid. He picked the story on Shadrach, Meshach, and Aabednego (one of my favorites) and I always point out that, just like these three men, we don't always have to do what everybody else does. A real good story for kids just starting in school. Afterward Sid wanted to say a prayer and I was real impressed on how talked to God. He said "God, we love you and me and daddy don't always do devotion like we need too, but we do it because we do love you so much and we really want to learn all we can about you, amen." I was floored and I asked him where he learned to pray like that, and he just looked up and said "I'm just talking to God, like you do."

I had a proud moment and then I realized that we are all God's children and us parents are really just foster parents. We are given these children from God to raise up and teach. I always fear that I am not doing enough or being the best example, but moments like last nights prayer make me feel like I am doing somethings right. If you have kids don't take them for granted, they really do understand and know more than we give them credit for. Pray for them and give them the guidance they need to become Christ-like.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Jet Lag

I feel like I've got Jet lag. I can't remember a time change really knocking me for a loop like this one has. Yesterday I felt the same way. I really do like this time of year, but man I feel like a mack truck hit me.

Last night at youth we talked on how important your self image is and what we let influence it. It really made me think about the times when I thought the world decided, but now I know that it is simply Jesus who I need to be like. And if I have His approval then all is well. It doesn't matter what you wear, or drive, or your address, size of your house, or your portfolio......Jesus is the only one we need to measure up to. The world views you much differently, but do they really matter. Think about it?

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Spring Forward

No Super Cool Person again......I hope you guys don't fire me. I just keep forgetting. I am gonna try and get somebody for next week. We are really getting excited about showing the movie Facing the Giants. March 25th at 5:30pm we are showing it at our church. We are gonna put up posters around town inviting people, the FCA at BHP is gonna get involved with handing out tickets, and our local pharmacists, Hank Clinkscales is gonna drop a ticket in every prescription he fills. Not that you need a ticket to get in and there is no charge, its more of a way of inviting people. We are really gonna have something exciting for the kids who don't want to sit and watch the movie for 2 hours. This may be the most proactive we have ever been at our church. We are really expecting God to show up and show out and we want to do everything in our power to let as many people know as we can. We are gonna meet at the church on Saturday the 24th for a prayer meeting to pray over every chair and pew we have. We are really expecting something big. I believe my ability to dream big has infected the right people and it is catching. Something big is happening, and I can't wait.

I know that we have some peeps who read this from other towns and from other states as well. If any of y'all have showed the movie and can give us any pointers on what you did that worked or something you wish you would've done.......please leave a comment.

I hope everybody has a good weekend and don't forget to spring forward Saturday night so you won't miss Sunday School. I love the time change, because when I get home from work I will now have an hour or so of daylight, and 3 weeks earlier this year. Woohoo!!

Have a Blessed Day!!!

The Choir

Last night at choir practice I had to give the devotion and I simply asked the choir "why are we here, and why do we, as a choir, what we do?" I got a lot of responses and they all agreed that we sing for the glory of the Lord. That was exactly what I wanted to hear, we have an audience of one.......God. The congregation just happens to be present and join with us, but we truly sing for God. I am really praying hard that we can get to a point where we can use a soundtrack every now and then. I really can't name one person who rides around and listens to piano and pipe organ music on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong I do like the piano and the pipe organ, but I do feel like some pieces we sing sound a lot better with the soundtracks provided and a $10.00 cd is a lot more cost effective than a full orchestra. I just want us as a church to do wahtever it takes to reach the BHP community. Psalm 33 says:
1 Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. 2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Psalms 33:1-5 (NASB)

Have a Blessed Day!!!

In Victory and Defeat

I have turned into a slacker again and this morning I am pressed for time, but I at least wanted to give you a word. I am reading another book now that my good friend Matt Wurst let me borrow. It is by the current president of the FCA, veteran NFL coach....Les Steckel. In this book so far he has recounted the playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills on Jan 8th, 2000. I know most of you sports fans can remember the miracle play with just a few seconds. He recalls a verse that I like in Proverbs chapter 21 verse 31: "Go ahead and prepare for the conflict, but victory comes from God." Think about that for a minute. God is in the very center of all of our lives and He hands out victories and defeats according to His purpose. He is, after all, our heavenly father and He cares deeply for all of us. It is the valleys in which we grow and the defeats are vital to our growth that lead us to the mountaintops.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

The Weekend

Good morning everyone, I hope all had a good weekend! I had a great one and it was way too short. This was the first weekend in seven that I wasn't at the gym all day for Upward and I must admit when I looked at my to do list I almost wished I could go to the gym.

Thursday night; as the season came to a close with awards night, we had a wonderful time. Matt Lusk did a great job and props to Jay as well. Matt is one of those guys whom you would never suspect to be such a great speaker, but he is. He just looks so comfortable in front of people. I'm glad he is stepping up and allowing God to use him. We'll be looking for good things coming from him in the future.

Yesterday was Lillie's birthday. She is four now and already knew everything, so I have no idea what the future years will hold. She is the apple of my eye and I love her so much. Happy Birthday Lillie.

All in all I'm ready for this week, but just when I thought I could relax, soccer starts tonight. I am coaching the 6 and under team again and we have our first game tonight. I enjoy these kids and I look forward to this short spring season. Do you ever feel like you do too much?

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Awards Night

Sorry I was a no post, no show.......yesterday! Upward '07 ends tonight with the awards celebration. Pray for people who need it, to receive the wonderful gift of salvation. Tuesday night we had a great evening of fellowship with our coaches and referees. It was a great night and the start of next years season as we invited people to get on board and help out to grow this ministry to 500 kids next year. Whatever it takes. Props to Matt Lusk on a wonderful design for our T-shirts. Dodd, Frank, Bone, Lusk, Wurst, Phil, KP,.....I'm thrilled to call you guys my fellow soldiers in the fight. I look forward to where God is leading us, not only as men, but as husbands, fathers, and leaders in our church and community.

Get the word out March 25th we are showing the movie "Facing the Giants" on Sunday night. This will be followed up with an 8 week bible study on the movie that we are using to kick off Sunday night services. This will be after vespers and we will offer child care. Start inviting people now.

Pray for tonight and also for Jay as he has the Disciple Now weekend with the youth. We have a lot going on and I'm excited.

Have a Blessed Day!!!