The New American Church

I think a majority of Americans that go to church really just want to belong to a nice big church with a feel good worship service and a feel good, tickle my ears message, so they can say they belong somewhere, they can feel (yeah I said feel) like they are participating, but in reality they are just wanting someone to feed them and give them something to make them Feel good, a box checked for the week, went to church sang praise and worship, got a message-" look at me, I feel good"

As you mature in life and in your Christianity,  you realize it isn't about feelings, it's about knowing.


So the bigger churches can give you what you want, and it's all about what you need right? Not what you can contribute or give or help with or serve. It's all about how can others serve me.  That's the world we live in, sad but true. Hiding in a large church will never give you true peace, and a close walk with God, that is up to you, it's most important to get involved in a life group or Bible study, and yes, being close with people can get messy, but it's what God wants if you read his word.

I was talking to someone the other day that is active in a mega church and guess what they have the same problems with getting volunteers as any church does. Most people just want to go and 'get fed' and not help, so does that mean we have a developmental problem with our people, yes, it does. Lot's of baby Christians and tweens that cannot seem to get to the stage where they are off the milk and actually working in the church, for the church and to further God's Kingdom. 
I came across a quote by CS Lewis the other day and I am sure that couples use it in weddings, and love and anniversary but I like to think about from God's perspective. " You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another." C.S. Lewis

You know you are where you are for a reason, there are people that have come into your life for a reason and I ask you today to search for that reason, to be willing to allow God to use you.
 Search your heart and ask yourself.  Did God put me here and who does he want me to love today, who has he put in my path to bless, to help,  to walk through this life with? I guarantee you it isn't some huge church so you can get lost in and hide.
If you are a  part of a large church, find community there. Get involved and ask God, what do you want me to do here, who do you want me to bless, who do you want me to walk through life with?
He made us for one another.... remember that.

Love Looks for Good Things

Last month we finished up our women's study and we had prayed about starting a study of Women in the Bible. My first instinct was to study someone we know well and go with it the first month( as we decided on a book).
Then I began to look around in the Bible and started to read about unity and how important unity is to a church especially a church plant without a large established group of members.
Well I couldn't really get peace with that and then I prayed and decided we would just have a time of sharing ... you know what each person is dealing with and a time of prayer.
Then I decided we should have a devotion first with the scripture that says whatever is lovely whatever is true, think on these things.... so me not being the Bible scholar went to find this scripture and what do you know that it follows the whole unity scripture on the two women who had a disagreement that affected the whole church.

So  after reading the whole chapter 4 of Philippians, I realized the encouragement Paul was giving. 

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7). With confident prayer, we can have inner peace. Even if our immediate circumstances are in turmoil,  we can have a peace that by the world's  standards doesn’t make sense. But our faith is in Christ, not the circumstances of this world.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things" (v. 8). If you want inner peace and interpersonal peace, then think on good things. Love looks for good things, not bad (1 Cor. 13:5-6). If you have a problem with someone, look for whatever is true and good and praiseworthy. Give your problems to God, and you will find peace.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:9). Paul again appeals to his own example among the Philippians. He tried to live the gospel as well as to share it, and he encourages the readers to do the same.

We are bound together as family by the Blood of Christ. We don't have to just tolerate each other like that weird aunt or uncle, but we are commanded to love no matter how uncomfortable you may feel.

We have to love, we are commanded to love and forgive and have a forgiving heart, because God forgives us.

My prayer is that God will help us love even the(in our opinion) unloveable.
To do this and be in a good place, meditate on the good, look for good, be happy for others and their good fortune, do what is noble, and God will bless you, God will help you and your heart will be in a place where God can use you for his Good!!! 

So, Are you looking for Community?

Many people move around and often seek to connect.
Well,  it is in our DNA, our genetics to want to connect because God created us that way. He created us for companionship. How do I know this? Well,  he created us in His image and he created us for Him. Then he created Adam and he felt he needed a companion so he created Eve. I also know this because within each of us there is a desire, a desire for others in our life.

Some people just do not think they can get involved with a group and they just want that one companion, and all they ever want is their mate in life and that is enough for them.
Others want to have children for companionship so they can give them  and receive the reciprocity of love that they so desire, but in the end, God is what you truly look for and I pray you find.

Then, one day you realize you need community, you need others in your life, it makes your life more full and you realize this at some point in your life.
Some have walls up because they have been hurt and only want a little bit of community and friendships....others go all in. Regardless, God created us for community, and to have others in our life.
Many people are looking for those network of friends, that mom group, that exercise group, that foodie group, that book club, that PTA or PTO group,  that work group.... I could go on and on.

Then there is church or a spiritual community. Many people search for that too. They search for spiritual community companionship.  Spiritual health is very much a part of a healthy lifestyle and most people realize that and they seek community.  They want to be a part, they want that connection, that "church family" or do they?

When you get close to people in a life group, or Bible study- it can get messy.
Most people want to be around people just like them, but sometimes there's that strange church member, that homeless person, that impoverished person in your midst and it feels like a weird aunt or uncle  or cousin in your life group or church and sometimes you have to interact with them and that is just not what you signed up for.
Community yes, but only people who are just like me, right?
I want to ask you something, did Jesus only eat and break bread with people just like him? No, and I feel like He is our best example. He is always our best example and we overlook this fact because we are not comfortable. It makes us uncomfortable to be around people that are different than we are and some of us do our best to avoid them, others try to fix and give, exhausting themselves trying to improve others .
I want to challenge you, (if you love others and I am sure that you do or you would not be seeking community), to just love...... most people are wanting to be loved and accepted for who they are, not who you think they should be or who you want them to be, but just love them.
Yes, you may have to read the book "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud if people want too much and cling too much to you, but interacting with people that are different than us only make us better, it creates a more well-rounded character within us, it allows us to self reflect and practice empathy that is so lacking in the world today.

So I want to ask you, are you really looking for community even if it's messy at times?
Are you looking for real people, with real problems who all meet together and share God in common? If you are, then you are ready for that church family. They are waiting on you.

If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13

Mary Didn't Know-

I know you all have heard the song, Mary Did you Know by Mark Lowry.

It is a powerful song and over the years I have heard it, I can emphasize with Mary. To think  that she actually gave birth to a little baby of flesh and blood that grew into a boy, then a man, and she watched him grow and knew from what the angel told her that he was special, that he was going to be something special, a savior for her people, a King, Hope, the Messiah....

Always, waiting, always watching, always hoping for the news to break, for the world to declare him King and for Him to take his throne.

You see the angel came to Mary and told her about Jesus, that he was the Messiah, and to not be afraid of this virgin birth, but it's not like she had an angel showing up every couple of years to give her courage, and and strength and hope. No, she didn't. She had to rely on her faith, and the last word that she got from God.... to be faithful, and believe...Back then, women were not even allowed to study the scriptures, so all she had was what she might hear in the synagogue and what her husband Joseph would share with her. And of course, her faith in God.

So I could only imagine, that Mary did not know that her son would die-
Put yourself in her shoes for a moment.

 I mean I am sure she heard the scripture foretelling, and maybe her husband Joseph would share with her but could you imagine being a mom and hearing that, I think I would push it to the far back of my mind and not think of it, or maybe even concentrate on the good-
He will be the deliverer, the hope, the Messiah....

...Years rocked on and he never sat on a worldly throne, He never officially ruled the nation, changed their immediate world or even their community. If anything, He experienced hurt, rejection, and ridicule, as did his family, Mary and Joseph and probably even his siblings.

Mary knew what the Angel told her, but she didn't know what He would have to endure, what she would have to endure as a mother, the pain, the loss, the hurt, it must have been torturous, but she stood strong, and believed in God and went on with life.

Mary did not have a life of ease, waiting for her son to become King, she lived a life of anticipation, a life of what ifs, a life of waiting and hoping.

We live that life too you know.... always waiting for our ship to come in, for something to give, for that big break- for help, for someone, something,  to save us, to help us,  to be with us and partner with us to conquer the world.

That something that you are looking so diligently for, and waiting so hopefully for, is a relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship with the Father to carry you through, to help you, to lean on , to hope and cherish.

If you don't know Him today, ask Jesus into your heart.

STEPS to Salvation
1. Believe God's Plan ( Romans John 3:16, Romans 5:8)
2. Acknowledge Sin and Man's problem with it- Repent ( Romans 3:23, Rom 6:23)
3. Recognize God's Bridge, or remedy for us- His Son( Rom 5:8, John 14:6)
4. Receive Christ- and Trust Him ( Rom 10:9, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12)

The Christmas Star

Stars often represent fame, something good, someone special, a pat on the back, etc… 

There was a particular star that symbolized something greater, something awesome, and something real. A promise to all who went, who believed who saw it…. 

The Star of Stars 

The Star over Bethlehem provided direction for the Wise men to Seek Jesus Christ, a savior born for a broken world. That star was the star to follow. We follow so many things now days, but today during this holiday season and all through the year, 

Look for hope, and love in Jesus Christ…..

8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2

...are you searching for something but cannot quite put your finger on it? Look up.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

I remember recently seeing part of the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and when they prayed over their food it made my heart happy.  Not because simply the prayer but knowing- these are suppose to be kids and they are praying like little adults, all gathered round. Why can't it be that simple anymore?

Why can't things be simple and pure and real like the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas. Such a great little show. Growing up I must say it was not my favorite. I liked some of the other shows, Rudolph and anything magical and mysterious, but to me the Charlie Brown series was about some kids that did not appeal to me, but Oh how it does now. I questioned is it the memories that it brings back, the nostalgia or is it because of the pure, wholesome show that it is? I am not sure, but I just love it now. I can see clips online or on social media and it just warms my heart to a simpler time.


I want to challenge you to be Thankful. Gratitude will change your attitude !

Have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, you know you might not have the best spread, or even the best table, didn't they throw everything out on a ping pong table(don't sweat the small stuff) and enjoy the day!! Ask God to give you a content, thankful, merry heart.

A Thankful heart is a merry heart.

I want to Challenge you this Thanksgiving if your heart is not merry and you live in an oppressed discontent way, go and bless someone else.  Whether it be with food, or time or even money- pay it forward this year, and see your heart difference.

If you have to work, celebrate it another day. Have a day of Thanksgiving and rest !

Often we go through this life, working, going along in our own world, busy, busy, busy, but there are these holidays during the year, where we may get to stop, take a deep breath and enjoy life. I cherish this and I so cherish Thanksgiving. I used to love it more when I was younger, it was my favorite holiday because all my family got together and it was just a day of Thanksgiving, rest and fellowship.

I still love it now for some of those same reasons... oh and food, I forgot to mention the amazing food!

We are blessed and live in a blessed Country !! Don't take anything for granted, Be Thankful, Be Blessed !!

Millennials: Is it really all about the Journey?

Recently, I had someone tell me that the millennial generation likes a church that gives them an experience, and how it's all about the journey or experience for them.  I have read articles about getting millennials into the church and engaging them etc... but it isn't just about the millennial generation, all people are looking for an experience or a journey to make their life complete.

The age we live in teaches us to want to depend on others to give us that experience, or journey that we are looking for.  We live in an entitled, narcissistic world and it really is all about "what can you do for me" "what are you going to do for me" and "pastor, this is what I need".

Some might even argue, as far as church goes, it's always been this way, each person in the congregation is a little inward, searching for what best suits them,  and that JOURNEY that they want to experience. It is a carnal,  human condition to try and take care of #1 - SELF,
and has been for ages.

But, is it really all about the Journey?  What about the Destination?

In Hosea 7:14, the Bible talks about Israel, but couldn't it be anyone who is not following him the way that he wants?
 God wants all of you, not just the part of you that you give him on Sunday morning while you look for that experience or journey to suit you and make your life complete. Israel could not just be happy following God, they were looking, searching, and trying to experience more. It was hard for them to be still and recognize God, and that their destiny was their destination, that all they had to do was look up.

"They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts, Instead, they sit on their couches and wail. They cut themselves begging foreign gods for bread and new wine, and they turn away from me" Hosea 7:14 NLT

What about the destination? The destination is that you don't have to keep searching for that perfect group, that perfect church.

The truth is that you have it, if you are a child of God, you have reached your destination........
You are the church, you are the missing piece of the puzzle to make right where you are awesome and great.   

Now I ask you what are YOU going to do to make the world a better place?
Stop searching for your destiny, stop looking for some magical journey to fill the void in you, that void, that desire is God speaking to you, to tell you to live in the moment.  Stop searching and start doing.
Work for him, where you are.  Embrace your destination, seek God and he will show you what you need to be doing, right where you are.

If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13