STEP for STEP

Living My Sermons

2009-06-17T11:15:00.002-04:00

Most Sundays I have the privilege of standing before people who are faithful to God and have a belief in the mission of Canoe Creek Christian Church. It is a blessing to preach God's word. There are times when I God designs an incident in my life so that the sermon I can preach is more rich and passionate for those who hear it. There are also times when I work out a passage and preach a message only to find the following week that the message was even more for me than I could have ever imagined. God is good and He knows exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it.

I have just had one of those moments where there is a situation in my life that is exactly what my message last week was. I find myself reviewing my thoughts and God's word that I just preached less than a week ago. Sometimes we want this bong on the head and God to speak out loud His will into our ears. I am confident that God gives very clear markers as to the directions he wants us to go. The question is, are we close enough in our relationship with God to hear what He has to say? Are we tuned into God having our minds fixed on the heavens above so when he lands a street sign pointing out the direction we recognize it?

I so desperately want what I preach to be to the glory of God and the salvation of His people. I have to be honest, my pride and ego have gotten in the way of that too many times. I thought that I had reached the place where I could say, "I have finally realized that I don't have everything figured out but at least I know I don't have it figured out", but I regretfully have to say that may not be true because there are still times I think I do. There is still so much to learn and so much work to be done in my mind and heart.

I am thankful the Lord is patient.

Does the Dog Wag the Tail Or the Tail the Dog?

2009-05-28T09:07:00.004-04:00

In Matthew chapter six Jesus offers His perspective on some of the actions God's people were involved in. He exposes the hypocritical religious culture while offering a simple and brief commentary on the law and religious practice. Jesus mentions prayer and fasting one after the other because these two actions often went together.

Notice that Jesus gives very little instructions in regards to fasting. He is determined to NOT make it law by adding all kinds of rules and regulations about it. If we want to fast we might read this passage and say, "Where are the directions. I wish Jesus had said more about it." What Jesus does not say is liberating. He is determined to allow freedom with fasting. It is not something you are required to do. You could live your entire life as a Christian following after Christ and never fast and that is fine. I must say though, I believe fasting to be a very helpful tool in our relationship with Jesus.

As our church (Canoe Creek Christian Church) prepares for a mission trip to Arizona this summer to help AYM (Apache Youth Ministries: http://www.apacheyouth.com/ ) I presented a challenge to the group to pray and fast for the 40 days prior to the trip. We desire to be a spiritual church and one way to increase this is to rely on God 7 times as much as we rely on the strength of our own hand. We play a role in Kingdom work but the Kingdom work we seek to achieve will move mountains if God is going ahead of us. I fear we can only move pebbles if we go alone.

Something has struck me in regards to fasting. It struck me like that blow you realize you have received where when you wake up with a severe ache and a small loss of memory as to what took place. As I explained to my children fasting and we discussed its purpose it dawned on me just how dependent on things we are. We have given things a foothold in our lives and we live with extreme comforts. If you wish to see just how deep your dedication to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom is start crossing off luxuries from your list.

I told my kids that I am going to fast TV for 40 days and asked them to join me (I asked and did not require. Remember, fasting is not a required action although I believe it is required of anyone who wants to experience the deep end of the swimming pool). When I mentioned this you would have thought I asked them to remove their left arm. In comparison, their mother said that is an excellent idea. Then I took it a step farther. I said that we could even fast air conditioning by placing the thermostat on 80 to which their mother said that is a horrible idea. lol! She didn't see that one coming!

The Bible describes those who follow Jesus as slaves. Romans 6:22 puts it this way, "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God..." Read it all in context. We say Lord and Savior when we accept Jesus and we mean the "Savior" part but we don't understand or care about the "Lord" part. Slaves in bible times were people who willingly placed their lives in slavery because they loved their master. They were bought, just as we have been bought with a price and that price is the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23. Read them).

Don't look at me like that! You made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized, and if this is the first time you have heard it put to you like this then you have two choices; accept the truth and be excited that you serve a perfect master or choose your own way and turn back to your old life.

How many things control you without you even knowing it? How many things are you a slave to? I can tell you how to find out but be careful it is a dangerous and painful road that will expose the true depth of your sacrifice. We sing, "I love you Lord...and I lift my voice..., but do we really? There is a test that will reveal your depth of love and that test is fasting. Fasting is not so much a test as it is the preparation for a test. We are not commanded to use fasting as a tool but it can be one of the most helpful tools.

Do you want to know if something in your life is controlling you, then put it down for 40 days. Was it hard? You better believe it! If you are unable to say no to something then you don't have control over that thing, it has control over you. This is why we either serve one master or the other. There is no middle ground. The only direction Jesus gave about fasting in Matthew chapter six is that we do it for the right reason. It is not to be done so that people see us and say, "Wow, don't they look all religious." But what if people were to look at us and say, "I wish I had that same kind of desire, sacrifice and dedication in my life."

As you fast allow that desire for what you are fasting to remind you of the kind of desire we should have for God. When your flesh cries out for the thing you want most use that time to remind you to read and pray and allow that fast to deepen your relationship with the only one worthy of desire.

Tension

2008-10-06T08:04:00.002-04:00

I suppose there are some things in life you just can't get away from. I wish we could pick and choose like a buffet line and leave all of those high fat and unhealthy things underneath the warming lights. But just as we struggle to select the healthy food items while looking at the choices we also struggle in life to make the spiritually healthy choices. As Christians it would be a wonderful thing to be able to only choose the things that we know are healthy for a Christ Follower and put all of the other attributes down. The tension that exists in doing what is right for God and His people is simply one tension that exists and it only exists for those who are focused on God and His path.

The other great tension is intrinsically tied to the previous issue but revolves around relationships. If we could accomplish step one all of our relationships would be tension free. What I would give to have a tension free life. Some people say it is easy. They might say it is just a matter of controlling your mind. Maybe, but sooner or later it is inescapable. Some say you can retreat to a secluded beach, live off of microwavable burritos and Corona while surfing your days away. This is true and tempting, but to shrink back or retreat away from what I know and the truth I have come to understand would be devastating. While the retreat may be pleasing for a time I know that I am on a crash course life that will end with a face to face, heart to heart encounter with the creator of the universe. I fear that brief sit-down more than the tension I currently live in.

I suppose if you wind up a rope, or say a towel and then unwind it, it now has a little less potential for tension. For another example, I used to put up fence. Metal chain-link fence has a certain tension to it. You stretch it out and tie it off and it stays strong and tight. Take it down and try to put it back up again and you will find that it does not have the same potential for tension.

So, even though there will be moments of tension it is important to find ways where we can release the tension and unwind, allowing our self and the loved ones around us opportunity to enjoy the God given relational joy that He so graciously shared. If we are careful to learn from the moments of tension then I suppose it is also possible to develop a character that is less prone to tension due to ware. In a relational and human perspective we might call that wisdom, or growing in glory.

We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

WhiteRiver

2008-07-22T11:17:00.003-04:00

I've been world traveling. Not that I write consistently when I am here. Arizona was awesome. Sometimes I raise my expectations too high and then end up in a let down. Arizona was more than I thought it would be. Se dona was amazing...slide rock. Got home and starting looking through a magazine about vacations and slide rock was one of the suggested places to visit. Done that! I miss the kids on the rez already. So here we go, a list of all the things I miss about the rez.
1. Pulling up in the van to pick up kids and watching little kids pour out of windows, doors, backyards and such.
2. The view.
3. The smiles on the court.
4. The multiple opportunities to share Jesus Christ.
5. Running at 6000 feet.
6. Did I mention driving the kids around.
7. Being looked at as the minority.
8. Sleeping on an air mattress. Just kidding!
9. Josinia, Nadia, Tesha, Shafawn, Xavier, Thea, Tristin, Delmer, Ray and Sarah.
10. Aurthur, Shandy, Sharlimar, Jade, Dejah, Keenan, Darien, Jalen, Jamie and Darwin.
11. Packing 25 people into a 15 passenger van.
12. Taking off road 4-wheel drive trips up and down muddy slopes with a 2-wheel drive van. It is amazing what you can do with 15 people in the back two seats.
13. Hanging at the Kennel.
14. The rock jump at Se dona.
15. Driving all over the rez with a van full of kids.

16. Sequoia and her new chubby bunny named Ross.

I am already looking forward to next year and have it on my calendar. I hope i can get back there before that just to hang out for a few days. Until then i promise to stay in touch.

Strong Message

2008-06-09T10:22:00.002-04:00

I have seen dramas and have had music move me and at times have experienced the two of them put together to provide an engaging way of communicating the truth of the Gospel message. The following video clip is one that communicates the joy that God finds in creating us, the frustration and pain He experiences when we turn from Him, and His power in redeeming us. I pray that they video, though extreme at moments will draw you closer to God.

A Video For All Parents

2008-06-02T13:12:00.002-04:00

Many people have heard about the tragic death of Steven & Mary Beth Chapman's litter daughter Maria Sue Chapman. The following is a video every parent needs to see.

What Can A Building Do?

2008-05-14T11:44:00.004-04:00

I realize that the New Testament Church did not have their own building to meet in. I also realize that the New Testament Church is the same Church alive and well today even though some things have changed.

I would like to think that we do everything exactly like the earliest model of church but I also believe that is not practical in our current culture. However, I am confident that one thing is still very much the same. God is in charge and He is calling people to Himself and it is the Churches responsibility to share the good news to them. Sometimes we find them and sometimes they find us.

Someone called me this morning, broken and in need of direction. I am honored and humbled to think that God considers me able to minister to such a person. I look forward to it. I pray that a changed life is at hand and God continues to work His wonders as we continue to faithfully serve.

By the way, you might be wondering how he found us. Call it divine intervention, or perhaps blind luck, or it could be that he passes by our building project every day. A building can be a beacon of hope, but only if God's grace can be found among the people inside of it. "We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." Acts 15:19

Love them and share the good news of God grace. Capture their hearts and you will acquire their hands. God knew what He was doing. Thank Him for that.

How Great Thou ART

2008-05-14T09:16:00.002-04:00

The first thing that came to mind was, "In the beginning..." God's creative gene finds its way into some more than others but it is impossible to deny that we were made in the image and likeness of an amazingly creative God. Check out the video.

Praying For...

2008-05-06T09:52:00.003-04:00

Please pray for Rosa Noes...she had open heart surgery and it didn't go perfect. Here complications are probable for her surgery but we are praying for her recovery.

Judah...we are not sure how he is but he was right in the path of that major storm in Burma. Thankfully he was able to get the new building built from the support he receives and they had a strong building to retreat to.

There are many others and I believed if I blogged all day I would not be able to get them all in.

Been Gone But Not Far

2008-05-06T08:28:00.003-04:00

I haven't been blogging lately. I suppose that this defeats the whole purpose of blogging. I have been recently blown away by the youth in Saint Cloud and I am sure it is the youth in general all over. Man...they are seeing things and acting out in ways that are far beyond what youth has ever done. It blows me away. We need more people to step up and reach out and do something for these kids. They are hurting but the worst of it all is they have no clue...they think it is all great.

They are learning it at home. It is hard for youth ministers and others who reach out when you are taking one step forward and then two steps back at home. We need God more than ever. People claim that religion is the problem...well...we have removed it from most all public squares for the last 30 years or so...has things gotten better? NO! I realize that some people think it won't get better until all religion is gone completely and then things will get better.

No, I think we can already assess the damage of removing the mentioning of God from schools and such. Why do we need to dig our hole any deeper. By the way...by religion I do mean relationship with Jesus Christ. After all religion simply means to bind together. That's what relationship is.

My Hero

2008-03-17T15:30:00.002-04:00

Most heroes can fly, power their way through any situation, leap over tall buildings, or something that is just really amazing. We often see heroes as people who are gifted with awesome abilities, but I am becoming more and more inclined to see heroes differently.

Rather than heroes being people who have awesome abilities I see heroes as people who do awesome things will little ability. Anyone can stand and stare and say, "Wouldn't it be cool if we could do that...What I would do to be like him/her." The difference is a person considering all the things they could do if only and the person who does all they can do with only what they have.

My hero this week is...Nick Vujicic

Check out the video and then check out his website. www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

Keeping It All In Perspective

2008-02-26T08:40:00.007-05:00

Jonah's first day of the 2008 spring baseball season just started on Saturday. It is amazing just how many kids are in the SCLL (Saint Cloud Little League) program. Take a look at the pictures below. My son likes baseball and football and I am glad he plays and I hope he continues to enjoy playing.

My only concern is that we can keep things in perspective. As it is the world is upside-down. Sports and entertainment dominate our world and especially our culture. Sports are everything and God is only something. I think it is great that the kids play and enjoy playing. But how many of those little league kids will go on to be professional ball players; maybe less than 1%?

Someone might argue that it is not about the kids going on to be the next Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron. Trust me, for some of the parents it is but not for all. So some or most may say it is more about developing character and shaping them to be a great person in this world. Does that require baseball 5 out of seven days a week? Two games and three practices, you add it up. Is being a person of great character in the world going to amount to anything if they do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior? Would knowing and following Jesus Christ help make a child a person with better character...I think so with complete confidence.

Over the course of the last 40 years different social programs and agendas including athletic ones have replace the role of the Church in society and we have let it. People no longer trust in the Church as a relational body to help mold and guide the character of their child; in Little League we now trust. More social programs such as Oprah, Dr. Phil, ABC's Home Makeover and more are becoming our cultures lifelines. While all of those things might be good they leave out the most vital ingredient to life...Jesus Christ. Your kid may be able to hit a home run but are you confident about where he/she will spend eternity. You may have a new home but is Jesus welcome there. Oprah may have given you a new car but do you use it to drive to Church on Sunday.

All I am saying is that everything is upside-down. People are paid millions of dollars to hit a ball with a wooden stick but people teaching the next generations are barely getting by. Guys get paid millions of dollars to run as fast as they can with the pigskin, or dunk the rock but people who are supposed to protect and serve make in one year what the others make in one hour; and you wonder why we end up with some police officers who use excessive brutality while the great officers go unnoticed. Dr. Phil makes more in one episode than I have made in my entire life for saying, "How does that make you feel." Actors get paid millions of dollars to look into the camera and say, "Kiss me baby!" They also get millions of dollars just for pictures of their baby, while the great dad struggles to make ends meet for his family because he choose to put them first.

The saddest part of the whole scenario is...we are the ones that make it happen. We watch the movies that turn the movie industry machine, we are the ones that buy all the sport gear and watch the games, we are the ones who flip on the TV and tune into the shows increasing their ratings, popularity and paychecks. We are a culture so driven by entertainment that we have traded the character building principles of the Church and Jesus Christ for sports programs and the excitement of the Word for the entertainment of a dazzling movie. We dash out of town every time there is one day off school or work. We spend more time running around than we do in peace with our families. We look for every opportunity to make something in life out to be an entertainment venue.

The only way we will stop the madness and right the ship is if we begin at home. Every nation that has ever existed in the past has come to ruin. What makes us so arrogant to think that America is exempt from that? The same principles that led to their demise are still relevant today. If we put social programs ahead of Jesus Christ and the Church we will loose touch with our relationship with God. If we continue to be entertainment focused we will become a culture of people that have noting meaningful left to live for because the extra 90% of the 100% of entertainment we consume is nothing more than ash in our mouths. Even still the 10% that can help encourage family unity and health needs to be focused on things other than what the world currently has to offer.

God, give me the strength to live differently and guide my family in your ways even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation…this I pray. 1 Peter 2:9-12

He Is Everywhere

2008-02-21T08:54:00.004-05:00

Just a fun little story that reminds us of the omnipresence of God.

I received a call from the resource officer (School police officer) at Jonah's school. Jonah, my seven year old son was way out of line in class and was told so by the resource officer. However, Jonah did not know that the officer had called his parents.

On the ride home I said nothing. When we got to the house I told Jonah to go to his room and I would be right there. He wanted to know why and I told him that we would speak about it in a few minutes.

When I entered the room Jonah saw that there was something in my hand, let's just call it a domestic device for corporal punishment.

I asked him what had happened at school today and Jonah replied, "Nothing."

I asked him one more time and at this point Jonah's voice began to crack a little but still replied, "Nothing happened."

I asked one more time and I told him that if he came clean his punishment would be lighter and he responded, (with some tears now)"Nothing happened, no one had to get on to me today dad."

I said, "So the school resource officer didn't have to pull you out and talk to you today?" There was this long and eerie pause. The tears in Jonah's eyes began to flow more freely and he belted out, "I DIDN'T KNOW HE CALLED YOU" in a horrified surprise!

It amazes me that people get embarrassed when the preacher finds them someplace or doing something that is not godly, when the truth of God's presence is constantly proclaimed all around us in the glory of His creation. Not a move goes unnoticed.

Kingdom Of Converts

2008-02-21T07:50:00.004-05:00

I am not quite sure exactly what the percentage is, reputable statistics are hard to come by. However, there is a crazy insane number floating around out there that 80% of the American population considers themselves to be Christian. I go to the mall take a look around and wonder, by what standard do they gauge themselves?

Thank you seeker sensitive church models. This concept that every Sunday is evangelism Sunday has developed a Kingdom of converts. The model of the Bible lays out Sunday as the Lord's Day. A day when all those who put their trust in God come together to worship God and remember. It is a day in which those who are called can be challenged and encouraged. If the Church is functionally properly and they are learning and being challenged on Sundays evangelism will happen all throughout the week and not just Sunday when the staff creates an emotional charged atmosphere that drips with style and is sucked dry of substance.

I am tired of people calling themselves Christian, because in our current culture it it has lost a lot of meaning. For all we know Britney Spears calls herself a Christian. Disciple is a label that will make people go uh! Matthew 28:18-20 doesn't charge us to go into all the world and make converts of people. We are charged to make "disciples of all nations." Jesus told the Pharisees that they go from one end of the earth to the other to find converts and when they find them they make them "twice as much a son of hell" (Matthew 23:15).

I am not getting all extreme here and saying that there are only two or three real Christians out there, or that the church I go to is the only good church left. I am not saying that those seeker sensitive churches are completely filled with flimsily converts only. I am not saying that the day you decide to walk in relationship with Jesus Christ you have to give up your home to become a missionary. The Christian life is a process in which we must fail forward and grow day by day, step by step. I don't like to cut my nose off despite my face and overlook the good a person or church is doing just because I disagree with their philosophy of ministry.

However, it is time we wake up and realize that the Church is becoming a Kingdom of Converts rather than a Kingdom of Disciples. Disciples are people who learn from Jesus and follow Jesus. Disciples stand out from the world rather than blend in. Disciples don't just check off Christian on a survey they exemplify it in how they live. The scariest thing of all is that the name Christian could loose all meaning, and that is exactly what will happen if 100% of the population starts considering themselves Christian. What will the true remnant call themselves then? How will the true one be distinguished from the fake? It won't be by name but it will be by action.

So, would the real Christian please stand up and stand out as different from the world you live in. Please shape the culture rather than be shaped by it. Be Christian and not just converts. Stand for all that Christ has called you to stand for and yes, you need to be prepared that it may cost you everything you have and if that is too much...the convert line is on the left (Matthew 25:41-46). For all those on the right, let's reclaim the name Christian because it means something.

Lights, Camera, Action!

2008-02-04T09:02:00.000-05:00

Thou shalt not watch R rated movies. Wouldn’t that make things more clear. PG-13 and down and we know we are doing what is acceptable in the sight of our Lord. I suspect that many if not most of the PG-13 movies would not make the list these days. What about “The Passion” movie by Mel Gibson? It was rated R but it was about Jesus so it would be ok, right?

Some say Eve was the first legalist because she was the first to add to God’s commands by saying, “...or touch it” regarding the fruit in the garden (Genesis 3:3). There are some things left unsaid. We live according to the Spirit and not the Law. The point being Christ governs our actions and the governors mansion is our heart. Lists of laws don’t govern they rule. We are creatures created with freedom. So let’s answer the question, what is freedom?

Some would define freedom as the ability to choose, but true freedom is not in our ability to choose, rather freedom is found in what we choose. So a person can be deluded by believing they are completely free when in all actuality their ability to choose (their idea of freedom) has bound them up physically, mentally, spiritually or all three. What we choose determines if we are free or not.

This is “freedom from.” When Paul wrote, “Do you know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” he was dealing with “freedom from.” Notice that Paul’s concept of freedom/slavery does not match up with the common mindset. “When you present yourselves…” indicates that there is a choice being made. The freedom is not in the choice but the object chosen. So many slaves are walking around today celebrating a false sense of freedom.

Freedom is in what we choose and when we choose Jesus Christ and his ways we are “freed from” all kinds of horrible things. We are freed from darkness-Colossians 1:13. We are freed from death-Ephesians 2:2. We are freed from deception—John 8:32. This freedom is in what we choose. John 8:36 says, “So if the son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31 says, “If you continue in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Do you see! “Continue in my word…” and what is, rather, who is God’s word? John 1:1, 14 inform us that the Word is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is where freedom is found and the current concept of freedom that has been skewed by a mentally twisted culture is running interference. Christ and all he commands brings freedom when we choose Him and His ways.

Understanding “freedom from” is the foundation that leads us to “freedom for.” We will discuss “freedom for” next month but in the time being let me come full circle to the purpose for which I began discussing the issue of freedom.

As Christians I believe we often abuse the concept of freedom. First, our misunderstanding of what freedom really is gets us on the wrong path. It is not the ability to choose but what we choose. Second, we endulge ourselves in far to many “freedoms” (Choices) and then when we come across someone who disciplines their life or family we think them a prude.

I remember a story of a group of ladies going to see a movie. All but one chose a move that was not appropriate. The one voiced her opinion that the movie was not appropriate. I wish I could say that the others said, “Your right, thanks for the right motivation.” But this group of Christian women gave the one a hard time.

It is bad enough when the world laughs at us and tries to persuade us; but fellow Christians! It just goes to show you how dangerous our culture can be and how deceptive Satan is. He makes things appear softer and more acceptable than they really are. So much so to the point that millions of so called Christians are so tangled up in their culture that telling the Christians from the non-Christians apart is hard to do; especially if all we have to measure is their entertainment choices.

I am free to watch what ever movie I want but I want to be truly free so Christ controls me. He has also convicted me more and more through time. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything”—1 Corinthians 6:12. Can you go an entire month watching nothing but movies that inspire you to be a better parent, spouse or generally speaking, Christian?

Rather than choose a movie for its entertainment value can you choose it for its edification value? That’s a challenge. When the latest thriller comes out, can you say not to it and only watch what will be truly profitable to you and your family? Our family has made a choice to not be mastered by anything and we have narrowed our movie selection. We have narrowed our choices but we sure do feel a whole lot more free than we once did. Go figure.

“The Ultimate Gift”
This is an excellent movie to begin your movie fast with. It may not be among your normal choice, but remember, freedom is the results of our choices that bring us closer to Christ, not the choice itself. Only Christ can set us free.

The Other 2%

2007-12-14T13:24:00.000-05:00

I was sitting here eating my lunch and cruising through the world news trying to do my part to be a culturally relevant preacher. I came across this article on Fox News and decided to read it. Partly because I never hear anything about Will Smith in the news but mostly because I saw the word "Scientology."

The source is http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316808,00.html if you want to check out the whole article. But it was the quote that I have pasted below that made me laugh and also wonder about the 2%.

"In this latest scenario, Smith seems somewhat won over after Pinkett already had taken the lead. Smith continues to defend Cruise and Scientology. Smith reiterated on "Access Hollywood" this week a similar idea he presented in a men’s mag this month: that Scientology and the Bible are pretty much the same.

He told "Access": "I was introduced [to] it by Tom and I’m a student of world religion. I was raised in a Baptist household, I went to a Catholic school, but the ideas of the Bible are 98 percent the same ideas of Scientology, 98 percent the same ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism."

My stock for Will Smith just hit the depression of 1929. I never really put stock in Hollywood or its counterparts but I have always had a fondness for Will Smith; his family values and ability to keep his wife and kids protected from the front page of the pitiful star magazine types. As far as his "Student of world religion" statement, he must be reading that children's bible that I read to my kids at night. Actually, that children's Bible is even more informative than Mr. Smith's comments seem to be.

Let's be honest no where does Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, or Christianity teach about aliens taking over our bodies. If my Scientology is a little off I apologize but I am not too concerned with studying the deep details of it because on the surface it has no validity and to waste time on something that does not have "The Ring of Truth" is time not well spent. However the version goes, aliens are somehow involved and the essential truth about Jesus is left out.

Buddhism and Hinduism are both based on works salvation very different from Judaism and Christianity and Judaism is waiting for a Messiah that has already come. There are hundreds of prophecies in the writings of the Jewish historians and prophets that attest to the truth that Jesus is that Messiah.

Will did say 98%. So, if we concede the numbers we could say that there is room for the 2% factor. I don't think we could fit Jesus, space aliens, and work salvation into 2% but say we could. That 2% is enough to kill you.

The root of this problem lies in the exclusive factor of Jesus Christ. It is not popular to confess that Jesus Christ is the way, the only way, to the Father. People would much rather focus our attention on their own merit. I am sure that Scientology does wonderful things for kids and education at some level, but as far as salvation goes, there is no donation large enough that can buy that. Christians were bought at a price and that price is the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

That's the contention and I am not going to speak about my faith as though I have it all figured out, but the Bible does tell us that there will come a time when people will not listen to what is reasonable and will only hear what their itching hears want to. I believe the truth is not that hard to find and those wanting for it to be something of their own liking pass it as they wave to Jesus flying by in search of the mother ship.

Jesus Back in the Public Square...Maybe

2007-12-06T12:11:00.000-05:00

Mitt Romney just delivered a speech today and the main issue was his religious convictions. He said some things that have caught my attention about the importance of God in our culture and the miss conceptions of Church and State as well as the poor judges in our court rooms. But the thing he said that made me smile the most was the name of Jesus. He did not say his name under some historical context. He said, "Jesus Christ is the son of God and the savior of mankind." I am interested to hear more.

Something else I am interested in as well is will the main stream media exclude that part (Name of Jesus, son of God, savior of mankind) from their reports. Some breaking reports already have. The washingtonpost.com had an overview of the speech and the high points but no "Jesus." Foxnews.com DID include that part and is were I received the above quote (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,315486,00.html).

I am waiting and watching to see.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

2007-11-30T14:59:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, I am quick to draw up an internal profile sketch of someone when I meet them basing it on what I see on the outside. Part of it is a protective mechanism that I have and in some ways it is smart to prepare yourself for what might happen. Let's be honest, in most cases if it has scales it is a fish, if it has wings it can fly, and if it has fleas keep a protective distance.

However, there are many times when my internal sketches are wrong. This doesn't mean I am rude, arrogant, or any other sort, on the contrary I tend to attract to the rejected crowed. That is where Jesus spent his time and it seems fit that I do the same.

I suppose what I am getting at is that it is a fresh breath of air when someone comes along and completely contradicts the stereotype.

Check out this link and watch this video audition of Paul Potts and tell me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

A Time Of Refreshing

2007-10-22T07:48:00.001-04:00

Some pictures of my retreat to Louisville.

We were treated at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. My first time ever eating there and I learned what "A La Cart" means. I was thinking they were going to bring the food in on a cart, but it just means it cost a whole lot more.

From left to right: Bob Russell, Me, Tracy, Brian, Tony, Ben, Bob, Sam, Mark.

Here are more pictures for my retreat brothers to download.

I am planning on burning all the pictures I have to a CD and sending them it in the mail.

Pray For Judah

2007-10-09T12:59:00.000-04:00

Please continue to pray for Judah. I came across this interview and it heightened my sense of concern for Judah, his family, the orphans, and all the Christians. Please take a look at it.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/octoberweb-only/140-52.0.html

UGHHHHHH!

2007-10-08T08:39:00.001-04:00

I have those moments where I would rather beat my forehead against a brick wall than try and explain something to my child again, or have to tell them to not do or to do something one more time. To beat my head against a brick wall would be less painful and more productive.

Maybe you have been there. It may have not been a child, but maybe you have experienced a moment in time when you thought, "Why don't they get it!"

I was reading John 6 and saw into the life of Christ and couldn't help but to think that Jesus was having an UGHHHHH moment. He was gently guiding the people to realize that He is the one they ought to believe in and upon this they tell him, "What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You?" (John 6:30).

Just the day before he had fed five thousand people, the very people who are now asking for some amazing sign to prove what he says. What does Jesus have to do? Die on a cross or something?

I just preached yesterday about the significance of receiving the Holy Spirit. This led us to briefly discuss miracles and if they exist today. I personally believe that the Spirit of God is capable of doing whatever He deems essential to glorify Christ. I believe that supernatural phenomenon takes place today. I believe that some of it is at the hands of the devil to lead people astray while other instances are the result of the Holy Spirit to glorify the Son of God so that others might hear the word and believe.

I am not sure if I said it well or clear but at the end of the day I know one thing is certain, miracles alone are not enough to change someones heart. The truth of Christ is essential. In this cynical and skeptical post-modern world we live in noting seems believable and if God were to do something miraculous I am afraid all we would hear from the non-believers would be, "Best 5 out of 7."

Christ rose from the dead. If you are not willing to believe in that and place your faith in the Word of God, you won't believe anything else he might do to impress you.

How Do We Respond To Skeptics

2007-10-01T08:01:00.000-04:00

In John 4 there is a story about Jesus encountering a woman at a well. Many are very familiar with this story. There is a non-verbal exchange that I think we may miss because the conversation is not real time and we do not see the non-verbal indications that express the kind of attitude in which the words were exchanged.

In verse 14 Jesus tells this lady, the he has just met, that he has water she can drink from and will never be thirsty again. Now, if you'll by that I have some ocean front property in Arizona. Let's also remember that Jewish men didn't speak with women, epically Samaritan women. I would imagine that this woman had experienced ridicule or jokes at her expense at some point in her life. I have a strange feeling when I read this text that she believes a witty arrogant Jewish man is trying to annoy her when he tells her he has water that will sustain her for the rest of her life with just one drink.

Therefore (Even though there is no indication in the Greek text) I believe her response in verse 15 is in a tone that indicates sarcasm and skepticism. It would make sense that Jesus would immediately turn the conversation down a path that would quickly remove all of the joking, sarcasm, and skepticism. That is exactly what Jesus does in verse 16. He makes a statement that will cause the woman's skeptical and cynical attitude to immediately change; he pushed a button.

Once Jesus changed the mood of the cynical woman he then answers her scepticism by indicating that he has knowledge beyond normal human knowledge. She now knows that something is very different about this man. But what about us? We are not able to have this kind of power to cause the skeptic to think about it, so how do we respond. I believe there are several clues in this story here and are supported by scripture elsewhere.

1. Seek relationships out of a heart of compassion with people that no others are willing to get close to. That is where it all begins. That is exactly what Jesus does here even though it may have just happend that Jesus wanted a drink, ever thought about that.
2. Pray that God would convict you of your own sin so that you may live such a holy life that the people around you cannot have anything against you (1 Peter 2:12).
3. Pray also for whom it is that you are reaching out to and pray specifically that the Holy Spirit would convict them and that He would give you power to say what might touch their button. Before the conversation could turn the person needed to feel the sting of sin (John 16:8).
4. Trust in the power of God and the Gospel message and share the truth. Jesus had the power to say and do things that were out of this world. We do not, but He still does. Trust in His power to open their heart as you share the truth about His love, mercy, grace, and salvation.

You say it sounds to simple and others say the Bible is too hard to understand. Which one is it?

Strength In Numbers

2007-09-26T13:58:00.000-04:00

I am sure that Christians would never look to Buddists to think that they would be helpful to us but that just might be the case. While we may have very different religious views (Christains=salvation by grace, and Buddist=non-existance by works) currently the Buddists in Burma (Myanmar) are leading a cause that the Christians are unable to due to shear force.

Thousands of Monks are leading peaceful protests to speak out against the miulitary rule. If Christians were to do this they would be squashed before they reached the gate, but Buddists hold more political power. The Buddist Clerics are well respected.

It could lead to civil war which would not be good for anyone, but it sometimes has to get worse before it can get better. I just pray that a massacure doesn't happen and I also pray that democracy might take hold in Burma. That could lead to better things for my Christian brother Judah and the other churches.

Read more here Link

For You Deep Thinkers

2007-09-20T15:37:00.000-04:00

"Is Christianity Good for the World?"
Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson debate.
posted 5/08/2007 09:17AM

Theologian Douglas Wilson and atheist Christopher Hitchens, authors whose books are already part of a larger debate on whether religion is pernicious, agreed to discuss their views on whether Christianity itself has benefited the world. Below is their exchange, one in a series that will appear on our website over the course of this month.

Here is a link

God Feels Our Pain

2007-09-17T08:31:00.000-04:00

I believe that many things in life are microcosm of other and greater truths. One such microcosm is a parent child relationship. I believe how a parent is supposed to care for and guide their child is a microcosm of our relationship with God.

Jonah had a bad week to say the least. He was in trouble at school, home, and acted a lot like a 7 year old boy rather than the 30 year old responsible adult I want him to be:) I spoke with him and laid down some benchmarks for him to aim for in order to turn his attitude around. One of those was for him to listen and do what was said.

On Friday night I told him to get his flag football stuff together so it would be ready in the morning. He didn't do it. Saturday morning I pointed to his stuff as it lay scattered on the floor and said get all of your gear for football together right now so that you don't forget anything.

We got to the Fields, it was game time, and Jonah did not have a mouth-guard. This means he couldn't play. His mother ran home to get it while I refereed the game. I watched Jonah sit upset, hurt, angry, and sad while he watched the game but couldn't play. I told him to borrow his sisters but he is all about fashion and hers is pink so he wasn't having that. His mom was delayed and I told him that she was probably having a hard time finding it and if she couldn't then he wasn't going to be able to play.

At this point he began to tear up a little. My heart began to sink, but I held firm. While I was desperately hurting for my son I also understood that he needed to learn a lesson. He played the second half but I am worried for him this week. If he misses the benchmarks that we talked about he knows that the punishment is no football. Even worse, he has to watch but cannot play. If it comes to that, Saturday is not going to be any fun for the both of us.

A Good Day

2007-09-17T08:08:00.000-04:00

When we go to work we all know the risks that come with it, it could be a good day or a bad day. I am speaking of course to those who enjoy their work and look forward to it. Even though you enjoy and look forward to your work there are those days when you are not so excited. Maybe you are anticipating some trouble or difficult encounter you have been trying to avoid for weeks or months and you know it is about to happen. Maybe you are not anticipating anything at all and excited about the day but something unexpected happens to let out all your air.

It is not much different for a preacher. Some days I am not so excited about going to the office or going to church to preach. Sometimes I am expecting some staff problems and sometimes the sermon isn't ready and I know it is going to be lees than engaging. But Sunday is always coming, so I just suck it up and sulk in the afternoon. And other times I am excited about preaching and seeing all of Canoe Creek Church gathered together, but then someone makes a comment that is negative (Usually about music) that just takes the air right out of me.

There are those occasions though where I am filled and excited. This week was one of those occasions. I was ready to preach on Thursday, those are rare occasions and you take everyone you get. So I knew that I would be ready come Sunday. It was the first day for our new youth minister and his wife. But the icing on the top was the power of the Spirit.

When we were just getting started and there were only 2-3 people at the school setting up, one of the Canoe Creek family was walking up to the building when they stopped. I could tell that something or should I say someone (Holy Spirit) encouraged them to not walk inside but rather walk down to where I was emptying my truck. They were emotionally moved and started to tell me about how the past two years had been the most difficult they had ever faced and if it had not been for Canoe Creek they would have never made it.

So fling your arrows, fall asleep during the sermon, complain about music, tell me everything that we are doing wrong and why we are not spiritual because of it. Negative comments or bad days may take some of the wind out of my sails for a little while but just one experience like the one I had on Sunday can fill my sails years. Canoe Creek Christian Church is serving a purpose in God's Kingdom. I am full of joy.

Proud Moment

2007-09-11T16:32:00.000-04:00

If we played Fantasy Flag Football I would draft my son first. (Click on the images to make them larger. They are high rex files and awesome clarity. Open them and save to your computer.)

Run Jonah run!!!

He also threw a 15 yard completion.

A Whole New Meaning For "Easthigh WILDCATS"

2007-09-10T08:59:00.000-04:00

You may not have heard of High School Musical, but I have two young daughters and I have endured both of the Disney specials, High School Musical 1 & 2. My daughters enjoy the characters and the singing and Disney has done a good job of putting together a mostly innocent and enjoyable show for kids.

The recent and unfortunate news is that another teenage beauty queen actor/singer is going down in flames while her popularity goes up in stock. Vanessa Anne Hudgens, the female star of the show has recently showed off more than her singing voice by taking inappropriate pictures that have found their way to the web. She says she is embarrassed, but is she?

It appears that girls like Brittany Spears, Pairs Hilton, and possibly Vanessa Hudgens feed off any attention they get, even if it is negative. It is sad to see such talented young girls (With the exception of Paris Hilton--If she has a talent other than spending money it has yet to surface) feed off such negative attention.

It is so sad how the world we live in can take such innocent and enjoyable things and twist them all up and ruin them. I am reminded every day of how important it is for me to love and hug on my daughters and tell them how special and beautiful they are every chance I get. It is essential to help young girls understand the differences and the good rewards for seeking positive and healthy attention rather than any attention at all.

2007-09-05T09:19:00.000-04:00

Missed My Boat
I remember when I was a little guy. I was standing out by the street waiting for someone to pick me up because I was going to go to the beach that day. I stood there with my afro kicking, my red-stripped socks pulled high and my short shorts. My towel was thrown over my shoulder and I had already been lathered up with sun-screen.

I stood on by the street an hour past the time my ride was supposed to come. I never get picked up. It was a horrible feeling and I know you know the kind of feeling I am talking about. It is the kind of feeling I am experiencing this morning. I was supposed to meet with some friends to pray, talk, and just enjoy some time with like kind. It was going to be the first time I met with them but I forgot to set the reminder on my outlook and I forgot. I remembered at 9:00 and the meeting was at 8:30 in Orlando. There was no reason to even rush out. Now I sit here frustrated and feeling a little empty like I missed something.

If missing out on things in life can cause such a sinking empty feeling in our stomachs, imagine what it will be like when we see Jesus coming on the clouds and watch as he separates everyone realizing that we are in the group that is going to miss out. I don't think anyone can begin to imagine what that will truly feel like.

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God...And so we will be with the Lord forever" Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

2007-09-04T09:32:00.001-04:00

More Than A Respected Relic. John 1:3
The apostles looked at Jesus as a contemporary (By contemporary I mean close to or of the same age). We think that seeing Jesus as the apostles did will change our faith, maybe, and maybe not. It could be that the apostles struggled to see Jesus as God because they there with him and even though they saw Jesus' divine miracles they also saw His humanity. Jesus ate the same foods they ate, He wore the same close, they saw where He grew up, they heard Him snore, and smelled His breath.

Jesus who is timeless stepped into time. I wonder what kind of jet lag that causes? The fact that He is timeless eludes us as well. Jesus was a contemporary of the apostles and this could have caused some gaps in their faith. For us Jesus is a relic that is respected. We sometimes look upon Him as a child does an adult. But, do we look upon Him as a timeless God that existed long before His brief moment of humanity? If we look at Him as a relic to be respected our faith is to weak to seem Him in his true glory, when He was there when "all things came into being."

The apostles struggled to believe for their reasons and we struggle to believe for our own. If Jesus were here today would that solve our faith issues? I doubt it. John knew that accepting Jesus as God would be a struggle so he begins his gospel with the proclamation, "the Word was God" and he ends it with the confession of a doubter, "my Lord and my God" (John 20:29). The following statement by Jesus is encouraging to us today. Jesus said, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

2007-08-31T09:10:00.000-04:00

Judah Home Safely

The context: The Pastor was arrested for false reasons.

From Judah in Burma--"Hi Ross, I came back from Jung Byaw and the pastor and the church members there are fine. The pastor was in jail only one night and then the police and the authority released him. Thanks for praying in the time of difficulties. I am also gland to hear that you would like to come and see us in the future. My prayer is that you could come and encourage us. That would be a great blessing for us from God. Thanks again for praying and supporting brother. Keep the good work there in Christ." Judah

2007-08-31T07:34:00.000-04:00

He Is So Great He Can Even Be Small; to the point of a period. John 1:1

I suppose the question begins with a nagging yet understandable, "Why?" This isn't an easy question though it may seem innocent enough. Ask anyone who has spent a little time with a 3-5 year old and they will whole-heartily agree that the "why" question is more profound than many of the rest. It can stump us as well as cause all kinds of misconceptions. It can be the difference between someone being an atheist and a theist.

I don't pretend to be very smart when it comes to things such as biology, physiology, or any other ...ology for that matter. But I do know enough to recognize that there is something special about life and being made human, at the top of the food chain (unless when swimming off the cape of Africa. Then a great white is one notch above us), isn't some fortunate turn of cosmological or evolutionary events. I know there is an amazingly vast world of science out there but maybe at least for once the unbeliever could be ridiculed for their blind faith because it has to be greater than the theist. After all, a powerful creator fills in the gaps far more soundly than any test tube. Please realize that while I am not a scientist of any sort the various sciences fascinate me and I believe that God is the creator of all sciences.

But I digress a little. I believe that the majority of people do believe in some kind of a powerful being that is at work in what we see. I do not believe the world is sitting on the back of a giant tortoise and it is "tortoises all the way down." And I do not think many people believe such things. But the really nagging question is how do we begin to and continue to know or interact with this great being, that's if this being wants to interact with us at all.

Some people say that this being (God) will fall upon us with power and then we will know of him. Some people believe that it will require intense meditation so much so that all surrounding material must be completely blocked out. Others say it is a 12 step program and once you have completed the 12th step then you will know. (But remember, if you mess up at any of the previous steps you must go back to the beginning and cannot return to your place in line, thanks and have a nice day. "What's in your wallet.") Others just believe and there is no basis for their belief. They are like my 12 year old daughter when I ask, "How do you know." She responds, "I just know."

Here is a novel concept. There is something that I have noticed about creatures that is very amazing. All creatures are capable of communicating. Animals, each in their own ways as well as us at the top of the food chain. No doubt that this is a part of the evolutionary process, that would explain Ebonics and the ever present phenomena of text message speak:) Doesn't written and verbal communication make sense or am I not complex enough. After all, when I want a drink I say to my son Jonah, "Hey Jonah, how about you fetch dear old dad some tea." Are you different? Do you grunt? Do you stare as if with blazing eyes of power so that you communicate with your brain without spoken words. In the words of the grasshopper from Bugs Life, "Ooh, ooh, ooh, I'm asking you with my brain."

I suppose we struggle to believe that a God powerful enough to hang the moon and the stars is capable to just speak to us. But just as you read this know we are communicating in a form that is the most accepted in our world. We don't use pictures as our common form of communication. We do not use human poses as our common form of communication (That's not Vogue--I know, that one was bad.), nor any other. While we are capable of communicating in many ways our default is written and verbal words. Here is a thought, if God is as grand as all creation then He is powerful enough to connect with us at our level. He doesn't enlighten us through one powerful enchantment, transcendental meditation, 12 step program or anything other than the most common form that we are accustomed to; the written Word.

It makes so much sense that Jesus, the Son of God would be called the Word. And it makes sense that the Word would dwell among us. After all God is so powerful and significant that he is capable of appearing insignificant for a while so that we might comprehend what we might think is incomprehensible.

So Christians, the next time someone ask you why do you believe that or this please do not respond with, "Because I just know." After all, you have the Word.

2007-08-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

I Wonder No More-John 1:11

When Jesus came to earth he dwelt among the very people he took part in creating. I am not even going to pretend that I can fully comprehend that, but in faith I am willing to recognize the simplicity in John's short and concise statements about the most complex issue there has ever been. With several stokes of the pen John takes us from creation to incarnation and accomplishes what would take any human mind hours of confusion in a matter of seconds. The Spirit of God is clearly at work in the opening verses of John's Gospel. The Simplicity of the text must be the work of a power far greater than any created thing, even something as powerful as the human mind. Therefore while I do not fully understand the transaction of power I take in faith that Christ can dwell among the very people he created.

And now for the painful part; many of us fail to offer a proper reception for the very one who created us. Now that my children have advanced beyond the cute and cuddly stage I have grown to understand this verse more personally. There is nothing worse than having one of your own children holler out the words, "I hate you." There are those times when a child does not properly receive the one that conceives, nurtures, loves, guides and protects them. I don't know about you but it sure does hurt when that happens. I wonder no longer how Christ feels.

2007-08-29T09:52:00.000-04:00

I Have Arrived
I suppose I have arrived in the 21st century. I have considered creating a blog several times but have not done so for several reasons. But I have finally done it. I wanted to create a space where I could write down some of my thoughts on scripture as I read and study and I want to be able to share those thoughts on a daily basis. So, I look forward to writing and maybe you will look forward to stopping by every once and a while and reading. See you soon.