How Are Those Resolutions Going?

So how is 2010 going so far? I would have to say it is great! The sun is shinning and it's sixty-eight degrees so today is a lovely day. I have enjoyed hearing many resolutions and to already see how some of them are paying off. So be encouraged today if you are one of many who seek to make positive changes in their lives right now. Even if at times you have been unsuccessful, don't give in to the temptation to abandon your plan. Try adjusting your plan before giving it up.

Last year someone handed me a book one Sunday at church and I have tried for months now to remember who it was. It's Thin Within" by Judy and Arthur Halliday. She's a nurse and he's a doctor. If you loaned/gave that book to me please remind me so i can thank you. I am finding it to be very helpful. Nothing new really but presented in such a way that it speaks to me spirit.

One of the first things to change is to stop saying, "I want to loose weight." For when we loose something we often find it. So a better phrase to say is "I want to release weight." It's simple by effective. Another thing, actually the first change to make is to only eat when hungry. Duh! When I first read that I had an epiphany. In all my days and ways of "dieting" I can not remember learning that one simple thing. I ate when I wanted to, when I was supposed to, when I saw something yummy, when people gave me food to eat, and for a hundred other reasons, especially when I wanted comfort - after all, we have comfort food just for that.

I hope to finish the book - It's a thirty day process and I began on January 1st - and then offer it in some format at church.

What about you - do you have a resource that is helping you and are you willing to post it here? If so I would like to know about it.

And if you're day is not going so well right now then go to youtube and watch "He is with You". I guarantee you it will life your spirit. What a glorious truth: no matter what, Jesus is with us!

Christmas Eve

Wow, it's finally here! Christmas Eve. We can see the finish line and soon we can slow down and celebrate Jesus - our God with us. Do you ever stop and allow your mind to think about what Christmas really means? Usually what would follow would be my answer to that question. But as a gift to you, I invite you to ask yourself that question. And continue thinking until you reach a place of wonder!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Service 7PM

Laugh a Little

Wow, it's been a month since I posted to my blog...what have I been doing?

In reading e-mails this morning and then logging onto our site, I have had some good laughs. Maybe you need to laugh this morning so here goes.

See how blessed you are to have my concise, bottom-line sermons!

So I have very little voice today...which some will count as a blessing as well. Working from home always allows me to catch up on things...like this!

Have a blessed day and take some time today to prepare for Jesus...He is coming!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas is right around the corner and now is the time to consider celebrating the birth of Jesus in a way that will truly honor His birth. The first thing to consider is why we give each other gifts at Christmas instead of giving gifts in Jesus name? Sure, we make Christmas baskets and participate in Angel Trees but that's just a drop in the bucket compared to what we give to each other.

The average American family spends $750.00 on Christmas. With the bad economy that figure may drop to $500.00 but still that will mean hundreds of billions will be spent on gifts no one really wants, gifts that will be returned the day after Christmas, gifts that only a few will remember at this time next year.

There is a more excellent way. This is the third year our church is participating in Advent Conspiracy. Last year our offering to Living Water actually dug a well so a remote village now has clean drinking water...many cups of water given in Jesus name!

So before you make your list and check it twice I ask that you pray about what God would have you do this Christmas. Consider changing the way you celebrate the birth of Jesus and help us provide clean drinking water so those who need it most. For more information go to

www.adventconspiracy.org

You can make a difference and together we can make a big difference. If Christians will make this change in Christmas we can make sure everyone has clean water within ten years! What a gift of love that will be!!!

Wednesday Night - The Other Side of Pride

We just finished a week long celebration of Pensacola Pride. It was indeed a great time. Tonight at 7PM I will be speaking on "The Other Side of Pride". The Bible has a lot to say about pride so come out tonight as we balance last week with this look at the downside of pride.

Saturday, in the Park

There we are, me and Ray Boltz, chatting in the park at the festival on Saturday. What a great time we had there and then in both services on Sunday. Franco and Ray loved our church and told me they will be back to see us when we least expect it. One day I will look up and see them walking in the door. I warned Ray that if I see him he will have to sing!

Pensacola Pride was a huge success. And we had many new visitors on Sunday that met us in the park on Saturday. So for all of the hard work it took to work the week, it was will work it.

I especially want to thank Doug and Donna and of course Tami for handling the Kids Korner.

All in all it was a great weekend.

Life, Abundant Life and Eternal Life

It's sad that so many people think that our time on earth is all there is to life - when just the opposite is true. The Bible says our days on this earth are but like a vapor. Yet we spend most of our resources on living in the here and now with little if any thought about eternity.
The last few weeks have been filled with death. We had three people in our church who had a parent die in the last two weeks, as well as a member who died very unexpectedly. And today a member sits by the bed of her mom who is dying.
Why do we see death as such a tragedy when in fact it is death that takes us back to God? Perhaps we need to focus more on eternal life. We are created to not only serve a purpose while we are on this earth, but more importantly to spend eternity with God.
So enjoy each day for truly it is a gift from God. But live with eternity in mind. Jesus came that we might have life...abundant life...and eternal life. May that truth make a difference in how you live your life today.