Thank Bart and Thanks God

I appreciate the reminder that I have not blogged in a long time! But not for the reasons you suggested in your comment that I will not publish.

I remember when I was a pastor in Texas and a member of the church gave me this cute sign with a mother bird feeding her babies; the sign read, "Lord, give me strength to endure your many blessings!" That's how I have felt lately. This is such an exciting time and I apologize for not taking the time to give God thanks and praise.

• We had record attendance (post Ivan) on Easter Sunday.
• We have more children and youth in the church than ever before.
• We have a new Church Strategy Team and what an exciting group of people.
• We recently completed small group training for our new Circles of Grace Ministry that begins in a few weeks.
• We were able to apply over $4,000.00 (20%)in an additional principle payment from gifts to The Next Step.
• Not only that, but the member who gave $10,000.00 as an extra principle payment in 2009 did it again in 2010.
• Better than all of that is the baptisms and new members we have been blessed to receive already this year.

So thank you for the reminder to give God praise and glory!

Am I saying our church is without trouble? Not at all. I'll close with one of my favorite passages from the Bible.

John 16:33 (New International Version)

³³"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Another Great Example of the Sermon

Someone sent me an email that is another example of how God loves and cares for us. Enjoy!

Well, I could not copy the pictures so use your imagination and if you want to see the pictures e-mail me and I will forward the e-mail to you.

Noah the Dove

These little bunnies, about 6 days old, were attacked by a dog and orphaned. Two out of the litter of five did not survive, and these three were not doing very well.

Noah is a non-releasable, one-legged homing pigeon/rock dove that is in the rehab centre. Noah kept going over to the bunny cage and looking in -- even sleeping in front of the door to the cage.

Then, suddenly, there were only two bunnies in the cage. But when Noah moved a bit from the front of the cage to every one's surprise...there was the tiny bunny...under Noah's wing...sound asleep! That little bunny rabbit had crawled through the cage, preferring a feather bed, no doubt to snuggling up with its litter mates!

Now, they are all together and the bunnies are doing GREAT. When the bunnies scoot underneath Noah's feathers, he carefully extends his wings out to surround them and then they snuggle. When one of them moves and they start sticking out here and there, he gently pushes them back under him with his beak! It is beautiful and amazing to see...

This is what God does with us when we need the warmth and love He offers. He gathers us under His loving wings to a warm cradle of protection. All we need do in return is give Him the thanks and praise for being with us.

Follow-up to Sermon

Yesterday I preached on the analogy Jesus gave comparing himself to a mother hen. Today I recieved a video that clearly shows how the mother hen protects her chicks from a hawk. If you have five minutes, check it out. Jesus will always protect the chicks in His care!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXXUPK-OvtQ

Have a blessed week!

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!!!