Have To or Want To

How do you really invest into people, and make them really feel valued? I think people really feel valued whenever you reach out to them outside of the realms of having to. There are people that you have to be around, and then there are people that you choose to associate yourself with because you just like to be with them...and everybody wants to be liked. When you feel liked, you feel valued...and even greater than that, when you feel loved, you feel validated. Validation is the cure for insecurity and rejection. Therefore, those who are insecure and rejected feel valued and validated when you show them love and a genuine desire to be with them even with all of their faults. When you invest into someone and genuinely try to connect with them just because you want to, people take notice. It is really about exceeding people's expectations because you want to...not because you have to. So go the extra mile for someone this week, I bet you they will take notice...even if they don't say it. Think about it.

He Holds It All Together

God moved in a huge way in our service yesterday. The central theme seemed to be that He holds everything together, even when we feel everything is falling apart. I was reminded of a good illustration from an old video that someone emailed me one time. So here is the illustration, even the cell adhesion molecule holding your entire physical body together, laminin, testifies that the Cross of Christ is our hope that we can overcome any storm. Laminin is the re bar of your body. Here is a pic...

enough said....

What He is Doing in Me

This one rocked me at the core today...it's right where I am at right now.

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. -Proverbs 19:2

Perception of The Church

The book of Acts states that the unsaved feared the first century church because of the power of God that was displayed and the unity the church possessed. Fear wouldn't be the exact word I would use when vocalizing the world's view of the church today in America. I think where we lost that influence would be found at the place where we began to tolerate sin in the church. We have totally bought into the lie that we are and always will be transgressors. We aren't perfect, but we aren't blatant sinners either! Our imperfection is not a get out of jail free card or a crutch. God still demands holiness from His church.
Paul instructed the believers to "expel the immoral brother from the congregation." When people have been sitting on the pew with blatant rebellion in their hearts for extended amounts of time with no intention of repentance, it is time to push the eject button on them! They are a cancer that will eventually spread throughout the whole body, yeast that will eventually spread throughout the entire batch. We must protect the image and purity of God's church. Compromise and conformity have crippled our influence, and now many people think and speak of the Church in a very demeaning fashion. There is a major problem when the color of the Church has diminished from black and white to grey. Leaders and Pastors must have enough backbone and faith to expel the immorality from the church. It is a hard but very evident reality. May the blood of others not be on our hands because we were to sinful and/or cowardly to stand up to the deceptive roar of our enemy.

The Current American Condition

The U.S. seems to be reaping the consequences of our immorality. The fight for gay marraige is now escalating in mass proportion. Wickedness is increasing in all areas just like Jesus said it would over 2000 years ago. I am really grieved at the current state of America, and because of our rebellion, God has already began to turn this country over to a depraved mind...just 200 years after it's birth! No new president, no charismatic leader, no new idea, no economic stimulus plan, no military advancement, nothing can bail us out of this one. The one and only ABSOLUTE TRUTH that can help us now is Jesus Christ. Nothing is relative, and the correct answer to every single problem was and is the Crucifixion and Ressurection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is beyond time for a reformation. The Church is behind the curve. There has been too much loud mouth talk and not enough effective action. We must stop hiding behind cowardly feelings because we don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Here is the deal, we have power that transcends money or influence and it is time we started using it. 2 Chronicles 7:14 sums it up well. That is the challenge to me and you...let's get it done.

First Texas Hunting Extravaganza

Well, I am off to experience my first Texas deer/hog/turkey hunt! I am sooo excited! I will be sure to let everyone know just what I come up with tomorrow. Until then, have a great night!

Where I've Been Livin' Lately

I have talked about, preached about, counseled and mentored about, even experienced in more minor levels, the fire of God...but here lately it has gone to a new place! In the past year of my life I have experienced the refining fire of God in my life in a big way. The Lord has been dishing it out in huge doses here lately!
When I was in 7th grade, my house burned down just a few days before Christmas. Needless to say, that was a difficult time for our family. The house was so old and dry that it literally burned to the ground in one hour! With that said, sometimes our lives get so "dried out" by "old things" that have just been cluttering up our lives for a long time, that God has to send His fire to refine us once more.
God is reforming us into His image, and that means that many things have to go! Fire consumes everything, and God's fire doesn't even leave a remnant of worldliness, weakness, or status quo, it even licks up the water in the trench so to speak.
Being set on fire is never fun though, and also, IT REALLY HURTS! But, it is worth going through the pain and stretching that the fire brings to be refined into God's image in the end. So, hats off to the old adage...no pain no gain! Take heart, it will all be worth it when we see Jesus!

Crossing Launch

Our launch service yesterday was a great success. I am not sure on all the numbers, but I do know we had 5 salvations! That in itself is a great accomplishment. Just wanted to give a quick thanks to all of those who helped prepare and pray for this landmark in The Crossing history!