There are some times that I wonder why I even write on this blog. Very rarely do I even get a comment on what I have written, but for some reason I do keep writing. Although I do not update it as much as I should, (considering my last post was about Easter and here it is July) I am trying to do some better this year. Oh well, here is another futile attempt at blogging.
The subject I would like to deal with today is "change". Many times change is both needed and necessary. However, there are times in which change just for change sake is not a good thing. In Ecclesiastes, the Bible talks about there being "times" or transitions in our lives - a time to live, a time to laugh, a time to dance etc. Although these times of transitions are apart of life, often we ascribe change to being a "God" thing when in reality it is our own self that desires the change.
I have been in pastoral ministry for some 20 years and have heard this statement more than on one occasion, "Pastor, God has been dealing with me about some changes that I need to make". On the surface this sounds like a great confession, however it usually ends with "God is leading me elsewhere". Why would God lead people away from a particular church just so they could make changes? I would like to submit that many times people use the "God is leading me" card, simply because they want to ascribe something spiritual to something that is a matter of their own free will and choices.
Why not simply be honest and say, "I want to leave because I want to." As a pastor this provides for an opportunity to counsel with an individual on the subject of God's will and listening to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But when the "God is leading me" card is played that shuts the door for any counseling opportunity. So, I simply want to say if it is God's leading then so be it however, don't play the "God is leading" me card when in reality it is our will and God has nothing to do with it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
New Web Site
Please check out our new website at www.lifegrowingstrong.com and let me know what you think about it.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Easter Reflections
Easter has come and went and I wanted to make a few comments regarding this wonderful day. God blessed us with beautiful weather on Easter Sunday this year. I always love it when Easter is a bright sunshiny day! It makes the day so much exciting for all.
I have always loved the Easter season, it is a time of beautiful spring flowers blooming, warmer weather and there is just a wonderful sense of life. I also love it when the Spirit of the Lord moves on individuals and they give their life to the Lord. We experienced that miracle on Easter. We had someone give their life to the Lord! The miracle of the new birth on the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! It reminds me of an old hymn we used to sing, "There is a new name written down in Glory and it's mine oh yes it mine. The white robed angels sing the story a sinner has come home!" Praise the Lord on Sunday a new name was written in glory. Praise the Lord for salvation.
We can celebrate the Easter season every day! Jesus is alive He is not dead. Is your relationship with Jesus dead? Do you need resurrection power infused into your relationship with Christ? My prayer is for resurrection power to raise His people into newness of life. May God richly bless you as we spread the "Good News" that Jesus saves today. Please remember pray that we will remain faithful to our mission of Life Growing Strong!
I have always loved the Easter season, it is a time of beautiful spring flowers blooming, warmer weather and there is just a wonderful sense of life. I also love it when the Spirit of the Lord moves on individuals and they give their life to the Lord. We experienced that miracle on Easter. We had someone give their life to the Lord! The miracle of the new birth on the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! It reminds me of an old hymn we used to sing, "There is a new name written down in Glory and it's mine oh yes it mine. The white robed angels sing the story a sinner has come home!" Praise the Lord on Sunday a new name was written in glory. Praise the Lord for salvation.
We can celebrate the Easter season every day! Jesus is alive He is not dead. Is your relationship with Jesus dead? Do you need resurrection power infused into your relationship with Christ? My prayer is for resurrection power to raise His people into newness of life. May God richly bless you as we spread the "Good News" that Jesus saves today. Please remember pray that we will remain faithful to our mission of Life Growing Strong!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Fighting the Good Fight
I feel honored to be a pastor. Not to say that I enjoy every single day, but I know that God has called me to pastor His people. I do not take this calling lightly, but enter into it with fear and trepidation. It is an awesome responsibility to preach the Word, but to pastor God's people is also an ominous and rewarding task. I am saying all of this because I have a young man in my church who is 23 years of age. His parents were told that he would not live to see his second birthday. Tonight he is literally fighting for his life.
He has been sick in the hospital for a week as of today. Three different doctors told the family that if he lived through the first night he would not live for more than two days and that he needs a miracle - it has been a week so far! The only explanation that can be given is the healing Jesus has his hand on him. We all are praying for a miracle for this young man.
I said all of that to say, he is an inspiration to me. When I visit him, I see a young man who is fighting the good fight of faith. When I look into the tired eyes of his mom and dad and several other family members, I see what hope truly looks like. I see in their tired,teary and wearied eyes hope and a faith in a God who works miracles. This young man is fighting the good fight of faith and although he is so sick, he brings such inspiration to me and to all who have been touched by this special young man. I can only hope that I have the same resolve he does to finish the race that God has set before me. Please pray for this young man and his family. We believe in a miracle working God and are believing in a complete and total healing for him.
He has been sick in the hospital for a week as of today. Three different doctors told the family that if he lived through the first night he would not live for more than two days and that he needs a miracle - it has been a week so far! The only explanation that can be given is the healing Jesus has his hand on him. We all are praying for a miracle for this young man.
I said all of that to say, he is an inspiration to me. When I visit him, I see a young man who is fighting the good fight of faith. When I look into the tired eyes of his mom and dad and several other family members, I see what hope truly looks like. I see in their tired,teary and wearied eyes hope and a faith in a God who works miracles. This young man is fighting the good fight of faith and although he is so sick, he brings such inspiration to me and to all who have been touched by this special young man. I can only hope that I have the same resolve he does to finish the race that God has set before me. Please pray for this young man and his family. We believe in a miracle working God and are believing in a complete and total healing for him.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Seasons
I am so ready for Fall! Yes, I said Fall - not Spring! I love the fall season of the year. I enjoy Spring, but Spring here in Oklahoma means Tornado's! I don't care for the storms either. Now fall, that is a wonderful time of the year - color changes, cool weather and beautiful scenery! Winter - cold, dead, icy and stuck in the house! I know that every season has its purpose and without the changes of the seasons creation would get out of balance.
Although I may not like the winter and spring, God certainly knew what He was doing when he created the world. Without the deadness of winter, spring would not be as beautiful. Without the storms of spring, grass would not turn green and the flowers would not bloom. Without the warmth of summer, we would not dry out from the spring rains. God told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1,"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" Every season has its purpose - that is the way God made it.
It gives me great comfort in knowing that when the storms of life come, when the deadness of winter come and when the heat of the battle rages God has given us His promise that He is there in the midst of it all! What a comfort to know that Jesus loves us so much that he does not abandon us in the trials and tribulations of life! He is a wonderful God who loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us! Take the time today to thank God for the seasons of our lives!
Although I may not like the winter and spring, God certainly knew what He was doing when he created the world. Without the deadness of winter, spring would not be as beautiful. Without the storms of spring, grass would not turn green and the flowers would not bloom. Without the warmth of summer, we would not dry out from the spring rains. God told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1,"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" Every season has its purpose - that is the way God made it.
It gives me great comfort in knowing that when the storms of life come, when the deadness of winter come and when the heat of the battle rages God has given us His promise that He is there in the midst of it all! What a comfort to know that Jesus loves us so much that he does not abandon us in the trials and tribulations of life! He is a wonderful God who loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us! Take the time today to thank God for the seasons of our lives!
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