Well it's a lazy Sunday afternoon after another amazing worship experience at LCWM. It just keeps getting better and better and it's so refreshing the hear great and memorable stories come from Pastor Joel. He is by far the real deal and so open with his life's stories. But I sat there today soaking in knowledge of how we profess Jesus is Lord in our lives but many times our lifestyle says just the opposite. The facts are that 94% of people in America say they believe in God. So why then aren't our churches overflowing with people and the body of Christ is exploding with growth. They should be so full that tents should be on every block holding services with that kind of overflow.
Being a teenager in the 70's and seeing my generation literally fall away, it saddens me when I read post on FB of how few people mention God, missions, serving and hardly ever the name of Jesus. I know we get so caught up in our everyday lives that we just forget who holds it all together, Jesus. With FULL FAITH,I believe the Bible when it says "In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. Jesus was with God in the beginning. Through Jesus all things were made; without Jesus nothing was made that has been made. In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of men. Jesus shines in the darkness, but the darkness (meaning us) has not understood it."
For the last many decades, I have been very blessed to have many things. A wife who loves me still after 35+ years, a son who makes me so very proud of him, an incredibly gifted and caring daughter-in-law who thru her and my son, has blessed us with a grand daughter. A loving Faith Family (my church) who continues to amaze me. A Pastor and his wife who love people like no clergy I have ever seen before, close brothers in ministry, students who I have had the privilege of sharing life with as their student or college pastor. But above all these blessed things. I have a Savior who loves me like no tomorrow. He quickly points out when I fall as He loves me back thru repentance. He has never once failed me even in the slightest way.
So back to my initial thought. Why do we profess Jesus with our lips and then deny him with our lifestyle? That is what a broken world finds so amazing? So if you are a believer and read this blog. Do this not only for me but for Jesus. Sit up straight, hold your head up and DO THE DEAL. ACT LIKE IT. Paul says it like this, (in my own words). Do what is noble and right and just and you should stick out like a giant spotlight for the world to see. THAT, my friends will be your entrance to sharing Jesus to a VERY BROKEN WORLD.
till next time,
tc
Romans 5:1
Now as for me, I am headed tonight to a 4 day youth thing we call Youth MPact. Even though I am officially a College Pastor, I love being with H/S students period and I have full intention of worshiping MY JESUS. For My Jesus is the one who is worthy of ALL Praise..........
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
God's Plan
As I was looking at FB (Facebook) tonight, I saw a post by my YP coheart(that's youth pastor) Alberto Sandino, Beto. Beto lost his dad several months back and He misses his voice, his smile and his love very much, as I still miss my dad who went to be with the Lord years ago. I never had the opportunity to meet this quiet man who did so many things for so many people that it is mind boggling. Many times when a loved one passed away, the minister has to dig deep to leave some kind, encouraging words for the family to remember. With Beto's dad it was just the opposite. His dad left a lifelong legacy of "Love God , Love People" planted deeply in Beto and in his wife Ashley that is clearly evident to ones who have had the honor to met and know them. I have been blessed to get to know them both, especially Beto, from both sides of the spectrum, during good times and bad, during happy times and sad. But through the density of life, his dad's kindness and general love for people shows very bright.
Many times I referred to my dad as a silent GIANT. He spoke very little and I hardly ever heard him raise his voice and never knew so many things he did for people until after his passing. Very similar to Dr. Sandino, and yes he was a medical doctor who did things behind the scenes that nobody ever knew about.
So tonight, I praise God for one day the word " brokeness" became real in my life and I knew I truly needed a savior to fix what I had slowly torn down. I hope and pray that my legacy continues in my son and now to my grand daughter for generations to bare witness to. That God through his son Jesus and through the Holy Spirit is very active and very much alive in this broken world if we will only say, Yes.
As I look back on my journey tonight," What would I have changed if I could? I thought about several but these kinda rise to the top. #1- I would have packed the bags more often and taken more vacations with the family. The church will be there when I get back and it will function fine with out me. #2- I would have spent more time with mom and dad, relatives, aunts, uncles, grand parents etc. Time has a way of slipping through our fingers very quickly.
So for whoever reads ths blog, understand this, I may be getting older but in NO WAY, will I ever stop serving Christ and stop loving people. I may be 84 and still hanging around students but Wow, will I have some stories to tell.
Time is precious and Life is Truly Like A Vapor, so seise every moment you have like it's you last, cause it just might be.
till next time
peace
tc
Romans 5:1
Many times I referred to my dad as a silent GIANT. He spoke very little and I hardly ever heard him raise his voice and never knew so many things he did for people until after his passing. Very similar to Dr. Sandino, and yes he was a medical doctor who did things behind the scenes that nobody ever knew about.
So tonight, I praise God for one day the word " brokeness" became real in my life and I knew I truly needed a savior to fix what I had slowly torn down. I hope and pray that my legacy continues in my son and now to my grand daughter for generations to bare witness to. That God through his son Jesus and through the Holy Spirit is very active and very much alive in this broken world if we will only say, Yes.
As I look back on my journey tonight," What would I have changed if I could? I thought about several but these kinda rise to the top. #1- I would have packed the bags more often and taken more vacations with the family. The church will be there when I get back and it will function fine with out me. #2- I would have spent more time with mom and dad, relatives, aunts, uncles, grand parents etc. Time has a way of slipping through our fingers very quickly.
So for whoever reads ths blog, understand this, I may be getting older but in NO WAY, will I ever stop serving Christ and stop loving people. I may be 84 and still hanging around students but Wow, will I have some stories to tell.
Time is precious and Life is Truly Like A Vapor, so seise every moment you have like it's you last, cause it just might be.
till next time
peace
tc
Romans 5:1
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Changes
Sometimes God lays things on our heart that we just can't quite comprehend and NEVER fully understand. For years I have seen church " culture" go from growing to decline. I am starting to see churches die simply because they are stuck in the past and not moving forward. If we are to be the same and never change why did Jesus come and make a drastic shift. It's the same for church life today.
I saw a great example of that a few months back that has been floating around in my mind and it will just not go away. I saw a certain young couple walking up to a "church service". I noticed them because they were very different. They were dressed in "Extreme Gothic" attire. Five or so years ago they would have been stopped at most churches front door. At this worship service, they were so warmly welcomed it stood out in my mind to this day. This couple said absolutely nothing to anybody there except to each other. They were greeted by at least 10 people that day.
Recently I returned to this church and guess who I first saw as I was approaching the entrance doors, this couple. Still dressed in Goth and welcoming people from many different walks of life. Why are some churches so accepting and some so cold and dead. Is Jesus not there anymore or has the church culture shifted gears. Today's culture is changing people, so get ready. It will blow past you or you can embrace it and show God's Love in a new way, but it's changing, like it or not.
Aren't you tired of denominational barriers saying that this is the only way to do something. That doing some certain things divides the church and causes turmoil. That having church in a school building,a rented vacant building is wrong. I know a church who's biggest business sponsor is a bar. They want nothing in return and have told the pastor, "we believe in what you are doing and the people who go there are real". I heard one person critised a church pastor that he didn't preach the word out of the KJV bible. Then I hear last week a guy who said, "them church. All they want and talk about is money". We have got to get real and be more like Christ if we are ever going to make a difference. Again, many churches think that doing certain things divides a church. The only thing that divides a church is a narrow mindset of who Jesus really is. Jesus can make something out of nothing and can do anything with something. Narrow minded religious babble will kill a church and I pray before that happens people will wake up.
Change is coming people, like it or not. My generation did a loosy job of showing and sharing Jesus in the world and it's time to change. So if you are stuck in the KJV and are protesting a video worship set and a video message, you sure will protest a "Hologram worship experience" because it's already here and coming to a worship experience near you.
Question? How many students come to your churches youth group. How many leave after High School Graduation and seem to fall off the planet? 80% by most recent stats. There are many factors to blame but as this trend continues, all churches will sink into the abys. Go in a differnet direction and I just bet, God will show you things in a new way.
Now this in not a church bashing blog. I love the body of Christ and I serve Jesus through it. I do disagree with some on their way of thinking, but I pray, we all need to think in a different mindset. Sometimes putting new wine and an old wineskin just doesn't work. Just sayin"
till next time
peace
tc
I saw a great example of that a few months back that has been floating around in my mind and it will just not go away. I saw a certain young couple walking up to a "church service". I noticed them because they were very different. They were dressed in "Extreme Gothic" attire. Five or so years ago they would have been stopped at most churches front door. At this worship service, they were so warmly welcomed it stood out in my mind to this day. This couple said absolutely nothing to anybody there except to each other. They were greeted by at least 10 people that day.
Recently I returned to this church and guess who I first saw as I was approaching the entrance doors, this couple. Still dressed in Goth and welcoming people from many different walks of life. Why are some churches so accepting and some so cold and dead. Is Jesus not there anymore or has the church culture shifted gears. Today's culture is changing people, so get ready. It will blow past you or you can embrace it and show God's Love in a new way, but it's changing, like it or not.
Aren't you tired of denominational barriers saying that this is the only way to do something. That doing some certain things divides the church and causes turmoil. That having church in a school building,a rented vacant building is wrong. I know a church who's biggest business sponsor is a bar. They want nothing in return and have told the pastor, "we believe in what you are doing and the people who go there are real". I heard one person critised a church pastor that he didn't preach the word out of the KJV bible. Then I hear last week a guy who said, "them church. All they want and talk about is money". We have got to get real and be more like Christ if we are ever going to make a difference. Again, many churches think that doing certain things divides a church. The only thing that divides a church is a narrow mindset of who Jesus really is. Jesus can make something out of nothing and can do anything with something. Narrow minded religious babble will kill a church and I pray before that happens people will wake up.
Change is coming people, like it or not. My generation did a loosy job of showing and sharing Jesus in the world and it's time to change. So if you are stuck in the KJV and are protesting a video worship set and a video message, you sure will protest a "Hologram worship experience" because it's already here and coming to a worship experience near you.
Question? How many students come to your churches youth group. How many leave after High School Graduation and seem to fall off the planet? 80% by most recent stats. There are many factors to blame but as this trend continues, all churches will sink into the abys. Go in a differnet direction and I just bet, God will show you things in a new way.
Now this in not a church bashing blog. I love the body of Christ and I serve Jesus through it. I do disagree with some on their way of thinking, but I pray, we all need to think in a different mindset. Sometimes putting new wine and an old wineskin just doesn't work. Just sayin"
till next time
peace
tc
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