small towns BIG Possibilities

How do you define success?

For many years I thought success was defined by what others thought of me. I am successful if my ministry is visible by others - I am successful if my ministry is housed in a great building in suburbia - If my numbers are high (noses and nickels).

Success is really working within your own limitations and believing that God will do something BIG. Craig Groeshel has this equation [limited resources + Increasing passion = Exponential Innovation]

Success is not how great, influential, or relevant you are but it is how you use the resources around you to build on. Success is being resourceful with what you already have and using it to help someone find their way to the cross.

I have met many people who would be considered the LAST, the LOST and the LEAST. These are the resources that God is wanting to use in my life and ministry. My success is all around me and my success is helping the "least of these."

In my county - 15,450 people ( www.thearda.com ) claim no religious affiliation. None.. Zero... Nada....

I am so excited to be where I am - I have the makings of "great success" all around me!

In North America 33,000 communities are without a Full Gospel Message!!!

Stop trying to find success in perfect buildings with perfect programs directed by perfect people with perfect life styles... Instead - Look for the least, the last and the lost and they will help you find true success and true ministry.

Missouri is God's Country

A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there.

Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and taking notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read "Calls: $10,00.00 per minute..."

Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD. The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Milwaukee, and many cities and towns all around the United States, he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Missouri, upon entering a church in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, BEHOLD - He saw the unusual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read, "Calls: .35!" Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Pastor, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the other church the cost was $10,000.00 per minute. You sign reads only thirty-five cents. Why?"

The pastor, smiling broadly, replied. "Son, you're in Missouri now... You're in God's country. It's a local call."

Author unknown

Unfaithfulness

My daily devotions [the chronicles] have led me to a very interesting place... I have just read through the many descendants of so-and-so & so-and-so!!! Then, in chapter 9 of 1 Chronicles, this chapter starts off with a very powerful reality... Listen to this... "The people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon because (get this) of their unfaithfulness."

Wow, how many times have we been unfaithful? To God, others, family members etc. This verse just jumped off the page and had held my attention there. Unfaithful!!!

Most of the Old Testament is the story about the people of God who were unfaithful and were led away to Babylon for 70 years.

What would have happened if..... the children of Israel would have been faithful to God... hmmmm??? Jeremiah wept over this problem, Ezekiel spoke of this, Isaiah prophesied about this, Habakkuk was warned about this situation...

The Chronicles tell the story of a group of people who did not listen to God and were not faithful to him..

I don't know about you... But this makes me want to drop to my knees and pray and ask God to cleanse me and wipe me clean... "Create in me a clean heart!"

I don't know about you... But I don't want this to be my legacy!!! God, give me clean hands and a pure heart!

Let.Love.Live.

I recently moved to a rural community where there is no Starbucks, Applebees or even a Wal-Mart. A community that very committed to their Mountianeer Football, Basketball and Baseball teams. A place where Friday nights are spent in the city park or the high school football field instead of at a fancy restaurant, the mall or a movie theater. This is rural life at it's best, everybody knows every bodies business and good times are had by all.

When I moved to this rural community I did not know what to expect. I did not know if I would fit in to a close- knit community but for the most part I think everyone fits in here.

I have learned a few lessons from my new way of life:

1. Don't be in a hurry... enjoy the ride, even if a tractor leads you home.
2. Eating out - Means eating outside or on your screened in porch... This has added some great family time to our life.
3. Shopping - This has nothing to do with the Mall and everything to do with Wal-Mart!
4. Dress Up - Your best pair of jeans will do... (wipe the mud off your shoes too)
5. Priorities - Your kids must play little league sports
6. Church Family - "When your here, you're family!"
7. Mowing - This is not a chore but a life style.
8. Smells - Everyday I wake to a "new farm smell" sometimes not-s0-bad other times...well....wow..

3 words that have spoken deep into my heart since I moved here - Let.Love.Live!

The words of Jesus in Matthew 25 have given me my purpose in life. "If you do this to the least of these you have done this unto me."

I love the opportunity I have to Let.Love.Live in the community I am in. I hope you too can find the joy of living where you live and loving what you do and Letting God develop the character he needs to deepen your faith that you too can do great things for God!!!

Freely Give

I love these words....

This is what the church is all about!!!

Matthew 10:7

"As you go, preach this message..."

"The kingdom of heaven is near, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

"Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extras clothing or sandals or a staff.... for the worker is worth his keep."

God uses available people

I am amazed how the stories of the Bible are mostly made up of unlikely leaders. Moses tried to convince God that he was not the right man. Peter denied knowing Jesus. A donkey even shares a word from the Lord. Hosea. Habakkuk. Men and women that had no intention on being used to the degree that God chose to use them. God is still calling men, women, boys and girls today! Unlikely Leaders are all around us. Maybe it is you.... Have you ask God lately... My will or YOUR Will? I believe that God is raising up leadership at Church on the Loop! It was unbelievable!!! It was 8:30 on Sunday morning in the youth chapel, board members and their wives came to pray for the church and the community. God is raising up leaders all around us... Maybe it is you... Are you the next leader God is needing to use? Do you have a gift that you are hiding? My will or YOUR will? Be available to serve, give, love and reach out to any need that comes to you today.. Rise to the challenge... Blessings!!!

Grow Daily or Die Gradually!!!

The national and world economy has been "the" news a lot, as of lately, ...have you noticed?

When we hear the word 'economy' we tend to think that it only refers to a monetary system. But economy actually refers to how efficient one uses their resources.

One resource we are all given is 'time.' There are no middle-class, rich, poor or any other class for the way we consume or use our time. We all have 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 52 weeks in every year.

My time is valuable! I have 5 kids, pastor a church, try to be a good husband - laundry, cooking and cleaning.. I need to read more, pray more, visit more, eat less, exercise more... you get the picture...

What we need is a lesson in some simple time economics.

You need to understand this.... GET THIS!!!

You will NOT survive as a believer if you never open the Bible, never pray, and never meditate on His word.

So, in our busy schedule how can we find time to Grow Daily.. none of want to Die Gradually...

Here is a tip....

Pastor Wayne Cordeiro uses the S.O.A.P. method for managing his time with God daily.

S = Scripture - Read one or two chapters a day, using a Bible reading guide

O = Observation - What was the passage about...? The story...? Retell it!!

A = Application - How does this apply to my life....? Life application to the Word of God is very important for the success of all believers.

P = Pray - Write out your prayer, based on what you just read... Let the Holy Spirit guide your words.

So, now go to a store, buy your self a notebook, then to www.Google.com and type in Daily Bible Reading Guide and pick one that fits you.

Then write your S.O.A.P.y thoughts down... Allow God to cleanse you through the water of His word.

Blessings

When Grandma Goes to Court

Emily and Trust

This past Thursday Emily had her 6 month derm checkup. I have to admit, I am always just a little on edge when she gets her check ups. I know she is ok, but something inside of me does not want to relive a season of her life as she was fighting a disease that was warring to take her life. Cancer.

As we were driving home from the hospital, the song by Matt Redman came on the radio, "Never let go." I told Emily this song gave me so much strength while she was going thru her cancer treatments. So then, the whole van erupted in.... "Oh no you'll never let go, thru the calm and thru the storm..." Emily had a smile on her face that was filled with so much peace... It was beautiful!!!

This morning during worship... I could not believe it!!! The worship team began to play that song.... I seem to always tear up when I hear that song.... I watched my 6 1/2 year old girl get up out of her seat and walk down to the altar. She laid her head on the platform step and just prayed. I am not sure what was going on in her little 6-year old mind, but I do know something touched her heart. It was precious.

I am the pastor... the spiritual leader..... I began to tear up and I was so moved by her obedience... For that moment... I was just daddy (my favorite title) I went down to the altar to be with my little princess... It was just me and Emily at the altar... I squatted next to her and she grabbed my finger and just squeezed... I saw a tear rolling down her face, but she looked up and smiled at me... I told her I loved her and I was proud of her.... I priceless moment.

You may be going thru a tough time, so I will leave you with the words from Matt Redman:

Even though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, your perfect love is casting out fear. And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life, I won't turn back I know you are near.

And I will fear no evil, for my God is with me. Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, you'll never let go, thru the calm and thru the storm. Oh no you'll never let go with every high and every low, Oh no you'll never let go of me.

I can see a light that is coming, for the heart that holds on. A glorious light beyond all compare. And there will be an end to these troubles, But until that day comes, We'll live to know you are here on earth.

Hang on...

Scammed

This past week I received this unusual letter in the mail. It was postmarked from Quebec, Canada with very little info on the return address. I opened this odd letter and a check for $2,561.40 fell out of the folded letter. This check was from Stanek Windows addressed to me; Stanek Windows has 3 locations, one in Milwaukee, one in Cleveland and the other in Clearwater, FL.

For a moment, I gloried over the possibilities... I would be debt free.... It did not take long for reality to take center stage... As I researched this scam on Google and other sites.... Sure enough on the Stanek Window's web page a Scam Notice was present. It said to contact your local police department or return the contents of the letter to them.

I knew this was too good to be true, but all the same... I had spent in my $49,550.60. in my mind. The letter said I had won a online lottery contest and my winnings would be coming to me shortly.... A partial payment was sent to me, but I must contact Andrea at a phone number in Canada for my full amount.

Have you ever been scammed?

We all have... In the garden of Eden Eve and Adam were both scammed by the serpent who said "Look at my tree, look at my fruit, my fruit is better than any other fruit...."

When we hear that story, we think, how did the serpent ever convince Eve that life could be any better than it was... Eve had everything... but she wanted more... Lust of the flesh, Lust of the eyes, and the Pride of life have been present since the beginning of time...

You have a tree!!! BEWARE!!! You might be getting Scammed!!!! All of the blessings of God is present around you, but you keep thinking.... "If I only had her/him/money/power/new spouse/better job/better car/better house......" the list goes on and on and on...

You have a tree!!! Everyone has a tree!!! That tree will scam you out of all God has for you!

On Saturday afternoon, I did my civic duty, I called the police and asked them, "what I should do...?" They sent a squad car to my house and picked up the fraudulent lottery-winning letter.... It was over, out of my hands... The authorities took the letter and processed it, accessed and I am guessing, they shredded it.

Today maybe you need to call the Authority in your life.... What is your tree? Are you being Scammed like Eve? Do you long for more power, praise, money or stuff....? or do you say, "I surrender all I have to the supreme authority?"

Don't be scammed any longer!!! Let go and let God!! Be content with the blessings God has given you! You don't need to be scammed any longer!!!

A better church starts with me...

Romans 12 & Hebrews 4 gives us a great sense of responsibility as we deal with "the church."

How can we be a better church?
1. By giving all we got to serve Christ. Romans 12:1-8
2. By treating each other with Christ-likeness. Ephesians 4:1-13

The "How to" of giving all we got to serve God and treating each other with Christ-likeness

a. Be Humble. Ephesians 4:2 & Romans 12:3
b. Be Gentle. Ephesians 4:2
c. Be patient. Ephesians 4:2
d. Be truthful. Ephesians 4:25-32
e. don't Be angry. Ephesians 4:26
f. don't steal. Ephesians 4:28
g. Be nice. Ephesians 4:29
h. don't Grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30
i. don't Be bitter towards others. Ephesians 4:31
j. don't act with malice. Ephesians 4:31
k. Be kind, loving and forgiving. Ephesians 4:32

Do you want a better church? Ask yourself these questions.....

1. Am I giving my ALL, am I committed fully to serving Christ?
2. Am I treating others with Christ-likeness?

Hebrews 13:8

25 random thoughts about me

1. I am a servant of Christ - I am not ashamed of what I do or who I am in Christ!
2. I love my family more than words can express - Susan is a true blessing and the children we have make me so proud to have the title DADDY!
3. I love cheese! on just about everything... My doctor is not happy about this one!
4. I love to read maps
5. I love dark chocolate and hate milk chocolate!
6. I love Coffee!!! need I say more? Bring it on.... Venti Americano.... that's good livin'
7. I love to read a good book!
8. I love the outdoors, I wish I could go "out there" more.
9. I enjoy being around people who make me laugh! I need more of that...
10. I am not as good on the computer as I wish to be...
11. I love to lead worship.
12. I love to channel surf... This drives Susan crazy!
13. I love to eat things that are not healthy for me... God placed me in the cheese, brat and frozen custard state... No wonder I live at the YMCA
14. I love to watch football.... I have moved so much I am trying to find my loyalties again... KC and GB...
15. I am not much of a movie watcher... prefer channel surfing
16. I love going to good conference.. the travel, hearing good teaching, and of course, the free stuff... I like that!
17. I love to play basketball with my two older boys; Joshua and Timothy... they are wild and they love the game.
18. I love to just hang-out with my son Tyler, that boy makes me laugh harder than any other human I know....
19. I love to go on dates with my daughter... she likes Red Lobster.. and shopping...
20. I love to snuggle with Caleb... what a little peanut!
21. I wish I had more time to just be one on one with Susan... but we both understand that we have young kids and we are really enjoying this season of our life...
22. I love pizza... too much!
23. I am a horrible golfer.... I love to play golf with horrible golfers... no really horrible golfers.. the kind that does not keep score and you get to tee off as many times as you want... We write the rules...
24. I love warm weather more than cold weather.
25. I love the fact that I can write, read, walk, talk and reason things out! I love the fact that I am fearlessly and wonderfully made. I love the fact that my DNA is the same DNA that is in the blood of Christ. I love my life and all that is in it... I love the fact that I am blessed!!!

Unity

Unity is one of those words many of us have heard preached in churches for years. A word that we always seem to say "amen" too, but Unity is more than a word, it is a life-style that is not bearing a harvest full of fruit in our churches today.

With so much at stake, like lives being born again, receiving Christ as their savior, churches continue on with their petty differences and are more concerned about getting their way on the color of the walls, types of seating, location, carpet, and a say so in how to spend the "church" money - than we are concerned about those that Jesus came and died for.

Terms like worship wars, pastor vs. board, church fights and so on ... I was once told this "our church is known to chew up and spit out pastors!" Wow! I thought - Was that Jesus' intent for the purpose of the church? NO WAY!!!

A matter of fact if you look at John 17, Jesus prays his longest prayer, he prays for believers of his present day and for future believers. He prays a prayer, if you listen, you can hear the agony, the pain and the passion! He prays that we become one as He and his father are one. He mentions this about 4 times.. His passion for the church was that we would become ONE and do great things as the spirit came upon us.

All of us have are differences! We are not called to be the same, we are called to be ONE!!! Pastors need freedom to simply pastor, boards need to understand the passion and vision of the great commission and the great commandment and simply serve, teachers need to disciple, worship leaders need to get "self" out of the way and simply worship and congregations should desire that their church is a church that is ONE with the Christ and our Holy Father!

Unity is diversity with cooperation...

If you are part of a church body, you should:
1. Grow daily
2. Become a unifier
3. Forgive someone today
4. Work hard at becoming ONE

Have a great day, call someone and tell them how much you appreciate them!!!

Exit 99

Christmas Day 2008 started out as ordinary as any other day. My family woke up, showered, ate breakfast, the kids opened their Christmas stockings, we packed the van with our duffel bags and off to Grandma and Grandpa's we go!!!

About an hour into the trip I had a decision to make.... (a chunk of ice had fallen off a semi) I could hit the ice, swerve right and possibly hit a patch of ice and roll my van, or swerve left and hit a semi. Hitting the ice chunk seemed to be my safest choice. The sun was shining and the temperature was a balmy 6 degrees. So, I straddled the ice chunk.... It made the types of noise you are imagining.... Everything seemed fine and we kept driving for more than one hour.

After two hours of being on the road, 5 kids, and a pot of coffee gone... Well it was time to stop.. Our normal, usual stopping place on the road to the Grandparents....

Exit 99... The moment I exited.... My power steering was gone.... I had no idea how I was going to get my van into a parking lot.... I worked hard to turn the van... I did it... and yes, safely..... A hose was hanging and hitting the pavement.... I had no power steering... So, "this must be a power steering hose," I thought.... Stranded... on Christmas Day... 5 kids, my wife, and 7 degrees. What should I do? Have you ever been there? Stranded.... No where to go, no funds...

STRANDED!!!

I am reminded of another man named John... He was stranded... He was exiled... He was banished from all other culture... John was banished to a barren, rocky island set up by the Roman government and was left there to die! The Isle of Patmos. A couple of Scriptures I would like for you to read... Revelation 1:9-10 and Revelation 4 John was stranded on an island...

But even in his situation the Bible says in verse 10 "On the Lord's Day, I was in the Spirit." He was banished, exiled, and stranded... But He chose to be in the presence of the Lord. His choice... John doesn't seem to have any self pity, panic, anger, regrets, or hesitation... While on the Isle of Patmos, he carried on with his normal daily habits. I do not want to make light of your current situation.. I know it is tough.. It is hard... You wonder, can I even make it today?

In my situation... as bad as it was, or it could have been... My safety was at exit 99... It was warm, plenty to eat, I could have shopped if I wanted too.... Look around.... What if I would have went one mile further... I would have been stranded in a van on the side of highway with 5 kids, a wife, and miles to walk to get to safety. As uncomfortable as your Isle of Patmos experience is today..

Ask yourself.. "Could it be worse?" If you are honest... It probably could.. So, now flip over to Revelation 4.... While you are on your Island of Patmos... Maye Jesus himself is trying to get your attention.... Maybe he is saying... "I have your attention, now listen." He told John... "Come up Higher" He wanted to show John things that would blow his mind....

Instead of praying for God to release us from the Island of Patmos... Ask him to take you higher... Being stranded is no fun and it is hard.... But maybe, just maybe God is just trying to say... "Come up Higher."

Have a Blessed day!!!

And yes, my van was repaired the next day and it was just a hose!