Friday Thoughts

This Friday Thought is done in my bedroom with a blackberry that has keys the size of ant toes!

 I'm looking forward to spending the afternoon having a blast with my snowblower, hanging out with my family while we drink coffee, play games, and watch movies- after I finish the sermon!

I'd like to send you a Christmas prayer for this season. Please receive this as more real than a "wish," this is what I am asking my God for you on this day.

"Maker of both sun and snow, Lord of the weather and the people who experience it, I ask that You would bless my friends this season with a moment of You when they least expect it.  For some it will be a moment of conviction, for some a moment of healing, for some a moment of hope, for some a moment of distraction from what haunts them, for some a moment of much needed tenderness, and for some a moment of profound intimacy.

Lord, would you bless them with a moment that is real enough to remember and a touch that is deep enough to change them.  May the result be a heart that is closer to You and a smile that is obvious to us.

May this be a 'merry Christmas' because of what You do not what we do.

In the name of the Child, the Man, the resurrected King, and the Coming Lord-Jesus. Amen."

Believing,

Pastor Dave


Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

reminders today for those who are in living relationship with Christ

This morning as I got ready for the day I listened to the news again. I found myself ignoring the teleprompter readers, who had nothing new to say, and thinking about the New Year (I can only hear the words bailout and billions so many times before I imagine taking a used baseball bat and "repairing" the T.V. and car radio).

There are countless questions about the future, the economy, terrorists, freedom, employment, ecology, and a host of other topics that politicians pretend to have all the answers for. Most of those questions can be answered in the fuzzy world of hypothetic guesses (it is always either sunny and 75 degrees or a lifeless frozen tundra in that world, it depends on the point you're arguing). But, all the answers from all the experts seem to do little more than add confusion to frustration.

Just a second, let me think this through… confusion + frustration = good choices?

I have some reminders today for those who are in living relationship with Christ.

1. We don't let the markets, IRA's, food or gas prices, unemployment percentages, or anything that is part of a governmental economic outlook report determine our mood or future.

2. I teach people more about Christ in how I live during widespread panic than I do by letting religious clichés fall out of my face.

3. There is no force in this universe that is powerful enough to stand before God and demand that He take our joy away.

4. The biggest problems we are facing as a nation have their root in either greed or envy – both of which should not be found in our spirits.

5. Abraham Lincoln and Elvis Presley died and so will everyone else someday – everyone faces God.

6. Generosity has a one day shelf life. It must be given even when it isn't easy… consistently, freely, joyfully, and obediently.

7. The Bible speaks to what you're thinking, feeling, or doing –read it!

8. We are to live different, respond different, hope different, celebrate different, mourn different, and go through trials different than everyone else.

Same trial. Different reaction.

9. We are too quick to whine and attempt to salvage a lifestyle that Christ calls us to surrender to Him anyway.

10. All hell can break loose, every plant can close, every price can skyrocket, every criminal can unleash the worst their twisted mind can imagine, every storm can have its way within the earth's atmosphere, and everyone of my fears can be birthed into reality –
I'M STILL A CHILD OF THE KING OF KINGS!
MY HOME IS NOT ON THIS OR ANY OTHER PHYSICAL PLANET!

I DO NOT RECEIVE MY VALUE FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT!
I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR!

AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH IT WILL BE USED TO WORSHIP!

"MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS THAN JESUS BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS!"

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!

THIS WORLD HAS NOTHING TO OFFER ME THAT GOD CAN'T TRUMP!

MY FREEDOM HAS BEEN SECURED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE PERFECT LAMB OF GOD, YOU CAN WIRE TAP, HANDCUFF ME, AND LOCK ME IN A CELL OF POVERTY OR IRON – YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY THE FREEDOM MY SOUL KNOWS!

It's time for a new equation: faith + anointing = today.

There, I needed to get that off my chest.

Merry Christmas,
D. David Kessler

2nd Imaginary Email Conversation with my Christian Friend

2^nd Imaginary Email Conversation with my Christian Friend

Hi, again,

I hope this letter finds you and your snow blower doing well.  I agree with you – white Christmas and green New Years.  But the first of January is only the sign that there are still three months of complaining about Michigan.

I'm glad you didn't lose your job.  These are times when panic is the popular response and greediness grows like a weed.  Protect your heart.  Don't forget that your friend that did lose his job needs more than a word of encouragement, he may need help.  Look at James 2:14-26.  I was at a meeting yesterday where that text was the devotion we started with.  It has a lot to say to us.

That brings me to the topic of this week's letter.  I thank you for being honest with me about your current Bible habits.  That's got to change my friend!

Do you remember when you first met Jesus?  I'll never forget when I saw you the Sunday after you read the whole Bible in a weekend.  You looked like you had just come from an ancient Egyptian torture chamber!  You couldn't tell me anything about what you had read.  I think you invented the term "red-eye" that weekend.

We worked through taking the Bible in healthy pieces and letting God apply them to your life.  You learned how to not use the Bible as a weapon to prove a point, and how it's best not to overlook things because you don't like what they say.  I remember you being amazed at the fact that I don't understand all of it, after all I'm a pastor shouldn't I know everything about the Bible?  It was a hard lesson for you that we can trust and live what we do understand and respectfully be in awe of what we don't understand…yet.  And we all have things we don't understand.

You have gone through times when your interaction with the Word of God was personal and intimate, and times when it was almost surgical in its soul application.  You went through times when you felt you had to read it out of guilt, times when you wanted to read it so you could feed your own pride of knowing something someone else didn't, and you had times of real growth through huge trials that the Bible was a real help.

So here's my question, "why'd you let it become so distant from you?"  "Why did you think that you could be close to God and far from His Word?"

In my last letter we talked about prayer.  This one is going to call you to action also.  Get back in the Word!  Change some priorities and let God speak to you through His love letter.  You know that will impact how you handle the current problem you're having with your family.  Get back in the Word and let it get in you!

I know you enough to know you're thinking about some News Year's resolutions (like the one we both made to meet at the gym every morning at 5:00 am… If I remember right we clocked a total of 3 times before we got "to busy").  I'm not talking about a goal or personal challenge that involves tomorrow. 

Right now- get into the Word.  Right now make that a topic of prayer and a step of obedience.  If you need help getting started again, start with one of the Gospels.  Go slow.  Log your challenges and discoveries in a notebook.  Talk with some of your friends at church about what you're reading.  Let the Bible be a topic of conversation and a priority of your life.

You cannot stay close to God by living on what you hear from the Bible on Sunday morning.  Get it off the table and into your life.

I'm only saying that because I long to see the joy of being close to God on your face again and the fruit of His being close to you in your words.

Oh, by the way… that excuse you just thought of – ya, that's lame and you know it (do I know you or what?)!

Looking Forward to Seeing You Sunday,

Friend Dave

 

Imaginary E-mail conversation with my Christian friend.

Dear Friend,

I am glad you had such a great Thanksgiving Day. We ate too much too and did our share of laughing around the table. In answer to your questions; we had both turkey and ham, blackberry pie for dessert, and yes – the Lions were pathetic.

My wife is busy de-falling our home decorations. By the time I get home tonight the living room will look like a pack of elves hyped up on sugar attempted to repopulate the earth with ceramic snowmen, fake pine branches, and nativity scenes. I’m really glad that pink and lime are not colors of choice for Christmas décor!

As we head to the Christmas season and I plan out sermons to end one year and start another I too find myself reviewing the year and wondering about the next.

We both certainly have had the ups and downs emotionally this year. I’ll never forget how excited you were when you got the news from your boss about your job, and then found the other extreme when you heard a week later from your doctor.

You’re right about needing to take everyday a little more purposeful. Maybe 2009 will hold new anointing from God for you and your family – I’ll pray for that… no, I really will.

In your note you asked me about prayer. You said that it has been quite flat lately, as if you were “habitually talking to the air.” I’m sorry you find yourself feeling guilty and discouraged about such an important part of our faith.

The truth is most people pray – but it rarely has passion. There are times that I find myself talking to God as if He were an invisible force rather than an awe inspiring relationship that I couldn’t take my next breath without. That’s not what God intended for our relationship with Him. We’ve got to bring passion back into prayer.

Read this quote from E.M. Bounds, “If prayer puts God to work in earth, then, by the same token, prayerlessness rules God out of the world’s affairs, and prevents Him from working. And if prayer moves God to work in the world’s affairs, then prayerlessness excludes God from everything concerning men, and leaves man on earth the mere creature of circumstances, at the mercy of blind fate or without help of any kind from God.”

I love the challenge in that.

God longs to do the miraculous through us, but I don’t know if we really believe. Too often we read a list of requests expecting little to nothing to really be different. We are more moved by the TV than we are by talking to God. Isn’t that astounding?

Hey, here’s an idea – what if you and I took the remainder of this year to really pray with passion? What if we committed to set a time aside every day to beg God to have His way with us? What if during the Advent season we stormed the gates of heaven with boldness and humility and asked God to make the end of this year a transformational one that prepares us for the New Year.

I have a hunch that if you and I did that we’d both be different and somehow God would be glorified! I’m not sure you and I are ready to enter this Christmas season with a new passion – but let’s try it! Let’s take it up a notch!

Say “hi” to your neighbor for me.

Your friend and God’s servant,

D. David Kessler

What Is Valuable

The whole point of being a pick-pocket is to be able to take something of value from someone without them knowing it, until it's too late.

Imagine standing on a subway (not the store, the story wouldn't make sense if you were standing on a building that sells 6 inch meatball subs) going to visit a family member or friend in Thailand. You're all alone except for the other 30,000 people in the 30 square foot area. The car comes to an abrupt stop and everyone lurches forward. The doors open and 14,385 of the 30,000 people need to get out. In the middle of all the "excuse me's" and "my stop's" people push by you as if you were a post with no sense of feeling.

When you get to your stop you gracefully push through the human wall and find your way to the street. It's then that you realize that your wallet has been taken from your back pocket or out of your purse. Twenty-seven credit cards, each with a $20,000 limit are gone – so are the thirty $100 dollar bills you had in the secret compartment – so is the ATM card that you wrote the password on the back of so you wouldn't forget it. The pick-pocket just got away with ¾'s of a million dollars(use your imagination) and a bunch of other stuff.

Panic.

What is valuable is gone.

There is no hope of finding the thief…

Your visit to Bangkok is ruined.

What have we allowed the enemy of our souls to take from us?

The economy is tight and he brushes by us lifting generosity without us even noticing.

There are a lot of issues that aren't the way they should be and now we can't find any asemblance gratitude.

It seems that we can't find the passion for Christ that we used to have.

Where did my hunger for the Word go?

Just then you notice a squirrely looking punk running from you down the road. "Stop that thief!" You call out. The punk turns his head around to grin at you and runs square into a man, bouncing off him like a ball off a block wall. The man takes hold of the runner's ankles and holds him upside down shaking him as if he were a dirty throw rug.

On the cement falls all of those things that were yours, the money, the credit cards, the picture of you on the top of Mt. Everest - and there's the generosity, and the gratitude, and the passion, and the hunger for the Word.

You thank the man for stopping your thief. He smiles and says, "My Father told me Lou (that's his street name) was after you again."

You start to bend down to pick up the stuff at his nail scarred feet when he lightly lifts you back up before you can get hold of anything and says, "My Father sent me to keep this guy from robbing what is of most value to you. He says you can only take back what you can't afford to lose."

There you are on the streets of Bangkok with Jesus, who's holding Satan upside down by the ankles, and a pile of stuff that used to be yours.

What's really of value that has been robbed from us?

What would we choose to claim back?

What would God choose for us?

Would God and I agree on what was most valuable?

Sunday we'll sew together the last banner.

Waiting for Spring,

Pastor Dave

A Thanksgiving Idea

A Thanksgiving Idea.

Don't be thankful. There is a danger in having a "day." My wife doesn't want flowers on Valentine's day. She would rather get them when the calendar didn't tell me to get them. She likes a spontaneous expression, not a hallmark motivated attempt at saying "I love you" (before I get any nasty notes I always do something to make valentines special for Leah). But, what if we turned the tables on this holiday?

This Thanksgiving don't think of things you are thankful for. Don't eat a lot of good food. Refuse to have fun with your family. Lock yourself in a room and be crabby all day. Eat nothing but vegetables (like dried peas), pull the shades down, and think of all that you don't have that someone else does. Watch the first half of A Christmas Carol and not the end. Don't watch or go to a parade. Honor the Pilgrims and stand outside in the cold all day. Assume every phone call is a political plea to get you to vote in 2012, or a salesman to sell you a full set of 3000 eight tracks for your listening enjoyment. One day. 24 hours.

Then spend the other 364 days being thankful. Spend the rest of the year tasting from the well of gratitude. Find things to thank God for, quit overlooking what you've taken for granted. Pray with a sense of being overwhelmed with God's grace. Hug people like it's the last time you might see them. Refuse to complain because something wasn't the way you wanted it. Taste life. Go to church excited about meeting someone new, thrilled with the opportunity to worship, hungry to hear from the Lord, and eager to have a short prayer with someone you love.

Let's start a movement – boycott Thanksgiving for one day! Instead, set aside one day for being crabby and spend the rest of the year being thankful.

Here's some rules for the Crabby Day.

1. Crabbiness is only appropriate for one 24 hour day. Any crabbiness on another day of the year is a violation.

2. The Crabby Day must be spent alone (if we're all crabby on the same day and we all avoid each other that day we should avoid any potential conflicts)

3. No driving on Crabby Day!!!

4. No working on Crabby Day – you'd get fired, both you and your boss are crabby and you're supposed to be home.

5. Crabby day only falls on Saturday (no school).

6. This day is not official until everyone in the U.S. agrees on the day.

7. Wives cannot Celebrate Crabby Day – ever… no, I mean ever. Once you become a wife you are not invited to this day again. Ever!

8. Teenagers who celebrate Crabby Day on another day another than Crabby Day will be exiled to an island off Greenland until they apologize.

9. To whatever degree you were crabby on crabby day, that same degree of Thanksgiving must be shown the rest of the year.

10. The fine for violating Crabby Day by celebrating it on the wrong day is you must purchase a blackberry pie for your pastor from Grand Traverse Pie Company.

I think that about covers it. Until this is official no one is allowed to celebrate Crabby Day.

Thankful,

Pastor Dave

Thoughts on a Friday Morning

I was thinking this morning about the change that is going to be happening in the leadership of this nation. There have been a lot of promises (as there always is) about what is going to change and how new policies will be better for everyone involved. Barak Obama will be the new president of the United States. Rather than debate policy and positions I've been thinking about what he will be unable to do.

He can't solve the real problem with the economy.

Greed. There is a core issue that can't be adjusted with tax rates or profit margins. People who have a lot of money want to have more and people who have less want someone else's. We seem to have found ourselves with the economic result of "wanting" without responsibility. A new President will not pass a law that makes greed a thing of the past.

He can't end what causes war.

Hatred. There is a profound emotion that is as old as the sons of Adam and Eve that causes people to act irrationally. It's not about protecting boarders or preserving life, it's about a sour soul that wants to eliminate people because they have no inherent value. Hatred isn't logical, it's volatile and dangerous. A new President will not pass a law that makes hatred a thing of the past.

He can't change human nature.

Selfishness. We tend to think of ourselves first and leftover thoughts can be given away sparingly. I want to know how something impacts me. We have taught each other and our children how to be extreme hedonists- my pleasure is primary. There are needs that must be met – but what I want is first. A new President will not pass a law that makes selfishness a thing of the past.

He can't undo what embarrasses me.

Stupidity. I know in some homes that word is akin to a swear word – but it fits. In the name of Christ people say and do really stupid things. Someone who bombs an abortion clinic in the name of God saving lives for God is not honoring the God that person claims. The "evangelist" that says give him a gift as "seed money" and God will bless you is a scam artist. The person who despises the President elect because of his color, his heritage, or his opinions while claiming random out of context verses from the bible… well they embarrass me. 2 Peter 3:6 says, "By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed." This verse obviously and clearly says that people who drink bottled water will be the downfall of the world, and Nahum 2:10 "She is pillaged, plundered, stripped! Hearts melt, knees give way, bodies tremble, every face grows pale" warns us all of the greed of white people. I'm not worried about what people who don't know Christ think or say, I'm embarrassed by the one who claims to know Christ and yet talks like they've never met Him, or He's in their back pocket throwing out blessings and curses like tootsie rolls at a parade. A new President will not pass a law that makes stupidity a thing of the past.

He can't legislate what we need the most.

Spiritual renewal. The role of the government is not to care for the eternal future of souls – that's our role. What's sad to me is the church has sometimes taken its cues from business or government. We've attempted to heard people into Christ-likeness by decree, guilt them into submission by argument, or attract them to commitment by polish. Our church doesn't need what others have – we need what God has. We need the outpouring of God on our lives and His healing work in our souls so we can accomplish what we are called to accomplish. A new President will not pass a law that makes lifeless religion a thing of the past.

He can't fit on God's Throne.

It's occupied.

Summary Thought:

No person can fix what is really broken. We can debate policy and busy ourselves arguing about debt and immorality, but Church of Jesus Christ – God expects more of us. We aren't here for long and we've got a job to do.

The call is not to read from a teleprompter, the Messiah doesn't live in Washington, my hope is not limited to a majority vote, the role of absolute truth is not up to the "wisdom" of pundits, bloggers, or elected officials, and my faith is not pointed down to anyone who walks this earth.

My call was spoken by the Creator, the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God, "my hope is found in nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness," my belief in the truth sets me free, and my faith is pointed to the One who loves me enough to give me a breath today and a home tomorrow.


Ya, that's what I thought about instead of watching the news this morning.


There's someone you will talk to today or tomorrow that is waiting to be invited to church.


Freedom,
Pastor Dave

Citizen of a Different Kingdom

On Wednesday morning we will start the day with a new President elect.  Some will be elated, others will be discouraged; some will jump for joy, others will want to jump off roofs.  The issues of the campaign are volatile and have a great range of impact on the nation and the world… but you knew that.

My thoughts -

On the one hand I find myself wanting to be informed so I can make a responsible decision that is godly and in line with what I believe to be best for the nation.  On the other hand I am so annoyed with the process and muck that I am forced to wade through to find what is the closest to a replica of the truth that my vote is more coated in frustration than responsibility.

Don't misunderstand me.  I am an American citizen and I will cast my vote.  The issues of the day are important for now and for the world my great-grandchildren will live in. 

But, this morning as I watched the news, I was glad I'm primarily a citizen of a different Kingdom. 

I will live life in a way that demonstrates the life and call of One who doesn't need approval ratings.  I will cast a vote for a human, but I will only bend my knee to One who doesn't need any votes.  I will give someone the title of President, but will unconditionally honor the One whose title is eternal.  I will clap for a person, but will only worship the One to whom that person will never have more power than.  I will pray for the leader of this nation, but I am praying to the Leader of all nations.

Acts 1:6 has an interesting question.  The resurrected Jesus who is about to ascend into heaven, had spent 40 days with the disciples teaching them about what really mattered – the Kingdom of God. 

The disciple's final question for Jesus was recorded as being, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"  Whatever the main point of Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom was it wasn't about property or politics, rebellion or Romans.  They missed the eternal point (again) because they wanted an answer to the temporal one.

I live in a democracy (people rule), but I am a member of a theocracy (God rule) in which there is no panic, no fear, no lies, no broken promises, no effective coup attempts, and no laws that are unenforced.  I live in a Kingdom that can't be messed up by policy or power struggles.

In a very real way what you and I do as a result of the Word and call of God on a daily basis, how you and I live the truth of the good news, the lifestyle we commit to and act out regardless of the cost or popularity of such a lifestyle, and the simple events of obedience to our God, is of more significance than what Politian's do to manipulate the world economy and GDP. 

The questions we ask and answers we seek have eternal ramifications for us and those we come in contact with.  Sunday a few hundred people will hear the Word in our church, but that truth is more important to us than a speech millions will hear about the next four years.

I guess this Friday, I don't want to minimize the importance of the election, I want to elevate the importance of the eternal Word of God.   

Cast a vote for someone to sit in a chair, live a life for Someone who sits on a Throne!  By the way, the latter will determine the action of the former.

Voting on Tuesday, Serving Every day,

Pastor Dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Ready...

I heard more bad news on the economy today… like that's news. May I remind you that Christ promised to return?

Thank-you.

I would remind you that Christ will return.

The signs of the times are given to us as warnings to always be ready. Over the next few months as we close in on and go through 2009 I humbly predict there will be a lot of talk about the "end-times." There will be a lot of interpretation of the signs and events around us. We will be tempted to watch everything so closely that panic is a step away and anger at the culture won't be far behind. Pulling our hair out (or someone else's) is not the intended result of Christ coming back for the church.

There will be quotes from the Bible that predict all the bad things that are happening and some that may be around the corner. The call will attempt to wake up the church and cause people to get right with God before it's too late.

But is that the intended mood of the church when Christ returns? Is that an attitude of glorious expectation?

I'd like to give a couple other scriptures that have caught my eye this morning.

Acts 2:16-21
⁽¹⁶⁾ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
⁽¹⁷⁾ "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. ⁽¹⁸⁾ Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ⁽¹⁹⁾ I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
⁽²⁰⁾ The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. ⁽²¹⁾ And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

1 Corinthians 1:7-9
⁽⁷⁾ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁽⁸⁾ He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁽⁹⁾ God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Rather than being worried about what is happening in the world around me, I have to be honest, I'm getting excited about what is happening (and will happen) to me. Don't worry about counting hurricanes or looking for the anti-Christ. Look to the church and watch God get her ready for the return of Christ. Even more fun than that – be one of the people who God is getting ready for the return of Christ.

So, this Sunday is not about people going to church to look nice or be nice. This Sunday is not about liking songs or finding something we wish we did different. This Sunday is not about if the sermon spoke to you or if it bored you.

This Sunday is about people getting ready to meet Jesus! This Sunday is about all ages taking part in being the Church! This Sunday is about the Spirit of God dusting you off! This Sunday is about being strong and blameless! This Sunday is about being ready!

So is the next one. And the one after that. And the one after that.

Looking forward to the day, Pastor Dave

101 things I like

I wondered if I could do this at a time when pessimism is common and grumpiness is in style.  It was kinda fun.

101 things I like (don't try to evaluate the order)

1. Seeing something new in the Bible.

2. Watching God do something new in someone

3. My Wife

4. Blackberry Pie

5. Convertible Corvettes

6. Traverse City

7. A fire in the fireplace on a snowy day

8. When I know that what I just said was Spirit given

9. My daughter's giggle

10. My Christian heritage

11. When my car is clean

12. Surprising my wife

13. Remembering family game nights

14. Laughing until I cry

15. A movie with both romance and action

16. When I put on a pair of pants and find a twenty dollar bill in the pocket

17. Kogel Vienna Hotdogs

18. Walking

19. Going somewhere new

20. When it's really quiet at home

21. Listening to talk radio

22. Listening to someone tell a God story

23. Doing Weddings

24. Hearing a word from God

25. Hillsongs worship CDs

26. Jazz

27. Eating leftover Chinese food

28. Listening to my wife sing

29. The taste of bacon

30. The smell of bacon

31. Our dog Zoe

32. Looking at the mountains (think Colorado Springs)

33. Teaching about church history

34. Meeting a new friend

35. Playing Wii

36. Watching my mother-in-law play Wii

37. My Grandkids

38. The smell of cut grass

39. Bugs Bunny Cartoons

40. Par 3 golf

41. Ted Dekker books

42. Washing Dishes (sometimes)

43. French cuff shirts

44. Getting snowed in

45.  Joking with my son

46. When someone tells me about their faith journey

47. Worshipping with a group of people

48. When commercials are funnier than the program I'm watching

49. Playing euchre with my family

50. Reading a William Law book

51. Taking a nap on Sunday

52. Remembering when I didn't have Vista on my computer

53. Having dinner with my parents

54. Being grateful my sister didn't kill me when I was in grade school

55. Black decaf coffee

56. Having fun with the body of Christ

57. The smell of a clean baby

58. Exaggerating

59. Harley Davidson Fat Boys

60. When I fix something… and it works

61. My wife's soup

62. Thinking of a different way to say something by writing it

63. Writing something in a different way than I would say it

64. Hot tubs

65. Famous Dave's

66. Hearing from an old friend

67. My favorite picture of my daughter as a baby

68. Learning a new song

69. The thought of Politician's being held liable for lies

70. When a Dr. says, "I can't believe this, but I don't see what we saw…"

71. Imagining I'm not a church person and putting a message on the sign that I would think about

72. Talking with Leah about our favorite memories

73. Faith

74. Being able to admit I don't have all the answers

75. Remembering when my kids thought I did have all the answers

76. Hawks

77. Eating a good steak medium rare

78. Imagining what revival would be like

79. Looking back and seeing how I've grown

80. Our staff

81. When I meet someone that knows someone I know

82. Good news

83. The feeling of unity

84. Knowing what matters and what doesn't

85. When my boss tells me I'm doing a good job

86. Talking with a neighbor

87. Spiritual Freedom

88. When the underdog team wins

89. Camping on a verse until God sends me to a different one

90. Eating dinner at an expensive restaurant

91. The words "infralapsarianism, supralapsarianism and sublapsarianism"

92. Praying with someone

93. Waking up feeling refreshed

94. When it's really not my fault

95. When someone tells me I'm like my dad

96. Being able to visit with cousins or extended family I haven't seen in a long time

97. Going to sleep when I'm really, really tired.

98. Messing with the stereotypes of a non-church person

99. That feeling of expectation when I go to church

100. BLT Pizza

101. Kissing my wife

So, have you ever made a list of 101 things you like?  I wonder how being aware of some of those things could impact our life and the lives of those around us.  Anyone could make a list a mile long (I like to exaggerate #58) of things that bug us.  Live grateful.

I think I'm going to go to church this Sunday, I'd love to see you there!

Pastor Dave  

 

Friday Thoughts

From what they tell us, this could be "Black Friday." Many who have their finger on the pulse of the stock market (not a safe place to have your finger, like sticking your hand by the mouth of a rattle snake) have gloomy forecasts for the world. The numbers are causing widespread panic. The idol of money is made of clay – it's raining.

I heard a story on the news this morning about the new "ghost towns." People who are losing their homes are packing their car and leaving. Complete sub-divisions are being left vacant. They don't have the money for a moving truck to keep all their "valuables -" so they leave... they leave all the stuff. The idol of possessions is made of clay – it's raining.

I watched a debate where two people promised to end "pork barrel" spending in government and then take time off from promise making to go to Washington to vote for a bailout plan that was filled with "pork". Then they went right back to make promises to not do what they just did. The idol of political ideology is made of clay – it's raining.

I had lunch with a group of pastors yesterday. One of them confessed they were disillusioned with what pastor's have been taught to work for, organize for, and go to conferences to be trained for. What he said was missing in our pulpits and pews is a filling of our spirits with the Spirit of God. The idol of mans effort is made of clay – it's raining.

I've talked with a hand full of people who are facing major upheaval in their relationships and priorities. They have been tasting from the buffet of desires that they have paid a high price to be able to feast from. They have lifted their face from the plate long enough to see that it is not satisfying and its promises are little more than empty claims. The idol of selfishness is made of clay – it's raining.

I got an email about one of the candidates for President being the anti-Christ. This is confusing to me because I got one earlier about one of the other candidates who was the anti-Christ. I'm glad we have such discerning minds interpreting the signs of the times for us (ok, that wasn't nice – if they keep saying that, one of these times they're bound to be right). Many place their feet in the starting blocks to proclaim the end of the world and the return of Christ while refusing to live like the Christ they are attempting to proclaim. The idol of religious pride is made of clay – it's raining.

"Lord, may the rain of Your Spirit reveal what is made of clay. May my life be built on the solid rock of Your truth. May the people I worship with be blessed with a spirit of generosity during crisis and a spirit of confidence during panic. May our hero's be seen as frauds and our pat answers be put to the test. Lord, may You cause the church to wake up and fight the real fight of faith not wasting our time on battles of pride and self promotion."

Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

2 Peter 3:10-11
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

Today is a great day to live the hope you have in Christ not money, possessions, political ideology, mans effort, selfishness, or religious pride. Someone you know needs to see what that looks like.

Sunday is about hope! Bring a friend and hang on!

Loving this day,

Pastor Dave

The Report

Report Submitted for Your Information About the Current Condition:

They smiled and polished themselves up as best they could. This is all about perception. They rehearsed the right answers and gave the pet phrases as quotes that flowed easier than hot butter. What they thought of each other in private was to be put aside in public. The other person’s opinions were their main target – even if they really didn’t know the motive behind those opinions. Somehow they had to able to present themselves as good and the other person as… not as good.

People rallied behind them and took sides because the actors parroted what they like to hear parroted. They picked sides based on what they saw and how they connected personally. They tried to get as close as they could to the one they liked and distance themselves as much as possible from the one they don’t.

It was amazing to watch the people let words fall from between their lips while they hide the exact opposite within their hearts. They appear to think it’s not a lie if it’s said with a smile.

They pretended to respect each other in public, but harbored ill will for them in private. They claimed to be big enough to let the other person disagree, but they resented it when they did.

They claimed to have the good of the masses in their words and actions, but really were more concerned about themselves then the unnamed souls they will never meet. They said they had the other’s best interest in mind. But they got mad when they didn’t get their own way.

When they go to this much trouble to wear a mask the greatest fear is being found out. Truth becomes secondary and presentation is primary.

The most astounding thing to observe was the tenacious belief in what they really knew was not real, and the causal lip service that was given to what is.

It happens all the time. There is hope for change. There is hope that one day it will be different. There is hope… but no one will take the responsibility of being sure the change is right and not just change. Few learn from history. Instead they demand the right to make their own mistakes and claim they aren’t mistakes.

My summary is – it’s a mess. The whole process is far from what was intended. It seems to be a repeating cycle of aimless action. Doing the same thing and hoping for different results. This is my first report but I’m told it has been like this for decades.

Respectfully Submitted…

[the above report was submitted to God by an angel that was asked to report on the condition of the church… what did you think it was about? Go ahead - read it again.]

Concerned more about the Kingdom,

Pastor Dave

Dropping Nets and Throwing Mountains

I was back at the same coffee shop I was in for last week's Friday Thoughts. I sat there with you waiting for our salami scones coated with Tabasco sauce and our extra-large caramel fudge iced mochas with peanut butter, brownie chunks, and low fat whipped crème.

Over my left shoulder is the wall that has the "100 Tips on Being a Christ-Follower" on it. We've had a good conversation but it has consistently been on a downhill direction. Between gas prices, sickness, politics, church finances, and winter coming, we have found ourselves in the conversational equivalent of a Michigan cellar after three weeks of rain.

I just told you the story about the family I know that just lost their son to leukemia (If you think of it pray for Bishop Thomas and his family. He is the Free Methodist Bishop of the West Coast and after a long battle their young 27 year old son has been graduated from this part of eternal life to the next.)

We wondered about prayer and healing and believing. You asked me why some people get healed and some don't. I shrugged my shoulders in a pastoral way, and mumbled something about God's sovereignty that I learned in some theology class.

Our salami scones and health drinks were brought to us on a tray. The kid that brought them said, "Throw the dart dude." and walked away. I picked up the dart from the tray and threw over my shoulder without even looking. The "thud" sound let me know that I hit the wall and not somebody walking by. You stood up and looked at where the dart landed.

"Throw a Mountain!?" you called back to me at the table. Last week we "dropped a net" and this week we're supposed to "Throw a Mountain."

"I told you we should have gone to Starbucks," I replied.

You hurried back to the table and grabbed my Bible. "There's a

Bible reference written under it." You found Mark 11:22-24.

Mark 11:22-24
'"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."'

We talked about how many people (including us) have had faith but still get sick, have accidents, or lose loved ones.

The kid who brought us our breakfast came back and said, "You miss the point. The point isn't the mountain or the faith. The point is the direction of the faith when the mountain is in the way."

Blank stares were the best we had to offer.

"The issue is to have faith in God. In the context of the story the disciples were shocked that something Jesus had said before actually happened. He explained to them that there is no limit to what God can do through the person who believes. Anything that is in the way of the follower and God can be moved. The mountain might remain a mountain, but the point is – it won't be in the way."

We still had nothing to say yet.

"Look, we all have things we don't understand. We all have had times we wanted God to do something specific and it didn't happen, but we were event focused not God focused. We let mountains get in-between God and us. We let things stand tall enough to cloud our vision. Jesus said that there is nothing that is big enough to get in the way of a faith filled person and the Object of his faith. Have faith in God when gas prices make it hard to afford what you don't need. Have faith in God when all the news is bad. Have faith in God when you can't find the hope you're looking for. Have faith in God when something happens that you didn't want to happen. Because if you have faith, God's will is done and there is nothing that can get in the way. Have faith in God's power, not the size of the mountain."

We smiled as the fog in our souls started to clear.

You looked at me and said, "I could do that. I could throw a mountain."

I smiled, enjoying a clear view of God again and said, "I just did."

Tip #17 "Throw a Mountain."

Imagine if we all did that together. Identify what's in the way and then let God get rid of it.

Dropping Nets and Throwing Mountains,

Pastor Dave

Overwhelmed - video post

Net Droppers

Let's assume that at our favorite coffee shop there was a list on the wall with 100 tips on how to be a Christ-follower.  We stood back from the wall and scanned the list in awe of how big it was.  Then a bluebird came in with a pool cue and a dart and said, "Throw the dart and do the tip."  Then he walked out (he couldn't fly he was carrying the pool cue of course).

So you and I stood back and I watched as you threw the dart to the wall of guidance.  I walked forward and read where your dart landed. 

Tip #63.

"Drop the nets."

We talked about if that meant to get rid of Vince Carter from your fantasy Basketball team (because he plays for the Nets).  But, that didn't make sense because you don't have a fantasy Basketball team.

We sat down at a table where the Bible was open to Mark 1:18.  Jesus walked by the fisherman and asked them to leave what they knew and follow what they didn't.  He asked them to let go of what was secure and embrace what was unexplainable.

We reached for an application.  "I need to quit my job and live in a hut in some village I can't pronounce."  We shake our heads together.

"I need to physically tie people up and drag them to church!  I won't untie them until they place faith in Christ.  When they do - I let them go and go get another one!"  

The people at the table next to us left and we decided that wasn't it either.

In a moment of inspiration you said, "What if it's really about leaving behind old priorities and embracing new ones?  What if the tip is really about the Christ more than the nets?  What if it's really impossible to be what you were and be made into what Christ has in mind for you?  Maybe I've held on to what I think I need all the while Christ is calling me to what He knows I need.  Maybe old attitudes and actions don't fit with a new life.  Maybe I need to drop yesterday so I can follow Christ today."

You and I sat in silence thinking about the dropping of nets as individuals and as a church.  We wondered about why we try and drag nets with us when they aren't needed.  We thought about having the stuff we're comfortable with be more important than the call of Christ.  We talked a little about full obedience to the voice of Christ.  Obedience that was immediate and unreserved.  We talked about how different we would be if we stopped insisting on traveling inland with our nets, and how the church would be more effective if they didn't have yesterday's nets.

It was a good conversation. 

We finished our coffee and left.  The guy at the coffee shop was kind of angry about all the nets we left on the table, but we didn't need them anymore.

"That was a good tip. See ya next week."

 Mark 1:17-18
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

At once they left their nets and followed him.

                                                        Tip #63

Drop the nets

Fellow Net Dropper-

Pastor Dave

 

 

Thinking...

I've been watching the radar images online of Ike as he heads to Texas. This is a huge storm that covers most of the Gulf of Mexico.

I had a nice breakfast this morning with someone from our Denominational Headquarters.

It's going to be a nice day. I love the 70's. Might rain.

I need to get the pressure checked on my tires. I think the last time I had an oil change they overfilled them.

It seems everyone has an opinion about Sarah Palin.

I hope I can fertilize our lawn tomorrow - the last time for this season.

Random thoughts from a distracted citizen.

The people of Galveston Texas don't have a lot of random thoughts right now. They are most likely quite focused on survival, evacuation, 20 foot surges, 100 mile an hour winds, and shelter.

It's amazing how distant reality can be from us if we're not in the path of destruction. I wonder what's for dinner in Michigan, while a pastor with no food sits in jail in China for teaching about Jesus, while a family in Haiti hopes tomorrow they can have some food, while a family in Texas leaves their food behind.

I think about rain messing up my plans for yard work while others think about how they don't have a yard or home anymore because of the rain.

The people in the path of the storms have something many of us don't. They can appreciate the next breath. You find out how fragile life is. You find out how quickly everything of "value" can become worthless. You find out what sustains life can't be bought on E-bay.

I'm thinking of two prayers today.

1. "Lord, through this turmoil in the Gulf empower Your people and Your churches to be an example of "living water." When hopelessness has swamped an area may believers somehow have countless opportunities to be the light of Christ. Let destruction be the seed bed of true revival."

2. "Lord, may that happen in my town without the destruction. May I be a person who isn't distracted from You by the mundane. May our church be passionate about accomplishing the mission of being Your people. Let my comfort be swallowed up with true revival."

Hope to see you Sunday.

Giving God Glory,
Pastor Dave

May His Peace Invade Your Life Game

So, let me paint the picture for you.

It's later than I am normally at the church.  It's getting dark outside.  The light in my office is off.  A lamp on my desk is trying to provide enough light for me to see the keys, but its 40 watt contribution is doing little more than making a difference in its own corner.  I have the music on again - louder than what I would usually let it play (I like doing that when no one else is here).  I have to stop occasionally to listen to the words and let them spend a moment in my soul before I move on.

I'm working on Lee and Jessica's wedding.  The devotional is going to be from Colossians 3:12-15.  Great words – look them up.

But my mind and eyes have gone down a couple of verses.

3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…"  

 
Ya…

Sounds good.  This is a peaceful room and calm setting, but I've got a list of peace suckers longer than Barbra Streisand's nose.  You know those things that make peace seem like a lost memory or forgotten joy.  Peace is often so fragile that it evaporates with a thought.

A good comedy on TV (becoming very rare) can cause me to forget all about what destroys peace.  But they last a half hour and have 37 bazillion commercials, most of which somehow remind me of what I was trying to forget.  Peace?

FYI - The word for "rule" in the original language means "to umpire or decide."
 
Try this out in your imagination – 

Jesus stands behind me as I step to the plate of life.  Satan has thrown a curve that I try to deal with but it gets the best of me.  Jesus stands and screams, "BALL – DOESN'T COUNT!"  I look to him and he whispers a word of peace into my life, "You don't need that one.  Let it go."

I smile at the encouragement and get ready for the next one. "BALL – DOESN'T COUNT!  NOT TRUE!"

The next one, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!  THAT WAS SUCH A BALL!  

The enemy wants to argue.  He says they should count.  They should be recorded in my soul and I should have to carry the weight of them.  He comes toward the plate and Jesus meets him half way there.  

No matter how big he is satan is always seven inches shorter than Jesus.  He looks up and tries to make his argument, spit flying out of his month and landing on Jesus' chest.

 Jesus is not intimidated, "YOU DON'T MAKE THE RULES - I DO.  MY PEACE RULES IN THIS LIFE.  KEEP THROWING IF YOU WANT, BUT I MAKE THE CALLS… I SAID 'IT DOESN'T COUNT.'" 

Satan tucks his tail between his legs and pouts his way back to the mound to keep wasting his time attempting to send me to the bench.

Jesus takes his place saying, "Don't worry I'm in charge of what counts, not him, and not you.  I reign, rule, umpire, decide.  Come on, you're still up."
 

The music keeps playing.  It's darker outside (dark churches give me the creeps).  I have just given Christ a number of things that tried to claim a position of authority in my life.  They are still there.  The situation still stinks.  There is still stuff that doesn't make sense.  

They still don't rule. 

May His Peace Invade Your Life Game.

There's a spot for you Sunday,
Pastor Dave

 

Jesus Never Said...

I was just thinking about some of the things Jesus never said.

"Close enough."

"It's not really a sin, it's just a__________"

"I quit."

"I can do that if I want, it's my money."

"I should do this!  Don't you want me to be happy?"

"I hate that person."

"Politics are the key part of the Kingdom of God."

"That's impossible."

"I can forgive most sins, but not yours."

"They're not really commands… they're more like strong recommendations."

"Only be part of the Body of Christ when you're not too busy."

I'm kind of captivated by what Jesus didn't say.  Reality is - for each of the above things He didn't say there is a direct opposite that He did communicate or live.

The sad thing is over the years I've heard stuff like the above list said by believers… at times I've said or thought some of them, or something close to it.  What does it say about our faith or walk with the Lord if we say or live what is contrary to who He is?

So, I'm thinking it would be a good study to look at what Jesus did say and why.  Here's a sample of what you'd find.

Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Matthew 16:24
 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mark 1:17
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Luke 7:48
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Luke 8:50
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."
Luke 12:22
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

John 8:31
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

John 20:21
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 
 

What's your favorite "Jesus quote?"
 
Be Blessed this Labor Day Weekend,
Pastor Dave

 

 

Five Things I Love About You

About 10 years ago a movie came out titled “10 Things I Hate About You.”

[Pastoral Caveat: I haven’t seen it, am not recommending it, don’t know who acted in it or their lifestyles, know nothing about the language or morality, and don’t know the plot - the title is just interesting to me.]

So, if I were to sit in a heavenly drive-in and watch a movie God made (for some of you that’s a stretch for your imagination that may feel like heresy) eating popcorn that’s good for me, and candy that tastes like Snickers but has the nutritional value of broccoli, while drinking a gallon of soda that doesn’t have sugar, NutraSweet, or Nansturfulictoudous2 in it – what would God’s movie be?

How about “5 Things I Love About You.”

1. God’s movie would tell me that He loves the fact that I am needy.

Weakness that results in a need for a holy hand to hold me together is not a flaw - it’s a blessing. Neediness is seen as a weakness to humans and a requirement for God. I didn’t make me. I can’t save me. I can’t fix me.

“God, I’ll admit it – I need you.”


2. God’s movie would tell me that He loves the fact I look familiar.

God has never seen a complete stranger. He has tattooed His own likeness on my spirit so he looks at something he recognizes. Granted, many of us have deformed God’s intent to the point where he may have to squint to see his fingerprints, but they are there.

“God, thank-you for making me part of your family.”


3. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I have skinned knees.

While riding my non-motorized two wheeled pedal machine the other day I was watching a couple of boys try some stunts on their skateboards. The one I saw transplanted most of the skin from the boy’s knees to the eager cement. Do you know what he did? The red kneed boy retrieved his four wheeled pain-accomplice and got on it to try again…

“God, thanks for not giving up on me because I have fallen.”


4. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I don’t know everything.

In fact – I’m not supposed to. Growing knowledge of my world and my God are part of his design for me. God will never judge me for not knowing, but he’ll never miss the opportunity to scold me for ignoring what I know (note: please don’t tell my wife, my kids, or grandkids that I don’t know everything).

“God, thanks for being the perfect teacher.”


5. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I’ve got reservations.

Jesus said he was going to prepare a home for me that was eternal (John 14:2). I’ve made reservations in that home. I did that through confession and repentance. I have welcomed God’s offer of grace with all that I am. God has given me the confirmation number and I’m set… I’m in no hurry – but I’m ready.

“God, thanks for the future.”


Applause.

Roll closing credits.

Play out takes.


Saving a Chair for you Sunday,
Pastor Dave



--
Kara
MFMC Admin. Ass't

5 Things I Love About You

About 10 years ago a movie came out titled "10 Things I Hate About You."

[Pastoral Caveat: I haven't seen it, am not recommending it, don't know who acted in it or their lifestyles, know nothing about the language or morality, and don't know the plot - the title is just interesting to me.]

So, if I were to sit in a heavenly drive-in and watch a movie God made (for some of you that's a stretch for your imagination that may feel like heresy) eating popcorn that's good for me, and candy that tastes like Snickers but has the nutritional value of broccoli, while drinking a gallon of soda that doesn't have sugar, NutraSweet, or Nansturfulictoudous2 in it – what would God's movie be?

How about "5 Things I Love About You."

1. God's movie would tell me that He loves the fact that I am needy.

Weakness that results in a need for a holy hand to hold me together is not a flaw - it's a blessing. Neediness is seen as a weakness to humans and a requirement for God. I didn't make me. I can't save me. I can't fix me.

"God, I'll admit it – I need you."

2. God's movie would tell me that He loves the fact I look familiar.

God has never seen a complete stranger. He has tattooed His own likeness on my spirit so he looks at something he recognizes. Granted, many of us have deformed God's intent to the point where he may have to squint to see his fingerprints, but they are there.

"God, thank-you for making me part of your family."

3. God's movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I have skinned knees.

While riding my non-motorized two wheeled pedal machine the other day I was watching a couple of boys try some stunts on their skateboards. The one I saw transplanted most of the skin from the boy's knees to the eager cement. Do you know what he did? The red kneed boy retrieved his four wheeled pain-accomplice and got on it to try again…

"God, thanks for not giving up on me because I have fallen."

4. God's movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I don't know everything.

In fact – I'm not supposed to. Growing knowledge of my world and my God are part of his design for me. God will never judge me for not knowing, but he'll never miss the opportunity to scold me for ignoring what I know (note: please don't tell my wife, my kids, or grandkids that I don't know everything).

"God, thanks for being the perfect teacher."

5. God's movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I've got reservations.

Jesus said he was going to prepare a home for me that was eternal (John 14:2). I've made reservations in that home. I did that through confession and repentance. I have welcomed God's offer of grace with all that I am. God has given me the confirmation number and I'm set… I'm in no hurry – but I'm ready.

"God, thanks for the future."

Applause.

Roll closing credits.

Play out takes.

Saving a Chair for you Sunday,
Pastor Dave

How would you describe Jesus?

Bold enough to be honest. Gentle enough to be loving.
Strong enough to believe. Aware enough to ask for assistance.
Humble enough to stay back. Wise enough to know when to stand up.

He was honest, but honesty can be as destructive as lies when it is not bathed in love.
He was strong, but he knew when to get alone with the Father and get filled.
He was humble, but that doesn't mean he sacrificed being holy on the altar of anonymity.

How would you describe your faith in Jesus?

"My faith is like my great grandpa's broken fiddle – priceless but useless."
"My faith is like my Bible – powerful but dusty."
"My faith is like hot fudge – enjoyable but unhealthy."

Too often faith is somehow detached from how we live as if what we do and what we think aren't related. Here's a life question to chew on – Shouldn't my description of Christ and my description of my faith be harmonious? The problem is I tend to underestimate Jesus and overestimate my faith. So, I misrepresent both.

May your next few moments be honest looks at both your view of Christ and the faith you are living.

Sunday is a call to have faith in the love of God that is shown through Christ. If you have time read 1John 3:11-24 and get a glimpse of God's love and that loves impact on me.

Loving the sunshine, wishing I was driving the east coast in a convertible, trying to concentrate even though I'm not, trusting that God can work through my distractions, asking God to increase my faith,

Pastor Dave

What role does faith play in your life?

For some of us faith is an accessory for our religious wardrobe that we purposefully make sure is visible - even if it’s made of tin.

For others faith is the strategically placed dagger that is hidden by our left sock. When it is needed we will aggressively reach for it… but until then it’s best kept where it won’t attract attention.

There are those for whom faith is very public but embarrassingly hollow. If faith were air we wouldn’t have enough to blow out a birthday candle.

There may be those of us who would admit we have enough faith for salvation, but it seems to evaporate when faced with the dry arid reality of waking up and facing the day one more time.

But, there are those who have the kind of faith that;

isn’t shaken when someone disagrees,

doesn’t waver when faced with a storm,

won’t settle for being tucked away quietly,

and can’t seem to accept anything less than God’s will.


There are those who have a faith that is primed to be filled with the power of the Spirit as He waits to do what can’t be done without Him.

There are those who pray because they believe it makes a difference, read because they know there is something supernatural in God’s Word, and testify because what God is doing is nothing short of a miracle and talking about it can’t be stopped anymore than a tidal wave can be reversed with a box fan.

People can be saved.

Souls can be whole.

Bodies can be healed.

Needs can be met.

Giants can be decapitated.

Seas can be opened.

Hands can be raised.

Hallelujahs can be lifted.

Crosses can be carried.

Communities can be touched.

Marriages can be rebuilt.

Lost kids can be reached.

Sins can be erased.

Weakness can be built up.

Faith can grow.

Faith should grow.

Faith will grow.

I think August is supposed to be about faith.

Someone once told DL Moody that the world had yet to see what would happen if someone lived completely committed to the will of God. Moody responded, “I will be that man!” Faith made a declaration and God used that heart to touch the world.

What role does faith play in your life?

Come with me.

Believing,
Pastor Dave