Archive for March, 2006
A Funeral in the Youth Room!
Posted by: | CommentsThe other day we had a funeral in the youth group. No, no one actually died, at least not literally. Yes, there are a couple of the youth that I was have tempted to put in the wooden box…just joking…kind of 
The funeral was to bury any junk, baggage and sin that we were holding on too! To bury all those things that keep us from God. I knew that the burial would be emotional and that some would be farther along in the grieving process than others. But I could not have scripted it the way it happened.
The youth actually took it to heart. The actually wrote things down and admitted stuff. They admitted some had hate in their hearts. Some were carryign pain. Some had been betrayed. Some were clinging to something they knew was not good. Some where hanging with the wrong crowd. The list goes on and on. However, the burial was needed. The youth were able to place a list of things in the coffin…just between them and God.
The result was many were relieved…some were broght to tears of guilt. Some even experienced pain that night! But the good thing about a funeral is that it allows for closure to begin. I believe that is what God did for a lot of these kids.
The good news is this…I think it helped focus our youth group. I beleive that God is ready to move and this funeral service will be remembered as a turning point. May we pray that God touches the heart of this younger generation and equips them to serve Him!
God Bless
The Hurt of a Handshake
Posted by: | CommentsI have learned that in the ministry you will suffer. In fact, you will face persecustion. As a pastor I have had people attack my character, question my intentinos, hold on to sacred cows of the faith that are based on man, and had people blatantly persecute me in hope to hurt me.
Some people hear about things like this and say this is why I don’t need church. Or they say these types of things should not happen in the church or if God is blessing us. However, this type of logic and thinkin are the furtherst thing from the truth.
Hear what Jesus had to say:"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness,because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matt 5:10-12 (HCSB)
I consider it an honor to be persecuted for Christ. The last time I looked at it I have not hung on a cross. No one has spat upon me or placed a crown of throns on my head. In fact, even when I have been persecuted in the minsitry God has always protected me. Yes, I was hurt deeply and I have even been physically threatened but in every sitation God protected me.
Recently at a funeral I came face to face with a women I had loved and ministered too with the love of God. I knew she had grown bitter with life and I knew that she had turned her hurt toward me and my ministry and left the church. However, I did not know the depth of her hurt or anger until I extended the right hand of fellowship. It was then that I got a piercing look and nose in the air as she turned and left. My only words were, "I love you no matter what."
That night I pondered what had happened. I even asked God why and how someone could hate me so much. His answer, "They hated me first."
I have learned that the scars that I bear in the ministry are nothing in comparision to my Lord’s and I realize now that it is an honor to be persecuted for righteousness! Does it hurt yes, but the pain makes us more like our Lord.
When you really think about it…those who persecute need God too! He loves them just the same. He wants them to turn back to Him and follow His ways.
So until then I will continue to stick out my hand in hopes that someday God can change the hearts of those who are an enemy of God back to Him and they will embrace the handshake with brotherly/sisterly love in Christ.
Thank God for blessing me with persecution!
God's Creation
Posted by: | CommentsI am so excited about the sermon series I have been preaching on – Genesis on a Laptop. It is so awesome to preach the truth. Especially in a day and age that has been taught to skoff at God as the Creator. We have been taught not to trust God’s Word on matters of Science, but the fact is the opposite is True!
God has provided the answers to how He created in the Bible. Genesis is True. The Bible is True. When we look at the facts through a Biblical Worldview the facts line up. It is when we try to take man’s ideas of evolution and twist the facts and try to make them fit into the Bible that we get into trouble.
God’s Word is Pure and Perfect in all that it speaks about! May we embrace God as the Creator of all life and may we learn to have a deep respect of the Word of God as absolute Truth!
May the God of all Creation bless you indeed!