Revelation 20:11 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Jeff Lilley at Hume Lake mentioned this passage at a retreat years ago. He spoke about what a “sobering” thought it was that the earth and the heaven fled from the very face of God, but that we will all be there…and we will not be able to leave. I think about what it will be like on that day and I wonder about people that I know that would be cast into the lake of fire (especially those that I failed to share the gospel with). I think about this passage just about every single weekend, every single service. I think about this passage…during altar call. I look into the eyes of people and I wonder: do you know Jesus? Do you really know Him? I see the look on someone’s face as they contemplate the most important decision they could ever make. I pray that I did my best preaching. I pray for the Holy Spirit to move their heart. I pray for them to make a wise decision…and I pray that I will be more effective preaching next week.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Following Christ is a Daily decision!
Following Christ is a Daily decision!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
I believe with all of my heart that this is going to be the most exciting year in the history of Shepherd of the Hills! We need to call out to God and listen to Him to hear His plans for this amazing year!
Dave
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
I believe with all of my heart that this is going to be the most exciting year in the history of Shepherd of the Hills! We need to call out to God and listen to Him to hear His plans for this amazing year!
Dave
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Peter, Tozer and I
From Failure to Radical Transformation For all his faults, or perhaps because of them, Peter could do one thing superbly: he could shed tears of grief when he had offended his Savior. The ability to repent is a sweet treasure, and one that is rare among us these days. If we had Peter's penitent heart, we might go on to have his purity and his power. Should the contemplation of Peter's faults give aid and comfort to an impenitent heart, then that heart has only itself to blame. God never intended that we should hide our unconfessed sins behind the confessed faults of a saint. Peter's contrary nature drove him to God. Unless ours does the same, Peter will have lived in vain for us. Anyway, we are glad Peter lived, and we are glad Christ found him. He is so much like so many of us, at least in his weaknesses. It only remains for us to learn also the secret of his strength.
A.W. Tozer
What a great word about Peter. I am one that sees myself in Peter. Speak before you think. Act very quickly (sometimes for good and sometimes for bad). I see the Lord's mercy in how he dealt with Peter and I am encouraged that He also deals with me with the same love and mercy.
A.W. Tozer
What a great word about Peter. I am one that sees myself in Peter. Speak before you think. Act very quickly (sometimes for good and sometimes for bad). I see the Lord's mercy in how he dealt with Peter and I am encouraged that He also deals with me with the same love and mercy.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Our Life is in Christ
Certainly not all of the mystery of the Godhead can be known by man-but just as certainly, all that men can know of God in this life is revealed in Jesus Christ! When the Apostle Paul said with yearning, "That I may know Him," he was not speaking of intellectual knowledge. Paul was speaking of the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously, spirit touching spirit and heart touching heart. We know that people spend a lot of time talking about a deeper Christian life-but few seem to want to know and love God for Himself. The precious fact is that God is the deeper life! Jesus Christ Himself is the deeper life, and as I plunge on into the knowledge of the triune God, my heart moves on into the blessedness of His fellowship. This means that there is less of me and more of God-thus my spiritual life deepens and I am strengthened in the knowledge of His will!
— By A. W. Tozer
Certainly not all of the mystery of the Godhead can be known by man-but just as certainly, all that men can know of God in this life is revealed in Jesus Christ! When the Apostle Paul said with yearning, "That I may know Him," he was not speaking of intellectual knowledge. Paul was speaking of the reality of an experience of knowing God personally and consciously, spirit touching spirit and heart touching heart. We know that people spend a lot of time talking about a deeper Christian life-but few seem to want to know and love God for Himself. The precious fact is that God is the deeper life! Jesus Christ Himself is the deeper life, and as I plunge on into the knowledge of the triune God, my heart moves on into the blessedness of His fellowship. This means that there is less of me and more of God-thus my spiritual life deepens and I am strengthened in the knowledge of His will!
— By A. W. Tozer
Friday, December 05, 2008
End of the year: Don't give up!
When I was young, I was an idealist. I like to think that I am so much wiser and more pragmatic now...but sometimes, I am not so sure. Maybe a return to idealism would do us some good?
We approach the end of the year.
We approach the beginning of a new year.
I think that the very first sermon I ever preached in a church was on New Years Eve a number of years ago...and I loved the timing of it. So much to talk about. So much to challenge people with. So much to challenge myself with.
A couple of years ago, I overheard a conversation in an office. A young lady said something like: "I don't make new years resolutions anymore. I've seen how most people don't keep them anyways, so I just don't make them anymore".
Hmmfff!
Sooooooooooooo...that is the conclusion that you came to?
In all your years of wisdom?
This young lady came to a conclusion that it would be better to never strive for a better life, than to strive in many areas , but fail in some parts? It seems to me that she neglected a rather huge point (or two). What about the people that do keep their resolutions? If you are correct that most people don't keep their resolutions, then some people do!
And perhaps more importantly, even the people that fail to keep their resolutions are better off than the one who has given up in life. If I try to get on an exercize program and give up after 2 months...at least the two months were better than they otherwise would have been!
More importanlty, it concerns me so much when people give up. People are cynicle now about so many things. The direction of the country? Awful? Sure. No doubt. Yet, Christ told us this is how it would be before He came back. His return is closer than it's ever been. Don't give up.
Don't sit on the sidelines and get lethargic. We need players to engage the culture. We need you. Christ will win with or without you. But, He gave each one of us the privilage of joining the winning team. I am so excited about the possibilities of this coming year. We have a great church that is making a difference. I think we are at 25 baptisms with more scheduled!
The end of the year?
It's time to dream.
It's time to dream big.
It's time to dream God kind of dreams!
We approach the end of the year.
We approach the beginning of a new year.
I think that the very first sermon I ever preached in a church was on New Years Eve a number of years ago...and I loved the timing of it. So much to talk about. So much to challenge people with. So much to challenge myself with.
A couple of years ago, I overheard a conversation in an office. A young lady said something like: "I don't make new years resolutions anymore. I've seen how most people don't keep them anyways, so I just don't make them anymore".
Hmmfff!
Sooooooooooooo...that is the conclusion that you came to?
In all your years of wisdom?
This young lady came to a conclusion that it would be better to never strive for a better life, than to strive in many areas , but fail in some parts? It seems to me that she neglected a rather huge point (or two). What about the people that do keep their resolutions? If you are correct that most people don't keep their resolutions, then some people do!
And perhaps more importantly, even the people that fail to keep their resolutions are better off than the one who has given up in life. If I try to get on an exercize program and give up after 2 months...at least the two months were better than they otherwise would have been!
More importanlty, it concerns me so much when people give up. People are cynicle now about so many things. The direction of the country? Awful? Sure. No doubt. Yet, Christ told us this is how it would be before He came back. His return is closer than it's ever been. Don't give up.
Don't sit on the sidelines and get lethargic. We need players to engage the culture. We need you. Christ will win with or without you. But, He gave each one of us the privilage of joining the winning team. I am so excited about the possibilities of this coming year. We have a great church that is making a difference. I think we are at 25 baptisms with more scheduled!
The end of the year?
It's time to dream.
It's time to dream big.
It's time to dream God kind of dreams!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Carol Bertone
------------------------Carol at a recent Mission Trip in MexicoOur dear friend and sister in the Lord, Carol Bertone has gone on ahead of us to be with our Lord Jesus. Carol, we miss you and we love you! We thank God for the friendship that we shared with you and for the kindness that you showed us all each day. We look forward to the day when we will be reunited with you.
May God bless and comfort your family and especially your son Justin. We know how much you loved him and we trust that God will care for him in your absence.
You served faithfully in church ministries and on mission trips. You ministered to each of us more than you probably know and we will not forget you. You fought cancer courageously and you have been given the ultimate reward. We will see you in heaven...and we will again rejoice with you.
We will have a Memorial Service for Carol on Monday June 23rd at 1pm in the sanctuary at Shepherd of the Hills Porter Ranch.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reading the Bible in a Year
Today is the day that we begin (as a congregation) reading the Bible through in a year. To access the scheduled readings for the day, just go to our web site: www.shepherd-av.com, click on Growing in Christ, then click on Bible Reading Plan from the drop down menu.
This will do so much to strengthen our church and our lives! It is going to be an exciting year!
Blessings,
Dave
This will do so much to strengthen our church and our lives! It is going to be an exciting year!
Blessings,
Dave
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Shepherd - AV's first baptism!
I just had to takea moment to celebrate the first baptism of our brand new church! Glenda Gonzalez - we are so happy for you! May God bless you abrundantly as you grow in Christ!
Dave
Dave
Happy Easter! Grand Opening
Jesus is Risen!
Shepherd of the Hills - Antelope Valley opened on March 23, Easter Sunday!
I am overwhelmed with God's goodness! Nothing is more important of course than celebrating the love of God in Jesus' death and resurrection. (As I mentioned in my message on Easter, I believe the greatest acts of love are the Father's willingness to send Jesus to die for us and Jesus' willingness to go to the cross)! The fact that Jesus rose from the dead? Well, I think that in all of God's power, raising someone from the dead is just a day in the life of God! He IS that powerful! That doesn't surprise me at all. What surprises me and overwhelms me is the fact that He would go to the cross for me! I have never gotten over His incredible love!
The fact that God has brought this extraordinary group of people together to open this new church is also something that overwhelms me! It just stuns me! People from different races, backgrounds etc...all coming together to work for the good of the church... For the good of the body of Christ... In obedience to what scripture commands us... With great attitudes... Without bickering... In love, just looking for ways for each one to serve and contribute...
I have lived in different cities and attended different churches, but I have never seen the body of Christ come together to love and to serve like this! To all of our precious servants of God, I can't tell you how much I love you and appreciate you! You are the best!
More pictures to be posted later! (Sorry...it was pretty busy that day and I didn't get a chance to take some of the pictures that I would have wanted...) Thank you so much to those that sent pictures to us - especially Ron Columbo!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Dr. Martin Luther King
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King gave what I think is the greatest speech of our time. I would like to encourage you to click on the link below and listen to the speech today in honor of Dr. King.
While you listen to his profound words, I would also ask that you read the words (transcribed on the web site page.
Please pay attention to the whole of the speech. In our fast food, drive through, microwave, rushed world, it is too easy to reduce his whole life to one speech and then to reduce that one speech to one sound bite. Pay particular attention to his words of wisdom about the destiny of people interlinked with others. (Hint: there will be more about that phrase in the near future!)
Praise God for what He is doing in our lives and our church! Thank you Dr. King for dedicating your life to others.
http://www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.html
While you listen to his profound words, I would also ask that you read the words (transcribed on the web site page.
Please pay attention to the whole of the speech. In our fast food, drive through, microwave, rushed world, it is too easy to reduce his whole life to one speech and then to reduce that one speech to one sound bite. Pay particular attention to his words of wisdom about the destiny of people interlinked with others. (Hint: there will be more about that phrase in the near future!)
Praise God for what He is doing in our lives and our church! Thank you Dr. King for dedicating your life to others.
http://www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.html
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
The loss of a truly great man of God
It is with great sadness that we receive the news of the passing of Joshua Weaver. Joshua had been our Worship Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills church in Porter Ranch for a number of years. In recent years, he had courageously fought battles with cancer as well as some other health issues.
Joshua had such a kind and gentle heart for people. You could not be around him for long without being completely impressed with his Christ-like heart and spirit. His incredible voice and giftedness as a worship leader was only part of what we will remember him for. There is so much more to tell you about him and the life he lived, but my words would never be adequate.
Joshua had such a kind and gentle heart for people. You could not be around him for long without being completely impressed with his Christ-like heart and spirit. His incredible voice and giftedness as a worship leader was only part of what we will remember him for. There is so much more to tell you about him and the life he lived, but my words would never be adequate.
.
Joshua...we love you and we miss you greatly.
.
We know that because of his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, Joshua has gone onto heaven where he is in the eternal presence of God...and we rejoice in that. As we now miss him, I ask you to please pray for his family and friends in this time of sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Prayerfully,
David
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
Wow...I am so amazed at the kindness of so many people! I've been working on our new church plant in the Antelope Valley and have had to cut back teaching our Saturday night Bible study to once per month. After our Bible study this month, the class gave me the most awesome "going away" I could have imagined. There were cards and a plaque and even a money tree. I can't thank you all enough! The last seven years have been such a blessing to me. I know that I have to leave (or at least cut way back) at this point to plant this new church and it has been hard to face not being here for this ministry.
The kindness of everyone involved is greatly appreciated. I knew something was up when I kept seeing more and more people that I had not seen in a long time...but I had no idea as to what everyone was up to! Again, I can't thank you enough! You all have blessed me in such a meaningful way...
Praise God for each one of you!
Dave
The kindness of everyone involved is greatly appreciated. I knew something was up when I kept seeing more and more people that I had not seen in a long time...but I had no idea as to what everyone was up to! Again, I can't thank you enough! You all have blessed me in such a meaningful way...
Praise God for each one of you!
Dave
Saturday, November 03, 2007
The article that I first mentioned has been removed because I have not found confirmation of it's validity. Even the author of the article could not provide sufficient details (his reponse is mentioned in the comments section below...) I've researched it as much as I know how and cannot confirm it so it's been deleted...
Here is the rest of this post...
I'm not going to repeat the whole Bible Study now, but I pray that those of you that were there will take tonight's Bible study to heart. We really do need to stop being so lazy as Christians. In this country, we have it so easy that we take our relationship with God for granted.
Threre are 3,000 languages that do not have a Bible at all. We have it and we don't read it? That's crazy! The creator of the universe wrote an awesome life changing book to us and we are too lazy to read it? That's appalling.
These last few weeks, we have talked extensively about faith and completely trusting God. How can we really trust Him when we don't really know Him? We can get to know God much more intimately be reading His Word and spending time with Him on a regular basis. Yet, most of us are too busy to spend time with God. How can that be possible? Yet, I know it is possible because I am guilty of it all the time. I need the strengthening that can only come from Him. May we have the discipline to develop better habits and grow closer to God! May God bless you.
Here is the rest of this post...
I'm not going to repeat the whole Bible Study now, but I pray that those of you that were there will take tonight's Bible study to heart. We really do need to stop being so lazy as Christians. In this country, we have it so easy that we take our relationship with God for granted.
Threre are 3,000 languages that do not have a Bible at all. We have it and we don't read it? That's crazy! The creator of the universe wrote an awesome life changing book to us and we are too lazy to read it? That's appalling.
These last few weeks, we have talked extensively about faith and completely trusting God. How can we really trust Him when we don't really know Him? We can get to know God much more intimately be reading His Word and spending time with Him on a regular basis. Yet, most of us are too busy to spend time with God. How can that be possible? Yet, I know it is possible because I am guilty of it all the time. I need the strengthening that can only come from Him. May we have the discipline to develop better habits and grow closer to God! May God bless you.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Our new church plants
Ok...it's been a long time since I posted anything. There is so much going on and so much information that needs to be shared with so many people...so I hope to begin posting frequently now.
God has continued to bless Shepherd of the Hills and the newest church plants. Shepherd of the Hills in Pasadena opened up on September 23rd with over 100 people attending! Shepherd of the Hills in Woodland Hills opened up on September 23rd with over 500 people attending! I am so excited about these newest churches and all that God is doing! May God continue to bless the ministries of our friends William Lee and Caleb Kaltenbach, the Pastors of these two churches and their staffs. I know how hard they are working and I would ask that you would please keep them in your prayers.
So, some of you may be wondering when we are going to open our church plant in Antelope Valley? Well, so am I! The one thing that we are waiting on is the hiring of the Lead Pastor for our church plant in South Central LA, since both churches are going to open on the same day. I do hear that we are close to hiring someone for that position, so we may have a time-line very soon. In the meantime, we having Life Groups that are off to a great start....and we will have several events to get us geared up for our grand opening. In fact, we will likely have some Sunday services on a smaller scale leading up to the grand opening.
Please keep us in your prayers as this is certainly an undertaking that is beyond anything that I could have ever dreamed of. Iam in awe of God and completely humbled by God's call.
God has continued to bless Shepherd of the Hills and the newest church plants. Shepherd of the Hills in Pasadena opened up on September 23rd with over 100 people attending! Shepherd of the Hills in Woodland Hills opened up on September 23rd with over 500 people attending! I am so excited about these newest churches and all that God is doing! May God continue to bless the ministries of our friends William Lee and Caleb Kaltenbach, the Pastors of these two churches and their staffs. I know how hard they are working and I would ask that you would please keep them in your prayers.
So, some of you may be wondering when we are going to open our church plant in Antelope Valley? Well, so am I! The one thing that we are waiting on is the hiring of the Lead Pastor for our church plant in South Central LA, since both churches are going to open on the same day. I do hear that we are close to hiring someone for that position, so we may have a time-line very soon. In the meantime, we having Life Groups that are off to a great start....and we will have several events to get us geared up for our grand opening. In fact, we will likely have some Sunday services on a smaller scale leading up to the grand opening.
Please keep us in your prayers as this is certainly an undertaking that is beyond anything that I could have ever dreamed of. Iam in awe of God and completely humbled by God's call.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Shepherd of the Hills - Antelope Valley
Dear Friends,
I have accepted a call to plant a new church in Lancaster/Palmdale, California. It is so exciting to see what God has done and continues to do at Shepherd of the Hills. We now have church plants and campuses at: Real Life church in Valencia, Discovery church in Simi Valley, Shepherd of the Hills Agua Dulce, As You Are church in Reseda, Shepherd of the Hills Westside in Brentwood and we are about to plant four more churches in the next 12 months.
The new campuses will be in Woodland Hills, Pasadena, South Central LA and Lancaster/Palmdale.
By the way, I will still be teaching the Saturday Night Adult Singles Bible Study at the Porter Ranch campus for quite a while (I would guess through early 2008).
I will chat more about this later, but I wanted to at least post the announcement for anyone who was not able to attend the Bible Study last night.
I have accepted a call to plant a new church in Lancaster/Palmdale, California. It is so exciting to see what God has done and continues to do at Shepherd of the Hills. We now have church plants and campuses at: Real Life church in Valencia, Discovery church in Simi Valley, Shepherd of the Hills Agua Dulce, As You Are church in Reseda, Shepherd of the Hills Westside in Brentwood and we are about to plant four more churches in the next 12 months.
The new campuses will be in Woodland Hills, Pasadena, South Central LA and Lancaster/Palmdale.
By the way, I will still be teaching the Saturday Night Adult Singles Bible Study at the Porter Ranch campus for quite a while (I would guess through early 2008).
I will chat more about this later, but I wanted to at least post the announcement for anyone who was not able to attend the Bible Study last night.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Rick Warren interview (Paul Bradshaw)
Here is an interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren that I quoted in this evenings Bible Study:
Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and Godwants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body - butnot the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions ofyears in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wantsus to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn'tgoing to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just comingout of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character thanyour comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making yourlife happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ-likeness.This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest,with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a darktime, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe thatanymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of liketwo rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good andsomething bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something badthat needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always somethinggood you can thank God for.You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness,which is"my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid ofpain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousandsof people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened hercharacter, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her atestimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance,this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, itmade me instantly very wealthy.It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before.I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for youto live a life of ease.So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety andinfluence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what todo, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change ourlifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from thechurch.
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan toplant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, andeducate the next generation.Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since Istarted the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able toserve God for free.We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or amI going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if Idon't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love Youbetter. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's moreinterested in what I am than what I do.That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and Godwants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body - butnot the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions ofyears in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wantsus to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn'tgoing to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just comingout of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character thanyour comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making yourlife happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ-likeness.This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest,with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a darktime, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe thatanymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of liketwo rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good andsomething bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something badthat needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always somethinggood you can thank God for.You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness,which is"my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid ofpain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousandsof people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened hercharacter, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her atestimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance,this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, itmade me instantly very wealthy.It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before.I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for youto live a life of ease.So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety andinfluence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what todo, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change ourlifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from thechurch.
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan toplant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, andeducate the next generation.Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since Istarted the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able toserve God for free.We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or amI going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if Idon't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love Youbetter. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's moreinterested in what I am than what I do.That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Ministry Traps to Avoid (notes...Willie George)
I found the following on www.churchrelevance.com and thought that I needed to post it where I will see it again! I pray that you are also blessed by these words...
Stephen Posey, the pre-youth pastor at Church on the Move (Tulsa, OK), has blogged his notes from Willie George’s Elevate 07 keynote address about six ministry traps to avoid.
A paraphrase is:
1) I’m being passed by! Focus on being faithful instead of comparing yourself to others. “People who do extraordinary things for God are hidden until their character is solidified.”
2) I don’t have the money. God will supply all of your needs.
3) I’ve got more than one baby in the crib. Do not pursue more than one big idea at a time. “Finish what you start and you’ll gain credibility.”
4) I’ve got to leap (not step). God leads us in steps not leaps.
5) Degrees of impurity won’t hurt me. “Before iniquity comes repeated sin. Before the repeated sin comes the first sin. Before the first sin comes the thought. Before the thought comes the unguarded heart. Guard your hearts!”
6) It’s okay for me to minister out of an empty vessel. “Ministry should happen out of overflow. Like a bank account, you have to deposit before you withdraw.”
Avoiding these traps will help you to be an effective steward of God’s calling on your life. As Peter Drucker says, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”
Stephen Posey, the pre-youth pastor at Church on the Move (Tulsa, OK), has blogged his notes from Willie George’s Elevate 07 keynote address about six ministry traps to avoid.
A paraphrase is:
1) I’m being passed by! Focus on being faithful instead of comparing yourself to others. “People who do extraordinary things for God are hidden until their character is solidified.”
2) I don’t have the money. God will supply all of your needs.
3) I’ve got more than one baby in the crib. Do not pursue more than one big idea at a time. “Finish what you start and you’ll gain credibility.”
4) I’ve got to leap (not step). God leads us in steps not leaps.
5) Degrees of impurity won’t hurt me. “Before iniquity comes repeated sin. Before the repeated sin comes the first sin. Before the first sin comes the thought. Before the thought comes the unguarded heart. Guard your hearts!”
6) It’s okay for me to minister out of an empty vessel. “Ministry should happen out of overflow. Like a bank account, you have to deposit before you withdraw.”
Avoiding these traps will help you to be an effective steward of God’s calling on your life. As Peter Drucker says, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Lisa's Mission Trip to Russia
Here is a note from our friend Lisa...
Dear Friends,
I'm planning on going on a short-term ministry Team with SOTH to help teach English conversational skills to college students and young adults in Russia this summer at English Camp.
I'll be sending out a letter in the mail to describe the ministry and different ways that you can participate with us: going; praying; giving; etc... as God leads. If you would like to receive this letter, please respond to by sending me your contact information via email to: singinheart@sbcglobal.net. Put "Russia" on the subject line.
Thank you so much! :-)
Lisa Spencer
Dear Friends,
I'm planning on going on a short-term ministry Team with SOTH to help teach English conversational skills to college students and young adults in Russia this summer at English Camp.
I'll be sending out a letter in the mail to describe the ministry and different ways that you can participate with us: going; praying; giving; etc... as God leads. If you would like to receive this letter, please respond to by sending me your contact information via email to: singinheart@sbcglobal.net. Put "Russia" on the subject line.
Thank you so much! :-)
Lisa Spencer
Memory Verses
Will you join me in memorizing these verses? The power of God's Word is awesome! You will be blessed! I know that God will give you opportunities to be a blessing to others with an encouraging word for them at the right time!
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
May you be greatly blessed in your study and memorization of God's powerful Word!
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
May you be greatly blessed in your study and memorization of God's powerful Word!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Memory Verses
Will you join me in memorizing these verses? The power of God's Word is awesome! You will be blessed! I know that God will give you opportunities to be a blessing to others with an encouraging word for them at the right time!
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Romans 10:17 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
May you be greatly blessed in your study and memorization of God's powerful Word!
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Romans 10:17 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
May you be greatly blessed in your study and memorization of God's powerful Word!
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