Where's my typewriter?

I apologize for being so long in posting, but if you have not heard my computer is in the shop being repaired. That is my six week old computer is being repaired. Please pray for my patience. I hope to be back up and running in a few days.

I don't have all my thoughts neatly compiled on this subject, but let me give you just the appetizer. This morning I took our boys to school and these negative thoughts began running through my mind. It's Monday (and for pastors Mondays are supposed to be recovery days from all that Sunday entails.) I'm tired and I don't feel good. I've got several big bills to pay this week. I have so much to get done in the next few days, and on and on and on. All of the sudden Godspoke to my heart and said it doesn't have to be that way. We talk about it all the time, but the enemy is so subtle in his approach to creeping into our thought life and attitudes. Our patterns in our thought life are so important. They can literally determine the outcome of an entire day. So I made up my mind at that moment I am not giving up this day to that outlook. And God just helped remind me about all of His blessings in my life and how many times He has brought me through weeks just like this one. So let's maximize what we get out of today by keeping our thoughts based on who Jesus is and what He can do.

Co-habitation

Everybody knows, whether you watch Judge Judy or not, the current trend is instead of getting married, to live together. The politically correct vonacular would be "co-habitation". It's real easy as a Christian to get on a soap box and point out the obvious sin in shacking up together. Scripture clearly explains the devestating effect of immorality on a human life. However, take a look at another level of co-habitation. Many Christians are attempting to cohabitate in their relationship with Christ. We would never verbalize it, but often our lack of committment to the relationship expresss it. Our actions say things like "I want to have all the benefits of a relationship, but I want to leave my options open." "I want to know He's always there for me, but sometimes I want to explore my options." Sorry, to burst the selfish balloon, but it don't work that way. We serve a jealous God, who will have no part of a shared relationship. He wants our full, undivided committment. We cannot play games and indulge our desires, and then come home expecting God to be waiting up for us. Jesus said He will return for a blood washed BRIDE, not a co-habitant.

kids fest

Don't forget, no service tonight. Everyone is invited to Paradise Park at I-470 and Colbern rd. in Lee's Summit for Kids Fest.

God help me

God help me today.
-Help me to not take myself too seriously.
-Help me to admit my mistakes and learn from them.
-Help me to appreciate the life you have given me.
-Help me to live life today with tomorrow in mind.
-Help me to have a willingness to learn.
-Help me to grow in your wisdom.
-Help me to add value to someone else's life.
-Help me to choose what I say carefully.
-Help me to be a better husband and father.
God help me today so at the end of the day, I can say with full confidence I am better off than I was when I opened my eyes this morning.

Moment of truth

I have been somewhat hesitant about this subject, but I feel like it needs to be opened. For the last nearly 20 years of my life I have watched friends and those I knew only by names, walk away from church and eventually God. These are people that were raised in our Assembly of God churches, most of them by Christian parents. But somewhere along the line, something was missing, because they continue to step away from a relationship with Christ. It's like a continual epidemic. What happened? I think I have some insight because I have first hand knowledge. I grew up in church with the best parents. I was surrounded by Christianity. But when high school hit and then college came, I began to walk away from what seemed like too much of what was talked about but never lived out. Then there came a day in my adult life that I had drifted so far away from God that I believe he sent out possibly one of his last life preservers. And it was at that moment I believe for the first time that I put God on the throne of my life. You see I said the prayer and ask Jesus into my heart at the age of eight. And the stats keep telling us we have to reach them at a younger and younger age. But I believe in every persons life there comes a moment when the gaunlet is thrown down and you will either embrace a growing life with Christ or pull the plug. There is a reason why the Bible tells us when someone comes to Christ and knows the truth, then walks away, it would be better if they had never known. It is because of the suttle hardening of your heart towards the things of God. God will not allow his grace to be made a mockery of. My heart splits wide open whenever I think of those that I knew so well that have turned their lives over to the world. I know that some of them read this blog. So let me be as plain and to the point as I can. There is no amount of talking, preaching, or sobbing that can convince you to run to God. You can either choose to have your moment of truth now and stop the games or you can have your moment of truth when you kneel at the feet of Jesus to receive judgement. It's your call.

The student from Englewood is safe and back home now. Thank you for your prayers.