Day 14 - January 14, 2006

We'll Get 'Em Next Year, Joe!

The Washington Redskins lost today. They just didn't bring any offense to play the game. Special Teams did great! Defense did great! Offense just wasn't there as in past Redskins' Super Bowl teams. They just weren't there. Long live the days of Joe Theisman, Darrel Green, Dexter Manley, John Riggins, and the countless others that made those teams great!!

This was not one of those teams.

Gotta get a sermon ready.

Day 12-13 - January 12 - 13, 2006

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve--and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD."

- Joshua 24:15 (The Message)

My family and I returned to the old house during these last two days. We accomplished a lot and were able to "feel at home" during this in-between time of our life. It was nice to have family time and work time together and not feel as if I had to split the two for time. Not too much longer and we will have this house emptied and ready to sell. Pray that it sells quickly and for the right price.

Day 11 - January 11, 2006

Praise be to God! He always comes through and is generous. Today my mom gave us a generous financial gift not knowing how much we really needed it. She doesn't have much, but she really helped us to pay our mortgage and have some food for this week. I love my mom!

Praise be to God - He saw my mother in law through surgery and she was home within the same day with little pain.

What a great day to see God come through on those prayer requests.

Day 10 - January 10, 2006

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

Matthew 6:27

This evening was extremely stressful, as was the day. I am not sure what set things off, but I felt very unproductive. Not only does our lack of money weigh heavy on my mind, I haven't heard anything about a possible new ministry. Put on top of that the work of getting our house ready to sell and the worries compound. I must have faith, though, to trust that we are on the right path. I must have faith that despite present circumstances, we will rise above these challenges. God's purpose and plans will be accomplished.

Day 9 - January 9, 2006

But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Spent the day with the ladies in my life at Children's Hospital Central California. My youngest daughter had a checkup with the doctor. Then we went to the Olive Garden and shopping.

Talked with my former Pastor this evening about what God is doing in his life personally right now. Things are moving in the right direction for him and his family. That is great - especially for his kids.

Still praying for God's direction in our ministry. We trust that we will hear something in the next two weeks.

Day 8 - January 8, 2006

Preached a second time at Fresno Trinity Church of the Nazarene.

The Believer's Hope

INTRODUCTION
The story of the Sago Mine from this past week...
The world leads us deeper into the mines of despair with false hopes. The hope of riches leads us on deeper in with every lottery ticket scratched, every hand that is played, every roulette wheel we let spin, and every slot machine we play. Before we know it we've lost our job, sold our car, mortgaged the house, and lost our family. As believers, why do we settle for false and empty hopes that lead us to despair, to settling for the temporal rather than the eternal. Could it be that we really don't understand the nature our Hope in Christ. Do we really get it? Peter understood this and expressed it in 1 Peter 1:3-9.

I. God's Mercy is the Foundation for our Hope (Verse 3)
a. Not only does God in his Great Mercy forgive us, He...
i. Regenerates us – we're born again of a New Nature
ii. Gives us an inheritance
iii. Ephesians 2:1-10

II. It is a LIVING Hope (Verse 3)
Not some uncertain good that we “well-wish” for and then it happens. Not blind in that we aren't sure it will really happen. It is not baseless or groundless.
a. This LIVING HOPE gives life and comforts us in our distress.
b. This LIVING HOPE enables us to meet and overcome difficulties
Romans 8:31-37
c. This LIVING HOPE is backed by the Power of Christ
i. Christ's power over sin and death afforded us hope that we too will overcome sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15:1-7,22-26

III. The object of our Hope is a Heavenly Inheritance (verse 4)
a. A Heavenly Nature - Matthew 6:19-24
i. Incorruptible – will not perish
ii. Undefiled – Is pure and will not spoil
iii. Will not fade away - eternal and timeless
b. A Heavenly Security
i. Reserved – kept in heaven for you – What human can touch it, covet it, or take that away?
ii. Guarded – Not only is your treasure secure, you yourself are protected for your treasure
iii. Ready - It is ready to be given to you at the proper time.

CONCLUSION
The proper understanding of our Hope in Christ leads to Joy in our circumstances. That Joy that acts as a strength in the midst of adversity, and in times of exhuberance, is a beautiful expression of the love God found in Christ Jesus. The goal of our faith is our ultimate salvation. It is a real Hope that has tangible benefits for us here and now. Don't be misled by the sell-out hopes that end up exploding in our face. By faith, trust in the living hope that is guaranteed by a living God of mercy and grace.

The families of those who died in the Sago mine incident were tricked by a hape that turned bad. Thanks be to God that even that hope can be redeemed for those miners who passed from this temporary life into the life eternal with Christ.

Day 7 - January 7, 2006

Redskins 17, Buccaneers 10

Great Sabaath day! Rested, watched the Redskins win their playoff game, and finished up Sunday's Sermon.

Day 4, 5, 6 - January 4 - 6, 2006

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you
will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the
birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of
you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about
clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet
I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of
these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of
little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we
drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

God has given me a peace about our finances. Although my anxiety is always rising it's ugly head, I'm trusting that God will take care of all my needs, including financial. I am confident that He will come through as He always does. Whether he provides the money directly or the means to do so, I will trust Him.

Busy working on the house, so not much time to blog this week. I hope that this house is emptied out soon and we're able to sell it quickly. Man, where did we get all of this junk the past 7 years?

Day 3 - January 3, 2006

This is the very day GOD acted --
let's celebrate and be festive!
Psalm 118:24 (The Message)

This day for me did not go as planned. After a rough night of restlessness, I slept in longer than I had planned. Then my boys and I journeyed over to our house to continue moving stuff to storage and cleaning up the place to sell. We made it until about 3 o'clock when the boys decided they'd leave dad the work and go play with the neighbors. They had fun and needed some outdoor playtime, so I wasn't too concerned to make them work. Anyway, we finished up what we were doing about 6 o'clock, grabbed some dinner and watched Scooby Doo.

I truly hope to find some time to pray, as I wasn't able to last night. It will be a late night lying in bed talking to my God, I think. Still praying for the finances to pick up, for a new place of ministry, and for my family. I know God will come through, he always does, I'm just having an extreme lack of patience...and that sucks!

Nevertheless, I will rejoice for God is in control and still does incredible things in the life of us ordinary human beings. Praise be to God!!!

Day 2 - January 2, 2006

Windy, Rainy, Blah. That was today.

Spent time with the family, watching football, and that was about it. I just really used this day as a day of rest before I work on the house and other things this week.

I'm going to spend some time in prayer this evening when it is quieter, I hope. Have some serious financial concerns, as well as for a friend of the family who is dealing with a serious mental illness.

I'm still praying about my ministry situation as well. Hoping that something opens up soon. Real soon.

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.

Jeremiah 29:11

Day 1 - January 1, 2006

Happy New Year! Today is the first day of my "100 Days" challenge. This is my personal challenge to blog the first 100 days of this New Year.

Today my family and I attended Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Fresno. We were warmly welcomed and my preaching seemed well received. This seems like a very friendly church with a nice mix of age groups, although there didn't seem to be an abundance of children. We will return there for the next two weeks to preach and hopefully be considered candidates for pastor of this church.

This morning's message was based out of Luke 2:22-35. The Christmas gifts have been opened, the Christmas decorations put away. It's a New Year and many are done with even their post-Christmas shopping. Now that we've celebrated Christ's birth, what do we do with Him until Easter? Do we leave him as the baby Jesus lying in a manger? Do we really believe that He is God's greatest gift to mankind? I mean, really, do we understand the magnitude of who Jesus is - post-Christmas?

There is no doubt reading in this narrative that Mary and Joseph were beginning to understand the magnitude of having a new baby to take care of - the diaper changes, the feedings, the crying, the lack of sleep, the challenges of travelling with child just over a month old. The REALITY of Jesus the baby began to sink in. A righteous man named Simeon now drives that reality home as he speaks to the new parents.

Simeon's visit communicates the REALITY of Jesus is seen in the fact that God keeps the promises he makes. In verse 29 Simeon praises God that the promise was kept. This promise of a Savior, not just to Simeon, but to all mankind had finally come to pass. Man's great sin problem was in the process of becoming remedied. The spotless lamb promised to be the sin offering had arrived, as promised. God keeps his promises - that is the REALITY of our situation.

When Simeon looked at Jesus, he declared a great confession of the REALITY of Jesus, my eyes have seen your salvation (verse 30). To see Jesus is to see your Salvation. The two are inseparable. Truly Jesus is the only way of Salvation. The only way to be saved is through Jesus Christ.

The REALITY of Jesus is no secret (v. 31-32). His birth was heralded out in the open for everyone to see. Jesus is available to all - both Jew and Gentile. He is the revelation of who God is to the unbelievers. To those who believe in God, Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises.

The REALITY of Jesus is that He is salvation. He brings hope to the hopless and power to the powerless. That doesn't soud like an ordinary child. Jesus was not an ordinary child. There's a whole other dimension to him.

The holy parents were amazed, speechless even as they marvelled at what Simeon said. Then the reality of who Jesus was (and is) hit home even more. In Simeons address to Mary (v. 34-35) we see that Jesus' future would be rocky for those He came in contact with. And for us today, the REALITY of who Jesus is has great implications for believers.

Jesus will either get in your way or you will step aside and let him lead you. When confronted with the reality of Jesus, you'll either speak against him, or get in line with him. Your reaction to Jesus reveals the true intent of your heart - it reveals your REALITY of you Jesus is. If you claim He is Lord, then you'll let Him lead and you will follow. If your actions differ from your profession, then that reveals a person with divided loyalties. Jesus said no one can serve two masters and God is a jealous God who won't take second place to anyone or anything.

Following Jesus may cause painful personal consequences. To identify with Jesus can bring pain because many will and have rejected the reality of who Jesus is.

In conclusion, Jesus Christ has come to us - He is God's greatest Gift. What now, are we to do with Him. His presence demands a response. Jesus is the promised one, the One who's fulfilled the promise of Salvation readliy available to all in the here and now. What is our response to this?

Have we accepted Christ and the fullness of the salvation He brings to every area of our lives? What needs to change this year to help you follow Christ's leadership into a full salvation? Are you standing in God's way? Are you willing to suffer the personal consequences of denying yourselves and loving and serving others as you follow Jesus?

These are great questions to ponder as we begin this new year - A year closer to eternity, a year closer to Christ's return.

Happy New Year!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My First 100 Days of 2006 Preview

Happy New Year!

Well, the new year is almost here - just hours away really. I hope to blog daily for the first 100 days to chronicle all of the new things I notice that God is doing in my life and the life of my family. I hope to highlight the new joys and challenges of starting in a new ministry field as we seek to serve God in a new church and community.

Back to the Fresno State Bowl Game! More later.

The End of my Lemoore Naz Era

Today marks the end of a long period in my life and the life of my family.

While last Sunday (Christmas) was my last Sunday at the church, today I turned in my keys and things at the church. I really thought it was going to be more difficult than it was, but it really wasn't. All of my files were already packed and in storage, so I only had to lug a few file folders out of the building with some mail that I had. After talking to the Pastor for a while and hugging the treasurer and secretary goodbye, I just left. No fanfare, no hurrah, just walked out the door.

You would think that after five years, it would be difficult, but it really wasn't. We really don't have any close friends left there. We had great relationships with some of the teens, but no adults really seemed sad to see us go. It is interesting to think that in the five years that my family and I have attended there, we didn't have many if any close friends. After all, the church is very friendly, but not able to carry that through to an actual friendship. I mean we didn't even have a going away reception of sorts. Just a passing reference in a Christmas sermon. I SPENT FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE THERE SERVING IN MINISTRY AND DID SOME GREAT THINGS - AND ALL I GOT WAS A PASSING GOODBYE!!! That hurts, and I should be above that, but I am human, and an "Atta Boy!" now and then would be encouraging.

Guess I can just throw it on the pile with all the other "hurts" that God's people have "loved" on me...gossip...broken promises that were made in public...insulting my family...demeaning my ministry...judging me and my family and not holding themselves to the same standard...being fake...etc, etc, etc. I know that I am lying these at the altar of forgiveness, but I just can't figure out why GOD'S PEOPLE act this way. They're supposed to be transformed. They're supposed to be IN this world, but not OF this world. They're supposed to be a reflection of the Love of God in Christ Jesus. However, all I've seen is fake Christianity with well meaning intentions, but no follow through. Is this an example of the SAVING power that Christ brings? I think my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, died and rose again to bring a REAL power to be transformed.

May God transform me, grant me the power to forgive, and fill my heart with love for these that have taken a dump on me. I do love them, and I hope that we can spend an eternity in Heaven together, in the meantime, please take these hurts and heal me and my family.

Much to Blog about, just not much time

There are so many things I must be writing, but so little time to write them. Even now as I sit to post this, my children are screaming, my wife is wiped out after caring for them all day, and I about finished myself. Nevertheless, I must post about the recent confusion I've been having. Perhaps by doing this, a solution may present itself.

We need to move. I need to be closer to my job to do it effectively. We've outgrown our home, too. It is nearly 100 years old and more things fall apart on it every year. If we sell it, I know we'd earn a profit of around 20 - 30 thousand dollars in today's market. The quandry is there is nothing affordable that would be a step up (in space and quality). The housing market has boomed out of our price range. Even with a $30,000 down payment we cannot qualify for financing on the remaining balance.

What's more is we can afford the homes where we really want to live, only there are no jobs available there. Ah, life is cruel with its ironies.

Oh well, off to bed. Hope I can sleep tonight.

Mother's Day

Ah, Mother's Day. A great day set aside to honor mothers everywhere, sell greeting cards, and fill restaraunts to over capacity making the average wait time over an hour. Ah, another great holiday.

So why on this day to honor moms did our pastor choose the opportunity to talk to tired, overworked moms about the topic of undisciplined children? Can't they have one day of guilt-free worship and actually be encouraged that something they're doing is actually right?

Not at our gathering this morning. No, instead they were treated to the idea that an unruly child is not at fault for their behavior - it's that parent's fault. We have to judge the parent for the child's behavior. That mom should be taking control of the situation spanking that kid - or putting him in time out first. And don't talk down the "church", the pastor, or anything such in front of the kids for they might get a wrong impression of the church, the pastor, or such things. Well, I think we are called to love (especially a woman 0r man in the stressful situation of an unruly child). I also think that kids know when things aren't right at "church", with the pastor, or in other situations. Hmmm...perhaps that's the cause of their acting out. Interesting thought to ponder.

Now I am not advocating Sunday afternoon disses on the pastor, fellow Christians, or other such things. Nor am I advocating discipline that doesn't involve corporal punishment. However, I do think that Pastors should make the effort to actually preach God's Word and not just to vent to the congregation about their pet peeves (that's what BLOGS are for!). Our family was left with a feeling of false guilt and hopelessness following the morning worship. During the "sermon" there were no solutions for tired, overworked moms, no hope for relief, just loads of guilt and accusations.

Needless to say, the altars were full - they had to do something with all that guilt, I suppose. Perhaps they were praying for the Pastor. I was.

Perhaps it would have been different if they had a few different perspectives on the subject. It may have been different if they're grown children were actually attending church. It may have even been different if they actually had young children living in their home with them. How soon we forget.

Next time we have an all church event, my children will run wild (they're children after all), my wife and I will no doubt be "judged" because our kids are acting like kids, and another sermon will be preached about this issue (he's gotta preach about something on Father's Day) rather than coming to the parents of "unruly" children and talking about it.

I love you Pastor, but you were wrong on this one, and I love you enough to tell you that.

Stuck in the Middle of a Paradigm Shift

Here I am - stuck! The great societal paradigm of modernity is slowly and unwillingly giving way to postmodernity and all the uncertainties it holds - and I'm stuck in the middle. All the absolutes I was taught are now just several "truths" on the great smorgasbord of ideas. All the things that were certain for me are no longer certain for my family. The familiar world is now alien. I don't like being stuck! I don't consider myself modern by any means - and I'm definitely not Post-modern - I'm just stuck! Stuck in the middle of this huge Paradigm shift in some "catch-22" sort of way.

I'm confident that I'll get out of this sticky situation - I mean, I have to. I've got a family to take care of, children to raise, work to do. It will just take time to figure all this out - and unfortunately I don't have that much time. Perhaps in all this rambling something will click - something will snap my mind out of this fog and make things make sense again. Perhaps this is all I have to look forward to (all this fog) until the next major Paradigm shift. I hope it happens soon - I hate fog.