Sickness Within

Started a new sermon series last week called "The sickness within." I'm really excited about dealing with some of the issues that come from the heart. Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence because out of it flows the issues of life." Last week I talked about guilt and how guilt says, "I owe you." The only way we can heal guilt is through confession. Not only are we to confess to God, but also the person that we owe. Our relationship with God hinges on our relationships with others. I think we tend to forget that at times. Over the next few weeks I will be dealing with anger, greed and jealousy. Looking forward to cleaning our hearts out for the next few weeks!

Back from Disney

We are back from seven straight days at Disney World. It was truly a incredible time. Jen or I had never been there so it was neat to experience the whole thing together and with the two oldest. What I find amazing about Disney is there care for the customer. When Jen and I arrived at the airport, Disney actually took our bags straight to the hotel so we didn't have to carry them. They transported us everywhere from park to park and when it was time to leave we checked our baggage in the motel and they gave us our bordering passes right there so we didn't have to do it at the airport. Pretty cool! My short time there got me thinking about the church as well. What if the church showed this kind of hospitality? What if the church showed this kind of kindness to strangers when they showed up on a Sunday? The Bible is full of commands for us to show hospitality to those outside and inside the church. As God's people, the church should be known as a place where people can come and feel welcomed. I know the church isn't Disney World, but I believe it should have the same reputation of caring and taking care of those that come inside.

Headed to Disney World

I'm going to be taking a blogging vacation for the next week as I will be taking my family to Florida to Disney World. I can't wait to spend some time with kids this week. Please pray for us as we are gone!

Simons Building

Today we voted on the purchased of the Simon's building right next to ours. I am amazed with the unity of this church week in and week out. The church voted 72-0 on purchasing the building. The building is the exact same size that we currently have so it doubles our space plus we can finally have adequate space for youth and Sunday School. God is definitely awesome and moving here in Montezuma!

Two Services

Well we officially kicked off our two services this past Sunday. I would have to say that things went smoother then I thought. The transition between Sunday School and first service wasn't so bad. Our numbers were a little low yesterday. This past weekend was prom for our Montezuma kids so I'm not for sure if that had anything to do with it. God was still good as Daren Mathes gave his testimony on how his faith has stayed strong this past year even through many trials. I think Daren is a good example of someone like Job in the Bible. Daren has been through a lot yet he has never cursed God through it all.

Daren's testimony made me think that we need to hear more testimonies in our church. Testimonies build us up and strengthen us as the body of Christ. If you have a testimony sometime, don't be afraid to share it. God may use you to help someone us out when they are in need.

Easter Weekend

What fabulous weekend we had this Easter. Even in the freezing cold, our Easter Egg Hunt was a huge success. Over 190 children attended our Egg Hunt this year. Way to go Pastor Keaton for all your hard work. I expect to get some pictures up soon on the website so everyone can see.

Easter services were a huge blessing as well as had 169 people attend between our two services. Pray that seeds were planted in people's heart this weekend as the Word of God came forth. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and made this weekend a great one!

http://www.archive.org/download/CommunityHopeEvangelism101/Evangelism101m.mpg

Here is the video we did Sunday on how not to do evangelism. Hope you enjoy for those that missed.

Easter is coming

Gearing up for Easter weekend and I'm really excited to see what God is going to do. We are trying several things to reach more people this year.

- Every person in Montezuma will get an invite card in the mail to our Easter Services
- Easter Egg Hunt will be held this Saturday. We are hiding over 8,000 eggs!
- Two week newspaper ad plus local tv spots.
- We put a banner outside the church about Easter as people drive by Highway 63 everyday.

Let's pray and believe God for a great harvest this Easter!

We are gearing up for our 2nd Egg Hunt for the community. We are wanting to hide 8000 eggs this year at the School field and as you know 8000 eggs means lots of candy. One of the businesses in town gave me a call yesterday and said that they wanted to donate not just some of the candy but ALL OF THE CANDY! Isn't God awesome! We can now use the money that we would have used for candy for prizes. God amazes me every day.

Walk across the room

I am reading a book right now by Bill Hybels called, "Walk across the room." It is a book on sharing your faith in simple ways. It is amazing if we just ask the Holy Spirit to use us, how He will. There are tons of opportunities for us to share our faith or God's love to someone if we are just open and listening to His voice. God has given me the opportunity this week to share God's love with my own family. As many of you know my cousin lost her husband on Saturday to a car accident. He was in his late twenties and has left behind four little children. My family is not Christian and through this tragic event, God gave has given me the opportunity to share my testimony and faith. Even though I don't believe it was God's will for my cousins husband to die so young, I do believe that God uses every opportunity to draw people to Him. I pray for God's wisdom as I conduct the services this Friday and that people will be drawn to Him.

Church Planting

I spent all my day last Thursday in Iowa City with the church planters in Iowa. My friend Rich Greene is looking at doing something out of the box which I'm really excited about. They are looking at purchasing a building in North Liberty and converting it to a box theater where bands can come and play. There is currently a larger theater in Iowa City that holds 1000 people but some bands can't fill the space. So the idea is to build something smaller. The space would have a coffee house and an auditorium that would seat 300 or so. The church would own the theater and be able to have church there on Sunday's. Jesus did something similar in the New Testament. If you read the scriptures you will find that Jesus spent most of His time in the marketplace not in the synagogues. Instead of trying to get people to go to church, the church needs to go to them. Rich is doing exactly that by this idea. People from all over the city would walk through their doors that normally would not go to church. Absolutely awesome!

THE NAME

It was great to be back in gear on Sunday and have church once again. You seem to be missing something during the week without it. Yesterday we continued our series on temptation and how to defeat the enemy. We cannot forget that one of the tools that God has given us is the power of the Name. Jesus' Name is the only name that is above everything in heaven and earth. Jesus gave us the "power of attorney" to use that name before He went back to heaven. the power of attorney simply gives a person the right to act on someones behalf. This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus said that in my Name, you will cast out demons, heal the sick and even be protected if deadly things come upon you. Peter and John understood the power in Acts 3 when the crippled man was healed. It was by the Name of Jesus that the man stood up and walked for the first time. Let us remember that when we are faced with temptation and attacks from the enemy, that Jesus has given us the right to use His Name. His Name has the power over anything that may be thrown at us.

Icy Weekend

What can I say but this has been a crazy weekend. We lost power on Saturday around 10:30 a.m. and we are yet to have power. I am currently staying at the church with my family because there is heat and power there. (I love my job but this gives living at the church a whole new meaning.) One of things I hated most about this weekend is canceling church. This is twice this year that we've had to cancel. I hate missing the presence of God and the people of God the most. For now its just me and the family hanging out and playing monopoly. Hoping to get the power on soon so we can get back to normal life!

Happy Reunion

The last few weeks have pretty crazy. As many of you know Josh came home Saturday night to do a free concert at his old high school in Martensdale. Nashville Star got a hold of my sister and said they wanted to do a reunion with him and his mom. All I can say is God is good as we got to see Josh for the first time in a long time. I was thankful to the Nashville Star staff as they were very gracious to us and giving us time to spend with Josh. You can see some of the footage Thursday Night at 9 p.m. on the USA Network. God is good and I'm especially happy for my sister.

http://www.archive.org/download/CommunityHopePauseWars/Pause_Wars.mpg

For those that missed the video on Sunday I decided to post in on the blog. Hope you enjoy and may the force be with you.

Leading

I was reading Craig Groschell's blog the other day about why some churches make it and some don't. Here is what it said:

Some church plants make it. Some don’t.
Some ministries grow and reach people for Christ. Some slowly die.
Some student ministries explode. Others implode.
I’ve often wondered why. What’s the difference? While only God can sort out the details, I’ve noticed one phrase that leaders of struggling ministries often repeat. If a leader says this phrase too many times, worse yet, believes it, the ministry or organization will likely struggle or fade away. I call it the “phrase of death.” What is this deadly combination of words?
“The people won’t…”
Here is what someone might say:
“The people won’t bring their lost friends.”
“The people won’t tithe?”
“The people won’t get into small groups.”
“The people won’t serve.”
“The people don’t care about the poor.”
“The people won’t come to the prayer meeting.”
“The people won’t do what I want them to do.”

There’s a fine line between asking someone to do something and leading them to do something. If we just ask a crowd of people to do something, they probably won’t. But if we lead them, chances are much better they will.

8 Responses to “The People Won't

Perhaps we should concentrate of or better yet begin to state these words “I will…”
• I will go• I will give• I will create a small group• I will serve that small group• I will care about the poor• I will pray for all• I will do what others won’t do

Perhaps the answer lies in what each of us “Will Do” not so much in what we say … the scripture does teach that we are to let our light so shine that they see our “good works” and glorify our father which is in heaven.

Crazy Ride and Nashville Star

Well just an update on what is happening with my nephew Josh and Nashville Star. My sister got a call last night from someone from the show and Josh wants to see her. He is coming in this weekend and he is going to do a free concert in Martensdale High School on Saturday night. They want the whole family there for a sort of reunion and its all going to be taped. It will be a late night on Saturday and then get up to preach on Sunday but I want to be there for my sister. My prayer is that this will be a new beginning and fresh start for my sister who hasn't seen her son in over fifteen or so years.

Yesterday our ladies wrapped over 80 valentine plates full of cookies and cupcakes for absentees and prospects for our church. I was amazed by all the plates that were made! I had the chance to deliver a few of them last night and I know everyone was truly grateful. It's amazing what a little plate of cookies can do. We prayed before we delivered the plates that when the people take a bite of cookies they would be reminded of God's love for them.

For those that watched Nashville Star last night, you heard Josh's song that was written for his mom which is my sister. Lots of emotions running last night since it's been ten years or more since I've seen Josh. I know Josh has been hurt by a lot of things in the past and it's really too bad. Divorce can be an ugly thing and Josh does not know the entire story. I know his mom dearly loves him and would like nothing more to connect with him. None of our family has known for years where he has been until all of a sudden he shows up on t.v. This really reminds me of the power of forgiveness and the words of Jesus. We all make mistakes and none of us are perfect and so I'm glad for the forgiveness of Jesus and I'm glad that I can then offer that forgiveness to others. My prayer is that someday Josh will come around and really want to connect with his true mom. I know that our side of the family would want nothing more then to accept him back no matter if he is a Nashville Star or not.

Turning 30

This Saturday I officially turn 30. I remember when I was kid 30 seemed really old but now since I'm turning 30 it doesn't seem so bad. I guess my twenty-something years are over and for awhile I had a hard time with that but now I'm coming to grips with it. Jesus was thirty when He started His official ministry and David was thirty when he became king. My prayer is that the next few years will be a year of getting to know God more, growing more in wisdom and faith and being used by God in a great more powerful way!