it -- A Book Review

Last night I finished reading “it” by Craig Groeshel. I would not be telling the truth if I did not communicate that this book literally made me cry. I have lost sleep over what Pastor Groeshel illustrates and brings up. Well. . . that’s not exactly accurate. Repentance and prayer could hardly be called “a loss of sleep.”

This book is more than a very creative way for the author to say it more times than normal circumstances allow. This is a wonderful and masterful look at Spirit filled, Christ focused ministry that honors God. (I know that seems a little redundant but oh well.)

I am sorry to say that I only have two thumbs to put way up in the air. But after you read it there will be two more.

I would strongly recommend you read this 200 page volume if you are serious about ministry that pleases God. If you are not serious about Christ centered ministry, then I beg you to read it.

Book Review

I finished a great little book yesterday by a Missiologist named Ed Stetzer and Pastor Mike Dodson. I think I can sum this book up in three statements:

1. Some churches do not want to grow.
2. Some churches want to grow but don’t know how.
3. Some churches grew when they realized that they are a ___ year old church plant.

They key to becoming a comeback church, seeing spiritual revival amongst God’s people and the salvation of souls, is quite simply to have a MISSIONARY MIND-SET.

Oh that every Christian would take the great commission seriously. Let’s start with you and me.

Shalom.

Random Street Witnesses for Jesus' Fame

(Sent from a spell-checkless mobile device.)

Yesterday, some of the good folks from Bethany Baptist (along with some other area churches) "targeted" the Portland Rose Festival. We passed out tracts and were able to engage dozens of people in a one-on-one dialogue about the gospel. To quote my wife:

"It was awesome!"

We intentionally set out to engage strangers with the Gospel. I think I can speak for everyone when I say:

1. It did not feel natural.

2. I was a little scared.

3. I got to meet a bunch of really interesting people.

4. Once the initial fear was past... I had a lot of fun.

All in all... Jesus was proclaimed... the saints were edified... God the Father got glory... and people heard the saving message of Jesus Christ.

So, the question remains:

Will you join us on our next outing?

Scared... but Necessary

I'm scared.

Yep...

Some of the good folks at Bethany are meeting up this evening and going to do some "Random Street WItnessing" on the streets of Portland. Pray for us, that we will be bold yet humble, and for those who hear, that the Lord will give them ears to hear.

I'll keep ya all updated.

:)

A Day at the Coast

This past Monday, I took the Fab 5 (Daniela and the kids) to Seaside, OR. We had a lot of fun. Daniela and I spent a lot of time on the beach playing with the kids and talking about ministry, the future, and just plain talking.

I am not used to the ultra-fine sand on the Oregon Coast. Not only is it really gentle to walk on, it has some peculiar features. I dropped a penny into the sand and guess what? IT VANISHED. It was as if I had done nothing. The penny was far denser than the sand and seemed to disappear.

Let me encourage all of us to take a few lessons from the penny, the sand, and this story:

• We have a message (the Gospel) that will not do anyone any good if we simply hide it in the sand.
• We need to be careful that the world around us does not swallow the message up. We need to train our selves to be students of the Word.
• Throwing a penny in the sand may have seemed like a waste to some, but it taught a timely lesson. Be sure to share what god has taught you with those who need to hear.

Shalom

Deuteronomy 8:2 and you

Deuteronomy is probably one of the most challenging books in the entire Bible.  Someone will say, BUT WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW!  To which I say, “Amen! Amen! Amen!”

 

But:

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

If 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 is still in effect, and it is, then we had better take the O.T. seriously!  Deuteronomy 8:2 says:

 

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

 

We will expand on this verse this Sunday, but for now… think on these things:

 

1.  In what areas of your life has the Lord tested you to see if you will follow Him?

2.  In what areas of your life has the Lord tested you that you may share your faith with others?

3.  Are you grateful that the Lord uses you and your circumstances?

 

Shalom.

 

 

Thoughts I've been Thinkin'

(SORRY FOR ANY ERRORS YA'ALL... I WROTE THIS ON A DEVICE THAT DOES NOT HAVE SPELL CHECK)

Here is a short list of semi-random thoughts that I have been dwelling on.

* Celebration without commitment is not worship.

* Dogma without concern to edify is just plain mean.

* If you speak the truth without love, you're just being abusive.

* Love covers a multitude of sins, but our sin nature want's so desperately to uncover them again.

* Those who do not reach-out are selling out.

* No news is not always good news. Take the gospel for instance.

* Never underestimate the counsel of those closest to you... For better or for worse they are normally the ones that know you best.

* When life throws you a lemon... Make lemonade. (kinda cheesy... But true.)

Just thinkin'.

Much ado about something

It has been quit some time since I posted last. A lot has been happening. The world is spinning, taxes are now past due (!) and there is a new “pandemic” known, interestingly enough, as the swine flu. In my life I have outlined the Book of Deuteronomy (fun, but tedious), caught up on a lot of sleep, and done very little writing. That last mention is actually a really good thing… I find writing extremely therapeutic… therefore, no writing = not need for therapy. Sort of.

: )

But here is something that has not happened yet that all of Creation is yearning for:

THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Flu… economy… depression… writer’s block… all of these and more will be distant memories when He comes back for His church. Listen to the words of the Apostle John:

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Revelation 22:20 - 21

What is amazing this is that the Bible ends with an invitation to come to Christ. In the Book of the Revelation, John has outlined the horror that is awaking those who reject Christ. And yet, these things are all written in the future tense and have yet to happen in the our lifetime. The Book of the Revelation and therefore the Bible as a whole ends with an invitation to come to Christ. AMEN!

Yesterday I had a great and unique privilege of preaching two memorial services. I was fortunate to be speaking in front of a crowd of Christians. They do not fear death… and rightfully so. Jesus has conquered the grave. And yet we await His coming for us.

Have you told someone of the Lord’s saving grace today?

Shalom.

Trial

Welcome to the 21^st Century.

 

I am sending this from my laptop via email.

 

Shalom.