When did America become Heaven?...

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 TNIV)

Look at what is going on in America today. Better yet, look at what is going on in the churches in America. Christians have turned the "church" into a building. We worship the buildings more than we do Jesus. Our pastors no longer preach tough, life changing messages, they preach fluff. I would go as far and say that the Jesus they are preaching about is not the true Jesus Christ. The Jesus they preach isn't powerful enough to change someone's life, let alone create the universe. We have allowed our church leaders to turn Jesus into a false idol.

Too often today, the messages from the pulpits of America are all about prosperity, better this, and better that. While I wholeheartedly believe that God will prosper his people, My question is this, when is hell ever spoken of in these churches? Hell is the new dirty word in the church. We don't want to offend people because they might quit tithing (if they even do that), and then how would we pay for that $2.5 million building? So, all we do is tickle people ears so they will keep putting their butts in the seats and throwing money in the offering bucket, but they never get out of those seats. They are so consumed with the American dream that they don't move. Christians today no longer have the power of God in their lives.

As we keep patting people on the back and saying its ok to do whatever they want, we keep sending them to hell. We as the church have failed and turned God's heavenly dream into our own American dream. We have taken power away from God because we are too worried about the next biggest and best purchase to improve our social status. We think if we sit in a chair on Sunday it's ok to do whatever we want until the next time we walk through the doors to our giant stained glass building that is empty of God's presence.

Wake up! It is time to get off the bench and stop being bleacher bums. It's time to stop being spoon fed by leaders that are more concerned with what they have here than what they are building in heaven. We must dig into the word. We must reach the lost. We must pray! We must forcefully advance the kingdom of God. This is war! It's time to get in the game and make an eternal difference. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Do you want him to wrap his arms around you and say well done, or do you want him to sadly shake his head and say your American dream was not what I had planned for you.

God can and will prosper his people. His seed will never go hungry or beg for bread. But, we have to seek the true Christ that is in the Bible, not the one that is being taught to so many today. Lets seek Him and go out into the world and reach the lost! Lets change the world the way Jesus intended. Let show the lost His love and share the truth with them. Jesus loves all of us and wants to know each and every one of us. The question I ask you is, how much do you want to know the real Jesus?...

Earthly or eternal?...

God is on the move, but where do we go? What do we do next? What is it going to take for the church to see that it is not about big, fancy buildings? Or how much nice stuff we can get? When are people that are saved going to realize that it is no longer about us? If we've been saved, our ticket is punched. We are going to heaven, but we can't just sit down and say forget everyone else. Jesus called us to follow him and to be better than what we were. He commissioned us to go unto all the world. We must reach others. it is all about the lost!

So, why do most Christians hide behind the walls of their church? Why do they drive into their garage and never show Gods love to even their closest neighbors? Why is a Christian in the United States more worried about the American dream than they are the Heavenly dream? The "church" is not about million dollar buildings, or pastors with mansions and luxury cars. The church is the people that follow Christ, and I think it is time we demand that our leaders quit washing down the gospel and slap us in the face with the truth: it is not easy to follow Christ.

Everyone knows that things here on earth are temporary. So why not build up an eternal treasure? I think it's because we can't see through death's veil. We can't see what's on the other side, so we become enamored with comforts here. We have to have faith that what we are doing here is building up eternal comforts in the presence of our all-mighty, loving God! I will endure hardship here in this temporary life so that I can enjoy an eternity of bliss with Jesus. I will do all that I can to take as many people with me that I can.

God please don't let me fail you. Help me to grow daily in my faith in you. Help me to get past my own insecurities and wants to unabashedly follow you and spread your salvation throughout the world. Here I am, send me!

Faith in the wind...

If lucifer and all of the angels that fell with him believe in Jesus, how much more should I believe? While they have seen his glory and power where I haven't, they are afraid of him and I am hungry for him. If they tremble and run away at just the mention of his name, how secure should I feel? He has his hand over me. He has the best intentions for me and my family. He wants to bless me. He wants to use me. So why have I not had enough faith in the past? Flesh just gets in the way. That's all there is to it. When all we can see is this fleshly world and all it's trouble, it is hard to believe sometimes. When there is more bills than money at the end of the month, it is hard to believe. That is why it is called faith. The substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. My God is like the wind. I can't see him, but I feel his movement and power. He is a refreshing breeze that this stale, stank world needs. God, I pray that everywhere I go that your refreshing breeze and presence go with me. When people look at me, I want them to see and feel you. Jesus, I decrease so you can increase in my life. If God is for me, who can be against me?

Is God in a box?

Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth. (Psalm 46:10 GWT)

What kind of box have I put God in? He doesn't exist in any box. Nothing can hold my God. So why do I feel like there is a soundproof piece of glass between us? I feel his presence and know he is there, however it feels like he is trying to speak to me but I can't hear him. It's like I can see his mouth move but I hear nothing he is saying. I am straining hard to hear him, even the smallest noise from him. I will do what I can to break the glass, but He is the one who can break it without effort. I will do the work I need to do to reach him, but I need his help and guidance. I will not stop doing the work He has called me to do until He says to do something else or I meet him face to face. I will serve and praise him through the storm.

Stuff...do you have too much?...

Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 


There is one major thing that Christ told us to do as his followers...Go! So let me pose a simple question. Why do so many of us stay? It seems to me that many churchgoers now see missions as an option or as something to be observed from far away. We have become a church of bleacher bums.

We have decided that we are too comfortable in our nice homes, with our comfortable cars, sitting back and just observing life as it passes us by. We appear to think that God has called us to live the American dream, but I think we are just addicted to our stuff.

Look at the Gospels in the New Testament. Jesus never said we were going to fit in and live nice comfortable lives. In fact he stated the opposite. He said the world would hate us, and he even told several people that they would have to sell everything to truly be his followers. Now, I'm not saying we can't have nice things, but it's when those nice things take the place of the call God has put on our lives that a problem arises.

God has called us all to go, and it is time for us to answer the call. It's time for us to get out of our comfort zones and reach the lost. They are out there just waiting for us to come to them. Some of them are here in the United States, and there are many more around the world.

After my recent trip to Zimbabwe, I've realized that even though I may not have much my quest for more (aka the American Dream) was taking precedence over the call God has put on my life. I was more worried about how I would buy a bigger house and a nicer car when God opens the door for full time ministry than I was about the souls God has called me to touch. I think this is an epidemic that has swept our country.

Missions are not an option. God has called us to go. You may ask, what about the people in need around us? The answer is simple. That is what a life giving local church is for. The local church is there to serve people locally, but Christ said to go unto all the nations. It's time to quit relying on our stuff, get rid of what we need to get rid of, and follow God's command.

Ok, so you need a place to start. Try reading Radical by David Platt. It will give you a different outlook on how some churches have changed the Gospel to fit the American Dream instead of God's Dream.

It's time to reach out to the world. It's time to stop being comfortable and content. It's time to move. You have been challenged, now what will you do with it? Thanks for stopping by and God Bless...

I worship...You can too...It's ok...Really...

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the king of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. - Psalm 47:6-7

     How many of you know this scenario? You walk into church on Sunday morning, get a bulletin from a greeter, find your way to your seat, maybe say hello to someone you recognize, you stand up when worship starts, hold on to the back of the chair in front of you while you sing, and all during the worship you sing as quiet as you can. When the music finally stops, you are glad that you can sit down and just be a face in the crowd the rest of the morning. Then, when the preacher is done you try to be the first person out the door so you can get on with the rest of your day.

     I'll be honest (big surprise), this scenario makes me sick. Now, I do not condemn anyone who does this when they go to church. Everyone is at a different place in their relationship with God, and that is just where some people are at. However, for me, this just won't do. To me, God deserves so much more from my worship. I haven't always had this opinion, but God has been doing some work in me that makes me care less about what other people think of me. My focus is on him, and I want to help others shed whatever holds them back from truly worshiping with all they have. 

     Now, I guess it might be time to step on some toes. People who think you have to wear a suit and tie to enter the church doors, plus stand at attention while holding a hymn book to sing have it wrong. Now you can say this is just my opinion, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say God agrees with me. How do I know this? Well, I've read the Bible, especially the book of Psalms. I've read stories about how the Israelites, David, Daniel, and many others have worshiped. Now, at times they have stood silently in God's presence, but most of the time they had their hands raised, raised their voices, played their best instruments, danced around, etc. Basically, they unabashedly praised God with every bit of their being, and they did it without shame or caring what other people were saying. Plus, I believe God smiled and took joy in how they were praising him, even if it looked silly.

     Let me add some more of my opinion here. I don't think everyone has to worship the same way. Some people give it all they have by singing with their hands raised. Others have to jump up and down or clap their hands. Some people, however, worship God with all they have by just standing in their spot, maybe singing, maybe being quiet before God, and they let the presence of God wash over them. When you sing is doesn't have to be a Grammy winning performance either. All you have to do is make a joyful noise to the Lord. One of the greatest worshipers I know right now sings a little off key, but he has it right. He worships with everything he has no matter who is around him, and I think thats where we all need to be. 

     So what this comes down to may sound a little strange. It comes down to honesty. You have to be honest with yourself and with God. When the worship music starts what urge do you have? If no one else was around and the music was on a CD, what would you do? Would you clap? Would you jump? Would you raise your hands and voice as high as you could and tell God how much you love and adore him? This is one time you shouldn't ask what would Jesus do. Stop holding back. If you feel like doing something during worship, do it. If your church looks down on that, find a life giving church that lets you worship the way God is calling you to. Stop being proud and embarrassed of God!!! That is what you are doing when you don't give God your all. He will meet you where you are, but you have to let go and worship Him. Do you think that if you go to Heaven you are just gonna walk around with your hands in your pockets? I don't think so. If you make it to Heaven, you with throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and cry out "Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord God Almighty." If you think I must be crazy for saying that, then you need to read the Bible a little more because it says every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess. I'm pretty sure when it says every, it includes you and me. So why not get a head start and worship him here on earth so you can be practiced up when you get to Heaven.

     I feel the need to throw this in also. I believe that worship is one of the main things that you need in your relationship with God. If all you ever do is ask for stuff, how will God know that you love him? Sure he sees your heart, but he wants you to tell him. Does the person you love know that you love them if you never tell them? Of course not. They want to hear you say it, and so does our Savior.

     I have to say I hope this shakes somebody up. It's time to let go of religion and have a relationship. It's time to stop being prim and proper and go after an encounter with Christ. Let go. Be free. After all isn't that what Jesus came to this earth for? He came to set us free, and whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

     Thanks for stopping by and God Bless...

Word of the week...Encounter...

Ok, so I know its been a while since I've posted a blog. The last few months have been days of blurred activity and chaos. Well, not so much chaos, but needless to say I have been busy. Everything that has been happening has led up to this point.

So here is a quick question. Have you ever felt like your life is at critical mass? You know, that point where something has to give or you will explode. The point where you need a touch emotionally, spiritually, or even physically. The point where life's path will change forever. That's where I am at and I think a lot of people are.

Here's my opinion why. Most of the people that call themselves Christians have never had a true encounter with Jesus Christ. They go to church on Sunday. They might even go to a small group during the week, but they never take the steps necessary to truly have a life changing encounter. This is the biggest failure of today's church. We are so wrapped up in our social status, what we want, and (to be blunt) we enjoy our sins too much to let them go. Too many Christians think that sitting in a seat for an hour and a half on Sunday morning makes them good. The problem with this is that they never engage in worship, and while the message is coming from the stage, they are busy surfing facebook. They hear one or two lines of what the preacher says that makes them feel guilty, so they respond when the altar call happens. They might have a goose bump moment and feel better about themselves. Then they shake someone's hand as they walk out the door.

However, when they go home they aren't happy. They are like dogs returning to their vomit. They go back and do the same things that they know pull them away from Christ. They go to the same adult websites, the same clubs or bars, yell at their spouses, or just drink the pain away. It's always me-me-me, what I want to do, my busy schedule, just one more drink, just one more nude picture, I have to put my kids in every sport or event, we have this activity or that practice, I don't have time for Jesus stuff now, but I will later. After all God will understand, won't he? I have to do all these things to make it. All the while, the family Bible gets a little more dusty on the shelf. Unwilling to give God a little time with the most life giving tool only a few feet away. True joy and true peace are so close, but to several it is too much of a sacrifice to their lifestyle to change.

Critical mass, something in life needs to change or you will explode.

I honestly hope this slaps a few of you in the face. I'll be completely honest, I'm not perfect and I stumble from time to time. However, I choose to get up and chase after God. I hunger for a life-changing encounter with him. I sacrifice certain events for my family and my kids to have time for him. We try to do a family devotional every night (notice I said try), and we encourage our kids to serve and pray. Again, I'm not perfect, but I do my very best to lead my family into a God-filled life to encounter him.

I recently had the honor to go on a missions trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. God had whispered to me back in December that I needed to go on this trip and that he would change my life there. Needless to say, I went and he did. I truly realized for the first time that God is the same all over this world. Wherever there are people hungry for God, he shows up. What was so amazing is how hungry the people of that area are for God. Here is my lightbulb about that. They have so much less than us in the USA that they have more time to dedicate to seeking Christ. They have fewer material possessions to take care of, so they take care of their spirit and seek an encounter with him. Encountering God in Zimbabwe has forever changed me, and I hope that I can change the lives of others with the hunger I now have.

I'm gonna be a little blunt here. Ask yourself a few questions. What am I doing that I should give up and give that time to God? What sins am I returning to day after day that are keeping me from growing close to Jesus? Here is a simple one. Why don't I spend 5 or 10 minutes a day praying and reading my Bible? What steps do I need to take to have a life-changing encounter with Christ, and then lead my family there?

Be honest with yourself. Be honest with God. He already knows the truth. You can't hide it from him. Get past your pride. Who cares about social status. When you are hungry for God he is what matters, not what everyone else says or thinks.

Think about it. It could change your life.  Thanks for stopping by and God Bless...