Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Tuesday a Day Late

Yesterday was so busy that I did not really get time to post a note on the blog.

Please be in prayer with me in the next few weeks. I am praying about the preaching schedule for 2008. I know we need to have a campaign that emphasizes our Small Groups. I am praying about guest speakers for the year. I am also praying about types of series that will be beneficial to our church.

When I pray about what to preach I find that I end up praying for individual people in the process. I think the best way to know what to speak about is to get to know your church, pray for individuals, keep an eye on the cultural trends that need addressing, and make a plan. Once you have a plan you can get creative and make sermons memorable. I want to be more creative in 2008 than ever before. Please keep me in your prayers.

Hallelujah Night

Tonight is H. Night and I think everything is ready. We literally have hundreds of prizes to give away in addition to the loads of candy that we will be handing out. We have prepared 180 bags of candy and think that we may have that many children. The weather looks great for the outdoor stuff. The theme is "A Military Adventure." There will be a Humvee and two service men giving tours of the vehicle. There will be a barrel ride outside and lots of free food.

Bring all your friends!

Monday, October 29, 2007

My Little Elizabeth

Yesterday we prayed for my daughter Elizabeth. She was extremely inactive yesterday morning and started to get a rash on her face in the morning. At church she sat on Grampa's lap almost the entire service. That is a bit unusual because she usually does not sit well through church ever, but goes to Jungle Jam Toddler Church and has a blast!

By the time we got home the rash was better and by evening she seemed perfectly normal. We are wondering if it was a teething problem. Thank you for praying for Elizabeth!

Weekend Review

Today is a chance to catch up on some things.
First, I caught up on my e-mail and have an empty in-box.
Second, I caught up on some reading.
Third, I caught up on some cleaning that needed to be done in my office and in the storage area in the attic. We have a mountain of stuff in the garbage.

Yesterday was the nursing home service. All of my kids sang with me, and that was fun. My mom was also able to sing with us. She is great at sight reading music and can jump in on almost any kind of music skillfully. I am still a bit tired.

Yesterday was also a bit of a challenge because of all the announcements. One of the most exciting is this, we are starting Angel Food Ministries. Click on the link to get more information. Angel Food Ministries web site has more information if you are interested in knowing more about the nationwide ministry. You can also check out this month's menu.

I already have a great testimony of answered prayer from the extra time we spent praying after service yesterday. There was a great attitude of worship in both services.

Wednesday night is Hallelujah Night, our fall outreach. Be sure and invite a friend. We stayed up late last night building the maze. That is one of the best jobs if you are helping with H. Night. It is fun to create.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

My Devotions

I thought that readers might be interested in knowing what is happening in my devotions lately. I read through the Bible every year from start to finish. My reading year does not start in January, but on the day after I finish the previous reading. It is usually late Spring. I keep a running history of each date that I complete the task in the fly of my Bible so that I stay on track annually and can count the times I have read the Bible. My goal is to read the Bible through (not including sermon study) as many times as I am years alive. Due to my childhood, I am still behind. I also use a tool in my computer Bible program to chart my progress each year. This year I am allowing myself a bit of adjustment by occasionally throwing in a N.T. book as I read through the Old Testament.

I just finished Joshua and have read two gospels and two epistles in the mix.

Here are some observations this time through:
1. Since the Israelites were about 600,000 men in the desert I figure that makes about 2.2 million people. The A/G in the U.S. is about that same size. When I think about all the relational connections in the A/G I am amazed. When I carefully follow the names and relations in the nation of Israel it is very similar. It is amazing how interconnected two million people can be.
2. It was amazing to me that Moses taught the Law to a second generation in Deuteronomy chapter one. There is such a generational gap in our modern church culture. The relatively young seem so disconnected from the relatively, "more mature." What favor from God must have been on Moses to not only lead his generation, but the next generation as well.
3. God told Israel to "send spies." The job of a spy seems to be a lot of things, none of which line up with the boring, Mr. Rogers style persona that we seem to always put forth as a model masculine Christian Life (or should I say lack of masculine?).
4. It seems more and more to me, that the wording in the New Testament is taken from the Old Testament. Compare Gen. 18:14 with Luke 1:37. The phrases are almost exactly the same, in almost the same context, God announcing an impossible conception of a child. The skeptics will view these similarities saying the New Testament is a hoax, a new story told with old lingo to make it sound credible. The believer will see the hand of God in the writing (2 Peter 1:21).

Let's read the Word.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Second e-newsletter

The second e-news letter is going out Thursday morning. If you are not signed, up sign up tonight in the space to the right of this post!

What's New for 2008?

I have been thinking and praying a lot about 2008. A lot of 2008 will be the same. No huge transitions like last year. However, we are making some changes and looking forward to some growth in many ways. I have been thinking of a theme for 2008, "The Mission."

The primary thing we need to do in 2008 is reach the un-churched and the de-churched. The un-churched are those who have had no contact with Jesus in their lives. The de-churched are those who have left church or Christianity because of hurt, frustration, or just being drawn away by the Devil. Perhaps a de-churched person you know went to church as a youth, but now is far from God. They have some vague general assumptions about Jesus Christ and his Church, and may not like what they think they see.

The second part of "The Mission" is to reach the world for Jesus through missionary work. We are planning two missions trips, one for youth, one for adults. We are also changing the way we have missionaries visit our church so that we will go from having 5-6 per year to 12-13 next year! We will do this without giving up any extra Sunday morning services to guest speakers! It will require a slight change in our missions budget, but will not effect the tradition we have established of every cent of your missions faith promise money going directly to missionaries.

Another part of "The Mission" is to plant new Small Groups in our area. I am praying that the Lord will help us plant a Small Group that meets on the campus of ECC maybe even in January. That Small Group will have unbelievable potential and can even receive support from Chi Alpha missionaries like Bob Marks. Our church has supported Bob Marks for over 20 years of campus ministry.

The last part of "The Mission" is to keep up and enhance the outreach ministries we have already built and have in place. The City Wide Easter Egg Hunt, Hallelujah Night, and Angel Food Ministries, which we are in the process of starting right now!

Please be in earnest prayer about the ways in which we can minister for Jesus. Please be in earnest prayer about the help that Jesus wants you to give in his Kingdom.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Suprised by my Postmodern Son

Wednesday, after I had posted the Postmodern Son entry my wife was reviewing the Wednesday night kids lesson with Gabe before he went to bed. She asked him if he wanted to be like Jesus. He said, "No." She said, "Why not?" He replied, "I want to be like dad."

Hopefully the two are one and the same.

Weekend Review

Sunday early service was great. People worshiped and I shared the message I intended. In the second service it was a completely different story. It was like everyone was asleep and drugged. It seemed there was a real hindrance.

I changed the sermon when I began to speak in the second service. The message I had ready was very detailed and required a lot of thinking. The second service was in need of something different. The audio of the message in the second service may be terrible, I spoke without out notes and had to use a hand held microphone.

I still think that God did some great things in the hearts of people. We had a lot of new people at church on Sunday. Perhaps the presence of a lot of new people and the absence of a lot of sick folks who regularly attend changed the dynamic of the second service.

Whatever the reason, it is our privilege to come together each week and worship God. It is our responsibility before him to give him our very best! Remember that God did not accept Cain's sacrifice in Genesis 4. Able on the other hand had a very pleasing sacrifice to God. Let's all work together to make our worship to God pleasing to him. If we do we will reap the benefits! If you want a great church, then be a great worshiper. It is more clear than ever (now that we have two services that are exactly the same except for audience) that the power to move the heart of God is not in the worship leader alone. The power to move God's heart is in his people's response to him. The power is in your hands.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Post Modern Son

Last night we were roasting marsh mellows in the back yard around a small fire with our twin boys (4.5 yrs.) and our little girl (2.5 yrs). I told Gabe who is 4.5 years old that he could not have a second smore (sp.?) because we were out of chocolate (really it was because it was about time for bed). So he said, "Well, I'll just have a marsh mellow on gram crackers." I said, "No, each of us only get to eat one tonight, it is getting late and that is too much sugar." Then he said, "I know that it is too much sugar. But, I can have another marsh mellow anyway."

This is the dilemma of our day. Really it has been the dilemma of the ages. Truth is today considered by many to be relative. We used to assume that if there were two opposing truths that one had to be false. Now we assume that to absolutely opposing truths are both equally valid and true. We don't tolerate opposing views, even though we may disagree. We tolerate opposing views by saying they are both true.

My son completely agreed with my argument that it was too much sugar, he did not try to argue with me. He simply said that his viewpoint was, though totally opposite, equally true. I am proud of his ability to argue and think on his feet. He is quite interesting that way, but also frustrating. Its like living with a lawyer who is trained to argue (no offense to lawyers).

I believe in a holy God. I don't always understand him perfectly, but he is perfect. I trust in his perfection even when I am confused. If there is a perfect God, then there is an absolute truth to every matter. He ultimately knows the truth. I believe that when we study hard and pray hard we will find the truth too. It is never a job for the self-righteous or the egotist, but that does not mean that the job should be abandoned either!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Passion

This Sunday I shared a message about God's love for us. He is over the top, universally, and supernaturally in love with people. His love is greater than the love of your mother or your father for you! Jesus loves you!

To hear the message click here.

Now, if God has this much passion for people, we should too!

If God loves people who reject, hurt, offend, and make fun of him why can't we? It is hard to forget hurts, but if we have the the Lord Jesus Christ living in us (you know, the guy that said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.") then we have the power, authority, and ethical mandate to forgive.

I just watched Ellen Degeneres make a tearful and passionate plea for a dog to be returned to two children. Wouldn't it be great if Christians made their plea to the world with that much raw passion? Instead, we think we have to have the right lighting, music, program, a stoic and logical presentation, and never admit our mistakes, whatever. We just need to believe in the Lord so much that we would be a fool for him and the people he loves so deeply.

In the last few days the Lord has been pressing me to pray for two tings. First, that Christians would stop just attending church and start allowing God to transform their lives. Second, that the Church, our church, would go out and find the lost and compel them to come to Jesus Christ. We know that when they find him they will find him filled with love.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Apple Butter day

Today Mary Ann, who works at the nursing home called me and asked if I would come down and visit while they are cooking Apple Butter today. I shot down right away. I always go to the nursing home for church services on the 4th and 5th sundays of every month. I feel like the chaplain there now. My kids like to sing in the services and it is a lot of fun.


They have been making Apple Butter every year for 40 years! They showed me picturs of ladies peeling apples in 1970. If those ladies were 80 in the pictures, then they were born in 1890!

It was really funny when a staff member was unsure what to do next in the process. One of the residents would pipe up and shout our the directions. As I was stirring the pot one elderly lady nearby said, "You know what we need now, a keg of beer!" A lady across the large circle of people watching shouted out, "A jug of whisky would be better!" Those comments got a few dirty looks from some prohibitionists and a few chuckles as well. Then we discussed what the Apple Butter would taste like if a liquor was added. The residents joked with me, "Pastor, you might get in trouble if you go back to the church today with whiskey on your breath!"

Don't worry, there was not any liquor at the nursing home, and obviously I wouldn't drink any! The residents there have many troubles and things that could depress them, but they also have a great sense of humor and beautiful smiles.

Working on Friday a bit

I am working today, though it is usulally my day off, for two reasons. First I have been on vacation all week, and second, I am leading an event tomorrow that requires my attention a bit today.

Sunday I will be sharing a brief sermon because I never know what to expect on Pastor's Appreciation day. If you are hungry for a good message and a good meal don't miss Sunday.

Paul

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Back on the Job

Today is a lot of mail, phone calls, and e-mail responses.

Saturday I will be leading the Christian Education Leadership Training for the Central sections of our Southern Missouri District. I have received great help from Danny Kemp, Curt Rozean, Trevor Hays, and First Assembly of God in St. James, MO.

If you would like to attend let me know ASAP. I would still be glad for anyone to go with Pastor John and me. Lunch is provided and there are some great people to learn from at these gatherings. The cost is $15 per person, but if you are going with our church the church will pay $10 of the cost and you only pay $5!

We are working on plans for Hallelujah Night, October 31st, and a trip that Stephanie and I are taking to California for the Assemblies of God Bible Alliance. In the past few years we have collectively raised money for over 3,000,000 Chinese Fire Bibles and numerous other fire Bibles in other languages around the world! I am looking forward to time with just my wife and to meeting up with other people who are helping in this great cause.

Back From Vacation

Wednesday we arrived back home from a nice trip out of town. I will go back to my normal work schedule on Thursday. Here is a rundown of the fun stuff we have done so far.

First, we went to the Museum of Transportation. The boys love this place because it has the largest exhibit of trains in the United States and maybe the world. Some steam trains there are around 140 years old.

Next we went to Columbia Missouri to have a birthday lunch with my mom and all my siblings. We ate at a restaurant that overlooks the Missouri River. From there we drove to mom and dad’s farm and helped do some cattle work and separated the calves from the mothers for weaning. We also needed to help mom and dad get rid of some apple pie.

Sunday night we went to the Lake of the Ozarks and stayed at the Hotel at the Cross Point Retreat Center. We fished and when that did not go so well, so we put on different clothing and went swimming in the lake. It was great to see the kids having so much fun. Any hotel visit is an adventure to our kids right now.

Monday we toured the Missouri State capital building, the governor’s gardens, and the landing at the river front. We ate lunch at the park and played on the playground. Then we checked into a hotel with a pool a hot tub for several hours of swimming with the kids. Late Monday evening we at out at Arris’s Pizza this is an amazing Greek Pizzaria across the street from the capital building. The kids ate a ton of food! Then we went back to the hotel and everybody jumped in bed with candy from the vending machine and we watched ice skating.

Tuesday we woke up late and at a great breakfast. Then we went to the Runge Nature Center and looked at exhibits of animals and plants. Then we hiked a trail and watched some wildlife. We visited Central Dairy, the best place in the world for ice-cream and cherry Cokes! We drove home and tomorrow we are going into St. Louis for the day.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Back From Retreat

Sunday we returned from Men's Retreat. We had some great experiences. I helped with worship this year playing guitar. I learned several important things from the experience. Sunday morning Tony and I led worship at the retreat. I was able to meet John Palmer and learn a bit more about him which was a real blessing. He did an excellent job preaching the Word of God and there were several young men saved this year!

Finally, the retreat happened to be the same weekend as the boat races at the Lake of the Ozarks. Saturday they had time trials and Sunday the races. It was very interesting to watch. I will post some pictures or video of the races later today. The boats had up to 3,200 horse power and top speeds of 180 mph. Some of the boats that were sponsored had spotters assigned to the boats. The spotter is a helicopter with a dive team on board. The chopper literally follows the boat about 200 feet off the water. So, this boat blasts past you and then a few seconds latter a helicopter flies over head. It was loud and interesting. We were close enough that the mist from the rooster tail of the boat could be felt! At one point on Sunday we were watching 8 helicopters in the sky at one time. The race course was a loop, five miles long. So, looking across the lake to the other end of tho course was about a 2 to 2.5 mile view. We sat at the East end of the course where there was a very tight turnaround.

I heard from one of the residents of the lake that tickets to sit at the finish line on Sunday were going for $1,000! Well, we got to watch the races from a great location and it only cost a few extra hours at Men's Retreat, which by the way, was only $80 for three days of lodging, food and fun!