Golf in the Snow

Last Saturday Tony Rowden and I thought we should get out and play some golf. After two holes, it started to snow. We were bummed, but continued to finish the front nine. Here are ten actual comments we made while playing golf that we never though we would make, ever!

10. I got a boggie no that one, argh, I just swallowed a snow flake.

9. Did you see my shot? No, I have a snow flake in my eye!

8. Ya' know, Spring starts next week.

7. It's nice to have the course to ourselves.

6. This is not flurries!

5. I think cold air delrium is setting in.

4. Do winter rules apply?

3. Look at that snow flake it's huge?

2. How will I track my ball in the air? The ball will be grey on a background of white.

1. I think we are getting some accumulation.

Time Away

Monday and Tuesday I spent with my three children at my parents farm. My wife was in Seatle visiting her sister. We love working on the farm together. We learn some great life lessons together while we work. many of the things that I learned from my father were learned while working together on the farm.

P.S. The boys don't really ride on the tractor, they are still too little. But I have fun plowing up the garden.

Paul

Elate: Daily Integrity

The product of Daily Prayer and Daily Study is Daily Integrity. The product of Daily Integrity is elation. Here are some synonyms for elation: -Joy -Delight -Jubilation -Excitement -Bliss -Pleasure -Happiness. All the things we seek in sin, we find in purity!

Here are the Scriptures and the outline for the message this last week.
1 Chronicles 29:17
7I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
Psalm 78:72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Nehemiah 7:2I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.

The CORE of integrity is the heart. A pure heart will be filled with joy and peace.
The COURAGE of integrity makes a happy life. No one is happy about their timidity.
The CLAIRITY of integrity make tough choices easier to make. Make decisions based on principal.
The CAPABILITY of integrity brings hapiness through success.

I have some other Scriptures that I will share with you tomorrow that show us more benifits of integrity.
Have a great day.

Paul

HUGE Thanks!

Tonight is our workers appreciation banquet. We as paid staff of the church felt that it would be great to thank all the volunteers who make our church a great church. We feel that having dinner and saying thanks is a very small way to let you know how much we appreciate your ministry.

There are so many ways people help out around here. Some tasks are never noticed and others are very visible. Either way, every job is essential to the whole church working well.

Three nights ago Gabe was in bed, but not yet asleep, the story of my life! While I was policing the bedroom to keep the kids in bed he began to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." I was stunned because we have never sung that song to our kids and wondered where they learned the whole thing. I asked, "Where did you learn that song?" Gabe said, "Oh, some class." I am more and more amazed at what my children are learning from the people who volunteer in ministry at First AG.

I hope you are having a great week in prayer and in studying the Word of God. Every Day matters are what really matter.

Paul

Growing Worship Team

I took Gabe to worship practiice recently and let him play the guitar with me. It looked something like this.

Paul

Engage: Daily Study

In the second sermon in the Every Day series we are challenged to Engage in Daily Bible Study.

The term study makes us think of school and cramming for exams and stress! The Daily Study that I am talking about is not stressful and filled with fear of failure at exam time! Every time you study the Scriptures you are a winner! You are receiving relief from all the things about life, and perhaps school, that you hate.
If you can read, I guess you can if you understand this blog, you are a privileged citizen of the earth. According to The White House Conference on Global Literacy (www.globalliteracy.gov/index.html) 18% of the world is illiterate, that is over 770 million people. Take the opportunity to read!

Richard Steel, a British essayist said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." The Bible says, "...physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things." (1 Timothy 4:8). We need to exercise and take care of our bodies. How much more should we take care of our spirit which is eternal and will outlast our body! You exercise the soul and mind when you read the Scriptures!

Have a great day in the Word.

Paul

Engage: Daily Study

All leadership is influence. You can not influence if you have not learned and gained information. Leaders are Learners. People who influence their world are learners and learners are readers. This message chalenges you to be learning and studying the Bible Every Day. Here is the outline for the message.

Why should I study the Word Every Day?
It is Authentic Truth
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
It Is Active Truth
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Why should I stand on the Word Every Day?
Because of God’s Promises to me.
2 Corinthians 1:20 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Because of God’s Power through me.
1 Peter 1:23-25 “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 John 2:14 “ I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
Because of God’s Provision in me.
Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Because of God’s Plan for me.
Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Jeremiah 29:11 11For 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.

God Bless you,

Paul

Early Prayer

As I mentioned yesterday, this Sunday's sermon has really stirred me! I determined to give God the first moments (first fruits) of my day and my wife has been doing the same. I used to get up and immediately get inthe shower and get ready, then pray. Now, I am praying, then getting ready. This pays off! I may not be praying in a way that is most comfortable to me, but it is most pleasing to God. A small change with big results in my heart.

William Cowper, a British poet (1731-1800) said,
"Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."

God Bless,

Pastor Paul

Too Much On My Plate

We are in our Every Day Series of messages, and this week we are all striving to be persistent in our private place of prayer.

I hope that you have already experienced more of God in the last two days by taking the time to pray in the morning. This is one sermon where I have convinced myself of the need for more prayer, earlier in my day! It has already been great for me.

Let me challenge you with a thought. What's on your plate today? We use this term to refer to the responsibilities that we have to deal with. There are certain things on my plate that I have no choice to remove. God is my first priority. I am a husband and Stephanie is my second priority. I am a father and Gabe, Ben and Elizabeth are my third priorities. I am a pastor, my fourth priority. I have employees to pray for and lead. I own my home and property, which is another priority. There are many others down the list.

There are some things on my plate that I don't really need. I could be reading and learning something that could change my life, rather than watching the news that I already heard earlier in the day on the radio. Why watch the weather report again when it has not changed, if it even matters. I don't need to stop for another cup of coffee every time (I know, contradicting my blog title). I don't have to waste time on useless things.

If I got rid of the non-priority items on my plate, how much more clear would my plate be for my daily private place of prayer? If you removed some useless things at night could you go to bed and wake up early ready to give God the first 30 to 60 minutes of your day?

Every day we are bombarded with false information form our surroundings. We need to start Every Day by getting the truth into our heads and God's peace in our hearts.

God Bless,

Pastor Paul

The Good News!

We as Christians always have good news. We have the gospel. The great thing is that when you have The Good News you will experience lots of other good news along with it!
1. Last week during revival the Lord blessed us to be able to give over $1,700 to our guest ministers. We were stunned at the unbelievable giving of the church! God job everyone. God knows your heart and will reward you for your giving and the time we give him.
2. During revival services we as a church experienced several great things. One person saved. Three filled with the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 2:4). One individual called into ministry. One testimony of healing and many great encouraging experiences for us all.

As you continue to pray and seek God you will experience more good news!

Let me encourage you to have faith in God for miracles. I am convinced of two things . First, we doubt God's willingness to help way too often. Second, we don't spend enough time with God to have a decent conversation with him to receive the things we need. We need Quality time with God (full of faith). We also need Quantity time with God (full attention).

God Bless you all,

Paul

Every Day

In this series we are looking at things that every Christian needs Every Day.

Every Day we are bombarded with influences that squeeze God out of our thoughts and add all kinds of wrong thoughts to our thinking. We have to fight back against this flood of influences. You will be influenced, but you can choose what will influence you the most.

Every Day, every Christian must ENGAGE in Daily Prayer.

The Priority of Prayer
Exodus 33:7-117 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.Acts 2:42
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The Privacy of Prayer
Matthew 6:6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
ŽThe Persistence of Prayer
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

The Praise of Prayer
Psalm 145:2
Every Day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.

The Privilege of Prayer
Ephesians 3:12
12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence
1 John 5:14
4This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears
us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Presence of Prayer
Hosea 6:1-2
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

The Power of Prayer
John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Exodus 33:9
9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.

The Peace of Prayer
Exodus 33:11
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

First A/G Washington www.firstagwshington.org

Everyday

Starting March 4th, we will dive into a series of sermons titled, Every Day. Five things every Christian needs Every Day. Each week the sermon will start with the same introduction which Dylan Glastetter has helped me to put on DVD. Don't miss one week of this series! We want the passion, spirit, and results of revival to continue EVERY DAY. Below is the text verson of that video introduction.

Every day we are bombarded by our culture and our surroundings. “What are we bombarded with,” you ask? We are bombarded every day with pressure from Satan, and people who fight against God, to live our Christian life in a safe, harmless, little way that never affects our world. There is pressure to live an impotent life that never causes anyone to wrestle with conviction. To live a twisted Christian life that imitates the world and its values rather than Jesus Christ and His perfection. Just think about what we are bombarded with Every day.
First, we are bombarded Every Day by the Secularization of our culture. That is, our culture is telling us that in our public lives God and our personal values have no place. You can love Jesus and serve him at home, at church and in your private time, but don’t take him out in public, or to work. Leave your values, beliefs, and faith at home. Here is an illustration, how many comic book superheroes have faith? Think about most leading characters in movies, most have a completely secular character. You can not emulate their imaginary lives.
Second, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sexualization of our culture. Commercials, the internet, television, magazine and print ads all seem to scream, “sexy is important!” Sex and the power of lust are used to sell everything from Hardee’s Thickburgers to Cadillac’s. We are all sexual beings. Sex is good and created by God. When we function sexually outside of God’s plan we sin. It may be physically or it may be in our thought life, either way sexual sins are killing Christians Every Day.
Third, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sadism of our culture. Sadism is the enjoyment of pain and violence. Are you tired of watching people be murdered and graphically blown to bits in Movies and on Television? If you are not sick of it yet, then you are sadistic. That is you are finding pleasure and enjoyment in people’s pain. The devil wants to desensitize you to violence. When a news report comes across the screen where eight were killed in a car bomb Satan wants you first, to not care, second, to yearn for the gory stuff, and finally to enjoy viewing violent scenes.
Finally, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sadness of our culture. The view of reality that does not include a loving God is a view that is doomed to sadness, meaninglessness, despondency, and frustration. Without a just God our world is heartless at its core. Our world may hold wonder, but without God the wonder has no purpose! We may be fascinated by things, but the fascination is countered by a cruel lack of compassion. Death becomes the ultimate end for every living thing. Our greatest goal is to propagate our species, which will one day go extinct and be replaced by another. All our efforts ultimately lead to nothing. Every Day is meaningless.
Satan may never convince you to walk away from your faith in Jesus Christ. But, he has you completely defeated if he has you living for Jesus in his cramped little cage of fear and complacency.
Satan may never talk you into leaving your church, but he may make you so secularized, so sexualized, so sadistic, and so sad that you are completely void of God’s power.
How do we confront this Every Day bombardment of our lives?
We fight back! Jesus said in Matthew 11;12, “The kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”(the violent take it by force KJV) We fight back by bombarding our minds Every Day with the truth of God’s Word, the voice of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of God’s people.
Consider this: -We all have 8760 hours in a year.
-Subtract seven hours of sleep per day and you will be awake for 6205 hours in 2007.
-If you attend church every Sunday and a Small group every week you will have less than 130 hours of specific God time!
-If you miss church or small group you will have far less.
-Now, what if you spend thirty minutes Every Day with the Lord? Add that to your 130 hours. You will have 312.5 hours of God time this year, almost three times as much! Still a small part of your time!
When you think about the tiny amount of time we give to God and how many hours our culture is bombarding us with its messages, it is a wonder that any of us serve the Lord!
This is why our relationship with the Lord must be an Every Day, all day experience, not an event in the day!
Lets’ get ready to live with God, EVERY DAY!

A Great Week!

This week we are hosting special guest speakers, Don and Martha Tennyson. Their experiences as Pastors and nearly 20 years as evangelists are amazing to hear about. So many people were in tears Sunday morning as Don and Martha spoke that we had to go out and buy more tissue before the Sunday evening services.

Three people were filled with the Holy Spirit on Sunday for which we are grateful and excited. A man in the church was healed in his foot from an injury in 2005. His foot has hurt every day since September, 2005, but this week he has no pain. He works on his feet all day in the landscaping business. People are hungry for more of the Lord. We are praying that God would heal others and that lives would be changed.

Awesome Missions Convention

I want to give everyone a report on the missions convention! We added up all the giving represented by the faith promises and it comes to a total of 1,626 dollars every month for the next year. That means that we will see an increase in missions giving this year. There were ten faith promises from individuals who have started attending First AG in the last year! It is extremely awsome to see that the passion for missions is expanding in our church. I know that some who love to give to missions were not able to turn in a faith promise and we may see even greater things than what is evidenced by the faith promise response.

Plese remember to pray for our missionaries! If you go to www.firstagwashington.org you will find a missions page on our church website. There is information about missionaries that we support that you need to pray for. Also, keep your eye on the Missions Prayer Focus in the bulletin each week giving up to sate info on what our missionaries are doing.

I am so proud:
1. to be a Pastor
2. of a church that loves the great commission from Jesus and
3. that loves world missions!

Wuzup?

This month we are enjoying our Missions Convention and looking forward to Don and Martha Tennyson being with us for a week of spiritual challenge and renewal.

It makes for a huge preaching break. I am studying for a five week series between revival and Easter and a series on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. I am getting really excited about these messages.

I am reading a very good book given to me by Pastor Ed Sherril. It is, Secrets of the Secret Place, it is about creating your daily personal time with God and then making it really life changing rather than some time consuming religious chore in your day. So far it is proving to be a very good read. It has 52 very short chapters. You can read one chapter a day to begin your devotional time, read the Word of God and pray. In less then 2 months cover the entire book in your devotional time. You can check it out at www.oasishouse.net. It has been very good for my daily time with God.

Well, gotta' go. God bless you all.