Life Goes On

It seems that every year at Christmas there is a plethora of topics that Christ followers line up against.  Whether it be greetings (Happy Holidays) stores (those that disallow the Salvation Army bell ringers) or articles in the media that disparage our coveted beliefs, it seems so easy for Believers to get in the "against" line.  I'd like to suggest that we take a different tack this year.  Why not be FOR the things you support and stop wasting your time being negative?  For example, I'm FOR "Have a blessed Christmas" (I like that better than "Merry Christmas" although that is O.K.)  I'm FOR Nativity scenes, choirs presenting music and dramas of the season, Christmas eve services, the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible, caroling from door to door in my community and so much more.  Because I'm for them, I invite my friends and acquaintances to join me.  I counter "Happy Holiday" greetings with "Have a blessed Chris...

The new reality i n America is that the country has embrace d killing babies, homosexual marriage and paying people not to work.  Those who stand for Biblical principles are now aliens in their own country.  So what do we do now? We pray for our governmental leaders as the Bible tells us. We seek the spirit of Jo sep h and Daniel, who, in a hos tile environment stood firm in their faith while not denigrating those who ruled over them. We trust God to see us THROUGH the storm. We recognize our failure to fulfill the Gr eat Commis sion , repent and re-double our efforts to expand God's kingdom here on earth. We realize that the answer to all of the ills of earth is not politics, but is and always has been allegiance to Almighty God. We now have the awesome assignment of living for Jesus in the same sort of environment that the first c entury disciples did.  We must realize that we have the same Word of God to guide us, the same Holy Spirit to empower us and the ...

Hide and Seek: A Novel: Jeff Struecker,Alton Gansky: 9781433671425: Amazon.com: Books : 'via Blog this' This fast paced military thriller will grab your attention and imagination and keep you turning pages.  Knowing that it is written by a decorated Army Ranger gives additional credence to the story line.  I especially enjoyed reading such a novel without having to wade through pages of profanity laced dialogue.  Both Major Jeff Struecker and co-author Alton Gansky have communication skills that draw readers into the story. Major Struecker's experiences in Mogadishu, Somalia were documented in the NYT best seller "Black Hawk Down" which was made into a major motion picture.  Fans of Tom Clancy will enjoy this pulse pounding story.

OK, our family is not Jewish, we are "grafted in" as Christ-followers.  However, we celebrated at 3 day "passover" in that we had a "time of remembrance" of all that God has done in our lives.  The Youth Group that we had in the '80's had a reunion this past weekend in Pompano Beach, FL.  We were inundated with memories as we visited, remanised and celebrated friendship and the many blessings of God.  Thanks so much to those who planned and pulled off this event.  Thanks also to those who traved many miles to join us.  Kinda like going back to Jerusalem for the Passover. Over the past 5-10 years it has been our joy to attend 4 reunions of past youth groups we have had the privilege of working with.  Each of them has brought back a flood of memories of all that God did over many decades in our lives and ministry.  I would encourage every former "youth group" in any church to plan such events while those who were the leaders are still arou...

I love the hymn "Blessed Assurance" especially the chorus, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long." I've just read of Paul telling his story in Acts 22.  I'll be preaching on this text next Sunday.  Even as I prepare to do so, I'm convicted that I don't tell my story more often to more people. I remember a quote from the great British evangelist Leonard Ravenhill; "A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument."   That is a great answer to those who say, "I don't know enough scripture to witness." or "I'm afraid I won't be able to answer Bible questions they may ask me."  The reality is that the best evangelism tool any of us has is our own story of how we encountered Jesus, received Him and how our life has been since.  That being said, here is MY story... When my dad was in the army and there was just my mom and me, we went to a tent revival tha...

I've just finished reading the book "GlobeQuake: Living in the Unshakeable Kingdom While the World Falls Apart" written by my friend Wallace Henley.  He is remarkably equipped to write such a book because of his storied background.  A pastor, journalist, author, former aide in the Nixon White House, and former chief of staff for a congressman, Henley has both the theological and political background for this task. While many have attempted to cast our current world situation in the light of Armageddon, Henley goes beyond that to show why Christ followers can anticipate victory here and now as well as in the "sweet by and by".  He leaves us with a message of hope. I recommend that every pastor, educator, parent and student read this book to get a balanced view of what God is up to in our day.

Once again I have preached the messages God has led me to prepare to the people God has called me to pastor.  Once again there has been no response.  Once again I'm feeling depleted, wiped out, empty and useless.  It has happened week after week for over a year now.  I keep wondering when or if God is going to show Himself in our services or among our members and stir us to new life. Some pastors may relish being in a church that is warm, friendly, out of debt, and with little or no problems.  I'd rather be in a church that is vital, alive, living on the edge, taking chances for God and trusting Him to provide what we don't have but need to complete the assignment He has given us. I get into this melancholy mood every Sunday night.  Sometimes by Monday morning I'm over it.  I keep hoping that one Monday I'll see clearly how to get in step with God and how to lead my church to join me in bringing God's kingdom here on earth in Lake Placid.  I tru...