Winter Break in Naples FL

Debbie and I are headed to Florida for a few days.(4 to be exact) It is Deb's birthday so this is a great time to be able to do something she loves. We are looking forward to some beach time, sunsets, reading(on the beach) and taking our nephew to lunch,(he is in Master's Commission in Fort Meyers). We have developed a few favorite restaurants that we are already excited about re-visiting. Gatzby's pizza is the best and Pinchers our favorite for peel and eat shrimp. We will also be connecting with Kurt and Debbie Holthus, our missionary friends who lead Hope International and have been given uncommon favor in the Dominican Republic. They have asked me to serve on their advisory board as they seek to build a clinic on property donated by the DR government. I am really excited to be a part of this effort. The missions trip to the DR 2008 is set for June 23 - July 1. The cost is $1500.00 for all who may want to go.

We will do our best to bring some sunshine home.

Everyday People Are dying

Many were shocked last week when one of Hollywoods young stars was found dead in his NY appartment. It is sad that Heath Ledger, a talented actor, died so young. I cannot help but wonder where he is right now. For those who believe in Jesus, I mean really and truly believe that He is the only way to the Father, the Bible teaches us that when we die, our soul departs and is then with the Lord. Everyday, poeple of all ages die. It should concern us. That is why we are here. That through us the truth about how to connect with God and live with Him forever would be made known. As real as heaven is so is hell. May the Lord use us to help make it more difficult to go to hell from our city. I found an internet link that said 9703 people die every hour. That is approximately 2 people every second. Just a reminder that what we do does matter and for some it matters for eternity. Another reason why I chose the name of this blog "Today Matters" because it does.

Ministry At Work

The announcement yesterday of Coach Tony Dungy's return to continue coaching the Indianapolis Colts is a blessing to our city. It is refreshing to hear a man in his position declare that His work is also His ministry. What a great mindset to have. I believe that if all of us who love the Lord, would embrace their work in such a manner we would make an impact on our world. I can recommend a book by John Maxwll called "Life@Work" that speaks to the how to's of being successful in the marketplace for people of faith. God has sovereignly placed people of faith in all walks of life so that those who need the Lord may encounter HIM. They may not come to church yet, but we the church are coming to them right where they live and work.

Running after the vision!

Vision, what is your vision for the church? Many times that question has brought up all my insecurities as the weight of the reality and responsibility I have as pastor to lead the congregation, like Moses, out of Egypt and into the promised land feels overwhelming. Really, I think it is the fear of failure as the under shepherd of God's flock that drives those feelings. What a great encouraging word II Timothy 1:7 was to Timothy and to us who seek to lead. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. He gives us the courage to go forth with His vision. Simply put we are here to reach people. We are praying to connect as many people as possible with God and with each other and then together serve as His representatives on earth.
I sense a stirring in the hearts of the ALC family to live out this vision. I am looking forward to fleshing out the process that God is unveiling to us to become the "Breakout Church" He desires us to be. As John wrote to the seven churches in Asia, "He who has ears let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church." I hear Him saying "Go for it! Deny your self and take up your cross! You will be amazed at what I will do. As T.D. Jakes often says, "Get ready, Get ready, Get ready!
God is about to do something grand.

Get Real!

I just finished my first book of the year. Title: "Confessions of a Pastor" by Craig Groeschel. I recommend this book for all Christians not just pastors. After all pastors are Christians first who have answered God's call for a specific purpose. In the same way every follower of Christ answers God's call for His purpose. This book is about being real with God and authentic in how we present our selves to others. I have found it profoundly difficult at times to admit my faults and I applaud the author for challenging his readers to quit faking it and get real with God.

Ready For More?

I have really been encouraged by so many who have taken steps of faith and works to fast and pray. I am especially blessed by several of the students who are participating in either a Daniel type fast or all liquids or combinations thereof. I know we cannot earn anything from God but I know that His word promises that the effectual fervent prayers of His children really do get kingdom things done. (James 5:17)I believe our prayer is going to take us places we have never been before as a church.
Sunday the four points of why I love following Jesus are: (These are the points I did not cover)
1. When you follow Jesus you hear some things you have never heard before.
2. You see some things you have never seen before.
3. You do some things you have never done before.
4 You go places you have never been before.

Not only are these things great rewards and blessings in your life, they are totally unreachable apart from following Christ. Welcome to the greatest adventure on earth. I am ready for more of what God wants to do at ALC.

Suppressing The Truth

I have long thought that the evolution theory and the way it is being taught by many educaters is a tool of the devil to destroy the foundation of truth of Gen. 1:1. After all, if there is no intelligent design then perhaps there is no God to whom we are accountable to. There is a public debate and often an infringement upon the constitutional rights of the free speech of scientists who see more evidence supporting the intelligent design, aka creationism, theory than evolution or other so-called scientific theories. Well, coming to theaters sometime in February is a movie by Ben Stein called "Expelled:No Intelligence Allowed" This for me will be a must see Movie.
Check it out at www.expelledthemovie.com

One City Church

Is there really only one church in Indianapolis. I know some think you must be pretty full of yourself if you think ALC ( www.alcindy.com) is the only church. I hope I am not that full of my self. In our city, and yours, there really is one church.
We have a network called Faith, Hope and Love (fhlcommunity.org) that is involved in helping bring the body of Christ together to serve the community through a one week missions trip in our own back yard.

Mark your calendars for July 20-26 2008 the "year of faith"

"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may be believe that You sent Me. John 17:20,21
What in the world do you think the world might be waiting for?

Weekend Reflection

The weekend was great! I love Sunday services. Especially sweet was the time of communion. Those moments of reflection upon the death, buriel and resurrection of Jesus. How great is it to know that what Jesus did He did for me. ( and the whole world) I loved the time praying with our students as they prepare to go back to their respective schools.
On a personal note we always pray for Bethany before she makes the 7 hour trip to Springfield, MO. We are grateful for the Lord's protection and strength for umpteen trips down I-70 & I -44. The time we have with her home is so precious. We always experience some seperation anxiety when she leaves. I am not sure how we will handle the empty nest next year when Sarah heads off to North Central University in Minneapolis. It is times like this where you have to remind yourself that your children are the Lord's. Honestly, when they were infants and we dedicated them to God, I had no idea how hard it could be to accept God's plan for your kids. Is there anything greater than family?

I hate losing stuff

We had a situation happen last night that reminded me of how much I personally hate the feeling I get when I lose something I need or value. I experience so many emotions at those moments. Anger, frustration, self-abasement through name calling. (how could I be so stupid etc,) Late last year I lost the only set of keys to one of our vehicles so I had to call triple A and have them break-in and make me a new set. It cost me $50.00 and the embarassment of having my car set for a few days while I search and research every known hiding place only to find them two days after I paid to have the new keys made. In as much as I was glad to now have the extra set it was a little bitter sweet.

Here is my meditational thought. Why is it I am not as stirred in my emotions over the so many who have never encountered Christ. I am sure God is stirred up about it! He loves the world and I think He hates losing them more than I hate losing the stuff I sometimes , by my actions seem to value more than people whom Christ died for. When was the last time you got angry, frustrated, or stirred up about lost people?

Planning To Fast

For many years now it has been tradition to set aside some time at the beginning of the year to fast and pray. I read of others doing certain things like: a week fast, Daniel fast, 40 day fasts (which I can hardly fathom) 3 day fasts, 2 weeks , TV fast etc. ....well you get the picture. What and why should I fast in the first place? Doesn't God love it when I am happy and filled with my favorite things? In case you have ever asked, "why fast?" here are a few reasons:
1. Because Jesus said when you fast not if you fast in the sermon on the mount. Matt. 6:16.
2. To be able to walk in greater power of the Holy Spirt. Luke 4:14.
3. For obtaining clear direction from the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:21-23
4. For obtaining spiritual and material victories. 2 Chronicles 20
5. For breaking the bands of wickedness. Isaiah 58
6. An opportunity to draw closer to the Lord. James 4:7,8

I asked the Lord regarding fasting this year. I feel impressed to begin a combination Daniel fast and an all liquid fast for 21 days beginning January 7-28. A Daniel fast is no sweets, no meats and no wine(in my case no soft drinks). I will do that for the full 21 days and the liquids for five days, the 13th - 18th of January. My advice to others is to simply ask the Lord and then do whatever he says to do. All are certainly welcome to join me in this or share other ways God is leading you. I am posting this as a form of accountability that I may be successful in this effort.

New Year, New Goals

Debbie often says to me(encouraging me of course) that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I am not sure who she heard that from but I know where I have learned it. It is true. The more we plan the more we are able to be successful. Proverbs 16: 9 says, In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps. I think God expects us to make plans and then leave room for Him to work.

Here are a few goals I want to work on in 2008:

1. I want to read my Bible everyday. There were some days last year that I missed due to busyness or lazyness. This year I am taking an Old Testament/New Testament and Proverb approach. I will let you know how it goes.

2. I hope to learn the value of blogging and become a better writer/communicator. I plan to be disciplined at making regular posts to this site. Do you think Jesus would have blogged?

3. I hope to get better at building meaningful, discipling relationships.

4. I definitely need to learn to be a better listener and thinker.

5. Details, details, details.... I need to pay attention to the details.

6. I have set a goal of reading 25 books this year. My current read list is: Confessions of a pastor by Craig Groeschel, UnChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, 90 minutes in heaven by DonPiper and The Simple Church by thom s. Rainer & Eric Geiger

7. Lose weight (20 LBs would get me under 200) My Physician, Dr Jeff Wheeler said, studies indicate that if you are at your ideal body weight(my ideal is 185) you have 80% less chance of getting cancer. Come on everyone let's encourage each other to beat these bodies into shape.

8. Become a better husband and dad. This job is never complete. Bethany and Sarah have become such wonderful individual followers of Christ. I need to learn what they need from me at this stage of their lives. ( i know I am supposed to already know but believe me there are days when I do not have a clue what a 21 and 17 year old needs. I am sure boys are easier) Debbie is great. We celebrate our 27th anniversary in 2008. May it be true that God has saved the best for now.

9. Give leadership to Abundant Life Church so that we become a breakout church. We will break the 200 barrier. We've been up and down like a yo-yo. We are going to go from good to great in 2008.