from the heart

Relevant? We'd better be!

Here's a video clip you just have to see. 

Now, this is not a scare tactic thing - it is just reality.  Non-relevant churches...that is churches who just keep doing the same thing in the same way over several generations are notorious for LOSING the future generations.  These churches may not have failed in WHAT the message was, but they sure did seem to fail in HOW they presented the message - if they did at all.  This video is not about content, it is about methodology.

Content is forever.  Methods are very temporary.

Pneuma

I can't wait for Sunday.  Truth is, the "Pneuma" series has the potential to change our lives.  Wait...the better way to put it is that this series WILL change our lives. 

I'm convinced that some of us will be forever transformed by taking some time to look at the way the Holy Spirit wants to affect us.  Transformation is inevitable!  My personal study on the Holy Spirit has been incredible.  I'm seeing Him show me things I really needed to know - and if I like this - you're bound to!

Pneuma is the answer when we ask, "Isn't there more to the Christian life?"
Pneuma is the answer when we ask, "Why is there such a disconnect between Sunday and the rest of the week?"
Pneuma is the answer to, "How do  I  actually live this life?"
Pneuma is the answer to, "How do I  know what to do with this situation?"

And Pneuma is the answer to,  "How can I make a difference in someone else's life?" 

When is the last time you spent a few weeks focusing on the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life?  Chances are, you may never have!

Ah...think of the possibilities! 

Saltillo, Mexico and a bunch of kids...

Just got back from a week at Mexico with about 40 students from our church.  Boy, did GOD impress me!  I was impressed by the courage and resilience of teenagers - and impressed about what Warren Samuels of NEXT International said: "Our biggest problem with teenagers in the church is that they are underchallenged."

Well, this week I found out that they rise to the occasion!  Most of our work was door-to-door in the congested neighborhoods of Saltillo.  I watched kids plunge in for the first time with sharing the gospel and I watched as God used every single one of them to lead someone to Jesus.

They prayed at different points for God to intervene, to open doors, and they saw the Lord answer those prayers every single time.  Several of our kids engaged Mormon missionaries while out witnessing and the report is that they handle the Mormon's questions and deceptions with wisdom and Scripture, pointing out that the Mormons themselves don't even know if they have eternal life.  Pretty strong.

I got to watch my own son lead an entire family to Christ.  Hard to beat that.

A great week - thanks for praying for us.

Changes and Choices

For some, the word CHANGE is not a good one.  We like predictability.  Even babies squall when their diapers are being changed - but the squalls turn to peaceful contentment once the deed is done.  They just don't know how good it is going to get, so they squall through it all.

Last week my wife and I got away for the weekend, and were given a night in the Gaylord Texan Hotel, a place I'd never been.  At check-in, the desk person looked our reservation up and told us she'd found our name, but there'd been some CHANGES.  I thought, "Oh, great.  Here we are on Valentine's weekend, and I don't want my plans messed up."  I wasn't optimistic.

But then she said, "Someone called and upgraded your room - do you want to see the CHOICES you have?"  Uh...yea, sure! 

Long story short - one of our friends must have known we were going, called and upgraded the room from a good room to a GREAT room.  We enjoyed a three-room suite, complete with a six-chair conference table and an incredible view of the courtyard at the Gaylord Texan. (Thanks for that - whoever you are!) 

My change (not sure I wanted a change) turned to a choice (which I jumped on immediately) and it was all good.  As I write this, I remember many of those kinds of situations - where change brought choice. 

CHANGES that bring CHOICES are usually pretty good.  We're doing some of that in our church and I'm pretty sure there is an adjustment process that many have to make - but I'm also pretty sure that those changes that bring choices will also bring a measure of effectiveness that we haven't had before. 

Now, if I can only get the airline people to change my seating arrangements to give me a choice of where to stick my long legs...

I've GOT to explain this!

OK, if you get on today or tomorrow and try to read this blog, you're going to go "what is THIS?"  I've got to be honest.  Today's post is the result of my impatience...

I'm trying to put several articles I've written on the subject of "expository preaching."  It is a dying practice today - and because it is, people who claim to be Christ-followers are as weak morally and biblically as those who do not even claim to know Christ.  If you don't know the truth you won't be set free.

Anyway, my "X-files for Preachers" category is designed to encourage and instruct preachers in that practice.  And it was almost empty - so it was time to fill up the tank a little. 

From here on out, I'll be a little more sporadic with those articles for those who read this blog for other reasons.  Thanks for your understanding.

And if today's post just has TOO much on preaching, there's this little thing on the side of the screen that lets you DRAG it down to the regular stuff.

See you another time!
 

One Conversation

For those of us who follow Christ, helping our friends come to understand the marvel of what it means to "be saved" and "to become followers of Christ" is pretty important.  For many of us, our desire is to have that "one conversation" that would help another one know what it means to have eternal life.

We've recorded what I've begun to call the "one conversation," and it can be found on GodTube.  We're working on a version for "YouTube." 

The point is, it IS the one conversation we need to have with others - and it can make a difference for eternity.

Check it out....it takes about 10 minutes and can be found at this site.

THINK ABOUT IT

"Counseling exists because discipleship does not."

THINK ABOUT IT

“Life can only be lived by looking forward.
Life can only be understood by looking back.”

Wayne Barber

The Power of ONE

What can God do with one person who is fully devoted to Him?  Have you ever wondered what God could do with your life if you allowed Him to do whatever He wanted to do?  Those are powerful thoughts!

That's the story of a man named Nehemiah.  His own words. His own story, and his own journey of how God was able to use him to change an entire nation.  Just an ordinary guy in the hands of an extraordinary God and the impact that was made.  I've been reading through Nehemiah for quite some time, and am convinced there are some incredible spiritual truths for those of us who want to impact our generation - who want to see God do some truly incredible things.  God has done it before, and He can do it again!

As I have read, I've seen a theme come through it.  I call that theme, "The Power of One."  The Power of One is about how God can use you to change your world.  It is about the "domino effect" of one person, fully devoted to God.  What if that were you?  What if God were to take your life and use it as a domino effect into the lives of others?  Consider that as you read the book of Nehemiah.

I can't wait to preach this.  Look for it in January!