Music: The Brooklyn Tabernacle

For those of you who like music, let me suggest the Brooklyn Tabernacles new CD, "I'll Say Yes". This is a great addition to any praise and worship or choral collection. The title track says it best when the question is asked of us by the Lord, "Will you be willing to serve me?" This album is both inspiring and eclectic, ranging from typical praise and worship such as "Holy Is The Lord" and Worthy Is The Lamb" to Choral ballads such as"How I Love The Name" and "Ill Say Yes". Another home run for Carol Cymbala and the BTC.

Childhood Games: The Name Game

I am so amazed that people who claim to be part of the body of Christ get caught up in so many childish games. You know the ones I am talking about. For example, "Follow The Leader", the game where different people in the church want to be in control and tell everybody else what to do. Or what about "Red Rover"? That's where people dare others to cross the line and just "try something". But my favorite is the "Blame Game". Yes, that's right, the game that church people play by blaming other people or churches for the problems that they have caused themselves. I have to admit, it intrigues me when people use slander, gossip and other tactics of the devil to carry out a "righteous call to spread the truth". Gods word tells me that we are to speak the truth in Love not be ticked off when things don't go my way and blame everybody and start calling names. I am thankful that the God I serve is a God of Love and compassion and he still cares about us even when we play our games. I really wonder sometimes if God is not calling the church to "GROW UP", and act like the one we are called to serve!

So whats your point?

Ok here it is. Recently I was watching Television and an ad came accoss the screen that stated the following..."Are you tired of Rock n Roll Music in church? Are you tired of casualy dressed preachers? Are you tired of preachers using everything but the origional KJV bible? Come try "XYZ" Church." As I read that and think about it even now, I am amazed at how biblicaly void those statements are! It seems that we have gotten out of the bussiness of reaching people with the gospel and gotten into the spiritual rut of trying to clean people up before we win them! Rock and Roll music is not what is killing churches, it is legalistic teaching that majors more on opinions than the word of God! When scripture states "How will they hear without a preacher?" it does not follow up with "Who will use the King James Version". And as far as dress code goes, if we want to get right down to it, a suit and tie is something that only the wealthy and Pharisees would have worn as they falsely worshiped in front of huge crowds so they could be seen. Please do not misunderstand, Suit and tie is great if that is what you worship in, but I have felt God just the same in khakis and a polo shirt. It's time in our culture that we stop beating people to death with our opinions and begin sharing our faith in confidence knowing that when we lift up Jesus and not out argument for or against something minor, that HE will draw people to himself. The church has become so good at slamming another church because of their "style". If we want to take a passionate stand for something, lets find those churches who have blatantly subverted the word of God and allowed the pastor to preach out of other books rather than the bible. Stand against those people who call themselves Christian but would vote and support a presidential candidate who would sign back into law, partial birth abortions. Find the truths in God's word and stand for those things, not against churches who are reaching others for the Kingdom of Christ! Do I use the KJV? Not usualy but I do study out of it from time to time. Do I like the contemporary music in church? Yes, as well as some of the songs of old that are great pillars of our worship! Do I dress casualy in church? I put clothes on that are fitting to wear in the presence of a king and I come to praise him, not admire wardrobes! What is my point? That majoring on issues in place of lost people, is pointless!

It's the most stressful time of the year, but it dont have to be!

I wonder sometimes if people who lived 200 years ago, ever dreamed that the Christmas season would ever be this busy and jam packed? In the last couple weeks I have been trying to get some Christmas shopping accomplished, and it has turned out to be more of a life or death mission getting in and out of malls and parking spaces, than shopping and enjoyment. People act as if they lose all sense of awareness and go temporarily insane. If we would just slow down and remember that when we are in a rush, that we are not being Christlike, instead we are being more like "ourselves". Even during the holidays, we should reflect Christ and His example, after all, it is His birthday that we are celebrating.

The Creek
Things at Hawk Creek are really exciting now as much as ever! With almost 500 attending on a weekly basis, every parking space is full, and the children's ministry to capacity God is showing off even still! There have been many saved over the last several weeks and several new members! Lives are still being changed in Celebrate Recovery and new ministry opportunities are presenting themselves on a weekly basis. If you are reading this, let me ask you to pray as we begin construction on our new facility located on HWY 80. This is a major undertaking and will require God's hand and blessing throughout the entire process. I am thankful that He has been in the forefront of all that we have been involved in so far. May we always remember that ministry is about Connecting to God, Serving People, loving both and Promoting Jesus!

New is not always good

First let me update you on the creek! Yesterday was absolutely amazing. With 4 salvations, 8 joining the church and several re-dedications, God's presence was definitely in the house. The congregation was singing loud and giving God everything during worship, and the message was very anointed, giving each person the truth in love from the Bible. So here we are, another election over with in Kentucky, and a new governor has been elected. The people of the commonwealth has chosen a man who stands for expanded gambling, and refuses to take a stand on the ten commandments. So is this new governor a good thing? We read of new buildings going up, new businesses being starts, new people taking positions, but what makes new things bad things? I believe the answer lies in if the subject in question glorifies God or not should determine the answer. In life we can come up with so many reasons to put out the old of anything and bring in the new, but if the new is not needed and is not used to glorify God then why not stick with the old.

Celebrating Recovery

Last night at the creek, we celebrated the power that God has to set people free from their hurts, hang-ups and habits. The Celebrate Recovery ministry (CR) had an open house of sorts for people to come and see the many examples of changed lives, who I like to call trophys of God's grace. Like our pastor preached on Sunday, these lives, changed lives are some beautiful decorations of God's power and mercy in our church. The scene last night was so electric, as people from all walks of life poured into the creek. People who were hurt, confused, changed and all kinds of backgrounds came together to celebrate the Lord! With 4 20 lb turkeys, and all the trimmings, we ate a delicious meal, which by the way took several people to prepare. There were people who came early just to help the band and media dept set up. People came just to greet those who came. People came to help usher, and clean up. There were around 200 individuals that came, and it was amazing. People came to CONNECT to God, RELATE to people, SERVE both, and PROMTE Jesus. People came to CELEBRATE RECOVERY!

No pain No Gain

These words equating gain due to some kind of major discomfort are sometimes very accurate, but not in the worlds version. The world uses this statement to describe working out in the gym and gaining muscles. I remember running with a buddy of mine in high school that tried to encourage me when I complained (after less than 1/2 a mile) that my stomach and side was hurting by saying, "it just burns because it is helping. Keep running and it will stop." In my mind I thought "yeah right, when I fall over from a heart attack." But the principle of was right! My side was hurting because I was out of shape and my body was adjusting and becoming more healthy. Sometimes in our spiritual lives, things hurt and bring us much pain, but those are the things that the bible tells us produce perseverance, and perseverance helps strengthen our faith! This past week I have counseled with several people facing many types of problems and pain ranging from death to financial loss and other personal problems. In all of these situations, I know that God will use them for His good to strengthen character, integrity, ministry, love, and many other characteristics in each persons life. In my life, God has been using even the stories and problems of others to teach me many things and I am thankful. I have hurt this week for the one who lost a loved one, I have been concerned with the one who is having a hard time with finances. Sometimes I take other peoples problems to heart and make each one a personal concern. The one thing God has spoken to my heart is without the test, God can not build a testimony. The pain comes, but after the pain, you gain those things which shape us more and more into the image of Christ! No pain No Gain? You bet, and I am thankful even as I look back at the trials God has brought me through. And though I know I will face many more tough days, it is good to know that I am being made to be more like Jesus! Ultimately because of His pain, we gained everlasting life, through Jesus!