Looking to the Future

Life has a way of making you revisit your priorities and perspective on things. As Pastor Steve Kelly of the Wave Church has often said, "It is not about where we've been, but it is about where we're going." Too often we get caught up in the affairs of daily living and forget about the plan and purpose God has ordained. This loss of the big picture can leave us feeling like we are treading water.

Let me be clear, we need to keep the present in focus, the past in perspective, and the future in clear view to stay on track in our adventures in God.

^12–14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

^15–16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. - The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Philippians 3:12-16).

Our past is an important part of who we are, after all, it is what got us here. But the past can be either an anchor or a launchpad, and that is up to you. If you are constantly rehearsing past events, bitter over past hurts, or only able to revel over past victories, the past is your anchor. If, however, you look to the past for the testimony to the faithfulness of God, are spurred to compassion in the lives of others because of the hurt you have experienced, or take comfort from the blessings God has poured out on you knowing that it pales in comparison to what He has ahead of you, then the past can be your launchpad. It is your choice. Choose well. Choose life!

Our present can often be a distraction to mire us in cares and worries and deter our destiny. Bills, health problems, relationship issues, and such can steal our time, our motivation, and our resources. Whether it is nagging, chronic problems, looming, major challenges, or just the test of the mundane, we must not allow ourselves the luxury of getting caught up and entangled in the things that will deter our destiny. We can do anything, with the help of the Holy Ghost. Let's commit ourselves to living in such a way that the Father is proud to call us His children, focused and driven by His agenda, His dreams, and His plan for our lives.

Above all, we must never loose sight of the very reason for our being here in the first place - intimate, personal fellowship with the Father. No matter what our vision or dream, it is only as we are in all out pursuit of the Father that we will find fulfillment and satisfaction. No amount of money is enough to bring that, no amount of possessions, no career path, and certainly no earthly relationship apart from Christ can offer what it is that makes us feel like life is worth living in the long run. It is the hope that is before us, that we can have this relationship here and now and grow into an ever deepening, ever increasing, ever intensifying relationship with the Father that gives us hope for the future and a reason for getting up in the morning.

With the Father is all that we need. He has promised us abundant life. It is up to us to pursue Him with all that we are, shedding the things that hinder us along the way, and, as Paul so aptly says, "press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Run! Run like you have never run before! Run, and with every step know that around the next bend is a blessing waiting, over the next hill He has prepared a rest for you, and at the end is a prize that will cause all of the run to fade into the mist of the past as we revel in the reward of our destiny.

The Heart of Missions

This week we had the pleasure of visiting with Jack and Audrey Hicks, missionaries and mentors to those in ministry.  We enjoyed the services in their home church, Freedom Worship Center, and then went on to have a time of fellowship and sharing.

The Hicks' have served as pastors, missionaries, and mentors.  As you sit and visit with them they quickly make their passion evident; they love people.  Such is the heart of those who have been in the presence of the Father, who have found what God calls important, who share the values that mark out the reality of the Kingdom of God.  They willingly set their own lives, careers, dreams, and fortunes at risk in order to see the will of God done in the earth.

Be it on the streets of Columbia or in the neighborhoods of their rural Pennsylvania community, Jack and Audrey are living to make the Name of God great among men by leading others into a personal, powerful relationship with Jesus Christ.  Seeing people born again is not enough, Jack and Audrey are committed to seeing those they interact with walk out the life of the Kingdom here on earth.

Life is filled with choices.  Jack and Audrey have chosen to live in fellowship and active agreement with God and His will for their life.  They are changing the world, sometimes one life at a time.  Whether here or abroad, the positive influence of these children of the living God are the kind of people we can all be proud to know, support, and emulate.

Stepping Up to the Plate

Step Up ... Step Out!

I had a wonderful visit by phone with a friend down south. I was thrilled with his excitement, exhuberance, and abandon in celebrating what God is doing in his part of the world. He has seen that numbers are no indication of success, but rather, it is when the people we serve are inspired to a greater hunger, a deeper intimacy for the Father that we are truly successful. He is seeing his church rise to a desire to see the manifest presence of God in every service, not so they can get their goosebumps going, but so that the needs of people can be met. What a wonderful spirit has descended on the house and God is getting all the glory.

Shortly we will be making our move south, finally. I am excited as we move to see the level of expectation and ministry for the area we are moving to. I miss preaching, but I love being part of what God is doing through the Local Church.

What about you? Are you excited to be part of what God is doing in your community? Are you willing to be the vehicle of His anointing that breaks every yoke? Will you be the Father's point of contact here on the earth for those who desperately need His touch? Rise up! Be what He has made you to be in the first place, the expression of His image and likeness. Go out where the people are and make a difference. Let those who know you see Him. They are waiting for you!

Think About It

Have you ever thought about what you would change about how someone else does things? I think we all do that. But as we go through life, we should be sensitive to the things other people see in our lives. We should be open to the things in our lives that might need to change. As pastors we should be aware of the truth of an old adage, "As goes the head, so goes the body."

Where are you leading your flock? Are you so tied to the past that your still only singing stuff from the 70's? You see, if you aren't able to change with the times, neither will your church. How often have I heard pastors complain that their young people are leaving in droves, but is that because we are anchored to the past and can't find a way to relate to them?

I am amazed by the Hillsongs Church and how well they do church. Their congregation is huge and has a wonderful cross-section of age groups. It is nothing to see senior citizens worshiping side-by-side with teens, to see singles and marrieds shoulder to shoulder. Their worship is so rich and moving, and not at the expense of the past, to the contrary, you'll hear hymns and old choruses mixed with brand new expressions of worship. True, the older stuff may have a new arrangement, but you know all the words. And they are changing their world.

I'm not here to dictate how you should do church, but let me encourage you to be courageous in the face of change. Let your past be a launchpad for the ministry you have today. Remember, were are enjoined to hold fast to the good, and just because it provokes a memory or a feeling doesn't make it good. What God is doing, that is what is good. Get in there and do it with Him.

What is a friend worth?

Life has a way of teaching us things that we might miss otherwise.

This past weekend we had the chance to visit with friends who pastor St. John's Church (http://www.saintjohnschurch.us/) in Grantsville, MD. St Johns is a traditional church with some contemporary crossover elements. The pastors, Jerry and Judi Rogers, have been dear friends of ours for years and have served in three different pastorates since we have known them.

I am reminded by my visit of how vitally important these two precious people have been to our lives. At a time when I was ready to leave the ministry it was Jerry who came along side and encouraged me in my calling and vision. Where we were hurting, they brought healing, and I couldn't be more grateful. After their ministry to us we went on to pioneer Household of Faith and saw 16 wonderful years of success.

Jerry and Judi are great pastors. You cannot be in their presence without knowing that you are loved and that they place a high value on you. No matter where you fit in the body, they always have a place for you. It is obvious that they have what it takes to build a strong church, look at what they have accomplished.

Jerry comes from a sordid and corrupt past, no stranger to the vices of men. Judi's background is as pure as Jerry's is corrupt. It took a miracle to bring them together and make them the successful team that today set such a wonderful example for the flock they lead and the ministers around them. It isn't that they don't have problems, flaws, or failings, it is just that they have shown how to handle them with God. These two are in my book of heroes, and I encourage you to let them be an example of what it means to follow God.

The life lesson here: friends are of inestimable value, cherish them.

If you are in the Grantsville area stop by St. Johns and enjoy the worship, the solid biblical teaching, and inspiring leadership of Jerry and Judi Rogers. You will be blessed.

Check Out Pittsburgh East

We had a great first time visit at Pittsburgh East Community Church.

Pittsburgh East was founded in 1976 as a Bible study by Pastor Lee Kichner. It has grown into a wonderful and dynamic fellowship that is changing the face of Pittsburgh.

Today's service was typical of what you will find at Pittsburgh East. The worship was amazing, the word was powerful, and the congregation made us feel right at home. The church shows the power of vision and what can be accomplished when people work together in agreement.

The way they have designed the Children's Ministry area is really creative and reflects a connection to the local community. The whole wing is done in a Main Street theme with a Post Office, hardware store, candy store, community center and "Savings and Trust." The Children's Auditorium is done in a movie theater theme outside and stage theater theme inside. The outside is decked with posters that are parody's of popular movies in Gospel remakes. It was quite impressive and professional in every respect.

At Pittsburgh East you will find an alive and vital ministry to young people who have outgrown "The Underground" and are impacting their community. Though the congregation is large, they maintain a close knit community through "xcel" Groups which meet inside and outside the church building. Couples with young children find the freedom to be part of xcel through the ministry of xcel.central at the church. Childcare is provided during their xcel group meeting. The strength and vitality of this congregation says what they are doing is working!

Check out their web site, and, if you are in the area, stop in.
http://www.pittsburgheast.com/flash/index.html